THROUGH THE THE ARCHIVES: The Reverend Henry Alexander is ordained at Newry

From the News Letter, October 7, 1840
Ships on the canal at Merchants Quay in Newry, alongside a nice brace of merchants' premises. Picture: National Library of IrelandShips on the canal at Merchants Quay in Newry, alongside a nice brace of merchants' premises. Picture: National Library of Ireland
Ships on the canal at Merchants Quay in Newry, alongside a nice brace of merchants' premises. Picture: National Library of Ireland

On Tuesday, September 29, 1840, the Remonstrant Presbytery of Armagh had met at Newry for the purpose of ordaining the Reverend Henry Alexander, formerly a Licentiate of the Presebytery of Templepatrick, to the pastoral charge of the First Presbyterian Congregation, in connexion with the Remonstrant Synod of Ulster, reported the News Letter on this day in 1840.

The services of the day were commenced by the Reverend Samuel Moore or Warrenpoint who preached “a neat and appropriate sermon” from 37th verse of the 22nd chapter of the Gospel by St Matthew.

The Reverend James Davis of Banbridge proceeded to explain and defend the principles and practice of Presbyterian ordination, “in a lucid and satisfactory manner”, and “put the usual questions to the intended Minister”.

The Reverend Gentleman then pronounced the ordination prayer, during which Mr Alexander was solemnly set apart to the office of the holy Ministry, “by the laying on of hands of the Presbytery”.

The Reverend Crozier of Ballynahinch then delivered “the usual charge” to the newly-ordained Minister and the Congregation.

In the evening the Presbytery of Armagh, and a number of other friends, together with the newly-ordained Minister, were entertained in the Victoria Hotel, by the members of the Congregation.

At six o’clock, the company, which consisted of about 60 gentlemen, sat down to “an excellent and comfortable” dinner, provided “in the best style”.

Mr Isaac W Glenny took the chair, and Mr George Scott and Mr Hugh Kidd occupied the vice chairs. A number of loyal and appropriate toasts were drunk.

On the health of the Rev Henry Alexander being given, that gentleman replied “in a most eloquent speech”.

Soon after ten o’clock the company separated.

In other church news published by the News Letter on this day in 1840, it was noted in the Church of Ireland that the Reverend C Ievers, Curate of Armagh, had been appointed to the Vicarage of Ballinderry, Co Antrim, which had lately been held by the Reverend Savage Hall.

Meanwhile a number of churches were being built in Co Donegal.

The News Letter reported: “The body of the church at Letterkenny (parish of Cornwall) has been newly built. A new Church has been built in Drumhilme, (a chapel of ease to the mother church, which is in Ballintra). The old church of Kilbarron has been taken down, and a very handsome new church is in the process of erection in the town of Ballyshannon. A new church has been erected in the parish of Leek near Letterkenny.”

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