may be desired by the brethren resident in them—to be in the receipt of funds by which to sustain these proceedings, and to give assistance to the more feeble of our associations in their Home Missionary work.

As soon as the views and plans of the Committee are sufficiently matured, they will be submitted for the consideration and advice of the brethren. The Committee desire that the plans of action to be adopted, should be as much the result of the general judgment and consent of the pastors and brethren, as were the principles on which our Home Missionary operations are to be founded. Wise counsel and general consent are not less necessary in the one department than in the other.

But while the Committee of the Union are anxious not to be wanting to any duty that may devolve on them at the present very important juncture, and to put forth every effort in their power for the vigorous, successful commencement of the projected Home Mission, it is obvious that the whole duty and responsibility do not rest with them. Discharging their own, they may with propriety and confidence appeal to their brethren to put forth their appropriate energies also.

The Committee therefore appeal to the associations, churches, and pastors of our denomination, to take this great subject into their immediate consideration, that they may be prepared for actual co-operation in May next-prepared to give in a distinct adhesion to the Home Mission of the Congregational body; to assist with contribution sraised for the Central Committee of the Mission, distinct from what is contributed for any other department of the same work; to carry on their future Home Missionary labours generally in immediate connexion with the Home Mission of the Union. The Committee of the Union very respectfully press for the earliest declaration practicable of co-operation with them in this work, on the part of such associations, churches, or pastors, as intend to be united with them in it.

By direction of the Committee,

ALGERNON WELLS, Secretary.

DR. URWICK'S APPEAL ON BEHALF OF IRELAND.

(To the Editor.)

MY DEAR BROTHER,-Will you allow me to say a few words to the Congregational body of England, bishops, deacons, churches, with regard to Ireland? I shall thus discharge my own conscience of a burden, and I hope not uselessly Occupy your pages.

The illustrious Dr. JOHN OWEN, after a sojourn in Dublin, about the year 1650, on his return to London, spoke of the country he had visited, and urged its claims on the christian energies of England as follows. The English army had been suppressing the rebellion that broke out with the massacre of the Protestants in Ireland, in 1641.

"God's work, whereunto you are engaged, is the propagating of the kingdom of Christ, and the setting up of the standard of the gospel. So far as you find God going on with your work, go you on with his. How is it that Jesus Christ is in Ireland only, as a lion staining all his garments with the blood of his enemies, and none to hold him out as a lamb sprinkled with his own blood to his friends? Is it the sovereignty and interest of England that is alone to be there transacted? For my part, I see no farther into the mystery of these things, but that I could heartily rejoice, that innocent blood being expiated, the Irish might enjoy Ireland so long as the moon endureth, so that Jesus Christ might possess the Irish. But God having suffered these sworn vassals of the man of sin to break out in such ways of villany, as render them obnoxious unto vengeance, upon such rules of government among men as he hath appointed; is there, therefore, nothing to be done, but to give a cup of cold blood into their hands? Doubtless the way whereby God will bring the followers after the beast to condign destruction, for all their enmity to the Lord Jesus, will be, by suffering them to run into such practices against men, as shall righteously expose them

to vengeance, according to acknowledged principles among the sons of men. But is this all? Hath he no further aim? Is not all this to make way for the Lord Jesus, to take possession of his long-since promised inheritance? And shall we stop at the first part? Is this to deal fairly by the Lord Jesus? Call him out to the battle, and then keep away his crown? God hath been faithful in doing great things for you; be faithful in this one; do your utmost for the preaching of the gospel in Ireland."

He then adds "a few motives to this duty. (1.) They want it. No want like theirs who want the gospel. I would there were for the present one gospel preacher for every walled town in the English possession in Ireland. The land mourneth, and the people perish for want of knowledge; many run to and fro, but it is upon other designs; knowledge is not increased. (2.) They are sensible of their wants, and cry out for a supply. The tears and cries of the inhabitants of Dublin, after the manifestation of Christ, are ever in my view. If they were in the dark, and loved to have it so, it might something close a door upon the bowels of our compassion; but they cry out of their darkness, and are ready to follow every one whosoever, to have a candle. If their being gospelless move not our hearts, it is hoped their importunate cries will disquiet our rest, and wrest help as a beggar doth an alms." - Works, vol. xv. pp. 287, 288. Such were the statements of a prince among the Congregationalist fathers, nearly two centuries ago, in behalf of Ireland. Alas!" only as a lion staining all his garments with the blood of his enemies," too correctly describes the aspect under which Jesus Christ has been placed before the Irish population since; nor, until late years, has there been any thing like a general exhibition of him among them, "as a lamb sprinkled with his own blood to his friends." And for what has been done towards this revolution, the Congregationalists of Britain have contributed but little, compared with the wants of the country, their own resources, or their efforts and achievemeats in other fields of christian enterprise. I question whether their denomination occupies a much higher stand here now, than it did at the time of Owen's visit. We have only one memorial, if such it may be called, of the Congregationalism of that period, yet visible amongst us; I mean the congregation that belonged to Dr. Winter, the successive Mathers, and others, which continued "Independent" till about the year 1720, when it became Presbyterian, and afterwards degenerated into Arianism, in which position, as to ecclesiastical order and theological sentiment, it remains at present. We know that, in several parts of the country, as well as in Dublin, churches of our order then existed; but it appears that they soon became extinct under the intolerance and lukewarmness which followed; and from that time until the early part of this century, the gospel, associated with Independency, was unknown in the " Emerald Isle." Had the Congregationalists of England done their duty towards Ireland, would "Jethro” have had to describe their sister churches in this country as "yet but feeble missionary stations, in a land far worse than heathen?" Would their sanctuaries have rung with joy and praise for victories of the cross won in the Pacific, the West Indies, and other realms of paganism, while, as it regards Ireland, little more has been heard within them than an occasional sigh over her supposed incorrigible wretchedness? Would Britain have had lying close along-side her, a nation recognized as part and parcel of herself, with a population of from eight to nine millions, four-fifths or five-sixths of whom are living masses of intelligence, accountability, and depravity, moving on to their final destiny in the footsteps of the man of sin; and who, as they pass along, are continually, by emigration, furnishing materials in ample quantity, and of a kind most suited to his purpose, wherewith he may establish for himself a wide and a firm hold in England, Scotland, Wales, our Australian and Transatlantic colonies, and the United States.

In Ireland, Episcopalians have been for some years on the move, and are now at work in most parts to uphold "the church," with not a few sound-hearted men among them, honestly labouring in proportion to the light they have, for

the good of souls. Once their Home Mission promised to carry the gospel to every parish in the land. Its preachers asked and had the co-operation of our ministers; took their stand in the meeting-house, the court-house, or what other place might be open to them, irrespective of consecrated walls; conducted their worship by extemporary prayer, like ourselves; and went without scruple into whatever part of the country they could make their way, not consulting clerical occupancy. This was contrary to the rules of their church, and their doings have been stayed. The Presbyterians of all kinds, Orthodox and Unitarian, have their Home Missions and other societies, reviving decayed congregations and planting new ones; seeking to cover the country with their system. Though the majority of them probably are favourable to a church and state connection, and three bodies of them are alien from the truth of the gospel, there has been a great increase of evangelical doctrine; and commonly where Presbyterianism settles, the sentiments of the Westminster Confession are avowed. Of course the annual Parliamentary grant, greatly aids their standing and facilitates their advances, so far as regards pecuniary resources. The Wesleyan Methodists of several connections, have their machinery in full play; and but for them many neighbourhoods would have next to nothing that approaches to the reality of christian teaching. Still, are the wants of Ireland met? and do not the several agencies, admitted to exist, render it superfluous for others to interfere? The fact that seven millions of the people are yet Roman Catholics, instantly and without room for doubt, answers, "No." If a stranger came to the country, after making himself acquainted with Congregationalism, among you, and asked to see what the two thousand congregations of Independents in Great Britain are doing for the millions of Erin's sons, WHAT have we TO SHOw, that those two thousand congregations would like to have exhibited as the sum total of their doings for this benighted land? I have thought that able and influential ministers your James's, Leifchilds, Reeds, and others-sometimes, but too seldom, coming over alike to recreate and view the country, or as deputies for the Missionary Society, must on their return have felt uneasy when reflecting on the state of their denomination here, and on the very circumscribed and feeble influence which their body at home is exerting on the religious interests and destinies of this land Let them speak and tell.

I cannot help thinking that Congregational missionaries, were they men of the right stamp, would prove to be the very kind of agents for making successful way in Ireland, particularly among the Roman Catholics. I am tolerably confident, not from conjecture, but from a knowledge of circumstances, that in many places once occupied, or such as would be occupied, by the Established Church Home Mission, properly qualified agents of our own, going in the spirit of the gospel, would, notwithstanding the high church prejudice that is abroad, find a hearty welcome. The opinion I have expressed as to them and the Roman Catholic population, is fully borne out by the reports received during the past six or nine months, from those who have been itinerating under the Congregational Union of Ireland. One of them, at the close of a two months' tour, wrote to us

"Thus encouraging are the prospects of the mission in that portion of Ireland to which its committee directed me. The whole of it is open to the gospel. I could have wept when I saw the tears of compassion for poor perishing souls, rolling down the cheek of one and another who seemed to know of no instrumentality that could bless a neglected though willing population around them. Our Church of England friends are deeply pained at the cessation of their Church Home Mission.' They are ready to encourage us; would that we were able as well as willing to respond to their call. I am sure that friends in general are not aware how open the country is to the reception of the gospel. Often whilst witnessing the interesting scenes referred to, the questions have suggested themselves to me, Can this be Ireland? Ireland that is inaccessible to the gospel? whose set time for God to favour her is not come? Can this be Ireland, whose millions it is said are incapable of being interested in the

great theme of infinite mercy? Oh, yes! this, Tпrs, is Ireland; but facts deny her to be inaccessible to the gospel, they deny her incapacity to be intrusted in its theme. I felt it was delightful and humiliating to see how easy of access her people were, especially the Roman Catholic portion of her population."

This referred to a range of country to the north. On last Monday I had a private letter from one of our missionaries who is on a three months tour in the south, and from whom an official communication had been received about a week before. Under date of Dec. 6th, he says,-

"I have so much to say, I know not what to say first; and I believe I will keep much that I intended to say, till I see you face to face.

"With respect to recent engagements, I am almost confounded by encouragement and overwhelmed with success. I have sometimes had in perfect amazement to exclaim, What hath God wrought!' Truly it is a blessed thing to have one's most sanguine expectations far exceeded by the openings and opportunities for proclaiming the gospel which the Lord sometimes grants.

"You have, I suppose, heard the accounts which I sent for the Committee. The last I sent mentioned some very interesting engagements, particularly on open-air preaching in on Sunday-week. That service exceeded any thing I had before witnessed on this tour, in the decorum, attention, and feeling that were manifested; and it was rendered peculiarly interesting by certain local circumstances which were expected to prevent the success of my attempt.

was far exceeded by one at

"But the scene atlast Sunday. I cannot give you an idea of it; that could be realized only by the sight. Some persons said nearly 4000 were present; but besides 200 or 300 Protestants, of 9 or 10 different sects, there were, I think, about 2000 Roman Catholics. It is saying nothing to tell you that they listened and behaved well. I never witnessed such indications of interest and feeling under a sermon. I never before addressed an audience that seemed so eagerly to drink in the sound of mercy. Many seemed moved and melted by the message of redeeming love, and not a word was uttered but expressions of kindness and approbation, prayers and blessings, and reiterated assurances that I would be welcome whenever I came again. And all this in the capital of- by poor Roman Catholics, who probably never heard the gospel before, to a stranger unprotected by any civil interference, and unattended by any persons or circumstances of influence or authority. Who can hesitate about the means of Ireland's evangelization? Surely the expediency of open-air preaching can no longer be considered problematical among us.

Now what is to be done? We have made the experiment; our Congregational Union has tried, and found that the country is, in the north, in the south, in the east, and in the west, open to Congregational Home Missions. I do not write in expectancy, founded upon calculation as to what would probably be the case; but I state facts, and only a few of the facts, which have actually come to our knowledge. If ever a christian body were called by Providence to a work, our denomination are called by Providence to occupy Ireland. We who are on the spot have been doing something, as the foregoing statements will show; but they who know us are aware that we cannot of ourselves do a fiftieth part of what the country demands. Will the Congregationalists of England come with us here to the help of the Lord against the mighty? We want men, and we want money.

Give us men of the right stamp, and we can pledge ourselves they will not fail of obtaining the recompense which such men seek-usefulness. I know it is sometimes thought that " any thing will do for Ireland;" and it may appear unbecoming in those who labour in the country to deny that it is so But it will be admitted that wherever human nature is to be dealt with in favour of the gospel, the more the agents are men" of power, and of love, and of a sound mind," the greater the probabilities of success. And I think that, considering the cast and condition of the mind we have to operate upon, and the nature of the obstacles we have to grapple with, we require here as many men of the class

N, S. VOL. IV.

K

I have named as we can obtain. Are there, or are there not, among the rising ministry of Britain, souls burning to emulate in a measure the deeds of Luther or of Whitefield, and competent in talent, wisdom, and self-denial, to effect what their hearts dictate? If there are, Ireland is the very field for them. We say to them, "Come over into Ireland and help us."

As to money. If each congregation of our order in Britain gave us two pounds a year, we should have an income of four thousand pounds annually. I remember that when the Society for the Protection of Religious Liberty was formed, it was thought that each congregation would contribute towards it two pounds a-year without feeling it, the sum was such a paltry fraction. Let us have that mite towards making Ireland truly

"Great, glorious, and free,"

and you will help to confer the greatest boon upon a population of eight millions that man can bestow upon his fellow-you will supply the means of supporting from twenty to forty effective missionaries of the Cross. But how many thousands of individuals are there belonging to our body in Britain, who could readily give us twice, thrice, or quadruple the quota named, annually, and hardly know that they had done so. And are there not many more individuals who could collect to the amount of five or ten pounds annually for us? Let us hear from both these classes. By the reduction of postage we can have a letter with an enclosure from any part of the kingdom for four-pence. They shall hear from us in return.

But what shall we say of congregations in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and many other places? It would do them no harm, and would do us and Ireland a vast deal of good, were several of them to have a missionary, sent out and supported by themselves, labouring in this country in connection with our Congregational Union. Let the respected pastors, deacons, and members of those churches take the matter upon their hearts for a week, and inform us of the result. Where one congregation could not do as propose, two or three uniting might accomplish it and have a living representation of themselves and testimonial of their fellowship, occupied among us.

The great principle so unanimously recognised by the Congregational Union of England and Wales, in their late meeting at Birmingham, is that upon which we have based our operations-" That it is an especial duty, at the present time, of the Independent churches of this country to unite in vigorous home missionary efforts, conducted in entire harmony with their distinctive views of the truth, ministry, and ordinances of the Gospel, and of the constitution, discipline, and liberty of christian churches." Some years ago, I had great doubts with regard to this principle, as contradistinguished from another heretofore more commonly approved, and still to be approved in certain undertakings. Nor did I change my ground till I could no longer close my eyes against the fact that an alteration of circumstances rendered highly expedient, if not necessary, a corresponding alteration in the mode of carrying out home missionary plans. The case is different with regard to the Bible, Tract, and London Missionary Societies. But I do most cordially rejoice that the Congregational Union of England and Wales have been led, by the Providence and Spirit of God, to propose and resolve as they have done."

"There is a tide in the affairs of men." It appears as if we had come to a crisis in our history as a denomination in this country, and in the religious history of the land itself. Let the opportunity be embraced for pouring in an able and efficient agency from our body to possess Ireland; and he that soweth and he that reapeth shall soon rejoice together. Let this season pass, and the like may never return.

Congregationalists of Britain-in the words of Dr. Owen-" GOD HATH BEEN FAITHFUL IN DOING GREAT THINGS FOR YOU; BE FAITHFUL IN THIS ONE