IRISH CHRONICLE. JULY, 1838. Subscriptions and Donations received by the Secretary, Rev. S. GREEN, 61, Queen's Row Walworth; by the Rev. J. DYER, at the Baptist Mission Rooms, 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street; and the Rev. STEPHEN DAVIS, 92, St. John Street Road, Islington; the Messrs. MILLARD, Bishopsgate Street; SANDERS, 104, Great Russel Street, Bloomsbury; LADBROKE & Co., Bankers, Bank Buildings; by the Rev. C. ANDERSON, Edinburgh; the Rev. Mr. INNES, Frederick Street, Edinburgh; the Rev. J. FORD, 8, Richmond Hill, Rathmines-road, Dublin; by Mr. J. HOPKINS, Bull Street, Birmingham; by Mr. J. H. ÁLLEN, Norwich; and by any Baptist Minister, in any of our principal towns. By the time that this number of our Chronicle is in the hands of many of our readers, our brethren Hinton and Stovel will be on their way to Ireland. May we hope they will be accompanied by the prayers of the friends of religion in that country, that it may please God, not only to have them under his holy keeping, but to render their visit eminently useful in converting sinners, and strengthening the things that remain among saints. Of these last, unhappily they are not likely to meet with many. That there are truly pious people in Ireland we do not question; but we fear that over the district through which our brethren will chiefly travel, not many such will be found. The valley is full, very full, like that which Ezekiel saw, but they are dead; "there were very many in the open valley, and, lo! they were very dry." That God can raise them to new life, none will question; that he is likely to do this by means of his gospel, is equally admitted. Our course therefore is clear, to go and preach the gospel, and to ask earnestly, humbly, for his blessing; "breathe upon these slain, that they may live." It may be interesting to our readers to have a general idea of the route marked out for our brethren. At the city of Waterford and its neighbourhood they are likely to spend a few of their first days in Ireland, from whence they will proceed by different courses to Cork. After spending a few days there, they are to go in different directions to Limerick, and through Queen's County, King's, Meath, and Kildare to Dublin. They will preach in court-houses, school-houses, in fields, and under trees, as they can get opportunity; each of them once per day, perhaps oftener. The effort, so far as we are concerned, is a new one; it has been made for some time past by the Church Home Missionary Society, but is now discouraged among Conformists, as opposed to canonical regulations. Happily, with Dissenters such regulations are of no weight. Should this effort be successful, we hope to repeat it as the means may be afforded, convinced that we must look to such means much more than to the operation of established churches, or the influence of schools, for the overthrow of the Man of Sin, and the acceleration of the triumphs of the truth as it is in Jesus. Would that we could find a few men, thoroughly imbued with the Spirit of Christ, who would employ every energy in making known to all classes the gospel of salvation. The Committee have already stated their earnest wish to receive the overtures of two or three men of missionary zeal, who may be permanently stationed in certain places in Ireland loudly calling for their labours. This wish is being responded to. They still urge it, the more especially as many of our churches, amid an increasing attention to missionary work among the heathen, are determined that Ireland shall not be overlooked. Say not ye there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to the harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal." Many years since the devoted Samuel Pearce said of Ireland what is still true, "Most of the rich are by profession Protestants; the poor are nearly all papists, and strongly prejudiced against the reformed religion. Their ignorance and superstition are scarcely inferior to that of the miserable Hindoos." Nevertheless, many of them will hear the word of life, especially when presented by ministers against whom ecclesiastical prejudices cannot lie. Be it ours to place that word before them, so that hearing it, they may be brought to believe and obey, and have everlasting life. From recent correspondence the following extracts are taken : Under date of May 10th, Mr. M'Carthy writes thus: My dear brother, I have this day received the Patriot, containing the excellent and appropriate speeches made at the Finsbury Chapel, in behalf of the Baptist Irish Society, on Tuesday, the 1st inst.; and while I embrace so suitable an opportunity for expressing my thankfulness to God, for giving such a munificent spirit to our friends and brethren in England, as he has poured upon them this year, allow me also to congratulate you and the Committee on the success which has already accompanied your labours. "When heaven regards the deed, I could give many cogent reasons why the church is so very indisposed to arise up from the dust, and help herself, and why so much activity has been in operation on the other hand, to extinguish every effort made to carry the benevolent objects of your Committee into effect. Your agents stand between great obstacles, obstacles greater than any but those located in this country can possibly conceive, party prejudice, and moral darkness. Could they, like Samson, take hold of these two mighty pillars, and demolish the hideous fabric supported upon them, even suppose they were to perish in the enterprise, I think they would die in peace, being inspired with the hope that the labours of their successors would then be crowned with abundant suc. cess. From the 25th of March last, when I sent my last letter, I continued with regular and constant course preaching at my fixed stations and other places till Thursday, the 29th, when I received a joint letter from brother Berry and our friends at Dunnoughmore, inviting me to assist him at the baptism of some candidates; to which call I instantly responded. The next day I arrived at Clankilly, and to the place of my destination the next evening. Here were mingled feelings of joy and regret; joy that two of the family had heartily embraced the gospel, and regret that their murdered brother was not there, to participate in the bliss of the approaching day. And this was exceedingly so to me, as I doubt whether more genuine regard existed between Jonathan and David, than that which glowed in our bosoms to each other. Lord's day, April 1st, a temporary tent was erected contiguous to the water; and after the usual routine of singing, praying, and exhortation had been gone through, brother Berry baptized two Miss Frazers, Miss Powel, and Mr. Henry Dunn. I have no doubt but the untimely death of this fine, manly, and unparalleled young fellow, under God, has been the means of rousing the whole of this large and lovely family to the consideration of their eternal welfare. But he is Snatched from all earthly care, We returned to the house, refreshed and blessed; and after having preached as appropriate a sermon as I could on the occasion, the newly-baptized persons, with five or six others, commemorated the Redeemer's bleeding love. I was induced to expatiate much on this exhilarating subject, while at the table, and to explain the constitution and the government of the church of Christ, which seemed to be a word in scason. The sweet savour of that day is indeed delightful to my soul to this present hour. And how pleasing to reflect, the ground I have been ploughing for many years, and the seed I have sown, through the divine influence, has, under the ministration of brother Berry, ripened to perfection. "Happy is the people that is in such a case, yea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord." The next day I visited my much esteemed friend and brother of Newtown, Mr. Shortt, whose heart was with us, but is cut off from the external means by old age and infirmity. From this I proceeded to Abbeyliex; and al hough I was not expected, nor the announcement of my intention to preach given till I arrived there, we had a larger assemblage in the evening than any of us calculated upon. I can never allow the thought to escape from my breast, but this place will yet become a fruitful field, though many obstacles have hitherto stood in the way. When gloomy prospects hovered in view, both as it regards this and other places, I have been reanimated with this reflection, we have truth on our side; our motive is pure; and it is the Lord's own work, he will eventually make it to flourish. Next day I re-visited Člonkelly, and was delighted to meet my dear brother Sharman there. He came to conduct his family to his appointed sphere of labour. We made several fruitless at.empts to get up a congregation for the evening; but the inclemency of the day completely frustrated our design. We were not so unsuccessful the next day, though it too was unpropitious. After the usual routine, which was concluded in doors, we then proceeded to a pond, and I baptized Mrs. Sharman, when we returned, and commemorated the love of our crucified Lord. And here again our joy was mingled with the deepest sympathy, as we were all led to conclude, from the consumptive nature of her mother's complaint, it was the last time we should meet her on a similar occasion. To begin well is good, but to end well is glorious. This is the test by which a sound conversion may be certainly known. She also is one of my children in the Lord, and was also baptized by me on Lord's day, the 24th of June, 1827; and from that to this moment she has been an ornament to her profession, a comfort to her family, and her example worthy of imitation by us all. She is happy in her Redeemer's love, and only waiting till he shall beckon her away to his eternal rest. These little hills of Zion are gradually, though slowly, increasing. We should have a considerable augmentation to the number of our communicants, if we dare dispense with the insurmountable obstacle, the baptism of believers. The prejudice still prevailing against it is almost inconceivable, though its force, when compared with what I have known it to be, is comparatively nothing. It, with other doctrines contained in the word of the Lord, will grow into estimation in the same proportion the divine light chases the darkness from Dear Sir, From the contents of the foregoing pages, you will see that the Lord has enabled me to carry the message of mercy and pcace to many, very many souls; and without taking in a very wide field, I have preached twentysix times, held several meetings for prayer, and read the Scriptures for hundreds. I could not suppose that the word of God has returned void, or that his gospel has not been made powerful in the conversion of sinners. The good weather has favoured me very much; and although the country congregations are somewhat decreased, on account of the hurry hinder them from hearing the word of life; of the season, still I have not allowed this to for I have gone into the fields, and without interfering much with their labour, I have said a word or two for my blessed Master; and others, that would not come to preaching, have by this means heard the gospel. I can, I trust, say, and I would say it with great humility, that I am becoming useful in this and according as my acquaintance is extendplace. I am by degrees becoming acquainted; ing, the gospel is spreading. In some places the minds of the people. While I look back by one part of the family, and rejected by the am cordially received, in others, welcomed on the past, and contemplate the riches of other part; and I am sorry to say some are to God's goodness up to the present moment, in be found that would not allow me to preach what he has done in the small space of in their houses. Abbeyliex, though small, twenty-three years for Ireland, I am led to has one of the largest Orange lodges in this wonder. When my union with your Committee commenced, the doctrine of electioning, there is not much good to be expected. country. Among this class, humanly speakby grace was almost every where scouted; I am happy that one or two of the church but now it resounds from pulpit to pulpit, and have ceased meeting in their lodge. The by missionaries from hill to hill. Free and Methodists are also prejudiced; and some of scriptural education, either by Sunday or day them, who receive my private visits kindly, schools, was hardly known; but now, with your schools and others, you could as hardly and Roman Catholics plainly tell me they would not allow me to preach in their houses; find an unoccupied inch of ground to plant like my conversation, and would wish to hear one. Every means the human mind could devise is in operation for her reformation. school will, I trust, soften down prejudice, me preach, but they are afraid. Our morning But most of this is working in a certain quarter, and it is so far good; but if you could May I ask a few primers and spelling-books and prove a blessing to the dear children. tell us how to undermine the mass of error which is operating against all our united efforts, all would be well. I enclose the forms of the schools, which will tell you more about them than I could describe. However, I should mention this: after the usual inspection has been gone through, we read a chap. ter, and ask the children their opinion upon verse by verse, which is sometimes very satisfactorily given. Every moment is occupied one way or another. Just now two Methodist preachers have been here, to invite me to assist them, by making a speech at their mis At from Mrs. West, for this infant school? Richard Moore, a reader, writes:- Rev. Sir, my last enjoyed the peculiar favour of my Lord and Master, in maintaining me in health and vigour, to walk to and fro in this land of darkness; but not now a land of darkness (comparatively speaking) when I take a retrospective view of its aspect twenty years ago. The Sun of righteousness seems to be rising with all his effulgence of glory; I hail his appearance to reign and rule for evermore. As to the reception I have met from the lower class, I am inadequate to explain; they all hail me with cheerfulness, and hear the word of God with pleasure and delight; which I trust many of them have embraced dearly, as the only guide for their eternal salvation. The schools under my care are thin at present, not from any opposition, as heretofore, but on account of the children being employed in the field. With regard to the tracts which you have given me for distribution, there remain only two in my possession. I hope to get as many more for the next month, as I find the public thirsting for spiritual knowledge. The Bibles and Testaments are not sufficient to supply the demand; I hope to get more for the next month. said that he had been looking out for me with the greatest anxiety; he informed me of a discussion that was to take place in Dublin, between priest M'Guire and a minister of the established church; "but," said he," I know that they are both wrong in many things, and particularly on infant sprinkling, as both hold it essential to salvation, that salvation which alone is imparted by faith in the finished work by Jesus Christ on the tree. As I had been distributing some tracts in a field, D. H., of Rathlu, came up, to whom I gave a Good Priest. He walked with me toward his own house, and requested I would go in with him, to converse with his wife about the great truths of the gospel. After a short conversation, I referred them to the Epistle of the Romans, as they were all confident that the great truths of the almighty God were delivered to the primitive church first established in Rome. I referred them "to the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." I exhorted them to prove all things by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. May the God of all grace crown all I now refer to simple facts. The last time our feeble labours with abundant success! I visited Patrick Boyle, of Ququnalaughy, he R. MOORE. In consequence of the absence of the Secretary from town, the Annual Report is not yet quite ready for circulation: we hope it will be out in a few days. J. HADDON, PRINTER, CASTLE STREET, FINSBURY. THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE. AUGUST, 1838, of OBSTACLES TO THE PROPAGATION OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY A SERMON BY MONSIEUR J. H. GRANDPIERRE, SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY FOR EVANGELICAL MISSIONS, AND ONE OF THE PASTORS OF THE TAITBOUT CHAPEL, PARIS. Translated from the original French. "WHO HATH BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" WE should indeed be guilty of deep ingratitude, and even of injustice towards Divine Providence, were we not to acknowledge the existence, progress, and greatly-increasing extension of religious revival among us. We cannot deny that the Bible, long proscribed and contemned, has resumed its place in the favour many, that christian ideas begin to shed their influence over some minds, and that the value of evangelical faith becomes, from year to year, and from month to month, more ardently and universally felt. Prejudices gradually give way, prepossessions disappear, people examine and listen with more calmness, seriousness, and impartiality, and if the establishment of evangelical worship and the eagerness with which many persons attend on it were the only demonstration of this fact, this sign of the times in which we live were alone sufficient to excite our gratitude to God, and stimulate us to renewed effort. Seldom do we enter this chapel and ascend this pulpit without emotions of joy, which we delight to yield as an offering to the Lord, at beholding in the midst of this great city, the metropolis of vanity, the ancient and renowned seat of dissipation and worldly pleasure, an increasing number of souls who feel that man ceases not to exist with the body, and who perceive the necessity of arranging the great business of salvation. But when we VOL. I.-FOURTH SERIES. ISAIAH LIII. 1. compare this country with other coun- and which hinder men of every clime 3 A |