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    the people heard a fine dissertation on the mere morality of life ; and a few neat and select passages introduced into

    a flowery sermon , they might be amused ; but the true state of their soul ' s danger , and the truth as it is in the Lord Jesus , was left out ; and they received none of that spiritual food which could make man happy in life and blessed in a glorious eternity . Another ulterior object was , to have a committee of Synod appointed , who would send missionaries

    into certain extensive congregations where the gospel of Christ had not been preached for many years . The committee ' s business would be , wheu they found a faithless minister neglecting to teach his people the truth as it is in the Lord Jesus , to suspend that preacher , to pray with him , and to exhort him to turn unto the truth . Also to pray with

    the people , to iustruct them in those doctrines which had been left by Christ , to briug unto himself a chosen people , zealous of good works ; to entreat them to renew a right spirit within them , and to abandon their mistaken course . If the minister , in due time , exhibited a spirit of repentauce , then he should" be reinstated in his pulpit ; but if he still remained contumacious , then he was to be lopped off like a diseased limb , lest ,

    through this member , the whole body became infected . Another object was , to preclude the members of that body from holding ministerial communion with the persons who thus differed with them on this most vital of all questions . Another ulterior measure was , not to attempt to split the Synod this year , but , with the blessing of God , he did contemplate that measure next year . A considerable discussion ensued

    relative to the expulsion of words and introducing phrases into Mr . Cooke ' s motion , when Mr , Mitchell said , the present motion embraced two objects ; one was to vindicate that body from certain charges which had been made against it ; the other , to serve as a test of individual opinion . As far a « that part went

    which related to vindication , he would vote for it , if he voted at all ; but as to the test , he would protest against it , as an attack on individual liberty of conscience . It might lead many a weak brother into temptation , and it might do serious injury to many of his Calvinistic brethren around him , ( who were resolved not to sign , ) should the list go forth to the world without their names . The passing of this measure was laying a foundation for hypocrisy . He

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    would also venture to affirm , that it would fail as a test , because' he knew

    many Calvinistic members who-would resist this forging of mental fetters . It was introducing an inquisition into that body , which he never would submit to ; he never would submit to be dragged into signing , as a test of his belief . in the doctrines of the Scriptures , any formulary of human construction .

    Mr . Montgomery spoke to the following effect : Moderator , in coming forward to address you on the present occasion , I cannot avoid feeling that I do so under many disadvantages . The man who has the multitude at his back , who sails upon the full tide of popular favour , has an easy task to perform in vindicating his opinions ; for there is a sympathy in the breasts of his auditors which gives energy and life to all that he utters . But the individual who ventures

    to stem the current of public feeling , who goes forth in his frail bark against rolling waters , has only a cheerless and a hopeless prospect before him . Such is my situation at present ; yet , although 1 may be driven back by the stream , or

    overwhelmed by the tempest , I cannot ? see the Synod of Ulster rushing forward , in the dangerous confidence of security , to what I consider destruction , without boldly pushing forth to warn her of the shoals and quicksands to which she is approaching .

    A Presbyterian by education , and feeling , and conviction ; a Presbyterian , because I consider the principles of our church essentially favourable to the great cause of civil and religious liberty ; I should be unworthy of the privileges which I enjoy , if any contemptible view of personal convenience or temporal interest could prevent me from expressing

    freely what I strongly feel - I wish , however , to approach this important subject in a serious frame of mind , and in as calm a manner as the agitations of the last four days will permit . But as I am sensible that the ardour of debate , and the very nature of an extemporaneous address may carry me beyond those mild and decorous bounds which the

    character and station of this assembly require to be observed , I commit myself to the judicious correction of the Moderator , i feel it the more necessary to do so , as I , and those who thiuk with me , have had our opinions treated , by several speakers , with terras of uniaca * sured obloquy and reproach . The gentlest epithet applied to us has been that of heretics . I never expected to hear the word used in a Protestant assembly , but

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    InteUigehce . ~~ $ ynod of Ulster * 773

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1827, page 773, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1801/page/61/