IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I lis ■so m m £ lis 2.0 IL25 iu m ill 1.6 Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 # \ qv \\ % c^ ■^ ■^^■^ .** c ^ %0 ///A ^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques A Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes larhniques et bibliographiques The toti The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. Q D D D D D n D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul6e I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes g6ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relid avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serr6e peut causer de Tombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge int6rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmies. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a ix^ possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui :>euvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mithode normals de filmage sont indiquis ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur n n D Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul^es Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcoiordes, tachet^as ou piqudes Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es Showthrough/ Transparence The poi of tl filml Orig bog the •ion, othe first sion, orili I I Quality of print varies/ Quality in^gale de I'impression includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Thei thaii TiNU whici IMaps differ entire begin right i requii matht Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurc.'es par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6x6 filmdes 6 nouveau de facon 6 obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indiqui ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X iplaire .es details liques du ent modifier Bxiger une de filmage Th« copy filmad h«r« has baan raproducad thanks to tha ganarosity of: University of British Columbia Library Tha imagan appaaring hara ara tha bast quality possibia considaring tha condition and iagibility of tha originai copy and in Icaaping with tha filming contract spacif Ications. L'axamplaira fiimi fut raproduit grica A la ginArositA da: University of British Columbia Library Las imagas suivantas ont 4tA raproduitas avac la plus grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat6 da Taxampiaira film*, at an conformity avac las conditions du contrat da filmaga. Bd/ iqudes Original copias in printad papar covars ara filmad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or illustratad impras- sion, or tha back covar whan appropriata. All othar original copias ara filmad baginning on tha first paga with a printad or illustratad impras- sion, and anding on tha last paga with & printad or illustratad imprassion. Las axamplairas originaux dont la couvarture an papiar ast imprimia sent filmte en commandant par la premier plat at an tarminant soit par la darnlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, salon le cos. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filrtifo en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration at en terminant par la darniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol ^^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — »> signifie "A SUIVRE". le symboie V signifie "FIN". taire Maps, plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure ara filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre fiimAs A des taux de reduction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 d partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche d drolte, et de haut nn bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. by errata Tied to lent une pelure, facon i ; "> i t ' ^ 3 32X ! f ; :' i ■" - , , 4 5 6 v- 1 lf75''^M^^MS^^& 5 HISTORICAL SERMON CltKACIII-l) \ I THK S E M I -C M .\ T E i\ N I A L (] ]^ \i V. B R A T iO N tir ihK 1 % Amsrican Prssbyterian Church ft n C5 or nyEonsrT:RE^i_,, BY THE PASTOR. H/a\ (n^(f^JtaE HL /r/i'/././V, MAY 18, 1873. \jy. V9 i •); •• )'i' shixll Jl'illoiO the Fiftieth Year:' --i>-J -'- JVloutrcal : iMiiN ri:i» nv judn c. uhcret, iso st. jamms sTi!Ki;r. 1873- »i_il Jr ^f -'5:rif5^ M £>-'' :> I i -:■ t l\ •y 1 / -. ""i . 1 '' . ll -' ^ -.. HI SJ Am B fRIN L HISTORICAL SERMON PRKAfllKn AT THK SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 01' TIIK American Presbyterian Church or MONTREAL. HY THK PASTOKi Rev. George H. Wells, MAY 18. 1873. ' ... '» " }> shall Ilalhnv the Fiftieth Year, -t4.jer^":^ftr555».A_>- JHcmtrcal: I>RINTEI» BY JOHN C BECKET, 180 ST. .TAME,^ STREET* 1873. i I " Dlessc ye I T awaken his anc abunda A Aineric until 1 much ( held iU United Americ of the secured althoug blished 1787 li as paste Schene* Albauy that bo congrea of the until Ji Presbyl country w Ontario LL S^EEMOK k .-vrv./'\-' wy^v I" V ^ >• PSALM CXXXV-21. " Itle$)Red be the Lord out of Zion, which dwelloth Rt JerMsalem. Praia* yo the Lord." ™ These words express the grateful feelings of the Pealoiisf, awakened by the reni<^inbrance of Qcd's gracious dealings toward his ancient people. In the review we take to day we shall find abundant reason to make them heartily our own. Although this congregation, which bears the name of the American Presbyterian Society of Montreal, was not organized until 1823, the denomination had been represented here at a much earlier date ; for the first Presbyterian Church of this city held its earliest connection with the General Assembly of the United States. That congregation, composed of persons of both American and British birth, and belonging to different branches of the Presbyterian Church, was formed in 1790, and soon secured the pastoral services of Rev. John Young. He, although a native of Scotland) and a licentiate of tho Esta- blished Church, had emigrated to the United States, and in 1787 had been ordained by the Presbytery of New York as pastor of the churches at Curry's Bush, now Princeton, and Schenectady, in that State. In 1790, when the Presbytery of Albany was organized, he became by his location a member of that body, and soon after came to Canada. In 1791 his new congregation in Montreal petitioned to be taken under the care of the Albany Presbytery, and remained in that connection until June, 1793, when it was dismissed to unite with the new Presbytery of Montreal, tho first body of the kind in this country. We find also that in Upper Canada, or, as we now say, Ontario, AmoricanB were the religious pioneers, So early as I .J I i7d8, oar sister denomination, the (Dutch) Reformed Church, sent a Missionary to labor in that region; and he was followed in a few years by several others, who travelled widely through the frontier settlements, gathering congregations and administering gospel ordinances. Among the churches thus established was the first congregation of York, now Toronto, which was for a while under the care of the Classis of Albany ; afterwards became connected with tho United Synod, and finally, together with a portion of the St. Andrew's Church of that city, took the namo of Knox's Church, and is now one of the strongest charges of the Canada Prcsbytcrinn body. Tho honor therefore of planting tho first Frcabyterian Church, both in Montreal and in Toronto, the two chief cities of this Dominion, belongs to those kindred bodies, the Presbytery and tho Classis of Albany. American churches are not, then; intiudcrs on this soil; but may rightly claim priority of occupation and of work. These early labors were, however, for tho moat part tem- porary and soon ceased. The different denominations of tho old country, both estibli^hed and dissentirg, soon began to care for the people of this new land, and tho Americans generally left to them the field and turned to their own wide and rapidly ex- tending borders. The churches they had organized gradually united in ecclesiastical Cdnncotion with others formed around them, losing their distinctive character and name ; but some of them in the West continued in a separate body, called tho Fresbyiery of Niagara, until 1845, and a few stil) retain, in changed relations, their American title ; while one, at St Cathe- rines belongs to tho Prcsbytcy of Buff'alo, and keeps its placo in the Church of the United States. This Church, however, derives its origin from a somewhat different bource. Like many other enterprises, of both Church and State, it was born in strife. The separation of its founders from another congregation was occasioned by that common cause of divorces, ecclesiastical, as well as matrimonial — incom- patibilitjr of disposition. Its history was this: — Trouble had arisen in the congregation; which, in 1803, separated from the mothol of woj Kaston and til tho tic I Reformed Church, i ho was followed in widely through the I and administerin<; lus established was 0, which wos for a Albany ; afterwords id finally, together 1 of that city, took ne of the strongest rho honor thereforo th in Montreal and )minion, belongs to Classis of Albany. ) this soil; but may ork. ]\e most part tem- linations of the old n began to care for ns generally left to le and rapidly ex* pganizcd gradually rs formed around lame ; but some of body, called tho 2W still retain, in one, at St Cathc- nd keeps its place from a somewhat 3, of both Church on of its founders )y that common rimonial — incom* s:-— Trouble had jarated from the mother ohuroh in St, Qabriol Street, and built a second house of worship in St. Peter Street. Its minister was Re^. liobert Easton, a member of the Burgher Secession Synod of b'ootland ; and the congregation olaimed oonueotion with that body, though the tie of union seems to have been more nominal than real. The Americans of the city were generally drawn to this now churoh by their attachment to the voluntary principle, and they probably formed from tho first a considerable portion of the congregation. A goodly share of the funds for the now building, jBtiOO of £1,500, which it cost, was collected in tho States, with tho undorstandin:^ that it was to bo a Secession church and to remain in that connection. After the war of 1812, tho American population of the city considerably increased, and that element in the congregation was strengthened in propor- tion. About the year 1820 the question of obtaining a colleague and successor for Mr. Easton began to be discussed, and soon a difference of opinion was developed as to which nationality tho ucw preacher should belong. Tho American and Scottish members each desired a pastor from their native land ; and in order to insure the matter for both the present and all coming time, tho latter party proposed to transfer their relations from the Secession to tho Established Church, and to secure a minister from that body, and none che. The conlegb soon waxed warm. The lalood of Covenanter and Puritan stirred in their descendants, and incited them to renew tho ancient strife upon this Western soil. At last the Scotchmen triumphed, and the decisive vote was carried in their favor by a small majority. As a result of this action, the congregation was at once divided. The majority retained the property, took the name of Scotland's patron saint, St. Andrew, and sent to the old country for a minister, as they had wished. The minority with- drew, having no possessions, but with the freedom which they prized more than wealth, named themselves American and gained their wish also in securing a pastor from the United States. It sliould be sail, however, that the separation did not ii !f i i ! i exactly Ibllow the national line. Some Americans remained through preference for attachment to the old Church ; and some Scotchmen, more devoted to the voluntary system than to pa- triotic sentiment, went forth with the seceders. The new Society, although distinctively American, was not meant to be so in a narrow and exclusive sense. No rule as to nationality of members or ministers was ever made ; and it is in this connec- tion an interesting fact, that the longest pastorate in the history of the church was thxt of a native Scotchman. In the preamble to the regulations, early adopted by the Society, it is stated that, '* although a great portion of its members date their b'rth in the United States, yet it is by no means intended to exclude any on account of origin ; but, on the contrary, all who approve of this our compact, are invited to unite and congregate with U8." It is, indeed, probable that national feeling was at first quite strong. The memory of that war between Great Britain and the United Staffs which is still happily called the last, in which Canadians were so deeply interested and engaged, was then fresh, and more recent scenes had tended to intensify th j feud. Yet, even then, the feeling was not wholly bitter, and in the half century since elapsed, it has almost completely disap- peared. At times, passing events have stirred the fading flame, as during the late civil war ; but these seasons have been few and the prevailing state has been that of constant and of f^vow- ing peace. When occasion has required, this Society has always proved true to its origin and name. In their country's darkest hour, its members have not shunned to defend her honor and to plead her cause; and while loyal to the institutions under which they live, they have ever joined the interests of their native country with those of their adopted land in their love and prayers. At present, while we keep our first name and maintain the tie that binds us to the Church of the United States, we include among our members persons of almost every nationality, and we know no rivalry or difference between them. laki t J I If I I J aicricans rcmaiacd Church; and some jystem than to pa- iccders. The new IS not meant to be as to nationality of ; is in this connco- )rate in the history 1. In the preamble sty, it is stated that, date their b'rth in ntendcd to exclude iry, all who approve nd congregate with feeling was at first tween Great Britain y called the last, in d and engaged, was ied to intensify th j ;?holly bitter, and in »st completely disap- red the fading flame, iBons have been few Dustant and of r,»'ow- ty has always proved ry's darkest hour, its honor and to plead ns under which they their native country 3ve and prayers. At maintain the tie that es, we include among onality, and wc know The movement for the formui,ion of the American Society progressed with energy and zeal. A subscription, pledging an annual sum for two years to its support, was opened and met with prompt and generous response. At the first meeting of subscribers, held on Christmas Eve, 1822, in the long-room of the City Tavern, afterwards known as the Exchange Coff'ee House, which then stood in the court opening from St. Paul Street, where Evans' and Nelson's buildings have recently been burned, it was reported that one hundred names were already on the list and £340 were pledged. Sixty-six persons were present at that meeting, and earnestness and unanimity marked its proceedings. Jacob DeWilt was chairman, as he continued to be of most meetings of the Society until his death a few years since, and Jacob Bigelow the secretary. A prudential commit- tee of eight members, consisting, in addition to the two already named, of Messrs Hedge, Moore, Dickinson, Seaver, Forbes and Leonard, was appointed for one year, and instructed to attend at once to the securing of a place of worship, the procuring of a minister and all other necessary matters. It is evident that the failure or success of such an enterprise, would depend much upon its fiist pa&tor. A wise, firm hand upon the helm at the beginning starts the ship well upon her way, and promises a safe and prosperous voyage ; an indifferent or unskillful pilot will likely wreck her before she leases the harbor's mout'i. This fact was clearly seen by tho founders of this church, and they spared no pains to insure tho making of a prudent choice. At the second meeting of tho Society, held a fortnight later than the first, the Committee reported that they had prepared a letter setting forth their state and needs, and inquiring for the proper man to fill the all important place, and had sent copies of this letter to well informed and influential persons in the States, asking their advice and assistance in the work. Some extracts from this document, as it stands recorded in tho minutes of that meeting, will be of interest, as showing that those men had both a large opinion of , the field, and a high ideal of the Christian ministry. After stating :;1 the po.sltijn of affairs, and aflmiltinir the difficulty of describing precisely the kind of man they _^need, they proceed to name j-omc of the qualities which they think it necessary that he should possess. They speak as follows : " It is essential that ho should be a man of unbkiuislicd character and a scholar cf hi;.'h attainments ; his fttylc should be chaste, and his talents brilliant, lie should be a popular preacher, and should have that dii^'nity of deportment which results from sound principles and true piety." They further add that, as " Montreal is a place of considerable refinement, it is peculiarly desirable that he should posf^ess that urbanity of manner that might bj less needful in a difl'ertiit place ; " and in conclusion they repeat and emphasizo the statement th:it •' he must be a man eminent for piety and talent." Iteally, after reading tliat cutah <;ue of '• c;;scntial ' rjuali- tits, we wonder that they ever found a minister, Such persons Mere then, as new, hard to find ; and those who might approxi- mate that standard were not apt to be in want of places, nor willing to comet J t-uch afield as Montreal presented at that time. However, public worship was at once commenced. Tho WcsJi'yan Chapel then recently built at the corner of St. James and 8t. I''rancois Xavier Streets, where the Medical Hall now stands, was engaged for one year, for both Sabbath and week -burg, New York, whose people kindly spared him for a fiiw weeks to labor with the new enterprise, and he continued deeply interested for its success in after years. * >iiii 111" Kcv. Satnuol Wholploy, of Newark and Now York, settled 1 i>t nt riatt-iburg and afterwards at East Winds ir, Conn., and still Inter tnf.gi.t Mt I'rtvidenec, U.I. Died about 1850— .^/jm */«(.'« Annah, Vol. 11. •> 4 ■ The el 1823, with females."'' Savage, Saj the first eI upon the fol liars were rtT upon profeg About arrived up'. sent out by askicg wh ' at once r( ganford +> ton Semin:: had gradu flattering r to visit Mc Thes( to preach 1 at once an weeks. I J ; , tions he 1 preaching astic mee *Mr. :\Ir3. A. F Dickinson, Mrs. Cuttc Miss Rice, ■fBor 1S20; ord lyn, Oct. Jan. 21, 1 Dr. McAi of describing ^•ec'i to name i'jry that he essential that J a scholar cf id his talents should have nd principles VIontreal is a esirable that night bj loss ley repeat and 1 eminent for ntial'' quali- Such persons i«ht approxi- f places, nor nted at that iiiccd. The f St. Ja.'ijes al Hall now h and week ongregation, door-keeper, first time, Whelpley/!- d him for a 3 continued i'oTk, settled id f till later ah, Vol. II. 9 Iho church was fvruially organized by him, March 23^ 1823, with a membership of twenty-one, — eleven males and ten temales."-!' At the preparatory lecture, April 10th, Messrs. George Savage, Samuel Hedge, and Elisha Lyman were ordained as the first Elders of the church, and at the communion seaion, upon the following Sabbath, April 13th, seven additional mem- bars were received to church fellowship — four by letter and three upon profession of their faith. About this time the first candidate for the pastoral office arrived upyn the ground. In answer to the high toned letter sent out by the Committee describing the minister desired, ani askirg where he might be found, Dr. Ely, of Philadelphia, 'at once replied that he kn'^w the very man, Mr. Joseph Sanford +, at that time a member of the Senior Class in Prince- ton Seminary. Dr. Nott, of Union College, where Mr. Sanford had graduated three years before, fully confirmed Dr. Ely's flattering report, and eflbrts were at once begun to induce him to visit Montreal at an early date. These measures were successful, and after receiving license to preach from the Presbytery of New York in April, he came at once and supplied the pulpit of the infant church for several weeks. His appearance luUy justified the high recommenda- tions lie had received. The peop'e were delighted with his preaching, and upon the 15th of May, at a large and enthusi- astic meeting of the Societv, a call to Mr. Sanford was *Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hodge, Mr. and Mrs. George Savage, Mr. and Mrs. A. Fcssenden, Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Lyman, Messrs. D. Bridge, !!• Dickinson, J. Bigelow, F. Crossland, G. Williams, Aj'res L. 'Winclicster, Mrs. Cutter, Mrs. Turrell, Mrs. Corse, Mrs. Stoddard, Miss L. Hedge, and Miss Rice. ■j: Born at Vernon, Vt., February 6, 1797; graduated at Union College 1820; ordained and installed pastor of First Presbyterian Cliurch, Brook- lyn, Oct. 16, 1823 ; installed Second Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia* Jan. 21, 1S29 ; died Christmas day, 1831. Funeral Sermon preached by Dr. MoAuley, Dec. '28th— text : Rev. xiv. 13. 10 yt _ unanimously vote J, with the offer of what, for the times, and the circumstances of the congregation, was the very liberal salary of £'^00, or $1,200, from the date of settlement — to be increased to £400, or 01,600 as soon as a house of worship should be built, with the provision of a dwelling whenever he should marry Seldom is a call so heartily and earnestly extended, and high hopes were entertained for its success ; but, after mature delibera- tion, Mr Sanford decided to decline it, and to accept an invita- tion from the First, and at that time only, Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, New York. This was a severe disappoint ment to the new church. After fixing their hearts on such a man it was hard to be satisfied with any other. Successive candidates appeared, but it is to be feared that they were heard with heavy ears, and no one was able to transfer to himself the admiration so freely bestowed on the first favorite. At last, iu November, after repeated failures to unite upon some other man, the congregation repeated its call to Mr. Sanford, and pressed it with renewed earnestness and hope. They were, however, again disappointed and refused, and the first year of its history closed upon the church in discouragement and doubt. During the winter it was found difficult to secure regular and acceptable supplies. Travel was then a slow and tedious process, and a trip from Boston or New York to Montreal by stage was a very different affair from a night's ride in the Pullman car^ which it has now become. Sometimes the mini- ster expected, failed, to come, and then one of the lay brethren, conducted service and read a printed sermon from " The National Preacher," after the custom of the New England fathers. Thus a long and gloomy winter wore away. But when April had again come round and the cold of the external world begun to be relaxed, hope dawned once more upon the church. One year after the coming of Mr. Sanford, another man of kindred genius and spirit appeared upon the scene- This was Joseph Stibbs Christmas * (also a member *Born at Georgetown, Penn., April 10, 1803 j graduated at Washing- ton College, September, 1819, of Prince mended to the fieli too, sccur dissenting twice urg /^ necessary \§ the prize I ance of th [united wi ' church ha € Sabbath, t "J of the Go ^Church of I Peter Str 'M having lea *tha Wes! I ordaining 3 to the pas ^^ ^: the people were then Drs. Cox present tii gent, altho Hendersor ^ and Mr. \ were prese oonstellati new-born career ; ai despite th might wel the youth Ttis in terms the word cxccUcDc n le times, and the liberal salary of be increased to shouM be built, e should marry ended, and high mature delibera- iccept an invita- ly, Presbyterian evere disappoint- hearts on euch a her. Successive they were heard ir to himself the ite. At last, iu some other man, if and pressed it , however, again ts history closed to secure regular 3I0W and tedious to Montreal by it's ride in the times the mini- he lay brethren, " The National Ingland fathers. the cold of the once more upon anford, another pon the scene- io a member uatedat Washing- of Princeton Scuiinary, and, like Mr. Sanford, highly com- mended by the Facalty and other friends, who now came to the field of his future labors and success. In a few weeks he, too, secured the people's confidence and love, and without a dissenting voice they extended to him the call which they bad twice urged upon another, making no alteration in it, save tho necessary changes of date and name. This time they gained the prize they sought. Mr. Christmas soon signified his accept- ance of the call ; and having graduated at the Seminary, and united with the Presbytery of New York, with which the church had now become connected, he was by that body, upon Sabbath, the first day of August, 1824, ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, and installed pastor of the American Church of Montreal. The services were held in the old St. Peter Street Church, to which the Society had now returned, having leased it upon the same terms as they had formerly held the Wesleyan Chapel. Tho sermon was preached and the ordaining prayer offered by Rev. Dr. McAuley. The charge to tho pastor was given by Rev, S, H. Cox, and the address to the people by Rev. Wm. Patten. In addition to these men — who were then all prominent pastors in New York, and two of whom, Drs. Cox and Patton, remain in vigorous old age until the present time, — Dr. Nettleton, the great revivalist, was also pre- sent, although too feeble to share actively in the services. Rev. Mr. Henderson, of St. Andrews, P. Q. ; Mr. Furkiss, of Laprairie, and Mr. Whelpley, of Plattsburg, who had organized the church, wore present and assisted in the laying on of hands. It was a brilliant constellation of piety and worth which shone upon the cradle of the new-born church, giving presage of a bright and prosperous career ; and its largest promise was speedily fulfilled, for, despite the difiiculties which opposed the enterprise, and which might well have daunted an older and more experienced man, the youthful pastor quickly led it to a position of assured success. It is difficult at this distance to speak of Mr. Christmas terms that do justice to the theme and yet seem in the words of soberness and truth. His character combinod excellencies so numerous and various, that it is hard to believe 12 \- !i' u' ii: thctn tho qualities of one m&Q* In him tlie gentlest disposltioa aad the most glowing imagioation, were so balanced, by the soundest principle and guided by the most sober judgment, that his mind was equally distinguished for its beauty and its strength. His face was almost feminine in its delicacy, and bis form and movements were well nigh faultless in their grace ; yet his manner was commanding and his look high and manly. Scarcely more than a boy in years (barely twenty-one when be came to Montreal), and even less mature in looks, he bore hiiu< self mlh. such dignity and prudence as let no man despise his youth. Full of {esthetic taste and talent, he had been in earlier years both a poet and a painter — an artist both of the pencil and pen — and had looked forward to a life spant in ^the pursuit of literature and art, but when he became a Christian, he gave up these plans so completely that they seem never to have returned. Drawn by the constraining love of Christ, he henceforth desired only to become a Gospel preacher. In later years, describing his emotions, he said: "I might with propriety say with Jeremiah that the word of the Lord was in my heart as a burn- ing fire, shut up within my bones, and I ,,was weary with for- bearing, and I could not stay." Well trained in tho studies of his literary course, and thoroughly grounded by the able Pro- fessors at Princeton, in the substantial doctrines of the Calvi- nistic faiht ; his intercourse with Nettleton had added fervor to his creed and fired his gifts and culture with a burning and untiring love. ... Does any one suppose that this is extravagant or unmeaning praise? Let him look at the history of that career, and consider the place in which he stood and the difl&culties against which ho fought, lie came to a church of twenty-five members — a congregation neither large nor rich, and moreover somewhat disheartened and alien- ated from each other, by the experience through which they had passed. The Society not only owned no property : it had no right to do so-^possessed not even a legal existence or a name ; and in the condition of the laws at that period, these things were Id tttlest dispositioQ )alanced, by the sober judgment, J beauty and its delicacy, and his their gi-ace ; yet ligh and manly, nty-one when he 'ks, he bore hiiu- man despise his d been in earlier )f the pencil and i the pursuit of tian, he gave up ) have returned, moeforth desired oars, describing riety say with heart as a burn- weary with for- 1 the studies of f the able Pro- s of the Calvi- added fervor to a burning and extravagant or listory of that lie stood and [e came to a n neither large ed and alien- gh which they »erty : it had no ice or a name ; ese things were m )t easily acquired and maintained. The couits had then sently decided that no minister save a clergyman of the lomish, or the Established English or Scottish Church, could twfully perform the rites of baptism, burial or marriage, furing the whole pastorate of Mr. Christmas this remained the ise, and the course which he pursued helped to illustrate thj ipirit of the man. Regarding marriage and burial as largely ivil rites, he respected the laws upon these points and never )nsented to officiate responsibly at either. But believing, iptism to be an ordinance of the church ; receiving his commis- lon to baptize from the same authority which bade him preach, id rendermg to God the things which are God's as carefully as Ctesar Ctesar's things, he always baptized both infanU and |dults when called to do so ; and although sometimes threatened rith persecution, he was never actually molested*. Moreover Society to which he ministered was not favorably egarded by the community at larger They were stigmatised as ;ctious and schismatic, and accused of narrow national picju. lices and aims. Rev. Dr. Wilkes of this city, who personally ecalls that time, says : " I'here was then an absurd prejudice in the minds of English-speaking people, generally, against everything and everybody not of &itish origin," Such were the difficulties which he met : yet see the work which he performed In four years of labor, interrupted by journeys to solicit Ifunds in thb United States, and broken by repeated illness, he Igathered a numerous and prosperous congregation ; built a good house of worship on one of the best sites in the city ; received to church membership, mainly by profession, almost two hun* |dred persons; established a flourishing Home Sabbath School in the centre, and mission efibrts at both ends of the city ; aided in founding the various societies of benevolent and chris- tian work which still live among us, and at his departure left a memory which has continued fresh and fragrant to the pre- * Other Ministers, however, were loss fortunate. One at Quebec was prosecuted by Bishop Mountain and imprisoned sit uionth« for violatioh of this IftWt X fr- it -i lit 14 sent time. Nor is this all he did. Besides his regular routine of pastoral work, and the special services which he often held, he found time to help forward every good word and work. He wrote much for the public press upon the passing topics of the times. A published report of the Bible Society ; an Essay on the Christian Sabbath ; a discussion with a Roman Calliolic priest, afterwards continued with a layman, conducted in the papers and reprinted in pamphlet form ; an appeal to the in- habitants of Lower Canada upon the disuse of ardent spirits; some tracts published by the American Tract Society ; two printed sermons ; a thorough course of Biblical study, and a wide range of reading regularly carried on — these are sortie of the items noted in hia journal as among the work accomplished while he "lived in Montreal. He probably preached the tirst temperance discourse, he certainly formed the first temperance society, in Canada^ and he was doubtless the pioneer in taking an aggressive attitude toward the Romish Church. Under his pungent, faithful preaching, the earliest religious revival in a Presbyterian Church ot this city occurred, and produced no little stir among the people of that day. Ministers gravely remonstrated with him upon what they deemed his excessive and unsafe zeal, and the baser sort scoffed and openly opposed the work. In connection with that revival, there were about one hundred conversions in his own congregation, and its influence pread to other places ; so that, at the town of St. Andrews, where he visited and preached, thirty persons were converted and added to the church. Remembering these things, it is not too much to say, that the cause of earnest. Evangelical religion throughout this Pro- vince, received from him a strong impulse, and owes to him a large and lasting debt. Surely the high pastoral ideal which the church at first conceived, was in him completely filled ; but, alas! his course was brief as wiill as bright ; his health was never firm, and the rigor of this Noithern climate told severely on his strength. Three years after settlement, in August, 1827, ho tendered his resignation of the pastoral office ; but, upon the partial improvement of his health, and at the earnest reriucst of 15 : the people, he withdrew it and remained another year. His cottvii- lesoenoe, however, was of short duration ; and in August, 1828, he again asked to be dismissed, and severed that connection I which had proved so full of happiness and fruit. His farewell I letter to the congregation, written from Connecticut, whither ho I had gone in search of health, is a model of its kind, and [deserves to be read entire in this presence, but wo can only briefly quote. After referring to his unwillingness at first to go to Canada, and his subsequent yielding to what seemed the [plain command of duty, he proceeds to say : ** When the [peculiar difficulties aod immense importance of the station lare considered, in connection with the fact that your }astor has been sustained and blessed beyond your ezpec- [tation or his own, you are forcibly reminded how much more ^ou are indebted to the goodness of Providence, than to the [wisdom of your choice; and he is solemnly and affectingly ibound to give glory to God for His mercy and truth's sake. Ilf the enlargement and stability of jour congregation ; ^the unembarrassed possession of a spacious and convenient I house of worship ; the enjoyment of what you were once , strangers to — unity of heart and harmony of counsel ; the shining of your light in darkness, which is beginning to eomprehend it; the accession of moral strength to the visible body of Christ, and the renovation of many immortal minds whom the Redeemer shall set as jewels in His mediatorial crown — if these be just causes of thankfulness to Zion's King, we will unite in adoring Him who once made use of the clay for open- ing the eyes of the blind." In describing his feelings at parting with his people, lie says: "I do it with the reluctance of a missionary who, worn down in some foreign land, is driven from the strongholds he has won to return and breathe his native air — a useless invalid. I do it with the feelings of a soldier whDm his General com- mands from the high places of the field to the ignoble work of guarding the encampment ; I do it with all the laceration of affection which lakes place in being severed from a people who i f I 16 have been so kind and indulgent as I can tcsttfy that you hare been. Notwithstanding the tide of prejudice which in Canada sets strongly and steadily against a man of my country and principles ; the civil disabilities which a persecuting law lays upon me as a clergyman ; separatioo from the sympathies of home and kindred, and the great amount of ministerial lubor, unrelieved by exchanges, which my solitary position has im- posed, I could feel ready to say, with the Moabitcss of old : * Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I bo buried : the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thoo and me.'" Then, after stating that imperative duly leaves him no alternative, he proceeds to plead with Christians, that they adorn their profession and walk worthy of the vocation whercwitii they are called. ; and appeals to those still unconverted, that they at once become reconciled to God. Ho exhorts his people to liberality in support of the societies in which he had rouFcd their interest, and commends to them especially the cause of temperance, in which he had been the pioneer. Since the part- ing charge of Paul to the Ephesian Elders, I doubt if a more tender and faithful farewell has been given. After his dismission from this church, Mr. Christmas rested from pastoral work, for a time during which he visited New Orleans as Agent for the American Bible Society, and spent some time at Boston, Mass., in the family of his friend, Mr. S. v. S» Wilder, where ho preached for the famous * Hillside Church.'* In October, 1829, he was installed pastor of the Bowery Church in New York, and began his ministry wiih the greatest acceptance and success, taking rank at once amonj^' the most attractive preachers of the city. But his health again proved unequal to the task, and he died suddenly, March 14tli 1830, just five months after settlement, when not quite twenty- seven years old. His wife and both his children had died with- in a few months previous, so that the entire family were called away within a single year: " They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided." 17 • So lived aud labored uud died the first pastor of this 'church— a man of rare baauty and nobility of character. Doubt- lu8i he had his faults ; but after a careful perusal of all that I I can find relating to him, I have not been able to discover what they were. We may think he erred in wearing out his strength too soon, aud going down to an untimely grave ; but not all men 'are made to work alike. Some trees grow slowly and live long — others bear fruit early and die young ; and so it is with men. I We do well to cherish his name ; and to do it honor, would it not also be well if we should honor ourselves by founding some I memorial worthy of his work ? — not by the erection of a costly [monument or tablet, but by establishing a school or mission chapel, or society for Christian work — in short, something which should illustrate his character and perpetuate his influence, as j well as keep alive his name.* After the fall of such a leader, it is not surprising that some time passed before his place was filled. The minds of the people [now again reverted to the man of their first choice; and at the annual meeting of that year, December 25, 1828, they again unanimously called Mr. San ford in the same terms as on the two former occasions. It was now fondly hoped that he would accept ; but he again disappointed them, for, although he left Brooklyn at about that time, it was to become pastor of the Socond Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, where three years afterward he died. The church then remained a year without a pastor, and it was not until January, 1830, that they recovered sufficiently from the double sorrow of bereavement and defeat to call another man. * Before Mr. Christmas gracluatod from the Seminary ho had become greatly interested in the state of France, and almost decided to devote himself to the work in that country. Disappointed in this plan, one argument which induced hiui to come to Montreal was, the hope that he might be u;=el'ul to the French population of this Province. It would seem, therefore, as if some special effort in connection with the French Canadian work, would bo particularly appropriate as a tribute to his memory. It IS This time tlicii' ciioicc loll upon Mr. (leo. W. Pcikiiiv u recent graduate of New Haven, where under the iurttruetioii id Dr. Tuylor, he had learned a different system of Thcolo^'y IVdiii that which Christmas had been tau