and after she went home she said, Mother, do you think are we any of the people the Lord has in the city?' She then requested that her grandmother and little brother should accompany them to school on the following Sunday; but poor little Charlotte was destined ere that to be in the enjoyment of an eternal Sabbath. Towards midnight she awakened her mother, complaining of pain to which she had been subject. Her decline was every moment increasing. In the morning they sent for a doctor, but little Charlotte said, 'It is no use; I shall soon be where there will be no more pain,—in the city where God's people are all happy.' She begged of her mother and grandmother to attend school, and to let the little baby be baptized a Protestant. As her end drew nigh she was heard repeating many of the words she had heard the day before, and it was truly affecting to hear her turning the verses into prayer. She breathed her last in perfect peace."

A BIBLE APPRECIATED.

"ABOUT twelve months ago I gave a Bible to a Roman Catholic, but being shortly afterwards removed to another district I lost sight of the man for a long time, until to-day, when I had an opportunity of judging what use had been made of the book. When we entered his room, his wife (the only person present) did not know us: on learning our business, however, she at once avowed herself a Roman Catholic; but in the same breath said we were quite welshe was willing to hear what we had to say - her husband had a Bible of his own (she took it down from the shelf while she was speaking)—and went on to say 'He is never tired of reading it, never satisfied but when he has it in his hands; and may God bless it to his soul, for surely it's the beautiful book; he was reading it the whole of last Sunday until it became dark.' The well-thumbed and worn condition of the book, which, moreover, was marked in several places, seemed to confirm the truth of her statement."

come

THE BANNER OF THE TRUTH.

-000

A Missionary Prayer-Meeting.

THE power of Mission work is prayer; without it, the most earnest efforts and the most skilful operations will be in vain. This great principle has been prominently acknowledged from the commencement of the work of the Irish Church Missions, and has been openly recognised in every department.

An opportunity has recently been afforded in one district in Dublin for setting this principle before the people, by means of a special prayer-meeting. The district we refer to is that part of Dublin usually styled "the Liberties," in which the new school-house was erected in the Coombe, about two years ago. This large and conspicuous building, placed as it was in the centre of a densely-crowded district, and in the midst of a Romish population, excited at first the greatest possible amount of opposition; and the first year of its existence was characterised by constant scenes of tumult and violence. The second anniversary of the opening had just arrived, and it was resolved to celebrate the event by a meeting, somewhat novel in its character, and calculated to furnish a striking test of the influence which had been exerted on the inhabitants of the neighbourhood.

A Missionary prayer meeting was announced to be held, the people were invited by means of hand-bills, and the children attending the Mission schools in the new building were desired to bring their parents, and as many as they could induce to attend. The meeting was to be held at halfpast seven in the evening, five clergymen were to take part in the proceedings; the avowed object being, to pray for a blessing on the whole district, and on the various means of instruction afforded in the school-house.

On approaching the building at the appointed hour, it

VOL. IX.

E

was very striking to observe the absence of all molestation or interruption in a place which, only a year before, had literally rung with the shouts of a furious and fanatical mob; it was one of many proofs of the civilising influence of the Gospel, even on those who are not brought directly to feel its value or its truth. On entering the school-house, a most gratifying sight met the eye of the visitor,-one room was densely crowded, and an adjacent one opening into it half filled, by as varied and remarkable an assembly of could well be brought together.

persons as

The children of the ragged schools, accompanied by their teachers, behaving with the strictest propriety, proved how great an influence had been exercised on their minds, known, as most of them were, to have been not long since most bigoted opposers of the truth. The same remark applies to the adult converts, who were present in considerable numbers. But perhaps the most remarkable feature of the evening was the large attendance of Roman Catholics, considering especially that there was nothing in the nature of the meeting to attract them; the object was neither for controversy nor discussion, but simply an occasion for united prayer.

The meeting having been commenced by the hymn, "Grace, 'tis a charming sound," the Rev. C. F. MacCarthy stated that they were met together, on the second anniversary of the opening of that building, to thank God for all the mercies which they had experienced during the last two years, and at the same time openly to acknowledge their entire dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit in the work in which they were engaged. He then read the 67th Psalm, and led the meeting in a general prayer for the outpouring of the Spirit.

The Rev. G. W. Dalton then read Heb. x. 19-25. He briefly commented on the different points contained in these verses, and showed how access to the Father by the one Mediator was literally a new way to many there present. He then prayed for a blessing on the Coombe schools and classes, and that a greater number of earnest teachers might be raised up for the Sunday-school.

The Rev. E. Ellis then read 2 Pet. iii. 9-14, and enlarged, in connexion with the speedy coming of Christ, on the necessity of increased zeal for the souls of others, and

the duty of contentment with regard to our position and circumstances having illustrated these points, he offered up prayer on behalf of converts, inquirers, Roman Catholics, and priests.

The Rev. H. C. Eade conducted the next prayer; the object of which was for an increased Missionary spirit in each, old and young, rich and poor. The passage selected was Rev. xxii. 17-21, and the importance of each individual acting as an earnest Missionary amongst the people was especially dwelt upon.

The fifth, and last prayer, was assigned to the Rev. J. Rogers, who has had especial charge of that particular district, having for some time conducted the Coombe class and superintended the Sunday-school.

Mr. Rogers, having read Col. iv. 2–6, spoke with much solemnity of the mutual relation of minister and people, and pointed out the value of the Irish Church Missions in stirring up a Missionary spirit throughout the land. He showed that the open attack on Rome, which had been so successful in the spot on which they stood, was part of a great religious awakening over the whole world; and dwelt on the results which had been achieved in answer to earnest prayer and direct Missionary aggression on slumbering souls.

The closing prayer was on behalf of the Irish Church Missions and other kindred societies. The dismissal hymn was then sung, a blessing pronounced, and the meeting separated.

Those who were present on this interesting occasion will not soon forget the quiet solemnity and apparent devotion which marked the behaviour of all present. Had the assembly consisted of an advanced congregation of well-educated Protestants, who had been trained all their lives in the truth, greater decorum could not have been exhibited. Yet the people gathered together on this occasion were, for the most part, but a few years ago sunk in the grossest ignorance and bigotry; and many of them even still not venturing to cast off altogether the shackles of the system of Rome, though unable to resist the quiet influence of Christian teaching and Christian example.

When, two years ago, the Coombe school-house was opened, many will remember that Mr. Dallas described the event as a milestone, indicating progress. May we not re

gard this second anniversary as another monument of past blessing, and as a most encouraging token of greater things to come? While we raise our Ebenezer, and acknowledge that "hitherto the Lord has helped us," let each friend of the Missions carry out the spirit of the meeting we have described, and pray more earnestly for the outpouring of the Spirit on our work, resting assured that God will prove faithful to His promise; and that when He puts it into the hearts of His people to unite in asking Him for a blessing, it is because He purposes to give them an answer. "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." (Matt. xviii. 19.)

Dublin. A Testimony.

FROM time to time we have been enabled to present to our readers a report of the state of the Dublin Mission, from those who have been located in the metropolis for a time, and whose labours were previously confined to other districts. Such a testimony we now present from the Rev. J. Lynch, the Missionary Rector of Ballinakill, who has lately lent his assistance for a few months to the Mission of Dublin. Mr. Lynch, who is himself a convert, has had considerable experience in dealing with Roman Catholics; and having taken an active part in all the branches of the work, is fully capable of judging, both of its nature and

extent.

Mr. Lynch's testimony fully confirms the statements so often made in these pages. Indeed, every week brings to light some fresh evidence of blessing on the efforts made. It should be remembered that these are, from the nature of the case, only a few, out of many results, which escape observation: the public nature of the appeal to Roman Catholics, and the widely-used instrumentality of the press, by means of handbills and advertisements, must necessarily influence a large class of persons, whose cases may not be known until the day when all hearts shall be revealed.

The following is the Report referred to: