IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 ■a Ui 1 2.2 £ Ui 112.0 1.4 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation ^ ^ ^ •^i \ \\ -«k.V o^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 L

(meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont filmds en commenpant par ie premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illijstration, soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filrnds en commenpant par la premidre page q ji comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illu.stration et en teriT>inant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un dis symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole -^^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". ata ilure. 3 2X Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames a^, required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: 1 2 3 Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds i des taux de r6duction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 ',V " \ . 1'^' \ M»'V,V •' V ''■"' 'P.' ~^^^^^ mmmm ST. ANDREWS NIAGARA 1794 1894 BY JANET CARNOCHAN tloronto WILLIAM BRIGGS 1895 \ ■ 'v ^ - T' !. -1' ■r' ':. I ',..,. ' ■TT^'^'^^T St. Hnbtew'8 Cbutcb 1794 1894 IRiagara Having been asked to prepare an historical paper for this occasion, my love for the old church induced me to consent, hoping that its deficiencies may be pardoned. When, four years ago, the paper, "Two Frontier Churches," was read before the Canadian Institute, I had little idea that I should be able to utilize tlie information then gathered for the centenary of St. Andrew's Church now held. Since that time I have been fortu- nate enough to gather several more strands of the chain then woven together, and am now glad to use them for the purpose of the day. The history of St. Andrew's forms an ample refutation of the charge often sneeringly made, that Canada has no history : for it has been said, and well said, that were one to study the history of this church and its surroundings, its old record book, and the history of all that may be seen from its spire, he would be tolerably familiar with the history of Upper Canada. These V ^''T' ;* .■ Trri^w""fi pajj;es give an ever-Hhifting kaleidoscopic view of pioneer life, of military occupation, of strenuous (jttbrts for religious lilxu-ty, of bright (lays and dark days, of lightning stroke and tornado, of debt and ditliculties, of liberal gifts, of "conflagration pale," while the surroundings tell of boonung cannons and blazing roof-trees almost a century ago of J^^rench occupation two hun- dred years ago. Afar, the lake spreads like a sea, And near, tlic river br(;ad, blue, deep, Its watei's flowing ailentl). As resting fioin tlieir frantii; leap ; Nor distant far the mountain, crowned VV'itli cohunns pointing to the sky, While all forget tiie iuniil)lei' mound Wiiere other heroes inouldeiing lie. Beyond, the fort and beacon light. Did Mississagua's scjnare grey towei-, On either side churcii spires rise bright O'er stately home or humbler bower. Of the value of the record book here refei*red to, it may l)e said that a gentleman skilled in such lore, who saw it lately, thought it worthy to be printed in full. Tn the paper previously referred to T went back to the yeai- 1794, ])ut now can, on the highest authority — that of tin; Ai'chives of Canada, prepared carefully by the distinguished Archivist, Douglas Brimner, and consisting of t)riginal State papers — by tliese roll back the page of history to 1792. Tn the volume for the year 1-"). Then f()Ih)\v nJccMpts from Hev. John Dun of yearly salary. This clerj^ynian is l)eh'ev('(l to have been from the Presbytery of (>Iasatin,Hiciiite anywhere 8 ,£1 e\j of Ml Jol In I sell lU' so St. tl.n soil, iuin Mr. north of H lino from Mr. Froiniur.s, Ixmh^ division hctwren coii;^r<'f:;ation of Blount Dttvcr und Newark-." TIumt wu.s u coriij;r«'j,'iitioii at Stamford, somctimcH called tlie coii^'re^jation of " the Mountain." 'I'lie ncixt Imsine.ss meetinjj; is Sejitemlier 'Jnd, |S()2, \vh«Mi the Kev. John Younj;, of Montr-eal, i.s en;;aj;e(l, and to hav«i the prisilej^e of teacihinj;; a scliool. We lind, as the vearH j^o on, that the W()rk of secular education <^o(fs hand in hand with religious trainin<^, thei'o hein;^ a .school undiu' the direction of the Church till ISIf). The .same day (Septcmlier L'nd, lH()l.')the thaidi'esent to th(^ Church, and we find a suh.scription set on foot for ltiiildinve- pipes, rope for bell, rum for raisin;^ (sliowiiiij; the dilleicnee in times tlien and now), (^>CJ)en.ses for covering,' and foundation of steeple, ohar<;o for rin<^in<^ bell, etc., i-ope wetted --whatev(fr that may b»', I h'ave for wiser heads t(» explain. It is to be rej^retted that we have no picture of the old church, l)ut from what we know of it, one could (Nisily be drawn, as we know the size of building, numbei- of win(h)ws, and panes in each, there l)ein;^ two Venetian windows, one on each side of the puljjit, a Ix'lfry and steeple completinj,' the structure. Next follows the aj^reement with Kev. .lojjn Younj' foi- ,£100 Halifax currency, with a dwellini^ house, salaiy to be ])aid everv three months. Aj;ain we find in the pews let tlu' names of William and .lolm Crooks, .John and Colin McNabb. James Muirliead, the heirs of the lat(^ C-ol. Butler who died in 179G, John Swayzie, John 'l\Mn})leton, John (Jrier, and Bernard Frey. In 1S04, a me('tin and no^v. We find as phiees (»f meeting, Hind's hotel, Hartnum's tavern, Richai'd's coffee house, and once is mentioned Mr. Heron's liouse. The Rev. John Young mentioned, came from Montreal, having come from Jieith, Scotland, and an interesting bit of history in connection with him throws a curious light t)n other days, showing that in the midst of denominational differences, acts of kindness and courtesy have been extended by Protestants and Catholics alike. While Mr. Young was the minister in Mcmtreal, in 1791, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered by him to his congregation in the Recollet Roman Catholic church, the use of which had been kindly allowed the congregation while their own was being built. The Recollet Fathers politely refused any pecuniary compensation, but accepted a present of two hogsheads of Sj)anish wine and a box of candles ; and tht^ manuscript (juaintly says, " were (juite thankful for the same." At this time the clergyman in St. Andrew's, Niagara, was to hc'ive the privilege of teaching thirteen scholars — if he wishc^d — Latin, Greek and mathematics, for the additional sum of jiOO, and now, in ISO'), subscriptions were received to pay a Presby- terian clergyman, according to the Established Church of Scot- land, and also to pay the Rev. John Burns to preach to tht'm every third Sunday. The gallant struggle made by this little congregation to keep up the public worship of God is wortiiy of .all praise. With no allowance from any society, no endowment, no help from Home Government to build or pay salary, as St. Mark's was fortunate enough to have, it may be (juestioned if, lO icot- it'in ttlP ,y of lent, St. \d if, but for the interest shown by Andrew Heron, and his liberality in advancing money when needful, the struggle might not have been abandcmed. We find, in 179;"), "a large balance unpaid, and a great deal to be done to make the church convenient and comfortable," and an obligation is drawn up recjuesting " loan of money, from those who are able to loan any, to this laudable purpose, that the building be not impeded." In April, 1805, Andrew Heron became clerk, as well as treasurer, and hence- forward for some time the writing is more difficult to reiwl. In 1804, he had presented an account of £17G of lawful money of Upper Canada, inspected and approved, as is also the account of John Young for £27. In 1805-8 we find the name of Mr. Burns as preaching, also in 1809, '10, '11, 'IG, '17, '18. He also preached in Stamford church, as we find a sermon of his has l)een reprinted by the Lundy's Lane Historical Society. It was given during the war of 1812, and is a solid exposition of duty to God, king and country. The llev. John Burns came from New York State, and belonged to the Secession Church of Scotland. He was one of the first teachers of the Niagara District Grammar School founded in 1808, and was taken prisoner and preached to his captors, it is said, in the war of 1812-14. Here is a notice which seems to show friction of some sort : " Resolved, — That this church is under the direction and control of the majority of the trus^'ees, and not subject to the direction of the clergyman." " Resolved, — That the pulpit being part of the church is subject to the majority of the tinistees." Provision seems to have been made, even at that early date, for the share of the minority in government, of which our jx)liticians may take note. "Resolved, — That in case of a division of the Society, the church shall be held alternately by each party ; that is, one II I';* •week to one party and one week to the other. The key of tlie church to be left at all times with the trustee residing nearest to the church, in order that the majority of the trustees may know wliere to find it when they may see fit to admit a preacher." Different attempts seem to have been made to obtain a minister of the Established Church of Scotland. In 1806, a letter is sent to Rev. James McLean, of (Glasgow, agreeing to pay his expenses out, and we find that lie preached here in June, July and August, but the church to be open to Rev. John Burns when it did iiot interfei-e with any other engagement of trus- tees. In 1808 occurs 'the name of Rev. — McLearn, the pews beinjr let at oiie-thii'd tlie rate of 1795, the Rev. John Burns to preach every third Sunday, and in 1809, at one-half the old rate, jNlr. Burns to preach every second Sunday. There is a curious tabulated statement of number of pew, number of sittings, amount paid to church, amount to clergyman. From 1812 to 1816, not a line records the stirring events of those years, and the record goes cm without the interval of the space of a line to tell of the flame and sword alternating in })ossession of the town; when St. Mark's was used as a hospital and barracks by fiiend and foe; when a crescent of hostile boats surrounded the harbor ; when our town was for seven months in the hands of the enemy, or of that black night in December when miles distant misfht be seen the glare of the flames consuming the town, and when the citizens stood in the streets guarding what few treasun;s they had saved from the flames. Then? is no one now to tell us of how St. Andiew's, with its heavy timbers, fell a swift victim to the devouring element, or of how saddened the hearts of the worshippers must have been when they Si'iw the building that they had struggled to erect and maintain thus rising to heaven 12 Th ba clerj U.S chi 17.^ in smoke and flame, or how liopeless now seemed the task in the poverty caused by these two years of war, of again building a house of God, with a people scattered and a congregation broken up. It is believed that parts of houses were left unburnt in the haste of the retreat, and that the school-room was not wholly consumed, for we find an entry, unfortunately without date, "that a collec- tion be taken up at divine service in tlie school-room to repair windows and building as far as necessary for comfort of congre- gation." This must have been done, for in 1818 we read of a meeting in the school-house, and in 1819, there is an agreement of town and township with Rev. Charles James Cook to be paid in advance, any difference to be referred to the Presbytery of Canada. In the Gleaner newspaper, published by Andrew Henm, 1819, in Niagara, is an advertisement of annual meeting of Presbyterian Church to be held in the school-house. " The account of moneys received and Cixytended in building school- house will be produced." While saying there are no entj-ies from 1812 to 1816, an exception nmst be made of one division not yet referred to, viz., the baptisms which are from August, 1795 to 1802; and later, two daughters of A. Heron recorded in his own peculiar hand- writing, 1809, and November 27th, 1814, the latter nearly a j-ear after the burning of the church, in connection with which a pathetic story is recalled. It is, that the mother and infant child were carried out to the street from the burning buildinjj. The infant must have been this same Catherine Heron. The baptisms are by the regular ministers and others called visiting clergymen. One in 1792, is Rev, John M(;I)onald, from Albany, U.S. ; another. Rev. — Mars, a visiting clergyman in 1801. The children of Ebene/.er Colver, Louth, are entered as baptized 1781, 178|i, 1792, but the ofliciating clergj'man is not mentioned. 13 ' • ,>\l .' i^r "I tl«' t 'ill ■it. In 1820 is a petition to the Earl of Dalhousie for a sum of money to build a church in town, and give title to land on which former church stood. I have read somewhere that this claim of the church for £400 damages from the Government was resisted on the plea that its steej)le was used as a place for observation, to tell of the approach of the enemy. This was, no doubt, the reason why St. Mark's obtained nothing from the Canadian (lovernment, that church having been used for war purposes, although they did obtain £600 from George III. Finally £400 was granted to St. Andrew's, but in small instal- ments, extending over many years. In 1820 is a letter asking for tlie services of Rev. Thomas Green, who had preached for them a few weeks, and with whom they were pleased. He was a catecliist from (Jlasgow University, and afterwards taught a classical school, joined tlie Church of England, and became Rector of St. Mark's. At a meeting in the school-house held in 1H21, "Resolved to put themselves under the Presbytery," and in 1821, six elders are chosen, viz., Andrew Heron, W. D. Miller, John Crooks, John Wagstall", John (Jrier, and John Munro. The Rev. Wm. Smart, from Rrockvilh^ was appointee! their commissioner, the Rev. John Burns presiding. During this perienl — when for some years we have no record of any settled minister — to St. Andrew's Church belongs the lionor of liaving had the first Sunday-school in the town. There are at present living in the town several who attended, and tliey have given me the names of several faithful teachers, who little thought while working, no doubt, often in the midst of many discouragements, that to-day their names would be remembered and (juoted as worthy of praise. The superintendent (who was also an elder) was John Crooks, a merchant in the t(jwn, who, in the absence of a 14 III Mi t'uri ail a CI say aiu conn mein CO 111 a lin each St. irst the iunes no -day ly of John of a clergyman, often conducted divine worship, which was directly after the Sunday-school (2.30 p.m.) ; and he often urged the children, who were of all denominations (there being no other Sunday-school in town), to remain for service. Among the teachers were Mrs. and Dr. Miller, Miss Young, Rev. T. Creen, Mr. Heron and his daughters. A pleasing reminiscence of this faithful superintendent was given me a few days ago by a lady, ii former inhabitant of the town, now visiting here. It is that, jis a child, she remembered his funeral as the first wliich took place in the graveyard, all denominations previous to 1831 having used St. Mark's. She remembers the unusual circum- stance of the church being open, and of peeping through a west window at the grave close to the church; and returning after forty years found an inscription to a John Crooks, buried in 1833. This grave must be the spot where in the spring the pure white lily of the valley peeps out from tlu^ broad green leaves, the whole plot being a mass of fragrant bloom. Would it not be a graceful act for the children on Decoration Day, now becoming an animal observance, to lay a wreath upon the spot in memory of a faithful Sunday-school superintendent ■? Of Dr. Miller, another early superintendent, buried in St. Mark's, a curious reminiscence has been gleaned lattdy. His daughter, an old lady of eighty-four, has in her possession a copy of a curious sort of acrostic of the names of Christ, which she .says the children of the Sunday-school eonunitted to memory, and it may surely be given as an incentive to our children to conunit to memory Cod's words in their 3'outh, when the ineniory is retentive, that in her sweet tjuavering voice she could repeat the whole of these verses composed by her father, a line for every letter of the alphabet, and a text of Scripture, each one representing a name of our Saviour. How little did 15 mm those teachers think then tliat tlieir <]ee(ls woukl thus be re- corded now I It commences thus : "I am AIpliii ami Omega, the first and the last." — Rkv. i. II. A Mas an Angel come down from the sky.— Iha. Ixiii. 9. B is tlie lininch, was tJX'vIted on liigh. — Zkcii. iii. 8. C was the Counselloi', good coiinHcl who gave. Is.\. ix. (5. D Mie Deliverer from deatii and the grave. — Ro.M. xi. 2(5. In 1821, a petition is sent to the Presbytery of Hrockville, showing " That they had for many years asseml)le(i for tlie purpose of divine worsliij), the reading and hearing of the Word, but have not beeji organized into a church in connection with the Churcli of Scothmd, whereby the oi'dinances of the Lord Jesus Chi'ist are to l)e achm'nistered to tlie professing people and by which they are built up in the knowh^dge, faith and lioliness of the (Jospel, convinc(Ml that the cause of the Redeemer has suffei-ed much in this {)art of tlie Province fin- want of this, and {)raying for assistance from your Reverend body by appointing someone," etc. And yet, little notice of this pathetic a{)peal seems to have been taken. The records of these years seem to be very scanty. In 1824 is presented the account certified as correct, in 1804, of A. Heron, for .£20-5, with interest for twenty years, ^£211, making the whole sum j£39i), a small sum having l»eeii i)aid. There seems to have been no settlement of this claim till ]>^IM\, when in small clear writing, almost like copper-plate, of \V. 1). Miller, is a stat(!- ment signed by James Muirhead, Ivobert Dickson and William Clarke, who had probabl>' been appointed arbitrators, who state this to be their decision : "Amount due tlu; two persons named, .£203, with interest for 9 years 4_^ niontlis, from 1804 till tlie church vas burnt, Dec, 1813, £114, making the wliole £317, i6 the commissioners not allowing interest after tliat date.'' Mr. Heron must certainly have been a staunch supporter of his church, faithful and liberal, and not prone to take offence, for we find his name contributing to the building fund in 1831, and as late as 1836. Some interesting items occur in the bill pre- sented : "Paid for deed of church, £6 14s. 6d. ; passage to York and back, £1 ; detention there, two days, 10s. ; postage L>s. Oid. In 1827 is an agreement with Rev. Thomas Fraser, for £100 sterling, and house rent. Mi". Fraser was from the Relief Church, Dalkeith, Scotland, and afterwards joined the Dutch Heformed Church in the United States, and still later came ti> Lanark, Ontario. In 1829, a call was sent to the Presbytery of (Glasgow, offer- ing £150, and the Rev. Robert McGill was ordained there to the otlice of minister of St. Andrew's, Niagara. All the business documents are carefully copied out in the beautiful hand of VV. D. Miller, viz., the call to the Presbytery of (xlasgow, the bond to the same, and the Act of Ordination at (Masgow, and a letter signed by the ISIoderator to that effect. On the loth of October, there arrived by the steamboat Canada, Hev. \{. Mc(iill, accompanied from Kingston by Rev. John Machar. Now come copies of another series of documents, which form part of the histoiy of Canada, as letters bearing on the vexed (juestion of the Clergy Reserves, status of Presbyterian ministers, share of money allotted for support of ministers of the (Church of Scotland, petiticms to the Queen, to the Governor, all showing the stern determination of this people to have their rights, not by violence, but by strictly constitutional means. Ill 1830 is a certificate to obtain proportion of money ft)r support of ministers of Church of Scotland. It is not to be B i; mmm mmm — t. « i: \i\ sir womlored at that a di^^iiilifd man like I)r. ISIcdill coming from Scotland, where he had been a minister of tin; E.stal)lished Church, on finding that hi^ was not allowed to perform the ceremony of marriage even between his own people, should feel imhgnant, and write in the curt and dignified terms which follow : "SiK, — I understand it to \w re<|uired by the law of the Province that a minister in connection with tlu* Kstablislusd Church of Scotland must yet submit to recjuest of the (Jeneral Quarter Sessions, authority to celebi-ati^ marriage; even anu)ng members of his own congregation. Although 1 regard this as an infringement of those rights secured to the EstablisluHl Cliurch of Scotland by Acts of the Imperial Parliament of (Jn^Jit Britain, it seems expedient that I should conform to it, until that Church to which I belong shall procun; its abrogation as an illegal violation of its rights. T therefore recjuest that you will give notice to all concerned that T intend to apply," etc. Singularly enough, the Hon. Ai'chibald McKcllar told rae he was married by Dr. McGill after this permission was ob- tained, having been previous to this for two years a student at the Niagara District (irrammar School, then taught by Dr- Whitelaw, a member of St. Andrew's. He was kind enough to send me a type-written copy of the Act which made such mar- riages legal. To 1831 belong the conununion tokens bearing the inscription, <' St. Andrew's Church, 1831. R. McCill, Niagara, U.C.," an inspection of which is frequently a.sked for by numismatists. Tn 1830, a subscription was begun for a new church, seventeen years after the town was burnt, the congregation having worshipj)ed in the interval in the school-room, .some- times called the meeting-house. There had been an attenipt l8 .-'f:\ ■■•■^;!.' Iiurch, iiration soiue- Lteinpt to raise money fur a new church before Mr. McGill came. In 1H.*}9, also, a subscription was begun to procure silver sac- ramental vessels which cost £20. In the old record book is a plan of the church, giving numbers of pews, showing platform, pulpit, elders' pow.s, etc. Tn the list of subscribers of 1830, in all numbering eighty, of various sums, 10s., j£10, £50, the name of not one person now living is found though many familiar names occur, such as Robert Dickscm, W. H. Dickson, Lewis Clem9 lh.ltl I* UiL '>'.. .J- i'f hi the extension of the library, and in 1834, the meeting-house was rented for £12 lOs. ; also, in 1834, one hundred copies of report of financial affairs were printed. In 1836, directions are given to advertise for a precentor in the newspapers of the town, and we find a salary of !$r)0 was given. The vexed question of the Clergy Reserves is brought up in the form of a petition to (Sir Francis Bond Head for due support from lands appointed, ai\d a rectory petition to Sir John Colborne. Now that the softening touch of time has smoothed away all the bitterness and rancor caused by this subject, we may (juote without wounding anyone the words of the petition: "They feel aggrieved by an Act of the Lieutenant-Governor establishing a rectory by which their rights are infringed and which is incom- patible with privileges granted by the treaty between England and Scotland, privileges belonging inalienably in a British colony to subjects of Scotland as well as subjects of England. The institution of the rectory, it is said, recognizes the incum- bent as sole spiritual instructor of all residing within its bounds, jind places them in the same relation to the Established Church as Dissenters of England are to the ^hurch established there." To this are signed \'2H names, of whom the oidy ones now living are A. C. Currie and James iVlcKarland. Appended to this is : ** N.B. The establishing of a rectory at Niagara took place on Monday, 2nd May, 1H3G, by Archdeacon Straclian, placing the Rev. Thomas Creen as incumbent thereof." On 6th February, 1838, we find traces of another treasurer who also had advanced his own money for the church. A vote of thanks is given to Wm. Clarke, Esq., "for his having performed the duties of treasurer for so many years, immediate steps to l)e taken to litjuidate the debt due him as he is leaving to take a military situation." His period of treasurersliip was an import- 20 )iv of ftps to take a nport- iint one and the dutieH arduouH, as the churcli waH luiilt and larjje Hunia of money were collected and jtaid out. In 18.'{7, he hiul been appointed delegate to represent the congregation at (Jol)ourg. Another glinipsc of the history of our country is given in an entry, 1838, annual meeting, Gth February, "as the meeting has been deferred on account of the disturbed state of the country from late insurrectioiuiry movement and piratical invasion from frontiers of United States, the members being engaged in military duty." It will \h\ observed that though the rebellion is thus characterized, there is no reference whatever to the war of 1812. Tn 18.'i8 comes the appointment of John Rogers as ti-easurer, which position he honorably held till his death, in 1883, almost forty -six years. It may be noticed that St. Andrew's has had the* benefit of three faithful and efficient officers, who.se term of office, if taken continuously, reaches 120 years, viz.: Andrew Heron, thirty-two years ; W. D. Miller, forty-two yeai-s, and John Rogers, forty-six years ; while in later yeara, Geo. Dawson foriy-three years as elder, Robert Ball forty- three years as elder and Sunday-school superintendent (this last at Virgil), and James McFarland thirty-four years as elder, makes another period of 120 years — six office-bearers, with a ])eriod of 240 years. It may be questioned if any other church can produce such a record. It may also be men- tioned that a present teacher in the Sunday-school has held the position for twenty-five years. In 1839, in acknow- ledgment of sacrifices made by Rev. II. McGill, by remaining in Niagara instead of accepting a call to Ghisgow, a sub- scription is set on foot to raise the sum of X300 as a New Year's gift from his congregation. Even in these days this 21 '^"'I'J i \l.u. would be considenMl u liaiulHome preHent. In 1840, there in a reference to t\u' scliocil kept by Jainos Webster (who was also precentor) in th(^ school-room under th(! control of the cliuich, in 1H|"J called St. Aiub'ew's School, and "to a\ail theniselvtvs of the Act jMissed in I'ai-liainiMit in re^ai'd to common schools." By all these references to schools and libraries, we feel proud to see that St. Andrew's, in those early days, was doinj^ her share to ^'ive an education to her people, l)oth secular arul relij^ious, for from 1H02 there are references to a school in connection with the (|m'iice of iniittakcs made in tlir c«uiHUH of IH.'^y, iiKMiihei's of the Prcshytci'iati ('liurcli wcit' uiulorratcd in scttlcnuMit of Cicr^'v licscrvos in IS 10, and [irayin^' that iclicf h(^ <{fant('(l foi- this wron;^. It is signed only l)y ht^ads of families, 1 42 nanics, ^ivin;; number in each family, making tlliS altogether. This was in th«' palmy days of Niaj^aia, when the uluirch was crowth'd above and b(>low. In 1H44, only one seat and two half seats were not taken in tlie ehurch — during tlie days of sliip-building at the dock. Of tlie names signiMl to this petition, only one person is now living, Alexanch'r K. Christie, Ksq., of Toronto. Theie were giants (»n the earth in threvious to tlui one unveil(Ml to-day is that in the southern vestibule, reading thus : " Sacn-d to the memory of John Young, Es(|., long a merchant of Nia- gara. Ueturning home in pain and intirmity, he wa.s drowned in Like Ontario, where his body rests awaiting the hour when the sea shall give up her dead. In his last illness, concerned for the spiritual welfare of coming generations, he ordained a heijuest for th(^ perpetual maintenance of divine ordinances in this church. He in<*t d(!ath, July 29th, IS 10, aged 73. ' Pray for the peace of Jerusalem ; because of the house of the Ijord I will seek thy good.' " This is the John Young from whom 23 ■■M ^^! ^-'' i 1. aes Ik''" L;., t: i>., R.*. IS; the village on the opposite side of the river is named Yiiungs- town. It is rather remarkable that there is no reference whatever in the heated times of the Disruptfm 1843-44 to the loss sustained, for a number of families separated and formed the Free Church. Not a word of the loss of members or officers occurs. A gallant battle, which we cannot but admire, they fought to support the views they held. They met for a time in what was called the Temperance Hall, then built the substantial brick edifice in the centre of the town now owned l)y the Meth- odist Church. The pastors were the Rev. Jos. Harris, Rev. John Alexander, Rev. Jas. Pirie, Rev. F. McCuaig, in intervals supi)lied bj' students from Knox College, the last minister who preached being Rev. J. McCaul, of Lewiston, N.Y. The first elders were Mr. William Servos and Mr. James Munro, afterwards George Blain, Peter Christie and James Robinson; and still later R. N. Ball and John Fulton. When the union of the Presbyterian churches took place In 1875, the Rev. C. Campbell, pastor of St. Andrew's said : ** This is not a (juestion for us to .settle now ; to all intents and purposes it is a union long since consumniated, for we have been united for some time and need no ordinance of union." The church was sold, as before mentioned, for $1,600, the money being used for the renovation of the present building with the co-operation of Mr. R. N. Ball, who, having been an elder of the Canada Presbyterian Church, became a zealous member and elder of St. Andrew's. Mr. John Fulton, also an elder of the Free Church, joined heartily in the union, as did others. Long ere this, and before the Free Church was closed in 1869, both churches had lost many members and adherents from the decadence of the town. Belonging to the days of Dr. McGill is a book of devotion, 24 ion, prepared by him for the use of his people in conducting family v'orship, as also a book of sermons. The stately periods and classical language form a contrast to the slipshod style of some preachers of the present day. In 1845, there is the account of a presentation to Rev. Dr. McGill, of breakfast and tea set of massive silver, on the occasion of his leaving for Montreal. To this are signed sixty-four names, of whom are now living, Thos. Elliot, Andrew Carnochan and Jas. McFarland. It is singular that, while Montreal gave a minister to Niagara in its earlier days (Rev. John Young), the chief city of Canada should now be indebted to Niagara for an able preacher, gracing the pulpit of St. Paul's for many years. Many still living rememV)er the stately commanding presence, the rich full voice, the dignified bearing of this distinguished divine. The present manse was built by Dr. McGill, and purchased from him with the legacy of Mr. Young, as the handsome pulpit was the gift of Mr. Young also. The Rev. John Cruickshank was inducted in October, 1845, but going on a visit to Scotland for his health he did not return, having accepted the charge of Turriff, Banffshire, the Rev. J. W. Bayne acting as missionary from July, 1848, to April, 1849. Dr. Cruickshank, previous to coming to Niagara, had been tutor to Sir Oliver Mowat in his youth, who visited him in Scotland, when, an old man of eighty, he was per- forming his duties as a clergymtan without assistance. A call was given in 1849 to Rev. John B. Mowat, fresh from Queen's College, who, however, was engaged in ministerial work in Kingston, but the members of the congregation were .so anxious to secure his services that they willinglj'^ waited for him, although he had not bound himself to come to them even after this lengthened period of waiting : but their patience was rewarded, for of him it may be said, he loved 25 ■M r itmsm '1 his people and his people loved and revered their pastor. It is one of tlie sti-ange coincidences of life that the (Laughter of the manse, Miss McGill, born and having spent lier childish days there, should return as the pastor's wife, and that there her life should close after one short happy year of married life. Many liere living yet remember her as their faithful Sunday- school teacher, and as a leader in a ladies' aid society which did much to clothe the destitute of the town. Among the names signed, in 1850, to the call to Rev. J. B. Mowat, now living, are only Jas. (J. Currie and Andi-ew Torrance. The faithful preaching and de(>[) interest in the young of the flock bore much fruit, for to this period many dates the first promptings to the higher life. In 1852, the first reference to ladies collecting is made, and in the same year is j)urchase(l a l)ell. Having enjoyed tlie use of one for nine years, from 1804 to 1813, the congregation was without one for almost forty years, and now after another forty years the same deep, rich, full note is yet heard calling — calling us to-day to the house of prayer. Showing the z(*al of the pastor in all goofl works may be mentioned the fact that during part of his pastorate he preached eveiy Sunday afternoon to the colored people of the town in their church, now fallen into decay, and at another period dnjve to Queenston to pieach there in the old church. A faithful Sunday-school superintendent at this time was Mr. John Barr, who afterwards studied at Queen's University and l)ecame a minister, and in this connection may be mejitioned that from the walls of this church have gone forth four to i)reach the everlasting (Jrospel, three of them going to Queen's Univer- sity, viz.. Rev. John Barr, Rev. Alex. Dawson and Rev. David Niven, while another. Rev. W. S. Ball, was a graduate of Knox College. In 1851 is noticed the handsome sum paid to the 26 support of th(5 church by non-cornraissioned otticers and privates of Royal Canadian Rifles who attended St. Andrew's. This is another pebble in the Mosaic of history. In 1H52 is noticed the present of 850 from Jas. Cooper, an elder f)f the church, and later thanks to Mr. Jas. Lockhart, for, as is (juaintly said, his "civilities" to ministers in supplying the vacant pulpit. In 1854, a glebe is purchased with £150 offered by Clergy Reserve Cominissionei's, X50 being raised by the people to complete the purchase. During this period, the Church twice suffered serious loss a tornado unroofing the church and a stroke of lightning doing ecjual damage tigain. In the incumbency of Rev. J. B. Mowat the Congregational Library was increased, the writer remembering the pleasure derived from reading many of the Harper's Family Library, and Dr. Cuminings' sermons, etc. With great grief our people saw the departure of their dearly b(;l()ved pastor consequent on his acceptance of the congenial position of the chair of Oriental Languages, Biblical Criticism and Church History, the parting present being a valuable addition to his library. In a review of the names signed to the call to the Re\'. Chas. Campbell, in 1858, we have a startling commentary on the gradual joining " the silent majority," as of the sixty-eight names signed only three are now living, viz., John Blake, Thos. Elliott and Robt. Murray. During the twenty years' pastt)i'ate of the Rev. C. Campbell, from Glasgow University, who preached such scholarly sermons, and whose kind heart was constantly prompting hiin to help the poor and those in trouble, occurred the union of the two great Presbyterian bodies, the introduction of an organ as a help in the musical services, and the death of one of the most respected office-bearers in the church, William Duff Miller. Like his predecessors, Mr. Campbell took a deep 27 'H ■ I in > A >i i mm :'•§ D I'M U'k, interest in the schools of the town, and was for many years chairman of the PubHc School as well as of the High School Board, and to whose persistency is chiefly owing the erection of the present High School building. The decease of Mr. Miller is recorded in the Minutes in stately periods thus : " Who for the long period of half a century had been a most valuable member, taking on all occa- sions a deep interest, and acting a faithful part in the temporal and spiritual affairs of the Church, l^eing one of that little company of excellent Christian men (himself the last survivor) that, during a lengthened probation of trial and suffering arising chiefly from the want of regular ministerial services, managed and kepo together the Presbyterian congregation of Niagara, when, in the year of our Lord (»ne thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine, their laudable efforts were at last rewarded by the Church of Scotland's ordaining and inducting a minister to the pastorate, the deceased the following year, on the completion of the ecclesiastical organization of the congregation to church ordinances, was ordained to the eldership, which office he worthily and actively filled to the day he rested from his labors." To this period among the faithful and valued elders of the Church belong the names of James Lockhart, John Mc- Farland, George Dawson, Andrew Martin, Robert Dawson and Thomas P. Blain. When the Rev. Charles Campbell resigned and removed to Toronto, the Rev. William Cleland was called by the congregation. He had received a sound education in Belfast College, and after removing to Toronto, wrote a history of Presbyterianism in Ireland, which has received much praise. In this incumbency the present organ was purchased. In this connection it may be mentioned that frequent references are made to the Psalmody, Precentor and choir ; sometimes a salary 28 BBB is given, and again, thanks recorded to those who gave their help gratuitously in conducting the singing. Thus at one time Mr. Doig was precentor, with salary, then thanks are given to Mr. Harkness for instructing the choir. Two sacred concerts in the church conducted by Mr. Harkness are mentioned. Again, thanks are given to Mr. Jos. Barr, Mr. James Carnochan, Mr. Smither, Mr. William P. Blain, each of these having led the singing of the congregation. The Rev. J. W. Bell, M.A., a graduate of Knox College, became in 1884 the next pastor, whose pure gospel sermons have not been forgotten. In this period was formed the Ladies' Aid Society, which has done much for the improvement of the church and manse. To the zeal of Mrs. Bell, the beloved wife of our pastor, we owe the existence of the Auxiliary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, of whom it may be said that, though she rests from her labors her works do follow her. In this pastorate also was formed the Young People's Christian Union, which, formed by Miss Blake and kept alive by her untiring zeal, still exists in her absence, and has done much in encouraging Bible study and missionary effort. Just previous to the coming of Mr. Bell occurred th(^ lamented demise of Mr. Jt)hn Rogers, than wht) no more gentle, amiable spirit wor- shipped within these walls — for almost fifty years the respected faithful secretary, and treasurer of the church. For three- ([uarters of a century attending St. Andrew's, sitting first in the old church as a boy, then in the old meeting-house, and then for fifty years in the same pew in this church till his death, many of us still remember his serene face and gentle dignity of manner. Mr. Rogers was succeeded by Mr. T. P. Blain as treasurer, who held the position till his removal to St. Catharines. During the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Bell, 29 'T Mip^i nil! f : ': I 't' ', ' '■■'- It '1 1 another serious loss was sustained in the death of Mr. 11. N. Ball, long an elder in the Canada Presbyterian Church, and for many years a respected elder in St. Andrew's. He had done noble work as a Sabbath-school teacher and superintendent at Virgil for forty years. Many in different parts of the country look back with gratitude to hi;' faithful Christian teaching. On the much-regretted removal in 1888 of Rev. J. W. Bell to Newmarket, he was succeeded by our present pastor, Rev. N. Smith. In this pastorate the church has been thoroughly reno- vated, and in this connection the name of Mrs. Milloy deserves special mention for the zeal and taste displayed, and the time and labor given so ungrudgingly. At the j)resent time we are pleased to find on the Communion roll a lai-ger number than for some time pr(?vious, also an increased Sabbath-school and larger congregation. During this pastorate the congregation sustained a serious loss, deeply felt yet, in the sad and sudd<;n death of Mr. Flint Currie, Chairman of the Board (.1 Managers. Of the eleven clergymen whose nationality is known, seven have belonged to Scotland, one to Ireland, one to England, and two were natives of our own loved Ontario. A small tablet inserted in the north church wall has the words, "The Ministers' burying-place." Is it not strange that in all those hundred years no minister of the church died here, so that but for an infant of a day this stjuare is unoccupied, Mrs. Mowat who died here being buried beside her beloved father in Montreal? They rest in far different graves, one in the depths of Lake Ontario, one in Montreal, another in Scotland. On the south side of the church is a monument to Dr. Campbell, late of Toronto, but a former member of St. Andrew's, who was buried here by his dying wish " as close to old St. Andrew's as 30 1 -..^M.''^— '***•*'<'' pos.sil)U'. ' 1'li6 solemn pines sing a reijuiein over the city of the dead of difFerent lands and colors, for of late many have been buried here who followed the north star for freedom. All alike await the hour when the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised. While we admire the courage and pei'sistency of these early nionetirs in thus laying the foundation of a church in difficulties such' as would discourage the stoutest heart, may we, in this brighter day of the world's history — when in missionary circles is (l()n(! more in five years than in a century in former days — as the poet has expressed it, " better fifty years of Euro})e than a cycle of Cathay " — may we not prove degenerate sons of such noble sires, but may we do the duty that comes each day to each one of us, striving to deserve that highest praise given by the Master to tlie poor widow, " she hath done what she could," humbly lioj)ing that the rains from heaven and the fruitful showers may descend on us that the work may prosper, knowing well that "except the Lord Imild the house, they labor in vain that build it, except the Lord keep the i-ity tho watchman waketh but in vain,"