Ministers ascended the pulpits from which they had been excluded for five years Presbyteries were regularly held-ordinances were openly administered—and the whole Church assumed its wonted form and discipline. Addresses of thanks were forwarded to the King, from the Dissenters of Dublin and Munster, and from the Presbyterians of Ulster-a procedure which some have blamed, as savouring of servility and giving countenance to Catholicism, but to which I can see no rational or Christian objection: for, assuredly, if Presbyterians had a right to freedom of worship, the right of Roman Catholics to the same privilege was equally valid. It soon became evident, however, that James only designed his "Declaration" to serve a temporary purpose, and to smooth the way for the restoration of Catholic ascendancy. The Earl of Tyrconnell, acting as Commander-in-chief, caused all the Protestant soldiers to deliver up their arms, which he immediately placed in the hands of Catholics and thus, an army was at once created, ready for any aggression upon the sacred principles of civil and religious liberty. Satisfied that the new tyranny would be, if possible, more grinding than the old, the Presbyterians were ready to forgive the injuries inflicted by their episcopalian brethren, and to unite with them in defence of their common Protestantism. They, therefore, hailed with joy, the invasion of England, by William, Prince of Orange; and appointed a celebrated Dublin Physician, Duncan Cumyng, to proceed to England, as the bearer of their hearty congratulations. To prevent mistakes, they gave him the following written instructions:"1st, That, in our name, you congratulate the Prince on his arrival in England, to deliver the nation from popery and slavery: 2nd, That you represent the dangers and fears of the Protestants in Ireland, and particularly in the province of Ulster; and humbly beseech him to take some speedy and effectual care for their preservation and relief: 3rd, That you represent our readiness to serve him and his interest in the prosecution of so glorious a design, as far as we have access." Now, all this was very well; and yet, perhaps, not quite so disinterested and magnanimous as some have alleged. The plea was the support of Protestantism in the abstract, against Popery: but, if William had been an episcopalian, instead of a Calvinistic Presbyterian, I greatly doubt whether they would have given him so ready and so cordial a reception. The truth I believe to be this-They reckoned on him as they had previously done upon Charles II.-calculating that he would not only protect them against the influence both of Popery and Prelacy, but eventually place their Church in a permanent ascendancy. We must not, however, scrutinize motives too severely; or feel surprised that men who had suffered so much, were anxious to enjoy the blessings of security and repose. The Presbyterian messenger had scarcely departed, when anonymous letters were delivered to Lord Mount-Alexander, and some other distinguished individuals, in the neighbourhood of Belfast, stating that a general massacre of all the Protestants of Ulster was to be perpetrated on the following Sunday. The statement was untrue; but its consequences were most important. The Protestants, everywhere armed themselves, and associated for mutual defence. In the city of Londonderry, in particular, the alarm was very great-inasmuch as the inhabitants hourly expected the entrance of a Roman Catholic regiment, commanded by the Earl of Antrim. The Rev. James Gordon, a Presbyterian Minister, advised them to shut the Gates, and thereby exclude the obnoxious regiment; but Bishop Hopkins and most of the episcopalians counselled them to avoid so dangerous and desperate a measure. Happily, such timid counsels did not prevail; for whilst the soldiers were in sight, a number of ardent young men, chiefly Presbyterians and " Apprentice Boys," seized the keys of the City, and closed the Gates amidst the shouts of the multitude! The inhabitants of Enniskillen also closed their Gates, by the advice of the Rev. Robert Kelso, a Presbyterian Minister; and, a few days afterwards, sallied out and completely routed several companies of Catholic soldiers who were advancing to attack the fortress. The conduct of the brave citizens of Derry and Enniskillen exercised a most important influence on future events; and, it may be, that, under God, we are indebted for many of the dearest privileges which we this day enjoy, to the energy, determination, and heroism, of a few individuals comparatively youthful and obscure! Those events roused the entire Protestant population of Ulster. Confederacies were formed and volunteers assembled in all quarters, to meet the numerous Catholic Forces, who were then advancing to Ulster, under the direction of Lord Tyrconnell. A detail of military operations would be altogether inconsistent with the objects of this History; and I shall, therefore, only state, that after a brave but ineffectual resistance against overwhelming numbers, the Protestants were finally routed and dispersed a few regiments alone retreating upon Derry, to animate and defend its courageous citizens. In the mean time, King James, driven from England, landed at Kinsale, and reached Dublin towards the end of March, 1689. On the 8th of April, he advanced towards Derry, at the head of 12,000 men, and invested the City on the 18th day of the same month. He found there a large body of his own troops, flushed with recent victories; and having brought from Dublin a powerful train of Artillery, he naturally calculated upon an early and easy triumph. For its defence, the City had, of armed inhabitants, peasantry, and regular soldiers, about 7,000 men. The Governor, Lundy, either from cowardice or treachery, was anxious to capitulate, immediately on the King's arrival; but the gallant "Prentice Boys" raised the shout of "No Surrender," deposed him from his office, and appointed the Rev. George Walker of Donoughmore, near Dungannon, and the valiant Major Baker, to be Joint Governors, in his stead. The former presided over the commissariat and civil departments, whilst the latter superintended the military operations. Volumes have been written concerning the details of this memorable Siege; and with the exception of Tyre and Jerusalem, I question whether any city in ancient or modern times, has manifested determination, courage, and patient endurance, superior to those which were exhibited by the citizens and defenders of Derry, in the year 1689. That the besieging Army wanted both skill and courage cannot be deniedthat the Relieving Squadron, on the other side, under Major General Kirk, behaved with infamous cowardice, is equally true-but, as regards the besieged, there is nothing wanting to consummate their glory! It has been made a sectarian boast, that amongst those heroic men there were fifteen Presbyterians to one Episcopalian; but, such comparison is most unseemly, where the disparity of numbers was merely accidental, and where those of every creed were equally distinguished for every virtue. By the blessing of Almighty God, they were released from famine, pestilence, and all the complicated horrors of war, on Sunday, July 28th, 1689, at ten o'clock in the evening-the Relieving Squadron having succeeded in forcing a strong iron chain or boom which stretched across the river Foyle, and prevented their access to the City. Joy and confidence now succeeded to despair; and after the famished soldiery and people had satisfied the cravings of nature, the entire city sent up one united anthem of praise and thankfulness to the Giver of all good. That devout and solemn strain was heard in the camp of the besiegers, and inspired them with more awe than the thunder of Artillery. Despairing, therefore, of reducing a Fortress defended by undaunted men, and now abundantly supplied with ammunition and provisions, James determined to raise the Siege, after having lost 100 officers, and nearly 9,000 men, in the space of one hundred and five days. He accordingly left his camp on the 31st of July, and retreated towards the South, with his whole Army, in a state of the utmost despondency; whilst the citizens of Derry threw open their Gates, and the entire population of the surrounding districts crowded in, to hail and to congratulate the glorious champions of Civil and Religious Liberty. (To be continued.) INTELLIGENCE. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE REMON STRANT SYNOD. THE annual meeting of this reverend body took place in the Meeting-house of the Remonstrant Congregation, in Ballymena, on Tuesday, the 21st of July, at 12 o'clock. The Rev. SAMUEL MOORE, the Moderator for the past year, preached from the Epistle to the Philippians, ii. 12, after which he constituted the Synod by prayer. The roll was then called, and a very full attendance of Ministers and Elders was found to be present. The Rev. H. Alexander, of Newry, having been unanimously chosen Moderator for the ensuing year; and the Rev. Fletcher Blakely, of Moneyrea, re-elected Clerk, and the Rev. Thos. Smith, as Assistant Clerk to the Synod. Several English clergymen were invited to share in the deliberations of the body. The College Entrance Examination Committee was then appointed; and a Committee was also appointed to attend the public examination at the Belfast Institution, at the close of the next Session; and directed to make a return to this Synod, at its next meeting, respecting the attendance and proficiency of all the students in connexion with the body. The Rev. Dr. Montgomery, and the Rev. John Scott Porter, the Synod's Professors of Theology, delivered their reports, which were found to be satisfactory. HOME MISSION. The business of the Home Mission was next taken up. It was proposed by the Rev. Mr. CROZIER, and seconded by Dr. MONTGOMERY, and passed unanimously "That all the Ministers be directed to take up a collection in aid of this object, on the first Sunday in January." The Synod then adjourned till next morning at ten o'clock. Wednesday, July 22. The Synod was constituted by prayer this morning at ten o'clock. The Clerk read over the minutes of the sitting of the previous day. REPORTS OF PRESBYTERIES. The reading over of the reports of the Presbyteries was next proceeded with, which occupied the Synod for a considerable time. The Rev. Mr. DOHERTY then read over a list of the Congregations which had returned the sums which had been assessed on them; and in every case where any had been returned, the full amount of assessment, as we understood, had been paid. THE NEW COLLEGES. The Rev. Dr. MONTGOMERY said, in relation to this subject, the Synod would recollect that last year a meeting took place in Belfast of the three Non-subscribing Presbyterian bodies of Ireland, at which a Committee was appointed, which Committee drew up a document, a printed copy of which he then held in his hand, and which, although it was, perhaps, somewhat lengthy, it would be necessary for him to read. It was directed to Sir Robert Peel, Sir J. Graham, and Sir Thomas Freemantle, the three individuals to whom the charge of such things was entrusted in the Cabinet, and was dated the 17th of July last. There had been copies of this document struck off, and he understood the members would be supplied with them. This letter, with the signature of Dr. Ledlie, who had acted as Moderator, was sent forward, a copy to each of the three Baronets; and he believed the only answer received was this, an intimation that they had received the documents. communication, as Clerk to that Synod, was then forwarded by Mr. Blakely, which Mr. Blakely would read to them. [Mr. Blakely here read the letter forwarded by him to the Government, setting forth the propriety of having some members of the body appointed to the Professorships in the new Colleges.] He thought they had proceeded with this matter in a regular and orderly way. They had done all in their power to secure their own rights and interests in the new Colleges; they had looked on it as most important, both as regarded the credit of their Church and the interests of their students, that some A conversation with him on the subject of his visit. Sir Thomas then informed him of what he had been, up till that time, unacquainted with, and which still was the cause of some anxiety to him, namely, that the appointments had been virtually surrendered by the Government; that it would be invidious for them to take the appointment of the Professors to themselves, seeing that some 1,200 candidates had offered themselves for the 45 situations, and that each of them having from 20 to 100 testimonials, as to the Government examining and deciding upon that mass of testimonials, it was what they had neither the power nor the convenience to do; that they had nominated a Literary Board to examine the testimonials, and recommend three out of the candidates for each of the Professorships. He then inquired who were the gentlemen that composed this Board; and Sir Thos. informed him that they were the Presidents of the three Colleges already appointed, together with the Protestant and Roman Catholic Archbishops of Dublin, and the Provost of Trinity Collegethat is to say, three Roman Catholics, two Episcopalian Protestants, and a Calvinistic Presbyterian. He saw at once that by this arrangement their share of the Professorships was likely to be small indeed; that these gentlemen, no matter how impartial, would be but too likely to have more or less of that fellow-feeling which was described as calculated to make men "wondrous kind;" that there might be, moreover, a sort of " a give-andtake" agreement made between them, in regard to the candidates from their several Churches, one party saying, "Give us so many Catholics here, we will allow you so many Episcopalians there, and so many Calvinists in another place;" that the thing would not improbably be settled by way of compromise between the three bodies, to the total exclusion of all others.He did not ask to impeach any of the Board of dishonesty, or of a desire even to act partially; but independently of all considerations of favour or prejudice, what, he would ask, could Dr. Murray be expected to know of the worth of such men as Mr. Scott Porter, Mr. Davis, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Doherty, or many other gentlemen with whose merits the measures should be adopted on the subject. Previous to the time that these communications had been sent forward to the Government, the appointments of the Principals of the Colleges had already been made by the Government; and, whatever desire he might have to show respect or gratitude towards the late Government, he could not suppress his conviction, that with the appointments in question no man in the kingdom had expressed himself satisfied. With the single exception of Dr. Kane, who was a man of some literary pretensions, the appointments were, as far as the attainments and fitness of those appointed were concerned, absolutely ludicrous. Persons had been appointed as Principals of the new Colleges, whose acquirements did not fit them for the superintendence of a grammar school. The Government had a right, however, to make these appointments; and it was quite clear that they had been made with a view to particular or sectarian influences. There had, for the South and West of Ireland, been appointed two Catholics, to please the Catholics-while, for the North of Ireland, a Calvinistic Presbyterian had been appointed, to please the Calvinists. In accordance with the resolutions passed at a meeting of Synod, he (Dr. M.) proceeded to Dublin for two purposes-one of these being to secure the interests of the body in the appointment of Professors, and the other to insist upon the endowment of Professorships of Theology. He had first written to Sir T. Freemantle, enclosing him a copy of the resolution of Synod, and requesting to be informed, when it would be agreeable that he should wait upon that Right Hon. Gentleman; and he received a letter, in reply, that it would not be necessary for him to go then to Dublin, as there had been nothing definite as yet fixed, in respect to the subject of the communication; and that the main arrangement entirely lay with the Government in England. He (Dr. M.) then wrote to say, he had been deputed to go by the religious body with which he was in connexion, and he must obey; at the same time naming a day upon which he would wait upon him in Dublin. On that occasion he was most courteously received by Sir T. Freemantle, and spent an hour in NN |