(published in the December 2008 edition of “The Ulster-Scot” newspaper by the Ulster-Scots Agency)
In the final article of our series, two Ministers from the Reformed Presbyterian Church (from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) outline how the denomination has developed during the past 200 years, and its ongoing commitment to the principles which our Scottish and Ulster-Scots forefathers fought and died for.
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At the centre of the Church and at the heart of our history, the Covenants have guided faith, influenced culture and shaped identity.
From the struggles of the Presbyterians of Ulster against absolute monarchy and arbitrary power in the 17th century to the turmoil and mass political protests of the 20th century, the Covenants and Covenanting ideology have maintained a powerful influence among the Scots in Ulster and their descendants.
At the very heart of that story is the persecution of Presbyterians in Scotland and Ulster who refused to compromise the sovereignty of Christ in His Church or give up their simple scriptural form of worship. The history of the suffering of both people and ministers in that struggle is crucial to all Presbyterians if they are to fully understand the history of their families, their congregations and their communities.
Outside of the Church, Covenanting ideology has also had a lasting impact upon the Scots of Ulster. For many generations the people of Ulster’s rural communities have been aware that their forefathers had travelled from Scotland in troubled times. In the twists and turns of our troubled past the refusal to accept arbitrary power in religious matters in the 17th century has influenced Ulster Scots’ attitudes to inequality and injustice in social, civil
and political matters.
In our early history it was observed that the ‘Covenant is deeply rooted in too many’, in the 19th century the community still retained a strong memory of the ‘broken Covenants’ and in the 20th century the language of the Covenants was used to appeal to a broad swathe of Ulster society in dire political circumstances. It is a rich history, an untold story and it belongs to us all.
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THE 19TH CENTURY - A TIME OF DIVISION AND EXPANSION
by Rev Raymond Blair, Galway Reformed Presbyterian Church
After the consolidation of the Covenanter cause at the close of the 18th century, the 19th century was to be a time of considerable growth for the churches in both Scotland and Ireland. However, they both experienced unhappy divisions, with the one that happened in Scotland having the more serious consequences.
EXPANSION AND DIVISION IN SCOTLAND
Expansion - By the early years of the 19th century the number of congregations under the oversight of the Scottish Reformed Presbytery had greatly increased. In 1811 A Synod was organised which was initially made up of three presbyteries. By 1863 it had expanded to 6 Presbyteries with a total of 46 congregations and a membership of about 6,700.
Theological Education - As early as 1803 a Theological Hall was set up and theologians of some repute taught at this theological college. These included two brothers, Andrew Symington (between 1820 and 1853) and William Symington (from 1853 to 1862). William penned two able theological works, "On The Atonement And Intercession Of Christ" and "Messiah the Prince". He also become involved in campaigning on issues of social reform because he regarded intemperance, illiteracy, slavery, bad working conditions and governmental corruption as a moral sins in a nation under a covenant commitment to God.
Mission - The Covenanters in Scotland had a heart for world mission. In the course of the century mission work was carried out in Canada, New Zealand and among the Jewish community in England. Of particular note was the Vanuatu mission established by the famous J.G. Paton.
Division - In protest against the covenant-breaking state the Synod of 1833 declared that voting at political elections was incompatible with church membership. A long and troublesome debate ensued until in 1863 the Synod decided that voting should no longer be a matter for discipline. Believing this to be a betrayal of their Testimony a minority withdrew to form the present Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The majority eventually united with the Free Church in 1876.
Continuation - Despite the sad division the minority continued their witness with a good deal of enthusiasm. In 1876 they had 12 congregations with a total membership of about 1,100. One of their most notable ministers was J.P Struthers who is most renowned for his publication of "The Morning Watch"; this was a halfpenny children's magazine that was widely used in the instruction of young people.
EXPANSION AND DIVISION IN IRELAND
Expansion - As in Scotland so also in Ireland the increasing number of congregatons led to the establishment of a Synod in 1811. This was composed of 18 congregations and several preaching stations. Indeed, despite the high level of both pre-Famine and post-Famine emigration, the membership of the denomination increased significantly throughout the 19th century. In 1800 the membership was about 3,000 but by 1900 the figure had reached over 4,000. Several thousands more though not in actual membership were adhering to the Covenanter cause. In order to promote the Covenanter cause a significant step was taken in 1830 with the beginning of "The Covenanter" magazine which continues to this day (now under the title "The Covenanter Witness").
Theological Education - A Theological Hall was established in 1854, a wise step at a time when the destructive influence of Higher Criticism was beginning to infiltrate other denominations. Indeed, one minister of the church, Rev. John Paul of Loughmourne and Carnmoney, took a leading role in opposing the errors of Arianism. Another theological giant was the Rev. Thomas Houston of Knockbracken who penned several works of importance including a treatise denouncing the evil of gambling.
Mission - Mission outreach at home and abroad was central to the vision of the Irish Covenanters of the 19th century. In the 1850's and 60's the gospel was brought to the West of Ireland. A congregation was established in Dublin between 1859 and 1879. Support was given to the Colonial Mission in Canada and Australia. Foreign Mission was not neglected either. In 1871 the Irish Church in conjunction with the Scottish Church began mission work in Syria.
Division - In 1831 a controversy broke out concerning the extent of the authority of the civil magistrate in relation to spiritual matters. This culminated in 1840 in a serious schism. Five ministers of the Eastern Presbytery set up a separate body known as the "Eastern Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland." In 1902 this synod united with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland but half of its congregations returned at that time to the fellowship of the Reformed Presbyterians.
Continued Expansion - In spite of the division the Covenanters continued to make progress. The 1859 revival undoubtedly helped in this regard. Towards the close of the century several new congregations were established including three in the strategically important city of Belfast. Plans were being made for further outreach and it would be fair to say that the Covenanters in Ireland entered the 20th century with high hopes for expansion and growth.
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THE 20TH CENTURY
by Rev Harry Coulter, Carrickfergus Reformed Presbyterian Church
The optimism and enthusiasm of the Church in Ireland at the end of the 19th century meant she entered the new century ‘with high hopes and a constructive programme for expansion.’ This joyful heart commitment - to Christ, His Crown and Covenant - manifested itself throughout the ensuing century in a variety of ways.
Covenant Renewal - In 1901 at Ballymoney and in 1911 at Belfast, the Covenants, which had been an integral part of the Church’s distinctive history for over 250 years, were renewed. The 1911 renewal was particularly poignant in that it marked the centenary of the Constitution of the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
At the end of the twentieth century a further covenant renewal took place at Creevagh. On that occasion, contemporary issues facing the Church were also incorporated into the covenant. The renewal in 1990 coincided with the 300th anniversary of the Covenanters’ rejection of the Revolution Settlement which had earlier set aside the National Covenant of 1638 and the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643. On all three occasions congregations of the Church followed the example of Synod and participated enthusiastically in covenant renewal. It is not, therefore, without cause that Reformed Presbyterians are still known today as Covenanters.
Expansion in Ireland - Between 1900 and 1930 seven congregations were added to the Reformed Presbyterian Church: Portrush, Cregagh Road, Milford, Cullybackey, Botanic Avenue, Clare and Tullyvallen. In the final decades of the twentieth century there was a renewed emphasis on beginning new congregations in response to the ongoing population drift from rural to urban settings. New congregations were established in Lisburn and Cloughmills. Others got underway in Galway, Letterkenny, Dromore, Carrickfergus, Enniskillen, East Belfast and Antrim. Some congregations ceased to exist either due to their rural location - Ballymacashon and Mulvin or as result of ‘The Troubles’ - Clarendon Street, Londonderry and Grosvenor Road, Belfast. The Church’s vision for the 21st century is to see a Reformed Presbyterian congregation established in every large centre of population in Ireland, with every congregation - urban and rural, recently formed and long established - bearing a vibrant witness to Jesus Christ as Saviour and King.
Overseas Mission - For the first half of the twentieth century overseas mission was focussed on Syria until this work, begun in 1871, came to an untimely end in 1953 due to the rising tide of nationalism. From 1963 mission work was carried on in the Tigre Province of Ethiopia, where sharing the Gospel was combined with meeting educational, medical and social need. By 1970 a team of eight missionaries was working there with the assistance of some nationals. This work also came to an abrupt end when in 1975 the socialist revolution engulfed the country. Since 1988 the Church has undertaken mission work in Nantes, France. Her commitment to overseas mission as a small denomination is an example worthy of emulation.
Biblical Worship - By the beginning of the 20th century denominations that were previously Psalm singing had begun to introduce uninspired hymns and organs ‘to enhance’ worship. This no doubt paved the way for the introduction of bands and orchestras by the end of the century. As this worship revolution was getting underway the Reformed Presbyterian Church was an enthusiastic partner in a Psalm Singing Conference held in Belfast in 1902. This conference ‘embraced representatives of most of the Psalm-singing Churches of the world'. Addresses were given by ministers from America, Canada, Scotland, and Ireland and contributions were read from missionaries in Egypt, Syria and India. The addresses were subsequently collated in a book with the editors’ expressing the desire, ‘that God will use it as a means of giving His people clearer conceptions of the transcendent excellence of His own Book of Songs, and of the duty and privilege of using it to the exclusion of all other compositions in the ordinance of Praise.’ Later in the century Presbytery choirs were formed to assist the singing of the Psalms in four-part harmony in local congregations and to promote the singing of Psalms further afield, in some cases across the world through the production of audio recordings. At the end of the century a further contribution to Psalm singing was made with the production of ‘The Psalms for Singing – A 21st Century Edition’. This manual of praise in modern English has ensured that Psalm singing, as a scriptural practice is carried on in contemporary language.
Relations with other Churches - During the twentieth century there was an ongoing commitment to develop closer relationships with other biblical Churches. This began in 1896 when the Church joined her sister Reformed Presbyterian Churches in Scotland and America in an international conference in Scotland. Forty two years later a similar international conference was held to mark the tercentenary of the signing of the National Covenant of Scotland in 1638. Not until 1964 was the Irish Church host to an International Conference, which since 1982 happens every four years. In recent years this conference has been enriched through the participation of Reformed Presbyterians from Cyprus, Canada, Japan and Australia. The Church has also fostered relationships locally with other denominations and churches that preach a biblical Gospel. The Church has not been part of The Ecumenical Movement or the World Council of Churches because of their rejection of a biblical Gospel and Reformed doctrine. At an international level the Reformed Presbyterian Church has played a full role in various international church bodies that exist to promote fellowship and partnership among churches that hold to the Westminster Confession of Faith or other similar historic Confessions. These inter church contacts have safeguarded the Church from isolationism and provincialism.
Faithfulness to the Gospel - Liberal teaching (that denied the Bible as the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the way of salvation) swept through many formerly biblical churches in Ireland during the twentieth century. In the face of this the Reformed Presbyterian Church has stood firm in her commitment to Scripture, to Christ as Saviour, to the Covenants, to the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Catechisms, consistently refusing to be blown of course by novel doctrines. Whilst others embraced such things in the mid years of the century, the Reformed Presbyterian Church concentrated on preaching the Gospel and passing on the Reformed Faith to the next generation. This she did through family worship, public worship, Sabbath School, the Covenanter Young People’s Movement, church camps and conferences. This approach paid rich dividends in the second half of the 20th century, producing a generation of members, ministers and elders who confidently profess Christ, who love this historic branch of His Church, her doctrines and practices, and who have a heart compassion for people, being ready to share the good news that ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.’
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The Covenanters and the 1859 Revival:
2009 is the 150th anniversary of the 1859 Revival - a subject which has recently been discussed in the Northern Ireland Assembly, and for which a number of churches have planned commemorative events. It is well known that the 1859 revival in Ulster brought great encouragement to the churches.
The Covenanters, while critical of some of the emotional excesses associated with the revival, did in general welcome its influence. Certainly the church experienced many benefits as a consequence of the spiritual renewal that swept the province. It was noted that in two years between 1859 and 1861 the membership of the denomination had increased from 4050 to 4420. This was the largest percentage increase for any similar period for which statistics are available. Another benefit was seen in the greater number of students offering themselves for the work of the pastoral ministry.
Between 1860 and 1865 the number was almost three times the average for any similar period during the century.
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Reformed Presbyterianism in the 21st Century:
The story of the Covenanters in Ulster is rich and glorious. It is also ongoing in the life, worship and witness of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in 21st century Ireland. The religious and civil freedoms that past generations so dearly won are once again being threatened by civil government which is becoming increasingly hostile to the Gospel and the Church.
Further chapters of persecution may yet be written. Whatever happens, ‘Christ must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet’
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Opposing Slavery in the USA:
Reformed Presbyterians in America took a very strong line against slavery, more so than any other denomination with the exception of the Quakers. The cause of the slaves was initially championed by Rev. James McKinney who had been forced to flee to America from Ireland in 1793. In 1800 the American Covenanters made it a rule that ‘no slaveholder should be allowed the communion of the Church’ and in 1803 Rev. Alexander McLeod published Negro Slavery Unjustifiable.
Most members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church left the southern states where slavery was permitted and established new congregations in northern states such as Ohio and Indiana. Covenanters were actively involved in anti-slavery organisations and in the ‘Underground Railroad’, helping slaves escape to the north.
After the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery, some Covenanters were actively involved in education programmes among the freed slaves and one congregation, Selma, Alabama, was established as a direct result of this work.
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The Monuments of Scotland:
Scotland has remembered the Covenanters in many ways, including monuments. Over the years existing monuments have been restored and new monuments erected. The most famous of the monument restorers was Robert Paterson, also known as “Old Mortality”. His statue at Dumfries Museum is shown here. During the late 1700s he devoted 40 years of his life to carving and erecting memorials to the Covenanters across the lowlands of Scotland. Without his work, many of the stories of the Covenanters may well have been forgotten.
There are only a few Covenanter memorials in Ulster today, but there are many locations across the province which have a special significance for the Covenanters story. Hopefully, following this series of articles and the heritage trail produced this year, local churches, congregations and communities will go on to commemorate their Covenanter history. Perhaps a few new Covenanter monuments and memorials should be erected in Ulster?
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The Ulster Covenant of 1912:
The Reformed Presbyterian Church was opposed to the Ulster Covenant of 1912.
The Ulster Covenant did not recognise the deficiencies of the British Constitution, which does not recognise Jesus Christ as head of Church and State. In addition the historic Covenants, 'National and Solemn League', which bound the nation to Christ and Scripture, are ignored and even violated.
Reformed Presbyterians though opposed to Home Rule could not sanction a Covenant that was not honouring to Christ. In September 1912 the Reformed Presbyterian Synod sent an article to all congregations pointing out that: "Reformed Presbyterians must be on their guard against... rashly joining in any Covenant that assumes that allegiance should be sworn to the British Constitution, which is a Covenant-breaking and Antichristian Constitution, against which Covenanters have protested and from which they have stood aloof, because of its Antichristianism, for two hundred and fifty years."
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The Covenanters Today:
The Reformed Presbyterian Church has 36 established congregations with new churches underway in Galway, Letterkenny, Carrickfergus and Enniskillen.
It is not a large denomination, nor was it in earlier centuries. For four centuries the Church has consistently taught that Christ the King must reign over all of life: the individual, the family, the Church and the nation. Her motto continues to be ‘For Christ’s Crown and Covenant’. The Church operates a vibrant youth programme through Sabbath Schools and Covenanter Youth Groups, Presbytery get-togethers and five denominational camps. Annually the Church sends out around twenty ‘Go Teams’ to assist with evangelism. Recently, the denomination celebrated 150 years of training men for the ministry with the erection of a purpose built Theological College at Knockbracken. And plans are in hand to build a new Covenanter Book Centre.
To find out more about the Reformed Presbyterian Church, click here.
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