Paisley's Twelfth Speech praises Patrick
The Rev Ian Paisley, in a strongly religious address, said there were three great spiritual milestones in Ulster since the days of Jesus.
"There is the milestone of the gospel work of St Patrick; the work of the Protestant Reformation, and the 1859 Revival," Mr Paisley told Independent Orangemen in Portglenone.
"The coming of Patrick to Ireland was the dispensation that in earlier times Christians in Ireland had a special place in the mind of God. A slave boy stolen from his home and brought up as a slave near Slemish mountain, Co Antrim was the Apostle of this Island of Ireland.
"The Christian testimony of Patrick is unique. Patrick left for us all the simple testimony of the simple message he declared.
"His was the message of the New Testament - 'Repent and believe the gospel'. The Creed of St Patrick, which he left, is a powerful witness that Patrick's message was undiluted Biblicalism."
The Presbyterian cleric added: "The blessings of Protestant Reformation liberties were sealed to the Island, and especially to Ulster by the victory at the Boyne.
"That battle, it ought to be remembered, was a European struggle, and the victory gained by it changed the entire history of the continent of Europe.
"We should not forget that next year (2009) marks the birth of one of the greatest Reformers, John Calvin, who was born on the July 10, 1509. The Bible, the Bible only, the religion of Protestants, in our mother tongue, was the Reformation's gift to the people of Europe."
Mr Paisley said next year marks the 150th anniversary of the Great Revival when in one year some 100,000 people were converted.
"It should be remembered, however, that the Revival started in the United States in 1858; was transported to Ulster in 1859 and Ulster became its centre in Europe.
"The lasting effects were miraculous. The injection of spiritual life into Ulster spread to the South and to Scotland, England, Wales and other countries of Europe. We do well this Twelfth to remember that the spiritual life of a country is its real life, its strength."
* SEE FULL TWELFTH COVERAGE IN MONDAY'S NEWSPAPER WHERE READERS CAN ENJOY A 24-PAGE PICTURE SUPPLEMENT WITH MORE THAN 100 IMAGES FROM ACROSS THE PROVINCE
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Wednesday 15 February 2012
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