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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mtthode. 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 •.,-i,.-.s.i.,,..„. '■■^'. 7¥vV.,- '•> • iii # i »i H > • OUR* •■:•?;• '•^M riQNEER '^ FATHERS: THElii TRIALS AND THEIR TRIUMPHS. n^ :^ m ''■ (V- i' A<9dre»»4«llv«red before thePxford HI«torloa1 8ool«tif: 0n th« «yentn« of Frl<**y. May 4» 1897. by i^V'i ■it: BEV. W. A. MACK AY. B. A*, D. D.* WOODSTOCK, ONTARIO. . ,.^^■■■-."5, pl^SBl^ BY REQUEST OF THE ROCEBTK/ J. 0. OAIK JOB PWNT. • OUR • PIONEER^ FATHERS: THEIR TRIALS AND THEIR TRIUMPHS. ( i Address delivered before the Oxford Historical Society on the evenlngr of Friday, May 4-, 1897, by REV. W. A. MACKAY, B. A., D. D., WOODSTOCK, ONTARIO. <:^ <^ <^ PUBLISHED }^Y REQUEST OF THE SOCIETY. i ^!l J. C. CAIN JOB PRINT. \' . i I *^ RMBRO ^* OATMEAL MILLS. Rolled Oats, and Oatmeal cf best quality for sale, or exchanged for Oats, on liberal terms. Mill Feed for sale at lowest prices. Call at the Mill or write to Embro for samples and prices. D. R. ROSS. THE PROFITS OF A GOOD HARVEST Can not be fully appreciated >iithoiit some of the necessities and comforts of home. OUR TEAM OF HEAVY DRAFTS FOK THIS SKA80N ARE ^ FURNACES & EAVETR0UGHIN6. We handle a complete Hue of all the reliable Cauadian and American makes of Furnaces, with a competent staff of workmen to place them. With our new Saxonbur^ trough press, a trough of beautiful design and finish is completed, each piece bein^ 8 feet long, in strong contrast to the short, deformed pieces made by hand, vou will save the price of troughing either barn or house in one year. Estimates cheerfully given to all in- tending purchasers. PLUMBERS AND GASFITTERS, 4-25 Dundas St., ■»• Woodstock, Ont. OUR PIONEER fathers: THEIR TRIALS AND THEIR TRIUMPHS. its of home. WHO Ims not lioard of " Tlie Boiinio l^rior Bush ?" Ratlior, who liaa uot, we]>t and laup^liod altornatoly as lie has come nnder its toncliinpf I'atlios or' its simrklinf:: Iniinoi? Domsie, teacliinf? in " tlio auld sdnilo-honso," or listcninj? to the merry slionts of the bairns at their ]'lay. has kindled fond recollections of former days in the bosom of many a groy- headed-sire. Georcfo, " the lad o' pairts." has been an inspi- ration to many a strncf^jlinp: student. Margaret Howe shews ns how the hipflu^st virtnes of woman can be developed in the humblest sphere of life. Elspeth Macfayden has reminded many a ])reacher of other pnl]>it critics more candid than com- forting. Even Lachlan Cam]d)ell, stern but true, has his use in the present day of laxity and reliiifions indifference. Jamie Sontar, "the cynic of the Glen," has sharpened the wits of many a reader; and Weelnm MacLnrc will help men and women to live better lives so long as the world remains. Bnt friends, in this connty we have the Dnmitochty of Cana- da ; and the history of some portions of it ])rescnts ns with as fine a lot of men and women as ever sat for their ])ortrait be- fore the author of '* The Bonnie. Brier Bush." So long as industry, perseverance, domestic virtue, and moral worth arc appreciated, so long will the trials and triumphs of the pioneers of Oxford be held in admiration. Tlicirs was a hard lot, but bravely they faced the difficulties, and nobly they over- came them. To them difficulties existed only to be overcome. ('oinn with ino in imapfiimtion and view a Hceno far away over tlio broad Atlantic, where the heather blooms and tlu nioinitains rear their rugpfod tops. A cruel and unjust policy of expatriation is being carried out by some Highland pro prietors. Men who never flinched in battle for the defence of their country, and of whom Gen. Havelock exclaimed at tin close of one of the most fiercely fought battles of modern timts. "Well done brave Highlanders!" are driven from their country and kindred to make way for sheep and deer. Yon see a home where there is groat sorrow. It is not the sorrow of death, but of separation which seems to the sorrowing ones as dark as death. We hear the father like an aged patriareli bless his boy, '* The Lord bless thee and keep thee in the laud whither thou goest," and the mother clings to her s(m with all a mother's affection, l^ut the boy must go, and hew out for himself, his aged ])arents and others, a home in the grent unknown west. He will send for them as soon as possible. Or ])erhaps it is the daughter, tenderly loved, that is leaving her Highland home, prepared to face all difficulties and dangers, that she may keep plighted troth with one who has preceded her. Did it not require true courage and a firm reliance upon a covenant God, on the part of our ancestors, to leave the heath-clad hills, arid the homes they loved so dearly, to face an ocean voyage of twelve weeks in an old emigrant ship, to endure all the hardships of a two weeks' journey up the St. Lawrence in open boats towed by oxen, to penetrate the un- broken fastnesses of our forests ; and driving back bears and wolves, construct for themselves little log cabins where to-day we see thriving villages, populous towns, rich fields, comfortable homes, commodious school- houses, and handsome churches ? THE FIRST LOG CABINS. The writer can remember some of those primitive houses. The cabin was 12 x 18 feet, perhaps 9 or 10 feet high, and of course built of logs. The roof was constructed of basswood 8 logs hollowod out and laid aloiijOf sido each other with thc» hollow side U|). Thuii other loj^s, simihuly hollowed, were hiid on these, with the hollow side down, and so as to overhio those underneath. Such a roof was waterproof, hut not always i>r<»of against tlie driven snow. Tin; inside of tlie cahin was dividid into two rooms, with Ji loft above. In this loft the children usually slept, and we mounted to it hy means of pegs driven into the wall. The openings between the logs were filled with moss obtained from the trees, and the moss was daubed with soft clay. There was a big fireplace constructeil of stones, wood and clay. This firejilacc not only gave heat and light, hut it was also a most excellent ventilator. Siicli families as could afford it, had a coui)le of andirons in the fireplace, u[)on which the sticks were carefully laid ; others used a cou[)le of flat stones for this purpose. From the top of the chimney was suspended a chain with a hook at the lower end, capable of being raised or lowered s») as to adjust the j»ot to the fire. Ky and by this chain gave place to a " crane," a movable bar of iron attached by hinges to one side of the chimney, and placed horizontally over the fire. Upon this could be sus- l)ended two pots, one for the poi ridge, and the other for the soup. The bread was baked at, first in a kind of flat-bottomed pot called the bake kettle, which stood upon three legs about three inches in length. This pot had an iron lid with a broad rim, and a loop handle to lift it by. The raised dough was put into this pot, which was placed upon the hearth and covered all over with coals. Soon the loaf issued well raised and baked, sweet and wholesome as any to-day from the best ovens in Woodstock. In the course of time the pot gave way to the "reflectors," and they in turn, to the black, cheerless, modern stove. The table was bare, but always scrupulously clean. Two bedsteads, a few stools, some rude chairs and a big Sutherlandshire chest constituted the furniture. The chairs or stools — for there was not much difference — consisted >j' i of rnip;h sIhI)h of wood in wlii('h liol(»s wcro borod and Iv^a fittrd ill. Tiicn' was nsnally om* window consisting of four lancH ol j»IaHs (} x H inches oacli. Most of tliC! dislics were ot jx-wtcr. and taken from the ohl country. Tlic spoons wvw made of horn, and the knives and forks were horn handled. Tlie fare was " haniely " ])ut liealtliy, *• parridj^e and milk" witli oaton-cakii I)ein<,' the staple. These pioneer homes were nndoiihtedly rude, and in many respects uncomfortable, but they sheltered many a ha;)py family, ilhiKtratinn; the sentiment of Scotland's poet: " What th()U)fh (tti hitiiiely fare \vc dint' ; Wear luwldin-jfrov and a' that, (lie fools thfii" hiIKh, and knaves their wine ; The nian'H the kov I for a' that." The fire blazinp; in the h'lrr chimney at ni<,dit cast many a weird-like ti<^ure into the corners of the shanty, and often while i^Mi'/inf; into th(! <,dowin«; coals has my faincy conjured up Scot- tish castles, bloody battles, martyr scenes, bears and wolves. Wo usually had to ])urn "green wood." This was not so bad if the fir^? was kept well up, but alas for the poor shiverin',' wretches when the night was cold, and the fire burned low. It seemed imjiossible to get it up again. A story is told which illustrates this : A ] ioneer once remarked in the presence of a neighbor, that he did not believe anything could ruffle his wife's temper. '* I can tell you something that will, if you'll consent to try it," replied the neighbor. " Agreed," said the pioneer. " Just bring home and cut up a load of the crookedcst green sticks you can find," jmiposcd this disturber of the peace," and if that don't worry her I don't know what will." The plan was complied with. But there was no change in things at the picmeer's home ; in fact, everything seemed to bo more agreeable than before. At last our friend said : " Wife, how do you like the wood I brought von last *? " ■>1 n •• First rate," said tlio wife. *• Thoso crook^tl sticlts fit right round iny kcttlu, and make it boil in luilf the time." The good wife had learned an important lesson, that things which •' can't be cured must be endured." A difficulty which would have evoked bad temper in another, in her only de- velo[)ed one of the noblest Christian j»races. THE MEN OF ZORRA. In these liumble Zorra homes were born and reared not a few " b'>y8 " who have since made their mark in the world. Not one or two but several score, who to-day hold honorable rank as clergymen, lawyers, statesiucn, doctors, throughout the length and breadth of this great continent, first saw the light in one of the little log cabins of Zorra. Perhaps not one of these would refer to the humble circumstances surrounding his entmnce into life as a positive disadvantage. To the bravo apparent hindrances are real helps. Ad astra per aspern. Moral muscle requires exercise no less than physical muscle. No man was ever rocked into a strong character in a hammrc'. Life is a battle. We must conquer difficulties or difficulties will conquer us. It is with us as with the Highlanders in iiattle, when their chief called out to them, "Lads, there they arc ! If you dinna kill them they will kill you." " There's always room at the top," some (me says. '• Yes," I reply, *• but no man ever reached the top sitting in a cush- ioned Pullman car." Think of the early struggles of Lincoln, Grant, Garfield. Call to mind the fact that of the eight Pre- miers we have had since confederation, nearly all were de- veloped tliroug. the struggles of early life. One was a shoe- maker, another a printer, another a stone-mason, another an errand boy. Self-indulgence is the curse of our time. The greatest misfortune that can happen a boy is to have all his wants supplied without an effort on his own part, so that he grows up in a life of luxurious ease. Such a misfortune did XI I! ■ II i lir Hi 6 not overtake the Zorra boys. It was not ours to be born with a silver spoon in our mouth ; sometimes it was difficult to get any spoon at all, even the imported horn of a Highland steer ; not ours to be cradled on the luxurious lap of ease ; our cradle at best was no more than a big log hollowed out, and some of us exercised our lungs the first winter after our advent, lying on our back, with only a sheepskin between us and the cold earthen floor. This was our *' college of hard knocks," and in it i)rinci])les of aestheticism were not discussed. No sugar was demanded with the porridge, glad were we when we could get the milk. Whether ])otatoes should be boiled, fried or baked ; whether pease should be eaten with knife or fork troubled no one ; the only trouble was to get the potatoes or the pease to eat at all. Well, sir, tliis was not such a bad college after all. True, some were " plucked," and failed to get through ; but a large projiortion, probably three-fourths of the men most promi- nent in public life to-day, graduated in just such colleges. Where there is no battle there is no victory, and where there is no victorv there is no strength of character.. The bovs of Zorra have risen, not in s[)ite of early difficulties, but because of the perseverance, economy, thrift, self-reliance and integrity developed in them by means of those difficulties. PIONEER CULTURE. If our ]>ioneer fathers were men of unaesthetic temperament, and plain manners, they were men sturdy of arm and resolute of heart, ns befitted those engaged in a mighty battle with the forest. In the winter season all day long the axes rang inces- santly and the trees crashed and fell. There were no club- rooms or bar-rooms in those days, biit the woodsman spent his evenings where every husband and father should do, in his own home, and in the bosom of his own family. The time was oc- casionally improved, in sharpening his axe, or making a handle for it, or mending an old pair of shoes, or putting a patch on his trousers. Sometimes a neighbor would drop in just for a ceiliflh, and the conversation would turn on the weather, tlie crops, the taxes, last Sunday's sermon, the next "couimunion," or the time and place of the next catechizing. The friends in Scotland would he rememhered, the records of this and that family traced, and the hope exnressod of such a jierson or family coming to Zorra. Newspapers were scarce, hut wuch as came to hand were eagerly read, and the contents discussed. The library was small, but it always contained a Gaelic IJible, a metrical version of the Psalms in Gaelic, and the Sliorter Catechism. Besides these, there could usuallv he found in it a Gaelic version of " Boston's Fourfold Estate," '* Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress," "Ed\\ardson the Affections," " AUaine's Alarm," Baxter's •' Call to the Unconverted," Doddridge's *' Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul," and a number of songs or Gaelic poems by such Highland ministers and laymen as Macdonald, Kennedy, Aird, Peter Grant and Dugald Buchanan. All these were read and re-read, over and over again ; and 1 have no hesitation in ascribing much of the vigor of intellect, liveliness of imagination and s|)iritual discernment which so strikingly characterized many of the fathers, to their thorough mastery of these sacred theological and j)oetical works. Of very many of the fathers it may truly be said that, in at leagt three books, they were deeply read : two without — the Bible and God's Providence; the other within — the human heart. The first two filled their minds with loftvand elevating tliought ; the other gave them that knowledge of themselves which, however important, schools or colleges cannot impart. There is no greater delusion than that intelligence increases in pro- ])ortion to the number ol" looks read. The reverse is frequently the case. Reading should be a means to developo thinking. Never read a book sinndy because it is interesting. If your reading decreases your respect for moral purity or your reve- rence for God, if it gilds vice and ridicules goodness, if it ex- alts political i»arty above moral principle, or dollars above duty, If! m [1 8 if it makes a criminal into a hero, or in any way weakens your sense of responsibility to God and man, it is worse than no reading at all, and you should no more feed your mind upon such reading than you should feed your body upon foul car- rion. The Bible is the grandest book in the world to-day. It will develope your intellect, strengthen your will, and purify your life as any or all other books cannot do. It was read and studied by our fathers ; and it cheered them in life and supi)orted them in death. This I know, that the fathers in Zorra " who knew and oulv knew their Bible true" could dis- course on the laws of mind and umtter, the relationships of society, and the responsibilities of manhood and womanhood, as the wholesale devourers of sensational newspapers, and the " penny-dreadfuls " of our day cannot even conceeive of. Be not so anxious to be widely read as be well and deeply read. PIONEER DANCES. Let it not be supposed that the life of the pioneer wais bno of unmingled hardship. This would be a great mistake. There were the clouds but there was also the sunshine. If there was much to be endured there was also much to be en- joyed. Dancing was certainly not prohibited aniong the fathers, and the *' sprees," as they were commonly called, were greatly enjoyed by the young people ; although occasionally these festivi- ties gave rise to an exhibition of human infirmities. The st(uy is told of a belle of those days, who was commonly known as " the flower of the forest," being detained from a dance through the trick of a jealous rival. The beautiful maiden was suffer- ing from a slight cold. Her rival called on her the day before that on which the dance was to take place ; and feigning much sympathy with her, assui-ed her that a sure and speedy cure for a cold was to keep the feet for a couple of hours in a foot- bath of hot water and mustard. The uiisuspecting beauty at once complied. Result : blistered feet, no dance, and alienation of rival beauties. These early dances were usually associated 9 with a logging or chopping bee and a quilting bee. During the day t)*" men would be in the woodn logging or cliopping, while the young women of the neighborhood would be in or around the house ; some quilting and others attending to the cooking necessary for a large gathering. Of course the table was spread outside the house, and under the shade of the spreading beech or maple. After supper the dishes were washed and laid away, and then the young people hied away to the barn floor, which was nicely swept for the occasion ; and there for hours they would trip the liglit fantastic toe to the tune of a squeaking fiddle or a groaning bag-pipe. At length the grey streaks ap})eared in the east, and all got ready for the home going. Some of those present had two, three, or even four miles to go, mostly through unbroken woods. It is needless to say there were no buggies or bicycles, but that did not in the least detract from the pleasure of the occasion. Every laddie took his lassie, and conveyed her in safety to her home. On these journeys often were the tender words of love sj)oken, and vows of constancy uttered. Sometimes too, one of the young pe()ple " had a crow to pick" with the other for devoting too much attention to some one else during the even- ing. But the sjurit of manly chivalry actuated the great majority of the young men of the early days, while honest womanhood was the character of the ladies. Here I may re- peat the story as I have heard it, of a siiruce little Highlander who had arranged with his lady-love to meet her at church the next Sabbath morning. But " The best laid schemes o' mice an' men, Gang aft a-gley, An' lea'e us nought but grief and pain For promised joy." There came a great down- pour of rain, and flooded a large part of the road between the church and the home of the young lady. Of course, the lady was not at the kirk that Sunday. However the young Highlander was not to be thwarted in 10 his |)nr[)()8e by any trifle like a flooded road, so he hired a hijjf, burly fellow to carry him on his shoulders through the deep water; but just as the two, one sitting on the shoulders of the other, reached the middle of the rapidly rolling flood, unfortunately a dispute arose as to how much the little man was to i)ay the big one for his job. After considerable wrang- ling, the two disputants were quite unable to agree on the price. Result : down came the little man with a splash into the deep water, while the big one indignantly muttered, "Thar, noo for her, if she pe thinking she'll ride Donald like a horse, and she no i)ay more'n a saxpence." I have s[)oken of the dancing parties, not tliat I am going to put in a plea for that particular kind of pleasure, although our fathers and mothers seem not to be any the less pure and good because of the " Scotch reel." Times change, and we change with them. The dances of to-day, if reports be true, are very far removed from the " Scotch Reel." I plead not for idancing parties, but I do with emphasis say, let the young and also the old revive the ancestral custom, at least to the extent of occasionally gathering together during the long winter even- ings for entertainment and social improvement. Why should not you who have such commodious houses invite occasionally to vour homes a number of vounpf men and women who are strangers in our town, and to whom an evening's entertain- ment in a Christian home, would be n means of grace ? The body is not made for constant toil, or the mind for constant study. We are like a harp with a thousand strings. There is a string for work and one for play, one for study and one for rest, one for jioetry and one for foot-ball. Harping on one string is sure to produce one-sidedness of character. Young people crave after companionship and enjoyment, and if they are not permitted to find these in Christian homes they will seek them in doubtful or disreputable places. At such gather- ings vocal and instrumental music should form part of the 11 hired a ugh the loulders g flood, tie man ! wrang- ) on the ish into *'Thar, I liorse, u going thougli Lire and ftnd wo m true, not for nig and } extent n' even- •uld not mlly to irho are certain - } The mstant There id one on one Young f they ey will ifather- of the entertainment. There might also be r^^'adings, recitations, games of various kinds, and such other things as a sanctifiisl ingenuity will suggest. Guard against late hours. Avoid all amusements that are bad for the health, that blunt the con- science, or that destroy relish for spiritual things. He lovers of God more than lovers of pleasure, even when the pleasure is innocent and rational. Let our homes furnish such recrea- tion, and club-rooms and bar-rooms will be largely deserted. DONALD AND DRINK. The Highlander is always religious, even it* he should notal- wavs be sanctified. Reverence is an instinct of his nature. If he should be the " waur " of the drink to-day, that is no reason in his estimation why he should not scrupulously at- tend to his religious duties to-morrow. Indeed, never is he more ready to defend his creed against any " Methody " oi *' Episcoopal " heresy than when tilled, not with the S[>irit di- vine, but with the spirit of wine. He is slow to realize any wrong in drinking " if she pe good whuskey." John McPhee was an industrious, honest man and very devoted to his church. Usually he was kind to his wife and family, and was a good provider But occasionally he would give way to his enemy, the drink. On these occasions he would for a time completely desert his home, and spend his whole time in and around the village barroom. It ha))i)ened that on one of these occasions there was in the hotel a very sick man confined to his room. His pastor, the late Rev. Mr. Mackenzie, made daily visits to the sick room, spending an hour or more there on each occa- si(m. Day after day the good man noticed John loafing around the hotel ; so one day he called him aside to give him a word of remonstrance. " John," said the minister, " I am very sorrv to see you here and in this condition. Do you not know that you are injuring yourself and neglecting your family? Now go home like a Christian man, and attend to your duties." Thus far John McPhee listened attentively, head uncovered. il 12 unci cap in hand. But now it came his turn to speak. •• Aye, ministiT," said he, " I confess 1 ha'e been taking a drap too much, but I have a sair heart and it's to droon my trouble that I drink. It amaist braks m' heart to see my ain minister, wham I respekit and lovit, every day for a week or more, come to this hoose, and spending his time drinking in a bed-room. I have been trying to droon my sorrow witli a drappie now and then, but oli it's hard to bear. To see my beloved pastor coming under the inflooence of the drink. But gin ye'll say naething aboot it I shall hand my tongue, and we'll baith do better in the future." In after vears Mr. Mackenzie told this story with much glee. Such loyalty to religious convictions even under peculiar difficulties was not rare. The following will illustrate : A cer- tain Highlander gave way to the drink enemy, and was rapidly going the lown grade. His minister had frequently warned and entreated him, but in vain. Donald continued going from bad to worse. So one day the minister sharply reproved him and told him the disgrace he was bringing upon himself and others. It may be here stated that this minister was very fond of music and did not share the prejudices of some of his parishoners against the use of hymns ; indeed he was accus- tomed to sing Watt's hymns in the manse with his family. This was a sore grief to some of his people, and to none more than to Donald. Well, Donald after being reproved for his drinking, returned the compliment in this fashion. " Minister I may be a drunken buddie as ye say ; I dinna deny but oc- casionally I tak a glass too much, but (and now there was a scornful hiss in the tone) I dinna sing Watt's hyemns at ony rate." So saying, Donald walked off with the gait of offended dignity. Let it not be inferred from these instances that excessive drinking was prevalent among our pioneer fathers. Such an inference would be very unfair. The fathers were, as a class. 13 " Aye, irap too trouble dnister, e, come i-room. ie now I pastor 'e'll say a,ith do )ld this )ecnljar A cer- rapidly warned going proved limseif as very of his accns- amily. |e more or his inister ut oc- was a at ony ended essive ich an class, industrious, sober, sclf-rcepccting. While total abstinence did not, herhaps, prevail to the same extent as to-day, the bar-room treating and the bar-room loafing of to-day, were almost unknown ; and intemperance was regarded as dis- honoring ^'- God, degrading to character, and destructive to both body and soul. THE PIONEER AND THE SABBATH. Much has been said in criticism of the rigid observance of the Sabbath by our fathers. Sometimes, no doubt, this ob- servance led to awkward complications. The story is told of a farmer who had a pond on his farm, and wlio also owned a ram sheep that was great with his head. On Sabbath after- noon the boys would occasionally have lots of fun witli this pugnacious animal. A young fellow would take his ]»lacc close up to the pond, and then keep bowing his head, as if daring tlio ram to fight. Instantly the ram. gathering up Iiis strength, would rush forward to battle ; but when ho cauio near enough, the boy wouh nimbly leap to one side, and the ram would plunge into the water, much to the amusement of the juveniles. One Sabbath afternoon the old man caught the boys at this sport. You may be sure ho gave them a sound lecturing on the sin of Sabbath desecration, and ordered them all home to study the catechism. The boys soon dis- appeared ; but now the old man began reflecting on the sport, and the inoro he reflected the more he felt tem])t(Kl to experi- ment a little himself. So just for once he would try. Taking his i^lace beside the poud, he made certain movements to attract the attention of the ram. Nothing daunred by former experiences, the brave animal, with head and tail erect, came rushing to the encounter. But the old man, not being so nimble as the boys, failed to get out of the way in time. Result — the wrong party got into the water. Moral : practice whan you preach. 14 The inofound regard of soino of the pioneers for the Subbatli appears in tlie following? amnsinf? incident. A good elder, one bright Sunday morning donned liis best suit of Sunday black. He had gone some distance with his wife on the way to the church, when that lady reminded him that he had forgotten to feed the calf. As it would be night before tlrey could get back, tiiere was but one course open for him. The calf must not be left to starve. So at once the elder retraced his stc s, got a pail of milk, and carefully carried it into the field wh(;re the calf was enjoying life, after the manner of its kind. The elder's approach filled the calf with joy, and as tiie milk was slnwly and carefully poured into a trough the infant bovine plunged its Ik ad, with an emphatic " smash, " into the trough. Up spurted the milk in a score of streams, and the elder's black coat was black only in streaks. Then, in this time of trial, appeared ample proof of the elder's res[)ect for the day. Quickly he grasped the calf's head, and as he spoke the following devout words, at each word he thumped that head against that trough. And this is what he said : If — it — warna — the — Sawbath— and — I — no — be — braking — the — Lord's- day — I — would— ])unch — her— head — through-this --trough." The elder's state of mind was evidently that of the Scotch minister's who, on a certain trying occasion, was greatly exas- ])erated. His "man," who was the only ].erson ]>resent, quietly observed to him, " If an aith wad relieve ye, dinna mind my presence." A MEAN THIEF. The following incident will illustrate the loyalty of our ancestors to the Sabbath, and the quaint original manner in which some of them could enforce their views of the holy day. A good elder one day came upon a number of young lads who were grossly profaning the Lord's day. In gentle tones, and without the slightest sign of anger, the old man said, '• Boys, let me tell you a story. There was a rich man and he owned 15 seven fine cows. He liad a neipflibor who was very poor, and possessed nothing at all. Hut the rich man was so guni'mus that he gave the poor man, fnu* without any price, six of his fine cows. And now what think you the poor man did?" *' Well," said one of the hoys, *' he would be very grateful to the rich man." " I would think," said another, ** he ought to show his gratitude by doing what he could to pleasi; and honor the man*who treated him so kindly." " No, my boys," said the old man, " you will be surprised when I tell you that he was neither grateful nor respectful to his benefactor, but on the contrary, he used to come and steal the milk from the only cow the good man kept for himself." " Is that story true?" said one boy. "Who is that man?" cries another. *' Why, that man's too mean to live," shouts a third. " Stop, mv dear bovs, and I will explain. I have told vou a story to teach you a moral. God in his infinite goodness has given us six days in the week for our own use, but the Sabbath he has retained to himself. But, boys, you seem not to be satisfied with six days, for you are robbing God of His day. Is this right? Is this manly ?" "You've got us this time," said one of the boys. " He gave us a lu np of sugar with a ])ill inside," said another ; but there was no more desecration of the Sabbath for them that day. THE BENEFITS OF A WELL-SPENT SABBATH. Let us not be severe on the ])ioneersfor their strict observance of the Sabbath. Who will deny that it developed in them a vig- orous Christian manhood and womanhood, and made them strong physically, mentally, morally ? France, with her infi- delity, and her reckless desecration of the Sabbath, stands to day face to face with the solemn problem of national extinction. When the Parisian Sabbath has produced better men and women than the Puritan Sabbath has done, it will be time enough to sneer at the fathers. Many of us have heard of the great Breck- enridge family of the U. S. There were three brothers of them. and all stood in the very front rank of able men in the Presbyte- rian (!linrcli of that country. One day Dr. John Jircckenridgo thus accosted his jijifcd moth(>r: '• Mother don't yon think you might have been a httle less severe on us boys ? " '* John," rej)lied the good woman, " when you have raised three such sons as I have done, you may undertake to reprove your moMicr for her methods." I'iie application of this to the Parisian and Puritan Sabbath needs no comment. lOvon if men had no immortal souls to be cared for, their brains and their bodies require a Sabbath. If we are to make tlie most of ourselves even in this life, we must take one day in seven for a quiet rest from physical toil, and mental excite- ment. It is one of the cunning devi(;es of the devil to destroy men, by tempting them to turn (lod's appointed day of rest into a dny of work or pleasure, lion. W. Iv Clladstone has been one of the hardest workers ill England; he is now in his H7th vear, enjoving a sound mind in a lualthy body, and he ascribes this blessing largelv to his devout observance of the bibbath. TRUE TO THEIR CONVICTIONS, It was Charles II., after his restoration in lOGO, who said. '• Presbvterianism is not a religion for a gentleman," and our fsi-thers an; sometimes chargeil with being narrow and bigotted in their religious views. Some people to-day boast of their own liberalitv, but their liberality is onlv another name for ignorance or indilftjrence. They have not conviction enough to be worth contending for. An all-absorbing interest in material things has stifled every high and holy thought. Man's invention and (rod's teaching are ])laccd side by side in alliance, a compromise is effected, and this is called broth- erly love. for an honest love of the truth, and a readiness to contend for it, even it such contention should be at the cost of our case and popularity. Three distributors of church 17 charity in Toronto last wintt^r, feuiing tluit they wero ini[)osL'(l upon hy all assistinj^ thn sanio pcrsonH, determineil to couiparo notes. One of these distributors was a Uouian Catholic, another a Methodist, and the third a Presbyterian. They soon found a woman whom they had all been assisting; on the ground that h\w belonged to each of their churches. This woman had her babe baptized, (1) by the Priest, (2) by the Methodist minister, and (JJ) by the Presbyterian ; and she was only waiting till her child got a little bigger, to show that she had no prejudice whatever against the liaptist Church. This woman was no bigot, and she is a faiir re[)resentative .»f mul- titudes who in our day boast (»f their religious liberality, and whose godliness is only a matter of gain. Liberality to error is treason to the truth. Some jieople are so " charitable " that thev have no controversy with sin or satan. The itioneers of Oxford were ]5il)le-rcading, God-fearing, Christ-loving men and women, who believed something, and lived as they believed. To them truth was the Savioiu-"s crown-jewels, and they would as soon think ()f loving a king and trami)ling on his crown, as pre- tend to love Christ, and then trample on his truth. I have spoken of the humble cabin in the woods, with its rude furniture and meagre fare. JJut every log in that cabin was put in its place with a grateful heart to God; and however .scant the furniture, there never lacked the family altar, around which parents and children assembled morning and evening, for the worship of the Most High ; and however meagre the fare, it was never partaken of until the blessing of God was asked upon it. Again at the close of the meal, all eyes were closed and hands folded, while every head bowed in reverent thanks to God for his bounty in jmn'iding for the wants of his unworthy creatures. 1 have mentioned the ceilidh, or a friendly visit of one neighbor to the house of another. But even in this apparently trivial event, God was recognized. When any one, old or young, came to a neighbor's house, he r (ill 18 first knocked at tlio door. At once from within comos tho clear, ringing invitation, ♦' coino in." Tlio party without opens the door, uncovers his head, and standing still for a moment, invokes a blessing, •• lirannmch .so," (bless this place). Quickly the response comes from the luMid of the house, " rHtandin(?, hiit Thou art inHnitoly good. Thou (li ' An honest man's the noblest work of God." Yes, friends, here is the secret of Scotland's greatiiess, It lies not in her ironclads, and her Armstrong guns, but it rests on something far mightier than armies and navies — the Christianity of her people, a Christianity that begins and is carried on at the family altar. This is the righteousness thjjt has exalted that nation, and this righteousness, far more than the richest products of our mines, fields and forests, will make this Dominion truly great and happy. Talk of colleges ! The best college in which the professional men of Zorra ever 21 f^radiiatocl, that wliicli lias loft the most lastinj:^ and hoiioticial iufliioncc upon their iiiiiids and hearts, was the collej^'o of a Christian home. These men, to-day, are scattered far and wide, and they helon^,' — some to the medical, some to the legal, and some to the theological profession, hnt they look hack with fond recollection to the days, when with father and 1 .other, hrothers and sisters, th(;y reverently knelt in prayer on the rude floor of the little log cabin. How tender the memory of that last home-len ving, wiien the hoy was going far away to enter college, or engage in hiisiness, or to learn a trade. For weeks past, kind hands have been preparing such little articles of clothing as might be nsofiil to him when awav from mother and sisters : and now the little trunk is packed and the mt)rning of separation has come. There are but few words spoken, and feeling is wonderfully suppressed, but " Kiieeliii'f down to heaven's eternal King', The saint, the father and the husband i)rays : Hope sprin^rs exultinj,' on triumphant winjrs, Tliat tiius tiiey all shall meet in future days." Many years have since juassed by, bringing with them many and varied exiieriences, hut tiie influence of that solemn hour is with us still, and will abide with us while memory lasts. Ours is a day of competition, hurry, excitement, when busi- ness is war and anything is fair. Home life is largely broken up, and the conditions are not fav.)ral)le to the cultivation of kindness, quietness, and a tender regard for the happiness ot others. Some men are nowhere greater strangers than in their own homes, and they know but little of the beautiful domestic life of our fathers. Looking at our ancestors in this country, there seems to me to be at least one lesson that stands out bright and clear, viz : that it matters little how trivial or commonplace our work may be in itself, the spirit in which we do the work is everything. As'Carlyle says, speak- ing of his peasant father, " Be his work that of palace-building 22 aiiil Kingdom fouuding, or only delving and ditching, to me it is no matter. All human work is transitory, small in itself, contemptible. Only the result of the work, and the 8i)irit that dwelt in the worker is significant." Onr fathers are gone, hut the work which they began is still going on in its results ; and it will go on with ever-increasing influence for good, out- lasting the pyramids, surviving the very mountains and the solid earth, and enduring to all eternity in heaven above, an imperishing monument of the grace of God in them. Max O'rell lias written two well known books. The one is called " John Bull and liis Island." The other is entitled " Brother Jonathan and His Continent." If I had the leisure and the ability necessary, I would write a book and call it "Donald and His District." The first sentence in " Brother Jonathan and His Continent " is " The United States contains G5,000,000 of people, most of them Colonels." The first sentence in my book would be : " There was a time when Zorra had only a few hundred men and women, but every man was a hero and every woman a heroine." We s[)eak not of their wealth. The gold and the silver was not theirs ; but they had what was infinitely better — the fear of God, tlio love of liberty, sound bodies, healthy minds, and a generous sympathy with one another. There were many of them rich iu the Bible, and some of them were millionairs in grace. In conclusion let me say that it is a great privilege to have had godly anccstoi's. "Lives of pood men all remind us We can make our lives sublime." And this is especially true when the good are united to us by nature and by grace, and we have their example and their l)rayers to encourage us. Where they found grace to guide, to comfort, to sustain, we can find it too. The Lord delights to bless even to a thousand generations. I like to feel that I serve " the God of my fathers," and to hope that my 23 children and their chiUlren's cliiklrcn wih serve Him also. I love to sing those sweet Psalms hecanse they are God's blessed truth ; but I love them none the less because my fathers in this and other lands for generations back, have sung tliem — often in poverty and persecution, " when days were dark and friends were few." I love this Holy Jiook because it comforts me in sorrow, directs me in difticulty, and gives me a hope beyond the grave, but I love it none the less because it has done all this for the fatliers and their fathers. Shall we prove ourselves the worthy sons of noble sires? They died in the hope that we would fill their jdaces; shall not their hope be be realized in fact? Will any be found trampling underfoot a father's remonstrance and a mother's prayers ? WHAT SHALL THE HARVEST BE? We must not live in the past. Yesterday's bread will not sustain us to-day. Last winter's fire will not warm our homes next winter. Last summer's sunshine will not paint the flowers of this summer. We cannot live on memories. " Act, acit in the liviniir j)rv..sent Hearts vvitliin aiui Gel o'er head." The nobility of our fatliers will not necessarily make us noble. Let us so live that our descendants may be as proud of us as we are to-day of our ancestors. Ascent is better than de- scent. Better the foundation of a new ])yramid than the taper- ing apex of an old one. What will the future be ? No one can think of the extent of this Dominion ; the variety of its cliuiate, the richness of its soil, the vast resources of its lakes and rivers, fields and forests, and still doubt that there is a great future before this Canada of ours, if Canadians are true to the iiriviloges bequeathed them. We are only awakening to realize the bright day. With fast steamship lines on the Atlantic and the Pacific, and a great railway running from ocean to ocean, who can doubt but this Dominion will yet be 24 the great highway between the vast wealtli of the West and the teeming miUions of the East. As a new country, we have great opportnnities and great dangers. We are laying the foundation of what will yet be a magnificent edifice. Shall we not do our work \vo\\9 To change the figure: We stand almost at the fountain-head, and can direct the stream. That stream sliall one day become a mighty river. Shall it be foul or clear '? To drop all figure : Canada will develope, and the question that should concern us most is shall she develope along moral lines? Will the liome, the Church, the School, the Sabbath, continue to have the same warm place in the affections of the gene rations yet to come that they had in the hearts of our pioneer fathers ? If so we fear not the future. Happy is the people whose God is the Lord. -r^A ?4^ ! West and omitry, we are laying fice. Shall : We stand 3ani. riiat 5hall it be velope, and 16 develoi)e ;lie School, lace in the had in the the future.