Lord Bannside: Dr Ian Paisley

Born: 6 April, 1926 • Born again: 29 May, 1932 • Called home: 12 September, 2014

Front cover: Dad’s Coat of Arms was granted and assigned to him upon entry to the House of Lords. The three illuminated books on the shield represent the Bible. The words on the scroll beneath pertain to his life’s verses found in Ephesians 6 19 & 20.

In June 2013, Dad sat for the artist Colin Davidson in his County Down studio. They spent a few hours together, chatting while Colin worked on sketches and photographs. The portrait, which was made during the following months, was to be the last one Dad sat for. We are delighted to be able to use it, and greatly appreciate Colin’s generosity.

Testimony

in his own words

On the 29th May, 1932 Christ sought and found me and I can say with gladness, rejoicing and praise that Christ has kept me. I want to pay tribute and testimony to my Saviour and my Lord. I want to take you to the text where I first cast my anchor.

In 1932 my father was minister of Hill Street Baptist Church in Ballymena. Every week in the upstairs Lecture Room of the church my mother held a Children’s Meeting. On 29th May 1932 at that meeting my mother read the Scriptures from John 12 taking for her text verse eleven: ‘I am the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.’

When the children filed away from that meeting I waited behind and approached my mother and told her that as she spoke God had spoken to me. I was lost, and I needed the Good Shepherd to find me and to save me. We went downstairs to the main church building, entering through the door on the right-hand side.

There on that day, as a young lad of six, knowing that I was lost, knowing that in me dwelt no good thing, knowing that nothing could save me but the Blood of Christ, I cast my anchor and, thank God, I cast it on the Solid Rock. I cast it upon the immutable promise of God. Christ is the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep. He shed His Blood my sins were washed away. I came, I tasted, and I received.

The Bible says, ‘Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.’

Mr W P Nicholson used to say, “You get many a take-in in life, but what a take-in it is to be taken in by Jesus.” That is the real take-in of life, and thank God, Christ took me in.

‘High Heaven that heard the solemn vow, That vow renewed shall daily hear, Till in life’s latest hour I bow, And bless in death a bond so dear.’

When the Hill Street Church was being renovated Dad spoke to its Pastor and said he would like to have the pew where he knelt and received Christ. The Pastor graciously gave it to him. Dad used to joke that he didn’t believe in relics but believed in precious memories, and that old pew is now in the Lecture Hall of the Whitefield College of the Bible in Banbridge.

Ordained 1st August, 1946. Ministered for 65 years.

Participants

in order of appearance

Dr Joe McKee – Organist Rev Dr David McIlveen

Long time friend and ministerial colleague

Rev James Beggs

Brother-in-law and ministerial colleague

Baroness Paisley Seven Towers Male Voice Choir President – George McAuley Conductor – Thelma Strange

Vice-President – Walter McKendry Accompanist – Rea Sheils

Mr Ian R K Paisley MP Rev Dr John Douglas

First convert of ministry, long time friend and ministerial colleague

Rev J C Kyle Paisley Mr Alan Barr – Pipe Major, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment

Parliamentarian 1970-2014

Order of Service Welcome - Rev Dr David McIlveen Psalm 100 1

2

3

4

5

ALL people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice; Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell, Come ye before him and rejoice.

Know that the Lord is God indeed; Without our aid he did us make; We are his flock, he doth us feed, And for his sheep he doth us take.

O enter then his gates with praise, Approach with joy his courts unto: Praise, laud, and bless his name always, For it is seemly so to do.

Because the Lord our God is good, His mercy is for every sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure.

Prayer – Rev James Beggs Tribute – Baroness Paisley Seven Towers Male Voice Choir - Psalm 23 – Dad’s favourite Psalm.

Tribute – Mr Ian R K Paisley MP Seven Towers Male Voice Choir - ‘I hear Thy welcome voice’ – used by Dad at almost every Gospel appeal he made.

Scripture Reading – Rev Dr John Douglas John ch 10 vs 1-11 (KJV) 1 2 3 4

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Sunday, 19th October 2014

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Sermon – Rev J C Kyle Paisley Rev Dr D McIlveen invites guests to stand for a minute’s silence Piper – Mr Alan Barr - Amazing grace! how sweet the sound.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.

Ulster Hall, Belfast

“My wife’s husband” Dad often used these words to describe himself. Sometimes he even said with a laugh, “My wife’s first husband!”

We are blessed as their children to have witnessed a union rich in love, constant in friendship, and equal in partnership.

Dad and Mum have provided us with a unique “Paisley pattern” to follow.

Dad taught us how to live, and then he showed us how to die.

No husband or father could possibly have given us more.

First met Eileen August 1950

Married, 13th October, 1956

Thanks

The Paisley family express heartfelt thanks to Rev Dr & Mrs McIlveen for their unwavering love and support.

David’s pastoral care in Dad’s last months was a source of much joy and great comfort.

Acknowledgements

We express sincere gratitude for the kind cooperation of the Ulster Hall staff; BBC NI; Press Eye; Mr Paul McComb and the PSNI. We are also indebted to TH Jordan Ltd for the production of this brochure.

© Bannside Library Ltd