convert, but she has since come back to us, and is now under the instruction of a Scripture Reader.

"At the last Special Sessions, the convert whose house was burnt down was awarded compensation; the monks opposed the claim, but the magistrates passed it unanimously; it is to be traversed before the judge and grand jury, but I am sure it will be allowed eventually.

"We have got down our additional agents from Dublin, who have been well received. I trust the Lord will pour a blessing on their labours, and open the hearts of the people to receive their instruction. It is most remarkable that notwithstanding the great opposition of the past year, more good has, I think, been done than during any previous year for the last seven. In this we see the fulfilment of the Divine promise that He maketh the wrath of men to praise Him. We had special prayer-meetings on the 10th and 11th of December, and we have also decided on having a regular prayer-meeting every Monday."

The following observation is taken from the Report of the Mission at Balla, which is now connected with the Mission at Lough Mask. Balla is the scene of a celebrated "holy well," to which crowds of pilgrims formerly resorted:

I hear

"A Roman Catholic was speaking to the Reader about the 'holy well' of Balla. He said, 'the fame of the well that ye have in this town went far and near some years ago, but now there has not been much talk about it at all, and near as many people don't come to it as there used a few years ago. some people say that they fear that a good deal of the visitors have left it, because there does not be near as many miracles these years as there used formerly.' There is much truth in the foregoing, and I feel persuaded that the agencies used by the Irish Church Missionary Society, both here and elsewhere throughout the county, have mainly contributed to this happy result. The miracles of the Church of Rome seldom succeed under the eye of the heretic, or when there is any reason to fear an inquiry into their reality. May the Lord, who is now working so wonderfully in other portions of our land, be pleased to bless us also with an abundant outpouring of His Holy Spirit for Christ Jesus' sake."

LOUTH.

(From the Missionary.)

"The great point of interest during the present month has been the visit of the Redemptorist Fathers, or Missioners, as they are called, to Dundalk. On their arrival it was announced that the Mission would last during Advent. On hearing of their intended visit, the first step taken by the Missionary was to issue a challenge to these men to come forward, and to prove the Twelve Articles of the Creed of Pope Pius. This challenge was signed by the Vicar, the Rector of an adjoining parish, and the Missionary. After the lapse of a few days, the Missionary considered it advisable to issue a challenge from himself on the Confessional. This, as well as the former, met with no response. All the Readers in the county were sent to Dundalk, and during the entire time were actively engaged conversing with the people and distributing handbills. Placards, both controversial and uncontroversial, were posted during each day, and it is peculiarly worthy of remark, that the man employed to do this work met with very little hindrance, and the people, when going to and returning from the chapel, used to stop and read the placards, which met their eyes at every corner of the streets. The priests pretended of course to take no notice, but the local newspapers poured forth the vilest abuse. These papers are under the control of the priests. The lectures, which were delivered on every Tuesday and Thursday, being the only unoccupied evenings in the week, were numerously attended, and several Romanists were present at each lecture.

"The Readers were well received, except in one single instance, when one of them was visiting a Roman Catholic family, by whom he was most kindly received. A countryman came in, and began to converse with him in a jeering way, and interrupted the conversation he had with the family. When the Reader got up to go away, this stranger followed him and knocked him down twice. The woman of the house ran out and most strenuously exerted herself in rescuing him.

"It is a remarkable fact, that the Missioners did not complete their announced time, but left suddenly at the end of the third week. Why, we cannot say, but we may fairly suppose that they considered it better to leave, before a greater spirit of inquiry should be excited, and it is still more worthy of remark, that they did not attempt to enact in Dundalk the pretended miracles which they practised at Tinahely, or exhibit the

magic lantern, which had such a powerful effect on the minds. of the people in Wicklow.

"The demonstration made by the agents of the Mission was most satisfactory, and not the least interesting part was the summing up, which, at the suggestion of the Vicar, was a prayer-meeting, instead of a controversial lecture, at which Mr. Gault, the Missionary in the county of Antrim, attended, and gave a most interesting statement of all that the Lord is doing in that part of the country. An extraordinary outpouring of the spirit of prayer is taking place in Dundalk, from which great results may confidently be looked for. Nothing can exceed the earnestness of those under the influence of this most wonderful movement, and the most remarkable feature is, that it prevails most among the young men. The Vicar proposes every alternate controversial meeting shall now be changed into a prayer-meeting specially for the Roman Catholics."

that

6

BALLINAKILL, TULLY.
(From the Missionary.)

"Very little opposition, if any, has been given to us during the past month. This is a great change. Formerly the Readers and Missionary were hooted and insulted whenever they appeared outside their doors; now, the people will speak to us freely, and are exceedingly civil. A few days ago, one of our Readers was speaking, for a long time, to an intelligent Romanist on the folly of confessing sins to a priest; the man listened very attentively, and when the Reader stopped speaking, he said, Well, I'll never bend a knee to a priest again.' "Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, the schools are well attended. The other day I was visiting a Romanist, who appears to be dying of consumption, and he told me that the greatest pleasure he had was listening to his son (a lad about thirteen years) repeating every evening the texts of Scripture he had learned during the day at school. I believe that in this way an immensity of good is done. There are a large number of Romanists, I feel assured, who, if one can judge from what they say, are Protestants at heart, but are afraid, as yet, to make an open avowal of their principles. There are many in this district who know that the teaching of Rome is false, and who will tell you so, if you question them; but still the fear of persecution, and the odium of their friends, deter them from coming out openly.

"One of our school-children died some time since, and she

has left behind cheering evidences that the good seed which had been sown in her young heart had already taken root. Shortly before her death her father, a very superstitious man, supposing she was fairy-stricken, said, 'Now, Anne, won't you come back from the fairies, and tell me how you are?' 'I will not come back, father,' said she, 'I am going home to Jesus, and will never come back again.' The child died, not looking forward to a fabulous purgatory, but relying solely on the merits of the Redeemer, and looking forward to a glorious resurrection. I may add that the priest (whose services on this occasion had been dispensed with) came to the poor man and told him that he would swear on the Bible that the child's. soul was burning in hell. All that the poor man said was, 'I don't believe you.' If the priest, instead of offering to swear on the Bible, had opened it and read something for the man, it would have been much more profitable.

"The other day, when one of our Readers was arguing with a Romanist, one of the school-children came up and took the Reader's part, quoting several texts of Scripture to show that the Reader was right. There are at present in this district over one hundred and twenty children receiving a sound Scriptural education, besides being thoroughly taught in the Romish controversy; one hundred of these are the children of Roman Catholic parents. When we consider the past and present state of things here, we have every reason for returning most hearty thanks to Him who, though Paul may plant and Apollos water, can alone give the increase.'

CASTLEKERKE.

(From the Missionary.)

"MY DEAR SIR,-I take up my pen with very sincere gratification and deep thankfulness to the Almighty to record His gracious dealings with us during the month that is past. I have been enabled to hold several meetings for prayers and the exposition of the Scriptures from house to house in the district, and I found and am daily experiencing the blessed effects of God's Holy Word, as well in solemn seriousness of our meetings as in the increasing attendance at the means of grace. We have had some Romanists as listeners at our public services. I have met with a good many while visiting, and have also had opportunities of conversing with converts who appeared to have left us. Two of these, I am happy to say, have again returned to our congregation, and I trust, may be found to have obtained the grace that brings salvation.

"The Lord's supper has been twice administered already. There were twenty-three communicants on one, and twentyfive on another occasion. Two individuals were unwilling to come forward, as they stated, because of some slight differences with their neighbours, for which they sought my advice. In visiting amongst the Romanists of this district, I have found many individuals whose carnal minds alone prevent them from abandoning that awful system. The Scriptural knowledge possessed by them is very great, obtained, I suppose, by frequent contact with their convert relatives.

"The morning Sabbath school at Castlekerke has made its beginning. I trust it will be the means of disseminating much Scriptural teaching amongst the young and more ignorant adults. Night schools have also commenced, and been well attended, in the district at this side of the water. The Irish teaching is improving, and I hope may prove a useful and vigorous branch of the work. I have also preached two sermons, and had some visiting in Oughterard. An Irish meeting was held; I examined on 1 Cor. iii. The priests have been showing some signs of hostility in both parishes. Praying for a great outpouring of the Spirit upon the whole world, but upon my own district especially, ***'

SLIGO.

(From the Missionary.)

"We are encouraged by an additional interest appearing in the controversy, both among the Protestants and Roman Catholics. The controversial class is more largely attended than usual, and the Protestant people seem very anxious to become fully instructed in the controversy. One of the leading champions for Romanism in the place, sent in upon paper to the class, certain questions to be answered, about the Rule of Faith. A number of the young men, especially some converts, took this up very warmly, and not only have answered him very fully, but have proposed several questions in return, and are pressing him to come to the class with any companion whom he may choose, to discuss the matter fully, in a friendly spirit. I conversed with this controversialist during the month, and invited him to come and defend his arguments; but he declines for the present, saying that he will continue his series of written questions.

"The priests have been holding confessions in all directions at this season, and dealing very severely with the people whose children have become converts, or are attending our schools.