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he would study to make his after life the best proof of his gratitude . , . We have never witnessed a scene more deeply interesting than this . Leonard Dobbin , Esq ., of Armagh , suggested the propriety of forming a fund , for the protection of such ministers and congregations as might be put to inconvenience on account of their
religious opinions . John Alexander , Es . q ., of Newtownlimavady , warmly supported the suggestion . It was then stated , that an Overture had been prepared , which would meet the suggestions of these gentlemen .
Mr . Mitchel moved the Overture * which was to the following effect : — " That a subscription should be set on foot , for the support of injured ministers ; to assist new congregations ; to form a fund for the endowment , in due time , of a Professor of Divinity , in connexion with the Remonstrant Synod ; and for the maintenance of Christian rights . " Mr . Alexander seconded the motion .
Mr . Montgomery had great pleasure in stating , that this Overture had been urged upon them by the liberal and respectable laity . He thought it a measure of great importance . If a minister knew he had a refuge , he might be prevented from giving way , under the force of private feelings , and agreeing to measures which in his heart he despised . It would counteract the influence of a
landlord , if he would attempt to exercise his authority over his tenantry , to draw them off from , a minister . When it was known that there was such a source of safety , tyrants , whether petty or great , would be deterred from attempting to invade the rights of the people . In the congregations attached to the Synod , there might be individuals who did not
wish to remain , but who were too weak to support ministers for themselves . It was the duty of this Body to foster those persons , not by agitation and inflaming their passions , but by affording , to such as were fully persuaded in their minds , a house of shelter , in which they might worship God according to the manner
most pleasing to themselves . A handful of people may not be able to support a minister ; but it is hard that their poverty should deprive them of the mode of worship most agreeable to them . The next object was to endow a Professorship of Divinity in due lime- The general literary and philosophical education afforded in the Institution , he
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believed to be eqrial to that afforded id any other seminary in the world- But , while he had nothing to say to detract from the merits of the Theological Professor there , or the distinguished Professor of Theology in Glasgow , or that illustrious man , Chalmers , the Edinburgh Professor , yet they could not have confidence in any man , as a teacher of the principles of divinity , who might be under the trammels of human creeds .
They required a Professor who would have no bias to prevent him from laying fairly before their young men the different systems . It was easy for a teacher to give a partial statement of a doctrine ; or to sneer at particular opinions ; and gloss over others . They wanted a man who would be uuder no restraint . But they could not get a man of reputation , without the means of remunerating him ;
and this , he hoped , they would , in time , be able to do . Other contingencies might arise ; but these were included under the general provision in the latter part of the Overture . They had a claim on the public , because the fund would be an everlasting one , inasmuch as it was determined , that not a shilling should ever be detracted from the capital . Should more be required , at any time , than the interest , an appeal to the public could be made with confidence . Iu
Dublin there is a fund producing 400 / . a year ; and what good would such a sum not do here ? We do not shew one individual case , but we shew a great object , and we call for a great effort . The appeal would not he in vain in this part of the country . He knew numbers who only wished for an opportunity to contribute . Iu Dublin and the South of Ireland they would receive ample assistance . Our orthodox brethren will assist
us . The Roman Catholics will assist us . The liberal Presbyterians of Ulster , to a man , stood by them in the hour of their struggles and their peril , and they will assist us , now that they are in safety , and we are battling for our rights . But we will go to the land of wealth and of intelligence ; and from the abused and misrepresented Unitarians of England , we will derive assistance . He had
letters in his pocket shewing the utmost kindness and sympathy on the part of our English Dissenting brethren . When the Synod of Ulster wished to endow a Professor , they were able to raise only the paltry sum of 900 / . But there was no drawing together ; and most of this was raised by the New Light congregations . Their portions , as many of them
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Inti ; Wgencem ~~* JlQm 6 mtrant Synod of Ukter . 653
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1830, page 653, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2588/page/69/
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