synagogue, and situate in a part of the city where most of the Jews reside. Mr. S. of Wicklinghansen near Ebbersfield will be the minister, and on writing to know if he would accept the situation, he replied, "he looked on this call, as the call of the Lord, and could not therefore otherwise but comply with it." "Professor Fis next month to go home for a year." DOMESTIC RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. The Struile Pilgrims.-Copy of a letter from a friend in the country : "According to my promise, I sit down to give you a brief account of the pilgrim whom I visited at Struile, in the summer of lust year. His name was L—, a native of Loughrea, Co. Galway; his story ran thus-Early in the year 1826, at which time he (L.) was just of age, when going to his work in the morning, as usual, and little apprehending the awful circumstances that awaited him, he met a man, who, at first thought, differed but little from other folk, but who, whether from curiosity or impudence, stared very earnestly in his face. That night, he was awoke by a strong light which shone through the room where he was in bed, and he perceived it proceeded from the face of the "most beautifullest creature," that ever be saw. He smiled at L. with great composure, (which by the bye I much marvel at, considering his situation at that time) but poor L. was so overpowered that he dare not address him. He remained with him several hours, and at last, much to his joy, took his departure in silence. The few times he had courage to look at him, however, convinced him he was no other than the same man he saw the day before. The visits of this person at last became seriously frequent, and poor L. described himself to me as "wasting away to a thread" in consequence of the rude and constant intrusions of this unhappy spirit -he used to meet him at all times, and in all places, and when he met him on road, L. was in the habit of drawing his hat over his eyes, to prevent him from staring at him, as he was in the habit of doing-but all would not do-he came up, and with an effrontery seldom equaled pulled up his hat, and quite stared him out of countenance; at last, as things could not be allowed to go on farther in this distressing state, and L. was fast hastening to his grave, he summoned up resolution to address him, and having done he recounted the following marvel lous particulars: "I am the soul of one Pat Brady, of Strangford, in the North of Ireland: when I was alive, I had two sons, whom I loved as dearly as I did my own life, they had been seized with a dreadful fever, which we all expected would soon put a period to their existence; I was very miserable about them, and in the hope of prolonging their dear lives, I vowed to the Virgin Mary, that if they recovered I would perform 32 stations at Struile; they did recover, but, by my sowl, I never done the stations, my jewel, not but I intended it howsomever-but before I set about them, in troth, I died. I have been since in purgatory, where I was obliged to remain until you were of age, for I could not call on you before. The day I died was the day you were born, now 21 years past in February. Those 21 years I have thus spent-9 of them I was kept up to my chin in water, under the Quaile Bridge-I was taken away from that, and removed to a quarry in Co. Roscommon, for 7 years, and I have been for the last 5 years, and now am, in a lime kiln, in the Co. Roscommon, where the very bowels are burned out of me. I call now on you, by the love of the Virgin Mary, to release me by doing my stations-set out alone, never ask the way until you meet me again." "Accordingly L. set out, never asked his way, and arrived in safety at Struile, where I saw him repeatedly; he was the most pitiable object I ever saw--the blood was flowing from his knees, which were not only excoriated, but excarnated. It was an awful sight. Whether he was the dupe or the impostor, God only knows. I wish I could give it to you in L's words, but they were true Irish." ROMISH PENANCES. The following are extracts of a communication sent to us by our valued correspondent" Senex.". "Scenes somewhat similar to those of St. Patrick's Purgatory have been ac customed to take place in a wild and romantic part of the county of Cork called Gougane Barra, a sequestered spot well calculated to awaken awful ideas of the grandeur and omnipotence of God. It is not, therefore, surprising to find, that it had at a very early period afforded a retreat for penitential piety seeking devout seclusion from the cares of the world, and possibly from the reproaches of a guilty conscience. That such, and such only, were the motives of its first occupiers, is rendered probable by its remote and rugged solitude, as well as by the fragments of an old building, which seems to have been of the most small and simple construction. How soon it deviated from its original character, and became the resort of idleness, profligacy, and superstition, is not pro bably now discoverable; all we know is, that for many a year back it has been no less the haunt of superstitious mummery than of ungodly recreation. The great meeting was annual, in the month of July, and difficult as the access was, the numbers assembled were prodigious. The apparatus of tents and booths resembled that of a great fair; rustic revelry and dissipation were carried to great excess, and while the few were supposed to be washing away the foul stains of depravity in the holy lake, the many were busily employed in laying in a new and ample store of sins for subsequent penances and future absolutions. This unrighteous assemblage of pilgrims and pleasure-hunters is now, I am glad to hear, discouraged, and nearly suppressed, by that ecclesiastical influence under whose auspices it flourished so long. I hope this proper measure has resulted from better motives than the offence it gave to heretic decorum. Yet when we consider how much of a like nature is to be found, not only in less civilized parts of Ireland, but in all countries where Popery is dominant, I fear we are hardly warranted to ascribe the reformation to a principle purely religious. Patrick's Purgatory and similar displays of superstition are bad enough, but were Roman Catholic ascendency re-established, they would not be the worst feature of Papal Ireland. The specimen of purgatorial penance which I am about to relate, (if penance it may be called,) differs both in cause and character from any that has hitherto come under my observation. How this species of ecclesiastical discipline is managed among the higher ranks of Irish Roman Catholics, having never seen any of them on their knees in an old Abbey, or walking bare-legged on a high road, am unable to say; possibly their dutiful submission to mother church, as indeed I think it ought, has exempted them from those ungenteel inflictions so frequently visited upon plebeian offenders. Groupes of them are sometimes seen sentenced to a short pilgrimage, not for acts of moral criminality, which are only offences against God, but for having or reading the Bible, going into a Protestant Church, or listening to a heretic Preacher, which are offences against the majesty of the Pope. Sometimes the pilgrim is enjoined silenice, a much severer penance on jolly Pat, than carrying a little stone on his head, or walking with bare head and feet, the last of which is an indispensible requisite. All your readers, I presume, have heard of that epidemical phrenzy with which the Roman Catholic population of this island is annually visited in the week or fortnight immediately preceding Lent. During its continuance, ordinary business is suspended; priests, pipers, and public-houses are in full employment; joyous parties are seen traversing the country in all directions, and marrying and match-making are at once the order and disorder of the day. The commencement of the matrimonial drama is gradual, and comparatively moderate-some scattered parties shew themselves, and the noise of revelry is heard in a few houses- apparent rari nantes in gurgite vasto.' But the contagion once spread, rapidly approaches its climax, until, like a torch extinguished by sudden immersion, it expires under the smothering chillness of a Papal Lent. Never did two neighbouring days exhibit a more striking contrast than that on which the connubialis fervor is at its height, and the succeeding morn, when all is gloom and gravity, with, as I am very willing to believe, no inconsiderable modicum of sincere repentance. These two irreconcileably opposite days are Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. As the marrying minute is not over until 12 o'clock on Tuesday night, and as matches continue to be made "to the last syllable of recorded time," it is whispered that the priest's clock has a sort of miraculous tendency to prolong the last marriage hour; but for this I do not by any means pretend to vouch. Such a thing might happen from very natural causes. A few days after last Lent had begun, I happened to be on my way from Skibbereen to Cork, in a post chaise, accom panied by a friend. About half way between Ross and Cloghnakilty, we overtook a party of pedestrians, the singularity of whose appearance attracted our notice. The party consisted of eight or nine stout young men and one young woman, all with uncovered beads and naked feet. No doubt, said my companion, these are performing penance, I know it by the defects of their attire― Irish pilgrims always travel so. Penance you may call it if you will, said J, but I see little symptoms of penitence. Oh, he replied, penance and penitence are rarely connected in their Churchthe Irish pilgrim's sorrow is not for the crime but for the punishment. These Penancers do however seem peculiarly joyous, and as from the cheerfulness with which they hold colloquy with each other, they are not probably debarred from conversing with others, I will accost them, perhaps we may get a history of the pilgrimage. Well, boys, you have a fine day for your ramble. "A very fine day indeed, Sir," (said a well looking young fellow,)"thanks be to God for it." Why considering how ill you are prepared for bad weather, you have a right to be particularly thankful for good. I suppose, however, your journey has been a very short one. "Not so short either, master, we came from Timolegue, have been at the Abbey of Ross, and are on our way back, about eight and twenty miles." May İ ask what was the purport of your trip? He looked at his companions, whose smiles seemed to encourage him to proceed, and then said, "Why no great matter, master, we did something out of the way in the chapel at Timoleague, and Father Murphy was angry, and ordered us off as you see to the Abbey of Ross." Well and what did you do at the Abbey ? "Oh we said our Aves and Paters to be sure." May I ask you what was the offence committed in the chapel? it does not seem to have weighed very heavy on your minds. "Why master, to tell you the truth, it was for Such freedom, and in such a place, was bad indeed. * * * * * * * advocated, patronised, and lauded by others, enjoying the light and learning of the 19th century, is indeed, truly surprising," REFORMATION MEETING. The only Reformation Meeting in the present month took place at Belfast, and we give an extract of a letter descriptive of it: Belfast, 19th April. "On the 10th inst. there was a Reformation meeting held here, convened by Captains Gordon and Verner, the deputation from the London Reformation Society, and attended by the Rev. Messrs. Singer, Hamilton, and Otway, members of the Committee of the Dublin Metropolitan Society. The meeting was publicly announced and placarded. The Wesleyan Chapel, one of the largest public rooms in the town, was selected, 1500 tickets distributed indiscriminately to all who applied for them: and particular care was taken to inclose invitations to the clergy of all persuasions, particular attention in this respect being paid to the Roman Catholic Bishop and his Priests. It was expected that a strenuous opposition would have been organized and brought forward, composed of the coalesced strength of Arians and Romanists-for threats to that effect had been uttered by the Newspapers and it was announced with no small emphasis, that a meeting of this abhorrent nature should not be permitted to assemble, or form any Branch Society in this liberal town. And, indeed, as consistency of conduct might be expected from the well-organized" columns of Catholicity," it was reasonable to suppose that the Rev. Gentlemen of the Diocese, who stood forward eagerly at Downpatrick, would not now hold back, when secure of the countenance and aid of their Arian allies. That the expediency of opposition was mooted and weighed in close Divan the preceding night with closed doors in the Catholic Chapel, there is no doubt, and it is to be supposed there were sufficient reasons exhibited for the exercise of discretion. The chair was taken at one o'clock by the Rev. M. Scott, and the platform occupied by Protestant Clergymen of every orthodox persuasion; and after the business of the day was commenced, an opposition to the proceedings was attempted by a young man who had the appearance of a schoolmaster or teacher; he was an This nounced as he ascended the platform to make his speech to be an Italianbut his name Cenavan, and the breadth of his speech, rather bespoke him to be a good Munster Milesian. opposition was about enough to call forth the controversial talents of his opponents, but was by no means calculated to do credit to his cause; Priestly prudence ought to have interposed and kept him back. There was on this occasion a very ample portion of erudition and eloquence exhibited by the Protestant speakers: and it was pleasing to observe the unity of purpose, and at the same time diversity of gifts which the Protestant Clergymen of different Churches displayed. The meeting dissolved in perfect harmony, though very many present were Roman Catholics, after the formation of an Auxiliary to the Dublin Metropolitan Society, and the formation of a Committee. On the following Tuesday, the liberal Protestants (for the word liberal now carries a meaning that implies latitudinarianism, and individuals of that stamp may too often be understood to be so liberal of their Protestancy as to protest against all religion) met to counteract the effect of the preceding meeting, and they took counsel together how they might carry resolutions expressive of their high disapprobation; to this purpose they deemed it expedient to discuss with closed doors; but inasmuch as all Protestants were invited, the Friends of the Religious Principles of the Reformation came forward in overwhelming numbers, and succeeded in putting and carrying a resolution of adjournment" sine die ;" and thus this attempt at opposition proved abortive, and the orthodox Protestants of Belfast have evinced thoir commanding strength and spirit in upholding those religious principles which their forefathers gloried in, and which heretofore made the north-east of Ireland prosperous, because Protestant, while all its other portions are poor and barbarous in the direct proportion to the prevalency of Popery." MEETINGS OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES IN DUBLIN. London Missionary Society, Hiber. nian Auxiliary.- The Annual meeting of this Society took place at the Lecture Room of the Dublin Institution, on Friday, 11th of April. Admiral Oliver in the Chair. The Report, which was highly interesting, showed that the Society has advanced in the estimation of the Christian public in Ireland: this improvement must be in a great measure ascribed to the efficient and indefatigable deputation, which, subsequently to the last anniversary visited this country. The Meeting was addressed by the Rev. Messrs. R. Stevelly, J.B. M'Crea, Thomas Kelly, R. W. Hamilton of Leeds, Dennis Brown, David Stuart, S. Simpson, and Doctor Philip, Superintendent of the Society's Missions in South Africa. Hibernian School Society.-Annual Meeting on Saturday, 12th April, at the Rotunda, Adm. Oliver in the chair. The report of the Society's proceedings for the last year was read, by which it appeared that it had during that period imparted scriptural education to 67,326 adults and children, had circulated upwards of 18,000 copies of the sacred Scriptures, and employed 40 Scripture readers, and 14 Inspectors. The Provincial Returns of the schools and scholars enrolled : Day Schools, 520-Scholars, 43,250 Roman Catholics, 18,766- Protestants, 24,484-Adult Schools, 223Scholars, 8719-Sunday Schools, 271Scholars, 14,869-Irish Classes, 32Scholars, 488-Total Schools, 1046Total Scholars, 67,326. The total number educated by the Society being upwards of 300,000 persons, of whom 200,000 were Roman Catholics; its total distribution of the sacred Scriptures, 186,429 copies. Resolutions were moved and seconded by the Rev. Dr. Magee, Rev. Mr. Macrea, John M'Clintock, Esq. and Rev. Dr. Phillips. An interruption took place during the day on the part of a Mr. Dwyer, late of the city of Cork, who, having been heard, was satisfactorily replied to by the Rev. Messrs. Urwick and Macrea, and subsequently a gentleman, a convert from the Romish Church, addressed the meeting at the suggestion of Mr. Urwick, Mr. Dwyer having broadly challenged the possibility of producing a respectable person in the kingdom who had ever renounced the errors of Popery. Tract Society.-The Annual Meeting took place upon Monday 14th April, at the Rotunda. The following are extracts from the Report of the Society's operations: These Libraries have been formed in almost every county in Ireland. The Society's funds in 1827, fell short of the year 1826, by nearly £300, and there was then a debt of £3,000 owing by Society. The usual income of the past year, however, has exceeded the former by £250, and there has been received towards the liquidation of the debt nearly £550. There yet remains, however, a sum of nearly £2,500 due by the Society, calling for liquidation from the benevolence of the Christian public. Jews' Society.-Annual meeting on Tuesday, 15th April, Right Hon. St. George Daly (V. P.) in the Chair.-Resolutions were moved and seconded by the Venerable the Archdeacon Pakenham, the Rev. Denis Browne, Rev, Dr. Singer, Admiral Oliver, Rev. P. Butler, Dean Mahon, Hon. and Rev. J. P. Hewitt, John Synge, Esq., Archdeacon Russell, Rev. Mr. McKee. It was stated that the Auxiliary had remitted to the Parent Society £1300, being £200 more than the preceding year. Sunday School Society-Annual meetThe ing upon Wednesday 16th. Right Hon. the Earl of Roden, President of the Society, in the Chair: From the Report submitted to the meeting, it appears that the progress of the Society during the past year has been very encouraging-presenting an increase of funds, of schools, scholars, associations, teachers, and also an increased circulation of the Sacred Scriptures. The income amounted to £3055, Is. Id. arising from the following sources: £. s. d. Contributions in Ireland.. 1085 3 11 England and Wales.... 1776 14 2 Scotland 194 3 0 The number of Sunday Schools in connexion with this Society on 5th January last, was 2,117, which are reported by the latest return to be attended by 15,669 teachers, and 173,615 scholars; being an increase since the former years, of 172 schools, 1265 teachers, and 10.129 scholars. The number of books granted gratuitously, and sold at reduced prices dur ing the past year, were 3,842 Bibles, 299 of the book of hints for conducting Sunday Schools. From which it appears that the issues of Bibles and Testaments during the past year, as compared with that of the preceding, present au increase of 2805 Bibles' and 4573 Testaments. The Hibernian Bible Society-Annual meeting upon Thursday 17th. Chair was taken, in the unavoidable absence of His Grace the Archbishop of Tuam, by the Earl of Roden, and subsequently, after his Lordship's departure to embark for England, by Admiral Oliver. His Lordship addressed the meeting at some length upon taking the Chair; after which an abstract of the Report of the Committee was read, stating, that The Funds obtained by the Society, and the issues of the Scriptures effected by it, have both surpased the experience of any former year; while the future prospects of success so far from becoming |