_Just Published._
Memoir of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Joseph Ivimey, late pastor
of the church in Eagle-street, London, and twenty years Gratuitous
Secretary to the Baptist Irish Society. By Rev. George Pritchard.
Parts I. to VI. of the Biographical Sketch of the Rev. Edward Irving.
Edited by William Jones, M.A. To which is added, Thirty Sermons,
preached by Mr. Irving, during the first three years of his residence in
London.
In 32mo. A Memoir of J. Howard Hinton, who died at Reading, Jan. 10,
1835, aged thirteen years and seven months. By his Father.
_In the Press._
Reminiscences relating to the Rev. John Ryland, A.M., of Northampton,
the father of the late Rev. Dr. Ryland, of Bristol. By William Newman,
D.D.
_Preparing for Publication._
The History of Protestant Nonconformity in England, from the
Reformation, under Henry VIII., to the Accession of the House of
Hanover. In two volumes, 8vo. By THOMAS PRICE. The Work will be founded
on an extensive and careful investigation of Original Authorities, and
will be designed to exhibit the Progress of Opinion as well as the
Course of Events.
* * * * *
Erratum: P. 141, l. 6, for _a final_ read _an efficient_.
IRISH CHRONICLE.
MAY, 1835.
At the particular request of the Rev. J. Allen, and for the satisfaction
of those friends who have kindly and liberally assisted towards
defraying the debt incurred by the erection of the Chapel at Ballina,
the statement of the entire account, and the several sums contributed,
appear in this number of the Chronicle. As the funds of the Society are
not at all applicable to the building of places of worship, but as their
erection has, in more instances than one, become indispensable, and such
necessity, it is hoped, may recur again and again; it is certainly due
to those liberal persons, who thus aid the cause of the Redeemer,
distinctly and gratefully to acknowledge their Christian benevolence.
_To the_ SECRETARY.
_Ballina, March 19, 1835._
My dear Brother,
In this packet, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favour of
the 10th instant, and herewith forward to you the Journal of the Readers
for the past month, as also the account of schools, &c., for the present
quarter. I have also to acknowledge the receipt of several sums of
money, towards the liquidation of the debt upon the Meeting-house in
this town, which you will find upon another part of this sheet. The sum
actually expended is now £328 10s., and the contract for finishing, £91
10s., making in all £420. Of this I have received, clear of expenses,
£232, for which, as well as for the acts of personal kindness shown to
me when in England, I beg, through the medium of the Chronicle, to
present my warmest thanks. I had hoped to have heard, ere this, what sum
the Building Fund, on which this case has been admitted, was likely to
produce. My best thanks are due to Mrs. Holland, of Bristol, especially,
who kindly, and without any solicitation, forwarded us £5. If some of
our wealthy friends in England, bearing in mind how injurious it must be
for an individual to be absent for any length of time from a missionary
station, and an infant cause, would imitate her example, it would not
only confer a personal favour, but essentially serve the interests of
the Redeemer's kingdom in this place. The trust deed, by which the
property has been made over to the Baptist denomination, has been
examined by the respectable solicitor of the London Building Fund, and
is approved.
It is in your recollection, probably, that the late Government ordered,
some time before they left office, a new census of the population of
Ireland; in which was to be shown the relative numbers of Protestants,
Roman Catholics, and Dissenters; as also the number and kind of schools
in each union or parish. One of the Commissioners was here on Tuesday
last, and, as a proof of the awful extent to which superstition
prevails, it appeared, soon after an amended census had been produced
and sworn to, by the Protestant clergyman, that not more than one out of
thirty, in this large union, can be considered even as nominal
Protestants. And, in a conversation with the priest, on the following
day, as a confirmation of what I have frequently stated, "I am perfectly
sure," said he, "that if you go round any day to all your schools, and
ours, and the minister's, you will not find in the whole of them 100
poor Protestant children." In the examination of our schools, before the
commissioners, though we have invariably insisted upon the introduction
of the Scriptures, yet they were scarcely inferior to any, and, in the
general, superior to most, both in numbers and regular attendance. Let
it not be said in future, then that the Roman Catholics, the children of
whom compose the bulk of our scholars, would not, unless violently
opposed by the priesthood, be anxious to possess and study the word of
God. And let our friends, whilst they have it upon the testimony of the
priest himself, that it is his flock we are educating in our schools,
be more earnest and zealous in this good cause; hoping and praying
thatthrough the instrumentality of these schools, the present race of
children may be delivered from the superstition of their fathers.
I have, since my return, preached at Easky, Mullifarry, and Crossmolina;
at the two former places to large and attentive audiences. The people on
all sides are exceedingly desirous to hear. On Sunday last, I again
administered the ordinance of Baptism in Ballina. The Lord, I trust, is
preparing others to submit to the dictates of his blessed word. Oh that
he would make us, who are engaged in this blessed work, more humble,
circumspect, watchful, and zealous! and then we might hope for larger
and more extensive success. Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may
have free course and be glorified.
I am, dear Sir, affectionately your's,
JAMES ALLEN.
* * * * *
_To the_ SECRETARY OF THE BAPTIST IRISH SOCIETY.
_Limerick, March 20th, 1835._
My dear Sir,
I just returned from Croagh, about sixteen miles from here, in the
county of Limerick, to inspect the Koppel-street school; the poor
children were delighted to see me, and I was greatly pleased to see them
go through their school discipline with such precision and order. They
spelled remarkably well in three different ways. I am not aware that you
are acquainted with the plan of spelling and reading, particularly
spelling, which I have devised long since, which arrests the undeviating
attention of the children, and almost wonderfully facilitates their
progress. A fine testament class of 36 got up and read, in general, very
well, and repeated 224 chapters, which they committed to memory since
the last quarterly inspection. There are 148 on the list, 98 spelling,
50 reading the scriptures, 8 protestants and 4 reformed, who are the
master's children, of whose attention to his school, and good conduct,
I cannot say too much; He is also a sabbath reader, and, I believe, very
useful. A number of the girls got before me to the door, and requested a
female school; they showed me some very nice work, taught them by the
master's daughter. I said I would lay their request before their friends
in England. The progress some of them made in writing and figures rather
surprised me: the little premiums I gave them the last time had a great
effect upon them, in removing prejudice, and convincing them who their
real friends are, and in winning their affections to the love of the
truth, in spite of priestly influence. The countenances of the children,
in all the schools, brighten up, and smile, when they see me. I lectured
in the evening, at Finchley, the seat of their worthy and pious patrons,
Mr. and Mrs. Finch, who pay for a good school-house for them, and
subscribe to the society. The society has done inconceivable good. How
much more if it had sufficient means!
I was going to say, the Bristol school, at Balleycar, county of Clare,
sixteen miles north west from Limerick, is a tremendous one. I went
there immediately after my last communication; gave several lectures to
Roman Catholics and Protestants, in the house of our afflicted friend,
Major Colpoys; I tried to comfort and encourage his mind in the prospect
of eternity--he is "looking unto Jesus." The school is in a very
flourishing state; 224 on the list, 146 present, 120 spelling, 104
reading the Scriptures; about 30 committed to memory, and repeated 153
chapters this quarter: they made great progress also in writing and
figures, which they are very fond of learning. There are only two or
three Protestant children in this school. It often excites the warmest
gratitude in my heart to God, that has put it into the hearts of his
people, to afford such great and important blessings to those who would
perish in ignorance and superstition. Oh what a mercy to see so many
children rise to read the word of life, and to commit it to memory, and
read it in the hearing of their poor benighted parents! At the close of
the examinations I give a little lecture on the advantages of a
Scripture education, on the love of God, on the sufferings of the
Saviour, and on the influence of the Holy Spirit, to bless all to their
present benefit, and eternal salvation. I find I can say a great deal,
and go a great length, without endangering the schools, which I know,
and am informed, would not be borne with from others. I try, also, to
impress their minds with gratitude to their kind friends in England, and
they appear very grateful and pray for them.
The Seven Oaks school, at Bushy Park, county of Tipperary, about
thirty-five English miles north east from Limerick is in a prosperous
state: the number of chapters the children repeat from memory frequently
surprises me: the children of a poor Baptist brother there, near Burris
O' Kane, are mighty in the Scriptures. The school discipline gave me
great satisfaction, and the spelling, reading, writing, and figures,
very pleasing: 74 on the list, 66 present; 62 spelling, 12 reading the
Testament, and repeated 63 chapters from memory. The master is a very
inoffensive and attentive man; I trust, truly pious.
In the Mary's Philanthropic school, Mount Shannon, county of Galway,
about thirty-five English miles from Limerick, north north east, there
are 98 on the list; 60 present, 39 spelling, 21 reading the Testament,
and repeated from memory this quarter 150 chapters: always a good
school, having more very poor Protestants in that village and
neighbourhood than many others, and not so subject to vary from priestly
attacks as some others.
In the Norwich school, at Birr, fifty English miles east from Limerick,
56 gross; 34 spelling, 22 reading the Testament; they repeated 47
chapters from memory. It was not so numerous this quarter as usual, from
the extreme severity of the weather, and the nakedness and want of the
children, still it is a good school, and taught by a worthy, pious, poor
woman, with a large family.
The Cardigan school, at Kilbaron, is doing as well as could be expected,
from the unceasing exertions of the priest there, more than usually
excited in consequence of obtaining a complete victory over his champion
in controversy, in presence of a number of people. The master was a very
intelligent, clever man.
My dear Sir, your time and mine would not admit of my writing an account
of each school under my superintendence. I send the quarterly statement,
in which you see them with one view. The above I send for the
satisfaction of those kind friends who support or contribute to the
congregational schools. I also want time, and, indeed, inclination, to
give any statement of my own humble labours. Though the weather has been
extremely severe, since the 1st of February, I have been out the greater
part of the time, and preached in very distant places, and in various
counties, and sometimes under very trying circumstances. I preached at
Benagher, King's county, sixty miles from Limerick, twice to the house
full, at Walshpark, after travelling fifty miles, and preaching
and administering the ordinance at Cloughjordan; gave a lecture at
Ormandview, county of Galway; preached at O'Brien's Bridge, and several
times at Castle Connell.
Ever yours, most affectionately,
WILLIAM THOMAS.
* * * * *
_To the_ SECRETARY.
_Ballina, March 20th, 1835._
My dear Sir,
I shall feel obliged to you, at your earliest convenience, to
acknowledge the receipt of the following articles, kindly sent for the
schools in this district.
A box of articles collected by Mrs. Thomas Allen, Birmingham, containing
two packets of books from Mr. Groom; some tracts, workbags, &c. from
Mrs. Glover and Miss Mansfield, Spring Hill; books, rug-worsted, and
patterns, from Mrs. S. Cocks, Camp Hill; a small round stand, from Ann
Husband; pin-cushions, from Mrs. Rogers, Bull-street; canvass, from Mrs.
Johnson, Deritend; cotton-balls, from Mrs. Warner; patchwork, from Mrs.
White; a blue bag, from Miss R. Simmons; a number of small books, from a
"Well-wishing Friend to Ireland;" and numerous little rewards, from Mr.
Thomas Allen and family; and from Rev. J. Smith and Sons, Astwood, 1000
needles. Since the above articles were kindly forwarded to me, Mr. Allen
has received a parcel from Mr. West, containing some useful books, from
"Dorcas," for the Library at Ballina; a parcel of books from Mrs.
Hawkins, Stroud; and a number of pin-cushions, balls of rug-worsted, and
a few workbags, and boxes of little fancy articles.
N. B. I regret to say, that in the last acknowledgment of articles from
Birmingham, I omitted to mention some poetical cards, kindly sent by Mr.
F. Deakin. The pair of six-inch globes, kindly offered by Mr. Mogridge,
and the patchwork by Mrs. White, will be very acceptable; and if sent to
Rev. J. West, 26, Little James's street, Dublin, will be forwarded by
him to Ballina as soon as he has an opportunity of sending them.
Wishing you every blessing, both of a spiritual and temporal nature,
I remain, my dear Sir,
Yours very respectfully,
A. CAVE.