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Another
page in the history of the Free Presbyterian Church of
Ulster was written when a new church hall was opened at
Beverley Park, Bangor Road, Newtownards. The opening
address was delivered by the Moderator, Dr. Ian R. K.
Paisley.
Senior
Minister, the Rev. Fred Greenfield, officiated at the
service which began with an opening hymn and then prayer
led by the Rev. Stanley Barnes of Hillsborough.
Mr.
Greenfield then welcomed everyone and introduced May
Gibson who sang two messages in song. The Scripture
reading was by the Rev. David McIlveen of Sandown Free
Presbyterian Church
Mr.
Trevor Baxter, Student Minister of the Church referred
to the previous six years when the Church had had to
meet in the Orange Hall in Mary Street. He expressed his
gratitude towards the Committee of the Hall for allowing
the Free Presbyterians to use it for that time. He went
on to say, "We own a considerable piece of this
property, it was originally purchased for £5,000, we
are told that this land is now valued somewhere in the
region of £40,000."
Thanks were extended to Mr. Eddie Burns who made it
possible for the land to be purchased at such a low
price.
Comment
was then made on various donations from other Free
Presbyterian Churches which amounted to £700-£800
already this month which was some way towards reaching
the £2,000 mark.
The
Moderator began his address by saying, "I would
like to say first of all how delighted I am to be here
this afternoon to take this opportunity of delivering
God's Word to you."
Referring
to the new Hall the Rev. Paisley said that it was always
a thrill personally to see the progress of God's work.
He also expressed trust that one day they would erect a
building on the site in keeping with the houses around
it.
The
Moderator based his sermon on Isaiah 59:19, "When
the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the
Lord shall lift up a standard against them."
Talking
about the "infiltration" of the
"enemy" he said that the Spirit is against
something. "I want to tell you today, I am against
the Prime Minister's visit to the Pope."
In
I John 2:16 was listed what the Moderator said were the
three Avenues of Evil, the lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life.
Dr.
Paisley was critical in his address of other Churches
including the Methodists and the Church of Ireland, a
Dean of which he criticised for attending a Gaelic
Football match in Dublin on Sunday. He pronounced his
opposition to the World Council of Churches which he
claimed existed only because the Churches were not doing
so well.
The
Moderator then went on to allege that the planning
office had tried to keep a Free Presbyterian Hall from
being erected in Hillsborough and now this one in
Newtownards.
Nearing
the end of his address Dr. Paisley said, "I want to
say something very strong. Abraham the friend of God
lied, David the man after God's own heart committed
adultery and murder, Lot of righteous soul corrupted his
family in Sodom, Peter the apostle blasphemed. A
backslidden Christian can do anything but go to hell. He
that standeth take heed lest he fall."
After
the termination of the Moderator's sermon it was
announced that the collection that afternoon had
amounted to over £600. The closing Prayer was then said
by Rev. Greenfield.
Following
the service, tea was served by the ladies of the
Newtownards congregation.
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