FESTIVAL OF ST. DECLAN.

One of the agents of the Irish Evangelical Society thus describes a meeting which he attended in the month of July, on the Festival day of St. Declan, at Ardmore, County of Waterford :

"I witnessed, on Monday, July 24th, at Ardmore, nearly 700 persons assembled; it was the most numerous for many years past. All the old superstitious rites were brought into full practice. Hundreds were passing under the stone, which is stated to have sailed from Rome, freighted with St. Declan's vestments, book and bell. This stone is the centre of attraction, as it lies on the strand, surrounded by shelving rocks, which are usually crowded with pilgrims, on their naked knees, from which may be seen the blood streaming, as they were performing the number of circuitous rounds before passing under the stone, which is not an easy task. Men and women are compelled to remove the greater part of their clothes before they can pass under the stone. Stretched at full length on the ground, on the face and stomach, the pilgrims moved forward, dragging themselves through under the stone; and when they have passed out fully, they turn most devoutly and kiss the stone three times.

"The round tower is an object of worship, and, prostrated before it, were many persons of both sexes in solemn prayer, while others were busily engaged in picking the mortar from between its stones, for a medicine for every inward complaint.

"The grave of St. Declan is visited by all who come to perform their vows. Here the clay of the saint has been retailed since the 12th century, without any failure of an annual supply for the customers. The water of a holy well,* which flows within the walls of an old chapel, is re

In further illustration of the foregoing article, we refer our readers to the NATIONAL (Irish) picture of the Blind Girl at the Holy Well, with whic our next Number will be embellished, and to the ar cle upon that subject, supplied by an esteemed c tributor to our pages.-ED.

tailed during the day to the devotees at a small charge. Within the walls, was filled with persons on their knees moving in regular order in two sections in opposite directions; each person had to kiss a cross three times on his arrival at the lower end of the ruins.

"The whole scene presented to a believer's mind the awful state of Poperyits darkness, its ignorance of the way of pardon of our sins, and its tendency to Heathenism.

"A mixed multitude was found mingled together, drawn to one common centre by different motives. Some were praying, others were gambling close to the chapel gate with cards and dice; others were feasting and singing, and some dancing. It is not unusual for pilgrims to join heartily in most of all the amusements which are provided by interested persons for the recreation of the devotees.

"From its being generally circulated that the priests had forbid their flocks attending Ardmore this year, I was enabled to speak openly against the Idolatry presented to the spectators. I preached Christ to them as the way of pardon and peace, by God sent into this world to save sinners. I was not molested, although some years since if I were to have attempted to speak as I did, my life would have been in danger. The people are becoming more disposed to hear instruction, and speak very freely of their priests' conduct, and I am enabled to continue, through grace, in season and out of season, by nighly instruction, by the wayside and public ministrations, to hold forth the Gospel standard in the citadel of Popery."

A PRAYER OF KING EDWARD VI.

O, my Lord God, defend this realm from Papistry, and maintain thy true religion, that I and my people may praise thy holy name, for thy Son Jesus Christ's зake. Amen.

PLEADING FOR IRELAND.

BY THE

THE

"IRISH MISSIONARY MAGAZINE.”

BY THE

REV. W. H. COOPER.

"TIs Erin's cause I plead;
I tell of Erin's woes ;-
A humble advocate, indeed,

But still, in verse or prose,
Plead for a land where darkness reigns,
And souls are bound in error's chains.
Think of that fair green Isle,

That gem on ocean's breast, Whose fruitful hills and vallies smile,

;

In constant verdure drest:
An Eden, full of loveliness
And yet, alas! a wilderness!
A wilderness, o'er grown

With error's rankest weeds; Where superstitions, widely sown, Yield crops of evil deeds : Where error's slaves in darkness lie, And error's victims hourly die.

Such is her low estate;

And shall not Britain grieve?
Oh! hear her humble advocate,

And hasten to relieve!

Oh! help her wretched millions lying
Enslav'd, degraded, lost, and dying!

Amidst each monthly claim
That wakes the public mind,
Give room t'enrol Hibernia's name,
And let "our Sister" find

A sister's place in Britain's heart-
Let Britain act" the kinsman's " part.
Ye British Churches, give

With an unwearied hand: Send messengers to bid her "live!" And bless a waiting land. For Erin pray; with Erin plead; Nor cease, 'till she is blest indeed.

Dublin, August, 1844.

ARCHBISHOP USHER.

By R. Ryan.

JAMES USHER, a learned antiquary and illustrious prelate, distinguished by Dr. Johnson as the great luminary of the Irish church, was born in Dublin on January 4th, 1580. He was descended from an ancient and respectable family, which had settled in Ireland in the reign of Henry II., on which occasion it followed a common custom of the times in exchanging its English name of Nevil, for that of the office with which it was invested. His infancy is rendered somewhat singular by the circumstance of his having been instructed in reading by two aunts who had been blind from their cradle, but who, from the retentiveness of their memory, were able to repeat with accuracy nearly the whole of the Bible.

James I. then only King of Scotland, had deputed two young Scotsmen, of respectable families, to Ireland, for the purpose of keeping up a correspondence there, to secure his peaceable succession on the death of Elizabeth. To hide their real business, they opened a school in Dublin, to which young Usher was sent at the age of eight years; and after profiting so much under so excellent a tuition, he was admitted into the college of Dublin in 1593, the very year in which it was finished. He was one of the three first students who were admitted, and his name still stands in the first line of the roll.

Here he contracted a fondness for history, and at the early age of fourteen commenced a series of extracts from all the historical writers he could procure; by persevering in which, we are informed, that he was little more than fifteen when he had drawn up an exact chronology of the Bible, as far as the Book of Kings, little differing from his "Annales," which have since been published. He shortly after applied himself with much diligence to the study of controversy, and engaged, when in his nineteenth year, in a public disputation with the learned Jesuit Fitzsimons; the result of which is variously reported; but appears from a letter of Usher's, inserted in his

"Life by Dr. Parr," to have been decidedly in his favor-Fitzsimons having declined to continue it!

In 1600, he was admitted master of arts, and appointed proctor and catechetical lecturer of the University; and in the succeeding year, in consideration of his extraordinary acquirements, he was ordained deacon and priest, though under canonical age, by his uncle, Henry Usher, then archbishop of Armagh. He was shortly after appointed afternoon preacher at Christ Church, Dublin, where he canvassed the different controversial points at issue between the Roman Catholics and Protestants, constantly opposing a toleration which was then solicited by the former.

On one occasion, referring to a prophecy of Ezekiel, he observed, "from this year, I reckon forty years; and then those whom you now embrace shall be your ruin, and you shall bear their inquity." This was afterwards, at the rebellion in 1641, converted into a prophecy, and there was a treatise published entitled, "De Predictionibus Usserii."

In 1606, Usher went over to London for the purpose of purchasing books relative to English history and antiquities, in the study of which he was then actively engaged. In this excursion he became intimately acquainted with many distinguished literary characters, among others, with Camden, who gratefully acknowledges his obligations for many particulars concerning Dublin, to Usher, "who, in various learning and judgment," he observes, "far exceeds his years." The following year he was promoted to the chancellorship of the cathedral of St. Patrick, and having proceeded bachelor of divinity, was chosen professor of that faculty in the University; in which office he continued thirteen years, delivering weekly lectures during the whole of that time, except when absent in England, which he visited regularly every three years, spending one month at Oxford, another at Cambridge, and the remainder in London, chiefly at the Cottonian library. (To be continued.)

The Trial of Antichrist; otherwise, The Man of Sin, for High Treason against the Son of God. By W. GREGORY. Dublin: P. DIXON HARDY & SONS. London: GROOMBRIDGE. Price, 2s. 6d.

This is a new and improved edition of a rather curious work, published in 1806, by a late Missionary Minister of the Independent denomination; and will be found to contain a faithful historical record of the despotism and cruelty of the Church of Rome, from the earliest period of its history to the present moment. It is, as its title imports, the Trial at the Bar of Truth, of the Pope of Rome, for his blasphemous assumptions, and the horrid cruelties which from time to time he caused to be inflicted on those within his power, who differed from him in temporal or spiritual matters. It reflects as in a mirror the real character and conduct of the church of Rome, in different ages, and is written in a style well calculated to attract and fix the attention of the reader to points of Ecclesiastical History, with which, in the present day, it is absolutely requisite that Protestants should be acquainted. In times when Puseyism and Popery would give a different and a false complexion to proceedings which cannot be recurred to without a shudder, it is necessary that historical facts should be placed in their proper light, and that the genius of Popery should be seen in its true colours. We can, therefore, warmly recommend the volume to the notice of our readers, as one from which they will at once derive instruction and information.

Stories of India, in connexion with Christian Missions. Dublin: P. DIXON HARDY & SONS. London: GROOMBRIDGE. Price, 2s. 6d.

While this little work fully bears out its title, and gives an interesting record of Christian missions in India. It appears to us to have been written with another object

in view, to shew the folly and absurdity of superstitions generally-and still more particularly as regards the superstitions practised in our Sister Isle. Indeed, the reader cannot fail to be astonished while reading over the table of contents, at the perfect parallel which exists between the superstitions of India and those of Ireland-their various, forms of penance-their mediators -their good works-their holy waterstheir images their schoolmasters and their priests, who scruple not to poison those who contrary to their wishes will read the Bible, and attend to the instructions given by the messengers of truth. These, and many other matters which cannot fail to arrest the attention of the reader-with a clear and simple statement of the true salvation-how a sinner may really be saved from his sins in this life, and their dreadful effects in the life to come-point out the volume as one well calculated to place in the hands of youth, or of individuals of the Romish faith, who would not read a work in which their own system of religion might appear to be attacked. While the words, Roman Catholic or Romish Church are not once mentioned, the various errors and superstitions of that church are shewn to be unreasonable and absurd; and at the same time, the genuine characteristics of the Christian religion are brought forward in bold relief, and pressed upon the attention of the reader.

Lucilla Hartley, or Discipline Illustrated; a Narrative founded on Occurrences in Real Life. By the Author of " Happy Hours with Mamma." Dublin: P. DIXON & SONS. London: GROOMBRIDGE. Price, 2s. 6d.

There are few subjects more important, or less attended to or understood, than that having reference to the proper discipline or training of the human mind. Even if we do not take eternity into the estimate, we feel that as regards time, how happiness

may be best promoted even in this lifelittle forethought is taken in the plans very usually pursued or training up the young. The volume before us, while it contains much that will amuse and gratify the youthful reader-many interesting anecdotes of natural history, interwoven into a simple narrative is rendered really valuable by the suggestions it affords, and the practical lessons it gives of the evils attending a false system of education, and the benefits which must result from proper training, on Christian principles, without harshness or severity being even once resorted to; but where the pupil is gently led with a firm and steady hand-and where lessons are inculcated without being converted into tasks. The work is evidently written by a pious lady, and will well repay a perusal.

Simple Memorials of an Irish Family. Dublin P. DIXON HARDY & SONS. London: GROOMBRIDGE. Price, Is. 6d.

We have been informed that this little work is the production of the Rev. R. SHAW of Kilkenny. It is indeed a "simple memorial" of good effected by the zealous and indefatigable exertions of a pious minister, placed early in life in a wild district, destitute of evangelical religion. The happy effects resulting from his labours in the conversion of several members of a large and interesting family will be read with pleasure and profit; and may serve as a stimulus to others similarly situated, to persevere even under the most discouraging circumstances.

POPERY UNCHANGED.

Edward Beaumont; or the Efficacy of Prayer: a narrative founded on facts. By a LADY. Dublin: S. B. OLDHAM. London: WHITAKER & Co. Price, 1s. A simple and affecting little narrative, calculated to be useful, and to encourage those members of a family who know the truth, and are anxious for the conversion of their relatives, to wrestle at a throne of grace, and never to give up their pleadings until their prayers are answered in showers of blessings from above.

Sketches of Irish History, Antiquities, Religion, Customs and Manners. By the Author of "Three Years in Italy," with an Introductory paper by CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH. Dublin: ROBERTSON. London: GROOMBRIDGE. Price, 5s. 6d.

There are few subjects on which greater ignorance prevails, and relative to which more erroneous opinions are in general entertained than Irish History. It is indeed strange, that with the mass of materials which are in existence, a regular history of Ireland has not been produced worthy of the name; and we hail with pleasure every effort made to elucidate the truth, and to dig from the mass of rubbish in which the real facts of Irish History still lie hid, even scattered fragments of the precious ore. We therefore cordially recommend the work before us, as containing much valuable information. It is written in a pleasing, perspicuous style, and has been brought out in a very handsome manner by the publisher.

The following "pastoral" has just made its appearance, addressed to "the clergy and faithful in the diocese of Clonfert," and accredited by the signature of "Thomas Coen," the Titular Bishop:

"To the Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of Clonfert.

"It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins."-Macab. xii. 46.

"Beloved Christians,-It is an article of Catholic belief that the souls of the faithful departed, who had not sufficiently atoned

for their venial sins, nor discharged by temporal punishment the debt due to divine justice for mortal sins, remitted by worthily approaching the sacrament of penance, must pass through the purging fire until they pay the last farthing, as nothing defiled can enter Heaven. We also firmly believe that those poor suffering souls are relieved by the prayers and alms-deeds of the faithful; but the most efficacious remedy which can, be applied for their relief is the holy sacrifice of the mass, wherein the merits of the death and passion of Jesus Christ, a victim of infinite value, pleads their cause before the throne of God.