SECTION IX.

DESIDERATA-ORAL INSTRUCTION,

Or the necessity and importance of ministering the Divine Word in a language understood by the People.

WE have placed this subject last, not because it is conceived to be either last in the order of time, or inferior in point of importance to the preceding subjects of Education or Books; but precisely the reverse. It is first in the order of nature and time, and continues to be invariably first in point of importance. Besides, in conclusion, I am desirous of addressing myself, not so much to measures as to men,-to such as are living with the Native Irish all around them,-to such, especially, as are already engaged in preaching the Divine Word; and that, not with reference to what they can give or bestow in such a cause, but what they might themselves do with heart and tongue.

A number of individuals there are, with whom the writer has repeatedly much enjoyed the opportunity of conversing, and there must be many more, who, with a heartfelt interest in the truths contained in the Sacred Volume, are already furnished with all the advantages of a liberal education. Oh! would they but add yet this above all, an ability to converse in the Irish language, it is impossible to say what might be the extent of their usefulness, not in changing some isolated opinions, for this is worth no man's pains, and far below the

ground on which the "legate of the skies" should stand, -but in spreading around them the savour of life unto life, and advancing the kingdom of Him who died for us, and rose again.

Besides, I have occasionally thought that it was possible that some might censure, and say it did not become me to close such a detail as this without imploring the men, who, from their professed engagements and their dwelling-place, are so immediately concerned; already on the field of labour, and already preaching in one form of speech.

At the same time I am perfectly aware, that others may say, all this comes with no good grace from one who remains in Britain, and who, if sincere, might have tried first to set the example. I frankly own, that I am far from being insensible to this remark, though all I can add at present be, that if ever Providence should cast my lot in Ireland, with these views, certainly one of my first objects would be, not only to procure the grammar and dictionary, but sit down and converse daily with an intelligent Irishman, of correct and distinct enunciation, till I should be able to do so with the Native Irish on the things which belong to our common and everlasting peace. In the meanwhile, at intervals snatched from other incumbent avocations, I have thus endeavoured to collect together what perhaps may be of some little service in resolving the present question.

For still, this ministry of the Divine Word, in a language understood by the people, as Bedell used to say, returns upon us as the last and most important of all objects, because it is a sovereign, it is a divine appointment, under a commission which none can revoke. If men below occasionally press the other measures, on this subject, the Christian, and especially those who have taken it in charge to minister the Divine Word, will hear the voice that cometh out from the throne.

The terms of that commission we need not repeat, every word of which is so pregnant with meaning and duty to us, so full of pity from above for man below. But every age presents some peculiar seduction from the plainest path of duty, whether to God or man; and at a season when no day is allowed to pass without some eulogy on the power of the press, the noble invention of printing, or the sovereign efficacy of education, it is well to remember, that, however powerless may be the preaching of the present day, it was not so once, and ere long it will not be so again.

Men, indeed, have in all ages, perhaps very naturally, panted after the abridgment of labour. This is the age of discovery and invention. New and easy methods have been discovered, and applied with great effect in agriculture, mechanics, and education, yet certainly we need not expect that any human ingenuity shall ever invade this province of labour, or in any degree supersede its necessity. But, besides, there is such a thing as a country having sunk into such a state as in certain points shall set at defiance all the wisdom of man, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Whether such be the present condition of this most interesting part of the empire, I leave to the reader's own reflection; but though it were, to the eye of an enlightened Christian there is nothing in all this which seems appalling. When the harvest stands ready for the sickle of Divine truth, and is just about to be gathered by the arm of the labourer, it is happily not supposed to have passed under some preparatory process of human device. A figure should never be pushed to an extreme, and here it is the Christian minister's privilege that the figure does not harmonize with the natural world. "Say not ye there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest." At whatever time, therefore, we

see a country sunk in darkness and destitution, should there only spring up in it a spirit of inquiry, then may we say, that the fields are ready indeed for the moral husbandman. Now, whether other parts of the British dominions are as destitute as many districts in Ireland or not, yet where is there to be found such a spirit of inquiry as exists in these at present? What then remains for us, but to fall in with the simple device of Infinite Wisdom, and remember that the brighter days for this fine interesting country are to be ushered in, "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah."

To the ministers of Christ already stationed in Ireland, one cannot help saying, that, however the eye of sense and human reason may turn towards Britain, the eye of faith looks over to you, and the very places where you dwell. Your every abode appears to be a station marked out for proclaiming the truth. With fields of usefulness all around you, however unpromising to the eye of sense, yet to the eye of faith already white, what though you hear a language daily that you understand not? Methinks every word of it sounds like a cry for the one thing needful.* Nor is there any thing at all formidable in acquiring this language: quite the reverse. Men of weak and feeble patriotism have magnified this separating wall, as the children of Israel did the walled towns of the sons of Anak; but all such fancies might be answer

* When placed in circumstances analogous to yours, even as to the affairs of this present life, the necessity of such an acquirement as that which we now press, has been deeply felt. One of your own countrymen, and once Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the late Marquis of Hastings, addressing one day the students in the College of Fort-William, with reference to India, in an admirable speech, used these words :-" If indeed we wish to know a nation, it is peculiarly desirable to possess an independent and extensive familiarity with its language; and this must be an object more than desirable, it must be indispensable, when in the bosom of that nation we are charged with the execution of the most serious and solemn offices of human life." India is regarded here as a part of the British empire: but shall such sentiments be held as sterling at the distance of half the globe, and be despised within the bosom of the mother country?

ed by an English monosyllable of only three lettersTRY. Believe not that the barrier is so very formidable; even by a little assiduity you may leap over it, and then a welcome indeed awaits you at every step, not only from this ancient people, but in the language itself,parent language, which, on this account, it should be remembered, enjoys certain advantages, calculated at once to interest the mind, and urge the student forward. I might refer for illustration to that delightful feature in many of the words, which may be styled, self-interpretation, a feature which has already been beautifully illustrated in several of the replies given by Irish youths, when reading the Scriptures in their native tongue. A language containing all its roots in itself, receiving its modifications from within, and conveying ideas therefore with point and precision, must needs be interesting and valuable as a vehicle for intelligent and serious discourse; and thus it certainly presents one peculiar advantage for proclaiming the truth, which may encourage you to commence learning to-morrow, if not to-day. I remember well receiving a letter from a Highland minister some years ago which will explain this advantage. "While the Gaelic," said he, "continues to be generally spoken in the Highlands, it must always be the language best adapted for conveying religious instruction to the people. In Lowland parishes, where English alone is spoken and preached, it may be fairly presumed, that some of the auditors, though they speak no other tongue, do not understand the whole of the language they hear delivered from the pulpit: but it is one of the peculiarities of the Gaelic, that the illiterate speak it with as much propriety as those who have received the advantage of education; and that, as far as regards language merely, the common herd will understand the best orator."

Thus it is precisely among the Native Irish; so that you may rest assured, in the language itself once begun there must be some of its features which will interest your own mind. Much of needless ridicule has been