fessed such regard for their rights. But it was not altogether convenient to gratify them in this wish. The usual tactics of the party were attempted to be played off, One of the committee was asked, did he believe in the divinity of Christ? And though well knowing the sense attached by the inquirer to this expression, he had the-what shall we call it?-hardihood to reply, he did believe in it! Another question, however, from the honest and unsophisticated countryman, detected the insincerity of the answer, and at once revealed the Arian. From that moment, as we are informed, the congregation declined forming any connexion with them. The committee retired defeated and mortified; and were compelled to abandon these benighted bigots who could not appreciate the value of Arianism, or the great advantage of being joined in fellowship with the opponents of Gospel truth. What degree of attention they bestowed on the care of their newly-found brother, Mr. M'Claine, we have not learned. We suspect they did not design to do much for him if they had succeeded in securing the congregation and endowment. We understand that he has subsequently submitted to his Presbytery. The united congregation continues attached to the Synod as formerly; and the people are regularly supplied with preaching by the Presbytery, till they choose a successor to their suspended Minister. Thus ended this magnanimous effort of the Arian Synod to insult the authority of the Synod of Ulster, and to ereer themselves into a safe receptacle for every Minister of our church who may be under process for immorality! The Remonstrant Presbytery of Armagh-as a few Ministers in the county of Down affect to call themselves must be content to remain without a single congregation in the large and populous county from which they absurdly take their designation! The projected interference with Presbyterian marriages is the next subject requiring to be noticed. The obnoxious bill which was pending in Parliament at the sitting of the Synod, we are happy to state, has been relinquished;-a result, which is entirely to be attributed to the steps taken by our church, and especially to the very zealous and judicious conduct of the Moderator, the Rev. John Brown, of Aghadoey. This is another instance of the promptitude and fidelity with which the Synod of Ulster has watched over the general interests of the Dissenting cause in Ireland. All denominations of Dissenters, Independents, Seceders, Methodists, Baptists, &c. are all deeply indebted to our church. The fig-tree under which they sit, none making them afraid, has been planted and reared under her auspices; all the privileges they enjoy in this country have been secured to them by the faithful contendings of our forefathers in days of darkness and of peril. The next topic of public interest to which we formerly adverted, is the Government System of National Education. And we are grieved to say, that the endeavours of the Synod to procure some modification of the System, have not been as successful as in the former case. Since the meeting of Synod, a deputation waited on Mr. Stanley at Dublin; and, after a protracted interview, submitted certain specific queries in writing, to which we understand a written, reply was subsequently returned by Mr. Stanley. But as these documents have not yet been made public, we are at present unable to gratify our readers with any account of their nature or contents. We fear Mr. Stanley's reply is not satisfactory. But if so, let not the Presbyterians of Ulster be discouraged. Let them stand fast by the Bible, and not permit it to be excluded from their schools. Let them not be ensnared into an approval of the system. Let them prepare to petition Parliament against it, and respectfully state their ob jections and grievances. And now on the eve of a general election, when the friends of the enslaved African are seeking for candidates who will vote for the abolition of slavery; let the friends of the Bible rally round those, who will vote for abolishing the sentence of exclusion from the schools of the kingdom, which, in an evil hour, a British statesman has dared to pronounce against the word of God! While our church has thus been vindicating her rights, and bearing a faithful testimony to the supreme authority and excellence of the Bible, she has also been blessed with many "tokens for good," promising a further extension of the Gospel in the land, as well as a further revival of its power and grace within her own bounds. We allude to the several ordinations of Ministers-the opening of the various houses of worship-and the erection of the different new congregations which have latterly taken place, but which we have not as yet had an opportunity of noticing. With a brief summary of these we shall conclude our present supply of religious intelligence. When combined into one group, they present a most gratifying and delightful spectacle. All the congregations that adhered to our Synod, when their Ministers avowed themselves Arians, have, with two exceptions, obtained fixed pastors, who are proving themselves able auxiliaries in the cause of the Gospel. During the past summer, two of these congregations, Ballycarry and Cairncastle, have had their houses of worship opened under the most favourable auspices; and the large collections received on these occasions, testified the esteem in which they and their cause are held by their surrounding brethren of various denominations. Above A THOUSAND POUNDS have been already expended by these two congregations on their houses, the greater part of which was raised by their own voluntary contributions. These people have indeed ❝contended earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." Their contest has cost them much pain and many sacrifices, and exposed them to much reproach and many revilings. But, sure we are, they will feel themselves amply rewarded by seeing the success with which their efforts have been crowned, and by participating in the blessings that flow from the ministrations of the glorious Gospel of the Blessed God. Our church has also received some valuable additions to the number of her Ministers, by the filling up of several vacancies since the meeting of Synod. The only ordination, however, that has, as yet, taken place, is that of the Rev. James A. Canning, who was ordained on the 4th of September, to the pastoral charge of the congregation of Downpatrick, vacant by the lamented death of the Rev. W. D. Stewart. A most impressive, affectionate, and faithful charge to the newly ordained minister and people, was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Breaky, of Killileagh. We gave insertion to this excellent charge in our last Number, and it has also been printed, in a separate form, for the use of the Downpatrick Congregation. Several new congregations have been also lately added to our communion-some of them formed under very interesting circumstances. Of these, the congregation of Kilmore demands especial notice. It was one of those that, three years ago, seceded, under its minister, from the Synod. Attached to him from personal considerations, and trusting to the solemn professions of the Arian body, that, in case of being thrown vacant, they, as well as every other congregation in connexion with them, would have the liberty of calling a minister of any principles they chose, they quietly followed their Minister in his secession; and, even after his decease, they continued in their communion. But the consequences of that step now appeared. Every manœuvre was resorted to, to prevent the Orthodox majority of the congregation from choosing a Minister of evangelical sentiments; till at length disgusted with the disingenuous artifices of the Remonstrant Presbytery, they resolved, at all hazards, to return to the Synod of Ulster, and apply to be erected into a distinct congregation. This was accordingly done. A new congregation has been formed there, under the Presbytery of Belfast, consisting, even at present, of upwards of three hundred families-leaving the Arian Society, though a mere skeleton, in possession of the house and endowment. They have commenced the erection of a large and commodious place of worship, the first stone of which was laid on the 6th August, by Colonel Forde, of Seaforde, assisted by Sydney Hamilton Rowan, Esq., of Downpatrick, in presence of a highly respectable and numerous assembly of people. The situation is a beatifully retired one, and we know not a spot that could have been selected more suitable for the erection of a house of worship. The ground consists of about an acre and a half, and has lately been most kindly granted in perpetuity to the congregation by Mrs. Nevin and Mrs. Carson, coheiresses of the late John Potter, Esq., of Down. It will afford ample space for the intended building, as also for a burial-ground, vaults, Minister's house, sexton's house, &c. The building will be an oblong square, hip-roofed, two tier of windows on each side, four windows in each, with an ornamental front consisting of four Tuscan pilasters, surmounted by capitals, with cornice and blocking course, one outer entrance door, a corridore, and two inner doors opening to the interior of the house-dimensions 70 feet by 44. 6. and 24 feet 6. The ceremony was introduced by singing the 1st, 3d, and 4th stanzas of the 65th Psalm. Doctor Cooke then read the 1st verse of the 127th Psalm, and the whole of the 122d, on which he commented briefly. He next offered up the dedication prayer, in terms of deep solemnity and impressiveness; after which the ceremony of laying the stone was gone through, and the benediction pronounced. We trust this flourishing con. gregation will soon obtain a pastor to dispense to them the Word of Life, and spread the Gospel through that hitherto neglected district. During the past summer, a new congregation has also been formed at Hillsborough, in connection wth the Synod of Ulster, and they are likewise engaged in erecting a house of worship, which is now nearly completed. And we understand that a new congregation, also in connection with our church, is about to be erected at White Abbey, under very favourable auspices-above three hundred pounds having been already collected, by a gentleman resident in that neighbourhood, towards building a suitable place of worship. These are cheering facts indicative of the spirit of the times, and full of promise as to the further spread of the truth, and the increasing influence and extension of our church in the land. Let ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIANS then "thank God and take courage." Let them continue be firm and faithful witnesses for Christ in this their day. Let each, in his station and office, earnestly seek to promote the cause of the Gospel by prayer, example, admonition, encouragement, and liberal contributions to carry it abroad, or sustain it in desolate places at home; and our periodicals shall then be filled with recording the triumphs of the cross, and the accelerated advance of millenian purity, peace and love. J Lines SUGGESTED BY THE FOREGOING. THE clouds that long hung o'er the walls of our Zion, Our brethren who long were estranged our communion, Wafts our praise and our prayers to our Saviour and God." While the stones of our temples are rapidly rising, Though our Zion be strong, and our hearts are thus gladdened, Like our fathers, we dwell in a land which is saddened And now when the angel of death is declaring, That time unto thousands shall never be more Lord, humble thy people, that those thou art sparing May bow to thy justice, repent and adore. SUMS RECEIVED FOR THE M London Missionary Society. Brigh Mrs. Cochran, per Rev. J. Denham.. £0 12 0 Saintfield (exclusive of Rev. Mr. Simpson's Subscription).... 0 10 0 34.0 THE ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN. No. XXXVIII. NOVEMBER, 1832. VOL. IV. CHOLERA JEHOVAH IN THE PESTILENCE. We have reason to be thankful that it has pleased God, in a great measure, to withdraw this afflictive disease from our country. True, he may be trying us with mercy only for a season, and the destroyer may again be sent against us with increased violence. But whether the disease is departing to return among us no more, or whether it only slumbers to break out again with unexampled virulence, we feel it to be our duty to keep public attention directed to it, and we exhort men to regard this disease as an ambassador to them from heaven, saying, in the language of Ehud to Eglon, "I have a message from God unto thee." So much has already been addressed to our readers on this subject, in the pages of The Orthodox Presbyterian, that we shall employ another to speak for us at present, by inserting a beautiful paper, from the lately published Essays of Mr. Belfrage.* Besides being a word of seasonable advice, this will answer another purpose, being an introduction to our readers of a valuable little volume which we had long since marked for notice. It consists of essays on various subjects, distinguished alike by good taste and sound doctrine. We are glad to see a book of this description, being admirably suited to lie on the table, and to be taken up to beguile a leisure half hour. It would be well to have such books lying in our own way, and that of our friends, from which many valuable hints might thus, as if accidentally, be gathered. If we have any fault to the volume, it is an apparent over-refinement in both style and sentiment. The style has sometimes too much the appearance of having, with no little labour, been wrought up to finery. We would rather see even occasional carelessness with more freedom and vigour. The other fault, regarding sentiment, is more serious. For instance, when he represents the destroyer of the Assy. * "Select Essays on Various Topics, Religious and Moral." By HENRY BELFRAGE, D. D. P. p. 340. D |