IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

IN reporting the efforts of the different Institutions in the Sister Island, the IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY is entitled to our early notice.

When the Hibernian Society, thirty years ago, relinquished the preaching of the Gospel as a part of its work, some friends of evangelical religion felt it their duty to establish a new Society under the designation which this Institution still retains. Amongst those who laboured to effect this the names of the late Rev. MATTHEW WILKS, and the Rev. WILLIAM COOPER stand forth conspicuously. By their persevering zeal and unwearied efforts, the former in England, the latter in Ireland, the Society greatly prospered.

At the period when it commenced its operations, but few, very few men were found in the Protestant establishment, whose ministrations were calculated to enlighten the mind, or to affect the heart; whilst the Presbyterian church was enfeebled by the extensive prevalence of doctrinal errors. Greatly was the Society blessed in its early efforts, and a large amount of good was effected, which to some extent is now absorbed by the revival of a spirit of piety in the establishment, and the truly evangelical labours of some of its ministers, and by the increasing purity, and more missionary spirit of the Presbyterian church. The Society has held on its

The mi

course; and though it has had, and still has to contend with many and most formidable difficulties, it has, nevertheless, to rejoice in pleasing indications of the divine blessing on its labours. The agents it employs, as Pastors, Missionaries, and Scripture Readers, exert themselves amongst a population of not fewer than 200,000 souls; by far the greater proportion of whom are Roman Catholics. nisters, besides their principal stations, where, in many cases, churches have been formed, congregations gathered, and schools collected, visit the towns and villages within their reach, more or less frequently, according to their respective distances, and preach the glorious gospel of the blessed God. In some places they are greatly encouraged by the numbers attracted by their labours, who evince the warmest gratitude for their visits, and listen with deep attention, whilst they point them to the one sacrifice of Christ for the remission of sins. Every thing in the efforts of this Society strengthens the conviction that the great thing to be desired for Ireland, and that which more than any thing beside, would raise the population from the miseries with which they are oppressed, is the Gospel. The people will listen with attention, even while the errors of Popery are exposed, if this be done in a spirit of kindness and affection: and instances

Children attending the Schools.. 1102

The Rev. J. GODKIN, general agent of the Society, is engaged in missionary labours, and lecturing on the errors of Popery, in any part of the country which circumstances may render it expedient he should visit.

At two stations persons are employed as Colporteurs, who travel to considerable distances selling, at reduced prices, Bibles, Testaments, and religious books. This is a measure of considerable importance, as the entire population of the country are rapidly acquiring the capacity to read, and are eager to obtain possession of books.

Beside the regular agents the Society engages some of the students in our English colleges during their vacation, who take extensive preaching tours in those districts to which they can gain access, and in which there may be a lack of spiritual instruction. Three were so employed during the vacation just closed. The labours of these young brethren were in many instances highly valued, and it may be hoped will prove extensively useful.

Such is the nature of the operations of this valuable Institution. Our readers will perceive that this Institution is essentially a "MISSIONARY SOCIETY." Indeed Ireland must, we expect, for many years be regarded as an extensive field of Missionary labour. Many circumstances render it, at this crisis, a

most important and promising scene of Missionary enterprise. The prevailing, the almost universal sobriety of the peasantry, prepares them to listen with attention, and in some cases, to receive with cordiality the messages of mercy and truth, proclaimed by the faithful preachers of the Gospel.

The political agitation, which has awakened so much attention throughout the empire, has excited a spirit of inquiry upon other, and very different subjects; and gladly would we meet this feeling with corresponding efforts, hoping that the things that have happened will turn out to the furtherance of the Gospel.

While it is to be deplored that the semi-popery of the Oxford school has found its way across the channel, and spread its influence in several directions, it is pleasing to know that in some places it has led many of the laity of the episcopal church to look about for some other community of Christians, with whom they might worship God in a form at the greatest possible distance from the superstitious observances of the church of Rome.

Under all these circumstances, the Committee of the IRISH EVANGELICAL SOCIETY, deeply impressed with the necessity of increased exertion, are desirous to enter these inviting fields, and to labour with greater assiduity than ever, in scattering the seeds of truth, not doubting but that in due time they will be favored with the appointed weeks of harvest.

We have much pleasure in announcing to our readers that we shall be able from time to time to present them with extracts from the interesting journals of this Society's agents. These we feel persuaded will excite that interest on its behalf, which we regret to know it has never realized, to the extent that its importance demands, and its necessities require.

HOXTON HIBERNIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE

SPIRITUAL BENEFIT OF IRELAND. THIS Association is connected with the church and congregation assembling in Hoxton Academy Chapel, London. It has often from necessary causes, changed its name, but it has never changed its character.

When it originated, in 1812, it was called the "Hoxton Auxiliary Hibernian Society," in aid of the funds of the parent Institution. This designation was altered, in 1814, to the "Hoxton Auxiliary to the Hibernian and Evangelical Societies." In 1833 it assumed the name of the "Hoxton Auxiliary to the Hibernian and other Societies for the benefit of Ireland." The name was again changed in 1841, when it was called the "Hoxton Auxiliary to the Dublin Theological Institution and other Societies for the benefit of Ireland." In 1843 circumstances arose which required its designation to be once more altered; when, in order to avoid such repeated changes, which arose from its being an auxiliary to other societies, it assumed its present

name.

But though it has dropped the appellation of " Auxiliary," it still continues to assist, by grants from its funds, the “Irish Evangelical Society," and the " Scripture Readers' Society." It is also defraying the expenses incurred by completing the education of three young men, in Cheshunt College, for the work of the ministry, in Ireland: and also maintaining from its funds a devoted Missionary, in the Western part of that country.

Though varying as to the annual amount raised, it has pursued its original object with steady perseverance, and contributed during the thirty-two years of its existence, the sum of £3700 towards its accomplishment.

Compared with what is required for the spiritual welfare of Ireland, the friends of this Association feel they

have done but little; yet they would rejoice if this simple statement of what has been done by comparatively a poor church, should provoke richer churches in England to "love and good works," for the deliverance of the Sister Island from the yoke of spiritual bondage, under which she has so long groaned.

ZION CHAPEL HOME MISSIONARY
ASSOCIATION, DUBLIN.

THERE is perhaps no truth more clearly recognised in the New Testament than that it is the duty of those who have received the Gospel themselves to provide means for communicating that Gospel to others. The churches of Christ have been instituted and organized, under the direction of their great head, for this especial purpose; and are bound by their very constitution, and as a sacred obligation, to employ the most active measures for the diffusion of his Gospel to the remotest nations of the world; and it certainly never could have been his intention, who commanded the apostles to begin at Jerusalem, and to go first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, that his people in after ages should overlook the spiritual wants of those who are perishing for lack of knowledge at their own doors!

From the formation of a church in the above place of worship, in the year 1819, it has recognised this as an important part of the service it was called to fulfil. The pastor, on the occasion of his ordination, January 5, 1820, publicly declared that it was not his intention in becoming the minister of a particular church, to forget that there were many parts of Ireland not yet evangelized; and that while he felt himself called to Dublin, as the place of his residence, and to that church and congregation as the particular sphere of his ministerial duties, Ireland in general was the land of his choice; and for the

benefit of its remotest districts he hoped to be found ready at all times to labour. The connexion of the pastor, and likewise that of the congregation under his charge, with various arrangements for the spiritual benefit of Ireland, ever since, has sustained this profession and redeemed the pledge it implied.

In the summer of 1842 that object was placed in a most favorable and promising position by the union of nearly all the ministers and churches throughout Ireland, in order to uphold and promote it, in conjunction with the Irish Evangelical Society of London, and the Congregational Union of England and Wales.

Circumstances, however, have since occurred which led to a partial disruption of this friendly compact; and it consequently became necessary for the church and congregation, with its minister, as well as other ministers and churches, to take such a position with reference to Irish home missionary labors, as duty seemed to dictate, and the circumstances of the case required.

It was therefore proposed to organize our congregational efforts for Irish home missions, under the name of the "ZION CHAPEL HOME MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION," in connexion with the Hoxton Hibernian Association of London, and Lady Huntingdon's Scripture Readers' Fund; its object being, in the first place, to employ one or more Missionaries, competent to preach in different country stations, and to read and expound the Scriptures, from house to house; and, secondly, to co-operate with, and assist other societies, already in existence, and carrying forward similar labors, so far as its residuary funds would allow, and other circumstances might require.

In connexion with these objects it was proposed to strengthen the hands of ministerial brethren labouring in different parts of the country, by maintaining and promoting fraternal inter

course with such Congregational Ministers in Ireland as might be disposed to join in the recognition of mutual principles, and in the reciprocation of unfeigned brotherly love, without expecting them to contribute to its funds, or to withdraw themselves from their association with kindred institutions.

It also devolved upon this Association, in connexion with friends in London, to watch over the interests of four young men, members of that church, and formerly students in the Manor Street Academy, who have been obliged to seek the completion of their studies, one in Highbury College, London, under the care of the Rev. Dr. Henderson, and the Rev. Mr. Godwin; and the other three in Cheshunt College, Hertfordshire, under the Rev. Dr. Harris, and the Rev. Messrs. Sortain and Smith, all of whom stand pledged at the termination of their studies to labour in Ireland. With reference to three of the Theological students above adverted to, ample provision has hitherto been made by the Hoxton Hibernian Association; the fourth is supported by his friends.

The Rev. William Foley of Salem Chapel, Kilmainham, and friends connected with the station at Chapelizod, zealously join in the foregoing plan of operation; and the Rev. William Cooper, though unable to afford active aid, has also expressed his hearty concurrence in the system adopted by this Association for the furtherance of Irish Home Missions.

The plan was further submitted to the Hoxton Hibernian Association, and received their cordial acquiescence by the adoption of the following resolutions:

"That the plan proposed by the Rev. W. H. Cooper in reference to the Congregational Home Mission in Ireland, be approved."

"That a competent person be selected. by the Rev. W. H. Cooper, and placed under his direction."

M.C.

Coleraine....

Portstewart.

Newtown Limavady

Derry

Castlerea..

Gurteen

Feakle...

It has been said that gratitude for the attainment of an object should be proportioned to the anxiety with which it was desired. If this be so, it ought to be with feelings of devout thankfulness to God that the Committee of the Ladies' Auxiliary to the Scripture Readers' Mission present the first report of their proceedings to their friends and subscribers. Many and anxious have been the hours since they first formed a plan for the support of an additional Reader in Ireland; and now the object is so far accomplished, that they are ready to engage the services of a labourer in the Sister Isle, whose devotedness to the cause points him out as a likely instrument in the hands of

Miss J. H. Clogher. Rev. N. Shepperd. Sligo. T. O'C. Rev. N. Shepperd.. Sligo. J. C... Rev. J. Smith.. Westport. M.G.H Rev. Mr. Williams.. Limerick.

tions. [Journals from the Missionaries and Scripture Readers in connexion with this Association will appear in our next number.]

God for good, they cannot help indulging in the language of grateful adoration, and saying, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name be all the glory!"

The "KINGSLAND AND STOKE NEWINGTON LADIES' ASSOCIATION" was formed, November 2, 1843.

The Committee were anxious to raise the sum of £30 by the commencement of the month of July, 1844, that they might be able to engage the services of a Reader, in an Irish-speaking district, for the ensuing year. In the meantime, inquiry was made of the REV. W. H. COOPER, of Dublin, as to the probability of meeting with a suitable agent to carry out their wishes. From his recommendation, and after a perusal of journals written during a temporary sojourn at Coolany, county