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Toronto PuJblic Library (Pamphlet Co|jcotlon) >^ • '■»»»«"■ 5fW ^^ **v > y ^i;iiim»/o«ifTirR'r -.;* ^*.. •^■i ,.>> 11 •11%' ':fM 'f ' • . ■ « ^ 1,.' K, •^i^. N-y* ■- *-«►' '» •| ^■: .■'!!■- 1^- It; 'A Toronto Public Library. Reference Department THIS BOO»V«(IUST NOT BE. TAKEN OUT OF T«E ROOM Jtinr4- 1^1* "«i . CO 'V '■'^^mmmm^^^' j£oeJ km "^ J'fS'i^ - '■ ,^^f«?^w.:y QUARTER-CENTURY MEMORIAL,, 1849-1874, bF Tine iP ■ ■ TORONTO. »s I '■ V r.-. COMPILilD. AT THE REQUEST OF THE CHURCH; BY REV. F.H. MARLING, PASTOR. r^ -*♦• TORONTO: DUDLEY AND BURNS, PRmTERS, COLBORNE STREET. 1874. ? rJ . , . ,. >X 111 W^^^^f^?^ m*'Jf>-f-v^^TJr ■5*^,! »i*< ^ ^ *- lrtK»i< / ^ OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. APRIL, 1874. ' hi i. PASTOR: REV. F. H. MARLING. ' - DEACONS ! ' ^ Messrs. J. FRASER; J. J. TOLFREE, Treasurer; J. W. WEY; T. J. WILKIE; J. J. WOODHOUSE, &cfrfarj'. Sunday School Superintendents : BOND STREET— Mr'. C. S. Millard. ELIZABETH STREifeT— Mr. J. J. WooDHOUSE. , .'■'■."■ -' r , Principal Public Services: Sunday— Morning, at il ; Evening, at 7. Monday— Pastor's Bible-Class, 8 p.m. Wednesday — Prayer Meeting, X ^o 8 p.m. Mi-- m. « 00 .' ••.» • », ' i QUARTER-CENTURY MEMORIAL, 1849-1874. The following outlines of the history of the church during the past twenty-five years have been drawn up and published, •m the belief that such records are always worth jxeserving' alike for their memories of the pa st and their suggestions for the future ; that the facts here narrated are for the most part unknown to that four-fifths of the church and congregation who have joined us within the last ten years, but who will feel an mterest in the story of the early days ; and that there are many former worshippers among us, occasional visitors, kindly neighbours, and others, for w%m the same items will have a certain value. J^'"- # The materials for compiling fuWatistical tables have been found, on research, to be too defective to'allow of that'com-' pleteness which is essential to their being of nuich service. Such as could ber given will be found in these pages. Let the lesson be, learned, here and elsewhere, of recording such particulars, as they ari§e, and in a permanent form. - ^1 1 . ,' !■ ... ■ ;.|iy ' 1 1^ ,' i^intBHlw • iiH^'aaM ' 'lum^mm ..: IH KM^ ^ On Tuesday evening, February 13, 1849, ten male mem- bers of the Congregational Church, Toronto, (Rev. John Roaf, pastor,) met in the house of Mr. James Woodhouse, [now No. 241,] Yonge Street, and^took the first steps tmv- ards the formation of a Second Congregational Church. They at once began to hold Services at the same place, with their families. i. Oram ■m "•#!£' *■'. ■J- Rev. Archibald Geikie, then pastor of the Congregational church at Moore, near Samia, was invited to officiate among them for three months, and, having accepted the invitation, began his labours on Sabbath, the nth of March. , In the meantime, a rough-cast building on Richmond Street West, south side, near Yonge Street, originally erected by the Episcopal Methodists, and more recently occupied by the United Presbyterian congregation^. (Rev. Or. Jennings'), who had just removed to a now church on Bay Street, had" been rented for one year, for $ioo, with the option of purchase withia six months for $1200. The house contained about 200 sittings. Having been put into good condition and suitably furnished, it was opened for Congregational uses on Sabbath, the 25th of March. The services were held morning and eVening, at 1 1 and 6 o'clock. It had been previously agreed, "not to adopt the system of pew-rents, but voluntary subscriptions, to defray the expenses." These subscriptions were paid quarterly. On Tuesday evening, April iQth;^ 1849, in this building on Richmond Street, twenty-six persdns entered into cove- nant with each other to form a Church of Christ, " holding the views and principles as to Order, Piscipline and Doc- trine usually known as Independent or Congregational," and under the name of "The Second Congregational Church in Toronto," the service being conducted by Rev. A. Gei- kie, who g*ve to each member the right hand of fellowship. The names of those so constituting the church, as givqn in the minutes, were,— Mr. and Mrs. John F. Marling, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Taylor, Miss Margaret Taylor, Miss Susan McCord, Mr.. John Lander, Mrs. Jacob„ Latham, Miss Jane Latham, Mr. and t|f 4^ ^J. ^ J*' . -^t -.1 .. . • . ■ . * " N ■■•:•'■.-■ , Mrs. John Rains, Mr. John* W. Marling, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beekman, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Cribb, Mr. and Mrs. James Woodhouse, Mr. J. Joseph Woodhouse, Misses Ann A., Ellen A. and F. Miriam Woodhouse, Mr. William H, Rodden -and Mr. J. A. Bridge. These were joined; five days after,^y Mr. John Nasmith, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Whittemgre, and Mrs. (Dr. J.) Rolph, njaking up a membership of thirty. ' f At ihe same time, a Sabbath School was opened^ Mr. J. Joseph Woodhouse and Miss Ann A. Woodhouse being the first teachers* , - _j - On the 26th of April,^Messrs. John F. Marling and W> D. Taylor were chosen Deacons of the church, and were duly '^ddressed on the duties of their office, and set apart for them>i|i'the presence of their brethren and the congre- gation," on Tuesday evening. May ist. Mr. Marling was at the same time chosen Treasurer by vote of the church* meeting. On the 4th of May, at a meeting of the church, held" at the residence of Mr. Woodhouse, a call wa? unanimously voted to Rev. Archibald Geikie,> to become the pastor of the church, the salary of $400 a-year being pledged to him, payable quarterly; to be made $500, if possible, "a strong desire being expressed by all to increase the amount, if it should be in their powerj ' . ^*^^'^/^^ '^ras early a period as - possible." M3n the 28th of February following (1850), the salary was made $500 for the current year, and $600 were promised for the ensuing one. This call was accepted by Mr. Geikie on the 7th of May, and thus the church was fully officered for service. ♦ ' The above condensed recital of facts, names and dates,^ hdwever,' gives but a faint impression of the mingled solici* IV ^ I ^1 •V J- , ,^^!|p-.. t tilde, enthusiasm and steadfastness with which this hew movement was. inaugurated. There'wa&. evidently much of the family-feeling amopg the little company. They met frequently, and held long deliberations at every step. Their givings were generous and free. As an illustration of the^pirit prevailing among the original mem- r bers of the church, the action taken on a dispute^ question may be cited here. " The body was composed entirely of two parties, namely, Odd-Fellows, arid tJio§e .who were quite averse to Odd-Fellowship. There appeared, then, this Bar to tlheir union, and after cpnsiderable discussion it was agreed that those who Belonged to that Society should meet and consider the subject, and report their decisioB at the next meeting." At the jiext meeting, accordingly, 20th of Februaqr, the; following resolutions were reported as having been adopted by the members of *he Order :-r-" i. That it is the opinibn of the under- signed that the making of Odd-Fellowship a barrier to church-mem- bership is the exercise of an undue interference with the consciences of others, and they cannot recognize such a principle of action on the part of a Christian Church. 2. That nevertheless, for the sake of harmony and expediency, and for the peace of mind o^ our esteemed brethren who disagree with us in this matter, we will and do hereby consent to withdraw from Odd-Fellowship at our earliest convenience." (Signed liy six male members, and by two others as to the first resolution, who add, " We dissent entirely from the second at present.") Of the thirty who formed the foundation of the church, there still remain in our fellowship, it vHU be seen, after the lapse of a quarter of a century, the following five members : Mrs. John F. Marling, Miss Susan McCord, Miss Jane Latham (now Mrs. T. Kirkpatrick), Mrs. J. Rains and Mr. J . Joseph Woodhouse. Death, removals and other changes have taken away the rest. Two week-night services were • held at first, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. On the 26th of September, 1849, a Committee was appointed to, conclude the purdiase of the Richmond Street .„^at. ri9:i- ■■•^.o. property for $1200* which was effected, two of the mem- bers giving their notes for the amount. On this account, the deed was taken in the name of one of them, Mr. John F. Marling, who was to hold it for the church, and be ready to transfer it when he was freed from personal obligations, till which time the church would pay rent as before. Gn the 4th October, the pastor brought the claims of the Sabbath School before the church^^ging that steps be taken to strengthen the hands of those labouring in that work, that " the church should identify itself with it," and that a library be furnished. Consequently, Mr. Landet was appointed by the church to act as Superintendent, a . Committee of four was chosen " to watch over the school and co-operate with the teachers in devising means for its extension," Mr. J. J. Woodhouse beingchosen Secretary and Librarian, and Mr. W. B. Geikie, Deputy-Superinten- dent. Mr. E. F. Whittemore offered the gift of a Library. It does not appear, however, that Mr. Lander accepted the position of Superintendent, Mr. T. J. Fuller having ^cted in that capacity for a short time, and being succeeded^y Mr. J.J. Woodhouse, who continued to serve with great assiduity for the next twelve years. Duriiig the first year of the existence of the church, there were added to its membership, 8 by profession and 9 by letter. Pastor and deacons had been chosen, a build- ing had been secured, and pecuniary engagements had been met. A Sabbath School had been formed. Peace and harmony had been enjoyed. The congregation steadily increased. . The minute-book records several matters of practical detail engaging attention from time to time, during this early period^ which may be worthy of brief mention here, such is ■ >■.■■. '■' vm '.,'t' . "?»•■ )N: :■ . S ■ —A proposal, not adopted, to change the hour of evening service from 6 to 6.30 or 7 o'clock ; another, more than once urged without eflfect, to erect a school room on the rear of the Church lot ; another, to substitute Dr. W. L. Alexander's (Edinburgh) collection of hymns for the two books, " Watts'. Fsalms and Hymns," and the " Congrega- tional Hymn Book," at first in use ; slight changes in the order of service ; the commencement of a Poor Fund by collections at the Lord's Supper (July 3i» i^SO i ^^^ ^^® introduction of an organ, which was the act of an individual member, on his own responsibility, (though afterwards accepted by the church), and caused some difficulty. Other deacons were also chosen, (October 31, 1850), on Mr. Taylor's removal from the city, namely, Messrs. E. Perry, J. Nasmith, and James Woodhouse, the last declining to serve ; and again, (April i, 1852), when Messrs. J. Wood- house and E. F. Whittemoje were elected, but neither accepted the office. In the month of July, 1852, the Church became a member of the Congregational Union of Canada West, which in 1853 combined with that of Canada East to form the Congregational Union of Canada. On Sabbath, March 6th, 1853, Mr. Geikie announced from the pulpit that he shoiild dose his labours as pastor at ^ the end of the current month. In connection with this event, it is fitting to record that previous to his coming to Canada, in 1842, Mr. Geikie, who had been in business in Edinburgh, was an active and ?valued deacon of the Congregational Church of which Rev. W. Lindsay Alex- ander, D.D., was, and still is, tlie. pastor ; that on his removal to this country he purchased a farm on the St. Clair river, in Moore, a few miles below Samia, where he hf. ■ .* -, ;«'--..-.Ji!!fc.> \'^-mM-'B was ordained pastor of a Congregational.church ; and that after leaving Toronto, he laboured for many years as the minister of churches in Massachusisetts and Cannecticut, until his death, July 27, 1872, it Canaan, Connecticut, at the age of 75 years. Two of his sons are in the ministry, Rev. Archibald Constable Geikie, D.D., now pastor of a Presjijyterian church in Bathurst, New "South Wales ; ahd Rev. John Cunningham Geikie, D.D., late pastor Of Isling- ton Chapel, London, England. Another, Walter B. Geikie,^ Esq., M.D., is a medical practitioner in Toronto. From April i, 1853, to October i, 1854, exactly a year and a half, the church was without a pastor, and, it hardly need be said, suffered seriously for the want of regular oversight. The membership declined, and the hearts of those that remained were sotnetimes faint within them. There was -exhibited here, however, an example of that '* tenacity of life " which has often been .noticed as charac- teristic of a church, a body which it is very hard to kill. A nucleus existed which loved the cause* too well to give it \up. The Sabbath- services were regularly maintained, at .first by studetits of the Congregational Institute (now College), and' afterwards principally by John Scoble, Esq., formerly Secretary of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, who had newly arrived in Canada. Mr. Scoble occupied the pulpit from June 1853 for some twdvemonthsf. and rendered other service to the church in perfecting its organization and arranging its affairs. On the 17 th of April, 1854, the church gave him a call to the pastoral office, which, however, he did not see his way clear to accept' ' ' • During this time, the entire cost of the Richmond street property having been at length met by subscription, the i n0f-^^ \ 10 same was duly vested in Trustees,— Messrs. Edward Perry, John Lander and Alexander Hamilton. The deed was drawn with special care, as well as the rules for the election of trustees. TJie Church roll was also corrected, none but . l;onaJiie members being retained on the list. The number had been reduced to 35- The house of worship was also put in a good state of repair. , \ ' . ^ In June, 1854, an invitation >^as sent to Rev. F. H. Marling, Jhen pastor of the Gosford street Congregationa church, Montreal, to supply the pulpit during his usual summer visit to his relatives in Toronto, which he .did, and on the loth of July, a cordial and unanimous call was given him to become the pastor of the church. On the 24th of August this call was accepted, and on Sabbath, ist Octo- ber, i'8S4, Mr.,Marling entered on the office which he holds to tWs day. There was ^o regular installation or recognition service held, but on the previous Sal^bath, Rev. W. Ormiston, ■ then dne of the masters of the Normal School, delivered g. virtual " ^arge to the people »; and on the, day itself; ^ev. ^Viiliam Hay "of Scotland, C. W., assisted in .the services. The pastor joined the church by regular ikter of dismissal from his^ former charge in Montreal The church offered him a salary ot $600. It was stipulated from the first that he should have a montJK's vacation every j^ar, dunng which the church would pfovide supply for the pVpit. For the information of those who have any personal curiosity on the subject, it may be stated that the new pastor was a native ofEbley, Glou<:estershire, England; came to 'Toronto in 1842 ; joined "the Congregational church" there. ' (now « Zion,") under Rev. John Roafs pastorate, early m 1 844 • was recommended to the "Congregational Academy,'' *' as the present " Congregational College " was then called. . } I <■: f? ¥?*'■. * ■ ■ *'. ^ ' / x ... ; -4, ■■ - ' ■ ■ ■ , - . ■' ^ ■ ■ in the fall of the same year, under the auspices of the late Rev. James Drummond, by the church at Brockville, where he was engaged in a mercantile house ; pursued his studies accordingly under Rev. Dr. Lillie until June, ^48 ; pro- ceeded in the following September to Montreal, to supply the Gosford street (second) Congregational church, founded in 1842 by Rev. Dr. Carruthers ; and tvas ordained pastor of the same November 7,' 1849. Under the new pastorate, the work of the Churcli went quietly and steadily forward. The statistical returns for tKe years ending in M^y, 1855 and 1856, show additions to the membership of 20 and 41 res^ctively, • and these figures indicate a CQrresponding increase in the congregation. Tlfe Congregational church in Adelaide street having been destroyed by fire on Sunday night, February 26, 1855, the' use of the Richmond street building was offered the next day, at any time when not already in use. Though the former church was acco^imodated more conveniently efse- where, the oflFer was gratefully acknowledged, and the first church meeting after the fire, on Friday evening, March 2, was held in Richmond street. On the 30th of August, 1855, it was agreed to establish the "Pastor's Lending Library," still in use in the vestry. The collection for this object, on the first anniversary 61 the pastor's settlement, was $49. Mr. Edward Childs was chosen deacon on the nth of December, though he was not prevailed upon to accept the office until the following July. On the same evening a Committee was appointed to select a site.for a new church* north and east of the Richmond Street location, to ascertain what that property could be sold for, and the cost of a' building accommodating 500 to 600 persons; and the pastor's salary #as raised by 50 percent. «t. M :'*}! \^' f fa j^'V^ \ 12 \ In May, 1856, a good li^fr nyjis made of growing resources by the offering of the church's nrStKgift to Home Missions ; the amount was $125, During the i^^m^, month, it was resolved to invite the Congregational Uniori lOk-Jhold its annual meeting for 1857 in this Church. The Unidii **oC Canada" had not So far met in Toronto; that "of Canada West " had done so last in 1853. The uivitation for 1857, however, was not accepted, Montreal claiming the meeting under a previous understanding. The Committee appointed, as above, in December, 1855, to secure a new site to the north-eask, having reported in favour of enlarging the existing house, that course was resolved on in May, 1856. Two plans were submitted, one for adding a transept, with a vestry in the rear, whereby 150 extra sittings would be gained ; th« other,- for simphr lengthening the building and adding a school room at tne rear. The latter plan would only add QOsittings, but would provide the much-needed accommodation! for the Sabbath School and week-night services. It was adopted. The esti- mated cost was $1000 to $1,200. It wa^ decided, with cha- racteristic caution, at first to proceed only with the enlarge- ment j but the schoolroom was added before the end of the year. While the enlargement was in progress, the old high pulpit, with precentor's desk beneatji, >|as changed into one of a more njodem style. The cost of Enlargement was yery nearly cQvered at once by subscriptions, and that of erecting the schooboom partly met in the same. way. The church was re-opened on Sabbath, September 7, and the schooj- room on the 31st December. The entire actual cpst of these improvements, witli others effected "while we ar6. about it," was $1,736. ' \ On the 28th September, the pulpit was occupied by Rev. .V •. :^.\' i-.-^- ^rjyif **■ ■-■]'-.; ■ , 13 • ^ ■..■■ ^ • ■ ' Dr. Wilkes, and the Rev.. E. N. Kirk, D.D., of Boston, who had come to th[| city to take p^t in the dedication of Zion Church and the installation of Rev. T. S. EUerby as its pastor. •■ . In 1856, the Pastor's' Bible Class was formed, with a membership of about 30, meeting an hour before the Thurs- Iday evening service. In telbruary, 1857, the pastor received another addition to his salary, whieh w?is made $1,000. • * , ^, During the following surrimer, th^hour of SabBth everiTng service was changed from 6 to half-past 6 o'clock, not without resistance to the innovation. It wa5 also decided that the financial year of the* church, which hitherto had l;)egun and closed af the time of its' formation, namely, in AjSril,^ should thereafter coincide with the calendar year. It had been ordered, in a series of rules j)assed on the 8th of May, 1854, in relation to Trustees, that « the deacon or deacons of this church, for the time being, shall have the custody of, and make the entries in, the church books, such books to be accessible to the members for examination |nd use when required;" By vote, on February 2, 1858, the words "and Pastor" were inserted after "deacons'' in the above rule. . In connection with this, it may be stated that the minutes of church meetings were entered by Rev. A. Geikie during his pastorate, May, 1849 to M^rch, 1853 ; by Mr. Joh'ii F. Marlmg, from March 1853 to February J863 ; by Mr. James Fraser,from February 186-3 to January 1865; by Mr. Thomas Gray, from January 1365 to September i86f; and by Rev. F. H. Marling from September 1868 to the present time. The minutes of each* meeting since April 1853, have :L:; ^^"- •' V '^ip^»«»^ii *",*'':. '■ ^■■•■Ji^' *^.*.., »■■■ been regularly submitted to the succeeding one for confirma- tion. .Two books have been entirely filled, and a third partly, with jthese interesting records, which are at once concia^ andWu. The first, an ^ordinary» quarto, pp. 250, embraces th0 period from February 12, 1849, to December 26, 1857 ; the second, one of the folio blank forms issued by the English Congregational Union, pp. 190, extends from February 2, 1858, to January 18, 1870, and contains the Roll of Church Members for the whole period, and the Bap- tismal Register during the present pastorate. The third minute book, a folio volume, not specially prepared for the purpose, containing 402 pages, was opened February 3, 71870, and is written up to page 90. Early in the year 1858, daily Union Prayef Meetings were established in Toronto, in which several members of this church took an active part, with the hope of receiving a share of the blessing then bestowed on the churches in Ireland and the United States. At the same period— the precise date being unknown — was'Begun the Sabbath even- ing prayer meetings which has been sustained ever since, and has always been regarded as one of our most profitable services. On the 27th April. 1858,' at a church meeting, two weeks' leave of absence were voted to the pastor, and a purse containing $102 put into his hands, to enable him to attend the May Anniversary meetings in New York, a visif which was one of great interest to him, and enabled him tb renew or form acquaintances which have proved most valua- ble even to the present time. *• i In September, 1858, a plan was originated for holding District Prayer Meetings in several parts of the city, and carried out with considerable success. -:, "vmnw:- 1 ' */ien and how; ^ho rmain in fellowship. A pleasing circumstanpf occurred at the end of this vear* There was a prospect of a deficiency m the church ' income ; but by some anonymous giver, there were put into the plate on five successive Sabbaths, the sums of five, ten, •twenty, thirty, and forty dollars, in all $105, whereby the ;pected balance against the church was changed to one in ■^ The subject of the weekly observance ot Supper also came up for con|||eration, having from the pulpit and discussed at church t there was-no sufficient agreement in its fav? ijtfture from the previous monthly custom, which is still "November, Mr. James Douglas, wha had .jeceiyld .into the church, was, after public h^^iil#rt privi^conferences, recommended to the C^#ional Co¥ge of B. N. A., as a young man pro- mising to be adapted to the work of tlie ministry. ^ On the 3rd January. 1861, another addition of $100 was made to the pastor's salar>', and was paid for that year. In 1863 however, some liberal subscribers having been 19 '% W ith or removal, the pastor himself proposed that lould again stand as fixed at the beginning of 1857. May, 1 86 1, the church sustained a great loss by tflfe dfath of Deacon Edward Childs, who, during the previous ^fl^e years, had " used his office" so " well," that he was felt to be the personal friend pf every man, woman and child « the place. " ■ At the Congregational Unfon meeting, held at Kingston,- in June, 18^1, a request was made by that body for the*^ services of the pastor of this church as a Delegate to Ehg- lan(f, as colleague with Dr. Wilkes, to represent the case of the Canadian churches to the Colonial Missionary 'Society. There had been, for many years, strong pressure from that Society, to reduce the amount and shorten the duration of Missionary grants. But the Canadian administrators of the joint fund formed by English grants and Canadian con- tributions, while agreeing perfectly in the desirability and necessi ty of self-su pport on the part of these Missionary churches, contended nevertheless that they were bringing ^Iftem on to this condition as. rapidly as circumstances allowed. And it was .thought that personal conference on these matters, in London, between the Committee of the Colonial Missionary Society and representatives of the Canadian churches might remove the causes of friction, and make future co^jporation more pleasant. Members of the Union agreed ta) supply the pulpit at Toronto during the three months of the pastor's expected absence. The church, promptly and unanimously, agreed to the proposal, extending the term to four months, if necessary. Imme- diately afterwards, Dr. WUkes found himself unable to take the journey, but though greatly disappointed, his junior pUeague was urged by the Union Committee to go aR>ne, *' ' m / *^»i ^-r^- "^■•.■j ■ 20 which he did, sailing from Quebec in the steamer G^r^^f Eastern, with part of his family, on the 6th of August. Previous to his leaving, supplies had been secured for every Sabbath up to the end of October. In connection with this mission, it was then proposed that Mr. Marling should avail himself of the opportunity so provided, to appeal to his personal friends and others for aid in the erection of the new church' building so much needed. Accordingly there were sent after him to England^ resolutions, adopted on the 8th of August, and setting forth the/need and purpose of erecting on a site north- -east of the one then occupied, a brick church seating 500 persons on the ground floor, the site being estimated to cost $3,000 and the building $7,000, in all $10,000; and pledging themselves to raise one-half of this sum among themselves and to secure the property to Congregational uses. On reaching England, Mr. Marling found that his prose- cution of his work on behalf of the Canadian churches generally, was seriously impeded by the holiday season, then at its height. The same circumstance, however, gavfe " him the opportunity of attending the Evangelical Alliance Conference in Geneva, in September. He met with the ofiicers of the Colonial Missionary Society, and offered to attend meetings and preach on its behalf, as tfiey might see fit to use him, and was thus engaged at Rev. Thomas Finney's, Rev. Samuel Martin's and Rev. Joshua Harrison's churches in London, at Manchester and Chathatn, at Stroud and Cheltenham in Gloucestersfiire, and at Glasgow and Dundee in Scotland, and advocated the cause of Colonial • Missions at the Congregational tJnion meeting in Birming- ham, in\^^ber. In meeting at length with the Com- -■7^?'7' 21 miftee in Londbn, he was able to secure some concession to Canadian views, though not all that was desired.* Not until the end of October, and of the three months for which his services had been asked by the Canadian Union, did he allow himself to turn aside from their work to seek any aid for his own\people. Then, however, he presented their case, and succeeded in obtaining the gtoss sum of jCSJo sterling. On the 24th of January, 1862, he was given a hearty "welcome home" at a well-attended social meeting, to which he gave a narrative of his travels and work. During his six months', absei*6e, the pulpit was faithfully supplied, and the deacons close4 the yearns accounts with a balance n5i%and. -^ : bteps were at oilce' taken to open a subscription / list within the church and congregation, (the pastor being made Treasurer of the English and Canadian contributions until a purchase or contract was made,) and to buy or build a place ^ of worship. Some thought was entertained of acquiring the - United Presbyterian Church building on Gould Street, then without a pastor ; but it was not for sale. On the .ist of May, the Building Committee reported that they saw their way clear to $7,000 out of the $10,000 estimated expenditure, and were authorized !o sell the Richmond - Street property.' It was oflFered, however," without a pur- chaser. . < . ^ - ^ <^ the 3rd of July, the following rule was adopted in .- Telatilm to non-resident members : . " Membei^ of the church permanently removing to other places, are * Particulars in regard to the occasion and results of this mission tiD . England will be found in ttie Canadian Independent, vol. viii., pp. I7,' 18—30, 130—132, 160— 104, 281— 286, 307— 310, 342— 344.' V- "" F>fl -f«nyi ^■■ m :: 22 expected to obtain a l^ter of dismissal within twelve months. Should they so long neglect tfliduty, of which they shall be duly informed and reminded, their names shall be reported to the church, intimation of the fat;t being also sent to them, if their address be known. At the next regular meeting, unless sufficient cause to the contrary be shown, the church shall withdraw its fellowship from them as no longer under its watch and care. In cases allowed to be exceptional, the parties shall be expected to keep the church informed concerning themselves, and a report shall be presented to the church at least twice in a year so long a$.f ■ the membership continues." — — — - —~~^ t"— ^ — #lfe^ On the 30th of July, the following was adopted : " :^^ " Members of this church, who, without having removed to a distance, shall absent themselves from the Lord's Table for three months, without giving a satisfactory reason therefor, shall be reported !o the church. " On Sabbath, 'the 24th of August, 1862, a sermon was preached in commemoration of the 2,000 Non-conforming Ministers, who, on that day two hundred years before, had left their "livings" in the Established Church of England^ rather than submit to the new " Act of Unifqrmity " recently passed by Parliament, and zealously enforced by the restored King Charles II„at the instigation of the High Churqhmen of the time. " Bicentenary Readings " were also given, on the following Tuesday and Thursday evenings. It may be added that, at the Union meeting held in the previous June, Rev. W. F. Clarke read a paper on the '* History of Nonconformity in England in 1662," and Rev. F. H. Mar- ling presented one on the " Reasons for Nonconformity in Canada in 1862," both which were published together in a pamphlet. 1 In the fall of thik year, an arrangement* was made for £. course of twelve lessons on Sacred Music, on Tuesday and Friday evenings, by Mr. Colin Pearson. Over a Hundred / tickets were sold. On the 2ist of October, the Ladies of the church, after ^ nonths. Should Illy informed and intimation of the n. At the next y be shown, the 1 longer under its e parties shall be emselves, and a - a year so long as.' mm pted : ved to a distance, months, without ^o the church." a sermon was on-conforraing .rs before, had h of England^ mity" recently by the restored 'h Churqhmen also given, on 3. It may be I the previous 3 ** History of ;v. F. H. Mar- Qconformity in i together in a as made for i. 1 Tuesday and >ver a Hundred 2 church, after %:.v v» ■ .#•• ■ -23 the usual period of busy preparation, took their part in the building enterprise, by opening a Bazaar in the Music Hall, by which they realized the sum of $700, above all expenses. The Bazaar was conducted without any resort to the-objec- 'tionable practices so often adopted on such occasions. From time to time, at this period, the Building Com- mittee were reporting on various lots which they had inspected^ that finally selected, on the comer of Bond and Cruickshank streets, being first mentioned, January 2, 1863. On the 29th of January, a Committee appointed on the 8th, " to confer with the Pastor and Deacons, in relation to the spiritual condition and the organization of the church,"/ reported, among other matters, a recommendation to in- crease the number of the Deacons from three to six, to hold office for three years, two retiring annually ; to facili- . tate the working of which plan, if adopted by the church, the present Deacons— Mejssrs. Marling, Hewlett and Fraser, were willing to place their offices at the disposal of the church. The plan was adopted, Jas well as one for con- ducting the election of deacons, substantially tli^ same as that above described under date of December 28, 1858. The election was held on the 4th of February, and . resulted in the choice of Messrs. J. F. Marling, H. Hew- . lett, J. Fraser, W. R. Ross, J. Turner aod E. Perry. At the same time, the practice was begun, which has been annually renewed with, so much advantage, of dividing the several duties of the diaconate into departments, each of these being placed under the special charge of one or two members of the body. This system, in the hands of faith- ful men, ensures definite responsibility and prompt efficiency, and is the exact opposite of* that pointed put Jn the proverb, ■M. -■"fsaf 'jlm ■ f^ffm. >;. ' ,.-:7 J-?-,!-**^^ ■::^\ •'■-t .1. '^ .• 24;; • ■.;;■■ « What's everybody's business is.iipbody's business." While practical details were thus committed to individual deacons, they continued to meet with the pastor, at least once a month, to consult on all matters of general mterest to the church, and to prepare business for the action of the church meetings. It was on the 1 6th of February, 1863, that the x:hurch finally resolved, after aiir the lengthened deliberations re- corded above, on the purchase of the lot on .which its present house of worship stands, measuring loi feet on Bond Street by 1 16 on Cruickshank, Street, for $2,200, the deed being taken for the present in the name of Mr. James Fraser. At the same time, plans for the building were pre- sented, prepared by James Smith, Esq., architect, which were afterwards generally approved. •; Some trouble was found in fixing upon a name for the new edifice.' "Whitfield Church," " Christ Church," "Be- thany Church," were successively proposed, without finding favour, and at last the present title, of "Bond Street Con- gregational Church," was adopted, as expressing what and «;;j^/the building was, though not the most compact and euphonious conceivable. The formation of the new Trust Deed engaged ndlittle attention at this time. The blank form issned by\ the Congregational Union of C. W. in 1856 was adopted ^^ slight^variatiojis: Messrs. John F. Marling, James FarquI and Joseph James Tolfree were appointed Trustees. 1 deed was executed on the 6th of June. The following rules were adopted in relation to the Trusteeship,-dnd are printed Jiere in full, as they have not been previously published : * . «' I. That the Deed and Book containing records pertaining to the ' Trust,' as well as the other records of the Church or Subscribers, shaU be Th^ ■ ^'»> '■'*'-» jiness." While accessible to the members of the Chu?ch or Subscribers for examination and reference, when required ; and, further, that all the entries made in the aforesaid Book, contaming the records pertaining to the Trust, shall be at once copied into the Book containing the Minutes of the Meetings of the Church. ^ . ->> - " 2. Whenever any vacancy shall occur in the Board' of Trustees, the Deacon or Deacons of the Church for the time being, or the Treasurer of the Subscribed, shall notify the Church or Subscribers of the same, within a period of six months from the time of such vacancy occurring, and shall also without delay call a special meeting of the Church or Sub- scribers, by notice during Divine Service on the two preceding Sabbaths, for the purpose of filling such vacancy, a majority of those present and voting having the power to make the appointment required. "3. Notice of the intentioA to propose the removal from office, of any Trustee or Trustees,^ shall be given during Divine Service, on the two Sabbaths preceding the taeeting of the Church or Subscribers, at which such proposal shall be brought forward ; and the Pastor or other person officiating shall be required to read such notice, if presented.by the other Trustees, the Deacons, or any ten members of the Church. "4. No action shall be taken by the church in relation to thfc sale or purchase of property, or the appropriation of the proceeds of any sale, unless notice of the intention to introduce proposals to such effecjt has been given during Divine Service on the two next preceding Sabbaths. " 5. Wherever, throughout the foregoing rules, any powers are given to Subscribers and their officers, these powers shall and may be exercised only in the event provided for in the Title Deed, viz., that this ' Congre- gation or Sociiety shall cease ta«cist as a Church.' "6. These rules may be amended at any church meeting, provided that notice of any proposed amendment has been given at the preceding church meeting, and that public notice of the intention to propose amend- ments has been given in the Call for the meeting at which they may be proposed." TherBuilding Committee reported on the 27 th April, in favour of accepting the tenders of Mr. Jam^s Worthington and Mr. George Carroll, which together amounted to $7,3 1 1 . This. being approved, the contracts were'duly executed, 'and , thereupon the pastor at once handed oyer the treasurership M ^^^ 26 t of the Building Fund to Messrs. John F. Marling and William R. Kbss, his chosen successors. His receipts, as shown by the account then rendered to the church, had beefi^^^om Canada, $2,022 34; from England, $2332 56, total, $4;3S4-9o^i expenditures, on account of lot and charges $1,016 70. In April, 1863, a change was brought about in th^j-elation of the church to the Sabbath School founded at its formation, held on its premises, and aided by its contributions, but here- tofore existing as a separate and independent organization, "With the view of bringing the Sabbath School into closer organic union with the church," the "IDeachers* Association" proposed to become the "Sabbath Schopl Committee" of the church, on the following plan, which the dhurch accepted, and which still remains in force. Messrs. W. R. Ross and T. Gray were the first representatives appointed^y the church on the committee. ^ - • r " 1. That the present members of the Association be members of the proposed Committee. . . « "II. That by virtue of his office, the Pastor of the Church shall be President of the Committee, and of the School. • "III. That the Church shall annually appoint two of its members, in addition to the Teachers, to serve on the Sabbath School Committee ; and- that the Committee shall have power to add to its number, from time to time, persons found willing to take part in the teaching of the Schood ; it being understood that persons otherwise qualified, though not members of- this Church, may be thus appointed. That the removal of naml&-icom the Committee be likewise in the power of that 'body. Provided that .all additions or removals be nptified to the Church e'very quarter. • , ' ? "IV. That the Sabbath School Committee shall decide what offices shall be established in the School, elect persons from they: own number to fill them, and manage the other affairs of the School ^ reporting to the Church at the end of the year, or oftener, if required. \. >utionS, but here- be members of the he Church shall be ■^ ■■..':..:■ ■ ■/2t;.:-: ■-:-.. ■%: "V. That funds for the support of the School shall be provided by the Church in such methods as may be agreed upon by the Church and the Committee." ' . The corner-stone of the new building was laid on the 8th ot June, 1863, by the pastor, to whom a silver trowel in the form of ^ maple-leaf was presented for thepurpose. He was supported by a number of his brother ministers, who were on their way to the Union Meeting in Montreal,-^ Revds. C. P. Watson, E. Barker, T. Pullar, W. H. AUworth, W. F. Clarke, J. Unsworth, C. Duff, R. Hay, R. Brown, J. Brown, H. %nny, and A. McGill. Some of these took part in the devotional exercises •; addresses were delivered by the pastor and Rev. W. F. Clarke. The party afterwards took lunch together at the house of Mr. J. Fraser; During his vacation in the summer of 1863, somewhat prolonged for the purpose, the pastor received some con- \ tributi6ns from churches in the United States in aid of the \ BnUding Fund. The liberality of the Clinton Avenue Con- gregational church, Brooklyn, (Rev. Dr. W. I. Budington,) which Mr. Marling ha.d more than once supplied in former vacations, deserves special record, a collection of $250 having been made there for this object. In all, the sum of $1,200, American currency, or $754 in gold, clear of expenses, was received from our friends "across the line." In view of the expected entrance upon a new building, the following rules were adopted^ October 5, on the delicate question of the occupancy of sittings therein. ti [i. That the Deacons be and are hereby empower^&d to reserve such portion of the new bdilding as they dee«i desirable for tKe accom- modation of those meAbers of the Church and congregation vrho take ' a leading part in the singing. 2. That the present occupants of pews m the old building shall be at liberty to occupy seats, if practicable, in ^7 • ■ ■. / ■- ■•;• ■ . • ■- ■ , - . ; ■ ■ • ■ ■ .' :■..'•'./:■ ■,'■-:- ■ , -■ . ■--■'" ■::■.'',/ ■ . . •■■■,-,■'>'- /■■ / ^ -if-,- ■ ■••■■'■ ^ ;.: 28 a corresponding position in the new building. 3. That should there t* two or more applicants for any of the remaining pews, the applicant who has been longest coAnected with the Church or congregation, sbtfll have the preference." [ i To complete ovjr account of this matter, we may antici- pate time a little and say, that When the choice of sittings was actually made, two months later, on this plan, a great deal of confusion and dissatisfaction resulted, large families finding themselves in small pewsVand small families in \arge pews, private exchanges only causing more difficulty, and hardly any one being thoroughly suited. There was a great pressure *upon the centre pews, whrch could have been allotted three times over. To solve tne difficulty, a cry arose from the seat holders themselyes, fomhe placing of a fixed rental on the pews, much higher in tire case of those which everybody wanted than for those in lesk demand. To this urgency the officer^ of the chvprch judge^ it wise to yield, and accordingly 'Submitted a^port to a special church meeting, called on the loth of December, and very largely attended,_pi:oposing a list of graduated prices for thkseats in various poisitioris in the church j'it being estimated tnat two- thirds of the entire amount, (allowing that one-third o( the sittings would not be occupied immediately,) with the open collections, would meet the increased expenditure now incurred. The remainder of the report, which was adopte may be quoted in full, as the matter of sdat-letting hji^ been managed from thqt time till now on the same' basis. - "It would appear at first sight that the proposed plan of renting the seats entirely dispenses with the weekly offering, but the Deacons ' strongly recommend, whatever sittings may be takegj that the renta' thereof should be paid weekly, thus continuing the principle of the weekly offering, with the renting of the seats ; should there be anj person^, however, who prefer paying quarterly, they can do so by pa} mentjn advance. For the effectual and harmonious working oft! Q< CC bt se in fo 2n .to th thi sh< the coi the sitt Sth fro adc hea car -i: : ame basis. • 29 proposed new plan, the officers would recommend, 1st, That the late occupants of seats in the old church, shall have the first choice of the corresponding seats in the new one, by paying the rate affixed thereto, but shpuld the person having such choice not require the whole of the seat, 4nd there is an applicant willing to rent the entire seat, preference in that, case shall be given to the latter, and, if more than two applicants for the whole, seat, the question shall be decided in order of.seniority 2nd. Members of the Church and congregation are earnestly requested .. to take the whole of a seat if practicable, instead of a portion only, for the two-fold reason of accommodating friends and assisting the funds of the Church. 3rd. That the renting of the seats be for one quarter, and should any occupant of a sitting be in arrears at the commencement of thesecondquartfen the Deacons shall have full power to assume the control of such sitting unless a satisfactory reason can be assigned for the mdebtedness. 4th. That the Deacons be authorized to retain such sittmgs as they may deem necessary for the accommodation of strangers. " Sth. That the new arrangements if adopted shall come into operation from 1st January, 1864. Should the foregoing recommendation be adopted by the Church, the Deacons would request the liberal and hearty co-operation of the Church anicongregation in their efforts to carry out the new arrangement." On the 3rd December, a resolution was unanimously adopted, at a church meeting, to adogt the posture of kneelmg in public prayer ; but after a partial attempt for a time, to carry it out, in the new church, resolution suc- cumbed to habit, and the sitting posture, with head bowed forward, is now almost universal. On Sabbath 6th December, 1863, the last services were dd m Richmond street, the sermons being preached by th^pastor from the texts, Deut. viii. 2, "Thou shalt Ir^tn^mber all the wa]^ which the Lord thy God hath led thee,'\and Exodus xxxii. 15, " If Thy presence go not with me, caW us not up hence." The Lord's supper was ob- sen'ed after the morning service, and a crowded and earnest prayer meeting followed that in the evening. Not wi thout ■} ■ . ^0 a parting wrench did many leave the old filace, superannuated and diminutive as it was. « ^ "• The first service in Bond street was a prayer meeting in the school room on Thursday evening the ioth» It was an earnest of^ood things to come. / ^i , Sabbath, December 13th, was the day of d^f^tion. The morning devotional services were conducted b^ the pastor. The preacher was Rev. O. E. Daggett, D.D., of Canan- daigua, N. Y., from the texts, "A place where prayer was wont to be made 3" "How dreadful is this place." In-the afternoon, ReV. Dr. Lillie opened Jh;^, service, and Rev. A. Topp preached. Dr. Daggett offici^pi .again in the evening. "The congregations were large throughout. A full prayer meeting, in which members of other churches^ led the intercessions, fitly closed the day. /--ju-- * On the following Tuesday and Wednesday, the ladies held a sale of work in the school-room, yielding over $300, , making, with their Bazaar in the Music Hall, in October, 1862, upwards of $1,000 as their contribution to the new ^ house of prayer. On Sabbath, 20th December, the opening services wer^ continued, morning, afternoon, and evening, the sermons being delivered by Rev. Dr. Burns, Rev. T. S. EUerby, and Rev. Dr. Caldicott, who were assisted by Revds. Dr. Wick- son, Dr. Jennings, and J. Porter. : . A Soiree was held on the following Tuesday evening, attended by some 300 persons, including eleven ministers of various denorninations. The pastor, in his opening remarks, stated that the entire expenditure would be fully $13,000, of which $7,000 had been paid, and $3,000 more were cal. culated on as secured, including the Richmond street property. The other speakers were Revds. J. Unsworth, E. Ebbs, W. Gregg, I. BJ Howard and W. McClure. ^lace, superannuated a prayer meeting in the ioth» It was an ' J ' • ly of d^pition. The lucted b^ the pastor. ett, D.D., of Canan- ,ce where prayer was ; this place." In-the service, and Rev. A. .again in the evening. hbtit. A full prayer ir churches^ led the ednesday, the ladies I, yielding over $300, isic Hall, in October, tribution to the new-^ Dening services wer^ ivening, the sermons :v. T. S. Ellerby, and by Revds. Dr. Wick- ig Tuesday evening, ng eleven ministers of I his opening rernarks, lid be fully $13,000, 3,000 more were cal. le Richmond street Revds. J. Unsworth, W. McClure. ^ *«"" I j'W*^^\ i^l*'' ; • J 31 ■ . ■ A Sabbath School opening soiree, the next evening at wh.ch Rev. VV. F. Clarke and Jan,e, Bayli,. Esq! o Montreal, assisted, closed this interesting and auspic ou, senesofsemces The scholars had collected over $60 fo furnishing the school room. , *"o lor „,hTr'r"'7"'-°" u '" """^ '"'■''«<=" and members of other churches m these services, was an index of the fraternal feehng which has always prevailed between tw! ' church and Its christian neighbours. • thJ!".rf n """t^"^ ^" ""' ^"'"°" '» Bond street on the oth of December, fr,m the words, (. Cor. ii. ,,) « For I determined not to know anj^thiiig among you, sa^e Tesus Chnst and Him crucified." It was notice! fha tr/cong" Cte^^ '"^^^"-'^ "'="'''■-- '''-.•■^<>.''- ^e'^New Ye"fr Vsel T7. T '" °" *^ '''' Sabbath of me wew Year, 1864, most of the people were astounded to find the sipis of fire upon their pleasant sanctuaiy ! rw^ n«^ burned down, nor burning; but witho^, broken w^f ^nd\"a/'"'""^°' ™°''^' '•"V -'"-> "-ktd I^LyS e,em:nrThe '^^^ "^ agency of the been driven ^« .Vo . '"™^ce m the basement had wfp^pirrnh^d,iTatTfirw:r^»ir^: before gaining any headway. The defacZnT^moke and water, however, was considerable, and necessiLZ,„ S:,^^?5,^^~^-o^">echurchandthe- T" 32 , The first annual meeting of the church Was held on the 12th January, 1864. Previously, reports had been presented from various departments at different periods, and appoint- ments made in the same way. By bringing in all reports, and making all appointments, at one time, it was ojpected that a larger attendance of church members would be secured, and a more complete view of the work of the church presented tb the body, and the voice of the entire membership better called ou^ in any action taken. These anticipations have been fully realized in the successive annual meetings from 1864 to 1874. At the annual election of (Jeacons, January 13, 1864, a proposal to make the retiring deacons ineligible for re-elec- tion for one year, brought forward by Messrs. Hewlett and Turner, whose term of office had just closed, was not adopted by the church, kfid they were re-elected for the next three years. Mr. Turner now. became treasurer of the (!:urrent Expens&s Fufid, in place of Mr. J. F. Marling, who .had faithfully performed the dut4esof that office for fifteen years,' ever since the formation of the church. The church was re-opened, after the repair of the damages by fire, on Sabbath, February 14, 1864. Revs. I. B. Howard and J. M. King preached in the morning and evening. In the afternoon the pastor preached a special sermon on the* occasion of the death of the late Mr. Charles R.Christie. - In the month of April, the oratorio " Esther" was per- "* formed, on behalf of the Building Fund* by a select choir' from various churches, under the leadership of Mrs., Thomas C. Fletcher, the organist of the church. The performance was successful in a musical point of view, and yielded $i75- The thanks of the church were voted to the musicians who rendered their valuable aid. ~^ ■\ :, -•.,«■ IS held on the been presented s, and appoint- 5 in all reports, it was CJfpected . )ers would be le work of the ice of the entire taken. These the successive ary 12, 1864, a jible for re-elec- rs. Hewlett and dosed, was not ^-elected for the treasurer of the ?. Marling, who office for fifteen 1. repair of the ^, 1864. Revs. :he morning and ached a special late Mr. Charles sther " was per- Y a select choir of Mrs., Thomas , he performance id yielded $175. ; musicians who In June the church property in Richmond street was sold to Mr. Daniel McMichael, Q.C for $1 ««« uua I let for a nhnrt tlm« • ^ ' *?»<»oo- It had been ici lor a snort time, smce oar removal f^r ^ »«.•»«• a'ltifxt^ r.f tu /-.L , *cinovai, lor a mission conirre- was rented, as it still is, to the conereKation of th. " r.,i, v and Apostolic Church" (/,t,«^,4 ° ° *'' ^''*°"^ On the 17th September, i social meeting washeMliT ' "' '^='- r- H. MarlinK, who reviewcH th.' progress made in that period. 9° reviewed e Brick PresC ™"etLswe«keS fT' '""^ "■<= P'^^"- S<'^i'' rXTon w/ ^' congregation on Tuesday, and elsewhere, with much success, in collecting the gifts of his woit-^rrxt^-''.-- *^ -' Of /"c^d'^f • ^ cvoience at the beginning, of the year, on which pUtes, at s;t*;e^rto 7thr ear"' Z '"c Tt tio^wV th! K ' "'r "^ '""^ "^'-^fbed in connec- , POrton n.^ '""i "' *' Wropriation ofa fixed pro- porupn of mcome to benevolent uses. The plan was tri^ •nn this church in the vear ,XA, u . ./"^ P'*"-*''^ 'n«t invit. .1,. .• ^ ., "°5. but Its success did not invite the continuance of it • " ""' oapDath school and the PcQir»^^„ /^ •.. : — .•s the Psalmody Committee. ■\' 4V ,*• ■ . . ' ■ — A At the annual meeting January 24, 1865, Messrs. John F. Marling and, W. R. Ross retiring in course from the diaconate, Messrs. H. P. Dwight and T. Gray were elected to sucg^eed them. The commencement of the "Central Mission Sabbath School " is recorded in the- minutes of a church meeting held March ,30, 1865, as follows :— "Mr. J. J. Woodhouse stated the proceedings of a committee appointed at a meeting of friends connected with the church, mterested in the establishment of a mission school ; two neighbourhoods having been canvassed, one to the south-east and another to the north-west of the church, in both of which there was room for a school, and in one if not iiLboth, suitable accomnjodation was also offered at a low cost. It was further stated that one friend had promised $10 for this object, and angther had guaranteed $20 for the present year. The following resolution was adopted :— "That this Church hears with pleasure of the effort, of some of its membars to estabUsh a Mission School, and assures those who are striving to promote this hew enterprise that they will have the sym- pathy and prayers of the Church for their success and prosperity." ■>'•, '■■■-■*■' ■ ~ T^ north-west'tieighbourhood was finally chosen, and iecommodation was found for the Mission School, at first,, in some rooms occupied durii^g the week by the City School Trustees, on Centre street. Mr. Woodhouse has superin- tended the school from its foundation. ; A reference to its progress will be found on a later page. " "* On the 4th of May, Mr. Hewlett was appointed Treasurer of the Building Fund, in place of Mr. William R. Ross, who had gone to England, and Mr. John F. Marling, who soon expected to follow him. In the latter case, the expectation was sadly disappointed by the sudden/developiraent of a \^ Messrs. John lurse from the Y were elected ssion Sabbath tiurch meeting ceedings of a ids connected :nt of a mission ivassed, one to of the church, ol, and in one Iso offered at a 1 had promised ;ed $20 for the adopted :— ffort, of some of its res those who are ill have the sym- [ prosperity."' ly chosen, and School, at first,, the City School ise has superin- reference to its >inted Treasurer ra R. Ross, who rling, who soon the expectation jvelopraent of a ■ ) ' " * ■ . ■ v^ rV it i. 39 disease which cost him the loss of a foov and prevented his reappearance m the church untU his death, in' NovS£ 'In June, .865, this church had the pleasure once more of enterteimng the Congregational Union of Canada the session being rendered one of special importanceby the presence of Rev. Geoige Smith, D,.D., Secreta^ of th Congregat»„al Union of England and Wales, and RevJ L*^r'' ^''*^ "^ *^ Colonial MissioMty S' - ^be^ offioa^ly delegated by those bodies to';hrc2: ^ioo, the loan to bear no interest for three yjears, but to be chargeable with 6 per cent, for two yeare after- wards. By this means, all other burdens were removed, and floating debts consolidated.' The aid was gratefully received by the church, and it xifty be here added that at the end of the first year were repaid ;^i25, of the second ;^75, and of the third, the whole balance, ;^i5o. The ultimate cost of the churcjh property complete, — -site, building, furnishing and organ,— was very neiarly $14,000; of which the church and congregation furnished $7,647, the sale of th|^ld property, (with interest) $1,888, in all, $9,535, nearly double the amount pledged -in 1861. From other friends iii Toronto were received $738, from Montreal $283, \ ," ■ ■ ' fi'i^'. I ■,j::'-:SJf^^.,. .,,, V Iressed a Social I, a special vote Esq., then in Fund, who had . of the building, St for two years the principal; the debt ! in reference to nt of a special It to leave it in ^e still in force, iring in course, rom Samuel S. ley Park, Glou- ed by mortgage 1 annual instal- for three years, ;wo yeare after- were removed, I was gratefully i added that at , of the second 3150- complete,— site, lekrly $14,000; hed $7,647, the B, in aU, $9,535, [. From other Montreal $283, 37; :,-:; ■:..:■■' ■■.- ;■■■ ■ total from Canada $1,021; from England, "nett, $2,655; -and from the United States $754. ■ Be^des this original outlay, $2,500 obtained by loan were €xpedded m improvements in 1870, as described under that date. , . The Anniversary Sermons were preached in 1866 De* member 13, by the pastor in the morning, and Rev G W Heacock, D.D., of Buffalo, in the afternoon and evening! followed by a Social Meeting on Monday. -: At a church meeting held on the 3rd of January, 1867, the arrangement of the Diaconate came up for considera- tion, m anticipation of the annual meeting. The church had probably become^weary of the frequent elections, and the changes and uncertainties thence resulting, which also unfavourably affected the minds of those who held the office At the same time, the growth of the church, and the want of leisure on the part of the members of the diaconate. seemed to call for further assistance. It was therefore pro- posed to increase the number of deacons from six to eight or ten: the Miter number was selected. It was also pr6- posed to abolish the limitation of the period of service "io three years, adopted in January, 1865, but the church fiked It at four years. The annual retirement of part of the body being no longer required, the whole number would be elected and retire simultaneously. To facilitate -the adoption of •these changes, the incumbents for the time beirfg all resigned their offices. ^ At the Annual Meeting, on the ' 9th of January, 18^7, there were elected to the Deacons' office, under the new Tule, Messrs. W. Anderson, H. P. Dwight, J. E.. Ellis, J Farquhar, J. Fraser, T. Gray, H. Hewlett, E. Perry, J. Turner and J. J. Woodh9use. Of these, Messrs. Anderson, -,H- B Dwight^and Perry declined to serve, and their places were filled by Messrs. J. J. Tolfree, J. W. Wey and J. Villiers.r " ' On the same occasion, a present of $ioo was made 'to the pastor, and hissalary was raised to $1,200. In the fall of 1867, the Pastor's Bible Class, which had ' been diiscontxnued for -some years, was resumed with a good attendance, kept up to t;he present time, r The Anniversary Services for 1867 were held on the i5th^ of DecemTDer; , Morning preacher, Rev. Prof. Gaven ; after- noon,. Rev. W.\Stephenson ; evening, the Pastor. /ft the beginning of 1868, the Northerh Congregational Church was organized by former members of Zion Church, their house of worship dedicated, and their pastoi;— Rev, Richard T. Xhomas— ordained. ' At the next Annual Meeting, January 9, 1868, Mfc Tur" ner resigned his office as Deacon, from which he waS* reluctantly relieved on the 30th. The Mission School being reported as no longer able tp use .the rooms on Centre Street, a Committee was appointed to consider the question , of a Mission School Builjiing/ Their report, on the 30th, . was, that in the present state of the Building Fund, ' they did not see their way clear to enter on this new undertaking, The School, was* accbmmociated in the Mission Building on Elizabeth Street, at a rental. On the 3rd Pecertber, ano- ' ther Committee was appointed on the same subject, reported * 6^ the 30th to the s>.me effect as the preileding one. In June, 1868, the pastor resigned the editorship of the " Canadian Independent," which he had held (for the seconB time) during the past,three.yeaft.^ * • ^ ^ ^'> »;. ^ , The hour of holding the Thursday evening praydr-meetirig was changed, in July,, from 7.30 p.m. to 8, at first, duHng' the hot -weather only ; but the change being" found accepta- ble, was -made peHnanent. • ' V -v .». r places were I J. Villiers.1 ' was made 'to ss, which had d with a good d on the i5th'_ Gaven ; after- tor. 'ongregational Zion Church, pastoi; — -Rev.* 568, MfcTur- hich he waS* School being •, ns on Centre r the question > on the 30th, g Fund, they f undertaking, n Building on jcertber, ano- " )ject, reported g one. itorship of the fortheseconB ■■■' »ray6r-ftieetirig .t first, duHng ' bund accepta- In October, 1868, the first Convention of the Young Men^s Christian Associations of Ontario and Quebec was held" in this church, the evening services being in Knox and Richmond Street W. M. churches. Rev. Dr. R'. F. Burns and Mr. D. L. Moody of Chicago took part in the services. The Anniversary. Services, this year, were held'as early as the 22nd of November. Rev. Dr. Ormiston was the preacher, both morning and evening, to crowded eongregations. A| the end of the year, Messrs. Hewlett and Fraser declined reflection's Deacons. Mr. Gray had retired in October. Whereupon, « with the conviction that the last arrangement for the q/fice, made two years ago, was not satisfactory, the number (10) being excessive, the remaining , six Deacons placed their offices at the disposal of the church, in order that it might be entirely free to deal w;ith the whole question. • . :V A.t the next Annual Meeting, January 13, 1869, it was agreed to reduce the number of th^ diaconate to six, the term of sefrvice' to remain at four years still. A majority of two-thirds of the votes cast was made necessary to a choice. There were 69 votes given- and the choice of the church fell, on Messrs. J.. Turner, J. J. Tolfree, J.' J. Woodhouse, J. Farquhar, J. Foggin and J. W. \Vey, who all accepted the position. ■ * ' . At a church meeting held on the 1 1 th of February, 1869, a proposal from the Pastor and Deacons to invite a Confer^"^ ence of the otecerjiof the thtee Congregational churcires in Toroiito, in order that they might ^' more regularljr consult and ^ct together for the common goo'd/J was^julnanimously approved. ' Such Conference was accordingly held on thcL i6t^Qf April, was well attended, and rented in the ap-" poiijtment of united Communioh Service's thrice a-year, and ^y". VO '« ■;*i- i / 40 ■1 1 h ^ in the recommendation of . collective ijieetings of all' the- Congregational Sabbath School Teachers in the city. . The first Communion Service was held in Zion ChurdK on Wed- nesday evening, May 1 2th ; the second in Bond Street, on tl)e 2ist October; the third in the Northern CKurch, in Fiebruary. -At the same meeting, the Pastor's salary was again advanced, being^made $1,500. In March following, the lay-6vangelists, Messrs^ Douglas Russell and G. C. Needham, whose labors^had been much blessed in Gait, London, Embro, and' elsewhere, held special services in this and other churches in Toronto. Good was ddne, but no general awakening; alas ! tookplacCj In July of this year, the church enjoyed a Sabbath visit from Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler, D.D , of Brooklyn, whose pulpit the pastor supplied in July 1868, and again in 1869. This summer visit was in lieu of expected anniversary ser- mons the preceding winter. Gn Monday, i8th October, 1869, Ref. Drj^Lil^, Princi- pal of the Conigregational College of Montreal, died in Montreal, after a very short illness, immediately after t]jJt opening of the College session. His remains were brought td Toronto, and the funeral services were held . inMhis chifl-ch on the following Thursday, at 3 p.m. The follow- ing ministers took part : Revs. J. G. Manly/ Dr. A. Wick- son, J'. Porter, T. Baker; (who gave the address). Professor Cornish, R. T. Thomas, and F. H. Marling. A funeral dis- course was also preached by the pastor on Sabbath evening, October 31, from the words, " My father ! my father !i the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof I" The Anniversary Services for 1869 wei'e deferred till March 13, 1870, when Rev. A. Ballard, D.D., of Detroit, jjreached at both services, remaining also to a Social Meeting. V-' .\ .A- igs of air the the city. . The lurdK on Wed- Dnd Street, on m CKurch, in >r's salary was sssrSj Douglas id been much sewhere, held i in Toronto, s ! took placej L Sabbath visit joklyn, whose igain in 1869. miversary ser- ^ Liljfe; Princi- xeal, died in Ltely after t]jJt were brought held . inMhis The follow- Dr. A. Wick- iss), Professor A funeral dis- )bath' evening, y father !i the deferred till )., of Detroit, to a Social \ itr \ ■ .' :\ ....-..■■>• :' 41 ^ : »;■.. ■■ ■ ^ At the al|bual meeting, Januapy i8th, 1870, it was re- ported; that the last iM^ment (;^i5o) of the loan fronl Mr. S. S. Marling, had b«n paid during, the year. Mr. John p. Ellis was elected a Trustee of the church property, in place of Mr. John F. Marling, deceased. The proposal was also ' approved to publish "a small Manual, Year Book or Direo, • tory,containing information needed by members ohhe church ' and con^egation, the annual reports, list of members, &c;S A Handbook, with official Appointments, church arran^ev ments, and abstract of reports, was accordingly published in 1870 ; a Directory, with officiiJ'^tppointments and members' names and addresses, ih each of the years 1871, 1872, and 1873 ; and a Directory and Handbook together, in 1874" These have been found exceedingly useful for reference." Cards, or leaflets, of .iiivitation,. for the information of strangers, have been issued from time to time. On the same occasion, a proposal was mooted to effec c^ttam improvements in the cjiurch and\^choo!-room.' Al Committee, appointed on this question, ]^rcfi 3, reportld on the 2ist April, in favor of removing the^allery further back, painting the walls and ceiling in oU colors, /and. ^ putting u^ swlights .in the church; also of painting the school-room, and improving the lighting a^d heatijig/there. Estimated cost $1500, which they recommended /to be- borrowed on mortgage. This; report was unan/mously - adopted, and the works at once put in hand. Ere Xhef' were completed, however,, other repairs^-and imp^vement^ wpre found necessary, to the extent of another !^ 000, which was added to the mdrtgage. During the niaking of the improvements, the 3abbath Services were held in the school, joom..-." ■■- ♦ ■•■; ' , /■-■:■•- .■ ., ■' ,i/ ■ ^ • ■:^. v..r ■■'.■; 'a ;rhe church was rcropened on Sabb^ June 12th, when^ ^ir-'v . #fj-2 « >Sj^-™-- 42 / *t\ Rev. Edward Beecher, D.D., of Galesburg, Illinois, and Rev. H. D. Powis, of Quebec, were the morning and evening preachers. They had come to Toronto to attend the Con- gregational Union rpeeting, then in session in Zion church. •The Sabbath evening Communion service was held in Bond Street. - — > In October, 1870, Rev. Dr. M&llens, Rfev. Henry Allon and Henry Wright, Esq., came to Canada and the United States, as delegates from the London Missionary Society. They spent Sajw^th, October 1 6th, with the three churches in TorontOy^Mr. Allon preached in the evening in Bond Street. After the service, a United Communion Servicd was held. On Monday evening, he lectured in the North- ern Church, on " Psalmody." On Tuesday evening. Dr. Mullens lectured in Bond Street, on ".Missions in India," after which Mr. Wright read a very interesting letter from a native Christian in Madagascar. ' 7 ^ , . The Anniversary season was observed again at the proper time (December 11) in 1870, when we were once m6re favoured with a visit from Rev. Dr. Shaw of Rochester, who also, with Rev. W. M. Punshon, addressed a public meeting on^the Tuesday evening. Theresas a large attendance at this meeting, at whicji, no fefr^ments being . provided, a collection was substituted for/nckets of admission. At the end of 1870, Messrs. Farquhar and Foggin with- drew -from the Diacpnate, aki Messrs. Thomas J* Wilkie and James McDunnough weres^hosen in their stead. On meeting together, however, theSiej^ly-consti'tuted body deemed it their duty tobphg the subject of the office oiice more before the church. They proposed the abolition of the limitation of the term of service to four years, " as more consonant with the usages of our churches, and removing a "^^r-^ *'\- '*«.jj .^pted, and H^e resignations tendered by the whole diaconate bein3accq)teu, the results of the new election were reported to^tht church, at its meetmg, February 2nd, 187 1, the brethr^i chosen being Messrs. J. Fraser, J. J. Tolfree, J. Turnei; J. W. Wey, T. J. Wilkie and J. J. Woodhouse, _, The following rule was adopted by the- church, Wy 4, 1871 :— ' ^ " This churchi cordially welcoming to* its communion those %ho in early years give evidence of faith in Christ, considers that they Wht - not to be charged with all the responsibilities of membership uku a more mature age, and will therefore regard the power of voting asW- pended until they have attained to eighteen years of age." I During this summer, a proposal was made to engag^W " "Church and School Visitor," but the plan was ngt carried > into effect. ' y'' The Anniversary Services, in 1871, were held on the'24th ^ December,. Rev. W. M. Punshon, LL.D., and Rev. Heniy Wilkes, D.D., being the preachers. At the first meeting of the church in 1872, January 4, it was decided to adopt a proposal made itwice previously without success, to change the night of the weekly prayer meeting fi-om Thursday to Wednesday. " / , f During the Annual Meeting, on the 1 8th of the same month, a plan was brought forw a rd for the more thorough _ ..v-''-.^ ■t-- ■**■■ organization of the members of the church for christian vrork. A schedule was drawn up containing a list of the several departments into which such work mightJ)e divided, and on this each member was requested to mark the departments in- which he or she would engage, ketums were received from 120 out of 200 members. Leaders were appointed to each department. Some increase of work undoubtedly resulted from this appeal, but the results were not commensurate with the expectations cherished. The "Christian Literature Committee" dates from this * penod, and has done good service in the circulation of tracts and periodicals. '* " i In July, 1872, the hour of evening service was changed to i o'clock, from half-past 6. - 1 A united Thanksgiving sfervice was held by the three Congregational churches in Bond street, on the day ap- pointed by proclamation, November 1 4, 18^, A collection was taken up for the Pastors' Retiring Fund. Tl^e pastor's sermoi on the occasion, *4X^anada's Goodly Heritage," was printed, by subscription, as a supplement to the " Canadian Independent," and separately. In the evening, a^ very suc- cessful social meeting was held yi behalf of the Sabbath SchooK ^ * - " , On the 0th of February, 1873, *Rev. Dr. Punshoii once more favoured us with an anniverspy sermon. Rev. A. H. Munro preaching in the evening. On Dr. Punshon's re- turn to England, in May of this year, an album containing photogrq)hic views of Cs^nadian Scenery, was presented to him, with a parting address, in acknowledgement of his ' repeated services, so kindly rendered, to this church. In March, the ladies of Bond Street contributed work and money to the amount of $400, to the Bazaar then held ■--'tW"- ., : :1: \ 9i- ch for christian ing a list of the lightije divided, i to mark the igage. ketums nbers. Leaders me increase of , but the results tions cherished, ates from thiis :ulatjon of tracts -■■ .| e was changed d by the three on the day ap- j. A collection 1. TUe pastor's Heritage," was the "Canadian ling, a^very suc- of the Sabbath . Punshoii once Dn, Rev. A. H. . Punshon's re- Dum containing as presented to Igement of his s church. — --- )ntributed work lazaar then held 4ft for tha fiihiishing of the Young Men's Christian Association Buildmg, "Shaftesbury Hall." A few months later, a few of them collected $130 fo/fitting up the boar4ing-house of the Young Womeh's Christian Association. At a special meeting of the church, April 16 1873 a sixth voluntary addition was made to the'pastor's sala^ this being increased to $1,800. At the same^me he was recmested to resign the editorship of the " cS^ian Independent," which he hzid resumed in 1871. The church also proposed to the proprietors of the " Independent " the sale of quantities of the Magazine at reduced rates to churches buying by "wholesale," an^ the allowaflfce of the addition pf loafl supplements, these suggestions being acceded to, the church o^ered 100 copies of the magazine ' and issued "Bond Street Supplements " with the numbers ' for May, June, and October, 1873, and January and February 1874. ' . ' . ^^^In July, this year, Mr. J, J. Woodhouse complied withf the request of the pastor and deacons, to take charge of* *' the service of song in the house of the Lord."' Arrange^ ments were made in September, for a weekly congregational practice-meeting, after the Wednesday eTening lervice. This was not, however, attended as it should have beeil. " ■ \ During the latter part of this summer, the church had the benefit of the services of a number of English ministers, wha had come to attend the Conference of the fifvangelical Alliance at New Yorkf viz : on August 31, Rev. W. {Tyler • September 14, Rev. Dr. Stoughton, Rev. J. G. Harrisolr; zist^ R6v. W. H. S. AubrerBricHtev. J. Edkins;(Pekin, Chiiia) : .. October 26,. Rev. Newmafe#alL • v,The i§t of Octoberjrought the inauguration of the " Benevolent Fund,", formed by monthly subscriptions, o ut * .;- r^ Vj ^ . ■■, ''^ 46 < :■ . 1^;' V w ■ of which the ^various denominational societies, as well as the Sunday Schools, were sought to be aided in a systematic way. The plan contemplated having every member of the congregation waited on by a gentleman-canvasser, for promise of subscription, and evety month afteinvards by a lady-collector for payment of the sam^. The previous sys-, tcin, g( personal appeals for each case, had not satisfactorily —^developed the liberality -of the people. The success of the new plan, thus far, which is greatly owing to Mr. Fraser, has been very marked, the subscriptions amounting to over$i,oco a year, a sum far in advance of previous contributions. ;^Pn the 29th OctobfT, the chuifib was deprived of the assistance of Mr. John Tunlery for several y«ar€ deacon and /treasurer, by his withdrawal Ijom the church. A vote of thanks was passed rto him for his senices, at the annual "meeting, January 15, 1874. At the beginning of 1874, the i^ue of a Card Certificate of Membership, with rulw penainim thereto, was com- menced, by vote of the church. ' "' The Amiiversary services were deferred from December, \4 1873, the proper season, to February 15, 1874, when Rev. -Johnl Potts and Professcar W. McLaren occupied the pulpit. The reports presented at the Annual Meeting were published, in a condensed form, in a " Bond street . ment " to the " Canadian Independent-" for Februa ^ On Thursday evening, April 2nd, the Teachersjjf the TBond Street and Elizabeth Street Sabbath Schools united in entertaining those of the other Congregational Schools in the city. Over a hundred were present, and , addresses were delivered by th# Pastors, Superintendents, and otiiers. ;A united excursion to Niagara Falls in the summer has be- come a yearly oistom since 1872. i X. 47 •■ ; ■ The completion of the first quarter-century of the church'i existence, which would take pbce on Sabbath, the 19th of April, 1874, was agreed to be observed by special sermons . on that day, which Rev. K. M. l^enwick, of Kingston, (for whom the Pastor performed a similar service on the 8th of March,) was asked to preach, and a social meeting on the following Tuesday evening, to be addressed also by other»_ ^f his fellow-students and city pastors. It was also requested that the pastor prepare, ready for issue at that time, a Memo- rial Volume, containing the history of the church for the five-and-twenty years. ^ i, iu^': ^'°?''' accordii^ly preached on the appointed SabbatlJI t^e r3S":i^^»** *!r^ "^^^'"^''^ "•• '5' "The Church^ the ving acx}, the piUar and ground of the truth" ; and 2nd Cor v to. ; ;We ve amb^■:, o, .J r^s^on^f'Le^cl^rKe'^tlJrs^"^^^^^^^ '\rWoo?hot1'^lined^pe™^^^^^^ tni^ariyjn formerly filling the ^me ^m j^^^j^j, essed un- Serson w?s called to the vacant place, and gave the Trhrtn^^he Wfit of his well-kno>i(m e^^^ IhUi^ m Tune 1870 On his retirement, Mr. Joseph Robin- ^earSmge't^'^hot wLH"^^^^ ' ^ K irnSv the average attendance of scholars bemg • r'tir TLugh^ th^ whole period of its e=ast»ce, A. cVwi has been served by many teachers of emment tSh^^sl ta whUe of Lurse Ae^hc.^^^^^^^ portion of the irregular and neghgent. Too often Uieren^ bSn found great difficulty in securing a sufficient supply ol ' ' '"iZs have been provided in various ways : the teachers ■^-^r.-'iit' .J. Joseph ichool, and many years, 5 there was by diligent ilness, and IS "treats" iscientiously without Ewy/ Lssociation '/ il, 1863, ibfe mmittee" of till early in trd Kimball, -non church, possessed un- noval, in the sen Superin- ire from the l^r. William ind gave the nd executive oseph Robin- itendent, con- fer nearly two . Millard was been retained .time, to the V in^-st^e of scholars being f its existence; ers of eminent as been a pro- Dften there has nent supply of ; : the teachers themselves haviiig always been liberal, as usual ; the church giving 3Xi annual collection or subscription in most years, but not of sufficient amount ; social meetings, lect]iires, and other entertainments being sometimes necessary to make both ends meet. But in 1874, the church has wisely assumed the entire buhien of the cost of the school, through its " Be- nevolent Fund." The scholars h^ve been called on to con- tribute to a fuiid of their own every Sunday, from which grants are voted each quarter, on recommendation of the teachers. Nearly the whole amount so raised is devoted to external objects. This collection has seldom been less than $1 per Sunday; it is now between _ $2 ^d $3. For several years past, the school has had its summer Pic-nic and winter Festival. At the laiter, prizes have been, dis- tributed for regular attendance. , Since 1863, the Pastor has been ex-cffido President of the school. He meets with the teachers, and co-operates with them in various ways. At least once a month, he visits and addresses the school. -. /» Scarcely a year has elapsed, but several of the scholars have become, members of the church. © . • ;■-..■ ::-"'^ . THE MISSION SCHOOL. It has already been noted that, in 1865, a Mission School was opened by Mr. J. J. Wo^house and others, in St. John's Ward. This was carried on at first in Centre street, latterly m Elizabeth street. The average attendance of Scholars has varied from 50 to nearly 100. The School is now in a cheering condition, and its c^ductors are working together with great harmony. The lirst Superin- tendent still retains his office, in which he labors with un- tiring zeal. The expenses of the school are increased by its having to meet in a "hired house." They have been met chiefly by the teachers, with some liberal aid from other friends. In 1874 this school also was placed on flie "Benevolent Fund," for its entire support. The Scholars have always contributed to a Mission Fund. OTHER SUNDAY SCHOOLS. The morning Union School, in Brock street Temperance "i N '-»- -j:*^> Hall h«8 been supplied for many years wiA a SupeH»teca- « in ori^nating the YorkviUe Congregational School, tSo, wUch have done so much to promote thecause of Steth Schools in the x;Uy and the Provmce. ^ ^ pastor's bible class. Mention has been already made oU Pi?'°l»^^jP^,'^ tI^/:5:rTn XMr^^l^linr-TthTSr mJ^. Class in^tSe School, buring h^ long ab^« » *»V vear and 1863, this work was necessarily suspended. '^Tn "sej the class was reorganised, or rather, a newfi>s^ wasfo^ed, at the beginni^ °f Sepjember, meetn^s^on Monday evenings at 8 .o'clock, open to^bofh sexes ^out :*n1'wls entitled, "Forty Eyenin^„ "J* *^/|°^^r- V r^o«i '» onA at the end of this session also, at a social gauici / St^I^s&Cse, another present of plate w^^ 'oily ma4e. In '»'-'\^;^tiSlmrDa^ a„d*1 T^Jlot her husband, which was followed «P the n?^' • ?Srbv a present to Mm of a companion-picture of tow*. ■ Sn|4r first three months of the next session^ Septem- :-. b« to December, .87., twelve e««'"^.!'f|,S's° mn, Truth as it is in Jesus," all bearing on the Saviour's person. W^" apermtetfid- lof its mem- School, and ro members e Northern mal School, Bond Street of the most nada and of Xht cause of s Bible Class as continued k the Senior ^ sence in that :nded. ^ r, a new class meeting on sexes without irews was the ting with the up in that of 5 held a social ervite to their 70, the list of I 1 the Apostle y a social gather- • late was gener- re three series David, and the Isomely framed ;d up the next ture of his wife, ission, Septem- given on "The avioufs person, 61 ■/ - character, offices and work ; and at the beginning of 1872, the diass entered on the study of the International Series of Uniform Lessons, taking up each Monday the passage chosen for the following Sunday, with a view of preparing Teachers and Scholars for tl\eir meeting in the School. The course for 1872 was divided into four quarterly sets pf le$sons. on "Jesus after the Ascension," "Elisha and Israel,'^- "Studies in the Epistles," and "Daniel and his times." That for 1873 was th6 first year of a course of. Study, intended to cover seven years, selected by a "" l^ommittee appointed by the IJ. S. National Con-- iSunday School Teachers, on which two Canadian repi-eS^mtives sat with ten Americans. Six. months were givfen to Genesis, and six months to, the Gospel of Matthew. In 1874, the first half of the year is given to Exodus, and the second to Mark's Gospel. During the past two sessiotis, members of the class have been asked to prepare papers on the lesson of the evening, once a month, in lieu of teaching by the Pastor, a plan which has developed a most gratifying amount of Scriptural knowledge and ability in composition. The attendance throughout the last seyen years has been, each session, nearly uniform, about 40 dn the average. Fiilly twice that number of names, however, have been given in for record on the Class-list. The Class has provided itself with Maps, Blackbo^d, &c' ■ ' ' To the Pastor this haS always been one of his most plea sant engagements. - „^ , DORCAS' SOCIETY. ' ' '■ The earliest efforts in the direction of clothing the poor were made in connectibn with the Sabbath School, into which there were special pains taken to gather in the neg- lected class of children! What was done 'to provide for them, was done by individuals, without any "society" machinery. In' after years, it cannot now be stated at what exact time, there was more of organization in the work, and some other uses* o^ needlework were included. For instance, a Bazaar in favour of the Toronto City Mission, during Mr. Geikie's pastorate, enlisted much interest and activity. At _w:^?!:-, 9 i r-. ^•r . 62' .^ the enlatgement of the chureh^^in 1858,' we fin^ the "sale of ladies' work" credited with the contribution of $73. The Bazaars on behalf of the new building In Bond Street have been noticed already, and that fpr Shg/tesbujy Hall. Be- ■ tween these spasmodic efforts, there has generally been something going on in, the "-Dorcas" way proper, from $30 to $50 a-year being spent in. the purchase of material. It must be4cQiifessed, howevfer, that such operations have somewhat languishe available for he hospitality 11 three titties • "Canadian Iii- e, 1858, from 871, to June, 1855**0 June, College, then ' he latter year, ational. Union it of time given al services, and 11 quarters, has 1/ \ 63 J|^ ^^[P " ' ' ■ . ■ ** ' . been vei^ considerable, sometimes evoking boftiplaint from > .a people not lacking in public spirit. Aid has been givcSn ^ in, the erection pr improvement ofchurch-buiWings throUgh- out"Ontafio, and hardly any worthy " case," eveh in haj^i - times, has been sent emj)ty away. # v Our storyl has now been . told. Brief and 'bald as our / limits have, compelled it to be, and^ dealing in^inly with ex- * ternal incidents, how many of these,, even, are unrecorded still ! The internal history, the gr&wth or- jiediiie 'of spiritual life, thede^ee of true worship ^ffideani^t .work, or of formality and, indolenc^ it is aot for.humah eyes to see or a hump.n hand to \mpd with .ful^iess and imparl^ty. - Vet ^Aat is writt^ too ; andiby and by, :*Hhe bppk* will ,be ppened.!""' ■■■■■. -?, •/.^: ■;'"-, ;r-::" !%.:r. ^yA^^' -^ . ; €k)d ^^Jthanked for the proj^eiss evidently made, and the position now qcpupiedj -jihe^ figures in. the, nexl two pages- tell their QW|]r story, to those, w6o read thejn attt^trvely. ' TJb^ sittings in the chur<;h are nowjiearly alll^^n*up, sind a l^ger bpilding is wanted.^ ^ere have been tay few breaches i|n.one peace;" rare occasions for the exercise of . discipline. But" the Apostle's words may -well be ours on • this occasion :-^ " ' " *• » - .v \ "^Brethren, I count not m^^setf to have, apprthendeil; but this pne tiding I do, forgetting those jthings which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I- pr^s toward the mark for the prize ofthe high coping of God in Christ Jesus." ;„ . "VVnieri another quarter-century shall have passed, and the , ''Year of Jubilee" have arrived, may a better recdrd claim to be written, by whatsoever hand J ->\ 64 ■f' J, STATISTICS OF IS^EMBERSHIP, i849-i8!r4. year«nding in ApriL Received. Removed. ' * 1850 1851 185a 1853 1854 1856 1857 1858 1859 i860 1861 1862 1863 1864 . 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 " 1872 1873 1874 Total . * 47 II 10 16 2 20 4» 17 22 27 18 19 9 4 8 16 29 20 27 J9 27 41 31 28 27 , REMAINING. Males. 536 ? 15 7 25 5 2 «4 19 ■I 16 16 19 12 13 II 8 16 25 14 15 II 21 23 24 FenudesT 15 25 43 42 48. 53 54 57 47 42 39 38 45 49 59 60 62 22 39 Total. _/«^p Roll April,i874. 310 75 81 81 83 2b 25 46 56 '63 72 72 P 65 64 68 82 87 96 9? 98 112 122 139 143 45 54 5 o b; 35 92 104 116 126 129 122 107. 103 iq6 127 136 158 160 187 203 220 226 t 7 6 3 -5.. I I -a 8 10 8 17 12 24 30 22 26 25 226 ^. In the above tabular statement of the Membership of the church | duxSig rtie^ter -century, it will be observed that,^^|^n<^| C^tV 1854-1861, thereVfollowed one of decline, 1862-1865. This, wTthe time of chunh-buUdi ng, and of p astoral absence. In the lack of full materials (or a similar table of contributions durj ine thfe period, the following brief summary of such figures as cbuld bt gleaned from the records may be of interest. Dividing the 25 yca.|s into periods of 5 years, the amounts raised were a%.follows : .. / ^.^ r- \i -]:;■,.'■'.: ? ■k i8!r4- _/«^p Roll April,i874. lip of the church i , aftefr a period of! [862-1865. This; nee. contributions dur igures as cbuld bi iding the 25 yca^s allows : * '• 65 I. /For Church objects— ■ Current Expenses. Sabbath Schools. Poor Fund. Church Property. ^ , . ,jj49^l854— $3362 1387 Defective. Defective. i8<4— i&59— 3724 «8S ' do. 1859 1864 OX42 ) .... do. f 864-i^ I869-- 907? i 14.000 1869— 1874— , I3,<8i9 i •••. 17,372 7»3' 141 3 dcr, 230 313 594 Dorcal. Defective, do, do. 1S4 206 Total.... $35, 526 Less by 8{ile.. '.....- .^ .- tf$l5.393 »r|For Dienominational objIcU. - ^ -^ „ . _ _ - Home Mis. College, ft-ov. Fund. Union. Ch. Build. 1880^ Fbr. Mts. . . Ind. Mis. / 1849— a54— 3 years | Defective, .y* .Deflective. Very partial returns / 1854—1859—284 V " l^° •••• ^' ..,.iy. i 1859— 1 864^ 273 174 y^ 49 . .-•*.•...••>-••••« 1^864—1869-* 514 308 107 9«. •• • 'V. . • . . . 4 . ..... ,869—1874—1173- 688 216 17$ ...-........|^. 3. ^or General Religious Objects^Bibldpnd Tract Societies, French Canadian Missions, Young Men's andYouflig Women's Christian Asso. ciatibns.. City Charities, &c. , &c. (Figures not to be ascertained. ) * Partial returns. '., •> ' MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, : WHO HAVE BEEN MEMBERS OF THIS CHWCH, ^ Kw. A. GEiKiE. :\P^, >,'' ^1*9^1853. (Deceased.) «♦ Pi Shanks, Student, Cong. Coll., 1852-1854. (Deceased.) " F. H: Marling, Pastor^ - " V. 1854- , ' ^ 'A ^ - Robert Hay, Student, Cong. Cpll. , ifS^ifSgi |f ^'.^^i^^*- J. V. Bryning, M,p.,^do. , do. • 1856-1863. Physjcislfi, »• JoHii Brown, - •' Robert BroWn, •'^Benjamin W. Day,' ♦* |:harles Duff, ; «• J. G. SANDERSok, •• Richard Lewis, <( James Douglas, Enoch Barker, do." do. do. do. do. do< do. do. do. '* ■ • do. doi do. dos [A'^hiSon, Kansas. 1858-1862. Past. Lanark 1 858-1862. do. Middle- S Iville. i8s8-i86ii do. Stouff- ,• - [ville. 1858-1862. do. Liver- [pqol, >J.S. i859r-i864. itJo. Otta\Va. ,1859-1863. Late Pastor, J [Belleville. 1860-1864. Can. Pres'n. [Church. i86i-i862. Pas^. Feiqgus •*•', 1* . X* , ■■ » LIST OF OFFICERS, 1849-1874. "^ ^- ' '.'- .r.:. ■..■ ;'■■ I'ASTORS: .".'.■-' /^ '■-■., /: Rev. Archibald Geikie my 7. /849. to March 27, 1853. Rev. Francis H. Marling October I, 1854. V , John F. Ma*lmg ' .t. . . . . , . . April 26, f849, to January 24, 1865. William D. Tayfoir vV.-»-...:j.>^^ April 26, 1849. to October 31, 1850. William D. Taylor ...TT7.^-February 8,1855, to April 30, 1861. EdwardPeny .....••••••• November^y, 1850, to December , 1851 Edward Perry .... . ... February 4, 1863, to January 3, 1867. •Edward ChiMs ......... December ti» 1855, to May 26, r86i. James Fraser . ... .......... January 27, 1859, to December 31, «868. Ja^'fes Fraser ...... . . . ..... February 2, 1871. ^ Henry Hewlett . . . .". . . . . . . . January 27, 1859, to December 31, 1868. William R.xRosg ......... . February 4, 1863, to January 24, 1865. John .Turner , ; . . * . . . rr» . , February 4» 1863, to January 9, i868. John Turner ...... .i ...... January 13," 1869, to October 29, 1873. Hanfey P. Dwight ........ January 24,' 1865, to January 3, 1867. Thomas Gray. . . . ... . n January 24, i86^, to October 22, 1868. ^ ' Ja^ttes Farquhar. ...*.. ..,-•• Jattuasy 9, 1867, to December 29, 1870. , J, Joseph WoodKottse ...... January 9, 1867., „ John fe. EHis ........ ... . . . January 9, 1867, to December 31, 1868. Jv! Jo^ph Tolfree ........... January 24, 1867. Jpseph W. Wey . . i . . . January 24, 1867. . 7ohn yilliers . , J. . . . . . . . '... January 24, 1867,10 December 31, 1868. , John Foggin .... . . . i . . . : . . January 13, 1869, to December 29, 1^70. Thom?a J. Wilkie. ......... 'January 13, 1871. '■'•" ^••■,.- '.'■■■"■ '.- ;• ./TREASURERS.' :^ JohnF. Marlihg , . .:, ..; . . : . April, 1849. to January, 1864. John Turner .'. . . . . V. . . . . .. January, 1864, to January, i868. j6hnViiliers .............. January, i868, to January, 1869. John Turner ... . . . ; . ..... . January, 1869, to October 29i 1873. J. Josept Tblfree • . -^ .' Octo)3er 29, 1873. " ', "f > I . — -' — ^ - ^^3? -< 4- ■ ♦ ' 1 " .-1* f - -^^, *• t i m- " V ' • W''' ' 1 ' • A _1 .P K' t . w^ /■ . - - 74vT ..t »7i 1853. ry 24, 1865. ' 3cr 31, 1850. »ril 30, 1861.^ ;cember ■, 1851. luary 3, 1867. May 26, i86i. :ember 31, «868. < :ember3i, 1868, nuary 24, 1865. nuary 9, 1 868. ctober 29, 1873. nuary 3, 1867. ctober 22, 1868. cenTber29, 1870. cember 31, i868. !ceinber3i, 1868. :cember29, i^70' y, 1864. lary, i868. lary, 1869. Dber 29i 1873. V • *T' 5*i *■ ■ V 4 y '*6 .1- ^ w- \::% ' -v ^ .1: "#'% t 1 ^. fl' 5^ : • ,> ■r \^A . • ..4. .If'' V^< .i > 'f: ^ \. , r \ y i 'i' i .,;.«...___■_.„_' m- K j »!HU^ ■*n ' 1. ^ * m ti-Minimaim^i.' |- -f;