beautiful lakes, and the highway of the ocean, by which it holds intercourse with all civilized nations. It is the people's religion that makes them stolid and barbarous. It is the yoke of a spiritual despotism that opens and exasperates every sore. Every act of their religion, every visit to the confessional, every submission to penance, every time they receive pardon from the lips of priestly assumption, another turn is given to the chain which enthrals them. They are the victims of men who keep the key of knowledge, not to open its treasures, but to, shut out the light; they "neither go into the kingdom of heaven themselves, and those that would they hinder." Popery in Ireland is worse in many respects than the same system on some parts of the continent. It has not the beauty of architecture, of painting, and the refinement of taste and art-it is Antichrist in rags. It would be ridiculous if it were not disgusting. It is very interesting to travel from the Koman catholic to the protestant parts of Ireland. You pass from misery and discomfort, to order, neatness, and quiet; the tidy cottage, the cultivated garden, the smiling children, show that the gospel of Christ has" sweetened the breath of society," and that "righteousnes exalteth a people." Belfast is an important station. Mr. Eccles is working hard and well. He needs immediate and efficient assistance. I visited Newtownards; preached in the room which was taken at the suggestion of Mr. Bigwood. The place was crowded. It is connected with Conlig, where our valued friend Mr. Brown labours; and will, with the divine blessing, become a productive sphere of labour. Banbridge is an interesting place; the new chapel is in progress. It is very desirable that a school should be connected with it. This might be accomplished at an additional cost of £20. Mr. Bain, from whom I received every attention and infor mation, is very anxious to obtain a little aid towards this object. I preached in the open air in Armagh and Dungannon to large congregations, and received much kindness from the protestant ministers of these towns, who shared both the danger and reproach of such an enterprise. In the neighbourhood of the latter place are many little Baptist churches, and no one to guide them; there are good and liberal men amongst them that would welcome a faithful evangelist. I trust that this matter will have the Committee's prayerful consideration. I fear, however, that our friends will be wearied with the length of our communi cations. I now close. The citadel of popery is not to be taken by assault, but must be undermined by the slower process of preaching, teaching, and patient labour. Ireland wants the gospel of the blessed Jesus. More agents, more readers, more city missionaries, more bibles and tracts. It is this will raise her people above the superstitions of confessionals, candles, and the crucifix-it will introduce the elements of peaceful industry, it will soften the temper of men whose religion has made them brutish, and it will enlist the sympathies of an ardent people in the cause of Immanuel. There is hope for Ireland still; thousands of its sons are thirsting for a purer faith. Believe me, dear Sir, Yours fraternally, HENRY DOWSON. P.S. I should fail in the expression of gratitude were I not to acknowledge the kindness of the Committee of the Baptist Tract Society, in the gift of a large assortment of their valuable publications, which we scattered over the length and breadth of Ireland. If one soul has been brought to the saving knowledge of Christ through these messengers of truth, our brethren "have their reward." ATHLONE. The eight missionaries from Rome to whom Mr. Dowson refers in the preceeding letter have taken their departure, after doing much mischief, and selling indulgences enough, it is believed, to pay the expenses ning to return to the schools; and Mr. of the enterprise, The children are beginBerry writes, "Rejoice with me; after all that priests and Jesuits have said and done, the porch of our chapel was filled last night with Roman catholics. They feared to come into the chapel, but in the porch they heard the gospel from Romans x. 4." We have extracted the above very sensible letter from the Irish Chronicle. We think Mr. Dowson's tour will be read with deep interest. Though the late attempt to irrigate Ireland with the waters of life by field preaching, &c., exposed many of those who engaged in it to brutal assaults, and danger; and, as it let loose on them the fury of mobs, excited and led on by the priesthood, and in some cases was a failure; yet the insight it has afforded to the intolerance of popery, and the prostrate condition of the people under its influence, as well as the publication of such enlightened views as those given by Mr. Dowson, will not fail to do good.-ED. SKETCH OF A CENTENARY SERMON, Delivered at Woodgate Chapel, Loughborough, on Lord's-day, "A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time."-ISAIAH lx. 22. word," and thus became the centres of a new influence, and the instruments of a multiplied increase. The inspired historian, when relating their subsequent progress, stops his narrative to express his admiration. "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. THIS prediction relates to the ad-"went everywhere preaching the vancement of Messiah's kingdom. It suggests that small beginnings will be followed by wide and extended progress, and that this blessed result will be effected by the divine hand. How remarkably was it fulfilled in the apostolic age! After the crucifixion of our Lord, when the persecuting Jews thought they had crushed all his pretensions and purposes, and when the feeble disciples, including both sexes, amounted to a hundred and twenty, and met in an upper room, how small and insignificant their assembly! How unlike to be the regenerators of a world! And yet at the feast of Pentecost, when power had been given them from on high, three thousand in one day were added to their ranks. Presently we read that "the number of the men was about five thousand;" anon that Jerusalem was filled with the doctrine; and they went on multiplying more and more. Persecution dispersed them, but they VOL. 1.-N. S. D In spite of idolatry, persecution, torture, and death, the Gospel widely spread during the years after the apostles, so that the Roman Governors were told by Tertullian, "We were but of yesterday, but we have filled your cities, islands, and towns, the camp, the senate, and the forum. In almost every place we form the greater part." He also adds, that in Africa, Gaul, Spain, Germany, parts of Britain inaccessible to the Romans, "christians abounded. So true was the prophetic word." Corruptions, priestcraft, worldly patronage, and persecutions, retarded the progress of truth in subsequent times, but the kingdom of Messiah has remained, and in every age has made some progress. Many illustrations might be given of this prophecy in the history of the church. In the rise and progress of the early and purer sects that separated themselves from priestly domination, and in those of more modern times who pursued the same path, from Wickliffe downwards, this prediction has been fulfilled. The awakening of one mind to the right apprehension of the vital truths of religion has given an impulse to the surrounding mass, which, under God, led to the revival of pure religion, and to the gathering of many myriads into the kingdom of God. The "leaven" has operated on the mass into which it has been cast; the "mustard seed" has grown into a tree; the little one has become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation." This prophecy, and the presence of the hand of God, might be illustrated by many distinguished examples in connection with the revival of evangelical and spiritual religion in this country during the past century. The names of Whitfield and Wesley were most honourable. The rise and progress of our own denomination in this part of the kingdom, also, furnishes a pleasing display of the power of truth, the goodness and mercy of God, as well as of the zeal and energy and success of a number of humble and earnest, but sincere servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. The blight of Arianism, Socinianism, infidelity, and irreligion, which, like a moral pestilence, passed over England in the early part of the 18th century, seemed to affect all classes of religious professors. This was seen and lamented at the time by many good men. One says, in 1729, "How many sermons may one hear which leave out Christ, both name and work, and pay no more regard to him than if we had nothing to do with him!" Dr. Watts, "in 1731, deplores the decay of vital religion in the hearts and lives of men," and speaks as if this complaint was general. Mr. John Newton, a Church clergyman, remarks, "I am not sure that in 1740 there was a single parochial minister who was publicly known as a gospel preacher, in the whole kingdom." Indeed, a modern writer of their own, and no Evangelical, in the last number (October) of the Edinburgh Review, speaks of the whole clergy of that period as worldly and irreligious men, who subscribed to articles they avowedly did not believe, and preached a lax morality they did not practice; leaving salvation and grace, and (we quote from memory) "heaven and hell to the Ranters and enthusiasts." With such a state of things among Dissenters, and in the Establishment, · what dense darkness and unbridled immorality might be expected to prevail among the masses of the people. It was at this period that Selina, the Countess of Huntingdon, residing then at Donington Park, herself enlightened by the truths of the Gospel, employed one of her servants, a pious man of some talent, to preach plain gospel truths in the surrounding region. Many were awakened, and were led, after a patient reading of the Scriptures, to believe in the Lord Jesus to the saving of their souls. After suffering much persecution and annoyance, especially at Barton and the neighbourhood, (recorded at length in A. Taylor's History,) we learn that Joseph Donisthorpe of Normanton, John Whyatt, John Aldridge of Barton, Samuel Deacon of Ratby, Francis Smith of Melbourne, and John Grimley of Donington near Hugglescote, availed themselves of the protection of the toleration Act, and registered them Before this time, however, this society of christians had become multiplied. Meeting houses were erected, at Barton in 1745, at Melbourne in 1750, at Diseworth in 1752, and at Kegworth in 1755. But these zealous men preached any and everywhere that opportunity offered. They extended their excursions on every side. The counties of Derby, Stafford, Warwick, and Nottingham, received their visits, and bore evidence of their zeal and success. selves as Dissenting ministers, in | first to this town, bearing the glori1751. They were not yet consti- ous tidings of redeeming love. We tuted into a definite church order, may therefore indulge our fancy a nor were they become Baptists, but little, and suppose, that after travelthey preached with earnestness and ling to brother Grimley's at Doningsuccess, the important, but then al- ton, just over the Forest, and spendmost forgotten doctrine of free salva- ing the evening with him, he protion for sinful men through faith in ceeded hither on the early morning the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor was it of a fine summer's day. As he until 1755 that they were led to the turned over the last ridge of the full conviction that the ordinance of Forest Hills, he was, as every one baptism was proper only for those must be, impressed, delighted, and who believe in the Son of God. elevated with the vast, beautiful, and lovely scene which then burst on his view. The extremity of his distant gaze, ranging from the high lands in the counties of Derby and Nottingham on the left, by the Wolds near Belvoir and Melton in the centre, on to the range of hills in Rutland on the right, and the fertile regions in the vast plains in the middle region, would be enchanting; while, as he neared his view on this imposing prospect, he would see the town of Loughborough, lying some three miles before him, in the rich valley at his feet. What thoughts would this scene awaken in his mind! How grand is nature! How glorious and benevolent is the God of all! How insensible, insignificant, and blind is man! Did his heart fail him, as the thought occurred to him, that he, a plain mechanic, was going to proclaim in yonder town a forgotten or a neglected gospel? Did he fear the insults and contempt of the rude people? He had already received cruel usage and bitter persecution for the gospel's sake; did he now quail before it? Did he conclude that his labours would be in vain? No: no. He belonged to a class of men who had strong faith in God, who were full of earnest love for the souls of their kind, and who had great confidence that the earnest preaching of Christ's Gospel would never be in vain. A desire to do the will of Christ, to spread his gospel, and save the souls of men, filled In 1753, just a hundred years ago, Mr. John Whyatt, one of the preachers before-mentioned, came to commence preaching in Loughborough. The person by whom he was especially encouraged was a Mr. Thomas Hutchinson, who resided in High Gate. The house licensed for a preaching place is still standing in Pinfold Gate, and was occupied by a Mr. Wm. Cheatle. It has undergone some alterations since, being converted into two dwellings; but an inspection of the premises shews that it was a respectable and capacious place, capable of accommodating from sixty to a hundred persons; and many more in the yard might hear the preacher's voice. So small was the beginning in this place, that it was with difficulty five persons were obtained to sign the request to the magistrate for a license. It is nowhere recorded, except in heaven, what was the month or the day when this zealous minister came his heart, and he was indifferent to other consequences. Perhaps, like his coadjutor, Mr. Jos. Donisthorpe, (afterwards one of the pastors of this church,) when he first visited Melbourne to preach this gospel," as he descended from a hill from which he obtained a view of the village, he fell down on his knees, wept over it, and fervently prayed for its inhabitants, and that his visit might prove a blessing:" or perhaps, judging from past successes, he saw before him, after much persecution, the prospect of a future of prosperity; of souls saved; churches formed; of "the little one becoming a thousand." He came; and the first sermon he preached was founded on Isaiah liii. 6:"All we like sheep have gone astray," &c. From such a text it is easy to conjecture what kind of a sermon an original G. B. minister would preach. He would solemnly tell of the wanderings of men from God, from Adam downward; how all had wandered, and were therefore condemned by God's holy law: -what provision was made by infinite love in the gospel for the salvation of all men, by the laying of our sins on Christ-and how, through faith in him, all sinners might be saved from the wrath to come, and enjoy the favour and spirit of God, and eternal life. O! that first sermon! Many heard it. Some from curiosity to know what the new doctrine was; and some who heard it felt as they had never felt before of the evil of sin, and the goodness and grace of God. This was the beginning, and from that time to the present the same doctrine has been preached by the same people in this town and neighbourhood. The path was not strewed with flowers. Many came to ridicule and persecute; and by all sorts of noises in the street the mob often disturbed them. They threw stones in at the windows, and once dragged a poor woman by the hair up a dirty kennel. The magistrate was appealed to in vain; but when redress was sought in the higher courts, the brutality of the rude people was restrained. In two or three years a large barn in the Ward's End was fitted up as a meeting house, which was soon well filled with attentive hearers. In 1760 the original society was divided into five distinct churches. Of these Loughborough church was one. This included Loughborough, Leake, Wymeswold, Widmerpool, and other adjacent villages into which preaching had been introduced. The whole number of members of this church was then only fifteen! Of this small and scattered church, Mr. Joseph Donisthorpe, then residing at Normanton, and Mr. John Grimley of Donington-onthe- Heath, were the pastors. Each of these, though from ten to twelve miles away from the nearest stations, yet, in defiance of bad roads, inclement seasons, dark nights, and secular affairs, fulfilled his engagements, both on the Lord's-day and week nights. So zealous and self-denying were they in their great work! Mr. Before we proceed further with our narrative, one word will be acceptable in reference to each of these, the first pastors of this church. In age, Donisthorpe was the senior of Grimley by 20 years at the time of the formation of the church. Donisthorpe was 57, and Mr. Grimley 36. There was a marked difference in the men. Both were somewhat tall, and of good presence, but Donisthorpe was vigorous, while Grimley was feeble. Donisthorpe had a strong musical voice; Grimley's was harsh and shrill. The temperament of Donisthorpe was ardent, that of Grimley, gentle. Neither had much early cultivation; but the latter applied himself more earnestly and successfully to learning than the for |