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Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon ie cas: le symbols --»> signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". l\/laps, 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 ha^id corner, left to right and top to bott'>m, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre f ilmAs d des taux de reduction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA. 11 eet fil^nA A partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 MEMOIR OF Daniel Arthur McGregor LATE PRINCIPAL OF TORONTO BAPTIST COLLEGE U-bUglteb by iht Alumni Jtseodation ot 'Eoxonto §iipti0t €olitQt SECOND EDITION. '^ TOROKTO: DuDLBV & Burns, Pp.iNTitRs 1891 Could I have said while he was here, "My love shall now no further raw^c ; There cannot come a mellower chango, For now is love mature in ear." Love then had hope of richer store ; What end is here to my complaint? This haunting whisper makes me faint, "More years had made me love thee more." But death returns an answer sweet : " My sudden frost was sudden gain, And gave all ripeness to the grain It might have drawn from after-heat." PREFACE. The Alumni Association of Toronto Baptist College, at its annual meeting in April 1890, decided to under- take the preparation and publication of a Mamoir of Principal McGregor, then recently deceased. " It was resolved to raise by subscription such a sum as would, when added to a small amount in the treasury of the Association, defray all the expenses of publication, and to bestow upon Mrs. McGregor the entire proceeds of the sale of the book. For the carrying out of this undertaking two committees were appointed : an Edit- ing Committee, consisting of Professors Newman and Campbell, and a Finance Committee, consisting of Rev. W. C. Weir and Rev. J. L. Gilmour. After a few months of joint effort on the part of the I'inance Committee, the removal of Mr. Weir to a dis- tant Province left the chief financial responsibility on Mr. Gilmour's shoulders. By dint of well directed and persistent effort the needful amount of money has been secured, and arrangements have been made, which, it is expected, will result in the prompt sale of the entire edition. To those who have generously contributed to the publishing fund the thanks of the Association and of the Denomination are due. 4 PREFACE. As the work of editing was not very burdensome and was scarcely susceptible of advantageous division, most of it naturally devolved upon the first-named member of the committee. Professor Campbell was frequently consulted as to the general features of the book ; but he cannot fairly be held responsible for the execution of the editorial task. The committee decided at the outset to adopt the co-operative plan in the preparation of the biographical sketch, as likely to secure the best results, with the least delay and the least expenditure of individual effort. Rev. Malcolm MacGregor, of New York, the eldest brother of Princi- pal McGregor, cheerfully undertook and faithfully, lovingly and ably executed the task of preparing Chapters I. and V. Chapter IT. was assigned to Rev. E. W. Dadson, whose long acquaintance with Principal McGregor and his profound admiration for his charac- ter enabled him to write sympathetica llj/ and intelli- gently of the period of his life under consideration. Chapter III. was written by Rev. D. G. Macdonald, who as a student came to know and to love Principal McGregor, and as the beloved and efficient pastor of the Stratford church was in a position to judge of his work as a pastor and to exhibit this portion of his life in its true setting and its true light. To Mrs. McGregor more than to any other individ- ual are any excellencies that the memoir may possess PREFACE. 5 due. She not only aided ai the selection and securing of writers, but she furnished each writer with much valuable material and many valuable suggestions, and caivifuUy examined the various chapters before they were given to the printer. To her also is due the selection of materials for Chapter VI. and the selec- tion for publication of the essays, addresses, sermons, etc., contained in Part II. In an important sense she may be regarded as the Editor of the book. The work of all, whether in collecting or contri- buting money, in furnishing materials, in writing, or in editing, has been from first to last a l^bor of love. That the little book may be a means of keeping fresh in the memory of our Canadian Baptists the life and work of one of the noblest and most Christlike of men, and thus of advancing in some humble measure the kingdom of Christ, is the earnest desire of all who have had to do with its publication. ! • CONTENTS. PART I. BiooiiAPiiK'AL Sketch 7-144 CiiAJ'TKii I.— Ancestry and Early Life .... 9 CuAi'TKR II.— Student Life 22 Cfiai'Tkh II I. —The Pastorate ....... 40 Chai'teu IV.— Professor and Principal .... 66 CirAi'TER v.— Last Illness 94 Chaptek VI.— Tributes of Respect .... 123 i-'V ■ — PART II. Literary Remains 140-245 Does Poetry Necessarily Decline with the Advance of Civilization ? j^y What Constitutes a Regular Baptist Church '^ . . 162 The Inspired Estimate of Orthodoxy .... 169 A Home Mission Address j^yy Man's Questionings about God's Promises . . 185 The Holy Spirit's Agency in Revival Work . . 200 Worthy is the Lamb 210 The Unexpected Way 226 Poetical Pieces 239 9 22 40 66 94 123 PART I. 145 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. CHAPTER I. ANCESTRY AND EARLY LIFE. A D. 1847-70. In undertaking, at the request of those having the matter in charge, to write certain chapters in tlie volume to be prepared and published in memory of Daniel A. McGregor, it is with the utmost diffidence and shrinking of heart that his eldest brother, inti- mately associated with him through many changeful years, addresses himself to the unlooked-for, delicate and painful task. Perhaps, in the circumstances, a direct and familiar method of narration may, on the whole, embarrass the writer less and serve the pur- poses of the story more. Whenever the character and life of a departed person become matters of general interest, there is in- variably a desire to know something of his ancestry, however undistinguished, and of his surroundings,' however commci-place— such is mankind's instinctive recognition of the significance both of heredity and of environment in the development of individual human 10 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. : life. As, in this instance, the later ancestry and the earlier surroundings are considerably interwoven witli important threads of the Baptist history of the Ottawa Valley, some reference to them may not be undesi- rable. Both the parents of ^' e subject of this memoir were of Scottish birth. As certain family traditions and heir-looms attest, the line of his paternal ancestors descended from him who, after the Gaelic manner, was called " The Man of Royston " — Crag Royston near Ben and Loch Lomond, in the hereditary lands of the " Clan Mi.cGregor " : that is, the line descended from the " Rob Roy MacGregor " of whom Sir Walter Scott, in his way of mingling history and fiction, has so vividly and entertainingly written. In the latter part of the last century, Daniel's paternal great-grand- father, Robert, removed from Crag Royston to Glen Lyon, where, in allusion to his business pursuits, he was long and honorably known, in Gaelic phrase, as Robert the merchant. It was here and about 1809 that Robert's second son, Malcolm, married Miss Chris- tian Blaikie, who, about the year 1816, was converted to Christ, baptized upon profession of faith, and united to the then infant Baptist church in Glen Lyon, which sprang into existence directly or indirectly through the evangelical movement originated and sustained by the Faldane brothers. Thus early was this family brought into contact with spiritual Christianity and Nesv Testament Church principles; and greatly blessed through many afte r years was the influence of her whose heart and life were then consecrated to the % ANCESTRY AND EARLY LIFE. n muy and issed her the vSaviour ; and long will she be remembered as " a mother in Israel " and as a fervent lover of Christ and of souls. In LSI 7, this wedded pair, with the four children ])orn to them in Scotland, (the second of whom was Alexander, the future father of Daniel), left the land of their birth, for Canada, the land of their adoption, and spent the first three years after their arrival in Montreal. At some point in this period of time, the first Baptist communion service ever held in that city was observed in their house. On leaving Montreal the family moved up into the northern side of the Ottawa Valley and settled on a " forest farm " in the " Rear of Chatham " in the County of Argenteuil, where their children increased to the number of twelve, of whom four sons and four daughters are still living. Here settled also a number of other Scottish families from the neighborhood of Glen Lyon, — the McPhails, the McArthurs, the McGib- bons, the McFarlanes, the McCallums and others. The renewal of old acquaintanceship in a new land, and in circumstances sometimes of peculiar hardship, was exceeilingly grateful and helpful to all concerned. A Baptist church, of primitive type and spiritual tone, afterwards known as the Dalesville Church, was speedily formed, of which Duncan McPhail, a man " mighty in the Scriptures " and who had studied for a ti . under the Haldanes in Edinburgh, was the founder and leader, and informally the pastor ; and tlirough the efforts of himself and the brotherhood generally, the church grew in kxiowledge and in gract 12 MEMOIR OF D. A. M'GREGOR. and was privileged to bring a goodly number of peo- ple to Christ, among whom were the pastor's son, Daniel McPhail, afterwards for the third of a century a singularly devoted and fruitful minister of the New Testament, Mrs. MacArthur, mother of the gifted and successful Dr. R. S. MacArthur, and Mr. McCallum, grandfather of the McEwens, well and favorably known in the Canadian Baptist ministry. About the year 1834, the Breadalbane church, of which the future veteran Rev. William Fraser was pastor, was blessed, after a long and discouraging season of barrenness, with an extensive and glorious revival. In the good work the pastor was ^eatly assisted by Rev. John Gilmour of Montreal, whose own field of labor was visited a little later with copi- ous showers of refreshing. The Dales ville church had given itself to prayer for a similar work of grace, and upon its earnest request Mr. Gilmour went in the winter of 1835 to its assistance. Here also he con- ducted a series of religious meetings through which a great number of people were brought to the Saviour, baptized, and added to the church. Among the con- verts of that time were Malcolm McGregor, ever after known as a noble and fruitful Christian, and all his older children, including Alexander, subsequently the father of Daniel. The personal influence and importu- nate prayers of Mrs. Malcolm McGregor were largely instrumental ^" i the conversion of her husband and children. Some few years after the Dalesville revival, Alex- ander McGregor,'5moved by the desire of doing more .0- ANCESTRY AND EARLY MINISTRY. 13 efficient work for Christ, and influenced by the coun- sel of several brethren, including his pastor Rev. John Edwards then settled in Dalesville, became a student in the Montreal Baptist College, with the intention of preparing himself, if so it might be, for the work of the gospel ministry. After about two years of suc- cessful study, though possessed of naturally vigorous and fertile powers of mind, he desisted froin the pro- ject and turned to other pursuits, fearing that he would be unable to overcome a partly constitutional hesitancy of speech. From these circumstances he was led in after life, when father of a family, to make it habitually a matter of earnest secret prayer that it might please God to call some of his sons into the ministry in his stead — as anciently He had appointed Solomon to erect the temple which David had not been permitted to build. On the same day, early in February 1842, that Catherine his eldest sister was married to Rev. Daniel McPhail, Alexander McGregor was united in mar- riage, at the same place, Dalesville, and b}^ the same minister, Rev. John Edwards, to Miss Clementine Mc Arthur, then of Montreal. She was born in 1815, in Glen Lyon, Scotland, and was the daughter of Daniel McArthur, a man of sincere and ardent piety, who took a deep interest in vital Christianity and in the work of Christian missions then being prosecuted in Scotland under the Haldanes and others ; and, though he was a member and a precentor in the Pres- byterian church, he manifested a great and tender regard for the little Baptist church in his neighbor- 14 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. ^Ii ii hood, often throwing open his house for its meetings. Had his life not been cut off prematurely, he would in all likelihood have united himself with this body of Christians, which was greatly to his mind; but before Clementine, his only daughter then surviving, was eight years old, he passed away from earth in the triumph of faith, to be followed in like manner a few years later by his widow. With her only surviving near relatives, her brother and her grand-uncle, Clem- entine came, when about sixteen years of age, to Mon- treal, where, under the ministry of Rev. John Gilmour, she was converted, baptized and united to the Baptist church ; and it was there, during his student days, that she first made the acquaintance of her future husband. Through all her career subsequent to her conversion, till her blissful departure from this life, August 20th 1876, she was a spiritually-minded and tenderly conscientious Christian. For cheerful cour- age amid the disappointments and ills of life, and for gentleness and fervent good-will toward every one, she was remarkable ; while for loving and whole- souled devotion to the best interests of the children whom God had given her, she was unexcelled. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander McGregor went to the township of Osgoode and there for some six years settled upon a forest farm. In 1848 they moved away from Osgoode, and — as the husband's various pursuits, school -teaching, lumbering, milling and farming, required — lived suc- cessively in Dales ville, Rigaud, Lochiel, Breadalbane, Duncan ville, Winchester, returning in 1860 to Os- ■/■ ' •■ ''■'■■ etings. would ■ - 4: % 1 s body i; but ;fg' skiving, ■ f -f in the m • a few viving Clem- 3 Mon- ■» ilmour, 3* 1 baptist ) days, future - J^A ANCESTRY AND EARLY LIFE. 15 to her is life, d and I cour- nd for y one, whole- lildren Mrs. 3goode forest e, and ching, d suc- Ibane, o Os- goode where they remained till several years after Daniel left home to study for the ministry. In all, seven children were born to them, the third of whom died in infancy. Daniel was born December 13th, 1847, during the first residence in Osgoode, '.nd was the younger of twin brothers and the fifth child in the family. During child-life, though not very robust, he was quite healthy, having no illness but a single short and sharp attack of fever from which he quickly recovered. In moi o advanced boyhood and in early manhood he developed an excellent physique and great muscular strength. In the mill, in the forest, on the farm, and on the lumber-laden streams, he had up to and including his twenty -second year his full share of arduous toil, attended at times with more than ordinary privations. Among Daniel's characteristics there were several real, yet sufficiently consistent contrasts, which were perceptible in early life and which developed them- selves strikingly through his maturer years. He was deferential yet independent ; diffident yet determined. He enjoyed solitude ; and he loved society. He was (juite indisposed to tolerate unwarranted encroach- ments upon his personal rights ; and he was in a re- markable degree self-sacrificing and chivalrous in the interests of others. He was so tender-hearted that, without some practical object in view he could scarcely even bear to hea,/ recitals of suffering ; but he could endure suffering itself with exemplary fortitude, when- ever the providence of God demanded, and even inflict it, with a degree of unction, when persuaded that the 16 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. claiiiiH of justice and order rei^uired. He had native to him a faint tinge of melancholy, a slightly plain- tive air, and a ready sympathy with things solemn and awe-inspiring ; and yet, though not exceptionally witty himself, nor much the occasion of wit in others, he had an exquisite sense and a hearty appreciation of both wit and humor, severely governed, however, by considerations of time and place. Like the alter- nations of major and minor strains in certain forms of Celtic music, the modulations of his temperament, which was essentially Celtic, often produced quite varied and interesting effects. Until after he was twenty-two years of age Daniel's opportunities for attending school were few and unim- portant, amounting in all, after his twelfth year, to but a few weeks. But though he was at S(> critical a period, through force of circumstances, largely de- prived of school advantages, he developed a keen taste for reading and made himself thoroughly acquainted with the contents of all manner of books within his reach in private and circulating libraries. For many years, at night, and during intermissions of physical toil, he studied the English poets earnestly and with great relish. It was long the practice of himself and his younger brother, at intervals in the labors on the farm and in the forest, to compete with each other in reciting the poems, or in repeating the substance of books which they had been reading aloud to each other the evening before. In these ways Daniel's memory, and his mental powers generally, we^'e greatly quickened and strengthened ; and he thus acquired a ANCESTRY AND EARLY LIFE. 17 mass of general int'orniation, which, when he became a college student, was recognized as exceptionally ex- tensive and valuable, and which in after life was often of great service to him. His memory was stored in the same way with the gems of the British poets, especially those of Tennyson, whose density of thought and delicacy of diction liad great attraction for him and greatly influenced his literary taste and feeling through all his after life. It seems appropriate at this point to remark, for the encouragement of the young readers of this nar- rative, that a mind animated by the noble desire of self improvement and of becoming useful in the world may find implements and opportunities always and everywhere ; and that by suppressing all inordinate desire for amusements and trivial gratifications, and using diligently whatever fragments of time and means are available one may come in the course of years to possess mental power, discriminating taste, extensive knowledge, practical wisdom, and, if conse- crated to C'lrist, capacity to serve efficiently God and humanity. In order to indicate the type of Daniel's conversion and religious character, it will be helpful to refer for a moment to certain important religious influences that came upon him from the past and from his sur- roundings at the time of his becoming a Christian. The great revivals in Breadalbane, Dalesville and Montreal, from 1834 to 1886, in which his father and mother, then unknown to each other, were converted, were of such a powerful and radical nature that they 1,nd how reason feasted while his soul flowed during the peregrinations of the oyster aforesaid, all old stu- 30 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. dents will remember. He was ever the life of the company, exuberant in his wit as in his modesty. There can be no doubt that a college man, such as ho, has tne power to help or to hinder, in great measure, both the efficiency of the college and the progress of his fellow students. One old Brooke at Rugby was alike efficient support to Arnold and to Brown. One Flashman is ever a source of anxiety. Masters are expectant of mischief, and students are either ready for it or dreading it, and the institution thus disorganized. Brooke should be sought out, invited, pressed into the school, and retained there at all cost ; and Flashman, in every guise and of any parentage, should be made go without excuse or delay. The one makes for the benefit of all ; the other is a nuisance pure and simple. The foregoing verges on platitude certainly, if it be not entirely across the boundary ; but the truth contained in it is not yet sufficiently recognized to be at all times acted upon. Young McGregor's clear head and warm heart had no small place in bringing about the whole- some atmosphere which was breathed by teachers and students in Woodstock College during the early 70's. But the activity of his religious life was perhaps his most noteworthy characteristic. Conversion with him meant much more than salvation ; and religious doctrine much more than an intellectual pastime, to be engaged in with solemn visage. He recognized the Christ-life as the serious business of his life, and sought day by day in his own humble and beautiful way to do something which would tell upon the king- dom. His hushed earnestness in prayer, as he led the STUDENT LIFE. tn of the lodesty. ^1 as he, leasure, ;Tess of by was One iers are ady for anized. nto the shman, e made for the simple. ; be not itained 1 times warm whole- rs and r 70'S. 3rhaps 1 with igious me, to ed the and utiful king- id the students' devotions ; his quiet passion as lie spoke the praises of his Redeemer in their prayer meetings ; his constant and unobtrusive "personal dealing," who that knew him as a Woodstock student can fail to recall ? And who did not personally, in some fashion, receive the touch of his quiet spirit, and become a better man through receiving it ? Mr. McGregor, as a student, made much of the day of rest, and always entered upon its services with (juiet and holy joy. Mr. Bates and Mr. Goodspeed were his pastors in his Woodstock days ; and if it may be said that few students have had more instrur?- tive pastors, it may also be said that few pastors have had a more receptive listener. Mr. McGregor revelled in the sermon, and carried with him to his room for rehearsal and the spiritual profit of others not only divisions and illustrations, but also the force and spirit of the discourse His was a wholesome college life. It developed kindred spirits and multi- plied the agencies for good which at that time resulted so conspicuously in the conversion of students to God. In his early preaching and in the spiritual work he did outside of the college he soon made it manifest to those who were intimate with his spirit and methods that he would be, and not many years in the future, a strong man in the pulpit and in denominational work. He set the pulpit before him as that to which he must make everything bend. It was the great object, so he thought, for all who were called to the work of the ministry. And he regarded it not more specially as that which demanded the best he could .^2 MEMOIR OF D. A. M OREGOR. give, than as that which ought to compel others to yield np their best also. And in this serious business of seiiAonizing he was always solicitous for others as for himself. Was he not always ready to work with a tyro over his sermon plan ? Was he not generally appealed to in the matter of exegetical doubt ? And was he not ever modestly suggestive in reply to inter- rogations ? And so interested was he in others' work, that he has been known to tramp eight miles with a young brother who was going to that bodeful experi- ment — his first sermon — to encourage him, and eight miles back, to bear up his drooping spirits withal, after the initial deed was done. And his comforting was as sweet as a mother's, and his words of encour- agement as well timed. It is unnecessary to follow him through his prepa- ratory collegiate and theological courses. These were all completed at Woodstock. His progress was easy and definite. His capacity for w^ork and for acquisi- tion increased with the years ; as did also his mental grasp, and the power to utilize what he had attained. In the department of theology particularly his matur- ing powers found a congenial sphere, and here he did his best work and had his greatest joy. How well he worked, and how much he was enamoured of this department a few years were to show. He graduated in April, 1878, and his address upon "The Divine Esti- mate of Orthodoxy " was considered one of the most thoughtful and purposeful of the many addresses for which the platform from wdiich he spoke was famous. In connection with Mr. McGregor's Woodstock STUDENT LIFE. 33 .1? career there remains to be noted that which, more than anything else, put upon him the stamp of tlie genuine manhood which was so apparent to all who came near to his life. Bro. McGregor's native endow- ments were moulded at the college by a master spirit. Dr. Fyfe was his revered preceptor of whom he used to speak as the greatest influence which ever encoun- tered his life ; at whose feet his theological instirct was quickened and strengthened ; and in whose com- panionship the great graces of humility, gentleness and rugged virility were fostered to the refinement of strength. The remark is familiar, that colleges con- sist of men and not of facilities. Given the man of sound understanding, of true heart, simple, brave and earnest, and whether he has at his command brick and mortar, apparatus, or other much desired acade- mic facilities or not, there will be a college at his hand in which men may be trained. The facilities of Wood- stock College, in Bro. McGregor's time, were not re- markable — adequate however ; but there was the great collegiate force notwithstanding — a great man. Mr. McGregor fully appreciated the advantages of pursu- ing his theological training under Dr. Fyfe, and this appreciation continued unabated even when he him- self was Professor in the same department. In the foregoing pages nothing has been said of Ero. McGregor's faults ; this paragraph shall be devoted to one of the serious blunders of his student life. Friend M(;Gregor did not take kindly to the cam- pus. He was innocent of athletics in any form, if he had not indeed a decided distaste for anything of the .34 MEMOIR OF I). A. M During his work in the College it gave him great joy to be permitted to return to either of the fields on which he had labored, the only trouble being the diffi- culty of parting again with the people, many of whom were his spiritual children and as dear to him as his own life. A fuw days before his death, speaking of the prospect of returning to his work in the autumn (as the physicians hoped), he remarked : " If it were merely a question of personal pleasure the pastorate would be more inviting"; but he felt that the College work presented a broader field of usefulness. Once again, while in the hospital, he spoke of the pastorate with great tenderness. It seemed to give him pecu- liar pleasure to take a backward glance at the years thus spent ; not because he gloried in the work done, but because he rejoiced in having been allowed the privilege of doing it. As to his estimate of his own work he wrote : " In some few things I think my heart does not condemn me, but I should rejoice in recovery if so be that I might redeem the time. Still I have decided not to mourn always over past failures, but to strive to find rest and comfort in the truth that salvation is all of grace and not at all of works." Notwithstanding his wonderful adaptability to every department of the pastor's work, it ought to be recorded for the benefit of others, that during the first year of his pastorate a natural timidity, increased THE PASTORATE. 57 it )f bo )e by a clear apprehension of awful responsibility, gave him more than a little trouble. He often walked to and fro for some minutes in front of the house he was about to visit, seeking to overcome the natural shrinking from meeting and conversing with the in- mates ; but he struggled against this feeling until family visitation became to him, perhaps, the most delightful and to his people the most helpful depart- ment of the many-sided office. He loved the pastorate and in all its departments he magnified his office.. With adoring gratitude he thanked Christ Jesus the Lord that he counted him faithful, appointing him to His ser /ice. A keen sense of his own un worthiness was ever present with him, but the fullest apprecia- tion of the worthiness of Jesus Christ and his true relation to Him was a large factor in making him the humble, faithful, and successful pastor that he was. "He is the best man," says Dr. Sti:art — "the fullest of God and of human brotherhood — in whose heart is deepest written, ' Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.'" No one could be long in Mr. McGregor's company without feeling that this precious truth was deeply written on his heart, and that its impress found expression in the actions of his consecrated life. Among his papers are to be found four sermons, and more than twice that number of partly prepared plans of sermons, on this soul-touching text — ''Worthy is the Lamb that was slain." ' The sentiment here expressed will be confirmed by the follow^ing extract from a letter received a few weeks ago from the beloved and sorely bereavetl 4 1 ii 1 f MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. partner of his youth, and sharer of his joys and sor- rows : "I went into his room one day and found him deeply absorbed in thought. He said, *I am working- over that text, * Worthy is the Lamb.' How wonder- ful it is !' Going into the study on another occasion to put his papers in order, I picked up a scrap written over with the words 'dear Jesus,' 'dear Jesus,' oft re- peated. I scanned them with tender reverence, for well I knew that the pen had unconsciously written the sentiment of the writer's heart as he studied and exulted in the matchless beauty of the person and character of Christ." Seven months after Mr. McGregor settled down to liard work in Stratford a fresh impetus was given to the work by his marriage, on the 28th day of December, 1881, to Miss Augusta J. Hull, eldest daughter of James H. Hull, Esq., of Princeton, Ontario. This new home set up in the midst of his people had in it all the elements of an ideal home, and from it emanated influences that are not yet lost upon the homes of the congregation. The already happy home was made happier by the advent, on the 28th of September, 1882, of their first-born daughter, Edith Louise. In all, five children were born into the family, two in Stratford and three in Toronto : Gertrude Clementina on May 13th, 1884; Arthur Robert on July 8th, 1886 ; Enid (who died the day of her birth), July 2nd, 1888 ; and Enid Augusta, June 14th, 1889. On September 7th, 1888, only two months and five days after the death of the first Enid, the parents were called upon to suflTer a calamity and a shock of THE PASTORATE. 59 extraordinary Severity. Their bright, their beautiful, ^ their promising and only boy, Arthur, the delight and hope of their hearts, was suddenly snatched from their embrace by that fell disease diphtheria. That wound was never healed. Under it Mr. McGregor almost succumbed ; and such was the prolonged pain of it that, to his dying day, he scarcely ever could trust himself to speak of it to any one. Reference has been m.ade to the increase of joy that came into the home when Edith Louise was born, but pen cannot record the ecstasy with which the afflicted father, prostrated in a New York hospital, received the tidings that Edith Louise was, in her eighth year, horn again. A short time before his departure he wrote to his wife the following beautiful sentences concerning the loved ones who passed through their happy home to the happier one over yonder: "I often think of our little ones who are in the upper fold. Some day, O some day we shall see them, and know them, and they shall not be igno- rant of us. They and we shall rejoice together, and our joy no one will take from us." This joy is now his. Reader, will you join them and share the joy which is unspeakable and full of glory ? Although the pastorate of the Stratford church was ample to fill the mind and tax the energies of any man who could content himself with an ordinary share of service, he by no means confined his work to Stratford. The village of Sebringville was one of the places that shared in his extra labors. As he was sitting in his study one day in the spring of 60 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. 1884, an elderly gentleman called to say that the little German church in the village of S. was becoming so weak that they found it very difficult to sustain the ministry of the word, and that many of the young people were anxious for English preaching. The pur- pose of his visit was to see if it were possible for Mr. McGregor to visit them occasionally. In this request he promptly and cheerfully acquiesced, visit- ing the village frequently during the summer; and in November of that same year, assisted by members of his own church, he held a series of special meetings, which resulted in a very gracious and genuine awakening. On December 14th, 1884!, fourteen happy converts were baptized as a partial result of this work, and the little struggling cause received an impetus which has continued unto this day. His own work at home was never allowed to flag. Constant evidences of the divine approval were his joy ; but the most remarkable ingathering of souls followed the special work at Sebringville, thus proving that in more ways than one there is that scattereth and yet increaseth. Added to his manifold duties as pastor and mis- sionary was the work of preparing the notes on the Sunday School lessons for the Canadian Baptist, which work he prosecuted to the satisfaction and profit of all his readers ; and yet again his brethren, evidently recognizing the fact that his many and brilliant talents were accumulating by their constant use, pressed upon him, in April, 1884,an appointment to thii Home Mission secretaryship for Ontario. His THE PASTORATE. 61 make-up was such that he found it exceedingly diffi- cult to refuse to bear any burden tending to advance the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom. On this new field he saw a great work to be done and he bent all the reserved energy of his many-sided life to its accomplishment. This appointment was no mere sine- cure. The labor and anxiety entailed by it were suffi- cient to tax the energies of an ordinary man with nothing else to attend to, and the work he did in con- nection with this appointment was simply enormous. All his former work in the pastorate he continued, with the exception of his Young Men's Bible-class which he was compelled, very reluctantly, to abandon. The more familiar he became with the state of the mission fields, the stronger grew the conviction that a secretary who was at the same time a pastor could not do justice to this work. "We need," he said, "a strong, earnest man to give his whole time and atten- tion to the development of our Home Mission work, opening up new fields, strengthening weak causes, etc." He used every possible effort to bring this about, and when, in the autumn of 1884, Rev. Alexander Grant was appointed General Superintendent of Home Mis- sions, no one rejoiced more than he. The appointment of Mr. Grant may not have lightened the work of the Secretary very materially, for the correspondence steadily increased, but he felt that there was at least a sharing of the responsibility. As in the pastorate he endeared himself to every member of his church, so in the secretaryship of Mis- sions he endeared himself to every missionary on the 62 MEMOIK OF D. A. M GREGOR. field. The hard-working, poorly-paid, oft-discouraged missionary found in the secretary a true sympathizer — an invaluable friend and helper. The onerous duties of this office he performed with marvellous skill and ability. Should any misunderstanding arise between the Board and one of its missionaries, the presence of this man would prove as oil upon the troubled waters, or even a letter from his facile pen would turn the storm into a calm. In viewing the proud position held by the Home Mission work of the denomination to- day, the name of Daniel Arthur McGregor must be remembered as a powerful factor in attaining to it. In the year 1885 Mr. Timpany, of precious memory, died, and the call came forth for some one to fill the gap in our ranks in India. Some time passed with no response, and Mr. McGregor felt the pressure to such a degree that in complete self-abandonment ho gave himself up to God's disposal with India in view. He pleaded with the Lord for direction. The convic- tion grew upon him that he should offer himself to the Foreign Mission Board. He laid the matter be- fore his brethren, and though but a short time before they warmly resented the approaches of another church that had called him, they now showed a wil- lingness to release him, though with sad hearts. Hav- ing written to his brother in reference to the care of his little girls, he went to Woodstock to offer himself to the Board. While there some subtle influences arising fron circumstances outside his control changed his purpose entirely. The desire to go to India was completely removed and he returned to his home and THE PASTORATE. 63 his charge with mind at rest. He felt impelled to re- trace his steps, and subsequent events confi>- led him in the assurance that he did right. His people in Stratford gladly welcomed him back, knowing how unflinchingly he ever moved in the pathway of duty as it was made plain to him. They rightly judged that these rapid changes in his plans were not the outcome of a vacillating mind, but that God was prov- ing His servant. Notwithstanding the large amount of time and thought that he gave to the work of the kingdom outside the limits of his own pastorate, his work at home was never neglected and the blessing of success was never withheld. During the five and one-half years of his ministry in Stratford, it was his privilege to receive into the fellowship of the church by bap- tism one hundred and twenty-one persons, and by letter and experience sixty-two. "He was repeatedly approached by other churches offering larger material support," writes one of his honored deacons, " but believing his work here not yet completed to all of them he turned a deaf ear, and amply did he feel repaid in the rich blessing that attended his ministry. But when, on the Oth day of June, 1886, the appoint- ment to a professorship in Toronto Baptist College was with such unanimity pressed upon his acceptance, he resigned his pastorate. The church recognizing in him a peculiar fitness for the work to which he had been called released him from his charge by passing unanimously the following resolution : " Whereas, our beloved pastor, Rev. D. A. McGregor, B. A., has tendered 64 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. his resignation of the pastorate of this church to accept a professorship in the Toronto Baptist College, Resolved, that we accept the same, recognizing as we do in him an eminent fitness for the performance of the duties of the responsible position to which in the providence of God he has been called. " But while we accept his resignation, we cannot but give expression to our feelings of deep regret at the severance of the tie that has bound together pas- tor and people in the Master's service for the last five years, notwithstanding that efforts have been made to woo and win him from us by those in a position to offer higher pecuniary inducements. Gratefully we review the frequent tokens of Divine approval which have marked the union, and we trust that in our memories will ever linger fragrant recollections of a life that has been amongst us a constant proof of the truth and power of those principles which he has so faith- fully proclaimed ; and we can ssure him that our earnest prayers will follow him to his new field of labor ; and our hope and trust is, chat God's richest blessings may be abundantly bestowed upon him, his partner in life and his family in the home to which they go." , .::-::_.._.,....^{ /::....:. His future career was watched with much interest by his Stratford friends, and when the principalship of the College was conferred upon him none were more sincere in their congratulations than they. Dur- ing his long and wasting illness "prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him," that, if in accordance with God's will, his valuable life THE PASTORATE. 66 might be spared to his family, to the denomination, and to the work to which he had been called ; and, if not, that like gold purified by fire he might through suffering be fitted for nobler service in the higher sphere. And when the sad news of his death came with all its crushing force, even then, in that sad hour, we could look up through our tears and thank God for such a life, and that more than five years of it were lived amongst us. Truly " the memory of the just is blessed." At a special meeting of the church it was unani- mously resolved that pastor Macdonald and deacon Sharman represent the church at his funeral in Toronto. But such was the sympathy manifested, that six others volunteered to accompany them to take one more look at the face they loved so well and to follow his remains to their last resting place. He rests from his labors, but his works follow him. CHAPTER IV. PROFESSOR AND PRINCIPAL. A. D. 18S6-'90. i For some years before Mr. McGregor's appointment to a professorship in Toronto Baptist College there had been a growing conviction among those best ac- quainted with his intellectual and spiritual capabili- ties and attainments, that he could most efficiently serve the denomination and the cause of Christ in the professoriate of the College. It will interest readers of this memoir to know that long before Dr. Fyfe, who beyond most men knew what was in the men w^ith whom he came into close contact, had marked Mr. McGregor as one whom the Lord would use in carrying forward the educational work to which he himself had given the best years of his life. An hono:-'ed minister, who served as theological examiner at the Institute the year of Mr. McGregor's graduation from the Theological Department, has kindly furnished UR with some reminiscences of the final examination in Systematic Theology : " I have a most vivid recol- lection," he writes, " of that examination. The room was crowded with visitors and a large number of (66) PROFESSOR AND PRINCIPAL. 67 pastors were present. The examination was very thorough. The answers given by the class were usu- ally prompt and correct ; but every now and then a question was put that staggered them, and one after another acknowledged Ins inability to answer it, until it came to D. A. McGregor; and every time such a ques- tion came he struggled with it. At such a time every eye in the room was upon him, and the examiners and professors were listening with deepest attention. Dr. Fyfe and Dr. Cooper were sitting near me. I very well remember the satisfaction and pleasure manifested in the countenances of these two brethren when the answers were given. In speaking with Dr. Fyfe after the examination was over, [ asked him if Bro. McGregor had been as successful in the study of other subjects as in the study of Theology. He an- swered : ' He is a good student, he has made satisfac- tory progress in every subject he has taken up.' I expressed my great satisfaction with the examination of the class and added that I was especially pleased with the answers of Mr. McGregor and the intellec- tual power manifested therein. * Yes,' said he, * taking him all in all he has the best mind yet given to us.' After characterizing his mind as ' strong, clear and well-balanced,' he expressed the hope that Mr. Mc- Gregor might be long spared to serve the cause of God." One who was present gives the following account of a conversation that occurred during the session of the Ottawa Association at Thurso, about 1877: "It was in the evening. A number were sitting around id 68 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GRpGOR. ii chatting over the day's work. Dr. Fyfe had spoken on the subject so dear to his heart — Education — at the evening meeting, and continued in the same strain. In speaking of Woodstock the question came up as to whom he would like to have succeed him in the principalship in the event of his being compelled by failing health to relinquish his work. Looking around, he said, ' I would like to see D. A. McGregor principal.'" It is probable that Dr. Fyfe often expressed himself in this way ; for on the occasion of Mr. McGregor's appointment to the principalship a minister in a dis- tant province wrote him, congratulating him on his appointment and referring to " Dr. Fyfe's prophecy and its fulfilment." Though Mr. McGregor was very reticent on such matters, one in whom he confided re- members his account of a conversation with Dr. Fyfe shortly before he entered upon his University course. As the two were journeying eastward from Woodstock by rail to meet their Sunday appointments, " Dr. Fyfe crossed over to Mr. McGregor's seat, sat beside him, and asked him if he had decided as to his course for the future. Mr. McGregor said he had decided to take the metaphysical course in the University of Toronto and after that he would probably take a pas- torate. Dr. Fyfe was opposed to his students' spend- ing time on a University course and Mr. McGregor expected to receive counsel along the line of disap- proval ; but not so. Dr. Fyfe remained silent a few moments and tlien said ; ' Bro. McGregor, you know my views on this matter, as a rule. In your case I have come to think that you will be doing a wise PROFESSOK AND PRINCIPAL. 69 thing in taking the metaphysical course. Have you ever thought of teaching as a life-work ? ' Mr. Mc- Gregor said he had not, and then the Doctor requested and urged that he should work with a view to teach- ing Theology, encouraging him with the statement that, in his opinion, he possessed peculiar fitness for such work, and suggesting the possibility of his some day taking up the work that he must soon relinquish. He was so given to undoi. estimating himself, that such words from Dr. Fyfe were a grateful surprise to him, and years after Dr. Fyie had passed away, and when Mr. McGregor was happily at work in a pastorate with no other thought vhan that the pastorate would be his life-work, lie would refer to that conversation in the car, humbly grateful that one whom he so much revered should have cherished such thoughts concern- ing him." When the chair of Homileiics in Toronto Baptist College became vacant in 1886, through the decision of Rev. J. W. A. Stewart, then pastor of the Hamilton church, to remain in the pastorate, the Faculty of Toront' ■ Baptist College naturally felt deep solicitude as to til efficient filling of the position. At the close of a chapel service, Dr. Castle announced Mr. Stewart's decision, and asked, in an informal way, who would be the next man. One of the profes- sors answered with much confidence and with- out hesitation, " D. A. McGregor." In this answer the other members of the Faculty concurred. The sentiments of the Faculty with reference to Mr. McGregor's fitness for the position were informally 70 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. I ■ I*' communicated to one or two members of the com- mittee of the Senate, whose duty it was to take the initiative in the matter of filling vacancies. Here also the suggestion met with the heartiest approval. The I'ecommendation was made by the committee at the April meeting of the Senate, and Mr. McGregor was unanimously nominated to the Board of Trustees. Just at this time a crisis had been reached in the history of Woodstock College. After prolonged con- ference between representatives of Woodstock College and of Toronto Baptist College, it had been decided, with the approval of Senator McMaster, that strenuous efforts should be made for the endowment and equip- ment of Woodstock College, and that one of the seven professorial salaries that Senator McMaster was pay- ing in connection with Toronto Baptist College, should be used for the support of a principal at Woodstock. Professor Stewart's withdrawal left a Faculty of six. If one of the remaining professors should accept the principalship of Woodstock College, the chair of Homiletics could be filled, and the Board would unanimously appoint the nominee of the Senate. Strong pressure was brought to bear upon Prof. T. H. Rand, D.C.L., whose rich educational experience was thought to make him preeminently the man for the crisis, by Senator McMaster and others ; and, though he was reluctant to relinquish his work in Toronto Baptist College, it was confidently expected that he would accept the Woodcock principalship. Meanwhile Mr. McGregor was for weeks kept in suspense. Sym- hizinar with him in w^hat must have beer path greatt PROFESSOR AND PRi., ""AL. h or less def^ree of anxiety, one of the professors wrote him imparting such information as he possessed with respect to the probability of a speedy settlement of the matter in favor of his appointment. In a letter by way of reply, Mr. McGregor expressed his gratitude for the interest and sympathy shown, and while not denying that the suspense was somewhat unpleasant, said that he was by no means weary of the pastorate, and that he could be content to continue in that work. He was no doubt strongly attracted by the professor- ship ; but even after his nomination by the Senate he would probably have submitted without a murmur, had providential circumstances prevented his appoint- ment, and would have continued the quiet, unassuming, devoted, self-sacrificing, wise, successful pastor that for years he had been. Dr. Rand's acceptance of the Woodstock principalship soon made Mr. McGregor's appointment certain ; but the next meeting of the governing bodies of the College was deferred for some time and the suspense continued. His appointment was made with much confidence and heartiness, and believing that thus most efficiently he could serve his Master, he promptly accepted the position. The chair of instruction to which he was at iirsfc called, that of Homiletics, was not that which he would probably have chosen, or for which his peculiar gifts and attainments best fitted him. But he cheer- fully undertook the work and did it with complete success. In addition to the work of his own depart- ment Professor McGregor gave instruction, during the session 1886-'87, to classes in Rhetoric and Oratory 72 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GBEGOR. KM' !' > and in Mental Science. By the next year Dr. W. N. Clarke's resignation had reduced the Faculty to live members. At this juncture it was decided to extend and systematize the College course in the interpreta- tion of the English Bible, and Dr. Mac Vicar having been placed in charge of this work, Professor McGre- gor v/as asked to take, in addition to his work in Homiletics, the department of Apologetics, which had formerly been assigned to Dr. MacVicar. This de- partnient was no doubt far more in accord with his tastes and aptitudes than that to which he was origi- nally appointed. He cheerfully accepted the burden, and applied himself most diligently to the work of the new department. His mind was a highly meta- physical and logical one, and he felt entirely at home in defending the truth against its. adversaries and in overthrowing the bulwarks of error. In 1888, Dr. Castle's health having already begun to fail, a redistribution of the work of the College was recommended by a committee of which Dr. Castle was a member, and was determined upon by the Sen- ate. In this redistribution Professor McGregor was requested to take the department of Systematic The- ology in conjunction with Apologetics. It is needless to say that this change of work was wholly unsought by Professor McGregor. But none the less, he must have felt that now at last he had the department in which he was capable of doing the most efficient ser- vice, and to which he would gladly give the remainder of his life. He threw himself with great enthusiasm into his work, and although he was permitted to labor PROFESSOR AND PRINCIPAL. 73 only for one brief year after the change had been made, it was a year of strenuous effort crowned with success. From the first, Professor McGregor enjoyed the liighest respect and esteem of Faculty and students. We all felt that we had among us one of the choicest spirits, a man of keen, penetrating, comprehensive intellect, of adequate scholarship, of profound con- victions, of absolute loyalty to the truth, an unselfish,, warm-hearted, thoroughly loveable man. The students were enthusiastic in their admiration. As Secretary of the Home Mission Society, he had much dealing with the students with reference to Home Mission work, and in this relation, as well as in others, he inspired the fullest confidence. When he led in the daily worship, or took part in the monthly missionary meetings of the College, it was with power and in demonstration of the Spirit. As a member of the Executive of the Fyfe Missionary Society, his counsel was always most helpful. In the meetings of the Faculty, while he showed no disposition to unduly urge his own views, and was for the first year or two more reticent than might have seemed desirable, it was soon evident that he had deep convictions of his own, and that he was ready at the right time to make his influence profoundly felt along the lines of educa- tional policy. As a member of the Senate, he was fearless in advocating the views he had reached and in criticising what seemed to him unwise and harmful measures. The utterances of few members of that body carried with them more of weight than his. jt^ Pi I: t' HI' I !» i 74 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. . / Professor McGregor had an intense conviction of the supreme importance to the denomination and to the cause of Christ of the efficient maintenance of To- ronto Baptist College. Any scheme that involved, or seemed to him to involve, a subordination of theologi- cal to other work, was sure to find in him a deter- mined opponent. The theological course should, he thought, be made richer and broader ; an adequate number of chairs should be maintained ; and a library, not simply commensurate with the immediate needs of the students but so rich in sources as to furnish in- ducement for learned research, should be provided : such in brief was his policy as regards our work in theological education. Not that he for a moment doubted the value of academic and Arts work — few men had a higher appreciation than he had of literary culture in and for itself and especially as a prepara- tion for theological study ; but with him the first and most pressing duty of the denomination lay in mak- ing the best possible provision for the theological training of students for the ministry. He believed that suitable provision should be made for the theolo- gical instruction not simply of well endowed and well trained men, but of men of inferior ability and infe- rior literary culture as well. He felt deeply, as we all must feel, the urgent need of a large increase in the number of young men consecrating themselves to the work of the ministry and submitting themselves to the most thorough training within their reach. He shared with others the conviction that a far larger proportion of the best life in our churches should be PROFESSOR AND PRINCIPAL. .76 u consecrated to the ministry; an- characteristic as a teacher was his insistence upon ac- curate definitions. This he demanded of himself and sought from his classes. With him the first thing in 82 MEMOIR OF D. A. M f^EGOR. fr i i teaching was definition and tlie second thing was defi- nition and the third thing was definition. He never left a subject until he showed how it was differentiated from others closely related to it. I believe it was to his felicity in definition that his success as a teacher was largely due Another noteworthy characteristic was his unvaryivf/ patience. He never grew impa- tient with a slow and feeble thinker. If he found one of his class in any perplexity he would take the ut- most pains to determine the cause and afford relief Sometimes after leading us, as he supposed, along an easy path to a desired point he would find that some careless one had strayed into a by-patli and got caught among the brambles. Yet he would retrace his steps and bring up the delinquent so tenderly and lovingly that he would almost feel tempted to repeat the offense. Professoi McGregor taught us not only sys- tematic theology but systematic Chridianity. I might also mention his iviiisomeness. Perhaps this is in- volved in what has gone before : but I would like to emphasize it. He was a winsome teacher. I some- times wonder whether teachers realize what a great thing it is to gain the hearts of their students. Pro- fessor McGregor won our love and made us desirous of winning his approbation." Another : " Humility was a prominent characteristic in his life and bearing. This is shown by his cool re- ception of a warm congratulation accorded him on his becoming Principal, Sincerity was another of his vir- tues. He was just what he appeared to be, despising all forms of hypocrisy, as is shown by the following 1 i I. it t^ PROFESSOR AND PRINCIPAL. 83 } circumstance : in a letter to the •graduating class, shortly before his death, he strongly warned them never to preach fur popularity or emolument, but to seek some other calling, if their great ol)ject was not the salvation of souls. The student felt that he had not only an able teacher but also a loving friend w^ho was deeply interested in all his plans and prospects, and who thoroughly sympathized with the student's arduous struggles with poverty and inexperience. Also may be mentioned his unselfishness in Christian giving, loyalty to principle in not accepting ministers' exemptions, absence of a self-seeking spirit which is ever striving for position and advancement, afral)ility and kindness to all. He was a spiritually-minded, meek and trustful disciple of the Lord Jesus. He strongly impressed the student w^ith his devotional attitude even in dealing with the most abstruse theo- logical problems. His Christlike spirit, grow^th in grace, and submission to whatever the Holy Spirit pointed out as God's will, are prominent factors in his character. The latter (juality is shown in his offer to go to India. He was a wonderfully clear-headed, logical thinker. He took a firm grip' on truth, and possessed the remarkal)le powder of plucking the kei'- nel of truth from the husk and shell of confusion sur- rounding it. Not only could he clearly conceive, but he could also briefly, pointedly and forcibly express the truth. His language was elegant and appropriate and sounded as if previously studied, so wtU placed was* every w^ord. He did not use superfluous words. His mind was both destructive and constructive. As 84 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. V A i. f \t a teacher he was clear, systematic, thorough, slow to cover ground, encouraging independent thinking. He paid much attention to the connection of the different parts of Hcripture, and to particles, such as, for, there- fore, etc. He treated his students not as children l)ut as men ; he did not tear to pieces every thought to which they might give utterance, in order to get up a discussion, and leave them at the end of the lecture with nothing to carry away.*' Another writes : ' The nieniory of Professor Mc- Gregor shall ever be cherished by me as one of the brightest reminiscences in my College life. It must ever prove an inspiration for good. I have always felt that to come into his presence was to come under the sway of a master spirit. He seemed to be able with ease to enter into our difficult and perplexing problems, placing himself as it were in the student's place, and then with a look of pain, mingled with the tenderest sympathy, he would unfold to us his explanation and way out of the difficulty. At the same time he gave to us the most agreeable conscious- ness of our own powers and faculties expanding to the light like the morning flowers. He never seemed to dictate, yet his powers of presenting his views were such that his opinions and judgments were the most easy and delightful to harmonize. It seemed almost like presumption to question his position, or oppose his views, which of course we sometimes did. His decision of character was marked. In every subject he undertook to discuss he was firm and (leCid^u, thoroughly prepared to meet attack from everj t|\if>/ • !i if ■ i PROFESSOR AND PRINCIPAL. 85 ter. At the same time there was perfect freedom from arrogance in the announcement of his positions, of which he appeared to be al)Sohitely confident. " Moreover, this firnmess of character was always tempered with a mildness and tenderness of manner which is rarely possessed by humanity. He was always one of the most unselfish of men. The memory of his life and character must ever prove an incentive and an encouragement to holiness and consecration. The accompanying lines, which I have had in my pos- session for a long time, very fully express my senti- ments and impression of Professor McGregor. I do not know where I got them, nor who the author is. Ah ! how shall we proclaim his worth, His virtues how unfold ? Of tender thoughts there is no dearth, But written words are cold. A meek and holy spirit .set A modest shrine within, And eloquence whose pleading yet Ne'er failed our hearts to win. A mantle of humility That's never cast aside, A heart where truth and dignity And charity abide. A soul in which a constant flame Of love for men burned clear ; In whose ^^ rre light a seltish aim Ignoble did appear. Thccie gifts in perfect union blent Have cast a wondrous spel.. And many hearts to-day are rent With grief too deep to tell. But in their voiceless depth will sleep One germ as strong as death, A memory that will freshness keep While love has life and breath." 86 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. I i '^i' ! '; li Another: "I wish I could analyse the causes that made nie love Professor McGregor better than any man other than my father. His (|ualitication for suc- cess was not so much his teaching power as his ])eau- tiful character. He was preeminently pious, anTe miffht Ije the thoughts of the students in his classes they always received the attention and respect of the professor. Xo student was ever 'crushed' hy him Ijecause of difference of opinion. He ever sought in a manly and Christian way to lead into what he believed to be the light." Another writes : " I was glad when the appijint- ment came to a position in the College, and I began no College year with more readiness and liking than that second year of my course. We had not got back to work very long before he came to me (I suspect because of our previous ac(|uaintance) and wished to know all he could about the work of his classes from a student's standpoint. He then told me of the hopes he cherished regarding the work. The ideal he had was far above the mere teaching of prescribed lessons .st» many days a week. He wrought to get us to see the honor of our work, and the spirit we should cherish in the doing of it. 1 will not forgc>t how he set him- self to tind out the best way in which he could be helpful to us. It was always a precious hour when he came to visit our rooms, for lie not only interested himself in the studies we liad, but he also took the deepest interest in the health -»f the spiritual life. 88 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. 1 II There was no trouble ever showed itself in our faces, but his eye saw, and he became not only a sympathetic brother, but also a wise and loving father in counsel." Another : " Strange as it may seem, in view of the readiness of students to speak out what they think, or in short to grumble, I never heard a complaint of Professor McGregor, and more and more his word was coming to be regarded as law." Another : " I always admired and revered him on account of his great power, mental, spiritual and as a teacher ; also for his kindly and devotional spirit in the class room r,nd everywhere. Tears would often fill his eyes as he discussed some point in theology with us. The solemn relation of every truth to the wefd or woe of man seemed ever present in his mind and heart, and he travailed in birth, so to speak, till the same mind should be formed in us. His last iiour with us in the Senior Theology class was a fitting and natural close to the College career. After about a half hour's lecture he called on three members of the class to engage successively in prayer. When these had done he prayed himself. His prayer was so searcliing, so touching, that I think every one of us left the room in tears." Another : " His loving nature, his friendly disposi- tion, the wisdom of his counsel, and his unquestiona- ble ability have made impressions on my mind that time cannot obliterate. ... I was greatly impressed with his ability to repeat the word of God." Another: "The unassuming. Christlike grandeur of his character, the amiability of his depovtiuent, the «f ;| PROFESSOR AND PRINCIPAL. 89 vigor and rugged, forceful logic of his intellect, his thorough mastery of the most difficult theological problems, his book-like precision of statement in eluci- dating these problems, his student-like geniality, his approachable disposition, coupled with his unassertive firmness, have left an impression upon me which the wreckinjis of time shall never obliterate. Few such personalities grace the canvas of a single generation." The following letters, written by Prinripal McGregor in St. Luke's hospital, Nev/ York, slu^rtly before his death, and addressed, the one to the acting Principal,, the Faculty and the students of Toronto Baptist College, and the other to the Graduating Class of 1890, show how deep was his solicitude even to the last for the College, and how anxious he was that the students should keep proper ideals before them : - " I \u\\ a iMit written to you hitherto btniause I knew yritl WilIlM llflVft information regarding my condition from Mi's. Mi'iiw^m', Hhe has nv.t reached New York yet, lull, I hope to Hi. McGregor inlunns me, you have favored us. " I tliink you know how 1 hoped and longed to spend at least a part of this year with you in class- room work. This desire did not arise froui tlie thought that I might impart sometlimg to you which you liave not otherwise t)btained. I wished, if possible, through continued intercourse, especially in tlie last year of your College work, to cement more closely a friend- ship, which might bind us together in ■ brotherhood of service fur Christ however distanced we might be one from another in the field of toil ; yet I trust, my brethren, if future of life and service on earth may be mine,that you will permit me to stand not less closely to youi lives than if I had had the opportunity I desired of daily fellowship with you in your efforts to gain further fitnevSs for the gi'eat life-work that opens uj) before you in the realm of Gospel enterprise. " My brethren, I know that I may now be writing farewell words tu you, and what shall I say ? Be true to the ministry which you have received of the Lord Jesus. Let the power of the great unselfish life come more and more into your own lives. The worst of all disasters that can possibly overtake you is that you should stand at the end of life having made shipwreck of the greatest trust that was ev^er committed to creature life — the preaching of the Gospel of the Grace of God. " Never, never, never use the cross of Christ to exalt yourselves. If any are ambitious of self-display, O n^ IMAGE FVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) '^o 1.0 I.I 1.25 Iji 1^ 1122 1 m "^ 1.4 lil.6 A" O i %. 71 7 r /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 >s I % ^ » ^ w. 92 MEMOIR OF D. A. M GREGOR. let them choose other themes than the Gospel, and other places than the pulpit and the church of God. Let the same mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who made Himself of no reputation Adorn the Gospel j'^ou proclaim with its own matchless graces in- wrought in your lives. O ! glad at the end of life's brief day will you all be if you have not sought your own things, but the things of Jesus Christ. I pray for you, my brethren. May you all have a very fruitful ministry, and may your work abide. May Jesus say to each one of you as He greets you beyond the shores of the present life, * Well done, good and faithful servant.' " And now, my dear brethren, farewell. I thank you for 3'^our kind letter ; it has cheered me. I thank you for your prayerful remembrance of me during all these months. I thank you for the kindness you have shown to Mrs. McGregor in the long season of painful anxiety. The God of power and grace and comfort bless you all. " Yours in the everlasting bonds, " D. A. McGregor." The words in which John Gerson, the famous Chancellor of the University of Paris about the beginning of the fifteenth century, characterized Bonaventura, "the Seraphic Doctor," may fittingly be applied to D. A. McGregor : " If I were asked, who among other teachers seems more capable, I should reply without prejudice. Master Bonaventura, since he is solid and safe in teaching, pious, just and devout. PROFESSOR AND PRINCIPAL. 93 Moreover, he recedes as far as possible from vain curiosity, not mingling extraneous positions, or doctrines secular, dialectical or philosophical, shadowed over with theological terms, after the manner of many, but, while he diligently seeks the illumination of the intellect, he refers everything to piety and to produc- ing a right condition of the heart. . . .No teach- ing is for theologians more sublime, none more divine, none more salubrious and agreeable." *' Fearlessly dad he walked in Truth's highway Who joined hinx there, liad fellow stout to eheer ; Who crossed, met foe behooved his weal to fear ; His quick, keen, urgent, sinewy, certain thrust ' Those knights well knew who felt it in the joust. Ideal-Christian teacher, master, man, .Severely sweet, a gracious Pui'itan, Beyond my praise to-day, beyond their blame, He spurs me yet wi^h his remembered name. " W, C. WILKINSON'. CHAPTER V. LAST ILLNESS. A.D. 1889-'90. When, in the autumn of 1870, the subject of this memoir exchanged a sphere of physical labor in the open air for one of secluded and mental toil, he was possessed of rugged bodily health and strength ; and, excepting for a few days upon a single occasion in early boyhood, he had never been seriously ill. His physical vigor enabled him to endure the strain of so radical a change in his way of life, begun at so ad- vanced a period of his youth, and involving severe and protracted application, much better than might have been expected. Apart from an attack somewhat of the nature of nervous prostration, lasting for sev- eral months in the summer and autumn of 1872, his health suffered no material injury during his career as a student ; and though heavily freighted, for a large part of the time, with the extra work of preaching and pastoral care — \\ liich was necessary to his main- tenance — he completed his literary and theological studies in Woodstock, Apnl 1878, and his University course in Toronto, May 1881, considerably exhausted, indeed, but apparently without damage to his consti- tution. LAST ILLNESS. 95 » From this time forward, through all his maiiifokl labors as pastor, Home Mission secretary, and theolog- ical professor, his health remained sound and good, excepting that about once a year, for a number of years previous to his last illness, he suffered severe " bilious " attacks, in which not merely bile, but dark blood also, was thrown off' from the stomach, and which w^ere always attended with several hours of hiccough. But firmly believing that he was a man of exceptionally strong constitution and vigorous health, and that sickness and medicine were not for him, he