Reports from the Missions. SLIGO. (From the Missionary.) I HAVE been very much gratified by the warm reception which many Roman Catholics have given me upon my return amongst them, after my absence for some months in consequence of serious illness. Numbers with whom I formerly had long and warm discussions came to see me, and while they seized my hand with both theirs, thanked God that they saw me once more in the country. One man told me that he knew well all along that I must recover, for the same Lord that heard the prayers of the Church, and made the chains to fall off Peter, could not but hear all the prayers that all the good Christians and many good Catholics ⚫offered up for me, and cause the chains of the sickness to fall off. A woman who used to contend rather earnestly for the doctrines of her church, welcomed me very affectionately, and said, "Oh, sir, there was good nature in your schould; for though we used to differ, your desire was to do us good, and may the Lord Almighty give you strength and spare you long to preach the Gospel, and to teach poor sinners way to heaven." the Space would fail to tell of all the kindly expressions of the poor people, and the messages of goodwill which some sent to me who could not see me themselves. The Irish schools have worked steadily, over 200 pupils each month committing five verses of Scripture to memory. The Readers inform me that they have ready access to a great number of houses, especially to the families of the pupils, most of whom have Bibles or Testaments in their houses, and many of whom do not disguise that they see various things in the Word of God which do not agree with the teaching of their church. I have had some interesting conversation with a very intelligent young man, who is anxious to break loose from the trammels of the Church of Rome. The priest heard of his reading the Scriptures, and interposed so boisterously, that the young man's spirit was roused, and he determined not to submit to such priestly tyranny. His parents became greatly displeased that he should vex the clergy, but he boldly said that he owed them obedience only so far as their commands did not require him to break the commandments of God. He persists in the study of the Scriptures and visiting our agents. I trust he is earnestly seeking spiritual teaching; and if it please God to enlighten him, he may prove an instrument of considerable good, as he has received a very liberal education, being for some time intended for the priesthood, and is of a respectable, though bigoted family. The turbulence of the priest first brought about his inquiry, which, I trust, may end in his decided conversion unto God, that the wrath of man may be made to praise the Lord. He One of the Irish teachers has just been to see me. tells me that lately he and a convert from Popery in his neighbourhood were at a wake, and that they both refused to take off their hats and join while all the people prayed to the Virgin for the soul of the dead man. This led to a discussion, which lasted the greater part of the night, and the result was, that many acknowledged that it was very doubtful whether the Virgin could hear the prayer, and equally uncertain that the dead man could be benefited by any prayer; and all seemed persuaded that there was no authority in Scripture for either one or the other. May the Lord bless the means used to the gathering out of his people for Jesus' sake. SHRULE. (From the Missionary.) I HAVE learned this month that a great many persons in this locality are inquiring on the subject of religion, that they desire to know what are the tenets of Protestantism, and in what they differ from those of their own church; for this purpose some have bought Bibles, and are reading controversial books; and then they have quiet discussion among themselves, when some advance the Protestant arguments against some of the Romish doctrines. I know some instances in which professing Romanists have used arguments in favour of the Protestant doctrines as strongly as any Protestant well grounded in the controversy could. I would prayerfully hope that happy results will flow from this state of things; that those Romanists who take on them the defence of Protestant doctrine will be fully convinced of the truth of this, and that their arguments may bring conviction home to the minds of their fellowRomanists with whom they argue. Dr. M'Carthy, the Romish bishop of Galway was here lately, and he gave a stimulus to the spirit of inquiry which already existed. He spoke very strongly in favour of knowledge, and said, that whilst the people continued in a state of ignorance of the doctrines of their church, it was useless for them to receive any of the sacraments. He said they might go to confession and receive absolution from the priest, and yet their sins would not be forgiven if they did not know the articles of their faith. He told them he hoped when he visited them again he would find them more enlightened than they were at present. I entirely join with him in this hope, but trust that the enlightenment will be superior to that which he desires. The agent in Ballymenus has been well received during the month, and the school in Ballinrobe has been well attended. THE BANNER OF THE TRUTH IN IRELAND. DECEMBER 1, 1862. -000· A Mother Remembered. UNDER the above title an article appeared in the BANNER OF THE TRUTH for the month of June, 1859, containing a notice of a young man, a convert from the Church of Rome, who had left his home in Connemara and emigrated to America. This young man, like many others, had been educated in one of the Mission schools in the West, and had grown up to be a consistent convert; his mother and most of his relations, however, still remaining Roman Catholics. On arriving in America the young convert became a Scripture-reader. His talents and piety soon brought him into notice, and he was sent to a college connected with the Episcopal Church, with a view to his being prepared for ordination. He did not, however, forget the friends whom he had left in Ireland; and at the period to which we refer, he sent a most earnest letter to his poor Roman Catholic mother, a few extracts from which will best show at once the intelligence of the young convert, and the spirit by which he was animated. His letter commences in these words:— "DEAR MOTHER,-Thy son yet liveth, with the expectation of seeing your face once more, to tell of his exploits since he left the land of his nativity. But, before I proceed any further, allow me to say, 'Death with his arrows may soon lay us low; and, if so, shall we meet again? I tell you my hope and my belief lies in Jesus, the crucified Saviour; and I fear not, if Jesus is your hope and belief, but we shall meet again. in that happy land VOL. XIII. "Where saints in glory stand, N 6 I mean to stand up for Jesus, for He stood between me and hell. Take the advice your son gives you this day. He thinks more of his mother than any other would; therefore he says, Look to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain, and taketh away the sin of the world. You shall receive the soul-cheering answer, Daughter, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee.' Look not to any other creature; every one must bear his own burden. Jesus died to save from hell. How sorrow. fully, how mournfully, would we look at each other, if to us it should be said at the judgment-day, 'Depart into everlasting flames, prepared for the devil and his angels!' I I pray this shall never be our doom; but, rather, 'Enter ye into the joy of the Lord,'-to that place that Jesus has gone to prepare for all who love Him. Take, then, the lesson from my lips, which they should give. I am very anxious to bring you to the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour: 'Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus.' Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name given under heaven whereby we can be saved,' but the name of Jesus. Again, I say, take my advice, yea, my affectionate advice, for I care for you, and long to have your soul fixed on the Rock of Ages, for time is short." He then exhorts his mother to receive the visits of the Scripture-readers who may come to her with the Bible in their hands. "Never despise him," he says, "that cometh to your door in God's name, and carries Christ in his heart. Receive him; treat him with all the kindness you possibly can. The friend of your soul is a friend indeed, and the dearest and nearest. Sit down and converse about holy things. Be not weary of well-doing.' Therefore, I say, despise him not, he is my brother." After describing the progress of the work of God in America, his love for his country breaks out in the following beautiful lines : "God bless thee, ancient Erin, Fair land of meadows green; God bless thee, ancient Erin, Oh! may the living waters Flow free from shore to shore, Till all thy sons and daughters One Saviour's name adore. |