with a Roman Catholic lawyer, two other Roman Catholic gentlemen, and a lady. They spoke very openly; and, after questions from all the others, generally turned to the lawyer to see if he could answer. On Infallibility he had the Bishop's sermon, and, finding his reasoning could be answered, he generally gave up from "want of Scripture knowledge." And when his friend excused this, saying, "We have other duties to occupy our attention," he answered, "No; 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God.' God will not take that excuse." The lady felt our (alleged) insults to the Blessed Virgin to be the worst feature of our teaching; but was astonished to hear that we sang her hymn every Sunday evening. She could scarcely believe it, as she was sure they did not do that in any other Protestant place of worship. We parted on the best terms, hoping the conversation might be renewed.

I had also a very interesting conversation with a young lady returned from France, and who had been in a nunnery. Infallibility was one subject, and she was greatly puzzled on reading in her own Bible (Rev. iii.), where Christ is said to have the keys Himself. two and a half hours' conversation, I trust, will not be fruitless.

Our

On the Clifden car I had a long talk with one of four Sisters of Mercy, who sat next me. Consecration of self and services to gain salvation, or from love to Him who had saved us, was one subject; Infallibility another; showing the need of personal inquiry from God's Word as to what is Truth, since Bishops disagreed; ending with the hope that she would hear the word, "Come out of her, my people;" which she thought was fulfilled by the numbers leaving our Church in England.

I have been engaged for part of the month in deputation work for the Society, and have found it useful, by bringing me in contact with friends and foes. For some hours, on the lake steamer, I had a quiet conversation with a Roman Catholic magistrate. After some time, he said, such conversation on religion he liked very well; but he could not bear the violent abuse of Missionaries. He thought Church clergymen were generally very good, because they let people alone; but the Irish Church Missions sent men to annoy people. To his surprise, he found him

self talking to the Missionary of Galway, the author of the dreadful placards, etc., and all he could do was to talk quietly on, hearing my reasons for such open, but really tender and loving work; and gradually drawn in to defend himself on Confession, Absolution, etc. With mutual regret, I believe, we parted.

At Newport, after a very interesting meeting, an openly-avowed infidel came up for some little books. I offered "Birds'-Nest Stories."

The earnest attentive, and chiefly convert congregation of Tourmakeady was to me most interesting.

The

And now for my own work. controversial classes are increasing in interest every night. Last night about ninety were present-over thirty Roman Catholics. Some are boys, who come for fun; some young men. Two were evidently prepared; and after I opened with an exposition of Scripture, and the two Agents had spoken on "Holy Scripture "-one proving its authority from internal evidence; the other, Rome's opposition to this they began with questions. For an hour and a half they kept us all alive. Most intelligently they tried to puzzle; then, as they were drawn on to make one admission after another, they confessed their inability to argue; and one promised to ask the priest next day for information.

He had said, "You have no saints." A. "Oh, we have, and many more than your Church."

Q. "How so? We have St. Patrick, etc., etc."

A. "Why, every Christian is a saint with us. Besides, St. Patrick that you mentioned was a Protestant."

R. C. "You can say that, but every one knows he was a Catholic."

P. "Well, would he be a Roman Catholic if he denied the existence of Purgatory?"

R. C. "Certainly not."

P. "Yet St. Patrick wrote a book entitled 'The Three Habitations; i.e., Heaven, Earth, and Hell.'"

This was so startling, that he said he would ask the priest.

Mother of God, is she of the Father and the Holy Ghost ?" After thinking for some time-"She must be." Ilis reasoning was, "The Church says she is the Mother of God. But the three persons are One. Therefore, she must be the Mother of all." This was apparently too much for some, and may yet produce searchings of heart. Her wonderful power was dilated on. "It was good to ask her, for anything she requests from her Son, He will give." "Did you ever ask the priest's Mother for absolution, or for intercession with a priest to procure it for you?"—" Oh, that is nonsense." "Yet you think it no nonsense to deal thus with the Great High Priest. Will He forgive ?""Yes, if we repent." "Will His Mother get it without repentance?"-"No!" "Why, then, do you need her? Go, as the dying thief did, to Himself!" etc.

Dublin.-The first of our special winter meetings in the Mission Building was held last week. It was fairly attended. It was intended for a peculiar class, viz., shopmen and assistants, who are a difficult class of persons to get hold of for a meeting of the kind.

The following is an interesting case, extracted from the journals for the month:

"These people were very glad to see me, and spoke freely on the finished work of Christ for sinners. Mrs. said, 'I went to church, to 27, Townsend Street, on last Sunday night, to hear the Rev. Dr. MacCarthy. He spoke on "all souls" and saint worship. There was some doubt in my mind about purgatory, but now all doubts are removed by his sermon. I was in the habit of sending half-a-crown every year to the priest, for to have the souls of my father and mother and sister prayed for, but now, thank God, my eyes are open, and I see the fraud of the priests. Tell Dr. Mac. Carthy, from me, that I have received the greatest of all blessings-the peace of mind, and the forgiveness of my sins, by him and his Society, for, only for what I heard from you and him about Christ, I never could have peace; for I did all I could for years to get peace, but I could get none. If you please, give Mr. MacCarthy this half-a-crown that I used to give to the priest to get forgiveness for my poor friends. Now I see all the fraud of the priests, and I wonder that I was in such darkness. I see now as I never saw before. Tell him that the half-a-crown, and my prayers, are for his

Society; and tell him to go on with his good work, for there are more people in Dublin than he knows anything about who are giving up the priests, and going to Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. I know many of them myself.'"

This is encouraging testimony. It shows that there is a spirit of inquiry abroad, and that the people are reflecting, and coming to a right mind about fundamental matters. There can be no doubt that the recent events at Romepolitical and ecclesiastical-have led many

in Rome to reflection who never reflected before. May many be led from reflection to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, that they may be saved in the day of his coming and kingdom.

Armagh and Louth. The work has been going on as usual in all the stations, and all the Readers bear the same testimony, that the people are in a very strange state with respect to the downfall of the Pope, and the collapse of France. Strange to say, they regard the latter with infinitely more dismay than the former, which they treat, or pretend to treat, with comparative indifference; indeed, in some instances, very strong language, and not by any means respectful language is used, plainly showing that the priests have been teaching them in a very strange way, making the best of the Lad state of tlrings as it exists at present.

In D, we have had a most interesting case of conversion, terminating in a happy and glorious death. For a considerable time, a young man has been attending the school, and imbibing the instruction imparted with great avidity. It turns out that he had a double motive, namely, his own benefit and instruction, and those likewise of an aged father, to whom he conveyed the instruction as he himself had received it. The old man fell ill, and the nuns visited him, and exhorted him to place his confidence in the Virgin. The old man entirely rejected this, and declared his belief in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He bore a faithful testimony, and died rejoicing in the atonement, righteousness, and finished work of Jesus, to the dismay of the ignorant and misled nuns. God vouchsafes such occurrences from time to time, plainly to prove to us that while his minister may plant and water, it is God, and God only, who can "give an increase."

Matters have been going on as usual

see.

The Romanists are cast down at the present position of their church, and have no scruple in saying that, "God has surely a controversy with their church," the end of which they cannot Many are most eager to converse with the Readers upon the subject, and to discuss in a very calm manner the several doctrines of their church as being the real cause of God's displeasure. We have had some very pleasing proofs brought before us, that the seed sown has not been in vain. These isolated instances keep up the spirits of the men, and stimulate them to increased exertion. This has been a discouraging year on the whole, arising from political causes; and the occasional instances of success which have been vouchsafed have been doubly valuable. The ensuing year will be an important one, to all appearance, God only knows what the result will be.

Moyrus.-I rejoice to say that the controversial lectures now being held are stirring up the minds of many to give earnest heed to the things that belong to their peace; the attendance of the people at the several centres of Missionary labour is truly encouraging as affording abundant evidence that the work is of God, and will stand.

It is very cheering to witness the zeal and faithfulness of the converts everywhere in the good cause in which they are engaged, earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.

There never was a period when the agents of your Society were held in such high estimation by the people among whom they labour-the good sced sown is springing up day by day, and bearing abundant fruit in the conversion of souls.

The opposition of our enemies to crush the work has signally failed, so that we are encouraged to go forward under the banner of our salvation.

The pupils of our schools, in nakedness and cold, attend more regularly since the winter set in. They never complain even in their greatest need. But it is so cheering to witness their gratitude for any assistance afforded them by Christian friends.

Some late cases of real conversion have recently been brought under my

observation: an old man, eighty years of age, whose mind the Lord opened to hear his Word, affords strong evidence of conversion to God. He told me, in my late visit to his residence, that the altered conduct and conversation of the adult members of our church, first made an impression on his mind.

Another case, that of a young man who had been forced from our school four years ago, by his Popish relatives. He attended church last Sabbath, told our brethren in much triumph, after service, he could never be induced to go to mass since he left us. Considering our position and prospects, we have great reason to thank God and take courage.

Ballyconree.-This is, perhaps, as regards Mission-work, the least interesting month in the year. The schools are thinned to a very great extent, owing to the pressure of harvest work and drawing in turf. Those who do attend, however, are progressing most favourably. We received a visit a short time since from the Lord Bishop of the diocese, accompanied by Mr. Cory and various other friends. The children were examined in Scripture and secular subjects, and were highly commended on their answering. The confirmation, held about the same time in Clifden, was a proof that the work is not at a stand still. From this district alone thirty candidates presented themselves. Many of these young people were deeply impressed. The people still continue most civil, and appear willing to enter into controversy, notwithstanding the vigorous efforts which have lately been made by the priests to stir them up against us. Our new church is rapidly rising, and the contractor has promised me to try and have it ready for consecration before Christmas. A kind lady has sent me money with which to purchase a nice bell, and another kind friend has lent us an organ so that in externals we are progressing most favourably. The commissioners have refused to grant us the usual fittings for the church, such as cushions, plate, lamps, etc., we must, therefore, look to the liberality of friends to supply these.

The present war is creating a great sensation in this neighbourhood. Looking upon it as a religious war, the Romanists were most enthusiastic in their wishes for the success of the French, and now that they have been beaten,

they appear quite crest fallen; and the latest news, that Rome is in the hands of the Italians, has quite silenced them. Had the French been successful, I believe there would have been an outbreak among the population. May God use all these events for the promotion of his glory and the spread of his truth.

Portarlington.-Only those who have experienced it can understand the gratification of being at all instrumental of any benefit to a serious and inquiring Romanist. Many such there are secretly searching for the truth, "feeling after the Lord, if haply they may find Him." An intelligent and respectable Roman Catholic a few days since followed me in this spirit, opened his mind, and even in the public streets pressed his difficul

ties upon my attention. It was most interesting to watch his longing anxiety of mind to know what was the real truth about forgiveness of sins. I parted from him after he had promised me to search those Scriptures for himself which I had directed him to in the course of conversation, for he seemed to feel that if the Scriptures really supported my views he would be safe in embracing them.

A young woman, with whom the Readers in this town have had many anxious conversations in times past, has been for some time attending Protestant worship in the north of Ireland, and on returning to this town has openly come to our public worship.