e soul of
the departed." Then they all took off their hats and prayed; this they
did every half hour, and in the interval talked of consecrated ground,
&c., and of the benefits of being interred in consecrated ground.
I was indeed much grieved on seeing and hearing such ignorance and
superstition; and, addressing myself to one of the most respectable and
well informed among them, I asked, "What reason have we to believe that
either consecrated burial-ground or prayers for the dead, or any other
office, can help the state of the departed soul?" Two of them answered
and spoke alternately. One said that no devil or evil spirit could
come near consecrated ground; the other told me that they believed
in the doctrine of purgatory, and that the prayers of the faithful are
necessary for the relief of the souls in purgatory. I told them that it
is written in the word of God, that "blessed are the dead which die in
the Lord," for they rest from their labours; that those who believe
in Jesus Christ, "his blood cleanseth them from all sin," and that
consequently they need no other purgatory. I referred to the words of
the Saviour in the 3rd of John, "He that believeth on the Son bath
everlasting life, but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life,
but the wrath of God abideth on him." One of the men above mentioned
said, that he read in the Scriptures that we are purged by fire. I
showed, from 1 Peter iv., the fiery trial spoken of means persecutions
and sufferings for Christ's sake to be endured in this life. I also
showed, from Acts viii. that on the death of Stephen there was not a
word about consecrated burial-ground or prayer for the dead. All this
time the people heard with most eager attention. I showed them from many
parts of Scripture that Jesus is an all-sufficient Saviour, and that all
who believe in him are justified from all things, &c.

On the 26th, went to the house of J. Foley, where many were assembled
visiting a sick person. While they talked of the uncertainty of life,
and the necessity of being prepared for eternity, I endeavoured to show
the need we have of a Saviour, and the blessings of being interested in
him. I proposed to read for the sick person, and was permitted; I read
very many of the most suitable parts of Scripture, showing that the
Saviour is a sure foundation to build our hopes on for salvation, and
that there is no other. The people present were nearly all Roman
Catholics; and seeing them