_To_ Rev. J. BATES.
_Temple House, Nov. 14, 1834._
Rev. Sir.--I feel happy to state to you that since my last I have been
permitted to read the word of life for vast numbers of Roman Catholics
and others who were ignorant of those precious truths which are revealed
in it; and indeed many of them have heard the word with remarkable
attention, and seemed to receive instruction.
Oct. 20. In the house of widow Sweeny, where there were assembled about
fifty Roman Catholics, the man of the house having got a sudden death;
whilst I sat amongst them one of them said, "Let us pray for the soul of
the departed." Then they all took off their hats and prayed; this they
did every half hour, and in the interval talked of consecrated ground,
&c., and of the benefits of being interred in consecrated ground.
I was indeed much grieved on seeing and hearing such ignorance and
superstition; and, addressing myself to one of the most respectable and
well informed among them, I asked, "What reason have we to believe that
either consecrated burial-ground or prayers for the dead, or any other
office, can help the state of the departed soul?" Two of them answered
and spoke alternately. One said that no devil or evil spirit could
come near consecrated ground; the other told me that they believed
in the doctrine of purgatory, and that the prayers of the faithful are
necessary for the relief of the souls in purgatory. I told them that it
is written in the word of God, that "blessed are the dead which die in
the Lord," for they rest from their labours; that those who believe
in Jesus Christ, "his blood cleanseth them from all sin," and that
consequently they need no other purgatory. I referred to the words of
the Saviour in the 3rd of John, "He that believeth on the Son bath
everlasting life, but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life,
but the wrath of God abideth on him." One of the men above mentioned
said, that he read in the Scriptures that we are purged by fire. I
showed, from 1 Peter iv., the fiery trial spoken of means persecutions
and sufferings for Christ's sake to be endured in this life. I also
showed, from Acts viii. that on the death of Stephen there was not a
word about consecrated burial-ground or prayer for the dead. All this
time the people heard with most eager attention. I showed them from many
parts of Scripture that Jesus is an all-sufficient Saviour, and that all
who believe in him are justified from all things, &c.
On the 26th, went to the house of J. Foley, where many were assembled
visiting a sick person. While they talked of the uncertainty of life,
and the necessity of being prepared for eternity, I endeavoured to show
the need we have of a Saviour, and the blessings of being interested in
him. I proposed to read for the sick person, and was permitted; I read
very many of the most suitable parts of Scripture, showing that the
Saviour is a sure foundation to build our hopes on for salvation, and
that there is no other. The people present were nearly all Roman
Catholics; and seeing them so attentive, I continued nearly an hour
reading. The sick person seemed to receive comfort from the Word, and
the people of the family were extremely thankful. On the following
Sabbath I again visited the same house. They told me they were rejoiced
to see me enter their door. I read Acts iii. 4, showing that Peter,
to whom they are in the habit of praying, directed the people to the
Saviour, telling them that there is not salvation in any other, and that
there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be
saved.