3.cZS/o/ ^V* PRINCETON, N. J. '"^ Purchased by the Mrs. Robert Lenox Kennedy Church History Fund. BX 9060 .P74 V.3 , Presbyterian Church in I Ireland. Synod of Ulster. Records of the General Syno< of Ulster BOUND R CARSWELl moym:. MVi bilta: RECORDS OF THE GENERAL SYNOD OF ULSTER From 1691 to 1820. ^ YOL. III. - U I s + er. 5y no cl. RECORDS OF THE GENERAL SYNOD OF ULSTER, FROM 1691 TO 1820. IN THREE VOLUMES. PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE (iENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND, WITH THE SANCTION OF THE GENERAL SYNOD. YOL. III. 1778-1820, BELFAST, 1898. JOHN REID AND CO., PRINTERS, WELLINGTON PLACE, BELFAST. PREFATORY NOTE The Copy for the printer and the sheets of this Volume, as in the case of Volume II., were carefully compared with the original records by Rev. W. J. Lowe, M.A., Clerk of the General Assembly and of the General Synod, and Convener of the Assembly's Committee for Historical Purposes. These repeated revisions have, it is hoped, secured a sufficient degree of accuracy. It has not been thought advisable to delay the publication further by the addition of the index and notes originally contemplated. Jun$, 1898. CONTENTS OF VOL. TIL PAGE I. A General Synod at Lurgan, June 30th, 1778 - - - 1 II. A General Synod at Lurgan, June 29th, 1779 - - - 12 III. A General Synod at Dunganuoii, June 27th, 1780 - - 24 IV. A General Synod at Dungannon, June 26th, 1781 - - 32 V. A General Synod at Lurgan, June 25th, 1782 • ■ - 39 VI. A General Synod at Lurgan, June 24th, 1783 - • - 51 VII. A General Synod at Mngherafelt, June 29th, 1784 - - 59 VIII. A General Synod at Magherafelt, June 28th, 1785 - - 70 IX. A General Synod at Dungannon, June 27th, 1786 - - 77 X. A (Jeiieral Synod at Lurgan, June 26th, 1787 - - - 86 XI. A (ieneral Synod at Lurgan, June 24th, 1788 - - - 94 XII. A General Synod (pro re natu) at Dungannon, December 2nd, 1788 - 103 Xlli. A General Synod at Lurgan, June 30tli, 1789 - - - 106 XI\'. A List of Members of General Synod of Ulster and Pre.s bytery of Antrim, June 29th, 1790 - - - 117 XV. A tJeneral Synod at Lurgan, June 29th, 1790 - • - 119 XVI. A General Synod at Lurgan, June 28th, 1791 - - - 127 XVII. General Synod's Fixed Committee at Lurgan, February Uth, 1792 135 XVIll. A (Jeueral Synod at Lurgan, June 26th, 1792 - - - 139 XIX. A General Synod at Lurgan, June 25th, 1793 - - 151 XX. A General Synod at Dungannon, June 24th, 1794 - 163 XXI. A General Synod at Derry, June 30tli, 1795 • • 176 XXII. A General Synod at Belfast, June 28th, 1796 - - - 185 XXIII. General Synod's Fixed Committee at Lurgan, June 16th, 1797 ' 193 XXIV. A General Synod at Belfast, September 5th, 1797 - 195 XXV. A General Synod at Lurgan, August 28th, 1798 - 203 XXVI. A General Synod at Lurgan, June 25th, 1799 - - - 214 XXVII A (Icneral Synod at Lurgan, June 24th, 1800 - - - 224 XXV 111. A General Synod (i>ro re tiatu) at Lurgan, October 8th 1600 233 XXIX. A (ieneral Synod at Lurgan, June 30th, 1801 - - 237 XXX. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 29th, 1802 - 250 CONTENTS. vu. PAGE XXXI. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 28th, 1803 - - 263 XXXII. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 26tli, 1804 - - 274 XXXIII. Instructions to Agent for Royal Bounty - - - - 288 XXXIV. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 25tli, 1805 - - 292 XXXV. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 24tli, 1806 ■ - 304 XXXVI. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 30tli, 1807 - - 316 XXXVII. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 28th, 1808 ■ - 328 XXXVIII. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 27tli, 1809 - - 335 XXXIX. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 26th, 1810 - - 351 XL. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 25th, 1811 - 361 XLI. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 30th, 1812 - - 376 XLII. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 29tli, 1813 - - 388 XLIII. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 28th, 1814 - - 401 XLIV. A General Synod at Belfast, June 27th, 1815 - - - 414 XLV. A General Synod at Belfast, June 25th, 1816 - - - 430 XLVI. A General Synod (special) at Cookstown, Novoniher 5th, 1816 ... 449 XLVII. A General Synod at Belfast, June 24th, 1817 - - - 455 XLVIII. A General Synod [pro re nata) at Belfast, January 14th, 1818 473 XLIX. A Geueral Synod at Belfast, June 30th, 1818 - - - 477 L. A General Synod at Belfaht, June 29th, 1819 - - - 494 LI. A General Synod at Cookstown, June 27th, 1820 - - 518 [MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OE ULSTER.] -f- A Gen^ Synod at Lurgan, June 30"^, 1778. M' Smith, Mod' of the former Synod, being absent from this meeting, M' Rental, as pastor loci, being solicited, opened the Synod by preaching from Acts 19:20. After sermon, M' Jackson, upon a motion seconded, took the chair and constituted by prayer, after which were present from the sev' Pbys as followeth — Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Tyrone Pby. Templepatrick Pby. James Todd Jno. White Wm. Kennedy Jno. Macleland Mos. Hogg Wm. Wilson Geo. Murray Jos. Smith Jno. Greer Killilea Pby. Jas. Armstrong Jno. Strong Mos. Neilson Joseph Litle Wm. Steel Dickson Robt. Layry Armagh Pby Hen. Jackson Wm. Campbell Saml. Livingston Alex. Given Robt. Dickson Robt. Black Strabane Pby. Jos. Osborn Wm. Craford Derry Pby. Jno. Law Wm. Rogers Jno. Wright Thos. Read Wm. IVlontgomery Jno. Bankhead Jno. Abernethy Andw. Hume Dromore Pby. Isaac Patrick Robert McClure Saml. Barbar Jas. Birch Jno. Thompson Robt. Rental 1 Jno. Sherard Jno. Cochran Fraus. Tiirretine Jas Mulligan Hen. Dunn Jno. McKee Jas. Baxter Wm. Richardson Jno. Orr Saml. Adair Bangor Pby. Wm. Rowan James Hull Jas. Cochran Jas. Bryson Jas. Caldwell Jno. Adams Geo. Kennedy Robt. Maclintock Andw. Craig Mr. Gaudy Jno. Strong Belfast Pby. Jos. Kinkead Wm. Laird Saml. Patten kECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOt) Modr chosen Clk M' M<;iure 2'» 8c».^" Minis. Elders. Belfast Pby— continued. Wni. McKee Minis. Elders. Ballyincna Pby. Tlios. Hiicli Hu. McKee Andw. Green Letterkenny Pby. Jos. Lytic Ben. McDowell Kobt. Sherard .Inc. Rankin J as. Cuming J no. Lyndsay Alexr. Speer Robt. Christy David Park Jno. Brown Will. Tiionipson Alex. Montgomery Robt. Macomb Robt Henry Jno. Smith Rout Pby. Jno. Read Dublin Pby. Jas. Caldwell Monaghan Pby. Jas. Jackson Saml. Kennedy Win. Smith Wm Moor Jno. Davis Mat. Trimble Clogher Pby. None. M"" Jackson moved that another he chosen to moderate in y' Synod. The following brethren were named as a leet : Mess" W" Kennedy, Neilson, Livingston, Osborn, Law, Read, M'^Clure, McDowell, Henry, Lyndsay, Jackson, M*Clelland, & Bryson. The Roll was called & M' Bryson chosen. M' Rogers continund Clerk. Ordered that .\1' M'^Clure being next in votes to the Mod' now chosen be appointed to preach at next Gen' Synod, the second day of their meeting at nine o'clock forenoon. Ordered that the Sev' Pbrs meet this evening to prepare lists to be given to the Clk of the Synod, to- morrow morning, of their members for the several Committees of overtures, Bills, Books, fund & General Synods fixed Comittee ; ap also an ace* of such ministers as have diid, been ordained, Installed ; candidates been licensed, entered on trials, since last Gen' Synod ; likewise an account of annuitants on y" fund, if any have died since last Synod the time to be mentioned, also an ace' of women, now living that have been ministers wives, and are not upon the fund. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. This session concluded with prayer. 2*^ Session Wednesday , at eleven o^ clock forenoon, after prayer, ^x. M' .M'Ciciiaiiii M' M''Cleland, as appointed by last G. Synod, preached from* at nine o'clock }" forenoon. *Text not given. AT LURGAN. JUNE 30Tii, 1778. 3 The Pbys gave in lists of their members for the sev' Committees, as also the following aects. namely : Armagh Pby report that M'" Cherry & M." Menagh are upon j= Onjcfu„a fund. Tyrone Pby have installed M' Stitt, at Dungannon, y" 1^' Sep', in«ta"ed 1777 ; they have Licensed M"^ Montgomery, having passed trials Licensed according to the Synodical Kules. They have entered on P' Trials M' Anderson; they have ordained M"" Jo^ Smith in Keady, 15"" of October last past, he is a contributor to the widows fund ; annuitants, with them are M" Kennedy, M" Peebles, M"^^ Orr, M" Duffio ; not on the fund, M" Rea. Killilea Pby have on the fund M'* Scott & M" Kennedy. Strabane Pby have on the fund M" Armstrong. Derry Pby have ordained M' Stephen Brizell at Muff, 30^'^ 8 her, 0"^" 1776 ; Mr. Erwin at Fahan in Sep', 1777, and M' Scott at Donagh, 22 NovemS 1777. They licensed M' Glendai and M^ Steel Clark according to the Synodical Rules; they have on trials M' Allen, no return of their widows, only that M"^" Murray died the 22"'* April, 1777. Templepatrick Pby have entered on trials M' Jno Marshall, on the fund M"^^ Dunbar, M^* White. Uromore Pby have ordained M' M^Ferson at Glentubret 6*** May 1778, he subscribed the Westminster confession of faith. They have installed M' Fran« Turietine at Mountnorris y^ 5^^ May, 1778. He '"^'^"^'^ subscribed the W.M. confession of faith; they have entered on P' trials Trials M' M'=:Neally. On the fund they have M'^ Gordon, M^' White, M" Sims, M" Semple, M" Richey. Bangor Pby ordained M' Craig in Moira, the 30*'' June, 1778. ^rdJ He was a contributor to the widows fund ; they have entered on trials Mess" Gaudy & Strong ; on the fund they have M'' Warnick, M" Mitchell, famy M' Dickson. Belfast Pby report that M' King died the 20'" Aug*, 1777, he Dead was a contributor to the widows fund, and left no fatnily. They have licensed M"^ M'^Gee according to Synodical Rules, he subscribed the Licensed W.M. confession of faith ; the widows with them on the fund are M''^ Malcom, family M"^ M'^Kean. Letterkenny Pby have licensed M' M'=FarIand according to the Licensed Synodical Rules ; he subscribed the confession of faith, they entered on trials M'" Hu: Morison. The widows with them as in y*^ year past. They ^"'^'^ also report that M' Jno M^Meinis was deposed from the ministerial Deposed office the 15"^ 8ber, 1777, & have suspended M' David Allen, sine die, Suspended y« 28*'' May, 1778 ; both deprived of the R.D. Rout Pby have licensi d M' Moor according to Synodical Rules. ^"■■®"*®'' They have entered M' Ja^ Elder en trials. No return of j' widows. RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Synod's Com- mittee Pbj'B to meet Ballymena Pby have entered on trials Mess" Montgomery & Cash. On the fund M" O'Brian, M" Macurdy, M""^ White, M^' Hill, M" Cochran, M" Brown, not on the fund M'" M'Creight. Dublin Pby have on the fund M" Patten, M" Vance, M" M-^Beath, famy M' Killburn. Monaghan Pby have licensed M' Tho' Jackson according to Synodical Rules; widows on the fund M" Bond, M" Mackee, M" Warnick, M" Clark died the 23''' June Ins'. From Clogher Pby no return. The members of the Synod's fixed Committee are as followeth : — From Armagh Pby Mess''" Cample & Livingston with an Elder, Tyrone Pby Mess" White & M'=Clelland w' an Elder. Killilea Pby Mess" Macomb & Strong with an Elder. Monaghan Pby Mess'" Smith & Trimble with an Elder. Strabane Pby Mess" Osborn & Craford with an Elder: L.kenny Pby Mess" Marshall & Alexander with an Elder. T.patrick Pby Mess" Read & Montgomery w* an Elder. Dromore Pby Mess" Maclure & Barbar w' an Elder. Bangor Pby Mess" Hull & Caldwell with an Elder. Belfast Pby Mess" Huey & Laird with an Elder. Ballymena Pby Mess" Rankin & Lyndsay with an Elder. Kout Pby Mess" Ewing & Marshall with an Elder. Dublin Pby M' Caldwell with an Elder. Derry no return. Clogher no return. These with our Moderator & Clerk are to meet at Dungan when called by the Moderator upon any emergency, 15 to be a quorum, whereof 12 at least are to be ministers. The Several Pbys are ordered to meet immediately, Adjourned to 7 o'clock. Interloq' at 5. This Session concluded with prayer, &c. tii 8e«" 3^ Session at 7 o'clock, afternoon, after prayer Sfc. Next Synod It wflB agreed that the time and place of next Synod's meeting be fixed now. Lurgan was proposed and agreed to without a division. The next meeting of the Gen' Synod to be at Lurgan, the last Tuesday in June, '79. Sermon to begin at five o'clock afternoon. Capie street On reading the minute of Inst Gen' Synod upon the business of Caple Street congregation, and Mr. Buird's case, it appeared that the Committee appointed to meet at Newry did convene, as appointed. AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, 1778, 5 where commissioners, complainants, and also M' Baird in his defence, did appear, and the copy of said Committee's minute is as foUoweth : — At a Committee of the Geu' Synod met at Newry Aug* 12'^ 1777, C";"™'"^" members present — Mini'. Elders. Mess" Eob* Smith, Mod'. ,, Geo. Harris ,, Jn° Davis John Baily ,, Ju" Jackson ,, Mich' Henry W"" Kennedy , Jos: Litle ,, Sam' Barbar , , Jos : Hay ., Isaac Patrick W" Gordon ,, James Moodie Ja^ Pollock ,, Henry Jackson ., William Campbell ,, Sam' Livingstone ,, And^^ Kennedy W" Steel Dickson ,, William Stitt John Neall M' Barbar opened the Committee by preaching from Jo. 8 : 46, Appeared from Caple Street, Dublin, Mess" Stewart, Blair, & g°^i;"slreet Gilbert, Comm", to support the complaints against M' Baird. M"^ Baird also appeared. The Commissioners from Dublin & M"^ Baird declared themselves ready for trial. The reasons in support of the supplication of the commissioners at the Gen' Synod containing the charge against M' Baird were read. The reasons were also read again severally & considered. The witnesses adduced in proof of each, and M"^ Baird's defence were fully heard, after which the Committee came to the following resolution — to wit, that all the material charges brought against M' Baird's conduct and character were proved or Censured admitted, and that though the whole of the transactions under consider- tion, M' Baird hath discovered a mind not sufficiently impressed with the principles of that Beligion he professed to preach and practise. The Committee therefore having a just abhorrence of M' Baird's conduct and behaviour, do appoint the Moderator to rebuke him from the pulpit, in the most solemn manner, for the Temper of mind, and Tenure of conduct thus discovered, and warmly and earnestly admonished him to act a part in future more suitable to his character as a man, & a Christian, and particularly as a minister of the Gospel, and they farther enjoin him not to preach or exercise the function of a Gospel Minister within the bounds of the Geu' Synod, unless by appointment of that Synod, or some particular Pby thereunto belonging ; and also to enjoin him to give up his present hou^e, and all the appendages belonging to the congreg" of Caple Street to the Trustees of that congregaiion, in 6 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD one month from the date hereof, or as soon after as demanded by the Mr nair.1 dp gaid Trustees, otherwise he be disposed [deposed] from the ministry i>osei ^.^^^ facto. Mr. Baird was accordingly rebuked & admonished, upon which he renounced all subjection & dependance upon the Gen' Synod, and all its subordinate parts. The Conduct and resolution of the Committee who met at Newry was considered and approved by this Synod. It was then enquired in what relation does M' Baird now stand to this Synod, when it appeared to bo their mind that he is deposed from the ministry, and that he is no longer entitled to the E. U. than the 25''' Juno, 1777, of which the Clerk of the Synod is ordered to give Information to Mr. Lang without loss of time. Baiiyhaibert Upon reading the minutes of last Qt. Synod relative to the Bally- halbert and Kirkcobrin differences, it appeared that M' Henry had changed Pulpits with M' Dickson, the day appointed and report that the Cong" of Baiiyhaibert did in the most ample manner conform every- thing, proposed by their commissioners, for peace & concord ; therefore this Synod most heartily approve of the conduct [of that] congregation. F""'"' Resolved that the affairs relative to the Synod's fund be refered to the Com""^ of that fund to meet to-morrow at eight o'clock forenoon. Capie street ^ suppUcation from the Conreg" of Caple Street, Dublin, was presented to this Synod by Mess" Gilbert & Kichey, commissioners, seting forth that an unanimous call, had through the Pby Letter- kenny, been presented to the Rev. M' M'Dowell from that Cong" ; he desired some time might be allowed him to consider so momentous a matter, and that he wou'd give his answer at next meeting of the Pby. That the Congregation of Caple Street did transmit their Mr McDowell reasous for M' M'^Dowell's removall to the Mod^ of the Pby Letter- kenny, and minutes of said Pby represent that M' M*=Dowell craved advice from y" Pby, who finding themselves difiiculted, declined giving him any advice, but left the whole to the final decision of this Synod. They therefore pray the application of the kind offices of this Synod in recommending to M^ M'^Dowell the acceptance of their call. The abstract of the minutes of the Pby of Letterkenny relative to the above affair were also read, whereby it appears for several reasons they refer the whole matter to j" Synod. Mr M'Moweii re. ReasoDS against the removal of M' M'^Dowell to the Cong" of moved loC:iple _,,, " , , tr. i~,, ^ o n • • ri\. Street Caple Street were read by il' Sherard, &c., Commissioners ot the Cong" of Bullyktlly. Commissioners being heard at full length, and removed, M' M'^Dowell was called upon to give light in this matter, who replyed he had nothing to offer by way of Information, only if required he was ready to drclare his mind, wiih respect to his accept- ing or rejecting the call of Caple Street congregation. The Synod then demanded, M'' M'^DowtU his own determination, who said that con- sidering the raatttr, witli the most serious attention, it appeared to him that the invitation from Caple Street Cong" was providential, therefore he accepted theii call, but that he was still sensible of the subjection due by him, as a Presbyterian, to this Synod : I am in your hands. AT LURGAN, JUNE, 30TH, 1778. 7 This Synod declared they wou'd exercise no power or authority over M"" McDowell, nor give him any advice, but leave him at full liberty ; and it is the mind of this Synod that a copy of this minute shall be transmitted to be read to the congregation of Ballykelly next Lord's day. Adjourned till 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. Interloq'' at nine. Y^ session concluded with prayer. 4'^ Session Thursday at W o' cloch forenoon, after prayer Sfc. ithgees". The Committee of the fund who met this morning at 8 o'clock as Fund directed report by their minutes that M' Rowan is entitled to the fund till this date collected by the Pby of Ballymena. That M' Ja' Eead shall be placed to the Pby Ballymena, instead of M' Rowan, and that M' Rowan be hereafter put upon the fund of the Pby of Belfast. Ordered by this Synod that the Pby Ballymena shall have it in their power to dispose the fund money they have collected, as they shall see cause. 2'^'' The Committee resolved that the money which has been stopped out of the R.D. of the members, who neglected making col- lections for y'^ Synod's fund, shou'd be disposed of, were of opinion that the money shou'd lay in M' Lang's hands till next Gr. Synod. That if the Gentlemen from whom it was stoped shou'd before that titre make collections, it shou'd then be restored to them; but in case they did not, the Synod then act as they thought proper. M' Henry, of Dromore Pby, entered his protest against detaining Protest any of the R.l). on ace' of the fund money. The Synod after reasoning on the above resolution, moved confirm the resolution of the Committee or not ? The Roll was called and it carried, confirm. On reading the minute of Ballykelly affair it was moved and agreed to that a member of this Synod be appointed to preach at Bally- Ballykelly kelly next Lord's day, read the said minute, and declare the congrega- tion vacant ; and at the request of the Commissioners we appoint M'' Lytle to go to the congregation of Ballykelly, preach to that people, & execute the above purpose, M"" Xl^Ferlim to preach to M' Lytle's con- gregation M"^ Sherard, comm"^ from Ballykelly, in consequence of full power vested in him by his constituents, Intreat this Synod will take that congreg" under their special care, and that an ordained minister may supply them for one month, after the P' Lord's days in July Ins'. And at the instance of the Commissioner this Synod appointed M' Simson to supply them the 2*^ & S** Lord's day in July Ins'. ; & M.'' Birch to supply them the 4"* Lord's days in July & P' in Aug' next. The different Pbys within our bounds are enjoined to send them sup- pliers to the Cong" of Ballykelly, as they, from time to time shall apply for till our next meeting. A Supplication from the congregation of Letterkenny was pro- Leiterkenny duced by Jn° Patterson, complaining of grievances arising from the Ii€tterkeiiny 8 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD resolution of this Synod at their last meeting in disannexing a part of their number, and erecting them into a distinct congregation — that they were unapprized of the designs of the said party : that the Synod (tho' they doubt nothing of its sincerity) must have been misled by wrong representations of the people erected, therefore belong formerly to the Cong" of Donfanahy. This the suppliants expressly deny, and assert that the congregation of Letterkenny will be materially injured, Fannet totally demolished ; they therefore pray that the Resolution of this Synod as to the erection of Kilmacranan be rescinded. At the same time two papers, but unsupported by any Commis- sioner from Donfanaghy, were read complaining of the suspension of M'' Allen, their minister, praying his restoration, & |that the Pby of L.kenny be censured. Upon considering the above supplication & paper relative to it, agreed that the whole of this matter be referred to a Committee, con- sisting of the Pby Rout, Strabane, and Derry, who are hereby empowered to determine & finally issue that matter, to meet at St. Johnston the 1" Tuesday in August next, only such members of such Pbys as were formerly correspondents with the Pby Letterkenny when M' Allen was suspended shall not sit & vote with the Committee. The Pby of Letterkenny & the parties concerned are enjoined to attend & give light to the Committee, five minr^ & their elders to be a quorum, M'' Craford, Af Law, & M' Davis tonotifie to their respective Pbys to be punctual iu attending. M' Patterson, Coram' from the congregation of Letterkenny, to give a copy of this minute to M' Allen and he to communicate it to the people of Killmacrennan & Drum- fan achy. Adjourned till 5 o'clock, y Session concluded with prayer, &c. ntii Sess" S"' Session, Thursday/, at 5 o^clock afternoon, Sfc. Kiiienker A Supplication was presented to the Synod by Alex' Henry & Robert Rogers from the congregation of Kiiienker, setting forth that at last Synod they obtained the order of this Synod for a collection in the several congregations within our Bounds, to enable them to rebuild their meetinghouse. The collection to be made as soon as they shou'd obtain a Lease of the ground for their meeting house from the Right Hon''''" Lord Fernam, that they now have obtained a Lease, but litle respect has been paid to said order obtained last year; and therefore they pray this Synod's Injunction may be speedily put in execution. The Synod considering the above supplication, find that some Pbys and individuals have complyed & paid their collections to M' Sprate, but as a great many are yet deficient ordered that they may be careful to make collections as early iti y" summer as possible, and remit the amount to M' Campell of Armagh. The Pby of Monaghan are enjoyed to lay before the CI'' an ace* of what is advanced that it may be entered into the minutes. AT LITRGAN, JUNE, 30TH, 1778. 9 A Letter from the congregation of Ballyhalbert was read in this Synod, expressing their gratitude to this Synod for their particular care to restore peace and concord, and to heal the unhappy breaches of that cong", and informing them that the discontents have persevered : That the Church of Scotland have lent aid to their supplication, and ia the face of the order of this Synod have ordained & sent over a minister to Kirckcobin, who are, as they were informed, officiate as minister, but with what views, or upon what principles, they leave with the wisdom of this Synod to determine. A supplication at the same time signed by Geo: Brydone was read Jr Brydone setting forth that he is a minister in the Pby of Lauder in Scotland, that he was called by the people of Kirkcobin — a bond of £50 ^ ann had been tendered to him by said people, which he had accepted of, and has become the minister of Kirkcobin, now earnestly prays the benefit of our brotherly communion & that he may be rec*^ as a member of this Synod. Annexed to the above supplication was a request in the name of Kirkcobin, praying that they with their minister may be taken under the care & protection of this Synod. M' Brydone was then called upon and enquired at as to his Kirkcobin credentials, very ample originals of which he produced, in his License from the Pby of Lauder, and also Testimonials of ordination at the instance of the people of Kirkcobin, and Certificate of his moral character. The Synod considered M' Brydone's supplication, and also that from Kirkcobin, and rejected them, as inconsistent with the Resolu- tions of this Synod, and implying an Insult to them, as said llesolutions were well known to the people of Kirkcobbin, as we have reason to believe to M"^ Brydone also. The Synod therefore appoint a deputation of their Body of the following members, viz., Mess" White, Campble, Livingstone, Craford, and Jackson to write a letter to the Mod' of the G. Assemby of the Church of Scotland, to be communicated, complaining of the irregular behaviour of the Pby of Lauder relative to the above matter, which was read and approved of, & is as followeth : — Rev'^ and Dear Brother, . Letter to the It hath appeared to us by authentic papers, signed by the Mod' Kirk of Scotland & Clerk of the Rev'' Pby ot Lauder that they have ordained a M"^ Brydone and sent over to officiate as a minister of the Gospel to a part of the parish of Ballyhalbert, and calling themselves the congregation of Kirkcobbin. This small body of people applyed at the last annual meeting of the Gen' Synod of Ulster praying to be erected into a Distinct Congregation. The Synod took their supplication under consideration, and after the fullest Inquiry it appeared that said petition was not founded on any religious concern, or matter of conscience, and consequently that granting it would not answer any valuable end, but, on the contrary, wou'd be injurious to neighbouring congregations & prejudicial to the interests of Religion. Therefore refused their petition. 10 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Glentulr^t Vcnccash Motion for the Fund From our earnest desire of maintaining & cultivating such com- munion & intercourse between the Church of Scotland and our Church, as becometh Christian Brethren, we thought it necessary in the spirit of brotherly love to remonstrate against the late conduct of the Pby of Lauder, which, we are sorry to say, appears to us strangely irregular, and un-Presbyterial, and most unfriendly : Instances of the like kind in other of your Pbys we have passed over unnoticed, but in order to prevent such unhappy interruption of our peace in future we do make it our unanimous request ; that you will be pleased to inspect into the conduct of said Pby in this particular, and take such measures, as in your wisdom & Brotherly love, shall appear most efectual to establish & preserve that Harmony, good understanding, & Christian intercourse which hath subsisted between the Church of Scotland & the Synod of Ulster. Signed in our name & by our appointment at Lurgan, the 3^ July, 1778, by JA" BRYSON, Mod'. P.S. — "We earnestly request your Indulging us with an answer previous to the next meeting of our G. Synod the last Tuesday in June, 1779, directed to our Mod', the ReV^ M' James Bryson of Bel- fast. To The Rev* the Mod' of the Gen' Assembly of the Church of Scotland. A supplication was presented to this Synod from the congregation of Glentubret, praying that they may be annexed to the Pby of Dromore. The Synod having reasoned on the affair, and hearing the Pby of Dromore, proceeded to vote — Annex said congregation or not ? The Roll called, and it carried, annex. That congreg" hereby acknowledged to belong to the Pby Dromore. A supplication was presented from the congregation of Venecash complaining of great remissness in several congregations in the Pbys of Dromore & Rout in making good their localities due by order of the Synod to these congregations. They therefore pray this Synod's in- terposition and aid. The several members of Dromore Pby who were present being spoke to promised to use their endeavours to answer any expectations from them, and M' Cuming is ordered to write to the Pby Rout, that the congregations of Killratis, Armoy, Maghera, Romoan, & Bavidy, who have entirely neglected Venecash, may be directed to make collections & remit them to M' Todd without delay. It was moved & resolved that this Synod recommend it in the warmest manner to its several members to use their utmost diligence to raise contributions for the support of the poor congregations which now are, or may hereafter be, upon the fund, and the Synod fully convinced of the charitable & bcnovelent dispositions of the several members will leave this important affair entirely to themselves, hoping this mode AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, 1773. 11 will conduce more to the true interest of the fund than those that have hitherto been adopted. The Moderator concluded this Synod with prayer. P* Interlo^. At an Interloq' consisting of the constituents of the Widows fund, i" interiorir a Letter from the Trustees of that fund was read, in which they express their satisfaction of our increasing fund, and their perseverance in the execution of that Trust. Resolved that Mess" W™ Craford and James Caldwell shall answer the Trustees Letter, and express in the warmest manner our gratitude for the care & assiduity in the management of our fund. A letter from M' Lang to our Clerk was also read, informing us that the amount of the widows fund down to the 1^' July Ins' is £10,349:2: and that over and above the provision made for the widows to the 1'' July Ins', there remains in his hands £160 : 16 : 7, which the Trustees have ordered to be laid out in Government Deb", he represents Deb" as low & still expected lower. — That the interest upon Deb" to the 24"" June last, yet due, and no money of any kind issuing from the Treasury of a civil nature. Also that he sent copies of the Divid"^ of the R.D. and of the stoppages from the ministers who omitted to make collections for the Synod's fund of £26 : 14 : 7^. Ordered that our Clerk shall answer M' Lang's Letter, inform Annuities at £12 him that the widows fund will bear £12 to each annuitant, therefore ^*°^ the annuities shall commence the 1^' Jan'^, 1779, at £12 to each an- nuitant. M' Lang also to be informed that the stoppages for the benefit of stoppasres re- jynod's fund shall be restc ' ' the meeting of next G. Synod. the Synod's fund shall be restored in^case they make collections before ^"'"^'^'^ 2<^ Interloq^. On reading the resolution of last G. Synod relating to the Aliena- 21 inieiioqr tion of the accumulated capital of the widows fund. In this Interloq' it was moved and seconded — Rescind this resolution or not ? on which the previous question was moved ; consider now or refer to the con- stituents at next G. Synod. The Roll was called, & it carried refer. The Clerk of the Synod is instructed to inform M' Lang to remit to M' Kennedy, of Tyrone Pby, the annuity of y» fund, by him to be divided between M" Hood & the orphans of M' Peebles. Inserted by WM. ROGERS, G.S.C. 4th July, 1778. 12 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A Gen^ Synod at Lttrgan, June 29"', 1779. M' Bryson, Mod' of the former Synod, opened this by preaching from John 5"' : 39. Then constituted by prayer, after which were present from the sev' Pbys as follow — Minrs. Elders. Clogher Pby. None present. Killilea Pby. Mos. Neilson Robt. Herron Jos. Litle Wni.Steel Dickson Mr. Win. Park Armagh Pby. Hen. Jackson Wm. Campbell Sanil. Livingstone Robt. McNeilly Robt. Dickson Robt. Black Eoyl Moodie Strabane Pby. Jos. Osborn Wm. Craford Derry Pby. None present T. Patrick Pby. Will. Rogers Thos. Read Jno. Raiikliead Andw. Hume Dromore Pby. Jno. Smith Robt. jM'Clnre Saiiil. IJiiibar Jas. Rirch Jno. Tiioinson Isaac Patrick Jon. Hay Robt. Rcntall Jno. .Slicrard Jno. Cochran Frans. Turrctine Jas. M'Ferson Mr. Jno. Robbin Saml. Swain Jno. Sprate Andw. Smith Jas. Kennedy Win. Copbin Saml. M'Cailam Gordon M'M array Alexr. lioyd Minrs. Elders. Bangor Pby. Wm. Rowan James Hull Jas. Cochran Jas. Bryson Jas. Stoupe Jas. Calilwell Doer. Martin Stephenson Robt. Clintock Andw. Craig Robt. M'Clinto Mr. Jno. Dobbin Belfast Pby. James Huey Wm. Laird Jos. Kinkead Alexr. Henry Thos. Birch Andw. Greer Thos. Kennedy L.kenny Pby. Andw. Alexander Mr. Jno. Best Jos. Lytle David Allen Rout Pby. Robt. Henry Jno. Smith Jno. Simpson Alexr. Marshall Ballymena Pby. Jno. Rankin Jos. Douglass James Cuming Jno. Lyndsay Dublin Pby. James Caldwell AT LURGAN, JUNE 29™ 1779. 13 Minrs. Elders. Monaghan Pby. James Jackson Wm. Sprate Geo. Harris Mathew Trimble Mr. Jas. Nisbett Jas, Stafford Minrs. Elders. Tyrone Pby. Jas. Todd Jno. White Willm. Kennedy Jno. Mackleland Moses Hogg Willm. Wilson Geo, Murray Jas. Whiteside Will. Stitt Jos. Smith David Duncan M"^ Bryson moved that another be chosen to moderate in this Mod"- Chosen Synod. The following Brethren were named as a leet — Mess^^ Livington, Osborn, Henry, Bead, Stoupe, Litle, Lyndsay, Jackson, Kennedy, Macleland, and Maclure. The Boll called, and M' Maclure chosen. M' Bogers continned Clerk. cik Ordered that the several Pbys meet this evening and prepare lists Pbj to meet to be given to the Clerk of the Synod to-morrow morning of their members for the several Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, Fund and Gen' Synods fixed Committee, as also, an account of such Ministers as have died, been Ordained, Installed, or Candidates entered on trials since last G. Synod. Likewise an ace' of annuitants upon the fund, and if any have died since last Synod, the time when to be mentioned ; alsoan ace* of women now living that have been minis" wives and are not upon the fund. Ordered that upon the event of any annuitant's death the Pby in whose bounds the annuitant lived do immediately inform M' Lang, that no mistake be made in the distribution of the annuities. Ordered that M' Stoupe being next in votes (except M' Osborn and w stoupe M' Kennedy, who have formerly preached) to the Moderator now chosen, he be appointed to preach at next Gen' Synod, the second day of their meeting, at 9 o'clock, forenoon. Adjourned until eleven o'clock forenoon, y^ Ses&° concluded w* prayer. 2** Session Wednesday, at Eleven 0' clock forenoon, ajter prayer, 8fc. W Maclure, as appointed at last Gen' Synod, preached at nine 2 Pbys gave in Lists of their members for the sev' Committees, as also the following acc'^ namely : — Killilea Pby report they have entered on trials M"^ Ja* Trials Paterson, They also report that M' Strong died the 10"' Aug', 1780, he left a widow and children. They have on the fund M" Kennedy, Dead M" Armstrong, M" Strong. Armagh Pby have licensed M' Denham according to syuodical Licensed regulations. They have on the fund M" Cherrie, M" Menagh, M" Moody ; not on the fund M" Stewart, M" Carlile. Strabaue Pby report that M' Welsh died the 15 May, 1781, behead left a widow and children. They have on the fund M" Armstrong, M» Welsh. Derry Pby have on trials Mess" Bar & Gray, widows with them are M" Lile, M" Cochran, M" Strabridge, M" JHare, W* Walker, M" Hood. T. Patrick Pby have on the fund M" Dunbar, M" White. Dromore Pby have on trials Mt s>" Rob' Thomson & Ja' Trials Henderson. They ordained M' W™ M'Gee 12"'Sepl^ 1780, he subscribed <^J W. M. Confession of faith & widows fund. Widows with them are M" Algio, M" Bond, M" Warnick, fam^ M' Kennedy, Do. M' Carson ; M" Carson died 20"^ 9ber last. Tyrone Pby licensed M' Jn° Walker according to Synodical Regulations, he subscribed the Confession of faith. They ord'* M' Rob' Rogers, the 12''' 9ber last, he subscribed the Confession of faith & widows fund. They have on the fund M" Hood, M'" Orr, M" Duffin, M" Ker, M" Caldwell; M" Ker died 10''' Inst. Clogher Pby licensed Mess" Stewart & Marshall according to Synodical Regulations. They have on the fund M" Scott, fam^ M' Boyl. Killilea Pby licensed Mess"^^ Wheir, & Warnick according to Synodical Regulations,, they ord*^ M"^ Patterson 22*^ 8ber last, he subscribed the widows fund, they have on the fund M" Armstrong, M"^' Strong. Antrim Pby have on the fund M""' Drenan, fam^ Doc' Colvil, fam' M"^ Elder, Do. M' Dobbin, M" Niven. M" M<=Clean died the 24'" Feb'^ 1783. The Synod's fixed Committee as follow. — Committee For Armagh Pby Mess" Jackson, Campbell, Livingstone & Black w' an Elder. Strabane Do. Mess"^' Osborn, Craford & Coulter w' an Elder. Derry Do. Mess" Law & Young w' an Elder. T.patrick Do. Mess" Rogers, Read, Montgomery, Bankhead w' an Elder. 54 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Last year's minutes Mr Sprate'a meeting house Drumbo Subscrip" to y« Confess" of Faith Ballynahinch Dromore Do. Elder. Mess" Henry, Barbar, Smith & Doc' Litle mv^ an Bangor Do. Mess" Hull, Bryson & Craig w* an Elder. Belfast Do. Mess" Huey, Malcom & KiUburn w' an Elder. L'.Kenny Do. Mess" Alexander & Burk w*^ an Elder. Coleraine Do. Mess" Simson & Marshall w* an Elder. B.mena Pby Mess" Rankin, Douglas, Lyndsay & Gumming w* an Elder. Dublin Do. Mess" M'^Dowell & Moore w* an Elder. Mess" Harris, Davis, Trimble & Moore w' an Monaghan Do. Elder. Tyrone Do. Elder. Mess" "White, Murry, Stitt, M"=Celland w* an Clogher Do. Mess" Mulligan & Miller w' an Elder. Xillilea Do. Mess" M^Comb, Dickson & Neilson w' an Elder. Antrim Do. Mess" Crombie & Bryson & an Elder. These with our Mod' & Clerk are to meet in Dungan, when called by our Mod' on any emergency, 15 to be a quorum whereof 12 at least are to be Min"^'. Ordered that the last year's minutes be read. On reading the minute respecting the Collections for M"" Sprate's meeting house, M' Campbell, gave information, that no money had been conveyed to him for that purpose. It was proposed & agreed to, that all such Min" now present as have not collected, shall now advance into the hands of M' Harris, such a sum as they can suppose their respective Congreg"', might refund them and M' Harris is to report to-morrow afternoon the amount he receives. The Committee appointed to meet at Drumbo report that they found a full unanimity in that Cong" for the Installment of M' Malcom, upon which they proceeded to Install him, and M'" Malcom was considered as a member of the Pby of Belfast. This Synod approved the Conduct of y'^ Com"«^ On reading the minute of last G. Synod respecting the Rule concerning subscrip" to the W.minister Confession of faith, viz: — " If no one moved for a repeal of the Rule respecting subscript then the Rule remains in full force, no one moved for its Repeal, the Rule continued. It was therefore unanimously agreed by this Synod, that the words "full force, should be erased, and the words "as usual should be inserted in their place. The Committee appointed to Ballynahinch Report that, at their meeting the probationers were p^ off, satisfaction made to the Heirs of the late M' Strong, and the Cong" Joined to the Pby of Dromore. This Synod approved the Conduct of the Committee. AT LURGAN, JUNE 24TH, 1783. 65 On the affairs of the Cong" of Dromore, M' Black informed this Dromore Congn Synod y' previous to the day, on which the Committee was appointed to meet, he understood the parties had mutually acquiesed to drop their annimosities, and were content to remain under the care of the Pby of Dromore, and therefore the necessity of the Committee's meet- ing was superceeded. M' Hamilton disanncxed from the Pby of Coleraine, by the last m' Hamilton Sub Synod of Derry, made application to this Synod, requesting he might be annexed to the Pby of Belfast. This granted, provided the Pby of Belfast are inclined to receive him, and if not M' Hamilton is allowed to join himself to any other Pby, that will receive him. Moved that the Time and place of next Synod's meeting be fixed Next Sj nod now, Magharafelt & Antrim were proposed. The Boll called & it carried Magharafelt. The next Synod is therefore to meet at Magharafelt the last Tuesday in June 1784. Sermon to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. Adjourned till Seven o'clock afternoon. This Session concluded with prayer. 3en the W. M. Confession of faith, when he was licened, and if he still adhered to that subscription, if he wou'd be subject to this Synod in the Lord, & wou'd be a Contributor to the the widows fund, all which he answered in the affirmative, and M' Brydeen is allowed to be a member of any Pby in our Bounds that will receive him. Mess"™ Jackson, Dickson, Ker & Jackson jun', entered their protests & promised to give their reasons in due lime. Adjourned till eleven o'clock to-morrow forenoon. Interloq' at 9, j" Sess" concl"* w* prayer. 56 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD 4th Session Morn A Cointtee Cregan & New- ton Hamilton Mr Harris l«t Interloq"- Refund yc widows fund 4^^ Session Thursday at eleven o'clock forenoon, after prayer, Sfc. A Supplication from the Congregation of Morn, was presented to this Synod setting forth that in consequence of a Difference between them and the Ex" of M' Kennedy, they [are] prevented of obtaining the setlem* of the minister they had called ; they therefore pray the Interposition of this Synod in adjusting their differences, and the ordination of the minister they have made choice of, may be expedited. The Pby of Dromore, the Com" from Morn, & the Executors of the late M"^ Kennedy, were heard at Large & removed — It was moved & agreed to, that a Committee of the following members, viz : Mess" M<=Comb, Campbell, Read, "White, & Livingstone, shou'd immediately converse with the parties, in order to heal their differences. The Committee having made their report, this Synod resolved — that as differences have arisen from the setlement of their accounts, it is the mind of this Synod, that the proposed sum of £50, shou'd be p'^ by the Cong" of Morn to the Ex" of the late M' Kennedy on the morning of M' Thomson's ordination, and the sum of £10 more left to the generosity of the Congregation. A Reference having been made by the Pby of Killilea to y^ Synod, in regard to a Dispute subsisting in y® Congregation of Cregan, concern- ing the proportion in which M' M'^Comb's Labours shall be divided between the Two meeting houses at Cregan & Newton Hamilton, and the minute of said Pby containing every Information upon the spot, being read — This Synod agreed unanimously, that M' M*Comb shou'd preach alternately at Cregan & Newton Hamilton from the Time that the people of the later place shall have discharged the arrears due by them at Cregan, Aug' V^ 1781, and as long as they shall continue to pay him one half of the stipend promised, or to be promised, & become Justly due to M' M'^Comb from the above date, this minute to be read publickly in both places. M' Harris having reported that very litle money had been given in to him, in pursuance of the appointm* yesterday — Ordered that the members present, who have not collected for M' Sprate's meeting house, be enjoined to make Collections before or against next meeting of the G. Synod, & convey the same to M"^ Harris, by him to be transmitted to M"^ Sprate. The following members are — M"^ Colin Lyndsay, M' Ker, M' W" Henry, M' W" Smith, M^ Patrick, M' Barbar, M' Sherard, M"^ Mcpherson, M' M^Gee, M' Fletcher, M' Hays, M"^ John Thomson, M' Livingstone, M"" Craig, M' Tho' Birch, M' M'Kewen, M' Cumming, M"^ Rob' Montgomery, M' Arnold, W Dickson, with all others in the respective Pbys, who have not collected for the above purpose, are hereby requested to be punctual in making Collections as above. The Moderator concluded this Synod with prayer. !«« Interlof On reading the minute of last year's Interloq' refering to this Interloq', the consideration of the Business respecting the refunding the AT LURGAN, JUNE, 24TH, 1783. 57 Contributions to the widows fund, to such as go to America. Eeference being had to the Rule of the G. Synod made in the year 1777, which is as follows: — " That if any part of the Capital of the widows fund already accumulated, be hereafter given away to any person or persons, but those originally intended to be relieved by the scheme of that fund, every Contributor who disproves thereof, shall have a right to go out of the scheme, provided he declares his resolution to do so, then, or at the meeting of next G. Synod, & whosoever votes for such an alienation shall be excluded the benefit of this Resolution, — after some reasoning on this matter, the question was put — Rescind the Rule of 1777 or not? Mess" Osborn, White, Rankin, & Dickson, entered their Protests against the vote. The Roll was called & it carried Rescind. It was moved and agreed to, that Mess" Jackson & Mathewson, Messrs jackson formerly of the Pby of Monaghan, having demitted their Congregations, * '^^^''°" not thro' age, or bodily Infirmity, shou'd not be entitled to any share of the R:D: from the time of their respective Demissions, and the Clerk is hereby ordered to Inform our agent of this, & to instruct him to pay no money in his hands to either of them. It being observed that M' Moore & others of the Pby of Monaghan, M' iioore do enjoy a double portion of the R.D : ordered that M"^ Moore be enjoined to attend at next G. Synod to give information of this matter & IVP Harris is to Inform M' Moore of this. 2^' Interloq^. My Lang's Letter to this Synod was read, stating his desire, that, M^- Lanp according to the original scheme of the widows fund, he may in future be allowed, by the special direction of this Synod, 2^ ^ c' on all the annuities, for negotiating the Business of the widows fund ; this was unanimously agreed to & our Clerk, in his answer to M' Lang's Letter is ordered to inform him accordingly. On observing that the Returns from several Pbys of the widows Conceminij and ann'^ in their Bounds are defective : it was moved & agreed to, that ^^^''""'^ if thro' the neglect of any Pby, annuities shou'd be transmitted longer than realy due, to the prejudice of the fund ; what it shall have sufi^ered, by such neglect : by an order of this Synod to our Agent, to stop so much out of the R:D: due to such Pbys, our Clerk is ordered to advise our Agent to be particularly careful, that he receives due certificates of y® widows and annuitants being alive, before he pays any annuities according to the Regulation, relative to that matter of 1773, a copy of which will be sent to M"^ Lang. A Letter from the Trustees of the widows fund, was received by Trustees Letter y' Interloq', which gave pleasure to find, that the fund is in a prosper- ous state, but it was observed, that no account appeared respecting a bequest of £100 by M"^ Ker of Newcastle, county Mealh, to the widows Bequest fund. Ordered that M'^ Moore & M' Montgomery of the Pby of Monaghan do apply to the Ex" of M' Ker, in relation to that matter, & report to y® General Synod at next meeting. 58 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD. Bequest Some members having given information of a Bequest, said to be left by a lady in Dublin to the widows fund ; this Interloq' request M' Bruce to get what Information he can, relative to that matter and communicate it to the Trustees. M' Black and Craig were ordered to prepare an answer to ye Trustees letter. Ordered that the Mod' write to M' M'Dowell to procure without loss of Time the Royal Charter of the E:D: from the representatives of the late M' Caldwell. Mr Rowan j^fr jj^ll in the name of the Pby of Bangor, requested that M' Rowan, a member with them, shou'd no longer be one of their Body. This was granted, even at the request of M' Rowan, but as in the course of conversation, several things had dropped, affecting the character of M' Rowan. Ordered that a Committee shall meet at Ballinderry the last Tuesday in July next, to consider that matter : the Com**^* to consist of Mess"'^ Jno. Thomson, Henry, M^Clure, Birch, Sherard, from the Pby Dromore ; Mess" Laird, Malcom, Patten, & Killburn, from Belfast Pby; Mess" Wright, Montgomery, Abernathy & Gibson, from T.patrick Pby ; & from the Pby of Ballymena, Mess" Lyndsay, Park, Rankin, & Ja^ Brown, with their Elders, (The Pby of Bangor are enjoined to attend) , 5 Min" & three Elders, to be a quorum, to hear any complaint against M' Rowan, by the Pby of Bangor, or any others ; and to enquire into the state of his Congregation : and all affairs relating to the Conduct of M' Rowan, & his Congregation : and M' Rowan, is enjoined to attend said Committee, and in case of non-attendance, the Committee are to proceed to pass such sentence as to them shall seem meet. The Committee are impowered to Issue the whole Business upon the spot, or to adjourn to a latter day as they shall see cause. M' Craig is ordered to preach in Ballinderry the 2** Sabb"" hence & to publish this Minute; M'' Murdoch is appointed to preach for M' Craig in Lisburn, and M"^ Rowan is to pay M'^ Murdoch. M' Thomson is enjoined to preach at the meeting of the Committee. chas Kii)g Esqr The Mod'' is appointed to write a Letter to Cha° King Esq' in the name of the G. Synod, thanking him for his generous proposition, communicated by M' Lang, in his Letter to this Synod last year, hoping he will persevere in any steps he may Judge most conducive to our Interest. Moved that a Letter be wrote to some friend in Dublin by M' Campbell or M' "White signifying the inclination of this Synod, to take some steps towards obtaining an augmentation of the R:D: That we may know the sentiments of our Brethren in the Southern Association on that subject. Inserted by WILL. ROGERS, G.S.Clk. AT MAGHRAFELT, JUNE 29TH, 1784. 59 A General Synod at Maghrafelt, 2*^^^ June, 1784. M' Wilson Moderator of the former Synod, opened this by- preaching from Joh. 18. 37, then constituted by prayer, after which were present from the several Presbyteries as follow : — Minrs. Elders. Sbrabane Pby, Jos. Osborn Doer. Wm. Craford Hu. Hamill Derry. Saml. Patten Jno. Law Arthur Kyle Frans. Gray Hu. Books Templepatrick. Wm. Rogers Jno. Wright Thos. Read Jno. Abernethy Jno. Bankhead Jno. Gibson David Ker Dromore. Jno. Thomson Isaac Patrick Jos. Hay Jno. Sherard Wm. McFerson Wm. McGee Mos, Thomson Wm. McGlelland Jno. Lewers. Bichd. Speer Jas. Cochran Jas. Bryson Bangor. Belfast. Thos. Birch Sinclare Killburn Geo. McKewen Geo. Brydone Letterkenny. Andw. Alexander Minrs. Elders. Coleraine. Robt. Henry Jno. Smith Wm. Kuox Robt. Caldwell Robt. Thomson Jno. Glenday Wm. Douglass Ballymena Pby. Jno. Rankin Robt. Scott Jno. Lyndsay Jas. Cuming Alexr. Speer Richd. Christy Jno. Ker Jno. Patten None. Dublin. Monaghan. Wm. Moor Jno. Davis Mat Trimble Mr. Eliot Robt. Montgomery Wm. Miller Jno. McCurdy Tyrone. Jas. Todd Jno. White Wm. Kennedy Jno. McClelland Jas. Whiteside Mos. Hogg Wm. Wilson Geo. Murray Jas. Whiteside, Junr. Jno. Smith Wm. Moore Wm. Brown Robt. Rogers Wm. Chambers Danl. McNesh Jno. Gibson Jas. Sinclare Doer. Pollock 60 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Minrs. Elders. Clogher. Aiidw. Miller Jas. Ker Jos. Denham Wm. Johnston Killilea. Robt. Smith Jas. Sinclare Minrs, Elders. Armagh, Doer. Campbell Saml. Livingstone Saml. Sloane Thos. Cuming To no Pby. Saml. Hamilton Modr chosen Clerk Mr Sherard M'" Murray M' Wilson moved that another be chosen to moderate in this Synod, the following Brethren were named as a Leet : Mess''^ Thomson, Knox, Bankhead, Murray, Doc' Craford. The Roll called & Doc'' Craford was chosen ; M'' Rogers continued Clerk. Ordered that [the] several Pbys meet this evening & prepare Lists to be given to the Clerk of the Synod to-morrow morning, of their members for the several Committees of overtures, Books, fund & G. Synod's fixed Committee, as also an account of such ministers as have died, been ordained, Installed, Candidates licensed or entered on trials since last Gen^ Synod, also an account of widows on the fund, and if any have died since last Synod the Time to be mentioned. Likewise of women that have been ministers wives and are not on y® fund. Ordered that M"" Sherard preach to this Synod to-morow morning at nine o'clock, as formerly appointed. Ordered that M' Murray being next in votes to the Mod'' now chosen, be appointed to preach at next G. Synod, upon the second day of their meeting at nine o'clock forenoon. Adjourned till eleven o'clock to morrow forenoon, concluded with prayer. This Sess" 2d Sess" Mr Sherard Ordained Ord'i 2** Session Wednesday/ at eleven oclocTi forenoon, after prayer ^c. W Sherard as appointed preached to this Synod, at nine o'clock forenoon, from* The several Pbys gave in Lists of their members, for the several Committees as also the following accounts, namely — Strabane Pby have ordained M" Hu Hamill, y® 4"* March 1 784. he is a contributor to y" widows fund. They have on the fund M'^ Armstrong, M'« Torbet, fam^ M" Welsh. Derry Pby, have ord<' M' Ja' Patten, 7"' 8ber last, M' Books, the 5 of Novem" last, M'' Cuningham, the 11"' Do., they are * Text not given. AT MAGHRAFELT, JUNE, 29TII, 1784. 61 all contributors to the widows fund. They report that M' Walker, ^^"-'^^ died the later end of May 1782, he was a contributor to the widows fund, left a widow and family. M' Harvy demitted the Charge of his Cong" in Derry, in Novem' last, they Installed M"^ Elack in Derry installed the 2^ Tuesday in Jan'^ 1784. They deposed M' Dunn, the 18'" May Deposed 1784. They have licensed, Mess" Gray & March George, according Licensed to Synodical Requitations : widows with them are M" Hair, M" Lyle, M" Walker, M^^ Strabridge, & M" Walker Jun'. Templepatrick Pby, have ord"* M' Jn° Marshall, the 2P' of June Oid' M' Patrick a member of this Synod & a Contributor to the widows fund, represented to this Interloq"^, his necessity of removing to America for certain peculiarities of circumstances, & therefore claimed the restitution of what he had paid into the fund. This was granted, & whensoever the Pby of Dromore shall certify M' Lang, M"" Patrick's determination to go to America, he shall refund him whatever he had subscribed to the support of the fund. A Repeal It was moved — Eescind the resolution of last G. Synod, respecting the Rule of 1777, relative to the alienation of any part of the Capital of the widows fund. The question was put. Repeal the Resolution of last year — or not ? The Roll called, & it carried not. M' Kiiiburii Ordered that M' Lang pay M"^ Killburn £1: 16: 10. for discharging a debt due by the Gen' Synod for publications in the Belfast Newi- Letter. RD. equal It was movcd & sccoudcd, that all Ministers entitled to the R.D. shall be put on an equal footing, each to enjoy one equal single share & no more, — The previous question was proposed — shall the above be put or not. The Roll called & it carried — put — The main question was then carried without a division. The Clerk is to inform M' Lang of this resolution. A Report It was agreed that Doc"^ Campbell be now called upon to give a Report of his transactions in Dublin, which he gave in by reading a correct account of his proceedings, which are inserted in our Record & is as follow : — Doc' Campbell reports, that in pursuance of an appointment of the G. Synod's fixed Committee at Dunganon, the 2'' of Decem"" 1783, he went to Dublin to solicit an augmentation of R:D: That, according to his Instructions, he waited on Col. Stewart, of Killymoon, immediately on his arrival in Dublin, & found there, & at all times a most steady, intelligent & zealous friend to our interest — That during AT MAGHRAFELT, JUNE 29™, 1784. 65 his long stay in Dublin, he received from him every mark of attention & kindness, that the G. Synod cou'd have hoped from the most determined one to serve them. That he took no step without consulting the Col., & in every transaction thought himself particularly fortunate to be able to avail himself of the knowledge of the world, & superior wisdom for which that Gentleman is so justly distinguished. That M' McDowell on every occasion shewed the most friendly attention & zeal to co-operate with him in the execution of their Commission. That he had several meetings with the Ministers of the Southern association, informed them that the terms proposed in their papers to the Synod's Committee cou'd not be admitted, but that if they chose, they might join in our petition on the following terms, viz., let the issue of our Petition, be what it might, they shou'd still be entitled to their £400 a year, and if his majesty shou'd raise our proportion higher than theirs, they shou'd be advanced to an equality with us, so that they may possibly gain, but cou'd not lose, Doc' Dun, and M' Thomas, urged their Brethren to join, alledging that tho' they shou'd reap no Benefit, our union wou'd place the whole body in a more reputable point of view, and give the greater weight to our memorial, w' Government, but after waiting ten days for their determination, they declined joining on these terms, & seemed willing to f:)rget the paper they had sent to the Committee. That M' McDowell & he presented an address to Lord Northington, the Lord Lieutenant, with the memorial to be transmitted to the King — That they were graciously received, had a favourable answer from his Excellency — That the Lord Lieutenant sent for Doc' Campbell several times, & entered very particularly into the present state of publick affairs, & among other things told him, that very unfavourable representations had been made of us, — That the North was in a disturbed state, & ready to break the peace of the Kingdom — M' Secretary Pelham had mentioned the same unjust aspersions, when Col. Stewart & MJ Mi^Dowell were present. Doc' Campbell, in the most effectual manner, in his power endeavoured to obviate these mis- representations, gave a just account of the state of the country, and our principles & conduct, and in the several Conferences, with which he was honoured by the Lord Lieutenant, was so happy as to remove the ill impressions he had rec'' of us. His Excellency shewed much candor, thanked him for his information, told him he was fully satisfied of the justness of our principles — that they were the true old Whig Principles, which he revered, & was anxious that we might support the character of our forefathers, and assured him that he wou'd make a faithful & favourable Kepresentation of us to the King when he returned to England, which he had reason to think had not always been done. The change of Ministry which happened about the time of presenting the memorial, occasioned great delay in our Business & detained Doc' Campbell in Dublin, above a quarter of a year — during this period, while matters were full of uncertainty, he used all his 66 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Diligence to procure information — wou'd have gone to the British Court, had he found it necessary for our service — but upon making the best Inquiries he cou'd in Dublin, & writing to Lord Templetown, then in London, he found from the distracted state of publick afiairs, that tho' he cou'd have had Letters of Introduction to the Duke of Portland, his going over cou'd not be usefuL Lord Northington at length Informed him, that the King's Letter was come over, with a grant of one thousand pounds a year, that this was the largest sum that ever had been granted, yet as there had been reason to hope for a much more liberal augmentation — The Doc' expressed his disappointment with great frankness to the Lord Lieutenant, who told him with his usual candor, that a larger sum had been intended, but that it was opposed by men of power in this Kingdom, with whom the publick business was transacted, but that we shou'd consider it as a pledge of a further augmentation, & spoke of our presenting an address to his Majesty. Upon this, the Doc' consulted Col. Stewart & Lord Charlemont, who thro' the whole of this transaction, had also shown themselves steady & zealous friends, they were both of opinion that addresses of thanks shou'd be presented to the King & L"^ Lieutenant, and that those Gentlemen who had supported our memorial by going up with us to the Lord Lieutenant, shou'd be consulted, as to the manner of expressing our Thanks, which was done. — Those consulted on this occasion besides the Earl of Charlemont & Col. Stewart, were M"^ Grattan, M' Geo. Ogle, Col. Rowly, Col. Dawson, & Major Skiffington. Lord Templetown having at this time come over from London, was particularly consulted, as was also, M' Rowly of Sumraerhill, & several of the Dublin ministers, who all approved of the addresses, which were presented, after being submitted to their examination & correction . By advice of our most Intelligent friends. Doc' Campbell had the grant placed by warrant from the Lord Lieutenant, on the Civil Establishment of this Kingdom under the Head of nonconforming min", whereby a savage was made of sixty or seventy pounds, which a Charter wou'd have cost, that for that purpose he got himself introduced to M' Secretary Hamilton, had several meetings with him, and in this business he experienced much attention & kindness from him. That he procured copies of the King's Letter & of the warrant of the Lord Lieutenant out of the Secretary's office. That the Duke of Rutland, being appointed Lord Lieutenant & expected shortly to arrive in Dublin, the Southern min" insisted on his staying in Town to present the usual congratulatory address, which he complyed with, and in the mean while he consulted with those Gentle- men of high Rank, to whom he had access, about asking an audience of his Grace on our affairs, but they all thought the season was not convenient. However to obviate misrepresentations of our Body to Government, & to lay a foundation for a future application for the extension of the R. D. appeared of great consequence to our Interest, He was therefore anxious to form some scheme to effect these important AT MAGHRAFELT, JUNE 29™, 1784. 67 purposes ; The scheme that occured to him as most effectual, he submitted to the Earl of Charlemont, Lord Templetown, & Col. Stewart, it met their approbation, and with the most friendly assurances, of regard & kindness, they promised to support it — A number of their Letters to him, since he returned to the country, show that they have used great assiduity & zeal to serve us, — our character has been fairly represented, so that we stand well in the opinion of the present Government, and as to a farther augmentation of R.D, it may just be observed that it is a matter of much delicacy, and considering the powerful enemies we have in this country, so long as it is depending, prudence must command us to be silent about it. In conversation with the Earl of Northington, he mentained from an historical detail of our Conduct, from our first setlement in Ireland, that we are justly entitled to favour ; But from the nature of our Establishment, and the Priviliges we long enjoyed, we had a right to a mentaince tho' in our present situation, we petitioned for a favour, yet we had a claim of Right & Justice upon the State. That he endeavoured to support this claim in a paper sent to his Excellency by the hands of Secretary Pelham — That his Lordship thought well of it, and y* he has reason to believe, that a Copy of that paper has been laid before the Duke of Rutland, that his Grace was also well pleased with it & expressed his desire of keeping it. That being informed while he was in Dublin, that one of the Bishops was to move the House for a Revival of our Marriage Act, he had sev^ conversations on that Subject, with Lord Charlemont, Col. Stewart & other members of Parliament, and requested, that if that question was brought forward no alteration shoa'd be agreed to, with- out consulting this Synod, which they promised — He gave them a particular account of our mode of celebrating marriage, which they highly approved, and alledged that our Regulations were much preferable to those of the Establish Church. That he met with the accounts, handed down among the Southern ministers of the add' R.D. by Geo. I., by which means it was divided between them & us, & also of the immediate occasion of the Toleration Act, — That he obtained copies of these papers, — that he got the state- ment of the Treasury accounts to ascertain the arrears of R.D. As to his being appointed again Comm' by the G. Synod's Committee, that met at Dungauon, the 16'" March 1784, he observed, that he had paid every attention to the Instructions of his Brethren ; but that nothing had occured to induce him to return to Dublin. That according to the orders of the Committee he had written Letters of Thanks to Lord Charlemont, Col. Stewart, M' Grattan, M' Geo. Ogle, Col. Rowly, Col. Dawson, and Major Skiffington, & had received the most friendly answers to the most of his Letters. It was moved & unanimously agreed to, that the Thanks of this Synod shou'd be given to Doc' Campbell, for his great zeal asauiduity & fidelity in conducting our publick affairs committed to him, which was done from the Chair. 68 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD It was moved & agreed to, that Doc' Campbell & M' M°Dowell our Commiss" in transacting our Business in Dublin, shall have their expenses fully discharged by our agent M' Lang, & as an expressive of high secse we entertain of their ability &zeal in serving us, we request A piece of Plate that Doc' Campbell may be pleased to accept a piece of Plate to the value of 40 Guineas, with a proper Inscription, and that M' M'^Dowell may accept a piece of plate to the value of 20 Guineas, with a proper Inscription also. The choice of the plate to be left to these Respective Gentlemen, M' Lang is ordered to pay the Mod' the above specified Sixty Guineas, who is requested to see this matter executed. CaSpbeii ^o<^' Campbell is requested to continue our Commissioner. Deprived of E.D. It was moved that the following min" may be struck off from receiving R.D. M"" Rob' Caldwell formerly of Coleraine Pby, M' Smith of Killilea Pby, M' Dunn Deposed by Derry Pby, M' Rowan formerly of Bangor Pby, M' Hume of Templepatrick Pby, — M' White is continued to enjoy the Benefit of R.D. for the ensuing year, this matter to be considered at next G. Synod. M' Dunn Ordered that M'' Dunn be refunded what he has paid into the widows fund, and that the Pby Derry draw for the money & repay him upon his removal to America, he is to receive his portion of R.D. only down to the 18* May last, when he was deposed. w steen The Clerk of the Synod is ordered to advise M' Lang to pay M' Alexander of Letterkenny Pby all M' Steen's subscript to the widows fund, & his portion of R.D. lor a year & f , as he is to remove to America. 2 Sam' Patten Bob' Black j ^^^^ ^" ^'^^'•- Fran, Gray AT MACJHREFELT, JUNE 28TH, 1785. 73 From L.Kenney Pby. From Tyrone Pby. Hugh Delap John "White ) ., „,, Hen. Miller W™ Kennedy / ^''^ ^° ^^^''•• Tho= Leech John M'=Clellan Colerain. W° Knox B.mena. Clogher. And™ Miller Killelea. Mess''^ Jn" Rankin Jo' Douglas Alex' M'^Combe Monaghan. Robert Smyth John Davis Matt. Trimble Wednesday 11 o clock forenoon after pt ay ir ^c. It was moved that the time & place of next Synod's meeting be now fixed. When Antrim, Lurgan, & Dunganon were moved for, upon a Division it carried " Dunganon," to meet at Dunganon the last Tuesday in June 1786. Interloq'' at half after four, open Synod at six. Wednesday 7 o'' clock. 3^1 sefs. A supplication from part of the Congregation of Randlestown, was Randeistown presented to this Sjnod, complaining of the conduct of the Pby of B.mena towards them, and praying to be annexed to the Pby of Root. At the same time another supplication from another part of said Cong" was read, claiming that they may be considered as the Cong" of Randlestown, and that they may be continued under the Care of the Pby of Ballymena. The Memorial of the Pby of Ballymena giving a Relation of their proceedings from the vacancy of that Congregation, and a full statement of their transactions with said Congregation, was also laid before this Synod. The Pby of Ballymena, and the party complaining were beared, also the other party from Kandlestown. After reasoning on the above Matters, the following Question was moved " does it appear from what has come before us, that the Pby of Ballymena had good Ground to proceed, and draw up a Call, or not ? The previous Question was put & negatived, the original motion was then agreed to, without a Division — viz. that the Pby of Ballymena had not good Ground to draw up and present a Call. 74 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD It was moved and agreed to, that Mess*^^ White, Crawford, Campble, Dixon, M°Clellan, Thomson, Killburn, shall meet the parties from Kandlestown, at 7 to morrow Morning, in order if possible to bring about a reconciliation & report to this Synod. This Session concluded w* prayer. 4thse8s. \ Thursday Morning.'] The Committee who met the parties from Randlestown on Thursday morning, report that they had heard both parties — that the minority were willing to lay aside M"^ Elder, and apply for a young man to any other Pby, to this the majority objected, and requested that a Committee be appointed at a short day to take a new Poll of the Cong" of Eandlestown in which the Majority acquiessed. This Synod therefore appoint a Committee of the following members, Mess" Dixon, Thomson, Montgomery, Abernethy, Bankhead, Wright, Gibson, McClelland, Whiteside, Sen', & Killburn, to meet at Eandlestown on Wednesday the 20'^ July to poll the Congreg", and to proceed with a Call, if they shall see Cause, no person to be intitled to a vote who has not paid his or her respective share of Stipend, and arrear of Stipend, with all other Congregational Charges down to the first of May 1784. Both parties agreed to make out Lists of such persons as they intend to vote, and give their several Lists to each other ten clear days before the Meeting of the Committee, that they may be scrutinized if they see needfull, which Lists are to be delivered to the Committee on the morning of their meeting. M' Bankhead to preach at 11 o'clock said day. A Copy of this Minute to be read in the Congregation of Eandlestown next Lord's day, & another Copy to be given to M"^ Bankhead for the use of the Committee. It was desired that the Minute of last Synod's Interloq' relating to Marriage should be read, and after reasoning on the subject, it was moved and unanimously agreed to, that any Member of this Synod, who shall Join in Marriage any man & woman not under his pastoral care, or if not duly certified by the Minister or Session of the Congregation of which they are members Shall for the first ofi'ence be suspended ah officio for three months, for the second ofi'ence be degraded, and that when either of the parties shall be members of the Established Church, he shall not celebrate any matrimonial contract, without the consent in writing of the Eector, Curate or other Officiating Clergyman of the Parish in which said Party shall be a resident, under pain of incurring the like Penalties. T.Patriok*Pby The Presby of Templepatrick requested that this Synod would be pleased to apropriate their share of the Synod's fund, to the Congregation of Islandmagee, untill it arive at such a degree of strength as will enable them to pay £40 a year, this granted. This Synod coucluded with Prayer. i«tinterioqr [1»' Interloq^.'] Upon reading the Minute of last year, allowing M' Patrick to withdraw his contribution to the Widows fund upon his going to Marriage AT MAGHREFELT, JUNE, 28TH, i785. 75 America, it was moved & agreed to, that the Resolution of last Synod is no longer in force, but discharged. It was moved that no part of the Money paid into the Widows fund be applied to any other purpose, than the support of the Widows & Orphans for whose use it was originaly designed, the previous Question was put & was negatived, the original motion was then agreed to without a division. [2<* Interhq*-.'] 2 of April 1786, and M" Dunbar, M" White, M"^^ Crawford, & the family of M"^ Rogers on the fund. For Committee of Overtures, Mess" Lewson & Bankhead, funds, M"^ Hill, bills, M'Read, & for Synod's Committee — Mess" Montgomery & Bankhead. Dromore Pby return on the funds, M" Semple, M" Nelson, and the family of M' Kennedy, M" Richey to have died Ocf 1785, M" Sims also to have died, the time not told. They have licenced Mess" Tho' Henery, James M°Mahon, & John M'^Cance, who all subscribed the W. C°, and were licenced according to Synodical Regulations — They also return for Overtures, Mess" Patrick, Birch, and Thompson, for Bills, Mess" Hay and Turretine, Funds, M' Fletcher, Books, M' Waddell, and for Synod's Committee Mess" John Thompson and Hay. Bangor Pby have licensed Messrs. Bryson and Porter. Return for Synod's Committee, Messrs. Hull & Bryson, for Overtures, M' Cochran, for Bills, M' Craig, for Books, M' Trotter, Doct"^ Stevenson demitted P' of August, 1785. On the fund M" Warnick, & M" Mitchell, and the family of M' Stoupe. Belfast Pby have licensed M' Knox & M' Tate, who subscribed the W.C°. Have on the fund M" Kinkead — M" Malcom, died last March. They return for the Committee of Overtures Messrs. Birch & Patten, for Bills, M' Kilburn, for Synod's Committee, M' Birch. L.kenny Pby have licensed Messrs. Orr & Nelson, have on the fund M" M'Gachy, M" Turretine, & M" Gordon. Return for Overtures Messrs. Alexander & Delap, for Synod's Committee Messrs. Delap & Taylor, & for Bills M' James Delap. Coleraine Pby return for the Committee of Overtures M' Rentoul, for Bills, M' Knox, & for Synod's Committee Messrs. Knox, & Marshall. They have licensed Messrs. Ramsey, Blair, and Whiteside. On trials, Messrs. Caldwell, Jackson, Elder, & Taggart. On the fund M" Thompson, M" Gaston, M" Smylie, M" Elder, and the family of M'' David Smylie. Ballymena Pby return for the Committee of Overtures, Messrs. Douglas, Lindsay, and Cuming, for Bills, Messrs. Crolley & Henery, & 80 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD. for Synod's fixed Committee, Messrs. Douglas & Lindsay. They have licenced M"^ Linton according to Synodical regulations — ordained M"^ Tho^ Henery at Randlestown IQ'*" Inst. He is a Contributor to the Widows Fund. On the fund they have M'^ O'Bryan, M"^" Brown & M" Hill. Dublin Pby return for the Committee of Overtures, Bills, & for the Synod's Committee, M' "Willson who is installed as one of the Ministers of Usher's Quay, On the fund M" Vance, M'^ Moore, and M""^ Caldwell, who has one child living. Monaghan Pby return M' Smith to have died the 7^^ of May last, He left a widow and family, and also on the fund M''^ Algoe, M" M'Kee, M" Warnick, M" Fleming, the family of M' Carson, and the family of M"^ Kennedy. Return for Overtures, Messrs. Stewart & Montgomery, & Trimble , for Bills, Messrs. Arnold, Rogers, & Miller, & for funds, Mess^' Spratt & M'=Curdy. Tyrone Pby have licensed M"^ W" Henery according to Synodical Regulations — He subscribed the W.M C° — ordained M"^ Hugh Boyland, at Minterburn Nov' 15'^ 1785— & M' George Dougal, at Magh- rafelt May 30^^ 1786. They subscribed the W. M. C° & are Contributors to the Widows Fund. Entered on trials, Mess'" Sam* Kennedy & John Smith. There are on the fund M" Duffin, M" Peebles, M" Orr, & the family of M' Kerr. Returned for the Committee of Overtures, Mess" White, Murray & Stitt — for Bills, Mess" M<=Cleland, Kennedy, Moor & Smith— Books, Mess" Boyland & Dougal — for Synod's Committee, Mess" White & Stitt — & for Synod's fund, Mess" Hogg & Whiteside. Clogher Pby return M' Mulligan to have died Jany. 1786, He left a widow and family. For Committee of Overtures, M"" Moorhead — for Bills, M"" Ker — Books, M' Johnston — & for the Synod's fixed Committee, M"^ King. Have entered upon [first [trials] M' David Johnston, The several Committees to meet immediately. — Interloquit' to meet at half after 4 o'clock this evening. Open Synod at 7 — It was moved & agreed, that Elders shall not be excluded from our Interloq'', This Session was concluded by prayer. 3 Session Wednesday Evening, 7 o'clock. It was moved that the minute relating to an Acadamy to be erected within the bounds of this Synod, & a resolution that Doctor Crawford is a fit person to direct and superintend an Acadamy in Strabane to be read ; and after reading, this Synod heard with particular pleasure from undoubted authority, of the remarkable progress in knowledge, of the Students in the Strabane Acadamy instituted under their patronage, at their last meeting. And as an additional proof of their earnest desiie to encourage that Seminary, & in compliance with the request of its Committee & subscribers, do unanimously resolve, that if Natural Philosophy, and a Course of experiments, shall be added to the AT DUNGANNON, JUNE 27TH 1786. 81 several Branches of Literature alredy taught there, a second season's attendance in it shall be considered as entitleing students to the same privileges in the several Pbys, with a second season's attendance in any foreign University. And it was ordered that Mess" Young & Black of the Pby of Perry, Mess" Burke & Love of the Pby of L.kenny, M' Hamil of the Pby of Strabane, and M' White of the Pby of Tyrone be added as members of the present Committee, to assist in superintending the affairs of the Acadamy, to attend the public examinations, & to make annually a report to this Synod, of the improvement of the Students in the several Branches of Literature. It was now moved that the time & place of the next meeting of this Synod be appointed — Lurgan & Dungannon were proposed — It carried Lurgan by vote, & to meet the last Tuesday of June 1787, at 5 o'clock in the evening. 'o* Adjourned toll o'clock to morrow morning, Interloq" at 7. — This Session concluded with prayer. Thursday/ 1 1 0^ clock. 4 seswon The minutes of last Synod were now read, and upon enquiry of the Committee met at Randlestown according to appointment, the minutes of that Committee were read & a protest of Mess" Thompson & Killburn, two members of it, against its proceedings, & their reasons in support of them, — And as the other members of that Committee now present, allege they had not an opportunity of seeing these reasons in due time, leave is given to answer them at our next meeting. When the minute relating to Marriage was read, this Synod agreed that the expression duly certified contained in it, was not intended to lay aside proclamation — And whereas it was said by several members, that Mess" Hume, Blakely, M'Cala, Rogers & Dunn, Samuel Moore formerly of Hoot Pby, Mess" Brittell & M°Main are by common report flagrantly guilty of great irregularities, particularly of celebrating marriage contrary to all order, and improperly on many accounts, therefore the several Pbys in whose bounds they reside, are enjoined to cite them, before them & to make enquiry into the truth of these Complaints, and if they appear to be well founded, formally to degrade them from the ministerial Character, an account of which shall be read in every Congregation within the bounds of each Pby, where such Degradation shall take place, and be published in the most conven* N-paper, and it is most strictly enjoined, that every Pby of this Synod, shall carefully inquire into every similar complaint, & proceed in the same manner against any minister so offending. This Session concluded by prayer, & adjourned to half after six o'clock. 82 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD 5 Session \_Fifth Session.'] Commissioners from Killead request that M' Robert Orr, a Probationer under the care of the Rev*^ Pby of L.kenny, be appointed to preach to them six Lord's days, commencing the 2** Sabbath of July next, which is granted. And M' Montgomery of Balleeston, is appointed to preach at Killead the Sabbath following the last of M' Orrs appointment there, & to take the minds of that Congregation respecting him, & to draw up a Call if he sees it proper to do so— M' Montgomery is to be furnished by the Congregation with proper lists of those entitled to vote, ten Days before. A copy of the minute describing the qualifications of those who are to vote, was given to the Commissioners. Commissioners from part of the Congregation of Lisluney appeared, & set forth that a Call to M"^ M'Cadam had been drawn up by a member of the Pby of Monaghan, & subscribed in his presence by a number of that Congregation, which that Pby from the state of the people thought proper not to present for some time. — They therefore request this Synod to recommend it to M"^ M'Adam to return the call. But as this supplication was considered to come in irregularly before this Synod it was dismissed by vote. "A Petition of the Rev. Colin Lindsay was presented, complaining that the Pby of Armagh had dissolved the relation between him & his Congregation of Dundalk, & had threatened to silence him if he should perform ministerial duty, within the bounds of that Congregation. The Pet° farther alledgeth that after an appeal to the S. Synod of Armagh, the affair between him & his Pby was referred to the Decision of this Synod, and requests that a Committee be appointed to meet at Dundalk to inquire into the merits of his petition. A petition from some of the members of that Congregation was also laid before this Synod, complaining of the determination of the Pby of Armagh in the above stated affair, and requesting this Synod to rescind the sentence of that Pby, & grant the prayer of M' Lindsay's petition — From the Session & Congregation of Dundalk, likewise appeared Commissioners with power to act in their name — The minutes of the S. Synod of Armagh were read, from which it appeared that M'' Lindsay's appeal was referred to this Synod — The minutes of the Pby of Armagh was also read, and the parties heard at considerable length, & having withdrawn, several members spoke upon the subject, after which the Question was put — Approve the sentence of the Pby of Armagh in dissolving the connection between M' Lindsay, and the Congregation of Dundalk or not — It was carried in the negative. That part of M' Lindsay's Prayer for a Committee to meet at Dundalk is granted, & the following members. Mesa" Moore, Davies, Trimble, Smith of Loughbrickland, Hay, Porter, Magee, Killburn, Craig, Tho" Birch, Doctor Dickson, Cochran, & Turretine, with Elders, (five Ministers with three Elders to be a Quorum) are appointed to meet at Dundalk on the 4 Wednesday of July, to try all complaints and charges, against the Rev^ Colin Lindsay, & finally to determine in what AT DUNGANNON, JUNE 27TH, 1786. 83 relation he shall stand, both to this Synod & the Congregation of Dundalk, said Comm"' hath power to put the Congregation under the care of any Pby to which they choose to join. M'' Andrew Bryson appointed to supply the Congregation until the meeting of the Com- mittee— M"^ Turretine to preach at it. M' Lindsay is to be furnished with the copy of the charge or charges which are to be brought against him, ten days before the meeting of the Committee, & also with a list of the names of such witnesses as are to support the charge or charges. Adjourned until 9 o'clock to morrow morning — Interloq' at 7. This Session concluded with prayer. l^Sixth Session.^ A Supplication from a part of the Congregation of Aughadowey to which nine names were subscribed, was presented, requesting that a minister of this Synod be appointed to preach to them one Lord's Day in every month, until the next meeting of this Synod, After maturely considering the request, supplicants are allowed to be disannexed from the Congregation of Aughadowey & to join any other will receive them, upon this condition only, that they have paid or do pay all stipend due to them by Aughadowey, and when this condition is fulfilled, they are disannexed from it. A Supplication from the Congregation of Moy water was given in, praying that a double portion of the K.D. may be allowed to their minister, which was refused. The Moderator is requested to present the thanks of this Synod to the Right Honb'* Lord Kingston, for his attention & regard to Protestant Dissenters, expressed by his benefaction to the colony of Ballymote. "When the resolution relating to the supplication from Moywater was read, it was moved and ordered, that the Congregations of Sligo & Moywater shall each of them have a double portion of the K.D. new & old for this year, The following overture from the Comm*" of overtures was submit- ted to the consideration of this Synod, viz : It is recommended to the Several Pbys to take this overture into their serious consideration, & at the same time, to modify its contents, & the former regulations of this Synod concerning the education of youth for the Ministry, that they may be incorporated into one body to be adopted & established by this Synod — aproved. Resolves of the Committee of Overtures : — 1" That every Candidate for the ministry, having finished bis Academical & University Courses, according to Synodical regulations, must, before he is admitted to public examinations, make himself acquainted with all or the greater part of the members of that Pby under the care of which he chooses to place himself. 6^^ Session 84 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD 2* That the several members, who shall have an opportunity of conversing with him, shall enquire into his progress in learning & knowledge, & at their next meeting communicate their respective opinions concerning his capacity & improvement. 3*^ That a member of the Pby be appointed to superintend his further studies, particularly the study of Theology. 4*'' That the Pby shall mention the books in Theology they deem proper for him to read, & that he be not admitted to probationary examinations, until the Pby have reported that they are satisfied with his proficiency. 5^^ That at each examination, and upon giving in every piece of trial, he shall be obliged to give an ace' of a certain determined book or other portion of Scripture, respecting the general design of the author of that portion of Scripture, & the meaning of such particular passages as may be occasionally demanded of him, & that untill a satisfactory knowledge of Theology & the Scriptures shall be acquired, he shall not be licensed to preach the Gospel. The expediency of printing Copies of the minutes of this Synod to be considered at next meeting. The Moderator concluded this Synod by prayer, June 30*^ 1786. iinterioq' Wednesday half after 4 o'clock p.m. The minute of the Interloq' of last Synod being read, allowing M" Spratt a double portion of the E..D., some doubts having arisen about the extent of that order, it is now declared to be and to have been our Intention that it should not extend to the late R' Grant. A Letter from M"" Lang was read, directed to M' Murray our former Moderator, informing him he had perfected jointly with James Johnston Esq', a security to the G. Synod, as their Agent, & a bond drawn upon paper not stamped was produced which was not satisfactory, for that & other reasons, & therefore Mess" M*Dowell, Wilson, & Moore of Dublin, when furnished with copies of the several Royal Grants, & a letter of Att^ from this Synod, are requested & intrusted, with such other Gentlemen as they shall think proper to join with them, to demand and take from M"^ Lang such security as Counsel shall approve, both for its Legality & sufficiency. And it is now ordered that a Letter of Atty. empowering our Agent receive, & directing him to dispose of the entire R.D for the use of this Synod be duly perfected — And Mess" Birch, Killburn, Wilson, & Lindsay, are appointed to draw up a letter of Att' for the above purpose — And Mess" White, Livingstone, Wilson & Black are appointed to answer M'' Lang's Letter, & fully to inform him of our sentiments and expectations, & to lay the letter before our next Interloq'. AT DUNGANNON, JUNE, 27TH, 17S6. 85 Upon reading the minute relating to the Institution of an Academy Acadamy in the bounds of this Synod, it was alledged to belong to the minutes of open Synod, which was admitted. When the minute of M' Jackson's application to last Synod was read, the Question was put — shall M' James Jackson be allowed to be a Contributor to the widows fund or not ? — The roll was called, & it carried that M' Ja' Jackson is allowed to be a Contributor to the W Fund, upon paying all arrears due by him to the fund, with legal interest to the day of paym*^, & his being punctual in his future annual payments. Doctor Stevenson requested a similar indulgence by letter, and a like application was made in favour of M' Rowan — it was unanimously granted to both, upon the above conditions. But if it shall appear at our Annual meetings, by our Agent's return, or by his receipts, that such subscriptions are not paid in due time by Mess" Jackson, Stevenson, & Rowan then he, or they in whose favour such report or recp' [is not produced, shall be excluded from the benefit of this indulgence & forfeit all their claims on the fund, in behalf of his or their^widow or widows, family or families. [2^^ Interloq^.'] 2 Interloqr The minutes of the last Interloq' were read & a letter to M' Lang requiring him to give satisfactory security to this Synod, as our Agent, which was approved & ordered to be engrossed by our Clk. — A Letter of Atty. was prepared as directed, read, and duly perfected, by our Moderator & Clerk. The Trustees letter was read, & Mess" Murray & Stitt were appointed to answer it — It was proposed & appointed that Doctor Campbell is continued as our Commissioner. [3'"'* Interloqr.^ 3 interior' A request was made that any sum of money, which should be given by the Congregation of Usher's Island, to the Representatives of the late Re'v'' James Caldwell, and the Annuity due to his Widow, annually by the W. Fund, shall be paid to the Rev** Andrew Alexander of Urnie, one of M"^ Caldwell's Trustees — Granted. M' Thompson of Carnmony is appointed to apply to the family of the late M' Rogers for all Books & papers in their hands belonging to the G. Synod, & to bring them to our next meeting. Mess" Murray & Stitt answered the Trustees Letter, which with the Letter to M' Lang & other papers, our Moderator was pleased to take into his Care. 86 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A Gen. Synod at Lurgan, 26 June, 1787. M' M'^Dowel Mod' of the former Synod opened this by preaching from 2 Cor. II. 17. — Then constituted it by Prayer ; after which were present from the several Presbyteries as followeth : — Minrs. Elders. Armagh Presby. Henry Jackson Dr. Campbell Sam. Livingston Robt. Dickson Sam. Sloan Thos. Cuming Robt. Boyd Wm. Donnovan Wm. Henry John Smyth Isaac Patrick Robt. McClure Sam. Barber Jas. Birch John Thomson Dr. Little Joseph Hay John Sherravd Wm. Fletcher Francis Turretine Wm. Magee John McClelland Jas. Waddell Mr. McCane Alexr. Arnold John Wallace Wm. Carlisle Andw. Smyth Hen. Dickson John Paxton Dr. Law Clogher Presby. Minrs. Elders. Bangor Presby. Jas. Hull Jas. Bryson Andw. Craig Robt. Jackson Alexr. Gouday David Trotter Geo. Tandy Strabane Presby. None Derry Presby. Robert Black Mr. Robt. Moore T.Patrick Presby. Thos. Read Chas. Bankhead Wm. Montgomery John Bankhead John Abernethy John Gibson Adam Hill John Savage Robt. Orr Jas. CuninghTim Dromore Presby. Belfast Presby. Thos. Birch Sinclair Kilburn Geo. McEwen Robt. Carlisle Saml. Burns John Knox John McKinstry L.kenny Presby. None Rout Presby. Alexr. Marshal B.raenagh Presby. Jas. Gumming John Lindsay Thos. Henry Dr. Adams None Dublin Presby. Ben. McDowel Monaghan Presby. Robt. Montgomery John Brakey John Arnold David Fleming Jas. McAdam Robt. Purdie Tyrone Presby. Jas. Todd John White Wm. Kennedy John McClelland Moses Hogg Geo. Murray Wm. Stitt AT LURGAN, JUNE 26TH, 1787. 87 Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Tyrone Presby — continued. Killyleagh Presby. Joseph Smyth Hugh Eccles Alexr. McComb Hugh Boylaud Moses Nelson Dr. Dickson Jas. McCance Robt. Porter Aughtry Law. P' Session Tuesday/ Evening. M' M" Dowel moved that another Moderator be chosea to preside in this Synod, when the following Brethren were named, viz : Mess''* Robert Porter, Sam' Livingston, Robert Black, W° Montgomery, John Thomson, And'^ Craig, Tho' Birch, Alexander Marshal, Tho" Henry, Robert Montgomery, & W" Kennedy. — M' Thomson was chosen — M' Dickson chosen Clerk in the room of M"" Smyth deceased. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, & to prepare Lists to be given to the Clerk of the Synod to morrow morning, of their members for the several Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, Funds, & Gen. Synods fixed Committee. — An account of such ministers as have died, been Ordained, or Installed, & of such candidates as have been Licensed, or entered upon Tryals since last Synod — Likewise an account of Annuitants on the Fund — of any that have died & of the time when such did die — also of Women in their Bounds who have been wives of ministers, & are not on the Fund. M' Nelson is ordered to preach to morrow morning at 9 o'clock, according to appointment of last Gen. Synod — And M' Livingston having been next in votes to the Moderator chosen, is ordered to preach on the second day of this Synod's next meeting, at 9 o'clock before noon. This Session concluded with Prayer. 2^ Session Wednesday morning, after Prayer. W Nelson preached. Returns were made by the several Presbyteries & the accounts as ordered, and are as follow : — Killyleagh Presb^ report. That the Rev'' Robert Smyth died the Dead IS''' Inst. On the fund with them M" Armstrong, M" Strong, & M" Smyth. Bangor Presb' report. That since last meeting of Synod, they have Licensed licensed M'' John Porter, & taken M"" Geo. Dobbin under their care — They have on the Fund M" Mitchel & M"^' Warnick. Armagh Presb' report. That they Ordained the Rev* And" Bryson Ordained at Dundalk IS"* Aug. 1786. He is a contributer to the widows Fund. They have on the Fund within their Bounds, M" Moody & M" Ferguson — Not on the Fund M" Stewart & M" Carlisle. 88 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD. Ordained D«ad Dead Ordained Dead Licensed Dimitted Dead Licensed D«ad OrdJ Licensed Licensed Dead Dromore Presb' have on the Fund M" White, M" Sempil, M" Nelson, Synod's fixed Comt*= for 1789 :— Mints from Presby of Armagh. Minrs from Pby of Derry. Mess" Livingstone & Sloan. Mess" Law & Young. KillyJea. Dublin. Mess" M'Comb & Nelson. D' M-^Dowel & M' Wilson. Bangor. Monaghan. Mess" Hull & Bryson. Mess" Moore & Trimble. 110 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Minrs from Pby of Dromore. Minis from Presby of Clogher. M"^ Barber & D' Little. B.mena, Mess" Banken & Lindsay. Belfast. Mess"^^ Birch & Kilburn. T. Patrick. M' Millar. Bout, Mess" Marshal & Blair. Tyrone. Mess" Hogg & Stitt. Strabane. Mess'^ Montgomery & Bankhead. Mess" Hamill & Clarke. L.kenny. Mess" Leitle & Love. These with an Elder from each Presbytery, & our Moderator & Clerk, are to meet at Lurgan, when called by the Moderator on any Emergency ; Fifteen to be a Quorum, whereof Twelve at least are to be Ministers. The Comt^^ of Accounts reported Progress, & are to meet again. The several com'*^° ordered to meet immediately. Session concluded with Prayer — Adjourned. S<^ Session Wednesday 2 o'clock, after Prayer. Synods next The Synod proceeded to appoint the time & place of its next meeting meeting. — Lurgan & Dungannon were proposed — The Roll was called & it carried to meet at Lurgan the last Tuesday in June 1790. Sermon to begin at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Interlocutor at 5 o'clock. Open Synod at 7 — Session concluded with Prayer — Adjourned. Motion for a Repeal Report of Visitors 4*'' Session, Wednesday Evening, after Prayer. On reading the Overture of last Synod respecting the printing of our Minutes annually, a motion was made, That said Overture be repealed ;— And the Question being put, " Repeal or Not? " — The Roll was called & it carried " Not." The Proceedings of the Rev"* D' M-^Dowel & Rev"^ Robert Rogers in visiting the frontier Cong"\ were reported by the Doctor to the Synod. AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, 1759. Ill Interlocutor to morrow morning at 8 o'clock — Open Synod at 12. Session concluded with Prayer. — Adjourned. b^^ Session, Thursday, 12 o'clock, after prayer. It was moved & unanimously agreed to, That the Thanks of tlie visitors ° Synod be given to the Rev*^ D"^ M'=Dowel & Rev*^ Robert Rogers, lor their attention to, & readiness in complying with the Appointment ot this Body in visiting the frontiers of the Province of Ulster, & the fidelity with which they executed that Commission ; and Thanks were accordingly given. The Minutes of the pro re nata meeting at Dungannon in Deo' ^gg^*""„""j, ^^ last being read; Twelve of the Brethren who protested against the Regular Synod proceedings of that meeting, gave in the Reasons of their Protest, which being also read ; After much reasoning on the subject. The Synod came to the following Resolution ; " That the meeting at Dungannon on the 2*^ Day of Dec' last, cannot be sustained as a Regular meeting of the Gen. Synod of TJlster." Session concluded with Prayer — Adjourned untill 5 o'clock. 6'^ Session, Thursday evening, 5 o'clock, after prayer. Resolved that the Rev"* D' M'^Dowel & Rev'' Robert Rogers bHExpenceof paid by our Agent the Expences incurred by their late visitation of the pan""^^ ° ^ frontier Cong"' ; agreeably to the Resolution of last Synod. On considering the Report of D"^ M'^Dowel, it was moved ; That Appointment of the appointment of last Synod respecting the frontier Cong"*, & South ^''*'*°" ^^^^'"^ West Colonies of Presbyterians be renewed this year; and that the ministers appointed, be enjoined to inform the different Colonies, That where they know themselves capable of contributing to the support of a stated minister ; They shall represent their Situation & Desires to this Synod at their next Annual Meeting ; That this Synod may be enabled to Judge where ministers may be settled with a probability of promot- ing the Interest of Religion. After reasoning on the motion at some length, the Question was put, " Renew the Appointment or Not? " — The Roll was called and it carried " Renew." The Rev'' Mess'* "W" Wilson & Sinclair Kilburn, unanimously New visitors appointed Visitors for this year. appointed A Supplication signed by David Park, " in the name of the greater stewartstown number of Presbyterian Inhabitants of Stewartstown in behalf of themselves & others near that place," was presented to this Synod by W™ Davidson & John Park, Comms", Praying " to Allow & Grant, That the House they have built may be appointed a House of Worship, acknowledged by this Synod, under the Care of the Presby of Tyrone. And that they may be permitted to meet there & worship God, & receive the Institutions of His Word, under the Direction of that Presby." — And they engage to satisfy the Synod with respect to the Securities for the certain support of a minister, whenever they shall be so happy as to obtain one. 112 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Brigh Stewartstown erected Overtures ist Psaliuodj- 2J Itinerant Prtachers New Erections A Petition signed John Grier, in the name of the Cong"" of Brigh, and a Petition & Remonstrance signed by thirty-six persons, members of the same Cong?°, were also presented to this Synod, by David Duff & Robert Moffat, Comms", Stating, That the Cong°° of Brigh would receive Essential Injury from the Establishment of a new Cong' Stewartstown. m The Comms" from both Parties having been heard at consider- able length & removed ; — And the Synod having reasoned on the Subject, ; The Question was put, " Grant the Supplication of the Inhabitants of Stewartstown or Not ? " The Roll was called and it carried " Grant," The following Overtures were proposed to this Synod: — 1. Whereas singing the Praises of God, is an Essential, Solemn & Important part of Christian Worship, to render which both pleasing & useful, the Knowledge of Psalmody, is aboslutely necessary. — And whereas this has been too much neglected, and is sensibly declining in many of our Cong"'. — That this Synod in order to promote the Devotion of Christian Worshippers, do warmly recommend an attention to Church Music, to all the Cong"" under their charge ; — And that they Exhort & Enjoin the different members of their Body, to use their utmost Dilligence in their respective Cong" in Perswading & Encouraging Heads of families & others, to have those under their Care & Influence, duely instructed therein : That the rising Generation may be qualified for Joining in the Public Praises of God with Decency, Comfort & Advantage. The Synod unanimously, & most cordially agree to, & recommend the above Overture, from the fullest conviction of its happy tendency, to excite & promote Devotion ; — And order it to be read in all Cong°°' within their Bounds. 2. That any minister, who shall employ to preach for him, any man not known to be a Regular minister of the Gospel, & whose moral character is not sufficiently known, shall be suspended, ab officio two L^* Days for the first offence, & for the second, three months : — And that any man under pretense of being a Presbyterian min', presuming to officiate as such in any vacancy without appointment of Presby or within the Bounds of any Cong"°, in which there may be an ordained min"" without the consent & appointment of such min', shall be incapable of being a member of this Synod. The above Overture agreed to. 3. That no Party of a Cong°° within the Bounds of the Synod & under their Care, which shall have built, or begun to build a Meet- ing House, with a view to be erected into a separate Cong°° without, the approbation & consent of this Synod first had, & obtained : shall be received under their Protection ; nor any Application for that purpose, be attended to by them. The above agreed to and ordered to be read in all Congregations AT LURGA^, JUNE 30™, 1789. 113 Interlocutor to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock. Open Synod at the conclusion of the Interl''. Session concluded with prayer. Adjourned. V^ Session Friday, 12 o'clock, after prayer. Resolved that the Presby of Tyrone be enjoined to appoint one of their Order to Presby number to communicate to the Cong"' likely to be affected by the Erec- °'^>'''°"® tion of Stewartstown, the Synodical Rales respecting those who in cases of this kind may be disposed to leave their own Cong"' in order to become members of any other. And that said members shall in parti- cular point out to those concerned the Indispensable Necessity of paying a strict attention to said Rules. A Reference from the Sub Synod of Derry, in the Affairs of the Cong°" of Killraats, was presented to this Synod. The Synod resolved, that a Comt^* consisting of the follo;ving conit«e to meet Brethren viz : Mess" James Cuming, John Lindsay, Tho" Henry, Tho' ^t Killraats Read, W" Montogomery, Robert Orr, John Thomson, Sinclair Kill- burn & Geo Murray with their Elders, do meet at Killraats on the 4"" Wednesday of this Inst July ; finally to settle this, & all other raat'ers relating to ihat Cong° — Five Ministers & three Elders to make a Quorum, M' Thomson to preach, & the Presby of Rout to attend the Comt*® to give what Information may be necessary. This minute to be read in the Cong°° of Killraats, next L*^ Day. Resolved that M' Dickson our present Clerk is Intitled to Fees for ciksfee« the year 1787, the year in which he was chosen; aud that our Agent be ordered to pay him the same. — Also, that our Clerk be directed to inform our Agent, that in the settlement of the accounts with the Representatives of the late M' Lang, he is to observe ; That a years fees had been paid to the family of the late M"" Rogers, to which they were not Intitled. A Supplication from the Prot. Dissenters of the Parish of Cappagh, Cappagh praying to be Established under the Appellation of the Cong°° of Cap- pagh, was presented to this Synod, by ilesh""' W" Hamilton & Samuel Ranken, Commiss"^*. The Synod Authorise the Presby of L.kenny to erect them into a .0 be erected Cong°" provided they give such security as may satisfy that Body, that they will pay fifty pounds annually for the support of a minister; and that such of their members as now belong to the Cong"" of M' Nelson, will pay him during life, their usual stipend. A Supplication from M' Colin Lindsay, Praying that the Cong"" Mr Lindsay h. of Ducdaik may be ordered to piv him the years Stipend *' to which Dunr^aik he was Intitled by our former Resolution," was presented to this Synod. Resolved that the Cong"" of Dundalk be ordered to pay M' Lindsay, before the first day of Aug. next, the sum of Eight pounds st' in lieu of all Claims on that Cong"" under penalty of being no longer connected with the Gen Synod of Ulster. 114 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Notice of a ^' Tho^ Birch gives notice, that he will nest year move for a motion Repeal of the Act of Synod of the year 1738, Impowering the ministers of Dublin to address his Majesty, or our Chief Goveraor, in the name of the Protestant Dissenters of Ireland. The Moderator concluded this Synod with Prayer. l*t Interlocutor Wednesday Evtning, 5 o'clock. Report of M' Wilson informed this laterl'. That And"* Caldwell Esq' was Mr Wilson ^^g ^^ly ^jjg ^£ |.j^g Trustees to whom Sir John Blackwood had perfected a mortgage, who had signed the Deed of Trust. — The Synod request the other Trustees to whom the mortgage was perfected, to sign the same Deed, as soon as may be convenient. The Declaration signed by M' Caldwell, is lodged in an Iron Chest in M"^ Finlays Bank. w Cameron A motion was made, That a Double Portion of the R. D. be con- tinued to M' Cameron, for this year. The Question was pat " continue or not?" The Roll was called & it carried "Continue" by a great Majority. Motion to eraze The Resolution of the Intel' of last year — " That where there shall Resdution be two or more ministers, in one Cong°° (Excepting the ministers now living) they shall receive no more than one annual share of the Royal Bounty " being read ; It was moved. That said Resolution be erazed from cur Minutes — And the Question being put " Eraze or Not ? — The Roll was called & it carried " Not." Synods Records M' John Thomson reported to this Interl' That he had got the Binding of the several volumes of the Records of this Synod compleatly repaired ; — Had put them into a Box made on purpose to receive them ; And had Deposited them in the Hands of the Rev"* M' Magee. Thanks to M' Thompson received the Thanks of the Interl' for his Care in Mr Thomson ^j^^t matter, and was ordered to be repaid the expence by our Agent. 2^ Interlocutor Thursday Morning. Motion respect- M' Trimble agreeably to the notice given by him last year now ""^ ■ ■ moved ; " That every Minister hereafter to be ordained to the charge of " a Cong°° under our care, & become a contributer to the Widows " fund ; shall appropriate to the same, the whole of his first years '* R. D. as it now does, or hereafter may stand. The above motion unanimously agreed to by this Interl'. Report of Corat" M' Ranken Chairman of the Comt^° of Accounts, gave in their of Accounts Report comprised in the following Resolutions. 1. That by a letter received from the Trustees of the Widows Eund it appears, That our said fund continues in an Increasing state. 2. That it appears to us, that the Representatives of our late Agent M' Lang, have in their hands, one Intire Quarter of the R.D. viz. that of June 1788, besides arrears due to Individuals. AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, 1759, 115 3. It has been stated to us, that our late Agent had advanced several sums to members of this Synod, who held particular Accounts with him : over and above what they were Intitled to, by their respective Dividends of the money he actually received. 4. That our Opinion is, That the Representatives of the late M'' Lang, do with all convenient speed, pay up to those to whom arrears may remain due, the full amount of such arrears, respectively. 5. That with respect to the Individuals to whom M' Lang may have advanced more than their Dividend of the above mentioned June Quarter ; His Representative may draw Bills on them in favour of the Synods Agent, who may be instructed to repay the Ballance, so soon as the respective accounts are allowed : M' Lang's Representative having first paid over to the said Agent, the Ballance of the June Quarter, as above stated. 6. That M'' Black's general statement of the money received by him & of the Dividends & payments of the same has, been laid before us ; and we are of opinion, that the same is just and correct. 7. We humbly offer it as our opinion to the Synod, that it may be useful to Instruct our Agent in future; That if he chuses to advance money to Individuals, the Synod ought not, & will not consider them- selves as any way accountable ; but he must do it at his own Risque. S^ Interlocutor 2 o'clock. Moved that the following Question be now put, "Continue M' **■■ ^''^'^'^ Black our Agent for the RD. or not ? " — The Question being put & the Roll called it carried " Continue " by a great Majority. continued Agent 4'* Interlocutor Friday Morning 8 o'cloch. The following Resolutions were moved & agreed to by this Interim:— 1. That two & one half '^ cent, shall be allowed to our Agent Resolution on all money of the R. D. which he receives— And that he shall pay the Al'«'t""''' °"' same without Fee or Deduction. 2. That our Agent shall produce his Books & Accounts to this Synod, on the first day of every annual meeting, in order to be sub- mitted to the Inspection of the Synod, or of any Comf^^ which they may appoint to Inspect them — And that a failure in this, shall ipso facto, dismiss him from his office. 3. That no person shall be qualified to act as our Agent untill his security shall be submitted to Council, & approved by them, as sufficient. And we request & authorise And* Caldwell, Henry Bevan, Thos Pettigrew & W" Colvill Esq''' to lay the proposed security before Council ; & if approved to take it in their own names in Trust for UB. 116 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD D' Craford, M' Alexander & M' Young appointed to answer the letters of the Trustees of the widows fund, & M' Hugh Lang. Mr Patrick Moved, that our Agent be ordered to pay M' Isaac Patrick out of the R.D. a sum equal to that paid by him into the widows Fund, Whenever the Presb^ of Dromore, shall certify to the Agent his re- signing the Pastoral charge of his Cong°°. — And that this mark of Respect to a worthy Character is in consideration of a Disappointment of a former Grant out of the widows fund. The motion passed in the affirmative. M'Todd Moved & unanimously agreed to, That a Double Portion of the R.D. be allowed to M' Todd, on condition of his resigning immediately the Pastoral Charge of his Congregation. The letters to the Trustees of the widows fund, & M' Hugh Lang were read, — Approved by the Inter? & subscribed by the Moderator. Mr Lindsay Mf Barr 5'^ Interlocutor Friday 3 o'cloch. M"" Colin Lindsay presented a memorial to this Interlocutor, stating, That he had an Invitation to go to America, & Praying, " That " he may be indulged & permitted to withdraw the money paid by him "into the widows fund." Resolved that our Agent he ordered to pay M' Lindsay out of the R.D. Twelve pounds h\}, wheutver ihe Presby of Monaghan shall certify to him, that M' Lindsay is determined & prepared, to go to America. A Petition from the Cong°° of Moywater was presented to this InterP, Praying that a Double Portion of the old ord^ R.D. may be allowed to M' Barr their minister, for this year. This granted. Inserted by ROBERT DICKSON, Clk. of Gen. Synod. 4*'> August, 1789. At LURGAN, JUNE 29TH, 1790. 11? A List of the Members of the Gen. Synod of Ulster & Presbytery of Antrim, the 29th June 1790. Piesb. of Templepatiick John Lewson John Wright Thos. Read Wm. Montgomery John Bankhead John Abernethy John Gibson John Savage Adam Hill Robert Orr Robert Thomson John Murphy Presb. of Dromore John Smyth Isaac Patrick Robert McClure Saml. Barber Jas. Birch John Thomson Joseph Hay Joseph Little, M.D. John Sherrard Francis Turretine Wm. Magee Wm. Fletcher Moses Thomson Jas. Waddell John McClelland John McCance Preab. of Belfast Jas. Huey Wm. Laird Jas. Malcom Saml. Patten Alexr. Henry Thos. Birch Andw. Grier Geo. Brydone Sinclair Killburn Geo. McEwen Robert Carlisle Joseph Harrison Presb. of Dublin Wm. Wilson Ben. McDowel, D.D. Hugh Moore Presb. of Bangor Jas. Hull Jas. Cochran Jas. Bryson Jas. Caldwell Alexr. Gowday David Trotter Jas. Porter Andw. Craig Presb. of B.mena Chas. Brown Joseph Douglas Jas. Cuming Robert Scott John Lindsay Alexr. Speer David Park Robert Christy Thos. Henry Henry Henry Presb. of L. kenny John Marshal Ben. Holmes Andw. Alexander Wm. Burke Joseph Leitle Jas. Taylor Joseph Love David Allen Henry Millar John Holmes Isaac Barr Thos. Leetch Jas. Delap Wm. Ramsay Hugh Delap Presb. of Clogher Wm. Moorhead Jas. Ker Andw. Millar Joseph Denham Joseph King Wm. Johnston Jas. Davison Presb. of Rout Robert Henry Joseph Douglas John Simson John Cameron Wm. Knox John Logan Wm. Lynd Hugh McClelland Alexr. Marshal Robert Thomson John Glenday Robert Rentoul Jas. Elder Wm. Douglas Jas. McFarland Daniel Blair Matthew Elder Arthur McMahon Gideon McMuUan Alexr. Martin Presb. of Monaghan Thos. Stewart Wm. Moore John Davis Matt. Trimble Wm. Millar Robt. Montgomery John Arnold John McCurdy Robert Rogers Jas. Walker Jas. Whiteside Joseph Lawsou Saml. Kennedy Jas. Gouday Presb. of Tyrone Jos. Todd Wm. Kennedy John McClelland Jas. Whiteside, Senr. Moses Hogg Geo. Murray Jas. Whiteside, Junr. William Stitt Joseph Smyth Wm. Moore Hugh Boyland Geo. Dougal Thos. McCay Wm. Henry 118 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Presb. of Killyleagh Alexr. McCombe Moses Nelson Wm. Steel Dickson, D.D. Robert Porter Jas. Sinclair Jas. Petterson Jas. Knox Presb. of Armagh Henry Jackson Saml. Livingston Robert Dickson Boyle Moody Saral. Sloan Thos. Cuming Andw. Bryson Nath. Shaw Presb. of Strabane Presb. of Derry— con. Joseph Osborne Robert Nelson Wm. Crawford, D.D. Robert Clarke Hugh Hamill Mr. Duulop Presb. of Derry David Harvey Saml. Patten John Law . Arthur Kyle Jas. Knox David Young Robert Black Francis Gray John Irwin Robert Scott Jas. Patten Hugh Brooks AVm. Cuningham Robert Caldwell Henry Elder Moses Goorley Presb. of Antrim John Beatty John Marshal Robert Sinclair Wm. Bryson Wm. Sinclair Futt. Marshall Wm. Bruce, D.D. Mr. Taggart Mr. Vance i • ,«m Mr.Neilson, ^ '"^ ^^^^ AT LURGAN, JUNE 29TH, 1790. 119 A Gen. Synod at Lurgan, 29"* June 1790. M"^ Douglas the Moderator of the former Synod opened this by preaching from Heb. vi. 1. Then constituted it by Prayer, after which there were present from the several Preeb' the following members : — Minra. Elders. Minrs. Elders. T.Patrick Presb. Monaghan Presb. Thos. Read John Bankhead John Davis John Abeinethy Matt. Trimble Henry Simson John Gibson Robt. Montgomery Saml. Davison Robert Orr Jas. Cuningbam Jas. Wbiteside Wm. Cbarleton Robert Thompson Joseph Lawsou John Murphy Saml. Kennedy Jas. Gouday Dromor€ ! Presb. Clogber Presb. John Smyth Isaac Patrick Joseph Denham Robert McChire Wm. Carlisle Saiml. Barber Wm. Brown Tyrone Presb. Jas. Birch Robt. Lowrey Jobn Thomson Jobn Burney Wm. Kennedy Richd. Robinson Joseph Hay Jobn McClelland Dr. Little Moses Hogg Wm. Henderson Jobn Sherard Joshua Cliambers 5 Geo. Murray Wni. Magee Wm. Thomson Jas. Wbiteside, Junr. Andw.Dewiddie Wm. Fletcber Wm. Stitt Jas. WacUlell Joseph Smyth Jobn McClelland Hug 1 Boyland Jas. Davison Jobn McCance Dr. Hull Thos. McCay Robt. Carson Wm. Henry Geo. Holmes Bangor Presb. Killyleagh Presb. Jas. Cochran Jas. Bryson Alexr. McConibe Andw. Craig Dr. Dickson David Trotter Jas. Knox Belfast Presb. Armagh Presb. Thos. Birch John George Saml. Livingston Sinclair Killburn Robert Dickson Geo. McEweu Saml. Sloan Robt. Carlisle TI108. Cuming Natb. Sbaw Philip Graham B.raena Presb, Derry Presb. Joseph Douglas Jas. Cuming Robert Black Thos. Henry Rout Presb. ) No L.kenny ' Presb. Strabane Presb. | Members Dublin Presb. ) present. Andw. Alexander 120 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Mod' Chosen Clerk continued Order to Presbyteries 2d Sermon Comt«« of Account! M' Douglas moved that another Moderator be chosea to this Synod, when the following Brethrea were named, viz: ReV^ Mess" John Bankhead, Sam' Barber, Thos Birch, Rob' Montgomery, Joseph Denham, W" Stitt, J)' Dickson, & Nath. Shaw. The Roll was called & M"^ Barber chosen. M' Dickson continued Clerk. The Several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night & to prepare Lists, to be given to the Clerk of the Synod to-morrow morning of their members for the several Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, Funds, & Gen. Synod's fixed Comt^^ — An account of such ministers as died, been ordained, or Installed, & of such Candidates as have been licensed or entered on Tryals since last Gen. Synod. An account of Annuitants on the fund ; of any that have died ; & of the time when such did die. Also of women in their Bounds, who have been wives of ministers & are not on the fund. M' Ja^ Birch is ordered to preach to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock according to appointment of last Gen. Synod. And M' Stitt having been next in votes, to the Mod' chosen is ordered to preach on the second day of this Synod's next meeting, at 9 o'clock before noon. The following members were returned by the several Presbyteries as a Comt^* to Inspect the accounts of our Agent, viz. By T.Patrick Presb, M"^ Bankhead, by Dromore M' John Thomson, by Belfast M' Xillburn, by Bangor M"^ Bryson, by B.mena M' Douglas, by L.kenny M"^ Alexander, by Fonaghan M' Trimble, by Clogher M' Denham, by Tyrone M' Stitt, by Killyleagh D'' Dickson, by Armagh M' Livingston. They are to meet in the Vestry Room to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Any member may attend to give or receive Information, but not to vote. The Comt*® to report. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned until to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. Tryali Resig'ned Resided Installed Resigned Ordained 2*^ Session Wednesday Morning 11 o'cloch, after Prayer. M' Birch preached according to appointment. Returns were made by the several Presbyteries of members for the several Comt.^^^ Also the accounts ordered which are as follow : — Clogher Prtsb. have on the fund.Mf' Scot & M" Mulligan, on Tryals, Mess" Ben Hall & Chas. Stewart. Armagh Presb. report, that D"" Campbell resigned his Pastoral charge of the Cong"" of Armagh 14 Sept' last ; that M' Jackson resigned his Pastoral Charge of the Cong°° of Banbridge, the 6"" of January follow- ing & that on the same day they Installed in that Cong"° M"^ Nathaniel Shaw, who is a Contributer to the widows fund. They have on the fund M" Moody & M" Ferguson ; not on the fund M" Stewart & M" Carlisle. Dromore Presb. report, that M"* M°Pherson resigned his Pastoral Charge of the CongO" of Glentubbert, on the 24"^ day of Aug. last ; That on the 15"' June Inst, ihoy ordained at Cumber M"^ John M<=Cance, AT LURGAN, JUNE 29™, 1790 121 who subscribed the "W. Conf. of faith, & is a contributer to the widows fund, & that according to 8ynodical Regulations they licensed M"^ And^^ Licensed Hirshaw who subscribed the W. Conf. of faith. They have on the fund M" Semple, M'' Nelson, & M''^ Henry. Killyleagh Presb. have on the fund M" Armstrong, M" Strong ^ M" Smyth & family of M' Henry. Monaghan Presb. report, That they ordained M"' Joseph Lawson, Three Ordained at Lisslanev, 15'*" Aug. 1789; M'' gam' Kennedy, at Bally James Duff, 4'^^ March 1790 ; & M"^ Ja^ Gouday, at Glentubbert, the 25''^ of same month ; All Contributers to the widows fund. — They have on the fund M''" Makee, W^ Algoe, M" Warnock, M'« Smyth, M" Fleming, M" Sprot, & family of M' Harris. T.Patrick Presb. have ordained M' John Murphy, at Island Magee ordained 15"' Aug. 1789. He is a Contributer to the widows fund. — They have on the tund M'^ Dunbar, M''^ White, M''^ Cowdn, & family of Al^ Rogers. '&"- Tyrone Presb. have ordained M' W™ Henry, at Stewartstown, the Tryais 23"' day of March last. He subscribed the W. Conf. of faith, & is a Contributer to the widows fund. They have entered on first Tryais M' Dan. M=Kee : on Second Tryais M*^ John Smyth ; & have on the fund M'^ Peebles, W Duffin, M''= Caldwell, & family of M' White. Belfast Presb. have on the fund, M''^ Kinkead, M" Kennedy, & family of M"^ Alexander. L.kenny Presb. have ordained M' Hugh Delap at Omagh, ] S'*" Oi'dained April last. He is a Contributer to the widows fund. On the fund in their Bounds are M" M'^Gaughey, M" Gordon, W Delap, & M" Caldwell. Bangor Presb. have licensed M'' Josiah Ker ; & have on the fund, ^'^^"s^*^ M" Mitch el, M'^ Warnick, & M" Jackson. From Derry, Strabane, Rout, B.mena, & Dublin Presbyteries no Returns. Gen. Synod's fixed Comt«« for 1790. Min" from Presb. of Clogher. Min" from Presb. of Killyleagh. M-^ And^- Millar. M' Nelson & D' Dickson. Armagh. Monaghan. Mess"^* Livingston & Sloan. Mess" Trimble & Davis. Dromore. T.Patrick. Mess" J. Thomson & Birch. Mess" Read & Bankhead. 122 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Min" from Presb. of Tyrone. Mess" Murray & Stitt. Belfast. Mess" Birch & Killburn. Min" from Presb. of L.kenny. Mess^'^ Taj lor & Love. Bangor. Mess" Cocbran & Bryson. CVmt«« at Killraats M' Lindsay & Dundalk Resolution respecting^ Synods fixed Comt"s These with an Elder from each Presbytery & our Moderator & Clerk, are to meet at Lurgan, when called by the Moderator on any Emergency, fifteen to be a Quorum, whereof twelve at least are to be ministers. M"^ John Thomson reported that the Comt'^'^ met at Killraats according to order of last Synod ; & that they had issued the Business for which they had been appointed. It appearing from a Petition of M"^ Colin Lindsay, that the sum of Eight pounds ordered by last Synod to be paid to him by the Cong"" of Dundalk, had not been paid ; This Synod renews the order of last respecting that matter, and orders the Presb. of Armagh to appoint one of their members to exchange Pulpits with M' Bryson, & read this minute to the Cong"". He is also to inform them, that if a Receipt for said money shall not be produced to this Synod at their next meeting, the Connection between the Synod and Cong"" of Dundalk, shall be then dissolved. Moved & unanimously agreed to, That on every occasion in which a Moderator may call a Synod's Comt'''^, He shall state particularly to every member of such Comf^^, the Business for which they are called ; & if the occasion will admit, allow time sufficient to converse with their respective Presbyteries, concerning the same. Also that all members of this Synod, attending Synods fixed Comi'^®^ by Returns from the several Presbyteries shall be refunded the expence incurred by such attendance, by their respective Presbyteries.. Interlocutor at 5 o'clock, open Synod at 7. with Prayer. Adjourned. Session concluded Synods next meetinrr Letter to Presb. of Antrim 3'^ Session Wednesday/ Evening, 7 o'cloeh, after Prayer. Moved that the time and place of the Synods next meeting be now fixed. Lurgan & Stewartstown were proposed. The Roll was called, & it carried to meet at Lurgan on the last Tuesday in June 1791 ; Sermon to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. Complaint having been made to this Synod, that the Presb. of Antrim had encouraged an Erection in the bounds of a Cong°" under our Care; the Synod resolved that our Mod' assisted by a Comt^^ of the followiog Brethren, viz. D' Dickson, M' Killburn, M"^ John Thomson, & M'. Jas. Birch, shall write a letter to that Presbytery respecting that matter. AT LURGAN, JUNE 29TH, 1790. 123 Mr. Tho" Birch having agreeably to the notice given by him last Motion respect- year now moved, " That the Act of Synod of the year 1737, Impower- '"^ ing the ministers of Dublin to address his Majesty or our chief Governor in the name of the Protestant Dissenters of Ireland be repealed "; The Previous Question was moved, viz. " Shall this Question be put or not? " — The Roll was called & it carried, "JSot." M' Denham reported from the Presb. of Clogher that application Newport & had been made to them by the Presbyterian Inhabitants of Newport ^'^"'■'°^^' & Thurlow to have a stated minister placed among them, for whose support they informed the Presb. they would be able to raise about fifty pounds a year. That in consequence thereof the Presb. had appointed M'" Marshal a Probtationer under their care to preach to them for some time ; & afterwards a member of the Presb. to take the minds of the People concerning him. That the People were unanimous in giving him a Call; but that the Presb. would not proceed to Ordain him, without the approbation & Consent of the Synod. The Synod approve of the conduct of the Presb. of Clogher in that Erected matter ; Consent that Newport & Thurlow shall be erected into a Cong"°, & that the Presb. shall proceed to ordain M"^ Marshal, as soon as the People shall satisfy them in respect to a sufficient security for his support. Interlocutor tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. Open Synod at the conclusion of the Interl"". Session concluded with Prayer — Adjourned. 4"^ Session Thursday Mornmg 1 1 o'clock, after Prayer. The Minister & Cong"" of Glentubbert, with the Consent of the Gientubburt Presbyteries of Dromore & Monaghan, are put under the care of the Presbytery of Monaghan. Moved & unanimously resolved, that the Rule of this Synod Rn'e of synod requiring that no Minister or Cong"", shall be disannexed from, or *^" °^'^'^ annexed to, any Presbytery belonging to this Synod, by any other Authority than that of Synod, Be, and hereby Is, continued in full force. Ordered, that our Moderator shall write a letter to the Presb. of Letter to Preib. Munster, remonstrating against the Conduct of M' Blair a member of their Presb., for Irregularly Introducing a Probationer to Drumurry, a Cong°° within the Bounds of the Presb. of Bangor, & under the Care of this Synod ; & afterwards presiding in drawing up a Call for him. Resolved that we approve of the Conduct of the Presb. of Bangor PrcsU. of Bangor respecting Dunmurry, in deferring the Ordination of M' Taggart in that place until the matter might come before this Body. The following Overture was proposed to this Synod : — '* That a Overture Person be appointed to examine the Uecords of this Synod from the year 1697 until the present time, & have an Abstract drawn out, of all the Laws, Acts, & Regulations of this Synod, arranged in their proper order ; & this abstract to be produced to the next meeting of the Gpu. l!24 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Agreed to Mr Henry & Ballindrait Comt's to meet at Killraats Synod, to be examined by a Comt*^ then appointed ; in order to its being printed, for the use of the members of this Synod, & the Congregations under their Care." The above Overture was unanimously approved & M' John Thomson was requested to take the Trouble of examining the Records & arranging the said abstract. With this Request of the Synod M' Thomson was so obliging as to comply, & in consequence thereof, all their Records were ordered to be put into his hands. Complaint having been made to this Synod that the Cong"" of Ballindrait had not satisfied the demands of M"^ W™ Henry for preaching in that place, the Synod recommend it to the Presb. of L.kenny, to see that Justice be done to M' Henry in that matter. Moved & unanimously agreed to that a Comt®<= of this Synod consisting of the following Brethren, viz : Mess" Bankhead, Brown of Broughshane, Cochran, Thomson of Larne, & Lindsay, with their Elders, shall meet at Killraats on the last "Wednesday of July Ins*, to settle a dispute between M'^ John Adams & M"^ Ephraim Cuming. The Com^^'^ of the Cong°° to be present & assist. M"^ Thomson to preach. This Minute to be read in the Cong"" of Killraats on some Lords day previous to the meeting of the Committee. The Moderator concluded this Synod with Prayer. !«' Interlocutor Wednesday Evening 6 o'clock. First Report of The Comt^® of the Synod appointed to Inspect the Acct^ of our Accounts Agent, gave in the following Report, signed by M' Bankhead their Chairman which was unanimously approved of, & agreed to, by the Interlocutor. Lurgan, June SQt'^ 1790 7 o'clock A.M. " Synods Comt^* of Accounts met agreeable to appointment, and examined the accounts of their Agent, for R.D. down to the Dc-c'^ 0,'^ 1789 inclusive, all the particulars of which they heartily approve. Adjourned till 11 o'clock A.M. " Comf^* met according to adjournment, went through M' Black's correspondence with the Representative of the late James Lang, from which they are enabled to inform this Synod, that there is a considerable sum, yet due from the latter in respect to R.D. and that in the Opinion of Comf^" M' Blacks conduct in this Troublesome Business is highly worthy of the Thanks of this Synod. — Comt'° are clearly of Opinion that the Charge for Negotiations, or Fees, is totally inadmissible ; & therefore that this Synod should order their Agent to call upon the said Representative as soon as may be, for the above Ballance & if Payment is delayed, to take the most speedy & effectual steps for Recovery of the same. AT LURGAN, JUNE 29TH, 1790. 125 " The Comt^® are also of Opinion, that the account against the Rev* Alex' M'Combe originated from Private Transactions, in which the funds of this S5^nod are unconcerned ; & therefore the Ballance stated against M' M'Combe is not to be admitted by their Agent, but that it should be immediately demanded of the Representative of the late James Lang." Resolved unanimously, that the Thanks of the Synod be given to Thanks to Mr M' Black for his unremitting attention to the Business of the R.D. and for his great trouble in transacting the same with the Representa- tive of our late Agent ; & Thanks were accordingly given him. Moved that a Double portion of the R.D. be continued to M' Mr Todd Todd for this year. The Question was put^ " Continue or Not? " — The Roll was called & it carried, " Not." M"^ Bankhead gives notice that he will next year move, that the Notice of a annual subscription of every Contributer to the Widows fund, shall *'^°"°" instead of 40 Shillings be three pounds, and that every annuitant on the fund shall receive Twenty pounds a year. 2'^ Interlocutor Thursday Morning, The Comt'^'^ of Accounts gave in the following Report, signed Second Report by M' Bankhead Chairman of the Comf^'^, which was unanimously Accounts'** approved of, and agreed to by the Interlocutor. "Lurgan, Thursday Morning 7 o'clock. "Comt'^'^ went through the whole of the Account of the Widows fund for one year, ending the Ist day of January last past, the Regularity and precision of which meet their warmest approbation ; And from the Trouble which attends the Business of the fund, and the Essential service which M' Black has already rendered to the same, It is the Opinion of this Comt'^'^ That Twenty pounds '^ annum be allowed him for transacting the Business thereof." Resolved, that every minister ordained to the Charge of a Cong"" Time of possess- shall be entitled to the R.D. from the Quarter day immediately '"''' '^■^" following his Ordination, until the Quarter day immediately following the Dissolution of his Connection with the Congregation. The Rev* Philip Taylor having communicated to our Agent the Co'wpiii"e"t to Opinion of the Ministers of the Southern Assotiation, that a Compliment ^"° '^" of Twenty-fivtr Guineas ought to be made to M' Benjamin Vaughan, the Agont for our English Bounty in consideration of his Attention to, & Trouble with the same ; This Synod unanimously concur with our Brethren of the Southern Assotiation ; & our Agent is hereby authorised to advance Twelve Guineas & an half, being our Proportion of the said Twenty- five Guineas. Mess" Livingston, M'^Clure & Birch, are appointed to answer the Letters of the Trustees of the Widows fund, & M' Hugh Lang. 126 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD. The Letters to the Trustees & M' Lang were read, approved, & ordered to be subscribed by the Moderator. Inserted 30*'^ August 1790, by ROBERT DICKSON, Clk of G. Syood. N.B. — M' Dunlop a member of Strabane Presb. was ordained at Badeney 15"' March 1790, & is to be a Subscriber to the "Widows Fund. The Presbytery of Root ordained M' Arthur M'^Mahon the 12"' day of Oct' 1789. M"- Gideon M'Mullan, in Feb'^ 1790, & M' Alex' Martin, 18"^ May 1790, all Contributers to the Widows Fund. AT LURGAN, JUNE 2STII, 1791. d Gun. Synod at Lurgan, 28''' June 1791. 127 M' Barber the Moderator of the former Synod opened this, by preaching from Revel, xviii. 20. Then constituted it by Prayer ; After which there were present from the several Presbyteries the following members : — Minrs. Elders. Dromore Presb. Isaac Patrick Kobert McClure Saml. Barber Jas. Birch John Thomson Dr. Little John Sherrard Wni. Magee Wni. Fletcher Moses Tiiomson Jas. Wadtlell John McCance Alexr. Arnold Jas. Eobinson Robert Stewart Jas. McAdani Geo. Smyth Thos. Lindsay Henry Dickson John Boyd John Moore Sand. McAdam Malcom Richie Belfast Presb. Jas. Huey Saml. Patten Jas. Malcom Alexr. Henry Thos. Birch Andw. Grier Geo. Brydone Sinclair Killburn Geo. McEwen Robert Carlisle Jas. Simson Bangor Presb. Jas. Hull Dr. Lowrey Andw. Craig David Trotter Mr. Dobbin Jas. Porter B.mena Presb. Joseph Douglass L.kenny Presb. Andw. Alexander Mr. John Gillespie David Allen Clofjher Presb. Jas. Ker Andw. Millar Joseph Denhani Jas. Davison Chas. Stewart Mr. Charletou Minrs. Elders. Monaghan Presb. Wm. Moore John Davis Matt. Trimble Robt. Montgomery John Arnold Jas. AVhiteside Joseph Lawson Joseph Thomson Alexr. Ferguson Root Presb. Wm. Knox Robert Rentoul Arthur McMahon Alexr. Martin Mr, John Gouday Jas. Malcomson John McWilliam Wm. Stewart Tyrone Presb. John McClelland Jas. Whiteside, Senr. Moses Hogg Wm. Gillespie Geo. Murray Jas. Whiteside, Junr. Wm. Stitt Joseph Smyth Jas. Dunlop Hugh Boylaud Geo. Dougal Thos. McCay Robt. Vincent Killyleagh Presb. Moses Nelson Dr. Dickson Robert Porter Jas. Knox Armagh Presb. Saml. Livingston Robert Dickson Saml. Sloan Thos. Cuming Andw. Bryson Nath. Shaw Wm. Henry Mr. John Porter Hugh Li 1 burn Saml. Coulter Robt. Stirling Wm. Cochran 128 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Minrs. Elders. Strabane Presb. Dr. Craford Robt. Clarke Jas. Henderson Thos. Anderson Andw. Sproul Derry Presb. Saml. Patten John Law David Yonng Robert Black Hiigli Brooks Minrs. Elders. T.Patrick Presb. Thos. Read John Bankiiead John Abernethy John Gibson John Savage Adam Hill Robert Orr Robert Thomson John Murphy Jas. Cuningham John Bell Modr chosen Clk. continued Order to Presbs. Second Sermon Comt«« of Accounts Motion M' Barber having moved, that another ?tIoderator be chosen to this S\nod. the following Brethren were named — viz., Rev*^ Mess"^^ Ja^ Birch, Tho= Birch, Ja' Ker, W" Moore, W" Stitt, Moses Nelson, Sam^ Sloan, John Law & John Savage. — The Roll was called, & M"^ Ja^ Birch chosen. — W^ Dickson continued Clerk. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night & to prepare Lists to be given to the Clerk of the Synod to-morrow morning of their members for the several Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, Funds, & General Synods fixed Comt^®. An account of such minis-ters as have died, been Ordained, or Installed ; & of such Candidates as have been Licensed, or entered on Tryals, since last Gen. Synod. — An account of Annuitants, on the Eund ; of any that have died ; & of the time when such did die. Also of Women in their Bounds who have been wives of ministers, & are not on the Fund. o'clock M' Stitt is ordered to preach to-morrow morning at 9 according to appointment of last Gen. Synod & M' Moore having been next in votes to the Mod' chosen, (except M'^ Nelson who preached before, & M' Stitt who is to preach to-morrow) is ordered to preach on the second Day of this Synods next meeting, at 9 o'clock before noon. The following members were returned by the several Presbs. as a Comt" to inspect the Accounts of our Agent, viz. by Dromore Presb. M' John Thomson, by Belfast M"^ M'Ewen, by Bangor M"^ Hull, by Clogher M' Davison, by Monaghan M' Moore, by Tyrone M' M'Cay, by Killyleagh D"^ Dickson, by Armagh M"^ Shaw, by Derry M' Young, & by T.Patrick M' Savage. — They are to meet ia the vestry Room to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Any member may attend to give or receive Information, but not to vote. The Comt*^*^ to report. Moved that it be an Instruction to the Comt^® of Accounts to report to the first Interlocutor the amount of the Capital of the "Widows Fund, with the annual Interest arising from the same. The number of Contributers to the fund; & the sum by them contributed during the last year. Also the number of Annuitants on the fund, & the sum due and payable to them, from the first day of January 1790, to first day of January 1791. AT LURGAN, JUNE 28TH 1791, 129 The motion unanimously agreed to. Agreed to Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned until to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. 2'^ Session Wednesday Morning 1 1 0^ clock after prayer. W Stitt preached according to appointment. Returns were made by the several Presb^ of members for the several Comt'^'^' — Also the accounts ordered, which are as follow. — Killyleagh Presb. report, that M" Armstrong died S*"" July 1790. Dead That they licensed M'' Ja^ Nelson in Sept' 1789. — & that they have on Licensed the fund M""^ Strong, M" Smyth, & family of M"^ Henry. Armagh Presb report, that they have on the fund M" Moody & M'' Ferguson ; not on the iund M" Stewart, & M" Carlisle.— That they have received under their care M"^ Josiah Ker, a Probationer, from the Presb. of Bangor; and that the Cong"'' of Armagh had given a to the Call Rev"* W" Henry a member of Tyrone Presb. whose Credentials were sustained ; but that he is not yet Installed. T.Patrick Presb. have on Tryals M' Tho^ Alexander— on the fund M" Dunbar, M" White, M'" Cowan, & family of M'" Rogers. Derry Presb. report, that M^' Ja^ Patten died 24"" June 1790, pead That they have on first Tryals Mess" Joseph Douglass, Rob' Rogers, & John Pinkerton, — Have Licensed Messrs Joseph Osborne John Licensed M'Robb & Ja' Cannon. — Have ordained at Dungiven, on the first Ordained Tuesday of Nov' last M' Robert Steel, who is a Contributer to the widows fund. And have on the fund M" Hare, M" Lyle, M'^^ Walker, Sen', M" Walker Jun', M" Adams, M" Patten, & families ot Mess'^ Bond, & Ferguson. Clogher Presb. report, that they ordained M.' Alex' Marshal at q ^ • Turlogh on the 14"^ of July 1790. He is a Contributer to the widows fund. They have licensed Mess" Ben Hall, & Cha' Stewart, and Licensed have on the fund M" Scott, & M" Mulligan. Bangor Presb. have on the fund M" Mitchel, M" Warnick, & M" Jackson. Monaghan Presb. report, that M' Rogers died in March last. He Dead left a widow, & children. That M" Makee died in Oct' last — And Dca.i that they have on the fund M" Algoe, M'^ Warnock, M'^ Fleming, M'^ Smyth, Al" Sprat, M'^ Rogers, & family of M' Harris. L.kenny Presb. report, that they ordained M' W" Houston at Ordained Donegal 2"^ of March last & M' Ja' M'Clintock at Cappagh 24"* May last, both Contributers to the widows fund — They have Licensed M' Licensed John Gillespie ; and have on the fund M"* M'Gaughey, M'^ Gordon, M'^ Delap, & M" Caldwell. Dromore Presb. have on the fund M" Semple, M" Nelson, & M" Henry. 130 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Licensed Ordained Licensed Ordained Licensed Ordained Ordained Tyrone Presb. report, that M' W" Henry resigned his Pastoral Charge of the Cong°° of Stewartstown the 5^^ of Jan'^ last. They have according to Synodical Regulations Licensed Mess" W" Read, & Daniel Makee, who subscribed to the "W. Conf. of Faith. Have entered on first Tryals Mess" Rob* Hogg, & John M'llwain ; — and have on the fund M" Peebles, W Duffin, W Caldwell, & family of M^ White. Root Presb. have ordained M"^ Archibald Fullerton, at Augha- dowey the 2^ Tuesday of Dec'' last. He subscribed the W. Conf of Faith, & is a Contributer to the widows fund — They have licensed M' Lochridge, who subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith, according to the Synods formula ; And have on the fund M" Gaston, M''' Smylie, M." Davis & M"^ Hamilton. Strabane Presb. report, that they ordained M'^' Ja^ Henderson at Derg 27th May last, who is a Contributer to the widows fund — They have on Tryals W W" Hamilton— On the fund M" Coulter & family of M' Young. B.mena Presb. have according to Synodical Regulations Licensed Mess" Tho^ Makee & Samuel Hannah. Have ordained M^" Alex' Montgomery at Antrim 31^' May last, who is a Contributer to the widows fund; & have on the fund M" O'Brien, M" Hill, M" Brown, & M" Rankin. Belfast Presb. report that they ordained M"^ Ja^ Simson Colleague to the Rev'' Ja^ Huey in the Cong"" of Newtonards 2i^^ Aug. last ; He subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith & wishes to be a Contributer to the widows fund. — They have on the fund M" Kinkead, M" Kennedy, & family of M' Alexander. Gen. Synods fixed Comt^« for the year 1791. Preshs. Minrs. Killyleagh, Mess" Sinclair, & Petterson. Armagh Mess" Livingston, & Sloan T.Patrick Mess" Bankhead, & Abemethy — Clogher M'' Millar, Derrv Mess" Law & Black Bangor Mess" Cochran & Craig Tyrone Mess" Murray & Stitt, Dromore Mess" Barber & J. Thomson. Monaghan Mess" Trimble & "Whiteside. AT LURGAN, JUNE 28TH, 1791. 131 Presbs. Minrs. L.kenny Mess" J. Holmes & Hen. Miller. Root Mess" Marshal & Jas. Elder. Strabane M' Dunlop. B.Mena Mess'" Cuming & Lindsay. Belfast, Mess" Birch Killburn & M'Ewen, These with an Elder from each Presbytery & our Moderator & Clerk are to meet at Lurgan when called by the Mod' on any Emergency ; fifteen to be a Quorum, whereof twelve at least are to be ministers. Moved that the time & place of the Synods next meeting be Synods next now fixed. Lurgan & Dungannon, were proposed. — The Roll was ^^ '"^ called & it carried to meet at Lurgan, on the last Tuesday in June 179ii. Sermon to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. The several Committees are ordered to meet immediately. Interlocutor at 5 o'clock. Open Synod at 7. Adjourned. 3"* Session Wednesday/ Evening 7 o'clock after prayer. Resolved, that the Presb. of Antrim, in not taking notice of our Preab. of Antrim letter to them of last year which was delivered by our Mod' to the Rev'^ "W" Bryson, a member of that Presbytery, have treated this Synod with unkindness and Disrespect. Resolved that our Clerk be ordered to transmit a Copy of this Resolution to that Presbytery. On reading the order of last Synod for the payment of Eight Dundaik Pounds by the Cong°° of Dundaik, to M' Lindsay ; it was alledged on the part of the Cong"", that there was a mistake in the matter. Where- fore the Synod appointed D' Crawford, M'" Hull, & M' Stitt, as a Comt'"^ to enquire into it; which they did and reported that " They were clearly of opinion, that the Cong°° of Dundaik instead of being indebted to M' Lindsay, had overpaid him." The Report agreed to by the Synod. In answer to a letter from this Synod to D' Campbell Mod'' of the Picsb. of Presb. of Munster, complaining of the conduct of M' Blair one of thtir ^^""s's'^ members respecting the Cong°° of Dunmurry, a very Kind & Respect- ful letter was received by our Mod' from the Doctor, in which he informs us ; that the Presb. of Munster had expressed their disapproba- tion of M"" Blairs Conduct in the Instance complained of; but that M' Blair was since dead. On reading the Minute respecting M' Thomsons making an Abstract from Abstract from our Records, consisting of the several Laws & ^^°°**' Kecords 132 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Ballindrait Report from a Comt«! Eegulations of this Synod ; the Synod heard with Regret that M' Thomsons state of health had prevented him from compleating the work ; & request that he may resume his Labours so soon as his Health will permit. This Synod renews the Order of last to the Presb. of L.kenny to see that the Cong°° of Ballindrait do satisfy the Just Demands of M"" Henry for preaching there. M' Robert Thomson reported that the Comt^° met at Killraats according to the order of last Synod, & had issued the aflfair in Dispute, to the satisfaction of both Parties. The Comt^^ of Accounts to meet to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. — Interlocutor at 8. — Open Synod at 11. Session concluded with Prayer. — Adjourned. 4*^ Session Thursday morning 1 1 o'clock, after Prayer. Comtee to meet there ■*^''n«e*» The Presb. of Armagh having applyed to this Synod for advice in the affair of the Installment of M' Henry in the Cong°° of Armagh The Synod advise the Presb. to proceed to his Installment with all convenient speed. Drumquia A memorial from a part of the Cong°" of Derg which statedly worshipped at Drumquin; & a memorial from another Party formerly belonging to said Cong°°, were presented to this Synod, supplicating to be erected into a separate Cong°°. After reasoning on the subject, the Question was put — " Appoint a Comt^'^ to determine that matter or not?" The Roll was called and it carried, "Appoint." The Comt*^^ to consist of the following members, viz. From Presb. of Clogher Mess"^^ Ker, Millar, Denham, & Davison. Prom L.kenny Mess'^ Alexander, Leitle, Taylor, & Love, And from Derry Mess" Patten, Young, Cuningham, & Goorley, with their Elders. They are to meet at Drumquin on the second Wednesday of Aug. next, seven ministers & three Elders, to be a Quorum ; & M"^ Millar to preach. The Comt^^ are irapowered to take into consideration the Relative Situation of Pettigo & Drumquin & to erect them into a Cong°° if they shall see it expedient. Notice of this to be given to the People of Pettigo, by the Rev** M' Alexander. M's Sprat A memorial from M" Sprat, widow of the late Rev"* W" Sprat was presented to this Synod, Supplicating their Interference in respect to the arrear of Localities due by different Cong°"' in the Presb. of Monaghan & Elsewhere. The Synod enjoin the Presb. of Monaghan, & the ministers of such Cong°°^ not in their Bounds, as usually paid Localities to M'^' Spratt, to make collections in their Repective Cong""' & pay the sums collected into the hands of the Rev Robert Montgomery to be by him applyed to the Purposes specified in M" Sprats memorial. Session concluded with Prayer Adjourned until 5 o'clock. AT LURGAN, JUNE 28TH, 1791. 133 5^^ Session Thursday Evening 5 o*cloch, after prayer. Moved & unanimously agreed, That Inasmuch as the Recom- Ps»imody mendation of this Synod in the year 1789 respecting Psalmody, hath not been read in many of our Cong"°^ ; It be read immediately, after Divine Service in each Cong"" belonging to this Synod before Nov' next. And the members of this Synod are enjoined to use their utmost endeavours to have Church Musick cultivated in their liespective Cong°°^ J and Cong™^ are enjoined to encourage Clerks who are qualified to preside in Singing the Praises of God ; and to procure suitable Teachers of Psalmody in their Respective Bounds — And the Particular member of each Presb. to whom the Synods Minutes shall be sent, is hereby enjoined to transmit a Copy of this Resolution to each member of the Presbytery. The Moderator concluded this Synod with Prayer. l«t Interlocutor Wednesday Evening 5 o'clock. W Black reported to this Interl"^ that he had received from M' 5f p?"^* °^ **' Hugh Lang, the Representative of our late Agent, the full amount of every Demand he had against him, on account of R.D. & widows fund. A Letter from M"" Lang to our Mod'' was read & it was unani- Thanks to Mf mously resolved, That the Thanks of this Synod be given to M' Lang ^^^^ for the fair, candid, & gentleman-like manner in which he had settled the accounts of his late Brother with this Synod; and D"" Dickson & M'^ Livingston are appointed to write him accordingly. Comt*^ of Accounts met according to appointment & gave in the p'^^^^^'^ ?"'''' °^ following Report signed by M' Thomson their Chairman. Accounts " Capital of the Widows fund . . .. £11682 : 12 : 3 Annual Produce .. .. .. £683: 0: 0 Number of Contributers 165. " Amount paid by Do. for the vear ending 29**^ Septr 1790, .. .. " .. £336 : 12 : 10 Number of Annuitants P' Jan'^^ 1791, 68. Amount of Cash paid & payable to Do. . . £812 : 13 : 8 Comt"® examined our Agents Accounts of R.D. down till Dec' Q' 1790 inclusive, with the most minute attention; & should think themselves defective in common Justice did they not express to Synod their warmest approbation of his attention & correctness in every part of a very laborious Task." 2^ Interlocutor Thursday Morning 8 o'clock. The following Report of the Comt'" of Accounts signed by M' Second Report Thomson their Chairman, was read & agreed to by the Interl'. — Ac^ounir °' Lurgan 30th June 1791. " On examining our Agents Accounts of the widows fund, Item by Item, they report. That they found them in every particular perfectly satisfactory ; & beg leave to submit the following Facta to this Synod, 134 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Motion Bejected On M"^ Blacks appointment to the agency in 1789 the Productive Capital of the widows fund was ..£11338: 6:6 Do in 1791 .. .. ...£11682:12:3 Increase in Capital in two years. . Rateable Produce in 1789 '^ annum Do. in 1791 Increase of Do. "^ annum Moved that our present Agent shall transact the Business of R.D. & widows fund, at one '^ cent for R.D. & Two & an half for widows fund. The previous Question was put, viz. " Shall this Question be put or not?"' The Roll was called & it carried, " Not." • • £344: 5 : 9 • • • • £604 £683 • • • • • • £79 • • 3<* Interlocutor Thursday Evening. Mr McPherson Mr Simson Sale of annuity allowed ^If Allen TAr Rentoul Moved & agreed, That the sum of Thirty Guineas be paid out of R.D. to M'^ M'Pherson, late minister of Glentubbert in consideration of the sum paid by him into the widows fund, & that D' Dickson, D' Little, & M' John Thomson be impowered to draw upon our Agent for the same, & pay it to M' M'Pherson to be apply ed only to the purpose of removing himself & family to America. Application was made by the Rev*^ Ja^ Simson of Newtonards to know on what Terms he can be admitted a Contributer to the widows fund. On account of the Thinness of the House, & a seeming difficulty attending this Question, the Determination of it was deferred till next Synod. By this however, M"^ Simson is not precluded any Right. The children of the late M' Henry of Drumbannagher may dispose of the annuity they are entitled to by the Regulations of the widows fund, as their Rights will be made good to their assignees, in the fullest manner. Resolved that a Double Portion of R D. be allowed to the Rev"^ M' Allen of Dunfannaghy for this year. A Petition from the Rev^ M"" Rentoul, supplicating to be admitted a subscriber to the widows fund was presented to this Interl'' — As a Premium for admission he proposed to pay immediately into the fund, six pounds twelve shillings for the first year after his Installment in Lurgan, which took place 26 Sept"^ 1773, & forty shillings for each year since. And in case he shall die before the expiration of ten years, from this date, the sum of forty shillings for each year, to be deducted from the annuity of his widow or children, until the term of ten years be compleated. The supplication granted on the Terms proposed. AT LURGAN, JUNE 28TH, 1791. 135 A memorial from the Cong°° of Sligo was presented to this siigo Interl' setting forth the declining state of that Cong"" & requesting that a double Portion of E..D. may be allowed to their minister. Resolved that the consideration of this Business be postponed until the next meeting of Gen. Synod — And in case an application shall be then made by the Cong"", it is required that it shall come recommended by their Presbytery. M' John Thomson & W Magee are appointed to assist the Mod^ in answering the letter of the Trustees of the widows fund. Inserted the 3\^^ day of August 1791, by ROBERT DICKSON, Clk. of Gen. Synod. Lurgan 14'^ February 1792. At a meeting of the Gen Synods fixed Committee at Lurgan on the 14"" day of Eeb''^ 1792 there were present the following members, viz : — Rev'' Mess'^ Ja^ Birch Mod', Robert Dickson Clerk. Preab Killylengh Ja" Sinclair, Ja^ Petterson. Armagh Sam' Livingston, Sam' Sloan. Derry Robert Black, Henry Elder. Bangor Ja' Cochran, Andw. Craig. Tyrone Geo Murray, W" Stitt. Clogher And^ Millar, Ja' Davison Monaghan John Arnold, Ja' Whiteside Letterkenny John Holmes, Henry Miller Root Alex' Marshal, Ja' Elder Dromore Sam' Barber, & Joseph M'^Neilly an Elder Ballymena Ja' Cuming, John Lindsay Templepatrick John Bankhead, John Abernethy Belfast Tho' Birch, Sinclair Killburn, Geo. M^Eweu Antrim Patrick Vance, Ja' Nelson 136 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD The Mod'' informed the Comt*% that in consequence of a letter from our Agent M' Black, he had called this meeting for the purpose of considering of an Application for an augmentation of R.D. Resolved that the Thanks of the Comt''^ be given to our Mod' for his very proper conduct in calling this meeting, & for the correct & timely notice given to the several members. M"" Black gave a Minute & Circumstantial Detail of the motives which induced him to request the Mod' to call this meeting ; & of the steps taken by him subsequent to the Call. From M' Blacks Report it appears that the Business has been brought to an Happy, & Honourable Issue ; & that in the accomplish- ment of it we are highly indebted to the Zealous, Prudent, & unremitting Exertions of James Stewart Esq''., Representative in Parliament for the County of Tyrone, & also that among other friends, we are particulary oblidged to the Marquis of Waterford for his unsolicited, & effectual, services. Resolved that a Comt^® consisting of the following members, viz. Mess''^ Murray, Millar, Marshal, Bankhead, Livingston, Black, & Stitt be appointed to prepare an Address to his Majesty to be presented as soon as it shall be known that he has comply'd with the address of the House of Commons in our favour. Resolved that the said Comt** shall prepare an Address to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, requesting him to transmit our Address to his Majesty. Resolved that said Comt*^ shall also prepare an Address of Thanks to James Stewart Esq'. Resolved also that a Letter be written to the Marquis of "Waterford, expressing our Grateful sense of his services. Resolved that it appears to this'Comt''^ That our Agent M"" Black, has throughout the whole of this Business acted with great Zeal, Wisdom, & Diligence, & that he has essentially promoted the Interest, & supported the Honour of this Body. Resolved that this ComL^® do represent to next Gen. Synod the Grateful sense they entertain of his Services. Adjourned until to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. 2*^ Session Wednesday Morning 10 o'cloch. The Addresses to his Majesty, to the Lord Lieutenant & M"^ Stewart, & the Letter to the Marquis of Waterford were read, approved, and ordered to be subscribed by tbe Mod"^. Resolved that M' Black be, & hereby is appointed to carry up the Addresses to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant. The Addresses are as follow : — AT LURGAN, FEBRUARY I4TH, 1792. 137 TO THE KINGS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY The Humble Addbess op thk Pkesbytekian Ministeks of the Synob op Ulster. May it please your Majesty We your Majesty's most Dutiful & Loyal Subjects the Presbyterian Ministers of the Synod of Ulster, beg leave to approach your Majesty, with the sineerest expressions of Loyally & Respect. "We humbly intreat your Majesty's Acceptance of our Warm & Grateiul Thanks, for the Recent Instance of your Majesty's, Generous Consideration & Goodness in the farther Provision which your Majesty has condescended to make for our comfortable support ; Agreeable to the Address & Representation, of your Majesty's House of Commons of Ireland. We humbly beg leave to Assure your Majesty that we continue firm & unshiiken in our Atlachment to those Principles which seated your Majesty's Illustrious Family on the Throne of these Kingdoms, and that we shall continue to enforce by our Precepts & Example those sentments of Religion, Virtue, & Good Order, which have had in past times such an happy Influence in promoting Respect for the Laws, as well as a Spirit of Peace, & Good Will, towards those who differ from us in Modes of Failh, & Worship, which we deem perfectly compatible with an Object, than which none is more dear to our Hearts, the preservation of the Protestant Settlement in your Majestys Kingdom of Ireland. That your Majesty may long continue to sit on the Throne of your Fathers, guarded by the Love & Attachment of your People, & then be removed full of years & virtue, to an Heavenly Kingdom, shall ever be the earnest Prayer, of your Majesty's Dutiful, & Loyal Subjects, the Presbyterian Ministers of the Synod of Ulster. Done at Lurgan 14'^ Feb-^y 1792. Signed by order JAMES BIRCH, Mod'. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE EARL OF WESTMORELAND, LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND. The Humble Addeess of the Peesbtteeian Ministebs op the Synod of Ulstee. May it please your Excellency We his Majesty's Dutiful & Loyal Subjects the Presbyterian Ministers of the Synod of Ulster beg leave humbly to request of your 138 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Excellency, that you would be pleased to forward to our Most Gracious Sovereign, the Humble, & Dutiful, Address which we herewith deliver to your Excellency ; and we earnestly & humbly intreat your Excellency to represent us the Presbyterian Ministers of the Synod of Ulster, as Dutiful & Loyal Subjects of his Most Gracious Majesty ; ready at all times to promote Peace, & Good Order in Society, & to preserve inviolate the Protestant Settlement in this his Majesty's Kingdom of Ireland. Signed by order JAMES BIRCH, Mod^ THE ADDRESS TO JAMES STEWART, Esq". Sir It is with Particular Pleasure we address ourselves to you, at this time, when our Hopes with Respect to the Augmentatioa of the Royal Bouuty are about to be realized. You have been our constant & steady Friend. In you we have always confided & have never found ourselves disappointed. We are heartily sorry that you have been put to so much trouble in the Progress of this Business ; but we are con- vinced you must feel the highest satisfaction in seeing your exertions crowned with success. Tour Friendship & Zeal in our Cause have made Impressions upon our minds, that can never be erazed ; & we intreat you to believe, that we shall ever retain a grateful sense, of your kindness and support. Accept, Sir, of our sincere Thanks for all your generous services ; & believe us to be, with every sentiment of gratitude, & esteem Your most Obedient Humble Servants. Signed by order JAMES BIRCH, Mod'. THE LETTER TO THE MARQUIS OF WATERFORD. My Lord I am directed bythe Com*" of the Gen. Synod of Ulster met this day to inform your Lordship, that they have had a very particular account, from M' Black of your Lordships flattering attention to the Interests of the Presbyteiiau Alinisters of the Synod, and that they intreat your Lordship to accept the tender of their warm & Grateful Acknowledg- ments for the essautial services you have rendered to the Presbyterian Cause, which they trust you will ever find intimately connected with the Cause of Religion, Virtue Liberty & Good Order. I have the Honour to be your Lordships &c. JAMES BIRCH, Mod"^ of G. Synod. Inserted 22-' Feb'^ 1792 by ROBERT DICKSON, Clk. of Gen. Synod, AT LURGAN, JUNE 26™, 1792. 139 A Gen. Synod at Lurgan 26 June 1792. M' Birch the Moderator of the former Synod, opened this, by preaching from 1 Cor. 1. 10, 11, 12, then constituted it by Prayer; after which were present from the several Presbyteries the following members — Minrs. Elders. Belfast Presb. Thos. Birch John Magee Sinclare Kelbiirn Robert Carlisle James Sirason Bangor James Cochran James Bryson Andw. Craig Geo. Dobbin Dr. McDowel James Horner Dublin Mr. Wm. Gilbert B. mena James Cuming Thos. Henry Mr. Strayborn Henry Henry Mr. Armstrong L. kenny Andw, Alexander Cloghcr James Davison Root William Knox Robert Thomson Alexr. Marshal Robert Rentoul Arthur McMekan Robert Black Derry Tyrone John McClelland James Whiteside Sonr. Minrs. Elders. Tyrone — continued. Moses Hogg Geo. Murray James Whiteside Junr. William Stitt Joseph Smyth Hugh Boyland Thos. McCay Henry Mcllree James Adams John Broomfield Wm. Carson Monaghan Presb. William Moore John Davys Matt. Trimble John Arnold James Whiteside Joseph Lawson Joseph Thomson Killyleagh Mr. Alexr. M'Donnel Dr. Dickson Robert Porter James Petterson James Sinclair Armagh Saml. Livingston Mr. John Porter Robert Dickson Samuel Sloan Thos. Cuming Nath. Shaw Wm. Kyle Wm. Henry Strabane Hugh Hamil Mr. Dunlop T.Patrick John Bankhead John Abernethy 140 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Minrs. Elders. T. Patrick — continued. John Gibson John Savage Robert Orr Robert Thomson Minrs. Elders. Dromore John Smyth Sanil. Barber James Birch John Thomson Joseph Hay John Sherrard Wm. Magee Wm. Fletcher James Waddell John McClelland John McCance Henry Boyd Geo. White Chas. Orr Jas. Boyd Saml.McAdam James Stitt Modr chosen ]y[r girdi having moved that another Mod"^ be chosen to this Synod, the following Brethren were named, viz. Rev'* Mess" Tho^ Birch, Tho^ Henry, James Davison Rob' Thomson, W" Moore, W" Stitt. D^' Dickson, San:' Livingston, John Bankhead & John Sherrard. Clerk continued The Roll was called & M' Stilt chosen — M"^ Dickson continued Clerk, The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this tight and to prepare Lists to be given to the Clerk of the Synod to-morrow morning, of their members for the several Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, Funds, & Gen. Synods fixed Comt*^ — An account of such ministers as have died, been Ordained or Installed; & of such Candidates as have been Licensed or entered on Tryals since last Gen. Synod — An account of Annuitants on the fund, and of any that have died ; And of the time when such did die. — Also of Women in their Bounds who have been wives of ministers and are not on the fund. M' Moore is ordered to preach to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock according to appointment of last Gen. Synod ; and M'" Tho' Birch having been next in votes, to the Mod"" chosen (except D' Dickson & M"^ Livingston who preached before) is ordered to preach on the second day of this Synods next meeting at 9 o'clock before noon. Comtee of Accounta Comtee of Accounts Order to sd Comtee The following members were returned by the Several Presb^ as a Committee to inspect the Accounts of our Agent viz. By Belfast Presb. M' Birch, by Dublin D' M'^Dowel, by Clogher M' Davison, by B.mena M^" Henry Henry, by Monaghan M"" Whiteside, by Tyrone M' M^Cay, by Killyleagh D' Dickson, by Armagh M' Livingston, by T.Patrick M"^ Bankhead, by Dromore M' Birch, & by Antrim M' Neilson. They are to meet in the Vestry Room to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Any member may attend to give, or receive Information but not to vote. The Comt''= to report. Ordered that the Comt*" of Accounts do report to the first Interioq"^ the amount of the Capital of the Widows fund with the annual Interest arising from the same. — The number of Contributers to the fund, & the sum by them contributed during the last year ; Also the number of Annuitants on the fund and the sum due & payable to them from the I'' day of January 1791, to the P* day of January 1792. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned until to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. AT LURGAN, JUNE 26TH, 1792. m 2d Session Wednesday Morning^ 11 0^ clock, after prayer. M' Moore preached according to appointment. Returns were made by the several Presbyteries of members for the several Comt^" — Also the following Reports. Dromore Presb. report, That they have entered on first Tryals M"" John Arnold, & have on the fund M'' Semple, M" Neilson & M" Henry. Kiilyleagh Presb. have on the fund M^' Strong, M" Smyth, & family of M' Henry. Derry Presb. have according to Synodical Regulations, Licensed Three Licensed Mess" Joseph Douglas, Robert Rogers & John Pinkerton ; and have on the fund M" Hare, M" Lyle, M" Walker, Sen', M" Walker, Jun', M" Adams, M" Patten, & families of Mess" Bond & Ferguson. Armagh Presb. report, That agreeably to the advice of last Synod, installed they Installed the Rev'^ W™ Henry, in the Cong°° of Armagh, on the \Z^^ of July last. That they have on the fund M''^ Moody & Ferguson, & not on the fund, M'^ Stewart. Tyrone Presb. report, That they ordained M' Hen : M^Ilree, at Two Ordained Vinecash on the 30"" Aug. last, & M' James Adams, at Stewartstown on the 6*" Dec^ last. They subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith, & are Contributers to the widows fund. They have according to Synodical Rfgulations Licensed Mess" Robert Hogg, & John M'^Ilwain, Two Licensed who subscribed the "W. Conf. of Faith. Have entered on first Tryals Mess" Harper, & Stewart; & Have on the fund M" Peebles, M" Duffin, & family of M' White. M" Caldwell an Annuitant on the fund died 25 March last. i^'e^ Dublin Presb. report, That they ordained the Rev^ James Horner, ordained as Pastor of the Cong°° of Mary's Abby 4"' Nov' last:— That he subscribed the W, Conf. of Faith according to the Synods formula & is willing to be a Contributer to the widows fund: — And that they have on the fund M" Moore. Monaghan Presb. report, That on the le'*" March last they ordained ordained at Longford the Rev*^ Joseph Osborne, who is a Contributer to the widows lund. — That on the same day they licensed M' W" Charleton Licensed who subsribed the W. Conf. of Faith. — And that they have on the fund M" Algeo, M'^ Warnock, M" Fleming, M'^ Smyth, M" Sprat, M'^ Rogers & family of M' Harris. Root Presb. have licensed Mess" W" M^Oala, & James Brown, who Two Licensed subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith. Have on first Tryals Mess" W" Sherrifi", & Hugh W^att.— And on the fund M" Gaston, M" Smylie, M'^ Elder, M" Davis, M" Hamilton, & M" Smyth. Belfast Presb. report. That the Rev" W" Laird died 8**" Dec"^ last Dead & that they have on the fund, M" Kinkead, M" Kennedy, & families of Mess" Alexander, & Laird. 142 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD M' Gouday & Donnaghadee Ordained Licensed Bangor Presb. report, That the Relation which subsisted between the Kev^ Alex' Gouday, & the Cong"" of Donnaghadee was dissolved on the 30*'' June 1791, and that he is no longer a member with them. That on the 1^' May last they ordained at Moira the Rev'' Geo. Dobbin, who is a Conlributer to the widows fund ; — And that they have on the fund M" Mitchel, M'' Warnick & M" Jackson. T.Patrick Presb. report. That they have licensed M' Tho' Alexander. Have entered on Tryalsfor Ordination W Atcheson ; And that they have on the fund M" Dunbar, M" White, M" Cowan, & family of M^" Rogers. Clogher Presb. have on the fund M" Scott, & M'^ Mulligan. B.mena Presb. have on the fund M'^ O'Brian, M" Hill, M" Brown, & M" Rankin. Strabane Presb. have licensed Mess'^ Charles Hemphil, & William Hamilton ;— And have on the fund M'^ Turbet, M" Coulter, & family of M' Young. From L.kenny Presb. no Return, but of members for Gen. Synods fixed Committee. Gen. Synods fixed Comf^ for the year 1792 : — Dromore Presb. Mess" Birch & Thomson Killyleagh Mcss'^ Sinclair & Knox Derry Mess" Elder & Black Armagh Mess" Livingston & Sloan Tyrone Mess" M-^Clelland & Whiteside Sen' Dublin Mess" Wilson & Horner Monaghan Mess" Trimble & Davys Root Mess" Marshal & Martin Belfast Presb. Mess" Birch & Kelburn Bangor Mess'* Cochran & Craig T.Patrick Mess" Montgomery & Hill Clogher Mess" Millar & Davison B.mena Mess" Christy & Montgomery Strabane D"^ Craford & M* Henderson L.kenny Mesb" Taylor & Love AT LUROAJN, JUNE 26TH, 1792. 143 These with an Elder from each Presb., and our Mod' & Clerk, are to meet at Lurgan, when called by the Mod', on any Emergency ; fifteen to be a Quorum whereof Twelve at least are to be ministers. M"^ Birch the late Mod' reported to the Synod, That in consequence Report of M' of a letter from our Agent, M' Black, He had called a meeting of the Gen. Synods fixed Comi^* the Proceedings of which are referred to the consideration of the Interloq'. Moved & unanimously agreed, That the Synods next meeting Synods Meeting shall be at Lurgan on last Tuesday in June 1793 ; Sermon to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. A Letter from the Rev^ W" Bryson Mod' of the Presbytery of Letter from Antrim addressed to our Mod' was read, & was judged to be a Respect- ^'^^^^ Antrim ful & Satisfactory answer, to our letter to them in the year 1790. On reading the minute of last year respecting the Abstract from Abstract from the Synods Records by M' Thomson, M' Thomson said : That he had ^^"°'''' ^^'^°'^*^'' not yet fully completed the Abstract nor arranged it to the satisfaction of his own mind ; but that he would proceed to do so with all possible expedition ; and submitted it to the Judgment of the Synod, whether they would think it proper to appoint some members to revise it, & if approved commit it to the Press. On reading the minute respecting M' Henry, & the Cong°° ofjrHenry& Ballindrait, M' Alexander, declared his willingness to lay the affair ^^-'^"'"^'•ait before M' Marshal, & the Presb. of L.kenny & see that Justice be done to M' Henry. M' Alexander reported to the Synod that the number of members RtportofMr sufficient to form a Quroum did not attend at Diumquin & therefore no ^'^''*'"*^'f Business could be done. Resolved, That such members as were appointed & did not attend the Synods Committee at Druujquin shall appear i.t the next meeting of this Synod under pain of Censure to show cause why they did not comply with the order of Synod. Interloq' at 5 o'clock, Open Synod at 7. Session concluded with Prayer. — A rlj ourned. S^, M'" Walker, Jun', M" Adams, M" Patten, & family of M' Eerguson. Strabane Presb. have on the fund M"^' Turbet, M" Coulter, & frmily of M' Young. Tyrone Presb. report, That the Rev'' James Todd died in January Dead last leaving a widow & children. That they have agreeably to Synodical Regulations licensed M"^ John Duff who subscribed the W. ^. , Conf. of Faith. Have on first Tryals Mess"^' Tho^ Hogg and David Grier. And on the fund M'^ Peebles, M" Duffin, M" Todd & family of M' White. Dublin Presb. have on the fund M™ Caldwell & M" Rodgers. Monaghan Presb. report, That agreeably to Synodical Regulations Licensed they have licensed Mess'' Geo. Potts, Thomas Kinnier & Malcom Scott ; and that they have on the fund M" Algeo, M" Warnock, M" Smyth, M" Fleming, M." Sprat, & family of M' Jackson. T.Patrick Presb. report. That they have Licensed Mess" James Licensed Bankhead & Robert Campbell ; And have on the fund M" Dunbar M" White, & M" Cowan. B.mena Presb. report. That the Rev^ John Lindsay died on the Dead 17*'' of May last leaving a widow & children. That M" O'Brian died ^yidowdead 28"' May last. That according to Synodical Regulations they have licensed M"^ John Davison. And that they have on the fund M" Brown, Licensed M" Rankin, & M" Lindsay. L.kenny Presb. report. That the Rev'' John Marshal died in the Dead first week of May last leaving children. That they have Licensed Licensed Mess" Dill, Stephenson & M'llwain. Have on Tryals Mess" Culbert & Dill. And on the fund M" M'^Gaughey, M" Gordon, M" Delap, M" CaldweU, & family of M' Marshal. Gen. Synods fixed Comt'^'^ for the year 1795. Presbs. Minrs. Armagh, Mess" Livingston & Shaw Clogher, Mess" Johnston & Davison 180 RECOEDS OF A GENJIRAL SYNOJ) Conduct of Synodg C'omt" Sustained Conduct of Comniiss's appro'ed Ld Lieut's Answer to Address of Comtee Presbs. Minrs. Bangor, D^^ Dickson & M' Caldwell Dromore, Mess"^^ Barber & Sherrard Killyleagh, Mestj" Porter & Jackson Root, Mess" Bentoul & Thomson Belfast, Mess'^ Patten & Birch Derry, B' Young & M' Black Strabane, D' Crawford & M^ Anderson Tyrone, Mess" Boyland & Adams Dublin, D' M<=Dowel & M' Horner Monagban, Mess'^ Trimble & Lawson T.Patrick. Mess" Bankhead & Thomson B.mena, Mess'* Tho' Henry & Hen. Henry L.kenny, Mess" Eamsay & M^Clintock. These with an elder from each Presbytery & our Moderator & Clerk are to meet at Stewartstown when called by the Moderator on any Emergency ; Fifteen to be a Quorum, whereof Twelve at least are to be ministers. The minutes of the proceedings of the Gen. Synods fixed Com- mittee which met at Dungannon on the 27*^'' day of February last being read, the Conduct of the Committee was unanimously sustained. The Eeport of the Commissioners delegated by the fixed Com- mittee to negociate the Establishment of an University in Ulster for the Education of Protestant Dissenters, and to present the Address of the Committee to the Lord Lieutenant being also read, the Conduct of the Commissioners was unanimously approved. The Answer of the Lord Lieutenant to the Address of the Committee is as follows : — Gentlemen I return you thanks for this Address. It has been the great Object of my Ambition, since I undertook the Government of this country to secure to his Majesty what he so eminently merits, the Affection & Confidence of his People. On Fidelity to his Royal Person & Government and on Attachment to the Constitution of which He forms so Essential a part, the wellbeing of these Kingdoms ex- AT DERRY, JUJ^E 30TH, 1795. igl clusively rests. These have been the Principles of your Ancestors, and I am happy to find that you have not departed from them. The Overture submitted to last Synod respecting the Examination Overture of Candidates for the Ministry, by a Committee of the Synod, being ^^^^° ^ read, It was moved & unanimously agreed to, That said Overture be rejected. Moved, That the next meeting of the Gen. Synod shall be at Synod to.meet Belfast, in the meeting house of the third Congregation on the last * ^ ^*' Tuesday in June 1796. The Question being put and the Roll called it carried in the affirmative by a great majority. Sermon to begin at five o'clock afternoon. In consequence of the Report of the Commissioners of the Gen. Application for Synods fixed Committee, it was the unanimous Opinion of the Synod o/an^'"" that the Application for the Establishment of an University should be University farther prosecuted, and that for this purpose, a letter should be written p°osecuted^' to the Lord Lieutenants Secretary on the Subject. A Committee being appointed to prepare a letter, it was read, unanimously agreed to, and ordered to be transmitted to M' Stewart, to be by him forwarded to M"^ Pelham. A Committee was also appointed, consisting of theComt"to following members, viz. ReV^ D' Marshal, our Moderator, D' Crawford, M'PdhLm D' M'^Dowel, M' "Wilson, & M' Black, vested with full authority to transact all JBusiness on this Head as they may think proper. The letter to Secretary Pelham is as follows : — Londonderry 1'' July 1795. Sir We the Ministers and Elders composing the General Synod of Letter to Mr Ulster assembled at our annual meeting, take the liberty of Informing f^^'^*'" you, as holding a Place of high Importance in the Government of this Country ; That under the late Administration we applyed for the Establishment of an University, for educating the youth of our Religious Denomination through the medium of M' James Stewart of Killymoon, a Gentleman of Distinguished Respectability, who has with much Kindness and Zeal, interested himself on our Behalf, on many occasions. We were particularly encouraged to use our En- deavours to Obtain this Important Object by Lord Fitzwilliam's Declaration to Parliament, That it was his Majesty's wish that a system of Education should be adopted favourable to the Improvement of his Subjects of all Religious Descriptions in Ireland. Permit us Sir to acquaint you, that we had the Pleasure to find, That those in the Confidence of Lord Fitzwilliam were well disposed to gratify us in this matter. Our application was for a Seminary of Instruction Invested with the Privileges of an University to be placed under the Patronage of the ministers of the Gen. Synod of Ulster, the Presbytery of Antrim and the Southern Association, and supported by an annual Endowment of Two Thousand Pounds. In this Seminary Divinity, Philosophy, Rhetorick, Mathematicks, and the Languages were to be taught by a competent number of Professors to which other 182 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Branches of Education were to be added as circumstances might permit. We understand, That upon the late change of Administration this Business was mentioned to you, and explained by M' Stewart, to whom you were so obliging as to say, " That you were well disposed to receive and attend to our Communications on the Subject," inform- ing him at the same time that a general Plan of Education was to be digested and carried into execution, and that Commissioners would be appointed for that purpose. We trust Sir that in framing this Plan, Regard will be paid to our application, which we request you may be so good as to lay before his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, and that proper measures will be taken to render it effectual. At present we constitute a large, and permit us Sir, to say, a Eespectable part of the People. When what we have been — What we are — And hope ever will be — in our attachment to the great Principles of the Constitution, and to the Peace, the Order, & the welfare of our Country, are considered, we trust, That the confident expectations we have been led to entertain with respect to the Establishment and support of an University will not be disappointed. This Letter will be transmitted to you by M"" Stewart, who has been so good as to consent to take charge of it and forward it. We take the liberty to request, That your answer, and any farther com- munications on the subject, may be directed to the Rev'' D' Marshal, our Moderator, at JBallymoney, whom with D'' Crawford, D' M'^Dowel, M' Wilson, & M"^ Black, we have appointed our Commissioners to attend upon you in Dublin, when you may be pleased to call upon them for the purpose, and whom we have invested with full authority to act for us in all respects, in this Business, as to them may seem expedient. We are Sir, &c., ALEXR. MARSHAL, Mod'. Session concluded with Prayer Adjourned till 5 o'clock. Overture agreed to Drumbo S'^ Session Wednesday Evening 5 o^ clock after prayer. It is Overtured, " That no new Congregation shall be Erected at the meeting of the Synod at which it is first proposed." This Overture unanimously agreed to. An Appeal, Memorial, and Supplication from the Congregation of Drumbo were presented to the Synod, by Capt. Kelly Commissioner, complaining that the Presbytery of Belfast had delayed the Ordination of M'' Hanna, among them and had refused to give them Satisfaction as to several Points in dispute between them and their late minister, M' Malcom, respecting money accounts, and Praying that the Synod might take such steps, as to them may seem expedient for settling these Accounts, and forwarding M"^ Hanna's Ordination. AT DERRY, JUNE 30TH, 1795, 183 After hearing the Parties at considerable length, the Synod ^o™'" '° ">eet unanimously approve of the conduct of the Presbytery of Belfast, But * "^""^ considering that Party disputes have run high in that Congregation and that the Business itself has been attended with much difficulty, they appoint a Committee consisting of the following members, viz. D'- Dickson, D' Neilson, M"^ M-'Clure, M' Cochran, M.'' Craig, M' John Thomson, M' Thomas Cuming, M"^ Shaw, & M' Orr, with Elders, to meet at Drumbo, on the last Tuesday of this month, five to be a Quorum, who are vested with full Powers finallj^ to issue the Business. The Presbytery of Belfast are directed to attend and to give every Information in their power on the Subject. And the Congregation are enjoined to produce their Books to the Committee, & to bring forward all papers that may be called for, tending to throw light on the affair, M"^ Cuming to preach. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock. 4'^ Session Thursday Morning 8 o'clock, after Prayer. A Supplication was presented to the Synod from a part of the Drumbannagher Congregation of Drumbannagher by M"^ John Goorly, Commiss"^, Praying, That the Presbytery of Dromore might be ordered to take a third Poll for M"^ Arnold, as they conceived that the Happiness of their Congregation depended on his settlement among them. Another Supplication from another part of the Congregation of Drumbannagher was also presented to the Synod by M"^ Absalom Best, Commissioner, Praying that M"" Arnold might be set aside, and that the Synod would appoint a Probationer to preach four Lord's Days in their Congregation as a Candidate for becoming their minister. It was unanimously agreed, that both Supplications be dismissed. Synodical Business being finished, The Interloq' is appointed to meet at 11 o'clock. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned. Interloq'^ Thursday Morning 11 o^cloch. Upon reading the minute of last year respecting Drumbo it was Drumbo moved and unanimously resolved that the Congregation of Drumbo, shall not be an exception to the general Kule, respecting the Distri- bution of the E.D. M' Trimble declined for the present to bring forward the first M?TrimWe three Resolutions of which he gave notice last year, but moved the fourth, amended in the following manner. '< That every Contributer "to the widows fund shall, upon every marriage after the first, " contribute fifteen pounds for the benefit of the fund." The Question was put, "Shall this Resolution pass?" The Roll being called, it carried in the affirmative, by a great majority. And in order to carry the Objects of this Resolution into eftect, every 184 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Mr William Millar Report of Comtfe of Accta Presbytery is enjoined to give immediate Information to our Agent upon the second, or any subsequent marriage, of any of their members. Moved and unanimously agreed to, that upon M."^ "William Millar continuing to pay the sum of 40 shillings annually into the widows fund, his widow or children shall be entitled to the Benefit of the fund. M' Alexander Chairman of the Committee of Accounts gave iu the following Report. Capital of the Widows fund 1=' June 1795 . . £13037 Interest arising from the same last year . . £669 Number of Contributers 29'" Sept' 1794—185. Sum contributed by them for one year till that date Number of Annuitants P' January 1795 — 65. Amount of annuities due & payable to them at that period 16 10 6 0 £550: 13 : 10 £875 : 19: 2 Examined & approved the account of the R.D. to March Quarter 1795 inclusive; and also the Account of the widows fund to January 1795 inclusive. ANDW. ALEXANDER. July 2^ 1795. Expences of G. Synod's fixed Conit«'= & of their Commiss" to be defrayed out of R.D. Mr Black to pay 5 per cent, for ballaiico of Wd' fund in his hands Moved and unanimously agreed to, That the Expences of the several members of the Gen. Synods fixed Committee, which met at Dungannon on the 27"* of February last ; as also the Expences of the Comnaissioners appointed by them to proceed to Dublin for the purpose of negociating the Establishment of an University, and presenting their Address to the Lord Lieutenant, be defrayed out of the General Fund of the R.D. M'' Black having proposed to pay five '^ cent Interest for the Ballance of the widows fund now in his Hands, until next meeting of Synod, the proposal was agreed to by the Interloq'. A letter from the Trustees of the widows fund was read and our Moderator & M' Craig appointed to answer it. The Mod' concluded the Synod with Prayer. Inserted 14"* August 1795, by ROBERT DICKSON, Clk. of Gen. Synod. AT BELFAST, JUNE 28TH, 1796. 185 A Gen. Synod at Belfast, 28 June 1796. D' Marshal the Moderator of the former Synod, opened this, by preaching from 1 Corr. xvi. 1 3. Then constituted it by Prayer ; after which appeared from the several Presbvteries the following members : — Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. L.kenny Presb. Armagh Andw. Alexander Saml. Livingston Jas. McClintock Robt. Dickson Thos. Cuming Clogher Nath. Shaw Wm. Charleton Jas. Hanna Wra. Moorhead Jas. Bankhead Joseph Deaham Jas. Davison Strabane Root Dr. Crawford Thos. Anderson Wm. Knox Dr. Marshal John Boyd Derry Robt. Thomson Robt. Black Wra. Lynd Robt. Steel Hugh McPherson Hugh McClelland Robt. Rentoul T.Patrick Matt. Elder Alexr. Martin John Lewson Jas. Brown John Wright John Craig John Glasgow Robt, , Sherrard Thos. Read Wm. Montgomery Monaghan John Bankhead John Abernethy John Horsborough Matt. Trimble John Gibson Robt. Montgomery John Savage Hugh Kirk John Arnold Adam Hill Robt. Read Jas. Whiteside Robt. Orr John Bell Jas. Gouday Robt. Thomson John Murphy Tyrone Eobt. Acheson Thos. Alexander John McClelland Thos. Hogg Moses Hogg Robt, ■ Hogg Dromore Jas. Whiteside, Junr. Joba Oliver Wm. Stitt Wm. Sproul Isaac Patrick Geo. Crawford Wm. Moore John Mcllwain Robt. McClure Abrm. Irvine Hugh Boy Ian Saml. Barber Archd. Moffat Thos. McCay Jas. Birch John Baxter Hen. Mcllree John Thomson John Burnay Jas. Adams Jas. Arthurs Jos. Little John Sherrard Thos. Crawford . Killyleagh Prancis Turretine Wm. Magee Jas. Boyd T)r. Neilson Jas. ; Binjiham Wm. Fletcher Wm. McMinn Robt. Porter Bobt Brown Jas. Waddell Saml. McAdam James Petterson John McClelland John Petterson Jos. Jacksou Wm. Donaldson John McCance John McKibbiu Alexr. Petterson Absalom Best 186 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Belfast. Bangor — continued Saml. Patten Alexr. Henry Thos. L. Birch Andw. Grier Geo. Brydone Sinclair Kelburn Jos. Harrison Jas. Simson Wm. WhitlaAv Saml. Hanna Jas. McCuUa Geo. Stewart Thos. Lindsay David Campbell David McCormick David Thoburn Henry Eankin Edwd. Murray Robt. Smyth Jas. Sinclair Jas. Porter Jas. Knox Geo. Dobbin David Taggart Wm. Byars Jas. Cochran Jas. Bryson Jas. Caldwell Dr. Dickson Andw. Craig Bangor John Wightman Andw. John Barnet John Sinclair Hugh Bodin Thos. Potts Saml. Bryson Dublin No member present. B. mena Jas. Cuming John Foster Robt. Scott Robt. Christy John Davison Thos. Henry Henry Henry Alexr. Montgomery Jas. Scott Wm. Hamilton Alexr. Brown Modr chosen Order to Presbs Oomt«e of Accounts D' Marshal having moved, that another Moderator be chosen to this Synod, the following Brethren were named, viz. Eev'' Mess" James M'^Clintock, William Moorhead, William Knox, William Moore, D' Neilson, Samuel Livingston, Robert Steel, John Lewson, Isaac Patrick, Tho^ Birch, James Caldwell, & Ja^ Cuming. The EoU was called & M"^ Patrick chosen. M' Dickson continued Clerk. ' The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, and to prepare Lists to be given to the Clerk of the Synod to-morrow morning of their members for the several Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, & General Synods fixed Committee. An Account of such ministers as have died, been Ordained, or Installed, and of such Candidates as have been Licensed, or entered on Tryals since last General Synod. An account of Annuitants on the fund. Of any that have died, and of the time when such did die. M"^ Patten who was appointed to preach on the second day of the meeting of this Synod, not attending through Indisposition, M' Kelburn the Pastor loci, is ordered to preach to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. And M' W" Moore, of Tyrone Presbytery, is ordered to preach on the second Day of this Synods next meeting at 9 o'clock before noon. The following members were returned by the several Presbyteries as a Committee to inspect the accounts of our Agent, viz. Rev^ Mess" Ja« M^Clintock, Ja» Davison, W" Knox, Ja' Whiteside, Ja« Adams, Ja' Petterson, Tho^ Cuming, D' Crawford, Robert Steel, John Bankhead, Ja" Birch, Tho« Birch, And" Craig, Robert Christy, & Pat Vance. They are to meet in the Vestry Room to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Any Member may attend to give, or receive Information, but not to vote. The Committee to report. AT BELFAST, JUNE 28TH, 1796. 187 Ordered, That said Committee do report to the first Interloq' the ^'^Ye*° ^^ amount of the Capital of the widows fund, with the Annual Interest arising from the same. The Number of Contributers to the fund, and the sum by them contributed during the last year. Also the number of Annuitants on the fund, and the sum due and payable to them from 1"* Jan" 1795 to 1"* January 1796. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned until to-morrow morning at II o'clock. 2^ Session Wednesday Morning 1 1 o'cloch after prayer. M' Kelburn preached according to appointment. Returns were made by the several Presbyteries of their members for the several Committees. Also the following Reports : — Armagh Presbytery report, That M' Bryson resigned his Pastoral Resigned Charge of the Congregation of Dundalk, on 22°'^ June Inst. That M' Cuming resigned his Pastoral Charge of the Congregation of Dromore on Q**" Dec' last, and was Installed in the Congregation of Armagh, on installed 26'^^ January following. That on 23*^ March last they ordained in the ordained Congregation of Dromore M' James Bankhead, who is a Contributer to the widows fund. That they have entered on first Tryals M' John Mulligan. And that they have on the fund W^ Moody, M"^^ Ferguson, M'^ Sloan, and M" Jackson. Clogher Presbytery report. That M' Marshal resigned his Pastoral Resigned Charge of the united Congregation of Newport & Thurlow, and that on the 27 Dec"- last they ordained in said Congregation M"^ Ja" Hall, Ordained who is a Contributer to the widows fund. That M" Scott died on Dead 26 Dec"^ last. And that they have on the fund M'^ Mulligan. Strabane Presbytery have on the fund M" Torbet, M'" Coulter, and family of M' Young. L.kenny Presbytery report, That they have ordained M^" Dill who Ordained is a Contributer to the widows fund. Have licensed M"^ Sam' Dill Licensed according to Synodical Regulations. Have entered on Tryals M"^ Hamilton. And have on the fund M" Gordon, M" Delap, M" Caldwell, and family of M' Marshal. Monaghan Presbytery report, That the Rev*^ "William Millar Resigned resigned his Pastoral Charge of the Congregation of Croghan, on P' July 1795. That they Installed in that Congregation the Rev'' M'' installed Joseph Lawson on 16*'' June Inst. And that they have on the fund M"^" Algeo, M" Warnock, M" Smyth, W- Fleming, M" Sprat, and M''^ Jackson. Killyleagh Presb, have on the fund M" Strong, M" Smyth, and family of M' Henry. 188 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Resigned Ordained Ordained esigned T.Patrick Presbytery report, That the KeV^ John Abernethy resigned his Pastoral Charge of the Congregation of T.Patrick 2** January last. And that they have on the fund M'' Dunbar, M« "White, and M"^^ Cowan. Dead Tyrone Presbytery report, That M." Smyth died 20 July 1795 Dead leaving a widow and children. That M' Murray died on the 8''' Licensed oi September following, leaving children. That they have licensed M' Tho^ Hogg who subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith. And that they have on the fund M'^ Peebles, M" Duffin, M" Todd, M" Smyth, and family of M*^ Murray. Ballymena Presbytery report, That M' Joseph Douglas resigned his Pastoral Charge of the Congregation of Clough, on P' Nov' 1795 through Age & Bodily Infirmity. That they ordained at B.mena on 21^' June Inst M' William Hamilton who is a Contributer to the widows fund. And that they have on the fund M" Brown, M." Bankin, and M'^ Lindsay. Dromore Presbytery report, That they ordained M' Alex' Petterson at Drumbannagher, on 14'^ June Inst, who subscribed the W. Conf. of Paith, and is a Contributer to the widows fund. And that they have on the fund M'^'" Neilson, and family of M' Henry. Root Presbytery report, That they ordained at Garvagh on 1^* Dec' 1795 M^ James Brown, and at Coleraine on 8"" March 1796 M' John Glasgow. That both subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith, and are Contributers to the widows fund. That they have licensed M' Alex"^ Montgomery. Have on first Tryals Mess" James Murrell, Ben Mitchel and M'' Lang. And on the fund M" Gaston, M" Smylie, M'^ Elder, M'^ Smyth, M" Hamilton, M" Davis, M" M'MuUan, M'^ Douglas, and M" Simson. Licensed Bangor Presbytery report, That they have licensed Mess" James Hull & John Cochran "Wightman agreeable to Synodical Regulations. And that they have on the fund M" "Warnick. M" Jackson, and M" Hull. Ordained Belfast Presbytery report, That on the P' Tuesday of August 1795 they ordained in the Congregation of Drumbo M' Samuel Hanna who subscribed the "W. Conf. of Faith and is a Contributer to the widows fund. That they have entered on first Tryals Mess'^ Arch** Warrifk, W™ Colvill, Ja= M^Culla, and Francis Johnston. And that they have on the fund M" Kinkead, M'" Kennedy, M" Rowan, M" M'^Ewen, and family of M' Laird. Resigned Derry Presbytery report, That M' Irvine (through Bodily Indis- position as he stated) resigned his Pastoral Charge of the Congregation of Faughan on 22'^ February last. And that the Presbytery accepted his Resignation from a perswasion of his Incapacity 5to|.di6chargej the ministerial Duties. They have on the fund M" Hare, M" Lyle, M" Walker, M" Walker, Jun', M" Adams, and M» Patten. Ordained Licensed AT BELFAST, JUNE 28™, 1796. 189 Gen. Synods fixed Comt*« for 1796. Presbs. Minis. Armagh, Mess" Livingston & Cuming Clogher, Mess" Millar & Johnston Strabane, D' Crawford & M' Anderson L.kenny, Mess* Hugh Delap & Leech Monaghan, Mess" Trimble & Whiteside T.Patrick, Mess" Thomson & Acheson Tyrone, Mess" Boylan & Adams B.mena, Mess" Tho' Henry & Hen. Henry Dromore, Mess" Birch & Magee Root, Mess" Brown & Glasgow Bangor, D" Dickson & M' Porter Belfast, Mess" Birch & Kelburn Derry, D« Young & M» Black. These with an Elder from each Presbytery and our Moderator & Clerk are to meet at Belfast when called by the Moderator on any Emergency, fifteen to be a Quorum, whereof Twelve at least are to be ministers. D' Neilson the Moderator of the Synods Committee which met at Report Drumbo, reported to the Synod, That the Committee had issued the Business for which they had been appointed. Moved, That next meeting of Synod shall be Armagh. Moved Synods also, that it be at Lurgan. It was also moved, That it be at Belfast. "^^'''"S^ The Roll being called, it carried by a great majority to meet at Belfast on the last Tuesday in June 1797. Sermon to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. The several Committees are ordered to meet immediately. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till 5 o'clock. 8<* Session Wednesday Bveniny 5 o'clock after Prayer. TJpoD reading the Return of the Presbytery of Dromore, It was Comt« of moved, and agreed to, That the ancient Regulation of this Synod ^°°^ Overture 190 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD respecting the different Sub-Synods & Presbyteries bringing their Books to the Synod to be there inspected by the Committee appointed for that purpose, be renewed, and for the future strictly observed. Overture. — That whereas certain Regulations respecting Intrants, into the Ministry, as to the Extent & Duration of their Course of Study, previous to their being Licensed to preach the Gospel by any Presbytery belonging to this Synod, have been in force for several years, we hereby recognise the wisdom & authority of said Regulations. And we further add and enjoin — That no Person hereafter licensed to preach the Gospel, by any other Body, or Society of Ministers within this Kingdom, or elsewhere, shall be received by any Presbytery belonging to this Synod, as a Preacher to preach in, or be ordained to, any vacant Congregation under our care, without producing satisfactory Credentials of his having passed through a course of Study in Extent and Duration equal to that prescribed by this Synod to young men to be by them Licensed. After reasoning on the Subject the Question was put, " Dismiss this Overture or not? " The Roll was called, and it carried, ** Not " by a great majority. Plough A Supplication from the Session and Congregation of Clough was presented to the Synod, stating, " That they understood the Presby- tery of Killyleagh was about to be dissolved," and Praying, "That they might be put under the care of the Rev*^ Presbytery of Bangor." The Prayer of the above Supplication was granted unanimously. Kiiimore D"^ Neilson and the Congregation of Killmore having requested "the consent and authority of this Synod to cease to be connected with "the Presbytery of Killyleagh, and to be put under the care of the " Presbytery of Armagh." Their Request was granted unanimously. Bailee A Supplication from the Congregation of Bailee was presented to this Synod by the Rev*^ James Petterson, Pastor of said Congregation, Commissioner, stating, " That as the Presbytery of Killyleagh, to which they belonged, was about to be dissolved. They wish to be put under the care of the Presbytery of Bangor." This granted unanimously. Creggan A Supplication from the Minister and united Congregation o^ Cregan and Newton Hamilton was also presented to the Synod, Praying to be put under the Care of the Presbytery of Dromore. This also granted unanimously. Synodical Business being finished, the Interloq'^ is appointed to meet to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned. 1*' Interloq'^ Thursday Morning 7 o'clock. Drumbo A Memorial was presented from the Congregation of Drumbo stating, That they considered themselves aggrieved by the Resolution AT BELFAST, JUNE 28TH, 1796. 191 of the Interloq' of last year, which precluded their minister from a share of the R.D., and Praying, That a Proportion of it may be allowed to him. The Prayer of this memorial granted. A Supplication was presented from Ann Jackson, widow of the ^'^'^^ late M' Jackson of Ballybay, Praying, That the Annuity due to her as the widow of a member of this Body may in future be paid to herself. It was moved, '* Grant this supplication or not ? " The KoU was called, and it carried, " Grant." Resolved unanimously, That the sum to be paid to each Annul- Annuity £1B taut on the fund from V^ January 1796 to P' January 1797 shall be fifteen pounds. Report of the Committee of Accounts. Capital of the Widows fund P' June 1796 . . £13143 : 16 : 9 Interest from the same last year . . . . £713:12:0 . Number of Contributers 29'^' Sepf 1795—180. Sum by them contributed for one year till that date . . . . . . . . £347 : 11 : 8 Number of Annuitants V^ January 1796 — 71. Amount of annuities payable to them at that date £926 : 18 : 7 Examined and approved, the accounts of the R.D. up to the 25"' March, 1796, inclusive — and also the accounts of the widows fund, up to the 1"' Inst. JOHN BANKS EAB, Chairman. Belfast, 30''' June, 1796. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. 2d Interloq^ Thursday Morning, 10 o^ clock. A Letter from the Trustees of the widows fund was read, and J)^ Marshal and M' John Thomson appointed to answer it. M"^ Black is impowered to lend the Ballance of the widows fund now in his hands, on such securities, as he, with the concurrence of the Trustees, shall deem sufficient. Resolved that our Agent be, and hereby is, ordered not to pay any Order to our R.D. to any minister, who has resigned his Pastoral Charge of a •'^erent Congregation, unless the Presbytery of which he was a member, shall return him to the Synod, as having resigned through age, or Bodily Infirmity On reading the Return of M' Jackson's Ordination, and of the Mr Jackson Terms on which he proposed to become a Contributer to the fund. It coiQtributer was proposed and agreed to, That M' Jackson and every other minister to the fund in Similar Circumstances shall be allowed to become a Contributer, on 192 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD the following terms : That he do pay 40 Shillings annually, together with the Interest of thirty pounds from the day of his Ordination, until a sum equal to the ED. is paid ; And should M' Jackson die leaving a widow or children on the fund before said R.D. is paid ; That said sum shall be paid, before she, or they, shall be entitled to the fund. M' Jackson being asked whether he would become a contributer on these terms, answered in the affirmative. in. Against the foregoing Resolution the following Protest was given We do hereby Protest against the Resolution of the Interloq' of the Gen. Synod of Ulster, this day entered into, relative to the admission of the Rev^ M' Jackson of Cregan, as a subscriber to the widows fund, for the following Reasons : — Protest against 1, Recausc we deem it in our humble Opinion a Dangerous Innova- admUsion"^ tion as Sapping a fundamental Principle of the scheme, and tending to its final Ruin. 2. That it carries with it an Insult to a member of our Body, to whom such Indulgence, or any other, was positively refused, and carries with it the appearance of Partiality & Injustice. Belfast, SO'^'June, 1796.— W"" Steel Dickson, W" Stitt, Adam Hill, Robert Christy, Robert Acheson, John M*=Cance, Sinclare Kelburn. The Letter to the Trustees of the widows fund was subscribed by the Moderator and transmitted to George M^Conchy, Esq'' Dublin,. The Moderator concluded the Synod with Prayer. Inserted IS*'* Aug., 1796, by ROBERT DICKSON, Clerk of G. Synod. The following Letter from the Right Honourable Tho^ Pelham, Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant in answer to the letter of this Synod dated Londonderry, 1*' July, 1795, was received but omitted to be entered in its proper place in the Minutes of 1796. Dublin Castle, 2Pt July, 1795. Sir, I have received your letter of the P' of July, written in the name of the Ministers, & Elders composing the General Synod of Ulster & signed by you as Moderator, in which you inform me that an application had been made for the Establishment of an University, for the Educating the youth of your Religious Denomination; & that you had the pleasure to find that the Gentlemen in the confidence of Lord Fitzwilliam were well disposed to gratify you in that matter ; you acquaint me also that the application alluded to, was for a Seminary of AT BELFAST, JUNE 28TH, 1796. I93 Instruction, invested with the Privileges of an University to be placed under the Patronage of the Ministers of the General Synod, of the Presbytery of Antrim, & of the Southern Association, &to be supported by an annual endowment of two thousand pounds. I must beg leave to observe to you, upon this part of your letter, that I do not find either in the Office, or in any proceeding in Parlia- ment during the last session, any trace of the Plan you have alluded to, and altho' I took some pains on my arrival in this country to find out what measures were in agitation, in order to carry such into effect, as seemed calculated for the general Interests of the Country. I never heard from any one that such a thing was in contemplation, & from M' Stewart alone have I ever known of your wishes until I received your Letter. With respect to the Conversation that passed between M'' Stewart & me I am satisfied that he repeated it correctly ; and in truth it amounted only to a declaration on my part, that whenever the Subject of Education in general (which had been the subject of a long In- vestigation by a Board appointed for that purpose) was taken up by Government & submitted to Parliament, I should be very happy to confer with M' Stewart, or any person belonging to the Synod of Ulster. Your request that I should submit your wishes & Expectations to the Lord Lieutentint, I shall take the earliest opportunity of attending to. You may rest assured that your Attachment to the great Principles of the Constitution, to the Peace, the Order, & the welfare of the Country have not escaped his Excellency's notice, and that your professions will be duely considered by him upon all occasions. I have the Honor to be Sir your Most obedient Humble Serv*, THOS. PELHAM. Rev'' Alexander Marshal, Mod*. A true copy. KOBERT DICKSON, Clk. of Gen. Synod. Lurgan 16"' June 1797. The Moderator having called the General Synod's fixed Committee, to meet at Lurgan on the 16"' day of June 1797 the following Members attended, viz. Rev^ Isaac Patrick Mod'. Robert Dickson Clerk. Sam Livingston & Tho* Cuming of Presb. Armagh 194 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD James Birch & W" Magee Presb. Dromore Kobert Black ,, Deny Henry Henry ,, B.mena The following members of Synod were also present viz. Eev'' John Sherrard Presb. Dromore Nath Shaw & Ja^ Bankhead „ Armagh "W" Hamilton ,, B.mena The Moderator read Several Letters, which he had received from several members of Synod, urging him to call the fixed Committee, for the purpose of considering the expediency of postponing the time & changing the place of the meeting of the Synod ; and offering their reasons for this measure. The Gentlemen present after maturely weighing these Reasons & collecting as much Information on the subject as in their power, were unanimously of Opinion ; That the meeting of Synod ought to be postponed, till the first Tuesday of September next, and they were farther unanimously of Opinion, That the Moderator, after consulting the several Presbyteries & procuring the best advice should, if he deemed it necessary, change the place of meeting & even make a farther postponement. Inserted by ROBERT DICKSON, Clk. of Gen. Synod. AT BELFAST, SEPTEMBER 5th, 1797. A General Synod at Belfast, 5«'^ Sepf 1797. 195 M"^ Patrick the Moderator of the former Synod, opened this, by- preaching from Tit. ii. 15., then constituted it by Prayer, after which the following members from the Several Presbyteries were present, viz. : — Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Clogher Presb. T. Patrick — continued, None John Murphy Robert Campbell John Gait Root. Dromore. Wm. Lynd Hugh McClelland Isaac Patrick John Arnold James Elder Robert M'Clure Geo. Maxwell Alexr. Martin James Birch Jas. McAdam John Glascow John Thomson Hugh McFarran Francis Turretine Monaghan. James Waddell John M 'Cleliand John Patterson Matt. Trimble John M'Cance James Stitt Robt. Montgomery Alexr. Patterson James Whiteside Joseph Jackson Tyrone. Belfast. Moses Hogg Robt. Hogg Saml. Patten John McCallum Wm. Moore Alexr. Henry Thos. M'Cay Thos. L. Birch Wm. Shaw Henry M'Hree Saml. Kidd Andw. Grier John Waruock Joseph Harrison Armagh. James Simson Saml. Hanna Francis Johnston Robert Dickson Dr. Neilson Bangor Nath. Shaw Alexr . Bower Wm. Charleton John Burgess Dr. Dickson James Bankhead Robert Porter Andw. Craig Robert Smyth Strabaue. James Sinclair James Porter None. David Taggart Derry. Dublin. Robert Black None. Henry Elder Richard Dill B.mena. T.Patrick. Joseph Douglas James Cuming John Foster Thos. Read Robert Christy Wm. Montgomery Wm. Hamilton John Savage Adam Hill L.kenny. Robert Orr John Bell Robert Thomson Francis Dill 196 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD ^°'^^ M.' Patrick bavins: moved that another Moderator be chosen to this Synod, the following Brethren were named, viz. Rev'^ Mess" William Lynd, Matthew Trimble, Moses Hogg, Doctor Neilsou, Henry Elder, William Montgomery, John M'^Glelland, Tho" Birch, Robert Porter, James Cuming, & Francis Dill. The Roll was called, and D"^ Neilson chosen. Cerk continued M' Dickson Continued Clerk. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, and to prepare Lists to be given to the Clerk of the Synod to-morrow morning of their Members for the several Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, & General Synods fixed Committee. An account of such ministers as have died, been Ordained, or Installed ; And of such Candidates as have been Licensed or entered on Tryals since last general Synod. An Account of Annuitants on the fund ; of any that have died, & of the time when such did Die. Second sermon M' Moore is ordered to preach to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock according to appointment of last General Synod ; and M"" William Montgomery is appointed to preach on the second Day of this Synods next meeting at 8 o'clock before noon. The following members were returned by the several Presbyteries as a Committee to Inspect the accounts of our Agent, viz. Rev"* Mess" M"=Clelland, M^Cay, Shaw, Elder, Montgomery, John Thomson, Hanna, James Porter, Hamilton, & Dill. They are to meet in the Vestry Room to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Any Member may attend to give or receive Information, but not to vote. Ordered, That said Committee do report to the first Interloquitur the amount of the Capital of the widows fund, with the annual Interest arising from the same ; The number of Contributers to the fund, and the sum by them contributed during the last year. Also the number of Annuitants on the fund and the sum due and payable to them from P' Jan'^, 1796, till P' Jan'^, 1797. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. Oonit'e of Acct» Order to sd C'omtee Ordained Licensed Dead 2d Session Wednesday morning 1 1 o'clock after Prayer. W Moore preached according to appointment. Returns were made by the several Presbyteries of their members for the several Committees. Also the following Reports. Armagh Presbytery report. That on 21" of Dec' last they Ordained at Dundalk M' W" Neilson, who is a Contributer to the widows fund. That on 2** August last they Licensed M' Alex' Bower, according to Synodical Regulations. That the Rev*^ And" Bryson died in the beginning of March last, leaving a widow and children, they have on the fund M" Moody, M" Ferguson, M" Jackson, & M" Bryson. And that Sloan, M" AT BELFAST, SEPTEMBER 5TH, 1797. 197 Derry Presbytery have on the fund M"'^ Hare, M" Lyle, M" "Walker, M" Walker, Jun', M" Adams, and M" Patten. Dromoi-e Presbytery report, That according to Synodical Regula- 2 Licensed tions they have Licensed Mess" John & Samuel Watson, who subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith. That the lleV Alex' M'^Combe died on 3"^ Dead June last, leaving a widow and children. And that they have on the fund M" Neilson, M" Strong, M" M'^Combe, and families of Mess" Mich. & W" Henry. T.Patrick Presbytery report. That the ReV John Gibson died on Dead IS*'' July 1796, leaving a widow & children. That on 20"^ Dec' 1796 they Ordained at Templepatrick M'' Robert Campbell, who is a Ordained Contributer to the widows fund. And that they have on the fund M" Dunbar, M" White, M'= Cowan, & M" Gibson. Root Presbytery report, That they ordained at Billy on 22""' Nov' Ordained last M' Daniel M'^Kee, who subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith, and is a Contributer to the widows fund. That they have licensed Mess" 3 Licensed Morrell, Mitchell & Lang, who subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith. That they have entered on first Tryals Mess" Joseph Little, Sen', & Jun'. That they have on the fund M" Gaston, M" Smylie, M" Elder, M" Hamilton, M" Davis, M'" Smyth, M" M"=Mullan, & M" Simson, and that M'^ Douglas died in the beginning of July last. Dead Letterkenny Presbytery report, That they have licensed M' David Licemed Hamilton according to Synodical Regulations. That they have entered on first Tryals M"^ Matthew Herron. And that they have on the fund M" Gordon, M''^ Delap, M" Caldwell, & family of M^' Marshal. Tyrone Presbytery report, That they have entered on first Tryals Mess'^ Wallace, Carson & Huey ; And have on the fund M" Peebles, M" Smyth & family of M' Murray. Belfast Presbytery report. That they have licensed Mess'^ James 4 Licensed M'=Cullough, Archibald Warrick, Francis Johnston & W"' Colvill, who all subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith. Have entered on second Tryals M' Sam' Watson, And have on the fund M" Kinkead, M" Kennedy, M'^ M<=Ewen, M" Rowan, & family of M' Laird. Bangor Presbytery report. That they have licensed Mess" John 2 Licensed Warden & John Miles. That M'' Bryson died on 3** Oct' 1796, and M^ Dobbin on 21^' Dec*" following, each leaving a widow and children. 2 Dead And that they have on the fund M'° Warnick, M" Jackson, M'* Jackson, Jun', M'^ Smyth, M" Hull, M^^ Bryson & M" Dobbin. Ballymena Presbytery report, That they have entered on Second Licensed Tryals M' John M'Msh. Have Licensed M' William King according to Synodical Regulations ; And have on the fund M" brown, M" Rankin, & M" Lindsay. Monaghan Presbytery report. That they Installed M' Henry i„gtaiied M'llree, in the Cong"" of Keady on 8"^ March last. That they have entered on first Tryals M' Rob' Read ; & that they have on the fund Mf" Algeo, M" Warnock, M" Fleming, M" Smyth, M" Rodgers, & M'" Sprat. From Presb* of Clogher, Dublin, & Strabane no reports. 198 KECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Gen. Synods fixed Committee for the year 1797, Presbs. Minrs. Armagh, Mess" Cuming & Shaw Derry, D^ Young & M' Black Dromore, Mess" J. Thomson & Birch T.Patrick, Mess" Orr & Thomson Root, Mess" Lynd & Glascow Monaghan, Mess" Trimble & Whiteside L.kenny, Mess" J. Holmes & Ramsay Tyrone, Mess" Hogg & Moore Belfast, Mess" Birch & Kelburn B.mena, Mess" Tho' & Hen. Henry Bangor, Mess" K. Porter & Taggart. These with an Elder from each Presbytery and our Moderator and Clerk, are to meet at Belfast when called by the Moderator, on any Emergency, fifteen to be a Quorum, whereof Twehe at least are to be Ministers. The several Comt*^^ are ordered to meet immediately. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till one o'clock after- noon. 3** Session 1 o'clock afternoon, after Prayer. Donnoarhmore A Supplication was presented to the Synod, from the Session & Congregation of Donnoghmore, Praying that a second Poll of the Cong"° might be taken for the Eev'^ Samuel Dill, a Probationer in the Presbytery of Letterkenny, or that a scrutiny of a former Poll might be granted. Comtee to meet It was moved & agreed to. That a new Poll of the Cong°° shall be taken by Mess'' Moore, Orr, & Patten on the second Wednesday of October. A list of the Voters regularly made out from the Congrega- tional Book, shall be put into the hands of these Gentlemen, together with the said Book as a voucher to direct them in taking the Poll. As also, That no person shall be allowed to vote on that occasion who shall not have been a Seatholder in the Cong"° one year previous to the day of Poll ; or who shall be in Arrear of Stipend, for more than six months. If the Committee see cause, they are to draw up a Call for AT BELFAST, SEPTEMBER 5TH 1797. 199 M' Dill and give it into the hands of the Presbytery of L.kenny. A Copy of this minute to be read in the Congregation on the first & second Lords days hence. A supplication was presented to the Synod from that part of the ^^^^^ Congregation of Clogh, styling themselves the Majority, Praying, That the Ordination of the Eev** M' M'^ish might be forwarded among them. A Supplication was also presented from that part of the Congre- gation called the Minority, Praying, That M' M'^Nish might be removed from among them or a new Poll taken to ascertain the real sense of the Congregation respecting him. It was moved and unanimously agreed to, That a Committee of Comtee to meet Synod consisting of the following members, viz. Rev*^ Mess" John *' ^'°° Thomson, John lavage, James Elder, Will™ Lynd, Hugh M'^Clelland, & W" Montgomery, with Elders, four Ministers & two Elders to be a Quorum, shall meet at Clogh, on the third Tuesday of October, who are to take a Poll of the Congregation, and if they see cause, enjoin the Presbytery of Ballymena, to proceed to the ordination of M"^ M^Nish, with all convenient expedition, M' Thomson to preach. No person to be allowed to vote at the ensuing Poll who has not been a Seatholder at Nov' 1795, & has not paid up his Stipend till Nov' 1796. A List of the voters to be lodged with M"" Thomson ten days before the meeting of the Committee. A Copy of this minute to be read in the Cong°° of Clogh, on the second & third Lords days hence. A Supplication from the congregation of Munreagh was presented Munreagh to the Synod Praying, That the Ordination of the Rev'' M' Jackson among them may be ordered by the Synod to be expedited. The Synod appoint a Committee consisting of the following ^™^" to meet members viz. Rev** D' Crawford, Mess""* Alexander, Hamil, J, Holmes, & Francis Dill, with Elders, three Ministers & two Elders to be a Quorum, to meet at Munreagh on the third Tuesday of October, who are to Poll the Cong°°, and if they see cause, direct the Presbytery of Derry to proceed with M' Jackson's ordination. M' Dill to preach. No person to vote who was not a Seatholder at May 1796, or who had not paid his stipend up till May 1797. A List of the voters to be lodged with M"^ Dill ten days before the day of Poll. M"" Jackson to be constant supplier till that time. A Copy of this minute to be read in the Congregation of Munreagh on the second & third Lords days hence. Moved & unanimously agreed to. That next meeting of Synod shall ^j^'lu^ jg"™**'^ be held at Lurgan, on the last Tuesday in June 1798, Sermon to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morn- ing at 10 o'clock. ¥^ Session Thursday Morning, 10 0^ clock after prayer, A Memorial & Supplication was presented to the Synod from a Keady part of the Session & Congregation of Keady, stating at great length 200 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD the Disorders & Confusions, which have long prevailed in that Con- gregation, and the Grievances under which Memoralists have laboured, by the Introduction of Rev'' Hen. M'llree among them, as a Candidate for taking upon him the Pastoral Charge of the Congregation ; The Injury which they alledge his settlement among them would bring on the Interest of Religion ; The Irregularity of many of the Proceedings in this Business ; The oppressive and overbearing behaviour of M' M'^Ilree's friends ; The unprecedented Conduct of the Presbytery of Monaghan in proceeding to his Installation without the concurrence of the Presbytery of Tyrone, under whose Care the Congregation had been for time Immemorial ; And Praying That for these and many other Reasons, the said Installation may be declared Null and Void. A Narrative of the Presbytery of Tyrone on this subject was laid before the Synod, Stating, That on account of the Refractory Conduct of the majority of the Congregation of Keady and their unamenableness to the Decisions of the Presbytery, they considered themselves under the necessity of declaring the said Congregation not under their Care, which Declaration they however rescinded at their next meeting, and granted supplies to that part of the Congregation which remained amenable to their Authority. A Memorial & Supplication was also presented to the Synod from the Majority of the Congregation of Keady complaining in many Instances of the treatment which they had received from the Presbytery of Tyrone ; and Praying that That Presbytery might be ordered not to send their Probationers into the bounds of that Congregation, as this had a tendency to create Distractions & prevent that Harmony and Happiness which otherwise they were likely to enjoy under M' M^Ilree's ministry. After these matters had engaged a very long and Dispassionate Discussion, and after every evidence which could be procured on the subject had been investigated it was resolved. M^Miirees first, That M.' M<=Ilree's Installation be declared Null and Void. Installation ' Si^void^ "" It was next resolved, That the conduct of the Presbytery of Tyrone in declaring the Congregation of Keady not under their care was Rash and Irregular ; and it was moved & unanimously agreed to, That the said Presbytery be admonished from the Chair, and they were admonished accordingly. It was also moved & agreed to, That on account of the very Irregular & unprecedented Conduct of the Presbytery of Monaghan in this Business, the said Presbytery be Earnestly/ admonished from the Chair, And they were Earnestly admonished accordingly. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow niorning at 7 o'clock. 5^^ Session Friday morning, 7 o'clock, after Prayer. M^Sree"*'"^^ Charges and Alligations, affecting the Moral Character of M' M'=Ilree having been brought forward ; Resolved, That a Committee rrODB AT BELFAST, SEPTEMBER 5TH 1797, 2OI be appointed to inquire into the same. That said Committee pomt" to shall consist of the following members, viz. From Armagh Presb. the"same° ° Mess" Livingston, Cuming, Shaw & Bankhead. From Dro- more Mess" I'atrick, Hay, Sherrard & Birch. From Clogher Mess" Millar, Denham & Davison. From Bangor M' Craig. And from Ballymena M"^ Cuming, with their Elders, iSeven to be a Quorum, five of whom to be ministers, who shall meet at Armagh on the second Wednesday of October, Invested with Powers of Issuing the aflfair and of taking such steps for settling the Disputes in the Congregation of Keady as they shall think necessary. M' Craig to preach. Till the meeting of the Committee the Congregation to be supplied as follows : — first Lord's day hence by M' Patterson ; second by M' M^Alister ; third by M"^ Jackson ; fourth by M' Arnold, and fifth by M"^ Cuming. The Synod do earnestly recommend and enjoin that both Parties in the Congregation do lay aside their animosities, & regularly attend Publick Worship as one Body. All the Papers together with the written evidence, which has been taken before the Synod on the Subject, shall be laid before the Committee, who are impowered to avail themselves of the same if they see it necessary. A Copy of this minute as also of that of the preceeding {Session to be read in the Congregation on the first and second Lords days hence. Resolved unanimously. That in Polling Congregations no votes Rule in poning shall be taken, but such as are given in Person. Congo The Business of the Synod being now finished, that of the Inter- loquitur immediately commenced. l»f Interloq^ Friday morning 9 o'clock. A Letter from the Trustees of the widows fund was read & D' Dickson & M' Vance appointed to answer it. Corat^^ of Accounts report as follows. Capital of the widows fund P' June 1797 . . £13248 : 12 : 1 Interest from the same last year . . £718 : 10 : 0 Number of Contributers 29 Sepf 1796—172. Sum by them contributed for one year till that date ... .. .. £438: 3: 7 Number of Annuitants P' Jan'^ 1797—70. Amount of Annuities due and payable to them at that date .. .. .. £1022:16: 8 Committee examined the accounts of the widows fund till 1'' June 1797. Also the accounts of the R.D. till March Quarter 1797, inclusive, and approve the same. JOHN THOMSON, Chairman. Belfast 7*" Sept' 1797. M' Black is impowered to lend the Ballance of the widows fund now in his hands, on such securities as he shall deem sufficient. Adjourned till 11 o'clock. 202 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Resolution respecting Contributers to the fund Resolution reapeoting annuitants on the fund Resolution respecting: contributers ceasing to be entitled to R.D. Mr King Mr Irvine A Compmt of £15 to Ml- Vaughan agent for English R.D. 2dead of Nov', & M" Adams on the 8"^ of June 1797. 206 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Dead 2 Ordained 2 Licensed Second sermon discontinued 3 Presb' disapproved Tyrone Presbytery report, That the Rev'' James Whiteside, Sen', died on 23^ March last leaving a family. That they ordained M' John Davison to the Pastoral Charge of the Congregation of Cookstown on the 26'^ of Sept" 1797, who is a Contributer to the widows fund : — And on the 24'^ of May 1798 ordained M' W" Read to the Pastoral Charge of the united Congregation of Vinecash & Richhill, who is not a Contributer to the widows fund. That they have Licensed Mess" Cha^ Wallace &' Alex' Carson in May last. Have on second Tryals M' Robert Stewart. On first Tryals M"^ John Huey ; and on the fund M'« Peebles, M'= Duffin, M'^ Todd, M" Smyth, & families of Mess" Murray & Whiteside. From the Presbyteries of Ballyraena, Belfast, & Dublin no Reports. Gen. Synods fixed Committee for the year 1798. Presbs. Minrs. Armagh, Mess''^ Livingston & Shaw T.Patrick, Mess" Hill & Savage Root, Mess" Brown & FuUerton Bangor, M' Taggart Clogher, Mess" Millar & Davison Monaghan, Mess'^ Davys & Trimble Strabane, D' Crawford & M"^ Hamil L.kenny, Mess" Taylor & Ramsay Dromore, Mess" Birch & J. Thomson Derry, D' Young & M' Black Tyrone, Mess" Moore & Hogg These with an Elder from each Presbytery & our Moderator & Clerk are to meet at Lurgan when called by the Moderator on any Emergency, fifteen to be a Quorum, whereof twelve at least are to be ministers. It was moved & unanimously agreed to, That the Second Sermon shall be discontinued at the subsequent meetings of Synod. This Synod observing that the Presbyteries of Ballymena, Belfast & Dublin have made no returns, and that no member of any of those Presbyteries appears at this time, cannot avoid expressing their pointed Disapprobation of these Presbyteries, and enjoin that they shall account for this shameful neglect at next meeting of Synod. AT LURGAN, AUGUST 28TH, 1798. 207 The several Committees are ordered to meet immediately. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till I o'clock. 3<^ Session, Wednesday 1 o'clock after Prayer. The minute of last Synod respecting the Committee appointed to Donnaghmoro meet at Donnaghraore being read, it was moved & agreed to, That in consequence of no written Documents of the Proceedings of said Com- mittee being produced, the Business shall be now dismissed, & another Committee appointed to meet at Donnaghmore, invested with full Powers for finally issuing all Matters in dispute there, in such a manner as to them shall seem proper, That the said Committee shall consist of the following members, viz. Rev** Mess" D'' Crawford, Hugh Hamil, W" Dunlop, W° Knox, Rob' Thomson, Ja» M«=Farland, Ja' Elder, John Glascow, & John Davison, with Elders, five ministers & two Elders to be a Quorum, to meet on the third Tuesday of October, M' Dunlop to preach. M"^ Dill is appointed to preach in Donnaghmore on the two Lords Days immediately preceding the meeting of the Committee, and the Congregation are hereby enjoined to send an authenticated List of all their members regularly qualified to vote, (should a Poll be thought necessary) to D"^ Crawford, ten days previous to the meeting of the Committee. This minute to be read in the Congregation of Donnaghmore on the second & third Lords Days hence. It appeared. That the Committee appointed to meet at Clogh had ciogh issued the Object of their appointment, & the Synod unanimously approved of their Conduct. D"^ Crawford reported from the Committee appointed to meet at Munreagh Munreagh, That they had finally issued all matters for which they had been sent thither. Upon reading the minute respecting Keady & hearing the report K«ady of the Committee which met at Armagh, it was unanimously agreed to, that the Conduct of the said Committee be approved. It appearing however, from two long memorials & suppliccttions presented to the Synod from the Congregation of Keady that matters are far from being in a stale of Harmony, Peace, & brotherly Concord in that Congrega- tion, but that on the Contrary, Party Spirit, Dissentiou, & Animosities still continue to run high among them, It was moved & agreed to, as the only measure likely to heal their DivisioiiS, that another Poll should be taken of the Congregation of Keady. A Committee con- sisting of the Rev** Mess" Sherrard, Shaw, & Bankhead, is therefore appointed, to take the said Poll on the last Wednesday of September. congo^tTf ^° The Committee to be guided in taking the Poll by the regular Stipend Keady Book during the ministry of the late M'' Smyth ; and those only who were paying stipend at the time of his Decease, & the Representatives of such of them as have died since are to be considered regularly qualified voters. This book to be produced & read in the Congrpgation, & to be furnished to M' Shaw, at least ten days previous to the day of Poll. The Committee are impowered to Install M"^ M'^Ilree if they see Cause. This minute to be read in the Congregation ot Keady next Lords Day. 208 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOJ) Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. 4*^ Session Thursday Morning, 10 d'eloch, after Prayer. The following Addresses to his Majesty, and the Lord Lieutenant, being proposed by the Committee of Overtures, were unanimously agreed to by the Synod ; ordered to be presented to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant by the Moderator, the Rev'' M' Yance & the Rev^ M"^ Black ; And that the Addresses, with the Answers when received, shall be once published in the Dublin Eveni^ig Post, Dublin Journal, and Belfast News-Letter. TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. The Humble Addeess of the Ministeks & Elders of the Geneeal SrNOD OF Ulstee Assembled at Luegan on the 28th DAT OF Atjgitst 1798. Most Gracious Sovereign Address to the We your Majesty's Dutiful & Loyal Subjects the •^'"if Ministers *Sc Elders of the General Synod of Ulster, though prevented by a Daring & Flagitious Rebellion raging in two Counties of this Province, from assembling at our stated season, eagerly embrace the first Opportunity afforded by the return of Tranquility to lay our Senti- ments of Loyalty to your Majesty, and of sorrow & shame for the Calamities & Crimes of our Country, at the foot of the Throne. We cheerfully renew those Declarations of Fidelity to the Crown & Attachment to the Constitution, from which we have never swerved. We can confidently assure your Majesty that these have been the Invariable Principles, & Professions of this Body ; and we appeal to History to attest the Inviolable Attachment of the Presbyterians of Ireland to Monarchy, Counselled by an Hereditary Nobility, & supported & limited by an Elective Representative of the Commons. But while we dwell with Exultation on those Periods of our Annals in which our Ancestors firmly resisted the Usurption of Cromwell, vigorously supported the Exertions of King William, & strenuously defended your Majesty's Illustrious Progenitors from the repeated attempts of a Desperate Pretender to the British Throne, and this Kingdom against the restless Ambition of France ; we are con- strained to lament, with the deepest Humiliation, that the most Stable & Sacred Principles of many of our People & of some of our members, have been shaken by the Convulsions of this Sceptical & Revolutionary aera. Though we cannot presume to suggest the general Infatuation of a great pait of Europe, nor the incessant & deceitful artifices employed in this country to seduce our People, as Apologies for crimes which we ourselves deem inexcusable, much less for those few unworthy members of our Body, whose conduct we can only view with grief & AT LURGAN, AUGUST 28TH, 1798. 209 Indignation, yet we venture to entreat your Majesty not to impute to the Whole the Transgressions of a part, nor to believe that the Synod of Ulster has fallen off from that line of Conduct which it heretofore uniformly maintained, nor from those Principles which it has often so solemnly avowed. We Beseech your Majesty to accept the faithful Exertions of those who have withstood the torrent of Popular fury, & the Seductions of ."sophistical Philosophy, as an atonement for their deluded Brethren. Let the madness of the Multitude be hidden from your eyes, by the courage, & sufferings of those of our Communion who have fought & died in defence of their King & Country, their Liberty, & Religion, and deign to harken to our Solemn Engagement, to do our utmost to recall the deluded from their Errors & Crimes, to make a strict Inquiry into the Conduct of our delinquent members ; and to withstand to the best of our Abilities those pernicious foreign Principles which threaten alike ihe Temporal and Eternal Interests of Mankind. Finally, we Beseech the King of Kings, who stilleth the madness of the People, and maketh the Wrath of men to praise him, & their vices to redound to His Glory, to Bliss & Protect your Majesty, to preserve your Subjects from every fatal Delusion & to convert our follies. Crimes, & Miseries, into Instruments of Wisdom, Piety, & happiness both now & for ever. Signed in our name & by our appointment, THOMAS CUMING, Mod-". TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE MOST NOBLE CHARLES MARQUIS CORNWALLIS, LOUD LIEUTENANT GENER-\L, ^^Stenant AND GENERAL GOVERNOR OE IRELAiND. May it please your Excellency We his Majesty's Dutiful & Loyal Subjects, the Presby- terian Ministers, & Elders of the General Synod of Ulster embrace this our earliest opportunity of expressing our Congratulations on your Excellency's arrival in this Kingdom. Though the Reasons of our meeting do not lead to the Investiga- tion of Political Subjects, yet we teel ourselves irresistibly called on at this important Period, rendered still more Interesting by the actual landing of a foreign Enemy on our shores, to declare our unfeigned attachment to the Laws & Constitution of our Country, a Constitution in behalf of which our Fathers suffered & bled, & in defence of which we, their Descendants, are also willing to risk everything that is valuable & dear to us. As we abjure every Idea of foreign Interference in the affairs of this Kingdom, so we view with Sorrow and Indignation the late Attempts which have been made at Home to subvert our Government, under the specious pretext of Reforming it: Attempts, originating 210 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD with the Crafty & Ambitious, seconded by the Ignorant & Credulous ; and in too many Instances reduced to practice by the abandoned & Licentious. And we fondly trust that the Firm, Wise & Healing Measures pursued by your Excellency will be the Happy Means, as well of preventing such Attempts in future, as of calming that anxiety & Apprehension with which the Popular mind has been so long agitated. Our fellow Subjects in far distant Lands, have born ample Testimony to that wisdom & virtue which form most striking features in your Excellency's Character ; and we anticipate with pleasure the Period when we also shall have learned by happy Experience how eminently qualified your Excellency, is to restore Harmony, & Comfort to a distracted Land. We entreat your Excellency to lay before our Gracious Sovereign our Hambie & Dutiful Address, which we herewith deliver to your Excellency, and we rely on your Goodness for a favourable Kepresen- tation of our Principles & Conduct. Signed, THOS. CUMING, Moderator. Address to the The subsequent Overtured Address from the Synod to the People under their Pastoral Care, was unanimously agreed to ; Ordered to be read from the Pulpit, and such a number of Copies to be printed and circulated, as would allow a Dozen at least to be distributed to each Congregation. Christian Brethren Influenced by a sincere and Affectionate regard for your Happiness, Temporal and Eternal, and by a sense of the Obligations we are under to promote, as far as in our Power, the Welfare of our People"" "" "'" Country, we feel it our Duty to address you, on the present deeply Interesting Occasion. Whilst we lament the late Disturbance of the public Peace, we derive no small satisfaction, from the Conviction, that the great Body of the People with whom we are connected have given by their Conduct the most decisive Proof how greatly they con- demned all acts of Yiolence. With respect to those of our Communion who unhappily have been led into open Outrage and Rebellion, we entreat them to reflect dispassionately on their Conduct ; and to Place before their view, the melancholy consequences by which it has been followed. On making an appeal to their own Hearts, they must see, & feel, that it cannot be justified. So many of their fellow creatures deprived of life & hurried into Eternity ; Numbers driven from their Habitations without knowing where to seek for Refuge ; So much property destroyed, and the Commerce of the Country in so many Respects injured. These are Evils of such magnitude, as we are confident, must make upon their minds a very deep Impression. Men may violate the Duty which they owe to themselves, and to their King, to their country, and to their God, from Error or from Passion, but to persist in doing AT LURGAN, AUGUST 28TH 1793. 2II wrong, where the wrong is so apparent would testify a Depravity of mind, with which we hope they will not be chargeable. With respect to all of you under our Care, the great Object of our Ambition is that you should maintain that Loyalty to the King & Attachment to the Constitution combined with those Virtuous, Honourable & Pious Principles which distinguished your forefathers, and which have rendered their memories dear to their Posterity. Here is an Example which we earnestly recommend to your Imitation, an example equally distinguished by Loyalty & by a Yeneration for those Rights of the Governed, the securing of which is alike the Duty & the Interest of the Crown. We beseech you to look back to the Period when these Disputes commenced which have involved this Country in its present Calamities, and say whether in matters of a Political nature on wheighing their Blessings, with the evils of which they complained, the People of Ireland could be Justified in rising in Opposition to Government & disturbing the Public Peace. Did not Christians of every Denomina- tion enjoy perfect liberty of conscience ? Were not the shackels broken which had confined our Trade ? Was not private property secure, and the land every day becoming more prosperous ? Can a wise or a virtuous man be found who would not wish to see us brought back to the same comfortable Situation ? The accomplishment of this most desirable Object, will be greatly forwarded, by your acting under the influence of a steady regard to the Laws & to the Constitution, by your avowed and manly Opposition to every species of Insurrection, and by those exertions to restore the public Tranquility, which at this critical and important Period, will be the best proof of your regard to your own Interest, of your Loyalty to your King, and your love to your Country. Thus co-operating with the efi'orts in behalf of Ireland of our excellent chief Governor, whose name for Dignity of Principle, for Benevolence & true Wisdom, is so eminently distinguished, you will evince, That you know & feel what you owe to your own Character, testifying in the most effectual manner that you reprobate the views of those who would involve this country in the incalculable Horrors of a Revolution, and aid in restoring to it the enjoyment of its former Blessings. In your endeavours to restore Order & the Public Peace, it is necessary for us to observe how much it is your Duty, on every Occasion to place in the strongest point of view to every one with whom you can have Influence the Danger, and pernicious Consequences of a foreign Connexion. Here in respect to France your argument is simple, it is plain, and not to be resisted. It is the Fact that this nation has exercised a Despotic Power, over every country, which has had the misfortune to apply to it for assistance, or to be conquered by its arms. As a strong additional Motive to excite you to oppose any attempt against this country, of this restless ambitious People, we beseech you to consider how unfriendly their Declarations, & Conduct have been, to those Principles of Religion, which are the support of our present comfort, and the sure foundation of our Eternal Happiness. 212 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Permit us likewise to entreat you to guard against a Party Spirit & to cultivate goodwill towards your fellow-subjects of every Religious Description. Everything contrary to this would be hostile to that Christian Temper, by which you should be animated, would be in- consistent with your Principles as Protestant Dissenters, and a reproach to your Character. Brethren deeply concerned in what respects your Duty & Happiness, & as ministers of the Gospel of Peace, we Beseech you' to attend to, & to practice the things that make for Peace. And we offer up our fervent Prayers to the Almighty, that you may conduct yourselves, in the manner, in which your own Hearts will approve, on Reflection, which will give you Comfort at the hour of Death, and which will be approved at the Great Day when you shall stand before the Tribunal of your Judge. Signed by order THOS. CUMING, Moderator. at Lurgan The following Overture was likewise unanimously agreed to by the Synod. Overture agreed The Synod reflecting with grief & Indignation on the Conduct '° of some members of this Body, and of the Licentiates under their Care who have been lately implicated in Seditious & Treasonable Practices, do hereby declare their most pointed abhorrence of a Deportment so inconsistent with the Character of a minister of Religion. And they do strictly enjoin the several Presbyteries within their Bounds, to Institute a Solemn Inquiry into the Conduct and Conversation of their respective members and Probationers, to distinguish impartially between the Innocent & the Guilty, that the ministry may be Blame- less, and to make a faithful report of their Procedure at next meeting of Synod, under Penalty of severe Censure. Synod to meet Moved and agreed to that next meeting of Synod shall be held at Lurgan on the last Tuesday of June next. Sermon to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. Session concluded with Prayer. Interloq*" Thursday ^ 8 o'clock. The Committee of Accounts report as follows : — Capital of the widows fund I't June 1798 . . £13560 : 6:4 Interest from the same for one year till that date £758 : 15 : 0 Number of Contributers 29^^ Sept' 1797—174. Sum by them contributed for one year till that date . . . . . . £570 : 14 : 4 Number of Annuitants P* Jan'' 1798—72. Amount of Annuities due > >) Gen. Synods fixed Comt" for 1799. Minrs. Mess" Shaw & Bankhead „ Bankhead & Thomson Craig & Taggart Taylor & Ramsay Johnston & Davison Dunlop & Anderson Trimble & Whiteside Stitt & Moore D"^ Henry & Hamilton Matt. Elder & Martin Df M'Dowel & Horner Hanna & "Whitla D' Young & Black Birch & J. Thomson. >> j> }) >i if >> These with an Elder from each Presbytery, & our Moderator & Clerk, are to meet at Lurgan when called by the Mod', on any Emergency, fifteen to be a Quorum, whereof Twelve at least are to be Ministers. Upon reading the minute of last year respecting the non-attendance of the Presbyteries of B.mena, Belfast, & Dublin, at last meeting and their neglecting to make the necessary Returns ; it was moved & unanimously agreed to, That the Apology offered on the subject by the Presb. of Dublin through D' M'^Dowel is satisfactory. But in consequence of the Inattention with which the Presbyteries of B.mena, & Belfast, have treated the Injunction of the Synod above alluded to ; & the Disrespect they have shewn to its Authority ; it was moved & ordered accordingly, That the several members of said Presbyteries absent from the last & present meeting, do attend nezt meeting of Synod, to account for their Conduct. The several Committees are ordered to meet immediately. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till 1 o'clock. AT LURGAN, JUNE 25TH 1799. 219 3'^ Session Wednesday 1 o'clock, after Frayer. After the Address to the King & the Lord Lieutenant, agreed to Report of at las Synod, had been read, M"^ Cuming the late Moderator reported """"S That He, M"^ Black, & M' Vance had, in obedience to the order of Synod, proceeded to Dublin, & had presented the Addresses, to his Excellency who received them very Graciously. M' Cuming also pro- duced the Lord Lieutenant's Answer, which being read, was ordered to be inserted in the minutes & is as follows. Gentlemen, I receive with pleasure your Loyal Addresi^ and beg you Answer to will accept my Cordial Thanks for the favourable Interpretation you """^ Address give to my Endeavours for restoring this Kingdom to Tranquillity. I am sensible that when the Publick safety has formerly been menaced either by Domestic Traytors or foreign Invaders, no Descrip- tion of his Majesty's Subjects were more active in all the Duties of Allegiance than the Protestant Dissenters of the Province of Ulster. To find this Disposition so cordial on the Present Occasion affords me Sincere Satisfaction ; And your avowing your Principles at the moment when the Hopes of the Disaffected were revived by the actual landing of the enemy, could not fail to have had a Beneficial Influence on the Community. I shall have particular Pleasure in transmitting your Loyal and Dutiful Address to our Sovereign. M' Black, having also communicated the manner of procuring & circulating, printed Copies of the Address to the People, It was unanimously the Opinion of this Synod, that He & his fellow- Com- missioners, have faithfully executed every part of the Trust committed to them. The following Overture was unanimously agreed to by the Synod, Overture That each Presbytery be enjoined to give in their Returns to the Clerk in his Seat, on the evening of the first day of the Synods meeting ; And that the several Committees meet at 7 o'clock the next morning to prepare Business for the Synod after Breakfast ; And that to facilitate the accomplishment of this Overture it be ordered that Divine Service shall in future begin at 4 o'clock. Moved and unanimously agreed to, That next meeting of Synod Next synod shall be held at Lurgan, on the last Tuesday in June 1800. Divine ** ^""^s*" Service to begin at 4 o'clock afternoon. A Memorial & Supplication were presented to the Synod from the BaiHndrait Cong°° of Ballindrait, Praying that the Kev'' M' Houston, who had regularly received a Call from them might be ordained their minister, with all convenient speed. A Counter Supplication was also prepented from a part of the Cong°° of Ballindrait, praying That M' Houstons Call might be superseded, & a new Poll granted to them. 220 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD The Synod after hearing all Parties at considerable length & investigating every Circumstance in the Business with Patience & Impartiality cannot but highly disapprove of the Conduct of the Presbytery of L.kenny in not having proceeded to Ordain M' Houston in due Course. And the Synod doth hereby particularly enjoin the Presbytery to ordain M' Houston on this day fortnight, M' Dill to preach, and M' Holmes to Ordain & give tbe Charge. M' Taylor to preach in Ballindrait on the Lords day preceding the Ordination. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morn- ing at 8 o'clock. 4'^ Session Thursday Morning 8 o'clock, after Prayer. Donoughmore A long Memorial & Supplication from the Cong"" of Donoughmore was presented, praying that this Synod may Order the Ordination of Rev'^ Sam' Dill to be forwarded among them with all convenient Dispatch ; and that for this purpose they may be disannexed from the Presb. of L.kenny & put under the Care of the Presbytery of Derry. A Supplication was also presented from a former minority of the Cong°° of Donoughmore, cordially concurring in the same Requests. After deliberating on this affair at some length, it was resolved, That a Committee of Synod consisting of D"^ Young, M' Cuningham & M' HenderBon shall ordain M' Dill in Donoughmore on Tuesday fortnight, M' Cuningham to preach, & D' Young to ordain & give the charge. The Presb. of L.kenny are enjoined to attend. Baiiybay ^ Supplication from a part of the Cong"" of Ballybay was pre- sented to the Synod praying that another Poll might be taken respecting M' Morrell. After hearing the Commissioner & the Presbytery of Monaghan at some length, it was resolved to dismiss the affair. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. Keady 5*^ Session Thursday, 10 o'clock after Prayer. The Committee of Synod appointed to take the Poll of the Cong°° of Keady in Sept"^ last & to Install M"^ Mf^Ilree if they should see cause, reported. That there was not a Synodical Majority in his favour. The Conduct of the Comt*^® considered & approved. A Supplication from that part of the Cong"" of Keady called the Minority was presented to the Synod, praying. That they would for ever disannex M' M'^Ilree from that Congregation. Two Supplications from the majority of the Cong°° of Keady were also presented, praying that the Synod would disannex them from the Presb. of Tyrone, & annex them to the Presb. of Monaghan ; and that they would order the Installation of M' M'^Ilree among them with all convenient Expedition. AT LURGAN, JUNE 25TH, 1799. 221 After the Synod had heard the Commissioners, & M' M^Ilree at great length, and taken the affair into their most mature and serious Deliberation the Question was put, "Is it expedient to Install M' M'llree in the Cong°° of Keady or not ? " The Roll was called & it carried, *' Not." It was then resolved that the Cong°° should for one year be put under the immediate care of the Synod, & that the Moderator with the assistance of Mess" Davys, Cuming, & Jackson, do execute that charge. It was farther resolved, That M' Mi'Ilree, at his own request, MrjM'ree^ann- should be disannexed from the Presb. of Tyrone & put under the Care of Monaghan of the Presbytery of Monaghan. The Committee asked the Synod, ** whether they should be at Liberty, to send M' M^Ilree, as a Supplier to Keady ?" — Upon the EoU being called it carried. That they should be at Liberty. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to morrow morning at 7 o'clock. 6*^ Session Friday Morning 7 o^cIock, after Prayer. The Several Presbyteries having made their Reports according to Minute on the the Injunction of last meeting, this Synod has the Satisfaction of several Presbs. finding, That the General Conduct of its members, & Proba- tioners, has been conformable to Order & good Government, in the late afflicting Circumstances of the Country. It appears, that of the comparatively small number, who have been implicated, in Treasonable or Seditious Practices, Two only, one a Minister, and the other a Probationer, have been executed. — Two are still in Confinement. Some have expressed their Sincere Contrition ; Others are no longer connected with the Synod. And the remainder have either Voluntarily, or by permission of Government removed from the Kingdom. On the whole of this melancholy & most painful subject, while the Synod reflects with sorrow, on the Scandal brought upon its Repu- tation, by the Indiscretion & missconduct, of a few misguided and unworthy Individuals ; It feels Confident in declaring that there is no ground for suspecting its Loyalty, as a Body ; and it strongly enjoins every Member, and Licentiate, to observe such peaceable Conduct, & Discreet Conversation, as becometh their Profession, and by an unre- mitting application to the proper Duties of their Ministerial Calling to recommend themselves as Blameless, in the sight of God, & the world. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. Interloif Friday, 10 o'clock. A Letter from the Trustees of the Widows fund to the Moderator Order to was read. In consequence of that Letter D"" M° Dowel is authorised & ^' ^''Dowei appointed in conjunction with the other Trustees to open the Iron 222 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOJ) Chest lodged in Finlays Bank, to examine the Securities therein deposited ; to collect the other Securities ; and deposit all in a secure place. The Doctor is ordered to report to the Interloq^" at its next meeting the number of the Securities, the names of the Trustees to whom these Securities have been respectively made, and the names of such Trustees as have declared their Trust. M' Cochran & M' Cuming were appointed to answer the letter of the Trustees. Kcount8°'"'" ^^® Committee appointed to Inspect the Accounts of our Agent, report, That they have examined the Accounts of the R.D. to the Dec' Quarter 1798, inclusive, & also those of the Widows fund, down to the P' Inst, and that they appear to the Comt®® perfectly correct & satisfactory. SAML. LIVINGSTON, Ch.man. Capital of the Widows fund P' June 1799... £13844 : 6 Interest from the same for one year till that date ... ... ... £734 : 18 Number of Contributers 29'^ Sept', 1798—177. Sum contributed by them for one year till that date Number of Annuitants P' Jan'^, 1799—70. Amount of Annuities due & Payable to them at that date .. ... .. £1018 : 8 5 0 £540 : 19 : U Order to \F Black Annuity £16 Notice of a motion Notice of a motion Mf JMlree It was unanimously agreed that the sum of £544 : 6 : 5 now in the hands of M' Black shall be laid out by hina in purchasing Govern- ment Debentures in the 5 "^ Cents, if he can procure them at or under £85 '^ Cent. — provided he cannot purchase on these terms, he is directed to lend the said sum at £6 '^^ Cent, on such private Securities as He & the Trustees shall think sufficient. It was moved & agreed to, That the annuity to be paid to each widow this year shall be Sixteen pounds. M' James Bankhead gave notice, that at the Interloq' next year he will move an amendment to the Regulation respecting the manner of appropriating the Royal Bounty. M' Tho^ Cuming also gave notice, that He will next year move, That if any Contributer to the widows fund shall die by Suicide, Duelling, or the hand of publick Justice, his widow or Family shall not be considered as entitled to any advantage arising from the said fund. A Letter from M' M^Ilree was read, Praying, That the R.D. which has been withholden from him in some time past, may be granted to him. It was agreed that any Determination on M* M'llree's request be postponed, till next meeting of Synod. It is understood at the same time that M' M°Ilree has no claim of Right upon the Synod. AT LURGAN, JUME 25TH, 1799. 223 Ordered, That our Agent do discontinue the Payment of R.D. to M' Douglas M' Douglass of Carnculloch. Ordered, That our Agent do pay 40 shillings to the Rev"' Samuel ""■ ^^*^^°'' Watson, a member of the Presb. of Belfast, out of the R.D. of the members of said Presbytery. M' Black having asked the Opinion of the Interloq' respecting the Advice respect- Payment of R.D. to the two members of our Body, now in Confinement, H.D^'to members after reasoning on the Subject at some length the Question was put, '" Confinement " Suspend payment for the present or not ?" The Roll was called & it carried '• Suspend." The Letter to the Trustees of the Widows fund was read, approved, & ordered to be subscribed by the Moderator. The Moderator concluded the Synod with Prayer. Inserted S'*" October, 1799, by • ROBERT DICKSON, Clerk of General Synod. 324 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A General Synod at Lurgan, 24 June, 1800. M' Millar the Moderator of the former Synod opened this, by preaching from Heb : IX. 26. then constituted it by Prayer, after which the following members from the several Presbyteries were present, viz : — Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Tyrone Presb. Dromore — continued. Moses Hogg Jas. Whiteside AVm. Moore Hugh Boylan Thos. McCay Jas. Adams John Davison Wm. Read Robt. Stewart Robt. Hogg John Whiteside Robt. Simson Robt. Irvine Jas. Matthews John McKeon Armagh Saml. Livingston Robert Dickson Thos. Cuming Nath. Shaw Jas. Bankhead Wm. Neilson Geo. Burns Wm. Kyle Wm. Herron Strabane None present Dr. Young Robert Black Matt. Culbert Derry T. Patrick John Bankhead John Savage Robert Orr Robert Thomson Robert Campbell Nath. Alexander Archd. Hunter Wra. Magee Jas. Wad dell John McClelland John McCance Alexr. Patterson Joseph Jackson Jas. Boyd Mark Searight Alexr. Donaldson Belfast. Saml. Patten Alexr. Henry Andw. Grier Sinclare Kelburn Jos. Harrison Wm. Whitla Saml. Hanna Saml. Watson Hen. Simson Jas. McCullogh Wm. Steel Saml. Smyth Hugh Warnock Bangor Robert Porter Andw. Craig Jas. Sinclair Robt. Acheson Jno. C. Wightman Hamilton Dobbin Josiah Ker John Arnold John Watson Wm. Moreland Alexr. McDonald Dublin Wm. Wilson Ballymena Isaac Patrick Robt. McClure Saml. Barber Jas. Birch John Thomson Dr. Little John Sherrard Dromore Jas. Cuming Robt. Christy Alexr. Montgomery Jas. Kirk Robt. Elliot Henry Henry John Strauachan Wm. Hamilton Jas. Sprot Thos. Osborne Hen. Dickson AT LURGAN, JUNE 24™, ISOO. 225 Letteikennj' Monaghan Hugh Delap Thos. Stewart Frail lis Dill John Davys Saml. Dill Matt. Trimble Robt. Montgomery Clogher John McCurdy Jas. Whiteside Andw, Millar Jas. Gouday Wm. Johnston Jas. Morell Chr. Josias Gamble Root Robert Thomson Jas. Elder Jas. Brown John Glasco M" Millar having moved that another Moderator be chosen to this Synod, the following Brethren were named, viz. Rev'' Mess" Moses Hogg, D' Young, John Bankhead, W" Magee, Sam' Hanna, Rob' Porter, Robert Christy, Hugh Delap, W" Johnston, John Davys & John Glasco. The Roll was called and M"' Bankhead chosen. M' Dickson continued Clerk. In Conformity to a Resolution of last Synod, the several Presby- teries now gave in their Returns to the Clerk, of their members for the several Committees. They reported the names of such ministers as have died, been ordained, or Installed, and of such Candidates as have been licensed, or entered on Tryals since last general Synod. They gave an account of the annuitants on the fund ; of those that have died ; and of the time when such did die. Their Reports are as follow — Root Presb. report, that the Rev^ Joseph Douglas died on the - ^''*'' 14"^ of Dec' last & the Rev" John Cameron, on the 31='. That they have licensed M' John Kelso, who subscribed the W. C. of Faith, r^'^ensed Have on first Tryals, Mess"^^ Kennedy & Sims. And on the fund M" Gaston, M" Elder, M" Smylie in the Isle of Man, M" Hamilton, M" Davis in America, M" M'MuUan, M" Simson, M'" Smyth, M" Cameron, & family of M»' Douglas. Derry Presb. report, that they ordained M' Hamilton in the Ordaine.i united Cong™' of Faughan & Buncrana, on S** of Sept' last who is a Contributer to the widows fund. That they have licensed Mess" T^^° licensed Allison & Cowan. Have entered on first Tryals M' Marshal; on second Tryals, M' Allison. That M' Patten died on 30"* June 1799, Dead leaving a family, and M" Hare on 25 Dec' last — and that they have on ^f^*' the fund M" Walker, Sen' & Jun', M" Patten, & family of M' Samuel Patten. Clogher Presb. report, that they ordained M' Christopher Josias Ordainpd Gamble at Enniskillen on 24'''' Dec' last who is a Contributer to the widows fund. And that they have on the fund M'= Mulligan. 226 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Dead Ordained Ordained Ordained Installed Two dead Resigned Ordained Installed Ordained Two ordained Ordained Dromore Presb. report, that the Rev'^ Moses Thomson died on 21'* March last, leaving a widow & child. And that they have on the fund M^' Neilson, M" Strong, M" M^Combe, & M-^^ Thomson. Tyrone Presb. report, that they have on first Tryals Messrs Boyle & Caldwell. And on the fund M" Peebles, M" Duffin,M" Todd, M" Smyth, & families of Messi" Murray, M'Clelland, & Whiteside. Bangor Presb. report, That the Cong°° of Portaferry was declared vacant on 28 Nov' last. That they ordained M"^ John Watson at Grayabby on 3'^ Sepf last, who is a Contributer to the widows fund. That they have licensed M' Moreland & ordained him in Portaferry on 6"" June Inst, who is also a Contributer to the widows fund. And that they have on the fund M" Warnick, M" Jackson, Sen' & Jun', M" Hull, M'^ Bryson, M" Dobbin, M" Patterson & M" Porter. Monaghan Presb. report, that they ordained the Rev'' Ja^ Morell in the Cong°° of Ballybay on 6*'^ Aug, last, who is a Contributer to the widows fund. Have Installed M' Denham in the Cong°° of Croghan in Sept' last. Have on the fund M" Warnock, M'" Pleming, M" Smyth, M" Sprat. That M»' Algeo, died on 17''' Nov"^ last, and M" Lawson in March last- Dublin Presb. report. That M'^ Rogers lives in Dublin, and that they believe M^'^ Caldwell is still alive, but resides near Strabane. B.mena Presb. report, that the Rev. Benj™ Mitchel from the Presb. of Root passed second Tryals with them, but returned to the Presb. of Root, in consequence of a Call from Ballymoney, a Cong°° under the Care of that Presbytery. They have on the fund M" Brown, M" Rankin, & M" Lindsay. Belfast Presb. report, That on first Tuesday of Nov^ 1799 the Rev-^ Sinclare Kelburn resigned the Pastoral Charge of the 3** Cong°° of Belfast, on account of the precarious state of his health & bodily Infirmity. That the Rev** Henry Simson was ordained in Saintfield on 10*'' Dec' 1799, having subscribed the W. C. of Faith & being a Contributer to the widows fund. That on 11'" of Dec'' 1799 the Rev** Sam* Hanna was Installed in the 3'* Cong"" of Belfast. That on 20*'' May last the Rev^ Ja^ M'^Cullogh was ordained in the Second Cong"" of N.T. Ards, having subscribed the W. C. of Pailh & being a Contributer to the widows fund. That they have entered on first Tryals M' Alex' Gouday ; — and have on the fund M" Kinkead, M" Kennedy, M" M<=Ewen & M'' Rowan. Letterkenny Presb. report, that M' Ja^ Houston was ordained in the CongO" of Ballindrait on 10'" July 1799, And M' Sam' Dill in the Cong"^ of Donnaghmore on 16'^'' of July 1799, both Contributers to the widows fund. And that they have on the fund M" Delap, & families of Mess'" Marshal & Holmes. T.Patrick Presb. report, That they ordained the Rev^ Nath. Alexander at Crumlin on 3** Sept' last, who is a Contributor to the widows fund. And that they have on the fund M" Dunbar, M" White, M" Cowan, & M" Gibson. AT LTJRGAN, JUNE 24TH, isOO. 227 Armagh Presb. report, That they have on first Tryals M' Chambers, T^o w> » >> These with an Elder from each Presbytery & our Moderator & Clerk are to meet at Lurgan when called by the Moderator on any Emergency, fifteen to be a Uuorum, whereof Twelve at least are to be ministers. Ordered, that the Comt** of Accounts do report to the first Interloq' the amount of the Capital of the widows fund, with the Annual Interest arising from the same. The Number of Contributers to the fund, & the sum by them contributed during the last year. Also the number of Annuitants on the fund, & the sum due & payable to them from 1"' Jan'' 1799 to 1" Jan'^ 1800. The several Committees are ordered to meet to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Session concluded with prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. 228 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Order respecting non-attendants at Sjnods Overture repealed Ballvmoney Conit" of Sj- to meet at Ma''nerafc't nod 2<^ Session Wednesday Morning 11 o'clock after Prayer. When the minute of last year was read repecting the non- attendance of several members of the Presbyteries of Ballymena & Belfast, some appeared & apologized for their former absence, whose Apologies were sustained. It is now ordered, that the Moderators of these Presbyteries, & others who are not in the Habit of attending our meetings shall write to such members as have not attended this meeting nor sent any apology, informing them, That if they do not in future pay greater Regard to the Injunctions of the Synod it will be under the necessity of adopting some measures which will be extremely disagreeable to them. It was moved that the Overture of last year, respecting the time of making Returns to the Clerk ; of the meeting of the Committees ; and of the commencement of Divine Service be Repealed. The Roll being called upon the Question, it passed in the aflS.rmative. Moved & unanimously agreed to, That next meeting of Synod shall be held at Lurgan on the last Tuesday of June 1801. Divine Service to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. The Committee for supplying & taking charge of the Congregation of Keady, having made their Report, it was moved & unanimously agreed to, that the Conduct of the Committee be approved. A Memorial was presented to the Synod, from the Cong'" of Ballymoney, praying to be disannexed from the Presb. of Root & put under the Care of the Presb. of Ballymena. This memorial was accom- panied with some severe Charges and Insinuations against the Presb. of Root on account of ihe treatment which that Cong°° had received from the Presbytery in the affair of the Rev"^ Benj° Mitchel's being a Candidate for becoming the Stated Pastor of the Congregation. After considerable Deliberation on this subject, it was moved. That the Prayer of the Memoralists be granted. The Roll was called on the Question, Disannex or not, & it carried " Disannex." It was then moved & seconded, That by this vote it is not intended to attach Censure to the Presb. of Root in this Business. Upon this the previous Question was moved, viz. '* Put this Question or not ?" The Roll was called and it carried, "Put." The Original Question was then put & carried by a great majority. It was next moved, that a Committee be appointed to enquire into the Conduct of the Rev"* Benj° Mitchel, a Probationer belonging to this Body. On this motion the Roll was called & it carried " Appoint" by a large majority. The following Brethren were appointed a Comt** for this purpose, viz. Rev'' Mess" Moore & Bryson from Tyrone Presb. ; Orr & Thomson from Templepatrick ; Dunlop & Hamil from Strabane ; & Elder & Osborne from Derry, with their Elders. Seven to be a Quorum of whom five must be ministers, M"' Moore to preach. They are to meet at Magherafelt on Tuesday 2'^^'^ July ; are impowered to adjourn; To send for Persons, & Papers; and to grant Credentials to M^ Mitchel should they see cause. The Presb. of Root are enjoined AT LURGAN, JUNE 24TH, ISOO. 229 to attend and give light to tlie Committee, and also M"^ Kelso a Pro- bationer under the Care of this Synod. It was also unanimously resolved that the Cong"" of Ballymoney be put under the Care of the Presbytery of Ballymena. 3<^ Session Thursday Morning 10 o'clock, after Prayer. Two papers were presented from different Parlies of the Cong'° of Lisiuney Lisluney, the one praying that the Synod may order the Presb. of Mouagban to expedite the ordination of the Rev^ Ja" lUddell in that Cong"" ; The other praying that he may be laid aside, and that the Presb. may be ordered to grant them a hearing of other young men. The Presb. of Monaghan also presented a Kequest that the Synod would issue the Business as to them might seem right. It was moved, & unanimously resolved, that these several appli- cations be dismissed. A Supplication was presented from that part of the Cong"" of Ready Keady called the minority praying that M"^ M'^Ilree may for ever be disannexed from the Cong""; and a Counter Supplication was presented from that part of it called the majority, praying that M' M'^Ilree's settlement among them may be expedited. It was moved & unanimously resolved that M' M'^Ilree be In- stalled at Keady, by the Presb. of Monaghan as soon as that Presb. may find it convenient, and that the Cong°° shall henceforward be under the Care of that Presbytery. The Presb. of Monaghan are enjoined to take Care that all accounts with the Probationers of Tyrone Presb. & with M' M.'^Alister, be paid by the Cong"° of Keady, before the Installation of M' M<=Ilree shall take place. A letter from M' M'=llree was read, stating an unsettled account M' M'liree between him & the Cong"" of Vinecash, & praying that the Synod may order the Presb. of Tyrone to have him paid. The Cong°° of Vinecash are enjoined to settle their accounts with Vinecash M' M'=Ilree, before the Presb. of Tyrone at first meeting of that Presbytery. It was Overtured & unanimously agreed to, that the following ^y^^Jj^^'^* Address be transmitted to his Majesty, congratulating his Majesty on his late Providential Escape from Assassination ; and that said Address be accompanied with one to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, praying him to transmit the same to his Majesty. TO THE KINGS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY The Humble Address of xhb Ministees & Elders of the Gen. Synod of Ulster, Assembled at Luegan on THE 24th day of June 1800. Most Gracious Sovereign, We your Majestys Dutiful & Loyal Subjects, the ^f„^J*" ^ ^'^^ Ministers & Elders of the Gen. Synod of Ulster gladly embrace the 230 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD opportunity afiorded us, by our stated annual meeting of expressing to your Majesty our unfeigned sense of the Blessings we enjoy under your Just & Mild Government. Tour Majestys life is deservedly dear to all your Subjects. With its preservation are closely connected the Existence of Eegulated G-overnment, the Cause of true Liberty, & the dearest Interests of our common Faith, of the practical Influence of which your Majesty has exhibited in your own Conduct so correct an example. It is therefore with the most lively sentiments of Gratitude to the Giver & Preserver Life of that we mix our sincere & Heartfelt Congratulations, with those of all your Majesty's faithful Subjects, on your recent Providential Escape from an atrocious attempt upon your Sacred Person. The Danger to which your Majesty has been exposed heightens our sense of the Blessings which we have enjoyed under your Auspicious Reign, increases our Attachment to your Person, and redoubles our Anxiety for your Safety. That the Almighty Being to whom belong the Issues of Life & Death, Who in the Moment of Danger shielded your Majesty from the Assassins arm, may continue to watch over, & long preserve your Invaluable Life is our sincere, & earnest Prayer. Signed in our name & by our appointment JOHN BANKHEAD, Mod'. TO HIS EXCELLENCY CHARLES MARQUIS C0RNWALLI8 LD. LIEUTENANT GENERAL, & GENERAL GOVERNOR OF IRELAND. May it please your Excellency, • LorfLfeute'^nant ^^ ^^^ Majesty's most Dutiful & Loyal Subjects the Presbyterian Ministers & Elders of the Gen. Synod of Ulster entreat your Excellency to lay before our Gracious Sovereign the Humble & Dutiful Address which we herewith transmit. "We embrace with pleasure this opportunity of repeating to your Excellency our high Esteem of the Wisdom, Moderation, & Humanity. M-hich have dis- tinguished your Excellencys Administration, and we humbly hope that your Excellency will represent us as Dutiful & Loyal Subjects, warmly & firmly attached to his Majesty's Person & Government. Signed in our name & by our Appointment JOHN BANKHEAD, Mod'. Statement of M' Black havin* stated to the Coml^^ of Overtures that he had Mr Black to the waited by desire on Lord Castlereagh, Secretary to his Excellency the Ovwtures Lord Lieutenant, when he was informed by his Lordship that it was the Intention of his Majesty's Ministers to make a Provision for the AT LURGAN, JUNE 24TH, ISOO. 231 Dissenting Clergy, on Terms different from those, on which the present R.D. was paid to them ; and that his Lordship had expressed a desire that the Synod would appoint one or more of their number to confer with Government on this Subject — and M' Black having farther stated to the Comt^° that as an Individual he was honoured with much Con- versation, relative to the General Concerns of the Synod & found the Dispositions of Government, in his Judgment, Liberal, Conciliatory, & Satisfactory. In Consequence of this Information the Synod resolved, that three Oommiss™ of their members he appointed CommiRsioners to communicate with coinniunicat*e Government on this Subject; and M' Black, our Moderator, and D' JJ''^ Little were accordingly chosen & appointed for this purpose. It was also Overtured & agreed to, that the several Presbs. under the Care of the Synod, be enjoined to furnish, our Commissioners, (immediately after their next stated meetings respectively) with correct Lists of the number of Families & Stipend paid by each Cong°° within their Bounds, authenticated by the signature of the Moderator of the different Presbyteries. A supplication was presented from the Commiss"^* of the minority ^,'^^''5^ of the Cong°" of Keady, praying that the Synod would take their Minority of the unhappy state, & the state of their Constituents into its serious con- Congon of Keady sideration as they could not be profited by M'' M^Ilree's ministry and that therefore the Presb. of Tyrone might be permitted & authorised to grant them supplies, until next meeting of Synod. It was moved & carried upon the Roll being called, That the Prayer of said supplication be granted. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till 7 o'clock. 1st Znterhq^ Thursday Evening, 7 o'clock. Upon reading the minute of the Interloq"^ of last year relative to S^^P.'i^t ■ the Instructions given to D' M^'Dowel, for having the Iron Chest lodged in Finlays Bank opened, &c., a letter from the Doctor was read stating that the wishes of the Synod, had in many Instances been complied with, but from unavoidable circumstances not entirely fulfilled. The letter was considered satisfactory, and this Interloq' entertain a high sense of his attention, and renew their Instructions of last year, till the Objects of them be compleated. The Report of the Comf^^ of Accounts. Capital of the Widows fund 1^' June 1800 . . £1391 1 : 00 : 9 Interest arising from the same for last year . . £764 : 0 : 0 Number of Contributers for the year ending 29'" Sept' 1799—172. Sum by them contributed for one year till that date .. .. .. £428: 17: 5 Number of Annuitants 1" January 1800 — 70. Amount of Annuities due & payable to them from 1" Jan'y 1799 till 1=' Jan" 1800 . . £1098 : 18 : 1 232 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A proposed motion postponed A proposed motion withdrawn Mr M''Ilree 40 shilling's to each member attending Synods The Committee have examined the Account of the R.D. from March Quarter 1799 till Deo"^ Quarter 1799, inclusive; and also the accounts of the widows fund for one year till 1°' June last, & find them correct, & satisfactory, WM. WILSON, Chairman. Lurgan 25' June 1800. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 6 o'clock. 2** Interloqr Friday morning 6 oeloch. From the consideration of some circumstances relating to the subject & at present undetermined, M"^ Bankhead begs leave to postpone the motion of which he gave notice last year, until next meeting of Synod. And in order that his Intention may be more clearly understood, he now gives notice that he will then submit a plan by which the members of this Body, resigning their Pastoral Charges, from Age & Infirmity shall be supported out of the Aggregate Sum of the R.D. and by which the Residue of the R.D. shall be appropriated in equal shares to our officiating ministers not alio wing more than one share to each Cong"". Upon reading the minute respecting the motion of which M' Cuming gave notice last year, M' Cuming begged leave to state to this Inte^loq^ that although the melancholly Circumstances of the times, did in his opinion fully Justify the Adoption of said motion yet as the case which gave principal rise to the notice was new, & unprecedented & as the Consideration of this Melancholy subject, must be painful to the feelings of this Interloq', & to his own, «& as he trusts an occasion will not again recur calling for that, or any similar Regulation, he will with the consent of this Interloq' decline making his intended motion. A letter was received from the Trustees of the widows fund, which M'' Livingston & My Craig were appointed to answer. Ordered, that our Agent do pay to M' M^Ilree, a portion of the R.D. commencing from 25 Sepi"^ 1799. It was moved & agreed to, that the members attending every succeeding meeting of this Synod shall each receive 40 shillings in place of 20, the sum now paid. Mess" Livingston & Craig produced a letter in answer to that of the Trustees, which was read, approved, & ordered to be signed by the Mod'. The Moderator concluded the Synod with Prayer. Inserted 23^ July 1800 by ROBERT DICKSON, Clk. of G. Synod. AT LURGAN, OCTOBER 8TH, 1800. 233 A Qen. Synod pro re nata at Lurgan, 8'^ Oct^ 1800. The Moderator opened the Synod by preaching from Matt. 23, 8. Then constituted it by Prayer. After which the following members were present, viz. from : — Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Tyrone Presb. T. Patrick — continued . Moses Hogg Jas. Whiteside, Wm. Stitt Wra. Moore Hugh Boylan Thos. McCay Jas. Adams Wm. Read Robt. Stewart Robt. Hogg John Whiteside Wm. McClure Wm. Ramsay Hugh Wier Thos. Seaton Robt. Peebles Jas. Howard Armagh. Saml. Livingston Robert Dickson Thos. Cuming Nath. Shaw Wm. Charleton Jas. Bankhead Wm. Neilson John Thorn Geo. Gray Thos. Prentice Robt. Dunbar Jas. Wallace Wm. Herron Jos. Parks Clem. Gillespie Strabane. Wm. Dunlop Chas. Hemphill Wm. Porter David Smylie Derry. John Law Dr. Young Robert Black Fran. Gray Hugh Brooks Wm. Cunningham Henry Elder Richd. Dill Jos. Osborne Jas. Canning Matt. Culbert Jas. Allison Adam Hill Robert Orr Robert Thomson John Murphy Thos. Alexander Robert Campbell Nath. Alexander Wm. Law Saml. Osborne Rd. Cunningham John Combe John Irvine Jas. Mitchel T. Patrick. John Wright Adam Bole Thos. Read Alexr. Stewart Wm. Montgomery John Bankhead Robt. McBride John Savage David Watson Robt. White Robt. Colvill Jas. Patterson Jas. McAulay Dromore. John Smyth Isaac Patrick Robt. McClure Saml. Barber James Birch John Thomson Joseph Hay Dr. Dittle John Sherrard Fran. Turretine Wm. Magee Wm. Fletcher John McClelland Jas. Waddell John McCance Jos. Jackson Geo. Crawford Hugh McAlister Jas. Hallidy John Baxter Geo. Smyth Thos. Osborne Hen. Dickson Andw. Through John Haslet Wm. Stitt Alexr. Stephenson Belfast. Saml. Patten Geo. Brydone Jos. Harrison Wm. Whitla Saml. Hanna Saml. Watson Jas. McCullogh Jas. Riddell Geo. Birch Jas. Fisher Hercules McCombe Saml. Abernethy Bangor Jas. Caldwell Robt. Porter Andw. Craig David Taggart llobt. Acheaon Jolin Wightman Josiah Ker John Arnold John Watson John Girvin Jas. Young Jas Savage John Bankhead Robt. Agnew Jos. Carson Wm. Read 234 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Minrs. Wm. Wilson Dr. McDowel Hugh Moore Jas. Horner Elders. Minrs. Elders. Dublin Alexr. Gordon B.mena. Chas. Brown Jas. Logan Jas. Cuming Kobt. Craig Thos. Henry John Risside Hen. Henry Robt. Mecom Alexr. Montgomery Jas. Kirk Wm. Hamilton David Allen Henry Millar Wm. Ramsay Hugh Delap Francis Dill Saml. Dill L.kenny. John Tays Jas. Culbert John Crawford Wm. Moorhead James Ker Andw. Millar Wm. Johnston Jas. Davison Josias Gamble Clogher. Saml. King Geo. Irvine Thos. Coote Root. Robert Thomson Wm. Lynd Hugh McClelland Eobt. Rentoul Jas. Elder Matt. Elder Alexr. Martin Archd. FuUerton James Brown John Glasco Saml. Livingston Jas. Hamil David Mearns Monaghan. John Davys Matt. Trimble John McCurdy Jos. Deiiliam Jas. Whiteside Henry Mcllree Jas. Gouday Jas, Morrell John Thomson Alexr. Barry Jas. Todd Thos. Kinnier Antrim. Foot Marshal Dr. Bruce Jas. Neilson Matt. Smyth Henry Joy One Elder from each Congo" to vote at this meeting Report of Commissni Upon Two Elders being returned by the Cong°° of Derry it was moved, that only one Elder, from any Cong°°, shall be allowed to vote at this meeting. Upon this the previous Question was moved, " Shall this motion be put ? " The Roll was called, and it carried, "Put." The original motion was then carried by a considerable majority. This Synod having been called by the Moderator for the purpose of receiving the Report of the Commissioners appointed at our last meeting to communicate with Government, The said Commissioners now gave in their Reports at considerable length. Session concluded morning at 7 o'clock. with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow 2^ Session Thursday Morning, 7 o'clock, after prayer. Oommission dissolTed The Synod having heard the Reports of the Commissioners it was moved & unanimously agreed to, that the Commission be now Dissolved, & it is hereby Dissolved accordingly. AT LURGAN, OCTOBER 8TH, isOO. 236 Resolved, that -when the Moderator shall receive an official when the Synod Communication from Lord Castlereagh containing an Arrangement of the Plan on which Government propose to grant a farther Provision to the Clergymen of this Body ; He shall again call together the Synod & lay the same before them. Moved & unanimously agreed to, that a letter shall be written to wrltte"to°Lord Lord Castlereagh, Expressive of the high Sense which we entertain of Oaatiereagh his Lordship's Attention to the Interests of this Body, and of our most anxious wish that his Lordship would exert his Influence to Obtain that any addition, which the wisdom & Liberality of Government might see fit to make to our Bounty may be granted on Terms similar to those on which we at present enjoy their favour. And that a Committee consisting of a Minister & Elder from each Presbytery, be appointed to prepare the same. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till 12 o'clock. 3<^ Session Thursday 12 o^ clock after Prayer. The Committee having produced a letter to the purpose above mentioned, It was read, & unanimously approved, And it was also unanimously agreed, that the Moderator & D' Birch do present the said letter to his Lordship. The letter is as follows : — My Lord, We the Ministers & Elders of the Gen. Synod of Ulster ^^® J;fg^^t' J '^ regularly convened for the purpose of taking into consideration the the Moderator Report of our Commissioners who were appointed to commuuicaie with ^ ^^ ^^"^"^ your Lordship relative to the Intention of Government, of making a farther Provision for the ministers of this Body, cheerfully embrace this opportunity of conveying to your Lordship, our sincere & warm acknowledgments, for your Lordships persevering Attention to our Interests. At the same time we beg leave to assure your Lordship that it is the anxious Desire of this Body, clearly ascertained in a meeting unusually full & particularly distinguished by the number and re- spectability of its Elders, that whatever addition the wisdom & Liberality of Government shall be pleased to make to the present Bounty, may be conferred on Terms similar to those on which former Grunts have been enjoyed. And from your Lordships Knowledge of the Principles of Presbyterians we rely with the firmest Confidence that your Lordship will use your most active Exertions in promoting our wishes. Signed by order JOHN BANKHEAD, Mod'. 238 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD It was moved & agreed to, that our Moderator & D' Birch be instructed when they wait upon Lord Castlereagh to request that his Lordship will use his Influence for adopting some plan, for enabling use to raise money for the purpose of repairing our Houses of Worship. The Moderator concluded the Synod with Prayer. Inserted 24t'» October 1800 by ROBERT DICKSON, Clerk of Gen. Synod. AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, isoi. m A Gen. Synod at Lurgan, 30 June 1801. M' Bankhead, the Moderator of the former Synod opened this by preaching from 1 Peter 1, 2. Then constituted it by Prayer. After which appeared from the several Presbyteries the following members, viz. from : — Minri. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Armagh Presb. Droraore — continued. Robert Dickson Thos. Cuming Nath. Shaw Wm. Charleton Jas. Bankhead John Thorn Leond. Dobbin Wm. Kyle Wm. McAnally Wm. Herron Isaac Wm. Gtlenny Strabane. Wm. Dunlop Derry. Young Black Dr. Dr. Hugh Brooke Wm. Cunningham Henry Elder Richd. Dill Jas. Canning Matt. Culbert David Hamilton Jamea Allison T. Patrick. John Bankhead John Savage Adam Hill Robert Orr Robert Thomson Thos. Alexander Robert Campbell Nath. Alexander Jas. Patten John Parker Robt. Dickey Alexr. Montgomery Robt. Stewart Dromore. Magee Wm. Wm. Fletcher Jas. Waddell John McClelland Joseph Patterson John Mcllwaine John Hazlet Thos. McCartney John Moore, Esqr. Isaac Patrick Robt. McClure Saml. Barber Jaa. Birch John Thomson Joseph Hay Dr. Little John Sherrard Francis Turretine Geo. Galbraith Robt. Elliot Wm. Swan Jas. Porter Thos. Brown Joa. Chambers John Bankhead Belfast. Sinclare Kelburn Joseph Harrison Wm. Whitla Wm. Steel Saml. Hanna Hercules McCombe Saml. Watson Dr. Lowry James McCuUough Henry Simson Robert Lockhart Jas. Riddell John Hunter Bangor. James Cochran Andw. Craig James Sinclair David Taggart Robt. Acheson Josiah Ker John Watson John Arnold Wm. Moreland Hamilton Dobbin Thos. Brown Dublin Presb. No member present B.meua. James Cuming Thos. Henry Jas. Moore Henry Henry Nath. Owens Alexr. Montgomery Wm. Hamilton Dr. Patrick Benjn. Mitchel Nath. Boyd Thos. Kinnier Andw. Read 338 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Minis. Elders. Minrs. Elders. L.kenny. James Delap Hugh Delap Francis Dill James Houston Saml. Dill Thos. Kernachan Victor Motherwell Clogher. Andw. Millar Wm. Johnston Josias Gamble Chas. Stewart Root. James Elder Alexr. Martin Archd. Fullerton James Brown John Glasgow Antrim. Dr. Bruce Jas. Wonal Joseph Osborne John Sweeny Monaghan. Thos. Stewart Matt. Trimble Robt. Montgomery Jas. Gibson John McCurdy Joseph Denhara James Whiteside James Goudy Hen. Mcllree Saml. Kidd James Morell James Wilson Tyrone. Moses Hogg Robt. Hogg James Whiteside Wm. Stitt Wm. Moore Hugh Boylan Thos. McCay James Adams John Davison Wm. Read Robt. Stewart Hugh White Robt. Love Robt. Smyth Modr chosen Order to Presb" Comte* of Acct» Order to •aid (Joint«e M' Bankhead having moved that another Mod"^ be chosen to this Synod, the following Brethren were named, viz. Rev"* Mess" Savage, Hay, Harrison, Craig, Cuming, Ja^ Delap, Johnston, Brown, Stewart, & Hogg. The Roll was called & M' Hay chosen. M' Dickson continued Clerk. The Several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night & to prepare Lists to be given to the Clerk of the Synod to-morrow morning, of their members for the Several Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, and Gen. Synods fixed Comt^®. An account of such Ministers as have died, been Ordained, or Installed ; and of such Candidates as h^ve been Licensed, or entered on Tryals since last Gen. Synod. An Account of Annuitants on the fund. Of any that have died ; and of the time when such did Die. Also of such women as have been wives of ministers & are not on the fund. The following members were returned by the several Presbyteries as a Committee to inspect the accounts of our Agent, viz. E.ev^ Mess" Ja^ Bankhead, W" Dunlop, Rich-^ Dill, Rob* Thomson, John Thomson, Joseph Harrison, David Taggart, W" Hamilton, Hugh Delap, W" Johnston, Ja^ Elder, James Goudy, & W™ Moore. They are to meet in the Vestry Room to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Any Member may attend to give, or receive Information, but not to vote. Ordered, That said Comt^* do report to the Interloq' the amount of the Capital of the Widows fund, with the Annual Interest arising from the same. The number of Contributers to the fund, & AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, isoi. 239 the sum by them contributed during the last year. Also the number of Annuitants on the fund, and the sum due, & payable to them from P* Jan-^ ]800 till P« Jan'^ 1801. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. 2<^ Session W'edjiesdmj Morning 10 o'clock after prayer. Returns were made by the several Presbyteries of their members for the several Comf"^'. Also the following Eeports. Armagh Presb. report, That on 5*^ Aug. last they ordained in the Ordained Cong°° of Newry, the Rev"^ John Thorn, who is a Coutributer to the widows fund. That they have on first Tryals M"^ Moses Chambers ; On the fund M" Ferguson, M""" Sloan, M" Bryson, & family of M"" Jackson Not on the fund M"^' Moody. B.mena Presb. report, That on 12 Nov' 1800 they ordained at ordained Ballymoney, M"" Benj° Mitchel who is not a Contributer to the widows fund. That on 23'* June 1801 they ordained at Clogh M' Thos. Kinnier, who is a Contributer to the widows fund. And that they have on the fund M" Brown, M" Eankin, & M" Lindsay. Bangor Presb. report. That M" Rob' Jackson died on S**" June. Dead That they have on the fund M" Warnick, M" Jackson, M'' Hull, M" Bryson, M" Dobbin, M'^ Patterson, & M>-= Porter. That M' Knox Dead died on 22"* March last. That M' Wightman was removed from Moira Removed to Hollywood, in the bounds of the Presb. of Antrim. And that M"" Hamilton Dobbin, who was licensed according to Synodical Regulations since kst SynoH, was ordained at Moira on IQ^^ June, & is a Contri- Ordained buter to the widows fund. Monaghan Presb. report. That they ordained the Rev'* Ja' Wilson Or.iiined at Corboy on S'*" March last, who is a Contributer to the widows fund. That they have Installed the Rev^ Henry M^Ilree at Keady. Have installed entered on second Tryals M' Gibson. On first Tryals Mess" John Whiteside, & Arthur Wiodram ; and have on the fund M'* Warnock, M" Fleming, M" Smyth, & M" Sprat. Clogher Presb. have on the fund M" Mulligan. Derry Presb. report. That they ordained at Cumber, on 14"" Sepf Three ordained last M' James Allison, Also on 2"* Dec'' last at Gleadermot M' W"" Monteith, and at Taughboyne, M"" Matt. Herron, on 2"* June. All Contributers to the widows fund. That M"" Scott resigned his Pastoral Resig:ned Charge of the Cong°° of Donagh, through Bodily Infirmity. And that they have on the fund M" Walker, Sen' & Jun', M'* Patten, & family of M' Sam' Patten. 240 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Ordained Installed Dead Ordained Dead Ordained Ordained Two dead T.patrick Presb. report. That they ordained the Rev^ Alex* Montgomery at Glenarm, on 1 7*'' March last, who is a Contributer to the widows fund. And that they have on the fund M'^ Dunbar, M'' White, M" Cowan, & M" Gibson. Dromore Presb. report, That they Installed the Rev^ John M<'Ilwaine at Morne, on 23'^ Dec' last who subscribed the "W. Conf. of Faith, & is a Contributer to the widows fund. That M' Jackson died on i 7"^ Jan"^ last. That they have licensed M' Tho^ Malcomson according to Synodical Regulations, who subscribed the W. Conf. of Paith. And that they have on the fund M'= Neilson, M" Strong, M'" M<=Combe, & M" Thomson. Belfast Presb. report. That on B^ Sept"^ last they ordained in the Cong°° of Drumbo M'' James Riddell who subscribed the W. Conf. of Paith and is a Contributer to the widows fund. That on first Tuesday of May last they licensed M"" Andrew Goudy, who also subscribed the W. Conf. of Paith. And that they have on the fund M."^ Kinkead, M-^^ Kennedy, M" M'^Ewen, & M" Rowan. Root Presb. report, That they have on the fund M" Gaston, M" Smylie in the Isle of Man, M» Elder, M" Smyth, M" Hamilton, M'^ Davis in America. M" M^Mullan, M'"' Simson, M" Cameron, & family of M'" Douglas. That they have licensed Mess" Cha^ Kennedy & John Syms. Have on first Tr jals M' Solomon Brown ; and on second Tryals Mess" Cha= Kennedy & Sam' Caldwell. Tyrone Presb. report, that the Rev"* W™ Kennedy died on 9'^ April last, leaving a family. That on first Tuesday of May last they ordained at Coagh M' Cowan, who subscribed the usual formula & is a Contributer to the widows fuiid. That they have licensed according to Synodical Regulations Mess" Boyle, & Caldwell, who subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith. Have admitted to first Tryals M' Duncan ; and have on the fund M''^ Peebles, M" Duffin, M" Todd, M" Smyth, and families of Mess^^ Murray, M'^Clelland, Whiteside & Kennedy. Dublin Presb. report, That none have died, been ordained or Installed, none Licensed or entered on Tryals. That no widow resides in their Bounds, & refer to the Presb. of Letterkenny respecting M"^" Caldwell, but believe she is still living. L.kenny Presb. report, That they have entered on Tryals M"^ W™ M^Crea ; and that they have on the fund M" Delap, & families of Mess" Marshal & Holmes. Strabane Presb. report, that they ordained the Rev"^ W™ Porter in the Cong°° of Newton Limavaddy as Colleague to the Rev^ Joseph Osborne, on 2^ Aug. 1799, who proposed being a Contributer to the widows luad, under the Regulations of Synod in such cases. That the Rev** Joseph Osborne died on 17*^'' SepL' 1800 leaving a family. That the Rev^ Rob* Neilson died on 8^^ April last. And that they have on the fund M" Torbet, M" Coulter, & family of M' Osborne. AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, 1801. 241 Gen. Synods fixed Comt*^ for the year 1801. Presbs. Minrs. Armagh, Mess" Cuming & Shaw • Bangor, ,, Craig & Acheson B.mena, ,, Montgomery & T. Henry Monaghan, ,, Trimble & Whiteside Clogher, ,, Johnston & Davison Df Young & Df Black Orr & Thomson Thomson & Sherrard M«Cullough & Whitla Brown & Glasgow Hogg & M«Kay Ja' Delap & Ja* Houston Hemphill & Porter Derry, T.patrick, Dromore, Belfast, Root, Tyrone, L.kenny, Strabane, >> j> }) These with an elder from each Presbytery & our Moderator & Clerk are to meet at Lurgan, when called by the Mod' on any Emergency, Fifteen to be a Quorum, of whom Twelve at least are to be ministers. Upon reading the minute of last year, respecting the Mod" of Order to the the Presbs. of B.mena, & Belfast & others cot in the Habit of attending l'^^lf^°l Synod, writing to the members of their respective Presbs. on this strabane subject it appeared, that with this lajuaction the Mod" of Belfast & B.mena had complied, & their conduct was accordingly approved. It not having been observed, however by the Presb. of Strabane, not one of whose members was present, at last meeting, & the Presb. of Dublin not having a single member present at this meeting, It was moved & agreed to, that the members of these Presbyteries be enjoined to attend, or apologize Individually at next meeting for their conduct in this respect. M' Thomson of T.Patrick Presb. as Mod' of the Comt*'' appointed Report from at last Synod to meet at Magherafelt on the Business of M' Mitchel ^^VS'eit*' & the Cong"" of Ballymoney, reported that they met, & issued the ^ff lirs on which they were appointed. 242 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Motion respecting Elders adjourned Keady Synod to meet Moved, That the next meeting of Synod shall be held at Cooks- town on the last Tuesday of June 1802. It was also moved that Lurgan be the place of meeting. The Question was accordingly put " Cookstown or Lurgan '? " The Roll being called, it carried " Cooks- town." Divine Service to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. In settling the above Question a Piscussion arose concerning the Presb. of Antrim & their Elders having a right to vote which Discus- sion terminated in the affirmative. It was afterwards moved, '* That Elders may sit, speak & vote on all Questions of Interloq' whatever." To this motion it was moved as an amendment, " That Elders may sit, speak, & vote on all Questions, those relating to the widows fund excepted." The farther Discussion of this Business was deferred till to-morrow immediately after Breakfast. Upon reading the minute of last year respecting the Cong"" of Keady paying all accounts due to the Probationers of Tyrone Pres- bytery, it appeared, that the Cong*° had not paid the said accounts in full. After some Investigation into the Particulars of this Business the Synod ordered that the Cong°° of Keady do immediately pay into the Hands of M' Boylan the sum of £2 8s 9d, as yet remaining due to the Probationers of Tyrone Presbytery. Upon reading the Overture, of last year, ordering Returns to be made by every Presbytery, of the number of Pamlies & Stipend of each Cong°" within their Respective bounds. It was moved & agreed to, that by that Overture this Synod is not to be understood as having expressed any sentiment in favour of Classes. It appearing that the Order of Synod of last year, respecting the settlement of Accounts, between M"^ M'llree & the Cong*"^ of Vinecash, had not been Obeyed, it was moved & agreed to, that. Mess" Tho' Cuming, John Sherrard & John Hazlet be appointed a Comt^* to meet at Portadown, on the last Thursday of July Inst, who are impowered to settle all accounts, in Question, and that their Decision shall be final. On reading the minute of the pro r« natd meeting of the Synod on 8'^ Oct' last which declares, ''that only one Elder from any Cong*° shall be allowed to vote at that meeting." It was moved & seconded, " That Collegiate Charges may send an Elder with each Minister to the Judicatories of this Church " The Question was put " May they send or Not ? " The Roll being called it carried *'they may send," by a large majority. R^P^Jtof the The late Mod' reported, that He, & D"^ Birch waited on Lord D' Birch Castlcreagh according to appointment & delivered to his Lordship the Synods letter. That his Lordship received them with much Politeness : said he would always be happy to attend to the Interests of the Presbyterian Body ; & that with respect to the Objects comprehended in the Synods letter, his Majesty's Ministers had determined on two points J the one that they would not make any farther Provision for Comto« to meet at Portadown to settle the afifairs at Vinecash Collegiate chargss may send an Elder with each minister AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, isoi. 243 Presbyterian Ministers on the present plan ; and that when they did enter on that measure, unequal Destribution would make a part of the plan. The late Mod' also produced a letter from Lord Castlereagh which was read & is as follows : — Ipswich June 13. Sir, The Change which has taken place in his Majesty's Councils Letter from will, I trust, explain to you, why I have felt myself precluded oastiereagh from making to you as Moderator of the Synod, the Communications which I promised, at our last Interview and which nothing but the event above alluded to, could have delayed. I have in Obedience to Lord Cornwallis's commands fully explained to his Majesty 8 Ministers, of both countries, what had already passed on this Subject ; and in doing so I have used my best Endeavours to impress their minds in the strongest manner as well with the general Expediency of the measure, as with the Assurances which the Synod had received from their Predecessors relative to its speedy accomplish- ment. I earnestly & Anxiously hope, that the Decision of his Majesty s Confidential Servants, will ultimately accord with the purpose which Lord Cornwallis's Government had so much at Heart, and which he flattered himself, (as a part of a General System) would have proved of equal Advantage to the State & to the Dissenters, by ameliorating the Circumstances and Situation of their Clergy. I beg Sir through you to assure the Synod, that I shall feel the same desire in my Individual Capacity to promote the true Interests of their Body, which I very sincerely entertained, when I had the Honor of being employed in his Majesty's Service, and that they may always very freely command my best exertions. I have the Honor to remain Sir with much Respect Your faithful & obedient Serv* CASTLEREAGH. Resolved unanimously, that a letter of thanks be written to Lord Thanks to Lord Castlereagh, expressive of our Gratitude to his Lordship for his unre- Oastiereagh mitting attention to our Interests, and that D' Black, D' Little, & Mess" John Bankhead, John Thomson & Tho' Cuming do prepare the same. It was also unanimously Resolved, that the Thanks of this Synod Thanks to the be returned to the Right Honb'* the Atf' General for his favourable •^"'' "^""''' Intentions & kind Interference respecting the Interests of this Body, in a letter signed by the Moderator, and that D' Black & Mess" Barber, Birch, Acheson, & Hugh Delap do prepare the same. 244 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD The several Committees are ordered to meet to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morn- ing at 10 o'clock. The adjourned motion respecting Elders carried in the affirmative Protest against the above Decision Keady Maghera S«* Session Thursday Morning 10 o'clock, after Prayer. The amended motion referred to the consideration of this forenoon, viz. " That Elders may sit, speak, & vote on all Questions, those relating to the widows fund excepted," having undergone a long Discussion, it was at last moved, that the previous Question be put upon the motion. The Roll being called, the previous Question was negatived. The Roll was then called upon the amended motion, which was carried in the Affirmative. Against this Decision the following members protested promising to give their Reasons in due time, viz. John Thomson, Tho* Cuming, Sinclare Kelburn, Tho^ M*=Kay, & others. A supplication was presented from that part of the Cong"" of Keady heretofore known under the Denomination of the minority, praying to be erected into a separate Cong°°. After considerable Deliberation, it was moved, & unaminously agreed to, that inasmuch, as a standing law of the Synod prohibits any Cong°° to be erected at the meeting at which it is first proposed, the Presb. of Tyrone be ordered to grant them supplies as they may see fit, till next meeting of Synod. A supplication was presented from a part of the Cong"" of Maghera, praying that the Synod would either put a stop to the ordination of the Rev^ Cha' Kennedy in that Cong°° or should this supplication not be complied with, to erect supplicants into a separate Congregation. It was moved & unanimously agreed to, that the whole of this Business be dismissed. Session concluded morning at 7 o'clock. with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow 4*^ Session Friday Morning 7 o'clock, after Prayer. Annual Address It was moved and unanimously agreed to, that a Comt*° be wider TuT^'^ annually appointed to draw up an Address to the People under our Pastoral Caie Pastoral Care recommending & enforcing the Practice, of Piety & Morality ; and that Mess" Birch, Millar, Denham, D' Little, & Tho' Henry, be the Comt^® appointed for this year. The protesting Brethren now gave in their Reasons of Protest which were read & are as follow : — We protest against the Admission of Elders to vote on this Question Because we deem it Incompatible with every Idea of Propriety, that AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, 1801. 246 men should be Judges in their own cause, & assume a Privilege, ^«*?°"8 °' . which they have never enjoyed ; Such Procedure is contrary to the the Decision practice of every publick Body ; whether Ecclesiastical or Civil ; p,ff/ri' voting in A dangerous Innovation Inconsistent with the Government of our affairs of the Church ; & tending to establish a precedent, which may be most ^'^' destructive in its Consequences. We Protest against the Decision of the Question which has now taken place. 1. Because the ministers of this Synod & of the Presbytery of Antrim have no absolute Right in themselves, but enjoy the Piivilege of directing the Application of the Royal Bounty, from the Courtesy & Indulgence of Government only, and therefore cannot, without the greatest impropriety permit the Interference of another class of men, who were never intended by the Donors to have any voice or Authority in its management, and Application. 2 Because the ministers of the Gen. Synod & Presb. of Antrim are competent to manage their pecuniary concerns, in which Elders have never hitherto shewn any Desire to Intermeddle; & which we are pers waded, the greater part of them, have no inclination to engage in, and which may be abused to the purposes of a party spirit, to serve the Interests of Individuals, Inconsistent with the General Interest. 3. Because we deem it Inconsistent with the office of Elders who attend our Judicatories as church officers, to reguhite, whatever relates to the Discipline, worship, & Government of the Christian Church, but not to assume, a power over the Property of others, whether ministers or Laymen. 4. Because the Introduction of such a measure at the present Juncture creating an unnecessary change in the Constitution of this Assembly, is pecularly unwise, and may materially affect the Interest, Prosperity & Tranquillity of the Presbyterian Body. 5. Because the measure so far as it proposes to separate the management of his Majesty's Bounty, & of the widows fund is Im- practicable ; And if Elders interfere in the Application of the former, out of which the subscriptions of ministers to the latter are defrayed, the support of the fund, must depend upon the controul of men, who are acknowledged on all sides to have no concern in its Interests ; and the Institution must be exposed to the hazard of being injured ; or it may be, in time wrested from its original Purpose. 6. Because the Question has, in our Opinion, been urged with unbecoming haste, in opposition to our earnest Desire, that it might be deferred until next meeting of Synod, when the several Cong"" in its Bounds, as well as the ministers now absent, & who never thought of the present Discussion would have an opportunity of expressing their sentiments on a Subject Novel in its nature & introduced without that previous & timely notice which its magnitude demanded. Signed John Thomson, Robert Black, And"^ Craig, Hugh Brooke, Joseph Denham, Tho" M<=Kay, David Taggart, Tho' Cuming, Matt. Trimble, 246 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD David Young, And™ Millar, James M^Cullough, Josias Gamble, Josiah Ker, Joseph Harrison, Sinclare Kelburn, James Canning, W^ Dunlop, James Brown, Altx"^ Martin, Arch^ Fullerton, D-ivid Hamilton, Moses Hogg, Alex'' Montgomery, of B.mena Presb,, Hugh Delap, Matt. Culbert, James Delap, W" Johnston. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. 5'* Session Friday, 10 o'clock, after Prayer. Mr Smyth It was moved & unanimously agreed to, That the Resolution suspending the payment of the R.D. to M' Smyth be rescinded. Address to the Moved & unanimously agreed to that the following Address be transmitted to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant. TO HIS EXCELLENCY PHILIP EARL HARDWICKE LORD LIEUTENANT GENERAL, & GENERAL GOVERNOR OF IRELAND. May it please your Excellency We his Majestys Dutiful & Loyal Subjects the Presby- terian Ministers & Elders of the Gen. Synod of Ulster, embrace with pleasure this Opportunity, which our stated Annual meeting affords, us to express to your Excellency, the sense which we entertain of his Majesty's Goodness, in appointing to the Government of this country a Nobleman of your Excellency's high Character & the Representative of a family long distinguished for wisdom & virtue. Your Excellency's Attachment to the best Interests of this country has been evinced at a Period when everything Dear & valuable to its Inhabitants was in Danger ; & we are confident that the same Regard to its Interests, will continue to adorn your present exalted station & ensure the Blessings of Protection, Prosperity, & Peace to this Portion of the United Empire. We beg leave to renew to your Excellency our Declarations of Loyalty & Attachment to the Person & Government of our beloved Sovereign, for the compleat & Happy Re- establishment of whose Health we are sincerely Grateful to Divine Providence, and we humbly beg that your Excellency may have the Goodness to represent these our Dutiful & Loyal Sentiments to the Father of his People. Signed in our name & by our Appointment JOSEPH HAY, Mod'. Moved & agreed to, that the Moderator transmit the above Address to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant & inform him that if his Excellency shall have any Communications to make to the Synod, He AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, 1801. 247 may have the Goodness to make them through him as Moderator, and that he will lay them before this Body. Resolved that the following letter be transmitted to Lord Castle- clsUeVeagh''^ reagh, in answer to his Lordships letter to our late Moderator. Lurgan July 1" 1801. My Lord, Your letter to our late Moderator of the 13*'' ult. was laid before us at our present meeting. While we regret that the late change in his Majesty's Councils hath deprived us of your Lordships official exertions, & delayed a measure which you have cherished with steady teal, we feel ourselves impressed with the most sincere sentiments of Gratitude to your Lordship for your aflFectionate expressions of Kindness & your unre- mitting attention, while you continued in office, to our real Interests. Whatever may ultimately be the success of a measure so conducive to the Interests of the Presbyterians of Ireland, we are proud that this measure originated under the Administration of the Marquis Cornwallis, a Nobleman whose Character we Reverence & love, & whose virtues shall long remain engraven upon our memories. To him & to your Lordship we are sincerely Grateful, for the pains which you have taken in explaining to his Majesty's Ministers, what has already passed on the subject of the Augmentation of the Royal Bounty, and for recommending the measure to their considera- tion & Adoption; a Recommendation which we are confident must have its due weight, and of which we already feel the favourable Effects. For your Lordship's Assurances of Friendship in your Individual Capacity, we beg you to accept our warmest thanks. We wish to open a CommuQication (through our Moderator the Rev^ Joseph Hay near Newry) with the present Administration of this country j and hope through your Lordships Exertions co-operating with those of other friends, whether of the late or present Administration, that a measure 80 Important to the Comfort & Respectability of the Presbyterian Clergy as well as to the People under their care, will ere long be brought to a favourable Issue. At the same time we beg leave to remind your Lordship of the sentiments which we expressed to you in our letter of the 8"* of October last, with respect to an unequal Destribution of the projected Augmen- tation ; and with utmost Defference to your Lordships Superior Judg- ment, we take the liberty of assuring you, that we continue in the same opinion on that subject. Signed in our name & by our appointment JOSEPH HAY, Mod'. 248 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Letter to the Attry General The following letter to the Right Honb'® the Att" General was read, approved, and ordered to be transnaitted by the Mod'. Sir, The Synod of Ulster has this day laid before them your very kind letter to M' Delap, & your no less obliging Communications to D' Black, for which they return you their Hearty & Sincere thanks. They are extremely obliged by your communicating to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, the Objects which Lord Gastlereagh had in view, relative to the Augmentation of the Royal Bounty ; and the expectations which the Synod had reason to form from his Lord- ships Intentions. The Synod is happy to learn that his Excellency will take into his consideration, the Assurances which were held out to the Synod by the late Administration, and Gratefully receive your friendly Communi- cations to them, that his Excellency is ready & Desirous, to forward the views & wishes of the Synod. The Synod is Happy to find, they have so Willing & Powerful an Advocate with Government, and request you may continue your good offices, in an affair, which has for its object the Interests & welfare of Presbyterians in general & of the Kingdom at large. Signed in our name & by our Appointment Lurgan 1 July 1801. JOS. HAY, Mod'. Notice of a motion A motion iiegativi d by the previous Question A Fast Day appointed Dr Dickson M' Hanna gave notice, that he intends on the next meeting of this Synod to move, That no member of Synod be its Agent. It was moved & seconded, that the yearly Sallery to be paid to our Agent, for conducting our money Business, shall be the sum of one hundred pounds, & that the mode of payment shall be by Bank Post Bills Quarterly, to each Individual. On this motion the previous Question was put & it carried, " Not," An Address to the People under the care of the Synod was read & Mess" John Bankhead, John Thomson, Robert Acheson, & Sam' Hanna, were appointed a Comf^® to take care of the printing & Destribution. The number of copies to be printed, fifteen hundred ; & the expence to be paid by the Agent. It was moved & unanimously agreed to, that a Day of Humiliation be observed in all the Cong°°^ under the care of the Synod, on the last Wednesday of July Inst., and if that day be inconvenient to any Cong°° that it be held on the day before or after. It was moved & unanimously agreed to, That as the peculiar Circumstances of D' Dickson do not seem to militate against any Rule of this Synod ; on his paying 40 shillings a year to our Agent & all arrears, he shall be continued a Contributor to the widows fund. AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, 1801. 249 At the Inter loq^. The Comt^® of Accounts report : — Com°« of Accounts That the Capital of the widows fund on P' June 1801 was .. .. ..£14278: 4: 3 Interest arising from the same last year . . £824 : 1 : 2 Number of Contributers 29'" Sepf^ 1800—175. Sum by them contributed for one year till that date ... .. .. £636: 4: 9 Number of Annuitants pt Jan'^ 1801—69. Annuities payable to them for one year till that date .. .. .. £1077: 9: 1 They examined the accounts of the R.D. from March Qu'^ 1800, till Dec' Qm^ 1800 inclusive; and also the Accounts of the widows fund from P' June 1800, till P' June 1801, and find them all accurate & fully satisfactory. JOHN THOMSON, Chairman. Lurgan 1 July 1801. Resolved that the Annuitants on the fund be paid this year seven- i7 pounds to teen pounds each. A letter from the Trustees of the widows fund was read, in which they recommend that the Ballance now in the hands of the Agent, be laid out in the purchase of Government Debentures. This agreed to, and our Agent instructed accordingly. Ordered that the sum of Ten Guineas be paid by the Agent to our loostocierk Clerk in compensation for his Extra Services in October last. services* Mess" John Bankhead & Tho^ Cuming were appointed to answer the letter of the Trustees. The Moderator concluded the Synod with Prayer. Inserted 26 October 1801 by ROBERT DICKSON, Clerk of Gen. Synod. 250 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A Gen. Synod at Goohtown, 29<'' June, 1802. M" Hay the Moderator of the former Synod opened this by preach- ing from 1. Thess. v. 21. Then constituted it by Prayer. After which were present from the several Presbyteries the following members, viz : — Minrs. Elders. Strabane Presb. Hugh Hamill Wm. Duulop Thos. Anderson Chas. Hemphill Wm. Porter Gabriel Holmes Patrick Hall James Lindsay Derry Presb. John Law Dr. Young Dr. Black Francis Gray Hugh Brooke Wm. Guyler Wm. Law Wm. Walker, Esqr. Isaiah Smyth Richd. Cunningham Wm. Cunningham Henry Elder John Cowan Richard Dill James Risk James Canning Matthew Culbert David Hamilton James Allison Wm. Monteeth Matthew Herron Robert Caldwell T. Patrick Presb. John Wright John Bankhead Adam Hill Robert Thomson John Murphy Thos. Alexander Robt. Compbell Nath. Alexander Adam Boyle David Forsyth Jas. Patten John Murphy Robt. Hussey Wm. Moore Alexr. Montgomery Philip Gibbous Dromore Presb. Isaac Patrick Saml, Barber James Birch John Thomson Joseph Hay Dr. Little John Sherrard John McClelland John McCance John Mcllw.ain Hamilton Dobbin John Finlay Saml. Caldwell Alexr. Cochran Thos. Brown Wra. Morrow Henry Dickson Wm. Wilson John Ewing John Hazlet Minrs. Elders. Belfast Presb. Samuel Patten Andrew Grier George Brydone Wm. AViiitla Samuel Hanna Samuel Watson John Mi! ford Dr. Lowry James McCuUough Andw. Goudy Hen. Simson Wm. Killpatrick James Riddell John Hunter Bangor Presb. James Cochran Andw. Craig James Sinclair David Taggart Robt. Acheson Josiah Ker John Arnold John Watson Wm. Moreland Dublin Presb. Dr. McDowel Hugh Moore Wm. McClure John Dickson John Menown Wm. Wilson James Horner B.mena Presb. Joseph Douglas Jas. Gumming David Park Robt. Christie Thos. Henry Henry Henry Wm. Hamilton Benjn. Mitchel Thos. Kinnier Henry Boyd John Gordon Wm. Rossborough Wm. Adams Robert Malcome Dr. Patrick Robt. McAfee Saml. Stephenson L.kenny Presb. Henry Millar John Holmes Wm. Ramsay Hugh Delap Wm. Houston Francis Dill James Houston Samuel Dill Andw. McCrea Thos. Elliot AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 29™, 1802. 251 Minrs. Elders. Minrs, Elders. Clogher Presb. Wm. Moorhead Andw. Millar James Ker Wni. Jolinston James Davison James Hall 15ooth Caldwell Josias Gamble Alexr. Irwin John Cowan Robt. Armstrong Wm. Smyth John Wilson Saml. Gamble Root Presb. Robert Thomson Wm. Lynd Hugh McClelland Robt. Rentoul Jas. McFavIand James Elder Matt. Elder Daniel Blair Alexr. Martin Archd. Fullerton John Smyth Jas. Brown Daniel Makee Clias. Kennedy Jas. Boyle Wm. Glen Wm. Hill James Morrison Jas. Watt Thos. Grier Matt. Brown Robt. Barber Saml. Allen, Esqr. Hugh Rankin Saml. Donnaghy Matt. Woodburn John Martin James Ker Adam Hunter, Esqr. Wm. Ker Monaghan Presb. Matt. Trimble Robt. Montgomery Robt. Smyth John McCurdy Joseph Denham James Whiteside James Goudy Saml. Kennedy Henry Mcllree James Morell James Gibson John Wilkin Wm. Blair John Power Tyrone Presb. Moses Hogg dames Whiteside Wm. Stitt Wm. Moore Hugh Boylan Geo. Dougal Thos. McKay John Davison Wm. Read Alexr. Carson John Cowan James Jones Dr. Hamilton Jas. Magill Robt. Duncan Hugh White Andw. Harknesa Saml. Sinclair Gabriel Aiken Armagh Presb. Robert Dickson Thos. Cuming Nath. Shaw Wm. Charleton Jas. Bankhead Wm. NeiLson John Thorn Henry Stirling Robt. Grier David McCombe Joseph Parks James Brown Antrim Presb. Putt. Marshall Robt. Neilson James Neilson Joseph Osborne John Wightman Dr. Dickson an Honorary Member Elders from vacant & planted Congregations. Stewartstown Garland Moira Skreegan Clare CastleDawsou Larne John Alexander Joseph Howard Robt. Crawford Alexr. Deans Robert Boyd Matt. Kevin George Hay M' Hay having moved that another Moderator be chosen to this Modr Synod, the following Brethren were named, viz. Uev'' Mess" Hamil, chosen D' Young, Hill, Sherrard, Brydone, Craig, Horner, Christie, Holmes, Moorhead, R. Thomson, R. Montgomery, Hogg, & Shaw. The Roll was called & M' Shaw chosen. M' Dickson continued Clerk. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, & to order to Presb« prepare Lists to be given to the Clerk of Synod to-raonow morning of their members for the several Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, & Gen. Synods fixed Coml'^*^. An account of such ministers as have died, been Ordained, or Installed j And of such Candidates as S252 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Comt" of Accounts Order to said Com tee have been Licensed or entered on Tryals since last Gen. Synod. An Account of Annuitants on the fund ; of any that have died ; & of the time when such did Die. Also of such women in their Bounds, as have been wives of Ministers, & are not on the fund. The following members were returned by the several PresV as a Committee to Inspect the Accounts of our Agent, viz. Eev'^ Mess" Dunlop, Elder, Alexander, Hay, Hanna, Arnold, Wilson, Christie, Kamsay, Johnston. Trimble, & Neilson. They are to meet in the Yestry Eoom to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Any Member may attend to give or receive Information, but not to vote. Ordered, That said Committee do report to the Interloq' the amount of the Capital of the widows fund, with the annual Interest arising from the same. The number of Contributers to the fund, & the sum by them contributed during the last year. Also the number of Annuitants on the fund & the sum due & payable to them from V^ January, 1801, till V^ January 1802. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Dead Dead Dead 2'^ Session Wednesday morning 10 o'clock after prayer. B,eturns were made by the several Presbyteries of their members for the several Committees. Also the following Reports. Armagh Presb. report, that the Eev*^ M^' Livingston of Clare died on 26 Feb. last, leaving a widow & children. That M"^^ Ferguson died on 27"" May last. That M" Bryson also died the time not known. That they have licensed according to Synodical Regulations M"^ Moses Chambers. And that they have on the fund M"^^ Sloan, M" Livingston, & families of M"^ Jackson & M' Bryson. Bangor Presb. report. That they have licensed M"^ "W" Wright according to Synodical Regulations. And that they have on the fund M'^ Warnick, M'^^ Jackson, W^ Hull, M^'^ Bryson, M" Dobbin, M'^ Paterson, & M" Porter. Derry Presb. report, That they have licensed M' James Marshal & entered on Tryals M'^ Hall. That they deposed from the ministerial office M"" John Irwin of Faughan for celebrating marriage contrary to the Order and Discipline of the Gen. Synod, on 4"^ Aug. last, & advertised his Deposition according to the Regulation of the Synod. And that they have on the fund M'^ Walker, Sen^' & Jun^ M"^" Patten, & family of M"^ Samuel Patten. Dublin Presb. report, That they have neither Licensed, Ordained nor entered on first Tryals any person, and that the widow of the late Rev^ Robert Rodgers of Longford resides within their Bounds. Clogher Presb. have on the fund M'^ Mulligan. Two dead 1^0°^ Presb. report, That M' Glasgo of Coleraine died on IS"* July Three ordained & M' Knox of Dunboe on 29*'' Aug. 1801. That they ordained Licensed Licensed Deposed AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 29™, 1802. 253 M' Cha' Kennedy at Maghera on 29*^^ July, W James Boyle at Dunluce on 1" Dec', and K^ Tho' Grier at Dunboe on 9'^ March last, all Contributers to the widows fund. That they have Licensed Licenaed M' Solomon Brown, and have entered on second Tryals M' John Whiteside. "Widows on the fund M" Gaston, M''" Smylie, M" Elder, M" Hamilton, M''^ Smyth, M" Davis, M'^ M'=Mullan, M™ Simson, M" Cameron, M" Glasgo, M'^ Knox, & family of M' Douglass. Monaghan Presb. report, That they ordained at Lissluney on Ordained S'** Aug. last, M' James Gibson who is a Contributer to the widows fund. Have Licensed according to Synodical Regulations, Mess'* John Licensed Whiteside & Arthur Windrum. And have on the fund M'^ Warnock, M" Fleming, M" Smyth, & M.'« Sprat. T. Patrick Presb. report, that on 4"" May last they deposed M' John Deposed Abernethy, formerly minister of Templepatrick, for celebrating marriage contrary to all Order, from every part of the ministerial Office. They also report that they have on the fund M""" Dunbar, M" White, M" Cowan, & M" Gibson. Belfast Presb. report, that the Rev'^ Sinclair Kelburn died on 31" Dead March last leaving a widow. And that they have on the fund M" Kinkead, M'^ Kennedy, M" M'Ewen, M'" Rowan & M'" Kelburn. Strabane Presb. have entered on first Tryals M' Jacob Scott, and have on the fund M" Torbet now residing in Scotland, M'* Coulter, & family of M' Osborne. B.mena Presb. have entered on first Tryals M' Killpatrick ; and Dead have on the fund M'* Brown, & M" Lindsay. M'"' Rankin died some time in February last. L.kenny Presb. report, That ihey have Licensed M' W" M^Crea. Licensed And that they have on the fund M" i)elap & families of Mess" Marshal & Holmes. Dromore Presb. report, That they Installed the Rev^ Hamilton installed Dobbin at Lurgan on 26'*' Jan'^ last. He is a Contributer to the widows fund. They have on the fund M" Neilson, M" Strong, M" M'=Combe, & M'= Thomson. They farther report, that they ordained the Rev"* W™ ordaincd Wright, Colleague to the Rev'' M' M<=Clure at Anahilt, on 24'" June. He subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith, and is a Contributer to the widows fund. Tyrone Presb. report. That M' Adams died on 26 Dec' last Dead leaving a widow & children. That they have licensed since last Licensed meeting of Synod Mess" And* M^Caldon, Arch"* Maharg, & John Duncan, who all subscribed the W. Conf. of Faith. And that they have on the fund M'= Peebles, M'^ Duffin, M^* Todd, M'^ Smyth, M'^ Adams & families of Mess" Murray, McClelland, Whiteside & Kennedy. 254 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYJNOD Qen. Synods fixed Committee for the year 1802. Presbs. Minrs, Armagh, Mess" Cuming & Bankhead Bangor, ,, Sinclair & Arnold Derry, ,, D" Young & Black Dublin, „ D-^ M^Dowel & Wilson Clogher, ,, Millar & Davison Root, ,, Rentoul & Brown Monaghan, ,, Trimble & Whiteside T.patrick, ,, Bankhead & Thomson Belfast, „ Whitla & Grier Strabane, ,, Dunlop & Porter B.mena, ,, Hamilton & Hen. Henry L.kenny, ,, Hu. Delap & Fran. Dill Dromore, ,, D"^ Little & M'. Hay Tyrone, ,, Stitt & More, Elders H. White & Ja" Magill These with an Elder from each Presb. & our Mod' & Clerk, are to meet at Cookstown, when called by the Mod'', on any Emergency, fifteen to be a Quorum, of whom Twelve at least are to be Ministers. Elders from ^^^ It was moved & Seconded, That Elders from all Congregations admitted to vote whether Vacant, or planted, shall be admitted to sit, speak, & vote, as members on all Questions which shall come before the Synod. After this motion had been argued at great length, the Question was put, "Admit or Not?" The Roll was called, and it carried " Admit." The several Committees are ordered to meet immediately. It was moved & agreed to, that D"^ Dickson be requested to sit as an Honorary Member, at this meetii^g. Svnodtompct ^^ "^^^ moved that Lurgan be the place of the Synods meeting at Cookstown next year. Monaghan & Cookstown were also named. The Roll was called & it carried to meet at Cookstown on the last Tuesday of June 1803. Sermon to begin at 5 o'clock Afternoon. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 29™, i802. 255 Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Third Session, Thursday morning 7 o'clock after Pratjer. A Letter from Lord Castlereagh, in answer to the Synod's Letter Ldo!8Uer"aKh of last year was read annum. The Particular Congregations of which each Class is respectively composed, to be hereafter named. In the amount of the above sum, the Royal Bounty, now received by the Protestant Dissenting Ministers, is of course included. The Bounty to be payable to each minister by the Agent appointed by Government, for the Distribution of his Majesty's Bounty upon a "Warrant specifying the names of the several ministers, to whom the same is respectively payable. The names of all Congregations to be included as of course in the Original Warrant : and the Bounty once granted in no case to be withdrawn from any minister during his continuance in the Charge of that particular Congregation, so long as it shall please his Majesty to continue the Bounty to the Body at large. Upon any Congregation becoming vacant, the Moderator of the Synod shall certify the same to the office of the Chief Secretary ; and upon the appointment of a minister to the Congregation, the minister so appointed shall transmit his memorial certified by the Moderator to the Lord Lieutenant desiring that a warrant may Issue granting to the memoralist the usual Bounty paid to the minister of the said Congre- gation. In case his Excellency shall see no reason to the contrary, a warrant in the usual form to Issue, entitling the minister named therein, to the Bounty, so long as he shall continue in that Congregation. The same proceeding to take place upon the removal of a minister from one Congregation to another, as upon his first appointment. The memorial to be accompanied by a Certificate signed by Two Magistrates, stating that the Memoralist has taken, & subscribed before them the oath of Allegiance. Moved by D' Black that an humble Address be presented to his Motion for an Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, to thank him for his kind Communica- Lord Lrciuenant tion of the Plan, on which his Majesty's Ministers were disposed to augment the Royal Bounty and to express our hearty & grateful Acceptance of the same. On this motion the previous Question was moved & argued at considerable length. At last the Roll being called on the Question " Put " or " Not ? " It carried " Put." The Original motion being then put, it carried in the Affirmative. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at half-past 6 o'clock. 8'^ Session Saturday morning half-past six o'' clock, after prayer. On reading the minute of yesterday, respecting the Address to the Lord Lieutenant, It was moved. That the Consideration of that Business 272 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD be adjourned till Tuesday se'nnight. After some Discussion the Question was put "Adjourn, or Not?" The Roll being called it passed in the Negative. Protest a-ainsb Against this Decision, the Rev** Henry Henry entered a Protest Reasons '^^' for the following Reasons : — 1 . Because I conceive our Heavenly Master has forbidden Classi- fication in his Church, and the Example of the only Synod recorded in the New Testament is in opposition to it. 2. Because the Synod refused to submit the Governament Plan of Classification with its Conditions to the Consideration of its respective Cong''°^ 3. Because Classified Churches are & have been the most venal of all others, generally surrounded with external Pomp & Luxury. 4. Because the Synod is Classified by a Power without itself viz. the Magistracy of the Country, who as such are not Church Governors, & therefore have no right to Classify this Synod. 5. Because the Conditions of the above Plan will at least Indirectly Intrench on the Privileges of Presbyterians relating to the Election & Emoluments of their Clergy, Henry Henry. Agreeably to D"" Blacks motion, an Address to the Lord Lieutenant was now produced, read, & unananimously agreed to, and our Moderator, D"^ M<=Dowel, D' Black, M' Shaw, & Adam Hunter, Esq'. an Elder, were appointed Commissioners to present the same to his Excellency. It is as follows : — TO HIS EXCELLENCY PHILIP EARL HARDWICKE, LORD LIEUTENANT GENERAL, & GENERAL GOVERNOR OF IRELAND. May it please your Excellency, "We the members of the Gen. Synod of Ulster beg leave to express our Warm & Grateful acknowledgements for your Excellencys kind Communication of the Intention of his Majesty's confidential Ministers, to advise his Majesty to augment the Provision for the Support of the Ministers of this Synod, according to a Plan which your Excellency has been so good as to submit to our Consideration. "We Entreat your Excellency to believe. That we are highly Sensible of the Generous, & Liberal Terms, on which his Majesty's Bounty is proposed to be extended; And that we shall accept the offered Kindness with a Gratitude proportioned to the value of the Gift. Signed in our name & by our order at Cookstown. 1" July 1803. THOS. HENRY, Mod'. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 28™, 1803. 273 Interloq^ Friday 4 o'clock afternoon. The Committee of Accounts report, That the Capital of the Widows fund 1" June 1803 was £14690 : 17 : 4 Comi"of Interest arising from the same List year . . £848 : 10 : 0 Accounts Number of Contributers 29"' Sept' 1802—179. Sum by them contributed for one year till that date .. .. .. £602: 15: 1 Annuitants on the fund 1«' Jan'^ 1803—78. Amount of Annuities payable to them at that date .. .. .. £1308 : 12: 7 That they examined the Accounts of the R.D. till Dec' Qu' 1802, Inclusive, and also the Accounts of the Widows fund till 1'' June 1803, & found them correct and satisfactory. SAMUEL HANNA, Chairman. A Letter from the Trustees of the Widows fund was read, stating Letter from the that the accounts of the fund had been examined & found correct. '"* ^ ^ That four Debentures in the 3| ^ Cents had been purchased agreeably to the Resolution of last year. That the number of Annuitants had encreased, but that no Inconvenience or Diminution of the Capital had taken place, tho' the Addition of consequence was very small viz., £68 : 5: 10. Ordered, that the Mod' do answer the letter of the Trustees. Mod- to answer it Saturday morning. D' Black reported, That agreeably to Order, he had paid the sum *•' Vonghan of fifteen Guineas to M' Vaughan. The minute of last year concerning Drumbo was read, and after DruniUo & Mr much Discussion, the Question was put, "Is M^ Riddell entitled to ^"'''''" E.D. or Not ? " The Roll being called it carried, " Entitled." It was then moved, That M' Riddell be entitled to R.D. from his Ordination ; on which the Roll being called it carried " Not." It was moved & unanimously agreed to, That the Resolution of Resolution of the vear 1794 " That only one equal Share of the Royal Bounty should ^''^^ '"^'"'''''"^ be allowed to each Congregation " be repealed. A memorial was presented from M" Barr. widow of M' Barr, ^"^*" formerly minister of Aloy water praying that this Synod would take her distressed state into their Charitable Consideration. After some Con- versation it was resolved, That our Agent he directed to pay her the sum of £75 : 0 : 0, out of the first R.D. which he shall receive. The Moderator concluded this Synod with Prayer. Inserted 2* Sept' 1803 by ROBERT DICKSON, Clerk of Gen. Synod. 274 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A Gen. Synod at Coohtoivn, 26 June, 1804, M"^ Henry, the Moderator of the former Synod opened this, by preaching from Matt, xxiii. 9, 10. Then constituted it by Prayer. After which were present from the Several Presbyteries the following members, viz. from : — Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Templepatrick Presb. Adam Hill Robert Orr Robert Thomson Robert Campbell Nath. Alexander Wm. McMaster Thos. Hyndman Dromore Presb. Saml. Barber James Birch John Thomson Dr. Little John Shenard John McClelland Alexr. Patterson John Mclhvaine John Hoey Gilbert Adams James McAdam John Brice Henry Dickson Jas. Clark Belfast Presb. Wm. Whitlaw Saml. Hanna Jas. McCullough Henry Simson James Riddell John Kilpatrick Thos, Moore Bangor Presb. James Sinclair David Taggart Robert Acheson Josiah Kerr John Arnold John Watson Wm. Moreland John Mulligan John Kelly Dublin Presb. Doctor McDowel James Horner Ballymena Presbytery. John Foster Alexr. Kirkpatrick James Cuming Alexr. Speer Thos. Henry Ballymena Presbytery — continued. Henry Henry Wm. Hamilton Benjamin Mitchel Jas. Kennedy Letterkenny Presb. David Allen Henry Millar John Holmes Wm. Ramsay Hugh Delap Francis Dill Saml. Dill Joseph Lytle, Junr. William Burke Alexr. Marshal Clogher Presb. James Kerr Andw. Millar Wm. Johnston James Davison James Hall Booth Caldwell Josias Gamble John Johnston Root Presb. Robert Thomson Robert Rentonl Matthew Elder Daniel Blair James Boyle Thos. Greer John Whiteside Solomon Brown John Giffen John Boylan David Kennedy Jas, Cooper Monagban Presbytery William Moore Matt. Trimble James Walker Saml. Kennedy James Gowdy Henry Mcllree James Morell Joseph Gibson AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26Th, 1804. 275 Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Monaghan Presbytery — contimied. Strabane Presb. James Gibson John Kelso Archd. Maharg Wm. Gray Robert Smyth Adam Henry Wm. Dunlop Charles Hemphill William Porter Tyrone Presb. Derry Presb. Dr. Dickson James Whiteside Wm. Moore Hugh Boylan Geo. Dongal Thos. McCa.y John Davison William Read Robert Stewart John Cowan Moses Chambers Henry McWilliam Doctor Black Francis Gray Wm. Cunningham Robert Caldwell Henry Elder Richard Dill Matt. Culbert James Allison AVm. Monteith Matt. Herron Andw. McCaldin Wm. Harkness Geo. Barton Wm. Dunlop John Sloan Josiah Fleming John Kennedy Gabriel George Alexr. Holmes John Mitchel Armagh Presbytery. Elders from vacant Congregations. Robert Dickson Dr. Neil son Thos. Cuming Nath. Shaw Wm. Charleton Wm. Neilson James Bankhead Henry Wier Wm, McClean John McMurry Dr. Hamilton Andw. McGowan Lurgan Dungannon Port Norris. M' Henry having moved, that another Moderator be chosen to this Modr chosen Synod, the following Brethren were named viz. Eev'^ Mess"^^ Hill, M'^Clelland, Hanna, Sinclair, Horper, Ja^ Cuming, Holmes, Kerr, Rentoul, Moore, Boylan, & Charleton. — The Roll was called & M"^ Horner, chosen. M'' Dickson, continued Clerk. cik. continued The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night & to Order to Presbs prepare Lists to be given to the Clerk of the Synod to-morrow morning of their members for the several Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, & General Synods fixed Committee. An account of such ministers as have died, been ordained, or Installed. And of such Candidates as have been licensed, or entered on Tryals since last General Synod. An account of the Annuitants on the Fund ; of any that have died ; and of the time when such did die. Also of such women in their Bounds as have been wives of Ministers & are not on the fund. The following members were returned by the several Presbs. as a Comtw of Committee to inspect the accounts of our Agent, viz. Rev"* Mess" John Thomson, Ja° Birch, Henry Simson, Josiah Kerr, Doctor M'^Dowel, Ja* Cuming, Hugh Delap, W" Johnston, Robt. Thomson, Root W" Moore, Monaghan, John Davison, W" Charleton, Francis Gray & JamesNeilson. They are to meet in the Vestry Room to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock; Any member may attend to give, or to receive Information, but not to vote. 276 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Order to s»id Coiut" Two ordained Ordained Retired 2 Licensed Two dead A widow dead Dead Ordered, That the said Committee do report to the Interloq' the Amount, of the Capital of the widows fund, with the Annual Interest arising from the same. The Number of Contributers to the fund, & the sum by them contributed during the last year. Also the number of Annuitants on the fund, & the sum due & payable to them from 1" Jan'' 1803 till T' Jan'^ 1804. Session concluded with prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Second Session Wednesday/ Morning, 10 o'clock, after Frayer. Returns were made by the several Presbyteries of their members for the several Comt^*^ Also the following Ueports. Monaghan Presb. report, That they ordained at Bailyborrough John Kelso, on T'^ of Feb'' last, & Arch"^ Maharg, at Stonebridge, on St** June Inst, both Contributers to the widows fund. And that they have on the fund M" Sprat, M" Fleming, M" Smyth, M^' Warnock, M" Montgomery, & M" Whiteside. L.kenny Prt sb. report, That they ordained the Eev^ "W™ Burke, in the Congregation of Rathmelton oq 20*^ June Inst. He is a Contributer to the Widows fund. They have on the fund M" Delap, M" Burke, & family of M' Holmes. Belfast Presb. report. That David Bennet, is under first Tryals, That they have on the fund M" Kinkead, M''» Kennedy, M" M"=Ewen, M" Rowan & M'^ Kelburn. B.mena, Presb. report, That they have entered on Tryals Mess" James Johnston, & — Kennedy. — Widows on the fund M" Brown, & M"^' Lindsay. Armagh Presb. report, That they have admitted to first Tryals M' Robert Neilson ; and that they have on the fund M"^* Sloan, M" Living- son, & family of M' Bryson. Not on the fund M" Moody. The Presb. of Clogher report, That M' Gamble, retired from the exercise of the ministerial functions in the Cong°" of Enniskillen on the first Tuesday of Feb'^ last. That they have on Second Tryals M' Ephraim Stephenson, preparatory to his Ordination. They have on the fund M'° Mulligan. Dromore Presb. report, That they have licensed Mess'* Moses Finlay & W™ M'^Growan, who subscribed the Confession of Faith. That M' John Smyth, died on 27"' of May last & left a widow & family. That M' Francis Turretine, died on 9"* of June Inst, being a Bachelor. That M" Neilson, widow of the Rev*^ Alex' Neilson, died on 9"' of April last. They have on the fund, M" Strong, M" M-^Combe, M" Thomson, M" Magee. M'» Hay, & M" Smyth. Strabane Presb. report, That M' Hamill died on 7"* of Dec' last leaving a widow & family. They have licensed M' Jacob Scott, & have on the fund M'= Coulter, M'= Torbet, M" Hamill & family of M' Osborne. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26™, 1804. 277 Derry Presb. report, That they licensed M"" John Hall to preach Licensed the Gospel the second of August last. They have on first Tryals M' John Mitchel. That M' Scott of Donagh died on first of Oct' last Dead leaving a widow & family. They have on the fund M" Walker, Jun', M-^" Patten, M" Scott, & family of M' Sam' Patton. Bangor Presb. report, That they have licensed according to Synodi- Licensed cal Begulations on the first Tuesday of Nov' last M' James Lunn, and that they have on the fund M" Warnock, M" Jackson, M" Hull, M" Bryson, M" Dobbin, M" Patterson, M" Porter & M" Cochran. Root Presb. report. That they have entered on Tryals M' Charles Gray. They have on the fund M'» Gaston, M" Hamilton, M" Smyth, M" Elder, M" Davis, M-^" M^MuUan, M" Simson, M" Cameron, M" Knox, M" Glascow, & family of M' Henry. T.patrick Presb. report, That they have entered on first Tryals M' W™ Moore, and have on the fund M." Dunbar, M" White, M.'' Cowan, M" Gibson, & family of M' Lewson. Dublin Presb. report. That they have licensed M' W" Burke who Licensed subscribed the West""' Conf. of Paith. That they have in their bounds, M" Rogers widdow of the late Rob' Rogers of Corboy County Longford. Tyrone Presb. report, That the Rev*^ W"" Stitt departed this life Dead on the first of Sept' last, leaving a widow & family. M'^ Todd died Widow dead on the sixth of Sept' last. They have on first Tryals M' Campbell & M' Black. They have on the fund M" Peebles, M'^ Smyth, M'* Adams, M'" Stitt, & families of M' McClelland, M' Kennedy & M' Hogg. General Synods fixed Committee for the year 1804. Presbs. Minrs. Monaghan, Mess" Trimble & Gowdy Letterkenny, ,, Hu. Delap & Fr. Dill Belfast, ,, Simson & Whitlaw B.mena, ,, Hamilton & Mitchel Armagh, ,, Cuming & Shaw Clogher, ,, Johnston & Davison Dromore, ,, Barber & Thomson Strabane, ,, Dunlop & Guilkie Derry, „ Dill & Monteith Bangor, „ Taggart & Acheson 278 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Presbs. Minrs. Root, Mess" Boyle & Matt. Elder T.patrick, „ Hill & Thomson Dublin, ,, Horner & Moore Tyrone, „ D' Dickson & M' Whiteside Committees to meet immediately. Adjourned till half-past twelve o'clock. Third Session Wednesday half-past 12 o'clock. Moved, that the time & place of our next meeting be now settled. Cookstown & Lurgan were put in nomination. The Roll was called & the vote was carried for Cookstown. The meeting to take place on the last Tuesday of June next. Divine Service to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. According to the order of last year the Presb. of Derry produced a Pastoral Address to the People under the Care of the Synod, which was read, considered, & approved of, & committed to the care of our Moderator to have fifty copies for each Cong°° printed & distributed without delay. And the Presb. of Templepatrick as being next in the Roll is ordered to prepare a similar Address for the ensuing year. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Fourth Session Thursday Morning, 10 o'clock after Prayer. Proclamation On reading the Overture of last year permitting Ministers to optional celebrate marriage, on one days Proclamation, it was moved & agreed to "that Proclamation be Optional." Against this Resolution D Protest against M'^Dowel entered his Protest & begged leave to assign his Reasons in r Motion The Regulations of last year & of 1785, respecting marriage being respecting' read the following farther Amendments were moved : — That any ad^urned till minister belonging to this Body who shall Join in marriage any man next Synod or woman, not under his particular Care, but belonging to the Pastoral Charge of some other minister of this Body, without the consent of the minister, or, in case of vacancy, of the Session, to which such Person or Persons may belong, shall for the first oflence be suspended ah officio, one month ; for the second, three months ; & for the third be degraded. And that no minister of this Synod shall on any account or under any pretext whatever, solemnize marriage between any man & woman, when either of the Parties, shall be a member of the Established Church, under the penalty of being for the first Offence suspended ab ofjicio for three months, and of being for the second Offence degraded. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26TH, 1804. 279 After a long Discussion it was moved &, unanimously agreed to, that the farther consideration of this subject be adjourned till next year. Moved, That it is the sense of this Synod that its members are in ^,°l^-°"Jg\^ duty bound to marry their Hearers without any pecuniary Charge marry their whatsoever. On this Motion the previous question was put & carried. Jjot put "'^*"*' M"^ Hanna gave notice, that at next meeting of Synod, he will niot'ioa°!y%r bring forward, a motion for prosecuting according to Law, for ii.imia celebrating Marriages, those persons who once were members of this Body but have been degraded. Agreeably to the notice of last year M' James Bankhead brought forward the following motion : — Whereas it appears, that our Laws respecting the Admission of j'°"°" "[^^^'^ men, not members of this Body, or Licentiates under its Care to officiate lespettingsuch for us, are too generally expressed to be of practical use, It is now "o^jf^adn^ttted^ enacted that no man, not a member of this Body, or a Licentiate under to preach in our its care (The Presbytery of Antrim & Southern Association excepted) P"ipits agreed to shall be permitted to officiate for us in our Congregations, until he shall first submit, his credentials to the Presbytery in whose bounds he wishes to preach & until he shall be approved of by the Presbytery. — And any Minister of this Body, violating this Law, shall for the first Ofi'ence be publickly rebuked by his Presbytery before his Congregation ; and for the second, be suspended ab officio, sine die. Prof cftcd The above motion agreed to. J^ M'^Dowel, dissented & signified his against by Dr Intention of producing his Reasons for protesting in due time. M<^Dowei Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morn- ing at 7 o'clock. 'o Fifth Session Friday Morning 7 o'cloch, after Prayer. It was moved & unanimously agreed to, that no Minister of this M'°" "ft '-o ^ „,,,, iijT i. o denvmd or exact Synod, shall on any account whatever, demand or exact money tor money for celebrating marriage, or Commute Proclamation for money. And it is '^^^^^^^l^^^ ordered that this Rule be read from the Pulpit in every Congregation, within the bounds of the Synod. D' Black, by order of his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, stated A9sistant >r * •• •• niiiiistsrs once for the Information of the ministers of the Synod, that it was his approved not to Excellency's dirction — " That when any Person shall be appointed as ''^ ^pjl' " Assistant to the minister of any Congregation with the view that " such Assistant shall succeed to said Congregation on the demise of " the said minister, the same Communication shall be made to his " Excellency as is directed in the Appointment of a minister to a "vacant Congregation ; and when his Excellency shall have approved " of the Appointment of such Assistant, no Communication of his " afterwards succeeding to the Cong°° shall be deemed necessary." 280 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD D' Black also, in pursuance of the Order of his Excellency, read the Instructions which he had received as Agent for his Majesty's Royal Bounty, an attested Copy of which he afterwards delivered to the Moderator, which is in Retentis. OVERTURES. students to be I. 1. That Students who intend to become Candidates for the previous to- ministry, shall be examined before their going to College by the going to College Presbyteries, in whose bounds they reside, of their skill in the Greek, Latin, & English Languages, Geography and Roman & Grecian History. 2. That the Books used for Examination in Latin & Greek, shall be Virgil, Horace, Salust & Cicero de Officiis; Greek Testament, Lucian, Epicteius, Homer, & Xenophons, Cyropaedia. 3. That the Presbyteries shall report to the Synod, at its Annual Meetings the names of such Students as they have examined & approved of. Three years 4. That no Candidate for the Ministry shall be received on Tryals study & a degree {q any Presbytery belonginj^; to this Synod, until he shall have produced afterwards two satisfactory Testimonials of his having studied in some regular Seminary years attendance of Learning at least three full sessions : of his having taken a Degree on Lfctures iii . t , i i i o • ? n i .. Diviniiy lu Arts : and afterwards attended lor two sessions ot nve months, at necessary least, each. Lectures in Divinity & during the same time, studied the Hebrew Language & Church History. 5. Should any Presbytery license any young man to preach the Gospel in violation of these Rules, such License shall be deemed null & void, & the Presbytery so offending subjected to the severe Censure of this Synod. It is understood, that these Regulations shall not affect any student, who may have at this date attended more than two sessions of College, provided the Regulations of 1770 for the admission of Candidates for the ministry on Tryals shall have been complied with. The above Regulations were considered & unanimously adopted accompanied with an Earnest Recommendation to all Students in Diviniiy, to pay particular attention to the Study of Elocution. II. That the sum paid to Probationers for supplying vacant Congregations under the Care of this Synod by Presbyterial appointment shall be for each Lords Day as follows : — Sum to be paid From every Congregation paying less than £40 stipend half a to Probationers Q^inga . pj-om every Cong»° paying £40 f^ annum & less than £60, sixteen shillings & three pence: And from every Congregation paying £60 "^ annum & upwards one Guinea. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26TH, 1804. 281 III. ADDRESS TO THE KING. Kf^'""*"^''*' May it please your Majesty We your Majestys most Dutiful & Loyal Subjects the Ministers & Elders of the General Synod of Ulster assembled at our annual Meeting, beg leave to offer to your Majesty our humble & Grateful acknowledgments for the liberal addition which your Majesty has been graciously pleased to make to the Royal Fund for maintaining a Christian Ministry among us. Our forefathers were originally settled in this Kingdom, by the Invitation, & under the Protection of one of your Majesty's Predecessors; and they & their Posterity have enjoyed in Succeeding Reigns very flattering Proofs of Royal favour. But it has been reserved for your Majesty to have conferred on the Presbyterians of Ireland more efficient marks of Protection & Regard, than they had experienced, since the Period of their first Settlement. We are now called for the third time to the pleasing Duty of returning to your Majesty our warm & heartfelt Thanks. By your Majesty's Bounty, in Addition to the contributions of the People connected with us, a Provision is now made, which we trust will be found adequate to the encouragement & moderate support, of a well educated & faithful ministry in our Communion. And while our Children's Children shall enjoy the fruits of your Majesty's Liberality, in the Provision thus made, for their Moral & Religious Instruction, their Blessings will Embalm the Memory of the Prince, to whom under . Providence they owe it. To the Arduous, but Dignified Contest in which your Majesty is at present engaged, we look with earnest but not desponding eyes : Independently of the Zeal, Spirit & Loyalty of your Majestys Subjects, (which at no period of our History were ever greater) we believe that there is a God who presides over the Affairs of men, and that tho' for wise Reasons, He may permit the wicked to proceed to certain lengths in their unrighteous Career, yet when he shall arise in Judgment, " the wrath of man shall be made to praise him, & the remainder of wrath shall he restrain." In your Majesty's Recovery from a late Indisposition we recognise with gratitude the Kindness of God, to this United Empire : We Bless him for his Goodness, and we Join our earnest Prayers to those of all your Majesty's Loyal Subjects, that He may grant to your Majesty a long & Prosperous Reign, give you the Victory over all your Enemies & finally an Enterance into his Everlasting Kingdom. Signed in our name, & by our Order at Cookstown, this 28 day of June 1804. JAMES HORNER, Moderator. 282 RECOKDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD To the Lord Lieutenant IV. ADDRESS TO THE LOED LIEUTENANT. May it please your Excellency, We his Majesty's most Dutiful & Loyal Subjects the Ministers & Elders of the General Synod of Ulster, request that your Excellency may be pleased to transmit to our Gracious Sovereign, the humble & dutiful Address, which we herewith present to your Excellency. We have great satisfaction in again adding our acknowledgments of your Excellency's enlightened Just & Impartial Administration to those of a Grateful People : And we feel particular pleasure in reflecting that the Important Measure of providing a decent & competent Support for the the Teachers of Religion among the Presbyterians of Ireland, has been finally accomplished during your Excellency's Government. We are well informed of your Excellencys kind & favourable Representations on our behalf & we are heartily Grateful for the beneficial Effects which they have produced. These we trust will be sensibly felt & acknowledged, & that not only the present Generation of Irish Presbyterians, but their most remote Posterity will be taught to associate the revered name of Hardwick with those of their most distinguished Benefactors. Signed in our name, & by our Order at Cookstown 28 June 1804, JAMES HORNER, Moderator. To Lord Castlereagh V. ADDRESS TO LORD CASTLEREAGH. My Lord, We the Ministers & Elders of the General Synod of Ulster, having discharged an Incumbent and most agreeable Duty in tendering to our Sovereign our grateful thanks for the late Extension of his Royal Bounty, would consider ourselves deficient in Gratitude, if we omitted to express to your Lordship, the strong & affectionate feelings which your Lordships zealous & persevering friendship haa impressed upon our minds. We are happy to reflect that this Important Measure, so beneficial in its publick & private Consequences, originated with an Administra- tion of which your Lordship formed an Efficient part ; And we are gratefully sensible that you never ceased to employ your powerful Influence, derived from great Talents, & Eminent Services, until it was brought to a happy Issue. We beg permission therefore to enter on our Records, & by so doing to transmit to Posterity, this Testimonial of our Gratitude to a Noble- man, whom we are proud to call our Hereditary Friend. We earnestly pray, that your Lordships valuable life may be prolonged until you see AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26™, 1804. 283 the fruits of your labours iu the encreased Learning, Piety, & usefulness of that Portion of his Majesty's Subjects to which your Lordship has extended your Patronage & Support. Signed in our name, & by our Order at Cookstown 28 June 1804, JAMES HORNER, Moderator. The above Overtures were unanimously agreed to, and our Moderator, D'' M'=Dowel, M'' John Thomson, D' Black & the Lord Mayor of Dublin were appointed Commissioners to present to the Lord Lieutenant the Addresses to his Majesty & to his Excellency : and it was ordered, that the Address to Lord Castlereagh be signed by the Moderator, & be by him transmitted to his Lordship, and that the Addresses with their Answers be published in the Dublin Journal, Dublin Evening Post, Belfast News- Letter & Berry Journal. M' Henry the late Moderator read the following letter from Lord Pelham in answer to the Synods Address of last year to his Majesty ; — Whitehall 4«' Aug. 1803. My Lord, I have had the Honor to present to the King the very ^ddres?of°ast Loyal & Dutiful Address of the ministers & Synod of Ulster, and I year have the satisfaction of informing your Excellency that his Majesty was pleased to receive the same in the most Gracious manner. I am with Truth & Eespect my Lord, your Excellency's most obedient humble servant, PELHAM. His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. A Memorial was presented to the Synod from certain persons ^'^'^ in the Cong"" of Clare, praying to be disannexed from the Presb. of Armagh & be put under the Care of the Presbytery of Tyrone. A Supplication was also presented from another part of the Cong"° of Clare, praying to be continued under the Care of the Presb. of Armagh, & expressing Gratitude for the Attention which that Presbytery had always shewn to the Interests of that Congregation. The Commisssioners from both Parties being ordered to withdraw, and the members of the Presb. of Armagh being heard on the subject, at considerable length, It was moved & unanimously agreed to, that the Prayer of the memorial be rejected ; that the Conduct of the Presb. of Armagh throughout be approved ; and that the Cong"" of Clare be put under the Care of a Committee of the Synod, cousisting of the following Members viz. Rev'' Mess'' Birch, Reid, Trimble, Barber, & Patterson, who are to take charge of the Cong°° until they see fit to restore it to the Presbytery of Armagh. A Paper was presented from the Second Cong"" of Keady, praying Ke»dy the Synod to give Information, why it had not been included in the late negociation of the Synod with Government, & why it should be precluded the Benefit of Bounty. The Synod not considering itself 284 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Donegral Street Congo" Appeal against Presb. of L.Keniii Dr Little & Joo Morrison M" Whiteside competent at present to give the Cong°° any aid in this Business, resolved to dismiss the Application. A Memorial was presented from the^ Cong " of Donegal- Street, Belfast, complaining of being aggrieved in being put in the Second Class, in the late arrangement of Royal Bounty ; & praying the Interference of this Body, so that memoralists may be placed in the situation they are entitled to by the spirit of the Classification. The Synod resolved, that it was not competent to interfere in this business. A Supplication was presented to the Synod by the Rev^ Francis Dill & the Rev'' Samuel Dill, complaining of the Presbytery of Letter- kenny, for not having tried the Rev'' James Delap in respect to several Immoralities alledged against him, furnishing the Reasons of Suppli- cants Protest, against the Decision of said Presbytery & praying the Synod to take these Reasons into Consideration. These Gentlemen being heard at considerable length in Support of their supplication ; and M"^ Ramsay & other members of the Presbytery in Answer ; a motion was made, that the Appeal should be sustained, & that the Conduct of the Presbytery should be disapproved of; which was agreed to. It was then moved & unanimously agreed to. That the Presbytery of Letterkenny be admonished with respect to its Irregular Conduct, in this Business, by the Moderator, and the Presby- tery was accordingly admonished. A Memorial signed Joseph Little, a member of the Presb. of Dromore, appealing from the Judgment of his Presbytery in approving the Conduct of its Committee in polling the Congregation of Donough- more : As also the supplication of Joseph Morrison, in his own name & in the name of near one hundred others, complaining that their Rights & Privileges had been violated by the Principle on which the Poll for M'' Finlay had been taken, & praying for a new Poll, were read. After hearing the Parties for & against the Appeal & Supplication, it was moved & agreed to, that the Appeal & Supplication be dismissed. A Memorial from the widow of the late M' Whiteside of Stone- bridge, praying the Synod to adopt such measures, as will cause an Arrear of Stipend due to her late husband to be paid , being read, it was resolved ; that a Committee consisting of the following members, viz. Mess" And'^ Millar, Hugh Boylan, W" Johnston, & James Davison, shall meet on the first Tuesday of August next at Stonebridge, to settle the aff'air. Newton Stewart Notice of a motion liy Mf Tho» Hetiry A Memorial from certain members of the lately erected Cong""" of Newton Stewart, praying the Synod to direct them how the Cong"" may procure a Share of the R.D. being read, it was determined that the Synod cannot at present interfere in this Business. M' The" Henry gave notice that he will at next meeting of Synod bring forward a plan for the relief of Congregations, which are excluded from a share of Royal Bounty, according to the present Establishment. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26™, 1804. 285 A Memorial from Josias C. Gamble, praying to be restored to the M"" Gamble Pastoral Charge of the Cong»° of Enniskillen, till such time as another shall be ordained in his stead, being submitted to the consideration of the Synod, it was moved that the Prayer of the memorial be refused. Upon the call of the Roll it was carried in the affirmative. Session concluded with Prayer. InterloquiUir Saturday Morning, 6 o'clock. The Committee of Accounts report — The Capital of the Widows Fund on P' June 1804 .. .. ...£14754: 9: 8 Interest arising from the same last year ... £855: 10: 0 Number of Contrihuters 29'" Sept', 1803—178. Sum by them contributed for one year till that date . . . . . . £576 : 5 : 1 Annuitants on the fund P' Jan'^, 1804—82. Amount of Annuities payable to them at that date .. ... .. £1373 : 4 : 0 That they examined the Accounts of the widows fund till the 1'* Inst. & also of the K,.D. for March Quarter, 1803, old Irish Grants & the year 1803 English, & find them correct. They observe that the above closes, D' Blacks Account of R.D. as Agent to the Ministers of tliis Synod ; and that there is at present a Ballance in hands of £51 15s 4d, at the disposal of the Interloquitur. Ordered that the above Ballance of £51 15s 4d, remain in D' Plack's hands, for defraying contingent expences. D' Black having now ceased to be any longer the Agent to the Thanks to Dr Synod, in matters of R.U., It was moved & unanimously agreeed to, for r.'o'^^^"* that our Moderator do return the warmest thanks of this Interloq"^ to D' Black for his zealous, faithful & Important Services while in that Office. Thanks were returned from the Chair accordingly. Dr M'^Dowel is ordered to apply to the Trustees of the widows fund, for D'' Blacks Securities as Agent for R.D. & deliver them to D' Black. Moved & agreed to, that the last clause of the Resolution of the Amendment of a Interlcq' of 1797 respecting the Disposal of Annuitants Interest in the 179^° widow's fund, be thus amended: — "That the amount of the said valuation shall be paid by our Agent, out of the Capital of the Fund." The following Resolution & Regulations, respecting the Widows Resoiution-j Fund, were submitted to the Consideration of the Contrihuters by D' w!dows"Fun'a Black & after mature Deliberation agreed to. 286 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD I. That from the great Increase of the Widows and Families on the fund, during the last two years, the Annuity to each must have neccessarily been diminished, but from the Seasonable Assistance, derived from the late Liberal Arrangement of his Majesty's Bounty. II. That in consequence of this Aid the Annuity of each widow & family be raised to twenty pounds & so continue for the term of seven years, from the first day of Jan''^ next, inclusive. III. That for the term of seven years from the 29''' day of September next inclusive, each minister of the first Class, who is or shall become a Contributer to the Fund, do pay an additional subscrip- tion of three pounds : — Each minister in the second Class an additional subscription, of two pounds five shillings : — and each minister in the third Class, an additional subscription of thirty shillings "^ annum. This Regulation not to extend to puch ministers as have resigned from Age, or Infirmity, or to such ministers in the third Class as are not in the receipt of the intire Bounty. lY. That such ministers, as have become partially entitled to the Receipt of R.D. by the late Arrangement, & are Contributers to the fund; shall, upon the Decease of their respective Predecessors, who are now in Receipt of a share of the Royal Bounty, pay into the fund the difference between the portion of the first years Bounty they may receive, & the nett sum allotted to the Cong°"° of which they are respectively the Ministers. V. That on any ministers being removed from a Cong™ in a lower to one in a higher Class ; he shall for the first year after such Removal pay into the fund the difference between the Royal Bounty allotted to the Cong™ to which he shall be so removed, & the one in which he had lately been placed. VI. That such Assistant ministers, not in the Receipt of R.D. as now are, or may become Contributers to the Fund shall pay an Annual Subscription of two pounds, until such time as their title to the R D. shall commence ; and if any of such assistant ministers shall die, before he becomes entitled to the Receipt of one years Bounty, a sum equal thereto shall be deducted from the first Payments to which his ■widow or family (if he should leave such) shall be entitled. YII. That such Contributers to the fund as have not Pastoral Charges in the bounds of the Synod, or Presbytery of Antrim, or who are not in the Receipt of R.D. do pay during the above Period, an additional subscription of three pounds "^ Annum. VIII. That during the above Period, these additional subscriptions together with such surplus as may remain after paying the Annuities as aforesaid, shall annually be put to Interest, either on Publick or Private Securities as the Constituents, with the Concurrence of the Trustees, shall direct. IX. That from & after the first day of January, which shall be in the year 1812, the Annuitants on the fuud shall receive in equal shares the largest Dividend of its annual Produce, arising from Interest, AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26TH, 1804. 287 Subscriptions, premiums, on marriages or surplus of R.D. which a Just Regard to the Stability of the Institution will warrant the Constituants, for the time being, to direct. X. That in future the Premium payable by a Ccntributer on a second marriage, shall be equal to one year's Annuity from the fund, at the time such marriage shall take place ; on a third marriage to two years Annuity ; and so on ia proportion for every succeeding marriage, he shall contract. XI. That the subscriptions of the ministers, who shall become Contributers to the fund shall commence the Quarter day next following their Ordination, & cease the Quarter day next following their decease. XII. That the Annuities of Widows shall commence the Quarter day next following the Decease of iheir Husbands, & cease the next Quarter day following their own. XIII. That in future any minister who shall resign his Pastoral Charge, in order to engage in a Secular Profession or Employment, shall not be permitted to continue a Ccntributer to the Fund, or his widow or family to derive any Benefit or Annuity from it inasmuch as the Institution in its original Establishment, in the publick Collec- tions, & private Donations, and Bequests made in aid of its Fund, as well as the late Royal Appropriation of the Surplus of his Majesty's Bounty was intended for the exclusive Advantage of ministers as such, & not for those who should voluntarily lay down the ministerial Character. Moved & agreed to, that a Committee consisting of a minister from each Presbytery, do withdraw and consult together on what may appear to be a proper sum as an annual sallery to the Agent of the widows Fund. Moved & agreed to, that M' Horner be admitted a Contributer to m' iiomer the widows Fund, on the same Terms, on which M' Rentoul was admitted. The Committee reported, that it was their opinion that £40 "^ £40 the annual ,!• jii A i f-* icin sallery of the Annum is a proper sum to be given to the Agent as his Annual baliery. Atrent for the The Interloq' unanimously concurred in opinion with its Committee & widows fund resolved accordingly : — That the Sallery of the Agent to the Fund be from henceforth fixed at £40 ^ Annum. Moved & unanimously agreed to, that the thanks of this Interloq' be returned to D' Black for his Diligence, Attention, and Zeal in executing the office of Agent to the widows Fund. And Thanks from the Chair were accordingly given to D' Black. Resolved unanimously, that D' Black be requested to continue or Black the our Agent. It was accordingly so requested by the Moderator in the Agent name of the Interloquitur, & He signified his acquiescence. Ordered. That our Agent do in the current year, pay the widows Widows to be nine months Annuity, in the month of October next, & that in future ^*' the Annuitants shall receive their Annuities in said month. The Moderator concluded the Synod with Prayer. Inserted 30"^ August 1804 by ROBERT DICKSON, Clk. of Gen. Synod. 288 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD INSTRUCTrON'S TO THE REVEREND ROBERT BLICK, D.D. Agent for the Royal BotrNir, to the Peesbtteeian Ministebs OP the Synod of Ulstek. His Majesty having been graciously pleased to order that the Eoyal Bounty to the Presbyterian Ministers of the Synod of Ulster should be encreased, and it being expedient, that such encreased Bounty should be distributed in a three- fold Proportion, of one hundred pounds per annum to each minister of the first class — Seventy- five pounds '^ annum to each minister of a second class — And fifty pounds "^ annum to each minister of a third class — His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant has been pleased to direct thit the Arrangement of the said three Classes shall be as follows : — FIRST CLASS. Ministers of Ministers of No. No. 1. Belfast 1^' Congregation 32. Clare 2 Do. 2-^ . Do. 33. Armagh .i. Do. 3'^ Do. 34. Downpatrick 4. Droraore P' Do. 35. Strabane 5. Do. 2-* Do. 36. Money more 6. Glendermot pt'Do. 37. Maherafelt 7. Omagh P' Do. 38. Brigh 8. Cumber Co. Derry 39. Cookstown 9. Burt 40. Rathmelton 10. St. Johnston 41. Ballibay 11. Moneyrea 42. Ballimena 12. Drumboe 43. Connor 13. Killinchy 44. Randalstown 14. Saintfield 45. Colerain 2'^ Cong" 15. Dramerah 46. Ballikelly 16. Annahilt 47. Ballimoney 17. Killileagh 48. Donegore 18. Donaghraore Co. Down 49. Ballieaston 19. Rathfryland 50. Ballicarry 20. Carnmoney 51. Carrickfergus 21. Ballinahinch 52. Killead 22. Cumber Co. Down 53. Larne 1^' Cong" 23. Donoughraore Co. Donegal 54. Broughshane 24. Bullyroney 55. Raphoe 25. Loughbricklani 56. Clough Co. Antrim 26. TuUylish 27. Bangor 57 ) ' V Londonderry 2 Ministe 28. Portaferry 59. Mary's Abbey two 29. Lisburn 60. Ministers 30. Banbridge 61. Newtown Ardes 2^ Cong' 31. Newry 62. Letterkenny AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26™, 1S04. 289 SECOND CLASS. Ministers of Ministers of No. No. 1. Bovevagh 32. Carntal 2. Benburb 33. Badonv 3. Fauglianvale 34. Donaghedy 2^ Cong" 4. CreggatJ (felS'ewtownharailton 35. Urney 5. Knowhead 36. Colerain 1" Cong" 6. Castlereagh 37. Convoy 7. Kirkcubbin 38. Lurgan 8. Hollywood 2^ Cong" 39. LifFord 9. Maherawly 40. Belfast 4^^ Cong" 10. Mourne 41. Monagban 11. Dundonald 42. Castleblaney 12. Glastry 43. Corboy 13. Balliwalter 44. Killisandra 14. Ballinure 45. Antrim 2"* Cong" 15. Donaghadoe 46. Lisluney 16. Bailee 47. Castledawson 17. Clough Co. Down 48. Damboe 18. Kilmore 49. Ballywillan 19. Markethill 50. Drumacbose 20. Balliclare 51. Dervock 21. Newtown Lemmavady 52. Agbadowey 22. DoTiaghedy P' Cong" 53. Garvagb 23. Ardstraw " 54. Magbera 24. Carlan 55. Finvoy 25. Dungannon 56. Kilraigbts 26. Minterbura 57. Larne 2'' Cong" 27. Stewartstowu 58. Carncastle 28. Tobermore 59. Cruralin 29. Keady 60. Templepatrick 30. Cojgh 61. Dunluce 31. Aghnacloy & Balligawly 62. Newtown Ardes V^ Cong" THIRD CLASS. Ministers of Ministers of No. No. 1. Banagher 11. Moira 2. Donagh ]2. Narrowwater & Carlingford 3. Moville 13. Dandalk 4. Malin 14. Holy wood V^ Cong" 5. Fagban & Buracranna 15. Antrim 1^' Cong" 6. Millisle 16. Dunmurry 7. Rallindtrry 17. Omagb 2^ Cong" 8. Drumbanagber 18. Drumquin & Pettigoe 9. Monroagh 19. Glenderraot 2^ Cong" 10. Mountnorris 20. Derg 290 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD THIRD CLASS— continued. Ministers of No. 21. Loughgall 22. Duiigiven 23. Vinecash & Richhill 24. Fintona & Dromore 25. Clogerney 26. Cavanaleck 27. Enniskillen 28. Sligo & Ballimote 29. Turlogh 30. Crossroads 31. Stranorlane 32. Ray 33. Fanet 34. Dunfanagh & Kilmacrenan 35. Doneg>ill & Ballyshannon 36. Douglas ied Died Ordained Died supposed to be living in England, M" Patterson, M" Porter, & M" Cochran. Dublin Presbytery report, that they have, in their bounds, upon the fund, M" Rogers, widow of the late Robert Rogers of Corboy : that the Rev. W™ Wilson died on the 9^^ June last, leaving a widow & family. Bally raena Presbytery report, that M." Douglas died some time in Spring last ; & that they have entered on first trials M' Robert Stewart. Widow on the fund M" Lyndsay. Letterkenny Presbytery [report], that they ordained M' Reid at Ramelton on the 18"' Decern' last who is a contributor to the Widows' fund; that they suspended, sine die, M.' James Delap of Fannit on the 19*** Nov' last : that they examined previous to going to College, according to Synodical appointment, M' William Ray. They have on the fund M" Delap & M." Rurke. Clogher Presbytery report, that the Rev. William Moorhead died on the 15"' September last : that they licensed W John Johnston on the first Tuesday of Nov' 1806 : that they examined M' Henry Carson, at same time, previous to his going to College. Have on the fund M." Mulligan, & M'' Moorhead. Root Presb. report, that they have on first trials Mess" Andrew Shannon, Henry Macook, & John Samson : that they examined Mess" Thomas Campbell, Udvid Caldwell, Henry Graham, & Ja^ Graham, previous to their going to College according to Synodical appointment. Have on the fund, il^^ Gaston, M" Smyth, M" Hamilton, M" Elder, M" Davis, M" MuUan, M" Cameron, M" Glaggo, & families of Mess" Henry & Knox. Monaghan Presb. report, that they have entered on first trials M' William Lyster, & on second trials, M' John Johnston. They have on the fund M" Warnock, M" Fleming, M"^ Spratt, M" Smith, M''^ Montgomery, and M" Whiteside. Tyrone Presb. report, that they have licensed M' James Philips according to Synodical regulations : Have on first trials Mess" Dunlop, Willis, Johnston, Fleming, & John & Joseph Howard. Examined previous to going to College for the first time, John Harkness, Robert Allen, James Ferguson, John Whyte, & John Wilson. Have on the fund M" Smyth, M'^ Stitt, M" Adams, M" Simson, & families of Mess" Hogg & Kenedy. M" Dufiin died on the 16"" January last. Armagh Presb. report, that they ordained the Rev. Robt. Adams in Clare, on the 22°'' June last, who is a contributor to the Widows' fund, & that they licensed M'' Hugh Woods on the IS^'^ June. M" Livingston died on the S"* July last. They have on the fund M'^ Sloane, & the family of M"^ Dickson. Not on the fund M'^ Moody. Strabane Presb. report, that they have on the fund M"^" Turbitt, M" Hamill, & the family of M"^ Osborne. Derry Presb. report, that in August last they licensed M' W™ Lithgow according to Synodical regulations : That they examined Mess''" Kydds and Cuthbertson previous to their going to College. That AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 30TH, 1807. 319 they have entered on first trials Mesa" Dill and Glendy. That they have on the fund M'^ Walker, M" Scott, M." Patten, & family of M' Patten. Templepatrick Presb. report, that they licensed on the first Tues- day [of] Aug' last, M' James Harper : that they examined M"^ "William John Bell previous to his going to College, & Mess" Carley, Findlay, & Montgomery after their return. That M' Wright died on the first & Died M" Cowan on the 31*' May last. Have on the fund M" Dunbar, M" White, M" Gibson, & family of M' Lewson. Dromore Presb. report, that they have on first trials M*" Andrew M'=Aulay : That they have on the fund M" Strong, M" M'=Comb, M" Thomson, M" Magee, M'^ Hay, & M" Smyth. Belfast Presb. report, that the Rev. James Malcom died Oct' 3^ Died 1805, & left a Widow & family. That the Rev. Alexander Henry died ou the 14''' July last, leaving a Widow & family. That they ordained Ordained the Rev, Charles Gray in the Congregation of Castlereagh on the 3'' March last, who subscribed the Westminster confession of Faith, & is a contributor to the Widows' fund. That they have on first trials M' William M'Ewen. That they twice examined M' John Walker, previous to his going to College. That they have on the fund M"^' Kinkead, M" Kenedy, W M^Ewen, M" Rowan, M''" Kelburn, M" Malcom, and M"^^ Henry. General Synod's fixed Committee for 1807. Presbs. Minrs. Bangor, Mess" Taggart & Atcheson Dublin, „ D' M*: Dowel & M' Horner B.mena, ,, Tho. Henry & Hamilton L.Kenny, ,, Ju* Huston & Reid Clogher, ,, Millar & Johnston Root, „ Greer & Whiteside Monaghan, ,, Denham & Morell Tyrone, ,, M°Kay & Moore Armagh, ,, Shaw & Thom Strabane, ,, Anderson & M'Farland Derry, ,, D' Black & M' Brook T.Patrick, „ T. Alexander & Ledlie 320 EECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Presbs. Minrs. Dromore, Mess""^ M'Clelland & Sherrard Belfast, ,, Greer & Brydone These with an Elder from each Presbytery & our Moderator & Clerk, are to taeet at Cookstown, when called by the Moderator on any emergency : fifteen to be a Quorum, of whom twelve at least are to be Ministers. Committees to meet immediately. Open Synod at half-past two o'clock. Adjourned. Third Session. Malf-past two o'clock, P.M. It was moved that the time, & place of next meeting be now fixed. Lurgan & Cookstown were put in nomination. The roll was called, & it carried Cookstown. The meeting to take place on the last Tuesday in June next. Divine Service to begin at five o'clock afternoon. Address to the It was moved that the order of last Synod to the Presbytery of people Belfast, to prepare an address to the people under the care of the Synod be rescinded, & that the pastoral address be in future discontinued. On the call of the roll this motion was negatived, and the address prepared by the Presbytery of Belfast being then read, was received and approved of, & comnaitted to the care of D' M" Dowel & M' Horner to have fifty copies to each Congregation belonging to this Synod, printed & distributed without delay. And the Presbytery of Bangor as being next on the roll is ordered to prepare a similar address for the ensuing year. Order to Clerk Ordered that our Clerk, with the assistance of M"^ Shaw & D"^ "William Neilson, do publish, along with the Minutes of this year, an abstract of our laws & rules from the year 1800 till the year 1804, & furnish a copy to each Minister of the Synod. It was moved that the regulations of 1804, respecting the quali- fications of candidates for the Ministry, be revised & amended. This motion agreed to, & D"'^ M'= Dowel, Little, Dickson, & W™ Neilson, with Mess" Hanna & M^Cance, are appointed to prepare the amend- ments, & to report them to the Synod at its next Sederunt. Open Synod to-morrow morning at seven o'clock. Session ad- journed with prayer. Fourth Session. Thursday Morning, seven o^cloch. After prayer, the members appointed to revise & amend the regulations respecting the qualifications of Candidates for the Ministry, now made their report, which is as follows : — AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 30TH, 1807. 321 On reviewing the Minutes of Synod, respecting the admission of Candidates for the Ministry from the year 1770, the following regula- tions were adopted in place of all former regulations. I. That Students intending to become candidates for the Ministry, ^^"'X'Jlons shall be exnmined & approved of, by a Presbytery of this Synod, in respectmi,' the the Greek & Latin Languages, Geography, & English Grammar. clndidatU^for That such students having read Virgil, Horace, Sallust, & Cicero ^ '"'^ "^^ de Officiis, the Greek Testament, Homer, & Xenophon's Cyropaedia, may be examined in such of these books as the Presbytery may find sufficient to satisfy them of their possessing a competent knowledge of the Greek & Latin languages. That the Presbytery report annually to the Synod the names of the students they have examined & approved of, & shall give such students certificates of their approbation. II. That it be recommended to the Presbyteries, that every Student shall be examined by his Presbytery on his return from College, each Session, in the sciences he has studied during that session. That the intervals between the College Sessions, shall be spent ia studying the following subjects, Civil History, Jewish Anti(iuities, Ecclesiastical History, Bible Criticism, and Divinity, as the Presbyteries may find proper to prescribe. The Presbyteries to require specimeas of composition, elocution, & devotional exercises. III. That Students be permitted to enter on presbyterial trials upon their studying Divinity, Hebrew, and Church History, in a regular Seminary of Learning one Session after taking a degree in Arts. IV. If any Student shall have commenced his Studies without a particular view to the Ministry, or should come from another Church, & afterwards direct his attention to the Presbyterian Ministry : upon presenting himself to a Presbytery, he shall be examined as other Students are at their entrance, & if found qualified, he shall be placed on the same footing with Students who have attended the same number of Sessions at College he has done, V. Should any Presbytery license any young man to preach the Gospel, in violation of these rules, such liceuse bhall be deemed null & void, & the Presbytery so offending subjected to the severe ceasure of this Synod. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at ten o'clock. Fifth Session. Thursday Morning ten o'clock. After prayer, D' William Neilson, the late Moderator read a report Dr W"> NeiUon of the manner in which he & his fellow commissioners appointed to wait '^'^^"'^ ^ upon the Lord Lieutenant, had executed their commission ; upon which it was moved & unanimously agreed to, that thanks be returned to the Commissioners for the faithful manner in which they had executed their commission. Thanks were returned from the chair accordingly. 322 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD D'' Neilson read also the Lord Lieutenant's answer to our address of last year, likewise a letter from M"^ Secretary Elliot, in answer to the application of the Synod for an equalization of his Majesty's bounty which were ordered to be inserted in the minutes & are as follows. — LORD LIEUTENANT'S ANSWER. The Ministers & Elders of the General Synod of Ulster are entitled to my best thanks, for the cordiality with which they express their satisfaction at my appointment to the Government of this part of the United Kingdom. I can assure them that it shall ever be the most important object of my administration, as it is the most anxious wish of my heart to secure to every class & description of his Majesty's subjects in Ireland, all the blessings connected with civil & religious liberty : and it will give me sincere pleasure to convey to our most gracious Sovereign the assurances contained in the Address now presented to me, of gratitude for his paternal care, & of loyal attach- ment to his sacred Person & Government. THE SECRETARY'S ANSWER. Dublin Castle 26*^^ July 1806. Sir, His Grace the Lord Lieutenant, having given the most mature deliberation to the suggestions which you were deputed to communicate to him, in respect to the arrangement of the Regium Donum, and having also taken the sentiments of his Majesty's con- fidential servants on the subject, I am commanded to acquaint you, for the iniormation of the respectable persons, who compose the Presbyterian S3 nod of Ulster, that it is not judged advisable to recom- mend to his Majesty any alteration in the mode at present adopted in the distribution of that Fund. I have the honour to be Sir, your Most obed' humble servaat W. ELLIOT. Rev. D' Neilson, Dundalk. Committee to On reading the order of last year to the different Presbyteries to Mippivrnff'the'"'^ ascertain thd number of Bibles, that may be necessary to supply the poor wt Bibles families of the poor in the Congregations within their bounds; it was moved & agreed to, that a committee consisting of a member from each Presbytery be appointed to devise some expedient method, for immedi- ately carrying said object into effect. The committee to mjet in the Meeting-house this evening at 8 o'clock &to report to-morrow morning. Rmcn'r''" "^ ^^6 Presbytery of Ballimena being asked whether they had put the sentence of suspension against M' Montgomery in execution, accord- ing to the Synod's order of last year, answered that they had ordered AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 30TH, 1S07. 323 one of their members to signify to the Congregation of Antrim the Synod's order ; but that they had been induced to defer putting the sentence of suspension in execution, on account of M'^ Montgomery's Congregation having, at present, no Meeting-house of their own to assemble in for publick worship. The Presbytery having requested advice how they should proceed under these circumstances, the Synod advises to put the sentence of suspension against M'^ Montgomery in execution, without delay. OVERTURE. It was overtured and unanimously agreed to, that the following Address be presented to the Lord Lieutenant. TO HIS GRICE CHARLES DUKE OF RICHMOJTD, LORD LIEUTEJ^ANT GENERAL, & GENERAL GOVERNOR OF IRELAND. May it please your Grace, We his Majesty's most dutiful & loyal subjects, the A(idr?«to tii.? Ministers & Elders of the General Synod of Ulster, assembled at our ''°''' '^i^"t^"^"t annual meeting, request permission to offer to your Grace our respectful congratulations on your Grace's appointment, as Chief Governor of this part of the United Kingdom. We have observed, with particular satisfaction, the declarations which your Grace has been pleased to make of a fixed determination to afford equal protection to all classes of his Majesty's Subjects en- trusted to your government ; & we feel a confident hope, that the Presbyterians connected with the Synod of Ulster will merit your Grace's favourable opinion, by an unshaken loyalty to the person of their most Gracious Sovereign, accompanied by a temper of kindness & conciliation towards their fellow-subjects, of every religious denomination. Signed in our name, & by our order, at Cookstown, this 3^ day of July 1807. HENRY HENRY, Moderator. D"^ M'^Dowel & M' Horner are appointed to present this Address to the Lord Lieutenant, & to have the Address, with his Grace's Answer published. BILLS. I. A Memorial was presented to the Synod by the Rev. Francis Rev. Fra'' Dili Dill, a member of the Presbytery of Letterkenny, complaining of that Presbytery for refusing to take into their consideration a charge brought by Memorialist against the Rev. And" Alexander, a member of said Presbytery, and appealing from the Presbytery's decision to the General Synod. 324 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Rev. Samuel Dill ^ Memorial was also presented to the Synod by the Rev. Samuel Dill, complaining that the Presbytery of Letterkenny had disannexed him from said Presbytery in violation of the rules of the General Synod, & praying to be annexed to some other Presbytery belonging to the Synod. The Mess" Dills were heard in support of the allegations in their respective memorials, & the Presbytery of Letterkenny in defence of their conduct, when it was resolved that, on account of the lateness of the hour the further consideration of this affair be deferred till to- morrow morning. Session concluded with prayer, ing at 7 o'clock. Adjourned till to-morrow morn- Report re- committed Sixth Session. Friday/ Morning, 7 o'clock. After prayer, the Committee appointed to devise a plan for supplying the poor in our Congregations with Bibles, produced their report, which was read & considered at some length, when it was recommitted in order more completely to meec the wishes of the Synod. The adjourned discussion of the matter at issue between the Presbytery of Letterkenny & the Mess""' Dills was then resumed & proceeded in at considerable length, when the consideration of this business was further adjurned till the next sederunt. Seventh Session. Friday morning ten o'clock. Messi-6 Dills & the Presb. of Letterkenny Mr William Burke After prayer, the consideration of the complaint of Mess" Francis & Samuel Dill against the Presbytery of Letterkenny being again resumed, & maturely considered ; it was resolved that the memorial of M' Francis Dill be dismissed, but that this Synod do declare their decided disapprobation of the principle on which, the Presbytery of Letterkenny refused to consider the charge brought against one of their members. It was further resolved, that the conduct of the Presbytery of Letterkenny, in disannexing M' Sam^ Dill, has been irregular & dis- orderly, & that they be rebuked from the chair. Ordered that Mess" Fra^ & Sam' Dill be disannexed from the Presbytery of Letterkenny, and annexed to the Presbytery of Root, & that our Moderator be instructed to advise M' Sam' Dill to temper his zeal with prudence & discretion, in future. The Presbytery were rebuked, & M"^ S. Dill admonished accord- ingly- IL Two Memorials were presented to the Synod by M' William Burke, late pastor of the Congregation of^ Ramelton : The first com- AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 30TH, 18O7. 326 plaining of the Presb. of Letterkenny for unjustly disannexing hitu from the Congregation of Raraelton, & praying thu Synod to restore to him his firet year's subscription to the Widows' fund. The second praying to have justice done to the family of the late M' W™ Burke, & to consider the justice of Memoralist's claim to the stipend & bounty, payable to the Minister, during the interval between his disannexation from the Congregation of Ramelton, & the Synod's sanction thereof. The first memorial was dismissed because the disannexation of M"^ Mem' dismissed Burke from the Congregation of Ramelton had been sustained last year, & the conduct of the Presbytery approved of, & because the latter part of this memorial belongs only to the Interloquitur. With respect to the second Memorial, the Synod enjoins the Presbytery to see justice done to the family of the late M'' Burke, but It judges M' Burke's claim to the stipend & Bounty during the interval of disannexation inadmissible. III. A Supplication was presented to the Synod from the con- Tobermore gregation of Tobermore, praying the Synod to devise & adopt such methods, as in their wisdom may seem most effectual, to recover for them possession of their meeting-house. This supplication referred to the Interloquitur. IV. Two supplications were presented from the United congrega- Fintona & tions of Fintona & Dromore, the supplication from Fintona praying to Oromore be erected into a separate congregation, & that from Dromore, to be continued united to the congregation of Fintona. Besolved that these supplications be referred to the Presbyterv of Clogher, & that they report on them, at the next meeting of Synod. V. A Memorial was presented from the Rev. James Delap, appeal- Memiof theRer. ing from the sentence of suspension pronounced upon him by the '^^ ^ *^ Presbytery of Letterkenny, & praying to be restored to the exercise of the ministerial office, or to have a fair trial in the Meeting-house of Fannit before his Congregation. Connected with this Memorial, two supplications were read, one from the Session of the Congregation of Fannit, praying to have the sentence of the Presbytery confirmed ; & the other from a number of the members of the Congregation, praying that M"^ Delap's supplication may be granted. Resolved that the sentence of the Presbytery of [Letterkenny] be Dismissed affirmed, & their conduct in that matter approved of. The Committee appointed to devise a plan to supply the poor in our respective Congregations with Bibles, now made their report, which is as follows : — That it is their unanimous opinion that this Synod would most Report of the materially promote the cause of pure & undefiled religion, by adopting sal!p\yi!,l\l°J & recommending the following plan : — poor with BiWes 326 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD 1, That the Ministers of this Synod, on the last Sabbath of July, or as soon after as they conveniently can, after preaching to, or addressing their respective Congregations, on the necessity, & advantages of procuring for the poor, in their congregations, & neighbourhoods, copies of the holy Scriptures, do, for themselves subscribe, & take a collection from their people, for the purpose of purchasing Bibles. 2. That the different sums thus produced be paid into the hands of the Moderators of the Presbyteries to which said Ministers shall belong, who shall forward the sums they shall so receive to the Eev. M' Thomson, of Carnmoney, the Rev. Mess''* Hanna, & Atcheson of Belfast, or the Rev. M'' Simpson, of Saintfield, who are hereby appointed a committee for conducting the affairs, & managing the funds of this charitable institution. That this Committee after taking every step necessary to obtain satisfactory information, shall order the required number of Bibles, wherever they can be procured on the best terms, & shall forward to every Presbytery a number of Bibles, in proportion as nearly as may be, to the sums they may have respectively advanced, to be by them distributed Gratis, or at reduced prices as they shall think proper. The Committee appointed for conducting this business to report to the next meeting of Synod. The Synod adopts this plan, & recommends it to its members, & the Congregations under their care. Erratum in ^®* Whereas an error appears in Section fifth in the Minutes of of isos'' *''""'^®^ our Sixth Session, in the year 1805, it is ordered that said error be now corrected thus : — A petition presented on the part of the new erected Congregation of Keady, praying an answer to the following question, viz, " Why were we not included in your negotiations with Government respecting Bounty ? " was withdrawn. INTERLOaUITUR. Friday, 5 o'clock, afternoon. A statement of the receipts & payments of his Majesty's Bounty, ending the 29*'' September 1806, was submitted to this laterloquitur by D"" Black, & found correct & satisfactory,. The accounts of the Agent for the Widows' fund were examined & found correct. Order to Dr Ordered that D"^ Black do lend out, under the direction of the BUck Trustees, the balance in his hands. Re^oUiti'ii Resolved that the members of this Interloqui'ur, who are not at Nor^ubscribers P^®^^'^^ Subscribers to the Widows' Fund, be entitled to become subscribers, on their paying into the fund one year of their Regium AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 30™, 1807. 327 Donum, provided they signify their intention to the Agent, within three months from this date, but not otherwise. Moved & carried, that M' Burke be refunded the money which he Mr Burke has paid into the Widows' fund, but that this shall not be a precedent f^^"'"^^'' for future applications. THO. CUMING, Clerk of Gen. Synod. Inserted Nov' 28"" 1807. 328 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A General Synod at Gookstown, June 28'^ 1808. The Rev. Henry Henry, the Moderator, opened this Synod by preaching from John xv. 12; then constituted it by prayer: after which were present from the several presbyteries the following members, VIZ., from : — Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Dublin Presbytery. Tyrone Presbytery, James Horner Andw. McCaldin William McEwen Wm. Gilbert Ballymena Presbytery. Tho. Henry Alexr. Kilpatrick Henry Henry George Jackson Alexr. Montgomery John Ferguson William Hamilton Letterkenny Presbytery. Edward Reid Clogher Presbytery. Andrew Millar James Ker William Johnston James Davidson Booth Caldwell Robt. Armstrong Root Presbytery. Daniel Blair Alexr. Martin James Brown Samuel Dill Charles Kenedy James Boyle Thomas Greer John Whiteside Solomon Brown John Sims John Hamill Richard Dill John Little John Leslie Matth. Kevan Monaghan Presbytery. Matthew Trimble Joseph Denham Samuel Kenedy James Morell Archd. Meharg John Johnston Dr. Dickson James Whiteside William Moore George Dougal Tho. McKay John Davidson William Reid Robert Stewart John Cowan Moses Chambers David Bennet Jas. Mcllwaine Alexr. Ferguson John Young Robt. Davison Alexr. Holmes Armagh Presbytery. Dr. Neilson Tho. Cuming Nathaniel Shaw Strabane Presbytery. William Dunlop Tho. Anderson John McFarlan Saml. Armar Nathl. Patten Derry Presbytery. Dr. Black Richard Dill Willm. Lithgow David Hamilton Wra. McConkey Matthew Herron Wm. Glendy George Hay Templepatrick Presbytery. Robert Thomson Nathaniel Alexander Dromore Presbytery. James Birch John Thomson Alexr. Patterson William Wright Hamilton Dobbin Moses Findlay James Black John McMurray William Farquar Geo. McClelland AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 28TH, 1808. 329 Minis. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Belfast Presbytery. Bangor Presbytery. Andrew Greer Andrew Craig James McCullogh John Corry Robert Acliesou Henry Siiuson John Mulligan Charles Gray Andrew G. Malconi M' Henry having moved that another Moderator be chosen to this *'' Danham Synod, the following Brethren were named, viz., Mess" M*=Caldin, Moderator Caldwell, Blair, Denham, Makay, Dunlop, R. Dill, Thomson, Patterson, Greer, & Mulligan. The Roll was called and M"" Denham chosen. M' Cuming continued Clerk. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night & to Order to prepare Lists to be given to the Clerk to-morrow morning of their ^''^'''ytenes members for the several committees of overtures, bills, books, Gen. Synod's fixed committee. An account of such ministers as have died, been ordained, or installed ; of such candidates as have been licensed, or entered on trials since last Gen. Synod ; of such students as have been examined previous to their going to College by their respective Presbyteries : an account of annuitants on the fund ; of any that have died ; of the time when such did die ; also of such women in their bounds, as have been wives of Ministers & are not on the fund. Session concluded with prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morn- ing at ten o'clock. Second Session. Wednesday morning ten o'clock. After prayer, returns were made by the several Presbyteries of their members for the several committees, also the following reports : — Dublin Presbytery report, that they ordained the Rev. William Ordained D. H. M'^Ewen on the IS"" March last as Colleague to the Rev. Hugh Moore, of Usher's Quay, & that he is a Contributor to the Widows* fund. That they have in their bounds M" Cochran, Widow of the late James Cochran of Ballywalter, M" Rogers widow of the late M"' Rogers of Corboy, and M" Wilson. Ballimena Presbytery report, that they have on first trials Mess" Robert Stewart & Samuel Butler ; & on second trials M' Henry Cook. They have on the fund M" Lyndsay, & family of the late M' Douglas. Letterkenny Presbytery report, that the Rev. Joseph Love died on Died the 26"' September last, leaving a family, also that the Rev. Andrew Alexander died April 30"^, & left a widow & family. That they ordained M' James Marshal in the Congregation of Fannit. on the IV*"^ Ordained February last, who subscribed the Westminster Confession of Faith, & is a Contributor to the Widows' fund. That they have examined M' John Hamilton previous to his going to College. Have on the fund M" Delap, M" Burke, M" Alexander, & family of M-" Love. 330 RECORDS OF A GENERvVL SYNOD Died Died Ordained Died Died Connection dissolved Resigned Died Clogher Presbytery report, that M'^ Mulligan died on the 25"* December last, and that they have on the fund M" Moorhead. Root Presbytery report, that they licensed Mess"^' Shaanon, Cook, & Samson, in the month of July last, according to Synodical regula- tions— Examined "William M'^Clenaghan, John Brown, Sam^ Hill, & Benjamin Jameson, previous to going to college, & on their return ; also Samuel Caldwell on his return from a second Session. They have entered on first trials, James Huey. Have on the fund M'^ Gaston, M" Hamilton, M" Elder. M"^' Davis, M'" Glasgo, & families of Mess" Henry & Knox, M'^ M<=Mullan died 10^'^ April 1807. Monaghan Presbytery report, that they ordained M'' John Johnston at Coothill, on the 2'' February last, as assistant & successor to M' Stewart : M' Johnston ia a contributor to the "Widows' fund. They have on first trials, Mess'^ "William Lyster, Matthew Trimble, Patrick Whjte, & James Porter. M"^^ Spratt died on the 27^^ Jan. last, & M" Fleming about the same time. They have on the fund M" Warnock, M" Smith, M" Montgomery, & M'' Whiteside. Tyrone Presbytery report, that they have licensed M* James Dunlop according to Synodical regulations. Have examined previous to their going to college, Mess" William & James Fleming, Alexander Henry, James Magill, John Harkness, & William Aiken. That the Rev. Hugh Boylan died on the 9'^ October last leaving a Widow and family. That they have on the fund M''^ Smith, M'' Stitt, M" Adams, M" Simson, M." Boylan, & families of Mess" Hogg & Kenedy. Armagh Presbytery report, that they licensed according to synodi- cal regulations M"^ William Maclaine to preach the Gospel, on the 13*^ April last. That they dissolved the connection between M"^ Charleton & the Congregation of Markethill on the 15* Inst. They have on the fund M''^ Sloan, & families of Livingston & Dickson. Not on the fund M" Moody. Strabane Presbytery report, that they have examined M' Moore previous to his going to College — have on first trials M' Armar : on the fund M" Turbitt, M" Hamill, & the family of M"^ Osborne. Derry Presbytery report, that they have on the fund M''* Walker, M" Scott, & M" Patten. Templepatrick Presbytery report, that the Rev. James Ledlie resigned the charge of the Congregation of Donegore, on the 10"^ May last, & received credentials from the Presbytery. That they entered on first trials Mess" Carley, Montgomery, & Whyte ; and have on the funds M" Dunbar, M" Whyte, M" Gibson, & family of M' Lewson. Dromore Presbytery report, that they licensed M' Andrew M°Aulay, who subscribed the Westminster confession of Faith. They have entered on first trials Mess"'^ Samuel Livingston & George M'^Clelland. They examined previous to their going to college, Mees" Stewart, Hanna & M<=Ewen. Have on the fund M" Strong, M" Thomson, M" Magee, M" Hay, & the family of M"" Smith. M" M'^Comb died in February last. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 28Tn 1S08. 331 Belfast Presbytery report, that they licensed M' M°Ewen, who subscribed the Westminster confession of faith. That they examined M' John Walker previous to going to College the third time ; Mess" Sam' Simson, William Skelly, and William M'^Cullagh, previous to going to College the first time. That they have on the fund M" Kinkead, M" Kenedy, M" M-'Ewen, M'^ Kowan, M" Kelburn, M" Malcom, & M" Henry. Bangor Presbytery report, that they licensed M' John Davis, according to Synodical regulations on Tuesday 2'' February last. That the "Rev. David Taggart died on the 16"' March last, leaving neither Died Widow nor family. Have ou the fund M" Jackson, M" Bryson sup- posed to be living in England, M" Patterson, M" Porter, & M" Cochran. Antrim Presbytery report, that on the 23^ Inst, they installed installed the Rev. James C. Ledlie in the first congregation of Lame. Gen. Synod's fixed Committee for the year 1808. Presbs. Minrs. „ Hall & Mitchel ,, Kamsay & Holmes ,, Johnston & Davidson Dublin, Mess" M<=Caldin & M-^Ewen Ballymena, L.Kenny, Clogher, Root, ,, Greer & Sol. Brown Monaghan, ,, Trimble & Morell Tyrone, „ D' Dickson & M' Bennet Armagh, ,, Shaw & Adams Strabane, ,, Hemphill & Guilkie Derry, „ D^ Black & R. Dill T.Patrick, „ Thomson & N. Alexander Dromorc, ,, Birch & Thomson Belfast, ,, Greer & Gray Bangor, ,, Mulligan & Malcom. These with an elder from each Presbyterj', and our Moderator & Clerk, are to meet at Cookstown when called by the Moderator on any B.mena 332 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOJ) emergency ; Fifteen to be a quorum, of whom twelve, at least, are to be Ministers. Adjourned. Committees to meet immediately. Open Synod at 1 o'clock. Third Session. Wednesday, 1 o^clock, P.M. at CMkstown* After prayer, it was moved that the time & place of next meeting be now fixed. Cookstown & Monaghan were put in nomination. The Roll was called and it carried Cookstown. The meeting to take place on the last Tuesday in June next. Divine Service to begin at 5 o'clock, afternoon. Mopie*^ *° ^^^ ^^^ Presbytery of Bangor according to the Synod's order of last year, produced an address to the people under the pastoral care of the Synod, which was read, considered & approved of, & committed to M"^ Horner & M' M<=Ewen, to have fifty copies printed & distributed to each Congregation belonging to this Synod, without delay. And the Presbytery of Dublin, being next on the Roll, is ordered to prepare a similar address for the ensuing year. Presbytery of The Presbytery of Ballimena reported, that they had put the sentence of suspension against M'' Montgomery in execution, accord- ing to the order of Synod at its last meeting. The Committee appointed to conduct the business of supplying the poor in our respective Congregations with Bibles made their report which is ordered to remain in retentis. Thanks to the Resolved Unanimously, that the thanks of this Synod be returned to the committee for the great labour & pains they have taken in forwarding & conducting this business during the last year ; that they be requested with the assistance of the Rev. M' Malcom, to continue their exertions in so laudable a cause ; & that it be warmly recommended to the Ministers of this Synod to be active & diligent in promoting subscriptions to an institution so well calculated to diffuse the knowledge of Divine truth among the poor in the congregations under the pastoral care of the Synod. It is farther recommended that the subscriptions for purchasing the holy Scriptures, be forwarded to the Rev. M' Hanna before the P' October next. Lord Lieutenant's Answer to the Synod's address of last year. Gentlemen. I beg leave to return my most sincere thanks to the Ministers and Elders of the Synod of Ulster, for their very obliging congratulations on my appointment to the Government of this country in the administration of which it is my firm purpose to afford equal protection to all classes of his Majesty's subjects — And I receive with the greatest satifaction, & confidence your assurances that the Presbyterians connected with the Bible Comt«« AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 28TH, 1808. 333 Synod of Ulster, will ever merit that protection, by their unshaken loyalty to the person of our most gracious Soverign, and a temper of kindness & concilation towards their fellow subjects of every religious denomination. BILLS. Two Supplications from the united congregations of Fintona & Dromore were presented to the Synod ; the supplication from Fintona praying to be separated from the Congregation of Dromore ; and that from Dromore praying to be continued united to the Congregation of Fintona. Kesolved that the supplication from Fintona be rejected, & that the supplication from Dromore be granted. M' Horner gave notice, that he will move, at the next meeting of Synod, that a Committee be thea appointed to draw up a code of Disciplinary laws for the Government of this Body. Session concluded with prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at seven o'clock. Fourth Session. Thursday Morning, 7 o'clock. After prayer, the Presbytery of Dublin stated that the Ilev. John Boyle, an ordained Clergyman in the established church, having pro- duced satisfactory testimonials of his moral character from the Vicar General of the Diocess of Derry during the time he had officiated as a clergyman in that Diocess, had since the meeting of this Synod, applied to be admitted into said Presbytery, with the view of becoming a minister of the Gospel in the Presbyterian church ; & requested the Synod to direct them how to proceed in this case. This business was entered into & proceeded on at some length, when its farther consideration was postponed till our next sederunt. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. Fifth Session. Ten o'clock. After prayer, the farther consideration of the affair respecting M' Boyle was resumed, when it was moved & seconded that, " it be recom- mended to the Presbytery of Dublin to receive M' Boyle." The Roll was called & it carried " recommend to receive." The Presbytery of Dublin having then requested instruction, in what capacity, whether as a student, a Probationer, or an Ordained Clergyman, they should receive M"" Boyle, it was moved that " M' Boyle be received on trials, as the young men of our own Bodj' who have finished their education at a regular seminary of learning." On the call of the Roll this motion was negatived. 334 RECOKDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD The question was then put whether M' Boyle be received on trials as "an ordained Clergyman without a Charge," or as "a Probationer?" On the call of the Roll it was carried that he be received as "a Probationer." Synod concluded with Prayer. INTERLOQUITUR. Thursday, 3 o'clock afternoon, A statement of the receipts & payments of his Majesty's bounty, ending the 29"" September 1807 was submitted to this Interloquitur by D' Black, and found correct & satisfactory. The accounts of the Agent of the Widows' fund were examined & found correct. D"^ Black informed the interloquitur, that he had let out the balance in his hands according to the order of last year, & that it had been vested in Government consolidated Stock. It was moved & carried, that, in order to create a fund for dis- charging the debts incurred by this Interloquitur, the Agent for his Majesty's bounty be requested to retain in his hands £2 per * from the ministers in the first class, £1 : 10 : 0 from each minister in the second class, & £ 1 from each minister in the third class. It was then resolved that whereas M"^ Burke has not yet been paid the sum ordered by the Interloquitur of last year, that the said sum be paid to him out of this fund. It was also resolved that our Agent be requested to continue his exertions to put the Congregation of Tobermore in possession of their Meeting-house, & that the expense be defrayed out of the same fund. Resolved that our Agent be requested to take such measures as may appear to him most likely to procure an act of Parliament to incorporate the institution of our Widows' fund. A Memorial from Jos. C. Gamble was presented to the Interloquitur, praying to be permitted to pay the arrears & interest, due on his subscription to the Widows' fund, & to be continued a Subscriber. Granted. M' Horner gave notice, that he will move in the Interloquitur of next year, in order to inforce a due attendance of the Min" at the annual meeting of this Synod, that a fine of 408. shall be imposed on such Min''' as shall not answer to their names at the first and last call of the Roll : And if it be carried in the affirmative he will move that it shall take efi'ect next year. Ordered that our Agent do lend the balance in his hands to the Corporation of Derry. THO. CUMING, Clerk of G. Synod. Inserted August 24"' 1808. * Word omitted. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 27TH, 1809. 335 A Oeneral Synod at Cookstoivn, the 27"' June, 1809. The Rev. Joseph Denhara the Moderator, opened this Synod by preaching from 1 Peter iv. 8. then constituted it by prayer : after which were present from the several Presbyteries the following mem- bers, viz. from : — Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Balliniena Presbytery. Tlio. Henry Benjamin Mitcliel .loliii Smith John Hall Henry Cook Robert Stewart Joseph Howard Alex. Kil Patrick Win. Knox Robt. Elder John McClnre - Letterkenny Presbytery. William Hnston Edward Reid James Marsbal Richd. Dill Clogher Presbytery. Cunningham Andrew Millar Henry Carson James Ker Tlio William Johnston Ephraim Stevenson John Samson Tyrone Presbytery. Dr. Dickson James Whiteside Jas Whiteside Wni. Moore Wni. Harkness Geo. Dongal Dr. (Irabam Tho. Makay Hugh White John Davidson John Young Robt. Stewart John Burns John Cowan Moses Chambers Jno. Alexander Robert Hogg David Bennet Andrew Sliannon Arniagii Presbytery. Dr. Neilson Tiiomas Cuming Nathl. Shaw Dr. Wm. Neilson Andrew G. Malcom Robert Adams John Howard Robt. Boyd Root Presbyteiy. Strabane Presbytery. James McFarlane James Brown Francis Dill Samuel Dill Thomas Greer Solomon Brown John McCurdie Wm. McClenaghan Hugh Turretine Wm. Rea Wm. Ker Monaghan Presbytery. Wm. Moore Jno. Davis Matth. Trimble Jno. McCurdie Joseph Denhain James Gowdy Hen. McHreo James Morell James Gibson John Kelso Archibald Meliarg John Johnston John Livingston James Porter Dr, Spear Jos. Gibson John Vogan William Dunlop David Guilkie Wm. llcCrea John McFarJane Derry Presbytery. Dr. Black Hugh Brooke Richard Dill Wm. Monteith Matthew Heron John Mitchel George Hay Reuben Rogers. Templepatrick Presbytery, Robert Thomson Robert Campbell Nath. Alexander Jaa. Whitla 336 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders, Droinore Presbytery, Sain. Dickson Win. Rrjson Sanil. Barber Jolin Thomson John Slierrard Alexander Patterson William Wright John Hoey Hamilton Dobbin Wm. McGowan James Turretine James Black James White Belfast Presbytery. Andrew Greer Sam. Hanna Jas. McCullogh Henry Simson James Riddle Charles Gray James Mnnfoad Hngh Boyd Bangor Presbytery, John Arnold William Moreland Hugh Woods Dublin Presbytery. Dr. McDowel James Horner Wm. McEwen Richd. Maxwel Mr Hanna Modr M' Denham having moved that another Mod"" be chosen to this Synod, the following brethren were named, viz , Mess" Mitchel, W™ Huston, Ja' M^Farlane, Samson, Moore, Makay, Malcom, Dunlop, Monteith, Thomson, Sherrard, Hanna, Arnold, & M''Ewen. The Roll was called & M"^ Hanna chosen. M' Cuming continued Clerk. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, & to prepare lists to be given to the Clerk to-morrow morning of their members for the several committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, & Gen. Synod's fixed Committee. An account of such Ministers as have died, been ordained, or installed, of such candidates as have been licensed or entered on trials since last General Synod, & of such Students as have been examined previous to their going to college by their respective presbyteries : — An account of annuitants on the fund ; of any that have died ; of the time when such did die : — also of such women in their bounds as have been wives of Ministers, & are not on the Fund. Order to Presbyteries Session concluded with prayer, morning at 10 o'clock. Adjourned till to-morrow Three ordained Second Session. Wednesday Morning 10 o'clock. After prayer, returns were made by the several presbyteries of their members tor the several committees, also the following reports : — Ballymena Presbytery report, that they have licensed M' Robert Stewart, & M' Samuel Butler : that they have ordained M' Henry Cook in the Congregation of Denain Nov' lO^*" 1808, & W Robert AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 27TH, 1809. 337 Stewart in Broughshane, May 9"', & M' Joseph Howard in Ahoghill June 20"^ 1809, who are contributors to the Widows' fund. They have on second trials M' Sam' Butler. They have examined Mess" Craig & Wallace previous to their going to college for the first time. The Rev. James Cuming died the third of March last, leaving a Widow. Died Have on the fund M'* Lindsay, & the family of M' Douglas. Letterkenny Presbytery report, that they have licensed M"" John Two ordained Allen to preach the Gospel, on the 8"" August last ; that they ordained M"^ James Nelson in the Congregation of Stranorlane, on the 2'^ of Nov', & M' John Gillespie in the congregation of Urney, on the 26'''' January last, who are contributors to the Widows' fund. They have examined M' John M'^Ilheney & John Ray previous to their going to college for the first time. M" Alexander died on the 3'' January last. Died Have on the fund M" Delap, M'^ Burke, and the families of Mess" Alexander & Love. Clogher Presbytery report, that they ordained M' Samson in the ordained united congregation of Fintona & Dromore on the 6"" September last, who is a contributor to the Widows' fund. Have on the fund M" Moorhead. Root Presbytery report, that they have entered on first trials M' James Huey. Have on the fund M" Gaston, M" Hamilton, M" Elder, M" Davis, M" M^Mullan, M>« Glasgo, & families of Mess" Henry & Knox. Monaghan Presbytery report, that they have licensed Mess" Matthew Trimble, Patrick White & James Porter according to Synodi- cal regulations ; & that they have on second trials M'" Andrew M'=Aulay, & have examined M' John Smith previous to going to College. Have on the Fund M" Warnock, M." Smith, M" Montgomery, & M" Whiteside. Tyrone Presbytery report, that they examined previous to going to college John & James Patterson, & W™ Lyle. Have on first trials Mess" Brown, Anderson, Reid & Cunningham. Have ordained M' Shannon in Minterburn, on the 20"' Dec'" last who is a contributor to ^"''*'"*'' the Widows' fund. Have licensed William Fleming, Joseph Johnston, & John & Joseph Howard. M" Smith died on the 12"' Februarv last. Have on the fund M" Stitt, M" Adams, M" Simson, M" Boyl'an, & ^'^'^ families of Mess" Hogg and Kenedy. Armagh Presbytery report, that they have on first trials Mess" Sam. Sioane, & Geo. Lockhart, & on second trials M' Paul Boreland. The Rev. M' Thom died on the 18"' July last leaving a widow & family, ^ied They installed in the Congregation of Newry M' And''' George Malcom i„8,aiied on the 14'*' March last. Have on the fund M''^ Sloan, & families of Livingston & Dickson. Not on the fund M'' Moody. Strabane Presbytery report, that they licensed M' Sam' Armar in August last. Have on the fund M'' Turbitt & M" Hamill. Derry Presbytery report, that they licensed Mess" Dill & Glendy to preach the Gospel on the 2^ August last. They ordained the Rev. ordained Reuben Rogers at Donagh on the 27^'' September last, who is a con- 338 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SY^OD Died Died Connection dissolved Died Ordained Resigned tributor to the Widows' fund. M"^ Kyle died in Aug* last leaving a family, thev have examined M"" David Duncan previous to going to College. Have on the fund M" Walker, M'« Scott. M" Patten, & family of M' Kyle. Teraplepatrick Presbytery report, that they have licensed Mess" Montgomery, White & Carley; Have on first trials William Finlay. That the Rev. William Montgomery died in May last leaving a Widow and family. Have on the fund M" Dunbar, M''^ White, M" Gibson, M" Montgomery, & family of M' Lewson. Dromore Presbytery report, that they have licensed Mess" Samuel Livingston & George M"=Clelland, who subscribed the Westminster confession of faith ; and examined M' Hanna previous to going to college a second time. The Presbytery, at their last stated meeting on the 25"' April, dissolved the connection between M' John Hoey & the united congregation of Creggan & Newtownhamilton, from which sentence M"^ Hoey appealed to the Gen. Synod. Have on the fund M'^ Strong, M"^^ Thomson, M" Magee, M'^ Hay, & the family of M' Smith. Belfast Presbytery report, that the Rev. Sam' Patten died on the 20''' February last leaving a family. That they have on first trials M"^ John Walker. That they examined previous to going to college the first time Mess" John Bailie & Henry Coulter. That according [to] Synodical rule they examined & received specimens from Mess" Samuel Simpson, W" Skelly, & W" M<=Cullogh after their return from college. That they have on the fund M^' Kinkead, M" M<=Ewen, M''^ Rowan, M" Kelburn, M" Malcom, M""" Henry, & the family of M' Patten. Bangor Presbytery report, that they ordained the Rev. Hugh Woods in the congregation of Bangor on the IS"' of November last, who is a contributor to the widows' fund. That the Rev. Andrew George Malcom resigned the charge of the congregation of Dunmurry on the ll*^** December last. That they examined M' W" Sinclair & M' James Craig previous to their going to college, & M"^ William Campbell after his return. Have on the fund M""' Jackson, M" Hull now in America, M"^ Patterson, M" Porter, & M" Cochran. Dublin Presbytery report, that, agreeably to the recommendation of the Synod of last meeting, they received the Rev. John Boyle under their care as a probationer, on the 29^'' July last, & that he resigned, by letter, all further connection with the Synod on the 18**' March, which resignation the Presbytery accepted. Have on the fund M'* Rogers, M" Cochran, & M^^ Wilson. Antrim Presbytery report, that they have on the fund M" Vance, M" Cromie, M" Sinclair, & M" Kevin. On reading the return of the Presbytery of Tyrone, it was moved & agreed to that the license of M"" Joseph Johnston be withdrawn & the Presbytery censured for having granted said license in violation of the rule of Synod. The Presbytery of Tyrone was censured accordingly by the Moderator, & M' Johnston's license declared to be withdrawn : but as the violation of the rule of Synod appears to have been unin- AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 27TH, 1809. 339 tentional on the part of the Presbytery, they are empowered to restore M' Johnston's license when they see proper. n General Synod's fixed Committee for the year 1809. Presbs. Minrs. Ballimena, Mess""" H. Henry & Hall L.Kenny, ,, Ramsay & Nelson Millar & Stevenson F. Dill & Sol. Brown Morell & Johnston D' Dickson & Moore Shaw & Malcom Anderson & Hemphill Mitchel & Hay Thomson & Campbell Barber & Thomson Greer & Gray Craig & Mulligan D' M'=Dowell & Horner Clogher, Root, Monaghan, Tyrone, Armagh, Strabane, Derry, T.Patrick, Dromore, Belfast, Bangor, Dublin, >» These with an elder from each Presbytery, & our Moderator & Clerk are to meet at Cookstown when called by the Moderator on any emergency : fifteen to be a quorum, of whom twelve at least are to be Ministers. Adjourned. Committees to meet immediately. Open Synod at ^-past 2 o'clock. Third Session. Wednesday, half-past tioo d clock, P.M. It was moved that Cookstown be the place of the Synod's meeting Synod to meet next year. Lurgan was also put in nomination. The Roll was called & Cookstown carried. The meeting to take place on the last Tuesday in June next. Divine Service to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. 340 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD The Presbytery of Dublin according to the Synod's order of last year, produced an address to the people under the pastoral care of the Synod, which was read, considered, & consigned to the Presbytery of Dublin to revise and abridge & publish & distribute in the usual manner to our respective congregations. Session morning at 7 concluded o'clock. with prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow Bible com- mitee's report Fourth Session. Thursday morning 7 o'clotk. After prayer, M' Hanna on behalf of the committee appointed by the Synod to conduct the business of supplying the poor in our respec- tive congregations with Bibles made their report which was ordered to be inserted in the minutes, & is as follows : — " Sensible of the importance & utility of the measure you com- mitted to our care, your committee have teen employed since your last meeting in endeavouring to carry it into effect. We have now to communicate our report, which will be as gratifying to this body, as it has been pleasing to us — That our success has exceeded our expecta- tions. The recommendation of Synod has received the zealous support of many Ministers. In various congregations the sums collected have been very considerable, & under your sanction the way is now opened for a wide dissemination of the Word of life among the people under our charge & in our respective neighbourhoods. Since the commencement of this business in September 1807, your committee have received the following remittances in gold : — Third Cong" Belfast Monaghan Presb. M' Eeid Rathmelton M' Hogg Dublin Presb. D' Black for self M' Thomson Carnmoney M* Ledlie Donegore T.Patrick Presb. W Simson St.field W Acheson Belfast M' Henry Connor M' Bankhead M' Harrison Holy wood M' Dugall, Maherafelt D' Neilson Dundalk M'" Patten Moneyrea M' Riddel Drumbo M' Greer Dunbo M"" Whiteside Colerain M' Simms Ballycastle M"^ Fullarton Aghadoe . . £58 12 11 . . 50 0 0 .. 13 6 2 .. 11 14 0 . . 44 11 6i 12 0 . . 29 4 7i .. 15 18 6 .. 18 13 9 ..7 7 lOi ..117 6 ..9 4 7 4 14 4 5 0 0 6 0 0 . . 25 7 0 .. 18 19 2i . . 45 3 6 . . 42 12 5 .. 11 7 6 .. 4 11 0 ..3 3 6| AT COOKbTOWN, JUNE 27TH i809. 341 M' Brown Garvagh Mr Blair N.'L'.Lemavady . . M'' Keuedy Maghera M"^ Millar Clogher U" M^Cullogh N.T.Ards M' Hill Ballynure M' Finlay Donoughmore Mr Montgomery Ballyeaston Mr M<=Cance Comber Mr Hanna Belfast Mr Eeid Vinecash Mr Gowdy Ball} waiter Mr Osborne N.T.Ards M' Acheson Belfast M' Savage Carrickfergus M' Henry Connor M' Sinclair Ballyhalbert M' Hamilton Ballymena. M' M-'Kay Bray M' Beid Rathmelton M' Rentoul Bally kelly Mr Simpson Saintfield M"^ ihomsou Carnmoney M"^ Dill Ardmore M>^ S. Dill Castlefiu M' Morell Ballybay M"^^ Anderson Drumquin . £3 1 0^ 6 18 3 . 19 0 11 . 16 6 8 , 82 4 4 3 5 H 9 6 6 . 10 4 loi 25 12 0 . 76 18 0 4 3 ^ . 26 9 H 21 12 H 7 14 4 . 26 16 8 . 33 4 H . 18 8 8 25 19 H 3 0 0 . 7 15 3 . 87 2 6 . 25 18 8 2 6 10 . 33 9 10 . 30 16 0 48 17 6 7 10 H i 11102 8 3 We would now turn your attention to this fact that in many places where it might be presumed copies of the Scriptures most abounded, the collections have been the largest, & from places where our books were received we have had renewed demands and repeated remittances. We have again to acknowledge our obligations to the incorporated society in Dublin for promoting the knowledge & practice of Christianity. We have received from them during the last year, one thousand Testa- ments at their reduced prices. •• We have to regret that there are still many members of this body, who have not found it convenient to attend to your recommenda- tion. We hope Ministers will urge their people to avail themselves of the present opportunity of procuring copies of the Scriptures, at such reduced prices, which we cannot but consider as a blessing to the poor, & an accommodation to the publick. " The remittances your committee have received since the com- mencement of this business, now amount to £1102 : 8 : 3 and altho' we have at present in hand £203 : 7 : 5^ for which we have not ytt been able to return books, we have distributed 600 family Bibles in 342 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Thanks to the Bible Coniniittes Dr M'Dowel's report Thanks to the British & foreign Bible Society quarto, 130 Octavo Bibles, 1222 Bibles in 12""°, 1424 in 24'°, 2674 Testaments, and 100 Psalm Books. These remittances have been received from 38 Ministers only, & to their congregations 6149 Books have been distributed. "From this unexpected success, your committee have no doubt you will be induced to continue your encouragement to a measure so powerfully calculated to promote the civilization of our country, the increase of religious knowledge, & the salvation of immortal souls," Resolved unanimously, that the warmest thanks be returned to the committee, particularly to M'^' Hanna & M' Munfoad for their unwearied & highly useful exertions in this business, & that they be requested to continue their services. D' M'^Dowel informed the Synod, that the British & foreign Bible Society in London have generously voted £100 to this body, to assist in purchasing & dispensing the holy Scriptures in this country. Resolved, that the thanks of this Synod be returned by D' M'^Dowel to the Society for their liberal donation, & that they be furnished with an account of the increasing demand for the Scriptures in this part of the united kingdom, & the progress which the Synod's Bible Society has made in furnishing the people, under the care of the Synod, with copies of the holy Scriptures. Ordered that the above donation of £100. remain in the hands of the committee, as a a fund for forwarding the object of this institution. The Synod renews its recommedation, that the subscriptions for purchasing the holy Scriptures be forwarded to the Rev. M' Fanna before the P' of Oct' next. Session concluded with prayer. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. Fifth Session. Thursday 10 o'cloch, A.M. 'My Horner in pursuance of his notice of last year, moved, that a committee be appointed to draw up a code of laws for the future government of this Church. This motion agreed to, & the several presbyteries are ordered to return each a Minister & Elder to the next Sederunt to constitute said committee. OVERTURE. Overtured & agreed to, that each Presbytery do report, annually, to this Synod, the attendance of its members at its different meetings during the year. BILLS. [I.] A Mem* from the Session & congregation of Castleblaney was presented to the Synod, praying that it may sanction the proceedings of the Presbytery of Monaghan in acquitting the Rev. M' M'^Aulay, a probationer under the care of that Presbytery, from charges AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 27™, 1809. 343 of an immoral nature which have been brought against hira, & to have the ordination of M' M^Aulay in the Congregation of Castleblavney, to which he had been previously called, appointed as soon as to their wisdom may seem meet. A Memorial was also presented from five members of the Presby- tery of Monaghan alledging that the charges against M'M^Aulay were well founded, protesting against the decision of the Presbytery, & praying that the minutes of the evidence which governed the proceed- ings of the Presbytery on that occasion, & the reasons of Protest may be considered, & to decide on this affair as to their wisdom may seem right. The members of the Presbytery of Monaghan on the trial of M' M'^Aulay, & the reasons of the Protest of the appellants being read, & the Presbytery and appellants being heard at great length, It was unani- mously agreed to, that the appeal & protest of the majority [minority] of the Presbytery of Monaghan be sustained. Adjourned till to-morrow morning, at 7 o'clock. Appeal Sustained Sixth Sessiofi. Friday morning, 7 o'cloch. After prayer, the several Presbyteries made their returns for the committee to draw up a code for the government of this Church, which are as follows : — Ballymena, M' Tho. Henry L.Kenny, M"^ Ramsay Ciogher, M' Johnston Root, M' Jas. Elder Monaghan, M' Denham Tyrone, D' Dickson Armagh, M' Cuming Strabane, M' Dunlop Derry, M' Mitchel T.Patrick, M' N. Alexander Dromore, M' Thomson Belfast, M' Hanna Bangor, M' Craig Dublin, D' M<=Dowel The Committee will hold its first meeting in Belfast on the last Tuesday in March next. It is understood that the Presbyteries shall at a future meeting, appoint the Elders who are to accompany the Ministers. It was moved & seconded that those members of the Presbytery J.en^ured of Monaghan, who composed the majority at the meeting, which acquitted M' M'^Aulay, be reprehended. The Roll was called, & the motion agreed to. The members were reprehended by the Moderator accordingly. Adjourned with prayer. 244 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD The i3everal Committees are ordered to meet to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morn- ing at 10 o'clock. The adjourned motion respecting Elders carried in the affirmative Protest against the above Decision Keady Maghera S'' Session Thursday Morning 10 o'clock, after Prayer. The amended motion referred to the consideration of this forenoon, viz. " That Elders may sit, speak, & vote on all Questions, those relating to the widows fund excepted," having undergone a long Discussion, it was at last moved, that the previous Question be put upon the motion. The Roll being called, the previous Question was negatived. The Roll was then called upon the amended motion, which was carried in the Affirmative. Against this Decision the following members protested promising to give their Reasons in due time, viz. John Thomson, Tho" Cuming, Sinclare Kelburn, Tho' M°Kay, & others. A supplication was presented from that part of the Cong°° of Keady heretofore known under the Denomination of the minority, praying to be erected into a separate Cong°°. After considerable Deliberation, it was moved, & unaminously agreed to, that inasmuch, as a standing law of the Synod prohibits any Cong°° to be erected at the meeting at which it is first proposed, the Presb. of Tyrone be ordered to grant them supplies as they may see fit, till next meeting of Synod. A supplication was presented from a part of the Cong"" of Maghera, praying that the Synod would either put a stop to the ordination of the Rev"^ Cha" Kennedy in that Cong"" or should this supplication not be complied with, to erect supplicants into a separate Congregation. It was moved & unanimously agreed to, that the whole of this Business be dismissed. Session concluded morning at 7 o'clock. with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow Annual Address to the People nnder our Pastoral Care 4"» Session Friday Morning 7 oWock, after Prayer. It was moved and unanimously agreed to, that a Comt'^ be annually appointed to draw up an Address to the People under our Pastoral Care recommending & enforcing the Practice, of Piety & Morality ; and that Mess" Birch, Millar, Denham, D' Little, & Tho' Henry, be the Comt*® appointed for this year. The protesting Brethren now gave in their Reasons of Protest which were read & are as follow : — We protest against the Admission of Elders to vote on this Question Because we deem it Incompatible with every Idea of Propriety, that AT LURGAN, JUNE 30TH, 1801. ^46 men should be Judges in their own cause, & assume a Privilege, p^*?°"t'a°eain8t which they have never enjoyed ; Such Procedure is contrary to the the Decision practice of every publick Body ; whether Ecclesiastical or Civil ; 5giXm votinc' in A dangerous Innovation InconBistent with the Government of our affairs of the" Church ; & tending to establish a precedent, which may be most ^'^' destructive in its Consequences. We Protest against the Decision of the Question which has now taken place. 1. Because the ministers of this Synod & of the Presbytery of Antrim have no absolute Eight in themselves, but enjoy the Privilege of directing the Application of the Koyal Bounty, from the Courtesy & Indulgence of Government only, and therefore cannot, without the greatest impropriety permit the Interference of another class of men, who were never intended by the Donors to have any voice or Authority in its management, and Application. 2 Because the ministers of the Gen. Synod & Presb. of Antrim are competent to manage their pecuniary concerns, in which Elders have nerer hitherto shewn any Desire to Intermeddle; & which we are pers waded, the greater part of them, have no inclination to engage in, and which may be abused to the purposes of a party spirit, to serve the Interests of Individuals, Inconsistent with the General Interest. 3. Because we deem it Inconsistent with the office of Elders who attend our Judicatories as church officers, to regulate, whatever relates to the Discipline, worship, & Government of the Christian Church, but not to assume, a power over the Property of others, whether ministers or Laymen. 4. Because the Introduction of such a measure at the present Juncture creating an unnecessary change in the Constitution of this Assembly, is pecularly unwise, and may materially affect the Interest, Prosperity & Tranquillity of the Presbyterian Body. 5. Because the measure so far us it proposes to separate the management of his Majesty's Bounty, & of the widows fund is Im- practicable ; And if Elders interfere in the Application of the former, out of which the subscriptions of ministers to the latter are defrayed, the support of the fund, must depend upon the controul of men, who are acknowledged on all sides to have no concern in its Interests ; and the Institution must be exposed to the hazard of being injured ; or it may be, in time wrested from its original Purpose. 6. Because the Question has, in our Opinion, been urged with unbecoming haste, in opposition to our earnest Desire, that it might be deferred until next meeting of Synod, when the several Cong""' in its Bounds, as well as the ministers now absent, & who never thought of the present Discussion would have an opportunity of expressing their sentiments on a Subject Novel in its nature & introduced without that previous & timely notice which its magnitude demanded. Signed John Thomson, Robert Black, And"^ Craig, Hugh Brooke, Joseph Deuham, Tho" M^Kay, David Taggart, Tho' Cuming, Matt. Trimble, 346 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Di' Black's report Thanks to Lord Castlereagh & Sir Geo. Hill Regulations of the Widows' (und A statement of the receipts & payments of his Majesty's bounty, ending the 29"" of September last, was submitted to the Interlocutor by D"^ Black & found correct & satisfactory. The Accounts of the Agent for the Widows' fund were examined and found correct. D^ Black informed the Interlocutor, that he had lent out the balance in his hands to the corporation of Derry, according to the order of last year. On reading the minute of last year relative to an Act of Parliament for securing the Capital of the Widows' fund, D' Black reported, * that in executing the trust reposed in hira, he felt it his duty to consult in the first instance, the long tried & powerful friend of the Presbyterian Ministers of Ulster, Lord Yiscount Castlereagh, & found as he expected, his Lordship's dispositions to promote their interests in no degree abated. Other members of his Majesty's government were afterwards consulted, & in every quarter a ready acquiescence was expressed. That with his encouragement he prepared a bill which he considered as effectual to the proposed object, & which had the further recommen- dation that its enactments extended to every similar institution in the kingdom, and being put in the form of a publick bill, was unattended with expense. That he committed this bill to the Right honourable Sir Greorge Fitzgerald Hill, member for Derry, & one of the Lords of his Majesty's treasury in Ireland, who in the most obliging manner introduced it in the House of Commons, & bespoke protection for it in its progress through the Lords'. That it passed both houses without opposition, & having received the Royal Assent is now the law of the land.' D' Black then read the Act, & delivered the same at the table to be in retentis. Moved & unanimously agreed to that this Interlocutor have a grateful sense of the kindness of his Majesty's government on this occasion, & that D' Black be instructed to return the warmest thanks of this meeting to Lord Castlereagh, & Sir, Geo. Fitzgerald Hill, for their honourable and effectual support to a measure so long desired by the contributors to the Widows' fund &, now so happily accomplished. W Black having submitted an abstract of the laws & regulations now in force for the government of the Widows' fund, & the same being read & approved of, it was ordered to be signed by the Moderator, & presented by D' Black to the Assistant Barrister & Justices at the next ensuing Quarter Sessions for the City & County of Londonderry, to be registered pursuant to the fore-mentioned Act of Parliment, & that a Copy of the same be transcribed into the minutes of this Interlocutor as follows : — I. Each Minister who shall become a Contributor to said fund shall pay to the treasurer appointed for the management thereof, the full amount of his first years Royal bounty as the same now stands, or hereafter may stand, so soon as he shall receive the same, as his AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 27Tn, 1809. 347 contribution for the first year, and an annual subscription of forty shillings for every year afterwards. II. From the 29ti' ^.^j ^^ September next ensuing, until the 29"' day of September which shall be in the year 1810 both inclusive, each Minister of a Congregation in the first class, shall pay an additional subscription of three pounds ; each Minister of a Congregation in the second class, an additional subscription of two pounds five shillings ; & each Minister of a Congregation in the third class an additional subscription of thirty shillings per Annum. This regulation not to extend to such Ministers as have resigned from age or bodily infirmity, or to such Ministers in the third Class, as are not yet in receipt of the intire bounty. III. Such Ministers as have become partially entitled to the receipt of the Royal Bounty, by the arrangement made with his Majesty's Government, in the year 1803, & are contributors to said fund, shall upon, the decease ot their respective predecessors, who are now in receipt of a share of the Royal Bounty allotted to the Ministers of the Congregations in which they had respectively officiated, pay to the Treasurer of said fund, the difference between the portion of the first year's bounty they have received, & the net sum allotted to the Congregations of which they are respectively the Ministers. IV. Any minister who shall be removed from a Congregation in a lower to one in a higher class, shall for the first year after such removal, pay to the treasurer of said fund the difference between the royal bounty allotted to the Congregation to which he shall be removed & the one in which he had latterly been placed. V. Such Assistant Ministers, not in the receipt of the Royal Bounty, as now are, or may become contributor? to said fund, shall pay to the treasurer thereof an annual subscription of two pounds, each, until such time as their title to the Royal Bounty shall commence, & if any of such assistant Ministers shall die before he become entitled to the receipt of one years bounty, a sum equal thereto shall be deducted from the first payment to which his Widow, or family (if he should leave such) shall become entitled. VI. Such contributors to said fund as have not pastoral charges in the bounds of the Synod, or Presbytery of Antrim, who are not in the receipt of the Royal bounty shall pay during the afore- mentioned period, an additional subscription of three pounds per Annum. VII. Every contributor to said fund who shall contract a second marriage, shall pay to the treasurer thereof a premium equal to one year's Annuity from the same, at the time such marriage shall take place ; on a third marriage a premium equal to two years' annuity, & so on in proportion, for every succeeding marriage he shall contract. VIII. The Subscription of Ministers who shall become contri- butors to said fund, shall commence the quarter day next following their ordination or installment, and cease the quarter day next following their decease. 348 KECOllDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD IX. If any contributor to said fund shall die before ten years shall have elapsed from the commencement of his subscription to the same, the sura of forty shillings annually shall be deducted after his first years subscription shall have been paid, from the annuity payable to his widow, or family, as the case may be, until such deduction added to the several sums before by him paid, shall amount to the subscriptions of ten full years. X. Any Minister a contributor to said fund, who shall receive a call to become a pastor of a Congregation in the bounds of the Southern Association of Presbyterian Ministers, shall have the privilege of con- tinuing his subscriptions to the same, if he shall be so disposed. XI. Any Minister a contributor to said fund who shall resign his pastoral charge, in order to engage in a secular profession, or em- ployment, shall not be permitted to continue a contributor thereto, or his widow or family derive any benefit or annuity therefrom, inasmuch as the institution in its original establishment, in the publick collections and private donations & bequests made in aid of its fund, as well as in the late royal appropriation of the surplus of his Majesty's bounty, was intended for the exclusive advantage of Ministers as such, & not for those who should voluntarily lay down the Ministerial character. This regulation not to extend to the present ex-contributors, D' Stephenson & M"^ Gamble, provided their subscriptions be paid to the treasurer on the 29'*' day of September in every year. XII. Any minister a contributor to the said fund, who shall leave the kingdom to reside abroad, shall no longer be considered as connected therewith. XIII. If a contributor to said fund shall die leaving a family & no widow, such family shall receive an annuity therefrom, for a period of eight years next ensuing after their father's death. XIV. If a widow, an annuitant on said fund shall die before she shall receive an annuity therefrom for the full term of eight years, leaving a child or children by her husband who was a contributor thereto, said child or children shall continue to receive such annuity, until the term of eight years from the death of their father shall be completed. XV. If a widow or annuitant on said fund, shall marry a second husband, having a child or children by a former husband who was a contributor thereto, such widow shall receive but one moiety of the annuity arising therefrom, the remaining moiety shall be paid to the said child or children ; but if said child or children shall die the whole shall revert to the mother during her life. XVI. Every contributor to said fund shall have the power to order the distribution of the annuity arising therefrom to his family in the event or his not leaving a widow in such proportions as he, by his last will shall direct. XVII. Such widows & families as now are annuitants on said fund or as shall become annuitants thereon, between this date, & the AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 27™, i809. 349 first day of October which shall be in the ye:.r 1810 inclusive, shall receive an annuity therefrom, at the rate of twenty-five pounds per Annum. XVIII. From the first day of October which shall be in the year 1810 inclusive, the Annuitants on said fund whether widows, or families, shall receive in equal shares, the largest dividend of its annual produce, from whatever source arising, which a just regard to the stability of the institution shall warrant the contributors, for the time being, to direct. XIX. The annuities shall be remitted to the persons respectively entitled to the same in the month of October in each year, until other- wise ordered by the contributors, by the treasurer of said fund, on his receiving a certificate from each widow, signed by a contributor thereto, stating that said widow was living the first of said month, or if dead, the date of her decease, & naming the person or persons entitled to receive the annuity, or share of annuity which may be then due. XX. The annuities of widows shall commence the quarter day which shall next follow the decease of their husband, & cease the quarter day next following their own. The quarter days are the first of January, April, July & October in each year. XXI. The foregoing are to be considered as fundamental rules, orders, and regulations, of said Society, not to be altered or repealed without one year's notice of such intended alteration or repeal given to the contributors at their annual meeting during the sitting of the General Synod of Ulster, or at some subsequent meeting of the contributors to be then appointed for the purpose of taking such proposed alteration or repeal into consideration & to determine thereon. XXII. All questions respecting the amounts of annuities payable from the said fund, & the time or times of the payment thereof; or the lending any part of the capital stock of said fund, or the changing or transferring of the securities of the same ; or the appointment or removal of a treasurer or treasurers, trustee or trustees ; shall be deter- mined by a majority of the contributors at their several annual meetings or at any adjournment thereof, or by a committee of the same to be hereafter annually appointed to be assembled by the Moderator of the General Synod on any emergency which may arise, affecting the interests, security, or management of said fund. XXIII. William Colvill, Esq., The Rev. Benjamin M^Dowel, D.D., The Rev. James Horner, John Orr & Bartholomew Matiere, Merchants, all of the City of Dublin are appointed Trustees of said fund. XXIV. The Rev. Robert Black, D.D., of the City of London- derry, who for twenty years past has acted as Agent for said fund, is hereby continued in the management thereof as treasurer, under the security formerly perfected by him to the trustees thereof, with a salary of forty pounds per annum, for his trouble in executing the duties of said office. 350 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Resolved that the members of the General Synod's fixed committee do form the committee for the management ofthe affairs of the Widows* fund, on any emergency that may arise. ^ha^ks Moved & unanimously agreed to, that the thanks of this Interlo- cutor be given to D' Biack for his care & attention to the interests of our funds, & particularly for having obtained from parliament an Act to secure the monies subscribed for the benefit of our Widows & families. Resolved that the thanks of this Interlocutor be returned by D' Black to the Executors of the late Andrew Caldwell, Esq., for their payment of one hundred guineas being a bequest by M' Caldwell to the Widows' fund. Moved by M' Horner, pursuant to his notice of last year that each Minister of this Synod who does not answer to his name on the first, & last call of the roll at its annual meeting, shall pay for every such offence the sum of forty shillings, except such Ministers as have through age or infirmity taken an assistant, or such Ministers as are not in the receipt of his Majesty's bounty : That said penalty be levied by each Presbytery yearly off such of their members as by non-attendance on this Synod, have incurred it, & transmitted to D' Black, our Agent, who is requested to form a fund by such fines for defraying the con- tingent expenses of this Synod, & that this regulation be enforced by each presbytery this year. This motion was agreed to, & our Clerk is ordered to send with the Synod's minutes, each year, a certified list of the Ministers who shall answer to their names on the first & last call of the Roll. Ordered that our Agent do lend out the balance in his hands, on such securities as he may deem sufficient. THO. CUMING, Clerk of Gen. Synod. Inserted Jan. 4*^* 1810. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26TH, 1810. 351 A General Synod at Cookstown, June 26^^, 1810. The Rev. Samuel Hanna, the Moderator, opened this Synod by preaching from 2 Cor. vi., 4 , then constituted it by prayer, after which were present from the several presbyteries the following members, viz., from : — Mints. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Letterkenny Presbytery. Tyrone Presbytery. Hen. Millar John Holmes Joseph Lytle Sam. Cuthbertson Edward Reid James Marshal John Gillespie Clogher Presbytery. Andrew Millar James Ker William Johnston James Hall Booth Caldwell Ephraira Stevenson John Samson Root Presbytery. James Elder Alexr. Martin James Brown Daniel McKee Charles Kenedy Samuel Dill James Boyle Tho. Greer John Whiteside Solomon Brown John Sims James Dunlop David Thomson Wm. Keid John Leslie Tho. Lookliart Monaghan Presbytery. John Davis John McCurdie Joseph Denham James Walker James Gowdy Henry Mcllree James Wilson Archibald Mehar{j Dr. Dickson James Whiteside Wm. Moore Geo. Dougal Tho. Makay John Davidson Wm. Reid Robert Stewart John Cowan Moses Chambers Robert Hogg David Bennet Andrew Shannon John Ritchie Robert Duncan Hugh Wier John Young Tho. Bell John Boyd Armagh Presbytery. Dr. Neilson Tho. Cuming Nathl. Shaw James Bankhead Saml. Arnold A. G. Malcom Robert Adams Paul Borland Wm. Maclainc Arthur Neilson Sam. Sloane Robt. Boyd Strabane Presbytery. Willm. Dunlop Tho. Anderson Chas. Hemphill Wm. Porter David Guilkie Wm. McCrea John McFarlane Alcxr. Irwin John Little Derry Presbytery. Dr. Black Francis Gray Hen. Elder Wm. Cuthbertson 352 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Derry Presbytery — continued. Richd. Dill James Canning Wra. Montieth John Mitchel Geo. Hay Templepatrick Presbytery. Robert Orr Robert Thomson Tho. Alexander Robert Campbell Nathl. Alexander Geo. Foresythe Dromore Presbytery. John Thomson John McClelland John McCance Hamilton Dobbin Wm. Wright Hugh McAlister Moses Finlay "Wm. McGowan James Black John Brice Sam. Waterworth James Turretine Belfast Presbytery. Andrew Greer Saml. Hauna Saml. Watson Henry Simson James McCullogh Fletcher Bleakly James Munfoad Bangor Presbytery, James Sinclair Josiah Ker John Arnold John Watson John Mulligan Andrew Gowdy Hugh Woods Hen. Montgomery Dublin Presbytery. James Horner Andw, McCaldin William McEwen Ballymena Presbytery. John Davidson Alexr. Kilpatrick Sam. Carson Wm. Knox Alexr. Spear Tho. Henry Hen. Henry Beujn. Mitchel John Smyth John Hall Henry Cook Robert Stewart Richard Dill Elders from vacant Congns. Ahoghill Hen. Boyd Bailee Alan Martin M"^ Hanna having moved that another Moderator be chosen to this Synod, the following brethren were named, viz., Mess" Raid, Caldwell, James Elder, James Gowdy, Makay, Jas. Bankhead, Dunlop, Hay, Robert Thomson, M^Cance, M<=Cullogh, Sinclair, M-'Caldin, & Smyth. The Eoll was called, & MJ Dunlop chosen. M' Dickson continued Clerk. The several presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, & to prepare lists to be given to the Clerk to-morrow morning, of their members for the several committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, & General Synod's fixed committee. An account of such Ministers as have died, been ordained, or installed ; of such candidates as have been licensed, or entered on trials, since last General Synod ; & of such students as have been examined previous to their going to college by their respective presbyteries : — An account of Annuitants on the fund ; of any that have died ; of the time when such did die : — also of such women, in their bounds, as have been wives of Ministers, & are not on the fund. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26™, 1810. 353 Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Second Session. Wednesday Morning 10 o'clock. After prayer, returns were made by the several presbyteries of their members for the several committees, also the following reports : — Letterkenny Presbytery report, that they examined the following young men before & after their return from College, viz., Mess" "William Kay, John Ray, John M°Elheney, & John Rogers. Have on the fund M" Delap, Burke, & the families of Mess" Alexander & Love. Clogher Presbytery report, that they have on first trials M' Henry Carson : on the fund M" Moorhead. Root Presbytery report, that they ordained M' James Dunlop on the second Tuesday of December last as assistant & successor to the Rev. John Logan, in the Congregation of Ballyrashane, he subscribed the Westminster confession of faith & is a contributor to the Widows' fund. Have on first trials Mess" Huey & Elder. Examined Henry Haslet, John Blair, Samuel Templeton, William Johnston, & James Keith, previous to going to college for the first time ; & on their return Henry Haslet, James Kieth, W" Johnston, John Brown, Robert Anderson, Benjamin Jameson, Sam' Hill, W™ M'^Clenaghan, Jackson Graham, Henry Graham, & John Greer. Have on the fund, M" Gaston, Smylie, Hamilton, Elder, Davis, M°Mullan, Glasgo, & family of M-" Henry. Monaghan Presbytery report, that M' Kelso died on the 23'' March last, & left neither widow or family : have licensed M' Lester to preach the Gospel, & have examined M"^ W™ Waughope oa his return from College his fourth season. Have on the fund M" Warnock, Smyth, Montgomery (fc Whiteside. Tyrone Presbytery report, that since the last meeting of Synod they have admitted on first trials Mess''''- Elder, Stone, Winning, White, Allen, Harkness, Wilson, & Ferguson. Have examined previous to their going to College Mess" Gray, Gibson, Collins & Lyle ; have on the fund M" Stitt, Adams, Simpson, Boylan, & families of Hogg & Kenedy. They report farther that M' Alexander Henry of Ballysuddan, a student within their bounds, was on account of immoral conduct, declared to be an improper person to be a Candidate for the Christian ministry. Armagh Presbytery report, that M' Thorn died on the 18'*" July 1808, leaving a Widow & family : that they examined previous to going to college Mess" Murray & Jenkins ; have on first trials Mess" Edward Prenter & W" Heron; that they licensed on the lit" April last Samuel Sloane & George Lockhart to preach the Gospel : and that they ordained the Rev. Paul Boreland in the Congregation of Markethill, on the 26^^ Sept' last, the Rev. W" Maclaine in the united Cong" of Creggan & Newtownhamilton, on the 20"" of December last, & the Rev. Arthur Neilson at Kilmore, on the 1 3"^ Inst, as assistant & 3S4 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD successor to his father the Rev. D' Neilson : They are all subscribers to the Widows' fund. M'^^ Sloane died on the 26"" Aug* 1809. They have on the fund the family of M' Dickson & W^ Thorn. Not on the fund M" Moody. Strabane Presbytery report, that they examined M' Moore pre- vious to his going to College the first time. Have on the fund M" Turbitt & Hamill. Derry Presbytery report, that M' Law died in January last* leaving a Widow. That they have on the fund, M""^ Walker, Scott, Patten, Law, and family of M"^ Kyle. Templepatrick Presbytery report, that they examined William Baird, previous to his going to College & on his return. That they licensed William Finlay, agreeably to Synodical regulations on the 25''' December last. Have on the fund M" Dunbar, White, Gibson, Montgomery & family of M"^ Lewson. Dromore Presbytery report, that they have entered upon first trials W James Turretine : Have on the fund M" Strong, Magee, Hay, and Thomson with her daughter. Belfast Presbytery report, that they ordained the Rev. Fletcher Bleakley in the Congregation of Moneyrea, on the iO"* Sep. last, who subscribed the confession of faith, & is a contributor to the Widows' fund. That they licensed M' John Walker on the T**" November last, and ordained him in the Congregation of Millisle on the 13"' of April last, as assistant & successor to the Rev. Andrew Greer; that he sub- scribed the Confession of faith, & is a contributor to the Widows' fund. That according to Synodical regulations Mess" Simpson, Skelly, & M°Cullogh were examined, & gave in the necessary Specimens during the last summer after their second Session at College. That Mess" Coulter & Bailie were examined & gave in Specimens during the same time, after their first session at College ; that they examined M"^ William Harrison previous to his going to College for the first time. M" Kinkead died on the 24"^ March last. They have on the fund M"^^ Kenedy, M'=Ewen, Rowan, Kelburn, Malcom, Henry & family of M"^ Patten. Bangor Presbytery report, that they ordained the Rev. Henry Montgomery in the Congregation of Dunmurry on the 14''' September last, who is a contributor to the Widows' fund. That the Rev. Josiah Ker resigned the Congregation of Bailee on the 26"' August last ; and that on account of immoral conduct they suspended him for six months from the ministerial office, when the suspension was removed. Have examined M' William Campbell on his return from College the third time. Have on the fund M" Jackson, Hull now in America, Patterson, Porter, & Cochran. That in May last M' Caldwell, from age & in- firmity requested the Presbytery to supply his Congregation, & that they be permitted to choose an assistant & successor to him, which was granted. Examined Henry Andrew, & James Purse, previous to going to College for the first time. Dublin Presbytery report, that they have on the fund, M" Rogers & Wilson. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26Tn, isiO. 355 Ballimena Presbytery report, that they have ordained M' Richard Dill in the Congregation of Buckna, as assistant & Successor to the Rev. David Park, on the 13"* of February last who is a contributor to the Widows' fund. They have examined M' Matthew Adams previous to his going to College for the first time, & after his return, & M' John Wallace after returning from College for the second time. The Rev. Joseph Howard died the second of May last leaving a widow. Have on the fund M" Lindsay, Cuming, & the family of M' Douglas. Antrim Presbytery report, that they have on the fund M" Vance, Cromie, Sinclair, & Nevin. General Synod's fixed Committee for the year 1810. Presbs. Minrs. Letterkenny, Mess'"'' Cuthbertson & Lytle Clogher, Root, Monaghan, Tyrone, Armagh, Strabane, Derry, T.Patrick, Dromore, Belfast, Bangor, Dublin, B.mena, Samson & Johnson Jas. Brown & Kenedy Trimble & Morell Bennet & Eeid Adams & Arnold Anderson & Hemphill Montieth & Hay Thomson & T. Alexander Thomson & McClelland Greer & Bleakley Craig & Acheson Horner & M^Caldin Cook & DiU These with an Elder from each Presbytery and our Moderator & Clerk are to meet at Cookstown, when called by the Moderator on any emergency ; fifteen to be a Quorum, of whom twelve, at least, are to be ministers. Adjourned. Committees to meet immediately. Open Synod at 2 o'clock. 356 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Third Session. Wednesday 2 o^ clock, P.M. The Presbytery of Derry having requested the direction of the Synod whether they shall take M' Cuthbertson, a student in Divinity who had not studied Hebrew one Session, according to the regulations of Synod, after taking his degree in Arts, on Presbyterial trials : It was moved that it be recommended to the Presbytery of Derry to take M' Cuthbertson on trials, & to enjoin him forthwith to apply himself to the study of the Hebrew Language, & not to license him to preach the Gospel until he shall have acquired a competent knowledge of that language. To this motion the following amendment was moved, that it be recommended to the Presbytery of Derry to adhere to the rules of Synod. The EoU was called & the amendment negatived. The original motion was then put & carried. Synod to meet It was moved that Lurgan be the place of the Synod's meeting atcookstown next year : Cookstown was also nominated. The Roll was called & Cookstown carried. The meeting to take place on the last Tuesday in June next. Divine Service to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. Report of the M' Hauna on behalf of the Committee appointed by the Synod to ornmi ee g^ppjy ^j^g p^Qj. jjj q^j. respective Congregations with Bibles made the following report. " Since your last meeting your committee have been engaged in carrying into effect your recommendation respecting the dissemination of the holy scriptures among the people under your care. Between the 30*'' June 1809 & the 23"* June I&IO, they received the following remittances in Gold, viz., from : — M' Ja^ Brown, Garva, M°Cance, Comber, Reid, Vinecash, Brydone, Kircubbin, Thomson, Carnmoney, Dill, Ardmore, Reid, Rathmelton, Savage, Carrickfergus, Mitchel, Ballymoney, 8. Dill, Castlefin, Hamilton, B.mena, Rentoul, Ballykelly, Hill, Ballynure, Kelso, Bailieboro', F. Dill, Manorcunningham, Elder, Finvoy, Stewart, Broughshane, Brown, Castledawson, Greer, Dunbo, Gowdy, Glentubbret, Dickson, Keady, Guilkie, Armagh, Mitchel, Dungiven, .. £14 2 10 8 5 0 . . 10 3 6 ..2 0 9 13 Hi 2 .. 7 3 2 0 19 6 6 . . 72 5 n 8 . . 29 10 0 .. 8 17 7 ..6 5 11 10 7 4 10 5 8 12 lOi . . 59 7 . . 48 2 2i 2 ..6 4 5 10 5i 11 ..2 4 6 7 13 7 ..6 3 0 . . 19 12 0 AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26TH isio. 357 Spear, Portglenone, .. ..£161511^ Cook, Denain, .. .. 13 11 3 £375 2 11^ Your Committee have forwarded to members of Synod since your last meeting 467, 4to— 56, 8vo— 203, 12mo— 1004, 24mo Bibles, 55 8vo and 1118 ]2mo Testaments, in all 1730 bibles und 1173 Testaments. They have yet in their hands £85 : 13 : 4|, for which they have not been able to return books. In February last your Committee received a donation of Bibles & Testaments in sheets, from the british & foreign bible Society in London, to the amount of £100. They were found on inspection to be without Psalms. Your Committee have been taught by experience that in this state they are not so acceptable to the people in the North of Ireland. They therefore ordered Psalms from Edinburgh, for the diiferent kinds of bibles & Testaments which they had received, & now request that this Synod will advise them how to dispose of these books when bound & ready for delivery. Your committee regret, that in many instances they have been unable to execute the orders they received from ministers with the despatch they would have wished. This arose from circumstances which they could not prevent ; & when it did occur, it was as painful to their feelings, as it could be to those who received a disappointment by the delay. Your Committee issued a circular letter, in April last, to the ministers under the care of this body who had not forwarded remittances, urging them to comply with your recommendation, which will, they hope produce the desired effect." The Synod received this report with much satisfaction & finding that there is still occasion for a further supply of Bibles to our respec- tive congregations, request the committee to accept our grateful acknowledgements, & to continue its benevolent labours. With respect to the advice requested in the report, the Synod authorises the committee to dispose of the books received from the british & foreign bible Society in the the way which it may judge best calculated to forward the purposes of this institution. On reading the Overture of last year respecting the attendance of overture ministers at their different Presbyteries it was moved & agreed to, that explained it will be considered as sufficient, if each Presbytery do report the names of such members as generally absent themselves from their meetings, & that their report be dispensed with for this year, but strictly required at each succeeding Synod. Session adjourned with prayer. Open Synod to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Ffiurth Session. Thursday morning 7 o'clock. After prayer, the committee appointed to prepare a code of laws for the future government of this church having made its report, it 358 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD was moved that the further consideration of this subject be deferred until next year. To this motion was moved as an amendment that after the word "that," in the original motion, the remainder of the motion be left out, & the following substituted in its place, " that a committee be nominated to proceed in preparing a plan of discipline for the government of this Church " On the call of the Roll this amend- ment was carried. Committee to It was then moved & agreed to that the Rev. John Thomson, the of disdpUne ^ ^^v. James Homer, & the Rev. Sam' Hanna, be the committee to prepare a plan for the government of this church, & that they be in- structed to confine themselves to matters of discipline alone. Adjourned till ten o'clock. License withdrawn Vote of censure rescinded Fifth Session. \0 o'clock, A.M. After prayer, the committee appointed to meet at Loughbrickland, to try the affair respecting the Rev. M' M<=Aulay, reported that they had issued the business for which they were appointed, by withdrawing M' M'Aulay's license. On reading the minute of last year which censures the Presbytery of Dromore for suspending the Rev. M' Hoey, it was moved and carried that the vote of censure be rescinded. It having appeared that the arrears due to the heirs of the Rev. M' Moorhead had not been discharged ; it is ordered that said arrear be paid to M"^ Moorhead' s heirs on or before the first of August next ; & if this be not done, the Presbytery of Clogher is enjoined to deprive the Congregation of Pintona of publick ordinances until the debt be discharged. M' Thomson & M' Hanna read their answer to the letter from the Secretary of the Belfast Academical Institution. M' H. Henry was instructed to inform the Managers, that the Synod will be happy in taking any plan into their consideration which may be submitted to them, whereby they can promote the interests of the institution. OVERTURE. It was overtured & agreed to that in all cases in which any Presbytery may find it necessary to suspend or publickly rebuke any of its members for misconduct such Presbytery shall report the same in its next return to this Synod. BILLS. Donegore A memorial from the majority of the Congregation of Donegore was presented to the Synod, complaining of the proceedings of the Presbytery of Templepatrick in the case of the Rev. M' Butler, by refusing to forward his ordination agreeably to the regulations of this AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26TH, 1810. 369 church, appealing from their decision, praying the Synod to have M' Butler ordained among them with all convenient speed, & requesting to be placed under the care of a committee of the Synod until his ordination shall take place. A supplication was also presented from a part of the Congregation styling themselves the Synodical majority of the congregation of Done- gore, praying the Synod to confirm the decision of the Presbytery of Templepatrick respecting M"^ Butler, & by no means to suffer him to be ordained in Donegore. The Presbytery & Commissioners on both sides having been heard ^^^fiJjgd at great length, & having withdrawn, it was resolved unanimously that the appeal from the majority of the Congregation of Donegore be sustained. It was then moved & unanimously agreed to that the conduct of the Presbytery in this case has been highly irregular, & that they be rebuked from the chair. The Presbytery of Templepatrick was rebuked by the Moderator Presb : accordingly. Resolved that a Committee consisting of the following members, Committee at Mess"^^ John Thompson, Hanna, Wright, M.<=Cance, & John Arnold, do i^<'"^s°'^'= meet at Donegore on the second Tuesday of August next to poll the Congregation, & if they see cause, to proceed to M' Butler's ordination at such time as they may see fit. The committee is directed to admit as voters, those members of the congregation, who were qualified to vote on the first poll for M"^ Butler. M' Arnold is appointed to preach at Donegore on Sunday next, read this minute to the Congregation & explain to them the views & wishes of the Synod. An attested list of the members qualified to rote on the Q^^ of August last to be lodged with M' John Thompson, ten days at least before the day of poll. M' Butler is appointed constant supplier to the congregation of Donegore, commencing from the second sunday in July, until the meeting of the committee, & to preach for M.' Arnold on Sunday next. Adjourned till tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. Sixth Session. Friday Morning 7 o'clock. After prayer, an appeal from the Session & majority of the Con- Bailee gregation of Bailee against the conduct & decision of the Presbytery of Bangor respecting their minister the Rev. Josiah Ker, & praying for a redress of the grievances which they have so long suffered, was pre- sented to the Synod. M' Ker was heard at considerable length in support of the Allega- I'ions in the appeal, when the Synod adjourned till ten o'clock. 360 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Seventh Session. Ten o'cloch, A.M. After prayer, M"^ Ker proceeded in his farther support of the appeal of the Session & Congregation of Bailee. The commissioners were also heard on behalf of the appeal. The Presbytery of Bangor were then heard at great length, in defence of their conduct, when it was moved & agreed to, that the further consideration of this affair be deferred till to-morrow morning at 6 o'clock. Eighth Session. Saturday morning 6 o'cloek. After prayer, the Presbytery of Bangor concluded their defence. The Presbytery & the commissioners having withdrawn ; the Synod after mature & serious deliberation came to the following resolutions. Resolved unanimously, that the conduct of the Presbytery of Bangor, relative to M' Ker & the congregation of Bailee, has not in all respects been proper. Committee at Rssolvcd, that M"^ Ker be appointed constant supplier to the Con- gregation of Bailee until the last Tuesday in July next, when a com- mittee consisting of the following members, M' Thomas Henry, M' M°Cance, & M' R. Thomson shall meet at Bailee to poll that congrega- tion, when if a Synodical majority shall appear in M"" Ker's favor, the committee are directed to reinstate him in the pastoral charge of that Congregation. Against this last resolution Mess" James Elder, Ja^ Brown, Rich*^ Dill, Sam' Dill, & John Hall protested, & promised to assign their reasons in due time. M' James Bankhead is appointed to preach at Bailee on Sunday se'night & read this minute to the Congregation. Nawtownstewart A memorial from the Congregation of Newtownstewart was presented, praying the Synod to use its influence with Government in procuring to that congregation a portion of his Majesty's bounty. The prayer of this memorial was granted, & the Moderator in- structed to draw up a memorial pursuant to the spirit of the supplication of Newtownstewart, and have it presented to Government in the name of this Synod. INTERLOCUTOR. Tubermore D"" Black stated the progress of the Suit respecting Tubermore. His conduct was approved of in this matter, & he was requested to persevere. A statement of the receipts & payments of his Ma,jesty'8 bounty ending 29*'' September 1809, was submitted to this Interlocutor & found correct & satisfactory. The accounts of the Agent to the Widows' fund were examined & found correct. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 26TH, 1810. 3«1 D' Black informed the Interlocutor that he had lent the balance in his hands to Sir George Fitzgerald Hill & Marcus S. Hill, Esq. M"^ M^CuUogh gave notice that he will move next year for the repeal of the regulation which imposes a fine of 408. on the absent members. Moved that the different Presbyteries belonging to this Synod be p'^^j^X'^or^'s'''' instructed to levy the fines off the members who have been absent for the last & current year; & that they treat as contumacious such members as refuse to pay the fine. To this motion it was moved as an amendment that the words " last year " be omitted. The Roll was called & the amendment negatived : The original motion was then put & carried. A letter from the Trustees of the Widows' fund to the Moderator [was read] which the Mod"^ is authorised to answer. D' Black is authorised to lend out the money in his hands belonging to the Widows' fund, on such private security as he may deem sufficient. Synod concluded with prayer. Inserted Feb. 8*^811. THO. CUMING, Clerk of Gen. Synod. 362 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A General Synod at Gookstown, the 25*^ June 1811. The Rev. "William Dunlop, the Moderator, opened this Synod by preaching from 1 Cor. xiv. 20. Then constituted it by prayer : after which were present from the several Presbyteries the following mem- bers, viz , from : — Minrs. Elders. Clogher Presbytery. Minrs. Elders. Andrew Millar James Ker James Hall John Samson Jacob Scott Tho. Clarke Root Presbytery. James Eider James Brown Daniel McKee Charles Kenedy Samuel Dill James Boyle Thomas Greer John Whiteside Solomon Brown Willm. Ker Matth. Kevan Monaghan Presbytery. John McCurdy Joseph Denham James Gowdy Henry McIIree James Gibson Patrick White Jamas Harpur John Johnston Tyrone Presbytery. Dr. Dickson James Whiteside William Moore Tho. Makay John Davidson William Reid Robert Stewart John Cowan Moses Chambers David Bennet William Brown James Barclay James Smith Wm. Harbinsou Adam Lynn Robt. Hutcheson John Alexander Armagh Presbytery. Dr. Neilson Thomas Cuming Armagh Presbytery — continued. Nathaniel Shaw James Bankhead Dr. Wm, Neilson Andrew G. Malcom Paul Boreland Arthur Neilson Strabane Presbytery. William Dunlop Thomas Anderson Chas. Hemphill William Porter Daniel Guilkie William McCrea John McFarlane Samuel Armar Derry Presbytery. Dr. Black Henry Elder Richard Dill David Hamilton William Monteith John Mitchel George Hay Andw. McCaldin William Cuthbert John Kidd William Gait Templepatrick Presbytery, James Millar David Forsythe Tho. Hunter John Bankhead John Savage Adam Hill Robert Orr Robert Thomson Johh Murphy Thomas Alexander Robert Campbell Nathaniel Alexander Hen. Cook Wm. Ferguson Dromore Presbytery. James Birch John Thomson Dr. Little John Sherrard John Brice Hen. Dickson AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 25TH, isil. 363 Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Droraore Presbytery — continued. John McClelland John McCance Alexander Patterson John Mcllwain Hamilton Dobbin Win. Wright Sam. Waterworth Moses Finlay William McGowan James Black Belfast Presbytery. Andrew Greer Joseph Harrison Samuel Hanna James McCullogh Charles Gray Fletcher Bleakley John Walker Jas. Munfoad Tho. Warnock Wm. McCullogh Bangor Presbytery. Andrew Craig James Sinclair Robert Atcheson Josiah Ker John Arnold John Mulligan Hugh Woods Hen. Montgomery William Finlay James Stannis Dublin Presbytery. James Horner William McEwen Ballimena Presbytery. Tho. Henry Sam. Butler Hen. Henry Sam. Armstrong Benjamin Mitchel Robert Stewart Richard Dill Geo. McClelland Wm. Agnew Matth. Elder Jas. McMullan Letterkenny Presbytery. John Holmes Wm. Ramsay Wm. Huston James McClintock James Huston Joseph Lytle Edward Reid James Marshal Wm. Glendy James Neilson John Gillespie Elder from vacant Congregation Ballimena, Dr. Patrick M' Dunlop having moved that another Moderator be chosen to this Synod, the following brethren were named, viz, Mess" Ker, James Elder, Gowdy, Makay, James Bankhead, Hemphill, Hay, Hill, McClelland, Harrison, John Arnold, M^Ewen, Stewart, & Ramsay. The Roll was called & M' Bankhead chosen. M' Cuming continued Clerk. M' Bankhead Modr The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this prepare lists to be given to the Clerk to-morrow morning night & to of their members for the several committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, & Gen. Synod's fixed committee. An account of such Ministers as have died, been ordained, or installed ; of such candidates as have been licensed, or entered on trials since last Gen. Synod ; & of such students as hare been examined previous to their going to College by their respective Presbyteries : — An account of annuitants on the fund ; of any that have died ; of the time when such did die ; also of such women in their bounds as have been wives of Ministers & are not on the fund. Session concluded with morning at 1 0 o'clock. prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow 364 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Second Session. Wednesday morning, 10 o'clock. After prayer, returns were made by the several presbyteries of their members for the several Committees, also the following reports : — Clogher Presbytery report, that M"^ Booth Caldwell of the Con- gregation of Sligo & Ballymote, died on the 24* of October last. That they ordained M' Jacob Scott in that Congregation, on the 19^'' of March who is a contributor to the Widows' fund. That on the first Tuesday of June Inst, they suspended M' Davidson of Aughnacloy, for two months. That they have licensed M' Henry Carson on same day agreeably to Synodical rules. Have on the fund M" Moorhead. Root Presbytery report, that the Rev. Daniel Blair died on the lO**" February last leaving a widow & family. They licensed to preach the Gospel M' James Hughey, on the last Tuesday of July, & M} Sam. Elder on the second Tuesday of October ; they both subscribed the Westminster Confession of faith. Have on first trials Henry Graham. Examined Sam' Templeton, Samuel Hamilton, James Lynd, & William Kevan, previous to going to college for the first season & also on their return. Henry Haslet & William Johnston, on their return from college the second season, John Brown & John Greer on their return the third, & Benjamin Jameson, Samuel Hill, Jackson Widows Grahan, & W" M^Clenaghan the fourth. Have on the fund M" Gaston, Smilie, Hamilton, Eider, Davis, M<=Mullan, Glasgo, & family of M"^ Henry. Monaghan Presbytery report, that they ordained the Rev. Patrick White in the Congregation of Bailieboro' on the 28'^'' of August last, who subscribed the Westminster Confession of faith, & is a contributor to the Widows' fund. That they ordained the Rev. James Harpur as assistant & successor to the Rev. John Davys, in the Congregation of Castleblaney on the 1 1'*" of December last, who is a contributor to the Widows' fund. That they licensed M' William Waughope on the 16*^ of October last, who subscribed the Westminster confession of faith. That they have received on first trials, M"^ Joseph Thomson, & ex- amined M' M'^Clelland previous to his going to College for the first time. They have on the fund M"^^ Warnock, Smith, Montgomery, Whiteside, and Rogers now in Dublin. Tyrone Presbptery report, that since last meeting of Synod they have licensed Mess" Brown, Anderson, Reid, Cunningham, Elder, Winning, & Willis. Entered on first trials Mess" Magill, James & W" Fleming, Ferguson, Stone, White, Wilson, Harkness, & Allen. Examined previous to going to College first time, Mess" John & Francis Magowan, James Kilpatrick, John Leslie, Rob' Wiley, John Hogg, Robert Park, Walter Gourley, and John Adams. M"^ Brown was ordained in Tobermore on the 20''' of November last, & is a contributor to the Widows' fund. M' Dougal died on the 9''' of December, leaving a widow & family, & M' Shannon on the 22* of Feb. last leaving a Widow. Have on the fund M" Stitt, Simson, Adams, Boylan, & family of M' Hogg. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 25TH, 1811. 365 Armagh Presbytery report, that they licensed M"^ Edward Prenter on the 3** of September, & William Heron on the first Tuesday in November last to preach the Gospel. That they examined at the November meeting M' Kenedy previous to his going to College. They have on the fund JA." Thorn, & the family of W Dickson. Not on the fund M" Moody. Strabane Presbytery report, that they have examined M' John Davis previous to his going to College, & that they have on the fund M» Turbit & M'^ Hamill. Derry Presbytery report, that they installed M' M'^Caldin as assistant & successor to the Rev. Matthew Culbert in the Congregation of Colraine on the 20"^ day of March last. That they examined Mess" Hugh & John Brook, Samuel GilfiUen, & Hugh Mills, previous to their going to College, & have entered on first trials, M"^ William Cuthbertson. They have on the fund, M'* Walker, Patten, Scott, Law, & family of M' Kyle. • Templepatrick Presbytery report, that they examined Samuel Eccles & William Hood, in October last previous to their going to college, & in May on their return & M"" Baird on his return from College for the second time. That they installed the Rev. Henry Cook in Donegore on the 22'^ of January last. Have on the fund M" Dunbar, White, Gibson, & Montgomery. Dromore Presbytery report, that they have licensed Mess" John Hanna, & James M'Clelland who subscribed the Westminister confession of faith. They have on trials M' James Turretiue. They examined Samuel Crory in October last, previous to his going to College the first time. Have on the fund, W^ Magee, Hay, Thomson & her daughter. Belfast Presbytery report, that they have entered on first trials, Mess" W" 8kelly & W"' M<=Cullogh. That Mess'" Samuel Simson, Henry Coulter, John Bailie, & William Harrison were examined & gave in the neccessary Specimens during the last summer. That they examined Mess" James Cochran, & Hugh M°Aulay previous to their going to College for the first time. M' Watson generally absented himself from the meeting of Presbytery last year, & Mess" Brydone and Whitlaw have attended no meeting of their Presbytery since before the last Meeting of Synod. Have on the fund M" Kenedy, M'^Ewen, Rowan, Kelburn, Malcom, Henry, & family of M' Patten. Bangor Presbytery report, that on the 20"" of November they ordained the Rev. William Finlay, in the Congregation of Dundonald, as assistant & successor to the llev. James Caldwell, he is a contributor to the widows fund. Have ou first trials William Campbell. Ex- amined James Craig, James Purse, & Henry Andrews, on their return from College. Have on the fund M"^' Jackson, Hull, now in America, Patterson, Porter, & Cochran. Dublin Presbytery report, that the Rev. Andrew M"=Caldin re- signed the pastoral charge of the congregation of Stratford on Slaney on the e"* of December 1810. Have on the fund M" Rogers & Wilson. 366 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Ballimena Presbytery report, that they ordained the Rev. George M'^Clelland on the 24"' of September, in the congregation of Ahoghill, & the Rev. Matthew Elder as assistant & successor to the Rev. Robert Scott, in the congregation of Denain on the 2P' of June Inst, who are both contributors to the Widows' fund. That they have examined M' Matthew Adams after his return from College the second time. The Rev, Charles Brown died on the 9"" September leaving a "Widow '^ Dickson having been heard at considerable length on the sub- Apoiogy jggj. Qf ^Yie resolutions given to him yesterday, handed a paper to the Clerk, as his apology & explanation. disapproved of ResolveJ. that this Synod disapprove of what D"^ Dickson has offered as an Apology ■ but that under all the circumstances, they dis- miss this subject, & order said paper to be returned to D' Dickson. Notice of protest Against this resolution M' Wright & others signified their inten- tion of protesting, & of assigaing their reasons in due time. III. A memorial was presented to the Synod from the congregation of Ballyeaston, requesting to be taken from under the care of the Presbytery of Templepatrick & put under the care of the Presbytery of Belfast. Ordered that the Congregation of Ballyeaston remain under the care of the Synod's committee for the present year. M' Josiah Ker, in consequence of his application to the Synod, is disannexed from the Presbytery of Bangor & put under the care of the Presbytery of Armagh. Protest Reasons of protest against sustaining the report of the Belfast Presbytery respecting M"^ "Walker. "We whose names are subjoined protest for the following reasons, viz : — V^. Because a minister of the Gospel to be useful, must be " blameless." 2^ Because M' Walker's confession & marriage of the woman cannot, from the circumstances in which he stood, be regarded as satisfactory evidence of genuine repentance. 3^ Because the censure appears to bear no suitable proportion to the magnitude of the offence, & is not agreeable to the usage or dis- cipline of this body. 4"^ Because it establishes a precedent which is dangerous to the interests of religion & morality in general & in particular cherishes a spirit of registance to the exercise of discipline in our congregations. Richard Dill Francis Dill Samuel Dill W"* Magowan Richard Dill Jun' for 1^', 3'^ & 4'^^, reasons R. Rentoul Henry Cook for do. do. do. Hugh White Elder. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 29™, 1813. 399 Protest against the previous question in the case of M" Porter. We the undersigned members of Synod protest against the fore- going decision, for the following reasons, f. Because the moving of the previous question in this case, when the merits of the original motion had been only partly entered into, appears to us an infringement on the right on free discussion. 2^. Because we are now convinced that what D' Dickson has stated in his "Narrative" on this subject is substantially true, though perhaps in one unimportant point, not literally correct — inasmuch as it hath appeared from incontrovertible testimony, that an animated discussion did take place, not only in 1799, but in the year preceding, relative to the exclusion of M" Porter from the list of annuitants on the Widows' fund ; and also from a letter from a member of this body read by D' Black, in opposition to the original motion, which letter contains a statement to this affect, that *' it was thought unnecessary to put the question,'" thus admitting that the observations which introduced the affair, were considered as equivalent to a motion. Protest Ministers "William Porter H. Montgomery John Mulligan Hugh S. Woods Rob' Acheson Hen. Henry David Whyte Tho. Alexander Will'" Dunlop N. Alexander Kobert Thomson Ministers John Smith K. Stewart for V* reason W. Waughope for do. W.D.H.M<=Ewenfor do. J. A. Johnston Robert Christie William Glendy John Baird Ham. Dobbin Robert Campbell Alex' Montgomery Elders Sam. Cunningham Robert MMlcom Will"^ Guiler George Kidd Adam Lynd James Blow Tho. Hunter John Kenedy John Patrick James Agnew INTERLOCUTOR. A statement of the receipts and payments of his Majesty's bounty, ending the 29'*^ September last, was submitted to the Interlocutor & found correct & satisfactory. The accounts of the treasurer of the Widows fund up to the I" of October 1812 were examined & found correct. Dr -^m ]^{eilgon begged leave to postpone his intended motions till next year. D'' Black reported that he had lent the balance, in his hands, of the capital of the Widows' fund, to William Todd Esq., & John M"=Ilwain. Ordered, that D' Black do lend the balance of the capital of said fund, now in his hands, on such security as he may deem eligible. Ordered that the annuity to be paid the widows this year be £40. 400 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Instruction to Treasurer of W. Fund Notice of a Motion On the representation of D' Black he is instructed to pay £20, one moiety of said annuity, so soon after the P' of April next, as he may have sufficient funds in his hands. M'' Boyle gave notice that he will move at the meeting of the Interlocutor next year, that the annual subscription of the con- tributors to the Widows' fund be encreased from two to three pounds. Synod concluded with prayer. THO. CUMING, Clerk of Gen. Synod. Inserted August 3^ 1813. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 28TH, 1814. 401 A General Synod at Coohtown, the 28'^ June 1814. The Rev. James Morell, the Moderator, opened this Synod by preaching from 2 Kings 10. 16: then constituted it by prayer: after which were present from the several presbyteries the following members, viz., from : — Mints. Elders. Minrs. Eldera. Tyrone Presbytery. Tho. Sloan John Young John Campbell Dr. Dickson William Moore John Davidson John Cowan William Brown Robert Cunningham James Wilson Wm, Dunlop Robert Allen Hen. Hunter Armagh Presbytery. Dr. Neilson Thoma« Cuming James Bankhead Dr. Wm. Neilson Andw. G. Malcom Robert Adams James Davis Avclid. Aston Wm. Graham Strabane Presbytery. William Dunlop William Porter David Guilkie John McFarlane Derry Presbytery. Dr. Black George Hay James Johnston Templepatrick Presbytery. Robert Orr Robert Campbell Nathl. Alexander Henry Cook John Mairs Wm. Baird Droraore Presbytery. John Thomson James Mcllwain Hamilton Dobbin William Wright William Magowan Robfc. Lewis John Hanna Dromore Presbytery — continued. John Johnston James McClelland John White Hugh Lockhart Gilbert Cromie Belfast Presbytery. Henry tSimson James McCullogh James Riddle Fletcher Blakely Bangar Presbytery. Robert Acheson John Mulligan Hugh Woods Hen. Montgomery William Skelly Dublin Presbytery. John Baird Ballymena Presbytery. John Brownlees Tho. Henry Heni-y Henry John Hall Robert Stewart Matthew Elder George McClelland John Smith William Waughope Letterkenny Presbytery. Edward Reid John Gillespie John Allen Tho. Kernaghan Clogher Presbytery. James Ker John Samson James Philips John Anderson m RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Minrs. Elders. Roote Presbytery. James Elder Daniel McKee Sol. Brown Wm. Lyle Wni. MoKelvy Wni. Ker Monaghan Presbytery. Joseph Denhani Henry Mcllree James Morell Minrs. Elders. Monaghan Presbytery— continued. James Gibson James Harpur Robert Winning Synod's Committee Samuel Elder John Allen Elder from Brigh Oliver Junk M"^ Morell having moved that another Moderator be chosen to this Synod, the following brethrea were named, viz. Mess"^' M°Cullogh, Cunningham, Malcom, M'^Farlane, Hay, Campbell, M°llwain, Woods, Baird, Stewart Reid, Anderson, Elder & Harpur. M'- Hay Modr The Roll was called & M"^ Hay chosen. M' Cuming continued Clerk. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, & to prepare lists to be given to the Clerk to-morrow morning, of their members for the several committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, & Gen. Synod's fixed committee. An account of such Ministers as have died, been ordained, or installed ; of such candidates as have been licensed, or entered on trials, since last Gen. Synod; & of such students as have been examined previous to their going to and after their return from College by their respective presbyteries ; & such other returns as our regulations require : — An account of Annuitants on the fund ; of any that have died ; & of the time when such did die. Order to Presbyteries Session concluded with morning at 10 o'clock. prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow Second Session, Wednesday morning, 10 o'clock. After prayer, returns were made by the several Presbyteries of their members for the several committees, also the following reports. Tyrone Presbytery report, that on the 3*^ of August last they licensed Mess" John Harkness, William Lyle, James & John Patterson, 1 died to preach the Gospel. That the Rev. M' Chambers died on the 20"^ of August last, leaving a widow & family. That on the 24"^ September 2 Ordained ^^^^ ^^^7 ofdained the Rev. James Wilson in the congregation of Maherafelt, & on the 7"" Inst, the Rev. Robert Allen in the congre- gation of Stewartstown, who are both contributors to the widows' fund. That on the 12''' of October last they examined Mess" Geo. Smith, W" Brown, Robert Clark, & Rob' Creighton, previous to their going to College for the first time. Have on trials Mess" John Hogg, Walker Gourley, John Gibson, John Adams, James Collins, Robert Park, & AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 28™, 1814. 403 Robert Lyle. They have on the fund M" Stitf, Adams, Boylan, 7 Annuitants Dougal, Simson, Chambers, & family of SJ' Stewart. Armagh Presbytery report, that they ordained the Rev. James i Ordained Davis in the congregation of Banbridge on the 'iS** of March last, who is a contributor to the widows' fund. That they have on first trials Mess" Kenedy & Jenkins. Have on the fund, M" Thom and the 2 Annuitants family of M' Shaw. Strabane Presbytery report, that they have entered on first trials M' John Davis, and have on the fund M" Turbitt, Hamill & Anderson. 3 Annuitants Derry Presbytery report, that the Rev. James Knox died on the i died 21"' of November last, leaving neither widow nor family. They have on the fund M" Walker, Patten, Scott, Law, & family of W Kyle. 6 Annuitants Templepatrick Presbytery report, that they have on first trials Mess'' W" J3aird, Samuel Eccles, and David Davidson. That M' Reid died on the 25''' of February last leaving neither widow nor i died family, & that they have on the fund M" White, Gibson, and 3 Annuitants Montgomery. Dromore Presbytery report, that they installed the Rev. W" D. i insfaiied H. M'Ewen at Killyleagh on the 17"" of August, & ordained M' 1 0'd;iined John Whyte at Rathfriland on the 2P' of September last. They both subscribed the Westminster Confession of Faith according to order. M' White is a contributor to the widows' fund. D"^ Little, late minister of Killyleagh, died in the month of July last leaving a widow ^ ^^^'^ & family. They have licensed M"^ James Turretine since last meeting, who subscribed the Westminster confession of faith. Have entered on first trials Mess" Samuel Nicholson, William Dickson, and James Thomson. Mess" M'^Aulay, Carson, Crozier, & Carlisle, were examined in October last, previous to their going to College for the first time. Have on the fund M" Hay who lives in the county of Donegall, M" 5 Annuitunts Thomson & daughter, M" Magee, Barber, & Little. Belfast Presbytery report, that they licensed M' William Harrison to preach the Gospel, who subscribed the Westminster Confession of faith. That they have entered on first trials M' James Cochran. That they examined & received the necessary specimens from Mess'° Harrison, Hutton, Mayne, M^Cormick, Orr, James & Alexander Heron, after their return from college for the first time. That the Rev. Charles Gray resigned the pastoral charge of the congregation of Castlereagh on the 16"" of March, and was at the same time suspended ab officio 2 suspended sine die, for drunkenness & neglect of duty. That they have suspended until this meeting of Synod, the Rev. John Walker for solemnising the rite of marriage between Philip Savage Esq., & M" Arnold, neither of them members of his congregation, but both of Donaghadee, the lawful wife of M"^ Savage being still alive. The Presbytery do now request the advice of the Synod, as to what further steps they shall take in M' Walker's case. They have on the fund M" Kennedy, M'^Ewen, Rowan, 6 Annuitants Kelburn, Henry & family of M' Patten. Bangor Fresh} tery report, that on the 22^ of September last, they ordained the Rev. M' Campbell in the congregation of Clough, as 404 IlECOllDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD 6 Annuitants 2 Annuitants Idled 6 Annuitants 5 Annuitants Annuitants 1 died 1 on the fund 2 Ordained Idied 11 Annuitants 6 Annuitants 2 died 2 Ordained assistant & successor to the Rev. Robert Porter, & that he expressed his desire to become a contributor to the widows' fund. That they licensed Mess" James Purss and Henry Andrews to preach the Gospel. That they have examined Mess" Rob' Stevenson, David Thom, & Robert Dunn on their return from college ; and Hugh Green- field previous to his going to college the first time. Have on the fund M" Hull now in America, Patterson, Bryson, Porter, Cochran & Arnold. Dublin Presbytery report, that they have on the fund M" Rogers, Wilson & Cochran. Ballimena Presbytery report, that they licensed to preach the gospel, M' W^ Craig on the 10*'' of August, & M' Matthew Adams on the H^^ of February last. They examined M"^ Marshal Moore previous to his going to college the first time, & after his return : also Mess" Boyd & Anderson after returning from college the third time. The Rev. David Park died on the lO**" of March last, leaving a widow & family. Have on the fund M" Lyndsay, Cuming, Howard, Brown, & the families of Douglas & Hamilton. Letterkenny Presbytery report, that they have licensed to preach the Gospel John M'^Ilheney, & John Wray : have on first trials Mess" Clark & Hamilton ; have examined previous to their going to and after their return from college. Mess" Bates, Allison & Rogers ; and previous to his going to college, James Seaton Reid. Have on the fund M" Delap, Allen, & the families of Alexander & Love. Clogher Presbytery report, that they examined George Taylor previous to his going to college for the first time, and John Hamilton & Archibald Armstrong, on their return the second time. M''^ Charleton died on the 23'' of February last. Have on the fund M" Moorhead. Roote Presbytery report, that on the 14^^ of December last, they ordained the Rev. John Brown to the pastoral charge of the congregation of Aghadooey ; and on the 7*'^ Inst, the Rev. M' Lyle to that of Dunbo. They both subscribed the "W. Confession of Faith & are contributors to the Widows' fund. Have on first trials Henry Haslet, Rob' Anderson, W™ Johnston, HughHamill, Samuel Ttmpleton & James Lynd. On second trials the Rev. Jackson Graham. The Rev. Hugh McClelland died in the beginning of Oct' last leaving a widow & family. Have on the fund M." Gaston, Smilie, Hamilton, Elder, Davis, M'Mullan, Glasgo, Blair, Greer, lately married a second time having children by her former husband, FuUerton & McClelland. Monaghan Presbytery report, that they examined John Agnew, Andrew Breakey & William Kenedy, previous to their going to college the first time, & William Whyte on his return from college the second time. Have on the fund M^' Warnock, Smith, Montgomery, White- side, Moore, & Rogers who resides in Dublin. Antrim Presbytery report, that M"^ Wightman died on the 2** of July last, leaving a family, & M"' Marshal in October last also leaving a family. That they ordained the Rev. William Heron in the congre- gation of Ballyclare, on the 2Pt of December, and the Rev. Sam' H. AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 28TH, 1814. 405 Sloane in the congregation of Holy wood on the 12*^ of April last, both are subscribers to the Widows' fund. Have on the fund M™ Crombie, 6 Annuitants Vance, Nerin, Sinclair, & families of Mess" Wightman & Marshal. General Synod's fixed committee for the year 1814. Presbs. Tyrone, Armagh, Strabane, Derry, Templepatrick, Dromore, Belfast, Bangor, Dublin, Ballymena, Letterkenny, Clogher, Roote, Monaghan, Minrs. Mess" Hogg & Allen Bankhead & Davis „ M'=Crea & M=Farlane ,, Mitchel & Johnston ,, Orr & Alexander Thomson & M^Ilwain >> "Watson & Hanna Woods & Montgomery Horner & Baird M-'Clelland & Waughope J. Huston & Nelson Samson & Stephenson Solomon Brown Denham & Harpur These with and Elder from each presbytery, our Moderator & Clerk, are to mee at Cookstown when called by the Moderator on any emergency ; Fifteen to be a Quorum, of whom twelve at least are to be Ministers. Adjourned. Committees to meet immediately. Open Synod at 1 o'clock. Third Session. Wednesday, 1 o'clock, .PM. Moved that Cookstown be the place of the Synod's meeting next Synod to meet year. Belfast was also put in nomination. The Roll was called & '^^ Belfast Belfast carried. The meeting to take place on the last Tuesday in June next, in the meeting-house of the third congregation of Belfast. Divine service to begin at 5 o'clock Afternoon. 406 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD C'ode of M' Thomson on the part of the committee appointed to prepare a iseip me ^^^^ ^^ discipline ior the government of this Church, reported that they had not been able to complete the work, but that they had made some progress, & were willing if desired, to prosecute the business until its completion. Resolved that the committee be continued, & instructed to proceed to fulfil their appointment, with as little delay as possible. Mr Wright's M' Wright according to his notice of last year, gave in his reasons protest or protest, which are as loliows : — 1. Because I feel confident that the Synod of 1813 was less com- petent to judge on the subject alluded to than the Synods of 1799 and 1805. 2. Because the proceedings of last year on this subject cast a reflection & stigma on characters high in the estimation of this body, men who are now no more. 3. Because the proceeding was irregular, unprecedented, & of dangerous tendency. On reading the minute of last year respecting the publication of D"" Black's speeches, it was moved that each Minister of the Synod be ordered to pay for 20 Copies of his pamphlet, published at their request. To this motion the following amendment was moved, — " That it be recommended by the Moderator to each minister of this Synod to pay D' Black for 20 copies of his publication." The motion thus amended was carried, & the Moderator recommended accordingly. Report & M"^ Thomson as chairman of the committee appointed to confer "uie Synod's"" ^^^'^ ^^^ Managers & visiters of the Belfast Academical Institution, Committee reported that the Committee had met at Belfast according to appoint- ment, where they had been waited on by the Managers & "Visiters, who communicated to the committee the means by which they conceived the Synod had it in their power to promote the interest of the institution. In consequence of this communication the committee agreed to recom- mend to the Synod. 1. That the same respect be paid by the Synod of Ulster to the certificates of the Belfast Academical Institution, of attendance & progress of the Students in learning, as to the certificates from foreign universities ; so soon as adequate professors are appointed to lecture, in this institution, on the different branches of Science which the Synod points out to the Students under its care. 2. The committee recommend to the serious consideration of the Synod the expediency of establishing in the Belfast Institution a Professorship of Divinity, Hebrew & Ecclesiastical history. 3. They recommend to the members of the Synod to assist in raising subscriptions in their different congregations, which will be appropriated solely to the literary department of the Institution. Moved & seconded that the consideration of this subject be post- poned, & recommended to the serious consideration of the Synod till its next meeting. After some discussion, the Synod adjourned till to- morrow morning at 7 o'clock. AT COOKSTOWN. JUNE 28TH, 1814. 407 Fourth Session. Thursday morning 7 o clock. After prayer, the discussion of the motion for postponing the con- sideration of the recommendation of the Synod's committee respecting the Belfast Academical Institution, being resumed, the motion was carried unanimously. Resolved that the following letter to the Rev. John Thomson, Chairman of the Synod's deputation be inserted in the minutes. Belfast 25'^ June 1814. Reverend Sir, Since the Managers & visiters of the Belfast Academical Jf^a'^pJ"^*''* Institution had the honor of meeting you & the other Gentlemen who visiters of the composed the deputation from the Synod of Ulster in August last, J^- a- '°''"'^""°" several very important circumstances have occurred in the alFuirs of the Institution, which they wish you to communicate to the other members of the deputation, and also to the Synod. All the principal schools of -the Institution have been opened & masters selected eminently qualified to give to youth a critical know- ledge of the Greek, Latin, English & French languages ; as also of Arithmetic & Mathematics. The writing department has also been remarkably well filled. The Managers & Visiters have also to inform you, that there is now delivering a course of lectures on Natural Philosophy, another on Chymstry, and a third on Mechanics by a very able professor, D' Andrew TJre from the Andersonian Institution, Glasgow : — a gentleman well acquainted with those sciences, and familiar with all the late important discoveries. The Managers & Visiters have farther to inform you that in the month of November last they had a petition presented to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant praying that his Lordship would be pleased to sanction an application from them to the Imperial Parliament, for pecuniary aid. This his Excellency has been graciously pleased to do. In the course of the Winter a petition was presented to the House of Commons ; & in the month of March their Secretary had an official letter from M' Fitzgerald the Irish Chancellor of the Exchequer, stating that he would present the petition to Parliament, & move for a grant of money in aid of their funds. In the progress of the session their petition was presented, & referred to a Committee, who reported favourably on the prayer of the petition, & in a few days the Managers & Visiters expect to have an account of a grant being voted in aid of their funds. Thus situated, they feel confident that it will shortly be in their power to appoint additional Professors, particularly one for Moral Philosophy, Logic & Metaphysics, which were considered by the deputation in their individual capacities, as most necessary to complete the studies of Students in Divinity, under the charge of the Synod of Ulster. The Managers «& Visiters beg the favour of your communicating these particulars to the Gen. Synod of Ulster. They have no doubt 408 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD but collections could be made for an ample provision for the endowment of a Professorship of Divinity, Hebrew & Church History, in the several congregations under the charge of the Synod, the establishment of which would meet the wishes of the present students, & in future render the migration of Irish Students to another country unnecessary. "With much respect, I am, Sir, Tour obedient Servant Signed by order DONEGALL President. Resolved unanimously, that the conduct of the Synod's deputation to the Belfast Institution be approved of. Magiiiigan Eesolved, that the Moderator be instructed to apply to Government for a portion of his Majesty's bounty to the newly erected congregation of Magilligan. The committee appointed to take charge of the congregation of Clare, made their report. Adjourned till ten o'clock. Fifth Session. Thursday, ten o'clock, A. M. After prayer, M' Wright gave in his reasons of protest against dismissing the subject of D"^ Dickson's apology last year, which are as follows : • Because by dismissing this subject the Synod does not do justice to its character as a body, nor to individual members of it, whose characters have been attacked by D' Dickson in his narrative & retractation.' Ordered that the congregation of Ballyeaston do return to the care of the Presbytery of Templepatrick. OVERTURES. I. The following addresses to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, & his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant were unanimously agreed to. TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE PRINCE REGENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND. May it please your Royal Highness, Address to th« We his Majesty's most dutiful & loyal subjects, the Prince Kegent Presbyterian Ministers & Elders of the General Synod of Ulster, as- sembled at our annual meeting, request permission to offer to your AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 28TH, isi4. 409 Royal Highness our humble congratulations on the re-establishment of peace among the states of Europe, & to express our anxious hope for a speedy & honorable issue of the contest in which your Royal High- ness is still engaged. During the late war with France & her dependencies, now so happily terminated, we ceased not to offer up our prayers to Him who ruleth over the nations to guide & prosper the counsels of your Royal Father, our beloved King, in his endeavours to maintain the rights & liberties of his people, & to restore order to a distracted world. We beheld with gratitude & satisfaction the measures pursued by your Royal Highness in furtherance of the same great & salutary objects, & we have now to join in thanksgiving to Almighty God who hath so signally manifested his protection of this realm, during a long & arduous contest. Under the direction of his unerring Providence the efforts of your Royal Highness, & those of your august allies, have been crowned with the desired success ; the arrogant pretensions of lawless ambition have been humbled ; the sword has been wrested from the hand of the Oppressor ; and suffering Europe enjoys the prospect of a long repose. "We return your Royal Highness our sincere thanks for the exer- tions which you have made to procure the entire abolition of the Slave trade. We regret the failure of those exertions for the present ; but we entertain the fullest confidence that your Royal Highness will embrace every opportunity which may offer for putting an end to that inhuman traffic. We beg leave to assure your Royal Highness that we are duly sensible in our humble sphere, of the blessings we enjoy under a free constitution, & mild & beneficent Government, & that we shall con- tinue to inculcate on all those of our communion the principles of peace, exemplified by an obedience to the laws, & good will & affection to our fellow-subjects. Signed in our name, & by our order, at Cookstown, this 30"" day of June, 1814. GEORGE HAY, Moderator. TO HIS EXCELLENCY CHARLES LORD VISCOUNT WHIT- WORTH, LORD LIEUTENANT GENERAL, & GENERAL GOVERNOR OE IRELAND. May it please your Excellency, We his Majesty's most dutiful & loyal subjects, the Presbyterian Ministers & Elders of the General Synod of Ulster assembled at our annual meeting, take the liberty of requesting your Excellency to transmit the enclosed Address to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent. 410 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Overture postponed We entreat your Excellency to be assured of the high estimation in which we hold your Excellency's character, & of our perfect reliance on the wisdom & firmness of your Excellency's administration in the impartial execution of the Laws, & the maintenance of order & tran- quillity in this part of the United Kindgom. Signed in our name, & by our order, at Cookstown, this 30*'^ day of June 1814. GEORGE HAY Moderator. Resolved that fair copies of these addresses be made out & trans- mitted by the Moderator to the Lord Lieutenant. Ordered, that the Addresses with their answers be published in the Dublin Evening Post, the Correspondent, the two Belfast Papers, the Newry Telegraph, & the Londonderry Journal. II. Overtured that Mess" Cook, John Thomson, & Stewart, do prepare a petition to Parliraent for the purpose of preventing distillation on the Sabbath & submit it to the the Synod to-morrow. The petition was drawn up & submitted accordingly, but as it could not be engrossed & ready for signatures at this meeting, the consideration of this overture was postponed till next year. III. Overtured & unanimously agreed to, that our Moderator be enjoined to write to the Moderator of the Gen. Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to enquire whether the law of the Assembly which excludes from their pulpits, Ministers, of a particular description, be intended to apply to the ministers & licentiates of the General Synod of Ulster ; & if so, to request a copy it. Millisle Mr Walker degraded BILLS. I. A supplication was presented to the Synod from the congre- gation of Millisle praying the Synod to instiuct the Presbytery of Belfast to restore M' Walker, suspended until this meeting, to the congregation of Millisle, when the Synod may think prudent ; as they are convinced that M'' Walker must have been deceived in the'matter of M' Savage's marriage with M" Arnold ; & that though they admit M"^ Walker's imprudence, yet they have the highest opinion of his goodness & integrity, & think that he would be more useful in the congregation than any other minister. The Presbytery of Belfast, & the commissioners from the congre- gation, being heard at great length & ordered to withdraw, it was moved & seconded that M' Walker be degraded from the ministerial Office. This motion passed unanimously. Resolved that the Presbytery of Belfast ought to have issued this business when it came before them, without referring it to the Synod ; and that we highly disapprove of the hesitation of the Presbytery in declaring their final Judgment on a matter so flagrantly immoral aa AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 28TH, 1814. 411 the conduct of M"^ Walker ; and that we feel particularly indignant at the conduct of M' M'^Cullogh, a member of that Presbytery, in endeavour- ing to skreen M' Walker from the punishment due to his gross im- morality. II. A memorial was presented to the Synod from a part calling Cari»n themselves the Synodical majority of the Congregation of Carlan, com- plaining of partiality & irregularity in taking a poll for M' Willis, a candidate for that congregation, & praying the Synod to take them from under the care of the Presbj tery of Tyrone, to place them under the care of a committee of the Synod, & to instruct the committee to grant them a second hearing & poll for M' Willis. Adjourned till to- morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Sixth Session. Friday morning 7 o'clock. After prayer, the consideration of the memorial from the Congre- gation of Carlan was entered into, & the commissioners & Presbytery of Tyrone being heard, it was moved & agreed to, under all the cir- cumstances, that a new poll be granted to that congregation. Adjourned till ten o'clock. Seventh Session. Friday ten o'clock, A.M. Ordered that the Presbytery of Tyrone do take a new poll for M' Willis in the Congregation of Carlan, strictly according to Synodical j-egulations. III. A supplication was presented from the congregation of Clare, Clare detailing at great length, the difficulties in which that part of the congregation who wish to remain in connection with the Synod are still involved, & praying the Synod to procure them a portion of the Royal bounty without which they conceive themselves utterly unable to procure & support an able & ze:)lous Minister, without whose exer- tions the congregation must, in their opinion, fall into ruin : and to continue the congregation under the Synod's Committee. The committee, & commissioners from the congregation, having been heard at great length, & the commissioners having withdrawn : It was moved & agreed to, that tke prayer of the supplication respecting the Royal Bounty cannot be complied with ; but that when a minister shall be settled in that congregation, this Synod will be disposed to give their countenance & sanction to any practicable measure that may be devised for his support. M' Adams signified his determination to give a full discharge to the Congregation for all stipend, on his being paid up till May 1812. Resolved that the Synod do highly approve of the conduct of the The conduct of committee appointed to take charge of the congregation of Clare, with ^pproved'oi'"** the exception of M' M°Cance who appears to have entirely neglected his duty. 412 KECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Empowered to supply the Cong" firatis for 1 year Ml- Gray degraded Thanks to the Inhabitants of Oookstown Eesolved that the congregation be continued under the care of the committee of last year, with the exception of M' M^Cance, & the addition of M"^ M<=Allister, M' Dobbin & M' Cunningham. Resolved that said committee be empowered to supply the con- gregation of Clare with preaching by the ministers of this Synod, who are enjoined to give their services gratis for the space of one year, unless the congregation shall be sooner settled with a minister. The return from the Presbytery of Belfast being read, the Presby- tery were asked why they did not degrade M' Gray for such gross immorality as drunkenness and neglect of dutg, instead of suspending him sine die ; & the Presbytery being heard in accounting for their conduct: It was moved & agreed to that M"^ Gray be degraded from the ministerial office. Resolved unanimously, that the thanks of this Synod be given to the inhabitants of Cookstown, for the uniform attention which they have discovered towards the comfort & accommodation of its members during a period of thirteen years. Ordered that this resolution be published in the Belfast News- papers. INTERLOCUTOR. Annuity £40 A statement of the Receipts & payments of his Majesty's bounty, ending the 29*^ of September last, was submitted to the Interlocutor & found correct & satisfactory. The accounts of the Treasurer of the Widows' fund were examined & found correct. D' W. Neilson declined making the second motion of which he had given notice in 1811, but proceeded to make the first viz., that the eleventh regulation of the Widows fund, as published in 1809, be repealed. This motion after some discussion was withdrawn. M' James Bankhead gave notice that he will bring forward a motion next year to permit, under certain restrictions, degraded mini- sters to continue connected with the Widows' fund. D' Black reported, that he had lent the balance of the widows' fund in his hands, according to the instructions of last year's Interlo- cutor, to W™ Todd Esq., & that he had taken a mortgage on the lands of Buncrana for that balance & the sum formerly lent M"^ Todd. Ordered that the annuity to the Widows this year be £40, 1814 by THO. CUMING, Clk. Gen. Synod. Ali 414 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A General Synod at Belfast June 2V^ 1815. The Eev. George Hay, the Moderator, opened this Synod by preaching from 1 Cor. 12, 13 : Then constituted it by prayer: After which were present from the several presbyteries the following mem- bers, viz., from : — Minis. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Armagh Presbytery. Belfast Presbytery. Robt. Dickson Thomas Cuming James Bankhead Andrew G. Malcom Samuel Arnold Robert Adams James Davis Strabane Presbytery, No member attended Geo. Brydone Joseph Harrison Samuel Hanna Samuel Watson Hen. Simson James McCuUogh James Riddle Fletcher Bleakly John Hanna Hen. Coulter Matth. MorroAV James Munfoad Wm. McEwen Adam Boyd Hn. Boyd John Hunter Gavin Orr Tho. Hill Derry Presbytery. George Hay Andw. ifcCaldin James Johnston Robert Lyle Henry Kidd Templepatrick Presbytery. John Bankhead John Savage Adam Hill Robert Orr John Murphy Thomas Alexander Robert Campbell Nathl. Alexander Henry Cook William Glendy Samuel Elder Tho. Herdman John Bell Dromore Presbytery. James Birch John Thomson James Waddel John McCance Alexr. Patterson Hamilton Dobbin AVm. Wright Moses Finlay Hugh McAllister Wm. Magowan James Black Wm. McEwen John Johnston James McClelland Bangor Presbytefy. James Blow John Wilson Andw. Thomson Andw. Craig James Sinclair Robt. Acheson John Watson Wm. Moreland John Mulligan Andrew Gowdy Hugh Woods Hn. Montgomery David Whyte Wm. Finlay William Skelly William Campbell James Ward Wm. Boyd John Cooper Tho. Gelston James Lunn Robt. McKee Henry Rankin Wm. Hunter John Sinclair Dublin Presbytery. John Baird James Carlisle Samuel Simson Wm. Gilbert Jas. Birch Black Robt. Lewis Wm. M. AVilson Geo. Galbraith James Boyd Rob. Gardiner Dr. Turretine John White Wm. Shields Wm. Crozier Jno. Armstrong Ballymena Presbytery. Tho. Henry James English Hen. Henry Geo. Jackson Alexr. Montgomery Jos. McRory Robert Stewart Adam Duttin George McClelland William Wauhope John Patrick Letterkenny Presbytery. Edward Reid John Gillespie Tho. Smith AT BELFAST, JUNE 27TH, 1815. 415 Minrs. Elders. Clogher Presbytery. John Anderson James Irwin Roote Presbytery. Matthew Elder John Whiteside Richard Dill James Huey John Brown Samuel Butler Hugh Rankin Monaghan Presbytery. Matthew TurnbuU James Gowdy Henry Mcllree Archibald Meliarg Minrs, Elders. Monaghan Presbytery— continued. Patrick Whyte James Harpur Tyrone Presbytery. Dr. Dickson John Davison Jno. Adams David Bennet Robert Cunningham Robert Allen Robt. Park Elders from vacant congregations &c. Dunluce Adam Hunter Castlereagh Wm. Clawson Carlin Jno. Kenedy M' Hay having moved that another Moderator be cho-en to this Synod the following brethren were named, viz., Mess" Malcom, M^Caldin, Savage, M'^Cance, Brydone, Acheson, Baird, Stewart, Reid, Anderson, Huey, M°IIree, & Cunningham. The Roll was called & M' M'^Cance chosen. M' Cuming continued Clerk. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night & to standing Order prepare lists to be given to the Clerk to-morrow morning, of their members for the several committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, & Gen. Synod's fixed committee. An account of such Ministers as have died, been ordained, or installed ; of such candidates as have been licensed, or entered on trials since last general Synod ; & of such students as have been examined previous to their going to, & after their return from college by their respective presbyteries : and such other returns as our regulations require. An account of Annuitants on the fund, of any that have died, & of the time when such did die. Session concluded with prayer, morning at 10 o'clock. Adjourned till to-[morrow] Second Session. Wednesday/ Morning 10 o'clock. After prayer, returns were made by the several presbyteries of their members for the several committees, also the following reports : — Armagh Presbytery report, that they licensed M' Kenedy & M' Joseph Jenkins in October last, to preach the Gospel. That they examined Mess" Clarke & Smith previous to their going to college the first time, & W Bleakley previous to his going to college the third time. Have on the fund M" Thorn & the family of W Shaw. 416 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD 1 Died Idied 1 ordained 2 died 1 ordained Strabane Presbytery, No report. Berry Presbytery report, that they examined M' Robert Thomson previous to his going to college. TKey have entered on first trials M' John Gilfillan & M' David Mills. Have on the fund M" Walker, W Scott, M" Patten & M'« Law. Teraplepatrick Presbytery report, that they have licensed Mess" W™ Baird, Samuel Eccles & DaV^ Davidson. That they examined previous to their going to college & on their return Mess" Craw- ford, Shaw, & Thomson. That the Rev. M' Thomson died about the middle of August last, leaving a Widow. Have on the fund M" Gibson, Montgomery, & Thomson. Dromore Presbytery report, that the Rev. Isaac Patrick died in October last leaving a widow and family. That since last meeting of Synod they have licensed Mess" Sam' Nicholson, W" Dickson, Alex' M^Ewen, & Sam' Crory, who all subscribed the Westminster confession of faith, agreeable to order. They entered opon first trials James Birch Black, James Gardiner, David Watson, W" Scott, & W" Adair. M"^ James Thomson was on first trial'', but having been appointed teacher of Mathematicks in the Belfast Academical Institution, has discontinued proceeding with his trials for the present. Have on the fund M" Hay who resides in Donegal, M" Thomson & daughter, M" Magee, Barber, Little, & Patrick. Belfast Presbytery report, that they ordained the Rev. John Hanna in the Congregation of Millisle on the first Tuesday of May last, as assistant & sucessor to the Rev. M' Greer : he subscribed the West- minster confession of faith & is a subscriber to the Widows' fund. That the[y] licensed M' James Cochran on the 7"* of February, who also subscribed the W. confession of failh. That they have entered on first trials Mess" Bailie, M'Cormick, Harrison James & Alex' Heron. That they examined & received the necessary specimens from Mess" Orr, Nfcilson, and Hutton, after their return from college, & examined Mess" Kirk & Reid previous to their going to college for the first time. Have on the fund M" Kenedy, M'=Ewen, Rowan, Kilburn, Henry, & family of M' Patten. Bangor Presbytery report, that the Rev. James Caldwell died on the 2^ of October last, & the Rev. Robert Porter on the 22'^ March last, each leaving a widow. That they have examined Mess" David Thorn & Rob' Dunn previous to their going to college the fourth time, & Hugh Greenfield previous to his going to college the second time. That they have on the fund M" Hull, now in America, Patterson, Bryson, Porter, Arnold, Caldwell, & M" Rob* Porter. Dublin Presbytery report, that on the 23'' May last they ordained the Rev. Samuel Simson in the congregation of Usher's Quay, as colleague to the Rev. Hugh Moore. M' Simson adhered to his former subscription to the Westminster confession of faith, and is a contributor to the Widows' fund. They have on the fund M" Wilson & M" Cochran. AT BELFAST, JUNE 27™, 1815. 417 Ballyraena Presbytery report, that they examined M' Allison previous to his going to college for the first time, & M"^ Marshal Moore, after his return the 2** time. Have on first trials Mess" Boyd & Anderson. That the Rev. Benjamin Mitchel resigned the pastoral ^ re«g«»ed charge of the congregation of Ballyinoney on the 9**^ May last. Have on the fund M" Lindsay, Cuming, Howard, Brown, Park, & family of M' Hamilton. Letterkenny Presbytery report, that they have licensed to preach the Gospel Mess""" Clarke & Hamilton; that they examined Mess" Reid & Gibson previous to their going to, & after their return from college the first time : Mess" Allison & Bates, after their return the second time ; and M' Rogers after his return the third time. They have on the fund M" Delup, Burke, Allen & the families of Alexander & Love. Clogher Presbytery report, that they examined M' James Clements previous to his going to, & on his return from college the first time. That they examined and received specimens from M' John Hamilton on his return from college the third time, & from Archibald Armstrong & James M^Williams on their return the second time. Have on the fund M" Moorhead. Roote Presbytery report, That on the IS*'* Aug* last, they ordained 2 ordnlned to the pastoral charge of Armoy the Eev. Jackson Graham, & on the 15*'' September the Rev. Samuel Butler to that of the newly-erected congregation of Magilligan ; both subscribed the Westminster confession of faith, & became contributors to the Widows' fund. On the 26*'' July they licensed to preach the Gospel Mess"'^ Henry Haslet, Robert Andersou, & W™ Johnston \sho subscribed the Westminster confession of faith : have on first trials Mess'" Samuel Hamill, James Lynd, & Samuul Templeton. ihey examined previous to their entering college & after their return Mess" W" Neilson, John M'^Laughlin, & And" Mitchel. Have on the fund M" Gaeton, Sraylie, Hamilton, Elder, Davis, M'^Mullan, Glasgo, Blair, Fullerton, Greer & children, and McClelland. Monaghan Presbytery report, that they examined Robert Rusk & W" Kenedy on their return from college the first time, and Tho. Kenedy, And^ Breakcy & James White, on their return from college the second time. That they suspended ab offioio for three months the Rev. Archibald Meharg for irregularity of conduct. Have on the fund M'^ Warnock, Smyth, Montgomery, Whiteside, Moore, & Rogers who resides in Dublin. Tyrone Presbytery report, that on the 2** August last, they licensed Mess" James Collins, Robert Park, & Rob' Lyle to preach the Gospel. That thev examined Ja° Morgan, James Collins, James Adams, Samuel Sloan, William Anderson, & Andrew Campbell previous to their going to college for the first time. They examined W™ Smith, & Robert Creighton on their return from College, & have entered on first trials Mess" Sinclair, Hutcheson, Hamilton, John & Francis Magowan. That on the 31'* March last, they ordained the Rev. Joshua Willis as ^ <""^*'°*'* assistant & successor to the Rev. James Whiteside in the congregation 418 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Wid. dead Idied Presb. of Strabane of Benburb, He is a contributor to the Widows* fund. Have on the fund M" Stitt, Boylan, Dougal, Simson, Chambers, & the family of M' Stewart. M' Adams died on the 23^ December last. Antrim Presbytery report, that M' Bryson died on the 6*'*' May last, leaving a family ; & that they have on the fund M"^' Crombie, Vance, Nevin, Sinclair, & the families of Mess" "Wightman, Marshal, & Bryson. The Clerk having read a letter from the Rev. M' Dunlop of the Presbytery of Strabane in which he attempts to apologise for the absence of himself & Co-presbyters at this meeting ; the Synod feels itself called upon to declare, that the Apology is by no means satisfactory, & that it cannot receive the report annexed to M"^ Dunlop's letter, inasmuch as it does not come before the Synod in an official form. The Presbytery of Strabane are strictly enjoined to attend the next meeting of Synod. Gen. Synod's fixed Committee for the year 1815. Presbs. Armagh, Strabane, Derry, T.Patrick, Dromore, Belfast, Bangor, Dublin, B.mena, L.Kenny, Clogher, Roote, Monaghan, Tyrone, Minrs. Mess" Arnold & Davis ,, No return Hay & Johnston N. Alexander & Cook Thomson & Paterson Riddle & Jno. Hanna Acheson & Gowdy Baird & Simson Elder & Wauhope ,, Reid & Gillespie „ Millar & Philips „ "Whiteside & Huey „ Trimble & Whyte ,. Davison & Cunningham a )) i> » >» >> AT BELFAST, JUNE 27TH, 1815. 419 These with an Elder from each Presbytery, our Moderator & Clerk are to meet at Belfast, when called by the Moderator on any emergency ; fifteen to be a Quorum, of whom twelve, at least, are to be ministers. Adjourned. Committees to meet immediately. Open Synod at half-past one o'clock. Third Session. Wednesday, half -past one, P.M. On the second reading of the report from the Presbytery of Ballimena, it was moved & seconded, that the Presbytery be called on for a narrative of the proceedings which led to their acceptance of M'' Mitchel's resignation. On this motion the previous question was put and carried. Moved that Belfast be the place of the Synod's meeting next year ; gynod to meet Armagh was also put in nomination. The Roll was called & Belfast *'' Belfast carried. The meeting to take place on the last Tuesday in June next in the meeting-house of the third congregation of Belfast. Divine service to begin at 5 o'clock, P.M. M"^ Hanna on the part of the committee appointed to prepare a codeof dia- code of discipline for the government of this church, read a skeleton of a °'p''"* directory for divine worship, & also of Presbyterian Church govern- ment. Resolved, that these papers together with the outlines of a plan of discipline formerly read by M'" Thomson before this Synod, be printed by the committee, & that a copy be sent to each member of the Synod : and that the committee be requested, in the meantime to fill them up, & lay them before the Synod at it next meeting, for its consideration. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Fourth Session. Thursday morning seven o'clock. After prayer, on reading the minute of last year which recommends previous it to each minister to pay for 20 copies of D' Black's pamphlet, it was Question moved that as D' Black is not present, D' Dickson be permitted at our next meeting in 1816 to bring forward such charges against D' Black, & this body, as he shall have given regular notice concerning. On this motion the previous question was put & carried. Adjourned till ten o'clock. Fifth Session. Thursday 10 o'clock, A.M. M* Thomson presented the following letter from the managers & Belfast visiters of the Belfast Academical Institution. hiTtUuti^' 4!i0 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYJSOD Belfast 24^" June 1815. Rev. Sir, The managers & visiters of the Belfast Academical In- stitution embrace the opportunity of the annual meeting of the General Synod of Ulster, to lay before them, through you, the farther progress of the Institution since the former communications they had the honor of making to that respectable body. Their letters to the Moderator of the Synod of the 11^ June 1809, & of the IS'*' June 1813, their con- ference with the deputation of the same year, & their letter to the Rev. John Thomson, Moderator of the deputation, of the 22'' June 1814, would fully inform the Synod, of the plan & objects of the Institution, & of the progress made to that date, in carrying them into effect. It is with much pleasure the managers & visitors have now to state to the General Synod, that in a few days after their communica- tion to M' Thomson, a grant of fifteen hundred pounds was made by the legislature, in aid of the funds of the Institution. A grant of the like sum has been made in the present session of Parliament, and having been classed by his Majesty's Ministers along with other national establishments which are annually provided for, there can be no doubt of the permanence of the grant, or of the stability of the institution. Thus situated, the managers & visitors are preparing by degrees, to carry into effect the whole plan of education detailed in their pro- spectus, & sanctioned by the legislature in the act of incorporation. They have advertised, for a professor to lecture on moral philosophy & metaphysicks, and a professor to lecture on Logick, Rhetoric & Belles Lettres ; and several highly respectable candidates have already offered themselves for these situations. These professorships, with the lectures on Chemistry, Natural philosophy, & Mechanics already established, will, with Divinity, Hebrew, & church history, (as they understand) complete the course of studies enjoined by the General Synod to the young men under their care who are intended for the ministry. It was with much satisfaction, the managers & visiters understood from several members of the deputation, that the Idea of a home education was often entertained by the General Synod & cherished by some of its most respectable members. That at an early period of the establishment of the Presbyterians of Ulster, the young men intended for the ministry were taught philosophy at Antrim, at Newtown & at Killileagh, & that the same idea has lately been taken up by the Irish students of Divinity at Glasgow. The advantages & practicability of a home education are evident, nor can the establishment, or endowment of a professor of Divinity be a matter of difficulty with the numerous population with which the General Synod is connected ; and it now rests with them, to draw still closer the connexion with the Belfast Academical Institution, already established by the Legislature in the act of incorporation, & by which the Moderator of the General Synod of Ulster is made a perpetual visiter of the Institution. AT BELFAST, JUNE 27TH, 1815 421 The managers & visiters have entrusted the care of this letter to the Rev. John Thomson, the Moderator of the committee with which they held the conference, and they have appointed the Rev. Samuel Hanna, D' Stevenson, D' Drennan, D'' Tennent, & M' "William Boyd, to make such further communications as the General Synod may require, on the nature, objects, & prospects of the Institution. Signed by order of the joint boards of managers & visiters of the Belfast Academical Institution. ROBERT GETTY, Chairman of the joint Boards. To the Moderator of the General Synod of Ulster. This letter together with the former correspondence between the Certificates from Synod & the Institution being read, it was moved & unanimously j|j® i^^^l^^ ^°' agreed to — "that the same respect be paid by the Synod of Ulster to received by th the certificates of the Belfast Academical Institution, of attendance & ^J"*"^ progress of the Students in learning, as to the certificates from foreign universities ; so soon as adequate professors are appointed to lecture in this Institution on the different branches of science which the Synod points out to the students under its care ; provided a committee of this body who shall be annually appointed for the purpose shall concur in such certificates, & signify its approbation by the signature of its Moderator." in The Synod having been informed that Hebrew is already taught Profesjiorship the institution by the Rev M'" O'Beirne, it was moved and chiirch"'History unanimously agreed to, that a professorship of Divinity & Church historv be established by this Body in the Belfast Academical Institution, & that a committee be now appointed for the purpose of taking the necessary steps to carry this measure into execution. Resolved that said committee be composed of a Minister & Elder Committee from each Presbytery ; and that the following be the members. Presbyteries Armagh Derry Templepatrick Dromore Belfast Bangor Dublin Ballimena Ministers James Bankhead George Hay John Bankhead John Thomson Samuel Hanna Andrew Craig James Carlisle Thomas Henry Elders Tho. Prentice Rob* Kyle James Blow "W" M. Wilson James Munfoad John Crawford William Gilbert John Patrick 422 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Presbyteries Ministers Elders Letterkenny Edward Reid Nathaniel Scott Clogher Andrew Millar James Irwin Roote John "Whiteside Adam Hunter Monaghan Matthew Trimble Patrick Gibson Tyrone D' Dickson Hugh White The presbytery of Strabane are enjoined to appoint a Minister & Elder to be members of said committee, at their first stated meeting. Thirteen to be a quorum whereof eight at least are to be ministers. The committee to hold its first meeting this evening, in the Meeting- house, at eight o'clock, & report to the Synod, to-morning morning. M' Hay, the late Moderator, informed the Synod that he had in compliance with their order of last year, forwarded a Memorial to the Lord Lieutenant, praying his Excellency to grant a portion of his Majesty's bounty to the newly erected congregation of Magilligan ; and that his Excellency had bten pleased to order the sum ot £50 to be included in the Annual estimate for the Minister of that congregation. Ordered that the presbytery of Templepatrick & the committee for conducting the aff'airs of the Congregation of Ballyeaston do meet in the retiring-room at half-past nine o'clock to-morning morning, to make arrangements for the payment of the Arrears due probationers, for supplying that congregation. M' Hay reported that he had caused the addresses to the Prince regent & Lord Lieutenant to be printed, agreeably to the order of last year, & read an answer to the address to the Prince, which is as follows : — Dublin Castle, 20 July 1815. Sir, The Lord Lieutenant having transmitted the address to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent from the Presbyterian Ministers & Elders of the Synod of Ulster, I am directed by his Excellency to acquaint you, that he has received a letter from the Viscount Sidmouth, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, signifying that his Royal Highness was pleased to receive the same in the most gracious manner. I have the honor to be. Sir, your most obedient humble servant, W. GREGORY. To the Rev. Geo. Hay, Londonderry. AT BELFAST, JUNE 27™, 1S15. 423 Answer to the address to the Lord Lieutenant. Dublin Castle Q'" July 1814. Sir, I have received your Letter of the 4"" instant, enclosing two addresses from the General Synod of Ulster, one to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, the other to the Lord Lieutenant, which I immediately laid before his Excellency, who has commanded me to acquaint you that he will forward, forthwith, the Address to be laid before the Prince Regent. His Excellency at the same time directs me to return his best thanks for the approbatirsn the Synod have ex- pressed of his conduct, in the Administration of the government of Ireland. I am, Sir, your obedient servant. W. GREGORY. Rev. George Hay, Londonderry. M' Cook read the following petition to the house of Commons Petition against against distillation of spirits on the Lord's day which was approved of, nle'Lord^s'day ordered to be engrossed, & transmitted by the Moderator to the Right Honourable Lord Castlereagh, with the request of this Synod, that he would present it to the house of Commons, TO THE HONOURABLE THE COMMONS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED. The petition of the Ministers & Elders of the General Synod of Ulster, assembled at their Annual meeting Humbly sheweth, " That whereas by an act of Parliament passed in the 46*'* year of our gracious Sovereign king George the third for the purpose of grant- ing to his Majesty certain duties on spirits made & distilled in Ireland it is provided, "that every still shall be presumed to be kept regularly at work from the time of commencing to work, until the working shall be discontinued in manner specified : and that during every four weeks of said time every such still shall be presumed to continue working & be chargeable with duties for twenty-eight days," which provision is understood to authorise distillation to continue on the Lord's day. " Now we your petitioners considering that by the divine law, Christians are commanded to abstain from working on the Lord's day : — approving highly of those statutes by which its religious observance is enjoined; — convinced that its profanation has an immediate tendency to promote immorality & weaken the sense of religious obligation ; — and understanding that an act permitting distillation to continue upon the Lord's day in Scotland has been repealed ; do therefore most humbly pray, that so much of the aforesaid act as permits distillation to 424 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD continue upon the Lord's day in Ireland may be repealed, & such measures adopted as your honourable house shall in its wisdom consider adequate, effectually to guard it from profanation, agreeably to the intent of his Majesty's gracious proclamation issued upon the 31^' October 1760." And as in duty bound your petitioners shall every pray." Ordered that a similar petition to the house of Lords be trans- mitted to the Marquis of Hertford, and that the Marquis be requested to present the same. M' Hay's report jjjr jjay informed the Synod that in compliance with their order, he had written, to the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to enquire whether the law of the Assembly, which excludes from their pulpits, ministers of a particular description, be intended to apply to the general Synod of Ulster ; & if so to request a copy of it. In answer to this application M' Hay read an un-oflS.cial letter from the Moderator of the Assembly ; containing the following extracts from the printed acts of that Church. Extracts from Anno 1799, C. 5 " That it is agreeable to the constitution, the fheVeneraf *^ " laws & the decisions of this church, that no Probationer who has Assembly of the << obtained a license without the bounds of this Church, or who has not Scotland " obtained a license from a Presbytery of this church, or who either by *' going without the bounds of the church to obtain ordination, although " he was not called to a particular congregation in another country, '* or by any other part of his conduct, has forfeited the license which he " has obtained, shall be held qualified to accept of a presentation, or " call, to any parish in this church, or to any chapel of ease connected " therewith." All such presentations and calls are declared null & void. The second part of the Act " Prohibits all the ministers of this " church & the ministers of all chapels of ease connected therewith " from employing to preach, upon any occasion, or to dispense any of " the other ordinances of the Gospel within any congregation under " the jurisdiction of the church persons who are not qualified, according " to the laws of this church to accept of a presentation, & from holding " ministerial communion, in any other manner, with such persons." Resolved, that our Moderator be directed to write to the General Assembly, stating, that we feel ourselves much aggrieved by the Act which excludes our ministers & licentiates from the pulpits of the church of Scotland, & requesting to know if the Assembly be disposed to alter its acts, in so far as it respects the members & licentiates of the Synod of Ulster, as we should be extremely sorry that anything should occur, or be suffered to continue, which might tend to interrupt that ministerial communion which we wish to maiatain with that church. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. AT BELFAST, JUNE 27TH, 1815. 425 Sixth Session. Friday morning 7 (^ clock. After prayer, the committee for establishing a professorship of divinity & ecclesiastical history in the Belfast Academical Institution, made the following report : — Kesolved that it is the opinion of your committee that a fund shall comm^uee^or be raised for the support of this professorship, and that a sum not less estabiishinf,' a than three thousand pounds will be adequate to this purpose. Divin1ty'^&"'' ^^ Church history . . in the Belfast A. Resolved that your committee being of opinion that this fund be institution raised by voluntary subscriptions, recommend that Ministers subscribe liberally themselves, & that they with the assistance of their respective Sessions & committees be active in raising subscriptions through their congregations by application to individuals, & if ministers shall deem it prudent, they may make a public collection in their congregations for this purpose. Resolved that Ministers forward the sums so raised by subscrip- tions, or collections, to the Rev. M' llanna who is appointed treasurer to the committee, on, or before the first of November next. Resolved that the Moderator together with the Rev. M' Cuming, Rev. M' Hanna, M' Will" Maxwel Wilson, & M' James Munfoad, be a sub-committee for superintending & forwarding the general designs of the committee. Resolved that the committee do meet in Belfast on the first Thursday in November next, in the meeting house of the third con- gregation, at the hour of twelve o'clock. JOHN THOMSON, Moderator. After some discussion it was resolved, unanimously that the report Report approred be approved of, and that the Synod do earnestly recommend it to its mended'bv the Members & the congregations under its care, to be active & zealous in Synod to its procuring the means of carrying into executiou an object so important Mutrrejlations* to the Presbyterian body in this country. under its care Resolved that a committee be now appointed for the purpose of committee of attending the examinations of such students in Philosophy, in the Examination Belfast Academical Institution, as may be entered in the reports of presbyteries to this Synod, & of expressing their satisfaction in their proficiency, by concurring with the professors in signing their certifi- cates : And that the committee do consist of the following members : — Members for the Armagh, M' Malcom Ballimena, M' Stewart y*»' ^""^ Derry, M Hay Letterkenny, M' Reid T.patrick, M* T. Alexander Ologher, M' Anderson 426 RECOKDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Dromore, M'' M<=Cance Roote, M' Rich'' Dill Belfast, M'^ Bleakley Monaghan, M' Morell Bangor, M' Montgomery Tyrone, M' Moore Dublin, M' Carlisle Strabane, M"^ Dunlop Adjourned till ten o'clock. Seventh Session. Friday ten o^ clock, A.M. w McCance q„ reading the minute of last year, which censures M' M'^Cance for neglecting his duty as a member of the Clare committee, M' M'^Cance assigned such reasons for his apparent neglect of duty in this case, as were judged satisfactory by the Synod. BILLS. Clare I. A supplication was presented from the congregation of Clare praying the Synod to dissolve the connexion between ihem and the Rev. M' Adams, & to continue them under the care of the committee which had charge of them for the last year. The committee appointed to take charge of that congregation reported to the Synod their proceedings during the last year ; and the commissioners from Clare being heard ; it was moved & agreed to that a committee consisting of a few members of Synod be ordered to with- draw with M"^ Adams & the commissioners, & to endeavour to accom- modate matters between M' Adams & the congregation of Clare. The Synod in the meantime proceeded to the consideration of the remaining bills. Mrs Gray jj^ ^ supplication was presented to the Synod by M' Charles Gray, late minister of Castlereagh, complaining that the sentence of degradation pronounced on him by the Synod at its last meeting, was hasty, & unprecedented, & praying the Synod to rescind its sentence and leave him as he formerly stood, under the sentence of suspension sine die passed upon him by the Presbytery of Belfast. After reasoning on this subject at considerable length, and it having been «tated by undoubted authority that M'' Gray's conduct since the meeting of last year had been correct & irreproachable : The Synod on this account, as well as on account of the cousequences resulting from the sentence of degredation to his innocent family, do grant the prayer of the supplication. Mr Walker III. A suppHcation from M' John Walker, late minister of Millisle, was presented complaining that the Synod had taken his business out of the hands of an inferior Court before that Court had pronounced a final judgment, & of irregularity and cruelty in the Synod's sentence; and praying the Synod to appoint a Committee of their body to take his case into consideration. AT BELFAST, JUNE 27™, 1815. After considerable discussion it was moved, that the Act of Synod •which degrades M' Walker be rescinded, on this motion the previous question was put & carried. Eesolved, that M' Walker's memorial be dismissed: but in dismissing this memorial the Synod has no intention of attaching blame to the Presbytery of Belfast, or of supposing for a moment that the Presbytery were actuated by indifference to the interests of religion & morality in the case of M"^ Walker. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Eighth Session. Saturday morning July I** seven o^ clock. After prayer, the committee appointed to converse with M'' Adams ciare & the commissioners from Clare, reported that they had been unable to accommodate matters between the parties. The Synod discussed this affair at great length, when it adjourned till 10 o'clock. Ninth Session. Sat. 10 o^ clock. A.M. The adjourned discussion respecting the Cong" of Clare being resumed, M' Adams, in order to terminate this unhappy business, voluntarily offered to contribute thirty pounds, per annum towards the support of a minister in Clare, so long as he shall be in receipt of the Koyal Bounty, on account of the respect he bears to many of the members of that congregation, and his regard to the interest of the Presbyterian church. Resolved that this offer be received by the Synod & recommended to the acceptance of the congregation : and although the Synod cannot comply with the entire prayer of their memorial, they continue the congregation under the care of the committee of last year, to whom they return their thanks for the great trouble they had in conducting the affairs of that congregation. IV. A memorial from certain members of the congregation of stonebridge Stonebridge was prtSLutud to the S) uod, coaiplaiijiag of the Presbytery of Monaghan for refusing to try certain charges against the moral character of their minister the Rev. Arch*^ Meharg, & praying the Synod to give them such redress as to their wisdom may seem meet. The Synod declines entering on this business at present, as it is given to understand that this case is intimately connected with a suit at present pendinj^ in a civil court : and in the meantime earnestly exhorts, by its Moderator, M' Meharg & the commissioners from Stonebridge, to lay aside all causes of past animosity, & return to their friendly dispositions towards each other. V. A memoiial was bubn.itttd to the SyuuJ from the congregation Bailyeaston of Bailyeaston praying to be disannexed from the Presbytery of Temple- patrick, & put under the care of such other Presbytery as the Synod may appoint. 428 KECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Ready R.D. Widow's fund Dr Black Notice of a motion Resolved that the congregation of Ballyeaston, be disannexed from the Presbytery of Templepatrick, but for the present the Synod do not deem it expedient to annex them to any other Presbytery. VI. A memorial was presented from the lately erected congre- gation of Keady stating that D' Dickson had resigned the pastoral charge of that cong" through infirmity ; & praying the Synod to disannex them from the Presb. of Tyrone, & put them under the care of the Presb. of Armagh, & to apply to Gov. for a portion of his Majesty's bounty to that congregation. Resolved, that this cong" be disannexed from the Presb. of Tyrone, & put under the care of the Presb. of Armagh ; that our Moderator be instructed to apply to the Lord Lieutenant for a portion of his Majesty's bounty to that cong" so soon as a minister shall be ordained among them by the Presbytery under whose care they are now placed. INTERLOCUTOR. A statement of the receipt & payments of his Majesty's royal Bounty for the year ended the 29'*" September 1814 was submitted to the Interlocutor, on the part of the Agent (who was absent through indisposition) by M' Hay, & found correct & satisfactory. The accounts of the Widows' fund for the year ended the P' Ocf 1814, were in like manner submitted, & on examination found correct. While this Interlocutor expresses its satisfaction at the correctness of the above accounts ; it feels itself called on by a sense of its obliga- tion to D' Black, for his invariable attention to the interest & prosperity of its funds, from his important services to this body in general, as well as from its sincere respect & esteem for him as a Christian brother, to express its unfeigned concern for the cause of his absence. At the request of M' James Bankhead, the following motion is placed upon our minutes, for the consideration of Ministers until next year. " That in case of the degradation of any minister who is a con- tributor to the fund, if there be a wife or family at the time of degradation, he or they, or any person for them, shall be permitted to continue their annual subscriptions in order that they may be entitled to the benefits of the fund." Ordered that our treasurer do pay M' Cook the expenses incurred by engrossing & forwarding the petition to the two houses of Parlia- ment against distillation on the Lord's day. Resolved that the annuity to the widows be this year £40. Resolved that it is the opinion of this Interlocutor that all the capital of the Widows' fund should be vested in real landed security, and that a committee consisting of the following ministers, the Moderator, D' Bruce, M' Thomson & M"^ Eanna be now appointed for the purpose of corresponding with D' Black & Trustees, respecting the securities, on which the sums constituting that capital have been lent, AT BELFAST, JUNE 27TH, 1815. 429 which committee are farther authorised, in conjunction with D» Black & the Trustees, to make such changes in these securities as may be necessary. Capital of the W. Fund 1"^ Oct' 1814 . . £27,002 : 6:9 One year's Int. arising from the same . . 1,567 : 10 : 0 Number of contributors — 205. Sum by them contributed . . , , 864 : 0:0 Number of Annuitants — 76, Am' of Annuities due & payable to them . . 2,930 : 0:0 Synod concluded with prayer. Inserted Nov. IS**" 1815 by THO. CUMING, Clerk of General Synod. 430 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A General Synod at Belfast, June 25<^, 1816, The Rev. John M'^Caace the Moderator, opened this Synod by preaching from Proverbs iii, 17. then constituted it by Prayer ; after which were present from the several Presbyteries the following mem- bers : viz., from : — Minrs. Elders. William Dunlop William Porter Strabane Presbytery. Dr. Gamble Minrs. Fletcher Bleakly John Hanna Willm, Harrison Derry Presbytery. Doctor Black Richard Dill David Hamilton George Hay Andw. McCaldin A. Mitchel Templepatrick Presbytery. John Bankhead John Savage Adam Hill Robert Orr John Murphy Robt. Campbell N. Alexander Henry Cooke Will. Glendy James Cochran Dr. Forsyth H. Hetherington John Bell Jas. Blow Arch. Hunter Saml. Lorimer Dromore Presbytery. John Thomson John Sherrard John McCance A. Patterson John Mcllwain Hamn. Dobbin Willm. Wright Moses Finlay W. M. H. McEwen John Johnston James McClelland John White Jas. Simson Wm. M. Wilson James Lunn James Boyd Jas. Gardner A. H. Rowan Esqr. John Lockart Jas. Dunwoody Belfast Presbytery. George Brydone Samuel Hanna Samuel Watson Henry Simson James McCullogh James Riddle James Munfoad Hugh Boyd Thomas Moore John Hunter Elders. Adam McKittrick Will. Campbell Hugh Dunn Bangor Presbytery. Andrew Craig Willm. Wightman James Sinclair Robt. Acheson John Watson Willm. Moreland John Mulligan And. Gowdy Hugh Woods H. Montgomery David White Willm. Fiulay Wm. Skelly William Campbell Willm. Boyd John Cooper Dr. McKibbiu Robt. Baily Henry Audrews Will. Hunter David Davidson John Sinclair John Catherwood Dublin Presbytery. James Horner John Bain Samuel Simson Ballymena Presbytery. Henry Henry George Jackson Robert StcAvart Geo. McClelland Robert Craig Letterkenny Presbytery. Edward Reid Clogher Presbytery. John Anderson Route Presbytery. James Elder Matthew Elder James Dill Sam n el Dill James Boyle Adam Hunter John Whiteside James Dunlop AT BELFAST, JUNE 25TH, 1816. 431 Minrs. Elders. Minrs. Elders. Eoute Presbytery— continued. Armagh Presbytery, Richard' Dill Henry Haslet Doctor Nielson James Huey ==-^^~- Thos. Cuming Thos. Prentice John Brown John McCleery James Bankhead It. Dickson William Lyle William Carr Dr. William Nielson Jackson Graham A. G. Malcom Robert Adams Monaghan Presbytery. Arthur Nielson James Davis Patrick White Joseph Jenkins George Kidd James Harpur Tyrone Presbytery. Samuel Elder Elders from vacant Congregations Doctor Dickson John Davison James Duff Castlereagh David Stewart Johu Cowan Robert Hogg Dramara Robert Kingan Robert Cunningham John Hogg The Roll of the several Presbyteries, belonging to the Synod having been called, it was moved that the names of the Ministers of the Presbytery of Antrim, be called over. To this it was moved as an amendment, that after the list of the Synod is completed, the Presbytery of Antrim be called in order to ascertain what members of that Presbytery are present. On this motion the previous question was put & carried. M' M'Cance having moved that another Moderator be chosen to this Synod, the following brethren were named; viz. Mess" Porter, R. Dili, Campbell, Patterson. Brydone, J Watson, S. Simpson, Stewart, Reid, M. Elder, P. Whyte, Cunningham and Malcom. The Roll was called & My Stewart chosen. M"^ Cuming continued Clerk. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, & to prepare Lists to be given to the Clerk to-morrow morning, of their members for the several Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, & General Synod's fixed committee. An account of such Ministers as have died, been ordained, or installed ; of such candidates as have been licensed or entered on trials since lust General Synod ; & of such students as have been examined previous to their going to & after their return from College, by their respective Presbyteries ; and such other returns as our regulations require : An account of annui- tants on the Fund, of any that have died, & of the time when such did die. D"^ Black, after stating that he was anxious to obtain the fullest information on a very important Subject that would come under the consideration of the Synod at this meeting, moved, that M' Thomson be appointed to wait upon the Secretary of the Belfast Academical Institution, & request that he may furnish the Clerk of this Synod, for the information ot its members, with the following documents. 432 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD 1 . A Copy of a Petition of the managers & visitors presented to the Lord Lieutenant in November 1813. 2. A copy of a letter from the Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer, to the Secretary of the Institution, dated in March 1814. 3. A copy of a letter from the same, & of the answer thereto, dated in November 1815. 4. A copy of a statement relative to the Institution signed by the secretary, & addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in February 1816. 5. A copy of a letter from the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the secretary of the Institution, dated in April 1816, with the answer thereto from the joint Boards of managers & visitors. 6. A copy of any other correspondence between the secretary, or managers of the Institution, & any members of his Majesty's govern- ment, which may have taken place, between the last mentioned date & the meeting of this Synod. On this the previous question was put & negatived, after which the original motion was agreed to. Session concluded with prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Second Session. Wednesday morning, 10 o^ clock, A.M. After prayer, returns were made by the several Presbyteries of their members for the several Committees & also the following reports : — Strabane Presbytery report that they licensed M' Matthews in August 1814, & M' Davis in November last; that they examined M' Alexander, previous to his going to College in October last, & on his return in May last ; that they have admitted on first trials, M' Love, & have on the Fund M''^ Turbit, Hamil, & Anderson. Derry Presbytery report that they have entered on first trials Robert Thomson, & have on the Fund, M" Walker, Patten, Scott, Law, & family of M' Kyle. Templepatrick Presbytery report, that they examined previous to their going to College for the first time, & on their return, Mess"^ M'^Kee, & Blair, & on their return from College the second time, Messrs. Crawford, Thomson & Shaw ; that they have ordained the Kev. James Cochran on the 22^ of December last, in the second con- gregation of Larne, who is a contributor to the Widows' Fund : that the Rev. Alexander Montgomery has not attended their meetings for the last twelve months ; have on the Fund M'"^ Gibson, Montgomery, & Thomson, & that on the 7* of May last they suspended M"^ Cochran for seven Lord's days, & resolved to supplicate the Synod for advice. AT BELFAST, JUNE 25TH, 1816. 433 Dromore Presbytery report, that the Eev. James Waddel died ou the 12"^ of July last, leaving a Widow & Family; that they licensed since last meeting of Synod, M' James Birch Black, who subscribed the Westminster Confession of faith, according to order ; that they have Messrs. James Gardner, David Watson, William Scott, & William Adair on first trials ; on second trials M'' James Birch Black. They have on the Fund M" Hay, residing in the County of Donegal, M" Thompson, & daughter, M" Magee, M" Barber, M" Little, M" Patrick, & M" Waddel. On the first of August last they suspended M' Sherrard, on account of his having (by his own acknowledgment) two or three times, celebrated marriage irregularly, & also habitually neglected to attend on publick worship. They afterwards farther sus- pended him for three months or longer, on account of his contumacy, & having no reason to believe that he had reformed. And that on the 6'^ of February last having ample evidence of his having celebrated marriage between two of the domestics of the Bishop of Dromore, both members of the established Church, & the woman having another husband, & this, whilst he was under sentence, of suspension ; the Presbytery further suspended him until this meeting of the Greneral Synod, & refer his case to the Synod, that they may dispose of it, as to their superior wisdom may seem fit. Belfast Presbytery report, that they have entered on first trials M' John Orr ; that they examined Messrs. Moore, Wallace, Shaw, Hunter, & Alexander Orr, previous to their going to College for the first time ; that they examined & received the necessary specimens from Mess" Kirk, & Eeid, after their return from College the first time ; & William Johnston, alter his return the second time. That the E.ev. Joseph Harrison being unable from age & infirmity, to discharge his pastoral duties, requested the Presbytery on the first of August, to allow his Congregation to choose him an assistant & successor, & that he died on the 12"" of February, leaving a Widow & family. That the Rev. Charles Grey died on the 24 Feb. leaving a Widow. That they ordained the Rev. William Harrison, in the second congregation of Holy wood, on the IQ"* of March, who adhered to his former sub- scription of the Westminster Confession of faith, & is a contributor to the Widows' Fund : have on the Fund M" Kennedy, M'^Ewen, Rowan, Kelburn, Henry, Harrison, Grey, & Family of M*^ Patten. Bangor Presbytery report, that they have on trial David Thom & Robert Dunn, & on extra judicial trials Hugh Greenfield, that they have on the Fund, M" Hull, now in America, Patterson, Bryson, Porter, Arnold, Caldwell, & M" Robert Porter. Dublin Presbytery report that they have on the Fund, M" Wilson, M" Cochran, & M" Rodgers. Ballimena Presbytery report, that the Rev. Benjamin Mitchel died in the month of August last leaving a Widow & family : that they examined Messrs. Thomson, & Montgomery, previous to their going to College, for the first time, & after their return ; also Messr' Reafield & Moore, on their return the second time ; have on first trials Messr* Boyd & Anderson. They ordained, on the 15"" of November, 434 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD the Rev. William Wray to the pastoral charge of the Congregation of Buckna, who is a contributor to the Widows' fund ; have on the Fund M" Lindsay, Cuming, Howard, B^o^v^l, Park, & the family of M' Hamilton. Letterkenny Presbytery report, that they examined M' Steel previous to his entering College for the first time, M"^ Reid on his return from it the second time ; Bates & Allison on their return for the third time. Have on first trials M' Rodgers. They ordained the Rev. Henry Carson, as Assistant & successor to the Rev. Henry Millar in the Congregation of Glendermot, on the 12*'' of March last, who is a contributor to the Widows' Fund. Have on the Fund M"^' Delap, M" Burke, Allen, & the family of M' Alexander. Clogher Presbytery report that they have entered on first trials, M' John Hamilton, after undergoing the necessary examinations ; that they have examined M"^ Archibald Armstrong, on his return from College the third time, have on the Fund M" Moorhead. Roote Presbytery report, that they licensed Mess" James Lynd, Samuel Templeton, & Samuel Hamil, to preach the Gospel, who sub- scribed the Westminster confession of faith ; have on first trials, Messr* Irvin, Cowan, Greer & Scott : examined previous to their going to College for the first time Messr^ George Whiteside, Archibald King & Joseph Bell : that the Rev. Robert Thomson died on the 10*** of July last, leaving a family, the Rev. James M'^Farland on the 4"* of April, leaving a Widow & Family, & the Rev. John Logan, on the 4'*" of May, leaving a Widow & family. Have on the fund M" Gaston, Smily, Hamilton, Elder, Davis, M'^Millan, Glasgo, Blair, FuUarton, Greer & children, M'=Clelland, M'=Farland, liOgan, & family of M' Thomson ; & that they suspended M"^ John Greer, one of their licentiates from preaching the Gospel, " sine die." Monaghan Presbytery report, that they have examined M"^ James Shannon previous to his going to College for the first time ; that in February last, they received under their care the Rev, John Boyle, a licentiate of the associate Synod ; that they have entered on first trials, M' Thomas Kennedy ; examined M' William White, on his return from College the third time, & M^' Robert Rusk, on his return the 2* time ; have on the fund M" Warnock, M" Smith, M" Montgomery, M" Whiteside, M" Moore & M" Rodgers, who resides in Dublin. Tyrone Presbytery report, that on the first of August last they licensed M"^ John Hogg, Walter Gourly, John Gibson & John Adams, to preach the Gospel : they examined Messr' Thomas Dougall, Christopher Williams, & John M'^Geagh, previous to their going to College for the first time. On the 3P' of October last they ordained the Rev. John Hogg, in the Congregation of Carland, who is a con- tributor to the Widows' Fund ; have admitted on first trials Messr' Robert Gray, William Smith, Robert Clarke, & Robert Creighton ; have on the fund M" Stitt, Boylan, Dugall, Simson, Chambers, & family of M'' Stewart. AT BELFAST, JUNE 25TH igie. 435 Armagh Presbytery report, that they ordained the Rev. Joseph Jenkins in the 2^ Congregation of Keady, on the 20*'' of March last, who is a contributor to the Widows' Fund. They have examined M' Melvill previous to his going to College for the first time ; have on the Fund M" Thorn & family of M' Shaw. \ Antrim Presbytery report, that D' Drummond resigned the pastoral charge of the second Congregation of Belfast on the first of November last, have on the fund M" Crombie, Vance, Nevin, Sinclair, & the families of Messr* Wightman, Marshal, & Brison. On reading the report of the Monaghan Presbytery, it was moved & agreed to, that the act of that Presbytery, in receiving M' Boyle, under their care, is null & void, being in direct violation of the Synodical rule. On reading the report of the Presbytery of Templepatrick it was resolved that the Presbytery shall re-consider, & finally decide on M' Cochran's case. M*^ Savage having returned D' Forsyth as Elder from his Congre- gation, & some members having alleged that he was not admissible, according to the Synodical rules, it was moved & seconded that D' Forsyth be admitted as an Elder to represent the Congregation of Carrickfergus. On the Roll being called, the motion was carried. General Synods fixed Committee for 1816. Presbs. Minrs. Strabane, Hemphill & Gilkie Derry, Hay & M«Caldin T.patrick, Campbell & Orr Dromore, Patterson & M<=Ewen Belfast, M^Cullogh & Hanna Bangor, Watson & Skelly Dublin, Horner & Simson B.mena, H. Henry & Wray L.kenny, Allen & Lyttle Clogher, Philips & Kerr Koate, R. Dill & Graham Monaghan, Morell & Winning 436 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Presbs. Minrs. Tyrone, . Moore & Davison Armagh, Bankhead & Arnold These, with an Elder from each Presbytery, our Moderator & Clerk, are to meet at Belfast, when called by the Moderator on any emergency : fifteen to be a quorum, of whom twelve at least are to be Ministers. Adjourned. Committees to meet immediately. Open Synod at half-past one o'clock. Third Session. Wednesday half-past one o''cloch, On the second reading of the report of Templepatrick Presbytery, it was moved and agreed to, that that Presbytery be enjoined to summon M' Montgomery to attend their next meeting, in order to take such steps as our discipline admits, to bring the offending member to a sense of his duty. On the second reading of the report of the Presbytery of Dromore, it was moved and agreed to, that that Presbytery be directed to re-consider and finally to decide on M' Sherrard's case. Moved that Cookstown be the Synod's place of meeting next year. Belfast was also put in nomination. The Roll was called & Belfast carried. The meeting to take place on the last Tuesday of June next, in the meeting-house of the third Congregation of Belfast. Divine service to begin at five o'clock, afternoon. Upon reading the Minute of the last year, respecting the Skeleton of a code of discipline &c. which had been laid before this Body, at its meeting, it was moved & agreed to, that the consideration of this busi- ness be postponed until next year. Session concluded with prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Fourth Session. Thursday morning, 7 o^ clock. After prayer, a letter from the boards of Managers & Visitors of the Belfast Academical Institution to the General Sj nod of Ulster, in in which they detail, for the informotion of the Synod, the various occurrences which have taken place in the Institution, since they last addressed them, was read, together with the documents which were moved for in the first session of this meeting. Adjourned till a quarter-past 10 o'clock. AT BELFAST, JUNE 25TH, 1816. 437 Fifth Session. Thursday , a quarter past 10 o'clock, A.M. The Minute of last year on the subject of the petition to the Houses of Lords & Commons against didtillation of spirits on thejLord's Day, having been read, M"^ M^Cance, the Moderator of last year, re- ported, that he had duly forwarded the petitions as directed, by the Synod ; that he had received two communications on the subject from the Marquis of Hertford who had been so good as to present the petition to the House of Lords ; & that by a letter from D"" Black, written at the desire of Sir George Hill, he had learned that in the absence of Lord Castlereagh, Sir George had been so obliging as to present the Petition to the House of Commons, but that not having arrived until the last day of the business of the Session, it had been presented too late. Resolved unanimously, that a Committee consisting of the follow- ing members, viz , M"^ Thomson, M' Horner, M' Hanna, M' Stewart, M' Cooke, M' M'Cance & M' Johnston, be appointed to prepare new Petitions to both Houses of Parliament, & to take such farther steps as may be likely to carry into eifect the wishes of the Synod for prevent- ing distillation of spirits on the Lord's Day. The Moderator of last year stated, that through Jy Magill, of Glasgow College, he had transmitted a letter, as ordered by the 8ynod, to the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to which he had not received any answer. Adjourned till 2 o'clock. Sixth Session. Thursday 2 o'clock, P.M. The consideration of the matter relating to the General Assembly, having been resumed, it was moved & agreed to, that no official com- munication on the subject in question, be made to the Assembly before the next meeting of General Synod. The Committee for establishing a Professorship of Divinity & Church History in the Belfast Academical Institution reported that they had not been able to hold a meeting, a sufficient number of members to form a quorum not having attended. That they had received remittances from M"^ Reid of Ramelton and M' Watson of Killinchy which they had lodged at interest in the Commercial Bank. The Committee appointed for the purpose of attending the exami- nation of students of Philosophy in the Belfast Academical Institution made the following report : — That they have to express their approbation of the progress made by the Students in that Institution — a progress equally honourable to the Professors, & to the young men under their care ; & that they consider it a happy omen of the eminence to which that Seminary of learning would yet rise in the literary world. The following Ministers were then appointed to attend the ex- aminations next year, viz. : — 438 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD M» Hanna M' Craig M' Cooke M' N. Alexander M' Montgomery M' Stewart M' Thomson M' Bleakly Mr Acheson M' M'=Cance M' Harrison M^ Wright M' Woods M' M<=Ewen M' R. Hogg M' Glendy Any other Ministers of the Synod who may attend shall have the privilege of sitting & voting with the Committee. Moved & seconded, that this Synod do provide a eum equal to the support of a Professor of Divinity & Church History, in the Academical Institution, during next winter. To this the following amendment was moved, that instead of eadowing a Professorship a Committee be appointed by the Synod to prescribe a course of reading to the Students in theology — that the books, &c., be specified, & young men be examined by Presbyteries as usual. Neither of these motions having met the approbation of the House, a Committee of the following members, viz., M"" Thomson, M' Horner, & M' M'^Cance, was appointed to meet for the purpose of digesting some plan which may be likely to promote the object of establishing a Professorship of divinity& church history in the Belfast Academical Institution to report to the Synod at its next sederunt. Session concluded with prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Seventh Session. Friday morning, 7 o'clock. After prayer, the Committee appointed at last sederunt made their report, which is as folio ws : — Having maturely considered the subject referred to us at the conclusion of the last Session, we, with great deference, submit the following : — That the Ministers of the Synod shall provide for the support of a Professor of Divinity & Church History in the Belfast Academical Institution for the first year after his election, & in order to secure this measure, that they request the Agent of Government to stop out of their next half year's bounty the sum of £2 : 10 : from each Minister in the first class, £2 : 0 : 0 from each Minister in the second class, & £l : 10 : 0 from each Minister in the third class, & to remit the same to a Committee, now to be appointed by the Synod, to be vested by them in one of the Banks, till required. That after this contribution on the part of the Ministers of the Synod, an application be made by each Minister to his congregation, for such contribution as their circumstances will enable them to give, to be applied to the purpose of supporting the Professor or purchasing a AT BELFAST, JUNE 25TH, 18I6. 439 Library, as the Synod at its next meeting shall direct. This contri- bution to be made & transmitted to the Committee, on or before the month of March next. That in case this contribution shall be found insufficient for the support of a Professor, & that circumstances shall warrant the measure, an application shall be subsequently made to Government, for an annual grant for his future support. That the Committee now to be appointed to receive the contri- butions of the Ministers & people, be also empowered to write to the Principal of each of the Colleges in Scotland, requesting him with the concurrence of the Professors, to recommend a Person who shall appear to him well qualified to discharge the duties of Divinity Professor in the Belfast Academical Institution ; & the election of a Professor shall he made on the 2** Tuesday of September by the Synod, or a Committee now to be appointed by the Synod ; & that said Professor, so elected, shall commence his course of Lectures on the 15'''' of November & continue the same till the 1 5*'' of April next. This report having been read it was moved & seconded, that in order to establish a Professorship of Divinity, & Church history in the Belfast Academical Institution, the ministers in the first class shall contribute £2 : 10: those in the second, £2 & those in the third £1 : 10: for this year; & that the Agent for the distribution of his Majesty's Bounty be requested to retain the above mentioned sums out of the next payment of Royal Bounty, & transmit them to the Committee appointed to receive the same. This motion was agreed to. The Moderator having signified the request of the Synod, to D' Black, he replied, that " it gave him pain to refuse any request made by the Synod, but that in the distribution of his Majesty's Bounty, he could be guided only by the instructions of his Majesty's Representative." Adjourned till a quarter past 10 o'clock. Eighth Session. Friday a quarter-past 10 o'clock. In consequence of D' Black having stated that he could not comply with the request of the Synod expressed at last sederunt, it was moved & seconded that this Body shall enjoin the several Presby- teries to exert themselves in collecting from their several members the sums above mentioned, & that the Moderator of each Presbytery shall make a return of the same to the Committee, on or before the first of November next. Moved as an amendment the above " That various difficulties having occurred in carrying into effect the intentions of this Synod respecting the endowment of a professorship of Divinity &, Church History, which appear inaurmountable, that measure is relinquished & 440 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD the young men who propose to become candidates for the Ministry in the bounds of this Synod are hereby directed to pursue their studies, under the Regulations of 1804 & 1806 until circumstances shall warrant a departure from the system then established. The Roll be called on the amendment it was negatived by a large Majority, The original motion was then put & carried. Adjourned till 3 o'clock. Ninth Session. Friday, 3 o'clock, P.M. Against the motion passed at last sederunt D' Black & M"" James Elder signified their intention of protesting, & promised to assign their reasons in due time. In accordance with the second suggestion of the committee, it was moved & agreed to that the Elders now present be addressed from the Chair, & warmly pressed to use every exertion in their power, in the Congregations to which they respectively belong, to raise money for the purpose of consolidating a Fund, the interest of which may be applied to the support of a Professorship of Divinity & Church History, in the Belfast Academical Institution ; & that the Ministers of the Synod be enjoined to use their influence with their people for this purpose. The Moderator addressed the Elders accordingly. Resolved, that the Committee for receiving contributions from the Ministers & Congregations do consist of the following members, viz. : — M' Thomson M"^ Cooke M"^ Acheson M' Munfoad M' Hanna M' Boyd M' M^Cance M"^ W. M. Wilson M' Montgomery M' Shaw Resolved that M' Thomson be the Treasurer of this Committee. Moved & seconded that the election of a Professor be deferred until next meeting of Synod. Moved as an amendment to the above, that the Synod shall meet on the first Tuesday in November next, for the purpose of electing a Professor of Divinity & Church History to lecture in the Belfast Academical Institution. On a call of the Roll, the amendment was carried. Moved & agreed to, that Cookstown be the place of meeting, the hour of meeting 12 o'clock. Resolved, that the Committee be permitted to advertise in the Newspapers, as they may consider expedient, the object of the above meeting; in order that candidates for the Professorship may off'er themselves to the attention of the body, through the Moderator, previous to the meeting — and likewise to make such inquiries & communications as they may judge necessary. AT BELFAST, JUNE 25TH, 1816. 441 Resolved that the successful candidate for the Professorship shall, upon his being appointed, take the oath of allegiance to his Majesty. Session concluded with Prayer. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 6 o'clock. ' Tenth Session. Saturday morning, 6 o'clock. After prayer, the Committee appointed to take charge of the Con- gregation of Clare made their report which is as follows : — The Committee for the Congregation of Clare report, that some time after the last meeting of Synod, a supplication for a hearing of the Kev. H. Haslett, of the Pre8b3tery of Route, having been presented, they obtained a hearing of him for four sabbaths, on trial, & sent M' Dobbin afterwards to take the minds of the people with regard to him ; an unanimous call for M"" Haslett, was the pleasing result, but he declined accepting it. The Committee continued to supply the Con- gregation for some time farther, till the Congregation having heard of the Rev. Francis Dill, ordained Minister of the Presbytery of Route, as a person who might be a suitable Minister for them, requested a hearing of him for two or more sabbaths might be obtained, that they might judge of his ministerial qualifications. A hearing of M' Dill for two sabbaths on trial was accordingly procured : M' Dobbin was sent to take the minds of the people with regard to him, & a call nearly unanimous, was drawn up, signed, & forwarded to the Presbytery of Ruute, to be presented to M' Dill. The Congregation, having, however, ior some reasons, requestdl that M' Dill might not be required to give an immediate answer to their Call, the Committee have not yet been assured of his miud. In addition to these things they have only to add, that they have endeavoured to have the Congregation regularly supplied, which they have been enabled to do with very iew exceptions. And having anxiously & with considerable trouble, so far attended to the important trust reposed in them, they hope not without some success, they beg they may now be exonerated from their charge, & others appointed to attend to it. It being understood that a Bill concerning the Congregation of Clare will be laid before this Synod, the consideration of this report was deferred until the reading of that Bill. M' M'^Cance, the Moderator of last year, stated, that he had applied to the Lord Lieutenant for a portion of his Majesty's Bounty, for the second Congregation of Keady, as directed by last Synod, & that his Excellency had been pit ased to order the sum of £50 to be included in the annual estimate, for the minister of that Congregation. OVERTURES. I. Overtured & agreed to, that Presbyteries on examining young men, previous to their going to College, or to the Academical Institu- tion, shall give them certificates of their fitness for entering College, signed with the names of all the Ministers who are satisfied with their 442 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD proficiency ; & that Presbyteries be eujoined not to give certificates to any students of whose learning & qualificalions they are not fully satisfied. IT. Overtured & agreed to, that a certificate of approbation, signed by all the Professors & Teachers in the collegiate department of the Belfast Academical Institution, on a public txamiuation of the students connected with the General Synod of Ulster, at the close of their studies in that seminary, be received in place of a degree in arts which the Synod requires from Young men who have studied at the universi- ties ; provided that the said certific itts shall have the concuring signature of the Moderator of the Synod's Committee of examination, affixed to them, in their name, & by their authority. Against this overture D"^ Black signified his intention of protest- ing & promised to assign his reasons in due time. BILLS. I. A memorial was presented to the Synod from the Committee appointed to conduct the affairs of the intended new erection in Drumlough in the Parish of Dromore, County of Down ; in which Memoralists express a wish to obtain the advice & to come under the protection of the Synod & pray that suppliers may be sent to them every Lord's Day. Moved & seconded that this memorial be dismissed. This motion having been withdrawn, the following was agreed to — that the Petitioners be referred to the Presbytery of Dromore, & that M'^ James Bankhead be invited to sit with the Presbytery in deliberating on this matter. II. A memorial signed by 20 members of the 2^ Congregation of Lame, was presented to the Synod, stating that the conduct of their Pastor, the Rev. James Cochran bad rendered his ministry useless amongst them, & his continuation injurious to the interests of religion & praying that M'' Cochran be discontinued from the pastoral charge of their Congregation. To this a counter-memorial was presented signed by 212 Members of that Congregation, stating, that as M"^ Cochran had given them ample satisfaction & full proof of his sincere repentance, they pray that his suspension may be taken off. A third memorial was presented by M' Cochran, stating, that he been suspended for seven weeks without any decisive sentence having been passed upon him ; that his Congregation have petitioned the Presbytery, for his restoration; but that the affair having been referred to the Synod, he prays that Rev. Body, that he may be restored agreeably to the wishes of his congregation. The Presbytery of Templepatrick who had been enjoined to re- consider in Presbytery of Antrim to vote in the choice of a Clerk. — It was sub- ^o the Synod '^' mitted "have they a right" or "not." — The Roll was called, and it was carried in the affirmative. Adjourned till twelve o'clock. Third Session Wednesday, 12 o'clock. The question respecting the choice of a Clerk was resumed. After g},o|,e,^'",.rij some discussion the Roll was called, and M"^ Porter chosen. M"^ M'^Ewen and others gave in their reasons of protest against pfo^esT **' the decision of yesterday in favour of electing a Clerk, at this meeting, which are as follows : — Cookstown, Nov' 6'" 1816, We the undersigned protest against the election of a Clerk, to the General Synod of Ulster at this meeting for the following reasons : — 1" Because so far as precedent serves to regulate our procedure in this business, it appears that no such appointment (as far as we know) has taken place, except at an annual meeting of the General Synod of Ulster, or at a meeting convened for the express and avowed purpose of electing a Clerk. 2°** Because from the general impression which this uniform practice has produced in the body at large, not only individuals, but a 462 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD great majority of several Presbyteries, have not attended this meeting — a circumstance which precludes the possibility of ascertaining the general sense of the Synod of Ulster, by a vote taken at present relative to the Clerkship of the Synod. 3'* Because we have been assembled at this time, solely to dis- charge a particular and specific duly, prescribed at the annual meeting of the General Synod of Ulster in July last ; for the discharge of which we are accountable to the Synod at our next meeting in June next and beyond which we have neither warrant nor authority to proceed — Signed by W° M^Ewen W'" Skelly David White W™ Harrison W" Finlay Jno. Anderson Hen. Montgomery Joseph Jenkins Patk. White And^ Goudie Sam^ Watson John Mulligan Ham. Dobbin Jas. Gowdy Hugh Woods Fletcher Blakely Rob' Campbell Rob' Acheson Rob*^^ Orr John Smith N. Alexander Elders James Kydd Tho^ Osborne John Gowdy John Patrick S. H. Rowan W" Boyd James Blow Synod adjourned till 4 o'clock. Fourth Session, Wednesday, 4 o clock, P.M. Moved and unanimously agreed to, that the thanks of the Synod be returned to Doctor Black, for the kind and correct manner in which he has performed the duties of Clerk '^ pro tempore.'^ The Committee for establishing a Professorship of Divinity and Church History ia the Belfast Academical Institution, gave in a Report Report of the Comt«e for Professorship of of their proceedings which was ordered to be held by the Clerk in ^^^^^"-■retentis. Moved and unanimously agreed to, that the thanks of the Synod be given to the Committee, and particularly to M' Munfoad who acted as their Clerk, for the zeal and propriety with which they have dis- charged the trust reposed in them. The following communication was received by the Moderator, and ordered to be inserted in the minutes. "The Joint Boards of Managers and Visiters of the Belfast Academi- cal Institution beg leave most respectfully to acquaint the Rev. the General Synod of Ulster, that a deputation from their body, was appointed to wait on the Right Hon"* Lord Viscount Castlereagh, for the purpose of soliciting his Lordship's influence with his Majesty's Government in aid of its funds — and that during the conference which took place on that occasion, his Lordship deprecated the measure of connecting the Synod of Ulster with the Institution, as proposed at the present time. His Lordship said, he considered the measure pre- mature, owing to the Institution not being of sufficient standing to warrant such a connection, and to the Synod not having apprized Government of such being their intention — that the Synod did not act Communication from the Managers &c of B.A. Institution AT COOKSTOWN, NOVEMBER 5TH, 18I6. 453 with becoming respect, to his IVfajeaty's Government, in withholding from them their intention of appointing a Professor of Divinity to lecture in the Institution, and resolving to accept of certificates from a Committee of their own body, in lieu of a degree of A.M. from a regular college. In his opinion, such a measure if adopted, would be deemed an act of hostility by his Majesty's Government — and his Lordship recommends to the Synod, that no such appointment should be made at present. When the Institution has been matured, such a connection may become a measure of adjustment between Government and the Synod. His Lordship requested it may be understood that the above sentiments are his as an individual, without any reference what- ever to those of his Majesty's Government.'' The Boards submit the foregoing to the consideration of the Rev. Synod ; and beg leave to assure them, that it would be matter of extreme regret to the Boards, should any circumstance arise to lessen the confidence and harmony which ought always to exist between his Majesty's Government and the Synod of Ulster. Signed by order JOSEPH STEVENSON, Secty. Institution Buildings Sat. 2°^ Nov' 1816. The Synod adjourned till 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. Fifth Session, Thursday 8 o'clock^ A.M. After prayer, some discussion took place on the business of yester- day morning. Adjourned till half-past 10 o'clock. Sixth Session, Thursday half- past 10 o'clock, A.M. The consideration of the establishment of a Professorship of Divinity Divinity and Church History in the Belfast Academical Institution Pro'eworship being resumed, it was moved and seconded, that the Rev. Samuel Hanna be appointed Professor. To this it was moved as an amendment, that inasmuch as only one candidate has been named, and as several individuals have been recommended as competent to discharge the duties of the intended Professorship, who from the Committee being unable to ofl:er security as to the amount and permanency of the emoluments of the office, have not appeared as candidates on the present occasion — therefore the Synod thinks it right, to defer the appointment of a Professor till Election of • its next meeting in June, and exhorts all its members to continue in dii°ay^°' the meantime their exertions to raise the sum requisite for carrying the proposed measure into effect. This amendment was carried by a large majority. Ld Castlereagh 454 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD By desire of Doctor Black, it was orHered to bp inserted in the minutes, that he concurred in delaying the appointment of a Professor, but dissented from the subesquent part of the foregoing amendment. Deputation to Jq consfcouence of the communicatiou from the Managers and Visitors of the Belfast Academical Institution, it was moved and agreed to, that a deputation consisting of the following members, the Moder- ator, M'' M'=Cance, M' Nat. Alexander, and M"^ M'Ewen, Ministers, and M"^ Sidney Hamilton, Rowan, and M' William Maxwell "Wilson, Elders, be appointed to wait on Lord Viscount Castlereagh on the earliest day possible, and explain to his Lordship the principles which have guided this Body in forming a connexion with the Belfast Academical Institution. M' Porter was requested to transmit to each Presbytery, a written copy of the minutes of this Synod. Synod concluded with prayer. Inserted December P' 1816 WILLIAM PORTER Clk. Gen' Synod. AT BELFAST, JUNE 24TH, iyi7. 455 A General Synod at Belfast, June 24"*, 1817 (Seventeen.) The Rev. Robert Stewart, Moderator, having preached from Col. 3* Ch. 12''' and 13"" verses, couslituted the Synod by prayer. The following members were present : — Minrs. Elders. Derry Presbytery. Doctor Black Wm. Monteith Mattw. Heron John Mitchel George Hay Andw. McAldin Jas. A. Johnson Henry Haslet Templepatrick Presby. John Bankhead John Savage Adam Hill Robert Orr John Murphy Robt. Caniphell Nat. Alexander Henry Cooke Wni. Glendy Sivral. Elder Robt. IMcBride Dr. Foresythe J. Montgonier}' A. Cameron Jas. Blow J. Wilson Jas. Owen Wm. Speer Dromore Presbytery. James Birch John Thomson John Mcleland John McCance Alexr. Patterson Ham. Dobbin Wm. Wright Moses Fin lay Hugh McAlister Wm. McGowan John Johnstone Jas. McCleland John White Jas. B. Black Jas. Collins Belfast Presbytery. Saml. Hanna Saml. Watson Henry Simpson Jas. McCiillogh Jas. Riddal Fletcher Blakely John Hanna Jas. Munfoad Adam Boyd Hngh Boyd John Hunter Gawin Orr Thos. Hill Minrs. Elders. Belfast Presbytery— continued. Wm. Harrison Henry Haslet Jos. Harrison John McNair Bangor Presbyty. Jas. Sinclair Robt. Acheson John Watson Wm. Moreland John Mulligan Andw. Gondie Hugh AA'oods Hen. Montgomery Wm. Finlaj' David W I lite Wm. Skelly William Campbell Henry Millar Wm. Boyd John Cooper Thos. Gelston Jas. Lunn R. McCracken Robt. Allen Walter Roberts Saml. Carson Jos. Russel J. F. Catherwood Dublin Presbyty. Jas. Horner Jas. Carlile Saml. Simpson Jas. Sinipson Wm. M. Wilson Davd. Lindsay Jas. Boyd Saml. Water wortli Hu. Lockhart Wm. Davison Gilbt. Adams E. B. Gilmour Robt. Stewart Ballimena Presbyty. Thomas Henry Henry Henry John Smith John Hall Robt. Stewart Geo. Mcleland Robt. Park Jas. Moore Jno. Brownlees Adam Duttin Jas. Boyle Letterkenny Presbty, No member attended. Clogher Presbty. Jacob Scott John Anderson Dav. Conlter Route Presbty. Robt. Rentoul Jas. Elder Mattw. Elder Wm. Wil.«ion Ben. Griffith 456 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Route Presbyty. — continued. James Brown John Whiteside Jas. Dunlop Richard Dill James Huey John Brown Jackson Graham David Gather Monaghan Presbty. Mattw. Trumble Tyrone Presbty. Doctor Dickson David Bennet Jas. Shaw Robt. Cunningham Robt. Allen Robt. Creighton Armagh Presbty. Jas. Bankhead A. G. Malcom Bobt. Adams James Davis James Gardner Robt. Dickson Henry Stirling Strabane Presbty. Wm. Dunlop Wm. Porter David Gilkey Wm. McCrea Jas. Orr Wm. Moody Elders from Congregations either vacant or whose Miuisters liave not attended. John Mclehxnd Wra. Fleming Henry Weaver Wm. Cavan Wm. Craig from Boveva ,, Cookstown ,, Killileagh ,, C.Dawson ,, Buckna M'' Alexander Modrtor M^" Stewart having moved that a Moderator be chosen for the present year, the following Ministers were put in nomination, Mess^^ Monteith, N. Alexander, M*Alister, Henry Simpson, J. Watson, S. Simpson, Park, Cunningham, Malcom, Gilkey, and J. Elder. The Roll was called and M' Alexander chosen. Moved and unanimously agreed to, that M' Porter who was elected Clerk of the Synod at the late special meeting in Cookstown, be now continued. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, and to prepare lists to be given in to the Clerk to-morrow morniug of the members appointed byithem for the Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, and General Synod's Fixed Committee — an account of such ministers as have died, been ordained, or installed ; of such candidates as have been licensed, or entered on trials, and of such students, as have been examined previous to their going to College & after their return, since the last annual meeting of Synod ; a report of their annuitants on the Fund, of any that have died during the last year, and of the time of their decease ; and such other returns as our regu- lations require. Adjourned till tomorrow morning at ]0 o'clock. Second Session, Wed: Morng 10 o* clock. D'stevenion After prayer, it was moved and Feoonded, that the name of D' Stevenson, formerly minister of Greyabbey, be inserted in the roll of the Sjnod. The Roll was called and the motion negatived. " " ' rane'i AT BELFAST, JUNE 2-tTH, 1817. Afft Returns were made by the several Presbyteries of the members appointed by them for the several Committees, also the following Reports: — Derry Presbytery report, that they have entered on first trials M' Robert Thompson ; have licensed to preach the Gospel Mess" Mills and Gilfilland ; have on the Fund, M" Walker, M." Patten, M" Scott, ^ Annuiunu M" Law, and Family of W Kyle. Templepatrick Presbytery report, that they examined previous to their going to College, for the the first time, Mess" Erskine and Dogherty, and M' Erskine on his return ; Mess" M''Kee and Blair on their return from College the second time, and Mess" Shaw and Crawford on their return the third time — Have on the Fund M""' Gibson, 3 Anrmitanta M" Montgomery, and M" Thompson. — The Rev. James Cochrane's Mrcoch conduct since the last annual meeting of Synod, has been such as to Conduct, meet the entire approbation of the Presbytery. Dromore Presbytery report, that they ordained M' James Birch Black at Dromara, as Assistant and successor to the Rev. James Birch, on the 30'^ of July, and M' James Collins, as minister of the second Congregation of Dromore on the 17"' of September, 1816, who both subscribed the "Westminister Cont'esssion of Faith, and are Contributors to the Widows' Fund. They report that the Rev. W. D. H. M«=Ewen, relinquished the charge of the congregation of Killileagh on the 16"^ of April last. Since the last unnual meeting of Synod, they have licensed to preach the Gospel Mess'* W" Adair, James Gardner, David Watson, and Will™ Wier, who all subscribed the Westminster Confession of Faith, according to order. They have on the Fund, M''' Hay, 7 Annuitants ( residing in the County Donegal ) M" Thompson and daughter, M" Magee, M" Barber, M" Little, M" Patrick, and M" Waddell. Belfast Presbytery report, that they ordained M' Henry Haslet in Mr iiMiet the congregation of Castlereagh on the 24^'^ September 1816, who c'reSh* '" subscribed the Westminster Confession of Faith, and is a contributor to the widows' Fund : that they have licensed Mess" M'^Cormick, Harrison, and James & Alexander Heron, who subscribed the West- minster Confession of Faith : that they examined Mess" Neilson and Johnson on their return from College the third and fourth times, and Mess" Moore, Shaw, Wallace Hunter, Cleland and Alex' Orr on their return the first time : that they examined M' Sam' Armour previous to his going to College the first time : and that they have withdrawn his M' M'-Kaue'a license to preach from M' John M'^Kane formerly a probationer under draw"n* '^' their care — Have on the Fund M" Kennedy, M" M*=Ewen, M" Rowan, 7 Annuit" M" Kelburne, M" Henry, M" Harrison and M" Grey. Bangor Presbytery report that they examined M' Colquehoun previous to his going to College — have on first trials M' David Thom, and on extrajudicial trials M' Hugh Greenfield : that D' Dickson i)r Dickaon requested to be readmitted a member of the Presbytery of Bangor, and having produced ample credentials from the the Presbytery of Tyrone was re-admitted accordingly — They have on they Fund M" Hull, now 7 Annt"" in America, M" Patterson, M" bryson, M""' Porter, M^" Arnold, M" Caldwell, and M" Robert Porter. 458 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SY^OD 3 Annuit* Rev. M. Elder suspended title die Mr Park ordnd B. money 1 Annts M' Leech suspended 3 Annts 1 Ann* 15 Annts Deaths of M' Wilson and Mr Stewart Mr Kennedy- ordained Corboy Dublin Presbytery report, that they have on the Fund M" Wilson, M^' Caldwell, and M" Cochrane. Ballimena Presbytery report that the Kev. Matthew Elder resigned the pastoral charge of the congregation of Denain on the 7*^'' of January, and on the 10''' of May 1817 was suspended ab oficio sine die, for breach of trust and falsehood; that on the IS**" of March 1817 they ordained to the pastoral charge of the congregation of Ballimoney the Eev. Robert Park, who is a contributor to the "Widows' Fund — that they have licensed to preach the gospel. Mess" Boyd and Anderson ; received on first trials Robert Magill and Marshal Moore, and examined M"" Reafield previous to his going to College the third time, and after his return — and Mess'^ Allison, Montgomery, Rogers and Thomson previous to their going the second time and Montgomery and Thomson on their return — have on the Fund, M'^ Lindsay, M" Howard, M''^ Brown, M" Mitchel, and the Families of Mess" Hamilton and Park. Letterkenny Presbytery report, that they examined previous to their going to College the first time Mess'^ Allen Russel and Johnstone, M' Steel on his return for the first, and M"^ Reid on his return for the third time — that they have entered on first trials M' Allison, and licensed M"^ David Rogers in October 1816, to preach the Gospel — on the 16"* of July last, they suspended for four months the Rev. Thomas Leech for twice celebrating Marriage irregularly — have on the Fund M" Delap M" Burke and M" Allen. Clogher Presbytery report, that in February last, they licensed M' John Hamilton to preach the Gospel, that they have entered on first trials Messr^ Archibald Armstrong and James M<= Williams after having undergone the prescribed examinations on their return from College the fourth time — and have examined And'' Clements on his return the second time. Have on the Fund M" Moorhead. Route Presbytery report, that they examined James McCartney Smith, James M^Anaul, Robert Martin, and James Whiteside M'^Kay previous to their going to College — George Whiteside and Joseph King Bellis on their return from College the first season ; and William Nelson, John M'^Laughlia and Andrew Mitchel on their return the second season — that they have licensed to preach the Gospel Messr" W™ Cavan, James Irvine, and John Greer who subscribed the West- minister Confession of Faith — have on first trials M' Joseph Scott, and on second trials M'" John Patterson — Have on the Fund M" Gaston, M" Smyly, M"^^ Hamilton, M" Elder, M" Davis, M" Simpson, M" Macmulian, M" Glasgow, M'-" Blair, M" Fullarton, M" Greer and Family, M" M'^leland, M" M«Farland, M'^ Logan, and Family of M' Thompson. Monaghan Presbytery report, that the Rev. James Wilson died on the 27"* of September 1816, leaving a widow and family, and the Rev. Thomas Stewart on the 10"* December 1816 leaving a family — that in November last they licensed M' Thomas Kennedy to preach the Gospel, that on the l?"* of May last, they ordained him in the Congregation of Corboy, and that he is a contributor to the Widows' Fund — that in May last they examined M' James Shannon after his AT BELFAST, JUNE 24TH isij 4(9 second return from College, and entered on first trials Messr' Andrew 8 Annti iJreaky and John Agnew. Have on the Fund M" Wiirnock, M" Smith, M" Whiteside, M" Moore. M." Montgomery, M'' Rogers who resides in Duhlin, M" Wilson, and Family of M"" Stewart. Tyrone Presbytery report, that on the 1" of August last, they licensed Messr^ Sinclair, Hutcheson, Hamilton, and John and Francis M^Gowan to preach the Gospel — have entered on first trials M'' Brewer — have examined previous to their going to College the first time James Sinclair and Thomas M'=Cormick, to whom certificates were given according to synodical order — that they have also examined Thomas Dougal on his return from College the first time, and James Collins and James Morgan on their return the second time. Have on the Fund, 0 Annw M" Stilt, M" Boylan, M'" Dougal, M" Himpson, M" Chambers, and Family of M' Stewart. Armagh Presbytery report, that the Rev. Thomas Cuming died on D«athofMr the 19"" of August 1816 leaving a widow and Family — that they have """"*^ on second trials M." Samuel Eccles. Have on the Fund, M" Thom, 3 Annt» M" Cuming, and the family of M"^ Shaw. Strabane Presbytery report, that in May last they examined M' Alexander on his return from College the second time — have on first trials M' Love. On the Fund M" Turbitt, M" Hamili and M"^^""" Anderson. Antrim Presbytery report, that on the 27"* of May 1816, they M' McRwen installed the Ptcv. William D. H. M"=Ewen in the second congregation '"^'*"*''' of Belfast— that they have on the Fund M" Crumble, M" Vance, M" ' A""" Nevin, M" Sinclair, and the families of Messr^ Wightman, Marshal, and Bryson. General Synod's Fixed Committee for 1817. Presbs. Minrs. Derry, Messr' Monteith & Allison T.patrick, „ Cooke & Glendy Dromore, ,, Thomson & M^Cance Belfast, ,, Harrison & Haslet Bangor, ,, Finlay & White Dublin, ,, Horner & Simpson B.mena, „ Smith & M«Cleland L.kenny, No return Clogher, „ Philips and Kerr 460 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Presbs. Minrs. Route, Messt" Jno. Brown & Graham Monaghan, „ Morell & "White Tyrone, ,, Moore & Davison Armagh, ,, Davis & Jenkins Strabane, ,, M'^Farlane & Armar These with an Elder from each Presbytery, our Moderator and Clerk, are to meet at Belfast when called by the Moderator on any emergency — fifteen to be a quorum, of whom twelve at least are to be ministers. Adjourned. Committees to meet immediately. Open Synod at two o'clock. Third Session, Wednesday 2 o'clock afternoon. Mr Montgomery The miuute of last year enjoining the Presbytery of Teraplepatrick to summon M' Montgomery to attend their ensuing meeting, in order to take with respect to him, such steps as our discipline requires, being read, the Presbytery reported that M' Montgomery had regularly attended their meetings during the past year. Moved that Belfast be the place of the Synod's meeting next year. Armagh was also put in nomination. The Roll was called and Belfast carried. The meeting to take place on the last Tuesday of June next, in the Meeting-house of the third congregation of Belfast. Divine service to begin at 5 o'clock afternoon. Code of On reading the minute of last year respecting ** The Skeleton of Discipline ^ Code of Discipline, &c.," it was moved, that the Committee to whom this business was intrusted, shall proceed to fill up the^^rs^ part of the skeleton, which relates exclusively to Discipline : that they shall revise the second part, containing "An outline of a Directory, &c.," and submit the whole to the Synod at its next meeting. To this it was moved as an amendment, that no farther steps be taken in the preparation of the Code. The Roll being called this amendment was negatived. The original motion was then put and carried. Petition acaiDBt The Committee appointed to manage the Petition to the House Distillation gf Xiords and Commons against Distillation on the Sabbath, stated that they had prepared a Petition as directed, and given it to a Gentleman to be carried to the special meeting of Synod at Cookstown in order to have signatures affixed to it, but that it was accidentally lost by the way. Ordered that the Committee shall prepare another petition and have it ready for signatures on Friday morning. AT BELFAST, JUNE 24TU, 1S17. 461 Respecting the application to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to which an answer had not last year been returned, M' M'Cance stated that ho had since leceived a letter from D' Gill, Moderator of the Assembly. The letter was read, and the consideration of this business deferred till next sederunt. Adjourned till 7 o'clock to-morrow morning. Fourth Session, Thursday Morning 7 o'clock. Moved and seconded that no answer be returned to the letter from the General Assembly. To this it was moved as an amendment, that an answer be pre- pared by the following Committee, Mess" Thomson, Hanna, Horner, and James B^inkhead. After some discussion, the Synod adjourned till ten o'clock. Fifth Session, Thursday Morning 10 o'clock. The consideration of the correspondence with the General Assembly being resumed, the amendment proposed at last sederunt was agreed to , and the Committee was ordered to submit to the Synod before its conclusion, an answer to the letter from D' Gill. The Committee appointed by the Synod of last year, to attend the examination of students in the B.A. Institution, made the following Keport : — " Belfast April 29''' 1817. " At a meeting of the Committee appointed by the General Synod of Ulster to attend the examination of students under their care, in the B.A. Institution — present R. Stewart Mod'"" H. Montgomery H. Cooke John Thomson Rob* Acheson "W° Glendy Sam' Hanna J. M'=Cance W™ Harrison Nat. Alexander F. Blakely " Having attended examinations, by Professor Knight in Natural Philosophy, and by Professor Young in Moral Philosophy — Ordered, that our Moderator do join the Professors in granting certificates to the following students, viz., In Natural Philosophy, to James Temple- ton, James Morgan, James Collins, and Samuel Crawford. " In Moral Philosophy, to Joseph Bell, James Shannon, Thomas Dryall, W"" Blair, Alexander Orr, Andrew Clements, Hugh Rogers, W" Ellison and W™ Hunter. " April 30"" — The Committee attended examinations on Logic by Professor Cairns, on Greek and Latin by M' O'Beirne, and on Mathe- matics, by Professor Thompson. Ordered, that our Moderator do join in granting certificates to the following students, viz. 462 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD " In Logic, to W™ Erskine, W° Moore, and James Makay. In Greek and Latin, to AVilliam Erskine and James Makay. " In Mathematics, to Andrew Clements, Hugh Rogers, James Shannon, and Joseph Bell. " May P' — James Templeton, James Morgan, James Collins, and Samuel Crawford, having been re-examined by the several Professors, and also by the Synod's Committee, on Latin, Greek, Logic, Moral Philosophy, Natural Philosophy, and Mathematics — Ordered that our Moderator do join with the Professors of the B.A. Institution in granting to the students so re-examined, the General Certificate required by Synodical regulations in place of a Degree in Arts. " The Committee feel much pleasure in reporting to the Synod, their approbation of the general progress m their studies made by the students of the Institution to whom they have granted certificates. They regret to have farther to report, that two students were judged unqualified to receive certificates ; and with the greatest deference, they beg leave to recommend to Presbyteries, a strict attention to the qualifications of such young men, as are by them authorized to go to College. Extracted by HENRY COOKE, Clerk of the Com*««. The following Ministers are appointed a Committee of examination for the ensuing year, viz. : — M' N. Alexander Mod"' M"^ Acheson M' Blakely ,, M*Cance ,, Woods ,, Wright ,, S. Hanna ,, Harrison ,, Glendy ,, Cooke ,, Thomson ,, Davis „ H. Montgomery ,, R. Stewart ,, Jas. Bankhead Any other Minister of the Synod who may attend, shall have the privilege of sitting and voting with the Committee. Against the resolution of last year, enjoining the several Presby- teries to collect from their Ministers certain specified contributions to support for one year a Professor of Divinity in the B.A. Institution D"^ Black and others gave in the following reasons of protest : — We dissent because we consider the whole plan of which the resolution agreed to forms a part, as ill calculated to attain its pro- fessed object, unlikely to be followed by beneficial results ; and tend- ing to distract the minds of parents and guardians in directing the studies of young men intended for the ministry in this Synod. Robert Black Adam Hill James Elder Jas. M'Cullogh Synod adjourned till 3 o'clock. AT BELFAST, JUNE 24TH, I817. 463 Sixth Session, Thursday Afternoon 3 o'clock. The minutes of the Special meeting of Synod at Cookstown were read. Adverting to the resolution continuing for the current year to M" Cuming and her family, the salary attached to the Clerkship, it was stated by D' Black, that M" Cumiug and her family had authorized him to express in the warmest terms, their sense of this mark of esteem and respect for the memory of M' Cuming ; and at the same time to add, that they must beg leave to decline the acceptance of it, con- ceiving that the salary attached to the Clerkship, belongs of right to the person who does the duties of the office. On this, it was moved and agreed to, that in order to perpetuate the respect which this Body entertains for the memory of their late Clerk, the several Presbyteries be requested to enter forthwith into a voluntary subscription ; the amount of which shall be forwarded to the Rev John Thomson, and that our Moderator, M' Thomson, and M' Horner, shall expend the sum so subscribed, in the purchase of a piece of Plate, to be presented, with a suitable inscription, to M" Cuming and her family. The Deputation appointed at the special meeting in Cookstown to wait on Lord Castlereagh, for the purpose of explaining the principles which guided this Synod in forming a connexion with the B.A. Institution, gave in a written report of their conference with his Lordship. Being asked, whether they had anything to add to this statement, the Deputation mentioned several facts, which were deemed so important, that they were requested to commit thera to writing in addition to their original report. Adjourned till 7 o'clock to-morrow morning. Seventh Session, Friday Morng 7 o'clock. An address from the Managers and Visitors of the B.A. Institution was presented to the Synod by Mess" W" Tennent, W. D. H. M'=Ewen, Adam M'Clean, W" Boyd, and Kobert M'^Cluney, who were authorized to give such information respecting the Institution as the Synod may require. The above Gentlemen handed to the Moderator a copy of a letter from the Right Honourable Robert Peel, secretary to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, addressed to the Secretary of the B.A. Institution, and dated London March 10"^ 1817, and also a copj' of certain reso- lutions relative to said letter, passed at a special meeting of the Pro- prietors of the Institution, held on the 3"* of April 1817, both of which papers were read, and ordered to be held in retentis. A letter was also read, addressed to the Moderator by certain students in the B.A. Institution, praying the Synod to adopt such measures as may enable them to complete their Collegiate Education in that Seminary. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. 464 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOB Eighth Sessioti, Friday Morng. 10 o'clock. The Deputation appointed at the special meeting in Cookstown, to wait on Lord Castlereagh, gave in their written report, with the additions required. Moved and unanimously agreed to, that the warm thanks of the Synod be given to the Deputation for the prudent, able and dignified manner, in which they discharged the trust reposed in them, and that their report be held iii retentis. In reference to the above report, it was moved and seconded, as a declaratory resolution, " that the regulations for the education of our young men intended for the ministry, are strictly a matter of Discipline. After a long discussion, the Roll was called and the resolution carried by a great majority. Adjourned till 3 o'clock. Ninth Session, Friday Afternoon 3 o'clock. By desire of the members who voted against the Resolution re- specting the education of our young men intended for the ministry, the Clerk was ordered to record their declaration, that they sincerely concur in the principle of the resolution ; and opposed to it only on the ground, of its being at present uncalled for, and of dangerous tendency. It was then moved and agreed to, that the Rev. Sam' Hanna be appointed Professor of Divinity and Church History under the direction of the Synod, and that he commence his course of Lectures, on the P' day of November next. Moved and seconded, that it is expedient to enjoin M' Hanna to deliver his lectures in his own Meeting-house. To this it was moved as an amendment, that M' Hanna be enjoined to deliver his lectures in the B.A. Institution. After some discussion the Synod adjourned till 7 o'clock to- morrow morning. Tenth Session, Saturday Morn.g 1 o'clock. After prayer, the amended motion of last sederunt was discussed. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. Eleventh Session, Sat. Horning, 10 o'clock. The discussion respecting the place in which M' Hanna should deliver his lectures, being resumed, the Roll was called, and it was AT BELFAST, JUNE 24TH, I817. 468 carried by a large majority that he should deliver them in the B. A. Inititution. Against this decision M' Horner and M' James Bankhead protested, and assigned the following reasons. P' Because we cannot perceive any peculiar advantages likely to result, either to the Synod of Ulster, or to the B. A. Institution, from our Professor delivering his lectures on Divinity and Church History within its walls. 2°'* Because we are of opinion, that previous to our Professor delivering his lectures in the B. A. Institution, the negociations at present pending between the (jovernment of the country, and the Managers of that Institution, respecting certain changes in its con- stitution, should have been satisfactorily terminated. James Horner. James Bankhead. Resolved, that the measures proposed at the last annual meeting for raising a Fund to support our Theological Chair, be persevered in ; that the several Presbyteries be urged to carry them forthwith into effect, and that the Committee appointed last year to manage the Fund, be continued, with the exception of M'' Hanna, in whose place M' Harrison is nominated. Resolved, that M'' Hanna be guided by the directions of this Committee, as to the duration of his course of lectures, and the mode of delivering them. In consequence of the letter from M' Peel secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, addressed to the secretary of the B. A. Institution, and sub- mitted to the Synod by the deputation from that Body, it was resolved that a Committee be appointed, to prepare a respectful address to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, stating to his Excellency, tho power- ful motives by which the Synod have been induced, to adopt a plan of Home Education for their young men intended for the ministry. Against this decision the following Protest was given in. "We the undersigned, protest against addressing the Lord Lieutenant for the following reasons. I't Because we consider any communication to the Government on the subject in question as unnecessary and inexpedient. 2°** Because we consider the measure agreed on, to be of dangerous tendency inasmuch, as it appears to recognize a right in the Govern- ment, to interfere with our regulations for the education of candidates for the ministry, which we conceive to be strictly a matter of discipline. William Harrison. W" Steele Dickson. 466 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD In consequence of the Report of the Deputation appointed at the Bpecial meeting at Cookstown to wait on Lord Castlereagh, it was resolved, that the Committee appointed to prepare an address to the Lord Lieutenant on the plan of Home education, shall be farther instructed, to prepare a letter to his Lordship on the same subject. Resolved, that the Committee shall consist of the following members M' Thomson, M' Horner, M' James Bankhead, M' Malcom, and M' Stewart. Adjourned till 12 o'clock on Monday. Twelfth Session, Monday June ZO^^ 12 o clock. After prayer, the Committee appointed to prepare a reply to the communication from the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, submitted the copy of a letter, which was read, and ordered to be transmitted, by our Moderator, to the Moderator of the Assembly. A Copy of an address to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant on the subject of Home Education, was produced by the Committee appointed to prepare it. The address was read, considered, and on a call of the Roll, agreed to, as the address of this Synod. Against this decision, M' Wright and others signified their intention of protesting, and promised to assign their reasons in due time. Moved and agreed to, that the Moderator, M' Thomson, M' Horner, and M'' James Bankhead, shall present the address to his Excellency. Adjourned till 7 o'clock to-morrow morng. Thirteenth Sesiion, Tuesday Morn-g 7 o^cloch. After prayer, — On reading the overture of last Synod, dispensing with the testimonial of a Degree in Arts from students intended for the ministry — D' Black requested, that his dissent might be recorded for the Reasons assigned by him and the Rev. James Elder against the endowment of a Professorship of Divinity &c. in the B. A. Institution. Mess" Elder, Hill, and M^Cullogh, joined D' Black in the above expression of Dissent. The Committee appointed by the Synod of last year, to investigate the charges against M' Sherrard, gave in a report of their proceedings, the consideration of which was deferred till next sederunt. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. Fourteenth Session, Tuesday Morn.g. 10 o'clock. The following abtract was made out of the report of the Committee in M' Sherrard's case. AT BELFAST, JUNE 24TH, 1817. 467 " The Committee having heard M' Sherrard in his defence, it was decided by a majority, that the charges against him recorded in the minutes of the Presbytery of Dromore, were founded. " It was then moved and seconded, that as M' Sherrard seems to have laboured under misapprehension of the Synod's laws concerning marriage, and as he has proposed to make a solemn asseveration, that he will not, till next meeting of Synod, marry any person whatever — instead of being degraded, he is now suspended ^'sine die,'* ** To this the following amendment was moved, that in obedience to the order of the Synod, M' Sherrard be degraded from the office of the Christian ministry." On this amendment the previous question was put and negatived. The amendment was then put and negatived. Against the latter decision Messr^ Hay, Cooke, Horner, Malcom, Stewart, and Brown protested. "With the consent of the Committee the original motion was then withdrawn. *• It was next moved and seconded, that as M' Sherrard has proposed to make a solemn asseveration, that he will not till next meeting of Synod, marry any person whatever — instead of being degraded, he be now suspended sine die. The roll being called, this motion carried — Against this decision a protest was entered by M' Hay, and the members who protested with him before. '* Previous to the conclusion of the business, Messr* Montgomery, Orr, Blakely, and Davis signified their intention of protesting against the first decision of the Committee, viz., that the charges against M"^ Sherrard recorded in the minutes of the Presbytery of Dromore, were founded." The parties having withdrawn, it was moved and seconded, that the Synod approve of the conduct of the Committee, in not degrading M"^ Sherrard, inasmuch as all the guilt contemplated by the Synod when they gave instructions to the Committee, was not proved against him. The Roll being called, this motion carried. Moved and agreed to, that the Synod cannot sustain the sentence of the Committee, suspending M"^ Sherrard "sine die," because the Committee had no authority to inflict that punishment. M' Sherrard was ordered to be in attendance on the Synod at itfl meeting to-morrow morning. A letter from the Proprietors of the Belfast Academical Institution, was presented to the Moderator, expressing their thanks for favours formerly received from the Synod, and particularly for the recent ap- pointment of a Professor of Divinity to lecture in the Institution. Adjourned till 7 o'clock to-morrow morning. Fifteenth Session, Wednesday , A.M. 1 o'clock. After prayer — Moved and unanimously agreed to, that the minute of last Synod expressing disapprobation of the condnct of the Presbytery of Dromore, in the case of M"" Sherrard, be now rescinded. 468 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Eesolved unanimously, that in order to mark the Synod's disappro- bation of the conduct of M' Sherrard in celebrating marriages irregu- larly, he be now rebuked from the chair ; and assured, that for the very first instance of irregularity in this respect, which shall be proved against him, he shall be punished with degradation — M"^ Sherrard was rebuked and admonished accordingly. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. Sixteenth Session, Wed. 10 o* clock, A.M. The minute of last Synod respecting an application from certain families, residing at or near Ballintrain, to be erected into a congre- gation, was read, but the Presbytery of Monaghan, who were ordered to attend this meeting for the purpose of giving information on the subject in question not having done so, the business was necessarily dropt for the present. On reading the minute of last Synod respecting Clare, the Com- mittee appointed to take charge of that congregation reported, " That on the 28*'^ day of March last, they ordained the Rev. James Gardner, as assistant and successor to the Rev. Robert Adams, in the Congregation of Clare — that M"^ Gardner subscribed the West- minister Confession of Faith, and is a contributor to the Widows' Fund — and that there is a fair prospect of harmony and prosperity in the congregation." Resolved unanimously, that the conduct of the Clare Committee, has been highly satisfactory, and that M' Gardner and the congregation be now annexed to the Presbytery of Armagh. M' Hanna having begged leave to decline the situation of Treasurer, to the Committee for establishing a Professorship of Divinity, M' Munfoad was appointed in his place. M"^ Thomson having begged leave to decline the situation of Chair- man to the same Committee, the Committee were authorized to nominate their own Chairman. M"" Henry Montgomery gave notice, that at the next meeting of Synod, he will bring forward certain resolutions, for the purpose of preventing irregularities on the part of Ministers of this body in the celebration of marriages. OVERTURES. I. In order to render the education of Candidates for the ministry in this Church, more complete, it was overtured and agreed to, that not less than two years study of Theology, Hebrew, and Church History, after the prescribed course of philosophical study has been completed, shall entitle candidates for the sacred office, to admission into the presbyteries belonging to this body. AT BELFAST, JUNE 24TH, 1817. 469 II. Overtured, that no Presbytery shall license any young man to preach the Gospel, under the age of twenty-four years. The considera- tion of this Overture deferred till next meeting of Synod. III. Overtured and agreed to, that no candidate for the ministry shall be licensed to preach the Gospel, in leas than one year after he shall have finished the prescribed course of theological study, and that any license granted in violation of this rule shall be null and void. BILLS. I. A memorial was presented from the second Congregation of Lame, stating, that the memorialists had respectfully submitted to the decision of last Synod with regard to their Pastor, the Rev. James Cochrane ; that they are now fully satisfied of the sincerity of his contrition ; and therefore pray, that he may be restored to the mini- sterial office. To this a counter-memorial was presented signed by a few members of the congregation of Larne, stating their unwillingness to receive M' Cochrane as their Pastor; and praying the Synod to take all the cir- cumstances of this case into serious consideration. The Presbytery of Templepatrick, and the commissioners from both parties of the Cong'° of Larne, having been heard at considerable length, the Synod adjourned till 3 o'clock. Seventeenth Session, Wed. Z o'clock, P.M. Moved and seconded, that jVI' Cochrane be rebuked by the Moder- ator, and restored to the pastoral charge of the congregation of Larne. To this it was moved as an amendment, that the sentence of suspension " sine die " be now passed on M' Cochrane. After a long discussion, the Roll was called, and the amendment was negatived. Against this decision the following protest was entered. We the undersigned protest. 1'* Because we consider M' Cochrane's original offence, to be of such a nature, that it merited, at least, the punishment of suspension "tine die." 2°^ Because M' Cochrane highly aggravated his original offence, by gross prevarication and wilful deception, when in a most solemn appeal to God, from his own pulpit on the Lord's day, he declared that he was privately married in May 1815 ; which declaration, he well knew his own congregation and the public at large, must understand to mean, that his marriage was privately solemnized by a clergyman in the usual way. 3'* Because M' Cochrane afterwards acknowledged that the marriage alluded to was solemnized by himself, no witness having been present, which if he believed possible, indicated such a want of 470 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD understanding, and which if he did not believe, indicated such a want of integriti/, as proves him in either case totally disqualified for dis- charging the duties of the christian ministry. 4*"^ Because, although sincere repentance of such crimes, would justify M"^ Cochranes admission to every lay privilege of the christian church, we do not consider that it can justify his restoration to the ministry ; besides that of the sincerity of his repentance, we have reason to entertain the most serious doubts. 5'^ Because, we consider the interests of religion in general, and the honour of the Synod of Ulster in particular, to be vitally injured, by M"^ Cochrane's restoration to the Gospel ministry. 6"^ Because we consider the foregoing decision of the Synod, de- structive of the discipline of this Church in future. 7*'' Because, we believe M' Cochrane's restoration must be ulti- mately injurious to the interests of religion in the congregation of Larne, Signed by Rob* Stewart J. Thomson John Brown Jas. Brown W" Wright Moses Finlay Jas. Horner John Johnson John White Henry Cooke Henry Henry Biehd. Dill Jun' W™ Glendy Jackson Graham James Carlile The original motion (viz. that M' Cochrane be rebuked and re- stored) was then agreed to. Adjourned till 7 o'clock to-morrow morng. Eighteenth Setsion, Thursday 7 o'clock, A.M. After prayer, M' Cochrane was rebuked by the Moderator con- formably to the resolution of last sederunt. II. A memorial was presented from Alexander Charlton, son in latv to the late Rev. James Davison, minister of the united congrega- tion of Ballygawly and Aughnacloy, complaining of the Presbytery of Clogher, for not having procured memorialist certain arrears of stipend alleged to be due by said congregation to M' Davison, at the time of his decease. The parties having been heard, it was moved and unanimously agreed to, that this memorial be dismissed. III. A memorial was presented from M' Smith a member of the Presbytery of Ballymena complaining of the conduct of the Presbytery of Route with respect to a charge of immorality against M' Thomas Campbell, a licentiate under their care, which Memoralist had merely reported to them, and praying the Synod, to institute a re-investigation of the charge against M" Campbell, and to say, whether mem'*' had, or had not, sufficient grounds for reporting it. AT BELFAST, JUNE 24TH, I8I7. 471 The minutes of the Presbytery of Route on this subject, having been read by their Clerk, the Synod adjourned till 10 o'clock. Nineteenth Session, Thursday 10 6' elk. A.M. The subject of M'^ Smith's memorial was resumed, the witnesses in support of it were examined, and the Presbytery of Route were heard in their defence. The parties were ordered to withdraw, and the consideration of the case was entered on. Adjourned till 3 o'clock. Twentieth Session, Thursday 3 0^ clock P.M. The consideration of M' Smith's memorial was again resumed ; it was unanimously resolved, that M^ Smith was only discharging his duty as a minister of this body, in directing the attention of the Presbytery of Route, to the report against the moral character of M.' Campbell, and that the Synod highly disapproves of the spirit in which that Presbytery received his communication. Resolved, that it appears from the minutes of the Presbytery of Route, and from the testimony of the witnesses this day examined, that M' Campbell had in his possession, a Bank-note taken from the house of Daniel M'^Kay, which he immediately returned on being asked for it — that it does not appear in evidence that he took it with a felonious intention, but not having given a satisfactory account of the manner in which he obtained it, that he was not entitled to an '* honorable acquittal." Resolved, that the minute of the Presbytery of Route, in which M' Smith is said to have accused M' Campbell ^'falsely, scandalously, and maliciously,'^ is highly reprehensible ; and an unworthy reflection on the character of M' Smith. IV. A memorial was presented from certain families in the neigh- bourhood of Drumlough in the County of Down, stating, that since the last Meeting of Synod, they had been supplied by the Presbytery of Dromore, with preaching, on one sabbath in each month ; that their numbers are greatly increased ; that they are able to pay more stipend than is required by the rules of Synod for the erection of congregations, and praying that they may be erected accordingly. The Report of the Presbytery of Dromore on this subject having been read — the Synod adjourned till 7 o'clock to-morrow morning. Twenty-first Session, Friday 7 o'clock A.M. After prayer, the consideration of the memorial from Drumlough, being resumed, it was moved and seconded, that the association at that place be erected into a Congregation under the care of the Synod. As an amendment to this it was moved and agreed to, that the consideration of this business be delayed till the next meeting of Synod ; ^^2 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD and that the memorialists be referred as they were last year to the Presbytery of Dromore. The Committee appointed for the purpose, submitted the copy of a letter to Lord Castlereagh, on the subject of Home Education ; which was read, and ordered to be transmitted by the Moderator. Synod concluded with prayer. [INTERLOQUITTJR. A statement of the Eeceipt and payments of his Majesty's Royal Bounty, for the year ended the 29*'' of September 1816, was sub- mitted to the Interloquitor, and found exact and satisfactory. The accounts of the "Widows' Fund, for the year ended the 1" of October 1816, were in like maner submitted and on examination found correct. Resolved, that the ministers of the Synod's Fixed Committee, to- gether with D"^ Bruce and M' Carley from the Presbytery of Antrim, be a Committee for superintending the aifairs of the Widows' Fund for one year. This Committee to meet in Cookstown when called by the Moderator on any emergency. Five to be a quorum. D"^ Black stated that in obedience to the order of last Interloquitur, he had lent the balance in his hands on landed security. His conduct was approved of. Resolved that the Annuity to the Widows, be for this year £40. A memorial was presented from M' Gamble, an ex-contributor to the Fund, stating that the Agent had refused to receive his subscription for the year 1815, on account of its not having been transmitted in due time. Resolved unanimously, that by the 1 P*" Regulation, M'' Gamble has forfeited all claims on the Fund. Resolved, on D"^ Black's request, that his narrative of the circum- stances connected with the augmentation of Royal Bounty in the year 1792, be no longer " in retentis.'^ Inserted Sept. PM817. WILLIAM PORTER, Clk. G. Synod. AT BELFAST, JANUARY UTH, 1818. 473 A Pro re nata Meeting of Synod, held in Belfast on Wednesday the H"* day of January 1818. The Rev. Nat. Alexander constituted by Prayer. Present the following members : — Minrs. Elders, Derry Presbytery. George Hay Teraplepatrick Presbty. John Savage Adam Hill Thos. Alexander Robe. Campbell Jas. Blow Wm. Glendy Jas. Cochrane Saml. Elder Droraore Presbytery, John McCance W. M. Wilson Alexander Patterson Ham. Dobbin Wm. Wright Moses Finlay Jas. Birch Black James Collins Robt. Stewart Belfast Presbytery. Saml. Hanna HenrylSimpson Jas. McCuUogh James Riddal Fletcher Blakely Wm. Harrison Henry Haslet Alexr. McEwen Jas. Munfoad Alexr. Turner Minrs. Elders. B.mena Presbytery. Thos. Henry Henry Hemy John Smith Robt. Stewart Geo. Mcleland Robt. Malcom Adam Dutfiu Letterkenny Presbytery. No member attended Clogher Presbytery. No member attended Route Presbytery. No member attended Monaghan Presbytery. Mattw. Trumble Tyrone Presbytery. Thos. Mackay John Hogg Gawin Orr Joseph Harrison Bangor Presbytery. Andrew Craig James Sinclair Robt. Acheson John Mulligan Andw. Goudie Wm. Finlay David White Robt. Grogan Saml. Carson Dublin Presbytery. No member attended Armagh Presbytery. James Bankhead Andw. G. Malcom Robert Adams Arthur Neilson James Gardner Strabane Presbytery. William Porter Elders from Congregations, either vacant, or whose ministers have not attended Adam Bole from Donegore 474 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD The Moderator having stated, that he had called the present meeting in compliance with requisitions addressed to him by two Presbyteries— it was unanimously resolved, that the reasons specified in the requisitions alluded to, were not sufficient to justify a call of the Synod, — and therefore that the meeting be now dissolved — It was accordingly concluded with Prayer. Inserted Feby. 1"' 1818, by WM. PORTER Clerk of G.S. AT COOKSTOWN. MARCH 3Ri^, 1818. 475' At a Meeting of the Committee for superintending the Widows' Fund, convened in Cookstown, on Tuesday, March 3"* 1818 — the following members were present. M' Alexander, Mod" M' M'Cleland M' Glendy „ Philips ,, Harrison „ Moore ,, Haslet ,, Davison „ Finlay ,, Armar „ White D' Bruce „ Horner M' Carley ,, Smith ,, Porter, Clerk. In making out the foregoing list, it became a subject of discussion whether M"^ Porter, the Clerk, was of right a member of the Committee — The question was put " Is he " or " Is he not " and it was decided in the affirmative. The Moderator announced the death of Doctor Black, Treasurer to the Fund ; and stated, that he had convened the Committee that they might provide for the management of that institution till the next meeting of the Contributors. The Committee, having taken the affairs of the Fund, into serious consideration, resolved unanimously to recommend to the Contributors the following measures — 1°' To submit the securities, and other concerns of the Fund to two eminent Lawyers, that they may make a report to the Treasurer, of the state of the same, and of any measure which it may be expedient for they Coutributord to adopt, and that the Treasurer, shall then apply to the Moderator, to call a meeting of the superintending Committee, if this step shall be deemed necessary. 2"** To take the opinion of persons experienced in such calculations, as to the annuity which the Fund can afford to pay, the probable increase of Annuitants, the Maximum of Annuitants, and the period, at which it may be expected. 5^ To require the Treasurer, to furnish every Contributor to the Fund, with a printed copy of its laws and regulations; and to reserve a number of copies for the use of new contributors. 4"' To require the Treasurer every year, at as early a period as possible before the stated meeting of the Contributors, to transmit a particular statement, of the Securities, Receipts, and Disbursements of the Fund, to each Presbytery, or to each Contributor, as may hereafter be determined. In both these cases, the expense of printing to be born[e] by the Fund. S**" To require the Treasurer, annually to invest the balance which roav remain in his hands, in Government securities, in the name of the Trustees, until, the Contributors shall order the sura arising from these investments, to be laid out on landed security which shall always be 476 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD done by the advice of a Lawyer, chosen by the Contributors or the Trustees. 6'^ That defaulters, who shall forfeit by degradation or otherwise, shall not be restored to the privileges of the Fund without the consent of the Contributors, who shall prescribe the terms of restoration. After agreeing to recommend the above measures, the Committee unanimously resolved, that it is expedient, now to appoint a temporary Treasurer, who shall manage the Fund till the next meeting of the Contributors, and shall give adequate security for the due discharge of his trust. Moved and seconded, that it is expedient, that the agency for Royal Bounty, and the treasurership of the Fund, should be committed to the same hands, and therefore that the B-ev. George Hay (recently appointed Agent for R.D. by his Majesty's Government) be appointed to act as Treasurer of the Fund, till the time mentioned above. To this it was moved as an amendment, that the Rev. Robert Acheson be appointed temporary Treasurer. The Roll was called, and M"" Hay chosen. Resolved unanimously, that M' Hay, shall forthwith provide a surety or sureties, who shall become bound to the Clerk of the Peace for the City and County of Londonderry, in the penal sum of £5000, for M' Hay's due discharge of the trust now reposed in him. — D"^ Bruce and the Rev. John Thomson to be satisfied with respect to the sufficiency of the security, and to see that the necessary bonds shall be duly perfected. Resolved unanimously, that on re-consideration we deem it ex- pedient, that the first of the measures recommended above to the Contributors, should not be delayed till the stated meeting of that Body ; and therefore we do now instruct M'" Hay to have the securities on which the Capital of the Widows' Fund is lent, submitted to the consideration of Counsellors Joy and Smyly, and to get their opinions as to the sufficiency of the same. He is also instructed, to propose to those Lawyers such queries respecting said securities as he may deem important, and to obtain their answers. M' Hay is requested to have these things done with all convenient speed ; and to report the result to the Moderator that he may take such steps as circumstances may require. The meeting concluded with Prayer. WILLIAM PORTER, Clerk. AT BELFAST, JUNE SOTH, 1818. 477 A General Synod at Belfast June 30'^ 1818. The Rev. Nat. Alexander, Moderator, having preached from 1" Tim. 14'" chap. 12*^ 13'" and 14^" verses, constituted the Synod by prayer. Present the following members : — Minis. Elders, Minrs. Elders. Templepatrick Presbytery. John Savage Adam Hill Robert Orr John Murphy Thomas Alexander Robert Campbell Nab. Alexander Henry Cooke William Glendy James Cochran John Montgomery Joseph Shaw John M'Aiiley James Owens Patrick Allen Droraore Presbytery. John Thompson John Sherrard John M'Cance Alexr. Patterson William Wright Hamilton Dobbin Moses Finlay James Black John Johnstone James McClelland James B. Black James Collins James Simpson Wm. M. Wilson James Liinn Saiul. Waterworth James Boyd William Weir William Davison James Nicholson Bangor Presbytery — continued. William Moreland Willui. McLeery Andrew Goudie Wilhn. Warnock Hugh Woods Robert Allen Henry Montgomery NValtor Roberts William Finlay James Ballentine David White John .Stitt William Skelly Dr. Catherwood William Campbell Anty. Douning Dublin Presbytery. James Horner Saml. Simpson Belfast Presbytery. William Whitlaw Samuel Hanna Saml. Watson Heurj' Simpson James M'Culloch James Riddall Fletcher Blakely John Hanna William Harrison Henry Haslett Fran. Murry James Munfoad Thomas Reid Alexr. Turner John Currie Samuel McKee Gawin Orr James Baillie Joseph Harrison Hugh McLune Alexander McEwen Alexr. Philson Bangor Presbytery. Dr. Dickson Dr. Stevenson Andrew Craig Henderson Wightman James Sinclair Robert Acheson William Boyd John Watson Ballymena Presby. Thomas Henry John Reside Henry Henry Samuel Beggs Robert Stewart Robert Magill George McLeland W. M'ClintockWray Robert Park James Boyd Letterkenny Presbytery. Henry Carson Clogher Presbytery. No member attended Route Presbytery. Matthew Elder Samuel Dill James Boyle Solomon Brown James Dunlop Richard Dill John Brown William Lyle Jackson Graham Samuel Butler John Moody 478 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Minrs. Elders. Monaghan Presbytery. James Harpur Thomas Kennedy John Adams Tyrone Presbytery. Daniel M'Cook Thomas Mackay John Davison John Cowan Robert Hogg Robert Allen John Hogg Armagh Presbytery. James Bankhead Thomas Neil Dr. Win. Neilson John Getty Samuel Arnold Andw. G. Malcom William Maclaine Minrs. Elders. Armagh Presbytery — continued. Arthur Neilson John Blakely James Davies Joseph Jenkins James Gardner Samuel Eccles Strabane Presbytery. William Porter Derry Presbytery. Richard Dill George Hay James Johnson Elder from vacant congregation Samuel Cunningham CuUybackay Mr. Monlg-oiiiery Moderator W Alexander having moved that a Moderator for the present year be now chosen, the following Ministers were put in nomination — Messr* Cooke, Patterson, S. Watson, Montgomery, S. Simpson, Wray, Carson, Butler, Kennedy, K. Hogg, Malcom, & R. Dill, sen. The roll was called and M^' Montgomery chosen. M' Porter continued clerk. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, and prepare lists to be handed to the clerk to-raorrow morning, of the members whom they appoint for the Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, & General Synod's fixed Committee — an account of such Ministers belonging to them as have died, been ordained, or installed ; of such candidates as have been licensed or admitted on trials ; and of such students as have been examined previous to their going to College, & after their return since the last annual meeting of Synod ; a report of their annuitants on the Fund, of any that have died, during last year, and the time of their decease ; and such other returns as our regulations require. Adjourned till to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Doctor Stevenson Second Session. Wednesday morning, 10 o^ clock. After prayer, on reading the minute of last year respecting D' Stevenson it was moved that his name be now inserted in the list of the Synod ; the roll was called and the motion carried. The different Presbyteries made returns of their members for the several Committees — also the following reports — AT BELFAST, JUNE SQTH, 1818. 479 Teraplepatrick Presbytery report, that they have examined, previous to their going to College, the tirst time Messr' Thomas Logan, Hugh Hamilton, James Alexander, Robert Niel, and John Montgomery, M."^ Doherty on his return the first time ; M' Erskine on his return the second time ; M' M'=Kee ou his reouru the third time ; and Messr' Crawford and Shaw on their return the fourth time. Have on the D^JJh^oJ'MrS. Fund M" Gibson and M" Thompson. ^1'' Montgomery died on the Montgomery eig[h]th of May last, Dromore Presbytery report, that the Rev. John M*=Leland died on srLeUnd ' the 5^^ of March last, leaving a Widow & family ; that they have licensed to preach the Gospel, M' William M'^Cance, who subscribed the Westminster Confession of Faith, according to the Synod's formula; that they have on first trials. Mess'* John Carson, William Crozier, and John M°Cauly ; that they have examined, previous to their going to College the first time, Alexander Patterson, John Mulligan, Thomas Hay, Robert Little, John Bell, William Murphy, Charles Adams, Robert Phares, George Thompson, John Martin, George Jardine, John Davison, William Hays & John Cavan : have on the Fund, M" Hay, ^ Annuiunu (residing in County Donegal) M" Thompson and daughter, M"^' Magee, M" Barber, M" Little, M" Patrick, M" Waddle and M" M'Leland. Belfast Presbytery report, that they Rev, George Brydone, being unable from age and infirmity to discharge his pastoral duties, requested the Presbytery, on the 5"' of August 1817, to allow his ^^^^^^ ^^ ^j^ congregation to choose an assistant and successor ; and that he died ou Brydone the 6"" of September following, leaving neither widow nor family ; and that on the 16"' of October 1817, they ordained the Rev. Alexander M'Ewen in Kircubbin, who adhered to his former subscription to the Westminister Confession of Faith, and become a contributer to the Widows' Fund: that they have licensed to preach the Gospel, Messr* John Orr, and William Johnstone, who both subscribed the West- minister Confession of Faith ; that they examined Messr* John Hulton, Alexander, and M'^Ewen previous to their going to College the first time; Messr* Hugh Hutlon, Moore, Shaw, Wallace, Hunter, and Cleland, on their return the second time ; and Messr* Reid and Maine on their return the third time ; have on the Fund, M" Kennedy, M" " Annuitant-. M°Ewen, M" Rowan, M" Kelburne, M" Henry, M" Harrison, and M" Grey. Bangor Presbytery report, that on the 28^" day of October last, they licensed M' David Thom to preach the Gospel ; that they examined Hugh Gamble and James Mulligan, previous to their going to College ; ^ ^ have on extra-judicial trials, M' John Blakely ; on the Fund M^" Hull, now in America, M" Patterson, M" byrson, M" Porter, M" Caldwell, M" Robert Porter, and the family of M' Arnold. nnuitants Dublin Presbytery report, that the Rev. John Baird died on thp— f^l^^ «" *•' of August 1817, leaving neither widow nor family; have on the Fund, 2 Annuit - M" Wilson, and M" Cochran : M" Rogers died iu thv month of May ^\^ last. tants Mr*. 480 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD 6 Annuitants 3 Annuitants 1 Annuitant Mr. Patterson ordained in Macosquin 14 Annuitants Deaths of Mr. M'f- Eccies they ordained the Rev. Samuel Eccles to the pastoral charge of the Annagh Congregation of Armagh, who is a contributor to the Widows' Fund ; they have on the Fund, M" Thorn, M" Cuming, and the family of M' 3 Annuitant Shaw. Strabane Presbytery report, that on the 8"" of November last, they licensed M' Love to preach the Gospel ; that they examined John Scott Porter, previous to his going to college the first time, and M' Alexander on his return the third ; have on the Fund M" Turbitt, M" Hamill, 3 Annuiunu and M" Anderson. Derry Presbytery report, that the Rev. Henry Elder died on the p*fei'*M'r *fira 27"" of July, the Rev. Francis Gray on the 2°'' of August, and the and dV mack Rev. D' Black on the 4"" of December last, all leaving widows and families; that on the I?*** instant they ordained the Rev. Henry Kidd Mr. Kydd in the Congregation of Boveva, who is a contributor to the Widows' Boveva Fund ; they have on first trials M' Robert Thompson ; on the Fund, 7 Annuitants M" Walker, M" Patten, M" Scott, M" Law, M" Elder, M" Gray, and M" Black. Antrim Presbytery report, they have on the Fund, M" Crombie, ^ Annuiunu M" Vance, M" Nevin, M" Sinclair, and the families of Messr" Wight- man, Marshall, and Bryson. General Synod's fixed Committee for 1818. Presbs. Minrs. T.Patrick, Messr* Orr & T. Alexander Dromore, „ Thompson & M°Cance Belfast, „ Watson & M'Culloch Bangor, „ Craig <& Acheson Dublin, „ Horner & Simpson Ballimena, „ Waughop & Wray L.Kenny, „ Reid & Kernaghan Clogher, ,, Philips & Anderson Route, „ Butler & Lyle Monaghan, „ White & Winning 482 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Presbs. Minrs. Tyrone, Messr* Moore & Wilson Armagh, „ Bankhead & A. Neilson Strabane, „ Gilkey & M*=Crea Derry, „ Mitchell & Kydd These with an Elder from each Presbytery, our Moderator these Students the General Certificate required by Synodical regulations, in place of a Degree in Arts. *' The Committee feel highly gratified in being able to state, that the examinations afforded the must satisfactory evidence of the great 484 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD assiduity both of the Professors and Students. Indeed, the general progress was so great, that even in the largest classes, there was not a single Student who did not acquit himself very creditably." Signed day of July, 1818. HENRY MONTGOMERY, Moderator. atudenti to re. II- Overtured and agreed to, that the term of study at any "omiou*NoT!^*°°^^®S^^^®.^®°^^°*'^y of learning, which students under the care o'f till nt May & Prcsbyteries of this Body, shall each session be required to complete, feporfthi"^" be at least from the 10*'' of November, to the 1" of May ; and that duration of each Presbyteries, in their annual reports, shall specify the dates, as stated in the Professors' certificates, at which the students under their care, commenced and terminated their studies, each session at college. Ttuched to ^^^' Overtured and agreed to, that if any Presbytery shall license above regulation any young man, contrary to the foregoing regulation, the Presbytery so offending, shall be subject to the severe censure of the Synod, and the license so granted shall be null and void. AT BELFAST, JUNE 30TH, isiS 489 BILLS. I. A memorial was presented from certain families in the Drumlouifh neighbourhood of Drumloup;h, stating that during the last year, they had been regularly supplied with preaching by the Presbytery of Dromore ; and pniying thut they may be erected into a congregation under the care of the Synod. The minutes of the Presbytery of Dromore, stating their proceedings with regard to the association at Drumlough, were read by their clerk ; the members of the Presbytery communicated some additional information, and the commissioners deputed by the association were heard. The commissioners having withdrawn, it was moved and agreed Drumiouch to, that the association at Drumlough be erected into a Congregation, congregation and placed under the care of the Presbytery of Dromore. The Presbytery however are enjoined not to ordain a minister among them, until the debt due for the building of their Meeting-house be liquidated. II. A memorial was presented from the Presbyterian inhabitants Carlow of Carlow, stating various reasons, which in their opinion ought to induce the Synod to erect them into a Congregation ; and praying that they may be erected accordingly, and placed under the care of the Presbytery of Dublin. A letter was handed to the Moderator, containing certain resolutions of the Presbyterian Synod of Munster. The resolutions were read, and as bearing on the subject of the memorial from Carlow, were ordered to be inserted in the minutes. " At the annual meeting of the Presbyterian Synod of Munster, Kcsoiution of held in Dublin on Wednesday, July 1", 1818. MuntiTr^*" " Resolved unanimously, that we contemplate with peculiar satisfaction, the recent exertions made by our brethren of the Synod of Ulster, to extend the Presbyterian interest in the South of Ireland. " Resolved unanimously, that we will co-operate with the Synod of Ulster, in any means they may adopt for promoting this desirable end. " Resolved unanimously, that the thanks of this Synod are due to the Rev. M'' Cooke, and the Rev. JNP Stewart, who have recently supplied the Congregation of Carlow, for the zeal, prudence, diligence, and ability, exhibited by them, in fulfilling the objects of their mission. " Resolved unanimously, that a copy of these resolutions, signed by our Moderator and Clerk, be sent to the Moderator of the Synod of Ulster, to be communicated to that body. " PH. TAYLOR. Moderator. " JAMES ARMSTRONG, Clerk." 490 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Cariow erected Moved and unanimously agreed to, that the worshipping association at Cariow, be erected into a Congregation, and placed under the care of the Presbytery of Dublin. pmmotJ'p'ies'by. Resolved Unanimously, that we will most cordially co-operate teriaiiisin in the with our brethren of the Synod of Munster, in promoting the Presbyterian interest in the South of Ireland. Eesolved unanimously, that for this purpose, we authorize the Trustees of the General Fund in Dublin, to invite to preach in the South, such ministers of our body, and for such periods of time as they may think proper; and that the Presbyteries to which such ministers belong, shall, during their absence, supply their congregations free of expense. Moved and unanimously agreed to, that our Moderator shall write a respectful letter to the Moderator of the Synod of Munster, enclosing a copy of the foregoing resolutions and expressing the happiness we feel in the prospect of extending Presbyterianism, and our sense of the liberal conduct of our brethren in the South. Resolved unanimously that our warm thanks be returned to our own members, Messr* Horner, Cooke and Stewart, for their zealous exertions in this business — Messr^ Horner, Cooke and Stewart were accordingly thanked by the Moderator. Presiivtei-iesto Ordered that each Presbytery, shall, at their meeting immediately names of their previous to the stated meeting of Synod, appoint a Moderator for the thetr reports" J*^^^'' ^^^ return his name as such in the annual report. and to xJeasluTr uie''^ . Ordered that on the death of any minister of this body, or of any death of any widow on the Fund, the Presbytery to which he or she belonged, shall members & of ^^' ^^eir meeting immediately subsequent to such death, transmit an any of their official report of the same to the Treasurer. annuitants >ew le/nlations /-»jji.i_ ■Ly-(7-- /. i • in- respecnng: the Urderea that the Christian name of each annuitant shall in future of annuuTiiTs^ be inserted by Presbyteries, in their annual reports, and also the name of the congregation of which each annuitant's husband was minister. In cases of subsequent marriagfs, annuitants shall still be designated in the reports of Presbyteries, by the name of their husbands through whom they became entitled to the fund, with the names by which they are known at the time of making such reports, immediately subjoined. Notice of a M' Johufetone gave notice that he will move at our next annual Johns'ione meeting, that the amount of stipend n quired previous to the erection of congregations, shall be reduced from tifty pounds to forty. Synod concluded with prayer. Attested by WILLIAM PORTER, Clerk of G. Synod. AT BELFAST, JUNE 30TH 1818. 491 INTERLOQUITUR. It was officially announced to the Interloquitur that in consequence of the death of D' Black, Treasurer to the Widows' Fund, a met-ting of the Committee for superintending that institution, hud been held at Cookstown, on the third of March last, to provide for the management thereof till the present time. The minutes of that meeting were read, and on them the following proceedings were grounded. Resolved, that M' R. Hogg, M-- Malcom, M' Hay and M' Bruce, be requested to submit to the next stated, or official meeting of the contributors, which shall be convened, such data as they may deem necessary, for calculating the annuity which the Fund can uftord to pay, the probable increase of annuitants, the maximum of annuitants, and the period at which it may be expected. The same gentlemen are also requested, to ascertain as nearly as they can, the expense of obtaining the desired calculations. Resolved, that the Treasurer shall furnish each contributor to the instructions to Fund, with a printed copy of its laws and regulations, and shall reierve a number of copies for the use of future contributors. Resolved, that the Treasurer shall transmit (every year) at as early a period as possible before the stated meeting of the contributors, a particular statement of the securities, receipts and disbursements of the Fund, to the Moderator of each Presbytery. In both these cases, the expense of printing to be borne by the Fund. D' Bruce gave notice that at the next annual meeting of the n-^ '.''«« o' contributors, he will propose a regulation to the following eft'ect, viz. nnice'tina bv M-- that no defaulter who shall forfeit by degradation or otherwise, shall B'uce. be restored to the privileges of the Fund without the consent of the contributors, who shall prescribe the terms of restoration. M' Bruce gave notice that at the next annual meeting, he will propose an alteration of the seventh rule, to this effect, viz. that the premium to be paid by ministers on second marriages, shall be regulated by the tables used for that purpose, by annuity companies. On reading the resolution of Fund Committee, assembled at Cooks- town, appointing M"^ Hay to act as Treasurer till this meeting, it was stated that M' Hay had gratuitoHshj discharged the duties imposed on him, by this appointment — Resolved unanimously that the thanks of this body are due to M' Hay for his disinterested conduct. Thanks were accordingly returned to him by the Moderator. Resolved unanimously, that M' Hay be now appointed Treasurer Mr n«y of the Fund. For the faithful discharge of the trust reposed in him, T'casurer he is required to give security to the amount of two thousand pounds to the CJerk of the Peace for the City and County of Londonderry. D' Bruce and M' Hanna to be eatibfied as to the validity of the security. The Treasurer stated, that in obedience to instructions given to him by the Fund Committee at Cookstown, ho ha 1 taken the opinion of Serjeant Joy and Couuseller Smyly as to the validity of the 492 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Instructions to the Moderator and to the Treasurer Fund Committee Annuity to Widows securities, on which the capital of the Fund is lent. The opinions were read, and the Treasurer was enjoined to carry into immediate execution, certain measures therein re'-ommended. Ordered that the Moderator shall in due time convene a committee consisting of M' Thompson, M' Hunna, M"^ Hogg, aud M' M°Ewen, and submit to them the case which was laid before Serjeant Joy and Counsellor Smyly, that they may add to it such queries as they may think proper. The case with these additional queries to be transmitted to the Treasurer, who is hereby instructed to procure a consultation with respect to it, between the two lawyers above mentioned. So soon as he shall have obtained their joint opinion, he is to inform the Moderator of his having done so. The Moderator is then to call a special meeting of the uontribuLord at Belfast, that said opinion may be laid before them, and such measures adopted as shall be deemed ex- pedient. A Committee consisting of Messi' Hanna, Horner, Bankhead, D' James Neilson and M'^ Bruce was appointed to examine the accounts of the late D"^ Black as agent for 'R.J)., and Treasurer of the Fund ; and also those of M' Hay as Treasurer of the Fund pro tempore. This Committee reported, that they had examined the accounts of M' Hay as Treasurer of the Fund pro tempore, and found them correct. The Committee farther reported, that not having D'' Black's books before them, they had not been able to execute that part of their com- mission M'hich related to his accounts as agent for R.D. and Treasurer of the Fund. Resolved that a Committee consisting of Messr' Horner, Porter, Dunlop, and R. Dill Jun'^, shall forthwith repair to Londonderry, in order to examine D' Black's books, and make a final settlement of his accounts. Resolved that the Moderator, M' Thompson, D' Bruce, M' Hanna, M' M'=Cance, M' James Bankhead, M"" Horner, M' Malcora, M' R. Hogg, M"^ Blakely, and M"^ M<=Ewen be a committee for superintending the affairs of the Fund for one year. This Committee to meet in Belfast, when called by the Moderator, on any emergency — five to be a quorum. Resolved that the annuity to the widows for the current year, shall be fixed by the contributors at the special meeting in Belfast, which the Moderator has already been instructed to convene. Resolved that the deputation appointed by the Synod of this year, to present an address to the Lord Lieutenant, shall write to the Rt. Hon. Robert Peel, and to M' Vaughan of London, and return them our sincere thanks for their good offices in procuring a more desirable arrangement of English R.D. The deputation are farther instructed to wait, when in Dublin, on the Rev. Joseph Hutton, and to communicate to him our acknow- ments for his exertions in the same business. AT BELFAST, JUNE 30TH, 1818. 493 D'' William Neileon, stated that in consequence of having accepted ^/: wiiiiam the situations of Classical Head Master and Professor in Hebrew in ^'"''■°" the Belfast Academical Institution, he intended to resign the Pastoral charge of the congregation of Dundalk ; and wished the Intcrloquitur to inform hiin, whether by such resignation, his connection with the Widows' Fund would be affected. D' Neilson further stated that it was by no means his intention, to lay down the '' ministerial character," that he was resolved to continue a member of a Presbytery ; to [)erforrn such clerical duties as his circumstances would allow ; and to accept of any congregation in Belfast, or its immediate vicinity, which might choose him for their pastor. Resolved that D' William Neilson's connexion with the Fund, and the interest of his family therein, cannot, in our opinion, be affected by the resignation contemplated, inasmuch, as we do not think that the instruction of youth can be considered as a /secular employment^ within the meaning of our regulations, provided, that the mir.ister, who may resign for this purpose, his pastoral charge, shall continue under the care, and subject to the appointments of some Presbytery, either of the Synod of Ulster, or the Synod of Munster. A letter was read from M'' Gamble, praying that he might be ^i' <^"""''ie restored to his privileges as a contributor to the Fund. To this appli- cation the Intcrloquitur refused to accede. M' Hanna gave notice that at our next annual meeting, he will Notice of a bring forward a motion to the following effect, viz. — That the widow uanna ' or family of a degraded minister, a contributor to the Fund, shall on his death be entitled to all the benefits thereof, provided his annual sub- scription be paid to the Treasurer, on the 29"' day of September in every year. M' Campbell gave notice, that at our next annual meeting, he will crnmben ^'' move for the repeal of the 1 P*" Regulation of the Fund. Inserted November 12"" 1818. WILLIAM PORTER, Clerk, G. Synod. Attested by WILLIAM PORTl R, Clk. G. Synod. 494 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A Gejieral Synod at Belfast June 29^^ 1819. The Rev. Henry Montgomery, Moderator, having preached from 1*' Cor. !•' Chap. 21*' verse, constituted the Synod by Prayer. Present the following Members : Dromore Presbytery. Ministers Elders John Thompson John McCance Alexr. Patterson John Mcllwain William Wright Moses Finlay William Magowan Henry Cooke James McLeland James B. Black William Craig Samuel Crory James Simpson Wm. M. Wilson W^illiam Dixon Jos. Nicliolson Robt. Gardner Wm. Davison Thos. Kennedy George McAdara Dublin Presbytery. Ministers Elders James Horner Samuel Simpson Ballymena Presbytery. Belfast Presbytery. Ministers Elders Ministers Thomas Henry Henry Henry John Smith Robert Stewart George McClelland William Wachope William Wray Robert Paik Wm. Cuthbertson Doctor Hanna Henry Simpson James McCullogh James Riddell Fletcher Blakely John Hanna William Harrison Henry Hazlett Alexander McEwen James Munfoad William Duif John Dalzell Gawin Orr Robert Patton Joseph Harrison David Stewart Bangor Presbytery. Ministers Elders Dr. Stephenson Andrew Craig James Sinclair Robert Acheson John W'atson William Moreland John Mulligan Hugh Woods H. Montgomery William Finlay David White William Skelly William Campbell Joseph Fulton James McKain R. McDonald James Lunn Walter Roberts Sainuel Carson Richard Stitt John Hanna Elders Hugh Rodgers Hugh Lynn Robert Magill William Orr Letterkenny Presbytery. Ministers Eiders Clogher Presbytery. Ministers Elders John Anderson Route Presbytery. Ministers Elders James Elder Mathew Elder John Brown William Lyle Jackson Graham Monaghan Presbytery. Ministers Elders Joseph Denham James Goudie James Morell Patrick White James Harpur Arch. Martin AT BELFAST, JT'NE 29TH, 1819. 495 Monaghan Presbytery — continued. Ministers Elders Robert Winning TliomaB Kennedy Jolin Alexr. Adams Tyrone Presbytery. Ministers Elders Robert Clarke Thomas Mackay David Bennet William Brown Robt. Cunningham Robert Allen John Hogg Armagh Presbytery. Ministers Elders Strabane Presbytery Ministers Elders William Porter Derry Presbytery. Ministers Elders Mathew Heron John Mitchell George Hay Andw. McCaldin James Lynd Templepatrick Presbytery. Ministers Elders Dr. Neilson James Bankhead Dr. Wm. Neilson Samuel Arnold And. G. Malcom Robert Adams Arthur Neilson James Davis James Gardner Samuel Eccles David Davison Robert Dickson John Blakely James Harden John Savage Adam Hill Robert Orr John Murphy Robert Campbell Nat. Alexander William Glendy Samuel Elder James Cochran J. Montgomery William Gregg John Wilson Wm. Robinson Elders from congregations either vacant or whose Ministers have not attended. James Owens from Donegore Robert Anderson Bushmills Robert McCracken . M' Montgomery having moved that a Moderator for the present Mr Patterson year be now chosen, the following Ministers were put in nomination : — Moderator Mess" Patterson, H. iSimpson, Moreland, S. Simpson, Wauchope, J. Elder, Goudie, Cunningham, Malcom, M'^Caldin, and Orr. The Roll was called, and M"^ Patterson chosen. M' Porter continue. d Clerk. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, and prepare lists, to be handed to the the Clerk to-morrow morning, of the members whom they appoint for the Committees of Overtures, Bills, Books, and General Synod's Fixed Committee ; the names and addn-f^ses of their respective Moderators for the year ; an account of such Ministers belonging to them, as have died, been ordained, or installed; of such Candidates as have been licensed, or entered on trials; and of such Students as have been examined previous to their going to College, and subsequently to their return, since the last meeting of Synod; a report of their Annuitants on the Fund; of any that have died during the last twelve months, with the time of their decease ; and such other returns as our regulations require. Adjourned until to-morrow morning at ten o'clock. 496 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Ml- Cooke installed Ml' Adair"s License with- drawn Second Session, ( Wednesday morning, 10 o'clock.) After prayer, the Presbyteries made returns of their Members for the several Committees ; also the following Reports: — Dromore Presbytery report, that on the %^^ of September, 1818, they installed the Kev*^ Henry Cooke in the Congregation of Killileagh — That on the 2** of February last, they ordained the Rev** William Messrs crais and Craig, ^t Carnmoney, as assistant and successor to the Rev^ John ^rorj or aine "jjjQQjgQu . a^jj qq 23*^ of March last, the Rev. Samuel Crory, as Minister of the newly erected congregation of Drumlough, who both adhered to their former subscription of the "Westminster Confession of Faith, and are contributors to the Widows' Fund. That they have licensed to preach the Gospel, Mess" John M<=Cauley, and John Carson ; and that on the 18*^^ of last month, they withdrew his license from M'' William Adair. They have entered on first trials M"" James Templeton. Have received certificates from Alexander Patterson, John Mulligan, Thomas May, Robert Little, John Bell, William Murphy, and William Hay, stating their regular attendance at College, from the 3'^ of ^November until the V^ of May, during the last Session, in the classes of Moral Philosophy, Junior Mathtmitics, and Greek. Charles Adams attended the Logic and Greek classes from the 11*'' of November 1818, until the 18"" of April, 1819; and Robert Ferris attended the same classes during the period prescribed by the Synod. They examined Edward Allen, previous to his going to College the first time. The Rev'' William Craig, Carmoney, Belfast, is their Moderator for the year. They have on the Fund M''^ Hay of Donoughmore Congregation now residing in Donegal; M""^ Thomson (now M" Campbell) and daughter, of Mourne Congregation ; M" Magee, of Lurgan ; M""^ Eliza Larber, of Rathfryland; M" Isabella Little, of Killileagh; M" Mary Patrick, of Magherally ; M" Mary Waddel, of Dromore ; and M'' Margaret M'^Clelland of Ballynahinch. Belfast Presbytery report, that the Rev^ Andrew Greer died on the 6"^ of April, 1819, leaving neither widow nor family — That they have entered on first trials, Mess" Samuel Neilson, Hugh Maine, Thomas Reid, and Alexander Orr — That M' Campbell Blakely having obtained a General Certificate, in the Belfast Academical Institution, having produced from a seceding Minister a satisfactory testimonial as to his moral conduct, having undergone all examinations according to the rules of Synod, and having studied Divinity during one Session, has been entered by them on first trials — That they have received the necessary specimens from Mess" Moore, Shaw, and Hugh Hutton, on their return from College the third time ; all of whom attended lectures from the 10"" of November until the P* of May. That they have ex- amined, previous to their going to College the first time, John Carn- dufF, and John Mawhinney — The Rev"^ Henry Haslett, Castlereagh, Belfast, is their Moderator for the year. M''° Rowan died on the 6"" of April 1819. They have on the Fund, M" Kennedy, of Holy wood Congregation ; M" Jane M'^Ewen, of Killinchy ; M" Frances Keiburn, of Belfast ; M" Sarah Henry, of Castlereagh ; M"'" Isabella Grey, of Castlereagh ; and M*^' Elizabeth Harrison (now M^Ilveen) of Holy wood. 8 Annuitants Death of Mr Oreer Death of M'« Rowan 6 Annuitants AT BELFAST, JUNE 29TH, 1819. 497 Bangor Presbytery, report, that they examined William Neilson, and John Byers, previously to their going to College the first time ; Hugh Gamble and James Mulligan, after their return the first time ; and James Gaboon and Henderson Wightman, after their return the second time ; who all attended the full session — That on the first Tuesday of May last, they licensed M' John Bliik'.dy to preach the Gospel — That the llev** Andrew Goudy died on the 8^^ of December i?"*'' <>' Mr 1818, leaving a widow and family — The Kev*^ David Whyte, Bailee, '°" ^ Downpatrick, is their Moderator for the year. Have on the Fund Si" Jane Hull, (now in America), of Bangor Congregation, M" Patterson, of Bailee ; M" Brysou, of the fourth congregation Belfast; M" Ann Porter of Grayabbey ; M" Mary Caldwell, of Dundonald ; M" Jane 9 Annuiunu Cochrane, of Bally waiter ; M" Porter of Ciough ; M" Matilda Goudy, of Bally waiter, and the family of M'' Arnold of Donaghadee. Dublin Presbytery report, that on the 23<» of September, 1818, ^'/^^""^^ j„ they ordained the Itev** Joseph Scott, in the congregation of Stratford- siratford on-Slany ; that he signed the Westminster Confession of Faitfi, and declared himself a contributor to the Widows' Fund — That M" Wilson, t).ea'h of lin widow of the late Rev'' William Wilson, one of the ministers of Usher's Quay, Dublin, died in the month of January last. The Rev'' James Horner, 23, Lower Dorset Street, Dublin, is their Moderator for the year. Ballymena Presbytery report, that on the 22°'' of September last, .\r Cuthbcrtson they ordained the Rev" William Cuthbertson to the pastoral charge of ^^^",'f^^Jj^l;;^^*''"- the Congregation of Cullybacky ; and on the lO"' of November last the Rev" Archibald Hutchinson to the pastoral charge of the Congre- gation of Dunean ; both of whom are contributors to the AVidows' Fund — That M'^ Christy died on the 1"' of August last, leaving neither i'^'-**'' "' ^' widow nor family — That they have licensed M'^ Robert Magill to preach the Gospel — That they have entered on first trials, Mess" Thompson and Montgomery ; and have received specimens in Divinity from Mess" Allison and Rogers. Their young men have attended College, from the commencement to the end of the last session. They have on .s Annuitanti the Fund, M'' Elizabeth Lindsay, of Ballymena Congregation, M^ Victoria Brown, of Broughshane ; M' Jhllizabeth Howard, of Ahoghill; M" Mary Mitchel, of Bally money ; and the family of M' Park, of Buckna. The Rev" W. M-^Clintock Wray, Buckna, Ballymena, is their Moderator for the year. Letterkenny Presbytery report, that M' Leitch died on the 25"' {^^'*'j,\°J„),';, of September last, leaving neither widow nor family ; and M"" Alexander Mr a. .\Ursh»il Marshall, on the 28"* of February last, leaving a widow and family — That they examined Mess" Moses and John Rogers, and John Ramsay previously to their going to College the first time ; Mess" Allen, Russel, and Johnstone, on their return the second time ; and M' Steele on his return the third time. Have on first trials, M' Gibson. M' Steele appeared at the meeting of the Presbytery in April last, and produced certificates of his having attended lectures on Divinity, Church History, and Hebrew, (in the College of Glasgow) froin the commencement of the session, until the 17"" of April. He as.signed bad health, as the reason of his not having continued at College until 498 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD the P' of May ; which reason, the Presbytery believe to be true. They request the direction of the Synod with respect to him. They have 3 Annuitants On the Fund, W Margaret Burke, of Rathmelton Congregation; M" Delap, of the old Congregation of Omagh ; and M" Margaret Allen, of the united Congregations of Leater and Dunfanaghy. The E,ev^ William Eamsay, of Raphoe, is their Moderator for the year. Clogher Presbytery report, that they examined M' James Beatty previously to his going to College the first time, and also on bis return, 1 Annuiipnt ^^''^^ studying there a full session. They have on the Fund, M" Mary Moorhead, of the United Congregations of Fintona and Dromore. Mr. McKtr Route Presbytcry report, that the Rev"* Daniel M'^Kee, finding himself unable, from infirmity, and the agitated state of his Congrega- tion, to discharge his pastoral duties with advantage requested the Presbytery, on the IS"* February last, to allow his Congregation to choose an Assistant and Successor. They have examined M"^ M<=Kay, in Natural Philosophy ; and have on first trials, Mess''* M'^Laughlin, Hamill, and Watson, who all attended College during the time pre- 14 Anr.viitanis gcribed by Synod. They have on the Fund, M" Gaston, M" Smyly, M" Mary Hamilton, M" Elder, M" Davis, (supposed to be in America), M" ISimpson, M''^ Elizabeth Macmullin, M" Blair, M" Sarah Fullerton, M^" Jane Greer and family, M" Elizabeth M'=Clelland, M" Margaret M^Farland, M" Logan, and the family of M' Thompson. The Rev** John Patterson, Macosquin, Coleraine, is their Moderator for the year. Monaghan Presbytery report, that M'^ William White, and M' Robert Rusk, having attended College from the commencement to the conclusion of the last session, were, on completing their trials, licensed by them to preach the Gospel. That they examined M' James Goudy on his return from College the first time, and M"" James Shannon, after his return the third time, who both completed the Session required by Synod ; and they also examined M' John King, on his return from College the second time, having attecded there from the Wan'iock^''^ beginning of the Session till the 10"* April. M" AVarnock died in the 8 Annuitants month of April last. They have on the Fund, M" Smith of Stone- bridge Congregation ; M" Elizabeth Montgomery (now Gibson) of Bailieborough ; M" Elizabeth Whiteside (now Gunn) of Stonebridge ; M" Jane Moore, of Ervey and Carrickmaclim ; M''^ Jane Wilson, of Longford ; M" M'^Ilree of Keady ; M'^ Ann Jackson, of Ballybay ; and the family of M' Stewart of Cootehill. The Rev** Robert Winning, Kingscourt, is their Moderator for the year. Tyrone Presbytery report, that on the 4''' of August last, they licensed M"" William Brown to preach the Gospel. That they examined M' William Henry, previously to his going to College the first time. Have on first trials Mess" Collins, Morgan, and Adams, who have finished their collegiate course, according to Synodical regulations, and also, M' Samuel Sloane, who has attended Divinity one full session. Have on the Fund, M" Mary Boylan, of Minterburn Congregation ; M" Martha Dougall, of Magherafelt ; M" Matilda Chambers, of Stewartstown ; and the family of M' Stewart of Carland. The Rev'* John Hogg, of Carland, Stewartstown, is their Moderator for the year. i Annuitants AT BELFAST, JUNE 29TH, 1819. 499 Armagh Presbytery report, that on the 23'' of July, 1818, the Resigmniion of Rev^ D' William Neilson resigned the charge of the Congregation of and oi'di.atfo " Dundalk, and that they ordained there, on the 2°'^ of March, 1819, the °^ ^''^- "•*'''^o" Rev^ David Davison, who is a contributor to the Widows' Fund. They examined previously to their going to College the first time, Mess" George Vogan, Maurice M^Caw, Samuel Moore, and James Hut- ton, whose time of attendance on their several classes was comfortable [conformable] to the regulation of Synod. The Presbytery resolved to supplicate the Synod for advice with respect to the Carlingford part of the United Congregations of Narrow- water and Carlingford. They CariiniiforU have on the Fund, M" Martha Anne Thorn, of Newry Congregation : 3 Annuitants M" Elizabeth Cuming of Armagh ; and the family of M' Shaw of Banbridge. The Kev'^ A. G. Malcom, Newry, is their Moderator for the year. Strabane Presbytery report, that M' Henderson died on the 20"" fje^ulersoM'' December, 1818, leaving a widow and family. That they have received on first trials, M"" James Alexander; and that they have examined, on his second return from College, M' John Scott Porter, who produced certificates of attendance from the 3"^ of November, to the 1°' of May last. They have on the Fund M" Sarah Turbitt, * AnnuitantB Donaghedy Congregation ; M""^ Anne Hamill, Donaghedy ; M''' Afary Anderson, Drumquin ; and M'* Margery Henderson, Derg and Killetur. The Eev*^ Charles Hemphill, Gortin, Newtownstewart, is their Moderator for the year. Derry Presbytery report, that the Rev*^ Mathew Cuthbert died on t)eath of Mr. the 30'^ of January last leaving a family. That in August last, they licensed M' Robert Thompson to preach the Gospel. That they examined Mess'" Smith, Walker, and Cunningham, after their return from College the first time, whose term of study there was conformable to the Synodical regulation. They have on the Fund, M" Martha 8 Annuitanta Walker, of Malin Congregation ; M" Elizabeth Patton, Knowhead ; M" Margaret Scott, Malin ; M" Isabella Law, Banagher ; M^' Martha Grey, Boveva ; M" Jane Elder, MufF; M" Margaret Black, Derry; and the family of M' Cuthbert, Colerain ; The Rev'' Henry Kydd, Dungiven, is their Moderator for the year. Templepatrick Presbytery report, that on the 6'" of July, 1818, Mr. Cookes the Rev*^ Henry Cooke resigned the pastoral charge of the congregation Don^e'^oVe " °' of Donegore. In October last they examined M' Stephenson Hunter, previously to his going to College the first time, and in Alay, on his return. They have also examined M' Doherty on his return the second time ; M' Erskine on his return the third time ; and M' M^Kee on his return the fourth time. They have licensed to preach the Gospel, Mess'' Crawford, and Shaw. Have on second trials, M' James S. Reid. On the Fund, M" Elizabeth Gibson, Crumlin Congregation ; o \„„uituii3 and M" Mary Thompson, Lame. The Rev" William Glendy, Bally- " carry, Carrickfergus, is their Moderator for the year. Antrim Presbytery report, that they have on the Fund, M" " Ammit mts Elizabeth Crombie, first Congregation, Belfast ; M" Margaret Vanco, second Congregation, Belfast ; M" Alicia Nevin, Downpatrick ; M" 500 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Letterkenny Report Elizabeth Sinclair, Larne ; and the families of Mess" "Wightman, Holywood ; Marshal, Ballyclare ; and Bryson, Antrim. The Rev*^ William Heron, of Ballyclare, Moderator. General Synod's Fixed Committee for 1819. Presbs, Minrs. Dromore, Messr' M'^Cance & Cooke, Belfast, Bangor, Dublin, Ballymena, Letterkenny, Clogher, Route, Monaghan, Tyrone, Armagh, Strabane, Derry, Templepatrick, Harrison & ^I°Ewen, Mulligan & Woods, Horner & Simpson, McClelland & Cuthbertson, Reid & Carson, Sampson & Philips, Boyle & Butler,, Harpur & Winning, M'Kay & R. Hogg, A. Neilson & Jenkins, Gilkey & M^Crea, Johnson & Kydd, Campbell & Qlendy, These with an Elder from each Presbytery, our Moderator and Clerk, are to meet at Belfast when called by the Moderator on any emergency — fifteen to be a quorum, of whom twelve at least are to be Ministers. No member of Letterkenny Presbytery having attended this meeting, it was resolved, that though we allow the report transmitted from that body to be inserted in our Minutes, it is not to be considered as stamped with our sanction ; because we have not the means of making inquiry concerning its correctness. With respect to M' Steele, however, we consider the reason assigned for his non-conformity to the Synodical regulation of last year as valid. On the proceedings with regard to the other young men, mentioned in the report, we can give no opinion whatsoever. The several members of the Presby- tery are enjoined to attend our next meeting, and to account for their absence from the present. AT BELFAST, JUNE 29TH, 1819. 501 On reading that part of the report from the Presbytery of Hout(\ Mr. m Kce which states, " That the Rev^ Daniel M'^Kee had rociuested them to allow his Congregation to choose an Assistant and Successor." the circumstances connected with this application were minutely investi- gated ; and it appearing, that the Presbytery had sanctioned an arrange- ment, by which M' M'Kee was to resign the whole of his stipend, and the half of his R.D. to an assistant, when chosen ; and that M"" M'=Kee had concurred in this arrangement, in order to stop the prosecution of certain charges which had been preferred against his moral conduct — It was resolved, that we cannot countenance any such compromise as that which seems to have taken place on the occasion in question ; and that the Presbytery be enjoined to investigate said charges, without delay, and decide thereon, conformably to our discipline. Adjourned — Committees to meet immediately — Open Synod at half-past three o'clock. Third Session, ( Wednesday afternoon, June 30, ^ past 3 o'clock). On the second reading of that part of the report from the Presby- cariingfoid tery of Armagh, which relates to Carlingford, it was stated by the Presbytery, as their decided opinion, that the persons now worshipping in that place are so very few, and the augmentation of their numbers so very improbable, that M' Arnold's usefulness as a Minister would be greater, were he to discontinue his present practice of preaching there every sixth Sabbath, and devote his whole time to the Congre- gation of Narrow-water. After considerable discussion, it was moved as a resolution, That in our opinion, M' Arnold ought to continue to supply Carlingford, as he has hitherto done ; that the Presbytery of Armagh ought to assist him in supplying Narrow-water, and avail themselves of the services of such members of the Presbytery of Dromore, as may be willing to preach occasionally in Carlingford, during the ensuing year. The roll was called, and the resolution carried. Adjourned till to-morrow morning, at 7 o'clock. Fourth Session, {Thursday morning, July 1** 7 o'clock). After prayer, it was proposed as a resolution, that it is conducive Synod's place of to our interest as a body, that our Synodical meetings be held by turns, ",Y/,J"e^^° ''* in many different places ; and not longer in the same place than two frequently years in immediate succession. This resolution was unanimously agreed to, and the members present pledged themstdves to use their influence to have it acted on in future. Conformably to the foregoing resolution, it was moved, that Cookstown the Cookstown be the place of the Synod's meeting next year ; Lurgan also ^ ^'^^ ° meeting was put in nomination The roll was called and ('ookstown carried. The meeting to take place on the last Tuesday of June next ; divine 8e[r]vice to commence at five o'clock afternoon. 502 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Code of The Committee for preparing "A Code of Discipline &c." re- ( iscip ine quested that they might be allowed another year to complete the business for which they had been appointed. The request was granted. M' Thompson, on account of his present state of health was permitted to avail himself of M' Cooke's assistance, in preparing the part of the Code allotted to him. Petition against The Committee for managing the Petitions against Distillation on Sabbath'"" " the Lord's Day, reported, that the petition to the House of Lords had been presented by Lord O'^^eill, on the request of Lord Hertford ; and that, to the House of Commons, by Lord Castlereagh. They farther reported, that they had been informed by M' Vansittart, Chancellor of the Exchequer, that a regulation was contemplated, which would put an end to the practice complained of. Report of Examination Committee The Committee for the examination of Students belonging to the Synod, in the Belfast Academical Institution, made the following report : — "Belfast, April 2S'M 8 19. " At a meeting of the Committee appointed by the General Synod of Ulster, to attend the examination of students under the care of that body in the Belfast Academical Institution — present, H. Mont- gomery, Moderator, A. Craig, E,. Acheson, J. Thomson, D"^ Hanna, K. Campbell, H. Simpson, and F. Blakely. " Having attended examinations in Natural Philosophy and Greek — ordered that our Moderator join the Professors D' Knight and D' Neilson, in granting Certificates to the following students, viz. : — In Natural Philosophy, to Clarke Houston, William Erskine, William Hunter, John Shaw and Eobert Carlisle. " In Greek, to Edward Allen, William Henry, William Neilson, James Beattie, James Bones, James Hutton, John Byers, John Carnduif, Eobert Eerris, and Stephenson Hunter. '* Edward Alexander having been prevented by sickness from being publicly examined in Greek, at the end of last session, offered himself for this purpose, after the general examination of the Class had been concluded. The Committee considering a separate examination in- formal, enjoined him to attend the public examinations in Greek at the close of the ensuing Session. "April 29'*' — Present, H. Montgomery, Moderator, E. Acheson, J. Thompson, D' Hanua, E. Campbell F. Blakely, W. Finlay, W. Harrison, W. Wright, and W. Glendy. " Having attended Examinations in Mathematics and Logic — ordered, that our Moderator join Professors Thomson and Cairns, in granting Certificates to the following students, viz. : — "In Mathematics, to Alexander Patterson, Clarke Houston, George Bellis, William Erskine, William Neilson, James M^Cay, James Mulligan, James Hutton, John Bell, John Doherty, John Scott Porter, Eobert Little and Thomas May. AT BELFAST, JUNE 29TH, 1819. 503 " In Logic, to Edward Allen, William Henry, William Neilson, James Beatty, James Bones, James Hutton, John Byers, John Carnduff, John Scott Porter, Maurice M'Caw, Robert Ferris, Stephenson Hunter aud Edward Alexander. " April 30"' — Present, H. Montgomery, Moderator, 11. Acheson, J. Thompson, D' Hanna, H. Simpson, F. Blakely, W. Wright, W. Glendy, J. M-^Cance, R. Campbell, and W. Harrison— T. Alexander, who was present sat with the Committee. "Having attended examinations in Moral Philosophy — Ordered that our Moderator joia Professor Young in granting certificatas to the following Students, viz. to Alexander Patterson, George Bellis, George Jardine, James M^Cay, James Mulligan, John Bell, John Doherty, Robert Little, Thomas May, Edward Alexander, John Hutton, James Cowan, George Thomson, John Mulligan, William Hay, and Hugh Gamble. " Clarke Houston, William Hunter, John Shaw and Robert Carlisle, having been examined in presence of ths Committee, in Latin, Greek, Logic, Moral Philosophy, Natural Philosophy, and Mathematics, Ordered that our Moderator join the Professors of the Belfast Academical Institution, in granting to these Students the General Certificate, received by the Synod as equivalent to a Degree in Arts. " The Committee having attended the examinations of William Erskine, with a view to his obtaining a General Certificate — Agreed unanimously that his answers were satisfactory, in the different departments, with the exception of Mathematics. He was therefore enjoined to continue his studies in that Science until our Moderator shall deem it proper to convene the Committee, f9r his re-examination. " The Committee feel much pleasure in reporting, that the exam- inations, afforded convincing proof of the abilities of the professors, and the diligence of the Students; the proficiency being so great and general in each of the classes as to give high satisfaction to all present. " Signed, F. BLAKELY, Clerk of the Committee. Resolved, that the Committee of last year be continued for the present ; and that any other Ministers of the Synod, who may attend the Examinationp, shall have the privilige of voting with regard to tbem. By a letter addressed to the Moderator, the Joint Boards of An°Momr'in''thi Managers and Visiters of the Belfast Academical Institution informed n \.i. the Synod of the prosperous state of that Seminary and their having recently established in it a professorship of Anatomy and Medical Philosophy — The Moderator was desired to express the satisfaction which this Communication has afforded to the Synod. The Committee for purchasing a piece of Plate, to be presented to Mrs. CuminR M"^* Cuming and family, were instructed to expend for that purpose the amount of whatever contributions the shall have received on the I" of November next. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. 504 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Church of Scotland Protest Fifth Session, (Thursday morning, 10 o'clock). On reading the regulation of last year, which goes to prohibt Clergymen of the Church of Scotland from preaching on any occasion, in our pulpits — it was moved, that the regulation be rescinded, and the following enacted in its stead — " That as the Church of Scotland passed an Act in 1799 which excludes the Ministers and Licentiates of our body from preaching, in their Congregations, and though respectfully and repeately applied to, have not made any alteration of said Act, favourable to us ; therefore we deem it a duty which we owe to our Licentiates and to ourselves, to declare that the Ministers and Licentiates of the Church of Scotland shall not be eligible to any of our Congregations, nor allowed to preach in any of our vacancies." — The roll was called, and the motion carried. Against this decision, the following Protest was entered. We the undersigned protest, First — Because the Act of the General Assembly of 1 799, was an unhandsome and unkind violation of the amity which had long sub- sisted between that Church and ours. Secondly — Because, when we applied for a revision and alteration of said unkind Act, the Assembly treated our remocstrance, at first with total neglect, and finally with insult. Thirdly — Because, after duly considering all the circumstances, we resolved in the year 1818, to protect the interests of our Licentiates and the peace of our Congregations, by preventing persons in connexion with the Church of Scotland from preaching in our pulpits — and as no change has taken place in that Law of the Assembly, we think the present decision of Synod discovers an unwise and vacillating policy. Fourthly — Because, there can be no real friendship, where there is not a mutual return of civilities, and where the parties are not upon an equality. We therefore consider it highly disgraceful to the Synod, to fawn upon a Body of men whe have treated them with unmerited contempt and insult. Fifthly — Because, in our opinion, neither honour nor advantage is likely to accrue from a re-union with the Church of Scotland ; and even if there were, we think the present decision will have the most powerful tendency to prevent it. (Signed) H. Montgomery W. Harrison, J. Anderson, Adam Hill, Thomas Henry, W. Finlay, David Whyte, James Harpur, Moses Neilson J. A. Adams E-. Acheson, James Riddel, J. Murphy, John Smith, W. Wright, W. Glendy, D. Davison Samuel Eccles. Elders, W. M. Wilson James M'^Kean, John Montgomery Joseph Harrison, J. Lunn. Synod adjourned till half-past two o'clock. AT BELFAST, JUNE 29™, igig. 505 Sixth Session, (Thursday, ji past 2 o'clock, afternoon). M' Montgomery stated, that after consulting some aged members ^'^"1*^?^,^, of Synod, he had resolved not to bring forward, at present, any new regulations respecting marriage. The Committee, last year, appointed to determine the matter at g^^^ «nd' issue between M' Smith, M' Campbell, and the Presbytery of Route ; Presbytery of and also to consider the pamphlet published by M' Campbell, reported ^°^^^ — That they had met at Bally money, according to instructions ; and after a laborious investigation, (the minutes of which were read to the Synod by their Clerk) had come to the following resolutions : — " I. Resolved, That in reporting to the Presbytery of Route, the charge against M' Campbell, M' Smith did an act of duty, as a Minister of the Synod; though we cannot wholly approve of the manner in which he did it, inasmuch as we think he ought to have made more particular inquiry respecting the truth of the charge, before he reported it to the Presbytery." From the latter part of the foregoing resolution, M' Harrison declared that he dissented, because it appeared to him, that M' Smith had made sufficient inquiry before he reported the charge. " II. Resolved unanimously, That we highly disapprove of the spirit in which the Presbytery of Route received M"^ Smith's communi- cation of the charge against M' Campbell — That we also disapprove of the manner in which the majority of that body seem to have acted, during the investigation, towards the witnesses examined in support of said charge, But, above all, that we disapprove of the conduct of the Presbytery, in having, at a subsequent meeting in Garva, altered their decision, at the request of M' Campbell, so as to cast a severe and unmerited reflection on the moral character of M' Smith ; and this at a time when M"^ Smith had regularly entered an appeal to the Synod against their original decision : and when they knew that that gentle- man was in prison, and utterly unapprised of their proceeding. " III. Resolved, That as M' Campbell has declined entering on his defence, and as no new evidence in his favour has appeared during the investigation, we see no reason for altering the decision of the Synod of 1817, with respect to him." From this resolution M' Cooke expressed his dissent. The Committee, after hearing M'' Campbell at great length, in support of certain statements in his pamphlet, " IV. — Resolved, That a pamphlet entitled ' Letter to the Rev^, ^^i^^^l^^^'^^^'" the Synod of Ulster,' &c., &c., of which il"' CarapbLll has acknowledged himself the author, is a scandalous invective agaiusl the Synod of Ulster, abounding with the most groundless, indecent, and malicious representations." Having received the foregoing report, the Synod adjourned till to-morrow morning, at 7 o'clock. pamphlet 506 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Seventh Session, {Friday morning, July 2"'* 7 o^ clock). Mr Campbell's credentials declared null Presbytery of Route sus- pended After prayer, resolved unanimously — That the decision of the Committee which met at Ballyraouey be approved of ; and that the thanks of the Synod be returned to them, for their assiduous and acute investigation of the ease on which they were appointed to decide. The Presbytery of Route having admitted, that since the decision of the Committee with regard to M' Campbell, they had given him credentials as a preacher of the Gospel, previously to his departure from the Kingdom — it was moved, and unanimously agreed to. That the credentials thus improperly given, be declared null and void. It was farther moved — That the conduct of the Presbytery of Route, in the whole aflPair of M"^ iSmith and M' Campbell ; has been highly reprehensible, and that those members of that body who signed the credentials given to the latter; and also, those members who concurred in the alteration made at Garva of the original decision respecting M' Smith, shall be suspended from preaching for one Lord's day. Moved, as an amendment — That we highly disapprove of the conduct of the Presbytery of Route, iu the case of M"^ Smith and M' Campbell ; and that the act of a majority of that body, in signing credentials for the latter, is particularly reprehen^^ible — it is therefore resolved, that the Presbytery shall be most seriously admonished to conduct themselves with more propriety for the time to come, and as only a few members of that body are now present, it is farther resolved, to express, in a written document, to be transmitted to their Moderator, and publickly read by him at their next meeting, the strong displeasure which we feel at their irregular proceediugs ; and a solemn warning, never again to be guilty of similar misconduct — The roil was called and this amendment negatived. The original motion for suspension was then put and carried. The following members desired that their dissent from this decision should be entered on the Ministers [Minutes], viz. G. Hay, J. Horner, A. G. Malcolm, H. Cooke, R. Stewart, R. Park, J. Mitchell, M. Heron, W. Wauchope, P. White, W. Craig, R. Allen, T. M'Kay, H. Haslett, and Robert Magill, Elder, Ordered, that the suspension shall take place on the second Sabbath of August next : and accordingly, those members of the Presby- tery of Route, who either signed M' Campbell's credentials, or who concurred in the procedure at Garva, are hereby suspended for that day. A Committee appointed to devise the mode of carrying this sentence into effect, reported, that according to the best evidence they could obtain, the following members of Route Presbytery came under the operation of the foregoing order ol Synod, \iz : — AT BELFAST, JUNE 29TH, 1819. 507 R. Rentoul, J, Elder, M. Elder, A. Martin, James Brown, Chas. Kennedy, Richard Dill, James Boyle, J. Whiteside, S. Butler, his cong° to be supplied, and his suspension announced by Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. H. Kydd. T. Henry. H. Henry. G. M'^Clelland A. M<=Caldin. W. Moore. J. Mitchell. R. Stewart. W" Porter. J. A. Johnson. The Committee farther reported their* opinion, that the Probationers supplying the pulpits of the Ministers appointed to announce the suspensions, should be paid one Guinea each by the respective persons suspended. The decision of the Committee was sustained, and the measures recommended by them were adopted by the Synod. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. Eighth Session, {Friday morning, 10 o^ clock). A Letter from' the Faculty of the Belfast Academical Institution, Letter from was presented to the Moderator by a deputation from that body, and b"!"!.* ° read by the Clerk. As certain suggestions in this communication (respecting the discipline of the Theological Class), were connected with an affair, understood to bii referred [to], in the report of the committee for managing the concerns of the Divinity Professorship, it was agreed to postpone the consideration of these suggestions, till that report should be presented. The Committee for managing the concerns of the Divinity Divinity Professorship, gave in a report of their proceedings during the last ^° •^*°'^* '^ twelve months. The report contained a charge against M.'' Hugh Hutton, a Student in the Theological Class, for contumacious behaviour towards the Committee, and Professor Hanna. M' Hutton was heard in his defence. Adjourned till half-past 2 o'clock. Ur. Hutton Ninth Session, (Friday afternoon, \ past 2 o'clock). J)' Hanna, aud the Professorship Committee were, heard on the subject of M' Hutton's behaviour. Resolved — That the conduct ot the committee, and of D' Hanna, as Professor, is entitled to our highest approbation. Resolved — That the Presbytery of Belfast, to which M' Hutton belongs, be ordered to admonish him with respect to his conduct during the last Session, as a Student in the Theological Class ; and to inform 508 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD state of the Funds for fruppoi't of Divinity Prof essoi ship him, that unless he suhmit to the regulations, he cannot he continued under the care of the Synod. Against this decision, M"^ Blakely and others signified their intention of protesting and promised to assign their reasons in due time. Adjourned till to-morrow morning, at 7 o'clock. Tenth Session, {Saturday/ morning, July S^^ 7 o'clock). Resolved — That as M'^ Button's conduct in the Theological Class, during last session, has been disrespectful and conturaacioup, both towards the Managing Committee and D' Hanna, he shall not again be admitted into the class without acknowledging to the Committee and D' Hanna, severally, that his behaviour has been improper. That part of the Report of the committee, which relates to the funds for supporting the Divinity Professorship, being taken into consideration, it appeared that the amount of contributions, Received, prior to last meeting of Synod, from 10 Congregations is Received, since last meeting of Synod, from 3 Congregations . . Making amount of permanent Fund £241 14 58 2 H 111 £292 17 3 Received, prior to last meeting, from 41 Ministers 85 10 0 Received, since last meeting of Synod, from 13 Ministers .. 23 10 0 Making for the support of the Professorship during 2 years only £109 0 0 Adjourned till 10 o'clock. Eleventh Session, {Saturday morning, 10 o'clock). Moved, that every Minister of the Synod, who shall not, before our next annual meeting, have paid his own quota of contribution in support of the Divinity Professorship, and endeavoured to make a collection for the same purpose from his people, shall at that meeting, be publicly admonished from the Chair. Moved, as an amendment, that for each Presbytery belonging to this body, two Ministers not members thereof, be appointed, who shall visit its respective Congregations, and endeavour to raise money for the support of our Divinity Professorship, either by private contribu- tions, or by congregational collections, made, after suitable addresses to the people ; or by both these modes conjointly. The original motion was withdrawn, and the amendment agreed to. AT BELFAST, JUNE 29™, 1819. 509 For the above-mentioned purpose, the following persons were appointed to make collections in the different Presbytery's [Presby- teries.] Dromore, Mess" Blakelv & Davis Belfast, Woods'& W. Finlay ( Bangor, Wright & H. Simpson Dublin, Morell & Cooke, Ballyraena, John Brown & W. Craig, Clogher, R. Campbell, Sen. & Harpur, Letterkenny, ,T. A. Johnson & J. A. Adams, Route, Glendy & Park. Monaghan, Malcolm & Eccles, Tyrone, Anderson & Harrison, Armagh, Bennett & R. Allen, Strabane, H. Henry & E. Reid, Derry, Porter & R Dill, Jun. Templepatrick, Stewart & D. Whyte. These Gentlemen are to apply for the contributions of such ministers in their respective circuits, as have not yet obeyed the in- junction of Synod — The money collected, to be forwarded without delay, to M' James Muufoad, Belfast. Whatever expense they shall incur in fulfilling the object of their appointment, on being reported to the Synod at its next meeting, shall be defrayed out of the sums collected. They are, in due lime, to notify to each Minister in the several districts allotted to th^m, the ptrticular day on which they will visit his Congregation ; and on receiving such notification, each Minister is enjoined to announce the same to his people ; and read from the pulpit, the whole of the Minute on this subject, that they may be prepared with their Contributions. Ordered — That during their absence, on this business of general concern, their pulpits shall be gratuitously supplied by the Presbyteries to which they resptctively belong. Resolved — that our Moderator shall write to the Moderator of the Synod of Munster as representative of that body, and to the several members of the Presbytery of .Antrim, requesting their co-operation in support of our Divinity Professorship — an establishment so highly conducive to the interests of Presbyterianism in Ireland. Resolved — That the Professorship Committee; of last year, be requested to meet this evening, and consult on the means of carrying into effect the suggestions transmitted from the Faculty of the Belfast Academical Institution, respecting the discipline of the Theological Class, and to report to the Synod the result of their deliberations. Adjourned till 12 o'clock on Monday next. Ttoeljth Session, {Monday, July 5"', 12 o'clock). After prayer, the Committee, requested to take into consideration the discipline of the Theological Class, recommended it as expedient, 510 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD Discipline of {jja^ the Professor and Students of that class, so far as relates to entrance, ci»ss lectures, examinations, and the support and management of the Theo- logical library, be continued under the direction of the Committee, annually appointed, to manage the concerns of the Professorship ; but, that in all other matters, they be placed under the government and control of the Faculty of the Belfast Academical Institution. The above recommendation was adopted by the Synod. Course of The Faculty of the Belfast Academical Institution informed the p"escrU3ed*to'"' Synod, that they had recommended to such students as had passed students in through the Logic class, to read, during the summer recess, Cicero's Offices, and, in the Greek Testament, the Gospels, and Acts of the Apostles, preparatory to an examination, to be held at the commence- ment of the ensuing session ; and that they had, in like manner, recommended to such students as had passed through the Moral Philosophy class, to read, for a similar examination, the two first Books of Livy, and the Epistles and lievelation in the Greek Testament, They farther stated, that a prize shall be given to the best answerer in each class ; and the proficiency of those who excel, mentioned in their class certificates. Of these measures the Synod highly approved. Resolved — That the Committee of last year for managing the concerns of the Divinity Professorship, be requested to continue in office for the ensuing year. With this request the Committee complied. M' Munfoad continued Treasurer. Resolved — That all afi'airs relating to the interests and manage- ment of the Theological class, as well as the government of the students whilst assembled in the class room, be committed, for the ensuing year, to the above appointed Committee, and Professor Hauna ; bnt that in all other respects, the Theological Students shall be under the govern- ment and control of the Faculty. The members last year appointed, to present an Address to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, viz., Mes?" Montgomery, Moderator, Horner, J)" W. Neilson, and M' Hay, reported, that they had been most graciously received by his Excellency, and had been favoured by him with the following answer : — *' I return you many thanks for the very flattering manner in which you have been pleased to express yourselves towards me. " I can have no doubt, that your loyal conduct during my stay in this country, will fully warrant me in representing you to his Majesty's Government, as amply deserving that confidence and favour, which have been so long and so deservedly ejt tended to you. Synod adjourned till a quarter past 4 o'clock. OYERTTJRES. Thirteenth Session, (Monday ^ past 4 o'clock). I. Overtured — That with a view to preserve a knowledge of important facts relative to the Presbyterians of Ireland, the Ministers Professorship Couiniittee Powers of the Committee Lord Lieuten»nt's answer to the address of last >ear AT BELFAST, JUNE 29TH, 1819. 611 of the Synod shall prepare accounts of their Congregations, and submit them to their respective Presbyteries. That ministers shall state the situation and extent, with the dates and circumstances of the original|8ettlement, of their Congregations — the names of the Mini-^ters, from the earliest period, with thu dates and circumstances of their ordinations, installations, removals, depositions, and deaths — And shall particularly mention in what respects, import- ant to Presbyterianism, any of the Ministers, or their Congregations, or any individuals belonging to their Congregations, have distinguished themselves. They shall also give an account of Congregational records, and shall enter into such detail of facts, as they may judge proper, respect- ing their houses of worship, religious services, psalmody, elders, observance of Church discipline, funds, stipend paid at different periods, collections and subscriptions, zeal of their Congregations, number of families, state of education, and the numbers and influence of other denominations of Christians within their bounds. Ministers will take notice of any other particulars respecting their Congregations, which they may consider worthy of being recorded. Moved and agreed to, that the consideration of this overture be deferred till next meeting of Synod. II. Overtured, and unanimously agreed to — That no Presbytery No Asiistant , n 1 . • . 11 . • i . • •" • nt ..• i-i Minister to be snaJi ordain or install an Assistant minister in any Congregation, until ordain«d the Minister of said Congregation shall have obtained leave from the without leave r^ ,„ 1 , , t °°. , 1 from Svnod Weneral Synod, to take an assistant and successor. III. Overtured, and unanimously agreed to — That Presbyteries Candidates for shall at their meeting immediately previous to that of the General of synod to be Synod, nominate one of their members, to be returned as a candidate "°™|°.*'^^ ''^' for the office of Moderator to the Synod. Any Presbytery neglecting » previous this rule, shall forfeit the privilige of returning a candidate. meeting IV. Overtured and unanimously agreed to — That every Minister Ministergtokeep of this Synod shall keep, or cause to be kept, a regular registry of all JiarnaKes the marriages celebrated by him ; stating the date of each marriage, the names of the parties, the Congregations or Parishes in which they reside, and the names of at least two of the witnesses present at the celebration of the ceremony. And every Minister is enjoined to give in annually to his Presbytery, at the meeting immediately previous to that of the General Synod, a correct list, authenticated by his own signature, of the marriages which he has celebrated during the foregoing year. These marriages are to be registered by the Clerk of each Pres- bytery, in a book kept for the purpose. Any Minister who shall not return such correct list, will be liable to the same penalties, as if had celebrated marriage irregularly. V. Overtured and unanimously agreed to — That every minister of and Baptism the Synod be enjoined to register, or cause to be registered, in a book to be kept for that purpose, the names of all children baptised by him ; the dates of their birth and baptism ; the names of their parents, and the places of residence. This book shall be carefully preserved, and 512 KECORDS OF A GENERAL SYI^OD considered as the property of the congregation — to remain with them on the death, resignation, or removal of the Minister, and to be handed to his Successor, for the purpose of continuing the registry. }^o'^eof VI. Overtured, and unanimously agreed to — That when candidates Candidates lor the Ministry have gone through tn» course ot education and trials, prescribed by the Synod, they shall be licensed to preach the Gospel, in Ihe following manner, viz. Their respective Presbyteries shall license them in public, and at a regular meeting. A member of Presbytery, previously appointed for ihe purpose, shall, from the pulpit, deliver to to the Licentiates an address, suitable to the occasion, and tending to impress on their minds, the importance and responsiblily of the Ministerial office. BILLS. Memorial I. A Memorial was presented from the Minister, Session and Con^re'^Uoiiai Congregation ot Corglass, praying for the countenance and support of Farmof Cor^iass the Synod, in defending their title to a farm, set apart for their benefit, upwards of one hundred years ago, by M' Hamilton, of Bailieborough. Adjourned till to-morrow morning, at 7 o'clock. Fourteenth Session, (Tuesday/ morning, Juli/ 6^^ 7 o'clock). After prayer, the consideration of the memorial from Corglass was resumed. Resolved — That we highly approve of the manner in which M' WhUe, the Minister of Corglass, has conducted himself in this business, and that he merits the efficient support of the Synod, in defending his own claim, and that of his congregation, to the farm in question. M' Hay, agent of R.D. having signified his willingness to advance to M' Whyte lor this purpose, the sum of £150, on behalf of the Ministers of the Synod, the offur was accepted ; and it was resolved — That M' Hay is entitled to our warmest thank«, for his kind and accommodating proposal, and also, for his ready concurrpnce in the following plan for repaying to himself the money to be advanced, viz. — That out of the next half-yearly payment of R.D. he shall stop from Ministers in the first class . , ..£1:6:8 Ministers in the second class . . . . 1:0:0 Ministers in the third class . . . . 0:13:4 The loregoing plan was unanimously agreed to ; and the members present pledged themselves to M"^ Hay, for the reimbursement of the sum to be given to M'" Whyte. This cause appears to the Synod of such interesting importance, that it is trusted and expected, that no member of the body will offer any objection to the plan proposed ; and it is recommended that the Ministers who are now present, shall take pains, at the next meeting of their respective Presbyteries, to explain to those who are absent, AT BELFAST, JUNE 29TH, i819. 613 the imperious senBe of duty, which has dictated to the Synod the resolution to assist M' White and the congregation of Corglass in maintaining possession of their farm. II. A memorial was presented from the ne^ly erected congregation Druinioujrh of Drumlough, praying, that as a Minister has now been ordained there, the Synod may assist them in procuring for him and his successors, a portion of his Majesty's Bounty. The prayer of this memorial was granted ; and Mess" M^Cance, Hay, and Cooke, were appointed to prepare the necessary memorial to Government, that it may be signed and transmitted by the Moderator. III. A memorial was presented from certain inhabitants of the Anaghioiie Parish of Anaghlone, who have hitherto adhered to the congregation of Loughbrickland, stating, that as they reside at a considerable distance from any place of worship, they cannot regularly attend on the public ordinances of religion — That they have obtained a piece of ground, on which they propose building a meeting-house ; and that they supplicate the Synod to countenance and protect them in this undertaking. After a minute inquiry into the circumstances of the case, it was resolved — That memoralists may proceed to build a meeting-house ; and that they be referred to the Presbytery of Dromore, who shall grant them preaching as they may see cause. lY. A memorial was presented from certain Members of the Case of nr. congregation of Donaghadee, stating, that in the month of November ^ ^ last, a charge against their Minister, the Rev^ "William Skelly, for criminal conversation with M"^' Jane Hamilton, was investigated by the Presbytery of Bangor, which charge the Presbytery decided was "not proved." Against this decision, memorialists appealed, declaring their belief of M' Skelly's guilt, and praying, that the Synod may institute a re-investigation of the case. A counter-memorial was presented from other members of the congregation, who declared their conviction of M*^ Skelly's innocence ; and prayed, that the foregoing application should be dismissed. Moved — That the whole of this case be referred to a committee of the Synod. Moved as an amendment — That the consideration of the case be entered on immediately. Adjourned till 10 o'clock. Fifteenth Session, {Tuesday morning, 10 o'clock). The roll was called, and the amended motion of last sederunt negatived. The original motion was then passed ; and a committee appointed, consisting of the following Ministers: the Moderator, Mess" Cooke, Glendy, Malcom, Wrij^ht, James Bankhead, D' Hanna, D' W. Neilson, T. Henry, M^Cance, Stewart, Hay, Park, H. Henry, Anderson, Eccles, N. Alexander. These with each an Elder, are ordered to meet 514 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD at Comber, on the last Tuesday of the present month, at twelve o'clock ; to issue this matter. Nine Ministers to be a quorum. Those members of the Committee who do not attend according to appointment, shall, at the next meeting of Synod, be rebuked from the chair. The committee are authorized to take cognizance of any other charge affecting the moral character of M}' Skelly, which may be regu- larly brought before them. M' Skelly must be furnished, ten days previous to the trial, with a copy of any additional charges which may be brought against him ; together with a list of the witnesses by whom they are to be sub- stantiated ; and also, with a list of any new witnesses who may be produced in support of the charge already preferred. The Presbytery of Bangor are enjoined to attend the meeting of the Committee. Their Minutes on this subject are to be considered as admissible evidence; and their Clerk is ordered to produce them at the trial. Adjourned tOl 2 o'clock. Sixteenth Session, {Tuesday 2 o^ clock, afternoon). Mr. S. Elder Commitke« of Books Notice respectinjr Syiiodical appoiucments Notice rftspecting Marriage regulations Several members having stated, that after the commencement of the present meeting of Synod, the Rev'' Samuel Elder had appeared before the Committee of Bills in a state of intoxication, the Presbytery of Templepatrick, to which he belongs, are enjoined to take cognizance, at their next meeting, of this and other similar irregularities, of which he is reported to be guilty. The Presbytery having stated, that they are to meet at Larne on the first Tuesday of August next. Mess" Cooke, Wauchope, and "W. Finlay, are ordered to attend there on that day, and give testimony as to the offence alleged to have been committed before the Committee of Bills. M' Elder to be furnished with a copy of this Minute ten days previous to the investigation ; and also with the names of any witnesses, besides the three mentioned above, who may be produced against him. Our Moderator to issue a Citation to M"^ Elder to appear before the Presbytery, at the aforesaid time and place. The Committee of Books having reported, that several Presbyteries had not obeyed the order of last year, respecting the production of their records, — these Presbyteries are most strictly enjoined, to conform to the order in future. M' Hay gave notice, that at the next annual meeting, he will move for a repeal of that rule, which prohibits Synodical appointments from being imposed on brethren who are absent, when such appoint- ments are made. M'f Denham gave notice, that he will, next year, move an amend- ment of the rule of 1805, respecting marriage, viz. — that the part of it which requires the consent of clergymen of another church, be AT BELFAST, JUNE 29TH, 1819. 615 rescinded; as implying the subjection of Presbyterian ministers to an authority which they do not acknowledge, and over the exercise of which, the Presbyterian Church has no control. Synod concluded with prayer. ! INTERLOQUITUR. A Statement of the receipts and payments of His Majesty's Royal Bounty, for the year ended the 29"* of September, 1818, was submitted to the Interloquitor, and found correct. The accounts of the "Widows' Fund, for the year ended the 1" of October, 1818, were also submitted and found correct. Resolved — That the opinion of an experienced calculator be taken, s^b"u'tedto a on certain queries respecting the interests of the Fund ; which are to c»icuiator be drawn up and submitted to him by a Committee consisting of the following members : — Mess" Bruce, M'^Ewen. Ledlie, D' Stephenson, Thompson, D' Hanna, Malcom, Acheson, R. Hogg. The Treasurer stated that according to the order of last Interlo- quitor, he had transmitted to each contributor a printed copy of the laws and regulations of the Fund ; and had reserved a number of copies for the use of future contributors. On reading the third resolution of last Interloquitor it was ordered Order to — That every year, at as early a period as possible, before the stated meeting of the contributors, the Treasurer shall transmit to the Moder- ator of each Presbytery, a particular statement of the receipts and disbursements of the Fund. The motions, of which notices were last year given by D' Bruce, and M"" Bruce were allowed to lie over till the next meeting of Interloquitur. For the faithful discharge of the trust reposed in him as Treasurer Treasurer's of the Fund, M' Hay proposed M'' John Thompson, merchant, of Londonderry, as his security, to the amount of £2,000. The security was deemed sufficient, and ordered to be perfected. The Treasurer stated, that in obedience to his instructions, he had S'^'^^'^^,',,, obtained the joint opinion of Sergeant Joy and Counsellor Smyly, as to the validity of the securities on which the capital of the Fund is lent. — The opinion was read ; and the Treasurer was ordered to make certain inquiries respecting the security marked N" 3, and report the result to the next meeting of Interloquitur. Resolved — That the Treasurer be requested to procure a final settlement of all accounts with the Representatives of D' Black. Resolved — That the Moderator, M' Thomson, D' Bruce, D' Fund Committee Hanna, M' M<=Cance, M' James Bankhead, M' Horner, M' Malcom, M' H. Montgomery, M' K. Hogg, M' Blakely, and M' M'Ewen be a Committee for superintending the affairs of the Fund, during the ensuing year. The Committee to meet in Belfast, when called by the Moderator, on any emergency — Five to be a quorum. 516 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD The Treasurer reported — That as the Committee which was ap- pointed at the last meeting of Interloquitur to fix the annuity to the "Widows for the current year, had not been convened according to expectation, he, in order to save the annuitants from inconvenience, had advanced to each of them the sum of £14 for the half-year ended the P* of April last. His conduct was highly approved of; and he was directed to reimburse himself by deducting the amount so advanced, from the annuities for the present year. Engrii8h R.D. to Resolved — That the English U.D. shall, every year, be reserved addTcTtlTcIpitai from the expenditure, and added to the capital of the Fund ; and that of Fund the remaining produce of the Fund, after deducting the neccessary expenses of its management, shall be annually distributed amongst the annuitants. Mr. Gamble A memorial was presented by M' Gamble, requesting to be re- admitted as contributor to the Fund. The memorial was dismissed. ilannrde^fe^red '^^^ consideration of the motion, of which D' Hanna last year gave notice, was deferred till the next meeting of Interloquitur. M' Campbell declined making the motion, of which he last year gave notice. Printing of Minutes Fund for incidental expenses Resolved — That the expense of annually printing the Minutes of Synod and Interloquitur shall in future be defrayed by the Ministers of the Synod, and of the Presbytery of Antrim; and that M' Hay be requested to advance the sum of £8, to pay for printing the Minutes of the present year, "With this request M' Hay re[a]dily complied. Moved that 38 4d, shall be annually deducted from the R.D. of each Minister in the first class, 2s 6d, from that of each Minister in the second class, and Is 8d, from that of each Minister in the third class, for the purpose of defraying expenses incidentally incurred by the Synod and the Presbytery of Antrim. A Letter was read from Miss Mary Kerr, stating that her father the Rev** Josiah Kerr, formerly a contributor to the Fund, went to America in 1816, intending to return to Ireland, as soon as he should have accomplished a certain business which was not likely to detain him long but that he had died whilst preparing to embark for home — The letter further stated, that during his absence his subscription was tendered to the Treasurer who refused to receive it, until he (M' Kerr) should return to the country. An affidavit and other documents corroborating the foregoing statement were submitted to the Interloquitur. On these grounds Miss Kerr rested her own claim conjointly with that of her brothers and sisters, to the benefit of the Fund, since their father's death, which it appears took place at New Tork on the 12*'' August 1817. Their claim was admitted by the Interloquitur. AT BELFAST, JUNE MTH, 1819. 517 M' Bruce gave notice, that in explanation of the 12"" Rule, he will move at the next meeting of Interloquitur, that in future any contri- butor to the Fund who shall be absent from Great Britain, or Ireland for the space of nine months ; or who shall leave the United Kingdom, without signifying his intention to the Moderator of the Synod, shall be considered to have gone, with the intention of residing abroad. Transcribed July 25*'' 1819. I certify that the foregoing copy of the Minutes of 1819, is correct. WILLIAM PORTER, Clk. Gen' Synod. 518 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD A General Synodal CooTcstown, June 21^^, 1820. The Rev^ Alexander Patterson, Moderator, having preached from Luke 19*^ chapter, 40"" verse, constituted the Synod by prayer. Present the following members : — BELFAST PRESBYTERY. MINISTERS. Doctor Hannah Henry Simpson James McCuUogh William Harrison Henry Hazlett Alexander McEwcn ELDEKS. James Munfoad John Corry Joseph Harrison Arthur Clarke COKGREGATIONS. 3d Belfast Saintfield 2d Newtonards 2d Holywood Castlereagh Kircubbin BANGOR PRESBYTERY. Robert Acheson John Watson Hugh Woods Henry Montgomery William Finlay William Campbell Thomas Ekenhead William McCance John Cuming 4th Belfast Grayabbey Bangor Dunmurry Dundonald Clough, Down James 'Horner Samuel Simpson Joseph Scott James Morgan DUBLIN PRESBYTERY. Marys-Abbey Ushers Quay Stratford-on-Slaney Carlow BALLYMENA PRESBYTERY. Thomas Henry Henry Henry John Smith John Hall Robert Stewart George McClelland William Wauhop William M. Wray Robert Park William Cuthbertson Archibald Hutcheson Robert Magill Pooley Henry Mathew Adams William Hamilton James Carr Robert Dunsheath Randalstown Connor Kilrea Clough, Antrim Broughshane Ahoghill Bally meua Buckna Ballymoney Cullybackney Dunean Antrim LETTERKENNY PRESBYTERY. James Huston Joseph Lytle Samuel Cuthbertson Edward Reid John Gillespie Henry Cargou Ballindreat Letterkenay Ist Omagh Rathmelton Urney Glendermot AT COOKSTOWN, JANUARY 27TH, 1820. 519 CLOGHER PRESBYTERY. MINISTERS. Andrew Millar James Ker James Hall Johu Simpson James Philips John Anderson James Elder Mathew Elder James Brown Francis Dill Samuel Dill Charles Kennedy James Boyle John Whiteside Solomon Brown James Dunlop Richard Dill James Huey John Brown William Lyle Jackson Graham Samuel Butler John Patterson ELDERS, John Hamilton CONGREGATIONS. Carantall Clogheruy Turlongh Fintona and Dromore Five-miletown Aughnacloy ROUTE PRESBYTERY, John Greer William Rankin Samue[l] Philson John Carr James Lynn William Cavau Robert Anderson William Gilland Richard McLaughlin Finvoy Kilrats Garva Manorcunningham Donaghmore, Donegall Maghera Dunluce Colerain Castledawson Ballyrashane Drumachose Ballywillin Aghadoey Dumbo Armoy Magilligan Macosquin James Goudie James Morell Archibald Meharg Patrick White James Harper Robert Winning John A. Adams Andrew Breakev MONAGHAN PRESBYIERY, Glentubret Alexander AYaddel Ballybay Stonebridge Bailieborough Castleblaney Kingscourt Monaghan Keady William Moore Thomas Makay John Davison Johu Cowan Robert Hogg David Bennet William Brown Robert Cunningham James Wilson Robert Allen John Hogg James Bankhead Dr. William Neilson Dr. Malcom James Gardner Samuel Eccles David Davison TYRONE PRESBYTERY. Thomas Sloane Robert Robson Daniel McCook James Gibson Nathaniel Beggs John Dickson Dr. Graham Joseph White William Henry Moueymore Brigh Cookstown Coagh Loughgall Diiugannon Tobermore Minterburn Magherafelt Stewartstown Carlan ARMAGH PRESBYTERY, Dromore Ne^vry Clare Armagh Dundalk 520 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD STRABANE PRESBYTERY. MINISTERS. Charles Hemphill William Porter David Gilkey William McCrea William Monteith John Mitehel George Hay James A. Johnson Henry Kydd Marshall Moore Robert Gray ELDERS. CONGREGATIONS. Badoney Newtownlimavady 2nd Omagh Donaghedy DERRY PRESBYTERY. Glendermot Derry Derry Banagher Boveva Faughanvale Scrigan TEMPLEPATRICK PRESBYTERY. Robert Campbell Nathaniel Alexander William Glendy James Reid John Johnston William Baird Templepatrick Crumlin Ballycarry Donegore DROMORE PRESBYTERY. Alexander Patterson Hamilton Dobbin Moses Finlay Williaju McGowan Henry Cooke John Johnston James McClelland James Collins William Craig Samuel Crory Samuel Nicholson Magherally Lurgan Donaghmore Mountnorris Killileagh Tullylish Ballynahinch Dromore Carnraoney Drumlough Elders from vacant Congregations. Hugh Galbraith John Hutchison Ballywalter Donaghadee Dr. Maloom Moderator M' Patterson having moved that another Moderator be now chosen, the following Ministers were put in nomination : — Mess" E. Reid, Anderson, J. Elder, R. Hogg, D' Malcom, Hemphill, Monteith, and Campbell. The roll was called and D"^ Malcom chosen. M"^ Porter continued Clerk. The several Presbyteries are ordered to meet this night, and prepare returns, to be delivered to the Clerk to-morrow morning, of the names and addresses of their respective Moderators for the year ; of such of their Ministers as have died, been ordained, or installed, since the last meeting of Synod ; of such candidates as they have licensed, or entered on trials ; of such students as they have examined before their going to College, and after their return ; of their members AT COOKSTOWN, JUNE 27TH, 1820. 521 for the several Committees of Overtures, Bills, £ooks, and General Synod's fixed Commiltee ; of their annuitants on the Fund, of any that have died during the last twelve months, with the time of their decease ; and of all such Presbyterial transactions as our rules require to be reported. Adjourned till 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. Second Session. {Wednesday, Jun« 28, \.0 o'clock, a.m.) After prayer the Presbyteries made returns of their members for the several committees ; also the following reports : — Belfast Presbytery report, that the Rev^ Alexander M'^Ewen, Kircubbin, is their Moderator for the year ; that they have licensed Mess""* Thomas Reid, Hugh Maine, Samuel Neilson, Alexander Orr and Campbell Blakely, who all subscribed the '' Westminster Confession of Faith," with the exception of M' Maine; against his being licensed "^ '^'"'"***"'^ D' Hanna protested. They have on the fund, M" Kennedy, Holy wood Congregation; M" Jane M<=Ewen, Killinchy ; M" Frances Kelburn, 3* Belfast; M" Sarah Henry, and M"^' Isabella Grey, both Castle- reagh; and M" Elizabeth Harrison (now M^Ilveen) Holywood. Bangor Presbytery report, that the Rev** William Campbell, Clough, is their Moderator for the year : that M"^ John Gibson terminated his second trials ; but that, on account of circumstances which will come before this meeting in another form, they held it right to delay his ordination, until they should obtain the advice of Synod ; that they have examined Mess" Henderson Wightman, and James Cahoon, on their return from college the thiid time ; Hugh Gamble, James Mulligan, and John Byers, on their return the second time ; and James Montgomery previously to his going to college the first time ; that they have on the Fund, M" Jane Hull (now in America) Bangor s AnnuiunU congregation ; M" Patterson, Bailee : M" Bryson, 4''' Belfast ; M" Anne Porter, Greyabbey ; M" Mary C.ildwell, Dundonald ; M''* Jane Cochrane, Bally waiter; M" Jane Porter, Clough; and M''' Matilda Goudie, Bally waiter. Dublin Presbytery report, that the Rev** James Carlisle, Mary's- sir Morpixn Abbey, is their Moderator for the year: that on the 21"' day of June ca*i?ow "^ '" inst., they ordained the Rev** James Morgan in the Congregation of Carlow ; that he subscribed the "Westminster Confession of Faith" and declared himself a contributor to the Widows' Fund. Ballymena Presbytery report, that the Rev** William Cuthbertson, Cullybackey, Ballymena, is their Moderator for the yt ar ; that on the 20'*' inst. they ordained the Rev'' Robert Magill, as assistant and ^'liained'h. successor to the Rev** Alexander Montgomery, in the congregation of Antrim il ill-Row, Antrim; and that he declared himself a contributor to the Widows' Fund ; that they have licensed M' William Raphael to preach the Gospel, and have entered M"" Rogers on firtitferred Kesolved unanimously— That £8, be the sum this year allowed ^^^^^i:^, for printing the Minutes ; and the Clerk was instructed to have them henceforth executed in an octavo form. For defraying expenses incident[al]ly incurred by the Synod, and incidental the Presbytery of Antrim, M' Hay was requested to make this year, •''!'^"»«» the same deduction from the R.D. of each minister, which was ordered by last Interloquitur. Resolved — That is is incumbent on ministers writing on their own business to the Agent of his Majesty's bounty, to the Treasurer of the Fund, or to the Moderator or Clerk of the Synod, to have their letters either franked or post paid. A Memorial was presented from M' A. J. Barnett of Belfast, on Family of Mr. behalf of the family of the late M' Bryson, a contributor to the Fund. ^'^"'°" The case was maturely considered, and the Treasurer was ordered to pay to M' Barnett, on his accountable receipt, the Interest of £266, for the benefit of M' Bryson's children, the Interest to commence on the same day in 1819, up to which in 1805, M" Bryson received her annuity. M' N. Alexander gave notice of his intention to move at the next Notice respect- meeting of Interloquitur, that assistant ministers who shall not have mi;,tTi'rr"' paid their subscriptions on or before the 1*' of September, in each year, shall forfeit their connexion with the Fund. M' Cooke gave notice, that he will next year move an explanation Kotice of the 11"" Regulation of the Fund. reipecUng iitt regulation M' R. Dill, Jun"", gave notice, that he will propose at the next meeting of Interloquitur, an alteration of the 15'** Regulation of the Fund. The Clerk was requested to continue the Extracts from the Records of the General Synod, from the 1" of June, 1804, till the I" of June, 1820. I certify that the foregoing copy of the Minutes of 1820 is correct. WILLIAM PORTER, Clerk of Gen'. Synod. 542 RECORDS OF A GENERAL SYNOD At a General Meeting of Synod held at Cookestown June 26**' 1828, the Clerk was instructed to set apart, every year, one of the printed copies of the minutes, the correctness of which he is to attest by his signature — The copies thus preserved and attested are in future to be considered as the official and authentic Records of the Synod. Certified by WILLIAM PORTER, Clk. Gen>. Synod. See the Printed official copy of the Minutes of 1828. EMD OF VOL. III. J- Princeton Theological Seminary Libraries 1 1012 01217 5248 Date Due aa^'irt«ai!ifci* i 1 1 1 f) PRINTED IN U. S. A. J