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 1 
 
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 XIX 
 
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NARRATIVE 
 
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 or THE 
 
 ORIOIIV OF TH£ €HUR€IIE:i^. 
 
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 WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE 
 
 ""NIAaARA PRESBYTERY' 
 
 OF 
 
 ^W^WSL i@illfiiIDii» 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE PRESBYTERY. 
 
 ST. CATHARINES, U. C 
 FRINTXI) BT HIRAM LKAVfNWOBTH. 
 
 1834. 
 
NARRATIVE, &c. 
 
 The Presbytery feel much pleasure in being able to 
 present to the Churches and Congregations under their 
 care, the following Narrative. In doing it, they are 
 forcibly reminded of the faithfulness of God's promise : 
 "The desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose." 
 
 In view of the comparatively little advancement of 
 Zion, within our bounds, we cannot but feel assured, 
 that the great Head of the Church is moving onward to 
 the accomplishment of that most interesting predic- 
 tion — "There shall be a handful of corn in the earth," 
 "the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon," 
 
 We are sorry that the state of religion is not as flou- 
 rishing, at present, as it has been. But even now, 
 while we must lament that there is a partial slumber- 
 ing — a want of warm-hearted active piety, too gene- 
 rally 5 still we have much to cheer and gladden our 
 hearts. On the whole, we think our history will have 
 a happy influence upon the churches. It affords much 
 that is suited to awaken our gratitude •, much to humble 
 us; and very much to induce us to greater pains-taking 
 and sacrifice in the service of our Master. He hath 
 blessed the labour of our hands. We have seen that 
 He "cflw spread a table in the wilderness." Therefore, 
 we will "declare his doings among the people, and make 
 mention that his name is exalted." 
 
 The church in GAINSBOROUGH, on the 20 mile 
 creek, was organized by the Rev. D. W. Eastman, in 
 1809, consisting of a very small number. It was bles- 
 sed with nothing like a special revival until 1821, when 
 there was a small ingathering. In 1826, a goodly num- 
 ber was added to the church. For about four years 
 after this period, there were only occasional accessions. 
 
 In September, 1831, a protracted meeting was call- 
 ed—the first that was held in this part of the pro- 
 
flou- 
 
 vince of L pper Canada -, and truly it was a "time of the 
 right hand of the most High." The Spirit of the Lord 
 was poured out in rich affusions, humbling and quick- 
 ening his people, filling their hearts with comfort, and 
 converting sinners to Christ. Between 70 and 80, we 
 believe, were born into the Kingdom of God — about 50 
 of whom, at once, united with the church. In the win- 
 ter following, another protracted meeting was held — 
 not, indeed, so interesting as the first, but with precious 
 results. The number of hopeful converts at this time, 
 is not stated, except that 17 were added to our com- 
 munion, while some attached themselves to other 
 Christian denominations. This church now numbers 
 about 120 members. From its organization, it was 
 under the care of Mr. Eastman for something like 12 
 years. He left about two years since, during Avhich 
 time it has been supplied by the Rev. Mr. Goodell. 
 
 Within its bounds are two Sabbath schools — one of 
 which has been continued, summer and winter^ without 
 intermission, for about six years \ and in which between 
 20 and 30 scholars have been hopefully converted to 
 Christ. The temperance reformation is begun in this 
 place. A society exists of about 125 members. To 
 this society most of the church have united — we are 
 sorry to say, not every one. The present state of reli- 
 gion is not so cheering as it has been in seasons past. 
 But while this calls for mourning, we are happy to 
 state, that prayer meetings are yet sustained, with some 
 good degree of interest j and that a respectful and se- 
 rious attention is given to the word preached on the 
 Lord's day. 
 
 This church and society have a good and convenient 
 meeting-house, which was rebuilt and completed, in 
 1831. They have divine service, that is, preaching, but 
 once on the Sabbath. Mr. Goodell divides his labours 
 between this congregation and another, six miles dis- 
 tant, in the same town. 
 
 'The Church in LOUTH, on the 15 mile creek, was 
 organized by the Rev. D. W. Eastman, in 1809, com- 
 prising about 20 members. From its commencement 
 
down to the late war, religion being very low in the 
 country during this time, there were but very few ac- 
 cessions. At the beginning of the war Mr. Eastman 
 left, and the church was without supply for a period of 
 between seven and nine years. 
 
 In 1821 — 2, when Mr. Eastman returned, there was a 
 little revival, and a small number added to the church. 
 In 1824 — 5, a meeting-house w^as built. For five or six 
 years after this, there was only a gradual increase — no 
 special revival until October, 1831 . At this time a pro- 
 tracted meeting was held, which was crowned with the 
 signal blessing of God. About 30 made a publick pro- 
 fession of their faith in Christ. Since then, there have 
 been some seasons of more than ordinary interest, and a 
 gradual accession to the church. The present number 
 of communicants is about 80. A Sabbath school is 
 maintained here, which is furnished with a good library. 
 A temperance vSociety has of late been organized, 
 which bids fair to succeed, and do good. Weekl}- 
 prayer meetings are generally well attended. This 
 congregation, like most, if not all our congregations, 
 has preaching but once on the Sabbath. 
 
 The church in PELHAM, was organized in 1828, 
 with 12 or 14 members, by Mr. Eastman. The next 
 vear there was a little accession. Since then, to the 
 present time, the church has had interestmg seasons of 
 revival, and ingatherings almost every year. The 
 number of communicants is now about 120. An inte- 
 resting female prayer meeting is maintained, with other 
 weekly meetings. A Sabbath school, of between three 
 and four years standing, and numbering about 60 scho- 
 lars, is flourishing, and exerting a precious influence. 
 Several hopeful conversions, under God, have grown 
 out of this school; and at this time it exhibits much 
 seriousness. The monthly concert is observed. The 
 temperance society, in this place, embraces between 
 150 and 200 members. Since 1830, this church and 
 society have built a good meeting-house, now comple- 
 ted, and paid for. The present state of rehgion, though 
 not like a special revival, is, nevertheless, encouraging. 
 
The church in HAMILTON, was organized in 
 December, 1831, by the Rev. Edwards Marsh, con- 
 sisting of 20 members. Nothing of very special inte- 
 rest occurred until January following, when the church 
 had a protracted meeting. The commencement of this 
 meeting was in Barton, three miles out of the village, 
 on what is called " the mountain." Of the fruits of a 
 most blessed work in this place, about 50, at once, made 
 a profession of their faith in Christ, on the spot, and in 
 the house where the meeting was held. And truly, as 
 many of us remember, it was most delightful and hea- 
 venly to see such a company crow'ding around God's 
 altar! — The hoary headed, and the sprightly youth, 
 parents and their children -, and whole families toge- 
 ther, all seemed in haste to avouch Jehovah to be their 
 triune God, in their solemn and joyful attendance upon 
 the ordinances of Christ's house — baptism and the 
 Lord's supper. It was a season never to be forgotten j 
 and the place icas the house of God — it teas the gate of 
 heaven. The meeting, being thus closed on the moun- 
 tain, was removed into the village. Here it continued 
 not many days, and with considerable abatement of in- 
 terest. About 20 united with the church, of the fruits 
 of the meeting after its removal. From that time this 
 portion of our Zion has had seasons of more than usual 
 interest; and at every communion, more or less have 
 been added to its number. The meetings, Sabbath 
 schools, and benevolent operations, on the mountain, 
 and in the village, are maintained separately. In both 
 places there are four Sabbath schools, comprising about 
 260 scholars. 
 
 This church was formed on ftie temperance plan — 
 that is, none are received or retained as members, who 
 make, vend or use, as a drink, ardent spirits. Eight 
 have been suspended from the privileges of Christ's 
 house — four of these for intemperance. We are happy, 
 however, in being able to say, that, comparatively, there 
 are but few apostacies, and that converts "Ao/rf on their 
 tvay.'^ The monthlj^ concert is observed. In 1832, 
 this church and society built a meeting house, which 
 
6 
 
 cost $1,200. At this time, the members on the moun- 
 tain are making proposals to build a parsonage. The 
 number in communion, is 160. This church, in its two 
 parts, and with its two congregations, has the labours 
 of but one minister. The state of religion is good, on 
 the mountain 5 but not so good, it is feared, in the vil- 
 lage. On the whole we may say, that Zion here, most 
 evidently, has the smiles of her King, with the prospect 
 that her borders will be more and more enlargetl. 
 
 The church in ST. CATHARINES, was organized 
 January 7, 1831, by the Rev. A. K. Buell, comprising 
 only 11 members — 10 by letter, and one on profession. 
 Soon after this, and within the space of a few months, 
 the presence of God's spirit was manifested in some 
 few instances of turning unto the Lord. Here and 
 there was found a sinner inquiring the way to Zion. 
 Of the fruits of this gracious visitation, about 12 were 
 added to the church. Nothing, however, very special 
 occurred, until Nov. 1831, during a protracted meeting. 
 This was a season of peculiar interest. It was sup- 
 posed that between 40 and 50 were made the subjects 
 of grace, 30 of whom immediately united with the 
 church. In Nov. 1 832, another meeting was held, which, 
 though evidently blessed in some good degree, was not 
 as successful as the first. Of those hopefully born into 
 the Kingdom, at this time, 12 made a publick profession 
 of their faith in Christ. Since then the church has en- 
 joyed other seasons of refreshing, and has had her num- 
 ber increased, at almost every communion. 
 
 Nearly half of the members of this church, live be- 
 tween two and three miles from the village, in a neigh- 
 bourhood which, only* about three years ago, was a 
 moral desert. When our meetings were first set up 
 in this place, only here and there one made any preten- 
 sions to piety. To the best of our knowledge, this 
 people had never enjoyed stated preaching, and, for a 
 long time they had been wholly destitute. But to their 
 praise, they gladly received the tvord, almost without 
 any delay. Having the Gospel preached to them, they 
 soon began to turn unto the Lord. From that time to 
 
 I 
 ' ( 
 
 ,{ 
 ( 
 
 i^ 
 

 the present moment, God's spirit has been with this 
 ])eople, by his special and saving operations. That is, 
 Christians have kept their first love, and persevered, and 
 sinners, more or less, have been coming to Christ con- 
 tinuali} . Thus, within a very short time, the whole 
 moral aspect of this neighbourhood has been changed. 
 The wilderness, under God, has become a fruitful field. 
 This people now maintain weekly prayer meetings, 
 observe the monthly concert, conduct a Sabbath school, 
 and give liberally for the support of the gospel. Be- 
 sides, they have obtained subscriptions, and already 
 made a contract for building a meeting house, which it 
 is expected will be finished before the coming winter. 
 
 In the village, it is believed that the state of religion 
 is not as good as usual. The Sabbath school, which 
 has a good library, and was large and flourishing, lan- 
 guishes, at present, and is ready to come to nothing — 
 chiefly, it is supposed, for the want of teachers. But 
 while these things are lamented, we are glad to say, that 
 prayer meetings are sustained, the monthly concert 
 observed, and a serious attention given to the preached 
 w ord. For about three years, small contributions have 
 been made for missionary operations, for tracts, and to 
 the Bible cause — amounting in the whole, to nearly one 
 hundred dollars. 
 
 A brick meeting-house in the village, is nearly finish- 
 ed, 55 by 40 feet, and costing about $4,000. The 
 whole number of communicants is 108. Thirteen have 
 been dismissed, and one has died. All, with an excep- 
 tion or two, are members of the temperance society — 
 which numjjers about 300. There has been no case of 
 discipline. The members, for the most part, give good 
 evidence of piety. While some, no doubt, are greatly 
 deficient in true devotedness, and Christian labours, it 
 is evident that others are crying in secret, for the deli- 
 verance of the Lord's people, and every day making 
 advancement in holy living. On the whole, looking at 
 the church in both places, with the two congregations, 
 it is believed, that what God has already done, and 
 what He is still doing, may be viewed as a pledge, 
 
8 
 
 that He will yet more and more enlarge this portion of 
 his Zion. 
 
 CHIPPAWA. — The church in this place, was organ- 
 ized in December, 1831, after a protracted meeting, 
 consisting of 12 members. In July, 1832, a second 
 meeting was held •, of the fruits of which, 29 made a 
 publick profession of their faith. In 1833, this church 
 enjojed an interesting season of revival, which com- 
 menced in June, and continued through the summer. 
 Of the number hopefully converted at this time, 30 
 were added to the church. The present number of 
 communicants is 71. This people have laboured under 
 much disadvantage, on account of not having a cbn- 
 venient place of publick worship. They are now, 
 however, about to build a meeting house, which they 
 hope to occupy by next winter. 
 
 Not much has yet been done for Sabbath schools, 
 chiefly for the want of suitable teachers. The tem- 
 perance cause has begun to command attention, al- 
 though yet in its infancy, in this place. The state of 
 religion is not now as good as it has been, in some sea- 
 sons. There have been a few cases of discipline, and 
 two suspended. Generally, however, the members 
 walk orderh', and maintain, in a good degree, the Chris- 
 tian character. On the whole, this little Zion, consi- 
 dering her embarrassments, has succeeded beyond the 
 expectations of her best friends, and we thiuK that it 
 promises yet to increase and flourish. 
 
 The church at DRUMMONDVILLE, was organ- 
 ized b}^ Mr. Buell, in October, 1831, consisting of eight 
 members. For about six months, they enjoyed only 
 occasional preaching. In the spring of 1832, the Rev. 
 Mr. Sessions commenced labouring with them — preach- 
 ing, however, only once on the Sabbath. At this time, 
 a very mortal sickness prevailed in the village and its 
 vicinity. This, it is believed, together with the faithful 
 exhibition of truth, was the means, under God, of bring- 
 ing some to Christ. In the following autumn, this little 
 church was most deeply bereaved. Few and weak as 
 they were, God was pleased to take away from them, 
 
 a 
 
by the cholera, one of their most efficient members. 
 In May, 1833, a protracted meeting was held. Of 
 the fruits of this interesting season of revival, 25 were 
 received into the church. The wliole number added in 
 a year, aud during Mr. Sessions' labours, was 32. At 
 present, the church is destitute of stated preaching. 
 They are, however, anxious to obtain a minister, and 
 they expect one soon. Although it is supposed that 
 the present state of religion is not so cheering as usual, 
 still, prayer meetings during the week, and the worship 
 of God on the Sabbath, are maintained. They have a 
 Sabbath school of about liO scholars. In this place 
 and its vicinity, is a very large and flourishing tempe- 
 rance society. While we record, with gratitude, what 
 God has already done for this little cli" *'« e are en- 
 couraged to believe that He will yet coi> ) enlarge 
 her borders 
 
 The church in BEECH WOODS, was organized 
 after a protracted meeting, in May, 1832, comprising 
 16 members. In 1833, there was an accession of eight. 
 The present number of communicants is 22. A Sab- 
 bath school, and weekly prayer meetings are main- 
 tained. Recently very successful efforts have been 
 made in the cause of temperance. This church and 
 people have had but little preaching. For a single 
 year, they had the small supply of one sermon in two 
 weeks: this is all they have had. They are now 
 destitute. 
 
 The church at the 40 M. CREEK, was organized in 
 July, 1832, consisting of about 15 members. We can- 
 not make perfectly accurate statements, in regard to 
 this little portion of our Zion, as it sent no delegate to 
 the last meeting of the PresJjyterv. We know, how- 
 ever, that it is supplied with preaching part of the time ; 
 and we believe that a Sabbath school, and the weeklv 
 prayer meetings are maintained. This church and so- 
 ciety are buildin'i^ a very good brick meeting house, 
 which is almost completed. Considering how recently 
 this church was organized, an(^ how few their number, 
 we think their prospects are encouraging. 
 
10 
 
 The church in BRANTFORD was tafgdnized in 
 Aug. 1833, consisting of 45 members, the fruits of a 
 most interesting protracted meeting held at that time. 
 Since then, 17 have been added. The monthly concert is 
 well attended; and a Sabbath school, of between 40 and 
 50 scholars, is in a flourishing condition. This church 
 and people have been supplied chiefly by Rev. Wm. 
 F. Curre}^ until within a few months past. They have 
 commenced the building of a meeting house-, and, though 
 destitute of preaching for the time being, yet the)" ex- 
 pect soon to enjoy the stated ministrations of the gospel. 
 
 The church at DUNNVILLE was organized in Jan. 
 1834, consisting of 8 members, 2 males and 6 females. 
 One has since been added: all are members of the 
 temperance society. They have no stated preaching, 
 and only here and there a sermon. But even while 
 thus destitute, a Sabbath school is in operation-, and 
 prayer meetings during the week, and reading meet- 
 ings are well sustained. 
 
 The church at OAKVILLE was organized in April, 
 1833, consisting of 1 1 members. They had but very little 
 preaching until December, when ?^r. Sessions came to 
 the place. Since then, five h ive united with the church, 
 and more are expecting to unite soon. The congre- 
 gation attending worship in the village, is large -, and 
 for some time, more than ordinary seriousness prevails 
 generally. Weekly prayer meetings, with an interest- 
 mg female prayer meeting, and the monthly concert, 
 are well attended. A Bible cla«s has lately been or- 
 ganized, which promises much. There is also, a tem- 
 perance society in this place. It is in contemplation 
 to build a meeting house, to cost $2,000, and to be 
 completed at the close of next autumn. The Sabbath 
 school, which is connected with the Methodists', con- 
 sists of about 80 rjcholars, and is in a flourishing condi- 
 tion. With God's professing people, the state of reH- 
 gion is interesting at the present time. The friends of 
 the Redeemer are much engaged in his service, and 
 are willing to labour and make sacrifices for their Mas- 
 ter-, and many seem ready to press into the Kingdom. 
 
II 
 
 The church in ERAMOSSA was organized in Feb- 
 ruary, 1834. The origin of this church is as follows : — 
 Two men, converted at a protracted meeting in Hamil- 
 ton, went home and began, at once, to labour with their 
 families, and their friends in the neiglil)ourhood. — 
 Though they sought for ministerial help, they obtained 
 none until about 20 were the hopeful subjects of grace, 
 by means of their eiforts. In Dec. 1833, Mr. Sessions 
 preached twice to this people, and in Feb. following, 
 organized a church of 18 members. Previous to this, 
 many, not expecting any Presbyterian preaching, had 
 united wifii the Methodists. Praver meetings were 
 crowded and solemn. In this place, though new, a 
 temperance society is operating successfully, and a 
 Sabbath school is sustained, of about 30 scholars. 
 This church is not supplied with preaching at all, on 
 the vSabbath, and only occasionally in the week. 
 
 Besides preaching weekly, in a great number of 
 places, Mr. vSessions divides his labours, on the Sab- 
 oath, between five congregations — including but two 
 churches. Two of the congregations mentioned, are in 
 Erin. These, being in neighbourhoods contiguous, 
 propose to have a church organized between them, and 
 to worship in one place, that wil) acconmiodate both. 
 
 In Esquesing, also, Mr. Sessions labours occasionally 
 in two neighbourhoods, six miles apart. In all these 
 places of his labours, he meets large and waiting con- 
 gregations. On the whole, it is believed that a field is 
 here opened of very great promise. Some females 
 walk seven miles to hear the gospel preached. The 
 people are calling for protracted meetings. They 
 seem hungry for the bread of life. 
 
 There are two or three small churches, belonging to 
 us and other congregations, of which we cannot speak 
 any thing definite, except, that they have no stated 
 supply of the means of grace. Besides these, there 
 are many other places, which scarcely any religious de- 
 nomination pretends to possess, and that enjoy but few 
 of the privileges of the gospel. 
 
APPEJVDIX. 
 
 It will be seen by the foregoing history, tliat tliere were but three or four 
 churches of our denomination until about 1831. These were ororanized by the 
 Rev. D. W. Eastman, who came into the province nearly thirty years ago. For 
 about twenty-five years he was alane, in a wild and comparatively uncultivated 
 field. As will be seen, he laboured under many disadvantages. The country 
 being new— deriving next to no support for preaching— having no ecclesiastical 
 connexi(»n— and meeting with opposition of various kinds ; it could hardly have 
 been expected that he would gain a foot hold and make a beginiiing. Yet he 
 has laboured with these churches, more or less, and brought them along, under 
 God, from the early period when they were gathered, almost to the present 
 day. To two of them he now ministers. Besides this, in a great many other 
 places, where he formed no churches, his labours have been useful to a certain 
 extent— they have kept the field, and helped greatly to prepare the way for 
 what has been done within the three or four years past. 
 
 A little before the coniniencenient of 1831, two or three Presbyterian minis- 
 ters came into this field, and engaged with Mr. Eastman. From tliat time to 
 the present, God has greatly enlarged our Zion. This He has done, so far as 
 means are concerned, chiefly by protracted meetnigs. These commenced in 
 the churclies under Mr. Eastman's care ; and they have been held, in many 
 places, within our bounds, with most blessed results. And here we are re- 
 minded to render, as we do most cheerfully, our gratefiil acknowledgements 
 to our ministerial friends from abroad, who laboured witji us in those seasons 
 of protracted ctfort — brothers Currey, Murray, Coleman, Myers, Martyn, 
 and others. 
 
 Our churches are scattered over a territory which, commencing at tlie Nia- 
 gara river, extends on westerly nearly one hundred miles : its width is from 
 ten to forty miles. Almost the whole, Avithin these limits, is settled. Besides 
 a full country population, there are many villages and important towns— among 
 which are Drunnnondville, St. Catharines, Ilamilton and Brantford. These 
 places, as well as others, are all flourishing. But while the country is rising 
 and improving almost every day, still there is a great demand for the services 
 of devoted ministers of (.Mirist. After tiie untiring eftbrts of the ministers of 
 the Methodist denomination, and atler all that is done by the Church of Eng- 
 land, the Kirk, the United Synod, and the Baptists, still the field is not yet 
 taken up. 
 
 That the desolate j)laccs may be \isited, and that the almost destitute may 
 have the gospel, our few little churches have engaged to support an evan- 
 gelist within our bounds, for at least a year; and for this purpose the necessary 
 tunds are secured. Our churches con do more than this— they will do more. 
 The former habit, with some, of doing little or nothing for religious purposes, 
 18 breaking up; and of late many of our members are coming forward in the 
 (support of benevolent operations, with a largeness, in their bestowraents, that 
 J8 truly praiseworthy. 
 
 Our Presbytery was organized in May, 1833, consisting of three ministers, 
 and having under its care six churches. At present, it numbers five minis- 
 ters, and has under its care fifteen churclies, comprising about 900 communi- 
 cants. As yet, the Presbytery is not connected with any Synod.