THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Memorial to late minister unveiled in church

From the News Letter, January 12, 1909
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A beautiful mural tablet in memory of the Reverend Hugh M Hamilton was unveiled at Templepatrick Presbyterian Church this week in 1909 report the News Letter.

The tablet was described by the paper as “a fine example of pure Grecian art” and the memorial had been paid for by the congregation of the church.

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Preaching at the morning service on the day that the tablet was unveiled the Reverend George Magill said that the members of the congregation had done what he had expected them to do in paying for the tribute to the memory of their late pastor.

Dr Scott Peddie, centre, who was ordained and installed as minister at the Old Presbyterian Church Templepatrick in September 2008. He is pictured with the Moderator of Presbytery the Reverend B S Cockcroft, right, and the Clerk of Presbytery the Reverend Dr J W Nelson BA, BD. Picture: Antrim Times archiveDr Scott Peddie, centre, who was ordained and installed as minister at the Old Presbyterian Church Templepatrick in September 2008. He is pictured with the Moderator of Presbytery the Reverend B S Cockcroft, right, and the Clerk of Presbytery the Reverend Dr J W Nelson BA, BD. Picture: Antrim Times archive
Dr Scott Peddie, centre, who was ordained and installed as minister at the Old Presbyterian Church Templepatrick in September 2008. He is pictured with the Moderator of Presbytery the Reverend B S Cockcroft, right, and the Clerk of Presbytery the Reverend Dr J W Nelson BA, BD. Picture: Antrim Times archive

During his sermon and dedication the Rev Magill paid tribute to the late Rev Hamilton whose death had been a great personal loss to him personally as they had been lifelong friends and colleagues.

He reflected on what it must feel for those who had “for so many years enjoyed those mutual confidences only fully known to pastor and people”.

The Rev Magill said: “The Rev Hamilton was regarded by all who knew him as a true Christian gentleman, one who was above doing a mean thing, one who had the courage of his convictions, who spoke his mind and was ready to abide the issue, who would neither wilfully offend nor truckle to conciliate.”

The Rev Magill said that the late Rev Hamilton’s life motto had always been: “Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth; a stranger and not thine own lips.”