INTRODUCTORY WORDS, 1873.

THE readers of THE BANNER will look for a few introductory words on the commencement of another year of its publication; and there is nothing perhaps which will be more seasonable than a short survey of that field of principles in which the Irish Church Missions are occupied. For it is needful, when we are engaged in any work which provokes opposition, that we should from time to time consider our position, that we may be strengthened if we find ourselves in the right course, or led to modify anything in which we discover a defect. If then we ask ourselves afresh, why the Irish Church Missions are necessary, and why they are conducted upon the principle of aggression, we have only to contemplate the field itself, and see what precious things are at stake in this conflict.

Two things, without which human life is reduced to a level with that of the brutes, are involved in this struggle: the one-truth, the other-liberty; and these are the things which are at stake. Now the history of Popery discloses one leading object, in the prosecution of which it shows itself to be the continuance of that marvellous power which, under the symbol of Daniel's fourth beast, was to devour, break in pieces, and stamp with his feet the residue of this earth. Of this power it has been well said that it was "not a pervading influence exerted by a restless and intellectual people, but it was the grasping power of an external government. Universal conquest and permanent occupation were the ends at which they (the Romans) aimed. The defenceless prey was made secure by craft or war." This object and this mode of securing it is the leading purpose and unceasing aim of Popery. It is a superhuman plan for bringing mankind under the dominion of a priestly class. In accordance with this the Pope carries the ancient heathen title, derived from the Cæsars, of Pontifex Maximus. By means of withholding the written Word of God from the people, and substituting a series of artificial perversions of it, and especially by the grand engine of the Confessional, the two only means of regenerating mankind and elevating the man are shut out. The whole priesthood of Rome, therefore, consciously or unconsciously, are engaged in carrying this conspiracy into effect. Yet the world will not believe this, and therein lies the success of the design. As has been truly said, "The very iniquity of the Church of Rome is her refuge." From time to time there escapes a sound out of the cave, as when some awakened conscience divulges what is going on. Such was the letter of the Jesuit Pierce Connelly to the late Earl of Shrewsbury. Such also was the

account given by the Abbate Leone of the secrets of the Jesuit Convention. Both these documents should be carefully read by Englishmen, whatever their politics or religious views. But let the reader ponder the following statements of Mr. Ffoulkes, who has recently returned to the Church of his fathers. We have called Popery a superhuman plan. This is what Mr. Ffoulkes has written deliberately of that Church from which he has escaped :

Gradually the conviction dawned upon me, that this wondrous system, such as I have described it, such as it exists in our day, was a colossal lie, a gigantic fraud, a superhuman imposture; the most artistically contrived take-in for general credence, for lasting hold, for specious appearances, ever palmed upon mankind."

Now what we would impress upon the readers of THE BANNER, and through them upon the friends of the Irish Church Missions, is this, that where a system like this is allowed to take root in a land, spiritual ignorance and bondage of conscience must inevitably prevail, and where these are there is an end to civil and social liberty. For be it remembered, that the priests themselves are the greatest slaves of all. The gospel proposes and procures freedom to the man by enlightening him; for

"He is the freeman, whom the truth makes free."

But Romanism effectually enslaves the man. Purgatory and the Confessional are her two spiritual thumb-screws. By them she coerces the conscience, while she panders to the natural corruptions by making money the ultimate equivalent for liberation and dispensation; she secures the captivity of the individual by worming out his secrets and putting a medium between the Mediator and the sinner. Thus the two greatest blessings in the life of man are choked by this hideous system. On the one side the pure light of the gospel is hidden from him, and a false light, leading to idolatry and to a low standard of morals, is substituted for it. On the other the free exercise of those powers which God has intrusted to each man, and for the right use of which He holds him accountable is crippled. It is the Scribe and the Pharisee over again. "They shut up the kingdom of heaven against men, for they neither go in themselves, neither suffer they them that are entering to go

in."

We forbear to touch upon the disclosures of the immorality of Popery. They who read what the ex-Jesuit P. Connelly says about it, or the testimony of Mr. Ffoulkes, or that of Mr. Alcock in his recent work on "Medieval Romanism," may see enough to point out the real application of Rev. xvii. 5. There was an attempt made to hush up the discoveries which the Communists made in Paris which, for the interest of truth and religion, has succeeded but too well. But

what is the result of the system? The mass of men become infidels. Romanism, not Protestantism, is the mother of the devastating infidelity of France, Italy, and Spain, and of the cold indifference of Austria. Had there been no Popery, there had been no French revolution. Yet for all this, we are disposed to regard with compassion the men while we denounce the system. We repeat, that there is no greater slave than the priest himself, for he is both spy and spied in turns.

Here then is the ground for the work of the Irish Church Missions, and hence we appeal again to all our friends to unite in prayer on behalf of the Society at the approaching Anniversary of its birth, the 16th January. True that it occupies but one small portion of the field of conflict. But looking at this country which is become the retreat and fastness of all the expatriated mischief-makers of the Continent, it is the most important portion of it. England has been, ever since the Reformation, the one desideratum of Rome. To get our freedom once more under her Concordat, to wield our national and political power for her ends, she has prayed, and wrought, and manoeuvred. Hitherto the Lord has kept his ark in our midst. Is He going to leave us? We trust not; but if we would retain His presence we must be faithful. We close these remarks with the following pungent lines of our truly English poet, William Cowper :

"Hast thou admitted with a blind fond trust,

The lie that burned thy fathers' bones to dust;

That first adjudged them heretics, then sent

Their souls to heaven, and cursed them as they went ;
The lie that Scripture strips of its disguise

And execrates above all other lies;

The lie that claps a lock on Mercy's plan
And gives the key to yon infirm old man,
Who once ensconced in Apostolic chair
Is deified, and sits omniscient there;

The lie that knows no kindred, owns no friend
But him that makes its progress his chief end:
That, having spilt much blood, makes that a boast
And canonizes him that sheds the most ?

Away with charity that soothes a lie

And thrusts the truth with scorn and anger by!
Shame on the candour and the gracious smile
Bestowed on them that light the Martyr's pile;
While insolent disdain in frowns exprest
Attends the tenets that endured that test!
Grant them the rights of men, and, while they cease
To vex the peace of others, grant them peace.
But trusting bigots, whose false zeal hath made
Treachery their duty, thou art self-betrayed."

THE MISSION WORK A REAL WORK,

BY THE REV. F. G. LUGARD, M.A.,

Rector of St. Clement's, Worcester.

AMONGST the most recent testimonies to the character of the Missionwork in Ireland is that of the Rev. F. G. Lugard, whose residence in India for many years has given him an opportunity of drawing an interesting comparison between the more distant field of labour and that nearer to our own shores. Mr. Lugard was in Ireland in October last, and has kindly furnished the subjoined report of his observations :

"I had the great pleasure last month of visiting Ireland for the first time, and inspecting the greater part of the Irish Church Mission work. I had long taken a deep interest in the Society, and had heard abundant testimony regarding the reality of its Missionary work, as well as the large blessing which evidently rests upon it; but what I witnessed on the spot exceeded my highest expectations. To begin with Dublin : I paid a most delightful visit to each of the schools, heard the children catechized in such a manner as no similar class of children in England that I have yet seen could have stood so thoroughly well; for they were all of the poorest class, and mostly Roman Catholics. I also heard the young men and young women, who are in training for teachers, etc., examined, and was truly surprised at their proficiency, not merely in the Romish controversy, but in the Scriptures generally, in mental arithmetic, geography, and general knowledge. It is evident that the native Irish are a remarkably intelligent people, and the children very lively and clever. I was struck with this wherever I went, and felt as if the work of teaching such children would be a real pleasure. I visited the Birds' Nest also at Kingstown, and was greatly pleased with the perfect order and cleanliness, the intelligence and the evident happiness of the hundred and ninety children maintained there. It is a blessed institution, indeed; and there can be no doubt that this and the other schools must gradually be the means of diffusing a leaven of true godliness into all parts of priest-ridden, benighted Ireland.

"The evening meetings held in various parts of Dublin for amicable discussion are peculiarly interesting and important. The Irish Roman Catholics, instead of taking offence, have evidently a keen love of controversy. Combativeness seems to be quite their recreation, and I was amused to see how the champions of Romish error kept their ground, and yielded only inch by inch, and all with perfect good humour. I was present also at one of the large tea-parties held in the

Mission-building-a gathering of strangers, some of a ragged description, some few of more respectable appearance-in all probability not less than four hundred. These tea-parties are given at private expense, with a view to the great benefit resulting from them. Addresses were delivered by several gentlemen, and were listened to and evidently enjoyed by the poor, ignorant people, few of whom had heard the truth as it is in Jesus before. The results of these gatherings soon appear in the increase of inquirers and of attendants in the adult Sunday school.

"I can give but an imperfect account of the work carried on in Dublin, for the greater part of my time was spent in Connemara, where I passed the only two Sundays that I could spare from home duties.

My first Sunday was occupied partly in Clifden, partly in Sellerna. The Rev. H. C. Cory preached the annual sermon for the Society in Clifden church, after which I visited the Sunday schools and the Glenowen Orphanage, and dined with good Mr. D'Arcy. I need scarcely say how much I was delighted to form the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. D'Arcy. The orphanage is a deeply interesting one, admirably managed by Miss Gore, and, as I proved in subsequent visits, the teaching corresponds with all that I witnessed throughout the Missions. The children are everywhere thoroughly grounded in the Bible. I may here mention what struck me in all the schools, the great value of the One hundred selected texts, with which both children and converts were familiar. These form, in a limited compass, a perfect foundation of divine truth, upon which more general instruction can be built, and they are amply sufficient to arm them at all points against Romish error or its kindred infidelity.

"On Sunday-evening we went to Sellerna, and attended divine service. This interesting station, with its zealous Missionary, the Rev. George Shea, we visited again on the following Thursday, when we saw also the schools at Barnahallia, Omey Island, Patches, and Sellerna. On Monday, we went to Roundstone, and across the water to Moyrus-a wild spot, indeed, but beginning to blossom as the rose with the flowers of Christian life. My second Sunday was spent in Moyrus, and in the evening at Roundstone. Moyrus has triumphed over a cruel persecution, and, doubtless, Mr. Conerney is amply rewarded for his anxieties by the stability and growth of his people. These wild regions, and the use of a foreign language, which I heard continually, reminded me very strongly of all I had seen in Tinnevelly; and, certainly, I did not witness, even in India, a more real missionary work than in Connemara. I must not omit to mention Ballyconree station