>From Miss Adams’ notes Dr Lanktree (the Rev. Matthew Lanktree, Superintendent of the Donaghadee Circuit from 1815 to 1833):   extracts from his biographical narrative   August 13, 1818   After an interesting visit to the Copeland Islands, preaching, visiting etc; administered the Lord’s Supper to Robert Emberson and friends.  It was a most solemn and affecting season, Robert, his wife, parents and children all weeping together.  His were the tears that delight, the sighs that waft to heaven. Sept 11th Visited him again and found him rejoicing in hope, the most emaciated living skeleton I ever saw.  His family and friends were deeply affected.  I addressed them as I thought he would if able.  The following Lord’s Day I was called to attend his funeral in Donaghadee, and thought to have preached his funeral sermon in our Chapel but the crowd was immense.  I therefore preached in the churchyard from Rev XIV 13, trust fruit will follow unto eternal life.  Were it only for the grace of God bestowed upon this man through missionary labours what a glorious prospect does it present in the day of Christ. Appendix The Copeland Isle is separated from Donaghadee by a channel two miles in breadth, and maintains 10 families.  After the Scotch had settled in this country it was inhabited by Presbyterians who attended divine service regularly in Donaghadee: for which purpose they had a large boat in which they sailed together.  It is reported that frequently would their pious Minister and his people watch them whilst toiling to make the shore against wind and tide, and delay the service until joined by these zealous islanders.  After that generation passed away the place was uncultivated for many years.  When it again became inhabited it was by a generation that “knew not the God of their fathers”.  Robert Emberson appeared an exception and mourned over the wickedness which prevailed among his friends and neighbours.  He would retire among the rocks to implore the Lord to have mercy on them and to send a Minister to instruct them in the way of Salvation.  He who said of Saul of Tarsus “Behold he prayeth” gave this supplicant a gracious intimation that his prayer was granted.  Shortly after Mr Hill had been appointed to the Ards Mission he visited the island and preached to the inhabitants from Mark I,15.  Several of them believed his report.  Robert received the preacher and his message as from God, became a partaker of pardoning Grace and a witness for the God of his salvation. A society was soon formed of which he became a Leader.  He received much of the mind of Christ and was remarkably qualified to encourage others to follow his blessed Master.  He was greatly beloved of the people, the Society prospered under his care and the voice of praise and prayer became general in their habitations.   Rev Lanktree, narrative continued: 1819 Aug 12th Arrived at Newtownards.  Having resumed my regular Ministry I found my colleague an affectionate, lively preacher, much intent on the conversion of sinners, and it pleased God to give us souls for our hire, though our principal work was to edify believers rather than too widely extend our sphere of operation.  We had a good and happy year and had the comfort of seeing our Circuit so far matured as to be united to the regular societies around, and thus formed the Donaghadee and Newtownards Circuit. 1820 The South part of our Mission was given to Donaghadee, now formed into a new Circuit for one preacher.  Bangor was given off to the Donaghadee Circuit.  (W J Thompson records that up till 1820 Donaghadee was a station on the Belfast Circuit and Ards Mission.  When Donaghadee became a Circuit, Bangor was transferred from the Belfast Circuit to the new Donaghadee Circuit.) 1832 Cholera has now visited our land.  Never did I commence a year’s labour under such remarkable circumstances.  In Donaghadee the cholera raged and carried off some of our people. Pressed by the messenger of death and unknowing who next might be summoned to the cholera house, or the grave, a general concern for eternal life pervaded the community.  Our leaders and praying people were at their post and active for God.  The prosperous state of the work, however, bore up my spirit and labour, weariness and weakness were sanctified.  Two new classes were added to the Donaghadee Society, and in order to accommodate our increased congregations we were obliged to add two new galleries to our chapel. 1833 Mr Harper was appointed the third year to Donaghadee, with Mr Hill for his colleague. Rev Lanktree’s biographical narrative: 1832 The Wesleyan Society in Donaghadee had only a feeble commencement, but after a few years of humble effort, the Word of Truth struck deep root into a few hearts, where, cherished by faith and prayer and guarded by watchfulness it brought forth the fruits of righteousness, to the praise and glory of God.  Their first place of worship was a small barn belonging to Antony Carey.  Mary his daughter (now a Mother in Israel) by her faithful and affectionate regard to what she believed was the cause of God, greatly promoted the interests of the Society.  After some time of patient continuance in well doing she was joined by Miss Smith, both of them being influenced by the same spirit were enabled to extend a happy influence around them over the different grades of society. Mr Steele (the Rev. Samuel Steele, Superintendent Minister) built their Chapel, much to their advantage, but to the injury of his health. He saw the importance of the undertaking, persevered through every discouragement to have it accomplished, and by a mighty effort he succeeded.  (W J Thompson, in his article in the Irish Christian Advocate of December 1932, recorded that Mr Steele “acted as overseer and labourer at the building of it. He worked with pick and shovel until his hands were blistered, and then worked with gloves on”.) When I came to this county in 1815 we could only give them preaching on a week day once in two weeks, their faithful friend and ours Mr Wm. McConnell preaching to them on the Sabbath.  By considerable extra exertion we gave them Sabbath evenings.  The advantage thus afforded was improved and the Society and Congregation were soon considerably increased.  The subsequent culture of mission ground in the neighbourhood had a quickening influence and tended still further to advance their interests whilst they continued to increase in life and love. After a few years (in 1836) Mrs Smith had a house built beside the Chapel (below) for a preacher’s residence at her own expense.  Several of the respectable inhabitants became attached to the congregation and the Society, especially of the “honourable women” who for intelligence, piety and  benevolence have been ornaments to their Christian profession. Their Sabbath School, Missionary Association and Society Funds are on the increase, while the spiritual and gracious character of the Society, generally speaking, gave satisfactory evidence that “Jesus is the Author and Finisher of their Faith”. Since the increase referred to at the time of the cholera they have had seasons of sifting and pruning; but they are, thanks be to God, in a healthy and happy state; they are united to each other in affection, and a blessing to their neighbours; they strengthen the hands of their pastors while labouring for their good, and will doubtless be to them “a crown of rejoicing” in the day of Christ.       Postscript (KC) Rev Matthew Lanktree was Superintendent at Donaghadee until 1833, and then continued as Supernumerary Minister in Newtownards until 1846.  The following note is found in the register of baptisms: “Being called upon this day to baptize a child, as registered at the foot of the last page of this book, I take the opportunity of inserting the following note in reference to my own private Registry – which it is my intention to send to Dublin to be preserved among other Connexional Records. >From the year 1833, when I commenced my residence as Supernumerary in Newtownards, to the present year 1846, I baptized above 300 children, some of whom for the last two years are inserted in this book – all of them in my private Registry referred to – 149 boys and 177 girls – total 326. I have also registered 31 marriages in the same book. Donaghadee, 15 August 1846. Matthew Lanktree”