The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-30
THE GOSPEL IN IRELAND
Progressive Work of the Protestant
Churches in that Catholic Country.
Address of the Rev. DR.. Irwin in Behalf of
the Irish Presbyterians-Mor and
Religious Needs of the People.

Rev. DIR. Irwin, minister Of the Prasbyte r
ian Church in Ireland. addressed an audience at
the Second Church last night on "Ths Reiig-
ious Condition of Ireland" A large congreea-
ton was present and listened with close atten-
ton to the eloquent representative OF Irish
Presbyterianism The music was also made
decided feature of the occasion. the choir being
larger than usual Dr. Irwin at the beginning
of his address alluded briefly 70 the general
history of Christianity in Ireland, going even as
Tar back az the time of st. Patrick. He said
that the different Protestant churches on that
island to-day were all in more or less healthy
condition and that they were gradually becom-
ing more united in efforts for the advancement
OF Christianity. Especially was this the case
with the Episeopalsan. Presbyterian and Meth
odisr churches. Referring more particularly to
the condition of his own denomination,
be called attention TO the fact that Irish Presby
terianism was the mother of that in America.
as Rev. Francis Mackenzie, OF Donegal county,
Ireland. established the first Presbyterian
church in this country. In giving statistics in
dicating the progress OF the Irish Presbyterians.
he said that they had six hundred ministers and
. mem bership of several hundred thousand.
He then described the method in which the
hoped every one would understand that the aim
of the church in that country was nothing more
than TO give the gospel to the people It did not
aim at proselyting. The desire Of Protestant
ism and Presbyterianism in ireland was merely
to make the people better Christians and more
obedient to the gospel of Christ The gospel
was what Ireland needed, although legislation
and education had done much for the
country. The Irish owed much to the
national schools, and much to the laSors of Mr..
Gladstone. who had removed iong-standing
grievances by the disestablishment of the Irish
church, and also by his land acts. Indeed. the
good done for Ireland by Gladstone could hardly
be overestimated-but something more than
legislation and education was needed in that
country Tt was the moral welfare and the spr-
itual education of the people; and that could be
brought about only By the gospel of Christ The
fault of the Catholic Church was in it's subver-
sion OF education. A few years ago. when the
English government was threatening the exist
ence of Catholicism in Ireland, and when the
enemies of the Church advanced as q reason for
their hostility the fact that it did not educate
the people even in the Bible. the Catholic Church
got out edition of the Bible. containing pref
atory remarks by the Pope. and circulated 1T
quite freely among the people. More religious
literature was put into circulation in this way
than there had been for years before; but when
the Catholic emancipation came some years aft
erward, the ardor among the Catholic clergy
for study of the Bible by the people suddenly
ceased again, and IN a short time the editions
ceased to be printed. Agents of the Presbyter-
ian Church then purchased the plates from
which the Catholic Bible had been published
and printed hundreds which they were now
engaged in distributing among the peoples He
considered this altogether the most advisable
method of work in ireland. se
The outlook for Professionalism in Ireland was
good. Tho question was often asked: Is there
any hope that Ireland will yet be won to Christ;
that she will abandon her superstition, forsake
her crimes and accept the gospelF The same
answer could be made to this question that Was
made by the missionary to Burmah who was.
asked If the outlook for Christianity was bright
in that country. and who replied that it was 40
bright as the promises of God. All that could
be done was to carry out the commands OF the
gospel; and SO the Irish Presbytsrians were
merely seeking to SOW the seed of the gospel
willing to trust God to crown their efforts with
success. But there was definite encouragement
regarding the prospects of Irish Professionalism.
The political agitation in ireland, although re-
sulting in great evil otherwise, was helping the
Professionals, as it had served to make the people
more independents in their action toward the Ro-
man Church, for the latter had to greater
or less extent espoused the of the govern
ment. The speaker had nothing against the
Roman Catholics. He had been born and raised
among them and knew them to be q kind 1peo-
pie, especially those in the south and west of
ireland. The only thing he had against their
church was that it would not accept the
of God as its religion: on that account alone he
rejoieed when he saw the Church OF Rome losing
its power over the people. A great many peo-
pie had mistaken ideas about the luminosity
which supposed to exist among Catholics
towards Professionals When Moody and Sankey
visited Dublin the Roman Catholic editor of a
paper in that city expressed the hope there
would be no opposition to the American evangel-
lists. as they came q religious mission and
that ought to be encouraged by any denomina-
ton. Then there was change in the conduct
of the Irish Catholic clergy, who were now
being taught in a great many instances
TO preach the simple word of God.
The Popes last manifesto in regard to national
affairs had unquestionably shaken his hold upon
the Irish people. He had been compelled to do
this in part In response to the appeals Of the
English government, and the result was that
the breach between the Pope and the people had
been still further widened; the door was now
opened as it had never been before. The danger
in such an emergency. as the history of other
countries showed, was that the people would
drift into infidelity. It the duty, therefore,
of those who loved God to press through that
open door and urge the people to accept Chris
tianty. There great hope for Ireland; the
light was slowly breaking. Ireland would yet
be liberated. for God would make His people
free. In conclusion DIR. Irwin paid high trib-
ute to the character of Irish Catholics, pro-
nouucing them the most devoted of people TO
what they believed was right; all they needed 70
know now was the truth.
At the conclusion of his address DR.. Mcleod,
pastor of the Second Church. made few re-
marks concerning the work which had been ac-
compished by DR.. Irwin. He WAS the pastor OF
8 church at Bray, a watering place near the
city of Dublin, where few years ago he had
established Presbyterian mission and built
school There were very few Protestants in
that section OF the country, and not many to
help such an undertaking along; therefore,
while DIR. Irwin had made such request, he
would call for contributions from those who felt
interested in the cause. the money to be paid TO
himself and turned over 10 DR.. Irwin. No
regular collection taken, but number
offered contributions.
The Y. nj. @. A. Meeting.
There was an excellent audience yesterday