More Than.... 
 
 40 Years in Gospel Harness 
 
 
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 .^ BY GEOI^GE BUSKIN. sT 
 
More Than 
 
 Forty Years 
 
 -T 
 
 IN 
 
 Gospel Harness. 
 
 A Tale of Truth designed to profit the readers^ 
 / Young and Old, 
 
 1 
 
 . BY 
 
 < 
 
 • 
 ■ ■-,■ ■ ' *» 
 
 national Evang 
 
 GEORGE BUSKIN. 
 
 of 
 
 ■N 
 
 Inter 
 
 PUBLISHED BY . 
 
 elical and Colportage Mission 
 and the Northwest. :^ 
 
 Algomat 
 
 1898. 
 
PRINTED AT 
 
 Closi'KL Banner Okkice, 
 
 - BERLIN, ONT. 
 
 ».«,.-^. 
 
 '.: f- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 " Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of 
 my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength 
 and my Redeemer." Psalm 19: 14. 
 
 In the words of David, this p'ayer is made at the com- 
 mencement of this little narrative. The writer, like Amos. 
 c n s>ay, " I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son," 
 yet methinks ihu Lord said unto me, •* Prophesy (or pro- 
 claim) unto My iKople, Now, therefore, hear th( u ihe w< rd 
 of the Lord" Am(iS 7: 14 16. But in that pathway too 
 many limes have I i>een like Jonah (chap, i), and have 
 fled from duty, and got into a sea of trouble ; but by them 
 have received instruction, finding, like many otheis, it is 
 better to suffer for well doing, than for ill doing 
 
 It is written, " I believe, and therefore have I spoken." 
 2 Cor. 4: 1-3; Psalm 116: 10. This is every man's duty 
 and privilege vvho owns God as his Father, Christ as his 
 Saviour, the Holy Spirit as his teacher, and rejoices in the 
 testimonies of Holy Scripture, as those who find great 
 spoil, and in that path have found stubborn resistance from 
 many a hard and unregencrate head and heart, but the 
 Word of the Lord is the hammer that breaketh the rock in 
 pieces, and must be used. '■'■.■'' . v 
 
 , The believer is told to have no fellowship with the un- 
 fruitful works of darkness, but to reprove it, and that re- 
 proqt comes best by walking in the light of God's coun- 
 tenance by His .Spirit and His Word, making no hague 
 
twntmvntfm, 
 
 wtth tb« inh«Mi«ntt of the land. Irui overthrowing tlitir 
 •liara, Arc. judgit «: «, which in Ihit day i« iM viin im« 
 AginMkmt which cMltcth ilMlf ■gBinti («od'o ■uihonif* 
 WfMPllltr in rmc )i own heart fir rharacur, or in that fff olhirtf 
 tod aa in (h« (Jj)t ritordid in ludgo 5. fi. 'I he highwa)a 
 of Itrael were unoccupird, through the power of lh« 
 cneiiijr, and traveller! wa ked through by ways, which la 
 iiluatraliire of ibc crookedneti of prufe«ted Christian char- 
 acter, in theae daya ai well as in ibt days of Deliorah • 
 prophecy. 'Vr>t principles of rightMMMMia are the samet 
 whether under law or grace. 
 
 The power to do, endure, or suffer is of God. It is the 
 overcoming faith which stands approved of (fud and m;iii« 
 (iod h side IS ulwjyn ihc ovrrcoiiiiiig kide in the end. In 
 Christ s addrihS to the scveti Ctiurclies in the Kevelation«« 
 chapH. 2 and 3 i-ar i are approved or diiiapprovcd, by keep* 
 ing His word:t and -lox" to the end, which is to do well* 
 In the various addres-^es it in an individual matter with all* 
 To the Laodicean Church He s.iys, " If any man htaf 
 My voice, and opin the door, I wi.l come ii to him and 
 sup with him." To the Piiiladelph an Church the word is, 
 '' Him that ovcrcomcth will 1 make a pillar in the temple 
 of iVI/ Goti," and to those of Sirdis He says, " Him that 
 overconivth, the bume shall be cloil.cd in >\hite raimeni," 
 Sind similar ad iicssts to the othtis Five ot t' e < hurches 
 had gone wrong, but whether api^roNcd t r disapproved as 
 Churches, individual character was dtalt with m each case. 
 
 Ptrsoral faith in Gods sufficiency to keep, to care fi»r, 
 an J to guide us apait from cvciy circumstance and ev,.iy 
 crtature, is the 01 ly acceptable path, saying and doirsj^ hke 
 Jo^hua, ' As for me and my house we will seive the Lo'd " 
 If ths is not the daily, hourly and continual prayer and 
 purpose, in simple, childlike dependence and disposiiiwn, 
 we are not in the condition we ought to be in. Christ 
 Himself overcame and sat rown on His Father's thrme, 
 and His character was that of a child, meek and lowiy of 
 heart. It was written of Him, *• Unto us a child is born, 
 unto us a Son is given." Isaiah 9, He is also called. 
 
\Mf Child )vu9 ' Th^ »• mn mcftlf • fl|uriiiv0 
 tip'***!*'!*, iHlf |Ki4ti»vr rhf'tctfff " 1^ M ■ t«m7i to the 
 •'•u^ht. r," "The l^mlffff (» il thtt Itlirth awty t^M tin 
 <if the wiifid, ' i»n<l >f\ir iiMihway tnuol Im iMrlivirliutly lih** 
 until f Im, (ft there i<i •/iriiethmf wrrmx f»f wanting with u«. 
 Lft ii« all CO' linually \tTay ilut iff wfiuid worh m ui ihM 
 nhirh <• well pirating tn f l»« *i||ht, and f«ith with \Ht^er, 
 m$\k^n^ m\ih Him (>• (hough ih«re mn% no of rr to com- 
 |tan> wiih ill 'arth or hrnvrn ; Myinj? w»th Mavul, '* Whom 
 liavf I »'» h^ftven hut Thee, and thrre it none on larth I 
 di'^ire iiiit Thrf." Yet this imi'lies felloirship wich all who 
 walk in the same path 
 
 IVm wonderful and wonder working is the fellowship of 
 taints. Think t.( Jonathan nnd Ins arrntur bearer, i Sam. 
 14: I 23 ; David aid Al)i>hai, 1 Sam. 2(1 : d ; D.iniel and liii 
 cotnp.mions, Dan. 2:17, iK; Paul und Silas in jail, Acts 16: 
 35, a6 Then thete is the soliiaiy path and service of Noah, 
 A'jraham, Jacob and Joseph, Mo^es, David, Pllijah, and of 
 our Master, He "Who trod the wine prtss alone, and of the 
 people there was none with Him." He looked on His right 
 nand, Ijut no one would know Hirn. He looked for com- 
 forters, and founi none. But "through faith they subdued 
 kingdoms, wmught righteousness, out of weakness were 
 nude strong, and all ot»t.ined a good report through faith, 
 not having received the promise, but embraced them, 
 and confessed ihey were strangers and pilgrims on 
 the earth, It oking for a city vvhich hath foundations, 
 whose builder and maker is CJod. ' He). 11: 39. Let 
 us then follow in the path our fathers have trod, an J the 
 blessing and honor will be ours as well as theirs, through 
 the atoning merits of ihe sacrince of our Lord and Saviour 
 Je us Christ upon the cross, of which Paul said, *' God for 
 bid ihit I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus 
 Cnrtst, by whic 1 I am crucified to the world and the world 
 to me;' and so say all who are taught like Paul, and 
 the writer with the re t ; and the Holy Spirit has said, 
 " Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell 
 together in unity." All taught of the Spirit will labour to 
 .exemplify it 
 
Iftflfif htd I irtfM tmp&ti9ne9 in Chfkukn fHSr ifi4 
 wrifii, during mfif Omn 40 t«jrk, tn the fmSvuviur to malt* 
 fnariifctt rnjr rallM'K fif (WmI, wrvi Iwith tow^hl and friund 
 Hrt wandtring •lierp, fiir nway Irtim the fhffihcrd'f /ald» 
 and t avff ainct* ih«ri •'lught in varl'iut wajra t'> ron«train 
 «lh«r<i lo cume to the •amt.- Hjviotjr for Itfr and MiMrrvf | 
 tnd (hottgh ( ftimrfi hlund< rtnif, t» n g alio wrak aiid n«im«' 
 iimci ru-gligt ni, and h.ivo rninc Lr Mhort of that I oucht to 
 have lH.«n, )et th-; rcrord f>f HMmc (f the faUurra and ftghtt, 
 and the fdithfulnt'ia and nlhuffinency of our loving Futher 
 in hravcn, who ha* nevtr Itft or (or^nkto 111 of H •! merry, 
 and Who \tTnwi* n to had all Mih |H-o|)lr hy the r ght ^ay 
 to a city of habitation, ttach'ng us w> at we ought to \te 
 and what we ought to do, may setve bv Mis hhwing to 
 strengthen some wi ak hands and confirm some feeble 
 knees, and to constrain them to he strong and of a good 
 courage in the grace of Jesus Christ, and to say ;iloud to 
 the people, " Behold, your (Jod shall come, and not keep 
 silence," and not be unduly cast down by reason of the 
 many tribulations, but to be possessed of Christ's overcom- 
 ing faith, may continue faithful unto death, and receive the 
 promised crown of life, which Christ will give to all who 
 love Him ; and if they cannot do better, than the writer at 
 least, "go and do thou likewise." " 
 
 GEORGE BUSKIN, 
 
 Of International Colportsge Mission, 
 Toronto, Ont , 1898. 
 
MORE THAN 
 
 40 Years in Gospel Harness. 
 
 An Apolotry lor the Work And Worker of the Inter- 
 national Colporta8:e Mission of Algoma 
 and the Northwest. 
 
 An Hpolof^y for ChriMian work and for (he existence of th^ 
 International Colftortage Mission. ef*perially adUresseJ in ('hrist's 
 name to all objectors and to whom it may concern, with a 
 short sketch of some of the missionary experiences and labors 
 in Christ'51 cause in Great Britain, Canada, and the ITnited 
 States and on behalf of the mission. 
 
 It would be a somewhat strange proceeding tor an ambas- 
 sador representing legal authority toapologixe for his deputed pres- 
 ence and commission to those towhom he may be sent. The fact of 
 an apology. implies weakness, mistake, or misunderstanding siime* 
 where; so also there positively needs no apology for pursuing^ 
 Christian work, proclaiming ordeJaring the mandates otthe King; 
 ot kings, the Lord of heaven and earth, whether it be to princes, 
 powers, or people of any land or nation, ami all alike, both great 
 and small, are God's servants whether they he evil or good, wise 
 orsimple,the message should be hearkened to and obeyed without 
 delay; for we must ^ve an account to God and he judged ac- 
 cording to the deeds done in the body. There is but one stand- 
 ard for all. The word which Christ lias spoken shall judge Os 
 all at the last day, herein acommoJatinir the mistaken judge- 
 ment of some and in encouraging the weak to trust in God and 
 do the right. A criminal denying the authority of a magistrate 
 and the law of the land to pass sentence upon him for his 
 transgression against it, would be less unwise than a person 
 to deny his obligation to God and His word, and that every 
 sinner reconciled to God by the death of His Son, Jesus Chris^ 
 
V MtniR THAN romr tiam 
 
 !■ privilrK'd tu Ukc upon him the miniatry of GoJ*t word, \j 
 clearly rutithlithrd by one ncripture pmimgt alone, and iheie 
 are •k'oreN of otftern. JerrmiHlt ^):jH. "I^t him (hat hath my 
 word itpealc my word faiihrully. What im the chafTto (he wheat 
 ■aith the Ix)rd, in not my word like af a tin, aaith the Lord, 
 and like a hammci that hrraketh (he roqk in piece*?" I have 
 iK'tMi a ii^ht from a Hiimll match net miles of (iiiiher land* in 
 flamcH which continued to burn for weekii and months. Such 
 alio is God's word, "which f^oeth Torth out uf his mouth. It shall 
 HccompliHh (hat which Me pleuHes and prosper in the thing 
 whorcuntu fit- sent it. Ajfain'ye may all prophesy" iCor. M-^*" 
 39. Hrcthren, covet to prophesy. So let us hold fast and use Hie 
 faithful word. "What is (he chaff (o (he whca(, saidi the Lord." 
 Accordinf^ (o (his scrip(ui-c pasNafi^c (he prophecies of lies is (he 
 chaff of human deceit and invention which must be burnt up 
 in (he judgement, but the wiicat must be gadiered into (he 
 >^arner of the Lord — the wheat is necessary to nourish the child- 
 ren of God and men; so deal out whoever can. The Lord of 
 heaven andear(hhassaid,"Hethat withhuldeththe wheat the peo- 
 ple shall curse." Prov. The word of Christ is the bread of life, and 
 like the five loaves and two fishes in Christ's hands wliich satis- 
 fied five (lu)usand men, besides women and children and more left 
 in (lie end (han when they commenced to eat. Christ himself 
 is (lie heavenly seed, (he corn of whea(, which fell into the 
 ground and died and hrouf>;ht forth much fruit to satisfy (he 
 hungry, longing starving souls of Adam's fallen race. He himself 
 is (he bread of life, of which if a man eat he will never die. We 
 do well to remember (hat no leaven was to be put in the pass- 
 over bread which typified Christ our passover, and with Him 
 must be no puffy element of pride of personal possession or 
 position and knowledge, or the like. Purge out the old leaven of 
 malice and wickedness, saith the Apostle, (hat ye may be a new 
 lump. This cannot be modified by codes or -customs, catechisms, 
 articles, counsels, conventions, synods, or corrupt interpre- 
 tations. God's testimonies stand out fair as the moon and clear 
 as the sun, and " the wayfaring man though a fool need not 
 err therein," being the voice of our Father, God speaking in 
 the ear of His servants, saying. This is the way, walK ye in it, 
 obey and find blessing; refuse and rebel and the end thereof is 
 death and banishment from the kingdom and glory ot our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 To add to or to lake from His word, is but a proud usur- 
 pation, robbing God of His authority and honor, and man of his 
 
IN OOAI'ltl. fMNNRllA. q 
 
 -ffrlvl1rK« nnd hlvMinK, and ftidin^ with ihe devil to circum* 
 vtnt the hflrmony of llir kingdom of Christ, iontHmln»ifin>(, 
 the puri', and intHlendiriK the wvhU and simple. Chrl«it wild, Let 
 him that hath ear<4to hear, hear. «vhat the Spirit naith unio the 
 4'huriheji, iinnlyin^f.hear GodV voice in the Mriptuic. renderinjf 
 practical subjection thereto. He a<i<iureii ufithat His yoke in easy 
 and Hit hurden is lif<ht, and His service a perfect law of liberty. 
 
 Paul says, "Ifwc or an anf^el from heaven preach any 
 other ^osp"l than that which is prrachrd, let him be accursed." 
 <G«I. t:^-q. John says, "If they brin^; any other doctrine than 
 that delivered, receive them not into the liouse nor bid ihem 
 <jod speed," 2 John lo, the end of the commandment beinjif 
 love, out of a pure heart, out of ^ood conscience and of faith 
 unfeigned, which is ever the work of God's Holy Spirit. So the 
 4:orrupters of God's j^^race tread a ve^-y dangerous path, sometimes 
 selling theli* privilege torn mess of pottage, or like .Ananias 
 and Sapphlra, keeping back part of the price, nnd sinning away 
 ihe Holy Spirit, thinking to escape the judgement of God. 
 
 Let us stand in awe and sin not. Be sure your sins will 
 •find you out, 1§ God's admonition, who has also given us strong 
 •consolation, and abundant assurance of our safely In Him. It 
 js written, "They shall all be taught of GoJ;" and again, "If 
 any man will do his will ho shall know of the doctrine whether it 
 tie of God.*' Christ Is our counsellor. Man at his best Is altogether 
 Aranlty and of no account apart from Christ. God alone can satisfy 
 the living soul. The splrliually dead have no know ledge of 
 -spiritual things; they are of the earth and speak of the earth. 
 But the saint's conversation Is in heaven from whence also we 
 look for the Lord Jesus. 
 
 We read of Eldad and Medad prophesying In the camp of 
 Israel, and some from envy wished them silenced. Numbers 1 1 : 
 ^6. But Moses said. Would God that all the Lord's people were 
 prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them all. 
 "This doubtless was typical of the present dispensation in which 
 the sons and daughters are to prophesy, by virtue of God's 
 Spirit being poured upon all flesh. But many now like Joshua 
 in his early days, and worse than he, envy and hinder their 
 brethren's liberty, thinking their dignity is endangered, and 
 that by a combine they can control their orethren to conform to 
 'their dictates, but Christ said, "Every plant that my heavenly 
 Father hath not planted shall be rooted up." Luke 15:13. So 
 let all consider whether or not they stand in God's counsels 
 
lO MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 and in the fellowship of His Spirit, or in the wisdom and 
 devices of men. 
 
 It has been my grievous experience to meet with some 
 church officials and their families, whose conduct has not been in 
 keeping withcivilization,much less with that of the family of God, 
 evidently priding thems'^lves upon the abundance of their poss- 
 essions, and the dignity of their ofticial position, rather than 
 having their hearts enlarged towards God and man by God's 
 goodness and mercy to them and being humbled by a sense ot 
 their obligation to Him. This comes from having our hearts 
 and minds taken from Christ and His word and placed on 
 other things. 
 
 What was done in Hosea's day is being done extravagantly 
 in this(see Chap 8:14.) "Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and 
 buildeth temples." Tlie gaudy structures and pleasant sounds 
 therein have more attractions with the multitudes than loving 
 and obedient fellowship with each other and with the Lord who^ 
 redeemed us. These fp,v general thoughts may serve la 
 strengthen some believers in the liberty tor service which is 
 their heritage in union with Christ in any work in which the 
 Spirit rind Word of G od may lead them, and if all sincerely pray, 
 "Guide me, Oh thou great Jehovah, 
 Pilgrim through this barren land," 
 We cannot but believe, that if we are willing to be led of 
 Htm He will guide us in His own right way for His name's 
 sake, His spirit being a spirit of wisdom, power, love and of a 
 sound mind. 2 Tim. i :y. "Blessed is the man whose hope is in the 
 Lord his God, who respecteth not the proud nor such as turiv 
 aside to lies." Psalm 40:4. 
 
 Sufficient has been said to show the perfect liberty and 
 privilege every believer has to take part with God in His work. 
 Acts 8:4, 1 1-20, shows that the disciples went everywhere- 
 'preaching the word of God. Let us as individuals do the same 
 and keep at it, and by the grace of God live out the testimony, 
 being living epistles known and read of all men. The mosaic, 
 priestly ritual is past and all fulfilled in Christ and all His 
 people by Him, one and all, are made kings and priests unto 
 God. Our High Priest having passed into the heavens, Jesus 
 the Mediator of the new covenant, which God provided and not 
 man, we are invited by Him to draw near unto God. (Heb. 10: 
 24), and we shall find delivering grace in each distressing hour. 
 Let us do to each other the brother's part, remembering one is 
 our Mastcr,even Christ, and all ye are brethren. Do this and we- 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. II 
 
 shall be right; leave it undone and some day we shall find out 
 to our grief we Were wrong. God is no respecter of persons, but 
 men are, to their everlasting disgrace and manifest folly. 
 
 This, then, so far apologizes for being occupied in Christian 
 work, as an honest Christian we can do no other, while we are 
 privileged of God to have His Word as a light in a dirk place, to 
 do other would be to turn back again and to multiply and make 
 gods many and lords many, while some madly avow they are, 
 but the disciple of Christ, can only conscientiously say. To us 
 there is one God, the Father, and we in Him and one Lord 
 Jesus Christ, and we by Him, i Cor. 8: 6, and any who would 
 affect to be lords over God's heritage in word, in spirit, or act, 
 are usurpers ot an authority that they have no claim or title to, 
 neither by their own wills, or by communities, companies, cor- 
 porations, societies, or aught else, heaven's decrees remain 
 unchanged to the end, though men may wander far astray, but 
 in returning and rest shall ye be saved. The counsels of the Lord 
 stand forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations. 
 Psalm 33: 1. 12. Blessed is the people who know the joyful 
 sound, they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy counten- 
 ance, Psalm 89: 15, by thy favour shall they be exalted. 
 
 1854. In the month of Sept. 1854, the light of heaven in 
 great mercy b.oke m upon my sin-blinded eyes in the preaching 
 of God's word, the subject being, The fire shall try every man's 
 work ofwhat sort it is, i Cor. 3:13. It was in the eld parish church 
 of St Augustine*s, Bristol, England. At this time I was 
 altogether irreligious, and had avowed that there was no 
 religion in me. It was the first time and last time I had 
 entered the building, and it was there my parents were married, 
 it being an old place, tradition says it was built to commemorate 
 Augustine's preaching, near by, in the seventh century. 
 This may be or may not be true. I enteied it to 
 note its aiitiqui'ties, the city being renou'ned for its 
 many antiquated buildings. ' The discourse awakened my 
 interest, and I was cc ivinced I was pursuing a wrong course, 
 and refieciing upon the diiscourse while walking home, every 
 word of which has long ago been forgotten except the Scripture 
 text : "The fire shall try every man's work ofwhat sort it is," I 
 became increasingly conscious I was pursuing a wrong course, 
 and concluded that if I did not turn quickly right about face 
 and march, I might, like many others , young as myself, go 
 over the precipice of time into eternity in a woeful manner^ 
 in the darkness, in an unprepared condition. 
 
la, ' MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 1855* I began to wish myself on safer ground, but feeling 
 entangled in a net (it must have been the devil's) and from it I 
 could see no easy or agreeable way of escape ; but during a 
 half hour's walk home I had resolved to clear myself of every- 
 thing and turn my back on all that was wrong and follow only 
 the right. But I deferred it until the next ist of January 1855. 
 It was a secret between my soul and God. Get out of the net I 
 would, but I knew not how, except abruptly to break from 
 every companion and every evil habit. If I had at the time 
 some social friend to have taken me by the hand I might at 
 once have "ceased to do evil and began to learn to do well," 
 but I had gradually slid into the enemy's ranks, and now to be 
 a deserter and renegade from them would bring me abuse and 
 derision, and for a time it was so, but death, certain and soon, 
 was on the one side, and life eternal was on the other, and in 
 God's great mercy early in the morning of January 131,1855, ' 
 said in my heart and soon made it manifest, that I had forsaken 
 the army of transgressors. God's word says, "The way of 
 transgressors is hard." They may call it by gay names, and 
 bolster, wire and glue it up with bombast, defiance and deceit, 
 but verily, its ways are hard and heartless, but Christ who 
 cannot lie, says, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light," 
 and I have never wearied of it. 1 was like Bunyan's pilgrim 
 fleeing from the city of destruction. I knew but little, and had 
 much to learn. What little I had known by kind and early 
 instruction, had largely been marred, lost and buried, but the 
 little I had left, I began with vigour to use, and the fruits of 
 righteousness also began to enlarge. 
 
 Some over-wise people m.Hy, according to their custom, say 
 this is but the work of the flesh. But God was in it of a truth, 
 to move the flesh aright, and 1 can say in truth, 
 
 "Grace taught my wandering feet 
 
 To tread the heavenly road, ' ' •' 
 
 And new supplies each hour I need. 
 While pressing home to God." 
 I had resolved that all I knew to be wrong must go, and all 
 that was right must be sought after. Among the first things I 
 did was to get a diary, and reviewing the day, report myself in 
 it. I soon gathered up all the helps I had to an ungodly lite, 
 placing them in the fire grate. I called my shop-mates to see 
 them go up the chimney in smoke. Some wanted me to spare 
 them and give them to others. I said they were no good to me 
 and could not be to them. Then I was allowed three months 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. IJ 
 
 to get back to the devil's way. But my purpose was 
 firm and the terror of the Lord was upon me. Life 
 lay to the right, and death in the wrong. The favour 
 and blessing of God I resolved to seek and find. Threi; 
 times on Sundays I attended service in the English 
 church. The Sabbath soon had a charm for me that it never 
 had before. The sun shone brighter, the birds sang sweeter, 
 the church bells pealed with a charm unknown before, and the 
 Sabbath was to me a day of sacred rest. 
 
 It was the time of the Russian war, when hosts of British 
 soldiers left the shore, many of them to return no more. I 
 know not how it was, but on Sunday morning I had read the 
 account of the strife so long that I was too late to be in time for 
 church service, as we hau called it. The bells had stopped, and 
 disappointed I looked across from the bedroom window to the 
 spire, one of my good rules had fallen through, and I said. If I 
 can't be there in time, I'll not go at all. So I began to inquire 
 from myself what object I had in going there ; and the best 
 answer I could give, was, for prayer, I suppose. So, as I 
 questioned with myself, I said. If it was for prayer I wanted to 
 be there, I could pray at home as well as there. Then I con' 
 eluded that I never had prayed, that I could remember, only 
 when I was in danger of drowning, and on another occasion 
 wlnn I thought I had seriously hurt myselt, then I cried that 
 the Lord would spare me. I also found that I did not know 
 how to make a prayer, and so I reasoned, If I wished to do 
 right I must pray, for prayer was right ; and it I knew not how 
 to frame my words, I could bow my knees and take the attitude 
 of prayer, and as I did so, there came into my heart the 
 prodigal's prayer, "I have sinned and am not worthy to be 
 called thy son." That was the beginning and end of my first 
 voluntary prayer ; and the answer I received in my heart was 
 that the Lord did not despise me. How lovingly does the Lord 
 invite us : "Return unto me, saith the Lord, for thou hast 
 fallen by thy iniquities." It is our privilege to say like the 
 prodigal, "I will arise and go to my Father, and will say unto 
 Him, Father I have sinned and am not worthy to be called thy 
 son." It wj^s not long before I was started searching and 
 reading the Holy Scriptures. A cousin had asked me if I knew 
 how Satan came to Job. By this conversation I was led to read 
 the book of Job. and was surprised at the instruction it con- 
 tained and the beauty of its composition, and having read it 
 through I started to read it througdi a second time, witk 
 
44 
 
 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 increased pleasure and profit, then I said I liaj/e read many 
 books, but have never read the Bible as I read other books. So 
 I commenced at the beginning and read to the end, and the 
 more I read it the more occasion and profit I found to do so, and 
 in doing so it appeared to me that all other books I had read of 
 merit, had got their principles and phraseology largely from it. 
 
 I put the Bible in my pocket, that I could read it at all 
 times, and for many years accustomed myself to read nine 
 chapters a* day regularly — three chapters three times a day, 
 besides other readings at intervals, so that I soon had a surface 
 knowledge of nearly all sentences in the Scriptures. The Old Tes- 
 tament, and the gospels especially, were my delight, and the 
 various Scriptures which I had learned in Sunday school came 
 back very distinctly to my memory. For a long time they had 
 been buried under the rubbish of ungodliness. I now began to 
 take pleasure in ministering, as I was able*, to the afflictions and 
 necessities of others. ... 
 
 A shopmate and his wife, among them, were sick and both 
 died and were buried together at the same time. 1 used lo read 
 the Scriptures to them as they lay sick, which was aboi t Easter. 
 The wife asked me one day after reading 'f I wo)uld pray for 
 them and with them. I felt at the time unprepared to do so, 
 for I had hardly begun prayer for myself, and a feeling of con- 
 fusion came over me. I had two miles of a journey to their 
 place, but it afforded me more joy and satisfaction than my 
 former ungodly pleasures. I soon began on all hands, in a 
 quiet way, to persuade my acquaintances to break off their sins 
 by righteousness. Some opposed, some debated, some were 
 persuaded, some, like Bunyan's Pliable, went a little way and 
 then turned back, like the dog to his vomit, and the washed sow 
 to wallowing in the mire It is very grievous to think that many 
 are called but few chosen, because they take pleasure in and 
 love the wages of unrighteousness. 
 
 About this time I went to the services of a Dissenting 
 congregation, not far from home, and where some of my 
 acquaintances occasionally attended. I heard with profit 
 expositions of Solomon's Song, and therefore the first time I 
 witnessed the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, and was much 
 impressed by it. I. wished I were among the number of 
 privileged ones. From a family friend I learned that thjey were 
 Baptists, so that 1 would have to be baptized before they w:ould 
 feceive nje. This was a puzzle to me. I saitj I wa«« christened 
 In the Church of England, that my parents told me so. Was 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 1 5 
 
 not that right? Our friend then gave me some counsel con- 
 cerning immersion, which appeared altogether new to me, and 
 1 said I would look into the Scriptures concerning it. So I goi 
 the book of common prayer and the New Testament. I read 
 the catechism, the baptism and the articles, and then I diligently 
 searched the New Testament, and I took our Lord's example of 
 what baptism should be. He was thirty years of age, and He 
 went down into the water and was baptized and came straight- 
 way out of the water. That suited my simplicity, and in effect 
 I said to myself, 
 
 "His way I see and I'll pursue. 
 
 Until in glory Him I view." 
 I wrote immediately to the minister whose discourses on 
 Solomon's Song had so much delighted me, but in vain did I 
 wait and seek an answer from him. How it was, I do not 
 know, but I reckoned he was negligent. I hope he was not, 
 but I felt so, and never went there again. 
 
 My parent's friend who had spoken to me was a member 
 of the renowned Baptist Church meeting at Broadmead, Bristol, 
 which was nearly a mile and a half distant from the former 
 Baptist meeting house. As my letter had been unanswered she 
 advised me to write to her minister, which I did, and at the first 
 attendance there. I was more than ever stirred by a discourse 
 fromastranger,concerning the man who found the treasure in the 
 field. His whole discourse appeared to be directed to me, and I 
 did not like being talked to in so public a manner. He appeared 
 to know all about me, also concerning the letter I had written. 
 I would have gone out if I could, but I was in the end of the 
 front pew at the end of the gallery and close to the pulpit, and 
 to go out would be to have all eyes on me. I was hot and 
 restless and could not help myself. The man's discourse was 
 ^ood, but according to my mind, if it had not been so plain 
 and strong I might have been better pleased with it, but doubt- 
 less it was the Lo d speaking through the man (sometimes He 
 does strange thi-.gs in that way), although I thought there had 
 b^,en some kind of gossiping in which I had been reckoned up 
 and now lectured. So when I got out 1 asked. Did you give the 
 minister my letter? No! was the answer; Mr. Haycroft is out of 
 t9)iv.n. I was more surprised than before. I soon received an 
 interview. 1 was soon sized up and turned over.for instruction to 
 pi^ of the godly and instructed members who knew niy. con-i 
 dition bett|;r than I knew myself, who helped me to understand 
 that "we are saved by grace, through faith, and that not of 
 
I 6 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 ourselves, it is the gitt of God; not of works lest any mar» 
 should boast; for we are His workmanship created anew in' 
 Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained 
 that we should walk in." As this light shone in upon me, I 
 perceived how little I understood about the atonement of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ. It was like Egyptian darkness, such as I 
 could feel. But blessed be God, I have been enabled to hold on 
 to Christ who is the light and life of men, and better than all, 
 we are told that nothing can separate us from the love of Godi 
 which is in Christ Jesus. His strength is perfected in weakness. 
 
 When the brethren at Broadmead were satisfied that the 
 grace of God was with me unto eternal life, upon the professior> 
 of my faith in Christ, I was baptized (or immersed) on November 
 ist, 1855, about sixteen months alter my conviction of sin ancfi 
 then in danger of everlasting death. 
 
 1856* On the following ist of January, 1856, at the New 
 Year's day prayer service I could sing very happily : 
 "Jesus sought me when a stranger 
 
 Wandering from the fold of God ; 
 He to rescue me from danger 
 Interposed His precious blood." 
 
 During this time I had much joy in leading others to Christ. 
 One was a fellow apprentice. He had no mother and his 
 father was unable to work. He had capacity and energy, which . 
 outside of his work was largely directed to the theatre and 
 profanity. I took him to my Baptist friend's house. He was^ 
 washed and trimmed and dressed. Profanity and the theatre 
 were forsaken, and he came under the influence of the gospel. 
 Whether changed in heart I know not, but there was a great 
 external change in him. He was killed by a tall a few years later. 
 
 Among the first Christian books I read after conversion 
 was the Life of Samuel Budget, The Life and Journals of 
 George Muller, Kieth on the Prophesies, and three volumes of 
 John Wesley's Journals. Muller's Life and Work helped me to 
 exercise faith in God, and Wesley's Journals stimulated my 
 activity according to my ability. 
 
 For some time I held seven o'clock Sunday morning 
 prayer-meetings at my Baptist friend's house, and in the 
 evenings, after service, we would have singing of hymns. I 
 did some work in Sunday school. I had an earnest desire to 
 assist in the Lord's work in India or Africa. I made three appli- 
 cations. The answer to the first was, money was wanted, but- 
 not men ; they had plenty of men but no money. I then turnec^ 
 
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IN GOSPEL HARNESS. If 
 
 to another point and was told to go to the Baptists with whom I 
 met. After this I resolved that I would never ask of any man 
 to undertake for me, hut I would work for God and let Him 
 work for me. Some said at this time that my conversion 
 meant being a Baptist, but I said, I am baptized because it is 
 right, and my purpose was to serve God ; and my object has 
 been to bring everything into that line. I have found the 
 fellowship of saints to be happy, helpful and comforting, but the 
 fellowship of profession is often as unreal as a ghost story, and 
 there is nothing in it but thorns and nettles. The one is the 
 divine life being manifested, and the other an artificial get up. 
 To some 'tis pretty and pleasing, but there is no life. To look 
 for life in it is but a disappointment. It is but dead machinery, 
 a manufactured imitation of what things ought to be, but 
 no life. 
 
 I pursued a sort of supernumerary church work as many 
 do now, left to devise the way of action and to pay the cost, 
 and largely to plod along alone. The Spirit of God doubtless 
 moved me to action which for n time showed itself in admonish- 
 ing, in a quiet way, all with whom I came in contact, to serve 
 the Lord. I bought and distributed tracts and Bibles as far 
 as my means would allow I sought to break through the 
 bondage which held in check my desire to further the grace of 
 God. It was a new life to me and but little I knew, though the 
 desire was fervent, there were grooves of religiousness the privi- 
 lege of the few, but the fellowship ot the Spirit, and faith in God 
 to carry on the work for Him was altogether another matter, 
 and the question is asked, How shall they do good who are 
 accustomed to do evil? They must cease to do evil and learn to 
 do well. There is God's school in which all are welcome, who 
 will receive instruction, and it says, Whom shall he teach know- 
 ledge? The answer is. They that are weaned from the breasts 
 and drawn from the paps, implying to be withdrawn from the 
 rudiments of this world, whether they are religious or irreligious 
 for not all religiousness is godliness, but it is written, "As many 
 as are led by the Spirit they are the sons of God." It is the same 
 spirit that led Christ and all the prophets and apostles, and all 
 the servants of God in al! ages, which is a Spirit of truth, love, 
 power , wisdom, and a sound mind, whatever any may say to 
 the contrary, and implicit faith must be placed in the promises 
 of God and this one among the rest, What man is he that feareth 
 the Lord, him shall He teach in the way he shall choose. His 
 soul shall dwell at ease and his seed shall inherit tne earth. 
 
1 8 MORE THAN FORTY VBARS 
 
 The training- of the head and that of the heart are two distinct 
 things. Knowledge puffeth up.but charity or love edifieth. One 
 is manufactured, the other divinely given. The knowledge that 
 profiteth is the knowledge of Jesus Christ, whom to know is 
 eternal life. This must come as the result of having the new 
 heart and the right spirit. But some will say. This will not 
 teach us grammar, music, geography, arithmetic, languages, 
 science, and art. But the one who possesses the fountain must 
 control the stream. Christ is the fountain of all these things. He 
 made the heavens and the earth and all that in them is; therefore, 
 to pretend to monopolize the stream and say the fountain does 
 not control it, is madness, wickedness, and folly, and as soon 
 as they learn to make the stream as free as the fountain, and 
 the bombast of profession be renounced for simplicity and godly 
 sincerity, the better. The monopoly of the streams of grace lor 
 schools and colleges,and communities, is an offshoot of Babylon 
 whose sentence is to be destroyed. How can the oneness be in 
 it for which Christ prayed: "That they all may be one as Thou, 
 Father, art in me and I in Thee, that they all may believe that 
 Thou hast sent me," when instead of having the spirit and char- 
 acter of father and brothers, we have that of lords, and broth- 
 erhood being largely, in name, only? None need be grieved by 
 the statement, for we have a multitude upon whom the lordly 
 title is lavished. Many others, not having the title think it be- 
 comes them to act as if they were privileged to pervert the char- 
 acter of Christ who said, "If I your Lord and Master have 
 washed your feet ye ought also to wash one another's feet." 
 This was no wordy pretence which some by cunning craftiness 
 try to make it to be, but a positive act of loving service although 
 He permitted and accepted the washing of His own feet with 
 the woman's tears and to be wiped with the hair of her head. 
 1S57* In 1857 there came to the Baptist Church a 
 helper for the pastor, the pastor being somewhat a popular 
 lecturer as well as preacher. He was employed as a city mission- 
 ary in connection with the Church. He was a plain, practical, 
 godly man, a little disposed to be inquisitive, but very kind. 
 He soon laid hold of me, and as I was arranging to go to 
 Australia, having an under current of purpose to serve God in 
 doing so, though the business aspect was on the surface, this 
 good man enquired of me my real motive in going to Australia. 
 I acknowledged that business was the leading feature in so 
 doing. So he said. My brother, had you said you were going 
 there to serve the Lord, I would have said. Go, and the Lord 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 1 9 
 
 he with you, but as you have said it is business I advise you to 
 stay at home and serve the Lord. It is men the Lord wants and 
 not money. The earth is His, and He can furnish all that is 
 needed. I concluded his reasoning was right, and for a time 
 we hitched on together for the work of the Lord. All my spare 
 time was put in with him in street preaching, visiting and 
 mission services. He broke me in for the first open air service. 
 The first that I conducted in his absence, being directed by him 
 so to do the subject was, Christ and the woman of Samaria. I 
 tried hard in thinking it over to put it in an acceptable order but 
 felt very much my inability, but when I had commenced I was 
 quite at liberty,andwhat I had not seen before.they came from the 
 far end of the street to hear, for what between timidity and 
 determination, they heard a greater sound than they had been ac- 
 customed to hear, though my good brother was half as big 
 again as myself. I found much profitand pleasure in his company 
 for the short time I was with him. Something of his character 
 maybe judged by the following: Once when preaching in the 
 horse fair, an Irishman threatened to strike him with a stick, 
 to which he said, You must have my Master's permit first. 
 
 About the beginning of April I went to London. The near- 
 est Baptist Church was Bloomsbury where the renowned and 
 excellent preacher Wm. Brock was pastor. I had to be 
 there early, as I took a seat on the side bench which I retained 
 for more than 1 2 months though the meeting house was always 
 overflowing. 
 
 From the commencement of my religious life I had an ab- 
 ihorence of rented pews. At Broadmead, Bristol, I was asked 
 where I sat. I said. In the free seats, and they are very uncom- 
 fortable; to which the minister said. You should rent a sitting. 
 I said, I have paid for two, but I prefer free seats. 
 
 I profited much by Mr. Brock's ministry; nis wholt- 
 'heartedness, energy, ability, and candor served to rejoice my 
 heart, and apparently all the rest. I felt the first morning that 
 I was in the right place, and was well pleased to be present at 
 every service. I have seen the building filled at 7 in the morning 
 on the I St Sunday in May,a service for young men and maidens. 
 
 On one occasion I invited a young man to the evening 
 service who formerly attended my 7 o'clock Sunday morning 
 prayer meeting in Bristol. He preferred worldly knowledge to 
 that of Christ, aad his deep conviction had passed away, and 
 he now i-easoned very skeptically. At this meeting his argu- 
 ments were takea mp aad reasoned out satisfactorily to his face, 
 
30 MORS THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 and though he admitted his conviction of responsibility God- 
 ward, he failed to set his heart on God's ways and went from 
 bad to worse. I had a pleasing evidence of the practical Christi- 
 anity found in the congregation. On a Saturday night a poor 
 man asked if I could provide him a night's lodging. After a little 
 talk I told him I would give him his lodging and breakfast if 
 he would go to meeting with me in the morning. He complained 
 of the unfitness of his clothes. Never mind your clothes, come 
 with me, it you will. There were aristocratic folks present — Sir 
 Morton Peto was a deacon. He was one of the tirm who built 
 the G. T. R. Road. Gen Havelock was also a member. — The 
 poor man enjoyed the service. On coming out someone tapped 
 him on the shoulder, and gave him a scrip of pajier, on which 
 it said, "Call at (address given) at 3 o'clock." He came back 
 with a suit of clothes and a half crown. That's the kind of 
 Christianity that tells; that couples good works with good words. 
 "Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt find it after 
 many days." I was privileged to have as a companion a godly 
 young man of my traJe as room mate. We had many a happy 
 hour together. His name was Gideon Smith. He had earnestly 
 desired to be in the ministry of the Congregational Church, but 
 iailed. I reckoned he had too much desire for elaborate ex- 
 position of scripture sybjects, and not enough of the applied 
 Christianity that i^oes about doing good; but he was an orderly, 
 industrious, honest business man. Had he had money enough 
 to have gone to college they might have turned him out a properly 
 rounded machine-made minister; but as he had not, he did not 
 fill the demand, and had to be laid aside. Education to-day too 
 frequently goes as an equivalent for Christ, His Word and His 
 Spirit. That is what the actions say, and those speak louder than 
 words. Ui course it is not becoming the times to say so, but it 
 may serve as a drag to the wheels to stop going down hill too 
 fast. That is the way the religious stage is going. But God 
 still sitteth as the refiner and purifier of silver. And He shall 
 purify the Sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver. 
 
 In the fall of 1857 I went again to Bristol and had happy 
 fellowship with my good friend and brother, the Missionary of 
 Broadmead Baptist Church. His counsels and company were 
 very profitable to me. I carried on a night school in the same 
 little mission room the cost of which was largely met by a 
 young man of the church, his father being a deacon. It was 
 raiber a poor and low neighborhood, and some of the attendants 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. it 
 
 were turbulent, and put me to trouble and costs, yet there was 
 a controlling providence. 
 
 One Sunday night while conducting service two young 
 men were very annoying. A young woman of the company went 
 for the police. I was asked if I would give them into custody. I 
 said that all I wanted was to stop their uproar. The police took 
 them out, and cautioned me not to admit them, as they would 
 probably make it the occasion of robbing someone's house, but 
 the next day we were relieved of them, one going with the Army 
 and the other with the Navy. 
 
 There were four or more children of one family who at- 
 tended the meeting, their ages ranging from loto 17. 
 
 Nearly ten years after this on a Saturday night as I was 
 awaiting the connection of a train some miles from the city, a 
 woman was also waiting in the same manner, and in a conver- 
 sation I found that she was the mother of the children, and from 
 inquiries I learned from her that her children were all doing 
 well, so it may be that our labors, though feeble, have helped 
 to keep aglow the sparks and fire of mercy, and grace. 
 
 1858* About this time I sought to pursue a pathway of 
 faith in God, and Christain service, and at no time did I realize 
 the Lord so near, was so overawed with a consciousness of 
 His presence that His name was terrible to mention. But in 
 pursuing the pathway I failed to endure the trial of destitution, 
 so I went again to London, in the spring of 1858, but I soon 
 found that my conscience accused me of unfaithfulness to my 
 understanding, and I had nearly 12 months of intervals of dark- 
 ness. When I got to London I was disappointed by not being 
 able to find employment, and returning to the lodging with my 
 friend Gideon Smith, after hunting several days for work, I 
 came back on a Friday night dispirited, and said, "Gideon, you 
 pray for me, for to-night I cannot pray for myself." Gideon did, 
 and his prayer was heard; my trouble all vanished, though my 
 circumstances were not changed.. "Behold how good and 
 pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity," "Woe 
 to him that is alone when he falleth, frr he hath not another to 
 help him up." Ecclesiastes 4:10. Therefore we should labor 
 to retain fellowship with all in Christ and all who fear God. 
 
 On Saturday I rested, and prayed God to help and direct 
 me. The same on Sunday with fasting, and on Monday morn- 
 ing at 7.20 1 went to Westminister Abbey to make it manifest 
 to myself that I committed my way to the Lord; and again at 
 the lo o'clock service. I then got my breakfast, wrote cut the 
 
Z2 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 names of business men to call on, again returned to my lodg- 
 ing and asked the Lord to direct me as to how co begin seek- 
 ing employment among the persons whose names I had en- 
 tered down. I went into the chief place of business, praying 
 which way to begin, to the right or to the left, and, while so 
 doing a man came to me saying, "Have you a job? "No" 
 said I. "But I do not know you." "I know," said he, "You 
 were asking for work last weekat our shop. Get on the bus and 
 go to Hammersmith and inquire for — ,they want a man immedi- 
 ately. So it was;Ididnotgoto oneofthe personswhose names I had 
 written; the Lord provided for me. Is any disturbed in the same 
 way, let him take the same course. It was a very joyful time^ 
 While there I had pleasing Christian fellowship, but I soon 
 returned to my old quarters, lodging, church and shop, my 
 strength declined and I had to leave lodging and church. 
 
 I had very enjoyable intercourse with a company of young 
 and old persons, who earnestly sought the Lord. One after- 
 wards was for many years a missionary in Africa. On Sunday 
 at first I met at 6.30 in the Methodist Church for prayer, end- 
 ing about q.30 in the Baptist Church, being at about ten various 
 services during the day. If I do not enumerate them some may 
 doubt it — prayer service Methodist Church 6. 30 ;prayer with teach- 
 ers at Baptist Sunday School between 9 and 9.30; school; 
 morning church services; afternoon school ;teachers' prayer ser- 
 vice; young people's tea and prayer service; evening church ser- 
 vice or ragged school; church or school prayer services; young 
 people's prayer service. Young and old took part joyfully ir> 
 these fervices. At the Baptist school there was an attendance 
 ot 600, in the ragged school an attendance of 1,000. In this 
 school was a fife and drum band, and some of them the most 
 poverty-stricken I have ever seen. One song was often sung 
 with great glee:"Say brother, will you meet me on Canaan's hap- 
 py shore?" I thought and purposed to start open-air services 
 in Hyde Park with a band, but my physical weakness prevented 
 me from attempting to carry it out. On Saturday night we 
 had a prayer service, and Bible classes during the week, as welt 
 , as church prayer services. We also did a little at open-air ser- 
 vices. So my time was well filled up. I also endeavored to 
 open a mission on the Surry side of Westminster bridge 
 which was a poor and densely populated part, but 
 was hindered; so I took a survey of Petticoat 
 Lane and White Chapel, in view of opening a service, this be- 
 ing the Jews quarters for cheap wares, but never found oppor- 
 
■ IN GOSPEL HARNESS. ' 23 
 
 tunity, though many hundreds would be there on Sundays buy- 
 ing and selling. 
 
 In reviewing my experience with the Baptist minister's 
 preaching at Lambeth, I found I profited much in the end by 
 his ministry.as well as by Mr. Brock's, although the oratory and 
 argument were lacking, for he dwelt continually on the atoning 
 work of Jesus Christ,and that was what I much needed, so that 
 I bless the Lord for his mintstry as well as for Mr. Brock's. 
 
 During this timci «vas remarkably impressed and instructed 
 to abide under the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was 
 upon a fine summer'j hy, at noon, when I was in prayer in my 
 lodging. I felt a deep consciousness of being before the Lord. I 
 was afraid and trembled until I remembered that by the blood 
 ot Jesus Christ we must draw near to God. Immediately it sent 
 a thrill of joy and peace, from the crown of my head to the 
 souls of my feet. 
 
 In the shop I worked in I was frequently told of a man who 
 had worked there many years and had died not long before. I 
 have since heard that during his life he was known as Father 
 Reeves. They told me he daily left his work and went into the 
 timber yard, among the hardwood planks, to have prayer. He 
 had been converted in the Westminster Road Methodist Church. 
 When converted he could not read, but he set to work and learn- 
 ed to read his Bible, and his diligence and godliness was such 
 that for man} years he was leader of six classes in the church. 
 His name was mentioned with reverence and respect by all his 
 shop-mates. His death was occasioned by his being gored by a 
 furious ex, on the street, which he had endeavored to hold in 
 check by his umbrella. 
 
 During this time I was often very much agitated and grew 
 very weak in body. I had a disagreeable companion to work with 
 and frequently Went tor daily prayer to Westminster Abbey, 
 after which my spirit was always calmed. On one occasion I 
 was so driven that I had concluded to go and join the British 
 Navy; but upon debating the matter with myself, I concluded 
 it was better to bear the ills I had than to run the risk of gett- 
 ing into greater ones, from which I could not get away except 
 by going overboard. The Lord mercifully delivered mo from 
 this besetment, and never since has the thought occurred to me 
 to take such a course. Our Saviour 
 
 "Knows what sore temptations mean, 
 For He he has felt the same." 
 
 1859. In the spring of 1859, I left London and the good 
 
94 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS ^ - 
 
 providence of God directed my way to Brecon in South Wales, 
 where for a season I had very joyful fellowship among the 
 English Baptists, attending also the 7 o'clock Sunday morning 
 prayer service among the Methodists. Finally I concluded to 
 associate with a good active Christian brother in the town, who 
 in days past had been occupied as a revival preacher and 
 pastor in the Baptist church, but at this time, and for some 
 years previous, had been preaching the Gospel through the 
 country, sustaining a work among* the poor, aged and infirm, 
 both indoors and out. I was introduced to him on an occasion 
 of his holding an open air service in the town and finally we 
 hitched up together and worked heartily and earnestly for the 
 Lord, sometimes beginning at 6 in the morning, and ending 
 between 9 and 10 at night. It was a time of joy in the town; 
 many young and old w^jre gathered to the Lord. Prayer would 
 commence at six in the morning and baptizings in the river at 
 seven; meetings either for prayer or Bible reading every night 
 in the week. The ice was broken in the river one morning 
 to baptize an aged man, both walking home quite a distance in 
 their wet clothes and taking no harm. It was here that I 
 learned to break through some of the formalism that hindered 
 work for Christ, and before doing so I reckoned the conse- 
 quence, which meant opposition and persecution, and it was not 
 long coming. My open air preaching was promised to be paid 
 with brick-bats and pails of water and similar experiences; but 
 I had a defender and helper in my good Brother and a kind- 
 hearted rcnanish shopmate tried to disuade me by pitifully say- 
 ing, George, I am very sorry for you that you should be so fool- 
 ish, but the devil has lots of ways to deceive people if we listen 
 to them. Bunyan says he put his fingers in his ears and went- 
 on his way, and that is an example for all to imitate. 
 
 One evening when holding open-air preachmg and prayer 
 upon t^-^e fair, we were invited by a woman to visit her husband 
 who was very sick. When my good brother Prichard 
 (for such was his name) saw him, he said, Dear 
 me, you put me in mind of (forgetting now his 
 name we will call him David Evans). Ah, said the sick man, I 
 knew him very well. He and I were baptized together in the 
 river. So my friend said, He is gone to heaven; I hope you are 
 going there. To which he said mournfully, I don't k.^ow. 
 Brother Prichard said. How is that? He answered, il have gor^ 
 hack. Drink and bad company have taken from me the : ^;ht 
 and joy of Cliriitian life. We had prayer with him and we on- 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. , a^ 
 
 tinued to visit him while life lasted, my last being at midnight, 
 ^when he said, It is dark, it is very dark, but I am trusting in the 
 Lord. In the morning his spirit had gone to God who gave it. 
 
 We must every one give an account of our stewardship. 
 The Apostle says, Take heed how ye hear. Drunkenness is often 
 added to thirst, and men become like the company they keep. 
 The Holy Spirit is grieved, the angel of the Lord departs, and 
 ■the devil drives him, because he has not strength of himself to 
 stand. The Lord says, "My spirit shall not always strive with 
 man." 
 
 By the good will of acquaintances of my good brother, a 
 meeting-house was designed and finally erected. I helped to 
 dig out the foundation but it was not completed and opened 
 till two years afterwards. The Lieutenant of the county gave 
 the land. Things did not go as fast as I thought thev should, 
 and 1 resolved to go further. 
 
 1860* I had heard there was room for work on the island 
 of Jamaca and there I resolved to go as soon as opportunity en- 
 abled me. I afterwards had a letter of commendation to some 
 Baptist people there, leaving Brecon early in i860, being com- 
 mended to God by the prayers of the brethren and friends. I 
 tarried a week in Merthyr with a Christian brother and then 
 went to Swansea and began arranging for open-air work. 
 1 asked the co-operation of a Christian brother with 
 whom I stayed for a few days, that together we 
 might hold open-air services. He at first raised 
 
 some objections, but I had the way made clear 
 by enquiring from the police inspector if there would be any ob- 
 " jections on their part. The only objection would be by having 
 the thoroughfare blocked. So we arranged to hoi J the first of 
 the meetings on Saturday night. The Welsh people generally 
 were a religious and God-fearing people, old and young taking 
 pleasure in searching the Scriptures, and not ashamed to carry 
 a small family Bible under their arm when going to these meet- 
 ings. At their funerals large companies of persons following 
 would sing hymns with godly reverence through the streets as 
 they followed the corpse to the grave. Numerous social cottage 
 prayer services from house to house was the common custom of 
 the people. Cheerful and kindly hospitality without grudging 
 was almost as common as the day. So different to the affected 
 courtesy of many professors which says to the caller, Will you 
 come in? and at the same time hold the door and fill the little 
 jgap with their o;vn figure, causing you to know that they would 
 
•^te - MORE THAN FORTY YEARS , . 
 
 be more gratified with your departure than your company, show- 
 ing very markedly the diflference between Christian character 
 and Christian profession, learning from custom and not from 
 Christ, from the world and not from the word. 
 
 The Saturday night for the open-air service came round in 
 due time, but at the last minute my friend refused to go; so I 
 concluded that his negligence would not excuse my obedience, 
 but it had been an effort to go single handed to hold such ser- 
 vices, and I found it so at this time. When I came to the spot 
 selected, the busiest portion of the town, large numbers of per- 
 sons were there and a strong glare of gas lights. It must have 
 been in January. As I looked on the crowd my courage failed 
 me, thinking it too difficult to overtop their dealing and get 
 their attention. Having had three places looked out in case 
 there should be a failure, I thought I would go to No. 2. It 
 was not quite so conspicuous, but when I got there the standi 
 was occupied by a man blowing a flute. So I said to myself, 
 Ashamed of Christ.then perhaps I may have to blow a flute like 
 that poor man, for I possessed one. But as the ground was oc- 
 cupied I went to stand No. 3. When I got there that was oc- 
 cupied by a man singing songs. So I said again. Ashamed of 
 Christ, I may have to sing a song like that poor man. 
 
 At one of the Baptist prayer services at Broadmead I had 
 been deeply impressed with the singing of these words which I 
 have never forgotten : 
 
 "Ashamed of Christ! my soul disdains 
 
 The mean, ungenerous thought; 
 Shall I deny the Lord, who to man salvation brought? 
 But should we in the evil day 
 • From our professions fly, , • 
 
 The Lord before the assembled world . ^ , 
 
 The traitor will deny." 
 
 So I marched back to stand No. i. It was unoccupied, 
 and between purpose, fear and nervous excitement I gave such 
 a roar that I felt like laughing to see the effect. I forget the 
 subject of the address, but I had the attention of a big crowd 
 for a considerable time, and on the Sunday morning I was pres- 
 ent at the baptism in the sea — one who had been instructed from 
 what I had spoKen on ihe Saturday night. 
 
 I had arranged for work in the town, went to Bristol for a 
 week, and on my return I commenceJ open-air services all! 
 around the town, and cottage prayer meetings, in one place 
 which they told me was called, in English, Little Ireland. I( 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. f/f 
 
 may not give it correctly in Welsh, but its character will be 
 better understood in English. It did not take long for me to 
 be assailed with stones and dirt. While distributing tracts one 
 of them said, "Get oehind me, get behind me, we are a'fore 
 you," meaning Romanism. On another occasion while hold- 
 ing a service there, being abused and surrounded, a little Irish 
 woman with a shawl over her head, held them in check with a 
 loud voice, saying, "Och, sure you're abusing the man and 
 you know not what for; let us hear now what he has to say." 
 Soon after a Welshman tapped me on the shoulder, saying. 
 My friend, you are in bad and dangerous company here; come 
 into my houses 
 
 For some time my tools had been delayed from arriving at 
 Swansea and I had to return to Brecon concerning them. I 
 had 17 miles of a walk between Merthyr and Brecon on a 
 windy, rainy day, and at night I was hoarse and stiff with cold. 
 My good and now deceased brother, S. Prichard, provided me a 
 warm bath and pressed hard to be allowed to wash my feet, a 
 custom in Wales, as is also the kiss of charity, but it was kind- 
 ness with my friend, though custom is helpful in the right as 
 well as opposed to the right when applied to the wr f^. As the 
 leopard cannot change his spots, neither can they do good who 
 are accustomed to do evil. Jer. 13:23. My tools had left Brecon 
 and were lodged at a wayside Inn in the hills between Brecon 
 and Merthyr, so afterwards they came right to Swansea. 
 
 Some little time after this while holding open air preaching 
 in the neighborhood of Little Ireland, I was taken in custody 
 by the police and marched to the lock-up, a large concourse 
 following on, many of my shop-mates being among the number. 
 The Inspector said there was no need of bringing me there, and 
 upon promise to appear before the magistrate in the morning, 
 I was let go. I was not blocking any thoroughfare, for at this 
 point one road branched into two. It was said to be the tavern- 
 keeper who directed me to be apprehended. I was dismissed 
 with a threatening of imprisonment or fine if I was brought 
 there again. There were other towns besides Swansea, so I left 
 on the following Monday for Bristol. Like Wesley, whose 
 journals I had previously read, I reckoned that if I could not 
 preach in one place I could go to another. In crossing the 
 Bristol Channel in the boat, I still had opportunity of speaking 
 for the Master. A Bible Christian said that baptism or adult 
 immersion was right, and he would attend to it. After preach- 
 ing I had a pleasing conversation with a Belgian Jew. He 
 
^8 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 said, You Christians say there are three Gods; we Jews believe 
 there is one God. So I gave him the Bible and asked him to 
 read Isaiah 9:6: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is 
 given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders and His 
 name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, 
 the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. " I have never 
 heard a man read the Scripture with the same external reverence. 
 I met him again, but it appeared like *!"e early dew, it had soon 
 passed away — but I shall never forget the reverential character 
 of his reading the sacred Scriptures. 
 
 I was now endeavoring to steer my way to the Island of 
 Jamaica, and the friend who gave me a letter of commendation, 
 also sent me to a Christian man of standing in Bristol who 
 either then or some few months later said to me, If you wish to 
 go to China your way is open now. There were two difficulties 
 in the way, the language and the climate. My mind was set 
 for Jamaica — although I do not know whether I made it a mat- 
 ter of much prayer. 
 
 From Bristol I went to Cheltenham. I made some Chris- 
 tian acquaintances there, attended the preachingof James Smith, 
 a Baptist minister, several times, who wrote fifty little religious 
 books published in an edition called the cottage library. I have 
 sold many of them. One, called Light for Dark Days, was sold to 
 a man when somewhat intoxicated. It passed from him to a 
 second, then to a third person who* was a young man, and soon 
 after died being in the woods. Communication was not easy. 
 When they saw he would die they spoke of getting a minister 
 to visit him. He said they need not, he had got all he needed 
 out of the little book, "Light for Dark Days. " This was told 
 me by one of the parties who has since died. We are workers 
 together with God; one sows and another reaps. 
 
 In Cheltenham I continued holding open-air services. It 
 was a period of much earnest Christian work. There were 
 many earnest proclalmers of the Word in the highways as well 
 as the meeting houses, among the rich and the poor. The 
 Spirit of the Lord stirred many to activity, both in London and 
 the provincial towns. Large and small social prayer meetings 
 were being conducted in all directions. I did not tarry long in 
 Cheltenham. I had no wish to stay long, for my purpose was 
 to go across the ocean ; but I was not allowed to stay long be- 
 cause I refused to join the trade clubs. This I did from prin- 
 ciple. I had early in my Christian profession concluded that the 
 Church of Christ in proper order should cover all necessities and 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 29 
 
 extremities, and that other combinations to the Christian were 
 unbecoming his profession, and though there is positively little 
 faithfulness on the part of those who profess, sometimes fron> 
 weakness, sometimes from ignorance, and sometimes from wil- 
 fulness, yet Christ and His Word remain the same. Faitiiful 
 is their character. "If thou wilt return, O Isi <>1, return unto 
 me." Jer. 4:1. "Return unto me and I will return unto you, 
 saith the Lord of Hosts." Mai. 3:7. I was not allowed to work 
 at my trade because I would not join the trade club. 
 
 I then went to Worcester, found employment, but was un- 
 well and unfit to work. There was a strike in the shop by the 
 men. I was asked to leave — and by the employers to make a 
 twelve months' engagement, neither of which I was willing to 
 do. I yearned for Christian fellowship and was taken by the 
 person I lodged with to a meeting of those known as brethren. 
 I said my principles were close Baptist. They said they were 
 believers and had also been l>aptized, and there were others 
 among them that ought to be, and I might help them and they 
 could receive me in the Lord if I could receive them, and so we 
 did. I commenced holding cottage meetings. On Sunday 
 mornings at 7 we met at the house of one of the brethren, 
 and so from house to house. We had prayer services during 
 the week, and open-air services through the town. When I was 
 about to leave I was pressed to stay, and twenty persons from 
 among them were baptized, twelve the first, and eight at a 
 second time. After this 1 was taken into custody for preaching 
 in the open air on Sunday night. I was alone. One of my 
 helpers was unfit to be out, having had a heavy weight fall 
 upon his foot. I had previous to this been annoyed by the un- 
 necessary ofiiciousness of a police, and received a thump on my 
 back. My hat was jerked out of my hand, while a boy 
 
 shouted, "Master, that man is a Roman Catholic." This night 
 I was escorted to the station by the police. As I went I thought, 
 Sunday night and all, "f they are not ashamed, I am not. So 
 putting on a strength of voice which made them more conspicu- 
 ous than they wished, I continued the proclamation of the 
 gospel to the steps of the station, when a woman from inside- 
 said with a loud voice, "The Saviour was led like a lamb, but 
 this man is like a roaring lion. " V/hen inside I asked them 
 pretty plainly if they were not ashamed of themselves to bring 
 me there. One man said that they could not help it, as they 
 had been directed to do it. So I said. Rather than do what my 
 conscience told me was wrong I would beg my bread through 
 
30 MORE THAN FORTY VEARS 
 
 the land. Soon after this two of my friends came and were re- 
 sponsible for my appearing before the magistrates the next day, 
 if required, but I was not sent for. 
 
 Being in a weakly condition my mother wished me to re- 
 turn home. Having made the acquaintance of an invalid — 
 belonging to Hereford, I was asked to visit there; so I took a 
 journey to Brecon to see the brethren I had parted from some 
 months before, and went to Hereford, held a cottage meeting 
 and led an evening meeting at Bridgetown, returned to Bristol 
 and then went by boat to Liverpool, intending to cross the sea 
 for Jamaica as soon as possible. 1 was kindly received by 
 brethren of the Disciple Church. I had somewhat of a tough 
 time on the water, the sea was rough for a time. I enjoyed the 
 sight of the mounting up of the waves, and the glorious power 
 of the Creator who holdeth the waters in the hollow of His 
 hand, but I became very seasick, and being very weak i felt it 
 the more, till finally I fell upon the deck and was put to bed 
 and was given a little of hot spirits and water, which made me 
 sleep till we arrived in Liverpool some time on Sunday after- 
 noon. 1 was very kindly received by brethren and I soon got 
 to work in the gospel and the hand of the Lord was with me. 
 The first day I want to work at my trade I made the acquaint- 
 ance of a young open-hearted Irishman, whose heart the Lord 
 had touched. I made a few enquiries of him and he told me 
 that the governor was a pretty good man for a man of the world. 
 I asked him if he was a man of the world, or not of the world; 
 so he very candidly declared himself on the Lord's side. As I 
 had not obtained a lodging my newly-found friend pressed me 
 hard to lodge at the house where he lived. I did not like its 
 appearance very well, but the dear fellow would take no refusal, 
 so I went along, concluding the Lord was leading me. The 
 result was, himself and his wife and his sister and brother-in-law 
 all joined in Christian fellowship with the Disciple brethren. 
 My second Sunday saw me preaching in the open air. My 
 discourse was, Christ in the storm upon the sea. One of 
 the brethren who led me to the spot had been a sailor. He 
 afterwards said it was the best discourse I had given — it may 
 have been in some measure from the experience that I had had 
 a little bef :>re, although I had considered it before leaving 
 Bristol. 
 
 On one of the Saturdays at pay time, my employer said to 
 iiie,"HamIl says you are his brother; how does he make it out?" 
 This was the shopmato previously referred to. So I 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 31 
 
 tiad a little reasoning with him and he was very kind with 
 me, but he said that though he had been a big teetotal talker 
 (total abstinence) he always buttoned up his pockets when a man 
 began to talk religion, because there was so much hypocrisy. 
 Some time later he said to me, "The men tell me that you hold 
 preaching services on St. George's Square, and that you get very 
 excited." It is very Common to call things by wrong names — 
 mistaking earnestness and wholeheartedness for excitement and 
 noise. Drawing a horizontal line, he said, "There is your level"; 
 then putting another across it at about quarter pitch, in the 
 fashion of boys at see-saw, he said, "What you go upon the 
 one side of the line you have to go below on the other." This 
 was his reasoning because of my sickness. I became too un- 
 well to work but I did not know of any place where there was 
 more opportunity for practical Christian work and a disposition 
 to do it, than in Liverpool. 
 
 A little company joined with me in tract distributing, and 
 house to house visiting, which was always preceded with prayer. 
 I have always had a pleasant remembrance of the unfeigned and 
 happy Christian fellowship that I experienced the few months 
 that 1 was there. One of the brethren from Worcester came 
 for a few days at Christmas. We had profitable Christian fel- 
 lowship. On leaving he invited me, should I pass Worcester, 
 to make a stay with him. 
 
 1861, Soon after New Year, 1861, I resolved to begin to 
 make my way westward, tor Kingston, West Indies. I left the 
 shop to go to Ireland, intending to tarry a while at Dublin and 
 Cork, and then sail for New York, thence to Kingston. Calling 
 to say farewell to some of the brethren, they pressed me not to 
 leave, but to rest for a while. I returned to the same employer 
 who made me promise to remain four months, <vhich I intended 
 to do, but soon atter I was so weak that I could not endure 
 the sulphur from the coke used in the smithy that I felt that I 
 should have to go to the hospital if I continued, so I left tor 
 home. 
 
 Arriving at Worcester, the efifect of travelling gave me 
 symptoms of fainting of which I had several experiences during 
 the year, in the workshop, meeting-house and in the home of 
 my triends in Swansea, Bristol and Liverpool, and later in Lon- 
 don, the eflfects of weakness and hard work. 
 
 At this time while in Malvern, ten miles from Worcester, I 
 was directed to call upon a medical doctor there who also carried 
 on a Christian work. His associates were all immersed believ- 
 
 l.^ 
 
32 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 ers. On calling, he received me very kindly, having previously 
 heard of me. He invited me and my friend from Worcester ta 
 come to Malvern on the following Sunday, saying that he also 
 had some Christian brethren coming over from Cheltenham, a 
 distance by rail of about 35 miles. 
 
 While on the train between Worcester and Malvern, I gave 
 an exhortation to those in the car about twenty or thirty per- 
 sons, concerning the mercy of God in Christ, in which my friend 
 joined; and on leaving, two men especially expressed their ap- 
 preciation of what was spoken. My friend and I had a very 
 enjoyable conversation as together we slowly mac'e our way up 
 the hill, a mile or two to the house of our brother, the medical 
 ^octor, where we were also greeted by the two men who had 
 spoken kindly tc us on leaving the train. At the little meeting 
 which was conducted in a farm house in an orchard, fitted up 
 by the good doctor as a house of prayer, there were gath- 
 ered rich and poor, in homely, happy, unpretending fellowship. 
 There was the wife of a Canon of the English Church, and the 
 wife of a neighboring magistrate,and a Russian Count who lived 
 not far away, who occasionally looked in. 
 
 The good doctor read and expounded Psalm 133, "Behold 
 how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in 
 unity," etc. taking us back to Genises 2, concerning Adam in 
 Eden, "The Lord God made to grow out of the ground every 
 tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food," connecting 
 with it the blessing and the never ending life. 1 also gave a 
 word concerning Christ being declared to be the Son of God 
 with power, by tha resurrection from the dead. Rom. i :4. 
 Our fellowship was truly happy. The doctor being our big and 
 elder brother, large of heart, and mind, and form, he entertained 
 us joyfully and without grudging ;not that any of us were actu- 
 ated by anything but a Christian disposition. 
 
 Our Cheltenham brethren, on leaving, gave me a kind 
 invitation to visit them, should I have opportunity. My friend 
 from Worcester tarried till Monday and I was also pressed by the 
 doctor to tarry,although it was my will to have returned to Clif- 
 ton and Bristol, but the doctor used constraint. Malvern was a 
 resort for invalids.and so was Clifton, but he told me very plainly 
 that I may recover my health at Malvern, but I would probably 
 die if I did not take advice and stay. He proposed my building" 
 some invalid carriages that would cover my costs while there. 
 As I did not want to be unduly rash, I submitted my will to his, 
 going to Bristol and returning to Malvern, and soon I had 
 
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 ..■.< vl. 
 
IN GOSPSL HARNESS. 33 
 
 to undcrf^'o a Hydropathic treatment, which meant ({getting out 
 of bed at six in tlie morning and having a cold, wet sheet thrown 
 over me, which necessitated me rubbing myself to my utmost, 
 and iilso that of the attendant, and then to go for a walk of a 
 mile or two up and down the hills before breakfast. This con- 
 tinued for some time, and the life that was in me was getting 
 less and less, when I was obliged to conclude that such treat- 
 ment may be very good for persons half dead with high living 
 and idle life, but for one half dead with hard labor I concluded 
 it would soon make an end of him; so I had to be obstinate^ 
 and say I could not stand any more of it. 
 
 Soon the good (!octor went to Ireland and the meeting was 
 left in my charge. I preached indoors and out, and had some 
 evidences of God's Word prevailing both in Worcester and 
 Malvern. 
 
 The bath attendant and I had occasion of walking together 
 the same way. I briefly said to him, Do you take God's side in 
 this world or Belial's, that is, the devil's ? Oh, said he, I take 
 God's side. \ said to him, Christ's word says, If you do you 
 are to be baptized. Some lew days later we walked again the 
 same way; so I said again to him. On which side are you now, 
 God's or Satan's ? On the Lord's, said he. I said I would ar- 
 range for his baptizing at once. He and his wife both confessed 
 Christ in baptism. It was somewhat difTicult work at North 
 Malvern to baptize, but our friend, the doctor, had a zinc bath 
 7 feet by about 2^ feel, and it had to be filled by hand. My 
 friend in Worcester also furnishtd himself with one, but his 
 could be filled from the pipe of the water company. 
 
 After the doctor had left, 1 had a remarkable experience. 
 I had baptized three persons from one house, the last being the 
 wife of a laborer working upon a railway tunnel near by. He 
 was an ungodly character and gave the people to understand 
 that if his wife went to the morning service, at which the Lord's 
 Supper was observed, he would upset the meeting. When the 
 hour came the woman was there and so was the man, her hus- 
 band. Different motives had induced them to attend, and when 
 the good sister before spoken of, and others saw him up close 
 to the little platiorm, they asked what was to be done. I did 
 not know wnether there was a constable in the neighborhood 
 or not, so I said. Take no notice, but go on with the service 
 just as though we did not see him. We had not sung much of 
 the first hymn when he fell like a log to the floor. We all felt 
 it to be a remarkable providential intervention, and like a dead 
 
34, MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 < 
 
 man he was carried out into the orchard in wliich the meeting- 
 house stood, and v;e continued the service. He aftenvards said 
 that he would not attempt to molest us again. 
 
 About this time I was taken by one of the sisters a distance 
 of several miles to see a woman who had had a remarkable vis- 
 ion. She lived In the valley, and the scenery all around was 
 rich and grand, — the splendid timber, pasture hills and streams, 
 with the fat sheep and cattle, reposing like David's picture 
 in Psalm 23, the second verse. The woman was a widow about 
 
 40 years of age, living seemingly in rustic comtort and con- 
 tentment, with a countenance very expressive of a godly dispo- 
 sition. After a few words of introduction the good sister said 
 she had brought me to hear her relate the \'ision she had seen, 
 and the circumstances relating to it. She said her heart was 
 always affected when she had to relate it, and her tears flowed, 
 fast. She said her husband when in life was a source of much 
 trouble to her, and she had resolved to drown herself and her 
 child in one of the pools beneath the hills. She had arranged 
 the time and place when her husband was asleep, but on the 
 nigh* '^'i had resolved to do so her husband would not go to 
 be( jO she could not leave the house without attracting his no- 
 tice,60 she lay down upon her bed and feigned to sleep, thinking 
 to induce her husband to sleep. After a while she felt herself be- 
 ing carried from the bed, and was brought to a very high wall. 
 A man on the top b'^ckoned her up, and when she 
 said she could not rise, iiis hand brought her up to the top, and 
 there she saw a magnificent garden and a shining palace in the 
 diftance. She saw her grandmother and school mates, who had 
 been long dead, walking there, and then she was taken by the 
 angel to the palace, and saw the Lord upon a throne, and Jesus 
 pleading for a sinner. The glory of the place was very great. 
 Then said the angel, I must show you something more, and he 
 took her down a darkened stairway, and came to a place where Sa- 
 tan and his imps were grinding sulphur to maintain the fires of 
 hell. They tried hard to get hold of her, but the angel told her 
 to keep close to him and she would be safe. She saw multi- 
 tudes of people dancing, singing and fiddling, going on and 
 into the lake of fire. She was then taken back to the spot at 
 which she was raised to the top of the wall, and the angel said 
 to her, You must now return to the world — seek to revelation,, 
 and you shall live in the first place, but if you live as you have 
 been living, the latter place will be your home. At that sh« 
 
 41 woke, and all thought of destroying herself was forever gone^ 
 
IN, GOSPEL HA^NES$^ 3$ 
 
 her heart was changed, now she rejoiced in a Saviour's love.. 
 Some time after her husband died, and it was found that a tu- 
 ipor had grown in hisinsijie which had caused his irritable disr 
 position. I saw her but once, but I think I should know her 
 after thousands of years have passed, her appearance and de- 
 meanor were so impressed upon me. 
 
 Finally I found I must remove from Malvern, and went to 
 Hereford wl^ich was a distance of about 20 miles. Two little 
 circumstances which occurred before leaving I will relate. In 
 holding an open-air service I was pushed about by a hotel- 
 keeper. My voice being strong, I suppose he thought it might 
 not be acceptable to his customers, — but many of these men 
 have no grief at the profane uproar of the godless drunkards, to 
 whose fire of iniquity they add fuel. So reflecting upon his unr 
 warrantable license, I went to him and told him that he must 
 either apologize or I would take legal action against him. This 
 served in some measure to bring him to his level. 
 
 Aboutthis time my friend from Worcester brought his work- 
 people to Malvern for a holiday trip, and while he and they 
 capered about on the hills, I endeavored to drag my limbs after, 
 theni, they bounding w;th strength which made my weakness 
 feel the more painful. I thought, if they could feej my weak- 
 ness they would move ajong more gently. Paul said, "Who i^ 
 weak and I am not wealf." It is a condition we need to qultj- 
 vate more extensively. 
 
 Arriying at Hereford I commenced street preaching and 
 house to house visiting, visiting also my friend who tirst invited 
 me there who now had to have his diseased leg amputatet^. 
 His friends could not exercise prayer in faith for his restoration. 
 I was asked to conduct the morning service in a Baptist Church 
 on two Sunday mornings. On the second occasion I had 1^ 
 strange experience. On the Saturday I felt too ill to work, sp 
 I sat down for some time to read. I often thought that my 
 physical weakness gave me time to read and consider God's 
 Word. While doing so there was a cry, someone was drown- 
 ing. I ran out and jumped into a boat. It was a young wo- 
 man on the opposite side of the river Wye, a beautiful stream. 
 She was saved. I then felt all right and went to work. At 
 night I bought some salmon — there had been a large catch that 
 day near the house. 
 
 I went to bed purposing to rise earl^ to get into the country 
 for the morning service at the Baptist Chapel. In the morning 
 V|:hen I a\yoke rpy rnind >^a? cl^r, but strength I bad not. I 
 
^ MORE THAN FORTY YEARS •• . 
 
 was as a log with no power to move. My trouble was about 
 the meeting. The friend who had gone with me the previous 
 Sunday was not going, and he lived far away, and the only per- 
 son in the house was an aged widow, my landlady. There I 
 lay with no power to move. I prayed for strength to get out of 
 bed. I had in my box a little port wine which I used in re- 
 membering the Lord's death. I took a little of it and had 
 strength to dress. I resolved I would go as far as my strength 
 would enable me, and if I fell, I then could go no farther. I 
 attempted to go down stairs, but had to hold very tight to keep 
 from tailing to the bottom. I lelt I must take something to 
 eat, although I had no appetite, so my landlady boiled the 
 salmon, and with some vinegar I ate a little. Then I wrote a 
 few lines to my friend in Brecon, asking his prayers, for I knew, 
 humanly speaking, my days were few. 
 
 I began my journey to tell the people I was too sick to con- 
 duct the service. I posted my letter to my friend, and had not 
 gone far when a person with a spring cart met me to drive me 
 out. As we went along, my bones were like the joints of a 
 worn-out chair, rocking any and every way. 
 
 I had some pleasant talk with the young man who drove 
 me, concerning his personal sta.iding before God, when sudden- 
 ly he lost his kindly manner and expression, and said, I suppose 
 you will have a long account to give the people of what I have 
 said to you. The Lord searches the heart, but the devil will 
 always invent some objection to it, and by his lies try to fright- 
 en the weak and simple into delaying their escape from his 
 bondage. 
 
 When I reached the meeting-house the people gathered 
 around me enquiring concerning my health. 1 told them 
 I had come out to tell them that I was too unwell to take the 
 service, but as I felt a little better, if they would give out the 
 hymns and lead the prayers I would conduct the reading and 
 exhortation, which I did, in a very measured way. They were 
 satisfied and I returned, feeling better than on the previous 
 Sunday. So the Lord gives us strength according to our day. 
 "When united trials meet, 
 He shows a path of safe retreat." ' ~ ' r 
 
 This fellowship in synagogue service or religious meeting- 
 houses, is the good old way from which we have gone astray. 
 Read Luke 4:16-30; Acts 13:14-16; 1 Cor. 12, 13, 14; Psalm 
 22:22-26. 
 
 I did not tarry long in Hereford at this time. In business 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 37 
 
 matters, things looked gloomy, and so I resolved while \ had 
 the means, to leave. At this time I received word from my good 
 friend, the doctor.enquiring if I would, to come to him to Kmgs- 
 ton, Ireland. But I thought it not well to go at that time, and 1 
 have never heard trom him since. 
 
 Before going further I will relate one little incident. I 
 was requested to take the services at North Malvern, a distance 
 of more than twenty miles. I left at 5 o'clock, Saturdaj after- 
 noon, riding about seven miles with a Christian acquaintance, 
 whether by stage or market waggon I cannot remember. At 
 about 10 o'clock at night I came to the half-way houses between 
 Hereford and Worcester. It was hot summer weather and I 
 needed some refreshment, I had to go to the tavern. I prayed 
 the Lord to direct me. I entered a large room well filled with 
 men conversing in a neighborly way, having their mugs of ale 
 and long clay pipes; so I thought I might get in a word to 
 profit. C. H. Spurgeon had preached a sermon some time be- 
 fore, concerning the Saturday night of life; some of it was fresh 
 in my mind. So I soon put on a little air of importance and 
 said, "Gentlemen, I have a matter of great importance to com- 
 municate to you, if you will give me your attention for a min- 
 ute or two." They could not tell what was coming — matters 
 of state politics, business, or what. Pots and pipes were laid 
 down and an amusing stare of curiosity came from the most of 
 them. So I said that doubtless this hot weather and a week of 
 hard work had made rest enjoyable, and some had the fruits of 
 the toil in cash in their pockets; some were anticipating the rest 
 of the morrow, and a blessing it is that we have a seventh day's 
 rest, and are able to make good use of it. ' But the matter I 
 wished to tell them of was concerning the Saturday night of 
 life, and the wages paid for the toils of life, good or bad, and 
 the eternal Sabbath that lay beyond, and as we cleaned up and 
 got ready for the temporal so must we for the eternal, and it is 
 by Jesus Christ we must enter the rest, and that this must have 
 their serious attention. 
 
 As I rose to go, one said, We thank you very much. An- 
 other, We never heard anything better in our lives, will you 
 drink with us? Another said, Pardon us intruding upon you, 
 but you are late on the road. Are you going far? I answered, 
 I am going to North Malvern and I have, promised to be there 
 by 12 o'clock. You will never get there, said they, and we all 
 hafve comfortable homes and you are welcome to stay with any 
 of us and go on in the morning. But I said, I have promisei^ 
 
^ MO^TE'lfHAN f6rTY YeArS 
 
 and I must try to keep my woVd, "ahd I bade them farevt^ell. As 
 they said, I had a perplexirtg road to go; there werethr6e roads 
 "runnihjg to a point and I knew rtot which wds right or wrong, 
 but the Lord brought me to the brother's dbor about the time I 
 had stated. i 
 
 I took dinnier at the tavern B'n Monday. They told me the 
 inen were pleased with what I had said. Some may think it a 
 very wicked thing to drink ale at lo o'clock at night and es- 
 pecially on a Saturday; and also to eat bread and cheese at that 
 hour is reckoned by some to be out of place. Our fathers drank 
 ale for generations, many of them lived and died good, old men. 
 The Mohammedans drink no wine but they allow no cjie to live 
 but themselves, if they can help it. 
 
 If we would take our Christianity into the ale house rather 
 than banter about prohibition it would be wiser, and if we had 
 more Christian hospitality there would be less need ot houses of 
 entertainment. The gluttonous, drunken and idle son is sen- 
 tenced by the law to be stoned. Parents, do yoUr duty, and 
 children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 
 
 Children cannot honor their parents by being idle,drunken» 
 and profane. The Chinese law in making parents responsible 
 for their children, might in some measure be well applied in this 
 land. The scripture says, Wine is a mocker, and strong drink 
 raging. He that is overcome thereby is not wise. It becomes 
 the mocker and raging when men are overcome by it, and they 
 that are overcome are unwise to say the least. Covetousness, 
 oppression and pride are as hideous monsters as drunkenness. 
 Yea, the family of these degenerates may be properly termed 
 legion. They are of the brood of the prince of darkness. There 
 are many who pride themself in having their pedigree on this 
 line. I think I have understood that my parents once kept an 
 ale house. They never were total abstainers but were of upright 
 principles. 
 
 When I was about six or seven years of age I saw a large 
 procession of total abstainers. My mother kept a small store,^ 
 and among other things sold ginger beer at two cshts pier bot- 
 tle. It was a hot day and I remember well many of the inen 
 turning in for ginger ale. But there wiere some who asked her 
 for the brewers' kle. She said, You can't get that here, for what 
 As got bver the devil's^back would surelv go down his belly. This 
 isfif&e^ail rbUnd, btitl have ^id'mdt'e'than I intended in^tai't- 
 Thg, though I Irtist'by God's IjTesSing it rtiay bib ' pr6fi\k\^le to 
 
^- ■ ■' ■ • ■ ,>^ ■ 
 
 IN GOSPEL HARNESS. ^^ 
 
 I left Hereford, stopping over to greet a Christian brother 
 at Abergavenny. I was delighted with making his acquain- 
 ' tance -at Hereford on my former visit. I had a great reverence 
 for all who by word and deed declared themselves the Lord '^; 
 but many profess His name who lack the godly character. I 
 was pleased to meet him once more, though busy in his market 
 garden. 
 
 I was at this time deeply impressed with the consciousness 
 of conflict in the Christian life, and the security of the believer 
 in Christ, and as I neared the Bristol Channel, faith in God 
 appeared to me the life-boat which though engulfed between 
 the waves of trouble would in turn surely rise above them. The 
 Lord knows and will provide, "He wings the arrow and guides 
 the sparrow," as the lollowing will show: 
 
 When I got to Newport the boat to Bristol was gone and I 
 had to stay till next day, which took all my money but one cop- 
 per beyond my fare. My trunk was at the station, and I could 
 not tell how to get it to the boat. I was too weak to carry it, 
 and I could find no other way; so I said. There is nothing else 
 to do but to try, so I got it on my shoulder, and staggered 
 along a little way, and dropped it on a hogshead, and as I 
 dropped it a man said, Shall I carry your box? I said, I would 
 be glad to get you to do so, but I cannot pay you. So*he shoul- 
 dered the trunk, saying. You have the price of a screw of tobac- 
 co, which meant a cent. He carried it to the boat, and I gave 
 him the copper, saying,' I am ashamed to offer it to you, but it 
 is all that I have. He said, It will do for me, if it will do for 
 you. I have nothing to do and I want a bit of tobacco to jput 
 in my pipe. So I thought, how wonderful is GoJ's care. 
 
 A man in my trade carried on a Calvinist Close Baptist 
 meeting in Bristol. I had made his acquaintance about a year 
 before. He was a godly, wise, kindly, hospitable and well- 
 instructed man, long since gathered to His people gone home, 
 to be with Christ. The meeting-house bore the unostentatious- 
 name of Providence Cliapel realizing that God had provided. 
 "Some of his Sriyings I remember well. One was that he could 
 not understand what some persons were in the church for, un- 
 less it was to exercise the patience of others, .\nother was that 
 he did not 'understand how godliness and covetDUsness go to- 
 'gerther. "We trust the Lord for the expenses of our meetings 
 Aand'have no collections. We have a box at the door, they caw 
 "pat in or not as they please." ^On calling on him one day.orje 
 of the members was telling him of a man preaching in the 
 
g^ MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 horse fair, concerning loving the Lord, so, said he, I asked him 
 how it was we loved Him. He said, We love Him because He first 
 loved us. I asked him if he would know him again. He said 
 that he did not know; so I told him I was the person. I at- 
 tended the Sunday evening service with this brother in Provi- 
 Aience Chapel. 
 
 On my return I had a walk of about two miles 
 to my parents' house. When I got there I was so exhausted, I 
 said to my mother, My end is very near; I cannot live much 
 longer. She wished me to see a medical man, but I reckoned 
 from the past that the future would be no better. So I said. 
 There is one sure remedy that I do know of, and that is to call 
 for the elders of the church and have pVayer and be anointed 
 with oil in the name of the Lord, but 1 do not know where to 
 find them. I would go for them if I knew where to find them, 
 but I do not, but the Lonri is true and can do His work without 
 them, so let us have prayer and the oil, and I will anoint my- 
 self in His name. And we did so, for she did not want me to 
 die, she was a woman of unfeigned faith as well as good 
 judgment. There was one trouble about it; she had on a silk 
 dress, and the oil left some big patches on it. How they were 
 taken out I never heard. I must say that to this day I have 
 never experienced infirmity in the same way, nor of the same 
 duration, and I must also say that in my case the promise by 
 James is true. Blessed be God! 
 
 In the morning my mother wished me to go to 
 her native village to see my brother and uncles. I 
 
 stopped at Highbridge first, where I had spent many 
 happy days among the Baptist brethren, during the second year 
 -of my conversion. I had been there at intervals for ten years 
 before, having a cousin on my father's side residing there. I 
 went to Cannington, my mother's native village, and held 
 preaching in the street, and also in the town of Bridgewater, 
 on the market, on the Cornhill. My uncle invited to tea a 
 friend who was much interested in Christian work, and who 
 -directed nie to go to Bath and make the acquaintance of a cer- 
 tain Christian brother there. He expressed a desire that some 
 one would come to Bath to work in God's cause. 
 
 On Sunday I went over and expressed my willingness to 
 work among them for a season, if agreeable to them. Before 
 doing so I was very deeply impressed that I should do so. I 
 held open-air services near the Abbey. At the first service I was 
 invited to visit a sick woman, by her daughter. I did so. 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 4 1 
 
 Leaving them I spoke to two men who were grinding' their 
 tools. They made light of what I said. Turning from them to 
 an old man who stood at a door listening to what had been 
 said, in rural Somersetshire expression he said, "I be just 
 seventy years auld, and I just bin a' thinking that I never bin 
 to the communion iti my life, and I bin a' thinking it was most 
 time I did." So I inquired of his faith In Jesus Christ as his 
 only and all-sufficient Saviour, and I found him well grounded 
 In repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 So I told him that Christ's Word taught first of all that they 
 who believed in Him should be baptized like the eunuch who 
 went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, or like 
 our Saviour at thirty years of age who went down into the 
 water and came straightway up out of the water, and that he 
 was our example. He said, "I know that is right for I have 
 read it in the Bible." "And I'll go too," said the old man. I 
 found him so eager to do as the Lord's Word commanded, that 
 I began to mistrust his sincerity, thinking that perhaps he did 
 not rightly apprehend what I had said to him, although for 
 myself I had been thoroughly convinced from the Scriptures of 
 the straightway or forthwith baptism taught in it, as seen in 
 connection with the Eunuch, the Apostle Paul, and the Philip- 
 pian jailor and household, mentioned in the Acts of the 
 Apostles. 
 
 I put off our aged friend, saying to him, I will call on you 
 to-morrow, and if you are of the same mind as now I will i^o 
 with you and baptize you as the Scripture commands. So the 
 following day, Saturday, I visited him and found him as before. 
 So I arranged to baptize him in the river which ran through the 
 baths. 
 
 At the hour appointed I was there, but to my disappoint- 
 ment the candidate I could not find, so I concluded that my 
 former thought was right — that he had more talk than charac- 
 ter. .After waiting nearly an hour I started to leave, when I 
 met the brother, who hailed me with, "Where have he bin; I 
 thought you was never a'coming. " I accordingly baptized him. 
 But, strange to say, though I had baptized aljout fifty persons 
 before, in the immersion, I omitted to pronounce the Lord's 
 name in connection with the act of immersion. Although the 
 whole work had been done in the Lord's name, in prayer, sup- 
 plication and thanksgiving which had preceded it, I had to 
 acknowledge to our friend that I had not pronounced the Lord's 
 name in connection with the baptism, so he said, Let us do it 
 
42 MORE THAN FORTY TEARS 
 
 'right, arid I immersed him a Second time. Comhig out of the 
 ■water he erttered the bath and thanlced the Lord for His mercy 
 to him in leading him in His own right way, for Jesus' sake. 
 I jbairted his company and did not meet him again for twelve 
 months, it being Saturday and the next day being an exceed- 
 ingly wet one. 
 
 I left the city on Monday and went to Bristol, then to Chel- 
 tenham, Worcester, and Malvern, to fill promises previously 
 made to friends. 
 
 A little incident marked the goodness and care of the Lord. 
 As I was about to enter Cheltenham, I was met by a young 
 man of respectable appearance and manner, who asked me to 
 help him to obtain a lodging, as he was going to Gloucester, 
 but was without money. I had but fourpence half penny. I 
 thought I am going to Cheltenham to those I know, and he is 
 going to Gloucester where he knows no one, and I can better do 
 without money than he can. So I emptied my pocket, giving 
 him the little I had. 
 
 Calling on a Christian sister, I was asked to tea and to 
 stay for the night. After tea she said, I have been thinking of 
 you for some time, and am sure you must be needing money, 
 and gave me $10.00, more than twenty times what I had given. 
 I said to myself. The Lord soon returned me my four 
 and a half pence. 
 
 I tarried in Cheltenham for a few days, visiting a few 
 Christian persons, went on to Worcester and then to Malvern, 
 visiting some of my acquaintances, one being an infirm Christ- 
 ian woman with whom I had previously spoken concerning her 
 being baptized in the Lord's name. Hitherto she had raised 
 strong objections to it, but during the four months or more 6f 
 my absence, she must have reflected on what I had said to her, 
 or upon the subject, for when I now spoke to her she surprisdd 
 me by saying that she was ready to be baptized. It was up in 
 the hills where water was difficult to be obtained, and the bath 
 for baptizing must have the water carried by hand, from a dist- 
 ant spring. She expressed herself ready to be baptized the 
 following week, but upon reflecting, I had to acknowledge to 
 her that my conscience was not at ease, for the Scripture said, 
 ' *They were baptized the same day and the same hour." So 
 I tbld -her thkt it was not rrghf to propose next week when the 
 Sctipmre ^ftid, ''The same day and the same hour, "for Fkhew 
 "rtot Wh^t a'day Oi^'hotir'mi^ht bring forth. ' I asked If She 
 •^oiiW be teady to-d&y If I could arrange, and ishe said she was. 
 
I attempted to do so, but could not get the bath filled a' the 
 appointed time. Several of the brethren and sisters came om 
 Worcester, and at the little meeting-house in the orchr . she 
 was baptized, after which we joined together in rememi 'ng 
 the Lord in the breaking of bread — the only time I rem. er 
 doing so except on the first day of the week. 
 
 Some persons think and say that to do as I have now related. 
 Is an innovation of good order, but this is the order of human in- 
 vention. "The commandments of the Lord stand fast forever, 
 and the thoughts of His heart to all generations," and the 
 Apostle Paul has written, "Whatsoever ye have seen, or heard, 
 or received of me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you. " 
 Obedience is better than sacrifice. 
 
 After this I returned to Cheltenham and carried on services 
 in the town and out of it, a number expressed a desire 
 to be baptized in the Lord's name, some desired to make a par- 
 ade of it, from which some wrangling followed. I ceased to 
 receive their support and hospitality, preferring to work 
 with my hands and be free trom the disagreeable bondage of 
 dogmatism, petty condescension and paltry liberality. But in 
 this I doubtless made a mistake, for I had received word that if 
 I went to Birmingham I should have opportunity to go in and 
 out among Christian brethren, while working for the Master. 
 Also it was in my heart and mind to return to Liverpool, but I 
 continued for a while in Cheltenham preaching in the open air 
 two or three times a week, as well as in cottage prayer services. 
 I sought the use of the baptisteries of two Baptist churches, but 
 in vain. But I obtained the use of a very large and handsome 
 bath, belonging to a hydropathic physician. Among those 
 baptized while there was one who was to be my future wife. 
 Others went to Worcester to be baptized. 
 
 I arrived at Birmingham the day that the Prince 
 Consort died, Dec. 14th, 1861, and strange to say, on my prer 
 vious visit to Birmingham, 1852, the Duke of Wellington died. 
 
 I found the brethren with whom I thought to stay in 
 Birmingham at variance, and not being able to judge between 
 right and wrong, the two champion preachers saying hard 
 things of each other,-! again worked at my trade, and in the 
 London & Northwestern railway shops, had the fbUoWing ex- 
 "perience: 
 
 Some forty or fifty of us tdok our breakfasts kv a ttteSsrodm 
 
 "'provided by the G^nipahy. As my-6tWe%as my ct5ti&tftflt corn- 
 
 'partMjih my sjiSre mii¥utes Were filled With reading it. While 
 
^ MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 others read the daily newspapers, and that aloud, I also was 
 asked to read the Scriptures. Findinjj a number agreeable, I 
 did so, and some endured it for a while, but after several mor- 
 nings one man in a pel got on his feet, saying, "This is no 
 place for Bible reading; if you want to read the Bible, do so at 
 home." Then came a hot delxite, another saying, "We have 
 to listen to men figlits, cock fights, dog fights and a lot more 
 disgraceful things from the daily papers," and his sentence was, 
 that if the Bible could not be read the newspaper could not be 
 read; so there was a strong division in the camp, and they 
 made things hotter for me than I could stand, so I packed up 
 my tools and too', myself away. Some literary, Biblical digni- 
 ties of oratorical renown, told me it was pushing religion down 
 men's throats, and thoug^ht themselves wise in reproving such 
 liberty. But I had to find afterwards that the same could lie 
 and stand to it, so I had to let them go with the reproof they 
 merited, and I have not as yet iieard of any change. 
 
 1862* In the month of January, 1862, I was married, in 
 Birmingham. 
 
 I did a little open-air preaching in Birmingham amid some 
 strife, and then went in the providence of God to Wolverhamp 
 ton, some twelve or more miles distant. Reflecting upon my 
 stay in Birmingham, I concluded that in the Lord's work I had 
 been very negligent while there, and determined for the future 
 lo be more diligent. Soon the first night in Wolverhampton, 
 I saw a large crowd of men in the centre of the town, which 
 was a large opening, I thought, here is work that can be 
 done, and I commenced single-handed to proclaim as best I 
 4:ould the everlasting Gospel. But I very soon found myself in 
 the hands of the police and taken to the station. He appeared 
 to me to be a reprobate. I said to him, My friend, it ap- 
 pears to me that if you had your Saviour here you would deal 
 with him as you are dealing with me, and in his ignorance and 
 madness he said he would do so to Him or anyone else. At 
 the station I sta)ed while the profane and drunken were being 
 tumbled in, and I felt sick at thinking to have to house with 
 such company. At last my landlord came and became security 
 for my appearing in court next day, when I was sentenced to 
 Si fine of ten shillings and costs which would be together about 
 four dollars, or half a fortnight in jail, or to promise not to 
 offend again. I had written on the past night to Birmingham 
 to the zealous advocates of Primitive Christianity, and they.like 
 the goody people of the town, left me to myself to pay the fine, 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 45 
 
 or go to jail as I thought best. Not even a post card or a tele- 
 gram or anything of the kind came for my encouragement. As 
 I had gone to the fight prompted by good will and obedience to 
 God's commands to preach the Gospel to every creature, the 
 duly appointed representatives of organized religion had no in- 
 terest in an itinerant Christian street preacher going to jail as a 
 recompense for his labors. Hut while I hesitated to take jail — 
 the condition of my parentless wife occasioned it — the news re- 
 porters in court tried to act in their measure, the good Samarit- 
 an, and they whispered to me, "Promise him, promise him." 
 So they awakened a bit of amusement in me, and jesuit-like I 
 said to myself, I'll not go there, but I'll go somewhere else. So 
 I was let off, though I had resolved to take some other stand — 
 one of the statements against me being ihat the crowd was 
 large, and a runaway horse might have caused serious trouble. 
 Personally I would rather have gone to jail than have had the 
 gloom I experienced ontside the court, because I did not stand 
 firm and go to jail — God knows how far 1 was right or 
 wrong. 
 
 However, before dinner there came to me at the shop a 
 good man who expressed his regret at what I had experienced, 
 and told me that the enmity I had experienced in my good en- 
 deavor was only a repetition of experiences others had gone 
 ti:rough before me, and said he would find me a spot where I 
 siiould not be meddled with. So he got me a stand upon the 
 troughs of the canal, and there I spoke without hinderance. 
 I was reminded ot the circumstance four years later and about 
 two hundred miles from the place, by a man who had seen 
 what had taken place on the occasion, so I suppose these little 
 testimonies have had some influence for good, though they 
 may have been much despised by many at the time. It is writ- 
 ten, Where the word of a king is there is power. So the words 
 of the King Eternal. Immortal and Invisible, the Only Wise 
 God cannot fail, however feeble the instrument that sounds it 
 forth, God's choice being the weak things of this world and 
 things despised, yea and things that are not, to bring to naught 
 things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. 
 1 Cor. 1 :27-29. 
 
 I made an efibrt to return to Liverpool from here; but the 
 American war had so stopped trade that the employer I had 
 worked for in Liverpool advised me not to come as I probably 
 would not find employment. I went to Manchester in the hope 
 of making a stand there, but could not obtain the work or 
 
46 MORS THAN FORTY YEARS ' 
 
 wages I was looking for. I full free from any obligation to re- 
 turn to Liverpool as desired when I left, as I could not find a 
 way open, and after my past experience I determined I would 
 not commit myself to any, lest they should say to me as Nabal 
 did to David when he wanted bread, There are many servants 
 now-a-days that break away every one trom his master; and he 
 gave him not. i Sam. 25:10. 
 
 In the midst of my desire to reach the people I longed for a 
 rural life, and the city of Hereford, with the rich pasture, mag- 
 nificent timber and its beautiful river had so entwined itself in 
 my imagination that I felt I could live and labor there in con- 
 tentment if the way should be open, and so in the providence of 
 God for a few months it was. I preached regularly in the open 
 air, and here the police preserved order tor me. 1 labored in 
 and round the city and country for a few months, but found it 
 was not to be my resting place. 
 
 I returned to my native town, and my good Bro, Hicks, 
 A Gadsby Baptist preacher, who himself labored at his trade, 
 or rather was foreman in the factory in which I worked, related 
 his experience in iQrmer years, in the same neighborhood. 
 He had been dissatisfied in the place in which he labored, 
 which was somewhere near Gloucester, and thinking that the 
 neighborhood of Shrewsbury some sixty or more miles distant, 
 would be more suitable for him, he started for it. Sixty or more 
 years ago communication from town to town was not as easily 
 made as now. When he got into the town the words continually 
 rang in his ears, Elijah, what doest thou here, and not 
 being able to return a suitable answer to the voice calling from 
 within his heart, without stopping to see about business he im- 
 mediately returned to the place he had left. 
 
 This good brother had, in his early days, seen many 
 changes and gone through many difficulties, and by these trials 
 as well as by grace, was ready to console and ent,»jurage others, 
 in affliction. For many years he had been preacher at a little, 
 weeting-house called Providence Chapel, and his abode was. 
 cajled Zoar Cottage, adjoining it, which was characteristically 
 named (near to flee unto), a little of the declining shadow of 
 Puritan times; tvoul^l there were more of it! He labored with 
 his hands and preached the Word, and there were no collections 
 i^ his meetings. It was a work of faith and a labor of love. 
 He said on one occasion, We have a box at the door for conr. 
 fefiibutions, I do not judge any, whether they give or not, b«,t I 
 
IN COSPBL IIARNKS8. 47 
 
 do not know, he said, how covetousness and th« grace of God 
 can ^o together. 
 
 He was liberal-souled, for when I ^ot to town he brought me 
 half a sovereign ($2.50) unsought for, and later when two men 
 in the trade from London came to me on tramp, looking for 
 work, whom I housed for the time, he brought them five 
 shillings to start them again on the road. This good brother 
 has passed into rest and his works do follow him, and the same 
 will be to us if we follow in the same path. 
 
 In November of the year 1862, I purposed to go 
 again to London. I had lived with a godly and somewhat re* 
 markable woman, my parents' home being at the other end of 
 the town. She had belonged to the Knglish Church at Ply- 
 mouth under the pastorate of a Mr. Hawker. In this church 
 first began the association of Brethren, known as Plymouth 
 Brethren. They were called a church within the church, and 
 finally they left the English Church and became a separate com- 
 pany. She was among the early members and was baptised in 
 the sea at the age of 12 years before Muller and Craig had 
 joined the company. This good woman was ilesirous that I 
 should remain in Bristol, and as I was about to leave she said, 
 You must be mad, to think of leaving for London at this time 
 of the year. But I had no thought about times, good or bad. 
 I concluded that the Lord's goodness reached all the year round, 
 so that I was not much frightened or hurt however things went; 
 but I did not like her saying 1 was mad, neither did I want to 
 get into mora trouble than I could, get easily through, sq I went 
 to my bedroom, and taking my Bible from my pocket, I prayed 
 the Lord to direct me by His Word. I read down the 71st 
 Psalm and halted at the 16th verse, "I will go in the strength 
 of the Lord God, I will make mention of thy righteousness, even 
 of thine only. " That word never came to me with such force 
 before. Then I said, Perhaps it means someone else and it does 
 not apply to me. 
 
 Here I would say that all the Scriptures apply first to Christ, 
 and then to His people, they being members of His body, but 
 Christ the Head, as well as the Alpha and Omega which takes 
 in the whole body. At that time I could not take out of this 
 passage the assurance which I needed, but that was my short- 
 sightedness and want of faith, for it more than covered the 
 gijound. So I read on to Psalm 72:12. "For He shall deliver 
 the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath np, 
 hdper." That fitted exactly my circumstances and. conditio)|^ 
 
48 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 and I could triumphantly say, Enoug^h, my gracious Lord; my 
 faith can on this promise live, can on this promise die; and witlr 
 a school-boy's jump I went down the stairs and said. Farewell, 
 it is all right, I am off, and away went my wife and I. 
 
 1 paid the friends a visit in Bath, and saw the good old 
 man I had baptized fourteen months before. They said he was 
 soul-prospering, so I hailed him cheerily in the Master's name, 
 and he responded by getting down his Bible and telling me how 
 much comfort he had gotten out of this and the other. I sup- 
 pose I had prayer with him, and left, not letting him know who 
 I was. I suppose it was with him then as it is with me now, I 
 do not remember faces and forms as readily as I used to. I 
 was well pleased with the unfeigned faith the good old man dis- 
 played. 
 
 I had not been back with my good friends long when tug- 
 ging up the hill came the old gentleman, and taking hold of 
 my hand he said, "I thought I'd die and never see ye. I come 
 to thank ye for the help you have been to me," and he left a 
 shilling in my hand. This meant much from a poor, aged man. 
 He has long since died, but I heard of his continuing a good 
 life and making a joyful end. 
 
 Froin Bath I received a commendation to brethren in Lon- 
 don, thinking I might do good service for the Master there. My 
 wife remaining for a while in Bath. I did not find the recep- 
 tion in London over genial; in fact, I preferred to work at the 
 trade rather than have their professed support and liberality, 
 and at my earliest withdrew to another part of London. They 
 afterwards came with legal constraint for me to return, and I 
 simply said I could do with them, or without them, but as I 
 discerned little grace and big show, that would not do for me^ 
 and I immediately rented a place and fixed it up for service, 
 with but little success, but I made a few acquaintances and for 
 a time we worked harmoniously. A few professed conversion, 
 but, like the Samaritans of old, and many of to-day, they feared 
 the Lord and served klols. 
 
 I baptized a few persons in the canal, baths, and in Should- 
 heim St. Baptist Church. Mr. Dike, I think, was the name 
 ot the pastor who gave me a welcome to use it at any time, but 
 I concluded it was not to much profit to baptize persons who 
 largely acted as if that ordinance ended their obligations to God 
 and His Word. "If any man draw back," said Paul, "my soul 
 hath no pleasure in him." However, to his own Master every 
 man standeth or falleth. 
 
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IN GOSPEL HARNESS. ^ 49 
 
 I was early impressed with the word: '*Whereunto ye have 
 attained, walk by the same rule, minding the same things." So 
 I have endeavored to keep my face Godward and the rest could 
 go as it would. I did much preaching on the renowned Pad- 
 dington green until the Jesuital workers had it fenced in with 
 iron rails, and prohibited persons from standing and talking to- 
 gether. They made it look very artistic with flowers,but killed 
 out the Christian life and godly activity of the scene. 
 
 I will here relate an incident that should never be forgot- 
 ten, religiously, socially, or politically. There had been, a few 
 years previous to this, disturbances at open air meetings in 
 Hyde Park, on account of some sympi^thy being expressed for 
 Garabaldi in his struggle for Italian liberty which occasioned 
 dissatisfaction on the part of the Pope's siupporters. Hitherto 
 the Park had been common ground for al) comers, (I also hav- 
 ing in years past planned in my mind to preach the Gospel there, 
 with a band, but feebleness of health hindered me.) The Rom- 
 anist rowdies occasioned Hyde Park to be closed against all 
 preaching and lecturing and meetings of all kinds until 1866 
 and 1867. Paddington Green was the second edition of their 
 manoeuvering to shut men's mouths, but how true the old say- 
 ing is, "God is above the devil." 
 
 In Sept., 1886, some political agitation determined to try 
 the strength of the aiithoritcs to hinder them holding their 
 meetings in the open air in Hyde Park; the police force was 
 called out to hold the fort for the Romanist schemers, which 
 ended in a big fight and many going to the lockup. They be- 
 gan to talk about hanging the rioters. What geese and gob- 
 blers these sanctiitionious characters are. In the following 
 March, the little band of 500 political agitators gathered to pos- 
 sess themselves of the right of occupation of the Park tor free 
 speech. The government maintained the blockade by placing 
 in the Park two companies or regiments of the line, and one 
 company of artillery. This made things look serious, and the 
 whole country was agitated. But one of the agitators was a 
 lawyer who understood his business, and would stand to his 
 guns. The little company gathered at Trafalgar Square, 
 marched to and entered the Park and held their meeting, 
 though the bayonets and guns were there, and ;he way remains 
 •pen to the public for freedom of speech to the present time. 
 The secret came out afterwards that at midnight the govern- 
 ■aent had called the best legal advisors to enquire what could 
 be done according to law, and found that they could not pre- 
 
MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 vent them from enterinsr the park, except for misdemeanor, and 
 that without violence, upon pain of being ♦^ried for man- 
 slaughter, and if they would bring any to justice they must 
 serve each one with a summons at his own house. So the 
 Home Secretary to be quit of his folly, next day retired from 
 office. Christ, not England alone, expects every man to do his 
 duty. 
 
 1864* After closing my first meeting room I obtained 
 the loan of the Cabmam's Hall on Bell St.,Paddington,and held 
 there some encouraging services. 1 had a large half sheet bill 
 printed, announcing the services. This was in 1864. One of 
 the bills I put over my bench at which I worked. My employ- 
 •er, while on his rounds through the shop, read the bill, Days 
 «nd weeks would go by sometimes without his coming close to 
 me. On this occasion he said. Buskin, you are a foolish man. 
 You cannot do this preaching and mind your business, too. 
 Why, if I should di) as you do, my business would go to the dogs. 
 1 said, There is a difference, sir, between you and me. I be- 
 lieve God, and you do not. So he said, That won't do, I am 
 not an infidel, 1 go to church and we have a very good minister, 
 and if I do as he says I shall not be far wrong. But you can 
 .never do this preaching and your business, too. Now, said he, 
 1 will give you a bit of good advice. Yviu let this preaching go 
 till, you can find a man with money, then let him find the money 
 and you do the preaching; then you will be all right. But if I 
 had taken his advice 1 should have waited a long time and done ■ 
 nothing. 
 
 I have been looking out from that day to this, now nearly 
 thirty-four years, and the man, his shadow or ghost, has not as 
 yet. overtaken me, though I have hunted for him more than for 
 most men, from Her Majesty's Privy Counsellors downward, 
 and jjave not found him or her, but this I have learned, that I : 
 cannot go from the presence of the Lord or flee from His Spirit; 
 therefore I have present with me Him who has all power in 
 Jieayen and in earth, and He is better to me than a host with all » 
 their treasures and all their force and He has promised that 
 He. will supply all our needs. It is for every one to undertake 
 the duties that are before him, or in other words,. "Whatso- 
 ever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might," and do all 
 In the name of Jesus, to the glory of God. 
 
 This employer felt kindly toward me, and when 1 thought 
 ^f Jeaving London to go to the eastern counties, thinking tbati 
 Jie. would buy put a business, he ofi"ered me, in the event of ^hi* • 
 
\. IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 51 
 
 doing SO, that I should take charge of it for him. But I had 
 no desire for sucli bondage, and prayed that I might be freed 
 from it, and it was so. 
 
 While in his employ one of the men became sick with 
 smallpox. His case was very dangerous. Many suffered and 
 died at that time in London. He lay for three weeks before 
 the disease turned, and I was constrained by the circumstances 
 of his wife and small children to do what I could to help them, 
 as one of the children also was suffering from the disease. I 
 sat up with him five nights out of eight, doing also my daily 
 work and open-air preaching twice on Sundays and once in the 
 Aveek. I think my watching him was the means of preserving 
 his life, for sometimes I had to keep him In bed by physical 
 force. One man near by in the height of the disease, got out 
 of bed and pumped water on himself and died. 
 
 The effects of this exercise reduced me to a condition of 
 weakness tliat 1 never before nor since experienced. One day 
 at the shop, I could not work. 1 sat on my tool chest and was 
 overtaken with fainting, but I could hear the men saying, He 
 has got the disease all right. How I got home I do not now 
 remember, but I was so weak that it was a continual pain to 
 sit, stand or lie, and every passing thought within me would 
 act with a shock of pain from the crown of my head to the sole 
 of my feet. But after three days I was able to go again to the 
 shop, and not the least sign of smallpox. The poor man re- 
 covered, but much disfigured, and after a visit to the convales- 
 cent home by the sea side, returned ruddy and strong. The 
 Lord preserved me from being at all affected by the disease. 
 There is a difference between no fear in duty and reckless defi- 
 ance when in danger. The Lord has promised to keep us in our 
 going out and coming in, and personally I have proved it, but 
 I have suffered much from weakness. 
 
 Al5out this time 1 had to hold service in the Cabman's Hall, 
 Victoria Station, near Buckingham Palace, another person tak- 
 ing my place at the Bell St. Cabman's Hall, Paddington. It 
 was about two miles distant, but before service was ended I 
 fell from the desk to the floor in a faint. 1 had experienced 
 rnany such turns in former years, and that was the last I think 
 till I came to this country, and only once here. I did not con- 
 tinue the meeting long at Bell St. Some made objections 
 agamst my Sunday morning services which were for Christian 
 fellowship and worship, and as the hall was loaned and not 
 hired I had to leave. I was afterwards offered the possession 
 
52 ' MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 of a hall near the Marylebone theatre which was not far away, 
 but I was afraid of a second edition of Bell mission, and did 
 not accept it. 
 
 About this time the adversaries of Christian liberty, closed 
 up Paddington Green, that no religious services should be held 
 there, as they had previously done at H)'de Park. In both 
 places persons gathered by hundreds and thousands, on Sun- 
 days, and sometimes week days, to preach and hear the Gospel, 
 and some to oppose. The most lawless opposers were the 
 Romanists, and some amusing experiences took place by the 
 opposition of professed infidels as well as many a logical debate. 
 A doctor sometimes would come from near Reading, a distance 
 ot forty miles, to attend these services, and sometimes to teach; 
 he was a benevolent man with some peculiar doctrines. I know 
 he was strongly opposed to eating pork and rabbits. When 
 first he was brought to me he declared himself to be a preacher 
 of the Gos'pel, an evangelist. He took tea with me. But for 
 his appearance, I thought he did not fare amiss, compared with 
 the Master who had not where to lay his head. He was 
 gentlemanly, but homely. His garments were not gay but very 
 good, and 1 thought him somewhat a novel representative of 
 the Master. Not wishing to misjudge his words or his appear- 
 ance, I presented a half crown for his acceptance for the 
 Master's sake. He laughed, and said, My brother, I can buy 
 you and all your houses But 1 think he made a mistake, for 
 figures are high in that line with me. However he pressed me 
 to accept a half sovereign for the poor who were with me, which 
 I did not refuse, for 1 had a few pets of that kind. Bro. Joseph 
 Bell was one, a strong Calvinist Baptist, whom I can never for- 
 get, and about whom I will have a few things to say to profit. 
 Some time later the doctor brought from the Midland Counties 
 to Paddington Green, a converted pugilist, to preach the Gospel, 
 and as he talked about the Bible, one of the champion profes- 
 sors of infidelity, defiantly said he did not believe the Bible. The 
 pugilist said to him, I'll prove you a liar in quick time. Will 
 you answer a few questions? Tell me, do you think you will 
 ever die? "I should be a fool to think that I would not die," 
 said the man. "And does not the Bible tell you so?" said the 
 pugilist. So the infidel was knocked out at the first blow and 
 retired, and the people laughed at the simple manner in which 
 he was beaten. Poor brother Bell. H*^ was despised and af- 
 flicted, but he was a happy soul and always ready to speak the 
 praises of the Lord; a shoemaker by trade, but his infirmity did 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 53 
 
 not allow him to earn his bread by it. The Scripture says, 
 "The poor is hated even of his own neighbor." So was Joseph. 
 One man with whom I dealt, a baptized believer, said to me, If 
 you knew the character of that Joseph Bell you would not have 
 so much to do with him. What is the trouble, I said. Do you 
 know, said he, he has carried the sign boards round town for 
 the infidels? I said. That is a serious matter. Yes, said he, I 
 don't want you to take my word without evidence, I'll send you 
 to one of the infidels who will tell you the same. So the next 
 day, I suppose, I went to sec the infidel. When I got there we 
 knew each other, having had some debating on Paddington 
 Green. He welcomed me in, and inside the front door hung a 
 Scripture roll of daily texts. I said the first thing, I see you 
 are not as much of an unbeliever as you profess. He said. 
 That's the wife's, and I don't interfere with her. So the Lord 
 had doubtlessly given him a good wife and she was trying 
 quietly to lead him to God. I said to him, Is it true that Joseph 
 Bell carried the board for meetings of your society? Oh, yes, 
 he did, but give the old man his due; he afterwards came to 
 the meeting and said all he could against us. Good for Bro. 
 Bell, I thought. I thanked my infidel neighbor and started to 
 discipline Bro. Joseph. I suppose he was witli my wife waiting 
 to have tea with us. I said to him very seriously, Bro. Bell, a 
 very grave charge has been made concerning you. Yes, yes, 
 said he, what is it? I heard that you have been employed by 
 the infidels to carry the advertising boards of their meetings 
 round town; is it true? He said, Yes I did, and who told you? 
 I said, Bryant. Miserable fellow, he said, he stopped to lecture 
 to me about it and I told him I was getting a half crown or 6oc 
 for doing it and I needed it, and if he liked to give me the 
 money I did not want to cany the board. And did he tell you 
 what was on it? No, said I, what was it? "The Bible, was it 
 true or false; an open question." Why, you could have carried 
 such a board as that, couldn't you? So I had to laugh, telling 
 him what the infidel had already said to me. This shows how 
 some persons who are not actuated by love, if they can find a 
 little hole to get their mischievous fingers into, will do their best 
 to make a big rent, then think they are very wise. 
 
 After this poor Bro. Bell sent for me one Sunday to see 
 him; he had fallen on the street in a faint, and his doctor pass- 
 ing, ordered him to be taken to Marylebone workhouse hos- 
 pital. I immediately went, and seeing him I said, Bro. Bell, 
 how are you? Calvinist-like in a whisper,he said, The Lord found 
 
54 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 me in the wilderness yesterday, but bless the Lord I am on the- 
 rock now. I am very weak and my throat is dry; bfing me a 
 little wine. I sent it the next day by my wife, but he had 
 passed over the river of death. His sorrows and sufferings were 
 ended. I went with his wife and son to the grave. A sad and 
 humiliating sight is the deadhouse of Marylebone hospital. A 
 dozen or more corpses lay waiting for burial. In a deep down 
 grave of 15 feet or more, Bro. Bell and others were laid, and 
 somewhere near" the same grave lies a dear little son of mine, 
 Samson by name, buried when I was away from home, and my 
 hope and comfort is, "We shall meet again on the resurrection 
 morning when the shadows shall have passed away and life's 
 eternal day shall bring no more sorrow or decay." 
 
 Time went on and 1 wanted more elTectually to carry on 
 work for the Master, but found it difficult to do so. There was 
 little fellowship of the heart and spirit. Fellowship of words 
 and forms and'display, rigid sanctimoniousness andprecisenessof 
 religious pronunciation and accent, but little brotherly love. [ 
 held open-air meetings in the outskirts of London, Harrow, and 
 Kilburn, where I also had a meeting room, but little was ac- 
 complished. 1 occasionally attended the operative Christian 
 Association on Church St., Paddington. This was sustained by 
 the rich in the interest of the working classes, and here I found 
 more simplicity of heart and character than elsewhere. One of 
 the members became sick and finally lost his reason and tried 
 to destroy himself in various ways, the last being by starving 
 himself. I occasionally visited him at Han well asylum, taking 
 a journey of six or eight miles to get there, and it was a pitiable 
 sight to see the hundreds of lunatics of various characters, some 
 fierce, some feeble, simple, cunning, and some sane. To a 
 young woman I remarked concerning her father, that there 
 did not appear to be anything the matter with him. She said 
 he was all right while there, but as soon as he had his liberty 
 he was uncontrollable. One man made many statements to me 
 to convince me that he was allied to the Royal Family of Eng- 
 land, and just to get rid of him he was placed there and there 
 was no insanity about him. On one occasion the wife of the 
 man I used to go to see, gave me a cake and pudding to take 
 to him to induce him to eat, but while he appeared perfectly 
 reasonable on all matters, it was in vain that I tried to get him 
 .0 eat. Concerning the cake he could not touch it for it was 
 jiot paid for, atid the Scripture said, "Owe no man anything-,*' 
 j%Q,d; hejyovUd jC"^ke no ^naove firom that, and concerning tha 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. i$$ 
 
 ^ pudding, if he ate that unworthily he would be condemned; so 
 I had to leave him as I found him. 
 
 On my former visit he wished to have my Bible in which I 
 had written the hymn which I suppose was then new: "My 
 Jesus, I love Thee, 1 know Thou art mine." So I asked him 
 •' concerninftf the Bible, but he said the men liked the hymn so 
 well that they stole the Bible from him to have the hymn. Oi» 
 ni> return I told the association Ihat the only hope for his de- 
 liverance was by prnyer to God, in which they earnestly united, 
 and his abstinence was overcome and the next visit I paid, he 
 was so far recovered as to be able to work in the garden, and 
 finally he was restored to his home. 
 
 1866* In the year iSb() my strenj^th gave out, and though 
 I had labored in London from Nov. 'h2, to June '6b, I had 
 little satisfaction from my hard labors. Christian fellowship 
 was largely only a name, and I wished to be away. In May or 
 June the large money panic took place in London. T. e banks 
 and houses failed for ^'100,000,000, but the Pro\'idence of God 
 had provided for me Scarboro, the renowned seaside summer 
 resort, and there I was from June to November. My health 
 was restored and my employment was comparatively profitable. 
 1 held open-air services on the sea beach and in the open places 
 of the town. 
 
 I sailed from London with my wife and family on the 
 _ steamship Bruser. A month later she sank at midnight and 
 fourteen persons were drowned, she being cut nearly in two by a: 
 Sunderland coaler. In a lumber camp twenty-five years later, 
 while distributing tracts I had one entitled the Steamship' 
 Bruser. Sol read it mysclt. The writer stated that in it he 
 related his experience on board the shin at the time, to be an en- 
 couragement to any Christian who may be in dread of the hour' 
 of death. He s.aid the Captain woke him out of his sleep, telling 
 'him to save himself for the ship was going down. He rushtd- 
 'to the deck in his shirt and drawers but could find no way of 
 •escape. He then followed another man up the rigging, the 
 ■first man trying to reach from the one yard arm to the other, 
 '■fell, whether drowned or not he could not say, he saw that for' 
 him there was no hope of escape. He then concluded that in a.- 
 'few minutes he should be undii the w;iter and lilV tnded. Wlnit 
 'things had been well with him h* had rejoiced in God, and h<^ 
 ^iisked himself, could he now do the same and leave his vi'ife 
 And children to his heavenly Father's care? Immediately lk» 
 'began to sing, "Rock of Ages," or "Jesus, tover of my soul.*" 
 
H' 
 
 56 MORB THAN PORTV YEARS 
 
 He had no further care but immediately there was a rush dowa 
 the deck and he ran down the rigging and then found himself 
 safe in a boat. God gives the grace in the needed hour. To 
 me this tract had a double interest, the instructio i it gave and 
 the incident which had caused me especially to be thankful to 
 God for His preserving care over me and mine. The weathea 
 was remarkably tine but the trouble was caused by a mistake 
 in the lights. 
 
 At Scarboro 1 made my first acquaintance with Christadel- 
 phians, but they largely reminded me of wax figures of Madame 
 Tasand, of London, with beautiful figure, moving eyes, and 
 measured motion, but lacking the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy 
 peace, meekness, gentlene.^s, etc. We get the heavy dong of Big 
 Ben the Cathedral bell, of St. Paul's, London, sometimes heard 
 a'distance of 20 miles, and the harmonious, silvery sound of the 
 clanging chimes, pealing sacred sounds, and including all that 
 comes between the two, and so much of the profession is as 
 mechanical and dead as all the belfry bells. To be understood 
 aright it says that life is far from here, and like sea bells should 
 be better understood to say, Beware of rocks and shoals, and 
 loss and death. Nothing will sulTice but the Spirit of life in 
 Christ Jesus dwelling in us and our being led thereby and the 
 Word of Christ dwelling In us in all wisdom. 
 
 1 went Jigain to Bristol, my native town, having a strong 
 infatuation for rural lite, although for town life to me there is 
 none to compere with I^ondon, but the charm and din and the 
 whirl carries you through the distance of its streets, and you 
 have'cjuickly to find the physical force exhausted by the labor 
 and excitement of London life. Here again I conducted open- 
 air Gospel preaching, and among other places took for my 
 stand a position on the whiirf near the drawbridge where many 
 times before I h^-.J held such and saw others do the same. I 
 had not long been there when I was ordered away by a policeman 
 ■who said it was prohibited. I said that I had known services 
 to have been held there for many years, and that it was in no 
 way inlertering with business or passengers, and for these rea- 
 sons I refused to leave, also considering the authority of heaven 
 to exceed the authority of earth. I was taken to the police sta- 
 tion and debated the matter with the Inspector or Chief of 
 Police. I told him it was a Christian duty to do so, that there 
 was evident need of such work, and that I could remember that 
 such work had b^en done there from my early childhood, twenty- 
 ,^ve years before. He said it was now prohibited and that if I 
 
IN GOSPBL HARNESS. $f 
 
 wanted to preach, Brandon Hill was the place. I said to him, 
 Sir,it is poor evidence of wisdom on the part of the officer who 
 has charge of this city to tell me to preach to the winds on 
 Brandon Hill, where at night no people are passing. He said, 
 You cannot preach at the drawbriii^e unless you have a special 
 permit from the mayor; but as this counsel did not proceed from 
 the doctrines of God's Word, I did not follow it, hut went else- 
 where and was not again interfered with. 
 
 I learned that the cause had been that Romanists had made 
 a clamouring while men were preaching there, and that one 
 man had been thrown into the water of the harbor. This was 
 another evidence thai instead of the authorities being a terror 
 to evil-doers and for the praise of those who do well, they sup- 
 pressed the right to accommodate the wrong. Strange that men 
 should be sent from Christian lands to that of the heathen to 
 <lo the very thing that they are prohibited from doing in the 
 Christian lands from which they are sent. 
 
 1869* Failing to realize what I expected, in business 
 matters, I returned to London early in 1869 to find things in 
 confusion as a result of the money panic of '66. I had 
 not felt much of it, but in London things were low, and I con- 
 cluded I vvould(D. V.) try Canada, so 1 went to Liverpool and 
 then to Ireland, intending to sail from Ireland. I did not 
 find opportunity for out of door preaching during tiie six months 
 I was there, but I did find much pleasure in the fellowship 
 with a few godly souls. 
 
 I saw some rioting in Newry at the time of the Amnesty 
 meeting; on Sunday the constabulary charged through the 
 streets with fixed bayonets, (which were something new to me) 
 while at the same time one well dressed and orderlv young man 
 was bleeding freely tVom a long gash down the side ot his face, 
 and all this was the outcome of rival religions — not Christianity. 
 
 In Dublin 1 was present at a Bible reading at the Y. M.C. 
 A., one of the most enjoyable to me that I ever was at. Old and 
 young alike took part, and I thoguht grace was very manifest 
 among them. At Killashandra. near Cavan,I had an enjoyable 
 intercourse with some Roman Catholic families, one having 
 joined with me in prayer anJ Scripture reading, in Kilkenny. 
 I also made the acquaintance of some godly persons whose 
 delight was in the Lord and His Word. 
 
 At Waterford I was astonished to see a wom,an kneeling 
 •down in the open air and public highway to a black image. 
 That may be called Christian, but rightly it may be said ot it, 
 
t-SB MORR THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 "The lieathen in his bliiiJncHS bows down to wood and stone."' 
 I saw also the round tower,built by Strongbow, Karl ot Bristol, 
 , and his associates in the twelfth century, bein^j then used as a 
 , police barracks. The river and surrounding scenery there is very 
 beautiful. 
 
 1870. I sailed for Liverpool and there took boat for Bristol 
 where I rtinained till June (1H71) and then sailed for Canada, 
 to seek there that which I tailed to tind satisfactory in 
 England, Wales or Ireland— the opportunity and ability to 
 effectually carry on the work of God's grace. The Monkish 
 system of priestcraft so largely pervades all classes of constituted 
 religiousness, that to be honest they might put up over their 
 doors, "Outsiders need nol apply, who will not subscribe to our 
 Authorized Constitutional program ," Thus you get it from 
 Romanism down to (Quakerism, Bretlirenism, etc., in 500 
 different forms, and apart from these compacts, scarcely two 
 can be found to walk together in the liberty and power of God's 
 Holy Spirit; they must be tarred in some way or other that they 
 maybe known asthesiieep of the degeneracy. How long before the 
 time will come that they shall call every man his neighbor under 
 the vine and under the fig tree, apart from the Pope's potent- 
 <■ ates, petty presidents and olVicially bloated men in office, who^ 
 
 • in order to maintain their official dignity would, like the Jews, 
 .prescribe to Jt'sus Christ, himself. The times and circumstances 
 
 may be different, but the fashion and spirit that actuates, is the 
 
 same. The perverted spirit begins with infancy, and get* 
 
 hardened, dried up, and destitute of feeling with old age, and 
 
 - the young, full blown with their officiousness and zeal, are of- 
 
 ( ten the embodiment of impertinence, instead of godly gracious- 
 
 , ness. How quickly young men get from industrious callings to 
 
 strutting .tround as religious fops, with their religious garbs and 
 
 canes,and their affected clerical sanctity of palaver and manner, 
 
 instead of being stalwart and diligent men of righteousness, for- 
 
 igetful or wilfully negligent of.the biblical admonishings against 
 
 • such conduct. 
 
 It was in my mind to provide a home for my family in 
 V Canada, so that I could be the more free to pursue Christian 
 
 work. I was grieved on account of the number of men in- EQg- 
 nland who could not obtain employment, and the difficulty to 
 
 obtain a proper remunerative price for labor and manufactured 
 vgood^i-so, I concluded that by leaving I should make room for 
 
 someone else. Being unwell at the time I concluded that r<a 
 
 failing ship would be better than a steamship. 
 
IN OOSPIL IIARNRSS. 59. 
 
 1871* On the islh of June, 1871, 1 left Liverpool for 
 . ^ueboc, with my wife and four ihildren. I think the name of 
 the ship wa.<i Minerva. After eif^ht days a heavy storm arose. 
 1 held religious services both Sundays and week days, and also 
 had prayer on the deck at Liverpool before leavinjf. The sec- 
 ond Sunday was spent by many in playinjf cards, as many god- 
 less ones were on board, bui on Monday, before breakfast, a 
 heavy wave struck the ship, which caused tin- death of one man, 
 and his wife returned from <Jucbcc to Lnj^land a widow. I 
 went to the deck to see the cause of the crash. Things were 
 terribly knocked about. The captain saved one man from being 
 washed away; another told ine he was carried away by a wave 
 and did not kni>w whether lieVas in the sea or on the vessel. 
 The man who died had his legs and back broken. 
 
 The storm lasted several days and our hope of living 
 through it was very small. I hail prayer among the passengers. 
 Some ungodly ones were led with tears to cry to God for spar- 
 ing mercy. An Irish widow, with a little son, with joyful coun- 
 tenance, said to me, "If the ship m^^s down we shall be with the 
 Lord. What a blessing." The storm subsided; the poor man 
 ^was buried in the sea; I conducting the religious service. Two 
 weeks later, on Saturday evening, in a tog, the ship ran upon 
 the rocks, on St. Paul's Island, in the Gulf of .St. Lawrence. 
 Providentially we escaped with our lives, but lost much of our 
 goods. For eight days we remained on the island. Our money 
 and many valuables were lost. We landed in Quebec six days 
 later, about the 3rd of .August. 
 
 I had intended remaining in Quebec, but owing to the 
 wreck I went to Toronto; but failing to find suitable employ- 
 ment I went to Hamilton where I worked for a short time at 
 the western Car Works, but came near death from the tape- 
 worm. However I was kindly and effectually treated at the 
 hospital by Dr. O'Rilley. 
 
 1872* I remained in Hamilton until April, 1872, then 
 went to London to work at the Car Works, but as I could not 
 come to terms I went to St. Thomas and worked on the Can- 
 ada Southern Railroad. During this time I ceased my public 
 activities in Christian work by reason of the discouragements I 
 had met and some of the difficulties I had to encounter. 
 
 1873a In July, 1873, I left St. Thomas for Toronto in- 
 tending to goto Muskoka to take up land, 30 that I might t>e 
 free to work in the Gospel as soon as I could fix up a home for 
 '*ny <fanitly. In the fall ofthis year, a sore grief to myself and wife 
 
<60 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 was the death of our daughter about seven months old. I could 
 not understand it, I could not see a cause and was led to open 
 my Bible to look for instruction and consolation. I opened at 
 the Book of Job chapters 7 and 14 where I found comfort. She 
 is almost as vividly before me now as she was when alive. I 
 wrote the following for her grave: 
 
 Thou art resting, dearest inf.mt, thy pain and struggles o'er; 
 Thou hast fulfilled thy work, the days of God's appointed score, 
 But thy young heart and death-closed eyes shall yet in light 
 
 and'life revive 
 On the blessed morn when the dead from earth shall rise. 
 For in the dark and silent grat-e the Shepherd's voice shall 
 
 sound, 
 The lambs He'll gather witli his arm and on His breast they 
 
 shall rejoice, 
 Forever saved from sorrow, death and hell. 
 
 This was true consolation which but for God's Word I should 
 not have known or had brought to mind. It also set me to 
 thinking more seriously, and working more earnestly than I 
 had. I opened my door for social prayer, thougn very few 
 came, but that matters very little;they and only they who wait on 
 the Lord renew their strength. 
 
 Some time after this I went one Sunday to Queen's Park, 
 and spoke with some measun- of acceptance concerning God's 
 grace. This enlarged my acquaintance, others came with me, 
 and I held preaching services from the Don Bridge to Queen's 
 Park. Some who had heard me on the north of Yonge St. 
 thought I would do better if I had a hall, and desired me to 
 see what the cost would be. So I enquired the cost of the 
 Shaftsbury Hall which was $25.00 a night, the Agricultural 
 Hall $20.00. The old Covenanter's Meeting house could be had 
 at $9.00. But after all my efforts, I found no sincerity of pur- 
 pose towards me in the man who proposed the undertaking. 
 
 1875i In May, 1875, I arranged to go to the township of 
 McMurrick, in Muskoka, into the proposed temperance colony, 
 and there did some carpentering about a saw mill which was 
 being erected. There were then but two shanties in the town- 
 ship, the one belonging to the mill, aiid another on the edge of 
 Doe lake. It was said of McMichael who lived there that he 
 carried the first bag of seed potatoes to plant, 15 miles through 
 the bush on his back; but that is but a small matter in pioneer 
 bush life. Wc did not see fresh meat, except deer meat, till 
 the following Christmas, when a settler killed an ox. 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 6 1 
 
 In passing in to the mill I was encouraged by the hospital- 
 ity displayed. From Rosseau we had a walk of 30 miles, pass- 
 ing through a Scandinavian settlement. The first we met was 
 a Dane, who gave us kindly advice, telling us that we could 
 not get to the mill that night, and directing us where to halt. 
 It was about 6 o'clock when we arrived at the door of the man 
 with whom he directed us to stay, who proved to be a good man 
 as we had been informed. He also was a Dane. When I en- 
 quired if we could shelter there for the night, the good 
 man and his wife welcomed us in, and quickly set a meal be- 
 fore us. There were six in our company besides an eight 
 months old baby girl. I do not know the number in the family 
 of the Dane, but the family was large. They put us into their 
 beds, and went without themselves. When I came to pay the 
 good man for his entertainment, out of our slender means, wish- 
 ing to be as liberal as my means allowed, he returned me part 
 of the money not taking more ihan the cost of what we had 
 used. I found that they had their Danish Bible and I visited 
 them monthly for prayer and exhortation. Most of the settle- 
 ment came to these meetings — Swedes, Norwegians and Danes. 
 I afterwards made application for them for a school, and later 
 they wished me to take the position of school teacher. The first 
 Sunday I held religious services in the bush, under the shade 
 of the green trees, our seats being the logs. There may have 
 been in all about twenty present, nearly all intending settlers. 
 For fitty .Sundays I held services once or twice a day. Some 
 from the Ryerson settlement joined with us. I also held a Sun- 
 day afternoon or evening service there. 
 
 When fall came un I was advised to locate in Ryerson for 
 the winter, so as to obtain milk for the infant. It was a four 
 miles walk to the mill. 
 
 1876* I held services in Monteith, Ryerson , Perry and 
 McMurrick townships, and after a year concluded that it would 
 be better for me to remove to a more settled part, so I took my 
 family to the town of Parry Sound, June 1876, remained 
 there eighteen months, working at sundry jobs, as carpentering, 
 
 tJ^on making and furniture making, for some time, holding 
 ^.iy services. I commenced by holding Sunday services in the 
 court house, then in the school house, temperance hall and the 
 highway. But finally I was left where I began. No man 
 would know me so as to furnish me with necessary means t» 
 meet any cost. The honest toil of the poor whether in Chrtst'» 
 eause or in the ordinary labor of life is but little esteemed, but 
 
62 MORE THAN FORTY YEA<RS 
 
 in the day when Christ shall judge the world in righteousness 
 things will be different. 
 
 In one of the books I have had for sale, in the good 
 work pursued by the Mission, was a tale concerning a stone 
 cracker in a rural district in England. He was about to hi./c 
 his dinner, sitting on a heap of stones, his fare being of a 
 humble kind, but he gave thanks to God for it in plain words. 
 The Esquire who owned the adjoining lands, was looking over 
 the hedge, and hearing the poor man's grateful acknowledg- 
 ments of his Maker's mercies to him, ridiculed his offering of 
 thanks for such a meal, saying he should want something better 
 than that to give thanks for, and went his way. Some time 
 after the Esquire had a dream that the richest man in the coun- 
 ty was going to die that night, so he began to think who was 
 the richest man, and according to his reckoning there was none 
 as rich as himselt; so he concluded that he was appointed to 
 death. He became excited and sent tor the doctor, saying that 
 he concluded that something must be wrong with him, for he 
 knew that he had but little time to live, and the doctor was 
 ordered to do what he could to help him. He went to bed, 
 thinking he was not going to rise again. The doctor told him 
 that there was nothing the matter with him; but the Esquire 
 was convinced to the contrary, so b'. lay in bed all day and all 
 night. He ventured to rise the tollowing morning and take a 
 walk in his grounds, when the gardener came to him, and liff>- 
 ing his hat, asked him if he had heard the news. The Esquire 
 asked, What news? and the gardener told him that John, the 
 stone cracker, had died the preceding day or night. Then said 
 the Esquire, That was my dream; I, with all my lands, thought 
 I was the richest man in the county, but now I see that the 
 stonecracker with his contentment and godliness was richer than 
 I. God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and 
 heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that 
 love Him. This became the means of the Esquire's conversion, 
 showing that God uses what means He pleases to accomplish 
 His purposes. 
 
 Some may ask if any good resulted from such services. I 
 fnust just answer by God's Word, that it was at His word the 
 labor was done, and He has said. He that honoreth me I will 
 honor, and, Blessed are ye tliat sow beside all waters, that send 
 forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass (treading in that 
 which is sown.) We can afford to let God be true and every 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 63 
 
 iman a Ifar — for men of high degree are vanity and rnen of low 
 degree a lie. 
 
 I had not been in Parry Sound many weeks when 1 was asked 
 to conduct services nine miles out, which I did, sometimes every 
 Sunday a,nd sometimes every other Sunday. I contirmed to do 
 so for more than twelve months. At Parry Harbour the tavern- 
 keeper lent me his sample room, and furnished fire and light 
 free of charge. I had intended building a hall there for union 
 services, but that fell through. Our services in the tavern 
 sample room will never be forgotten. These I think were the 
 first public religious services held in Parry Harbour, except the 
 open-air services and the mill boarding-house services which I 
 had previousl} held there. 
 
 On one or two occasions I went to the school house fifteen 
 •miles east of Parry Sound, where the services were largely of a 
 social character; such the Scripture declares they should be, 
 though men have perverted it into literary, artistic, scholastic 
 •exhibitions, and many make merchandise of it; in many cases 
 men do not mean to, but that does not alter the fact, habit has 
 become second nature and the people love to have it so by rea- 
 son of custom and perverted understanding, and instead of hav- 
 ing godly fellowship, it is creature array. Going from the car- 
 penter bench, like Christ, and the fishing tackle, like Peter, 
 James and John, to get the anointing of the Holy Spirit, for the 
 work of the Lord, is to them out of date. They get machine- 
 made men from 16 to 20, who too frequently strut around with 
 a black cane for a shepherd's staff, filled with clerical dignity 
 less the power of the Holy Spirit to work regeneration in the' 
 heart, and lacking capacity to teach people to be conformed to 
 the likeness of Jesus Christ. 
 
 At one of the meetings held at the fifteen-mile school house, 
 the school teacher led in prayer, and for myself he earnestly 
 prayed. Lord, let Thy servant's last days be his best days, let 
 them have the glory of the setting sun. It was worth a great 
 deal of labor to obtain such a commendation, and I doubt not 
 this and many other such supplicatioas are on their way to com- 
 plete fulfilment. 
 
 1877. In October, 1877, I left Parry Sound to try 
 to find some enlarged opening for Christian work, or means to 
 carry out my evangelistic desires. 
 
 During these sixteen months in Parry Sound there were 
 many evidences in that locality, of the brevity of life. Thefirist 
 month of my being in the neighborhood, entering a k' >use ten 
 
64 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 miles out to get something to eat, I saw a woman whom I 
 thought insane, except that an open Bible told me I was mis- 
 taken. At last she spoke and said, I have lost three daughters 
 in three months; two were drowned and one died a little before, 
 I asked her if she tould say with Job, ''The Lord gave and the 
 Lord hath taken away; bJessed be the name of the Lord." She 
 said she could, but she felt it very sore. Many years after I en- 
 tered the same house and still sorrow continued there; another 
 daughter had died and a son had been shot. "Man is born unto 
 trouble as the sparks fly upward." Later there was another 
 accident in the district; a man was chopping and a tree fell on 
 him and he was taken home to die. It was near the nine-mile 
 school house where I held Sunday School and religious services. 
 He had been a great backslider. These were his own words, 
 and if he had died when the tree fell on him he would be in hell, 
 but' he died some tmie after, desiring to be with Christ which is 
 far better. 
 
 The next I remember was a young man I had pressed to 
 come to an evening prayer service at the six-mile school house, 
 but he refused, and a few days later he was killed while chop- 
 ping wood in the bush. 
 
 The next was a young man working near the six-mile 
 school house. He died in a few days from a blow by a logging 
 chain. 
 
 The next was a man and his son near by. The boy had 
 fallen out of the father's boat. The father, being a good swim- 
 mer, plunged in and carried the boy to the bank of the lake, 
 and returned for his daughter in the boat, and sank before he 
 reached the boat, and the boy also rolled intothe water and was 
 drowned. 
 
 Another was a man and his three children, carried away in 
 a very short time with diphtheria. In another house two chil- 
 dren in the same way. 
 
 The last Sunday night before leaving I spoke in the open 
 air. Among those listening was a lad; a night or so after, he lay 
 dead in the bush. I went out of the house and saw the gaping 
 wound in his chest, where the gun charge had entered. 
 
 The following winter the Wabanno steamboat went to the 
 bottom of the lake with all on board. 
 
 These are undeniable evidences to us that we should be 
 ready when the Master calls, to answer, Here am I, and to be at 
 peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ who has borne 
 our sin and carried our sorrow, and by whose stripes we are 
 
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IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 65 
 
 healed. As I went to Collingwood to seek some means, I knew 
 not how, to carry on God's work, the father of the dead boy 
 was on board. I held a religious service in the cabin, it being 
 Sunday. So disconsolate was the father that he told me he 
 would be glad if someone would shoot him, too, that he might be 
 out of his misery. 
 
 There are lonely hearts to cherish as the days are going by. 
 Oh the good we all may do as the days are going by! 
 
 I got to Collingwood but I knew not how to start my work. 
 The town hall would cost five dollars. The Baptist preacher, as 
 heartless as a stone, advised me to get out of town as soon as I 
 got in. A colored man offered me his house for a prayer ser- 
 vice, but I do not know that I accepted it. I did not hold open 
 air services; perhaps I was weary. However, there was no 
 opening suitable that 1 could find in Collingwood. I had my 
 tools and looked in vain for a carpenter job. One of the saw 
 mills in Midland had been burnt down just before. I was ad- 
 vised to go there, so I went; but no work was to be had. I filled 
 in my time at waggon work, waiting to return to Parry Sound, 
 but no boat came. I received a dollar and my board for my 
 work, and I intended to walk back. I went to Waubashene 
 by boat; and there 1 found employment at carpentering, and I 
 sent for my family. There was a meeting house there but only 
 one service a day, so I obtained permission to use the meeting 
 house, and for many months held one service a day. 
 
 While in Midland I held one or two services. There was 
 one meeting house there, used by Baptist, Presbyterian, and 
 Methodist, and an English church. I occasionally went from 
 Waubashene and returned in the evening. Tht re and back 
 was a walk of about 25 miles, but 20 or 30 miles of a walk was 
 no trouble to me at that time. 
 
 About Christmas I went to work at carpentering on the 
 Midland railroad at Oldfort, this gave me opportunity to hold 
 religious services among railroad men. I was somewhat in my 
 element, having at different times worked at railway work. 
 About 300 men or more were working along the road between 
 Waubashene and Oldfort. Several shanties being in the im- 
 mediate neighborhood, on Sunday ! endeavored to hold relig- 
 ious services in the larger one where I stayed, but the owner of 
 the place said, I would like it well myself, but there is a rough 
 crowd here, and I think it would cause trouble. I think, said 
 he, the owner of the next shanty would let you have his place, 
 ior he has a different class of men. I went to the second shanty 
 
66 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 and received a kind and ready consent, and the meetings were 
 held and numerously attended. 
 
 In the religious services that I have conducted I have en- 
 deavored distinctly to maintain these various features which be- 
 long to all pure and profitable form of religious services: First, 
 praise and thanksgiving, prayer and supplication to Al- 
 mighty God, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the reading 
 of the Holy Scripture with exposition of it, and exhortation by 
 it, as well as the proclamation of the Gospel, and I fully believe 
 that all true social worship must be inspired by the Holy Spirit, 
 and is equally the privilege of every true believer in Jesus 
 Christ, and while all things should be done decently and in 
 order, it must be a heavenly home a. id family fellowship to be 
 acceptable in God's sight, and the ministerial capacity implies 
 character and work, rather than oftice and profession; as Paul 
 says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels 
 and have not charity (love, or the grace of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ), I am nothing, and though I have the gift of prophecy 
 and understand all mystery and all knowledge, and though I 
 have all faith so that I could remove mountains and have not 
 charity I am nothing." 1 fear that a great deal of the religious- 
 ness of our day is but an artificial get-up ot sentimentality and 
 display, lacking the Spirit's control, direction, and power, and 
 therefore is ineffectual for regeneration. The sounding brass 
 and tinkling symbol can be made to work charmingly, but it is 
 without divine glory, power or life; dead, yes some of it twice 
 dead, if without the Holy Spirit's presence ichabod its name, 
 (the glory departed.) 
 
 The religious services at Oldfort very soon drew forth the 
 enmity of those who had no love for such exercises. The first 
 evidence of this to me was that I was taken by the throat and 
 gently shaken, which indicated tempest in the air: I took no 
 notice, but went to my dinner, when 1 was assailed with out- 
 rageous profanity, in the hearing of women and children, with 
 no one to call them to order; so I had to deliver my soul, by 
 telling them lustily that they should be thrown out of any decent 
 society. Upon this they got furious and clutched the knives, 
 intending mischief, when others interfered. I reasoned with 
 them and thought the devil had left them, but I was mistaken, 
 for when I came in at night it was worse than before. So I 
 quickly concluded that that company would not do for me, and 
 went to the shanty where the meetings were held, and asked 
 the people if they could give me lodging, which they readily 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 67 
 
 consented to do, and because the foreman with whom I worked 
 would not side with the rioters he had to leave at midnight, and 
 had to turn in with myself. Though a Roman Catholic he at- 
 tended the services and was well pleased to have been there. 
 
 Some time later the man of the first shanty came to me and 
 said. You will have to do something to stop the trouble or we 
 will have murder here. I said. You should be man enough to 
 keep your own house in order. He said, We should have got- 
 ten along all right were it not for your preaching; you started 
 the trouble, and now you will have to stop it before it goes too 
 iar. I asked him what he wished me to do. He answered. 
 Get out a warrant; to which I said that I had no money to 
 spend on him. He said he would find the money if I would 
 get out the warrant. I said, If you wish me to do it I will do 
 so. 
 
 The nearest magistrate was at Midland City, several miles 
 distant; I got ready to go forthwith. He said. Take care of 
 yourself; there are three men in the bush, and if you get into 
 their hands you will not get out whole. I picked up my nail 
 hammer and put it in my pocket, and I said, If they meddle 
 with me they will get more than they want. He said. There is 
 a house at the bridge at the end of the first wood, and you had 
 better ask the man to go with you (his name I have forgotten), 
 for if you meet the men you are. sure of trouble. I related the 
 circumstances to the man of the house at the bridge and he 
 volunteered to accompany me. His wife was excited and offered 
 him a revolver. He said. We " 1 not take it, we will do with- 
 out. So we marched away atioss the stream into the next 
 wood. 
 
 We had not gone far into the wood when we met the three 
 dangerous characters who immediately commenced to bully 
 and threaten what great things they would do. My companion 
 said in pretty plain terms that if it was fighting they meant he 
 would thrash the three of them in very short order, and they 
 need only begin to get it. He advised them to walk on and 
 say nothing. They, thinking discretion the better part of 
 valour, took their champion and went their way and we went 
 ours. 
 
 We passed the time occupied in getting to Midland, in re- 
 lating incidents. My companion told me of a bully blacksmith 
 who lived near a village Methodist meeting-house, and was the 
 terror of all the men who crossed his place wishing to go there. 
 Finally there came into the neighborhood a Methodist preacher 
 
68 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 who determined to settle the matter. He announced his inten- 
 tion to hold a meeting at the meeting-house. The blacksmith 
 awaited his coming, and informed him that he could hold no 
 meeting there. The preacher told him that he was not 
 capable of preventing him. The blacksmith replied that he 
 would get thrashed before he got there. The preacher told 
 him he would give him the opportunity of doing so, and took 
 off his coat. The blacksmith was soon on the ground, roaring 
 by reason of the pounding he was getting from the preacher. 
 Finally the blacksmith consented to allow the preacher to go to 
 the meeting unhindered if he would cease his pounding; but 
 the preacher would only cease on condition that he would ac- 
 company him to the meeting-house and attend the service. 
 There was no other way out ot the trouble, so he consented, and 
 this resulted in his conversion, and the peace of the neighbor- 
 hood. Perhaps to the reader this may be no new tale. The 
 whip of small cords was used in the temple and whether that 
 was the origin of the cat-o-nine-tails or not, a taste of the same 
 now and then by the lawless and profane, may serve as a whole- 
 some lesson. 
 
 When we arrived at Midland City, which at that time was 
 a small place with a big name, no magistrate could be found, so 
 we marched to the little village of Wyebridge, a distance of 
 four miles, where we obtained the magistrate's warrant, a con- 
 stable to serve it, and a volunteer corps to enforce it, if necessary 
 We returned to the scene of operation, but tidings of our ap- 
 proach had reached there before us, and the disorderly charac- 
 ters dropped their tools, picks and shovels, and took the short- 
 est way out of their danger, going across the ic which cracked 
 under their feet to the danger of their lives. Tlicy left a tale of 
 lamentation that they had lost their work and had to take a 
 long tramp. 
 
 After thi§ there was no more grievous strife; any so dis- 
 posed being quickly brought to order. Some were told that 
 they knew nothing, and it would be better for them to say noth- 
 ing. If they wanted to debate they were to debate with other 
 men and not with me. 
 
 1878iSome time later there was a strike on the road, some of 
 the men not having received their pay tor many months. About 
 three hundred took possession of the engine and the flat cars to 
 go to Port Hope, a distance of over one hundred miles. They 
 asked me to go with them. Their manner had become so con- 
 siderate after the departure of the rowdies that I could not re- 
 
IN GOSPRL HARNESS. 69 
 
 fuse to accompany them. They telegraphed the Mayor of the 
 town — the late Mr. Craig — and the counsellors who provided for 
 our reception at the various hotels at Port Hope. I had pro- 
 vided myself with some large posters for religious services, and 
 obtained the use of one of the rooms of the Young Men's Chris- 
 tian Association for mid-day prayer and gospel service. I also 
 held other meetings in the open air. The meetings were well 
 attended; among the number was the good man, the late Joseph 
 Scriven, the reputed author of the well known and beautiful 
 hymn, "What a friend we have in Jesus." He prayed on be- 
 half of the president of the Midland railway, Mr. Hugal, with 
 remarkable emphasis. These were his words, "Oh Lord, turn 
 Thou the heart of that wicked man Hugal. " As this expres- 
 sion will indicate he was a remarkably sincere and godly man 
 and his life told marvellously for good in the town and neighbor- 
 hood, as the residents well know. 
 
 Our friend Scriven was somewhat pecuHar,as the following 
 incident will indicate: When leaving the town and bidding 
 ,hitn farewell he handed me a dollar, saying, "Your wife may 
 have need of this, but I do not give it on your behalf." There 
 are not many men possessed of a character like unto his. Sinre 
 then I have had many profitable communications with him. I 
 pressed him earnestly to take part with me in the mission work 
 now pursued. His last expression concerning it to me was. 
 The Lord provide you someone else, but I will not go. On my 
 next enquiry the following year I learned he had been drowned. 
 
 I had a permit to hold services in the town hall, which I 
 did, but after much contention with the man in charge, though 
 having the Mayor's permit. We remained twelve days. The 
 men's wages were paid only after they stopped the trains from 
 travelling, which they did for three days. 
 
 One remarkable experience there was, a big flood caused 
 by heavy rains, breaking up ice, bursting the dam and over- 
 flowing the river. This was in March, 1878. It was a terrify- 
 ing sight to see the mighty rush of waters, carrying away 
 bridges of stone and wood, which indicated the power of the 
 Most High. 
 
 When our wages were paid, and we were about to return, 
 a remarkable incident occurred. One of the men entered the 
 train, apparently well, and suddenly fell and was taken up dead. 
 It was a grievous matter to remove him to a flat car on the sid- 
 ing and leave without him. 
 
 On their return the strikers were shut off from work on the 
 
70 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 railroad, whether from the company's want of means, or as 
 correction for insubordination,! know not, but at Waubaushene 
 I was kindly treated from first to last. 
 
 I went through various parts of the neighborhood seeking 
 work and conducting religious services. I had a Sunday 
 School and held prayer services at Oldfort, visiting Coldwatur^ 
 Victoria Harbour, Midland, IVnetanguishcne, Wyebridge, Bar- 
 rie and other places, holding prayer and exhortary services, 
 which gave me much labor and walking, and some danger from 
 exposure to *he cold, although 1 generally endeavored to be 
 cautious and not undertake more than I could get through safe- 
 ly. To avoid being frozen I had to shelter oue night at Old- 
 fort. I was desired by a friend to conduct services at Victoria 
 Harbour (or Hog Bay as it was then called), but I would not 
 venture there because of rain and Hood. At the time my friend 
 was much vexed with me for not fulfilling my promise; but my 
 good friend and his companion were afterwards drowned to- 
 gether by being unduly venturesome. 
 
 I soon found work upon the mill property, but the 
 wages being low, and the work hard and somewhat 
 unsatisfactory, I concluded to go to the United States, and find 
 work at carriage building. I started for Port Hope intending^ 
 to cross by boat to Rochester, N. Y. All the money I had to 
 start on the journey was 20 cents and a little food, and a drizz- 
 ling damp day to begin with. I made twenty miles to Orillia 
 about noon, and met a preacher ot the town with whom I for- 
 merly had kindly social intercourse, as far as my means would 
 permit, but now that I was away from home and without em- 
 ployment, he favored me with some cheap exhortation upon 
 discretion and good conduct, to which 1 meekly said that my - 
 trust and hope was in God, which he had sense enough to ad- 
 mit was good to do; but he had neither hospitality nor natural 
 feeling enough to say. Come home (which was a few steps), and 
 take something to refresh you before you go farther this dis- 
 agreeable day. 
 
 So I marched on through the rain (which went in at my 
 neck and out at my heels) till long after dark, when I struck a 
 tavern beside the railroad. I entered and hailed the landlord 
 to know if he had a spare bed I could have for the night. He 
 said that he had, and I told him that I would be glad to stay. 
 "Bad night to be travelling," said he, "let me help you off 
 with your coat." Sol thanked him and soon said, I would 
 like to get off to rest. As he showed me the room 1 said that I 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 7I 
 
 wanted to pay him, but money was not plentiful, and I must 
 ask him to draw it mild — mcariinf? the price. So he said. It is 
 hard times, I know, for workin^men, I'll charge you ten cents, 
 which I was pleased to pay him as I had expected his price to 
 be twenty-five cents. I rested well till the morning. My cash 
 was then ten cents. I wanted five cents for postage and paper 
 to write home, and I needed something for breakfast. I hailed 
 the tavern-keeper, and asked him to give me five cents worth of 
 bread. He said. Stay and get your breakfast. I commenced 
 to tell him that I had only ten cents, and he said, That will do 
 very well. I failed to write home for want of a stamp. I was 
 pleased with the manner of the good man, although some would 
 call him a bad one for keeping a tavern. 
 
 I went on in hope of finding work of some kind in the town 
 beyond, but in vain. No one said. Are you hungry, or thirsty. 
 1 started again and weary, sat on the road ten miles from Lind- 
 say. I began to think, what about the night, where I should 
 lodge. I had a measure of confidence in Clod's care even in 
 those circumstances and I concluded that when 1 arrived at the 
 town the first man I saw looking at me was the one who would 
 tell me where to lodge. So I came to the town and there stood 
 a man with his back to the tavern wall. I hailed him, Neigh- 
 bor, can you direct me where to lodge to-night, for I am a 
 stranger here. He said, I guess you can stay where I stay. 
 All right, I said, I will go. I said. Can you tell me where I 
 can find a carpenter job in the town? You won't find that here, 
 said he; I am a carpenter myself and am obliged to pile slabs 
 in a saw-mill. On our way to the house, I said, I was think- 
 ing of going to Port Hope. Take my advice, said he, go no 
 farther, for it is worse there than here. 
 
 By this time we got to the lodging house which proved to 
 be his mother's. They were evidently farmers who had come 
 to town to spend their last days, and were comfortable. As I 
 had no cash in my pocket I soon proposed to go to rest, gave 
 him my bundle, and promised to pay her on the morrow, but 
 where the money was coming from I did not know. No dinner, 
 no supper, no breakfast, save when I sat to rest ten miles trom 
 town, as I started to try to stagger along, 1 found an orange at 
 my side, and said. The Lord knew my circumstances, so I 
 thanked Him for it and was refreshed by it. 
 
 I searched the town for work and concluded that the best 
 thing to do would be to go back; so I went to the Midland 
 railway station master and told him that I had worked upon the 
 
/ 
 
 * 7* MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 road, but they had stopped the work so I had come there seek- 
 ing work, and there being none, I asked him to pass me back 
 to Waubaushene. He said he could not do it himself without 
 the consent of the head office at Port Hope; so he advised me 
 to go to the Mayor who would give me a pass. 
 
 I was simple enough to do as I was told. The Mayor said, 
 They have been getting the money, and they should pass you 
 back; and refused to give me a pass. I said. What am I to do, 
 no money, no work and no favor, and my bed to pay for and no 
 money to do it with? So the Mayor said, I will pay for your 
 supper, bed and breakfast. I felt gratified that I could pay the 
 woman as I had promised. In this you can see God's care. 
 
 I returned to the station to tell the result, but before I 
 reached it he shouted. Here! I have a job for you. I said. What 
 is it? Seventy cords of wood to cut. I asked the price to be 
 paid. Thirty-five cents a cord, one cut, said he. So I closed 
 the bargain at once. Immediately there came another man to 
 say, I have got a man to cut your wood. Too late, said the 
 man, I have just concluded the bargain with a man from Wau- 
 baushene who has worked on the road. The new comer was 
 another sent in the providence of God to help me. He said. 
 Have you a buck-saw. I said. No. He then asked me if I had 
 a saw-horse. He sold me the buck-saw and lent me the saw- 
 horse. I then went and paid the lodging, got my breakfast 
 and returned for work. I was told to go to the carpenter shop 
 and sharpen my saw. When I got there I was hailed by the 
 carpenter inside, Hallo, how came you here? On my legs, I 
 answered. But where have I met you? I heard you preaching 
 in Port Hope. He must have been one of the company who 
 went there for his pay at the time of the strike. From him and 
 others around the yard I received remarkable kindness, but the 
 utmost I could do was to cut three cords of wood a day; one 
 dollar and five cents was little money to keep two homes. I 
 had arranged to hold religious services on Sunday in a hall be- 
 longing to a tavern-keeper, who expressed himself as being 
 well pleased to have his hall used for such a purpose. 
 
 I concluded that if I continued to work there my family 
 must come down, so I asked a pass from the station master for 
 them to come to Lindsay. He said that the agent of the road 
 would be there in a few hours, and he would probably consent 
 ! . to it. When the agent came he said, Get on the train and go 
 
 back to Waubaushene and go to work on the road. This end- 
 ed the present experiences in Lindsay. In this we can see how 
 
IN GOSPBL HARNESS. 73 
 
 the Lord controls the circumstances and provides the necessities 
 of those who serve Him. 
 
 This dates at about April, 1878. I took my departure in a 
 box car. My friend, the carpenter, was professedly an infidel. 
 However the kindness of his heart led him to provide me with 
 a couple of dollars as soon as he knew of my distress. 
 
 My arrival at Waubaushene was an agreeable surprise to 
 all at home. The men on the road received me as kindly as we 
 parted when we went to Port Hope. I had the privilege of 
 working on the road, and if I found a better job I could take it 
 and return to work on the road again. 
 
 I continued at Waubaushene till about July, and then said 
 farewell to the many friends at Waubaushene, and sailed for 
 Parry Sound. I have a pleasant remembrance of the Christian 
 kindness shown me by the manager and the assistants at the 
 mill, as well as others. I had made improvements on a lot of 
 eighty acres which I designed to settle on. My right to sell the 
 improvements haying been disputed, the government gave judg- 
 ment in my favor, so ^ concluded again to occupy it; but found 
 my second attempt perplexing as the first, and the improve- 
 ments, which cost me one hundred dollars, on leaving Parry 
 Sound in December, I disposed of for a barrel of flour. 
 
 Before leaving Parry Sound the Scandinavians of the town- 
 ship of Monteith, Muskoka, desired me to take charge of the 
 school which some time before I had written to the department 
 to have established among them. But I concluded that my 
 work was Gospel preaching and not educational teaching, so I 
 declined. The only opening for honest labor in Parry Sound 
 at the time that i could find, was to go into the bush lumbering, 
 for which they paid $12 a month. Of course the hoard was ad- 
 ditional, and considering how far we could make the $12 go 
 between my wife and six children, we concluded that under 
 those circumstances some of us would have to be buried before 
 spring. So I said in my heart, Farewell Canada, here goes 
 for Britain, passing through the States. 
 
 A vessel for Detroit was being loaded with lumber at Parry 
 Sound. ' I asked the captain if I could sail with him. He 
 wished me not to take the journey by reason of the danger of 
 sailing so late in the fall. He said, I would not go myself if I 
 was not obliged to. So there was nothing for me to do but to 
 take to the road, as the captain's papers did not permit him to 
 take me as a passenger. The following year about that time 
 
74 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 the steamboat Wahbono sunk with all on board, showing the 
 correctness of the captain's judgment. 
 
 I sold a little pig for $2 and left the money at home, with 
 the barrel of flour.and started for the road as straight as I could 
 go for Rochester, New York. I met one of the attendants at 
 my preaching services ?t the nine mile school house, and we 
 went into the bush and had prayer together. I reached the 
 fifteen mile school house, where I had also held services, spent the 
 night with a godly family, and went on my journey till the next 
 night, and received the hospitality of a tavern-keeper, and the 
 same the following night farther on the road. I continued to 
 march along, accepting hospitality where I could find it and did 
 not seek in vain. 
 
 The snow increased in depth as I travelled along, and in 
 the dark I found it difficult to keep the beaten track, sometimes 
 getting knee-deep into the snow, so I concluded to make an 
 early stop. Providentially I found a man waiting for me on the 
 cross road, so I asked him where I could find a lodging for the 
 night. He said. You had better come in with me. Supper was 
 ready, he and his sister invited me to take a share, and I con- 
 cluded it right to give thanks unto the Lord, which they en- 
 dorsed with. Amen. By this we began to understand each 
 other. They said that their father had given a piece of their 
 land for the building of the Methodist meeting-house. I could 
 say like Abraham's servant, "The Lord brought me to the house 
 of my Master's brethren." When they knew I was a carpenter 
 they thought to retain me in the town to do some work for their 
 school. I was requested to stay until Monday. Had the use 
 of the Methodist meeting-house on Sunday morning for divine 
 service. In the usual manner the plate was passed around for 
 the collection which amounted, I think, to twenty-eight cents^ 
 twenty-five of which I dispatched to Parry Sound, and three for 
 a postage stamp. It is a small matter to relate, but it will in- 
 dicate the life of an itinerant preacher. I shall ever have in 
 pleasant remembrance the Christian hospitality shown to me by 
 the good man and his sister. Their recompense must come 
 from the Lord, for I have not found opportunity to discharge it. 
 
 I had, at this time, become seriously impressed that I must 
 go to Toronto and tell of the need of Christian Workers in the 
 district of Parry Sound and Muskoka, and see if any would 
 help me to continue the work already begun. It was an inward 
 prompting that I could not resist, much as I felt myself opposed 
 to going to Toronto. I oelieve it was a Divine prompting 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. . ♦ 75, 
 
 though the resuUs appeared at that time but little, as we shall 
 show later. 
 
 Carpentering was a failure, so I said farewell, and went on my 
 way. A good friend whose acquaintance I had previously 
 made invited me to tarry for the night, but I concluded to go 
 farther, I however failed to find a second welcome. The night 
 was cold and the snow was deep but I was vexed to find I had 
 sought in vain a shelter. On the road was a Methodist Church 
 and from it drove a company of men. I shouted to them, "Any 
 man in this neighborhood who could shelter a man for the 
 night without money? They said, "You are in the right place. 
 There is a man at the back of the lot who will receive you if 
 you go to him." I said, "I have been through many such lots 
 and am tired of refusals." They said, "Go in, you will be all 
 right there." I asked, "Is he a Christian?" They answered, 
 "He was a class leader with the Methodists." I said I would 
 pay him a visit. I asked him if he would shelter a man for the 
 night, who had no money. Peering out of the door he said, "I 
 have much sympathy with suflFering humanity, but you have 
 come too late. I said if I went farther I would be later still. 
 His answer was, "I have great sympathy with suffering 
 humality but I can do nothing for you." I asked him if he 
 professed to be a Christian. He opened the door a little wider 
 and said, "Yes." I said, "If you close your door on me you 
 will close it on your Master, mind." He meekly asked me to- 
 come in and be seated and, I will get you some supper. I said,. 
 I need no supper but to get shelter from the cold. He said, 
 "If you would have come earlier I would have made you more 
 comfortable. " So he made me comfortable beside the stove for; 
 the night. There was brotherly kindness with him when he. 
 told me at the breakfast table not to be so late before I provided 
 a place to stay for another night, should I need. 
 
 My next stage brought me to a waf^gon shop where I found 
 a little work, and then arrived at Toronto. The larger portion 
 of the earnings I sent to the family. My first work was, to go to 
 the most competent man, according to my judgment and have a 
 talk concerning evangelization or grspel preaching through 
 Parry Sound and Muskoka, and relate to him my labours and 
 experience and the condition of things during my three and a 
 half years' sojourn there. I did so; to which the man said he- 
 was pleased to know my interest in the gospel but such was the 
 condition of things that they could not keep the men paid that 
 they had out at work, so my application could not be entertain-, 
 
! >, 
 
 76 * MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 ed; but while I continued in the town I would be welcome to 
 attend the Sabbath or week day services, which I did, the fol- 
 lowing day being Sunday. I considered that so far I had done 
 my duty, and as there was no response where I expected, and 
 ought to have found it, I concluded that the best thing I could 
 do was to seek employment at my trade, concluding I had cast 
 the responsibility on another's shoulders, who should have been 
 able to get help. Therefore in my simplicity my conscience 
 felt at ease. I had not gone many steps when I fell into con- 
 versation with a man with a bar of iron on his back. I enquir- 
 ed of him the location of a man in my trade with whom I 
 thought I might find employment, and he gave me the inform- 
 ation I asked, and then asked, "Are you in that line? and 
 when I said I was, he said, I am in the same line. You a wood 
 worker and I a blacksmith, so I had to give him, in some 
 measure, an account of where I was from, and how I had 
 got over so much ground. He enquired how I was provided 
 for the morrow, which was Sunday. He said I have not much 
 in my pocket, but what I have got you shall have, and I wish 
 you luck. I live on Young St. If you get a job come and see 
 mc, and if you don't get a job before you leave, come and see 
 me. 1 could find no employment in Toronto. 
 
 On the day before Christmas I met the friend who had seen 
 us off more than three years before when leaving for Muskoka. 
 He was provided with a big turkey for his Christmas fare. He 
 gave me an Irishman's welcome to his home to share his Christ- 
 mas fare, and to remain. 
 
 After a week's ineffectual search for work his wife said, That 
 minister that you have been to see is able to put in a word for 
 you, so that you could find something to do, and he should do 
 so. I am generally simple enough to do as I am told unless I 
 can find a good reason for doing otherwise, and in attempting 
 to fulfil the wish of others I often find that they are mistaken, 
 and so it was in this case. However I presented myself on de- 
 sire to the person on whom I had called about two weeks be- 
 fore. I said. Since I have seen you I have sought in vain for 
 work. A friend of mine expressed the thought that you might 
 interest yourself enough that byyourinfluence an opening might 
 be found for me. With an air of stiffness he said. Come in, 
 and then said. Do you think I have nothing else to do but to 
 hunt up work for men out of employ? Let the men who want 
 ^work hunt it up for themselves. You came to me about gospel 
 ^ork, and now you come begging. If you had asked me for 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 'Jf 
 
 twenty-five cents in the first place I would have given it to you. 
 I judge your profession of the gospel is cant and hypocrisy. I 
 think that is about the roughest and most unceremonious 
 address I have ever had from a man ot culture. I said to him. 
 If you were lying in the gutter outside and could not get up 
 you would ask the first man 'hat passed to help you. That is 
 just how it is with me, but you have a fine house and think 
 you are unapproachable. You have judged my profession to 
 be cant and hypocrisy without evidence, and now sir I judge 
 you by the evidence that you have shown that your profession 
 is cant and hypocrisy, and that you are contemptible, and I ab- 
 hor you. 
 
 I took myself away and resolved to withdraw from Toronto, 
 and went forthwith to say farewell to my blacksmith friend on 
 Yonge St. The Lord's thoughts are not men's thoughts. 
 Immediately my blacksmith friend said, I am very sorry you 
 could not find work. Had you been here this morning I would 
 have gotten you a job cutting fire wood, handed me twenty-five 
 cents and said, I hope you are not intemperate. He said there 
 was one person I had not seen, and 1 must see him forthwith, 
 and feeling myself a debtor for his kindness, I took his counsel 
 and a change came upon the scene. I obtained employment 
 at once which proved to be in the line of God's providence. I 
 haci not long worked until I had a severe attack of rheumatism 
 which put me in an anxious and painful condition, during 
 which time my employer very kindly attended to my necessities. 
 Following the medical counsel, I went to the hospital with the 
 purpose of laying up and obtaining proper treatment. At the 
 sight of the premises of the hospital I lost courage to enter the 
 gate, and as I had travelled to the hospital I concluded I would 
 go to the place of work. I tumbled over the timber of 
 which I was to make a waggon, and in the morning arose 
 and went to ivork and lost my rheumatism. It may have been 
 a dread of the hospital that helped to make the change, but a 
 kind providence had ordered it. I soon attended the Baptist ser- 
 vices in the town through the influence of my employer, and 
 for a time had much pleasure in the association. 
 
 1'J79i About this time I commenced holding prayer 
 services. This was in 1879. At seven in the morning I 
 held meeting at the Queen's Park and also others during the 
 day, and occasionally in the streets. About this time the 
 Bible Society advertised for a lecturer in their work. I made 
 application to represent them, but my application was de- 
 
•78 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 clined. Before the close of the year severe attacks of fever 
 assailed several of my family, causinj;^ the death of an infant. 
 
 1880i Early in the following year, which was 1880. I 
 availed myself of an opening in my trade in Rochester, New 
 A'ork, designing to go to England. The previous sickness in 
 my family prevented my taking an opportunity that presented 
 itself. I soon commenced to hold street meetings in Rochester, 
 which was something novel to them. One woman passing ex- 
 pressed her approval by lustily saying. Bless thp Lord, brother, 
 you are on the house top. I had the pleasure of making num- 
 erous acquaintances interested in the Lord's work. We joined 
 together in social prayer and Christian confidence and kindly 
 association, and soon we joined together for open-air service on 
 Sunday afternoons. Our company was numerous, and the ser- 
 vices interesting, but some w'. o had no pleasure in the good 
 things in the kingdom assailed us with a shower of rubbage, 
 and the most of the little flock scattered. The only one that re- 
 mained of the company was an Irish widow. The soldiers of 
 the cross couldn't well stand the fire of the artillery of the prince 
 of darkness, the lack of true grace being the cause. I was 
 told that the adversaries came from one of the Roman Catholic 
 churches, and recommended me to see their priest. On calling 
 upon him he said he judged the Lord had not sent me to read 
 His word to the people. There was no use in complaining to 
 him. If I wanted redress I would have to go to the magistrate. 
 
 About this time a Baptist brother and myself arranged to 
 work together in preaching the Gospel through the country, and 
 circulating the Scriptures. We had to set a time to commence, 
 and at the appointed time 1 told him I was ready for the work, 
 but he deferrffd to start at the time, saying he would be ready 
 shortly. But his time never came. He displayed an adverse spirit. 
 I saw him a few years afterwards, a little time before his death. 
 He was then sick in bed. He said, I have desired to see you 
 more than any other person in the world. In answer to my en- 
 quiries to his condition he said, I am as though a thousand de- 
 mons were tearing me to pieces. Some time later he escaped 
 through the hospital window and jumped the railings ot the 
 bridge into the river and died shortly afterwards. He expressed 
 himself before death to the effect that the Lord had chastened 
 him by reason of his disobedience, but with his last breath he 
 was heard calling upon the name of Jesus. The Lord said, If 
 any draw back.my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But the 
 apostle says, "We are not of them who draw back unto perdition, 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. • 79 
 
 but of those who believe to the saving of the soul," and to this 
 every true believer can heartily say, Amen! 
 
 I sought some encouragement and help of the Bible and 
 Tract Society of Rochester, New York, but found no material 
 help. At this time a message was sent to me by a Christian 
 man stating that I could sell Bibles and scripture books for him 
 on a commission, but it was not very encouraging. 
 
 With much labour and accomplishing but little, after a 
 neriod of six weeks or two months I was ofTered work in a box 
 factory, which I accepted. I continued to hold open air ser- 
 vices, and to distrioute tracts on Sundays, and in the fall I 
 rented the old Quaker meeting house in Brownes square. I gave 
 notices in the paper concerning th« services to be held. Before 
 opening the premises for the public, at the house of the aged 
 Iri.^h widow before mentioned, where we were accustomed to 
 hold weekly prayer services, a good brother who had read the 
 notice in the paper said. So far you have done right, but unless 
 you call on the business people you will get no funds. So I 
 started upon the line that he proposed, of calling on the busi- 
 ness houses. A Christian medical man introduced me to a lum- 
 ber man who furnished me with the maierial to make benches, 
 and to fix the premises. Another gave me a chandelier. The 
 man who gave me my counsel painted my sign, and I was pro- 
 vided with hymn books and cash donations. 
 
 When I started, those that I anticipated would have helped 
 with me had started another meeting at the Quaker meeting 
 house at the other end of the town. However these meetings 
 were kept going for ten weeks. Finding it difficult to pay the 
 last month's rent and not wishing to contract debts that I could 
 not pay I asked the landlord to take possession of the benches, 
 which he consented to do. Some young men who had attended 
 the meeting, but who had been disorderly and thereby had 
 caused discouragement, upon the closing of the premises, accom- 
 panied me part ot the way home. They expressed their regret, 
 one of them sincerely saying that that place would have saved 
 some of them from jail, and perhaps some from the gallows. 
 
 1881i After this I held many meetings around the town 
 which brought us into the year i88i.* On several occasions the 
 mayor permitted me to speak on the court house steps, and the 
 police were there to keep order. 
 
 Finding no opportunity of returning to England, upon re- 
 flection, I concluded that the United Stales was a good field for 
 Christian work, there being a population of fifty million, while 
 
I ■■' ■ ' ■ ' ' ' _ 
 
 80 . MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 Canada had only five million. But by this time I could not Hnd 
 any advantage in comparing the surroundinjj^s with that of Can- 
 ada, so I resolved to return to the place whence I came. 
 
 One of my former fellow labourers in the gospel in Toronto 
 had pressed me in coming over to tarry at his home. Upon 
 arriving at his place I received a hearty welcome. I soon founci 
 employment, and among the operations was to fix up at the 
 race course. My conscience seemed to say, This is poor occu- 
 pation for a gospel preacher. My good friend with whom I 
 stayed was accustomed to take a morning walk before break- 
 fast, and on one of those occasions an adversary poured into his 
 ear the poison of scandal, although the gentleman who did so 
 was accustomed to give exhortations upon divine subjects. My 
 friend on returning to his home, commenced an onslaught on 
 me concerning what I ought to be and what I ought to do, in 
 contrast with what I was doing. I said, You pressed me 
 to abide at your house, and I accepted your invitation, 
 but with no desire to be a burden to your bounty. You will 
 please come with me to your wife and understand that I have 
 arranged to pay for my expenses while here, which I had then 
 discharged and told him that I judged he was unworthy ot my 
 company. 
 
 One of the things the Lord hates is the man who sows dis- 
 cord among brethren. I was very grieved to lose the fellow- 
 ship of one whom I esteemed a Christian friend. This was the 
 work of the mischief maker. At the close of the year he wrote 
 me, after I had returned to Rochester, and asked me to forgive 
 the wrong he had done me. I wrote him that I did freely for- 
 give him, but I could not think of him as the wise man that I 
 had formerly judged him to be. 
 
 After a few months one of our former Christian acquaint- 
 ances called upon me in Rochester. I enquired of him concern- 
 ing the person before spoken of. I learned that he was 
 buried some time later. I saw his widow. I enquired the 
 cause of his death. It was a grievous matter to speak of. She 
 said he had gone out as usual in the morning and that was the 
 last. I ji'dged from her expression that he was brought home 
 dead. . 
 
 I had arranged to bring my family across, but the man to 
 whom I had committed the matter blundered and occasioned a 
 delay. During this time I ran a nail into my foot which dis- 
 abled me from work. I had to return to Rochester an invalid. 
 I again attempted to maintain a Christian work in Rochester, 
 
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IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 8| 
 
 sustaining myself by various uperalions, carriage work and car- 
 pentcring, and finally becaaie broken down in healtii and 
 reckoned that if I tarried much longer I would have to be buried 
 there as two of my little ones already had been. 
 
 I must relate a little incident which had occurred while 
 there. In buying a newspaper one night from a blind man I 
 said to him, Friend, has the Lord opened the eyes of your 
 understanding to know Jesus? Is he your Saviour? and he 
 shouted with gladness, "Bless the Lord, He has," that he could 
 be heard across the street. After this we got intimate, and he 
 was accustomed to spend his Sundays with me. There came 
 to the town a man who said he could do miracles in giving 
 sight to the blind, so I mentioned the matter to him. He said, 
 It is true. I know some who couldn't see and he has been the 
 means of giving them sight. I have been thinking that per- 
 haps he could do something for me, he said. Wouldn't it be 
 grand to see the tields, the flowers, and the birds? I will go 
 and see if he can help me. The next Sunday he came as usual, 
 and I said to him. Did you see the doctor? So he said rather 
 mournfully. Yes. I asked. What did he say? He asked me if I 
 ever could see, and I said, No. The doctor said, I can do 
 nothing for you. The tears coursed down the big man's face 
 as there was no hope for him. I have seen him since with 
 Scripture passages on boards on his back and breast telling 
 that the wages of sin is death, and the gift of God is eternal 
 life through Jesus Christ our Lord. He has a tin cup to receive 
 anj gift that the godly or benevolently disposed may deposit 
 there. My blind friend said there was a great deal of dissatis- 
 faction about his carrying the cup. Some of the professors of 
 religion who I judge are rightly termed cranks, would often 
 say to him if he trusted in the Lord as he ought, he shouldn't 
 carry that cup. While those persons are so ready to give their 
 counsel, they are often not so ready to bear the burden, and do 
 not remedy in themselves the faults which they suppose exist in 
 others. 
 
 1882i Again in 1882 I found it necessary to leave Roches- 
 ter,by reason of physical weakness, I suppose the result of over- 
 work. Pulpit preaching is esteemed honorable and laborious, 
 but the highway proclamation of the Gospel with the majority 
 is a thing of naught, and those who undertake to do such work 
 are considered capable of bearing their own burden. But God's 
 thoughts are not men's thoughts. He says, "They that honor 
 
8j morb than forty ybars 
 
 me I will honor, and those that despise me shall be lightly es- 
 teemed**; and so the end will prove. 
 
 I concluded I would endeavor to find an opening* in the 
 Northwest, the country being opened up by the construction of 
 the C. P. R. A way was opened for me to go to Port Arthur, 
 but I saw an advertisement for carpenters at Algoma Mills 
 which was only half the distance from home, with better pay. 
 1 earnestly strove to get to the latter point, but having given 
 my word to give answer by noon either to go or not to go I 
 conscientiously had tn go soon after the tick of the clock, and 
 well it was that I did. At night I was on the way to Port 
 Arthur, but meanwhile I found the man that I had sought 
 in vain in the morning. He said, T will send you at once if you 
 will go. The boat leaves to-night. I said, I would like to go, 
 but I cannot break my word. He said, If you are not satisfied 
 when you get to Port Arthur write to me, and I will tranship 
 you. 
 
 1 left by boat at night. We passed through heavy weather 
 and troubled waters. On arriving at Sault Ste Marie we 
 learned that the Algoma Mills boat on which I should have . 
 sailed, had I gone there, had sunk with a hundred persons on 
 board and only two were saved. 1 had the worst passage across 
 Lake Superior I had ever experienced. Had the vessel gone to 
 the bottom it would have been a matter of indifferen:e to me by 
 reason of the extreme sea-sickness I experienced. I held religi- 
 ous services at various times on board. .\ number of other men 
 vere on board, also going there to work. One of the 
 company was very debative, though professedly re- 
 ligious. One of the men who was very intemperate 
 and not very orderly said to our debative friend, You can shut 
 up. We know the manner of man )ou are. Your tongue has 
 told us. Speaking of myself he said. That is a good man, and 
 we will stick to him. This same Intemperate man got pitched 
 oflF the cars and had to travel with his head tied up, but when- 
 ever he met me he always hailed me heartily as his friend. 
 After some time 1 saw him straightened and trimmed. ) said to 
 him, I am pleased to see the improvement in you. h.\, iaid 
 he had been a fool long enouf7h,and now had pitched intem- 
 perance altogether. I hope he kept his word and attained to 
 the grace of God. I don't know that I have seen him since, 
 found my strength return at Port Arthur. I often worked day 
 jand night by reason of the great press of work in the construc- 
 tion of the railroad, and transportation of goods to the West. 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNRSS. •} 
 
 I had a conscientious objection to working on Sunday. I at- 
 cended the Methodist services and had a desire to attend their 
 Bible class. I sat for some time at the door, expecting a greet- 
 ing, and to be invited in. Certainly my appearance was not 
 very attractive. Man looketh at appearances, but God looks at 
 the heart. I lost patience waiting, and I thought they were a 
 little short of the respect they should show to a stranger. I found 
 another way to improve my time. I went to the corner of the 
 front street and endeavored to wake them up to duty by an 
 open air proclamation of the gospel which was somewhat novel 
 to them. For one of the newspapers in another town reported 
 that they were not privileged with a Salvation Army in bar- 
 racks, but we have a strong lung street-preacher who holds 
 forth every Sunday morning. Keep at it, Mr Buskin. Just so 
 in Port Arthur. I kept going on Sundays only, as I was so 
 much occupied with '.vork during the week. 
 
 •M Later I went into the lumber camps in the Indian reserve 
 and had permission to hold religious services in the camp. On 
 arriving at the camp my Bible fell out of my bag and a man 
 made it lustily known to the rest that there was a man in the 
 camp \vith« Bible. This ends the vear 1882. 
 
 1883* We soon had opposition in religious service in the lum- 
 ber camp. A gang of Frenchmen produced a tiddle and played and 
 sang a chant and then they played up a gig. Our services though 
 informal, was acceptable and profitable to some, and the 
 Frenchman, some months afterwards, on visiting their camp 
 many miles away gave me a hospitable reception and bought 
 such French books as I had, and desired more. 
 
 Leaving the lumber camp, I went thirty miles east of Port 
 Arthur on the construction of theC. P. R. railway. My first 
 work on arriving was to severely cut my instep with a sharp 
 axe, which laid me up for two weeks, and gave me opportunity 
 for reading an edition of Fox's Book of Martyrs, which one of 
 the men had lent me. 
 
 The man who hailed me concerning the Bible, in the lumber 
 camp was the one who helped me to the camp when my foot 
 was cut. He made known to others that the preacher was in 
 the camp, and arranged for my holding religious service in the 
 camp on Sunday. There were in all several hundred men 
 working. After two weeks I was told either to go to work or 
 leavejthe camp, so 1 hobbled out, but I suffered for many 
 months from the wound during my stay at the <iamp. I 
 held services three times on Sundays, and they were usually 
 
84 MORR THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 well attended. On return to Port Arthur I proposed to a 
 Methodist minister that the men working on the construction, 
 which extended for ninety miles should be visited, and religious 
 services conducted among them, and supply them with scriptures 
 and hymn books, etc. The Methodist minister said, if I would 
 go he would furnish me with French scripture as he had a 
 stock and he would try to get me a grant from the Bible 
 Society. I told him I would reflect upon it, and give him an 
 answer a day or two later. 1 reflected upon it and concluded I 
 could spare a couple of weeks to visit them. I received the 
 gift of the French scriptures from the minister but h.id to pay 
 for those from the Bible Society. I packed them up in a flour 
 bag put them across my back and started. 
 
 The first meeting I held was seven miles east where there 
 were forty men at work. I was well pleased at the respectful 
 reception I received There had been a dynamite explosion on 
 the work some time before, one of the men had been blown 
 over the dereck 40 feet high and was not very seriously hurt, 
 while one of the stones killed a man driving a team a quarter 
 of a mile distant. How many and marvellous are God's dis- 
 pensations to teach men their dependence upon Him. 
 I endeavoured to visit all the camps as I went along. 
 In some places there was a measure of contempt, 
 and in other places respectfulness and thanks. I sold the 
 Bibles and sent for more by the teams. At one of the camps 
 after holding religious service the contractor said he thought I 
 should have taken up a contribution. He had spoken with the 
 men and they said they knew me, and said 1 did not do so. He 
 said. The Priest comes here sometimes and he never goes away 
 without ten dollars, and though I am not a religious man I 
 think you are as much entitled to it as he, and in the future you 
 will give us an occasional call and I promise you shall not go 
 away with less than ten dollars. During the two weeks I pro- 
 bably received twenty-five dollars in all, unsolicited, twenty of it 
 being from the camp where I got my foot cut at which there 
 were many Roman Catholics. One of the^n afterwards said, 
 You have given that man twenty dollars, but if you had spoken 
 to us it should have been seventy. We do it tor our priests and 
 we would just as soon do it for you. 
 
 During my journey among the camps I had conceived the 
 idea of establishing a permanent work among them. I said to 
 one of the contractors, I think I can accomplish it and begin 
 
IN OOSPBL HARNESS. 85 
 
 by rktfnnf^ two hundred dollars at Port Arthur, He said, And 
 then come to me, and I will have ten dollars for you. 
 
 On our return to Port Arthur I immediately took the town 
 hall for two eveninj^s.havin^ in view the formation of a missif'T 
 amonj^ the men, the Methodist minister takin^j part with rrn. 
 and also others who confirmed the evidence of ^ood result! iff 
 from the relifjious services already held amon^ them. The 
 addresses were accompanied with prayers, I also wrote to the 
 puhlic papers and then endeavoured to raise funds in the town 
 for the ohject. The cost of the meeting's and tlie printing and 
 the time spent amounted to seventeen dollars, to meet which I 
 received three dollars and a ' ilf, I went to Mr. Ross the 
 manager of the construction uid told him of the matter pro- 
 posed. He said he would be pleased to help in any way that 
 would be to the men's profit, and especially to keep them from 
 intemperance. He said, the best thing would be to send to the 
 Syndicate and see what they would do. I asked him how long 
 before we would get a reply. He said. Not before three weeks. 
 T asked if I could go to work until that time. He directed 
 me to his nephew in order to do so, and I worked for five 
 weeks waiting for a reply at which time I asked him if the 
 answer had come. He said he had sent in the application with 
 other matters of a similar character and there had been no 
 answer to .^ny of it, and he supposed there would be none. So 
 I concluded that I would take my departure for home at the 
 first opportunity not obtaining the practical response. 
 
 The month of May was advanced, and still Thunder Bay 
 was covered with ice till the eighteenth day, when a big breeze 
 had broken it, and before night had blown it all away. The 
 last cattle in the town were killed for Sunday's dinner, and sold 
 at thirty-five cents a pound. On Monday the Steamer "City of 
 Owen Sound" came in and beef was sold at ten cents a pound. 
 I now arranged for my departure by the boat, I think it 
 was the 24th of May she sailed. Before leaving the Contractor 
 who had invited me to give his camp an occasional call and 
 said 1 should not leave without receiving $10 called at 
 the tavern where I stayed, and said to me. We have not seen 
 you lately. We thought you would have given us a call. I 
 told him I felt I had done all I was able to do, for I had my 
 family to look after, and I did not wish to undertake more 
 than I was able to get through with. I had endeavoured to 
 raise money for the work and had failed. He said to me, If I 
 had your gift I would go to work and the money would have 
 
f§ MORR THAN FORTY VRARS 
 
 to come. The rounwl of thi« good man who did not profent to 
 be relijjious has freuuently recurred to my mind and stimulated 
 me under circumstances of discouragement proceeding some- 
 times from professedly religious people. 
 
 Havinj^ failed at Port Arthur in my endeavor in the work 
 of the gospel, I thought I would renew my efforts in the city of 
 Rochester, New York, I did so without success. I then 
 asked my wife whether it wouldn't be better frir us to go to Can- 
 ada again. We sailed by boat, leaving two of our daughters 
 behind who preferred to stay. We sailed to Toronto, and some 
 time later to Algoma Mills. Through the kindness of him who 
 had befriended me when I came from Parry Sound, I was 
 furnished with a hundred Bibles and Testaments iti various 
 languages, a hundred hymn books, and sundry religious tracts. 
 
 We arrived at our destination some time in the month of 
 September, having an engagement for several months. On 
 the first Sunday I got the use of the round house for religious 
 services, then the only convenient place to gather in, there being 
 neither meeting house nor school house in the place. The 
 meetings were continued there on Sundays until the weather 
 became too cold, I soon put up a shanty that accommodated us 
 while tarrying there. Dissatisfaction soon showed itself between 
 the manager and employes at carpentering, my son being dis- 
 charged with others, which I concluded was an outrage, and 
 for saying so I also was dismissed. 
 
 The weather being severe I was afraid to leave on account 
 of my family, so I remained. I reckoned I lost by the breaking 
 of the arrangement, four hundred and eighty dollars, 
 
 The scriptures and books were soon all supplied, and 
 many were pleased to get them. They were supplied in Swedish 
 Italian, French, and English, and probably other languages, 
 but I have forgotten. I obtained another supply of Bibles and 
 hymn books during my stay. I made a visit from Algoma Mills 
 nearly to Sudbury holding religious services at various camps 
 and sawmills. 
 
 While at Vermillian River I purposed to hold services, 
 but the enmity and opposition was too strong, I was pleased 
 at the presence of the English Church missionary, Mr. Gilmor, 
 who conducted the service, and I enjoyed association with him. 
 He conducted a very profitable service, I had started work for 
 a contractor. Some of our men fell sick, and among them the 
 foreman. We had been sleeping in tents in a marsh in 
 November. The foreman said, If I stay here I will die, so I will 
 
IN OOtrtL HARNIM. 9f 
 
 have to leave. I said, If you leave I shall h«vc to leave f.oa, 
 for I am not pleaned with the company, Our kh^K returned to 
 Aiffcwnn Mills. On the way wc found a company of Italians 
 with several sick ones, one having his hrother on his hack. 
 Between thcni they carried liiii: thirty-six miles and hroujijht 
 him into .Mgoina Mills, not knowinj^ that he was dead. 
 
 Soon the work came to an end hy reason ot a strife he- 
 tween the Grand Trunk and C. P. R. Most of the workmen 
 were dismissed and sent to \arious point'^. I also left, but 
 engaged work at th«? Vt-rmillian Bridge. Immediately after 
 arriving there I made up my mind to hold religious services if 
 possible. I found a better reception than on my first visit. 
 They consented to have the place in order immediately after 
 supper. Notice was given and the bell was rung and the place 
 was tilled. The address was from the words in Genesis, "I 
 am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward;" and another 
 portion, "Walk before me and be ye perfect." 1 gave them, 
 to the best of my ability a rousing exhortation, and I heard 
 them afterwards say that it was very good — a very marked 
 contrast to my former visit. On leaving a few days after they 
 presented me with a voluntary gift of thirty dollars. I told 
 them I was not working for money and I did not desire their 
 gift, but I felt gratified with the evidence of interest, and said I 
 knew there was a need of such work being done and I would 
 put the money to the cost of going to Toronto, and endeavour 
 to establish a permanent work. 
 
 1884a I left on the first of March 1884 and arrived in 
 Toronto after a journey of three days and nights, I visited a friend 
 in whose home prayer service had been conducted and on leaving- 
 in the fall with my supply of scripture and books I was heartily 
 commended by prayer to the Lord. ,A Presbyteri ui minister 
 usually attended them. On occasion of my leaving he gave an 
 address and in some measure in speaking of mjself, seemed to 
 speak prophetically. He said. My father immigrated to this 
 country long ago to seek a fortune, and with my fatiier came a 
 friend who came out to spend one. He said (concerning my- 
 self), my friend puts me in mind of my father's friend. He is 
 rich in faith and he is going to the wilderness to spend it. H 
 had not anticipated returning on the errand that I had come to 
 Toronto for. The Lord who sees what is in the darkness as 
 well as what is in the light is preparing the way for his work. 
 My Toronto friend said, Yom h.ive come at a good time. I an» 
 going to our class meeting to-night, I will introduce you to the 
 
W MORi THAN rORTY VIARi 
 
 lender and our rirfi brother fliere, and no douht they wilt f§' 
 ipond to your proposition. The latter had throuf^h my triend'f 
 influence, promised to furnish me with all the scriptures I 
 wished to take, hut having at :he time all I judged I needed, I 
 thankfully declined his kind offer. After the service I told them 
 the result of my journey, and my errand in coming to To- 
 ronto. They were very genial and highly gratified, and were 
 profuse in promises. The class leader requested me to call on 
 him. ns his time then was rather occupied. On doing so he 
 reminded me that there were so many deceivers about that it 
 would be well to have reliable evidence and then there would 
 be no diniculty. I had with me the signatures of the men who 
 made up the thirty dollars which I had nothing to do In 
 obtaining beyond the exhortation. Yet, that was not esteemed 
 evidence so I told him I would write and get the evidences into 
 my possession which would confirm all that 1 had stated. I 
 suppose it took nearly two weeks for the documents to come to 
 Toronto. I thought I had in him a friend, and when I pre- 
 sented him the documents he still heaped upon them mistrust. 
 I was so vexed with his insinuations that I felt I would fly to 
 get from him. I could not have believed it possible that people 
 who make such charming professions could practise such vile, 
 heartless conduct as I had to experience. These may seem 
 somewhat strong expressions but not more so than they merit. 
 From neither of these persons have I received ten cents. 
 
 These experiences are records of facts, and not being quite 
 a cast iron character the little sensitiveness had to smart under 
 the unnecessary insinuation of evil that was attributed to me. 
 I came to do work and not to go whining around. 
 
 I attended prayer services daily, asking the Lord's guid- 
 ance and help, and the prayer of those present who were zeal- 
 ously affected in the gcod cause of the Lord, and many were the 
 prayers, and many have been the answers, and many have re- 
 joiced in the results. To one at the prayer service I said, I 
 would like to get a hall where I could hold a public meeting. 
 He said, I will take you where you can obtain one. I know 
 they hold >neetlngs there. I followed his counsel, but only to 
 be grievously disappointed. Although I was willing to pay the 
 hire of the room, I was probeJ with a variety of ungenerous 
 and unbusiness-Hko enquiries which seemed to say, Without our 
 permit you need not attempt your errand, and ! left him in 
 strong heat of contempt. 
 
 On the following day the same young man introduced me 
 
m (XMPffl, HARNIfM. 8f 
 
 to another person to whom I told my errnnd to Toronto. He 
 said he would send me to the rif^ht man to put me thrcujfh. 
 He said he would he holding a prayer service a( the wrst end 
 of the town, s»o I danced av.ay in full anticipation that the work 
 was accomplished. I found the man I was directed to.and after 
 ^reetinf^ him made known my e.ranJ, and in a sulky manner 
 he »aid, Oh, you are the man who 'v.ts in our store yesterday, 
 I asked, What store was that? On Yon^e Street? So I asked 
 him if he was the man 1 was speaking; with. He said lie was. 
 1 told liim I left his store very much j^rieved hy his expressions, 
 thinking that a gentle reproof would he helpful to him. But he 
 very plausihly told Mie that i» did people ^^ood to he jjrieved 
 sometimes. I found that words were not of much av«,il with 
 him, so 1 thought he should understand my estimate of his 
 character. I said 1 had come two miles for the benefit of the 
 prayers of the meeting, but 1 judged his prayers were not worth 
 waiting for. I occasionally met liim wliiie around the town. 
 He appeared with a smile to be a little genial, but I had no 
 confidence in his good will. Strange to say, Iiis days were tew. 
 He died shortly afterwa.ds. 
 
 I will not weary the reader with multiplying fUatements of 
 the disagreeable disappointments in men and associations to 
 whom I had looked tor better tb'nqrs. SutTice it to say, I 
 sought in vain, or almost so, ail liie Ciiristian organizations in 
 Toronto, but if my own hands hadn't been sufficient for me I 
 would likely have been lying among the dead men, but all that 
 has resulted I o.ve to the kindness ot the Lord, and to Him 
 alone I ascribe the praise, not being unmindful of individual 
 sympathy. Finding everything a failure I put the following 
 notice in the Telegram, February loth, 1884, for which I paid 
 sixty cents out of my last dollar: 
 
 \ Gospel Mission has been commenced in Algoma 
 district among Canadian Pacific Railroad men to circulate 
 the Holy Scriptures, religious tracts, and minister the 
 Word of Lite, the base now at Algoma Mills. $700 is 
 necessary for the year's expenses. Contributions will be 
 solicited through the city for the same and reported by 
 Geo. Buskin, Missionary. Communications addressed 12 
 Queen St., west. 
 
 This served to waken some up a little, for I was told the 
 Religious Tract Society would take it up.and I should be sent out 
 immediately. Upon delivering the message to their secretary they 
 
fO MORR THAN FORTY YRARA 
 
 Mid it would be impossible to do so in Irss than a week. I 
 mid it was useless to talk about a week's time. My money was 
 all gone and something must be done at once if they were go- 
 ing to do it. He said, Well, you can make out for the week 
 and we will advance you a month's pay — forty dollars. 
 
 As 1 usually am, I was simple enough to do as I was told, 
 — not thinking that Christian men made promises to break them 
 and provided my daily bread by pledging my tools, and when I 
 came to redeem them, they put exorbitant interest on them. I 
 said to the man, This is murder. Murder? said the man, I 
 would not like to do that. I said, That is just what you are 
 doing; you are taking the broad from (he children's mouths and 
 the clothes from their backs. 
 
 At the end of the week the secretary of the Tract Society 
 neither furnished me with the forty dollars, nor the material, or 
 even ten cents to cover the cost of my time, but said they were 
 not in a position to take up new work for they could not sustain 
 what they !iad in hand, but if I was willing to do what I could, 
 they would help me. This was a little light in the darkness, 
 although at no time has their help been more than credit for 
 goods, at 20 or 30 per cent, discount, all of which accounts to 
 date have been paid. There has been a donation of a few thousand 
 tracts in various languages during this time. 
 
 With this promise of help, I made another effort and wrote 
 five letters to the various newspapers concerning my errand to 
 Toronto, but the sum asked of me for its insertion in each case 
 was five dollars. Finally the editor of the Globe said if I had 
 someone to certify the correctness of my statement they would 
 insert it. So I started to find one, and met one on the street 
 and said to him. Will you certify my statements at the Globe 
 office? You have known me longer than anyone else in To- 
 ronto, and you know what I have been doing up the lakes. 
 They will instrt my letter if they have some one to confirm the 
 truth of it. He said, I would do it in a minute, but you know 
 my circumstances. They would say to me, You have enough 
 to do to look after your own work, and there would be trouble. 
 
 I concluded I had done all there was in my power, and as 
 there was an advertisement for carpenters I arranged to go to 
 work at Owen Sound. My three weeks'labour in Toronto brought 
 only $2. 10 till the 24th of March. As T was about to leave by train 
 two letters were handed me; one saying he h:>d read my letter in 
 ^e Globe and he believed he was acquainted with my friends, 
 and to call at his office. The other was from the Toronto News 
 
IN OOfPBL HARNIM, ft 
 
 r, and fif^ted thnt they wished to see me. Callinfi:^ nt the 
 N«wt office they handed me a letter sent to them for me from 
 Cobouff^, Ont. , saying," I have read your letter in the Newt of 
 your proposed Christian work among railway men. My father 
 is a railway man. I enclose you a small contribution and wish 
 you God's blessing." } then went to the other office as directed 
 and was kindly received, found he was acquainted with a cou* 
 sin of mine of the same name. He gave me counsel and as- 
 sured me if I acted upon it the work wouSd start. He also 
 sent me to his mother who gave me a contribution. 
 
 I was not aware that my letters had been inserted in the 
 papers. The person whom I asked to certify my statement at 
 the Globe office told me he had afterwards gone in and told them 
 it was all right. In this you may see how a person may help or 
 hinder a good cause by a little word. 
 
 Match 22nd, 1884. 
 
 "Mr. Geo. Buskin is in the city for the purpose of ob- 
 taining means to carry on the Gospel Mission to the men 
 employed on the Canadian Pacific Railway. For some 
 time past Mr. Buskin has carried on the work of dissem- 
 inating the Gospel among the labourers engaged on the 
 construction work along the line of the Canadian Pacific 
 Railroad in Algoma district, and also among the lumber- 
 men working in the same section, since September, 1882. 
 Mr. Buskin has supplied them with about 175 Bibles and 
 Testaments, ind 150 hymn books at cost price, and dis- 
 tributed two or three thousand religious tracts and small 
 books, and held amongst them more than a hundred re- 
 ligious services in different parts. He is now seeking 
 from the older settlements that assistance in carrying on 
 the work which he feels to be necessary in order that he 
 may keep pace with the rapi Jly increasing demands of the 
 field in which he has chosen to labour." 
 
 I had now got started and put the matter in the best form 
 my judgement and circum.stances permitted. I fell back upon 
 those that I was least acquainted with who had promised me 
 their help. The first gave me a dollar, the second 
 said, It is little I can do, but one sheep will lead 
 another, and he ^ ive me two dollars. I then com- 
 menced the town in order. The next gave me fifty cents, and 
 
fP MORR TIIAM FORTY VRARH 
 
 said, If he knew more about it he would just ns !ioon give mc 
 five Jollars. The five dollars has not come yet. I was some- 
 what surprised to find how f^i-nial many were upon whom I 
 called, and who gave me their help in a small way. One good 
 friend said, Is there no one wlio knows you in the city? I said 
 the Bible .Society and the Baptist Book Room knew what I had 
 purchased from them: and what had been sent me to Algoma 
 Mills. So he directed me to go and get them to certify the 
 same. It reads as follows: 
 
 Upper Canada Bible Society, 102 Yonge St. 
 
 April, 1884. 
 
 To Messrs Officers in charge . 
 
 Depositary, John Young. 
 
 Gentlemen: — At Mr. Buskin's request I gladly certify 
 that what little dealings we have had with him in the mat- 
 ter ot purchase of Bibles on credit, and payment for the 
 same has been very satisfactory and think him quite a 
 trustworthy man. . Yours truly, 
 
 John Young. 
 
 Standard Publishing Co. Limited. 
 Publishers ot The Canadian Baptist. S. A. Dyke, Man- 
 ager. 
 
 117 Yonge St. Toronto, Apr. 3, 1884. 
 
 Gentlemen: — I made the acquaintance of Mr. Buskin 
 upwards of ten years ago in this city. That acquaintance 
 was renewed last autumn when he purchased a number of 
 Bibles for distribution among the Canadian Pacific Rail- 
 way men at Algoma, and we subsequently received further 
 orders from him from that place. I believe that he is 
 sincere in his desire to do evangelistic work in that district 
 and that he has qualification for it. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 S. A. Dyke 
 
 Returning with it, he said, Now you are all right. Thii 
 gentleman is a solicitor. He gave me his two dollars and 
 his kindness has continued to the present. After this I fell back 
 upon those I was personally acquainted with, and also received 
 their help. At the end I had received eighty dollars from busi- 
 
IN OOSPBL HARNESS. ff 
 
 nessmen and forty dollars from private houses, includinffiadi«9. 
 It was not much but it served to set things going. The money 
 I invested to the utmost in scriptures and books which were 
 open to the inspection of those who had contributed. As th<;re 
 were at this time seventeen thousand men working on the con- 
 struction of the railroad, under those circumstances I reckoned 
 a personal application to the syndicate the right thing to do to 
 accomplish the work, but eighteen dollars was the beginning 
 and the end of all that I rev^eived from them, and I had to pay 
 my own travelling expenses. The entire amount I received 
 on the way from Toronto to Montreal, calling at intermediate 
 towns, was two hundred and forty dollars. 
 
 It is due to say that having got started I obtained more 
 practical help from the editors of the daily newspapers than 
 from almost any one else. On returning I acknowledged in 
 the Globe the amount received and my commencement of oper- 
 ations. The following is the copy: 
 
 Toronto Globe, Monday June 16,1884. 
 
 Algoma Evangelical Mission. 
 
 The following communication has been received since 
 the Globe statement ot the work of the Algoma Evangel- 
 ical and Scriptural Colportage Mission to Canadian Pacific 
 Railroadmen and lumbermen on March 22nd: A dozen 
 other newspapers have tollowed their example cheerfully, 
 the result of which has been the collection of $270 cash 
 and books to the present time, giving the evidence that 
 the desired end will be accomplished ot sustaining the re- 
 ligious work among the men. Toronto contributed in 
 cash and books for sale $113.40, also books for distribu- 
 tion; Hamilton $22.90 and religious tracts; Port Hope 
 $15.90, with a promise of books; Cobourg $3.75; Belle- 
 ville $13.35; Kingston $15.35, and books; Brockville 
 $8.50; Montreal $74 75; books $6.60. It is now pro- 
 posed to visit the men in the neighborhood of Mishama- 
 cotton, about 10,000 on the railroad, and then on the 
 eastern portion 6,000 men, besides the lumbermen. Trust- 
 ing that it may be for comfort and profit for time and 
 eternity, and that by the blessing of God that which is 
 necessary to sustain it may be forthcoming. CommunU 
 
|)4 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 cations addressed to Geo. Buskin, 12 Queen St. west, will 
 be promptly acknowledg^ed. 
 
 I went to Algoma Mills and then to Port Arthur g^oing a 
 hundred and fifty miles east along the road, visiting nearly all 
 the camps. I soon sold out all my stock and sent for more, 
 directing them to be sent to Algoma Mills, but as they were de- 
 layed in coming I went to Toronto to see the cause and found 
 they had been sent to Port Arthur. I took my ticket for Port 
 Arthur, to lay off at Algoma Mills, but the boat on which I had 
 started did not put in there, and I was left at Little Current, on 
 the Manltoultn Island, which inconvenienced and vexed me, 
 for I had but ten cents in my pocket, but I had a stock of Bibles 
 and Testaments, and I think I had the most remarkable sale 
 there that I ever had I sold from noon to night all round the 
 town. Three copies I sold (o one tavern keeper and his wife, 
 ^nd at night two steamboats came in and I made numerous 
 sales among the passengers and crew, and finally arrived at 
 Algoma Mills. 
 
 I fell in with a man going to Port Arthur. I tound him 
 godly disposed, and able and willing to work with me, so I 
 arranged with him to pay him a dollar or a dollar and a quarter 
 a day and all expenses, laborer's wages being at that time 
 $2.00 per day less $5.00 per week for board. For many months 
 my earnings had averaged from $15 to $18 per week at carpen- 
 tering, and laboring work being paid extra for overtime. 
 He did good work, and we got along satisfactorily, 
 working around Fort William and Port Arthur, 
 and then going to Ross Port, and also east of that point. I 
 then endeavored to buy a boat to go round the coast for there 
 was too much time lost waiting for steamboats, but the only 
 thing to be had was an Indian bark canoe. My assistant was 
 a military man, and told me he could handle a boat, so when I 
 arrived with the canoe he marched down with military tread 
 and in the same fashion boarded the canoe which rolled over 
 with him and sent him sprawling into the water. It was a nec- 
 essary and useful lesson for him which he stood in need of be- 
 fore we began our journey, for he was strong in himself, but 
 wanting in caution. 
 
 Some time later we were out in a big storm in which there 
 is one way for a canoe to ride safely, and that is by allowing the 
 wave to strike a little on the side of the boiv. They f needed 
 very great caution as the waves rose high. Finding our boat 
 
 
In gospel harness. 95 
 
 getting into the trough I shouted to him to be careful and see 
 where we were going. His answer was, You are serving a 
 good Master and He will take care of you. I thought it a poor 
 patch for his negligence, but providentially we arrived safely at 
 the place we were bound for. The men at the camp expressed 
 wonder that we escaped drowning. 
 
 Here and near by I saw remarkable evidences of interest 
 in the Scripture by men of many nationalities. Also at this 
 place I met a former Christian friend, a contractor, who re- 
 ceived us with true Christian hospitality, and our evening prayer 
 and gospel service was profitable, and well attended. 
 
 ^ After making many calls we arrived at Nepigon, in which 
 neighborhood there was a large number of men employed. 
 Mr. Rennison the missionary to the Indians at the English 
 church, received us with true brotherly kindness. 
 
 This ended our canoeing as the railroad laid back from 
 the Lake, and we took our journey to Port Arthur. 
 
 This was my third visit to Nepigon. On the way I stopped at 
 the camp of the friend who the year before had promised me ten 
 dollars if I got the work started. We were received very 
 cordially, and held evening service there. There were around 
 the camps, a number of men who professed infidel principles, 
 and my assistant got unduly excited during the opposition, 
 both outside and inside the camp. I felt that his untimely ex- 
 pressions might cause them to throw us out of the camp, which 
 would not be desirable at that hour of the night, so far away 
 from other dwellings. However no further trouble occurred. 
 
 IWe then had thirty-eight miles to Port Arthur in a broil- 
 ing hot day, which we accomplished by five o'clock. On the way 
 I said to my assistant, In the future in speaking with men of 
 infidel principles and especially in the camp, moderate your ex- 
 pressions so as not to give unnecessary offence. He said his 
 tongue was his own, and he was going to use it. I said that 
 it might suit him, but it would not suit me. I told him that 
 he had had his pay and I would have no further need of his 
 service. That ended our intercourse. Otherwise I was well satis- 
 fied with the assistance he rendered. 
 
 After this I returned to Algoma Mills and visited various 
 points among the mills of the Lake and then to the Manitoulin 
 Island. 1 had remarkable sales at Little Current. I arrived 
 at Okven Sound the end of October, having a debt of nearly four 
 hundred dollars to pay. There were some small portions of 
 supplies that had not been used. I had altogether supplied 
 
^6 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 seventeen hundred copies of Scripture books in thirteen lan- 
 guages, I arrived at Toronto on the fifth of November. This 
 must serve as a matter of fact evidence of doing useful work 
 which would have been done more extensively had there been 
 means on hand to meet the costs of doing it. 
 
 I was regarded by the creditors for the books with a meas- 
 ure of suspicion that I had contracted accounts that I was not 
 going to pay. Certainly money came in very slowly to do it. 
 
 1885. I went west as far as London and returned again 
 to Toronto on New Year's Day, 1885, and spent the time in 
 trying to obtain means to pay the debts, I received two dona- 
 tions ot a dollar each, one from a lady and another from a 
 gentleman, and on the following day divided it among the 
 creditors, a dollar each. I said to them, Take that as an 
 earnest that you will get the rest. The consideration for the 
 work that I had done was but small. It was somewhat a grief 
 to give a dollar for the best of causes, but hundreds could go 
 for frivolous matters. Having little hope of succeeding with 
 the people, I thought I would try to move the Government. I 
 asked a permit to put a notice concerning the work, in the 
 sitting-room of the house of the Legislative Assembly. I put it 
 in plain words where all who came in could see, which brought 
 me a few fifty-cent pieces. Some proposed my putting a peti- 
 tion into the House to obtain a grant from the treasury. I said 
 if it would be supported I would quickly put it in which some 
 members said they would do; so the next work was to prepare 
 the petition, 
 
 362 Yonge St,, Toronto, Ont., 
 
 February 25th, 1885. 
 
 To the Honorable Legislative Assembly of Ontario: 
 
 Petition on behalf of Alg-oma Gospel and Colportage 
 Mission for Railway and Lumbermen and others in out- 
 lying parts of the same district. 
 
 Geo. Buskiw, Missionary. 
 
 We, the undersigned, having knowledge that a large 
 number of men are engaged in the above district, in the 
 above and other useful occupations by which they ;Are re- 
 moved a great distance and for a long tiire 
 together from the benefit of public Christian 
 worship, there having been found also among 
 
ON 
 
 a 
 
 o 
 
 c 
 
 3 
 O 
 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 97 
 
 them (we are credibly informed)people speaking seventeen 
 different languages, and these people require Scriptures: 
 and other religious help. There has been contributed in 
 Ontario during the last thirteen months more ^han $600 
 for the furtherance of the above mission work, many Bibles, 
 and much sound religious literature of an undenomination- 
 al character has been supplied, amounting to about 1,100 
 lbs. in weight, besides religious services. Believing it to 
 be a good work we respectfully ask the honorable House 
 to aid the same with a grant from the Treasury that it 
 may be the more effectually pursued, — engaging if it be 
 your pleasure to assist this much needed work, to supply 
 truthful and witnessed statements of its utility. — Signed, 
 B. J. Hill, 15-19 Temperance St.; John Firstbrook,273 
 King Street, East; M. Nasmith, 16 Maitland Street; 
 William Davis & Co., Beachill Street; Thomas West, 
 197 Carlton Street; H.B. Gordon, 23 Scott St. 
 
 Geo. Buskin, 
 Algoma Railway and Lumbermen's Gospel 
 and Colportage Mission, 
 
 362 Yonge St., Toronto. 
 
 I then get the signatures of practical business and Christian 
 men. Finally I called upon one more prominent business man, 
 on whose good will I reckoned. In answer to my application he 
 said,Mydearfellow,you are wasting valuabletime. I know you can 
 get nothing from there for I have been in the House. I would 
 rather propose that those who value the work double their con- 
 tributions. I received from him five dollars, and then I went 
 for the Premier to know what could be done as some said, Yes 
 and others said No, and then I had a knock down blow. I saw 
 nothing could be done. I then made a printed application to 
 every member in the house. 
 
 The only answer was a foul letter, which on showing it to 
 the editors of the public papers, I understood the Toronto News 
 inserted it. One friend asked me if any one could certify the 
 work I had done, and if someone could, to get a statement 
 from him. Tlie following is the statement: 
 
 Trinity College, Dec. loth, 1884. 
 
 I hereby certify that whilst doing missionary work along^ 
 the line of the C. P. Railway during the summer, I frequentljT 
 
 ^ 1 Jit .A 
 
«98 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 met Mr. Buskin who is engaged in holding services among the 
 men and distributing tracts and Bibles, evidently doing a good 
 Christian work. 
 
 E. A. Oliver, 
 
 Divinity student. 
 
 Toronto, Dec. loth, 1884. 
 During my visit to the North West last summer I had the 
 pleasure of seeing Mr. Buskin. He was engaged in open-air 
 preaching and Colportage work, and I believe was doing much 
 •good. S. A. Dyke, 
 
 College St. Baptist Church. 
 
 I continued my effort to discharge accounts until I arrived 
 ^at Montreal, when some public evil disposition was shown by a 
 statement that the public was warned against me, and one of 
 the company took away my collecting book and locked it up 
 and refused to return it until compelled to by legal course, after 
 which I was locked in an office and threatened with judgment of 
 the law as a defrauder. But having the receipts of all moneys 
 paid, and the amounts received, this device of mischief would 
 not work. Afterwards there was an endeavor to prove that my 
 statements were false. This they failed to prove. These mat- 
 ters occasioned several letters in the public papers. At this 
 time there was a statement printed in the Montreal Witness,the 
 <late of which must have been April 27th, 1885, and reads as 
 follows: 
 
 the v. M. C. A. WARNS THE PUBLIC. * 
 
 To the Witness: — 
 
 ;,, Sir, — George Buskin is collecting funds in this city for mis- 
 sion work along the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway con- 
 struction, and is using the name of the Young Men's Christian 
 Association. He has no authority to do so, and I have written 
 him asking its withdrawal. We have no knowledge of the 
 merits of his work and have advised him to place himself in 
 some society or committee of supervision. 
 
 D. a. Budge, Sec'y. 
 Some days previous to the statement of the Witness, the 
 following had transpired between us: 
 
 Y.M.C.A., Victoria Square. 
 Mr. Geo. Buskin: — 
 
 Dear Sir^ — When you asked of me the privilege of letters 
 .«44ressed to our care, of course I only thought you referred to 
 jTQur pmate or personal letters. I could not think of you pub« 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. . 99 
 
 lishing us as receiving subscriptions, therefore you must with- 
 draw it. You know my reasons: I have not confidence la 
 your work. You should have some committee or society take 
 up your work and support you in it. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 D. A. Budge. 
 
 REPLY. 
 
 Montreal, April i6th, 1885. 
 To Mr. Budge:— 
 
 Dear Sir, — I am in receipt of your note which shows so 
 little of the charity which thinks no evil. I hope you will put 
 it away before the Lord rebukes you, before your suspicious 
 criticisms, consider the names and endorsations attached to my 
 circulars. I will not say more than that I regret to find such 
 anti-Christian conduct. Truly it can be said in the words of 
 Jesus, *'I was a stranger and ye took me not in." 
 
 Yours in Jesus Christ, 
 
 Geo. Buskin. 
 
 P. S. — You must remember the announcement of last 
 spring in the Montreal Herald, May 24th, 1884. Algoma Gos- 
 pel Mission, Geo. Buskin, Missionary; communications can be 
 addressed to Y. M.C.A. for Mr. Buskin. My subscription book, 
 which is forcibly and illegally retained by an ally of Mr. Budge, 
 «hows a contribution of about $850 in sums from 3c to $10 con- 
 tributed in 38 towns, villages, etc, during 13 months. I have 
 generally solicited my help from men of means from the Gover- 
 nor General and the heads of the government downward, in- 
 cluding Bishops and the Clergy, not less than 200 persons. The 
 money has been applied as follows: About 1800 books have 
 been supplied in the Algoma District, including 500 copies of 
 the Scriptures in 13 languages for which there has been paid, 
 and I have received receipts for about $270. Personal travelling 
 about $111. Printing about $46. Cartage of goods and pur- 
 chases, $48. Paid for a co-worker in Lake Superior District, 
 about $45. Then there is my own food and raiment, and that 
 of my wife and children in the Algoma District. If any envy 
 my field of labor let them go and do the work, for I have already 
 announced to the Algoma District and the North West, for I 
 intend, by God's help, to lengthen my cords and strengthen my 
 stakes. I am especially thankful for help from many societies, 
 not forgetting the Y. M.C.A. and Christians of all denomina- 
 tions, and hope that greater grace may be given to us all. My 
 
lOO MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 circulars have ten expression of confidence. It is for want of 
 considering what is there that people are so rash. I wish to 
 say that the Scriptures are sold at cost, and my books at To- 
 ronto prices, and sometimes less; and many thousands of tracts 
 and magazines have been given away. Mr. Budge's colleague 
 will please return my book and not waste my time and hinder 
 a necessary work. I should express my thanks to the press for 
 the support and kindness extended to me, and I believe the 
 Witness will correct its mistake of the 30th of April under the 
 head of correspondence. " 
 
 To the attack upon me, printed in Witness, I was allowed 
 the privilege of reply but not n the same columns. 
 
 The Montreal Herald of April 28th, 1885, inserted for me 
 the following: 
 
 PROVE ALL THINGS. 
 
 To the Editor ©f the Herald:— 
 
 A statement appeared yesterday in the Daily Witness, head- 
 ed "Y.M.C.A. warns the public, "against Geo. Buskin collect- 
 ing funds in the city for a mission work upon the line of the C. 
 P. R. construction in the name of the Young Men's Christian 
 Association which they do not approve, and he has been asked 
 to withdraw. Having twice — first on the night of the loth and 
 on the day of the nth, asked leave to use these words, or a 
 similar expression in a printed notice, similar to that used be- 
 fore, "Communications can be addressed to Geo. Buskin, 
 Missionary, at Y. M.C.A. ," the stateinent that I am doing so in 
 their name is a wilful blunder. The Editor of the Vv^itness made 
 his own statement of the work from my circular on the i)th 
 inst., headed, "A good work, " as follows: Mr. Geo. Buskin 
 is working earnestly as a missionary among the navvies on the 
 Canadian Pacific Railway; he has the endorsation of the Upper 
 Canada Tract Society and of the Editor of the Canadian Bap- 
 tist. This work ought surely to be taken up by the Y. M.C.A. 
 or some other body. Subscriptions can be addressed to Mr. 
 Buskin at the Y. M.C.A." 
 
 This statement was shown to Mr. Budge on the evening of 
 the nth, by myself, asking if anything in the direction stated 
 could be done, and I was referred to Toronto. Nothing was 
 then said of my using undue liberty, and small is the liberty if 
 this cannot be granted, though I believe by God's help I can do 
 His will and work without it. Mr. Budge's letter has already 
 appeared. 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. lOl 
 
 Three notices appeared in succession. These statements 
 are all given as they appeared in print. "To the Editor of the 
 Herald, London House, G.T.R. Station, April 29th, 1885. I 
 thank you for giving publicity to my letter in answer to Mr. 
 Budge's statement in the Witness, headed "Y.M.C. A. Warns the 
 Public, *' and beg to state that my collecting book has been re- 
 turned through my solicitor, Mr. Craiikshaw. I am. Yours 
 truly, Geo. Buskin." 
 
 The following reached us from an independent source: Con- 
 cerning Mr. Geo. Buskin. The following is an extract from a 
 letter dated 25th inst., of Rev. E. W. Dodson, Toronto, Editor 
 of Canadian Baptist, addressed to Rev. Thos. Henderson: "Mr. 
 Geo. Buskin I have known since I have been In the city as a 
 plodding worker in the cause of Christ. He is always received 
 at Mr. Denovan's church with favor and his work highly re- 
 commended by the pastor." Mr. Denovan was formerly pastor 
 of St. Catharine St. Baptist church in this city. 
 
 MR. B. VERSUS MR. B. 
 
 To the Editor of the Herald. 
 
 With reference to the correspondence in your good journal 
 between Mr. Budge, Secretary of the Y. M.C.A. of this city.and 
 the Missionary, Mr. Buskin. I hope with you that the former 
 is not doing an injustice to the latter. However it does seem a 
 strange proceeding, if correct, that Mr. Budge's colleague 
 should take and keep in his possession the work belonging to 
 Mr. Buskin. It looks as if there was a little jealousy peeping 
 out of the matter, reminding one of a somewhat similar affair 
 that occurred in Toronto a short time ago, and which caused 
 considerable discussion in the convention of the Y. M.C.A. held 
 in the town of Peterborough, Ontario, and which resulted un- 
 favorable to the Secretary of the Toronto Y. M. C. A. (having 
 since resigned) who was well known here as being connected 
 with the Montreal Y.M C.A. I know nothing of the merits or 
 demerits of this case, but as the Scotch idiot said to Dr. Guthrie, 
 "Surely there is enough for us all to do." 
 
 Another statement appeared in the Herald at this time. 
 About the day and date I am not certain, although it is marked 
 April 30th. It is as follows: 
 
 MR. BUSKIN AND THE Y. M. C. A. 
 
 A private meeting of the officers of the Y. M. C. A. was 
 
102 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 held yesterday afternoon when the diflF.culty existing between 
 Mr. Budge, the secretary, and Mr. Buskin, was discussed. The 
 conclusion arrived at was that the affair was mertly a mis- 
 understanding and Mr. P. S. Ross and Mr. Grafton were in- 
 structed to draw up a conciliatory agreement between Mr. 
 Budge, the Witness, and Rev. Mr. Buskin. The member of 
 the Y. M. C. A. who retained Mr. Buskin's subscription book 
 has returned it to him, after being requested to do so by that 
 gentleman's legal advisor. Mr. Buskin's address is, The 
 Mechanic's Institute. 
 
 I afterwards learned from a friend now deceased, 
 who knew the undercurrent of the trouble, that they 
 had been made the cats-paw of certain vindictive persons in 
 Toronto who I suppose thought themselves something like 
 lords of God's heritage as far as they could make their dignity 
 to prevail, and among chem the man who I endeavored to instruct 
 by telling him I regretted that I had wasted so much time and 
 shoeleather upon him. 
 
 The mischief makers however, kept at work, and the fol- 
 lowing was inserted in the Montreal Witness, Saturday, May 9, 
 1885. 
 
 CREDENTIALS WITHDRAWN. 
 
 As Mr. Buskin's canvass has already gone beyond the extent 
 contemplated by his friends, we deem it wise in the interest of 
 the Christian public to withdraw our names from the certificate 
 he uses until his work is placed upon a more satisfactory basis, 
 and his accounts beyond question. F. A. McGregor, secretary 
 U. C. Religious Tract Society. E. W. Dadson, Editor Canad- 
 ian Baptist. 
 
 This last act I felt to be more grievous, disgrace- 
 ful and injurious than the former, though I felt like fighting it, 
 but my friends counselled me to let it die which I did as far as 
 Montreal was concerned. When I arrived at Toronto I gave 
 notice in the papers that I would hold a meeting in Queen's 
 Puik, and gave invitation to those who had started the opposi- 
 tion and accusations to face the matter with me and prove their 
 statements, and none of them showed up. 
 
 Providentially I was enabled to go to work in Montreal at 
 carpentering, though I had no tools, and earn enough money 
 to meet my expenses and pay my fare back to Algoma Mills, a 
 distance of more than 600 miles. 
 
 I was compelled under the pressure of the ext>enences 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. lOX 
 
 related to publish a financial report earlier than I had purposed, 
 I had hoped when doing so to be able to say that all liabilities 
 for supplies had been discharged, but there remain'^d at this 
 time about $80.00 to be pa«d to the Bible and Tract Societies 
 and to the Baptist book room, both of Toronto. 
 
 Thinking it might be helpful to me, I received from the 
 manager of the Baptist book room a note dated June 1st, 1886, 
 117 Yonge St. Toronto. This is to certify that Mr. G. Buskin: 
 has honorably discharged all his obligations to our company, 
 and as far as I know from personal dealing with him he is 
 worthy of confidence and support in his work as Missionary to 
 the lumbermen and others. George Richardson. 
 
 My mind has been for a long time weighing over the sub- 
 ject of publishing the foregoing strife, but now thirteen years 
 and a half later I am still subjected to the same blind, heartless, 
 unchristian criticism from those who are at ease in Zion and 
 certainly know better, but trusting in their creature resources 
 and not in the living God. 
 
 The following is a report of my work at about this^ 
 time: 
 
 Report. 
 
 At the request of friends in Montreal and with a view 
 to meet the desires of all interested in the work, both in 
 Toronto and elsewhere the following statement has beef^ 
 prepared as taken from my entries: 
 
 March 10, '84, to May, '85. 
 
 To paid railway and boat fares as per list. ... $110 75 
 
 " printing 45 8$ 
 
 " carriage on goods and expenses in con- 
 nection with the work •^ 75 
 
 ^ • . • '*' " rents of Town Halls for meetings, &c. 25 50 
 
 ** Fred. Gilyatt, helper, as per voucher 34 30 
 Missionary's salary, at $13,50 per 
 
 week, till say 60 weeks to 4th of Alay 810 00 
 
 (I 
 
 Cr. 
 
 By collections as per book: 
 
 Toronto $ 262 14 
 
 Montreal 1 56 21 
 
 $1074 15, 
 
I04 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 Hamilton .' 68 25 
 
 • Kingston 35 95 
 
 Port Hope 2895 
 
 Belleville 22 55 
 
 Brockville 22 45 
 
 Ottawa 19 80 
 
 From 30 other places 256 68 
 
 872 98 
 
 Balance $201 17 
 
 Montreal, May 4th, 1885. 
 
 The contributions have been from 1,300 persons and 15 
 public meetings, the largest sum received being $15.40 troma 
 lecture upon Turkey, Palestine and Egypt, illustrated by magic 
 lantern views.given in Toronto in aid of the mission by Mr. E.G. 
 Lloyd, at the Lewis St. Baptist meeting house; also three other 
 lectures were given but not as successful. 
 
 Contributions will be received and acknowledged with 
 thanks by Mr. N. Macintosh, Mechanics' Institute, Montreal. 
 Pending the formation of a Committee, the original account of 
 expenses are with him for reference for those who have aided 
 in the work. I providentially made Mr. Macintosh's acquaint- 
 ance after speaking at one of the meetings for social prayer 
 shortly before leaving Montreal at the first visit, and he became 
 to nie a kind, valuable and faithful friend and helper in the 
 work until his death, which took place in 1894. 
 
 After I reached Algoma Mills, a then unknown friend from 
 Montreal sent me ten dollars, of which I retained five for my 
 necessities and sent five to my valued friend, now deceased, in 
 Montreal, for Bibles. 
 
 Contributions and communications being slow I took work 
 on the C.P.R. at Jack Fish Bay, Peninsular Harbor, and other 
 points. I held religious services on Sunday. The stipendary 
 Magistrate remarked at the time that the best way to have* 
 the Sabbath day observed was to keep the reiigious 
 services going. I took what remained of my stock of 
 scriptures and books with me, and made a number of sales. At 
 this time the men worked Sunday and week days as well. The 
 holding of Sunday religious services was not acceptable to all 
 the company there, especially as I was now engaged in the 
 mechanical work, so I soon had notice to leave, and fortunate 
 for me too, as I discerned the untoward disposition of some of 
 those I was among. 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. , ^^5 
 
 It was a slow journey getting from the place to Port 
 Arthur. I provided myself with bread for the way, but I had a 
 companion more hungry than myself, who also was going to 
 Port Arthur to get his pay, so I shared out with him as well as 
 I could and still he wanted more, but it was a hard job to get 
 necessary food in that region. One person told me that he had 
 to pay seventy-five cents for a meal of porridge. I got a little 
 ungracious with my companion, lacking forbearance with his 
 weakness. After arriving at Port Arthur my travelling com- 
 panion hailed me lustily. He wanted to pay me the money 
 and bread that he had from me. He was profuse in his thank- 
 fulness, and compelled me to lodge at the Hotel with him, 
 which was kept by the man at whose shanty I held the first 
 services on the Pacific Road. He said that he was delighted to 
 see me, for he had heard that I was drowned while sailing in 
 my canoe. I was equally pleased to see him on account of the 
 generous manner in which he had opened his house for holding 
 religious services. 
 
 I soon left by boat for Algoma Mills. When I reached there 
 the five dollars sent to Montreal had brought back loo Bibles 
 and Testaments through the good offices of my now deceased 
 friend. I was now enabled to go again to St. Joseph and Mani- 
 toulin Island. At St. Joseph I had a remarkable meeting with 
 the Presbyterian Inspector of Missions. Two men assailed me 
 in the dark and I providentially escaped their h^; .1«. I ran for 
 safety into a store, where this man and another min:ster of the 
 same denomination were, and together they saw me safely to 
 the tavern. In the morning the Inspector of missions and my- 
 self were going to the Manitoulin Island. He advised me to 
 have the men looked after lest others getting into their hands 
 should fare worse than myself. 
 
 Having supplied extensively out of my stock, I returned to 
 Algoma Mills, and finding the prospects for the coming winter 
 not encouraging, we took boat for Sault St. Marie. We found 
 it difficult to obtain a house. We were kindly received by the 
 various congregations. 
 
 Having housed my family I attempted to pass through to 
 Detroit and Windsor for the purpose of finding means to continue 
 the work I received a grant of Bibles from the Bible Society at 
 the Sault,and with the remains of former stock I passed theMtch- 
 gan shore, visited the lumber camps, and passing through the 
 country I came to St. Ignace. Some incidents occurred on the 
 way. At one of the camps my Bibles were taken trom me. 
 
106 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 After holding religious services those that were not paid for 
 were returned to me. On returning on Monday from another 
 camp I got astray in the woods, but the men found me and put 
 me right. The foreman drawing me to him said, We have a 
 pretty roui^h crowd here, you are trying to do good to us, and 
 we have need of it. We go from the camp to the drive, and 
 from the drive to the drink, and from the drink to the dogs. We 
 forget home, and home forgets us, and no one cares for us. 
 You are trying to do good to us.and wu ought to try to help you. 
 Stay at the camp until we come in to dinner. However little 
 resulted from the proposition. ♦ ' 
 
 I started on a journey, they told me it was ten miles. It 
 soon got stormy and snowed heavily. I met the stage and en- 
 quired my destination, and they told me I would not reach there 
 that night, it being sixteen miles instead of ten, and was recom- 
 mended to find a stopping place at one of the houses near. I 
 sought them but found an ungracious reception and I prepared 
 to walk. I soon got bewildered in the darkness, and in among 
 various roads and I concluded I should be lost. 
 
 I prayed the Lord earnestly for help. Soon I heard the 
 sound of sleigh bells and I concluded that the Lord had sent 
 some one to my help. I asked the driver if he was going far. 
 I learned he was going to the same place which I wished to get 
 to. I asked him if I could ride with him. He said, I have to 
 travel seventy miles to-night, and if th e sleigh breaks down or 
 the horse gives out I don't know what I will do. I asked him 
 to allow me to run behind and throw my bags in, which he con- 
 sented to. It was a run of near six miles in the dark over 
 hump and hollow. At last I said I could go no farther. He 
 said, )ust hold on for a few minutes and we will be in the yard. 
 I sat down in the snow u lable to get into the house. As I at- 
 tempted to rise I heard him say, You must see to that man or 
 he will freeze out thsre. I was never more exhausted. Supper 
 was soon ready, and my tea slipped away so fast that the girl 
 was astonished* I was thoroughly parched with the run. 
 
 As I went on the road next day I heard people reporting 
 that this man had saved my life. Arriving at St. Ignace winter 
 had fully set in. I could make no sales nor find encourage- 
 ment, or any way that seemed safe for me to travel! came down 
 to my last thirty-five certs. I had sent some money home, 
 thinking I could make my way along, but now there was two- 
 feet of snow, and a high wind and seventy miles to reach home. 
 The stage fare was five cbUars. I concluded the best thing to 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. IO7 
 
 do was to beat a retreat. I went to the stageman and told 
 him my errand and told him I would like to go to the Soo, 
 but I could not pay him until I got to the other end, and that 
 I would leave him my overcoat as a security for his payment. 
 He said he would see me back. After this a second stageman 
 turned up who unsolicited, offered to take me back free of charge 
 becausd I was the man from the Canadian side who had been 
 preaching in the camps. I thanked him for his kind offer 
 and told him I had purposed to go by the other stage and my 
 things were there so that I would give him an answer shortly;; 
 so I told the first stageman that I had an opportunity to return 
 at a cheaper rate and I thought under the circumstances I 
 ought to avail myself of it. That was all right, he said, but if 
 the other stageman would take me back for three dollars he 
 would do the same. Finally I told him that I could go back free 
 of cost, to which he said if there was any consideration about 
 the matter he thought he was entitled to it, for he had met me 
 according to my own proposition. ! admitted that the statement 
 was rightjbut I was in a strait what to do, as the man had been 
 so kind. So, said he, I'll tell you what to do, go and tell him 
 that you can go back with him on conditions that he pays for 
 your dinner but if not you must go with u?, so I was obliged to 
 deliver the message; but the second stageman said he did not 
 mind the ride, but did not wish to pay for the dinner. So I 
 thanked him and told him I was obliged to take the other stage. 
 I gave the stageman No 2 a revised testament as a little ack- 
 nowledgement of his kind service, and I arrived safely at the- 
 Soo, but with an empty pocket, and the registered letter arrived 
 some weeks later, having had to go a long way round, and then 
 by dog teams to the Soo. 
 
 1886* On New Year's day I held prayer service in the 
 Dawson Hall, in which public meetings were generally held. 
 A few gathered to give thanks for mercies past and to supplicate 
 His care for days to come. After this I commenced revival 
 services each evening and rented a place for that purpose. 
 This served to set the others going in the same exercise, and 
 Methodist, Presbyterian, and English church joined together. 
 I kept the place open, which I had rented for three months, 
 with little or no encouragement from without, but, like David, 
 I encouraged myself in the Lord, and as early as possible in 
 the spring I held open air services nt 9 o'clock Sunday morning.. 
 My voice being strong and there being a strong echo a crowd 
 soon gathered, and among them came the constable, somewbalt 
 
108 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 heated, making profane remarks concerning the great noise, 
 taking license because of his office. I said to him. This is the 
 Sabbath morning and if you use profane words on the public 
 highway I will send you to the lock-up. This caused him to 
 be a little laughed at, and I continued my address, but I have 
 an unfeigned horror of all kinds of profanity, and have had 
 many hot contentions in t<:proving it. 
 
 These services were continued till navigation opened when 
 I left by the first boat for Toronto, my son (now deceased) fur- 
 nishing me with means and obtaining reduced fare by steam- 
 boat. The ice had not cleared away and on Manitoulin Island 
 we got aground which caused some delay. 
 
 On my arrival at Toronto, I providentially obtained a 
 certificate of integrity signed by twelve of the friends who had 
 kindly helped .tie in the past, and some had known me for 
 years, most of them well known. This I had published in the 
 Globe. A copy of it is as follows: In the Divine oracle it is 
 written. In the mouth ot two or three witnesses every word 
 shall be established, so I felt myself the better prepared to 
 battle for the rignt. New conflict now showed itselt. I had 
 apparently social kindly conversation at the dining table 
 in the tavern with one of the preachers from 
 the Sault with no indication of any trouble but 
 on going to the office ot one who had signed the 
 certificate for me, I was shown a statement just published in a 
 religious periodical, stating that my endeavors should not be 
 countenanced, and signed by the person spoken to at the dinner 
 table. My friend told me it was put upon his desk for him to 
 see, which as soon as he saw he threw it away. I learned from 
 Montreal from some who wrote to the writer concerning it, that 
 it was a display of jealousy. In requesting the publisher of 
 the paper to correct the statement he directed me to his lawyer. 
 I asked the advice of a solicitor and after considering it he said, 
 They have attempted the mischief but shielded themselves, but 
 there is nothing legally to take hold of. This is a sample of the 
 brotherly love of some vain talkers which I have had to exper- 
 ience; but it was nothing new, I have at various times had to 
 contend with the same during the 25 years that had passed. 
 Paul and David complained of false brethren and it was an old 
 habit with some even in their days. 
 
 I sought some of my friends to review my accounts, but 
 they had not time, so I went to an accountant. I threw off 
 what was coming to me on the first year's work and making no 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 10^ 
 
 charge for the work of the second beyond what I had received 
 for the books I had sold, I soon paid up the $80.00 balance 
 due from the former year for the scriptures and books I had 
 bought. . s 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 From May lo, 1885, to May 10, i856. 
 
 CONTRIBUTIONS BY CASH, BOOKS AND DISCOUNT. 
 
 For railway and boat fares $35 75 
 
 Carriage of books,&c , 9 70 
 
 Printing 11 00 
 
 Religious services 6 60 
 
 Sundries 10 00 
 
 i .1 ■ 
 
 Montreal, Que. ...'................... ..... $80 38 
 
 Lakes Shore Ontario(with item from Toronto) , . 30 92 
 
 Barrie 18 70 
 
 Collingwood 16 70 
 
 $146 70 
 
 This leaves $73.65 cash, for the support of the Missionary 
 and his family, there have been acts of personal kindness which 
 are not enumerated in the Cash account, for which I express 
 equal thanks. The following is taken from an advertisement in 
 Toronto Evening Globe. 
 
 Algoma and North-ivest Evangelical and Scriptural (^olportage 
 
 Mission. 
 GEO. BUSKIN, Missionary. Tcikonto. May 12th, i886. 
 
 362 Yonge St., Toronti>. anJ Sault St. Marie, Ont. 
 
 To confirm the statement previoU'«ly made in city papers, 
 and tliat its df bt iM $85.95 may be reniuved, and a new supply 
 of Scripiures. &c, furnished, a ffw friends kindly annex their 
 names. 
 
 VVc, the undersi^Micd residents of the city, being helpers 
 \o the Mission from its i"niniiiencement, and some of us having 
 :* previous as well as present knowledge of the Missionar}' and 
 l/is work, at his request. and for the encouragement of others to 
 help the work, unite our testimony of confidence in his integrity 
 and work. 
 
110 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 F. S. ROBINSON. WILLIAM DAVIES. 
 
 HENRY PIM. WM. DAVIES, Jr. 
 
 THOS. WOODHOUSE. JOHN FIRSTBROOK. 
 H. B. GORDON. B. J. HILL. 
 
 L. DUNCAN. A. W. MASON. 
 
 May, nth, 1886. AIKENHEAD & CROMBIE. 
 
 The Toronto Mail, of December 6th, 1884, stated from my 
 letter, ccncernhig the summer's work: — "Up to November 3, 
 about 400 Bibles and Testaments have been supplied in eleven 
 languages. Also 500 religious books and over 700 hymn books, 
 with many thousands of religious tracts and magazines, and 
 also sixty religious services held. 
 From May to Dec. ist.. 1885. 
 
 Extract from Tof onto ''Mair May iiM, i886.' 
 
 Algoma Colportage Mission. 
 
 "During the past year 164 copies of Scriptures, in seven lan- 
 guages, besides portions; 100 religious books and hymn books, 
 and thousands of religious tracts and magazines have been dis- 
 tributed. Services have been held at many places in the dis- 
 trict. The contributions to the Mission during the year have 
 amounted to $158.23. 
 
 The Scriptures, &c. have been supplied in the district as 
 follows: — Neighborhood of Algoma Mills, Lake Huron, 8q; St. 
 Joseph's and Manitoulin Islands, 49: Neighborhood of Heron 
 Bay, Peninsula Harbor, Jackfish Bay, and West Lake Superior, 
 49; Neigh\>orhood Sault St. Marie, 44; American Shore, 23; 
 balance on steamboats. 
 
 Much larger work might have been done had there been 
 the means at hand to do it — Scriptures might have been 
 supplied in 17 languages — but only a few copies could be ob« 
 tained in Russian, Finnish, Norwegian and Ojibway Indian, 
 and in most languages except English the supply was not equal 
 to the requirements and tastes of the people. This year I have 
 lacked in English as well as other languages much for which 
 have been requested. 
 
 The following are examples of missionary work as taken 
 from his book. 
 
 June 8, 1885, Serpent River Saw Mills, Lake Huron, Re- 
 ligious Magazines 5cts., Life of Spurgeon, aocts., Precept upon 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. IJjf 
 
 f "'■''■'"'■, ','"'■■""■ 
 
 Precept, 5octs., Religious papers, sets., Health lectures, 30c, 
 Testament and Psalms gocts., Bible 35Cts., 2 Hymn books with 
 music I sets each, i French testament given, 2 Bible C'lass 
 primers i5cts. each, Bible 75cts., Bible 90cts., Bible 
 ^5cts., Hymn book with music 20Cts., 2 French Bibles 
 35cts. each, Testament and Psalms 75cts. , tracts and 
 magazines distributed. Religious Service held, this being the 
 5th visit in 2 years.each having similar evidences, the foregoing 
 being two days' work including rowing boat 16 miles. 
 
 Jackfish Bay, Lake Superior, July 19, 1885. C. P. R. 
 French Bible 35cts., French Testament, i5cts., Testament 10 
 cts., 3 religious services in the open air, Gaelic Testament 15 
 cts. ; Bunyan's Grace Abounding, Gaelic, 6octs. ; Dr. Guthrie 
 Christian's great interest, Gaelic 75cts. ; Peninsula Harbor, 
 German Bible, 35cts. ; Bible, 25cts. ; Hymn book, locts., Italian 
 Testament, locts., Italian Testament, 2octs. cost 4octs. ; Hymn 
 book, locts., Bible, locts. cost 30cts., Bible given i5cts , 2 
 Testaments locts. each, Bible, i5cts., Bible, 25cts., Bible, iscts 
 given, Bible, i5cts., Swedish Testament, 25cts. cost 30cts., 
 Testament 5cts. given, 2 Bibles, 25cts. each, given, Bible, 25cts. 
 Received $1.75 contribution, no Protestant religious service 
 held tor 12 months. 
 
 Cascade Silver Lead Mine, Nov. 2^th, 1885, Lake Huron, 
 2 1 Scriptures and books sold in 4 languages and three portions, 
 and a variety of religious literature supplied, religious service 
 held, contribution $6.58, no minister of any kind there for 2 
 years. 
 
 No higher price has been asked for bibles and books, than 
 marked by the Bible Society, Tract Society, and Standard 
 Publishing Co., sometimes they have been sold for less, and 
 sometimes ^iven, to facilitate the extension of Christian know- 
 ledge. 
 
 Thanking the many kind friends for their aid by word and 
 deed, and for contributions of religious literature and shall be 
 glad to be further remembered in this way. 
 
 In this, my 4 years endeavour tb obtain the means to sus« 
 tain this agency of Christian knowledge and grace, I do so in 
 the name and dependence upon our common Lord who has said, 
 "All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth," respect* 
 fuUy asking the prayers and co-operation of all who fear Htm. 
 The evidences of this year have been as in the past years, men 
 are engafi^ed by scores and hundreds on public works and pri- 
 vate enterprise for months and years together, and their soul's 
 
J 12 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS , - 
 
 welfare is not considered so as to seek to reach them in this 
 matter. An official on the C, P. R. R. said to me: "I am con- 
 vinced upon evidence that the only way to overcome the Sab- 
 bath labour is to maintain the Sunday religious services.'' 
 There need be no wonder if men stray far from grace when the 
 means of grace is not extended to them. Let us then seek to 
 have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, 
 and above all put on Charity, which is the bond ot perfectness. 
 Since September 1882, 2000 Scriptures, Religious books 
 and Hymn books have been supplied in this district, similar to 
 the example given in this statement,besides nearly 10,000 relig- 
 ious tracts, magazines and papers, and more than 200 religious 
 services have been held. 
 
 Hoping that the above statement may receive your con- 
 sideration and enlist your cordial support, 
 i am, 
 
 Yours in the Gospel, 
 
 GEO. BUSKIN, 
 Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma, Ont. 
 
 I had resolved if possible to go to England and seek some 
 organization who would in whole or part take up the work; so 
 when at Montreal a friend obtained the opportunity for me to 
 work my way over, receiving 2 sovereigns and a return ticket. 
 I arrived at my own town of Bristol, but sought there to no 
 purpose, save receiving 30 or 40 shillings, but found it as be- 
 fore, that unless you can be in the slide of the denominational 
 groove whether you stand or fall there are few that care, be 
 you new or old connection, or antiquated, or of latest novelty, 
 unless you have the denominational shibboleth twang, and cut and 
 ride in the denominational Sedan chair if you cannot swim you can 
 sink, the denominational life-boat is for the select few; and few 
 they are that would bemoan you; in fact Elijah-like, you are 
 considered "he that troubleth Israel," and I think if the Lord 
 Himself should visit the churches to-day as in the days that are 
 past they would see no beauty that they would desire Him. I 
 am persuaded that the whole church fabric, as it exists to-day^ 
 must be pulled down to the ground, because there is not in it 
 the Holy Ghost subjection, nor yet the proper measure of the 
 fruits brought forth by the profession. It is largely dwarfed, 
 blighted, and perverted. The Spirit is rejected and Jude's 
 words must be fulfilled: "Woe unto them: they have gone in the^ 
 way of Cain and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for re- 
 
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IN GOSPEL HARNESS. IIJ 
 
 ward and perishtd in the gainsaying of Core. '* Th^se naay seeav 
 hard words, but when the tree had nothing but leaves the 
 Master cursed it, and to the Scribes and Pharisees Christ said, 
 ••Woe unto you," and that woe fully came not many years later 
 when Jerusalem was overthrown. Will the Scribes and Phar- 
 isees of to-day fare better who have the Lord's name near in their 
 mouths but He is far from their hearts? The prophecy of 
 Enoch must yet be fulfilled, "Behold the Lord cometh with 
 ten thousands of his saints to execute judgement upon all." 
 What then will be the end of the shepherds who feed themselves 
 but not the flock. The ministry of the gospel has largely de- 
 generated from the Holy Ghost's qualifications found in 
 Romans, chapters 8 and 12, i Corinthians 12,13,14, Ephesians 
 3,4,5, I Thessalonians 2, i Timothy 3,4,5, also 2 Timothy, 
 the Epistle of Titus, i Peter 5:1-5, 2 Peter 2, 3 John, Rev. 1-4, 
 also chapters 17, 18, and 22. Christ the great Shepherd of the 
 sheep, when pursuing his ministry, went through the land of 
 Israel. He sent also into every city into which also He Him- 
 self should come, the Apostles, and many of the disciples went 
 everywhere preaching the Word. The priests in Israel had 
 their fields as well as their houses and many of them did their^ 
 plowing, sowing and reaping, so that they had bread enough 
 and to give to him that needeth, and Paul did the same in his 
 way as an example, and our Lord was a carpenter until He 
 became an evangelist, and we may rightly conclude that, while 
 pursuing his carpentering He, on the Sabbath and at other 
 , times, attended the synagogue and read and expounded the 
 Scriptures. 
 
 But the day is very far spent and the night at hand. It is 
 now too late to do much reproving to profit, but if men would 
 spend less time in their literary flower gardens, and get out i ito 
 the open fields of honest toil and service, they would do much 
 better. Some men fish with an angle, but they cannot do 
 much more than serve their own tables. The Apostles were 
 not artistic characters at fishing, they used nets, worked hard, 
 and supplied themselves and the markets, too, for people's needs. 
 It is not too late for the professed gospel fishermen to put away 
 their fancy hooks and flies, and get into the gospel ship and let 
 down the nets for a draught. There will be less of sport but 
 more of service, wealth eternal, and renown. I do pity and 
 despise many of the poor helpless professors of the gospel to 
 whom I have been concerning Christ's cause. 
 
 I was obliged to tell one in honesty that to my judgment 
 
SI4 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 he was more capable ot making i^iifidels than converts to Christ. 
 Though there be the gift of prophesy and understanding all 
 mystery and all knowledge, and having all faith so as to re- 
 move mountains, but lacking the grace of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ (which the so-called fathers of the church have mystified 
 and crippled by calling it by the senseless name of charitf). 
 These gifts profit the possessor no more than they did David's 
 counsellor, Ahithophel, who though his counsel was as the 
 oracle of God, came to a fool's end, his conscience being to him 
 an unconquerable adversary. 2 Samuel i6th and 17th chapters. 
 I hereby insert my previously printed account of going to 
 England, anr i:' e heartless reception I met with from institu- 
 tions and men, in the face of the great blazing renown there 
 maintained of wealth, character and profession, both individual 
 and associate. The following is the 
 
 STATEMENT OF RESULTS 
 
 of an application made in England to obtain help for the Al- 
 goma and North West Evangelical and Scriptural Colportage 
 Mission, and also to obtain a stock of Scriptures, Religious 
 Books, Hymn Books and Tracts, besides other grants: In the 
 hope that by God's blessing it may serve to stimulate the inter- 
 est in Canada of the Algoma and North West Gospel and Col- 
 portage Mission, I briefly and respectfully acquaint the helpers 
 of the same of my application in England to the various organi- 
 zations for the sustaining of Christian missions, and the exten- 
 sion of Christian knowledge, to obtain their aid, that a greater 
 work might be done. The many ties that bind the old and this 
 new land seemed to indicate that there would be a glad re- 
 sponse. There are family, friendly and national ties, traffic and 
 wealth, a great profession of earnest attachment to the Lord 
 Jesus and His word, that should make our interest one. There 
 are also the pre-eminent resources of Biblical literature which 
 are theirs. There is with them the stores of ages of knowledge 
 and wealth. These were the reasons for judging that whether 
 with success or failure, the effort was worth making, to obtain 
 some of the superabundances in some quarters., to apply to the 
 necessities of the other, and also to awaken if possible a greater 
 interest on behalf of those who are poor and needy, especially 
 the spiritually neglected. 
 
 In those far off and out of the way places, it is important 
 that by the supply of the nutriment of the Word of God, and 
 such literature as shall build up Christian character, the good 
 seeds of grace and truth sown in early days among many, might 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. II5 
 
 '- 'A'.r ■ 
 not be caught away by the adversary of souls, but might take 
 
 rootand bear fruit unto life eternal. There being twenty Ian-* 
 
 guages spoken through the countryimakes it a matter requiring 
 
 direct application, and careful consideration. 
 
 Last summer a Christian Icelander, a poor hard-working 
 man, to whom I sold an Iceland Bible, said, ''I have been five 
 years in the country, and did not know where to obtain an Ice' 
 land Bible. " Those who have been taught to read Gaelic have 
 said, "The Scriptures in Gaelic have more force to me than in 
 English," Another to whom I sold a large Bible said, "I have 
 been waiting years for this, and now money will not buy it." 
 Because of failing to obtain in Canada Scriptures in many 
 languages for many hundreds of men, I wrote nearly two years 
 since to eminent men and associations in London, England, to 
 obtain that which was necessary, but failed. If the wcrk were 
 but in the interest of the Indians only, it would be well worth 
 the support asked for it. 
 
 By way of illustrating the condition of some of the Indians, 
 I would state, that ten years since, while calling (to do some 
 good among the Indians,) at Parry Island, Georgian Bay (an 
 Indian reserve), a native teacher on the Island said to me, "The 
 Indians in the villages are all heathen; you can do nothing 
 with them, they don't understand anything." There has been 
 done among them, since then, however, a good work of instruc- 
 tion and improvement. Two years since, a missionary at Nepi- 
 geon. Lake Superior, said to me, "the Indians a hundred miles 
 back from here are heathen and are hostile to Christians. " I 
 have also found that they are numerous in the districts I have 
 visited, and in many cases are ignorant, idle, uncultivated and 
 uncared for, and the only thing really to suit their condition, is 
 the grace and truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. But before they 
 can properly value the Scriptures, they must be taught to read, 
 and those who can read, require the same helps that are found 
 so necessary for the white man, and the white child. 
 
 My journey to England was provided for by my own labor 
 and resources, without anj deductions from contributions prev- 
 iously made. I left Montreal July 6th, and landed 12 days lat- 
 er, in the famous old city of Bristol, whose business relations 
 with Canada are large, and where religious professions and 
 operations have been, and still are of great renown. 
 
 From all the organizations to which I made application, 
 (6 in number,) as yet I have received no contributions in the 
 way of literature. I called two public meetings, posting more 
 
Il6 MORB THAN FORTY VBARS 
 
 than 200 large bills, and in the Bristol Times and Mirror inser* 
 ted the following advertisement: "Monday, July 26th, — All itt- 
 terested in christian work are kindly invited to attend mission- 
 ary meetings at Pavey's rooms, 35 Victoria street, Clifton, to* 
 day, Monday, afternoon at 3.30, evening at 7.30, for the fur* 
 therance of a gospel and and colportage mission in the Algoma 
 and North-West districts of Canada. " After 10 days' of hard 
 work calling on leading clergy and business men, I left for 
 London, having received in cash £1 14s or about $9.00, and la 
 gospel portions in French, and a few small books. A suggest 
 tion worth remembering was made by a dissenting deacon, 
 "that it would be as reasonable for Canadians to help reclaim 
 the people in the back slums of England, as that they should 
 help a work of evangelization in the backwoods of Canada. '* 
 But his wisdom, if that is the right name, ended with words. 
 I hope we may he able, by God's blessing, to begin where he 
 left off, and find the answer to the important question. Who is 
 my neighbor ? and bring that answer into practice. 
 
 Upon starting for London, friends from Montreal sent me 
 the following letters: — 
 
 I have just time to enclose you a note to the Secretary of 
 London Y. M. C. A., Exeter Hall, which I trust may be of 
 service to you in your arduous labors. May the Lord who has 
 led you so far, carry you through, and open many hearts to 
 assist you. Yours in the iove of Jesus, 
 
 N. MACINTOSH. 
 
 Y. M. C. A., Victoria Square, Montreal, July 14, '86 
 Mr. Edmund J. Kennedy, Secretary, 
 
 Exeter Hall, London, England. 
 Permit me to introduce the bearer, Mr. Buskin, who visits 
 your city at this time. He is engaged in christian work in the 
 back districts of Canada, and would be glad to have the privi- 
 lege of attendance at your rooms and meetings. 
 
 Yours faithfullv, 
 
 D. A. BUDGE, Secretary. 
 
 This favor I found helpful and prepared the way for the 
 following statement: 
 
 AN APPEAL. 
 
 To the Nobility and Christian Public of the People oj London 
 
 and vicinity. 
 
 Your kind aid is respectfully solicited on behalf of a Col- 
 
IN OOSPBL UARKBSS. Il7 
 
 p*rtage and Gospet Mission, Algoma and the North-west Dis* 
 trict of Canada, by the missionary, Geo. Buskin. 
 
 A brief statement of its operations are given in the accom-> 
 panying circular. Any communication can be addressed to 
 him, care of Mr. Bum, Y. M. C. A., 186 Aldersgate street, 
 London, or Mrs. E. E. Pavey, 35 Victoria street, Clifton, 
 Bristol. 
 
 Which I used with about 500 circulars describing the work 
 <lpne during the past 4 years. I wrote 12 statements to organ- 
 izations similar to the following, which was sent to Secretary of 
 Religious Tract Society. « 
 
 Care Mr. Burn, Sec. Y. M. C. A., 
 
 186 Aldersgate St., London, E. C. Aug. 4th. 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 I shall be thankful if your Committee will kindly make d. 
 grant of books and tracts to aid in the prosecution and exten- 
 sion of the Mission work stated upon the enclosed circular. To 
 obtain help for the furtherance of the same, the way has been 
 opened for me to come to this country. I am not alone in the 
 desire that help should be sought here, but others who have 
 their part in it, have concluded that to make a personal appeal 
 in England is the best thing to be done. There are in the dis- 
 trict 20 languages spoken. The examples given in the circu- 
 lars are the general aspect of laborers and back settlers through 
 the district. The people are poor, as all new ^-^ttlers are, 
 especially when they have 5 or 6 months' winter to contend 
 with. Gentlemen, yours truly in the Gospel, 
 
 GEO. BUSKIN. 
 
 THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY, 56 PATERNOSTER ROW, 
 
 London, Aug. 12th, 1886, 
 George Buskin, in care Mrs. E. Pavey, 
 
 35 Victoria st., Clifton, Bristol. 
 The Committee have much pleasure in voting you a supply 
 of tracts in various langoages, (12) for your interesting and 
 important work in Canada. For languages not included in 
 our grant it would be well for you to apply to the Toronto 
 Tract Society. With best wishes, I am faithfully vours, 
 
 SAMUEL GREEN. 
 
 BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY, 1 46 Queen Victoria st,, 
 
 London, E. C. Aug. 19th, 1886. 
 Mr. George Buskin, Dear Sir, 
 
 The Committee have responded to your application for a 
 
Il8 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 grant in aid of the Gospel Mission, which you atre carrying on 
 among Canadian Pacific Railway men, &c., by^ ft' grant of 300 
 Gospel portions, subject to the approval of our Auxiliary in Tbr-- 
 onto, the Upper Canada Bible Society. If you' will kindly call 
 upon Mr. J. Harvie, the Secretary, on your return to Toronto, 
 he will arrange witii you as to the grant. • : 
 
 I am, dear Sir, yours truly, 
 
 CHARLES FINCH. 
 
 (The grant referred to above has been received. — Consist-* 
 ing of 125 portions in 6 languages, 50 Testaments in 12 lan- 
 guages, and 2 Bibles, making about 14 languages. G. B.) 
 
 From Mrs. C. H. Spurgeon, Westwood, Upper Norwood. 
 
 Aug. 9th, 1886. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 You are not eligible for a grant from my book fund in the 
 usual way, but I shall be very pleased to give you 250 of Mr. 
 Spurgeon's sermons, if they can be distributed among those 
 you labor for. If you take the enclosed note to Messrs Pass- 
 more and Alabaston, 4 Paternoster Buildings, Paternoster Row, 
 E. C, they will supply you with the number stated. Wishing 
 you every success in your good work. 
 
 Believe me, truly yours, 
 
 (Mrs. C. H.) SUSIE SPURGEON. 
 
 The Sunday School Union kindly contributed ;^'i.oo worth 
 of small books and papers, more especially adapted for children. 
 
 Having during three weeks made many personal and 
 written applications to representative men of Christian work, 
 with the same diligence that I have pursued it in Canada, also 
 taking offices and wholesale houses, I found myself destitute of 
 money to provide food, or to pay my lodging, much less further 
 the Gospel in the wilds of the beloved Colony of Canada. 
 
 In the kind providence of the Lord, a good friend from 
 Montreal furnished me the means of immediate leturn. 
 
 This will answer any who think or say 1 abuse the 
 confidence placed in me. As the good Master has opened a 
 broad l-<nd before us, full of his goodness, let us seek grace to 
 serve him in it, that his blessing, which is life for evermore, may 
 be with us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Though 
 the expectations of the journey have not at this time been rea- 
 lized, it cannot fail to profit while the promise holds good,, 
 
, IN GOSPEL HARNESS. I If 
 
 "Your labor is not in vain in the Lord. " Respectfully asking 
 the continued aid of your prayers and support. 
 
 Yours in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 
 GEO. BUSKIN. 
 
 However, marked proyidences were manifested on my be- 
 half. After a stay there of about three weeks, I again returned 
 and landed at Montreal early in September, visited Ottawa and 
 went straight to Sault Ste. Marie, and for a time did extensive 
 and profitable work, many persons having come to the SauH 
 hy reason of the sel'tled purpose of the C. P. R. to build the 
 Sault branch. At one lumber mill I sold 35 copies of Scriptures 
 and portions and 89 books, receiving $21.75 ^^^ them, and con- 
 ducting religious services. At another I supplied 34 Scriptures 
 and 50 books, receiviug $18.46 for them. Also held two relig- 
 , ious services. This was the work of two days in each place. These 
 were house to house sales. 1 will let those who read estimate the 
 labor and the possible results of it. 
 
 An Extract from the Algoma Pioneer, Oct. 8th, 1886, 
 "Mr. Buskin the street preacher took his stand on Sunday' 
 morning and afternoon and preached a sound scriptural salva- 
 tion doctrine. Good results must Inevitably follow all faithful 
 labor, no matter how uninviting the field, and this gospel 
 preacher will be no exception to the rule in the day when every 
 man's work shall be tried what sort it is." 
 
 The supplies of Biblical literature was much larger than 
 the former year, being 350 Scriptares and portions in five lan- 
 guages, and 500 books, besides distribution of tracts, and con- 
 ducting religious services. The contributions in cash and 
 books were $746.31, of which $76.84 was from England. 
 There was paid out of the contributions, $308.80 for printing, 
 travelling, back debts and sundries, leaving $437.51 for the 
 support of the missionary and family. Through an oversight, 
 but not wilfully, the moneys received for sales of hooks, were 
 not entered in this or former accounts, though net mentioned^ 
 there was no design to abuse the confidence of any, whether 
 supporters or opposers of the work. This is evident from the 
 amounts of money that remained for the missionary each year 
 after paying expenses. This year's account whs leviewed by 
 Mr. Josl'h Burnett, accountant, 50 Adelaide st ., Toronto, in 
 whose hands it was placed by reason of the inab'Uy of friends 
 to spare time, to investigate them, as had been done pre- 
 viously for two years. 
 
 1887- This brings us to the fourth year of the work, 1887, 
 
lao MORE THAN FORTY VBAB8 
 
 Among other matters a mission room was built at 
 the Sault, 13 by 25 feet, as a depd^tOfy^ for the books and a 
 nieeting room for the strangers at the Sault. Work being veiy 
 active in the construction of the Algoma branch of the C. P. R., 
 for a time I employed a man to visit the lumber camps, but 
 found him unsuitable for the work. The travelling during the 
 year was west of the Sault to French River and Georgian Bay, 
 in a circle ot about 700 miles, visiting many camps, mills and 
 homes. The following is a sample of sales at one of the rail* 
 way camps: 14 Bibles in five languages, and 12 books, also 
 conducting religious services. 
 
 The sales of this year numbered: Of scriptures, 900 
 in whole or part, and of books 1,300, making together 
 2,200 copies ill ten languages. We may say, with such 
 seed sowing, what will the harvest be? The donations 
 of this year were $640.05, out of which were paid to other 
 persons, as travelling, helper, building, &c , $351.49, which 
 left $288.56 for the missionary. The money received for books 
 sold was $300.00. The accounts for this year were certified by 
 J. Rowland, accountant, 12 Wellington st., west, Toronto. 
 
 Of these donations $90,00 came largely from the men on 
 the construction of the Algoma branch. Being at Algoma 
 Mills at Christmas, I conducted morning religious service at 
 the schoolhouse. I was surprised on returning to the board- 
 ing house that they had a gift for nie of about $14.00, beside 
 other sums which came to me before and after. It is more 
 pleasing to receive unsolicited aid in Christ's work than to con- 
 strain it. . 
 
 1888. Now we come to the fifth year. This year's print- 
 ed reports being lost, the best that I can do is to say that the 
 donations together were $932. 17, as taken from the collecting 
 book; and by referring to other reports, I find that the number 
 of scriptures and books supplied during this year amounted to 
 1670. I find that up to September, 871 books were sold, for 
 which was paid $154.39. The fire which burned the premises 
 in 1896 is probably the cause of having no report left for that 
 year. 
 
 1889. Passing on to the sixth year, there had been pub- 
 lished 7 various editions of Scripture books for use in the work. 
 PVench, German, Italian, and English, which have been found 
 helpful as educators and profitable as Christian instructors, 
 One contributor told me that one in English had been the 
 means of a little girl's conversion, and that he wished to en* 
 
IN G05PBI. HABNESS. 121 
 
 •courage me in the work and gave me his second five dollar 
 donation. Of another edition I ^und a copy yi the, Jiands ot 
 two persons in the City of Quebec on my first visit there, years 
 aiter their publication, and though sold at loc. per copy, one 
 told me he would not be without it for fifty cents. Some of 
 the Italian books have been sent to Italy and have been used 
 here in many Italian homes, some schools, and in districts far 
 away. The same results are shown in the French and German 
 languai^es. 
 
 The number of scriptures supplied this year were about 285 
 and 676 Scriptural books in six languages, besides distribution 
 of religious tracts, and conducting religious services. Thedon- 
 ations tor the year $952.87 being the largest amount yet re« 
 ceived. The amount expended was $1,320.00, there being on 
 hand, books purchased and mission printed books, mission 
 room, mission ground, horse, etc, — Value $805.00. Since 
 1882 there had been supplied by the Mission agency, 7,631 
 scriptures and books in 17 languages. Johm MacKintosfi, 
 
 Accountant. 
 
 1890i A sample of the work at Garden River Lumber 
 camp, Jan. 6th and 7th, 1890: Two Bibles, ii Testaments and 
 25 books. 
 
 On leaving one camp to go to the other, I got into a heavy 
 snow storm. 1 started to walk long before daylight, expecting 
 to meet teams on the way going to the camp, but that day they 
 took another course. The way was long and the books grew 
 heavier all the time, so it appeared to me, and the snow got 
 deeper and softer and finally I had to hang one of my bags to a 
 tree, for I could carry it no farther. No other man did I meet 
 travelling the road I went, save at the cross road, miles behind. 
 Some time later I had to hang up another bag and tug myself 
 along and had the road been much longer, I should have been 
 fast in the snow myself. However, by God's help, I reached 
 the camp sometime in the afternoon, and after getting warmed 
 and some food and a rest, I returned to find my bags of books, 
 which was not easy work by reason of so much snow having 
 fallen. 
 
 I conducted religious services in the first camp, and I sup- 
 pose I also did at the second. In all these places there is a 
 mixture of good and evil. One man there bought nine 3Ct. 
 Testaments ;another showed his mind by causing me to hear his 
 words at midnight, among which he said of myself; "The old 
 Jesuit ! What does he want in here ? I'll see he and his bags 
 
122 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 over the dump in the morning," which meant a drop over the 
 rocks about sixty feet; but the midnight tale and the mornin|f 
 one did not agree, for another I suppose heard his words, and 
 the man who bought the nine testaments said to me after break- 
 fast, "Come.friend, I'll help you with the bags and see you safe 
 from this camp before I go to work." On the way he said, 
 "This is the worst camp I have ever been in." Their profanity 
 was such that he told them he would take a 20 mile tramp and 
 get a summons out for them unless it was stopped. However^ 
 I have been in and out of many camps without suffering great- 
 ly. The Lord be praised for His care. 
 
 I delivered among them the word oi God through exhorta- 
 tion, as well as the voice of praise and supplication and Bibles 
 and books. I have been sorely strained at times on these jour- 
 neys to keep on my legs — from one of them I made 40 miles in 
 one day, 30 miles I walked and 10 miles I rode, with stinging 
 frost and deep snow, to renew my supplies. On another occas- 
 ion I went on snow shoes and lost my way and had to return 
 on my trade; and falling in the snow was too much exhausted 
 to rise, until some one came to my help. In the Garden River 
 district I have had many novel experiences. Once walking 
 there, a journey of 12 miles with heavy load, in deep snow, to 
 reach some camps, without money to pay for food, *about 5 
 o'clock I gave out and had to ask at a house to stay for the 
 night. I was welcome to food, but there was no bed to be had. 
 After supper and a rest, I took up my load again and tramped 
 to the camp, six miles farther. I was well pleased with the 
 night's results, in supplying the Word of Life. 
 
 Near the same place, in summer time, 1 was picked up 
 with my load, by a man driving with a buckboard. I had 
 wriggled along till I could get no farther. He brought me to 
 the steamboat dock. To the warehouseman he said, "I picked 
 up this man and his bags, lying on the roadside." "No won- 
 der", said the dockman, "he puts more on his back, than I 
 would put on my horse. " 
 
 On another occasion in the same neighborhood, I was 
 weary with my load and vexed by reason of labor without suc- 
 cess, but at the last call, I sold a $1.00 large print Bible for a 
 present by a young woman to her parents, Bunyan's Pilgrim's 
 Progress and Holy War, Uncle Tom's Cabin, a $9.00 family 
 Bible, and what more I do not now remember, but I left the 
 house with about $14.00 more than when 1 entered and relieved 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 12^ 
 
 of some of my load. Such experiences as these have been not 
 infrequent. 
 
 iDnce I went on horseback because I was so faint. I had 
 continually to pray the Lord to give me strength to reach the 
 journey's end, which He in mercy did. Now I think I will 
 leave the reports to tell the rest of the toils, until I can write 
 them better, if the Providence of God permits. But to those 
 who accuse our conversation in Christ as deceit, I would ask, 
 how much more have you toiled and sacrificed and suffered? 
 If you boast of strength of character, how much more diligent 
 and devoted have you been, and if ivise, has it been in meekness 
 of wisdom, or like the Corinthians, puffed up because of the 
 gifts. But charity edifieth. That is not almsgiving, but 
 charity does not dispense with gifts, nor almsgiving, but sanc- 
 tifies both. Charity is as the sun, the reflection of the Divine, 
 around which as satellites, the gifts may sparkle, but it is char- 
 ity that must shine with rays of purity, peace and compassion, 
 easy to be entreated, without partiality and hypocrisy. 
 
 Wc would say to one and all who read, if thou canst not 
 do better, at least go and do thou likewise. There was a dif- 
 ference between Israel and the mixed multitude who went up 
 out of Egypt with them, as there is between the soldier and the 
 camp follower, or the stage-playing, liveried soldier and the 
 warrior of the field. If, by any meann and the blessing of the 
 Lord, this record may serve to make some strong in faith, and 
 quit themselves like men, in the Lord's battle against the hosts 
 of darkness, the praise and honor be to the Lord, for by grace 
 we are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the 
 gift of God, not of works, least any man should boast, for we 
 are His workmanship, created anew in Christ Jesus unto good 
 works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in 
 them. And again with Paul we all should say, "yet not I, but the 
 grace of God, which was with me." Old Saul was dead and 
 buried, new man Paul occupied His house, and so it must be 
 with us. "I can do all things through Christ which strength- 
 eneth me." There are many who boast themselves of other 
 persons' labors, instead of being humbled under the sense of 
 obligation to God and their fellows, for what has a man that 
 he has not received. Before honor is humility, and if people 
 will not take upon them the suffering of reproach and the labor 
 of the cross of Christ, what claim can they make to the throne 
 of His glory. If they refuse subjection now to Him, when will 
 they be anything else but rebels to His authority. 
 
144 BfORB THAN IHMtTY VBARS 
 
 I must for the present, respectfully request that the reports 
 shall make up the balance of the apology for the work of the 
 v^^v mission to those persons who by reason of their haughtiness oi 
 spirit, object to their privileged '{issiimptioris and |M>sitioas 
 tieing encroached upon. An endeavor at politeness occasions 
 the expression of apology, which, after all, in this connection 
 
 - is but an accommodating expression to those with whom grace 
 is lacking. Seeing we must all appear before the judgment 
 seat of Christ that our works may be tried of what sort it is, 
 let us continually seek grace, not only to say, "Lord, Lord," 
 but to do the things He commands, which is the evidence that 
 He dwells in us and we in Him. The firstfruits ot His Spirit 
 is love unfeigned, not in word only, but in deed and truth. 
 "He that loveth Him that begat, loveth him also that is be- 
 gotten." The grapes do not bear thorns, nor the fig tree this- 
 tles, but there is a lot of thorny, thistly profession, which only 
 
 - seems to choke out the life of those who attempt to swallow it. 
 , ' G. BUSKIN, 
 
 Colportage Mission, 
 202 King St. E., Toronto, Ont. 
 17 Eagle St. Rochester, N. Y. 
 
 Reports of the Work Done Since '89. 
 
 Our last report given was that of 1889, which was the 
 sixth year. We here give a brief report of each year's work 
 up to the end of last year. 
 
 SEVENTH YEAR'S REPORT. 
 
 l890a The number of Scriptures supplied have been 
 about 263 in 8 languages, and 714 Scriptural books. Religious 
 tracts and magazines which have been bought and donated 
 have been freely supplied, more than 50 religious services have 
 been held in camps, open air, etc; the total number of scriptures 
 and scriptural books supplied since September, 1882, being 
 8,608, in seventeen languages, and 512 religious services held, 
 also nine small scriptural books published in five languages. 
 The contributions for the year have been $976.86, the amoun 
 expended $1,338.30; the liabilities are $1,029.71, the assets 
 $1,160.00, including mission house and lots, mission furniture 
 and supplies, horse, waggon, sleigh, etc., the amount contribu 
 ted for the work since March loth, 1884, being $5,453>o5. 
 
 John Mackintosh, Accountant 
 
. , IN GOSPBL HARMBSS. la^ 
 
 From a letter received, Feb. 3, 1891, from three men, late 
 attendants at the canal mission room, who left the Soo to seek 
 work, we learn that our work among laboring men is helpful ; 
 "We stayed at Garden River at an Indian boarding house. We 
 bad supper and a meal in the morninj^ of saR pork, bread and 
 tea, and when George went and asked him how much it would 
 be he said he would only charge us fifty cents each; he said he 
 charged us nothing for the bed. I wish you had been there; 
 the beds and the cold, it was not fit for a dog to sleep there, . 
 and the next night we had not enough to buy a meal. We got 
 to Bruce about six o'clock, so we went to a hotel and told the 
 landlord we'were strapped. Well, he said he would see what 
 he could do, but he let us stay all night; and in the morning 
 we were about dead with hunger, when a young man told us 
 to go and get our breakfast and he would pay for it, so we got 
 it and felt good after and went out on the Government road and 
 struck this job, (paper wood cutting). Tell Reub that we are 
 all well at present. Give our love to him and Mr. Buskin. 
 Tell them that we have prayer- meetings once or twice a week.'* 
 I leave these letters to plead for themselves. It shows that the 
 hearts of some are reached by the grace of God, and that some 
 in pocket, as well as in spirit, are among the poor and needy 
 in the Christian wilderness and in the wilderness of Algoma. 
 
 During the past year I spent much time among the labor- 
 ers upon the Sault Canal, and last October opened a Mission 
 Room for them close to the work, where prayer and praise 
 ha\e for some time ascended dally to God, and m> confidence 
 is that those prayers will in God's time be answered. : 
 
 While thankful for the great mercies received from our 
 Heavenly Father's hand, I have also to groan beneath the bur- 
 dens and griefs from which I have been unable to escape. 
 
 The spring of 1889 which opened to me with cheering pros- 
 pects early became overcast, and gathering clouds increased, 
 and have left a settled gloom. While mourning the loss of 
 Toronto friends and helpers, I have now to intiuni the loss of 
 my own best friend and helper — mv wife, wiio was taken with 
 a sudden sickness in May and died 17th of January, 1890. By 
 God's grace she could sing a few hours before her death, a song- 
 she had often sung in health, but never to me before with im- 
 port so distinct — 
 
 I need Thee, precious Jesus, 
 For I am full of sin; 
 
ia6 _ MOKE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 My soul is dark and guilty; 
 My heart is dead within. 
 
 I need the cleansing fountain, 
 
 Where I can always flee; 
 The blood of Christ most precious. . 
 
 The sinner's perfect plea. .,.. . , ■ , , 
 
 I also had the burdens of back debts, losses and delays of 
 ^oods in transit, the slowness also with which purchases have 
 been made and paid for, also contention occasioned by jealous 
 rivalry — lamentable to say that such and Christian profession 
 can go together; but our work is forward, by God's help and 
 blessing, and not to look behind nor stay in all the plain (Gen. 
 xix. 17), and by grace say with the apostle, none of these things 
 move me, knowing in whom I have believed. I am thankful 
 to say that during the year French and English and Indian and 
 English hymns have been published for the work, and other 
 translations are also necessary, and I trust in due time to be 
 able to go forward with them, trusting the Lord and the good 
 will of His servants that all responsibilities will be duly met, 
 and the work carried forward and enlarged, that all the ends of 
 the earth may see the salvation of our God. 
 
 I am thankful to say that I found more generous practical 
 help the past year than at any previous time. 
 
 The petition prepared last year for the Dominion Parlia- 
 ment, asking their help, especially in the interest of the Indians 
 has been handed to Mr. Wood for presentation, signed by two 
 hundred and forty names. I could have had it signed by many 
 more (even ten times as many), but I found it diflicult to do 
 several things at the same time without encroaching too much 
 upon the time of our kind friends, and also my memorj' often 
 failed me at the proper moment. As yet no answer has been 
 received, so as yet I suppose it has not been presented. 
 
 My journeys during the past year have been round the 
 shore of Lake Huron and on the Manitoulin Island. I have 
 been prevented from extending my journeys for lack of means. 
 I will by God's help endeavor to lay up a reserve fund to meet 
 the cost and risk of going farther from home. Having so many 
 payments to make, my pockets are nearly always empty. 
 
 Among the first work done during the year was to give a 
 Bible to a young woman who was without one and had no 
 money to buy, and who said that when she was a child her 
 mother used daily to read the Scripture to her children; she af- 
 
• IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 1 27 
 
 terwards came to the Mission Room service and told me that it 
 was four years since she had been to any religfious service be- 
 fore; also another who had absented himself for sixteen ye«rs. 
 Some strays are occasionally met in this way to whom we are 
 privileged to speak a word in season. 
 
 Many Finlanders have been met with during the year and 
 supplted with Scriptures; one, though under the influence of 
 strong di Ink, would not lose the opportunity of buying a Testa- 
 ment and Psalms in his own language. The Lord make it a 
 blessing as He has done before in similar circumstances; anoth- 
 er Fin, who many months before bought a copy of the New 
 Testament, made me a present of fifty cents which I entered 
 among the contributions. "Cast thy bread upon the waters, 
 and thou shalt find it after many days (give a portion to seven 
 and also to eight) for thou knowest not the way of the Spirit." 
 
 EIGHTH YEAR'S REPORT. 
 
 I89l« The number of Scriptures and portions supplied 
 has been about 378 in eleven languages, and 1,638 scriptural 
 books, for which have been received $440.15. Of these Scrip- 
 tures and books 1,760 were supplied in the Algoma District and 
 256 outside. There were about 50 religious services conducted 
 in the districts, besides Scripture reading, prayer and exhorta- 
 tion in many homes anJ houses, and large quantities of relig- 
 ious tracts given, also Scriptures and books of the value of 
 $25.75. The contributions for the year have been $1,186.90; 
 disbursemants, $2,169. II ; liabilities, $939.69; assets, $720 — 
 including mission lots and buildings, mission furniture and 
 supplies of books, etc. Since September, 1882, 10,368 Scrip- 
 tures and scriptural books have been supplied in 17 languages, 
 and many hundreds supplied outside; also 562 religious servi- 
 ces conducted in the district, and over 10,000 religious tracts 
 distributed. The united contributions for the work since 
 March 24th, 1884, have been $6,739.95. 
 
 John Mackintosh, Accountant. 
 
 During the past year the Scriptures and books have been 
 supplied in 1 1 languages, viz. : English, French, Gaelic, Ger- 
 man, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Pole, (Ojibway) Indian, He- 
 brew and Italian. I have not produced any new books during 
 the year, as I have not the means to meet the expense, but 
 some are on the way for publication which are necessary for the 
 work. A four paged tract has been published for distribution, 
 entitled "Tracts for the People." The seeds of truth and kind- 
 
128 IIORB THAN FORTY YBAHS 
 
 ness need he freely sown, and it will be gratifying to our friends 
 to know that the first edition of a, coo ot the Scripture Reader 
 in English has been used, and I purpose improving it and get-^ 
 ting out another edition as soon as possible; also the first edit* 
 ion of I, ooo copies of the Gospel of John in tne Douay and 
 King James versions are nearly exhausted. Many of the con- 
 tributors have been pleased to receive a copy of these publica- 
 tions, as well as many sales have been made. I am constrained 
 to say that there should be a more active interest in the spiritual 
 enlightenment of our French neighbours, by supplying them 
 with helpful Christian literature, cheap, attractive and instruc- 
 tive, which may give to them an evidence of an unfeigned and 
 loving interest in their spiritual, moral and social welfare. 
 
 The petition to the Dominion Government on behalf of the 
 Mission work was presented last summer by Mr. Wood, M.P., 
 but I have not as yet heard if it has received consideration, they 
 being too much occupied with other matter last year to do so. 
 
 The box of Mission property lost by the Canadian Pacific 
 Railroad Co., Dec. i, 1890, value $135, has not been returned, 
 and the suit against them for recovery of damages was thrown 
 out, although the jury gave judgment for $108, the Company 
 finding a legal way of escape, representing that the portion of 
 the Algoma branch of the Canadian Pacific road on which it 
 was lost was not theirs, yet they advertise it as such and also 
 issue tickets for the same in their name. It is in vain for me 
 to pursue them further, they have so many hiding places from 
 justice; but let them repent of their deeds lest finally they should 
 have to call upon the rocks and mountains to fall upon them 
 and hide them from the presence of God and the wrath of the 
 Lamb. When righteousness shall be put to the line and judg- 
 ment to the plummet, they will not laugh then at beating a 
 poor man out of his rights. 
 
 NINTH YEAR'S REPORT. 
 
 I892* The number of Scriptures and Scripture books 
 supplied in the district during the past summer has been about 
 1,200, in 7 languages, for which have been received nearly $200 
 including payment of some back debts, ?»i5 worth has been 
 given, 20 religious services have also been conducted there. Since 
 September, 1882, about 1 1,500 scriptures and scriptural books 
 have been supplied in the district in 17 languages and entered 
 iu the book of mission sales. Many have been given that Iiave 
 not been entered; 583 religious services have been conducted 
 
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IN GOSPEL HARNESS. I 29 
 
 there over many hundred miles of the country, and many 
 thousands of religious tracts and magazines also have been dis- 
 tributed. Twelve various editions of small scriptural books, 
 necessary for rudimental Christian instruction, have been 
 published in tive languages for the work, numbering 15,500 
 copies, many of which have been largely and widely circulated, 
 and seven other editions in four languages, numbering 7,500 
 copies, are in course of publication. The united contributions 
 commencing March 24th, 1884, to the present time havQ been 
 $8,295.50. , , > 
 
 Wm. Smallwood, .Accountant, 
 > 22 and 24 Lombard St., Toronto, Ont. 
 
 I have been hindered from doing more in the district by 
 lack of means to meet the various expenses and debts, and also 
 for want of practical personal help. I own with gratitude and 
 thankfulness the sustaining and tender mercy of our loving 
 Lord and Saviour, at whose word and in whose great name I 
 pursue the work and rejoice in the fellowship of the gospel with 
 all those who have so kindly helped me with their sub- 
 stance and their prayers. 1 have often been pressed sorely with 
 my little load of cares, and been very weary in the little service 
 I have rendered, yet 1 can truly say, the Lord has not left me 
 nor forsaken me at any time. The following fact will indicate 
 many of my experiences, which oftentimes are not joyous — but 
 light breaks in on the darkness, and indicates our past labors 
 are not lost. When packing the books to begin this year's 
 work, and not knowing how to find money for the journey and 
 to meet expenses of starting, I received payment, unexpected 
 and unsought, for books supplied years ago, far back on the 
 shores of Lake Superior, which enables me to go forward. The 
 contributions of the year have been larger than any previous 
 one, but the responsibilities have been greater. The following. 
 will be gratifying to the friends who have helped: 
 
 93 Elm St., Toronto, Ont., Nov. 15th, 1892. 
 We, the undersigned Superintendents, Teachers and Schol- 
 ars of the Italian Mission, thankfully acknowledge the benefit 
 we derive from the use of the Italian and English Reader, pub- 
 lished by the Algoma and North-west Evangelical and Colpor- 
 tage Mission and which we could not well do without, and trust 
 that by God's blessing it may be a means of extensively impart- 
 ing the knowledge of a Saviour's love. Signed: Michele Basso, 
 R. Reynolds, Geo. Rowland, W. D. Stark, John H. Cornyn,- 
 
130 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 Geo. J. Gipson, Christine Muldoon, Annie Mellick, Julia Tre- 
 vail], Lewis Gates. 
 
 TENTH YEAR'S REPORT. 
 
 1893a The number of Scriptures and Scriptural bool<s 
 supplied in the district by the mission during the past summer 
 have been 849 in 6 languages, a few others have been sent in 
 German and English. The cash received for those supplied, in- 
 cluding a few back payments, has been $152.27. Those given 
 in whole or part has amounted to $12.80. Also 568 have been 
 supplied outside the district, which have been made note of, for 
 which $27.44 ^^'^s been received and $4,80 worth has been giv- 
 en; also many hundreds of our published books have been given 
 to contributors. The religious services were conducted in the 
 district in various parts, and many also have been held outside 
 the district in various parts, also at the rooms, 202 King St. 
 East, Toronto. Friends have conducted prayer and exhortatory 
 services until disturbed beyond measure by disorderly boys, and 
 the doors obliged to be closed, awaiting better capabilities of 
 preserving order. 
 
 The united contributions of the year have been $1419.12, 
 and the amount received by sales $179.81; Disbursements, 
 $2,012.52; and the assets over liabilities, $1,085.00. The num- 
 ber of scriptures, scriptural and helpful books supplied in the 
 district by the mission and missionary since 1892 has been 
 12,359 in 17 languages, and 609 religious services conducted. 
 Also much work of a sinvlar kind has been done outside the 
 district, and 18 various editions of scriptural and rudimental 
 books of instruction have been published by the mission and 
 for its use in 5 languages, numbering 35,900 copies when all 
 are finished. These have been freely used and found to be 
 helpful. 
 
 Wm. Smallwoop, Accountant, 
 
 20 and 24 Lombard St. , Toronto. 
 
 While at Parry Sound I lost my diary, and have been un- 
 able to compare the accounts with the entry made at the depot. 
 
 The work along the lake was pursued during the summer 
 with dilT/Culties by reason of the depression in business, also 
 from a lack of <i sulTicient supply of scriptures, and from a lack 
 of cash to meet expenses, and was obliged to borrow from some 
 of the good friends to get started, also by the delay and non- 
 arrival of supplies forwarded, and from other embarrasments. 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. I3t 
 
 1 started from Midland round the Georgian Bay northward, it 
 being 15 years since last I labored in some of the places. I 
 went also north to Webbwood, and west to Sault Ste. Marie, 
 found men of many nationalities working upon the canal, and 
 some that I had no scriptures for. ! also did a little upon the 
 Michigan shore, and upon St. Joseph's Island and Manitoulin' 
 Island. The Ojibway Indian Scripture Reader published by 
 the mission last summer I found very acceptable among the 
 Indians, one Indian lad giving his last 50c, for an English 
 Bible, a hymn book and reader in Indian and English; another 
 who paid me about $2 for Indian books, to whom I said, "You 
 are not good Indian, you drink too much whiskey, "having seen 
 him on a past occasion intoxicated, to which he said he was very 
 weak, but he loved Jesus and stood to Him every time; it did 
 not sound ill coming from an Indian 6 feet high. Some may 
 be disposed to say that talk may do for an Indian, but not for 
 intelligent, educated white men, but it would be well for all 
 such to cultivate the thoughts of the poet who said : 
 
 Ashamed of Christ ! My soul disdains the mean, ungenerous 
 thought. 
 
 Shall I deny the Lord, who has to men salvation brought; 
 But should we in the evil day from our professions fly, 
 
 The Lord before the assembled world the traitor will deny. 
 
 I have published for the use of the mission and the further- 
 ance of the Lord's work during the year an Ojibway Indian and 
 English Scripture reader, 1000 copies; a French Daily Text 
 Book, 2000 copies; a French and English Scripture ABC 
 Book, 5000 copies; and have an Ojibway and English of the 
 same in hand, 4000 copies; also a French and English Scripture 
 reader, 1000 copies; (a second edition) the first thousand having 
 been used. These are necessary as the first steps in the ladder 
 of Christian knowledge, but it is a lamentable fact that many 
 who have a knowledge of letters, books and bibles, are far from 
 kno.i'ing the Lord, who is set forth therein, who exercises lov- 
 ing kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth, not 
 owning him as their personal friend and Saviour. It may be 
 truly said of many to-day, as Moses said long ago; they are 
 children in whom is no faith; or, at least, no taith which works 
 by love, or things would be very difierent among us to what 
 they are. Some personal assistance was sought and obtained 
 for the work, but has since been dispensed wUh, being deemed 
 unprofitable. 
 
132 '.;' MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 I have been informed upon reliable authority thatlhetrunk 
 with the magic lantern and other goods belonging to the mis- 
 sion, which was lost by the officials of the Canadian Pacific Rail- 
 way, was detained in one of the company's railway stations, 
 and finally broken open l-n-an official of theirs and the contents 
 • taken away. In the suit I obtained jury's judgment for S108, 
 which the company found means to have set aside, saying there 
 was not evidence that it came into their hands. My solicitor 
 has written to them concerning the statement given to me of 
 the contents of box taken from their premises, and the 
 $400 justly due me in the loss and trouble and expense put to 
 concerning it. They esteemed tht solicitor's letter not worth 
 noticing. The contents of the box A-ere described to me so that 
 I knew the statement to be correct. It is a marvel that such in- 
 justice can find shelter under the name of justice, and these 
 haughty holders of wealth and power trample to death a 
 poor man's right, and there is none to deliver. But the Lord . 
 has engaged to break the oppressor to pieces — Amen. Their 
 glory is short and their judgment certain except they repent. I 
 received also a statement from the Secretary of State concerning 
 the pet' jn put into the Dominion Government two years ago, 
 asking for some assistance to pursue the work o( instruction 
 among the Indians and others, but was informed that the appli- 
 cation could not be entertained. 
 
 ELEVENTH YEAR'S REPORT. 
 
 I894i The number of Scriptures aud Scriptural books 
 supplied in the district by the mission during the past summer 
 has been 1,340, in six languages. The cash received for those 
 supplied there, including a few back payments, has been $163.76. 
 Those given in whole or part amounted to $1 1.89. Also 1,296 
 have been supplied outside the district, which have been made 
 note of, for which $102.94 has been received, and $22.94 ^vortli 
 have been given; also many hundreds of our published books 
 have been given to contributors. The religious services were 
 conducted in the district in various parts, and many also have 
 been held outside the district in various parts, also at the rooms, 
 202 King Street, East, Toronto. Friends have conducted prayer 
 and exhortatory services, which are growing in activity and use- 
 fulness, and are conducted daily, morning and evenings at 8 
 o'clock, and also at noon. Great blessing is anticipated in 
 answer to fervent and continued supplication, thanksgiving 
 and praise. 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 133 
 
 The united contributions of the year have been $1490.55, 
 and the amount received by sales $266.76; disbursements, 
 $2176.75; and the assets over liabilities, $905.60. The number 
 of scriptures, scriptural and helpful books supplied in the district 
 by the mission and missionary since 1892 has been 13,640 in 17 
 languages, and 618 religious services conducted; and the united 
 •contributions, $1 1,325.33. Also much work of a similar kind 
 has been dene outside the district, while 20 various editions of 
 scriptural and rudimental books of instruction and tracts have 
 been published by the mission and for its use, in 5 languages, 
 ■and others are being published, numbering 44,000 copies already 
 published. These have been freely used and found to be helpful. 
 
 H. Granfield, Bookkeeper, 
 
 212 King St. East, Toronto, Ont. 
 
 The journey during the past year with the sapplies was 
 limited to Muskoka, Parry Sound, Georgian Bay, Nipissingand 
 Sudbury Districts. The difficulty in making the sales to meet 
 the various costs prevented me from going around Lake Superi- 
 or which I was prepared to have done, having ample supplies 
 but could not meet the cost, but on the journey there was pleas- 
 ing evidence that the work was productive of the desired result 
 of producing repentance toward God and faith in our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 I have endeavored to obtain from the C. P. R. Co., some 
 redress for the grievous loss sustained in the work by their neg- 
 ligence. I have written them four letters. The following is 
 the only reply received : 
 
 Canadian Pacific Railway Company. 
 
 Office of the Assistant General Manager, 
 
 Montreal, January 29, 1895. 
 
 Geo. Buskin, Esq., 202 King Street East, Toronto, Ont. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Replying to your letter of the 7th, I have made 
 careful enquiry into your claim referred to therein, and find 
 that you have no ground whatever for asking this Company to 
 make good the loss of your box and contents, and I am sur- 
 prised, therefore, at the statements which you make in your 
 annual report. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 (Signed) Thos. Tait, Assistant Gen'l Manager, 
 To which I sent the following reply: 
 
13^ MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 202 King St. East, Toronto, Ont.. 
 
 January 30th, i895^ 
 Mr. Thos. Tait, 
 
 Asst. Gen'l Manager, C.P.R., Montreal, Que. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Thanks for your acknowledgement tomvletter^ 
 but if implies that I am a simpleton, fraud, or crazy. You may 
 evade my just claim in what language you please. 
 
 The Almighty shall plead my case against you, and exe- 
 cute judgment for me. It might have been settled in the be- 
 ginning for $50, 
 
 My Christian advice is, put things straight, or Heaven wilt 
 straighten it, and the Company will suffer loss. 
 
 I have enclosed you the case in printed form. 
 I am, Dear Sir, 
 
 Yours truly and respectfully, 
 
 Geo. Buskin. 
 
 I am far from desirous of striving, but such unneces- 
 sary inconsideration by men of such great possessions is past en- 
 durance, and our consolation must be in the words of the Lord 
 who has said that every tongue that shall rise up in judgment 
 against you thou shalt overthrow; this is the heritage of the 
 servants of the Lord. And their righteousness is of Me, saitb 
 the Lord. 
 
 TWELFTH YEAR'S REPORT. 
 
 I895i The number of Scriptures and Scripture books- 
 supplied in the district by the mission during the past summer 
 have been 810 in six languages. The cash received for those 
 supplied there, including a few back payments, has been 
 $136.85. Those wholly given, or in part, hflve been valued at 
 $11.38. Also 1,235 Scriptures and books have been supplied 
 outside of Algoma district, for which $127.03 have been re- 
 ceived, and $10,30 worth have been given. Hundreds of 
 our published books have been left with the contributors, who 
 in many cases have been well pleased to receive them. Religi- 
 ous services have been conducted in the district in various 
 parts, as strength would permit. Similar services have been 
 held outside the district. The rooms of the depots 
 
 202 King Street East, Toronto, have been and are kept open 
 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. There have been indications of 
 blessings from the prayer services here. Nothing that the world 
 would call great has been accomplished, but indications are that 
 the labor is not to be in vain in the Lord. 
 
 We would gladly have our numbers and capacity enlarged 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNSSS. 135 
 
 and improved, yet whereunto by grace we have obtained we 
 will walk by the same rule and mind the same things, and like 
 Paul at Rome we receive all who come in to us, Acts 28:30. 
 
 There is need of enlarging our operations and usefulness, 
 for which we have a fervency of desire, though our capacities 
 are very limited. . It may be made more effectual by the pres- 
 ence and hearty co-operation of all who love the Lord and His 
 Word. 
 
 The united contributions for the year have been $1,467.88, 
 and the amount received by sales, $263.88. Disbursements, 
 .$2,288,66. Liabilities, $1,464.40. Assets over liabilities ,$400. 39. 
 The number ot Scriptures, Scriptural and helpful books supplied 
 in the district by thr mission and the missionary since 1882 have 
 been 14,450 in 17 languages, and 630 religious services con- 
 ducted; and the united contribution, $12,793. Also much work 
 of a similar kind has been done outside the district. Last year 
 and this, 2,531 Scriptural books have been supplied. 21 various 
 editions of Scriptural and rudimental books of instruction, and 
 tracts, have been published by the mission for its use in five 
 languages, numbering 59,000 copies alr<jady published. These 
 have been freely used and found to be helpful. 
 
 Wm. Smallwood, Bookkeeper, 
 
 1 14 Church Street, Toronto. 
 
 Again our Ebenezer is raised in acknowledgment of God's 
 merciful hand with us, in bringing us so far through the con- 
 flicts and difficulties of the work to the present time, and has 
 engaged not to forsake us. In God's name we would thank 
 the friends who have helped with us in the work, trusting that 
 they also experience that in doing good to others they them- 
 selves are blessed. 
 
 Of v.. • thousands of copies of the Holy Scriptures, in whole 
 or part, which have been scattered in the district and out of it by 
 the agency of the mission, some I know are doinji,' their divin ely 
 appointed work of comfort and instruction and formation of 
 godly character. 
 
 Some in their ignorance and wil fulness have asked me if 
 Bibles are good tor feeding horses and drawing saw-log^. Oth- 
 ers said they have never read it; and some c mnot read it, 
 having never learned how. Some by priestly rule of terrorism 
 are deluded from so doing; and some say there is no God, 
 and will not believe His revelation to man. Others fronr 
 poverty and care have not the Scriptures, and therefore cannot 
 exercise themselves in its records. These are some of the many 
 
136 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 experiences I have had in this highly favored land, while there 
 are many who rejoice in the knowledge and grace of God, and 
 some who possess the means of grace and abuse it, or do not 
 use it; but there are hundreds of millions beyond our limits, 
 whose light is as darkness, they know not the living and true 
 God, nor Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Vast multitudes, 
 through the ignorance in them, are practically and professedly, 
 and with combined effort laboring to put out the light of God's 
 truth, and with demoniacal bitterness gnash their teeth in 
 their work oi' murderous destruction and opposition which ts 
 now being carried out against the Armenian Christians. To us 
 through these very people came long ago, "Be thou faithful 
 unto death and 1 will give thee a crown of life." Re'. 2:10. 
 Let us with them seek grace to be faithful. It becomes us all 
 to be strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may 
 overcome the evil with the good, resisting the adversary, stead- 
 fast in the faith. The greater the evil, the greater the oppor- 
 tunity to evidence God's power and grace, through the Holy 
 Spirit, to overcome seven times. Christ has given us this word. 
 Rev. 2 and 3 chap., "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome 
 evil with good." But sometimes the adversarj' comes as an 
 angel of light, and his ministers as ministers of righteousness. 
 With increased diligence let us strive to do the Master's work. 
 For our encouragement he has said, "I am with you, and will 
 not leave you." 
 
 The work during the past year was pursued among some 
 of the islands of Lake Huron to Sault Ste. Marie, and then 
 back to Sudbury and North Bay. I would like to have taken 
 in Parry Sound and the railway, but with the income from what 
 I supplied I conld not meet expenses, and there were so many 
 places for the little I had that I was obliged to halt in order to 
 meet the demands for payment. 
 
 My son, who for two or three >ears had been desirous that 
 I should extend my visit to the west of Lake Superior, (and I 
 also was anxious so to do, but lacked the means,)! reg'/et to say 
 died on the 7th of October last from the discharge ot his gun 
 after returning from a little nunt, on the 4th day after the acci- 
 dent. His age was 28 years. Another evidence that in the day 
 we look not for God, He may call us away. Be ye therefore 
 ready. 
 
 It will be gratifying to many to see that the long-talked of 
 Sault Ste. Marie Canal is completed after much labor. I have 
 given in the past views of its construction work, ao now I give 
 
, : IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 137 
 
 a view of it completed, and with it a word concerning a little 
 share I have had there in the past: 
 
 "Jan. 2, 1 89 1. A mission Room has been opened for the 
 laborers at Sault Ste. Marie Canal by Mr. George Buskin, who 
 has labored constantly in the district since the construction of 
 the Canadian Pacific Railway." — Pioneer. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church bought out my investment in it, 
 and also the building, and they still had it operating when I 
 was there last July. I also had the pleasure of supplying a few 
 Scriptures and books among the laborers on the water power 
 there, and held a few religious services. I trust that my labors 
 in the Master's name, and my statement, may all be satisfactory 
 to my helpers and friends; and if I have any adversaries, the 
 ieast harm I wish them is, that they shall go and do likewise. 
 
 But while I am thankful for the favor I find for the Master's 
 sake, I must in honesty say that I sometimes make many calls 
 and find little favor. On occasions of late I made about 50 calls 
 and received $1.00 and on another I kept an account of 50 calls 
 and the answers received. One would think from their answers 
 they were all bankrupt; my mind was made up to print the 
 answers — meaning no offence, but like a looking glass, to show 
 how unlike Christ in many cases is the name of Christian in 
 these days — I received $1.50 but I cannot find the record I 
 made, but it will turn up again for there are no failures of the 
 sort where the heavenly records are kept, but had they invested 
 $50,000 in Christ's work instead of $1.50 they would not have 
 hurt themselves, for one of the least told me he had lost $70,000 
 during the year and his partner the same. A good Methodist 
 brother a little time ago gave me a dollar for the work, saying 
 he wished it was more. He had not long ago invested $5,000 
 in real estate, and it was all gone. Better, said he, I had given 
 it to the Lord's work. We are bid to lay up treasure in heaven, 
 €>nd lo make to ourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteous- 
 ness— that is by manifesting the kindness of God to each other 
 and helping those who cannot help themselves. 
 
 I have left out from the mission account the $330 which I 
 should have recovered from the C. P. R. Co. for the loss and cost 
 concerning the box with the magic lantern. To Mr. Thos. Tait, 
 Assistant Gen'l Manager's statement in his letter, that I had no 
 claim whatever on the Company, I append the following state- 
 ment, the original of which is in their possession: 
 
138 • MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railroad, 
 
 Sault, Mich., Dec. 3, 1890. 
 To Mr. Evanson, station master, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. : 
 
 "The bearer arrived here on the 29th November from Port 
 Huron; he had a box checked to Sault, Mich, As he wished 
 to go to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., I took up his check and marked 
 the box in several places 421. He now claims that this is not 
 there. Can you kindly trace and see what has become of it ? 
 He stood by and saw me mark this box and helped put it on 
 the train; it was not put off again. G. F. G." 
 
 This statement I received from the baggage man at the 
 direction of the station master of the Union Station. This is the 
 last station on the Sault Ste. Marie Branch of C. P. R. See 
 their time tables and tickets. 
 
 They received the goods and allowed them to be lost, and 
 they defy all justice in not restoring them or making them 
 good. But there is a God that judgeth in the earth. Psalms 
 58:11. 
 
 THIRTEENTH YEAR'S REPORT. 
 
 I896* The number of Scriptures and Scriptural books, 
 supplied in the district by agency of the mission during the past 
 summer have been 629 in 6 languages. The cash received for 
 those supplied there being $84.84. The value of those given 
 there in whole or part, was $7.85. The number supplied by 
 sale outside the district have been 709 for which have been re- 
 ceived $78.06, many hundreds also of our published books have 
 been left ivith the contributors, and in many cases paid for, and 
 in some cases the price being entered among the contributions. 
 Not much interest has been shown lately in the premises, 202 King 
 St. E. , Toronto. They have been again kept open from 8 a.m. 
 till 9 p. m, daily. Most vi-itors come for temporal- 
 
 ities and few for spiritual advantage. There are few to join us 
 in prayer, and probably were we in China, India or the South 
 Seas there might be found those who would rompany with us 
 more numerous, and more desirous of the grace ot God, that 
 can be found in Him alone. $22 has been volunteered in aid of 
 the Armenians from the notices which we have given concern- 
 ing them, and others also have been reminded of their condition 
 and in other ways have sent to their help. We are willing to 
 do great things if it is possible in the Saviour's name, and if 
 not we are content to do what we can and better we would do if 
 we could. Not one dollar has been volunteered this year to 
 sustain or further the work from cur notices in the store win- 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. I39 
 
 dow. AH that has been received had to be personally sought for. 
 No doubt the business depression has hindered many in the ex- 
 tent of their liberality, but if they more fully realized that the 
 Lord is rich to all them that call upon Him in truth, there 
 would be more diligence in seeking and serving Him, and more 
 fellowship in His work, more joy in His service, more purpose 
 in prayer. 
 
 Commencing the work at Mattawa and North Bay and 
 then going south through Muskoka several times touching the 
 Parry Sound Railroad and construction, I passed over ground 
 that I had not visited for twenty years. Fields and homes 
 and villages are there, which on my previous visits were solid 
 bush. Though the times were very depressed, and money very 
 scarce some took pleasure in the good news for God's kingdom 
 and grace. But though God is calling with patience and love, be- 
 stowing His mercy and grace, the devil is busy with corruption 
 and vice, hardening the hearts and blinding the mind with van- 
 ity, foolery, and lies, while the name of Christian religion oft is 
 dragged in iniquitie's mire. The Master's whip of small cords if 
 used again would serve a good cause in stopping this blot to 
 His name and His laws. The following I copy from a hand- 
 bill, marked with Christian degeneracy. I regret to waste the 
 time and paper to print it, — it professes to serve Christ's cause, 
 and raise money to build a rectory by sports and games. 
 
 Aug. 5, '96, at Trout Creek. Programme, bicycle race, 
 hotel-keepers' race, three hundred yard race for old men, two 
 hundred yard race for married men, two hundred yard race for 
 boys under thirteen, two hundred yard race for girls under 
 12 years, five legged race for grown men, merchants' race, 
 clerks' race, egg race, walking match for bachelors, walking 
 match for ladies, spelling match for teachers, running hop step 
 and jump, running long jump, four hundred yard walking 
 match. Liberals vs. Conservatives, open to all Scottish highland 
 dance, prize for prettiest baby eighteen months and under, 
 prize for homeliest man on the ground, prize for homeliest wo- 
 man on the ground, tug of war North Bay vs. Burk's Falls,&c. , 
 &c. Eloquent Orators from the Queen City at 4.30 p. m. to 
 deliver addresses. Admission 25cts. Children i5cts. Supper 
 25cts. Soft drinks, refreshments, &c. This is to build a rec- 
 ory. To the rector I addressed the following letter: — 
 
 Dear Sir, — Bracebridge, Ont., Aug. 4th, 1896. 
 
 1 have respectfully to state to you that your announced pic— 
 
140 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 nic in the aspect of your profession is an uni^odliUe piece of busi- 
 ness. Paul the apostle reminds us of the transgression and judg- 
 ment of those who eat and drink and rise up to play. The 
 Lord who is no respecter of persons will not pass by your un- 
 godliness in this matter unless you repent and put it away. 
 
 Dear Sir, yours truly, 
 
 G. Buskin. 
 
 These things look like Satan's caricature of the good Shep- 
 herd and His sheep, — such religious pastors and leaders had 
 better pursue some honest and useful calling than disgrace and 
 corrupt the profession of the glorious gospel of the blessed God 
 by such vile trickery and godlessness. And in this the old saying 
 is quite true, "One fool makes many, "and to be fooled out of the 
 inheritance of the Kingdom of God because of unrighteousness 
 is the greatest of all folly and will bring endless lamentation 
 and irrecoverable loss. 
 
 The following is inserted and copied from the "North Bay 
 Times," Thursday, July 23rd, 1896: 
 
 Abuse and Profanity. 
 
 Editor The North Bay Times: 
 
 Dear Sir,— Will you please favor me by giving publicity to 
 the following, as it may be profitable for the future. On Satur- 
 day evening last between 7 and 8 o'clock, at the corner of the 
 post office, while endeavoring to set forth the glorious character 
 of our blessed Saviour as declared to us in the Holy Scripture 
 in Psalm 72. I received prolonged abuse from a man whose 
 conduct was more that of a luni. tic from Bedlam than a sane 
 person, which afforded great glee to a number of persons 
 gathered round, both young and old, and though I sought his 
 name or someone to witness against him concerning his abuse 
 and profanity, there was no one to help shame such corruption 
 or show respect to the speaker. When a Christian man occu- 
 pied in a work of practical Christian benevolence can be reviled 
 upon the public streets and repoaitdly called a d — n fraud, and 
 no man would witness against such lawless wicked conduct, 
 things must be fallen low in North Bay, and Christian life needs 
 reviving. Apart from Bible teaching the law provides that any 
 person disturbing a religious assembly can be sent straight to • 
 jail by the order ot a magistrate present, and the law is also 
 .against profanity and abuse. I have been occupied constantly 
 for more than 12 years in circulatintr the Holy Scriptures and 
 Christian literature over many hundred miles of the country, 
 
* IN GOSPEL HARNi^SS. 14I 
 
 and when a man or any company of men can turn the declara- 
 tions of God's VV'ord into ridicule if there he no law or order to 
 shame such conduct, the God of heaven will recompense it with 
 shame and everlastinj^^ contempt on their heads unless ihey 
 change their conduct. I afterwards saw the same man assail 
 in a similar manner the Salvation Army women while they were 
 occupied in speaking, but he was driven aw.iy by the hotel 
 keeper. Geo. Blskin. 
 
 Algonia Colportage Mission, 202 King St. E. , Toronto. 
 
 A great trouble was experienced by us. Last May some 
 person started a fire outside our premises, which destroyed some 
 of our stock to the amount of $200 or more. At the time, I 
 was waiting for the train to pursue my journey to North Bay. 
 While waiting, I saw a statement in the paper, "Many Bibles 
 in flames," which occasioned me immediately to return. We 
 were much exposed by the long delay of repairing the premises 
 which was not completed for about three months afterwards. 
 For a time I felt bewildered, not knowing how to overcome the 
 difficulties, having no insurance. 
 
 - During the year several useful books have been published 
 by the Mission, which will be helpful for the work, both in 
 French and English, and others also are progressing in French 
 and Indian. But heavy liabilities lie upon our hands, which 
 makes our progress slow. And our creditors need their money. 
 Nearly $1,200 are needed to discharge our obligations with the 
 various houses that are helping us in the work, which will be 
 seen by looking at our liabilities. We will leave the matter 
 with the Lord and our brethren, while striving to the uttermost 
 to do our duty. 
 
 , During the year we have had several men volunteer for the 
 work, two had not courage to start, and one was hindered by 
 various home responsibilities. He proved himself the best of 
 the numerous persons who have undertaken to help with us. 
 But means are too slow to meet his necessities. He worked ior 
 five weeks, but at present there is fourteen dollars due to him 
 for his labor. Self-seeking was no part of his exercise. His 
 laboi' was for the extension of the grace and kingdom of the 
 Lord. No doubt at some future time he will again be in the 
 field. 
 
 The united contributions of the year have been $1,829.03. 
 The amount received by sales, $169.90. Disbursements, 
 
142 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 $1,991.93. Liabilities, $2,445.00. Assets over liabilities, 
 $550.70. Wm. Smallwood, Bookkeeper, 
 
 136 Harbord Street, Toronto. 
 
 The number of Scriptures and Scriptural books supplied in 
 the district since 1882 have been 15,073, in 17 languages, and 
 633 religious services held, accompanied with tract distributing. 
 Also much work of a similar kind outside the district. During 
 the past three years, 3,264 Scriptures and books have been sup- 
 plied and taken account of, and a large number of religious 
 services held. To the present time, 25 editions of elementary 
 Scriptural books and tracts have been published by the Mission 
 tor its work, numbering 80,000 copies in 5 languages, and two 
 more are published, one in French, and another in Indian and 
 English, at a cost of nearly $800, and all theseare necessary for 
 the work. 
 
 During the past year there has been published an Illust- 
 rated Anti-Profanity Card, to place in public places, to restrain 
 corrupt expressions. Also, a French tract, "What think ye of 
 Christ?" is the subject. The French and English daily text 
 book is also completed. It is Educational and Godly in its char- 
 acter, being a literal translation of the King James Version in- 
 to the French language. There is also an edition of the Gospel 
 of Matthew being published in the English and (Ojibway) In- 
 dian with a history of the translations of the Holy Scripture in- 
 to the English language printed in both languages. The 
 Indians need such help, as well as white people, otherwise 
 heathen traditions remain festering in their minds and hinder 
 them from making progress in Christian character and know- 
 ledge. I know it will afford them both pleasure and profit, the 
 same I have seen from the three former editions that have been 
 printed for them by the Mission, for ten years I have been seek- 
 ing opportunity to accomplish it. $250 is necessary to meet the 
 cost before it will be completed. 
 
 Also I am thankful to say that by the hearty assistance of a 
 good brother and other triends in Montreal, the Foxe's Book of 
 Martyrs in French is now ready for the press. $500 is neces- 
 sary to complete the payment of its publishing. It will be sold 
 at 15 cents a copy, having 200 pages. 
 
 I now relate some facts concerning the difficulty of raising 
 money for practical Christian work, and leave heaven and earth 
 to judge. 
 
 The good brother who volunteered to help me in the work, 
 I sent to collect funds to pay the various houses from whom our 
 
 I 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 1 43 
 
 supplies had been obtained. He visited 23 towns. His railway 
 fares alone cost $14.75, ^'^ board cost $28, his wages amounted 
 to $33 for as many days at work; total costs, $80.75. 
 From the 23 towns he received in free gifts to help the North- 
 west Mission, $29.75, which was $51 less than the amount 
 expended to get it. On the way he supplied 190 Scriptures and 
 books, and received for them $16.43, which was not more than 
 cost, and those that were given, including circulars and tracts, 
 would be a cost of nearly $5 more. His daily expenses were 
 $2.40, and he received 90c. to meet it and help our good work's 
 account. The books will certify what is here stated. This 
 matter can speak tor itselt, and if all other servants of Christ 
 fare as did our good brother, there is no wonder that little is 
 accomplished in conversion. 
 
 FOURTEENTH YEAR'S REPORT. 
 1897* The past year has been attended with so many 
 difficulties, that it has been impossible personally to pursue the 
 work during the year in the district. At times greatly perplexed 
 to find means to meet the various payments due to creditors. 
 But through God's mercy more has been accomplished this year 
 than in any former one, having utilized the services of others, 
 besides what has been accomplished outside the district. 
 
 Sample. 
 
 The following is a statement from one of our former con- 
 tributors, who has for some years resided in Alberta: — "The 
 people are unable to buy supplies. A few cheap Bibles would 
 be very acceptable; also the illustrated sheets of the primary 
 department, old and new Sabbath School papers, also maga- 
 zines suitable for reading room for the young men of the neigh- 
 borhood, who frequent dances for want of a better place." To 
 whom I sent two cases of 100 lbs. each, of new and second- 
 hand matter as requested. The new books of the first case 
 were, 12 Bibles, 12 Testaments, 6 large Testaments and Psalms, 
 2 smaller ones, 20 Hymn Books and music, 12 Annals of the 
 Poor, 2 Cree Testaments, 2 Voices from the Orient, 12 books, 
 viz. : Pilgrim's Progress, Evidences of Christianity and Wal«s 
 About Zton, 6 Watts' Children's Hymns, 50 Scripture ABC, 
 25 Easy Readers, value $22, besides Sunday School matter, 
 tracts and magazines. Our friend being an active Christian 
 worker, they were well placed and duly acknowledged. 
 
 There has been sent into the district for the work, 8 pack- 
 ing cases of 100 lbs. each, filled with reading matter, namely: 
 
144 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 Scripture tracts, magazines, &c; five cases for the camps and: 
 three tor i^^eneral use. 21,000 books liave been published 
 this year for the work, in Ojibway (Indian), French and Enti^- 
 lish, and 15,000 tracts in French and English have also beeii 
 printed. 
 
 To meet the cost of the various operations oi' the work, 84 
 towns have been visitet', $1745.31 in all received (and some 
 books, Scripture tracts a id magazines). S56.92 of this amount 
 was contributed at 21 various religious services and associations; 
 the balance of the contributions was received from over 1,800 
 various contributors, and five times that number of persons have 
 been called upon in order to obtain it. We leave this statement 
 for the reflection of our friends and readers. In :i multitude of 
 cases, of congregations and persons, I am confronted with the 
 statement of the great things that are being done, and yet, in the 
 City of Boston, Mass., in 9 clays 1 received cash $1.10 and a 
 donation of tracts. 
 
 The work summarized is as follows: 796 Scriptures and 
 books to the di.strict tor general use, value $82.85, Scriptures 
 and books for shanties given, 259, value $19; no money as yet 
 has been received for these books. Together these are 1,055, 
 value $101.85. Also those sold and paid for number 1,099. 
 Received in pavment for them, $121.83. 5^4 have otherwise 
 been supplied, for which we expect to receive $25.10. The total 
 number supplied by sale and gift has been 2, 769, the total value 
 if paid for is S248.78. Also a large number of the published 
 stock of the Mission has been donated to the contributors. This 
 makes the total supply for the laborers and the district since the 
 commencement of the Mission to be 16,128, in 18 languages. 
 Also many thousands of tracts and magazines continue to bo 
 distributed. 4,363 Scriptural books in several languages have 
 been supplied qutside the district, and accounted for. The 
 united contributions since 1884 for the work have been $16,- 
 428.24, The number of religious services conducted in the 
 district stands as last year, 630, but many have been held in 
 other parts of the land. 
 
 The united contributions for the year were $1867.14; the 
 Disbursements were $1867.14; the Assets are $2,980; the Lia- 
 bilities are $1,906.05; Assets over Liabilities, $1,073.95. 
 
 Wm. Smallwood, Accountant, 
 
 136 Harbord .St., Toronto. 
 
 The results of the work give undeniable evidence that the 
 Lord takes part with them that fear Him, and by faith in Him 
 
A scene on the Soo Canal. 
 
 A scene on (ho Soo Canal. 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 14$ 
 
 can say, "I shall not die, but live, and declare the praise of the 
 Lord;" "And though I walk in the midst of trouble. He wilt 
 revise me, and compass me about with songs of deliverance." 
 
 G*-i efully acknowledging the ki-.d help of our friends; de- 
 sirit,j4 c Ji t grace, mercy, peace and plenteous goodness may bef 
 with 5'! them that love our Lord Jesus Christ; asking also 
 to be sustained by your prayers. 
 
 Yours in the hope of the Gospel, 
 
 George Buskin* 
 
 FIFTEENTH YEAR'S REPORT. 
 
 1898i Through God's mercy we are permitted once more 
 to record the events connected with our work, ending with Dec, 
 1898, and to enter upon another year in the labor connected 
 with God's service, having gratefully to record His condescend- 
 ing grace and care, and thankfully acknowledge the fellowship 
 and assistance of our helpers and friends and brethren in Christ 
 in the work, and rejoice in the measure of God's grace so wide- 
 ly bestowed. 
 
 The difficulties of our pathway may be judged by the fol- 
 lowing: In four different towns and places have we been 
 obliged to borrow money to get to another place; and in another 
 to leave a portion of board unpaid, the liberality and hospitality 
 in God's service being of such a meagre character; and failing 
 to find the necessities for the work, endeavored in vain to bor- 
 row sufficient to pay the cheap rates to the Pacific coast, and 
 then work back, supplying the Bible and books now in stock 
 for the work. 
 
 A synopsis of the work is as follows: 645 Scriptures and 
 books have been supplied during the year, in the Algoma dist- 
 rict, in several languages. The money received for the same 
 being $99.63. The books given away there, value $5.80, be- 
 sides tracts and magazines. Number supplied outside the 
 district being 1,076. Total amount received for them, $82.86. 
 This includes the payment for some supplied last year, still leav- 
 ing some unpaid for. Those given for camps and otherwise 
 during the year, we value $14. Those given to contributors to 
 the good work are not Included in these. The total supplied by 
 the Mission for Algoma and the North-West have been 16,773 
 Scriptures and books in 18 languages. Large quantities of 
 tracts and magazines continue to be distributed. The number 
 of Scriptural books supplied outside the district, and not num- 
 bered previously, as far as account of them has been kept, arer 
 
146 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 5,441, in 5 or 6 languages. Together they numbered 22,214. 
 These have been at various prices from 5c each to $15, all being 
 of a practical Christian character. 
 
 The united contributions for the work since 1884 have been 
 $18,163.23. A few religious services have this year been con- 
 ducted while travelling in the Algoma district and other parts, 
 as strength and opportunity allowed. We bless God for what 
 has been done, and our friends will please accept our unfeigned 
 thanks for the help rendered, though it would have afforded 
 much joy to have accomplished more; but by God's grace and 
 mercy will continue the work as it has already been done, in 
 dependence upon God and the good will of His servants, through 
 the name of our common Saviour, reminding our friends of the 
 need of their prayers as well as their substance, so as to cause 
 thr' work to redound to God's honor and men's salvation. 
 
 The united contributions for the year were $1,017.51; the 
 disbursements, $1,917.51 ; the assets, $3,190; the liabilities, 
 $1,950.03; assets over liabilities, $1,139.97. 
 
 Wm. Smallwoou, Accountant, 
 
 136 Harbord St., Toronto. 
 
 Not All Smooth Sailing. 
 
 The course of true love does not always run smoothly as 
 may be seen from the following: 
 
 Brockville, Ont., March i6th, 1898. 
 To the Committee of the Religious Tract Society, 
 
 102 Yonge St., Toronto, Ont. 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 Appended to this statement is a letter which I addressed to 
 you on May i6th, 1897, per Mr. J. K. Macdonald, whom I now 
 understand to be president, to which letter from whatever cause, 
 I have received no answer, which as a man and a Christian I 
 am entitled to. Gentlemen, I believe in a peisonal God, the 
 rewarder of those who serve Him, the rebuker of those who 
 despise Him, though He bears long with rebellion; and further, 
 I esteem the Holy Scripture to be His authoritative command 
 to all His creatures, from which none are excused or can escape 
 its sentence, and more especially responsible are all those who 
 call Jesus Lord; they have a moral obligation to attend to the 
 least of His commands, and marvellous that it should be neces- 
 sary to make such statements to men of such high cultivation, 
 official capacity and abundant Christian profession. "We do 
 well to search and try our way.s and turn again to God." The 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 147 
 
 occasion of sending to you now is, the continuance of the work 
 of mischief complained of in my former letter (which I append 
 and send again). From town to town I have to learn of the 
 petty mischievous insinuations and statements of your agent 
 against me — saying that my work is an intrusion upon the 
 limits of your Society and that the books I have published are 
 unnecessary and can be obtained from your depot, which is un- 
 true, (with one exception). A firm in London, Eng., to whom 
 I sent and from whom your Society purchased supplies, ofTered 
 to furnish me with a stock of them for cash, which I had not on 
 hand to pay. I had 3000 copies printed in Toronto to save me 
 again begging busii ess favor and being refused. Also your 
 agent has given the impression to some who have assisted me 
 in the work, that he was acting in my place. You and your 
 agents should do all tlie good you can, but don't do evil that 
 good may come, for if you sow evil seed it will bear evil fruit 
 and when carried home will be a heap of grief. I would ask 
 where were your agents at work in the district in 1875 to '78 
 when I labored in the Gospel through large districts of Musko- 
 ka. Parry Sound, and the Georgian Bay among mill-men, 
 shanties, railway-men and settlers, not for hire or reward, and 
 then came to Toronto, not of my own will, to seek organized 
 help to continue and enlarge the work begun, and sought it in 
 vain? And yet I was known, having held open air gospel 
 preaching through the streets of Toronto from the Don Bridge 
 to the Queen's Park, and public prayer services in the Park at 
 7 o'clock Sunday mornings and at other hours till evening. 
 These services have been sustained at intervals in various ways 
 and places from 1874 till now, my door in Toronto being open 
 continually to all who come in Christ's name. Where were 
 your agents or agent in the Thunder Bay district in 1882-3-4-5, 
 when I travelled there, hundreds of miles, supplying Scriptures 
 and conducting religious services ? Would the people have 
 bought thousands of copies from me if your agents had supplied 
 them all they needed ? Other agents I have met but only one 
 of yours, at Coldwater, about no miles north of Toronto. The 
 occasion of my returning that way was from being unwell. This 
 was about two years ago. I know that in 1884 your late 
 secretary ottered me the sum of $300 per annum to do work of 
 the kind there for your Society at a time when the commonest 
 board there was $5 a week, $2 a day for transients, or 50c a 
 meal, which proposal I regarded as heartless ignorance, to say 
 the least of it. I answered, "And starve my wife and children," 
 
148 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS - ^^ 
 
 and with unceremonious unkindness they left me to myself. 
 But a week later after my advertising my errand to Toronto, 
 coming from beyond Sudbury, your secretary candidly said the 
 Society was not in a position to sustain it, for they could not 
 sustain what work they had in hand. Twelve months later at 
 the request of one of your contributors, your secretary gave me 
 a note saying I was doing a bona fide work, and much good 
 would doubtless result from it, knowing the supplies that had 
 been sent to me in the districts from your warehouse, the costs 
 of which I paid, except for some leaflets, and not any donation 
 of cash has ever come from your Society to meet the cost of my 
 work. 
 
 I hope this will be the last of this babbling and mischief 
 making. Your men have compelled me to turn up this matter, 
 which I would gladly leave buried, but if you want to keep it 
 going you have yourselves to please, but in doing so the more 
 the disgrace. Be assured that God who judgeth righteously 
 will maintain the right of the poor against those who rise up 
 against them, and He will not forsake me of His mercy. The 
 conduct of your agents practically vilifies the score or more 
 persons who have kindly certified to the character of my labors 
 and also asserts that my statements of travels and sales, and my 
 years of residence there are a delusion. Alas ! what simpletons 
 men will make of themselves to gratify their ungodly whims 
 and vanity. Your account books show the amount of goods 
 bought and paid for by me and sent to Port Arthur, Sault Ste. 
 Marie, Algoma Mills and elsewhere. I respectfully ask what 
 reasonable persons can think of such professed Christian con- 
 duct, and worst of all, what will the Lord think of it, who is of 
 purer eyes than to behold iniquity ? You have seen me journey 
 with my stock of Bibles and books upon the lake, and they have 
 been inspected by you. You have also heard my exhortation on 
 the boat, from Isaiah 54:17. "Every tongue that riseth in 
 judgment against thee thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage 
 of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is of me 
 saith the Lord." Religious paper and ink and talk goes for 
 very little unless God's Holy Spirit has made us to be "the living 
 epistles cf Christ, that can be known and read of all men." It 
 is still true to-day as said by our Lord, "If they have called the 
 master of the house Beelzebub, how much more they of his 
 household." The end ot all such wordiness v/ill soon be to be 
 "cast out and trodden under foot of men." The sooner there be 
 a thorough purging of this corruption, the better,so that in truth 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 149 
 
 we may learn to love our enemies and not abuse our friends. 
 We are Christ's friends if we do what He commands us, and 
 among them he says, "if thy brotliertrespassagainst thee rebuke 
 him, and if he repent forgive him." The counsel of Gamaliel 
 will not be out of place at the present: "Refrain and let alone, 
 if this work be of man it will come to nought, but if of God, ye 
 cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against 
 God." 
 
 Yours in the service of Christ, 
 
 Geo. Buskin, 
 202 King St. E., Toronto, Ont. 
 
 [Former letter addressed to care of Mr. J. K. Macdonald, as 
 Hon. Secretary Religious Tract Society, 102 Yonge St., 
 Toronto, Ont.] 
 
 Arnprior, Ont., May 16, 1897. 
 
 To the Committee of the Religious Tract Society, 
 
 Toronto, Ont. 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 I respectfully request that you will do me the justice to di- 
 rect your secretary and travelling agents to cease their intima- 
 tions to those on whom they call that I am a sort of renegade 
 from your Society. When spoken with they may possibly deny 
 doing so, but since your late secretary joined to warn Uu jmblic 
 against me in the Montreal W^itness appending his name and 
 the Society's thereto in 1885, thereby prejudicing the public 
 mind against me(the effect of which is still lingering with some) 
 thereby hindering me in the discharge of my debts duo to your 
 Society and others. From then till this very time, c\tt nding 
 from Sault Ste, Marie to Ottawa and from this place to Wind- 
 sor and Sarnia, I have had to contend against the prejudice 
 instilled by your servants in the minds of many concerning my- 
 self and the work I am engaged in, and even in your own 
 offices whereby Mr. Harvey, Bible Society Secretarj-, reproached 
 me a few days ago concerning reports from the "Soo," emanat- 
 ing from your secretary — and Mr. Duncan, Presbyterian minis- 
 ter- -which I also heard tiiere two years ago; Mr. Harvey also 
 saying I am publishing false statements. 
 
 Gentlemen, I am not your Society's servant nor ever have 
 been, though I may possibly be in some measure to individuals 
 of your committee who personally have made donations to help 
 forward God's work in my hands. The work of Christ is not as 
 rival trade unions. Your servants should have enough to do to 
 
150 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS v 
 
 carry on the work of your Society without gossiping and 
 scandalizing and hindering me in the Master's work. If per- 
 sonally I have done any person wrong let him make me ac- 
 quainted with it in any way he thinks best and I will try and 
 put things right, but slander does good to no one. Christ made 
 himself of no reputation. Paul was satisfied to be is the off- 
 scouring of all things, and humility will pay best in the end. I 
 think it is due to me that I should know from you that a proper 
 admonition has been given to them, that at least the mischief 
 already done should go no farther. My reports are facts and 
 should inspire confidence and respect, and God's word and 
 work is as free to me as to any other creature. 
 
 It is no gratifying work to me to send again this statement, 
 but duty demands it. The rest I leave to the Almighty Gody 
 whose I am and whom I serve. This I can thankfully and 
 humbly say. 
 
 • Gentlemen, yours truly in Christ's work, 
 
 Geo. Buskin, 
 202 King St. E., Toronto, Ont. 
 
 Concluding Remarks. 
 
 In the preceding pages there has been set before the reader, 
 in a somewhat brief, imperfect, and incomplete form, (but may 
 in the future be improved), some of the experiences of a Chris- 
 tian, who in simplicity and sincerity has sought persistently to 
 pursue a pathway of obedience to Christ as made known in the 
 Holy Scriptures, apart from the undue influences of human 
 dogmatism, and yet seeking fellowship of all who sincerely 
 make mention of the name of Jesus Christ as their only Lord 
 and Saviour. It gives evidence of the discouragements and 
 conflicts of the pathway. But contrasting the experiences and 
 surroundings of '55 to '60 with that of '95 to '98, it can be seen 
 in some measure at least, what the Lord hfis wrought through 
 a servant so weak. It is evident that in some cases the enemy 
 has plowed hard upon his back and made l.mg his furrows, yet 
 be has not prevailed against him, and also that bread and water 
 according to the divine promise have been sure; and strength 
 has been given according to the day, though no man's gold, or 
 silver, or apparel has been coveted. 
 
 The Lord has loaded us daily with His benefits so that in 
 truth it can be said, "Bless the Lord, Oh my soul and all that is 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. -IJI 
 
 within me bless His holy name. " Another promise has been 
 made good. His own hands also have been sufficient for Him, 
 and the Lord has been a defence for us from our enemies. The 
 Lord also has given many friends who have shown timely 
 aid although not being favored much in the groves of denom- 
 inational elevation, nor did we desire it much; and what need 
 when prayer has iong been made, *'0 Lord, let them that love 
 thy name be as the sun which goeth forth in His strength." It 
 is well to do our little for Christ's sake only. The failures in 
 Christ's cause largely result from not being subject to the Holy 
 Spirit and the Word of God ; too often accepting the counsels 
 and commandments of men and the human heart instead, so 
 that there is but little fellowship of the Spirit, which implies 
 love unfeigned and likeness to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit 
 being given without measure to Him was His power for service. 
 As the Scripture says, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, 
 because He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor, 
 to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives 
 and recovering of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty them 
 that are bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 
 Through the Holy Spirit He gave commandment to the Apostles 
 whom He had chosen. 
 
 Men to-day look too much to the work of their own hands, 
 their schools, colleges, and combinations, and too little to Jesus 
 Christ. Few practically take their pattern from Him. Like 
 parrots they may learn to talk and sing about Him and pray 
 to Him, but in many cases it is doubtless true as the Lord said, 
 "Though they make many prayers, I will not hear. Your 
 hands are defiled." His counsel to "Wash and make you clean 
 and put away the evil of your doing from before mine eyes; 
 cease to do evil, learn to do well" is neglected. It is not enough 
 to say well, but we must work in line with God, relieve the op- 
 pressed, judge the fatherless, and care for tlic widow, otherwise 
 the solemn meeting is but iniquity. Climbing the ladder of 
 knowledge is a dangerous exercise, for we are told that know- 
 ledge puffeth up — a sort of wind bag chriracter — but charity 
 edifieth, or grace which teaches us to taice upon us the afllic- 
 tions of the afflicteu, as our Lord or the Apostle Paul did. Paul 
 said, "Who is weak and I am not weak, or who is offended and 
 I burn not ?" 
 
 I trust that by God's blessing this record of more than 
 forty years in the service of Christ may be l!ie means ot encour- 
 aging many young persons to cleave to Christ and His Word. 
 
»5a MORE THAN FORTY YEARS -. 
 
 The Holy Scriptures are given us that the man of God may be 
 perfected, throughly furnished unto every good work. Need we 
 more when our Christ is the head over all principalitiesand pow- 
 ers, not only of this world but of that ivhich is to come ? The 
 law of His mouth is better for us than thousands of Gold and 
 silver. I counsel all both from His Word and from personal 
 experience. Cleave to Christ and His Word. Do not barter it 
 for profession, position, princes, principalities, the world, the 
 flesh, or the devil. 
 
 Think of Moses who forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath 
 of the king. Though he suffered much, yet his gain was great 
 and eternal. Of David with his shepherd's bag, sling, and 
 stones, who assailed the vaunting Philistine giant. Of Daniel 
 and his three companions in Babylon who refused the king's 
 commandment, to bow down to the colossal and magnificent 
 golden image, undaunted by the terrors of the fiery 
 furnace. Of the Master Himself who set his face to go 
 to Jerusalem and said, I must walk to-day and to- 
 morrow and the day following, to the place of His 
 suffering and death, of which city He said, "Thou that 
 killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent to thee, how 
 olt would I have gathered thy children together as a hen gath- 
 ereth her brood under her wings, but ye would not." There he 
 gave His back to the smiter and Hischeek to them that plucked 
 off the hair. There He looked for some to take pity and for 
 comforters, and found none. There He poured out His soul 
 unto death and was numbered with the transgressors, and bore 
 the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors, 
 crying. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. 
 
 Then again we have the record of Paul the Apostle who 
 says to us, "Be ye followers of me. even as I also am of Christ." 
 Immediately upon his conversion Ananias, by the will of L,.<d 
 ministered unto Him. Then Paul straightway preached Christ 
 in the synagogue, proving that He is the Son of God. Here 
 we may also learn a lesson from Ananias; when the Lord called 
 him, he answered, "Behold I am here, Lord." He was told 
 to go and enquire in the street nan^ed straight for Saul ot Tar- 
 sus, "for behold he prayeth." It was an urgent matter. Saul 
 the infant child of the kingdom was crying. His need must be 
 attended to. Ananias began to debate; but there was no time 
 to spare, he was to go at once, and so he did, and Saul was 
 straightway filled with the Holy Ghnst. 
 
 Obedience is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. ^ 153 
 
 fat of rams. Hearken to the voice of God by His Spirit and by 
 His Word. The service may be small, but the results may be 
 great. Does He say, Wash and be clean, in the fountain opened 
 tor sin and uncleanness? then do so. Does He sav, Feed my 
 sheep and feed my lambs? then do so. If thy resources be no 
 more than that of the widow of Sarepta, deal it out and thou 
 shalt find more. The five barley loaves and the two fishes among 
 the multitude in the hand of Christ there shall increase so that 
 there will be enough for all, and abundance left for future need. 
 
 But some may say, Times have changed and things are 
 not to-day as they once were. Remember, Jesus Christ is the 
 same yesterday, to-day and forever. The same for me and the 
 same for you, and the same for all who shall come after us. 
 
 "Set thou thy hope in God, 
 
 In duty's path go on; 
 Fix on His Word thy sure repose, 
 
 So shall thy work be done." 
 
 Make no league with the inhabitants of the land, is God's 
 admonition to His people. Blind unbelief is sure to err, but the 
 Word of the Lord liveth and abideth forever. 
 
 There are three things for the believer to do. Look to 
 Christ, His Word, and His service. And there are three things 
 to be remembered for profit : Not to trust in the arm ot flesh, 
 nor in any son of man, for they will utterly supplant ; and he 
 that trusteth in his own heart is a fool. If we cannot trust our 
 own heart, we may not trust another's. But we are told to 
 trust in the Lord with all our might and lean not to our own 
 understanding. "In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He 
 shall direct thy path." This must be a daily, hourly, and con- 
 tinual exercise until we arrive where David exclaimed, "The 
 prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended," and that is in an- 
 ticipation of the whole earth being filled with the glory of God. 
 Psalm 72:19, 20. In Christ we shall keep clear of the fashion- 
 able runs of religiousness which may run the life out of us. 
 Have faith in God and keep at His work, and all will be well. 
 The harvest is still great and the laborers few, especially in the 
 line I have pursued which has only been the pathway of Christ- 
 ian duty. 
 
 During the period of more than forty years have I not found 
 a man who would steadfastly pursue it with me. Some have 
 promised but failed to fulfil. Some have started, but could not 
 
154 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 stand for long. Of women, in justice to my deceased wife, I 
 must say she was the most self-sacrificing and sincere. 
 
 To one who sometime since came and said, The work you 
 are engaged in is what I would like to pursue. I said, You 
 are the sort ot man 1 would like to have, and if you feel like it, 
 come along. But I must give you the words that Jesus gave to 
 the man who said, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest, 
 to which the Master said, "Foxes have holes, birds of the air 
 have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head." 
 But he would have fared no worse than the rest who left all 
 and followed Jesus. His promise must be fulfilled. Seek first 
 the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and the needful 
 things shall be added thereunto. 
 
 My only regret is that I had not more faith, understanding, 
 and purpose in my earlier days, to have fought the good fight 
 against the opposing forces of the world, the flesh and the 
 devil. But the same grace, faith and purpose are daily needed 
 and at the present time as in any time in the past. The prom- 
 ise is to those who are faithful unto death. The world, sin and 
 ignorance require the service and devotion at the present as in 
 any time in the past. Who is willing for Christ's sake and in 
 His name to undertake the duty of His loving service for men's 
 salvation and blessing? We must cast aside the works of dark- 
 ness whether they be religious or irreligious, and put on the 
 armour of light. Some persons think it is sufficient to be sin- 
 cerely religious, no matter what its principles, but there is only 
 one way to life, not many. Christ only is the Way, the Truth, 
 and the Life. No man conieth to the Father but by Him. Then 
 the evidence is given to us: Hereby we know that we have 
 passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren, and 
 because we love God and keep His commandments. Then 
 there is another evidence: By His Spirit He has given us. 
 The Spirit is to us, wisdom, power, love, and of a sound mind, 
 whatever our deceitful hearts or any one else may have to say 
 concerning us. Our mistakes and weaknesses are caused by 
 reason of our failure to keep our eyes upon the Lord and His 
 Word, and also in failing to earnestly seek to obtain His favor 
 by prayer and supplication. 
 
 1 pray the Lord to add His blessing to this testimony to 
 His grace and goodness, and to strengthen weak hands, and 
 confirm feeble knees, and may His servants increasingly realize 
 that our God reigneth, and so be encouraged to trust Him and 
 not be afraid in the midst of the darkness and discouragement 
 
 i 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 155 
 
 of the present day. May the number of His elect be speedily 
 gathered in, and may these few pages be as a light to those 
 who sit in the region and shadow of death, and may they enter 
 the ark of safety while there is room. 
 
 To all who find fault with our labor, I counsel them to do 
 better if they can, for the Master will hold them responsible. 
 To those who in the past have been our friends and helpers we 
 wish them much grace and mercy before God, and trust the 
 plainness of our record and utterances will be no offence. VV'e 
 are admonished to suffer the word of exhortation. 
 
 I desire the reader to understand that I do not seek the 
 favor or frowns of any. I have simply written facts as they 
 have occurred ibr the profit and instruction of all, without bitter- 
 ness or prejudice to any. 
 
 To our friends or foes, and to all men we say, Peace and 
 mercy be with you through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. 
 
 Geo. Buskin, 
 
 Toronto, Ont. ; Rochester, N. Y, 
 March, 1899. 
 
 Testimonials. 
 
 Collection of reliable testimonials concerning the Interna- 
 tional Gospel and Colportage Mission from 1884 to 1898. 
 
 Port Arthur, July 22, 1884. 
 Mr. George Buskin has visited Port Arthur several times, 
 holding in and out-door services faithfully and frequently as 
 time permitted him, and practically useful too, as far as I can 
 judge. His services at the jail are very acceptable, his address- 
 es and appeals earnest and close. I can only add my expres- 
 sion of confidence in him, as well as in his work, and trust that 
 in this, as well as in this colportage, he may be much blest. 
 
 John F. Clarke, 
 
 Sheriff. 
 
 194 College St., Toronto, Dec. loth, 1884. 
 During my visit to the North-West last summer I had the 
 pleasure of seeing Mr. Buskin. He was engat^ed in open-air 
 preaching and colportage work, and I believe is doing much 
 good. S. A. Dyke, 
 
 Pastor College St. Baptist Church. 
 
156 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS v 
 
 Trinity College, Toronto, Dec. loth, 1884. 
 I hereby certify that whilst doing missionary work along 
 the line of C. P. Railway I frequently met Mr. Buskin, who 
 was engaged in holding services among the men and distribut- 
 ing tracts and Bibles — evidently doing a good Christian work. 
 
 E. A. Oliver, 
 
 Divinity Student. 
 
 Standard Pub. Co., 117 YongeSt., Toronto, May 5, 1885. 
 To Mr. N. Macintosh, Montreal: 
 
 Dear Sir, — At the request of Mr. G. Buskin, I send you a 
 general statement of his account with our company. Since my 
 management he has purchased $110.84 o^ Bibles and religious 
 books, on which he owes a balance of $26.23, he has generally 
 remitted instalments of larger and smaller sums. So far his 
 transactions with us have been honorable, and we have no 
 ground of complaint against him. Your truly, 
 
 G. Richardson. 
 
 Extract from St. Catharines daily paper, Feb. 6th, 1885, en- 
 dorsed by Rev. M. Porter: 
 Mr. Buskin, whose Christian Mission among the C. P. R. 
 ha& been so favorably spoken of by the Toronto and Hamilton 
 papers, and by persons conversant with it, is in the city collect- 
 ing funds for this work, and from our personal knowledge and 
 information of him and his work, we bespeak for him the kind- 
 ly consideration of the public. 
 
 ^ Sault St. Marie. Algoma, Dec. 3rd, 1885. 
 
 This certifies that we have kiiuwn Mr. George Buskin for 
 a short time, and believe him to be an earnest and sincere 
 Christian. The work in which he is engaged is, in our opinion, 
 a necessary work, viz., visiting the lumber camps, mills, and 
 mining camps, and also the poorer classes of the newly organ- 
 ized Townships, supplying them with religious literature. 
 
 N. A. McDlARMID, 
 
 Methodist Minister. 
 
 A Returning Missionary. — Rev. Mr. Buskin, the Canadian 
 Pacific Missionary, will return to the city in a few days, and will 
 begin a series of street sermons. The Algoma "Pioneer" has 
 the following to say of him: "Sault Ste. Marie cannot boast of 
 iiaving a Salvation Army and barracks, but it has a good 
 
., IN GOSPEL HARNESS. ' ' 157 
 
 Strong-lunged street preacher, who holds forth every Sunday 
 morning at nine o'clock; and thereby draws some sleepy people 
 out of bed an hour or two sooner than usual. Keep at it, Mr. 
 Buskin, and by and by perhaps it will be possible to see a 
 decent-sized congregation in one of our three Protestant church- 
 es at ii a.m." 
 
 Montreal Herald, May 7th, 1886. 
 
 Algoma and North- West Evangelical and Scriptural Colportage 
 Mission — G. Buskin, Missionary. 
 
 Toronto, May 12th, 1886. 
 252 Yonge St., Toronto, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. 
 
 To confirm the statement made in City papers, and that its 
 debt of $85.95 may be removed, and a new supply of Scriptures, 
 etc., furnished, a few friends kindly annex their names. 
 
 We, the undersigned residents of the city, being helpers to 
 the Mission from its commencement, and some of us having a 
 previous as well as present knowledge of the Missionary and his 
 work, at his request, and for the encouragement of others to 
 helf) the work, unite our testimony of confidence in his integ- 
 rity and work. 
 
 (Signed) F. S. Robinson, Henry Pim, Thos. Woodhouse, 
 H. B. Gordon, L. Duncan, William Davies, Wm. Davies, Jr., 
 John Firstbrook, B. J. Hill, A. W. Mason, Aikenhead Sc 
 Crombie. May nth, 1886. 
 
 The Toronto Mail of December 6th, 1884, stated from my 
 letter, concerning the summer's work: "Up to November 3rd, 
 about 400 Bibles and Testaments have been supplied in eleven 
 languages. Also 500 religious books and over 700 hymn books, 
 with many thousands of religious tracts and magazines, and 
 also sixty religious services held. 
 
 Y. M. C. A., Victoria Square, .Montreal. July 14th, 1886. 
 Mr. Edmund J. Kennedy, Sec'y E.Kcter Hall, London, Eng. 
 
 Permit me to introduce the bearer, Mr. Buskin, who visits 
 your city at this time. He is en^'-'ti^jed in Christian work in the 
 back districts of Canada, and would be glad to liave the privil- 
 ege of attendance at your rooms and meetings. 
 
 Yours faithlLilly, D. A. Budge, 
 . _- -- _^_^- Secretary. 
 
158 - ^ MORE THAN FORTY YEARS , 
 
 The Religious Tract Society, 56 Paternoster Row, 
 London. Aug. 12th, 1886. 
 George Buskin c/o Mrs. E. Pavey, 35 Victoria St., Clifton, 
 Bristol. 
 The Committee have much pleasure in voting you a supply 
 of tracts in various languages, (12) for your interesting and im- 
 portant work in Canada. For languages not included in our 
 grant it would be well for you to apply to the Torojito Tract 
 Society. 
 
 With best wishes, I am faithfully yours, 
 
 Samuel Green. 
 
 British and Foreign Bible Society, 146 Queen Victoria St., 
 
 London, E. C. , Aug. 19th, 1886. 
 Mr. George Buskin, Dear Sir. 
 
 The Committee have responded to your application for a 
 grant in aid of the Gospel Mission, which you are carrying on 
 among Canadian Pacific Railway men, etc., by a grant of 300 
 Gospel portions, subject to the approval of our Auxiliary in To- 
 ronto, the Upper Canada Bible Society. If you will kindly call 
 upon Mr. J. Harvie, the Secretary, on your return to Toronto, 
 he will arrange with you as to the grant. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, yours truly, Chas. Finch. 
 (The grant referred to above has been received, consisting 
 of 125 portions in 6 languages, 50 Testaments in 12 languages, 
 and 2 Bibles, making about 14 languages. — G. B.) 
 
 From Mrs. C. H. Spurgeon, 
 Westwood, Upper Norwood, Aug. 9th, i886. 
 Dear Sir, — You are not eligible tor a grant from my book 
 fund in the usual way, but I shall be very pleased to give you 
 250 of Mr. Spurgeon's sermons, if they can be distributed 
 ■among those you labor for. If you take the enclosed note to 
 Messrs. Passmore and Alabaston, 4 Paternoster Buildings, 
 Paternoster Row, E. C, they will supply you with the number 
 stated. Wishing you every success in your good work. 
 
 Believe me, truly yours, 
 
 (Mrs. C. H.) Susie Spurgeon. 
 The Sunday School Union kindly contributed ;6i.o.o worth 
 of small books :^nd papers, more especially adapted for children. 
 
 Extract from "Al'-oma Pioneer," Oct. 8th, 1886. 
 Mr. Buskin, the street preacher, took his stand on Sunday, 
 
• IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 159 
 
 tnorning and afternoon, and preached a sound Scriptural salva- 
 tion doctrine. Good results must inevitably follow all faithful 
 labor, no matter how uninviting the field, and this Gospel 
 preacher will be no exception to the rule on the day when every 
 man's work shall be tried of what sort it is. 
 
 Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Nov. 15th, 1886. 
 This is to certify that George Buskin, Evangelical laborer 
 and Colporteur, is in my estimation a very worthy brother and 
 is doing a good work in the lumber camps and out of the way 
 places as well as in the villages and towns; he has sold and 
 given away large numbers of the Scriptures, besides Religious 
 Books and Tracts. From what I have seen of him and his 
 work, I heartily commend him to the confidence, the sympathy 
 and the co-operation ot all who love the name of the Lord Jesus, 
 
 James Goodman, 
 
 Pastor of the Baptist Church. 
 {Who also will receive any aid on his behalf to further the work.) 
 
 Sauit Ste. Marie, Ont. 
 I endorse the above statement willingly concerning Mr. 
 Buskin and his work. — G. H. Whitney, Methodist Minister, 
 
 I heartily endorse this statement in regard to Mr. Buskin 
 and his work. — J. A. McClung, Methodist Minister. 
 I willingly endorse the above. 
 
 Frank F. Greene, English Church Minister. 
 
 Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., 13th July, 1887. 
 
 Mr. Geo. Buskin, well known in these parts as the Evan- 
 gelical Missionary and Colporteur, is an earnest, zealous and 
 successful worker for Christ. I say so from personal knowledge. 
 I have been with him on his journeys, and seen him at work on 
 his field, and have had him take part in certain services of my 
 own, and on these occasions I have been pleased with his man- 
 ner and the way he does his work. Evidently he has received 
 the double baptism. Moreover I believe him to be an upright 
 and honorable man in all his business transactions. 
 
 I therefore ask for my friend, Mr. Buskin, a welcome from 
 all the good folks in the several churches, and hereby heartily 
 commend him as a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 
 rightly dividing the word of life in his own sphere according to 
 his ability, and as he has opportunity. Friends, help him. 
 
 E. B. Rogers, 
 Presbyterian Minister, Sault Ste. Marie. Ont. 
 
l6o MORE THAN FORTY YEARS ^ ' ^ 
 
 Rapids Railway and Bridge Camps, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. 
 
 December i6th, 1887. 
 An expression of appreciation of the operations of the Al- 
 goma and North-West Gospel and Colportage Mission by the 
 undersigned, who have been engaged, some for many months, 
 in the construction of a portion of the Algoma Branch of the 
 Canadian Pacific Railroad; also certifying that we have re- 
 ceived many visits from the Missionary, Geo. Buskin, who has 
 conducted religious services and supplied us with Scriptures and 
 Scriptural books at easy prices, and distributed freely among us 
 other religious literature. 
 
 Signed : 
 Contractors — R. G. Reid, per A. H. Brj'son; A. H. Brj'son, 
 
 Paymaster, Sault Ste. Marie Bridge. 
 Workmen — Wm. Ross, J. S. Miller, Thos. Aikin, M. Thenault, 
 D. M. Stewart, R. S. Butler, P. Cowly, Alexander Ross, 
 Jas. Power, G. I. McKenzie, Thos. Galloway, Naughton 
 McNaughton, J. F. Smith, John Samson, Geo. Wm» 
 MacKenzie. 
 Accompanied with $4.50, a small subscription from a few men 
 in the camp. 
 
 Echo Bay, Feb. 13th, 1889. 
 Some of the former confirmations have been: — From Echo 
 Bay — James Stewart and Alex. Findlay; Stobie — Peter Stobie; 
 Sucker Creek — Thomas Stickney; Algoma Mills — ^James Perry; 
 Sudbury — Fred, and E. B. Eyre. 
 
 Sault Ste. Marie, O^t., Oct. 14th, 1890. 
 My Dear Sir, — You called on me a few days ago asking me 
 if agreeable to grant you a testimonial as to the usefulness of 
 the work in which you are engaged. I suppose you did so, as 
 perhaps I am about the best able to testify to what you are do- 
 ing, from the fact, that for more than four years I have been 
 engaged in mission labors for our church in the parts where your 
 work calls you. I can say that I have seen you in your field at 
 your work, and watched your tact, your zeal and success, and I 
 have found from personal enquiry that your labors of love for 
 the Master have been blessed. I have learned, moreover, that 
 your book sales and your good words spoken in your journeys 
 have proved a blessing to souls. I have much pleasure there- 
 fore in renewing the former certificate I gave you, and hereby 
 authorize you. should you see fit, for the good of the work in 
 
One of the mills where Gospel Work was done. 
 
 One of the mills where Gospel Work w;is don". 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. • l6l 
 
 which you are engaged, to read or show it to any of the friends 
 of your mission. I am yours faithfully, 
 
 E. B. Rogers, 
 
 Presbyterian Minister. 
 
 Spanish River, September 30, i8go. 
 
 I have frequently met with Mr. Geo. Buskin, and seen him 
 engaged in his Colportage work in Algoma; he carries about 
 with him an excellent assortment of religious books, which he 
 sells cheap. He has books in English, French and Indian lang- 
 uages, the circulation of which is certainly fitted to do good 
 both among the young and old. I heartily wish him success in 
 the work of the Gospel. 
 
 John Rennie, Presbyterian Minister. 
 
 Algoma Advocate, Thessalon, Sept. 26, 1890. 
 
 A I-[ard Worker. — George Buskin, of the Algoma Colportage 
 Mission, has been making another visit among us in the opera- 
 tion of his work, being well loaded with supplies. The class of 
 literature which is placed in the hands of our young men, who 
 labor at times for months in our backwoods, as well as that placed 
 in our homes, must awaken, cultivate and establish Christian 
 character in those who peruse them; in addition to Bibles and 
 Testaments in various languages, ranging from a few cents to 
 a dollar or two each, he carries a large variety of other worksj 
 among his stock are seen Bible Companions, Bunyan's writings, 
 Josephus' Jewish History, Church and Scripture History, in 
 various forms; and a large variety of other excellent Christian 
 matter. Mr. Buskin is a hard worker, in a good cause, and 
 his friends here wish him Godspeed. 
 
 From Dr. Sullivan, Bishop of Algoma. 
 So far as Mr. Geo. Buskin's work consists in the distribu- 
 tion of copies of the Word of God in English, and other langu- 
 ages, in the district of Algoma,! desire to recommend it as wor- 
 thy the support of all Christian people. 
 
 E. Algoma, Bishophurst, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Dec.23,1890. 
 
 District News, Jan. 2, i8gi. — Two mission rooms have 
 
 been opened at the Rapids, Sault Ste. Marie, for the use of the 
 laborers on the canal: one under the charge of the Rev. F. 
 Tapscott, of the Baptist Church, and the other by Mr. George 
 
 \ :• 
 
l62 . MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 Buskin, who has labored constantlv in the district since the con- 
 struction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. — rioNKP:R. 
 
 Gore Bay, Manitoulin Island, Ont., Nov. 5, 1891. 
 
 This is to certify that the undersigned has great pleasure in 
 testifying to the good work done by Mr. Geo. Buskin, Colpor- 
 teur in tlie District of Algoma. The books and tracts are of a 
 good and useful kind, and likely to result in much good. 
 
 J. H. McLeoo, Incumbent. 
 
 North Bay, Ont., Feb. 17th, 1892. 
 
 From what 1 l<now of Mr. Geo. Huskin, and the work in 
 which he is engaged, I am able to add my testimony to the good 
 he lias done, and is doing, in a very necessitous and arduous 
 field ol C'hristian effort. In the circulation of the .Scriptures and 
 other good and wholesome liooks among those into wiiose hands 
 they would not in all probability otherwise come, he is, I be- 
 lieve, accomplishing a valuable and much-needed work, in 
 which 1 wish him continued and increasing success. 
 
 J.\s. Pl'i.lak, Presbyterian Minister. 
 
 Sturgeon Falls, Ont., Feb. 2gth, 1892. 
 
 Thib is to certify that Mr. Geo. T-5uskin, of the .\lgoma 
 Mission is doing a good work in the tlistrict. The books and 
 tracts are of a good and useful kind, and likely to result in 
 much good. He gave me a I'Vench Bible to give to a poor 
 French woman that is too old to attend service in her own 
 church. Her daughter told me the other day that her mother 
 is reading it more or less all the time, and she says she will 
 never be able to thank him enough for it. He also gave me 
 some Indian hymns. I have given a few to some of the Indi- 
 ans; two were delighted with them. May God bless him in 
 his work is the prayer of his friends, 
 
 K. H. ANO S, B. Fyke. 
 
 SuDiU'KY Journal, Sudbury, Ont., March 2, 1892. 
 
 Mr. George Buskin, of Algoma and North-west Gospel and 
 Colpoitage Mi.ssion, will hold a meeting in the Presbyterian 
 Church, on Friday evening, March 4, at 7.30 o'clock. Mr. 
 Buskin has a large quantity of Bibles, tracts, etc., in various 
 languages, vhich he sells very cheap. ^ 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNKSS. 163 
 
 January 30th, 1893. 
 
 I have known the bearer, Mr. George Buskin, for about 10 
 years. His work among the lumbermen and others in the 
 northwest is worthy of the generous support of every Christian 
 and every patriotic citizen. George Stanley Burneield, 
 
 Pastor North Presbyterian Church, 
 N. Sixth St., Philadelphia. 
 
 Philadelphia, Pa., 827 Wharton St., January 31st, 1893. 
 
 » To Whom It May Concern: — From testimonials received 
 regarding Mr. Buskin, I have no hesitation in recommending 
 him and his cause to the liberal people of this city. He is a 
 good and faithful missionary, who has done good work among 
 the lumbermen in the woods. F. W. Johnson, 
 
 Pastor of Wharton St. Presbyterian Church. 
 
 Gore Bay, Sept. ist, 1893. 
 This is to certify that I have looked over Mr. George Bus- 
 kin's tracts and have very great pleasure in testif}ing to their 
 general evangelical tone, and also to tlitj good which he is doing 
 for the .Master in the district of Algoma. 
 
 J. H. McLicoi), Incumbent. 
 
 Rosseau, Ont. , 30th July, 1894. 
 Mr. G. Buskin is an old friend of mine, and his work a 
 good one, and he himself indefatigable in carrying it out. He 
 has labored for years over a very wide and diflicult field, as I 
 can personally testify. Gowan Gillmor, 
 
 Incumbent (Church cf England.) 
 
 St. Thomas, August 4th, 1894. 
 We believe brother G. Buskin is doing good work among 
 the lumbermen and people oi' the northern part o^ Ontario. He 
 is worthy of the generous support of the Christian people. 
 Isa. 6:3; RonL 8:28 (H). Vours in the Master's work, 
 
 Hunter and Crosslev, Evangelists. 
 
 Sudbury, .Sept. 6th, 1894. 
 Mr. Buskin's work among the lumbermen of this district 
 has all my s) mpathies, and I believe it deserves the hearty sup- 
 port of all Christian people. 
 
 S. RoNOEAU, Prejibyterian Minister. 
 
164 MORE THAN FORTY YEARS 
 
 St. Luke's Rectory, Sault Ste. Marie, Augusts, ^895. 
 This is to certify that I have known Mr. Buskin for the 
 last twelve years. I have always admired and respected him as 
 a faithful and indefatigable worker in the Lord's vineyard — 
 engaged in a work of the utmost importance, that of spreading 
 God's sacred truth among the dying masses of humanity. Truly 
 God's Word shall not return unto Him void. Mr. Buskin 
 should have the sympathy and help of all lovers ot God and His 
 blessed book. R. Renison, Rural Dean of Algoma. 
 
 North Bay Times, July 23rd, 1896. 
 Mr. Geo. Buskin, Mi3siona.y and Colporteur, visited the 
 town for business. He attempted to speak on the post office 
 corner on Saturday night, and while talking to a large gather- 
 ing was accosted by a man who, after having a few words with 
 
 him, called him a villain. A man that would use such 
 
 language on the streets should be promptly and severely dealt 
 with. 
 
 August 4th, 1896. 
 This is to certify that in my judgment Mr. Buskin cannot 
 fail to do good work by circulating among the lumbermen the 
 books he carries with him. H. Moore, 
 
 Meth. Minister, Bracebridge. 
 
 To Mr. Geo. Buskin, Lacombe, Alberta, March 10, 1897. 
 
 Dear Friend, — The first case sent by you came duly to 
 hand, with $4.14 to pay. A quantity of the literature and all 
 the picture rolls have been already distributed. One lot to a 
 school in a needy district, the other to a school of an Indian 
 orphanage. One of the Cree testaments I have already given 
 away to an intelligent Cree Indian. The balance I may place in 
 a needy district north-east of nere. I thank you very sincerely 
 in the name of the Sabbath School Association for the assistance 
 you and your Mission have rendered us. I regret that the 
 freight practically took all the small balance in my hand for 
 Sabbath School work. The second case came to hand ^^ few 
 days ago, with the same amount of charges. Our country is 
 but sparsely settled as yet, and money is very scarce among the 
 people. Praying that the blessing of the Master may be with 
 you in your work. Yours very sincerely, 
 
 G. A. Reed. 
 
IN GOSPEL HARNESS. 1 65 
 
 Spanish River, Aug^ust 19, 1898. 
 These certify that the bearer, Mr. G. Buskin, of the Inter- 
 national Evangelical and Colportage Mission of Algoma and 
 the Northwest, is engaged in a good work. I have examined 
 the books that he has for sale, and can heartily recommend 
 them to the general public. He is distributing good Christian 
 literature, and is worthy of sympathy and practical support. 
 
 Robert Hume, Presbyterian Minister. 
 
 Spanish River, August 19, 1898. 
 
 From the North Star, Parry Sound, July 28, 1898. 
 
 "Geo. Buskin, ot the Colportage Mission of Algoma and 
 the North- West, called by some the Wheelbarrow Evangelist, is 
 in town pursuing the work of the Mission, and is supplying 
 biblical literature, suitable tor young or old, and purposes con- 
 ducting open air gospel services in connection with the work. 
 Many in the town will remember the missionary's first visit here 
 in May, 1876, and the active Christian work then pursued by 
 him. There was then but one religious meeting house — the 
 Methodist — which gave place to the new one now standing, the 
 Episcopalians then using the Temperance Hall. He then con- 
 ducted praj-er and Gospel services in the Court House, School 
 House, Temperance Hall, and the open air, and at Parry Har- 
 bor, also in the mill boarding house and in the sample room of 
 the McKee Hotel, and endeavored to have had a Union Hall 
 built there for tiie same purpose, but failed in the attempt. The 
 object then sought in coming to Parry Soimd at that time was 
 to establish a work for Muskoka and the District, something in 
 the form now pursued; and though now much is being done 
 compared with former times, there is much left undone that 
 ought to be attended to. Any who would like to help further 
 the good work will find the Missionary around the town or at 
 Mrs. McCoy's boarding house, and he will aNo be pleas^l to 
 supply any who need from his stock of Bibles and biblical litera- 
 ture. The preacher's meetings will be conducted at 7 in the 
 evenings near the post otTice corner." (Though 20 years have 
 passed since the proposition to build the meeting house for 
 , Divine service at Parry Harbor, the only place of the kind as 
 yet built there has been by the Roman Catholics. ) 
 
 The following names are associate helpers, who will receive 
 and communicate contributions on behalf of the Mission, all of 
 
l66 MORK TUAS FORTY VKAWS 
 
 which will hi' duly acUnovvlL-df^cd by Ci. Buskin, Mlistoiiary, to 
 the donors : 
 
 Toronto — jMrs. S. Vernoy, j^i Jarvis St. 
 
 Montreal— G. H. & Robi. Har.owcr, McGill St. 
 
 Ottawa — VV. W. Stephen, oil and color merchant. 
 
 Hamilton — F. .S. IMorison, .Seneca Jones, J, K. .Apple^^ath, 
 
 Brantford— Kdwin Chalcraft, market sc|uare. 
 
 London — N. K. Yeo, Dundas .St. 
 
 Guelph — B. SavM^e and .S. Powel. 
 
 Halifax — J. J. Hunt, barrister. 
 
 Kintjston — John A. Gardiner, 151 Wellinj^ton St. 
 
 Brockville- .Allen Cameron. 
 
 Windsor and VValkervtlle — J. W. Biackadder, box 59, 
 Windsor. 
 
 I'eterborough — Miss Elizabeth Andrews, 182 Rubrldge St. 
 
 Gait- R.J. Struthers and A. H. Goodall. 
 . Barrie — Fred. Marr, box 149. 
 . Chatham^ — A. Hall, box 488. 
 <" Sarnia — Robert MacAdam, office Samia Canadian. 
 
 St. Thomas — S. Fraine&Co., tailors. 
 
 Port Hope — Joseph Hooper. 
 
 Dundas — F. .A. Latshaw. 
 ' Belleville^ — A. Ray. druggist. 
 ■ ' Clinton— F. W. Watts. 
 
 Ingersoll— ^Dr. F. I). Can field. 
 
 Georgetown — Dr. W. J. Roe. 
 
 Paris — F. R. Morgan, grocer. , 
 
 ; Strathroy — Mr. Follinsbee, barrister. 
 
 St. Marys — H. Whitworth, box 284. ' 
 
 Orangeville— Mrs. Dr. C. M. Smith. ; 
 
 Niagara Falls, Ont — KdwarJ S. Cole, jeweler, v 
 
 Goderich — Levi Card. 
 
 Napanee — F. Arnot, jeweler, box 383. 
 
 Detroit, Mich. — Dr. John S. Owen, 23 .Adams Ave. 
 
 Form of Bequest. ^ 
 
 The following short form {.^^ bequest has bcon prepared in 
 the hope that by God's blessing, some who are in possession ot 
 temporal substance, whiih they have found difhcult in life to 
 use lor Christian work as freely as they would like, may consid- 
 er the need and privilege for the use of sanctified wealth in the 
 work of God's kingdom. And also, that those who have con- 
 
IN OOAPRI. HAHNRSS. 167 
 
 tribufid to help the foreji(oin>^ mission, ni;iy t'lnd f» pleasure m 
 continuini,Mhfir aid after tlieir dcceast, by a bet|ut.'st, whiih if 
 embodied in the donor's will, will <!»'< un- to it valuable and 
 needec' aid: 
 
 FORM. 
 
 I bi.'c|ui'Htli to the International Kvanj^iTical and Si riptural 
 
 Colportage Mission of Alt^onia and the North- West, the sum of 
 
 .,.,... Dollars, 
 
 to be paid to G. Huskin, Missionary, or in case of his death, to 
 his successor, at the end of three calendar montiis from my de- 
 cease; out of such part of my personal estate as the law permits 
 to be bequeathed to charitable purposes. 
 
 Christian Home Colonization Association. 
 
 AN /ii;kicul'h;rai, colony for thk iNni'STRiors i'ook. 
 
 "The liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal thin^^.s shall 
 he stand."— Isa. 31:8. 
 
 Royal Law, "Love thy neighbor as thyself." — Lev. U):i8, 
 
 Christ's word, "Love your enemies." — .Matt. 5:55. 
 
 "What doiii it protlt, my bretliren. to say 'be warmed and 
 tilled,' nolwitlistanding }\- give not those things which are 
 needful for the body." — James 2:14-16. 
 
 (First printed m HuotKvii.i.E Evkni.st. Rkcordeu. 
 .April 7th, i<S(j6.) 
 
 A ten acre homestead, tir larger if desirable, and a comfort- 
 able dwelling permanently and inalienalily secured for all time 
 by complying witli the necessary ctH.ditions of the above Asso- 
 ciation, is the propositiiMi herein made, to be the result of per- 
 sonal and mutual industry, and a beneficial combination of cap- 
 ital and labor, having good will to eacli otiier. 
 
 With a multitude of partially employed and destitute |H'r- 
 sons and lamilies in our large towns and cities, what better plan 
 can be devised than that of tilling our unoccupied lands \v\th 
 
l68 MURR THAN FORTY VBARt 
 
 this surplus population, and thus provide the needy with per- 
 manent employment, happy homes and surroundings. 
 
 Thi*> can and ou><lit to be done. To do so calls forth this 
 attempt. To niglect it will end in widespread gr'wf. The 
 world's well-being cannot he maintained by the superabundance 
 of tlie few, but by the etjuitable distribution of the earth's sup- 
 plies among its multitudinous and needy inhabitants. 
 
 Investments and endowments for carrying out this proposi- 
 tion, for the time being, can be deposited with Geo, Buskin, of 
 the .Mgoma Colportage Mission, 202 King street east, Toronto, 
 Ont., until there be properly ftirmulated central and local com- 
 mittees. This is proposed upon the broad principles of Christi- 
 anity, and not to further denominationalism, whether old or 
 young, or party politics. 
 
 The tillage of the land and the raising of cattle is the old- 
 est, happiest, safest, most natural, independent and truly 
 honorable of occupations, and a certain source o( wealth. The 
 hasty rush to become rich by other means often ends in disap- 
 pointment; and if attained by other than iionest labor, foie- 
 1 bought and production, thereby serving the necessities of 
 otliers, as well as receiving service from tliem, is very unsatis- 
 factory to every honest mnid. 
 
 All architect's plan for comfortable dwellings (seepage 175) 
 commencing with a kitchen and ending with a comfortable, 
 roomy and substantial brick luuise, with all necessary conven- 
 iences, has been prepared; cost of kitchen and cellar, $300; 
 building complete as outiini-d, $6oc; price made easy by cheap 
 material and labor. 
 
 The size oi proposed colony, 10 miles square, containing' 
 64,000 ?cres, obtainable from the Government at about 30c per 
 acre. One thou.iand men or families coulJ find homes and 
 labor, having a house and 10 or more acres of land for garden- 
 ing, pasture, etc., and cattle, to be their own in three years, 
 upon payment oi c.ipital invested. Fifty-four thousand acres 
 \vould then be left for the benefit of the capitalists, to be used 
 for dairy and grain; tiie timber, also could be turned to profit. 
 Each man or family to pay for their own land, buildings, receiv- 
 ing the lo acres :it the (jovernmeiit price, hut adding the cost of 
 improvement, to be paid for either at the time o( occupation or 
 by instalments, with moderate rates of interest, until paid in 
 full, cottages to be built and paid for in a similar manner. The 
 workmen tc occupy 10.000 acres in the centre ot the 64,000 
 acres, which would form the nucleus ot a town of a little more 
 
IN 009PRL HARNESS. 169 
 
 than four miles square, from whicli afterwards allotments could 
 be made and sold for markets, parks and public places. 
 
 This work could be started in sections, if not as a whole, 
 and bein^ commenced and conducted with justice, prudence, 
 industry and sincerity, niust pnne a mutual benefit, drawinjif 
 off surplus labor, causing increased manufacture and a safe in- 
 vestment for capital. $150,000 would give a start for one-fourth 
 of the colony, and less capital would be required ti) work the 
 remaining portion. It would not be as much .is is r ^u'red to 
 build some of the present-day religious meeting houses, and 
 would be equally a monument to the praise of God. To be satis- 
 factory, all must be done in order, and the workmen's lot must 
 be drawn for by lot, and be convenient to their work -md each 
 other. Their wages should not be less than $1 per day by the 
 year. But idlers, the profane and intemperate should have no 
 place there, but be regarded as criminals. A good and wise man 
 having oversight of 10 men should have something extra. 
 
 The workmen in addition to their wages should have a per- 
 centage in the profits, with also an opportunity to invest in the 
 capital in any measure they were able so to d.^. This also 
 would serve to enlarge their interest in the progress of the 
 colony. A week's labour should be limited to 56 or 60 hours, 
 and their wages not t(^ 'e withheld more than a month — but 
 uaily before the sun is down is God's ordinance, Deut. 24:15; 
 James 5:4, and many other passages — and in case any should 
 require to leave their location, they could sell their improve- 
 ments on the 10 acre lots and the advantage of the time, by any 
 mutual arrangement that could be maJf. 
 
 To start the colony there would be needed horses, cattle, 
 waggons, sleighs, harness, portable steam engines, saw mills 
 and tools of various kind.s; and in clearing the woods tiie timber 
 could be cut and used and sold. Houses, stables and barns 
 would be needed. Government grants could be had for mriking 
 roads. With judicious management it would he a sate invest- 
 ment for capital, and a means of wealii) to the countrj , making 
 happy homes for multitudes, and in such social life many would 
 be content to live and labor. The men who would practically 
 unite in the enterprise should mutually pledge to hold and abide 
 in the foundation of the Christian faith, acknowledging one God 
 and F'ather of all, one Lord Jesus Christ, one Holy Spirit the 
 Comforter, the Holy Scripture as God's revelation to man, and 
 maintain the assembling together on the first day of the week, 
 for thanksgiving, praise and prayer to .Almighty God, and for the 
 
fTD WORK THAN KClRTY YHAMS 
 
 reading and exposition of Ciod's holy word apart from all denom* 
 inational prejudice, peculiarity of d»)gniatism, holding to Christ 
 $i*ho is the an\y and the univers.'d head of the universal C'liristiait 
 Church, and His word the only and infallible guide, and to pur- 
 sue a peaceable and quiet life in all ),;odlini'ss and honesty, it 
 bein^ the sure patii of fjood will and prosperity. 
 
 Amonj^ the necessities would be a ij^ood practical agricul- 
 turist from one of the Government Collejj^es as soon as a suffi- 
 cient clearitik,' of a thousand acres more or less, had been made 
 and ready for work; also an a)^;ricultural school mij^ht be estab- 
 lished for the settlers, as a business and mercantile appendaj^e. 
 
 Some benevolent or wealthy lousiness person may make 
 the necessary investments for somf persons or families 
 who could not help themselves, by loaning the necessary money 
 or being security tor them, for their lo acre lot, the buildings 
 and other necessary costs, their investment and interest thereon 
 to be secured Irom the results of colonists' labours, and prem- 
 ises, time would necessarily be required before proper returns 
 would be made. 
 
 Proposed that $100,000 be raised by benevolence, and in- 
 vestments as stockholders, and by debentures, with power to 
 enlarge the amount in a small measure if necessary. That the 
 calls for this amount shall be made in four or five instalments, 
 covering a period of twelve or eighteen months. This amount 
 also to be supplemented by Government and municipal grants; 
 and in return the municipalities might send eligible persons 
 from among their poor to find a home and occupation in the 
 colony. I have estimated, and before enumerated and stated, 
 that about $150,000 directly applied would be sufficient to meet 
 .the requirements of 250 locaters and families until tiiere should 
 be a return from their labor, which would be one-fourth of the 
 settlement. The first batch oi' pioneers, numbering two or 
 three score, must of necessity have capacity for bush and farm 
 work. In working out the balance ot' lots, the proportion of 
 investment would be greatly reduced. This proposition is not 
 intended in any wise to conflict with the Government's free 
 grant of two hundred acres, to any who have means and energy 
 to carry out tiie design of the grant; but many attempting the 
 same get discouraged by solitude, circumstances and insuffic- 
 iency of their means, and their labor is frequently unlVuitful. 
 Not so with that herein proposed. Sociability, good order, 
 necessary supplies and Christian character will obviate this 
 difficulty. 
 
IN tiOSI'KI. MAMNKSA. 171 
 
 Perhaps ioine mill owner, merchant or wealthy manufac- 
 turiT may siee liis way ti» inaUf an investment in the interest of 
 the colony, to erect, as circuniHtancej* may rei|uire, saw mill, 
 >;rist and woollen mill, furniture and nianufactures upon princi- 
 ples as before stated, thereby addinj.^ success and ( omfort to the 
 colony, furiiishinj^ material for houses and buildinj^js. etc. Such 
 an invei>tmen( need not interfere in the least with the home 
 manufacturing o\' each settler in (he (ild country custom of 
 spinning', weaving and inanufaiturinj,' of small wares for h()n>e 
 and export beyond seas and Dominion lines. Here also I will 
 say that a separate and similar colony miji^ht also be established 
 to profit tor those who have been under the discipline ofthel-.w 
 Many of them who, leavinj^ tlie place o\ seclusion, know not 
 which way to turn tor the best, and to them also might be 
 shown the .Samaritan's good will, by out love to our enemies, 
 
 I am thankful to say the project has been approved by seme 
 of our able friends, including one of our active MP. P. 's and 
 others, and especially one — for whose good will to our Christian 
 endeavor in years past we still esteem ourselves a debtor — 
 taking time to consider the subject, giving valuable counsel; 
 also giving a word of introduction and commendation to the 
 Commissioner of Crown I^ands, who promised at some later 
 time, after receiving an explicit statement, to give the necessary 
 attention and reply to it. 
 
 :.M There are three localities which might be selected, each 
 may have their own advantages and disadvantages for the col- 
 ony: one is the Spanish and b'rench river neighborhood, the 
 other the Temiscamingue and tlu- Rainy River district. Time 
 and means will be ret]uired to make a suitable choice. The 
 .Spanish or French river district vvould he the nearest to com- 
 mence if a suitable area can bo found there; tlie others mght 
 also be worked in a similar form at a later period. In concluding 
 this brief proposition, I must add: Having named it a Christian 
 Colonization .Association, it includes the business traits that are 
 honorable and proHlable. The wide world is open as a market 
 for all that energy, thougiit, and ^ood will can devise and pro- 
 duce. Crownmg it all. to do well there must be, Glory to God 
 in the highest. This principle actuates e\'ery true Christian; 
 therefore let all its business be begun, pursued and ended by 
 thanksgiving, praise and supplication to Him. He has said: 
 "I will be glorified," and that for all the good He has promised 
 His people He will be enquired of to do it for them. 
 
 The 10 acre proposition is an old institution. The divisioix 
 
17 J MORK THAN FORTY VRARS 
 
 of the land ofC'anaan by Moses gave to each family about ten 
 acres of land, and the nior*firaji;ee could not hold it beyond the 
 jubilee or 50th year, but it would have to return to its original 
 owners. Their whole history shows that abundance of sheep 
 and cattle was largely the source of their wealth. The same 
 allotments have been tound to work profitably in the lands of 
 Europe and Great Britain. Ste EncycIop;edia Brittanica, under 
 the heads of land tenure, holdings, commimism, socialism, farm 
 and forestry, therein dealt with, in the light of Divine and hu- 
 man law and wisdom, apart from the extravagant excessts and 
 reckless contentions, and it gives the evidences of the successful 
 working of small allotments of land. 
 
 Some have asked, "What can be done on ten acres of 
 3and?" This is a question asked by many who do not under- 
 stand the design of the proposed 10 acre Christian homestead 
 colony and dwellings for the industrious poor, the ultimate view 
 of which is the tillage and pas^uragc of more than 50,000 acres 
 in a block, which would be additional, affording constant em- 
 ployment as well as homes for more than a thousand families. 
 Each ten acres properly cultivated would abundantly supply for 
 «ach family their necessities, and leave a surplus for export of 
 grain, cattle, hogs, butter, cheese, wool, etc. ; and many other 
 advantages would result from the application of labor upon the 
 wild and unoccupied lands, and the establishment there of the 
 industrious poor in permanent homesteads and dwellings of 
 their own. The yield of ten acres with ordinary labor and 
 judgment would be: From one acre sulTicient vegetables fo/ 
 family use, viz., 20 bags ot potatoes, 1,000 cabbages, 2 tons of 
 turnips, 10 bushels of onions, 2,000 lieads of celery, and 30 rods 
 or near X acre for beans, peas, beet:-, radishes, etc. ; 4 acres for pas- 
 ture and hay to maintain 2 cows to produce milk and butter for 
 family use, ;ind to make 10 lbs. of butter per week for 7 months; 
 2 acres sown in wheat will yield 411 hushels of wheat which will 
 give 1,700 lbs. of Hour to feed taniily, and 600 lbs. of shorts to 
 feed stock; i acre sown in carrots and turnips for feed and sale 
 will give 10 tons of carrots and 15 tons of turnips; i acre of 
 potatoes will yield 150 hags; i acre of peas from 20 to 25 bush- 
 els, which with small potatoes will fat 800 lbs. of pork, 300 lbs." 
 for family use and 500 lbs. foi sale; can also feed 25 fowls for 
 eggs for family use, keep 2 eu e sheep, i brood sow for stock. 
 .All straw to go for feed. This would yield $180 cash beyond 
 keeping the family, viz: butter, $28; carrots, $50; turnips, $40; 
 potatoes $27; pork, $25. Three horses would do all necessary 
 
IN GOSPEL IIARNBS9. 173 
 
 work on 10 lots or 100 acren, and this can be multiplied i.uoo 
 or 10,000 fold. Thus the proper cultivation of the 54,000 addi- 
 tional acres would be constant employment for the i,ooa families, 
 and humanly speaking, be a certain source ot comfort and 
 wealth by the application of ordinary labor and proper 
 judgment. 
 
 How many now in this time of opportunity and need 
 would venture five thousand dollars each, less or more, to en- 
 rich the poor and themselves in the formation of the proposed 
 lo acre Christian homestead colony and dwellings for the indus- 
 trious poor, giving them 10 years to repay investments on their 
 behalf, and furnishing them with work upon the 50,000 acre 
 farm, whereby they could repay all investments? 
 
 A selection from a letter in the "Hamilton Spectator, "Feb. 
 4, 1897: "Among all the schemes for helping the poor and un- 
 employed, there are none that have the elements of permanent 
 help, and how preposterous it seems, that when we have the 
 means at hand, to be doling out our charity year after year, and 
 the condition o( the recipients getting worse and worse. With 
 all our vacant land, and our anxiousness for emigrants, why 
 not with some of this money get the most of these people on a 
 piece, say 10 or 20 acres, according to the quality of the land, 
 then pay instructors to teach those who are ignorant, for one 
 year; when all such would be permanently established, where 
 by their own labor they would be able to make a comfortable 
 living and raise their children where they were intended to be 
 raised, on God's acres — and not on street corners. In the cities 
 the wife and families are comparatively helpless, while on the 
 land each can help to make a living, and are away from mis- 
 chief. I hope Mr. Buskin will unfold a feasible plan." — Mrs. 
 McGee Smith. This is one of the many enquiries resulting 
 from the proposition ot the ten acre colony which means to say, 
 go on and success attend you. Who is willing to lead the way 
 and invest sums, either large or small, and set the work in 
 motion? In answer to an application made on its behalf to the 
 Commissioner of the Crown Lands department enquiring for 
 suitable location, and what assistance the Government might 
 be disposed to give to help it, a reply dated March loth, 1897, 
 concludes by saying, "Perhaps you will let it rest till after the 
 sessio.i, when it will be taken up and fully considered." No 
 answer > et received. 
 
 Some competent persons who have considered the matter, 
 and whose minds have been previously exercised concerning 
 
#t 
 
 MORR THAN FORTV YKAKS 
 
 the need of practical assistance for tlu* poor, wlio arc unable to 
 Jiclp tluMnselvL's, have .suj^j^ested that llie Government should 
 take it up, and make it constitutional and workable Jor the 
 whole Dominion, and doubtless, before long, a committee will 
 in some way be t'ormed (o transform the theory into a workable 
 and workings'' mattor-of-fait reality. 
 
 Those who can approve of this proposed worK, are re- 
 spectfully reminded that if amon^ their accjuaintances any are 
 benevolentl) disposed, the favor oi' their commendation is 
 desired; but if personally they have the power to forwarJ a 
 donation, or investment, upon interest at j, per cent, per annum 
 for a period of 5 or 10 years, please lead the way, and then your 
 friends or neij^hhors will lie nutre tlispojed to do the same. It 
 is Godlike to give to the poor, for God has given us all things, 
 and His Son Jesus to die tor our sins, and v,ithoLit Mis goodness 
 and mercy where would arv o\' us be? .Should you not have 
 sufficient cash on hand for the investment you may be willing 
 to make, send what proportion o\ the amount you are able, and 
 a promissory note for the balance upon which current rate of 
 interest would have to be paid lo be of service. A printed form 
 can be sent to intending investors upon receipt of their first 
 donation or investment. 
 
 Intending colonists can als.^ make investments in the same 
 manner and at the same rate of interest until their money shall 
 be applied upon the land and improvements and stock on their 
 behalf. 
 
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tN GOSPEL ilARNRSS. 
 
 »75 
 
 Design for Colonists ' House 
 
 f 
 
 ■7=^ 
 
 wir 
 
 HI 
 
 "fiS 
 
 »■■» -^h--"MJ^ '' 
 
 FRONT ELEVATION. 
 
 SCALE, X FEET TO THE INCH. 
 
 G>ntainmg: Parlor, Dining: Room and Kitchen, Wood- 
 house and Cellar, 5 Bedrooms, Bathroom, etc, 
 
 ENTIRE COST, $600 
 
 (Without Plumbing) 
 
 if if KITCHEN AND CELLAR