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gartisthe Presbytery of Antrim as a constituent part of the Synod . Mr . Cooke . —In case of a withdrawal , the matter becomes altered . When they refuse oar discipline , shall we give a premium for recusancy ? I would give the bounty to three ; nay , to two , or even
Mr . W . Brown shewed that the ca * e of Tobernoore did not apply ; for that although Mr . Carson carried the majority of hii congregation along with him , he could have no claim to a share of royal bounty , inasmuch as he ceased to be a Presbyterian . In fact , he did not think Mr . Carson would have received bounty . Ballywalter was under similar circumstances .
Several members were of opinion that , at present , the matter could not be laid before the Government , as the House was not yet able to represent the details of the case ; and that it would not be prudent to inform the Government that
there exist such divisions amongst us . Mr . Cooke , however , stated that in this latter respect they need not fear , for that the Government were already aware of these divisions , as a representation of the state of the Clough congregation had been forwarded to them .
Mr . Stewart could not agree that money should be taken from those who leave us . What , said he , will the world say of us ! Will they not very justly say , that we have forced these men from amongst us ; and that , after all , we will not let them depart ? Are we not suspending a sword over their heads , that will fall as soon as their ministers die .
since the truce is to continue only during the lives of the present incumbents ? I supported the Overtures , because I believed that they did not infringe on the right of private judgment ; but I cannot agree to this invasion of the property of congregations . Would it be just to give bounty to a few families , at the same time that perhaps yon deprive hundreds of it ?
Mr . Cooke . —I think there is no doubt whatever , for I need not hesitate to say so , that the bounty will not be withdrawn from the Remonstrants ; and , therefore , Mr . Stewart is supposing a visionary case ; but I would not neglect the interests of the people . 1 only wish to introduce a general principle , that will enable us to bring the matter broadly before the Government , in order to procure a similar bounty for the Orthodox party .
Mr . Stewart was anxious to ascertain the basis and extent of interference . Would application be made wheu there
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is only a part , or when tbere is the whole of a congregation ; and would the application aim at the entire bounty of that congregation , or only at a part of it ? Mr . Coohe . —1 would only state the claims of the Orthodox part ; and I would do that in all cases , whether there was a majority or a minority ; and I would merely ask for a similar bounty to be extended to them .
Mr . Stewart . — If this be all Mr . Cooke intends , there can be no objection . Mr . Cooke . —I certainly never intended to ask for the botrnty of rhe particular congregation ; but I would say to the Government , ' You granted bounty to a congregation , part of it has retired
from us , and part of it remaius ; will you now grant us a sum for those who adhere to us , as they formerly enjoyed a share of bounty ?* ' If the whole congregation leave us , I ask nothing ; but if any part remain , I wish to interfere . I do think taking away bounty would be per secution ; but I would not neglect the interests of our i > eople .
A desultory conversation here follow ^ ed , chiefly respecting the wording of the resolution ; and the means to be taken , in order to provide for those members under the care of the Remonstrants , who might still wish to continue in connexion with the Synod . The partiality of the public press was also complained of ; and in consequence , it was deemed advisable that an address should be drawn
up by a Committee , explanatory of the proceeding of the Synod . The following resolutions were then agreed to : — •* That in compliance with the wishes of the Remonstrants , a Committee be appointed to meet a Committee nominated by them , in Belfast , on the second Wednesday of September , to confer respecting the terms of an amicable separation : that their negociations with the Committee of the Remonstrants be
confined to such arrangements as may be necessary to be entered into respecting the Widows' Fund , the Divinity Professor , the Charitable Fund , and the Incidental Fund ; that they have full power to transact all matters in connexion with these Funds , but have no power to enter upon the consideration of any other matters whatever in the course of their uegociation .
" That inasmuch as this Synod has do information respecting the sentiments and intentions of the congregations at present under the care of these Remonstrants ; and at ) some of them may be disposed to continue under the care of
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Sflt ) Intethgcnee . —Synod of Ulster
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1830, page 200, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2582/page/56/
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