Ballycar on the 23rd ultimo, I went into Mr. Colpoy's barn, where there were seven men at work, and many others attending them. I spoke to them as the Spirit gave me utterance, on the shortness of time, the uncertainty of the world and its fleeting and dissatisfying pleasures, the folly of gratifying the flesh, the certainty of death and judgment, heaven or hell to every man. I strove to lay before them, in a concise manner, the immeasurable, incomprehensible length of eternity, the miserable end of the wicked, and shewed them the broad way which leads to death and destruction; and lastly, how they might escape from the wrath to come, and what the works of God were. John vi. &c. Every person present was unanimous in approving of what they heard, and many of the Romanists said they never heard such things from the priest. The same evening at Mr. Gunning's house, I addressed eleven persons nearly on the same subjects; they were attentive and thankful beyond description. norance which hangs over this country with respect to divine things; how the bulk of the people are miserably precluded from receiving scriptural instruction, by a sort of tyranny dreadfully pernicious to the souls of men. Instead of being offended, this people prayed for my present welfare, expressed a wish that I would visit their place often, and are since that time inquiring of Sharket when I might have an opportunity of reading for them again. I met a Methodist in Carrack who followed me to my lodgings, in order (as he said) to have a conversation with me, and to know my views of divine truth; and that he had such a hatred to Calvinism, that the thoughts of it often prevented him from sleeping at night. I told him that I did not wish to enter into an argument on Calvinism or Arminianism, that my business was to make every exertion for the promotion of the Gospel; and that many who pretend to great sanctity, have much enmity against the doctrines of divine grace, and are attached to what they consider gospel, which is deprived of every thing that can render it suitable to poor sinners. That every rational mind must admit, that a conditional salvation can never be complied with, by men dead in trespasses and sins; and if men suppose that they have performed the condition, they deceive themselves, reject the Saviour, despise the riches of his grace, and trust in a refuge of lies. "There is not one of our society," said he "that don't believe every word of what you have repeated, though it is not so reported of them. When you come to town again, you'll please to spend a night at my place, and I will feel happy in your company." In Drumshanbo, I met with a priest, F. at Farrel Moran place, for whom I read and repeated some chapters of the Irish Scriptures at his request, and a more agreeable man I never met with. He asked the motives of our Society in putting themselves to such trouble and expence? I told him that its principal design is the instruction of youth and adults, in the first principles of the oracles of God. "Very Jaudable indeed, (said he) and as long as I have any controul here, you or any of its &c. Every person present was exceedagents are welcome to labour in my pa-ingly thankful, but no person present ap rish." From a Scripture Reader to Mr. Thomas. SIR, Since my last, God has in his mercy and divine providence enabled me to itinerate in various parts of the counties of Clare, Galway, Tipperary, and Limerick; and not to itinerate only, but I trust he has done much good through my humble agency. At On the morning of the same day, I met and travelled with the sturdiest and most stiff-necked (as I thought) of the informed Papists I had ever met. After a good deal of discussion concerning the Scriptures and the way of salvation, which continued for about two hours, he said he was sorry I parted with him so soon, and that he felt an interest in my conversation; a thing which I did not expect, he so obstinately resisted all I advanced. On the 27th the Lord gave me a most excellent opportunity. I went on board the packet boat for Kilaloe, there were eleven persons in the company. After a lapse of some time they were all silent, (a thing which rarely happens). A certain woman said, "What would ye be saying if ye were talking." I said I would teil them something if they would promise to pay attention. They all with one accord said they would, which promise indeed they fulfilled (except it were to ask some reasonable question) for at least an hour, while I endeavoured to explain that sweet portion in the third of John, "God so loved the world," peared so affected as the woman that appeared in the merry mood at first, and she was very thankful. In Ogonally the next day and night, I had a very interesting time. There were collected the inhabitants of six houses; not one of them departed until one or two o'clock, and they seemed to be greatly struck with what they heard; but here the enemy wanted not a servant that was staunch to his cause, and like Elimas, Jannes, and Jambres, he withstood me to the face perverting the Gospel. I visited the widow Bushe the next day, who is a widow indeed I trust it will be a pleasure to those who | ters of St. John, and the 8th chapter of wish well to Zion, to hear that she seems 1 Cor. for a sick man in Cloonrongeen. The to gather strength the more she is perse- priest's clerk happened to be in before me, cuted, (as she truly is) the more she sees and waited while I was reading and speakthe depraved and miserable condition of her ing about these portions, and when his opiadversaries, and pities and prays for them.nion was asked of the subject, I was told At B. at Mr. F.'s I read for various groups he said that he considered it was genuine of persons. One woman, his servant-maid, doctrine. who was a few months ago most violently opposed to the Scriptures, declared she would rather serve gratuitously where she could hear the Scriptures in Irish, than get double wages elsewhere. I have not time nor space to tell you of what the Lord did for me and by me in this county, but I hope I will at a future period. SIR, To Mr. Briscoe. Ashfield, Nov. 13th, 1829. On the 11th ult. after baving a religious conversation with the police stationed in this neighbourhood, and other persons, went to visit E. D. of Durmmartin, for the purpose of conversing with him about the Scriptures. I met him in a field convenient to his house. In the course of our conversation I endeavoured to shew him the fulness and freeness of the Gospel, and the readiness of the Lord of peace to receive those who have any de sire thereto. When I was about to leave him, he requested that I would not go until I would read for his family; and that he would call one of his neighbours, whom I knew to be some time ago an avowed enemy to the Scriptures. D. told me that he was then, in a great measure, changed from his wicked opinions, in consequence of repeatedly hearing the Scriptures read in the Irish language. From D.'s conversation I am led to believe that he will in a short time come out from the popish yoke, and embrace the truths of the everlasting Gospel. 12th. Read portions of the Irish Testament in a house in Toorlustrane, in the hearing of several persons Roman Catholics, and endeavoured to make them sensible of the absurdity of several of the idolatrous errors of popery, and their repugnancy to the sacred Scriptures. They were apparently well pleased while I endeavoured to explain to them the promises of deliverance from sin, together with the life and freedom obtained by believers of the Gospel. 18th. Read and endeavoured to explain portions of the Scriptures in the house of one of the same party who invited we thereto. There seemed to be kindled in his mind a thirst after Christ which nothing can satisfy but a knowledge of an interest in his blood. 20th. Read the 3rd, 10th, and 15th chap 21st. Left this neighbourhood for the purpose of inspecting our schools in Tyrawly. On my way to Ballina, travelled along with a man of the name of G. a yarn buyer : spoke to him a good deal about the Scriptures, and explained to him the love of God towards us, the sufferings of Christ for guilty sinners, the joys of heaven, and the miseries of the damned, which seemed to impress his mind with a religious awe; but alas, for want of application to the Scriptures, it is apt to vanish away as the morning cloud or the early dew. CONTAINING INTELLIGENCE AT LARGE OF THE Proceedings and Operations OF THE BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Subscriptions and Donations in aid of this Society will be thankfully received at the Baptist Missionary House, No. 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London: or by any of the Ministers and Friends whose names are inserted in the Cover of the Annual Report. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. CALCUTTA. Extracts of Letters from Rev. W. Robinson to the Secretary. :— January 20, 1829. them will be restored. Bangsi, a Bengalee man, has been dismissed to Jessore, where he is now assisting brother Buckingham. Thus we have lost, in one year, fourteen members. Our increase is as follows: we have re-admitted and received from other churches eight persons: we have received by baptism only five. Two others would have been baptized in December, but I was During the past year we have lost seven prevented by illness from baptizing them. members by death, who we would hope Of the five baptized, only one wears the have exchanged this world for a better. European dress; and she received her first There is one of them whose loss is much serious impressions from hearing the gosfelt; for she was one of our most active pel in the native language. The others and useful members. You may recollect, are, I believe, pure Bengalees, three women that a few years ago, mention was made, and one man. One woman had been a in some accounts from the Calcutta bre- Musoolman, and the other two Hindoos. thren, of a servant-maid, who had built a The man had also been a Hindoo; he is little chapel at her own expense, and given the chapel durwan or doorkeeper. Two it to them she was the person. She was persons have been baptized, who did not at that time in the service of Mrs. Lisk, join our church; one an English soldier, now Mrs. Robinson, and she continued with her till the day of her death. Dying in my family, I had every opportunity of witness ing her end; but the fatal cholera prevented all conversation with her about the state of ber mind. Her death however, though not attended with many pleasing circumstances, was, it is hoped, not only gain to herself, but highly beneficial to Mrs. Robinson's son, a lad about fifteen, who is now a candidate for baptism. Our loss by exclusion is six. This we feel to be very heavy; especially, as there is no hope, at present, that any of : who joined the church in H. M. 59th regi- Our brethren Chodron and Gorachund have been very active. Chodron has visited E many parts of the adjacent country, and has met with great encouragement. Many circumstances indicate a disposition among the natives to hear the gospel. Brother Cho*dron has a great wish to extend his operations in the country; but we have not the means. It would not he right to neglect our native members, and lay aside preaching to them for the sake of itinerating: until, therefore, we have more strength and more pecuniary means, our excursions into the country must be very limited. Gorachund has been very active in and about Calcutta: indeed the more Chodron goes out, the more Gorachund has to do at home. April 27. I have been to two of the villages since I wrote last; and brother Chodron has spent most of his time in that part of the country. Finding that some of these poor people came over to the Lol-Bazar almost every Sabbath, and that the number of inquirers was much on the increase, our little Society, though almost without funds, resolved on building a school-house in one of the villages, which might also serve as a place of worship. This has been commenced under the direction of brother Chodron; but the progress made has been slow, there being peculiar difficulties to encounter. The country is little better than an extensive marsh; a bit of dry solid ground is scarcely procurable. Many of the spots on which these poor people live, are artificial islands. They dig up the surrounding soil, during the dry season, and with it form an island large enough to contain a house and a few outoffices. Thus many families possess islands of their own, and the only means of communication between one family and another, for about nine months in the year is by a canoe. Almost the only article cultivated is rice. This is planted in the water, grows in the water, and is cut in the water. On my first visit, I observed a part of the barvest, not cut and lying on the land, but cut and lying on the water. The water was knee deep or more, but full of grass and weeds, which supported the crops on the surface. But to return to brother Chodron. The only spot of ground which he could procure, was a rice field or a piece of marsh; he has therefore been obliged to commence the singular trade of island-muking. He is now digging a pond in one part of the ground, to find soil to raise the other part. This is a very slow, and very expensive process; but we cannot desist without grieving the minds of the poor villagers. We have a few friends in two other villages, which, possessing larger tracts of dry land, appear like continents in this strange part of the world. Should we, therefore, have to erect a school-house in either of them, the task would be comparatively an easy one. Many inquirers have been to brother Chodron from the surrounding villages, and many have come over to the Lal-Bazar. We had, one Sabbath, present in the vestry, not less than twenty-five persons, all of whom had given up their cast, that they might become Christians. Though I was in a sickly state, and quite weary with preaching in English, I could not resist the inclination which I felt to sing and pray with them. Some time ago we selected seven persons as candidates for baptism. I say selected, for we might have had many more, had we been so inclined; nay, some I fear, are a little offended because they have not been baptized. These seven were all received at our last church meeting, the account which they gave of themselves being very satisfactory. Three others were also proposed as candidates for baptism. Yesterday was the day appointed for the administration of the ordinance, but two of the candidates were not present; one was detained at home by an attack of fever, the other by the severe illness of his son, a young man of twenty. We had, therefore, but eight to baptize, instead of ten, as we expected; they were five natives, one Portuguese woman, a soldier from Dum Dum, (who joins the church there) and Mrs. Robinson's son. It would seem that this baptism excited much interest, for we had a larger congregation than I have ever seen in the chapel since I have been pastor there. The service at the water side was in Bengalee; it consisted of a hymn in that language, an address to the candidates, and a short prayer. I think it would have gratified you to see thirty-two inquirers at the chapel, those who were baptized included; and to see them all eat together, cast among them being abolished. was the scene witnessed here yesterday. But these are not all who have given up their cast; there are many, we know not how many more in the villages. We have inquirers, i. e. persons who come to hear the gospel, and who have given up cast, in many villages; the most remote village is little less than twenty miles from Calcutta. Such But this is not all; our Circular Road brethren are busy in the same way; they have merous inquirers, and I hope will soon have many converts. The tract of country, which has fallen to the lot of the Lal-Bazar, is nearly south of Calcutta; the Circular Road lot is to the eastward of ours, and the lot of our Independent brethren, to the westward. Now, my dear brother, this is really something new; and hope we are on the eve of better days. Nothing like this has been witnessed in this country before. I hope it will go on. I feel much anxiety of mind about the present state of things. I bave many hopes and many fears, and often I am | val in this our favoured island, where it has ready to conclude, that the work will stop been made a blessing to many, strongly for want of means. I know the Lord can evinced the charitable principles which provide, and to him I look; but we are in actuate the society to extend the sphere of great want of the sinews of war, men and its immediate instrumentality in the great money. I am sorry to say, that a very se- and noble cause of disseminating and estabrious outrage has been committed on some lishing the doctrines of christianity among of our friends, in a village called Sulkee. the inhabitants of a remote part of the Four persons have been seriously wounded, globe; and while we are now in the anticiand several hurt; and one poor man has had pation of that delightful period, when the bis hut burnt, and bis little all destroyed. gospel verity shall pervade all hearts and He has since told me that there were twenty minds, and the land rejoice in the happy persons in that village who had given up possession of the truth as it is in Jesns, it cast; but that since the disturbance, only is neither flattery nor dissimulation when seven or eight are willing to acknowledge we declare, that the tidings of your intended what they have done. The case in a few departure have entirely overwhelmed us words is this: About a dozen had met on a with grief. This unlooked-for event, Sir, Sabbath morning for worship, i. e. to read, will subject us, and every sincere adherent sing, and pray; and after worship, had sat to truth, to numerous privations; such as down to dinner together, when a band of can hardly be remedied. We have cause men, broke in upon them suddenly, and to mourn the absence of a stimulating committed the outrage above mentioned. pious example, a minister, whose tenor of Measures are taking to obtain legal redress, life was one continued course of evangelical just for the sake of future security; but meekness, the most powerful incentive to though I have waited on the judge myself, the practice of virtue and religion, unsupI doubt whether they will succeed. As these ported by which, precepts and instructions poor men have many enemies, because they lose their worth and excellency. Contemwish to be Christians, and as falsehood, per- plating on the cause of these privations, we jury, and bribery, are universal, there is but derive great comfort in the hope that, little room to hope that they will obtain while your unwearied labour and indefatigjustice. able exertions to promote the good of the souls entrusted to your pastoral care, have to such a degree enervated your constitution, as to render your separation from us for a time, not only adviseable, but absolutely necessary, the Lord will graciously spare our lives, soon to welcome you to these shores again, in a perfect state of health and vigour, to re-assume your labour among the flock of Christ in this island. Till then we commend you to the care of Him, in whose hands is the breath of life, and who ever protects and guards his own, unhurt amidst the vicissitudes and dangers of this transitory life, and our humble but earnest supplications to the throne of grace, for the temporal and eternal welfare of yourself and family will not cease but when we cease to breathe. CEYLON. Among other documents lately received from this island, is the copy of a valedictory letter, addressed to our late Missionary Mr. Chater, when on the eve of embarkation. Had our respected brother been living, there would have been a manifest impropriety in publishing a testimonial drawn up in such terms of warm and affectionate eulogy; but as he is gone where neither praise nor censure can have the least influence, there seems no valid reason why we should withhold such a tribute to departed worth. REVEREND AND KIND SIR! Language can give no adequate idea of the grateful emotions of love and the cordial interest we feel in the benevolent exertions of the Baptist Mission Society, for the enhrgement of our blessed Saviour's kingdom The circumstance of your arri on eart Permit us now to solicit your favor of assuring the Baptist Missionary Society of our deep sense of gratitude for that charity and love, which prompted them to extend their mission to this island. We confidently hope that you will avail yourself of the experience you have had during your long stay here to offer such suggestions to the favourable consideration of the Society, as would ultimately tend to the happiness of immortal souls in this part of the world. You are but too well aware that here "the harvest is truly great, but the labourers are few." What can, therefore, be more conducive to the prosperity of the Church of Christ, than faithful stewards in the house |