The Irish reformation movement...

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Preface

1 Prove all things ; hold fast that which is good. v — 1 Thess. v. 21.

Ireland, from being a Pagan, became a Christian nation. From pure Christianity, " the Island of Saints" lapsed into Roman Catholicism. And from a long subjection to Romanism, it is but now really emerging.

When Pagan power perished throughout the land, the terrific gloom its presence had maintained steadily vanished. Influenced by the salutary teachings of " Gospel truth," Ireland soon started into a worthy and proud pre-eminence amongst nations. But, when a corrupt and denationalising religion again crept upon her bosom, Ireland toppled rapidly down, and was crushed beneath wretchedness more withering, and torments more treacherous, than she had ever experienced before her elevation to unsullied Christianity.

These, though concisely stated, are yet startling truths which history reveals, and they constitute the " matter " of the present volume. My mind viewed them at first with honest horror. But there they were intelligibly written upon the accredited pages and faithful records of the past. However unpalatable, they were facts — and, however reluctantly, I was forced to accept them in their integrity.

It may be necessary to explain why i" felt this horror — why to me these facts were so disagreeable. It would be sufficient to reply that I was born, reared, and lived at the time a professor of that religion which history painted in such distressing colours before me. But I shall also add, as not apart from the subject, what accident, or rather Providence, brought me thus in contact with historical subjects of so great moment :

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A few years ago, while on a visit in this city with an Aunt, I conceived the perhaps childish notion of writing a " historical fiction," tending to illustrate accurately the feelings, manners, and customs which prevailed in Ireland about the time of the " Invasion." History became, of course, a most necessary study. In order to procure the best advantage in that line, a friendthen so, at least — obtained for me daily admission to the Royal Irish Academy, where I could use any book in the library. Other extensive repositories of the most valuable historical books were also within my reach. Thus enabled, I went on with the " historical fiction," the nearly complete MS. of which is yet in my possession. The description I attempted bore the stamp of a mind stored with long-rooted enmity against Saxons, to whose invasion of Ireland I piously ascribed all her miseries. I had ever been accustomed to picture Roman Catholic priests as paragons of pure piety — as anti-persecutionists — as men in whom patriotism was paramount — as men never identified with suffering unless as sufferers — with rebellion, unless as the promoters of justice and peace. The Church of which they were ministers appeared to me as the spotless mother of stainless sons. But the unprejudiced perusal of impartial history began to evolve an idea opposed to all this — such an idea as I never before for a moment entertained. I soon found that, in every sense of the word, the contemplated narrative would have been a mass of real fiction if penned without having consulted fair historians, and while my feelings were charged with the deceptive sentiments of an erroneous teaching.

A person who always regarded the English invasion to be as hateful to Rome as it was to Ireland, could not see unmoved that it was the actual result of Rome's own selfish plots. He who religiously believed that the Pope held an uninterrupted sway in this country, from St. Patrick's days down, could not find with pleasure that papal influence and doctrines were perfect strangers in the country up to that period from which her miseries are generally dated — the twelfth century. He who always connected Rome and her priests with piety, philanthropy, and nationality, could not easily look on one as the nurse and the others as meek practisers of deep deceit, utter selfishness, and anti-nation-

PREFACE. IX

ality. After some time, I concluded that either history is false, or Rome has created and nurtured all our national miseries.

From this train of thought I was led to another of a more solemn nature, which being purely polemical, I do not purpose introducing here. I shall, however, remark, that history did much to direct and foster the fresh feelings which crowded upon me. But He who cast me thus simply upon the track of truth, provided the amplest means to sustain and satisfy inquiries, so providentially aroused within one who before shuddered to question Rome's truth or purity. The letters of " A True Catholic," for instance, on more than one occasion met my view, and under singular circumstances. Controversial pamphlets, conversations, and sermons, were not, happily, during my time, of that scarcity which those who lived before me must have regretted. After long, and deep, and prayerful reflection, I availed myself of all these. And I found that, as in the position Rome and history stood to each other regarding practice, so also, if the Bible be true, Rome in doctrine is false.

In this way was accomplished that work which has driven me to sunder all earthly ties, in order to bind a heavenly one with Christ.

The historical facts which were disclosed, and the impressions they made upon me by the course of inquiry thus brought about, are as succinctly as possible laid before the reader in this volume.

In detailing, as a Protestant, the several events connected with this most serious department of history, I have not forgotten what is due to the feelings of those who yet are what I was ; nor have I failed to confine myself to the narration of matters for which most unquestionable authority exists. In all cases, I have, suffered the effect of our woes and national degradation to point of itself to its direct cause, without any laboured effort on my part. Roman Catholic writers have been regularly appealed to on the subjects detailed, and their opinions are faithfully recorded.

History is most explicit in depicting the many phases through which poor Ireland has passed. I regret to know that too many even now are unacquainted with the particulars of these transitions. Few Roman Catholics will be disposed, at first, to believe that the great originator of our worst calamities was Rome —

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that the fomenter of our most disastrous disturbances was and is Rome — that the blight to our national and political health was and is Rome — that the encourager of treason against our dearest interests was and is Rome. Yet this fact is too palpably plain. But, more miserable still, the pernicious policy which dictated all Rome's deceiving acts, was sheer selfishness. And this has been undetected, for a very logical reason : — INo Roman Catholic " is suffered to seek historical truth," only in the same cautious manner that he is bound to receive religion — through the medium of those partisan authors, sanctioned by " the Church." Some, who would clandestinely search for it, will not encounter the expense. Many kindred causes preclude a large portion of Roman Catholics knowing anything of true history. Accident, indeed, places it before many ; but authority will never place it before any. That a fair, but necessarily condensed account of historical facts, touching the loftiest concerns of life, may not be in every respect an unreachable book, I have compiled this. If it do not come up to expectation, the sincerity of my purpose has nought to account for. I shall only plead guilty to the non-possession of proper ability for the performance of so serious an undertaking.

The chief title of this volume may, at first, appear not exactly appropriate. I believe, however, that it indicates the contents fully. Unless the centuries between the twelfth and sixteenth, which is the period of deformation, all the other time I have written of is, to some extent, connected with Reformation.

Here I may observe, that a very large portion of this volume is devoted to the Reformation Movement, strictly so called. The restoration of peace, happiness, and prosperity to this country need never be hoped for, I firmly believe, but with the complete success of Reformation. History well shows what grounds I have for this conclusion. And that fact will also satisfy any person why I have taken such pains to detail a movement I look upon with so peculiar an interest.

Lest it may be necessary, I shall here remark, that in relating the history of any society, I have wilfully omitted nothing material, and of none have I knowingly said too much. Those missionary operations which occupy much of my space, to my mind, merit more, if it could be apportioned to them. I have,

PREFACE. XI

however, I hope, done no Reformation society an injustice, but treated all fairly.

One feature in Ireland's history, not the least remarkable, though not the least intelligible, -will be found to be the tenacity with which the Irish people clung to the skirts of those who first pressed the English yoke upon this country. "When it suited the Pope's purpose, rebellion against England was a mighty offence, and the people then did not so much regard his humour; but when selfishness altered that purpose, peace with England was an offence more mighty still, and the people, naturally disliking the successful invader, soon made common cause with the principal and heartless agent in that invasion. They joined Rome, because Rome had then turned upon her former favourite. They altogether, and perhaps willingly, forgot who had been their real enemy, in the fury of a united assault. The delusion grew upon the Irish, strengthening with their weakness, and soon taught them to venerate those whom a little consideration and a better understanding would have caused them to despise.

Roman Catholics even yet are preyed upon by this delusion, and nurture Ireland's most inveterate foe, by countenancing Rome. They, in sooth, make a pitiable use of national feeling — so much boasted of — by clinging to a system which dethroned the national greatness of Ireland. Roman Catholics may, in feeling, but cannot, in practice, be national. Protestants, holding the doctrines taught in Ireland before Rome robbed her of her religion and independence, alone seek her interest in peaceful connexion with that country which, too, bore the rule of Rome, until it became unendurable. They in practice show that theirs is a genuine nationality.

This brief history will also, I hope, explain why so little advance in Reformation has been made in Ireland by the professedly Reformed Church up to this time. England was to blame ; she inflicted upon us, in all its tendencies and qualities, Roman Catholicism. That has proved itself an evil of dreadful magnitude. She has also, it is true, introduced amongst us a counterpoise to this, on account of which we are disposed to look with less anger upon her first transgression against our temporal and eternal interests — she has placed within our reach Reformation. Having embraced it fully herself, she had no objection to Ireland going

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and doing likewise ; but, by an extraordinary indifference, she took no care to herself that we should go and do likewise. Through her we obtained the poison ; but when the antidote was administered, so many irregularities accompanied the process, that its effect was almost void.

England owes much, very much to Ireland, by imposing upon our fathers the fetters of Roman Catholicism, in order to secure for herself political dominion in Hibernia. Olden England thus stole our best birthright, and has since left us, as a people, religiously, socially, and politically degraded. By coming in to the rescue now, modern England will merely be doing its duty towards the Irish nation as becometh Christians, and as becometh a people who, through their fathers, are deeply indebted to us.

The narrative herewith published will sufficiently convey the opinions I entertain regarding the great Evangelisation movement just going on, and in which England is doing her duty. I may here add, as my well-weighed, and, perhaps, not worthless conviction, that if no cessation or diminution in the missionary operations takes place, all the next, and much of the present generation of Irishmen will grow up the inheritors of a peaceful land, unclasped Bibles, and unfettered consciences. Our union with England will then, at length, be one of real and religious sisterhood. Our position will become great and respected — morally, socially, and politically.

The blessings of a merciful Father will be then fully manifested upon a repentant nation. Be it so, O Maker and Ruler of " earth and all that in it is."

J. G. MAC WALTER.

' Warder" Office, 6, Bachelor's-walk.

Dub in, September, 1852.

Contents

Page.

Chapter I. From The Fourth To The Ninth Centuries

Druidism in Ireland — Christianity's Introduction — The Antiquity of our Church — Palladius from Rome Rejected — Ireland's Churchmen Abroad and at Home — St. Patrick's First Visit to Erin — His State and Sentiments — His Second Visit and Successful Preaching — Ireland's Ancient Church independent of Rome — Remarkable Vision and its Bearings — Our olden Prelates Admonishing Rome's Popes, and Excommunicating Rome's Church — The Ancient Monasteries as described by Roman Catholic Writers — The old Plan of Teaching and its Grand Fimdamental — General and Happy Effects of Evangelism — Old Ireland's Church purely like the Reformed ©ne now extending in the country

Chapter II. From The Ninth To The Twelfth Centuries

Papal Plans — The Danish Invasion and its Consequences — First Emigration from Ireland — Johannes Scotus as a Saint and Sinner — Trait of Infallibility in Rome — Christian Catholicity Checked — Progress of Papalisni — Rome's crafty Agents, their Work and Worth — Rome ever the same pliant Plotter — Aspect of the Church in danger — Efforts to poison Purity and how they were met — Malachy, Rome's first Irish Bishop, and how he laboured — A Cardinal for the first time in Ireland — The Pall and its History — Ireland's Transition ... 26

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Chapter III. From The Twelfth To The Sixteenth Centuries

Page.

Papal Aggression conquering Ireland — The Steel-clad Ministers of the Pope and their bleeding Victims, the Irish — Invasion, its purpose and effects — Ireland sold to Slavery — The Invasion supported by the Aggression — Rome's second Irish Prelate — Saints and Martyrs — Ireland's Religion being rapidly Romanised — Dreadful state of the Church — Illustrative Incidents — Extraordinary Stretch of Spiritual Power — How Blasphemy stole in— Atrocious Doings of the falling Clergy — England's Rule and Rome's Sway — Rebellion begun — Strange Oaths — Rome's Religion Ireland's Ruin ... ... 44

Chapter IV. From The Beginning To The Middle Of The Sixteenth Century

Hopes, how entertained — Rome has exhausted all respect — Chances of Good — Bishop Browne in Dublin — England's promises made suspicious by Rome — Great Blow to Papal Power — Supremacy Smitten — Historical Errors — Unscrupulous Attempt of Rome to regain Authority — Rebellions blessed and supported — First Reforming Visitation — Harassing Hindrances — Titular Bishops foisted upon us — Curious Fact — The first Reformation Struggling in the Gloom — Mary calls back Error, and Ireland's ^Miseries — Persecution Providentially Prevented — Position of our Church and Country ... 70

CHAPTER V. Elizabeth's Accession — Reformation in Dublin — Sham Miracle

Spread of the Bible — Results of the Movement — All the

Bishops but two conform —Testimony to this Fact — Great Hindrances to a permanent Success — Culpable Indifferentism — Strivings of the Papal Party — Cursing Bulls and foul "War — Rebellion blessed by Man, blasted by Man's Maker — Singular Incident connected with the Armada — A great and holy Papal Chief in his true Colours — Education peeping out

Fresh Wars — Trinity College founded — Vexation to Rome

— The Titular of Dublin and the Pope's damning Bulls — Calumnies refuted — Elizabeth dies ... ... ... 88

CONTENTS. XV

Chapter VI. From The Year 1603 To The Year 1690

Page.

Schemes of Priestcraft withstood by James — The Test Oath — Effort to rescue the Church from Ruin — Its wretched Condition — Effects of Negligence — A Royal Visitation and its Results — The first Irish Parliament and Rome's Agitators — " Catholic Rent r — Change in the Papal Policy — The Romish Prelatic link broken — Papal Priests of that day described by

their own Prelate — Clear Summary of the Reign of James I

Charles and the Graces-— Reformation forwarded by Bishop Bedell — A Priest's Sigh on that Prelate's Death — Opposition from High Quarters — A Convert's Nobility — The Catholic Army — Horrible Cruelties — Dangers and Difficulties of Reformation — A Papal Viceroy like Clarendon — New Individual Exertions — James II. destroys all — Protestants Persecuted — The Siege of Deny — The coward King defeated, and God's Church protected ... ... ... ... 105

Chapter VII. From The Eighteenth To The Nineteenth Centuries

Improvement in Government — Evidences of bad Ecclesiastical Management — Picture of the Progress Making — Anne's Reign — Godly Efforts in Cavan — Infatuated Indifference of the Prelacy — Exertions of individual Ministers — Dangers and Difficulties continued — George I. — Bishop King's Labours and Feelings — Culpability of the Legislature — George II. — Great and Unremedied Irregularities — The Result — John Wesley — Extracts from his Journal — Rebellion, and how Maintained — Societies formed before the year 1800 125

Chapter VIII

The "Union"' — Hope for Ireland — New Societies — Hibernian Bible Society — The Sunday School Society — Kildare-place Society — Government still blindly Injuring God's Cause — The Irish Society Established — Aversion to the English Language — Prejudices Overcome — Proceedings of the Irish Society at Kingscourt — The Scripture-Readers' Society — Important Resolutions — "VVesleyan Exertions — History of Gideon Ouseley ... ... ... ... ... 144

XVI CONTENTS.

Chapter IX. Commencing With The Year 1827

Page.

Prevalent Superstitions summed up — The Movement at Askeaton — Colonisation Constrained — The Dingle Colony fullydescribed — The Church Education Society — History of the Ladies' Auxiliary to the Irish Society ... ... 163

Chapter X. Commencing With The Yeah 1839

The Difficulty Solved — Romanism at Kingscourt — Hibernian Bible Society — Evidences of the Work's Progress — Ventry — History of the Achill Colony — Illustrative Incidents — An Alarming Picture reversed — Achill as it is ... ... 187

Chapter XI

Clerical Energy aroused — Providential Aid to the Good Cause — The Irish Society, Narrative Continued — Example — Lough Derg Superstition described — History of the Doon Mission — The District as it appeared before, during, and after Operations — The Movement in Cork detailed — Sketches of all the assisting Societies ... ... ... ... 204

Chapter XII

Extended Exertions — Origin of the Irish Church Missions Society — Its Rules and Labours — History of the Movement in all the Districts occupied by the Society from the commencement of operations — Progress and Effects of the Dublin Mission — Summary of the whole Agency ... ... ... 231

Conclusion

Testimony to the reality of the Work — The Charge of Bribery refuted — Number of Converts — Influence of Gospel Truth considered ... ... ... ... ... 281 tfjre Srisjr JUfnnmitiira JHnwiit,

ETC.