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BAPTIST SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE GOSPEL IN IRELAND.-The Ninth Anniversary of this Society was held at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, on Friday, June 20-The great room began to fill at six o'clock in the morning. (Breakfast was served in the Coffee-room.) At seven o'clock the seats were all occupied. A few verses of a hymn were sung, and the Rev. W. Shenston offered up prayer.

J. Butterworth, Esq. M. P. took the chair.

The following are brief extracts from the Report:-"The very destitute circumstances of the native Irish, engaged the early attention of this Society; and it is pleasing to know that the apathy which at that time prevailed, has given place to a general concern for supplying them with the means of instruction. Many schools have been established by this, and other Societies, wherein those parents who wish it, may have their children instructed in the Irish language: and thousands of copies of the Scriptures in Irish have been circulated for their

use.

"The employment of persons, natives of Ireland, to read the Scriptures in the Irish-language, has proved a happy means for gaining access to the adult part of the population. Their partialities for every thing Irish, have thus been interested, and their prejudices against Protestant instructors shaken and overcome. Having conveyed the light of the Holy Scriptures to those who inhabit the mountains, bogs, and glens, of Ireland; and furnished the cabins of those who were formerly known only by the appellation of the Wild Irish,' with pure Christian instruction, (the glorious principles of the Reformation,) are circumstances that afford, indeed, matter for abundant thanksgivings to God. There is no instance, perhaps, in the history of modern missions, that will more justify the application of the prophet's language, -The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light hath sprung up.'

"The number of the Sabbath, and Itinerant Irish Readers of the Scriptures is twenty-four. Some idea of the usefulness of the Sabbath Readers, may be formed from the report of the labours of five men in the county of Clare. They have read the Scriptures in the Irish language in more than two hundred and fifty distinct cabins. One of them only, has taught forty-seven adults to read the Irish perfectly.

"The Committee report that there

are ninety-two day schools, and fourteen evening schools for adults, besides seve ral Sunday schools. There are in Tipperary, Cork, Westmeath, Longford, and Kilkenny, eleven; in Clare and Limerick, seventeen; and in Sligo, Mayo, and Roscommon, sixty-four. The schools contain about 7,500 children: all these belong to Roman Catholic parents, excepting about 500, whose parents are Protestants.

"Before the Committee close this part of their Report, they would remind the Society of the advantages resulting from making the native Irish acquainted with the Scriptures, as it relates to the peace and welfare of Ireland. All their Agents unite in the following testimony of Mr. Wm. Moore:- Wherever the Scriptures are read, or heard, there is loyalty; and I defy the kingdom to produce an instance from the commencement of our Society, of any person who has attended upon the reading of the Scriptures, or has read them himself, having been apprehended or charged with any insurrectionary practices: therefore," if it were only to save great expenses to the government, let the Scriptures have free course and love to England, and loyalty to the government will be the results.' As a corroboration of this statement, it is gratifying to find, that the late dispatches from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, respecting the convulsed state of Society, mentions' part of the province Connaught,' in connection with the province of Ulster, as being perfectly tranquil."

The Rev. Mr. Barclay, of Irvine, in proposing the first resolution, related the following anecdote :-He was crossing the bridge over the canal near to James Street, Dublin. A boy asked alms. He observed, suspended from the neck of the boy, who was 10 or 12 years old, a bit of pasteboard, and inquired, "What have you got here, my good boy?" "It is a Gospel, Sir."-" And who gave you the Gospel?" "The priest, Sir, who lives in James Street."And wherefore did the priest give you the Gospel?" "I was overtaken with a sickness in the night, and the priest gave me the Gospel.' "" And how much did you pay for the Gospel?" "I paid five shillings, Sir." Five shillings from this poor little boy, who lived by begging, for a bit of parchment!

The Rev. S. Davis, of Clonmell, mentioned some pleasing instances of the liberality of Roman Catholic priests towards Protestants that might be mentioned. Some Roman Catholics had made a disturbance at a place where

Esq., Rev. Dr. Steadman, Rev, J. Saffery, and Rev. F. A. Cox.

there was preaching. The priest was informed of it, and rebuked them for it on the next Sunday from the altar. He told them that he did not wish them to

go to hear the preaching, but if they would go, they must demean themselves properly, or they should experience his displeasure. He was told by a Presbyterian minister of a Catholic priest who used to invite his flock to the chapel after performing a mass, saying, "Now let us go and hear Mr. ; he can preach a better sermon than I can." But it happened that a wrong-headed man, tempted by this conciliation, rashly proceeded to attack the leading tenets of Popery. The priest and his congregation were naturally affronted, and would come no more. And that was with him a common remark, that if you attack them in an offensive manner, you may do more harm than good. There was a manner of doing things. He would stand as firmly as any man upon the principles of Protestantism and the Gospel; but they ought not needlessly to offend those to whom they were opposed. The first thing was to get them to embrace the Gospel, and then they would freely give up their errors, and troublehad been greatly successful in the scripsome and expensive superstitions. They

tural education of Roman Catholic chil

dren: they had in the schools about 7000 of them. In one town they had 300; and it was a delightful sight to see the boys reading, and the girls sewing. A friend who accompanied him wept for joy at the sight. He examined some of the boys, and their progress was astonishing. One of them had 75 chapters by heart. He could not stop to hear them all repeated, but desired the boy to turn down the leaves, which was done. He then examined him in 20 or 30 chapters at random, and he found sufficient reason to believe that the boy knew the whole 75 chapters. Some could repeat 20, some 30, and some 40 and more chapters. He gave the first boy a Bible; and though he was a Roman Catholic he loved the book, and had subsequently refused six shillings for it. At another examination, the chief competitor for the prize was so ragged that he doubted the propriety of trusting him with the new book, lest he should out of absolute necessity dispose of it to buy himself clothes. The poor boy came up to him, with tears in his eyes, and said, "If you will give me the Bible, Sir, I will not part with it, but I will show it to you every time you come this way."

The Meeting was addressed by the Rev. James Hoby, Lieut. Gordon, J. S. Taylor, Esq., Rev. Messrs. Gilbart and Kilpin, J. Poynder, Esq., B. Shaw, Esq., the Rev. Messrs. Ivimey, Pritchard, and Blundell, Lieut. Vickers, T. Walker,

BAPTIST HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. -The Annual Meeting of this Society was held at the City of London Tavern, E. Phillips, Esq. late of Melksham, in the Chair. The Meeting was opened by singing two verses of the 67th Psalm"Shine mighty God, on Britain shine."

Rev. Joseph Kinghorn, of Norwich, engaged in prayer; the Chairman introduced the business of the Meeting in a address, and called upon the Secretary, very concise, appropriate, and forcible Rev. John Edwards, to read the Report.

The Report stated, that this Society now affords assistance to upwards of one hundred village preachers, whose labours are carried on at about three hundred and

fifty stations, which are situated in thirtyfour counties in England, and seven in the principality of Wales, with which are connected one hundred and eight Sunday Schools. The receipts of the last year amounted to £1059. 18s. 84d. being considerably more than any former year. The Report concluded by stating, that besides the balance which is due to the Treasurer, the Society is under less than fifty villages and hamlets, where engagements to a considerable amount at five new stations, surrounded by not the sound of a preached gospel, or of public worship is scarcely ever heard. To meet these increased demands, the

present income of the Society is totally inadequate.'

Resolutions were then moved and sup

ported by Rev. F. A. Cox, of Hackney; Rev. Dr. Steadman; Rev. Mr. Dunn, of Rev. Joseph Kinghorn, of Norwich; Pimlico, one of the Secretaries of the other Home Missionary Society; Rev. ard Hinton, of Reading; Benjamin Edward Irving, of London; Rev. HowShaw, Esq.; Rev. Samuel Kilpin, of Exeter; Rev. Dr. Newman; and Mr. Joseph Hanson.

The Meeting was numerously attended; and the able advocates who pleaded the cause of the Society were evidently deeply interested in its success, and the

contributions which were received upon the occasion amounted to nearly £200.

NORTH DEVON ITINERANCY. Through the kind assistance of the Committee of the Home Missionary Society, the Ministers in the north of Devon have, for some time, been able to support an Itinerant, who preaches in a considerable number of large and populous villages, in the neighbourhood of Ilfracombe. A very pleasing interest has already been excited. In Combmartin, one of the villages, a chapel was lately opened. So eager were the poor inhabitants for its erection, that many who could not contribute money,

cheerfully gave one, two, or more days' labour, as their circumstances would allow. It will contain about two hundred persons, and still continues to be well filled. In another village, where the desire of hearing is very great, a gentleman, to whom much of the parish belongs, has offered to give a piece of ground, and to furnish stones and lime, for the erection of a chapel. Sunday Schools are established in the different villages, which are in a prosperous state, and in which a great number of children are educated. The young man who at present labours in these places is much approved of, and appears well adapted to the situation.

Promising, however, as are the appearances in all the villages, the Ministers connected with the Society are fearful they shall be obliged to relinquish the station, entirely through want of pecuniary assistance. The Committee of the Home Missionary Society, in consequence of the number of applications they receive, and the already embarrassed state of their finances, have been reluctantly compelled to withdraw the allowance of £20. which had been made for the last year. This being the case, the support of the Itinerant depends almost exclusively upon four congregations, two of which have still heavy debts remaining on their places of worship. It is therefore feared that no adequate means of support can be provided. The Ministers, however, at a meeting lately held at Barnstaple, came to the resolution not to relinquish this highly important and very promising station, without making a vigorous effort for one year. Should this fail, they will then have the satisfaction of not leaving the poor villagers destitute of the means of religious instruction, without having previously done all they could to continue to them so great a blessing. They have resolved to present this simple statement of their case to the religious public, in the hope that some benevolent individuals may be ready to afford some small pecuniary aid, to continue among so many poor ignorant villagers the word of life.

Signed, by order of the Meeting,
H. BROMLEY, Sec.

Appledore, June 17, 1823.

On Tuesday, June 17, the Rev. C. T. Sevier, late of Ridgewell, was publicly recognised as pastor of the Independent church worshipping in Salem Chapel, Wellingborough. The services of the day were commenced by the Rev.Robert Jacomb, who read appropriate portions of Scripture and prayed; the Rev.Walter Scott delivered the introductory discourse and received an account of the proceedings of the church, with Mr. Sevier's acceptance of the invitation ; the Rev. Samuel Hillyard offered solemn

prayer for a blessing on the union thus formed; the Rev. T. B. Bull delivered an appropriate discourse from 1 Cor. iv. 1,2; the Rev. John Renals concluded with prayer; the Rev. Samuel Hillyard preached in the evening from Numb. x. 23; and the Rev. Edward Chater preached the preceding evening: the coagregations were large, and the services highly interesting.

Wellingborough, June 19, 1823.

Awful Death. On Monday, June 16, a respectable young farmer, about 28 years of age, residing at a small village near Parkgate, in the county of Cheshire, had been drinking, in company with several others, at the Black Horse, Heswell. He left the public house in a state of intoxication, about 10 o'clock, and feeling himself indisposed, went to bed. At an early hour in the morning, his wife was awoke by a rattling noise in his throat, occasioned, it is supposed, by some obstruction. She jogged him with her elbow, but could not make him sensible. The motion was repeated, but without effect. She then became greatly alarmed, and after striking a light, sent for medical aid, but before it could be procured, the vital spark had fled, and her husband was a pale corpse at her side. The inn, where the deceased had been gratifying his intemperate desires, on the evening which preceded this awful catastrophe, exhibited, it is said, a spectacle of chilling horror. The parties were all inebriated, and appeared to be vying with each other which could utter the most dreadful oaths and imprecations. Thus are the wicked sometimes "driven away in their wickedness." But if the votaries of intemperance could be prevailed upon, from this awful occurrence, to invoke the arm of the Almighty to break the power of habit, they would in that case, be rescued from the baleful influence of vice in "the life that now is," as well as from its bitter consequences in "that which is to come." Under our present feelings, we are disposed affectionately to remind them, that though the forsaking of their evil ways in their own native strength is as impossible as that the Ethiopian should change his skin, or the leopard his spots, yet, that with God "all things are possible,"-and that to seek his aid is to engage Omnipotence on our side. The death, however, above referred to, having occurred under circumstances so awful and affecting, we are constrained to exchange the language of calm remonstrance for that of solemn warning; and that, be it remembered, we give, not in our own, but in the language of inspiration-"Because there is wrath, beware, lest he take thee away with his stroke; then a great ransom cannot deliver thee."

Parkgate, June 20, 1823.

T. S.

WORKS PREPARING FOR THE PRESS. In the Press, and nearly ready for Publication, in one volume, 8vo. (closely printed in double columns), with a frontispiece, and comprising nearly one thousand articles, the third London edition, greatly enlarged, of a Dictionary of All Religions, and Religious Sects, Antient and Modern; also of Ecclesiastical History and Theological Controversy. Originally drawn up by Mrs. Hannah Adams (Author of a History of the Jews, &c.) and compared with the fourth American edition of her work. Carefully revised and corrected to the present time, by Thomas Williams, Editor of the last Edition; with Mr. Fuller's Essay on Truth, a brief Missionary Gazetteer, &c. &c.

Memoirs of Mr. Coxe Freary, first Pastor of the Baptist church at Bluntisham, Hunts. By John Audley.

A Memorial of the late Rev. W. Evans, of Wymondham, Norfolk; including a Se. lection from his Private Correspondence; to which is subjoined, a Funeral Sermon, by the Rev. J. Hooper, A. M. one vol.

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WORKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

Mr. Bagster has recently published a Translation of the Latin Vulgate New Testament, in one handsome volume, 8vo. price 78 6d.

Remarks on Female Education, adapted particularly to the Regulation of Schools. 1 vol. 12mo.

Four Treatises, by Mr. Haldane, of Edinburgh, on Self-Examination, Mystery of Redemption, &c. Price 1s. 6d.

Chaplin's (Rev. W.) Sermon, preached before the London Missionary Society, at the Tabernacle, Wednesday, May 14, 1823. Price 1s.

The Character of the Apostles, as exhi bited in their Ministry; a Sermon, delivered at Chalford, Gloucestershire, May 21,1823. By Robert Vaughan, Worcester. Price 1s. 6d.

Gilbert's (Rev. Joseph) Sermon before the Teachers of the Hull Sunday School Union, April 1, 1823. Price 1s.

Interesting Particulars relative to that great national undertaking, the Breakwater constructing in Plymouth Sound. 8vo. 3s. sewed.

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Heinemann's Introduction to the Hebrew. 12mo. 5s.

Marsh's Sabbath at Home. 8vo. 7s. bds. Orme's Life of W. Kiffen, post 8vo. 5s. 6d. boards.

Rudges's Lectures on Genesis, 2 vols. 8vo. 1. 1s.

Russell, on Infant Salvation. 12mo. 3s. 6d. boards.

Transactions of the Literary Society of Bombay; containing Papers and Essays, by Major Vaus Kennedy, Capt. J. Stewart, Capt. W. H. Sykes, Major-General Sir J. Malcolm, T. Coats, Esq. J. Babington, Esq. T. Marshall, Esq. Dr. Taylor of Bombay, Capt. G. T. Sadlier, W. Erskine, Esq. With a Biographical Sketch of Captain Macmurdo, by James M'Adam, Esq. and a List of the Members. Vol. III. 4to. with numerous plates. £3. 13s. 6d.

The Saxon Chronicles, with an English Translation, and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By the Rev. J. Ingram, late Saxon Professor in the University of Oxford. To which are added, a New and Copious Chronological, Topographical, and Glossarial Index, with a short Grammar of the Saxon Language. A new edition, in 1 vol. 4to. with an accurate and enlarged Map of England, during the Heptarchy, Plates of Coins, &c. £3. 13s. 6d. boards.

THE painful separation of Mr. Phillips from his friends at Brigstock, appears to have taken place in the spring of 1796, when he entered on the duties of his new situation at Rotherham. In connexion with these, he pursued the work of the ministry at Attercliffe, near Sheffield, where a congregation had been gathered by the occasional labours of the late Rev. Jehoiada Brewer. The cause was much assisted in its infant state by the Rev. J. Atkinson, but never had the advantage of a regular and stated ministry before that of Mr. Phillips. His labours here were acceptable and useful. He received a call from the congregation in the close of the year 1799; the Church was formed in the beginning of June, 1800; and on the 24th of the same month he was ordained.

Mr. Phillips's confession of faith was copious and particular, evincing much thought and much honesty, in the avowal of principles, which he knew to be at variance with certain interests and prevailing prejudices. In giving the reasons of his dissent from the Church of England, he observed, that he was "6 a Dissenter from principle, and not from education." "The principle of my dissent from the Church of England," said he, "is precisely the same as that on which she professes to dissent from the Church of Rome, which is the right of private judg CONG. MAG. No. 68.

ment. The Bible is the religion of Protestants;' and every man has a right to judge for himself, as to the will of God therein revealed. Now I claim this right, as given me by my Creator; I take the Bible in my hand-that Bible, by which my religious sentiments and conduct are to be regulated; I look into the Church of England, and examine the peculiarities of that sect by this infallible standard; and there I find many things highly objectionable. The Church of England is a civil establishment of religion, being allied to the State; all the subjects of the realm, who do not dissent, being members of it, as a matter of course; having civil laws for its support, and civil sanctions to enforce them; whereas Christ hath said, My kingdom is not of this world.' His subjects are those who appear to be truly religious persons; his laws are those of the New Testament; and the sanctions by which they are enforced are

not carnal, but spiritual.' Thus was his kingdom, for three hundred years after his death, kept distinct from the kingdoms of this world, while all their powers were in league against it. The pernicious tendency of an Established Church, with regard to real religion, appears in the growth of ignorance, immorality, dissipation, and infidelity, where no extra exertions are made to the contrary, which affords sufficient proof of

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