James Kennedy, (1818-1898) was born in Drumreagh, near Ballymoney in County Antrim, in 1818 and brought up in Ballylaggan Reformed Presbyterian congregation. His early 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. He was ordained in the congregation of NewtownLimavady in 1843. Mr. Kennedy ministered for twenty-seven years with great acceptance before emigrating to America to become the pastor of the Fourth New York R.P. Congregation in 1870. Form this charge he retired in 1894 and died in 1898.
His works include ‘Tekel’ (1858), ‘Assurance of Grace and Salvation’ (1877), ‘Christ in the Song’ (1890), ‘In Memoriam. Prayer'(1898)
Tekel, The Reformed Presbyterian Church and The General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church of Ireland Weighed in the Balance of Truth (1858)
Humiliation for Sin a Preparation for Enjoying Divine Favour, 1872 A sermon preached by Rev James Kennedy before the American Synod
Humiliation for Sin a Preparation for Enjoying Divine Favour
The Assurance of Grace and Salvation 1877
The Assurance of Grace and Salvation
‘Christ in The Song, An Explanation of All The Figurative Descriptions of Christ in The Song of Solomon,’ 1890
‘In Memorium, Prayer’, 1898 was prepared posthumously by his family