DOMESTIC. IRELAND. As you feel a deep interest in the prosperity of the denomination, I am persuaded that you will feel a pleasure in treating your numerous readers with the following delightful circumstance. At Bayle, four young persons, all children of the same family, were immersed on a profession of their faith in Jesus, on the first sabbath in the present year. The oldest is about twenty years of age, the youngest about fourteen. These children are a part of a family belonging to P. Brenan, who is a scripture reader, belonging to the Baptist Irish Society. He was originally a Roman Catholic, but since his conversion to God, he has been an ornament to his profession, and a blessing to the church of Christ. To see a brother walk consistently, live usefully, and act zealously in the Redeemer's cause for more than twenty years, in Ireland, is matter for gratitude and joy. A circumstance of this nature must be delightful to the Society, and to the friends in England who support it; encouraging to brother Jackman, who presides over this little church; and excite feelings of thankfulness in the hearts of the parents, to Almighty God, to see so many of their rising family thus early devote themselves to the Lord. Brother Jackman, notwithstanding his professional engagements, has laboured in Ireland for about twenty-five years, without any fee or reward, except the pleasure he has experienced in his Master's work. I have known him take his gig, and travel twenty Irish miles to preach the gospel to poor sinners on a Sabbath-day. He told me, some time ago, that he had baptized about sixty persons in Bayle; but they have all emigrated, except six or eight of them, before this last baptizing. Thus you see, my brother, that the cause is progressing in Ireland; and by the blessing of God, there is no doubt but it will continue to do so. Every remnant of Popery in the church of Rome, and in the church of England, as well as everywhere else, must fall before the preaching of the gospel; just as the mighty walls of Jericho fell before the blowing of the ram's horns. I hope that our friends in England will send the gospel to Ireland, or else Ireland will send Popery to them. We must have a few more labourers, of sterling ability, as messengers of grace to guilty man, and better supported; then, with the blessing of God, by our united prayers and devoted labours, every enemy will quail before the triumphs of the Cross. Balling. J. BATES. MONMOUTH.-I am happy to inform you, that even here, where Puseyism is propounded in its rankest form, and pædobaptism is supported by two powerful auxiliaries, viz., respectability and wealth, our cause and principles have yet "a name to live." In addition to those mentioned before, at Redbrook, which is a branch of the church here, on Lord'sday, Nov. 27th, five candidates avowed themselves on the Lord's side, by yielding obedience to his commands. The sermon on the occasion was preached by one of the candidates, who had been a Wesleyan preacher, and was characterized by great clearness and point. During the past year, twenty-one have been baptized and added to the church. We are at present without a pastor, as our late respected friend, Mr. Owens, has been called to another sphere of usefulness. W. C. WARMINSTER.-We baptized four friends on what is called Christmasday. Others will I hope soon follow. But the opposition of the semipapists is fierce and protracted. Another supply of tracts would be very grateful. K LONG BUCKBY.-On Lord's-day morning, Jan. 1st, after an appropri ate address from our esteemed pastor, Mr. Burdett, the candidates were addressed by Mr. Miller, of Braunston, who went down into the water, and baptized twelve persons, eight males and four females, who were received into the church, and sat down at the table of our Lord, in the afternoon. We expect to baptize again next month. The Lord is doing great things for us, whereof we are glad. We have twenty members of our church who are teachers in the Sabbath school. W. B. RAMSEY, Hunts.- Mr. Crofts, the esteemed pastor of the Baptist church here, observes:-"I thank God our cause prospers. Sep. 4, I baptized five,- Nov. 6, four, and Feb. 5, four. More are desiring fellowship." [The very interesting report of the Jubilee meetings at Ramsey, is too long for us. We have declined several for want of space.] MANCHESTER, Oak Street.-January 1st, after a discourse by Mr. Hesketh, our friend Mr. Hague baptized four persons. We have many hopeful inquirers. At our tea meeting next day, we obtained £16. BERWICK ST. JOHN'S.-December 18, the delightful ordinance of believers' baptism was administered, for the first time, at Bower Chalk, one of our out stations. In the morning, a sermon was preached to an overflowing congregation. We then went to the water-side. We were led to understand we should be annoyed by some of the "baser sort," but everything was perfectly quiet and solemn. There was a large concourse of spectators, and we hope good was done by the service. One little fact I mention.- Soon after I got into Chalk, on the Saturday evening, a person came to me and said, "I understand that Mrs. P is to be baptized to-morrow," and added, with seeming astonishment, "She has been thought to be a good woman for more than thirty years, and now she is going to undo all she has ever done!" We have good reason to hope that there are others in this village who will soon follow the example of their friends, and so obey the command of their divine Lord. P. A. man. ABERSYCHAN, Monmouthshire.-The good cause is still prospering with us; we have had several additions to our church by baptism since our last communication to the Reporter. On the morning of the first Sabbath of the new year, our pastor, Mr. Price, baptized an aged blind In consequence of the loss of his sight, his mind became seriously impressed, and sought comfort and consolation in the religion of Jesus Christ. Mr. Price preached on the occasion from Isaiah xlii. 16, "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not, I will lead them in paths that thay have not known; I will make darkness light before them and crooked things straight, these things will I do unto them and not forsake them." There is one circumstance connected with this account which should not be overlooked, and might prove an encouragement to others to go and do likewise. It is the means by which this individual was brough to the knowledge of the truth. There lives next door to him a member of our church, who very kindly invited him to chapel; he replied, he should be most happy to go if he had any one to take him, and rejoice to have the opportunity. Our friend said, I will take you, which he, or some other in the family, has not failed to do for more than six months past; and as a reward of his labours, he has had the pleasure of seeing him become a decided follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. A. C. INSKIP. Since our last report, our pastor has again had the pleasure of immersing four persons. May they prove plants of righteousness, of the Lord's right-hand planting! J. C. HOLT, Norfolk. --On the first morning of the new year, we had the pleasure of beholding eight persons follow their Lord through the bap. tismal stream, most of whom were advanced in years, and some in grace. It was a hallowed, cheering season. In the afternoon, seven of them were admitted into the church, and sat down with us at the table of our Lord. The other was a member of the Wesleyan connection, and remains in the same communion. In this particular, it is not for us to violate the voluntary principle. To-morrow, Tuesday, January 24, we open a new gallery in our chapel here,-sermon by the Rev. W. Brock, of Norwich. May this be an unprecedented year of God-fearing, vital, permanent prosperity to us, and all our sister churches! BROMPTON.-Feb. 2, four persons, two males and two females, were here buried with Christ in baptism, by Mr. Barnes. One of the females had been several years in connexion with the Methodists, and one of the young men about the same length of time in membership with the Independents; the other two were from the world. It was a very solemn season. BROUGHTON, Notts.-Jan. 22, we had a baptism; and several others are coming forward to walk in the good ways of the Lord. J. W. LEEDS, General Baptists.-Our friends occupy the Meeting-house, formerly occupied by the Particular Baptists, who have built a large handsome place, which is well filled. The rubbish having been removed from the baptistry, (with which it had been filled up, when the Methodists occupied the place) it was again filled with its appropriate element, and onthe last sabbath in January, six persons were immersed. On Tuesday evening following, about two hundred sat down to tea in the chapel, and some stirring addresses followed. Tracts are circulated extensively, and there are several hopeful inquirers. I may just add that Mr. Giles baptized four on the fifth of February. And there is now much inquiry in Leeds concerning this way. Some think us a New Sect! J. P. LOWER WALTON.-December 4, the ordinance of believers' baptism was administered to two young persons here, who were admitted members of the church at Hill Cliff. It was a refreshing time. Many found it good to be there. Six others are expected. On Dec. 26, we had a tea-party for our debt, when between two and three hundred persons sat down, after which several addresses were delivered. At the conclusion, Peter Swinton rose and spoke. He is in his 87th year, and has been a member of the church more than fifty years. A. K. NORTHWICH.-The cause here is improving. January 8, the ordinance of baptism was administered to one female. The little band is united; may the number of faithful members greatly increase! A. K. NOTTINGHAM, Broadstreet.-Our pastor, Mr. Ferneyhough, gave out the hymns, and Mr. Hurst preached from first Cor. I. chap., 14, 15, 16, and part of 17, verse; after which nine persons, three males and six females, were baptized by the brother of the late Rev. Robert Smith, now in his eightieth year. J. S. RECENT BAPTISMS.-Jan. 8, by Mr. McGowan, Shotley field, three; and on the 15, at Rowley, four.-Jan. 8, at Idle, Yorkshire, by Mr. W. Howieson, of Bradford College, seven.-Jan. 29, at Melbourne, near Derby, three.-Jan. 2, two Wesleyans, by Mr. Smith, Staley Bridge.— Jan. 8, at Sache verel-street, Derby, nine; at Archdeacon lane, Leicester, six females.-At Chesham, by Mr. Ayrton, ten. -At Sutterton, three. [We could fill all our pages with reports of baptisms. Several, of a very interesting character, we are under the necessity of again postponing.] RELIGIOUS TRACTS. WE notice the following APPLICATIONS and GRANTS for the past month. These have been forwarded: Proper directions wanted (see January Reporter, page 28,) for Woodside, Warminster, and Jersey. SABBATH SCHOOLS. THE SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHER'S ENCOURAGEMENT. "THEREFORE, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." WHAT promises sweet do the Scriptures afford Farewell then my fears, My Sabbath-school labour shall not be in vain. Engag'd in this honour'd employ I am found, When low at the footstool of mercy I bend, That my toils in the vineyard have all been in vain. What though the seel sown may not seem to take root, As the husbandmen do when they cast in the grain: I know that my labour shall not be in vain. Though Satan may tempt me the work to forsake, Though the rich may despise me, and learned disdain And when I am summoned to yield up my breath. And O! should there meet me, on Zion's blest shore, A child from my class, who arrived there before, Methinks he will cry, when he sees me again, When the "great day of judgment" shall burst on the world, And sun, moon, and stars from their orbits be hurl'd, Exulting I'll shout, in a rapturous strain, "My Sabbath school labour has not been in vain." Farewell then my fears, My Sabbath-school labour shall not be in vain. SABBATH SCHOOLS. ROCHDALE.-At a large tea-meeting of teachers and friends, Mr. Burchell, the pastor, in the chair; the pupils in the bible class, presented three vols. of Penn's works to their Teacher. Last year, they presented their Pastor, with three vols. of Dr. Pye Smith's works. A MORE EXERTION REQUIRED.-An Inspector of Schools in the county of Norfolk, lately reported that "a great proportion of the young persons of both sexes, from twenty to thirty years of age, had not only forgotten the little they ever knew of reading and writing, but also much of whatever of scriptural or catechetical instruction they had once acquired. Very few from the age of twenty to fifty could either read or write. female had been appointed as clerk in one parish for two years, no male being able to read. In another parish it was stated, that till the forma tion of a school by the clergyman, no one could read or write. A farmer contended that a certain expression was not used in a certain act of parliament, but on its being shown to him it was apparent that he could not read. Out of four trustees appointed to execute a deed of trust of great value, three signed with a cross. In one parish the people had imbibed an idea that instruction would be found an effectual cure for all the difficulties of their condition, and place them above the reach of poverty!" BRIEF REVIEWS OF BOOKS, &c. BAPTIST MISSION IN JAMAICA; a Review of W. G. Barrett's pamphlet. By S. GREEN. London: Houlston and Stoneman ; G. & J. Dyer. We have said but little on this painful controversy, hoping that good sense and pious feeling would, in due time, cause it to cease. "It must needs be that offences come," said our Lord, but the woe rests on the head of him by whom they come! Those who wish to understand the true merits of this agitated question, should peruse Mr. Green's pamphlet. THE RIGHT HAND OF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. By W. R. Baxter. Barnstaple: J. Creese. This neat little book, on the privileges and duties of communion, is well adapted to accomplish its professed object. Ministers and deacons would find it a valuable auxiliary. THE RITES AND CEREMONIES OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, identified with Jewish wickedness. A Sermon. By W. B. DAVIES. London: G. and J. Dyer. Birmingham: Showell. This is a startling title truly, and the text, Psalm cvi. 37, is equally startling. But let our readers obtain and peruse this sermon, and then judge if the preacher makes out a clear case or not. THE CEMETERIES BILL. NEVER was a more impudent invasion made upon the rights of private property and the principles of dissent, than this Bill proposes. You start! and well you may. But it is a fact. Here is a Mr. Walker-a London apothecary, we believe, and a Mr. Mackinnon, M. P., who, with the aid of certain doctors and parsons, and the Bishop of London, manage to scrape together a lot of one sided evidence, which is made to form the groundwork for a Bill for the removal of burial places from large towns, with a view to the "good health" of the people. But the secret spring of this movement is the failing revenues |