Irish Chronicle. THE Committee feel happy in having it in their power to lay before their Friends the Returns of the Superintendents of the Schools, by which they will see the advantages which are communicated to the peasantry of Ireland by the scriptural education afforded by the Society. It should be the constant prayer of all who wish the evangelical emancipation of Ireland, that HE," with whom is the residue of the Spirit," will " out the Spirit from on high;" without which, even the memory being stored with" the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth," will not be suf ficient to renew the heart, and sanctify the conduct. pour PRESENT STATE OF THE SCHOOLS formed in this city, for the education of IN THE PROVINCE OF CONNAUGHT, OF THE BAPTIST IRISH SOCIETY, In a Letter from the Rev. Josiah Wilson, the Superintendent, to the Secretary, the Rev. J. Ivimey, dated MY DEAR SIR, Dublin, March 26, 1821. the poor of Ireland; one of its fundamental principles is, that the Bible shall not be a school-book! This circumstance has excited a lively zeal in the friends of the Holy Scriptures; and some who were previously almost inactive, are now alive to the subject, and contribute cheerfully to support those schools in which the Bible is used. One gentleman showed me a card that was left him, requesting a subscription to a school, from whence the scriptures were excluded, that was established under the immediate patronage of the "Archangel Michael!" There is reason to suppose that this card pleaded very successfully for our schools! I HAVE again the satisfaction of informing you, that notwithstanding the late very severe storms, our school bark is steadily pursuing her course to the desired haven. You have already received the account The gale has recently been heavy, and the of the schools in the counties of Cork, waves have risen high; but HE, whose Clare, Tipperary, Westmeath, &c.; I reprovince it is to calm the perturbed ocean, though he may not yet have said, "Peace, joice that these seem to be rivalling those be still!" has manifestly restrained its which are under my superintendence in power, and, in many instances, caused its the county of Connaught. In the fiftyviolence to subserve his own purposes. one schools under my care, there are nearly How short-sighted is man! How impo-five thousand children; one thousand of tent his rage! and how vexatious to him who indulges it, when even his malice is over-ruled to accomplish the object which he intended to frustrate. This has been the case with respect to some of the schools: the very violent measures that have been adopted to suppress them, have caused them to be unusually well attended. So true it is, that Jehovah "maketh the wrath of man to praise him;" and we may be assured the latter part of the text will be fulfilled, "the remainder of wrath he will restrain." This fact has been established also in another way, in reference to the scriptures being used in the schools. You have, of course, heard of a new Society having been whom are reading that word which is so highly prized by those who know its value, and so much opposed by those who are ignorant of it. Of the one thousand readers, eight hundred are committing the scriptures to memory; all of these can repeat from one to four chapters each; 450 can repeat five chapters each; 240, ten chapters each; 100, the whole gospel of St. John each; 60, twenty-five chapters each; 50, thirty chapters each: 10, forty chapters each; 2, seventy chapters each; and one, a hundred chapters in the New Testament! What the result of such a practice may be, HE only knows, whose prerogative it is to command the blessing. in a way perfectly congenial with her own inclinations, and advantageous to some of the rising generation. The Hackney School" is one that has been of great use to both master and scholars. The master's name is Wallace; his school is in Rathnamauck, county of Mayo. He has not only been brought to see the errors of the Church of Rome, but by attentively reading the seriptures, has, I doubt not, been " changed from dark Different opinions evidently prevail among men on the subject; but it remains to be proved, that a mind will be injured which is thus stored with the word of God; that such Bible scholars will become worse children, worse citizens, or less useful members in the church. To this it may be added, that all the committers practise writing and cyphering, and that considerable proficiency has been made by them, particularly by the boys, who are in ge. neral very anxious to acquire a goodness to light, and from the power of Satan knowledge of both. unto God." He is an able teacher, and indefatigable in his business, and has a school containing 76 children. The Congregational Schools" merit particular notice, for the information of their benevolent supporters. The Harlow School" has 105 girls occasionally attending; 55 of whom I saw at the last inspection, with considerably improved manners and appearance: all present were either learning their letters, their spellings, their scripture-tasks, or using that very useful instrument the needle, which they had never used before. Five girls have left the school since its commencement, for servitude in different families. The mistress is Mrs. Henry, a. widow, in the Townland of Langhill, County of Sligo. The Hammersmith School" is kept by Mrs. Caldwell, in the townland of Col liens, county of Mayo, who was educated in one of the Charter-schools of Ireland: her husband is a weaver, but does not enjoy good health. He assists her in the school, which is a great service to the children. There are both boys and girls in this school, and at the last inspection there were seventy-five present. The "Chatham School" is in Ballinacarrow, where our Irish Reader, the incomparable William Moore, resides; and near the residence of that tried friend of Ireland, Colonel Percival. The master is F. Harrowby, who, I doubt not, is con The "Little Alie-street School," Mrs. Martyn mistress, who is also a widow, is in Dromanain, county of Leitrim; enjoy-verted from the wickedness, as well as the ing the advantage of one or more ladies being generally present. At the last inspection, 83 out of 121 children were present; 22 of whom are committing the scriptures to memory, and the greater part are making great advances in the use of the needle. errors of his former ways. He and his scholars are emulous that this should be the best school on the establishment: in proof of which, I mention, that at a recent examination every scholar in the reading class obtained a premium. There were one hundred and four present at the last inspection. The Lion-street Walworth School" is reaping the advantage of not being The Trowbridge School" is in the hasty in fixing on a mistress. A very county of Sligo, in the village of Rathcorsuitable one, as to character and talent, mick. The master, T. Gibson, is the parish has been now found in the person of clerk, and of course a Protestant, but Mrs. Janies, who has established the greatly esteemed in the neighbourhood. school in River's Town, county of Sligo, He kept a pay school for several years, and has already 67 girls, whose progress but was obliged to discontinue it, from the in so few months is very gratifying. This increased poverty of the people. He has school is superintended by a most respect-in his free school seventy children attendable lady; the governess in whose family ing. It is very near the chapel doors of also, delights in such labours of love. a priest, who is an inveterate enemy to Bible schools. The "North-end Crayford School" is in Doorish, county of Sligo; Mrs. Sweeny mistress. In this school, as well as some others, several of the girls, out of 57 which belong to it, never had a needle in their hand before. This woman's husband is living, but not with her, she being a heretic! She was some time ago brought to a knowledge of the truth, and because she could not conscientiously attend mass, confession to the priests, &c. she was abandoned by him who was lawfully bound to be her protector. She will now, I doubt not, be able to obtain a subsistence, The Eagle-street School," though the last mentioned, is not the least in im portance. It is kept by Patrick Henry, in Roasky, county of Mayo; an excellent Irish scholar, and very desirous of for warding his children, of whom he has 81 under his care. The neighbourhood of this school was formerly the rendezvous of a gang of robbers; may we not hope that theden of thieves" will become "an house of prayer?" These, Sir, are the particulars of the schools under my case at the present time; it is not for me to make comments, but to state facts, and therefore I conclude by saying, that I am Yours affectionately, J. WILSON. P.S. I am happy to add, that I brought from Connaught with me to Dublin, where I am assisting Mr. West in collecting for the Society, thirty pounds; and added seven to it in Athlone. *There are four of the "Congregational Schools" in the County of Clare, of which the Secretary is only acquainted with the following particulars, The two "Norwich Schools," situated at Scariff and Torngrany, are composed entirely of female children, and are under the care of suitable mistresses, who teach them, in addition to reading and writing, knitting and needle-work. They consist of forty-eight scholars, who repeated twenty-eight chapters: these schools are supported at £8 per annum each, and are paid for by two ladies at Norwich, The "Bristol School" contains one bundred and fourteen children, of whom thirtyseven read the scriptures; it is kept by J. Malony in Torngrany. There were present at the last inspection one hundred and five, who repeated twenty-eight chapters. The "Seven Oaks School" is in Scariff, L. Guerin, master. It contains one hundred and twenty-seven children: present at last inspection, one hundred. There are twenty-two readers of the scriptures, who repeated eighteen chapters. Even in that country, where the greatest ⚫pposition is made to the schools, the truth is prevailing over error to a very great extent. I have spent nearly three weeks among them, and have exposed the superstitions, blasphemies, and sorceries of the priests, without giving any offence, or provoking any contradiction. The Sabbath readers of the Irish scriptures have done wonders, in preparing the people's minds for a more clear explanation than they are capable of giving them, when any doubtful questions are proposed. I lately visited a great number of persons, whom I had never seen before, who were assembled to hear from me an explanation of the scriptures; and I was told by Bryan Hart, one of the Sabbath readers, that I might freely point out the "strong delusion," as it was their earnest desire. continued instructing them four hours, and was then about to leave them, but others same in, and caused me to continue the whole until dark night. While I was showing them the different objects of worship they had, and their ignorance of the only way of worship, a wonran exclaimed," I am greatly mistaken if you have not carried the beads before now yourself." I told her that I had not, but I knew priestcraft as well as the priests did themselves. They desired me to return the next day, which was Sunday. Early in the morning a man called at my house, where I was, to collect towards building a chapel! There were present the husband, wife, and son. no reply, but the wife broke silence, and told him, that one penny of their money the priest should never handle more; and a chapel door they would never enter again; for that they had found the way to heaven without money and without | price. The husband made Last night I returned from visiting and inspecting the schools, and now write you the account of their state; which, upon the whole, and amidst much opposition, I may pronounce prosperous. The school which the Committee desired me to open, on the application of the Rev. Mr. Sadler, has been delayed longer than we could have wished, in con sequence of the house not being ready; and also of our not being able to obtain a suitable master. These obstacles are at length removed, and the school has com menced operations. There is, however, one difficulty still existing, viz. the house is "too strait." The number of children now in it is 95: several have been refused admission for want of room to accom modate them. If the school should go on as it has commenced, I hope we shall be able to knock down one of the walls, and build up another at some distance from the present boundaries. This would not be attended with much expense, as the mansion is neither composed of Portland stone, nor Irish granite; nothing, I assure you, but a little humble mud, which, in this country, is by no means difficult to quarry; and, in such an erection as the one in question, does not require much of the arts of a cunning workman; though less evil, and more good, will, in all pro bability, be done in it, than in many a splendid edifice. As almost all the good in the world is done by ladies, I am happy to inform you that a lady is the life and soul of this school; so that it has a governess, as well as the master provided by the Society: I shall, no doubt, be able to send the Society pleasing intelligence of its future usefulness. I must, for the present, leave it, and conduct you to the second on the list, which is at Newsam Town, and has lately received the shock of an earthquake; so common in this country, where the schools are situated. The consequence is, there are only 33 children at present in this school. The next school is at Inch, and contains at present 56 children, who seem to be improving a little; it has, however, one of the masters of "the old school," all of whom I am removing as fast as I can with safety. The next is at Kilmagrass: I found 54 children present. This is Sullivan's school, which I wrote you about not long since. The last school which I have to mention is in the town of Bandan, and is at present bleeding of the wounds it received not long since. The number of children is 33. The total number in the five schools is 271. I will thank you to send me some books of different descriptions immediately, as all the schools want books. Some sheets with large print, and easy lessons, would be of great service in the schools, and a great saving of books. You will see by the letter which accompanies this from Mr. Sadler, that he is anxious to see something of this sort introduced into the schools. I have two pounds ten shillings in hand, and shall print imme diately class papers, which I mentioned to you some time since, and which you authorized me to print; I can also print what Mr Sadler mentions, at very little expense, if you approve, as I hope you will. Yours affectionately, Č. T. KEEN. From the Rev. Mr. Thomas to the Secretary. Limerick, March 20, 1821. MY DEAR SIR, I have just returned from inspecting the schools in the county of Clare, and Nenagh, in the county of Tipperary; and am happy to say, that they are in a prosperous state. Two of them have been injured from opposition, but they are now doing well. The rest are very full, and I am greatly gratified with the progress the children have made, and the great number of chapters committed to memory by such children as can read; though they have been, on pain of excommunication, prohibited to commit a single verse to memory. I inclose a note from a kind friend, under whom I have placed one of the schools, which was not formerly established to such good advantage. He has built a school-room, and now is about to build another, as the present will not hold the number of children that would attend. He has also given a guinea, and his worthy lady another; which I have sent to Mr. West: they will be subscribers. The Irish Readers have taught several adults and children to read the Irish scriptures. The adults now read the scriptures for their families, who formerly spent their time in sin. I wish for as many tracts as you can possibly send. I preached at Newmarket and Scariff, in the county of Clare; and at Mount Shannon, in the county of Galway, to a large room-full of people, who appear very glad to hear me, and request I would come as often as possible; they say, 1 must stop with them a few days when I go next. Mount Shannon is about 30 miles from here. I preached at Kilfinan, in the county of Limerick, two evenings, and had double as many the second evening, which was a very good congregation; and I have been much delighted with another person, to whom the Lord has been graciously pleased to make me useful. I had a good hope of her for some time; but, with truth, I hope I can now say, she' is a true believer. I continue to preach five times a week in Limerick; three times to the 79th regiment, when the congregations are crowded, and nothing can exceed their attention. I have good reason to believe that several of them are turned to the Lord with purpose of heart. Two of the men came part of the way home with me on Sunday evening, when they said, "We never saw such work in our regiment before; several in each company spend their spare time in reading the Bible, and in prayer." I said, "What a mercy that we can come to the Saviour just as we are, without any preparation to recommend us to his favour, but a sense of our guilt and our misery!" They replied, "Ah, Sir! we have not long known that." I considered it prudent to discontinue the Kilfinan School at the end of last quarter; therefore it is not mentioned in the statement: I hope to establish it to advantage the commencement of next quarter. Praying that the Lord may abundantly bless the Society's efforts, I am, Their unworthy servant, WM. THOMAS. P. S. The fourteen schools under my care contain 1,183 children: of these, 233 are reading the scriptures, who, among them, can repeat 139 chapters in the New Testament. Missionary Herald. BAPTIST MISSION. Home Proceedings. BEDFORDSHIRE. ACCORDING to the notice which appeared in our Number for March, a meeting was held at the Old Meeting house, Bedford, on Wednesday, the 21st of March, to form an Auxiliary Missionary Society for the County. In the morning of that day, after prayer by the Rev. John Dyer, Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society, an excellent discourse was preached by the Rev. Robert Hall of Leicester, from John i. 35, 36, Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! Mr. Hall also closed the service in prayer. Met again in the afternoon, when the Society was formed, not exclusively in aid of any one denomination, but on the catholic principle which has, for many years, been adopted by our brethren in this county, in promoting itinerant la bours in their own neighbourhood. To secure, however, to every contributor, the most entire freedom of choice as to the appropriation of his contribution, it is judiciously enacted, by one of the rules, that, on the payment of each subscription and collection, it shall be distinctly specified to which of the various Missionary Institutions the same shall be applied. At this meeting the chair was ably filled by John Foster, Esq. of Biggleswade; and the various resolutions were moved and seconded by the following ministers: the Rev. W. Anderson of Dunstable, Hillyard of Bedford, Morell of St. Neots, Simmonds of Olney, Bull of Newport Pagnel, Knight of Great Staughton, Dyer of VOL. XIII. Battersea, Hobson of Maldon, Cuttriss of Ridgmount, Seckerson (Wesleyan) of Bedford, Manning of Gamlingay, Hindés of Sharnbrook, Hemming of Kimbolton, West of Harrold, Daniel of Luton, Anthony of Bedford, and Middleditch of Biggleswade. The worthy Chairman was requested to accept the office of Treasurer to the So ciety, and Messrs. Hillyard and Middleditch were appointed Secretaries. The evening service was commenced in prayer by the Rev. A. B. Seckerson, of the Wesleyan denomination, after which a very appropriate sermon was delivered by the Rev. S. Hillyard, minister of the place, from Psalm xcvi. 10-13, Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth; the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved; he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. the field be joyful, and all that is therein; then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord; for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth; he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. Rev. E. Daniel concluded in prayer. Let We believe that we express the general sentiment when we say that the whole of these services were, in a high degree, pleasing and edifying; and calculated, under a divine blessing, to diffuse a lively interest in the sacred cause they were de signed to promote. Several of the ministering brethren, with a frankness which did them honour, acknowledged that they had not been sufficiently attentive to the claims of the heathen world, and avowed their determination to aid the Society to the utmost of their power. Besides several handsome subscriptions and donations, the sum of £42 7s. was collected at the doors; which was presented to the Bap. tist Missionary Society, in kind consideration of the present low state of its funds. Y |