The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-11-26 00:00:00

THE IRISH SOCIETY

On Tuesday morning the friends of this excellent so,
tiety breakfasted together at the Adelphi Hotel. The
chairman was the Rev. HUGH APNEILE, who, after the
company had sun.- a hymn, read a portion of the 2nd
chapter of Acts, and then delivered the following address:
7-He said their attention in that portion of Holy Scrip-
ture was called to the matter of language; and he might
be permitted to add one or two observations to what he
bad said the evening before. There was a remarkable
peculiarity in the case of language as a medium of corn-
Munication ; for, while man's communication with God
was identical all the world over, by means of faith, and
while his communication with external nature was the
same, the senses acting identically everywhere, his com-
munication with his fellow-men was not the same. With
the Bible before them, they found no difficulty in account-
ing for this ; because, while there had been no divine in-
terference to disturb the unity of man's communication
With God and external nature, there had been an inter-
ference to disturb the unity of communication between
Man and man. That interference took place at Babel.
Here they read, at the commencement of the gospel his-
tory, when the middle wall of partition was to be broken
down, of a counter interference—a sort of anti-Babel
Miracle—supplying the apostles with power to speak in
divers languages. The design appeared to be, that during
the Christian dispensation there should be a variety of
languages. The design of the Christian miracle was not
to enable all nations to understand the same language,
but to enable Christian preachers to address them in their
different languages. (Hear.) Here they found Christi-
• aoity, as usual, in direct opposition to the perversions of
the Church of Rome. As if by a fatality which presented
that system everywhere in opposition to God, the aim of
the Church of Rome was unity of language, as if that
were the genius of the Christian religion. She would
have all learn Latin, in the face of the passage he had
read, showing that the great Christian miracle established
the use of divers languages. (Hear.) With respect to
the proposal that a particular book should be printed in
the Irish language, he wished to observe, that although it
was to be a distinct undertaking, they raw their way to
the accomplishment of it if they found funds. The pri-
illary difficulty would be a correct translation. But he
thought there were gentlemen in Ireland who could be
profitably employed in making it. The British and Fo-
reign Society had a set of Irish types, and though they
Would not, as a society, meddle with the printing of any
book but the Bible, they might lend the types to the Re-
ligious Tract Society, who would attend to the printing.
The Rev. J. R. CONNOR said it had been suggested,
that by giving the printing to the Achill Mission press,
they would gain two objects—first, in getting a good
translation, and, secondly, in assisting the mission.
The CHAIRMAN said the hint should be attended to.
The Rev. WILLIAM PENNEFATHER, one of the depu-
tation, said, that with reference to the operations of the
society, he would mention some circumstances which had
come under his own observation. In a former parish of
his, in the county of Cavan, he had once called a meeting
of the teachers, which was attended by about 200 persons.
After prayer and exercises, as usual, they were dismissed,
and two of them' named Keegan and Campbell, on re-
turning home, thke weather being extremely hot, were
taken ill, and subsequently died. It was a melancholy
and very serious fact; but the priests instantly laid hold
of it, and spread through the country that they had died
by the direct visitation of God, for attending a meeting
for the translation of the scriptures. Keegan, who was
about 34 years of age, had left a widow and se' eral chil-
dren. He would like to read them an account of this
funeral. [The speaker then read a letter from a brother
clergyman,
describing the opposition that had been made.
9n the part of the relatives of the deceased, to his being
buried in the family vault, and the effect of the persecu-
ting and unchristian spirit so manifested, in inducing se-
veral, and amongst them the widow, who had previously
been undecided, to quit the pale of the Romish church.]
s narrative, he said, was remarkable in one particular,
overwhelming,
it showed them how events, seemingly the most
oburrweihelming, turned out, to individuals and to the
liar collectively, the greatest blessings. So the pecu-
-44 ifficulties surrounding the Church of Ireland, if they
tend patience and trust in the Lord, would be found to
;,_to the deepening of the piety of that church, and to
more extensive usefulness to their unhappy country.
"e would therefare commit the case of the Irish church
aPeril° their
Prayerful consideration. They stood in the most
titivs, position, and looking to the prospects of human
statesnaen found they could expect none. Oh, that the
to gratify
selfish
poi of England would consider the case even in a
church of view. If they thus sold the Irish church
Irish c hwia°l-4eci
rnanism, they would find that the English
Rornanists, not long stand. They were one; and if the
statut
went, let them depend upon it that the
on the
endeavourin now, contrary to their oaths registered
ejbook of the Parliament of Britain, were
to bond gto overthrow that church, would find words
English statesmen of England to the state of the
Mr-- cl'nreb, and in the same manner it would fall.
ennefather then gave an interesting account of a
man Catholic youth, who was studying for the minis-
fry
at Rino-'s•court, having been taken by him from the
streets and Placed at school, where he displayed so much
intelligence and sweetness of disposition, that having
ultimately avowed his preference for the Protestant faith,
. he was placed where he would, in time, be qualified for
expounding and commending it to others.
The Rev. D. FOLEY wished to give a somewhat (Effer-
ent tone to their feelings from that which they were likely
to receive from the reverend gentleman who had just ad-
dressed them. Not that he at all disputed h;s facts, but
he thought they were entitled to cherish brighter hopes.
God delivered the three Israelites of old from the power
of Nebuchadnezzar, but it was not till they were in the
midst of the fiery furnace ; he saved Daniel, but not till
he was in the lions' den; he delivered Israel out of cap-
but not till they had hung their harps upon the
willows till their hearts were sad, and they felt their mi-
:heroyulawdo
c 1 bondage. It was of vast importance that they
intended
ep o e
ge strong
retes to
m earenidofgood courage. God evidently
thetheir nation. He had roused
e wereTher %% •er
at any moment t I
faainthdfutlhe light of the truth was spreading.
knew that if men in Ireland, who were prepared
gwrheaoti"
Point, thes•
° ay down their lives for the Gospel, and
they a
last fortoight 'ould only compromise that. one
would have perfect peace. Within the
had put his Mind Protestant clergyman in the south, who
for publicly oli zealously to that work, had been prayed
sense entertained their cause.aulu
all the Romish chapels. This marked the
by the priests of tile injury he was doing
ti on in
alreland They should, he repeated, have no agita-
protest , if they would only consent to wave their
that stirred'anist the errors of Popery. It was the Bible
tie all the opposition. But there could be no
timnri°.°pebstween light and darkness. The observations of
to his noefather on the Irish language suggested a thought
tn
had struck upon the very error of Popery in trying by
every Parliament to abolish the Irish language. Penal
ever Were enacted against it : it had been discouraged in
in one ay, and treated as a hostile thing, as, doubtless.
of sense, it was ; sedition, rebellion, and every kind On Tuesday, at the Court of Requests, a man named
clonief, was hatched in it. But what were they James Brownbill, a watchsher, of Comus-stree , was
ing? They were trying to abolish a mark of God's time defendant in a case in which Mr. James Parker, (rep-
w""se, which would remaini till the end of time. God's resentativc of St. Anne's Ward,) claimed from him £5,
e.eoirk was to correct in the world : he did not abolish the being the amount of a promissory note, payable on de-
ml- either in time saints or in the world, but he put ano- mend. Mr. Parker's bookkeeper was present, and
principleßrown-
ac in action, which went through the great bill acknowledged having received the money, but stated
of crime, and darkness, and wickedness, correcting, that it had been lent in consideration that he should vote
It renovatin re ewin till the day of Christ should come. for Mr. Paker at the then coming municipal election
they would follog; the analogy of God's dealings, as and that her
was to pay it in the course of six months., Well as the plain dictates of his word, they would try to The Commissioner, Mr. Lowndes, adjourned the case
remedy, not to abrogate; to find a machinery suited to until Friday, to give Mr. Parker an opportunity to attend,
man as he is, not as he should be. 'Whenever they turned as this statement in some degree reflected on the charac-
away from this principle they fell into many mistakes, ter of that gentleman, and might perhaps involve him in
and the Lord stamped confusion and dismay on all their a penalty. It was resumed on that day, and Brownbill
attempts. [Mr. Foley here, at the request of the Chair- having again admitted the debt to be owing, the Com-
mon, detailed the circumstances under which he had him- missioner had him sworn in order that he might hear what
self quitted the Rornish communion, which were listened he might plead for delay of payment. Brownbill then
to with great interest.] They were little aware of the said—Mr. Parker lent me £5 in consideration that I
ordeal through which a convert to Protestantism in Ire- should vote for him.
,meter I signed that note, I saw what
landt had to pass. The first thing a priest did, if he could was in it, and I said could not pay it on demand---Ihrninfau" him to go back, was to expatriate him, to drive could not pay it sooner than six months. With that he
saeLeirom time place, by exciting the people against him, patted me on the shoulder, and said, "Do not put your-
nnreci e; it " too hot " for him, as the phrase was. For self out of the rood; you can pay it when you can."
theynan, a schoolmaster, who was thus treated at Galway, When I asked him to lend me the money he said he could
years; death,
liis wife was d got a situation at Dublin. He was away five not do it himself, hut would go to the treasurer of the
then taken ill, and being on the point committee and see what he could do. Ile at first offered
of
she wished to be taken back to Galway. She it me on no conditions, saying that he would give it me;
itdiseirtride the place alive, contrary to all expectation • and but I said it would be of no use for what I wanted, and
her rel tir.l that, in addition to her desire to be buried' with again asked him to lend me £5. He said he would
los 4. 'yes, she was anxious to testify the sincerity of be back at three o'clock, but he came beck at one o'clock,
of
theim wession. No one could form an idea of the extent and brought the money with him. There was nobody
hypnrF,ry against persons in her situation—that they are present but Mr. Parker and myself. This was on the
die 2.1,e5, aml will be glad to have the priest when they Thursday but one before time election, the 24th of Oc-
priest
_'3ue steadily refused all entreaties to receive the tober. Time note specified that the £5 was for goods. I
oonst, ur the ointment, but died sound in the faith. The voted against him on the day of election. Mr. Wiggc,
three Vence was that a universal ferment was excited ; the collector, called for the money after the election, and
The Dr,u'rdred men, women, and children followed her to in consequence I went to Mr. Parker's office. When I
beei7tiuive with all manner of execrations; she was refused saw him I told him I could not pay it at present; lie told
in the sns the consecrated ground ; and after being interred me to go to Mr. Bradley, and complained that I had
and ealdsnt d, four miles off, under a strong force of police voted and canvassed asainst him.—Tne promissory note
nallin `or Fuard, the grave was opened in the night, the as handed to the bench, and Brownhill remarked that it
rolled o;,°'`en to pieces and the body kicked out and was " for goods," and he had received no goods. The
think nc-vv,rl the shore towards'
the sea. What must they commissioner handed him the note, and he stated that
Irishsi the odium that rested upon a convert, ohm it was the same. The commissione=r remarked that it did
was on could forget that respect for the dead which not set forth that it was "for goods," but "for value re-
as_they h"4, the stronkest feelings in their bosom, and act ceived.
' done to the corpse of this poor woman ! The Commissioner then told Mr. Parker that it was
t?t,t‘Pellan Institution
• N. IRON explained the mode in which the
. quite optional for him to enter into any remarks or to
n r toution was worked. They did not, as in make any statement, because the matter was connected
Inent ",,,".ances, receive the children into one establish- with an act of Parliament that subjected parties to penal-
thern'fn%rnieh was thought not so well calculated to adapt ties.
with r their future situations in life. They placed (hens Mr. Parker thanked the Commissioner for his kindness
a pieceeePectithle farmers or cottiers and, for four guineas in adjcurning the case, and expressed the utmost willing-
hod od ' they had them comfortably' lodged, fed, clothed, ness to state everything which had occurred. He wes
alreadyucitnaafe_do With respect to a subject which had been then sworn, and said—the first thing that drew his atten-
'tllieint of
t,Tioned, he was happy to say that the treat- lion to this matter was an application from the wife of
f 'man Campbell had been very different from the defendant, who called at litoffice• She left word for
tee beery been described as having been shown to him to call upon her husband, and. he did so. They
ote, Though he had beenfaithful servant of the showed hini a letter from Poulton-in-the.Fyldt:, which
iello 'au won the esteem af
Roman Catholic letter lie read at the time. It purported to state that her
and -``e P.arlshioners, many of whomo
attended. his funeral, mother was in a dying state, end begged that Mrs.
aet sotied
nrene itev time strongest affection for him. Brownbill oould go down as soo.n as she could. Mr.
their he the • "EPH BA YLEE took that opportunity of 13rownbill then said his brother's wife was lately dead, and
11,t)tir own extension of the operations of the society to they wanted mourning. He pleaded foreiaoliorm
inan nd. There were not fewer than 30,000 Irish then be (Mr. Parker) said, if a sovereign would time,
h be and
the d° Z0,f0.0 0. i these
"thclies in Liverpool, and not less altogether any service he would give it. Brownhill then asked for
parts of England, as deeply bigoted £5. He said that was a large sum, and be. would not like
Ir;sh in superstition as in any part of Ireland. to lend that without some sort of security.
saidn
'°'il in Liverpool was quite as importaet as in (offered him a silver watch is security. He he did
y9r the hothotig castehre might riot be the mountain scenery not want that, hut, if he would give him his note of
'ng himn gs to an interest over the work of reclaim- hand, he would lend it. accordingly went back to
"'Yeti He had once a Scripture reader of his own em- the house with the stamp and gave him the money. Both
by a' .n
(Al Grnt:erPeol, the necessary expense being borne Brownbill and his wife expressed much gratitude, and as
ho Red hi s ; but the increase of work at Birkenhead he was going out Brownbill said,
ovvoeer,
.T to withdraw him. He could assure them, turn deserves another, I'll vote for yen." He (Mr.
"Mr. Packer, one e_o_od
goo ever, tili„,l to
there was an ample field, and that much Parker) said. " Brownbill, I have nabing to do with
Mr. i!'"t be done• your vote. Do as you like with it," That was all that
pre xarNaa
e_t positi ATHER and Mr. FOLEY approved of the passed with regard to voting. He never saw brow. nbill
Sot's °eel", and said that, as far as sending qualified per- (rem that day, which was the 24th of October, until the
The tt; t_hey bad no doubt it might he carried out. day he came to the office. When he (Mr. Parker) had
id)!rsons ,e,"INIAN suggested that, in the first place, two read the letter, Brownbill drew his attention to the post-
eof be be sent over, to be under the superinten- mark upon it, saying it was genuine, (or to that effect,
Baylee, should the committee in Dublin, as we understood Mr. Parker.) He (Mr. Parker) had