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Sligo, the Committee have accepted the services of THADDEUS O'HARA O'CONNOR, a person of superior talent and piety, and whose love to his native land has led him to refuse many tempting offers as to temporal benefit, the acceptance of which would have diminished his usefulness to the souls of his fellowcountrymen.

The Committee feel that, for the services of such a labourer, the scanty remuneration of £30 per annum is too small; but this he is willing to accept for at least a twelvemonth; and it is not felt that the sum of £36 18s. 4d. reported at the closing meeting for the year ending July 4, 1844, though highly gratifying to their most sanguine hopes, would warrant them, at present, in guaranteeing a higher amount of salary.

Should the funds increase, it will give them satisfaction to enlarge the temporal comforts of a faithful and self-denying servant of Christ, by a donation in addition to his salary; and they trust the time will come, when the wants of Ireland shall be so appreciated, and the interest in her welfare so increased, that O'Connor shall not be the only agent supported by this Association.

The Committee beg leave to hint, that Annual Subscriptions are necessary, to enable them to continue the support of even one labourer in the field. And they trust the published Journal of O'Connor will keep alive the interest awakened, and excite fresh confidence and sympathy in some who have not yet aided in the work.

An Irish-speaking district will be the scene of his labours, and the Committee trust that the relation of the "story of peace," in the loved language of Erin's children, will win many hearts to Jesus. "Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it." Amen.

VOL. I

9

SCRIPTURE READERS IN IRELAND, UNDER
THE DIRECTION OF THE TRUSTEES OF
THE LATE COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S
CONNEXION.

Report for the year ending June 30, 1844, presented to the Trustees by the Rev. W. H. COOPER, of Dublin:

THE absorbing interest which the British public have felt during the past year in the political affairs of Ireland, its monster meetings, state trials, and their results, will perhaps indispose them to listen to the more quiet detail of the humble operations of your Scripture Readers.

The politics of the day often awaken, even in the minds of Christians, a more heart-stirring emotion than the annals of the kingdom of Christ. The Readers have found, in some quarters, that the minds of the peasantry have been so occupied by the agitation of the repeal question, as to render them unwilling to hear or converse on the more important topic of the soul's salvation. Yet, they have steadily and prudently pursued their course, and not intermeddling with politics, nor mixing themselves up with party strife, have carried on their work without much interruption or hindrance, and often obtained a hearing where, from the excitement that prevailed, they scarcely expected to do so, and have been cheered in their labours by instances of usefulness and success; and report as follows:

ULSTER.-1. A new Reader, J. S., has been appointed at D-, County Tyrone, under the superintendence of the Rev. J— H-, minister of a congregation there in connexion with the Irish Evangelical Society. The history of this Reader has been marked by so many interesting incidents, that it would be worthy of narration, but the limits of this report forbid. The sphere he occupies is populous, and marked by circumstances of great spiritual destitution. At one time I hear of his going into a wretched hut, where there is not so much as a stool whereon he might sit ; and indeed,

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if there were such an accommodation, he could not avail himself of it, on account of the filth of the place. He stands and reads, and speaks and prays; for it is not possible for him to kneel for very filth. The family are in rags, in want, in misery. But wickedness is rampant there; her husband has been guilty of perjury: would even now swear away a man's life for a trifle !

Again, he visits a house: there is an interesting young woman; there is also a man, rather more than middle aged, he is her uncle. A few years since, she came to take care of his house as his wife was dead; the wicked man seduced his young and defenceless niece; he married her; they have two fine children. But oh! delightful! that guilty creature's soul is steeped in sorrow for her sins. She is most anxious about her salvation. Her retired, humble deportment, is such as one would wish to see. She is anxious to hear the Gospel preached-comes to hear when she can, and appears to be deeply impressed. Mr. S goes into another house; there is a very aged couple, the wife is quite blind, but she hears of Jesus; her heart is touched; she expresses her delight; and when the good old man, Mr. S-, is leaving, she takes him by the hand, and with many blessings for his visit, accompanies him to the door. Such are briefly three incidents.

Under the superintendence of the Rev. H. J. H. Pastor of the Church at C-, County Londonderry, in connexion with the Irish Congregational Union, there are now three Readers employed :-viz.

2. J. Mc C., at P-S

3. W. Mc L., at C—

4. W. D., in the neighbourhood of C-.

The two former have continued their services with their usual devotedness through the year, reading from house to house, assembling prayer meetings in rooms offered for the purpose in different parts of their districts in the evenings, and holding Missionary meetings in barns, school - rooms, &c., on behalf of the London Missionary Society; which have not merely added to the funds of that noble Institution, but have been greatly blessed in awakening among the people, a concern for their own souls.

The third has been recently appointed and is but just commencing his labours.

CONNAUGHT.-6. J. G., Irish Reader at N-, County Mayo, under the superintendence of the Rev. N- S, Pastor of the church at S-, was actively occupied in his duties up to the year 1843. An application having been made for his services as a Missionary in the West of Ireland, and it being his own desire to have a more extended range, and to be engaged in preaching the Gospel to his fellow-countrymen, the Trustees reluctantly consented to transfer him to the care of the Hoxton Hibernian Association, by whom he is now employed as their Missionary. While you have thus lost an active and useful Reader, you may yet rejoice that his services are still continued in this district; that he is indefatigably labouring for the salvation of his countrymen ; and that he is enabled to extend his visits over a wider sphere than your arrangements could have afforded him the means of traversing.

7. T. B., Irish Reader at C—, County Roscommon, is actively occupied in reading the Scriptures and distributing Tracts there, and in several little towns and villages around.

8. J. K. T., Irish Reader at G—, County of Mayo, on the Borders of the County of Sligo, is chiefly engaged in superintending the C- Sunday School on the Sabbaths, and in visiting among the parents of the children attending there on the other days of the week. This, however, gives him free access to a great number of families; and his visits are extended to several townlands and villages around, with systematic regularity and encouraging success.

9. In the room of J. G., (No. 6), another Irish Reader has been engaged on the recommendation of the Rev. Dr. N-, of Manchester, and the Rev. N-S― of S-, and placed under the superintendence of the latter. Th-O‘H— O'C— is at present located at C-, County Sligo, not many miles distant from the County Town. This worthy man had relinquished, for conscience sake, a somewhat similar employment on a much higher salary; and has since declined an offer from a Town Mission in the North of England, which would have been

more advantageous to him, in a pecuniary point of view, preferring to labour amongst the peasantry of his native land. He appears eminently qualified for the work in which he is engaged, as his communications hitherto sufficiently prove. He has received the highest testimonials from some who have had full opportunity of ascertaining his suitableness and efficiency.

10. J. C., of W-, County Mayo. Superintendent, Rev. J. S., Presbyterian Minister of W-, labours on amidst many discouragements.

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In this town, on Sunday last, a whole family, man and wife and children, were baptized in the (Popish) chapel. I had known the man for seven years; he was an Orange Protestant". so violently attached to the Church of England as only once or twice to have come to our place of worship. Another man (a poor man) was brought over last week by the Nuns, and has been publicly baptized. About a year ago, there was another went over to Rome -all these were Episcopalians. I do not believe any of our people would turn Papists, as the Episcopalians do; but they would be contentedly "Infidels ;" and I am pretty sure that infidelity is the antichrist of the last days. I mean the Infidelity which has the "form of godliness but denies its power," so characteristic of the present state of things.

The foregoing statements will sufficiently account for the discouragements of your Reader. In my humble opinion, however, the painful and gloomy views impressed upon the writer's mind, which I deem it the part of faithfulness to state, do but evince the necessity of employing Scripture Readers to stem the torrent and to prevent the increase of the evil. If the ideas suggested by the foregoing extracts are discouraging, it is pleasant to be able to follow them with more cheering news from

MUNSTER.-11. M. G. H., of F-, County Clare. His own words will give the best idea of the exertions of this peculiar and indefatigable servant of Christ. They are but a specimen of his customary labours.

On last week, I took with me a parcel of tracts, together with some of the portions, (extracts from the Douay version of the

New Testament,) I got from our amiable friend Mr. P. D. H. I visited R. C. and New Q-, in the County Galway, and distributed the tracts and the portions there. I left my horse and gig with a friend and proceeded on foot through the wild mountains of B-, as far as Bally V—, about forty miles from here. I had a conversation with several persons there, who are totally ignorant of the means of salvation. Indeed, I did not think that there were people to be found, even in Ireland, so entirely destitute of religion. I hope my visit there will be of some use. There was no use in leaving them books, as they could not read them. They generally speak Irish, which gave me a good opportunity of con versing freely with them, and gave them great confidence in me.

My schools are very well; but I have not enough room for all the children making application for admittance. I also want to build two houses more. I wish you would advise me how I could raise some money towards this object. I know there are many Christian friends who have enough and to spare; but we are still perishing here for want of assistance.

Besides his schools and chapel, M. G. H. has succeeded in establishing a dispensary in the chapel, to which the Priest has given a subscription of two guineas.

Mr. S-, a student of Cheshunt College, spending his vacation in Ireland, writes, We are thinking of visiting Galway, and some places on the coast about twenty miles from this; we also purpose attending what they call "a pattern," where horses and cattle are blessed for the year, and all sorts of Popish mysteries carried on.

In the review of the year, is is satisfactory to learn that an Auxiliary, which promises great efficiency, has been organized at Kingsland, chiefly through the active zeal of a young lady who has for some years been warmly interested in the cause of Ireland, The friends there have already paid into your fund the sum of £30. for the support of an Irish Reader, to be placed under their especial superintendance. It has been arranged that the Reader, No. 9, shall be regarded as the Reader of the Kingsland Association; and I entertain no doubt of

his communications being of such a nature as to fan the flame already kindled, and greatly to increase the zeal and liberality of the Kingsland friends.

In the re-organization of the Zion Chapel Home Missionary Association, Dublin, the Scripture Readers in connexion with Lady Huntingdon's Trustees, have been recognized as one of the objects to which the funds of that Association shall be auxiliary. This arrangement will, it is hoped, secure more help in future from friends in Dublin.

The continued assistance given by the friends at Brighton, and at other Stations in the Connexion, by the London Ladies' Association, and by the Hoxton Hibernian Association, are gratifying proofs of persevering interest in the success of your Irish Missions; and the aid thus afforded calls for grateful acknowledgment.

Oh that more friends from various quarters were stirred up to assist you. Many more Readers might be employed, and many needy districts occupied, if your funds did but permit. And as there is no expense of management, beyond the necessary charges for printing, postage, transmission of journals, and other incidental items of the kind, every increase to the fund would lead to an increase of the number of Readers.

The employment of Scripture Readers is an object in which Christians of various denominations can conscientiously unite. It is a plan peculiary adapted to the state of things in Ireland, and to the habits of the Irish peasantry. In every direction Roman Catholics form a considerable portion of the little groups that listen to the reading of the word of God; and the seal of Heaven has already been stamped on the scriptural services of your humble agents, by decided instances of conversion to God which have resulted from their labours. Your Readers are in general tried men; and their steady perseverance, along with the testimony borne to them by their Superintendents, satisfactorily proves them to be "workmen that need not be ashamed." Besides the general supervision exercised over all of them, each of them is placed under the local superintendence of some neighbouring Minister, whose ministerial labours may be aided

by their exertions. And it is pleasing to observe, that instead of any jealousy of Missionaries or Ministers crossing their path and inspecting their proceedings, your Readers uniformly hail the visits of such with pleasure, freely communicate with them, help to gather congregations for them in the towns and hamlets included in their districts, and record the services enjoyed on such occasions as seasons of refreshing, the occurrence of which is regarded by them with gratitude and delight. Such an agency deserves to be encouraged; and will be encouraged, in proportion as it becomes known to them, by all who long and look for the day of Ireland's emancipation from the thraldom of centuries, the yoke of bondage by which she has been so long and so fearfully fettered and bound.

(Signed) W. HAWEIS COOPER. July, 1844.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNALS OF TIE READERS.

County Sligo.-T. O'H. O'C., Reader.

I endeavour also to encourage people to visit me at my own house, for the purpose of inducing increased freedom of conversation and familiarity. On the 28th ultimo, P. B. and P. T. (mentioned in my former letter) called after night. After some conversation touching religion generally, they asked how Christianity was first introduced to this country. I read the second of Acts, gave a short statement of the Gospel, shewed the nature of the apostolical office, the opportunity afforded on the day of Pentecost for carrying the Gospel into different countries, through the "dwellers at Jerusalem," referred to the scattering abroad of the disciples, which occurred on the persecution which arose about Stephen, as producing similar effects in a more limited way. Then to Acts xxviii. 14, 15, to show that there were "Brethren" at Rome previous to Paul's going there; pointed out, by different references, the doctrines preached by the Apostles, the associations of believers called Churches, these Churches named after the places in which they existed, such as the Church at Rome, Ephesus, &c. Observed that while I knew no unquestionable record which told of the introduction of the Gospel

into Ireland, I must infer that it had been introduced in a manner similar to what it had been elsewhere; that it mattered not by what means it had been brought; our anxiety should be, to be perfectly convinced from the unerring word, that we possess it in its primitive and apostolic purity. But, said T., was it not Constantine who established religion first? I was then necessitated to refer to that event, and to show its evil effects upon Christianity to the present period; this led me to speak of the Papacy, the tendency of that system, and of all such, which I endeavoured to do as guardedly as possible, but I hope with sufficient plainness. I was listened to throughout with marked attention, and without the slightest appearance of displeasure; we parted with the kindest feelings; they promising to visit me again. I am often wonderfully struck with the anxiety sometimes manifested on religious subjects, where, humanly speaking, it would be least expected.

A Roman Catholic, named M'N—, a pensioner, residing in this neighbourhood, who was formerly a notorious drunkard, and from his youth the associate of persons of depraved habits, meets me for conversation frequently. He was never taught to read, but his desire to become acquainted with the Scriptures is such, that he causes his children to read for him; and his recollection of subjects and passages has become so accurate, that he frequently directs me to the chapter, &c., in the Bible, where the statements to which he refers are made. He has always some question to ask on religious subjects, and his mind appears bent on eliciting truth. He expresses his confidence in the atonement, though he does not see the inconsistency of holding, also, some of the leading doctrines of Popery. On a recent occasion, he observed, the men in the world would not succeed in making me give up my Bible;" "I would, on that subject, oppose the Pope himself." "The Scriptures contain the truth; any thing that I am convinced they teach I will believe, and nothing else." "I will not listen to the little books which our people circulate; they are too bitter; they are evidently intended to excite prejudice

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against those who differ from us." "Nothing for me but the Scriptures." I have had many most interesting conversations with this man.

The brother-in-law of our late Roman Catholic curate, mentioned in my former letter as having renounced Popery, is going on well. I have heard nothing to his disadvantage. He had to endure a great deal of opposition. The other person whom I made mention of (P. M-) has suffered a good deal of persecution from his relatives and connexions. I do not see him as often latterly as before; but from all which I can learn, he is not retrograding. His friends dread that he will leave Romanism publicly, and therefore endeavour, as much as possible, to prevent his intercourse with those whom they judge likely to promote

such an event.

It gives me great pleasure to be able to add, that in my intercourse latterly with Roman Catholics, I perceive a better and a more friendly tone of feeling towards Dissenters, than I had ever before witnessed; late events may have produced this change. O, that the period may soon arrive, when every obstruction shall be removed, and when the ever-blessed Gospel shall be proclaimed in its pristine purity, through the length and breadth of the land. Then shall this wilderness and solitary place be glad, and this desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.

J. M'C., Reader. Visited four families at N-. The following incident, with respect to L-(one of the persons visited on that day), is worth relating: He is a very poor man, but possesses that "faith that worketh by love." On leaving his house to-day, he followed me and said, "you collect money for the support of the Orphan School in India, in connexion with the London Missionary Society." I replied that I did. "Well (said he) here is a shilling which I had laid past for some time till I should see you." I took the shilling, looked at the donor, clothed in rags; I thought of the many times I had seen him sit in his smoky cabin, at his fire-side, eating potatoes and salt. I said to him, "William, I fear you are not able to give so much." The tear started in his eye, and with considerable

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