ANNUAL MEETING OF THE

IRISH SOCIETY.

On the 17th March, (St. Patrick's Day) the annual Meeting of the Irish Society,

was held in the Lecture Room of the Dublin Institution, when the Right Hon. the Earl of Annesley was called to the Chair. A letter from his Grace, the Archbishop of Tuam, expressed his deep regret that he was unavoidably prevented from presiding at a meeting for whose object he felt not only continued, but

increased approbation. The Report presented details of the Society's progress of the most cheering description, and shewed the great success which had already attended its efforts to give to the native Irish scriptural instruction in their own language. These statements were corroborated by the appearance on the platform of a Deputation from the Roman Catholic Teachers, &c. connected with the Society in the Counties of Monaghan, Armagh, Cavan, Louth, and Meath, who had forwarded to the Meeting the following interesting resolutions which were read by the Rev. Mr. Bushe.

"DATED AT GREAGHUASOGUE. "Resolutions of the Masters, &c. connected with the Irish Society, in the Counties of Armagh, Monaghan, Cavan, Louth and Meath.

"We the Roman Catholic Masters, and Scholars, under the Irish Society whose names with our respective residences, parishes and post-towns, are hereunto annexed, desire by the following Resolutions to express on behalf of ourselves, and upwards of FIVE THOUSAND of our adult fellow brethren who in this district alone, are in connexion with the Irish Society; our humble, but conscientious and heart-felt sentiments, with respect to that invaluable Institution, and our reading of the Scriptures in our venerated beloved tongue."

1st. RESOLVED That believing the Sacred Scriptures to be the source of all spiritual knowledge, and the proper basis of all moral instruction, we consider that the want of them in our native language has been to us and to our forefathers for a long period the greatest evil; and that the Irish Society by their Schools, and providing for us the Scriptures in the lan

guage we best understand, have given to us an estimable gift, and to Ireland the noblest boon she ever before received.

native Irish are careless and indifferent towards education-on the contrary they are most anxious and solicitous for both moral and religious instruction, and in every neighbourhood where obstacles are not opposed, most gladly embrace it for themselves and families. That for a considerable time past, we have observed the

2d. Resolved that it is not true the

good effects of Irish Schools in removing prejudices, banishing vicious, and encouraging virtuous habits-that in ma ny places we have seen those, who formerly spent part of the Lord's Day at Footballs, Dances, Card-playing, and whiskey-houses, now resorting to the Irish teacher's house to learn lessons of wisdom from the Book of God.

3rd. Resolved-That objections having been made to reading the Irish Testament from its being an improper translation, we have individually and collectively in a very minute and accurate manner with our Irish Dictionaries in our hands com. pared it with both the Protestant and Rhemish Translations; and find it throughout most agreeing with our own Rhemish version, and to be an accurate Irish translation, with the exception of a few orthographical and typographical errors; however, if those condemning it convince us of its errors, and supply us with a better translation, we (as is our duty) will thankfully receive the better one, but until this better one is provided for us we cannot give up that which the Irish Society have been graciously pleased to provide, especially as we are convinced of its being free from radical errors.

4th. Resolved-That with respect to the objection of our Irish version not having notes or comments, we are humbly of opinion that notes or comments are not essentially necessary for understanding the morality and plain truths of the Gospel, and that Scripture without note or comment as given by the inspiration of God, and handed down to us by the Apostles, is sufficient and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. In this, our humble sentiment, we are more fully convinced since we read the testimony of the Right Reverend Dr. Doyle,

before the House of Lords on the 21st of March last, wherein he states that notes and comments are often objectionable, and carry no weight as the writers of them are frequently unknown. We conceive that if we were to meet with such notes as the Reverend Doctor alludes to, they would tend to lead us into dangerous errors, and that the Irish testament presented to us without note or comment of any kind is in the least objectionable form, and evidences that the Society by whom it is provided, have no other object in view but to make us acquainted with the divine word.

5th. Resolved-That as by our opponents we are charged with insincerity and hypocrisy in receiving the Irish Scriptures, and to be actuated solely by selfish motives, that even should the Society voluntarily or by necessity withdraw from us the salaries which we receive, but supply us with Scriptural and Elementary books, 1hat we will continue to read and teach the oracles of divine truth, in the language of our country and our ancestors to our numerous fellow- creatures, who are thirsting after such knowledge, and in doing so, we consider ourselves engaged in a work useful to man and acceptable to God; that the Roman Catholic Church of which we are members, hath never by her councils, nor her spiritual head, denied the Scriptures to those who read them with reverence and sincerity, that on the contrary we find on the best authority, that several of our Popes have went further than even the Bible Society to induce the reading of God's word, not only by recommending it, but also by holding out inducements for doing it, thus in a book intitled the Sacred Diary, page 136, containing a catalogue of the various Indulgences granted by different popes, we find that Pope John the 22nd, and many others, his successors, have granted the following Indulgences, to such as read, teach or hear the word of God; "to such as teach the word of God, 100 days Indulgences; to such as hear and listen to the word of God with an inward intention of heart, 100 days Indulgences; to such as do recite the Gospel of St. John, is granted by Pope Clement the 5th one year's Indulgence, and by Pope John the 22nd, 40 days, which make in all one year and 40 days Indulgence for each time; that when such pious practices were so highly recommended and rewarded at that period by the spiritual heads of our Church as acceptable to our Creator, they cannot

now be displeasing to him; and that finally, we consider that the reading of the Holy Scriptures is our right as men, our duty as Christians, and our privilege as Roman Catholics.

Dated the 28th Dec. 1825.

Signed by upwards of 378 Roman
Catholic Teachers and Scholars."

N. B. A copy of the above Resolutions was sent to the Most Rev. Dr. CURTIS.!

The Rev. Mr. Winning of the county Cavan,stated that no Protestant influence had ever been used in urging the persons who signed these resolutions, to prepare them; and the Rt. Hon. St. George Daly, Mr. Serjeant Lefroy, the Rev. Doctor Singer, the Rev. Mr. Gregg, and several other gentlemen, spoke in terms of the highest satisfaction of the successful efforts of the Society, which promise in their result to confer the most important blessings on this country.

LADIES' HIBERNIAN FEMALE

SCHOOL SOCIETY. Patroness-Her Royal Highness, the Princess Augusta. President-Her Grace, the Duchess of Beaufort. Vice Presidents-The Countess of Westmeath, Honourable Miss Calthorpe.

This Society has been established with a view to the extension of Religious Education, connected with instruction in the simple and useful arts of female industry. It has now existed nearly three years, and has rendered assistance to nearly 200 Schools.

Its rules require, that in Schools deriving aid from its funds, the Holy Scriptures should be read, and portions of them committed to memory by as many of the pupils as have attained to a sufficient proficiency in reading. That the Schools shall be exclusively female, and the Teachers, Mistresses of approved character and suitable qualifications; and that the Schools be placed under the superintendence of at least one Lady, who shall communicate periodically the progress of the Institution.

The Society is conducted by two Committees, one in London, the other in Dublin. A depository and office is established in No. 16, Upper Sackville-st. and supplied with working materials, and books for the use of the Society's Schools, and from whence sales at cost prices are made to the female Schools without any distinction.

The kind feelings which have been

awakened in England on behalf of the poor of this country, have produced.considerable exertion on behalf of this Society. Liberal subscriptions have been received, and most zealous exertions made to apply them effectually to the relief of those necessities which have called forth the sympathy of England. But notwithstanding all that has been done there, the demands upon the Society are encreasing so rapidly as to render additional aid most necessary-and the benevolent in this country (which is the object of the Society's solicitude) are solicited on its behalf. It is much to be regretted, that the warm and generous manner in which the cause of our poor females has been taken up in England, should have been met by so much of apathy and indifference here; and it is to be feared, should that apatby continue, it may yet extend itself to those who now so actively labour in this good work.

The Dublin Committee would respectfully suggest the practicability of having sermons preached, and Ladies' Associations formed throughout the country, by which small contributions would be received from those who could not afford the annual subscription of one guinea. And when it is remembered, that the continuance of operations so successfully entered upon, mainly depends, as far as human instrumentality is concerned, on annual contributions, it is hoped that this consideration will prove a sufficient stimulus to the liberality of the public. "Especially it is hoped, that the Ladies of this kingdom will feel themselves imperiously called upon to take care, lest, by any want of sympathy and generosity on their part, the numbers of their own sex in Ireland, at present divested of all that contributes to happiness in both worlds, should continue to slumber in ignorance, and vice, and misery."

A subscription of one guinea annually, constitutes a Member of the Society for one year, and ten pounds a Member for life.

All Letters, Memorials, &c. solely on the business of the Society, are to be

addressed to the Secretary, and inclosed in a cover, unsealed, directed—" Ladies' Hibernian Female School Society, 16, Upper Sackville-street. Sir E. S. Lees, General Post Office, Dublin."

All Communications intended for the London Committee of the Society, are to be inclosed in a sealed cover, directed— "Ladies' Hibernian Female School Society. Francis Freeling, Esq. General Post Office, London.”

Model Infant School, Westland-row. -The Model Infant School in Westlandrow, which we announced some time since to be in progress, is now completed, and ready to receive 200 children. While preparing, a temporary house had been taken for the purpose of commencing the school; but, as the premises can accommodate no more than thirty children, the guardians are anxious to remove to the newly erected building with as little delay as possible. To do this, however, will require a further sum of money, as all that has been collected was scarcely sufficient to complete the building; and for this further sum, the humanity of the public is depended on. If benevolent individuals would visit the school in question, we have no doubt, their feelings would be so enlisted on the side of humanity, that they would gladly contribute to an institution which seeks the protection and safeguard of the most helpless and most interesting part of the poor.

Kildare-place Society.-We have been requested by a friend to this valua ble Society, to correct a statement in our article on education, which would seem as if its funds went to assist schools where religious instruction was excluded. Such is not the case; any person may purchase at cost price school requisites or books from the Society, but no grants are made or assistance given, so as to diminish their funds, except to such as conform to the principles of the Society, one of which is, that the Scriptures without note or comment be read by all who have attained a suitable proficiency to read.

Since we last went to press, Parliament has been busily engaged in meeting the difficulties of the times, and providing for the restoration of public confidence. This we trust has been effected, but the public feeling has been too much shaken to resume hastily its former situation. The exposeé of the Chancellor of the Exchequer like other statements of that perspicuous and talented minister give universal satisfaction, not more from the clear and lucid exposition of public affairs, divested altogether of the cabala of arithmetic, than from the evident predominance of liberal sentiments and enlightened views. Mr. Peel too has added another claim to the many which he possesses on this country, by his labours to consolidate and reform part of our criminal code. In addition to these gratifying circumstances, we notice, with peculiar pleasure, the universal feeling of England on the subject of slavery; the petitions which are pouring in from every part of the empire, and the concessions, if we may so speak, to this spirit from the Executive. Ireland is beginning to exhibit a similar feeling: Cork and Waterford have sent forward petitions, and there is one in the course of signature in the metropolis. Such a demonstration of the sentiment of the country is not more important to the final settling of this important question, and removing the disgrace of slavery from our annals, and the banishment of it from ourselves and our posterity, than it is useful at the present moment to strengthen the hands of Government in their professed deter

mination, and to give strength to the advocates of Justice, Humanity, and Religion. The 20th of April is fixed for Mr. Brougham's motion.

Our domestic intelligence is devoid of interest. The country can scarcely be termed quiet, yet is not disturbed ; reports, and we fear more than reports, prevail of a formidable nature. Water

ford is convulsed by the violence of the Roman Catholic party for their favorite Candidate, which has been attended with some rioting. It seems to be the general opinion that a Petition will not be presented from the Roman Catholics this Session-and an attempt made to procure one seems to have failed. The Jubilee Bull has been published with all due form, and the members of the true Church exhorted to pray for the conversion of all heretics. When will the blessings of the Reformation, extended to this country, drive from its shores, such badges of ecclesiastical slavery and besotted ignorance. That such a day is about to dawn we have confidence, and we request our readers to lend their attention to the important document we have published from the Irish Schoolmasters; which, for moderation, firmness, and a sense of dignity superior to their station, merits particular attention.

• A translation of the original, more consistent with its meaning, but not so pleasing to heretical ears, would be the extirpation of heretics!