On the Shankill Road the slogan on the wall read "Well Done Trimble". Older women strolled with children in the sunshine, and the taximan made plans for when he won the Lotto. He would go to Florida and buy Mickey Mouse a pint. There was little on the surface of life in Belfast yesterday morning to indicate the fierce struggle taking place in the soul of Protestant Ulster.
At Ballysillan Presbyterian Church, in the north of the city, the Rev Norman Hamilton told his congregation they were facing into "the most important week in the history of our province since it was founded". He spoke of the confusion which the agreement document had inspired, and of how he shared that confusion, but he asked them to vote on Friday.
He pleaded that they do so not simply on the basis of political preference and not out of fear or to thumb their nose at the other side. "That is not acceptable," he said. His congregation listened in silence. Friendly courteous people.
These are difficult days for Ulster Protestants, as they prefer to be described, and not least for the largest Protestant denomination in the North, the Presbyterians. Although it is safe to say the majority of the church's ministers will be voting Yes, no one is sure what their congregations will do.
They are disturbed by the release of prisoners and by scenes which have followed those re leases. The latter were described as "distasteful", but it is deeper questions of justice not being seen to be done, and a recollection that in the past the Presbyterian Church had said there was no place for such people in civil society, which is causing most anxiety.
Nor will they be bought off. They wonder at how little they are understood when the British government launches a £350 million investment programme in the expectation of a larger Yes vote. As one man said: "No matter how long the English are here they still do not understand what makes Ulster people tick. They will say thanks very much [for the money], but it will not dictate how they will vote."
Mr Hamilton will be voting Yes on Friday, as will another five of the eight Presbyterian ministers across Northern Ireland spoken to in connection with this article. One said he will be voting No, and one preferred not to say.
In Ballymena, Co Antrim, the Rev Dr Russell Birney said he would be voting Yes, despite reservations, as he felt the agreement was "an opportunity for a fresh beginning".
The Rev John Carlisle of Newry, Co Down, believes the agreement is "a fair enough compromise on all sides", which is why he will be voting Yes. But "a remarkable number remain undecided" and he fears if they cannot make up their minds they may not vote at all.
In Omagh, Co Tyrone, the Rev Robert Herron believed the agreement was acceptable from a unionist point of view. He also believed that "it will get through, but most folk need to be convinced it is workable".
In Armagh, the Rev Tony Davidson preferred not to say how he will vote. He believed, however, the outcome would favour the Yes side, but did not think this would be by a big majority.
The Rev Richard Graham, in Castlederg, Co Tyrone, will be voting Yes. The agreement was "a door of opportunity for the province and the island as a whole". He believes "60 per cent-plus" of the unionist people will vote Yes, but he wonders whether those elected to the assembly on June 25th will be able to work together.
However, the Rev William Bingham of Pomeroy, Co Tyrone, will be voting No. Deputy Grand Chaplain of the Orange Order and close friend of the UUP MP, Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, he has problems with the release of political prisoners; the cross-Border elements in the agreement; and the idea of members of Sinn Fein serving on the executive.
