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the principles of the gospel of truth. the last few days I have heard language used which I forbear to mention. It will be evident, then, that the missionary who endeavours to mix among such a people, and to whom they unbosom their feelings, has a delicate and difficult task to perform. But he must proceed in humble dependence on Divine aid, and in confident assurance that the message of mercy which brings glory to God in the highest shall also produce peace and good-will amongst men.

The denunciations of the priests of this neighbourhood have prevented anything like regular access to their people. However, I endeavour to seize every opportunity, in the cabin and by the wayside, to set before them the gospel of the grace of God. I am confident, that unless the gospel is brought to the peasantry in this way, no other means which we can command can succeed; and that the best method is, not to attack their peculiar errors, but rather to dwell on the great truths of the gospel.

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The rector of this parish, the Rev. given no opposition. He is himself a faithful preacher of the gospel, but is greatly detested by the Roman Catholics, on account of his (perhaps too acrimonious) exposure of some of the principal doctrines of Romanism, in a discussion with a priest. Unfortunately, those discussions have produced much bad feeling, but no converts. A few days ago, Mr. -'s curate, Mr.

called upon me to solicit a subscription in aid of a lending library of religious books, for the use of the poor. This I gave, on the perfect understanding that the books to be purchased should be strictly orthodox. He expressed himself very thankful for the manner in which I responded to his call, and made kind inquiries respecting the measure of our success. He is spoken of as a good young man, of evangelical sentiments. During the past quarter, my visits from house to house, and to the villages, have been unremittingly attended to. Whether in this neighbourhood or on my missionary tour, my custom is, to converse with the people on religious subjects, read from the Scriptures, expound them, exhort and pray; either or all, as circumstances or the convenience of the family admit. Those visits have been fewer in number during this than the previous quarter, owing to the shortness of the days and the severity of the weather; but I trust they have not been unfruitful.

After concluding a meeting at F——, an aged woman, a Protestant, begged of us that we would visit her family and neighbourhood. We went accordingly, had reading, exhortation, and prayer, her object, as she expressed it, being, that her husband and son-in-law might have the advantage of our instruction. She kindly asked us to refresh ourselves with the best repast her cabin afforded-potatoes and milk. We did 80; the goodwill with which it was given made it doubly delicious. We felt thankful and happy. This poor old woman, though at the advanced age of seventy, escorted us to a distant part of the townland, over fences and fields, when we held another family meeting, nor would she be persuaded to return, although the day was exceedingly severe. On another of our joint excursions, we met a poor blind man, sitting by the way-side begging; he asked alms; I replied in Irish, and being much fatigued, sat down by his side, whilst my companion reclined himself against the adjoining

fence. At the same time a man carrying a large pack on his back came up and joined us, attracted probably by my conversation and the peculiarity of my position. I related the narrative recorded in the 3rd of Acts, of the lame man who sat and begged at the temple, his request, and the reply of Peter. I spoke of the gift of miracles, the life led by the apostles, the atonement, the origin, prevalence, and nature of sin, the only way of escape from its consequences, and the certainty of salvation through faith in the atonement. While thus engaged,

the poor beggar evinced the interest which he felt in my conversation by frequent ejaculations, raising his head towards heaven as though his sightless eyes could see, and extending his arms as if to grasp some object; he reiterated praises and thanksgivings to God for the gift of his Son, in that comprehensive language in which he could fluently express the emotions of his heart. Meanwhile, the poor man who carried the pack, as if fearful that my friend and fellow-labourer should lose the benefit of the conversation, was busily employed in interpreting it for him, sentence by sentence. With a fervour which defies description, the poor blind beggar prayed to God "to shower blessings upon me for the good news I brought to his ears, for the first time in his life." May the Holy Spirit impress it on his heart

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The house in which I lodge (from necessity) is a place of entertainment. Here I met two men, Roman Catholics, from Clare island, in Clew bay, a place distant twenty miles (by water) from Westport, and with whom I entered into conversation. They spoke English fairly: however, I introduced Irish; this took their attention, the result was, that they invited me to go "to their island," in June next, which they said would be the safest time. On asking if I could find accommodation there, one of them replied, "Go to this man's house; he lives at the landing place, I live farther in, he will entertain you." pecting them to be actuated by self-interest, I said, "Sir, do you keep an inn?" "No," said he, "to charge for entertainment, or to keep the door shut during meal-time, would be a disgrace, and a reflection to our families. For three generations to come, they would be called, the descendants of those who charged strangers, or whose doors should be knocked at at meal times.' There is an inn got up lately, and by a stranger, (at the Harbour.) The owner of it has a sweet tongue, that would flatter the birds off the bushes, but on going away will charge high; come to us, where you can remain without any charge." This reminded me of the Irish story of Grace O'Malley, (or Graina Wail,) who made peace with the Earl of Howth on the stipulation that his lordship's gates and doors should remain open at meal time,-a tradition most firmly believed by the Irish. She was the owner of the Clew bay islands. Centuries have made very little change, it would appear, in the habits of these islanders; not more kind people are in existence, if they were delivered from the thraldom of popery. Let the priests but remain passive, and the heralds of the gospel will receive as cordial a reception in Ireland as in any part of the world.

Another very important part of my labours is visiting the sick. Such visits often prove highly beneficial also to the other members of the family; the following is an instance. On the 15th of October I went to the townland of

B-, a remote place. After visiting some families, I was directed to one where the mistress of the house was dangerously ill. I endeavoured to ascertain the state of her mind and to instruct her accordingly, expounded a portion of the word of God, and prayed. When at some distance from the house, I was overtaken by the woman's sister, who begged me to call again as often as possible. The woman has since recovered. We had a comfortable and joyful meeting the other day at her house, when returning thanks to the Giver of all good for her recovery. Since the first visit, some members of the family have attended our meeting at who had not been in the habit of attending previously. I hope all have been benefited.

On my missionary tour, I was gratified in meeting with a remarkable instance of the power of Divine truth. A young man in the neighbourhood, who led a very irreligious life, a dreadful swearer, fell sick. The truth has, I trust, reached his heart. He was visited frequently by myself and others. We have only one opinion on the subject. I constantly attended him; and, as I hope, the Lord has ere this raised him up to health, I trust to be able, at another time, to say that he is living a life of obedience. His delight in speaking on truth is truly surprising, and his gratitude to God for directing Christian friends to him almost exceeds anything of the kind I ever witnessed. From the neighbourhood of C I went to B——, a distance of sixteen miles, travelled on foot, in dreadful weather, seizing every opportunity by the way. While there, I preached in the town, and had a nice congregation. Mr. Jthe Baptist minister, attended, and closed the meeting with prayer. I held another meeting about three miles from that place. We had a good congregation, who seemed much interested.

I am greatly indebted to Mr. J and his deacon, Mr. B-, a converted Roman Catholic. Both received me hospitably and affectionately. They also gave me a kind invitation to return. In the course of my tour I met with a converted Roman Catholic named

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poor man has fallen into the hands of the Establishment. He is, however, a sincere Christian. Dissent has been pictured to him as a monstrous evil. After some explanation, reference to Scripture, and appeals to his own experience, he became much softened down; in fact, acceded to all my reasoning. I never yet met a Bible-made convert from popery, a high churchman. are only such from necessity or ignorance, growing out of, perhaps, the ex-parte statements of churchmen. At E- met a Roman Catholic, who was, some twenty years ago, in the service of the London Hibernian Society. Had interesting conversation with him. Was kind enough to say that I might make use of him to give notice of my coming, and otherwise assist in getting up congregations in that neighbourhood. At A- met with Mr. M―, a convert from Romanism, whom I assisted in his search after truth many years ago. He is a respectable man, and promised to give his influence in forming a belt of stations for missionary efforts.

Roman Catholics feel deeply that the conduct of many of their priests is opposed to Christian practice, especially in reference to their tyranny and exactions. As a sample of the covetousness of a priest in this neighbourhood, one of them told me that he requires those who take children

to him to be baptized, to bring a mould candle and a little salt. Salt is used in making what is termed holy water; also a little of it is put into the infant's mouth. As there is invariably a fee of 2s. 6d. paid for "christening," one would expect that the priest should provide his own cancle and salt, the ceremony only occupying a few minutes. However, my informant stated that the candle must not be taken away. In justice I am bound to say, that this is the first instance of such a practice which I have heard; and that I hope few priests are so debased. When in the county of Sligo I got into conversation with an old acquaintance just returning from confession. He interrupted me, remarking that he was after losing his shilling and day by "a beast of a priest," that he was "confident they have not the power attributed to them by the people," that he "knew this from the Scriptures." I asked why then do you go to confession? he said, "to keep off their tongue." I have had frequent conversations with him. He was educated at the schools of the London Hibernian Society, from which source he was supplied with the word of God. It was a dark day for poor Ireland when that institution was thrown into the hands of the Establishment. Would that something of the kind were got up in connexion with our mission. Wherever the schools exist there is a degree of light amongst the Roman Catholics and Protestants not to be found elsewhere. In many places the name of the institution is dear to the people. This all the agents of the mission can now testify. The schools in the hands of the Church are a complete failure; Churchmen themselves being witnesses.

I cannot forbear mentioning another circumstance, with which I shall conclude. MJ——, master of the London Hibernian Society at W C-, county Roscommon, for years professed privately dissatisfaction with Romish principles, and belief in the doctrines of grace. His sincerity was evinced by the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures attained by his own children and his pupils. Not having made public profession, or rather not having recanted according to the usual forms, he was considered a hypocrite by the church clergyman. In vain I strove to remove this impression. His valuable labours, and his superiority as a master, were acknowledged by all, yet he was treated with coldness and suspicion. He fell sick, sent for a Christian acquaintance named R--, also a converted Romanist, (and a Scripture Reader,) directed that as many Roman Catholics of the neighbourhood as possible should be assembled, and in their presence declared his renunciation of Popery, his belief in the doctrines of salvation by grace, and his regret that he had not the courage before publicly to avow his views; that he thought it his duty to do so before his death. I had this information from the Rev. J. S when last in

Roscommon, the very gentleman whom I could not persuade to look upon this poor man as a converted character. I believe that there are many nominally in the ranks of Popery, as in the days of Luther, and at other periods, who are in heart and principle opposed to the dogmas of that church; and that, however appearances may be against the truth, there is an under current which will at some future period burst forth into a flood, which will, by Divine grace, sweep from the face of poor Ireland all the refuges of lies. O Lord, hasten the time!