MASTER NEGA TIVE NO. 92-81156 MICROFILMED 1993 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES/NEW YORK as part of the "Foundations of Western Civilization Preservation Project" Funded by the NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES Reproductions may not be made without permission from Columbia University Library COPYRIGHT STATEMENT The copyright law of the United States - Title 17, United States Code - concerns the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or other reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copy order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law. AUTHOR: HARDY, PHILIP DIXON TITLE: IRELAND IN 1846-7, CONSIDERED IN... PLACE: DUBLIN DA TE : 1847 Restrictions on Use: COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT BIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET Master Negative # Original Material as Filmed - Existing Bibliographic Record Ptmmiikmi >mi 3B64lSlHaYcly Philip Dlxo-n,l7?-^;-)^7^. H27 I iTeiBnc! i-n l34G-7^ co-nsideTed in Tefe.Ye.nce. lo the reeenl rapid OYowin of popery, v/ilh suGbesUons foY YeYnedyino the eviL..in a leUer.,. io ^iT Cull»n6 Ea rdly vSmnith^ LaYt... DuiDlin 1847. ^ 0. 17E-P. TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE: 3^^^ REDUCTION RATIO:__/^ IMAGE PLACEMENT: lA gjA^ IB IIB .. ^ DATE FILMED :___^_ig_l^ INITIALS__^C HLMEDBY: RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS. INC WOODBRIDGE. CT Association for information and image Mflanagement 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1100 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 301/587-8202 Centimeter 12 3 4 5 6 7 iiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliii mi 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 mm iiiLm IiiiiIiiiiIiiiiIiiiiIiiiiIiiiiIimiIiiiiIiiiiIiiiiIiiiiIiiiiI^ TTT Inches TTT TTT 1 1.0 I.I 1.25 I I II r 122 2.8 12.5 tSi IP-2 2.2 ■ 63 It |i« 2.0 1.8 1.4 1.6 I I I 1 I I MfiNUFflCTURED TO fillM STflNDRRDS BY APPLIED IMflGEp INC. V t Columbia %lnit»ersttp mtl)f£it!>omrtt>tork THE LIBRARIES m I- ^T' :M5t,JU::0-:0JI_t-Jiie ^-9^ ":? i^m|;:ji^i>/M:vi8*6 *•■. S»C6 TO fft ^■r. ;^v ►.'«»*"» te^ ^ \ \ ■ -^' i '■/■/ y v X -^ 'h r/:?-7- ^ /•/ esb.'^is H22 In the ©itu of |tew IJovU gib^ixrig^ y-^ (d>^^ t \ ^ .V w i ^ ■€> t \» h I \i \ jr> / f\ I IRELAND IN 1846-7, CONSIDERED IN REFERENCE TO THE EECENT RAPID GROWTH OF POPERY • WITH SUG6E8TI0NS FOR REMEDYING THE EVIL, AND FOR PROMOTING THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE PEOPLE; IN A LETTER ADDRESSED TO Sir culling EARDLY SMITH, Baet. CHAIRMAN OF THE BVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. BY PHILIP DIXON HARDY, M.R.I.A. AUTHOR OF '• THE PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIANITY," ** THE NORTHERN TOURIST," "THE HOLY WELLS OF IRELAND," "THE PROGRESS OF THE CONFESSIONAL," AND "EDITOR OF THE DUBLIN PENNY JOURNAL." * r. if i I DUBLIN s HARDY AND SONS, 23, UPPER SACKVILLE-STREET. LONDON : SEELEY, BURNSIDB, AND SEELEY ; HAMILTON AND ADAMS. LIVERPOOL: NEWLING. EDINBURGH: JOHNSTONE. GLASGOW: COLLINS. 1847. > / 93 'i-^'^ \ ^^i ^ ^ )^^ \^^ IRELAND IN 1846. To SIR CULLING EARDLY SMITH, Bart. Dear Sir Culling — As it appears from the published minutes of the proceed- introductory ings of the Conference, held in Freemason's Hall, London, Observations, that in furtherance of the objects proposed, " the Alliance shall receive such information respecting the progress of vital religion in all parts of the world, as Christian brethren may be disposed to communicate," I make no apology for calling the attention of the Christian public, through you, as Chairman of that Conference, to a subject which I con- ceive to be of momentous importance to the progress of divine truth in this portion of the British dominions ; par- ticularly as I feel it to be a subject which must sooner or later occupy a large share of the anxious attention of Chris- tians in every portion of the globe : I refer to the extraor- dinary exertions at present making by the priests of the Romish Church to gain for the Papal System its former dominant position in this and other countries. On this subject I address you with confidence, from my objects of knowledge of the deep interest you take in it, as well as E^jngel^cd from perceiving from the fourth section of the " Objects'' proposed by the Alliance, that it purposes to "exert a beneficial influence in counteracting infidehty, Romanism, and such other forms of superstition, error and profaneness, as are most prominently opposed to it."* il ^1 * *♦ That, in subserviency to the same great object, the Alliance will endeavour to exert a beneficial influence on the advancement of Evan- geUcal Protestantism, and on the counteraction of Infidelity, of Roman- ism, and of such other Forms of Superstition, Error, and Profaneness B *-. 159815 "-' ■""'■i -V"^- ■'" 2 IRELAND IN 1846. • I am aware that the Alliance "in promoting these and similar objects, contemplates chiefly the stimulating of Christians to such efforts as the exigency of the case may demand, rather than accomplishing these views by any general organization of its own."* I cannot, however, but EngUshMem- express my deep feeling of sorrow and regret, at perceiv- bers opposed jjjff, what I presume you yourself must have observed as to introducing ®' ^ , . i . i' • i i the subject of extraordmary, that durmg the recent meetmgs m Ijonaon, Popery. ^^^ ^^^y was there in the minds of many, an evident shrinking from the consideration of any thing having reference to the subject of Popery, but that, on the part of a large proportion of the English members, there was such a marked and morbid sensibility evinced in reference to it, as plainly to indicate that in their opinion it was not a matter in which the Alliance was called upon to interfere, or to recommend any active measures to be taken by its members.*!* I conceive the general adoption of such a sentiment as are most prominently opposed to it, especially the desecration of the Lord's-day; it being understood that the different Branches of the Alliance be left to adopt such methods of prosecuting these great ends, as may to them appear most in accordance with their respective circum- stances, all at the same time pursuing them in the spirit of tender compassion and love." • *' Objects of Alliance." f Since writing the above, a friend has called my attention to an article in " the Record," on the recent meetings of the Alliance, from which I extract the following, as bearing out the view I have taken of the matter: — . *' The leading defects of the Resolution is, we think, that its protest against Popery does not stand more alone in the foreground, as the grand and most prominent object of danger in the present day. Such it is, and in this light we think it ought to have been held forth. The causes of this defect seem to have been, 1st, the hazardous position occu- pied by some of our Continental brethren in relation to it ; and, 2nd de- ficient views of the intensity of the evil, and of the mode of rightly dealing with it, current among a few of the Members."— iJccprrf, /Sejp- imber lOth, 1646. f IRELAND IN 1846. 3 would be productive of incalculable mischief, resulting ignorance the as it does, from misconception or ignorance of the ^^^^^ ^f ^^^"^ 1 , , /, , . .11. « -r opposition. real state 01 thmgs, especially m so far as Ireland is concerned ; for unquestionably of ill the errors and all the superstitions which prevail at the present day, the errors and superstitions of Popery are the most prominently opposed to divine truth, and its progress the most to be dreaded by those who are anxious to see vital reli^n spreading universally. Under this impression, I have felt it my duty to call the attention of the Christian public, especially members of the Alliance, to the simple facts of the case — facts which I conceive well calculated to arrest their attention, and which may in some degree enable them to come to a correct conclusion on the opinions advanced by individuals of every party. And here, I trust I shall not be misunderstood—for I No crasade am not one of those who would be for preaching ud « against Pope- A • ^ T-> 1 ,1 , , ^ ^ ry required, crusade agamst Jropery, or who would use harsh names, or contemptuous expressions, in reference to individuals who may be so unfortunate as to be members of that antichris- tian confederacy. Still, as my belief is, that it is now using the most strenuous exertions to subjugate the nations of the earth to its sway, I cannot join with those, however esteemed or respected, who would close their eyes to the danger which threatens, or who, without taking the trouble thoroughly to investigate the matter, would remain silent and inactive — who would say peace, peace, when there should be no peace. I most readily admit that for centuries the poor Roman Roman Ca- Catholic inhabitants of this country have had much real tholics have cause of complaint — that many things have occurred to treated. * ^ embitter their feelings towards their Protestant fellow- countrymen, by whom, in many instances, they have been treated with the grossest injustice and cruelty ; and that from politick and personal considerations the ancient feuds which existed, have been kept up and maintained, by those \ ' i^saa IRELAND IN 1846. whose duty it was to have pursued a very different course. Protestants But, on the other hand, I would ask have the Protestants have had rea- ^f ^^le countrv had no reason to complain ?— have not the son to com- •' . . ., . T • ,_. J 21.-.:- son plain. poor Eomanists been taught, by their reUgion and their clergy, to cherish against their Protestant fellow-countrymen the most deadly hatred ? and have they not on many an occasion evinced the disposition, if they had possessed thrower, to wreak upon those whom they have been taught to consider their oppressors and their enemies, the accumulated weight of centuries of threatened vengeance and retaliation. Erroneous I feel assured that many excellent Christian men have opinions of y^^^^ j^^j ^^ f^j^ yQjj erroneous opinions in reference men ^coTnt- to the great body of the Eoman Catholic population, ^ ^°^* from having observed the unchristian character of the attacks made upon them by persons professing a purer faith ; who, under pretext of defending Protestant prin- ciples, have not unfrequently outraged the first prin- ciples of the Protestant religion, by the uncharitable and unchristian feehngs which they have evinced in speaking of their opponents ; and I have no doubt that much of the mistaken feehng which exists amongst the Dissenters of England in reference to the altered tone and character of Popery, has arisen from the conviction forced upon their minds, that the subject has been too often used as a political bugbear, and that many of the bitter feuds between Pro- testants and Romanists in this country, have been fomented by political and personal considerations, while in some instances, one party has been as much to blame as the other. Nay, more, I believe that many have been blinded to the real matters of fact, from the apparent liberality evinced by the leaders of the Roman Catholic body, when questions relating to civil and religious liberty came to be discussed. Notwithstanding these appearances, facts which present themselves every day to the attention of those residing in Ireland, undoubtedly prove Popery to be the IRELAND IN 1846. same now that it ever was. On the whole, therefore, mak- ing every reasonable excuse, and all due allowance for such impressions as those which have been referred to, the extreme sensibility manifested by the Christian public of England, more especially by the Dissenters, in reference to the question of Popery, as well as the repugnance evinced to any consideration of the ques- tion in reference to its progress, or its effects upon the population at large — have convinced me that, gene- rally speaking, they have never heretofore considered the subject with that care and attention which its im- portance demands, or which, as Christian men, it is their duty to do. Of this I am confident, that did Englishmen but rightly consider the question, they would very soon be led to see that deeply important as it is to the Protestant population of Ireland, it will, as a matter of course, in a very few years, become still more so to those of England and Scotland, unless they are in time awakened to a proper sense of the visitation which awaits them, and are led to make suitable exertions to avert it. Of the correctness of this opinion, I think I shall be able to convince the reader, who will take the trouble of following me fairly through the statements and details which I shall presently bring under his consideration. I feel, indeed, that " Ireland and its miseries," is a subject so often forced upon the notice of Englishmen, that on such a theme were I not addressing myself to Christian men, I should have little hope of arresting their atten- tion ; but it appears to me that if no other reason could be assigned for the formation of the Evangelical Alliance, than the necessity which exists for duly con- sidering the present state and future prospects of Ireland, in reference to the progress of Popery, sufiicient cause might be shown for such organization ; as it would at all events bring men to listen patiently to statements of facts pregnant England more deeply con- cerned in tlie question than Ireland. An Alliance necessary to bring men to- gether. i e IRELAND IN 1846. Statistics of Ireland. Census of 1834. with results to the hindrance or diffusion of gospel truth throughout the world. To afford any thing like a correct idea of the actual condition of Ireland as regards religion and morals, or the progress which Popery is making in this land, it will be necessary to lay before the reader some statistical details as to the variety of denominations at present in existence, as well as to state a few particulars having reference to the causes which have led to those unhappy divisions :— From the Report of " the Commissioners for Public Instruction," in the year 1834, it appears that the popula- tion of Ireland at that time was about 8,000,000— of these 6h miUions were said to be Roman Catho- lics— 852,000 Episcopalians— 642,356 Presbyterians— and 21,800 other Protestant Dissenters, umciai ^en- It would appear, however, that this official document BUS incorrect, ^^g not quite correct, the last item being very considerably under the real amount— as there were at the time above 100,000 Dissenters of various denominations not included in any of the other descriptions, the Wesleyan Methodists in connexion with the British Conference, at that time, alone numbering about 70,000.* Official Cen- • Previous to the year 1800, there was no accredited enumeration of the people of Ireland ; the estimated numberslhaving been made solely on conjectural calculations. The first Parliamentary Census of the people of Great Britain, was taken in 1801, and the first of Ireland in 1811 This, however, was so imperfect that it was not published offi- cially The Census of 1821 was considered very valuable, and the same system has been adopted ever since, returns being made decimally. It may be necessary to state, however, that even in the very best returns, important mistakes have occurred in reference to the various denomma- lions of professing Christians, especially in regard to the dififerent bodies of Dissenters in the country, such as Independents, Baptists, Metho- dists. &c., resulting, I must presume, from the ignorance of the persons appointed to perform the duty. In those denominations of Christians holding close communion, it would appear the mere number of actual members in communion has been returned, whUe the stated congregations amounted to three times the IRELAND IN 1846. The following Table, shewing the progress of the popu- ^l^^^^^^ lation, is taken from " A Practical View of Ireland," by the late James Butler Bryan, Barrister at Law :— -* •• • 1672, Sir W. Petty ... , The same corrected 1695, Captain South ... 1712, Thomas Dobbs ... 1718, The same 1725, The same 1726, The same 1731, Established Clergy 1754, Hearth-money Collectors ... 1767, The same 1777, The same 1785, The same 1788, G. P. Bush 1791, Hearth-money Collectors ... 1792, Rev. Dr. Beaufort 1805, Thomas Newenhara 1814, Incomplete Census 1821, Census, 55 Geo. III. c. 120 *•• •.. 1,100,000 1,320,000 1,034,102 ... .2,099,094 ... 2,169,048 ... 2,309,106 ... 2,309,106 ... 2,010,221 ... 2,372,634 ... 2,544,276 ... 2,690,556 ... 2,845,932 ... 4,040,000 ... 4,206,617 ... 4,086,226 ... 5,395,456 ... 5,937,856 6,801,827 • .a number ; thus, while one denomination, the Wesleyans in Conference, have only 27,000 members in actual communion, they have upwards of 80,000 actually connected with their body, and distinct from any other denomination. This may account for the extraordinary deficiency in the numbers of the item referred to, the various bodies of Dissenters not included amongst Presbyterians or Roman Catholics, being given at 21,800— while they amount to at least 120,000. It will also show cause for the Episcopal Church not being more numerous. • Mr. Bryan, in his calculations, allowed the population of Ireland, in 1830, to be about 8,000,000, and from the table given infers, that on an average, Ireland has doubled her population in about sixty-three years. According to Mr. M'Culloch, the population of Scotland in 1700, amounted to 1,050,000 j in 1820, to 2,135,0U0, thus taking 120 years to double. He likewise asserts, that the population in England in 17^, was 5,475,000; in 1811, it was 10,488,0U0, recLuiring about 107 years to double. According to M. Mathieu, the population of France would take 111 years to double at its present rate. The King of Sweden says, that Sweden- has added more than a sixth to her popuktion in twenty years, thus doubling in less than 120 years. From Von Malchu's account of the population of Europe, it appears that Ireland has only seven European states her superiors, and eighteen her inferiors iu this respect j and in point of superficial extent of ^^■^ 8 IRELAND IN 1816. Progress of Tlic annexed authorised table will be found tollcrably Population. ^^^^,fc,_ Census of 1841. 1652 1672 1695 1726 1754 1767 1788 850,000 l,n20,000 1,034,102 2,309,106 2,372,634 2,544,276 4,040,000 1792 1805 1811 1821 1831 1841 4,088,226 5,395,456 5,937,856 6,801,827 7,734,365 8,175,124 Beturn in 1831.— Lcinster, 1 ,927,974— TJlster, 2,293,128— Munster, 2,115,193— Connaught, 1,348,077 Total 7,734,363.* From the official returns io tho Cammiwioooxs apjiolntcd by Oovornmont in 18H)-41, it appear* that tlwinj w«ro then in the country 8,175,121 inliabitwit*, and aa tho present incroaae is at tho rat« of about a miUion in ten ycaini, the nunib(T at the prosont moment must bo rory o1o4M> on 9,000,000 ; and calctibtinjc on tho ratio of the former oflloial w4unii*,the number* will consequently bo nearly a» follow: — B«flMa Cftthollcs ..• — — — 7.0)0,000 Srtil»Uib«d CSiurch ... — •-• »-* 970.000 FtttlTteriui *>• Orthodox ... ... 8^.000) UnlttrlMif. SocinUni. aad Arlaiif a^COO > ^^'^"^ " Ceo^HfCDOc Mctho■li3ll^ 'JT.OOO In communio n — O CH iftg rttc— $MM ICO.OOO 0,000^000 FrimiliT* Wcikjant. 04,(«X> in ooatEi«gttiM(f.t ^odffcndcsU. Bs94iK«, ChH«tlan Brethren, MoMLTkMi. Quiikioat 14| per ceat. ftiMB 189! to tat I, only ^ per c««it. The d€fiaM0^» dax«« the Ust mentioned period, b necMMBtcd for bjr Ch0 rrtMi^ tt Cholcm ■»! Typiun Uyvt with which tho country wm Tiiitedt M alio by tho ^'ery great n«mber of tbc#o who emigrated. t Ai tka PriinitlTC WeilcvMij hold oo«n»nnlon with ih» B>itNbli«hod Churchy their nnmb•• ••« UUttr... ToitL. MT7.TW 2;i07.l» 7,7»«.«4 A% Mr. llayden dwn iiol givo his aulhoritic* for tho variotig oalculaiioiw, however correct tlw proportiong may be, I feel rathor di-spoeed to abide by the numbers I havo already stated, imuely, two millions of Protestantu of tho different sect* aud denominatioiig. and «ven millioiui of Roman Catholic*. Of tho way in which tho fcveral denomiitatioiM or sects of profe«?iiig Christians wore diatributcxl over tiio ooimlry, a tol(>robly correct idea may be formod from tho following statement, made by Sir Hobort Poel, in tho House of Commoiw, in the ye3Mr 1S29. Ho stated, of cotiwe on tho beet antbority, to which, ae premier, ho had access at tho time, that — la the oouaty of Ckrt ikm vcro Ua «B«guoa5 pftrisbc*. ^it^ut In thrw i>»ri»lici in UwtUrtlurt asu not #iMrr Pf^uaaU «r DUuxitr, In LdAftcr. ther^ wer« IJH pxriil.c* Vith k po9«Utii)a of 1^,300 Rom« Oiholict. aod *l,OCC Frotcstaatt-tbc RoDM C^fcoUcf bda^s ia propettioo oC Hfpni ami a h^\f IP cwr. Ib MttMMr i»»cf« w«nj T3 p«irishot in whuih w«rc 12,000 ProtfiftAa«i» 11B Dijscoterf, «»4 \^,M^ Rooma C»tbdks-th< UUci kcing ia fr^ p^rticm ^ 13 >l» there vert 101,600 li ihtl i lira U, of whwa , i f • •^^^^& ■^ 10 IRELAND IN 1846. #^ 96,800 were Roman CathoUcs, 4.800 Protestants, and 12 Dissenters-the Roman Catholics being in proportion of 20 to I, In nine parishes of Roscommon, there was a population of 26,600 of which 25,700 were Roman Catholics, and 830 Protestants. In Ulster there were 71 parishes, with a population of 267,000 inhabi- tants, of whom 126,000 were Roman Catholics, and 140,000 Protestants. It has been further ascertained, that the increase, of Growth of population has been much greater among Roman CathoHcs counted for than among Protestants. This has been accounted for in different ways— the early marriages of the former, as con- trasted with the latter, the priests of the Eomish Church finding it their interest to encourage the practice, in con- sequence of the very large sums annually realized from the dues and charges paid to them for solemnizing the ceremony ; besides which, there appears to be a reckless- ness and want of calculation or foresight, among the poor Romanists, which does not manifest itself in the Protes- tant community, few of whom think of marrying until they have at least some prospect of being able to support a wife and children. In the palatinates of Limerick, and other places, intermarriages between Romanists and Pro- testants, were at one time very frequent, resulting too often from the carelessness and apathy of the -Pro- testant clergy in looking after their flocks — while the priest invariably used all his influence and power to get the Pro- testant man or woman desirous of marrying a Roman Cathohc, to become a member of that community before the marriage was celebrated, representing to them that otherwise it would be an invalid ceremony. A similar bar- gain was generally made in reference to the expected issue of the marriage — so that the children were in most cases brought up in the Romish religion. To these causes may be added, as accounting for the difference of increase in population, the number of Protestant families who have during very many years past emigrated to the American States, the Canadas, Australia, and elsewhere. In proof it may be stated, that from the official returns of emigrants IRELAND IN 184G. II <: who left Ireland in 1844, it appears that while the entire number from all the ports amounted to 1 5,000 persons, the number of those who proceeded from Belfast and London- derry, the Protestant provinces, amounted to upwards of 6,000. On the whole, one thing is certain, there is not now the same ratio of proportion between the numbers of Romanists and Protestants in the country, that there was in the beginning of the present century. It should be stated, however, that during the intermediate period, a far greater number of adult Romanists, in proportion to the entire population, have embraced the Protestant faith, than of Protestants who have turned Roman Catholics. From the most recent official returns, it appears that the clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church amount to 2,180, under the direction of two Archbishops, and twelve Bishops — Ireland being now divided into two Ecclesiastical Provinces, Armagh and Dublin, each consisting of sixteen Dioceses. And here it is only doing justice to observe, that during the last twenty-five years a marked and evident change has taken place in the character and habits of the resident clergy. Perhaps in no Established Church in Christendom would there be found in proportion to the entire body, a greater number of truly evangelical men, than there are at present in the Established Church of Ireland. Previous to the date to which we have referred, a great proportion of the Episcopal Clergymen of Ireland were, to say the least of ii, careless and unconcerned about the eternal interests of those committed to their charge— and as described by an Evangelical Clergyman, now°on the Episcopal bench, were any thing but what the ministers of the meek and lowly Jesus should be. * Now the case is far different, and among them, at the present day, are to be found men of as much exalted piety, as much unaffected humility, as much zealous and ardent devoted- ness to the cause of their Lord and Master, and the sal- Character of the Protestant Clergy. Clergy of Episcopal Church. • See Appendix. 12 IRELAND IN 1846. , i \ vation of immortal souls, as are to be met with in any community. These, however, I regret to say, do not form the greater number ; but supposing they were all really ministers of Christ, and in active service, and the Pro- testant laity regularly apportioned among them, still there would be but one clergyman to every four hundred and forty laymen. But even this would give an unfair view of the real state of the case, for I have know^n a young clergy- man to have the care of from two to tliree thousand as his particular charge, while, from ecclesiastical arrange- ioooU> ill other ca««9 Uk* oongr^gatioos oon«i:(t oi but a fewdoxen. From tlw official nelurus r««ferrc' before that time, a coldne» tt»d langonr appeared to rest over a gr«at proportion of the body, c»i)ccially the roini«t€r«: Arianii?m and Socinianiinn had crept in amongyt theiii. Many of thcan yrone, indeed* very differtint men frnth whom Jamc* originally pbnted Ulster — but Uierp can bo no quostion, a bleeaed, a holy revival ba« taken place in their denomination ; and now, of a fair proportion of tiie Preebyterian Ministers it may in truth be said, thai they are indoed men of God, " ready to every good word and work." * Altl>Oi^U in Ibt olBctft] r«um« U b «tat*d l)ue aftf-hro ot tht I'rc** byicffkn Cc«gr(g«tioni kre Uninriatii, Socininan^nd Arianiy it U oiil/ jiutkc CO the (leof rsl AMri2Ujr of lb« I'tOftbytctiaoi Cbutrh in luUiti^ to •tMU tli«t \hry v« in i»o way connected with the UnitMMn Icdy, tlut ihty •lii>gif tbcr it n w a €tum. Uili«Pr<^urtinClMfditailrcliii4,c«neiiinh«r wwu times, tlLe if»cfrtnf« qftht Gotpti vrcreilmjt prnKliri hota auuif oih9t pt4|iic« — but fpiriiu*! life wm feelde. — $te Appcftto. I IBELAND IN 1846. 13 They are supported partly by voluntary contributiona and rents of povv^i, and partly by an allowance from Government, denominated Rcgiujii Donum ; each accredited minister placed over a congr(5gation, rocijiving -C^75 per an- num, late Irish currency. But h(jr<5 again, Kuppoaing them all to be pious faithful nion, really cuUud to the work of the min- istry, and that tho people were equally apportioned amongxt them, each niinistor would have the oversight of npwardji of eighteen hundrod individuals of his own denomiDatiom The number of Methodist ministem in tho body Mctkodi^l holdinir connexion with the Briti^ Oonferencc, b one hun'nn* at about sixty thou- MMnd, and tlieir ministers at iHjrcnt)'-ttx — each one wouhl bavo at Icaat five hundred of a congregation to attend to. Of tho Methodist bop«> and cleared tho wiay for the morooxtentiYe diffusion of tho goJH>cl tliroughout the land- why they !«li(Hild have been attsicked and spoken against as they hare been by the higli Cliunrh party, I could never dirine, having always looked upon tliem as the bcdt helpers the Episcopal Church coold have— going into the cottage and cabin-s of the peasantry, where the dcrgy of the e«ta- bltshmcnt might not wish to cntur, and there eiuk^vouring to bring the people to think of tlioee things which make for their eternal peace. And bere> I may* as connected with tlie Indopcu*-1ilitlN ■«HV« '''fmmmmmm 20 IRELAND IN 1846. the New College, and the various religious, charitable, and pious societies, continue to produce all their blessed effects.". It is observeable, however, that while the same Directory, in speaking of the good doing in all^the parishes of Dublin, introduces nearly all the Saints in the Komish Calendar, with the Virgin Mary at their head — yet the mention of one person of the Blessed Trinity is not made even once ; while the all-important work of the conversion of sinners is, in eveiy instance, confided to the " Devotion of the Imma- culate and Sacred Heart of Mary !" For proof see " Catholic Directory for 1846." Monks of La In addition to the various sections of the Romish Church ^^®' which had for centuries been located in unhappy Ireland, about twenty years since a fresh importation was made in the persons of a vast body of the Cistercian Order, the Monks of La Trappe,* who had about that time been driven out of France by a decree of Louis Philippe ; as it way in which it is patronized, the reader may form an opinion from the sums presented to it at its foundation. It was commenced under the patronage of the Eoman Catholic prelates, who the first year sub- scribed to it £165— the Komish clergy and laity of Dublin £235— Kildare andLeighlin £184— Limerick £26— Kilkenny and Ossory ^69— Kerry £60— Ardagh £48— Cloyne and Ross £40— Meath £17— Derry and Killala £12 each— Omagh £8— Clonfert and Clogher £6 each— Down and Connor £5— Tuam, Galway, and Achonry £6— Total amount sub- scribed, £1,073. All this while the Protestant "Tract Society of Ireland," once a flourishing establishment, has been permitted to become altogether ineificient, and worse than extinct. The fact is, that from the state of. the country the gentry of Ireland are not able to purchase books for distribution amongst the poor, however valuable or well adapted to the people they may be, or how much needed ; and it should be remembered by English friends that generally speaking, works pub- lished in England, and fitted for the English people are not the kind calculated to be raseful here. • The principal Monastery of the Order of La Trappe was situated in the department of Arne, and was at one period held in high repute by the religieuse of France. See Appendix. ( IRELAND IN 1846. 21 was found that while professing " silence," and in the midst Monks of L pf the austerities avowedly practiced by the community, Trappe. they still found time and means so to mix up their religion with the political intrigues of the day. as to make them- selves obnoxious to the nation and the government, and to render it necessary for the liberal king of the French, in order to rid the councils of the nation of their perni- cious influence, to expel them from his dominions. By a strange fatuity, as if we had not a sufficiency of mendicant friars amongst us, the Protestant Government of England not only allowed them to locate themselves in this already priest-ridden island, but in consequence of their appeal to the generosity of the nation, they succeeded in obtaining grants of land in the Counties of Waterford, Cork, and Kerry. In each of these localities they have been enabled, in a great measure, through the liberality of the Pro- testants of Great Britain, to raise magnificent buildings, and to improve large tracts of ground. In the Co. Water- ford, especially, at Mount Melleray, they have formed a very extensive Colony, where they exert themselves to the utmost to extend the influence of the Papal See. In fact, they are now found to be the most active and zealous missionaries which " His Holiness of Rome" can boast of having in this country for the purpose of keeping up the arrpy of the faithful in their particular districts.* See Appendix, From the " Ecclesiastical Register," it appears there * The following is the description of this Romish settlement given in the Roman •' Catholic Directory," for the present year :— - ** This admirable retreat of piety contains 100 members, of whom fourteen are ecclesiastics, who devote their time and talents to that holy state of life for which the Trappists have ever been famous. The estab- lishment contains a splendid church, 180 feet in length, and fifty in breadth, with its famous cloisters, chapels, &c., capable of accommo- dating several thousand persons. The organ alone is worth 700 guineas. The bell, for its size and sound, is the first in the kingdom. There are •* • I »> ' 22 IBBLAND IN 1846. Bomish Col- leges. are at present thirteen Boman Catholic Colleges in Ire- land : — The College of St. Francis Xavier. Catholic Missionaries' College of All Hallows. ROYAL COLLEGE OF ST. PATRICK, MAYNOOTH. St. Vincent's Ecclesiastical College. St. Patrick's College, Carlow. • CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE, the principal Institution of the Jesuits in Ireland. St. Kyran's College, Kilkenny. "Wexford College. "St. John's College, Waterford. St. Jarlath's, Tuam. Diocesan College of Aclionry. St. Mary's College, Gal way. St. Patrick*s College, Armagh. In all these Institutions youn^ men are trained for the Homisli Priesthood, and from the Reports of the Com- missioners of Education Enquiry, it appears that from these sources 150 priests are annually added to the body in Ireland. St. Mary's College, Carlow, was by Royal Charter united with the University of London in the year 1840. Jerait College The College of Clongowes Wood is an Institution of Clongowes. g^^j^^j^ in connection with the Society of Jesus, that is the Order of Jesuits, In reference to it, Dr. Doyle, in his a solemn high mass, two low masses, and two sermons every Sunday. The holy sacrifice and prayers are offered daily for the spiritual and temi>oral welfare of all benefactors. The land adjoining the nionastry is 630 acres, of which about 300 were formerly unreclaimed. Funds are req.uired to purchase forty or fifty acres more, in order to sow wheat and potatoes, so necessary for the sustenance of the inmates, and poor. There is a school containing 150 poor children, who are solidly in- Btructed ; but another for 300 is required, where they may be fed and clothed. Means, also, are wanted for the erection of twenty cells for priests, religious, or other persons, desirous to make retreats or enjoy the holy sweets of solitude. Brother Macarius^ a professed member of the community, is authorized by Dr. Ryan, the Abbot, to solicit the Alms and offerings of the faithful for this noble purpose." \ IRELAND IN 1846. 28 evidence before the Commission of Enquiry, stated, that there were 150 students in the Institution, each of whom paid for his board and education fifty guineas per annum. And here it may be observed, that this and the other Jesuit Colleges in Ireland, are but ramifications of that system which at one period spread over Christendom, in connexion with the Order whose name they bear, and which has at various times, and in various ways,' inflicted such misery and distress amongst the Protestant communities, as to render the very name of Jesuit hateful to Protestants of every denomination— an order of men who, in consequence ^^^^^^^^ ^^ of their schemes of ambition and tyranny, even in Catkolic the Jesuits, countries, have, by one edict after another, been expelled from almost every state and nation — England and America ex- cepted.* They are thus described by Joseph II., of Aus- tria : — " I know those men as well as any man can do ; all the schemes they have carried on, and the pains they have taken, to spread darkness over the earth, as well as their efforts to rule and control Europe, from Cape Finisterre to Spitzbergen. In Germany they were mandarins, in France academicians, courtiers, and confessors ; in Spain and Portugal grandees, and in Paraquay they were kings. * * * Before Jesuits were known in Germany, religion was a source and a doctrine of happiness to the people ; but they have connected it with a disgraceful round of observances, made it the ladder of their ambition, and the cloak of their designs.'' We need not travel out of Ireland, however, for proofs in point with regard to the evil influence of the Jesuits— we have but to turn to the melancholy history of our country at the time when * Jesuits of the highest Order, besides the three vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, make a fourth— ** peculiar obedience to the Pope." By this they bind themselves ''to go any where," or to " do any thing," to support the cause of the See of Rome. t «p 2^ IRELAND IN 1846. Character of Janies II. endeavoured to establish Popery in the land, to Jesuits. witness the effects produced on the minds of the people, politically and spiritually. The number of Jesuits who flocked to this country at that time as emissaries from Rome, has been remarked upon by the various writers referring to that period.* And yet this is the body on which the late and present Government of Great Britain have been, and are conferring fresh honours and endowments, many of them now occupying the responsible situation of teachers in those institutions for education which are sustained out of the public treasury. Of the increasing power of the Order in these countries, at the present time, some idea may be formed from the fact which has been ascertained, that there are upwards of 2000 young persons of wealthy parents, educating in their various Col- leges and Institutions throughout Great Britain,"f all of • " At this time," says Paul Harris, popish Dean of St. Audoen*s, ** the Jesuits swarmed in Ireland, like the frogs in Pharoah's chambers," while O'Sullivan, tells us, that "the great object for which they came into Ireland was, to restore the splendour of their religion." The Jesuits were expelled from England, by proclamation, during the reign of James I., in 1604 ; they were put down in France, 1764 — They have been since tolerated, in both countries, but their evil influ- ence again being perceptible in France, an edict was recently issued obliging them to quit that country. It has recently been observed that numbers of foreign priests, wearing a more than ordinary respectable appearance, many of them having a very gentlemanly bearing, have passed through Dublin ; indeed numbers may be met with every day in our streets, or seen in the more respect- able coffee houses, and cigar divans. If Government were as much on the alert as they ought to be, would they not enquire are these the Jesuits who have been driven out of other countries for intermeddling with political affairs. f On the 30th of June, 1823, it was confidently affirmed, in the House of Commons, by a noble Lord, that there were not at that time, two Jesuits in the United Kingdom, and in this opinion several of the honourable members fully concurred. Their extraordinary increase since that period, may be estimated from an observation made by Mr. O'Con- nell, in the last Session of Parliament. He thanked God that the Order IRELAND IN 1846. 25 \ k f if whom are under their particular control and manage- ment. The College of St. Agatha, at Rome, is altogether de- voted to the education of Irish Students for the priesthood. In that Institution there are at present from fifty to sixty students. The Royal College of Maynooth, however, is the Insti- tution which particularly claims attention, being intended solely for the training up priests of the Church of Rome for Ireland. For half a century it has been supported by Government, and it is now being enlarged and endowed to an extent which, a few years since, could not have been anticipated.* It was founded in 1795 by Act of Parliament, '' for the better education of persons professing the Papist or Roman Catholic religion." Up to that period, in consequence of the penal laws making it criminal for persons to be educated for Roman Catholic Priests in Ireland, those intended for the priesthood were educated in France, or some other part of the continent, principally in the former ; but, as at that time revolu- tionary principles prevailed to a great extent in these countries, it was not deemed prudent to permit those who of Jesuits was now reviving again ; that during the year forty mission- aries had been sent out by them, and that that number would be doubled in the year following. During the past month contracts were entered into for conveying in the course of the year, 100 Jesuits to China. What is to be expected from a large body of the nominal Protestants in the House of Commons, may be learned from the following extract of a speech delivered on the occasion referred to by one'of the liberal mem- bers : — ** Lord John Manners could not agree with the fears expressed by honourable members in reference to the Jesuits. They were a body of learned and intelligent men, and had of late carried the gospel to China, and conferred a great amount of good on benighted lands. He thought they should rather imitate their example, as well that of the Christian Brothers and the Cistercians of Mount Melleray, than sully the dignity of the British House of Commons by heaping aspersions on them which were utterly devoid of truth, and unworthy of their cha- racter." • See Appendix. f*^ Maynooth College. 26 IRELAND IN 1846. Hkynooth College. Description were to be the future religious instructors and moral guides of the poor of Ireland to be placed in a situation where they would, of necessity, imbibe such principles ; and, accordingly, measures were taken by the statesmen of the day for establishing and supporting the College of Maynooth. The building, as it stands, though not very ornamental or imposing, in consequence of additions being made from time to time, is of considerable extent. It contains extensive ambulatory, library, and dining-hall, apartments for the president, vice-president, bursar, two deans, librarian, prefect of Danboyne establishment, ten professors, butcher, baker, brewer, and the servants necessary for the house and kitchen. In the library there are upwards of ten thousand volumes. The house stands in a park, surrounded by above one hundred acres of land, in which there are extensive gardens and walks, play-ground, ball-court, infirmary, &;c. The kitchens are large and convenient, and built upon true Eomish calcu- lations as to saving of time in the repetition of prayers, there being holes or apertures in the walls at each side of the fire places, in which the monks may sit and say their pater nosters, and read their breviaries, while they are turning the spits. But I now proceed to inquire into the class and de- ^ Mljn'(Slh!° ®^"P^^^^ ^^ individuals to be trained in Maynooth (so enlarged and endowed) for the future priesthood ; and to examine into the character and kind of education they are to receive, in order to fitj them for the moral and religious tuition of the Irish peasantry. They are in general taken from among the lowest orders of the people*— and having imbibed the party prejudices and superstitions of their race and creed from their earliest infancy— trained up with the most perfect detestation of I • Mr. O'Connell in his examination before the House of Lords, March 11th, 1825, in answer to the question, •♦ You have said, that, in general, IRELAND IN 1846. J» every thing Protestant, or that may in any way be con- nected with England* — taught to regard the Protestant Bible as a book emanating from the deviljf and that should be burned wherever it is to be discovered— J receivino- the first rudiments of learning from some hedge school-master,§ very generally the prime mover in a rib- bon or some other secret society— the embryo priest enters Maynooth, a block well fitted to fill the situation for which he is designed— to be for a time the willing slave of the pope and his vicegerends, the bishops and superiors of the institution in which his mind and habits are to be formed ; in his own turn to become a tyrant and a demi-god— the keeper of the consciences of the people— and the absolver of their sins. With scarcely an exception, each student enters the ^^^^^^^^ Institution under the protection or patronage of some particular priest or prelate, for whom he continues to entertain the most profound respect and deference, con- sidering that to him he is indebted for his advancement, and on him he must rest his hopes of preferment. In this way the protege becomes the ready and willing tool of his patron, and on leaving the Institution, as might bo expected, enters at once into every scheme and plan pro- posed by the individual he has ever considered his greatest benefactor, and who has raised him from the very lowest grade in society, to think himself, as " parish priest," one those persons who have been educated for the priesthood are lowly horn '—Yes, so generally as to partake in some measure of universality." * By the Rev. Dr. Croly, we are informed that - the lower orders of the Irish think themselves justified in hating and injuring those who differ from them in religion." t In an EncycUcal Letter from the Pope, it is called " The gospel of thedevU;" and from facts given in the Appendix it wiU be seen that the Bible is frequently treated as if this were the case, by bishops, priests, and people. X See Appendix. § See Appendix. ■v'. -T...,. I 28 IRELAND IN 1846. of the most important personages in the district over which he is appointed. Protestants trained in colleges or other seminaries for any profession, can have little idea of the rigour of the discipline observed in Maynooth,* where the breaking down the mind to the will of the superior appears to bo the great object specially kept in view. It is, indeed, a system much more adapted to the middle of the dark ages than the meridian of the nineteenth century— more fitted for a company of Buddhists or Brahmins, than for those professedly educated to be members of the Christian faith. System of The system of training is assimilated very much training in ^^ ^j^^t pursucd by the Jesuits. From his first entrance Maynooth. ^^^^ g^udent is familiarized with the subjugation of all his own inchnations, being bound to pay implicit obedi- ence in every matter to his superiors or teachers, and having to maintain an entire abstinence from the indul- gence of every feeling of natural affection or of love ; while his passions and desires are inflamed to the highest degree of excitement, by the subjects brought continually before his imagination, in the various class books and manuals he is obliged to peruse in the course of his theological inves- tigations. Silence, except at particular times, is strictly enforced,f and two students are not allowed to remain • «* We own that we did not appreciate the mental slavery into wliich these subjects of Dr. Doyle and Dr. M'Hale, were initiated from their cradles, and we now think that in the course of implicit, intellectual, and bodily discipline, to which they are accustomed from the time at which they first regard their prelate, as the being whose favour is to confer independence and power, until the same prelate receives back the timid school-boy converted into the ready-formed polemic, we have a sufficient solution for all that perplexed us."— Digest of Evidence. I Mr. O'Berne, who was several years in Maynootli studying for the priesthood, in a work on the discipline of the Institution, states it as a fact, that twenty-one hours and a half out of the twenty-four, the students are obliged to maintain perfect silence durmg the greater portion of the year, and for whole weeks at stated periods. Ml IRELAND IN 1846. 29 i^^"* together ; should any two wish to hold a short conversa- tioli, one stands at the door of a room inside, while the other remains in the hall outside ; and in this way, on true Jesuitical principle, they avoid breal'ing the rules of the house, or institution. Scholastic and polemic theology being the great object to be attained by their education, they seldom appear anxious for the acquisitiQn of the higher branches of study. Latin and logic being the necessary requirements to enable them to attain proficiency in the great desideratum, to these they apply themselves with assiduity at every moment not occupied with the ceremonial drudgeries imposed upon them by the church and their professors, and in which by far the greater portion of their time is absorbed. The fundamental principle of the Institution being strictly en- forced, that the student " must tUnIc as his superiors thnr he is made to bend mind and body to the prescribed duties of laborious fastings, the discipline of canonical hours, gystemof daily repetitions of from thirty to forty pages of his brevi- ^^^^-^^^^ ary,* and the doling out of prayers by tale and rote, to the full extent or degree enjoined by his ghostly preceptors. In such occupations the great proportion of the student's time is filled up, while a large share of the remainder is occupied in studying the subtleties of Thomas Aquinas, and the arguments of Godolphus, Gother and Milner, not forgetting Bailie and Delahogue, their regular class books, with an occasional reference to Dens, which is always at hand for their inspection. What appears to be most aimed at by the greater number is a pro- ficiency in the art of disputing, in subtle syllogisms, on controverted points of faith or practice, so that when they leave College, they may be able in argument to make " the worse appear the better reason," and so to con- found if they cannot confute the opponents of their For description of this extraordinary production see Appendix. ■■V m mmmtm 'y\ 30 IRELAND m 1846. Atnonnt of Education given in ]£ijnooth. religion, as to obtain for themselves an apparent advan- tage or a victoryl; in this species of casuistry they are well instructed by the professors ; the moral maxim of the Insti- tution being, that " the end justifies the means:' No doubt some of the students acquire a taste for better learning; a. fondness for mathematics, and the liberal sciences ; but as it frequently occurs, that young men of this inquisitive turn of mind, become sceptics or rationalists, or latitudinarians, and in consequence give up the idea of the priesthood, too much of such learning is not permitted. In fact some bad Latin and less Greek, with a smattering of mathematics, in general forms the classical and scientific learning of the Irish priest.* This can be ascertained by reference to the * The following extract from the Evidence of one of the Professors at Maynooth, as given in Appendix of the Eighth Eeport, pp. 146—148, will shew how much of scientific lore the students at Maynooth drink in during their seven years residence in that Institution. *' For the last six or seven years, there was no part of tlie treatises on Hydrostatics or Optics read in the College • * * Suppose the case of a student being thrown out in the 47th problem of the fir^t. book of Euclid, do you think that such a person has any chance of being able to recover himself aftewards ? I should think, if they were not able to follow me in the explanation of that, it would be difficult for them to understand me in the remaining part of the course, because it is one of the easiest propositions in the whole * * * What proportion of the class do you think could demonstrate the 47th proposition of the first book of EucUd, at the end of the year ? After revising the business of the year for the examination, lam not certain that three fourths could; but I should think that two-thirds at least would be able to demonstrate it • • • Is the subject matter of the sixth book of Euclid studied in the course ? I don't know what the subject matter of the sixth book of Euclid is ! ! ! the writer of our treatise makes no reference to the books of Euclid ; but, after the definitions, commences with parallel and perpen- dicular lines, and afterwards explain the theory of angles : (I have since found that a good deal of the sixth book of Simpson's Euclid is contained in our geometry.)" I think, that the majority of the students, perhaps, and a good deal more than the majority, would understand the cause of an eclipse ; they are able to teU why an ecHpse happens at certain times ; tliat 29, they are able tg teU that U happeni from a shadow being pro- IRELAND IN 1846. 31 / Eighth Report of the Commissioners appointed by parlia- ment. Indeed, it is a well known fact, that those who are Young men entrusted with the arrangements for the education of the ^^^^^^ -y^ ^ students dare not let in too much light upon them ; instances gust, not a few having occurred of young men, while studying in Maynooth, having become either so disgusted with what they have seen and heard in the establishment, or so en- lightened by the reading of authors which they have been permitted occasionally to peruse, that they have left the Institution, and turned their attention to some secular pursuit.* The professors are well aware, that intellectual light and religious liberty, can never remain long in contact with ignorance and error, without some beneficial result — without some of the scattered rays penetrating the dark- ness — and therefore they take special care to guard the system against such unhappy influences. This may account for the fact mentioned by the Commissioners of Education in one of their Eeports, that among the entire of the stu- dents, nearly 400 in number, there were but ten Bibles or jected in a certain vray. "^Examination of the Rev. Nicolas Callan, D.D.y Irish Education Rep, VIII. App. pp. 146—148. The full course of study lasts for seven years. The last three years being devoted exclusively to Divinity, when the studies are super- intended by three professors, and the students work their way through ten treatises, five on dogmatic theology by Dr. Delahogue, and five others on moral, or rather immoral, subjects by Professor Bailie. * A young man, now studying for the Protestant ministry, having in the course of his philosophical investigations, and from reading some treatises on general subjects, learned to reason aright, as to the system pursued in the establishment, and the result was, as I have stated, after two years residence he left it, a sceptic in reference to reUgious mat- ters ; for he said to himself the whole system must be a delusion, and the bible itself cannot be true-for if the Great Supreme were really a God of hoUness and justice, he would send down fire from heaven, and consume such a place as Maynooth, in which such abominations are taught and inculcated on the minds of those who are to be the future guides of the people, and whg we themselyes ia the hey-Oay of youth. 32 IRELAND IN 1846. the Bible. I Testaments to be found ; the Bible being a spectre of such appalling appearance to the mental vision of a priest or a Jesuit, as to make him ever on the watch against its in- fluence. See Appendix. ^ No doubt in consequence of the result of the investiga- tion before the Commission of Enquiry, an order was made that each student should be furnished with a Bible ; and Estimate of this, as far as the mere supplying the books went, was at fhfi "RiKlo Jill .• once attended to ; but it is equally certain that the Bible when referred to, or placed in juxta position with the Fathers, is still represented to the students as a work of very secondary importance, in every instance requiring the light of the Church, as reflected from the Fathers, to be shed upon its] pages, in order to its true meaning being discovered; and in this way its divine authority is alto- gether superseded. From the evidence referred to, it appears that while the Bible was thus disregarded, the infamous theological treatise of Dens, although nominally not a class book, was universally recommended as a book of reference by the Professors of Maynooth, and sanctioned by the Koman Catholic hierarchy.* But, as I have already stated, the theological works, w^hich, next to his breviary, occupy the largest portion of the time and attention of the student, are the Theological Treatises of Bailie and Dela- hogue. Mr. Brown, the Professor of Scripture and ^ Hebrew in Maynooth, in his evidence stated distinctly that * nine hours in class, and forty-eight hours in preparation, are devoted to them by each student during every week he spends in the Institution. From the evidence referred to, it also appears they were particularly recommended to the notice of the Commissioners, by the President and Theological Professors of the College, as being the regular Treatise of Decs. • Dr. Doyle in an address to the Eomish Clergy, speaking of Dens* Theology, says, •• I consider it on the whole to be a very useful produc- tion. I haye no hesitation in recommending it as a useful summary." IRELAND IN 1846. sa class books used by the students*— M. Anglade, one ^^ ^^^^^^l"^^"^^ the Theological Professors, remarking in reference to Bailie, that '' if there is any thing that can be called lax principles of morality, I am sure Bailie is free from them.*" To this fact I would particularly direct the attention of the reader, as by a reference to either of tlie books it will be seen that they contain doctrines, opinions, and senti- ments, not only calculated to infuse into the mind a spirit of disaffection and disloyalty, f but to demoralize and corrupt any community through which the virus of their poison is allowed to circulate. Having, however, some time since, in a separate publication,! placed several of the more obnoxious and immoral doctrines and opinions of these writers pretty fully before the public, I shall at present merely allude to a few particulars, to show what is to be expected from individuals educated with such sentiments, and in such an institution as Maynooth. On some of the topics contained in these class books, I Immorality of feel that in a publication like the present, intended for ciaaJ^ks. general reading, I dare not enter— they are too gross and polluting even to refer to, further than to say, they relate to the instructions given to the embryo priest as to the conduct he is to pursue in the confessional, after leaving College, and the questions he is to ask female penitents who may present themselves before him, for the purpose of revealing to him all their frailties and infirmities. In reference to the 6th and 9th Command- ments (the 7th and 10th with Protestants), the descriptions * In the evidence before the Commissioners it is stated, that while there were only ten Bibles or Testaments to be found amongst the four hundred students, each one was required to purchase for himself Bailie and Delahogue's works. f I should, perhaps, observe that the Treatise by Bailie was the sub- ject of a prosecution by the French Government in the time of Napoleon, and was prohibited on account of its political tendency. \ ** The Progress of the Confessional, or the System of Theology Propounded at the College of Maynooth." I i ' wsmm 34 IRELAND IN 1846. IRELAND IN 1846. f Ma3.'"^"^"**™"'^"«8>^«" l>yl^'"lie are sufficient to debauch Class Books, and corrupt the purest mind ;• it is in fact utterly impossi- ble that young or old could allow their minds, day after day, to dwell upon the subjects and images thus brought vividly before the imagination, (into the details of which they are thus initiated) without being contaminated and defiled by the contemplation or contact ;t and there is proof " strong as holy writ" that these are the very portions of the Treatise which claim the particular attention and re- gard of students and priests.J However, the subject is too gross, as I have already said, to admit of further investiga- tion or comment, in a work intended for general reading. X on. * ^*^ Treatises vol. 2 and 4 on the Decalogue. t The young man, referred to in a preceding note, who had been for two years in Maynooth, but left it in disgust, and is now studymgforthe Christian ministry, assured me, that while obUged to pore over some particular passages of those " filthy dreamers," Ba,-& andDelahogue-the class books of Maynooth-such an effect had they on his mind, as nearly to drive him into a species of delirium ; and that ZZ Tu T ""'"'"^ *■'■'"" ""^ '^''^' »f his own feelings, he has gone down with them ,n his hand, on a cold winter's morning, into th! eha^l connected with the institution, and there remained unti^ nea^J ch lied to death with cold, reading them on his knees, and prayin^ whUe ^Z^^^' '' -^' -- - - em'otions^S r; noLttTwrr!^''' '"" ""'"'' ''"''' ^"^"'"^y ^'^^ "^O-^^-i the Irrnfi: ll " '''"''' poy^^' - g«n"«man living in the south of her.! ,' m'°^ "^'^ " ^""^■''-'■^^ " *e Cathedral town near which he resided, accidentally took up a much-worn book, which proved to be the .! r I °' ''*' ""*• ^' »"•■'' t™^ "« * i ! il •r Oaths not biiidiog. M. Anglade, the Professor of Moral Tlieoloj^y in his evi- dence before the same Commission, as to the power of a priest to free penitents from the obligation of oaths which they may have taken, fully admits the doctrine.— In answer to the Question, "• Are the Commissioners to understand the proposition, about which you are now examined, as meaning simply this — that if a person, implicitly bound to obey another, takes an oath which that other prohibits him from fulfilling, this discharges him from the oath, although the person prohibiting him may commit a sin in so prohibit- ing him f I think so."""]' Such are the Treatises of Divinity which were stated ^demoralizing „ , .7 influence of in the evidence of the professors to be '' most essentiao Maynooth in the education of priests for the discharge of their ^^^^^ ^^^^^• duties in the ministry ":|: — such are the studies, and such the morality, to which so much time is devoted ; and such the principles and doctrines inculcated into the minds of young men educated in Maynooth College ; but these are not all — there are others, not only equally vicious, and equally demoralizing, but really blasphemous in their tendencies. Notwithstanding their lowly origin, and very deficient education, there is one particular sentiment or doctrine which during their residence in Maynooth, they learn and treasure up in their memories, and which on their leaving that Institution, they act upon in all their commu- ^1 • Irish Education Eeport, VIII. p. 163. f Irish Education Report, VIII. App. p. 177. X ** Our object has been (says Mr. Anglade) seeing the Avant of clergy, to chuse among the treatises of divinity those which are most essential to them for the discharge of their duty in the ministry, as they have no other occasion of improving themselves, except by reading books; and so the treatises I have taught are relating to human acts, conscience, sins, sacraments, penance in all its parts, marriage, restitution^, contracts, laws, censures, irregularities."— E/^A//t Report of Education Commission, p. 155. a 88 lEELAND IN 1846. 1 belief. 1 The Priest nications with the people. Through the teaching of their "GxSTnThe* *"^^^^ ^"^ ^^^^® books, they become fully indoctrinated Confessional, with the idea that the priest in the confessional, acts " not as man, but as God," — that there " he stands in the place of God.""* — They also learn from the same authors, as ex- plicitly stated by Mr. Dixon, a Romish priest, in his evi- dence before the Commissioners, that "the Pope is esteemed as God on earth," — and that "should he enjoin the practice of vice, and prevent the observance of virtue, the Church is bound to believe that vice is virtice, and virtue vice, under pain of mortal sin," and again that " the Pope can do all things that God can do.""(- EflTectsofthis These sentiments, taken collectively, and transfused from the minds of the priests educated in Maynooth into the minds of the people over whom they are appointed, will at once account for much of the perjury and crime with which the unfortunate peasantry of the country stand chargeable. They look upon the priest as God in the confessional — that he can forgive sins, and free them from the obligation of an oath. They are told that it is their duty to act in every way for the benefit of the Church, and consequently, that they must never disclose any thing that would prove injurious to it ; if, therefore, they are cognizant of the foulest crimes committed by a priest or prelate— drunkenness, debauchery, or adultery — it is their duty not to disclose it, lest the church should suffer by it ; and this extends beyond the priest himself — to his family and connections ; therefore when robberies and murders are committed, and any relative of an ecclesiastic is in- volved, the unfortunate peasant is bound, under pain of eternal damnation — being refused all the rites of his church, !l * Father Sheehan, in his Evidence before the Intimidation Committee, stated distinctly that this was one of the doctrines inculcated into the minds of the people— that *' the priest in the Confessional ' Represents,' or has power from God." — See Report, p. 448. t See Appendix to Eighth Report of Commissioners. IEELAND in 1846. 39 ♦Jl and consequently all hopes of happiness in another world, Murderers scrpened DV to keep the transaction a profound secret ; and even on ^Yie Romish the scaffold some who have been clearly proved to be guilty Priests. of the foulest murders, have in the most solemn manner declared their innocence, although their guilt was well known to many around them.* But there is still another topic to which I have alluded, the sentiments of disaffection and disloyalty which are inculcated in Maynooth. It appears from the evidence given at length in the Eighth Eeport, published in 1827, that a pamphlet having a seditious tendency, and calculated to produce in the minds of the students disaffection to the then existing government, had been written, and circulated among the students, by Dr. M'Hale, then one of the professors in Maynooth, and shortly afterwards promoted to a bishopric by the Pope, as a reward, it is to be pre- • A case of this kind occurred during the present year— an attempt was made to assassinate a gentleman at his own hall-door— he followed and grappled with the assassin— he knew him— and the next morning swore against him, as the individual who had made the attempt; and by a number of concurrent circumstances, the awful crime was brought home distinctly to the culprit- he was tried, found guilty on the clearest evidence, and sentenced to death. He was a relation to a bishop, and every effort was made by the fraternity to obtain his pardon, or get his sentence commuted. The crime was so clear, that the government, with all their anxiety to show f\ivour to the priests, would not interfere, and the unfortunate man was ordered for execution. AVhen on the drop he addressed the people, most solemnly asserting his innocence— declaring he had neither act nor part in the transaction. After making this speech he returned into the room, where several priests were in attendance to confess him, and absolve him from his sins ; of course he considered the last sin was forgiven as well as all former ones, and as the falsehood he had just told to the people from the «' drop," was for the benefit of the church, he could have no qualms of conscience on that account ; and thus, the miserable victim of priestly delusion, was launched into eternity, under the impression that all was right and safe with his soul. In a small tract by a converted priest, entitled " Murder and the Murderer Reconciled ! ! !" published by " The JPriests' Protection Society for Ixeland," the case is fuUy stated. »M*>- Sedition taught in Ma^nooth. 40 IRELAND IN 1846. sumed, for his loyalty ; said pamphlet having been printed and published by Mr. Coyne, the bookseller to Maynooth ; and at a public meeting held in Dublin during the last year, it was stated, and offered to be proved, by two clergy- men who had been educated in Maynooth, that seditious songs are sung, and seditious sentiments encouraged by and among the students in the Institution ; — that when, on the occasion of a liberal Lord Lieutenant visiting the College, a dinner and wine were given to the students, on Mr, O'ConnelFs health being drank, the most violent political language was used, together with the most un- warrantable abuse of Protestantism, one of the Professors in the course of his speech having laid it down as a maxim not contrary to any laws human or divine, that '* while we should love those who do us good, we are at perfect liberty to hate those who injure us." The young men educated in Maynooth, being, as I have already observed, taken from the lower orders of the people, whose feelings they inherit, and meeting with nothing in the systems of Maynooth or the other Eomish Colleges, to counteract their principles of disaffection, but on the contrary, much to strengthen and rivet early prejudices in their minds — their whole course of education having a tendency to make them rebels in politics and bigots in religion — to say the least of it, they come out of the seminary provided by government for their education, with much more of anti-English feeling and much more determined in their anti-Protestant prin- ciples than when they entered it. Such, then, is Maynooth, with its FIVE HUNDRED EMBRYO PRIESTS, intended to form an additional legion to be added to the present Priesthood of Ireland, and, which, during the present year, has cost the country little short of SIXTY THOUSAND POUNDS ; or at least such it was at the time that our Protestant Sir Kobert Peel and his coadjutors applied for and obtained from parliament an additional grant of public money to en- \ IRELAND IN 1846. 41 larf^-e its boundaries. By this, still greater accommodation has been given for perpetuating the manufacture of a class of men, who it is very generally acknowledged, even by Real liberal Protestants, are, and have been for ages, the bane ^^^^ p^^^^Jg °/f and the blight of Ireland's prosperity. I speak personally Ireland, of no man— I allude to the entire body as upholding a system which the emissaries of Rome first introduced, and would now perpetuate and extend. And be it re- membered, '' the charges I bring forward against the Romish priests of Ireland affect no abstruse or disputed points of doctrine ; touch not on the pretended claims of the Romish Church to supremacy and infallibility, nor on any of the thousand subtleties which have been already a thousand times exposed— I accuse them of evils more extensive in their operation, more visible in their effects, and therefore more capable of proof. I accuse the Church of Rome of errors in practice as flagrant as her errors in faith ; I charge her, in the education she gives to her students, with confounding the immutable distinctions of rif^ht and wronff — with subverting the fundamental principles of society— with propagating immoral doctrmes and practices not only discreditable and injurious to Christianity, but of a character that would have disgraced ^ even the meagre systems of heathen moraUty,''''^ and this by a succession of priests, educated at the expense of a Pro- testant government, out of the general funds of the nation. Any individual who will take the trouble of reading over the Evidence taken by the Commissioners of Education, as given in their 8th and 9th Reports, will be convinced that the system of education pursued at Maynooth is one just fitted to produce the most efficient instruments in the • These charges I made originally in a work entitled **The Progress of the Confessional," of which several thousand copies were sold ; and the facts stated publicly from various pulpits through the country, and yet, the allegations were never once denied, or any attempt made to prove them unfounded. 42 IRELAND IN 1846. f hands of the Episcopal heads of Popery in Ireland— by a certain quantity of information to raise the clergy above the mass, and by a large portion of ignorance to protect them from liberality of thought or feeling-by a seclusion from the world to guard the aspirant from the common feelings of the people, and by an occasional glimpse into politics to prepare him for future activity in that depart- ment of his vocation. I have been thus particular in reference to Maynooth, from a feeh'ng that were the Protestants of England really aware of the description of education afforded to the students in that Institution, they would endeavour by a vigorous effort to prevent the public money being worse than wasted in its continued support. It is said, "If there are priests in Ireland, it is better to have them educated than uneducated"— for learning, we are told, '' emollit mores nee sinit esse feros ^ and no doubt this must be ^^^"s^liem^ admitted, provided the education is such as to ini- formed in P^ove or expand tlie mind ; but it will be seen, from Majnooth. the evidence referred to, as taken before the Commissioners' of Education Enquiry, that in consequence of the system pursued, the quahty of the education is of such a dc- scription, that by giving a greater quantity not only is the individual rende.-'' a much worse member of society, but a still more unfit and objectionable person to become the moral and spiritual advisor of the people at large. No doubt, he may be apparently more polished in his manner and address, but it is the polish of the Jesuit. -This IS proved by what takes place in Maynooth itself. Ihe students in the Dunboyne establishment, being kept m the institution three years longer than the ordinary students, are in general better science men, and better trained for keeping the human mind in thraldom, and from these are usually selected the Professors of the Institution • still there is little more of general knowledge, no expansion of mmd, and nothing of greater Hberahty of sentiment. r f ■ lEELAND IN 1846. 43 On the contrary, it has been found, that in consequence of the severe discipline to which the student is subjected while in Maynooth, and the eternal round of ceremonial drudgery to which he is obhged to submit, in order to fit him for future service [in the church, his mind and feelings become daily more and more contracted ; and while no doubt he becomes much better versed in all the tactics of his profes- sion, and more subtle in manoeuvres for promoting the interests of his church and creed, he is at the same time rendered a more dangerous enemy to every institution opposed to him or his party, and to society at large. The worst feature in the entire case appears to be that there cannot be even a distant hope of any real improve- ment being made in the system — the Romish Hierarchy at large, having declared that they will not allow their plans or regulations to be in the slightest degree interfered with by the government, or any persons appointed by them. This, in- deed, they distinctly stated at the time that the annual grant was enlarged, and the sum of c^.30,000 voted for improving the establishment— and as, to this Sir Robert Peel agreed, and to this the Romish bishops have since firmly adhered, it is now perfect folly for any noble lord or gentleman in parliament, who voted for the additional grant, to complain of it, which Lord Redesdale is reported to have done very recently in the House of Lords— that " He could not but express his dissatisfaction at the way in which matters had been managed at Maynooth since the extra grant." And here it should be particularly observed, that the means used by Government, are the very best calculated to produce directly the opposite effect to that which it is stated they have in view by supporting Maynooth. So long as the Government, by paying for the education and board of the students, renders the institution a kind of charity school, such is the pride of the middle classes in Ireland, who are able to pay for the education of their children in respectable estabhshments, that they will not Homish Bishops will not permit improvement in Maynooth. Best plan to pursue with regard to Maynooth. n 44 IRELAND IN 1846. IRELAND IN 1846. 45 i ) \ ^:TZm *""^ ^^^"^ *° ^"ter Maynooth ; nay, more, so lon^ as ti.e Maynooth. great body of the students in xMaynooth are selected from the lowest grade of the peasantry, and enabled at the public expense to become fitted for priests, thus loner will a barner remain to prevent tiie more respectable givades of society-those who would receive the rudiments of educa- tion m respectable seminaries from entering the institu- tion, as they woui Si IRELAND IN 1846. IRELAND IN 1846. 55 !l I Nominal Pro- the professedly Protestant newspaper ;* and through these testants the powerful alh'es and auxiliaries she has so contrived to wind of Rome, herself into the councils of the realm, that did we not feel the cause of genuine Protestantism to be in the hands of a much higher and greater power than any on earth can wield, we might well tremble for the result. Of a portion of the machinery employed by the Romish Church I have been speaking in several of the preceding pages — of her hordes of priests, and friars, and monks, and nuns — of her colleges and monasteries — her confraternities and Christian brotherhoods — and yet, putting these all together, I feel they could not be one-half so effective in promoting the progress of Popery, or in discouraging or injuring the Protestant cause, as the treachery and double deahng of men of rank and station, who, with Protestant titles, professing Protestant principles, and many of them deriving splendid incomes from the Protestant establish- ments of the country — have been for years past not only truckling to Popery, but actually joining with papists and infidels in their endeavours to upset institutions founded on scriptural principles, and intended for the benefit of the millions of the ignorant and superstitious inhabitants of the land ; while in their stead they have substituted others but too well calculated to perpetuate the spirit and the principles of Popery amongst them. Poor Schools That this has been peculiarly the case as regards the of Ireland. Schools established for the poor of Ireland, is well known to every unprejudiced observer of passing events. That the withdrawal of the annual grant to the Kildare-place Society — in whose schools the scriptures were read — was neither more nor less than the payment to Mr. O'Connell, and the piiests for whom he acted, of a first instalment of power, in consequence of the compact entered into between • It has been ascertained that several of the Protestant Newspapers of England are conducted by Jesuits. :,4 J ;i i them and the government, cannot now be denied— and were the system of education which has been substituted in place of that of the Kildare-place Society, as good as it has proved itself to be Ja(^ — still the very reason for the change was sufficient to condemn it in the mind of every Rapid spread reasonable individual. The simple facts of the case were Scriptures these — through the means of the Kildare-place Society, among the , ° , . *^ "^ ' Peasantry. London Hibernian Society, and other Daily and Sunday Schools — the bible had found its way to the huts and cabins of thousands of our peasantry ;* and the people in very many instances, from the simple teaching of God's Holy Word, through the reading of their children, were beginning to learn its precepts, and to love its laws. The priests had discovered these^ effects ; and believing, with Mr. Shiel, that " the reading of the bible would lead to the subversion of the Roman Catholic Church," not only was it, but all the schools in which it was read, at once denounced by the Romish Hierarchy, and by their direc- tions, from the altar of every Roman Catholic chapel in Ireland. The late Dr. Hussey, one of the Romish Bishops, charged his clergy " to remonstrate with any parent" who should expose his offspring to places of education where his faith is Hkely to bo perverted — " and," says he, " if he will not attend to your remonstrances, refuse him the participation of Chrisfs body ; if he still should continue obstinate, denounce him to the church, in order that, * Of the good that was doing during the period referred to, in the dis- tribution of bibles, testaments, and other approved books, an idea may be formed from the fact, that in one quarter of the year 1825, from 24th August, to 24th November, the Sunday School Society issued 342 bibles, 3628 testaments, 4432, No. 1, and 3293, No. 2, spelling books;— and that the thirst for scriptural knowledge was rapidly increasing is evident from the fact — that the issues of the Holy Scriptures by the Bible Society, from the 31st March, 1825, to the 5th January, 1826, period of little more than nine months, were 14,187 bibles, and 15,870 testaments, shewing an increase on the corresponding period of the pre- vious year, of 9,747 copies of the sacred oracles, and an excess of 2,900 copies, above the total issues of the year ending, 31st March, 1825. ■ t riB^m t*m^ttm J.Sf,, I 56 IRELAND IN 1846. ( accorclin^^ to Christ's commandment, he be considered as a heathen and a pubh'can." Dr. Doyle's Dr. Doyle's account of the Kildare-place Society, will Kildlrcipkctat once show the real cause of opposition— he says, '' Af- Society. fecting ignorance of the Catholic doctrine, they obtruded an obnoxious principle into their schools ; and under the pretext of giving religious instruction, they abused the word of God, rendering it a symbol of disunion ; a harbin- ger of discord, not of peace ;" and elsewhere, in his in- structions, he tells the priests, that if the parents sent their children to a bible school, after the warning of the priest, " they would be guilty of mortal sin ; or if any of them suffered their children to go to an Hibernian School, he should think it proper " to withhold the sacrament from them when dying;'' and he adds, ''the scriptures being read, and got by heart, is quite sufficient in order to make the schools obnoxious to us."* Here, then, is the simple explanation of all the opposition which was given i * From the following passage in one of the ** Letters on the State of Ireland," by J. K. L. (the late Bishop Doyle), published about the period referred to— the feeling entertained by the llomish priests on the point in question, may be fairly judged of—** A poor man in the County Kildare, having been favoured by the lady of his master with one of the Society's bibles, without note or comment, accepted it with all the reve- rence which the fear of losing his situation inspired. But, behold! when the night closed, and all danger of detection was removed, he, lest he should be infected with heresy, exhaled from the Protestant bible during his sleep, took it with a tongs, for he would not defile his touch with it, and buried it in a grave, which he had prepared for it in his garden i t" ♦ • • «♦ i, who have read portions of the bible every day these twenty years and upwards, who have devoted many an hour to the study of it, who have often explained it to others, who have col- lected sixteen or eighteen editions of it in different languages, who, like Augustine, find in it infinitely more beyond my comprehension than I can understand — I, who am thus a very bible- man, do admire the ortho- doxy of this Kildare peasant ; — nay, I admire them greatly ; and should I happen to meet him, I shall reward him for his zeal." This same bishop's Christian character of the Bible Society, will be found in Appendix, and may be taken as the opinion of all the priests. \ ■^y ^ IRELAND IN 1846. 57 to the Kildare-place Society. In their schools the Bible, The common without note or comment, was read by the children, and ^he ^ from the evidence given before the Commissioners, it ap- Scriptures, peared that neither the people or the children opposed the reading of the blessed volume ; on the contrary, they had given the most convincing proof of their fondness for it — but to the reading of God's holy word the priests of Rome were then, as they always had been, determinately opposed ; and therefore, by the priests and prelates of the Church of ^ Rome the schools were denounced, and the Government, to gratify the priests, withdrew the grant from the Kildare- place Society ; and thus, religious truth, and the real wel- fare of the country, were in the most deliberate manner sacrificed at the shrine of political expediency. That these are really the facts of the case there can bo no doubt, as Lord Stanley, in a letter to the Duke of Leinster, written at the period referred to, expressly states that the reason why the Government withdrew the Parliamentary Grant from the Kildare-place Society, and , ^,^ , , 1 TVT i' 1 r» J 4.i,«* LordStanleys gave a much larger sum to the National Jioard was, tUat jL^tter. the priests would not permit the bible to be read in the schools.* The subject being one of vast importance, I feel • That the rendering I have given of Lord Stanley's letter is the cor- rect one, will be seen from the subjoined extracts. Referring to the Kildare-place Society, and speaking of the Government, he says— *♦ While they do full justice to the liberal views with which that Society was originally instituted, as well as to the fairness with which they have, in most instances, endeavoured to carry their views into effect, they cannot but be sensible that one of the leading principles of that Society was cal- culated to defeat its avowed objects, as experience has subsequently proved that it has. The determination to enforce in all their Schools the reading of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment, was undoubtedly taken with the purest motives^ with the wish at once to connect religious with moral and literary education, and, at the same time, not to run the risk of wounding the peculiar feelings of any sect, by catechetical instruction, or comments which might tend to subjects of polemical controversy. But it seems to have been overlooked, that the principles of the Roman Catholic Church (to which, in any system intended for general diffusion throughout ^1 hr^fm^L^- 58 IBELAND IN 1846. Hedge Schools of Ireland. it may be necessary to state a few of the particulars connected with it. About the commencement of the present century the attention of many benevolent individuals had been turned to various plans for educating the poor of Ire- land. Before this period whatever education was afforded to the children was given in what were termed " Hedge Schools," a description of one of which will be found in the Appendix. The books used in these were of the very worst description — The Garland of Love— The Irish Eogues and Rapparees — Moll Flanders— Freeny the Robber — and such like. In some parts of the North of Ireland there are a description of teachers superior to those in the other provinces, many of them being aspirants for the ministry in the Presbyterian Church; and in the schools with which they were connected, a better description of books were used — but even there the schools were " few and far between ;" while the educa- tion given in the Roman Catholic Chapel Schools, in other parts of the country, was confined, for the most part, to the prayers and peculiar doctrines of the Romish Church, committed to memory from oral instruction — few of the children being taught to read. London Hi- About the time to which I have referred, the year 1806, \^t7sdio^oTs!' *^^® London Hibernian Society was formed, ^' for Establish- ing Schools, and circulating the Holy Scriptures in Ireland.'' Ireland, the bulk of the pupils must necessarily belong), were totally Sf varience with thi> principle ; and thrit the reading of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment, by children, must be peculiarly obnoxious to a Church, which denies, even to adults, the right of unaided private inter- pretation of the Sacred Volume in articles of religious belief." " Shortly after it^ institutibn, although the Society prospered and ex- tended its operations under the fostering care of the Legislature, this vital defect began to be noticed, and the Roman Catholic Clergy began to exert themselves with energy and success, against a system to which they were in principle opposed, and which they feared might lead in its results to proselytism, even although no such object .was contemplated by its pro- moters."— Zorcf Stanley's Letter to the Duke of Leinster, IRELAND IN 1846. 59 ' i In the year 1811, a school for general instruction was also Parliamen- set on foot in Dublin, which afterwards formed the nucleus tion^Commis- of the Kildare-place Society schools. Some years previ- sioa. ously a Parliamentary Commission had been appointed to inquire into the state of education, especially with regard to the parochial schools of the country. By this body numerous Reports were from time to time made to the Houses of Lords and Commons ; the result of which was, that in 1812, the Government, as an experiment, adopted the Kildare-place Society, and supplied it with funds, considering its system to be the best suited to the cir- cumstances of the country — its fundamental principles being ** The admission of pupils uninfluenced by religious distinctions, and the reading of the Bible or Testament, without note or comment, by all the pupils who had attained a suitable proficiency ; excluding catechisms and controversial treatises ; the Bible or Testament not to be used as a class book from which children should be taught to read or spell." The great object proposed by Lord Stanley, through the Government, was a united education based on rehgion, in which Protestants and Eoman Catholics could join toge- Original Plan ther ; and it was thought that as the bible was professedly Education, the common ground-work of all true religion, it might be made the common basis of the system of national educa- tion, without the peculiar tenets of either party being in- terfered with. In this view, several of the Roman Catho- lic ecclesiastics at first appeared to unite ; and for a few years the experiment appeared to be succeeding to the utmost "^vishes of its most sanguine friends — Protestant and Roman Catholic children joining together in the various classes, and both parties apparently well pleased with each other. But as I have said, in a short time the priests of the Romish Church began to discover that the bible was producing its usual effects on the minds of both children and parents — and fearing the decay of their authority, and that " Their craft was in danger,*" the most violent agitation was commenced against the Schools. Public meetings were convened, and the priests, with 60 IRELAND IN 1846. 1 Opposition of ^^r. O'Connell at their head, every where denounced them, the Priests, r^ ^Qfifc f^^ ^j^^ people of Ireland ; and demanded from Government that the Parliamentary Grant should be withdrawn from the Kildare-place Society. In an evil hour tho Government acceded to their request— the Duke of Wellington himself having been, by misrepresen- tation, induced to declare, that the Kildare-place Schools were too orange in tlieir character to be suitable for the country— although to tho present hour no one charge has been establiished against tliat Society, beyond the simple fact of its requiring tho bible to be read in tho schools in connexion with it. No doubt Lord Stanley declared tiiis to be the vital defect of the system ; and, strange to say, in the hue and cry which w^as raised against the Society, the liberal Dissenters of England took a very de- cided part,* strongly advocating the new system proposed by the government — although one of its members had That the Dissenters of England are now beginning to see the " National Board System" in its true light, I am happy to perceive from the present tone of some of their periodicals. When the plan was at first proposed, so feasible did it appear, and so well were the arguments put by the friends of Popery, that the individual who attempted to im- pugn the soundness of the plan and principle on which the schools were to be conducted, was at once attacked by the liberal press of England, as being a tory, or an orangeman, opposed to all liberality of feeling. It now appears that some of those very journals who thus spoke out their sentiments in favour of the ** Board," have been led to see, by the working of the entire system, that it is calculated to perpetuate Popery in the land ; that there is little doubt it was originated with that design. In the Patriot newspaper, especially, several very excellent articles on the National Schools of Ireland have recently appeared. The writer who seems to be well acquainted with the entire subject, gives it as his decided conviction, that *' these Schools have set on foot, and. are maintain- ing, a vigorous and efftctive system of teaching Popery through the length and breadth of the land. * * * No owe doubts tliat Popery is. toih (lireotly and iudirxxtly, tw^ht Itt lhi«w X»Uoo»l ScbooU whott ptCffQn» and mtangcffB ore cx6ltt«i%tly BomAn Catlicdic*. oa $X[ diiys of Ibe week, tnd pcrlujw x% all houn oT Uie day /•— 5<€ Patriot, Siptfm^ 21, 1846. We wuald like to koow whu th« £ittOC» cC ** ttie liooja** and •* IVitne**" wvaW m^ to tLti? IRELAND IN 1846. 61 I openly avowed that tho change was made with the express intention of meeting the wishes of the priests of Rome. To afford the Government an opportunity of getting False State- out of the affair with a good grace, it was stated by them, Givernment? as a reason for the change which was made, and the with* drawal of the grant from the Kildare-place Society, that the system pursued by that Society had proved a failure. With how much truth this assertion was made, the follow- ing particulars, taken from the authenticated Reports of the Commissioners of Education appointed by Government, fully demonstrate : — In the year 1812, there were in all Ireland six hundred schools in which the scriptures were read, and in which Protestant and Catholic children united together. In the year 1824, according to the Second Report of the Commissioners Success of of Education, out of 11,823 schools in all Ireland, the scriptures were Bible ScbooU read in 6,058— and attended hy upwards of 260,000 Roman Catholics, "^ Irchind. between whom and the Protestants no difference was made, the Authoiised Version of the Scriptures being read in 4472 of the schools the Douay in 491 — and both Douay and Authorised in 669 schools. Between the years 1824 and 1831 — previous to the establishment of " the National system" — both the schools and the number of children in the Kildare-place and London Hibernian Schools had fully doubled, so that in 7000 scriptural schools (rom 300»000 to 400,000 pour KomariiBtf had daily, with tho consent of their purcntw, the piivilrgi! of roudinp; the Sacred Scriptuny, not lo reckon on those of them who uttciidird (he Sunday SchoolB,^ in which *iOO,(X)0 chlldrt-n received \vc«kly particular religious infttruction. Of the Daily Srhoolx referred to, ♦2,667 were under Roman Catholic roasters, yet in these nnd In many of the schools held under the roof^ of Roman Catholic Chapclsi, the >»criplurei» were regularly road, and com- mitted to memory. In the llcport of the Commi»fcion«»n» in 1827, it ii stated that out of tho 6,058 Daily Schools, in which the scripturca were read, only 1,872 were connected with Societies ; while in the romninin^ 4,179, the HcriptureM were read, from the voluntary choice of the eotiductorN and (enchcrn, nnd as tho latter were depfudunt upon the will and pleasure of the parcnla« ibuv Cffmmmmmtn ob»«f ve, *• ■ ticnal proo^," it glteii *' thM LWr« » no rcfiug* nuice to icfipiurtl lnuriKCka aiDca^ ibt p^tflt/* but» on Cbe cocBUtry. list icrip^ttrBl «dtKiu(ion w«« pcvfcrrri. * Foe w«tkSB|f tod ttUtti of thU excellent Society lee Affco&L I 62 IRELAND IN 1846. p If Scriptural from tticse statements it will be seen that at the period Education ^yhen Government, in order to please the Eomish priests, SUCCGGQGll admirably, deemed it right to withdraw the grant from the Kildare- place Society, and to commence the National Board sys- tem, the Scriptural and United Education of the Poor of Ireland, Protestants and Romanists, with the consent and approbation of the parents, had progressed and was pro- gessing in a much more favourable and rapid manner than could have been fairly anticipated ; the schools in which the scriptures were read, having increased from 600 to 7,000, while the only opposition given to the system was by the Romish Priests and their coadjutors — whose objec- tion to the schools was simply that the bible, without note or comment, was read in them. Beyond this, Government had no solid reason whatever for making the change ; but, on the contrary, every fair argument for continuing the former plan; on this point two of the Commissioners appointed by Government, Mr. L. Foster and Mr. Glas- ford, delivered their opinions with great perspecuity ; they say— " Any plan for compelling all the varities of schools to give way to one inflexible form, would, in our opinion be a great mistake. We feel strongly that the unexampled improvement which has taken place within a short period, in the education of the peasantry of Ireland ought to be duly appreciated, before any of the means by which it has been produced shall be destroyed or endangered. We have stated in our second Report that there are at present in Ireland no fewer than 11,823 schools, a greater number, perhaps, than is to be found for the same extent of population in any other country ; and though we lament that many of them still supply instruction of a very objectionable nature, we see with the utmost satisfaction the rapid improvement which has been already effected in their character. About twenty years ago the Scrip- tures, as we are led to believe, were not read in so many as 600 schools in Ireland, while at present, as we have ascertained and stated in our second Report, they have found their way into 6,058 daily schools, inde- pendant of 1,945 Sunday schools, in all into about 8,000 schools. This great amelioration in the education of the Irish peasantry is still in progress, and can perhaps now be checked by no means less powerful than such an interference on the part of the State as would be calculated tt) counteract it. WMle, therefore, we are reftdy to promote the trial of r i / IRELAND IN 1846. 63 I Board. any experiment that may suggest new means of usefujness, or lyiiich may, perhaps, be more fitted for some districts hitherto 'ess accessible than others, we cannot too strongly express our opinion, that any such experiment ought to be considered only as an accompaniment to those means which experience has approved to be useful, and not as leading to the suppression of any tried instrument of good." And here, for the information of Enghsh friends, it may Unscriptural . Ill, System of the be necessary to observe, that the objection made by the National. advocates of scriptural education to the system of the National Board, as now established, not only is, that the Bible is not required to be read in the schools, but that while this is the case, provision has been made by the rules of the Society that "religion" shall be taught in them* It will be recollected that while the Kildare-place Society required the bible to be read, in order if possible • to maintain a united education of Roman Catholics and Protestants, one of its rules was that no particular reli- gious instruction should be given to any of the children, beyond the mere explanation of words or expressions which might be met with in the course of reading. In opposi- tion to this, Mr. O'Connell and the priests of Ireland, insisted that as any proper system of education should be based upon religion, a particular hour of each day should be set apart for instructing the children in their religious duties— and in this way they obtained their object ; for in every school now connected with the National Board, under the patronage of a Roman Catholic— and nine out of every ♦ "They will require that the Schools be kept open for a certain, number of hours, on four or five days of the week, at the discretion of the Commissioners, for moral and literary education only; and that the remaining one or two days in the week be set apart for giving, separately, such religious instruction to the children, as may be approved of by the clergy of their respective persuasions. *' They will also permit and encourage the Clergy to give religious in- struction to the children of their respective persuasions, either before or after the ordinary school hours, on the other days of the week."~Zor(f StanUy*6 l^etter to the Duke of JLeinster. i 64 IRELAND IN 1846. Unscriptural ten schools under the Board are of this description — the pe- ^ Natiorial ^ cuh'ar docfcrines and tenets of the Romish religion are incul- Board. cated, not only by the regular school- masters and mistresses, who, in general, belong to some of the confraternities of Rome, and who by their vows are bound to maintain, teach, and spread the religion of their church, but by friars and nuns, regularly appointed, who come in during the hour of religious instruction. In this way a system is maintained which it must appear evident is the very best that could be devised to perpetuate Popery in the land. It will also be seen that the most important part of Lord Stanley's design has not been carried out in the National Schools;* that the experiment has proved an utter failure ; as in the system pursued there is nothing what- ever of a united education.^ This is at once seen by deducting the number of children in the Presbyterian schools of Ulster, who are nearly all Protestants, from the gross number receiving education in the other National Board Schools—the remainder showing that the Protestants in all the other schools in the other districts of Ireland, are but a mere fraction of the entire, while it is well-known- there is scarcely a single Romanist in the Presbyterian schools. • "In 1828, a Committee of the House of Commons, to which were referred the various Reports of the Commissioners of Education, recom- mended a system to be adopted, which should afford, if possible, a com- bined literary, and a separate religious education, and should be capable of being so far adapted to the views of the religious persuasions which divide Ireland, as to render it, in truth, a system of National Education for the lower classes of the community/'^Zorrf Stanley's Letter to the Duke of Leinster, t So well has Lord Stanley's system of united education succeeded, that even in the work-houses, Protestants and Catholics are not educated to- gether; as there are separate rooms and Protestant master and mistress to the one, and Roman Catholic master and mistress to the other ! —As a Guardian of a work-house I state this from personal obser- vation. IRELAND IN 1848. 65 That religion should form the ground-work of every system of National Education must at once be allowed, Religion the provided that the religion sanctioned is in accordance with of National the Divine record ; but surely it will not be contended Education. that where the religion to be introduced is one based on error and superstition, such a system should be sanctioned by an enlightened Legislature. Better teach no religion at all, than a false one — better confine the education to mere secular knowledge, leaving it to parents and others to give religious instruction out of school hours ; therefore, had the Legislature found that the people would not send their children to schools in which the bible was read, (although this was not the case), still this would not have been any excuse for a paternal government introducing a system by which error and superstition would not only be countenanced, but perpetuated, In the schools connected with the National Board, a por- Nearly all the tion of each day or each week is set apart for such religious National*^^ instruction^ as the patron of the school shall sanction ; now, Board teach with the exception of the schools under the superinten- dance of the Presbyterian body, nearly all the other schools are under the patronage of Roman Oathohcs — conse- quently, in nearly all the schools of Ireland, the worst errors of the Bomish religion are inculcated with the sanction of the National Board ; and, be it remembered, during the hour of religious instruction, no Protestant (clergyman or layman) has any right, even to ' go into the school-room, to see what kind of education the children are receiving ; and thus tlie priests can do and teach what they please in the schools under their patronage. No doubt, in consequence of some remonstrances from Reservations the Presbyterian body, special reservations were made in p ^ . favour of schools under their care, and the children can have the bible to read, and their teachers may ask ques- tions upon it; but, for this privilege, granted to their own comparatively small community, I am sorry to be obliged ee IRELAND IN 1846. to say— the Presbyterian body sacrificed the best interests of the ^reat body of the Roman Catholics of Ireland.* Had the Presbyterians, in conjunction with the other Protest- ants of the country, showed a firm front to the Govern- ment who planned the National Board scheme, and opposed it, as unfitting to Ireland, it never could have been car- ried forward. Ba^^^^jOts in As the matter now stands, the privilege granted to the Schw"^ Presbyterians tells doubly for the Roman Catholics. While the former are permitted to introduce the bible, the latter have been permitted to introduce a class of books little bet- ter than thosd formerly used in the Hedge Schools ;f while at the same time the teachers are permitted to inculcate the worst doctrines and dogmas of the Romish religion. Surely it would be more for the interests of the great body of the people if the privileges granted to both one and the other were withdrawn from them. To this point I feel it necessary to direct particular attention, as latterly propositions have been made from * Extract of a letter from the Secretary of the National Board, to a Minister of the Synod of Ulster ** The Comnaissioners having considered your letter, desire me to state that the regulations of the Temple Meeting school appear to them to agree in principle with those by which they are governed. The rule that the hour from two till three of each day, except Saturday, should be em- ployed in reading and instruction in the Holy Scriptures is quite compatible with the regulations of the Commissioners, provided that such children only as are directed by their parents to attend, be then allowed to continue in the school, and that all others do then retire ; and with respect to the exercise on Saturday, it also is compatible with their rules, provided that those children only shall attend upon that day whose parents direct that they shall join in reading or receiving instruction in the H61y Scriptures; t In the document published by Government, explanatory of Lord Stanley's letter, it is stated that, " after certain alterations, the school books issued by the Catholic Book Society," have been sanctioned as proper for the schools. In this list will be found some of the most ob- jectionable books that could possibly be placed in the hands of young persons — See Appendix, IRELAND IN 1846. 67 influential Clergymen of the Established Church to follow Protestant the example of the Presbyterians, and to leave the seven Clergymen millions of Romanists to their fate.* , For my part I can- live^V^ not see how any Christian man can enter into such an ""^TJ^lZl *"" unholy compact, not only to keep the bible closed against ^^ard. the poor Roman Catholic children who might attend the schools, but actually to turn them out as soon as the bible is opened ; for this, by the rule, the teacher is bound to do, if the priest, through the parents, has expressed his wish to this efFect.f By their acquiescence they sanction a prin- ciple, the effect of which must be to decry and undervalue the bible in the eyes of the people, and to perpetuate the errors of Popery.| * See letters of Rev. Henry Woodward, A.M. Rector of Feathard, and Rev. J. C. Martin, Rector of Killeshandra, both of whom were formerly very determined opponents to the National Board system. t in schools deriving j,id from the Government, under Protestant patrons when the greater number of scholars are Protestant, it is ruled that the Bible shall not be read, nor shall any thing like religious instruction be given to the children, except at an hour, during which no Roman Catholic child shall be permitted to remain in the school to receive religious instruc- tion even should the child himself wish, if the parents of the child (acted on by the Roman Catholic priest) shall have expressed a desire to the con- trary. Now we earnestly request our readers, especially such of them as have been m the habit of instructing in Sunday Schools, to think of this unholy interdict-that while the Roman Catholic child must be received into the school, and instructed in secular education, the moment any thing IS to be said calculated to benefit the immortal soul— the moment a verse of the Bible is to be read, that moment the teacher is required to turn out the enquiring little one, or else violate the contract on which he receives payment from the Board, lest it might be blessed by the droppings of re-, ligious instruction imparted to Protestant children around :— this I maintain, is the fair rendering of the rule. I Some may ask, what are the specific rules of the Board on the parti- cular points referred to? I reply.it is impossible to say explicitly what they are. I have taken the trouble of going over a number of folio pages, printed by the Board, from time to time, as containing its funda- mental rules, and this I can assert, that it has proved itself a very Proteus, changing one rule after another, as circumstances required, and as the cases of Presbyterians or Roman Catholics demanded j but invariably insisting -4 68 lUELANn IN 1846. Henrys argu. 77' ^/••'^^tenan MinUtor, at a reoont Mootinir of eLv n^th ' , ' T""'^' ''"' '«^-P-«-Wo condition of rece.v.ng the advantages of secular inetructionr Non- it r tsT ?V'"'' ^''"' the I..r„ea Doctor W h " r1 '" ^ '■'oro^..^,v;<, ;>,;„«>.•,•; inasmuch « he avowed object of tho Oovon.n.ent Z L rvS" .„1 nmted education ami Ti..f . • rc^imoi^i ^nd Had the educat I ttw gi n 71^% '""■"''•"'• wwwion ;Mi,ch Govoriunont recoinmeiuled-.the l«m,c bt otfcer book, on OiAohc d^~!l^:;i;.:?' '? '""V^^ ^^^ ""'^^ou. IRELAIJD IX IWCv 69 liVht— for wiUi cadi ftn explanation, thoro caa bo no inb- tako on tlio qiiwnon— no ono iioed be ne, that tli6 uai«>n i.-* now paying a toleraWj br^o ?um for the AnioTmt piij inatructioQ of the chiWreii of IixJaml in ll»o Romish rku, mj^^lti oiox. Aeoonling to the Ai-clibijiljop foven-eiirhtli^ of tJuiso ^^^f^oCL in tiio Bch«Kil.< aro Uomdmt»t«, conaoinontJy tliis i)roportioii of lliem at lca«t aro so iiiatructo*!; aiid this with tlw eanctton anct t^ndancy to |»(Tp«tuato iVperj* in the hine Romiih CWrrf, fttMinfili-d Toe t^ ••p€oiil paryo5e of contididag tlw qiwvlioa of NMion«l RducMion !— '* FleKklnpd unanimoutly — T\uU notwith^iaAjfa^ our Anxiety fiir tit Affusion of knowied^. we ctn my^t give o«jr co.opcr»tioii mA »ii|ipoct to uny »yM«ai «f #dpr4tion int«tidH lor our fevfli, in wliirh thr antbcficy of (bm putw» will not be fully recOfnbedy «nd that cq »jftii» of tbe ^lUaed Congelation, u^ abfttatn ftom Mibli»bfag »»»r rcapJucion or diseussion ibcr* uu, it m»y be ii(;ht lo •tntf, th».t \t i« the uriMMou* peiyet of lieclrncy tluc tic (HooiUb) aichUt^opt ind bhhop< of IftOaud would, at their tnw gcKrul uiiviiiit, tdke tbe wbtde julijrct iMo their cvmidenilOB, with tbe tieur of enfWctog; thi> rtii»dit»ont md leeommtiidiciorts on wliidt (bo mttoml Micein of edi»c^«tion bas been lolcrwtol bj tbe iJoly 6te." 70 lEELAND IN J 846. I Endowment ment was ^£'85,000 out of flu'a Pinnnn , , of Popery. .1, t> , , . ""''"t'^'S'*- 10,000 was expended on the Presbytenan and Protestant schools. leaving £15 000 for those connected with the Church of Eome. While I wnte, a proposition is before the Government, and probably before th.s pamphlet is published, the demand wiu'be coS of i? 7b ; Z ""'^^'•^''^"'^ ^^'- Labouchere has approved ot It that the grant should be increased to i?120 000 • out of which deducting as before, ^10,000 for the pUyl tenan and Protestant schools connected with the Board, there will remam for the endowment of Popery in thi country no less a sum than ^110,000 per annum-and let Into these statements I challenge enquiry, assured that iney are correct. I have been thus minute with regard to the system of education now carried forward by the Government in Ireland, because I am aware much misconception has ex- Incorrect T ? rr '" ''' ^"^ '^^^^ ^^""^ ^^^^"^'^^ ^'^ ^^ve statements of ^^^^/^ ^^^^ived by the plausibih'ty of the scheme, as orid- Tourists. nally propounded by Lord Stanley ; and on this point I would observe, that great injury has been done by the has y statements put forward by Tourists, as to the prac tical working of the system. On the one hand by those who, hke the late lamented Charlotte Elizabeth, violently opposed the sptem-and on the other, by individuals like the Hon. and Eev. Baptist Noel, whose favourable obser- vations told so powerfully on the people of England I readily admit that many writers went to too great lengths m their censures on -the extracts," and suchlike matters • but these did not render less important the greater evils of the system-and had Mr. Noel, and other occasional isitors, the same opportunity of constantly observing how the entire engine has been made to work in favour of i^opish principles and practises-had they the same oppor- tunity of observing the true character and conduct of the monks and nuns who teach in the schools, and of the IEELAND in 1846. 71 priests who superintend them*— or of the class and descrip- Tourists tion of books really read in nine out of every ten of the msr^rtel schools— which individuals who are always resident in the tations. country have— they would not have spoken of the system, either theoretically or practically, as they have done. They would have found that in most cases, while the " scrip- ture extracts'' are kept regularly in the schools, they are sel- dom looked at by the children ; but that, in their stead, in three-fourths of the schools, orations delivered by Mr. O'Oon- nell and other demagogues in Conciliation Hall,are constantly perused by those who can read.f Indeed, I think it would I have stated in a former p.age, that from the various orders of friars and nuns, dedicated to the Church of Rome, by particular vows, most of the masters and mistresses in the National Schools are selected ; many of them being Jesuits and jesuitesses. Of their determination to do all in their power to fill up the ranks of their church from among the Protestant children, we have had some convincing proofs in the mistresses appointed by the Board of Guardians iu the work-houses of Dublin ; some of whom have more than once, even at the risk of dismissal from their situations, kidnapped Protestant children, in order to train them up as Romanists. This fact I state from my own knowledge as a Poor Law Guardian, t The writer in *« the Patriot," before referred to, observes — *' If the visiter happened to be a Protestant, known to be friendly to the Board, who had given notice beforehand of his coming, he would be received with marked courtesy. But such an inspection would signify nothing; — all idolatrous pictures and images would be removed from the walls ; Roman Catholic books would be kept out of sight ; all oral lessons, inculcating Popish notions and doctrines, would be avoided; O'Connell's speeches would not be found pasted on the lesson-boards and conned over by the scholars. It is only where a visit is totally unexpected, and the visiter a person who excites no suspicion, that a glimpse of the truth is obtained. Where such visists have been made, the worst of the abuses we have just hinted at have been found to exist. The worst doctrines and practices of the Church of Rome have been found to be taught ; and a friend of our own has found some of the most objectionable orations of the arch Agitator in the hands of the children, as reading lessons. Is any one so simple as to imagine, that Inspectors can prevent such abuses, or that a complaint to the Board would secure their being corrected ? We tell him, he knows little of Ireland. « • * rpj^g whole affair is a clear and a very large gain to Popery. Missionary efforts among the Roman Catholics will, henceforth, be doubly difficult ; their understand- 72 IRELAND IN 1846. i only be doing "justice to Ireland," were Mr. Noel, and others who have written on the subject as he has done, now to as- certain the real state of the case, and to set the English pub- lic right on some points to which allusions were made in their former pubhcations ; and if possible, have a Parhamentary Commission to inquire into the facts as reported. ^of^e"" ^^^ ^^^^' ^^^^' ^^ ^^^y ^^ I'^ht ^^ observe, that while to Es^aWished the opposition of the priests the withdrawal of the grant much to blame ^^^°^ Kildare-place Society is mainly to be attributed, the Clergymen of the Established Church were not without their share of blame in the transaction ; and I cannot but feel that the position in which they are now placed is some- thing like a judicial punishment for the part acted by many of their number in reference to that Society. Not only did many of them appear perfectly indifferent as to whether the bible schools which it maintained, were support- ed by Government or not, but because the Committee of that Society would not sanction the introduction of the Protest- ant Catechism and Church formularies into the schools, they actually opposed the Society, and refused in any way to be connected with it.* Had the Prelates and Clergymen of the Protestant Church made the same effort to support the Society in whose schools the bible without note or com- ment was read, that they have since done to establish schools in which the catechism and other formularies of the Church are taught, and joined the Presbyterians in opposing the National system, it is considered by those best acquainted with the subject, that neither Lord Stanley nor Sir Robert Peel would have been able to succeed in their efforts to accommodate the priests, by establishing the Nat ional Board. That this opinion is correct, is ings will be shut up against us by double bolts and bars of pT^j^idi^^T^ir hearts will be harder to us than the nether millstone."- r^e Patriot September 2\,l8ie. ^^ patriot, ■ of Fer'ns^'' ^'""gtcn's letter, in reference to his Father, the late Bi.hop IRELAND IN 1846. »7 73 evident from what two of the Commissioners of Enquiry already referred to stated in their Peport:— I' We have observed, during the two last years, indications of public opinion in various quarters, sufficient to satisfy us . that neither frorn thp clergy of the Established Church, nor from the Presbyterians nor from any considerable portion of the laity, could we have obtained that co-onera tion in the plan which would have been indispensably necessary for its' Here again I deem it necessary to express my honest Cuse of ti,. conviction, that to the very same exch.sive and sectarian "Seofthe feehng may be traced the extinction or rapid decline of the "od™r London Hibernian Society, one of the very best institutions ever set on foot for the welfare of the poor of Ireland. It was commenced in the year 1806, by a niinlber of gentlemen of various denominations, resident in London, "for Establishing Schools, and Circulating the Holy Scriptures in Ireland." In its fundamental principles it is stated, that — - It being the grand object of the Society to impart Scriptural Instruc- tion to those under their care, the only books provided by the Society and used in its Schools, shall be the Holy Scriptures of the Old and Nevv Testament, without note or comment, in the English and Irish languages, and the Society's Spelling Books in English and InrsH."— and aglin, " That every Clergyman and Dissenting Minister who is a member of the Society, shall be entitled to attend and vote at all the meetings of the committee." In this way the Society went forward for upwards of thirty-five years, with a success commensurate to its liberality ; when, unhappily for the country and the pros- perity of the Protestant religion, in the year 1840, the spirit of Puseyite sectarianism having crept into the Committee, a compact was entered into between those of them resident in London and the Committee of the Church Education Society in this country, to change the name and objects of the Society, to give up their offices in Dublin, and connect it with the latter Institution.* 1 I • In the Report for the present year, of the Ladies' Hibernian So- ciety, for Educating Female Children, it is stated-." That it has been i 74 IBELAND IN 1846. !) 1 II ^ f In the year 1843 the change took place, when it was agreed that the name should thenceforward be — "The London Hibernian Society, in aid of the Church Educa- tion Society for Ireland." " The affairs of the Society to be under the management of Members of the Churches of England and Ireland, out of whom the Committee shall be exclusively chosen." That " The objects of the Society are to assist Schools at present exist- ing in the country, and to establish new Schools on an improved system, for the purpose of affording to the children of the church,* instruction in the Holy Scriptures, and in the catechism and other formularies of the church, under the direction of the Bishops and Parochial Clergy, and under the tuition of Teachers, who are members of the United Church of England and Ireland." Bad effects of ^ow well the " new system" has worked, and how bene- London"^ ficial the change has been to the cause of true religion in Hibernian Ireland, and to its poorer inhabitants, the following state- ment wiill demonstrate — In laSl the Receipts of the- Society were ... ... £7,000 In 1840 they had progressed to upwards of ... ... 10,000 In 1844, the year after that in which the change of name and objects was effected, they declined to ... 3,876 And in the present year, 1846, the amount returned is 2,4o0t A tolerably fair indication it must be admitted of the Societj. more than once suggested to the Committee to lessen the time hitherto appropriated to the reading of, and committing Scripture to memory;'' but we are told— « After mature consideration, they felt it right to pursue undeviatingly, the original plan of the Society." Well would it have been for the cause of truth in Ireland, had the Committee of the London Hibernian Society pursued an equally prudent course. * See Bishop of Limerick's opinion in Appendix, t The Church Education Society, instituted in 1839 for the education of its pupils on the principles of the Church of England, and supported wholly by voluntary contributions, (including the sums received from the London Hibernian Society as above) presents the following summary of its proceedings since its commencement : Years. Schools. Pupils. Receipts. Years. Schools. Pupils. Receipts. 1839, . 825 43,627 £8,470 1840, . 1,U15 59,067 £14,482 1841, . 1,319 60,643 £19,050 1842, . 1.382 185,096 £27,874 1843, . 1,729 102,528 £28,065 1844, . 1,812 104,968 £35,772 In the sixth report of this Society it is stated, that of the 104,968 IRELAND IN 1846. 75 feelings of the former subscribers and patrons, as to the propriety of adopting such exclusive measures. While on this particular point — as^my object is to trace the great leading evil of Ireland to its source, in order that a remedy may be applied — I feel constrained to notice the alienated feeling which exists between the Clergymen of the Established Church and the Ministers of the various other Protestant denominations in Ireland. That this unchristian and sectarian feeling has gradually increased Sectarian during the last fifteen years, cannot be denied ; while it is ciergymelTof equally evident that just in proportion to the increase of ^^r^^^^^ this feeling, has been the decrease of exertion against the great antichristian power of Rome. The same sectarian spirit which led to the upsetting of the London Hibernian Society, has closed the Committees of the various religious institutions (with the exception of the Bible Society) against the Ministers of every dissenting denomination. Twenty years since the Church Clergyman and Dissenting Minister might be seen together on the platform of nearly every religious society on which they could meet without compromise of principle ; and in the public discussions with the priests of Rome they appeared to be actuated by one heart, and one mind, " striving together for the faith once deHvered to the saints." This feeling has long since evaporated — the truth of the matter is, that since the period at which so many of the Oxford divines were led, by the ignis fatuus oi apostolic succession, into the bogs and quagmires of Puseyism and Popery — a narrow and Ksectarian spirit has unconsciously been creeping over the Clergy of the Episcopal Church in every part of the United Kingdom — while in many places scholars on the rolls, 32,834 are Roman Catholics, and 13,668 are Pro- testant Dissenters. In 1840 the number of children in the schools of the London Hibernian Society amounted to 114,170 : 8,763 being adults, of the children in the daily schools 55,168 were Protestants, Episcopa- lians, and Dissenters, and 33,220 Koman Catholics. 76 IKELAND IN 1846. Sectarian feeling of Dissenters. not a few of them, by maintaining Piiseyite principles, have given the people too much reason to form the same opinion of them that was entertained of the Clergy in tlie time of James I. that "the Kings priests were little better than the Pope's priests." But on this subject I trust I shall not be mistaken, as I should by no means wish to insinuate that the entire fault of this sectarian feeling rests with the Clergymen of the Establishment, and that the Dissenters are^not at all to blame ! On the contrary, I conceive that a very considerable share of the guilt lies at the door of the latter— that they, by their unkind and uncourteous bearing, have evoked much of the unfriendly feeling which has been manifested. By their forgetfulness of the great object of their mission, to preach the gospel, and to inculcate peace and good-will, and, not unfrequently, from the very unchristian and uncalled for attacks which they have made on Clergymen of the Established Church, in the districts where they have been for a time located, they themselves have generated the unchristian spirit of which they have complained, and called forth those invidious observations, which never would have been made had they acted more in the spirit and temper manifested by their Lord and Master, and his Apostles. That this remark is applicable to nearly every dissenting denomination in the country I have no hesita- tion in saying— the Presbyterian, the Baptist, the Inde- pendant and the Methodist— have in their turn contri- buted their quota to the production of the feeling which has tended so much to keep up the estrangement com- plained of. Those who can at all remember how matters stood some fifteen or twenty years ago, and who have since then observed passing events, must admit the justness of these remarks. The antipopish spirit which was roused through- out the country by the discussions with the Priests of Eome, produced, at it was calculated to do, a feeling of IRELAND IN 1846. r fj ii" 77 friendly and fraternal regard between Churchmen and Dis- senters, who, although disagreeing in minor points, advo- cated on the same platform the great leading doctrines of the Protestant religion— justification by faith alone, and " the right of private judgment in the reading of the scrip- tures ;— thus giving to the world a practical demonstration Former good of the real unity which exists amongst Protestants, as to between Epis- the fundamentals of their religion. There can be no ques- ^^P'?^^-'^"^ ^^^ tion that by many this good feeling between the Clergymen of the Establishment and the Ministers of the various Dissenting bodies was not approved of. On the one side it was feared that principle might be compromised ; while on the other side there were not a few who appeared to prefer the regularly ordained priest of Eome, who could trace his succession to St. Peter, to the Dissenting Min- ister, who laid no claim to such distinction. On this point, if I mistake not, more than one of the dignitaries of the Protestant Church, were honest enough to place their sentiments on record— and judging from the specimen given in the appendix* there can be no doubt that the feehng then was the same as that lately pro- pounded by His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, that the Eomish priests should not be interfered with— that they should not be disturbed in the quiet possession of theirflocks; but that the Protestant Clergyman should confine his min- istrations to those of his own flock and denomination, and that the poor Romanists should be left to the guidance of then- regularly appointed spiritual instructors— the priests of the church of Rome. Acting on this principle every thmg of a controversial character or tendency was dis- couraged in high places ; and in a short time the effect became visible! What was fashionable in the Episcopal • See extract from « Conversations of the late Bishop of Limerick the Eight Rev Jebb, with a gentleman in Cambridge," given in the Appendix. 78 IRELAND IN 1846. palace, soon became fasl.ionable in the Protestant pulpit • sermons on the errors of popery were discontinued, and efforts to enhghten the Roman Catholics were in a great measure given up; while on the other hand the good feel- Komanists '"/ ™' ^"^ ^''Sm to shew itself between the Clergymen •t'o o-r^'SS^rl^'J^™"""' ^-! I^'--ting Ministers gradually agreements ^uDsitied , and m several instances, between those who had ProSru. '''''"'■' ;'T y""' «*«<''' together as soldiers under the one great leader, many unpleasant skrimishes took place. Al this tm>e the priests of Rome were busily engaged in fort,fymgthe,r entrenchments; and taking advantage of the favourable turn in their favour-observing that the various bodies of Protestants were either quarrelling amongst themselves, or sleeping at their posts-they pushed forward the.r own particular interests in every possible way; and thus, through the folly of Protestants, they have no,v gamed an eminence from which, I fear, it will be lound very difficult to dislodge them. On these points then, it is surely the wisdom of Protes- tants of every denomination to lake a lesson from expe- rience. If, while they were united and energetic in their endeavours to oppose error find spread the truth, the blessmg of God rested evidently and abundantly on their exertions ; and if, while they have been disagreeing amongst themselves, the enemy of truth has " stolen a march upon them"_should they not from these considera- tions be induced to retrace their steps, and endeavour to regain their former position ? Should they not. in the strength of the Lord, determine, that from henceforward, amongst all who hold the Head, and " who love the Lord Jesus m sincerity and truth"-and who, from love to him, love aJ who bear his image-" all anger, and wrath and bitterness, and evil speaking, and all uncharitable- ness shall for ever cease;" and that from tWs time forward, the kindliest feelings of Christian affection and regard should not only be cherished in the heart, but IRELAND IN 1846, \ 79 manifseted in the life and conversation— especially amongst those who '^minister in the word and doctrine"— so that the world may be constrained to take notice of the change, and to say, "see how these Christians love r Ifc has been well observed by that excellent Christian Minister, the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, that " Eome stands chiefly by the divisions of Protestants," tlmt " she gfj^^^^f J^^^^^ points to our disagreements— though they be about minor opinion, things, and outward forms, and though we agree in the great and vital essentials of gospel truth— and glories in her unity, though it be merely a formal agreement in out- ward things, and a bare profession of Catholic truths, joined with mostantiscriptural and fatal errors." Shall, then the apparent itniiy of Eomanists tell upon the world at large, while the real imity of the people of God lies hid under a bushel, and the cause of Christ suffers by their unfaithfulness ? Common sense forbids such an impolitic line of conduct— our common religion forbids it— and the best interests of the land in which we live forbid it. Let an exertion be made, therefore, by all parties, to abate the evil— let the high Churchman determine to forego his " pride of caste," and his fancied superiority over his Dissenting brother in the ministry— and let Dissenting Ministers of every denomination determine in the strength of the most High, henceforward to give no just cause of offence to his brother in the Establishment — to refrain from those harsh and unchristian attacks which were but too well calculated to wound the best feelings of Christian brethren in the Episcopal Church, and which never yet did any good to the cause of truth. I am aware that from those who believe in " Apostolic Succession" — little in this way is to be expected ;* but to • Speaking on the subject of the Evangelical Alliance, to an esteemed friend, a fellow of Xrinity College, Dublin, who has unfortunately been / 80 IRELAND IN 1846. IRELAND IN 1846. 81 those Evangelical Clergymen of the Church of England who prefer the dictates of Revelation to the dognms of the Father., and the rules laid down by our Lord and h'S Apostles, to the traditionary observances of " the Church/' the Christian pubHc now look with confidence, assured that for the sake of truth, and to meet the exigencies of the present perilous times, they will forego feelings which they may hitherto have cherished ; inasmuch as nothing less than a great and united exertion on the part of Chris- tians of every denomination, can save Ireland from becoming a prey to the worst evils which Popery can inflict. But let me not for a moment be mistaken— I ask not for No compro- *^^® sliglitest compromise of principle— let principle be c'l^lLe'qS" l^""^"*^^""^--^"^ "^^^ ^^^'^^« '''^^^^^ dlssimulation'^-and m the mamtenance of principle, let it still be evident that Christian love prevails. I feel, indeed, that there is nothing whatever to prevent this being carried out to the fullfcct extent in Ireland, where it is especially the interest of all that it should be so. Liberty of conscience, and the right of private judgment, are the unalienable birth-right of the Christian, and should be equally respected by the Churchman as by the Dissenter ; and surely the one has as good a right to maintain his opinion that religion should be supported by the voluntary offerings of those who love and value the truth, as any other Christian brother has to contend for religion being supported by the State. On points like these they must agree to differ; but let not their differences on these minor matters, prevent their joining together in exertions to save immortal spirits from eternal wo, or in endeavours to stem the current of immorality led away by ** The Fathers," into a belief in " Apostolic Succes. sion ;" he frankly admitted that he felt it would be his duty, did he not beUeve in this doctrine, at once to join with the ministers of the various Protestant Churches, in efforts for the common good of the people of the land; I should therefore hope, that the evangelical clergymen of Ireland, will look at the matter in this Ught, and act accordingly. / !>. and wickedness with which so many portions of this island have for years past been deluged. That the land in which we live has a peculiar claim Proposition on the attention of British Christians, I think will be very the Romish generally admitted ; it is beset with many evils, and the I^riests. friends of truth have much to contend against in their endeavours to benefit it. I have already shown this in two important particulars, but in or derstill further to stimulate Christians to great exertions in this good cause, there is one other topic to which I shall now call their most serious attention — I allude to the proposition which is to be brought under the consideration of Government, for paying the Priests of Rome, in a way similar to that in which the Ministers of the Presbyterian Church are paid. I believe there is now little doubt that if Government themselves do not originate such a measure, they will offer no opposition to those who do so. By a Roman Catholic barrister, a member of " Conciliation Hall," I am assured, tliat not only is the proposition to be brought forward, but that the priests, with all their pretended dislike to the measure, are perfectly prepared for it ; and in the best informed circles it is known that this is the secret of Mr. O'Connell's present line of action — that this is at least one of the causes why he and the priests have withdrawn their opposition to the British Government, and divided with the " Young Ireland " party, is now admitted by their best friends. It will be remembered, that when in the year 1825, the proposition for paying the Priests of Romo out of the public funds, was brought under the notice of Parliament by Lord Francis Leveson Gower, it was rather favourably received by the House of Commons ; as it appeared on a division, that there were 162 members for the motion, and 205 against it. There can be little doubt, therefore, from the increase of ultra liberals and Roman Catholics in the House, that unless some vigorous measures are at once K^L \ } •WV^BfacnRiiVx 82 IRELAND IN 1846. I adopted, to take the sense of the people of England on the question, and to give an unequivocal demonstration of their hostihty to it-if made a Cabinet question, and brought forward under the auspices of the Government, it will be earned by a considerable majority ; and thus the fate of Proposed ''■^'^''d^'' be irrevocably sealed. From the scale of Scale of payment submitted to the House by Lord Gower, in 1S25 thSste. '* "PP"^''^^ that, calculating on the most moderate ratio of remuneration, ^234,400 yearly would have been required to provide for the various orders of the Romish Clergy_the lollowmg was his estimate :— 4 Archbishops ... £1500 each 22 Bishops ... ... 1000 26 Deans ... ... 40O 200 First Class Priests ... 20t 800 Second Do. ... 120 1000 Third Do. ... 60 a tf i» a ••• ^£6,000 22,000 10,400 40,000 96,000 60,000 -£234,400 If then, at that period, it would have taken £234,400 to r^ ]^L^«"'f ' *^ ""'""'"'■ ^'^Icu'ated for, it follows that to pay 4,500, the actual number now in Ireland, even on the same low scale, about ^1,000,000 annually would be requ.3.te; to which if we add ^110,000 for teaching Ind^Totor f^:;" *° f *''•"'"" •'^ '"^^ ^^t--^' schools! and .£-70,000 for the education of the priests in Maynooth for teacbng Popery to the people of Ireland, out of the coffers of the English Exchequer. Whether or no the Protestants of England are disposed to say "content" o such an extravagant expenditure of the public money I few fSl'Ta dT/"^ r ''''''• ^'^^y' - * "-tte .vTth f ^r '' '^''^' ""^ ''''"Pl^^ ^'th this warn- ng. that unless some very extraordinary effort is made by the Chnstianpubho of England to prevent «nr.J, « ^ nnti'^r, ;* „ -11 . " prevent such a consum- mation it will most assuredly take place-as it is evident hose at present placed at the head of public affairs, are x tremely anxious to make it appear thaUheyare still bXr / J IRELAND IN 1846. 83 disposed than the late Premier, in his closing address, stated himself to be, to show particular favour to the Roman Catholic party.* Here, then, I would raise the voice of warning, and say — " now is the time for exertion" — for if once the incubus is placed fairly on the shoulders of the nation, although England may ultimately groan beneath the burden, she will not possess the power of shaking it off. Let Eome and her partizans but once get into the seat of power, and be able fully to influence the councils of the State, and vain will bo the exertions of the entire body of Protestants to regain their former position, or maintain either civil or religious freedom in the land. As the proposed payment of the priests of Rome appears to be one of the most important subjects which could, at to arguments the present moment, be brought before the minds of the ^^J^ Paying Protestants of Great Britain, I shall make no apology for ad- Priests, verting briefly to one or two of the more popular arguments which have been used by those friendly to the measure — first, that inasmuch as the rehgion of the people of Ireland was originally that of the Church of Rome, and as the church property of the country formerly belonged to the ancestors of the present race — it is only fair, as this pro- perty was taken from them and given to the Protestants — to make them some restitution, and in the way of a Begium Donum^ or a more permanent tax on the land, to make amends for past grievances. In the year 1838, during a debate on the tithe * From the reports of proceedings at "Conciliation Hall," in the public newspapers, it appears that the Lord Mayor of Dublin declared, on Monday, the 9th November instant, amidst loud cheering, that the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland had received instructions to jjlace all the patronage of the country in the hands of Mr. O'Conuell ; and his Lord- ship called on the meeting to approve of the Government on account of this feeling. — That this statement is not far from the truth appears evident from several statements which have since appeared in the public journals of the day. 84 IRELAND IN 1846. IRELAND IN 1846. question in the House of Commons, Mr. O'Connell ob- served — ndi's^a^m *'^* ^*^'' '^'''''^' property) was a property left by their Catholic an. to the Clmrch f ^^"^""^ *^ *^'^ ^^'^^^ P^^P^^, and left for exclusively Catholic purposes. Property of ^^ ^^s not left to the Protestants, for the name was then unknown • but Ireland. an Act of Parliament took it away from those to whom it was bequeathed and gave the property of the majority to a small minority, for Protes' tant purposes. Could they suppose that an Act of Parliament could blot out the ancient recollection that the property originally belonged to the Catholic:Churc]i It could not, and the recoUection would remain for ever." The same, or similar sentiments, have been reiterated from time to time in both houses of Parh'ament. Lord Sandon, during the debate on the Ma} nooth question, little more than a year since, stated, that — *' Without any change in the religious principles of the people their property was taken from them, and that they * might now look upon the measure proposed as some restitution for the spoliation thus committed.' " At the time Mr. O^Connell made the observation to which I have referred, I addressed a letter to the Editor of " The Times/'* which occupied more than two closely print- ed columns of that periodical ; la which I showed, from incontrovertible historic proof, by evidence taken from Roman Catholic and Protestant writers, that the learned Gentleman's assertion was altogether unfounded ; that on the contrary, the Roman Catholics should be the last parties in existence ever to refer to their acquisition of the properties of the church in Ireland, inasmuch as their Prnn!. !^",^^ ^^^^^f^^ *^' ^'^^'^* " ^r. O'Councll and Church Property in Ireland appeared in the Times of the 13th August, 1838. and was copied into the Christian Examiner in this city, with the foUowmg observations, written, as I was informed at the time, by I talented Clergyman now on the Episcopal bench •— 85 possession of that property was connected with one of the blackest deeds of perfidy on the part of Romish Ecclesi- astics, which could possibly disgrar^e the historic records of a nation ; and that to it may be traced nine-tenths of the miseries which Ireland has endured during the last six centuries. To enter at length into such a subject, in a worji like the present, it is evident would be altogether out of place ; to a few of the more striking facts, however, it appears ab- solutely necessary to refer — for let the church property of Ireland belong to whom it may, one thing can be most distinctly demonstrated, that unless it belong to the Church of Rome, in virtue of our country having been conquered for Pope Adrian, by Henry II., that church can have no claim to it whatever. That the portion of the church Romanists property which at that time fell into their hands, was have no just originally given voluntarily to a ckurch, or rather to a the Church number of churches, differing as widely from the Church ^'^operty. of Rome as the east does from the west, has been clearly proved, not only from authentic historical records, but from the evidence of ecclesiastics connected with Rome ; and from the bulls and anathemas of popes, who for cen- turies endeavoured to establish their authority in Ireland, without being able to accomplish their purpose. That the Christian religion had been introduced, and Christian churches formed in Ireland a length of time previous to the arrival of any Romish missionary in the country, is gene- rally admitted, even by Roman Catholic historians and writers. The abbe M'Geoghegan, Dr. O'Connor, Colgan, and numerous other Irish writers, admit the fact, as stated in the works of Archbishop Ussher, and, more recently, by Dr. Lannigan. However, as it is not my intention to write an Ecclesi- astical History of Ireland, I shall merely supply a few par- ticular items to prove my position, that the Church of Ireland did not derive its origin from the Church of Rome, 86 IRELAND IN 1846. I and that it was not in any way connected with or depen- dent upon that church, till the middle of the twelfth centuiy, when the King of England and the Pope of Rome joining the spiritual with the temporal powder, forced the native Christians to submit, or leave the country. The following condensed extracts from a rather lengthened work which I had prepared,* I now submit as conclusive on this question • — By whom Christianity was at first introduced into Ireland has never Early History ygj |,ggj, ascertained;! though it has been distinctly shewn that the churches of Ireland. ^,^^,jj^ ^^^ ^f Eji«t4, in opposition to t>< Romnb cuUOM, •dvoc&eing tht Uiih mvbuct oi bcir^ ^ thv itlfiliilO wbich Sl Jdia tU BfWgc^ift^ tbff di«ciplv wbom JcMks cfpedally lu«^< ^kl nil th« cImmcIm* undrr Ictt olMrrei/* From nil the infonn&sion tbit can be obuintd Mi tW nkjcct, it nfifmn St. PuriHe;rir»t onne fo Iri of the otecnri^tMM miidt Sn tlit pr^ sent paU^tko* ki refeiCMC to tb« Edocatioo CommlMioa* nnd tiM Majaooth Gnint, w^co oO^rod, ftt ■dmonltor^' of Iko couna wliicli d>Mdd b« imrt uctl by ProACiUuits. to kctp down tli« power of Rome. Had these b:€a Ktloded to, tlt« prie9t$w«ttk! not now bold tbctr pre^Mt poMso. OntbsitiiitQfnb^IwfolcanartldefcrtlieFroiaftantAdToeate. I It a ihougiit by some tl»at to P«i>"Kwpher of Wilfrid, it is « \Vc do not akWic br frirviotiA wriUn^s, but br tbs ilta«0 of our ooMitry, tuc^ m waa girtm hj re^ycnrp, tho diaoiplo of Sl» John." I TItat nceti of the Iriah Dirlaet wtcc csaooiMd for acTcnd ocnturioi alttr the period in which they livtd^in Uci utttU the coontrr va4 sold to BcoDDfh^ • vuttQT of hiatozk record. IBELAin)IN ld4^ 87 year, we are informed by Prosper, in biiCWonicits, tWit CeWslSoe, bishop of Rome, tCttC FalliiiiiK an a mi*«x3>Lful in hikfninion— the IrtthCbriitiinsreAMiig to enter lAto any cctBpict uith him; uid after stajing a short tlma in this country, be wju» on hai jotirney Uwk to^Ro«# when divatb cut tbon hia career ; he havinr, as some aHlrm, ^>ed oi a tfoken heart, in eecMOftmet of not horlflg »«ceccded in his mission. That PibtricSc vr.i% not a Koinish miMionary, or sent from Rome, ia ^^ F^trtc4e evident freoi the fact, that be himstif has leatcd it in bis letter to Corroti- not a RomUh CU5, still extiint,^ »• uvll a« from tho circumstanev that no menlbn whatvrrr ^uatkfouj, b mule of him by the RoiaUh wrtUffaof the ecn very toecessful in his eicrttonf to cocsrcft the Jrisb^ ha^ been in any uny oonnrcli^d with Romo, his faaic vwild hkvc been sounded forth by the smc Prosper who tells of Pallaisips M»(I by <4her «cnbe« Mt>d lititcciint* of tl>e Holy Se« in Rrleafcau Rede, a British Jlittoriua, connected with the Romish Church, ta hit *' MarttTolo^," ftiinpty MctitSaM FMriekV name as connected with Ireland, IPBt snys not a word of b)s bek^ in a»y way connected with Ro«t,| Mr. TImhim Moore^who«« donlr^ to ottiAitain the boaoor of the Christianity Bomish idB^km ia veil kaown^rcferrlng is his '* Ilistory of Irtlnnd" to <^tahiwbf turn niut^jmvk me cue fateor^ CertissMse a Dro aocepi id ciucd 4um. Inter bwharoaitaquf kabitov pcpsHTtoitt prel^sa oh tmorem Dei — Efis» Cor. <4 Ctn/cA. Pat. I It i« tbought, aiid with avtffy ap|»eacnce of probsbiHty, that Pa^rirk was oi Gsliic ocigin, and that he wsis connedal uich the Gillie Church, which ift admitted toha»cbc«n ot Eiaeef n oetgin. IVhaathafroafitfwopor. tka oi tht acoount* tniti*mitli4 to us, reluii-e to the act« of Sc Falnc^, betf all the roisks of leijeodary Mioo, two or three pa|>"'^ posset et Vetera Ob scura autem scnpturamm tam sapienter, scire volentibusyreVer™:!, ,,t cunct., qui ejus (utpote pueri) prudentiam et sermoues audierant adm IRELAND IN 1846. 89 the same writer speaks of their ministers as most learned in the F^ri.TT- f "t^f iTh* 1 ^"' r ? \ "^"'^"^ ^" ""' E.cl.sl..,c.l History! tha ^of IrS^ *the 1 ish observed only those works of piety and chastity, whi/h they could learn m the prophetical, evangelical, and apostolical writings that *Uhe continual meditation of the Scriptures was considered to give special vigour and vegetation to the soul;" while Colurabanus says, - Let these be thy riches, the precepts of God's law."* - By means of which heavenly riches, says Archbishop Ussher, "our ancient Scottish and Irish prospered so well that many worthy persons in foreign parts were content to undergo a voluntary exile from their country, that they might freely traffic here for so excellent a commodity"-the Latin translation was in common use- but the Hebrew of the Old, and the Greek of the New Testament, were those principally referred to by the learned divines of the day. In the ex tracts or quotations of the ancient Irish authors, to whom I have referred ^''"'^^ ^'''^^'^^ in various instances, the Greek, and not the Latin, is followed in the Xw the' New ; and in the Old Testament the Septuagint is adhered to. Scd[)tures Iheir views of the great leading doctrines of the Bible may be learned from the following: Sedulius, who lived at the close of the fifth century observes, «* Grace only makes the distinction between the redeemed and Doctrines the lost, who, by a cause drawn from their common original, were created tau-ht in^he together in one mass of perdition." Again, "all mankind stood con ^arly Irish demned m the apostatical root;" by the law, «« comes neither the rerais ^^^^^^^'^^^^s. sion, nor the removal, but the knowledge of sin ;" .hat " our sins are gra- tuitously forgiven us, without the merit of our works ;" that, therefore we are to rejoice, "not in our own righteousness, or learning, but in the' faith of the cross, by which all our sins are forgiven us ;" that " we esteem basely of Christ, when we think he is not sufficient for us to salvation " and that *'as the soul is the life of the body, so faith is the life of the souP' That - the root of righteousness does not grow out of works, but the fruit of works out of the root of righteousness."f These, and many like excellent sentences, which might be culled from the writings of the Irish divines of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth centuries, will sufficiently show the reader that the doctrines held by the first Christian Churches of Ireland were perfectly in accordance with those which were delivered to the saints by our Lord and his apostles; and in no way savoured of the errors of Popery. ^ It will be seen also from various authorities, that the early Chris- tians neither believed in a purgatory or in the efficacy of prayers for rr] ,.i the dead. The first person by whom the idea of a purgatory was men. ^'b^ieye in tioned, was Henry, the monk of Saltrey, who lived in the year 1153; at Purgatory or a time when Romish errors began to be widely diffused in the land. It is I^^^ycrs for the Dead. • See Bed. Eccl. His. Lib. 3. Sedul. and Claud Gal. 6. lb. in Rom 4- and Columb. m monast. ' ^» t Claud, lib. 2. Sedul. Carm. Paschal, in 1 Cor. 1 1. cum alliis antiquo- nbus innumens. "imuu i ^T«'*— - a. \ 90 IRELAND IN 1846. Early History of Ireland. St. Patrick's Opinion;, Opinion of Early Christians. Celibacy not practiced by them. They did not go to Confession. trae that prayers were frequently offered after the decease of eminent and godly characters ; but these were merely thanksgivings to God for his mercy to the individuals, and by no means intended as a propitiation for their sins.* In a work written by St. Patrick, about the year 440, it is said, " there are THREE habitations under the power of Almighty God ; the first, the low- ermost, and the middle ; that is, heaven, hell, and earth. The extremes are altogether contrary to each other ; but the middle has some similitude to the extremes ; for in this world there is a mixture of the bad and good together ; whereas, in the kingdom of God, there are none bad, but all good: but in hell there are none good, but all bad; and both these places are supplied out of the middle : for of the men of this world some are lifted up to heaven, and others drawn down to hell ; like are joined to like, good to good, and bad to bad ; just men to just angels, wicked men to wicked angels ; the servants of God to God, the servants of the devil to the devil ; the blessed are called to the kingdom of God, prepared for them from the beginning of the world ; the cursed are driven into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. "f This fully accords with the advice given by St. Hieronymus in the year 410, as quoted by Claudius Scotus, about 815, that '* while we are in this present world we may be able to help one another, either by our prayers or our counsel!^, but when we shall come before the judgment seat of Christ, neither Job, nor Daniel, nor Noah, can entreat for any one, but every one must bear lis own burden. "J Celibacy was not practiced by the Irish bishops or priests, as most of them'wcre married men; Patrick himself being son of Calphurnius, a deacon, and many of them were succeeded in their offices by their children. || With regard to the Confes-ional, it is clear, from ancient history, that the Irish would not submit to it, till Malachy, the pope's emissary, forced it upon them. Bernard, who wrote in the twelfth century, in his life of that ecclesiastic, bitterly complains of this ; he says, they "would not goto confession ; that neither would the laity undertake any penance, nor their priests impose it ;" thut " Malachy instituted the most salutary practice of Confession, and the sacrifice of confirmation. "§ While Alcuinus, a Romish I * Cot. edit, ab Usser. in Epi". Hib. Syllogi. •f- Patric. de Trib Habit. MS. Bib. Reg. Jacobap. J Uum in praesenti seculo sumus, sive orationibus, sive consiliis invicera posse nos adjuvari; cum antem ante tribunal Christi venerfmu.*, nee Job, nee Daniel, nee Noe, rogare posse pro quoquam ; sed unumquemque por- tare onus suum. — Claud, in Galat. vi, II Siqtiis Clericus, &c. — et uxor ejus (Clerici Nimiruniy) si non velato capite ambulaverit, pariter a Laicis contemnentur, et ab Ecclesia separen- tur. § Usum salubeiimum confessionis sacramentum confirmationis, contrac- tum conjugiorum (quae omnia aut ignorabant aut negligehant ) Malachias de novo instituit.— /n vita Malachiae, c. 2. Jt IRELAND IN 1846. 91 priest, who lived at the close of the eighth century, complains, in writing of the Irish, that *« no man of the laity will make his confession to the priests."* The ancient Irish, we are informed, " confessed to God alone believing that God alone could forgive sins." Ussher remarks, there is no doubt that on particular occasions they both publicly and privately made confession of their faults; thus we read of one Fechuans, who being touched with remorse for some offences committed by him, fell down at St. Colive's feet, and confessed his sins before all that were there present."! The penance prescribed to such penitents, we are informed by Bede, was usually " that he should wipe away his sins by meet fruits of repentance;" but we read nothing of what is termed sacramental penance being admitted or required. As to the priest forgiving sins, the ancient Irish believed that " God alone could forgive sins;" and Bede, although an English ecclesiastic, in writing on the ninth chapter of Matthew, thus proves the divinity of the Saviour. In their churches they had no images or statues, which Sedulius and Claudius expressly condemn, and which other writers brand as heathenish and idolatrous.^ It is agreed by nearly all historians that in the sixth and seventh cen- turies there were, at least, three hundred and sixty churches in Ireland, each church having its own bishop or pastor, completely independent of foreign influence. On this point Archbishop Ussher observes, <« We read in Nennius, that, at the beginning, St. Patrick founded here three hundred and sixty five churches, and ordained three hundred and sixty-five bishops, besides three thousand Presbyters. In process of time, the number of bishops was daily multiplied, according to the pleasure of the metropolitan, (whereof Bernard much complains) ; and that, not only so far that every church almost had a separate bishop, but that in some " towns or cities, there were appointed more than one ; yea, and oftentimes bishops were made without having any certain bishoprics assigned to them." That the clergymen connected with the Church of Rome would not allow the ordination of the Irish clergy or bishops to be regular, appears from the following extract of a decree passed by the Saxon bishops in the sixth century: *' Such as have received ordination from the Scot's bishops, let them be again confirmed by a Catholic bishop, and let the churches be sprinkled with exorcised water,"§ &c. While the followers of Rome acted Early History of Ireland. They had no Images in their Churches. Number of Churches in Ireland in the Sixth Century. * Alcuin. Epist. 26. t Coranri omnibus qui ibidem erant peccata sua confessus est. Adam, vit. Col, lib, 1 c. 16. . t Recedentes a lumine veritatis sapientes, quasi qui invenissent quo modo invisibihs Deus per simulacrum visibile coleretur In Roman. 1 Deus nee in metallo aut saxo cognoscitur — Claudius Scotus, 1. 2. in mat § From the records of Rome we learn, that after the Irish missionaries had been driven out of Wales by the agents of the Pope, the churches were consecrated after the Romish fashion Bede h. 3, c. 23. »«■ 92 IRELAND IN 1846. corruption:.... previue. in^or IS iro^:::;::^^ '^^^'^ of a portion of which the following is a iiteraltransLtir^ ""^ """ ^ *' Woe be to that priest born, That will not cleanly weed bis corn • And preach his charge among; AVoe be to that shepherd (I say), That will „ot watch his flock ahvaj', As to his office doth belong U^oe be to him that doth not^eep From Komi.h wolves his gentle sheep, With staff and weapon strong." A warning which bv thp ivoi» ,..« i gained no cou„try_,l,at at that time the IH h L , ^"""^ "° '^""''"^ '" ""= footing in necled with RnSt P '"'''''" ""'' »<" ro-'^idered as con. Seventh , , ' "°™'^' " *'*" «"''e"t 'rom the fact, that tho„i,l, f),» r , , ".ention. that '■noone h!;^L:i:iT,r:^;x,::sirr; "^"^ for the Paschal observance » ^^"""^''^ "^^^""^^^ order ; for, as Usshcr has i, «H "* '" "">' P'^i'-ular legates in the twelfth centiirv in r.. p z^-,, , """^^" ^Y the Pope s cierg, of Ireland about t?rne say "h'the^'rV" '"'"'"' '" '"« ;n order that <■ the various sc:s;Zu: e s wt ^ M^ l^" Tn";"" .and h b,e„,eU.ded, .ay give place to one C^l^o'li^rR Z ote''"t ' in reference to the ordinance of the Lord's S.mnpr i, . * OrmnancoscfV'ous to the Ro.i.h usurpation, in the teult^nT; .ThT/^h X the Karly fans received the sacrament in both kinds iust as ,v^ In in.. Chureb. .tion of his dyi„. We. On this euhJectiroVZ LtlT IHrXr Seduhus, who flourished about the year 490, beautifully and exprj ive W observes, " He left us a memorial of himself ; even as if one that wasl ■ ^ a far journey should leave some token of affection with a loJod com s^iaiJati^'jeVd:;-;;- "' ^^^-^^ '' '- -- -■ - --^'- h-; + TT. J- . , . * ^^^^ Jib. 2, c. 20. T t/t diversi et schismatisci illi ordines nnih.ic r-ra.^ • est, uni Catholico et Romano cedamoffin^^^ Ijibernia pene tota deK.»„ et ab Usserio, in Epist officio. -Pro%. de usu Ecchsiastico, usa ^; J L IRELAND IN 1846. 93 When, in the ninth century, the doctrine of transubstantiation was first Early History broached by the Church of Rome, it was at once attacked by Johannes ^^ Ireland. Erigena, well known as a favourite of Charles the Bald— who had to fly from that court and country in consequence of himself and his book being condemned by the then reigning pope, who had no other way of con- futing it.* That the ancient Church of Ireland for several centuries maintained its independence is admitted by writers on every side of the question, Roman Catholic and Protestant. That it was not esteemed to be a political em- pire, or « an organised society, with a proper subordination of officers and subjects," but the congregation of the faithful throughout the world, how- ever differing in discipline or modes of worship, we learn from Claudius, a very celebrated writer of the ninth century, who tells us that «' the sons of the church, they held to be all those who from the beginning of the world, to this time, have attained to be just and holy,"t From the concurrent testimony of Irish writers, it appears that from an ^ early period the greatest exertions were made by the Church of Rome to madftoTn- induce the Christians of Ireland to adopt its forms and ceremonies— but duce the' without any effect— the Christian bishops of Ireland, in the sixth century, ^^rly Chris- refusing even to sit at meat with the emissaries of the Pope. J * *^^"^ *" J"^" That the churches in Ireland were in no way coimected with Rome ^^^' is also proved beyond a doubt by various remonstrances from Popes and others. Thus, Honorius I. in the seventh century, exhorts the Irish " not to esteem their own small number, seated in the extremities of the earth, to be wiser than the ancient or modern churches of Christ, through- out the world. "H And, again, Cumtnian, a proselyte to Rome, writing to Segjan, Abbot of Columkill, desires him to consider which is most likely to be right, the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, or a parcel of Britons and Irish. § * Johanniis Scote liber de Eucharistia lectus est et condemnatus Lanfranc de Eucharist, contra Berenyar. Inter cetera fecit librum de Eucharistiae qui postea lectus est, et condemnatus in synodo vercellensi, a papa Leone celebrata — Joan Paris ad annum 877. f Ecclesiae filii sunt omnes ab institutione generis humani usque nunc quotquot justi et sancti esse potiierunt Claud, lib. 2 in Mat. X Nam Daganus Episcopus ad non veniens, non solum cibiim nobiscum, sed nee in eodura hospitio quo viscebamur, sumere voluit Bed His. Eccles. 1. 2. c. 4. II Exortans, ne paucitatem snam in extremis terrae finibus constitutam, sapientiorem antiquis sive niodernis, que per orbera terrae sunt, Christi ccclesiis aestimarent.— JSet/. His. Eccles. 1. 2. c. 19.— Videatur etiam/usim de hac re. 1. 3. c. 25. § Vos considerate— utrum Hebraei, et Grajci, et Latini, & ^gypti, simul in observatione praecipuaium solemnitatem uniti ; an Britonum°Sco- torumque particuhi qui sunt pene extremi, et (ut ita dicam) mentagrae orbis terrarum.— CMffimia^ Hiberni ad Segianum Huensem Abbatem Epis- tole M.S. in Bibliotha Canton et edit, ab Usser. in Bpistolar Hybernica Syllogi. ^ »-%% .1- u . 9* lEELAND IN 1846. IRELAND IN 1846. 95 Early History of Ireland. 1 1 i No Arch- bishops in Ireland till Twelfth Century. In the year 592, Pope Gregory I. addressed a letter to the Irish Chris. lans, invmng them to unite with Ron,e,» and afterwards, Lawrenee, Areh- lishop of Canterbury, and his associates, sent an epistle to them, exhorting, beseeehing, and eonjuring them to unite ,vith the Romish Church, f The first regular attempt made by a Romish pontiff at subjugating the Church of Ireland, wasin the year 1127 when Giliebus, an Ostman, bishop of Limerick, received the commission of Legate from the Holy See ; after him Malachy, Bi.hop of Armagh, was appointed ; but it was not till 1152 that Cardinal Paparon, legate a latere of Pope Eugenius III. convened a council at Kells, and in that assembly the supremacy of the Roman pontiff was for the first time acknowledged by the Irish clergy. Paparon had brought tour *• palls" from Rome, and these were the first used in Ireland f Some Romish Historians speak of sundry «rc//Z,/s;io;?s being in Ireland between the time of St. Patrick and Mallachius ; but Giraldus Cambren- sus informs u., that although St. Patrick chose Armagh as his seat, and appointed it to be, as it were, a metropolitan See, and the proper place for the primacy of Ireland, yet, withal, he states distinctly "there were no archbishops in Ireland, but that bishops only consecrated one ano- ther, until Paparo brought the four palls."|| The bishop of Armagh was styled archbishop by foreign writers, out of respect to St. Pa- trick ; Armagh being considered by them his See ; other Irish divines were also so styled by such writers, though they did not assume any such dignity§ On this subject, Gilbertus, a Romish divine, thus writes, •« What can be more indecent or schismatical than that the most learned of our order should be regarded as a private layman in another man's church." Ultimately the power of the Romish See was brought to bear upon * Unde iterum habital locutione, charitatem vestram admoneo, ut Cquo- rnv^i.lr '''^''^''Pl'^ ^^'} "«^tr^ integritas in causa trium capitulorum tram, quae fil.os suos expectat et invitat, Ecclesiam redeatis ; quanto vos ab a qnotidie expectar, cognossitis.-Gr.^. Regis. 1. 2. Epis. 36 T bcripsit cum Episcopis suis adhortatoriam ad eos epistolam ; obsecros IZ Vj^'^'TTfr "">^^^^"1. P?ci-S et Catholics observationi; cum ea! qua toto orbe diffusa est, Christi Ecclesia tenere.^Bed. Hist. Eccles t The ancient pall, from the Latin pallium, was a magnificent habit in which the metropolitan Romish bishops^vere invested at^he" consecra" tion It 18 at present a narrow piece^f cloth which is thrown over the shoulders ; without this they cannot call a council, bless the chrism con secra.e churches, &e. The ancient Irish bishops never used them J ^A^Ffj'r'J'"\ P •'""" Archiepiscopus dicitur, qui prima Pallio usus h.;. i ° *">* '?*""■ *°'° "<"n'ne Archiepiscopi et Primates voca! all who remained firm to their principles ; and in the end they were Early History either exterminated or driven out of the country.* of Ireland. The last remnant of the real Christian people of Ireland were the Culdees, who, by their Christian conduct, extorted even from their ene- mies, a meed of praise sufficient to shew their real character. Some of them took refuge in the Hebrides, and the various neighbouring islands- while others emigrated to parts of England and the Continent, where they estabUshed schools and planted Christian churches. The light of divine truth, thus driven from the island, the people relapsed into a kind of semi-barbarism. For centuries matters remained in this position. Relapse of or rather they grew worse and worse ; and even when in other countries ^^^^^ ^^ish reason slowly awakening from the slumber of ages, discovered the cpm-'b^'*h imposition, and dissolved the spell by which the Church of Rome ism. '" had continued to keep the minds of men in bondage, but a few faint beams of that glorious reformation reached the shores of Ireland. Its North-east frontiers were, indeed, in a measure irradiated ; but the rays were so faint and feeble as to have left altogether un- blessed its Southern and Western districts; the consequence is, that Ireland presents at this moment one of the most humiliating spectacles which can be placed before the mind of man—a people surrounded with as many natural advantages as could possibly be found in any portion of the globe, and yet, sunk down into the lowest state of poverty, degrada- tion, and wretchedness. Millions of them perishing for want of the commonest articles of food, and depending altogether on eleemosynary aid for their very existancer Such then was the Irish Church, and isuch the rehgion estabhshed in the country,f at the period when Pope Adrian granted the Bull to Henry II.+ authorizing him to * Dr. Chalmers in his ''Caledonia," says " The Culdees gradually fell a sacrifice to the Moloch of superstition— but it was upon the altar of their ancient faith. t III the hasty sketch I have thus given of the early Christian Churches ?i /!u '. I would not have it supposed I considered them perfect, or that.they had nothmg wrong in their constitution ; nor would I insinu- ate that the entire of the inhabitants of Ireland were real Christians. The excellent men who lived in the earlier ages never made any such representation ; on the contrary, Gildas, a writer of the sixth century, complains that " the number of the faithful in his time was exceedingly small ; and there can be no doubt that at the very time when the island was blessed with the greatest number of faithful men, and the purest cburches, intestine wars raged violently among the princes and people of the various portions of the island." « *- v i? t " Adrian, a servant of the servants of God, to his sonin Christ Jesus, Jtlenry, King of England, sends greeting an apostolical benediction— Bull of Pope Ihe desire your magnificence expresses, to advance the glory of your Adrian for name on earth, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven, deserves the Henry Hi il" " iMp immmsmttt 96 IRELAND IN 1846. Early History come over and conqiier this country : a document which will of ^Ireland, g^jj^^^j ^^ ^n imperishable monument of the intolerance and rapacity of the Eomish power, of the high character and integrity of the ancient Irish Christians, and of the cruelty and injustice exercised towards them by Romish Ecclesi- astics; who, for their own aggrandizement, allowed the people to be sacrificed. Henry's letter to his Holiness, at once furnishes a specimen of the most contemptible and hypocritical dissimulation, and proves that the Irish Henry II. Church was not under the controul of Rome. In it he observes that — •• As the Irish were schismatics and bad Christiansy it was necessary to reform them, and oblige them to own the Papal authority ^ which they had hitherto disregarded ; and that the most probable means to attain this end was to bring them into subjection to the crown of England, which had even been devoted to the Holy See." Letter to Pope Adrian highest commendations; for as a. good Catholic Prince, you are very solicitous to enlarge the boundaries of the church, propagate the know- ledge of the truth among the barbarous and ignorant, and pluck up vice by the roots in the field of the Lord ; and with this view you apply to us for countenance and direction. We are, therefore, confident that your undertaking will be crowned with success, since wliatever is undertaken from a principle of faith and religion, never proves abortive. *'It is certain that, according to your own confession, Ireland, as well as all other islands that have embraced the doctrines of Christianity, is unquestionably St. Peter's right, and belongs to the jurisdiction of the Romish Church : and for this reason, after mature deliberation, we have concluded it to be expedient to plant in that island colonies of the faith- ful that may be acceptable to God. •* You have given us to understand, most dear son in Christ, that you intend an expedition into Ireland, in order to reduce it into subjection to just laws, and to extirpate vice which has long been triumphant there : and you promise to pay us out of every house an annual acknowledge- ment of one penny ; and to maintain the rights of the church without the least detriment or diminution. Upon this promise we readily con- sent and allow that you make a descent into that island, to enlarge the boundaries of the church : to reform the manners of the natives, and to promote the growth of virtue and the Christian religion ; and we exhort you to do wliatever you apprehend to be proper to promote the Iionour of God, and the salvation of the people, whom we charge to own you for their sovereign lord. Provided that the Peter's pence be punctually paid, and the rights of the church inviolably preserved. If then you put your design into execution, labour above all tilings to improve the natives of Ireland in virtue, and use both j'our own and the endeavours of those you shall judge worthy to be employed in this work, 4hat the Church of God and true religion may flourish in the country, the honour of God, and the salvation of souls in such a manner advanced as may entitle you to an everlastiDg reward in heaven, and an immediate one on earth. Adrian." IRELAND IN 1846. 97 Dr. Lannigan in his Ecclesiastical History, as well as several other Romish historians, in reference to the usurpations of Henry, speak of its having been effected by bribed and treacherous Ecclesiastics, acting in concert with foreign emissaries ;* and when an effort was made to enforce uniformity in modes of worship, and to establish compulsory taxation for the support of religion, we are informed by these same Romish Historians, that "the Irish people and clergy disregarded these decrees passed in foreign synods, and continued to observe only their own ecclesiastical rules." From the dates of the foregoing particulars it will be seen that the Irish Christians were the last on the face of the globe to submit to the domination of the Romish See ; and that they did not submit till forced by the sword of a tyrant, aided by the powers of a pope. Numbers emigrat- ed to other lands, and the remainder w^ere forced to sub- mit. So great was their abhorrence of the intolerance of Rome, that they even refused to admit a legate from the pope to a conference, nor would they sit at meat with one of his emissaries. These are historical facts — all of them capable of the fullest proof — and most of them admitted by Protestant and Romish historians ; the entire clearly proving that when the rest of Christendom had yielded up their consciences to the keeping of their priests, and the rights and exercises of private judgment were lost sight of, the Irish Christians maintained their privileges. Speaking on these points, Mosheim observes : — " The Irish or Hibernians, who, in this century, were known by the name of Scots, were the only divines who refused to dishonour their reason by submitting it implicitly to the dictates of authority." And again. Independence of Ireland . bartered away Early Irish Christians driven from the Country. Mosheim'a Opinion. * Even, Mr. Thomas Moore, treating of this transaction, in his History of Ireland, observes, in reference to the Bull of Adrian to Henry, that it " was accompanied by a stipulation for the payment to St. Peter, of a penny annually from every house in Ireland, this being the price for which the independance of the Irish people was thus bartered away." 98 IRELAND IN 1846. Mosheim's " "^^^ ^^^^^ doctors alone, and particularly Johannes Scotns, had the Opinion of courage to spurn the ignominious fetters of authority, and to explain the the Early sublime doctrines of Christianity in a manner conformable to the dictates Tnsri Christians. ^^ reason, and the principles of true philosophy. But this noble attempt drew upon them the malignant fury of a superstitious age, and exposed them to the hatred of the Latin theologists, who would not permit either reason or philosophy to meddle themselves in religious matters."—. Cent. 9, c. 3, sec. 10. I would, therefore, now askany impartial individual to say, afrer reading the documents which I have submitted, what can we think of the claim of the Pope of Eome at the present day, as to ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Ireland I Has he, or have the Roman Catholics, any other claim than that which would be made by a robber have no just *^ property he himself had stolen ? And what must claim to Church Property. we think of the opinions of men in power, who, to please and gratify the priests of Eome, feel no objection to the Roman Catholic religion being maintained and sup- ported by the State, as the ancient religion of the country. The historic records brought forward, will, I presume to think, very generally be allowed to substantiate my proposition, that the early Christians of Ireland were not only perfectly independant of Rome till the middle of the twelfth century, but in every way opposed to her super- stitions, her creed, and her government ; and that of all others the Roman Catholic Church has the least right to the church property of the country. The statements I have given on these points are sufficiently distinct and Earl Irish ^^"^^"^^^® *^ ^^^ ^^ defiance any attempt at refutation. Chrfstians ^^^ ^^ reference to Mr. O'ConnelFs assertion, that the Protestants, name of Protestant was not known in the early ages of the Church, I would also observe, that although the cognomen may not have been then assumed by the ''protesters,'' their protests were not the less powerful or pertinent. From numerous examples which I might adduce, I select one, which must set this matter also at rest. In the year 613, nine years after the title of " Universal Bishop," had been IRELAND IN 1846. 99 ' ii • '! trJ i conferred on the Pope of Rome by imperial decree, the justly celebrated Irish Divine, Columbanus, addressed a lengthened Epistle to Pope Bonifpce IV. on the impiety of the proceedings of that Church, in which, among many other searching truths, he says — " Seeing the name of God is blasphemed among the nations, by you - contending with one another." • • * *' I do grieve, I confess, for the infamy of the Chair of St. Peter." * * * "Keep watch—for the Protest of water has already made its entrance into the vessel, and the ship is in ^^^g* xiome jeopardy." * • * «' We (the Irish), are the disciples of St. Peter, and St. Paul, and of all those their disciples who by the Holy Ghost have written the Divine Canon. Yes, we, the whole body of the Irish) who are inhabitants of the ends of the world, and receive nothing beyond the teaching of the Evangelists, and Prophets." ♦ • « «* Therefore, I beseech you, come to the help of your own good name^ which is torn to pieces among the nations." ♦ * • <« Dissemble, therefore, no longer, keep no longer silence, but send forth the voice of a true shepherd." ***** Surely the blame is yours, if you have wandered from the true faith, and made void the first faith — deservedly do your juniors resist you ; deservedly do they refuse communion with you, until the memory of the wicked be wiped out from you, and consigned to oblivion." After such a specimen, from a simple Irish pastor to the first pope who claimed universal authority, I ask vidll Mr. O'Connell, or the friends of Rome, again attempt to say that there were no Protestants (protesters) amongst the early Christians of Ireland ; that they may still say so, there is no question, but I should suppose, after such an example, and of it I would say, " ah uno disce ommSi^' (for all the early divines opposed the assumptions of Rome), few will be disposed to credit their assertions. But there is still another popular argument used in favour of supporting Popery from H^q public purse, that . thereby the burdens of the poorest of the people, and the favour of influence of the priest, will be greatly lessened ; that inas- ^^^^rj^g much as large sums are now drained from the neediest answered, classes in the payment of the priest's dues, this will be saved to them by Government paying the priests. Than this, a more delusive argument could scarcely be advanced. The immense sums now wrung from the poverty of the 100 IRELAND IN 1846. IRELAND IN 1846. Argument in peasantry by the priests of Rome, in this the period of their Payhiff Ro- ^^^stress, might be considered ample refutation of such an as- mish Priests sertion ; and as now in the time of their distress, " no penny Answered no pater noster,"* so there can be no doubt it would be if Government were to give the most ample endowment. There is, besides, as I have already stated, a class of inferior officials among the lay brotherhood, who would at once put in their claims for a share of the spoil ; and the terrors of the church would be brought to bear upon the people, as strongly in their favour, as it is now in that of the superior orders. The sums paid to the priests and hierarchy of Rome by the poorest peasantry in the world is beyond conception ; indeed, so flagrant frequently is the rapacity of those professed ministers of the benevolent Saviour, that were it not for the fear of punishment in another world, the people, in many instances, would not submit to their extortions. We often hear much of the over-paid clergy of the Protestant church; and yet, strange to say, the entire income of the Establishment does not amount to as much, as it has been ascertained, the priests receive in dues and offerings from the im- poverished people of the country. In a pamphlet published by the Rev. Charles Burke, a former parish prie«t of Killala, a district in the extreme West of Ireland, a statement was given of the amount received by him in dues, offerings, &c. Referring to this document in the way of authentication, the Rev. T. W. Dixon, the Income of successor to Mr. Burke, and afterwards the Protestant M?8tt ^"^^^® ^^ Drogheda, gave the following schedule as the amount he received while priest of the parish : Confession of the younger people in the parish^ making an average of two in each family, at 6d. each, at Christmas Ditto at Easter 40 40 In proof of this fact, see in Appendix, a statement made by the Rev. Mr. Beamish, while on a visit in the South during the past month, and other documents. 101 \ /I \ A charge of 2s. 6d. on each house or family, gross total of families 800 ... Collection of Corn worth Is. 3d. from each house Collection on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday, by a rule in the parish, 6d each time off each Xlv/Uot^ ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• Forty Marriages, at £1 8s. 2d. each One hundred and fifty Baptisms, at 3s. 4d. each Legacies on death, average forty, at 10s. each, including the price of a mass to remove the soul from Purgatory ... ... ... .., Charge for Anuointing, Is. Id. each time, average number of times, 200 .. Making Offices for sick or diseased cattle, at Is. Id. for each Office, average number 150 ... Private Masses for private intentions, price varying Total, £405 5 10 TO BE DEDUCTED. The old Priest's charge ... ... ...30 Forty half-guineas to be paid the Bishop out of the Marriages, his charge being half a guinea for each Marriage in the diocese ... ...22 15 Two Guineas to the Bishop as an annual rate for the Holy Oils ... ... ... ... 2 5 6 Two ditto for dinners at his own table ... ... 2 5 6 Two ditto for procuring oats for his horse ... 2 5 6 £ 8. 100 50 d. 40 50 6 20 8 20 10 16 8 8 2 15 6 £59 11 6 £345 14 4 Leaving a balance of £45 14s 4d as a set off against bad debts and paupers. In the above statement, I have not included the advantages of living at the charge of the parishioners, who are obliged to feed the Priest, and his horse, and his servant, and that in the most expensive manner. THOMAS WILLIAM DIXON, Curate of St. Peter's, Drogheda, In reference to the foregoing I would merely say, if such sums are realized in the wildest districts of the country, what must they be in the more cultivated, and better inhabited parts 2 In a small town, about six miles from Dublin, the receipts of the Parish Priest have been calculated at between £800 and £900 per annum ; to sup- pose he would relinquish such an income for ,^^200 per annum, paid by Government, is the extreme of folly. No doubt he might take the Regium Donum of d^200 per annum, but he would also keep the £800. And now, having proved my position, I ask any man to say would it not be acting even worse than Mr. O'Oon- nell himself, or any of his party, if the Government of Priest's Dues. Income of Komish Priests. ^fti« mmi» 102 IBELAND IN 1846. IBELAND IN 1846. Evils of Ire- England, under any assumed pretence of doin? iustice to "tte Z^ *h« Ron'^n Catholics of Ireland, or any plea of remunera- EeUgion. tion for pretended past « spoliations," should for a single moment entertain the idea of paying the Eomish priests, or of making the Church of Rome an established church for Ireland. As I have already stated, to the introduction of the Romish religion maybe traced nine-tenths of the evils and miseries of the country; this I could prove, did space permit, as evidently and distinctly as that' the ancient Irish were opposed to its introduction ; the simple Circumstance, that since that period the country has never enjoyed prosperity or peace— that while Protestant England has become the greatest and the wealthiest nation on the face of the globe, Ireland has been gradually getting worse and worse, until at length the people are in such a state aa to call forth the sympathy of the world at large, affords ample demonstration of the correctness of my position — Indeed we have not to look beyond the country itself to obtain proof sufficient:— we have only to contrast the condition of Ulster, the northern province, into which the spirit of genuine Protestantism was introduced in the inh centurj- by the settlers sent over by James I. with the other portions of the country, which never were so blessed-over which the light of the dorious reforma- tion never radiated, nor the principles of Protestantism never properly diffused, to assure any unprejudiced person that the spirit of Popery which pervades the land is the Besponsi- TT^^'' ^^ ^^'"^ *^° '^""^''^ '^ accursed. And here, biUtj of '®* ™® say, one moment's consideration must convince the Chmtiansof Christians of Britain that a solemn, a heavy responsibility Britain, rests upon them in regard to this country. If to their fore- fathers we owe it, that our ancestors were forced to bow down their necks to the Romish yoke— if before that period the Irish bishops or ministers were supported by voluntary contnbutions-if. while the Christians of Ireland were strug- ghng to mamtain their independancy, and with it the faith 103 / ' il once delivered to tlie saints, in its' primitive purity, the authority of England was used to overpower and Responsibili- exterminate them and their religion, or to force upon chriltians^^o them a system of idolatry, will- worship, and superstition, give back the and a heavy tax, which they are unable to bear — it is now Ireland. the bounden duty of the sons and successors of those who inflicted the wrong, to do all in their power to abate the evil, and make some amends for the past. If in the days of Adrian and Henry the people of England helped " the Woman clothed in purple and scarlet, and seated on the Seven Hills," to dispossess the Saviour of this well-cultivated portion of his vineyard, which so soon after his ascension, had been rescued by his servants from the wilderness of the world ; is it not now the duty of those who profess to be followers of that Saviour, to make an effort to win it back again for its rightful owner ; and thus, as it were, by a double conquest, to make it really valuable in his sight l One thing is certain, that since the period referred to the connexion with Ireland has been rather a curse than a blessing to England — and this I have ever esteemed to have been a, judicial punishment, inflicted upon England for the part she took in the transaction — and it is my decided conviction, that to England, Ireland will ever prove a curse, until in some way the sin referred to is repented of, and atonement made for the transgression ; until, in fact, the people of Ireland are given back that gospel of which her people were despoiled by a perfidious compact between England and Rome. What then, it may be asked, is to be done— a question, I admit, much more easily asked than correctly answered. The work is no doubt of great magnitude, and has been rendered still more so by the Government, having through their ungodly proceedings, placed the country as it were in a false position, by giving the real enemies of the people, the priests of Rome, a considerable preponderance in the balance of power. Still the work must be done ; and 104 IRELAND IN 1846. Combined efforts necessary. under the Dmne blessing, I feel persuaded it can be done ; that by the Protestants of every denomination actinff in harmony, by " a long pulJ, and a strong pull, and a pull all together, they may yet be made the instruments of rescuing the people from the fangs of the destroyer. But the sti-uggle must be one combined effort on the part of all real t/linstians— nothing less will do. It is generally admitted, that the effort mado to prevent the grant to Maynooth, was unsuccessful in consequence of the want of unity of purpose on the part of the Pro- testants of Great Britain ; and it is equally certain it was this which stopped the progress of the Reformation, and any eflort made in a similar way, for a similar purpose, will be equally unsuccessful. In tracing the page of history it will be found, that it was only when Christians, from love to their Lord and Master, appeared willing to sacrifice every thin- but pnncivle, so that they might promote his cause, tLi the of°clls^!^^ Wessmg of the Most High rested on their efforts. This CoaUtion. ^^ ^"''ent in the early stages of the Great Reformation- it was also especially the case in the times of Arch- bishop Ussher-when that excellent and exemplary man, acting in the genuine spirit of a Christian bishop, of a real successor to the Apostles, and an humble imita- tor of his Divine Lord and Master, not only held frequent consultations with Christian Ministers of another denomi- nation, as to the best method to be pursued in order to extend the knowledge of the truth throughout the land in which he lived ; but, as it were, deeming the consideration of sect and denomination to be a matter of secondary importance to the evangelizing of a country— he attended at the ordination services of the Presbyterian Ministers and along with the Presbyters present, laid his hands on the head of the candidate for the ministerial office. Nor was this kind and Christian feeling confined to Ussher— Knox, Bishop of Eaphoe, and Echlin, Bishop of Down, i IRELAND IN 1846. 105 Means acted much in the same way ; and the Presbyterian Ministers, assured by such genuine Christian conduct, that the Irish Prelates and Clergy were willing to yield to Christian fellowship whatever would not interfere with Christian principle, they most readily co-operated with their Episcopal brethren in every " work of faith and labour of love ;" sat in their convocations ;* and consulted frequently with the bishops on the state of religion, and the necessities of the Church;— all which contributed greatly to the benefit and advantage of the country, which was in consequence fast rising from its state of degradation and barbarism. The means adopted by these excellent men to promote the good of the people among whom they were placed, is well adoptt^d^to worthy the notice of Christians of the present day. They j^JJ^^^^^^j, held a Monthly Meeting at Antrim, where in order to attract attention to the subject, four of their Ministers usually preached in one day ;f and as we are told by a late Presbyterian writer,| in reference to the subject — ** They commonly spent two days at these meetings in preaching and solemn humiliation, by prayer and fasting, for the sins of the land; and then consulted among themselves of the best methods for cherishing piety in their several congregations, and for the propagation of it through the whole country, and for the extirpation of Popery, wherein God was pleased to bless them with admirable success in a few years. A very coarse people were brought in by their ministry, not only to be wonder- fully civilized, but by a powerful blessing upon the gospel, great numbers of them became serious Christians, and from all parts of the country resorted to these monthly meetings, and to the quarterly communion then in use: for Mr. Blair and Mr. Cunningham soon concerted between themselves to give the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, each of them four times a year, and adjusted the times of the celebration of it, so as the greatest number of their parishioners who were proficients in religion, * Several of the Presbyterian Ministers were Members of the Con- vocation in 1634. ■j- This was the plan pursued by Archbishop Grindal, to promote the reformation in the time of Elizabeth, He arranged that not merely one, but many preachers should preach in succession, at the same place, which was called " prophesying," from 1 Cor. xiv. 13. % Kiikpatrict's Loyalty of Presbyterians, part 1st, p. 159. 106 IHELAKD IN 1W«. communirAted In both their chort^M upon kU ibwo 0CCMfanf» wkich wi» onc" in six or ftcvcn wccckt. And the cjgn^ thoni m worthy olpSiili^^iuui coadjutora in tho important vfotk to which tlwy \rcTo called, FMbytctMOf iviien tho iiK>ddling s[Nnt$ of Strafford and Laud, leaving aromed the demon of noaoonformity, tho haxmony which existed was speedily intcrmptijd^ a declaration of hostility from Lwnboth at onoo •evered iho connection, ami rudely snapped asunder tlic band of Christiaa bruilicrhootl, in which, for a time, Churcluuen and Di^cntcw had been united; and, a.< niiirlib iiatun\l!y be o?fpcctci4:riandin^ . ; tL« two dtflomiiMtioM WIS At»n in ^Jr. Blur's pmehlng before tke Jo^flpes of AMize, at tb« dttkc of tbe Biibop of I>ow*v om fitMsr ^y, ikDd m be icivfled feifflisiscering tbe HKtamaK acoxdii^ to tbe litiugy. aasthSf dtiigyxiaa offictM^ u hi« rogoest aflei tbe seoMa wai over. IRELAKD IN If^, 107 I But the qacstion still presents itwlf— what 13 now to bo done io rcecue the people of Ireland from their present Bcspomlbi. •tato of icpiritual bondaj^e !— to free them from tliose chains "^r^ rf" of mpentition in which they liavo been so long fettered ^^^Wiihoi by tho cini*«Mries of Konie ! ThU leads mo to consider the ^^^'* obligation rcj^ting on Christians of various denominotioiM njtiiding in Ireland ; aud fir^t, as havin<;; much in their power, being ebargod with the largest share of i*©ifpon- aibility, I would take tho liberty of addrctuing myself, in Christian candour and faithfulnees, to tho CLERGY and LAITY of tho ESTABLISHED CIIUKCH. They aro widely spread over tltc co€intrj% they peesesa mudi influ- ,enoe» and did tliey bnt use the means within thear reach, they might Ixj the iiutrumcnttf of promoting a very exteiuiivo reformation in tho land« And hero, in conscience, 1 fed boimd to notice a subject to whicli I hare already made a slight allusioD^ tlie oppojntion given by some of tho Digni- taries and other Miuistem of tin) Ciiurcli, to that mo^ excellent meaMire proposed and carricon 5prcad Uirough tho Tarions dislricts of the land. But, as on Uiis Ktibjcct it might be thonght by some I would have no right to giro an opinion, I shall contefit myself by simply quoting a few extracts from a letter written on the subject, by a well-known, faithful clergyman of the Episcopal Churcli, tho Rev. R. J. Al'Ohee, A.B. As I have stated at po^ 15, it being coosiderod by a few of tlie Dtgiiiturics, and a number of the Clergy, that a Homo Mission was an appendage nnsuited to the censtt- tutton of an Episcopal Churchy and as several of the Bisljops denounced it in their Visitation Cliar g q a law proccclicii Church, in tcti^rtaoc to Ihote trofniul tbc0v vbi> uc Mt membem of thcdr ovn comnuwkoj bit who are' livioK and dy\a^ ia ^POfinoe, »fOfftocy. nod i^aiU, lad not only t^ but to hUttr enmity to tbe OMMtoiuuDefi or «xi«tCDCc of tbe religikQ of the Lovd Jcras Ckriflt in tbtt cowilry ? * * * IX> foa thlnk« my Lord» It c«n t>6 ucordiag to the will of our Loord Jesus Christ* thnt tbc BttbCf* iBid denor of tbo Church of IrclM>4 ihuuM live ia tlic MAtiotn which w« ho1d» trith All the Immuniticft ood prlTikKce tkot wv liart oi^oyoi, «fld l«AVO ««r fitHowKTe^ivrft in tlM MmU Of iguorftnec and jniilt> in vkkh they are UtIi^ md dym^ nronnd us? Let mo lupfOM tlttt our blcMOi luml wcfC to odotc Again d pli^s of wocthip ^ our con- '\ f thn)iigfi Ireland. gregations. and them ilt qiilc4ly down, ooollCKied to U^t the rest, not only k^t. R. J. of our fellowKtwt^Tes. but our OiHUilfyiDfo. «?• a&l die In fuill, ia M'Ghw's superstition, and IgDoranoe. and that, wben they a»K«nt to ilv^.ilxth^ jj^^^.^T* of the popuhition of tbc land we inhalit * ' * They arc our d^w,, ,„a neighbours, onr asMCitUa. onr frka«l*. our wrnrants our Uhourtw ; the Qa mug, M) that miast glre ac- count;' thcn» my hoiX the Biblo hi a • cunningly dcrlscd fable/ ard the xtli^ea wtdch it toaehesis nnwurihy to Mpphmt ih4 kindred de- lasions of atheism and sup^fftHioo. ••Wo ^Yc be«n Iciuili^ fbr ftnccratlons, on oar allUttIM with l>ie State. iaKlAd of Icaniof on the Bock of otsr Salrattcm. Inst^^l of standing on tbc hijh and holy ground, thxt the Obuit* ought to be tho goMe of tlKt I.cgls!atun>— that the grtal and ^lorlons prindpVs of onr Ow« holy fchb—that fcs. the trath ai>d Woid of c«r God— were to b# the goardiaaa of tho SiaU\ we haro U>ett tmiting in the TtJsooory fltaMUty of tho British Constitnli^in, and depci>ding on the 8«at« m tba t«anlsiii of tho Church; we hax-e been putting 'our tmst in the ahadow of a braatlAe.' and wc M made to fe«l Ibt ralue of the rf»ade under which we hnvebM* rocUningi wo at* karnhftjr the U«on which we well dv*erro to be tanght— tho CttTtc of him that 'maketh tho arm of fl(sh hU trust,* * * * It is not hi *Uti«3f>cn» my toed ; It is not Ln tho power of IcglsldtWo wikUmi, or eiccutiTO authority t it U »ot la BrUlsh sympathy or llritlApfotcctiun— No; la««rtwiih allconadur« of the Gotptl oC Christ, that tho temporal and eternal Kdvation of Ireland alone is to he fonnd. Tb« Uprosy of Popery is creeping ovi-r tho flrany: of Uritala. from North to So«tb. and from Bad to Wa£hlng Of ibt Oospd, \$ CWsapfohi«jd iBcaos for the inftivttion and convcan4o« of signers. To prove tMi tnm the BttthgritnUTo aott««c^ were «imivx»*»iy and iropextiDtat Ia 110 IRELAND IN 1846. Bev. R. J. M*Ghee*s lietter to the Bishop of Down and Connor, on the necessity of Preaching the Gospel through Ireland. i addressing yonr lordship, or even any man who had read his Bihlc, op the history of the Christian Church. • * * I know, my Lord, that the enUghtening of sinners is the work of divine, and not of human power— and therefore none can presume to pronounce with certainty upon results which are alone reserved in the hands of the Father of Spirits. But where Divine Providence directs the use of scriptural means, He blesses those means to the results of His own glory, and though we cannot calculate with certainty upon the reception of divine truth by any man, we may, in some degree, venture to predict the power of the light of truth in banishing, to a certain extent, the blackness of darknes3°that overspreads this country. It is my most firm conviction, my Lord, that if efforts such as these were made in Ireland, or efforts which wisdom, and judgment, and piety, far superior to mine might ap- point: if the Bishops and Clergy were, with faithful and well-directed energy, to do their solemn duty with respect to the Roman Catholics, the power and blessing of God would so rest upon their labours, that the population would be taken out of the hands of demagogues and priests. * • * If Episcopal jurisdiction and discipline be ever set forth against the propagation of the Gospel, there must be some great defect, some unapostolical error, either in the constitution of the dis- cipline or in its administration. DiscipUne ought to give energy and impulse to the propagation of the Gospel— never to retard it. The salvation of men's souls ought never to give way to discipUne— if either must give place, the lesser must give way to the greater. What was it, my Lord, that made Popish superstition tremble on her throne, when reigning in dark domination over the British Empire ? The Missionary preaching of the followers of Wickliffe. ♦ * ♦ • "What drove her Bishops to seek,' from persecuting and sanguinary statutes, those powers which were given to them in the reigns of Richard IL Henry IV. and Henry V.? The terror produced among an ignorant and guilty hierarchy, by the faithful preaching of those poor men, and the influence which the Gospel, when brought before the people, had against their guilty superstitions. • • * Let us now go on to the reigns of Edward and Elizabeth, and ask what was the great engine of Refor- mation from Popery, used by those Sovereigns, and the faithful Prelates who advised and aided their measures ? Was it not faithful Missionary Preaching ? the faithful labours of devoted Ministers of Christ, who were sent forth armed with the authority of those very licenses of which we have been speaking, to preach every where to the people, and with the voice of a trumpet to show to them the superstitions of the Church of Rome, and the salvation of the Gospel ?•*••* ** How Is it then, my Lord, that we are so infatuated, as not to know, that the means which made Popery shake to its foundations in the 14th and 15th centuries, are the very same, which both the Word of our God, and the hi&tory of our country and our Church, point out to us to use IRELAND IN 1846. ni Ireland. in the 19th ? Was it in the power of the feeble followers of the humble Rer. R. J. Rector of Lutterworth, without Bibles, without books, without the press, -^^^^\^^e*8^^ without means or energies, except those which the Gospel and their ^.^^^^ ^^ God bestowed on them, to shake the Popish superstition, in the pleni- pown and tude of its power, in England, by the simple, faithful testimony of eternal Connor on truth, and this even under the fangs of persecution? And shall we, ^^ ^^^^^^^l/^ with such means, such men, such multitudes of Bibles, such books, such ^^^ Gospel facilities, such a Church, such innumerable resources, such a press, such through unbounded liberty, shall we not only fail to shake the superstitions of the Church of Rome, but be actuaUy shaken to the very foundation of our Church's Establishment, by that abominable idolatrous apostacy ? Did the poor followers of Wickliffe go forth with apostolic fidelity, in the teeth of Popish superstition, rage, and persecution, to proclaun to their fellow-sinners, the salvation of their Redeemer, and is it only now, that a few among us are beginning to do that, which ought to be the business, as it is the duty of all the Bishops and Clergy in the Church of Ireland? • * * But if even this were all-if it were only mere ne- glect of duty— if it were only that we were left at a distance in fidelity, not only by apostolic example, but by the foUowers of WickUffe, in the 14th and 15th, and by our own reformers in the 16th century-if it were only that we had been merely neglecting our solemn obligations, bad aa this were, it were comparatively little— but what if instead of maintain- ing, we are found fighting against the cause of Christ ! what, if instead of taking our stand with the witnesses of his truth, any of us should be found actually fighting in the ranks of his enemies ! What, if instead of using dnigence to drive away error, we were using the power and influence with which we were invested as Ministers or as Bishops, to support and to maintain it, what then, my Lord, could we look for? What then could we expect at the hands of our God ? Your Lordship, I doubt not, revolts from the idea, you recoil from the thought, and justly, my Lord, for what can be more awful ? But I beseech you, my Lord Bishop, I entreat you, as one that holds that best and highest and holiest of all offices, that of a Eather in God— a Bishop m the Church of Christ— I beseech you, as you recoil from the thought and the inten- tion of such an awful responsibility, I beseech you look with candour, with sincerity, with fear-yea, with solemn apprehension, and prayer to God, at the fact. • • * Do the Bishops take care that the Gospel is faithfully preached to the immortal souls in their Dioceses ? Do the Clergy preach the Gospel of Christ to the immortal souls in their Parishes ? «* I answer, my Lord, fearlessly, and confidently answer, without advert- ing to the capabilities, or knowledge of Bishops or Ministers, that they do not. 1 say, to the reproach and disgrace of our Church be it spoken, that as far as respects the fidelity of Bishops and Clergy, nearly five- eisths of the population of our country are totally and universally ne- m^^ 112 IRELAND IN 1846. ITi Eev. R, J. M'Ghee's Letter to the Bishop of Down and Connor, on the necessity of Preaching the Gospel through Ireland. glected ; they are left without an effort, to perish in ignorance of the Gospel.'* * * If the preaching of the parochial Ministers of Ireland in their respective parish Churches, and the strict preservation of that routine by the Eishops in their dioceses, if this has diffus2d, or can diffuse the salvation of the Gospel, among the millions that are perishing in ignorance and guilt, and superstition, in the land— if this saves the souls of those men— if it extends the Redeemer's kingdom and his glory— then let us go on as we have been going, and let us arrogate to ourselves whatever praise for zeal and fidelity, that couscience and fact will warrant us to take. **But if every man of candour and conscience will admit, nay, if no man can have the hardihood to deny, that this preaching and this routine, no more can bring salvation to the millions of our blind and guilty countrymen, than it can bring salvation to the Hindoos, and that for the same reason, that they can never hear it— if so far from bringing glory to our God, such apathy, and want of fidelity and zeal for the salvation of men brings reproach upon his cause and name— if so far from extending his kingdom in the land, we are losing even the tenure of the positions we had- so that the very prospect of maintaining the Establishment of our religion is, as your Lordship con -esses, gro^vn precarious, to say the least— what facts, or what experience, or what principle, or what progress to destruction, or what voice of religion will awaken us from our delusion to a sense of our duty ? *' If the discipline and government of our Church do not admit of our making exertions proportioned to the exigency of oiir circumstances, then they are defective, miserably defective, my Lord, and we must catch up the watchword of the day, and cry out for Reform. * * • If every parish in Ireland contains an altar around which a wretched population is congregated, to sacrifice to the daemon of idolatry, of superstition, of sedition, and of revolution, it is the least that Ministers of Christ might be allowed to occupy, whatever position they can stand on in every parish, to proclaim to that poor population, if they can be able to do so, the Gospel of salvation for their souls, and to inculcate on them the principles which that Gospel alone can enforce. « Whether we know the Gospel, or preach the Gospel or not, my Lord, I must again assert, (and O that the assertion might be reiterated and reechoed till it would ring in the ears and in the consciences of every Bishop and every Minister in the Empire,) we do not preach the Gospel to five-sixths of the population of our miserable and benighted country- men ; and there is no talent, no sophistry, no power of human intellect or human ingenuity that can excuse or palliate this criminal neglect of our duty to our Church, to our country, to our fellow-creatures, and to our God. ♦ * • Surely, my Lord, that single passage is one inspired climax of confutation of such a principle, * How can they call on [him whom they have not believed ? and how can they believe on him of whom IRELAND IN 1846. 113 I •♦','■. it- they have not heard ? how can they hear without a preacher^und how can Rev. U. J. they preach except they be sent r And O, alas ! alas ! ! alas ! ! ! my Lord j^^J^G^^ec's ^^ Bishop, what becomes of the case if those that ought to send, should jj^.^j^^^ ^^ rather hinder men from going ! ! ! ! Down and We may feel it necessary to preach in Court-houses, or in Market-houses, Connor on or in School-house?, or other public places. It is true, my Lord, the «»e ^n^ces^^ty court of justice is not consecrated— neither was the judgment-seat of ^j^^ Gospel Felix— nor the tribunal of Agrippa? Yet there, the Roman governor through was made to tremble, as the Apostle * reasoned of righteousness, temper^ Ireland. ance, and judgment to cowe,'— there the Jewish Monarch was * almost persuaded to be a Christian: The market place at Athens, was not consecrated—yet there did that Apostle hold forth the word of life, near the spot where the folly of Grecian philosophy had erected its Parthenon to the idol goddess of wisdom, and where its ignorance had erected a temple ' to the unknown God.' The school of Tyrannus was not con- secrated—yet there did that Apostle dispute and convince the gainsayers, and preach for two whole years, till * all they which dwelt in Asia, heard the word of the Lord Jesus/ What is the conclusion, my Lord? It is this— that give all the weight we please to Churches and to the consecra- tion of them, common sense must dictate that if the religion taught in those Churches is worthy of propagation among men— if it is essential even to their temporal happiness, much less to their eternal salvation—. since the ministers of Christ cannot bring the Churches to the people, it is their duty to try to bring the people to the Churches. The voice of true religion must proclaim that every spot on earth is hallowed where the Minister of Christ stands up to plead with his fellow-sinners, to turn them from their evil ways, and to proclaim to them the justice, the mercy, the great salvation of their God. • • * For myself, I will say my Lord, so clear is my judgment, so convinced my understanding, so satisfied my conscience on the subject, that, if I possessed the vigour of mind and body that once I did, with my present convictions, I hope I should sit down to learn the native language of my country, and go forth to labour for the salvation of my poor blind and guilty countrymen, through the length and breadth of Ireland. I should do se^as the faithful and devoted servant of the Established Church— as spending myself in a cause the most for her interest in which man could labour, and I would defend myself in so doing against a thousand Charges before any tribunal on the earth, with my Bible in one hand, and the history and the law of our Church and of Christianity itself in the other ; and I can only say, that if any human power should prevent me, with the sense of duty which I have upon the subject— it could only be because I was influenced by the fear of man, more than by the fear of God.' For such lengthened extracts I feel I need make no apology— the sentiments are so scriptm-al, so forcible, so "I r*— lU IRELAND IN 1846. IBEIAND IN 1846. 115 just, so appropriate to the subject in hand, and withal so touchingly and beautifully expressed, that to add a syllable of commentary would only be to weaken the effect they are calculated to produce. I shall merely say in reference to them, I trust they will come home to the hearts and con- sciences of many besides the Prelates and Clergy of Ireland. The Home In reference to the entire subject I would take the liberty Mission of the ^f suffffestins: to the Clergy of the Established Church, that Established Church of Ire- the Home Mission should be re-established under the hT re-esub- sanction of those Bishops who are favourable to it ; and, lished- in the spirit which animated the reply of Archbishop Grindal to Queen Elizabeth (when acting under the advice of the Earl of Leicester, in consequence of the encourage- ment he gave to the frequent preaching of the gospel in every district of the land, she prevented his attending the Convocation)— let the Evangelical Clergymen tell those Bishops who would oppose such a measure, that " in God's cause, the will of God, and not the will of any earthly creature is to take place.''* And here also I would take the liberty of saying to the Laity connected with the Established Church, a great weight of responsibility rests upon them. Heretofore the Protestant Laity of Ireland • The following extract from this excellent letter is worthy of serious attention it shews how a Christian Bishop should act : — " Alas, Madam, is the Scripture more plain in anything, than that the Gospel of Christ should he plentifully preached, and that plenty of labourers should be sent into the Lord's harvest, which being great and large, standeth in need, not of a few but of many workmen. • * • Public and continual preaching of God's Word, is the ordinary means and instrument of the salvation of mankind : St. Paul calls it ' the mi- nistry of reconciliation of man unto God.' By the preaching of God's Word, the glory of God is increased and enlarged, faith nourished, and charity increased ; by it the ignorant are instructed, the negligent ex- horted and incited, the stubborn rebuked, the weak conscience comfor- ted, and to all those that sin of malicious wickedness, the wrath of God is threatened. By preaching also, due obedience to God, and Christian Princes, and Magistrates, is planted in the hearts of subjects ; for obedi- ence proceedeth of conscience, conscience is grounded upon the Word of God, and the Word of God worketh its e^ect by preaching } 80 M generally, where preaching wantetb, obedience faiieth." have been quite too supine, and apparently indifferent, in reference to the progress of real religion in the country. They have acted too much on the Popish principle of leaving such things altogether to the care of the clergy — While active enough on merely political matters, they have sadly neglected the only true method of getting the people from under the power of the Priests of Eome — the preach- ing of the gospel by faithful men, regularly appointed to the work. In England it is gratifying to perceive that the laity are beginning to think seriously on this subject, and are ap- plying themselves heartily to the work, urging forward the Bishops and Clergy of their Church to greater exertions in the cause. As a specimen of what is doing there, and as an example for the Protestants of this country to imitate, I submit a few extracts from a letter addressed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, in August last, by an English episcopalian gentleman, Henry Kingsoote, Esq. who, acting in concert with Sir H. R. Inghs and others, has for some time past been calling pubhc attention to the matter — In his recent address to the Archbishop of Canterbury he says — «♦ You must excuse me, my Lord, if I speak strongly; but I am indeed grieved to find, that responsible persons, occupying the watch-towers of our city, and having great influence with rulers and with people, remain satisfied, while nothing is being attempted on any large scale to redress evils like these.'* • * • " If they, who should be leaders, will not take their rightful place— if men, whom God has called to be rulers in the church, produce nothing before the country from which it can be in- ferred that their eyes are open to see what thoughtful earnest men are deploring as a national calamity,— at least, we might expect that they would thankfully accept what is offered them by others,— that the weight of their official character should not, all of it, be thrown into the adverse scale,— that something more might be heard from them, in times like these, than civil acknowledgments of well-intentioned zeal, and damaging censures of every enterprize that has the look of novelty." • • • « For instance, a large infusion of LAY AGENCY, as sub- sidiary to the public ministrations and pastoral instructions of the clergy, is absolutely necessary, if the people are to be reached and taught. " * • • ** Some propose, as you know, to make the distinction between Presby- ters and Deacons a reality, and greatly to increase the number" of dea- Protestant Laity not sufficiently active. Letter of H. Kingscote, Esq. to Arch- bishop of Canterbury, ug. 17, 1846. IRELAND IN 1846. 117 116 IRELAND IN 1846. liCtter of H. Kingscote, Esq. to Arch- bishop of Canterbury, Aug. 17, 1846. f cons, occupying them principally with the less public of the minister's duties. They might be visitors of the sick, instructors of the ignorant and careless, teachers in schools, and, generally helpers for all spiritual purposes to the parochial clergymen. They need not be highly educat- ed men. God has given gifts for teaching, and a heart full of love and zeal to thousands of our countrymen, who cannot by any possibility scrape together what is wanted for a three years' residence at the Uni- versity. Some might continue in the lower grade, and be usefully em- ployed as domestic teachers among men not far removed from their own rank in life, whom they would understand much better, in some respects, than the higher-bom minister. Others, after being practised and ap- proved in the subordinate departments might rise to be Presbyters, and assuredly, would be as well fitted to preach usefully to the poor, and to visit acceptably by the bedside of the sick and dying, as the very mode- xateiy-f urnished gentlemen who often pass now from our Halls and Col- leges to some country rectory. The church would then be better fitted for her work of teaching the whole body of the people, having recognized officers who should touch society at every point ; and the men, who will not seek instruction at Church, will have it much more surely supplied at their homes, when a body of Evangelists shall be provided, whose express business it is to carry the word of life to every house within their district. • * * Dr. Arnold and others have suggested that, if any plan of this sort were adopted, it would be wise to allow the deacon to unite some worldly calling with his spiritual duties. To this course I can see no reasonable objection, and the financial gain would be immense of having some por- tion of time and labour for the church as a free-will offering from men not dependent on her resources for bread." • * * <« Liberal Church- men, I doubt not, would contribute largely to any general or local fund for remunerating those whose whole time would be at the service of th3 Church ; and, what is more important still, living men would be found who would love the work for its own sake, and give themselves to it, *not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind." * * • "Some argue that the privilege of teaching men to serve God, and of making plain the way of life to the ignorant and careless, by reading and conversa- tion, belongs, by a special grant from heaven, to persons known by certain ecclesiastical titles ; and for a layman to try to do good to a brother by communicating to him the best things, seems to them a pre- sumption bordering on impiety. Others, more moderate and more rational, but still with very exalted notions of clerical supremacy, do not condemn this practice altogether, but think it will be so infinitely better to multiply the clergy, than to call in the help of the laity ; that they will rather wait half a century in the hope of obtaining the thing they like best, and in the meantime let two or three millions of im- mortal men go to the judgment-seat without preparation, than accept so imperfect and unsatisfactory a remedy. With these difierent classes of persons, I do not stop to argue. We have no conimon ground to stand Letter of upon. We do not weigh good and evil in the same scales. The tre- H. Kingscote, mendous calamity of finding myself surrounded by hundreds of thou- ^*'^-',^° ''^of sands of fellow-creatures who are not pretending to live by the Christian canterbury, rule, or to worship my God and Saviour, and for whom, particularly, Aug. 1 7, 1846. there is no Church and no pastor— this, in my judgment, makes all other evils small and insignificant, and completely shuts out from my view, matters of ecclesiastical precedent and clerical prerogative." * * * *♦ I know well what are the blessings bestowed by the Church of England upon this land, how many of her pastors are a light and a blessing to the communities among whi«h they live, how faithfully and laboriously many a Curate and Incumbent is doing God's work in secluded villages and populous towns, where the minister is foremost in every good work, the rich man's counseller, and the poor man's com- forter. But her claims are being canvassed now by tens of thousands of eager, inquiring spirits, in districts where the pastor is seldom seen, and his influence is hardly felt." * * * " It is quite time that her work of Evangelizing the country was understood in a broader sense, and taken in hand with new energy and zeal. The good sense and the Christian feeling of the people require as much ; and if her teachers and rulers are backward to meet this demand, depend upon it, her ancient privi- leges will be no effectual safeguard, and her ample endowments will seem only the richer spoil." *• Let us hope, my Lord, that better days are coming, that to keep things quiet will not be the chief aim of our Episcopal Rul«rs— but to save men's souls alive. I am sure I consult for your good fame and lasting peace, when I put the case of spiritual need before you in all its nakedness, and entreat you, in the name of our common Lord, by all our national, and all our personal, mercies, to spend the ** ten talents" of your mighty influence actively for God. I believe that, in a time like ours, boldness is the truest wisdom ; yet it is the complaint of all the wise and good men I talk to, that, while statesmen and others have some understanding of this truth, many Churchmen seem to see count- ' less horrors in every projected change :— and they, who should dare the most in a spirit of faith, seem palsied by their fears into utter helpless- ness. Many of the laity, I rejoice to say, feel that they must act Uke men who are accountable to God for their wealth and social standing ; the gross darkness which broods over many a district near their homes and their Churches, they will try to penetrate with the light of the everlasting gospel ; idly they dare not wait while time moves on, and souls are gathered so fast to their account; but they desire above all things to follow where you should lead ; they feel that every measure they propose wiU be doubly efficacious, if it shall have from the Heads of the Church, something better than a cold approval. We tender to ^i 118 IBELAKD IN 1846. IBELAin) IN 1846. 119 I I Lay Agency you in this canse our active services, our worldly substance, the time of Becommend- our busy citizens, the name and far-reaching influence of our higher ^* gentry. Let me entreat you to accept our offer, or to give us in return, what we will most thankfully accept at your hands, some more compre- hensive scheme which shall aim at making the Church's teaching co- extensive with the people's wants."* If, then, such efforts are necessary on behalf of England, so highly favoured with the light of divine truth, there surely can be no question in reference to similar means, and even greater exertions being requisite on behalf of benighted Ireland. To any who would feel disposed to question the propriety of employing Lay Agency, I would offer the senti- ments of the Bishop of Chester,- who, in one of his charges to his Clergy, observes — "My brethren, if we shut out from spiritual usefulness all who are not ordained to such duties, we contradict the plain commands of our Bishop of religion. But we protest against such error, as the worst relic of Papal Chester's usurpation, bred and nourished, not in the times of primitive Christi- Opinion. anity, but in the dark days of its corruption, when they chose to keep the key of knowledge to themselves, who were afraid to trust the people with it, and allowed the priest's lips alone to speak, that lie alone might enjoy the power which belongs to the people. Never, never, brethren, shall we be a Christian community, till this error is dispelled — till it is with us as it was with those who were first called Christians —when every one who has knowledge of Christ in his own heart, believes it his duty to bring to the same knowledge the individuals with whom he is connected — his child, his servant, his dependant, his neighbour. Then and not before, may the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ." • Lest my sincerity of purpose, in giving those extracts in refer- ence to the Established Church, might be questioned by any one to whom I am unknown, I beg to submit the following extract from a letter I received from the late Archbishop Magee, Author of the "Atonement," relative to an "Address to the Protestants of Ireland," which I published in the year 1 829, on a somewhat similar subject : — " St. Stephen's-green, March 3, 1829. " Sir — I have to offer you my sincere thanks for the copy of your very able and seasonable address to the Protestants of Great Britain, which you have sent to me, and I only wish that every loyal subject of his Majesty, was deeply impressed with the sentiments which it so powerfully inculcates. — I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient and obliged SeTvant " Phiiip Dixon Hardy, Esq. W. DUBLIN." But I now turn to the great body of Christians in the Duty of^^^ PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, who feel for, and mourn ^^s ytenans over the pitiable condition of the millions of our country- men still bound down in the chains of Romish superstition. To them I would say, " remember the days of old," and act worthy the name and character of your honoured and revered predecessors — think of the good that was effected by those excellent men of your denomination more than -^ two hundred years since, who, regardless of worldly advan- tage and domestic comfort, left their quiet and peaceful abodes in the land of their fathers, to settle among an unciviUzed and a barbarous people, in order to bring them to a knowledge of " the truth as it is in Jesus"— to " turn them from darkness to light." Remember their glorious achievements in the gospel field ; let their bright example induce you to follow in their footsteps ; and should any thing be wanting to stimulate your zeal, or to quicken your energies, contrast the present condition of Protestant Ulster with that of the Popish districts of the country— and say, as the descendants of such men, will you not make an effort to add those other portions of the island to your Master's vineyard I — and while you look at Ulster, ask yourselves was not the good effected well worth all the labour bestowed upon it. In taking a retrospective glance at the world around us, we too frequently observe that while the footsteps of the conqueror can for centuries be traced in the stains of blood which have marked his career, the imprints of the minister of peace are soon lost in the oblivion of forgetfulness. Here, however, we have an instance directly the reverse— while the records of many of those deeds of blood, which in days gone by disgraced our country, are now lost to memory, the exertions of those holy and devoted men by whom the northern portions of the island were blessed, still live in the recollection of their countrymen, as fresh and fragrant as though they had flourished but a very few years since— their self-devotion —71 120 IRELAND IN 1844. IRELAND IN 1846. 121 and self-sacrifice standing out in bold relief, a splendid specimen of what can bo accomplished by Christian zeal and Christian energy, when moved forward by Christian love. To the plans they adopted in order to promote the conversion of the natives, and which, under the Divine blessing, were productive of such happy results, I have referred in a foregoing page ; and to the Presbyterian Charact r f ^^°^^^®^^ ^^ ^^® present day I would merely say, follow the the former example of your sainted forefathers. Let their zeal and de- ^Srs,'' ^^^^®^°^^s stimulate you to exertion— let their single-minded, uncompromising faithfulness, remind you of your duty remember, that rather than violate their consciences, by giving up a single point which they conceived to be truth— that rather than sign a document which thoy believed not to have the sanction of scripture, they not only sacrificed all hope of worldly preferment, but resigned the livings from which they and their families derived their daily bread ; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to give up principle, or to forego the right of private judgment ; and be assured that in endeavouring to imitate them, a blessing will rest on your exertions, as it did on theirs. Ask yourselves, did you, in your compact with the National Board, manifest the same disregard of filthy lucre, the same steady adherence to principle, or the same determination to defend the scriptures against the designs of godless men in high places, which was evinced by your excellent forefathers I or have you made anything like the same exertion to extend the truth, or to instruct the ignorant natives, in the things that make for their eternal peace I I have already stated that the Presbyterian body in Ireland have a very interesting mission in the glens of Antrim and the mountains of Tyrone ; but what is this compared with the necessities of the people of Ireland ? To the Presbyterians of Scotland, therefore, I would appeal, for an effort worthy of the memory of those of their Methodist Body. justly celebrated ancestors to whom Ireland is so deeply I*resbyterian8 indebted. I know there are among the Christians of should^ assist. Scotland men of truly liberal minds ; who, were they but assured of the path of duty, would not hesitate for a moment to pursue it, regardless of the pecuniary sacrifice which might be required — let such stand forward, and no doubt they will find among the young men of their denomi- nation, now educating for the ministry, many who will be willing to devote themselves as missionaries to the destitute and neglected missionary fields of Ireland, let such be encouraged, and sent over to the work. From our Presbyterian friends, I now turn to friends in Duty of the the METHODIST CONNECTION— and to them I would say, in Christian candour, it behoves you to "return to your first love;" for, it must be admitted, there is not at present among you the same zeal, or the same devotedness which characterized the exertions of your first missionaries. Speaking generally, you do not appear to be the same humble, unassuming men, that your predecessors were. In the present day but seldom do we hear of any of your Ministers preaching in the fairs or the markets, as their forerunners were wont to do, in the days of Wesley ; when so many faithful men, going from place to place, proclaimed the gospel thiough the hamlets and villages of the land. I bring not the charge in the way of a railing accusation, but, as a faithful remembrancer, I would recal to mind the system by which your forefathers were made the instru- ments of effecting much good among the lower orders of the people. That at present the great proportion of your Ministers are much sounder in doctrine than many of those who lived some fifteen or twenty years ago I feel persuaded, and if your Home Mission in this country be assisted as it should be, by the friends of the Connection in England, who number among them very many wealthy individuals, I have no doubt, under the Divine blessing, your body will be made the instrument of contributing much towards the reformation in Ireland. 122 IRELAND IN 1846. IRELAND IN 1846. 123 < The BaptiBti. To friends in the BAPTIST connection I would address similar observations. That at one time they were the means of effecting much good in the country is known to all — but I am sorry to say, the light of that lamp which once burned so brightly in many parts of the country, is now faint and flickering ; still, I sincerely trust that with them, as with others, it may be found that a revival will take place, and that ere long we shall see their Schools again flourishing, and their Missionary efforts abounding, as in days gone by. And now, to the friends of the INDEPENDENT or CONGEEGATIONAL communion, what shall I say The Indepen- dent or tional Body. " Repent I and do your first works" — for, verily, it is my opinion, that amongst all the denominations of Christians at present in our land, there are none who need the exhorta- tion more, or to whom the language of the apostle more fitly applies — *' Ye did run well for a time — who did hinder you f What, let me ask, impeded our progress, or paralysed our exertions, but our own unhappy dissentions I what but the fostering of the very spirit which our Lord so justly con- demned in his first disciples, *' falling out by the way" — and about the very same subject — " contending which of them should be the greatest V What else but this, and un- called for attacks on brethren of other denominations, made by inexperienced, though zealous and well-intentioned young men of our denomination, have prevented us from having flourishing congregations in all the larger towns and cities in Ireland, and a number of missionaries scattered over every district ? That the principle of supporting the gospel by voluntary contribution is not fitted for this country, I cannot admit, when I look at five or six of the most flourishing congregations belonging to the Episcopalians of Dublin,* all supported by voluntary subscriptions, and each having the choice of its own minister — when I see the * Bethesda, Trinity Church, Baggot-street, Moljneux Asylum, narold's Cross Church, and Magdalen Asylum, missions of Achil and Dingle supported in a similar way ; and when, turning to Scotland, I see nearly the entire ministry of that country supported on the same principle, and by the same means. That the evil which has so long retarded missionary exertion in this land, by means of ministers and scripture readers of the Congregational body, has since the first meetings of the Evangelical Alliance much abated, I rejoice to think ; but I feel that a great exertion is still necessary, in order that the principles of the denomination may be fairly tested, and their value demonstrated and known ; and here, in Christian candour, I would ask the rich, the wealthy members of the denomi- . nation, in England and Scotland, what have they ever done to vindicate the efficiency of the principle in Ireland. Here is as fine a field for missionary exertion as they could ^T)niy o^^^ possibly wish for — seven millions of ignorant, superstitious, senters. demorahzed poor people, going the downward road to destruction, with scarcely a single messenger to warn them of their danger, or to tell them of the way of escape from the wrath to come — surely a better or a more extensive field for gospel enterprise could not be desired — or one from which, if properiy cultivated, a better return might be expected ;— and yet, I will ask the rich voluntaries of England, after all their contentions for the maintenance of the principle, what have they done to show its practical efficiency, in a land where their exertions are so much needed, and where the real worth of the principle might so readily be proved? No doubt some thirty or thirty-five ministers, and a few scripture readers, have been for years supported by means of the Evangelical Society, and the Congregational \Jnion— but do the wealthy voluntaries of England and Scotland expect thus practically to prove the efficiency of the principle they advocate? If I mistake not, a sum was raised within the last six months, in one town in England, to show the gratitude of the people, to one man, for some political or civil benefit rendered to ■ BJ I i . ii ! :1 > 124 IRELAND IN 1846. IRELAND IN 1846. 125 Some them, far greater than the entire amount contributed by Voluntary ^^^ ^^e voluntaries of England and Scotland within tlie Principle re- j^st thirty years, to show their gratitude to the Saviour, who died and suffered for them, by carrying forward the reformation in Ireland, through the means of scriptural schools, the reading of the scriptures, or the preaching of the gospel. And I would here affectionately ask friends and brethren, shall such a state of things be allowed to continue ? shall the seven millions of Ireland be allowed to perish in their sins, without an effort worthy of the name being made to prevent such an awful consumma- tion I Contemplating the subject in all its importance and magnitude — looking at the millions of Ireland in their present pitiable condition — and again, considering the means to be used for their spiritual regeneration, I would say to EEAL CHRISTIANS of EVERY Dntr of DENOMINATION— Churchmen, Presbyterians, Metho- Cnristians j. -r» . ' j ' of all Deno- dists. Baptists, and Independents — to all " who hold the minatioDs. Head," and are " one in Christ Jesus''— >ou must agree to differ — and uninfluenced by your various disagreements in matters of form and ceremony — you must arm your- selves for the conflict with the powers of darkness, and come at once "to the help of the Lord against the mighty." In producing such a spirit of Christian sympathy and devotion, it appears to mo, the EVANGELICAL ALLI- ANCE must prove its efficacy. In union there is strength ; and if, through the exertions of the members of the Alliance, peace and harmony can be promoted, and a right understanding amongst the various sections of the Lord's people can be established, much will be done towards effecting the great object I have pointed out. When, immediately after the increased grant to Maynooth had been decided on by the British Government, I observed an evident disposition on the part of Christians of various on to act with vigour. denominations to unite together, in order to oppose the Evangelical progress of Popery, it occurred to me, that what to our mailed ''"'''' finite judgment appeared to be a curse, might ultimately -^ prove to be a blessing— and I must say, that from every observation I have been able to make, in reference to the working of the Evangelical Alliance, which has grown out of the movement against Maynooth, I have been more and more persuaded it may be rendered a powerful instrument in the hand of the Most High, for diffusing the spirit of the reformation through Ireland. From what it has already accomplished, in restoring and promoting har- mony and good-will amongst Christian men of the various Churches of Christ, there can be little doubt, that under the Divine blessing, and going forward in the same spirit as that in which it commenced its labours in this city,* the good produced to the country at large ♦ In proof of the good produced by the meetings of the Evangelical Alliance in the city of Dublin, I would refer to a report of one of their meetings, sent to " The Universe" newspaper, by a reverend gentleman, whose signature, when deciphered, makes him known to the religious public as an ultra liberal— as an author, who amongst various other writings, has given to his countrymen an excellent guide from the Church of Rome to the Church of Christ. Speaking of the Rev. J. L. Chute, who I had the pleasure of introducing to the meeting referred to, as *' a clergyman ot the Church of England from the wilds of Connaught_who in that benighted region had a number of scriptural schools, attended by upwards of 1200 children, 1000 of whom are Roman Catholics"— the gentleman who furnished the report of the meeting observed, that *• The principal charm of this meeUng was the address of Mr. Chute, Rector of Roscom- mon, who related some deeply interesting anecdotes of his labours among Roman Catholics in the west. I confess I was surprised and delighted with his speech. * • * Oh, that all the ministers of the Irish Esta- blishment were like the Rev. Mr. Chute of Roscommon ! I doubt not there are many such. What a pity we have not an opportunity of knowing and loving them, and publishing their benevolent efforts abroad, for the edification and encouragement of all sections of the church ! Certainly the Alliance is nowhere more needed than in Ireland, and if it succeed in making Churchmen and Dissenters better kpown to each other, and counteracting the chiUing and exasperating exclusireness which Puseyism has drawn over the church, like a dark and bitter cloud charged with hail- stones, it will confer an immense benefit on this country." ^ id 126 IBELAND IN 1846. Deputation will be incalculable, and the result glorious. If, how- requirea. ^y^j., the good required is to be really effected, the Alliance must not rest satisfied with a mere demonstration of that unity which really exists amongst Christians of vari- ous denominations — it must give practical proof of the effi- cacy of Christian union. The object of such unity is, that the world may know that " Jesus is the Saviour ;" and surely, the demonstration of visible union will be to little purpose, if Christians unite not together to carry forward the work which the Saviour came into the world to ac- complish. The effort to be made must be one worthy of such an Alliance— half measures will prove worse than useless. Could a Deputation consisting of zealous, intelligent, God- fearing, devoted Christian men, of the various denomina- tions of orthodox Christians in England and Scotland, be induced to come over to Ireland, during the spring or sum- mer months, and to remain here for a month or six weeks, visiting the principal cities and towns — holding public meetings, and by their exertions and influence, endeavouring to diffuse a spirit of love and brotherly affection among the real followers of the Lamb, who are now divided into various sects and parties, and who continue to stand aloof from each other, as though they were not brethren — the greatest good would thereby be effected. Hitherto the exertions of Protestants to extend a know- omotesunts ledge of the truth have been paralysed, and in many paralyzed instances rendered abortive, by the disputings and wrang- by their want " * i , ,1 of combined lings which have taken place amongst themselves ; let them then, in the various districts of the country, be brought together in Christian love and affection, and induced to use their energies in the maintenance of truth, and the overthrow of error, and such a change will speedily take place among " the common people," as could not now be fairly reckoned on by individuals unacquainted with the country. And why should not such an effort be made I If exertion. I.. IRELAITD IN 1846. 127 the American brethren did not consider it too great a sacrifice in the cause of their I ord and master, to send across the Great Atlantic, ^/ty of the choicest spirits of their land, at an expense of upwards of twenty thousand pounds, simply to evidence their love to the brethren, and their unity with the people of God throughout the world, shall England and Scotland, deem it too large a sacrifice to send some ten or twelve of their worthies, at an expense of some two or three hundred pounds, to set on foot the work of reformation, in a land which, as I have shewn, possesses the strongest claims on the sympathy of Chris- tians of every denomination. But it may be asked by some, what is to be done, or in what way can exertions be made for Ireland, by the various sections of the Christian Church, or how can they work together without interfering with each other, or coming into unpleasant collision ? First, then, as to the inquiry what is to be done ?— the simple response must be, just what was done by the early reformers — let the gospel be preached in all its fulness, free- ness, purity, and simplicity— let preacher follow preacher, throughout the length and breadth of the land— this is God's means, and he will bless it.* It was by proclaiming €' • On this subject Dr. Chalmers observes :— " In order that men may become Christians, there must be either an obtruding of Christianity on the notice of the people, or the people must be waited for, until they move themselves in quest of Christianity. We apprehend that the former, or what may be called the aggressive way of it, is the most effectual. " Nature does not go forth in search of Christianity, but Christianity goes forth to knock at the door of nature, and if possible, awaken her out of her sluggishness. This was the way of it at its first promulgation. It is the way of it in every missionary enterprize. And seeing that the dis- inclination of the human heart to entertain the overtures of the gospel, forms a mightier obstacle to its reception among men, than all the oceans and continents which missionaries have to traverse, there ought to be a series of aggressive measures in behalf of Christianity, carried on from one age to another in every clime and country of Christendom." * * " The abiUiy and the Christian worth of Dissenters, and the precious 1 128 IRELAND IN 1846. to use. 1.1 * the glad tidings of salvation, by grace, through faith in the atoning blood and righteousness of the Saviour, that the Eeformers effected what they did three centuries ago, ^G^iilf th?" ^""^ '^^ "^^^ ^ departure from this simple line of proceeding proper means that left the Reformation unfinished at that time. Under the Divine blessing, this will remove all false doctrine from the mind, and be the means of overturning the whole fabric of Popish error and superstition. But it may be further enquired where are the preachers to be had ? I have already endeavoured to point out to the various denominations, by what means the country may be supplied by each, and would merely add, that where regular preachers cannot be obtained, scripture readers may for a time make up the deficiency ; but these must be men, not only able to read the scriptures, and if necessary to trans- late them into Irish— but men, who being really converted characters themselves, may be able, by turning to their bibles, to point the humble enquirer to the "Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world." In many of the remote parts of Ireland where there are no other ministers located, I am happy to say there are to be found pious Evangelical Clergymen of the Church of Ireland, who are spending and being spent in the cause of their Lord and Master ; but who, for want of assistance, are unable to accomplish one-tenth of the good they would do, were they provided with faithful men, who would cooperate with them in their works of faith and labours of love let such have from six to twelve properly quahfied, devoted contributions which they have rendered to sacred literature, should ever screen them from being lightly or irreverently spoken of. And yet among all their claims to the gratitude of the public, we think that they have a higher still, in their wholesome reaction on the establishments of the land, in their fresh and vigorous and ever-recurring impulses on a machinery, the usefulness of which they may disown in words, while in fact they are ^ong the most effective instruments of its weMnessr^Chalmers's Christian and Civic Economy, IRELAND IN 1846. 129 scripture readers, placed under their direction ; and let Presbyterian, Baptist, Independent and Methodist Minis- ters be located in the more destitute parts of the country, where the gospel is not at present regularly proclaimed ; each being supplied with a sufficient number of scripture readers and tract distributors. All this may be done without any one individual in any way infringing on the legitimate boundaries of any other Christian minister, or ^^f^^^f^"^"'- entering on any other man s labours— for in Ireland there is should exert room enough for all— and if such means be adopted, under ^^s®^' the Divine blessing, but a few years will elapse till the moral wilderness shall blossom as the rose— and the Emerald Isle, in place of remaining a curse or an annoy- ance to England, shall become the brightest gem in the British diadem. As I have shown, Popery is making rapid strides, and we have only to look into the Romish Ecclesiastical Re- gister, to see that even in England she has now obtained " a local habitation and a name," far beyond what could p^p^^y ^lak- have been expected some few years since-that there she is ing rapid rearing splendid cathedrals and spacious chapels.* Every year finds her people gaining power and influence, and unless an immediate and a combined effort be made to stay her progress, before twenty years are over. Popery will prove a greater curse to Britain, than it is now to Ireland. Althoucrh not disposed to introduce a merely political question into the present letter, still I feel I cannot lay down my pen, without saying this much : that as many of the most important questions which could engage its attention ing rapid strides in England. • Fifty years since tliere were 30 Roman Catholic Chapels J" Great Britain. There are now C02 Chapels, 10 Colleges, 34 Convents, 6 Monas- teries, 773 Missionary Priests, besides many Private Chapels._C« ^ f ^Llf I'S -I' o" tm land there are many w.ho abhor the doctrines of the Church o , Iho loathe the thought of giving the l"--' ^^^^ ''^ ^"^ ^^ ^J,^ gall pastry idol of the mass; but they dare not break t^e chains which g»^i th.7snirif they si-h for freedom, but the fear of the driver slash re- S^m f^m Ciming their birth.right I must rem^iud yon. lord ^Erthetorert. on this Colony, subscriptions are received by the Bev. Edward Nangle,and Dr. Adams, AchiU. Protestant Colon, in Kilme^Kildare, in canned vnth the Established Church. There is also a small Protestant Colony, formed from fifteen to twenty all in a comfortable condition. Gweedore, County Donegal. At Gweedore. in Donegal, on the -'''--" "^^S^^^^^^ .ions of Lord George Hill have been emm n ly ;" "^f^^^.^^,,; \„., «<,. »»«,, ,1.. ......1 .». done, I must ten > 011,1 exertion of charity. >pp11 distressed through the inclemency of the weather, or on men ^f ^^f^/'f/;''"^ i any other cause brought these poor people into d~ 'th rrent'lem- assisting them,, collecting means for distress, tmsgeiu himself without distinction of religion or TZ Bv th^ means he^icceded in alleviating misery and relieving d : ;.s to'a consider ble extent. Gentlemen he did collect contributions i f^Lo vvith the a-^sistance of his own moderate means, enabled hira to :",tte fa\?rb'nS' he fed .he hung^s Co.hed .he "^ ed a,.a gav. com fort to persons of a persuasions, and I believe J may say ne^«a "an^lie a^pted ItMIng as e.vclusive dealing He employed Pro- dance, ne ^^"H^^ r.thnlir' alike He was the benefactor of both. Not irerwith'reyea^ to^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ own house did he observe any religious ^' -"upon evidence which extorted a verdict from a jury of whom one half upon e^'"^' ^^ . „„„ears that 170 families, including 800 souls, h": feZ^ld'^ef ote ProTe'stat faith in that immediate. neighbouaiood; that no' man number have already sealed the truth and sincerity of therr ronver«=iorby dying in the faith of their adoption, while the whole body, Zvkhstandin- the insults and outrages daily heaped upon them, are an fnoffens vTo derly, and well-conducted class of persons, who would enjoy Ttf th gio"^^ «ffi^^« of their countrymen o all persua. «^ons it civil and religious liberty were more than a name in Ireland. That the executve^ve feels itself unable to abate the evils ,t ^;*= will he seen from the (subjoined) Memorial forwarded to his Ex- celTencyThe ^^rd Lieu?e"ant in th^ monti of January last signei by 150 Teads oVconvert families, and the official reply of the Under-Secietary of «« To his Excellency, the Lord Lieutenant.— May it please your EScel- lenytThe Memorial of the undersigned inhabitants of the parishes of Dingle, Kildrum, Ventry, Donquin, Dunurlin, and Kilmacheader, on behalf of themselves and their lamilies, «♦ Hiimhlv Sheweth— That Memorialists, with their families, were for- merlf in the commlion of the Roman Catholic Church: That Memo- nat^^from' wSat they believe and profess to ^e coi^c-^^ have withdrawn from the communion of the Roman Catholic LhurcD, ana • Preface to Trial* loined that of the Protestant Established Church : That Memorialists have suffered reproach and persecution, more or less, from time to time; DingleColony but that for the last four months, particularly, Memorialists have been, p^gg 15 and are still, suffering grievous persecution and loss, as converts from the Church of Rome : That when Memorialists pass through the town of Dingle, and the surrounding district, they are insulted and provoked to a breach of the peace, by many persons shouting at them, using opprobrious and threatening language, and sometimes throwing stones : That Memo- rialists have often had convictions before the magistrates, and assigtant barrister, against persons for waylaying, assaulting, and threatening, in cases where they knew or could discover the parties so offending: That Memorialists themselves have not been charged with any such crimes before the magistrates or assistant barrister : That Memorialists cannot purchase the "necessaries of life in the markets and shops, the people re- fusing to sell to them, or have any dealings with them, as converts from the Roman Catholic Church : That Memorialists have reason to know and believe, that this state of things is entirely owing to the preaching of the priests of the Roman Catholic Church, from their altars: That Memorialists are constantly exhorted, by their respective ministers, in public and in private to peace and good will towards all men, even their nersecutors and slanderers : That Memorialists desire to testify, that their Roman Catholic neighbours are well disposed towards them, and that they are in peace and good will with each other when Roman Catholic priests do not excite them against Memorialists : That Memorialists do not feel themselves, and their families, in the enjoyment of that safety and liberty which is the right of every subject of Her Gracious Majesty : That sad consequences are apprehended, if such a state of things be al- lowed to continue : That Memorialists are prepared to prove these state- ments, by their own and other most respectable testimony : That Memo- rialists, under these circumstances, appeal to a humane Government, in behalf of themselves and their families, who altogether amount to over 800 souls. And Memorialists will ever pray." " Dublin Castle, I4th January, 1845. " Sir— I am directed by the Lord Lieutenant to acknowledge the re- ceipt of your letter of the 9th instant, enclosing a Memorial from certain converts from the Roman Catholic Church, and to acquaint you, that while his Excellency must deeply regret, that any person should be exposed to personal inconvenience, obloquy, or insult, on the score of religion, they can scarcely fail to be aware, that it is not in his power to afford any remedy for the incoveniences they describe themselves as suffering, and that the ordinary course of law can alone be resorted to by them tor relief. —I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient humble Servant, " To Rev. Charles Gayer, Dingle.' ''E. Lucas." Letter from Rev. W. M'llwaine, of Belfast. <* Surely the intelligent, the warm-hearted, and high-minded Roman Catholic gentry of Kerry, so many of whom crowded the court during the days of this important trial, were not prepared for the disclosures then made concerning the system of religion which they profess, as well as some of its accredited teachers ! Assuredly they will never jom in so heartless and unchristian an effort as to hunt down, even to death those who conscientiously differ from them, or prefer another form of faith. Will they not, must they not reflect on the true nature of a system which can produce such fruits! The conduct of the poorinstruments of per. secution on this occasion was very marked. At the close of the first day s proceedings the crowd assembled around the court-house shewed evident symptoms of excitement, by violence of gesture, shouting, &c. At the ii 146 APPENDIX. APPENDIX. 147 If DingleColony termination of the trial, and when the verdict was announced, there was Page 15. ^ marked, and most significant change. Shame appeared to have taken possession of them, and well it might. All parties were silent and still. AJay it be that they have been led to think on their ways ! Oh, that like some older persecutors, recorded in holy writ, they might be cut to the heart, and led in sincere repentance and true faith to that Saviour, whose cause and whose servants have been so maligned, and so iniuriously treated!" J / " If in places where Roman Catholics are in the inverse ratio of what they are at Dingle, Roman Catholics were persecuted as the Dingle con- verts are in this county, what an outcry would be raised ! If Roman Catholic clergymen were hooted and pelted through the Protestant dis- tricts of the North; insulted — reviled — called by indecent names, so dis- gusting that they could not be mentioned in a court of justice, what would be the feelings of Roman Catholics? Would they not say, is this a country where discussion is allowed, where the principles of religion have e:cistence at all ?"• In reference to the success attending this infant Colony it is only fair to state that under the Divine blessing, much of its prosperity was owing to the indefatigable exertions of its late Secretary, Miss Mahon, now Mrs. Colonel Inglis, who in the year 1840, had collected funds sufficient to build fifteen cottages for the Converts, besides considerable sums to supply their daily returning wants. General Fund, for the Restoration in Ireland of her Primitive Religion, and the necessary protection of Converts. (From the Christian Guardian, edited by the Rev. Cams Wilson.) General '* ^^ ^ ^^^® number was an appeal in behalf of the above most important Fund. work, which has been undertaken very lately by Mrs. Col. Inglis, of Page 16, Kerse Hill, Falkirk, who has long laboured as Secretary for the Dingle Colony, in County Kerry, in Ireland, where are 800 Converts from Rome, and towards which the subscriptions last year amounted to £5000. When last we alluded to it, it was under the title of the " General Fund for the Relief and Protection of Persecuted Converts from Popery ;" but the title has been changed to the above, and wisely, we think, as less open to objection ; for it now shews that the spread of the Gospel is the^rs^ object, and protection the second. We feel that the seeds of the Gospel should be scattered far and wide, and not confined too much to one place ; and as the above excellent plan of Mrs. Inglis's is for the diflfusion of the truth as it is in Jesus, on a general and universal scale, we hail it as the harbinger of brighter days for poor, soul-enchained Ireland. She is enslaved in worse than Egyptian bondage. Though possessing a noble and generous nature — powerful for much good or evil ; depending entirely upon the channel to which it may be directed, of right or wrong she is nevertheless unblessed by the light and liberty of that Gospel which can alone give peace and prosperity in any country, and which is as much needed in many of her dark corners as in India or elsewhere. Satan • Preface to Trial. I I knows where are his strongholds, and so do the Popish Priests; by working on the fine native feelings of the deluded Irish, growing rich (as can be proved in many cases) by making others poor ; working also on the natural pride of the human heart, by telling them their works will merit heaven. Thus it is that Satan and the Priests dread the reading of Scripture, (which opens the eyes, and enables the prisoner to break his chains,) because they know they will lose their power; and therefore, ** the god of this world hath blinded their mind«, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Cor. iv. 4.) The smallest subscriptions will be thankfully received by the Honorary Secretaries— Mrs. Colonel Inglis, Kerse Hill, Falkirk, Scotland; and William Carus Wilson, Esq. Jun. Casterton, Kirkby, Lonsdale." Society. Page 61. Sunday School Society for Ireland, Established in Iheyear 1809, The object of the Society is to increase the number of Sunday Schools, SundaySchool and to promote their efficiency, by means of the co-operation of Visiting Agents, correspondence with the Conductors of each School, and grants of Bibles, Testaments, Scripture Reading-Books and Spelling- Books, the reading lessons of which are selected from the Bible. The Society has circulated upwards of 784,000 Bibles and Testaments, and more than one million two hundred and seventy thousand Portions of the Scriptures and of Spelling-Books since its formation ; and it is to be remarked, that the Books issued by the Society are in general used, not only in the Schools, but also in the dwellings of the Scholars. The Committee would call attention to the important fact, that, owing principally to the poverty of the parents, about 100,000 of the Scholars do not attend Week-day Schools, and that of these, a considerable proportion derive all their instruction at the Sunday Schools. State of Sunday School instruction in Ireland at the establishment of the Society, and its progress at the years 1818, 1827, 1836, and 1846:— In the year 1809, when the Society was formed there were as far as can be ascertained throughout Ireland only about .. .. .. .. >• •• In April, 1818, there were in connexion with it January, 1827, Do. Do. January, 1836, Do. Do. January, 1846, Do. Do. Schools. Scholars. 80 554 1945 2863 2962 59,888 163,484 218,976 244,503 Among the beneficial effects resulting from the Sunday School system, are a marked improvement in habits of decency and cleanliness. That while Protestants are trained in a more enlightened acquaintance with their Scriptural faith, and thus preserved from being corrupted by the errors of the Church of Rome, there is an increased perusal of the Holy Scriptures by Roman Catholics, many of whom attend Sunday Schools in connexion with the Society, frequently in the face of much opposition.— The erection of Day Schools^ the establishment of Lending Libraries, h 148 APPENDIX. APPENDIX. 149 Clothing Societies, and other Institutions, in Districts in which they did not previously exist. Subscriptions or Donations will be received by Messrs. David La Touche and Co. Dublin, or by Mr. John Johnston, at the Society's Office, 32, Sackville-street, Piccadilly, London. Page 20. I 1 ' The Monks of La Trappe, From the following extracts from the circular issued by the brother- hood, on their first coming to Ireland, one may learn what claim they Monks of La had on the Protestant community for support — and yet by the Protes- Trappe. tants they were well supported. 1. We celebrate every day the holy sacrifice [of the mass,] for our benefactors. 2. A memento is made for them at every private mass. 3. We pray for them at the midnight office, and at the canonical hours of the day. 4. The community make a general communion for them on the first Thursday of every month. 5. They partake of every good and penitential work of the community. 6. They are prayed for after meals. 7. They are prayed for when we are informed of their illness. 8. At the death of any benefactor a mass is offered for the deceased — every priest makes three mementos — every lay member offers a commu- nion, and recites the seven penitential psalms. 9. A de profundis is recited every afternoon, by the community as- sembled, for the deceased benefactors. 10. Every special benefactor shall be associated to the prayers and good works of our whole society. II ilf Description of Maynooth in 1846, by an intelligent Traveller, Description of The following letter from a gentleman of high respectability, resident Mayno<^. \^ Scotland, appeared in " the Times" newspaper— it shews the faUacy of the statements made by Sir Robert Peel, when voting away a large sum for the improvement of Maynooth. " Sir, — Having, as late as last week, visited Maynooth, perhaps a few lines from an English eye-witness may not be uninteresting to those who neither have had or may have an opportunity of seeing for tlvemselves. Maynooth is about twelve miles from Dublin — the whole drive most beautiful— and, after passing through Lucan and other romantically situa- ted villages, we saw, from the end of the Duke of Leinster's park, at . Carton House, a pile of ruin, which was some ancient place of the Lein- ster family, and destroyed by Cromwell ; just behind this ruin stands the College, at the end of the village of Maynooth, surrounded by trees ; a very large building, consisting of courts, outhouses, &c., chapels, a hall, and a very good library. Considering that there are five hundred students. all residing within the walls, (out of which they are never allowed to go, except for a walk, on Wednesdays, when one of the tutors accompanies them,) and that each student has a room to himself, the building must be very extensive. • " After having heard so much of their poverty and wretchedness, we were all surprised with what we saw. The students are all dressed in black, with long black gaiters ; certainly some of them looked wretched, which is not to be wondered at, as they are mostly of the lowest orders. They are the whole year at Maynooth, with the exception of six weeks at midsummer. We were told that the students had everything they wanted, (indeed we went into the kitchen and saw the very best fare preparing,) that they had as much beer to drink as they liked, (we saw the brewery, a good-sized building, standing by itself) and as much to eafas they wished, and on Fridays the food is altered in quality, (that is, fish instead of meat) though not in quantity, as they were not, on that day, restricted at all. This is rather singular, for surely a fasting does or ought to imply an ab- stinence. Then as to the beds :— Sir R. Peel talked of * three sleeping in a bed.' Now our guide told us that he never knew of such a thing as even two sleeping in a bed, all the time he had been -there, twelve years; indeed we saw the beds, which, though very good, were not large enough for two ; much less three; and, in addition to this, a priest told us that if such a thing was done, it would be punished by expulsion. Surely the testimony of two on the spot may be taken, and almost proves that Min- isters must have quoted from some suspicious authority. I believe that many who are in favour of the grant, if they went to the College and witnessed the mummery we did in the chapel, and really the seeming abun- dance and comfort of all in the College, would come to a different con- clusion; but in these days of lukewarm Protestantism, we are as much betrayed by the apathy of friends as the treachery of foes. *' I remain your obedient servant, « July 8tb, 1845." '* A TRAVELLER. Evidence relative to Maynooth, taken before the Commissioneri of Education Enquiry, What portion of the New Testament did you go through in thos lectures ?_I think during the time I was in, that I only went through E^^^^^^^^^^^ the first of Corinthians during the half year. p^gg 32. " You went through no portion of any one of the Gospels ?— No. " When you left Maynooth had you read any one of the Gospels?— Yes I had ; I had read the Gospel of John. *♦ Will you state what portion of the New Testament you had read in Maynooth, including both public and private study ?— I read the Gospel of St. John before I went to the College at all, and I read a portion of the Gospel of Luke, and I read the Epistle to the Romans, and the Lamentations of Jeremiah ; I think those I had read in private, but in public I had read none but the first of Corinthians."— Appen. p. 362, 363. 150 APPENDIX, APPENDIX. 151 Eridence of Maynooth. Page 32. f Another Witness. "Did the Old or the New Testament at that time form any part of your study ? Except the extracts used there, the Old or New Testament, considered as such, formed no part of the study then, or at any other period! "What extracts do you refer to?— Reeves's extracts, and afterwards extracts made by the Scripture Professor. "Do you mean to say that Reeves's book consists of extracts from the Scriptures ?_It is a compilation, and I accordingly consider it as consisting of extracts chiefly; I do not know how to understand it, ex- cept that it is an arrangement of extracts from the Scriptures. " Were you in possession of a Bible at the time ?— No. " Had you access to any Bible at the time ?— No. " Are the ^Commissioners to understand you as saying, that during the four years you were at Maynooth, you had not a copy of the Scrip- tures in your possession as your own private property?-! had not that I can recoUect, nor was it required of me that I should have such a book as a class-book. " Was it not required of you, upon entering the College, that you should furnish yourself with one for your own private use ?-Certainly not that I can recollect. " Was there not such a regulation generally adopted in the CoUege ?— It IS certainly the first time I ever heard of it. " Do you mean that you never heard that such a regulation existed till the present moment ?-That is what I mean to express. " Is it your distinct evidence, that at the time when you were in the College, It was not the habit of the young men to have each a copy of the Scriptures m his own private apartment ?— Decidedlv, as a general practice. "Do you mean to say that you knew of none who had it ?-I was not required to have a copy of the Scriptures in my possession, nor to have recourse to them j nor did I know of its being the case that many other persons had. "^ " Speaking of that minority, whatever the number may have been what proportion of them do you conceive, as a matter of fact, had the Scriptures in their private possession in their rooms ?— I really did not know of any. -Do you mean distinctly to state that the majority of the students attending the Scripture lectures did not refer to the original Scriptures m order to prepare themselves, but rested satisfied wish the notes you describe ?_I am perfectly satisfied it was so. "While they are preparing in the public halls for the Scripture lec tures, what number of copies of the Bible may you have seen upon the tables ?-I may have occasionally seen perhaps a few copies of the Douay Testament lying on the desks, but I have not known them to have been laid before a person for regular study. " Were they ordinarily handed about from one to another, or were r • • I they not ?-Not handed ahont, hut if I chose to ask for one. of the stu- Evidence of E who was possessed of such a book, and that he chose to lend it to ^-7^^^- me, I then used it. ,,,,,. " Does not the bookseller of the College of Maynooth openly sell Tes- taments to any person who chooses to buy them ?-I suppose so ; I never bought one from the bookseller to the CoUege of Maynooth ; the only books that the students were obliged to buy are Dr. Delahogue's Trea- tises upon controversial theology, and also a small treatise that the pro- fessor of mathematics published ; the students were obliged to possess themselves of these books, and I have not known them to be obliged to purchase any other books."-viii. Rep. Appen. p. 319-322. Another Witness. . * ' Do you remember whether you were in possession of a Bible durmg the time you were a student at Maynooth ?-I was not during the whole time I was there, except the last year, when I got a Latin Bible as a premium. « Were many of the students possessed of Bibles ?-No ; some of them had a New Testament. .'Then although it was not required, and although you were in no way encouraged to do so, yet you were in no way discouraged from domg so '-I cannot say that I was discouraged ; hut the t.me of the students of divinity is so filled up with the classes of dogmatic theology, that they .had not time to study the Scriptures."-Appen. p. 3o0. Another Witness. 41, , t i,.;i " Had you a Bible of your own when you were at Maynooth ?-I had ■^ ^ Werfmany of the students possessed of Bibles ?_I think in general no more than si:: or eight or ten. as far as I can recoUect. " Do you mean in your class ?-I think I scarcely saw more than about eight or ten Bibles, or twelve at furtliest-I think I have never In ml than that in the hall of theology on the days when we were waiting for the professor to give his lecture. "Do you mean that there were not above ten or twelve Bibles, or that there were not above ten or twelve New Testaments ?-I mean '^"^'r:!*:':*; New Testament, in the hands of those who had not Bibles ?— I cannot say. , . "When you say there were ten or twelve Bibles, do you mean that that includes the whole number of copies, either of the New or Om Tes- tament, in the possession of aU the students of your class. -Xes - Tiii. Rep. Appen. p. 362. Description of a Hedge School. In order to enable the reader to form some idea of the state of education in Ireland, at the period its reform was commenced by the London Hibernian and KUdare-place Societies, I quote the following graphic sketch from Carleton's " Traits of the Irish Peasantry." As he peruses the sketch, the reader wiU recoUect that in the hedge schools of Ireland 1:5: '^mmmm^^'mmm '^ ? i 152 APPENDIX. School. Page 58. 1 I ! If N Description of ^^^g present priests received the rudiments of their education — out of a Hedge these they went to Maynooth " As you leave the village, you have, to the left, a view of the hill, which I have already described, and, to the right, a level expanse of fertile country, bounded by a good view of respectable mountains, peering decently into the sky ; and in a line that forms an acute angle from the point of the road where you ride, is a delightful valley, in the bottom of which lies a pretty lake ; and a little beyond, on the slope of a green hill, rises a splendid house, surrounded by a park, well wooded and stocked with deer. You have now topped the little hill above the village, and a straight line of level road, a mile long, goes forward to a country town which lies immediately behind that white church, with its spire cutting into the sky, before you. You descend on the other side, and, having advanced a few perches, look to the left, where you see a long, thatched chapel, only distinguished from a dwelling house by its want of chimneys, and a small stone cross that stands on the top of the eastern gable : behind it is a grave-yard, and beside it a snug public- house, well white- washed ; then, to the right, you observe a door appa- rently in the side of a clay bank, which rises considerably above the pavement of the road. What ! you ask yourself, can tliis be a human habitation ? — but ere you have time to answer the question, a confused buzz of voices from within reaches your ear, and the appearance of a . little " gorsoon," with a red, close-cropped head, and Milesian face, having in his hand a short, white stick, or the thigh bone of a horse, Khich you at once recognize as ** the pass " of a village school, gives you the full information. He has an ink-horn, covered with leather, dangling at the button-hole (for he has long since played away the buttons) of his frize jacket— his mouth is circumscribed with a streak of ink— his pen is stuck knowingly behind his ear— his shins are dotted over with blisters, black, red, and blue— on each heel a kibe— his «* leather crackers, videlicet— breeches, shrunk up upon him, and only reaching as far down as the caps of his knees. Having spied you, he places his hand over his brows, to throw back the dazzling light of the sun, and peers at you from under it, till he breaks out into a laugh, exclaiming, half to himself, and half to you, "You a gintleman ! — no, nor one of your breed never was, you procthorin' thief you !" "You are now immediately opposite the door of the seminary, when half a dozen of those seated next it notice you. "Oh, Sir, here's a gintleman on a horse I— master. Sir, here's a gintleman on a horse, wid boots, and spurs on him, that's looking in at us." • • . " In the mean time, the master puts his head out of the door, his body stooped to a ' half bend'— a phrase, and the exact curve which it forms, I leave for the present to your own sagacity— and surveys you until you pass. That is an Irish hedge school, and the personage who foUows you with his eye, a hedge schoolmaster. His name is Matthew ! '1 APPENDIX. 153 Kavanagh ; and as you seem to consider his literary establishment T)ogpr*nf* f rather a curiosity in its kind, I will, if you be disposed to hear it, give \ Hedge you the history of him and his establishment. School. " The first step a hedge schoolmaster took, on establishing himself in I*age 58. a school, was to write out in his best copperplate hand, a flaming adver- tisement, detailing, at full length, the several branches he professed himself capable of teaching. I have seen many of these — as who that is acquainted with Ireland has not? — and, beyond all doubt, if the persons that issued them were acquainted with the various heads reca- pitulated, they must have been buried in the most profound obscurity, as no man but a walking Encyclopaedia — an Admirable Crichton — could claim an intimacy with them, embracing, as they often did, the whole circle of human knowledge. 'Tis true, the vanity of the pedagogue had full scope in these advertisements, as there was none to bring him to an account, except some rival, who could only attack him on those practical subjects which were known to both. Independently of tliie, there was a good-natured collusion between them on these points which were beyond their knowledge, inasmuch as they were not practical but specu- lative, and by no means involved their character or personal interests. On the next Sunday, therefore, after Mat's establishment at Findramore, you might see a circle of the peasantry assembled at the chapel door, perusing, with suitable reverence and admiration on their faces, the following advertisement ; or, perhaps, Mat himself, with a learned, con- sequential air, in the act of explaining it to them. " * EDUCATION. ***Mr, Matthew Kavanayhy Philomath^ and Professor of the Learned Languages, begs leave to inform the Inhabitants of Findramore and its Vicinity y that he Lectures on the following branches of Education^ in his Seminary at the above recited place : — ** 'Spelling, Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, upon altogether new principles, hitherto undiscovered by any except himself, and for which he expects a Patent from Trinity College, Dublin ; or, at any rate, from Squire Johnston, Esq. who patemizes many of the pupils ; Book-keep- ing, by single and double entry — Geometry, Trigonometry, Stereometry, Mensuration, Navigation, Guaging, Surveying, Dialling, Astronomy, Astrology, Austerity, Fluxions, Geography, ancient and modern — Maps, the Projection of the Spear — Algebra, the Use of the Globes, Natural and Moral Philosophy, Pneumatics, Optics, Dioptics, Catroptics. Hy- draulics, JErostatics, Geology, Glorification, Divinity, Mythology, Midicinality, Physic, by theory only, Metaphysics, practically. Chemis- try, Electricity, Galvanism, Mechanics, Antiquities, Agriculture, Ven- tilation, Explosion, &c. "* In Classics — Grammer, Cordery, JEsop's Fables, Erasmus* Collo- quies, Cornelius Nepos, Phoedrus, Valerius, Maximus, Justin, Ovid, Sallust, Virgil, Horace, Juvenal, Persius, Terence, TuUy's Offices, Cicero, Manouverius, Turgidus, Esculapius, Regerius, Satanus, Nigrus, Quinctilian, Livy, Thomas Acquinas, and Cornelius Agrippa. 1 \ 154 APPEXDIX. APPE^T)IX, 155 ii •V . i. «. " * Greek Grammar, Greek Testament, Lucian, Ilomcr, Sophocles, Description of _ , , _ ^^ ,.,_ a-:.*^^1, = Ynn«,^^n« Plafn ArUfntlp Sn. a Hedge School. Page 5S. I Eschylus, Thucydides, Aristophanes, Xenophon, Plato, Aristotle, So- crates, and the Works of Alexander the Great ; the manners, habits, customs, usages, and meditations of the Grecians ; the Greek digamma resolved, Prosody, Composition, both in prose, verse, and Oratory, in English, Latin, and Greek ; together with various other branches of learning and scholastic profundity — quos enumerare lomjum est — along with Irish Radically, and a small taste of Hebrew upon the Masoretic text. " ' Matthew Kavanagh, Philomath, " Having posted this document upon the chapel-door, and in all the public places and cross roads of the parish. Mat considered himself as having done liis duty. He now began to teach, and his school continued to iocnMt to hh lioirtN orr.tt nt, ctqtj «iiy hrioging him fresh scJsolar*. lit this iMMMr Y»f> flonrtshod til) tlic bc^gioirinj; uf winUf, wbt n thiMO b0j«^ vbowhy t!icfo>rcfftyof their parcotit, iMd btca compdloi to 1:0 to aerric« to the acii;hbouriiic fiinMit, Hockod to hla In nooAeriiitiito TOBVokvs for IcBOwkdgc. Ab tddltlMi ww oo«Mquont1y built to the Kfaod iioie. which wm cODlidonMy 900 Wtttl; lo that, m ChristrnM sffffoaehcdj it vouM hQ diAeult to flud a moro bhukto^s or nufrtj tfUJUUbmmi tiMfkt the roof id a bedgc Khool. Bui it U time to girc aa *ecoai(t c^ its intcrioor. « Tbt readier wiU th(«k t>t i^cAsctl to picture to hioBNlf muh ft bouse M I b&To iOrcftdy deietlkeA— in « li&c with th« liolifo : the eirc of the teek ToeT witliln a foot of tlio grtmnd IxluxWl it ; a Luge hole ifsatAly in the middie of the * ri^yim,* m a dkimney ; immediiitclr under vhkli is ta •xcamtioa in the ik»r» tentd awny by ± Ui^ fire of tvrC hcdp«dl loosely tosvtlwr. l^t iii ^urrouAdoA hj a cirde of urchin^ $Utlng 00 the bM« Otf Ik, ftna cxhlUtii^ a Kric« of QtMMoS >hje as well to bint, that tbere H a ^ia$ hunt to start from bftlde bis &tber*s in the c^surse of tbe dsy. In (his riag, with bia legi stretebcd in n mmt kudlj oiannef, sita, upca a doil c^air, Mu him- aelf, with hks hu on, basliaa; m tbe c^ToymcAt of unitaiUcd aatbority. His dress c«o«iMt of a blsc* c«s«, considerably in want of re^ir, trans, ferred to his shoiildres through the n;eans of a clothc>a*beukef la tbt county ton ; a wbita cnirat, round a Urft atufftf^;, >^fiag thst fart vbieh COttM in eontset with tbe ebin ftomewbat streaked uith brorrn— a bteelt xnottcMt «i(b one or two * toe'»• aewed on vbere tbe eclginil bsd &llcn off— black oocduroy inexpreskible*, tn ice dytd, and sheep's-grcy atocklngs. In his Imi It ■ Inge, fercnd roler» tbe emUfffl of XinBiiBHaik^ his powiir, tho wolul instrument of exceaitiv* juit^r^and the tigaal of aHcdn terror to all within his juris^tion. la a ccener belov U a pile of t»f, SdiooL where, on rntc^riii)^, every boy throva bis two lodt, with » pitch from **iunb, uiid half dovk« hii brsd, by uiiy of mskisff bias a bow, and goes to bis icat. Alon^ tbe valli on tbe gronsd is a terirs of round stoaes, some of then capped tvitb a straw Oiillaf or ItsMock, on which the bojs Ht ( otbera have beaaei^ kdJ saay «f tbeaa boba— a ^c but compact kind of bo|gy subttanea fMad in tbe roooniains. On tbc*^ several of thc«i »it { (ba grewler aombcv of tbemj bowevefi bai^ no seats whatever, but tquu themsel^>ei dou«, viritbout eonpoftetkcH on the bard floor, liung hbout, on woodea pegs dri>'en into the ^^ft\U, are iba iibBpe* leu* )^ilow *aiu|ie gruuod, ^A*itb tbair psfer on a copy lK«rd— a piece of pUncd deal tbe size of the eopy« an appetidsge now nearly esp^odi-d— their dieoc be alcegctber iiiite. r*tei a«eb a ckeaiaMaMca baing a considerable dn^w loefc> in tbr opinion of an admirer, from the ebarteter of a yomg ^-cman (ct wbom be waa about to p«opose>-a drair bsek, toc^ srbkh waa always wcigbty m proper* tion to bcr wealth c< icspeccibility. \ 166 APPENDIX. (( School. Page 58. I _ . . , •. Having given our readers an imperfect sketch of the interior of ^riledgr^ Mat's establishment, we will now proceed, however feebly, to represent him at work— with all the machinery of the system in full operation. « * Come, boys, rehearse (buz, buz, buz)— I'll soon be after calling up the first spelling lesson_(buz, buz, buz)— then the mathematician— book- keepers— Latinists, and Grecians, successfully. (Buz, biz, buz)— Silence there below !— your pens. Tim Casey, isn't this a purty hour o' the day for you to come into school at ; arrah, and what kept you, Tim ? Walk up wid yourself here, till we have a confabulation together, you see I love to be talking to you.* " * Sir, Larry Branagan, here ; he's throwing spits at me out of his pen.' — (Buz, buz, buz.) " * Larry, there's a rod in steep for you.* " Fly away, Jack— fly away, Jill ; come again. Jack." " Having gone through the spelling task, it was Mat's custom to give out six hard words selected according to his judgment— as a final test ; but he did not always confine himself to that. Sometimes he would put a number of syllables arbitrarily together, forming a most heterogeneous combination of articulate sounds. « * Now, boys, here's a deep word, that'll thry yees : come, Larry, spell me-mo-man-dran-sari'ti.ji-can-dU'han-dan'ti-aUUij, or mis-an-thro-po-mor- phi'ta-ni-a-nus-mi-ca-li-a'tion;— that's too hard for you, is it? Well, then, spell phthisic. Oh, that's physic you're spellin*. Now, Larry, do you know the difference between physic and phthisic ?' ««*No, Sir.* «< < Well, I'll expound it : phthisic, you see, manes— whisht, boys, will yeeshould your tongues there— phthisic, Larry, signifies— that is, phthisic — mind, it's not physic I'm expounding, but phthisic— boys, will yees stop yer noise_there— signifies— but, Larry, it's so deep a word in larnin' that I should draw it out on a slate for you ; and now I remember, man alive, you're not far enough on yet to undherstand it: but what's physic Larry ?' " * Isn't that. Sir, what my father tuck, the day he got sick. Sir ?' " * That's the very thing, Larry ; it has what learned men call a medical property, and resembles little ricketty Dan Reilly there— it retrogrades. Och ! och ! I'm the boy that knows things you see now how I ex- pounded them two hard words for yees, boys— don't yees ?' « * Yes, Sir,' &c. &c. « * So, Larry, you haven't the larnin' for that either ; but here's an aisier one— spell me Ephabridotas, (Epaphroditas)— you can't! hut! ■ man— you're a big dunce entirely, that little shoneen Sharkey there below would sack. , God be wid the day when I was the likes of you— it's I that was the bright gorsoon entirely- and so sign was on it, when a great larned traveller^silence, boys, till I tell yees this, [a dead 6ilence]-from Thrinity College, all the way in Dublin, happened to meet me one day- seeing the slate and Gough, you see, undher my arm, he axes me— PPENDIX. 157 << Arrah, Mat,'* says he, " what are you in ?" says he. " Faix, I'm in my ^^ ... - waistcoat, for one thing," says I, oflf hand — silence, childhre, and don't j^ Hedge laugh so loud — (ha, ha, ha I) So he looks closer at me : "I see that," School says he, " but what are you reading ?** " Nothing, at all at^ all," says I, Page 58. " bad manners to the taste, as you may see, if you've your eye-sight,** *' I think," says he ,* " you'll be apt to die in your waistcoat :' and set spurs to a fine saddle mare he rid — faix he did so — thought me so cute — (om/ies— ha, ha, ha!) Whisht, boys, whisht; isn't it a terrible thing that I can*t tell yees a joke, but you split your sides laughing at it — (ha, ha, ha !)— don't laugh so loud, Barney Casey.'— ,(ha, ha, ha.) *' Barney — ' I want to go out, if you plase, Sir.'* " ' Go, avick ; you'll be a good scholar, yet, Barney. Faix, Barney knows whin to laugh any how.' " * Well, Larry, you can't spell Ephabridotas ? — thin, here's a short weeshy one, and whoever spells it will get the pins — spell a red rogue wid three letters. You, Mickey? Dan? Jack? Natty? Alick? Andy? Pether ? Jim ? Tim ? Pat ? Rody ? you ? you ? you ? Now, boys, I'll bould you my little Andy here, that's only beginning the Rational Spelling Bookf bates you all; come here, Andy, alanna: now, boys, if he bates you, you must all bring him a little miscaun of butter between two kale blades, in the mornin*, for himself; here, Andy, avourneen, spell red rogue with three letters.* ^*Andy—.^ M, a, t— Mat.' ** * No, no, avick, that's myself, Andy ; it's red rogue, Andy— hem I — JP— <<«F, o, X— fox.' " * That*s a man, Andy. Now, boys, mind what you owe Andy in the mornin*, won't yees?' «« Yes, Sir.' * Yes, Sir.* * Yes, Sir.' «I will, Sir,' 'And I will. Sir.' And so will I, Sir,' &c. &c. &c. • • • ** A hedge schoolmaster was the general scribe of the parish, to whom all who wanted letters or petitions written, uniformly applied — and these were glorious opportunities for the pompous display of pedantry ; the remuneration usually consisted of a bottle of whiskey. * * * ■ " * Now, boys, I am goin' to indite a small taste of literal correspon- dency over at the public-house here ; you literati will hear the lessons for me, boys, till afther I'm back again ; but mind, boys, ahsente domino, strepuunt servi — meditate on the philosophy of that ; and, Mick Mahon, take your slate and put down all the names ; and, upon my sou — hem- credit, I'll castigate any boy guilty of misty manners on my retrogadation thither; ergo momentote, cave ne tituhes mandataquejrangas.*" The foregoing, are merely brief extracts from the sketch, which is altogether in character and keeping. To schoolmasters such as Mat Kavanagh the students of Maynooth are still indebted for their first lessons in Latin, Greek, and science, as these are not taught by the NatlQcal Board. 158 APPENDIX. t Dr. Boyle's description of Bible Societies. Dr. Doyle's ^^"'^^^^^^'^y^^^ormedof the real cause of the opposition of the Romish Description of P"^sts of Ireland, to what they termed bible schools, from the following BibleSocieties extract of «a pastoral address" from Dr. Doyle, Roman Catholic Bishop -fage 00. of Kildare and Leighlin, in reference to the establishment of bible and other religious societies throughout the country :— '* About tn-enty years ago, a society for printing and distributing bibles was formed in this country, which in a short time became numerous, in- eluding within it a great number of well-meaning persons; and not a few who put on an appearance of piety and zeal, for the purpose of obtaining a livelihood through the society, and sharing in the funds placed at its disposal. The society by degrees, not satisfied with contributing to the religious improvement of Protestants directed its zeal to the enlightening of Catholics. The imposture was so successful, that in almost every succeeding year new societies sprung up, each and all of whom engaged to enlighten « the poor benighted Papists of Ireland,' (for so they called us) according to the measure of the gifts which the public might enable them to bestow. Some undertook to distribute bibles and testaments in English andm Irish, others to compose and disseminate tracts ; many were em- ployed in collecting information respecting our religious usages, called by * them superstitious ; several had funds entrusted to them, whether to aid the operation of grace in making converts, or in confirming those converts when made— in the aba.jdonment of all religion. The gaols, the bride- wells, the cellars, the cabins, were all to be visited; and books, and bank- notes, and cloaks, and coats, and bibles, were all employed to forward the great work of hypocrisy and religious cant. The fruits of those exertions were such as naturally should be expected ; theft, and robbery, and lies, and sacrilege, and profanations of every sort abounded. The hypocrites employed by the society were enabled to live ; many of them became rich • not a few of the simple, well disposed Protestants, became dupes and fanatics ; the sensible part of the community sighed or laughed at what was occuring ; the thief in prison often hoped, and not always without cause, to escape the gallows by accepting of a bible ; and the prostitute when driven from society, recruited her strength and was refitted for de- bauchery by feigning conversion. These societies produced more crimes in Ireland than the Whitehoys or Orangemen : they at one period con- vulsed the entire country, and almost kindled a civil war : to this day they divide the people; promote or prolong dissension; alienate the master and mistress from their domestics ; and sow distrust and antipathy in the place of mutual confidence and affection."— p. 10. Burning of a Bible by a Romish Priest in 1845. Bnpn^g of a Extract from the report of a trial at the Castletown Petty Sessions, P 56 ^^''®^^6"» Feb. 7th, 1845 :— *^ • " Catherine Sullivan was then sworn.-Do you know anything of the injury of a bible? I do. Who injured it?. Father Healy. What did APPENDIX. 159 1/ t he do to it ? He burned it. Where was ,t ? It was m ^J^^^^^^^^ ^« g^j^g of a took it from me. When was it ? The 22nd of June. 1843. What re- ^^^^^^ ligion are you ? A Protestant. Were you reading it ? He came to me, page 56. and said, " come and y a lesson." I brought the bible, and he took it out of my hands and sa>d, -this is a corrupt book, not fit for anythmg but- burning." He offered to put it in the fire, but it fell on the floor ; I at- tempted to catch it, but he pushed me back and threw it in the fire. What did he say to you ? He asked me to read a lesson to him as he was going to carry me to another school. What school were you at then ? At my uncle's. He took me by the hand and carried me to the other school, but I did not remain there long. Was the bible burned ? It was. Was any one else there ^ There was a man of the neighbours coming m the door, and he said, " Paddy, come up and warm yourself, there's a Protestant bible burning here." Did Paddy go into the house ? He did. Are you sure? I am, for the priest got the tongs and was opemng it m the fire o make it blaze. Who is Paddy? Paddy Shea. What else did Mr. Healy do'" He only burned the book, and took me by the hand, and earned me to the other school. Did Mr. Healy do you any harm ? No. « Mary Murphy, of Ardgoon, was then sworn and examined in Irish, as follows-I was present when the bible was burned by Father Hedy; he got it from the little girl that was examined ; he told her to bring him a book till he taught her a lesson; she said that all the books were at school; her brother asked her had she any book; she said none but the bible; she brought out the bible, and Father Healy put it in the fire and burned it ; Father Healy stopped in the house until it was burned " Mr. Swiney submitted that no case was made against Mr. Healy as to injury or violence, and as to burning the bible, that was no crimmal offence, being merely a case for civil action."-Cor^ Constitution. The Bomish Breviary, It maybe necessary to inform the reader that the Breviary, or Roman Catholic prayer book, which is so estimated by the Church of Rome, that "^^^^^^^^^ all priests and persons of both sexes who have entered into the monastic ^^^^ ^^^ order, are required to repeat every day of their lives, the whole service of the day, consisting of upwards of thirty pages, (and which takes an hour and a half to read) and the omission of this for one day is declared to be a mortal sin-comprehends and authenticates as great an amount of lying legend and Jesuitical superstition as could be met with in any book of similar compass. Of one of the saints, Peter Dalcantara, we are told that being abroad in a snow storm, and distressed for shelter, he entered a building without a roof, but the snow, out of respect for the saint, formed a solid roof over him, and there he passed the night ; and further, that the charity of this same saint was so great as to raise the temperature of his blood to such a height, as to oblige him to break out from bis cell and run into the fields—Another physical effort of charity, this same Breviary relates of St. Philip Neri, whose chest being too confined for the expan- ill 160 APPENDIX. I sive order of that virtue, was miraculously enlarged by the breaking of The Romish ^wo of his ribs ; a Roman Breviary gives the following account of our ^ro^i^ll' tron saint, equally true with the others ; in this we are informed that ^^^^ the holy saint arose before day-light, and under the snows and rains of a northern winter, began his usual task of praying one hundred times in a day-and again one hundred times in the night. Such, the Breviary in- forms us, was his daily practice while still a layman and a slave. When raised to the See of Armagh, his activity in the external practice of prayer appears quite prodigious. In the first place he repeated daily the one hundred and fifty Psalms of the Psaltery, with a collection of Canticles and Hymns, and two hundred Collects. The two hundred genuflexions of his youth were now increased to three hundred. The ecclesiastical day being divided into eight canonical hours, and each of these having one hundred blessings with the sign of the Cross allotted by St. Patrick, his right hand must have performed that motion eight hundred times a day. After this distracting stir and hurry, the night brought but little repose to the Saint. He divided it into three portions-in the first he recited one hundred Psalms, and knelt two hundred times ; during the second he stood immersed in cold water repeating fifty Psalms more. " with his heart, eyes, and hands raised towards heaven;" the third, he gave up to sleep upon a stone pavement. With such compounds of fanaticism and superstition is the greater pro- portion of the Romish Breviary filled, and yet in the reading and re-reading of them, one tenth of the time of those educating for the priesthood, or leading the monastic life is occupied. Presentments to Popery, in the year 1846. Presentments The shameless audacity which so generaUy characterises the eccle- to Popery, gj^stics of Rome has been signally developed in certain recent votes of ^^^^ ^^' baronial sessions. Resorting to the exercise of their favourite and too fatally successful means—intimidation— they have succeeded in many localities in obtaining magnificent assessments for the erection^of gor- geous temples of idolatry. In Ennis the enormous sum of £3,500 was voted by a board of Protestants to adorn and beautify the popish chapel, and in other districts amounts varying from £300 to £500 have been as- signed for a like purpose.— 51/a/esman (edited by Dr. Blackwood) 9Driscoll_Tou should be the last to oppose it. Dr. Baldwi^Tou should not divert the money from the poor. here on my oath (hisses). I'm here sworn to do my dutv. Now ft is n" ^%:L7o^tVV '^""""""^ *° '^'' ehU'Cgrea:; sS (hfslg) ''''''' °° '"^"^^^o" "^"^ '° t''" f«<=« of the people (grt;fo;S)"-"''°"^ '"*^' "'°"^'' ^- •"'- - ^-y-^o- Chairman— It's passed (shouting). Father Lee appUed for £1,400 to repair Macroom chapeL Chairman— We'll grant it (great shouting) Chairman-Look at the bundle of applications still before me. ^ Dr. Baldwm-AndaU the magistrates and cess-payers have deserted Chairman— What am I to do ? longeT*"^"^'""^ *"' '^''^ " *°° '''^''"^"'^ "> ^ ~°«°"^ a»y Chairman-Then I'U reject the rest (cries of no) befnTh':K"''T; ^-TT?' ^°"°'^ ^"^^y"^' ""-J Captain Gordon, it being haL'-past 4 o clock, here escaped from the court amidst great up- roar. * Former Clergy of the Established Church. Former ^ As it might appear invidious to give the statements made some time tw&^Uh ^;r ^^ "; evangelical clergyman now on the Episcopal Bench, to which Priests and \ ^^""^ ^^^^ttq^ m the text, as descriptive of the clergy in former days Protestant ^ ^l^^te the following humorous sketch from the pen of a clergyman of Clergy. the Episcopal Church. It will afford a correct idea o^ the feeUng which existed between the priests and clergymen of former days-and may in Borne measure account for the growth of Popery in the land. Lending a Congregation- as told hy an Otter-killer " When I was young, priest and minister were hand and glove. It seems to me but yesterday, when Father Patt Flinn, heaven be good to mm I lent Mr. Carson a congregation. "En ! what, Antony," said the Colonel. " A congregation appears rather an extraordmary article to borrow " -Well," said the otter-klller, "it's tnie. I was there myself, and ^ }SV '*''^- ^* ^'' ^^ *^' *^°^^ °^ ^i^^^P Beresford, that beautiful old man-many a half-crown he gave me, for I used often to bnng game and fish to the palace from the master's father. He was the handsomest genUeman I eyer laid my eyes on j and, ocb, hone I it was \\\ APPENDIX. 163 he that knew how to live like a bishop. He never went a step without ^ four long-tailed black horses to his carriage, and two mounted grooms behind him. His own body-man told me, one time I went with a haunch of red deer and a bittern to the palace, that never less than twenty sat down in the parlour, and, in troth, there was double that number in the hall, for nobody came or went without being well taken care of. " Well, it came into old Lord Peter's (grandfather to the present Marquis of Sligo) head, that he would build a church, and settle a colony of north-men away in the west. He managed the one easy enough ; but it failed him to do the other, for sorra an inch the north-men would come ; for, says they, * Connaught's bad enough, but what is it to Connemara?' " Well, the minister came down, and a nice little man he was, one Mr. Carson. Father Patt Flinn had the parish then, and sure enough, in course of time the two became as thick as inkle- weavers. "Every thing went on beautiful, for the two clergy lived together. Father Patt Flinn minded his chapel and the flock, and Mr. Carson said prayers of a Sunday too, though sorra a soul he had to Usten to him but the clerk ; but sure that was no fault of his. " WeU, I mind it well as yesterday, for I killed that very morning two otters at Loughnamuckey, and the smallest of them was better to me than a pound note. It was late when I got down from the hills, and I went to Father Patt's as usual, and who should I meet at the door but the priest himself. « Antony,' says he, ^ceade fealteagh, have ye any thing with you, for the wallet seems full?' *I have,' says I *your reverence;' and I pulls out two pair of graziers, (young rabbits), and a brace of three-pound trouts. fresh from the sea, that I caught that mormng m Dhulough. In these days, I carried a ferret, besides the trap and fishing-rod, and it went hard, if I missed the otters, but I would net rabbits, or kill a dish of trout. 'Truly^ says the priest, * ye never were more welcome, A;nteny. The minister and myself wiU dme off the trouts and rabbits, for they forgot to kill a sheep for us till an hour ago; and you know, Antony, except the shoulder, there's no part of the mutten could be touched, so I was rather bothered about the dmner.' " Well, in the evening, I was brought into the parlour, and there were their reverences as cur cuddiogh (comfortable) as you please. Father Patt gave me a tumbler of rale stiff punch, and the sorra a better warrant to make the same was within the province of Connaught. We were just as comfortable as we could be, when a currier (courier) stops at the door with a letter, which he said was for Mr. Carson. WeU, when the minister opens it, he got as pale as a sheet, and I thought he would have fainted. Father Patt crossed himself. 'Arrah, Dick,' says he, * the Lord stand between you and evil I is there any thing wrong?'—* I'm ruined,' says he j « for some bad member has wrote to Former feeling be- • tweenlJomish Priests and Protestant Clergy. 164 APPENDIX. Protestant Clergy. the Bishop, and told him that I have no congregation, because you and feeUn-be. I are so intimate, and he's coming down to-morrow with the Dane, to tween Romish g^g ^he state of things. Och, hone !' says he, * I'm fairly rumed. — Priests and ,^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^11 that's frettin* ye?' says the priest— * Arrah, dear Dick,'— for they called each other by their cristen names,—* is that all? If it's a congregation ye want, ye shall have a decent one to-morrow, and lave that to me ;— and now, we'll take our drink, and not matter the Bishop a fig.* " Well, next day, sure enough, down comes the Bishop, and a great retinue along with him ; and there was Mr. Carson ready to receive him. • I hear,' says the Bishop, mighty stately, * that you have no congregation.' *In truth, your Holiness,' says he, * you'll be soon able to tell that,'— and in he walks him to the church, and there were sitting threescore weU-dressed men and women, and all of them as de- Tout as if they were going to be anointed ; for that blessed morning. Father Patt whipped mass over before ye had time to bless yourself, and the cleanest of the flock was before the Bishop in the church, and ready for his HoUness. To see that all behaved properly. Father Patt had hardly put off the vestment, till he slipped on a eota more, (a great coat) and there he sat in a back sate like any of the congregation. I was near the Bishop's reverence ; he was seated in an arm-ohair belonging to the priest—* Come here, Mr. Carson,' says he, * some enemy of your's,' says the sweet old gentleman, * wanted to injure you with me. But I am now fully satisfied.' And turning to the Dane, * Why Mr. Dane I' says he, * I didn't see a claner congregation this month of Sun- days V"—Wild Sports of the West, hj the Rev. W. H. Maxwell. Late Bishop of liunerick's opinion of Romish Priests. That the foregoing may be taken as a fair specimen of things as they were some thirty or forty years since, is evident from the following, which I extract from the Rev. Robert M' Ghee's letter referred to in the text— *' In a letter dated twenty years ago, 1815, from the late Bishop of Limerick, then the Rev. John Jebb, to Mr. Knox, we meet the following account of a conversation between himself and a gentleman in Cambridge, whom those who know that University are at no loss to recognise :— " You are in a country very much swarming with papists ?" ** Yes," replied I, ** there are a great number of Roman Catholics in my parish ; it is extensive, and I have but fifteen or sixteen Protestant families." This, I believe, was further drawn out by a question relative to the comparative numbers. " Then," said Mr. , ** have you made any exertions among Papists to bring them over ?" ** No," I replied, " the attempt would he altogether in vain, and indeed I do not feel myself called on to use exertions of that nature." " But you have consulted with other ministers as to the line of conduct which you should adopt ?" ' fi ( 'i 4 APPENDIX. 165 Late Bishop of Limericks opinion of liomish Priests. "I have thought mnch upon the subject, and my mind is full, made „„ that louykt not to interfere ; particularly as lJu> the peo^eZ beunZ the care of a very pious and attentive parish priest " '• But do you not feel it your duty to attempt the conversion of ,h poor people from the damnable errors of Popery'" ™"™'"'"' "^ "">«« •' I cannot thiufc they labour under damnable errors : they have erred and do err grossly and absurdly, but not. as I conceive. daiZl Z' hou. cou d the.r Church produce so many pious and excellent ind vju'a Ir ' divider;: heTei: ; l^s^;:?!:' :„^?r" d^ - '-■ justification and their abominable ^d^ne fftZtr' ^e aC l" ** I cannot think so: some crude things they do sau on th.T \ hr^'J?" r" ' 'f ' '".°"^'' '" ""' ''"'" "^^'^^^ discussion, < that from bmh, educat,on, and providential circumstances, and of deliberate choice I d,sse„tc.d from the errors of Popery ; that Divine Providence had m2 me the supenntendent of a Church of England flock ; to that little flock I endeavoured to pay attention: that the same Providence saw fit to leave the populat,on of my parish under the care of another pastor ; that with Aim / did not think it in any degree my duty to interfere." Relative to the foregoing, the Eov. Robert M'Ghee, in his letter re- ferred to m the text-speaking of the priests being looked on as Christian Ministers, and of its not being the duty of Protestants to interfere with them— observes— . "I have never seen the delusion of the Church on thpsp two «„;„» ±fV?? Z '^■"'^"'''bly set forth as in tlTretters of a verHbtir his own opffi, but as showing f&n'ot''thfvpt'"""^'""' °?^'^'^ Hev. R. J. M'Ghee's » Letter to the Bishop of Down idConnoJ." Opinion of Rev Br Hook, one of Her Majesty's Chaplains, as to the Endowment of the Church. JT'^ "^'!.°° " ""'^ "''P'"'^"^ '''"'='' ""'^ prevaUed, that the Church of England has an exclusive claim to pecuniary support on the ground Rev Dr Chnrch„r : ^^^f"^""-'- Those who. like myself, are caUef High Hoo^I' Churchmen, have little or no sympathy with mere establishmentarians »?'"'»" <"> In what way the Church of England is estabUshed, even in this portion '"'^"-"'^''f • the Church, not by legislative enactment, but by the piety of indivi- duals ; even royal benefactors acted in their individual, not their corpo rate capacity, and their grants have been protected, like property de vised to other corporations, by the Legislature. At the conjuealthe' Eev. R. J, M'Ghee's observations. lee APPENDIX. Rev. Dr. Hook's opinion of eudowments. ) li Eey. T. Gregg versus Eey. R. King on Apostolical Succession. bishops were, on account of the lands they held, made barons, and in- vested with the rights as well as the responsibilities of feudal Lords. It is as barons, not as bishops, that seats in the House of Lords are held bj some of our prelates ; not by all, for a portion of our hierarchy eminently distinguished for learning, zeal, and piety, the colonial bishops are excluded. The Church thus endowed and protected, was once the Church of the whole nation : it was corrupted in the middle ages ; it was reformed ; and, as the old Catholic Church, reformed, it remains among us to this day, one of the great corporations of the land. But it ceased to be the religion of the whole nation when, many depart- ing from it, a full toleration of all denominations of Christianity was granted. It exists, therefore, now, simply as one of the many corpora- tions of the country, claiming from the state, like every other corpora- tion, protection for its rights and its property. It is a pure fiction to assert that the state, by any act of Parliament, has established the Church of England, or any other form of Christianity, to which it is exclusively boxmd to render pecuniary support, or to afford any other support than such as every class of lier Majesty's subjects have a right to demand. This is proved by the impossibility of producing any act of Parliament by which this establishment was ordained. The Church has inherited property, together with certain rights, and it has a claim upon protection, precisely similiar to the claim for protection which may be urged by the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of London, who are also invested with certain rights and property handed down to them from their predecessors. The Church has no more claim for exclusive pe- cuniary aid from the state, or for an}' pecuniary aid at all, than is pos- sessed by any other of those many corporations with which our country abounds. Apostolical Succession, The Rev. Tresham Gregg, in his ** Free Thoughts on Protestant Matters," treating of ** Apostolical Succession" — in introducing a line of bishops from St. Patrick to the present day, and back from the Saint to the Apostles, observes : — « We simply regard that succession as a warrant for the apostolicity of our church, inasmuch as it is a necessary consequence therefrom ! I ! and in viewing a line of prelates coming down from the time of the apostles themselves to our own day, we regard that line, not as exhibiting the links in the chain of apostolical succession, but as an additional evidence that these links are whole and complete. If there were not on record the name of one single bishop above or beyond the existing one, the very nature of episcopacy would still assure us, that there was in fact a line of them reach- ing back to the apostles days, although the names of the men had not been preserved ! ! ! consequently I repeat, it is the Episcopal principle which assures us of the existance of an apostolical chain of succession, reaching from the earliest days, and not any list of names whatever. " St. Patrick was the first Archbishop of Armagh. He arrived in this country consecrated to the work of a missionary, as some say by Celestine, Bishop of Rome; but according to others. Lupus and Germanus who were French bishops, consecrated our Irish apostle." The Rev. Robert King, of the Episcopal Churchy in his '< Primer of f APPENDIX. 167 the History of the Holy Catholic Church of Ireland," speaking on the Rev. T.Gregg same subject, observes :— ■p'^'^^^S " It is uncertain by whom St. Patrick was ordained a bishop: some 5?Jl?! Roman Catholic historians, to be sure, would have us to believe that Pope ^ nn«tnl Wl Celestine appointed him to that holy office, and sent him with a commis- ^P^^^^^'{^„ sion from himself to preach to the Irish. One of the best, however, of »3ucLes»iuu, those historians. Dr. Lanigan, admits that it cannot be certainly told what bishop consecrated the saint to the episcopal office ; yet he is of opinion that he came here with the authority and sanction of Pope Celestine, some- how or other ; * he ought to have done so, therefore, he must have done it,' seems the chief argument for this notion. But had such been the case Prosper, the intimate friend of Celestine, would surely have men- tioned it in his Chronicle, published several years after, as he did the trifling attempt of Palladius; he does not, however, once make mention of St. Patrick's name, but is altogether silent concerning him. *« And so is Platina, a very valuable and well-informed author of the Roman Church, who wrote the Lives of the Popes, down to Sixtus IV., A.D 1471. He tells of Palladius, but has not a word about St. Patrick in his Life of Pope Celestine : none could have had more frequent access than he had to documents connected with the history of the Roman Church, and surely if he could have found any that would have proved Celestine to have been the author of so great a work as the conversion of Ireland, he would not have failed to mention it. ^ ^ . . "Archbishop Ussher was indeed of opinion that St. Patrick had a com- mission from Rome ; but since the days of this eminently learned man, the question has been further sifted, and the additional light thus thrown upon it, has tended to make it appear highly probable, or almost certain, that St. Patrick never was at Rome, and that he never received from Rome any commission whatsoever. ., ,^ .. t • «♦ A very ancient manuscript, preserved in England, m the Cotton Lii- brary, which Dr. O' Conor considers to have been written in the ninth century, (and Ussher and other learned men supposed to be some centu- ries older still), mentions that the ' Bishops Germanus and Lupus nur- tured him in sacred literature, and ordained him and made him the chief bishop of their school among the British and Irish.' This some would take for a sufficient evidence that it was from Germanus and Lupus that St. Patrick received his ordination to the episcopal office ; but there is no use in asserting strongly what cannot be demonstrated forcibly, nor de- pended on as unquestionably true; and it becomes us rather to speak modestly of things which have puzzled the most learned inquirers into these matters. Since then tb.ey have been unable satisfactorily to settle the question, and since it is after all of little moment, we need not here dwell on it, but content ourselves with this general conclusion, that it appears in a very high degree of probability that St. Patrick never was m Rome, nor received from Rome any suggestion of his undertaking, but was appointed and consecrated a bishop for the Irish mission by some bishop or bishops of the Church of France." Such is the^m structure on which Mr. Gregg has based his argument for " Apostolical Succession ;" and yet we have never seen a firmer founda- tion laid ; for no one can carry the line out without falling on the broken chain of the Romish Church. If Celestine ordained Patrick, then the Irish Church must be the Western or Romish line— while Mr. Gregg has stated on various occasions, the early Church of Ireland is of Eastern origin, and not of Western. I leave it to Mr. Gregg to explain the dis- crepancy ; at all events, by his present line he adds an additional argument for the Church of Rome being the true church ! ! 168 APPENDIX. APPENDIX. Similarity be- tween Basis ofEvangelical Alliance, and Articles of 1615. I «* Basis of Evangelical Alliance,** compared with Articles of Religion agreed to at the Convocation held in the year 1615. The similarity between the following •* statements of Doctrine," ex- tracted from the articles of Religion agreed to at the Convocation held in Dublin, IGlo^and the basis of the Evangelical Alliance — will at once be apparent. Basis of Alliance, I. That the parties composing the Alliance shall be such persons only as hold and maintain what are usually understood to be Evangelical views, in regard to the matters of doctrine understated, viz. — 1. The Divine inspiration, authority, and sufficiency of the Holy Scrip- tures. 2. The right and duty of private judgment in the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. 3. The Unity of the Godhead, and the Trinity of Persons therein. 4. The utter depravity of human nature in consequence of the fall. 5. The incarnation of the Son of God, his work of atonement for sin- ners of mankind, and his mediatorial intercession and reign. 6. The justification of the sinner by faith alone. 7. The work of the Holy Spirit in the conversion and sanctification of the sinner. 8. The immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body, the judg- ment of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, with the eternal blessedness of the righteous, and the eternal punishment of the wicked. 9. The Divine institution of the Christian ministry, and the obligation and perpetuity of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Extracts from Articles of Religion agreed to at the Convocation held in the gear 1615. 1. The ground of our Religion, and the Rule of Faith, and all saving Truth, is the Word of God, contained in the Holy Scripture. 4. The Scriptures ought to be translated out of the original tongues into all languages, for the common use of all men : neither is any person to be discouraged from reading the Bible in such a language as hee doth un- derstand, but seriously exhorted to reade the same with greate humilitie and reverence, as a special 1 meanes to bring him to the true knowledge of God, and of his own dutie. 8. There is but one living and true God everlasting, without bodie, parts, or passions, of infinite power, wisdome, and goodness ; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead, there bee three persons of one and the same substance, power, and eternity, the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost. 22. By one man sinne entred into the world, and death by sinne, and so death went ouer all men, for as much as all have sinned. 23. Originall sinne standeth not in the imitation of Adam (as the Pel- agians dreame) but is the fault and corruption of the nature of euery person, that naturally is engendred and propagated from Adam : whereby 1169 f it commeth to passe, that man is depriued of originall righteousness, and Articles of by nature is bent vnto sinne. And therefore in euery person borne into Convocation the world, it deserueth God's wrath and damnation. 16\5, 29. The Sonne, which is the Word of the Father begotten from euer- lasting of the Father, the true and eternall God, of one substance with the Father, tooke man's nature in the wombe of the blessed Virgin, of her substance, so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manhood, were inseparably ioined in one person, making one Christ very God and very man. SO. Christ in the truth of our nature, was made like unto us in all things, sinne only excepted, from which he was clearely voide, both in his life and in his nature. He came as a Lambe, without spot, to take away the sins of the world, by the sacrifice of himselfe once made, and sinne (as St. John saith) was not in him. He fulfilled the law for us perfectly. For our sakes he endured most grievous torments immediately in his soule and most painefull suflferings in his body. He was crucified, and died to reconcile his Father vnto vs, and to be a sacrifice not onely for originall guilt, but also for|all our actual transgressions. He was buried and de- scended into hell, and the third day arose from the dead, and tooke againe his bodyi with flesh, bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature : wherewith he ascended into heauen, and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father, until he returne to judge all men at the last day. 33. All God's elect are in their time inseparably united vnto Christ, by the effectuall and vital influence of the Holy Ghost, derived from him, as from the head, unto euery true member of his mysticall bodie. And beeing thus made one with Christ they are truely regenerated, and made partakers of him and all his benefits. 34. We are accounted righteous before God, onely for the merits of our Lord and Sauiour Jesus Christ applied by faith ; and not for our owne workes or merits. And this righteousnesse, which wee so receiue of God's mercy and Christ's merits, imbraced by faith, is taken, accepted, and al- lowed of God, for our perfect and full iustification. 89. All that are iustified are likewise sanctified ; their faith being al- ways accompanied with true repentance and good works. 40. Repentance is a gift of God, whereby a godly sorrow is wrought in the heart of the faithful for off"ending God, their merciful Father, by their fprmer transgressions, together with a constant resolution, for the time to come, to cleave unto God, and to lead a new life. • 71. It is not lawful for any man to take vpon him the office of publicke ^aching or ministering the Sacraments of the Church, vnlesse hee bee first lawfully called and sent to execute the same. And those we ought to iudge lawfully called and sent, which bee chosen and called to this vvorke by men, who have publicke authority given them in the Church, to call and send Ministers into the Lord's Vineyard. 86. There bee two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospell ; that is to say, Baptisme and the Lord's Supper, .^^ ^^atmmA 170 APPENDIX, i Articles of ^01. After this life is ended, the soules of God's children be presently Convocation received into heaven, there to enjoy vnspeakable comforts: the soules of *^^^' the wicked are cast into hell, there to endure endless torment. 103. At the ende of this world, the Lord Jesus shall come in the cloudes with the glory of his Father ; at which time, by the Almighty power of God, the liuing shall be changed, and the dead shall be raised; and all shall appeare both in body and soule before his judgment-seat, to receive according to that which they have done in their bodies, whether good or euill. 104. When the last judgment is finished, Christ shall deliuer up the Kingdome to his Father, and God shall be all in all. Extracts from Lord Clare's Speech. Lord Chan- ^^^ following extracts from a speech of the Right Honorable John Earl cellor Clare, ***" ^'"'■^» ^" ^^« ^"^^^ Ho"se of Peers, will tend to shew the power assumed on Popery in by the Priests of Rome, and of their ultimate designs, Ireland. «« it is perfectly well known that we have a Popish hierarchy in this country, claiming aud exercising all episcopal functions, under the imme- diate authority of the Court of Rome ; and it is the boast of the Popish liishops that Ireland IS a singular exception to the Catholic Church dis- cipline of every other country in Europe, in which their religion is not connected with the state; ♦ • * there is in every diocese%f Ireland, a regular Popish Consistorml Court, acting under the authority of the Pope, and entertaining causes of Ecde^iastical cognizance, which are de- cided according to the laws of their Forum, without regard in any sort to the laws ot this country_If proof was wanting upon this most serious in the Consis orial Court ot r^jphin, in the month of December, 179 J. ci- ted parties who had lived together as man and wife, to appear in his Court in a <-ase of nullity of marriage; they had been married by a Priest, and had cohabited-however the marriage contract was declared null and void and the woman was turned loose upon the world. On her comphint to a neighbouring gentleman, one of the representatives of the countv he re- monstrated against this prcceeding-but in vain; the Consistoiial J„d-e persisted in enforring his sentence; and, in justilication of himself enclo- sed to this gentlem in a decree of the Council of Trent. De Rcformatione Matrmonu, under which he had proceeded, and in the course of his cor iesponder.ee upon this subject, which is now in my possession, he very gravely stated rh.t an attack upon the laws of their Church would bean attack upon the whole body of the Roman Catholics • * • The descendants of the old Irish, who constitute the Catholic Interest of Ire- Jand, know and feel that they can never recover the situation which their ancestors held in Ireland; but by separation from Great Britain; and herefore,ifanyman in Great Britain or Ireland is so wild as to hope that communicating political power alone to th^ Catholics of Ireland thev aie to be conciliated to British interests, he will find himself bitterly mistaken indeed Great Britain can never conciliate the descendants of !,^ i " ' ^"^ interests, upon any other terms, than by restoring to them the possessions and the religion of their ancestors, in its fuU splen- dor and dominion. -t^icn Style and Increase of Romish Chapels, Nunneries, ^c. in this country y and in England, Of the costly style in which the Romish Chapels are generally erected \ APPENDIX 171 in the large towns and cities, some idea may be formed by the following extracts from the Romish " Ecclesiastical Register."— " The new cathedrals of Tuam, Ardagh, Armagh, Dublin, and Kerry, are beautiful structures. The churches of Dublin, Wexford, Gorey, Wick- low, Kingstown, Mount Mellery, and Balbriggan, are evidence of our growing spirit and architectural judgment." * * * " In Ireland, where the people are so quick of apprehension, so sensitive, and so highly im- pressionable, we anticipate ere long a mighty progress in this respect."— Catholic Directory t Page 412. St. Andrews — " already £8000 have been subscribed towards its erec- tion,*of which the greater portion has been given by the poor and humble classes of the community." In " the church of St. Francis, a beautiful new tabernacle of statuary from Italy, has been erected." In St. Michaels, " the new stained windows, once the side altars, are in the best and chastest style of gothic architecture. The introduction of statuary into the church brings us back to the primitive days of Catholic piety, and the striking figures of the saints cannot fail to excite us to practice theirvirtues." In St. Andrews, a Spire and Belfries, are to be erected. And in the Church of St. Paul, we are told of "the erection of the first peal of joy bells since the De/omaiion,"— and that in the same build- ing an altar of Irish marble is being set up. Of the Church of St. John, at Black-rock, a drawing is given, and by the description it will be a first rate edifice. All through the country handsome chapels are being erected, and Bel- fries and Spires, are being added to others already in existance. The increase of chapels, nunneries, &c., in this country and England, will be seen by the following extract from an address delivered by a Cardinal at Rome, on the state of Catholicism throughout the world — " We see in those same regions new temples and magnificent cathedrals rising up ; we see the building of convents and monasteries for the religi- ous of the two sexes, and a well-wishing and generous hospitality is offered to the priests of those foreign nations who have been struck down by the persecutions of their country. It is easy to perceive that I speak of England. These facts are not a little consoling ; but there is no reason to flatter ourselves with the idea which some persons do, that the Anglican sect is on the point of expiring. It is very true that it is every day losing ground abandoned as it already is by numberless sectarians, who have fallen into a complete incredulity, and by many others who, enlightened by divine grace, are returning to the bosom of their mother, the Catholic church, which has never ceased to feel for them the utmost tenderness. Nevertheless, this Anglican church, all tottering and shaken though it appears to be, is supported by two firm stays, the power of the aristocracy and the opulence of the clergy. "As long as it shall be permitted to the great ones of this country to distribute to their brothers, to their children, to their nephews, the opulent revenue of episcopal endowments and the rich benefices which annually raise six million pounds steriing, it is in vain to hope for the disappearance of this sect. But if the Lord continues to bless the zeal and the labours of our clergy in England, we shall soon witness the abandonment of Pro- testant pastors by the greater portion of their flocks. It is seldom in Ireland that the Protestant minister of a parish has a larger congregation than his wife and children, and clerk." * * * " England, then, offers us consolation in the midst of the sufferings of the church."— CaMo/tc Registry, Page 406. Costly style of Romish Chapels. Increase of Romish Chapels. ilMM 172 APPENDIX, PiroptflpuidA. Again, speaking of a number of works. pubUshea during tbe past fe» years the Editor of the " »'7'-^" f ^^^^ •- „,, „o,ement among. " In no other respect, perhaps ^»f^ «J*. "7'°"', "„ extraordinary as or approximation of, Protestants to Cathocsm appear so e ^^^^^ i„tbe%romotionof saored and e<=<-Iesms. cul ^"b.^ecture ^^ ^^.^ incredible what works are da.ly issuing from ^h^^^*'",S^^ l„ errors or ^(t^l^h^St-rgil^t^e^V^rifeTrim as the Abomination, of l^opery."— Catholic Registnj, Page 40J. Popish Propaganda, 1846. ^ , ., . to X810 W.. W-./^;f^»j;^„^^p,v««m,ntco«. ten thou«««J p« »na«tD . an.1 ooo«rf.rui« «'* P**" ^T^ j^ „,„ wfHArf top«»*«l«o of lr«U».J. for tb* puif^O cT jwoiobng P«5«y in EogUnd.— Srae#*«i«* rAc Coit/stnict» oni to tb e pfWfU " Tbif ofl5« ibooW be diKb-^ed with til ^;''^^^^Jl^^: „evec be fof w. appoint tndonUm ib.t ^^^•fr/;^ ^^f tilon., or «. y^rf^l,,L^ Mid let b.« ti< bf fccc the \x%ym^ «wb oi»f* oooc jSrol. Ariia$k, pp. 51, ^ ^^^ Irish yunneries. Sm„ ld« «V b. fonnrf of «r Iri.h Nnnn«r.«. rr<« «.. folU>wing K.nncH«. •"If^J^TJ^^r^u llt^tcaxc e.eWMe .«. P^oj*- J-?^ f^ P. Kallc*>-, ■od the Mcking of hit liottsr. This was done with oil delitcntlon and pwnonltlon, so tbit whi« the popish issaiUnts arrired at tbe sccoe of their intended opwitlons. tbey vcre met by tbe jcorcmar of U»e island, tbe chief of tbe police, and the Br itisli coniuL In tbe prc5CDce of th«ee fnnrtionaric* they broke Into 1>T, Ealley't bo«se, tcmrchod i^ry coroer of it for tbtir «xl out his b<»ks ood pftpio» with bcr infant itrried on against a number of individuals of the lower orders, who have ventured to avow themselves as converts from the Romish communion. Let Mr. J. D. Latouche, Lord George Hill, Rev. Mr. Mmchin, or any of the other Gentlemen of the ReUef Committee now meeting in this city, be examined as to the various authenticated communications they have received on this subject, and I doubt not cases wUl be n^ 176 APl'ENDIX. .• „ brouelit forward sufficient to prove that the perseeution which the poor Pers^uboti ^ °^'^°;j ^,., ^„„„^,y, ,h, .enounce the Komish fai*. have to Convirt,. ^^r"e^, scarcely surpassed in its intensity by that in Madagascar or from Komish ' Church. Tahiti. Extract of Letter from a clergyman in the south of Ireland-London «* Record," Novemher 27, 1846. i • j «. "I am surrounded with trials and ^'ffi^^^r ^^ " VntSe j^^ \ulgar scurrility, it was fearful to hear it. Rev. Mr. Beamish on the present slate of Ireland. (From the London Record, Nov. 1346.) " The Eev. H. Beamish, after an absence of more than two months, l,ev. H. spent in Ireland, resumed his ministry at Trinity Chapel. Condu..^stre^ Beamish, on „; s„„a,y ,ast. At the close of his sermon he observed, that his con- present state ' ij naturally expect from him some account of what he of Ireland. ^^^^^ ^,, ,„d heard, in a country exciting so much sympathy Tthe sister island now did. He would therefore mention some circum- IncesTnd particulars which had fallen under his own observation, toZ fhe time would forbid his entering on the subject at any length "And tot, he would speak of the awful visitation °f D'"°«I^°;"' under which the country is at present suffering , He «- alluded to two or three mistakes into which the government had fal en. He next noticed the extraordinary patience manifested by tie people under th«r sufferings. So long as they could find a potato m their grounds they Lew on without complaining. They devoured raw <=abbage-leaves having no fuel, or means of procuring any. They tore the Umpets off S^Trocks, and ate them raw ; they searched every ph«:e for ev^ys^- stance that could appease hunger. At last, a body of ^^^'^ ^^l;*^! men came to hi, (Mr. B.'s) house, the ^«P'«'«°t*»'^«^/ ';'°^* ^^f or ninety who remained on the road, but they came m the most humble, courteous, entreating maimer, to represent tUeir circumstances of ac ^ APPENDIX. 177 , * «f;n« tTa then for the first time saw powerful men, fit for Rev. H. rny Su^^rreS t^infantine weakness and distress, the^t^^s ^^ish on^. ttoling down their faees. • Outrages' had been talked o"^^'^;^^" of Ireland. „L of these -disturbances.' A few hundred men went into Youghal. SO peaceable were they, that he walked through and through the mob They went to the authorities and asked for work. Ihere was none for Teni They asked for reUef, and that too was denied them. They then wen "to the bakers of the town, as starving men : -the bakers gave them Tome bread, and they left the town, not having broken so much as a ^^Tul Bermlh next adverted to the extraordinary opportunity afforded by the present crisis, for preaching the gospel, without let or hindrance through the length and breadth of the land. ' No snch state of thmgs had evr occurred before. The grand difficulty had always been, how to get althe people. So long as they were in prosperity or m ordinary circum- states! their educational prejudices enabled the priests to keep hem in hdr own hands, and made it next to impossible for a Protestant m.m - er or missionary to gain their car. But now, almost m a °>oment, all he^ drfences are thrown down. The people are cast upon the clergy Ind gentry for preservation. And they not only must hear, but they "?rSh:pU"e'rM: own recent experience. He -had been f<. eight weeks sitting on a relief committee, held in the vestry of a Romish chapel, -and composed of Romanist gentry and farmers, as well as of Prote ants He had never found th3 least difficulty in speaking to fnlRranists on the leading truths of the ^"^P^^" /e '>ad kept ba^ no Scripture doctrine ; and so far from being offended at him, they lis- tened with attention, and thanked him for so speaking to them On the fi^ dly of his meeting them in this chapel vestry, he observed, hanging on he w^U, a hideous crucifix, of the usual painful character. He said nothing b^t the next time he went there, it was gone_it was taken down by the people, out of respect to his feelmgs.' "IgL, ' during all the eight weeks of his attendance at that committee he never once met a priest there. In fa.t, they show little or no sym- pathy for the people So much the reverse, that wit un a few miles of Ct spot three parish priests were about to be removed, m consequence ""^'iSrn'tT^e^I^d tohim, • What am I to think of the pHest . About a year ago I l9St my mother. At the present moment I am suf- fering, like every one else extreme poverty. I met the priest the other day 0^ horseback, and stopped me and said, • Do you never thmk of your mother?' I said. 'Yes. very often, and I hope she's happy. I would not have you too sure of that,' said the priest, ' you had better, to make aU safe, let me get a body of priests together, and have 'a month s mind' for her' (a series of masses). ' And how much migh that cost, please your reverence ?' said I. ' Well,' said he, ' I might do it for "^W<" f I ;- « 178 APPENDIX. llcv H. about thirty shillings.' Thus, out of a poor man, bowed down with ca- Beamish on lamity, did this priest endeavour to screw a sum of money on the pre- present state ^^^^6 of doin^r good to the soul of a woman who had been dead more than of Ireland, ^twelvemonth! " These circumstances are not lost on the minds of an intelligent people like the Irish. They are, at this moment, less under the power of the priests than they have been for many years, or perhaps centuries. Ire- land is open to the Gospel I Will not the vChristians of England embrace this wonderful, this unlooked-for opportunity, and carry the word of God through the length and breadth of Ireland." Statistics of Bookselling in Ireland, . . „ Few things will show more accurately the state of civilization in any ifooksdUngin country than the number of books and periodicals in circulation. The Ireland.'' present taste for literature in Ireland may be judged of by a paragraph which has gone tlie rounds of the public journals, headed statistics of Bookselling in Ireland, in which it is stated that in 74 towns, the popu- lation of each of which, according to the Census of 1841, averages 2,500 inhabitants, there is not one single bookseller. Among the towns referred to, are the following— Dungarvan, 12,382_Carrick-on-Suir, 11,049— Youghal, 9,939— Carrickfergus, 9,379— Cashel, 8,027— New- townards, 7.621— Lisburn, 7,524— Kinsale, 6,918. Several of the fore- going it will be perceived are in the Protestant province of Ulster More remarkable still— tliere are 6 counties wliich cannot boast of even one Bookseller, viz.— Donegal- Kildare—Leitrim— Queen's— West- meath— Wicklow. As Scotland, with a third of the population of Ireland, has three times the number of Booksellers— being in the proportion of nine to one, the plainest commentary we can give on the foregoing is simply to state that, in the Romish Church ignorance is esteemed " the parent of devotion," and to this we may trace " things as they are." I THE END ERRATA. Page 79— Line 7, from bottom, for his brother— rfa(f their brethren. 105— Side Note, for prevent— rca(/ promote. WOKKS BY THE SAm E AUTHOR In Foolscap 8vo. Cloth Boards, Price 5s. THE PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIANITY; or the Genuine Christian proved to be the only Real Philosopher. -A book of unquestionable ability." '*We can fairly and honestly recommend it." " There can be no doubt that Mr. Hardy has rendered a usefS^nd acceptable service to revealed religion." Every effort should be made to convince the doubting, and guard the young and untried against the sophistry of scepticism and the unreasonableness of infidelity. Mr Hardy's book will be useful for these purposes." --It is gratifying to find a gentleman of business so well read in matters of such importance to mankind at large, but which requires so much reading and study thoroughly to understand them." "His style is plain, but ucid and forcible, admirably adapted to the understandings of the people gener- iiWy."— Eclectic Review. Copy of a Letter from the late Archbishop Magee, to the Author, which he at the time permitted him to publish :- ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ Sir— I accept as a particular compliment, your transmission of your Damnhlet in answer to Dr. Drummond. I have read it through with atten- tion, and do not hesitate to pronounce it as highly creditable both to your ^'^*Such^ man^ranT'^able exposures of that feeble and conceited heresy would soon accomplish its extinction. My absence from town, (which delayed my perusal of the tract) has been the occasion of my having now to acknowledge the receipt of it, which I beg leave to do with many thanks. I have the honour to be. Sir, your obedient Servant, ^ DUBLIN To P. Dixon Hardy, Esq. In 18mo. Price Is. 6d. with Numerous Engravings, Second Edition. THE HOLY WELLS OF IRELAND, containing an Authentic Account of those places of Pilgrimage and Penance which are still Annually visited by Thousands of the Roman Catholic Peasantry. With a minute description of the Patterns and Stations periodically held in various districts of Ireland. *' Altogether, it is not only an exceedingly interesting publication, but calculated also to be truly useiuV— Christian Examiner. • , ^„ ** The Holy Wells of Ireland is a most interesting pubhcation, indepen- dent of its pictorial merits."— Belfast News-Letter . ,- . .^^ i„,,.„„ *' Mr. Hardy has, by this production alone, entitled himself to the lasting gratitude of the Lrish Nation."— ^reniw^' Packet. . •' Holy Wells —We recommend a perusal of it by all who now seriously desire information as to the present mental and religious state of the humbler classes."— iVew^ry Telegraph. »» "■'^*?fef- WORKS BY TIIE SAME AUTHOR. I„ 4to. Cloth Boards, illustrated with a number of Engravings. Price 2s^ THE FRIEND OF IRELAND : containing, amongst various interesting articles, a nun>l,er of Authenticated Documents, relative o the Errors and Superstitions of the Church of Rome. °*;L hove >s aU which commands ^epatronag^^ "^ every person interested in the diffusion of useful knowieoge Recently Puhlished, in Foolscap 8to. Price Is. M. THE SoGRESS OF THE CONFESSIONAL, or the system of Theology Propounded at the College of Maynooth. ..Jlostheartily do we welcome the appearance of this 6rocAu«. -Packet. In 4 Vols, bound in Cloth. Price 16s. THF DUBLIN PENNY JOURNAL, which is now aad Stones of Irish lite, ana up forming one o* has ever been published. recommendations, which could ,.!« r;r r:r.i" r «. .,.. ,..,..,. » ^ <- ^"!r^:r;i2ttrt.at Hc^nt^nsa^sonn^^^ tion, and amusement not surpass dm ond concocters It also abounds m originality. Yerecomuu: ^ .^ ^^^ ^^ it excellent of novels to procure for t^f "[J^^;/;^ *^^."P^d we tr^st, they will be ingen- materials, as yet unused, to work upon , ana ^ ^ desultory readmg, eous enough to confess the debt, f «^;^^^^'„^^^^^ cherishing care of ^ve do not know a t»etter volume I^^^^^.^^}^; October, 1836. the talented editoTr[--MetropohtanMa^az^^^^ approbation ; it is, - We have to notice our I'ls^^o^^^W'^^Fy^min -ling the dulce et utile indeed, conducted entirely to our f^f^J^^^^^^^^^every thing that could with infinate taste and 3^^^^^^,^^*^,^^^^^ Antiquities, anecdotes, annoy the reader in Irish periodical P^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ Jjern, tales topo- criticisms, legends and '^^%'f^'^^';,'^?^ZL^^ graphy, natural history-and, in short, inter^^""| numerous as the Sl^iuirts, enrich its pages; j"^J^,^,^^^^^^ No work of the kind biggest children in the march '^^'^^^^^^''^^^^^^uterary Gazette. [s more deserving of encouragement -ionrfon/.U.ry Magazines, - « The Dublin Penny Journal is t'^^^J^^^.^iiiga at a period when because it has a definite aim -^Sr^re^etom;^^^^^^^ party politics rage violent y, ^* ^^^. ^^^^^f^^^^^^ respectmg Irish Snd from personalities; it contains valuaW^^^^^^^ ^^ Irish life, scenery, antiquities .^.^f ^"""/.^"^^Sf ^^^^^ the mechanic, by which and a mass of useful hints to the agricn tunst a ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ p U B L I 8'^^E^i7~^^^^^VTM71 N S , 23, UPPER SACKVILLE^STREET. r I f y k i '%^ M^ L. MM •— H^ COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 0026057077 ^ /■•./ I •• I I : i r. \ -^'ri , " - 4» \ «R- <# # ""'> * ST. >» 4' fe '* ' 4 9^ ^ :..■, ^-'f . : - ' * ■ i . i VP. % ?£fe. ^ *» 1 1 K JV 194fi