CORNELL UNIVERSITY.
LIBRARIES
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JOHN M. "OuN
LIBRARY
A SHORT HISTORY

OF THE

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
OF

BALLYMONEY.
 

 

 

 

BALLYMONEY OLD CHURCH TOWER AND
BURYING GROUND,
“God of our fathers! be the God
Of their succeeding race.”
A Short History * #

of the

Presbyterian Churches
of
Ballymoney ¢ 8 8 ¢

County Antrim.

By

Rev. A. H. DILL ©
v. JAMES B. ARMOUR
Rev. D. D. BOYLE

Rev. JOHN RAMSAY

/
yf

e

Illustrated from Photographs by
W. CHARLES POLLOCK.

Printed and Published by
PERCY LUND, HUMPHRIES & Co., Litd.,
Bradford and London.

71898.
 
Contents.

»

PAGE
CHAPTER I.

EARLY SETTLERS OF THE ROUTE.. 7
CHAPTER II.

FIvE PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS OF BALLYMONEY 18

CHAPTER III.

First PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FROM 1800 TILL THE
PRESENT TIME

CHAPTER IV.

HIsTorRyY OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CHAPTER V.

History OF THE THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CHAPTER VI.

HIsTORY OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGA-
TION

32

43

48

59
The Presbyterian Churches of
Ballymoney.

CuapTer I.
EARLY SETTLERS OF THE ROUTE.

T the accession’ of
James I. the con-
dition of the Province of
Ulster was deplorable. It
had been so long the
scene of perpetual rebel-
lions and feuds that the
country lay almost a
waste, covered with dense
woods and swamps. The
number of its inhabitants
had been greatly reduced
by war and disease, and
those that remained were sunk in abject poverty.
The religious condition of the province was equally
wretched ; writers of the time assert that ‘‘ divine
service had not for years together been used
in any parish church throughout Ulster, except in
some city or principal towns.” This state of
affairs induced the king to carry out what is known
as the Plantation of Ulster, by planting on the

 
8 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

forfeited lands of the rebellious chiefs settlers from
England and Scotland. The greater part of the
North-Eastern district was occupied by natives of
Scotland, who were induced to come across by the
proximity of their own country, by the troubles
they had passed through at home, and by the
prospect of obtaining more fertile lands in Ulster.
One of the reasons given in a manuscript history of
the times, quoted by Dr. Reid, for the small number
of English who came over is as follows, ‘‘that the
marshiness and fogginess of this island was still
found unwholesome to English bodies, more
tenderly bred, and in a better air.”

Sir Randall McDonnell, afterwards first Earl
of Antrim, was at that time in possession of the
wide expanse of country known as the Route and
Glynns, extending from Larne to Coleraine; by
his wise plans, and judicious behaviour in the face
of plots and suspicions he managed to retain
possession of these estates, and to obtain letters
patent from King james I. in 1603, granting him
the entire region.

Soon after this time he encouraged Scottish
settlers to come over and occupy the lands, the
former owners of which had been killed or
driven away in the wars. These Scotsmen seem
to have lived in the midst of many native Irish
who were still retained as tenants. Another body
of Scotsmen was driven across to settle in the
Route by the following events.

In a raid organized by Angus McDonnell, a
Scottish kinsman of Sir Randall, in 1607, a number
EARLY SETTLERS OF THE ROUTE. 9

of Presbyterian settlers who had been planted in
the promontory of Cantire in Scotland by the
Argyles were driven out, and compelled to take
refuge on the Antrim coast with their cattle and
their goods. The Rev. George Hill in the
““McDonnells of Antrim,’ narrates how ‘Sir
Randall McDonnell received them, Presbyterians
though they were, and these people were the more
welcome, no doubt, because of their bringing with
them the means of stocking their farms.” In the
same interesting and valuable work may be found
a statement made in an old document on behalf of
the Earl of Antrim, “that he hath planted his
owne lands in Ireland with Scotsmen that are
Protestants, that hath given the ministers good
stipends, some 200 lb., some 300 Ib. a piece, and
hath settled his lands best of any in the North of
Ireland.” From these facts it is evident that a
large number of these settlers in the Route must
have belonged to the Presbyterian Church.
Judging from the names which appear in ancient
records of the Antrim estates some of the families
are clearly from the Highlands and the Western
Islands, but a large proportion seem to have been
lowlanders. Such people bringing with them from
their native land their prevailing religious senti-
ments and their steady attachment to Presby-
terianism, probably formed themselves at a very
early period into societies for religious worship;
although a considerable time may have elapsed
before they obtained the services of a settled
ministry.
IO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

In an admirable account of the congregation
of Ballymoney by the Rev. Robert Park, M.A.,
for many years minister of that church, drawn up
about the year 1820 in accordance with the instruc-
tions of the Synod of Ulster to all its ministers,
and to which frequent reference will be made, it is
stated that ‘‘ there is every reason to believe that
the Presbyterian congregation of Ballymoney was
amongst the first of those societies for public
worship formed by the families who were en-
couraged in the reign of James I. to emigrate from
Scotland.” From fragmentary church documents
and from family records and tradition a considerable
amount of information can be gained about the
persons who were connected with this early society
of Presbyterians.

Through the kindness of Prof. John Park,
M.A., D. Lit., professor of logic and metaphysics
in the Queen’s College, Belfast, and son of the
Rev. Robert Park, an old manuscript book has
been preserved and has come into the possession
of the Session of the congregation. This book,
brown and worn with age, many of its leaves torn
and defaced, and parts of it missing altogether, is
all that remains of the records of the congregation
of Ballymoney from its beginning till the year 1817.
The actual period covered by the book is the space
of time between the years 1730-1759. It contains
fragments of a baptismal and marriage register
and a few minutes of meetings of Session, but the
greater portion of it is occupied with the congre-
gational accounts. On the pages of these accounts
LAaNLS HOIH 'AANOWATIVE

 

 

 
EARLY SETTLERS OF THE ROUTE. {I

quaint and curious entries are sometimes made
dealing with notable events in congregational
affairs, and sometimes with important episodes in
the history of the country. In its later years this
interesting volume seems to have fallen into the
hands of some enterprising merchant of the town,
who, no doubt owing to the scarcity and expensive-
ness of paper, made entries of his business trans-
actions on the blank leaves, adding a few Latin
quotations anda prescription for the scurvy, and
closing his journal with the mysterious note on a
particular date ‘‘ I heard something very strange.”

Amongst the earliest names occurring in this
old record are the following: John Boyd, Robert
McElhose, Benjamin Boyle, Robert Biggart, John
Hopkin, Hugh McMaster, John Hamil, Thomas
Elder, John Lusk, John Ramsay, Alex. Dunlop,
and Alex. Calderwood; all of whom were elders
of the church, and took part in the meetings of
Session. Several of these are of special interest
because they are the direct ancestors of families
still in connection with the Presbyterian Churches
of Ballymoney.

The Boyds of the Route were a widely
scattered family, and are mentioned in the
“‘Macdonnells of Antrim” as amongst the first
settlers on the estate, and several members of this
family were elders in the congregation. The
Biggarts had also many branches in the district.
The Hopkins family gave many elders to the
Church, and are the ancestors of Mr. James
Jordan, one of the present elders of 1st Ballymoney.
I2 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

The Hamils, Elders and Lusks, the Ramsays and
McMasters have branched out in many directions,
and have given many prominent and_ useful
members to the Presbyterian Church. Dunlop is
another name mentioned by the Rev. George Hill
as an original settler. The Calderwoods reach far
back in local history. There is a well authenti-
cated tradition that the house of Alex. Calderwood
in Semicock was surrounded and burned during
the 1641 rebellion, that several members of his.
family were killed, and the rest escaped to
Coleraine.

In the Minutes of the Synod of Ulster,
names of representative elders from Ballymoney
occur in addition to those already mentioned, such
as James Henry, ancestor of a family for many years
active members of the church; Gilbert McFedrick,
a name which also occurs in the Register as
McPhedrix; Hugh Hamilton who seems to have
been a very active member and constantly attended
the Synod. The Hamiltons are mentioned ina
document of 1661 as holding along with other
lands ‘‘ the two partes of the quarter of Monigo-
bane” (Moneygobbin) for ‘“‘one paire of gloves,”
and their descendants held this property for a long
period.

James Moor is frequently mentioned in the
Synod minutes as representing Ballymoney ; this
family spread into many branches, and many
persons at the present time can claim them as
ancestors. Robert Given’s name appears very early
on the list, and his representatives may still be
EARLY SETTLERS OF THE ROUTE. 13

found in the district. There occur also the names
of Dan Snell, and Adam Caldwell, and the latter
was clearly a man whose business capacity was
found very useful to the church. Several Browns
are mentioned as elders deputed by the Ballymoney
congregation, and one James Brown as early as
1728.

Outside the ranks of the eldership of that
early period, there are many names recorded in the
old Baptismal and Marriage Register already
referred to.

A careful examination of these shows in what
an extraordinary way families whose history
reaches back to the earliest days of the Plantation
have maintained their existence and their names
till the present day. Cummock (Camac), frequently
in the list, is certainly one of the oldest names in the
district; Robinsons and Rorisons spread over
large tracts of land, as also did the Gettys and
Whites, there are Sinclairs for generation after
generation and Orrs stretching back in a long line.
From an interesting old will printed by Dr. Taylor,
and now in the possession of the representatives of
the Robinson family, and dated 1769, it appears
that the Robinsons settled about Culdoo and
Newbuildings, and in addition to the greater
part of these townlands owned large tracts in
Carnately, Polentamney, and possibly Tullaghans.
There are many Knoxes and Pinkertons, and
Hunters and Wilsons, and Fullertons and Harts,
all of them very early occupiers of lands. The
names of Bickett, Lamont, Tylor (Taylor), Niven,
I4 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

Warnock, McDowel, McNeil, Blair, Hannah,
Kilpatrick, Wyly, Neal, Gamble, Polick, Esdale,
Bar, McClure, Anderson, Hemphill, Picken,
McMichel, Lowdon, McCurdy, Houston, Taggart,
Kelly, Porter, Wright and Borelan are to be found
in the worn old pages of the record. Again and
again appear the names of Stewart, Adams,
McCracken, Thompson, Hay, Lilly, Cooper, Small,
Young, and Slowen (Sloan). There were
McCrellises and Macklyeals, Mellets and Askines
(Erskine) in those days. There were an Aaron
Forsythe, a Quentin Dick, an Adam Templeton,
and a great number of Pattisons. There are
many Tweeds in the list, and a great number of
McKinlays. The Dinsmoors, connected with many
families here, transplanted to America and flourish-
ing there, appear very early in the Register.

Then come the Highland names. There are
several McPhersons and Gordons, there is a Neal
and a Laughlin McLane, there are a great number
of Campables (Campbell), probably from Argyle
and Cantire. There are McDuffies, sometimes
called McPhie, and now written Macafee, a branch
of the McDuffies of Colonsay, who settled at
Culresheskin (Currysisken), where they are now
represented by Mr. Thomas Macafee, one of the
elders of the congregation.

Mention is also made in the record of a
Daniel and a Malcolm Cameron, members of the
clan who were driven from their highland homes
after taking part in the rebellion of 1715. They
brought with them their good broadswords, and
EARLY SETTLERS OF THE ROUTE. Ts

it is stated by Mr. James Cameron, of Ballymoney,
that at the time of the 1798 rebellion it became
necessary to hide these swords by burying them
in a garden, but the hiding-place was forgotten
and has never since been discovered.

The name McKighan also occurs in the list,
which may stand for the modern form McKeague,
a family which has given several elders and
ministers to the Church, including Mr. Andrew
McKeague, at present an elder in the con-
gregation. One curious name appears in the
Register oftener, almost, than any other, viz :—
McPhedrix.

Such were the men who formed the congrega-
tion in its earliest days. Such were the men who
found the lands of Route almost a desert, and in
the midst of endless difficulties and untoward
circumstances, constantly in danger, often oppressed
and almost crushed, but enduring unto the end, by
their stern patience and unceasing toil, turned the
wastes into fertile fields and made the desert
blossom as the rose. Such were the men who
were the backbone of the Presbyterian Church in
Antrim, who were true and loyal in the darkest
days to their faith, and in the providence of God,
built the foundations firm and sure. To such an
ancestry their descendants, who are now to be
found in all the Presbyterian Churches of Bally-
money and the surrounding district, may look
back with pardonable pride.

Many of the Scottish families first settled in
the Route have since, at different periods and
16 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

from varied causes, emigrated to America, and
have had an important share in moulding the
history of the Great Republic, and of the Dominion
of Canada. One of these families, the McKinleys,
from the neighbourhood of Dervock, have become
famous in these days by providing a President for
the United States of America.

The town of Ballymoney, in which the
congregation had its centre, consisted in those
days of a few small houses on the highway
between Ballymena and Coleraine, the houses
being situated where Meeting House Street now
“is.

In an account of the expedition against the
Scots, led by the deputy Sussex in 1556, it is stated
by Phil Butler, the pursuivant:—‘ This day we
came by a bishop's house, which was with a castle
and a church joined together in one, called Bally-
monyn” (Carew MSS.). With regard to this
passage, Rev. Canon Benson, Rector of Bally-
money, in an account of the parish, quotes the
following from ‘ Reeves Ecclesiastical Anti-
quities” :—‘‘ The castle here mentioned and the
bishop’s house occupied the site on which the old
market house in that town was afterwards built,
and their walls extended northward so as to meet
those of the ancient church, the position of the
latter being indicated by a square tower bearing
the date of 1637. No vestiges of the castle or of
the bishop’s house now remain. The old church
was superseded by a new one in 1637, and the
latter was burned during the outbreak of 1641.”
 

 

 

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EARLY SETTLERS OF THE ROUTE. If

The old ivy-clad tower in the midst of the
burying ground, which forms the frontispiece of
this book, is all that remains of the ancient Parish
Church, the roof of which was burned, it is said,
by Alaster Macdonnell in the outbreak of 1641.
The same Alaster utterly defeated the army of
Archibald Stewart, which had marched against
him from Coleraine, at a place called the Laney, a
short distance from Ballymoney, in 1641.

A great part of the district was laid waste
with fire and sword during the insurrection, and
those who escaped with their lives were driven to
take refuge in fortified towns such as Coleraine.

This was the condition of affairs when the
Scotch regiments arrived in the North of Ireland
to stem the tide of rebellion and restore tranquility
to the unhappy country.

 
Cuapter II.
FIVE PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS
OF BALLYMONEY.

HE Rev. Patrick
Adair, Minister of
Belfast, in his ‘True
Narrative of the Rise
and Progress of the
Presbyterian Church in
Ireland,” writes as fol-
lows: ‘It is to be much
observed, that -the Sov-
ereign Holy Lord in

 

His providence, by this
reollion: made way for a more full planting of the
gospel, even in those parts which had met with the
greatest cruelty.’ Most of the regiments of the
Scottish army which had come over at this time
were accompanied by chaplains “‘ who were ordained
ministers of their national church,” and they set
themselves to appoint sessions or elderships in each
of the regiments. On the 1oth June, 1642, five of
these chaplains, viz.: Revs. Cunningham, Baird,
Peebles, Scott and Aird, and four ruling elders
from the regimental sessions constituted the first
regular Presbytery formed in Ireland at Carrick-
fergus.
MINISTERS OF BALLYMONEY. 1g

As soon as this, which is sometimes called the
“Army Presbytery,” had been formed, a great many
distri¢ts in Down and Antrim applied to them to
have ministers settled among them and religious
ordinances established. The new Presbytery were
not able to supply all the demands, and in response
to urgent appeals made to the General Assembly
of the Church of Scotland, several ministers
were appointed to come over and assist in the
work.

In the Route district, the three congregations
of Dervock (then called Derrikeighan), Ballymoney
and Billy, were the first to have ministers ordained
over them. The Rev. John Baird, who had been
chaplain of the Duke of Argyle’s regiment, was
settled in Dervock, and the Rev. James Ker in
Ballymoney, and the Rev. Jeremiah O’Quin in
Billy, in the year 1646. ‘‘The Presbytery” writes
Rev. Patrick Adair, ‘“‘were somewhat troubled in
settling Mr. James Ker at Ballymoney, and Mr.
Jeremiah O’Quin at Billy. In these two parishes
of Route, where they were called by the plurality
of the people, but opposed by some disaffected
persons, particularly by Mr Stewart of Ballintoy,
who had some interest in Ballymoney. They had
given in divers things in a libel against these two
expectants anent the unsoundness of somewhat
they had delivered in their doctrine.” The Pres-
bytery, however, upon fair trial, ‘found nothing to
obstruct the settling of these men.”” But they were
destined never to be out of trouble with regard to
these two ministers; who are described as ‘‘men of
20 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

great reputation for honesty and zeal, though of
little learning and no great judgment.”

In 1649, after the execution of Charles I., the
Presbytery required all its ministers to read from
the pulpit what was called a ‘“ Representation,”
condemning amongst many other things the execu-
tion of the King. This, these two brethren refused
to do, having evidently republican tendencies, and
in spite of all arguments “they persisted in their
opinion and refused to concur,” “and the brethren
having waited long on them at last passed upon
them a sentence of suspension.” But Adair
remarks, ‘‘they despised the sentence and justified
themselves to the people they conversed with.”

In the year 1653, these two inseparable com-
panions appear again on the scene, and “‘ Mr. James
Ker desired to be readmitted to his former society
with his brethren, and gave great testimonies of
his ingenuously loathing his former course,”’ “and
so Mr. Ker was received into the fellowship of his
brethren upon his declared repentance,” and Mr.
O’Quin as usual followed his example.

There is no doubt that Mr. Ker officiated in
the Parish Church of Ballymoney during the
greater part of his ministry, and enjoyed a share of
the tithes.

Mr. Ker is reported, in 1656, in a list of
ministers who received an allowance from the
Cromwellian Government, his grant being £120 a
year. There is also an entry regarding his friend,
Mr. O’Quin as follows: ‘Paid Mr. O’Quin in
consideration of his paines in preaching the gospel
MINISTERS OF BALLYMONEY. 21

and towards defraying his charges to Dublin, £40.
Cromwell’s Government also contributed £25
towards his funeral expenses” (Benn’s History of
Belfast). Rev. Dr. Field, of Dervock, states that
Mr. O’Quin is buried in Billy churchyard, the date
of his death being there given as 1657. He was
delivered from the troubles through which his
friend Mr. Ker was afterwards called to pass.
Shortly after the restoration of Charles II., sixty-
one Presbyterian ministers were ejected from their
churches for nonconformity, and the Rev. James
Ker, of Ballymoney, is given in the list as one of
these. He was also ordered to be brought up before
the House of Lords to answer for his conduct during
the time of the Commonwealth, already referred
to. Mr. Ker evaded this order by escaping with
his wife to Scotland, where he died shortly after.

In the troubled times that followed, Ballymoney -
was probably for many years without a minister.
The congregation seems now to have been
supplied for a short time by a licentiate named
David Houston, evidently a man of very indepen-
dent mind, and little inclined to submit to eccles-
jiastical authority. During his stay in Ballymoney
he became acquainted with the famous Alexander
Peden, and evidently was much influenced by his
views, for in 1686 ‘“‘he was invited by the followers
of Renwick and Peden to join their Society and
exercise his ministry among them.” He thus
came to be one of the first representatives of what
is now the Reformed Presbyterian Church in
Ireland.
22 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

The next of whom there is a definite record is
the Rev. Hugh Kirkpatrick, who seems first of all
to have been Minister of Lurgan, but the Lurgan
people had not been able to induce him to return
from Scotland, whither he had evidently fled. This
reluctance to do so was probably due to the dis-
turbed state of the country at that critical period.

In 1692, the case of Ballymoney ‘with refer-
ence to advice” for a minister is referred to the
Synod, and David Boyd and Robert Love appear
as Commissioners to ask for advice.

In 1694, there is the following entry in the
minutes of the Synod with regard to Ballymoney.
«‘Appears from thence, Allen Dunlop with others
complaining that though Mr. Hugh Kirkpatrick
was, by sentence of last Synod, transported to
them, they have not yet enjoyed any of his labours,
he being still in Scotland. His letter to the Synod
was read wherein he desires the Synod to loose his
relations from Ballymoney. The people of Bally-
money are appointed to have all ready for receiving
Mr. Kirkpatrick.” This was in the happier days
which followed the establishment of William III.
on the throne.

In 1697, Mr. Kirkpatrick appears at the Synod,
having evidently been persuaded in the meantime
to come to his congregation.

In 1699, Mr. Kirkpatrick was chosen Moderator
of the Synod of Ulster, and in the following year
preached at the opening of the Synod from the
text, ‘‘Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to
all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath
MINISTERS OF BALLYMONEY. 23

made you overseers” (Acts xv., 28). Mr. Kirk-
patrick was the father of the celebrated Dr. James
Kirkpatrick, author of ‘Presbyterian Loyalty,”
and appears to have beena man of eminent literary
attainments. He died April 1st, 1712.

Ballymoney was vacant till 1716, but during
these years an attempt was made to form it into a
a Collegiate Charge, that is, a congregation sup-
porting two ministers. In 1715, there appeared
before the Synod the following representatives :—
Cornet Alex. McGown, James Henry, Alan Tem-
pleton, Robert Dinsmore, Jolin Love, Peter Gamble,
Thos. Reid, Quintin Dick, John Lamond, appealing
against a decision of the Synod of Derry taking
twenty quarterlands from the congregation of
Ballymoney and annexing fourteen of them to
Killrachts.

Several of the aforesaid quarterlands prayed
not to be taken away from Ballymoney on the
ground that the roads they have to Killrachts
Meeting House “are oft scarce to be travelled.”

The result of the matter was that Ballymoney
was given the choice of either having two ministers
and paying each of them £35 and 15 bolls of oats,
or of giving up the fourteen quarterlands to Kill-
rachts. The following quaint advice was also
given to the Ballymoney people, that ‘considering
the expensiveness of the place, that the people of
Ballymoney provide convenient farms for both their
ministers, to be paid at the ministers’ expense.”

The congregation of Ballymoney evidently
decided to give up the quarterlands in dispute and
24 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

be content with one minister, for on September
26th, 1716, Rev. Robert McBride was ordained
Minister in Ballymoney, and on September 27th,
Rev. John Cochrane was ordained Minister of
Killrachts.

It is probable that during the ministry of Mr.
Kirkpatrick, a church was built on the opposite
side of the Fair Hill from the present site. The
session house was, as usual in those times, built
separate from the church, and both were buildings
of a very primitive kind, and, judging from the
accounts in Mr. McBride’s time must have needed
constant repair.

During the years 1730-1759, a glimpse at the
inner working of the congregation can be had.
‘‘The Session which meets regularly has a due
sense of the importance of its work and conducts
its affairs in a very dignified manner.” Such
entries as the following occur: ‘‘ The Sacrament
of the Lord’s Supper was administered in this
congregation on the 26th day of May. The Fast
was kept and the Elders visited their quarters and
the tokens were distributed according to appoint-
ment.” ‘At a Session June y® rath, 1733, after
prayer sederunt John Lusk, Benjamin Boyle,
etc. The Sacrament of ye Lord’s Supper was
administered May 27th. The Fast was kept
on y® Wednesday preceding; tokens distributed
judicially ; the Elders visited their quarters and
made a very comfortable return. After ye charge
of ye Elements, distributed to y* poor
£04. 02s. ood.”
MINISTERS OF BALLYMONEY.. 25

Some curious and almost forgotten customs
come to light. Thechurch seems to have provided
for the use of the people, Palls for covering the
coffins at funerals and black cloaks for the chief
mourners. The rules for the use of these are given
in the Session Book.

1st. «That ye price of the fine Velvet Paul be
three crowns to any who use it out of this
Congregation and two crowns to yé® in-
habitants of the Parish.”

aly. «That the price of the black shag cloth be
now to the inhabitants of this Parish
o2s. o84d., to any who use it out of the
Parish four shillings.”

3ly. “That ye price for each Cloak is, y® par-
ishioners one shilling—”

The remainder of the leaf is wanting, and the
knowledge of what those outside the Parish were
to pay is lost to posterity. A person was appointed
to take charge of the Pauls and Cloaks, named
John Steele, who made regular returns of the
money received to the Session.

It is interesting to note that in the Burial
Register of the first and second congregations of
Belfast, mention is made of similar palls and
mourning cloaks, the letting out of which some-
times produced {50a year. The palls, which in
that Register are called Mar (mort) cloths and were
of great repute, were sent often at considerable
cost to great distances (Benn’s History of Belfast).

The accounts of the congregation of Bally-
money were very carefully kept by Mr. Adam
26 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

Caldwell, and were always audited by two others
of the Session. There are many curious entries.
On every Sacrament Sabbath, Mr. McBride
received 8s. 14d., and the clerk of the Session a
like sum. On one occasion the precentor received
11s. 44d. Constant repairs, such as thatching and
glazing the house and repairing the pulpit, are
mentioned. The Tent is continually referred to,
and was probably used at Communion Seasons.
The following interesting entry occurs :—‘‘ N.B.—
As the Act of Parliament for the Reform of our
Calendar takes place the 3rd day of this month
(Sept.), you are to notice that the 3rd day according
to the old stile is to be dated the r4th according to
the new stile.”

Mr. McBride was Moderator of Synod in
1728. He died in 1759, and an entry with
regard to that sad event was made in the Session
Book as follows :—‘‘ The Rev. Robert McBride
departed this life on Sabbath, the 2nd September,
about seven of the clock in the afternoon, in the
year of our Lord 1759, aged 73 years. He was an
eminent Divine, charitable to the poor, affable and
free in his conversation, and respected by all who
had the happiness to be acquainted with him.”
Mr. McBride was the son of the well-known Rev.
John McBride, minister of the first Presbyterian
congregation in Belfast, whose will may be seen in
Benn’s History of Belfast (p. 405). ‘I leave to my
son David, now abroad, a guinea, to be paid to
him at his return; also I leave a guinea to my son
Alexander, together with any Physick Books I
MINISTERS OF BALLYMONEY. 27

have; also I leave a guinea to my son-in-law.
Hugh Dyat, and his wife, Margaret McBride. I
leave no more to these mentioned in regard I have
already given them what portions I could allow
them.”

For refusing to swear that the Pretender was
not the son of King James II., which he alleged he
could not conscientiously do, the Rev. John
McBride had to escape arrest by fleeing to
Scotland. In his portrait which is in Belfast, a
hole may be seen made through his bands by the
sword of the disappointed official who came to
arrest him. Rev. John McBride was the author
of several important controversial works.

Mr. Park states that in the Parish Church of
Ballymoney in Mr. McBride’s day a marble slab
was erected bearing the following testimony to the
excellence of his character :—

“Near this place Lies the Body of the
Reverend Robert McBride, minister of the
Presbyterian congregation in this Parish
Forty-three years. Truly pious, always
cheerful, moderate in his principles, He faith-
fully discharged the duties of his Function.
Was universally beloved and lived in friend-
ship with the good men of all persuasions.
He died on the 2nd day of September, 1759,
in the seventy-third year of his age.”

His younger son entered the British Navy,
and became a Rear-Admiral, ‘‘in which capacity
he had the honour of conveying to England her
late Majesty Queen Charlotte, of spotless memory.”
28 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

“The Rev. Robert Smylie,” continues Mr.
Park, ‘from the neighbourhood of Letterkenny,
was chosen to succeed Mr. McBride by the Bally-
money congregation. He was remarkable not so
much for brightness of talent as for mildness and
gentleness of disposition and temper. His period
of usefulness was but short, as his delicate
constitution yielded to the fatigue, anxiety and
difficulties of his situation, after a ministry of eight
years.”

It may be added that before Mr. Smylie was
called, the Ballymoney congregation had petitioned
the Synod for the removal of Rev. Mr. Rankin
from Antrim to Ballymoney, but their request was
refused. Only two elders—namely, Messrs. Jas.
Moor and Thos. Boyd—are recorded as having
attended the Synod during Mr. Smylie’s ministry.

In the old burying-ground, in the corner near
the church tower, a headstone was erected to the
memory of Mr. Smylie. The following is the
inscription thereon :—

“Sacred to the memory of the Rev.

Robert Smylie, eight years minister of the

Dissenting Congregation of Ballymoney. He

practised the divine truths which he recom-

mended to his hearers. He died on the 31st
of August, 1767, in the 35th year of his age.

This stone is erected by order of his affectionate

spouse, March, 1812.

“This is erected here as Mr. MacBride,

Mr. Smylie, and Mr. Marshall occupy the

same grave.
“AUNOWATIVA ‘HOMOHOD NVIVALATSANd LSMIA

 

 
MINISTERS OF BALLYMONEY. 29

‘‘Reader, forget not to live as thou
wouldst have lived when thou comest to die,
and use thy neighbour as thou wouldst have
him use thee.”

“Rather more than four years,” writes Mr.
Park, ‘elapsed from the death of Mr. Smylie
until the congregation agreed in the choice of a
successor. After hearing upon trial many
licentiates they selected the Rev. Alexander Mar-
shall from the district: of Faughan Vale. Mr.
Marshall was an excellent classical scholar, of
quick natural talents, and of very commanding
powers as a public speaker. In the higher judi-
catories of the church he took a most active part.”’
Mr. Marshall was ordained on the 18th August,
1772. Almost the first work he had to undertake
was the rebuilding of the church. This was
done, not on the same site, but at a little distance
from it.

On the inside of the front entrance porch is
a stone with the following inscription :—

‘‘The foundation of virtue is truth, and
the foundation of happiness virtue. Who shall
ascend into the hill of the Lord, and who shall
stand in His holy place? He that hath clean
hands and a pure heart. The true worshippers
shall worship the Father in spirit and in
truth.”

‘‘ This House was built in the year 1777,
to which the Right Hon. the Earl of Antrim
generously contributed.”
30 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

In 1795, Mr. Marshall, who in the meantime
had received the degree of Doctor of Divinity,
was chosen Moderator of the Synod of Ulster.
At the opening of the Synod in 1796, Dr. Marshall
preached from the text, ‘‘ Watch ye, stand fast in
the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (J. Cor.
xvt., 13).

In the last years of his life, Dr. Marshall’s
health and spirits were much affected by the troubles
of the rebellion of 1798. Many of his best friends
were under suspicion of being concerned in the
rising. Indeed, two ministers of the Presbytery,
Rev. J. Glendy and Rev. J. Smith, were accused
of treasonable practices. The one was allowed to
emigrate and the other was imprisoned. Many
members of his own congregation were undoubtedly
disaffected, and actually either took part in the
Battle of Antrim or were on their way to it.
Tradition says that even Dr. Marshall himself
was supposed to have leanings to the side of the
rebels. Many executions took place at the Market
House. A great part of Ballymoney was burned,
in which conflagration most of the church records
were destroyed in the house of one of the members.
Even to this day in some houses in the district may
be seen relics of the Rebellion, in the shape of
knives made out of swords used at that crisis.
Many families of the congregation found it neces-
sary at this time to emigrate to America, and
striking tales are still told of their wonderful
escapes. Sunk down by all these troubles, Dr.
Marshall died roth April, 1799.
“ASQOH LANUVIN
“AANOWATIVE “TIVH

  

 

 

 

 
MINISTERS OF BALLYMONEY. 31

In the graveyard there is a stone flag raised to
his memory. ‘In grateful remembrance of the
Rev. Doctor Alexander Marshall, Presbyterian
minister of Ballymoney for twenty-seven years.
His mourning parishioners and some others have
erected this stone to his memory. He was truly
pious, liberal in his principles, lived beloved, and
died lamented by good men of every persuasion.
He departed this life the 1oth of April, 1799, aged
50 years.”

 
Wo
bo

Cuaprer III.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FROM
1800 TILL THE PRESENT TIME.

See s* the Minutes of
the Synod of

Ulster in 1800 it

  

is reported by the
Presbytery of Bally-
mena ‘“‘that Rev. Ben-
jamin Mitchell from
the Presbytery of Root
passed second Tryals
with them, but re-
turned to the Pres-
bytery of Root in
consequence of a call
from Ballymoney, a
congregation under the care of that Presbytery.
And at the same Synod a memorial was presented
from Ballymoney praying to be disannexed from
the Presbytery of Root and put under the care of
the Presbytery of Ballymena, on account of the
treatment which that congregation had received
from the Presbytery in the affair of the Rev. Ben-
jamin Mitchell, being a candidate for becoming the
stated Pastor of the congregation.”
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 33

It was unanimously resolved that Ballymoney
be put under the care of the Presbytery of Bally-
mena, and it remained under their care till the
union of the two Synods in 1840, when it returned
to the Route Presbytery.

The dispute about Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Park
says, had reference to his political views. He had
been called by a large majority of the people, and
some of the minority, supported by several
magistrates, petitioned against his settlement
amongst them. A committee of Synod was then
ordered to proceed to his ordination, and he was
ordained in Ballymoney, 12th November, 1800.
The weakness of his health, intensified by troubles
in the congregation, interfered with the per-
formance of his duties and he resigned in 1815.
Miss Mitchell, who still resides in Ballymoney,
much respected by the whole community, is a
daughter of the late Rev. Benjamin Mitchell.

The congregation of Ballymoney, after hearing
on trial a number of licentiates, called the Rev.
Robert Park, M.A., of Stewartstown, a licentiate
under the care of the Presbytery of Tyrone, to be
their minister, and on the 18th of March, 1817, he
was ordained to the pastoral charge of the church.
The session of the congregation at this period
consisted of

William Thompson, of Greenshields.
James Hopkin, of Ballymoney.
James Small, of Kilmoyle.

James Hemphill, of Culbrim.
William Knox, of Currysiskan.
34 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

Robert McAfee, of Currysiskan.
John Cochran, of Bannside.
Thomas Neill, of Dunaverney.

About the time of Mr. Park’s coming to
Ballymoney the committee of the congregation
were completing the reslating of the front roof of the
church, and funds were collected with considerable
difficulty, so that the remainder of the work was
left over till a later date.

Mr. Park was also very anxious to have the
church which stood on the edge of the Fair Hill
enclosed by a wall. He was not able to accomplish
this design until he received a bequest from Mr.
William Dinsmore, ‘‘an active zealous supporter of
the House,” part of which was to go to the poor
householders of the parish, £50 to aid in building
a wall round the Church, and £5 to buy a Bible
cushion. In addition to this bequest £200 was
raised by congregational subscriptions, and thus
Mr. Park’s desire was accomplished in 1818. Still
the rear part of the roof of the church required to
be renewed, and the congregation seems to have
been assessed in 14 years’ stipend, and the work
was completed in 1824-25, after an expenditure of
about £120.

In 1821 Mr. Neal Kennedy, for many years a
member of the congregation, died leaving a sum of
about £1,000 to trustees, viz.: ‘the clergyman of
the Church of England and the clergyman of the
Church of Scotland of the parish of Ballymoney for
the time being,’ to be invested and the interest
applied for the benefit of ‘‘ poor housekeepers and
 

 

INTERIOR OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BALLYMONEY.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 35

room-keepers of said town of Ballymoney.” This
trust has been and is still a great benefit to those
for whom it was intended.

About the year 1820 the following were added
to the Session of the Congregation. _

Robert McFee, of Bootin.

John Wallace, of Lower Bootin.

Hugh Knox, of Secon.

Joseph Small, of Moneygobbin.

Robert Knox, of Currysiskan.

George Thompson, of Greenshields.

Adam Thompson, M.D., Ballymoney.

John Biggart, of Cabragh.
and at a later date,

William Hopkin, of Cabragh.

“In 1828 Mrs. Hunter died leaving by
will directions to her executors to purchase an
elegant large Bible and Psalm book to be presented
to the Rev. Robert Park, to be used by him in the
public services of the congregation; also a Psalm
book to be used by the singing clerk.”

At a meeting of Elders during the Synod at
Cookstown in 1828, it was agreed to request the
Moderator to call the attention of ministers and
elders to that part of the Code of Discipline relating
to the duties of Sessions in Congregations, with a
view to promoting still farther the revival of
religion which through the blessing of God had
begun amongst them.

At this time Mr. Park refers to a marked
improvement begun in the religious condition of
the congregation, and in 1828 he brought the
36 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

matter before the Session. They unanimously
agreed to proceed to the election of new elders
and to divide the congregation into twenty-four
districts.

The following were the elders appointed in
1828 :—

William Huston, Peter Gamble, jun., James
Hay, William Hopkin, sen., John Brown, jun.,
James McMaster, John Mullan, Robert Neillie,
Thomas Patton, Andrew McKeague, Robert Knox,
Joseph Small, Hugh Knox, John Hayes, Alex.
Creighton, William Moore, George Thompson,
Wm. Matthews, John Townsend.

Elaborate arrangements were made for the
various duties of this large Session at the
communion Seasons.

And it is interesting to find that in a
historic statement printed after Mr. Park’s death,
these communion seasons are thus described. -
“The sacramental seasons under Mr. Park’s
ministry will never be forgotten. These were the
solemn occasions of the year. The usual length of
the communion services was from 10-30 to 6 p.m.,
with about forty minutes’ intermission. Usually
there were six tables and about six hundred com-
municants. When the time of awakening came in
the Revival of 1859, Mr. Park found that many
traced their deep impressions, to these solemn
communion services.”

He was called to the Moderator’s Chair of the
Synod of Ulster in 1829, and presided at the
eventful special meeting at Cookstown, ‘“ where
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 37

occurred the last and most terrific collision between
Cooke and Montgomery” in the Arian con-
troversy. He opened the Synod of 1830 by
preaching from the text ‘‘ For, brethren, ye have
been called unto liberty: only use not liberty for
an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one
another.”—(Gal. v., 73). In 1830 he was chosen
to be assistant clerk of Synod, and on the
removal of Dr. Reid in 1841 tothe Chair of Church
History in Glasgow University, he was chosen
Clerk of the Synod of Ulster and Junior Clerk of
Assembly, but it devolved upon Mr. Park to
perform almost the entire duties of the office.

For a good many years there had been in the
Ballymoney Congregation a number of families in
sympathy with the Arian views, championed by
the Rev. Henry Montgomery. In 1831 Mr. Park
reported to the session that a deputation from these
families had waited on him and presented an
address, the following extract from which explains
their position: ‘‘ We, the undersigned individuals,
hitherto members of your congregation, con-
scientiously differing in our interpretations of
revealed truth, from those views of scripture
doétrine advanced by you in your discourses from
the pulpit and believing that the worship and
service of Almighty God to be acceptable in his
sight, must be the service of the understanding as
well as of the heart, feel that we cannot longer
continue our attendance on your ministry. We
have therefore united with several other individuals
in a resolution, to use every Christian and lawful
38 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

means of obtaining public worship, in which we
can conscientiously and satisfactorily join. Pre-
paratory to so doing, we deem it a mark of respect
due to you in your pastoral character, to inform
you of our determination ; while at the same time
we wish to assure you of our continued esteem and -
express the high sense we entertain of your worth
as a private individual and a friend.”’

In conformity with the desire expressed in this
address these families were formed into the
Unitarian congregation of Ballymoney in connexion
with the Remonstrant Synod of Ulster.

About the year 1834 the accommodation in the
church proved quite inadequate for the worshippers,
and a new congregation was erected in Bally-
money in connection with the Synod of Ulster.

In the year 1834 a new congregation was
established at Drumreagh close to the river Bann,
and a church built. In this church Rev. Thos.
Beare, who had previously been. ordained as minister
of Ringsend, was installed as its first minister by
the Presbytery of Coleraine in 1838.

‘In the religious movement of 1859 Mr. Park
took a deep interest. He regarded it as a genuine
work of God, and he laboured earnestly during that
season of earnestness, preaching daily in the open
air and visiting early and late. It is believed he
quite overtaxed his strength and led to the attack
of paralysis which came on him in 1861.” In 1861 he
obtained leave to retire from the active duties of
the ministry, but it was not till 1866 that steps were
taken for the appointment of a second minister.
a

 

REV. ROBERT PARK.
REV. NATHANIEL ROSS.

PAST MINISTERS OF FIRST

 

REV. ALEX. PATTON.
REV. J. D. OSBORNE.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

 
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 39

Mr. Park took an active interest in public
affairs both in the church at large and in his own
district. Asa pastor he exercised great influence
by his tact and wisdom, and by the weight which
his large experience gave to his words. He died
gth May, 1876. He is buried with his wife and
children in the old churchyard of Ballymoney,
within the old church which was, as the inscription
on a Stone in its old tower says, “builded to the
glory of God, 1637.”

Most of the quotations made above are taken
from the ‘‘ Historic Statement” in the memorial
pamphlet published after his death.

The following is the inscription on the
beautiful mural tablet erected in the First Presby-
terian Church.

“In memory of Rev. Robert Park, A.M.,
Minister of the First Presbyterian Church, Bally-
money, and Clerk of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Born 15th day
of April, 1794. Ordained at Ballymoney 18th
March, 1817. Moderator of the Synod of Ulster,
1829. Appointed Clerk of Assembly, 1841. Died
roth of May, 1876.

‘Erected by his congregation in grateful recog-
nition of his personal worth and public services and
of his loving, earnest and successful pastorate.”

“Who bestowed much labour on us.’’—
(Romans, xvt., 6).

“They that be wise shall shine as the bright-
ness of the Firmament, and they that turn many
to righteousness as the Stars, for ever and ever.”
40 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

The following additions to the Eldership of
the congregation were made in the latter years of
Mr. Park’s ministry: — Wm. Knox, Robert
Forsythe, Daniel Kerr, Hugh McC. Hamilton
and William Adams, and at a later date, after
Rev. A. Patton had become his assistant and
successor, Daniel Patton, W. J. Orr, Benjamin
McKeague, Andrew McKeague, Wm. Hamilton,
Alex. Getty, Alex. Knox, James Hayes, James
Robinson, Dr. Reynolds, James Jordan, Wm.
Perry, David Camac, and Wm. Jno. Knox.

On the 3rd of August, 1866, a unanimous
call was made out by the congregation of Bally-
money to Rev. Alex. Patton, M.A., after hearing
several licentiates on trial. Mr. Patton was a
licentiate of the Limavady Presbytery, and was
ordained in First Ballymoney, in November, 1866.
Rev. Robt. Park offered up the ordination prayer,
and has left this touching entry in the Session
Book with regard to his assistant and successor :
‘He enters on his labours under most favourable
circumstances. May the blessing of the Great
King and Head of the Church rest on him and the
aged Minister, the Session, and Committee and all
the members of the First Presbyterian Church of
Ballymoney.”

Mr. Patton’s ministry in the congregation was
blessed with success and happiness, his powerful
preaching and his warm-hearted interest in the
people have left a deep impression on the congre-
gation which will not easily be removed. The
church was enlarged and remodelled in his time,
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 41

and its appearance greatly improved. A manse
had previously been built for him at a cost of
about £900, and in the arrangements for this
erection Mr. Park assisted him greatly. In
1879 he accepted a call to Bangor, Co. Down.
A few years later he was made a Doctor of
Divinity, and after a happy ministry in that place
died in the prime of life, greatly beloved and
lamented.

As the events of Mr. Patton’s ministry are
still fresh in the memory of the people it has not
been thought necessary to go into details.

Mr. Patton was succeeded in 1879 by the
Rev. Nathaniel Ross, A.M., LL.D., who, like his
predecessor, was called as a licentiate to become
the minister of the church. Mr. Ross was a man
of remarkable gifts as a preacher, and wherever he
went attracted large audiences. He was a man
of very kindly and affable disposition, he remained
only two years in Ballymoney, and is now the
popular, distinguished and influential minister of
the important congregation of Newcastle-on-Tyne.

The Rev. J. D. Osborne, M.A., succeeded
Mr. Ross. He was ordained in 1882. During his
ministry a comfortable new Session room and
handsome railings were provided for the church,
and other improvements made at a cost of nearly
£900. As pastor and preacher he was greatly
esteemed in Ballymoney, and has been called to be
the minister of the important congregation of
Rutland Square, Dublin, where his career is
equally successful.
42 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

During the ministry of Rev. J. D. Osborne, the
following Elders were added to the Session of the
First Presbyterian Church :—Wm. Hunter, Wm.
J. Megaw, David Moss, Thomas Macafee,
S. Perry, Matthew White, Wm. James Knox,
Samuel B. Knox and James Robinson.

In March, 1890, the present minister, Rev.
A. H. Dill, M.A., was ordained, and the members
of the congregation have just completed the
erection of a large and commodius church hall, at
a cost of about £1250.

It may be mentioned here that the first Sabbath
School in the town was a united one, and was held
in the Old Town Hall. When each congegration
organized its own school the children of the first
Presbyterian Church continued to meet in the Old
Town Hall until the new building was opened.

 
‘AANOWATIVA “TIVH HOWOHOD NVINALAGSAYd LSU

 

 
43

CuHapTer IV.

HISTORY OF THE SECOND PRESBY-
TERIAN CHURCH.

N_ 1733, several of
the ablest and
most Godly ministers
of the Church of Scot-
land were driven out
of the Established
Church because they
dared to assert the
rights of the people
to elect their own
pastors and maintain
the doctrines of Grace.
They formed them-
selves into a separate

 

body known as ‘‘ The
Associate Presbytery.’ Their decision in the eyes
of some was foolish, but in giving up emoluments
and position, and facing poverty and hardship for
conscience sake, they proved their sincerity. Their
heroic act was a seed of good. In a few years
Secession Congregations became numerous in
North Britain. Though the Presbyterians in
Ireland were not vexed by the evils of patronage
or harassed by law courts settling ministers the
44 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

people did not choose, yet they were not in a
healthy condition spiritually. Laxity in morals
was the consequence in many places in Ireland of
laxity in doctrine. Seceding Congregations sprang
up in many localities in the North of Ireland. The
success of the seceders in regard to the number of
adherents gained to their cause was considerable,
but their success morally was far greater, for they
not only introduced a healthier spiritual life, but
their presence roused the better spirits of the
Synod of Ulster to fight for the doctrines of Grace.
They were assailed bitterly in many quarters but
they were the salt of Presbyterianism in Ireland.
Their weakness lay in their tendency to make
things of no vital importance matters of principle
and conscience. In Scotland those who had left
the Established Church were confronted with the
question whether they could with propriety take
an oath administered to the burgesses in several of
the borough towns. The oath pledged those
adjured to support ‘the true religion presently
professed within the realm and authorized by the
laws thereof.” The meaning of the oath was
hotly disputed. Those who thought it was lawful
to take it were called Burghers, those who refused
were called Anti-Burghers. This controversy
spread to Ireland and divided the seceders here
into two hostile.camps. Carnaboy (second Bally-
rashane) and Roseyards were the first seceding
congregations in this locality, and the first seceding
Minister was the Reverend John Tennent, who
having receiveda call signed by 221 people belonging
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 45

to Ballyrashane, Roseyards and Derrykeighan,
was ordained in Roseyards on the 16th of May,
1751. This was an Anti-Burgher Congregation.
Mr. Tennent ministered in Roseyards for 57 years.
He died in 1808. Three years before Mr. Tennent’s
settlement in Roseyards, Societies in connection
with the Anti-Burgher section of the Seceders were
formed in Magheraboy (now second Kilraughts),
Aghadoey, Dunboeand Ballymoney. The society
formed here in 1748 which met regularly in Char-
lotte Street, developed into the Church which is
now called Second Ballymoney. Though the
Society was formed by the Anti-Burghers, several
of its members thought that, however important
the controversy between the two sections might be
for Scotchmen, Irish seceders had nothing to do
withit. They inclined toward the Burgher section.
The number of adherents increased and early in
this century they sought organization as a congre-
gation in connection with the Burghers. On the
21st day of March, 1815, the Reverend Robert
Loughhead was ordained here by the Presbytery
of Derry. The number of families for a Secession
congregation was considerable. Mr. Loughhead
was an educated and able man and gathered round
him a flourishing congregation but unfortunately
circumstances arose which necessitated his resig-
nation of the charge of the congregation in 1835.
This led toa serious cleavage in the Church as many
thought him hardly dealt with, and those who took
this view of the unfortunate circumstances with-
drew. Mr. Loughhead some years afterwards
46 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

came into some property in Garryduff, through
his wife, and organized a congregation there in
connection with the Synod of Ulster, becoming
pastor of the Church in Garryduff which was built
through his labours. A licentiate called Gwynne
took charge for a time of what remained of the
former congregation in Ballymoney and expected
to be called as pastor, but as there were doubts
about his orthodoxy he was set aside and the
Reverend John Lawrence Rentoul, who had been
ordained some years previous at Millisle, was called
and installed in the year 1836. Mr. Rentoul’s
role was not an easy one, and as his stipend for the
first year only amounted to £11, it is clear the
congregation was neither large nor wealthy. The
old church (which ran east and west parallel with
the Newal road, the present road to Ballymena was
not made then) was behind a clachan of houses
which fringed the burn, and had been an old Malt
Kiln. Mr. Rentoul’s first work was to build a
new church, a difficult task under any circumstan-
ces, but specially hard in the forties. While the
church was abuilding the congregation worshipped
in the old Town Hall. He succeeded in erecting
what was considered a neat structure in those
days, and he built Landhead School House, and
when he was compelled to leave his farm and
cottage at Brookvale he had the present Manse
erected in 1854—the first Manse in the whole
locality. As his predecessor had taken part in the
Union between the Burghers and Anti-Burghers
who merged in 1818 into ‘‘ The Presbyterian Synod
 

 

 

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BALLYMONEY.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 47

of Ireland, distinguished by the name of Seceders,”
so Mr. Rentoul took part in the Union in 1840, of
“The Seceders” with ‘The Synod of Ulster,”
under the name of ‘* The General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland.” The Congrega-
tion of Ballymoney which had belonged to the
Presbytery of Derry, then to Antrim, then to
Coleraine was transferred with the title Second
Ballymoney to the Presbytery of Route, of which
Presbytery Mr. Rentoul was clerk in succession
to the Reverend Hugh Hamill, of Bushmills. Mr.
Rentoul did a hard, honest, effective day’s work.
He died on the 19th of August, 1869. The present
minister (the Reverend James Brown Armour,
M.A.), was called on the 12th and ordained on the
1gth of July, 1869. The foundation stone of the
New Church was laid on the 17th of June, 1884, and
the Church was opened for worship on the 11th
September, 1885, by the Reverend John Hall, of
New York. The church cost about £3,500. The
Lecture Hall, which cost about £750, was built in
1895. The debt remaining on the Church and
Manse amounts to about £410. The income of
the Congregation from all sources amounted last
year to £342. The present elders are: David
Wilson, Thomas McElderry, John Tweed, Andrew
Todd, John McElderry, John Hanna and John
Brown.
HISTORY OF

48

CHAPTER V.

THE THIRD PRESBY-
TERIAN CHURCH.

 

T might be

well to ex-
plain that prior
to the union of the
General Synod of
Ulster with the
Secession Synod,
this Congregation
was known as the
Second Presby-
terian Church of
in
connexion with
theGeneral Synod
of Ulster.

Ballymoney,

The following extract from the old minute

book of the Committee in charge of the congregation

gives us a brief account of its origin.

‘7834, Balnamore, 3rd May.

“At a meeting of the Committee of the new
“Presbyterian Congregation of Ballymoney under
“the care of the Reverend the Presbytery of
‘Ballymena held at the house of James McMaster,
“Mr. Archibald Holmes in the chair.
 

REV. JOHN LAWRENCE RENTOUL,
Second Presbyterian Church.

REV. JAMES USSHER, REV. JAMES BROWN,
Third Presbyterian Church. Reformed Presbyterian Church

PAST MINISTERS OF BALLYMONEY CHURCHES.
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 49

‘It was unanimously resolved that a memorial
‘be sent forward to the Reverend the Presbytery
“of Ballymena to meet at Portglenone, on
“Tuesday, the 13th inst., praying for constant
‘“‘supplies of young men. Resolved that Messrs.
“John Picken and John Hart be requested to
‘‘present our memorial to the Presbytery.”

On the roth May, 1834, at Ballymoney, the
Committee met in the Court House, when the
following Memorial to the Presbytery was unani-
mously agreed upon.

“To the Reverend the Presbytery of Bally-
“mena to meet at Portglenone on the second
“Tuesday in May. :

“Reverend Sirs,

““We the Congregational Committee of
“the new Presbyterian Congregation in the town
“‘of Ballymoney, beg on behalf of ourselves and
“the understated Presbyterians of this parish, to
“return our sincere thanks to your Reverend
“Body for the kindness shown to us in granting
‘occasional preaching in the town of Ballymoney
‘free of expenses, thereby enabling us to form our-
“selves into a congregation statedly to worship
“there with every prospect under the Divine
“blessing of success.

‘‘In times past we have had great reason to
“Jament the want of sufficient accommodation for
‘the purpose of public worship and that whilst
“other religious denominations were growing
‘around usit appeared as if the Presbyterians in

“connection with the General Synod of Ulster
D
50 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

‘‘were alone destined to remain stationary not-
‘withstanding the great increase of our population
‘‘which is more than doubled since the erection of
‘‘our meeting-house in the year 1777, and that
‘“‘whilst the Presbyterian population of our parish
‘‘consists of nearly one thousand families, the seat-
‘holders are less than four hundred, and to these
‘“‘privations may be attributed, in a great degree,
“the want of that religious zeal which should
“have prompted us sooner to have mate our
‘“‘wants known to your Reverened Body and the
‘‘excuse we have no seat was to very many deemed
‘‘sufficient to keep them at a distance from the
“Church of the Saviour.

‘“Now, however, we have great reason to
‘‘rejoice and to bless God that his Spirit seems to
‘influence many who have heretofore been satis-
‘fied with the name of Presbyterian only, to
‘‘come forward and say we desire to have a place
‘where we may have an opportunity in public of
‘‘worshipping the God of our fathers. Our com-
‘‘mittee of management for the erection of a house
‘have decided that it shall be built in the town of
‘‘ Ballymoney, and the prospect of liberal support
“in aid of the erection in that place exceeds their
‘‘most sanguine expectation.

‘We have already connected with us one
“hundred and thirty-seven families who have come
“voluntarily forward to join us, and we have sub-
“scribed a sufficient sum to enable us to pay for
‘regular supplies. We pray your Reverend Body
“to grant us preaching on every Lord’s day for
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 51

‘‘which we will pay, and we beg to suggest that as
“there are still a few of the ministers connected
‘‘with your Reverened Body who have not had an
“‘opportunity of preaching to us agreeable to your
‘“‘former arrangements, that it might be well in the
“event of your granting us regular supplies of
“young men, to arrange that one of them would
“preach in every month that we may have
‘ministerial duties performed amongst us until it
“pleases God to grant us a stated pastor.

“We would beg also to inform you that as
“half-past eleven o'clock precisely is the hour
‘religious worship commences in the other houses
“in town that the preacher who is to supply us
“would require to be in town at eleven, so that
‘‘our congregation might be enabled to commence
‘‘at the same time—this is of the utmost importance to
““new erections.”

Signed by all the members present. Among
the names are James McMaster, John Hart, John
White, John Forbes, James Picken, Hugh
McClean, and William John Orr. At the General
Synod in Derry, 1834, the Ballymena Presbytery
reported, ‘‘they have erected a new congregation
in connection with this church at the request of a
number of families in the town and neighbourhood
of Ballymoney who had not accommodation in your
place of worship; that the sum of £300 has
been subscribed towards the building of a house
and a pledge given by them for the payment of at
least £60 annual stipend for the support of a
minister.”
52 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

Steps were immediately taken to procure a
hearing of suitable candidates for the new charge,
and in those days “‘ preaching on trial” was indeed
an ordeal, as it extended over four sucessive
Sabbaths. After the hearing of two candidates,
Mr. Ussher was chosen as minister. A minute
under date March the gth, 1835, Ballymoney,
runs thus :—

‘‘This day in the Market House of Bally-
‘‘money a poll was taken by the members of the
“second Presbyterian Congregation, Ballymoney,
‘‘on behalf of the Reverend James Ussher. The
“ Reverend Robert Park, Chairman; members
‘‘ present, the Revs. Kennedy and Bellis; when the
‘aforesaid James Ussher was without a dissenting
‘voice chosen to be the minister of the aforesaid
“Second Presbyterian Congregation, Ballymoney,
‘and that if the aforesaid James Ussher accepted
“of the call which was then made out he was
‘to receive sixty pounds a year, but in case that
‘‘the aforesaid James Ussher would by his atten-
“tion to his ministerial duty both before and after
“the church of the Second Presbyterian Congre-
‘gation, Ballymoney, was ready for the worship of
«‘ Almighty God, add any more to this sum, viz.:
‘« Should the stipend of the aforesaid congregation
‘exceed sixty pounds yearly he, the Reverend
‘« James Ussher, was to receive the same.”

Mr. Ussher accepted the call and was ordained
on the 11th June, 1835, in the First Presbyterian
Church, Ballymoney; the Reverend Samuel Lyle
preached the sermon, the Reverend Robert Park
 

 

 

BALLYMONEY.

CHURCH,

THIRD PRESBYTERIAN
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 53

defended Presbyterian Polity and the Reverend G.
Hamill gave the charge. Immediately after, a
suitable place of worship was erected, and on the
20th March, 1836, the present meeting house was
opened for public worship by the Reverend Dr.
Cooke, of Belfast. So far as can be gathered the
approximate sum expended on the building was
£1160. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was
dispensed for the first time on the 1gth June, the
Reverend William Wallace, of Rasharkin, assisting
Mr. Ussher.

There was no stated Session until the 11th
October, 1848, when the following persons were
regularly ordained as elders, viz. :—Samuel Boyd,
William Glenn, James Hamill, John Anderson,
Robert M. Stevenson, William John Orr, and
Matthew Gilmore.

Under the able ministry of Mr. Ussher, and
the efficient help afforded him in his pastoral duties
by his elders and office bearers, the church grew
and prospered until in the month of December,
1857, it was found necessary to take steps towards
the erection of a gallery in order to afford suitable
seating accommodation for the worshippers.
Accordingly a gallery was erected in the year
1858 at a cost of £215.

The accommodation thus afforded came in
due season, as the year which followed brought
that wonderful event—the revival of ’59—as it is
generally known; and as a consequence the church
was filled to overflowing. The following account
of a revival soiree, held in the Third Presbyterian
54 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

Church, on Tuesday the roth April, 1859, will
doubtless prove interesting reading to all and
serve to recall an interesting incident in the lives
of not a few in the surrounding districts.

It is reported in the Coleraine ‘‘ Chronicle”’ of
that date as follows : ‘‘ The Church which is seated
for seven hundred persons was completely filled by
an assembly composed of members and friends of
all the churches in the town and neighbourhood.
The greater number of the persons present had
experienced a revival.”

‘‘The blessing was invoked by the Rev. Mr.
Rentoul, and after tea had been partaken of, thanks
were returned by the Rev. Mr. Anderson of Second
Kilraughts.”

“Mr. Ussher then ascended the pulpit and after
expressing pleasureat seeing so many present read the
one hundred and thirtieth psalm, a portion of which
was sung. The meeting was opened with a very
solemn prayer offered up by the Rev. Robert Park.”

‘‘Mr. Ussher then introduced to the meeting
the Rev. S. M. Dill, Ballymena, who in a speech
of great eloquence and power, gave a most inter-
esting statement of his late visit to the United
States, as one of a deputation from the Presbyterian
Church in Ireland. He spoke of the influence of
the Puritan principles carried to the country by the
Pilgrim Fathers in the ‘‘ Mayflower,” and of the
state and prospects of the Presbyterian Churches
in that great land, and to the happy effects of the
great revival wherewith the church there has been
visited during the last two years.”’
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 55

“The Rev. Alexander Field, Dervock, followed
in a most interesting address on the Ulster Re-
vival of the past season. He connected it with
the revival of the 17th century, showed its necessity
and the purity whichit had already produced, and
concluded an eloquent address by urging upon all
a holy life as the evidence of a changed heart, and
the necessity of earnest prayer for a more abundant
outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the coming
season.”

‘« The Rev. Jonathan Simpson, Portrush, then
addressed the meeting in a most earnest manner,
detailing some of the revival scenes which he had
witnessed during his late visit to Scotland. His
address was a very happy one. The audience was
deeply affected, the great majority of them even to
tears; several parties cried aloud for mercy, and
were as soon as possible removed.”

‘« Instead of proceeding to hear other addresses,
it was suggested that the meeting should unite
together in praise, and that prayer be offered for
the many anxious souls that appeared to be
present. The 80th Psalm, 11th verse, was sung
with deep feeling, and the Rev. Mr. Martin offered
an: earnest and appropriate prayer for all those
who were present.”

The soiree was conducted in the most
exemplary manner. The ministers spoke from
the pulpit, and the audience sat as quiet as under
the ministry of the Gospel on the Sabbath. The
meeting was altogether a solemn one and refresh-
ing to the souls of many. The proceedings were
56 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

closed at a quarter past eleven o’clock by the
Rev. Mr. Rentoul, and many regretted that they
were not continued longer. Several of the
ministers remained to engage in prayer with some
of the parties who had been affected during the
night.”

The ingathering of souls in this, and succeed-
ing years, led to increased pastoral oversight, and
steps were taken to meet this need; so in
October, 1886, the following were ordained to the
eldership :—John Morton, Quintin Stevenson,
Robert Gilmore, James Craig, Robert White and
William Taggart.

Ably assisted by these men, Mr. Ussher
carried on his good work in the midst of the people
for the long period of forty years.

After these years of faithful service, Mr.
Ussher, through declining health, asked leave to
resign, which was granted. After a few months
of well-earned rest from the active labours of the
ministry, he died at Portrush on the 23rd
December, 1874.

The following is the inscription on the beauti-
ful mural monument in the vestibule of the Third
Presbyterian Church :—

ERECTED
BY
THE MEMBERS
OF
THE THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
In Memory OF
Tue Rev. JAMES USSHER,
BoRN 22ND JANUARY, 1812;
DIED 23RD DECEMBER, 1874.
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 57

“He was the first minister of the congregation and his
faithful and successful pastorate extended over a period of
almost forty years.”

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from
henceforth, yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their
labours, and their works do follow them.” —(Rev. xiv., 13).

On the resignation of Mr. Ussher the congre-
gation immediately proceeded to hear candidates
with the view of having an assistant and successor
appointed. Their choice fell on Mr. Thomas A.
Thompson, a licentiate of the Derry Presbytery,
and he, accepting their invitation, was ordained on
the 24th November, 1874.

Under his ministry and pastoral oversight the
congregation entered on a new era of prosperity,
as can be gathered from the following facts.

In the year after his ordination he proceeded
to have a manse erected at the cost of £700.
Encouraged by the success which attended this
effort and by the increasing numbers of the con-
gregation, the office-bearers heartily approved of
the idea brought before them of having the church
completely renovated. With this in view Mr.
Thompson meantime went to America to collect
the necessary funds. His efforts were most
successful, and after three months’ absence he
returned with the sum of £500. This, together
with the congregational subscriptions and the
collections taken up at the opening services, enabled
them to open the church free from debt after being
completely renovated at the cost of £850. Finding
that there were still some funds on hand they
decided to erect a lecture hall which was greatly
58 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

needed for the carrying on of the work of the
Sabbath school and other congregational meetings.
This they also completed free of debt at the cost
of £300 in the year 1889. At this time the
following were added to the session: John Taylor,
Isaac Boyce, James Thompson, Thomas Heaney,
John Milford, Robert John Stevenson, W. J.
Michael, Alexander Henning and John McDowell.
Four of these are now dead, the others are still
engaged as active inembers of the session in the
pastoral oversight of the congregation.

Like most other congregations in the later
years of its life this church has suffered consider-
ably from both emigration and migration yet it
still continues to be both healthy and vigorous.
The present minister, Rev. D. D. Boyle, a licentiate
of the Limavady Presbytery, was ordained on the
28th January, 1896.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

REV. JAMES B, ARMOUR, REV. JOHN RAMSEY.

Minister of Second Presbyterian Church Minister of Reformed Presbyterian Church.
REV. A. H DILL, REV. D. D. BOYLE,
Minister of First Presbyterian Church. Minister of Third Presbyterian Church.

PRESENT MINISTERS OF THE BALLYMONEY CHURCHES.
CuHaprer VI.

HISTORY OF THE REFORMED PRES-
BYTERIAN CONGREGATION.

HE doétrines of

the Cove-
nanted  Reforma-
tion were carried
from Scotland to
Ireland and ably
proclaimed by Cun-
ningham of Holy-
wood, Livingstone
of Killinchy, and
Blair of Bangor.
The latter preacher

 

was mainly instru-
mental in stirring
up a wonderful revival in the valley of the Six-Mile-
Water. Josias Welch, ‘‘the cock of the con-
science,” as he was called from the searching
nature of his preaching, son of the more famous
John Welch, was settled at Templepatrick and
died in 1634. Aiexander Peden, ‘‘the prophet,”
driven from Scotland by persecution, wandered
and preached around Glenwherry and Connor and
northward among the Antrim mountains, between
1682 and 1685. From the labours of men like
60 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

these, a section of Presbyterians in the Counties of
Antrim and Down and Derry were in strong
sympathy with the teaching of Richard Cameron
and the strict Covenanters of Scotland, who openly
disowned the authority of James II. For many
years they met in Societies or Fellowship Meetings
when they had no minister in Ireland; and they
resorted to Scotland for baptism and marriage, and
to enjoy communion with their brethren at the Lord’s
Supper and in the other ordinances of worship.
For some years they enjoyed the ministrations of
David Houston, who preached, among other places,
at Ballymoney, Derrykeighan and near Armoy,
and who narrowly escaped the fate of his friend
and fellow-labourer, James Renwick.

These Society People, Cameronians, Mountain
Men, or Covenanters, as they have been variously
called, now bear the name ‘“ Reformed Presby-
terians,”’ on account of their claim to be Presby-
terians who maintain the principles of the First
and Second Reformations, one of which is the
principle of National Religious Covenanting and
National Recognition of the Headship of Christ.
At the Revolution of 1688 these men refused to
take the oath of allegiance to William III., and
that attitude they have ever since taken to the
British Government.

After the death of Houston in 1696 there was
no settled labourer in Ireland till the ordination of
William Martin, at the Vow in 1757. He was the
first Reformed Presbyterian Minister ordained in
Ireland. In 1760 the Societies were divided into
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION. 61

two congregations, Martin choosing Antrim and
Down, and taking up his residence at Kellswater.
In 1763 Matthew Linn was ordained over the
congregation of Bannside and Newtonlimavady,
the district embraced between the Bann and the
Foyle. A Presbytery was then formed, but
although other ministers were ordained soon after,
the numbers were so reduced by death and
emigration to America, that it was disorganized
in 1779.” It was reorganized in 1792.

For some years William Stavely, who has
sometimes been called ‘‘the Apostle of Covenan-
ting,’ was the only minister. He was ordained
near Newtownards in 1772, and was instrumental,
it is said, in organizing twelve congregations. In
his latter days he was pastor of Kellswater and
Cullybackey and the whole district of upper Antrim.

His son, William John Stavely, at a meeting
of Presbytery held at Garvagh on April 11th, 1804,
accepted the call from the Lower Antrim congte-
gation, embracing the people scattered over the
district north of Cullybackey. He was ordained
at Dervock on September 6th, 1804, to the work
of the ministry, ‘“‘ particularly in the congregation
of Kilraughts and Dervock.”” The old communion
tokens bear the stamp K.D.C.—Kilraughts and
Dervock Congregation.

A house of worship, which externally has been
but little altered, was built in Ballymoney in 1830
and at the meeting of Presbytery, held at Kilrea
on October 2oth, 1830, a verbal request was
presented ‘‘ for ministerial assistance as a new
62 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF BALLYMONEY.

house of worship in Ballymoney required additional
ministerial aid.” In 1831 it was proposed to divide
the congregation, the societies around Kilraughts
to form one congregation, and those around Der-
vock and Ballymoney to form the other. This
was done, and both asked Mr. Stavely to be their
minister. He spoke of the harmony that existed
between him and the whole congregation, and of
the pain it gave him to part with any. If he
consulted his own interest and ease and the com-
fort of his own family he should, he said, continue
to be connected with the more opulent, compact,
and flourishing, but he felt that duty compelled
him to abide with the weaker, more scattered, and
less opulent, and so he chose Dervock and Bally-
money. The arrangement was that each place
was to receive one half of his ministration and
furnish one half of his stipend, which was to be
£70 perannum. The first committee named in
the new congregation of Ballymoney was made up
of the minister, Benjamin Thompson, Malcom
Cameron, Thomas Ramsey, John Picken, Samuel
Smith, James Warnock, James Lyons, and John
Gregg.

Rev. W. J. Stavely, on whom the degree of
Doctor of Divinity had been conferred, laboured
in the united congregations till his death on the qth
December, 1864, after a ministry of sixty years.

Rev. James Brown, his assistant and suc-
cessor, had been ordained in 1861. He was widely
known even outside his own denomination as a
man of rare piety and great eloquence. During
 

 

 

=
SA
<

CHURCH,

 

SH

PRESI

REFORMED
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION. 63

his ministry a gallery was erected in the Bally-
money church with seating capacity for 100
worshippers, and the membership of the congrega-
tion increased still further until in 1878 another
separation was effected and Ballymoney became a
distinct organization, Mr. Brown continuing to be
its pastor till his death on 28th July, 1883.

The present minister, Rev. J. Ramsey, LL.B.,
was ordained on December 7th, 1886. Since then
the interior of the church has been remodelled,
and a manse and farm have been purchased.

Since the organization of Ballymoney congre-
gation the elders have been: William Young
Patterson (deceased), John Mcllroy, Joseph
Lamont, Samuel Lyons, Josiah Lyons, David
McClatchey, Hugh Hamill, James Warnock, and
James Fleming Taylor.

 
Cornell University Library

BX 9062.B19D57
rt history of the Presbyterian chur

3 1924 0 ol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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