Preface
THE design of this work is to serve as the record of a congregational history which has extended over the space of two hundred and forty-five years.
During this period, events and changes of an interesting character, and some of public importance, have occurred. They will be found here narrated, it is believed, with accuracy, and, it is hoped, in that spirit of Christian liberality which is not the least valuable fruit of the study of the past.
The immediate occasion of the volume was the occurrence of the Centennial of the erection of the present meeting-house of the congregation -- an event celebrated in the year 1883. The incidents of the celebration tended naturally to revive the memories of an ancient foundation, which, while it has ever held the warm love of those worshipping within its sanctuary, has always retained the respect of those outside.
In the publication of this book, not the least pleasing feature is the presence, upon the list of subscribers, of the names of a large number of honoured friends in no direct connection with the congregation, but willing to show an interest in its historic memorials.
To all who in this or in any other manner have aided the completion of the work, the thanks of the congregation are very heartily tendered.
Contents
| PAGE | |
| Preface | 3 |
| List of Subscribers to the Work | 5 |
| Chapter I - What our Religious Community has done for Belfast | 9 |
| " II - Historic Landmarks in the Career of our own Congregation | 16 |
| " III - How the Doctrines we hold have grown out of the Principles which hold us | 26 |
| " IV - What our Religious Life has been and ought to be | 40 |
| Roll of Ministers from 1642 to 1887, with Biographical Particulars | 53 |
| Baptismal Register from 1757 to 1790 | 58 |
| Funeral Register, 1712 to 1736 | 64 |
| Earliest list of Members, 1760 | 97 |
| Earliest complete list of Constituents, 1775 | 98 |
| Subscribers to Building Fund, 17-81 | 99 |
| "The Ladys of Belfast" subscribing for the New Pulpit, 1783 | 100 |
| Dr. Bruce's MS. list of Members, 1790 | 101 |
| First printed list of Constituents, 1812 | 102 |
| Constituents when Rev. J. Scott Porter began Ministry, 1831 | 103 |
| Constituents when Rev. A. Gordon received Call, 1877 | 105 |
| Additional Notes as to early Ministers | 106 |
| Annals of the Congregation from 1636 to 1886 | 107 |
| Treasurers, Sextons, Singing-Clerks, Secretaries, Organists | 122, 123 |
| Subscribers to "Central Hall," 1883 | 123 |
| Appendix -- Presentation to Mr. George K. Smith; Centennial Celebration, 1883 | 127 |
List of Illustrations
| PAGE | |
| WILLIAM BRUCE, D. D. (added by favour of the Misses Bruce) (Frontispiece) | |
| Porch, First Presbyterian Church, with Memorial Tablet to Charles Hamilton (died 1792) | 1 |
| Arms of Belfast | 9 |
| Arms of Carrickfergus | 10 |
| Inscription on Old Plate | 13 |
| Trade Tokens | 13 |
| Old Psalm Book | 14 |
| Fly-leaf Inscription in Psalm Book | 14 |
| Old Silver Communion Cups | 17 |
| Inscriptions on Cups | 18 |
| Exterior, First Presbyterian Church, 1802 | 20 |
| Gallery and Organ, 1881 | 21 |
| Pulpit, and Table made from Sounding Board | 22 |
| Jeremy Taylor (from an old portrait) | 23 |
| James Crombie, D. D. | 24 |
| Mural Tablets to Rev. John Scott Porter and Rev. Wm. Bruce, A.B. | 25 |
| THOMAS EMLYN (full page) | 27 |
| William Ellery Channing | 33 |
| Mural Monument to Rev. Wm. Bruce, D.D. | 35 |
| Device of Ulster Unitarian Christian Association | 35 |
| JOHN SCOTT PORTER (full page) | 37 |
| William Bruce, A.B. (by favour of the Misses Bruce) | 40 |
| Monument to William Tennent | 41 |
| Interior First Presbyterian Church, 1886 | 42 |
| Mural Monument to John H. Houston | 43 |
| Memorial Tablet to Samuel Thomson, M.D. | 44 |
| Memorial Tablet to John Martin | 45 |
| Vestry | 45 |
| Memorial Tablet to Alithea Ferguson | 46 |
| Memorial Tablet to Ellen Mercer | 47 |
| Memorial Tablet to John and Annabella Riddel | 48 |
| MEMORIAL WINDOW TO MICHAEL ANDREWS (full page) | 49 |
| Memorial Tablet to R Patterson, F. R. S. | 51 |
| Alexander Gordon, M.A. | 52 |
| MEMORIAL WINDOW TO SAMUEL MARTIN (full page) | 95 |
| MEMORIAL WINDOW TO REV. THOMAS DIX HINCKS, LL.D., M.R.I.A. (full page) | 113 |
| MEMORIAL WINDOW TO JOHN GALT SMITH (full page) | 119 |
| Exterior, First Presbyterian Church, 1887 | 124 |
| GEORGE KENNEDY SMITH, photographed by Jas. Magill (full page) | 129 |
| MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE, &c., photographed by Jas. Magill (full page) * | 131 |
* KEY :-- F.D. Ward - J.W. Russell - Bowman Malcolm - John Rogers - W.T. Hamilton - J.R. Musgrave - H.F. Thomas Nicholas Oakman Jas. Carr - Geo. K. Smith - E.J. Harland, Bart. - Fredk. Little - Saml. Riddel - Wm. Spackman. |