Rev. J. BATES _to the_ SECRETARY.
_Sligo, Nov. 31, 1834._
Dear Sir,
Through mercy I am spared to give you an outline of my imperfect labours
during the month that is now past, and gone into eternity. When I think
of the rapid flight of time, and view the condition of my fellow-sinners
around me with regard to their religious circumstances and eternal
prospects, I feel that my situation is such as should lead me to Jesus,
to seek more of his mind and more of his spirit, that "whatever my hand
findeth to do, I may do it with my might."
Since my last letter, I have visited several villages in the country
where I never went before. Castledargin, Corringuncor, Drimnagooli,
and Ballindrist. There are a few brethren in the neighbourhood of
Corringuncor, and they feel rejoiced when any one pays them a visit. The
congregation at that place was large and very encouraging. Mr. Berry is
going on a missionary tour amongst them this next week. May the Lord
bless his own word to their everlasting welfare, and his own glory!
Ballindrist is an interesting little station, and, by the blessing of
God, I trust good will result from the proclamation of his word; but at
Drimnagooli, there exists the greatest spirit of inquiry. I have only
been in that neighbourhood three times, and I am happy to say that, each
time, the congregation increased. They are continually saying, "Visit us
as often as you can." The clergyman in that neighbourhood has preached
against baptism; but I have lately observed, where there is the most
opposition, there is the greatest spirit of inquiry, and the largest
congregations.
Since I have been in this superstitious island (and surely this is the
place "where Satan's seat is"), I have sometimes thought of what my
affectionate pastor told me when he was living, just before I left
England. Calling me by my name, he said, "Whatever others do, let it be
your determination to preach Jesus; wherever you take your stand, there
let the cross be erected. Dagon fell when the ark of God was set up in
his presence; they set him up the second time, but behold, Dagon was
fallen upon his face to the ground and broken to pieces; so if you set
up Christ, with a single eye to his glory, Antichrist must fall; 'my
word shall not return unto me void.'"
During the next month, if all is well, as I shall have a long journey
inspecting the schools, I hope to have many opportunities of proclaiming
the gospel to those that are now sitting in darkness. I pray that the
Lord may command a blessing, even life for evermore.