"The Hibernian Sunday School Society, Dublin, was instituted in 1809, and flourishes under the patronage of such distinguished names as those of the Marquis and Marchioness of Downshire, the Earl and Countess of Meath, Bandon, and Gosford, Lords Lorton and de Vesci, the Bishops of Ferns and Kildare, the Members for the county and city of Dublin, &c. Its object is to encourage Sunday-schools, and week-day schools in connection with them. Since its commencement, it has afforded assistance in the way of books, money, &c. to 252 schools, containing 28,598 children. Its funds have hitherto been supplied by private subscriptions in Dublin and elsewhere, as well as by donations from this country. It has also been effectually aided by the Female Societies of Dublin and Youghhall. But it appears, from the last Report, that the want of funds is the sole obstacle to the extension of its benevolent aims. " In June, 1815, was formed, in London, the [Baptist] Society for Circulating Schools in Ireland. Its object is to teach the natives of Ireland to read the scriptures in their own vernacular tongue. Although there are from a million and a half to two millions, who can speak no language but their own, this is the only society which has for its object the instruction of the poor in the art of reading it with correctness. Several schools have already been established on the circulating plan, and the number of children in attendance exceeds one thousand. The plan adopted is unquestionably the best that could have been. proposed, and the prospects of success are exceedingly encouraging. Such are the benevolent institutions for educating the poor in Ireland, which solicit the aid of the Christian public. They all co-operate in one great object, and the spirit which actuates them all is the same. The object is confessedly great, and the means employed for its accomplishment are wise and salutary. Why should such institutions be allowed to languish for want of adequate support? The Irish are our fellow-subjects and our brethren. They long for instruction, *Since the first Annual Report, they have increased to about 3000,-ED. and they eagerly grasp at it when of fered. At present, they need our help, and they petition it; and if it is liberally given, they may, ere long, be enabled to return it with double interest. "Paisley, March 1, 1816." Subscriptions received by James Carlile, Esq. and the Rev. Mr. Burns, of Paisley. ACADEMICAL INSTITUTION STEPNEY. On the 14th of January last, the annual meeting of the Subscribers and Friends to this Institution was held at the New London Tavern, Cheapside, London, when the Report of the Committee was read, and officers chosen, for the ensuing year. The following is the substance of the Report: "Your Committee report, that in the course of the past year, six students were received on the foundation of this Society.-Samuel Green, from the church at East Dereham; Josiah Denham, from ditto; Edmund Clarke, from Fetter-lane, London; Timothy Hathaway, from Colchester, were admitted at Stepney: William Fisher, of Newcastle upon Tyne, has been placed with Mr. Pengilly, of Newcastle; John Bane, of Norwich, placed under the care of Mr. Kinghorne; George Pope, who had spent a few months at Olney, and on the decease of Mr. Sutcliffe, was placed with Mr. Anderson, of Dunstable, where he spent two years, at his own request, and at the recommenda tion of Mr. Anderson, has been admitted for one year at Stepney. "At present 18 students are sup ported by the friends of your Societyfifteen at Stepney, one at Bradford, one at Newcastle, and one at Norwich. "In the course of the past year, Mr. J. Clarke, one of your students, was settled at Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, where his labours have been much blessed, and where a prospect is offered of great use fulness. "Two other students have left the Academy at Stepney, at Christmas lastMr. John Clarke, who is now supplying the church at Folkstone, in Kent; and Mr. Richard Miller, who is supplying the church at Braintree. "Your Committee have received applications on behalf of other young men of promising gifts, to be admitted at Stepney, one of which has been accepted. 64 Your Committee reflect with pleasure on the smiles of a gracious providence with which this Institution has been blessed. A considerable number of persons who have been patronized by your Society, and who, either at Stepney, or in the country, have received some advantages of education from its friends, are now labouring in the vineyard with reputation and acceptance, and several with a good degree of success. "Your Committee feel a great pleasure, also, in expressing their hope, that prejudices formerly entertained against Institutions of this nature, are daily diminishing, and that in proportion as the principles on, which they are founded, and the economy by which they are regulated are understood, the number of their friends will be increased; and they are happy to add, that the deportment, and public services of your students in general, they have reason to believe have made an impression favourable to the Society by which they have been patronized, and they trust that Providence will continue to raise up young men of piety and talent for the patronage of this Institution, who, though they may not attain the literary eminence of an Owen and a Gill, of a Doddridge and a Watts, of a Marshman and a Carey, yet shall be qualified, in some measure, to detect the sophistry of learned adversaries, and to extend the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. "Your Committee cannot but rejoice that many of our ministers, both in town and country, though not having been favoured themselves with the advantages which your Institution offers, yet are fully aware of their value and utility, and patronize the Society by their subscriptions and exertions. "Who among us, indeed, can be insensible, that to this Institution, and to others of a kindred nature in our denomination, our churches must, for the most part, have recourse for men duly quali fied to supply vacancies occasioned by the removal of pastors, as well as to occupy new situations, both at home and abroad; at a time when Zion is lengthening her cords, and stretching forth the curtains of her habitation, on the right hand and on the left. "The friends of this Institution must be aware, that, without their continued aid, its present expenditure cannot be supported; but the Committee hope, that through their active exertions, and the blessing of the great Head of the church, to be able not only to perpetuate, but still more widely to extend its benefit," COMMITTEE. Rev. William Newman, President, and Joseph Gutteridge, Esq. Treasurer; ON THE FRIENDSHIP OF CHRIST. Many Articles of Domestic Intelligence are unavoidably deferred. London: Printed by J. BARFIELD, 91, Wardour-Street, Soho. Baptist Magazine. APRIL, 1817. EXTRACT FROM A MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. WILLIAM COLES, OF AMPTHILL, (FATHER-IN-LAW OF THE LATE REV. ANDREW FULLER,) WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. "EBENEZER. peace, in believing, aged 74 "I was the eldest of four children, and, from the earliest part of my life, was restrained from as "I HAVE Sometimes thought, that it is a small tribute which is due from me (the most unworthy of all others) to the free and so-sociating with children who were vereign grace of God, in Christ Jesus, to leave behind me some memorials of my life and experience; so that my surviving friends may, by having another witness to the truth and importance of religion, be excited to rely on the power and grace of Christ; and to persevere in the good ways of God, which I, and thousands more, have found to be ways of pleasantness, and paths of peace.' "I was born at Daventry, in Northamptonshire, March 2d, 1735, (old style.) My parents were both of them pious, and were members of the dissenting church in that town, many years. My father was received a member of the church, as I have heard him relate, at about 18 years of age, at the time when Mr. Mattock was pastor. He was a lively, warm-hearted, zealous, and active Christian, from the time he first became acquainted with experimental religion to the day of his death; and died at Daventry, May 8, 1778, full of joy and VOL. IX. profane and vicious; and as soon R |