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Sonnet on the Death of the Rev. James Hinton.

OH! happy was thy exit, blissful saint;
No pining sickness tir'd thee-care opprest→→
No grief domestic marr'd thy coming rest;
Short was thy warning-sweet thy dying plaint;
Calm, sunny were thy thoughts-thine accents
faint;

By virtuous children lov'd, by friends carest,
Thy sorrowing flock thou leavest, peaceful,
blest;

Oh! happy was thy exit, blissful saint.

Calendar for

2. Moon passes Mercury O. 15 morn. 2. New Moon I. 36 aft. Too far south to cast her shadow on the Earth.

9. Ceres south X. 32 aft. Altitude 52°. 40'.

11. Herschel south I. 34 aft. Alti-
tude 15°. 4'.

13. Sun (as to longitude) between the
Earth and Mercury, IX.30 morn.
15. Moon passes Saturn VIII.30 morn.
15. Moon passes the Pleiades.
17. Full Moon IX. 50 aft.

Too far
north to pass through the Earth's
shadow.

18. Moon passes Jupiter V. 15 aft.
21. Moon passes Pi Leonis at midnight.
26. Moon passes Mars, X. 15 morn.
28. Moon passes Venus III. 45 morn.
31. The following Stars south, (Merid.
Alt. at London prefixed.)
7309 Mirach (Andromeda's waist)
VI.20 aft.

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J. P. asks, "How can the preposition with' [I indeed baptize you with water, Matt. iii. 11.] be reconciled with dipping or plunging?" Answer, The Greek preposition" EN," (whence the Latin and English "IN"], here translated" WITH," is translated in the 6th verse 66 in Jordan;" Eph. v. 19, in your heart; Mark xiii. 24, in those days; 1 Cor. xi. 3, in weakness-in fear-in much trembling; ver. 5, in the wisdom of men-in the power of God; Rom. ix. 1,-2 Cor. xii. 2, in Christ-in the body; Luke i. 17, in the Spirit; Matt. x. 16, in the midst; Eph. vi. 24, in sincerity; 1 Tim. iii. 15, in the house; ver. 16, in the flesh-in the Spirit-in the world; Matt. vi. 9,Mark xiii. 32, in heaven; 1 Cor. x. 2, in the cloud-in the sea; Rev. xvi. 3, in the sea; &c. The learned Dr. George Campbell being a Pædobaptist,

So falls the goodly palm-tree, as it grew,
With clust'ring dates, and graceful foliage
crowu'd:

Nor light'ning scorch'd, nor age consum'd its
hue;

Its dirge is sung, in most pathetic sound,
By grateful pilgrim, who had often staid,
Refresh'd and cheer'd, beneath its cooling
.shade.

December.

SIGMA.

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must be allowed to be a competent and impartial authority on this subject. He has translated it, "In water"

"in the Holy Spirit."-" So inconsistent," he says, "are the Protestant translators, that none of them have scrupled to render εν τω Ιορδανη, in the sixth verse, in Jordan, though nothing can be plainer than that, if there be any incongruity in the expression in water, this in Jordan must be equally incongruous. But they saw that the preposition in could not be avoided there, without adopting a circumlocution, and saying, with the water of Jordan which would have made their deviation from the text too glaring. The word Βαπτιζειν, both in sacred authors and classical, signifies to dip, to plunge, to immerse, and was rendered by Tertullian, the oldest of the Latin fathers, tingere, the term used for dying cloth, which was by immersion. It is always construed suitably to this meaning." In reply to his other question, we can only say, that of the many excellent Treatises on Baptism, we do not know which is the best, some of them excelling in one respect, and some in another.

Irish Chronicle.

From the Journal of Mr. M'Carthy.

(Concluded from Page 484.)

SHE expressed her astonishment above all things that persons should say they know that they are in the favour of God. I directed her attention to a tree in blossom before her door, and said, How do you know there is life in that tree, seeing the life, in itself, is not perceivable? I was answered, By the effects it produces, for it would neither have leaves, blossom, nor fruit, if it had not life in it: even so, said I, we should remain carnal, earthly, sensual, and devilish, was it not for the lifegiving influence of the Holy Ghost, which works in our minds every thing holy, heavenly, and divine; this change ofheart, together with the manifestation we have of the love of God in the gift of his Son, gives us to know that we are in his favour. By the latter we know he loves sinners in general; but in the former we know he loves us

we know we are passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." And it is God that worketh in you to will and to do of his good pleasure. And he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus! Then, said she, is it possible that we may have an assurance of our future felicity before we die? She seemed much animated whilst I referred her to the following proofs of it: "Behold! God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he is also become my salvation; yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Now, Sir, if infants die without baptism, what will become of them in the eternal world? I replied, As I said before of penance, so I now say of baptism, if that could take away sins it would be another way of eternal life besides the sacrifice of Christ. All the sins of God's people were atoned by our great High Priest, the Lord and giver of life; and

VOL. XV.

there is no other way of salvation. The word of God speaks of no baptism, but the baptism of believers; and they are not baptized to take away their sins, but in humble obedience to the great command of him who hath redeemed them. The conversation continued a long time, and turned on all the leading doctrines of popery. The good effects of my tour amongst the people this day were visibly seen, as my auditory was greatly increased in the evening.

Tuesday, 22, I preached at Readcastle, and was attended by a humble, simple, and well-disposed people, who seemed to receive with avidity the word of life. Wednesday, 23, proceeded to Ringstown, and am sorry to inform you, that the door of the house where I preached heretofore was shut against me, as the woman of the house had received positive orders not to admit me any more. The woman who owns the house seemed full of trou-. ble at having to put the word of God from her door; not merely because she saw the sinfulness of it herself, but also because it was the dying injunction of her husband that she should open the door of her house for me. The following are her own words: Some time before the death of my husband, he heard you preach at Mountroth, and found the greatest good from it; and left it as his last words, that we should hear you ourselves, and invite you to the house to preach the gospel. Another friend opened his house, and we had a good time. I rode about twenty miles, and preached at Annaharvy in the evening. I continued my tour until Sunday the 27th, when I again preached at Rahue; the day was wet: the numbers were not so numerous as on former days, but we had a good time.

Monday, 28, brother M'Kaage and I rode together to Curnomuclo; he preached a very applicable sermon on the state of the people; and deems it an important station. We went round the neighbourhood to invite the inhabitants out to hear the word; and never was I more struck with the utility of conveying the gospel to the cabins of the poor, than I was at hearing a poor man, whom I invited te

3 C

attend preaching at Tenelick, say, Sir, that house is too fine for us poor people to go to. The poor people feel themselves out of their own sphere when they go to the houses of the opulent to hear the gospel preached to them; and feel themselves greatly complimented and favoured by taking it to their dreary dwellings. Tuesday, 29, I preached again at Ballymahon, and Wednesday, 30, brother M'Kaage preached at Tenelick. It delights me when I can get any of my brethren in the ministry to assist me in the good work; and I think, under God, much of our success depends on our unity, and striving together for the promulgation of the gospel. Thursday, 31, I inspected the school at Toome; found present 73 children. There are in the list 100. 6 children committed nine chapters to memory since the 5th inst. gave to the children who most stood in need of them, 19 Testaments, 24 second-class spelling books, 13 of the first class and 5 of the multiplication table books to children prepared to use them. At preaching in the evening we had a memorable time indeed. Friday, August 1, I proceeded to Kenagh school; the numbers present were 94 children, and on the list 100. Since July 4, eighty-six chapters had been committed to memory by 29 repetitioners. There are 40 children in it now reading the word of God, and shortly will be committing it to memory; 9 have been advanced from the primer class spellers to the readers the last quarter. It would be superfluous to say, after this statement, that this school is prospering over and above our most sanguine expectations; and although the Toome school cannot cope at present with it, neither as to numbers nor number of chapters committed, yet it is doing well; and as they have now got Testaments and other books, and are therefore without excuse, I hope we shall soon be able to make a good report of it likewise. In the evening every spot in the house was crowded, and I think the power of God accompanied the word delivered to the hearts of the people, for, at the conclusion, we were ready to say, Lo, God was in this place. Saturday, 2, I rode to Marte to preach, a poor, sterile, and prejudiced spot, where I have very little hope of any good being done. Lord's-day, 3, rode eight miles, and peached, at ten o'clock, at Athlone. As the Sunday school is conducted in the meeting-house at two o'clock, I announced my intention of

66

There

preaching at Irish Town at that hour; and, indeed, the house was well filled by the inhabitants of the neighbourhood; and while I preached from these words, " Felix trembled," every heart seemed to feel the pungency of the word; and the good effects of thus redeeming the time," were manifestly seen; for we had at the meeting-house many persons who had not previously attended. We had a good time at the communion, and I think the Lord has begun a good work amongst us. Monday, 4, I preached to them again, and had a blessed time: all seemed to be greatly affected, and determined to know nothing but Jesus, and him crucified. From thence I proceeded to the inspection of the school; there were 65 children present, most of them Catholics. Since the 7th of July, 16 of the children committed twenty chapters to memory. remains 100 on the list. I received a message to attend a meeting convened by a few ladies who are in the habit of sitting under our ministry; and I soon found the object of the meeting was for me to explain the word of God to them. No sooner was this meeting over, than I went to see a lady of high respectability, who was confined to her bed by dangerous illness; she seemed to enjoy the opportunity as a time in which she was much favoured of God, seemed to know the gospel, feel its influence, and triumph over death, and long to be with Jesus. Here likewise we had a few friends; and while I was reading appropriate portions of the word of God, showing the necessity of a full and complete conversion of soul to Christ, and conformity to his likeness, all seemed to feel as if it was an epitome of heaven. It was about three o'clock when these meetings were concluded, and I rode off in all speed for Furbane; the people were coming to preaching before I had finished my dinner; they seemed to catch the flame carried from Athlone; and we all had a good time. Thursday, 5, rode about sixteen miles to Ballinasloe, and preached in the evening. All my friends were exceeding glad to see me, as I had not time to visit them for several weeks, nor did they know of my coming. Í had to explain to one of them that worn-out question, If we are saved by grace, then there is no use in believers' baptism? I asked him, Do you receive the ordinance of the Lord's-supper? Yes, Sir, he replied. I then said, Why do you do so? and

66

he said, Because Christ has command- | ed me, (all smiled,) I said, that is the reason why true believers adhere to that divine commandment. Wednesday, 6, I preached at a new place, within about four miles of Ballinasloe; the house was well filled; and several of my hearers followed me from the town; we had a glorious time; and on our way back we could say, It was a time of love." From Ballinasloe I proceeded to the town of Galway; and here a new scene at once opened to my view, the wilderness appearance of the country, when instead of shady bowers and blooming hedges surrounding the fields, nothing but stone walls put together, without lime or art, were to be seen; and instead of the fertile land accustomed to see on my usual tours, it presented the utmost sterility; and indeed it wore a lively picture of the awful state of the minds of the people. The whole country abounds with popery: the gospel is not known by the people, nor is it preached, except in the town of Galway, where they are favoured with a faithful preacher of the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus; he is a minister of the established church. There are supposed to be about sixty thousand inhabitants in that town; and may we not say, what is he among so many? The average attending his ministry is not more than three hundred, as the Protestant population are but few. It was just as if I had gone into some strange land, as almost all classes and denominations in the town and in the country spoke their vernacular tongue. Here is a field for schools, for Irish readers of the New Testament, and every exertion which can be made to reclaim the thousands of benighted inhabitants, scattered through some hundreds of miles, perishing for lack of knowledge. It would be endless to tell the places I went to, the families I visited, and the individuals with whom I conversed on the subject of the gospel. While riding along the road I was asked, by rather a respectable looking man, if I had been at the race which was in that neighbourhood; I said, if it was at the other side the road I would not think it worth my notice. You are like our priest, said he, for he preached against it last Sunday, and said, you have committed a heinous crime in not sending your horses to draw home my turf, which is now spoiling on the bog, instead of taking them to the races last Saturday. I merely

mention this occurrence, to show the trash imposed on the poor people instead of the glorious and everlasting gospel. I conversed with a Catholic gentleman on the utility of forming schools, and giving the peasantry a regular education, and the knowledge of the scriptures, to reclaim them and better their condition: but he objected to the introduction of the scriptures altogether: however, after part of two days contention, he admitted that the New Testament might do some good to them, but said he would not admit the Old Testament on any account; for, said he, who would believe any thing so unlikely as that Jonah should be three days and nights in the fish's belly? He did not seem a little confounded when I referred him to the words of Christ on that subject, and said, men do always err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Friday, 14, returned to my own region, and through the kind exertion of C. A- Esq. I obtained the permanent use of the Session-house in Parson's Town, and mean to make it a regular station in future. I appointed the day for preaching, and left some of my handbills with a friend to give publicity of it to the inhabitants and its vicinity. Lord's-day, 16, I preached twice at Ferbane, administered the Lord's-supper to the members: we had a happy day. One Catholic, lately reformed, and three others, came about sixteen miles to hear the word, and converse with me on the subject of the scriptures. Good is doing; the preaching of the gospel is bringing lost sinners to God; to him be all the glory. I went on my regular routine until Friday, the 22nd, when I visited the school at Ballowley, and found 58 children present, 71 on the list; 9 of the readers committed sixteen chapters to memory since the last inspection. I preached in the evening. Lord's-day, 24, I preached at Rahue, from these remarkable words of the prophet: "They have transgressed my commandments, changed my ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant;" and then proceeded to the river, followed by all my hearers and many others, and baptized Doctor M'M of B greatest decorum prevailed. Catholics assisted me in going down into the water, and coming up out of it; and all heard with the utmost attention while I spoke to them at the wateredge. We returned to the meetinghouse: he was admitted a member of

The

that church, and we had a happy time at the communion. The first time he heard me preach he came on purpose to criticise; but the Lord owned his own word; and I verily believe him to be a truly pious and converted character. You may see by my report that I now preach in his house at Ballymahon, in the county of Longford. I preached again in the evening, and was well attended.

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The 25th preached at Curnomuclo, the 26th at Ballymahon, the 27th at Tenelick, the 28th at Toome, and Friday, the 29th, inspected the school there found present 76, on the list 100. Fourteen children committed 25 chapters to memory since the 31st of July last. Saturday, the 30th, preached at Testie, and on Lord's-day, the 31st, at Athlone, at ten o'clock, at the meeting-house; at two o'clock at Irish Town; and at seven in the meeting-house: the two latter times I was remarkably well attended. Monday, September 1, I preached at Eglish; and Tuesday, the 2nd, at Parson's Town, and had about two hundred hearers but this was not to be wondered at, as it was my first time to preach there; and the handbills exeited the curiosity of many to come and hear what the dipper had to say. When I state the number of persons I have had to hear me, I generally ask the opinion of others, and take the average number; yet I wish it to be understood, that it is not my own opinion I give on that subject, but the opinion of my friends. I went on my usual route until I could proceed no farther, as my poor mare became rather lame, occasioned by taking gravel in the hoof, therefore I could not meet my dear friends at Abbeleix on the 7th, according to engagement; nor could she travel until Thursday, the 11th, when I fell into my regular circuit at Annaharvy, where the house

was crowded, and had a good time. One person proposed for baptism; and, indeed, it may be truly said, “is not this a brand plucked out the fire!" It would not be prudent to tell the life he lived for many years; but now even the enemies of the gospel cannot but say he is a new man. I cannot tell how thankful I feel to my great Lord, who is using such an unworthy creature to call home his banished ones. May the Lord increase the number daily. I proceeded from thence to Clanlost, to inspect the new school established there by the committee; and am sorry to say, that through op position, its success is not promising at present; however, I shall be able to give you a more decisive statement of it in my next. I rode about forty miles that day to be in time to meet my engagement at Rahue, where I preached at the usual time in the forenoon, on Lord's-day, the 14th. Immediately after the dismission of the congregation, we proceeded to the river, and baptized Mr. S. P. of A

on the profession of his repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The day was fine, and it was delightful to see the respect paid to the institution by all present; the banks of the river were lined with spectators, Catholics, Protestants, and Baptists; and whilst singing, praying, and addressing them on the subject of the gospel, and the nature and design of the ordinance, it would be difficult to tell which of the parties shewed the greatest respect and attention. Monday, 5, the inspection of the Ballowly school was pleasing; many children were present; 10 repeated thirty chapters. Thus I have given you some account of my proceedings the last quarter; it would be tedious to tell you the whole. May the God of love and peace be with you, is the prayer of yours truly,

J. M'CARTHY.

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