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Several admirable reasons could be given for the late appearance of this pamphlet— but here it is, as nearly on time as circumstances would permit. It is a pleasure to acknowledge indebtedness to the Rev. John Wood, of Ottawa, for valuable documents relating to the history of Canadian Congregationalism, and for practical suggestions; to the Rev. Joseph Unsworth, of Scotland, Ont., for important litera- ture; to the Rev. E. D. Silcox, Paris, Ont.. Miss E. Stowell, George- town, and Mr. George Pirn, Toronto, for interesting facts of Con- gregational history and ministerial biography. Horatio S. Be.wis. First Congregational Church, Hamilton, Ont. The Congregafioncil rcithers or Ccinacla. MU. ClIAIKMAN, FaTMI-KS. AND BRETHREN: All hearts that love tlx' brave and true will beat in admiration for the Fathers of Congregationalism in Canada. In obscure papers and scattered reports their records for the most part are hidden, more than one name representing gifts, graces, and character such as would adorn a nation's councils, living only in the short and simple annals of a rural church. One is not open to the charge of denominational boasting when he honors the toilers who braved the dangers and endured the hard- ships of the wilderness, nor is he partial if he desires that men who wrought well for the Cross of Christ and the cause of religious equality shall be held in loyal remembrance by those who have entered into their labors. And appreciation of the Fathers' toils will not make us forgetful of the Mothers' services; for the history of early Congregationalism in this country is brightened and hallowed by the records of true Mothers in Israel. Mrs. Richard Miles, whose faithful work is a tradition on the St. Lawrence and the Ottawa; Mrs. William Mc- Killican, whose earnest piety made her eminent in the early days; Mrs. Silcox, whose Christian character was a tower of strength amidst sturdy pioneers; these were representatives of a consecrated band, whose memories are a blessing to the toilers of to-day. The "wild New England shore" saw the advent of men and women who sought liberty in the worship of God; the foggy coast of Ne l.cforc wc catch anotlier f^limpsc of Con- grc'Katioiialisni in liial riKion: tlieii in 177? wc sec a soldier ol the Royal Artillery. ScrRt. Jdni Jones, a layman, preaching I" a Con- gregational church at St. jolin's. This hrave ofticerV return to h.ng- land. and the offer of promotion in His Majesty's service, did not destroy his care for brethren in the West, for in 177'). an ordained minister, he returned to St. John'>. and labored taitlunlly with the struggling coloiiiMs. I'.igoled ecclesiasticism gave liini a series ui hard caini)aigns. The primitive saiu-luary which ha assailants that he belonged to the Church militant, and wuuld have the rights which the laws of the British realm allowed. With pe;icelul eoiulition^ came eidarge- ment 01 the original buildini:; .nnl m 17^'' thi< M.ldier-mini^i'T Miniied \hv lirM I'r-.u.Maiit day sdin..l. ami the lirM Sunday Sclnxd on the Island. \iter a pa>t..rate which wa- honored by U..in:i!i Catholics a- well as I'mtesiaut^. he laid hi> ehar-e with his b..d> down, and ee.tsed al ..nee to work and live, in the la>t year m the eighteenth eentnry, beini; (\^ year- of age. Then followed a number of pa-torates. represented by the nauie.s of M<.rris, and Ward, and I'.vaii-. with other- of K—er non. Sir - ceedmu .\lr. I''.\an-. in the nuddle oi tlii- mneleenth century, wa'^ one 01 the -troiii^e-t factors in tin' religion- hi-tm-y of .X'ewtound- land. the Rev. Charles Pedley. four of whose son- are in the Gospel ministry in Canad;i. i'.ngiand. and Japan, one of the most widely known." Kev. J. W. PedUy, being the present ( iSqS) chairman-elect of this Congregation.il I'nion of Ontario and Quebec. .Mr. I'edley".- '• History of Xewfotindland." pul)li-hed in 1S64. iudualed his high literary ability, and his eminently successitil i.a-toralt' received abund- ant recognition beyond the bounds of his parish .\ substantial evi- dence fif this was given at the close of that pastorate, when the citi- zens of the Island presented him with a memorial address and a pitrse of 300 sovereigns. The names of Trad and Joseph Hart, father and son. are repre- sentative of the establishment of Congregationalism on Cape Breton Island. The former, though not an ordained clergyman, was prac- tically pastor of a congregation in the ^Targaree Valley, and at the organi/^ation of the church in 182.^ the latter became its first pastor. (Ill 18X7 Joliii ().. a KfaiuUoti of Irail, the tninulcr. graduated trom the Congregational Collt-Kt- at Montreal). Nova Scotia attracted niany settlers from New iiiiKland, and. of course, that meant a larger infusion of CongreKationalism iliaii would ai)|)ear at the present time. In 174K military and marine admirers of Lord Halifax gave his name to tiic beautiful city which guards that land. Five years later a Congregational church was founded, having for its first |)ast(ir the Rt\ Aaron Cleveland, an .uicestor of Grover Cleveland, twice President of the L'nited States. The Fathers siiffcred no such despotism as pressed upon Newfound- land's Congregational pioneers, lor the fullest religious freedom was guaranteed !>y ;i st.iiuir ih.tt has j.een styled the "• Magna Charta r>f Nova Scotia."' I'.y its pi(.\ isi,,ns they were granted " liberty of con- science; may erect meeting houses lor public worship; ma> elect minist'.'rs for the carrying out of divine ser\icf and the .idministni- tion of sacraments, .according lo their sever.tl opinions; and shall be excused from any t;i\ to b.' levied lor the supp(.rt oi the hlstab- lished Church." ^^lIe ColU'i-r fiu-m'shed the seioiid pastor, the Re\ . Daniel Hop- kins, and l.'iter. ,i Presbyteri.in minister, the Rev. Thomas Kusseil. did f.'iithful service tlure. This \\;is till' pioneer of many Congreg.i- tii'iial .lun-clus ri iundab:.uf . e.g., those at Windsor. Newport, Am- herst. Ann.ipr.lis. (Iranville and many more. It h;is to ln' recorded th.-it a large immber ol these cimrches were weakeiu'd. ;ind some ruined, by the Revolutionary War. The \'i!la,ge ot Chesier was the home of a Congregati(UiaI cluir.-li in 173'). with the Rev. John Secf>ndi as p.astor. ;inotiier New |-".ng- lander, leavin.i: a ji.astorate oi twenty lour years at Harvard. Mass. -After some tinu' he served the church at Halifax for fifteen years, then returned to Labor at Chester until his death, in 179,^ It is di>- ;!ppointing to le.arn tli.it the assistant pastor of Mr. Secomb's declin- ing years led the congreg.ation straight into another denomination. At Cornwallis and T%almouth congregations were organized, l>ut disasters came upon tiu-m through the mischievous inlhience of Henry .\lline, ;i " Now Light." hailing from Connecticut. .\ strong mati ;md a successful evangelist, this man wrought the disruption of many Congregational churches in \ -a Scotia. His appearance in :i community was usually followed b_ ;chism. and the scattering of congregations into other denominations. At Liverpool, about 1700, a church was organized, and soon after Harvard College furnished a pastor, the Rev. Israel Cheevers. Finding themselves in a com- modious church home in 1776. with every prospect pleasing. Mr. Alline visited them, and an ecclesiastical earth(iuake ensued. We must not fail, however, to give the erratic Yankee credit for occa- sional strokes resulting in substantial good. One of the best frujts of his evangelistic labors was the conversion of Mr. John Payzant to the Protestant faith, he having been trained for the Roman Catholic priesthood. Mr. Payzant's pastorate of over thirty years in the Liverpool church was very successful, resulting in the reunion of the severed churches. After his death, in 1834, the congregation again parted, but under the judicious leadership of the Rev. Dr. Tompkins the separated forces coalesced. Dr. Tompkins was espe- cially active in the establishment of Gorham College, but the destruc- tion of the building by fire closed the career of the institution. As the Halifax congregation was the " Mother Church " of its region, so the church at Tjverpool had spiritual children in its own vicinity. Another New England colony, hailing from near Plymouth Rock and from Connecticut, settled at Cheboque. in the township of Yar- mouth, and in i7(Vi built a sanctuary, forming a small church soon after A layman. Mr. John Frost, was solemnly set apart to the Gospel ministry by the delegates of the congregation. After three or four years in the pastorate. Mr. Frost resigned, and then a peculiar thing occurred. The new pastor-elect. Mr. Jonathan Scott, was sent with a delegation to Massachusetts for ordination, and installation over the church. Mr. Scott entered upon a very satisfactory pas- torate, but when Henry Alline made his appearance the church was rent in twain. Harmony was in time restored, and succeeding pas- torates witnessed growth. At Sheffield, in territory afterwards called New Brunswick, the Fathers formed a congregation, their first regular pastor, after a number of supplies, being the Rev. Seth Noble. 1774- His character did not contradict his name, but his warm sympathies with the Am- erican colonies in their cMitest for Independence caused the separa- tion of pastor and people. Having " pressed the button," the lively Alline could be relied upon to "do the rest." The record of that church's struggles, now torn into sections, then battling for its lite against tletcrtuincd opponc Us. forms really painful rcadinK. The faithful sailed into an open, peaceful sea. under the guidance of the Rev. Archibald McCallum. whose truly excellent pastorate extended from i8-'0 to 1840. "The Mother Church of New Brunswick, the oldest Protestant church of the Province." still lives to serve her Lord and humanity. As a soldier was the prime mover in building up Congregational- ism in Newfoundland, so were soldiers instrumental in introducing it into the Province of Quebec. Among the Queen's garrison were men who so greatly desired worship of the Nonconformist order that they sent to England for assistance. The Rev. Bentom. M.D.. arrived at the capital toe. late to be of service to the soldiers, wh.) h..a in the meantime been removed, but he resolutely set to work, holding a service for those who wished to attend. His salary was never a matter of solicitude to the Finance Committee, as he kept ihimself solvent by the practice of his profession. In 1801 he organ- ized a church of forty members, and entered upon a career of great vicissitude. He was an able man; no word of reproach could be spoken against him; but, tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon, this loyal subject and devoted minister was im- prisoned for six months and fined fifty pounds for the crime of ofti- ciating in marriage and other ministerial functions. In fact, it was not till the reign of William IV. that a statute was passed placing Congregational ministers on a footing in this regard with other clergymen. While Dr. Bentom was still in durance vile, the Rev. Francis Dick arrived from England and began the pastorate, organ- izing the first Protestant Sunday School of Canada, and otherwise proving his efficiency. It should in strict justice be observed that the distinction of originating these Sunday Schools is also .claimed for Miss Hedge, of Montreal. Under succeeding pastorates a church was built and a degree of prosperity enjoyed, but such difficulties subsequently arose as to compel their absorption into another body; and although a sm.all group formed the nucleus of a n' a Congregn- tional church, the great majority became known as Chalmer's Church. The Rev. Timothy Atkinson should be mentioned as the pastor of the plucky minority. Bordering on the State of Vermont, and frequently styled the " Switzerland of Canada," are the Eastern Townships. Early in ihe ninetc'fiuh century this region became the home of many New Eng- landers. and it nnist l)e said that their brethren in the States did not forget them. Some of the bravest pioneer work was done by such men as Lehind. Jackson and HoI)art. while still pastors of Nev ICiiRland churches. In iSii the Rev. John Jackson began a remavK- able mission in thi.s territory, and later rejoiced in the sight of snb- -tantial olnnclu> and happy congregations. The church at Brome was built under the pastorate ol the Rev. David Connell. Due of the workers who needed not to be ashamed was the Rev. 'Ihandeus < )>gnod, who orj.ianiyed a cliurch. and was pastor of a large con- grej.:alion at Stanstead. m iSih. His ('ahini->m was scarcely strong vnouuh to ^uit the robust appetites of :i minority oi his flock, but hi-> nunistry wa^ eminentlx useful. lie was followed by Andrew Raidxin and Joseph (libbs. nun of ^ui)enor abilities. .A Stanstead bov. R. V. Hall, after receivin>; his education m the States, was .-etlled as i)astor alioul iS,v'^ and continued in al)mi«lant work lor sixteen yearh. A young Xew b'.nK'inder. the Rev, J. Taylor, organized a Con- gregational church at l-'aton in 1S15. but in ti\e erpetual renuMubrance than the Rev. .\. J. Parker. Beginning his course as a regular supply in the early history of Stanstead. he next reorganized the Eaton church, when it was nearly defunct, and later, passed on to a mis- sionary tour through the to\vnshii)s, tlnally making Danville and the surrounding region the field of his labors for forty years or more. Montreal, the metropolis of Canada, liecame the home of a Con- gregational church in 18.32. when the Rev. Richard Miles, fresh from missionary service in South .\frica. began operations in thi.s country. With him came another missionary, the Rev, John Smith , whose useful service in Serampore. India, had been interrupted by ill- health. This gentleman wrought well in Upper Canada, esnecially as the pastor of a " Union " church at Kingston. Mr. Miles origin- atod the St. Maurice Street Congregational Cluircli. >ubseville. Later he made Sherbronke the f^ehl of his activities for n^any ye.-,r.. and returned tn I'.ngland 10 die in i88.v No one man as a Congregationalist made such an impression m the City of :\Iontrcal as he who in i8/> assumed the pastorate of ihv chu'rch. the Rev. Henry Wilkes. .\ chrmi,, logical -ketch of bis life would place hi^ birth at Birmingham. England, in 1805: his emigration to America in 1820: return to S-otland for theological education in i8j8; beginning of his life w . in Canada in 1836; launching of the Theological Academy at Afontreal in 184J: presi- dency of the Congregational College in 1871; his widely lamented death in 1886. Tlu- tilling up of these outlines would reveal a splen- .lully endowed manhood, graciously trained in tlu- providence of God. for eminent service. The mercantile training of his youth was of great benefit when in after life so many enteriirises looked to him for arrangement and control; and his affiliation with a Presby- terian church and Sunday School in Montreal was always regarded by him as happy in its effect. His life as a theological student in Scotland was not oidy marked with abundant proiuise of scholastic success, but with bright prophecy of pulpit power. It is not mere tradition, but sober fact, that the father of the renowned David Liv- ingstone was converted under the appeals of this young student. A 10 three years' pastorate in the Albany Street Church. Edinburgh, was worth a post-graduate course in the preparation for his great Hfe work. In that work, not alone as a preacher did he excel, nor as a pastor merely, nor chiefly as an administrator, nor specially as a 'leader in church societies, nor principally as an educator, nor ex- clusively as a pioneer superintendent, but in all of these capacities his success was remarkable. His position as agent of the Colonial Missionary Society, which he had been largely instrumental in form- ing, necessitated a vast amount of toilsome journeying. Through- out Upper and Lower Canada, among the hills of the Eastern Towm- ships. and even out to the Maritime Provinces, his evangelistic tours were extended. And when w^e consider the conditions of travelling in the early days, his powers of endurance wiM be increasingly ap- preciated, and the wonder will grow that he was able to continue successfully the labors of the pastorate. In 1846 the St. Maurice Street Church became a thing of the past, and a now building was opened, dedicated w-ith the name of '' Zion." by which title it has since been known: and the record of his sermons and lectures in that pulpit, together with the knowledge of his pastoral oversight, would indicate sufficient toil for one man. It is enough to say that no one man has so strongly marked the his- tory of Congregationalism in Canada. Men and institutions delighted to honor him: the University of Vermont granted him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and McGill University conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws. For half a century he wrought so influentially as to be loved and honored by multitudes wdiom he had blessed, and many more who admired the labors they did not personally know. The Montreal Gazette ternied iliim " the Patriarch of the religious community." " He was a living bond of union between our denomi- nations," was the eulogy passed by a member of another body. Plis biography, written by the Rev. John Wood, reveals such a char- acter as may well make Canadians proud of that Prince in Israel. Dr. Wilkes drew around him a noble body of men. The Rev. J. J. Carruthers became associated with him in educational work, lecturing in the newly-formed Theological Academy, on Homiletics. Theology, etc. The same year. 1842. Mr. Carruthers projected the first Congre- gational paper in Canada, entitled The Harbinger. His preaching II I ability was of a high order, but the organization of a church did not result happily. The Rev. Charles Chapman \v;is a valued coad- jutor, first as associate pastor of Zion, later as pastor, relinquishing the position to assume the presidency of a college in old Plymouth. England. The Rev. George Cornish came from Nova Scotia and was soon a prominent educational factor both at McGill and in the Con- gregational College. It was a fortrnate day for Congregationalism when the Rev. Adam Lillie, D.E ■, ok charge of the amalgamated college at Montreal— a man of h; / character, remarkable attain- ments, and of superior ability as an educator. In 1875 a colony from Zion organized the Emmanuel Church, and the Rev. J. F. Stevenson became its first pastor. The strength and influence of this church, together with its important relation to the College, have shown the wisdom of its fathers and the devoted energy of their children. Cal- vary Church was not long in coming into vigorous existence, fol- lowed in these later days by Point St. Charles and Bethlehem. The Rev. F. H. Marling, who distinguished himself as one of the earliest promoters of the Young Men's Christian Association in Montreal, as a fellow-worker in the College, and as Secretary of the Congre- gational Union of Lower Canada, should be mentioned as one of the young men who labored in hiearty accord with Dr. Wilkes. These honored names recall the organization of the Congrega- tional Institute at Dundas by Dr. Lillie, in 1839: the planting of Toronto Academy in 1840, its coalition two years later with the Con- gregational Institute of Eastern Canada, from Montreal, and the sub- sequent possession of a small library from Gorham College, of Liv- erpool, at which time it assumed the title of the " Congregational College of British North America." In 1864 the institution was moved to ^Tontreal. the first of the denominational colleges to form affiliation with McGill University. It became Ontario's turn to enter the field when Quebec had well begun the cultivation of her vineyard. At the present time there arc more Congregational churches in Ontario than in all the rest of the Dominion: but when Upper and Lower Canada were united in 1840 there were but sixteen Congregational churches in the former Pro- vince and eighteen in the latter. The church at Frome carries the banner as the original congregation of our order in Upper Canada. This takes us back to 1819. when, after two years residence in that 12 tuwiisliip, S«>ml)\\«)l(l. the Rev. Joseph Silcox wcUKd togctlKT ;m independent body, 'llic country was primitive, the comniinnly small, hut both received ample compensation in the title of the new church. Mindful of it.s excellent material, hopeful for its pacific inlluence and noble destiny, it unfurled the banner with the comprehensive device, '• The Congregational Presbyterian Prince of Peace Society." No, the name didn't kill u. ')Ut tlu name itself died, prob- ably from oserstrain, and the church remains, a monument to its founder's devf)tion. a model ol tidelily to the cause of Christ. How hmg this congregation retained Us ecumenical cognomen 1 do not know. l)Ut hi.tory informs us tliat the warlike tremors oi |S.^; and iS^S sorely triid it> con>titiUion. The ■■ i'ather" of this advance guard church wa- of heroic mould, fitted to conciuer a wihlerness that literally howled with wolves, and to help lay the foundations of future empire. l'.arn>. -ehooMiousC'., log cabins, as well as '■ grove--." weri' • (iod's firt 2s. desir- c United lathcson into an oved. and strongly nnpre^^ed ,he loving Chr.st ^n-" '- -^^ I their congregations. Robust. energeUo. ^>--^^f ^^^ '-,,.'; ".i scholarly, refined, sanguine, the other, they wore both uu. t>pc the Christian minister. . , , t Again a soldier steppe ,„a no.; the reverend and revered soUher tor many >-- thtev hinnself into the most arduous labors m what beca,.e ^-^'^ ^ J^ ^ Royal City.- and round about to Gara.raxa. \orw,ch. Specdsule. Alton, and Oakville. . , u •,;.!, The church at Kingston was foundod by an o.hcer ;•;;';;;;;;': navy, the Rev. Thotnas Baker, a man of sterhng characte, . tatthinl >o his :\I aster and to man. The pastorate of the Rev. S. N. Jackson. M.D a representative Congregationalist and a very able preacher, greatly blessed the clutr and the Rev. Kenneth M. Fenwick has left lasttng memorials o. hts usefulness. In l8n "Little York" became known to the world as Toronto and with' the new name there appeared the first Congregattonal church with the Rev. William Merrifield as its pastor. Seventeen ntembe'rs constituted this body, nearly all fonnerly connected w. . the denomination in England. The earlier pubhc serv.ces were held in the Masonic Hall, on Colborne Street. Two years after the organt- Jat on 'of th,s church there came to its ptilpit one ot the strongest 14 preachers who have influenced the affairs of Toronto and Canada— the Rev. John Roaf. His ministry extended to the year 1855. and throughout that period he threw all his powers of gifts and character into the struggle for religious equality in this country, when that was a question to an extent whicli would seem impossible in our day. Those were the times of the " Clergy Reserves " agitation when once for all in the history of Canada it was settled that no ecclesias- tical body, Catholic jr Protestant, could arrogate to itself the right to State support. But ecclesiastical bigotry dies hard, and years elapsed before all Christian ministers could enjoy the privileges once exclusively held by a few. Zion Church has cause to be proud of its pastor's record in those strenuous times. In 1857 the powerful earnest, eloquent spirit of John Ro:.f passed to rest, closing a signally public-spirited career. In the historic year 1837 this "Mother Church'" of Congrega- tionalism in Toronto migrated from the Masonic Hall to a vacant Methodist church on George Street, until New Year's Day. 1840 when, with thanksgiving it assembled in its own home on Bay and Adelaide Streets. Driven out by f^re fifteen years later, a new edifice arose in 1856 on the same site, and Zion rejoiced as of yore. This church has been a colonizing force. In 1849. twenty-five members withdrcAv to form the Second Congregational Church '(now Bond Street Church), and in 1868. twenty-eight members retired to form the Northern Church. Again the hive swarmed, in 1874. when thirty members toook their departure to form the Western Church. Later still, members assisted in the formation of Olivet and Broad- view Avenue churches. Not only the Provincial capital, but many places round about have been enriched by representatives from pro- lific Zion. One of the active members,- honored and beloved, of the First Congregational Church, of Hamilton, belonged to :^Irs. Roaf's Bible Class in the " forties." Zion's strong and brilliant daughter, the present Bond Street Church, had for her first pastor from 1849 to 1853. the Rev. Archibald Geikie. Secretary of the Union of Canada West, and Secretary of the " Amalgamation Committee " which prepared the way for the consoli- dated Union of the Eastern and 'Western churches. His subsequent distinguished literary career In England was highly gratifying to his brethren of this country. In 1854 and for twenty-one years later, the 15 Rev. F. H. Marling, whose valued services in Montreal had brought him prominently betore the Congregationalists of Canada, was the honored leader. In the closing days of 18O3 this Second Church removed from its old home on Richmond Street into the completed edifice on Bond Street. This was subsequently pulled down, a:id the present imposing structure erected. A brave and successful pioneer on Lake Ontario's shore was the Rev. William Hayden, founder and organizer of the churches at Cobourg and Cold Springs, about 1840. A tine preacher, and m labors incessant, his memory is blessed in the monuments which still endure in the churches named. Very faithfully did the Rev. Thomas Snell build upon the foundations laid. The pastorate of the Rev. Charles Pedley, from Newfoundland, will long be held in luving remembrance. For the same scholarly powers and pastoral efficiency marked his Canadian pastorate as signalized his Newfoundland min- istry. A man who knew his people, dignified his work, and glorified his Master, he was justly held in honor by all who knew him. In our day, when slipshod reading of Scripture and hymns 's not alto- gether out of vogue, it is well to learn from the record of this man of God that at least two men in Cobourg were led to decide for Christ by the reading of a hymn. In his element with scholars, at home with humble, sturdy toilers, happy in the society of children, no wonder he was beloved. The Rev. William Clarke founded the " First Church " of London in 1837, and in all his public work proved himself to be one of the staunchest of Canadian pastors. The first Chairman of the Congre- gational Union of Ontario and Quebec, he deserved to be held as a representative. The honor of introducing the Congregational order into Ottawa belongs to the Rev. Joseph Elliot, who gathered a small congrega- tion in Temperance Hall in 1859. Thus did the Congregational Fathers of Ontario and of Canada lay the foundations of the present superstructure. And what shall I say more ? For the time would fail me to tell of Vincent of Paris, Byrne of Whitby, Powis of Belleville; of R. K. Black, of Lanark, and John Fraser, of Brockville, and of William Hay, of Scotland, supplemented by John Durant. of StoufifviHe; Ludwis Kribs, Miss Emma Baylis. William Barrell, and Peter Keshick, among the i6 huliaiis of Colpoy's Bay, SauKt'cii and Sidney Bay: who through faitli .subdued l ili;it tile body was empowered by .Acts of the .Xssemblies of Nova Scotia and "New Brunswick, to hold property and receive Ix- qucsts for missionary and educational operations. In Cp])er Canada the Western .Association was formed. February y. 1848. but for several years it was known as the Tlamilton Associ'i- tion. The* pastors present at its inception were the Revs. William Clarke, at whose home in Simcoe the organization was effected: John JDurant. Edward Ebbs. William Play and James Vincent; the- churches represCiUcd l)eitig Hamilton. Paris, Burford, Brantford, Simcoe, Scotland, and Drummondville. Subsequently the \vell- 17 known names ol the Revs, lliram Denny. W. F. Clarke, Thomas Baker, SolonuMi Siiickr, Koheri Robinson. D, McCalhiin. Jolm Wood, with c)thers, w- : appended. The meetiny^ were licUl (inar- terly. The earnest si :• of these men and elinreho i> atte>ted by iheir " Objects of the Association." whieii were, To promote the revival oi >piriinal religion. t(» secnre closer imion among the churches, to take counsel with each other in cases re(|niring it, to promote tlie interests ot the ehnrclus a!>>ociatetl in every way short ol authoritative interierenee. anil to unite m etVorls to extend the Kingdom of Chn>t. together with the managenuiU oi the mi-fcionar\ business within it^ liniits.'' [•'nllv con>eion> of tlieir re^ijonsibilitie--. the>e brethren discussed nieasure> which led to importaiu resnlt^. It was in 1S5J tliat, at the suggestion nf Dr. \\ ilke>, who wa> visiting them, they debated the (,ue>tioii of the eoii-olidatioii of the I'nion- of I'pper and Lower Canada, which, a.s ue iia\e seen, was accomplished the t(dlowing vear. in con>e(|Uence of the nnsati>factory reproentation of churche--. tile Western Association thought it wise to resolve itself into a purely ministerial body in 1X5^. and until i^X) the atteni])! was made to l)erpetuate itself on that basi-. .\.i the latter date :t reorganization took place, comprehending churches as well as niinisters. and com- l-'.ising London. i'>rantlord. and,Guelph sections. At Guelph. Ill 1S30. the Central .Association came into being, though it at first bo'e the title of the Xorth-W'estern .Association. This included Toronto, and reached to Owen Sound. The Ministerial Association of the Eastern District was formed a year later, at I'.rockville. the original members being the Rev-. I'enwick. Lancashire. Robiiison. Ulack. and Burpee. In the Eastern Townships was organized an Association at Cromp- ton, in 1836, by the Revs. Robertson, of Sherbrooke; Parker. 01 Shipton: Hubbard, of IMelbourne. and Sabin. of Stanstead. with Horace Chajnu. of New Hampshire. "The St. Francis .Association of Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers." it was styled, and declared in the preamble to its constitution that " W'e .acknow- ledge as our articles of faith the system of religious truth taught in the Assembly's Shorter Catechism." It was not until 1870 that the title was assumed of the " Eastern Townships' .\ssociatioTi of Coii- grcgational Ministers." i8 Nor were the Fathers forgetful of missionary rcsponsibihty. The Canada Education and Home Mission Society was formed of various denominations, in 182O, at Montreal, the Rev. A. J. Parker being sent to Shipton under its auspices, and the churches at Eaton and Granby being supphed through its agency. It also introduced Rich- ard Miles to Montreal. The Colonial Missionary Society, organized in 18.}'), secured tlie return of Henry Wilkes to Canada, as the pioneer missionary and agent of the Society. It also had the honur of bring- ing John Roaf to Toronto. Thenceforward, for a number of years, the operations of the Colonial Missionary Society were carried on in two sections, through tine agency of Mr. Wilkes, in Montreal, and Mr. Roaf, in Toronto. The Western Section put in operation a new missionary society in 1840, the churches of the East following suit in 1846, yet these did not do away with the Colonial Society. All ithis was preliminary to the organization of the Canada Con- gregational Missionary Society, at the formation (jf the Union of Ontario and Quebec, in 1853. The Indian Missionary Society was in operation for several years from its institution in i860. To these agencies was added the Foreign Missionary Society in 1881. Our mission at Cisamba, in West Central Africa, under the leadership of the Rev. Walter Currie, has taken its place as one of the best ex- amples of modern missionary enterprise. Thus I have passed in review some of the Congregational Fathers (if Canada. The names of many worthy men have been omitted, but those mentioned give a fair impression of the quality of the foun- dation-layers in the Canadian Israel. And these stood shoulder to shoulder with the best representatives of other denominations. Such contemporaries as the Baptist Dr. Fyfe, eminent as an educator and minister; the Anglican Bishop Strachan, founder of Trinity Uni- versity, and one of the historic forces of the country; the Presby- terians Liddell and Proudfoot, honored representatives in higher Christian education; the celebrated Methodist, Egerton Ryerson, minister, educator, author, legislator, giving Ontario her position in the front rank of the patrons o*^ Public Schools; these were men to confer honor on all churches and on any country. By their side we confidently place the Rev. Henry Wilkes. D.D., LL.D.. "The Unmitred Bishop of Canadian Independency"; the Rev. John Roaf, one of the staunchest champions of civil rights and religious equality; 19 J. J. Carruthers, a prince among prcaclicrs; Adam Lillif, one ut the most versatile of Canadian cilucators; with George Cornish and J. F. Stevenson, stalwarts as miiiislers and as instructors of ministers. The abilities of the Fathers were a surprise to many of their English cousins, who did not look for much of greatness to come out of the Canadian Nazareth. "Jr. Poore, representing the Colonial Missionary Society, expressed aaionishment at the power of the men whom he heard in the pulpits of Canada, and whe.i Dr. Wilkes preached at Highgate, ICngland, a lady, congratulating him upon his sermon, remarked: " Of course such discourses would be above Canadian congregations!" The good Dr. assured her that he had a few weeks before preached that sermon in Montreal, and the fair auditor departed with a new idea regarding the htjiiiiletic ai)petites of Canadians. To these distinguished characters we will ever be debtors. Work- men they were, whose trowels of labor and swords of defence made them hardy warriors of the church militant. And they were spirit- ually-minded; each heard the voice Divine. " Son of man, stand 'jpon thy feet, and I will speak to thee!" No one can read the ad- dresses, papers or sermons of V/ilkes, Fenwick, Lillie, and not dis- cern the spirit which has communed with the Most High. In their constancy the rank and file might well be characterized, as did the Greek General his army, '" There is my wall, and every man's a brick." Each for Christ and humanity was willing to " Stand in his place and testify To coming ages Ion,-?, That truth is stronger than a lie. And righteousness than wrong." W Let US acknowledge " The debt immense of endless gratitude, still paying, still to owe. They were worthy successors of the Pilgrim Fathers and the Scrooby Grandfathers. They have labored and we have entered into their labors. The same Lord whose they were and whom they served will be present with us as we build upon their foundations, as we 30 carry ;K'e, we know iliat uur 1 ■ ' d ,r.', [mnmniie! is Ffis name; the Leader who inspirel lltviii hpcaks n comfort to t-vcry warrior now: " Lo, I am with you ;ilway; I will ticver leave you nor forsake you!" Wherefore, helovtd Wcthren, seein^f vve arc compassed ahoiit with so threat a clnnd ui witnesso^ 'ay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so ea'-ily beset "». «'md kt ns nm with (/atiencc the race that is set before us, LOOKINi. INTO jr.SUS.