The Committee would not be insensible to the many instances in which
kind attention has been paid to their appeals under the pecuniary burden
still resting upon the Society. Certainly, were it not for such
benevolent assistance, the difficulties and discouragements connected
with carrying on its operations, would be greatly increased. Yet the
arrear of debt, amounting to nearly, or quite, a _thousand pounds_,
cannot fail to excite a considerable measure of solicitude in the minds
of those who are principally concerned in the management of its affairs;
but it is recollected that the silver and the gold are the Lord's; and
in the history of this Society, many indeed have been the opportunities
afforded for gratefully acknowledging the remarkably seasonable relief
which He has been pleased to send, and in this time of exigence, it is
hoped He will again appear. The Rev. J. Allen returned to Ballina, after
collecting for the Chapel, the latter end of January. He wishes to
acknowledge the kindness he experienced during his tour, and hopes to
present, next month, an account of the contributions he has received.
_To the Rev._ JAS. ALLEN.
I have been employed during the last quarter in this neighbourhood
according to the ability that God hath given, in making known to my
fellow-sinners the unsearchable riches of Christ, the ignorance of which
is the cause of all the wickedness, delusion, and error, in this or any
other country.
_Oct. 5._--Visited a family in Brook Street, where I read the
twenty-first chapter of Job, and several other passages of Scripture, I
made some remarks as I read, the people frequently lifting up their eyes
when the name of Jesus was mentioned. Those people have a form of
religion, but they are destitute of the power.
12.--Visited an old woman in Bohunssup who is convinced of her sinful
state by nature, and pointed out the Saviour to her as plainly as I
could; I told her I feared she would prefer a priest to the Saviour in
her last hours, and if so, she might as well deny him altogether, and in
all his offices, as he alone is able to save from sin; and those who
believe on him shall not come into condemnation. She declared she had no
hope, no desire, to look to anything a priest could do for her. I prayed
with this poor woman.
19.--Visited a family this afternoon, named Whalin, where I read several
portions of God's word, and endeavoured to explain as I read. I prayed
with them also.
26.--I had a conversation with an old Roman Catholic lady on the folly
of those people who, she said, exposed their children to the fearful
doom, should they die unbaptized, of being shut out from the light of
heaven. I asked her if she did not read the New Testament. She said she
did. I asked her where she found any thing there that would lead her to
suppose or believe that those unbaptized children were thus exposed. I
said: I find no command to sprinkle infants; but the contrary, seeing no
persons were admitted to that ordinance but those who were able to make
a profession of faith, and this no infant could do; nor do we read of
any but adults being received into the church. I showed her, from the
New Testament, the practice of the Apostles, and our Lord's commission
to his Apostles. Then, why do Protestants baptize their infants? said
she. Because, said I, instead of abiding by what is written they have
thought proper to adopt the customs of those who teach the commandments
of men for those of God. You mean to say, said she, that the Church of
Rome do so? Certainly, I replied. Then she said she believed in the
Saviour alone, and through faith in him she hoped to be forgiven. You
are a Protestant then, said I. No; I detest your Calvinistic doctrines,
and I know no name sufficiently odious to brand them with. You may call
me any name you please, said I. She pledged her honour that she always
thought me an honest man and a good Christian. I told her I was glad to
hear her give another proof of her Protestant principles; seeing she was
more charitable than to believe all Protestants must be damned. She
said, no Catholics held such an opinion. I told her what the Council of
Trent said on that subject. She would not believe what I told her. She
said she did not believe that she received the body and blood
spiritually in the Eucharist. I said she believed more. No, said she.
I must not lengthen this subject, as the whole of our argument would
fill my sheet; nor would I have gone so far, were it not to show how
little Roman Catholics know what they believe. After running over most
of the absurdities of her religion, some things she denied, others she
never heard of before. This woman got a good education, if any can be so
while the Scriptures are left out. She is one of the strictest in this
town for the last fifty years.
_Nov. 2._--Visited a family in Garden Street, named Timlin, where I read
several portions of Scripture; but they would not hear of my praying
with them; such is their fear of being spoken of.
9.--I had several conversations with people this day, one with an old
man, named Dowd, for whom I read many portions which I thought suited to
his case, an old man on the verge of eternity, who never thought on
those things.
16.--Visited poor old F., with whom I read, conversed, and prayed. He is
near his rest. He thanks God for having afflicted him; for before he was
afflicted he went astray. I had a good opportunity to show some Roman
Catholics, who were in the house, what the believer rests his hopes upon
in the hour of trial. They listened with attention.
23.--Visited a family in Ardnaree, named Gardner, where I read a chapter
and prayed with the family: and I always make some remarks as I read,
and propose questions, in order to arrest their attention.
30.--Visited the Staff, where I found some children reading the
Scriptures; I read with, and turned this little company into a class, by
questioning them on what we read. I prayed with them, and promised to
visit them again.
_Dec. 14._--Visited a family in Hill Street, named McNautly, where I
attempted to read, but was interrupted by a woman who said she did not
want any thing out of Protestant books. I reasoned with her for some
time, when I referred to the Testament for the truth of what I said; and
as she seemed pleased with what I said, I continued to read, and
explained as I read, without any further interruption. So we parted good
friends.
21.--Conversed with a young man named Poots, who asked me my opinion of
almost every article of the Popish doctrines. He said, he was satisfied
with any thing written in the Scriptures, as he found very little
difference between _ours_, as he called it, and _his_ Testament. I need
not enter into particulars, as this subject lasted more than two hours,
without an angry feeling on either side. He at length exclaimed: There
is so much mystery in our religion, and those things known only to the
priests, that he did not know what to think; but, said he, if I could be
properly convinced on the subject of transubstantiation and confession,
I would not remain one day in the church of Rome.
28.--Visited an old woman in Brook Street, named Brennan, who is
confined to her bed. I read and conversed with her for about an hour: I
prayed with her also.