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    There is only one lucrative situation which they have the power to bestow ; and that situatiou they bestowed on me , though it was sought for by men , to be placed in competition with whom , was in itself an honour . I have now been your Clerk for nearly fourteen years . VV ' uh what degree of ability the duties of the office have , during that time , been

    executed , it is not mme to say ; but I ao say , that with greater faithfulness they never have been , and never will be discharged . In addressing you , on the present interesting occasion , it has been my study to avoid , as much as possible , every expression or allusion calculated to give offence . Most sorry should I be

    to wound the feelings of a single indivi - dual in this assembly . I can safely declare , that , at this moment , I am not conscious of entertaining one unkind or unfriendly feeling . So far is this from being the case , that I now look bapfc with regret on the little bickerings aVd contentions in which I have been

    occasionally involved with certain members of Syno . i . Perhaps there were faults on each side . I am free to confess , that natural temperament may have sometimes caused me to feel and speak with more warmth than I ought to have done . At present , however , all former

    hostilities are forgotten . They are lost in emotions of a very different character . Most sincerely am I disposed to hold forth the hand of reconciliation , and exchange forgiveness for every thing that is past . We are now going to part—in the name of God , let us part in peace . There is one cirminstance which has

    brought some early and affectionate recollections into my mind , and given , in all probability , a deeper and softer tone to my feelings . I cannot refrain from mentioning it . This Meeting-house ia the first whose walls I ever enteredand the one which I continued to

    frequent , during the happy and innocent days of boyhood . Many , many years have rolled over my head , since it was last covered by this roof ; and scenes of our youth—from which we have long been absent , revive , in all its freshness ,

    the memory of former times—of times that are past , never to return . Well do 1 remember walking , when a mere child , down the alley in which I now stand , conducted hy parental hands that have long since been cold , aud accompanied hy three affectionate sisters . Well do I

    remember standing up on the seat of the pew on which I now rest my arm , and gazing with reverence at the venerable

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    looking man who then filled that pulpit . That man , under whose ministry * I was reared in early life , and who was the first clergyman by whom I was examined in the Shorter Catechism , was one of the eldest members of your body . Thus , Sir , it has come to pass , by rather a singular coincidence of circumstances , that my connexion with the General Synod of Ulster , is terminated on the

    very spot , where , in a certain sense , it may be said to have commenced . Here it began—and , after lasting for half a century , here it ends . Here we first met—ami here we part . To you , Sir , and to all , once more farewell . ( Mr . Porter was very much affected in the delivery of this speech ; and its effect on \ he house was such , that we observed inany of the members shedding tears . )

    Several candidates having oifered themselves for the vacant situation , a lengthened discussion , but of no general interest , took place respecting the conduct to be observed by the Synod . It was at length agreed that the salary of the clerkship should be divided among thfe poorer members of the Body , and that the duties of the office should be performed gratuitously by the Rev . James Seaton Reid , of Carrickfergus , assisted by other ministers .

    Memorials were presented from certaiu members of congregations , whose ministers have joined the Remonstrant Synod , stating their desire to continue under the care of the General Synod , and praying for advice and assistance . That from Cairncastle congregation , of which the Rev . Thomas Alexander is pastor , was signed on behalf of ninety families , who declared themselves ready to contribute

    £ 47 a year towards the support of a minister ; that from Ballycarry , ( Rev . W . Glendy , ) by 210 families , who engaged to raise £ 50 per annum ; aad that from Templepatrick , ( Rev . R . Campbell , ) by 120 seat-holders , who stated that they could raise the annual sum of £ 50 , including j £ 20 per annum , kindly offered them by Lord Templeton , together with ground for the erection of a meetinghouse .

    It was inquired whether the Presbytery of Templepatrick were aware that threats had been held out by Lord Templeton , to cause the people to come over to the Synod fro > in Mr . Campbell's congregation . ' Rev . Mr . DoHErtV had heard such thiiigs . Notices tt > quit their * farms had been served tin Mr . Caih ^ bell and others . This wfcs pretty ' generally the case over

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    Intelligence . —General Synod of Ulster * 581

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1830, page 581, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2587/page/77/