cible spirit which consecrated this immediate soil to freedom, intelligence, and inviolable glory. The state of Ireland had long been a reproach to the wisdom and liberality of Great Britain. A vicious system of policy, during six centuries, counteracted the beneficial effect which the contract of the Irish mind with the civilized institutions of England would have inevitably produced: and this will be stated for the purpose of shewing that there was no inherent diabolism in the Irish character; its degradation was not natural, but superinduced. The vice of that policy was now seen and acknowledged, but the evil was too inveterate to be removed by any sudden operation. All the frightful evils of Ireland had a moral origin, and must have a moral cure. The principle of her regeneration must come from the same source as that of England-from education. He could not quit the subject without adverting to the aid which the Committee had received from the fair associates of their Charity. It was to the Gospel that woman was indebted for the station which she held in society. She had in part repaid the obligation, by being instrumental in diffusing that politeness of the heart, that amenity and decorum which distinguished the manners of the Christian world above all other communities, where barbaric pride or Pagan debasement, or even classic sternness, forbade that amiable ascendancy, which ornamented while it assuaged the manly character, and gave its finest animation to the virtues of charity. When woman was engaged in the task of diffusing the light of instruction, and pouring on the wounded spirit the balm of holy consolation, she might, indeed, be compared to that dove, which carried to the wanderer on the troubled waters the olive-brance of peace."

SOUTH DEVON AND CORNWALL

BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. IN consequence of the dissolution of the Western Association at Chard last year, a meeting of ministers, and other representatives of Baptist Churches, in the South of Devon, and West of Cornwall, was held at Plymouth, June 9 and 10, 1824, to discuss the expediency of attempting a union of the several churches in this district, of which meeting the proceedings were briefly as follow.

Met on Wednesday, June 9, at half past six, A.M., when prayer was offered by Brethren Gillard of Modbury, Pearce of Calstock, Heath of Gwinear, Nicholson, Jun. of Kingsbridge, and House of Dartmouth.

At half past ten A.M. met for business. Brother Widlake of Brixham prayed; Brother Nicholson of Kingsbridge was chosen president. It was then resolved unanimously,

"That the formation of an Association of Baptist Churches in this district was desirable;" the doctrines which should be regarded as the basis of the union were

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settled; and it was agreed, that the objects of the Association should be, "1. To promote union and affection among the Churches; 2. To preserve a record of their increase or decrease; and, 3. To act as an Auxiliary to the Baptist Home Missionary Society, with reference to the spread of the Gospel in this district."

The Churches in the following places then associated by common consent. In Devon, Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Brixham, Dartmouth, Devonport, (Morice Square, and Pembroke Street,) Kingsbridge, Modbury, Plymouth;-in Cornwall,-Calstock, Falmouth, Redruth, Saltash, Truro.

At seven P.M. met for public worship. Brother Matthews of Saltash read the Scriptures, and prayed. Brother Nicholson of Kingsbridge preached, from 1 Thes. ii. 19, 20. Brother Sprague of Bovey Tracey concluded.

Thursday, June 10. Met at eleven A.M. Brother Horton of Devonport prayed, and the business yet remaining was transacted.

At seven P.M. met for worship. Brother Dore of Redruth read and prayed. Brother Clark of Truro preached, from Psalm xvi. 3. Brother Nicholson of Plymouth concluded.

It was agreed, that a Circular Letter should be drawn up for the present year by Brother Clark, on the Design of Associations, their attendant Advantages, and the Evils to which they are chiefly liable.

The next Association to be held at Truro, on the second Wednesday and Thursday in May, 1825. Brother Wilcocks of Devonport to preach, on the Certainty of the Final Triumphs of Christianity in the World. The other discourse on that occasion to be delivered by Brother Horton, or, in case of failure, by Brother Sprague. Brother Wilcocks to draw up the Circular Letter, on the Prosperity of Christian Churches, and the best Means of promoting it.

ORDINATION.

On Wednesday, August 11th, the Rev. JOHN YOUNG was ordained Pastor of the newly formed Independent church, Folkestone, Kent. Mr. Anderson, of Sandwich read the Scriptures and prayed; Mr. James, of Woolwich, Mr. Young's late Pastor delivered the introductory discourse, asked the usual questions, and received the confession of faith; Mr. Vincent, of Deal presented the Ordination Prayer with the laying on of hands; Mr. Gurteen, of Canterbury delivered the charge to the Minister from 1 Tim. iv. 16. and Mr. Belcher, (Baptist,) of Folkestone closed the morning service with prayer.

In the evening the Congregation again assembled. Mr. James delivered a short address on the Ordination of Deacons, read the Scriptures, and prayed, with the imposition of hands on two brethren who had been chosen to that office; Mr, Slatterie, of Chatham, then addressed the Deacons and Church from Heb. xiii. 17. and Mr. Clark, (Baptist,) of Folkestone closed the solemnities of the day with prayer.

THE BAPTISM OF LYDIA AND HER HOUSE.

Lines addressed to some Female friends on the occasion of their Baptism.

As the grapes in the wilderness, so on the ground Where the idol-gods reign'd, there were worshippers found,

That serv'd the true God, whose omnipotent word, Spake the worlds into being-his name is The Lord.

When the Sabbath, that hallow'd repose of the saint,

Gave its joys to the pious, its rest to the faint;
While the heathen were busied in vanity there,
These daughters of Zion assembled in prayer.

Ye sisters of Philippi, say, were ye told,
Of Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah of old?

And were ye then tracing the path that they trod? Their hopes, and their fears, and their wrestlings with God.

In your eye, did the virtues of Deborah shine,
Like jewels that deck'd her with splendour divine?
Or the meekness of Hannah, and happy success,
Encourage your plea to the Father of grace?

O Thou, whose bright glory is hid from our sight,
Conceal'd in the blaze of ineffable light,
Thy presence was with them, their words caught
thine ear,

They were not forgotten-thy mercy was near.

A herald of mercy (and Paul was the man)
Commission'd by Christ to address them began:
And spake of his dignity, and of his love,
His suff'rings below, and his glories above.

Then told the great object for which he came down,

Threw a veil round his Godhead, and put off his

crown,

That sinners, the wretched, the vile, the deprav'd, The helpless, the ruin'd, might in him be saved.

Ye waters of Strymon, did accents like these, E'er pass o'er your flood on the wings of the breeze?

Did your waves, or your banks, or yonr fountains, elsewhere,

E'er witness a scene so delightful as there?

Like the flower that expands, when the sunbeams grow bright,

And basks all reviv'd by his warmth and his light;

Thus the love of her Saviour to Lydia appear'd,
It open'd her heart, and her spirit was cheer'd.

Then quickly to shew her obedience of faith,
Her love to her Saviour, her hope in his death,
Her wish to rise with him in spirit below,
And in body at last, when the trumpet shall blow;

Immers'd in the water, she honour'd his name;
Her household beheld, and they join'd in the same:
How happy the family, when with delight,
In piety's precepts they wholly unite.

My friends, I congratulate you on the choice
You have made-may you go on your way and
rejoice;

May your trust be in Him, that is able to keep, From the paw of the lion, his lambs and his sheep.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." But there is a very considerable diversity observable, both as to the relative importance of the instruction conveyed in the Scriptures, and also as to the force and clearness with which it is presented to the mind. All that is really essential to our eternal salvation, is inscribed as it were with a sun-beam. It is made so clear, that even he that runs may read it; and "the wayfaring man, though in other respects he might be considered as "a fool," yet, bringing to the investigation of the path of truth, a simple, humble, teachable disposition, "he shall not err therein."

But there are portions of the Sacred Word which are not made so perfectly manifest; they appear to be involved in a certain degree of doubt and obscurity, which can only be removed by a careful examination of the circumstances of time and of place under which they were written. A knowledge of these passages, it is true, is not absolutely essential; but they acquire importance, when we consider, that from the exercise of unsanctified learning upon them, errors and corruptions of the grossest kind have sprung up, which for ages have been fastened upon the consciences

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of men, as emanating directly from the authority of the apostles, and founders of the Christian church. Such is the case with the passage selected for present discussion; it has formed a subject of some doubt and dispute amongst Protestant Divines and Commentators; and in the Romish Church, it is taken as the authority for a superstitious rite, or sacrament of the most delusive nature, and altogether at variance with the spirit and design of the Scripture itself.

In venturing to offer a 'few observations upon the subject, I would desire to do so with all humility and caution; conscious of the presumption which attaches to a confident opinion upon a point, which has produced hesitation in the minds of eminently wise, learned, and good men. I would only present my remarks as cursory hints, to be received with affection, and considered with candour.

Fully to understand the recommendation contained in these verses, and to be enabled in some measure to determine, how far it is binding upon the present and every age of the church, it does appear to me to be necessary, that we should recur to the means, which at the period when this Epistle was penned, were most commonly employed for the purpose of removing diseases: a consideration which will, I think, at once lead us to the necessity, the propriety,

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