THOMAS WALSH, was born in the year of our Lord 1730, at a place called Bally Linn, in the county, and within about ten miles of the city of Limerick in Ireland. His father, Edmund Walsh, was by occupation a carpenter, a man of tolerable education, and strong natural understanding. His mother’s name was Helena Nougham, born of reputable parents. They were both members of, and entirely biggotted to the church of Rome.
When about eight years old, he was put to school to learn English (his mother tongue was Irish.) Afterwards he went to school to one of his brothers (of whom he had several) by whom he was initiated into the Latin tongue. Having acquired its rudiments in some tolerable degree, he went afterwards into the neighbouring county of Clare, with a design to be put apprentice, his friends intending him to be of his father’s trade.
But God in his adorable providence and unsearchable wisdom, had, as the event shewed, other designs concerning him. Disappointed therefore in this he returned to school, and proceeded in his pursuit of learning; applying himself at present to the study of Latin, which he had but lately intermitted.
After he had made some considerable progress in this, he applied himself to the study of some parts of the mathematicks, for which he thought he had a better genius than for languages. He soon acquired the knowledge of arithmetic, both vulgar and decimal, measuring superficies and solids, &c. And afterwards went to the city of Limerick in order to perfect himself in writing.
And now having continued at school till about the nineteenth year of his age, and having acquired such branches of literature as fitted him for being useful to others in the same way: he quitted school, and set up one for himself, wanting neither scholars nor ability to instruct them, which he did with success, during the time he continued his school.
CHAPTER II.
Of his religion, and the struggle which he found between nature and grace, till the sixteenth year of his age.
HIS parents (being as has been observed) members of, and strongly attached to the church of Rome, brought him up in the same principles and communion, and took care that his mind should be early furnished with the first and fundamental parts of what they judged his duty towards God.
“When (says he) I was young I learned the Lord’s prayer, and Ave Maria, in Irish, together with the hundred and thirtieth psalm in Latin; with the Popish augmentation thereto. And now I began to imbibe that uncharitable, anti-scriptural opinion, that all dissenters from the church of Rome were heretics, and in a state of damnation. But, since the Lord hath enlightened my understanding, I am fully convinced that therein I greatly erred, not knowing the scriptures, neither the power of God.