and readers are the mly effectual means that can be used in Ireland for promoting the gospel. That our preachers are almost useless persons, and create an unnecessary expense. With regard to the first proposition, that National Churches have a just claim to the people around them, I confess that I am of a very different opinion. Mr. Davis presumes that we are "not sent to convert the various classes of Protestants," as they attend their " 'proper fold-with a laudable regularity;" and to convert these sinful men would be to "seduce them from their own communion." I feel persuaded, however, that these Protestants want converting, and many of their ministers too, or else ministers and people must both perish in their sin. Their careless indifference, and unholy lives, cloaked under a mere nominal profession, is sufficient evidence that they are far from the kingdom of God; but whether we may be sent to convert them, is another question. As the Lord enables me, I intend to preach the gospel to them, and every body else, as often as I can, and I should greatly rejoice in being instrumental in the hand of God in converting them from the error of their way, ," and safely conducting them to eternal glory. we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us." In reference to schools and readers being "the only effectual means the circumstances of the country permit our Society to adopt for its improvement," I think it is a mistake. I believe that readers and schools are important, but I do not believe that they are the only means that we can adopt for promoting the gospel in Ireland. When I came here from Eagle-street, about five years ago, I think that we had between 60 and 70 schools in the Sligo and Ballina District, now we have only about half that number; but almost in every place other scriptural schools have been established in their stead. Since the national schools have been erected, I think that an increase of scripture readers is of the greatest importance. Education without religion, in France, led to infidelity;-education without religion, in Ireland, would land us in superstition and idolatry. So far as I know the mind of the Committee, they are far from treating the "readers of schools as of very secondary importance," but the country is very different now to what it was twenty years ago, and it appears desirable that we should be more of a Missionary Society now than we formerly were. With regard to Mr. Davis saying, that Preachers, unless as superintendents of the schools, &c., I look upon as a very unnecessary and almost useless expense," I consider it to be entirely at variance with the word of God. Jesus has said, “ Go-preach the gospel to every creature," but we are told that our preaching is useless in this country, and that to expect more good resulting from the faithful preaching of the gospel than from the readers and schools, is to reject means that have been useful" for the adoption of others more fascinating but more visionary.' is, if I understand it, we may expect more good resulting from an institution of man, than we may from one that has been instituted by Jesus Christ. Preaching the gospel may be "more fascinating," but then it is " more visionary." So says expediency and the wisdom of man. But where is the wise?-as, in the days of the Apostles, "it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe," even so now it is in the present day. Mr. Davis says, that "More humble christians, more devoted ministers, more simple and earnest preachers of the whole truth, are not to be found." I greatly rejoice that good ministers, in the Church of Ireland, are on the increase. They have pious" and devoted men amongst them, and I have no wish to detract from their humility, devotedness, or zeal, in preaching "the whole truth." But are one half of our national clergymen christians? From their manner of life, I am afraid not. For my own part I have met with more opposition in preaching the gospel from clergymen, than I have from priests. So long as we preach the gospel, and never attempt to collect our converts together, but let them go to the church, all will be well. Let us, however, build a few chapels and form a few scriptural churches, and you will find that these devoted men will instantly take the alarm. I hope that we have dissenting ministers in Ireland equally humble, devoted, and simple as any in the Established Church. The fact is, popery will always oppose our schools, and Episcopalianism will always be hostile to dissent; the former knows that a scriptural education will give a death-blow to their system, and the latter perceives that as dissenting churches increase, Episcopalianism will fall to the ground. If we were content to remain "hewers of wood and drawers of water," they would let us dwell in quietness amongst them; but if we attempt to build a temple of our own, we shall be viewed as an enemy in the land. John said, “Master, "That In In a sermon preached by Dr. Young, of Perth, in Belfast, last April, he says, 1776 the proportion of Protestants to Catholics was as one to three, and now it is as one to ten! This is what a state creed has done for the last 70 years.' I feel persuaded We need not, however, marvel at this. The very root of the system is evil, and the blossom must go up as dust. The two curates in this town, instead of going every where preaching, that men should repent," take up a considerable portion of their time in going about to command the people not to receive Dissenters into their houses, or go and hear any sectarian preach. Popery is entrenched in the depravity of the human heart, and bids defiance to force, but it cannot stand before the preaching of the cross. Several of our members at Coolany, at Easky, and Ballina, are converts from popery. The people in general are willing to hear. I know a man that has preached eight times this last week, and in some places had a good congregation, composed of Methodists, Churchmen, and Catholics. Let us "preach the word," and sooner or later God will crown our efforts with success. The Church of Rome, I apprehend, is "the Mother of Harlots," and I believe that all other ecclesiastical establishments are her corrupt progeny, consequently I look to those devoted men who belong to our dissenting interest, as the persons by whom the gospel will be principally propagated in Ireland. Brethren! never let us forget what Jesus in his commission has commanded us to do. Preaching is so important, that even the Emperor Julian, says Robinson, endeavoured to establish something similar to it among the Pagans. Let us also look to Jesus as our illustrious example; he " preached the word unto them.' The Saviour paid very little or no regard to place, hence we see him proclaiming the gospel in the synagogues in the temple-on the mountain top, in private houses, or by the sea-side. He was not much concerned as to time, mornings, evenings, sabbath-days, and festivals, were embraced by him to proclaim the words of eternal life. He was equally unconcerned about posture; he stood or sat, as circumstances seemed to require. O for the spirit, and devotion, and zeal of Jesus. Then we should be seen not only preaching in our chapels and school-houses, or the peasant's cabin, but we should be seen reading with the ignorant, conversing by the way-side, and proclaiming the everlasting gospel at penance, stations, and holy wells. 46 'Brethren, pray for us." Instruct us by your advice, sustain us by your council, and encourage us by your prayers. The gospel must finally prevail, popery must be destroyed, and superstition shall be overcome. Let us labour, and pray that God will send more labourers into his vineyard, and in due time we shall reap if we faint not. J. BATES. The member of the Aged and Infirm Bap tist Ministers' Society who inquires, through the Baptist Magazine, respecting an apparent inconsistency in the cash account, is informed that it was an error of the press, as the accompanying corrected report will show; and as, indeed, would otherwise appear, by comparing the two last reports with reference to the declared amount of funded property. A few copies were sent out before the error was observed; the rest were corrected. It is hoped that the individual addressed will acknowledge in the next magazine the receipt of the present report, and be kind enough to state the explanation. JAMES GRANT SMITH, ESQ., TREASURER, In Account with the Society for the Relief of Aged or Infirm Baptist Ministers. £ s. d. Dr. 99 12 9 6 15 6 3 1 0 Balance in Treasurer's Hands.. Cr. Expenses and Postages 120 15 0 £392 0 3 £ s. d. 350 1256 Do. of Printing, Stationery, &c. I remain, respectfully, Your most obedient servant, An Appeal to Dissenting Ministers and their Congregations, on behalf of "The Society for the Relief of the Necessitous Widows and Children of Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the Three Denominations." It has of late been frequently remarked that, owing to the number and novelty of Institutions recently established, those of an earlier date are in some danger of being neglected. If societies newly formed, not only embrace the objects contemplated by their predecessors, but are obviously improvements upon their plans and operations, the increased attention and support they obtain should be a subject for congratulation rather than regret. But the "Widows' Fund," one of the earliest efforts in the career of Christian benevolence, being founded in 1733, has not been superseded by any of the excellent societies which have since arisen. On the contrary, their general tendency being greatly to increase the demand for ministerial exertion, has occasioned the applications for assistance from this institution, to multiply in proportion to the additional number of labourers thus called into the spiritual harvest, who, after having served their generation by the will of God, are fallen asleep; leaving their husbandless wives, and their fatherless children, to the fostering care of a gracious Providence, and the generous exercise of Christian beneficence. The design of this venerable institution so entirely commended itself to the opulent and influential among Protestant Dissenters, that its managers were encouraged to advance the exhibitions from time to time, until, in 1811, the annual grant to widows, residing in England, was fifteen pounds, and to those in Wales, eleven pounds. It was, however, soon perceived, that to continue this amount of assistance, and to admit such additional applications as are yearly presented, would be impracticable. It has, therefore, become imperative to reduce the fifteen pounds to ten, and the eleven pounds to seven; and, earnestly hoping that it may not be found necessary either to diminish the distribution now made, nor to refuse relief to those new cases, which, in the administration of Divine Providence, are so frequently occurring, this appeal is urged upon the attention of the benevolent of every Christian denomination. That this admirable institution should not be enabled to maintain its present position is not to be believed; especially when it is considered that the object it contemplates is invested with a claim of no ordinary importance that its management has been invariably distinguished by an impartiality which knows no preference of denomination and that there is scarcely a society of any magnitude, whose affairs are conducted at an expense so inconsiderable. No, the tear of the Widow will not fall unnoticed, nor will the cry of the Orphan be lifted up unheard, it certainly is not too much to expect, that, by such appeals, the tenderest sympathies of our ministering brethren will be awakened, and that, in recommending the institution to their friends, individually and collectively, they will exert their valuable influence. Nor can it be doubted that the members of our churches generally, will feel the importance of aiding its operations by their subscriptions and contributions. And, especially may it be hoped, that those Christian communities, throughout England and Wales, the widows of whose departed pastors, of whom, there are, at this time, more than Two Hundred assisted from its funds, will unite their endeavours to sustain and perpetuate the generous flow of its benevolence. Annual Subscriptions of One Guinea, and Life Subscriptions of Ten Guineas, or from ministers, Five Guineas, entitle to a share in the management of this institution; and, in the earlier period of its history, such valuable aid was extensively afforded, but death has considerably diminished the amount of annual subscriptions, and made the adoption of some means to supply the deficiency indispensable. Indeed, the managers have long had reason to believe, that the claims and necessities of this institution are comparatively unknown, and that a brief representation of the important purpose for which assistance to its funds is solicited, and the catholicity with which its operations are conducted, might be all that is requisite to secure the effective sympathy of the Christian public, and the continued efficiency of the "Widows' Fund." Subscriptions and donations will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, STEPHEN OLDING, ESQ., 29, Clement's Lane, Lombard Street; or by the Secretary, Mr. SMITHERS, No. 2, White Hart Court, Lombard Street. London, Sept. 1, 1838. ON THE SUPPORT OF RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-I have somewhere met with the remark, that it but seldom occurs to any body of men to seek its own reformation. While observation justifies the remark, nothing will justify the conduct, where evils are existing which require to be rooted out, and energies are dormant which might be usefully employed. The urgent appeals of several of our societies have drawn a large measure of public attention to their proceedings, and the di lemmas in which they have been placed through the uncertainty of their incomes, and the frequent representations of approaching crises, have induced many members of our denomination seriously to question the propriety of placing societies in circumstances attended with so much risk. It has hence become a question, also, whether there are not evils in the present system of procuring pecuniary support, and I respectfully invite the attention of the denomination to those which appear to me most open to objection. We have three societies which appeal to the whole body for support; the Foreign Mission, the Home Mission, and the Irish Society. The claims of each have been admitted by the churches generally throughout the land. It is understood among us that these societies ought to continue their operations, and that the expense is to be borne by ourselves. Now if this were for one moment a matter of doubt, the present mode of pleading for support is perfectly consistent; but as it is no longer a question, as it is perfectly understood, why should not the present expensive mode of raising funds, with all its disadvantages, give place to some wise and well considered arrangement with every church in the kingdom. * Let us for a moment look at the evils attending the present system. Each society is making individual applications of an expensive character, both in respect to time and money; the frequent recurrence of these applications (arising from each society having a separate agent or agents) interferes much with the careful consideration of the claim; the want of concert between the several agents frequently causing the disappointment of a brother who has been but just preceded by the agent of another society, leading to feelings very much akin to those which arise from clashing interests; the pastoral labours of ministers being interrupted when extra exertion is made amongour country friends; besides which, the very EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT. A correspondent has sent us a kind letter, for which we have not had a spare column either last month or this, on the importance of exertion, on the part of ministers especially, to enlarge the circulation of the magazine. The anecdotes which he relates refer to times that are gone by, and we hope that now there is an increased desire among the pastors of our churches to promote its sale. "I am acquainted," observes our friend, "with a minister in the country, who until the summer of 1837, was an Independent, but being perfectly satisfied of the propriety of believers' baptism, he was, upon his profession of faith, baptized by a neighbouring Baptist minister. Since then, upon two occasions, he has baptized some of his hearers. The people are very poor, and I have sent to the minister, to be read by his hearers, and particularly by the newly-baptized persons, The Baptist Magazine from January to June, 1838; and if I am spared until the close of the year, I intend to send the other six numbers. I should hope that every Baptist church in every county town of England might easily supply every poor church in the county with a copy." The committee of the House of Commons appointed to inquire into the working of the New Poor Law, have made their final report, wherein they state that " in accordance with a minute issued by the Poor Law Commis sioners, on the 12th of March, 1838, and subject to the regulations therein contained, it does seem desirable that on the Sabbathday inmates of the workhouses should attend divine service in the church of the parish in which such workhouse is situated; and that those paupers who cannot conscientiously join in the service of the established church, should be permitted to attend their respective places of worship." MISSIONARY HERALD. CCXXXVIII. OCTOBER, 1838. Subscriptions and Donations in aid of this Society will be thankfully received at the Baptist Mission House, No. 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London; or by any of the Ministers or Friends whose names are inserted in the Cover of the Annual Report. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. PATNA. The following letter from Mr. Beddy, dated Patna, 15th of April, furnishes affecting evidence of the strength of those prejudices which obstruct the reception and acknowledgment of the truth among the inhabitants of India. Meanwhile, famine is spreading fearful desolation through a wide and populous district, where there are few indeed to direct the perishing multitudes to the only refuge. To use the expressive language of an ancient prophet, God is marching through the land in indignation, and threshing the heathen in his anger. Oh, that this may be but the prelude to the displays of his healing mercy! Patna, 15th April, 1838. My dear Brother, Since I had last the pleasure of addresssing you, I have been out in a district called Tirhoot, and although nothing particular occurred beyond the ordinary course of missionary work, preaching and distributing the word, yet on the whole I felt much gratified with my journey from the kind manner I was received by many, and the number of tracts, &c., that I was called on to distribute. There is little opposition now to be met with in preaching, except from the Mohammedans, who still continue to testify the greatest bitterness and opposition to every attempt to preach salvation through the atonement of our blessed Lord: but alas, here the matter seems to stand; there appears to be a heartlessness with regard to salvation and future things among the people that almost baffles description. However, amidst these desponding scenes, now and then a something seems to spring up to revive our spirits, but this awful stumbling-block, caste, presents itself as a I am barrier that no trifling energy, and no ordinary degree of faith can surmount. not without hope, that there are three or four, at least, here who are almost persuaded to renounce caste and all for Christ: but it is a great sacrifice. A servant of mine, of almost the lowest caste, a sweeper, whom I have had with me for about five years, and on whom I yet hope the word has made some impression, voluntarily gave up caste, he said, for Christ's sake, and to obtain salvation. He had been telling his family for ten or twelve days he would do so, but they did not believe him sincere ; but when he had done the thing, he was assailed with the most indignant treatment, beaten by his sister, and, subsequently, and sister declaring they would kill themtaken away and bound; his mother, wife, selves, rather than that he should become a Christian. The sister was also a servant, and the whole of them living on our premises. When persons thus situated acted so, what may we not expect from strangers! His family so far won upon his affections, that he had not power to withstand their solicitations, and he has again taken up caste. What may be the result I cannot tell; the Lord only knows what induced him thus to act, as also if there is any grace in his heart. I have been down during the month of January, to see brother Leslie you have heard that he is poorly, and my last does not say that he has much improved. My chief object in going down was to assist him, and, if possible, to persuade him to go to sea for the recovery of his health, as both medical and other persons unite in saying that nothing but a voyage to sea will restore his health; but this he positively declines. ; We have an awful visitation of Providence to the westward, a famine which is consuming thousands, and yet no cry of repentance, no forsaking their dumb idols. May the Lord in infinite mercy pour out his Spirit upon these dry bones! the prayers of his people may be heard, and answers sent in behalf of this poor be O that |