_Ballina, Jan. 3, 1835._
_To_ Rev. J. BATES.
I am happy to inform you, that the work of the blessed Redeemer is
prospering in this part of his vineyard, though the wicked one has his
secret agents in this place, as well as every other place, resisting the
work of Christ, and the gospel of the grace of God.
On the 20th of July I went to read to the house of one James McPartlin,
near the town of Drumahair. This poor man is ignorant and unlearned,
although a great devotee in the Church of Rome. I read for this poor man
and family several chapters in both English and Irish; and the poor man
was astonished to hear the words of eternal life in his native language.
He asked me several questions concerning the sacrifice of the mass, and
purgatory, and other doctrines taught by his church. I asked him: "What
sacrifice is the mass?" He answered, in the words of his catechism, "An
unbloody sacrifice." I then read for him the ninth and tenth chapters of
Hebrews, and showed him from the twenty-second verse of the ninth
chapter, that without shedding of blood there is no remission, and
consequently, as the mass was an unbloody sacrifice, there could be no
remission in it. I again referred him and family to the ninth and tenth
chapters of Hebrews, to show that when _He_, the _Lord_, by himself
purged our sins, he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
and that by one offering _He_ hath perfected for ever all them that are
sanctified. I read part of the Epistle to the Ephesians, and especially
the 1st chap. 7th ver., "In whom we have redemption through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." I
then read for him the 1st chapter of 1 John, to show them that it is the
blood of Christ alone that cleanseth us from all sin. All the family
seemed well satisfied to hear me read, and invited me to come and read
for them as often as I could. I have often read for this family since,
and I trust the Lord has made his word a blessing to them.
On the 15th of August, I read in the house of James McHugh the 9th and
10th chapters of John's Gospel; and poor McHugh was so delighted that he
said he had no greater comfort in the world than to hear his children
read the Testament. He said his daughter committed one hundred chapters
at the Drumahair female school; and he prayed for the prosperity and
long continuance of the Baptist Irish Society; "for," said he, "only for
them my children would never get a word of learning." Oh, that the word
of the Lord may run and be glorified! and may the boundaries of Christ's
fold be still more extended, until the whole number of his elect be
accomplished!
Few days pass but I read at some place. It is all the pleasure I have,
to be conversing with my poor neighbours about their eternal happiness.
I wish I could afford to spend all my time in this blessed employment;
but I thank God I would rather be a door-keeper in the house of the
Lord, than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
There are many inquiring what they must do to be saved. We direct them
to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and strive to point them to the
Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.