Just as we go to Press our Province is passing through the throes of the most critical Parliamentary Election in which any of us have ever taken part.
In fact we are incapable of gauging the true importance of the issues at stake because we are too close to the events.
Suddenly People are beginning to wake up to the fact that the Destinies of Ulster—nay, more—of the whole of Ireland, are placed in our own Hands.
No longer can we blame the Government or criticise the supposed delinquencies of the Irish Office ; the burden of Self Government has been placed upon our own and it is now for us and those whom we Elect to represent us in the new Parliament to make or mar the Future of Ireland.
Our political opponents are continually gibing at us as the Champions of Partition, We are nothing of the kind.
The majority of us are convinced, some of us more convinced than ever, that the Union is the only possible Plan on which this Country can learn the lessons of Loyalty, Patriotism and Co-operation.
In Ireland, where you have the People divided into two marked Sections, diametrically opposed to one another in Religion and Politics, the only way to govern a Country like that is by a strong impartial rule which both sides must respect.
This is exactly the kind of Rule which one might naturally expect from the Imperial Parliament, but which we know to our cost we very seldom have had.
The Curse of this Country has been the warring competition of Political Parties, and Ireland, like a Football, has been kicked about from one side to the other.
The rival Goals are very wide apart ; sometimes there would be a rush towards one, and sometimes towards the other.
You never knew on which side of the Scrum the ball would come out ; every moment the Game was uncertain ; the Yells of the Spectators drowned the frenzied shouts of the Players, which reached a climax when a Goal was scored!
If there had been a strong, consistent, impartial system of governing this Country, the discontented and Rebel element would never have grown to the dimensions it has attained.
Rather than see our whole Country placed under the blighting influence of Sinn Fein, we were forced to accept the only alternative offered to us by the Government of forming a separate Parliament for the Six Northern Counties. It is easy to grasp what a great Opportunity is open to us. It is in our power to show to the rest of Ireland what a Fair Practical and Wise government is like.
If, laying aside self seeking and personal ambition our new Legislators work earnestly together for the good of Ulster a great future will open up before our Provinve, men will take knowledge of us, that we are acting from the purest motives, and are inspired by the highest ideals, and even our enemies will be forced to acknowledge that there is more reason and common sense in our methods than in the policy of murder, pillage and terrorism.
After the Votes have been counted and the Result of the Election made known, the new Parliament will meet for the first time on the 7th June.
As this is a most momentous event in our History, we propose to have a special Service of Intercession in the Cathedral on Sunday Morning, 5th June, at 11-30.
The Lord Primate will Preach.
Rev. Hugh M'Keagh, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, will read the First Lesson, and the Rev. Dr. Lowe, Moderator-designate of the Presbyterian Church, will read the Second Lesson.
We hope that several Bishops from other parts of Ireland may be present at this Service.
Never was it more necessary that all our People should unite together in earnest, constant, believing Prayer that God may guide and bless our Province at this time of Political change and use Her as an instrument in His hands to promote Peace and happiness, Truth and Justice, Religion and Piety amongst all sections of Irish life….
Owned by Belfast Cathedral, The Cathedral Church of St Anne. Image reproduced with the permission of Belfast Cathedral The Cathedral Church of St Anne.