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yet come?" Verily, if the events to which we have referred you could be vocal, they would speak in a voice, louder than many waters, "THE TIME IS COME!"

Oh, then, awake and rouse yourselves! Shake off the fetters of sloth and prejudice. And, if despair of Ireland's regeneration hath crept over you, look on the things which it is our privilege and joy, from time to time, to record; take courage, for surely the day is breaking; the darkness and mists are fleeing away; the Sun of righteousness is mounting upwards, and there is healing for the people beneath his wings. Unite-unite-unite-in prayer, in hope, in effort, in liberality, and in faith!

Mr. BATES writes to Mr. Green :

Ballina, Feb. 26, 1844. MY DEAR BROTHER,-I have not been very well this month, and my labours have been principally confined to this town, with the exception of going to Mullifarry. About three miles from this, one of our active members teaches a female school, which is principally sustained by a pious lady living in Dublin. For some time past, several of the Roman catholic children have been in the habit of coming to our Sunday School, and remaining during our worship. At length two of them, both females, both Roman catholics, and both under twenty years of age, proposed joining the church. I conversed with them about the gospel, and after being brought before the church, in order to tell us what God had done for their souls, they were both accepted. The priest had occasionally cursed them for coming to our school, but their friends did not say much, though they told them of their intention to be baptized. The first sabbath of this month was fixed upon as the day for the administration of the ordinance. But now commenced a real war.

The candidates came to my house, on the previous Saturday, to be ready for the following day. About nine o'clock in the evening, the mother of one of the candidates, with some other persons, came here, and very quietly wished her daughter to go home, saying that her father was at the point of death -three men were gone for the priest, to come and anoint him-and promised that she should return in the morning. The night was very wet, but she went home. These were all falsehoods, and the mother had been speaking lies in hypocrisy. The daughter was severely beaten, dragged to the priest the next day, and then sent to some place at a distance, in the country. I have not seen her since.

The same Saturday evening one of the magistrates of the town called to see me. He remained nearly an hour. His object was to show me the danger to which I should expose myself if I proceeded to baptize the other female. He said, "It will not be safe for you to remain in the country, as the Roman catholics will be so much excited." I spoke

to him very kindly; but when he saw I was firm to my purpose he quietly retired.

The following day, just before the service, when the house door was opened, a party of five or six persons rushed into the hall, and before I knew what they were about, we were all in an uproar. At length, however, the candidate was rescued from them, and after a short time they quietly withdrew. In the mean time the priest was pouring out his curses upon us all. He said that he would make a baulsumpler of any child that would come to us, that is, a cripple, or marked example. The teacher, or patron of the school, was denounced as a cheranaugh, that is, the mother of the devil. The mother of the candidate was also treated in a rough way. The priest refused to hear her confession, or give her the sacrament, saying that "she had sold her daughter to the devil," and that "if death was in her mouth, he would not come to anoint her." Christians may smile at such language, but it makes poor, ignorant Roman catholics tremble. In the mean time the children dare not come to her, and the school in the country is nearly empty. I called to see the priest, thinking that an interview with him might not be amiss, as he had proceeded to such great lengths this time; but he was not at home.

The young woman has been baptized-she wished it, and I felt bound to comply. She remained here some time, for protection; her friends had full liberty to come and see her, and I have had a great deal of talk with them. Their ignorance and superstition, however, is almost incredible. They applied, I believe, to one or two Roman catholic magistrates, to see if she could not be taken home by force; and finding that she could not, they let her alone. She is now gone to one of our members in the country, as her friends will not receive her; indeed she is afraid to go home, and I do not wonder, for I have no doubt but that they would forcibly take her to some nunnery.

Such is popery. It is unchanged and unchangeable. If we seem to labour in vain, they will laugh at our operations, and remain quiet; but if sinners are converted, and wish to leave them, they would instantly tear us asunder, if we were not protected by British

law.

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Mr. MULHERN further writes to Mr.

The difference between popery increased sympathy and effort, to do what they England and popery in Spain, is no more can, on behalf of Ireland's millions who are than there is between the tiger in the cage still perishing for lack of knowledge! and the tiger in the lair. Truth, however, is spreading, and pouring forth a flood of light into the kingdom of darkness, so that this accursed system must come to an end, while the gospel will march onward with unwasting splendour. This empire of darkness and despotism has already received a stroke which has loosened its very foundation, and ensures its fall; and, like the ivy-mantled tower, will carry all along with it to destruction that cling to its ruins.

Green, under date, Newtownards, Feb. 28, 1844:

MY DEAR SIR,-In my last, I gave you some account of the delightful progress of the gospel here. I mentioned that I had recently baptized two hopeful converts, and others of an interesting character were coming forward. Since then, four of these have also been baptized and added to the church. This

Mr. MULHERN also writes under date, is six I have had the pleasure to baptize on a February 16, 1844:

MY DEAR SIR,-Since my last, things here have been going on much as usual; our prospects, blessed be God, are still encouraging. I preach five or six times a week at four different stations, at each of which the attendance, all things considered, is encouraging. I trust the Lord is blessing our labours. I baptized, two persons last week, who have since been added to our church; but I am sorry to say that we are likely to soon lose them, as they are about to remove to Edinburgh; but they will not be lost to the church of Christ. Others are anxiously inquiring, and it is hoped, will soon be enabled to give them selves unto the Lord. Our day school and sabbath schools go on well, and promise to be very useful. I opened a new station since my last, at Crawfords-burn, where is the residence of the worthy Mr. Sharman Crawford, who kindly gave us the liberal sum of £5 last year, when we were building our chapel. This station is pretty well attended, and would be much better attended if we had any one to go occasionally among the people, to converse with them, &c., and invite them out to preaching. I can do but comparatively little in this way myself, after preaching five or six times a-week, as I have lately sometimes done. We feel the want very much of an active, zealous scripture reader; such an agent would be of great importance here. Our unhappy country is now in a state of lamentable confusion;-convulsed and agitated from end to end! Ireland is undoubtedly rapidly approaching to an important crisis. I trust that all will be over-ruled for the furtherance of the gospel. English politicians could do much for our unhappy country, by extending to her political justice, which we think they have in many cases long withheld; but let it not be forgotten that English Christians can do much more for her, by sending her the gospel of Christ. This, after all, is the great remedy for Ireland's woes! May He, who bled and died for Irish men as well as others, stir them up to in

solemn profession of faith, within the present month; and it is hoped that others will soon see it to be their duty and privilege to follow their example, and publicly profess him who died on Calvary to deliver them from the wrath to come. Is not this truly encouraging? Notwithstanding much determined opposition from the world, and from professing Christians, the Lord, blessed be his holy name is giving us many tokens for good. We are beginning to reap the first-fruits of a more plentiful harvest. There are at present in this locality, many openings for usefulness of a very encouraging nature, which I regret to say I am unable to occupy.-Were it not that our means of occupying these openings are so limited-as I have not even a scripture reader on the whole district-much, very much good might be expected, by the blessing of God, speedily to result. If we had such assistance as the Home Mission in your country afford from time to time to their stations, we might expect a glorious revival. I never preached so frequently in my life as I do at present:-I have appointments for preaching eight times this week; three times on Lord's-day, and every other day in the week except Saturday. The greatest drawback on our church is occasioned by the removals from time to time of our members to Scotland or England, for want of employment here. During this month three of our number have left us, two for Scotland and in the cause of Christ wherever the providence one for England. I trust they will be useful of God may cast their lot; but we need their assistance more here.

Mr. ECCLES, in a letter dated Feb. 25, last, gives a pleasing account of the state of things at Coleraine and its neighbourhood. Three had been added to the church under his care since he last wrote. And Mr. SHARMAN, early in March, gave an account of the reception of six members into the church under his care at Clonmel, four of them by baptism, two of

these having been converted from catholicism. Mr. BERRY at Abbeyliex also steadily progresses, and is much encouraged by the present aspects of usefulness of which his labours through God's blessing are productive.

He

sins. A young man also seemed to be powerfully struck with what he heard read. said, "What a fine thing it would be if the priest would read such a book for us! I have often been at mass," said he, "and I never got so much instruction before in all my lifetime." At my departure, the man of the

An Irish reader writes under date of house followed me, telling me to visit them Feb. 13:

The Lord has been pleased to afford me many blessed opportunities for the last month of reading and expounding the gospel to many who heretofore were strangers to its glorious contents. On the 4th instant, read in the house of W- M- of D, the 10th and 11th of Hebrews. The house was almost thronged. They heard with the greatest attention. I believe it was a blessed opportunity. I heard people talk since of the comfort they enjoyed at that meeting; I saw tears flow from several persons. I believe the Lord was there, and that he sent his word to their hearts in the demonstration of the Spirit and with power. They appeared cut and wounded to the heart. The humble statement of a convinced sinner's search after Jesus appeared to be sent home to their very souls. Two Roman catholics who were present, visited me twice since, and requested a few tracts from me; which I gave them with pleasure. They requested me to visit their families, and read for them that blessed book which delighted them so much. Oh, may it be unto them the power of God to the salvation of their souls!

On the 6th instant, as I was reading to a large family, all Roman catholics, the woman of the house stood paying the greatest attention. I perceived her shedding tears, and looking up to God, fervently praying that he might have mercy on her, and pardon her

often, that I might read a part of my fine Irish book for them. I read the word of life for several other families that day, and all seemed delighted, in particular one old woman wept for her transgressions, exclaiming, "What shall I do? Lord have mercy on my soul!" I strove to point her to the Lord Jesus, telling her to believe on him, and trust in him alone for the salvation of her soul. May she and many others be brought to love the Saviour, through the instrumentality of his own word! A few days ago, I was invited to read my Irish Testament in the house of a Roman catholic, not far from my own house, and where I never had access before, in consequence of their ignorance and superstition; they thought it a breach of the priest's commands to allow me to read the scripture in their house. It happened that a young man of the family heard me read, a few nights ago, and being so powerfully struck with what he heard, that he determined to allow me to read, for the family. On my arrival, he asked me several questions relative to the doctrines of the church of Rome. I spent the whole day, and a good part of the night, striving to turn his attention from the absurd view he had of these doctrines; and I trust my labour has not been in vain, for the whole family requested me to come again, as often as I could, and said they were well pleased with the explanations I gave on the different subjects.

Contributions omitted this month for want of space. appear in next report should be to hand by the 20th instant.

All money intended to

Subscriptions and Donations thankfully received by the Secretary, Rev. SAMUEL GREEN, 59, Queen's Row, Walworth; by the Rev. JOSEPH ANGUS, at the Baptist Mission House, Moorgate-street; and the Rev. STEPHEN DAVIS, 92, St. John-street-road, Islington; by ROBERT STOCK, Esq., 1, Maddox-street, Regent street, Treasurer; Mr. J. SANDERS, 104, Great Russell-street, Bloomsbury; at the Union Bank, Argyle Place; by the Rev. C. ANDERSON, Edinburgh; the Rev. Mr. INNES, Frederick-street, Edinburgh; by the Rev. C. HARDCASTLE, Waterford; Rev. F. TRESTRAIL, Rock Grove Terrace, Strand-road, Cork; by Mr. J. HOPKINS, Cambridge Crescent, Birmingham; Rev. GEORGE GOULD, 1, Seville Place, Dublin; Rev. W.S. ECCLES, Coleraine; Rev. R. WILSON, Belfast; Rev. G. NEWENHAM WATSON, Limerick; and by any Baptist Minister, in any of our principal towns.

J. Haddon, Printer, Castle Street, Finsbury.

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MEMOIR OF THE REV. C. B. TALBOT, OF
WENDOVER, BUCKS.

BY THE REV. S. AYRTON.

"The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.”—Psa. cxii. 6.

When I did any thing I ought not to have done, I was always very sorry for it; though, as I remember, I did not then view any thing of that kind as sinful. My sorrow generally rose from the fear of being found out and corrected. When I had acquired more knowledge, and become more thoughtful, I supposed that, as I had been accustomed to attend a place of worship on the Sabbath, and had not been guilty of any grossly immoral conduct, all was well, and I had nothing to fear. I always felt an attachment to the ways of religion, and often thought, when I was hearing a sermon, that I should like to be a preacher of the Gospel. I continued attending on the means without feeling any real consciousness of my state as a sinner till the beginning of the year 1827; at which time I was residing in the parish of Isleham, in the county of Cambridge. About the time referred to, I heard Mr. R

THE Rev. C. B. Talbot was born at Mildenhall, in Suffolk, October 29th, 1806. The given names of his parents are unknown to the writer; nor does he possess any information concerning them beyond what he has gathered from the allusions of Mr. T. in his diary. These allusions evince the warmest filial affection, and breathe the deepest and most prayerful solicitude for the salvation of his parents. I should judge they were not dissenters, but attendants at the Established Church. Of the early years of Mr. T. I know nothing further than what I find in his diary. There he says, at the commencement, "I was baptized (according to the mode of administering the ordinance in the Church of England) on the 16th of December, 1807. From my childhood I was accustomed to attend the public means of grace, and had never any great relish for the pleasures and amusements of the world. VOL. 6.-N.S.

Compton, the General Baptist minister of the above mentioned place, preach from the words, 'Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near.' I felt much under this discourse, and being taken ill about this time, Mr. C. visited me, and brought me Doddridge's Rise and Progress, and also some hymns, to read. From both I received benefit, but more particularly from the former; and reading about the same time in a certain author respecting sins of omission and sins of commission, my transgressions were placed in array before me. I saw how negligent I had been in regard to the important concerns of my soul, and a preparation for the eternal world, and that my sins threatened to plunge me into everlasting misery. I was at this time confined to my bed, and after earnestly supplicating for mercy through a crucified Redeemer, I felt my mind considerably relieved, and shortly afterwards fell asleep. I awoke weeping; but it was weeping for joy. The sense I then had of the pardon of my sins, and the love of God shed abroad in my heart, were more than I could well bear. I gave utterance to my feelings in praise and thanksgivings. Then it was I felt peace and joy in believing; then it was I trust I experienced that inward change without which no man can see the kingdom of God." He goes on to say, 66 Many changes I have experienced since then; seasons of darkness and sorrow, and seasons of light and joy. Often have I inquired, 'Where is the blessedness I knew?' &c. But, having obtained the help of God, I continue to this day."

Very soon after our worthy brother found peace and joy in believing, he felt desirous of following his Redeemer in the ordinance of baptism, and with his people to commemorate his dying love at his table. He accordingly applied for fellowship, and his application being received, on the 10th of May, 1827, he, with eight others,

was baptized by Mr. Compton, in a river near Isleham ferry. Referring to this occasion, he says, "My mind was comfortable. May the Lord enable me to live to his glory, and to honor my profession by an upright walk and conversation."

It is uniformly the experience of all who are truly converted themselves to desire the conversion of others, and it will be their aim to seek the salvation of others. There is no subject of saving grace that wishes to go to heaven alone. A great part of the christian's happiness consists in helping others to heaven, and meeting them there at last. The worthy subject of this narrative felt the noble risings of this generous, this christian spirit. He longed to be useful in the Redeemer's cause. So deep was his compassion for the perishing state of his fellow-men, that he had at this time serious thoughts of leaving his native shores to publish among the heathen the glorious Gospel. About this time he began to make converts to religion in a house in Isleham, and afterwards in a mill which was near the house.

In the autumn of 1830 Mr. T. applied for admission into the General Baptist Academy, Wisbech. The committee having considered his application, they unanimously resolved that he should be admitted to the advantages of the institution. He entered the Academy Feb. 5th, 1831. Referring to this, he says, "Little did I think, a short time since, that I should be thus privileged. Many petitions have I offered up that I might be thus favored, and the Lord has answered my requests. May I be enabled to improve the means with which I am now privileged. The Lord make me a faithful and useful preacher of the Gospel of his grace.' Mr. T. enjoyed the advantages of the Academy three years; but of his academical studies little is known by the writer. His conduct while there was very exemplary, and

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