committee, and insure a teacher twenty shillings per week. This is impossible, for the people are wretchedly poor. We have nearly obtained the purchase-money for a large factory, which, when the Christian public enable us, can be altered into a good chapel, capable of holding 450 to 500 hearers, and a school-room, &c., underneath, for 250 to 300 children. We hope and pray that Divine Providence will open a way by which we may not only carry on a sabbath-school, but also a day-school therein.* "A― Lane Chapel.-At this place we have occupied an old Baptist chapel. The congregation consists of persons formerly attending the state church, but they have been driven away by the monstrous and unscriptural doctrines preached by their Puseyite minister. They are now hearty dissenters and advocates of religious liberty. About a month ago, we had a meeting, and it was resolved to build a new chapel in a more central situation for the congregation, and have attached to it a burial ground. A churchman has given us 800 yards of land, and in three weeks they have raised about £200. It is intended to build a neat chapel, capable of holding 180 to 200 persons, and we expect to have it finished, opened, and paid for before summer is over. The congregation here and at some other places have not been so large as usual, owing to the inclemency of the weather, and some of them being two or three miles distant from the place of worship. At every other place, we have every reason to hope that the Lord is carrying on his good work. Many who never attended a place of worship at all have become attentive and constant hearers, and some have made a good confession of faith in Christ. I have found the delivery of tracts at every place before preaching, greatly to establish our hold upon the affections of the people. Many are the expressions of thankfulness for the trouble taken, and many the assurances that they have been made a blessing to the souls of the readers. In the midst of great family affliction, I feel happy in my work, and am divinely supported and comforted. My little church desire their thanks for your grant to their minister; without this, they would be as sheep without a shepherd. They are so poor themselves that they can do little for the cause of Christ; but what little they can do, they do cheerfully."

When we read the following statement, we could hardly believe it, as it seemed so near an approach to one of the most corrupting of all the corrupt practices of the Church of Rome. We sought more information on the subject, and the account was confirmed with additional particulars.

BRIBERY, ERROR, AURICULAR CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION IN THE ESTABLISHED

CHURCH.

Amidst many difficulties and multiplied discouragements, I continue to sow the seed of Divine truth, hoping that that which now lies buried beneath the soil will yet spring up and bring forth fruit to the praise and glory of God. The attendance, I regret to say, still remains stationary at the chapel. But this is not to be wondered at when Episcopacy and aristocracy are exerting their united and too powerful influence to keep down Dissent. To effect their object such means are employed as many would scarcely believe. I shall not attempt to state the various efforts which, during the last three years, have been employed against us, as they have been mentioned in former journals. But one thing, not before stated, deserves to be known. A fund is raised to buy the people over to the church. Several ladies go visiting the poor, and when they find any who go to chapel, or who send their children to the Dissenting school, they give them money, and then request that they will come to

* Application will be made to the General Education Committee for assistance in supporting a teacher.

church, and attend the church school. Young people and singers are especially sought after. The latter usually have £3 or £4 per annum given them from the funds. Most of the singers in the place have in this manner been brought over to the church; and an attempt has been made to gain over to their party the young man who gives out the hymns at our chapel. The clergyman (worthy successor of the apostles !) one day called upon him, and offered him £3 per annum if he would leave chapel and come to church. I am happy to say that the offer was at once rejected. Now if the instructions and labours of the parish clergyman were calculated to issue in the conversion and salvation of the souls of the people above those of the despised dissenting teacher, these things would be less grievous to hear. But this, I am persuaded, is not the case, as will appear from the following fact. A poor ignorant man was ill of a consumption. I visited him, prayed with him, and expounded to him the word of God. I was led to hope that the Spirit of God had blessed my humble efforts to do him good. He was deeply convinced of sin, and anxiously inquired, "What must I do to be saved?" The clergyman heard of this, and went to see him. Finding the poor man to be much distressed with the burden of his sins, he requested that the persons who were with him, viz., his wife and another female, a member of my church, would leave the room, and shut the door. He then instructed the man to confess to him what were the chief sins of which he had been guilty, assuring him that if he made such confession, he would absolve him. The man thus taken by surprise, and scarcely knowing what he was doing, told him that there were two things which pressed heavily upon his mind-his violation of the Lord's-day, and his unkind behaviour to his wife. The absolution of course followed. The clergyman having left him, the man was more unhappy than ever; and his wife soon came to me, begging that I would go and see her husband again as soon as I could, as he had something upon his mind which he wanted to communicate to me. I knew nothing of what the clergyman had been doing, nor did the man tell me; but he wanted to hear more from me about Jesus Christ; and his chief anxiety was to know whether Christ was the only Saviour, or if there was any who could forgive sins besides him. The assurance that Christ was the only Saviour of sinners gave him much hope and comfort. I had the happiness to witness his growth in knowledge and in grace, and often to hear him speak of the goodness of God to his soul. His love towards me was greater than he could express; while he often observed that he never wished to be visited again by Mr. P. Thus while error is increasing, truth, by means of the Home Missionary Society, is opposing it; and while zeal is manifested in efforts to lead the people into greater darkness, God interposes on our behalf, and gives testimony to the word of his grace.-(Herts.)

IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

THE following extracts from the journals of one of the Scripture readers, the accuracy of which is attested by the superintendent of the readers, are deeply interesting; and while they graphically exhibit the difficulties which many Romish priests throw in the way of the circulation and reading of the Bible, furnish evidence of a growing desire on the part of the Irish peasantry to "prove all things, and to hold fast that which is good."

"I read and explained the word in two houses, the inhabitants of which are Roman Catholics. While thus engaged, the wife of J. M'D. came to complain to me of her husband, and requested that I would go and speak to him on a subject that was of great importance to her. I inquired the cause of her complaint. She told me that it was in consequence of her husband's obstinacy in continuing to read the

Scriptures, and begged that I would persuade him to return the Testament that I gave him; otherwise, it would be the cause of her ruin. I requested her to explain herself, as it was a mystery to me how the word of God should be so injurious to her. She then commenced her story, by saying that the priest had refused her the rites of the church, in consequence of her husband being a Bible reader, and that while such books remained in her house, he would not hear her confession, but said, 'Go home and burn these books of your husband's, and then come, and I will hear you.' She told him her husband would not permit her so to do; that she had no control over his actions, and that she dared not take such liberties with his books. His reverence then said that if she had no control over her husband's actions, she had a control over herself, and therefore she should separate from her husband, and leave him to the devil, otherwise he would not receive her. The poor woman, thus distressed between the threats of the priest and the thoughts of parting from her husband, came home and entreated him to give up the books, but not finding him inclined to comply with her request, hearing that I was in the village, she came to me to complain. I told her that at that late time it was out of my power to wait upon him; but seeing her much dejected, I endeavoured to comfort her, by telling her it was impossible that the priest would insist upon her separating from her husband, that he only meant to try if she loved him well, or if she was tired of him, for her to have patience, and the next time she went to confession she would find him more willing to hear her; and for my own part, that I would call to see them the next time that I came to the village; accordingly, I took an early opportunity of paying them a visit, and was informed by them that the priest continued stedfast to his purpose, the husband diligently at his Bible, and the wife lamenting her condition. I then read to them the seventh chapter of Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians, explaining it to the best of my ability. She said, 'What will become of my two children?' I said, that although it was proper to leave her to the freedom of her own will, yet, in my opinion, her husband was justified in bringing up his children in what he believed to be the truth, even in opposition to her will. She then said, 'I will not part from my children.' And thus they continue to live together without calling upon the priest, either for confession, absolution, or any of the rites of the church.

"In conversing with some of the people of this village on the important question, What shall I do to be saved?' I was told by a friend, that a young man, who was in the habit of reading the Scriptures, desired to let me know that his conduct was represented to the priest, who came to his father, and commanded that, if his son would not renounce his Bible-reading, he should be turned out of doors; that his father, fearing to incur the displeasure of the priest, had acted accordingly, and that he was now banished from his father's house, and forced to seek his lodging amongst his friends; but that, although his father acted thus to please the priest, he was by no means displeased with his son, but on the contrary allowed everything that was necessary to be sent to him. I marked several texts of Scripture for his comfort and support, under these trying circumstances, and exhorted him to trust in Christ, who has promised not to leave nor forsake us.' However, after some time indulging the tyrannical disposition of the priest, the father brought home his son, who not only continues to read the Word for his own edification, but frequently reads it for the father's benefit: and for that purpose, a few days past, he obtained one of the Irish Testaments sent by your Society, as his father likes best to hear it read in the Irish language. Thus Popery defeats itself; and the unnatural persecution of the son excited a desire in the father to hear those doctrines of his church tested by the Word of God."

The opening sentences of the next extracts refer to a public disputation the reader

had with a priest, on the questions at issue between Protestants and Roman Catholics. We have no room for the details of the discussion, but beg attention to the sequel, as thus described :"The Rev. Mr. E and I met in presence of a number of his flock. I was afterwards informed he intended to have full satisfaction for the defeat of Mr. T his brother priest, as mentioned in my last journal.

"He immediately introduced the subject by saying, he wished that I had been present a little sooner, as while performing a religious duty (christening a child) he might also have made a Christian of me. I answered, that I was led to believe that true Christianity consisted not in the performance of certain rites and ceremonies, but in a firm reliance on the full and finished righteousness of Jesus Christ. Neither is it of man, nor by the will of man, but by the power of God, and communicated to us by his Holy Spirit.' Priest-'When the apostles laid their hands upon them, they received the Holy Ghost.' Reader-True. God condescended to show signs and miracles by the hands of his apostles, in order to prove that the doctrines taught by them were of Divine origin; but the working of miracles has ceased long since. As Christianity spread, they became unnecessary.' P.-'That is matter of opinion, and of error. Christ gave the gift to his church, and promised to be with her to the end of the world; therefore the gift remains in the church.' R.-'And you profess to be a successor to these apostles?' P.-' Certainly.' R.-'If so, then give us the same proofs that the apostles gave. The text tells us that they all spake with new tongues, and prophesied. Now here are a number of those on whom you have laid your hands, perhaps in almost all the ceremonies of your church, and if the power is invested in you, where are the fruits? I hold that you are bound to show fruits similar to the apostles, otherwise to resign your claim of membership, or to agree with me that the days of miracles are passed.' To this he gave no direct answer, and all my endeavours to hold him to the point were fruitless; he waived it, and said, that in our zeal for puritanism we had renounced the ceremonies of the church, as taught and practised by the apostles and primitive Christians. I answered, that we held all the doctrines taught by the apostles, but rejected all the opinions of men that are in opposition to the word of God, as revealed to us by Christ and his apostles. P. Hold there; ye disregard the doctrine of fasting, which was practised by Christ and taught by his apostles.' R.-'We deny not the doctrine of fasting.'--(here the priest and others cried out, Lent, Lent.') R.-'I repeat it, we deny not the doctrine of fasting, but, on the contrary, hold it to be a sound principle and necessary discipline; but your Lent is not that fasting referred to in the Scripture.' P.-'Our Saviour fasted forty days.' R.-'True; but he left no injunction that we should do the same; he knew that the infirmity of our nature would not admit it; and if, by this, he gave us a proof of his divinity, were we to attempt the same, it would not only prove fatal to us, but might be answered in the words of the prophet, "Who has required this at your hands?" It is evident that your Lent is not the fasting alluded to in the Scriptures: it is above our ability, and God does not require impossibilities; and not only so, but it is anti-scriptural. God is unchangeable in all his attributes, yet, according to your Lent doctrine, you represent him as being more propitious to the sinner at that season of the year; and your Lent ebbs and flows with the moon, as if the mind of God was as changeable as the moon. Again: some years you hold it to be mortal sin to taste flesh-meat during the whole Lent, and perhaps the next year you give permission to eat it several days in each week; thus it would appear that the mind of God is subject to the mind of man; during the same Lent it is more rigorous in some parishes than in others, and in the same parish some individuals are more privileged than others. Again: it is no fast to abstain from flesh and gorge with fish. And lastly, it is in direct opposition to the

word of God, which commands to "eat what is sold in the shambles, asking no questions for conscience sake;" for "not that which goeth into the mouth defileth the man." Thus you see your doctrine of Lent cannot stand the test of Scripture, therefore I consider it is of "art and man's device;" permit me, therefore, to entreat of you to forsake all such cunningly devised fables, and return to the purity and simplicity of the faith as received by the church at Rome, and left on record for us in the apostle Paul's epistle to that church.'

"Thus we proceeded from point to point, for four hours, without ceasing. He parted from me not only with politeness, but with cordiality, stating that he was sorry that I was not instructed in the true faith, but he commended me for manfully defending the doctrines I professed.

"I was informed that on the next Sabbath I was the subject of a lecture, delivered by him to his parishioners, in which he cautioned them to beware of getting into controversy with me, saying, it was dangerous to meddle with me in that way, and that I had too much fluency of speech for any of his parishioners to compete with me in argument; but that any instruction they wanted they should apply for to their clergy, who would give them a true explanation. Yet I find that such remarks only raised me in the estimation of his flock, some boasting that I had put to silence both priests, and that they doubted very much if it was in their power to defend many of the doctrines which they taught; and, indeed, since I came to this locality, I never witnessed on the part of the Roman Catholics so great a desire for the Scriptures. All the Testaments sent me by your Society are given away, and numerous applications have been made to me for more. Some have purchased Bibles for themselves, and others Testaments, yet numbers are unsupplied who are not able to purchase. Some come even for the loan of one, who punctually return it at the appointed time, requesting to get it again as soon as possible, but still more are desirous of having it altogether. English Testaments are more sought after than Irish ones, and English tracts are in more request than Irish tracts; Irish tracts would be more esteemed if printed in Irish characters; yet there are some old people to whom they are best adapted, and to them I have distributed a number of the Irish tracts sent me.

"The desire of reading the word of God naturally begets a desire to understand the meaning, and in this point great care and pains are requisite; for Englishmen who have been brought up in the knowledge of the Scripture, could scarcely be persuaded that such gross ignorance of the will of God could pervade the mind of man, as is to be found among Irish Roman Catholics who have never enjoyed the privilege of reading the Scriptures. Although they in general are a perceptive and docile people, yet they are so wedded to their superstitious doctrines and practices, that it requires much judgment to be able to obtain a patient hearing, and at the same time to teach them sound doctrine. However, after seven years' experience, it is a cause of thankfulness that, in a parish where the Word of God was totally excluded from the Roman Catholics, and much neglected by the Protestants, I am now enabled to state that the majority of the parishioners, both Protestants and Romanists, are Bible readers, and not only readers, but many of them anxious inquirers after the spiritual import of the Word; so much so, that I am earnestly importuned to set apart one evening of the week for the purpose of attending in certain quarters, there to explain the Scriptures to an exclusively Roman Catholic audience. It is needless for me to inform the Society that I have readily embraced this invitation."