Dublin, they are about five to one; or, including the county, as six to one; but in very many departments, the Catholics are to the Protestants, on an average, as twenty to one, and in particular places, as sixty, eighty, or a hundred to one. It is greatly to be lamented, that the number of Protestants has considerably diminished within the last twenty-five years; and that even among these, few as they comparatively are, the efforts which have been made to keep alive, and to disseminate the principles and power of true religion, are by no means adequate. The consequence is, that the children of the poor, in many parts of Ireland, are very little removed from a state of barbarism! We need not be surprised, indeed, that in this interesting country, the state of the inhabitants, in a moral view, should be deplorable in the extreme. They have no means of general education. At least one third of them can understand a continued discourse in no language but their own native Irish, in which, nevertheless, they have no Protestant instructers. It is the interest of the Romish priesthood to keep the people in ignorance, and so long as superstition and idolatry of the grossest kind retain such an ascendency over them, it need not surprise us to find, that 'darkness should cover the land" and thick darkness the people.'

"We ought also to recollect, that the sacred Scriptures, even in the English tongue, have, as yet, been very partially distributed in Ireland; and that of the Irish scriptures, to which alone one million and a half of native inhabitants could have access, not above three thousand copies of the New Testament are at present in circulation. As for the Old Testament, there has not been any edition of the Irish Bible published for more than a hundred and twenty years; so that the whole Scriptures in their vernacular tongue are scarcely to be found, even in the cabinet of the antiquarian.*

"It may seem strange, that when facts of this kind must have been long well known in Ireland, no adequate and efficient means have been employed by the country itself for effecting a favourable change; and particularly, that when Protestants are proprietors of the greater part of the country, they should hitherto have been so indifferent to its best interests. And yet so it is. For centuries past, the mass of the people in Ireland have remained in a state of the lowest intellectual and moral degradation; and those who stood to them in the relation of superintendants and masters, looked on with cold indifference. To this indifference, many concurring causes may have contributed. Prejudice against the Irish character-hatred of the Roman Catholic religion-hostility to general education, as tending to raise the lower orders above their natural level in society-indifference to every thing that does not tend to immediate mercenary interest-and the want of a due sense of moral and religious responsibility, may have all combined in leading to a general neglect of the improvement of Ireland. There have, no doubt, been many honourable exceptions; and the instances in which the landed proprietors in Ireland have seen it to be their duty to instruct the children of their peasantry, have afforded most pleasing and decisive proofs of the salutary effects resulting from early education. But it is a melancholy fact, that, till of late, little comparatively was done; and the general indifference which prevailed, afforded too much reason to fear, that had not Great Britain stood forth in aid of her sister island, Ireland would have remained in the same degraded state for centuries yet to come. It is now ascertained beyond a doubt, that the most effectual method of exciting the inhabitants of Ireland to attend

*This is now printing by the British and Foreign Bible Society.

to their own improvement, is to be gin the work for them; and by exhibiting, in actual experiment, the beneficial effects of early education, afford them ample encouragement to perseverance in this labour of love.

"By far the greater number of those efforts which have lately been made in favour of the education of the poor in the darker parts of Ireland, have owed their existence to the benevolent spirit of private individuals and societies in this country, and in Ireland itself. The Hibernian Society, in London, began their labours in 1806. The means they employ for effecting their objects are, the dissemination of the scriptures, and the establishment of schools. Of these, they have at present upwards of 270, attended by about 14,000 children. The principal scene of the operations of this society has been the province of Connaught, where the Catholics are the most numerous, and the condition of the peasants the most necessitous. As the prejudices of the Catholics, and the opposition of their priests, had so great an effect on many, that their children were not suffered to receive the common rudiments of education, or a copy of the Scriptures, if offered by a Protestant teacher, the society resolved to employ not only Protestant, but Catholic school-masters, on the express condition, however, that the children should be taught to read in the Spelling Books and Testaments appointed or recommended by them. This measure has accordingly been carried into effect; and although the opposition of the Romish clergy was, for a time, great and successful, it has been gradually overcome, and the people, both Catholic and Protes tant, are beginning to appreciate duly the value and importance of early education.

"The Hibernian Sunday School Society, Dublin, was instituted 1809, and flourishes under the patronage of such distinguished names as those

of the Marquis and Marchioness of Downshire, the Earl and Countess of Meath, Bandon, and Gosford, Lords Lorton, and de Vesci, the Biskops of Ferns and Kildare, the Members for the county and city of Dublin, &c. Its object is to encourage Sunday-schools, and week-day schools in connexion with them. Since its commencement, it has afforded assistance in the way of books, money, &c. to 252 schools, containing 28,598 children. funds have hitherto been supplied by private subscriptions in Dublin, and elsewhere, as well as by donations from this country. It has also been effectually aided by the Female Societies of Dublin and Youghhall. But it appears, from the last Report, that the want of funds is the sole obstacle to the extension of its benevolent aims.

Its

"In June, 1815, was formed, in London, the [Baptist] Society for Circulating Schools in Ireland. Its object is to teach the natives of Ireland to read the Scriptures in their own vernacular tongue. Although there are from a million and a half to two millions, who can speak no language but their own, this is the only society which has for its object the instruction of the poor in the art of reading it with correctness. Several schools have already been established on the circulating plan, and the number of children in attendance exceeds one thousand.* The plan adopted, is unquestionably the best that could have been proposed, and the prospects of success are exceedingly encouraging.

"Such are the benevolent institutions for educating the poor in Ireland, which solicit the aid of the Christian public. They all co-operate in one great object, and the spirit which actuates them all is the same. The object is confessedly great, and the means employed for its accomplishment are wise and salutary. Why should such institutious be allowed to languish

Since the first Annual Report, ther have increased to about 3000.

for want of adequate support? The Irish are our fellow-subjects and our brethren. They long for instruction, and they eagerly grasp at it when offered. At present, they need our help, and they petition it; and if it is liberally given, they may, ere long, be enabled to return it with double interest. Paisley, March 1, 1816."

ACADEMICAL INSTITUTION

at Stepney. [England.]

Ir may gratify many of our readers, to see the interest which our brethren in England take in the education of pious young men, whose hearts are drawn to the important work of the ministry. The institutions formed for this purpose have been obviously attended with so many happy effects, that the prejudices which at first existed against them have nearly subsided, and almost the whole denomination unite in their

praise, and lend them their support. We hope the following account of the annual meeting at STEPNEY, will encourage the labours of their brethren

on this side the Atlantic.

"ON the 14th January, 1817, the annual meeting of the Subscribers and friends to this Institution was held at the New-London Tavern. Cheapside, London, when the Report of the Committee was read, and officers chosen, for the ensuing year. The following is the substance of the Report:

"Your Committee report, that in the course of the past year, six students were received on the foundation of this Society-Samuel Green, from the church at East Dereham; Josiah Denham, from ditto; Edmund Clarke, from Fetter-lane, London; Timothy Hathaway, from Colchester, were admitted at Stepney: William Fisher, of Newcastle, upon Tyne, has been placed with Mr. Pengilly, of Newcastle; John Bane, of Norwich, placed under the care of Mr. Kinghorne; George Pope, who had spent a few months at Olney, and on the decease of Mr. Sut cliffe, was placed with Mr. Anderson, of Dunstable, where he spent two years, at his own request, and at the recommendation of Mr. Anderson, has been admitted for one year at Stepney.

"At present, eighteen students are supported by the friends of your Society-fifteen at Stepney, one at Bradford, one at Newcastle, and one at Norwich.

"In the course of the past year, Mr. J. Clarke, one of your students, was settled at Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, where his labours have been much blest, and where a prospect is offered of great usefulness.

"Two other students have left the

Academy at Stepney, at Christmas last-Mr. John Clarke, who is now supplying the church at Folkstone, in Kent; and Mr. Richard Miller, who is supplying the church at Braintree.

Your Committee have received applications on behalf of other young men of promising gifts, to be admitted at Stepney, one of which has been accepted.

"Your Committee reflect with pleasure on the smiles of a gracious Providence with which this Institution has been blest. A considerable number of persons who have been patronized by your Society, and who, either at Stepney, or in the country, have received some advantages of education from its friends, are now labouring in the vineyard with reputation and acceptance, and several with a good degree of suc

cess.

"Your Committee feel a great pleassure, also, in expressing their hope, that prejudices formerly entertained against minishing, and that in proportion as the Institutions of this nature, are daily di principles on which they are founded, and the economy by which they are regulated, are understood, the number of their friends will be increased; and they are happy to add, that the deportment, and public services of your students in general, they have reason to believe, have made an impression favourable to the society by which they have been patronized; and they trust that Providence will continue to raise up young men of piety and talent for the patronage of this Institution, who, though they may not attain the literary eminence of an Owen and a Gill, of a Doddridge and a Watts, of a Marshman and a Carey, ye shall be qualified, in some measure, to detect the sophistry of learned adversaries, and to extend the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus.

"Your Committee cannot but rejoice that many of our ministers, both in town and country, though not having been favoured themselves with the advantages which your Institution offers, yet are fully aware of their value and utility, and patronize the society by their subscriptions and exertions.

"Who among us, indeed, can be insensible, that to this Institution, and to others of a kindred nature in our denomination, our churches must, for the

most part, have recourse for men duly qualified to supply vacancies occasioned by the removal of pastors, as well as to occupy new situations, both at home and abroad; at a time when Zion is lengthening her cords, and stretching forth the curtains of her habitation, on the right hand and on the left. "The friends of this Institution must

be aware, that, without their continued aid, its present expenditure cannot be supported; but the Committee hope, that through their active exertions, and the blessing of the great Head of the church, to be able not only to perpetuate, but still more widely to extend its benefit."

"FOR some years past, the state of religion, though the forms of it have been pretty regularly kept up, has been quite low amongst us. But for some time past, there has been rather more than usual concern manifested by professors, for a revival of religion. A year ago last fall we were encouraged to hope, that the time drew near when God would visit us. Before spring, however, our expectations were seemingly disappointed: yet the desires and prayers of the faithful were continued, and perhaps increased. Our meetings on Lord's days were full, and there seemed to be some attention to the word in time of worship; but no visible fruit appeared till the forepart of summer. It was first reported that several youths were thought to be under serious concern for their souls. At the same time, there was rather an increasing attention among Vol.I.

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the people in general. By the first of September, a revival was apparent; some had found comfort to their minds, and others appear. ed anxiously concerned.

"On the first Lord's-day in September, a youth, who had experi enced a hope a year or two before, came forward and was baptized. The season was sweetly solemn, and many minds were apparently affected. For a long time, I had gone forth, bearing the precious seed weeping; but about this time, or rather a little before, my mind was much revived; and the precious cause, and my work in it sweetly engaged my attention, while I was encouraged to hope that we should see greater things than these.

"In October, and November, the precious work kept increasing and spreading, till it was perceived in all parts of the Society. December was a solemn and pleasing month. Our prayer-meetings were attended three times in a week, and sometimes oftener. These were much crowded, and the power of the Spirit was so manifestly with us, that there were but few, who were not awed with his presence. The young converts were made cheerfully to sing, while the eyes of the older Christians glistened with tears of joy, and others sighed under their worse than Egyptian bendage. The feelings of al