with him. His having been a Romanist himself, educated at Maynooth, and speaking the Irish language as his own native tongue, together with the activity and devotedness of his character make him, with God's blessing, a valuable assistant to the Rev. Mr. Moore, who is the excellent Rector of the parish. We returned in the evening to Cong Rectory, having first visited Lord L.'s grounds at Fairhill, where we admired the judiciousness of the planting and the beauty of the place. We passed a school-house belonging to Lady E. C., but the children were dismissed. There was a small church in the grounds, capable of holding about thirty or forty people, which we were told was the parish church, and which must have been very expensive, from the style of its decorations. On Sunday we attended the church at Cong, where there were assembled but a small congregation; in the afternoon, the Sunday-school, near the Rectory, was very full. 130 children present, besides an Irish adult class. Here was a most efficient Sunday-school, and the teachers of a superior order. I examined some of the children, and their answers were fully equal to any I had heard. At five o'clock there was evening service in the school-house, which was fully attended by many of the middle as well as some of the higher classes. The prayers were in English, and afterwards a sermon in English and Irish, by the Rev. Mr. O'Callaghan. We propose leaving this to-morrow morning for Castlekerke, where we are to meet the adult converts in the neighbourhood; having seen the children on Saturday, from thence we shall proceed to Glan and Oughterard, two other missionary stations; from whence you shall receive my final account of what I have seen in this interesting journey in the West. LETTER VI. Oughterard, Co. Galway, We left Cong Rectory on Monday morning, in company with Mr. Moore, retracing our steps as far as Carnamona school-house, on the banks of Lough Corrib, where we found a boat with a crew of converts waiting to convey us to Castlekerke. A meeting of the converts in this neighbourhood had been summoned. In about two hours we arrived at this beautiful and interesting spot. We met Mr. O'Callaghan on our arrival, and we were informed that the school-house was again locked up, and that there was no admission for worship, as was intended. The meeting took place in the open air, in a field close by. The crowded boats. coming across from the opposite side, and from the neighbourhood of Maam Hotel, enlivened the Amongst the 250 converts who were scene. |