At the particular request of the Rev. J. Allen, and for the satisfaction of those friends who have kindly and liberally assisted towards defraying the debt incurred by the erection of the Chapel at Ballina, the statement of the entire account, and the several sums contributed, appear in this number of the Chronicle. As the funds of the Society are not at all applicable to the building of places of worship, but as their erection has, in more instances than one, become indispensable, and such necessity, it is hoped, may recur again and again; it is certainly due to those liberal persons, who thus aid the cause of the Redeemer, distinctly and gratefully to acknowledge their Christian benevolence.

To the Secretary.

Ballina, March 19, 1835.

My dear Brother,

In this packet, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favour of the 10th instant, and herewith forward to you the Journal of the Readers for the past month, as also the account of schools, &c., for the present quarter. I have also to acknowledge the receipt of several sums of money, towards the liquidation of the debt upon the Meeting-house in this town, which you will find upon another part of this sheet. The sum actually expended is now £328 10s., and the contract for finishing, £91 10s., making in all £420. Of this I have received, clear of expenses, £232, for which, as well as for the acts of personal kindness shown to me when in England, I beg, through the medium of the Chronicle, to present my warmest thanks. I had hoped to have heard, ere this, what sum the Building Fund, on which this case has been admitted, was likely to produce. My best thanks are due to Mrs. Holland, of Bristol, especially, who kindly, and without any solicitation, forwarded us £5. If some of our wealthy friends in England, bearing in mind how injurious it must be for an individual to be absent for any length of time from a missionary station, and an infant cause, would imitate her example, it would not only confer a personal favour, but essentially serve the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom in this place. The trust deed, by which the property has been made over to the Baptist denomination, has been examined by the respectable solicitor of the London Building Fund, and is approved.

It is in your recollection, probably, that the late Government ordered, some time before they left office, a new census of the population of Ireland; in which was to be shown the relative numbers of Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Dissenters; as also the number and kind of schools in each union or parish. One of the Commissioners was here on Tuesday last, and, as a proof of the awful extent to which superstition prevails, it appeared, soon after an amended census had been produced and sworn to, by the Protestant clergyman, that not more than one out of thirty, in this large union, can be considered even as nominal Protestants. And, in a conversation with the priest, on the following day, as a confirmation of what I have frequently stated, "I am perfectly sure," said he, "that if you go round any day to all your schools, and ours, and the minister's, you will not find in the whole of them 100 poor Protestant children." In the examination of our schools, before the commissioners, though we have invariably insisted upon the introduction of the Scriptures, yet they were scarcely inferior to any, and, in the general, superior to most, both in numbers and regular attendance. Let it not be said in future, then that the Roman Catholics, the children of whom compose the bulk of our scholars, would not, unless violently opposed by the priesthood, be anxious to possess and study the word of God. And let our friends, whilst they have it upon the testimony of the priest himself, that it is his flock we are educating in our schools, be more earnest and zealous in this good cause; hoping and praying that through the instrumentality of these schools, the present race of children may be delivered from the superstition of their fathers.

I have, since my return, preached at Easky, Mullifarry, and Crossmolina; at the two former places to large and attentive audiences. The people on all sides are exceedingly desirous to hear. On Sunday last, I again administered the ordinance of Baptism in Ballina. The Lord, I trust, is preparing others to submit to the dictates of his blessed word. Oh that he would make us, who are engaged in this blessed work, more humble, circumspect, watchful, and zealous! and then we might hope for larger and more extensive success. Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified.

I am, dear Sir, affectionately your's,

James Allen.

To the Secretary of the Baptist Irish Society.

Limerick, March 20th, 1835.

My dear Sir,

I just returned from Croagh, about sixteen miles from here, in the county of Limerick, to inspect the Koppel-street school; the poor children were delighted to see me, and I was greatly pleased to see them go through their school discipline with such precision and order. They spelled remarkably well in three different ways. I am not aware that you are acquainted with the plan of spelling and reading, particularly spelling, which I have devised long since, which arrests the undeviating attention of the children, and almost wonderfully facilitates their progress. A fine testament class of 36 got up and read, in general, very well, and repeated 224 chapters, which they committed to memory since the last quarterly inspection. There are 148 on the list, 98 spelling, 50 reading the scriptures, 8 protestants and 4 reformed, who are the master's children, of whose attention to his school, and good conduct, I cannot say too much; He is also a sabbath reader, and, I believe, very useful. A number of the girls got before me to the door, and requested a female school; they showed me some very nice work, taught them by the master's daughter. I said I would lay their request before their friends in England. The progress some of them made in writing and figures rather surprised me: the little premiums I gave them the last time had a great effect upon them, in removing prejudice, and convincing them who their real friends are, and in winning their affections to the love of the truth, in spite of priestly influence. The countenances of the children, in all the schools, brighten up, and smile, when they see me. I lectured in the evening, at Finchley, the seat of their worthy and pious patrons, Mr. and Mrs. Finch, who pay for a good school-house for them, and subscribe to the society. The society has done inconceivable good. How much more if it had sufficient means!

I was going to say, the Bristol school, at Balleycar, county of Clare, sixteen miles north west from Limerick, is a tremendous one. I went there immediately after my last communication; gave several lectures to Roman Catholics and Protestants, in the house of our afflicted friend, Major Colpoys; I tried to comfort and encourage his mind in the prospect of eternity—he is "looking unto Jesus." The school is in a very flourishing state; 224 on the list, 146 present, 120 spelling, 104 reading the Scriptures; about 30 committed to memory, and repeated 153 chapters this quarter: they made great progress also in writing and figures, which they are very fond of learning. There are only two or three Protestant children in this school. It often excites the warmest gratitude in my heart to God, that has put it into the hearts of his people, to afford such great and important blessings to those who would perish in ignorance and superstition. Oh what a mercy to see so many children rise to read the word of life, and to commit it to memory, and read it in the hearing of their poor benighted parents! At the close of the examinations I give a little lecture on the advantages of a Scripture education, on the love of God, on the sufferings of the Saviour, and on the influence of the Holy Spirit, to bless all to their present benefit, and eternal salvation. I find I can say a great deal, and go a great length, without endangering the schools, which I know, and am informed, would not be borne with from others. I try, also, to impress their minds with gratitude to their kind friends in England, and they appear very grateful and pray for them.

The Seven Oaks school, at Bushy Park, county of Tipperary, about thirty-five English miles north east from Limerick is in a prosperous state: the number of chapters the children repeat from memory frequently surprises me: the children of a poor Baptist brother there, near Burris O' Kane, are mighty in the Scriptures. The school discipline gave me great satisfaction, and the spelling, reading, writing, and figures, very pleasing: 74 on the list, 66 present; 62 spelling, 12 reading the Testament, and repeated 63 chapters from memory. The master is a very inoffensive and attentive man; I trust, truly pious.

In the Mary's Philanthropic school, Mount Shannon, county of Galway, about thirty-five English miles from Limerick, north north east, there are 98 on the list; 60 present, 39 spelling, 21 reading the Testament, and repeated from memory this quarter 150 chapters: always a good school, having more very poor Protestants in that village and neighbourhood than many others, and not so subject to vary from priestly attacks as some others.

In the Norwich school, at Birr, fifty English miles east from Limerick, 56 gross; 34 spelling, 22 reading the Testament; they repeated 47 chapters from memory. It was not so numerous this quarter as usual, from the extreme severity of the weather, and the nakedness and want of the children, still it is a good school, and taught by a worthy, pious, poor woman, with a large family.

The Cardigan school, at Kilbaron, is doing as well as could be expected, from the unceasing exertions of the priest there, more than usually excited in consequence of obtaining a complete victory over his champion in controversy, in presence of a number of people. The master was a very intelligent, clever man.

My dear Sir, your time and mine would not admit of my writing an account of each school under my superintendence. I send the quarterly statement, in which you see them with one view. The above I send for the satisfaction of those kind friends who support or contribute to the congregational schools. I also want time, and, indeed, inclination, to give any statement of my own humble labours. Though the weather has been extremely severe, since the 1st of February, I have been out the greater part of the time, and preached in very distant places, and in various counties, and sometimes under very trying circumstances. I preached at Benagher, King's county, sixty miles from Limerick, twice to the house full, at Walshpark, after travelling fifty miles, and preaching and administering the ordinance at Cloughjordan; gave a lecture at Ormandview, county of Galway; preached at O'Brien's Bridge, and several times at Castle Connell.

Ever yours, most affectionately,
William Thomas.

To the Secretary.

Ballina, March 20th, 1835.

My dear Sir,

I shall feel obliged to you, at your earliest convenience, to acknowledge the receipt of the following articles, kindly sent for the schools in this district.

A box of articles collected by Mrs. Thomas Allen, Birmingham, containing two packets of books from Mr. Groom; some tracts, workbags, &c. from Mrs. Glover and Miss Mansfield, Spring Hill; books, rug-worsted, and patterns, from Mrs. S. Cocks, Camp Hill; a small round stand, from Ann Husband; pin-cushions, from Mrs. Rogers, Bull-street; canvass, from Mrs. Johnson, Deritend; cotton-balls, from Mrs. Warner; patchwork, from Mrs. White; a blue bag, from Miss R. Simmons; a number of small books, from a "Well-wishing Friend to Ireland;" and numerous little rewards, from Mr. Thomas Allen and family; and from Rev. J. Smith and Sons, Astwood, 1000 needles. Since the above articles were kindly forwarded to me, Mr. Allen has received a parcel from Mr. West, containing some useful books, from "Dorcas," for the Library at Ballina; a parcel of books from Mrs. Hawkins, Stroud; and a number of pin-cushions, balls of rug-worsted, and a few workbags, and boxes of little fancy articles.

N. B. I regret to say, that in the last acknowledgment of articles from Birmingham, I omitted to mention some poetical cards, kindly sent by Mr. F. Deakin. The pair of six-inch globes, kindly offered by Mr. Mogridge, and the patchwork by Mrs. White, will be very acceptable; and if sent to Rev. J. West, 26, Little James's street, Dublin, will be forwarded by him to Ballina as soon as he has an opportunity of sending them.

Wishing you every blessing, both of a spiritual and temporal nature,

I remain, my dear Sir,
Yours very respectfully,
A. Cave.

By Rev. J. Dyer:

By the Secretary:

By the Treasurer:

Collected by the Rev. S. Davis, for the Society:

BALLINA BAPTIST CHAPEL.

An account of Money collected for this purpose, by Mr. Allen, in 1833, 1834, and 1835.

Subscriptions received by S. Marshall, Esq., 181, High Holborn; Mr. P. Millard, Bishopsgate Street; Messrs. Burks, 56 Lothbury; Rev. G. Pritchard, 4 York Place, Pentonville, gratuitous Secretary; by Messrs. Ladbrokes and Co., Bankers, Bank Buildings; by Mr. H. D. Dickie, 13 Bank Street, and Rev. Mr. Innes, Frederick Street, Edinburgh; and P. Brown, Esq., Cardigan.

LONDON: J. HADDON, PRINTER, CASTLE-STREET, FINSBURY.