James Kennedy was born in August of the year 1818. He was of Scottish ancestry, but his forefathers had lived for some years in County Derry in the North of Ireland. In his boyhood he showed great force of character by overcoming difficulties in preparing for college. His early professional training was received at the Belfast Academical Institution under the presidency of Dr. Bryce, famous as an educator in his day. After completing his studies in Belfast he went to Paisley, Scotland, to study theology and hear the lectures of Dr. Andrew Symington. On May 10th 1842, he was licensed to preach the gospel, and a little more than a year after he was ordained pastor of the Broadlane and Derrybeg congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Dates and facts such as these are an imperfect record. Between these turning points of his career were multitudes of lesser experiences _ heart experiences, also _ that made the man. During his years at college and seminary, as well as in the early period of his ministry, he gave some time to teaching. He had certificates from Dr. Bryce of his knowledge and skill in the sciences and the ancient languages. He prepared young men for college; and in the invigoration of his own mind received by this means contributed to the development of that logical force and grasp that were admired in his preaching to his latest years.

It is interesting to notice the pains Mr. Kennedy took to make his pulpit work finished in matter and method. Among his books is a bound volume of manuscript sermons dated at the village in which he first resided. It consists of twenty-four sermons and lectures, each on its own text, written in full and with all the excellencies and faults in form characteristic of the rhetorical tastes of the age. But they illustrate very well the distinctive notes of his preaching _ its instructiveness, its many-sidedness, its attention to all the possibilities of a text, with an "Improvement" which leaves no doubt as to what he though the main value of doctrine.

It was not long after his settlement that the temperance reform began to stir the churches of Ireland. Mr. Kennedy threw himself into his work with all his might. Drunkenness was the most prevalent social evil of his time, and in his early youth it had often excited his disgust. When a public attack was made upon it, he was ready to follow or to lead. The main hope of the reformers was in methods for protecting the young.

"The drunkards will never be dead:

I'll tell you the reason why _

The young ones they grow up

Before the old ones die."

So ran the slogan, and thousands rallied to the cry. Bands of Hope were organized everywhere and printed pledges were signed by old and young. Mr. Kennedy and his people were among the first in zeal and in effort. A great deal of good was accomplished. He knew men too well to expect at once a perfect change in habits that were the growth of years. But let us make an advance when we can, he said, and trust to God and the best in man to conserve what is gained.

During the first period of his ministry, Mr. Kennedy was fond of open air preaching on the evenings of the Sabbaths. The long twilights and the respect paid to the Sabbath by all classes, made it possible to gather great companies of people on some piece of green meadow, under the shelter of a few friendly trees. In such places he delight to preach the word of life, and to bring to bear on men and women of all classes the motives of the gospel of Christ. It was a semi-mission work, peculiar in some respects to the place, and it offered opportunities which Mr. Kennedy's eager spirit was eagerly seized.

In the year 1859 took place that strange religious stirring which was then called a Revival. It was somewhat similar to a movement which our missionaries say is now in progress among the Ansairies of Syria. The distinctive feature of it was the physical accompaniments. Under the preaching of the gospel men and women were "stricken down" and rolled on the floor. When carried out they lay silent, as in a trance, or described visions they saw of Christ walking on the roof of the church, or in some of the attitudes familiar from passages of Scripture. Explanations of these phenomena have been offered from the standpoints of natural science and of theology. Mr. Kennedy welcomed the whole manifestation with some reserve. There were instances of genuine conversion and the beginnings of a holy life. There were also cases that were bodily exercise and nothing more. In the mysterious mingling of physical and spiritual, Mr. Kennedy applied Christ's supreme test, "By their fruits ye shall know them." The whole extraordinary incident, with its divine and human aspects, was a remarkable object lesson in the working of the grace of God on the basis of depraved humanity. It is for this reason tat it is referred to here, giving occasion as it did to some of Mr. Kennedy's strongest convictions on the nature of the Christian life.

The hearty interest which Mr. Kennedy took in guiding this spiritual awakening increased his reputation, and two consequences were soon apparent: His congregation was increased in numbers by the accession of families awakened people who felt drawn to him, and invitations came to him to accept a pastorate in churches offering a wider field. But, of course, a change in ecclesiastical relations was never seriously considered by him. Good feelings were reciprocated and life-ling friendships established. It was early in his ministry, in the year 1848, that Mr. Kennedy was happily married to Eliza Conn. This made him acquainted with a domestic sphere and domestic duties to which by temperament he was greatly inclined. He took pride in his family and in his house and grounds. That famous old book, "The Manse Garden," with its poetry and its good sense, was a favorite. The cultivation of fruits and flowers a was his recreation. He found pleasure in every aspect of nature, and in ministering to nature and interpreting her phases, he found food for lofty thought. His family grew up in a genial atmosphere. Parental discipline was mild, and the memories of home still cherished by his children have their center in the affections of a cheerful and godly mother and father.

Mr. Kennedy always had correspondents in the churches in the United States. Some of his letters show that a good report of his work had reached the distant land. He had suggestions for settlement in vacant congregations. At this time Mr. Kennedy had no definite desires or design of any kind for a change in his place of work. But he had a desire to visit friends in the western world. We find him, accordingly, in the year 1869, on his way across the Atlantic and preaching in the churches of New York. As the outcome of an unexpected turn of events, he was called to the pastorate of the Fourth Reformed Presbyterian church of New York. It held a position in the city well removed from the other congregations of the same denomination, and it looked forward to a fruitful work in its own field. Letters from members of the congregation to the pastor-elect overflow with good opinions and good hopes. The call was accepted, chiefly because it was considered a call of Providence and of the Lord of the church. On the 13th of November, 1870, Mr. Kennedy was installed pastor of the Fourth New York congregation. The congregation grew in numbers and erected a new church building on 48th Street.

In the year 1887 Mr. Kennedy was elected by the church to fill the chair in the Theological Seminary left vacant by the death of Dr. Sloane. He was thought well fitted for the position by experience and ability, and was urged strongly to accept it. But it was his own opinion that at his age and with his attachments to his congregation it was not wise to undertake anything in which so much depended on his success in an untried field.

It is a matter of more than private interest that in the year 1886 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on Mr. Kennedy by the trustees of Geneva College. This corporation does not use its legal right to grant such degrees frequently, and it proceeds only on the ground of sufficient reason. Mr. Kennedy appreciated the intention and the honor, although all his life he had a singular dislike to titles of any kind.

Mr. Kennedy had resigned the care of his congregation in 1896, and in November of 1897 he moved with his daughter to St. John, New Brunswick. The change was made for domestic reasons. It took off his shoulders the charge of a house and it brought him under the immediate care of a devoted daughter _ Mrs. Dr. Morrison _ and her family. 

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This sketch would scarcely be complete without a particular reference to Matilda Kennedy, the daughter who was the constant companion of her father during his last years. She was companion, care-taker, amanuensis, and it was she who provided for the publication of this volume as a Memorial. He devotion was so unremitting that she denied herself the ease and change of place which might have improved her health and prolonged her days. He health was not vigorous, and after the shock of a father's death it declined rapidly. In November, 1898 _ about ten months after the aged father _ she closed her earthly life and went to her reward. She lived in quietness and did her part _ a part that was rich in spiritual significance, and to those who know, a memory of precious worth."

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The book: Prayer by James Kennedy is dedicated to  /   Mrs. Hugh O'Neill   /  his Dear Niece and True Friend   /   this little volume   /   was   /   affectionate inscribed   /   by   /   The Author   3

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• Minutes of the Session of the Fourth R.P. Church, West Forty-eighth Street and Minutes of the Reformed Presbyterian Synod at Walton, New York, May 1898

• Note re Church in Limavady:  Quote from "Limavady and the Roe Valley by Rev. T. H. Mullin, M.A.D.D."  Page 96  -  "The Reformed Presbyterian or Covenanting meeting house was built on the Broad Lane (Greystone Road) in 1806 at a cost of 400 pounds.  About 1888 the old building was pulled down and a new one erected at a cost of 750 pounds.  During this period the services were conducted in the Alexander Memorial Hall. "

• The following information was provided to us by the Presbyterian Historical Society in Ireland from a copy of they have of the Reformed Presbyterian Church (as they informed us - is a separate denomination) of the  FASTI of the Reformed Church  which included these details of James Kennedy:

• Born 15th August 1818 at Drumreagh, Co. Antrim, son of George Kennedy and Mary Paul; 
• Educated at  Bryce’s academy RBAI and Paisley
• Licensed Northern Presbytery, 10th May 1842
• Ordained Limavady 1843, May 18
• Resigned 2nd August 1870
• Mod. Irish Synod 1846,
• Installed 4th, New Y ork Reformed Presbyterian, 13th Nov 1870
• American Synod 1875
• Graduated D. D. Geneva, 1886
• Retired Oct 30 1894
• Died 1898 Jan 26, interred Bronxville Cemetery.  
• Married Eliza Conn, Coleraine, 9th May 1848
• Published ‘Tekel’ (1858)
• Published ‘Assurance of Grace and Salvation’ (1877)
• Appointed Prof. in Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1887, declined appointment on account of age and attachment to pastoral ministry.
• Published ‘Christ in the Song’
  

1. F20744, 1999-2001 Provincial Archives of New Brunswick.

2. Irene Morrison, Unknown, Information sent to Peggy Bryan.

3. "In Memoriam. Prayer. by James Kennedy," Memoriam completed by ? Prayer was completed by James Kennedy not long before his death., Murdoch-Kerr Press, Pittsburgh, After January 26, 1898 (James Kennedy's death), Preface = Memoriam See notes for Copy.