JULY 15. 1938 i?

11115 (Jl-IAKLUFYEIUWN "UAKUIAN

Pioneer Church Laboursi “Vallolfield i

o ' - - , At Przncetown Recalled “E995 . n Sand“ >3 - Ann 50ers a ..37"§f§.lllf..§éfllléffféffitillthtill DJ’ J’ . Y)’ s.~.:"i.::.tl-ssrasnrtnrn

‘has been the custom at Valleyfield

‘i

i

Sunday's anniversary service at Plinceiown United Church is a re- minder of thd inspiring history ae- soitluied with this congregation. The Guardian is indebted to the present pastor. Rev. Norman J. Thomas, for the following sketch.

there was received in offerings at the Church door £16. 8s 10 l-Zd, roughly $80.00 and there was thus given surely, in view of the poverty of the primitive settlers, a line il- fiLStIBtlOh of the grace of generos- y.

Rev. A J. Ebbutt. pastor at

to hold these services during the month of July. This year the open- mg service was held on Thursday. Ju y 7th., at eleven A. M. con- tinuing: with twobselrvice; gully: the conclu ing one enK e a. en IA. M. on Monday, July 11th. -

elven in the course of an anniver- Vallcyfield. was capably assisted ‘sify address last year by the Rev. Sessional Records this year by Rev. D. J. Morrison. 0 O g i. A. Ramsayi 4 iformerly of Whycocomagh, N. S .

About the year 1770 a few famil- The first meeting of Session at ‘now of Hampton, P. E. I. Mr. c5 arrived in what is now Prince which Rev. Mr. Keir presided wasiMorrlson. who had previously as-

gclward Island from Argyleshire held June 24th, 1810 and there is ‘sisted at similar services at Valley- l" l n n and settled about Richmond Bay. in the keeping of the Session and‘ field. and who had many friends 'Y""° ‘H ‘J Muk. a graphi" n'w‘y roc°rd

ncludin Princetown, and five years la er others arrived from vlorayshire. Some of these also set- zled here, others in New London. Cavendish. St. Peters. etc. In 1784 t number oi families of Lo allsi-s from the United States sett ed in aedeque and there were then per- iaps sixty families on the north more, mostly around this Bay. About 1790. twenty years after the first landing. they were visited ay the first Presbyterian Minister. 3r. James McGregor, oi Plctou, who paid several visits between this 'ime and 1800 when there arrived Rev, John Urquhart from the Unit- ed States, but originally from Scot- ald. He settled in Prlncetown but zook charge also of the Presbyter- nns in Bedeque, New Dondon and Richmond Bay West. Many years nter. at. the time of his Golden _ lubllee. Rev. Dr. John Keir. n:- i Icrring to Mr. Urquhart and his work. said “He formed them into Jhurch order, ordained elders in he different districts. dispensed the yrdlnances of baptism and the Lord's Supper and performed other ministerial duties among them for about the space of two years when rie removed to the Miramichi." (Mr. Urquhart continued to labor n the Miramichi area for about ten "ears and was either drowned in rosslng the Miramlchi River on the ice in winter or bv this acci- ient was so exposed that he died ioon afterwards. His remains lie in- :err\ed in Mooriield Cemetery on the banks of the Miramichl.) From the time of the leaving of Mr. Ur uhart until 18011 when Rev. lohn K er arrived the congregation was again visited by Dr. James Me» regor and Rev. Duncan Ross, of ictou and there came, in 1806, the ev Peter Gordon. a preacher rom the General Associate Synod Anti-Burger) in Scotland. He reached acceptably in the differ- nt settlements on the Island and on received two calls. one from is section. the other from Cove cad. St. Peters. etc. Preferring to ept the latter call. he was set- cd at Cove Head ln 1806. where o years later he died. appar- - tly from tuberculoisis-on his re- rn from Malpeque. where he had en to officiate at the Baptism of me children.

Arrival of Rev. Mr. Keir

In the meantime there had ar- ed in Pictou the Rev. John Keir, » tined to become the great Chris- ll leader of this Island and of e neighboring Provinces for tv years. Mr. Keir was born in klyvle. a few miles from Glas- v Scotland, Fiebruarv 2nd. 1780. . u he was yet a lad. his father. ving the farm. moved to Glas- w. where he resided until his

th.

t is interesting to note that the nlster of the Church the family ended and under whom John ir grew up was Rev. Mr. Ram- . so that when Rev. John Keir e here. the name "Ramsay? B mon one in this district. would already familiar to him. Two n of this name. Edward and lcoim, were members of his first i

on. ohn Keir was licensed to preach . gos l some time about e - of he year 1807 by the PIES- ry of Glasgow. For nine months he was licensed he ‘preached the congregations of e Body which he belonged in and e- t Glasgow. Preachers were e then in Scotland. many con- ations being vacant. Many op- tinities were available for his ices amid the more advanced ure and greater comfort of the cland and few young men were ared to encounter the hard-

consequent upon coming to new coun-try. but Mr. Keir, un- ted by the hardships and stir- by tidings of the moral and tual need of this new land. ap- - to his Synod for permission t0 e. The matter was determined e tSynod by a majority of only VD B.

Early Laboum

vlng arrived at Plct/ou in tho n of 1808, he was expected to ed to Halifax but as the peo- in this Islan had mct with cnt disappointments he was to come here. To this he the readily assented as Peter Gor- a fellow-student and formfi mate in Glasgow. was ul- - iocsttcd on the Island and at ters. Arriving at Prlncetown his young wife. Mary Burnet. ok u his abode at the homo hn ompson. one of the eld- ulte ncar where we now are. ~ ~ the winter of 1808 to 1808 he - and travelled. Visiting and ing with great zeal and de- . During this winter also. his friend. Rev. Peter Gordon. nd he now included Cove St. Peters, etc. in the areas he served. the spring of 1800 two calls extended to him. one from town, dated June 19th and - by sixty-four members. ~ heads of families; the other t. Peters, - Gord . lde which call to the Presbytery to ma ~ for him. The PreBbyi-fly in favor of Princetown and ~ gan e. most remarkable pas- of fifty years. By his own i. he was not. ordained until one your later, June. 1810 to th a Kirk session had i anised presumably by Rev- t uhart but. the first record- ing the session was eld t be 1807 and the

. nlel Montgomery. n. Edward Ramsay. ' - many and John Woodside. et again on March 13th oi’ lawn? ear. There was no on they decided to writs - ncan Ross, of Pictou. and the Presbytery could send a - dimense the Sacrament G's supper amo them and a visit from v. 'l"hom- mooh Ividontl Mr. Mc- was

. ' t a ma of thoat year 1100:;

Q “m. W“:

Congregation at the present time! unbroken records of the minutes of‘ Session meetings from that day t0 this-a period of 127 years.

F‘0r ten years Mi". Keir divided his time equally between Prince- town on the one hand and New London. Bedeque and Richmond. Bay West on the other. Think of the extent of the field he covered and there were no broad roads on which you could comfortably drive‘, in your easy carriage; swift moving automobiles were not in the realm of dreamland. The best mode of‘ travelling open to one's choice wasj, on horse back and often there wereg no roads to admit of even this and‘ the Journey must be made on foot Imagine the long journeys through’ forests; over streams and bays. in. summer and in winter. through- sparsely settled districts and long‘ tedious miles. with no inhabitants, Although the wearied guest would. receive warm welcome from the. people, yet accommodations would be anything but comfortable judg- ed by our present standards. but no difliculty or danger could deter . this faithful Minister of the Gos.j pel from the fulfillment oi his tasks and the people could depend upon finding him at his post at the appointed time.

In 1819 Richmond Bay West was erected into a separate church. Soon after. Bedeque took the same course and New London likewise in 1827. From this time until his death in 1858. this congregation‘ had their faithful Pastor to them- selves. except during such time as he spent in the last thirteen years. in the service of the church asPro- fessor of Theology of the Presby- terian Church of Nova Scotla. to which he gave several months each year following the death oi the Rev. Dr. McCulloch. l

The climax of Dr. Keirs minis- try was reached in a great Jubilee Service held on July 20th, 1858. On the appointed day, the whole coun- try round poured forth a great stream of carriages and horsemen. In some places all the carriages and horses in the settlement were brought into requisition. Some came the preceding day and from an early hour in the morning of the‘ appointed day crowds gathered. from every direction to this place; The meeting place then was the second church building of the con- gregation-the original church. built of 105$» Was down by what is called “The Big Spring"~ ilbout three- quarters of a mile from this church

and was built probably in Mr. Ur- quhartfis day. The second church was erected in 1813, early in Mu] Keir's day and stood Just to ihcl rear of the building in which we! are now meeting. facing to the west. and that is the church about which the Jubilee centered. i

Dr. Keir passed within the veil to the reward of his great services after a brief illness at Truro. on Sle&té2)lnber 22nd of this sanle your i .

Rev. Mr. Laird

Dr. Keir was succeeded by Rev. Robert Laird, who ministered to the congregation for over nineteen years. There are some among you today who will remember DinLalrdi and will recall his fine physique and perhaps still feel the inspira- tion of his able sermons and his noble life.

Ten years after Dr. Laircvs set- tlement. namely on October 21st. 1870, the New Church. so culled, that is the church in which we arc now assembled. was opened and dedicated to the public worship oi God. I would like to quote you from the minutes oi the first meet- ing of Session held in this bulld- ing: "The Session. meeting in the‘ New Church fol" the first time. feels called on to acknowledge and record the goodness of God to the congregation. in that so commodi- ous and suitable a building has been completed in which they may mec". for the public exercise of divine worship and the observance of thc ordinances of Christian religion. The church was opened for divine service on Sabbath, the twenty- flrst day of October. being filled to overflowing. Rev. Alexander Ster- ling and Rev, Robert Patterson of Bedeque preached on the occasion. The Session gratefully acknowledg- es the guidance and grace (fl the. Grcnt Head of the‘ Church ex-' tended toward the conszrccuilon for the period of nearly slXty years. during which His b90111? 113W‘ “‘°l" shipped in thc former buildinil."_

Thus for sixty-seven years [hi5 fine building in which we are now met has adorned this corner and' has stood. a fitting symbol of the faith and the character of those who have made it their religious

mecca.

I may refer to one other item of interest recorded in the minutes oi Session of Dr. Laird's day. The record of the meeting of July 5th. 1875 contains the following para. graph: “On motion of Mr. Sinclair. ggcQfldQd by Mr. Taylor. it was a- greed that the Intermission and Second Diet of Public Worship on_ the Lord's Day be discontinued.’ Pondering that motion from our present point oi view. you will rec- ognize that it is pregnant- flnd 5118-

tive.

ResThe Rev. Robert Iraird was suc- ceeded by Rev, George McMillan. of sacred memorvwho was induct- ed mm the pastorate on June 30th. 1680. He continued as the well beloved leader of the congregation for fourteen years and was in ev- ery my a most ideal Minister.

Later Times

We have now come. in our his-i

toric sketch. within the memory of ' 9

most of you here Drcstffll- Y0" "l" recall Rev. J. M. Fisher, Rev. E. J. mttee. Rev. J. M. MUIChiSOmRABV. A, N, Gillls. Rev. D.M. Grant.Rev.| E. M. Aitken. Rev. M. A. McMillan and Rev. George Murray. ‘vho. ini succession. have ministered with| great. fidelity and efficiency. with grant consecration and zeal to this favored neoole and 1'0" ‘"1" “f; cenflv welcomed Rev. Norman .

carry on the work of this com!"-

ginon witzhseat success and with

in the Congregation. was warmly welcomed His timely and spiritual messages were a delight to, all an incentive to endeavour to live on a higher plane.

Large congregations assembled at all services, especially those held on Sunday, when the Church was filled to capacity. Communion was dispensed after the Sunday mom- ing service, when about three hun- dred persons pariook of the ele- ments. This was a beautiful ser- vice conducted by the pastor in an orderly and reverent manner. It warmed the hearts of older folk to see eight new members come forwarr‘ and be received into the fellowship of the Church.

During this Communion season Mr. Morrison preached eight ser- mons in English. also two in the beautiful and expressive Gaelic Language. the mother tongue of the people of Highland descent of this and surroundin communities. Singers from neizh ring congrega-

ltions joined with those i Valley-

field’ at both English an Gaelic services. some beautiful Gaelic hymns were also sung by Mr. Mor- rison. A special feature of the Pri- day evening service was the in- troductlon and dedication of the I-iymnary. made possible by con- tributions from the different so- cieties of the Congregation and also from private individuals.

The pectic of Valleyfield were also glad to have Rev, Mr. Mac- Lcari. of the neighboring Caledonia Presbyterian Church, join with them, and take part in two of the services. He was cordially ivelcom- ed by Mi". Ebbutt. also by Mr. Mor- rison to whom 1t was the renewing oi an old friendship. On Monday morninc Mr. Morrison visited Mrs Angus MacDonald. Valleyfield East, where he dispensed Communion in the Gaelic tongue to the aged lady. now ninety seven years old,

Wood Islands Concert

A verv delightful and successful concert was held in the Wood Is- lflllds Hall on the evening of Bat. urday. July 2nd. tinder the aus- pices of the Orange Order.

itcv. R. Hensley Stavert presided and the following programme was well carried out.

Oilcning cllorus-“O Canada“.

Remarks by the chairman.

instrumental music — Wood Is- land Serenadcrs, (encore).

Bagpipe solo-Mi". George Martin, IGIICDYCI.

Duet-Messrs Louis McMillan and Roy McMillan.

Step Dance — Highland Fling by Miss Elizabeth Murdoch. accom- panied by Glen McKenzie. (encore)

Dialogue-Sue's Beau comes to Dinner" ~ Misses Florrie Beaten. Hilda Benton. Earle Benton and Messrs. Donald Hume. Alex. Bea- tou and his friend. ‘

Montazue Stringed Quarette — ‘Three violins and chello -— Mr. and Mrs. Archi Hume. Mrs. Harry Davi- son and Mi". Jas. Loivry. (encore).

Soio—Harold Young. (encore).

Step Darrow-The charleston by Miss. Dorothy Nov. accompanied by Glen McKenzie.

In-tcmiission and sale of candy.

Boy Scout dialogue —— "A Fa Chance to Get Thin“—-Messrs. Les- ter Stewart. Goodwin McDougall, John Cook. Donald Campbell and Albert McNclll.

Instrulnental solo by request - "Two Gulturs“-—Ml'. Archi Hume. (encore). ‘

_Siep Dance-Highland Fling by Misses Blanche Holmes and Lois Gillls.

Bagpipe solo-Mi". George Mar- tin. (encore).

Reading "Lochinvar" — Mrs. Harry Davison. tencorc.)

Duck-Messrs Louis McMillan and Rov McMillan, (encore).

Trio-—Mr. and Mrs. Ai"chi Hume and Mrs Jas. Inwrv. two violins and chello, (encore).

Closlnz chorus — "Seeing Nollie Home".

Snle of lunch boxes.

Just laeforc closing a hearty vote oi thanks was moved by Mr, Mur- doch McPhee and seconded by Mr. Donald McLean and extended bv the chairman on behalf of the Sword Orange Lodge to all who had assisted in making the evening en- tertainment such a splendid suc- cess, namclv —- Mr. and Mrs. Archl Hume. Mrs. Harrv Davison and Mrs. Jns Lowry. Montague. Mr. George ltinrtin. Belmont. Mass. Misses Elizabeth Murdoch. Blanche Holmes. L015 Gillis and Master Glen McKenzie. Melville, the Flat River (llliiflflilfi group. the Boy Scouts. Bellt- River. and the Wood Islands Berenaders. .

Quite a. snug sum was realized for the work of the Orange Order.

North Winsloe School Closing

The annual examination and clos- in exercises of North Winsloe 8 ool were hold in the school- house on Wednesday afternoon. June 29th, with a large attendance of interested parents and visitors. The following program was canted

out.

Recitation, "Welcome," by Robert Crasw .

Chorus —"The Maple leaf For-

ever."

Duet by Charlotte Moreside and Ibis Craswell.

Recitation, “A Tale of Tails" by Jessie MacNa hton.

Geography etch -Gradoa a and

Solo- by Veda Roberts. Red Cross Play --"'I‘he Trial of Jimmy Germ." Duet-Rena msdmore and Vera Nunn. Recitation by —-Iric Laird. Geography Match by Grade 0. sole by Mar are Cruweil. Driil-"cana a act and West." Duet-Veda Roberts and Mar- gnrct. Craswcll. Recitation. "Only a Dream" by» Grant Laird. Chorus, "Pack Up Your Trou-

bl .. if». the program the following

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prizes were awarded by the teacher. Miss Esther Harper:-

For General Proficiency. Grade IX-Lauretta Smith: Grade VIII- Marion Ford; Grade Nunn: Grade It Si‘. Moreside; Grade IV Jii-Lois Cras-

II-Donald MacNaughton; Grade I —Robert Crasivell.

Prize for Perfect Attendance a- warded to Marion Ford Prizes for most hundreds March were awarded to Veda Ro- berts, Marion Ford. an‘ Charlotte Moreside.

Prize for highest average in the Public School Certificate Examin- ation awarded to Erie Laird Prizes for Geography Matches a- warded tc Veda Roberts and Vera

c I o s i n g drawn by Florence Croucher.

The closing exercises 0f Souris High School were held in St. Marys Gffldo V11 ziau ‘liiursday afternoon, June 30. 'I'licl'c wasda ‘large iarents an vs tors. 1 . u. l-lockin presided Grade IV, Nicholas Paq . _ ram was car- _ Prize for second highest average ten-Wm 0f i011?“ 15nd RIVPS much E5; 1n Grade IV. Francis Cheverie. better mastery of flood problems;