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 1865. 
 
 
 
 Speech of the Rev. 
 
 H. 
 
 Montaomerv, 
 
 A,M, 
 
 at 
 

 SPEECH 
 
 REV. H. MONTGOMERY, A. M 
 
 m Sttatiatt^t 
 
 ON FR[DAY, THE 29th JUNE, 
 
 1827. 
 
TO THE 
 
 Rev. henry MONTGOMERY, A.M. 
 
 Presbyterian Minister of Dunmurry, 
 
 AND 
 
 HEAD MASTER OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT 
 
 IN THE 
 
 ^eltMt ^(aHemtral institution. 
 
 Rev. and Dear Sir^ 
 
 As the Publisher of this New-Year* s-Gift, 1 beg 
 leave to express my respect for the unsullied integrity of your 
 character, your powerful talents^ unaffected piety, and Chris- 
 tian moderation. Whilst an enlightened public, duly appre- 
 ciating the striking combination of sterling ability and unshaken 
 integrity manifested by you, during the recent struggles of intole- 
 rance in the Synod of Ulster, are about to demonstrate their 
 esteem by a most valuable and splendid testimonial, I beg leave 
 to inscribe to you, this private and personal tribute of my most 
 sincere regard. I trust, that whilst you place it in the hands of 
 your children, it may stimulate them to tread in their Father^ s 
 footsteps. To the rising generation, I feel assured, it will 
 prove a most valuable gift ; as it maintains, in every page, the 
 most sacred of all privileges, the unshackled right of private 
 judgment in matters of religion. Wishing you many years 
 of health and happiness, 
 
 I have the honor to be. 
 
 January 1, 1828. 
 
 Your attached Friend, 
 
 JOHN HODGSON. 
 
Snttolruttion. 
 
 It is lamentable to think how little progress the 
 genuine principles of Christian Toleration have 
 made, even amongst the different Protestant deno- 
 minations, that so loudly declaim about " the suffi- 
 ciency of Scripture, and the right of Private Judg- 
 ment." Dissenting from the Church of Rome, and 
 from one another, on these important grounds, mu- 
 tual forbearance and charity might naturally be ex- 
 pected. This, however, has never been the case; 
 for the various seels not only censure each other, 
 but impose the yoke of bondage upon the necks of 
 their brethren. 
 
 A century has just elapsed since the greatest lights 
 and ornaments of the Presbyterian Church in this 
 country, Abernethy, Nevin, and others, were them- 
 selves expelled from the Synod of Ulster, for re- 
 fusing to subscribe, or to impose subscription upon 
 others, to the Westminster Confession of Faith. 
 Their writings, their spotless integrity, and their 
 unmerited sufferings, however, produced a salutary 
 effect. A better spirit grew up in the Presbyterian 
 Church; so that subscription, though still the law 
 of the Synod, gradually became a mere dead letter. 
 Even this was done away by the Code of Discipline 
 published in 1825, when Presbyteries were left to 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 their own discretion regarding the License of Minis- 
 terial Candidates. In consequence of this arrange- 
 ment so favourable to Christian Liberty, perfect 
 peace and charity were expected to prevail; but 
 scarcely had the bond of amity been signed with an 
 unprecedented unanimity, when the evidence given 
 by the Clerk of the Synod and some other members, 
 before the Commissioners of Education Inquiry, 
 was made a pretext for breaking the sacred and 
 peaceful engagement. A most violent attempt was 
 made to dismiss the Rev. Mr. Porter from his office, 
 merely for having spoken the truth on his oath, and 
 made a candid avowal of opinions, which every 
 person knew, at his election, he entertained. 
 
 Foiled in this attempt, the intolerant party in the 
 Synod endeavoured to lay the foundation of a di- 
 vision of the body, by proposing a Trinitarian Test 
 of Faith, which might eventually lead to the expul- 
 sion of Mr. Porter and others refusing subscription, 
 in the same manner as their distinguished prede- 
 cessors had been expelled in 1726. 
 
 The Declaration ran in the following words : 
 " We do hold it absolutely incumbent on us, for the purpose of 
 affording a public testimony to the truth, as well as of vindi- 
 cating our religious character as individuals, to declare that 
 we do most firmly hold and believe the doctrine conceniing the 
 nature of God, contained in these words of the Westminster 
 Shortef Catechism, namely, ' That there are three persons in 
 the Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, and 
 these three ai'e One God, the same in substance, equal in Power 
 and Glory.' " 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 This Declaration was strenuously and ably op- 
 posed by some, because they did not believe the 
 Doctrines contained in it, and by others on the 
 ground of Christian Liberty. Towards the end of 
 the second day's debate on the subject, (Friday, 
 June 29th,) the following Speech was delivered. Ex- 
 cellent as it is, in its present form, and highly cal- 
 culated to serve the cause of Christian freedom, we 
 have been told by many who heard it spoken, that 
 its effect, when delivered, was powerful beyond de- 
 scription. This address was originally reported by 
 The J^orthern Whig; subsequently copied into all 
 the liberal Papers in Ireland, and several of the 
 leading Journals of London; published in various 
 forms in Dublin and Belfast, and inserted in many 
 of the most respectable religious Periodicals in the 
 Kingdom. But although upwards of thirty thous- 
 and copies of it have already been put into circula- 
 tion, many persons of different denominations have 
 desired to see it published in a more permanent 
 form, not only as a tribute to the individual who 
 spoke it, but as tending to support the true Prin- 
 ciples of Christian Liberty. 
 
 It is melancholy, however, to reflect, that notwith- 
 standing the Christian spirit, and sound argument 
 displayed by the several persons who opposed the 
 Declaration, it was finally carried under the influ- 
 ence of public clamour by a majority of 135 to 19 ! 
 
 It is but right that the names of those upright 
 
INTRODUCTION, 
 
 Ministei-s and Elders who finally dissented from tliis 
 ^ of Ecclesiastical usurpation should be perma- 
 nently recorded. 
 
 MINISTERS. 
 
 Wm. Vorter, Neivtonmlimavady. 
 H. Montgomery, Dunmurry. 
 John Mitchell, Newry. 
 N. Alexander, Crumlin. 
 F. Blakely, Moneyrea. 
 Robt. Coxa^hellyTemplepatrick. 
 Robert Orr, Killead. 
 William Brown, Tobermore. 
 
 Hugh Brook, Burt. 
 W. Cuthbertson, CvllyhacTiey, 
 Alexander Orr, Anaghlone. 
 S. C. Nelson, Dromore. 
 Samuel Watson, Killinchy. 
 Ephraim Stephenson, Ennis- 
 kiUen. 
 
 ELDERS. 
 
 Leonard Dobbin, Armagh. I Walter Roberts, Dunmurry. 
 William Orr, Strabane. ] Wm.Moody, Nervtownlimavady. 
 D. M. Blow, Templepatrick. 
 
SfPtttti 
 
 THE REV. H. MONTGOMERY, 
 
 AT STRABANZ:, JXSNE ,1827. 
 
 In coming forward to address you on the 
 present occasion, I cannot avoid feeling that I 
 do so under many disadvantages. The man 
 who has the multitude at his back, who sails 
 upon the full tide of popular favour, i.as an easy 
 task to perfoim in vindicating his opinions; for 
 there is a sympathy in the breasts of his audi- 
 tors, which gives energy and life to all that he 
 utters. But, the individual who ventures to 
 stem the current of public feeling, who goes 
 forth in his frail bark against the rolling waters, 
 has only a cheerless and a hopeless prospect be- 
 fore him. Such is my situation at present; yet, 
 although I may be driven back by the stream, 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 or overwhelmed by the tempest, I cannot see 
 the Synod of Ulster rushing forward, in the 
 dangerous confidence of security, to what I con- 
 sider destruction, without boldly pushing forth 
 to warn her of the shoals and quicksands to 
 which she is approaching. 
 
 A Presbyterian, by education, and feeling, 
 and conviction; a Presbyterian, because I con- 
 sider the principles of our Church essentially 
 favourable to the great cause of Civil and Re- 
 ligious Liberty; I should be unworthy of the 
 privileges which I enjoy, if any contemptible 
 view of personal convenience, or temporal in- 
 terest, could prevent me from expressing freely, 
 what I strongly feel. I wish, however, to ap- 
 proach this important subject in a serious frame 
 of mind, and in as calm a manner as the agita- 
 tions of the last four days will permit. But, as 
 I am sensible that the ardour of debate, and the 
 very nature of an extemporaneous address, may 
 carry me beyond those mild and decorous 
 bounds, which the character and station of this 
 assembly require to be observed, I commit my- 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 self to the judicious eoiTection of the Moderator. 
 I feel it the more necessary to do so, as I, and 
 those who think with me, have had our opinions 
 treated, by several speakers, with terms of un- 
 measured obloquy and reproach. The gentlest 
 epithet applied to us, has been that of Heretics. 
 I never expected to hear the word used in a 
 Protestant assembly; but its reiterated applica- 
 tion, on the present occasion, has taught me, 
 that no mode of faith can change the evil pro 
 pensities of human nature, and that the hateful 
 passions of men are never so malignant as when 
 they put on the sacred garb of religion. Those, 
 however, who have adopted this vulgar system 
 of abuse, which only reflects discredit upon 
 themselves, and the cause which they espouse, 
 have not the merit of originality in the couise 
 which they pursue. The attaching of odious 
 names, to opinions and persons marked out for 
 persecution, has always been the favourite plan 
 of the exclusively righteous. I feel unwilling 
 even to allude, in this heated assembly, to the 
 most Glorious Being that ever appeared upon 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 earth ; but we well know that the Redeemer of the 
 world was brought to the cross, under the accu- 
 sation of blasiphemy, — and the great Apostle of 
 the Gentiles was reviled as a Heretic, for preach- 
 ing the truth dictated to him by the Holy Spirit. 
 Paul " confessed that after the manner which 
 they called heresy, worshijiped he the Lord God 
 of his fathers." I cheerfully make the same 
 admission: I own, that after the manner which 
 the majority here " call heresy," I do worship 
 my Creator. But I am not the more in real 
 error on that account; for I believe no member 
 of this Synod will say, that numbers prove 
 " sound doctrine." If such a position were ten- 
 able, woe be unto Protestantism! Indeed, 
 Moderator, except for the credit of this Body, I 
 care not by what name I may be called: neither 
 shall I retort upon my opponents the invidious 
 epithets which might easily be applied, being 
 determined not to sacrifice the best part of 
 Christianity, its spirit of infinite benignity and 
 love, to the support of a party, or the mainte- 
 nance of speculative opinions. 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 Mr. Cooke has been courteous enough to 
 compliment me, as possessing " talents, ac- 
 quirements, and eloquence, of no ordinary 
 kind; and to say, that he thinks more highly of 
 my abilities, than I do of /iis." For the first 
 part of his eulogium, however unmerited, I feel 
 grateful ; though probably I ought to consider 
 it only as the tact of an ambitious general, mag- 
 nifying the power of his enemy, merely to en- 
 hance the gloiy of certain victory. With regard 
 to our comparative estimate of each other's 
 talents, I hope he is correct; for, knowing how 
 highly I appreciate his abilities, I should be 
 proud to stand even higher in the estimation of 
 so competent a judge. But admitting his com- 
 pliment to be sincere, in how awkward a situ- 
 ation does it place himself, in condemning my 
 opinions! He grants me a mind capable of 
 judging, and concedes that I possess literaiy 
 acquirements adequate to enlighten and direct 
 my judgment; and yet (most strange to say !) he 
 declares that I do not understand the funda- 
 mental doctrine of the Gospel, which he avers 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 is clearly revealed in every page of the New 
 Testament ! How this alleged force of intellect, 
 and extent of information, can be reconciled 
 with my alleged ignorance of the plainest pro- 
 position of Revelation, it is not for me to deter- 
 mine; but, as I feel grateful for his courtesy, I 
 freely give him the full benefit of his argument. 
 I am not, however, more surprised at Mr. 
 Cooke's granting to me all the attributes which 
 are usually considered necessary to enable a man 
 to form correct opinions, and then declaring that 
 I am in dangerous error, than I am at the hum- 
 ble estimate which he seems to make of his own 
 talents, whilst he proposes to guide the opinions 
 of others, by a religious Test or Declaration. 
 How a Church that considered itself infallible, 
 or an individual who believed himself inspired, 
 could make such a proposition, I can readily 
 conceive; but, how any man, or body of men, 
 admitting fallibility of judgment, and laying no 
 claim to inspiration, can be guilty of such an 
 audacious attempt " to lord it over God's heri- 
 tage," (the conscience,) I do confess, I have no 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 faculties to comprehend. As there is a possi- 
 bility of error, wherever there is human y*a/Zi- 
 hility, in how awful a situation must those 
 stand, who either require or give assent to that 
 which may be the "commandment of men," 
 instead of "the truth of God!" It is vain to 
 tell me, that " this is only a declaration of 
 opinion, not a test of belief." It is a distinction 
 \vithout a difference : for, what a man declares, 
 at the bidding of his fellow-man, he virtually 
 subscribes. Now, I do say, without fear of ra- 
 tional or scriptural contradiction, that any body 
 of fallible men, who demand assent or subscrip- 
 tion to any declaration or test of faith, in human 
 language, under the fear of any penalty, or the 
 hope of any reward, are trenching, not merely 
 upon the fundamental principle of Protestantism, 
 " the right of private judgment," but also upon 
 the sacred prerogative of the great Head of the 
 Church. " Who art thou," saith the Apostle, 
 " that judgest another man's servant ? To his 
 own master let him stand or fall." And else- 
 where we are instructed, that " one is our 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 master, even Christ, and all we are brethren." 
 How dare those very Presbyterians, who de- 
 claim most loudly against the usurpations of 
 Popery, who call upon the Catholics to read 
 their Bibles, to despise their Priests, and to 
 extricate themselves from the trammels of their 
 Church, — how dare they, in the face of common 
 shame and common consistency, to turn upon 
 their brethren, and to attempt to place "the yoke 
 of bondage" upon their necks ! When I witness 
 such an attempt, I blush for the weakness or 
 the wickedness of man; but I will neither be a 
 partaker in the shame, nor in the crime. So 
 truly do I detest all human interference in 
 matters of conscience, and so awful have been 
 its effects in the world, that were you this 
 moment to lay before me a human creed, every 
 word of which I believed, I would not subscribe 
 it, lest I should thereby sanction the interfe- 
 rence of man with the sole prerogative of the 
 Redeemer. Indeed, what are all such attempts, 
 but a manifestation of the impious vanity of 
 man, pretending " to be wise above what is 
 
REV. HENRY xMONTGOMERY. 
 
 written," and to reveal the will of God more 
 clearly than it has been revealed by the Spirit 
 of Truth! Sir, I will subscribe no creed but 
 the Bible ; I will account for my views of it to 
 no human tribunal but my congregation ; and 
 when this world, and its evil passions, shall 
 have passed away, I pray to Him, " who alone 
 can keep me from falling," that I may not be 
 altogether unprepared to answer for my faith, 
 to the great Head of the Church. 
 
 I admit that this body has the power to pass 
 any declaration which it pleases, and to demand 
 any submission of its members which it pleases ; 
 but I deny that it has any Scripture wan-ant for 
 doing so. /And if. Moderator, you should per- 
 severe, what will be the consequence? You 
 may make hypocrites of the weak, and the crafty, 
 and the worldly; you may make martyrs of the 
 firm, the upright, and the sincere; but every 
 child who hears me must know, that you can- 
 not change the conviction of a single mind, or 
 alter the feeling of a single heart. Suppose you 
 pass your declaration, and I refuse my assent 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 or signature, which as an honest man I must 
 refuse, you will probably say to me, " we can 
 no longer give you the right hand of fellow- 
 ship :" but, if I siihscrihe your creed, though you 
 know I do not believe it, then you will receive 
 me as a brother in the Lord. How revolting, 
 then, is this project, to every virtuous feeling of 
 the human heart! You will spurn the hand 
 which is pure as the mountain snow, whilst you 
 clasp, with the grasp of friendship, that which 
 is black with the stains of perjury! Woe be 
 unto the Presbyterian Church, if ever that day 
 shall come, in which falsehood and dissimula- 
 tion shall be bonds of union, whilst truth 
 and sincerity shall be cast out of her counsels ! 
 
 And, for what is all this tyranny to be exer- 
 cised, this disgrace to be incurred, this wound 
 to be inflicted on religion ? Why, that we may 
 not be liable to the accusation of having " a 
 diversity of opinions amongst us !" That is to 
 say, we do differ, and we know that we shall 
 continue to differ, but we will hold out false 
 colours to the world, we will cast dust into the 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 eyes of the multitude, and try to make them 
 believe that " there is peace, when there is no 
 peace." This may seem veiy fair in the eyes of 
 some, hut to me it appears to be rank Jesuitism 
 and hypocrisy. Yet this alone can be the 
 " iinit}f for which many are such strenuous ad- 
 vocates. I do not think so meanly of their un- 
 derstandings, as to believe that they aim at any 
 other kind of uniformity. Uniformity of Faith! 
 Oh, that such a phrase had never been heard by 
 the ears of man, — that such a vain idea had 
 never flitted across his imagination ! What 
 dungeons has it crowded ! what tortures has it 
 inflicted ! what oceans of innocent blood has it 
 shed ! what tears of widows and of orphans has 
 it caused to ascend in sad memorial before 
 Heaven! Leaving its mightier horrors, what 
 havoc of integrity has it produced, in the ordi- 
 nary walks of life! what lips has it sealed 
 against the utterance of truth, or opened to the 
 utterance of falsehood ! what private and politi- 
 cal oppressions has it sanctioned ! what barriers 
 has it opposed to the progress of religion, and 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 the regeneration of a world! Uniformity of 
 Faith! Why, two of us can scarcely agree re- 
 specting the most ordinary occurrences of life. 
 On the subjects of literature and philosophy, 
 manufactures and commerce, government and 
 laws, there is an endless diversity of opinions. 
 And can we, then, possibly expect to be exactly 
 of one mind on " the high and deep things per- 
 taining to salvation ?" So long as human nature 
 is constituted as it is, varying in dispositions 
 and talents, subject to all the influences of edu- 
 cation, society, and interest, a vast diversity of 
 religious tenets must necessarily prevail. No- 
 thing less than the immediate interposition of 
 Heaven, could produce perfect unifoiinity. And 
 when we consider that such uniformity never 
 has been attained, it would be a libel on the 
 Deity, to suppose that it is essential to the sal- 
 vation of his people. Such an impious sujjposi- 
 tion would imply, that an All-wise and Gracious 
 Being had given a religion to his creatures ina- 
 dequate to produce the effects for which it was 
 designed. But I do not require to urge this 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 upon Presbyterians, who spurn at the idea of 
 " exclusive salvation," and rejoice to think, 
 " that many shall come from the East and from 
 the West, from the North and from the South, 
 and shall sit down in the Kingdom of God." 
 
 Were uniformity of faith, however, desirable, 
 (which, to me, seems exceedingly doubtful,) I 
 am persuaded that creeds, and confessions, and 
 other " devices of men," are not the means 
 adapted to produce it. The veiy churches which 
 taunt us with our varieties of faith, and reproach 
 us for permitting the disuse of our " ancient 
 standards," have as great diversities of opinion 
 in themselves, as prevail amongst us. We might 
 fairly turn upon them, and say, "Physicians, 
 heal yourselves !" It is as notorious as the sun 
 at noon day, that the Established Church, at 
 this very moment, is divided into two great 
 parties, of Arminians and Calvinists; not to 
 speak of minor divisions. I have seen a Low 
 Arian, if not Socinian work, written not many 
 years ago, as I have been told and believe, by a 
 Dignitary of that Church, turning the doctrine 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 of the Trinity, and Archbishop Magee's view of 
 the Atonement, into contempt and ridicule, in 
 the most indecorous manner. And we all know, 
 that from Tillotson, down to the present age, 
 many of the brightest ornaments of that Church 
 have wished that " she was well rid of the Atha- 
 nasian creed." Do I mention these things, from 
 any invidious feeling towards the Established 
 Church ? By no means. I believe the clergy 
 of that church to be a very respectable body of 
 Divines ; many members of it are amongst my 
 best friends ; and some of the most pious Chris- 
 tians I ever knew, were of its communion. But 
 I consider the state of that Church as a striking 
 proof of my position, that uniformity of creed 
 does not necessarily produce uniformity oi faith. 
 And when, on a previous day, I spoke of a few 
 of the clergy, as showing themselves anxious 
 about the dismissal of Mr. Porter from the Clerk- 
 ship, and interfering in the settlement of a Pres- 
 byterian Congregation, I meant no reflection 
 on the clergy of that church as a body. If some 
 of them became 'H^usy bodies in other men's 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 matters," I am convinced that ninety-nine out 
 of one hundred of them would condemn such 
 injudicious interference as much as I possibly 
 could. But whilst I thus express my respect 
 towards the Established Church, I trust I shall 
 be pardoned for not falling into that extreme 
 courtesy, (so common amongst us of late,) which 
 would exalt her above the Church to which I 
 conscientiously belong. I would hold it dis- 
 graceful to continue a Preshyterian, if I prefer- 
 red the doctrine, discipline, or worship, of any 
 other Church ; and I freely confess, that I should 
 place very little value upon a compliment from 
 any man, who told me that he considered my 
 Church superior to his own, whilst he remained 
 in that which he disapproved. 
 
 If we turn to the Church of Scotland, it will 
 not afford us much stronger proof of the efficacy 
 of a uniform creed. There, the Confession of 
 Faith reigns in all its glory: yet, I have been 
 told, (and I speak under the correction of Mr. 
 Carlile,) that there is not, on earth, a body of 
 men of more diversified rehgious sentiments. 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 than the mmisters of the Church of Scotland. 
 Nay, it has been more than hhited, that the 
 very seats of learning are not free from heresy. 
 Rumour tells a strange tale of a subscription 
 scene in one of those venerable seminaries. 
 When a professor was elected, who was pretty 
 generally known not to be so orthodox as John 
 Knox, the person who presented the Confession 
 of Faith to him for signature, simply enough, 
 asked him if he believed it ? This, the learned 
 gentleman very well knew, "was not in the 
 bond." " You have nothing," said he, " to do 
 with that: hand it here, and I'll sign it!''' There 
 may be persons who admire this mode of pro- 
 ducing a uniform and orthodox faith ; but to 
 me, it seems awful to think that a man should 
 be excluded from the ministry, or any other 
 office, for avowing the truth, who would ])e con- 
 sidered duly qualified for admission, by putting 
 his solemn signature to a lie! 
 
 I was wrong, however, in saying that there 
 is no Church in which uniformity is to be found. 
 There is one which, at least, boasts of being the 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 same, in every age, and clime, and country, — 
 the Catholic Church. But are those who most 
 strenuously press forward this Declaration, ad- 
 mirers of the beautiful unifonnity of that Church? 
 I suspect, that whilst some of them would not 
 join me in my cordial wishes to see the benefits 
 of the British Constitution extended to our 
 Catholic countrymen, they will all unite with 
 me in admitting, that the uniformity of the 
 Catholic Church powerfully tended to bring on 
 " the gross darkness" of the middle ages, to re- 
 tard the Reformation, to clog the wheels of 
 science, and thereby to arrest the progress of 
 civilization. The fact cannot be concealed; — 
 the uniformity of Catholicity has spread dark- 
 ness over Spain and Italy, and the noxious 
 weeds of Atheism and Infidelity have sprung up 
 under its shadow, in the fair and fertile regions 
 of France. This, however, in my mind, would 
 have been the effect, though probably in a less 
 degree, of any other system of faith which had 
 attained equal power and extension 4 for it seems 
 to be an ingredient in the nature of all Churches, 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 to delight in the exercise of authority, where 
 they have power ; and to follow, as a natural 
 consequence of uniformity of faith, that inquiry 
 should cease, and the independence of the mind 
 be annihilated. The truth is, controversies and 
 discussions, which can only arise from diversity 
 of opinions, seem to be as necessary to preserve 
 the knowledge and energy of religion, as the 
 motion of the waves to purify the waters of the 
 ocean ; but the misfortune is, that, in " the strife 
 of words," the spirit of the Gospel is too fre- 
 quently lost. 
 
 I put it then, to the Synod of Ulster, whether, 
 in the pursuit of a shadow, a visionary uniform- 
 ity, they will trample upon the right of private 
 judgment, the very foundation of their Church, 
 and wilfully " lay a snare for the feet of weak 
 brethren." A curse lies upon him "who causeth 
 a brother to offend ;" and I ask, is there a man 
 in this house, who does not believe, that if the 
 Declaration be passed, some will assent to it 
 with the lips, but not with the heart or with the 
 mind ? I beseech you to pause, before you com- 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 mit an act which must " cause some to fall." 
 " Lay not the flattering unction to your souls," 
 that the sin will lie solely at the door of him 
 who shall make an insincere declaration. Eveiy 
 man who is concerned in passing it, will he " a 
 partaker in his sin." I can readily conceive 
 what a struggle of nature there may be in many 
 a heart, where the best feelings of humanity 
 will be dragging the unhappy victim differeni 
 ways. If he assent to a creed which he believes 
 not, he is for ever degraded in his own estima- 
 tion ; he shudders in the presence of his God. 
 But he is a husband and a father ; and if he re- 
 solve to put on the high unbending port of a 
 martyr, and to utter that which will make a 
 bigoted multitude expel him from his congi-e- 
 gation, what must be the conflict of his spirit ! 
 Unqualified for any other profession, perhaps in 
 the wane of life, " to dig unable, and to beg 
 ashamed," he sees, in prospect, his comfortable 
 home made desolate, the partner of his bosom 
 in tears, the children of his affection crying to 
 him for that bread which he can no longer give ! 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 I ask any person, that has in his bosom " a heart 
 of flesh," can he wonder, if the most powerful 
 feehngs of nature should overcome the stern 
 commands of conscience ? Can it create sur- 
 prise, if the unhappy man should say, " I will 
 not leave her desolate, whom, in the fond 
 fidelity of my heart, I solemnly swore to pro- 
 tect; I will not leave the pledges of our love 
 without the sustenance of nature, without the 
 means of education. No: I will make this 
 hateful declaration; I will cast myself upon 
 the mercy of him who knows the pangs of 
 my heart; I \vill wear my knees in secret prayer; 
 I will wet my pillow with tears of penitence ; and 
 if all be too little to procure pardon for my 
 offence, I may die without hope, but not with- 
 out the consolation that I have sacrificed myself, 
 for objects dearer to me than life!" Oh! let us 
 not call such a man a wretch, or a hypocrite; 
 he is a husband and a father ! Let us rather 
 make the case our own, and not " cast a stum- 
 bling block in his way." Let us not send him 
 into the pulpit, from which nothing but the 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 voice of sincerity and truth should ever be 
 heard, with a heavy conscience, and a falsehood 
 upon his soul ! If we do, his blood may be re- 
 quired of the authors of his crime. 
 
 But, it may be alleged that I under-rate the 
 firmness and virtue of our ministers. Possibly 
 I may. And what is the reward proposed for 
 those that will maintain their integrity ? Why, 
 you will kindly cast all the odium you can upon 
 them, in these fanatical times; you will distract 
 their congregations; turn them adrift, if you 
 can, and give them the charity of the world for 
 their portion. But you will not have many thus 
 to endow. Those may be courageous, who are 
 free from danger, and very upright, who have 
 nothing to forfeit by their integrity. But I shall 
 recal to your minds a passage in the history of a 
 man, with whom no individual here would dare 
 to put himself in competition. I allude to the 
 virtuous and illustrious Cranmer, the Father of 
 the Reformation in England. In the awful 
 reign of Mary, his love of life prevailed over his 
 integrity, and he was induced to sign a paper 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 condemning the Reformation. This sacrifice, 
 however, did not save him; for, having de- 
 giaded, they resolved to destroy him. Being 
 led to the stake, and the devouring flames kind- 
 ling around him, he stretched forth his right 
 hand, and held it in the flames till it was con- 
 sumed, repeatedly calling out in the midst of his 
 suff"erings, " O that unworthy hand!" Who 
 then shall boast of the firmness of ordinary men, 
 when he who was bold enough to rebuke the 
 Eighth Henry, yielded for a season to his fears } 
 There will, I admit, be a few honest men, 
 whom you may have the comfort and glory of 
 exposing to inconvenience or injury. But your 
 triumph will be very limited; for if you pass 
 your Test, I calculate that many wiU very soon 
 perceive their errors. Amongst the first to rush 
 forward to sign it, I suspect, will be a man who 
 told me, " that if worldly interest and popular 
 applause ran as high in favour of New Light as 
 of Old Light Doctrines, he did not believe there 
 would be above half-a-dozen Orthodox Minis- 
 ters in the Synod." This may be an erroneous 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 estimate. But he is proud of being a particu- 
 larly accurate man in his calculations. Next to 
 him in the race, will come, I should suppose, 
 another eminent divine, who yesterday accused 
 a better man than himself of blasphemy; but 
 who has, nevertheless, a very comfortable idea 
 of the compressible nature of a ministerial con- 
 science, as I have heard him declare, " that he 
 only required to know a minister's congregation, 
 in order to tell his creed." Oh, what a pure 
 body the Synod of Ulster will soon be, and how 
 much of one mind, if you but give them a good 
 confession! 
 
 But I have been told, that all this is proposed 
 in pure kindness, in order to bring back the 
 stray sheep into the true fold. This, I am bound 
 to believe, is all true, as the principle promoters 
 of the plan are, no doubt, superior to ordinary 
 Christians. But whilst the motive may be ap- 
 proved, I must say, the means seem but ill 
 adapted to the end. There is a kind of resist- 
 ance in human nature, to the exercise of autho- 
 rity, where no title to exercise it appears. 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 There are some minds not veiy accessible to the 
 logic of majorities, and which cannot compre- 
 hend the meaning of a threat from their equals. 
 I tell you, plainly and sincerely, if you think us 
 in error, you must take other means to convert 
 us. Uncharitable denunciations, and unwar- 
 ranted attempts to coerce our consciences, will 
 rather wed us to our opinions. I shall ventme 
 to tell you a fable in proof of this position.— 
 In ancient times, as the Sun and the Wind were 
 chatting together, they beheld a traveller pass- 
 ing over a plain, with a cloak upon his shoulders. 
 Just for a frolic, they laid a wager, as to which 
 of them could soonest deprive him of his cloak. 
 The Wind was to have the lead ; and, mustering 
 all his strength, he blew East and West, North 
 and South, in the most violent and ingenious 
 manner. But although the poor traveller was 
 nearly blown down, he would not part with his 
 cloak: the stronger the blast, he just wrapped 
 it the more closely about him, and held it with 
 the more determined grasp. At length, the 
 Wind exhausted himself by puffing, and gave 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 up the task; when the Suu, who had retired 
 behind a cloud, gently and gradually looked 
 past the skirt of it upon the traveller, who held 
 his cloak tightly for a while, remembering the 
 rough usage he had experienced. But, as the 
 stoim was past, and as the day became genial, 
 he gradually relaxed his hold: the Sun put forth 
 stronger beams ; the cloak was thrown open ; the 
 traveller paused; the Sun poured forth the full 
 tide of his splendour and his heat; the cloak 
 gi'adually descended from the shoulders of the 
 traveller, and he stood, subdued and melted, in 
 the glorious presence of the God of Day! The 
 Wind is the fury of persecution : the Sun is the 
 genial influence of Christian love. The cloak 
 of error, if such there be, ^vill only be held more 
 tenaciously in the hunicane ; but in the gentle 
 calm of kindness, in the hour of friendly inter- 
 course, it may be laid aside for ever. There is 
 a pride in the human heart, which resists com- 
 pulsion, though it will readily yield to love. 
 
 I see, on the other side of the house, a gen- 
 tleman who has long been a leading member of 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 this body, and who has lately distinguished 
 himself, both from the pulpit and the press. I 
 refer to my friend Mr. Stewart, whose Sermon 
 in defence of Orthodoxy I hold in my hand. In 
 the preface to this discourse, he tells the world 
 (what I knew long ago,) that he was first a Cal- 
 vinist in his boyhood, that he was afterwards 
 very sceptical on the doctrine of the Trinity, and 
 that it was only in the year 1825, he turned his 
 attention to the Bible, to see if it contained, 
 what he now calls the Fundamental Doctrine of 
 the Scriptures; which, unless a man believe, he 
 is on the very verge of Atheism. Now, had the 
 proposed declaration been brought forward in 
 1824, Mr. Stewart, as an honest man, could not 
 have signed it. He might then have been " cut 
 off as a rotten branch ;" and that very act of 
 severity would, in all likelihood, have confiimed 
 him in error. But see the happy consequence 
 of kindness and moderation ! He, who might 
 have continued an Arian, a Heretic, a Semi- 
 Atheist, peculiarly dangerous on account of his 
 talents, is now the zealous champion of Ortho- 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 doxy, and one of the powerful enemies of Ca- 
 tholic error ! What has heen, may be. In two 
 years, if you do not " lop us oiff," Mr. Porter, 
 or myself, may be edifying the world with dis- 
 sertations against our present opinions ! 
 
 But consider, farther, if you pass this Decla- 
 ration, you must extend it to Probationers as 
 well as Ministers. Now, you tell the peaple that 
 they have a right to choose their own pastors : but 
 if they should not like a Calvinist, where are 
 they to procure a teacher? I presume they 
 must either submit to your dictation, or remain 
 without a Minister; which would be rather a 
 singular way of consulting their rights and pri- 
 vileges. 
 
 Mr. Cooke, and others, have been pleased to 
 denominate those who differ from them, "wolves 
 in sheep's clothing." This implies, that we have 
 assumed a false character. So far as I am con- 
 cerned, I treat the insinuation with contempt. 
 But, I do admit, there are in this body, " wolves 
 in sheep's clothing:" men who have lived with 
 us in Christian communion, who have pretended 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 to entertain for us Christian friendship ; but who 
 now, when they are confident in numbers, turn 
 ujion us, and would devour us. These are the 
 real wolves. 
 
 But we have also been compared to soldiers 
 entering a garrison for its defence, and after- 
 wards turning our arms against our companions. 
 Surely Mr. Cooke intended this as a hit at him- 
 self and his partizans. I came into the garrison 
 with the same colours which I now wear; I have 
 always kept them flying; and whether I remain 
 in it, or be driven from it, I shall keejD them 
 aloft, so long as I have an aim to bear them. 
 There are, however, traitors amongst us: men 
 who came into the fortress on the avowed con- 
 dition of mutual toleration and forbearance, 
 and who engaged with us to defend it against 
 the common enemy. But now, that they think 
 themselves able to maintain the bulwarks, they 
 treacherously turn their aims against theu' com- 
 rades, and would drive them out defenceless 
 upon the world. These are the real traitors. 
 
 Mr. Cooke's similies are only to be equalled 
 
REV. HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 by his charity. He has given us a new version 
 of Christian unity. He has talked a gi-eat deal 
 about unity of the Spirit, meaning " unity of 
 the Spirit's testimony." These are idle words, 
 which sound in the ear, without conveying any 
 idea to the mind. Every ignorant enthusiast, 
 down to the lowest dregs of fanaticism, talks 
 most presumptuously of " the testimony of the 
 Spirit," and appeals to his own feelings as a 
 proof that he is right. But when Mr. Cooke 
 says that he is only to love those of his own 
 creed, and to view those who differ from him, as 
 he would regard robbers, I tell him, that he is 
 listening to the testimony of his own passions, 
 not to the Spirit of Truth. There were persons 
 of old, who loved only their own tribe and na- 
 tion, " who trusted in themselves that they were 
 righteous, and despised others;" but our Saviour 
 showed that the poor Samaritan understood the 
 nature of brotherly love infinitely better than 
 the priest and the Levite. It may be said, this 
 was only an act of charity to the body; but 
 siuely, if we are bound to love " that which 
 
SPEECH OF THE 
 
 perisheth," we are much more constrained to 
 love " that which endureth for ever." It is 
 one of the greatest evils of our unsanctified con- 
 tentions, that they tend to restrict the charity of 
 the Gospel, which enjoins us to " love all men, 
 and to do good unto all men," — even that 
 Charity, which the Apostle declares to be supe- 
 rior even to Faith and Hope. 
 
 I have not entered into any defence of my 
 peculiar tenets, ( though I believe them to be 
 capable of a rational and Scriptural vindication,) 
 because I know that such a course would only 
 widen a breach which is already too large. But 
 I can assure you, that whatever my opinions 
 are, I hold them in great humility, under the 
 most profound sense of my own weakness, and 
 liability to go astray. In coming to the conclu- 
 sions at which I have arrived, I can truly say, 
 that I have sought light and direction, where 
 alone they are to be obtained. I have never 
 read the Scriptures, with a view to ascertain 
 their meaning, without first imploring the gra- 
 cious assistance of the Divine Spirit, to free me 
 
REV, HENRY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 from prejudice, presumption, and error, and to 
 lead me to a right understanding of the truth. 
 Neither have I ever sat down to write a sermon, 
 or any rehgious discourse, without praying to 
 God, that I might he enabled faithfully and truly 
 to interpret his holy will, and to instruct his 
 l^eople. And I can further say, in perfect sin- 
 cerity, that I never enter a pulpit, without a 
 profound sense of my responsibility ; nor do I 
 ever venture to address any people, until I have 
 secretly and fervently intreated the protection 
 and guidance of Heaven. I may not have asked 
 with becoming humility, and devotion, and faith ; 
 but I trust I have asked in sincerity. And if I 
 be yet in error, I believe God will enlighten my 
 mind ; if I be right, I trust He ^vill grant me 
 fortitude to maintain my integrity, in despite of 
 unmerited obloquy, and " to speak boldly the 
 whole counsel of his will." For myself, and 
 those who think with me, I feel that I am en- 
 titled to claim at least the humble merit of being 
 sincere. The world may consider us fools, for 
 not conforming to its maxims, and pursuing its 
 
SPEECH OF THE REV. H. MONTGOMERY. 
 
 gains ; but it would require the malignity of a 
 demon to call us knaves. I believe, though 
 many of my brethren be in error, that simple 
 error is not a condemning sin ; and I sincerely 
 hope, that the Great Shepherd may collect his 
 sheep from many folds. If I thought that all 
 who differ from me were to go down to destruc- 
 tion, I could not enjoy one hour's happiness. 
 
 I conclude by entreating you, not ta enter upon 
 a measure at variance with the true principles 
 of your Church ; and which must eventually end 
 in division and weakness. For myself, I have, 
 as you all know, nothing either to hope or to 
 fear. " But for my friends and brethren's sake, 
 I would say, peace be within your Zion." 
 Arianism has been persecuted, frequently unto 
 blood, for fifteen centuries ; which must prove 
 that it cannot be subdued by mere human power. 
 This, however, is certain : " if it be of men, it 
 will come to nought ; but, if it be of God, ye 
 cannot prevail against it." 
 
 F. D. Finlay, Printer, Belfast. 
 
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