The Northamptonshire Association will be held at Loughborough, on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 9 and 10. The ministers put up at the Bull Head Inn. Rev. J. Clay, over the Church meeting in | and friends is requested. Dr. Steadman is Lake Lane, Portsea. The Rev. J. Neave expected to preach at Broadmead on the introduced the business of the day and Wednesday evening, and the public meeting asked the usual questions of the church and will be held on the Thursday morning. the minister. The ordination prayer was offered up by the Rev. W. H. March, the respected Tutor of Stepney Academy, and the Rev. C. E. Birt, A.M. delivered a most excellent charge to the minister, founded on Matt. xxv. 21; the Rev. T. Morris gave an appropriate charge to the people from Heb. xiii. 7. The Rev. Messrs. Cakebread, Carruthers, (Independent of Gosport,) Shoveller, Clay, Crossman and Tilly conducted the devotional parts of the service. The church in Lake Lane has been raised through the blessing of God on the united efforts of the brethren, Tilly and Clay of Portsea, who commenced a weekly lecture there in a school-room about eleven years since; there is now a commodious chapel well attended, and a large Sunday school of about 600 children, the whole presenting a pleasing prospect of usefulness. We are happy to learn that there are now eight Baptist churches in Portsea and its vicinity, at suitable distances from each other, and in harmonious co-operation. NOTICES. It is proposed to hold the Meeting of the General Union at Carter Lane, as usual, on the Wednesday, in the Baptist Missionary week, June 17, at six o'clock, as Dr. Rippon anticipates the pleasure of distributing among his ministering brethren in and round London and Westminster, who usually have attended this service, and others who bring a letter and minutes from the Associations to which they belong, a few hundreds of his Selection of Hymns, and Dr. Watts's Hymns and Psalms, also Baptist Catechisms, and Dr. Ryland's Six Views of Believers' Baptism. These will be distributed gratis to the ministers, to ease their journeying expences, but they will be at liberty to dispose of them to the less affluent members of their churches, at a price considerably reduced. A few complete sets of Dr. Gill's Exposition, also, of the Prophets, and the New Testament alone, may then be had, for poor ministers only, at half the selling price, but not after the meetings of that week. The ministers educated, or in course of education, at the Baptist Academy, Bristol, will dine together on Tuesday, June 16, at half-past two o'clock, at the King's Head, Poultry. Other friends to the Institution, both ministers and laymen, are admissible on the introduction of a member. The Sixtieth Anniversary of the Bristol Education Society will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, the 24th and 25th of June, when the attendance of the subscribers On Whit Monday, June 8, the Annual Sermon to Young People will be preached at the Chapel, Lower-street, Islington, by the Rev. J. Yockney. Service to commence at half-past six o'clock. The Anniversary of West Drayton Chapel, will take place on Wednesday, June 3, 1829, when the Rev. T. Price of Devonshire Square, is expected to preach in the afternoon, service commencing at half-past two; and the Rev. Dr. Styles in the evening, service at six. Tea will be provided gratuitously, to which the friends of the object are respectfully invited. Drayton is one mile and a half from the Bath Road, at the 15th mile from Hyde Park Corner. PUBLIC MEETINGS IN JUNE, 1829, With Names of the Chairmen or Preachers. 1. Noon 12. District Visiting Society, Annual Meeting, Argyll Rooms, Regent street. 4. After. 1. London Female Penitentiary, Annual Meeting, Penitentiary, Pentonville, Sir Thomas Baring, Bart. 4. Even. 64. Baptist Home Missionary Society for Scotland. Annual Sermon, Finsbury Chapel, Finsbury-circus, Rev. Dr. Henderson. 8. Even. 64. Baptist Home Missionary Society for Scotland, Annual Meeting, John's Street Chapel, Gray's-inn-road, Thomas Thompson, Esq. 14. Even. 64. London Baptist Building Fund, Annual Sermon, Salters' Hall Chapel, Rev. Joseph Kinghorn. 15. Even. 6. London Baptist Building Fund, Annual Meeting, Salters' Hall Chapel, William Brodie Gurney, Esq. 16. Even. 6. Baptist Home Missionary Society, Annual Meeting, City of London Tavern, Sir Thomas Baring, Bart. 17. Morn. 11. Baptist Missionary Society, Annual Sermon, City-road Chapel, Rev. W. H. Murch. 17. Even. 6. Baptist Missionary Society, Annual Sermon, Surrey Chapel, Rev. Thomas Swan, 18. Morn. 11. Baptist Missionary Society, Annual Meeting, Spa-fields Chapel. 18. Even. 64. Stepney Academical Institution, Annual Sermon, Eagle-street Chapel, Rev. Samuel Saunders. 19. Morn. 7. Baptist Irish Society, Annual Breakfast, City of London Tavern, J. E. Gordon, Esq. IRISH CHRONICLE, JUNE, 1829. DURING the progress of another year of the Society's operations, which is now nearly concluded, there have not been wanting the most satisfactory evidences that the objects of the Institution continue deeply to interest the minds, and share in the benevolence of its friends and supporters. No one, it is presumed, will be of opinion that we have now arrived at that period in the history of Ireland, when it will be proper to relax our endeavours to impart to its inhabitants the unspeakable advantage of scriptural instruction; but rather that the time is now fully come when exertion should be employed to the utmost limit of its capability, to emancipate the mind from the dominion of ignorance, and the slavery of superstition. It is, therefore, confidently hoped that the approaching annual meeting of the Society will be distinguished by the same unanimity of concurrence and co-operation which have uniformly characterized every one that has preceded. The Committee having reviewed the appointment of Mr. Davis to remove from Clonmel to England, that he might become collecting agent to the Society, are induced to conclude that, on account of his family, such a measure would involve too serious a responsibility, and have, therefore, unanimously resolved to 1equest his continuanee in Ireland. The Annual Meeting will be held at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, on Friday morning the 19th inst. Captain J. E. Gordon has promised to preside. The Chair to be taken at 7 o'clock. Rev. J. Wilson to the Secretaries. Sligo, April 18th 1829. quence of the spring work, but I hope many of the children will have returned to the schools by the time that Mr. Franks arrives, as he is then to travel with me to inspect them. DEAR BRETHREN, SINCE my last, I have been in the north for nearly a month collecting for the Society, You will be gratified to learn that the and was met in Belfast by Mr. Franks, health of your invaluable agent, W. Moore, where we were more than usually success- is considerably improved, and I am indulgful, and in general, I am happy to say that the interests of the society appeared to be inore deeply felt, and its importance acknowledged. ing the hope that the Lord has more work I did not remain so long as I intended, in Consequence of the indisposition of Mrs. W. but Mr. Franks very kindly engaged to be at the places where I was expected, as well as some others, and has not yet returned. It gives me great pleasure to add, that both in the north and in Connaught the contributions to the Society are increased. my return I have found the door of useful. To the Secretaries of the Baptist Irish So Since ciety. Limerick, April 17th 1829. MY DEAR FRIENDS, ness apparently widening for the agents of the Society, the violence of opposition has in some cases abated, and notwithstanding the prevalence of political excitation, the number of attentive readers and hearers of As I am just going off to preach, I have the Scriptures is increasing. I have not not time, nor I confess much desire to enter yet seen many of the schools, but they are into a detailed statement of my humble O necessarily thinly attended, in conse-labours during the month which is nearly expired since my last letter. During the first week of it, I went to Camas and preached, and expounded eleven times to the dark and barbarous people in that part of the county of Limerick. I never saw such submission to priestly influence. I should write much to give you an idea of it. I took the greatest pains in reasoning and pointing out to them the Scriptures, wherein the Lord commanded them to read and teach them to their children. On my return to Limerick, I went off immediately to the County Tipperary, and preached at Cloughjordan the first Lord's day in this month. I expounded at Clearmant, and went to Nenagh, Birdhill, &c. On the second Lord's day I preached morning and evening at Birdhill, to principally Roman Catholic congregations, the tenants of Mr. Ormsby, in his house. That gentleman and family are trying to get a minister of the Established church there entirely to reside, as they are most attached to that form, then there will be no occasion of Mr. Brown the Independent minister or me going. On Monday I left Birdbill, after inspecting the school, which gave me great satisfaction, and walked to O'Briensbridge and Montpelier to inspect the school and to preach. My heart sickened and sunk, when I found the fine female school reduced that day from 69 to 30 children. But I expect it will soon increase again. The people are anxious for the education of their children. The priests are the scourge, and the terror, and the ruin of Ireland. I remain, My dear Friend, Yours in truth and affection, From J. P. Briscoe. DEAR BRETHREN, DURING the month that has elapsed since I last addressed you, I have been employed in preaching at different places, paying the men their salaries, and collecting for the Society in my district. When I last wrote member and an elder of the Presbyterian Church there, was baptized by me, and is united to our church in this place. He has for years been enabled to support the character of a good man. Whenever I preach I have large and respectable congregations, and frequently find it difficult to obtain a place sufficient to contain them. In Ballina I have had for some time past crowded congregations on Sunday evenings. I am on those opportunities delivering lectures on the thirty-nine articles of the Church of England, which have excited a good deal of attention. The result is with the Lord; may his blessing be added to crown thein with success. We did not forget yesterday. Being the day appointed for prayer by our churches in England, we met to unite with them at the Throne of Grace." I commenced the service by explaining the objects of the meeting, and then read the second chapter of the prophecy of Joel, after which we sang the 210th hymn in the selection. Three of the brethren, viz. Samuel Browne, William M'Adam, and Thomas Berry, successively engaged in prayer, with singing at proper intervals. I then read the second chapter of the Acts, and delivered a short address on the necessity of the Holy Spirit's influence to promote the work of grace in our hearts and our churches, on the duty of earnest prayer for this blessing, and the encouragement we had to seek it from the Lord, and then concluded the meeting. All our members were present, and the opportunity was truly interesting and refreshing, such a one, indeed, as I do not remember to have enjoyed since I have been in this country, and I trust the feelings then experienced will not soon be forgotten. Through mercy my health is tolerably restored, and I am regularly engaged in preaching at several stations, and looking out for others in addition. That the Lord may prosper the work of our hands, is the earnest prayer of, Dear Brethren, Yours affectionately, J.P. BRISCOE. Thomas. Limerick, April 16th 1829. to you, I had not commenced the business From an Irish Reader to the Rev. William of collecting, being prevented by sickness. I have now collected thirty-seven pounds, which I have forwarded to Mr. West. I have not yet finished, and am certain that I shall obtain more. I intend (if the Lord will,) going to Westport next week. Since my last I have preached five times at Mullafary, four times at Easky, occasionally at Ballinglen and Tullylynn, besides my regular engagements on the Sabbath at Ballina. On the 21st of last month, W. M'Adam our teacher in Mullafary, and formerly a REV. SIR, MARCH the 20th, I read a portion of the word of God five miles from Limerick, six were present, who heard very attentively. We conversed on venial sins, which they introduced to me. They believed that a man dying in venial sins, should go to purgatory for the expiation of them. I read in the countenance of two, evident signs of the tenth and eleventh verses of the second | it being a day that three men were executed. chapter of James, "For whosoever shall While I discoursed with them about the keep the whole law, and yet offend in one sufferings of Christ for poor sinners, I saw point, he is guilty of all." A female made answer, that it was written the same way in their own Testament. Two of the men seemed alarmed. I endeavoured to shew them what is sin, proving from the sacred Scriptures that sin is a transgression of the law of God, and the soul that sinneth it shall die. I pointed them to the Lamb of God whose blood alone can atone for the sins of men. I also laboured to convince them of that dreadful evil which is prevalent W.T. in the church of Rome, that a soul dying From a Scripture Reader to the Rev. J.Wilson. in venial sin would by suffering in purgatory expatiate for them, referring them to several passages of the word of God. REV. SIR, I HAVE (through divine aid,) since my last, taken every opportunity both by reading and conversation, of bringing my fellowcreatures to an acquaintance with the contents of that inspired volume, through which life and immortality are brought to light : and I am happy to state, that my feeble efforts to promote this glorious object, (though slowly) are prospering even in the midst of persecution. To such of my neighbours as object to the reading of God's word in consequence of these hard trials, I state from memory, and to such as do not, I read so that I generally have access through the one alternative or the other. I have hitherto found this simple plan to have a very good effect. March the 21st, Lord's day, I read the word of God in Limerick, five persons were present, all paid attention, and seemed to be serious. March thè 22nd, an old woman enquired of me to shew her the Irish Bishop. She told me she went to the priest to confess, and he ordered her to go to the Bishop that he might inflict on her a punishment for her negligence in not coming to confess to the priest for twelve months. I endeavoured to lead her to him who has the hearts of all creatures in his hands, reading to her of the sufferings of Christ for us poor sinners, which so affected her, that she seemed to give up her design of going to the bishop. 23d, I read a portion of the word of God in Bruff, twelve miles from Limerick, a very extensive chapel is build- The following note may serve for one ining there. The inhabitants are very much stance of its utility. On the fifteenth of in awe of the priest, who will not allow last month being Sabbath, I visited a neighthem to hear the Scriptures. In the even- bour's house; after a short discourse I ining I read one mile from that, to a family. troduced my Irish Testament and proceeded I endeavoured to shew them the way of to read. The man of the house asked me salvation. Five were present. I trust the if it was the Testament, being answered in name of God was glorified. 25th, I en- the affirmative, he precipitately requested deavoured to call the attention of four Ro-me to cease from the reading, adding that man Catholics to the things of God. They if his priest should hear of it, he would would rather hear of some new thing. excommunicate both himself and bis fa Lord's day the 30th, I read the word of mily, as he did James D. (a man in whose God to an individual in Limerick, who ex-house I read the Sabbath before.) I impressed a sincere desire to seek salvation in the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. She said she would wish to love God, but that she felt her heart very hard, that thoughts often passed in her mind, that she shall never be saved. O the devices of satan! I read some of the precious promises of our Lord, which she acknowledged gave her encouragement. I visited her once since, and have all hopes to believe that the Spirit of God is at work with her. April 1st, I read to several in Limerick; two seemed to make light of the word of God. 4th, I endeavoured to call the attention of ten Roman Catholics to the things of God, two miles distant from Limerick, a time impression seemed easy to be made, mediately complied to his request, and proceeded to reason upon the danger of objecting to the word of God, proving my argument by a repetition of several portions of holy writ, principally directing their attention to that fearful denunciation of our Lord recorded in the first chapter of Proverbs, from the 24th to the 32nd verse inclusive. I again repeated several portions which exhorted and even commanded the reading and study of the sacred page, together with the blessings attached to this pious practice. During all this time I was attentively heard by several persons which were at this time assembled. At length the mistress of the honse replied thus, “If you brought that book, which you say de clares these things, we would have no ob- Part of Collection at Blockley, per Rev. Mr. Davies of Eve- All present seemed interestingly amazed at the new doctrine which was exhibited to their view, and the consoling promises of this inspired volume; and two of them particularly declared, if their priest himself was present, that he could not find fault with the book, and therefore, invited me to read in their houses as often as my opportunity afforded. The woman in whose house we were assembled, also declared that she would not by any person be prevented from hearing the book read, even by her priest, until he first shewed her her error for so doing; and invited me to her house as often as I thought proper. These and similar inducements, I trust the Lord has held out to convince the labourers in his vineyard, that in due season they shall reap if they faint not. CONTRIBUTIONS. On account of Collections, per J.M. £. s. d. 40 0 0 Rev. Mr. Davies of Clonmel 37 13 7 Mr. Dunbury, per Rev. Mr. From Rev. Mr. Pengilly ...... 30 0 0 Collected by Rev. Mr. Dyer. John Baylis, Esq....... ..... 16 0 Ο 6 18 6 5 5 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 Bewdley, per Rev. J. Brooks 2 0 ...... 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 Mr. Wm. Armstrong, Manches- |
