The Rev. S. Davis, of Clonmel, will come from Ireland this month, for
the purpose of collecting on behalf of the Society in the West of
England. Our friends, that he may visit, especially our ministering
brethren, are respectfully and earnestly requested to encourage his
application to the utmost of their power; as, on the success of such
efforts the continued operations of the Society greatly depends.
In the Rev. Wm. Thomas's letter will be found a grateful reference
to the Committee of the Tract Society, and to a parcel which he has
received from England, containing many useful articles for the children
of the schools. And the Secretary begs to acknowledge the receipt of a
number of "Magazines for Ireland," from a female friend at Hammersmith.
_Extract of a letter from_ Rev. S. DAVIS
_to the_ SECRETARY.
_Clonmel, Nov. 21, 1834._
We are in the Lord's hands, and he will finally accomplish the purposes
of his own glory, and I am persuaded we cannot do better than steadily
to pursue the purpose in which we are engaged, to make the people
acquainted, as far as it is in our power, with the Holy Scriptures,
which will undermine the power of Antichrist, and promote happiness in
proportion as they obtain an access to the heart.
My son, at Ardee, recently assisted in the public examination of 400
adults in their knowledge of the Irish Scriptures, and he has given a
very interesting account of the meeting in the last Quarterly Papers of
the Irish Society. He was astonished and delighted to think, as I do
also, that the teaching of the people in the Irish Scriptures, is one of
the most important benefits that can be conferred upon the country.
Our Society has had the honour to take the lead in this respect; and,
however we may be looked down upon, and whatever may become of the
institution, I have no doubt it has been a greater benefit to the
country than words can express; it is a pity, therefore, that it should
not be in more prosperous circumstances, and that your hands should
not be held up more by those who have it in their power to afford us
assistance; but when we have done what we could do we cannot reproach
ourselves, and we must leave the event with Him who will appreciate our
good intentions, and forgive all our infirmities.