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J. P. BRISCOE.

tended preaching, affected even to tears. | fully followed up, their system will soon be Who can tell what the Lord has to do with shaken from centre to circumference. I him? and if he shall prove a really converted think the reformation meetings lately insti-> character, we shall all be amply rewarded tuted will be a great means of accomplishing for our labour. it; and, besides this, ministers of all deno minations are now preaching the gospel in the cabins of the poor. Ireland is beginning to see the dawn of a more glorious day than ever she before witnessed. Respectable persons, who would, some time ago, have deemed it a sin or shame to hear the gospel out of what are called consecrated walls, may be seen in some places, with their servants

To the Secretaries.

From Rev. J. M'Carthy.

Eden Cottage, Kilbeggan, Nov. 9, 1827. in livery, driving to hear it in a smoky hut,

DEAR BRETHREN,

I have much cause to be thankful for the goodness of God, as experienced since the 3d of September last, when I despatched my last journal, as there is an increasing desire excited in the minds of the people throughout my circuit to hear the word of life. I have travelled 390 miles since that time, and continued, as usual, distributing the bread of life to my countrymen every day. My pious and indefatigable young brother, Hutchinson, has been exceedingly active in helping to facilitate the great object of extending the Saviour's kingdom, by proclaiming with me the same glorious gospel. This has not relaxed my feeble efforts, nor kept me from preaching one sermon less, nor, at the usual times, from visiting any one of my places; yet in my absence he has been made useful, in giving the people more constant preaching, and by that means keeping them together. I inclose his modest journal, which will give you but a very faint idea of what he has been doing since I addressed you last. A weekly prayer meeting has been set on foot lately at Athlone, and is in general very well attended, and brother Merry expounds a portion of the word of God to them twice in each week; and, from what I have been told by persons who have heard him, he is not only generally approved of, but has been also made useful. I am endeavouring to collect all the intellect and talent I can find amongst my brethren, and set it in motion. Within the bounds of my circuit, which extends from Keanagh in the County Longford to Donnacleggan in the Queen's county, &c. you may be assured of it, preaching, travelling, and inspecting the schools, forms but a moderate part of what constitutes my labours at the present eventful period; keeping out of sight, also, my morning and evening duty of praying with the families where I visit, and expounding to them the Scriptures. Controverting the numerous heterodox principles, which like so many locusts, surround me day by day, absorbs almost every moment..

The opinions of the Roman Catholics are attacked from every quarter, and, if man

and inviting ministers to preach it at their own houses. Is not this the work of God?

Last

I know not of any place in my circuit which is not in general well attended. To excite and keep up the spirit of hearing amongst them, I mostly announce the subject to be delivered next, so it not only attracts their attention, but, in the interim, leads to research. The distribution of well-selected tracts has been made a blessing to some. Lately I travelled about twenty miles through a very destitute country-not of people, for it is numerously populated-but destitute nearly of all means of religious instruction. I folded up sheet-tracts in the form of letters, and all the way I dropped them where I believed they would be taken up. Lord's day but one I preached at Mullingar, for the Rev. Mr. Gibson, who is in affliction. A person who was then there, and lives within the precincts of a village where many of the tracts were picked up, and not knowing that I was the person who dropped them, related the circumstance, and said, "they were so esteemed by some who found them, that they would not lend them to their neighbours, lest they could not get them again; and that they were comparing the different kinds, and boasting each had got the best." A contrary effect was produced on others, through not giving themselves time to examine whether the subject was good or bad; they said "they had a mind to follow me, and pelt me with stones.” As to the schools, I mean to give you a detailed account of them in my next letter; suffice it to say, as usual they are going on well. At Ballycumber the master has instituted a night school for several adult Catholics; some of them are learning their letters, others are reading the word of God. At Keanagh, after using every other means to induce a Catholic boy to commit the word of God to memory, without effect, I publicly dismissed him from the school. A few days. after his father brought him back, humbly soliciting his readmission, which was done. In general I find this to be the most efficient means of maintaining the constitution of the schools.

J. MCCARTHY.

From a Scripture Reader.
Moynos Scariff, Oct. 12, 1827.

REVEREND SIR,

reasoned out of the Scriptures in three houses in Scariff, Tomgrany, and Carhumou. Met with a very bigoted Romanist in the latter place, who entered into a warm argument on the mass, purgatory, praying to saints, &c. &c. Several present were much interested, and paid the greatest attention.

Monday, 14th. Took my way to Scariff, accompanied by Stephen Ryan. Called into the next house to the chapel, and after we gave the family and a few others a short cellent religious tract, for which he seemed lecture, I gave the man of the house an exthankful: I frequently read and lectured in

this house.

From thence to Fletchers.
I asked

James McNamara followed us in.

said be.

"What

I have been out every day during the month ending yesterday, and have visited various places in the counties of Clare and Galway, and in the city and suburbs of Limerick, and have had various interesting meetings, opening and expounding the blessed gospels of the grace of God on every opportunity, and directing poor deluded and perishing sinners to Him who is the way, and the truth, and the life, and upon whom whosoever believeth shall not perish, but have everlasting life. There is evidently an in-bim if he read the Testament that I was a means of getting for him? "I do not,' creasing desire for scriptural knowledge; numbers of the Romanists rising above the "Is it true that you bartered it authority of their priests, and now actively for a stick or wattle with a man in M'Shan"It is," said he. inquiring the way to Zion: and, indeed, non?" said I. such is the desire to receive and read reli- induced you to do so, after being so exgious tracts, that I disseminated the whole tremely desirous for getting it as you were?" of what tracts you gave me the two last said I. "Why, man, they were then as times I visited Limerick., I have been fre- honeycombs to us," said he," but since the quently pursued and overtaken whilst going priest told us that they were full of poison, along the way, and crossed by other persons, who ran from their work in the fields, begging these silent little preachers of righteousIf I had one thousand of my own favourite tract("Scriptural Reasons for separating from the Church of Rome"), I could find persons who would be thankful for them all. I think you ought to send for a large supply, the people are so desirous for them.

ness.

On looking over my journal I scarcely know where to begin; hut, however, I will begin near where I ended my last.

13th ult. A few persons came into my cottage a religious discussion commenced, on the mass, extreme unction, church, &c. &c. which lasted for some hours; and, towards the close of the debate, I asked the principal of them," if the church of Rome be built upon a rock against which the gates of hell cannot prevail, why are the priests so much against the indiscriminate reading of the Scriptures, or letting the poor children too cme the schools where the Scriptures are read ?" A clear ease," said a man named Gthat their church is built on sand, and that their doctrines are not to be found in the Bible." "You are a rotten member, you are a bad Catholic," &c. &c., said the principal advocate ; "and when they agreed not among themselves, they departed." I gave Ga Testament two or three years ago; I trust he is benefitted by it. The priest threw out some darts from his altar against him for finding him in conversation with me, which did not dismay him.

Lord's day, 14th. Spoke on the word to several Romanists at a funeral, and read and

thorns, and briars, and commanded us not
to read them, I would have nothing to do
with them." Stephen asked him what harm
He would not listen to any
they had done.
sort of reasoning, but ran away, declaring
that his priest condemned it. Thus, you see
that the priests are the chief stumbling-
blocks in all parts.

THOMAS BUSHE.

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MISSIONARY HERALD;

CONTAINING

INTELLIGENCE AT LARGE

OF THE

Proceedings and Operations

OF THE

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY;

AND

RECORDING THE PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS

OF

OTHER SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS.

Subscriptions and Donations in aid of this Society will be thankfully received at the Baptist Missionary House, No. 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London: or by any of the Ministers and Friends whose names are inserted in the Cover of the Annual Report.

BAPTIST MISSION.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

CALCUTTA.

to their native land, a measure which seemed absolutely necessary, in consequence of the impaired state of their health, particularly in the case of brother Yates. The latter,. who sailed early in January, in the Mars, is gone by way of America; and the former, at the close of the same month, in the | Robarts, direct for England. In addition to We have just received the quar-these losses, we have to regret the departure terly account from our missionaries of Mr. Boardman, American Missionary, to the Burman country. In consequence of its at this important station, long disturbed state, he was detained in Calhasten to lay before our readers. cutta eighteen months, during which time he

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Calcutta, April 21, 1827.

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endeared himself to all classes of Christians here by his pious, zealous, and affectionate conduct, and particularly to is, by the readiness with which he assisted us at the Cir

mauner.

By the will of a gracious Providence we cular-road chapel, in English preaching, are again permitted to address you, respect-which God has blessed to many in a striking ing our united labours in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since our last commu- Sickness also has been permitted to visit nication, at the close of the past year, we our little circle, and increase, for a time, the have had occasion to sing both of mercy and weight of our respective burthens of labour.. judgment; as our course has been marked Mr. Thomas has experienced a very severe with prosperity and adversity-with hope attack of bilious fever, which laid him aside and disappointment. At the beginning of from his work for nearly a month; and we the year our ranks were thinned, by the de- cannot but consider it a kind interposition of parture of our brethren, Yates and Statham, Providence, that brother Boardman was con

tinued among us till brother Thomas was enabled to renew his labours, which, we are thankful to say, he has done with a greater portion of strength than might have been expected.

In directing your attention to our several spheres of labour, we regret exceedingly, that, with respect to native work, there is much that is calculated to discourage, and occasion the severest grief to our minds. Our great anxiety has been, to witness the conversion of multitudes to the Son of God, but, hitherto, the pleasure has been denied us. Thousands of persons have heard the Gospel every week in our chapels; but, for a long time (with the exception of a female, with whose piety we are well satisfied, and who was baptised in January last), no serious inquirers have appeared. Added to this, the conduct of several who have professed Christ has, particularly of late, given us much sorrow, and constrained us to separate them from the church, or suspend them, for a time, from partaking of the Lord's Supper. Four others also, out of a very small uumber of native members, have been removed, in the allotments of Providence, to a distance up the country, but, we hope, not out of the reach of Christian privileges. These things, therefore, have contributed greatly to lessen the numbers of the native church. The causes of these afflictive events lie partly in the want of European superintendance; for, before the arrival of our brethren Thomas and Pearce, several of the native Christians were necessarily left almost without control. Imperfect as their knowledge of Christianity must be surrounded, as they are, with the most iniquitous examples-it could scarcely be expected that their conduct should remain unimpeachable. Nor do our discouragements end here of late, the enemies of missions seem to have received a fresh impulse of enmity and zeal against the promulgation of the Gospel: every false report, every discrepancy of character, whether in European or native Christians, that can be found, and abundance of unkind and base insinuations are, by means of the public journals, laid before the public; so that we can scarcely take up a newspaper in which we do not find something designed to injure the missionary cause. Notwithstanding, however, we are thus constrained to sow in tears, it is not without hope that we or our successors shall reap in joy. We are indeed pressed on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, yet not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. Our hope and confidence rest on the power and promise of Christ; he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. India, of all countries, is the strong hold of Satan; and yet, at the present period, we have abundant and satisfactory evidence that this mighty bulwark, which

has been established for ages, is not impregnable. Many natives of India are living witnesses of this. Great success has not, indeed, been granted to us, yet we rejoice that others are not destitute of it: we are thankful to report, that, independent of the gracious outpouring of the spirit in Ceylon, even in Bengal the missionaries of the church and London societies have recently met with great success, the particulars of which you will, doubtless, soon learn from their respective publications. If others, therefore, prevail, why should not we? The time is not far distant, we trust, when India will, with one voice and soul, stretch forth her hands unto God.

In directing your attention to the English department of labour, we feel happy that we are able to present more encouraging details. To the church in the Circular-road several additions have been recently made, beyond what we stated in our last letter, and several others are shortly expected. The chapel at Howrah, since the departure of Mr. Statham, continues to be well attended, and there are some hopeful appearances in the congregation. We are thankful to state, that the ladies of the Circular-road chapel have lately formed among themselves an Auxiliary Missionary society, and, from the spirit and zeal with which they have entered upon this good work, we are led to believe that they will render essential service to the missionary cause. Our young friends of the Juvenile Society are proceeding in their exertions with unabated zeal. Of late, their place of meeting has been so well attended, as to render it necessary to seek a larger place, which, not being able to procure, with the advice of their friends, they have commenced a subscription, in order to build a puckha or brick chapel, and have met with considerable encouragement. It was peculiarly gra tifying to witness their last annual meeting, held in the beginning of February: the room was completely filled; and several of our young friends on that occasion delivered addresses, the seriousness, good sense, and scriptural sentiment of which, forcibly evinced the beneficial effects of the society. The Benevolent Institution continues to prosper, under the care of brother and sister Penney, scarcely a month passing away without some pleasing evidence being given of the power of religion among the elder boys of the school. Among other incidents that we might mention, the conduct of some Hindoo youths gives us unfeigned pleasure. Two or three of these lads, who have acquired a tolerable knowledge of English, are in the habit of meeting every Lord's day, with brother Penney, for the purpose of reading the scriptures, and three of them frequently attend to hear the word, at the Circular-road chapel.

The press, under the superintendance of

to the Garrow mountains, inhabited by a race of people the most abject that can be conceived. This gentleman assures us that the Government will wholly support him, and allow him to prosecute his own measures for the improvement of their civil and spiritual condition. Mr. F. has written to us, requesting counsel; and we, upon the assurance that he will derive his support wholly from Government, have rather encouraged him to comply, especially as his present situation is by no means a propitious one for preaching the Gospel. Brother Carapiet C. Aratoon has his time fully occupied in supplying the native chapels in the city, and in visiting the native Christians. Brother C. has had with him lately a promising inquirer from the upper provinces, who is of a respectable family, and appears desirous of instruction. Some time, however, must elapse, before we can be satisfied respecting his sincerity.

Brother George Pearce is now residing at Chitpore, where he is engaged in prosecating the acquisition of the Bengalee language, and occasionally in accompanying the native brother stationed there in his excursions among the surrounding villages, to preach the Gospel of Christ. He preaches twice ot Howrah on the Sabbath, when bro

brother W. H. Pearce, continues to be increasingly active, either in sending forth works, which contribute to augment the funds of the mission, or in preparing books for its immediate use. Among the new publications which have been printed since the commencement of the year, we notice with great satisfaction a work on the comparative excellency of the Christian and Hindoo systems, as it regards their nature, tendency, and evidence, by Mr. Mundy, of Chinsurah. It was at first intended to print it only in the native language; but it has since been thought that a work of this kind, for the European youth and others in this country, is greatly needed; an edition, therefore, has been printed in English. With a design to render the press a useful auxiliary in missionary work, 500 copies of a sheet tract, designed particularly for distribution after addresses to the natives, have also been printed every month since the beginning of the year, and will be regularly continued. This mode of circulating information is calculated to excite attention, from its novelty; and, from its comparative cheapness, can be more extensively distributed, while the sheet contains a sufficient quantity of matter fully to occupy the attention of a Hindoo at one time. During the annual association of mission-ther Carapiet and W. H. Pearce alternately aries in Calcutta and vicinity, in February visit Chitpore, as before, to carry on worship last, we were indulged with the gratifying for the benefit of the native Christians residsight of the designation of a missionary. ing there. The church in the Circular-road having called Mr. Kirkpatrick to the work of the ministry, it was thought desirable, on many accounts, that he should be publicly set apart to the work in which he had been encouraged, by the committee. In this service two of our Serampore brethren kindly engaged (Dr. Carey and Mr. Swan), the latter of whom delivered the introductory address, and the former gave the charge; the designation prayer, with the imposition of hands, was offered by Mr. Boardman, American missionary. The great interest excited on this occasion was evinced by the numbers assembled to witness it, composed of missionaries and all denominations of Christians in Calcutta. Some who were present remarked that they felt as though they had been suddenly transported to their native land, so much did the scene resemble those delightful services in Britain which you are permitted so often to enjoy. Mr. Kirkpatrick, from the commencement of the year, has been wholly employed at Howrah, and has occasionally assisted brother George Pearce in English preaching, with acceptance to his congregation.

Mr. Fenwick, who formerly resided at Howrah, has recently removed to Silhet, by an appointment of Government. Since his residence there, he has been requested, by a person in authority, to undertake a mission

We have now taken a review of the several parts of our united labour. Much there was, we said at the commencement, that is calculated to discourage, and much there is to balance this feeling. Our discouragements, you perceive, arise not a little from the want of labourers; work is multiplying upon us, while we are not sufficiently strong to do what already engages our hands. We have had additions, it is true; but our reductions more than balance them and our strength is now less than it was twelve months ago. Since, four missionaries have departed, including the American brethren, who greatly helped us, while two only have arrived.

:

You will therefore feel, dear brethren, the necessity of sending us help as soon as possible. We hope that the discouraging circumstances which fidelity induces us to disclose, will not cause your hands to hang down, although we have to contend with them every day, and many others, which are only known to ourselves; yet we by no means despair of the final success of these exertions, and would on no account leave the field of labour, so long as we have health and strength to work therein.

We remain, dear Brethren,

Yours, affectionately,

JAMES PENNEY. J. THOMAS.
W. H. PEARCE. GEO. PEARCE

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