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A feRIEF SEET 
 
 
 ■«t^,,- 
 
 OF THE 
 
 
 LIFE AND LABORS 
 
 Qf THE 
 
 #f;^ 
 
 LATE REV. JOHN KEIR, D. D., S. T. 
 
 REPRINTED FROM THE "CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTOR." 
 
 
 ^ PIOTOU. N. S. 
 
 FEINTED BY E. M. MAODONALD, EASTERN OHRONIOLE OFFIOE. 
 V : 1859. 
 
 ^.'fir- 
 
 ^iL.-tiii 
 
 l^.L^JiL:i!S 
 
 ■^^*~^A^K&^i 3tn 
 
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 esq) 
 
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 .€:■ 
 
THE LATE HEV. .lOlIN KEIK. I). 11 
 
 i. I.NTRODICTION. 
 
 Tn prococvllng to givo ini aoeount of the lii'o unci labors of this ven- 
 erable servant of Christ, uhoHe h)8;i the cliurch at hirG;o doploros, avo 
 may be pibnnitted to cxprcsM mir regret, that ho and so mauy of tho 
 fathers of our church liave loft Buch scanty records oT their early 
 labors and trials. The lives of most minit^tcr-; is of such a cahn and 
 Tiniform tenor, as to present few materials for biography. It -was 
 however very dilferent Avith those, svho lirst^^lantcd the gospel in 
 the forests of this country. Their lives abounded in arduous toils, iji , 
 spirit stirring incidcntstand in abundant success; the record of which ' 
 would form an interesting addition to religious literature. -But witli 
 tho modesty that characterised them, They, Avith scarcely more Ihcn 
 a single exception, loft no written record of their labors and sacrifices. 
 They kept no journalw. They neither eoui-tcd nor expected noturi- 
 ety for what they had done. They were coniiMit to labor and lool; 
 for no other reward, than the blessing and approval of the g-i-cat 
 master whom they served. Or ii'thev looked to iiostcritv. it \va ^ in 
 the hope, that their Avorks Avould follow them. This-indeed is a pt, - 
 cord more enduring than the Avritten page, or the marble pill-iiv — 
 Still Ave have reason to regret that tho lacts of their hi: tory aiv so 
 imperfectly known ; and justice to theii- memory, as well as the dic- 
 tates of tho word of (iod require that, as iiir as possi!i]i\ tlu'se i'vvtH 
 fihould be preserA'ed. "What Ave have heard and !:ii(»\vii. aiid our 
 fatherH have told xk-, avc avIU not hide Ihem from tlui:- cliil.l^H';:! 
 showing to the generations to come, the pi-aises of tl-.c Lord, j.jul 
 his strength, and his Avonderful Avoi'ks that he liatli doi,;-.' '• Kr.. 
 member tho days of old, consider tiic years of many -c ;i"r:\rii):is ; 
 ask thy father, and h.e Avill show thee; thy hldi'i-s aiid tlu'v -.viil kit 
 theo." 
 
 These remarks c^^ic^'ialiy a))i>ly to the suiij.'ct (jf'this iMciMf.ii'. !ii,; 
 Avas a long life of aliiuidani la! 
 'has left no jjarticuln' record of 
 
 \i\d t f ch^'eriiig' Mitu'css, but lu- 
 
 wl!;.:f 11 
 
 , I,., 
 
 I as lio'M 
 
 It' !;ept no jour. 
 
 
 rial o{' hi'- i:\r'.v U- . 
 
 riii'i \vi;li liic !;i:iiii!!t"v of lii- charti'Mcr, 
 
/ (2) 
 
 made little r«foroncc to what ho had done, and in conBcquencc his 
 life can be very imperfectly written. Hut his labors are written on 
 the face of the country, in the moral wilderness rejoicing and blo»- 
 ■oming as the rose. Such facts liowover as wo have boon able to 
 gioan regarding his life, we shall hero record. 
 
 II. Parentauk and Youth. 
 
 Tlie Rev. John Koir was bom at Buchlyvio in the parish of Kip- 
 pon, Stirlingshire, Scotland, on the 2nd February 1780. Ho was tho 
 eldest of the family, which consisted of two sons and a daughter. — 
 The daughter died after reaching maturity, and shortly after hc» 
 max'riage, and tho other son has long since preceded liim to the eter- 
 nal world. His parents, whose names wore John and Christiana 
 Keir, were very pious people. The district in which they then re- 
 sided, was one of tho earliest in which tho Seces^iion had gained a 
 footing, the congregation there being an offshoot of the Rev. Ebone- 
 r^r Erskine's at Stirling. The people of this parish had been dis- 
 tinguished for their attacliment to tho Solemn League and^Covenant 
 in the bloody days of Lauderdale and Claverhouso, and some of 
 them had suflFered and bled in tho cause of Scotland's covenated re- 
 formation. At the rise of the Secession, when corruption and tyr- 
 anny were gaining the ascendency in the Church of Scotland, they 
 ttrcmgly sympathized with the contendings of the Secession fathers, 
 ami cheerfully cast in their lot with them. For ton years, many of 
 them were to be found travelling thirty miles every Sabbath to en- 
 joy the ministrations of Ebenezer Erskine, till their own number, 
 and the increase of preachers in the body, led them, along with their 
 hrethren in the neighboring parishes of Balfron, Drymen, and Kil- 
 rnaronwk, to set up a tabernacle for themselves near the centre of 
 till' parish of Balfron. They coaitinued to form part of this congre- 
 gation (ill tlie yau' ]7.")2, when they erected their own place of wor- 
 dhip at Buehlyvic.* Thi.s (•(•ngregation it may be mentioned, pro- 
 duced a large number of the early ministers of the Secession. To 
 i\ l»el<)n<;e(l, from a v(M-y early period, the parents of the subject of 
 tliis memoir, and so far as Dr. Keir kiiyw, their parents before them; 
 HO that l>y lii.s ancestry he was connected with the Secession from its 
 oviifin.and at its very fountain liea<l. 
 
 When he was al)ont a year old. liis parents removed to Balder- 
 nock, a i'cw* miles distani Irom (Glasgow. Here they became mem- 
 I'tTs of the '.•■'ni,'rcM-.|fi..ti ..f Dukf .St., Glasgow, then under the nnp- 
 
 ' r, p. M <^.. Ml. -. i„,-,. icT. 
 
^ 
 
 {'^) 
 
 encc his 
 itton on 
 nd blos- 
 1 ablo to 
 
 of Kip- 
 was tho 
 ghter. — 
 iftcr hot 
 the ctor- 
 iristiana 
 then re- 
 gained a 
 . Ebene- 
 been diB- 
 Jovenant 
 some of 
 lated re- 
 and tyr- 
 nd, they 
 
 fathers, 
 many of 
 th to en- 
 number, 
 ith their 
 and Eil- 
 3entre of 
 i congi'c- 
 ) of wor- 
 ried, pro- 
 ion. To 
 ubject of 
 
 re them; 
 
 from its 
 
 Balder- 
 mo racm- 
 tlie Kn)>- 
 
 erintcndenco of tho l?ev. Mr. Ramsay, and al'torward of tho Rov. I>r 
 Muter, then in connection with the Antiburghor Synod. It may bo 
 mentioned that, such was their zoal in attending upon ordinances, 
 that they at one time walked regularly every Sabbath, between se- 
 ven and eight miles, to attend upon the preaching of the word.— 
 Under these ministers Dr. Keir was brought up ; in that congrega- 
 tion he first made a profession of religion, and of it ho continued a 
 member as long as he remained in the Old Country. 
 
 III. His Student Life. 
 
 His parents were in comfortablo circumstances, and provided for 
 him tho means of obtaining an education, until he had completed 
 his college curriculum, which he did at the University of Glasgow. — 
 Having oompleted the usual course of literary studies there, he wai 
 admitted to the study of Theology, under the Rev. Archibald Bruce, 
 of "Whitburn, then Professor of Theology to tho General Associate 
 Synod. When about the close of his Theological course, what was 
 commonly called the Now Light Controversy came to an isHuo. — 
 This was a controversy regarding the power of the civil Magistrata 
 in religion. Some portions of the Confession of Faith were intoiv 
 preted as teaching intolerant or persecuting principles ; and for sev- 
 eral years a controversy agitated both branches of tho Soecssion, 
 regarding the retention of those portions as part of the Profession 
 of the Church. It is usual in our day to explain away their force, so 
 as to make them accord with the principles of toleration, character- 
 istic of the age. We humbly conceive that tho Old Light party of 
 those days, or as Mr. Eobertson of Kilmarnock called them, " tha 
 old darkness men," were mr i o honest. They openly advocated th« 
 idea, that the magistrate Bhoi;;'i employ his "active power" in sup- 
 pressing heresy, and in advancing tho truth, Thej' understood the 
 language of the Confession of Faith In its full meaning, and regard- 
 ed "Toleration" of error by the Civil Government, as a national sin. 
 Among those who took an active part on tho Old Light side, was 
 Professor Bruce, who at length seceded from tho Synod. This occur- 
 red while Dr. Keir was near the cloae of his course. Though Dr. 
 Keir retained a veneration for his old Professor, whotse talents, Jcuru» 
 ing and character, rendered him worthy of it, yet his sentiments and 
 feelings ran strongly in favor of the Synod, on tho questions at issue. 
 Indeed, as we shall presently see, he regarded tho Synod as behind 
 tho liberal spirit of tho age. Dr. Paxton, was on the 30th April, 
 1807, Ciccted as Professor Bruoe's succc^'sor, but wc bclicv':> that Dr, 
 
 I 
 
 ii 
 
'^k 
 
 Kfir iicvor attoiKJod h\n proloptiouH. Wy tho appointmont of Synod, 
 Presbyteries n«sijt^no(l to StndontH imdrr thfir oharpjo, povonil exer- 
 cises, niifl oxnmiiiat ions, which won> to count ns one year's ftttend- 
 enee ut the Hall. 
 
 When he entered upon tlio study oCThcoloiry, hinfatlior piirchnfitxl 
 for ]>im the forms, and oilier Hchoid ;if)j)aratnH holon^iiiip; to nn indi- 
 vidual in (.chus<^f()\v, who waHrelinquishin;; teachiui^for thu work ot tlui 
 ministry. I lore ho taught in the inurvalH helwecn the we.s^^ions of 
 the Theological ITall, dnvhi't tho whole of his Tli<'ological curriculum. 
 Here ho became acquainted with Xr. (Jordon, afterward (ho lUv. 
 i^eter Gordon, of P. E. I., who was then a student of tho name body, 
 and who also tauylit in (}lasj;ow. Thev for some lime lived together 
 aiul a friendship of tho most intimate nature sprung up between them. 
 Of this the following curious epistle may bo taken as an expression, 
 as well as affording indicationji of n sprightlincfj'i of character in 
 youth, which many who know him only in his later years would 
 Bi'arcely su])pose him to po.ssess. ' ■ ■.. i 
 
 Glasgow, 14th October, 180u. 
 K)v AM. nHi;TniM;\ thk Dearest: 
 
 Mc Arthur timl Koir, Korvant;? of Josii.'^ Chriat, and ahoufc to bo called to 
 He Apostlen, and Hepnrated unto the gospel of Uod, — to thoe, Gonlon, our dearly 
 bfjiovod brother and follow laborer, in tho vineyard of our comuion Lord, send 
 trrc<'tinfr: — Grace, inerey iind ]ieace, from God, the latlier. and Chri.st Josus, our 
 Lord. Wo thank God. whom wo .servo, from our I'orofathorH, with pure conaei- 
 wico, that without ceasing we had romombrnnco of thoo in our prayer.s, night and 
 day ; groatly desiring to hoo thee — tiiat wo may iie tilled with joy. And in order 
 to supply thee with tlie neec'saries of fife, and to remove all impediments that may 
 Htand in the way of thy .spocrdy return to thy place of abode, wo send tlico forty- 
 two shillings of money, current with the merchant, which by the grace of God wo 
 liavo been enabled to procure for thee. All tho saints of God in this place saluto 
 thee. Greet the lassie Auld* with a kiss of charity. We salute the brothroa 
 winch are at Whitburn. Gr.icc. mercy and peace, be with thee. Amen. 
 
 Written from Glasgow to brother Gordon by 
 
 JouN" McArtuor, 
 JouN Keiii. 
 
 Vrc \\:\w u let Lcr before us, to his dearly beloved brother, Gordori, 
 aftej- ; he latter had come to this countr}', the most of which we shall 
 (ransrrilio, a;^ it unfolds to some extent Dr. Kior's character during 
 his student life : — 
 
 Glasgow, March lOi/t 1857. 
 -Mr IbuR Fhieni). 
 
 Y.iur kind letter of thft 17th November, I received in duo time for which 
 1 now rot\irn you sincere thanks. It found me in very low spirits, a state of 
 mind, to wliich I have ])eon of late too much Rubjoct. I sometimes wish that I 
 r iiiid iigain cniny your company af in the days of yore ; but this thought Hko 
 fi.Miiy ot!■.<^rr^ wltich pn.'.s through my mind in "vain ;'for our happiucss does noi 
 
 '■'.•\ I'UTv.'ru-'l Mf«. 'i'Tl'in. :inri ni'ir-' rcrrntly Mr?. "f-'OrPgif. 
 
•i 
 
 (•>) 
 
 iiM lip III llio i).'()[)('r il in,', lion dI' our 
 liciilth, wli'uli 1ms hcon 
 
 during 
 
 t«> inu<:li iio|)!'iiil iin i;xlt>i'niil I'ii't'iini.^tniiii.'i, 
 
 own uiIikIh. i asoril)0 my lifolr.sHiiOKH to tlio Htnto of jiiy 
 
 iiodily for s.iiiK! time past. Iiiiloeil, [ Imvo iicvor u»"pn simvcU kIiuo I ciuno to Mr. 
 
 UowiiM, wliiTc I .slill rcniaiii. 'I'liin is jjcrlmp.s owiii;; to too cIohc coiifnn'iiiciit, for 
 
 <!X(:<'|)t tlio Bi'liiiul, wlilcli I v.'a« ol)ii;jc(l t > iittond, I visitod limit! all last winto . 
 
 Tim spi'iii;.', iiowcviT, now inlv.iin iii;j;, " in whoio grcon liiiys ri'viviny sii'kiioHU 
 
 lifts liur languid lioad," hliull load nio forth '"to Join tho /.general ►iinik'of niituro." 
 
 I lii'lii'vo tlial durii',;!; tlu! lust six nionllis, I liavo niadi.' niort; iiroL^ross in tlio 
 Htudy of Divinity, tiian I did duvin;; mII my fcincr life. Tlio llil.li' is now mv 
 only t(\\t hook — all human systj'ins aro disi-nnlod. — lly a idoM) "xainiiiation (if 
 tlio siriiiUU'os my \ii:\v« aro j^rcally olianj^od, .vi niucli, indeed, thai 1 am don Ifiil 
 if I can act con.dslcntly in muainln;; any loiij;er in connexion with the Anti- 
 hur<z;her»'. If they .vonld er.erciso thai candour, towardw tlio>e who cnniiot think 
 exactly on .../iiio points a.s thoy do, which they now proicss to exorcise, I could 
 have iKj oliiection to thi-m ; l»nt to profei-s liberality of Hentinient, and at the sanie 
 time to imposo their \i(!\vH upon olI.erH.carriesa contradiction in the very face of 
 it. It may proinoto hypocrisy and siiperKtition ; hut truth nui>it suHer. I liav9 
 boon h'd into thirt way ol' thlnhin^ from the conduci of the Synod, which met at 
 (iliisgow in August hist. They niaalfestcd in tnany respects a very intolerant 
 Hpirit, especially in the case of Mr. linrie of Kinkoll. He has preached nona 
 for some months past in conscipu-nce of a rrwmmoudution from the I'reshytcry 
 of I'ortii. It is }(;reatly feared that lie will he floposed at tlie next meeting; of 
 Synod. If this should he the ca.se, it will perhaps do more harm to the Secess- 
 ion ('hurcli than the Old Ligiit has done. Toward these hrethron the Synod 
 sliowcd an uncommon de;!;rro *' lenity and forbearance. They wore resolved 
 that the separation, if it did take place, would bo entirely on their side. 
 
 " The Old Liirhts aro very zealous In propagating their doctrines. Thoy have 
 erected the standard of their now party in several conuTOfjations already, and are 
 atteinptin;.; to break the peace and unity of others. We have had Messrs. Aiken 
 .and McCrie, preachinc in Glaspiow, and old Mr. Turnbnll has exercised his jjifts 
 two or three times. I believi!, liowcver, th^t thev will obtain no footin<; hero, 
 That their desi;rn is more ti p\m a party, than to projiagato truth, will appear 
 from an anuedoto of our late I'rofesEor, which I shall now tell you. About two 
 months api lie wrote a letter to Mr. .James Aird, tellinn; h.im that altliough ho 
 might have some scruples about the old Testimony,* yet ho and his brethren 
 would overlook these, and take him upon trials immediately, if he would com* 
 and join them, lie might also expect to get a settlement in one of the principal 
 towns of Scotland, so soon iis licensed; which wouhl by i i means bo the case, if 
 ho continued with the Synod's party. ILav unlike Mr. Bruee ! ! I To this letter 
 Mr. Aird rcturi.ed a most complete answer, which mortified him not a little. 
 
 Our quoudom friend and companion, IMr. Easton, is dead. Tlie Secession 
 Church may mourn the loss, for lie Avas truly an ornament to any society. The 
 corifovtablo assurance however, that although one event happeneth to the righ- 
 :eoti8 and the wicked, while in this world, yet tiiat the souls of the foimer are 
 taken away from the evils of time, and made possessors of the glories of eternity, 
 instead of making us sorrow immoderately, iis those who have no hope, should 
 turn our sorrow into joy. and our sighs and tears into songs of praise and tri- 
 umph. You and I, if the scriptures are the word of God, shall meet our dear 
 deceased i'riend, in duo time, without the painful prospect of another separation. 
 In the meantime let us comfort one another with the words of eternal truth. 
 Nothing more is necessary to our deriving consolation from them, but that wfe 
 boliovo them. I may also inform you of the death of my sister. * * 
 
 " Mr. M. lias been preaching for some time. lie does very well in the pulpit, 
 but I am afraid that he still continues the same unsteady man, when out of it. 
 I do not think that lie inclines to undertake a mission to America — at any 
 rate it will bo mere necessity with him if he do. I think it better not to go at 
 all, than be forced. He had a letter two or three woeks ago from Mr. BullionE, 
 
 * The iTnTTPflifttr oiins'c of tlie finpaTntioii vrr.^ (he adfrtinn, hy the Pynod, of a ne» 
 
 Te»- 
 
(ti) 
 
 k 
 
 i* 
 
 \ 
 
 I'Ot it giret no enooiirageinout to ^o to the Statca. I am (!ip«ctlng a letter uvorjf 
 day, either from liim or Mr. Bruce, with particular information of the state of 
 religion in that quarter of the world. I have not made up my mind yet, whether 
 I slinll go tu the Staten or Nova S<>otin. I am rather inclined to the latter. I 
 am determined to give the I'resbytory no hopes of going to either, until I bti 
 licenced, if ever that be. 
 
 " Immediately after the meeting of last General Synod, our Presbytery accor- 
 ding to appointment^ annigned to every ntudent under their care two dincoursee, 
 which together with an examination on the system, is to stand for a year at th* 
 llall. Tliey appointed mo 2 Cor. x. 18, to the end, for a lecture, and the last 
 olauso of verse 20 for a popular sermon. The reason they gave me this passage 
 was, that they understood that I was not sound in the faith upon the doctrine of 
 the atonement, and it was necessary that the Presbytery should be made acquaint' 
 od with my views on that subject. I delivered the lecture about three month* 
 ago, when, as they could find no material diflerence between my views and their 
 own, it was approved of, and I was ordered to prepare the sermon with all con- 
 venient speed. I have it ready, and am '.o ueliver it at next meeting of the 
 Presbytery. In my lecture, I viewed the necessitv of the atonement, as arising 
 wholly from the circumstances in which man is nlaced, and not founded at all 
 upon the divine placability.* I considered the death of Christ merely as the 
 grand means appointed by divine wisdom, for fulfilling that merciful intention, 
 "which Ood has from all eternity entertained toward his fallen creatures. I did 
 not attempt to explain the manner in which the sacrifice of Christ is connected 
 vrith the iorgiveiies8 of sin. It is enough that this is declared by Ood to bo the 
 medium through which our salvation is effected. But I am running on with a 
 subject, in which you are better versed than I am. It gives mo pleasure, how* 
 «ver, to think that I may write you my sentiments in everything without reserve. 
 I would be very glad that our correspondence should turn upon dootrinal subjects. 
 It would bo of great advantage to me in my researches afler truth. 
 
 "Onr Theological society is still cxistinj^ and in a very flourishing condition. 
 We have got a number of new members since you left us, among whom is Mr. 
 <3ilmour, Teacher, opposite tho Bank, a gentleman who has exceedingly correct 
 views of tho doctrines of tho gospel. lie and I are generally upon one side of the 
 question. We have very fierce encounters with Mr. ilogg, who always adopts the 
 orthodox side. Mr. Brownleef is not yet licensed, butlie has given in some of 
 his trials, I believe. He will probably go to America. There is a great scarcity 
 of preachers here just now. They cannot get tho vacancies all supplied. The 
 Ola Light movement has occasioned a number of new ones, and several ministers 
 have been deposed, which makes tho demand for preachers very ;;roat." * * 
 
 " Your brother is just waiting to receive this letter, which prevents me from 
 Adding any more. I have not time to read it over. I hop<? you will excuse anv 
 inaccuracies. I shall write you a long letter soon after the meeting of the Stdoo, 
 with all tho news. I hope you will write to me as soon as this comes to hand, 
 with an account of all the news in Nova Scotia, particularly of the state of religion 
 Ihere. I will see you, perhaps, in the course or a year or two. 
 
 I remain, Dear Friend. 
 
 Yours, sincerely, 
 
 JonN Keir. 
 
 There are several points in this letter worthy of notice. In the 
 first place, we may notice the liberality of his sentiments. He speaks 
 of difficulties about taking license in connection with the Anti- 
 burgher Synod. This arose from no scruples regarding the great 
 system of divine truth, as held by that body, for on these his mind 
 
 * t The idea plainly is, that the atonement was not neocuary to render Ood placable. Ood 
 was always BereiAil, but the atonement waii needed to open a way for the exeroiie of m«r- 
 ^ Is eonsiataooy with Jostice. 
 
 • ifow Dr. BrvwnlM of Few YoA. 
 
tter o»crjf 
 le state of 
 , whether 
 latter. I 
 iDtil I b« 
 
 ery aocor- 
 iiicouraefl, 
 oar nt th« 
 1 the last 
 in paMHngv 
 loctrine of 
 I acquaint 
 le month* 
 and their 
 th all con- 
 ing of tha 
 an nrininK 
 ded at all 
 Iv an ths 
 intention, 
 !a. I did 
 connected 
 to bo th* 
 on with a 
 luro, how* 
 ut reserve, 
 il subjects. 
 
 condition, 
 m is Mr. 
 
 ly correct 
 side of the 
 adopts the 
 in some of 
 at scarcity 
 led. Tha 
 ministers 
 * * 
 
 me from 
 
 ouBO any 
 
 le Synod, 
 
 to nand, 
 
 of religion 
 
 Kbir. 
 
 In the 
 speaks 
 le Anti- 
 he great 
 lis mind 
 
 «abl«. God 
 tie of mer- 
 
 (7) 
 
 never wavore<l, but f^om what ho rc^aiilod an it« intolerant npirit. 
 The narrownesH of their viown, ami tl»t' illiborality of thoir Hpirit, 
 were exhibited in furma, whicli to the pruHont ago would he altnoHt 
 incredible. For example, '^thoy would oubpond a man fVom church 
 privilegOH, for hearing sermon in a parinh church. A young man of 
 excellent character and promiHiiig talents, when nearly ready for 
 license, went to hoar sermon from a relative, who had just been or- 
 dained in the Established Church. For thin he was summoned be- 
 fore the church court, and threatened with suspension if he did not 
 express sorrow for his oflTence. He offered to express his regret, that 
 he should have done anything that would have given offence to his 
 brethren, but he could not acknowledge anything sinful in what he 
 had done. They refused to accept this, and he left the body, and bo- 
 onme a useful minister of another. At the time of which we speak, 
 much of this illiborality had passed away, but so much of it still re- 
 mained, that it would appear that he scrupled for a time about bo- 
 coming one ot its ministers. This also manifested his strict consci- 
 entiousness. It may be mentioned, thuL the liberal spirit which ho 
 thus early imbibed from the study of the word of God, characterized 
 him through life. While none could be more strenuous in maintain- 
 ing those views of truth, which ho had conscientiously adopted, none 
 was more ready to acknowledge excellence, where ho found it, in 
 brethren of another name. 
 
 Another feature manifested by the above letter, is the independ- 
 ence of his mind. From Dr. Keir's rigid adherence to the old The- 
 ology, an impression might have been made on some minds that h« 
 would have received his Theological system implicitly from his tut- 
 ors. Instead of this, it appears plainly from the above letter, that 
 he adopted his views from no human system or human teacher ; that 
 he called no man master, and that he drew his knowledge of divin« 
 truth directly from the original fountain of wisdom. This appeared, 
 as we shall hereafter notice, in his labors as a teacher of Theology, 
 both from the pulpit and the Professor's desk. 
 
 But perhaps the most noticeable feature of the above letter, is th* 
 rebuke which it administers to that spirit, not yet extinct in thtt 
 church, expressively denominated, heresy hunting. If there was on» 
 man in our church more tl^n another, in whose soundness in the 
 faith the whole body had confidence, that man was Dr. Keir, and yet 
 it would appear from the above letter, that such was the keen scent 
 for heresy of some would be zealots for the truth, that when a young 
 man, he was suspected as unsound upon a vital point, and had to 
 pass through nn invcsfigaiion, to test the accuracy of his ^iews. I* 
 
I! 
 
 -is woll, no doubt, to bo zealous i'nv thu (rutlu and oven _]0:i1on's htr ii, 
 But that spirit which is always BUBpcctinp; error, — is ko ready U 
 make a mini an offender lor a word, and is eagle eyed in detecting- 
 some Ucteroi'iox sentiment lurkiny; under the most innocent expres- 
 sions, — is most unohriKtian and » injurious. A lew months ago, Dr. 
 Keir, in conversiii^^ on the subject, infornuHl us that the suspicion* 
 arose out of T\lr. Imric's case, relen-ed to in the above letter. This 
 Mr. Imrie was a man'of subtle mind, who seemed to delight in ex- 
 ercising his ingenuitiy in presenting the truths of religion in an un- 
 usual manner, or in the form of parado.v. This case was for several 
 years before the Synod, and finally he v/as deposed. But, as Dr. 
 Keir informed ub, there was a strong sympathy for him among the 
 students, and fi'om the aliove letter it appears that ho himself had 
 the same leeling, and this led the Pi'csbytery to entertain suspicions 
 of them general!}', himself among the rest. In connection with this, 
 he mentioned to iis recently, that the Presbytery here in coEscquence 
 of the case, became suspicious of the. orthodoxy of the body at home, 
 and resolved to subjeot all ministers coming from Scotland, to an ex- 
 amination previous to their being received. ; 
 
 The Theological society mentioned in the above letter, was 'an as- 
 eociation of young men principally students of Theology, for the 
 j)urpose of mutual progress in their studies. They held regular 
 meetings at which questions in Divinity were discussed, essays were 
 read, and sometimes discourses or plans of discourses delivered and 
 criticised. Of this association, ho and Mr. -Gordon Avoro members, 
 while they remained in the Old Country, and he ever after recognis- 
 ed it as an important means of advancement in his studies, 
 
 IV. Devotion to Mi'ssionauy work, and ArroiNTMENT to 
 
 Nova Scotia. 
 
 But his intimacy with Mr. Gordon was especially interesting, from 
 its connection with his decision to come to this country. The latter, 
 when a working weaver, had been so touched by one of Dr. Mc 
 Gregoi''8 appeals, setting forth the spiritual destitution of this coun- 
 try, that he resolved to devote himself to study for the work of the 
 ministry, with a view to coming out as u missionary. During the 
 whole course of his studies, ho kept this object steadily in view, — 
 and whether his intercoui'se with Dr. Keir, Avas the means of origin- 
 ating in the mind of the latter, the desii-e to devote himself to the 
 same Avork or not, it had at least the elFect of strengthening and 
 eonfirming it. The Mi^^innary work waf^ then nccupyiug the atten- 
 
(9) 
 
 tioik of the Chnrch, and stirring appeals were coming home, both 
 from the United States and Nova Scotia, to the body to which tloy 
 belonged, for men to preach the everlasting gospel to the perishing. 
 But there were, at that time, few young men willing to encounter 
 the sacrifices which such a mission involved. His heart was touch- 
 ed, and by intercourse with Mr. Gordon, his desire to preach the gos- 
 pehto the destitute was increased, bo that by the time Mr. Gordon 
 was licensed, about two years before his own licensure, his resolution 
 was taken, and he had pledged himself to bis dear friend, that when 
 licensed, he would follow him to the "Western wilderness. Thus, he 
 who has the hearts of all men in his hands, was answeriug the pray- 
 ers of Dr. McGregor and his tisaociates, by raising up faithful men, 
 to accomplish his purposes of mercy to this country, and putting it 
 into their hearts to come to the help of the Lord against the mighty. 
 It "v^ ill appear from the above letter, that for a time he hesitated 
 between this country and the United States, where a number of his 
 fellow tudents, particularly the Rev. Alex. Bullions, had gone. Wo 
 believe inat wo are safe in saying, that the matter was finally decid- 
 ed, by his friendship for Mr. Gordon. The latter, on his arrival in 
 P. E. Island, had been called to Princetown and St. Peters. He 
 preferred the call of the latter, and when some of the people of the 
 former place, complained to him of his decision, he replied, that he 
 would get them a better man than himself, alluding to Dr. Koir. — 
 Hence his influence was directed to influerco the latter tq choose 
 this country as the sphere of hia labors, in which he v-as successfuL 
 Having completecj his usual term of study. Dr. Koir was duly licens- 
 ed to preach the gospel, by the Presbytery of Glasgow, aboat tho 
 close of the year 1807, and preached jin the various vacancies of tho 
 body, till the following summer. At the meeting of Synod in 1808, 
 he formally tendered his services to the supremo court, for the Nova 
 Scotia mission. The Synod was not very anxious to accept his ser- 
 vices for the work. There were then many congregations vacant in 
 the church at home, and preachers were very scarccs so that when 
 the question was taken about sending him to Nova Scotia, it was 
 carried in the affirmative, only by a majority of one vote, and even 
 this was only because of his own anxiety to go. It will bo thus seen 
 that his coming to this country, was in the true spirit of missionary 
 devotedness, and it may be added, that tho sacrifices and trials of 
 n issionaries coming to this country, were quite equal to those en- 
 dured by the majority of modern missionaries. At tho time of this 
 decision of Synod, there was an application before tlum from a con- 
 gregation just formed in connection with tho body nt Halifax, arid 
 
 S 
 
vt 
 
 (10) 
 
 ih« Synod Bent hira out with a special view to that plaee, giving him 
 liberty to return in two years, if he did not like the countiy, the ex- 
 pences of his passage home to be paid. 
 
 V^ From his appointment to Nova Scotia till nis Ordination. 
 
 Having thus been duly accepted as a Missionaiy, he immediately 
 prepared to set out for his destination. Three weeks previous to his 
 departure, he was married to Mary, only daughter of James and 
 Amelia Burnet, persons distinguished for their early and deep piety, 
 and respectable members of Dr. Thomson's congregation in Glasgow, 
 in connexion with the Relief Synod. This union of Secession and 
 Eelief was as happy in a domestic point of view, as has the larger 
 union of the same name been in an Ecclesiastical. For the long 
 period of fifty years they have travelled the journey of life together, 
 unitedly bearing its burdens and sharing its joys — "as heirs together 
 of the grace of life." "Lovely and pleasant were they in their lives," 
 and in their deaths they cannot be long divided. It may be here 
 mentioned that during his student life, he enjoyed considerable friend- 
 ly intercourse with ministers and students of the Itclief Synod, and 
 acquired a high esteem for that body, lie rejoiced therefore greatly 
 at the steps taken for union between it and the Secession, and when 
 the union did take place, his remark was, that it should have taken 
 place long before. "We may also mention that by his marriage he 
 became in right of his wife a Burgess of the city of Glasgow, though 
 had he found it necessary to trade within the bounds of the city, his 
 principles as an Antibugher would have prevented him taking the 
 oath then required of such.* 
 
 On the last Sabbath previous to his departure, ho proclaimed the 
 gospel of salvation in Greenock, and on the one previous, in Paisley, 
 where a liberal contribution was handed to him to defray the expens- 
 es of his mission. In Scptembe* he set sail from his native land for 
 Pictou, whore he safely arrived, and where he was received with 
 Ljroat joy by the brethren. The Presbytery were at that time anxious 
 iibout Princ* Edwai'd Island, particulary in consequence of the dis- 
 
 r.fet 
 
 "' It, iiiny bo iiccnss'ttV}' to explain, tliiit the Burgesses of certain cities in IJritain, havo 
 i,4"iu! tiic right tu ill) buHities^i witbiu ccrtoiu limits. " The freedom of the city" sometmies 
 fiiesauiol 10 sutu nC (-iiiitioin;o is tlio couvcyance to them of this privilege. Kidiculous as 
 the idea may scjiii of j^iviug to tiich warriors as Lord Clyde or such statcBmun as Lord 
 John r.u?scl, the ri^'iit if dcaliug in U\i or tobacco in tbo salt market of Glasgow, yet it ia 
 ■ ont-idrvod a rompliuiLul, which is received with all duo respect. An oath which was ro- 
 .juirni it Bur;;e.'i^c? ia certain cities of .Scotland, produced th» division of the Secession 
 >nt-- r.iirgi pfi nnA Ant bnrghor=, the latter denying the lawluluess of ihe >»ith. 
 
vlng him 
 7, the ex- 
 
 IINATION. 
 
 icdiately 
 )U8 to his 
 mcs and 
 ep piety, 
 Glasgov-', 
 sion and 
 he hvrger 
 the long 
 together, 
 , together 
 iir lives," 
 ' be here 
 )le fricnd- 
 •nod, and 
 re greatly 
 ind when 
 ivc taken 
 •riage he 
 , though 
 city, his 
 king the 
 
 imed the 
 Paisley, 
 cxpcns- 
 laud for 
 ved with 
 ) anxious 
 the dis- 
 
 ituin, havo 
 ' soinetiiues 
 Uculous as 
 n as Lord 
 )-vv, yet it la 
 ich was ro- 
 BeooBSion 
 
 
 (11) 
 
 «ppointmentH the people there had experienced. About eighteen 
 years had elapsed since Dr. McGregor had first preached the gospel 
 in Princctown, and with the exception of a short time, that Mr. 
 Urquhart had laboured among them, they had received only occa- 
 sional supply of sermon, and had suffered the miseries of hope defer- 
 red. In the year 1709 the Synod in Scotland had appointed the Rev 
 Francis Pringlc to that place, but coming out by way of New York» 
 the Presbytery there detained him. In the year 1803 Dr. McCuUoch 
 was appointed to P. E. Island, but he arrived too late in the mil ta 
 get a passage over, and remained in Pictou all winter. A party from 
 the former place arrived in Pictou to take him over, on the very day 
 of his induction at the latter. Mr. Gordon had been sent to the Is- 
 land two years previously, but his health was now failing, and it was 
 already seen that he was not to be spared long to labor in the Lord's 
 vineyard on earth. Under these circumstances the Presbytery con- 
 sidered the circumstances of the Island so pressing, that, notwith-. 
 standing the application from Halifax, they sent him to the former 
 place for the winter. This decision accorded with his own views, 
 and the appointment as bringing him into close association with hia 
 old friend, Mr. Gordon, was particularly agreeable to his feelings. — 
 He and Mrs. Kcir accordingly removed to P. E. Island that fall, 
 where he took up his abode at Princctown, lodging for the winter in 
 the house of Mr. John Thomson, one of the ciders, near where the 
 present church now stands. 
 
 During the most of that Avinter he preached at Princctown and the 
 adjacent settlements, but he also preached at St. Peters by exchange 
 with Mr. Gordoj^. The latter came to Prinoclown in April following, 
 though in a state of great feebleness, to dispense Baptism to the peo- 
 ple, while Dr. Keir supplied his place. On his way homo Mr. Gordon 
 died at Covehead. Dr. Keir then, wo believe, ahso gavctjoino supply 
 to St. Peters. Jn spring he returned to the mainland, and during 
 that summer (1809) ho supplied Halifax and Merigomish. In tlic 
 meantime calls came out both from S(. I'tters and l^vincetown, thv 
 call of the latter being dated 19th June 1>=09. Tliojicoplc urllalit!i\ 
 and Merigomish also prepared to call him, but. th'-' I'rcsbvtcry in 
 consequence of the state of (he IsJand by Iho death of Mr. Gordon, 
 were anxious for him to go there, and in his own opinion the finger of 
 Providence pointed out that duty called him thither. In thcfc cir- 
 cumstances the calls from these places were not pro-i-ecutcd. The 
 people of Halifax were so disappointed Www. Ihov ihrcatcnod to join 
 auothor body. 
 
 We have conver-ed wiih ?• ^ f^rnl pi'Tx:*^ >' ho i > lol'ec' bim at thif. 
 
f:: 
 
 > * 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 I 
 
 ',5 
 
 (12) 
 
 j.'^riod of bis lite, and it is interesting to look back upon the impres- 
 eions formed of him then, and compare them -with what he showed 
 himself afterward. As to his preaching, it was not of the style, 
 ■which might be denominated popular, but by the judicious it was 
 relished for its full and clear exhibitions of divine truth. But the 
 most curious fact is that ho was regarded, and that by persons having 
 had good opportunities of judging, as disposed to indolence, and by 
 others as rather vain. Wo could scarcely have imagined any thing 
 more opposite to the tenor of his whole subsequent career. Nothing 
 in his after life seemed more to distinguish him than his laborious 
 and self-denying diligence in duty, and the unfcignrd humility of his 
 character. The impressions formed of him might have been well 
 founded at that time, but if they were, his subsequent life reflects all 
 the more honor upon that divine grace, by which he was enabled bo 
 entirely to overcome the tendencies of his natural temperament. 
 
 The Presbytery, with whom at that time rested the decision in 
 cases of competing Ciills, having, in accordance with his own inclin- 
 ation, decided in favor of Princetown, he proceeded thither that sea- 
 son, and there finally took up his abode. But in consequence of 
 what he considered the disorganized state of the congregation, and 
 in ordfer that he might have time to become better acquainted with 
 the people, before dispensing church privileges to them, ho requested 
 the Presbytery that his ordination might be deferred till the follow- 
 ing season, and that he might be allowed in the meantime to preach 
 to the people aB a licentiate. This was agreed to and his ordination 
 accordingly did not take place till June 1810. 
 
 Accordingly at that time, the Presbytery proceeded to Princetown 
 for his ordination. The members present were, Dr. McGregor, the Eev. 
 Duncan Koss, Dr. McCulloch and the late Mi*. Mitchell of Eiver John. 
 They arrived by waj' of Bedeque late in the week. Dr. McGregor 
 preached on Saturday from Phil. 3. 8, — " I count all things but loss 
 for the excellency of Christ Jesus my Lord." But the ordination 
 did not take place till the following day, (Sabbath.) An ordination 
 was then an event entirely new in that part of the Island, and excit* 
 ed great interest. There were many doubtless who rejoiced in the 
 event, as realizing their long disappointed expectations, of having 
 th; ordinauucs of religion regularly dispensed among them. But 
 t ic novelty of the event excited the curiosity of many others. So 
 that tho whole ijopnlation not only of Princetown, but of New Lon- 
 don, Bedeque and the west side of Eichmond Bay, able to attend, 
 a^stm'oled on t'le occasion. Tho audience for those days, when 
 popula'ion wa'-- t-piii'j j, wn? considered immense. The old church 
 
 I3 
 t( 
 
(1*) 
 
 ■would not hold half of the congtegation. A platform waft according- 
 \y erected outside the church but close by it on which the ordination 
 took place. Part of the audience remained eeated in the church 
 within sight and hearing, while the rest were assembled outside. — 
 Dr. McCulloch ])rcachcd from Acts 17. 3 — 10, "He hath appointed a 
 day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man 
 whom ho hath ordained," narrated the steps, pt»tt])0 questions of the 
 formula and offered up the ordination prayer. Mr. Boss gave the 
 charge to the people, and wo believe, also to the minister, and Mr. 
 Mitcliell concluded the services by a sertnon from Acts 13. 26, "Unto 
 you is the word of this salvation sent." But considerable disapoint- 
 ment was felt by the people, that they were not hearing the voice of 
 Dr. McGregor, whom they regarded as the father of the congregation, 
 and to whom many of them individually looked as their spiritual 
 father. As one brother after another occupied the stand, there were 
 whisperings, "will it be him next," and as the services were conclud- 
 ing without his taking any part, their disappointment almost amount- 
 ed to vexation, but a complete revulsion took place, when after the 
 benediction it was announced that in ten minutes Dr. McGregor would 
 preach in Gaelic. The people of JVincetown were originally from 
 Cantyre, in Argyleshire, and the old people mostly spoke Gaelic, so 
 that they eagerly crowded around him to hear the gospel in their na- 
 tive tongue, and such was their interest in it, increased by the revul- 
 sion of feeling affecting from their former disappointment, that he had 
 been speaking but a few minutes when the whole congregation were 
 bathed in tears. Altogether the day was one of deep and hallowed 
 interest, and yet has a place in the fondest recollections of the few 
 now surviving of those present, while the young have heard of it 
 tra<Jitionally from their parents as a day long to bo remembered. 
 
 But "when the sons of God came to present themselves before the 
 Lord, Satan also came with them;" and so it seemed to be on the 
 present occasion. There was a man present, who was an infidel and 
 a bold blasphemer. He had considerable 'kill in sketching, and drew 
 a caricature of the wholfe proceedings. He pictured Dr. McGregor 
 in one of his postures of greatest earnestness, and words coming out 
 of his mouth, which were a profane caricature of his text, while some 
 of the leading persons of the congregation were represented with 
 mouths open, or in other ridiculous postures. As a caricature it was 
 clever, and was afterward freely circulated. The author was at that 
 time a man of influence;— had a fine establishment of MillcH-and foi* 
 a time made considerable moaey, bat he came to poverty, and died 
 in Gharlottetown in great wretchodneM. 
 
 I 
 
 t 
 
I'.'ii 
 
 f j 
 •i.i 
 
 !i ■;; 
 
 
 
 ^3» 
 "t 
 
 (U) 
 
 VI. Pastoral Labors. 
 
 To tinderstftnd the nature of Ihe work upon v:]\\c\\ Dr. Kcir now 
 entered, we must tako ;: view of tlio extent of the congre/j;ation, the 
 physical state of the country and tho i oliuiou:; condition of tho people 
 at tho time. Not only did h"s con<,'ro^ation include Princctown.but 
 it embraced in addition, New London, the ibw ftiniiiio^ (hen residing 
 at Cavendish, Bcdeqne, and tho Avest side ot Eichm :)nd Hay, including 
 Lots sixteen and fourteen, what now embraces five congregations, 
 and what will soon bo six. "I find" said the Dr. "at his jubilee, that 
 the call was subscribed by sixty-four persons, embracing nearly all 
 the heads of families in Princetown Eoyalty, New London, Bedequc, 
 and the west side of Eichmond Pay. Of these sixty-four persons 
 whoso names are to the call, only forrteen remain alive unto this 
 day." Yet for ten years Dr. Keir diligently and faithfully discharg- 
 ed all tho duties of the pastoral office over this widely scattered field. 
 He preached at Princetown one half of this time, while the other 
 half was divided among tho other settlements mentioned. But his 
 labors were not confined to preaching the gospel. IFe regularly visit- 
 ed all the families of this scattered charge and regularly held diets of 
 examination in every section. 
 
 To appreciate fully tho toil which this involved, we must remem- 
 ber the position of tho congregation and tho physical state of the 
 country. A large bay six miles across, separated between tho prin- 
 cipal sections, requiring either to bo crossed in boats, or rendering 
 necessary a circuit of twenty, or to some parts thirty miles, while 
 Bmaller creeks and rivers divided other sections, and rendered inter- 
 oourso between them difiicult and fatiguing. Besides, there were 
 Bcarcely any roads worthy of tho name. The most of tho travelling 
 was along the shore, and muqh of it had to be performed on foot. — 
 "There was no broad road'^ BajB the Eev. R. S. Patterson "upon 
 ■which you could comfortably drive in your neat carriage. The best 
 mode of travelling, ppen to your choice, was riding on horseback; and 
 perhaps the roads might bo such aa not to admit of this, and the 
 journey must be performed on foot. Tho wintry storm and tho cold 
 northern blast must often bo encountered, without tho defencca whi^.l, 
 our Buffalo and seal fur coverings now afford us. And although the 
 wearied guest received a cordial welcome, yet his accommodations 
 were anything but comfortable. A hard couch, scantily covered, but 
 ill defending him from the cold, was often his* lot. But neither diffi- 
 culty, nor even danger, to which ho was sometimes exposed, could 
 det«r him from the faithful performance of the duties of bis paMor 
 
 edl 
 
 bu 
 
 W 
 
 of I 
 
 stid 
 
 ch 
 
 ca| 
 
 Dil 
 
 thi 
 
 mc 
 
 pel 
 
'at«. You mi^ht depend upon finding him at hi.s post at the appoint- 
 ed time. For punctuality, tlint quality ho necessary in every ore, 
 but more particularly in public characters, ho was remarkable." — 
 When we cont^ider tlic local extent of his congregation; the difficulty 
 of travelling between the different sections of it, and the backward 
 state of the country at the time, we believe that no minister in our 
 church, since the days of Ih'. JfcGregor, has endured more of physi- 
 cal toil in the preaching of the gospel than Dr. Keir. In fact, Avhat 
 Dr. McGregor was in Pictou and adjacent districts, Dr. Keir was in 
 the Island, particularly in the western part of it. Indeed these two 
 men closely resembled one another. They had a similar work to 
 perform and they performed it in the same spirit of faith and zeal. 
 
 "We may add that the circumstances in which Dr. Keir was placed 
 called for the same self-denial. Like most, it not nil lie early 
 ministers of our church, ho had to suffer from an inadequate stipend 
 imperfectly and irregularly paid. Even now ministers and minis- 
 ters' families are often under the necessity of exercising consider- 
 able ingenuity to prevent embarrassment in their worldly circum- 
 stances But we need not say that this was much more the case 
 with the fathers of the church. Their households often exhibited ex- 
 amples of privations, patiently endured, of which the world knew no- 
 thing. With an increasing family. Dr. Keir had his full share of 
 these. But none ever heard him complain. He patiently endured 
 for the sake of his flock, seeking not theirs but them. And we deem it 
 worthy of special mention, that he never relaxed in the discharge of 
 any of his ministerial duties, in consequence of the inadequacy of 
 support. It has too often been the case that ministers have made 
 the inadequacy of their support an excuse for neglecting some of the 
 duties of their oflice — either giving up visiting and catechising al'.o* 
 gether, or giving little attention to the work of preparation for the pul- 
 pit. They have turned to other employments, making the work oltho 
 ministry a secondary m:itter, and the result has been to increase 
 the evil complained of— to render the support still more inace- 
 quatej and often to leave a oongregatiou to spiritual barrenness, 
 and perhaps to send leanness to the minister's own soul. To the temp- 
 tation to relax his diligence in the work to which he h id devoted 
 himself, by turning aside to other employmontSj we are happy to 
 say, that Dr. Keir never gave way. He did indeed, as most of the 
 fathers of the church felt it necessary to do, cultivate a small pieca 
 of land to aid in the support of his family, but he did not give bis 
 attention to the business of farming, in such a way as to divert his 
 attention from the work of the ministry. This ho twit to be his great 
 
il'i 
 
 •i 'I 
 
 (16) 
 
 V)nsinoan, to this ho had flevo ted himself— the vows of God were upon 
 
 liiia — and ''willi his ini^-ht" ho attended to cjich of its duties. Ho 
 "<^a\'Ci att(Mid;inco to rcadii)<jf" as ho had opi)()rtiinity, ho wroto out 
 his sormonrt carefully, aud even when most pressed in liis worldly 
 circumstances, he ro^-nhivly visited and catechised his whole congre- 
 gation, even when its limits were most extensive. And ho found in 
 his experience that the name of him whom he served was. Jehovah 
 Jirrh, " The Lord Mill provide." Faithfully attending to his niinis- 
 toriiil work he found the fulfilment of tho divine promise, "Thy bread 
 ehill bo given theo, thy water shall bo sure." lie and his family 
 were always provided for. If ho ever was in debt, it was but to a 
 limited extent, and never for such a length of time, as to cause any 
 st'rious em l)arrasfement. 
 
 Such indefatigable labor and such disinterested self-denial, accom- 
 panied, as from his character wo know it must have been, with earn- 
 est prayer for the divine blessing, was attended with success. Wo 
 may remark that the trials through which he was called to pass in tho 
 early years of his ministry, had a beneficial effect upon his own mind. 
 Those who are old enough to remember him when he first came to 
 this country and could compare him with what he was a few years 
 after, tell that they could not but remark a deepened humility, a grow- 
 ing meekness, and a ripened spirituality, showing that his path like 
 thatof tho just was shining more and more unto the perfect day, and 
 that " all things work togiOther for good to them that love God." — 
 And the fruit appeared in his congregation. "When he settled among 
 them there were doubtless a number of pious people in all tho sec- 
 tions of it, but from thoir circumstances for many years previously, 
 there must have boon general ignorance in religion and indifference 
 to spiritual things. The p<;ople of Princctown had settled there, 
 some of them as early as tjho year 1771, and until Dr. McGregor 
 visited them in 1791, they had scarcely ever heard a sermon. When 
 he first preached among them, there were persons nineteen years of 
 ago present, who had never heard a sermon. From that date till tho 
 time of Dr. Keir's settlement, a period of nearly twenty years, with 
 the exception of tho time of Mr. ITrquhart's residence among them, 
 all the supply of preaching they had was from visits of Dr. McGre- 
 gor and other ministers, scarcely exceeding three or four Sabbaths in 
 the year. Under these circumstances wo need not be surprised that 
 much ignorance and spiritual deadness prevailed. The adjacent set- 
 tlements wero not in a more favorable condition. Tho Eev, Mr. 
 Urquhart had indeed been about two yeara laboring among them, 
 and had csatablished church order. But he left them is a somewhat 
 
(IT) 
 
 ilividoil .sl;ito, mill tlini' UhdwUmIil^o ol' ('liiii'cli ordiM- ni.ny l)f> Juili^ivl 
 of Iiy ;iii inciili'iit. nliicli took plivco sliorlly Uol'oi-c \)v. Koir's Hott.lo- 
 ;ii(Mit, which \vi> liiivo hoiinl rohitcil liy lliosc uho wit n(^sso(l it, of 
 whom some arc still iiviiii;'. A nvtnhcr nt'tlic cliin'cli liad Ikmmi i:;uil- 
 tv of something' ol" wliich the rl(K'rs I'olt it their duly to taUc cnijfiii- 
 /.aiH/o. At'tor due deliin'ratiou tlicy ri>solvod. tliat lii' slioidd ho '•]nit. 
 out of the chiivf'h." A('('()i'din,u;ly on ilio first Sabhrith at'tor, on 
 which there was preacliiiii;", <">ti his entorinLj the church, ono oi thw 
 MhU-rs spraiiL;' I'roni his seat, and ht'civoni'd fi, a hrotlier Elder to 
 come to his assistance^, when hoth jn-ocecded to the spot wliei-o tho 
 nrdortiinate sinnei- was, and sei/.inrj him hy tho colhir, thov drai'srod 
 him to the (h)or, and then hiirk'd lum as i'ar 'fi'om tho sacred pre- 
 cincts of the hnihhno; as (heir uuitiMl stronij,'th enahled thetn to do. — 
 We are afraid that such i'i,u;id discipline Avas inotl'eotual iu Bulnjuing 
 tho refractory spirit of tho ol^onch'i-, for wdiilo th'i Eld%5 stood 
 i^Miaivlini:; the s;icred ])ortals, In- went away Jiintteriiijj,', tntfl tlioy 
 mi^ht tarn him on' of tho church on earth, hut tliey couhl uot-turn 
 hiiu o\it of the chui'ch in lieaven. 
 
 Wo mention tho'^o tiiini^s to show tlio state of matters at I'l-ineo- 
 town, wlion .!)i'. Koir sottUnl there, that his success may bo ajiprocia- 
 ted. Ho did not coino to i\ avoII trained conifi'e<:^ation, lie liad to 
 ori^ainze and train it. IIo did not come to a jteopk^ ■well verserl in 
 religious knowled^'o and regular in theii- religious hahits. 'riierc 
 wei'e indeed, as we have said, a niimbei' of pious persons among 
 them, but tho majority ho had to train both in religious K-nowledge 
 and christian duties. IJut tho success of his labors so()n aii|)eai-ed. 
 'Tho ])eoplo generally grow in voligious knowledge — tho careless and 
 indiliV'vent were aroused — and souls -woro added to tlie Ijonl- The 
 effect of his hibors will appear in tho progress (if his congregation, 
 to wliich wo shall presently advert. Hut in ivfereiice to individuals 
 we may say, that many trace their lirst serious impre^-^ions to hih 
 ministrations, and many still living, and many now in gloi-y, could 
 point to him as their spiritual ])areni. Tlu' nundi<'r of sucli the 
 groat <lay will disclose, but avo have cvi<lenco suflicieni to satisfy 
 every candid mind, that ho will lie among the number ot' those, who 
 "turn many to righteousness, wiio shali >!iine as the stars tor ever 
 .and over." 
 
 ('oiild the history of such iiulividua! casr,>s, of men brongh; to the 
 knowledge of the Irulli through his instrumentality, bt^ rocordod. we 
 believe that there would be al)undan(^o ot material for an interest- 
 ing nnrmtivc. We ^viil state one incident of the kind, Avbich he 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 uicntioncd to us; the 
 
 -I Innc w e v.crc in lii"« conniiUM' 
 
 \V 
 
 len l>< 
 
i 
 
 (18) 
 
 Nv;i8 tiiiisliiiijj; the iiisi(K< (-t'liis Ikiiiso. Iio <i>iiM M'iirci'ly i;t'l :i cai'iioii- 
 tor any wlienMo do tlu> work. TIum'c was one on ilic Ishiml, mm 
 Hiii,'lisluniui, ii ^'ood worlviiiaii. but very imicli j^ivcn to li(iiior. Ho- 
 sidt's, it bciii^ tho tiiuo of the last Ajuoi'ii'aii war, he had jpst iMiIist- 
 cd in a eoiupany, that had bu^Mi raised by a Captain .Mcl'oiiald from 
 ('ivnadtt, to serve in tliiit i*i'()vin<Ki ncjaiiist the. Anieiieans. 1'iiey 
 woro however inudde to g.et ofV the ishiiid liiat liill. and they wi're 
 therefore* detained in ('harlottetoA\ n all winter. 'I'hcre was howevir 
 no way of ohtaininii' the services nl this man, Iml hy lia\iiii; liimai-- 
 reste<l for de'i. Dr. Keir tu-eordin^'ly, indaced an individual who had 
 a elaim a<j;ainst him, to takc^-oiit a writ, and Iiave him lodged in Jail. 
 The Captain was dretvdfidU enraLje<I, hut his wrath was disi-ei^ard- 
 ed. Dr. Keir heeanie security for the man and took him out ol jail, 
 on condition of his doiii;;' the woi'k re(|nii'ed in the l>r's house. — 
 l"he man accord i no; i_\' came to J'rinoetown, and workcil lor l)f. Keif 
 most ol tbO Avinter, lod^in;^ in his house. 'fhe i)r. cndiraccd tlie 
 opportunity of dealing- linlhftijjy, yet kinctly and all'ectionatcly with 
 lum about the life he was leading, and his spiritmil interests, and 
 persevered in ins exhortations as lonu; as the man "was with him. — 
 The result was an outward reffjrmation. The individual abandoned 
 drinking;, and its concomitant vices, and hocan)e at least, more 
 thou^i^litful. There did not at first appear evidence of any more de- 
 cidcil change of heart. But the seed sown, afterward hore fruit un- 
 der very intei-estini;' circumstances. In tln^ following!; sj)ring. lie 
 went with his company to Caiuida, where he served duriui;" the 
 remainder of llie war. ( )n one occasion, when under tii-e, another 
 man helon^ins;- to the Island, asked him to change places with him. 
 lie agi'i'cd. hut they had scai'cely done sf), till the other man was 
 shot, dead. This event made such u deep impression upon his mind, 
 thai in <'onnection with J)r. Koir's exhortations, it led to a thorougli 
 eliange. lie r-eturned to P. E. Island at the peace, ami has since led 
 ;; consistent life. I-'or a number of years, he has been a respecteil 
 lllder in one of our congregations there. AVe trust that should this 
 meet his e\e, he will foigive our rcterence to his case. 
 
 \ 1 I. .M ISSIONAliV L.MioUS. 
 
 I'lxtensive as were the liounds of hi", Kcir's eongivgatifin, his labors 
 were not confined to it. I-'or rwo years after he commenced Ids la- 
 bors at Princetown. he was the oidy Presliyterian minister on the 
 Island, and the (;nly Proicstani ministers there of any denomination 
 wQvc old "Mr l)c-lu-isriy ol'tiie eliapol eh'.'.i'ch. and one or two other* 
 
so that there wa>* much of Iho Islaml in a hiatc of entire n|iifitiial 
 flcHtitntiitn. In pavtieiilar, there was the conf^roj^ntion of St. Peters, 
 (emhraeinii; not only that settlement, but the neighboring Hottle- 
 menlH of Coveheail, Hay l''(irliine and I'last Point), left vacant 'oy lliti 
 death of M !•. (ior(l(Mi. Tiie IM'tsbylei'v lieing able to allnrd it but 
 wry Hfanty Huppiy of preaching, he su])j)rH!d tlieni while they were 
 witlioul a minister, as regularly and as tre(|uently as be could, con- 
 sistently with liis duty to bis iiHirc immediate charge. About the 
 yeai" isll the Jlov. .Mr. Piilgeon, ulm bad ci-iginally Itecn an lOnglish 
 Independi'ut, and who had been sent out as a missionarv bv the liOn- 
 dun Missioiuiry Society, having applied to the Pivsbytery, was receiv- 
 ed as a niiinsler in connexion with the Ix^dy, and was in the follow- 
 ing spring inducted as a ministei" of St. Potor.-'. But ia a few 
 years circumstances rendered it advisable ihat a dissolution of the 
 pastoral relations should take ])lace, and they were again left vacant. 
 But these were not the only ])lace.s beyond the bounds of his congre- 
 gation, to whicb Dr. Koir directed bis missionary labors. He felt 
 deeply for the settlements in almost entire destitution of the word 
 of life, bis soul yearned over so many imnKjrtals, wandering as sheep 
 wantfng a shepherd, and perishing for lack of knowledge, and bo 
 .spared no labor to visit them. Among the ])laces where be thus 
 preached, may he mentioned Tryon, tbo West River,* Murray Ilar- 
 bor, Georgetown and Belfast. The Wev. yiv. McKay of the latter 
 place informed the writer, that l)r Keir preached the fii-st sermon 
 ever ])reaclied in the latter place, the place of meeting being a saw 
 mill at l^)int Prim. In fact there is not one of the old Presbyterian 
 congregations on the Island, wbetbei" in connexion with the Scottish 
 Establishment, the Free Church or the Presbyterian Church of Xova 
 f^cotia, which did not to some extent enjoy his missionary labors, or 
 (;^xperience his fostering care in its infancy. In the most of them 
 f)r. Mc(iregor had planted, but hu walero(l, an<l in t-ome instances 
 ff^aped the first, but in others ho both ))lanted and watered while 
 Others have reaped. " Herein i.s that saying true, one sowetli and 
 jt^jother reapeth." "That both ht) that soweth and he that reapeth 
 ntfXy j'ejoico together." 
 
 These missionary labors involved much toil and privation. In 
 jK>#rcely any ]>}\n of the Island was there a road bettor than a mere 
 
 faWpaUi through the woods, The greater part of the tvf>vrV-' ", 
 
 aIo/)g shore, involving much dit^!"-"-- '• '•■■■■■ ■ ):,..■ 
 
 t| 
 
 ft H fir 
 
 /•'..-. 
 
SO) 
 
 Ultt)U ItMii hu lu ti'uvcl c()ii!4ii(cral)le (rD^tuiui'S oit I'oDt. Tlxi i'rt'(>,U4 
 •onu'timos )'i(|iiin(l him to ]ii;il<t' a loiiij circuit l<» jn) roiiml their 
 litail, or liiul |H hi' crosst'il HomctiiiiAs in ciiiUK's, Miiiittiincs on horso- 
 hack. whi'ii llic wiitiT would lu' Wfll u|» ihi' hiMx '> >i.|r.<,:ii:(l wo huv<( 
 h«*artl him toll ot crohMiuiC n stream in tin' luiiilihorhood ot" lU'lfast ii\ 
 tho loliowitm curious modi'. It w.is loi.dccj' to ho waded, utid thcro 
 was iieitlicr lioat iioi- canoi' in tin' nci'^iixii'liood. 'Tin; man in com- 
 puuy with him was a i^orxj swimmer, hui I'r. lu'ir could not swim 
 :it all. Jn tlu'so circumstances, tlu' only plan they could devise to 
 ^'aiii t)ie other sith' was to tic the clothes of hoth in a luiudlc. and his 
 companion to swim over with them on his head, and ih» m p Mini to 
 assist l)r. Keir aci'oss. This was ;ic('ordiii;;;ly done • tl v pro- 
 
 ecodod on tlieir way. In these iournc\s he wus i:''t I'ldv ii r davs 
 hut for wocUh fron\ honie. and otU o ex]Mised lo .ici inj; cold and 
 wintry storm, with very imn|e<|uate pr 'toctiwii aj^ainsi tin'ii" incle- 
 meiu'y. and ()ttt;n jjarlakinij ordy of lln ]. ludy^fare and thu rudo 
 accommodation atl'ordt;d hy the liu; of the now scitliT. l>ut no 
 murmur escaped his lips, JIo aho found the peoj)le in many instan- 
 ces very ignorant antl careless. \\v have heard him tell of there ho- 
 ingsuch talking when he l)Cgan jtreachinir, even aftoi- he had f-poken 
 to them to he -ilerit, thai he had (o read the Tsalm at the top of 
 his voic(! to di'own tiieir clanuMir. 
 
 Jlis missionary lahors liow ever, were not c(»nfincd to Prince Kd- 
 w-ard 1 huul. Aflrr the death (»f .Mr. Injuhnrt he \ isited Miramichi, 
 find preaciicd at diirorent places along the liver. lie ]treaclKHl at 
 I'liehou.^eof Mr. llenderscni. with whom he lodged, at .Douglastown, 
 ■where thtwe was ;in old ciiurch, in the Coui't Jlouse at Newcastle, 
 uji lit the foi'ks of the river, and at JJurnt Church. He alno visited 
 among the jicojile, liut ioun(| them so ignorant m I'lligious mattt;rs, 
 that he could not oonsicentioii;dy dis])ense to them the sacraments. — 
 As a speeiiiH'ti of lliis he jnouliqned to us the followin;.'; incident. — 
 One man having applied to him on the road to ln\pti/.o his child, ho 
 told liim th.'it he must h"\ • sr);ae conversation with him tirst. On 
 thfii- 'vay the Di-. luijtpcne! !• .i '• lijm w' > 'tapti/eo his last child. 
 He rej)Iied " the minis ■ ,< ■■[ w. old woman." " Ilow is that," the 
 T>r. asked, 'i'he man roitlicd "The child was very sick, and we sent 
 down the riyer for the minister, hut ho was not to he had, and ah the 
 child was very miek, the old woman l«ipti/,ed it." The Dr. pressed 
 him lo conie int(j Mr. ]londrson's house, wliere he was lodging, tiiat 
 he might cunverse j'arthcr with him. "No," said the man at last, "1 
 will no*, cunie in. hut if you w^ill ha)iti/,e my child, 1 will give you 
 thirty .shiiling.s, and if \.mi wont taku flnit 1 must do without." On 
 
(3t 
 
 ^iiH ^yn.v ilown tn tin' plm-i' Iinuu which h- ili-"!, !h» nml hiHri»iii|i«ii 
 ini >i wore iiciirlv |»hiii<4i'(l intotho river. T "ir cimO. \vii*»u species of 
 cjuxic ciiilt»tl a L:i]iliiii'lcr, Very loii!.; ati<i • y sliurp, nuide out 
 offi siiij^h' tree, aiitl so li-mhM', tlial u Ice;; win. ti was hi one end hap- 
 |it .;i to roll lo iiie side, \\n>* sutllcieiit t' d^troy its c(piililiriiiiii, 
 «Mtl ill c'liiiK \ioti with Home carelesmiies- ni iri!ikiirafno«n on the part 
 ot one of tlie iiuii. :ilinosi cap" !/,(-(! ii , ' ' lo mnri w'dM thrown in- 
 to the ii\er, ami thev wol'c with jionie di« eultr xfivi'd hv the sUill 
 of the ppi>.»n in command. 
 
 ^Vl• helieve that he alferwardM visited Mirftmiciii ai> inc otliei- 
 
 pni'ts of New Urunswiek. lie mentioned to us thai on o ocoaf<i'»ii 
 lie hii .Miramichi in a ;;ah) ot'wind. liat it was viiifht an them, 
 and Ihoiiiih the storm was siit h !i>» t<j cause him ^reai anxiei v, yi»t 
 they had a vei'\ (piiek run. Nicy sailed Ironi Vliriai.iichi i i iiw 
 eveninu; and i-arly next, inornin!? wero at Hcdcqiu'. But e ivn -iri'- 
 markahle instance of the presf.'rvinsx care of divine ' 'i-ovid nev wUicli 
 ho ever e.Npi-rienced, was on -x visit to the Bamc plaeo ii, tlic \ ar 
 1S17, in <'onij)any with Dr. .M<" iro«>:or. with whom he woHstMit to ,ib 
 • Imt the l{ev. .lames 'riiomson. They took ]iaHsa<;i' from i; i uif'iii 
 a lu'w vesf-el, which was ;;oiii|( fc> Miraniichi to take in car TIj« 
 
 vessel had )iot sullicient hallrtst, iit tliey had a pleasant vovii*, over, 
 and dreamed not of dan;;U'r. Bu scarcely had they landed fr' m her 
 till sIh^ ca])si/,cd in the river, lillci ;uid sunk to the hottoni, ai. ■as 
 allerwards raised onlv wilha-reat i.itlieult\-. "We rcirret that W' .ave 
 it Hot ill our powei' to give a fuller account of his i) issionary I; 'Otyt, 
 hut what we have said will he sulli' iciit to show how applica - to 
 him was the laiiifuai^o of Iho a])0stl< . '"In journeyings often, in i ils 
 of waters, in ])crils of rohhern, in perils by mine own countrymen, in 
 perils hy tho heathen, in ]icrils in tin city, in perils in the wildern»»»p 
 in perils on the sea, in ])erils among i ilse brethren; in Avearincss ami 
 ]iainfulnesH, in watching often, inhiui.'or and thirat, in fastings often, 
 in e(»ld an<l nakedness. Beside, thos. things that are without, that 
 which conieth upon lue daily, the can of all the churches." 
 
 4 
 
 Vril. CoNORKOATlONAI- ChANOER. 
 
 Under the pastoral labors Avhich wo have already described, his 
 congregation gradually increased, both in nnmbcrs and religious 
 knowledge, mo that it soon became necen-iary to seek additional min- 
 isterial labor in it. It has sometimes I -eon tho ease that ministers 
 have shown a reluctance to part -with an\- portion of tlioir eongroga" 
 lion. Sometimes this lias arisen from afoaithat being hut imperfectly 
 

 Pii])pliocl In' tlic wliolc, lln'V mu;*! lie jmicli wuiseoil' if dopejidciit, 
 on tho liair. Such a view. Iifwevrr, ]■■ ioiind in liiMclico to bo quite 
 erroneouH. .Mininislers aflor the (livision (>t i oil- (•(iiii!;iT<.':;ilioii liiivc 
 ibund themsolvcs bottoi' KU]iportod hx ibo bsilf lb:m tliey ■\voro 
 previously by tlio Avliole, wo su]»]m)S(* s(;nu'whal upon the 
 same pi'iiifiplo by ■\vhicli :i lanixM- dci-ivcs jnoro ])roduco from 
 a small piece of ground avcII tilled, lliun he would have done 
 from double the same surthce inijicrfcctly hilioi'cd. The plan, 
 too, of a luinistor scnlterinn' hi.- hdjoi-s over a wide extent of 
 f'Ountry, is injui-ious to the interests of (he congregation. "The 
 great extent of congregation," says the J\ev. H. S. Patterson, 
 "is a serious injury to the interests of religinn. Tlie niinistei- 
 having many ])reaching })lMces, can be ]nTsent at each only once in 
 the course of a number of Sabbaths. The peojile being f tr a length 
 of time without preaching, ai'c ajit to become careless, oi- to be led 
 away by intruders. This, liowever, is an evil which, in a new coun- 
 try cannot be altogether avoided. The inhabitants lieingfew in each 
 locality, arc not able to maintain a ministi-r. It is of im])ortancc, 
 however, as soon as the poj)ulation increases, that the outjxists should 
 be detached and formed into seperate eongi-egations. Suoh was the 
 wise course pursued by Dr. Keir. At first his congregation was scat- 
 tered over a very wide extent of country. As thopopulation became 
 more dense, and tho members of the church ijicreased, varions parts 
 were detached and formed intonc-w congregations, until Pi-incetown 
 alone remained under his pastoral care." 
 
 The changes will be bet»t described by (juoting his own woi-ds in 
 reply to the address of the congregation at Iris Jubilee in 1S5S. "The 
 fiirRt part that was disjoined and erected into a separate congregation 
 was Eichmond Bay, comprising Lots No. 18, 14, 16, 17, which took 
 place in the year 1819, when it was placed under the pastoral insjiec- 
 tion of the Eev. Andrew Nicol, an ordained minister from the As- 
 sociate Synod of Scotland. His co)itinuance in the chargn, however, 
 was short, for he died in about a year after his induction, and the 
 congregation was left vacant. Bedoquo was next disjoined, and 
 erected into a separalo congregation, and in connexion with tho va- 
 cant congregation of Eichmond Ba,\*, was put under the pastpraj 
 charge of Mr. William Jic(Tregor, a preacher who had arrived froni 
 the General Associate Synorl in Bcothmd iw 1820, and was ordjiint'd 
 and inducted on the llth of October, in tho year 1 82 1, 
 
 " In about three years after his induction Mr, Alcirinigor dtiudutni 
 his charge of tho congregation at Bodeq^ia, whitsh fur a shv^rt <'•■■. 
 ;\vas again supplit-d \\\i\< <'-.' '=-3^ ■; ' • , ■ ^ 
 

 
 ope/Hloiit, 1 
 
 bo 
 
 quite . 
 
 ion 
 
 llIIAC 
 
 ^y 
 
 wore 
 
 poll 
 
 llie 
 
 ICO 
 
 from 
 
 IVO 
 
 doiu' 
 
 lio 
 
 plan, 
 
 (1^:!) 
 
 iiiiiiislci', v.itli your cDiiscn!, in tlic siuno proportion as itliad been 
 Ijoforo its s(>p;iiution. On 1 lie L'Jiul of March i8'29, the Rov. H. S. 
 I'atlcrson, who had previously rcct.'ived n unanimous call, was ad- 
 juittod to tiio pastoral f.har^o of tho cono^rogation of Bodequc 
 From that pcrioil the con,i;'roij,'ation o!" l^inci'town rontinued to con- 
 sist of I'rincctowii iioyally. nnd New fjondon, with tho adjacent 
 settloini-nts of CavcMidisli aiid ."■.'ew ( Masg'ow, Iiccaust' there had boon 
 previously a l;irii;e :ieei>ssioii ot" iu'.-ml>ei'slii|) by inunii:;i'ati(jn at two 
 • lilTerent tinies, tirst, i'i'<Mu the II iu-h lands of Scotland to Now London, 
 and secondly from the ("lyde ro Xew (Jhiso;ow. 
 
 '•' liut in the year IS27, (he I'l-e^'iy tt'i-ian popidation in tho }a:st 
 mentioned set tlemonts wei'c disjoii\od from tho PrincoLown congro- 
 i.';ation, and erected into a new con^i-eo-ation, and y)ut under tho pas- 
 toral chari;'e of tho \loy. 11ul!,'1i huniiar. Fi'om that period until tho 
 pi"(>sont lime, beint;' the sjtaeo of thirty-one years, tho congregation of 
 I'rincctown has enjoyed a ivgular dispensation of gospid ordinances 
 in one place of woi-ship, the loc:ality being about ten miles square, 
 the number of adherents, of general attendance, and of communicants 
 being greater than before tho other congregations were disjoined 
 from it. » 
 
 "It niay be observeil here that the congregation of Caseiimpequc, 
 now under the pastm-al ins]iection of the Rev. Allan Fraser, though 
 at no time, ju'operly speaking, in connexion, as forming any part of 
 the I'rincetown congregation, yet it has in a certain sense sprung 
 from it, as it has I'eceived many of its memliers, and has been sup- 
 plied from it at an early pei-iod with a dis^pensation of gospel ordin- 
 ances." 
 
 'Yo these it may be added that a portion of the congregation of 
 Xew Tjondon*separated from it and united with tho Scottish Estab- 
 lishmeid, and afterward Avith the Free Church, which would be the 
 sixth Presbyterian congregation formed out of his original charge. 
 .\nd as one of them is nearly ripe for division there will soon be 
 seven. 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to remark that during this time the state 
 of (ho country underwent similar changes. The forest yielded to the 
 axe of tho si'ttter, and the wilderness became a fruitful field. The 
 i-udo hut of the dweller in the wood was exchanged for the comfort- 
 able liabitation, and the difliculties of travelling ])assed away. The 
 rivers were bridged and the ))road carriage road rendered the travel- 
 ling in his own congregation, and iutercourt^J with other places com- 
 parative]} easy. 
 
 It must lie romendx'K^d that during the whole eour«e of his minif- 
 
 
(21 
 
 try unbi'ok ,:i hannony ])i'i'vaik'il l';'t\V('t>n Iiini ;>!iil liis (•nii<i;i'('L!;ati<iii 
 There wen' no doiiI>t, trials in the casf n[' iinlivi.liials, luit tho (iroat 
 Head of thv Clmreh never sntVereil fo s])fi!v_': uii an;, of those "roots 
 (if bitterness' l>y which "many are detih^l." A nd not only so iuil the 
 people eviiu'od the' warmest attachment to liim'. 'J'his leeliu;;- wa:> 
 i^trone; in those s(M'lions. which ii wits (h'cmed iidvisahlc (o erect into 
 new C'OMt;'ivu'Jitions. In noi a single insianccMtid the sc];aralion take 
 place from aiiythini;- nice iiad i'eelin;:;. ()ntjie (•onl'.'ai-y, the people 
 in the districts tlisjoined ajvreed to il oidy "wiih ;:i'eal i-eliiclance. and 
 retained the waiMuest feeling's of attachment to him. Many would 
 outer into the feelin<j;s ex])resst'd li\ Win. .■^fcXcil l\s(i.. of ("aveiidish. 
 at the Jubilee: '* He had always rt\u;retted hei:iL^ disjoined from I>r. 
 Kier; ho Avas o])posed to the lucasiirc. Perhaps it was >cltish in him 
 to bo so. ]iiit it liad been considciXMl foi- the beactit of tlie church." 
 And in the more immediate s]iher(.' of Id- labors, he was the object 
 of an a.mount of vi'neration and atiachmeiit. which mii.dit havt> filled 
 with self-elation any iierson, but oiuMii ^\ hom the i;race of (iod 
 reigned in the ])i-()d\iction of such iinfeiM:ned humility. We cnnnot 
 however commend tlieir tinaneial an'an<j;en)ents, ri'ii;ardini;' him. In 
 the first year of his ministry their eonduet would eoniiiai-e fhvorably 
 Avith the otlier congrcii'ations of the church. Indeeil his coiDi'ren'aiioii 
 not long after Ids settlement look the lead in I'aising their minister's 
 salary. I'rd of late years, \\hile tlu> e\pens(> of living has increasiMl. 
 they have allowed themselves to be outstri|)ped by yoi'mger congre- 
 gregations, and have retained modes of dealing Avith the miinster, 
 wdiich though well enough litty years ago, are nov; far behind the 
 age. We have been grieved to see such an old and worthy servant 
 of Christ Avith a considerable f*aniilv receiving from a congregation 
 among whom he had spent the ]n'in\e ot' his strength, less tlum a 
 numlier of mere striplings (rained under him, Avero recei\'ing from 
 weaker congregations, ev'en while they had no person dependent on 
 them. Noi- was it creditable that whih' tlui latter were receivin^ 
 their salary in t'ash, and at regular tinu's, he had to sulcvii! to a sys- 
 terii of irregular produce payment, contlenined by the synod, and ex- 
 ])loded in almost every congregation of the body. ~\Ve do not say 
 that this Avas altogether attributable to them. It was partly owing 
 to hisoAvn disinterested disregard of woi'ldly things. He had -learn- 
 ed in whatOA'^or Btate he Avas therewith to be content," and he trou- 
 l-)led theru not with any appeals regarding Ids own salai'v. ( 'erlain- 
 ly howeA'cr their conduct arose from no Avant of atttachment to him, 
 but from un imperfect knowledge of their duty 
 
 Wo must alFo remark, that durint;' the whole C''uir=-f of Jus mini^trA', 
 
(25) 
 
 
 I lu> olloils tif Soi'lai iiiiis to ill trod life division into liis conj^regnlion 
 :iiid Itiiild up tiK'ir own jiarty ])riiicijik's upon tho ruinis of its peace, 
 \vci\' entirclv unsiR-ccssl'til. Most of our Prcshvtcrian concrcfut ions 
 liavo txM'ii assaih'd in tliis mannor. There ar<' nhvaVvS parties ))rofos- 
 sitiij that tlieir olijcct i.s to pi'cat'h the go? pel of Christ, but who in- 
 Htcad of (loin<j^ this where he is not known, eontinc their Inhors to 
 those already hlessed Avith tlic ministrations ot" faitliful servants of 
 ( 'hrist; and instc.'id of directing their otforts to the coiiversi(jn of 
 ninners to the Saviour, devote their energies to bringing men from 
 (he I'rQsliyterian I'old into their own, soinetime« on the ground 
 that Prcsl»yteriani» when gained over, make the very best members 
 tiiey have, which amounts to :; onnlession, that our system is the 
 means of making more efficient Chrislhins than theirs. These men 
 are not ahvavs vlry sci'upulons as to the hii^ans tliev omplov. Tho 
 dissatisfiiction of an individual, whose conduct may have brotiglit 
 him under the discipline of the (Jhuvcli, or of 8omo self-conceited 
 person^ who imagines that ho has not received tho attention he do- 
 serves, will form a jioint, on which they alight like carrion fowls on 
 corru])ti<>n, and by flattery, or malting themselves " all things to all 
 men," in another sense than the apostle Paul, they will commonly 
 succeed in gaining some, and strife and division ensue. AH this will 
 )ic done under the pretence of love and peace. All the other I'res- 
 l)ytcrian congregations in the Ishind luid suflered more or less from 
 these "spiritual kidnappers," as John Angel James called them, but 
 against i>r. Keir, their eflbrls fell harmless as the arrow from the solid 
 I'ock All their plans Avero inefl'cctuaL tt» excite division among his 
 ))eop!e. S'jme (if them felt considerably chagrined, that they were 
 liius so enticely baffled ; and within the last two or three years, when 
 thei-e were indications of failing strength <hi the" ]iftrt of Dr. Ivoir, 
 their hopes of.success revived, and they began agaiil " l-reL>))ing in," 
 with the ho])e of securing their purjtose: ^Ye ai-e hapjiy to s:iy, that 
 in spile of such, kind iittentions to their s)»iritual interests, the con- 
 ii:regatiou has remained united and harmonious. Jiong nniy the\- 
 r'onlinue so. To tl'.em v,-e say, " Ik' of oiir mind, live in pea('e, alid 
 the (rod of petu'C t^hall he with you." .And with this vii-w gidii'd 
 against those Seclai'ian J'roselyti/ers, who would <-ompass sea and 
 land to nnikc one proselite, ''and when they hnvc made him, In is t wo 
 lold moi't" till' child ol liell limn he wm^ iiefore." •■.^^ark thi'in which 
 divisions isnd oil'cnces among yon ciMitiMry to ihe doctrine yc 
 them. I'or lliey that are suili. serve no! 
 
 <l'0( 111 \\ if i ■ 
 
 ;iiid avoi 
 
 ' au'-e 
 
 li;ive le;irnei 
 
 "iir Lord .le.iis ( 'hn t , iml ilieir o\\ n 
 
 'I hfs i\y '■i\(' Mif licarl-" nf \\]r pioplc.' 
 
 ;ni' 
 
 h\ 
 
 .mil 1'nir ';pei' 
 
(26) 
 
 rill 
 
 ; 
 
 IJ. Presbttbut o»' p. E, Island Formed and nis pondCct as a 
 
 Minister TiiERKOt. 
 
 One of tho greatest losses which ho snfforod and perhaps aVo might 
 Bay one of the severest trirls ho endured, during the early years ot 
 his ministerial life, was the want of brethren near him with whom 
 he could take sweet counsel, and whose co-operation and sympathy 
 might strengthen his hands. "Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man's coun- 
 tenance his friend," but ho like Abraham, had gone forth alone. For 
 Bome years there was not a ministerial brother on tho Island, and 
 when one did come, it was not long till he Avas separated from his 
 congregation, and Dr. Keir left alone. During this time ho was con- 
 nected with the Presbytery of Plctou, but such was the difliculty ot 
 intercourse, that he rarely mot with it m Pi'esbytery. There was 
 no steamer wafting the traveller swiftly, and Avith regularity to his 
 destination. Not only weeks but months elapsed without anj^ com- 
 munication with the main land. lie hiformed us that on one occa- 
 eion, when war broke out, several months elapsed before tho people on 
 the Island heard of it. The Presbytery, however, did what they 
 could to hold intereourse with him and to strengthen his hands by 
 brotherly countenance. Almost every summer one or other of tho 
 brethren of that Presbytery went over on a missionary excursion. — 
 In this Dr. McGregor was especially forward. On such occasions 
 tho Lord's Supper was dispensed, and he enjoyed a season of hallow- 
 ed fraternal intercourse. When the f!>ynod was formed in 1817, ho 
 generally had the privilege of meeting his brethren once a year, as 
 by this time sailing packets had been established betweeti P. E. Island 
 and Xova Scotia. But still he Was in a groat measure cut otf from 
 the church. At length he was to see a Presbytery formed, where 
 ho had been a solitary laborer. We shall again quote tho woi*ds ot 
 Mr. Patterson. 
 
 " Previous to the settlement of Mr. McGregor at Richmond Bay, 
 there had been no Presbytery in tho Island. But on October 11 th, 
 1821, tho day of Mr. McGregor's ordination, in accordance with a 
 deed of Synod, the Presbytery of P. E. Island was constituted, and 
 held its first mooting at Richmond Bay.* The members present wore 
 Rev. Dr. Koiv, of Princotown, who was chosen first moderator, the 
 Rev. Robert Douglass, of St. Pcters,f tho Rev. William McGregor of 
 Ulchmond Bay, ministers; and Edward Ramsay, Ruling Elder. The 
 -formation of a Prcsbytrrv Avas an event of deep interest to the friends 
 
 ■ 
 
 ■■■■ At Lot If,. 
 
 ■i Mr P'^iijln-.? HtI hnn-i i.-, Ih.T'iH ii I'nw i|(ir« previouelr 
 
(27) 
 
 The 
 
 of the church in gencnil. in purticuhvi' in the mind of Dr. JLoir, h 
 excited the most heartfelt satisfaction and the most fervent gratitude to 
 God. Far removed from any brother with whom he could consult in 
 the moment of perplexity, he had been almost a solitary laborer. — 
 Two broth6r ministers* he had seen, in the mysterious Providence of 
 God, snatched away by the relentless hand of death. Another, through 
 dissatisfaction arising between him and his congregation, had been loosed 
 from the pastoral relation. But now he had the satisfaction to be as- 
 sociated with brethren, whom he could consult in difBculties, who would 
 be fellow-laborers in the wide field which he had occupied, and would 
 water where he had planted. No sooner was a Presbytery formed, than 
 applications for supply of preaching were presented from Murray Har- 
 bour, in King's County, and Shimogue in New Brunswick." 
 
 The Presbytery directed its attention earnestly to the work of sup- 
 plying the destitute portions of the Island with the word of life, and soon 
 increased in number. But the extension of the church was much hin- 
 dered, as it has been almost ever since, by the want of ministers. Wo 
 wish however to notice particularly, that in all its efforts Dr. Keir took 
 a most active part. Whatever labors devolved upon its members, ho 
 cheerfully bore his full ihare. In attendance upon its meetings he was 
 regular and conscientious. Only the most serious obstacles could pre- 
 vent his being presicnt. This wa« the case with him to the very last 
 year of his life. Indeed his brethren were often astonished at his presence, 
 when the distance from' the place of meeting, the inclemency of the wea- 
 ther or the badness of the roads might have furnishal a sufficient excuse 
 for his absence. Indeed his conduct in this respect was often a reproof 
 to younger men, who allow trifling difficulties to prevent their attend- 
 ance on these meetings, so important to the church and so useful to 
 themselves. 
 
 From the formation of the Presbytery he was regarded by the mem- 
 bers as a father among them. He was not only the oldest minister, but 
 his position had given him a large amount of experience, his apostolic 
 character excited their affection and esteem, and his practical good sense 
 rendered his counsel valuable. Hence from the very first formation of 
 the Presbytery all its members looked to him with peculiar veneration. 
 He lived to sec these brethren and others who joined it afterw ard com- 
 mitted to the silent tomb; but their places were filled by younger men, 
 to all of whom he was a father and a friend, not indeed assuming any 
 
 * The licT'dj. Peter nordon nnd Andrew Kicol. 
 
(2S) 
 
 ii'ivA c)t niitliurity from his yeuM and position, liut ever rciuly to yield iii.'j 
 coimsol, sympathy or assistance. Very properly then did the members 
 of Presbytery, on tiie occasion of his jubilee, address him in the follow- 
 ing terms: "Especially do avc feel it our duty as co-presbyters to ex- 
 press our esteem of your conduct as a member of Presbytery. As such 
 you have been distinguisiied by uniform kindness and brotherly fooling — 
 by readiness to co-operate in every good work; and we have all reason to 
 acknowledge our personal obligations for the fatherly interest you have 
 taken in us and for the counsel and assistance, which you have always 
 been ready to impart, and the value of wliich we have iiad reason to feel." 
 
 X. Ills rU()I'i:sS(tRIAIi L.MJOUS. 
 
 We have now to exhibit Hr. Keir in a ditrcrcnt position — one iti 
 ."^ome respects of higher nsefiilness. at all events of greater import- 
 nnee to the eluirch at large. Dv. .Mer'ullf)eb' having been removed 
 from the ehureb on eartli ill the year ]S4:i, Dr. Keir was at tho 
 meetinix of the Sviiod in the suminer followini-; chosen bis successor 
 For tht! discbargo of the duties of this ottice, it must be acknoAvledged 
 that Dr. Keir was under considcrablo di.'^advaiitaties. lie bad been 
 in a situation, where be had but little access to hooks, execi)t his 
 own library, and his limited salary liafl not enabled him to gather a 
 large collection. Jndeed Avitb the productions of recent writers, or- 
 thodox or heretical, be bad scaixeh- bad any opportunity of being 
 familiar. Besides, bis life bad been devoted.to pastoral labors of a 
 kind, which rcijuired so mucb time and involved such an amount of 
 physical toil, that in the matter of study, be could do little more than 
 attend to what was absolutely necessary for bis congregational work. 
 rnder these circumstances, bis acquaintance witb that higher range 
 of study, witb which it is expected thatii profes.sor should be versant, 
 was necessarily limited. From the date of h\:< .»;ettlement, even the 
 study of the sacreil languages, had not been prosecuted witb any de- 
 gree of constancy or regularity ; and he was at an ago when men 
 generally <lo not outer ujion a new course of study. These disadvan- 
 tatres hv felt stron^lv himself, and it was therefore with some difli- 
 culty that he could be persuaded to undertake tho office. 
 
 But on the other hand, if he had not attended to fho forms in 
 which Theology bad been jire^ented Ity modern writers, he was ab 
 iindantly familiar witb its ijKitler, as exliihilfd on the writings oi 
 the great s'andanl divine'^ of the 17th <'entury in Hngland, and of tho 
 Man•o^^I^en ;ind the Sececr-ioii fathers in Scotland on the l^^th. AVu 
 
,»H)ii(H'ive the \vritiiiL;s (il'llic funiu'r to Itiiiu u ciMiijiloiv' storolioiiso ol' 
 'riicoloiry, Mild tlic iiKln \\\)n ]\n<. his r|uiv( !• hlu'd \\ ith weapons 
 drawn fVom that arniorv, is well (Mniipjicd ihi' warlUro aji;ainst tlio 
 arniioH of tlio aliens. Desiraliloas it is to bo ae;i,Mainted with modern 
 The()lo,u;i('al wi-iters, yet the ohl seem to liave pushed ihcir enquiries 
 lo the full limits of the jiowers of the huluau mii,id, and often times 
 the prod,iietions ol" ijiodern orthodox writers, are hni imovtof i hi ritus 
 of t:lieir writiiiirs, W'hilc Iho ini-'enuity of modern crrorists has scarce- 
 ly furi^cd any new -weapons of assault upon divinv truth. The .Mar- 
 vowmen andSeeession fathers, who have been called "the only distinct-' 
 ivcscboolofThcolofTytliat Scotland has |iroduccd,"exhibit in substance 
 the same system, thoui^di sliu;htly modified in the mode (jf its i)rcsent- 
 ation. With the views of tlieso writers. Dr. Keir's aci|uaintance was 
 both accurate and c-\tcnsivc. We may here remark, that so far as 
 his Theology was formed from any liuman writin<!;s, it might be said 
 to have been moulded by the .luthoi's referred to. His Theology was 
 that of Owen and the Secession fathers. Wliile we say this, wo 
 niuHt however i-emarlc, that after all his Theology was essential Bi- 
 blical. His views Avere drawn directly froiii the great fountain of 
 divine truth, and all his expositions of doctrines were distinguished 
 by their fidness of scripture referonce. Ifo wj^ts indeed a man "migh- 
 .ty in the scri])turcs." In liis preaching too ho hA.d trx'iited the great 
 ,doctrines of tjhe gospel systematically, and had a course of sermons, 
 which presented neiu'ly a coiii.plete system of Theology. Thus ho 
 Avas equipped for the duties of the office in a manner, wdiich amply 
 justified the .synod's choice. 
 
 Having with some reluctance accepted the office, he entered upon 
 its duties with great diligence. Ho devoted his attention to such 
 reading, as woidd enable him to k,eep abreast of the Chi-istian Liter- 
 ature of the ago; and ho extended the sermons referred to into a full 
 course of lectures on Theolog^y, of Avhich a synopsis has been pub- 
 lished for the use of his students. In jmuiy Institutions at the pre- 
 sent day, from the riumher, of excellent, systems of Theology already 
 before the public, it is not considered the most efficient mode of 
 teaching Theology, for the Professor to prepare a full course of lec- 
 tures of his own. It is believed that the work may bo done as tho- 
 roughlj- by examination of the students on one of the standard sys- 
 tems, such as Hic-V's, and by supplementary lectures on particular 
 subjects, that may require special consideration. Br. Keir had hcen 
 accustomed to the other mode, and bis coarse of lectures will afford 
 the best evidence of his assiduity It was not our privilege to hear 
 bis lectures n.'- written out, nor can we speak' of their contents from 
 
(9()^ 
 
 persoiml know kd^e of tliom otherwise. Uiit from whut wo hRTc 
 
 li 
 
 boli 
 
 Ihat th 
 
 (1 
 
 .'d it able 
 
 heard 
 
 of tho wouiulncss of his viowi<, but also of the extent of his Thcologi" 
 eal attainments. 
 
 For a few year« alter his ai)|)ointnu'nt, the Hall met in liis house, 
 and tho students, who were then lew in number, hoarded Avith his 
 family. It is only of tliis y)eriod," that we can sjumiU I'rom our own 
 experience, and we believe that we expn>ss the feeling of those, not 
 a numerous body, who attenc'ed at that tim(>, when we say that wo 
 reckon the few weeks sjjent annually with him in this way aa not 
 only among the most jjleasant, but also as among tho most valuable, 
 for our Christian progress aiul ministerial usefulness, of our past 
 lives. AVe attended daily u])on hispreleclions, and he gave us plenty 
 of work to do, so that we were kept busy. As a lecturer wo do not 
 profess to set him along side of some we have heard in other Institu- 
 tions. We have sat under men of greater originality of thought, 
 men who impressed us more deejdy with a sense of their intellectual 
 power — wo have heard lectures from such men, showing a wider 
 range of thought, taking a firmer grasp of a subject and exhibiting 
 it in more brilliant lights; but we have never sat under one, who 
 produced deej^er impressions of moral goodness, nor one Avho in tho 
 handling of the great themes v? Christian doctrine, presented them 
 more as great practical realities — nor one who left deeper impressions 
 on our minds of the duties and responsibilities of the sacred office. — 
 Indeed we confess that we consider Dr. Keir's excellence as a pro- 
 fessor lay rather in this point, than either in the learning or intel- 
 lectual power displayed on his prelections. 
 
 Impressions of this kind were great,ly deepened by the privilege 
 wo then enjoyed, not only of daily, but Ave may say of hourly per- 
 sonal intercourse with him. It was then that Ave learned rightly to 
 estimate his worth, and associating with him thus closely, we must 
 have been sIoav scholars, if Ave did not come aAvay hotter men and 
 better fitted for usefulness as ministers. Then too it may*be ob.serA-- 
 od we learned the extent both of his Theological attainments and 
 general information. From hesitancy of manner and his great na- 
 tural modesty, his public apjjcarancc^ often did not do justice to 
 himself, and did not leave the most favourable im])reseions upon tho 
 mind of strangers. Thoso only Avho Avere brought into familiar in- 
 tercourse with him in private, fully kncAv the loveliness of his charac 
 tor, and the extent of his acquirements. 
 
 In subsequent years the Ilall met at West Eiver, and we cannot 
 speak of his teaching there from personal experience. But his faith 
 
 !u 
 n( 
 
 AV 
 
wo hnre 
 
 not only 
 
 'J'lioologi' 
 
 lis house, 
 with his 
 our own 
 hoNo, not 
 that wo 
 ly UH not 
 valuable, 
 our paHt 
 usplon+y 
 do not 
 ■ luHtitu- 
 thought, 
 ellcetual 
 a wider 
 :hibiting 
 no, who 
 10 in the 
 od them 
 •ressiona 
 office.— 
 i a pro- 
 r intel. 
 
 rivilego 
 ly per- 
 fhtly to 
 <Q must 
 len and 
 observ- 
 ts and 
 'cat na- 
 tice to 
 )on the 
 iar in- 
 ^harac 
 
 cannot 
 ! faith 
 
 [31] 
 
 fuliirss and bucccss an a .TliO(>l(i<j;ical tutor, will best appear in tliosti 
 \Vho, trained under him, arc nf)w ])r(\'U'liin!^ tli(^ ixospcl ot'CJod's Son, 
 i»ot only in this Province, but in the distant isles ot the sea. Not-- 
 withstandin<; the disadvanlaifCH ui. wlucli tiiey have been placed, 
 ho mii^ht Hay as hv. JJaliner, "IIaj)py is the man that bath his quivei' 
 full of them/' 
 
 X. Christian ano BEN'Kvoi.r.xr Entefii'risk. 
 
 In noticing Dr. Keir's public labors, there renuiins only ono other 
 point to bo considcfed, viz : the interest which he took in the Chrifi- 
 tlan and benevolent enterprises of the ago. To this however we can 
 but briefly advert. From an eaiMy period he had been deeply inter^ 
 csted in the Missionary undertakings of the church, and in the true 
 spirit of ^Missionary devotedness, he had given himself to the work 
 of preaching the gospel in America. And ho ever after manifested 
 how deeply his heart Avas engaged in every thing connected with 
 the prosperity of Zion and the extension of tho kingdom of the Re- 
 deemer. 
 
 During the first years of his ministrj^ so far as we aware, it does 
 not ap))ear that to any considerable extent, he led his congregation 
 to contribute either to the schemes of the church, or to the great re- 
 ligious institutions of tho age. His congregation was weak, its mem- 
 bers scattered and scarcely able to support the ordinances of religion 
 among themselves; and money Avas especially scarce, Prince Edward 
 Island, more thah any other part of the church, having, even when 
 blessed Avith abundance of food, hitherto always had difficulty in se* 
 curing a moneyed circulating medium, wheat, oats, barley, having 
 often been tho regular articles of exchano;e. 
 
 But he always felt an interest in the work of go.spel diffusion, and 
 ill later years he entered Avith his whole heart, into the Avork of eT« 
 citing his own congregation and others to liberality in the groat 
 Avork. He particularly delighted in the Foreign Mission of our 
 church. After Mr. (Neddie ho was one of the first in tho body to 
 adopt the idea, 'and to believe in its practicability. By the influence 
 of his exhortations and the example of his liberality, his congregation 
 Avere led to como under most liberal engagements, in the event of 
 tho synod's entering upon such an undertaking. He introduced tho 
 overture for engaging in the Avork into synod and the Aveight of his 
 character and opinion contributed much to tho carrying of the mea- 
 sure. It Avasa day of deep delight to him Avhen the church finally 
 ■fngngod in tho work. Wo were present at the Presbytery, when Mr 
 
(i'('(|ilio \v;,s tlnally si'|iiirato(l liom his (•iiii>j:r(\t,':Ui<»ii, uiul at n ])iililic 
 meeting luld tlie sume day in llic I'riuectow n cliiirili tu hid him 
 furcwelh Amid many lliinyH that wen' inU'rcstiii;^ and uflVclin^, 
 we eun yet well rccollcet (lie appiarantc ot l>r. Jumt on the oecnsion. 
 fu Iiim (111' whole rctm, especiiiily when viewed in connexion with 
 the pa^'t. excited s(n)h«i; emolions. In a lew, hni (h-oply inipi-eKsivo 
 words, he contfnst<V> Ahdi they m)W saw with the stale of thiiii^'s 
 when he arrived on the Island. Thirty-seven years hef'ore lie had 
 Ibfl his native land as a Foreign .Missionary, and tliirty-livo years 
 before he had been oixlained over a people lew in nuniher, -widely 
 scattered, and ])iiK'he(l in tlieir woi'ldly eireiimstances, and fora time 
 ■was the only Presbyterian minister on Trince Kdward island. Now 
 he saw a number of flourishing congregations, and many fiiithful 
 jninisters of ditVerent denominations thi'oiighout the island, and now 
 the chureh to which he belonged, ]iiineipally thi'oiigh the zeal of the 
 ministers, and the liberality of the congregations, in that section of 
 it, engaged in sending a miniBtcr t(.^ labor far lionee among the (Jen- 
 tiles, — an nndertaking at that time almost unprecedented among 
 coioniai churches. With strong I'eeling of gratitude might lie say, 
 'wliat Lath Ciod M-rought?" 
 
 In the carrying on of the work, he was ever ready to render lii.s 
 counsel and Assistance. Jle was a member of the I'^oreign Mission 
 Jioard from its formats n till his death, an'd so far as he was enabled 
 to attend its meetings, toolc an active part in the managcmon.t of its 
 business. The progress of the mission he anxiously Avatchcd, and 
 oven in its darkest ho'"ir, \\h faith in the promises of the (iod of Mis- 
 sions, and his coTilIdence in its success were ne^-er shalcon. Firmlj- 
 did he anticipate the day, when the spii it of (Jo'd would descend upon 
 the moral desert, and the thirsty land become pools of water. When 
 the clouds began to break, and when tidings of success refreshed our 
 hearts, and still more '-vhcn each succeeding message brought us in- 
 telligence of additional progress, none rejoiced mo'ro than i)r. Keir, 
 or more heartily raised his voice in giving glory to him who alone 
 giveth the increase. 
 
 fvtU 
 
 null 
 
 dail 
 
 con 
 
 just 
 
 Ilea 
 
 led 
 
 (Jbi 
 
 we: 
 
 of 
 
 XIJ. 1'kUSON.M. and l)():\lF,STir JIlSToRV. 
 
 Having thus briefly sketched his (diief public efl'oi'ts, wt: must brief- 
 ly refer to his personal and domestic history. Upon this there is 
 not much to record. Of liis religious history we can say but little. 
 lie kept no diary and he did not proclaim his piety on the housetops, 
 
 ij'i an ostentatiou^^ flcclarution of h 
 
 ex|)cnf'n<'t' 
 
 hut his ('|os« 
 
[3>| 
 
 rvfiiK Willi (lod and Iiih ^rowiiiir h. rtosB to t' Buvioi weire cle»' ^ 
 rnuiiU'oHt. Tlioso \vli(» know liim intiinatoly kin\v If- i(iWcIo«^ «*»* 
 daily comiimiiion witii Ids heavcidy liitiior. liii) to n >vb« can > is 
 rontacl with him, it wan ovidcid, that his ])ath lil that of Jie 
 just, was shinini^ nioro and luoro unto the porl'ect day Wo 'lavo 
 hoard it said that in youth his tom))cr was quiok. If so grace onab^ 
 led him to suhduo it so ontiroly, that ho was distinguished for his 
 (Miristian nu'oknoss — hut all the foaturos of the Christian chuructor 
 wore oxhibiLcd in increasing brilliancy, so as to bo known and road 
 of all men. 
 
 llo was never a very strong man, and Home thirty years ago ho ex- 
 hibited signs of failing strength, which alarmed his friends. But from 
 this he recovered and through tho greater part of his ndnistorial 
 career, ho enjoyed an amount of health, wliicli cnalilod him to dis- 
 charge the duties of the ministry with an uninterrupted regularity, 
 su(!h as has been rarely exhibited. " It is worthy of being remem- 
 bered, here also," ho remarked at his Jubilee "as no ordinary ground 
 of thankfulness that during the whole of this long period, (of fifty 
 yeai's) I have not been prevented by sickness, but only upon two 
 occasions, from preaching every Lord's day, and at all other times, 
 when called in J'rovidenco to tho performance of the duty." Wo 
 may mention that ono of these occasions Avas after he had passed his 
 77th year. 
 
 We do not feel it necessary to draw aside the veil from his private 
 life, and to expose to public view his appearance in his family. It is 
 sufficient to say that in this relation he exhibited a pattern of tho 
 same Christian virtues, as distinguished him in evorj other walk of 
 life. It has been tho case that somo excellent men have failed herO; 
 But I)r Koir's Christian excellence appeared not so much in tho 
 towering cmincnco of any one feature of cnaracter, as in the harmony 
 and proportion in which all tho Christian virtues were exhibited. Ho 
 exhibited not the qualities which make a nuin extraordinary in one 
 position, but that avoU balanced state of mind and spirit, which ren- 
 ders a man the object of esteem in all tho relations of life. And wo 
 sa}' from frequent and favourable opportunities of judging, that those 
 who would see Dr. Keir in his most endeai-ing aspects — those who 
 would have leari^ed how lovoable a man lie was, and would fully 
 appreciate his cxcollencc, required to see him in the bosom of his 
 family. — It behoved them to observe him as the faithful prophet, 
 priest, and king of thai, circle — to behold him as the tender husband 
 and tho faithful couiiaellor — as the atlectionate father and guide of 
 Oic young-— to mark liis tlrnmcss in vt <i,-fiiiL» jind n-proving WTong* 
 
f!Ml 
 
 whiU) by l')Vo uihI ;;;oiiilcm'sr* In; led in I he n^'ht way, uit<l t'spfciuUv 
 to behold hitn uh tho IIi.i;li priost <tt'tlu<l'uinily, pr("^iMitinL; their in«>ni 
 ii)f? ftiideveiiim; wioriflees hefuro the (iod ol'the luriiilicrt of tho eiirth 
 — and they wouhl need to know the jiliice which ho occupied In the 
 hoiirts of tlmt hand. May thoy now exuiTience, th:it "ii father of the 
 futherleKH, and the .InilL^e of llu> widow is (iod in his holy hahitation." 
 There is ncurcely any eirciinistanco in his doiniHtie history rei|uirin;'" 
 notice in this Hkctch. A liiri^o family was horn tohini.ainoni^ whom 
 ho enjoyed a lar^o measure of "domestic happiness, that only hliss 
 of paradise, that hath survived the fall ;" and he was also called to 
 endure his share of those trials, w hich in this life so often rend tho 
 parental heart. Clouds sometimen darkened his hearth. Hut Inn 
 trials were borne with resii^nalion, and were made lo work tosj^ether 
 or trood, ami under the abundant m:i»>if<"stations of divine i^oodnesh 
 toward lum, there was Iward in his dwellinL!; "tlie voice of rejoicing 
 and of salvation, as there is in the tabernacles of the righteous." 
 
 Perhaps wo should say here a few words about his preaching. — 
 From what wo have said, it nuiy bo at once inferred tlia». the matter 
 of bis discourses would consist of tho |>ure beaten gold of the sanctu 
 ary. As a general characteristic, it may be said of them that Ihey 
 were doctrinal; but they were far from being exclusively so. His 
 preaching exhibited a judicious mixture oi the doclrimil, the experi- 
 mental and the practical. The basis might be doctriruil, but doctrines 
 Avero not presented in a dry dogmatic form. 'J'hey wore always ])re- 
 Bcnted as great living truths, lying at tiio foundation of pi-aclical 
 godliness, and in connexion with his exhibition of them, we have 
 hoard from him some of the most rousing appeals to the conscience, 
 to which it was ever our privilege to listen. Like the apostle Paul, 
 he might bo described, as " by manifoitation of ike. truth comntcndin/j 
 himself to every man's conscience in the sitjht of d'O'l." The best tes'.l- 
 mony to this may bo found in the statement ot an individual, who 
 gave up attendance \ipon his ministrations, assigning as a reason (! .it 
 ho did not like to attend Dr. Keir's p'.e;iching, for it always m.iio 
 him uneasy. One feature of his discourses is deserving of ])articular 
 notice, viz : their biblical character. Every truth was enlorced by 
 scripture reterence, to an extent which showed how deeply he had 
 drunk at the fountain of wisdom, and how profound his reverence 
 for divine authoriiy- Ii musi ix; admitted howevei-, that his preach- 
 ing was scarcely ol llu^ ki-i'! culleil ])0[)ular. This arosi' partly from 
 his manner, and in ]i.Lilicul;irli'.''ni n hesitancy of sjieech, which was 
 frequently intcJ'rujiU' I l-y u .^li^h; (ough, so that stranger.s, or those 
 who had 'tiilv heu;. .!.• s -mi n f'V' occasions, were often not much 
 
^a.)» 
 
 I oKpcciullv 
 llK'ir iu«»ni 
 )t' lliy I'urlli 
 ipictl ill the 
 iitliorof tlu) 
 uvl>itutiou." 
 y ivquirir);:^ 
 iioiii^ wlioiii 
 
 It only I'llHlH 
 
 so ralk'd to 
 Ml roiul llio 
 I. Hot \\h 
 vk together 
 
 10 l^OodlU'HM 
 
 of iTJoioiiif^ 
 
 tt'OllS." 
 
 rcacliini;. — 
 the nmttor 
 the Hivuetu 
 I that, Ihcy 
 y HO. His 
 the expcri- 
 it (.ioctrini's 
 ulwivyspro- 
 f jiractical 
 
 wo havo 
 conscience, 
 )ostlo Paul, 
 comiiicnditKj 
 ) l)esl tos'i- 
 idiial, who 
 reason I ''at 
 says m.i'io 
 r])articular 
 nloreed hy 
 ply he liad 
 
 reverence 
 
 hispreach- 
 lartly from 
 which "\vas 
 rs, or those 
 
 not much 
 
 attraeifd hy it Jhit any imfavniirul)lc iiiipreHjioiH produced liy his 
 niaiiiior noon paused awuy, and the jiidieioiis and the pious soon 
 relished the fulness ol';x<>'^p''l trutli, which he set forth hefore thoin in 
 "l^ood and acceptahio wonls." ]\y Honio it has he(Mi wiid, that in Iuh 
 prwaehinuf, tho" strong ment" |)redoininatod to an oxtont, which ren- 
 dered it unsnitahlo for the hulk of ordinary h«'arers. But tho boHt 
 proof of the /general adajdation of his prea<hin/^ is to bo found in his 
 eonij;roi;alion, wliicli continued not only their attlaclmient to liiinself 
 personally, l»i;L which always felt the warniesL adnuralion for him us 
 a preacher, and continu'.'d to listen with increasiiif; cagonK>8 and 
 delii^lit, to his ministrations till tho very last. 
 
 XI 11. ()l,D Adi: AND Jllill.KE. 
 
 TliiiH ^ears increased upon him. lie had for some timo papsod tin* 
 three score and ten, which form tho allotted period of human life, still 
 ho v.'asable to ^o outand in, disdiari^ini^ the variousdutioH of his sta- 
 tion. iJiit his old af^o was what tho scriptures emphatically call " i\ 
 (joni/ old n<ro." It was an old ago in a great moasuro froo from bodily 
 intirinity iii which tho senses were left in perfection, and tho mind 
 was still strong, vigorous and cheerful. In his worldly circumstaii- 
 ces ho was froo from tho harassing cares of his early years. Ho 
 dwelt among his people, and enjoyed irgely their esteem and aflec'- 
 tion, while in every part of tho Ishi; and in other portions of tho 
 church where ho was known, his namo was mentioned only with tho 
 most loving veneration, while among his brethren in the minletry 
 he was both loved and venerated as a father. I^it especially was it 
 pleasing for him to contomj)lato tho state of the church on tho Island 
 then, compared with what it was when he came to it. "At that ])eriod," 
 said the Kov. Ji. S. Patterson Avriting a few years ago, "tho country 
 ])rosentedthe appearance of an almost unbroken forest Only here and 
 there, at wide intervals, might bo seen a few solitary settlers, dwelling 
 for tho most part in ](Oor log huts with a little clearing around them. 
 Tho moral and I'oligious condition of tho people also wav, voiy alVect- 
 ing. The feu that niMdo any pretensions to ]>icty, wive as sheep 
 scattered abroad, h.'iving no shepherd. The labors of tho llev. ^Ir. 
 (iordon had been short, and much im])cded by hi.s incroa.Ning debility, 
 even while they did continue. There was therelbro little olso than 
 a moral waste when Dr. Koir arrived. i>ui Imw gi-eai tho change 
 which ho has lived to witness! Instead of a dei:;io uninterrupted forest, 
 ho sees an extensively cultivated iijunlry; instead of a few lonely 
 huts, numerous and comfortable; hal)itati<ins, instead of a handful <>t 
 
(31)) 
 
 straggling HOttlers, u population ot' over (iOjUUU; instead ot a leeble 
 band of isolated ChristiauH, having none to care for their souls, a 
 number of laborious niinister.s and flourishing contjreications. "Ye 
 shall go out with joy, and bo led forth with peace; tlu! mountains and 
 the hills shall break Ibrth before yon into singing, and all the trees of 
 the forest shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn, shall come up 
 the fir tree, and instead of the briar shall corao up the myrtle tree; 
 and it shall bo to the Lord tor a name, for an everlasting sign that 
 shall not be cut off." 
 
 One trial was indeed permitted to darken his lattei- days. It was 
 one of a peculiar nature — one in Avhich after all his efforts to clear 
 up the matter, an \infavourabIe impression regarding his conduct 
 remained upon the minds of many, even of those who weio his well- 
 wishers. An extraordinary delusion seized the minds of a multitude 
 of well-meaning people, which could not be dislodges' either by fact 
 or argument. This continued for some time, and severely tried his 
 feelings. But Christian faith and ])atience shone conspicuously 
 under it, and at length God in his Providence gave him ample means 
 of vindicating himself And though there were still circumstances 
 of grief, yet he had cause for thankfulness, that God " brought forth 
 his righteousness as the light and his loving-kindness as the noon- 
 day." 
 
 Of Dr. Keir it may be said em])hatically that his last days were 
 his best days. His character exhibited a beautiful picture of ripo- 
 pess for the master's garner, and meetijegs for the inheritance of the 
 saints in light; while he continued to «lisohargo all the labors of the 
 ministry, and in a manner, which if not in bodily vigor, yet in men- 
 tal and moral power, surpassed the performances of his eai'ly days. — r 
 I'iVen last winter ho Avont through tho whole work, of family visitation 
 in hia congregation. In hua was fulfilled the promise; the "righte- 
 ous shajl flourish like tjxe Palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in 
 Jjebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall 
 flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring fruit in oUl 
 llgfO; J Key shall be fiit and fiourishing; to shew that the Lord is 
 upright, ho is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him." 
 
 In July last the congregation of Princetown resolved to celebrate 
 his Jubilee. It is usual to date a person's ministry from his ordina 
 lion. J^>Mt as Dr. Keir had comnienced to labor in Princetown in 1808, 
 and had v'ontiniied with but slight interrujjtions to minister there 
 ever since, although his ordination did not take place for some time 
 after, it was resolved to cclebrale his Jubilee then. As events have 
 been ordered '-'n(<'. n e cannot l.Mit reioice at Ihoir determinatien. — 
 
(87) 
 
 •I" M loeblo 
 cir souls, u 
 ons. " Ye 
 ntiiins and 
 -lie trcca of 
 ill come up 
 ri'tle tree 5 
 12; siijrn that 
 
 ■s. It was 
 s to clear 
 is (conduct 
 his -well- 
 - multitude 
 ei" by fact 
 y tried liis 
 spicuously 
 iplo means 
 umstances 
 tight forth 
 the noon- 
 days were 
 ^•0 of ripo- 
 mce of the 
 bovs of the 
 et in mcn- 
 •ly days.— ^ 
 r visitation 
 ;ie "righte- 
 a cedar in 
 Liord shall 
 ruit in old 
 le Lord is 
 him." 
 celebrate 
 his ordina 
 vvn in 1808, 
 ister there 
 some time 
 vents have 
 iiinatien. — 
 
 ■The event e.KciLed great interest through tjLe inland. On the da;, 
 appointed, (20th July,) the whole country r,o)w,id poured forth a strean: 
 of carriages and horsemen, jn some places ajl the carriages and hor 
 ses in the settlement being put in requisition. A number living at a 
 distance had arrived in Princetown the day previous, and from an 
 early hour in the day, crowds were to bo seen gathering from every 
 direction. Tea had been set out in the upper and lower stories of 
 the Mechanic's Institute, and in an arbor adjoining, as well as in 
 another building near. Tables had been spread for 450 guests, and 
 these were tilled four times, and part of them five times. It was bcr 
 lieved that many were present who did not partake of the good 
 things, provided in such abundance by the people of Princetown. It 
 
 was calculated that there jnust have been 3000 persons present. r 
 
 They were from all parts of the Island, some having come all the 
 way from Cascumivefjuo on the west, and from Belfast on the east.^ 
 They were of all denominations of professing christians. Even q, 
 number of itoman Catholics wore present. 
 
 After tea the company met in the open air. After religious cxer^ 
 cises addresses wei-o presented to Di". Keir from the congregation of 
 Princetown aad the Presbytery of P. E. Island, to which he made 
 ;3uitable replies. The audience was then addressed by several minis- 
 ters present, when several votes of thanks were passed, the doxology 
 was sung, and the congregation was dismissed with the Apostolio 
 beuedj^Cjtion, when the vast crowds quietly separated, all seemingly 
 gratifi.od with what they had witnessed. The proceeds of the Tea 
 meeting amounting to £112, were handed over to Dr. Keir ^s an ex^ 
 pp^ssion ot good will. 
 
 XIV. Last days, DEAT^ AHfp Burial. 
 
 At the time of his Jubilee, Dr. Keir appeared in his usual health. 
 A pensive thoughtfulness, deeper than usual, appeared to rest upon 
 him, but it seemeii only appropriate to the tender recollections of 
 the past, and those views of the solemn responsibilities of his minis- 
 try, which the (ftjcasion would naturally suggest. But there was ne- 
 ttling to indicate, that his health was worse than it had been for years, 
 or that it might not be his Master's will to.continue him in active service 
 for some years to come. He continued to discharge the duties of his 
 pastorate till the time for the opening of the Seminary. But it was 
 remarked that for some time before his death, his pulpit minis- 
 trations wore marked by more than usual earnestness. He seemed 
 to feel, more and more deeply the value of the soul, the shortness^ 
 
m 
 
 u 
 
 iiiid iincoi'taint.y nl'lilb, and iho ncuriu'ss of otornily, aiul ho proaclietl 
 ns it iilrcudv ho woro breatliing Iho air of Iho bettor land, to which 
 hrt was so soon to take his journoy. On tho Sabbath bol'oro h'aving 
 homo, tlio hist ot his earthly ministry, h(! hM'tui-od on that cxclama- 
 lion in which tho apostlo, coiichulins^Miis oxposition of tho <j;randci' 
 1 homos of Salvation — pours forth his sublimo and affoctin<i; tri- 
 Inito to tho wisdom, goodness and sovercig-nty of (iod — in a strain 
 st-arcely surpassed even in Sci'ij)iuro — a y)assai::;o, whicli might well 
 have boon chosen as a lifting close to ll..- ministry of one, Avho had 
 been called to teach divine tvutli as a systoi.i, an<l whoso gr(\at aim in 
 all his instructions had been to oxhilsit (ioil as all in ail, Uom. xi. 33 
 — 80, " O the depth of the inches both of tho wLsdom and knowlodgo 
 of (rod I how unsearchable arc liis judu'incnts. and bis ways pas 
 hndingouti For who hath known the mind of tho Lord i* or who 
 hath been his counsellor'!' or who bath tirst given to h'un, and it shall 
 be I'ocompensod unto him agam? For of him and through him, and 
 to him, are all things; to whom bo glory foi- over, Amen." 
 
 At the end of August ho came over to the mainland, to enter upon 
 the duties of the Theological Hall. He attended the opening of tho 
 .Seminary in the new buildings at Truro on the 1st of .September, 
 and entered upon tho duties of his class, seemingly in his usual state 
 of health. The only circumstance romarlced in tho conducting of his 
 class, which would give indication of anything the matter with him, 
 was that at times his mind seemed in a state of vacancy, until arous 
 cd by something said or done in his presence. But the same thing 
 had been noted before, though perhaps not to tho same extent, 
 and it did not excite attention. ][e wont through the exercises of 
 the class as usual until tho 15th of the month. On that day after 
 class ho went to the Post office to enquiro for letters from homo, but 
 while away lost all recollection. lie foil into tho hands of kind 
 fi'iends, who conveyed him to his lodgings in a carriage. Medical 
 aid was called on, and every thing ^vas done for him that human 
 skill could devi'&o. But congestion of tho l)raiu had set in, and his 
 constitution was too far gone to resist its violence. In spite of all 
 that medical skill could do, he continued to sink till about 12 o'clock 
 on the night of tho 22nd, when ho expired. His work Avas done. — 
 His Great Master had given tho commission and none could reverse 
 his decision. 
 
 During the greater part of his illness he was in a state ot lethargy, 
 whieh continued to deepen till the end, so that he hold but littlo 
 communication with any person. When spoken to in a loud or 
 sharp ton© of voice, ho was aroused for an instant, and was able to 
 
(.TJ) 
 
 thing 
 
 ^ive MM iiitclli,i;-ont iinswcf, imr iinmeduiti'ly ho ichipspd ixiriun into 
 uneonscinusiioss, ;iii<l iho impreission inado at the monioiit scmmuocI ;is 
 rai)idly to ho cllaced. Thus thoiv was jio ojipovtmiilv of liis !:;iviii<f 
 Olio of those (lo!ith-*iO(l testimonies, which good men ;'.ro often ])ei'- 
 mittcd to hear to the honor of our religion. Jle was not pennitteil 
 to utter any ot those triumpluMit expressions (jf joy and hope, so eom- 
 forting to friends, and hy wliieh 
 
 Tlic cliiitiiljev wore tlio <.';(uiii nmn moots liis f:it(> 
 Is privi!e;j;o(l hoyond tlic (•(uniiuin wiilk of Ufo, 
 Qinto (111 tlio vor;;o ol' liciivoti. 
 
 Nor was ho permitted lo utter any of those partin.<r counsels and 
 warnings so well fitted to he iirofitalilo to survivors. Hut thcro was 
 no need of sueh In his case. His life ol abundnr.t labors is a better 
 testimony than any death-lied saying. " IJlessed ;:re the dead that 
 die in the Lord from hcncoiorth, yea, sjiith the spirit, they rest from 
 their labors, and then icorJx do foUov: thevi." , 
 
 It would no douht liave heei' a pleasure to Ins iriends had he been 
 l)ermitted to die in the bosom of his owii family. Butseeing thathis 
 master willed otherwise,they are called tohow in su!)mis8ion tohiswill, 
 and say "It is the Lord, let liim do what scemeth liim good." rerha])s 
 they may even have see reason to nay of this ;'.s of all his ar- 
 rangenients, "he hath done all things well." AVe thiidc it was a])- 
 propriato to a long and laborious life, that he should die at his post 
 with all his anuor on, and still " ahout his lather's business." 
 
 Intelligence of his sickness had been conveyed to his family, but 
 not in time for any of them, v,'ith the exception of hi« youngest son. 
 who happened to be in Nova Scotia, to reoch Tiniro before he died. 
 Some members of the family came from I'rincetovrn to Charlotte- 
 town, intending to come across, but the steamer had gone and no 
 other mode of conveyance offered. They however heard of him fre- 
 quently by telegraph, and during the two or three days that elapsed 
 till intelligence of his death Avas received, the house at which tliey 
 lodged was a house of mourning, many Avho had sat nnder his min- 
 istry, and many belonging to the city, who had known him and ven- 
 erated his character, calling frequentl}' and anxiously enquiring for 
 tidings i-egarding him, and giving utterance to sincere expressions 
 of sorrow, when they heard that all was over. When they returned 
 home, the house was filled with persons who had assembled to condole 
 with the family, and when the tidings were conveyed, that the husband, 
 the father, and the pastor, was noAv no more, the scene Tyaa deeply 
 affecting. But this wo must pass over. 
 
 In the meantime arrangemonta had been made for the removal of the 
 
:i 
 
 ■•I 
 
 ;40) 
 
 tcmains to Princetown for interaiont. On the day following his death, 
 (Thursday -3rd September,) they were conveyed to Pictou, being fol- 
 lowed that distance by the students at the Hall. There they were 
 placed on board the steamer Westmorland. What followed we shall 
 give in the words of Rev. R. S. Patterson ; . 
 
 "On Thursdny, the 23rd of Septenilicr, I first lonrncd of tho nlarming illness 
 of Dr. Keir. On Friday one of the Eldors of tlio INiiKotowii cmij^r(><2;ation, call- 
 ed at my houso and informed mo of liis death, iuid tliat lie was on liis way to 
 Summorsidc, wliere liis remains were expected by the steamer Wesfmorluinl that 
 day. I accompanied the Elder to Summerside, on iiiiproa<!hin;r M'hicli place I 
 
 torceived alar^er than usual number of persons coliecti'd there. On cominn; near, 
 reeo;;nized many members of the eonj;;re^ation of I'rincetown, who had como 
 to meet tho renuvins of their deceased pastor, and accompany them to his late ro- 
 feidcnce. Deep sorrow was depicted upon every countenance, and among tho 
 first words which I heard from many lips were these : "0, wo have sustained a 
 great loss! There wore many persons, however, from other places, as well as 
 from Princetown. All seemed to vie with one another in testifying their respect 
 for the deceased. 
 
 "At about four o'clock the steamer was seen in the disttince and rapidly neared 
 the wharf, lier colors lieing half-nnu?t high. A greater crowd of persons wero 
 assembled at the landing, then had over Ijoen seen upon any previous arrival of 
 the boat. The remains being landed and placed in a suital)le vehicle, the pro- 
 cession moved slowly toward Princetown. Sixty-two carriages, containing per- 
 sons belonging to his congregation, followed the remains of Dr. Keir from Sum- 
 mersido to his late residence, wiiich was very remarkable, considering that the 
 intelligence of his decease had reached Princetown, only on the previous night. 
 As the procession movetl towards Princetown, groups of persons were to bo seen 
 along the road in various places, in<lieating the intense interest everywhore felt 
 in regai'd to tho deceased. It was .« )metime after dark before we arrived at the 
 late residence of Dr. Keir. Previous to the introduction of tho remains into the 
 l-.ouse, t entered for tho purpose of endeavouring to administer suitable consola- 
 tion to the bereaved fannly. I found a large company of persons, chiefly fetaales, 
 present who had come to await the arrival of the procession. It was evident from 
 their countenances that they felt that they had sustained a severe bereavement. 
 The remains were brought into tho house, and on the following morning, Satur- 
 day, the coffin was uncovered, and the bereaved family had the melancholy satis- 
 faction of looking upon the countenance, now palfl in death, of the once aflection- 
 ate husband and revered and kind father, and the congregation, of their lametited 
 pastor. No provision had been made for sermon on the following Sabbath. The 
 funeral was appointed to take place on Monday ensuing at two o'clock. 
 
 "On Monday I proceeded to Princetown, whence I had returned home on Satur- 
 day. A large number of persons had assembled to the funeral, how many we 
 haye no means of exactly knowing. Besides many from the neighboring settle- 
 ments, scarcely any in tne congregation was absent, that could possibly be pre- 
 sent. Not a w^ Roman Catholics, also, attended the funeral. The services 
 were commenced by singing a part of the 39th Psalm, which was given out by 
 the Rev. Isaac Murray, who also read the 15th Chapter of Ist Corinthians. 1 
 then offered up prayer. The people having taken some refreshment, prayer was 
 again offered up, in a very impressive manner^ by tho Rev. Alex. Sutnerland, of 
 the Free Church, who had kindly come from a considerable distance to be pre- 
 sent upon the occasion. Th« remains were then conveyed to the resting place in 
 the church-yard, and there deposited. As I had been appointed by the Presby- 
 tery to supply the pulpit at Princetown, on the following Sabbath, I eudeavored 
 to improve the solemn event by a sermon from Matthew xxiv; 45,40. "Who 
 then IB a faithful and wise and servant, whon the Lord hath appointed ruler 
 over his house to give them meat in due season ; blessed is that servant, whom 
 hi« TioH when he oometh shall find so doing." 
 
death, 
 
 3ing fol- 
 
 |3y were 
 
 re shall 
 
 g illnesa 
 Hon, call- 
 
 s way to 
 laud that 
 1 place I 
 
 inp; near, 
 had coniu 
 is hite ro- 
 mong the 
 stained a 
 18 well as 
 ir respect 
 
 ly neared 
 uus were 
 xrrival of 
 
 the pro- 
 ning per- 
 'oni Sum- 
 i: that the 
 )us night. 
 ;o be seen 
 '^hcre felt 
 ed at the 
 8 into the 
 e consola- 
 f fetaalea, 
 lent from 
 avement. 
 g, Satur- 
 loly satis- 
 aflection- 
 laraetited 
 ith. The 
 
 )n Sator- 
 
 many we 
 
 ig settle- 
 
 y be pre- 
 
 services 
 
 n out by 
 
 lians. 1 
 
 aver waa 
 
 rland, of 
 
 > bo pre- 
 
 place in 
 
 Presby- 
 
 leavored 
 
 "Who 
 
 id ruler 
 
 , whom 
 
 (41 
 
 XV. CoNfUTSIOX. 
 
 Wc have thus sketched the history of a good man lately passetl from 
 our midst — we have given an outline of his labors, and perhaps now wtt 
 should endeavor to delineate his character ; but this will be better ex- 
 hibited by the above memorial of his life, imperfect as it is, than by any 
 things wo can say here. Nor do we feel it necessary, to say mucj, 
 in the way of describing his intellectual powers. We by no tueaiu? 
 place Dr Keir in the first rank as to talents or original genius. Aid 
 yet he occupied a place in oui- Church, such as no otiier man 1i;k« 
 done for some time. We arc safe in sayin;: that for a imuiber of yeary 
 there has been no iriember of our Synod wlio jiad the geiu'r.'il esteem 
 and veneration of his lu-elhren. to the extent whidi he imd, it v.r.d.'t 
 words carried greater influence. To what was this attributable? in pi>rl 
 no doubt it was owing to his years and long and faithful services in ihv 
 Church : but there must liavo been soiuetliin ' in the man himself t.t 
 win such a position. W'o can barely enumerate what we regard as th^ 
 leading qualities of his mind, ])y the con.ibinr.tif/:; cf which lie iiee;:ii.': 
 ^o lionorabh; among his brethren. In thi; first place, he })o«se.ssed. .'.; 
 not extraordinary powers of mind, yet good tidents. anniig vv!il<-]i rjw. 
 dominated that mysterious faculty, or wiuitever it iii;iy 'ne enlled. In 
 whicli men of great talents are sometimes deficient, generally km-wf. 
 ■AB good common sense. To this may be traced that practical ]ivridene<;. 
 which through life distinguished him. aiid which reTidcred ])im so usefi : 
 iis a practical man in tiie Church. But secondly, he was cliaracteri/A-d 
 by great diligence, all his powers were well improved, and whatever 
 his hand formed to do ho did it with his might. And thinliy. h\< 
 whole oimduct bore the impress of deep piety. In his presence, vre 
 felt '■ how awful goodness is."' Ilis religion especially manifested itseif 
 in tile kindness and affection of his disposition. Ilis wiiole interco a ?•.!'• 
 with men seemed to be guided by the conjmand of the Apostle, •• Civ- 
 ing none offence, either to Jew or Gentile, that the ministry be net 
 blamed." And lastly, he was distinguished l)y great devotedness f' 
 his work. This in one view, may be regarded as a piirt of i)iety. hut 
 in iinother it is one peculiar hvxn in which it manifests itself It h 
 now universally acknowledged, that no man will excel in any proles 
 sion, or department of biu^iness, without a spirit of devotedness to it, 
 nnd this spirit will supply in a good measure, the lack of other (pialifica- 
 tiorw. The predominant quality of Dr Keir's nund waa " (Iovf)te(Ut<\s 
 io the service of God in the gospel nf lih ^on.'' and wo believe that 
 
(42) 
 
 to this, especially combined with the features already mentioned, wat 
 owing the fact, that he became " more honorable thai his brethren.'' 
 
 Tlie subject sugi,'ests many practical rellections, Wc shall however, 
 in conclusion give only some thoughts on the death of an aged min- 
 ister, extracted from a sermon by the Rev. J. Kerr of Glasgow, on the 
 death of his colleague, Dr Kidston. 
 
 •Tlio world ni' ]iv(> in, is oiKiof (■oa^eloss niuttition. Evory scttinj^ j-.iin 
 liritijrs its clmnvics wliotlicr wc perceive them or not. Day hy day, " our iigo is 
 ilojnirtod nr.d rcnidved IVom us like a shepbord's lent." Wo j^'t^h our tuber 
 iiii'le every nij^lit ncavcr dentil. ^"";!r<-'i- ji!ii;'(n!Ciit. Tlic il>-,,:! inv" ( f each 
 iVioiid ndu) enters the wcrld ol' .--.iVinf-! is ii'itcndei! t(( pvo uii Ihi-i iidinmiiti'it- 
 l.'iiviii;:, t!iey leave tliis lessdii, "Thou idso shidt liccomo weiil. lis we ; ihiii 
 •<li!ilt liei'oiiie like unto us." The deuth ei" a Clirif?tii\n niiniirter eumca with 
 n wid''. eircninforenco iiiul deeper si'tnilieiuief! el" Wisrniii;; than almost uny 
 'I'hcr. It visits every iious?; in a l:ir,'»;e foniie.unity with its uoto iS elianpe, Mui 
 '. nock- l(iu<lly at every heart. 'I'h" pulpit speaks in death, as in lite, to :'!! ^rho 
 .Ml In !■ round it. Tli>' alisenee ol' it:s wontcil ceeuiiant is tim last and nusb ;(;- 
 i"iMU It" Itis admonitions — the silent cloiiueneo of" that preaehor, Death — who 
 iiion^ impressively than the wise man, writer *' vanity of vaniMcs," on :.ll iWin 
 iihliuiary life. 'I'he departure of an a<^ed niiiiister gives an emyiluifiis to tids 
 I'-.sson (>ven more proi'irnd. For sixty years. c!ian;',e invaded every seat in 
 :iie hi I!--.' of Ood, ] ut it spared tlie ei^iiral oue. 'J'he teaehera ]i!,!ee seeu.ed t<i 
 ' ave made a i^Aeuisit vitl; deatli, a stranger iiusht have visitt; I tiii.-; uii'j.rej;.- 
 ■•'■n at the interval of lialf a century to find the !>amo IWee there, r.nd iu the 
 
 • laseless- revoUilions around it, one iixed plaee afipeared t > have hein found, zti 
 'n the lirnMnem c.}' stars, moveless amid sum undni;; I'lutaiiility. !5ut now thai 
 "'meyis di.ss'dv'd, the aneitad. landmark is roim vh! v.hiidi thes.' Tathers had 
 N't. fbr us. Now we .'ave iicen brou;:,ht to the heartt'elt aeknoMded^ement, "'We 
 •lie ;,;ri!n;i;ers heforo thee and sojourners, as were all our fathers ; our days on 
 •'le oarlh arc as a shadow, and there is 7io?ic ahidin^r." This one ohanp;e eoUs tc 
 ennd ma.ny ; it stirs up the dead for us ; it leads the eyes to wander from ii^at 
 ' < seat, and ask tlie (inestion, "dur fathers, where are they." There are hi-^h 
 V'iaees of weepin-- in the path of life that summon us to look haek, .and none 
 iiiore saered and t.>uehin;r, than those that lead us to meditate on the w:;ste that 
 >'.eatli lias eansed in a reliicious eomnnunry. The overthrow of empires and fall 
 ■ f ancient dynaitios are impressive : and yet Irerjuently tliey roll over head like 
 'he t! under peal, and leave the homes of men unh'armed, that tlie sun 'nny 
 -iidle \)i\ them M'hen tlie storm is past. But a chuu;.^*; in a Christian .■■(mj';re;:ii- 
 tion remi;-ids us of the fjuenehing of domestic fires, of the <5ispersions of iajmily 
 
 • ■ireles. of coldness and desolation in h(mies and h.earts." * * * 
 
 •' Whih; wo east our eyes further back, how few sui'vivc of th(jse that t-nv 
 him who h.T.i just departed enter on his ministry! The names of thtin that 
 If" asleep are more by far than of them who are alive and remain. Tis lung 
 '--ince the eon;»re<];ation of the dead has had tlie majoritv. Men i' T faifli ;ind 
 prayer and active zeal, wjio carried many a year the ark o{' God, are nuniLcrcd 
 vifli a }:;eneration past. Families onet; numerous, have left not iiname; or i-ome 
 s'^itary mourner with Kizpah like frrief lives to i^uard tloir memory. Voices 
 that sunj:i; (jlod's praises are hushed in silence. Tla so who walked ti> the house 
 >f Ood in company are resting to^^etlier in the narrow house ; and fatJicrs and 
 brethren and fellow partners in the journey, whom we have loved iia our owri 
 ■<oul, " have been led captive of him who ojiens not th( liouse of liis jirisoners." 
 AVhat hearti' have been rent in these partinjis thathleed afresh as memory touch- 
 ■■■i< the wound, and that shall never be fully healed, till the parent day when the 
 t2;rave shall liear the word Restore ! As the saviour stood before the scpui- 
 chre of Lazarus, it is said with touching; simplicity, ".lesus we]it," and where- 
 fore ? It was not, -8 John Howe has observed, over that otic j^rave : " For he 
 knew his rwn purpose und loresaw the certain and glorious caso if this dark 
 
m 
 
 sntioncd, wat^ 
 brethren." 
 shall however, 
 in aged inin- 
 lasgow, on the 
 
 cry settinj; sum 
 ly, " our ago is 
 •t"!i (lur tabor 
 iM.'tmc ( r faoh 
 lii.s a'imiiiiit;nn- 
 >ii!'. an wo ; thuii 
 iter oonica with 
 Kill uliudst M\y 
 (.f cliango, iUitl 
 life, to !'!1 who 
 , and imst so- 
 T, JJoatli — who 
 !!-," on r.ll iWm 
 DTiliasia Im tiiis 
 every s^^it In 
 ;)!:!ci.' M('t.'i;.t'd to 
 lui.-j i,i'ii'j.i"c|-,;.- 
 rc, i'.nd in i[\i) 
 boL'n found, i.-.H 
 IJiit now thai 
 Si' fiilb.crs h;\<\ 
 ?t\<^(iiwn\t, "AVo 
 rs ; our dnys oit 
 ehanp;o (uilLs ti. 
 idor IV.'.ui i'r'at 
 loro aro liiffh 
 aok, and none 
 \ho w: stc that 
 mpircf and fall 
 ovor 1if>ad lilit' 
 at (lit! ^u)» 'nay 
 it lull .•"nnjrT'';:;!- 
 sions of iViinily 
 
 10HO Hiut r-p.w 
 of tilt ni that 
 lain. Tij-' lung 
 cu <'' fairly and 
 arc numbered 
 name ; or sorao 
 niory. Voice:^ 
 d to the houBe 
 id fr.tlior!^ and 
 d as our own 
 Ilia in'isoners." 
 memory touoL- 
 ilay when the 
 ore the sepul- 
 X," and whfro- 
 are : " For ho 
 if this dark 
 
 (rinpoiisiitioii. -\i . but in that single death he saw many. In the weeping moop- 
 iiAjrs avciUiid his oyo beheld all the woo and desolation which sin and death had 
 Drought into this lair world ; and tbcii that large heart of his 'was melted — " he 
 -roaind in llio w]iivit and was troubled." This one rciont grave may so lead un 
 l>aid. t p nr.iny n mouldering heap around it. 
 
 "The air is full of farewells to the dying 
 .\nd mournings for the dead." 
 
 Wo have liion like the npostle "in deaths o!i." It i:^ not forbidden to call v:P 
 ilio lorms of the departed, although like Samuel to the unhappy king of Inrae * 
 ijioy i-,nine to tell us that we must soon bo with them. The Borrow ie salutjiry 
 
 • 0, let the f^oul Jier elumbers break, 
 And thought bi> quickened and awake; 
 
 Awake lo see 
 How noon this life is gone and past; 
 Uow death couies softly ptcaling on, 
 
 IIow silently. 
 
 Our lives are rivers gliding free 
 To that unfathomed boundless sea. 
 
 Tlie silent grave, 
 neither all earthly pomp and boast 
 Roll, to lie swallowed up and lost 
 
 In one dark wave." 
 
 EEttATA. 
 
 Page 4, Date of the letter near the foot of the page, fo 
 '' G, lino 10, for " 2 Cor. X. 18" read 2 Cor. V. 18. 
 -13. ----- — "- 
 
 for " 1857" rcftd "1807." 
 
 1«, 
 
 23, 
 24, 
 
 5, for Acts 17. 3-10. read Acts 17-31. 
 24, for " affecting" read " resulting." 
 9, omit "the first." 
 
 1, for " supplied" read " eupported." 
 
 2, for " 1829" read " 1826.'* 
 20, for " year" read " years."