and been singularly defeated at Carrick-onShannon;-that the superstitions mentioned were not sanctioned by the priests;

that, probably, only a few poor Irishmen were present, and that the bulk of the assembly were strangers ;-evidently insinuating that the whole accounts were fictitious; and that, if good was meant to be done by the society, they had better place a sum of money at the disposal of the Roman Catholics, to be appropriated in their own way. He then adverted to some passages of a Catholic Catechism, which had been referred to by Mr. Gordon, and endeavoured to explain the Roman Catholic doctrine.

Mr. FLINN then rose, and adverted to the statement of the Rev. Mr. Pope as to 1,300 Bibles having been disposed of in Dublin, in the course of one week. These Bibles, said Mr. Flinn, he had no doubt had proved extremely useful-particularly to the Irish hucksters-for the wrapping up of tobacco, tea, &c. &c.

preclude the possibility of our giving them in detail. After some excellent observations as to the spread of the Scriptures, the Rev. Gentleman congratulated the friends of the Society upon the improved moral prospects of the sister country, and assured them, that so great was the desire of the peasantry to be conversant with the divine truths of the Scriptures, that, would the funds permit it, a vastly greater number of schools could be established in many parts of Ireland. It was not from the poor Irish people that the Society met with obstacles; no! it was only from their spiritual pastors. These had often endeavoured to overturn this Institution; but so far from thwarting its measures, the shafts that were levelled at it only returned with redoubled violence upon themselves. The spirit of inquiry was now abroad among the people, and nothing could satisfy them but the word of the Lord. In one week, continued the Reverend Speaker, after the opening a Bible Depository in Dublin, one thousand three hundred copies of the sacred Scriptures were called for from various parts of the country, thus proving, that an increasing appetite and thirst for the knowledge of the oracles of God had been excited and encouraged. He therefore called upon all to come forward, and, according to their several abilities, to lend their assistance in the furtherance of the objects of this Institution. Look, said he, to Scotland, and compare her present condition with that before the Reformation took place in that country. Contrast her former condition with the present condition of Ireland, and you will find abundant proofs, that this Society is calculated to form a similar system to that which brought so many blessings upon Scotland diffuse light and truth, religion and morality, from one end of Erin to the other. -The Rev. Gentleman then sat down amidst loud and continued cheering from the majority (the friends of the Institution,) and hisses from the Roman Catholic minority at the bottom of the

room.

to

The Rev. Mr. POPE was interrupted, while speaking, by some persons at the end of the room. This interruption was, however, silenced by the interposition of the chairman, who explained the usual mode of proceeding; and when the motion had been made and seconded, he invited the Gentlemen who objected to take a place on the platform; which they declined, preferring to speak from the other end of the room.

Mr. MULLON then rose, and questioned various statements of Mr. Pope, and by inference of Mr. Gordon also; contending that the Irish were neither so ignorant nor superstitious as had been represented ;that Mr. Gordon and Mr. Noel knew this, having felt the force of their arguments,

Mr. GORDON then stated, that, as the charge of superstition, which had been made by his respected friend (Mr. Pope,) had been flatly denied, he should now state what before he had felt unwilling to do. He had himself stood four hours the spectator of the superstitious performances of one thousand Roman Catholicssuperstitions that would have degraded the Hindoo and the Hottentot. These performances were connected with a holy well, a holy tree, and a holy stone. The devotees, after drinking some of the water in the well, then hobbled round this well three, six, or nine times, on their bare knees;-they then put up a prayer; after which they went to the tree, from which they pulled a piece of bark; and then they crawled (still on their bare knees) to the holy stone.-This he had seen done in the county of Roscommon. Mr. G. observed, that he could enumerate various other instances of equally gross superstition, but he would not insult the good sense of the meeting by detailing them; that, so far from these things being done without the knowledge of the priests, the priest had in the Roman Catholic chapel requested the inhabitants of the place not to go to the holy well on any of the three grand days, that there might be more accommodation for strangers, since the inhabitants could go at any time; and that, as to his being overpowered by the logic of the Roman Catholic clergy, he replied that he certainly had, if logic could proceed from bludgeons and missiles; for it was an actual fact, that Mr. Noel and himself were beaten-not by the logic of the clergy—but by the stones and the club-law of the men of Munster.

The Rev. T. P. POPE, also replied, in a very effective and eloquent manner. The Rev. Mr. O'HAGAN (a Roman Catholic priest, from the parish of Kilcoo,

1

in the county of Down) rose to observe, that he was a perfect stranger in this town, and as such had attended the Meeting, understanding that its object was the amelioration of the poor Irish. He himself had come over from the North of Ireland for the sole and express purpose of raising money for the establishment of a school, which he intended to conduct upon principles equally as liberal as those alleged to be adopted by the Hibernian Society. He had no expectation that topics of a sectarian nature would be introduced, and feeling himself grieved and wounded at the false representation which had been made of the principles of his religion, he had been induced to intrude himself upon the meeting. He disclaimed, in every sense, the principles which had been ascribed to it. They (the Roman Catholic priests,) did not hinder the reading of the New Testament, with such explanatory notes and comments as were approved of by the priesthood, and which were calculated to prevent the ignorant from interpreting the sacred writings according to their own understanding and will, a circumstance which might not only prove injurious to the peace and the safety of society, but of great danger to the doctrine which the Church inculcated upon the minds of her children. As to the charge of superstition which had been brought against them, he utterly denied it. They condemned superstition, and all their works on Theology confirmed this point. It was merely the performance of a voluntary penance, as a mark of contrition to Almighty God. It was a work of self humiliation and mortification-a prayer under corporeal pain. Sometimes the gravel round the well would be covered with blood from the lacerated knees of the penitents, and thus they prayed to God to relieve their spiritual as well as their corporeal necessities. This was, however, not the practice in the Temples the practice of praying in the open air existed before Temples were in existence. Tradition had handed down an account of miracles having been performed in such places in past ages, by St. Patrick, and other saints: and consequently the people had a veneration for these places, believing them to be the spots where God had dispensed his mercies to man. They attributed no peculiar qualities to the water-to the tree-or to the stone: -they believed them to be all material; but since the Almighty had power to do any thing that he willed; they also believed that, if it were his divine pleasure, he might give the water a peculiar virtuea virtue of healing their wounds or their infirmities. The adoption of these particular places for public penance was merely from the reverential recollections which they called forth, and the priests, unwilling to prevent the people from doing any thing which might have a beneficial effect

upon their souls, sometimes attended, conceiving it a favourable moment for giving them spiritual comfort and instruction. These practices, however, were now nearly abolished, in consequence of the interruption which the people received in their devotions from the Orangemen, and the quarrels, and the breaches of the peace to which such quarrels gave rise. He (Mr. O'Hagan) never had any value for recrimination, but since so gross and so unfounded a charge had been laid against his brethren in Ireland, he could not help adverting to instances of more gross and. ridiculous superstition, which existed in this country, some of which had come under his personal observation. On coming from Ireland, it was his good fortune to escape from a dangerous storm, to the shores of Wales, near Holyhead. The lady of the house in which he sheltered himself, professed a belief of witches, and related to him several alleged facts of their power and their wicked dispositions.He could also advert to superstition of worse character, nearer home-he alluded to the followers of Johanna Southcote, but he should forbear. He entered that room with no intention of saying a word, since he anticipated very different proceedings; but as a priest of the Romish Church, he could not sit still and hear her doctrines vilified and misrepresented. The Rev. Gentleman then alluded to the quotations made from the Catechism, and denied the construction put upon them. He (the Rev. Gentleman) described heretics, infidels, and excommunicated persons, to be those who wilfully and knowingly walked in the dark when the light was open to them. He also defended the doctrines of good works, as laid down in the Catechism, and quoted the 42d verse of the 10th chapter of St. Matthew-"He that giveth a cup of cold water only to a disciple, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose his reward." He did not mean to say that any man should be justified by his own works, or that they would render him pleasing in the sight of God, but only through the merits of Jesus Christ. He spoke in the spirit of charity and good-will; and if the Hibernian Society would let him have Testaments with notes and comments, he would go hand and hand with them, in their universal circulation. His school should be open to children of all denominations; and none but the children of Roman Catholics should have any books, or be under any system of instruction, but such as their pastors should point out and approve of. The Rev. Gentleman was listened to with every mark of attention from the chairman and the audience.

The Rev. Mr. POPE immediately rose, and in one of the most energetic and eloquent speeches we ever heard, replied distinctly and most satisfactorily to every point touched upon by his Rev. prede

cessor. In describing the wretchedness and degradation of Ireland, he said that his friends and himself were not actuated by any improper feeling-their object was not to hold up the state of the sister kingdom wantonly to their notice, but to excite the pity and commiseration of the Meeting, and to lead the friends of the London Hibernian Society to increased exertions on behalf of that ill-fated country. He had been told, he said, by the Rev. Gentleman (Mr. O'Hagan) that the doctrines of the church of Rome were not opposed to the circulation of the Scriptures. But, whatever were the doctrines of the church of Rome, he would boldly maintain that the clergy of that church were in fact and reality directly opposed to the circulation of the Word of God.The Rev. Gentleman had asked, "was it not the church of Rome that first disse minated the Scriptures in this country?" Admitting that the church of Rome was the first to distribute the Scriptures in this land (which position he most distinctly denied,) why, he would ask, did not the church of Rome continue to disseminate the Word of God in this country? He denied also that the church of Rome was the primitive church of Christ; and from one portion of the Epistles he would undertake to overthrow the leading tenets of the church of Rome.-The Rev. Gentle man proceeded to shew that the Douay version of the Scriptures, so strenuously contended for by the Roman Catholic clergy, was not sanctioned by the church of Rome, either in its text or notes; and declared, that, when they asked for those notes, they asked for notes furnished by private judgment. In answer to the charge of attempting to proselyte, he could say, that no underhand attempt was made by the Society to interfere with the tenets of the children educated in their schools. Many Roman Catholic masters were employed in them; and it was not likely, even from this fact, that undue influence was used. The Scriptures were read indiscriminately in the schools; and if the church of Rome was not founded on the Scriptures of God, it was his most earnest prayer that the Scriptures would overturn its system altogether.--(Applause, opposed by hisses.)-The Rev. Gentleman had stated that the public peace had been preserved in a great measure through the influence of the Catholic priesthood. If this was the case, he (Mr. Pope) hoped that they would exercise the influence they were stated to possess still_more extensively in this way. Mr. Pope examined at considerable length the opinions entertained by Roman Catholics, with reference to good works, and explained, with great clearness and most pious feeling the

doctrine of the atonement, according to the Protestant faith. He adverted to Pastorini's prophecies, the work of a Roman Catholic bishop, and expressed his firm belief that, notwithstanding the anticipations which had been indulged in as to the present year, the impending storm would blow over, and Ireland would still enjoy peace and tranquillity.

After the Meeting had closed, the Rev. Mr. Pope stood up, and stated, that, if any of the advocates of Popery wished for fur ther discussion, he and his friends were quite ready to continue the subject. The challenge not being accepted, the Meeting dispersed.

Total of Collections, 2661. 4s. 6d.

This meeting has produced a deep im pression at Manchester and its neighbour.. hood, and very much opened the eyes of Protestants to the real character of Papists. Hitherto they have appeared passive, quiet, inoffensive persons; but no one could attend this meeting without perceiving strong symptoms of what the Lion would be when unchained, or without being convinced that Popery is still, as formerly, a specious, lying, persecuting, shameless system of gross imposition; and that the diffusion of the sacred Scriptures, and the instruction of the rising generation, is the two-edged sword with which alone this hydra can be destroyed.

The Rev. Mr POPE preached the same evening, at Manchester, to a numerous audience; and, after attending the Liverpool meeting, returned to Manchester, and preached three Sermons on the following Sunday, and a fourth on Monday evening, on the errors of the Roman Church; when an immense congregation assembled, of whom not less than a thousand persons were Roman Catholics.

No report, however, which we could possibly give, can convey an idea of the masterly manner in which every point was handled.-For sound logic, scriptural argument, indisputable facts, and animated eloquence, it surpassed every thing we have heard for many years; and we only regret that our limits prevent our even attempting an abstract*.

* We are indebted for some important parts of this report to a small periodical work, published monthly at Manchester, by a very respectable clergyman, entitled "The Shepherd's Voice, or Pastoral Monitor," price 2d., and which appears to us and encouragement. An abstract of one deserving of more extended circulation will be found in the number for March. of Mr. Pope's sermons on this occasion

The following extract from the Correspondence of this valuable Institution deserves serious consideration, and may suggest in various instances important instruction.

"I have witnessed, in the last month, the strongest instance I ever met with of the necessity of personal application, to ascertain the wants of the poor as to the Holy Scriptures.-The village of which is on the turnpike road, between my house and the next market town, had been partially visited by me last year, and those who wanted Bibles commenced weekly subscriptions for them, for which I called, in my way through the place, every week. Not having time to canvass the place more particularly, I desired those on whom I called to tell those of their neighbours who might want them, that they might be called on, and supplied in like manner, if they would give in their names. Two only availed themselves of the opportunity, and were supplied accordingly. Might it not then be supposed that the place was well supplied, and that neither Bibles nor Testaments were wanted? Wishing to ascertain the fact, I visited every cottage in the place last month. The following is the result:-Of

50 families, of which the place and a hamlet adjoining consist, inclusive of the cottages visited before, 13 families had not a leaf of the Scriptures; 11 had one Testament each; two had each part of a Bible; and 39 commenced subscribing for 19 Bibles and 20 Testaments, and the receipt of 31. 16s. 4d. from them in one month proves their anxiety to be supplied. What renders this still more extraordinary, is, that a farmer in the place has a depository of Testaments from another Society; but the poor preferred paying the full price, when called on weekly, to having books at reduced prices, and going out for them. Some of those who have commenced subscribing, cannot read, but have now actually begun to learn, that they may be able to read the books when their subscriptions shall have been completed. I had only one application for a reduction in the price of a Bible; but the applicant was convinced, on arguing it with her, that in her case the reduction would not be warranted. I have not yet had time to apply for free subscribers in the place; as far as its inhabitants are concerned, none are wanted, as all will be supplied at the cost price."

man.

He was cordially attached to the Establishment, under every aspect of its ministrations; and was most zealously occupied in doing all the good in his power, particularly among the poor members of the community. His numerous visits to the habitations of the poor-his reading and conversation, and dispersion of tracts his great attention to parochial and Sunday schools-his various subscriptions and charities--all attest the humane, the consistent, the benevolent Christian. Frequently attacked by hereditary gout,

His

and often by fits of epilepsy, especially during the wintry months, he was enabled to manifest a most exemplary spirit of patience, and submission to the will of God. Indeed he was eminent in all the passive virtues of the Christian character. last illness was long, and most painful, and therefore rendered him incapable of conversation. In fact, he seldom conversed much about his own feelings; but his life gave ample evidence of "the truth as it is in Jesus" being the reigning principle in his heart.

Mr. Barnes was pre-eminently attached to the Bible and Missionary institutions, and gave much of his time and attention to all local institutions of this nature: and, as a proof of his benevolent regard to them, he has left by will the following bequests: 2000l. to the British and Foreign Bible Society; 1000l. to the Church Missionary Society; and 1000l. to the Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews. Among other legacies, he left a considerable one to his long-tried and faithful servants.

Mr. Barnes was never married; and died aged about 38.