IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT~3) {./ 'V fe '^'*^^^ -*.•&*>,%' i/.A fA 1.0 I.I 1.25 ilM ilM 122 :' ii2 iliio 1.4 1.8 1.6 V] <^ /] (^m., ' oy ^^ /. *%' >y' o;% -i;^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. H Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreprocuctions historiques 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques T» to The Insttltute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D D D D D D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul6e I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes gdographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relid avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmdes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires: L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a it6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exer plaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage sont indiquds ci-dessous. 4 D D D V D D D n □ This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqu6 ci-dessous. Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pelliculdes Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcolor^es, tachet6es ou piqu6es Pages detached/ Pages ddtachdes Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Quality indgaie de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 filmdes 6 nouveau de fapon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. Tl P< of fil Oi b( th si( ot fil si( or Tl sli Tl w M di er be "{ re m 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: National Library of Canada L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grdce k la g6niro8it6 de: Bibliothdque nationale du Canada 4 The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire filmi, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illusfated impression. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim6e sont filmis en ccmmen^ant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression oi d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon la cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commen^ant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — »- (meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END "). whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole -^^^ signifie "A SUIVRE ", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds A des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film6 A partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 MH. MACUUNNKLL IX TIIK Fl'LFIT. I\ i [ 1 M.\( r '\\Ni'.j.i .»/ » ■' r • ■ • ■ » .^ .- i ,,' . ( It, \ '■.it-\ i«i i\< .V -NS AM • » ! - \ ^ . t r ^ I ' ' I.', 1,J. : 1,1) I. >'*: l'|!,.l3 *' Faith ful unto (tmth." LIFE AND WORK D. J. MACDONNELL Minister ok St. Andrew's Church, Toroni TO WITH A SELECTION OF SERMONS AND PRAYERS EDITED BY PROF. J. F. McCURDY. Ph.D., LL.D. M'H\^ |)ortrait8 anb Jllluslrationa TORONTO: WILLIAM BRIGGS 1897 )2y '"A ^^^ Kiitered occordin); to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one tliousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, by William BRioflH, at the Department of Agriculture. '* Oh, Hlrong soul, hy what nhnrt^ furriest thou now? For /hat force Sure/i/ has not been left rain ! Somewhere, surely, afar, In the soundiny hibour-honse vast Of being, is prnctised that strenyth, Zealons, benejicent, firm ! " " Was Du geironnen hast und was ye-<j)endet Was deiner Liebe Fiille bot Was Du beyonnen hast und was voUendet Entwindet uimmer una der I'od." PREFACE. The principal object of the present work is to present a life-like portraiture of a man of uni(|ue moral and intellec- tual character, and one of the best beloved men of his time — one who was also a strong and enduring force in the religious life of his city, his denomination, and indeed of the whole Dominion. All the available material that could fairly illustrate his mental and spiritual develop- ment, as well as his life-work, has been freely utilized. A particular account is also given of the growth and activity of St. Andrew's Church, Toronto, and of the religious and moral work accomplished through it during his pastorate. The enterprises of the Presbyterian Church in which he took a prominent part, are also duly noticed, as well as the public movements to which he lent his aid. A place is also given to Mr. Macdonnell's friends and co-workers, particularly !,hose who, like him, have fulfilled their earthly labours. The chapters that deal with Mr. Macdonnell's career up to the time of his settlement in Toronto have been wi-itten by his sister, Mrs. Robert Campbell, of IMontreal, whose hand also appears frequently throughout the volume. Dr. Campbell las dealt with "The Ecclesiastical Trial." For nearly all of the remainder of the book the general editor is directly responsible, but many loving friends have i\ VI I'HEFACE. I 6 I iiuulo iinportiiiit contributions, Anionj; these, special mention is due here to Mr. Archihahi MiicMurdiy, wlio \uiH ^iven valuable information with regard to the earliest years of Mr. Maedonnell's Toronto ministry, and to Rev, J. A. Macdonald, who, besides making a written contribu- tion, has luid charge of the Ulustrations. A word shouh! be said as to the selection of Sermons and Prayers appended to the volutne. As a rule, Mr. Macdonnell wrote out his discourses in full only in the earlier years of his ministry. Durinj; the last ei<,'hteen or twenty years he nearly always spoke from an abstract. In a very few cases these are wi-itten continuously, so that they may be printed without change. Such, for e.\amp'e, is No. X. in the present selection. Tn the great majority of instances, anything that represents his later and mature thoughts remains in an abridged form un- available for publication. It will l)e readily understood, therefore, that at best we can give but a meagre and inade({uate representation of his pulpit ettbrts. Only two of the discourses Nos. VIT, and V^IIf. have had his own revision. We can merely hope that the small col- lection presents at least some of his dominating thoughts and sentiments. His written Prayers proceed mainly from the first ten years of his ministry. It will be observed that the language is coloured by the phraseology of the liturgies which he delighted to rejid and study, especially the £iicholotjion. J. F. M. Toronto, June 2n(l, 1897 CONTENTS. CHAPTKR I. lAOB ChildliixMl and Si;Iiool-(layH • CHAPTKR II. A Liul lit (Jolleyy 1<^ CHAPTER III. The Youtliful Teacher •>< CHAPTKR IV. In Scotlaiiil and (iermany -- CHAPTKR V. Mental Struggles and Ordination •i<> CHAPTER VI. Ministry in Peterboro' - 43 CHAPTKR VII. Marriage •^•* CHAPTKR VIII. The Call to Toronto 60 CHAPTER IX. yt. Andrew's of the Old Time and the New . . . 05 !! if !iil Vlll CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. PAOB A Home Mission Church and Minister 74 CHAPTER XI. Church Building and Church Union ..... 81 CHAPTER XII. The Ecclesia-stical Trial 88 CHAPTER XIII. Sunshine in the Storm 136 CHAPTER XIV. " Gold Tried in the Fire " 146 CHAPTER XV. Building up St. Andrew's . . . . . . .155 CHAPTER XVI. The Alma Mater 162 CHAPTER XVII. Life's Tasks Made Clearer 169 CHAPTER XVIII. Losing and Helping . . . . . . . .178 CHAPTER XIX. The Hymnal— His Mother's Death 186 CHAPTER XX. Tempting Offers and Sore Bereavements . . . .191 CHAPTER XXI. Augmentation ......... IW CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXIf. Strengthened and Strengtliening • • IX I'AUR 210 CHAPTER XXIII. Work and Worship in St. Andrew's • ■ 227 CHAPTER XXIV. Minister and Church in their Prime 235 CHAPTER XXV. The Temperance Question 242 CHAPTER XXVI. A Kindred Spirit .^47 CHAPTER XXVII. Question of the Confession 254 CHAPTER XXVIII. The Equal Rights Movement 259 CHAPTER XXIX. St. Mark's Church and Other Cares 275 CHAPTER XXX. Visit to the Pacific Coast 281 St. Andrew's Institute CHAPTER XXXI. 287 CHAPTER XXXII. Travelling for Health 310 CHAPTER XXXIII. Declining Strength and Added l)uti<>s . .S20 X CONTENTS. chaptp:r XXXIV. Deatli of Mrs. Macilonnell : Her Character and InHueiice I'AOK . 343 CHAPTER XXXV. The Heroic Struggle 355 CHAPTER XXXVI. Sicknesa and Death CHAPTER XXXVII. The Man and His Power . . . . 377 392 hi: i 409 423 SERMONS. I. Creation Waiting for Deliverance II. Faith III. Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness . . . 430 IV. Surtering Love 438 V. The Knowledge of the Truth 442 VI. The Place and the Way 451 VII. Who May Be Coniniunicants in the Presbyterian Church? 457 VIII. Death Abolished 474 IX. Citizenship in Heaven ...... 490 X. The True Consolation ...... 496 PRAYERS. I. For the Forty -eighth Highlanders .... 499 II. A Morning Prayer for the Children .... 5<J0 III. Intercessory Prayer After Sermon on Rom. xii. 13 . 501 IV. Prayer After Sermon (m Ps. cxix. 18 . . . . 502 V. Prayer Before Communion ...... 503 VI. Prayer Aft Communion 505 r PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. Mr. Macdonnell in the Pulpit . Bathurst Church and Manse .... St. Andrew's Manse, Fergus—" Kirkhall," Fergus St. Andrew's Church, Toronto (18.30-1877) St. Andrew's Church, Toronto Mr. Macdonnell in 1881 . . St. Andrew's Institute ..... The Chaplain of the 48th Highlanders . Froiifhtpiece rAOR 4 . 54 . 66 . 84 . 222 . .302 . 330 Mrs. Macdonnell 34H ERRATA. Page 21 Lino 10, for " 1861 " read " 1800." 38 40 79 144 181 192 233 335 388 22, for " take " read " have." 26, for " Presbyterians" read " I'reshyteries." 21, for "McNabb" read "McNab." 9, for "they" read "James." 24, for "(Jeorge" read "(iregg." 11, after " Presbyterian" insert "church." 6, after "listener" insert " the." 26, for "29 "read "28." 1, for "veil" read "belt." CHAPTKR I. CUILDIIOOn AX/) SCHOOL DAYS. Fifty years a<ro the little town of Bathurst, New liniiiswick, was a more tlii-iviii^r aiid imjjortant place than iiii<,Mit seem probahle to the modern tourist. Its little laiul-locked harbour was visited by numerous ships employed in the extensive lumber tra.le of that day, which, with fishino- and other industries, suj)- ported a :aixed i)opnlation of native Aeadians and enterprisin<r British settlers. To minister to the spiritual needs of the Scottish section of this com- munity, the Colonial Committee of the Church of Scotland, in the year 1840, appointed the l^ev. (Jcor<rc Macdonnell, who had just then completed his course of study at Edinbur<rh University, and offered him- self for forei^ni or colonial mission work. Mr. Macdoimell's father had come, some twenty years previously, from Kirkcaldy in Fifeshire, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a younu- family. (Jcoro-o, his eldest son, had been educated at the well-known' classical school of ])r. Twinin^r j,, Halifax, and then, ill compliance with his father's wish, entered the merchant ofHce of the late Leander Starr. But a desire cherished from childhood to serve Cod in the I I 2 LIFE OF n. .1. MACDONNELL. office of the ministry, led him, even in opposition to tlie paternal arrangement to resi^rn the tempting prospects of a mercantile career and spend ten years in his native land in preparation for his chosen life-work. While otTering himself freely to the Colonial Com- mittee for service in any land, it had been with the hope that he might be sent to the North American colonies, where so much of his life had alrea<ly been spent, and to which he was bound by so many ties of home and friendship : so that it was with a joyful heart that he sailed from Liverpool for Bathurst in August, 1840. Shortly after his induction as minister of St. Luke's Church, Bathurst, jMr. Macdonnell was married to Eleanor, youngest daughter of Mr. James Milnes, of Stubbinedge, Ashover, Derbyshire, who with her widowed mother had spent most of her life in Halifax. There, first as pupils, and subsecpiently as teachers in the same Sabbath School, an attachment had been formed, resultinji' in the lon<j entraiifement of more than ten years, now so happily l)rought to a close. The congregation at Bathurst warudy welcomed their young minister and his wife, and among this people were spent eleven years of earnest work, such as the needs of the new country and the missionary ardour of the worker called forth. During these years, children, one after another, were given to them, awakenhig in the father and mother new views of life and duty. On the 15th of January, 18413, their eldest son was born. m CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL-DAYS. 3 and shortly after baptizt'd Danic! JaiiR's, in rt'ineni- 1 (ranee ol" his two ^randfatliers, thouj^ii the second name was the only one ever used. Anion^^ the inHuences that helped to mould the character which in later life attained to such streni;th and beauty, we must <;ive the first place to the atmos- phere of the home — a home in which both parents were profoandly impressed with the possibilities bound up in the life of a child, and had constantly before their minds the highest ideals of life and character in the trainin«if of their children. " Plain living and hi(,di thinking" is a phrase which is perhaps most expressive of the underlying motives and inspirations of their home management. The daily life of their children was simple and healthful. No expensive toys and few children's bocjks ever reache<l their hands: but the simplest things gave them intense pleasure, and contentment was one of the earliest lessons they learned. Early companionships and associations, too, had their share in the formative process. There was "good society" in Bathurst, using these words not merelv in their conventional sense, but as meaninif Christian people of culture and refinement, who took time from the pursuit of mere wealth to fostei" the wider and deeper life of heart and mind; whose children had much the same sim])le upbringing as the children of the manse. Hotels " wert' not " in those days, and Mr. Macdonnell, with the Highland instinct for hos])itality strongly dexeloped, counted it a privi- lege to entertain wayfarers of high or low degree, by f '1 1 i ■i 1 1 4 LIFE OF 1). J. MACDONNELL. wliieh means many an interesting strant^or spent a niglit l»eneatli his roof, and many were tlu^ "fore- gatherings " of ministers from up the Restigouclie and from beyond tlie Miramiclii on their toilsonie journeys to Presbytery or Synod : and many were tlie stirring tales of adventure by forest roads or in ])ilot-])oats to wliieh the children eagerly listened, and which were treasured carefully for future use as the groundwork of tragic dramas in the i^layroom. An innate love of teaching and the desire to see growing up in their minds something of his own enthusiasm for study led Mr. Macdonnell to begin at the earliest possible age the education of his children, with the result that they were conjugating French • verbs and declining Latin nouns at an age wdien modern children are still in the kindergarten. If this was a mistake, no perceptible harm was done in this instance. The lessons were easily and cheerfully learned, and left no sense of oppression on the child mind, nor lessened in any degree the enjoyment of play hours. A pleasant picture frames itself before the ' 'ontal vision of the writer, of the little white ciiurch and manse on the sloping hillside overlooking the village, and a (juaint grouji of pinafored, sun-bonneted, short- jacketed little folk, who played " house " in the manse garret, or in the pine grove beside the doctor's house over the way, or paddled among the logs by the water's edge, making long voyages, often disas- trous, from which they arrived dripping and bedrag- gled at the kitchen door, to be soundly lectured and -^r- spent a ^ "fore- icho and journeys .stirring boat.s to ell were ndwork 3 to see lis own )e<^in at liildren, French e when ien. If done in serfully le child iient of ' 'ental ch and village, , short- in the lector's logs by )edrag- 3d and G y. -A CO K > '^-^C^^^ CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL-DAYS. 5 carefully reclothod by the kind-hearted " Mar<;aivt," who rcitrnod over those remoiis tor the time. To leave these delif^hts und obey the call to lessons must have been often a hardship for the fun-lovitij; boy. But it was obeyed uneoinplainin*,dy, docility and the desire to give satisfaction to parents and friends having been his most marked characteristics at that period, along with a conscientiousnes.s which was the most pn^phetic of his qualities. But there was more than this ; for it cannot be doubted that from the earliest childhood his heart was given to Christ, and his nature was always open to the gracious influences of Heaven. The children of this family were early taught to believe that they were of the " household of faith," " heirs of the promises," and to look forward to a growth in grace in the simplest and most natural manner. If as a result of this teaching no great crisis in the soul's history was ever experienced, the end was reached as effectively in this case, the Holy Spirit following with blessing the faithful ministrations of the parents. As soon as the older children could read fluently, a series of Sunday afternoon readings was inaugurated, and continued for many years, beginning punctually at five o'clock, and terminated by the welcome sound of the tea-bell. The books chosen were at first such as " The Dairyman's Daughter," " The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain," or some of Janeway's writings for children, the character of the books growing more formidable as years passed. These were followed by Doddridge's " Rise and Progress of Religion m the 6 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONXELL. It !l I Soul," Boston's "Crook in the Lot," Baxter's "Saints' Itest," or " The Marrow of Modern Divinity," sonie- tinies varied by biographies of the j^r<!at and j^ood who had passed to tlieir reward. In tliis way a large amount of reading was aeconiplislu'd whieh, while undeniably fatiguing and often uncongenial to young minds at the time, yet left its mark, and must be held to hav(» been one of the restraining safeguards in times of doubt and ditticulty in later years. For the sake of companionship with other boys, James was very early entered at the Grammar School of the little town, and continued to attend it wliile the family remained in Bathurst. Here the trials of life began. Inheriting from his mother that shy and sensitive temperament which i-entlers its possessor so keenly alive both to pain and pleasure, many were the tribulations " of this little scholar, scarcely seven years old," understood only by the sympathetic mother, tlien and always his close confidante. The home training, however, was that which really made an impression. Every event was turned to account as the foundation of an object lesson. God's works and ways in nature and jjrovidencc were constantly kept before the young mind. School books were little used ; reading lessons were oftenest from the columns of such papers as the Times and Scotsman ; geography was learned by a constant use of the atlas to look up the places mentioned in the news- paper articles. These things could not have been uninteresting even to very young children, at a time when the controversy, which culminated in the CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL-DAYS. 7 Crimean War, was aj;itatinf]f the minds of all Enr()|»«', and political geoj^raphy was becoming such an cx- citin*'" study. All tlie.se affairs were talk»'d of and e.\i>laini'd to the children, who, while interested only in " a tale that is told," neverthele.ss retained both impressions and int'orniation. And so a most uneventful childhood slipped (piietly away, ^ivinjjj no hint or promise of the ener<jfy and caj)aeity that distin<^Miislu'd the comiiif; years. It was in the heart and mind of the father that hopes ^nd visions of a worthy future «^rew and were cherished ; and it is most touching to find recorded in the letters and diaries of that date, how early this father's per- sonal aims and ambitions became merged in plans and provisions for the future of his children. Partly influenced, no doubt, by the then prevalent idea that the best of education could not be obtained anywhere so well as in Britain, and by the superior advantages there to be had at small cost, Mr, Mae- donnell resigned his charge in Bathurst, and removed with his family to Scotland early in 1M51. Ten years, however, had so altered the aspect of things at home, that only disappointment awaited his plans for a settlement there, and he soon became more firmly convinced than before that the work for which he was suited lay in the colonies. In little more than a year, a pressing request having come from the Kirk in Upper Canada for recruits to man her ranks, Mr. Macdonnell again turned his face westwards, landed in New York late in the summer of 1852, and was shortly afterwards settled as minister of Nelson and 8 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. It >v> i Waterdown, a congregation in the Presbytery of Hamilton. The year in Scotland had been rich in lessons of many kinds to " the children from America," who were such a source of wonder and curiosity, not always kindly, to their Scottish school-mates. In after days, this time was always looked back to as a sort of visit to fairy land, of which many of the inci- dents faded from memory, while others remained clearly impressed. Princes Street Gardens, the Queen's Park, iind Her Majesty's visit to Edinburgh in 1851 ; Loch Lomond and the Clyde ; the Scottish manses of Corstorphine, Dirleton and Riccarton, were scenes that were never forgotten. The unpleasant- nesses of school life at the Edinburgh Academy and Kilmarnock High School were compensated for by Saturday excursions to those delightful spots and by the kindness of their father's friends in country manses. . New scenes and a totally new social atmosphere were those to which the family found themselves transplanted in their Upper Canadian home. A rich farming land of orchards and meadows, a land liter- ally " flowing with milk and honey," had fostered a people whose very prosperity perhaps unfitted them to sympathize with the view of life and duty so uncompromisingly proclaimed to them Sabbath by Sabbath ; and a short ministry of scarcely three years ended somewhat abruptly in Mr. Macdonnell's removal to St. Andrew's Church, Fergus in May, 1855. But wherever the home, or whatever the circum- CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL-DAYS. stances, one of the first consitlorations of the parents WiW that of schools and scliool-nmstors for tlieir cliil- dren. In 1852 the hite Dr. Tassie, so well known afterwards as head-master of the Gait Collegiate Institute, was in charj^e of the Grannnar School at Hamilton, and for the brief period preceding Mr. Maedonnell's settlement in Nelson, his son was placed under Mr. Tassie's care. The district school in Nelson had about the same time selected as a teacher the late Dr. Robert Douglas, then a student of Queen's College, and und.u* his wise and kind-hearted direction James made rapid progress, especially in classics, while the home training went on as it had always done. Mean- while Mr. Tassie had been ap])ointed head-master of the Gait Grammar School, and in ]}S;54' James was once more placed in his hands to be fitted for matric- ulation at the University. The life at school was in many ways uncongenial to the home-bred boy, but the classical training was an invaluable foundation for later studies. Dr. Tassie was perhajis the best drill and disciplinarian to be found in the Province in those days, entirely devoted to his work, an<l appre- ciating a boy chiefly for his receptive faculty. He did not fail to recognize the capacities of this pupil, and so well prepared was James when he appeared before the authorities of Queen's for matriculation in October, 1855, that he stood first in his examinations for entrance there, and carried off a scholarship of $40. The result of the three sessions in Arts satisfied even the high expectations of his father, and he graduated B.A. with honors in the spring of 1858. i . 1 10 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. I II CHAPTER II. A LAD AT COLLEdE. Of the student life at Queen's, James' friend, Miss jMaehar, the " Fidehs " of Canadian Hterature, writes : " To leave the sheltering influence of home, and enter upon the comparative freedom of college life at twelve, is for most boys a hazardous experi- ment. In the case, however, of the earnest and conscientious boy whose character has already been indicated, there was little risk. Even then his ani- mating impulse and guiding star seemed to be what they remained throughout life — the desire to follow Christ and to do His duty. " ' Like as a star That niaketh not haste, That taketh not rest, Be always fullilling Thy God-given 'hest.' " That his warm and impulsive temperament, his readiness to please others, laid him open to many temptations, thei'c can be little doubt ; but these seemed to be always so controlled liy the divine inspiration of love to Christ, that faithfulness in B' > A LAD AT COLLEGE. 11 study Jiiid l)lanK'les.siR'ss in recreation appeared ta cost little effort. His natural] v straiirhtforward and open nature lielped liini to maintain a record without reproach. ' His eyes looked strai<jjht before him.' " Prepared as he had been by careful home traininf]f, as well as by a most ca])a])le school -master, he did not find liis college work burdensome. The curriculum of the university was like that of other Canadian col- leges, considerably less a<lvanced than it has since become, otherwise a boy of twelve could hardly be expected to cope with it. Still, the work was of a more advanced character than that which is usually expected of school-boys of that age in the (Jrammar School. But ' little Jemmy Macdonnell,' as he was affectionately styled by friends, and even professors, held his own manfully with fellow-students nnich his senior, and at the close of the session carried oft' high honors. "Nor did the application to study re(|uired for this success in the least impair the natural buoyancy of a healthy nature. He was always ready to join his comrades in the then favorite game of cricket, and with his always characteristic love of music he was somewhat famous for the charming and unaffected way in which he sang simple songs, such as 'Amiie Laurie," then at the height of its popularity; while in church his sweet bovish voice could alwavs be heard, clear and spirited, as it continued to be to the close of his life. " His winniujif charm of nature seemed to attract to him fellow-students of the most dissimilar types. lriiirtBg?g -*!g g MJ ' - ' M ' ? » s" i ^'-''-^l-' ' '- ■* ' « ' ■''' 12 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNEM-. One ol' his oiirliest collofj^o comrades — liis rooni-iuate during' the first session — then an inipidsive youn^ Celt, afterwards a distingnislied pupil of the famous Dr. Syme, is now well known throughout the Western States as ])r. Donald Maclean, one of tlie most eminent surgeons in America. A friend much older than himself, vet drawn to him hv close atteetion, is now ])r. James J)ou<;-las, at that time destined for the ministry, but afterwards led by circumstances to enter into scientific and niininj^ pursuits. "Amonfir his ])rofessors were two o*" the most able and esteemed teachers who ever adorned (Queen's University, the latti Dr. .James (George, and the vener- able Di'. James Williamson, who preceded his pupil into the 'alley of tlie shadow by only a few months. Both of these professors were much appreciated by Mr. Macdonnell, and in the case of J)r. Williamson the fi"ien<lsliip then bei;un lastecl till the venerable professor's lon<;- and useful life closed. "Circumstances led to Mr. Macdonnell's spending his second session at college, and also one of the later sessions in his theoioii'lcal course in St. Andrew's manse, Kingston, under the fatherly care of the late Rev. Dr. Machar, for many years the well-known minister of St. Andrew's Church, Kingston, and also for some ten years Principal of Queen's University. Dr. Machar's only son, John Mjuile ]\hichar, Q.C., was ^.le of his classmates that year — though a year before him in college standing: — and the bovs pursued their studies together, with benefit to both. With all the members of the manse family the intimacy then A LAI) AT COLL KG E. 13 lK'<nm t'ontiiuied coivlial and unl^rokt'ii tlirouijfh life. ])r. Machar was an object of Jiuich veneration to the voun;^ divinity student, and in his own pastoral life he afterwards made hini, in some respects, his model. Toward his motherly friend, Mrs. Maehar, his atl'ee- tion was thront;"hout his after life almost that of a son, and lier rare o-ifts of mind and heart and true nohility of character helped to mould his own at the most ])lastic time of a boy's life. Her unusual breadth of mind as well as her practical Christian wisdom had also a ^reat intiuence on his own mind and spirit, and were amont^ the numerous hidden s])rini;s which fed his spiritual being and enriched the fund of thought and experience from which he was enabled to preach for so many years with so nnich benefit to many hearts and souls. Thi'oughout after life, as long as Mrs. Maehar lived, he never lost his high regard for her Christian judgment, which on an important occasion he thus expi'essed: ' There is liardly a living man, or woman either, whose counsel I value so nuich as I do vours.' One of his lea<liniif characteristics, perhaps next to his docility, was, that he seeme(l impelled by the law of his being to throw his whole heart and interest into all that he under- took. A game of cro([uet woul<i engross his whole attention while he played: and he always obeyed the scriptural injunctiim to 'do with his might whatso- ever his hand found to do.' " The sunnner holidavs tlui'ing those veai's, spent at Fergus, were seasons of intense enjoyment, llelea.sed from the strain of college routine, James was at once i 14 LIFE OF D. .1. MACDONNELL. ' ■ II J the li<;ht-li carted, fuii-hjving boy a;;jiin, witlK^ut a care, ready tor any frolic. Of tlie otlier nieinljers of tlie family, an eider sister and one youn<fer brother were so nearly of liis own age, that they had always shared tlie same tastes and pursuits, while the remain- ing brother, some years younger, was regarded as belonging to a different era, a little pei'soii to be patronized rather than made a companion of. He, however, bore this philoso])hieally, and the relations of the various members of the home circle to each other were affectionate and happy, though the Scottish reserve in their natures did not admit of ver}^ much demonstrativeness. In a busv household like their mother's there was occupation for all. There was the horse to be cared for, the store of winter firewood to be prepared ami piled away, and their mother's garden to be weeded and raked. By way of more undeniable " recreation " there were cricket with the village boys on the " common," swimming above the mill-dam, or long tramps to favourite trout streams and triumphant return with the shining spoil. As a lad of eighteen, he preached his first sermon while on one of these excursions. The boys set out early in the week on a trip to the Saugeen and the Maitland, famous trout streams in those da^'s — send- ing on tlieir baggage by stage and fishing all the streams they' crossed on the way to Allan Park, in the County of Grey, where they were to spend Sun- day. Kere a very interesting Glasgow family of three old bachelors, with a maiden sister, had " spread their table in the wilderness," and dispensed Scottish A LAD AT COLLEGE. 15 lioKpitality to such wayfarers. The father of the fishermen, who liad an episcopal oversight of all the district between Fergus and Lake Huron, must needs iin])rove the occasion to have preachini^ on Sunday — ministers and churches bein<; almost unknown in that district at the time — and had sent forward the an- nouncement that James would pn-ach, which was duly intimated to the settlers, and a sermon was put into the " carpet-ba<]^." The fishermen arrived on Friday at Allan Park, much in need of the changes of raiment that w^re expected to be awaiting them there, but to their con- sternation no Vtaggage had arrived. The Saturday stajie came, but brouirht nothin<:;. Here was a situ- ation ! No clothes; no sermon! What was to be done? To preach in the garments in which he had been wadin<:: the trout streams, crawlinf; throu<;h the underbrush, and mired in the swamp, would not be for edification. And then the sermon ! However, there was nothing for it but to go ahead. Saturday night and Sunday morning were spent by the divinity student in hard work, and a sermon was got ready. Then the neighbourhood was placed under contribu- tion to furnish forth the preacher in suitable habili- ments ; and so it was that when church time came he ap[)eared in a reverend suit of solenni black, though no doubt the clerical tailor would have shuddered could he have beheld the cut and fit of the garments. There was in the middle of that sermon what might have seemed like a painful pause, not easily accounted for; but it came to an end, and the sermon to its i U LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNKLL. conclusion, and the good settlors wont home (|uite unconscious of the difficulties under which tiieir spiritual wants had been ministered to. Lon<ij delightful hours were spent during these sunnnor days in reading aloud, while mother and sister stitched away at " band and gusset and seam " of the household sewing (for the sewing-machine agent had not then penetrated so far into the inte- rior), and all could listen undisturbed to the lines of Macaulay, Kinglake, Proscott or C-arlyle, Sc(jtt, J)ickons, or the later English poets. James' taste for ])oetry was first awakened by a " Lalla Kookh," which had been one of his earliest prizes. It was a finely illustrated copy, and the gorgeous descriptions and flowinir metre cauirht his ear and kindled his imagi- nation. The poetry of Scott and Tenn^'son aroused his dormant interest in nature. Season after season came and went, leaving their mark on the fast matur- ing mind and body, the spii'itual part of his nature opening out like a flower before the morning sun. Ho was learning from many teachers outside the walls of home or college, but he seemed possessed of some mental alembic by means of which he absorbed only the good and rejected the evil. Yet it was not always " sunshine in the soul " even of this happy young Christian. There were times when a sense of personal unworthiness and self- diatrust weighed heavily on his heart, when his almost morbid conscientiousness, together with the sensitive poetic temperament, derived from his Celtic ancestry, plunged him into depths of despondency. A LAD AT COIJ.Er.K. ir omc (luitc hich their rinir tliose iiothor and and seam " [ig-niachine the inte- ,he lines of lyle, Sc(3tt, es' taste for okh," which k'as a finely •iptions and 1 his iniagi- son aroused ifter season Fast niatnr- ' his nature orning sun. outside the possessed of lie absorbed soul" even were times Is and self- when his with the his Celtic [espondency. One of tlu'se seasons is |)articular]y remembered, as foliovvinii' close) V after Ids Hrst eonniuuilon, whicli had been a season of ]»i<;"h spiritual enjoyment — a fact which needs no explanation to the experienced Chris- tian. The wise counsels of his father helped him out of this '■ sIou<;"h of despond " to firmer footi!i<;- on the Rock of A^rrs, j)ointin^" iiim jiway from self and too much self-dissection, and urji-iiiir more absolute de- pendence on the only Mediator and atonini^ Sacrifice. A friend who came to know him better in after days, looking- back to that time says: "What I remeud)er particidarly about James Ahicdonnell is the joyous, happy way in which he used to come runninir into the ofKce, wluni he came home foi- his holidays, and his hearty, friendly way of holdini;' out his hand with such a, cheery ' How do you do :* How are you all r — at the same time gi\ino- one a handsliake worthy the name. Of course, as vc^u belonued to the Old Kirk, and we to the Free, our ac((uaintance, stran^'e as it may seem nowadays, was very slight But when the son of the Old Kirk manse married the beautiful, nuich-loved daun'hter of the Free manse, Melville con((reo-ation adopted James .Alacdonnell and took him to their hearts." 1 18 LIFE OK D. .). MACDONNELL. I 11 CHAPTER III. TJIK YOUTHFUL TEACH 1:11. It had been kept in miiul all throuo^li lii.s college course that as soon as circnniHtaiices permitted, James was to seek employment as a teacher : not only that he might thereby help to eke out the slender home finances, but because his father had very early impressed upon his mind his own estimate of the office of a teacher of youth, as next in im]>ortanee to that of the Christian ministry itself, and atibrding the most valuable assistance to a young man with that ministry in view, in the way of developing and strengthening self-reliance, and the best methods of inlluencing other minds. His first effort in this new hue was made when little more than fifteen years of age, just after receiving his degree of B.A. at Queen's University, and the scene of his initiation was the village of Vankleek Hill. One can easily suppose that the trustees nuist have stood somewhat anfliast when this very 3'-outhful school-master presented himself as the successful candidate for the position of head-master of their Grammar School. But they had no occasion to regret the choice they had made on the strength of testimonials from the authorities of Queen's and personal friends. THE YOUTHFUL TKACHEK. 19 On his cancer as a teacher he somctiinos looked itack witli atnusement, and olten expressed his wonder I his collcf^e itted, James )t only that lender home very early mate of the nportance to lid art'ordin*!; (V nian with /elopin*]; and methods of in this new leen years ofc at Queen's ,ion was the .sily suppose what agliast |er presented the position ,1. But they ,y had made e authorities d at its coiiip.iratiV(» success, cojisiderinn; his youth an( lack of speeiile trainintj^. lUit he went into it as into all tliin^^s, with a conscientiousness and a sense of responsiliility toward his pupils which made him spent! himself in hours of private preparation, and hrin;^^ ijito usi' all liis various ac(piirements for their benefit without stint. Thus early the life that he lived was a sweetenin*^ and uplifting,' influence, shed ahi'oad unconsciously ; the outLrrowth of the inward desire to consecrate his whoh; being to the service of CJod in the spirit of the conmiand, " Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: think on these things." These words may be said to have formed the keynote of his harmonious^ life-ionjj: Christian character. In October, 1859, he was otl'ered the assistant mas- tership of the Queen's College Preparatory School, an upward step he was strongly advi.sed to take. The institution of this school was contemporaneous with that of the college itself. Early in the forties the few Grannnar schools in the country were widely scattered. Young men from rural districts, who then, as now, constituted the majority of the candidates for the ministry, had therefore to go from home in any case in order to prepare for the matriculation examination at Queen's, and the authorities of the college wisely concluded that they mifjht as well 20 LIFE OF D. J, MACDONNELL. come to Kingston at once, and receive their prepara- tory training under tlie eye of the prot'csHcn-s. For u[)wards of twenty years this ])reparatory depart- ment was maintainetl, under a succession of efficient teaciiers. The scliool was largely taken advantage of also by the citizens of Kingston, whose sons were destined for the University, and who discerned its superiority to the ordinary (Jrammar School. Here Mr. Macdonnell was brought into contact, first, with a number of young men having the nnnistry in view, and, secondly, with about threescore of the youth of Kingston, many of whom afterwards dis- tinguislied themselves at the University, and have since been heard of in the larger university of the world. The position was, therefore, not without its attractions, although the work was hard and the remuneration small. The appointment of his assistants lay with the head- master, who at this time chanced to be Mr. Robert Campbell, M.A., now minister of St. Gabriel Church, Montreal, and joint-clerk of the General Assembly. Mr. Campbell had taken note of the brilliant univer- sity course of his young friend, and had formed a high estimate of his abilities and character, and, with the view of adding to the popularity of the school, he oftered him the position, and it was accepted. The new assistant threw himself into his work with fidelity and zeal, and there are not a few ministers, lawyers, judges, and other citizei s of Can- ada to-day, who ascribe much of their success in life to the enthusiasm for lea,rning kindled in them by THK YOUTHFUL TEACHEll. 21 • prcpava- ors. For y (lopart- f erticiout ndvantaj^e sons wore ,ctn'ne<l its 3ol. Hero first, with unistry in )ro of the wards <lis- und have Hity ot' the witliout its xl and the h the head- Ur. llobert iel Church, Assembly, iuit luiivor- d formed a r, and, with the school, eptod. o his work not a few 0) s of Can- ccoss in life iu them by Mr. Macflotmell, wlien ho was one of tlie inasterH of (Quern's ('()ll('<,^e School. His associntioii with Mr. Campbell in this work laid tin; foundation of that intimacy which (h-velopod into a friendshi[», confi- dence and sympatliy, remainin;^' not only unbroken for thirty-seven years, but increasint^ in dcptli and forvonr till tlie last. The en<ra<i:ement at Kin^-ston came to an end, owiufj to some chan;iics in the mana<;omont, in the autunni of 1>S()1. and of liis next adventure as head-master at Wardsville, his dear and valued friend. Professor Hai't, of .\binitol)a Colle(r(', writes: "I was the first teaclier, and when I returned to (^hieen's to bc^dn my course in tlieolooy, on my reconnnendation Mr. i\bicdonnt'll was appointed my successor, and entered on his (hities in .binuary, bSG2. Voun«; thou^di lie was, younger than many of liis pupils, his success amonii* tliem was verv iiTeat. I have met with a number of his old pupils in Manitoba, who all speak in the warmest terms of the <,^ood they n^ceived from him, and their allection for him." Here he remained till the midsununer of 18G:^. In October of that vear he sailed for Claso-ow, there to continue the theoloi^ical studies which lu> had been carrying' on along with his work as a teacher in the school at Kingston. This .stop had been part of his father's plan for him for years, the one regret he had in coiinection with it being that it involved liis absence on the occasion of his only si.ster's marriage, in December, 18G3, to the Rev. Robert Campbell, of Calt, formerly head-master of the Queen's College ISchool. Jjl I 22 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. § CHAPTER IV. IX SCOTLAND AND GEIiMANY. I . As a divinity student at Queen's, James had re- ceived from Principal Leitch thorough drill in " Hill's Divinity " and " Butler's Analogy," in addition to which he prepared with great care for examination before the Presbytery of Guelph, the reading pre- scribed by it, " Pearson on the Creed," and " Magee on the Atonement," giving especial attention to the valuable notes appended to those works. Thus his mind was thoroughly indoctrinated in the generally accepted views of the foundations on which the Christian faith rests, having come in contact both at home and in college onl}^ with those positive views of truth crystallized in the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England, and the Westminster standards of the Church of Scotland. His residence abroad for three years, and the course of study which he pursued in Scotland and Germany during that period, cannot be said to have seriously affected his views on any of the great verities. It did give him a wider outlook, a new mental posture. Not that he became a disciple of any one school of thought, IN SCOTLAND AND GERMANY. cs had re- [ in " Hill's iddition to samination adiiig pre- id " Mageo tion to the Thus his generally which the intact both itive views ides of the standards [nee abroad which he that period, his views rive him a ot that he i' thought, hut tiiat liis ardent receptive nature, with faculties ripened and wits sharpened by the activities of life in ( 'aiiada, was just in the condition to reap the t'ldlest advantage from the privileges, educational and social, which he enjoyed during his stay in Kdinbur<di and on the Continent. He liad been too young, when a ])upil in the famous academy in 1851, to be much influenced by the atmosphere of the insti- tution, but on ])is return in 18(J4, hv entered fully into the life of tlie grand old city and drank deeply of its spirit of general culture. Just emerged from his bright and buoyant youth, he was growing into a man whose most cherislied desire was to find and follow the truth on all subjects. The world broad- ened out before him as he looked into the future ; he saw and learned, fed and was strengthened. To such inlluences, more than to the classes of the University, he looked back as important factors in his spiritual and intellectual m-owth. The session of 18G3-C4 he spent at Glasgow Uni- versity, where ])r. John Caird then occupied the chair of divinity. It was in his class that James was first brought in contact with the new spirit that about this time had come into the air in Great Britain — the spirit of in(piiry, which declined to assume that a finality had been reached in the search after truth, even revealed truth. He could not accept the teach- ing; of Caird as altoo'ether satisfactorv because of its indefinlLuuess : but there can be no doubt that the in- terrogations with which these lectures were permeated contributed largely to the establishment of his final I II i ■ 1 i ;, 1 f 1 ■1' 1 d hUL. 24- LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. mental attitude. Writing' to his brother George, from Berlin, in 18(>o, he thus refers to Dr. Caird's teaching : " Alacdougall and I used to talk over difficulties to- gether when we were set thinking by Dr. Caird's lectuies — and I have never heard lectures like them for making you think — and our conclusions were far from clear or satisfactory. He says that he is still theologically gro])ing in the darkness, or rather slowly feeling his way back to orthodoxy and becoming 'in- tensely conservative.' I dare say that is what it comes to in the end, or, as you put it, ' after all we fall into the old routine.' In any case, we must not, in rebel- liousness against chains and fetters, ignore what is great and good and true in the past." Among the preachers whom he heard in (dasgow he preferred Dr. Norman Abicleod, of the Barony Church, whose simple diction, tine connnon-sense, and generous sympathies had a fascination for young men, not unlike that which he himself came to exercise in later years. The excellent training in Hebiew which, as a stu- dent at Queen's, had been received from Professor Mowat, now enable<l him, without special effort, to carry off the Hebrew prize of tln' year in Professor Weir's class, and althouiih he did not afterwards prosecute that line of study, the insiglit he then obtained into Oriental languages qualified him for appreciating the literature bi-aring upon the Old Testament Scriptures, with which his professional work in after years brought him in contact. The winter of KSG4-(j') was passed in Edinburgh. IN SCOTLAND AND GERMANY. 25 Drgc,from teaching : julties to- ►r. Caird's like them s were far he is still her slowly oining 'in- at it comes 'e fall into t, in rebel - -e what is Vmong the ■ preferred rch, whose ffenerous men, not lise in later \\, as a stu- Professor effort, to Professor tifterwards t he then I him for the Old ofessional act. Edinburgh. Dr. Crawford, who was then Professor of Divinity in Edinburgh, "walked in the old paths," but there was much vigour and freshness in his teaching, and his personality^ was so lova1)le that he strongly at- tracted this eager and earnest young student, l^ut the man above all others among Edinburgh professors wlio most influenced his future mental attitude was Dr. Robert Lee, who tilled the chair of Biblical criti- cism, and this notwithstanding that his intellectual coldness and critical spirit rather repelled James. Yet Dr. Lee did in the line of Scripture criticism what Dr. Cair<l had done in that of theological si)eculation — compelled the candid young thinker to review many of the positions which he had been ti'ained to consider fixed ; and here, too, he was made to feel that a finality had not been reached in the search after truth. The process by which he gradually reached that attitude of mind characteristic of his public teaching — one of entire candour, a desire above all things to know and teach the truth — was completed by a resi- dence in Germany from the sunnner of LSG5 till the spring of 18()G. Li that country he found that tradi- tion and authority went for little; everything was tested bv the touchstone of historical evidence and intellectual criticism ; an<l althoui^h he did not become as enthusia.stic over German scholarship as did some other students of the time, yet he could not but be influenced by the temper of things he found in that country. Dr. Dorner, of Berlin, was the teacher by wh(.)m he was most attracted. Of him James thus ^ 1 ' tl ' . 1 1 26 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. writes in the letter already quoted : " Dorner, among the theological professors, pleases me best, though he is sometimes very cloudy. He is candid and fair in discussing a subject; moreover, he is on the whole orthodox. Vatke is at the opposite pole. He belongs to the school of Hegel, and interprets Scripture in the light of that system of philosophy. The sweeping assertions he makes and the arbitrary interpretations he puts on passages of Scripture that don't hang together with this theory are highly entertaining. Hengstenberg is as orthodox and as dogmatic as the day is long. I think if anything would be likely to drive an honest inquirer into scepticism it would be Hengstenberg's mode of defending the truth. Dorner is the general favourite, and I believe him to be an excellent Christian man. German professors are cer- tainly not afraid to say what they think (winch is often absurd enough). Scotch professors to a great extent are, owing I suppose to their tongues being tied by the Confession of Faith." In reference to the influence of these teachers upon his intellectual life, Professor McCurdy thus writes : " It may appear remarkable that his Scottish and German studies under such men as these did not result in a more pronounced permanent tendency to theological and philosophical speculation ; but in truth, the influence of such teachers upon a mind like his could not but be indirect and general, however strong and lasting. His intellect was of a so essen- tially positive cast that no tendency to theorize was ever allowed to lure him away beyond the bounds of IN SCOTLAND AND GERMANY. 27 the practical life of the soul and spirit. The same temper of mind which led hiin to crave with such intense earnestness indubitable authority for all the do<niiatic statements of our faith, forced him also to drop any theme or idea of speculative theolo^^y which had not to do with the vital spiritual interests of men. But the mental discipline gained from these and kindred studies was a great and inalienable possession," That he did not acqinre a more perfect knowledge of (Jerman literature during his short stay on the Continent was to him a source of disappointment ; nor did he, when once he became immersed in the activities of the pastorate, iind it easy to keep up steadily his study of the language, the lack of time for which he often regretted. If, however, not nuich was gained in the way of technical schohirship during the year abroad, he turned his time, according to his wont, to the best possible advantage from other points of view. (Jermany itself, the home-life of the people, German music and song, German scenery and character — all these and nnich more he delighted in, and gleaned from it all a " store of golden grain." The suunner vacation of 18(!4 was largely spent in excursions on foot, or by any chance conveyance, through the Bernese Oberland and on to Paris, some- times in company with young English or American tourists out like himself for a h(>liday tramp : at one point, with a " German tailor and his wife, ([uite interesting people:" sometimes alone and longing for ,frr- ' I ' I I 1 m LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. some congenial friend with whom to share liis enjoy- ment. " It was very amusing," he writes, " while crossing the Wengern Alps, to encounter three or four young fellows lustily singing ' Dixie.' It was as good as a letter of introduction, and paved the way f"r a ji ;ndly greeting." Of a similar excursion in August of the next year, IcSGo, he always retained the most delightful recollec- tions. One of the party who made that trip togeHier, now ^^.'^' Professor Gordon, D.D., of Halifax, thus writes o* ]* "I liad been studying in Berlin that fiummei , auu inet him by appointment at Heidelberg, »vliere nr of Ir li^dinburgh fellow-students, John Watt, (luw 1" V- '■.'i\ Watt, of Anderston Church, CJlasgow, was expucti ^^ ''.iui. While Watt and I were waiting for James, two other friends joined us, John Black and William Macdonald. Black was at that time one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools for Scotland, and later Professor of Latin in the Uni- versity of Aberdeen. Macdonald, then a student, became prominent and much esteemed as a Conven- tionist in New Zealand. Both died some years ago, so that Dr. Watt and I are the only surviving mem- bers of our little party. We live, in the fulness of life, left Heidelberg together. We visited Baden- Baden, Strasbourg, Basle and the Falls of the Rhine. Then we had a delightful walking tour in Switzer- land, taking in Schatt'hausen, Zurich, Zug, Arth, the Rigi and Lucerne. It was a brief trip but full of enjoyment, our companions being splendid fellows^ and anyone who knew James can understand how IN SCOTLAND AND GERMANY. 29 ; enjoy- " while liree or , was as ;he way xt year, recollee- oge^ier, ax, thus •lin that idelberg, ts, John Chiircli, id I were us, John at that hools for the XJni- student, Conven- ears ago, ing mem- ulness of I Baden- 10 Rhine. Switzer- Arth, the ut full of I fellows^ tand how ■■# ■m ■is heartily he threw himself into everything of that kind. However tired we niiglit be with our day's tramp or sightseeing, we were sure to sit late into the night talking as only students can talk. Througli the heavier cares of later years he would recall witli great pleasure incidents of that trip, enjoying over a«-ain some humorous .scene or well-remembered joke, or stirred by those memories of mountain and lake that are the unfailing treasure of one who visits Switzerland with such a responsive and appreciative soul. Our little party divided at Lucerne, as Mac- donald and I were to cross the Alps into Italy, while Black was returning home by way of Paris, and James and Watt were to go to Germany. I did not see him airain until the sunnner of 186<S, when we were both at the meetin*; of Synod. Meanwhile, he iiad been settled in St. Antlrews Church, Petcrboro', and I in St. Andrew's Churcli, Ottawa. I did not see him often during his ministry in Peterboro', but year by year our intimacy was deepening, and the friend whom I liad known from boyhood was revealing to me more and more fully his rare and remarkable excellence." In reference to the same general period, Professor Henry Cowan, D.D., of Aberdeen, writes to Mrs. Campbell : " I was not one of the walking party to which you refer, but I was none the less intimate with your brother during the part of his course which he took in Edinburgh. There was no more distinguished student in the Divinity Hall at that time than your brother, and no one more deeply !l I 1] if 1 I 30 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNEI.L. respected and universally beloved. His open coun- tenance, winning smile, and friendly manner at- tracted us all at once to him when he came among us ; and larji^er acquaintance enabled us to realize his clear intellectual and moral insight, his high spiritual tone, without a trace of affectation, and his thorough unsel- tishness of character. Amid all his acatlemic distinc- tion, his unaffected modesty rendered all petty jealousy of a comparative stranger's laurels impossible ; and I remember how universal was the regret (somewhat narrow, I admit) that his colonial patriotism pre- vented him from entering the ministry of the Church of Scotland. The high position to which he speedily attained in Toronto was no surprise to any of us here. We knew that a man of his high intellectual gifts, broad and generous sympathies and genuine self-consecration must become a manifest power for good. I saw a little of your brother on the occasion of two of his visits to Scotland. The first occasion was when he was in Aberdeen soon after the conclusion of his ' case,' and I remember well the utter absence of bitterness with which he spoke of all that had been done, and how nmch less anxious he was to vindicate his own position than to place the action of those who had been ecclesiastically opposed to him in a more favourable light than that in which his friends hero had regarded it. On the occasion of his later visit, he preached for me in New Greyfrairs on a communion Sunday evening, and I recall the deep impression made by him on my people, particularly tlie more thoughtful members of the ii IN SCOTLAND AND GERMANY. 31 m coiin- mer at- iiong us ; his clear iial tone, y\\ unsel- ; distinc- jeakmsy e ; and I OHiewhat ism pre- Q Church 1 speedily :iy of us tellectual crenuine )0\ver for ) occasion , occasion ifter the well the spoke of anxious to place iastically than that On the e in New liX, and I ly people, ■s of the conr]jrp<xation, V)oth throufj^h his sermon and the devo- tional })arts of tlie service. " I reniend)er the surprise of many wlien I told them that he had at one time incurred the suspicion of heresy ; for W(^ all felt that we were listening; to a man who had {jjrasped the vital truths of our reliLjion with his whole heart and soul and stren«]fth and mind, and that he spoke both when preachin<^ and when praying out of the fulness of a rich spiritual nature as well as intellectual experience." On the same theme Rev. 0. M. Grant, of Dundee, thus expresses himself : " My memories of my dear friend go back thirty-three years to smoky (Glasgow and the University session of 18G3-G4. There and then a * colony of colonials ' was gathered, whose affection and loyalty to one another and to the com- mon colonial home bound them into a brotherhood which made a certain mark upon the college life. They were mostly British North Americans — the term ' Canadians,' in its present meaning, was then uidvuown — and that wonderful ecclesiastical and Presbyterian county, Pictou, provided the largest contingent. Gordon, now a learned professor of theology ; Eraser, now a pastor beloved in his native county; McDonald, now a parish minister in Scot- land's premier county, Perthshire : Cameron, who died minister of Burntisland; dear 'Bill' Fraser and Donald McGillivray, medicals both, and both dead ! myself and others — never were men more brotherly, and never men stuck more closely together. He who would fight with one had to reckon with all. I il j' 32 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. " To us tliUH came Macdonnell, and wa.s soon ' one of us,' and not tin; least beloved. Very quiet, very unassuming, we did not at first measure or weigh him aright. It therefore came upon us as somewhat more than a surprise to Hnd that he could face and control an audience 1 tetter than the best of us. I remember as well as if it were only last year, tlie first time we realized what maimer of man this gentle, modest and boyish-looking youth was. It was a great ' field day ' in our College Missionary Society. There had been a good deal of excited speaking — for the personal element had come largely in — and the crowded class- room was disinclined for more. Sudderdy a clear, resonant voice was heard from one of the back benches. Macdonnell, for the first time in Scotland, was on his feet as a speaker. In two minutes he had fast liold of his hearers. Three things marked his speaking from the first and they marked it to the end. Every word got its due emphasis ; every sentence was cut like a cameo ; every thought stood out bold and clear, so that there could be no doubt as to what it was. From that hour he took a new place in our regard : our liking because of personal amia- bility took a new colour when we saw in him con- trolling powers An unsuspected gift had been revealed. The forces that move men were there without a doubt. "The next session he and I both went to Edin- burgh and ' chummed ' together in lodgings. Of course our relations became more intimate, and I began to know what he was in his depths, and, there- li ;iiP A IN SCOTLAND AND GERMAN V. 33 Hoon ' one uiet, very A'hat more nd control remember it time we iiodest and ' field day ' luul been a i personal ,vded clasH- ly a clear, the back 1 Scotland, minutes he ofs marked rked it to isis; every u<j;ht stood lo doubt as new place onal amia- i him con- had been kvere there t to Edin- gmgs. Of ate, and I and, tliere- forti, in his true self. Transparent, without a flaw; strai^^dit, without a twist: true to the core, incapable eviMi of conceivin*^ a duplicity. Of course, he was not then the man he afterwards beeanu) ; the Spirit of God, dwt'liino; in him as in His temple, enero;ized as well as decpeiKMl him. liut he was then the be fl II lUinjf^ of what he afterwards became. In the <;reat es.sentials of character — in motives and aims, incentives and aspirations — he was then what he was alwavs. I think it is u'enerallv so with those who are truly good and do great things. They begin as they go on : they .sow as they mean to reap. He who l>rin<rs fullest stren<>th to the service of CJod and man, is like Wordsworth's ' Happy Warrior ' — " ' wlio, when brousrht, Amony; the tasks of real life, hath wrought Upon the plan that pleased his ehildish thought.' "So it was with him. He worked along the same lines from the beginning. He ottered no powers soaked in sin to (Jod. The plans and purposes, the aims and enterprises with which he was tilled when I last saw him were still those ' that pleased his chihli.sh thought.' The future develoj)ed the past; it never needed to falsify it. The(^logieally he was yet quite unformed, but I am unable to trace any very marked influence of his stay in Oerman\' — thou<ih, I believe, some think thev can. .The only ditierence I can see between the student with whom I lived in 18G5 and the minister whom I visited in 1892, and who visited me in 1895, is just what might be expected to I ' I ! [■■ 1 I il I ■■' 1 34 LIFE OF 1). J. MAr[)()NNEI,L. be soon Ix'twoen the youtli Ix'j^innin;^ to tliiiik for himself arm tlie inaii wlio lia.s tliou;;l»t out his proh- leiiiH and readied his eoueliision.s ; between him wlio is only fei'lin*,^ his feet and him Avho stands ' fonr- s(|uare to every wind that l)lows.' IK* always had an abhorrence of dogmatism ; a profound feelin<:j that 'the love of Cod was broader than the measure of man's niind ' ; a repu;,niance, consecjuently, to every attempt to tie or trammel that love, or to confine it to moulds of human castinf^. (Jermany had its inllu- ence upon him, no doubt. He was too sensitive and too receptive not to receive e<lucational impulse from every force around him, a certain inspiration from all his environment : but I never could see any si^ni of any theoloii;ical revolution which it had eH'ected. Sucli emancipation from traditionalism as lie needed for his own enlargement he had worked out — or rather, was in the way of working- out — for himself, before he went there ; and though doubtless the pro- cess was hastened by contact with the scholarship and thought — and even more, the scholars and thinkers — of Heidelberg and Berlin, it could in no sense be said to be caused by it. His lines were his own, and along them he most naturally and most rationally developed. Perhaps his theology may have been to some extent influential in building up his character : possibly it is so with all of us, somewhat ; but I am sure that with him his character was a hundredfold more powerful in determining his tlieology. And just because he himself was so Christ-like I always felt that, no matter how much some folk might be frightened, he i^i; ( in a IN SCOTLAND AND (JKUMANY. 3.') tliink for his prob- hiin who ids ' I'oiir- lys luul an i'hn<r tliat lortsiiri' of , to every ) confine it lI its inlhi- isitive and pulse from Dn from all my H\gn of L(l eH'ected. , he needed bd out — or or himself, ss the pro- iirship and hinkers — ■use be said , and along developed. ;ome extent assibly it is e that with •e powerful because he t that, no frhtened, he could vof be 'unsound.' He <lid the will and he eoiild not but know of the doctrine. Oh, my dear friend, (Jod ne\er j;ave to me a better interpretation of tilt' ( 'lii'ist than He <;ave in you ! " Anion"' the letters from home awaitinj; James on his return to Kdinl)ur<j(h, in April, ISiJO, was the sad announcement of the death of his sister's little child, of whom he had been hearinj^ two weeks earlier, that, " The wee boy was the li;;ht of the luai.se, the b'iiditest and best of baby boys. ' Writinj; home at once James said : " It is a strange thought to me that I have never .s(>en, and shall never on this I'arth si-e, the little darling of whom I have heard so nuich that is endearing. I have always included him when I have been drawing fancy pictures of the future, and have wondered what .sort of reception Tncle James' would get from his little nephew. N<'\v all that is over; but though 'baby' can only li\e to me in imagination, not in memory, yet his life and death have done me, as they have done you all, great good. . . . And then there is the hope of a glori- ous lesurrection, and here Christianity shines consj)ic- uouslv above all the other reliirions of the world, and the sorrow of Christians, when they keep this grand fact ill view, must be difierent from the sorrow of the world." 1 1 36 LIFE OF P. J. MAODONNELL. ! i il CHAPTER V. MENTAL SmUaOLES AND OliDl NATION. "The thirst that from the soul doth rise Doth fisk a drink divine." On his return to Ediiiburgli, in April, 186G, James was offered the position of assistant to Rev. Dr. Glover, in Greensido Parish — an ofi'er tempting to him owing to the lact that his father had done the work of a city missionary in the same parish, under Dr. Glover, thirty years before. But liaving for so lonjif looked forward to a ministry in his native country, James unhesitatingly declined the proposal, and this the more readily because of certain difficul- ties which had arisen in his mind with regard to accepting as a whole tlie doctrine set forth in the Confession of Faith. It will be best to state what these were as far as possible in his own words. In the letter from Berlin, already referred to, he says, " One of these difficulties I have several times men- tioned in writing home, and I have thought far more than I have written. It may seem an easy thing to some people to make up one's mind on points on MENTAL STRUGGLES AND ORDINATION. 37 )N. C, James Rev. Dr. pting to done the ih, under lo- for so native proposal, difficul- d to in the ite wliat ords. In he says, mes men- far more thing to points on •e£C^r( ,li wliich Christians are divided, and have always been (Hvided, but I have not found it so. I suppose most people admit that there must' be a little latitude allowed in signing the Confession of Faith, and that one is hardly e.Kpeeted to assent to every clause abso- lutely: but the ([uestion comes to })e, how far this latitude is to be allowed to extend. I should like to know what you think. I am inclined to think that confessions, as we are required to subscribe to them, do more harm than good, — that they torment con- scientious men, while they do not keep out of the church careless men, who do not care much what they sign. Of course there liave Iteen, and may be, many who have signed with the most thorough honesty. If any means could be devised of securing piefj/ in intending ministers, it would be nuich more to the purpose, and orthodoxy on many points might be left to take care of itself. Without the piety, the orthodoxy is worse than useless." Again, a few weeks hiter, to the same correspondent ho writes: "I cannot tell you how much I have thought and felt on that matter of the Confession of Faith. There have V)een times when I have almost vowed not to enter the church, not to come under ol)ligations which I could not honestly take, not to put myself in a position in which I might be accused of dishonesty if I dared to say what I really thought. I have actually at times put the question, What am I to make of m^'self :* What new course am I to strike out in which I can be of use to the world ? . . . Tlu'ii came the thought ol' parents und friends disap- m 'V I vl i J! HI. > 9 mrr SSSBI 38 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. pointed and fyrioved, the givinf^ up of my own life- long pl.ans and hopes, and a multitude of other con- siderations which seemed to make it impossible for me to abandon the ministry. . . , Further, how far is a man's personal piety dependent on his knowledge or beHef of certain truths j' From the way in which opinions which some men regard as false are spoken of as soul-destroying errors, and the people who hold them as Satan-bound souls, one would imagine that the connection is very close. And yet the very men who are thus anatliematized, seem, so far as we can apply any tests, to be doing as ir-uch good in the world as their accusers. 1 should not hesitate to say that Norman Macleod is a better man and has done more good by his writing and speaking and working on behalf of missions, etc., than, for example, that notoriously orthodox Professor of the College, Cilasgow. The fact is that a man's thoughts cannot be bound by any creed, although his utter- ances may. He will and must think independently of the dictation of any body of men. And why not let men speak freely and take confidence in the power of truth, believing that we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth ? " Other themes were discussed in these letters — rather unusual letters to be addressed by a young man of twenty-three U) one still younger, such as this, in February, ISUO, still from Berlin: "On the Sabbath (juestion you and I would agi-ee pretty well. . . . Possibly you are right as to the comparative good of going to a certain church, or of reading a 1 i MENTAL STRUGGLES AND ORDINATION. 39 vn life- ler con- \ihle for how far owleilge n whicli J spoken A\o hold ine that ery men s we can he world say that )ne more rking on iple, that he thoughts lis utter- )endently why not e in the nothing letters — a young , such as " On the ■etty well, iiparative •eading a profitable book. l)ut I have a strong conviction of the desirableness and benefit of going somciuhere to join with Christian people in imJtl'ic worship. This is certainly one of the great ends of the Lord's Day, whatever view we hold as to the ground on which it is to be observed. . . . On this subject as on others, if there is one thing more tlian another that would make me anxious to be orthodox it would be the desire of pleasing Father. I always feel that he is more in earnest in his love of truth and in liis anxious desire to tlo g(jod to every one over whom he has any influence than most men or ministers whom I have known. 'J'liis, of course, does not prevent liis having wrong views, thougli, indeed, we ouglit rather to suspect that ice are wrong ; but it always makes me cautious about saying whatever comes first, lest I should needlessly wound him. I feel personally that I am more indebted to the counsels I have received in letters from home than to anything else I know of on earth for keeping me from a great deal of evil." During the weeks spent in Edinburgh, awaiting a meeting of that })i'esbytery, at which he was to appear For license and onlination, the oM difficulties rea})peare(l. Writing again to his In'other George, he savs : " To <j:o back once more to the Confession of Faith, the comparing it to the ih'itish constitution is a g(Wtl idea if it were only true, as a matter of fact, that it is treated like the Ih'itish constitution. But is it i No member of Parliament feels that he lays himself open to the charge of disloyalty by trying to amend the constitution by bringing in, as is being if n !» ^:| t ft "f?*" 40 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. done just now, a Reform Bill. It is acknowledged on all hands that the British constitution is a tiling; of growth and development, a very different thing now from what it was two centuries ago. But, does it stand so with the Confession ? It is hard for a man to escape the stigma of heresy, who proposes even a slight modification of it, and, as a matter of fact, it remains word for word as it ^^•as drawn up more than two hundred years ago. Indeed it is a connnon assertion that it cannot to any appreciable extent be improved; that religious truth is fixed and unalter- able, and that the Westminster divines were divinely taught as truly as any of their successors can be. Certaiidy, in essentials religious truth must be un- cliangeable : but then, wliat are essentials ? Brofessor Gibson thinks, apparently, that it is the Confession, the whole Confession, and nothing but the Confession that is essential, and on that ground lie consistently opposes the singing of h^nmis, because the Confession says we are nut to worship God in any way not appointed in His Word. ])r. Lee, on the otlier hand, I suppose, would reduce all tliat is essential to two or three sentences. In the U. P. Presbytery of Edinburgh lately, with beautiful inconsistency, while they carried by an innnense majorit}^ an overture enjoining Presbyterians to b(^ stricter than ever in enforcing adherence to the Confession, there was hardly a man who had not some fault to find with that same document. It was 'too lonsr,' or 'too vau'ue.' One wanted to cut away a chapter and a half (about the civil magistrate), another would have periodical MENTAL STRUGGLES AND ORDINATION. 41 ilg'cd on ihini; of ii<r now does it L" a man even a fact, it ip more common ctent be unaltcr- (livinely can 1)0. ; be un- ^rofessor iifossion, tnt'ession sistently iiil'ession ,vay not I!!- hand, 1 to two ^tery of y, while Dverture ever in ere was nd with ) va<j;'ue.' f (about uriodieal revisions, and so forth. The idea of periodical revisions is capital, but somewhat inconsistent with the terms of the overture which the speaker was support! nnr." All his difficulties were frankly discussed with his father, who was watchin;jj with wistful eyes the footsteps of the son fast cmtsti-ippin*^' him in many of the fields of thou<,dit and culture. In reply to sonic of these self-accusations and appeals for advice, his father wrote: "I am sorry that such ([uestions cause you uneasiness. I do not think tiiey should. I believe, as I have said befoi'e, that the mind need not be trannnelled, thou<^h one should sid)scribe to the Confession. I am quite clear that every C-hris- tian, and every minister of Christ, should be free to take in the whole truth of (Jod as contained in the Seri|)tures. T feel, I may say, no trouble in my own case with the Confession. In my own mind it can always be harmonized with the Sci"iptui'es, and I trust I sincerely seek to know what they teach and to follow that. I am satisfied that many of those who have si<i^ned the Confession have done it honestly, as the best thino; thev^ could do in the circumstances, with a view to the ^'lory of the Master and Redeemer whom they love and serve. . . . But this j)rin- ciple of comprehensiveness must have limits. We nuist neither be Romanized nor (Jermaiiized. Let me remind you that the best safe<jfuard a;j,ainst doctrinal error is to l)e found not in controversial zeal, l)ut in the maintenance of our own spiritual lilV', and thus of a real, a close and a deepening;- ex[)erience of the 1 r! i !i I .f. 42 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. kingdom within us." It will be clear enough to some minds what the nature of some of his difficulties was. How many like him have striven earnestly to recon- cile the character of the Law-giver and Judge as set forth in the Confession, with the " Father of all " they find in Holy Wi-it ? Finally, however, the counsels of his father and the advice of other interested friends succeeded in allay- ing for a time this " torment " of soul, and with the acknowledgment of his mental reservations, wisely unheeded by the Presbytery, he received ordination on the 14th of June, IJSOG, and set out immediately for Canada. '^ MINISTRY IN PETERBORO 43 CHAPTER VI. MIXISTHY IX PKTElUiORO'. His return from Euroi)e wus ca^^erly looked for l)y parents, friends and former teachers, wlio liad watclied his course with sympatlietic interest. Several vacant con(^re<^ations were waiting to liear the young divine, of wliose liberal views on some points rumours had reached them. His own inclinations led him to hesi- tate somewhat between the ofi'er of an assistantship to the beloved and venerable Dr. Urcjuhart, of Corn- wall, and the pastorate of St. Andrew's Church, Peterboro'. The decision, after nuich heart-searching, was made in favour of Peterboro'. Into the pastoral charge of this congregation he was inducted by the Presbytery of Toronto on the 20th of November, LSGG. An account of the induc- tion written at the time, states that " the father of the minister-elect, the Rev. (leorge Macdonnell, of Fergus, being present, was invited to take part in the services, . . . and delivered to his son an admir- able address, full of affectionate, wise and earnest counsel as to the duties and responsibilities of the sacred office. It nnist have been ])eculiarlv frratifvina ! « 1 It ^sm 44 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. to one who is himself in the midst of an active and laborious ministry to take part, luider the circum- stances, in the induction of a pastor to an important and extensive field of labour." Fervent, indeed, were the thanksgivings of the father's heart, who was privileged thus to see the "joy of hopes fulfilled." The outlook in Peterboro' was very attractive to one so ready to fight the battle of the weak and dis- couraged. Since 1(S44, when the minister and the large majority of the congregation had joined the Free Church movement, the history of the minority had been one of struggle and disappointment. It was not till 1(S58 that they had been in a position to call a minister (the Rev. James Douglas), and since his resignation there had been a vacancy of two years, which had been very injurious. The numbers had been so reduced that there were present at the first connnunion but seventy-three church members. The other Presbyterian congregation was overwhelmingly large and flourishing, so that it was against tremen- dous odds he led this " forlorn hope." The future before him was full of toil, care, perplexity, responsi- bility : but he faced it gladly. He was three and and twenty, with a happy life behind, some acquaint- ance with the world and with human nature, ready to receive impressions, with generous impulses and noblest longings, and the needs of tho situation called for the best he had to give. Realizinir his divine connnission, he set out to follow as closely as might be in the footsteps of Christ and His apostles, willing to be poor, willing to work humbly and trustfully at MINISTRY IN PETERBOUO'. 45 the most commonplcace of duties, if by any mctans he iiiitrht briiihten and better the lives around liini, and lead them in the " more exceHent wav." Writinir to his brotlier (Jeor^'e slioi'tlv after liis settlement, he says : " I have felt better since I have had to work harder than I had <lone (mentally and spiritually) for a lont^ time. It hns done u\v t^ood in every way. It is a ^reat thin^' to have dehnite, prac- tical work to do — it prev^ents too much speculation, which is for me, at least, not a desirable thino-. I think there nuist be nuich in a minister's woi'k, when earnestly ^one about, that tends to correct the evils of a coiH'sc of th(!olo<j^ical study, which nw. certaiidy not a few." ' Hoth pastor and people worked with a will. " They helped every one his neighbour, and every (jne said to his neitjhbour, Be of «^ood courasije," for the hopefulness of their young minister was infectious. The letters from home cheered him on. In ]\Iarch, 1807, his father wrote: "I met Mr. M., of the Ontario Bank, when in T(_)ro'.ito yesterday. He tells me you are ' building up a fine congregation.' I think the words are at once encouragino; and suii-jxestive. It has to be built up, and this implies laying stone upon stone, daily, steadily, skilfully." Looking back over the thirtv vears that have passed since that time, one who was a prominent member of the conm-efjation writes : " . . . Although very few in nundier and comparatively weak financially, so enthusiastic were the congregation in their desire to make him comfortable and to retain P ' m :.i I 1 i It i ]\im ii il i V 1 *f i m T 46 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. I ! :;l 11 . ■;* him as tluiir pastor, that, few as they were, they undertook, and had completed before the call to Toronto came, a manse costin<^ some $3,000, which I have often lieard praised as second to none in Ontario. During his residence in Peterboro', too, he was not only eminently successful in his own congregation, but in securing the good-will of the comnumity at large, and in promoting a kindly feeling between all the denominations into which the comnmnity was divided, and in (most difficult of all) promoting good feeling between those who had been so unnecessarily antagonized by the disruption of 1844." A lady wrote to the Toronto Mail in March, 1896, some recollections of this early pastorate, thus : " My first knowledge of him was in Peterboro', before he had become so famous, and there the same qualities showed themselves which all recognized in Toronto — fearlessness, frankness, humility, spirituality — and yet he was intensely practical. . . . The reproach of love of money that so many bring against minis- ters, had in his case no foundation. While in Peter- boro' — a small congregation — every effort was made by the dignitaries of the Church to induce him to accept Ottawa with a much larger salary and other advantages ; but nothing availed. He thought it his duty to stay for some years more with this his first charge. Two or three incidents lingfer in my memory of his Peterboro' life. On visiting an old woman in winter he found her quite destitute of firewood, and immediately went out and ordered a cord of wood. Returning next day, he found, instead , i MINISTRY IN PETEIIBORO 47 they all to liich I ntario. as not [ration, lity at een all ,y was g good ssarily I, 1896, : "My fore he ualities ^oronto y — and proach minis- Peter- |s made hiin to I other b it his first lis Bger in jng an itute of ered a instead of tlie cheerful fire he expected, the widow still sitting in tlie cold, and on iiKiuiring, found there was no one to cut the wood, upon which he took off' his coat and sawed and split enough to last for some time. A fine exaniplc of muscular Christianity ! ... As a preacher ]\Ir. Ahicdonnell was most attractive. His strong plain face was lit up with a soul within, 'a li<'-lit that never was on sea or land.' His diction was choice, ready, nervous; he was elo(iuent, thoughtful, scholarly. But perhaps the devotional part of the service was even more remarkable than the sermon, being reverent, earnest, sympathetic, comprehensive. He asked for what men and women who were enjoy- ing, working, suffering in this pi-escnt day would be most likely to need. He once said at a prayer- meeting, ' I think it is the most solemn thing any one can do to present the petitions of a people to the God of heaven and earth, and it certainly requires preparation far more thorough than the sermon.' " Thus, amid lights and shadows, rejoicing often in a sense of his Master's presence and help, sometimes yielding to fits of despondency and self-accusation, questioning his own motives and longing for more direct divine leading, four busy years passed away. Sometimes, no doubt, the depression was due to mere physical causes, as he himself suggests in a letter written on a Monday in November, 1SG7 : " I read a chapter of Robertson's life to see if it w^ould rouse me, but it did not produce much effect ; perhaps all this is mere physical reaction after the comparative excitement of yesterday. I have just read over again ji 1 m ^i\ 'I' I I " 48 LIFE OF I). .1. MACIJOXNELL. 3 ii i your (l«}li<,^htriil lettor ol' last week, and tliat is a b(!ttor source of inspiration than Kobtjrtson. . . , I reineni])er very few dates eitlier in my own life Ol- in oi'iicral history, Init I hare kept in mind tlie '20th of this montli as the anniversar}'^ of my induction. In many respects the retrospect is a pleasant one. So far as outward prosperity is concerned, as manifested in the hearty {,^ood-will of my people, and their readiness to do all that couhl be desired, 1 have every reason to be gratified. I sometimes ask myself, however, ' What does all this amount to ? ' Lar^ije audicMices — approbation often unwisely expressed — is there any spiritual »^ood necessarily resulting from all this :* I hope there is. I suppose many a hard toiler in the ministry has been cast down at not witnessing the results of his work ; but am 1 really doing my work in the right way, sowing ' good seed,' or am I trying to lead the blind, while blind myself ? J could not help being strangely struck by a passage in one of Robertson's letters which I came across the other day ; it expresses so exactlv what I have often felt. After talkiu"; about his (lirticulties he says: ' As to the ministry I am in intinite perplexity. To give it up seems throwing away the only opportunity of doing good in this short life now available to me ; yet, to go on teaching and preaching when my own heart is dark and lack^ the light I endeavour to impart, is very wretched.' don't know that it is altoixether wise for me to reau just now the life of such a man as Frederick llobertson, but I do certainly find in it much that reflects my own state of mind." t MINISTKV IX PKTKUROUO 4d ,t IS a :r\ life iiiind ary ol' pect is lity is ()(l-\vill ill that L-atiticd. all this 1 often il o-ood there is. las been ^ work ; it way, hliiid, rangely letters esses so cr about I am in lirowiiig in this :eachin<,^ lid lack" khed.' to reaei Ibertsou, ects my SpeakiiiLJ of a Wednesday evening service which lif lijid aijoiit this time iiitro luced, he says: " I told iMV ])e()|)le that tlie iiieetiii*,^ would vary in its charac- ter aeconlino; to circumstances — Ikmu^* sometimes a simple prayi'r-meeting, sometimes a lecture, sometimes il missionary meeting;'. Last Wednesday evenin<:j I ;;;ivf a lecture on ' Hynnis.' I have some idea of i;i\ iii;4' a sUeteh of Robertson's life next Wednesday. I shall not preach a sermon. Perhaps people nowa- days net more' than enough of that sort of (^ood thinf]f. If a laryc [)()rtion of the sermons preached could in any way be made to tell on the masses who never hear anv, instead of beinii" nearh' all lavished on peojjle who have heard the same thin^; a thousand times, it would be an improvement. Still, no doubt, wandering sheep are often reached where you might least expect to Hnd them." To the same friend, on Fel)ruary 3rd, 18G8, he writes : " I appreciate all your good wishes for my biithday. I did remeiidjcr it this year, and did make it the starting-point of many good jilans and resolu- tions. It is a very sei'ious thing to be twenty-five vears old, for I believe it to be true that what a man is at live and twenty he is likely to remain HiiMiv 1| life. I hope and believe that your prayers u .e and for us both will be answered, and that ■ming year will l)e rich in blessing. ... In ret lice to that matter of 'assurance,' your want is 'n, and the remed my 'ly some- thing like this: do not look in so much as ///>. While self-exaiiiina' n of some sort and at some seasons is w. i : ■ • :\\: w -n ■ 50 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. a duty, it cannot be a good thing to be always worry- ing ourselves with doubts as to personal religion. Let us trust all that to God and irorh for Him. . . We are His children, though we may not always feel the comfort that we ought in a sense of that relation- ship." ... In writing to this friend, from whom he had no reservations, about his doctrinal puzzles, he says: " The truth is that what the Church wants, and what ministers want, and what everybody wants, is more of the knowledge that comes by love. Whatever may be the case with secular knowledge, certain it is that in divine things we know hy love. ' He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is Love.' Would to God that all Christians, and we ministers especially, had more of that sort of knowledge that is acquired not by the intellect, but by the loving heart." "You, of all people in the world, have a right to know exactly how my religious, or rather, I should say, my theological views stand, for religion and theology are entirely distinct things. I had intended to preach yesterday from the text, ' He hath made him to be sin for us,' etc. (2 Cor. v. 21), but I changed my mind, and resolved, first, to read carefully and prayerfully Dr. Cunningham's work on 'Historical Theology,' in which he discusses various views that have been held, and maintains the correctness of the view held in both our churches. I preached instead a sermon on tem- perance, or rather on the duty of abstaining for the sake of othei's, from Rom. xiv. 1.3. In the morning 1 preached on the Lord's Supper; there are several fathers of families who are not conununicants." MINISTRY IN PETERBORO. 61 orry- . Let 's feel ation- whom les, he ts, and mts, is latevcr An it is le that Wonld )ccially, c(\uircd ,(3 know say, my poo-y are preach u to he |\y mind, yert'uUy |lo^^y; in en held, |l in hoth on teni- for the lovning 1 several On more than one occasion wlien lie had (^iv^en way to a serious tit of despondency over some theological perplexity, reproof and rehuke, as well as counsel and comfort, had not failed to come in the letters from home. " Call upon the Lord to lighten your darkness and deliver you from every spiritual eneni}'," his father wrote, "and endeavour to give up seeking to understand what the Lord has not revealed. . . . Tlie Lord deHvers His faithful servants from hai'ass- ing doubt, as well as from every other foe, when they cry to Him." Tliis firm and faithful dealing lielped liim, and he took courage and " hold on his way. Tlu! impression made by Mr. Macdonnell about the nuddle of his Peterboro' ministry upon one soon thereafter to be very closely associated with him is worth giving here, especially as it recalls the gather- ings of the Old Kirk Synod which have even already ])assed into the realm of "ancient history." Mr. MacMurchy, of Toronto, writes retrospectively : " Li June, 18(18, the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Canada in connection with the Church of Scotland met in Kingston. It was there that for the first time I liad the pleasure of meeting Rev. D. J. Macdoiniell. Both Mr. Macdonnell and 1 were on the Committee of the Synoil, charged with the duty of preparing an address to His Excellency the (Jovernor- (leneral of Canada. The preparation of this address was assigned to him and myself. His father was also at this meeting of the Synod with many anotlier worthy of the Church of Scotiand, such as : m^'i '■ :%i 1:11 i I! 'I 52 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. I Tlie venerable Dr. Matliieson, of Montreal ; the elo- quent ])r. Cook, oi' Quebec ; the helpful Dr. Jenkins, of Montreal ; the retirin*;' Moderator, Rev. K, McLennan ; the Moderator, Rev. Mr. Dobie, of Lindsay : the accomplished Dr. Barclay, of Toronto ; Rev. Robert Campbell, Montreal ; Rev. Principal Snod^rass ; and besides these a fair representation of the clert^y and laity of our branch of the Church. Many of these have since then been called to the activities of the Church above. What impressed me most at this first meeting with my friend, besid(!S his vivacity, cheery manner of address, and courtesy, was the very special gift, which he had in an eminent degree, of ([uickly entering into the spirit of his surroundings. This rich endowment of sympathy was a very precious power in the performance of his ministerial work. If he was brought into a joyous company, he had the blessed faculty of showing the joyful spirit ; if he came to the sorrowing circle, he shared the grief with genuine feeling. No one, in my experience, so fully and so completely embodied the spirit of the words, ' Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.' " I f) MARRIAGE. 53 1 CHAPTER VII. MARlilAilE. ■| An influence new and powerful w.as bccoininf^ apparent in the young minister's life before he liad been long in Peterboi'o', helping to drive away the mists of theological discussion and brio-hten the horizon of the future. A friendship dating back to the early childish years in Fergus liad })een revived on his return from Scotland, and grown into the attachment which so enriched and emiobled his whole future life. On the 2nd of July, LSG8, he was married to Elizabeth Logic, eldest daughter of Rev. CJeorge Smellie, of Ft-rgus. Seldom do we find a married pair so equally yoked togetlicr, so entirely suited to each other in every respect, each the possessor so remarkably of qualitic^s lacking in the other which, happily blended, made them so truly one. Mrs. Macdomiell was the descendant of generations of Scottish ministers — the inheritress of many of their conspicuously good ([ualities. Her father was born in isll in St. Andrew's, Scotland, and studied in Edinburgh University from 1827 to iSiJo. Here 'X' V P ,1" ! , if ' ! IP ' if 1 1 h: [J ' ■ 54 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. he had as teachers such men as Dr. Chalmers and Prof. Wilson, and among his classmates was James McCosh, afterwards distinguished as a writer on philosophy and president of Princeton College. During his university course, he had earnestly hoped to go " abroad " as a missionary of the Cross. When the disruption of the Church " at home " was found to be inevitable, he resigned his appointment as assistant and successor to the Rev. Walter Traill, of Lady Parish, Sanday, Orkney, and resolved to obey the urgent demand which every mail was bringing from Canada for labourers to occupy the vacant places there. Mrs. Smellie was a daughter of Rev. Dr. Logic, of Kirkwall, Orkney. She accompanied her husband to Canada immediately after their marriage in 1H4-S. Mr. Smellie put himself under the direction of the Presl)ytery of Hamilton, which in those days ministered to the whole north-western peninsula of what is now Ontario. Within a few weeks he was called to St. Andrew's Church, Fergus. Here he spent forty-four years of laborious and successful ministry. After the separation of 1844, Melville Church was formed out of the rj^fit maioritv of his cono-reixation and in 1847, the present church building of that name was erected. The corner-ston(i was laid by the hand of a child of the manse, who died before the structure was completed. It is scarcely possible for the new generation to appreciate all that was involved for their fathers in the " Disruption Movement," r '■he issues at stake, which led ministers and people oi. both sides to glory •<♦ ^m' y ^^^BL-L'?. * . ' . , - • "v- ■ .. y^.^ ys ^i ^rfU IM _^^^^^^B^Bi^^^^^H feii^^ ST. ANDKKW S AIANSK, Fi:i!(;iS. of and jure to s in ike, oiy ,^yj ^^1 1 ■', ''iif' '^r^^i rTI^ILi^ ' ^^^^rrri^^T^^^^^r^-"-- ' "' -:* "'" ■•7 > ■ "^ ! ^'l^^pjl p' KIKKUALI,, FKI{<;US. I I MARRIAGE. m in their tribulations, for the sake of wliat conscience held to be the truth of God and the honour of His kingdom ; but it was an event Ijoth picturesque in its incidents and far-reaching in its influences, and these not least in tlio homes of the ministers. In the new stone " Fi-ee Church Manse," built almost on the edge of the primeval forest (a spot .scarcely recognizable now in " Kirkhall " with its wcill-ordered jrarden and modern appointments), a numerous family grew up, trained in that wisdom whose ways are " ways of pleasantness," and all whose " paths are peace ; " trained also in those economies so characteristic of the Scottish manse, where a good appearance and the sacred duty of hospitality are kept up on almo.st infinitesimal means, on the management of which seems to have descended the blessino; bestowed of old on the barrel of meal and cruse of oil of the widow of Zarepta. The following extracts fi'om a record prepared by Mrs. Smellie for her grandchildren will be of deep interest to the manv who knew and loved Mrs. Macdonnell : "Our Elizabeth was born on the 18th December, 1845, and for ten months the happy little circle was complete. She was just begiiniing to know and take pleasure in her little brother, eighteen months her senior, wlien, after three weeks' trying illness, he was removed from us by death. . . . When between four and five years of age she accompanied her father and me to Toronto, spenfling .some time at ' Woodhill,' the residence of the Hon. Adam Feriru.son, I K'i 56 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. i1 Waterdown, on our way home. ' Woodhill ' was for the time her ideal of luxury and refinement, while, on the otlier hand, Mrs. Fer<,mson was much taken with her de})ortnient and disposition, and wondered how a child of four, unattended, could ^ive so little trouble in the house, and l)e such a little lady at table, and annise herself so ([uietly beside us for hours. "In 1<S.")4 she very unexpectedly had the opportunity of ^oing with her mother to Scotland and Orkney, where Mrs. Smellie was pei'suadcd to leave her with her o-randparents at ' Daisybank,' Kirkwall, where two hapj)y j^ears were spent among scen(;s and com- panionships which left their imprint on all her after life — yeai's wliich were not less precious to the lovin<i^ (jjroup of relatives among whom she was such a cherished favourite." INfrs. Smellie's record contiiuies : "She delighted as a child in all that her father or I could tell her of our homes, and she knew the names of people and places in St. Andrew's, her father's birthplace, as well as about Kirkwall, and my father's first parish in Sanday, where I was born. When, in 1(S.'j4, our homeward voj'age was nearly com])leted, and uncle Robert Scarth, of Binscarth, came on board the steamer and took charge of the ' Young Canadian,' as she was thenceforward called, he came to me saying, ' This child knows every place I name to her, and can tell me who lives there!' Durino- her mother's illness, soon after her return to Canada, this little girl of eleven, owing to the misconduct of MARRIAGE. 57 a domestic, was loft sole iiiana<]fcr of the house and children, and when her aunt came to take char<^e some ten days later all was found in wonderful order, and some useful lessons had been learned which were made good use of in after days." We learn from these notes how the educational difficulties were solved under her mother's superin- tendence — how, amidst the manifold labours of the house-mother, time was found to teach a little class of two or three alon<»- with her own dau<;hter; of rejoicing when a governess, in every way admirable, was found to shai-e in these labours : of the rare deliii'ht taken bv Kli/abeth in her studies under the direction of Miss ])eas ; and wo can picture to our- selves this bright beautiful child eagerly drinking in knowledge from all possible sources. ... A few years later there came "the fifteen months at Mrs. Henning's school in Toronto, and the delightful home life, with a grown-up daughter as our companion after her return from school ; " " but," her mother adds, " indeed she had been all the comfort of a companion to me, and in great measure to her father also, ever since she was three years old." Referring again to Elizabeth's retu)-n from Orkney in 185(), Mrs. Smellie writes: ''The settlement of the Rev. George Macdonnell in St. Andi-ew's Church, Fergus, and of Mr. Middlcmiss, in Elora, had taken place during her absence, and both were events which had a marked influence on her future." Mr. and Mrs. Middlemiss took a deop interest in Elizabeth, Mr. Middlemiss himself teaching her the theory of i '■:■ . -- "'fill iU ii! !.. 1 i! 58 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. music, thorough-bass, etc. "About that time," says Mrs, Smellie, "l)egan also Jier acquaintance in ISt. Andrew's manse ; her visits there were amongst her most valued recreations, and this intercourse was con- tinued through tlie years, till out of it sprang the attachment culminating in the happy union which blessed the remainder of her life, and was, we thankfully believe, made a blessing to many." In the interval between her school-days and marriage. Miss Smellie had put her talents and acquirements to excellent use as a teacher for several hours daily in the family of George Ferguson, Esq., of the Bank of Montreal. Fergus (son of the late Hon, Adam Ferguson, of Woodhill), her younger sister being also one of her pupils. From the time of her home-coming to Peterboro', and the kindly reception there of the minister's wife, young and beautiful, as attractive in character as in person, till that dark hour when God separated them by death, her aim in life had been to be a perfect wife — a " helpmeet " for time and for eternity. There are many who can yet recall the impression on the minds of all who met them in those early days, as told by the same kindly and appreciative writer whose " recollections " have already been quoted, " I left Peterboro' a week before his marriage. When I bade him good-bye he said, wdth a twinkle in his eye, ' By the bye, I shall be passing through your town,' (The purpose of his trip was an open secret.) According to promise I went to the wharf and met the bridal pair, and beheld for the first time that ! 1 MARRIAGE. 59 gracious presence with the wild-rose bloom in her cheek." Never had woman a hjcrher ideal of w'ifely duty. This it was that inspired her con.stant watchfulness to shield her husband from unnecessary anxiety and interruption, and her ever virrjlant helpfulness when there was a possibility of sparing his time and strength. She thoroughly understood his quick, nervous, sensitive temperament, and he found rest and support in her clear-eyed, firm, yet sympathetic decision and steadfastness. All her resources were in demand when, some two years after their marriage the question of leaving Peterboro' had once more to be settled. GO LIFE OF I). J. MACDONNELL, CHAPTER VIII. THE CALL TO TOliONTO, 1 ! '1 !' Deep as waw Mr. JMacdonnell's attaclimont to liis first people, he felt compelled to yield to the reiter- ated calls that caine to liiin throu<,di no seeking of his, to entei' a larger and more important sphere. Four years of <j;ood work had told on the condition of things in St. Andrew's, Peterboro', and he could leave it, assured that an enert^etic successor woukl have fewer ditf^iculties, and find a good fountlation on whicli to build. About the same time as the first overtures came from Torontd, he had declined to preach in St. An- drew's, Montreal, with a view to beinij considered open to a call, though strong efforts were made by friends to induce him to reconsider that decision. His own inclination was toward Toronto, and again the position of aflfairs in that congregation appealed to liis instinct to go to the help of the struggling and necessitous, rather than to seek greater ease and a more eligi))k' position in Montreal. Througli all this the strain upon liis conscientious nature was intense. THE CALL TO TORONTO. 61 I H«' imiat do the ru/hf, lie must follow the Uiviiio iciulin^'; l>iit oh, tor clt'uror indicatioiifs of (Jcxl's will ! A di'seriptioii of the situfition in St. Andrew's and the circunistiinces of the call is <^iven by one of those wlio were most active in endeavourin^r to indnce .Mi*. Macdonnell to accept a call to Toronto: "In 1S70 the Rev. John Barclay, !).])., owin<r to ill health, resifjiu'd the pastoral chai"<;e of St. Andrew's Chnrch, Toronto, of which con<^i'e<:^ation he had heeii minister since 1(S42. Many changes had taken [)lace in the city <lurin;^ thest; twenty-seven years, and mnch controversy and unkind feelin<r had been cansi'd by the unfortunate discussions which a''ose in Canada, in connection with the disruption in Scotland. For various reasons, the results, in Toronto, were not favourable to those that ailhered to the principles of the Scottish establishment. It is (juite true that the number of those who were loyal adherents of that Church in the city were much more numerous than appeared to the ca.sual ob,server, and like the wai-riors of Roderick Dhu, only wait'.'d for the sound of one voic(^ callinii" them to arise to action. In 1870 St. Andrew's conorej^ation was the only one representing that Chui'ch in Toronto. Towards the end of that year the con<;re(ration empowered three of its mem- bers, Messrs, James Michie, William Mitchell, and Archibald MacMurchy, to proceed to Peterboro', and confer with the Rev. 1). J. Macdonnell, to try to induce him, upon consideration of all the circumstances, to come to Toronto to St. Andrew's coni;'re<^ation. The report to the congregation was that Mr. Macdonnell had accepted the call to St. Andrew's," 11' J! ■ '■ i i .1 •> li i; T 62 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. ' 1 ,1 ', i i i A Hpeciul jjjround of liesitation about accepting the call was his por^)l(^\ity in the matter of sul)Scnption to tho Wostininstcr Standards. To use tlie words of one wlio watched him anxioiisly at the time: "The call from St. Andrew's, 'i'oronto, brought to the surface a<;ain the ditUculties reiiJii'dino; the Confes- sion. if he should <;•() to Toronto, the ordeal of takinj^ the oath nnist once more lu' undergone, and the desire was stronger than ever for freedom of thought and liberty to preach the ti'uth as he saw and felt it. He became restless and uneasv, broodini; over the matter until it became intolei'able. "The tirst ste|)s had been taken in the church pro- ceedings i' okinjj^ toward his transfei-ence to Toronto, when on a certain day, knowincr that the Presbytery of Toi'onto was in session, h(^ went to Toronto to ])res(!rit himself before the rexerend court, and lay his burden on them. There was a sensational scene, which the newspapers of the day duly recorded. It was on the whole a uni(pie sj)ectacle — this youn^ man of pr(>mis(» apparently blasting all the liopes of his friends and the Church, which were centred in him, for what to him was conscience' sake. The fathers and l)rethi-en took in the situation [)erfectly, after recoveriiiii' from their first shock of astonish- nient, and they dealt wisely with the lad. They i;;ave him fatherly and brotherly counsel, and sent him home to think further of the matter. "The conference did him ^'ood. What had been tormentinjj^ his own soul was now sym[)athetically shared with him by friends all ovei' the country, who THE CAI.L TO TORONTO. 63 I' ! by counst'l uinl discussion helped him to reacli ifroiind wIhtcoii lie could stand. The result was that when at a later day the Presbytery met to deal with the case and thi' obligation was tendered him for acce])tance, his answei- was in etf'ect that ho recojj- ni/ed th(! claims of the Confession in so far as it claimed itself to be bindinj;'. The <vood })resbyters debated earnestly for hours ovei* the answer, and linally by a majority vote a<;reed to acc(4)t it. So thi' crisis passed. Pei-liaps it was the ttwninLj-point in his career. His friends well know that he con- templated tiie aban<lonin^ of his ])i-ofession as a possible issue of the matter, and that ]\v had his eye on a vacant lliufh School mastership as an alternative if the decision of the Presbytery should bi; adverse." Mr. ^hicMurchv u'lves the followiiii!; sketch of the closin<jj scene: "The meeting of Presbytery was held on the Stli I)ecend)er, ls7(), in the church on tlu; corner of Church and Adelaide streets. Many will recall the lonn; rectangular buildint^^ dindy c./ough lighted in the dark nights of winter. There was a fair attendance of mend)ers of Presbytery, Rev. Dr. .Jenkins, of .Ah)ntreal, was present and was asked to sit and dcdilvrate with tlu' Court. I'i'ominent anionj^ the membe)"s was tlu Rev. James llini -' Father Bain,' as we were in tlu' habit of calling him, on a(!C(anit of his iige and xcnerable a))))earance - a man of u'reat natui'al abilitv, irood connnon-sense, a not(!<l wit and ."-iomewli.it free and easv in niamiei'. The point at issue was: could the Pi-esbytei-y, ex-en if it were! r(>ady to do so. accei)t <|ualilie(| answers to the usual (piestions :' The Ijrethien of thr IVesbytery ii i h i i f'l 1^ si I li ' 64 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. were in a qnandriry. Fnther I^ain walked up and down tlie dimly lighted cliurcli aisle, witli his liands in liis poekets, and interjeeted now and aoain the remark, 'Are ye no ready to j^o on yet?' To the memljers of St. Andrew's Churcli wlio were present and anxiously looking' on, wonderino- why there sliould have Ijeen any stop at all to the proeeedint^s, the hiteh appeai'ed mysterious. "^Fhe wi'iter ol" this asked aji esteemed memljcr of the Presbyteiy what the dirticulty was. He replied that it seemed to him that ]\Ir. Maedonnell wanted to say 'yes ' to the ques- tion twice, whereas other ministers were content to say ' yes ' only once. I r(;[)lied, ' What hai-m to allow ' yes ' twice?" My friend replied, 'That is just the point between us.' After ex[)lanations had been made by Mr. jVIacdoiniell and furtliei' consideraticju by the Presbytery, ari'anoenients were made for the induc- ,ion. This was to him a " crisis ' indeed — such a one as Carlyle speaks of when he says, '" Ti'uiptations of the wilderness, choices of Hercules and the like, in succinct or loose forms, are appointtid for every man that will assert a soul in hims.df and be a man." Throuiih it all the " unfei<»;ned faith that was in him " had been to him as a rudder that is firmly lashed in time of storm. Knowing* that however he might difier from his fellowmeii about the inlcr/nrtation of Scripture, he liau no controversy with lieselation itself: and sur<'r than i'\er of his hjyalty to Christ and desire to ex.dt Him only, he made preparati*«i for his removal t<> Toronto in compHi'ative- ijuietness of aoul. ST. ANDREW'S OF THE OLD TIME AND THE NEW. 65 CHAPTER IX. ST. ANDRFAVS OF THE OLD TIME AND THE NFW. The induction took place a fortnight lator. The event is (le.scril)O(l in t]u'. Pre/^hijfrrvtn For February, 1871, wlioso account we liere transcribe with ulio-ht abridgement : " The Presbytery of Toronto met in St. Andrew's (Jhurch on tlie 22nd December, 1870, for the induc- tion of iVIr. Macdoinu'll as tlie successor of J)i-. IJar- chiy, resio-ued. . . . The members of the cono-re- gation were ])resent in hii'o-o numbers. After tlie usual pr(Jclamation divine service was performed by the Rev. Mi-. ( armichael, of Kin<r, wIk) had been apponited to preach on the occasion. The sermon, from the words, ' For now we live, if we stand fast in the Lord,' (1 Thess. iii. 8), was in every way worthy of so important an occasion, beinnj- characteri/ed bv^ the solid thouo-ht, terse lanjL,niao-e, and true elo(|uence for whicli Ml-. Carmichael is distino-uish-d. I'he address to tlm ministei- was delivered by refpiest by Mr. Maclonnell's father, the Rev. (leorgc Mac- donnell, of Milton. ... As was to liave been expected, this part of the service was marked by an 1 ■ 'V' * (j •-; ( i M^ ii s ■ i' I 66 MFF OF I). .1. MACDONNKLL. .•ifrcc.tioHfitc t('n<l(;riH'ss niid cliask! siiii])licity. . The s<n-\i('(s were lirou^lit to ;i close by n lew ,sji,;;'a- cioiis couiisi'ls a(liliTss('(| (() tilt' (•on<ri"e"atioii by tlu; iniiiislci- of Scai'boi'o, IJrw .Inmcs liaiii. . . . I'ul)- lic worslii]) bcin;;' ciidcd, a very coi'dial wclcoiiic was i^i\('M to Ml". MafdoiiiU'll by tlit; iiicinbcis of liis coii^i-ci'ution." Till' day of Ibc iiiduciion was to Mr. Macdonuell ii sacred aiiiii\<Msaiy, iind oii<^ to wlilch lie oTtcii i-ci'cn-cd IVoiM the |)ulj)it, St. AiKh'cw's, liowcNcr, was iirvci" a clmrcb lauicd lor public amii\ crsarics, and it was tlic iimci' simiilicaiicc ol" the cNciit I'atlici' tliaii its outwai'd cclcbi'atioii, that iiia<l(' it a day to be lon^' rciiiciiibcrcd. 'riiroiiiili the ji'ciiiiis and labours of Mi-. Macdoiuicll, St. Andrew's Churcii, Toronto, has beconu^ as widely known as any Protestant church in ('anada. But at the time ol" his in<luction it was already a con^^reea- tion of lono- standini-'. Tlu! rollowiniJ' ex^i'act from th(^ Church IJejtort ol' bSSO, thi' year of the con;i,-i'ey-u- tioual jubilee, nives a succinct re\iew ol' its history. It is specially inter('stin<4' to note the nanies of histoi'ic fame which ai"c associated with its foundation: "in l(S;i() ' 3Iud(ly Little, Yoi'k ' had a population of about live thousand, and one Presbyterian cono-i-e- <jjation, that of Hew James Harris, wdio luid ori;ani/ed a conii'i-eii-ation in 1S2I in connection with tlu! ' United S\nod." Accordiui:' to a statement in Mi-. Croil's 'Historical and Statistical l\e[)oi't,' the authority for which is Mr. Iiintoul, the <lesi^"n of formin«>' a coni''re<'ation in connection with the ( i >, I It p ill i 'IJ 1 11 ST. Andrew's of the old time and the new. 07 Cliurcli of Scotland was iirst entertained l)y some members of tlie Leo^islative Assem})ly when in York during" tlu' session of 18.S0. One of tliese, tlie late Hon. \Vm. Morris, of Pertli, has h'ft on record an interesting- incident. The names of Chief Justice Maclean and the Hon. Peter Me(Jill are also asso- ciated with this incident. ^Iv. Morris was walkino- on a Snndav mornin<r hv the I'uins of the formei' Parliament House befoi'e (^'oinjjf to the l'>j)isc()pal Church, thinkinn- of the possibility <>f securin<i^ the ruined buildini;' and converting' it into a place of worship in connection with the Church of Scotland. As he entered the Episcopal Church late, the Clerk was iriviiiiT out the lines of the LSl^nd Psalm : *' ' I svill ii(»t go iutt) my Iiousl', imr tn my l)t.'(l iisci-ml ; No soft I'epose shall close my eyes, iior sleep my eyelids heiid ; Till for the Lord's design'd abode I murk thedestiu d ground ; Till I a decent place of rest for .Jaccil)'s (Jod have foinid.' " The words came home to liim like an oracle. The next day a meeting was held, at which the Hon, Francis Hincks presided, and Mr. William l^yon Mackenzie acted as Secretary. Mr. Thomas Carfrae was the first Treasurer, and tlu; original subscription list bears the names of many of the most prominent men of the time. The men of the 71st and 7l)th Highland Regiments, then stationed at York, were liber.d contributors to tlie building of the church. The first ])aymei.t entered in the Treasu)'er's book was made on the 10th of June, 18.S0. Wheii the corner-stone of the old buildino; -was removed, there ' ii '■■) (: ■ \ I. .; ! ,■ 'If' Sir ' J ■,.', i \ 1 V r 1 1 i J! , 1< i. « • 1 1 . OH LIKK Ol-' I). .1. MA<'I)<)NNKI,L. Wi'Vc IVu<;liM'ii(s of (avo weekly piijx^l'H round \viu|»))e<l round the bottle, tlie FrrcriKDi, and tlie (mizcUc, (jI* did;e 'riiui'.sduy, 24tli ol" .June, l<S:{(), I'l-om wliicli it may he inlei-i-ed tiuit tin; stone was laid witliin ;i week IVoiii tliat day. " The eliurcli was dedicatee! on the lf)tli of .luiu^ 1<S.'{|. 'IMie lii'st minister was the Ivev. Wiilinni liintoul. The sac.i'ament of the Lord's Su|)j)ei' was first dis|)ensed in the church on the '{Oth of ( )ctohci", l(S,'{|,t.o 112 connnunicants. Mr. liintoul resigned in IS.'U, iind was su])se(|uently minister ol" Streets\ille, and of St. (Jahriid (Miurch, Monti'eal, till his death in l(Sr)2. The second minister was the Iie\-. William ''J\ Leach, From 'Inly, 1<S;J5, to 1<S4!2, when he removed to V'oi'k Mills. I le was succucd(!<l hy Kev. .John l!arc.lM,y, D.I)., wlio was inducted on the (!th of Xo\-emli(!i-, 1.S4.2. . . . "In IS44 those in sympathy with th(> Fret; (Jhurch in Scotland withdrew from St. Andrcsw's !ind uin"te(l with Mi-. Ilai'ris' con<>i'<'iiati()n, t'oi'ininuf Kno.x (yhurch. Suhsecjueiitly tlu; Irish elemitnt of the conjxreoation hived ofi* I'rom Kno.x and I'ormed Cooke's ('hurch." . . . " It may he oF interest to state that St. Andrew's connrj-coation was the first in the Preshytoi'ian (Jiiurch in Canada to introduce instrumental music into tlie ordinary pulilic services oF tlu; cliurch. As Far hack as l(S52 a hai'monium was used to assist the choir. A better instrument was introduccid in 18()0, and a few years later the j)re.sent organ." During Dr. Barclay's long ministry, St. Andrew's 1 ST. ANDIIKW'S OF TIIK OF,!) TIME AM) THE \E\V. (]'.) \ luul Itarclv held its own ninoii"' ( Ik; city <'liiircli<'s. lie wjis iiii ,'ic(!()iii|)lislic(| ;iii(i Hcliolurly iiiaii ot" sound iu<|inn('iit jind of iniicli \V(!i<;Iit in tlif ('(iiiiis ol" tliu ( 'liurcli. Tlic Mi<'ml»ci'.slii|) nt, flic d.-iic ol" Mr. Mac- donncir.s Jicccssion aiiioinittMl to l-Sl. On (li(^ iM()i'iiin<; of (lie Sundji\' rollowiiiij; tlic indiic- tion the s('i'vi(;(' was led hy \U\ . Ilohci't ( 'iuiiphcll, ol" Montreal, Mr. Macdonm'H'H l)fo(li('r-in-I;i\v, who uftcr- wai'ds ;4i'a('('(| the j»ul|»it on many iniportant o(H*iisions. Ill the ('\ciiiiii4' til' new minister |)reaclied with ;in eiiere-y, unction and t;ict which ca])t.ivated all the; hearei-s ller<' was ;i new icliiiious I'oi-cc in Toronto, a distinctly uni(|Uc jicfsoniility who ma<le relieion hoth I'cnl and urecnt, whose cleac-cut stsnttMices sj)cd tlcir way to heaj't and mind at once, anil made the appre- hension of the truth easicf, liecansc it hecaine a ])i"ocess ol' feelin;;' as well as thinkiii;;' all alone; the line. And so he contiruied to ])i'eacli in a way all his own. What Ik; wa s in the; j)ulj)it lie was in |>eo|)lo's homes an<l on the; sti'cet : so tiaie and IVank and lov- ahle that to many his daily \]\'c ])e(;ame one ol' tin; (3vidonees of rclit^ion, an ai'eumcnt for the tiaith and reality of what he prea(died. 'Die due restdts ol' the new ministry soon l)(!c;ain«i evident. The net eain in the memhershi]) dui'ine; I(S7I was firty-nine. The con^re<^^ation hecann^ a mis- sionary ae('n(ty from the start. The temper ol' th<; luovement was sol)ei' and steadfast I'athei' than impetuous and sudden. 'Idiere was nothini;" ol tin; re\iva,list in .Mr. Maciloiinell s pi-eachine- — jiossihly a. little more e.xhortation or ap|teal mii^ht have heen ;11 ■ I :iH 70 I.IFK OK I). .1. MAT'DONNKLr-. I f i if; '» I- » an advHiitfi;^!^ — l)ut tlutn; vvus pcrhups jill tlu; iiKjrc poteniiul iiilluciicc in it. A j)ictui'o ot" the pjistoi'fi! iiictliofl is ;^n\('ii \)y Mr. MaeMurcliy, who Iius siipjilicd so iiiiich lliat rchitcH to tlic iiistory ol' tliiisc cjii'li*!!' ycai's : " M^'inhcrs iiii<l adlionuits of St AikIj-cw's were to lie round in 1871 in evory ))art ol* tlic city. My disti-ict us an cldci- lay to lli(,' <'ast of (i(M)rn(; sti'(H;t, and cxtcndt'd outside tlio city limits aii'l ovci" the Don, and it IVll t<j inv lot to introduce Mi'. Macdonnell to the people of tli(; Cliurch scattered ovei- that wide rei'ion, where there an; now eiji^iit I^rusi)yterian churches -six of thoni new, two of them [)ot(;ntially owin;i( their ori^^in to St. Andrew's. This iuN'olved many lone- walks to;^eth(!r, durine- wliich our (;<jnv(!rsation naturally t'ell much upon matters oi" church work and ])ractice and heiiet", includine- such matters as the hurnin;;- i|Uestion of subscription to confessions. His tolerance, and the; resp(!ct li<' sjiowed for convictions not held hy himself, made int(^rcourse with him (h-liehtful, and (;()-o[)eration with him in (Jliristian work not a task hut a ])leasu)(i. Memory recalls witli delie-ht tlie fisatures of tin; n(!W minist(!i"'H charact(!i", Ids transparent hon"sty of purpose, his fraidv (iai'nestness, liis fondness for literatui'c;, and especially of the liynuis of the Cvhui'ch, which came so riNidily to his lips. Plans foi- churcdi work in the city wen; considei-(;d. Tlie main outline was to start a nussion in th<; west end of the cit\', and another in tlie noilh-east, St. Atidi'(!w's Church to he tins l>ase of o|)erations. We then had a mission scIkjoI at the corner of Simco(! and \\.\i\<j: streets, henun in j(S()!). It is satisfactoi'y to i-ememher that practically thi.s m^ i« s ST. ANDHKW's Ol" TUK OlA) TIMK AM) TIIK XF.W. 71 I'oiTCjist liJis hcrii |-cfili/,('(| : St. Mark's is ('stal)lisli('(l in the west; ()lilSt. AikIitw'h (we had nol an inkling of its (M)niin;^^ in IS70j, in tin- iiortli-cast; and still I'ai'tlit'r l'> tlic cast, St. I'^nocli's, an oH'slioot IVctni 01(1 St. Andrew's, tln' nai-cnt church still iKtldinii' the lower middle ])art ol" the (iity." It was hut a lew months al'tiT Mi*. .Mac'lonncH's cominii' to Toronto that his hcloxcd hither was taken away I'ldui earOi. He died A|)ril 25th, ISTl, in the sixtieth year ol" his aec;. lie had heen a,n active and vii-'orous mail until not \r\-\- Ion'-' hei'ore his <leatli. Anxieties coiniect<'d with his ])astoral chai';4'e at Foreus seem to li;t\e hi-oUL-'lit on a mental strain which undermined his health. Shortly al'tei- the d(!cline heean he accepted a smallei' and li;;hter charge at .Milton, where 1I\('<| a innnl)er of old and vahhid I'l'iends. lie was permit t,e<l to lahour iiere, liow(!ver, only a yeai'. heath came to him sur- romided hy lo\<'d and lo\in<^ ones. He was hui'ierl at Milton, his Friend and co-preshytei', lve\'. .lames Herald, ol' Hundas, pi'esidin;;- at the ol)se(|uies. Thus he had hidden his son ( Jod-speed in the i^reat work of his lil'e just hefore his own lil'e-work came lo its peaceful and ha])j)y en<line'. He had watcdied his S(ju's (l(!VeIo[)ment wdtli |)ride, not unmixed with soli- citude at his darinj'' lliii'hts and his hii-h career: hut he had sent him out into the world secuin^ that he would nevoi- shame his nurture or <liscai-d thos(! les- sons ol" lidelity, honour, and re\t.;rcnc(! which he had leai-JKid in an (Jld Kii'k manse. A cii'cumstance connected wit!i the death of the father may he mentioned as hel[)ine' t(j illustrat(j tlu; fp|l 1 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I III 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" — ► ! Photographic Sciences Corporation i\ V .ss \\ 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 k <* > ci'^T.^/^N ;\ 6^ msmam 72 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. character of the son. Among those who showed much kindness to Mr. George Macdonnell in his closing days was Rev. T. W. Jeffrey, then ministering to the Methodist Churcli in Milton. Eighteen years afterwards Mr. Jeffrey, in conse(|uence of some mis- understandings, was subjected to an ecclesiastical trial, and accjuitted of the charges brought against him. On the first opportunity that offered Mr. Mac- donnell came forwar<l upon the public platform and made a chivalrous and enthusiastic defence of the man who had been kind to his father. In the obituary record of the Synod of 1871 of the Church of Scotland in Canada stand the following words : " Mr. Macdonnell was one of our most devoted ministers; sincere in his piety, gentle in his disposi- tion, ([uiet in his demeanour, genial in all his inter- cour 3 with the brethren; and taking, as he did, a deep interest in the religious education of the young, o,nd in home as well as foreign missionary efforts, he was universally esteemed and has gone from amongst us regretted by all." Signs of life were abundantly ukanifest in St. An- drew's during this initial year. The revenue as well as the membership increased steadily. The minister had been called at a salary of $1,()00 — nuich more, by the way, than he thought he should be paid. But financial progress seemed so assured that this sum was made up to S2,000 by the end of the year, and the stipend then fixed at that annmnt, (Jlebe land at East Gwillind)ury was nuide productive by being sold, and the proceeds made a fund for the building of a manse. ST. Andrew's of the old time and the new. 73 31* In outward prosperity the year 1872 was a fair copy of 1871. Additions were also made to the eldership. When Mr. Mac<loiinoll l)e<]fan his lahours in Toronto the Session consisted of l)ut three members — Messrs. Geo. H. Wilson ; Wni. Mitchell, who had also been a member of the Board of Manaj^ers since IHOO, and its secretary during the greater [)art of the inter- venin<,^ period: and Archibald MacMurchy. All of these had been elected to the eldership in ISO.*}. To these were now added Mr. Thos. A. McLean, M.A., and Mr. James Bethune. Of these Mv. McLean remained till the time of the union in 1.S75: he removed later to the North-West, where he died in 18!)G. Mr. Bethune died at the end of \HHll The three senior elders still abide in the Hesh. Mr. Mitchell was for twenty years superintencU'iit of the St. Andrew's Sunday school, and Mr. AhicMurchy, until his withdrawal in 187G, held the samt; place in the mission school, the foundation of the later St. Mark's mission and congrejjjation. Already in 1872 the (juestion of erecting a new church building was discussed. As to the site of the edifice alternative plans were proposed and long debated. In July, 187.S, this (|uestion was brought before a special meeting of the congregation, and it was resolved to authorize the })urchase of additional land on King and Simcoe streets for the ehurch and manse, and the fate of St. Andrew's was decided. The minority, though not content, remaiiRMl loyally with the congregation till the new church was entered in 1870. \ ! 74 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. CHAPTER X. A HOME MISSlOX CHURCH AND AflXISTER. St. Andrew's Church, Toronto, was now known as an important centre in the Cluircli of Scotland in Canada. It was heconiin<^ very respectable in point of numbers, for by tlie end of I87.*i the membership had nearly doubled. As one looks back and tries to repro<luce in ima«:fination the St. Andrew's of that date, one is apt to form a somewhat erroneous picture. There was nothing phenomenal in the rate of increase either in numbei-s or in wealth. The progress was gradual and unbroken, acconling to the law of healthy growth and develoi)ment. Nor was the congregation as a whole distinctively what is popu- larly called a "working" Church. On the contrary, there was rather a lack of helpers in aggressive reli- gious work. St. Andrew's under i\lr. Macdonnell was never distinguished for the great number of its " workers." The attendance at the service was always large, fron» the very beginning of his ministry in Toronto. Hut the proportion of tluxse who have confined their church interest to listening iu the pew and contributing more or less to the 1 1 ! A HOME MISSION CUUUCH AND MINISTER. 75 church funds has boen lar^jcr than in many other conf^regations. IMr. MacdoniR'H's preachin^^ tended to develop a deep and rellective rather than an exuberant or demonstrative type of relij^iuus Hf«;. Moreover, the number of those wlio were captivated mainly by his manliness and intellectual power has always been considerable. What really makes his ministry memorable is, on the t)n(; hand, the strentjth, depth and fervour of his own character impressed upon tliose who cau<;ht his spiiit and fell into line and step with him in his walk with the Christ : and on the other hand, the awakenini? of practical s^'mpathy for the neediest, and therefore the most deservinj^of men or causes. It was the latter of these two modfs of inlluence that naturally reveah'il itself at first most conspicu- ously. And to him the neeiliest of objects were the i<^norant and the outcast at his own door, and in the destitute districts of his own country. I fence St. Andrew's was em[)hatically ami above everythin*^ else a Home Mission Church, ami its minister, althou<;h occuj)yin;; no ret;ular out-field station, was one of the j^reatest of C^madian home missionaries. Now let us svii how this tendency and spirit showed themselves in the St. Andrew s of the eai'ly seventies. The Old Kirk was not a lai-;r<' body numericailv, but it had lar<fe aims. Aujon'^ its "schemes'" were a ministers' an«l orphans' fuml, a sustentation '.'und aimin<( to ^ive S2()0 to eveiy minister not aided from the Temporalities Fund, a .scholarshij) and bursary fun<l for (^)ueen"s .-nid !\b»rrin eolle^'es , a French R if " r^ I I 76 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. Mission in Quebec; a Manitoba Mission; and a pres- bytery Home Mission. It shows the bent of the man that Mr. Macdonnell should soon be put at the front of tlie Manitoba Mission. In this year, 1873, he went out to the North- West to see tilings for himself. Of his work in this enterprise his friend already alluded to, Prof. Thonias Hart, of Winnipeg, speaks in a remini.scent vein. He writes thus to Mrs. Campbell : " I can truly say that your dear brother was the best man I ever knew. He won my affection from the beginning of my acquaintance with him in 1857, my first year at college, and the better I knew him the more I loved him. . . . He was the Convener of our synod's Manitoba Mission Committee, and the very life and soul of it. It was through him that I accepted the position of first missionary of our Church to this country, and in al! the difficulties connected with the early liistory oi the mission I freely consulted him and found him to be a wise counsellor and guide. " The period was very critical. It was at the height of the union negotiations. Feeling ran high, and great care and wisdom, good sense and right feeling were required to prevent a rupture between the two sections of our Church in Winnipeg. I kept him fully informed of the position of afi'airs here, and the results justified the wisdom of his advice. . . . " Since I came to Manitoba I saw but little of your brother except on my visits to the East, or his to the West. He visited us five times in all. His first visit was made in the sunimer of 1873, in company with A HOME MISSION CHURCH AND MINISTKU. 77 our the 'isit ith our mutual friend, Rev. J. Carinichciel, of Kiu^, for the purpose of (gaining personal knowleiljre of the missions under his care. " The venerahle Dr. Carniichael, of Kincr, a well- beloved friend, writes thus of the visit Just alluded to, and adds a kindred reminiscence : " It is some twentv-three vears ai:o since Mr. Afac- d >11 and I had that >K it trii) to Manitoh '"•It' We went from Port Arthur hv what was then known as tile Dawson route. We were sul»j('Cted to a ;jjoud many (liscomforts aiid provokinj^ delays, hut 1 <l<j not reinemher to have ever seen him ' put out.' At I'ort Arthur the aj^ent <(ave him a letter askin;^- him to show it at the various stations, urj^in^ tlu-m to send us forward as (piickly as possihle, hut he never showe<l it, preferrin(( to share all the dittieulties and delays the other passenjjers had to put n\) with. He wms always in the best of humour, and saw somethin«^ to interest or amuse in every incident. Kven when the canoe upset at the mouth of the X«'pit^on River, and he was plun«,'ed into the cold waters of the bay, he was, indeed, annoye<l, not because of his cold bath, but because the canoe was made by one of his own old Peterboro' couixreiration. He never obtrudrd relijijion offensively on others, but he tried to have a religious service whenever it was convenient. One Sabbath morning we had worship on the shore of Lake Kaogassikok, and felt how strange it was ' to sing a Jehovah Psalm on ground that's ayont His keeping.' Again it would be around a ' snnidge,' kindled to drive away the treacherous mosipiitos that r, ii T 78 LIFE OF I). J. MACDONNELL. a small jjfroup would gathor, wliilt' Mr. Maccloniiell led in tho f>;ran<l old hynins, ' Rock of A<rea ' or ' Jerusa- lem the (Joldeii.' To him God was as manifestly near in these lonely spots as in the crowded cathedral, or in his own church in Toronto — ' Karth was cramme<l with heaven, and everv connnon bush aflame with God.' On the loni^ sta<,^e journey from Winnipeg to Moorehead he showed the same iKunidless delight in the glorious prairies stretching on and on with a sense of infinity. He clearly foresaw the grand possibilities of the future, and understood the need that our Church should take an eavjy and strong hold of the country. " In the early part of the winter of 187<S Mr. Mac- •loiniell and I were together attending a series of mis- sionary meetings in Muskoka. On such occasions he always showed wonderful tact ami connnon-sense. He thoroughly enjoyed that kind of work — was at home in it becaiise his heart was in it. No matter how small the gathering, or how humble the log school- house wnere we met, he saw in it an opportunity to speak a kindly word for the Saviour he so truly loved, as well as a cheerful word to encourage those whose lives were so hard and lonely." The trip to Manitoba in 1873 was undertaken — so he wrote semi-jocosely from the Synod meeting at Montreal to his wife at Fergus — as a contribution to the Home Mission Fund. He returned from Winnipeg ly way of Duluth without his companion. This part of the trip was made in a lumber-waggon. He writes from Duluth to his wife on August 23rd : " We were told that the stage-coach, which is a ilii h A HOME MISSION CHUItCH AND MISISTEK. 70 fjoo«l covered one, lunl broken down on the roa<l. This turned out to be a lie. The truth was tluit the roads hjul been pretty heavy owin<^ to rain at M(X)reliead, and as theri> were oidy two passen<;ers <roinir, the driver thou'dit it would be easier for his horses to liave the open wagt^on. Fortunately, we had thret' dry fine <lays, and we did not really sutler: and thou«;h the wa^'^on had no sprin<;s, the seat on which we sat had, and so we were comparatively well ofl! We had the advanta;;*' of seein<; all the jolts before they came, and so enjoyed the double pleasure of anticipation and realization. ( )f course, we saw the country well also, though there was not much to see." There was plenty "to see" in another trip taken a few weeks later in coujpany with Mrs. Macdoiniell. In October, iJST-i, the Evan<^elical Alliance lield a notable meeting in New York City, and Mr. Mac- donnell attended its sessions as one ot the Canadian delegates. They were the guests of Rev. Dr. David Inglis, of Brooklyn, formerly minister of the McNabb Street Church, Hamilton, and professor in Kno.K Col- lege, Toronto. This was a visit of rare enjoyment. The trip by steamboat down the Hudson River, the stimulating addres.ses at the meetings of the Alliance, the delightful fellowship among the members and their friends, are all spoken of enthusia.stically in the home letters. The gathering was concluded by a " free trip " to Philadel[)hia, Baltimore, and Washing- ton, taking in Princeton by the way. Here spt-ech- making was ^eld in one of the churches, where, amonir if* 80 LIFE OK I). .1. MAcnONNEI.L. other j^ood things that were said, a Icjarned German professor told the students to "persecute" tlieir studies in the ri<,dit spirit, an«l Henry Wanl Beeclier described tlie Princeton theoloj^y as " medicinal, but wholesome." The closini; weeks of this somewhat eventful vear were very anxious ones for the minister and his wife. On November :2ist she was taken down with an attack of small-pox mysteriously acquired, but attrib- uted to iMr. Macdoiniell, who was supposed to have carried it from the sick-bed of a patient whom he had visited without knowing the character of the disease. Mrs. Macdonnell was nursed through the sickness by her husband, both of them being at the same time greatly concerned a])out the condition of tiieir little boy, born in August, 1872, their eldest and at that time their onlv child. He was dangerously ill with croup, and was now removed to Fergus to escape the infection. They both recoveretl com- pletely; but it was not till Decendjer 22n»l that the mother and son met again at Fergus, where they remained till the new manse in Toronto was ready for occupation, more than two months later. CHCRCH BlTlLDIXfi ANI> (HrUCH UNION. 81 CIIAITKR XI. cue lie 1 1 liiiLhiSd AS I) c II u nail uxiox. In LST-f till' (HU'.stioii ol' church removal wa.s rapidly a{)|)rt)acliiii<( practical solution. The j)urclias«' of tlie additional irround at the corner of Kin;; an<l Sinicoo striiuts had been niadi* hel'ore the end of IsT'i at a cost of Si 4,000. The new manse at the southern end oi' the lot was completed and occupied in Kehruary of 1H74. The younj; couple hail heen living up to that time in their " own hinsd house " at 72 l>ay Street, near the corner of Wellin<(ton. The memory of its hospitalities still remains in the minds of many oM friends to bri^^hten the retrospect of those earliest years of a nuMiiorable Toronto histoiy. Now all the enerjjfies of the majority of the congregation were bent to the task of be(j;innin<; wisely and well with the erection of the new edifice. In clearini; the ijjround it was necessary not only to jtrepare for the cominjj church buildin^-, but to <ru!>rd also the interests of the nnssion which lia«l its centre in the schoc^l- house already standin^^ ui)on the same lot of land. It was decided to remove the latter structure and transfer it to a site far to tlie west, so as to carry pp li i I i t 82 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. out the (lesijfn entertained from the ])e<rinninir of havin<^ a western mission for St. An<h'«'\v's. This was accordinj^ly done, and it will he one of our tasks later to descrihe the development of St. Shirk's in its new environment. A huildint;- committee was ap- pointed. The names of its memhers may be here given, as the most of them are prominently associated with the later history of the settlement, and the whole list may serve as a memento of this important epoch. The names are : James Michie, chairman and treas- urer, William Mitchell, secretary, R. W. Suthei'land, assistant treasurer, Alex. T. Fulton, I. C. Clilmor, Robert Hay, John Jac(pies, R. tirant, VV. M. Jameson, Charles Perry, T. M.Pringle, W. Hi<r^rinbotliam, Z. A. Lash, W. Arthurs, James Hethmie, (1. H. Wilson, Russell In^lis, William Milligan and J. j\I. Rogerson. Moreover, as the business of providin<( ways and means without prejudicing the resources of the con- gregation required most careful management, a finance committee was appointed, consisting of James Michie (chairman and treasurer), Robert Hay, Alex. T. Fulton, William Mitchell and William Arthurs. The magnitude of the undertaking may be inferred from the fact that the ordinary annual congregation revenue had risen to but a little over .S4,000, and that the first cost of the new building alone was expected to be over SO 1,000. By the end of 187*4 the founda- tion had been laid and covered in. It may be imag- ined that these were days of anxiety for the minister, but it was shared by a sturdy band of willing helpers, and the future seemed secure. CHURCH nUILDINO AND CHIUCH UNION. Hii ition I that tctod Inda- Img- ]ster, )ers, Steady proj^rcss was made witli tlif l)uildinj^ throuf^hoiit the workin^^ time of IH7.'). Some <h'Iay was occasioned hy thi' greater elahoratioii of (U'tails. Many improv«'ments were adopted tending to enrich the aspect of both exterior and interior, and to give greater beauty and eti'ect to tlie (U'sign of the arclii- tect. Tiiese were not included in the original contract, so that the total cost ran up to over .Ssd.OOO, besides the 814,000 re(|uired to pay for the addition to the land. The result was that there was a debt on the cluuTh and manse M over SSO.OOO when the work was comj)leted. To bring this debt within manage- able compass was one of the chief aims of th«' minister and one of the main tasks of his co-workers during the next few vears. Airainst this debt stood the valuable land and building and the j)ersonal bond of several of the church ]»eople. The growing congregation had now a ])eautiful and convenient home, and the city of 'I'oronto pos- sessed a new and splendid architectural momnnent. The design was furnislu'd by Mr. \V. (I. Storm, one of the architects of Tniversitv College, Torotito, as well as, many years later, the architect of Victoria Universit}', in the (Queen's Park. The church was built in the Norman-Scottish stvle of architecture, of (Jeorgetown stone, with Ohio and (^)ueenston stone dressings. Tiie form and the interior arrangements are not such as to secure economy of space, and these have not been copied in other churclies erected since. liut it is one of the ti-iuujphs of the aivlntect that good acoustic properties have been secured without I It it ; !*1 84 LIFE OF D. .1. MACDONNELL,. ■ f. ' 1 1 Ml ' H ' r i Vi t V ' . . m : ■ ' ll 1 i ! 1 L any special device witli that end in view, in spite of the \oiv^ rectjin<^uljir shape of tlie auditorium and its lofty roof. An extract from the Session Report of 1(S76 may complete this brief sketch of the building enterprise : " On the l.Sth of February the new church was dedi- cated to the worshij) of God. The dedicatory services were conducted in the forenotm by the lli'V. Robert Campbell, M.A., of St. (labriel Church, Montreal; in the afternoon by the Rev. I'rofessor McLaren : and in the evening by the Rev. 1). M. (lordon, 111)., of St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa. At each of the services there was a very large attendance, and our hearts were made glad by tlu* goodness of (lod in permitting us to witness the successful conjpletion of a work which had been to man}' of us during its pi-ogress a source of anxious thought and abundant labour, and to all an object of interest and hope. ' Meanwhili' the minority of the congregation who could not take ])ait in the erection of tlu; new building upon the clujsen site, were looking out for their own future. The same Session Report tells of the issue of this fiiendly <livsent, which was before long t(/ lead to a new settlement rivallinu' the original conn-rejxatio)! in maofnitudi' and influence: "On the 9th February, lN7(i, at the close of ft prayei'-meeting in the church on Church Street, a new congregation, which bea)'s the name of ' Old St. Andivw's,' was organized by Professor McLaren of Ivnox College, and the minister of this church, the repi'esentative of the Pi'esbvterv of Toronto. Sixty-two mendjers and ho IR'W t lor lis of >fore final the •ting ition, was r r) itive l)evs > ^'•\'■ Hi! i CHURCH BUILDING AND CHUUCH UNION. 85 were thus (lisji^ined from St. Andrew's Churcli. The session are j;hi<l to know that tlie eon<i^re<^ation tiien formed is making steady pro<^'ress under tlie pastoral care of Rev. G. M. Milligan." As a proof of the <jjood feeUng that ruled the two parties in the undivided St. An«'.rew's, it niay he a<lded that as early as May, LS74, a proposition looking to the divi.sion of the church pi'operty was unanimously agreed to in the session, at the itistance of both sections, and adopted unanimously hy the congregation. According to this agreenu'nt, which was ratified when referred to the presbytery in 1875, the minority retained possession of the old building on Church street. As we shall see, however, they soon chose a more convenient site on Jarvis Street, where they and their following flourish unto this chiy. As is well known, the Church of Scotland in Canada was the last of the Presbyterian bodies to give its consent to a general Presbyterian union. That great event was accomplished in June, 1875, in the city of Montreal. But if this staunch old comnuniity hesitated longest it was not for lack of a stronir union sentiment witliin its ranks. As early as I8(i(), the eminent theologian and churchman. Rev, ])r. John ('ook, the teacher and in.spirer of so many of the present generation now in its maturity, brought up a union motion in the ()M Kirk Syno<l, and the subject was discussed from time to time thereafter. Opposecl t(j Dr. Cook, as the leader of the anti-union party, was Rev. Dr. ^hithieson, of Montreal. The Queen's College men generally ii I I li \ If w^mi •1 !;i I '■ iM ; u ' 'I 1' 1 ' "i 1 1 ^ 1 ; l' ^1 ijt 86 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. favourer] union, Dr. Cook beinp^ Principal of Queen's at tlio time when the Hues liegan to be <lrawn. Among tlie younger men of the time, Rev. Robert Campbell, now of St. Gabriel Church, Montreal, who became minister of Gait in 1862, after demitting the charge of the preparatory school in Kingston, soon became prominent in the church courts and influential as an advocate of the union. Mr. Mac- donnell was in favour of union from the first, partly "because it was his nature to," and partly, as we may suppose, under the inlluence of Dr. Cook, of whom he was ever a lover and admirer. Prof. Mackerras, though very detVirential to Dr. Cook, and closely akin to Campbell and Macdonnell in temper and nicxle of thought, was at tii'st on the side of Dr. Mathieson against union. Ha[)pily he was brought over, and became one of the leaders of the united church. St. Andrew's Church, when Mr. Macdonnell came to it, was not unanimous for union, and it was a task of no small delicacy as well as importance, to prevent a division on this (juestion as well as on that of the new church building. The mendjers were familiar with the subject ab-eady from its frecjuent public discussion. In bSOO a motion in favour of union was brought up in the Synod at Toronto, but its prolonged consideration was postponed on account of the absence of members, caused by the Fenian raid. In 1871, shortly after the induction, the Synod again met in Toronto, and the divided sentiment of the congre<;ation was j.retty clearly shown. The leaven CHIKCH BUILDING AM) CHURCH UNION. 87 of his spirit, liowever, kopt workiiif]^ among them, and as the movement was essentially a prof^ressive one, they were nearly all won over sooner or later. Very few of the congre^j^ation .seceded in conse(|uence of the accomplished fact. Yet there were many who simply went with Mr. Macdonnell, just as in later times very many followed him on the Sunday street car and other (piestions. The .same people would have stayed out if he had done so. In fact, when the great crisis aro.se, which is now to be described, the congreiiation would have voted itself out of the union had he given encouragement. came A'as a ;e, to that were juent lur of I, but lount raid. igaiu the ,'aven "1 ^ 1 ; ' \ ■MV 3 .', 1' • '* i H '' > a [ 1 \\ 11 t* I M i 88 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. CHAPTER XII. I : i THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. We now come to the great crisis of liis public life, a crisis precipitated by the inconsiderate action of two budding journalists, who have since achieved distinc- tion in their chosen profession. I'hey had gone to St. Andrew's Church on Sabbath, 2()th September, 187''), with a view to exercising their prentice hands, as stenographic reporters, on its minister, who had the reputation of being a hard man to keep pace with by even expert shorthand writers, so vehement and spasmodic were his utterances, when he warmed up to his work. Young gentlemen of the press do not necessarily take much stock in the subject-matter of what it may be their duty to report; but on this occasion these two aspirants to editorial dis- tinction were personally much impressed with the sermon as it proceided, and })ricked up their ears with unconnnon liveliness as they endeavoured to keep up to the eager preacher in his impassioned discourse. The text chosen was from Romans v., 12-21, the topic being the more abounding grace in Christ Jesus, in contrast with the sin which abounded THE KCCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 89 in Adam. These younj:^ stenojijraphers had an in- stinctive perception that tliey had that morning stumbled upon a ji^ood thin<^ from the newspaper point of view, tliat tliey had po.sst'ssetl themselves of copy whicli their jonrnalistic superiors would he glad to receive at their hands, and whicli, when it reacheil the public, was boun<l to make a stir in religious circles. But they failed to comnnuiicate their own enthusiasm in the matter to the management of the irreat dailv with which one of them at least was connected, being informed by the autocrat who wieMed the editorial sceptre, that the paper could not afford to give space to reports of sermons. The utujost us(! they found tliey could make of their notes was to frame a paragraph, summing up their estimate of the (h-ift of the discourse, to be sent to the ]\Iontreal Wifnettti, of which one of them was the Toronto correspondent. This paragraph appeared in the Witness on Monday eveninir, and of course, it soon found its way back to Toronto. It chanced that on tlu; Wednesday evening of the following w^eek Mr. Macdonnell was present at the opening exercises of Knox College for the first time as a member of the Senate, to which he had been appointed after the Union, and made a few remarks which were innocent enough in themselves, and wen; mainly truisms as to the relations in which Presbyte- rian ministers stand to the subordinate standards of their Church. But so excited had ecclesiastical circles ]>ecome in the city by the rumours which were in circulation as to the character of the views f-! f !!■ lib' 'If ill ^i r,\ ^i^ I ' 1 1 ill i ! ' 90 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. proclaimed in the sermon of the 2()th September, that two of his brethren in the Presbytery felt called upon to take exception to his remarks regarding; the Con- fession of Faith as of an unsettlin<; tendency. Then friends in Montreal, who considered that injustice nuist have been done to the preacher in the sunnuary of the sermon telegraphed to the Wdvens, as well as in the subseciuent repoi't of tiie proceedinj^s at Knox Collet^a', really contributed unwittin<,dy to brin«if on the crisis, in their desire to vindicate Mr. Macdonnell from the aspersion which they thou«:fht the news- paper in (piestion had matle itself the medium of castings upon his good name. Thus challenged, l)oth the Witness and its Toronto correspijndent were put upon their mettle, and so the text of the sermon compiled from the combine<l notes of the two rejjor- ters, was given to the public in the Witness on the afternoon of October 12th, 1875, urn " Universal Salvatioi an utterly unjustifiable heading for the sermon, as in all the discussions which followed from its publica- tion, Mr. Macdonnell repudiated the conclusion which this title implies ; but it helped to fasten the atten- tion of the public upon the discourse which tlie news- papers far and near hastened to copy ; and the young reporters, who found that they had done a fine stroke of professional business, had their revenge when the sermon appeared in the Toronto journal whose editor had in the first instance refused their notes. The publication of the discourse produced great excitement among all classes of the people. Three of ge capitals. This was THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 91 'oung iTKintlis had barely passed since the ^reat event of Presbyterian L^nion in the Dominion liad l)een consum- mated, and no one liad taken a warmer interest in or was in a ])Osition to do more toward helping it on than tlie minister who occupied tlie most prominent position in tlio Clnirch ol* Scotland in western On- tario. Everyone I'elt that the utterances of this ser- mon were ^oing to .subject the recently formed bond of Tnion to a .severe strain, if indeed they <lid not imperil its continuance. The negotiations had taken years to mature, and not a few ob.stacles had to be overcome to pave the way to the issue which culmin- ated in success on June Kith, LS7'). Not the least of these was the position taken by extreme men on both sides. One of the telling arguments •'m})loyed by some of the leading op{)onents of Union in the Chur ch of "Scotland, m addressing the people whose support they sought in their opposition, was that the views and sym- pathies of many of those in the Church with which Union was pro))Osed, were too narrow to give promise of nuich comfort to liberal-minded people who should be in the same Church with them : while the siis|)icion that views too broad to be consistent with the truth were tolerated amonir ministers and members (jf the Church of Scotlan«l, had occupied the minds of someffood men in tlu' Canada I'resbvterian Church to an extent that had been foun<l ditlicult to remove. Now an unfortunate (juestion was forced upon the attention of the united Church which threatened to revive, if it did not Justify, tho.se a})prehensions. Not that Mr. Macdonnell had sympathizers with "5 kill ■ *. !ti 5 I: I ! I I 4 ■^ 92 LIKE OK D. .1. MACDONNELL. I: I ' his doubts ami ditHcultios on the (lurstion of the eternity of future punislinient auion^r any section of hi.s clerical brethren in the united Church. The correspondence that poured in upon him from all (|Uarters at this crisis bears ample testimony to this fact, as all the subse(|Uent discussions in Presbytery, Syno<l and (Jeneral Asseml)ly also did. Indeed, some of those who lovt'd him njost an<l afterwards were warmest in his defence, felt called upon to do what they could to t|uiet the agitation which had sud<lenly spruno- u]) in ecclesiastical circles, and especially to j)urge the section of the Church to which Mr. Mac- d(uuiell had belonged, and the collefi^e in which he had been trained, of all suspicion of doubt on the ])oint in issue; hasteninj^ to nive the public their views in su])port of the <,aMierally received doctrine of Christendom on the (piestion. The only one of his ministei'ial brethren who ever ottered anything like an apology for Mi". !Mac<lonneirs doubts and diHi- culties was the venerable Dr. Cook, of Quebec, in the Assembly of LS7t). Personally he had no doubt as to the drift of the teaching of Scripture on the question, as he prefaced his remarks in the A;;seinbly by say- ing, and as his private letters to Mr. Macdonnell show. But while not harassed with doubts himself, he succeeded in putting himself intellectually in the place of those wdiose minds compelled them to look at the (piestion from a different point of view, and evinced a freshness of thought and mental candour not generally to be looked for in old men, urging that when the theological mysteries that are involved in ii THK KCCI.ESIASTICAF, TRIAL on liercilitary (Icpnivity aiwl tlu' rlcctin;^ <;nice ot" (uxl, alon;; with the a|)|)allin;L; si<;iiiti('anc«' ol* an eternity of suti'erin;; when one tries to ;^ras|) it. are taken into account, (louhtH and dithcnlties on the snhjert inav almost he reasonahly paidoned. The Asseinhly was startled hv the l)oldness ol' the utterance; hut cNcrx- one felt that splendid tho>i;,di the intellectual etllut was, it harmed rather than helped tlie cause which it sou<;ht to promote, at least in its immediat*' efl'ect, hecause it created unnecessary alarm hy j»ostn)atine^ i'ar more than ^Ir. Macdonnell s case demanded. And wliile a lar<.je numher of friends wrote, ree;n't- tin;^ that the sermon had heen preached, and otl'ei-in;;" counse an< 1 hel) ) m Ills p,.ri rolexities. Ml'. Macdonm also found himself deluj^eil with pamphlets and letters from ail manner of reli<jious "cranks" and unhelievers, an< 1 th d( lus was made j)ainlully aware oi the imnsci* th di tion of which he had heen guilty in Ncnturin^' to ^ive utterance to his douhts. Far from feelin<;- satisfaction in the notoriety with which he fouml himself suddenly invested, as lie would have done ha<l his aim heen to hrintr liiniself prominently hefore th(! pidilic. as some iiisinuate<l, he accept»'d the complinu'iits and lauda- tions that were showere<l u])oii him l)y the .sceptical press, as part of his punishment for the imprudence of thinkin*^ aloud and doing in the [)resence of his congregation what ought to have heen done pre- viously in liis study — weiijhint^ Scripture aeainst Scri})ture, and striking a halance hefore communicat- ing what was in his mind. But though his friends without exception regretted >\\\ i M i M it I it ,! 94 LIFE OF D. J, MACDONNELL. 11 rriniisi wliaf h(! luul (loiio, iionf^ of tlic iniiiiHt».'rial l)r«'tlu*en witli whom lu; luul hven formerly associated in church Fellowshii) lost faith in him, or wislu'd to have him too .seriously dealt with, for only ^ivinj^ oxpressicjn to doubts, HO long as those doubts did not amount to a rejection of the doctrine in (|U(!sti<jn. They kn<'W that there was nothing of the Philistine in his nature, that far from delighting in turmoil and opposition, as born fighters do, his symj)athetic nature rather led him to yearn to be in accord with his brethren, and if he (littered from them, it was only because his conscience compelled him. He had commended him- self .so univer.sally to the mendjers of the Synod of the Church of Scotland before the T^nion as a devoted servant of God, and one who was specially loyal to Revelation, that his old friends had no fear of his drifting far afield from the ])uths of ortho<loxy. Anchored to Christ, whom he held to with a fondness that was touching, they knew that his tli\st wish was to know the mind of the Master. Once he was per- suaded of it, no influence could induce him to swerve from it. Nor had the hii»her criticism in the .slightest degree les.sened the reverence for the Word of (Jod, in the full belief of which his nnn<l and heart had been trained. The Spirit of God operating within him bore witness to the truth which he found scattered everywhere over the page of Revelation. He put an exalted estimate upon the Bible, as God's mes.sage to man ; but just in i)roportion as he elevated it, he would keep all merely human productions in com- parison on a lower plane. His lofty conception of the THE ECCr.ESFASTICAI, TIUAL. 05 Holy St'Hptnn's led also to an oa^j^or dcsin' to know rx.'U'tly wliat tlu'y ta»i;^'ht. Tliis dt'siie was the Hourct' ol' tliat scrupulousness, that " fastidious cousciciu'r," which Principal Cavfii was the first so to characterize, an<l which so often stood in the way of the settlement of his case before the Asseinhlv, when brethren believed it was in Hi<^dit. All this was fully known to his old fi'iends and associates, as on more than one ()Ccasion he had refused to allow his conscience to bi! bound bv human sunniiaries of truth, even when siich sunnnaries were so venerable as the propositions of the Westminster Confession. It is necessary to state this to i'Xplain what otherwise mi;j;ht seem invincible partisanship on the part of his former brethren, when the ease was voted on at the Assembly in ISJO. With a single exception, they all voted for the motion which imjjlied leniency in dealing with the offence ; and they did so. not because they W(!r«' resolved to stand to<jjether, but because they wei'e persuaded that Mr. Macdonnell, from what they knew of him, mi<^ht be trusted to be loyal to the truth, and to take the necessary steps without pressure froni without to let it V)e known, if his further study of Scripture, on the subject of the futui'e state, led him finally to reject the traditional view of the Church. On the other hand, the brethren to whom he was a com])ai'ative stranger, were perhaps not to be blamed for icfusinj^^ to take more' account of a man, however ^ood and u.seful he might appear to others, than of a dcx'trine, a hearty belief in which they <leemed of prime importance. But is it saying too much that the \ N 5:1,1 1 m tl f tit I ' m i .ir rf 1*1 IP • 06 LIFE OF D. J. MAODONNELL. .subso(|uent course of events justified the attitude taken on that occasion by those wlio knew liirn best ? Did not ail tlie brethren of tlie united Church come to share in tlie estimate wliich liis old friends in the Church of Scotland had formed of him, as one whose nature was sinjjfularly sensitive to the truth, and who; while tolerant of other people's opinions, did his own thinkino-, uiid would hold to his convictions at any c< )St ( The Pi'esb}'teiy of Toronto first took cognizance of the sermon on November 5th, l(S75. On that day attention was called to the subject, and a committee was appointed to have a private conference with Mr. Macdonnell. The connnittee met witii him. Had he been disposed to take adrantajj^e of t(^chnical objec- tions to shield himself — as is done every day in the civil courts, and as has often been done also in eccle- siastical courts, when ministers have been taken to task for their utterances — he mioht truthfully enough have claimed that the jjublished report of his sermon was not a full and accurate account of what he had actually said. But it was not in him to have recourse to such a means of avoidino" trouble. He admitted the general correctness of the report, although he stated that there were some omissions and some alterations, the general effect of which was to lead to the supposi- tion that he held views which he did not hold. He had simply stated the difficulty he had in arriving at any conclusion. He further stated that he felt that he had been unwise to speak in a way not in harmony with the Confession of Faith on this particular sub- ^ri THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 97 ,titude best ? come in the whose 1(1 who- lis own at any ance of lat (hiy nniittee nth Mr. Had he J objec- ' in the n ecele- aken to enough sermon lie had •ecourse Itted the i stated •rations, ^upposi- lld. He IV in*;" at felt that annony lar sub- ject, when liis own mind was in a state of perplexity, and expressed his rej^ret for so (loin<ij. He further undertook not to contravene the teachinfif of the Church while seekin*,^ li<ijht on the (juestion, and expressed his willinijness to state his views on the matter to the Presbytery when called upon to do so- The attitude of the Presbytery then and throughout the entire dealings with Mr. Macdonnell was one of great kindness, while his bearing toward the Presby- t(!ry was in return one of respectful candour. On April 4th. 187G, Mr. Macdonnell handed in a written statement of his views, as follows : " In regard to the eternity of future punishment, I iiave arrived at no conclusion at variance with the doctrine of the Church. I do not conceal that I have difficulties and perplexities on the subject ; but 1 adhere to the teaching of the Confession of Faith in regard to it, (expressed as it is almost entirely in the languagi' of Scripture." The Presbytery asked him to withdraw the last clause, as qualifying what went before : but he ad- hered to that clause tenaciously throughout all the negotiations that followed, as conveying his attitu<le of supreme regard for the Holy Scriptures, and his ac- (|uiescenco in whatever they taught. In conse(|uence, the Presbytery declined to accept the statement. Matters had reached this stam\ when, bv the inter- mediary offices of fri(mds outside the Presbytery, Mr. Macdonnell was induced to offier a new statement, which the Presbytery by a majority declared to be satisfactory. It was as follows : " Notwithstanding m ii i 'If 'il 111 ii] hi- i • ' ( • rM \: i 1 11 1 ! fji it 98 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. difficulties which I liave regarding the eternity of future punislunent, I continue my adliesion to that doctrine, as implied in my assent to the Confession of Faith formerly given." The Presbytery resolved to transmit this statement to the General Assembly, with an expression of the hope that the Assembly might find it " a satisfactory basis for the settlement of the case," and the whole matter was referred to the General Assembl3^ with the request that that vener- able court would finally issue it. It fell to Principal Caven and Rev. J. M. King (now Principal King, of Manitoba College) to state the reference from the Presbytery to the Assembly, which they did with great clearness and force. They both put forth their best eiibrts to persuade the Assembly to accept Mr. Macdonnell's statement as satisfactory, for they sincerely desired to see the matter settled at once. They analyzed the statement and presented it in so favourable a light, with the view of justifying the Presbytery in accepting it, and of showing that the Assembly would be quite safe in also accepting it, that Mr. Macdonnell felt uncomfortable when he heard his brethren endeavouring to explain away his difficulties, as if they really amounted to almost nothing. And so, when the debate was in progress over a motion to accept the statement, and he was challenged to say whether the representatives of the Presbytery had in their addresses fully set forth the state of his mind on the question, he advj^nced to the platform and relieved his conscience by saying that he was afraid that they had placed his real situation THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 09 i\ity of to that ssion of Ived to senibly, ^seinbly tlement sd to the t vener- nvr (now tate the y, which hey both Assembly isfactory, settled at scnted it iistifying iiiLT that spting it, ivhen he iiway his ) ahnost projjjress he was 3S of the forth the 3d to the liner that Isituation in too favourable a li^lit before the Assembly, and added a few words by way of showing where he actually stood in relation to the fjuestion. This candid avowal was very disappointing to man}- in the Assend)ly, and destroyed at once any chatice of the Assembly's accepting the statement before it. But while Mr. Macdonnell's action dashed the hopes of an immediate settlement, and proved most embar- rassing to the friends who had laboured in the case to bring it to an early and favourable issue, the moral effect of it was un(juestionably greatly in his favour. The " fastidious conscience " that would not allow him t«) accept relief from the distresses in which he was at the mon^ent placed, by pleadings that he felt to be too fav'ourable to him, was deeply impressive ; and so, one of those who afterwards ottered a motion in amendment declining to accept the statement, and pro})osing another course, prefaced his remarks by characterizing Mr. Macdonnell as a "man of intense candour, marvellous uprightness of heart and spirit, on that and every other point of doctrine contained in the Presbyterian Creed." I\Ir. Mac<lonnell was very anxious that his true attitude to the doctrine in ((ues- tion should be known ; and so, while he would not accept a favoura1)le verdict on grounds that repre- sented him as more fidly in accor<l with the com- monly received view of the doctrine than he ivally was, on the other hand, all through the discussions of the assemblies of 187() and 1H77, he most strenuously corrected statements and arguments that exat^rn'rated tlie amount of his disairreenient with his brethren. m ■ m i m I if It \m \'\m ■■A m f 100 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. ift- The representatives of the Presbytery no longer requesting the Assembly, in view of Mr. Maedonnell's address, to accept the statement which they had referred to the court, the debate went on, and amend- ment after amendment to the motion for acceptance was submitted, until there were no fewer than nine of them. The course of the debate was twice interrupted for the purpose of conference with Mr. Macdonnell by committees of the Assembly. But they failed to secure any statement which would at once satisfy the majority of the Assembly and not infringe on Mr. Maedonnell's conscience. One of the memorable Incidents of the debate was when Professor Mowat, a man of rare reticence, mounted the platform, which he was never known to do before or since, and gave expression to his views with much warmth of feeling. He had known Mr. Macdonnell from his boyhood up, and he could not bear to hear the slightest imputation cast upon one whose truth-loving mind, pure character, and sincere heart he fully appreciated and loved. " Mr. Mac- donnell," he said, "had already been severely punished. It was surprising that he was now living, having been badgered by some, ridiculed by others, and, worse than all, mourned over by those who love him." He challenged any man in the Assembly to tell of an instance in which a minister of the Presbv- terian Church had been deposed for entertaining doubts ; and concluded with these sharp words : " Let it not go forth to the world that while they THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL; 101 were stiff and stern in their dealings with one of their trood men, because of a doubt entertained by liini, they were doing nothing in regard to those men wlio were stupid and dull, and whose preaching was useless." A venerable member of the court, and an old fellow-student and friend of Professor Mowat, took occasion to say that he had been amazed at the utterances of Mr. Mowat, and had come to the con- clusion that there must be different standpoints from which this matter might be conscientiously and honestly viewed. As soon as every other member of the Assembly who desired to speak' on the subject had been heard, Mr. Macdonnell rose, before the taking of the vote, and gave a full statement of his views, which has happily been preserved. It was spoken extemporaneously, but the Toronto Mail succeeded in obtaining a verbatim report of it, which Mr. Macdonnell afterwards acknowledged to 1)6 correct, and which he handed in to a connnittee of the Assembly as setting forth his true position on the whole matter under <liscussion. It detailed the process by which he was led to think on the subject, and preach the sermon which gave rise to the agita- tion in the Church. This statement is here embodied, as it is only fair to his memory that he shoul<l be allowed to speak for himself. " Mr. Macdonnell came forward amid applause, and remarked that his whole object was, as it had lieen all along, to present his views to the Assembly in such a way that they would be clearly understood. He would say very little about personal considerations. i ;. : « 5 ,, I 'I '. -i ■ ■ ■ m 'I li' m i''' t^i 'j' 102 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. H(3 admitted that he was in a certain sense in a pain- ful position — that it was painful to him to be the object of so much remark, the object of so much flat- tering remark especially. (Hear, hear.) And it had been painful to liim during the last three tlays to have the consciousness that he had been the occasion, or that his sermon had ])een the occasion, of so nnich of the valuable time of the Assembly being taken up. However, he could say ([uite honestly that he did not believe that that time had been wasted. He hoped he would be believed when he said he was not indifferent to Ood's truth. It had been said and reiterated frequently in the course of the discussion that the most important consideration in this case was loyalty to that truth. That was just his posi- tion, and he was sure they would believe him ; he was sure his strongest opponents would believe him. when he said that the (juestion with him was not about submitting to the truth of God ; but that the question with him had been and still was, ' What is precisely the truth of God in this matter?' He accepted implicitly and unreservedly the words of Christ and His apostles as the highest source of truth. He fully believed and unhesitatingly accepted Christ's words. Was it necessary that he should say that i It was necessary ; for a worthy elder whose speech he (Mr. Macdonnell) had honestly admired had stood up there and had put him (Mr. Macdonnell) in this position ; he had said that when he (Mr. Mac- donnell) read the words in the 25th of Matthew, ' and these shall go away into everlasting punish- tMe ecclesiastical trial. 103 irient, but the ri<j^liteous into life eternal,' lie believed the last part of the verse but not the tirst. Now they knew that was not his position — he hoped they did at least. He said now, that this was the position he occ\ipied, that the words of Christ and of Fiis apostles in these matters were the truth, the living truth. With regard to the eonse(|ueneesof preaching that .sermon, did any man present think that he underestimated them ? Did any man there think that he rejoiced in any of those consecpiences ? Did anyone there think that he had been pleased at any of the unjust charges that had been made against the Presbytery of Toronto, placed as it was in a more difficult position than he was ^ He did not need to say to the Presbytery of Toronto that he ha<l not ; but he did need to say it t(j the ministers and elders who did not know the relations that existeil between the Presbytery and himself so well as they knew it among themselves. Had he rejoiced to be claimed as an ally by men of all sorts of (pieer views ^ to have his table littered with all sorts of queer letters from persons with whom he had not had the slightest connnunication ^ It had been well said by some om; that that was a part of his ])unishment, and he accepted it as such. (Laughter.) Had it been a source of pleasure to him to })e claimed in this connnunity, in this land, and he did not know how far from it — for he knew, of course, that his sermon had been circulated far and wide, not for good ends but for bad — had it been a pleasure to him to be claimed by the godless, the careless, the unbelieving. iNl r I 104 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. I ' m (i the worldly, and the vicious, as their sympathizer ? Did any one there think that he as a minister of Christ did not grieve over that ? He hoped not. It was not the evil consetjuences to himself he was grieving over except so far as letters were concerned. There were great numbers of these wliich had not been answered yet, and would not be. He was not speaking now of any discomforts he had personally suffered — he knew he deserved them all and a great deal more, and had always been ready to admit that — but of the evil consequences that brethren had referred to, the harm done to the Church and to the cause of Christ. Bui foolish as his words had been, wrong if they liked, it has been necessary to pervert them in order to make them afford comfort to godless, vicious, careless and worldly men ; for in that sermon he had told such men, and he now told them again, that if they kept on sinning God would punish them hereafter, and if they kept on sinning eternally He would punish them eternally. He was not prepared to say that there had been no good consec|uences from the preaching of that sermon. He would not be honest if he said that — but he did sincerely grieve over the evil consequences; he might even refer to the evil consequences in congregations in this city. He did not think he had blamed anybody else too much in connection with this case ; he thought he had been ready to accept his full share of the blame. The question which was going to decide their vote that night was this: What was his actual position in regard THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 105 to tlie doctrine of the eternity of punishment ? He had li.stened without discomfort to the happy hits which had been made against him as to his not being able to say in plain words all he meant. His explana- tion in reply to that charge was, that in liardly a single case had he expressed his meaning in words which were choser by himself. In order to meet the views of brethren he liad taken words which were suggested. He could not tell how many came to him the other night with, ' Couldn't you say this,' while others wrote out something and said, 'Couldn't you put your name to that?' To the latter he had replied, 'Yes; but it would do no good; if he did submit those words some one would put a difierent construction on them from what he did — so much were different men likely to interpret the same words differently.' It had been a great comfort to him to find that the clear statements of Principal Caven and Mr. King had been misunderstood — (a laugh) — for it had shown that even when men spoke with the lucidity which characterized the address of Principal Caven, it was possible for others to get a wrong impression of tliem. That had been the fate of every statement he (Mr. Macdonnell) had made, the result as he had said of a readiness to adopt (unwisely as he now said) the words of others to express that which he might have expressed better in his own. There had been a reference to a remark which was made at a meeting of the Presbytery of Toronto, in these words, * There is another dread alternative,' meaning annihilation. The explanation with regard to that remark was this: ' t- ■'■ i in u li' \\\ k 106 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. •Ill Some speaker had said in the Presbytery tliat tliore were only two possible thint^s which a man could believe in re<(ar<l to these things, either the ordinary doctrine of the Church or the doctrine of restoration, and he (Mr. iMacdonnell) remarked that there was anothcu" alternative, annihilation. He said that, not as a thing which he hel«l, but merely as a sugj^estion ; for he had said in the Committee that that mi<.^ht be passe<l over, as it was a doctrine he did not hold. He said it simply to show that there was another alternative for a man fishin<r about for views on the subject. His mind had never run in the direction of annihilation. He (Mr. Macdonnell) thout^ht he had stated distinctly that he did not hold such views : but if it were necessary to say it again he said now that he repudiated restorationism and annihilationism. (Applause.) He had been represented that morning as assenting to the Confession of Faith only with a limited interpretation of the word ' everlasting ' as used with regard to its doctrine of future punish- ment ; but that was not his position — it never was before the Presbytery or before the Connnittee. What he had said was that there was a possibility of a limited interpretation being put on the word aionios in the 25th chapter of Matthew. He had never asserted that the word ' everlasting ' in the 25th chapter of Matthew, as applied to punishment, was to be taken in a limited sense, and he did not make that a.ssertion now. (Applause.) The point was just this, that there was no doubt that the word a'loalos in the Bible had many times a lindted signi- THE ECCI.ESIASTICAL TRIAL. 107 tication — that was known to all of tht'Ui : an«l in hi.s perplexity to reconcile tliin<;s which were held hy the Coiinnittee to he l();^i('iilly inconsistent, he had •'<u;^<^uste(l that the word diiniios nii^ht possihly hav«^ such i\ signification in the ])assanes nndei' considera- tion. Of course, he knew, antl the Committee knew, and they all knew, that the whole (piestion did not turn on the meaning of tlu; word aionios — very far from it; it turned (piite as nuich, for example, on the words used with re<^ard to Judas, ' It were hetter for that man if he had not heen born,' with which the word aionios had nothinj^ to do. That passage appeared to him (Mr. Macdonnell) as awfully severe, and, if logic could be conclusive at all, irresistibly conclusive on this subject. (Applause.) fie never did make this whole (piestion turn on the meaning of a solitary Greek word. The eternity of future })unishnient was an innnensely important (piesticjn. He did not know how it was that his teaching: had been perverted as it had. He heard of a man who told a member of the Assembly that he (Mr. Mac- donnell) did not believe that there was such a thing as future retribution. They were just to think of that. He would like to see that man, if he were present, get up and declare that he (Mr. Macdonnell) said anything of the kind. There was no wonder at his being misunderstood and misrepresented when things of that kind were said. With regard to the remarks of Principal Caven as to the relation o\' the Confession of Faith to the Scriptures, which were to the effect that he (Mr. Macdonnell) claimed, when M : r. hK\ m t !>' i ■I m ; i ! ■ •(i 1 (' F A 1 , 't •i - r 11 1 1 ' ii il ^ ftsl -» r 'Ml 1* IIh k 1^1 108 LIFE OF D. .). MACDONNELL. H i I) 'I he was in doubt about the meaning of the words of the ConfeHsion of Fuith, a ri<(ht to fall back uj)on Scrii>ture, that was not his (Mr. Macdonnell's) statement. His statement was the converse of that, viz., That when he was in doubt as to the meaning of Sci'ipture, he did not find anything more ex- plicit there than in Scripture. For example — taking the histoiy of the working of his own mind on the matter under consideration, there was a time when he held as unhesitatingly as any man present, as the most orthodox man in the Assembly, that the punishment of the wicked would be endless. The last thing he did before leaving his charge at Peterboro' was to preach a series of sermons against Universalism. He had fallen back upon two passages which struck him as being ex])ress- ed in .strong and severe language ; one was in the words of Jesus, the other was in the words of Paul. ' These shall go away into everlasting punish- ment ' — so said the Lord. ' The wicked who know not (iod, and ol)ey not the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.' These were the words of St. Paul, who was taught by the Spirit of truth to write them to the Thessalonians and to us. When he compared these with certain other passages, to which he had no occasion to refer, there was a difficulty in his mind in reconciling them with others, as to the character of God as revealed in Scripture, and he asked, how are these difi'erences reconciled ? In that state of mind THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 100 lie preached that sonnoti, ami said very foolisli \vor<la about tlic Confession ot" Faith — very silly words, indeed. (Hear, liear.) He did not think h«' was fairly charj^^'able with wantin*,' to throw away the C'onfes- sion, for when he looke(l at it he found it used (|uota" tions from Scripture — the very words of Jesus — ' eternal torments,' ' everlasting- punishuK'ut.' Hr was not relieved, an<l hence his justification i\)V the dis- puted clause, ' expressed as it is almost in the lan^^ia^^c of Scripture.' If he had sent in his resignation, persons would liave said, 'Do you mean to reject the Confession of Faith ? You are not merely rejecting a human formida. You are rejectin<^ tlu? Word of (jlod.' That was his position. He found the Confes- sion of Faith did not define tiie meaning of the texts which puzzled him. He wanted to make that clear, because he had said very little or nothinj^at the meet- 'u\if of the Presbytery at which that clause was eon- denuied. He was not responsible for the interpreta- tion of Rev. Mr. Mitchell or of Mr. Wm. Mitchell, who had tried .so hard to <(et his position sustained. He was not responsible for the interpretation put on that clause by anybody, for everybody put what interpre- tation he liked on it. The Presbytery always re- fused to take his explanation of the process, although Professor McVicar seemed to thiidv that he (Mr. Mac- donnell) should have undertaken to say that they were all wrong. He was expected to give his results, but he was now giving the [)rocess. In trying to see what lio-ht the words of the Confession threw on the words of Scripture he found they threw no light. I ■ I' 'i i ■ ■ u '■ ^ ill 1 j: ■r' i! m il 1 110 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. I 'li i I I!" li He knew that to the minds of some oretliren they threw light, but to his mind the words, ' the wicked wlio know not God and obey not tlie gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power,' in the Confession, left the testimony of Scripture exactly where it was in the words of Scripture. This was simply because the framers of tliat Confession found it more reverent to use the language of Scripture than to define what was undefinable in human language. (Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Macdonnell) was content with the language of the Confession for the reason that it was scriptural, and he would like to get a better reason. He knew there were many who said he was v^ery foolish to tell all this ; but he thought it wus by far thn better way to tell them exactly what he had told them and what he had told Principal Caven and other members of the Presbytery in private on the subject. If a man could not stand up before an assembly of the elders and ministers of the Ci)urch of God, and lay bare his heart on a matter of that kind, he would like to know where there was a body of men before whom he could stand. He was not responsible for the saying, ' Throw away the Confession,' he was not responsible for advice to shorten it, although he was sure it would be shortened, but not this year. (Laughter.) He did not want to have its language modified at all, for it was scriptural and they could not get much better language than that. All he had ever said was, ' Keep the Confession subject to Scripture.' Why, the first THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. Ill (|uestion asked in the ordination vows was whether tliey held the Word of God as supreme. That was a. nuicli stronj^er (question than the second, ' Do you believe the Confession of Faith to be founded on and a<nveable to the Word of God ? ' To both of these ((uestions he answered ' yes,' with all his heart. Hut with regard to the modified subscription of which so nuich had been said, respected fathers had told him in the old Presbytery, ' We all understand that we are not bound to every jot and tittle in the Confession,' and he had replied that he only wanted to say so him- self, that was all. And they allowed him to say so ; and if they had not allowed him to say so he would not have been among them that day. He thought they did the wisest thing. His first ordination vow was to be true to the Word of the living God, and he had tried to be true however mistaken he miirht have been. His other vow was that he believed the Confession of Faith to be subordinate and agree- able to the Word of God, and that he would l)e true to it. He held in a perfectly honest way that he had been true to both the Word of God and the Conft.'ssion of Faith. With regard to his treatment by the Pres- bytery of Toronto he held that the members had acted with faithfulness to the Church, and with kindness to him; but he thought it w(5uld have been better if they had not asked him to express in any particular form of words his adhesion to the Confession of Faith on the point in question. They should have asci'^'tained, as nearly as they could, his precise relation to the doctrine, so that they might have II Iv \:,l\ a if '![ f, )!• mrm: ■ii ■li 112 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. ■I '^ k said how far he deviated from tliem in it, (Hear, hear, and ' Vote !') He supposed that all ought to understand the words eternal and everlasting in the Scripture — except in reference to the Levitical priest- hood — to mean unconditionally and absolutely endless. They understood it to be so ; they thought they were right, and he did not think they were wrong. If the (question were, Do you believe that the punishment of the wicked is absolutely, unconditionally endless ? there would be three possible answers. The Presby- tery of Toronto made four, and it was quite as easy to make forty-four. If they were going to define the exact shades of difference they could go round the points of the compass and find any number of atti- tudes. In his opinion there were three attitudes — First, ' I believe ;' second, ' I deny ;' third, ' I doubt.* The third position was his. He had some doubts about the interpretation which the Church puts upon the teaching of Scripture as to the absolute, uncon- ditional, hopeless endlessness of future punishment. The position of the Presbytery, he thought, had been that he might have difficulties, but they could not allow him to have doubts — he might have difficulties or perplexities concerning this awful doctrine, but those difficulties and perplexities were not to interfere with his absolute assent to the truth of the doctrine. That is the wav he understood them, and he could not sinipliciter adhere in that sense. He might have been wrong ; and, if so, it was not his fastidious con- science but his judgment which was held. If he were asked how much doubt he had he could not answer. I THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 113 If asked if his doubts amounted to exact suspense he was not prepared to answer, because a man's mind was not a (juestion of taking and weighing every truth against truth. On one side there was presented to him tlie sentence of the Lord Jesus Christ ; on the other was tlie declaration of the righteousness of the hving God, and how could he weigh the one against tlie other ? His mind was therefore in suspense, l)ecause one doctrine was in opposition to the other ; hut he did not come any way near the rejection of tlie ordinary doctrine of the Church. He pointed out that he was not a man starting out without any faith on the subject, and fishing about for a view, but his position simply was that, having some doubt as to the force of the words already quoted, he had not come to any conclusion in which he was prepared to say that he ought to withdraw his adhesion from the Confes- si(m of Faith. If asked how much his doubts were worth, he could answer that there had been times when he could have put his name to the strongest assertions in favour of the eternity of future punish- ment. There were two things with which, as he had said before, he was chargeable: first, holding doubts^ and secondly, preaching them. He did not stand there to justify for a moment the preaching of those doubts. He had given expression to his regi'<'t for .so doing, and he did not now feel inclined to withdraw it. He did not think it was in all cases wronjj for a ])('r.son to preach his doubts : but he thought that in that sermon, considering the circumstances, it was wrong to state them. The difibrence between him 9 I 11" m m i ! i '; 4 ir 1 I n § ^ 'II w HI 4 114 LIFE OF D. J. MACDOxXNELL. and others wlio liad liad doubts, was tluit he had given public utterance to his, and others liad not. He took full blame for the public utterance of them, and had always been ready to bear any punishment for so doing which the Presbytery or the Asseinbly might think fit to impose. J^iut simply because he had doubts, was he to ha put on so different a footing from men who had had the same kind of doubts but had never expressed them, that he ought to cease his ministry while they ouglit not ? He did want with all his heart to preach the (Jospel of Christ. (Applause.) He had been trained from childhood for that work and dedicated to it by his father. He said this not because he wanted them to deal witli him differ- ently from other men, but because there were some who thought that lie was indifferent as to the result. He was not indifferent to it. He was indifferent to the emoluments which newspaper men sometimes talked of. He would not refer further to that insinu- ation which was a nasty one to make with regard to any minister of the Churcli. (Hear, hear.) He did want to preach the truth, the full truth, and that in connection with tlie Presbyterian Church in Canada. (Applause.) He did not want to think as he pleased, apart from the truth of God as revealed. He did not want to exalt reason at the expense of Scripture, but he had to interpret the Scripture, with the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, by means of reason." Tliis address, delivered in deliberate, earnest, thrill- ing tones, told unmistakably upon the Assembly ; {|,nd had it been spoken earlier in the debate, it is safe ^U. THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 115 111 to say a good many motions submitted on tlie subject would never have been otl'ered, and all of them would probably have been in difierent terms. It re-estab- lished the confidence of some of his old-time friends, who had thought his aberration from the Church's standards wider than was actually the case ; and it won over so many of the ablest and strongest men in the Assembly wdio had hitherto been comparative strangers to him, to the position that it would be much more sei'ious to drive such a man from the ranks of the ministry in the Presbyterian Church, on account of the difference between his attitude and that of the brethren generally tow^ard the standards on tlie particnlai' point in (juestion, than to tolerate that difference, that it became clear that a settlenient of the (piestion must be arrived at which would save him to the Church. However, the vote had to be taken on the motion and the several amendments as they stood ; and the Moderator proceeded accordingly, at eleven o'clock on the night of June Ifith, to take the sense of the House, putting amendment against amendment amidst the suppressed excitement of the members and the still more eajxer excitement of the crowds of interested spectators in the galleries. The vote resulted in Principal McVicar's amendment prevailing over all the other eight amendments an<l the original niotion ; the other amendment that received the largest support in opposition to it being one by Rev. Thomas Sedgwick, which was support(;<l by l.")3, as against 219 for Dr. McVicar's. The final 1 4 5 :!n E % )•■:. I tit: k^ Mm ?'■'!■ k : i M i !'■' •ii ! Ii i V ' 1 1 I' m ■'} i! ,,1 :| ■t ^1 116 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. vote stood 263 yeas to 101 nays. The resolution carried was as follows: " That this Assembly sustain the reference for judfrment, and find that in the state- ' nt made before this Assembly, Mr. Macdonnell has declared that he does not hold the doctrine of ever- lasting punishment in the sense held by the Church and formulated in the Confession of Faith ; never- tholc^j.', that he has adopted no doctrinal views con- i;iarv },■■'• the Confession of Faith : therefore Resolved, — V'iis' luat the above twofold statement is not satis- factory i:, t'ns Assembly; Second, that a committee be ttpj vntt' . ?nnfer with Mr. Macdonnell, in the hope tnat l!i y . ^, be able to bring in a report as to Mr. Macdonnell's views which may be satisfactory to this Assembly." Mr. Macdonnell, as soon as the result was an- nounced, arose and said : " I bow to the decision of the Assembly. I do not know whether I have the right to make this request ; but if I have, I do now respectfully request the Assembly to remit this matter to the Presbytery of Toronto, to proceed regularly by libel." It is important to note this fact, in view of the discussions as to procedure in the case, which took place at the following Assembly. The Moderator ruled that the Assembly must pro- ceed to carry out its own finding. At this point, Principal Snodgrass, whose warm personal attachment to Mr. Macdonnell had engaged his deep interest in the case, and whose judicial calmness and large experience of men and things, and especially his profound knowledge of ecclesio^sticfvl THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 117 procedure, as having been long the Clerk of the Synod of the Church of Scotland in Canada, marked hiiM out as the fittest man to lead in the championship of Mr. Macdonnell's cause, arose and dissented. The names of ninety-five other brethren were added as joining in the dissent, although not necessarily in the reasons assigned ; and among those names not a few were those of men of weight in the Assembly, and from other sections of the Church than that in which ^Ir. Mac<lonnell was best known personally. A committee was subsequently appointed, in terms of the Assembly's deliverance. As originally drafted by the Moderator, it embraced the names of several of those members who had dissented, but of course the}' could not consistently act upon it, and so de- clined to be parties to the action. The Committee had a conference with Mr. Macdonnell, but he signified that he had at that time no further statement to make by which his position toward the doctrine in question might be modified. The Committee reported accordingly to the Assembly, but added a recom- mendation that further time be given to Mr. Mac- donnell to consider the matter, and that he be recjuired to report through his Presbytery to the next General Assembly whether he accepted the teaching of the Church on the subject. This report, when submitted, led to another long discussion, not, however, on the merits of the ({ues- tion, but as to the regularity of the procedure of the Conunittee. However, the Committee's report was at length adopted by a vote of 127 for to 04 against. I; ! I I il-'l l.li : m -1.1 I'll- m iiiii ill ,i :i r iihJ ; '1 1* 1 '1 \ i 118 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. Mr. Macdonnell then arose and renewed the recjuest lie liad made at a previous stage of the proceedings, "That tlie Assembly instruct the Presbytery of Toronto to proceed regularly by libel, to let him know what the charge was which was made against him, and enable him to know how he was to defend himself against it," Principal Snodgrass also again dissented in his owm name and in the name of all those that chose to adhere to his dissent, on the ground that the Commit- tee did not attach due weight to the full statement of his views given by Mr. Macdonnell at the close of the main discussion, and that their report gave an exag- gerated representation of Mr. Macdonnell's attitude toward the doctrine in question. Fifty-two other members joined in the dissent, and thus the Assembly temporarily disposed of the case. But it hung like a dark cloud for twelve months over the Church, in a measure paralyzing the wcn'king forces which the recent union had created. Serious forebodings were entertained by many as to the final issue of the ques- tion ; and in truth, the confidence of some of the supporters on both sides of the Union the year before, as to the wisdom of that step, was a little shaken. But there were others of stouter heart, who never faltered in their faith, that God's hand had guided the Union movement, and who now believed that He would preserve the consolidated Church through the season of trial which had overtaken it so soon. They had confidence in the solid sense of the Presby- terian conmiunity when it had time to make itself \I I THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 119 felt, iind in the ability of its oxporiencod loadei-s to find a way out of the difficulty, without compromisiuo- the Church's testimony or endanoeriiirr its unity. A year of sore anxiety awaited the Church, but nmlti- tudes were devoutly prayin*^ that lij^ht and Icadint^ from the Lord mi<^dit be vouchsafed to those who should have the final disposal of the case committed to their hands. Not that the discussion so far had assumeil a threateniuf^ aspect. The debate just held was in every sense a ^reat one, and worthy of the Church under whose banner it had taken place. The ablest men from the four sections of the united Church had now for the first time an occasion of measurinf; arms with one another in a connnon arena. The di.scussion was carried on with ^race and di<i,nity. The parties to it showed every consideration for one another. Tliere was no assio'uin^ of unworthy motives, nor was any personality indulged in. An<l on the whole the debate w'as characterized by great fairness. Rhetoric, set speeches for the display of skill, the Assenil)ly showed itself impatient of, whenever such attempts were made. To do what was best in the premises, to get at the real difficulty and remove it, if possible, was the task to which the Assembly honestly addressed itself. The high moral tone of the discussion went hand in hand with the intel- lectual power wdiich it evinced. It is doing dispar- agement to none of the other addresses if special mention is made of that delivered by Professor McKnight, afterwards Principal of the Presbyterian ii m 1 •II'* •■>f U.i . U ', : I ■mm s 1 J'' il' If'' 'II !'' -r j 'i :: 1 ! ) I i I 120 LIFE OF D. MACDONNELL. College, Halifax, whose recent decease the Church has had occasion to deplore, which can be described as nothin<j^ short of genius. His insight into the state of Mr. Macdonnell's mind was so subtle, and his analysis of the documents before the Assembly was so complete, that when he was done the Court was more thoroughly seized of the true merits of the question than it had been before. No one was more astonished at the clearness of Professor Mc- Knight's insight, or at the comprehensiveness of his grasp of the case, than Mr. Macdonnell himself. He was delighted with the presentation of the points involved, made by a gentleman who was an entire stranger to him, and got up and acknowledged in the court that the Professor had placed his position in relation to the question at issue in a clearer light than he had been able to define it to his own mind. And he accepted the view of it thus presented as entirely satisfactory. The discussion of " the Macdonnell case " in the Assembly of 1877 will not recjuire to be dwelt on at length. The subject was so thoroughly threshed out in the previous year that there was not much room for a protracted debate. The question con- sumed, indeed, a good deal of time, but it was spent mostly on side issues which sprung out of the case. That happened which Mr. Macdonnell's friends had predicted in 187G as inevitable: his mind not having free play, the time limit operated against any real progress in the way of obtaining relief from his doubts. Those twelve months were anxious ones to ■I THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 121 liiin and to all conccrntMl. He hone.stly endeavoured to meet tlie Assembly's demand. There was no senti- ment in him stronger than the wish to save other people trouble. But to his own self he nuist prove true ; he had his own mind and conscience to consult — the thinking out and determining of (piestions could not be done for him. He found counsellors in plenty. Books, pamphlets, newspaper-cuttings and letters in- numerable came pouring in upon him from every (|uarter. This was, perhaps, the most atHicting ele- ment in his experience ; all kinds of extravagant ])eople hastened to congratulate him on his stand and offer him their sympathy. What could a man do in such circumstances ? To read everything that came in his way bearing on the subject and weigh the matter calmly in the midst of excitement, dis- charging the work of a laborious pastorate at the same time, and with the thought pressing on him that a conclusion must be reached before June, 1877 — the task was beyond him. Feeling that the perusal of the numerous books and pamphlets sent to him was not going to solve his difficulty, he gathered them into a bundle and put them away out of sight, and there they remained till the day of his death. What he needed was mental repose, not incitements to agita- tion. The result of the year's experience was that when the Assembly met at Halifax on June 13th, 1877, Mr. Macdonnell was found exactly in the same situation as that in which the Assembly of 1870 had left him. The Presbytery of Toronto transmitted a report i' i'1 I: i'il' i ;. * : 1:11 ■^ r. M i:t| iiii > I ■ i il ■■r 122 LIFE OF D. .1. MACDONNEF.L. hii ! Mi from Mr. Macdonncll, ns ill^stnlcte(l l>y last AHseiii])ly, aw follows : "The (ionoral Assi'iiiMy of 1<S7() liavin^r re<|uiriMl nie to report thi'ou*;h the Pri'sbytery o! Toronto to this Assemldy wlicthcr I accept the teaching of the Church on the eternity of the future punishment of the wicked, I be;j; respectfully to state that I hold no opinion at variance with that teach in<^." Rev. Dr. P. G. McGregor, of Halifax, a<ifent and treasui'er of the schemes in the Eastern section of the Church, moved that proceedings re<,^ardin^' the jnatter terminate. Dr. McGrejjor liad been Moderator of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of the Lower Pro- vinces at the time of the Union, and was recogniz among his brethren in the East not only as a lead, but also as an eminently safe man, and it was signifi- cant that he took the responsibility of moving in this direction. The discussion and vote which followed showed that in this action he fairly reflected the mind of the majority of the representatives from the section of the (Church in w'hich he dwelt. Rev. Dr. Topp, of Toronto, ex-Moderator of the Assembly, moved in amendment to the effect that Mr. Macdonnell's statement be not deemed sufficient, but that he be reijuired to give in writing, by a fixed day, " a categorical answer " to the (juestion whether he accepted the teaching of the Church on the subject under consideration. Then a debate followed which generated more heat than had been exhibited in the discussions of the previous year. It took a wide range, but was mainly THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 12.S \\\<r in this 111 t'oUo^vt!«l 1 the \nn\d the section (K'votcil to Hubonlinnte ])oints wliieli, tltou^li im- portant ccelesinsticully ('oiisidci'cd, w»'r(! not ol' iiiucli interest to the <^eni'ral puhlie.and so a ylance at them must suffice here. A little bree/e arose over thr drclaration that the members of tlie Assembly "were chosen with a view to the settlement of this case " — a declaration which was employed as an ar<;ument in favom- of a particu- lar course of action. It was an unfortunate plea, and speakers on the other side were not slow to protest a<rain.st it, contendino; that it was contrai'v to the spirit of the Church's constitution, w'lich assunied that those char<^ed with conducting" the business of the Assembly came to it with unbiassed minds, free to deal with all questions arisinj^ in it according" to the lif^dit God was pleased to •.(ivi to its deliberations. Then, objection was taken to Dr. McGre^(3r's motion, that in proposiuf^ toleration of Mr. Ahicdonnell's state of mind he was virtually laying down a new term of ministerial communion. This as.sertion brouiiht forth the retort that the Assembly's resolution of LSTO, in prescribing that the doctrine in (piestion is one "which every minister of this Church nnist hold and teach, " trenched upon the right of ministers to select the topics on which they are to preach in an unheard-of manner. But the point which consumed most time was one raised by Professor Mackerras, then Joint-Clerk of the Assembly, and one of Mr. Macdonnell's warmest per- sonal friends, namely, that the Assembly, in dealing with the matter, could not iro beyond the staire which tid ll 1 !|; i' 11 ! :i; ! ! ■ I ',1,1; '■ ,! i M 1 ' t 1 li II i i 1 1 124 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. the case liad readied in the Presbytery of Toronto when it was referred to the Assembly ; whereas Dr. Topp's motion involved proceeding a step further. He and others contended that the point before this Assembly was the giving advice to the Presbytery of Toronto whether there was ground for further dealing with Mr. Macdonnell in the statements which he had submitted to that court, as the majority of the Presby- tery held there was, or whether the situation justified the Presbytery in dropping the case, as the minority felt. The advice being given, according to Professor Mackerras' view the matter went back to be dealt with by the Presbytery. In opposition to this, it was argued that the Assembly had full powers to go on with the case until it was finally issued. Mr. Mac- donnell was aware that the practice of the Church of Scotland, at least, was as Professor Mackerras had defined it, and hence the persistency with which lie demanded that the Assembly send the case back to the Presbyter}', with instructions to serve him with a libel, if there was to be dealing with him at all. He made this demand afresh, when Dr. Topp's motion was carried over Dr. McGregor's by a majority of 174 to 82. P^xcept in putting forth this claim, Mr. Macdonnell had remained silent throughout the sittings of this Assembly, but he has left a brief diary, which shows that he was a keen observer of all that took place. It was on a Saturday that Dr. Topp's motion was carried, and as it re([uired Mr. Macdonnell to give in a written answer on Monday morning, it was an I THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 125 anxious Sabbath which intervened for many besides Mr. Macdonnell. But his course was clear to his own mind. He Jiad intimate<l by wortl of mouth, inime- diatt'lv the vote was taken on Satunhiv, tliat he would answer in writing on Monday, and lie adhered to his statement, to the efi'ect that he had " already given an answer to the ([uestion as categorical as a minister within the Church, who has declared his adherence to the Confession of Faith, and who still adheres to it, can fairly or constitutionally ])e re- ([uired to give, on a point on which he is confessedly in ditliculty." A motion was made and carried, that this reply be printed and taken into consideration next morning, the mover giving notice that lie would then be pre- pared to offer a resolution that Mr. Macdonnell's wish in the matter of a libel be complied with. Principal Caven, however, who all through the discussions of both assemblies had set himself resolutelv !i<rainst extreme measures, and ha<l time and again declared that he for one would never vote to sus})end a man because he felt doubts, unless those doubts amounted to a denial of the truth, deprecated the committing of the Assembly in any measui-e at this stage to a final course of action, as he hoped by (lod's Idessing that the House would be al)le N'et to roach a satisfac- toiy conclusi(3n in another way. When the hour for resuming consideration of the (piestion arrived next day, the member did move, iKjtwithstanding, in the direction indicated, in sub- stance that the Presbytery of Toionto be instructed i • \im 1 ■"'^'l 1 '■? ' i ' ■»'-'-f< 1 ','. S ; {■ '< W'il m \ m 1 • i s r . S^ 1' V 'Ui* ^:: v,i ; '. n. , m \ •'■■ \ ! t- s !iU' \ ■ H\ II! f 126 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. I. i| ill to servo a libel upon Mr. Macdonnell, but before finally isKuinj^ the ease to report their findinj^ to next Assembly. There was, however, a clau.se in the reso- lution (leclarinjjj that though this step was taken, it was not because it was not open to the Assembly itself to proceed to deal with the case. Foreseeing that by affirming this principle there was danger of the Assembly's striking a snag, Pro- fessor McKnight moved that the resolution be amended by deleting this clause, which was unneces- sary, as well as of a contentious character. As Professor Mackerras had previously pointed out, the Church of Scotland has always held that the General Assembly, as a commissioned body, so far as discipline is concerned, is not a court of first re.sort, but only a court of appeal, the Barrier Act having been passed specially with a view to guarding the rights of presbyteries. A warm debate had already set in bearing on this point, when Rev. Dr. Cochrane, of Brantford, who had throughout stood courageously by Mr. Macdonnell, and who, in spite of the failure of the attempts hitherto made to adjust the difficulty, did not altogether despair of the possilnlity of yet securing a satisfactoiy settlement by the Assembly, moved an amendment to the amendment, that " a connnittee be appointed to meet and deliberate, with the view of presenting a basis for a satisfactory ad- justment of the case, and that tlie debate be in the meantime suspended." Cries came at once from all parts of the house that it would only be a waste of time to send the matter THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 127 imcces- to a committee again. However, those who had labounMl on former committees were far froin think- ing tliat the time spent in tliem was altogctlier lost. They liad already helped to a better understanding of tlie case. Then, every o\m foresaw how dithcult it would be to frame a libel against a man who did not deny any of the doctrines of the Confession. And so aeutelv serious was the stage which the business had reached, that the majority of the Assend)ly concluded (hat it would be well to make one effort more before a tinal course of procedure was resolved on. Among those supporting the motion for a connnittee was Rev. Dr. Jenkins, of St. Paul's Church, Montreal, who tlu'U for the first time appeared on the scene, not having been present at Toronto in 187G, through absence from the country. The motion was carried, a committee on which all the views prevailing in the Assembly were represented was appointed, and Dr. Jenkins, whose diplomatic skill and address admirably (pialified him for the position, was named its chairman. When the Committee met, the chairman suggested tliat in the first place a formula should be drawn up sneh as in the judgment of the Connnittee would satisfy the Assembly, and then this might V)e sub- mitted to Mr. Macdonnell for his consideration. Three drafts of resolutions were finally made, any of which that Mr. Macdonnell might prefer would be probably acceptable to the Assembly. Then a sub-committee waited on I\Ir. Macdonnell and asked him if he could sign any of the resolutions I: -vm IhW- !t I ^r B I I 128 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. drafted by the Committee. He immediately replied, " I can without the slightest hesitation sign all three." When the sub-committee reported tliis answer to the full committee, there were shouts of approval and clapping of hands. Then the Connnittee selected the statement tliey preferred, and Mr, Macdonnell signed it. This being done, the Committee re-entered the Assembly in a body, with the convener leading the way, amid silence which was thrilling and anxiety which was profound. When Dr. Jenkins read the report there followed such a scene of excitement as has been seldom witnessed in a church court. The cheers were overwhelming, and none were heartier than those which came from the representatives of the Presbytery of Toronto. After ]3r. Topp, Dr. McGregor and Dr. Cook had expressed briefly their joy at the happy termination uf the tribulation tlirough which the Church had been passing, the motion to adopt the report was put and carried unanimously by a standing vote. It was as follows : " That Mr. Macdonnell, in intimating in his last statement to the General Assembly his adherence to the Confession of Faith, intends to be understood as saying,— " ' I consider myself as under subscription to the Confession of Faith in accordance with my ordination vows, and I therefore adliere to the teaching of the Church as contained therein on the doctrine of the eternity or endless duration of the future punishment THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 129 epUed, three." to the al aiifl (elected donnell red the ling the anxiety read tVie 'inent as irt. The lieartier tativcs oi look had mination urch had t was put It was n his last herence to Hcrstood as 1 # of the wicked, notwithstanding doubts or difficulties wliich perplex my mind.' "Tlie Committee, therefore, unanimously recommend that this statement be accepted as satisfactory, and tliat furtlier proceedings be dropped." Tlie Moderator, Rev. Dr. McLeod, of Cape Breton, asked tlie Assembly to sing three stanzas of the 122nd Psj^lm : " Pray that Jerusalem may have Peace and felicity ; Let them that love thee and thy peace Have still prosperity. " Therefore I wish that peace may still Within thy walls remain, And ever may thy palaces Prosperity retain. " Now, for my friends' and brethren's sakca Peace be in thee, I'll say ; And for the house of God our Lord, I'll seek thy good alway." These words were sung with a feeling and energy not common even in Presbyterijin assemblies. Then Rev. Robert Sedgwick, of Mus(i[UO(loboit, was requested to lead in prayer. Many of tlie members were already weeping tears of joy, and while the " old man elo- ([uent" offered up thanks to God for His great mercy in extricating the Church from the great difficulties by wliich it had been surrounded, and implored a continuance of the divine favour on the work of the Assembly, there was scarcely a dry eye in the audi- 10 ifl '< Hi i.i ,r , '■! f LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. ence. The entire scene — the applause which greeted the Committee's report, tlie outburst of praise in the Psahn, the manifest emotion svvayintr the Assembly during the prayer, and tlie beaming countenances and vigorous handshaking at the close of the diet, all told how deep was the feeling and how great was the joy at the happy conclusion reached. But while there was this general jubilation, Mr. Macdonnell's diary and letters show that his old " fastidiousness of conscience " was causing him a slight uneasiness as he revolved the ({uestion whether the Assembly had not read into the resolution more than he intended by it. The resolution passed ex- pressed truthfully his attitude in the premises, but he feared lest any one should think that his views had undergone a change when they had not. This was sufficient at least to prevent his sharing in the exuberance of feeling manifest on all hands. At the same time he was very grateful that his brethren were prepared to trust him, and he kept faith with them in this matter scrupulously. Whatever diffi- culties he had on the subject, they were never allowed to give colour to an utterance in his public ministry. The Church was wisely led, and escaped with credit from a perilous situation. The carrying of Dr. Topp's motion made it easier for the Assembly at last to find terms on which it would be satisfied to tolerate Mr. Macdonnell's state of mind. Considerable alarm had been excited in portions of the Church, threaten- ing serious consequences. It was important that the THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 131 '■m on, Mr. his old him a whether on more Lssed ex- iiiseH, but his views ). ath credit |Dr. Topp's 1 at last to I to tolerate Lble alarm \ threaten- tt tUat the f('elinf( of apprehension as to the general soundness ill tlie faitli of the united Clnu'ch should be allayetl. The conferences, debates, and votes taken togetlier satisfied every one that there was no spirit of heresy ill tlie air. The orthodoxy of the Church having been vindicated, the Assembly could now att'ord to put a generous construction on Mr. Macdonnell's words ; and tin; weighty influence which the conti- dcnee of the Church enabled I^rinci})al Caven to wield, was manifestly felt in the conclusion arrived at, as his moderation of view and keen ap})reciation of the highly toned spirit of his co-prosbyter had been apparent throughout the discussions. 'i'hus were avoided the necessity of the Assembly's coming to a finding on the constitutional point in- volved in the motion and amendment before it, and the possibility of the Presbyterian Church in Canada having to face some ugly (luestions looming over the horizon, which had troubled churches in Scotland, arising from the strain put upon their constitutions. The case subjected the recent union of the churches to a severe test, but it stood the ordeal well. For- tunately the speaking and voting, as the case pro- gressed, were less and less determined by old lines of cleavage ; and the conflict of opinion, occurring thus early, dangerous though it at one time seemed, proved in the long run for the welfare of the Church. Hretliren, hitherto comparative strangers, came to know each other well, in the candour of speech and closeness ami freedom of intercourse which the handling of the case occasioned ; and henceforth they ;p- i *0 n i ':'•■. f - If i ■ 1 1 i 1 ihi! I l.t 132 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. did not need to speak in each other's presence with bated breath. Like a newly married couple after their first quarrel, they had found out the worst to be known about each other, and the result has been the wholesome freedom of discussion which has char- acterized the deliberations of the Assembly ever since to the manifest advantage of the Church and country. There is a principle in the mental domain not unlike that of the safety-valve in physics. Compression of thought is apt to find vent for itself in revolt ; but when the mind is free to work there is less tendency to license. The fair treatment accorded to Mr. Mac- donnell in the terms of settlement, far from leading to a proneness to heterodoxy, has rather made for the health and peace of the Church, which, for the twenty years since has been singularly free from dis(][uieting agitations. Out of the trial the Presbyterian Church in Canada emerged stronger. There was born of the tribulation a larger view. The pleas for a wider out- look, even if they were combated and outvoted, were not urged in vain. They have told upon the general spirit of the Church ever since. And the throes of the two years' trial begot a new ministry in St. Andrew's Church. A tender pathos was lent to it by the lowly suffering passed through. Even in the days of his Peterboro' ministry, he had sought relief from mental uneasiness by an increased pastoral activity, embodying the Lord's principle, " If any man will do his will, he shall know the doctrine " — a favourite maxim with him. THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 133 From 1877 onwards, it is safe to say that there was no personality in the circle of the Presbyterian min- istry more interesting to the Church at large. He was looked upon as the spiritual son of the whole Church, for had it not travailed laboriously to give him birth into that life of comparative spiritual quietude wliich he was to enjoy, in spite of any doubt or ditfi- eulty that might still lurk in some corner of his mind ? His uprightness of conscience and truth-loving spirit liad drawn every heart to him ; and so established was he in the loving regard of all his brethren, that he afterwards occupied a high vantage ground for that noble service which it was given him to render to tlie Church, thus recompensing it for the confidence it had reposed in him. Newspaper men have claimed that it was tlie her- etical sermon that made Mr. Macdonnell known as a preacher. But that is an utter mistake. It would, per- haps, be nearer the truth to .say that it was because he was already a well-known preacher that so much atten- tion was paid to that sermon by the newspapers. Be that as it may, there can be no doubt that during the progress of the case, and for some time afterwards, many were attracted to St. Andrew's Church on account of his supposed liberal views, and this wrought to the spiritual profit of multitudes of unbe- lievers. Doubters of all kinds and degrees flocked to hear him, perhaps expecting to be made self-compla- cent in their scepticism : but they were so won upon by the thrilling tones of the ministry of reconciliation ■■Up ■ill '111 . '> 11 m n m 'M ; 1 i t ;!! ■] in I \m. Mil 1 ■» iM ^nB|j ; ! ■Mhh t ■IfflB ■ w IM 1 . fl ffl :' I w> . \ ' 1 f» '■' I f W' 1 ^Hlf t fflf ^ ? 'fli !', ^K 1 ■ i I 1 1, 1 i 1 ; wH' < f- ^■1 \ 1 1 1 J !'. 'm 11' 134 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. to which they had to listen, that they often went away from tlie church men of a different spirit from what they had been when they entered it — went away to come back again as often as tliey could. So far was that from coming to pass which was foretoM as sure to happen, if Mr. Macdonnell witli his <loul)ts was siiffered to continue in the ministry of the Presby- terian Church, namely, the growtli of a sceptical spirit within the scope of his ministry, tliat he became the spiritual father of innumerable doubters. The anguish of soul which he had known during his years of trial qualified him in an eminent degree for a ministry of helpfulness to troubled minds. Young men especially, who were in any way perplexed, instinctively sought his counsel ; and he patiently and sympathetically laboured and prayed with them, leading them away from their difficulties to the lovinof heart of Jesus, about which there could be no doubt. Whatever of difficulty remained in his own case he relegated to the region of mj^stery, content to wait until the clouds rolled by. Nothing showed more con- clusively the comprehensiveness and wholesomeness of his mind than that he did not allow himself to be seduced into giving prominence to the particular set of views by which he was differentiated from his brethren, as has been the case with many. The con- fidence of the Church helped to save him from the temptation which would have surrounded him had he been driven out of it, to emphasize his doubts and so justify his position. His ministry was therefore a full-orbed one. He rightly divided the Word of ■I i'!! THE ECCLESIASTICAL TRIAL. 135 trutli. Ill-doers, the vicious and unrii^hteous, made a threat mistake if they sought encouragement in their wrong courses from his ministry ; they were driven rather hy its earnest pleadings to flee from the wrath to come. Here ends the most stirring passage in the life of this servant of (iod, and one of the most important chapters in the history of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. -i! it 1 HI. 1 1 Iri 1 r ! J • ■ |bKs r 136 LIFE OP D. J. MACDONNELL. CHAPTER XIII. St/XSHINE IN THE STORM. ^ The year and a half from the end of 1875 till the summer of 1877 was a period of intense occupation to Mr. Macdonnell. The constant correspondence and discussion upon the burning question of the time, along with his unrelaxing devotion to his people, then in a transition state in more than one sense, made for him a busy life. To (juote from Dr. Campbell in the last chapter, " What he needed was mental repose." Happily there was a season of calm and sunshine in the very midst of the storm. Mrs. Campbell thus writes : "Through all the stress and buffeting of the tempestuous debate in the Assembly, the wear and tear of heart and brain in committee, the plaudits of those who defended his position, and the harshness of those who condemned it, the earnest sympathy (.f 1^ wife had been to him a perpetual solace, she thought as he did about the subject un r dis- cussion. About this, and some other things, they thought very differently, but no matter of opinion ever made a moment's discord in that happy house- SUNSHINE IN THE STORM. 137 )f the IV and lits of Uess o^' i..f !• dis- Lhe-v Ipinioii house- hold. The union between them was founded on a Hrmer basis than any mere uniformity of opinion. " No sooner was the case suspended for another year by the Assembly of June, LSTG, than they sought refu<^e together in a voyage to the fatherland. We can imagine the delight with which they wandijred about Edinburgh and the Highlands, reviving mem- ories of past visits and renewing acquaintances with friends of long ago. " The chief point of attraction, however, was ( )rkney, the old home of the Logic family. Thither they went by boat from Leith by way of Aberdeen to Kirkwall. " ' I remember when we sailed From out that dreary Forth, And in the dull of morning hailed Tlie headlands of the north. Until we steered by Shapinsay And moored our bark in Kirkwall Bay. ' " Pencil notes of the trip contain hurried jottings from day to day of both the travellers. From these we learn of a rough night voyage, and of an enthusi- astic reception by a host of aunts and cousins when they arrive at daybreak on a dull morning early in July; of their delight in 'dear old Daisy bank' and its inmates; of their visits to places famous in the family history. Both are impressed by the peculiar bennty of Orcadian scenery and 'the wonderful charm of ; weird fcwilio-ht of this northern summer.' ■' sit m it' i': ! '■ '; i t i hit 1 ! } V ' : iiiJlH 138 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. " From letters written at the time we gather some idea of what this visit was to their friends in Orkney as well as to James and his wife, by whom it was pronounced ' three weeks of intense enjoyment.' A letter to Mrs. Smellie from one of her sisters, in August, 1870, thus describes a Sabbath in Kirkwall : ' James preached in the afternoon from John xiii. (Jesus washing the disciples' feet) — a lecture on the whole passage. . . . The church, which had been very full in the afternoon, was now (in the evening) crowded, and benches filled all the passages. The U. P. congregation have had the use of our church in the evenings while their own was under repair, and many of all congregations had crowded to hear James. His text was, " God forbid that I should glory," etc. E. says you know this earnest and beau tiful sermon. . . . They are all sermons I shall remember as long as I live. He brings the truth so home to one, and his prayers are equally beautiful. And to think it was the last ! The whole community has been delighted with his preaching.' " Happily it was not ' the last ' ; he was spared to preach frequently after this in the cathedral of St. Magnus, Kirkwall. Of this venerable building Mrs, Macdonnell wrote at the same time : ' It suited the romantic part of me exactly to think that we were worshipping in a building which must have been the wonder and pride of the simple natives six hundred years ago, and to wonder what kind of religion or superstition it was that induced people to spend such toil and trouble in erecting a monument of the kind in these remcte islands.' SUNSHINE IN THE STORM. 139 "Another of the aunts writing in 1870 says: 'I think no man ever came and carried every heart alonfj with him as James Macdonnell lias done . . . His preachintr lias, I believe, been most blessed in Kirkwall: the youno- seem especially roused by it. . . . His prayers, both in church and in family worship, seemed to bring us very near tin' gates of heaven. ... It is very delightful to feel that their visit has brought us all closer to our Saviour.' " In one of the letters there is a vivid picture of an evening gathering at the house of ])i". Logic (' Uncle James'). After describing particularly the groups of relatives, it goes on: 'James and Elizabeth sang several songs together, Elizabeth others alone — among thei!i, ■' Wha's at the Window ? " " Jock o' Hazeldeaii," etc., etc. E. seems much more like a younger sister who has been long away than like a niece, and, strange to say, James has taken (piite the same younger-brother position with us.' " One can read in these faded pencillings that he was iKjt less drawn towards these Scottish gentlemen of a type now fast passing away. Further on the same letter says : ' I feel I can never tell you how mucli I love these your children. E. is just our own dear child, and, dear as the child was, in every pos- sible way improved. Her vivid and tender' memories of the old days, and every person and incident con- m.'cted with them, bring her near to us all in a way that none of the other nieces, dear as they are, can a])proach to, for none of them knew papa and iiiainma, and our then unbroken home. ... I vl \\ if' If I '/■ 1 i: i It i :1 .1 Hi i ■], 140 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. thought they both looked like all the trial they had been passing through when first they came, and E.'s mind seemed constantly recurring to it; but I do think the change of scene and people did them good. James seemed to grow quite happy, and apparently light-hearted, and E. lost that patient, suffering look she had the first day or two.' " The same beloved aunt, writing retrospectively twenty years afterward (September, 1 890), speaks of the deep hold that James took on the affections of his wife's relatives, old and young, on every visit ; he so thci'oughly made himself one with all the inter- ests, joys, sorrows, cares or amusements of all. I remember when we heard first of their coming in 187G, the feeling some of us had was, that it was unfortunate that E. should bring her husband here for a first visit, when under some difficulty with his Church, or Presbytery, we did not fully know what ; but he had not been three days among us when one and all felt, ' If that man's views are questioned we would all wish to be like him.' As you know, it was when heavy bereavement had darkened two of our households, and his sympathy was heartfelt and sweet with us, wliile the lieartiness with which he entered into all the amusements of his young cousins endeared him to them all. I well remember the delight with which his second visit, in 1881, was hailed. While the aunts looked forward with joy to seeing dear E. again, all the young cousins longed to see James and hear him preach, and all were sad for him when it was known that he had just passed I M SUNSHINE IN THE STORM. 141 through a heavy trial in the deatli of liis mother. It was then that his unselfishness came out so wonder- fully, in the way he could put aside his own sorrow to enter into the holiday plays of the young people. When in 1882 he came to Edinburgh in bad health, again there was a gathering around him of cousins, who had removed to Edinburgh, and who just claimed liim as their own. ... " I have now before me James' last letter to me (19th August, 1898), from Cap-ti-L'Aigle, when with Mrs. Campbell, on a delightful holiday. After telling of a charming French settlement he had visited the last words are: 'If I live till 189G, and have money enough, we may go again to revel in your Orcadian ])aradise. But one comes to niake all plans with greater heed to the I).V., and to accept the U})setting of them with the assurance that our heavenly Father knows best.' How characteristic of the man is this spirit of serene compliance with the Divine will in all things ! " Returning to the pencilled notes, we trace the return journey by Aberdeen, where, at the West Church on a Sabbath morning, ' at the second sing- ing came the beadle : 'Are you a minister ? " ' Yes." " Tliere is a congregation in the John Knox Chapel and no minister to preach to them." There was no lu.'lp for it — walked a mile — drove the people, who were dispersing, back into church, and preached to tliem. Heard Cowan (now Professor Cowan, of Aberdeen) in the evening at Queen's Cross. Went huiiie with him after service.' i- I H l^i iH!l ■ HI i. t , ii ! ! ■ il ■ i : 1. 1 ; y il ih 1 T 142 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. " From Aberdeen they go to Crathie with Canadian friends, tlie Mathiesons of Hamilton, in company with whom, and witli Professor Black, James' companion in Switzerland ten years before, they see all the beauties of Deeside. From the hills behind Crathie Cottage where the Blacks were staying, 'a superb view of the whole Crathie valley, the Dee wandering about among the birch-clad banks, Balmoral Castle immediately below us, range behind range of hills capped by Lochnagar with streaks of snow in its hollows, though to-day we have almost Canadian heat.' Thence they went by Inverness and the Cale- donian Canal to Oban — the whole route most sugges- tive to minds stored with Scottish romance and history. A day is spent in visiting StafFa and lona, with keenest eyes for the pictures! pie and historical. Then they journey to Glasgow by the Crinan Canal, ' much surprised to find Mr. Michie and the Georges at Tigh-na-bruach, who accompanied us to Rothesay.' . . . Next they are in London, seeing and learning, and several pages are full of Westminster alone, which they feel ' one could only enjoy by sitting down in one spot for hours and thinking and reading.' " Part of their plan had been to go to Switzerland, with their dear frie: d, James Michie, but this proved impracticable as we find from this entry: 'August 28rd, gave up Switzerland for want of time, and decided on the Lake Country instead.' Here their delight in nature found amplest gratification, the only regret being the brief time they could spare to spend in this loveliest corner of England. SUNSHINE IN THE STORM. 143 " How rich in memories of Britain's gifted sons was this iiome of Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Cliristopher North ! How full of suggestion is the mere list of niiines in the old note-book, Windermere and Ulls- wnter, Ambleside, and Derwentwater, Grassmere and Hydal Mount ! What pilgrim to this classic region does not share their enjoyment of the coach ride to Keswick, their enthusiasm over the 'exquisite view over tlie valley of Grassmere, from the hill up which tlu! gentlemen were asked to walk.' They have an early tea at the ' Royal Oak,' and ' climb afterwards to a peak above the town called Castle Hill, and are alnmdantly rewarded by the view of the whole lake witli its islands, Skiddaw keeping guard at one end, and a whole s(iuad of sentinels looking over each other's shoulders at the other.' " But time passes and they must away ; so, leaving I'eliictantlv the ' infinite enchantment ' of mountain and fell and wood-fringed lake, they hasten, vm Carlisle, to Melrose and the valley of the Tweed, 'i'liey 'explore the exquisite ruins with great delight,' cliiult one of the Eildon Hills, gather a belated sprig of the ' bi'ooni o' the Cowdenknowes,' and with regretful thoughts of all that nmst be left unvisited, pass on to Edinburgh. Here friends await them, and a party is formed with whom they spend the day in seeing the Trossachs and Loch Katrine, ' taking the "Lady of the Lake" as guide-book for almost every step of the way.' They were fortunate in having sunshine to light up the Trossachs' ' rugged jaws ' and ' deep defile,' and gleam on ' Katrine's Loch and Lsle,' -i M \m l(:fi^ \-.m i ' i^i ■pi-. n li an i ■ 1 f M 1 144 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. though Ben Lomond kept his head wrapped in a cloud, and they reached Edinburgh late in the evening feeling that one day was far too short for all that had been crowded into it. A few hurried jottings refer to a few days among friends in Glasgow, thus : ' Dined at Grant's (Rev. Charles M. Grant, then of Partick) with Caie (Rev. George J. Caie, now of Forfar, a former fellow-student), and Galloway, Grant's assistant.' Next day, they went ' With Grant and Caie to Paisley. Lunclied with Finlay McDonald, McKenzie of the Gaelic Church, and R. Cameron there, and all had a game of golf in the afternoon' — all fellow-students of a few years before, and nearly all colonials whose capacity ''or enjoying was ' touched with no ascetic gloom.' A * red letter ' day this must indeed have been ! " With liearts full of thankfulness for all the kind- ness they had received and the pleasures they had shared, they rejoined their friend Mr. Michie and his party on the return voyage." We may well believe that these visits to Britain were not only occasions of great enjoyment to Mr. and Mrs. Macdonnell, but that they were also not without a certain permanent influence on the tone and tempei*- of tlieir lives. Our readers must there- fore regard them as having a special biographical value. The foregoing detailed description will serve as an accompaniment to the accounts of the later visits. But this journey of 1876 has besides for Mr. Macdonnell a significance all its own. The notes of sermons, and the written-out prayers of the ensuing SUNSHINE IN THE STORM. 145 f 11 antunin and winter, reveal a zeal for loving service, and at the same time a joy in his work which are both amazing and delightful. And when one reflects on tlie bearing of the man during the remaining months of the " trial," one may almost fancy that some of the sweetness and brightness of those sum- mer days in the Orkneys had been transfused with his spirit. ,\t'\ h: .<\i .u\ I tf-T n i ' ! 1 * ' 11 ^1 ' 1 i\\^< ill m i\ f > if ' f 1 ji ■! i; 1 , 1 1 ! l\ • 146 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. CHAPTER XIV. "GOLD TRIED IX THE FIREr The interest in the " trial " phase of Mr. Macdon- nell's life is twofold. On the one hand, the " case " is of interest from the ecclesiastical and theological side, on the other, we are interested in the man, how he bore the inward trial, what was its effect upon his temper and life purpose, how the mental struggle comported with his moral and spiritual make-up, and how it bore upon his intellectual and religious development. On the first-named point, as supple- menting what Dr. Campbell has already said. Rev. Prof. Gordon, of Halifax, speaks with intimate know- ledge and sympathy in a letter written on January 27th, 1897 : " You ask me for any details I can give you about the effect wrought upon our dear friend Macdonnell, by his experience of 1875-77. Nothing in all my knowledge of him — except his bearing after the death of his wife — more clearly revealed to me his growing likeness to Christ. " During the earlier discussions of his case — for instance, at the Assembly of '70 — I felt Qonfident "GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE." 147 acdon- ' case " [logical n, how 3on his trugglti ike-up, igious upple- U, Rev. know- anuary about lonnell, jail luy death L-owing he — for lifident that many of those opposed to him very seriously mis- understood him. He was so intensely candid, so unwilling to conceal any opinion in which he might (liti'cr from the accepted views of the Church, or any doubts he might have regarding those views, that, in stating his own position, he really tended to exagger- ate his divergence from his brethr.en. Any of us who knew him intimately and had talked over such matters with him in the confidence of his own study, recognized this when he appeared before the Assembly upon that occasion. Of course, we admired and loved liiui all the more for his splendid and fearless candour, but yet we felt persuaded that those who did not know him might seriously misjudge him even by his own statements, because he failed to balance them l)y other statements which might have been truthfully presented. It only recjuired that the man should be In'tter known in order to his acquittal of any heresy, and that fuller knowledije of him came in time to secure a wise decision from the Church. " To his keenly sensitive spirit it was a time of sore trial and strain. Most men of impulsive temperament might make some sharp criticism under such circum- stances ; but I never knew him, even in the utmost frankness of private conversation, to utter a single word of bitterness ajjainst a brother minister. He knew that he was loyal to his own vision of the truth, and in this, as in all else in which I knew him, it seemed as if his one controllinef desire was to be true and close to Christ. " As regards the effect of that trying experience m i, I il :\ i i ' 'I ii • m Mr !»■ i'il 11 ! ? I i < 1 i 1 ' r 148 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. upon hiin, I think it led him to recognize more clearly than ever that, as Christ's messenger, he had a message to proclaim to his fellow-men. Preaching was no official task to him, l»ut the work of one in whom the Word of the Lord burne<l as a fire in his hones. I suppose this would have been increasingly characteristic of him in any case; but I have thought that the unsought prominence given to him increased this conviction, deepening his sense of responsibility as a minister of Christ. At any rate it became more plainly manifest to his friends that the later years of his ministry were marked by a growing fervour and a more passionate service as if his intense nature was more steadily at a white heat. " At the same time the love of Christ was not only thus constraining him to the furthest effort, it was also ripening his love and fellowship toward all who are united by the bond of life in Christ. Perhaps this, too, may have been intensified by his experience during that anxious time when his name had such unwelcome publicity. He knew more than many how hard it is to get an unclouded vision of the truth, and therefore he could bear a larger sympathy than most of us with those who differ from him. He had been trying to see what was truly essential, so that he might, at all costs, proclaim it, and therefore his heart went out ill fellowship toward all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. His loyal effort to walk always in the light of Christ quickened alike his sor- row and his helpfulness toward those that knew not Christ and his gladness of welcon^e to all that named "GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE." 149 His name. And so, in growing measure, the spirit of Ills later years was tliat of the loving and beloved disciple, 'If we walk in the light, as He is in the liglit^ we liave fellowsliip one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.' " Happily there has also been preserved a record in his own words of the attitude which he assumed toward the case at the very moment when it was made known to him that a process was to be entered on account of his obnoxious sermon. It occurs in a letter to his wife of Sunday, October 24th, 1875, she being then in Fergus : " . . . sorry not to get a note posted for you yesterday at three o'clock, but I suppose you would not have got it a great deal sooner than you will get this. Anyway it could not have given you the news which I got last even- ing when I came in to tea, namely, that a meeting of Presbytery is to be held on the 4th November (Thursday). . . . The circular calling the meet- ing has not yet been issued. Dr. Topp has received a ' requisition ' to call the meeting." He then tells how some leading members of the congregation were proposing to vote St. Andrew's out of the Union, in tlie event of any trouble being made, adding: " Even if the worst comes to the worst, I feel for the present inclined to stand or fall as a minister of the Presby- terian Church in Canada. " You may believe that I am in perplexity and trouble. Of course, I do not question the Presbytery's right to deal with me, and, I suppose, I must admit that I have given them abundant cause. I know you jj .;.. I !^ r,: m I ! r I i '^ it I ■ ; : s J 1 ,, • , . i '■ ] ! M . i ; ) 150 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. will pray for me that I may V)e enabled to do exactly what is right, and may not be allowed to stiek to a wrong position, if it is wrong, simply out of regard for consistency, or out of pride ; and on the other hand, may not be frightened into any tampering with my own conscientious convictions simply by the fear of consequences. I have not time to write more. I do love the Master, and I do love the truth ; but I know that the love needs much quickening and purifying. , . . " I have been a good deal driven, and now I must prepare for the evening. It is five p.m. I had a large Bible class this afternoon. There was a fuller church than usual this morning — curiosity, I suppose. Well, they heard nothing bearing on the matter under discussion. I expounded Rom. vii. 7-25. " Kiss my dear wee boy and tell him how much I love you both." Another letter to her, written the next day (Octo- ber 25th), may also in large part be given. It may reveal to those who knew Macdonnell but slightly or not at all, the main secret of his greatness of soul — how his sublime unselfishness and love of men made him rise above the smaller issues of his own sore impending trial, and brought him into the inspiring and strength-giving atmosphere of the divine fellow- ship: " I wish I could be with you to-night to share the burden of your anxiety. Thank you, . . . for the sweet letter written yesterday. It is midnight, and I cannot write much. I have been busy enough "GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE." 151 all (lay. A <?reat part of the afternoon was taken up in talkin<( to . He is ^'oinj; to Gnelph and F< r<^UH to canvass for books for Lyon. Poor IV^llow ! He is in a stran»jje, hopeless state of mind, and I don't know how far he is given to drink. I lent him some money — for his brotlu-r's sake. He was at your f.itlicr's hous(!. and saw ^'our mother; I forget when. He may turn up again. H" any of you can take a kindly interest in him, he will be grateful, I hope. Of course, I don't know but he may spend all tliat money in drink. Should he make any application for money to vour father or to William, on the strength of his acquaintance with me, I think he ought to be refused. . . . He was in church yesterday morning and says that he was much impressed with the exposition of the 7th of Romans. At the same time he declares that there is no use in his trying to do right, that salvation is not for him. I (luoted, ' Him that cometh unto me,' etc. He objected that the context showed that he could not come; ' No man can come to me except the Father draw . . . him.' I replied, ' The Father is drawing you by His providence, by His Word, by your mother's counsels, etc., and you are resisting,' and so on. The last remark seemed to strike him. It is a sad case. I tried to compel him to admit that he alone was responsible, and neither God nor circum- stances, for his wrong-doing. " I have told you all this in case there should be any opportunity of influencing him. " Good-night ! Oh ! it is very precious to have your thorough confidence. My earnest wish is to ! i i;/ ;[ \'A' I I <! I ii ' n il ill! )■ :l h^ •It ii rv ! MM 152 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. I) \ I': ' n have the single eye that will seek God's glory and the good of the Church, but it is not easy to weigh things calinly with a trial in prospect." Such was the temper and spirit of the man at the beginning of his trial, and such it remained till the close. When all was over, in the summer of 1877, he returned to his work in St. Andrew's with zeal unabated and with a singleness of purpose less hampered by per- sonal distractions. His outlook for the future was now more clear and bright, as the clouds were dispersed which had for many long and anxious months been hanging over the horizon. Not that he had ever been daunted or dismayed. The mists that obscured his vision were only outward and earth-born, and in every cloud that rose before him there was a rift through whicii streamed an unfailing light from the divine source of truth, while the pure soul within kept the eye of faith steady and unabashed. Nor was there anything in the trying experiences of the time to dampen the ardour of his nature or to detract from his moral energy. To a man of faith and lofty purpose speculation may be both an athletic discipline and a spiritual tonic. The doubts of Mr. Macdonnell were not the outcome of a nerveless mind, of a mental strabismus, or of a lurking, self-deceptive sympathy with moral compromise or with abatement of the claims of truth. They sprang from the very passion for truth which was the most conspicuous attribute of his mind, from that love of justice which so signal- ized his practical interest in the life of the world above and below, and from his sympathy with the i "GOLD TRIKD IN THE FIIIE." 153 I' Til '"I Ission ibute jnal- 'orld the needs and claims of men whicli was the crown of liis moral nature. Hence they were in the highest degree wholesome and invigorating, and not to be exchanged for an unreasoning (|uiescent acceptance of every jot and tittle of the traditional forms of belief. Nor must we fancy that the trial through wdiich Mr. Macdonnell had just come was, as an inward ex- perience, a break in the tenor and current of his life. On the contrar}^ it may in this aspect be well regnrd.od as an incident It is strange that the " heresy trial " iius been so much dwelt upon as to have loomed more largely in many minds than all the rest of his great life put together. But, in fact, although this famous case formed externally a fixed term in his career, and so constituted an " epi.sode," it did not really mark an epoch in his inward life. Always independent and ])enetrating in thought, he could not adjust his think- ing to the manner or standard of any man or hody of men, and so no violent wrenching of his mental development was caused at any stage (jf the process. His utterances, which had roused opposition in the C'hurch, were in a certain sense casual and obiter di.vta. They were " nothinir sudden, nothiui; sinnfle." In substance and in ti eir causation, if not in form and expression, they were the resultant of that pon- dering upon the mysteries of the divine government and of human destiny, whieh was to him a life-lonof exercise as inevitable and natural as is the eao-le's darting glance over eartli and sea and sky, and its steady gaze into the face of the sun. The readers of this memorial sketch will therefore not be unpre- J : !,! n.; u \y w 154 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. paj'cd to find tliis .scarcliinfj after trutli, this pjraiid and lihoral discontent, to have been a leadin<^ motive in his life. To tliis C(jnstant but ever unsatisfied yearning for deeper and truer Ivnovvledge about (Jod and man, active work for the good of liis fellows was a needed check and counterpoise, a force that never ceased to operate and never failed to steady and control. Active work was, moreover, his highest delight, as the last letter (pioted above so touchingly betrays. rl, BUILDING UP ST. ANDREWS. 155 CHAPTER XV. f nuiLDixa ur ST axdricws. Thk coiim'Ciration of St. Andrew's was at this time just einer<fin(^ from the transition staj^e already do- scrihed. It was vii'tually a new community as com- pared with tlie St. Andrew's of old, its chief liid<s of coimection with tluf venerable past bein^ the ju'esence and influence of some of the mendjers of the ori<^inal settlement. It is interesting^ in reading over the con^'r(!gational reports to notice a^ain and a^^ain the names of those who, whether in the old church or in the new, gave of their faithful service to St. Andrew's and its work. Mi*. Macdorinell always felt l)ound by titiM peculiarly str(jn«( to his helpers in conj^refj^atioiial work. With him fidlowship was a word of dee|) and tender sij^nificance, oft(Mi on his lips, and standin;^ for much tluit was most precious to him in life. 1 will therefore be rendering a pious debt to his: memory as well as helpint^ to illustrate the histoiy of the congre- gation if I name some of those; who were identifi«!d with the St. Andrew's of that period. Mr. Archibald MacMurchy, already so prominent in our narrative, wa.s one of those who reluctantly witlulrew. An elder !' i I ( ; i. ! 1 t i } 1 i ■ I I ■i ■■ i i ' , i \ ' '■ 1 ' i i' i ' ■ : 1 , 11 Hi ,1 1 156 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. in the undivided eon<rro<ijation, he still remains an elder in Old St. Andrew's. Mr. A. F. McLean, of the old Church street congi'ej^ation, was soon elected to the eldership in Old St. Andrew's; but after a few- years he found it possible to sit a<^ain under Mr. Macdonnell's ministry, which, as elder, session-clerk, and trusted counsellor, lie did his part to sustain and cheer. Of those who were active in the enterprise which led to the new St. Andrew's, two names mir^ht be singled out for special mention, those of Mr. James Michie and Mr. William Mitchell. Of Mr. Mitchell's untiring labours in behalf of St. Andi-ew's Church it is impossible to speak too highly. As session- clerk during the greater portion of Mr. Macdonnell's min- istry, and as secretary of the Board of Managers for about thirty years, as Superintendent of the Sunday school and as leader of the choii', he gave of time and service to the interests of his beloved church and minister without stint or restr.oint, and it was no common bond of attachment that was severed when in Ls9l he was obliged, on account of his re7noval to Cobourg, to cease from active participation in the work which was one of the main avocations of hi'^ life. Mr. Michie also is deserving of much more than a passing mention in any account of the history of St- Andrew's. He was a man of singular large-hearted- ness and full of good works, and no man in Canada has left behind him a more fragrant memory. Born in Aberdeenshire in 1828, he moved to Canada in the spring of 1840. In 18G1 he was apponited one of BUILDING UP ST. ANDREW'S. 157 w ^ 1' 1 i i 1 and 'as no when al to the of hi« than a of St- artcd- !anada Born in the )ne of I tlie nianaijers of St. An(h"ew'.s, a position lie filled until his death. He was tlu' Iradiiif^ spirit in tlie mox^'iiient which led to the erection of the new church edifice at the corner of Kin;^ an<l Simcoe streets. As chairman of the Finance Coniniittee and treasurer of the lUiildintjj Fund, he ((ave himself so wholly to the task of manat^^ement and supervision that it was said of him <lurine- the time of the huildinu' that "he lived at the corner of Kini>- and Simcoe sti'eets." As a ])rincely ^is-er alone he would deserve the lifrateful remend)rance of all friends of St. Andi But th )f )t th money was ^riTtest of his services. Nothin<; that concerned the contrreixation was v.ithont intei-est to him. But above all, the personal (jualities of the man, his rare sim- plicity and geniality, his disinterested bene\olence, his helpfulness toward every <,^ood cause, and !;is kindly interest in the poor and the strug,<^lin<^ and the stranger made his comparatively hi'ief life a blessing to the Church and the city. Surrounded by such friends and helpers, and sup- ported l)y the enthusiastic attachment of his congre- gation, the young minister returned to his work more earnest and devoted than ever. Th(' rapid growtli of the congregation at tliis |icri()d was of itself an inspii'ation. On the com- nnniion of May LSth, LS77. the last l)efore the close of the case before the Assend)ly, ninety-ti\e were added to the list of members — forty-eight of them by pi'o- fession of faith. 'J'lu; largeness of the accession " l)y (•'■rtiticate "' w.is an additional esido, ice oi" his jiopu- m 1 : I i i 1 158 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNKLL. larity. Doubtless the synipatliy fcdt for him as the sul)ject of a notal>le ecclesiastical trial had something to do with the expansion of St. Andrew's. The writer renieni})ers liearing in a distant part of the Domin- ion of the crowded services of a congregation then b(!Coming famous far and wide. The conunents were usually to the effect that heresy was always popular, and that the interest in Mr. Macdonnell's ])reaching would soon subside. 'J1ie secjuel disproved this fore- cast, apparently so sagacious and in harmony with notorious pi'ecedent. The reason why the accession was solid and lastinL*: is ".^self suijfo'estive of one of the most striking and memoiable features of Ins character. 'J'houghtful, earnest uum came to him and stayed with liirn because they had marked his ])eai'ing during his trial, his cliivalrous fairness, his generosity, his nobl(^ disdain of petty defences. They also noted that during that season of stern probation his own cause did not pre-occupy him, that it did not modify his thinking or colour his language, that still and always 1 heart was " at leisure from itself to soothe and sympathize"; that his preaching, too, was constantly bent to reach the deepest needs of men's souls, apart from any speculations of his own. This year (1877) was one of the busiest, as it w^as one of the most important, of his life. In addition to his pulpit duties, the pastoral visitation and his large correspondence woulil alone have; demanded nearly all his time. In one busy day, for example, he notes that he made ten calls and wrote eight letters. His (Uuies as visitor and trusted counsellor for the House N BUILDING UP ST. ANDREWS. 150 It was lion to lar^.!;e learly notes His Louse of Industry wore kept up zealously till near the close ol' liis life. Doubtless his preachint^ derived much of its practical and sympathetic character from this and kindred eni])loyments, l)ut they made a heavy demand upon the time of a man with whom the eager assump- tion of new ohligations seemed to be an additional motive ior tlu^ faithful performance of the old, too exacting as those often already were. During these years he was constantly called upon for missionary addresses in and out of the city. He also lectured very frecjuently at various places, large and small. In l)eeend)er, 1<S77, lu; notes twenty-five invitfitions for lecturing. Almost to the close of his life lie often ])reached three times on Sunday. Of the second ser- vice his own congregation and outside friends usually knew nothing. He was, indeed, living at fever heat; and at this date he had not learned the necessity of an unbroken sunnner vacation. Ak)ng with these pressing puljlic avocations much w as going on that drew out the tender and sympa- thetic side of our friend's nature. The confidence and attachment of liis people during his time of trial touched him deeply, and these were years of especially warm intercourse between pastor and congi-egation. Sornnv of a personal sort also entere'd his home. Mrs. Macdonnell s brother, James SmoUie, after a lingering ilhiess, died on November .22nd, 1877, and the grief of the household at Fergus, to which he was <i son and brother, vtuuv very near his heart. Tlie funei'al sermon, on Noventber 2-")th, on the theme of " Death abolished," was lon«r remembered by the stricken family for the comfort which it brought. i !' J 111- I \\tr ; 1 ■ 1 ! i i ; I *.'■•'. ,:lijj': 1 ; '1 1 i||K .: ' ■■ '1 'm 1 1 i 1 i;||j 1 ( j rip 1 ;■ f '^ r«i"" ■ r-ii:' ^ U [ii: 1 1 '■■ r ' 1 t ■ i' ■-. :* i J i J 160 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. Tlie following year (1878) witnessed a steady de- vclo))inent of St. Andrew's Church. The growth of Presl)ytL'ri}Uiisni in Toronto was at this date (juite remarkable. Mr. Maedonnell's heart was also cheered by the prosperity of Old St. Andrew's in its new church building at the corner of Jar vis and Carlton streets, of which the corner-stone had been laid on July 23rd, 1877. Between its minister. Rev. G. M. Milligan, an old Queen's man, and himself, the closest relations always existed. They had been friends to- gether at Queen's, and by providential ordering the one came to divide with the other the task of dealing with a congregational settlement that ..as too full of possibilities for any one man to direct alone. They were in the full sense of the phrase, " brother minis- ters." So heartily did each rejoice in the success and progress of the other that rivalry in an* form was wholly wanting in their relations. As to St. Andrew's itself, the expansion of the time was a welcome response to the exertions of the min- ister. A letter to his mother of October 7th may give a suggestion of his activity at this period. He speaks of his teachers' class at the close of the Wednesday prayer-meeting, " partly a Bible class and partly a normal class for teaching teachers to teach," and adds later : " 1 have not yet (piite lost the good impression made by the holidays. I have been six Sundays in my own pulpit, and out of the twelve sermons, ten have been brand-new ! ! Hurrah ! I am going to stop this extravagance soon, however. On Friday of this week I am to be at Flamboro', assisting at m V BUILDING UP ST. ANDREWS. IGl the communion services. Next Monday T fjo to Peterboro' to lielp Grant. Tlie.se visits will inter- fere with sermon-makinff. I am goin<^ to put my strength as much as possil)le into the teachers' class for a few months, even if the sermons sutler. I find that it (the class) will involve a good deal of pre- paration." As it turned out, the sermons did not suffer, and if it was not always a new sermon that was preached, at any time during the next sixteen years, it was an old one revised and improved, which to the "sermon- tasters" of St. Andrew's was, if possible, something better than the original. The accessions to the eldership in 1877 and 1878 were Mr. James Maclennan, Q.C., now Justice of the Court of Appeal, ecjually valuable as a helper in the congi'eg;) tion and in the cause of Queen's College ; and Mr. John Kay, one of the noblest of St. Andrew's men as a giver and a worker. Noteworthy was the w^ork of the ])orset Sunday and evening schools, at that time under the superintendence of Mr. Hamilton Cas.sels, now chairman of the Assembly's Foreign Mission Committee, whose long and worthy record of service to St. Andrew's had just begim. The "Dorset" mu.st, however, come in for special com- memoration at a later stage. 12 ,f M ■ i ! '» ■! \[ 1 ■!f ■ I ■ ■ 1- ! 162 LIFK OF D. J. MACDONNELL. CHAPTER XVI. THE ALMA MATKIi. ! I No rnontioii has as yet been made of Mr. Mac- donnell's activity in connection with educational institutions and the lar<;er work of tlie Cliurcli. As a student and ^raihiate of Queen's Colle<(e, Kingston, his strongest sym))atlnes were naturally drawn out toward that nui'sling of the Church of his youth and early manhood. But this dominating attachment did not alienate him from the other coUeires or uni- versities. He was for many years a member of the Senate of the University of Toronto as well as of the Senate and Board of Management of Knox College. His services to Queen's form a chapter of his life. At the close of 1877 a new era was entered upon in the history of Queen's. On October 2nd, Rev. G. M. Grant, of St. Andrew's Church, Halifax, was elected Principal. On December 5th the installation took place. In the historic proceedings of that day there was no more enthusiastic participant than Mr. Macdonnell. These two men, in some respects the most striking figures and the most powerful person- alities in the Presbyterian Church of Canada of their I X I % THE ALMA MATER. 103 I ' 'tl ::1 tiino, had first learned to know one another well in coiinectioji with the nef£otiationH for the union of the churches. This personal attachnwnt had been accel- erated hy the part taken l)y (irant in the case before the Assembly, when Macdonnell's lar;^e and earnest outlook found no more sympathetic and able apologist than the ori^jjinal thinker and bi'illiant debater who was then woj'kin*; forward on those lines of thou<rht and [)ro^ress in which he was soon to become a leader and teacher of his jjjeneration. With the appointment of (Irant to the principalship, Macdonnell's anxieties as to t\\o futun^ of Queen's were at an end. Hut his ettbrts for the endowment and development of the collej^e were only the more increased. A sunnnary of his services to his beloved Alrtid Mater may help further to show what he was as a collejije num, and recall to the men of Queen's what a spirit of power and service has ^one from them with the passing away of their co-worker and connvide. We may let the Principal tell tlie story in his own words : "On January 7th, 1809,1). J. Macdonnell ,sat for the first time with the Governin<jj Board of his Alma Mafer. On that occasion he took his seat, not as a trustee, but as a mem))er of a small general or execu- tive committee, which the Synod of the Church of Scotland in Canada had appointed to carry out the project of raising a minimum sum of SI 00,000, to take the place of the annual grant which the Legis- lature had given, but which was al)Out to be with- drawn. It was the crisis in the history of Queen's. The trustees had met, and had come to the conclu- i'# >\' f ; U iii i I ^>. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A ^. 1.0 I.I 1.25 140 ■B 1.4 2.0 1.6 V «^^ a!^ %^' Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14SS0 (716) 872-4503 '1 * ^ .1 li \ II 1; 1 ^' ^ 11 i 'SI- ? ■ Ji. 164 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. sion that it would be impossible to keep the college longer in existence, for not only was the provincial grant to be withdrawn, but they had lost the greater part of their little endowment by a bank failure, and, besides, internal troubles had alienated many friends. Before formally passing any resolution, however, one member pressed on them the duty of first consulting the Synod, and a special meeting of Synod was therefore called. But no one had any hope. Even Professor Mackcrras wrote to Macdonnell that there was nothing for it but to come and help bury their dear old mother decently. The members of Synod came to Kingston to preside at the obsequies. To understand this hopelessness we must remember that previous to that time no great effort had ever been made in Canada for higher education. One man alone, Principal Snodgrasa, did not despair. He possessed the British (juality of not knowing when he was beaten ; and his calm determination not to be moved drew others to his side. Mackerras, once con- vinced that success was possible, made a wonderful speech to the Synod, and the Synod resolved to appeal to the Church The appointment of Mac- donnell on the executive committee of seven showed the confidence that was already reposed in the young minister of Peterboro', and he soon vindicated the confidence. He subscribed S500 on the spot, and went back to his little congregation and preached what Mackerras called ' a two thousand dollar sermon.' One of the members wrote Mackerras the next day that it had made him double the sum he THE ALMA MATER. 165 had intended to give, that is, increase it from $500 to SI ,000. On the 29th of April of the same year he was appointed a trustee, and he held the position to the day of his death, giving always that loyal, liberal, ungrudging service which every cause with which he identified himself received. He had thought out the (juestion of university and theo- logical education, and had come to the conclusion that Canada would be the better of having Univer- sities and Divinity Halls of different types, and that Queen's at any rate must not be abandoned. Having come to that conclusion, he willingly consented to extraordinary sacrifices to the day of his death ; for with him faith was always an essential part of his life. " When the union of the four Presbyterian churches of Canada into one body was proposed, the chief dis- cussion was on the college (juestion. It delayed the union for years ; and it was settled at last on the principle that every institution should bear to the whole Church the same relation that it had pre- viously borne to any of the negotiating bodies. Macdonnell took little part in the discussion. With intuitive sagacity, he felt that no arrangements previous to union would affect the fate of any c'olleiie, but that each would reouire to commend itself by its inherent vitality and desert to the larger constituency of the future. His views are expressed in the following letter, addressed to a friend in Kingston, on 24th October, 1871. After sketching the various views, with the hopes and fears, held by different sections of the Church, he proceeded : n t;. J n it M t '{>■' t f < V : II I. 1 ! 166 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. r h " ' After all, nearly everything will depend on the men who till the chairs in Queen's. If either the Arts Faculty alone, or the Arts an<l Theological departments together, are thoroughly e(|uipped, so as to present attractions to students, students will come. But Queen's must be strong enough to hold its own in the estimation of the general public, apart from the support given by the Presbyterians. The Western section of the Church — supposing union accomplished — wouhl send students to Toronto as a matter of course, uidess a decided advantage could be shown to be gained by .sending them to Kingston. Montreal in the same way would draw the Eastern men. Pei*sonally, I would not object to Queen's College being adopted by the Govennnent, provided it were put on a par with University College in the matter of emlowment. But I have no idea what chance there is of any such propo.sal being enter- tained by Government.' " He knew what it meant to get the best men as professors; and from 1877, when he came to my inauguration as Principal, no man did such yeoman service as he, by direct giving and personal effort of every kind. The circumstances of his congregation were such that almost any other man would have pleaded that he could think of nothing else. Its debt was over $80,000! Yet, when in 1878 I went to Toronto to make an appeal for help in raising $150,- 000, it was in the lecture-room of St. Andrew's Church tlmt the public meeting was held, and he broui'ht to it Sir John A. Macdonald and the Premier .1; THE ALMA MATEft. U1 It of the Province, aiul all the wealthy men that he coul'l influence. He subscribed on that occasion Si, 000. Again, in 1882, he gave S^oOO more to what was known as the Ave years' scheme; and in 1887 he subscribed 3^2,000 more to tlie Jubilee Fund. When it is remembered how liberally he gave to every good cause at home and abroad, and that, with a large family to support, he had no means but his amuial stipend, it nuist seem almost incredible that he couM give such large sums. They were always given so Joyously that one would have imagined that he had a bank at his back." The phrase " to help Grant " in his letter last (juoted is suggestive of nnich of Mr. Macdonnell's activitv at this era. A letter, also to his mother, of November 7th, 1878, gives a humorous account of some of his experience's in canvassing trips : " Tuesday I went with jMr. Smellie to Hamilton — he to his brother's on the way to Fergus, I to speak at the Queen's College meeting. The meeting was good. Laidlaw (of St. Paul's) did yeoman service. . . . We got $3,000, with the hope of another SI, 000. " Wednesday evening I wont out with Laidlaw (Grant was tired out) to . The rain poured in torrents all evening. There were nine men, si.K women, and several boys present. Laidlaw an<l I aired our ehKjuence for an hour and a half, and then produceil the subscription list. put down 820, payable in two years : , worth from 830,000 to 8oO,000, put down the same sum, payable in Jive years ! ! I ■,( , I 168 LIFE OP D. J. MACDONNELL "On ThurHclay morning I tried and one or two others, with no result. I was an;(ry. I showed it, I suppose, to one or two. May the good Lord deliver nie from ever having so much money that I shall love it like some rich men ! and are both well off, yet they talk as if the poor-house were the only refuge left for them. . . . " Saturday I went to to assist Mr. L. at his communion, and to lecture on Monday evening. I enjoyed preaching at the comnmnion service. Mr. L. was a Free Churchman ' at home,' but (as Mr. Dobie would say) is a fine man. I enjoyed some talks with him very nmch. " Having Monday clear I devoted it to extracting a few dollars for Queen's out of some hard cases. . . . L. thought I might get four or five ten-dollar sub- scriptions, but I got in all $265. That vas not bad for a congregation that had not hearu of Queen's College before, and where there was no chance to hold a meeting. ... / " We have invested in a new furnace, to cost about $145. In spite of the College endowment we must keep warm. Good-night. " Youra lovingly, "James." ' life's tasks made clearer. 169 CHAPTER XVII. » LIFET.'i TASKS MADE CLEARER. The record for 1879 may not inappropriately begin with a message of comfort to his mother, extracted from a letter of January 18th, written after the death of her only sister, Mra. Hockin, of Pictou, N.S. After referring to the tidings of her sudden taking away, he writes : " Thus the strongest link that bound you to the elder generation has been snapped asunder, and you are left more alone than before. Each of the relationships in which we stand seems to have something peculiar to itself, and the tie that binds one to an onl}'^ sister has its own peculiar sweetness- May the God of all comfort hallow to you, dear mother, the breaking of this tie.'* And on the same theme he writes, January 30th : "It must have been a ;,'reat satisfaction to you to get such a minute account of the last days and hours of dear aunt. Everything seonis to have been well ordered, and there is much comfort in thinking of such a death. A useful life and a peaceful death, and the sure hope of a blessed resurrection — surely we can give thanks for all these things ! I like to fall back on the life and death of M '■■ I; I . i 170 LirE OP D. J. MAODONNELL. I I i \ » ii Hoine Christian man or woman, when I am in a cloubtin<]f mood alx)ut many things. The real help which the Saviour gives to those who trust Him, both in life and in the prospect of death, is an argument for the truth of Christianity stronger perhaps than any other." Another extract from the same letter will touch the hearts of many of his frien<ls for a twofold reason : " I was very glad that Mr. Herdman rea«l the burial service for dear aunt. If the dead — ' those other living whom we call the dead ' — know what is going on after their departure, we may be sure she would be please*!. And may they not know ? Is there a ' cloud of witnesses ' watching us as we run our race ?" Etjually characteristic is the following sample of good, wholesome, speculative thinking in another direction. It is contained in a letter written to Miss Machar a few days later than the above, February 6th, 1879: " I think you put the thing very justly when you say that R.'s argument involves the assumption that force and matter are self-existent and eternal as well as competent of themselves to form a harmonious universe, which is very nearly the same thing as say- ing that force and matter are God, for it is ascribing to them some of the leading attributes of the living God. " If we must rest in mere hypothesis and give up the hope of certain knowledge, surely the hypothesis of a self-existent, eternal, wise and good Being is more reasonable than that of self-existent, eternal I. life's tasks made clearer. 171 Force, which is deatl and yet which works in a way that we cannot but call wise and ^ood. I wont yes- terday to see a man who is near death, and whose position is a good deal like that of R. He ' doesn't know whether there is a (iod or not, or if tliere be one whether He is good or bad. Anyhow, he doe.sn't believe in the monstrously unjust God that Christians iMilieve in,' etc., etc. He mixes up theological notions with New Te.stament teaching, and I tin«l it hard to know how to meet him. He is certainly not happy, though he professes not to fear death. 1 confess, how- ever, that I wonder less at men growing sceptical and unbelieving when I reflect how many things are per- plexing' to myself." We have had a glimpse of Mr. Macdonnell's eflbrts on behalf of Queen's. The " endowment " was not by any means the only financial problem that kept him bu.sy in mind and speech. X claim of the tirst order of urgency was the reduction of the debt upon St. Andrew's. That, under the circumstances of his own congregation, he should have so zealously pleaded with his people for great liberality toward the college is an illustration of his moral insight and practical wis- dom. His policy was to develop liberality by the habit of giving. And there never was a time in the liistory of his pastorate that he <lid not insist on the prime duty of a hearty support of missionary and benevolent objects. The result was the record of St. Andrew's as a helper and strengthener of the Church's great work, and a stay an<l support to her weak and struggling members. .itii J •■- : n li 1 1 • ; . ■ • . • , .1 1 :, i 1 - i : t J ML 172 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNBLL. In the letter to his mother last (juoted lie says : " Last eveninfj the aiiinial nie»!tin<^ went off' very well. We have paid (>rt*$G,000 of deht, which is s^itisfactory. But the amount remaining i.s still a terrible tlrag, about .^64,000 still on the c'.urch, an<l alK)ut So.OOO more on the manse, . . . makin;( a t<3tal of S69,000. Oh : that I had a hundre<l thoiisand <lollars under my control," And to Miss Maehar: " We had an annual meeting a week ago ; .S(),000 was paid during last year on account of our debt, so that the mountain is a little smaller, and the minister's heart a little lighter," For a few yeains, therefore, we must reckon this as one of the burdens upon his soul, and yet a burden wliich was continually becoming lighter, and at all times clieerfully borne, because shared by a loyal and willing people, A third extract from the letter to his mother of January 30th, suggests another source of anxiety which was never removed : " I am going to try to visit my flock now. I have ha<l very little time since September for any routine visiting : in fact, the con- gregation is too large to be effectively supervised." W^e now have before us the main conditions of Mr, Macdonnell's public career. Other weighty duties were added later ; but the situation remained essen- tially unchanged till the end. Hen; we see a minister, strong intellectually and spiritually, well equipped by culture ar.d training, and passionately devoted to his work, confronted at the age of thirty-six with the conviction that his task is too heavy for him. It is LIPES TASKS MADE CLEARER. 173 easy to Hay that this was his own fault, that he inifjlit have added no more to his outside responsibilities, dropix'd the whole Queen's inisiness, and the habit of ^'oinj,' about the country pleadinj; for this cause and that, and given himself wholly to the work of the c«>nj;re;^ation. It will perhaps be easier to pronounce an opinion upoi\ this point when th(^ whole life and work of the man are before us. One thinj;, however, may be sai<l with confidence, that this was just the rifjht time U) provide him with an assistant. He was inseparable ♦^'rom the conj^re<;ation. His people would not have parted with him for any earthly consitler- ation. He gave them of his best from first to last. His task, as he honestly saw it, was too great for him. He should have ha<l a helper. We see it all clearly now as we look back upon the ])ast. In Mr. Macdon- nell's history there were a good man}' '■ might have beens," which wouM have afiected the issues of his life. In this matter, he him.self was perhaps no wiser than his congregation. But all the san»e, a mistake - was made, which was never fully .set right again. We Presbyterians are somewhat slow and stupid. We go by rules and formuhe when measures and new pre- cedents are needed. We cultivate hindsight rather than insight or foresight. We believe .st) little in the prophets that when they come into our world we do not know what to do with them, till thev leave us. Significantly enough, he .soon writes to his mother again (March 8rd): "This has not been a right sort of Monday exactly, and now it is eleven p.m., and 1 urn rather fagged. ... I am p<igging away at ^ i ., i m ;ii ',1 f 174 LIKE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. routine visiting of my congregation just now on every available clay." Next we have a flash and a gleam of the Home Mission spirit in a letter to his mother of April 7th : " You have doubtless heanl from Mr. Smith about the n>eeting of the Home Mission Committee the week before last. It cost me fifty dollars ; that is, I paid that amount toward the S*i,.')00 which we hope to get from the ministers of Ontario and Quebec. We rtiusf make up, besides, from local sources, the 25 per cent, which, in the meantime, has been deducted from the grants made for the .support of our nn.ssionaries. I told my people about the matter yesterday, and I hope their liberality will rise to a higher level." The same letter mentions a matter of first-class importance to St. Andrew's congregation : " We liave got a new organist — a nmn this time — and a half- new choir, of which Elizabeth and Robert Smellie and his wife are members, and we have better con- gregational singing than we have ever had in my experience. I think our new man will be a success. He has splendid testimonials, and, as far as our ex- perience has gone, he deserves them." It was Mr. Edward Fi.sher, who had just been appointed organist. He was a native of Vermont, and had received his musical education in the Boston Conservatory of Music and in Germany. How amply he justified Mr. Macdonnell's expectations thus ex- pressed could best have been told by the minister liimself. The congregational singing, for which St. Andrew's is noted, the good taste of the instrumental life's tasks made clearer. 175 oxecution, and alK)Vo all, the beautiful harmony hetween " the two ends of the church," the spoken and the musical services — these are features which make memorable the part playe<l so lonp^ and faith- fully by Mr. Fisher in the public woi*ship of St. Andrew's. To the minister the help rendered by the organist was inestimable. In Mr. Macdonnell's conception of a proper service, the element of praise n!ceive<l its full significance : it must fit in with the dominant theme of the occasion ; it nmst express emotionally both the leadinj^ thought of the preacher and the responsive feelings of the audience. To an organist such an opportunity was rarely given, an<l nobly did Mr. P^isher respoiid to the demand. In July a trip was made by Mr. and Mrs. Mac<lon- nell to Thunder Bay, nearly three weeks being spent with young Dr. Thos. Smellie and his wife at Port Arthur (then Prince Arthur's Lrfinding). A trip to Winnipeg was made by him in company with Mi.ss Smellie in Septend)er, the principal object of which was to visit his brother John, then practising law, and keeping "bachelor's hall" in that city. These were still the days before the Canadian Pacific through line was built, and accordingly the route l)y way of Chicago and St. Paul was taken. A pleasant feature of the trip was the hearing of sermons in Chicago from the famous Dr. Swing and from J. Munro (Jibson (afterwards of London). Mr. Macdonnell him- s<'lf did his share of preaching on both journeys, Tlie visit to Winnipeg had many pleasing incidents, among them the meeting with old Ontario friends, I < m M i j ri' ! 'S Mi ^n^r 176 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. and especially of former St. Andrew's people, for whom he had to hold a levee after the evening ser- vice on September 21st. This was the second of his five visits to the North- West. He spoke at Mr. (now Dr.) Robertson's prayer-meeting on September 24th, at which between six and seven hundred persons were present to hear him. His letters written during his absence give graphic accounts of old Winnipeg In describing Dr. Swing's preaching on September 28th, in a Chicago theatre, he remarks that there was more positivenesa in his sermon than one would expect — an observation that has also been made of another good man that was once tried for heresy ! On the last day of 1879 he writes to his mother, among other things suggested by the season : " Eliza- beth is pretty tired, and I do not know that we shall sit up to see the New Year in. We have been singing one or two songs together — one named ' Faith and Hope,' supposed to be sung by a husband to his wife, one couplet of which is, " ' Taking tn /ear together, my dear, There isn't more night than day.' The words are true, I think, in a figurative sense of most of our lives. I often feel that I, at least, have had much niore of the day than of the night." On January 2nd, 1880, he writes : " Yesterday we had the lecture-room packed at the prayer-meeting, and a very large attendance of men, young and old^ as well as women, of course, in response to my invi- tation." This was the first of those New Year's LIFES TASKS MADE CLEARER. 177 morning services which those who attended them can never forget. It was on these occasions that the minister seemed to get personally nearest to his people. The meetings were alwaj'^s largely attended and were (|uite informal, and he had the art of sum- ming up in a few apt expressions the lessons that were suggested by the most important events of the preceding year. A reception — if so formal a phrase can be employed — was usually given immediately afterwards by Mrs. Macdonnell, when the people of St. Andrew's met in a social way, as they could not meet at any other time during the year. When it is considered how heterogeneous and scattered the con- gregation was, and continued to be, it is easy to realize the wholesome effects of the New Year's gatherings ; how they helped its members to realize that they were held together by something more than a mere formal bond of union. (- , 1. 1 « I Ise of I have H\f \y we jting, old, invi- 'ear's 13 III ' y rl i H SII^B 1 ■ ilH ^ 'M^^^H t I ] I' 1 i i i ^ I 178 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. CHAPTER XVIII. LOSING AND HELPIXO. The first month of the Now Year (1S80) was clouded by the death of Prof. John H. Mackerras, of Kingston, one of Mr. Macdonnell's dearest friends. Prof. Mac- kerras was equally distinguished by charming per- sonal qualities, by intellectual accomplishments, by his services to the Church at large, and to Queen's College. As a student and teacher he was enthusi- astic, broad-minded and sympathetic. Though greatly hampered by lack of the best guides, he struck out a new path for himself which few classical professors in Canada had ventured upon, by studying Sanskrit for me purpose of getting a clearer idea of the struc- ture of Greek and Latin. The correspondent who describes the interview with the Toronto Presbytery also tells us that, " At Peter- boro' began the friendship with Prof. Mackerras, which was terminated only by death. In the hos- pitable home of the late Judge Dennistoun, the father of Mrs. Mackerras, where the Professor's holidays were frequently spent, these kindred spirits often met. Both were .iien full of the enthusiasm of LOSING AND HELPING. 179 humanity, overflowing with the kindliest humour, having their deepest life interests bound up in the one Church and tlie one college. They were both men of singular purity of mind, who had touched life at many points and yet were unspotted from the world. Some one had happily dubbed Mackerras ' the white-headed boy of the Church,' and it well expresses the place he held in the hearts of Ids friends, and his friends were all with whom he came into contact. ' A man greatly beloved,' saith the legend on his monument, and in this case the legend speaks truth. " When the ' heresy case ' was being tried there was something beautiful and pathetic in the Professor's defence of his friend. Mackerras was recognized as an ecclesiastical lawyer whose opinion carried great weight, and his speech in the debate at Halifax was most able and effective ; but its greatest impression was made on those who knew that underneath it was his strong personal affection for the man whose theology he could not endorse, but whom he knew and felt to be a preacher of righteousness that the Church could not atford to let go." Principal Grant also writes : " Mackerras was one of those rare combinations of sweetness and strength, of Scottish fervour and Eng- lish sanity, which are found perhaps more fretjuently in Canada than in Britain. Personally, he was "a man greatly beloved"; and he was a wise counsellor and trusted leader as well. He saved the University fit the cost of health and life, and the sacrifices were i ta ' ^' f ' :i^ m I ■I !(,« r ! ■ ■■' V :1T 180 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. :.i i all the more beautiful because of his perfect uncon- sciousness. Hnxl he been told that his early death was owing to the three years of daily and nightly toil which he underwent uncomplainingly for his Alma Mater, he would probably have answered smilingly that it was well worth paying so small a price for so great a result. Beyond all others, he was " the white- headed boy " of the General Assembly. Every one felt that he could trust to his knowledge of law, to his truthfulness and to his loyalty to the Church. A popular body instinctively feels its need of leaders, and when it finds — combined with the necessary qualifica- tions — the chivalry of a Highlander, a modesty and self-suppression almo.st fetninine, and the manners of a gentleman, there are almost no bounds to its proud confidence in them. Most fortunate was it that the Church had such a man as one of the clerks of the Assembly in the trying days that followed the Union. The Maritime Province men of both Synods took Mackerras to their hearts at once : while the headiest of those opposed to him listened to his arguments and acknowledged that unless they were answered nothing could be done. His presence beside the Moderator seemed a pledge of the permanence of the Union ; and it may be .said that without the cohesive element supplied by him, the new Church would have been in danger of disruption." It is a singular and pathetic coincidence that the two friends, so alike in temper and in purpose, in spirit of consecration and service, should be alike also in the manner of the shortening of their days — in both cases " the sword cut through the scabbard." I pi LOSING AND HELPING. 181 In April, 1880, Mr. Macdonnell made a trip to Ithaca, N.Y., wliere he preached before Cornell Uni- ven.ity on the mornintr and afternoon of the 1 1th He highly prized the opportunity, during his three days' visit, of observing the methods of a live Ameri- can university and hearing lectuies from some of its professors. The great congregational event of 1880 was the Jubilee held on Sunday and Monday, June 27th and 28th. On the former day, Rev. Donald Macrae, D.D., of St. John, Moderator of the General Assembly, preached in the morning from the text, " They shall see his face" (Rev. xxii. 4), In the evening Principal Grant conducted the service, choosing as his theme. "The Jubilee Year." (Lev, xxv. 10.) In the after- noon a communion service was held, in which the elders were assisted by the session of Old St. Andrew's, and all were invited who had at any time been communicants in the congregation. Next even- ing a prai.se meeting was held at which addresses were delivered by the preachers of the preceding day and many of the other friends of St. Andrew's, among whom were Hon. Alex. Morris, Hon. J. McMurrich, Mr. A. MacMurchy, Rev. Professor George, Rev. Drs. Castle and Potts, and Mr. Milligan, of Old St. Andrew's. The vacation of 1880 was brief and interrupted. A visit to Kingston was varied by a trip to Alexandria Bay on July 23rd, in company with several friends. Frequent visits to Fergus followed these incidents, on account of the illness of William Smellie, who had I m -J' P I r 1 1 ! III 4 1 J .« 182 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. 'i * been delicate from his youth. He passed away on August 24th from a loving home thus doubly stricken within so brief a time. Mr. M. preached the funeral sermon on the following Sabl>ath at Fergus, on " Thoughts of peace and not of evil." There was something beautiful and touching in the services rendered to one another by the old and the young minister in Fergus and Toronto. When the hearts of the Smellie household and the circle of loving friends in Fergus were smitten with grief for one departed, it was Mr. Macdonnell's privilege to minister to them with his comforting words and his strong hopeful presence. And when, one after the other, a baby boy or girl was brought over from St. Andrew's manse to the church to be received into its mem- bership, the venerable Dr. Smellie was always present to administer the solemn rite. How sweet and blessed the associations of which such scenes as these give us a passing glimpse ! Mr. Macdonnell was a delegate to the Pan-Presby- terian Council, of Philadelphia, in September, 1880. There the present writer first saw him and heard him speak. The occasion was the (question as to the admission of the Cumberland Presbyterians to mem- bership in the Council. This had been refused them from the beginning, nor did they succeed in obtaining at the Philadelphia meeting the privilege which could not much longer be withheld. Their creed was not so strictly Calvinistic as those of the other branches of the Church, and this was held sufficient to justify the refusal. Mr. Macdonnell's speech upon ia:j LOSING AND HELPING. 183 the subject was brief. He did not argue the case of these supposed aliens from the commonwealth of Presbyterianism, but rather protested a<(ainst the movement for exclusion, half indignant and half wondering at its apparently inhospitable spirit. A Philadelphia newspaper of Septend}er 27th, 18H0, gives this account of his spc^ech during a discussion which followed a paper by Professor Flint, of Edin- burgh, on Agnosticism: "Then a zealous, fiery young divine, the Rev. Mr. Macdonnell, of Toronto, mounted the platform. He plunged boldly into his subject, and spoke with the rapidity that comes from over- flowing thought. He asked whether it was expedient for the Church always to exercise its unquestioned right of disciplining ? The question to-day is, what is the faith ? A young man full of the <lesire to preach salvation, and believing that he is prepared for it, is brought up all standing by the Creed. He can't make it all out in the way the Church interprets it. What are you going to do with him ? Shall he be forbidden to preach ( He asks you whether you have any right to impose on \\\\\\ conditions tliat Christ did not impose ? Well, you tell him there are other churches — fifty other churches, that he can go and preach in, but you don't find anything in the New Testament about fifty churches. One only is spoken of there. Suppose you send such a man over to the Methodists or the Congregationalists. The first thing you do is to exchange pulpits with him. and call him ' beloved brother.' Thus you admit that you restrict as Christ did not restrict. Now, I 11 i i: ■ m i ii IS ■ I ^ 'I - ;? If' 1^ m i 1^ il i 1 184 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. suj^gest that you reduce to a few, well-defined articles that are absolutely e.ssential, your creed, and require your minister to stand by them, and hold his own views about non-essentials." There was renewed applause when this daring young divine had finished. • •••••• Thj stalwart speeches made by Principal Grant and Rev. Mr. Macdonnell are spoken of on all hands. During the discussion of the temperance question on the same occasion he thus expressed his views : " I think we should consider whether positive in- stitutions for the promotion of temperance are not better than mere prohibition. By positive institutions I mean such places as coffee-houses where you give men good things to eat and drink. I maintain that in the lung run more good will be done by these positive counteracting agents than merely by prohibi- tion. In other words I believe with St. Paul that we are to overcome evil with good — not simply with denouncing the evil." In the closing moments of 1880 he wrote his last New Year's greetings to his mother : " The old year will be gone in less than five minutes. May the new year which is just about to dawn be a very good and happy one to you, one of growth in all grace and of deeper and fuller enjoyment of the presence of God, than you have ever experienced in past years." The letter, continued on January 3rd, 1881, tells of the New Year's prayer-meeting, and of his having thanked the people for some valuable gifts — two suites of LOSING AND HELPING. 185 furniture, a dessert set and a breakfast set : "There is a new book-case for the back room, to replace the old one (which would have been aslianied to appear in such distinguished company), and a davenport which is a special delight to Elizabeth." These presents were made in commemoration of the eleventh anni- versary of Mr. Macdonnell's settlement in St. Andrew's. f i f k f J .: f \ M f 5i Si 1 1 18G LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. CHAPTER XIX. TIIK IIYMXAL- HIS MOTHER'S DEATH. Work oh the Pre8])ytoriaii Hymnal, now called the " Old Hymnal," had been going on Tor three years- Mr. Macdonnell had taken an aetiv«> })art in this enterprise from the beginning. It was to him })re- eminently a labour of love. A Psalm or any other hymn was much more to him than a ])0('tical com- position, more than the expression of the emotions or aspirations of the devout believer. It was also a means of harmonizing and inspiring a body of worshippers. To the study both of the words and of the music of our books of prai.se, he brought a practical conception of effective psalmody as realized in his own church serN'ices. An impressive estimate of what Mr. Macdonnell did in this committee, and how he did it, has been prepared by his close and sympa- thetic friend. Rev. Robert Murray, editor of the Presbyterian Witness, Halifax, N.S. : "Three years after the Union of 1875 — one year after the happy conclusion of the Assembly's pro- ceedings in the Macdonnell case — the General Assem- bly', in the face of some opposition, resolved to prepare THE HYMNAL — BIS MOTHEK 8 DEATH. 187 a Hymnal, an<l appointed a conunittee to proceed with the work of preparation. Of the ten nieinherH of comniittee Mr. Macdonnell wa.s one, an<l he con- tinued a member of that conunittee as lonj; a.s he lived. The committee held most of its meetin;;H at Montreal while preparing the Hrst draft, and at all or nt'arly all these meetin^^s Mr. Mac<lonnell was present. It was at once to be .seen that he understood the work to which he was appointed, an<l that he was ready to j^o into it with his whole heart. As directed by the (ieneral As.sembly, the conunittee Hr.st selected the hynuis common to the three hynui-books (jf the Scottish churches. It was when this mechanical task was completed that the .selective taste of the membei's was tested. Mr. Macdonnell couhl not only choose a hymn; he could analyze it, and <;ive his rea.sons clearly and convincingly for adoption or rejection. The dis- cussions were always most frank, cordial, profoundly interesting^, and to me most in.structive. Mr. Mac- donnell's readin<; of a hynui was in etiect an interpreta- tion, an elucidation of it. The unreal, artificial, enjpty, shallow, but fiflitterinf; hynuis that have a temporar}'^ popularity, he had no patience with, and his reading of them usually meant their unanimous rejection. Hymns were often sung in committee as a test of their availability ; and Mr. Macdonnell's knowledge of music was always helpful. He was a convener of the Sub-Committee on Music, a-nd a share of the care and responsibility of publication fell to his lot. Whatever he could do he cheerfully did, with all his energy, to secure the end in view." ' I *!• 1 i 188 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. i !• In the Huminer of 1881 the Hyiniuil was so far a(lvanc<'<l that final arran^onionts for the harnioni/ing of the tunes couKl be made. Mr. Macdonnell was <leputed to ^ro to Britain to consult Mr. K. J. Hopkins, orf^anist of the Temple Church, London. The time was favourable for a real vacation, not only for himself but for Mrs. Macdonnell, who now for the second time accompanied him across the ocean. Upon their arrival at Liverpool, ISIrs. Macdon- nell went directly north to Orkney, to revisit the scenes with which we have already been made familiar by the sketch of Mrs. Campbell. While in London, Mr. Macdonnell spent much of his time trying to get light ui)on the coffee-house (|uestion. His speech in Philadelphia shows how his mind had been occupied with it, and, indeed, it was a matter of practical discussion in Toronto at this time, on the part of himself and others who formed a sub-committee of the combined City Charities to deal with this subject. At Dover, where he spent August 4th to 6th, in the company of Mr. Hopkins, a very enjoyable visit was made. The work of going over the tune-book was varied by dips in the sea, walks around and through the chalk-cliffs, views of the partially restored old Priory, a trip to Canterbury with Mr. Hopkins, and an inspection of the cathedral. Thence followed excursions in the English and Scottish borderland, drives and walking trips with cousins of Mrs. Macdonnell and other friends. It was at Dunbar that the tidings reached him of -Ml THE HYMNAL — HIS MOTHERS HEATH. 189 liis motlier's death. Sho had been ill for some little time before his departure from ('anada. All the children were then to^^cther at Kin;,rston, ineludinj; the distant son at Winnipe;^. Even while then* they were apprehensive of her speedy departure; hut she rallied so inueh that in fulHInicnt of her earnest desire he and Mrs. iMaedoiuiell felt free to earrv out their plan of eiossin^ the Atlantic. Mrs. Campbell writes thus of the event : " After a few weeks' illness his n)other suddenly passetl away. Though he strove, with his usual consideration for others, to bear patiently and silently his load of j^rief, and to 'keep up a brave front,' it was plain to all his friends that lie suffered keenly, and that he re- proached himself for havinjL^ been away. It was well for him then that he had by his side a wife who so well understood and sym})athized with him, and was skilful to tind balm for the wounded spirit. With her he spent a few (juiet weeks in Oi'kney, learninfj the lessons that only sanctified sorrow can teach, and accepting gratefully the messages of comfort that God sent him by the lips or hands of friends. He had always recognized that he owed to his mother nmch of what he was ; that her influence had moulded his character in earliest years ; but he owed her more than he knew of disposition, feeling, opinion, and modes of thought. The value of this mother (who beyond her own circle was unknown) is best summed up in the words of the text he himself chose to be inscribed on her monument — ' Her children rise up and call her blessed,' " ' t Pi. rr ! 190 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. [■ i Mr. Macdonnell immediately rejoined his wife at Orkney, where three weeks were spent in the fashion ah'eady described in the reminiscences that have been sent from thence by loving hands. On September 18th they were back in Montreal, where Mr. Macdonnell preached on that day for Dr. Robert Campbell. The publication of the Hymnal was one of the matters which occupied his attention after his return. i:; TEMPTING OFFERS AND SORE BEREAVEMENTS. 191 CHAPTER XX. TEMPTING OFFERS AND SORE BE RE A VEMENTS. In December, 1881, tlie committee appointed to select a minister to fill the vacancy Ciiused by the resignation of Dr. Jenkins, of St. Paul's Church, Montreal, asked Mr. Macdonnell to accept the pastor- ate of that congregation. Such an offer must appear to have been not only flattering but highly advanta- geous. The Montreal congregation was and is, finan- cially, the strongest Church in Canada. St. Andrew's, on the other hand, was burdened with a heavy debt, and Mr. Macdonnell, having now a family of four children, had refused to accept an addition to his salary of $2,500 so as to make easier for his people the task of lightening the deficit. An extract from his reply will show the spirit of the man, and illus- trate his attitude toward his own loved congregation- The letter, dated December 18th, is addressed to "Andrew Allan, Esq., Chairman of Committee": " After giving the matter full consideration I have to say that while thanking the Committee for the cor- dial terms in which they have conveyed the expression of their wish, and tlioroughly appreciating the fact ! 1 T r !:.;-*'!! H{a s > m \ ilr s a. r ! I ' 1 ; ii E •wr I ■! ;■(■ : !;i ) Itt Jl ifl : 1 1 [ i I 192 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. that they have been unanimous in their choice, I never- theless cannot accept their invitation to become the minister of St Paul's. My work seems, for the pres- ent, to be in Toronto, and I have a conviction that the pastoral tie should not be broken except for very strong reasons. Please convey to the Committee the assurance of my earnest hope that an able and faithful minister may be found for St Paul's and that the blessing of the Lord may rest upon the congregation." Close upon this invitation to Montreal came a simi- lar one from the Second Presbyterian of Chicago, at present ministered to by Rev. Dr. S. J. Macpherson. On March 14th, 1882, Mr. Macdonnell went to Ottawa in connection with the tedious contest between the dissenting remnant of the Old Kirk and the United Church as to the disposal of the Temporalities Fund, the matter being then before the Private Bills Com- mittee of the Federal Parliament. A deputation from the Chicago Church came to Toronto, found that he had gone to Ottawa, followed him thither and thence to Kingston, where he preached the Uni- versity sermon on the morning of the 19th and in Chalmers Church in the evening. They had a confer- ence with him on Monday morning, at which he declined their invitation. They renewed their appli- cation on March 2Gth after their return home. Among his papers has been found the draft of his reply undated. In it he reiterates his refusal and hopes that no further steps will be taken. Thus within three months the offer was made to him of the wealthiest Presbyterian Church in Canada TEMPTING OFFERS AND SORE BEREAVEMENTS. 193 1 <T i and of one of the leudinr^ churclies in tlie United States. How little lie was affected by such personal tributes and compliments may be inferre<l from the fact that these invitations were known to but a small circle, and that the Chicafjo offer onlv came to the knowled^^e of some of his nearest relatives accident- ally after his death. The niana<]fers of St. Andrew's now insisted upon Mr. Macdonnell's acceptinti^ an increase of salary, and as over Sn,000 more had been taken off the debt durinc^ the year, the offer was agreed to : yet the amount giv^en in 1S82,S3,500, was still less than half the salary received by the next minister of St. Paul's. The conf^re<^ation continued to show marked pros- perity. By the end of 1S81 the membership had reached G40, while the larg-e church edifice was still thronged to its utmost capacity. Three new elders were appointed during the year — Mr. David 3Ic(Jee, Mr. Joseph Robinson and Mr. Hainilton Cassels. The former two were, after a few years' service, obliged to retire, in consefjucnce of removal to a distant part of the city, while Mr. Cassels remained a faithful and trusted counsellor until and after the minister's re- moval by death. ^\v. Cassels nnist be reckoned one of the main forces in the progress of St. Andrew's. Though young at the time of his appointment, he had already done much good service as the superintendent of the Dorset evening school, and later of the Dorset Sunday s(diool. His thoughtful care for all the interests of the Church, as well as for the minister and his family personally, with his genial and happy 14 .1 i 1 1 ■ ' - I i ,: 1: 194 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. I 'I \l I ■ itiifi ' f * 1; II If 1 iiH : il illi'l gi i: U spirit, have made him invaluable to St. Andrew's during the last twenty years. During 1881 Mr. Mitchell was obliged Ijy pressure of business to retire from the direction of the Sunday School, his place being taken by the newly-elected elder, Mr. McGee. In Mr. Macdonnell's personal life, the most notable event of the 3'ear 1882 was an illness, which befell him in the sunmier, and which made it necessary for liim to make another trip to Britain. Here he was treated in Edinburgh by Dr. Joseph Bell. He was at this time a guest in the house of Rev. Archi- bald Smellie, pastor of the Free Greyfriars' Church, the brother of the minister of Fergus. The treatment was completely successful, and Mr. Macdonnell left Scotland in perfect health in Xovendier, arriving in Toronto on the 22nd of that month. The opening month of 188.'J was clouded ])y a great sorrow, which fell uptm both the congregation and the minister of St. Andrew's. Mr. James Michie, who had been looked upon as one of the chiefest mainstays of the Church, was cut oft' after a brief illness, on January 18th, in the fifty-fifth year of his age. The grief felt at his dc.'ath was not confined to his Church, but was widespread through the city. A sentence of the resolution passed on the occasion by the City Council may represent the sentiments of the numerous public and business organizations with which he was connected : " A representative citizen, in every sense of that wide-meaning term ; a noble ex- ample of the high-minded and honourable merchant, and the open-hearted, modest, Christian gentleman." Ill his to A by I the rith TEMPTING OFFERS AND SORE BEREAVEMENTS. 195 Something of what he attempted to do and to he for St. Andrew's Churcli has been indicated on an earHer page. To the minister the loss was especially severe, and even in this brief memoir space must be given to a portion at least of the loving tribute, which took the place of the regular sermon on the Sundav morning following the sad event : " Our hearts are filled with grief this morning. James Michie is dead. . . . We know what he was to the Church and to the community, what he was as a friend, business man, kin<lly counsellor, loving and genial companion, and earnest worker in many good things, and we mourn his untimely death as a public calamity. ... I cannot speak of him to-day as I should like to speak. He was my own warm loving friend, whom I knew and honoured before I became his minister, and whose unfailing, thoughtful, delicate kindness and sympathy, shown in many ways to me and mine, during these twelve years, have strengthened the bond between us from year to year . . . He was the helper of many a good cause. Many a country church, as well as every city charity, counted him among its benefactors. Many a strug- gling man, many a poor family had reason to bless him. I never went to him in vain — and I went often — to ask for help toward any good object. Large- hearted and liberal, he stood out as a noble example to rich men of the use of money. . . . He was unselfish, ever considerate of others. He lived not to himself; he died not to himself. Even in his wander- ings within the last two or three days, this church, m i ; 'ii m 1-1 1 1 ii I |, 11 196 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. I and the men associated with him in the work con- nected with it, were much in his mind. It is doubtful if he thought himself dying ; nor does it matter. Others will fill his place in the church, in business, in the societies with which he was connected : but it is the man himself we will all miss. The good are not so readily forgotten as is sometimes alleged. There are names that are tenderly, lovingly, thank- fully spoken of long after those who bore them are buried in the dust ; and we will not forget our loved friend readily. ... I thank God for such a man ; I thank (Jod for the large heart, the noble mind and the willing and ready hand." Many letters of sympathy came to Mr. Macdonnell on tlie occasion of his and the church's loss. To one of these, from Dr. Robert Campbell, of Montreal, he replied in part as follows: " It was indeed an unex- pected blow that fell upon his home, and on the Church, and on the city. We miss him constantly in many ways, and it will be a long time before the great blank will be filled. Miss Michie appreciated your letter ver}' much." The reference here is to the sorrowing sister of Mr. Michie, who was his com- panion during his Toronto life, and whose own kindly and gracious spirit still recalls the memory of the great philanthropist and beloved citizen who was taken so suddenly from their lovely " West- holme " fourteen years ago. Space must also be given to an extract from a letter written to Mr. Macdonnell by Rev. Dr. Jenkins, of Montreal, on January ICith, 1883 : " I know how terrible, even 4' 3t- Ibe Ion len TEMPTING OFFERS AND SORE BEREAVEMENTS. 197 heart-rending, the blow has been to you. If you have left to you in all this world one frientl ecjual to James Michie, you are amongst the most favoured of men. How he loved you, few know better than I. What you have lost will daily unfold itself — in your own house, at ' Westholme,' in his office, in your business meetings in the Church, and on your right hand in the house of God." The minister's words about the abiding recollections of Mr. Michie were prophetic, and that in more senses than one. The congregation at once a])pointed a " Memorial Committee," the result of whose counsels may be seen in the three stained glass windows in the south arch in the rear of the auditorium, the central one illustrating the parable of the Good Samaritan, under which runs the legend, " Go thou and do like- wise." This attractive work of art fittingly crowns the uni<[ue and modest beauty of the interior of St. Andrew's, and perpetually reminds even the casual visitor of a life and of deeds that nien do not willingly let die. The closing as well as the opening month of this year (1883) was clouded by personal affliction. Mr. Macdonnell's youngest brother, John, died in Winni- peg on December 6th, after a short illness, the specific complaint being an affection of the heart. Mr. John M. Macdonnell had been a member of the Manitoba bar from its beginning, and had there enjoyed a suc- cessful practice. The distance of his home — a nmch more serious obstacle in those days than now — had prevented very frequent intercourse with the other ■1 1 i » w. fp-i^ 'fi . ! ■'ti^il ^ % m m iM ■ IIH .1 : I 11!' !i hi: J 111 I :. -I 1 I i*> ' :" It. « I'' ^ 198 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. members of his family. But ho had joined tliom all at the <^atlienng in Kingston shortly before his mother's death. He had taken an interest in the welfare oi the new western city, and was especially active in the establishment of the General Hospital, the members of whose managing board called a special meeting on the occasion of his lamented and sudden death. The remains were brought from Winnipeg to Toronto and thence to Kingston, where the interment took place on December 10th, the services being conducted by Principal Grant. \ii T I AUGMENTATION. 199 CHAPTER XXI. A UO .VEXTA TIOX. Among the Ciiu.se.s wliicli cnlijstod tlie Hymp.'itliies of pastor and people, a foremost place wns henceforth taken by the new Assembly scheme of "Augmen- tation." 'J'his was fundamentally a branch of Home Mission work to which he had already (^iven mucli thought and care. The enterprise of bringing the salaries of ministers of weak and strugirliiiij charijes up to a reasonable minimum appealed to one of the strongest and most susceptible elements of Mr, Macdonnell's nature. His sense of the oneness of the Church, and the essential brotherhood of the ministry, was so strong and practical that the strug- gles and difficulties of any of his brethren were made at once his own. ]\Ioreover, his own position of pecuniary ease and worldly advatitage was reck- oned by him not as a distinction but as a privilege, to be used for the well-being of his beloved Church and his no less well-beloved fellow-workers. How often have we heard him protest in thunder tones that the real heroes of the ministry were those who accepted hardship and privation for the sake of I If! : i - ! it 11 ^M 1 ! I ! 1 yA rl 11 I '(■I 111 200 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. buildiii;^ up the wasto pljices of tlie Cluirch ! Indeed, his i<I('al lioroe.s were inisHioiiarics: and tlu' pn'scnt writer lias never heard him use sucli terms of a<hnii'ation and praise as tiiose wiiieli, oii separate occasions, lie ])ul)licly bestowed upon two oi" our own missionaries, tluj one in tlie home and the (jther in the foreign Held. The whole CMiureh, the whole cause of Chi'ist, was t<j him, in fact, one great entir- prise ; and when the personal element came into view his only standard of merit was the spirit of self- denying service and of self-surrender for the saving of men, evinced by the Christian minister in any part of the great campaign. Thus it was impos- sible for him to for<::et the claims of those who were cheerfully bearing the burden and heat of the day in the outposts of the Held, in lonely mission stations, remote not merely from the inspirations of society, but even from the helps and comforts of civilized life. Hence his outbursts of enthusiastic admira- tion. Hence his burning words of remonstrance and appeal addressed to the indirterent or the sceptical. Hence, we may add, the revelation to many unin- structed souls of a true vision of Christ's kingdom such as he himself beheld all the day lonir. Hence the effect of his utterances in helping to energize and invigorate the most aggressive agencies of the Church, It has been said that Mr. Macdonnell was more interested in Home than in Foreign Missions. This was true in the sense that he gave more time and thought to the former than to the latter. But this was in a measure accidental. He felt that while the AUGMENTATION. 201 claims oi' cither were infinitely {^rcat, tlic public did not show that prompt recognition of the ncetls of the h(jme work, which greeted the selt'-cousecration and the career of the foreii^n missionary. But no one could speak more fondly or elo(|Uently than he on hehalf of the foreign work of the Church. It was not that he loved his country more than the world. It was rather that he saw in the redemption of his country the nearest duty of the servant of Christ, the most obvious and direct of the divinely appointed means whereby the world should be redeemed. The following- appreciative estimate of Mr. Mac- donnell's spirit and acliievements in this cause of Augmentation comes from Rev. Dr. R. Campl)ell, of Renfrew, wiio himself has borne a worthy share in the work which he so enthusiastically conimemorates : "Mr. Macdonnell, alon^; with Dr. Kin*^, Dr. Warden and others who were like-minded, became deeply interested in the case of the weak char(,^es under the care of the Home Mission Connnittee. Many of these were beinj^ depleted by the rush of innninjration to the North-West. All of them suffered throu<;h the long depression. Of the latter 705 ministers and congregations became discouraged, and fre((uent and long-continued vacancies were very connnon. With the Committee's help a stipend of .SOOO per annum was supposed to be provided, but the Connnittee had its deficits, the congregations were often in arrears, and deplorable <;{ises of straightened circumstances, on the part of ministers, were everywhere cropping up. This state of matters set hearts on fire, and Mr. Macdorniell (■ ill ..fii •, ' III''* i 202 LIFE OF D. .1. MACDONNEI.L. cMpociJilly was jjrcatly moved, and Iiis lieait and mind ex(!rci.s('<l over tlie considei-ation of tlii' remtMly, wliieli, as lie .said, luitsf be provided. His sympathy lor hi.s brethren was manifested in many and notable ways.c//., he became a tla<,rant transirressor of rules and llouted at them in those days. He would state the facts of some peculiarly needy case that had come under his notice, an<l then with a burst of ^rief and in(li<.,niation declare that rules nnist be set aside and justice done. (Jenerally he carried his point, but even when hr di<l not, Ik; had other resources in reserve, an<l it bi'came a comnion remark of the Convener, ' Well, bi'ethren, there is no doubt that this is an urgent case, but we must leave it with Mr. Macdoiuiell or Dr. Kinij^ to <;et some help from private sources.' In this way nnich was accomplished by both these true-hearted workers, but such temporary expedients could not really meet the need. "Gradually the remedy t(3ok shape, and schemes were commended to the consideration of the Church by the Assembly. Dr. Km<r, as the old parliamentary hand, had char<^e of the matter then, and Mr. Macdonnell, with ready and concise words, al)ly supported him in his work. Delavs occurred, however : rival schemes had to be harmonized. It even seemed that a dead- lock had been reached. At Icn^rth the present scheme of Auf^'mentation was evolved and placed by the Assembly under the charge of a sub-committee of the Home Mission Committee, with Mr. Macdonnell as Convener. This was in the year of 1883, and from that date to the close of his career he spared himself AUOMKNTATION. 203 neitluT in thou^^lit nor wonl nor docd in lurtlifrint; tlio work that luul lu'cn onti"nst«Mi to his ;;ni»ianc«'. With lii^li liojM's (in<l ^rc.it cnthnsiiisni lie rntcri'd on his mission. It sc^nu'd all so oood to him and ho so l)cIiovLMl in tiio wnci-ositv of thf ('Imri'h that lie hiid l)road phms and carornlly [»<'rr('L'tt'd tlu'ir dtitaiis, in anticipation ol" tlie tirst meeting of the Connnittci", and the aft«.'r-a])i)«'al to the (^hurcii at hir;^*'. Mem- Inn's dropping into his Iiome, hct'oi'o tlie sessions ol" tliat nieetini;-, went .iway impressed with the rar«' spirit of (h'votion and of reliance on the divine hel}) in wliicli ho ai)proaclu!d liis work. The meetin*; came and ho was as one inspired. His prayei's drew those who were pn'sent to tlie side of tlie Master, and hiid upon tliem this servicii as one in which He was inter- ested and wliicii He would hiess. Then he unfolded his plans, talked rapi<lly and earnestly of all that should be done, soui^ht advice and suj^^'estions, and gladly accepted every helpful hint. This was to l)o the way of it: There shouhl be a reserve fund of S20,000 or i52:),()()0 ; the Church would certainly see the wi.sdom of that and would ])rovide it. There should be deputies sent to Presbyteries and cordial relations established between them and the Com- mittee, thouijfh no one could doubt that they would b(^ cordial. He himself would go, and other mend)ers would assist him by going to large and influential congregations to bespeak their helj». Wealthy men also who loved their Church must be seen and might be expected to respond. The tire was burning in his own heart, and other hearts should be set on fire. iii ■ 1 i : j ; i ■ f 1 204 LIFK OF D. J. MACDONNELL. What inspirution tliere was in his words ! In liis presence no (jne could doubt tliat alt that lie had spoken of would be accomplished. " Thus the scheme was launched. Then he began the work, went everywhere arousing interest, was ably seconded in his et^fbrts by ])r, A. B. MacKay, Dr. Warden, and others, and a certain degree of success was reached. The reserve fund was raised to Si 7,000, but nmch of that caine throu<ih lei^acies which had fallen in. The response from Presbyteries and con- gregations \vas not so cordial in some cases as he had expected, but yet there is no note of discouragement in his first report to the Assembly. ' ]\Iucli had been done. Next year it might be expected that nmch moi'e would be accomplished.' But as one turns to the after-reports, they become ever more and more pathetic. ' It Avill take time,' ' Next year we may surely hope for bettei* things.' ' Only saved "rom a deficit by large drawing on the reserve fund.' ' The reserve fund will only last another year unless we bestir ourselves.' ' The reserve fund is exhausted, but perha])s it is better so. for now the Church will be on its mettle and provide for the carrying on of the work.' "^riius he spoke, and all through those trying years wrought l)ravely, seeking to stem the tide running so strongly against him. But it was too strong for him. The dreadful deficits came at last. ' She had to deduct a percentage from the grants promised, and the workers sutiered. The Church will realize what this means and will not permit it to happen again.' His a})peals re-echoed throughout the -r^ If AUGMENTATION. 205 of ill Church, a spasmodic ctlbrt was made, and af^aiii ho became hopeful. But .soon he had the same story to tell: 'Again we have to mak(> a reduction from the j.jrants promised, and the want of interest shown is much to be deplored.' These were not tlie results he had looked for. Still he nnist not give up the work for he was sure that it was a source of great stren<:th to the Church, and encouragement came to him as ne saw^ the speedy advance of congregations from a place on the augmented list to a .self-sustaining position. Every year from ten to twenty congregations thus moved forward, and he could not doubt that a work that was so blessed of (}od for the practical upbuilding of His cause should l)e carried on even amidst dith- culties and discoura<rements. So with the faith that failed not, he pres.scd on. Through the dark days when few believed with him, through the davs when his home was left desolate, through the days of over- work and failing strength when he was makiui^ lar<ve drafts upon the future, down to the very end he gave himself to the work. " A little more than a year before the end, he sug- crested chanfres in the mode of.workinix and the.se were approved by the Assend)Iy. A separate com- mittee was ap]iointed and charged with the care of tlie augniented congregations. New plans were formed, Presbyteries were again a})pealed to, and the result of the first yeai-'s work was faxourablc He was greatly encouraged, lie became ho])eful again. 'Let there be only another year without a deficit and we shall do well." But it was his last messaiie. im \^ ! ) .1 \\ i \n I ' 1 1 , 2U6 LIFE OF D. J. MACDOXNELL. Before tlie year closed he had entered into his rest. It cheered his heart in the end to know that there would be another year without a deficit. For the rest he left it in the hands of God, and handed back to the Church the work which had been connnitted to hiin, earnestly commending it to the Church's care. " The time is not yet when we can even begin to estimate the full results of those services which Mr. Macdonnell rendered to the home work of his Church, and to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom throughout the Dominion. We only know that such true devotion to the Master's service, and unselfish and unsparing activity in the doing of His will, must have results which only the years to come, and indeed the eternal ages themselves, can unfold. We see a little that he has done in laying the foundations. " We are tempted perhaps to think of the 2.')0 con- gregations added to tlu^ self-sustaining roll as his fitting memorial, and to say, look around and see what by God's grace he had a hand in doing. Rather we sec but a stone cast upon the cairn, and shall have to wait till hereafter to discover the completed monu- ment — the seal which CJod himself has set to His servant's work." The first year of the new Augmentation enterprise was signalized in St. Andrews Cliurch by the gift of S2,S62 toward that object. The sum was raised partly by special collection — a custom kept up regu- larly ever since — and partly by an appropriation from the ordinary revenue of the Church. The enthusiasm for this cause thus so splendidly manifested was AUGMENTATION. 207 rise of Ised rom ism ivas always maintained in tlie con<^rej(ation. The minis- ter himself V)ecame the threat apostle of Auf^mentation. The advocacy of this scheme probaVjly occasioned more frequent absences from the city than did any other single cause. Sunday and week-day meetings alilce, in town and country, were enlivened by his moving discourses, and probably no other single line of activity brought him so near to the hearts of his brethren or contributed so much to the boundless affection cher- ished for him throughout the connnunion. We have now arrived at a time when Mr. Mac- donnell's energies were being put forth along lines of activity which were permanent and final. With regard to the routine labour which occupied so much of his life, we have learned to regard him not simply as .„ preacher and pastor, but also as an active woi"ker in wider spheres. Apart from city charities and the miscellaneous avocations of a practical philanthropist, he comes into view most largely as an indefatigable committee man and propagan<list in the work of the Church. We must think of him as spending solid days of each month in the service of the Home Mission, the Augmentation, or the Hynmal coumiit- tees of the Church. Such a rare committee man as he was -so patient, thoughtful, deferential and full of resource — was naturally utilized, and utilized him- self to the full ; and what was suggested or only imperfectly dealt with in these stated gatherings was made up between times by correspondence. Very few private gentlemen in Toroiito had a larger daily mail than he, and it was a nobly freiglited 11 i w i i J-.,i, ;i ' 'i . )^ s '■ liii illi i % 11 I i ;SC 208 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. biKl^et that wont forth in reply, for heart and tliouglit and conscience went to tlie making of his letters. To this we must add his public advocacy of these and other good causes. While the cause of Augmentation was yet new, we find him, in company with Dr. Warden, going to Halifax in October, 1884, speaking in the Synod meeting and in Sunday services in behalf of the weaker charges of the Church. Early in 1885 we learn of energetic work nearer home. The following is a sample of winter work for Augmentation : On Saturday, February 7th, he went to Wiarton and gave an address there to a small audience, $3.30 being realized. The next day he preached there twice and gave an address in the afternoon. It took him the whole of Mondays to i>:et to Toronto on account of snow blocking the trains between Wiarton and Pal- merston ; he reached home at 11.45 p.m. Next day he un<iertook some suburban work. Here is a summary of his adventures : He started out in the afternoon to hold a service at the old York Tow^n Line church. After tea at the home of his good friend, Rev. Mr. Frizzell, on Broadview Avenue, near the old toll-gate, they set out to drive to th*^ church. After going about half a mile they found themselves in snowdrifts six feet deep with the road unbroken. The horse stuck fast. After digging him out, they went the rest of the distance on foot. Arriving at the church, they found it involved in darkness. On the w^ay back the sleigh- drive was resumed and accomplished in triumph, the only serious obstacle being a fourdiorse van laden Fr11llltftri-iirtl«iJ ■■■^.^,^. ... ■VAai..«.-j». AUGMENTATION. 200 r ^^t )n ut ix llG with a party of people bound for a temperance meet- ing at Wexford. These fellow-entliusiasts had got their double-tree broken, and delayed not only them- .selves but our disappointed friends, as the two parties spent half an hour in vain attempts to make way for one another. Mr. Macdonnell reached home just before 11 p.m. A somewhat similar experience is noted a month later. * Being elected Moderator of the Synod of Toronto and Kingston at Cobourg, on May 5th, 1885, he util- ized his opportunities for pressing the cause of Aug- mentation. The summer vacation being spent down by the sea, wo find him on Thursday, August 20th, at the small settlement of Belledune, twenty miles north of Bathurst, where a few families have long main- tained a tri- weekly Presbyterian service. The follow- ing note from his diary speaks for it.self : " Preached at Belledune, and held a meeting for Aui^mentation of stipends with Professor Harris, of Kingston. Took tea at house of Mr. Chalmers, who was the first man married by my father after his settlement in December, 1840." I r if 1 m \ , f> i:;!il! i-ihi I ; li h- |ie 3n IS 210 LIFE OF D. J. MACDOXNELL. *;■' i I i II CHAPTER XXII. STRENd Til EX ED A XD STREXG THEXIXd. Sevehai, vacations, beginning witli tliat of 1884, were j'i-,.:i, iu Yoiighal, (Jloucester County, X.B., near the ii"j ■ ■[ Mr. Macdonnell's childhood. This charming retread I'.'s Pour miles from Bathurst at the western s.d.. of tli^ • ::^anse of water at the mouth of the Nepisigull, k'i >!•' ( i-^ Pptliurst Harbour. Between Youghal proper and the Ijaie des Chaleurs to tlie north, a long bar stretches almost to the eastern shore of the harbour, leaving for the river l)ut a very narrow estuary. It ^vas near the end of the beauti- ful drive from Bathurst tliat Mr. Macdonnell and his family made their head([uarters. Here he and Mrs. Macdonnell cnjoj'ed, perhaps, more absolute habitual rest than anywhere else on earth. Being veiy fond of water travel, the whole family used to go from Toronto to Quebec by steamboat, and even make the return trip by the same slow convey- ance. The Toronto party at Youghal soon came to be augmented annually by their old friends, Mr. and Mrs. IMacMurchy, and members of their family, whose recollections of the weeks thus spent together are among the most cherished memories of their lives. .K.. hW . \ • STRENGTHENED AND STHENGTHENING. 211 1- .§ L-y fly .id y- to lid )se A letter written by Mrs. Macdonnell, on July 7th, 1884, to Mr. Russel Inglis, the faithful treasurer of St. Andrew's, gives a vivid picture of the mode of spending the holidays at Youghal : " Ever since we arrived here I have thought of writing to you to say ' thank you ' again for the candies, which have been enjoyed all along and are not tinislied yet ; and to let you know that we are enjoying ourselves hraivhj by the sea. You could not imagine a more complete contrast to Toronto life than this is — no noise, no dust, no door-bell, no beggars, no work ! — ^just walk, bathe, rest, read, eat, sleep, in succession. We have a splendid beach ; we can sit on the sand for hours without wearying. The bathing is good, the water being of a pleasant temperature, and the weather has been just right. " We are very comfortable in every way. Mr. Mac- donnell is having perfect rest. We write some letters, etc., every morning after breakfast: then we go to the beach, about a (|uarter of a mile distant, and bathe and play about till dinner-time. Then we rest and read, and have a walk or drive : or Mr. Macdonnell and the boys play a game of cricket. After tea we go to the shore again and watch the tide, while some- times the boys fish or make houses in the sand. Another hour's reading lets us to bed soon after nine. So you see we ought to grow strong and be refreshed, as I have no doubt we all shall be." It was always suspecterl by Mr. Macdonnell — and I may add by Mrs. Macdonnell also, in an even greater degree — that many people were in the lial)it of iittending St. Andrew's without getting positive .i'^: ^u t ,1 'f ' ' i 1 '■■ ',1 i ; 1 H y 212 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. m !•' t > ', ' Is' m f ;, li I; benefit from the services, and that the cliurch was a resort of many whose chief attraction was merely tlie popular gifts of the pastor. However mucli tlie apprehension may have been justified — and the tone of his sermons occasionally showed how deeply the thou<,dit had entered into his mind — there is no doubt that he was humbly thankful for the many proofs of real blessint; to heart and soul that came throuirh his ministrations. It may not be improper to (piote two letters written about this time, illustrative of the personal influence which he was privile<,a'd to exert. The first is dated May 2Gth, 1.S84 : " Deak Mh. Mac don NELL, — I feel I must write to thank you for the service and sermon of last evening. You, who bear your congregation upon your heart before God, must be glad to know that your message saved a soul from despair. I m ent longing for some hope that I might be forgiven, and oh ! far more, that I might be cleansed ! The whole service was for me a message : ' The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which ivas lust.' These words sing in my heart yet. One gets to hate sin so deeply, and the horrid discoveries one makes in one's own heart tempt one to despair. The Lord reward you for giving me a bit of hope ; for showing me that God vjanted me back. I went back, for you said, ' iVoio is the time.' I pray that your earnest words may bless many as they have blessed me in the hour of my great need. ' How great is his mercy to me.' " Yours, with earnest gratitude, " One of youii People" STRENGTHENED AND STKENOTHENING. 213 Tlie second is witliout date or si<;niitiirc : "My DEAu Mu. Macdonxell, — I have just received your letter and thank you most heartily for its kindly sympathy. You will scarcely wonder that since posting my letter to you I have sometimes wished I had it back. It seemed scarcely fair to burden you with, and expect you to throw light upon, such a bundle of confessions and contradictions, as my mental and spiritual history has been. Then again one does not like to acknowledi^e such failures and disorders and sins, and with many w(ndd be afraid of being misunderstood, or of having his troubles made light of and put down to mental infirmity merely. I never doubted, however, and with your kind note before me, doubt less than ever, that from you I can look for real help and synipathy. Already you have helped me much, for it was your preaching that brought me, at first occasionally, and then regularly to St. Andrew's Church, after long years in wliich I rarely saw the inside of a church at all, and got little or no help or comfort when I did happen to be there. And I am sure that you will be more glad to know that I have come sometimes to feel durini; these last months, both in St. Andrew's Church and out of it, that there was One seeking me, and who called me to seek Him, that He might bless me and reveal himself to me — more glad, I say, to know that this has been the outcome of my attendance at public worship, and the preaching of God's Word by you, than to know how deeply I sympathize with your views of Christian doctrine, so far as I understand them, and the whole ' . ^. r ; « 1' 1 ""a P :<i'ii' Ml If ¥ 1 r 5 '! : 1' ill ■ J. :i ! ' M if! 1 I' i i it I ■I I 214 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. method and spirit of your preHcntation of that doctrine. How mncli I think you have done, and are doing for many wlio for various reasons cannot find the needs of their heart and intellect met and satisfied by the ordinary ways of presenting the doctrines of Christ I . . . I shall mo.st gladly avail myself of your invitation to meet you in your study on Thursday evening. Sincerely yours, ." It is also of the strong and helpful Macdonnell of this period that the editor of the Westminster writes in the following powerful sketch : " Back in the seventies, one of the Toronto news- papers published in its weekly edition the portrait of the minister of St. Andrew's Church. At that time newspaper illustration was in its infancy, and the por- trait of the preacher was probably (piite inferior as a work of art. There nmst have been something of truth in the likeness, however, for at least one critic was attracted to it, and prized it as a valuable possession. When that issue of the paper reached an old farm- house far back in the country, the face on the front page was eagerly scanned, and when such vandalism was deemed safe, the paper was cut and the picture pasted up on the wall in a little room in the attic. There it remained to catch the eye of the youth for whom it had from the first a strange fascination. In the mornings, or on wet days, or at odd times of reverie, he would lie on the bed and wonder what the man was like whose face looked down from the wall with such intense eagerness, and whose eyes had such a strange piercing light. ~ 1 h= I' STUENGTHENED AND STRENGTHENINO. 215 I "A yt'iir or two at'tcrwanls tluit youth left liis home to ^fo to that iiiystcriouH placo, ' tlio colle^^c' It was Satui'(lay ui^ht wlicn lie landed in Toronto, and tiie wliitc Novcndu'r moon added a weird touch to the unfamiliar scone. He made liis way U|) Simcoe street, and when at the corner of K'uxj; Htre«'t lie looked Up at that magnificent pile which he was told was ' Macdonnell's chui'ch,' and the house in the dark shadows amon<; the ti'ees ' the manse,' the face on the wall in the attic came hack, and ])artly from liomesickness, ]iartly from reverence, he felt the i^round whereon he stood to l)e holv i;round. "The following njornin<;- nothin*if wouM do hut he must <^o to the er^at church on King street. Other ministers were mentioned, but their names were strange, they had not attained to the honourable place in the attic galleiy. To be sure, he had heard many warnings against heresy, and the Union itself was denounced as unholy because a heretic was har- boured. But there is in youth a generosity, and a vehement sympathy with the persecuted, that do not always distinguish maturer years, and on that grey Sabbath morning tlie lad, who had never seen the interior of any church but the one in which he w^as baptized, or listened to any preacher other than staunch anti-Union Free-Churchmen, presented him- self before St. Andrew's splendid doorways, one of the multitude g(jing up to worship. " There w^ere not many in the great church wdien this youth, bewildered by the attention shown and the solemn magnificence of the place, was given a :.•! 11 ill! 216 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. i ' seat well up toward tlie front, to tlie right of the pulpit. Tlic ohl brick church at home with its Gothic wimlowH aiul walnut pulpit, the wonder of the coun- tryside, liad seemed to hiui second only to Solomon's tem[)le, and Toronto cimrchcs would have to be some- thing unusual to come up to it. But he was silent about the comparison. Tlie great s[)ace, the lofty ceiling, the polished woodwork, the upholstery and car2)et, the rich window lights and the pulpit (piite overcame him. This must indeed be the temple of Maunnon. The people could not serve God in this place. It was wicked in him to come. What if he were to be struck dead and the news go back to his home that it was in Macdonnell's church, and on Sunday ! The first note oi' the organ rather added to his discomfiture, for lie had always heard the organ spoken of as the devil's special invention for the damnation of souls. " By this time the church was crowded, and some were standing in the aisles in the west gallery. Then a door to the right of the pulpit opened, and a spare figure arrayed in a black gown and white bands entered, and passed (juickly along the short aisle and up the steps into the pulpit. It w^as the man of the newspaper picture. Who could mistake that face, so clean-cut, so winsome, so spirituel ! " Presently the organ ceased playing, and the min- ister rose and, bowing his head over his clasped hands, said in low, distinct, earnest tones, ' Let us pray.' In the church at home the service was opened with the singing of a psalm, and at prayer i! STRENGTHENED AND STRENGTHENING. 217 all tlio people Htood. Here the people bowed their heads, and for an instant all was still as life can be. Tlien, in t<jnes too deep and impressive for the balK'l of the intervening years to drown, the minister said, ' Holy, holy, holy, Lord (lod Almi;^hty, heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Thy ^l«)ry.' What more was said, or what else was done, whether or not they san<; hymns an<l anthems, what the text was or the sermon, how long the service lasted or how it was closed, it would be impossible for the boy from the country to tell. All he knew and felt was that this was the house of a holy God, into whose awful pres- ence the people were led, and before whom it became men to be silent, and to be sorry for their sins. He felt that, and he felt, too, that the man in the puli)it, whose face in the attic gallery had fascinated his eye, had won unalterably his heart. " Years passed before the student was to the preacher anything more than hundreds of otlx i- young men who passed in and out of the great churcli, but never ven- tured nearer than the back seats in the gallery. But to them the preacher was everything, his ministry made for their redemption, and by him all other preachers were measured and adjudged. " In those days, as now, the college stuilents were divided into cliques and coteries, according to their church connection. Gould street, afterwards St. James' Square, always took the largest number. Macdonnell's following among the theologues never was large, nor were his men the readiest in sounding the praises of their favourite preacher. They felt i!! in .■"i\ i 1 f '1 i \ \ i ( ■ t i'1 218 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. themselves in the minority, nnd, besides, tliey knew that their minister had been spoken against. On Sunday, after dinner, when the students were grouped in the hall discussing the morning ser- mons, or when they loitered in the dining-room at the close of family worship after evening service, the reiTular Macdonnell men were often silent. Some- times some bulwark of orthodoxy, who had yielded to temptation and gone to St. Andrew's, reported his experiences, and solaced his conscience by de- nouncing the preacher, his theology, liomiletics and elocution, and all who were of his way. It may be that no protest would be entered, for there was a feeling on the part of the St. Andrew's men that it was not given to all to understand or appre- ciate Macdonnell. It was not on such occasions that they showed their devotion. But if you happened into St. Andrew's for a service, and watched them as they looked down from the gallery, conscious only of the man in the pulpit, and of the words of warning and appeal with which he assailed their souls ; or if you drew near as they made tlieir way homeward after service, two and two, up Simcoe and John streets, and around by The Grange and Beverley, silent for the most part, or talking in low tones and at intervals ; if you watched them unawares then, or at other times when they told each other the deepest secrets of their lives, as student friends sometimes do ; or if years after two of them met in the chance crossings of life's pathways and dropped into reminiscences of student days, you would have seen in their eyes at "AXW STRENGTHENED AND STRENGTHENING. 219 1 f If 1 "- 1 f ' ■J.lj^KJ iJ'iV, • m' Ai t m the mention of Macdonnell's name a lit^lit which would have sliowed what real reverence and devotion meant. " It was not tlioological students niei'ely that were won and held by the minister of St. Andrew's : uni- versity men in all departments, of all creeds, Protes- tant and Catholic, and of no creed, were drawn to him as to no other. They found in him and in his ministry something helpful, lu'althful, steadying. " What was it gave this man such an influence over men, some of whom were hejxinninfi: to wander in uncertain ways, and to whom the words of other preachers were powerless to recover and bless :* It was not his unusual abilities, although he was admitted to be scholarly, vigorous in his thinking, and forceful in his speech. It certainly was not that he compromised truth to meet the views of any clas or school ; for whatever may have been thought by soKie who knew him through second-hand I'eport or at a distance, those who sat under his ministry know that he never made sin other than damning in its consequences, that the love of (Jod was preached as consuming in its light and heat, and that he healed no man's soul-hurt slightly, saying ' Peace, peace, when there could be no peace.' ]t was not the peculiarity of his doctrine that drew men to him, nor his method, nor even the way he had with him, but it was the unconmion genuineness of the man. " Looking back, one can see the tragedy of student life. There is never a session in university or colh'ge but some life is cut from its moorinos and sent adrift m m I t I; i-i,^;, 1 ■ i m^ ■1 ' ' 111 I ' 220 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. on the wild bewilderment of doubt. Men are now in the ministry who will carry to their graves, if not beyond, the scars of woundings received in that first unsettlement of faith. Others, who set out for the pulpit, were staggered by ' the new knowledge,' and drifted away into medicine, law, and the tr.ades. Those are perilous hours in a student's life when he is fitting himself in among his fellows in the college class-room. He has come up, it may be, like the majority of his companions, from the stern simplic- ities of country life, where things in the Bible, and nature, and human life are taken to be what they seem. He finds himself in a new world, as new and strange as if it had been on another planet. There is a freedom of thought, a frankness of expression, a spirit of investigation ; the things he once thought fixed by a changeless decree are discussed as open questions, and d bt is cast upon the very creed by which he live*^- may be in the science laboratory, or in the phi. >hy class-room, or in the debating society, or in the quiet with two or three kindred spirits. It may be the teaching he receives or the life he lives. Whatever the cause, it happens every session that the fabric of some student's faith is either emptied of its riches or crumbled to the dust like a thing of vanity and lies. And some of these fellows don't want to be doubters. They feel keenly its smart, and they know that no life can be masterful and worthy that is not well grounde<l. They know that doubt, even the ' honest doubt ' the poet praises, can never make glad the heart, or give strength to STRENGTHENED AND STRENGTH KNING. 221 m the mind. And, what is worse than the surrender of this or that dogma, tlie danger is that sober views of life will be yielded and life itself become sliallow, barren, purposeless. " Such men come and go every year. They say little, most of them, about those inner experiences. Silently the change comes. At the break of faith there may be no sign. But it is not without sadness they see the eclipse come on. And saddening, too, is their experience with tlie ordained and accredited teachers of religious truth. Tiiey do not understand each other, the average teacher and these students. He thinks them irreverent, and they regard him as a fossil or an obscurantist. And it was to St. Andrew's Church such men, both in and out of the university and colleges, constantly turned, and Mac- donnell, more than any other man, became their guide and friend. " And why Macdonnell rather tlian others ? There were as great orators in the Toronto pulpit, and per- haps men of as large scholarship and as profound thought. It may be that his own p 'rsonal experience and the keenness of the stru<>ifle wliich came to him before he found ' a stronger faith his own,' gave to this man an insight and a sympathy. But that alone would not do it. Most men have had times of dark- ness more or less trying. It was his symj)atlietic insiglit, and his uncommon genuineness in thought, and speech, arid life, that made Macdonnell loved, and trusted, and followed. *' I have said his ' uneomuK » m i ; 'l: '' 1 ■ t t ,1 i >^l I I \' ) 222 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. it was uncommon. TJiore is an enormous amount of insincerity and unreality in life, in the pulpit as well as the pew. Not conscious, evident, acknowledged insincerity. That would too plainly mark out the preacher as an hireling. But that ungenuineness in tone, and speech, and behaviour which makes so much preaching empty as the sounding brass. You may detect it in the inconsistency between the awful words of prayer and the listless or pretentious tone in which the words are uttered, or in the hackneyed hollowness of the language alike of prayer and sermon, or in the lightness and smartness of behaviour, as though the pulpit were an actor's stage. No worshipper in St. Andrew's ever mistook the place, or the time, or the purpose. With all his brightness and cheeriness, when he stood in his pulpit the minister felt himself the messenger of Jehovah, and the burden of his message at times weighed heavily. No beauty or richness, or dignity of a liturgy could take the place in his service of the preaching of the Word. To him the sermon was God's messajje to men. and the preacher of to-day, as truly as Isaiah, a prophet of Jehovah. " When first you heard him preach you may have been surprised or disappointed. There was but sel- dom that sweep, and surge, and billowy rush of elo- (juence, which you associated with preaching of the highest rank. Indeed, while it was strong, alert, and intense to an unusual degree, his preaching lacked vividness of imagination and unvarying fluency. There was little of the creative in his genius, and ■¥ m\ /;: 4 or im of Lve ^el- )lo- Ithe iiid :ed MU. MACDONNKLL IN \>^'<!. ' IH i ■' ; 1 ^ I 1 ■ 1 (1 ' ' l] M i :1 r 1 . ; '■ 'i • i ■ : . t ' ■i 1 : 1,' ^^ 1 ' 1 1. m iS i STTl STUENGTHENED AND STRENGTHENING. 223 his words sometimes came hesitatingly. But wlien they came they were the right words, and forceful. And then, too, he was fearless for truth, and purity, and right. Not that narrow, cowardly fearlessness that says in the pulpit what dares not be said in the street. They knew when they sat in St. Andrew's — the men upon whose secret lives he flashed the white light of truth — they knew the preacher understood their case, and was brave with the bravery of a man. When he leaned over the pulpit, his arms resting upon tlie open Bible, the right hand slightly raised, the index linger extended, every muscle tense and trem- bling, his voice (luivering with emotion, the words of denunciation, and warning, and entreaty fell upon the soul like the echo of the thunder of the last judgment. " Of course, such preaching, earnest, searching, in- tensely personal! told upon the nervous force of the preacher. Real preaching always docs. Virtue must go out of the preacher if life and healing are to come to the languishing souls of the hearers. There is no harder work, none more exhausting to nerve, and brain, and heart, unless, indeed, it be praying. And his praying was such as told. He never invited his people to address the Almighty in words of mock- ing irreverence or with ragged impromptu drivel. In early life he absorbed what was best in tlie various liturgies and service manuals of the Christian Church. Eitchologion was his handbook up to the last. Who that worshipped in St. Andrew's does not remember how often the congregation was brought into the I't -iU t will I I r :' l-^. ■Ills fll I. M IK* M^ i ij I i' SI ■1 'ii III w 224 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. atmospliere of awe and adoration with the opening prayer, uttered in tones of deepest reverence, and with that measured distinctness which made tlie words forever memorable : " • O God, Light of the hearts that see Thee, and Life of the souls that love Thee, and Strength of the thoughts that seek Thee ; froili whom to be turned away is to fall, to whom to be turned is to rise, and in whom to abide is to stand fast forever: Grant us now Thy grace and blessing, as we are here assembled to offer up our comnum supplications ; and though we are unworthy to approach Thee, or to ask anything of Thee at all, vouchsafe to hear and to answer us ; for the sake of our great High Priest and Advocate, Jesus Christ. Amen.' *' And then in the confession, supplication, and inter- cession, with what tenderness, thoughtfulness and largeness of love and faith the desires and petitions of the people, each for all and all for each, were gathered into one touching, genuine prayer to God ! At times so vividly did the scenes of the week come back — the disappointment, the failure, the shame, the bitterness, the sin — and so dark was the shadow which the sorrow of others cast over his own heart, that utterance was choked and the prayer remained unfinished, save in His ear to whom ' the wish to pray is prayer,' " Such preaching told, and in such praying not a few whose faith had suffered shock became again as little children at the heavenly Father's feet. You might have seen there in the pews professors from the university, ministers of the crown, leaders of thought and men of action. Some of them had been called 1 r! STRENGTHENED AND STRENGTHENING. 225 m unbelievers, but there tliej' bowed tlieir heads, and sometimes, all nnconseions of the scrutiny of man, their lips moved in silent prayer to Him in whom their hearts believed in spite of their unbelieving; creeds. " While 1 write these words my mind jjjoes back to on(! afternoon when Mae<lonnell addressed the stu- dents at a mectino- held under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A. of Toronto University. The hall— I think it was old Moss Hall — was crowded to the doors. Men who sneered at the Y.M.C.A., and who did th(.'ir best to earn the reputation of beinf^ ' fast,' were there; for whatever they blatantly said about relig- ion, they dared not speak against Macdonnell. I wonder if any who read these lines were at that meeting ? Some, I know, will never forget it. They had reached the turning in the road. It was not Young's philosophy, nor Ramsay Wright's science that caused them to stund)le. They had gone from their homes and home churclies unpledged to Christ, and some of them were unable to stand against the untoward tendencies of university life. Siren voices were calling to them. Sin was getting the mastery over their better judgment and self -respect. They went to that meeting because Macdonnell was to speak, and they ' had such reverence for his blame.' With an insight and power that were simply marvel- lous he spoke home to their hearts and consciences. He did not take a text, but his address was based on Paul's words, ' Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh.' ' The lusts of the Hesh : ' 16 'I 11 :1H i-l VT'- 1' I ' t:li ■ (Si 11 : ;| 1 *'^" ! ! 226 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. That was the tiling against which some of us were offering but feeble resistance. We called it doubt, intellectual difficulty, and the like It really was ' the flesh.' But what to do ? Oh, how many a poor fellow asks that in accents of despair ! He is be- ginning to feel the awful power and to lose his grip. Macdonnell understood, and more than one student heard with hope of the positive power of faith in Christ to recover and make strong. He had heard the truth many times before, but it always had seemed to him an idle tale. That afternoon it was the same, and yet not the same ; back of the truth was the per- sonality of the preacher, and the truth was sent home to the heart. " We have not yet got over asking, Why was he taken ? He seemed to be the one we needed most of all. So many of us might have dropped out, and the ranks would have closed up again ; but the place where he stood tliere is none to till. We might have died almost unmissed, for we are scarcely known to be alive ; his life was so strong, and he poured it with such lavishness into so many channels that his with- drawal is as the shuttinir out of the sun. There must be, behind the veil, some larger opportunity and nobler ministry for souls so richly dowered." WORK AND WORSHIP IN ST. ANDREW'S. 227 CHAPTER XXIIL WORK AND WORSHIP IX ST. ANDREWS. ,11 The strenuous efforts made to reduce the debt had, by the year 1883, resulted in cutting it down to one- half of the original $80,000. It was now decided to accept an offer of $21,000 for the valuable farm property on the Humber River, which had been part of the glebe lands of the church. Thus the debt was placed at about $20,000, a point below which it never fell. St. Andrew's was now a strong church, and it was felt that the various clainis on the liberality of the people were so many and strong that the wiping out of this indebtedness was a less important end than the helping on of these enterprises. The wisdom of this course of action on the part of pastor and people, may be open to ()ues- tion. But what is not open to question is the magni- ficent record of contributions to religious and benevo- lent objects, which for the next ten years formed the most conspicuous feature of the records of St. Andrew's. A number of notable events in the history of the congregation mark the year 1884. The beautiful 1.^ 228 LIFE OF D. J. MACnONNELL. r .1 ortjan wliich of itself, in a certain Renso, jT^ives cliarac- ter to tlio churcli odific(!, was built in this year by Messrs. S. R. Warren & Son, of Toronto. Sij^nificant of the extension of the con^repition was tlie appoint- ment of a permanent missicmnry to labour in the parish in connection with St. Mark's (.'hurch. As this offshoot of St. Andi'ew's has now been for some years a separate congre^^ation, its history is properly a subject by itself. But a few words as to its early development may help to <^ive an ade(|uate idc^a of the activity and growth of the parent church. The foundation of St. Mark's was laid in the building already mentioned, at the corner of King and Simcoe streets, which was used until the erection of the new churcli for the holding of a local Sunday school, under the charge of Mr. Archiljald MacMurchy, and which, with gradually increasing attendance, came to be a permanent mission of the Church. The building, after being moved to the corner of Ade- laide and Tecumseh streets, was still known as St. Mark's Church. The use of the building was granted temporarily to the Reforined Episcopal Church for public worship, and the Sunday school of that de- nomination was combined with the original element under the direction of Mr. G. C. Robb, now an elder in the Bloor Street Presbyterian Church, who had assumed charge of St. Mark's school at the time of the migration. In 1877 this amalgamation ^^Jis dissolved, and St. Mark's proper came at the s time under the superintendency of Mr. John J'..i8, who was next year elected an elder in St. Andrew's it WOKK AND WORSHIP IN ST. ANDREW'S. 229 and whose cliiof work for many years was performed in connection with St. Mark'.s. After the removal to tlie west, relij^ious .services were be<^ani in St. Mark's, conducted by students and others, but these were forbidden by the Presbytery in June, 1870. After a time it became evident tiuit there was a hir^e Presbyterian popuhition in the neighbourhood without reli^iouH privilej^es, and oc- casional meetinj.js were lield, which finally led to the establishment of permanent church services. After a canvass of the district by the Women's Association, it was a<^reed to ask permission for tlie appointment of a stated missionary. The first to labour in this capacity was Rev. J. F. Somerville, B.A., now minister of Norwood, Out., who was apj)ointed in May, 18.S4., after wdiich date the ultimate formation of .a separate con^^regation was only a (piestion of time. The rapid development of St. INfark's was, congre- gationally, the most notable event of 1885. The appointment of a stateil missionary had proved a great success. The mission building was removed during the year from the corner of Adelaide and Tecumseh to the corner of King and Tecumseh streets, wliere the St. Mark's Church now stands, and at the same time was materially enlarged. The number of pupils in the Sunday Scliool soon increased nearly threefold. At the regular Sunday gatherings the building was filled. After a year's service as mis- sionary, Mr. Somerville was succeeded by ^Ir. Alfred Gandier, now pastor of Fort Massie Church, Halifax, N S, Under his able and devoted ministry, which )^' ¥i . ^1 ) 5 1 1 1 X >J ! s i I i "1 [- ^vi.r ;i I . ji* A ^ 1 1 ^ 230 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. continued till 1888, St. Mark's grew into a flourishing congregation. A severe loss was sustained by St. Andrew's in 1884, in the death of Mr. James Bethune, Q C, at a comparatively early age, on December 18th. Mr. Bethune was one of the three elders who came over from tlie Church Street to the new congregation. He was the first elder whom Mr. Macdonnell was called upon to part with by death. He was a distinguished lawyer, and his trained judgment was often of great service to the session, while he was prized as justly for his personal qualities of open-heartedness and courtesy. In the record of 1885 we have to note the resigna- tion of Mr. Isaac Gilmor from the Board of Mana- gers. Mr. Gilmor had been a member of the Board for nearly forty years, and chairman for sixteen. He had thus presided over the teMiporal affairs of the Church during the wliole period of Mr. Mac- doimell's ministry, and his direction as well as busi- ness ability liad largely contributed to tlie progress of the congregation. Mr. Gilmor continued to attend the services for several years, but age and distance have prevented him of late from worsliipping in the church to whose interests he devoted liis best powers during most of a long life. In the chairmanship he was succeeded by Mr. John Kay, who, besides having been elder since 1878, had also been a manager since 1876. During the next year, 188(), three new elders were added — Mr. James Massie, wlio had been a member of the Church since his removal from Guelpli in 1881 to 'T^ WORK AND WORSHIP IN ST. ANDREWS. 231 assume the office of Warden of the Central Prison, Mr. Alex. Gemniell, and Mr. Robt. S. Smellie. After several years of valued service Mr. Gemniell and Mr. Smellie were obliged to sever themselves from the congregation by reason of change of residence. Mr. Massie, whose work among the poor and the neglected is widely known without as well as witiiin the con- gregation, still occupies a leading place in the councils of the Church. The increase in the eldership may be taken as a gauge of the actual extension of the parish. Not that the membership was increasing in the same relative proporti<jn. The numerical t'xpansion was indeed gratifying, 748 members being upon the com- munion roll at the end of 188(). But it was rather the local scattering of the congregation which called for a larger foice of spiritual overseers. "A Word from the Minister" at the close of 1886 uses this language : " It is a source of great satisfac- tion that attendance on the part of the great majority is so regular. ... I should be glad if some of you who are young men would come more regularly in the forenoon as well as in thr evening. You are not ail so overwrought on Saturday (though some of you are) that you are too wearied to rise early enough on Sunday to attend morning .service. It is in the forenoon that 1 have' generally gi\'en systematic expositions of some book of Scriptui'e which, 1 judge, is the most proHtal)le sort of preaeliiiig. " I do not make this remark because the attendance at morninn; service is small. As a rule it is lar^-er in the forenoon than in tlu' e\'ening. 1 do not urge attendance at both ser\ices upon all. Parents who i^ m ill ■ 'J rf i' . Hi » 232 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. i|! ! li it I ^y have young children to care for may find it necessary or very desirable that one or both of them should be at home in tho evenin<^ ; and teachers who have spent forenoon or afternoon in public worship and teaching may find it profitable to have the evening for private rea<ling and rest. I beg of 3'ou, however, not to allow Sunday evening to be consumed in the chit- chat of small talk or gossip either at home or among friends. Let the hours of the Lord's Day be turned to the best account for the spiritual imj^rovement of yourselves and your children." After speaking of personal work in the church associations he adds : " Much good work may be done apart from these organizations. For examj)le, many a young man who does not think himself competent to teach a class in Sunday School ma}'^ prove a real missionary by inviting his fellow-clerk, or fellow- boarder, or acquaintance, who is going to no church, to come with him to service. Some of you may do untold good by inviting him or her to your home. Scores of people are going astray for lack of kindly Christian home influences. Need I say that many a weary mother, darning and mending after she has put her little ones to bed, and sighing because she can- not get out to ' meetings,' may do a blessed work at home for the Lord. "In a word, BE a follower of Jesus Christ, and while methods of work may vary, you will be a 'lamp' shedding light to guide somebody's steps, you will be ' salt' seasonino- the life of those about vou, vmi will be ' leaven ' working sileiitly upon the characters of your fellows." n WORK AND WOKSHIP IN ST. ANDREWS. 283 The abov'c is a fair specimen of the wholesome, stimulating kind of talk the people of St. Andrew's were accustomed to receive from their alert and faithful minister. His allusion to the morning e.xpo- sitic^ns of Scripture will, I am sure, recall to many a former listener the broad, sympathetic and vivid fashion in which the great pulpit e.xegete treated many of the books of the Bible in the w^ay of systematic exposition. At this time he w'as dealing with the book of Job. With none of the Old Testa- ment writings <lid he find himself intellectually so much at home. The unconventionality and ]>road humanity of the book were congenial to him. The mysteries of life and of divine providence came to him much as they did to the old Hebrew poet. With him, too, they wx-re not to be e.xplained to the indi- vidual sufierer by traditional formula; or current ma.\.inis. They could only be solved by the direct consciousness of the presence and power of the li\ing God, which came as an illumination as well as a solace to the tempted and atliicted patriarch. Moreover, the fuller solution atibrded by the New Testament reve- lation f(3und in him a specially ordained interpreter. With his profound views of the sacrifice and atone- ment of Him who " became perfect through suffering tliat he miii'ht brin<>- manv sons into u'loi'V,"' he was richly (pialifitMl to ])lace the shadowy outlines of the Old Testament ima^-es under the lii>-ht that streams from Calvary, and flash a picture clear aii<l full upon the receptive consciousness of the listener. It was a liberal educati«jn in Biblical theology to listen to these 1 i^ ■1- ti \' i ; u- iR ■' •'■' U 'l ¥ :■ \ \m i> 13 1,-: li:' fi!', IK ' : i il ^ . 1 ifH tiii lis 11 234 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. rare expositions. It was no wonder tliat Prof. Young, tlie pliilosopher, tlie pride and glory of Toronto Uni- versity, expressed himself as, above all, pleased with the " fairness " of these discourses. Tliey were not written out in full, the more's the pity ! A notable step forward in the parish work was taken in 1886, by the appointment of a Bible reader under the auspices of the " Willing Helpers " of St. Andrew's. Miss Margaret Gardiner, the first to fill the position, served the district and indeed the whole community during the seven years of her ministry. This appointment was one of the most important of the movements resulting in that system of mission and benevolent work which, since 1890, has had its centre in " St. Andrew's Institute." The work of such a Bible reader is not simply reading and explaining the Word of God to tlie inmates of those homes where its teachings were unknown or disregarded ; it includes also nursinii- and caring for the sick. It goes so far as rendering practical assistance to the many untrained young housekeepers, in showing them how to cook a meal, clean a room, or mend a garment. The first re])ort presented by Miss Gardiner tells of these things, and also of the "mothers' meetings" which were established in the autunni of 188(1 -. " We spend the hour from two to three o'clock cutting out and sewing ; from three till a (piarter to four we have a very infornial Ciospel service ; refreshments are then sei > 'd, and the garments which have been made up by the ' Willing Helpers' Society are I'xamined and purchased by the mothers and sisters." MINISTER AND CHURCH IN THEIR PRIME. 235 CHAPTER XXIV. MIXISTKli AND CHURCH IN THEIR PRIME. . *1 Earlv in 1(SS6, Dr. SmoUie, boin^^ tlicii seventy-fivo year.s of ago, met with a painful accident at liiw lionio in Fei'tjiis. A severe scald left him for a time but little hope of life, and after he had begun to conva- lesce, his j)rogress was very slow toward recovery. Foui" months after the occurrence he was able to go about again, and then a long projected visit was made by him and Mrs. Smellie, with their daughter Isabel. He was still too lame to travel without attendance, and the party was under tlu; aliM't and tender care of Mr. Macdonnell. They left Toronto on June 8th. Dr. Provost Body, of Trinity t^)llege, was a fellow- passenger, and divided with Mi'. Macdonnell the sermon-giving of the tri]). While Dr. an<l M)\s. Smellie were visitiuii" Ediid)ur<'h, Mr. Macdonnell made a trip to London. The fellow-travellcis met at Inverness on July lotli, and on the ITtli all were tou'ether in Mrs. Smellie's old home at Kirkwall, the first occasion on which she and hei- husband were there at the same time since thev left it forty- f :! \ \ 236 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. i! \' ) j(i it Jit three years before. Tliere were many hearts to share their gla(hiess and thankfulness. On July 2(Jth the fellow-travellers sailed from Liverpool, reaching Toronto on August 9tli. Dr. Sinellie had completely recovered his health. Thus the decline of old age came at length to him unaccel- erated by any outward shock, and ten years more of life were granted to him. To make up for a little trip to New York made in April, the sunnner vacation of 1887, spent at the Sand Banks, near Belleville, was shortened by a return to Toronto for part of August, for the purpose of supplying the pulpit and doing some visiting among the congregation. In fact he preached every Sunday during July and August at home or elsewhere. The year 1887 was a very prosperous one in the church work of St. Andrew's. The membership rose to 704; the contributions for all purposes to $25,541. Repairs were made on the church building, besides striking improvements in the internal decorations, at a cost of SO, 7 05. It was resolved to support a foreign missionary for five years, and i? 1,4 14 was contributed for this object. Besides these home offerings, the conirreii-ation subscribed for the Juliilee Fund of Queens University, $24,205, out of a total of $40,305 subscrib(xl in Toronto. One of the oldest memljers of the Board of Manage- ment, Mr. Russel Inglis, resigned his position during 1887 on account of the growing infirmities of age, having been a devoted custodian of the Church's interests as manager and treasurer for eighteen years, PI ■■ • ■!■> MINISTER AND CHURCH IN THEIR PRIME. 2.'}7 He remained a member of the eonirreijation till re- moved by deatli in 1893. The death, on September 27th, 18S7, of another still more prominent in the history of St. Andrew's, brou(,dit to many of the old- time membei's recollections of the former days. The ill health which led ])r. Barclay, in bSTO, to demit the con(^re(jfation, continued with him to the end. For several years he had led perforce a st'clud(Ml life, and his death, at the a^jje of seventy-five, was felt by all ' to be a happy release from a world that had become sadly darkened for him by mental eclipse. His work had been done for the generation that was passing;' away. The most signal mark of the year's pi-ogress was the development of St. Mark's Mission. Rev. Alfred Gaudier, who had served with good acceptance there during the sunnner of 1885 and 188G, was now ma<le assistant minister, with special charge of St. Mark's, and with the duty of giving occasional service to St. Andrew's. The church bnildiiii:' was becomin<j: too small for either the regular Sunday services or for the Sunday school. The most numerous addi- tions to the membership of St. Andrew's now came from St. Mark's, and it was made evident that an independent congregation would soon have to be formed. The assistant minister preached occasionally in St. Andrew's, where his presence in the pulpit was always welcome. But he was necessarily engrossed with the exacting affairs of the mission, and an assistant in the proper sense was still wanting to the overwrought minister of the parent church. ■ if II V ''» i 1 r \ ll till ii; t I ! • I V * 1 238 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. In the .spring of 1887 a small party of lads, sent out to Canada from Perthshire by the directors of an industrial school, found their way to Toronto. They had been destined for Winnipeg, but bj'^ some mistake of the railway authorities they were stopped on their journey. Mr. Macdonnell's kindness to them, referred to in the following letter, is worthy of record, if onl}' for the sake of the obvious suggestion, " Go thou and do likewise." It is gratifying to know that the young men corresponded with their benefactor for some time after their settlement in Manitoba, and retained the liveliest recollections of his generous attention. " Fechney Industrial School, " Perth, June 24th, 1887. " Mev. Mr. MacJonnell, Toronto : " Dear Sir, — At their monthly meeting to-day the Directors considered two letters received from the little party of emigrants lately sent out from tlie School to Canada, in which grateful mention was made of the very kind assistance they received from you when, through an error on the part of a railway official, they were in great straits, and should not have known what to do had you not so generously come to their help. In their own language, * Had we been his sons, he could not have done more for us.' " However unpleasant this mistake must have been for the lads, one can scarcely regret it, as an oppor- tunity was thereby given for a display of Christian charity, which has so deeply impres.sed them that they will in all probability imitate it when occasions arise. 11 m MINISTER AND CHUllOH IN THEIR PRIME. 2.S9 '5 1 "Your own review of the benefit you were privi- leged to confer must be eminently satisfactor3\ The lads were committed to the care of their Saviour before leaving, and it is no small honour to be chosen as His instrument for their relief. " The Directors feel that they would neglect a duty if they failed to ofi'er you their heartfelt thanks for the kindly and opportune aid you extended to their former pupils, for whom they still consider themselves responsible. " Heartily wishing you all prosperity in your noble life-work, they remain, your obliged servants. " In the name of the meeting, "Peter Campbell, " Chairman." '■ H 1 l:\ til HI In 1888 the tide of St. Andrew's prosperity reached high-water mark. Its contributions for all purposes amounted to $29,016, of which much less than one- half was given for congregational objects. It had long been the earnest desire of the minister that his people should devote a largei' sum to the iiii.ssionary and educational enterprises of the Church, and to philanthropic work at their dooi's, than to their own congregational funds, and this year a total of $16,405 contributed to outside objects, made his aspirations a reality. The membership rose to 839. Rev. J. Buchanan, M.D., a late graduate of Kingston, was sent to our mission-field at Indore at the charge of the congregation, who guaranteed his salary for five ''' il 11"^ I ': 1 j ■ i ■ ; Ml- i * ' ^ I ■ i i * " , I * i^;; mi h lii|| ■ ^'' 51 - ^ i 1 lUIH 240 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. years. To meot the need created by the expansion of the con^i-e^^ation, as well as to make up for the loss occasioned hy the retirement of former elders, no less than ten new members were a<lded to the session during the year. In 18.S7 Dr. W. B. Geikie had resi»^ned, after nine years' service, and in ISiSO, Messrs. Robinson and McGee withdrew on account of removal to a distance from the church. Early in 18S7 the present writer had been elected, and now there were placed upon the roll the ad<litional names of Messrs. Robert F. Dale, George Keith, E. A, Maclaurin, W. A. Shepard, Robert .1. Wylie, C. S. McDonald, A. F. McLean, John Muldrew and Alex. Stewart. Of these, Mr. Dale was especially identified with St. Mark's ('hurch, to which JMr. Joss had already so long ministered. Mr. Keith had .served for a short time as a manager in the old undivided church. A brief spring recess was taken this year with Mrs. Macdonnell at Buffalo. The General Asseniljlv met at Halifax in June, and a short visit was made to Youghal on the homeward wav. A brief stav was next made at Cap-a-l'Aigle, where Mrs. Campbell and her family habitually spent th*' vacation. With the exception of a trip to Muskoka in August, the rest of the summer was spent in the routine of regu- lar work. On October 1st Mr. Gaudier severed his connection with St. Mark's, and at the same time his engagement as quasi assistant. He had done a memorable and lasting work, leaving behind him all branches of the flourishing mission in high efficiency, and an enthusiastic people eager to become an inde- MINISTER ANt) CHURCH I\ THEIR PRIME. 241 pemlent Churcli. Tlio iiwinanrerH of St. And row's uiulortook tlie erection of .-i new hniMint; on the rear portion of tlie property on Kin»j^ and Ti-cnniscli streets, witli a seating capacity of six hnndred, and tliis was nearly completed at the end of 18(S7. The nieetin<^^ of farewell t<j Mr. Gandier on Octoher 1st was one of rare interest, and Mr. Macdonnell was moved beyond his wont in speakin<,^ of the work an<l worth of his young fellow-helper. n .'H- • ' ^:':: :i1 m^ I ':M i i ■ f C.f 11 17 i! i ill li/ ,'■ I'S I 242 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. CHAPTER XXV. THE TEMPERANCE (QUESTION. -f ■' Considerable attention was directed to a motion made by Mr. Macdonnell in tlie Assembly of 188cS, at Halifax, opposincj the statement made in the temper- ance resolutions that " the lic^uor traffic is contrary to the Word of God." A motion or an argument to the same end was a customary tiling with him in church courts, and he gained much notoriety thereby, some- times even becoming the subject of good-natured caricature in the public prints. JMr. Macdonnell's attitude toward temperance and prohibition was for a long time widely misunderstood. Statements of the most erroneous and extravagant kind with regard both to Mr. Macdonnell's opinion and his practice were often heard. The better he became known the narrower became the circle within which these surmises and assertions were current. Yet, as there are still a few who regard his temperance views as a blot upon an otherwise untarnished record, it will be well to state with some fulness what his opinions were and how he came to hold them. Mr. Macdonnell's views on this subject were deter- THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION. 243 mined partly by reason, partly by temperament, anrl partly by deference to the teaching of the l^ible. In practice he was an abstainer from intoxicating beveraj^es. This was not j^enerally known outside the circle of his friends. In fact many people have taken for j^ranted that his public advocacy of liberty in these matters was due to his own habit of " moderate drinking." He preached frecjuently on these topics, which lay very near his heart and con- science. Some of his sermons, not at all inconsistent with those to which most publicity has been given, were virtually a powerful plea for total abstinence as the most desirable habit of life in this sphere of duty. Such, indeed, was the tendency of all his practical discussions. But he could never bring himself to say that from any point of view such a habit was an imperative duty. The defence of this somewhat negative practical position he gave in widely-known sermons, and in addresses in the courts of the Church. Much of his speaking was of the nature of a vigorous polemic against the illegitimate use of the Bible, either as a whole or in particular passages, in order to make total abstinence binding as a Christian duty or to enforce the legal prohibition of the liquor traffic. With him such treatment of Scrip- ture was virtually making an end of all true exegesis and a license to official interpreters of the Bible to find in it whatever they might be looking for. On this special point of scriptural authority there was for a long while an acute difference of opinion in the General Assembly and other courts of the i idl 1 ■ f. I t - !| \ ': i!^ 244 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. ■y^. Cluirch. Mr. Macdonnell always took an uncoin- promisin*^ stand upon the (juustion, to the <ijreat grief of many of liis warmest friends and admirers. 'J'he temperance resolutions of the Assembly were for many years cast in a form which rendered them impossible of acceptance by tlujse holding such views as his, and a debate upoii the (juestion, in which he was a leading participant, became an annual feature of the meeting. In sharp, clear-cut sentences, and in a closely reasoned chain of argument, he sought to con- vince the brethren of the wrong which they were doing to Scripture in maintaining that " the licjuor traffic- was contrary to the Word of God." His con- tentions were, in the earlier years, listened to by many with impatience or resentment, ijut as time went on their cogency and reasonableness prevailed more and more. Earnest support from prominent men was given to motions of dissent ; and though these never commanded an actual majority, their increasing weight and dignity gained for them a sort of moral triumph, and Mr. Macdonnell lived to see the time when the temjiei-ance resolutions were put in a form which did not call for dissent. It is noteworthy also that tlie Presbytery of Toronto during the later years of his life put itself on record upon the side of con- sistency and sound scriptural exegesis upon this question. Upon another matter of moment in the same general subject Mr. Macdonnell's position did not meet with quite so strong an rndorsement. I refer to his opinion, just as strenuously maintained, that our I m THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION. 245 n church conrtH were exceeding tlieir h'^itirnate spliore when tliey insisted upon reconnnendin*; such special h'mslation as tlie enactment hv the State of a proliihitory law. It is still a disputed (pK'stion whether Mr. Macdon- nell's outspoken opinions upon these subjects di<l not do more harir than good. The remark most com- monly heard auKjiiu' interested circles was that while whnl he said might he true enough, the saying of it was likel}' to do harm. What was most earnestly di'sii'ed Ity many temperance workers was that he should become an out and out advocate of total abstinence on grounds of C'hristian expediency. It was iiicomprehensible to them that he shouhl not have taken such a course. Their fear that his nega- tive attitude would result in evil, led them some- times to svipposc that evil did actually result. Such suspicions were of course |)erfectly well known to him, and gave occasion to serious thought. The fact that li(]Uor-dealers found aid and co nfort in his discourses touched him but little, since h(> knew that l)oth their motive for engaging in the trattic and their manner of conducting it were, as a rule, really unaflected by rhe sentiments of public moral teachers. Far more moving were the pleas that what ho said from the pulpit gaxc encouragement in specific cases to those who were already under the control of an appetite for strong drink. He knew that this was not easy to prove as an actual matter of fact; but the very thought of possible injury to any man through his words or acts was appalling to one whost; life was A' 246 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. ''\'''- 1' ^ passed in the service of men. Yet even these con- siderations could not move him from what was to him a manifest duty. The key to his j^eneral position may be found in liis conviction tliat the essential sin of intemperance, in the strict sense of the word, is one of disposition, that the remedy for it is to be found in a renewal of the whole nature through the grace and after the example of Christ himself, and not in external and incidental inducements of any sort, which touched but one point of the character. It was, in fact, characteristic of all his preaching against specific sins that he traced them to the un-Christ-like heart and spirit. ▼1 A KINDUEI) SPIUIT. 247 ' -SI CHAPTER XXVI. A K I N I) /.' M I) S r 1 R I T. The two followiii<,^ years, l.SSf) and 1890, taken all in all, afforded Mr. Macdonnell tlie most arduous work of his life. Early in the year a ^reat trial came upon him and Mrs. Macdonnell in the death of their dear and honoured friend. Professor ( iieor;^a! P. Young, of T(jronto University. Dr. Young, whose fame belongs eijually to the history of education and the history of metaphysical and mathematical science in Canada, was born in Scotland in 1819, and educated at Glasgow University, where he was a elassniate of Dr. Gregg, now the venerable and honoured professor- emeritus of Knox College, By another coincidence he had for one of his pupils at the Academy of Dollar, where he taught for some time after his graduation, William Mitchell, for so long an eliler in St. Andrew's. Coming to Canada in 1847, he was successively pastor of Knox Church, Hamilton, professor in Knox C'ollege, School Inspector and Chairman of the Central Ex- amining Committee of Cntario, and finally, from 1871 onwards. Professor of Logic and Metaphysics in the University of Toronto. It was in this last field ! - 11 \V, '1:( : ( i. m H:i'; 248 LIKE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. tliut his (^Toatest influence was won. He was a rare teacher, making everytliini;' interesting-, and (lealini^^ liabitually with the most stimn]Mtin<;" and elevating aspects of the trutlis lie presente<l to his pupils. He was also one oi' the great mathematical reasoners and discoverers of the age. He was a ^ne Hebrew scholar, jnid a wise and })rofonnd interj)reter of the Bible. There was nmch about him to suggest a' com- parison with the great prophets of ancient Jsrael — his mien betokening habitual converse with the highest themes, his enth;;siasn< for truth and justice, his range of mental and moi-al vision. Yet in beautiful and ca])tivating harmony with these (pialities there wvvo, traits, just as conspicuous, of the New 'i'estament tyj)e — gentleness, humility, patience, tolerance, "sweet reasonablen(^ss." He was a great liberalizer of men's thoughts and opinions. It was learned from his teachings in and out of the class-room, that truth is a very large and precious thing, that none can grasp it all, that all do not grasp the same portion of it, that a search foi* truth and not a blind a<loption of fornnilas to represent it, is an essential condition of its ac(juisition, and that this method uses the heart and conscience as well as the intellect. Some lives, many-sided and richly stored with moral and spiritual forces, are wonderfully helpful to receptive souls, and Professor Young's was one of these. In spite of the disparity in their years there was a tine and lofty kinshin between him and Mr. Macdonnell. In two (pialities these two uu'U were especially akin. In the [)ure love of truth, combined with reverence they stood out high among their peers. A KINDRED SI'lUIT. 249 The (jusility of reverence, so often niissin<j from scliolars .'iiul tliinkers of a lower rank, was in tlieni botli a natural corollary to growin<^ knowliMloc. It was, moreover, the key to much that was most lovable in tlicni — simplicitv of nature, tenderness and ma<^- nanimity — since their reverence was felt for all that was no])le and pure, and honest and lovely. In this connection an old member of St. Andrew's cannot but think of ])i'. Voun<;''s habits in connection with })ublic worshi]) Durinf^ the n-reater part of the later years of his life he was nevei* absent (hirin<; the mornini^ service, alwavs walkin<:; to and fro the distance of over two miles fi'om liis resi(k'nce. It was an actual help to devotion to see the fjjrand old head bowed with the reverence of simple and child-lik(> faith before the God and Father of all. Of him, as of his friend and minister, it may be said with em- phasis, that he did not ^hid his reli^-iousness in the Cliurch, nor did he leave it there. Hia devoutness was with him everywhere r.'>d under all conditions. He had the as|)ect of one who vras always worship- pin*;", and so he helj)ed others to worship what he himself loved and reverenced. This was the highest and finest outcome of his life, the choicest result of tl>e years that brin^- the philosophic mind. The sense of the beinti; and presence of (}od was in him united with the sense of the i-eality and Vii-o-enc\' of truth and j^oodne.ss. This was the eroundwork and the issue of his scholarship an<l his ])hilosophy, and we that ai"o left are I'eminded by his laru" and steadv faith that in this way, too, 'the })Ui'e in heart shall see God." 1 r m II III \4 Ii\ I ii! ■IV '^ IM 250 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. I huve dwelt at some lonj^tli upon the cliaracter of Professor Young because of his innate kinship and intimate association with the subject of tliis memoir. But they were also, in a certain sense, companions in fortune. A "sceptic," or an incjuirer in the true vsense, lie too held fast to the eternal verities. But he could not brint^ all tl.o details of the traditional theology within the scope of his philosophic think- ing, and some of the practically less important of the ccmfessional statements he held with a 1' lit mental grasp. An indication of his general attitude may be gathered from a remark made not long before his death at the close of an inter-collegiate debate at which he presided, to the effect that where Calvinists and Arminians agreed they were both right, and where they dift'ered they were both wrong. Yet such was the weight of his character, and his reputation for soundness of judgment and moral earnestness, that no distrust of his university teachings was felt by the leaders of the churches, and no student was ever known 10 have been made a free-thinker or a scoffer by his i.illuence. Some of his deanst and most inti- mate friends to the end of his days were Presbyterian- theological professors and clergymen. If we compare ti.e Canadian Presbyterian Church with the same denomination in other lands, notably with the great Presbyterian Chuich of the United States, we cannot but be struck with the generous yet discriminating toleration of opinion which has prevailed here during the last decade or more. If the cause is asked, various answers might be given ; ' vm A KINDRED SPIRIT. 251 1 but among other notable influences tlie personality of these two men must be udmitted to hold a |)i"ominent place. There were none in the Church of finer insioht or of keener discernment than they; nor were there any of loftier, purer purpose or nujre consecrated endeavour. If it be true that " h(^ who wills to do His \v\\\ shall know of the teaching," then such men cannot ])e entirely ignorccl in matters of faith any more than in the pro})lems and issues of life. Such, at least, was the conclusion practically, even if uncon- sciously, drawn by many who came within the wide circle of their influence. Their power was all the greater because they did not seek to make men doubters, but rather to confirm their faith in what was vital and essentially Christian. The course they took was none the less straight bi'cause they followed only the W'oll-proved guiding stars that were never bec'ouded, and that never sank beneath the horizon because they circled close to the pole of truth. Instinctively Professor Young sought out Mr. Macdonnell as his minister. The sermon, " Death Abolished," appended to this volume, tells something of the circumstances attending his association with St. Andrew's Church. But the record needs to be completed. The action of the church courts toward Mr. Macdonnell dui'ing the " heresy trial " met with Dr. Young's disapproval, and, indeed, accelerated his 'lemission of the ministerial ottice. His connection with the congregation of the incrimiiiated churchman was not long delayed, for it was in May, \s7H, that he became a communicant of St. Andrew's. .:ti i \ (.;• ■■ » i; Iv !) I ■ fhyii'i 2r)2 LIFE OF D. .1. MACDONNELL. TIk' solonin sorvices in Convocation Hall on March 1st were directed by Mr. Macdonnoll, whoso pru^'cr that friends and students mi^lit be impressed by the example of such a life, stirred and npUfted th(^ hearts of all the m(Hn-nin<ji; nniltitude. The occasion was historic. Others who took part wci'e Rev. (L M. Milli^an, whose .services ])r. Youn^ had been attend- ing durinn- the last few months of his life ; Rev. Dr. Caven ; Rev. Dr. William Reid, (Jeneral A^(.'nt of the Presbyterian Church, and Sir Daniel Wilson, President of University College. The pall-bearers were: Sir Daniel Wilson, Vice-Chancellor Mulock, Rev. Dr. (Jregg, Mr. (iordon Brown, Mr. Justice Maclennan and Rev. Principal Caven. The following words were uttered in the Library of the University of Toronto on January 18th, 1894, by Mr. ]\hicdonnell in the course of his address at the unveiling of the bust of Dr. Young. How aptly they came from him, and how well they express his own attitude to truth and the knowledge of great unseen realities ! " It is fitting that this University should honour I'rofessor Young's memory as that of a distinguished scholar and teacher. He was more, however, than scholar or teacher : he was a great and good man, a man of rare simplicity, candour, reverence, faith and hope. He had become a little child in humility and receptivity, and so he liad entered into the king- dom of God. The windows of his soul were always open that the light of truth might enter. His life was one of continuous growth in knowledge of things -\' II: m A KINDRED SI'IUIT. 253 i:l divine and in beauty of spiritual c-h.u-aetcr. Me re- cognized tliat progress involves not only the ac'ce})t- ance of new truth, but also the recoiisidei'ati(jn an<l readjustment o\' the old. He did not hesitate to modify views of truth which hr had himself set foi'th, when he saw that they nee(led correction. He realized that man " 'could not, wluit he knows ikjw, know !it liist ; What he considers that he ktiows to-dny, Come but to-morrow, lie will find misknown ; (ietting incii .su of knowledge, since he learna Because he lives, which is to be a man, Set to instruct himself l)y his i)ast self.' " He had learned better than most men to set the vari< ..s elements of truth in theii' I'clation to one another. He had come t(j und^.-rstand that the simple things are really the great things; that many of the tliini^s ai)Out which good men have striven art? not vital, and that the simpU,' things on which they often failed to lay stress are the eternal Nci'ities to winch the soul mu.st cling. . . . "And now the great soul has enti.'re(l into rest in the presence of the Master who is himself the Truth. New realms of thought and knowledge are o[)ening to his view, and the w(;rds spoken by the same Master to another earnest diseii)le, and which may often have been an inspiration to our beloved friend, are rc'ceiving their fulfilment, ' TIkju knowest not now, but thou shalt understand hereafter.' " II i i ■ 1 lit i 1 : : \ M W^i f , :' ' ii r f I ^i 1 i 1 1 ■ r ■ 1 I jV ;_»). 254 LIKE OF D. J. MACDONVELL. CJIAITh]R XXVII. QUI'JST/ON OF rn/'J CONF/'JSSIOX. DoUMTLEss th(! rccolloctioiis of that ricli libcnil spirit, and that hcautiliil life with which ho had \)i'xm so closidy associated — the sjtirit and Iif'(! of one, too, wlio luid i'cit ohli^cd to cut hiinsclt" loose iVoin the hrotheihood oi' the Pi-es})yterian iidiiistry— liad nnich to <lo witli a motion whicii Mr. Macdonn<;ll bronnlit I'orwai'd on A[)i'il lird ot" this same y(!ar (I8S()) in the Pn's))ytei-y ol" 'i\)ronto. TIm! resolution was sli^litly a,ni(^nded from tlie form in wliich it !ij)peai"ed when notice of it was j^iven on March ")th. No copy lias b(ien ))res(!rved of the aniendi^d motion, l)ut it doc^s not difFei- matei'ially from the following transcript of what was first pi'esenti'd to the Presl)yt(!ry : " Wluireas, th(; (church of (Jhrist should he careful not to exclude fi'om the ministry any man wliom the Lord of the Chui'ch W'ould receive; and " Whei'eas, tlu! desii'ed union of tlu; s(!V(,'ral l)ranches of the ('hurch would neci^ssarily involve the adoption of a common standard f(jr admission to the ministry ; and s i! i QUESTION OF TFIE CONFESSION. 2:)5 " WlioivNiH, tli(! pn'Hcnt torina of Hub.scriptioii in tho Pr(!,sl)yt('fififi Cliur(;li in Caiwula huvc; the cfl'cct of excluding IVoui i\\v niiiiistry men wlio un; iickuow- led^cd to !)(' triw iiiinistcr.s of tin; GoHpcd in otluir })r}in(!lieH of the ('liurcli ; " It \h liunihly ovcrturcd to tlio v«MJonil>I(! tlio (jtcncral A.s,s(!nd)ly to take .such hU'\)H as it may dconi l)OHt in the ])r«'nii.s('H, in tlu; way of alterinj^ tli(! reflation of ininist<'i"s to tlic Confcs.sion of Faith, or of subHtitutinj^ for said ConfcsHion soinr hriufur statrinient of the truths which art; considci'tMl vital." Two Hpcjeclics wei'e made by him in support of the motion. 'Vha first was virtually an expansion of the; preamhlc Me ])l('ad(!d for th(j omission in our chmmI of tlie sharp and particularized statement of points tliat wer(! in dispute Itetween Protestant <l(^nomina- tions, and whos(! cUsar definition necessarily involved the use of abstract terms. His second address was mad(! in r(;ply to a <|uesti(^n put })y one of the memhers, as to "what would })e hd't " if the ])oints inst}inc(!d ])y Mi'. Macdonnell were to be di'oppi^d from our creed. This rej(;inder was made; in tones and with a mannei- of ^reat f(!rvour and s(jlemnity, as it consiste<l cliielly of th(^ citation of br()a<l, fundamental Scri])tui'e utttu'ances that were [)rofessed in all cn^eds : " M(jderator, I thouf^dit then; would be left, '(Jod so loved the world, . . .' I thought there would be left, ' Th(!r<; is no other name . . .' " Perhaps the most Jiotabic thin<4' about the whole di'])ate w^as the smallness of the vot(i cast, 'llw reso- lution was lost by four to ei^ht voices. Many declined il 1 ! t -1 I I ! t «>. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A "^^>^ :/. 1.0 I.I 1^ 128 ,50 "^ Birt* :- «^ lllllio 25 2.2 1.8 |l.25 1 1.4 m ■• 6" - ► Photographic Sdences Corporation v <^ ^ •N? :\ \ 6^ 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716) 872-4503 6^ I 2oG LIFE OF D. J. MACnoNNELL. to vote. Some expreHse<l theiuselves as willin<r to vote for the efi'ective pc^rtioii of the motion, but they obj(!cte(l to the preamble. Amonj^ these was Dr. Kello<;;j, tht; eminent lin»^uist and theoloj^ian, then pastor of St. .lamrs' Clnneh, \vh«) sent a note to the M<iU a (lay or two later, explaining' his position, which had been misund«'rstood l)y the reporter. A letter written on April ISth by Mrs. Campbell, then visitino; at the manse, to her husband, may be «|Uoted to indicate his feelinj^s at this time upon the «:^eneral subject of speculative beliefs in religion. A fuller extract than is necessary for this purpose may be permitted, especially as it refers to the work of an attache(l friend of Mr, Macdonnell, and one j^reatly beloved by his l)rethren in the ministry, now, alas ! also a memory instead of a living' presence. She writes of driving on the Sunday previous three miles with her brother, who " was to preach at the opening of a new church in the western suburbs. The church is at the corner of Dovercourt Road and Dundas Street, the new Chalmers Church. The late incundjent, Mr. Mutch, as a Knox stu<lent, had connnenced a mission there in connection with the Parkdale congregation, exactly six years ago, by preaching to a company compt)sed of two men, a woman, and a little girl. On Sunday the church was opened, a handsome, perfectly-appointe<l brick church, seating eleven hundred, and every inch of it was packed. ... In the evening St. Andrew's was very full. The music was very tine. James delivered one of the most exciting sermons he had preached QUESTION OF THE CONFESSION. 257 for a loiifT time on 'Prove ull thiiif^s,' inducoil partly by his recent reading of ' Robert Elsniere,' and partly by the treatment liis overture liad met witli l)efore the Toronto Presbytery (on tlie Confession of Faith). 1 never before saw himjji;et so ' wroui,^ht up.' Klizabeth, however, seemed (piite aceustonuMl to it, and was only anxious to previ'iit him from being spokt'n to after- wanls, or being exposeil to a chill after the fearful state of heat into which he hail worked himself." The sermon referred to was a notable deliverance, not on account of anything startling which it con- tained, but by reason of the earnestness with whicli he insisted on the necessity of intelligent conviction of the truths which make up the objective basis of the spiritual life. I find the following notice of the sermon in my journal : " Greatly changed fn^m his former sermon upon the same text. 1 have never seen Mr. Macdonnell so much moved as he was in describing the situation of those who are painfully working their way out from the traditional faith of childhood, as it is necessarily taught them by their parents, to the free, independent, subjectively certain faith of manhood." There was much of unconscious spiritual autobiography in such discourses ; but there was far more in them than the resultant of Ids lonir religious struggles. From this source came the subject-matter and the form of presentation, liut the spirit and tone and colour were dominated by the sense of the needs of others, the strong intercessory yearning to be helpful to those who were still walk- ing in darkness and seeing no light. 18 I !r , \\ ! ■ I i ■> , t ;' n ■ J 1 il 258 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. The fate of the overture was not finally settleil. At a meeting of the Presbytery on May 7th, Mr. Frizzell, of the Leslie ville Church, presented a motion for revision, citinj( several points in which improvement was thought necessary. The im{)rovenients suggested were not at all radical : but the dominant feeling, voiced by Dr. Caven, who was by no means averse to criticism of tht; creed, was to the effect tliat it was not necessary or expedient to make alterations. The motion was lost by seventeen votes to nine, and Mr. Macdonnell at once 'jumped to his feet to bring forward his previous niotion without the preamble. Dissent was expressed on a point of order. The point was decide<ljn favour of his motion, but after this objection he declined to press it, giving notice, however, at a later stage, that he would bring it up again at the next meeting. This he did not do, nor did he at any time afterwards renew the discussion before Presbytery. On April 4th, he delivered a notable address at the closing of Knox College, in the College Street Presbyterian Church, based on Paul's personal coun- sels and charges to Timothy and Titus. The dis- course was practical, broad-minded and elo(juent. Its burden was the ideal life of the minister of Christ, the best kind of preaching and the best kind of practice. On April l!Sth, he read a paper before the Ministerial Association on " The Letter and the Spirit," which showed how his mind was working over the problem of the right doctrinal use of the Scriptures. THE EQUAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. 259 CHAPTER XXVITI. TIIK K(JUAL JiK.'I/rs MOV EM EXT. It was in the same year (1889) that the famous "Equal Rit^hts" agitation came to its heifjht, and Mr. Macflonnell was one of the foremost cliam]iions of the movement. While in<licating the part wliich he felt called upon to take, it will be necessary to outline the course of a controversv which has had an important influence on Canadian ])oIitical thou^^ht, and therefore, indirectly at least, on political action, The agitation arose from the " Jesuits Estates Act," a measure which passed the Legislature of Quebec in August, 1888, giving permission to the Govern- ment of the Province to sell certain property, at one time owned by the Society of Jesus, out of the proceeds of which S?400,000 were to be applied to whatever purposes the Pope of Rome; might see fit to devote them. The Pope eventually decided that $1(10,000 of this amount should go to the Jesuit Order. At first the matter attracted no very wide public notice, but as the real scope and object of the measure became known, attention was called to the bill V m 2G0 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. throuf^h the press and in public nioetings, especially in the Province of Ontario. Discussion became frecjuent and earnest, and about the beginning of March it took a practical shape, looking toward the disallowance of the Act by the Dominion Legislature. Legally, if not disallowed within one year after its passage, it would be confirmed beyond possibility of revision. The objections that were made to the Act may be reduced to two heads, legal and moral. F'rom the legal point of view it was maintained that the action of the Quebec Legislature was invalid on various grounds. Being an illegal body in Great Britain, it was decide<l there, in 11(]'), after the con- quest, that the Jesuits could hold no property in Canada, and that their possessions there had escheated to the King of England. In 1774, the year after the suppression of the Order by Popt Clement XIV., royal instructions were sent to the (Jovernor of Canada that the Society of Jesus be suppressed and dissolved, and that all its ancient rights, privileges and property should be invested in the Crown, though the members of the society then living in Quebec should be allowed sutticient stipends during their natural lives. In 1800 the last of the Jesuits died, and the sheriti' of Quebec was instructed to take into the possession of the Crown all the movable and immovable property of the Jesuits, who had thus become doubly dead in the eye of the civil law. In 1814 the Jesuit Order was revived by Pius VII. with all its former privileges. Up to 1831 various attempts were made to have their estates set aside for the pur- THE E(^UAL Rir.HTS MOVEMENT. 201 posos of ('(hication. At tluit ilatc alxmt oiu'-fourth of the ri'Vi'MUc of the t'stut^'S had been applied to educational objects, various sums havinj,^ j^one even to tlie (Jrauiniar schools of Quebec, Montreal, and Kin<;ston. In 1831 the Leufislature forniallv decre«'d, upon orders from Kni^land, that the i-evenues from the estates should thereaft<!r he -ipplied exclusively to education. In 184() a petition was presentecl to the Lej^i.slature by the Archbishop of Qu»'bec and the bishops of the provinces, prayin*^ that this revenue should <ro to the Roman Catholic Church. In 1<S.S7 the Jesuit society was incorporated in Quebec, and in the following- year $400,000 were voted by the Lej^is- lature, aloni; with the Laprairie Common, to tin; \\)\)(i of Rome as an equivalent for the release of his claims to the revenue of the property. The transaction was thus virtually an agreement between the .b'suits, who wished money endowment and official recognition, and the Romish hierarchy in general, with the Pope at their head, as to the dis[)osal of property which, according to civil law, belonge<l to neither party. This agreement was, however, nominally made by the Legislature, which, for its part, had no authority to dispose of the property in any way except for educational purposes. The main legal obi«'ctions were accor<linglv these: (I) That the Jesuits, having become civilly dead in Canada, had no claim to the estates: (2) that, there- fore, they had no right to compen.sation <jut of the public funds; (3) that, moreover, they had no legal standint^, in spite of their incorporati<jn, because they ■ri IT . {■• h [ i J ; 262 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. were an illoj^al Ixxly in Eiifjland ; (4') that tlie Legis- lature excecMlecl its povvers in disposin*; of the estates in a way not provi«le(l for in the speeitic instructions from the Crown : (5) that the Legishiture was <lis- loyal to tlie Queen of Ent^hmd, inasmuch as it invoked a foreii^n potentate to decicU; upon the disposition of projK'rty wliieh had esclieated to th«' Crown of Eng- hmd, and was achninistere*! at the behest of tlie (v'rown ; (G) that the Legislature was recreant to its duty as the trustee of public property and the guardian of public rights by thus enthroning the ecclesiastical above the civil power. Of the moral objections, the principal were as follows: (1) That the measure struck at the very root of our civil liberties by calling in (piestion the authority of the Crown; (2) that the <lomination of the ecclesiastical power in Quebec was a moral and political danger to the people immediately affected ; (3) that the whole oi the l)ominion of Canada was in a manner likewise imperilled. Given a legislature equally subservient to the will of the Church, and a similar wrong may be enacted in any other province ; (4) that the lM)dy in whose interests mainly the Act was devised and carried is precisely the foe to be most ilreaded by our people, because its cardinal principle is the superiority of the ecclesiastical to the civil power : (5) that the favours granted to the Jesuits imj)Ly an approval and encouragement of tlieir practices, which have brought disaster and humiliation to nations, families, and individuals throughout their history : (0) that the patronage THE EQUAL Rlr.HTS MOVEMENT. 2G:^ of the Jesuits is virtually an endorsement of their maxims and doctrines. Their cardinal principle being that ever}' member of the Order must in all matters blitidlv and unhesi- tatintjlv obev his''sui)<'rior, the innocence of the mem- hers could only' be guaranteed if the superior were as wise and as holy as CJod himself : so that, as human nature is constitut«'d, innnorality lies at the very foundation of^the society. Mr. CJladstone has summed up the various features of the system as folhnvs* : Its hostilitv to mental freedom in'm-neral ; its incom- patibility with the thought and movement of modern civilization; its pretensions against the State; its pretensions'against parental and conjugal rights: its jealousy of tluj free circulation and use of the Scrip- tures; the actual alienation from it of the educated minds of th<' counti y in which it most strongly pre- vails; its tendency to sap veracity in the individual mind. Possibly the unpopularity and evil nscord of the Jesuits contributed more to poi)ular ahirm and re- sentment than the apprehension of danger to our political institutions. JJut in the view of serious- min<led publicists, and of the profoundest observei's among the clergy as well as the laity, the menace to civil liberty was the main source of a])prehension. Ecclesiasticism, enthroned by legislation in a province already morally and politically dominated by the Church, seemed an evil of unspeakable magnitude. * Contemporary Rtcitw, June, ISTO. :| t' I ' t '\ f I ;i H if ;i ; > i j i - ..■1 1 2G4 LIFE OF D. J. MACDOXNKLL. It was not likely that tlie peculiar practices of tlio Jt'Huita could l)o carried out upon a lar<rc scale in modern and western social life. What was to he dreaded was the inlluence of the Onler wlien enlisted in hehalf of the Church as a hody, since it was sup- posoil, on the i^'round of all historical precedent, that the chief end and aim of its policy was to secure the supn;macy of the Church within th.e Canadian state. All these considerations combined to create in On- tario, and especially in Toronto, an agitation whose intensity outsiders at least foun<l it <lifHcult to under- stand. Chief amouj; its ai^encies was the Toronto iMa'U. This newspaper, which had for some time been independent of party atHliations, an<l had for niany months dt^vott^d its attention U) the ([uestion oi ecclesiastical influence in civil atlairs, had as its chief eilitorial writer at this time one of the ablest jour- nalists of the day, whose articles materially helped to sustain the po[)ular interest to the end of the campaign. Seldom has any public cpiestion V)een dealt with in a daily new.spaper with such learning, logic and wit, and with such ease and breadth of style. Not a phase of the controversy was left untouched or unillumined. The greatest and smallest events of ecclesiastical hi.story were at the ready command of this versatile and dexterous writer. On March 9th the (piestion was brought up in the Ministerial Association in Toronto. Mr. Macdonnell, Principal Caven of Knox College, Rev. E. A. Stafford, and Rev. A. C. Courtice took leading parts, Mr. Macdonnell having charge t)f the resolutions. On THE EQCAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. 20.-1 March 12tli a iiie«itin<r of the Kvanff'lical Alliance was iicld, for the purj)o.si' of condi'inniii;,^ tlu' Act. On March 21st a conference of citizens was called, with the result that on the 25th a nuiss-nicetin^ was held in the Pavilion to protest a;^ainst the olmoxious lej^'islation. The late Mr. W. H. Ilowland, who had just completed his third term as Mayor, an<l was then at the height of his influence as a philanthropist and Christian worker, occupied the chair. Mr. Mac- donnell had been chosen to move the tirst resolution, which condemned the Jesuits Estates Act, and ])ro- tested aj^ainst the recent incorporation of the Jesuits as unconstitutional in any British dependency. His earnest and elocjuent speech struck the key-note of the campaign. A lar<;o ])art of tlu? adilress was devoted to the history and character of the Jesuit Order, but a few sentences from the more practical portions will <^ive a notion of the position which he maintained throuijhout the strujji^le : " We have reached the point at which it is for us and our fellow-citizens to determine whether we shall retain or lose for some indefinite time the ri^^-hts of British men. . . . We are here in the capacity of citizens who love our country, and who wish to preserve what is best for ourselves and our children. . . . The thin erd of the wedixe has been driven far into the timber of "^'on federation, and what we have to do is to loosen tlie wed^^e so that the timber may be kept firm and solid. . . . We are not contendint^ against our Roman Catholic citizens, but against a band of ecclesiastics of no country, of no home : a 1 i ! i ! i I r. •' >:■ i i 2f)G LIFE OF D. .1. MACnONNELI.. lijunl of im'u who have no fliii: for wliicli tlu-v euro, no altar for wliich to ti;;iit ; liostilt' to frt'('<loni, Itotli civil and rt'li^jious, wherever they find it. . Wr l>av»' no (juarnl, I repeat, with the lionian Catholics. If tile time shall ever come wlieii there shall he any ciirtailine^ of their perfect fr«'e<lom in proclaiming what th«>y helieve, I hope I shall he found shoid<ler to shoulder witli tliose thus interfere*! with. But when men in the name of freedom crush out freedom, and a.sk for tolerance that they may exalt the most arrogant intolerance, then it i.s an entirely litlerent affair." Other resolutions wei'e moved by .Mr. J. J. Mac- laren, (^).(1., |{ev. Dr. Alexander Sutherland, and Hev. I*rinci|)al (^iven, in practical suppoit of the move- ment for disallowance. The meetinu' ended in the ajtpointment of a committee, with Mr. Ilowland as chairman, to take such action as miLfht he n«Te.s.sarv for the; maintaining^ and enforcin*^ of the principles embodied in these resolutions. The nH.'etin;4" had been sunnnoned with special reference to the imi)endini;' di.scus.sion in l*arliament upon a resolution of Colonel O'lh'ien, the member for Muskoka, reconnnendinii- that the ( lovernor-General Ik! pray«'(l to disallow the Act. The motion was brought up by Mr. O'Brien on ^bll•ch !i(!th. and a vote was not reached till the 2l)th. Ki;j;hteen s[)«'eches were made upon the (juestion, some of them of signal ability I need only mention tho.se of Mr. Dalton McCarthy and Mr John Charlton in favour of the resolution, and tho.se of Sir John Th<jmpson, Hon. THE EQUAL KIOIITS MOVEMENT. 207 David Mills, and Sir Hiclmid ( 'artw rij^dit iiM)]tj)ositi»ni. TIh' sperclu's, which hav»' Ih-cii jirintfd vrrhiitim in a St ■pan It.' r onii, an- now woi'thx' ol' stu(l\' as ait «'Xci'lU'nt specimen of the «l«'l»atinnr jjower of some ol' the foremost pailiameiitarians of Canada of the present •^enerati«)n, and as an illustration of the ex- traordinarv ditKcultv of some of the constitutional <jUestions whicii arise from time to time to vex the minds of the statesmen and jurists of the Dominion. The decisive vote stood l.*i in favour of the motion for disallowance an<l hSH aijainst it. The t-xcitenu'iit in Ontaiio over the debate and its result wa.'". Mideso-ihahle. The atlirmatix e Notei-s, while hv th d< hv Mu' one snle called "the Devils Thirteen." in whimsical allusion to the con\entional!y ' «ndu(d<y inimher," were \>y the oj>ponents of the Act styled "the Nohle Thirteen." The faithful hand were invit«'d to Toronto, where a ma^iiiticent recepticai of citi/ens was tendered them in the(lranite iiiid< on the eveiiin<,^ of April 22nd. The mo.st notahle siuM'ch was that of Mr. Dalton Mc('arth\'. of iieailv two hours in l(;n<,^th. It is with the dehate upon the Kstates Act that Mr. McCarthv s career as the oreat parliamentary op|)onent of ecclesiastical eiicroaidi- ment fairly hej^an. A jj^old medal, stiiick in honour of the Thirti'en and inscrihed with their names, was at this meetinj^r pi-esented to Mr. Henry ( riJijcn, of Toronto, in hehalf of his absent brothel-. Practical poj)ular acti(jn in reply to the Notea^rainst * By Senocul et Fits, Montreal. \^$. 1 1 ■ h : '•: ): i I ! I '•! 268 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. ■'i <lisiilIo\vanc(' was not lon;^^ delayed. On April 20th, the ( 'itizcns' Coniiiiittt'c issued "an address to tlio people of ()iitaiio. " This address was drafted l>y Mr. Maedonnell and is an excellont specimen of his written style. A l)i-ief oxtrat't may he ^iven : " This Aet is not an isolated uecurrene*'. Ft is a somewhat start liiii;' deNclopment of the policy hy which ritianiontanisnj has soui-ht to control le<;isla- tion and to secure ecclesiastical ascendancv in the government of this country. "The (juestioii at issue is not simply one of consti- tutional law. Kveii if it could he shown that the Legislatui'e of (^uehec acted within its powers in passin;;- this Act, it would not alter our conviction that such le*^isIation is perilous to the peace and welfare of the Dominion, and that on i^rounds of puhlic policy it ounht to be strenuously opposi'd. At the same time we are convinced that the arguments advanced to show that the Act is unconstitutional, hive not been successfully ct)nihated. It is to us a matter of deep regret and concern that the Dominion Ciovernment lias ainiounced its intention not to dis- allow the Act, and the gravity of the situation is greatly increased by the fact that the House of Connnons has not intervened in any way for the protection of the interests that are threatened. . . . "The matter dealt with in the Act, so far from being ' one of provincial concern only,' is one in which the whole Dominion is deeply interested. If one member of the body-politic sutlers, all the members suffer with it. The rights of the Protestant minority II THE EQUAL UIGHTS MOVEMENT. 209 in QiU'bec are our riji^lits. If we aro correct in assert- ing that this Act is deroi^^atory to tlie supremacy of the Queen, and a menace to tlie liberties of the |)eo|»U\ then it ccmccrns tlie honour of tlie wliole Dominion to liave it set aside. . . . We do not aim either at anta^oniziii*^ or assisting any political party, hut we ur<(e men of all shades of political opinion to reco<;ni/«' the supreme importance of maintainini^ unimpaired our herita*,^eof civil and reli<^ious freedom, and to unite in takin;; the wisest and most ener«;etic steps to undo the mischief that has i)een wroui^ht." The reconnuendations of the Coniniittee foreshad )W the most important practical stej)s of the movement. The principal suggestions were that })etitions he pn - sentod to the ( lovernor-Cieneral aslvin<r him to disallow the Act on the around that the vote in the House of Conunons did not truly reflect public ojMnion ; that an oi'^anization l>e formed to ensure united jiolitical action that should secure perfect religious e(juality throu<^hout thi' Dominion, and prevent ecclesiastical dictation in public life; and that for this end aconven- tion be called from all parts of the Province to meet in Toronto. The address concluded as follows : " Every im[)ortant interest of the peoplt; commenrls and sanctions this appeal. The sense of ri^ht, the love of peace, the hope of progress in all that makes a country truly <j;reat, the determination to maintain the liberties handed down to us from our fathers — all coml)ine to urj'e us to sustaine(l an<l strenuous resistance to the malign influences that threaten the well-being of our country. Our prayer is that the 1 ' T?t ■I > %■ i - i ■ 1 i i ! I ) 1 » I ■^i 270 LIFE OF D. J. MACDOXNELL. Go«l of nations may j^uide us to tlic choice of measures ■vvhicli slinll l)e for the histin^ welfare of the land" The convention assemhied in the (Jrand Opera House in Toronto on the 11th and 12th of June. l)ele«;ates to the nund)er of nearly ei^ht hundred were present from every part of the Province, alon^ with several from Quebec. Principal Caven, who had heeji selected as temporary chairman, delivered an ope nin^^ address of <^rave and wei<,dity eloquence, point- in*^ out, amon^ other thin<^s, the dant^ei" to the State from ritramontanism, of which the .Jesuit Order was the professional exp()un«ler and champion. He was also elected to preside over the permanent orj^aniza- ti(»n. Mr. Macdonnell a<jfain took a prominent part in the Committee i)U Resolutions. The meetings were stirrecl up ])y powei'ful addresses from such men as Colonel O'Brien, Mr. Charlton. Dr. Davidson, Q.C.,of Montreal, and the venerable Rev. J)r. ])out^las, of the same city. The convention had been heralded as an *' anti-Jesuit " assembly. It adjourned as an " Efjual Ri»jjhts A.ssociation " with a Provincial Coun- cil and Kxecutive Conunittee of which Dr. Caven was chairman, i\Ir. J. K. Macdonald, of Toronto, vice- chairman : Mr. E. Douglas Armour, secretar3% Of this committee Mr. ]\rac(U)nnell was one of the most active members, takin*^ a share in all its important actions. An association on similar lines was soon also founded in Quebec. An outline history of this movement has been given here, because it indicates a part, and that a somewhat important part, of the " work " of the subject of these THE EQUAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. 271 memoirs. It will not 1)0 lU'ccssarv to follow tl 10 further pro;;ress of the A.s.sociation in dotail, as inci- dental references will sutiicieiitly illustrate our suh- ject. But some general statement of what it tried to reali/(! and what it actually accomplished will he nece.s.sary, if «)nly to show that the oH'ortsof our friend and his co-workers were not altowthor vain or their hoiH's illusorv. Such an unfavourjihle iudiMnent was e.xpros.sed ])y many disinterested as well as hy many unfriendly people durinnr tjio existence of the A.s.soci- ation, and some such opinion is perhaps pretty widely ])rev'alont still. It is not difiicult to disproNc this notion, wliich in reality has its orimn in the habit of lookini; always to palpai)le and immediate political results as the only ovidoiico of the workin<; of moral causes in })ublic life. In the very nature of the case the movement was essentially a process of education, whose results must bo seen rather in the broader vision and loftier patriotism of our citizens than in the sudden overthrow of existing political conditions. In the strictest .sense it was a work of evolution and not of revolution. It was inevitable that th<' Association should s(K)n find it necessary to enter the })olitical arena on its own account. Already at the convention attrition had becHi called to the "••rowiii<f us<' of the French lanii'uafife as the medium of instruction in some of the* ■schools of Ontario, 'i'he next step was to discuss the question of Separate Schools in the .same province. In December, lcS8f), at a nu'etini; of the (.\)uncil of the Association, a resolution was carried with a view of '1 1. '■ f. 1 }' i i In ^ 1 1 ' i • I . 1 i ! I ! >"i'' 272 LIFE OF D. J. MA( 'DON NELL. propariiif^ tlie way for a possible unifying' of the scliool system. It was to tlie effect, tliat in tlie opinion of the Council, tiie full measure of responsil)le government should be granted to the people of the Province by the abolitic^n of all restrictions upon the powr'r to make laws respecting education. On the approach of the next provincial elections, a nianifesto was issued by a special connnittee of Council, reciting tlu' progress made by the Association, <letailing the points on which legislation was thought to be neces- sary, and urfjiui; the memlx-rs of the Association everywhere to vote only for candidates who were in accordance with its principles. This address was issued on May 5th, 1890, and was signed by Dr. Caven, Mr. J. K. Macdonald, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Macdonnell, and the other members of the Com- mittee except Mr. Charlton, who withheld his signa- ture mainly on the ground that lie could not agree with the proposal to interfere with the Separate School system of Ontario until it was clear how the Protestant minority in Quebec might be ati'ected by sul)versive legislation. In the ensuing local elections several Equal Rights candidates were elected. It will be remembered that this campaign, if it may be so called, was carried on after all hope of reversing the Jesuits Estates Act had been given up forever. Lord Stanley, in the previous August, in reply to a deputation of E(|ual Righters from Ontario and Quebec, had refused in the plainest terms to <lisallow the measure. But it became evident before very long that the THE EQUAL KKJHTS MOVEMENT. 27n political role of E((ii}il Ri;^'hts couM not be indefinitely sustained. The movement <li<l not play a prominent part in the Dominion elections of March, ls91. Trm^, all of the " Noble Thirteen" except one were I'e-elected, and this was, at least, a proof that they hail not nn'srepresente<l their constitnencies. But in the very nature of things, the princi|)le couM oidy hohi a secondary place among the great body of the elector- ate. The a-^i^ressiveness of the foes to be encount- ere<l was not so obvious to the community at lari^e as to furnish the occasion of a standing <juan'el. More- over, the (piestions involved were felt to be mainly of provincial an<l not of federal concern. The issue of most permanent and engrossing interest was that of education, and this was mMierallv felt to have been rightly remitted to the jurisdiction of the separate provinces. Indeed, it was the sense of respect for the technical rights of a province that gave strongest moral support to the attitude of tho.se who opposed disallowance in the Dominion Lei^islature. Wliat benefit then has accrued to Canadians from this famous, ^'f not very long-livtid agitation ? Much every way. It wouM be ea.sy to dilate upon the indirect and consecjuential atlvantages which have come to the people at lai-ge from a discussion so educative and imrifying to sincere and ardeut patriots. But it will sutKce to point to our more obvious gains. It was something more than a coinci- dence that just at the height of the controversy in Ontario and Quebec, the legislatures of Manitoba and the Xorth-West enacted laws looking to the institu- le m m '1 ■\ I hi'\§ M i ■> M I M i ■ * M {I I , 1. I hi t III ;] 4 274 LIFE OF D. J. MACDON'XKLL tion of national non-soctarian schools. An issue which could not bo successfully made in Ontario was transferred, largely hy reason of this Ecjual Rights agitation, to the newer and more plastic ])rovince of Manitoba, with what results all the world has come to know. And it nuist not be forj^otten that the principle of pi'ovincial rights, which was appealed to with such success in the Jesuits Estates discussion, became Manito})a's mond and legal safeguard during the long and trying struggle which has ended in the perpetual guarantee of priceless privileges. After all, the ])rimary and cardinal issue was, and is, the pre- dominance of ecclesiastical influence in afiairsof state. How this has been rebuked in Manitoba and Quebec is now being demonstrated under our very eyes. ST. MARKS CHURCH AND OTHER CARES. 275 CHAPTER XXIX. Sr. MARK'S CHuiiCII AND 0711 EH CARES. On the evening of Juno 12tli, 1880, scarcely iiioro tluiii an hour after Principal Cavcn lia<l clismisHcd tlie E(jual llif^lits Convention in the (Jrand Opera House, the Presbyterian (Jeneral Assembly convened in 8t. Andrew's Church. Principal Cirant was elected Moderator. Mr. Macdonnell served actively as a joint convener, with j)r. McVicar, of Montreal, of a Connnittee on the Defence of Civil and Reli<rious Rights. He also made a strong speech on the Augmentation scheme and his customary amendment to the temperance resolution, which declared the liquor traffic contrary to the Word of God. The former was a stirring appeal for universal interest in Augmentation and greater liberality on the part of many well-to-do churches, which contributed little or nothing to the maintenance of weak or struggling charges. Mr. Macdonnell was in a sense the host of this Assembly, and his domestic hospitality was enjoyed by very many of the Tnembers. The guests of the time will not have forgotten his hearty welcome, ancl 'f t ^r ■ i''i . M, ! , ■ ■ 1 '■ ' \ ' : 1 . I \ ' 1 ■ ;i tl i -'■■ * ^m i » 276 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. 'i^ti the sweet and gracious dignity of the mistress of the manse. But what lay nearest just now to the heart of the minist«?r of St. Andrew's, was not thi; business of the A setnhly, nor the state of the Augmentation Fund, nor the cause of " Kciual Rights," nor the revision of the Creed ; it was rather tlie condition of St. Mark •. This mission, wliose Iiistory lias already beeii luUy sketched, was just now coming into the full status of an independent congregation. After Mr. Gaudier had hidden farewell to St. Mark's, in October, 1888, Rev. Marcus Seott, newlv arrived from the Free Church of Scotland, took his place as the stated missionary', and kept up the good work. Already during Mr. Candler's term of service the attendance at the services had become so large that the managers of St. Andrew's were authorized to erect a larger building. On ^Nlarch 10th a large school-room was opened close to the former church at the corner of King and Tecumseh streets. The new building had a seating capacity of six hundred, and cost about !?11,000. On May liOth the mission was organized as a congregation b^^ the Presbytery of Toronto, Rev. Robert Wallace, the venerable pastor of the West Presbyterian Church, preaching the sermon, and Mr. Macdonnell addressing the people in attectionate terms. By this act 15G names were withdrawn from the conununion roll of the parent church, which at the end of the year was reduced to G97 members. It was not expected that the new organization could be self- sustaining, and help has since been freely given by ST. mahk's church and other carfs. 277 ;essiiig |3in the at the It was ije self- en by St. Andrew'.s for the maintenance of the services and the protection of the property. Tlie occasion was an eventful one in tlie historv of a ^reat ecclesiastical devi'lopnient, and also in the ministry of Mr. Macdonnell. He had lon«^ looked forward to it with hi;jjh expectations, and it brought to him in part the realization of his hojie.s. ])urin^' the renuiinin^ years of his life ho watched over its pro«j^ress with solicitude, and a peculiar reciprocal sympathy between him and the people of St. Mark's kept up the remendirance of the closer relationship of the earlier time. The record of the new organization may be brielly sunnnarizcd. At its formation it was not ready to call a pastor. Mr. Scott's term of efficient and faith- ful service came to an en<l in October, ISH!), and he was soon thereafter inducted into the charge of the congregation of Campbellford, (Jnt., whence he has since been transferred to the Central Church, Detroit, Mich. It is .seldom that a young mission church is blessed with two consecutive ministries of such power as those of Gaudier and Scott. A call was soon there- after extended to Rev. James G. Stuart, of Balder- son, Out., a son of Rev. James Stuart, who had but a few months before }jassed to his rest. Mr. Stuart had himself been brought up in St. Andrew's, and, during his incumbency of St. Mark'.s, strove faith- fully to repay the debt which he owed to the Church of his youth. In April, 1895, he was translated to the charge of Knox Church, of London, Ont. His successor is the present pastor, Rev. Peter E. Nichol, T t * 1 ? ) ■ t r 1. .' 1 i i : I. j; i) j ■ 1 1 't: t h j ( : ; 278 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. who was in<lucte(l in Septeinhor, 189.5. During the ministry of Ixjth of these gentlemen, St. Mark's has liad to strugf^le with the results of the general busi- ness depression. It has, liowever, made a record for fidelity and Christian activity worthy of its begin- nings, and looks forward to the future with brighten- ing hopes. After tlie organization of the congregation on May .SOth, it still remained under the care of Mr. Macdonnell and an interim .session, of which he was Moderator, until the settlement in January, 1890, so that he had during the whole of this time the virtual charge of two congregations. The vacation from July (Ith to August 80th was spent at Youghal. While there the hearts of all the visitors were saddened by the death, without warn- ing, of Mrs. MacMurchy, a greatly attached and highly-prized friend of the Macdonnells, and ever since greatly missed in Toronto. She was a highly- cultured lady, full of zeal and power in Christian and philanthropic work. During the pastor's absence the pulpit was mainly supplied by Rev. J. A. Mac- donald, editor of the Knox College MontJilu, later the minister of St. Thomas, and now still more widely known as editor of The Westminster. His thoughtful and fervid discourses, given then and occasionally thereafter, have made a deep impression on the St. Andrew's people. As w^as natural, Mr. Macdonnell was called to devote a portion of his vacation to the cause of Equal Rights in the Maritime Provinces. He addressed several u ST. MARK S CHURCH AND OTHER CARES. 279 ^ratlu'rinf^H in Xovn Scotia and Now lirunswick, in sonic of tlicni liavin*,^ the HU{)i)ort of Rev. Dr. K. F- J^urns, of Ffalifax, N.S., tlu' Moderator of tlu; A.sscm)- l»ly in 1887-SS. Of tlirsc nu'('tin*,^s two are special!}' notewortliy, that in Halifax, and that in Chatham, N.I). On the former occasion a spirite<l impi'omptu debate was held between Mr. Macdonnell an<l Hon. A. (i. Jones, of Halifax, who de[)reeated the a;^itation. Probably Mr. Macdonnell never <rave in anv i)nblic appearance greater evidence of readiness, lo;;ieal power, eloquent expression, and masteiy over the feelini^s (jf men, than he attbrded on this occasion jis the champion of K(|ual Ri^^hts. At the Ohathani meetint; he was confronted with an audience lar<;ely composed of Roman Catholics, in a town wluu'e they compri.se one-half of the ])Opulation. It was thought doubtful at first whether a hearinif would be accorded the visitors: but at the close of the meetini^ a prominent Catholic declared that he would be ^lad to join in a vote of thanks to Mr. Macdonnell, e\en thou<rh he had to condenni his denunciation of the Jesuit Society. This propai^anda of the Ecpial Rif^hts doctrine was simply the continuance of a course of public addresses l)eoiin in Ontario early in the history of the a|;-itation. In the busiest season of the sprin;^-time, whose (occu- pations we have Just been revicwini^', he aihlressed on the same behalf audiences in Hfimilton, Peterboro' and other towns in Ontario. After his return from the vacation, the same public activity was I:ept up, while his work in the Council as a member of the ill yii i; 1^ I cr }i ■« I , ' ! ! I i I- ^ k ■\: ; 2.S0 FJFK OF I). .1. MACDONNKI,!,. Citizens' imd Kxt'cutivc Coimnittecs was us «'xactin<r as i'M'W III a<i<liti<Mi to these varie«i ciiiployineuts, lio IouikI tiiiir <luiiii;^' the autuiiiii of IHSJ) and thi'ou^'li- out l.S!K), to tai\(' an active part in a theolo^iica! ehil), whose Work mainly consisted in a <h'taile<l study of the |>n»j)h<'t Isaiali. The chil) met foil nightly, an<l inchided Kcv. Messrs. F.<yle an<i IJoviik', of Hamilton, alon;; with several ^^entlemeii from Toronto. 'i'he twent\'-two elders of 18(S(S were reduced during' this year (lcS81)) to ninett'en. Mr. .h»ss and Mr. Dale, the special ;^uardians of the spiritual interests of St. Mark s, went oNcr to the new church as memhers of its s»!ssioii, and bore their share, and more than their .sliare, of the no li;;ht anxieties and hurdens that caiiK^ with the transition period. Hew .lames Stuart, at the time of his death the oldest Presby- terian minister in Canada, died on February 19th, at the a;.;;e of eighty-three. For several years he had not been able to take a n ery active part in the work of the tonirre<;ation on account of the feebleness of aj:ro. But he had had a lonjjj career of usefulness in the ministry before he was elected in 1<S7<) to tlio elder- ship in St. Andrew's. He w^as a native of Ireland, and had come to Canada in 1M47, labouring at first in Frampton, in the Province of Quebec, and later at Markham and Woodstock, in Ontario. The noble record of liberality made in the previous year was well maintained by St. Andrew's in 18S9. Of the S27,7'J7 contributed to all purposes, the otier- in^a for missionary and other outside causes were !?G,250 in excess of those for con<^re^ational objects. VISIT TO THE PA(MKI(? COAST. 2S1 CHAITKR XXX. I7.S77' TO T/fK rACIFIC COAST. : ' ! I'll' the (lur- aiul, i-st in T at At tlio close oi" 1889 jiiul tlie l)(><riiiniii<r of ISDO, Mr. Macdt)nm'll made a trip to the I'aeitic coa.st, an enter- prise vvliicli luul for liini most serious results eiitin-ly unforeseen. The immediate ohject of the trip was to take part in tiie opening of a ehureli in Victoria, B.C. It was at the earnest and repeated re(|uest of Rev. P. McF, McLeod, the pastor of the church, tiiat he consented to <,'o. The time of the yi'ar was unfavourable for comfortal)le travel. It was at the season when the home con*jfre^^ation most needed the presence of the minister. The importance of the main object of the visit .seemed (juite ilisproportionate to the etibrt necessary to accomi)lish it. lUit he yielded to urf.jent solicitation Ix'cause he was the most romantically <^enerous of men. l)esides, would not an opportunity be thus att'orded him of observin*^ the growth of the Church in the far West of Canada, the proi^ress of missions, and the buildinjjf of churcln'S and manses ? Having conducted the morning service on Christmas Day, 1889, and having held a meeting in the managers' room at its close, to which we shall i I ■ I I i^ I ■ !■ 1 I 282 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. refer later on, he started upon the fateful journey on the evening of the same day. He had the genial company of Mr. Angus MacMurehy, son of his old friend, the Rector of the Jarvis Street Collegiate Institute. The interest of the trip was divided between seeing old friends and in(|uinng into the needs of mission churches and of the many districts destitute of religious privileges. Port Arthur and Winnipeg were already familiar to him from earlier visits. Binscarth, where the two youngest brothers of IVIrs. Macdonnell were then living, was new to him, while beyond lay the great West with its unknown possi- bilities. Just before it was reached, in the first hour of the new year, the vicissitudes of winter travel began to be felt with the freezing up of the engine. A special adventure was a drive, on January 3rd, of fifty miles, from Binscarth to xMoosomin, under a tem- perature of 3') below zero and not a breath of wind stirring. This trip was made in order to save two or three days of the journey, as otherwise the travellers would have to return to Portage la Prairie, to take the main line. Mr. Macdonnell thus describes his outfit in a letter to one of the children : "You would have been amused if you had seen me dressed for our drive. First, a pair of long thick socks over my own ; then a pair of moccasins ; next a pair of felt boots coming up over my trousers nearly to my knees ; then a pair of corduroy leggings covering the whole leg; a loose vest of chamois skin over my own vest; then my overcoat, and fur coat, and scarf, and fur VISIT TO THE PACIFIC COAST. 28:3 mitts and cap! I am sure if I liad been photographed the people of St. Andrew's would not liave i-ecognized their minister." The drive was lengthened to ten hours by several deflections from the trail. The rest of the main line of travel was traversed by rail. Stops of a day or two were made at Calgary and Banff', each place being made the centre of observations about Home Missions, as well as the occasion of .sermon or week- day talks. The notes which have Insen left of the trip abound in entries about the mission stations near the stopping places along the line. Here and there, also, ministers, known or unknown before, would come on board the train, and the subject that was nearest his heart would be opened up for fresh illus- tration. Apart from these and other bringers of information, there was no lack of objects of interest along the way. At Westminster Junction he met Rev. E. 1). INFc- Laren, of Vancouver, formerly of Brampton, one of his oldest and dearest friends, who accompanied him to Victoria. The special services at Mr. ^IcLeod's chui'ch were held on January 12th and BHh. A conference of clergymen to discuss Home Mission prospects was among the events of special intei-est during the stay at Victoi'ia. A drive to Es<juimalt Harbour and many sights of the newly awakened Pacific settlement went to make up an enjoyable visit. Returning with Mr. McLaren to Vancouver, where he rejoined Mr. MacMurchy, they set out on January 14th upon the return trip. An incident of the I ■?! .r, ;\\IU n 14 1 1 i t 284 UFK OF I). J. MACDONNELL. & homeward journey is related in the tliird person by Mr. MacMiircliy. It may help to explain to those who did not know Mr. Macdonnell personally why he was one of the best beloved men of his time: " Returniiii; to the main line he took the afternoon train the same day at Vancouver, thoroughly worn out, as he had slept little on the steamer comin<^ across from Victoria the previous night, and the city ministers in Vancouver were anxious to see something of him before he departed. " As soon as the train started Mr. ^Facdonnell endeavoured to compose himself in a sleeping car compartment f(jr a short nap. In the same car there were travelling east a mother with her children. The youngest, who was just able to walk, was very restless and fretful, and immediately connnenced to explore the car and its occupants. A friend travel- ling with Mr. Macdonnell, seeing this, managed to block up with some l)aggage the entrance to the compartment in which Mr. Macdonnell was dozing. He soon awoke, however, and seeing the little fellow, at once welcomed him and spoke kindly to his mother. She was a sea captain's wife from Nova Scotia, and had come with her husband on a long journey around Cape Horn. She, too, was tired and weary, and Mr. Macdonnell seeing this, forgetting his own fatigue, took the little child in his arms, and so walked up and down the passage-way while the grateful mother enjoyed the respite for a' hour or so. Every evening during the long journey to Winnipeg this scene was repeated. The incident VISIT TO THE PACIFIC COAST. 285 made a deep impression on one otlier, at least, besides the j^ratet'ul mother." Stops were made at Virdeii and Winnipef]^ on tlie eastward way. Anion*; otlier employnieiits at Winnipeg, an address was given to the students at Manitoba Colleoe. Toronto was reached on January 24th. Next day the service preparatory to the winter communion was held, and the work in St. Andrew's went on as before. But all was not the same as before. His absence for four Sabbaths had begun to tell upon the attend- ance at the down-town church. Mr. Macdonnell's presence was necessary at all times to Ueej) up a wide-spread interest, but especially so in the season of mid-winter. Never ai^ain in his life-time was the church habitually thronged at the evening ser- vice. This points apparently to one of the mistakes made in taking the western trip. JUit the whole explanation does not lie so obviously on the surface. Far more important as an occasion of permanent chaniTC was the fact that after this excursion he never exhibited the same physical vigour that had lent so much power to his preaching. He was scarcely aware of it himself, but he had barely passed his forty-tifth year when his constitution began to be slowly untlermiued. We naturally think 't might have been difi'erent had he not put his whole nervous and often much of his muscular bjrce* into 'i 'i^l ,!■ ■ h 1 i * During liis i'onimiinioii addresses the wliole plat form ii^ed to vibrate with the ehara(;teristie ih)\vii\Viird inoNciintit of the aim, suddenly arrested at thi' liorizontal position. ,■ . r 286 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. what lie said or did. A close observer could trace the gradual relaxing and ebbing of physical power for years preceding his death, and not V>e at a loss to associate it with specific occasions in the assump- tion of new and difticult tasks, in the restless, rushing energy which he lent to every thought, word and deed. But we are measuring forces too fine and impalpable in such an estimate. We may sum up all by saying that he was worn down by his consuming zeal for the house and the things of God. And who knows but that the larger dominating impulse riecei^sarihj determined the use and applica- tion of his whole mental and spiritual endowment, as the onward sweep of the mighty river draws with it the tributary waters of every fountain, rill and torrent of its watershed ? We may point confidently and perhaps aright to this action or to that habit as occasioning the decline and exhaustion of that noble life. But while we account for one symptom or another, we feel that for the working out of the life of the spirit there is a law and a providence lying beyond our ken, that may yet explain and vindicate the whole. ST. ANDREWS INSTITUTE. 287 i H ^ ■ --_' H t^S n!w? Iw9 ■■S'f PR i'lr • t\ • - ^ • , '( F'-iv/ CHAPTER XXXI. ,S"/'. AXJJRI-JirS IXSTITUTIC. The gatlieririL!^ of St. Andrew's men luistily made at noon on Chri.stnias day befcjre Mr. Macdonnell's departure for tlie Pacific coast, marked an epocli in tlie development of tlie Cluirch, Tt lielped to ojive practical form to a movement tliat was to evoke some of the finest spirit and workin<jj talent of the com- nnmity, within and outsi<le of the congre(^^atit)n. As St. Mark's was beconiin*:^ a .separate establishment, the problem of how to do the best possible for the close neighbourhood of the church came up for earnest dis- cussion. All alonjj^ through its history St. Andrew's had kept a watch over the people of its environment. In the old days the Simcoe Street Mission School, under the charge of Mr. MacMurchy, played its u.seful part until the erection of the main church building. But alongside of it and continuing long after it, a woi-k went on quietly but vigorously — the work of grappling at close c[uarters with vice and ignorance, whose out- come now stands before the world as the St. Andrew's Institute. The story of its progress sounds like a romance. Indeed, the full telling of the tale might \n i ! : W i; Ml ll n M t i ! .-.I 288 LIFE OF D. .1. MACDONNELL. m mil i i i make ca first,-r.'ite book for the readinf^ of young people, with the title, " The Dorset School : a true Romance of Faith and Works." I shall endeavour to give an outline of the story, inasnuich as Mr. Mac- donnell and his co-workers have left no worthier monument than St. Andrew's Institute. It was in 1870, a few months before Mr. Macdon- nell's induction, that Miss Isabella Ale.Kander took for a time a class of boys in Mr. MacMurchy's mission school. She was attracted toward one of them, a poor little " arab " named "Eddie," whom she traced to a haunt of poverty, tilth and vice in a large tene- ment house in ])orset Street, a by-way that runs from Kinij to Wellincton between Simcoe and John streets. The house was at first a barracks, then a sort of tavern called " The London House," but now was occupied by twenty-five families, many of them com- posed of thieves and abandoned men and women. She found it hazardous to go there unattended, and though greatly drawn to tlu' jilace she felt herself for a year obliged to relinquish the idea of any permanent work within its precincts. Kdilie, however, continued to attend the school until, with his father, a drunken shoemaker, he removed from the city. She was touched by his " staying behind " at the clo«3 of school to say good-bye to her, After a long inward debate she resolved at all hazards to trv what could be done for the reclamation of the London House and its neighbourhood. In her own words* : " I could not get * The account of the earlier youis of tlio nii.ssion I have largely compiled from a reconl drawn up by Miss Ale.xandor herself. ' I'd ST. ANDREWS INSTITUTE. 289 f for anent miied unkcn was school debate (lone ■ind its not get largely >lf. the place out of my mind. Often in winter nijjjhts I have pictured those miserable children shivering under their scanty bed-clothes, and I longed to carry just a little sunshine to their poor sad little hearts." In company with a lady belonging to the Alexander Street Baptist Church, she ventured to survey the field once more. They found that some of the more dan- ijferous characters had been cleared out, but the remainder were for the most part suidv low in poverty, wretchedness and sin. Eddie's old (piarters were found to be available for the purposes of a school- room. They were now tenanted by si.K children between the ages of four and fourteen, whose mother was in prison, and whose father would often, when in drink, turn them out in the night-time to sleep in the cold passage-ways. A " Sunday school " was held on Saturdays, with an average attendance of about twenty. Unwonted Christian sympathy and kindness attracted the half-famished, half-clothed children. An answer given by a little girl of eight, the daughter of an abandoned woman, told the secret of most of tlie sorrow and shame of the London House. The class was asked why they thought Adam and Eve were so happy in the garden of Eden. She replied for the rest, "There was no whiskty there." They were greatly impressed by the singing, and the bigger ones would sometimes gather the little ones in the evening on the staircase, and wouM sing over together the hymns they had learnt at the school. During the second winter a " mothers' meetinc' " was held, with the result that during the season 20 :|iai •ia f^- mmm m; I u 290 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. " about fifty dollars wore saved from drink an<l waste to be spent in clotbin;,^" whicli the mothers were helped b}' the teachers to make. A ni<fht-school was also attempted : but boys from outsidt> eame in, over- powered tlui AVouM-be pupils, and threw the seats out of the windows. Hence the effort was temporarily aban<loned. The "Sunday school" also Miss Alexander was obliged to demit for a time, upon the retirement of her .associate. Slu' had in fact not had a chance to do the most effective work, since she had on Sundays been teachin<^ a real Sunday school in a distant part of the city. Hut soon she found an op])ortunity to devote the Sundays to the London House, and now returned to hei- task with greater confidence than before. It was still uphill work. A lady who had been trying to teach tlie children, was one Sunday pelted with nnid, and her dress was destroyed with chalk. Tliev told Miss Alexander that the teacher was cross, and they had to do it. A decisive step was gained when the meeting-room was ])apered and adorned witli pictures. The children began to look upon it as their own. The boys then thought the roof very dirty, plastered it themselves and white- washed it three times : they also bricked up and plastered the fire-place to keep out the cold, and one Sunday Miss Alexander found a s(piare of carpet on the floor for her to stand on, and an ornamental hanging on the old mantel-piece. The work was now (in 187(5) placed on a much more promising basis. The one class increased so f% (• 1: i: 'i much bed so ST. Andrew's institute. 291 !:i j]jreatly that more friends were called in to assist in forming and toaching new classes. St. Andrew's Church having just heen estahlishe<l in the near neighbourhood, Miss Alexander asked Mr. Macdonnell to take up the mission. He heartily agreed ; and the enterprise entered, early in 1877, on the stage of sys- tematic organizati'in with a strong society at its back. Further s[)ace was found necessary for the acconuno- dation of the children. Other rooms in the London House were hired and fitted up with benches and desks. The time liad now come for the establish- ment of an evening school wddch might be expected to "stay." Miss Alexander still continued to teach in both schools, but separate superintendents were ap- pointed both for the Sunday and the evening school. B(!fore the close of 1877 an important step was taken in the founding of a Penny Savings Bank. These three functions formed the loundation of the " Dorset Mission," and have remained its central features through all changes of name and place dur- ing its history. At the end of that year there were in the Sunday school nine teachers and seventy-nine ])upils on the roll, gathered not only from the L(mdon House, ])ut from several of the neighbouring streets. Kev. R. H. Hoskin, an elder of the church from 187(1 to 1879, was the first superintendent, but he was soon obliged to retire on account of ill health, and his place was taken by Mr. John T. Small, who in his turn was succeeded in the spring of 1878 by Mr. Hamilton Cassels. The same unwearied worker was in charge of the evening school from the first. It I i' 1 ■ \ 'I \.a ■,■■' ;i ' f > ! I ! '.'■■i 292 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. met twice a week. Soon the number of pupils had to 1)6 limited to forty on account of the lack of accommodation. Mr. Cassels naively informs us in his first report that this number was still further limited, through the wholesome provision soon found to be necessary whereby each pupil was asked to contribute five cents to make them feel more inde- pendent. This principle also has survived to the present time. Very suggestive is the statement that the teach(^rs are not all adherents of St. Andrew's church — another condition which has always been maintained, to the benefit of both teachers and taught and the cause of Christian union in Toronto. The Penny Savings Bank had been started under the auspices of the " Young Men's Association " of St. Andrew's. Besides the direct object of its foundation it served the extremely useful purpose of giving the young men some more practical interest than reading or listening to recitations, essays, debates and lectures which formed their main occupation as a society, in connection with the " Ladies' Association." At the close of 1877 the number of depositors had amounted to forty-one, the average amount deposited being S2.40 for each bank night. It may readily be imagined that these auspicious beginnings of a noble work for the poor and the out- cast, following so closely upon the establishment of the church close beside the mission district, were a great inspiration to the young pastor of St. Andrew's. The very nature of its origin and its early struggles formed a basis of trust, and gave a stimulus to per- ST. ANDREWS INSTITUTE. 293 dins ctures y, in j the glinted being sistent eflbrt, which never failed of thoir ri^ditfiil intlucnce upon tlie mind and heart of minister and people. From year to year the mission developed, steadily forming new points of wholesome contact with the societies of the Chnrch, an<l utilizing the worthiest ^ifts and energies of 3'oun^ and old alike. Not that there were no set-backs or disconra^^ements. The " romance " of such a work is not found in the process but in the results, in the iniity of purpose which pervades the whole, in the ovei'C()min<jf of ditKculties, in the fultilling of high expectations, in the castintj; out of evil and the brinjxinir in of ijood. In such a work the obstacles are the irreatest known to any moral enterprise, and checks and rebuti's ai'c often the order of the day. 13ut the workers were intelligent, faithful and hopeful, and their work became in many of its features an illustrious success. The minister, who kept close watch uj)on everything, was him.self a constant inspiration as well as the wisest of guides and counsellors, full of tact and sympathy, and infinitely patient. Among the helpers in one form or another, at one time and another, were found nearly all the St. Andrew's people who were worth more to the Church than the dollars and cents they contributed or the pewdioldings they occupied at the Sunday services. Certain names have to be mentioned on account of special prom- inence, but this is in a manner accidental ; and in many instances the least known and most unob- trusive work was the most effective. For a time it was the Penny Savings Bank that ril U\ i 1, m n .j HI 294 LIFE OF I). J. MACDONNELL. proj^roHHcd most nipidly, Aft«'r a few montliH it waa tiansfV'i'red from tlio Loudon House to au ofKcc; iu 160 Simcoe Stroct, wliere tlic uuuil)or of tli(< dt'|)osits soou rail up into the liuudrods. 'I'lie " Dorset Schools," as thoy l<>u^ ccjutinued to lie called, wore not allowed to remain iu their orij^iual home after .lanuary, 1879. For over a year they wei'e liard put to it for suitable accommodation. The following extract from a coj)y of the Glohe, printed near the end of 1879, will show some of their aims and needs : " One of the sad<lest conditions of cit}' life is that the thou<jjlitful must needs witness boys and younj^ men driftiu<( into evil ways without an effort being made to save them. Neither as to the numbt-r nor the <;racelessnesH of the rovsteriui; vouni»" hoodlums that throng the streets is Toronto behind other cities of the same size: and their nuudter and gracelessness seem to increase in about e(iual proportion. So far very little has been done in the way of giving the better-disposed of these unfortunate youngsters a chance to get (|uit of their evil associations. Night- schools have done wonders for a few isolated individ- uals, but the numbers who have Deen benefited by night-schools are so small in comparison with the seethinijf mass of doirenerating fellow-creatures as well-nigh to strike dismay to the hearts of those disposed to grapple with the subject. But there are some courageous Christians among us who will not cry craven at any difficulty when there is good, how- ever little, to be done. It lias long been felt that the that ST. ANDREWS INSTITriE. •io.-) UHL'fullicss of Hm! nii;lit-s('li(M)ls ininlit Ih' iimiimst'Iv int'ivusfd ii' soinctlunt^ ronld lie done to keep tlit; att<'M<lfiiits IVoiii iM'uti'jili/iiii:: on the otlin- ni«{l»ts of tlic w«'('k the tiood tlu'N' derive on tlie iiitdits \vl»e!i tlie schools are oj>en. A detenniiied efloi't is now heiii^ made to provide a pla<*e to which (he; lioys may resort any evenine-, and where they will find some .sort of instruciion or entertaiinncnt. awaitin;:' them. Nearly all the hoys are now (h'iven to saloons, ciieaj) dancing lialls, and various ([Uestionalde places of amusement, lor tlie simph^ reason that the choice lies hetween tlio.se places and the street corners. The ix'r.sons havine- the matter in cliaree find a ditlicult\' in ohtainiii^ tlu' I'oom or rooms which it is necressary for them to hire for the purpose. They are not unwillino^ to pay a niodtn'ate sum for accommodation, Itut there ou^dit to he suthcient liherality amon^- onr house owners to prom{)t the otierin^' of rooms for the winter free. If there he any ])er.son willine- to give or let for a mo<lerate price rooms fitted for tlie accommodation of tift\' or sixt\' hovs, he will ])ei'liai)s communicate with Mr. Hamilton ( 'assels. As the hoys for whom this ))articular set of rooms is wanted ai'e those who attend the ni<>-lit -school now held at New St. Andrew's Church, the immmus shoidd he somewhere near Queen and Simcoe streets. The project is not a <leiiominational one in any sense, the per.sons ennraired in it heiiiir thenisehes of \arious forms of reliiricjii. No douht when the project is once started steps will he taken to establish similar places in other parts of the city." f J ; 296 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. ■'IfV ' \i ! 11' l'^ i Si! The Sunday Scliool was lioiised for a time in one of the rooms of tluj Toronto, (irey and Bruce Railway free of chartre, then in tlie cliurch Sunday school room, whore the evening school was also temporarily accommodated. Early in 1880, however, the Session decided that a special huildini,^ should be rented, and a grant was voted by them for that purpose. This was in a large measure provided for by the Young Men's Association, which thus added a responsibility for the maintenance of the schools to its manage- ment of the bank. Tlie schools were then transferred to the premises at 1()8 Adelaide Street West. Here the bank was also lodged, and the building became the centre of the local mission interest till 1885. Here is a poster of this era which speaks for itself : DORSET SCHOOLS FREE ! NKJIIT-SCHOOL Open every Tucsdiiy and Thursdiiy from 7.45 to 9.30 j).ni., for boys who are unable to go to .school during the day. CJ.ASSKH Every Tuesday and Thursday from 3.30 t(j ;"> o'clock p.m., for girls. Plain sewing and mending tauglit. FRKE CONCERT Every Saturday evening from 8 o'clock to 9.30. PENNY SAVINCS BANK, Under the management of the St. Andrew's Y.M.A., carried on in the same Iniikling, and ojien every Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. SUNDAY SCHiJOL Ojjen every Sabbatli from 3 to 4. .30 ]). m. Tliere is a library in connection with the School for the use of tlie children. No. 1()8 Adelaide Street West. All Welcome who desire to improve themselves. m ST. ANDREWS INSTITUTE. 297 M for for Tlins the second stage, still more or less tentative, \V!is passed. Tiie mission had become consolidati'd and centralized ; and for its increased efficiency and brighter prospects, the workers thanked God and took eouram'. The Dorset Sunday school still found its (quarters too strait for it, but struggled along till a more com- modious house was foun<l in 2.S0', Adelaide Street, whither the whi^le of the mission work was trans- ferred in lS8o. In 1881 Mr. Cassels demitted the charge of the night-school, and was succeeded by Mr. dames Strachan, who has ever since been doing a noble work for the education and reformation of the ignorant and the vicious throughout the bounds of the mission. In October, 1882, Mr. Cassels having assumed the charge of the main church school, the Dorset Sunday school also came under the charge of IMr. Strachan, who has continued at the head of it and has seen it grow into a connnunity of two hundred souls. In November, 1881, a "Dorset sewing class " for girls was formed. Durinij 1884 and 1885 the ni<dit-school was deprived of the services of Mr. Strachan, his place as superintendent being taken by Mr. Samuel Moore. Upon his resignation in 188G Mr. Cassels and Mr. Strachan assumed the joint direction. At the end of that year the Savings Bank had a balance on hand of ^'.'Vi.S? after a total number of transactions of 5,170. From 1887 to 1890 the night-school was conducted on alternate nights by Mr. Strachan and Mr. John Muldrew, one of the most earnest promoters of the 298 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. mission work until his severance from the congrega- tion in l!S9.'i. By ISSf) tlie number of pupils on the roll of the Sunday School was 150, and the classes could not be properly divided on account of the im- perfect acconnnodation. A Bible class or "Young Men's Club" was conducted by Miss Emma (Jeorge (now Mrs. Strathy), who had been a most devoted and successful teacher from the beginning of the organized mission. This class luts remained one of the strongest and most encouraging functions of the school. As an outgrowth of the night-school the famous " Harmony Club" was formed early in 18<S7. It was made up of a number of the senior boys of the school, who purchased their own music, and performed at first under the direction of Miss Spence, and later under that of the Misses Walker, Their concerts aroused much enthusiasm and helped to raise the ideals of taste and culture among the Ixjys of the institution. Thus it was felt toward the close of 1889 that, with better opportunities and facilities than any previously afforded, the Dorset Mission would have indefinite scope of development. The mind of the minister, in that busiest of his years, agitated as it was with the cares and perplexities that unexpectedly attendetl the establishment of the new congregation of St. Mark's, was also drawn out strongl}^ toward the other section of the district included in the old parish of St. Andrew's. Significant from this point of view is a letter written on Septend)er 18th, 1889, to Miss Machar, in which he says : "After a jrood deal of hesitation I have resolved to ST. ANDREWS INSTITUTE. 299 begin a weekly service for tlio special ])enetit of the poor and neglected in the pai"ish which has been assigned to St. Andrew's Church, and which includes some pretty bad streets. TIk.' uieinbers ol' my Young People's As.sociation have agreed to canvass these streets and invite the peo})le to come. We are to make a begiiniing on Thursday evening next. I did not announce the meetiuii" on Sundav, because I then might have had the room filled with people coming to see how^ the attempt had succeeded. Indeed 1 am askinj; mend)ers of the conofretration to stav away unless they bring 'neglected folk' with them. 1 intend to try to preach very simply: and I trust the Master will bless this ettbit to reach some of the wanderers." When Mr. ^bicdonnell attempted of set purpost; to "preach very simply' tlu' efi'ort was apt not to be very successful. His preaching was always simple in a certain sense; but the forms ol" expression were those of a logically correct thinker a!i<l a trained rhetorician. To C(msciously break through his wonted modes of conceiving and uttering truth, was to cripple and hamper him, and prevent that perfect spontaneity of speech which is essential to the high- est power. Before hall'-cultured ])eople he was ;it his best when out ol" the pulpit and in the more sympathetic atmosphere of tht" school or the' elub- room. The scheme hinte<l at was not })ersisted in ; but the interest thus betrayed was thrown into the channel of effort indicated by the newest develop- ment of the Dorset Mission. lil 300 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. It will liave been observed liow the Men's Associa- tion* had gradually assumed the responsibility for the management of the educational and financial work of the Dorset Mission. Its active members were all earnestly intereste<l in one department or another of its increasingly diversified work. At the meetings of the Executive Connnittee, large and daring designs were now l>ein<x niooted. The matter w'as brou<>ht to a head at a i^atheriui; of Association men and Mission workers held at the manse on December 20th. The project of a new building was discussed ; a lot on Nelson Street, deemed to be eligible, was to be looked after ; and !?l,G25 were subscribed on the spot. Five (hiys thereafter the eventful Christmas day meeting was convoked. It was a notable gathering — elders, managers, business and ])r()fessional men, crowded the managers' room. Mr. Macdonnell stood at the end of the table ; a glow of enthusiasm, un- wontedly bright even for him, w^as upon his face. He told of the enlarging scope of the mission work, and the hopes and aims of the new movement. He spoke hurriedly, for his time was short. The response was prompt and decisive. The subscription was continued. Prominent in the lengthy list were these itenjs: "John Kay, 81,500: John Kay, Son & Co., SI ,000." *The iiiiine was abl»reviated in 188.'?, in imitation of tho " Women's Association." The latter more democratic and appro- piiate title was chosen after a combination of the "Ladies' Asso- ciation '" and the " Vonny Ladies' Association '' luid been etl'ected. "Hi! ST. ANDREWS INSTITUTE. .'301 .■' y of tood un- face. work, He ponse was these I Co., of the appro- i' Asso- UVecteil. At the ensuing annual mooting of the congregation held on January 29th, 1890, after the ministers return from the Pacific coast, the new project was endorsed, and the Men's Association was authorized to appoint a connnittee to receive further subscrip- tions and proceed with the erection of the proposed building, under the direction of the Board of Man- agers. The subscription list ran up to nearly i?l»S,0()() before May 1st, when work upon the building was begun. On Dominion Day, 1890, at 10 a.m , the corner- stone was lai<l. Mr. John Kay, the venerable Chair- man of the Board of Managers, and the chief financial promoter of the enterprise, laid the stone. Among those present was JMiss Alexander, like Jeanne d'Arc at the coronation at Rheims, modestly rejoicinir at the crowning of the work begun in faith and hope twenty years before. Addresses were delivered by Mr. Cassels and other representative men. In November the buildinfj was ready for use. On the 22nd of that month the formal opening took [)lace. Mr. John Kay presided. After a short dedicatory service by the minister, speeches were made by Sir Daniel Wilson, President of Toronto University, Prof. (Joklwin Smith, and Rev'. Drs. Parsons and McTavish. On Sunday the 2.Srd the large school-room was occupied for the first time, the pupils of the main church school being also present, when the minister delivered an impressive and touching address. On Monday evening a meet- ing was held for women and girls, Mrs. ^Macdonnell presiding. Addresses were given by Mrs. John M H % \ i 302 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. HI Harvie, the eminent pliilanthropist, and the Bible Readei', Miss (lardiner. On Tnesday eveninfjf a nieet- iiio; '■ u' hoys was pi'esided over ])y Mr. Jolin I. iJavK. on, and ad(h-essed hv Rev. Win. Patterson, of Cooke's Clmrch. Dr. Daniel Clark, and Mr. Massie representing^ the St. Andrew's Session. Thus the "St. Andn'w's Institute " came into heinji^. In '\y .\''>"'V- of the minister, this "is the ijfoodlv tree wliieh iiov .-••. )\vn from the little saplin^j planted amid sueh uid'avo^r;'ble conditions in Dorset Street. May many a\ <"-iry - ,'d. rers find rest and refreshment undei' its ^i/z-tadi;/- }>r{^nches! We have planted and watered : may (Jod ^ivo the increase I" The total cost of the structure and land was Sl7,lo2. The buildino- is apportioned as follows: In the basement ai'e a gymnasium, swinnnino; bath and kitchen. On the first lloor, l>(\sides the large school and assenibly-room, there are the library, the savings bank, and an infant class room. On the second Hoor are club and reading rooms, and small class rooms for young and old of both sexes. On the third floor are the living rooms of the caretaker's family and of the Bible Reader. As has been said, the Sunday school has had Mr. Strachan as its superintendent since 1882. In 1891 he again assumed the undivided direction of the night-school as well. In 1892 this responsibility was shared with him by Mr. E. H. Walsh, one of the most self-sacrificing friends of the institute, whose services, helpful in many ways, have been most conspicuous in connection with the gynniasium. In 1893 the impor- Bible ineet- )lin I. son, of Massic • bein^. ,lv tree (1 ainid . May ishinent ted and nd was follows : bath and e school ' savin<i;s Dnd floor oonis for floor are d of the had Mr. In 1891 of the ility was the most services, licuous in le inipor- sr. ANOKEWS INSIITUTK. : 1 r I iS i i I '' ^ it ST. ANDREW'S INSTITUTE. 303 til lit duty devolved upon Mr. Walsh alone. In 1S94 Mr. Dui^ald Maeoillivrav, wlio had been a teacher in ])oth scliools since his arrival in Toronto in 1S89, was entrusted with the position. When he reuK^ve*! IVoiii the city in 1895, he was succeeded by Mr, (ieo. A. Keith, also a teacher From earliest manhood, who still remains the honoured and trusted head ol' this vitally important department of the work of the Institute. Finally, attention may a<jfain be called to the great, the really indispensable services of the Bible Reader, who is a deaconess as well. It is she wlio most of all brinjj^s the home-life of the needy, the sufferin*^, en' the depraved of the district into contact with the beneficent forces of the Institute. Miss Gardiner was obliged, for family reasons, to remove from the city in 1(SJ)2, since which time her priceless services have been a<linirably continue(l by Miss Cecilia Strauchon, for many years one of the most devoted of the select and noble band of female work«'rs of St. Andrew's. Both the Sunday school and the night-school have steadily increased in numbers from the day of the opening. The average attendance at the former is now over two hundred, and at the latter close upon one hundred. Each of these is a nucleus of a varied religious and educative activity. It is perhaps the civilizing influence of the Institute that is most ob- servable with the rapid flight of time. Visitors who look upon some of the rudest and roughest boys of the district are surpri.sed to fliul them made over into true " young gentlemen " when they next visit the Institute. Girls are fitted to make new lioines liap- i m m \ r ( li? 804 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. ih' h I pier and more comfortable than those from whicli they came. Of first-class value as a disciplinary influence is the gymnasium, to which none are ad- mitted but those who attend the night-school regu- larly. A similar test of good conduct is a condition of participation in the annual midsunnner excursion, which is one of the great events of the year to all the " good boys " of the school. An annual dinner is now given to the lads in the winter season, to which the senior boys contribute some of the oratory. A committee of nine boys now assists in the management of the school, the selection of this committee being made hy the boys themselves. Lastly, the boys edit and publish a monthly journal, The Institute Reporter. The Penny Savings Bank has risen to a balance of about $6,000, standing to the credit of nearly six hundred depositors. One family accumulated the sum of $2,200, and was at length advised to invest elsewhere. Of other branches of the work carried on in the institute — the Young Men's Club, the Macdonnell Club, the Girls' Own Club, the Sewing Classes, the Mothers' Meetings — there is no space left here to say anything exce}>t to pronounce them very good, and to wish them God-speed. Of all the agencies of the Institute it may be affirmed emphatically that they furnish unlimited scope for the exercise of even more energy and talent than have as yet been devoted to them. Mr. Macdonnell's attitude toward this great work, '1 ST. ANDREW S INSTITUTE. 305 n the pnnell s, tlie o say and )i' the they more ed to work, and his interest in it, may perhaps be sliown here best by _i,nvin<,' tlie words of two of tlie most earnest and sncccssful of the Institute workers, wlio bave ah'uady been mentione<l in tbis hnrried sketeh. Mrs. (Kmma Geori^e) Stratliy writes to Mrs. Campbell : " In eonnecti(m with Mr. Macdoiniell and the work at the Institute, I think what strikes me most is the unl'ailing synipathy with w'liich lit; always listened to our plans. In the early years especially, many of them were ci'ude and impossible, but he never chilled our enthusiasm, and he always eneonrat,^ed us. His powder of raising his audience to his own level always struck me when listening to him ad- dressing the boys. In the days of the old ' ])or.set ' his audience was often a very turbulent one when he began to speak, yet he invariably secured their respect and attention. The same thing was very noticeable one winter when, through the kindness of one of the members of 8t. Andrew's ('liurch, we gave a free .supper every Sunday evening for some months to the men in the cheap lodging-houses in the neighbourhood. The men who thronged the room on those occasions represented proba])ly the lowest element to be found in any Canadian eity. Mr. Mac- donnell came several times to the little service held alter the tea, and his addresses have alwavs remained in my mind as models of what such addresses should be — full of the Gospel and of the s[)irit of brotherli- ness, and without a trace of that condescension that spoils such addresses so often. One man was heard to describe the room to another as ' the place where '21 It ■^ \ ! I 306 LIFE OF D. .J. MACnONNKLL. I '■ ; its i tliey jL,nve you n }j;()ocl cup of tea, and treat you like a ^n'utleuian ' ; and I liave often thought tliat tlie words Mr. Macdonnell spoke, and tlie sjiirit in wliicli he met those men, must have iidluenced them if any man or any words could. "I liave <,^one to Mr. Macdonnell at all times and on many errands. I never knew him when he was not ahle to ^ive thought and care to each individunl case, as tliou<,di it W(!ri' the one responsibility he had to carry. For two winters he spoke once a month to the mendjers of the Sunday Aftei'noon Club at the Institute, and his w(n'ds are still remeudiered and <|Uoted by men wlio, beloni^dnt^ to different churches or no church at all, yet spoke and thou<^ht of lum as ' our minister.' "The day of liis funeral, T overtook one of the ni^ht-school boys painfully clind^ini^ the steps to the churcli gallery, disabled by a lame foot. Witliout tliinkino;, I said, ' Uh, you shouldn't have come up all these steps :' and I felt ashamed when the boy said, ' I wanted to come ; he did lots for us.' Each of us remendjers different thin<:^s — the word of cheer when we were down-hearted, the word of warnin<^ when we were mistaken, the ceaseless stream of work and thouojht and prayer we were privileged to catch glimpses of, and that formed for us an endless in- spiration." Mr. Dugald Macgillivray expresses his estimate in these terms : "Innnediate, or more remote, his influence was undoubtedly the motor which supplied the current of » vn ST. ANDREWS INSTITUTE. 307 was nit of tho various Cliri.stinn activities, first niirturcfl in tho old J)orsot Mission, and now carri('(i on to sucli a dt't^rco of conipletcnoss in tlie Institute. I have not jjeard that anyone; was ever told of liis own precise ideas as to how the work should Ix; done, or wliat scope it should take. With regard to both, I have no doubt at all tliat he had vcny clear and positive views ; and if wc were to seek a reason why he always nmin- tained a certain reserve it would be, that that which was bein^ done was, under all the circumstances, the l)est means to the end lie had set for it. He showed a clear preference that the work sliouM be primarily amonj^ the youn^, who wouM, with the best results, be influenced hy the workers who, in tlu; main, were themselves but younuf people. He believed that the pressure upward, in the hom< of families wlio, throujijh social or economic conditions, had lapsed or ^a'own careless was more effective than a pressure dowmvard ; and so, by teachiii(( and traininj^ the boys and j^irls, tlie fathers and uiothers mij^ht be taught, too. " As a minister and pastor lie knew only too well the painful indifference, often linked to low living and low thinking, which was but too common in the neigh- bourhood. The ordinary macliinery of the cluirch was not enough to arrest the attention of such to lier services. Tlie minister was convinced, the church being there, that they should come to it, and any proposal to hold preaching or devotional services in the Institute for them — in effect, to make it a mission church— always met with his firm objection. it il-^ II I iJ i 1 I 308 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. " I do not know that he had much sympathy in later years with mission churches of that kind at all ; and I suppose the grand thing about the * Augmentation Scheme ' to him was that by the help of the whole Church the weak cause got its own autonomy and independence. " Toward those who carried on the various work in the institute he was unobtrusive, while always ready to participate in any matter wherein his advice or assistance was reijuired. There, as in other things, he did not spare himself, nor think that gifts, so singularly noble, were unworthily bestowed upon even the smallest details of the several departments. " He lived the life of the love of Christ ; he had convictions deeper than the creeds ; he had an exqui- site moral balance, and his right thinking made right speaking and right living. We saw the richness of his life, and felt the power of his goodness. " For the l)oys and girls he had a strong sympathy and affection. He felt himself that he did not always make them realize this, for, although simple and direct in his own speech, he had not learned that peculiar quality in theirs. His manner with them was usually grave, and his instruction was oftener stated direct than by means of illustration or story. For the present, he believed in discipline and restraint, that there might be true freedom and self-control in maturer years. His interest in them gave him a wider interest in those of the whole city. He publicly advocated the opening of free playgrounds, and char- acterized it as outrageous that lads had not where to ST. Andrew's institute. 309 . U engage in a race or a game of ball without fear of arrest. I have heard him in private approve of the prmeiple of the Curfew, and deplore the evils to city youth of late hours on the corners of our badly-lio-hted back streets. He believed it would be better in this way to arrest the vicious tendency before it assumed the shape of crime; and that it would be found n.ore effectual in the suppression of offences, and more economical than the best organized system of punishment." ! I I ill ■1^ i €T .,.• i t 310 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. CHAPTER XXXII. TRAVELLING FOR HEALTH. Mr. Macdonnell's work in 1890, though not so distractingly varied as that of 1889, was not decreased in vohime. Campaigning and council work for the Equal Rights Association still demanded nmch of his energy. He preached three times a Sunday more frequently than was good for him. Indeed, on one midsummer day (June 29th) he preached four times — a feat not often attempted in these degenerate days. The exhausting midwinter trip to the Pacific coast being constructively a holiday, lie did not deem it well to absent himself from Toronto for a long vacation, but contented himself with a ten days' trip to Lake Joseph, taking his two boys, James and Logic, with him. The Assembly of 1890 met in Ottawa. Among its proceedings it took cognizance, as in the preceding year, of the clerical usurpations against which the Equal Rights agitation was directed ; and here Mr. Macdonnell was again active. He also carried through an overture from the Presbytery of Toronto, the prin- ciple of which had originated among the young men of TRAVELLING FOR HEALTH. 311 St. Andrew's, looking to the formation of young men's Home Mission societies in tlie several cont-'reirations of tlie Chureli. He preached in St. Andrew's Cluu-ch^ Ottawa, on June loth, on "Ye are the salt of the earth," A venerable minister of the ]\[aritime Pro- vinces said to the writer about niiionth thereafter: " I do not approve of Mr. Macdonnell's sentiments on temperance, and I am a lame man: but I would walk Hve miles at any time to hear that sermon over airani. For a month from August 27tli, }>\r. Macdonnell was absent from Toronto aoain, visiting the North- West, but upon a different mission. He had been <leputed by the Assend)ly to visit Prince Albert in company with Kev. ])i-. Warden, of Montreal, to inquire into the att'airs of tlie Xisbet Academy at that place, and other matters concerning the work of the ('hurch in that district. Two more earnest and experienced Home Mission men it would be hard to find : and this congenial companionship made the trip of great value as well as interest to both of the travellers. Mr. Macdonnell's note-book is full of details of this work and its needs in the various localities visited by theni, as well as observa- tions on the condition of the country during that most favourable season of the vear. Thev had the distinction of arrivint; in Prince Albert with the first train on the road that made its way as far as the station. It was in 1890 that, the flood-tide of St. Andrew's outward prosperity began to turn. The most serious s :^ Ml Hi'i .312 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. f ': symptom was the loss of mombors by their removal to residences remote from the church bnildinfj. This was the time just after the heipfht of the " boom " in Toronto, and houses-building was f^oin<:; on rapidly within the newer portions of the city. For the first time in the history of Mr. Maedonnell's ministry the connnunion roll marked a decrease as due to ordinary causes, 'i'hat the clrTijh was prosperinjjj spiritually was shown by the addition of iifty-nine new members duriiifr the year. But the removals were more numerous still. At the close of 181K), the twentieth anniversary of the minister's induction, he gave an historical review of the life and work of the Church. He notices this decline in the membership, but rejoices that the balance is still on the side of pro- gress, in view of the fruitful activity manifested on every side. Early in 1891 there were abundant signs that Mr. Maedonnell's health was being seriously affected. The lack of vigour which showed itself after the western trip of a year before was becoming more marked. This, however, would have been disregarded by him- self, as far as public activity was concerned, if it were not for the appearance of a special symptom which could not be so easily ignored. It had for nearly two years been observed that his voice had not its habitual strength. After long and frequent speaking it more than once became alarmingly husky. Now, toward the end of January of this year the symptoms threatened to become chronic. Brief rest- ing and medical treatment were of no avail, and on TRAVELLING FOR HEALTH. 313 liul for ice had •equent husky, ear the if rest- and on February 2Sth the Session appointed a committee to arrange for a " furlougli." As soon as tlie matter began to bo discussed a few gentliMiien in the con- gregation, wliose kindness the minister constantly remembered ever after, insisted on defniying the expenses of a lengthened trip abroad. It happened that one of the new Canadian Pacific steamers, the Empress of Japan, was soon to sail from Li\erpool by the Mediterranean and Suez route to China and Japan, where she would bemn her trans-Pacific vovages. Mr. John Kay, well known to the readers of this memoir, with his second son, Frank, and Mr. David ^^cGee (already mentioned as a former elder of St. Andrews) were to make the tour of the world, using this steamer as the chief means of travel. Here was just the chance for Mr. Macdonnell, if he would join the party. His chief hesitation was due to the desire that Mrs. Mac(h)rmell, whose health also was in need of recuperation, should not be left out of the pro- gramme. It was not possiljle for her to accompany him so far. For this and other reasons it was decided that he should not make the whole of the round trip, but should return from one of the Asiatic points of call to Scotland, whither she should repair later. There they could have a restful visit among the old friends and pleasant scenes of the north. At a crowded prayer-meeting on ^^arch lUh he gave an affectionate and hopeful farewell talk. The next day he left Toronto in company with the Kays, many friends being at the station to say good-bye. u wx m' ||[:1 ■I ^ irr 314 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. it i-i i M^ ]H The fellow-passengers sailed by the Servia from New York on March 14th. The trip was greatly enjoyed by Mr. Maedonnell, and the effect of the change upon him may be judged by this sentence, from a letter written to his wife near the close of the passage (March 20th) : '■ After supper Frank Kay and [ paced the hurricane deck till 11 p.m., enjoying the strong head-wind, against which we could almost lean without falling, and the spray dashing over the bow as the great ship plunged trembling into the trough of the sea. It is glorious ; and oh, how well I am ! I have forgotten that I have a throat, and as for the rest I am kept in prime condition by abundant exercise in the best air of the universe. Thanks be to the Giver of all good, to our heavenly Father, for all His loving-kindness." He had so far forgotten that he had a throat that on the same evening he read at the " concert " the " Chariot Race," from " Ben Hur." On the next day (March 21st) he writes : " My heart is full of thankfulness for the pleasure and comfort of this prosperous voyage. ... I have realized how near we can be in spirit to the beloved ones who are thou- sands of miles away. Then I am sure there is no time at which we are nearer than when we pray for one another. I always have a (juiet half-hour in my stateroom after breakfast before going at my German book, and I do not think I have ever before so much enjoyed the remembering of you all, and of the sick and afflicted in the congregation, in praj^'er." The " German book " to which he alludes was a volume TRAVELLING FOR HEALTH. 315 by the late Prof. Delitzsch, of Leipsic, " Ein Tao; in Capernaum." He was always very nnich interested in the Sunday services on his ocean trips, and never failed to mention them in his letters or his notes of travel. On March 22nd, as no official service was arranf^ed for, he preached in the music room just before the passengers were ready to land. An incident, connnonplace enou<;h in itself, which took place in Liverpool on Marcii 2.*ird, is too charac- teristic to be omitted. It is his own naive description : " As I returned to the hotel I met a crowd of decent- looking emirrrants, with bags, boxes and bundles of every conceivable shape and style in tlieir hands. In the rear was a very tired-looking woman, with a baby on her right arm and a very heavy basket in her left hand, while a three-year-old child was hanging to her skirts. Acting on the impulse of the moment I turned after her, and asked her to allow me to carry the l»asket. 8he demurred, probably thinking that I might run away with her worldly goods : and therefore all I could do was to carry the big basket along with her. I found she was a German, and I aired mv imperfect German during our walk at the tail of the procession. We brought up at a place where a meal was to be served to the crowd — at least so I sup})Ose — and I quite enjoyed the hearty IcJi daiike schr of the poor woman, who was now (piite free of any suspicion. Indeed, I think she would have trusted me with the baby if we had had farther to go." There was only one person in the world to whom he could speak of acts like this, or indeed of any })ersonal achievement of his own. '"" ■! ii TT h i ii I 1 I r 1 1 316 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. Of the railway journey to London, on March 24th, the i'ollowinii: rcFreshinij observation is made : " How niucli better to be lookinj:^ on the pleasant country between Liverpool and London than to be getting a headache in the lecture-room of St. Andrew's Church!" The allusion apparently is to the weary- ing Home Mission Committee meetings, which were regularly held in the place of varied memories thus alluded to. Arriving in London, on March 24th, one of his first duties was to consult with Dr. Lennox Browne. When this gentleman — a man of few words — turned on his reflector and made his inspection, he ex- claimed, " Oh, what a condition of the throat ! " On further examination it was found that there was an obstruction in the right nostril, which would have to be removed by a special operation. Until this could be done the patient was free to " knock about the city," to use his own phrase. This he did by looking up old friends, visiting the Dore Gallery, and hearing the " Messiah," in Albert Hall, on Good Friday. A programme for the intervening (Easter) Sunday is given as follows : " To-morrow I hope to hear the music in the Abbey at 10, Boyd-Carpenter preach at 11, Dean of St. Paul's at 3.15, see a children's proces- sion in some High Church at 4, and Spurgeon at C.30. If I can get in one or two more ' events ' without breaking the Sabbath beyond possibility of repair, I will let you know ! " He did not. On March 31st the expected operation was per- formed successfully without anaesthetics, by the TRAVELLING FOR HEALTH. 317 sa\vin<; out of a bony protuberance in the ri^ht nostril. After a few days' nursing in a private hospital, and a slinjht operatii^n on the uvula and pharynx on April Gth, the results of the treatment were pronounced very satisfactory. It was also found, as a matter of course, that the throat had not had fair play inspeakin^^: and Mr. Mae<lonnelI was sent by Dr. Browne to Dr. Emil Behnke, a joint- author with him of a valuable little book, " Voice, Song and Speech." With the latter he had, in the meanwhile, two lessons in " voice ju'oduetion," that is, took breathing exercises, a process which, following up the operations, were of essential benefit for the remainder of his life. He returned to Liverpool on April lOth. There he met the Kavs, who had been in Scotland in the interval, as well as Mr. McCiee, who had come over by a later steamer. The Eriiprcsi^ of Japdti sailed the next day (11th). The voyage was greatly en- joyed, the stops and visits on shore most of all. They landed at Gibraltar on April IGth, and spent the whole day there. Another stop was made at Naples during the lOtli and 20th, Here visits were made to V'^esuvius and Pompeii, and letters were received from home. Port Said was reached on the morning of April 24th. Thence an excursion was made to the Pyra- luids, under the auspices of Messrs. Cook and Son. The first stage was a four-hour trip to Ismailia, in a small steamer. At 5 p.m. the train started thence for Cairo, passing through the land of Goshen and 1 \ ' US J; ^i|l :iPfi I : 318 LIFE OF I). J. MACDONNELL. I • ^ ! !. i ■ h -f near Pithom, the rooontly discovorofl "treasure-city " ol' Pliunioli, .'111(1 tlie Itiittle-tield of Tel-ol-Kobir. Cairo was readied at 9.30. 1'lie next iiiorninjij a ])aity ot" ei^dit was made up. Two nios(jues were visited. " Tlience," he writes, '' we drove liy the boulevard Mehemet Ali to the citadel.' Who are these sentries pacin*^ up and down at the fijate-way ;* No E<.(yptians these, but unmistakable British red- coats. There sounds the bugle, and somehow a thrill ji^oes through one's veins." After lunch the party divided, and took carriages to tlie Pyramids. On their way the Museum was visited, and among other anti(]uities the face of Raineses II., the Pharaoh that "knew not Joseph," was seen and admired ; for it is a strong face, that of one of the greatest coiujuerors and builders of the ancient world. After an hour in the Museum they (b'ove upon a well-inade road under tine trees, which afforded grateful shade, driving in the hottest part of the day to the pyramids of CJizeh. Here the wonders of the largest, if not the oldest, tombs in the world were duly explored. The first {ind hugest, that of King Cheops, also the most ancient, claimed chief attention, the Sphinx, not far from the second pyramid, receiving also its due share of wondering admiration. A ride on camel-back was taken from the Sphinx to the Great Pyramid. The account of the visit reads thus : " We were besierred by Arabs who wished to take us to the top of the pyramid. None of our party made the ascent. For my own part, prudence prevailed over enthu, iasm, and considering the })robability of finding the steps ( . ity" ol)ir. njr a wore the ) arc svay '. , red- thrill party . On other h that it is a juerors lour in under iucf in Clizeh. oldest, [\(i tirst L most liiot far [e share .ck was The ►esiefijed oi the it. For 111. iasm, lie steps TRAVELLINf; FOR HEALTH. .Slf> of tlio pyramid a siuhiforium, from whicli I sliould descend to face tlie risks of a drive of eis^lit or nine miles in tlie cooler evening air, I jierpetrated an act of heroic self-denial, for win'ch I trust I sliall <jjet due credit from those most interestcMl in my welfare." Durinijr most of the trip down tlu; Ked Sea. other- wise enjoyable, the heat was very <;ivat and eiier- vatinjr. The (Julf of Aden was entereil, and the imnu'nse cliHs of Cape (iuai'dafui passed on the mornint; of May 2nd, tlie lied Sea voya.r(«i thus lastin;r five davs. Colombo was reached in the morning of the 8th. Here and at Kandy the novid- ties of the tropical island, and tlie half- Asiatic, iialf- Kuropean civilization afforded nuicli entertainment. A n^ood friend was found in Rev. Mr. Watt, (jf the " Scots Kirk." On the Otii the J'Jmpves.s left for the farther East, beai'ing with her the Kays an<l Mr. Mc(ilee. In s[)ite of the curious and instriictive siohts Mr. Macdonnell be_i:;an to be very homesick. It was not until the aftei'uoon of May 14th that the Penin- sular and Oriental Company's steamer Ptiramaitd took him on board for the return vova^e. A landin<^ was made at Aden on the 2 1st. Thus far he had con- trived to secure a state-room for himself, thenceforth he was to be one of three room-mates. The heat was not so intense throurrh the Red Sea as h(\ had feared, but havinLf had "prickly he.'it" for a fort- nio'lit before entering it, sleep was hard to get. Port Said was reached on the 27th. The rest of the trip to England by way of Bi-indisi, Malta, and Cil)raltar, where stops were successively made, was •■m\ ' "i 1 \m ! I '.} 320 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. in wi not very eventful. At Brindisi a cable doapatch was sent to Mrs. Macdonnell, " Hoineward, J*<ii'ani<ttlii" — a curious instance of the associations of the word " home," as blcndinf^ tlie old home-land and the new indistin;,mishal)ly. Months afterwards, in the course a sermon in his own church in Toronto, speaking of the otlusr Fatlu.'rland, the home of the soul, lie dwelt on the lonj^nng that many weary sufKcrers have to enter upon its rest, and he used his own exi)erience on this v(jyage as an illustration. He related how, when he came on board the l\innniUla at Colond)o, he ran at once to the farthest end of the ship, and stretchinj^ out over the bows, cried out, " Home home I " Ho had a singular incapacity of enjoying himself when away fi'om home, without the com- pani'^iishif) of some intinuite friend, and, though pleasant ac(juaintances were made on this return voyage, he probably never sutiered so greatly in his life from this special form of loneliness. He reached London on June 9th by way of Gravesend. On that day he notes, " Delicious, fresh green gra.ss and leaves." He now received some supplementary treatment of the throat by Dr. I3rowne, and several additional " voice-production " lessons from Dr. Behnke. Of these he writes on June I7th to Mrs. Macdonnell, " Passenij^er on boar' SS. Sdvdlnian, Londonderry, Ireland ": "I cnin> i \ yesterday from my visit to Lennox Brow _,, of heart, for he told me I should not reij if an\ further treatment. ... I have had this moinijg my last lesson from Mr. Behnke. He also says that J I PI , i I was la — wor«l 3 new >()urHO ml, lie s bavc jricnce d how, )loinl)0, lip, aiul ' Home, njoyins ic coin- thoii^li return in hia Wiiv of |ns, fresh d some hy Dr. iluetion" rites on m boar'^ II' any mornii'i:; s that 1 TUAVKLLINfJ FOIl IIKALTH. :t2l do not need any further instruction — oidv to practise whut I liave learned. I tiiink I have i;()t hold of his {)rinciple." \hi also wi'ites f)f the inrjiression produced in En^danil hy the death of Sir John .Macdonald, and of havinjij attended the .Mriiioi'ial service in Westminster Ahltey on 12th inst., addiut,^ " Tlu; death of Sir .John makes a ^reat chant^e on the frtC(!of Canadian })olitics. \n spite of all his faults, he has made a <le(![) mark on the history of Canada, and has serve<l his country devotedly." i\Irs. ^hicdonnell had left Toronto on June Mth hy steamboat for Montreal, takin*^ thence the Sdrdiiiidu for Liverpool on the Oth. It was at one time feared that the plan so well arran<;ed mi^lit not be carried out on account of a serious accident which had befallen Mrs. Smellie, then in her seventy-sixth year. She had been thrown out of a carriat^e, so that her head struck a^^^ainst a curb-stone. Her raj)id progress toward complete recovery, so fjratifying and surprisinj^ to her friends, allowed Mrs. Macdonnell to leave for the old land with an easy mind. The five vounjjer children — there were now seven in all, George, James, Logic, Eleanor, Norman, ^Margaret, Kenneth — were left at Fergus. She arrived at Tji\er- pool on the 20th, and was there met by Mr. Mac- donnell who had left London to meet her on the same day. Of her last day on board the Surdinidn she writes that she went on deck very early in the morning, when the steamer landed at Moville (Londonderry), ill hopes of finding the letter. After waiting in vain 1 1 m 1 1 oo thUm 322 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. , '.t M she returned to her state-room, and had fallen asleep when she was awakened by the stewardess with the telegraphic message, " Will meet you at Liverpool." " Then," she says, " I realized how much a burden of care for myself had suddenly dropped from me." In a note from Mr. Macdonnell written at the same time to Mrs. Smellie, he says : " I don't tliink I was in- tended to live alone or to travel about without hav- ing some one to take care of. It does seem as if every wish of my heart had been granted ; and if any husljand and father in the land has reason to be thankful for abounding mercies, I am the man, and I am very thankful and content." For a reswnie oi the remainder of the English and Scottish visit I may give an extract from a letter from Mr. Macdoimell to myself, dated Daisybank, Kirkwall, 20th July, 1891 : "... My wife and I have had our time pretty fully occupied during these four weeks — first spending ten days in London, then a few days (including a Sunday) in Edinburgh, and then coming north by the Highland Railway, t'ia Perth and Inver- ness to Thurso, from which we crossed the Pentland Frith to this place." Then f(>llows a description of the surroundings, which may supplement what was noted in an earlier chapter : " Daisybank is the residence of Miss Logic, an aunt of Mrs. Macdonnell, and is an ideal place in which to spend a holiday. . , . There are fine views, and often striking ones, over the (puiint, (juiet m leep I the )OOl." en of ' In time LS in- :, liav- as if ind if , to be , and I isU and I letter i^ybank, ir tune eeks — w days coming 1 Inver- entland Imidings, In earlier Jogie, an place in are iine lint, (luiet TRAVELLING FOR HEALTH. 323 town at the foot of the hill on which the house stands, with the slopes of Wideford Hill in the west, Kirkwall Bay to the north, and Scape Flow {i.e., bay) to the south on the other side of the neck of land which connects the eastern and the western portions of the mainland. The changinfij hues of sky and sea on many an evening for an hour or two after sunset during the long twilight are a constant source of enjoyment. In the town itself the most conspicuous object is the cathedral of St. Magnus, which domin- ates all else and is the presiding genius of the place. It is wonderful what solid work those old fellows did in the twelfth century ! The choir of the cathe- dral is fitted up for worship, and is the parish church. There is a chime of bells in the tower of which the mode of ringing is unicjue — first, a slow tolling for five minutes, then a more rapid tolling for the second five minutes, and lastly a jangle of sounds which is eminently calculated to make dilatory worshippers quicken their pace before the three slow, solemn notes are struck, which indicate that the minister is going into the pulpit and that they are too late. Shice I was last in Orkney a Iiarnionitun has been introduced into the cathedral, the spirit of innovation liaving penetrated even as far as Uli'imn Thide. "I an; feeling very well now. I am going to try my voice in St. Magnus next Sunday. 1 am concerned about the changes involved in Mr. Mitchell's going to Cobourg, and in Miss Gardiner's resignation." A second letter dateti fi-om Kirkwall on August 8th says : i n. niffl liH I Pii i W'A \m \ ■'A''.\ 5.'' 9 Ki' ' 1 1 ■ \ • -■ : ; -tr':.i smmtmmmmam 324 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. I t " , . . The climate of Orkney has agreed with me splendidly, and I am thankful to say that I am strong and well. My wife, too, is very much the better of the few weeks we have spent here. . . . We intend leaving the day after to-morrow for Thurso and Inverness, going by Loch Tay to the neighbourhood of Oban to visit friends, and thence to Edinburgh. After spending a few day.-;' there we hope to sail for Canada by the Labrador on the 20th inst." Of this stay at Kirkwall a letter says, continuing the reminiscences of Chapter XIII. : " Of all his visits that of '91 was, I think, the brightest — we little thought the last ! The joy of returning health and strength after his long sea voyage, and the happy meeting with his wife after months of separation, gave to their visit a peculiar zest. They were full of happiness, and, we often remarked, were like a young couple away on their first holiday. . . . He preached twice, I think, during this visit, in St. Magnus, to congregations as larire as were ever in it : and I can remember how pleased he was when an old porter preferred a recjuest through a servant in the house where he was staying, that he might get a reading of his sermon (it was on prayer). James had not written it out. but from memory he wrote a good deal of what he had said and sent it to the poor man." Many things united to give intense interest to this last summer stay at the Orkneys. Not the least of these was the opportunity of a personal visitation of many ■m TRAVELLING FOR HEALTH. 32i with I am the / for o the ice to •e we (11 the inumg ik, the joy of njT sea fe after )ecuUar B often HI their think, ions as t)er how recjuest staying, was on »ut from lad said ^t to this of these of many scenes associated with the family history of Mrs. Mac- donnell. She herself has graphically described one of them in a letter to her mother of August lOth, from which the following extract may be given. She and Mr. Macdonnell had given up a projected pleasure trip to the isle of Hoy, so as to made a special excursion to " Lady Kirk," on the isle of Sanday, where Mr. Smellie had spent his first pastorate. After a boat trip to Sanday a circuitous gig drive brought them to the manse. " The key was got, but at first no power could open the door of old Kirkha'. All we could do was to peep in through the open windows. Then we went to the church, but had to go a mile and a half to another house for the key of it. At last we got in ; stood in the pulpit, read the inscription in the Bible, etc. Then a man came, as we thought, to find fault ; but it was to see if it was true that there was some one here ' ciaiTriing to belong to Mr. Smellie.' I had some difficulty in making him believe that I was the daughter of ' old Mr. Smellie who was once minister of Lady Kirk.' . . . By this time there came a message that the door of the manse was gotten open, and so we went back. I went into every room, now used by pigeons and worse, but mantels and cupboard-shelves still showed what once had been. I thought many thoughts, looking all around, taking views out of each window, trying to imagine you a child, Grandma a young woman and Grandpa a brisk young man." ; } . i r M«QiMPnH«ipn«i imimiii*iimSmSSSSSSSSS 326 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. U I i' i ^ CHAPTER XXXIII. DECLINING STRENaTH AND ADDED DUTIES. Toronto was reached on August 31st. On Friday, September 4th, a special meeting of welcome was held in the church, preceded by a service of praise. Then Mr. Macdonnell gave an outline of his journey, and told of his joy at his return to his people, and of his deepened sense of responsibility as their minister. At a social meeting thereafter in the lecture-room, one of the pleasantest features was the presentation by the congregation of an arm-chair to Rev. Thos. Goldsmith, who had occupied the pulpit with great acceptance, and performed all the pastoral duties, in the absence of the minister. It soon became evident that Mr. Macdonnell had not fully recovered his former strength. An immense congregation had gathered to hear him at both ser- vices on the first Sunday after his return, but he spoke with little animatic: apparently choosing themes ("Grace and Peace" and "Walking in the Light') which should not rouse him to the pitch of excite- ment which had been his wont. For several weeks the same quietness of manner was observable. ii m 'Hi DECLlNtNd STRENfGTH A\L) ADDED DUTIES. 327 Before very long, liowever, he was preachin<^ again with all his former energy, though with sonietiiing less than his former vigour. Changes were taking place in the congregation. The session was reduced by the loss of three mem- bers. IVfr. Gemmell, who had been an elder since LSiSG, and Mr. C. S. McDonald, were obliged to leave the church on account of a chano;e of residence. On J)eceml)er l()th Mr. John Kay i|uietly pas.se<l away, after a brief illness, in his seviMity-fifth year. The blank left in the eldershij) and in the Board of ^hmagers, of which he was chairman, it was impos- sible to till. He was most self-flenvinix and devested in his services to the Church. The claims of his large and growing business never interfered with the performance of his duties, and of these he had a high and generous conception. His giving was princely: and besides his noble contributions to the revenue and the various agencies of the congregation, his private beneficence, though unc^btrusive, was unceas- ing. No one could better fulfil the rule, " He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity." He was a beautiful and lovable character: modest, reasonable, affable, and humble-mind(Ml. To minister and to people alike his loss was simply irreparable. There was a certain melancholv fitness in the time of his departure, for he had just had the .satisfaction of seeing the Institute, of which he was the chief promoter, established with great power and promise. The connnunity at large joineil in <jur mourning, for he was a model citizen and business ■: ' !• l\' ii-i 1'» . tf-i li i 1:1 328 LIFE OF D. J. MACt)ONNELL. man, and an example, all too rare, of unworldliness, of simplicity unspoiled and of open-handed generosity unabated by the perils to head and heart tiiat come with worldly prosperity. Mr. Kay's chairmanship of the Board of Managers was filled by Col. John I. Davidson, whose services in that capacity are fresh in the minds of St. Andrew's people. The removal of Mr. Mitchell to Cobourg was felt as a severe loss. Tliough he was i-etained in the eldership, his place as Clerk of the session had to be taken by another. His successor, Mr. A. F. McLean, has walked worthily in his footsteps. It is impossible to say how greatly the minister was helped by both of these true fellow-workers, t nd how much his comfort was enhanced by their thoughtful care and never - failing attention to the needs of the congregation as well as to his own. Early in the year, on the eve of Mr. Macdonnell's long holiday, a branch Sunday School was established near the corner of Spadina Avenue and College Street, for the children of members and adherents of St. Andrew's Cliurcli. Of this school Mr. Maclauriii was appointed superintendent, and Mr. S. R. Hart, secretary. This new departure was made necessary by the distance from the church of the homes of very many of the children. In spite of the long absence of the minister, and the continued decrease in the number of members and adherents, the oflerings of the Church were kept in 1891 at a high level, $18,417 out of a total of $27,348 being contributed to other than strictly con- gregational purposes. aunii Hart, 3ssary nes of and iuibers kept )tal of lly con- DECLINING STRENGTH AND ADDED DUTIES. 329 It was during 1891 that the regiment of the 48th Highlanders was organized, and Mr. Macdonnell was cliosen to be its cliaphiin. He was just the riglit man to be chaplain of British troops, loyal to the core, a great lover and promoter of peace, and sympathizing with the ardour and physical energy and enterprise of youth. Capt. JMacgillivray writes again on this theme from the fulness of his knowledge: " Some of us knew that the idea of patriotism, as exhiljited in tlie army, recommended itself to him, and that he was an admirer of the British soldiery, always, at least, when they showed the endurance, bravery, discipline and humanity which have in the past shed lustre on British arms. " As he was a true man so was he a true Canadian ; and while it was not his way to make excursions into other fields than liis own chosen life-work, it was not because he had not the qualifications. He had a keen historical and political instinct, and knew with unusual exactness of information the development of Canadian institutions. He believed in the main features of our militia system, in so far as they con- tributed to a true patriotic spirit in our young men and afforded a guarantee for the enforcement of law and order within our own territorial bounds. Gen- erous himself, he praised th(^ spirit of our militiamen ill giving their time ungrudgingly for purposes of drill and general militar}' etticienoy, and he naturally seemed the one man who should be asked to become the chaplain of the 48th Highlanders, when permis- sion was obtained from the Government to enlist T i Pn r i. lili I'll If u '* i .L i ■• iti r': ff Vt: •i '■' 330 LIFE OP D. .T. MACDONNELL. il ]' tliat battalion in 1891. That the coniniandint^ officer of the new c()rj)S and several oF the Hrst officers and non-connnissioned officers and men were members oi' liis own conn^ret^ation did not, I tliink, influence bis decision to accept the office. It appeared to liim to be witliin tlie scope oi" liis <bities, and as lie himself was heard to say, 'of his hi^li privilege as well.' " At no previous time had he o))portunity to know anvthino- of regimental duties or routine ; but with characteristic enerijv and thorouu'bness he soon ac(iuired a o-ood knowledfje of all th<' ix-arini^s of I'e^'imental economy. He cheerfully entered into the deliberations of the officers when his advice was sought, and althou<;h not ( ften on ])arade witli the V)attalion, I am (|uite sure that the influence and char- acter of the chaplain were among all ranks a powerful thou<di unseen force. " On the three occasions at which he addi-essed the men, or a number of them, on parade, the theme was some aspect of dufu as applicable to Christian citizen-soldiers ; and when he preached to us in his own church at our first parade, he said, ' I speak to vou as one of yourselves, and in servin<j: our countrv we do the will of God.' Afterwards, when preachin*;' to the Toronto (Jarrison on ' The Fear of (Jod,' he said, 'The meaninu* of such a sei-vice is a recoo-ni- tion of the need of God's assistance, if your duty, as soldiers, to your God and your country is to be done.' " Because of his own manly and sympathetic quali- ties he was held in high esteem by the volunteers of Toronto. We who knew him as pastor, as well as m •': \i fficerH n\l)ers ice his him to limself i; 3 know lit \viti» c s')on •iuLijs of into the ice was with the Liid cl^ar- poNvert'ul uldvesscil le tliciue Christian us in ins spealv to conntry .reaching- C5o(l,' i^^' I vecogni- r (Intv, as be done; etic quali- lunteers of as weli as THK CHAPLAIN OF THK ISTii HKi JILANDKHS. IF y ^*r DECLINING STHENOTH AND ADDED DUTIES. 881 cliaplain, received, at the laist, word of liis <]eatli with profound sorrow. Tin; officer conunandiii^^ issued an order expressive of this and of the yreat loss sus- tained by tlie whole corps." A somewhat severe attaciv of influenza interfered with IVfr. Macdonnell's activitv in the earl\- i)art of 1.S02. He had not l»een liahle to this ailment, like most other mortals, and now when it did come he took comfort in the reflection that his throat, sup- posed to be the weak j>oint in his system, was not artected. '^Phis seemed to him to sh>)W that his con- stitution was still via'orous. Possiblv the rest from public speakin^^ taken not lont^^ before, and the im- proved method of vocal utterance learned in London, relieved his throat from all strain. He- was, of course, absent from his pulpit for several Sundays at this period. His convalescent days were spent in i^^'i't^us. One of the matters of more than merely local inter- est, o-reatly discussed in Toronto toward the end of 1891 and the beginning of 18!)2, was the (piestiou of runnint^ the street cars on Sundays. Mr. Macdonnell took a very prominent part in this long controversy, in the pulpit, on the platform, and occasionally in the pres.s. The first vote on the (juestion was taken on January oth, 1892, when the Street Car Company's ])roposition was voted down by a large majorit\'. Tile ground taken from the first bv Mr. Macdonnell was not so much the inherent sanctitv of Sundav' as a substitute for the Jewish Sabbath, but rather the necessity and right of all workingmen to have this one day in the seven for rest and worship. What *l "HI i.iii.jmjiiiiB^i1 332 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNEU.. il added wM-if^ht to liis viperous apjM'uls atid ar^uiiicnts was his well-known fcoicration of otiiers' opinions, and also the fact tliat he wonld ])i-ol)al)ly <^^ain more in the way oi' increased church attendance from the nso of Sunday cars than almost any other nnnister of Toronto, St. Andrew's beino- so far from the resi- dential centres. As a matter of fact, St. Andrew's congret^ation was, precisely' at this time, seriously considering the |)ropriety of moving northward, so as to come within reasonable tlistance of the majority of its members. It had been felt for some years that the drift oi })opulation away from the neighbourhooil (^f the church was telling seriously against its prosperity. Mr. i\Iac<lonnell in the j)astoi-al letter last (juoted had remarked : " Nearly e\'ery interest of the congrega- tion is att'ectt'd prejudicially by the distance at which a largi! pi-oportion (^f memlx'i's and adherents reside. The Sunday school, even with the branch organized last year, does not include one-half of the children of the Church ; the attendance on the evening service on Sundays is not more than one-half or two thirds of what it was six or eight years ago; the attendance on Wednesday evening has similarly fallen oti"; the meetings of every as.sociation connected with the Church sufi'er from the same cause." It was found about this time that o\er one hundred families, in the north of the city alone, were living at a distance of a mile or more from the church building. The agitati(Hiin favour of moving northward lasted throughout the year 1892. Committees of inquiry DECLININ(; STHENriTH AND ADDKD Dl'TIES. IVA'A were fornie<l and the whole suKjcct was n»j»«'atc'(lly tliivslietl out. Mr. MactloiincU whs ,it first (lisincliiicd toward the proposod cliaii<xo, his priiicijial oli'it'ction bcin^ the piissiblc ne<;lt'('t ol' the district in wliich the churcli was situatt'(l. 'I'liis sci-iipic liaviii^^ l)»tii overcome, his ()[)positioii ^ra<hially ceased, and lie became (juite williiii,^ to I'lirtiier the iiioveineiit, il' it should be deemed expedient in \ iew of all tlie cir- cumstances of the case. At a conifre<rati*)nal meetinjx licld on June 2!)tii, a resolution t'avoin'iiii;' removal in f^oneral terms was carried by a considerable majority. About lialf a tlozen oj)})osed by xote the ]>i'oject in any form. A considerable minority concurre(l in the desirability of removal, but cou[)le(l tlieir declaration with a motion looking; to the raisin;^ of !r'2.'),000, for the payment of the debt. Subseijuently the spirit of l)oth the motions was acted upon, and subscriptions were made in a short time approachiui;- in amount the sum in (|ue.stion, with the understanding^ that the removal be proceeded with. There was e\-ei'y })ros- pect of the entire amount bein^ rai.sed with a little etibrt, but after viewing the whole situation care- fidly, Mr. Macdonnell recoi;'nized tlie fact that there was in some quarters a lack of j)raetical heartiness in favour of the chan^^', especially amoiiijj some of the men of strongest tinancial standinn-, and on that ground advised that the enterprise be abandoned. Accordingly St. Andrew's still continues to adorn the time-honoured site. After the minister's recovery from the illness above referred to, earnest conferences were held as to the •^^i-mmtis^' ^rm—fmrnmr' 834 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. Mt." m i * i propriety of providing him witli some substantial assistance. At a joint meeting of session and man- agers lield on April 18tli, it was decided that pulpit su])[)ly be granted during the summer months and part of tlie winter. In pursuance of this arrange- ment the St. Andrew's people had the privilege of the pul])it and pastoral ministrations of Rev. Daniel R. Drunnnond, M.A., during the sunnner of 1892. and for several periods tliereafter of longer or shorter duration. A close l)ond of affectionate confidence united the assistant to the })astor and to the people fit large as well. He had just finished his regular i^lieological course at Queen's, but was looking for- ward to post-graduate work at home and abroad. The spirit in which the minister met his young friend was graphicall}' set forth by j\Ir. Dnnnmond himself in the course of a sermon preached in St. Andrew's on the first tSunday after tlie funeral of the chief actor in the scene : " It was a rare privilege God has given t hose of us who have been closely associated with him. I shall never forget his words to me the first morning on which I entered U})on work in the congregation. "Coming along King .Street until opposite tliis church, as we parted I asked him if he iiad any particular method which lie would like me to follow. Laying his hand on my shoulder in the most friendly fashion, and calling nui familiarly by my surname as if we had been old college chums, he said: ' Drum- mond, tlie one thing for which the Church stands, and for which we as ministers of Christ should live, is to DECLINING STRENGTH AND ADDED DUTIES. 835 antial man- pulpit s and range- ege of Daniel )2, and shorter fidence people regular iig for- abroad. tf t'rien<l himselt' ndrew's le chief se of us I shall ning on l)ring men to Christ: if 3'on can do it by a hearty laugh, do it: if by dropping into tlio office or place of business a few luiiuites, do it : if bv a hand-shak*^ on tlie street, do it : if b}' rea<ling the Word and prayer in the home, do it. Tliat is our work, and I leave it to your own good sense, liow you will attain the end.' And in that splendid trustfulness by which he drew men to himself and mad*' them willin<xlv do their best, from tiiat (hiy till his earnest 'God bless you in your work !' as we parted in Fergus a few weeks ago, never to look in each otiier's faces again in life, no word of tlii'ection ever came from him, except that word which the deafest ear could not but hear — the word spoken by a matchless life, the influence (jf a dee'ply consecrated spirit." The sunnner vacation was passed by Mi". Macdonnell at Cap-ri-l'Aigle with two of his boys, Mrs. Mncdonnell ami the younger children spending the holidays at I'^ergus. During this period he was called '^pon to share in the grief of his si.ster, Mrs. Canipl)ell, and her husl)and, raid to minister to their comf(jrt. On August ord, Miss Eleanor Campbell, theii- secon<l living child, died, at Cap-ji-l'Aigle, after a brief illness. She jiad licen imrsing her older brother Robert, who lunl been toi some time an in-valid. It was not long before he followed her: for on August 29th he, too, gently ]>assed away at his home in Montreal. The Toronto meetiui; of the Alliance of the Re- formed Churches, usuallv known as the " Pan-l'res])V- terian Council," was hehl from SeptendKr 21st to S<'ptember 30th, 1892. Mr .Macdonnell Unjk an U'i \m nr'''^ 336 LIFE OF D. .1. MACDONNELL. fii (LM I*' > cactive, tlioufrh not a very conspicuous, part in tlie proceedings. He was, as usual, busily employed on committee work, and he was almost constantly occu- pied in looking after the comfort of visitors in and outside of the crowded meetings. He spoke but once at length, but he presided at the communion service, which was lield on th(; 2oth in his own church. At this solemn service addresses were delivered by the venerable President of the Council, Dr, W. G. Blaikie, and Rev. ])r. John Hall. His action in connection with a connnon Presbyterian hynnial is noticed else- where by Mr. Murray. For a declining church St. Andrews continued to mak(^ a good sh.owing. Seventy-three new members were added iluring 1892, but the drift of the congre- gation is shown by the loss of niniity-eight, mainly by removal lieyond its bounds. How unwillingly these old friends parted from their minister he had abun- dant reason to know. Many formed connections with other congregations in their new neigh l)Ourhoods, with the hope that they might soon be reunited to their beloved Church — that if they could not go to St. Andrew's, St. Andrew's might come to them. Letters such as the followiui; came to the minister as a certain *'/>mpensation for the personal loss : "I feel that I cannot leave Hi. Andrew's even (as Wf hope it may be) for a short time, without trying to thank you for your ministrations which have been such a blessing to me and mine. It Is not [K)SHibl«- to tell you what you have been to me and 'lone for me as my minister, but I have never cea.sed to rejov*;*^ that DECLINING STRENGTH AND ADDED DUTIES. 337 u the ed on ' occu- in and it once service, ;h. At l)y the Blaikie, Liiection ied else- iniied to iienibers J con<i;i"e- ,ainly by rly these ul abun- ions with )urhoods, inited to ot go to to them, iuister as : " I feel r hope it to thank Ml sucli a ,],■ to tell for me as hoHic that Providence made me a member of your fiock. . . The meetings conducted by ]\lrs. Macdonnell on Fridays have also been such a help and comfort; and I liope, though belonging to another Church, to still keep up my connection with the ' Women's Associa- tion ' of 8t. Andrew's. The years spent in the shelter of St. Andrew's will be aiiKjng my dearest memories." The death of Mr. Alex. T. Fulton on .'ulv 23rd, 1892, was a serious loss to the congregation. He had been a manager for many years, and having been a partner in business with James ^lichie, he became, in certain ways, a successor to him in serving the church. He was always one of the most gi^nerous sup})orters of every branch of the work of the church, and his legacy to St. Andrew's of S<S,000 had been preceded by many thousands contributed during his life. The annual meeting of the congregation on January 17th, 1893, was marked by an exceptional incidtMit. When the minister's salary had been raised in 1888 from i?-i,('0() to S^-.oOO, he had objected to the increase in very strong terms, ami only accepted it after it was virtually thrust upon him. The etl'ect was shown in the increase of his already very large contributions to all the church objects. When the C(mgregation began to show an unmistakable decline in mend)ers, he and Mrs. ]\Iacdonnell arranged to ha\"e a sur[)lus of S')0() to lie sent to the managers at the close of the year. At the meeting the discussion on the subject was very animated. '^Phe minister, who habitually presided at these meetings, lej't the chair and insisted not onl\' on tliL' return of the .*5")U(), but on the reduction of his t.h .;( m ■ ImiU lil-ri; U.l r r. .; : ■ ' I li 338 LIFE OF I). J. iMAf'DONNELL. salary to the former figure. It was iinpossihlc to secure tlie assent of tlie ineetin;^. Mrs. Mae<l<jnnell was especially (]isa})pointe(l at the result. The Church ^ot the money back, ho\V(!\-ei', though not all in the form of revenue. Early in LSIJ.'i Mr. ]\Iac<lonnell a^ain ^^aA'e si^^ns, particularly in the pulpit, of a 1ji])S(^ of ])hysical str(!i)^th. ( )n .January 31st he went with Mi's. Mae- (lonnell to the Spring's at Warsaw, N.\'., for recu])era- tion, Mr. Drunnnond takin;^ his ])la('(; as |)i'eii,cher and pastor dui'in^" his ahsenct;. At the (j!(!n(!i-al Assembly which came together on .fune 14th, at IJi'antford, Ont., the j)roor('ss I'eported by tlui Hynnial Committee, lookin<^ toward tlu; in- corporation of selections from the i'salms, besides its enlari:;ement and revision, was especially <^i'atifying to Mr. Macdonnell. Mis attendance at the Assembly was interrupted by an event of dee)) and peculiai* interest, the (golden wed<lin<;- of !)r. and Mrs. Smellie, on June IDtli. Asa. memento of this glad and memor- able event, in which Mr. Macdonn(;ll was one (jf the most enthusiastic and ha])py ])articipants, the follow- ing account is re])rinted from tJie Fergus jVciv-i-Jiecord of June 22ml, 1«92: " At ' Kirkhall,' on Monday oi this week, was cele- brated the fiftieth annivei'sary of the marriage of Dr. and Mi's. Smellie, now for nearly fifty years residents of Ft )-gus. Dr. Snw.'llie haxing been for about i'oi'ty- five years minister of Mel\ ille (*ongreg,ttion. " Colden we(ldings are rai'e occurrences, and still more rare are gatherings on such occasions of all the DECLINING STRENGTH AND ADDED DUTIES. 330 mi i.' to nnell \urch II the lysiciil . Mac- ,her on ('ported i\w in- Vulcs its atii'yin^ ^ssLMubly icculiar Snit'lUc, moinoi'- > of tliC follow - i^-Record was celc- ir(> of 1)1*- residents )nt foi-ty- an.l still of all tlu Tnenil)ers of a lar^e and scattered family. Dr. and Mrs. Sniellie had the joy of having with tliem in churcli on Sabbath, and of s('ein<; around tlu'ir table for a day or two all their surviving children, with tiieir res])ective ])artners in life, and one represen- tative from eacli family of grandchildren, also Dr. Smellie's only surviving brother and his wilV\ Mr. and Mrs. Macdotniell, of 'I'oronto : Di'. and Mv.s. 'W S. T. Smellie of Fort William: Mr. an.l Mrs. R. S. Suicllie, of Toronto ; Mr. G. L. Smellie, of Wiiniipeg ; Mr. and Mrs. A. (1. P. Smellie, of Binscarth, with Miss Smellie, still happily a resid(!nt of Fergus, had the op])Oi'tunity of congratulating each (jtlicr on this peculiarly solemn and joyful occasion, that their parents had been S(, long spared to the.ii in com- ])arative health and strength, as well ,;,.-i that the youi^gest bi'other had bi'ought his bride to help to celebrate the jubilee'. " Nor were there wanting tokens of sympathy and love from tliose aniong whom ])r. and Mrs. Smellie have so long lived. From an early hour on Monday morning excpiisite bou<piets and baskets of flowers, with tender words of greeting, came in show(;rs, as well as several sultstantial gifts, including a time- |)iece from the Women's Foreign Missionary Society to Mrs. Smellie, and a pocket-book lined with gold to Dr. Smellie 'from a few old friends in the (;on<n'(> gition.' Kindly greetings were also received by mail and by wire from many at a distance fi'om relations, from friends in tlu- ministry, and, yciy especially \alued, from formei' friends of tin.' congregation, who have not forirotten their old church home. I. J-i.ltJ»!ia.lliliLLl!i|llJ! 340 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. Ji.J ! " The community has joined in offerinf;^ Dr. and Mrs. Smellie congratulation, and in wishing continued blessing on them and theirs." A sickness of a week's duration fell upon Mr. Mac- doimell in tlie nnddle of July. On the 24th he left for Cap-a-l'Aigle, where he I'emained till August 22nd. Returning to Toronto he was joined by Mrs. Macdon- nell and the children, who had been visiting Fergus. Two trips were made by him in the autumn to the World's Fair at Chicago. On the earlier trip he was accompanied by Mrs. IVhicdonnell and their son George, and by Miss Smellie and Miss Machar, of Kingston. The seccmd trip was begun on October 18th, with his children, James, Logic an<l fc^leanor, and a party of friends. These visits to the great Exposition he intensely enjoyed. His enthusiasm for the Fair, based maiidy on his sympathy with the progress of linmanity, knew no )»ounds. The Parliament of ivt ligions was the promotion of an idea which he had for many years cherished as his own, and this perhaps gave him the keenest [)leasure. This year he again contributed, by voice and pen, to the defeat of tlie Sunday Car movement in Toronto, which was voted down on August 2()th bv a decisive, thoujjfh reduced, maioritv. On November 2.5th he preached in Ottawa at the opening of the Stewarton Church. Here he was the guest of Lord and Ladv Aberdeen, who had regularly attended the St. Andrew's Church servi'^e during their Toronto visits. During this period Mr. Macdomiell was at his best as a preacher. In spite of a certain marked decline of DECLINING STRENGTH AND ADDED DUTIES. 341 and lined Mac- f t for 22nd. .cdon- ergns. to the \e was ieorge, [igston. :ith his arty of bion he ic Fair, irress of lent of he iiad >erhaps md pen, 'roronto, U'cisive, 25th he Avarton nd Lady the St. ito visits, ns best as h'clini' ot te physical vi<;our, his voice was ck'arer and fuller than it had ever been, on accoinit of the London treatment and his aciiuired skill in its proper and cti'ective use. His audiences in the evenings were not so large as in former years, but they were better repaid for their walks to the church. There was now less vehemence than in the days of overmastering passion, but the steady stream of forceful thought was none the less grateful to those who had lonfi: since found his words a well-spring of wisdom and love. And there was a growing mellowness and richness in the matter of his discourses, which were satisfying alike to the mind and heart of his hearers. Lonj; and intimate converse with the Bible, in the original and in the Revised Version, had now given him an absolute command of its language for illustrative application, as well as for the due expression of the life of the spirit. He was soon to enter upon another, the final stage or phase of his work as a preacher, not less noble and not le.ss worthy. The tierce meridian glow had passed, and soon the subdued and gentle radiance of sunset was to fall upon us. But now it was still afternoon, with the fulness and the power of the day throbbing in the g(jlden hours, but, alas, wdth the lengthening shadows that foretokened the hastening night 1 Durinix 1898 the Session lost three of its members b\ removal, Mr. Muldrew, Mr. Smellie and Mr. Wylie, the last of whom, however, returned to the Church and the office in 1895. Their place was taken by Kev. Thos. Goldsmith, who had so greatly befriended the congregation during the absences of Mr. Macdon- .342 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL, nell, and Mr. W. E. Middloton, who had ah'cady served as secretary of the Board of Man.a^^ers, in succession to Mr. Mitchell. The death of Mr. Russel Inc^lis on February 7th, at an advanced age, removed another link which bound minister and people to the old days of St. Andrew's. Mi' '';i.i| liiuilii iilf 'iff' mu DEATH OF MRS. MACDONNELL. :u:] CHAPTER XXXIV m DEATH OF Mix's. MACDONXELL: II Eli CHARACTER' I .V/>' I NFL UENCE. It was on Good Friday of I(Sy4that tlio liolit went out of Mr. IMacdonnell's home. To tlie eartldv' course of that -.weet and beautiful Hfe, wliicli seemed ahnost one with liis own, tlie end came suddenly and swiftly. Mrs. Macdonnell's health had not, to all appearance, heen eitl'er better or woi'se than usual until a few days before her death. Never very r()l)ust, she had yet sustained, witiiout a break-down, a constant strain of undue exertion. Her resolute will and absolute devotion to all forms of duty often led her to exert her.self beyond the limits of her streno-th. Besides the cares of her family and the duties inci- dent to a lar^'e household, she had the special ol)liga- tions of the wife ol* a minister who was nnicli soui^ht after by all sorts ol" peo[)le. Moi'eover, she had her own exacting sphere of obligation. Her active benevolent and reliii'ious work was not so extensive as she desired, and yet it mad(* a steady and ui'<jfent demand upon her sympathy and attention. To this nmst be added that she made it a first care to truard li^ 17="^ ,' I 344 LIFE OF D. J. MACnONXELL. m-Ui: 'iliWr^i^' i-*;i her liusband's lioalth and lii.s liours of labour. Slio was far more anxious about his liealth than about lier own. Wliih; he; hadapjjreliensions about licr, tlioy were of a difi'ci-cnt kind from liors about liim. He was afraid tliat she Hii(dit l)ecome an invalid. She dreaded for him a premature death. On one occasion he remarked that he hope<l that when he reached the a^e of her father he mii^ht be as bright and happy. "Oh!" said she, with her characteristic quick and daring humour, " you will be nuich better off, for then you will be in heaven I " Like many another goo<l woman Mrs. Maedonnell was worn down by want of rrsf. She told a friend within a year of her death that she was often so tired at the evt nin^ service that she found it impossible to listen. What was to be dreaded was that if she were to be attacked by any acute malady she might suc- cumb for lack of resisting or recuperative power. This is what actually took place. On Monday, JMarch 12th, she went to Fer<*;us for a brief visit. Returnini; on Wednesday afternoon she went to prayer-meeting as u.sual, but was alarmed to find later in the evening that her son James had been suffering from a slight hiemorrhage of the lungs during the whole day. At 4 a.m. a doctor was summoned for " Jim," who had developed alarming symptoms. The.se did not become any worse, but his mother watched over him carefully, particularly at night. At G a.m., of Friday the l()th, while still with him, she was seized with an alarming pain in the side, which increased in severity during the morning. At first the pain was thought to be • I' I] fl DEATH OF MRS. MACDONNEM.. 845 Sho ibovit they He Sho ;!JVsion 3(1 the vappy. k and )ti; for lonnell I, I'ricnd HO th-etl ^HiWe to he were n;ht SUC- r. This chl2th, \\\i\\f on eting as evening a slight y At 4 :ho had t become lare fully, the l()tH, alarming during L-ht to be only " muscular," hut on Saturday congestion was discovered in the left luiii''. On Sunda\' a consul- tation of d(jctors was held and the; gra\'('st fears were (expressed. On that day the temperature' rose to 104'. On Monday the fever was slightly less, and she was repoi'ted to he " holding hei- own." Xext day with still lower temperature, she began to think her- self really improving, but no actual progress was made. On the evenin<M)f Wednesdav, Mr. Macdonnell sent word to the prayer-meeting that she was " still in a critical condition." On the same night Mrs. Sinellie came from Fergus, but with truest mother love did not enter the sick-room, lest her daughter should be excited by her presence, and returneil home on Thursday without having seen hei-. On this day hopes were entertaini'd that the crisis was past, and Mr. Macdonnell, wdio from the befjinnin<x had been ilreading the worst, was greatly encouraged. Late at night he lay down for sorely needed rest. Soon after iiii<lnight lie was awakened with the message that nn unfavcui'able change had taken place. Though she had kept very quiet to avoid excitement and to con- serve her strength, her mind had been clear till this point was reached : but now it began to wander and so continued till near the end. When her little strength appeared to be rapidly ebbing, and it was evident that death was very near, her husband knelt: and without a tremor in his voice, and like one speak- ing to a near and trusted friend, he ])i"ayed that there iiiifditbe full and ijlad resiijnation to the Father's will on her part and on the part of those whom she was ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) J 1.0 1.1 i Hi 12.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1^ ^ 6" — ► V Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14980 (716) 872-4S03 \ •s? \ \ ^v ^.^' ^ 6^ <> '% ^ 346 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. leaving behind. One who was present at the bedside has said, " Never have I heard such a prayer. It seemed to bring one so close to the presence of the Unseen." Then bending over her he said, *' Prayer is good, my darling ! " A gentle smile of acquiescence irradiated her face, and so she passed away. Mr. Macdonnell's entry in his diary reads : " Soon after 8.80 Lily ' fell asleep.' " For several years it had been the custom in St. Andrew's to oljserve the communion on Easter Sunday with the preparatory service on the morning of Good Friday. Less than two hours after Mr. Macdonnell had bidden farewell to his wife he met two of the elders at the door of the manse with his accustomed smile, and after narrating the story of those morning hours, expressed his intention of going in to the church to welcome the intending connimnicants. V/hen it was represented to him that Mr. Hossack, of Parkdale, who was to preach the sermon, could take his place for this duty, he replied : " Why should I not go in ? I want to be with my people." Before the conclusion of the sermon he entered tlie church and took his seat in the manse pew, where she was not, nor ever would be any more. In due course he took charge of the service. His prayer began, " O thou Saviour of men, who on this day wast crucified for us." After a brief address to the new members, he spoke to the congregation, and thanked them for all their kindness and sympathy during the time of trial. On Sunday morning he conducted the communion service, the address to the communicants being given DEATH OF MRS. MACDONNELL. 347 isifle It the er is jence Mr. after in St. iinday Good onnell of the ^tonied lornin*: by Principal Grant. His manner then, as on Friday, was but little different from wiuit was habitual. The funeral .services were held on the afternoon of Easter Monday, March 2Uth. Dr. Milli^an presided; Drs. Caven and Lyle led in heartfelt prayer; and Principal Grant gave a noble address, dwellinj^ mainly on " the transmutation of death into <^ain which the resurrection of our Lord effects." The church wjis crowded with sorrowin«ij frien<ls from far and near, and though the weather was bleak and chill, it was a numerous throng that gathere<l in Mount Pleasant to witness the last sad rites. It was such a funeral as is usually accorded only to those that have served the community in a large and distinguished way. Mrs. Macdonnell was a rare woman. She was admired by all who saw her, admired and esteemed by all who associated with her, admired, esteemed and loved by all who knew her. Her stately bearing and beauty of face gave her di.stinction everywhere ; l»ut there was a certain repose of manner antl uncon- scious dignity that veiled tliose qualities of mind and heart which were intrinsically the worthiest and strongest. What was evident to all was her <lelicacy of feeling, openness of di.sposition, and clear intelli- gence. The.se were the bloom of the flower: its fragrance made itself known on a nearer ajiproach. Her character was perhaps most strongly marked by the strength, constancy, and consistency that dis- tinguished all her nioral attributes. Most prominent among these traits of character, and held together in complete equipoise and harmony, were her sense of I !|: 348 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL, duty in matters great and small, her large-minded consideratenesH, her helpfulness, her (juiek perception and large resource when action was needed, her sense and love of right and justice, her fidelity to all the interests and claims of her manifold life, her steadfast repression of self, her serenity of temper, her beautiful and touching meekness and humility, her ideality in union with practical wisdom, her upward gaze steadied by earthward care ; and, suftiis- ing and illumining all, the devotion and consecration of spirit and purpose that seemed to give a touch of saintliness to her whole aspect and to all her life. In her active life-work Mrs. Macdonnell was especially distinguished by practical sagacity and clear-sightedness. This was particularly noteworthy in her work for the poor and he^/Iess, whom she had much in her mind. She was indeed an authority on the best methods of relief and effective assistance, and her opinions on such topics were frequently sought by representatives of the press. One instance of her practical tact and discrimination may be mentioned. A poor woman had applied to her for work in the cold weather of late autumn, and was engaged to wash the outer windows of the manse. Learning that her hu.sband had nothing to do, and so had been left at home in charge of the children, she promptly asked the woman to send him to the manse in her place, and perform this cold piece of work, which was obviously better suited for him than for her. The parish workers relate incidents by the score illustrative of her quickness and sureness of :l t )" ninded ception ;d, her y to all ife, her temper, ainility, )m, her I, auffuH- ecrat Ion touch of life. lell was ^ity and teworthy I she had lority on ance, and y sought ce of her lentioned. rk in the Imaged to Learning id so had drcn, she ,he manse of work, than for >s by the ireness of MKS. M.\( UONXKLL. it i J f DEATH OF MUS. MACDONNELL. 340 decision prompted by wise and ready sympathy. Miss Strauchon, the Bible Reader, writes : " We all mourn our ^reat loss in the f^oing home of jMrs. Macilonnell. Her life so beautiful, so helpful, is still an inspiration to us. The mothers who knew her all admin;<l her. Sonu; worshipped her, and cannot yet speak of her without tears. (Jf my own loss I cannot speak : she w>is my friend, my counsellor, knew my people personally, and so coul<l advise and sympathize as no one else can." Outside the sphere of the home it was perhaps in tile meetings of the Women's Association of St. Andrew's Church that Mrs. Macdonnell's deepest (jualities of mind and spirit were most conspicuous. One and another of tlie con«(re^ation have said, " I lu'ver knew Mrs. Macdonnell till 1 attended tiie meet- ings of the Association." It was here that her care and thouj;ht for the work and the workers of our Church in its missions at home and abroad, found their fullest expression. She was also for many years an invaluabh; member of the Board and vice- president of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society. Some of the words of sympathy placed in the minutes of the Board will best show her work and induence here: "... As one of the founders of this society, and for more than twelve years an active member and officer of the Board, Mrs. Maedoiujell rendered most valuable service to the cause of Foreign Missions, both by her pen and by hei' clear judgment ind wi.se counsel in conducting the business of the society. When the pressure of other duties compelled } :; • ■■ - «i i ■ t ( ■A i m \ 350 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. her to retire, her resignation was accepted by the Board with unfeigned regret. . . . We are thank- ful for the good work whicli our friend was permitted to do for the Master, wlioin she loved and served so faithfully <luring her earthly life, and take comfort in the assurance that she is even now rejoicing in His immediate presence." Of the operations of the Women's Association of St. Andrew's our readers have already had a glimpse, and they will have learned something of its power for good, as one of the most active and beneficent agencies of the church. Its strictly congregational work was performed in disbursing the funds appro- priated by the Session for the relief of the poor ; in aiding and co-operating with the Bible Reader in her district work ; in visiting families in the parish or congregation to whom special attention was due ; and in a house-to-houfjj distribution of the Presbyterian Record. In the missionary work of the society an important change was made in the beginning of 1890, when Mrs. Macdonnell was able to carry out a long- cherished scheme for extending the working power of the Association, so that the claims of Home and Foreign missions should receive equal attention and support through systematic effort. The two auxiliary societies thus established under the fostering care of the Women's Association are in their organized form probably unique in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Of Mrs. Macdonnell's more personal relations with the Association, one of the membt^rs writes : " It wa^' DEATH OF MRS. MACDONNELL. 80 1 the ank- itted ed so mfort ng in on of impse, power liticent itional appro- )or; in in her rish or le ; and ijterian iety an Df 1H90. a long- r power )ine and ion and uxiliary care of ed form urch in ons with ♦ It wa^ in the work of conducting Bible readings and in leading the devotions of the meetings that Mrs. Macdonnell revealed lierself most truly though uncon- sciously. There was always evident in her an intense desire to grasp an<l use profitably tlio teaching of the Word, and a longing of the soul, breathed out in every prayer, for fuller, higher, more earnest spiritual life. These things impres.sed those who atten«led the meetings so that they can never be forgotten. Such dutii^s were not easy for her. Care- fully prepare<l for and faithfully discharged as they jihvays were, the undertaking of them yet remaine(l a serious strain, an effort more exhausting than any of her friends realized at the time. " In presiding at the business of the As.sociation proper Mrs. Macdonnell wjis remarkable for her busi- ness method and grasp of details. The same gift of minute and e.xact ktiowledge of persons and things which made her to her husband such a manual of ready reference in the pastoral work, was e.'pially con- spicuous here. In «lealing with the mission work of both auxiliaries one was con.stantly surprised at the ex- tent and accuracy of her information. She kept the jitFairs and the workers of both the home and foreiirn tit'ld securely in mind. While this was admirable und surprising to an ob.server, it was most touch- ing and endearing to note the prom|>t and cai'nest t'X|)res.sion of interest and sympathy, when .some word of distress came to us, of .sore hearts in far-off homes in heathen lands, or of trouble and bereave- iiKiit at our own doors. The light of ardent feeling ttl % Tf i I! 352 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. that swept over and lit up her beautiful face, the quickly gathering tears that would not be kc^pt back as she felt the pain of another's heart pressing upon her own, the fervent words in wiiich she spoke to us for a moment of each case as it came up, and then lifted our hearts in united prayer — all form a picture on which memory lingers most fondly." It is in connection with the personality and influ- ence of Mrs. Macdonnell that we most naturally think of the home life of which she was the centre. It would be easy to write and indeed to (juote a great deal upon the subject. But a few sentences from some who were privileged fo sit much under the roof- tree of the manse must suffice. Mrs. Campbell writes as follows : " It is not too much to claim that theirs was a model household. Order there was and the most minute oversight of details, but so much love at the root of it all that the daily round could not be described as 'clock-work.' They had, as a rule, admirable servants who counted the house a home, and its master and mistress their truest friends, knowing that amid the manifold cares of the mistress she always took thought for their comfort, while the chivalrous nature of the master came out nowhere more strongly than in his manner to those in his service. What a home for children to be born into ! How carefully were their natures studied ! How conscientiously was every woi'd and action guarded in their presence ! No woman understood the art of home- making better than Mrs. Macdonnell. In tho uudst of nmch delicate health, and the increasing DEATH OF MRS. MAC HON NELL. 353 , the back upon to us then cture influ- think :e. It L great J from e roof- writes , theirs IS and much 1 couUl dcmandH of liousehold and clmrcli work, she never lost si«^ht for a moment of the hitjlier chiims of liuslmnd and cliihh'en. It was truly said of her by one who had known her lonfjj. ' As the mistress of the manso she dispensed hospitality with a sweet and winsome <^i'ace, which will be recalled with ten<ler sadness by scores of friends in all parts of the Dominion and by not a few in the lands beyond the sea.' . . . One of the most unbendinixruk'sof the house was that Mr. Maedonnell must not be dis- turbed durin<r the morniui; hours in the studv. When the rule was set aside it was not likely to lie done in behalf of the j^ood or the j^reat, but rather for the sake of some 'forlorn and shipwrecked brother' to whom the hearty hand-fjrasp was worth more than silver or gold, and who found life better worth living after he had looked into the eyes of this })rother-man." It was Mrs. Maedonnell who guarde<l those hours of scelusion, and it was hor judgment that wisely deter- mined when the rule should be relaxed. Mrs. Macdonnell's life was a very happy one. It was so because she gave so much happiness, because of her thoughtfulness about others, and her constant •lesire to contribute to their comfort or pleasure. She was happy, too, because she saw a great work growing about her in which she felt that s\w had a share ; ^ icause she and hers had en- joyed very many outward blessings; because she loved much and was much beloved. Her heart was lull of a sense of the goodness that had followed iu'i- and her husband. In one of her letters written 24 i ^\ ill I ij !! n 354 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. home from Scotland, slie said : " All of these our people and you all are so fjood to me that it humhlcH me. It Hoems as if I luul heen petted and indulged all my life; and as I have often said to you hefore, no one ever had the lines east in so pleasant places." But there was often also in her mind the other thought, that they had no ri^ht to expect continued unbroken ontwai'd happiness. One of tlie suj^j^cstions of this kind is ^iven in a letter written front Liver- pool, after meeting; her hushan<l, on .June 20tii, 1801 : " I nnist say there is a .shade of di.sapj)()intment in that there is not in James the (ihsolu.lc liealth I had hoped for; and a thou<^ht conies, ' Well, it may not he Jlifi will that thinj^sare ever to he quite as they have been.' Ihit we have had moi'e than our share of unalloyed happiness, and our thankfulness does not mean much if we caimot say, 'Good is the will of the Lord ' in any casi'." A<(ain, a letter written to an absent brother on Au<jfust 1st, bSDJi, soon after the j(ol<len weddiufj, reveals a kindred thou«]^ht with a wider and less personal outlook : " I l)e;^in to realize more than I used to do the comfort as well as the duty of laying all our cares before our Father. For in the happiest life there are times of great anxiety and solicitude, for others if not for ourselves. It would sometimes be insupportable — this burden that is laid upon us— if it had to be borne by human strength alone." ^n THE HEKOIC STKUGfJLE. 355 our CHAITEH XXXV. T//K uiJh'orr sT/trf.dLK. Mil Ma('I)(»NNEI.l's Ix'ai'ini; (lurint; his wifr's illness and aftor Iut death was such a suhlime instance of Christian fortitude, such a signal triuin[)h of heroic I'aitli, that it was to many of us a new revelation of the ])ossihilities of consecrated Inunan natur«'. A little has been already said ol' his uninti'rrupted fulHl- nient of the puhlic duties of the pastorate. These were continued without a hreak. except that in the eveniniT of the two Sundays t'ollowini; the event, his closely attached friend, K«'V. K. 1). McLaren, of Van- couver, B.C., occupied the pulpit. On the inornin<^ of the second Sunday lie was wonderfully atiectin*,^ in his exposition of Psalm cxx.xi., during which he said that he must contide somethin*^ of his feelinjrs to his people who had jjjiven him so much of their sympathy in his trouble. He then made an a|)plication of the psalm to ins own soul in its hours of trial. In his sennon upon Kom. xiv. 7, he a<,Min made a personal aj)plication to himself. Speaking, as he sai<l, to his own people only, ho concluded : " Her life, whatever else it may have been, was one of Christ-like endeav- ; ! j ' t 1 1 i *i ifii i I' :• f 'II ii i : i W 356 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. our. May it prove an inspiration as far as the spirit of Christ was manifest in it." Ahnost immediately after the funeral the Home Mission Connnittee met in St. Andrew's lecture-room, and he took his usual part in its business during the days on which it sat. All this time a multitude of letters of sympathy were pouring in upon him which demanded his attention, along with the details of business of all sorts that had accumulated during the preceding days. What was most impressive was his undiminished interest in and sympathy for others. This was mar- vellously shown during his wife's illness, when, for example, in his most anxious hours, he incjuired minutely about any little troubles or ailments of his friends or among the congregation. On Easter Sunday he paid a visit to a sick member of his church. Indeed, he seemed the more anxious to attend to the needs of others the more his own heart was stricken and bleeding. People who did not know him, and even some who did, could hardly approve of hfs engaging at once in public work, especially his going into the pulpit on the Friday and Sunday while his wife lay dead in the manse. Indeed, it was com- mented on thronn^hout the Dominion, and sometimes misinterpreted mo ;t grossly. But the explanation of any phenomenon o^^^ any life is easy when we have the key to that life's history. It was impossible for him to be disconcerted or startled out of himself by any personal event whatever, because his life moved in a fixed orbit around the central Sun, and because in all THE HEROIC STUUGOLE. 357 \e spirit e Home re-room, ring the bitude of im which letcails of uring the iminished was mar- when, for . UKiuired ents of his )n Easter her of his mxious to own heart I not kncnv approve of lecially his [nday while |t was com- sometimos Sanation of e have the Ible for him ielf by any moved in a [cause in all its motions it was adjusted to eternal issues. It could be said of him, as truly as of any saint in or out of Bible history, that it was " Christ for him to live," and as the divine life knows no surprises, so the life that is hid with Christ in (Jod fultils its functions amidst the crash of worlds as easily as in the calm and sunshine of a sunnner's dav. And what was the ruling law of his life and being :* It was the two- fold yet undivided law of love and of faitii that works by love. To such a faith how reid is each object of love ! and how imperative every duty that love dictates ! This then is the explanation. His life's companion was still so real and so near to him that sh(> was not away from him in spirit nor lur from her. His love for her while living had never lessene'd, but only deepened and ([uiekened his love for others and his devotion to their service. Hence he could turn with tearless eye and even with cheerful mien from the coffin where she lay, and mingle with a full and ready heart in the joys or sorrows or even the com- inoni)lace experiences of a friend or actpiaintance, or follow with no mental abstraction the details of a case of distress or of any ordinary business of life. Hence we heard him talk and laugh as befoi'e. And if he • lid not work just as before, it was because he worked with straining nerves and with enfeebled physical powers. Something, too, of his emotional energy was perforce deflected from the objects of earth. All invisible force was still attractinj; him to her who was seen no more by his side. Together they had moved like the twin orbs of a double star, and now I HI \m 358 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. he was still drawn toward the vanished light of his life, as Sirius sways toward his dark, unseen com- panion in the southern sky. During all this time he was almost without sleep, and so continued for many weeks ! What would have driven almost any one into a condition of sheer moral exhaustion, seemed to give him a keener interest than ever in the things of life. One reward and solace, at least, he could not fail to get. The love that he had lavished on others now came back in some measure, at least, to the giver. And this was to him an unspeakable comfort and support. In a letter written to Dr. and Mrs. and Miss Smellie, on March 29th, just after their return to Feigus, he says: "I was sorry that our parting yesterday was somewhat hurried. And yet, perhaps, it was as well so. I cannot tell you how dear you all are to me, dearer than ever, and you know I have truly loved you. I felt yesterday that I nnist cling to you, and was unwilling to let you go. I am concerned about Mannna's illness. I do trust we shall have good news of your safe arrival at home. I saw dear old Mrs. yesterday before tea (amongst others). She was very affectionate and sympathetic. Everi/hodi/ is so. God be thanked for the love He has ])ut into human hearts 1 . . . " I have been at the Home Mission Connnittee most of the forenoon, and must now return. Every day will bring its imperative demands on mind and strength, and this is doubtless well, " I look up as I write, and there is my beloved one, Tff THE HEROIC STRUGGLE. 359 my sweet Libj, looking at nie from the wedding-dress picture on tlie mantel-})ieco, remindincr nie of what we sang last night in eliurch : " ' Ami they, wlui with their Lender, Have e<»nqiieretl in the tight. Forever Jiiid forever Are clad in ruhes of white.' H ill /'■ 'il " I cannot write, I must see you soon again. " Good-bye, my dear ones. " Your lovin<r son and brother." 1: \% An alhision made al)Ove is to tlie prayer-meeting service at which Dr. Robert Campbi'll gave tlie address. On the Monday following, A])ril 2nd, he wrote to Mrs. Smellie : " I got through yestei'day with considerable comfort, preaching in the forenoon on Rom. xiv. 7-0, emphasizing especially what Moule calls attention to, that Christ is Ao/v/ of the dead, and therefore, that the blessed dead are still His sermnts, doing Him service, while waiting for the completion of their blessedness in the resurrection life. There is so much that one longs to know as to the present condition of those who have passed out of our sight. " In the afternoon I took charge of Elizabeth's class of girls, for which we have not yet got a t(!acher. I felt impelled to go and say a few words to them about her concern for their spiritual welfare, and I talked to them for a little also on the Sunday school lesson. Mr, McLaren preached well in the evening. 3G0 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. r ■ ^ " I came in a little aao from the meetinjij of the Men's AHSociation. I am tryinjif to take up the bits of work as they come. I hope to see you all to- morrow evening." Of the seven motherless children three were still of very tender age, Norman being scarcely eight years old, Margaret five, and Kenneth three. The care of the children and of the household was now i:)laced in the hands of Miss Smellie. With her the aged father and mother moved to Toronto f(jr a season that they also might have her care and com- panionship. Of those days in the manse she writes, begiiniing with a (juotation from his own words: '"I feel as if we were about to begin a new chapter, of which the first paragraph is the coming of Father and Mother to-morrow. May our gracious Lord lead us every step of the way. Yes, He will. My heart is heavy, but I am content with the will of tlu; Lord.' "So he wrote on the 19th of April, 1894, a few weeks after his bereavement, and the sentences are characteristic of the spirit in which the months fol- lowin<r were lived — the light gone out of life, but the servant staying himself upon his God, and going forward to untried paths, sure that there was no mistake, and ' simply trusting every day,' and glad and thankful when through the clouds one ray of light shone on the next step to be taken. ' We must take short views ; ' ' Don't be trying to cross bridges till you come to them ; ' ' Let us live one da}' at a time,' were words by which he helped us all to ' be careful for nothing, but in everything l»y prayer and THE HEROIC STRUGGLE. 361 II of the ho bits all to- re still ' eij;;l»t . Tho as now lier the • for a [id com- > writes, .Is: chapter, C Father ,oril lead heart is Lord.' a few noes are iths fol- life, but iid goiii*; , was no Ind glad ray of tvVe must bridges lay at a ll to ' be k,yer and supplication with thanksgiviuff to make our re<|uests known to God.' His prayers at family worship breathed this spirit, simple, lunnble, trustful and alxMinding in expressions of gratitu<le, especially ' for our love to one another,' ' for our memories of the past,' ' for the links that biml us to the unseen world.' Wonderfully was the fulness of his heart thus poured out on the Sabbath evenings when it had for years been the custom of the mother and childi-en, after an early tea, to spend an hour in singing hymns, each, beginning with the youngest, having a choice. Sonie- times the father's voice blended with the others, sometimes his work in the study prevented that, l»ut there was never any fear of disturbing him. Music always seemed to sootlu; and inspire him to any mental effort. On that first Sabbath evening, after mother had gone, and the lovely form lay still and white in the other room, w^e sang as usual, the liist hymn chosen being, ' How bright these glorious spirits shine,' and then he motioned to us to kneel, iuid with an arm encircling his babies, one on either side, he brought us very near to ' the Father, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.' From that tiuje, when at home, the Sabbath evening prayer was never omitted, and seemed ever to bring us into the ' holy of holies.' And when he was absent, it was the hour when our hearts were most drawn out to him, while another voice was now giving tlianks for him, and commending him to the Heavenly (hace. Hallowed seasons these were, of which the memory will surely abide as long as life lasts. r I II rfT I ^ , 362 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. " Work was as faithfully and promptly attended to as ever, perhaps ratiier with the feverish desire to still pain than with the glad eaj^erness of old ; but there was no reckless disregard of the laws of health, or suicidal rush to get through and be done with it. Recreation was planned for and taken when possible. " ' . . . For well r know the voice of duty, And therefore life find health would crave. Though she who gave the world its heauty Is in her grave.' " The importance of keeping well led him often, when he felt mental depression or heavy-heartedness overpowering him, to join his boys on the ice, or to propose a long walk, in which he always liked some one to accompany him. No time was allowed for brooding or morbid reflection, although reminiscences of other days came so spontaneously to his lips, that he seemed to be living in the past. The case of the sick and the sorrowing and the distressed appealed to him constantly, and day by day he carried the burdens of others with- unfailing sympathy, which showed itself in loving, ready, unselfish interest in the affairs of his own household, and in deeds oi* thoughtful kindness without. " The burden of his own grief and loneliness grew no lighter as time went on, and during the summer holiday of 1894 seemed to press upon him with increasing weight after the excitement of the General Assembly at St. John." This Assembly of June 13th to 21st, 1894, was f THE IIEROK' STKUOGLE. 363 sometimes spoken of as " MacdoiiiieH's Assembly, " from the prominent part wliicli he took in the \)vn- eeedin^s anil the number of measures pro})oseil or supported by him which met with the approval of the members. Of these four were of special imjH)r- tance. One of them was the appointment of a connnittce to reconmu'nd some betti'r means of having vacant char<^t!S more speedily and suitably filled. Upon this subject his mind had been lonjjf exei'cised. Five weeks after his wife's death, returning; from Owen Sound where he had been preachinjL;' for Mr. Somerville, after a ni^ht in which he had had but half an hour's sleep, he spent his time on the train in draftiuir this and another ovei-ture for submission to the Presbytery of Toronto. A second aimed at estab- lishinir a Churdi and Manse Buildiuir Fund for the whole of the Western section of tlu' Church IviniT cast of Manitoba. The third related to his darliui; scheme of Aui::mentation. It secured that Aujiinenta- tion in the Western section of the Church, instead of beint(, as heretofore, a branch of (he Home Mission woi'k, should be put in chart^e of a special committee co-ordinate with the other <^reat schemes of the Church. Of tlu^ new independent committee formed thereupon he was made convener. The fourth iiuiasure was that which was perhaps the subject of keenest debate, that, namelv,bv which it was decided to have selections from the Psalms ami i*aiaj)hras('s made an integral part of the new " Pook of Prai.se" Prof. Gordon, of Halifax, writes upon this general theme : I I ; t t . .. -• :■' ) Hil ■;l m. •'f, ui 3G4 LIFE OF 0. J. MACDONNELL. "His work in the (Jt'iiLTal A sscnibly was marked ])y tlie Harne foaturoH that characterized liim in all other I'elations of life — the same loyalty to his vision of truth, the same readiness to spend his stren^^th in the servicer to which he had been consecrated. He was a willin<; woi'ker and a wise counsellor, possessinf^f such alertness of mind that he could (piickly seize the subject under discussion, while his well-known sin<;le- ness of purjiose, his clearness of artjument and his force of utterance always secured for him the respect- ful attention of his brethren. Few men could care less than ho for anything in the form of personal triumj)h (jr defeat in debate, and none could mon.' cheerfully accept the decision of the Assembly. Henc(! he came to wield an increasinix inHuence in the supreme court of the Church. This was particularly manir 'st in the last Assembly in which he took his accustomed part — that which met at St. John in liS94: for, althou^^h he was present at the Assembly of ISO"), he had by that time already entered upon his last sickness. At 8t. John it seemed as if he were gifted with more than his ordinary power of insight and of persuasiveness, and, although he spoke fre- (juently, none of tho.se present can forget with what apparent ease he carried the Assembly with him on almost every occasion. But the fire was burning too fiercely to last long : the growing fervour was con- suming the strength which it illumined. After his great bereavement it seemed as if his chief solace was to be found in work, but work under such conditions nuist soon wear out the workman." 1? THE IIKROIC STRUGGLE. 3G5 The Motlerator of the General Asseiulily of ISSO, Principal Macrae, of Morrin College, <^uel)ec, at that time minister of St. Stephen's Chnrch, St. Jolni, an intimate frien<l and kindred spirit, expresses himself as follows : "In the proceeding's of every General Assembly at wliich Mr. Macdonnell was a commissioner, he in- variably manifested the <lee})est interest. Not nn frecjuently, he was the unHinchin<; advocat*' of some unpopular course. But, whatever view he adopted, he commanded not simply the attention hut the liveliest admiration alike of those opposing; as of thos<' approvin*,' his judf^ment of the (picstion in debate "The Assembly which met at St. John in 1804, he may be truly said to have controlled. His almost preternatural energy was the subject of remark throughout. On well-nigh every theme that came up from beginning to close, he seemed comjtelled to speak. To him was due the framing of nearly every important resolution adopted. He spoke, too, as if .actuated by an irresistible; impulse. ])eep feeling that, suppressed, might have resulted — more than one so whispered — in unsettling that noble mind, recently so sorely wounded b}'^ the <leath of his beloved wife, demanded action to serve as its vent. Never were his words more persuasive, never was his logical faculty more alert, never was his personality more commanding. The blending of intellectual power with emotional intensity simply overpowered and swept opposition out of his path. On more than ne issue, more especially that of the Hynuial, he III f ' () 3G6 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. CfirrieJ his opinion by positive acclamation, winning tiio siiHVa^'os of niany anionjj the most resolute of a<lherents to the <(oo<l old paths. There are not a few of his survivinjij brethren, to whom it is as if, with his departure, a j^lory has fa<le(l away from the hi^diest court of our Church." Knlar<^in^. Dr. Macrae adds: "Never have I met with any one before whose persuasiveness in present- in*^ his view of any matter, it was e(|ually inevitable for me to bow. Did he read a hymn, it was instantly invested with a new and previously un- dreamt of fervour of devotional patlu)s, or with a thrill of spiritual aspiration. Did he set forth some opinion on any subject, for the time bein<:^ no other opinion seemed worthy of considerjition. " He preached in St. Stephen's (my) Church, in 1804, from St. John xiv. 2 : ' In my Father's house,' etc. I can recall only the j^enei'al impression. Sometimes it sujji'^ests a sad joy that that was the last theme handled by him in my hearing. The chief charac- teristic was the yearning tenderness, the wistful love, the hope, scintillating all through, that surely, some- how, for all of God's children of humanity, there nnist needs be, somewhere, sometime, a home." Of the other principal events of this sunnner Prof. Hart thus speaks : " In the summer of that year I was more with him than I ever had been before. After the Assembly at St. John, he. Dr. Gordon and I travelled together to Halifax through the land of ' Evangeline.' The next ten days we spent together enjoying the warm- F) THE HEROIC STRUGGLE. 367 hearted hospitality of Dr. and Mrs. Oordon in Halifax, then we went on to Picton, Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island, and travelled together on our way home as far as Montreal. On the first of Auj^u.st I joined him a«^ain at Toronto, and we journeyed toj^ether to Manitoba. The next three weeks he spent under my roof in WinMipej:^, where he j^ave a much appreciated cour.se of lectures in ^lanitoha Collej^e, on 'The Minister and his Work.' This visit was thorou<^hly enjoyed hy every mendter of my family, and it has left with us very precious memories. Often do I dwell on the thouj^ht of that summer. It was the sunmier after dear Mrs. Macdonnell's death. Of this crushinpf sorrow — a sorrow that lay too deep for tears — he seldom .spoke except to old friends who knew and love<l her well ; but his whole life seenied to be transformed. Ho lived upon a hi<;her plane, he bi'eathecl a purer air, and more than ever he in- spired others with longings and aspirations after the holiest and best in which he him.self lived and moved. What a privilege and joy it was to me that summer to see so nmch of my dearly loved friend — to enjoy our quiet walks on the sen-shore, our long talks on train and steamer and in my own home ! Little did we think these were to be our last ! Ever in my (|uiet moments 'The idea of his life doth sweetly creep into my study of imagination.' And this idea comes as an inspiration to follow him as he followed Christ. His life was a sacrifice for the good of others. All too lavishly did he expend his wealth ; y :l: is * 1^ uf mind and heart. The strain was too severe ezA it 308 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. i ■ sli()rtone<l his days. His mm went down wlion it was yet noon. Hut, it* ' we live in dee<ls not years' — if we should ' count time by heart-throbs ' he lived more than man's allotted span, and in the fulness of time passed away into the rest that remaineth." It is possible that the visit to the Assembly in St. John prolonged his life. For the three months just precedinj^ he could j^ain only mere snatches of sleep. " I am very weary," he said to the writer on the Sunday evening following the funeral, while on his way to visit a sick woman away up on Chestnut Street. How was he sustaine«l so strong in purpose and so clear in thought ? We could only look on and wonder. But we may note that the long slet'i)less hours of night were spent in prayer, and that not for himself alone. When he came to St. John the sea air — his native air — acted as a nerve tonic, and he was able to sleep at least a few hours nightly. He would not give up the engagement to lecture at Winnipeg. He made careful preparation for his lectures to the students, as his copious notes bear witness. His theme of " The Minister and his Work " embraced the following topics : 1 , The need of a special order of men for the ministry ; 2, The work of the minister : {<i) what to preach, {b) how to preach : 3, Conduct of public worship, and right use of the Bible ; 4, Relations of the minister to different classes in his congregation : the young, the poor, the sick, etc., and to his session and managers; 5, Relations of the minister to social problems, philanthropic movements and politics ; 6, Relations of the minister to prayer- L 11 THE HEKOIC STUl'OfJI.E. •SOO it was •s'— if il more f time ' in St. ,\\H jUHt F sleep, on the on hiH hestnut purpose : on and sleeplesH i not for e aoa air [ he was cture at for his es bear Work " ed of a he work ) preach : io of the it classes iick, etc., IS of the vements prayer- meetiu}^, Sunday scliool, Vouii;^ People's and other church societies; 7, What sort of man tlie minister must Immii conduct and spirit; -S. Tlie liest |>repara- tion for the work of the minister. The strain was liard to hear. To ipiote Miss Smellie aj^ain : " He wrote in Au;^ust from Wiiniipe;^^ 'It seems im[)Ossihle to throw otK this tK'pression, and I sometimes feel as if I would ^lailly fall out of line alto;^etiier.' He felt sadly dissatisfied with the work he accomplished, and reproached himself for not heiniJC able to take more 'interest in thiiurs. '" He arrived at home on Au<xust 'Ust. He had. of (•()urse, preached a j;r«!at <leal durini; both his eastern and western visits. Ami this was Ids " holiday I " Thus he took up the toil of life a;^^ain, or i-ather continued it. The Au^nu'ntation work, with its increased responsibility, and the Hynnial furnished the chief business of his hours not devoted to his people till the be((inninfj of 1 <S!).'). On Septend)er 28th the ranks of the eldership were ut,'ain broken by death. On that <lay Mr. W. A. Sliepard died after several internnttent attacks of sickness. He was a loving and lovable man, full of <i<)od works for the church and the jioor, overtlowin<,' with kindness and prompt to help antl relieve, a jj^reat friend and j^ood counsellor of St. Andrew's Institute a pattern of fidelity and single-hearted devotion to duty. Financially the congregation showed some loss of strength during 1894. But spiiitually it was a profit- able year. Eighty-seven ad<litions wi're made to the 2q ' '"■ 370 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. memberHhip, thougli an equal number were lost to the church. The death of the minister's wife, and the bearing of tlie minister under the heart-break, were not without their effect upon the people. His preaching touched many hearts and lives. It was now in its latest phase, rich to overflowing with grace and truth ; the rush and the roar of the torrent were all gone now ; but the calm and steatly flow of the stream betrayed its depth and the potency of the forces that surged beneath the surface. Mr. Macdonnell was persuaded to take a little " holiday " in February, 1895, lasting from the Gth to the 21st. Of this and the secjuel Miss Smellie writes : " But he could not escape work. Augmentation occupied the spare hours in Montreal, and addresses to the students of Queen's were given during the time of the Conference in Kingston, while the copious notes he took testify to the pleasure and earnestness with which he drank in the teaching of others. Hardly had he taken up his home work again, wdth its multiplicity of nameless details, when his enthusi- astic interest in the successful completion of negoti- ations for a ' common Hymnal ' led him, at great personal inconvenience, to undertake a journey to Britain, to meet with the joint-committee of the Scottish churches." It will be well to let Mr. Murray resume at this point his account of Mr. Macdonnell's relations to the Hynmal : " In course of time it was felt that the Church wouM welcome a larger collection of hynms embodying' IT ! THE HEROIC STRUGGLE. 371 lost to ife, and it-break, )le. His It was itli grace :ent were w of the ly of the e a little the C)th to lie writes: rmentation > addresses luring the he copious arnestness of others, gain, with is enthusi- 1 of negoti- 11, at great journey to tee of the jme at tlils Itions to the Uu-ch woul<l embodying' the best of the ' Paraphrases.' The Committee also desired to publish with the hymns a selection of the Psalms usually sung. The metrical Psalms had been falling into disuse. The Committee hoped that by a judicious selection, with the removal of certain blemishes in the old v^ersion, the use of the Psalter would be greatly promoted. Mr. Macdonnell made a suggestion to this effect to the Committee in 1879 ; but it was felt at that time that the Church was not prepared for such a step. In poi;it of fact there has been very earnest opposition to the ' selections ' until recently. At one Assembly a resolution was passed which w^as supposed to forbid the Connnittee's action. A subsequent Assembly largely influenced by Mr. Macdonnell's earnest and clear presentation of the case, sanctioned by a very large majority the plan of the Committee, and more recent Assemblies have followed the same course. " The Committee w^as enlarged with a view to the new w^ork undertaken, but the new members never failed to fall into line with the plans of the Committee. "In 1892, when the Presbyterian Council met in Toronto, at the suggestion of Mr. IMacdonnell the Hymnal Connnittee conferred with brethren from Scotland with a view to a joint hymnal for the Pres- byterian churches in the British Empire. The Scottish brethren warudy welcomed the suggestion, (■onimittees were appointed and united work was most harmoniously cari-ied forward. So deeply was -Mr. Macdonnell interested in the project that when M ' Ml 4 U 18 lik ! ii 1 i I ? t- 372 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. it was considered necessary to send a delegate to confer with the joint committee in Scothmd, lie at once consented to cross the Atlantic (at his own expense) for the purpose. That he made a most favourable impression on the joint connnittee in Scot- land is proved by the affecting letter of sjanpathy sent to the Canadian Committee with reference to Mr. Macclonnell's death. That the project of a joint hymnal failed, so far as our Church is concerned, was, happily, no fault of Mr. Macdonnell, or of the Com- mittee of which he was so valued a member. One of the Scottish churches — the most powerfid of the three — withdrew, and the Canadian Committee felt that their suggestion (the ideal of Mr. Macdonnell) had ceased to be practicable. "The first meeting of the Committee after Mr. Macdonnell's death was profoundly sensible of the loss it had sustained. Those who, from time to time, for eighteen years held counsel with him felt pro- foundly their bereavement. The loss was irreparable. He had often said that in no part of the Church's work had he so much comfort .and delight. I see him sitting near the Convener, with his arm full of books for reference, making notes as was needful ; alert, patient, or if sometimes for a moment impatient, (piickly relenting; each one has a chance of speaking : if there is a lack of harmony he or some one else reads the hynm ; all are attentive and the probability is that all are of one mind. But sometimes there is a difference of opinion. Mr. Macdonnell''^ luminous eye kindles; he gives his reasons in a few clear "n I, it THE HEROIC STRUGGLE. 373 Hr ;ate to he at is own a most 111 Scot- mpathy •ence to a joint icd, was, he Coiu- One of of the ittee felt ,cdonnell) sentences ; his face is aglow with entliusiasm ; and the table is apt to see as he sees." In the preface to the new "Book of Praise" with music will be found the following words : " The Music Committee would place on record their profound sense of the loss sustained in the removal by death of their beloved convener, the Rev. D. J. Macdonnell, B.I). They remember with gratitude to God those qualities which rendered him so valuable a member, notably a sensitive perception of the qualities of tunes, together with an unfailing devotion to a work in which he ever felt a peculiar interest." A few words from the venerable Dr. \Vm. Gregg, so long pastor of Cooke's Church, and professor in Knox College, Toronto, may fitly close this general reference.* As is well known. Dr. Gregg was the convener of the general Hymnal Conmiittee : " With respect to my much-loved friend, the late Rev. D. J. Macdonnell, my fellow-labourer in pre- paring both the first and the new edition of our Church Hymnal, I desire to bear testimony to his invaluable services in this work. Very much of any excellence in the selection of hymns and tunes is due to his refined taste, wise discrimination and indefati- gable labours as a member of the Hynuial Committee, and especially as chairman of the sub-committee on tunes. During the closing months of his life, when ■■i\ • Prof. Gregg was not only an attached friend of Mr. Macdon- nell, but Mrs. Macdonnell also cheriHhod for him throughout her life a warm and sincere friendship, he having been her minister during iior school-days in Toronto. 374 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. : T no longer able to attend the meetings of the Hymnal Committee, he wrote expressing regret that he could not be with them, and at tlie same time, stating that in all tlie business in which he had been engaged there was none in which he took a deeper interest or felt greater delight than in helping to prepare a Hymnal for the Church." He left Toronto for Scotland very hurriedly, on March 22nd, 1895, accompanied by Rev. Alexander McMillan, now of St. Enoch's Church, Toronto (then of Mimico). He sailed from New York by the Lucania next day, the only anniversary of Mrs. Macdonnell's death which he was permitted to see. The change of scene and the hope of the enterprise gave him a renewal of interest in the sights and events of his journey. His note-book is full of descriptions of attractive objects seen in New York and of experi- ences of the voyage. He and Mr. McMillan found diflSculties about the religious services, especially because they could no^ get the attendance of the steerage passengers. Here his old humour breaks out, " The captain was not present at morning service, and yet he is a Caithness man ! — must see Milligan." The sea air again brought him better sleep, and the delusive promise of fully restored vigour. He wrote home from the Lucania : " I was a different man, McMillan says, after I had been two days at sea, and I believe he is right. In New York I had been so played out, that I fell asleep two or three times in the street-car, but the voyage has been glorious, and I am well, well, well ! " ' TTmH THE HEROIC STRUGGLE. 375 [vmnal e could Ttr that ■njraged ,crest or epare a idly, on lexaiidor ito (tlien by the of Mrs. d to see. n-ise gave events of iptions of )t' experi- an found L'spccially ;e of the ireaks out, Tvice, and ran. [sleep, and V)ur. He different lo days at |ork I had or three has been Mr. McMillan writes retrospectively : " On board Mr. Macdonnell was just liiniself, in our stateroom so devout and meditative, so happy in his frecpient study of the Bible, while on deck he was so frank and warm-hearted, and at table the life of the circle of passengers about us. Altliough he coughed a good deal, he thought the trouble to be purely bronchial, and appeared to gain in physical energy, as rest and the air of the sea restored him." On the 25th he notes : " I am becomitii; more and more epicurean daily. No trace of sea-sickness ; magniticent appetite." Yet they had a very rough sea for several days. On the 2(Sth : " Many passengers succumbed ; concert proposed was given up ; one big lurch sent me aijainst the bulwarks." Edinburgh was reached in one week, to the hour, after leaving New York. The leisurely habits of the Scottish churchmen now ijfave the two delejxates abundant opportunities of seeing fi'iends, and other- wise entertaining themselves betv\'een the weekly meetings of the Hymnal connnittees. Among other visits, Mr. Macdomudl went on April 11th to see "Charlie" Oiant at Dundee. He spent also a good part of the time at Paisley with Rev. Dr. Henderson, of the United Presbyterian Church, for whom he preached at the communion service on Ajn-il 7th. On the Fri«lay following, he left Edin- burgh for Liverpool. The Hnal result of the negotia- tions with the Scottish chui'ches has already been stated by Mr. ]\[urray. But this was not reached till long after the return of the Canadians from Britain, ; »i 376 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. i I and they were, during the meetings at Edinburgh and Glasgow, encouraged to hope that the project of the common Hymnal might be realized. Yet their labour was not thrown away. Mr. McMillan writes : " Our visit has enabled us so to improve our own hynmal, and so to bring it into conformity with the joint Hymnal as drafted in our meetings, that of the 022 hymns in the "Book of Praise," 420 are to be found in the new " Scottish Church Hymnal." If we cannot at this time have a common Hymnal, we have to a very large extent a conniion hymnology." Mr.Macdonnell sailed from Liverpool by the Etruria on the 13th, and reached New York on the morning of Saturday, the 20th. There he stayed till Monday, the 22nd, reaching home on the morning of the 23rd. The next evening, at prayer- meeting, he gave a pleasant account of the meetings in Scotland, seemed hopeful and cheery, and stoutly affirmed that he was well, though his looks did not bear out his words. nburgh aject of y. Mr. IS so to it into 1 in our Book of Scottish me have extent a ) Etruruh , morning Monday, the 23rd. I gave a seemed he was ords. SICKNESS AND DEATH. 377 CHAPTER XXX\ I. SICKXESS AND DEATH. It is difficult to decide at what point a chapter with such a heading should properly begin. Wlien the fatal sickness fell upon Mr. Macdonnell is not easily determined. It will be convenient, however, to take up the story of the latest days of our friend at the time when those symptoms were unmistakably manifested which developed into the fatal disease. But close and eager observers had felt for months and even years before this point of time, that the vital forces could not much longer endure, and there was scarcely a week within that time during which he was not earnestly advised to work less and sleep more, and take regular physical exercise. Neither specific disease, however, nor a sudden break- down was apprehended for him, but rather a gradual wearing out. He had a magnificent nervous system, which, when backed up by fair general health, enabled him to work continuously very nuich longer than the average sedentary man. It was this capac- ity, along with facility and versatility, that enabled liiiri during the days of his strength to combine i 4 h \ 1 If ' il i 378 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. Hucli an extraordinary amount of routine work with r(!adincj, reflection and writinjr- His hours for troinf to bed for a time in 1881 were from 2 to 4 a.m., and this pretty fairly represents the liabit of a lar<re part of his active life. Then the " seven o'clock rule " for rising in the morning was inexorably and invariably followed. It seemed impossible for him, with his generous zeal for helpful work, to change his habits, in spite of the warnings that came to him, from depression and fatigue, in the early spring-time during the last seven or eight years of his life. What further served to encourage him in extravagant work was his wonderful capacity of nijrvous recuperation. A slight occasional cough without an accompanying cold, excited apprehension before he left for his last visit to Britain. Indeed, a medical examination had been begun, but not completed, at the time of his departure. In spite of his improvement in health during the outward voyage, the same symptom I'eas- serted itself, and he had prolonged and exhausting fits of coughing in Scotland. The return voyage did not benefit him as much as he had expected. He was, in fact, never well at any time during 1895. To understand fully Mr. Macdonnells illness, sym- pathy with and intimate knowledge of his mental, moral and spiritual nature are essential. A medical gentleman who observed him sympathetically and intelligently puts the case thus : " I think his system was undergoing a steady course of depletion for several years. In 1894, Mrs. Macdonnells death, and the loss of her help and companionship, hastened the SICKNESS AND DEATH. 371) lapse of the vital forco.s. In his heroic Htru<^^l(' to keep up, and relax nothin*^ of his vim !in«l «'iirnest- ness, he hrouf^ht on a tlecline, which settled on the weakest spot in his system at that time, fur in the sprinrj of 1895 he was in a physical condition to invite any wastinrj or fatal disease." Of the perio<l between the Scottish visit and tliti appearance of the fatal dis«'ase MissSmellie writes: " He embarked for home, ho[)efnl that his mission had been successful, and on the 2:^i"d of April he was j^reeted by his family, and entered at once on the attempt to 'catch up' with his work. Keen eyes, however, soon detected that theiv was somethiii;^ wrong, and through the next six weeks of incessant toil watched him with ever increasing anxiety. Ivest was seldom sought till far on in the night, and then was distur})ed and broken, and though loving, kind and gentle as ever, it was too evident that his interest and cheerfulness wei-e forcecl, and that the strain was proving too much for his exhausted frame. When spoken to about it he still maintained that he was (juite well, but confessed that he felt he could not give his mind to anything, that work was a burden, and that he could not get a ' grip ' of things. Especially did he feel this in })reparation for the pulpit, and sadly remarked, ' I have really never ])reached a 8ermo7i since I came home,' though one and another have since testified to the help and strength derived from even these last weeks of his ministry. For the crisis was near. On the morning of the 12th of June he left home, after only two or three hours' ■U I n i 1 irrr I ' 1^ . 380 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. rest, for tlie (lOiierul Assembly in London, and not many days later camo the admission, ' I am taking very little active part for I have not felt (juite up to the mark.' Inunediately on his return he was per- suaded to see the doctor, with the result that on the 25th he was informed of the existence of disease in the lunj^^s." And yet he preached a^ain on the evening of June 3()th, five days after he was informed of the disease. He had preached on the morning of the Sunday before with something of his old power. He had even preached during the labour^ of the Assembly in London, in fulfilment of a promise. But he was haggard and worn during all these weeks. On the morning of the 30th Mv. Gandier, of Halifax, con- ducted the service. Mr. Macdonnell's appearance and manner in the pulpit, in the evening, were so alarming that the members of the session met w^lth him after the service and insisted on his giving up preaching entirely for a time ; the family physician being also urged to order the minister to keep out of the pulpit I Of his spirit and temper during the succeeding months Miss Smcllie writes : " From the lirst he realized the seriousness of the verdict, and took his outlook of the future from a new standpoint, but it was only when obliged to do so that he relin(|uished his post and set himself to get well. If ever the thought that rest would be sweet, or that life was no longer worth living, had lodged in his mind, it never for one hour led him weakly to succumb, and the next eight inontlis were one long TT^ jukI not I taking; ite up to vvus per- il on the [isease in Bning of id of the (T of the wer. He Assembly it he was , On the ifax, con- irance and i) alarminjT him after preachinf,^ jeing also \e pulpit '. succeeding less of the re from a id to do so self to get be sweet, lodged in |weakly to one long SICKNESS AND DEATH. :isi fight with disease, no inch of ground yie](hMl without a struggle, no posHildi; means of cure left untried ; and tlie liope never l»'ft him, tliat ' with the Messing of the Lord I sliall Hve and l)e well again.' Uut witli the e.xpression of tliat hop«' complete suhmission was i»eautifully hiended, ' ( Jod knows he.st,' or ' My times are in Ids hand,' being the })illow on which to rest. In tlu! last hours of life he could still sa\', 'If it were « His will I wouhl be glad and thankful to live to serve Him better that I have done, but He knows best.' " ]\Irs. Canj])bell thus desciibes the first movements taken after the physician had n^cogrn/ed the disease : "First, he sought that ' haven of rest' — as he had often called it — the home of his wife's father, at i*\'rgus, where everything that loving hands could do was done for his cond'ort, and there he awaited the decision of his physicians as to his best course for the summer. With their permi.ssion he went in the midfUe of July to Cap-Ji- I'Aigle, where the sea air is so tempered by that of pine-clad hills, tliat it was thought safe even for weak lungs. Here he spent much of the time in a ham- mock among the pines, or on the gallery of the cottage overlooking the broad St. Lawrence, always serene and hopeful, greeting the passersd)y with a gay word, gathering up his best French to answer the sympa- thetic incjuiriesof ' Monsieur,' who shook his head and mutely invoked his favourite saint on behalf of the ' Monsieur Anglais ' who was the friend of all." But no improvement resulted from the weeks spent on the St. Lawrence, and late in Aumist he returned westward to meet his doctors in consultation. By . f I ,^s\ f-rjy ul'T 382 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. 1 thoiM he WHS i-ornan(lo<l t() Fer^^u.s, The air of Ferfju.s liud alvvfiyH a^Tocd witli him, and licro ho set hiniHoll' seriously to the task of "^(ettiiij; well." Mi'h. Campbell continues : " And now camo one of those delusive periods of aj)|)ari'nt improvement peculiar to tliis trouble, when he himself and those around liim had hope rekindle<l, and be^'an to l>uild on the possibilities of help in a chan^jje of climate. Letters and pamphlets recommendin*^ this and that mode of treatment poured in upon him from kind and an.xious friends. While this wave was at its height, he wrote me on the 12th of Septendjer : " ' I have been gaining in appetite and in general condition. ... I walk and drive and have some practice with dundj-bells. . . . Now, I have told you as well as I can liow things are, and you must not be over-anxi<nis. I am of ijood clieer — not certain of anything in the future — but holding fast to the assur- ance that " all things work together for good " to God's children, even the unworthiest. I cannot tell you how I am moved by many of the kind letters written to me and about me.' " On September 2.')th he came down to Toronto for a further consultation, which was to decide whether he should remain at Fergus all winter or be allowed to try a more favourable climate. The result was to determine that he was not in a condition to travel to any more suitable region. Indeed, he was not in ii condition to travel to and from Fergus, whither he returned weary and disappointed. SICKNESS AND DEATH. 383 npbell ill tiriods of trouble, ad Hope jilities of ampUlets treatment s friends. )te me on in general have some have told u must not certain of the assur- " to God's .t tell you rs written 'oronto for lie whether allowed to Lit was to lo travel to lis not in '' vhither !»»> Not lon<^ thereafter, it was arranfjed tliat Mrs. Cainpliell, alon<.j with his second son. James, sljould j^ive him their conipanionsliip in Kcri^'us, while the youiif^er cliildren should remain in Toronto under the care of Miss Smeilie and the grandparents as \n Uw previous winter. On October 5tli, just boforti this cliange was eft'cctiMl, the writer had the privilege of spending a day at " Kirkliall," of enjoying tlie refined hospitality of that ideal liotne, of witnessing the nobh' courage and touching trustfuln(!ss of the lieroic invalid, and receiving his loving messages for the St. Andrew's people in Toronto. Many of the miMubers of the session and others in the congregation made a similar i)ilgrimage to the shi'ine of this saint of (»od during the autunni and early winter. But before long it was understood that, however eager he was to see his friends, it would be a kindness to him not to tax his little strength by a personal visit. Mrs. Campbell writes, resuTuing the period begin- ning with the last consultation : "And now began that daily and hourly traged}', so sad and yet so beautiful — so sad to those who loved him, looking on at the combat so bravely and patiently waged with the fell disease that, inch ijy inch and hour by hour, snapped asunder the threads of life ; so lieautiful l)ecause of the calm resignation, the inward s'\mt endurance, the loyal obedience to medical orders, the willingness to try anything that love or skill could suggest, that held a glimpse of hope, how- ever distasteful to himself. All his medical advisers had strenuously insist(;d on life in the open air, so 384 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. i 1! tliere was erected for him a ' Hlieltcr ' on tlie southern side of tlie house, where, wrapped in furs and rugs, he spent many a lonely hour, trying enough to one who so loved companionship and tlie attractions of the fireside. What were his thoughts as he sat alone, reading hut little, though he had always a few favourite books at hand, often losing himself in long reveries, but bringing himself back with a briglit smile or reassuring nod, if one went out to see how he fared ? Evidently his thoughts were chiefly with his people and of his work, sometimes regretful as he mused of the unattained ideals, the l)afHed purpose, all that he had planned to do, all that they had planned to do together. And then he would ring his bell and ask to have a letter written, when some sudden thought had roused him to remember some pastoral work which ought to be attended to." A special letter was sent io his peopl" — his last message to them — in view of the twenty-fifth anni- versary of his pastorate, December 22nd, 1895, and the communion service which fell this year on the same day : " Beloved Brethren : ' Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.' " ' I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now : being confident of this very thing, tluit he which began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ; even as it is right '1^ SICKNESS AND DEATH. 385 uthern airs, he ne who of the i alone, a few in long , bright see how ifly with ful as he purpose, ■hey had I ring his len some ber some o. —his last fth anni- 1895, and ,ir on the ind peace lirist.' Ibrance of on behalf 1 for your la the hrst ?ry thing, |ill perfect it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment ; so that ye may approve the things that are excellent : that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.' " In what more fitting words can I greet you on this Twenty-fifth Anniversary of my settlement as your mi) lister than these words of Paul to his beloved friends at Philippi ? " I have been made very glad in these days of enforced inactivity by the spirit of unity and earnest- ness that has characterized office-bearers and members in the prosecution of the various departments of work connected with the congregation. I have been kept constantly informed of the doings of the various associations and of all the work of the Institute ; and I cannot but bless God for indications of increased spiritual life. I pray that you may grow in grace, and that your love may become ever more clear- sighted to discern how God may be best served and men most effectively helped. " May this communion season be one of the richest profit ! I know of no way of celebrating this anni- versary more becomingly than sitting down together at the table of the Lord to remember His dying love — the few of you who ' remain to this present,' of those w^ho welcomed your young minister twenty-five 26 II' ■li i ^! :M i\ II 1 ■ 1 i J! iil H 386 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. years ago, and the many who have since been added to our ranks. May the Master of tlie feast make His presence felt by you and me, for I shall be with you in spirit ! " I cannot tell you how deeply I have been moved by the loving sympathy expressed by you, my beloved friends, in so many ways to myself. The Lord reward you for all your kindness to me and mine ! " Need I say how much we owe in present circum- stances to our tried friend Principal (irant, and to Mr. Drummond, and to his congregation, which has acted with rare self-forgetfulness in agreeing to allow its minister to come to us for some months ? There are scores of brethren, moreover, who have offered to serve us in any way in their power. More and moic do I bless Gotl for the precious human sympathy whose streams are fed from the fountain of His own love. " What the coming years will bring, which of us can tell ? The future is in the hands of Him wlio sees the end from the beginning, and whose name is Love. ' The Lord hath been mindful of us ; he will bless us ! ' " ' The Lord bless you, and keep you : the Loid make his face to shine upon you, and be gracitnis unto you : the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace ! ' " Yours faithfully, "D. J. Macdonnell. " Fergus, December, 1895." SICKNESS AND DEATH. 387 Pll m a added ake His atli you n moved ^ou, my 3lf. The , me aivl it circuni- nt, and to vhicb has ^ to allow s ? There offered to I and more sympathy f His own ^hich of US Him who |se name is IS ; he will the Lord be fri'f^cious |e upon you, Idonnell The reference in this message to Mr. Drunimond alludes to his having preached several Sundays in St. Andrew's durint^ Octoher and November. He was followed for two months by Rev. J, H. McVicar, the well-known missionary to China, whose ministra- tions were also most hi^^lily prized, and who, by a fine coincidence, was soon afterwards inducted into Melville Church, FVrgus. Mr. Drumuiond returned, by permission of his conf^re<(ation at Russeltown, Quebec, to take charge of St. Andrew's from .January 2()th, 1896, until a few weeks after Mr. Macdonnell's death, thus showing his affection for his revered and beloved friend, and renderin<^ an unspeakable service to St. Andrew's in the time of its (jjreatest need. Of Mr. Macdonnell's latest days on earth little remains to be said. We listen reverently while Mrs. Campbell describes the closint^ scenes : " He grew more ami more reconcile<l to the idea of remaining in Fergus, and often spoke of the comfort and freedom he had there compared with what he could have had at any invalid resort, or in travelling about. It pleased him, too, that he was among the familiar haunts of his youth, the scenes that wei-o associated with his greatest joy and his greatest sorrow. . . "Once, on a dull afternoon, when the first December snows were gathering in a dome of leaden cloud, wliich seemed to press down over the earth, and he was suflfering from a sense of the coming storm in the atmosphere, he was being slowly driven <lown the liill from the Guelph road, when suddenly there grew 'ft i If %m 388 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. H in the west a sweet and tender veil of faintest pink and blue — the trail of the sunset. ' It is like my life just now,' he said, * dark overhead and all around, but there is li^ht beyond.' " The change that his friends had been warned to expect came suddenly early on Sunday morning, the 16th of February. A slight haemorrhage occurred, and in the course of the forenoon it became evident that the long martyrdom was nearly over. He had thought so himself in the early morning, but when after an hour or two he seemed to regain strength and breathe more freely, he began to hope he might be spared to go home to Toronto. This was the only wish he expressed, the only regret he had at last, that he had not gone home sooner. " A few extracts from a letter written at the time are perhaps the best account that can be given now of those parting hours. On the morning of Tuesday, February 11th, a circle of friends had, by special arrangement, observed an hour of prayer on his behalf, and it is to this that reference is made in the letter. " ' We cannot but ^eel that those Tuesday morning supplications were answered in the peace of mintl and strength of trust in God that were his through all. I can see now that the sudden change had been hanging over him all Saturday, but I saw nothing then. He himself was always so hopeful that his spirit was quite infectious, and I had never felt that I could give up. His voice had come back quite remarkably during the last two weeks, and was SICKNESS AND DEATH. 380 at pink my life md, but irned to ing, the (ccurred, 1 evident He had )ut when strength he might 1 the only (1 at last, b tlic time be given orning of is had, by Iprayer on le is madt never better than that evening at family worsliip. That was a wonderful prayer, even among many wonderful expressions of that sort during those last days. I shall never lose from memory the sound of those pathetic intercessions for " all those who suffer and arc weary, wlio long for the morning light," and for " Thy slaughtered saints in Armenia," who were so much in his thoujrhts. " ' I read to him all the evening from a book which had been sent us, on " Gospel Healing." He agreed with some of the things in it, but came back always to his own child-like faith, " I am in my Father's liand. He will do for me what is best." • •■■••• " ' All Sunday and Monday he remained very (|uiet and serene, without much difficulty of breathing, or pain, but, alas ! without sleep. . . . On Tuesday he sank very rapidly, lying with his eyes closed, and rousing himself at intervals to say a word or two to Aunt B — or to me. All his words were in the same strain, speaking of the many mercies bestowed upon him, and of his implicit trust in his Saviour. Aunt B — was greatly comforted by what he said to her about his children, and his satisfaction that tliey were to be her especial care. " ' The unselfishness that had been the habit of his life remained conspicuous to the last. It was mid- night on Tuesday when one of his boys arrived, having driven up from Guelph on a night of bitter (Mjld. The father roused himself and looked up, say- ing, "Were you cold. Logic, driving up ^ " and then relapsed into unconsciousness.' i ! : ) 3 I Il 390 LIFE OF P. J. MACDONNELL. " The letter already quoted continues : * The doctor was most anxious that he should not talk, but we could not forbid it ; any words he might speak now were so precious. All through that night while he was awake, or half awake, there was a constant whis- pt^i ^ of prayer, as if to some one close by, whom he saw and spoke to confidentially ; sometimes a word was audible — " cleanse," " purify," " make tit for Thy pTesence." " ' ^ ''^:.Hit half-past nine on the morning of Wednes- day, \]h' 'Oih, we saw that the end was at hand. His four eldcV children, his brother-in-law Mr. Robert 8me.Uie, MiSi^ liellie, and I were in the room. We held a ', -n n.. .vhispered conference, and then I said, as clearly ;'s ^ could, " We have not had worship yet this morning, dear ; we are to have it now here with you." He made a movement of assent. We sang, yes, we sang, the 23rd Psalm. I think he lost consciousness during that singing. Then Mr. Smellie prayed. There were a few long, deep breaths, then peace, and the rest for which he had so longed.' " ' A premature death,' we said, but could it be so i Could many more years have added to his power over men's hearts, to the weight of his personality { He is gone, but his work remains, imperishable ; the spirit of his life will continue to bless the coming generations." On the Monday following we laid him to rest. That day was a day of mourning, not merely to tlu' circle of relatives and intimate friends, but to the doctor but we tk now ^hile ho it wViis- /hom he a word for Thy Wediies- nd. His *. Robert om. We d then I i worship now here sent. We ik he lost r. SinelUe aths, then ed; [l it be so ( >ovver over [lity i He table; the be coming SICKNESS AND J)EATH. 391 whole city of Toronto, which had been blessed and uplifted by his teaching and his life. After a private service at tlie manse, conducted by Dr. Robert Camp- bell, the coffin was placed in the church Thither for two hours and a half came an unbroken stream of the jieople of the city to view once more the face of the man whom they loved as few men in any city liave been loved. At half-past two the doors were closed, but a great multitude remained outside reverently waiting. In the .services Rev. Dr. Robertson, Mod- erator of tlie Assembly, Rev. D. R. Drunnnond, Rev. Principal Grant, and Rev. John Neil, Moderator of tlie Toronto Presbytery, took part. The address was delivered by Principal Grant. To the church and the funeral procession all classes of society, from the Viceroy of Canada to the boys of the St. Andrew's Institute, sent their share of mourners ; all religious denominations ; many cities of our land, near or remote : many as.sociations, religi(ms and charitable ; besides the St. Andrew's people, his peculiar posses- sion. Such homage as this love alone could compel and love alone could render. i!*i I <^i M I ' |m to rest. rely to the Ibut to the It' in !i 392 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. CHAPTER XXXVII. THE MAN AND HIS POWER. In person, Mr. Macdonnell was somewhat above the inkldle height, of spare but athletic frame, alert and quick in his movements, of abstemious habits, of a nervous temperament. He was naturally excitable but did not easily lose mental poise or self-control ; impulsive, but seldom doing anything which turned out finally to have b en a mistake ; of an impetuous temper held in rigorous subjection by conscience and regard for others. He was of a sanguine disposition, but was liable, especially in younger manhood, to occasional despondency. He had an intense love of fun and humour. His energy was exhaustless. He was an excellent business man, of fine practical judgment and rapid and exact methods of working. In con- ference, however, he had so much deference to the opinions of his colleagues or helpers that he would lose much valuable time in drawing out their views before giving a decision. He was throughout life somewhat diffident in general social intercourse, especially with strangers ; but l)efore a large assembly with a mes- sage to deliver, his enthusiasm for humanity stirred bove the ilert and )its, of a excitable '-control ; ;h turned inpetuous icnce and position, hood, to i love of He was udgment In con- ce to the vrould lose vvs before oniewhat lally with ,h a mes- y stirred ^e THE MAN AND HIS POWER. 393 him to intrepid boldness His whole personality was nohlo and enj^aging — as a friend has put it, " irresistible." Mr. Macdonnell's intensity of nature and outspoken zeal for the right have led very many to think of him as an extreme man in matters of public interest, and especially in his political views. This was an error. He was never a partisan. Belonging to a conservative family his sympathies were naturally with that party ; but no man could more strenuously dissent from its measures upon good cause than lie did. Indeed, during his latest years it could scarcely be said of him that he was an adherent of either party. He was democratic in his active sympathies and habits, but with an innate deference to established authority in Church and State as well as in matters of opinion. He was sturdy and demonstrative in his loyalty, with a strong desire for the consolidation of the whole Empire that owns the sway of Queen Victoria. A brother minister said, " In the pulpit Mr. Macdon- nell was in his throne." In addition to what has been said in the memoir, the following sketch of his pulpit qualities and appearance may be given. It was made by a newspaper writer in 1887: "The power of pulpit logic is possessed in a wonderful degree by Mr. Macdonnell. But he has also the lire that flashes into the soul and the vivid lightning which at one stroke makes a man care whether there really is a God or not : whether he has a soul to save or if it is worth while savinir it. I ■ 'm < T 394 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. " In proacliing, as in prayer, Mr, Macdonnell is impressive, fervent and natural. His strong face, overshadowed by a broad and noble brow, liglits up as he speaks, and liis voice throbs with every emotion he feels. In gesture he is excitable, but always natural and pleasing. As he leans over his ))ulpit and quietly talks to his audience, as when he is declamatory and thrilling, there is a reserve of power and passion which is always surging eagerly into his voice and gestures, but which never overcomes his self-posses- sion. This re.serve of power and passion is strangely moving, and adds mightily to the words which come forth, as if there were yet more burning words behind. " But it is useless to try to describe a man who is a species, not a specimen. His power for good is so great, and his views so broad and catholic, and his liberality so far separated from the arts which weak and unscrupulous men use to obtain popularity, that I am at a loss how to convey an idea of his power. Humanity, culture, conscience and a fervid piety make him broad ; eloquence gives him expres- sion, eager warmth makes the hearer receptive, and no ostentatious heterodoxy or professional tricks to secure applause ever crop up to shock the seeker for truth." It would be easy to fill a volume as large as tlie present with the fitting tributes which have been paid to Mr. Macdonnell since his death. The senti- ments of some of his friends have already found expression in their contributions to the biography, and in this closing chapter, which is necessarily brief, THE MAN AND HIS POWER. iWi it will be best to content ourselves with ;(iviii<^ the spirit of public and private estimates of his character and of personal impressions created after keen and intimate observation. On the intellectual side Mr. Macdonnell mav or may not be considered " oreat," according;' to one's point of view. Some of his mental (|ualities were certtiinly of the very first order. While the hi^lu'st range of the creative or inventive faculty must be denied him, and therewith the widest and de('[H'st imaginative power, he had critical insight and dis- crimination in a rare deiiree, so that oidy what was worthy and genuine lodged in his mind. Along with this he could sympathetically appropriate all bi'ight and beautiful thouiihts and sentiments, so that the chambers of his imaijfination were decked all about with pictures which gained their wai-mth and dt'pth of colour from the temper of the soul within. Upon the whole he was an interpreter i-ather than a tinder of truth, and this was his foremost (pialitication for the office of prophet in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. In his great life-work as a pulpit expounder of the teaching of the Bible, it is doubtful whether he had a superior among his C()ntemj)oraries for dis- cernment, discretion and clearness, combined with reverence and caution. Having remarkable powers of acquisition, he had as a youth gained exceptional familiarity with the (original languages of Scri])ture, and could always use them as an insti'unient foi' (jpening up the secret depths of their divine-hunian meaning; while his philosophic training and lialjit of s i 1 ■ . I •I j.^ IL fl^ 396 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. mind, and his .scrupulous exactness, made it impera- tive upon liim to say only what the hij^hest critical authority would approve, to leave unsaid what was dubious or obscure, and, above all, to refrain from triflin*^ with the sacred text by playinj,^ upon ambi<^u- ous words, or drawint;' from its casual or out-of-the- way allusions, gaudy and seductive pictures which neither inform the mind nor edify the soul. It was this same reverence an<l love of accuracy that made liim so singularly familiar with the llevise<l Version, which he used habitually both in and out of the pulpit, and quoted so often with telling effect. A touching instance of this may well be given even in this concise sunnnary. It occurred in connection with one of those memorable Sunday morning refer- ences to members of the congregation who had died during the preceding week. An old woman, slightly weakened in intellect, and in very reduced circum- stances, liad long attended the St. Andrew's services with great regularity. She was always conspicuous by her peculiar dress and bowed figure. She died at her lodgings with no one beside her. In speaking of her death, her minister referred with deep feeling to the hardness of her isolated lot, and the simplicity and confidence of her trust in her Saviour, who, he added, " shall fashion anew the body of our Jtumilia- tion, that it may be conforme<l to the body of his glory." It was in his expository sermons that these qualities came out at their best, as he dealt with his theme as a whole, and in all its parts with largeness and conqjrehensiveness of survey, and yet with a sure nnpera- critical hat was tin from ainbij^u- t-of-the- 38 which racy that llevised lul out of njr eti'ect. ivon even oniiection injr ret'er- had died 1, slightly d circum- THE MAN AND HIS POWER. 397 and <l('Hcnte touch; like the f»T('at organist to whom the use or misuse of the stops, or the finer adjust- ments of the harmony, are as mueh a matter of conscience, care and sensihilitv as the underlvin;; motive of the pit^ce, or the: geneial efi'eet of the performance. Such ((ualities as these go to the making of a scholar in the highest sense of the word, and if Mr. Mac<l(mnell was onlv a good instead of heinir a great scholar, it was simply for lack of the time for close and continuous study. Again, though neither a scientist nor an historian, he had a wonderful a})pre- hension of the scientific and historical spirit, and employed only its methods. Hence hf was, on the one hand, in his view of nature, an evolutionist in the wide, theistic, providential sense, and on the other, a "higher critic" in his view of tlie develupment of Revelation. As for the constructive side of mental endowment he was an artist, and here he was absolutely true and just. One reason for this was that in almost all thiniis his taste was perfect. We naturally think most, however, of his style of composition as a preacher. He was extremely fastidious in his choice of language, so that even when he spoke from wry brief notes, as he usually did, or with no external aids whatever, it was not easy for the listener to realize the fact, so ready, adequate and precise was the spontaneous expres- sion of his thoughts. But wliether fiilly written or largely improvised, his discourses were always com- plete, and, as literary productions, satisfying to the P. , I •« ' ' i fl 398 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. most exacting taste. They were, in short, perfect works of art. Yet there was little of the ornamental ill them. He had really two much respect for his work, regarded it as too sacred a thing to decorate it with a wealth of rhetorical embellishment. Perhaps there is no stronger evidence of the real greatness of the man and his art than the fact that he strenuously resiste<l all temptations to intellectual display, gifted thouifh he was so far beyond the measure of common uicn. The glittering iceb(;rg had no charm for him except upon the barren sea. He knew that light without warmth could bring no plant to flower and fruit in the garden of the Lord. Just as in his own personality the qualities of mind and heart were ex(iuisitely adjusted and harmonized, so his dis- courses exhibited in due and perfect proportion the intellectual and the spiritual, logic and morality, reason and love. In these partial attempts at intellectual analysis we have already touclied upon the sphere of the moral and the emotional. This was inevitable, be- cause it was in these features of his character that Mr. Macdonnell was supremely great. Doubtless it was the harmonious adjustment of all his (jualities that gave him his power and made so strong the total impression of his character. As Principal Grant said on the day of the funeral : " How full was the life that our brother lived ! What a combination he was of the thinker and speaker : of the artist and the man of aft'airs ; of the prophet and the priest ; of strength and refinement; of purity and power; of sanity and THE MAN AND HIS POWER. 390 passion ; of insight and loyal submission to drudgery ! Wliether looked at from tlie point of view of the indi- vidual, the family, the congregation, the city, the Church, the university, the nation, the empire, and the race, he seemed to me so perfect that I could find no fault in him." But "one star difFereth from another star in glory" by reason of the predominance of this or that ele- ment of the light that it gives ; and in the radiance that streamed from the life of our friend it was the rays of holiness, purity and love that made the light a serene and changeless white. We naturally think of him mostly in the pulpit, and we remember how he made the service such a symmetrical and pleasing unity. Then we are apt to say that it was his good taste and discernment that enabled him to achieve such a uni([ue success. But what was really at the heart of it, that gave the glow to the words and the face of the minister and cast the spell over the worship- per was his reverence. Strong and true as was his preaching, that was not the centre of the service : it was his jjrayers. The reader of this biography will have learned, if he did not know it before, what a man of prayer he was ; how he lived in fellowship with the living God, the Father of spirits. And with this reverence for God, there was by necessity a reverence for man, and a reverence for the truth about God and man. And so, he made (iod seem near to us. Nay, he actually brought Him near to us. We know his fondness for the lituriries of the Church, and his deference to form and order. But as 400 LIB'E OF D. J. MACDONNELL. . i t !l he was himself wont to say, " Ritual is merely the body of which true worship is the soul." Such a man must " pray without ceasing." It was his rever- ence, thus nurtured by ceaseless prayer, that made his life beautiful and sublime. Waiting for God he was on the mountain-top with every sunrise, and so bore about him the whole day long the shining of a vision of God. But the sisterhood of Christian graces go about their ministry linked hand in hand. Reverence in him was no passive or impractical attribute, for it was joined to a living faith. The great simple truths that he held were perhaps to him all the more real and stable, because he saw tliem like the everlasting hills towering far above the lower mist-covered lieights. The higher and clearer they rose the more firndy were they set upon the rock-built foundation of truth. Here we judge of him again by what we have seen. In his supreme trial, some said, " He must be a man of prayer ;" others said, " He must be a man of faith." In our. ears still vibrate the tones in which he spoke of " the living God " as the only true refuge and support of the human soul. How much such faith was to him ! And how he loved the old Hebrew Psalms that voiced the sure yet simple faith of God's children unversed in the metaphysical theology of our modern creeds ! Like them his very " heart and flesh cried out for the living God." To go further we may use the words of Dr. Hunter, uttered the day before his funeral : " He knew Christ and that was his motive power. . . . His faith did not rest in THK MAN' AND HtS POWER. 401 s * S ely the Such a 3 rever- ,t made God ho , and so ing of a po about srence in be, for it ,le truths nore real ^erlastinfi; d heights, ndy were of truth, lave seen. a man of lith." In le spoke (fuge and ucli faith Hebrew of God's cology of heart and jp further sd the day that was lot rest in the documents which he studied, revered and vahied beyond all others, but in his personal acquaintance with the Lord Jesus Christ who spoke through the Scrip- tures, and so he never felt that he needed to put forth trembling hands to steady the Ark of the Covenant." But reverence and faith of a certain kind may be strongly manifested by a recluse or a hermit. He, how- ever, was a man among men, with eyes often indeed raised heavenw^ard, but with feet upon the eartli, and hands forever stretched out to help and bless. More than all else he was a lover and helper of men. Such a love came through his power of sijinpafhjj, directed and intensified by his love of Christ. True love of man is human sympathy divinely energized. Nature had nuich to do with such a rare endowment in him, in giving him a quick, responsive sensibility, a large humanity, a spontaneous feeling of kins] dp with his kind. But something more than natural impulse was needed to change the sentiment of fellowship into the habit of loving. Sympathy is not merely a feeling for others, but feeling directed by knowledge. Carlyle says, " The king among men is the man who knows." This man w^ent far to prove that the king of men is the man who knows and feels. In his special sphere of life and thought the knowledge rccjuired was of the practical kind, an ac([uaintance with the actual needs and weaknesses of men. With- out this his life might still have been beautiful, but it it would have been unsubstantial— a dew-laden cob- web of sentiment, glistening in the sunlight of enthusiasm. But just as his reverence assunuMl the 27 W ' w n \' r ii^i 402 LIFE OF 6. J. MACDONNELL. practical form of devotion, so his altruism took the form of service. Behind and beneath all there was a steady unbroken reflectiveness, a careful study of the mixed and intricate conditions of life and society, and a constant habit of thinking himself, so to say, into the lives and experiences of other men, especially of those in mental or moral perplexity or in sore trial or disappointment. In how many forms was expression given to this sympathy, intellectual, moral and spiritual ? In preaching and in discussion, public or private, his desire not to misrepresent 'mother's point of view was manifest. But still more significant and helpful was his purpose to keep your point of view always in mind to take account of it, and make it part of his own case. In nothing, perhaps, was he greater than in this attribute, because in nothing was he more Christ-like. Thus is to be explained his singular tolerance alongside of his eagerness to get others to think and to do the right thing. How difficult such an achievement is may perhaps be best judged of by the fact that his tolerance was supposed by some to be the result of indifference to opinion or belief. In this, let us trust, he was a type of the coming age and the crowning race of men. Equally noticeable was Mr. Macdonnell's attitude of soul and mind toward the common ills of life among ordinary men and women. His demeanour toward any who approached him was so respectful, with a riglit chivalrous regard for men as men — the twofold outcome of his reverence and his sympathy. To him )ok the e was a J of the 2ty, and ay, into cially of ) trial or 1 to this Lial ? In ,vate, his view was Ipt'ul was ilways in art of his jater than 1 he more sintjular others to ficult such ged of by »y some to belief. In icT asre and attitude of life amon.sj ur toward tul, with a twofold To him to THE MAN AND HIS POWER. 403 every man was sacred as a brother, and still more sacred as a brother for whom Christ had died. Hence his patience in listening to a tale of trouble from a tramp or any friendless man. He wanted to know the history of every case before he would act or judge. And no history of human want or woe was irrelevant to any of his moods or to his great life purpose. All had a pei'sonal interest for him. In his classification of society there was no place for the familiar category of " uninteresting people." Shall we say that in listening to troublesome cases, and in the many kindred employments of his busy life, he was wasting his time or dissipating his energies ? We know what he would have said, or at least what he must have felt. His own congregation knew and tested his sym- pathy best in times of trouble and bereavement. The sick and sorrowing in his flock were very near to his heart. Nothing could interfere to prevent his seeing them and trying to comfort them. And what a well-spring of comfort there was in his visits and in his words ! Even when no word was spoken, the comfort would be imparted just the same. One saw hi his eyes that he had taken the burden upon his soul, that he had pondered over the grief and measured the loss — those wondrous eyes with their strong, steady gaze which told of a concentrated purpose, and a surrender of the soul to Christ and to tlio serving of men. Surely this sympathy was a reminder of Him who had enkindled it ! How can we learn best of the love of Christ and of His sacri- 404 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. !; ■ i 1 fice ? All sermons and exhortations are dull and lifeless as compared with such a living reproduction of the spirit and work of Christ. One and another have said, " He is the most Christ- like man I ever knew." Rev. E. D, McLaren, in his sermon in St. Andrew's, of March 29th, 189G, voiced a general sentiment when he said : " No one I have ever met seemed to stand so close to Christ's side, or to be drinkint; so deeply of Christ's spirit. Others may have excelled him in some particular quality, but none seem to have attained to the same rounded ful- ness of Christian character, the same beautiful sym- metry of spiritual development." Striking and touching was his regard for his brethren in the ministry. Rev. John Pringle, of St. Paul, says, " I never knew him to criticize a brother minister or to damn any one with faint praise." Dr. Milligan said in his commemorative sermon, " He was to a great extent the cause of the brotherly love among us ministers, which has made Toronto so delightful a place." " Where the weak were and the need was greatest, there was found this man," said Rev. Mr. Gilray on a similar occasion. It was, after all, this quality of sympathy that contributed most to his power among his brother ministers, old and young, and in the community at large ; that made literally tens of thousands in our land mourn his loss ; and brought such a multitude to take a last look at his face. A guest at his house once said, " He seems to be bearing the whole world upon his heart." One might almost THE MAN AND HIS POWER. 405 nil and (duction ; Christ- in, in his G, voiced le I bave s side, or Others ality, but mded ful- Aful sym- l for his ofle, of St. a brother aise." Di'- He was herly love oronto so re and the man," said )athy that lis brother iomnmnity thousands rht such a A guest at t)earing the Uit almost suppose that this was the general opinion with regard to him when one considers how many of all classes of people habitually resorted to him for counsel or for comfort. That Mr. Macdonnell had the faculty of expressing these (jualities and of making his character generally a force in the life and thought of our time, was largely due to what we may summarily call his intensity. This also was known of all men. But enthusiasm is the dangerous quality in men of both thought and action. Only wise men «an be safely enthusiastic. But he was wise with the wisdom born of insight and sympathy. He held firm and true the balance between the mental and the emotional. Many things that are much in vogue his judgment put aside as either untrue, exaggerated, or matters of inditference. Other things that were near his heart he could and would restrain. But the few great things that were the motives of his moral and relig- ious life he proclaimed and acted out practically with almost superhuman energy. Hence, when in matters of ecclesiastical or public life these principles demanded application, for the redress of some wrong, or the righting of some grievance, or the relief of some oppressed or endangered class of the community, then he was the man to come to the front, and always on well-reasoned and reasonable grounds, but with words of intense conviction, he would plead for the right and denounce the wrong. Thought, speech and action with him came from a heart burnincr with the enthusiasm of love. It was 406 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. ! 11 I n thus that he let his light shine before men. The more intensely a flame burns the brighter its light and the purer its radiance. Such was the light of his life. If we are sometimes inclined to murmur at the cutting off of such a career, let us remember that intense lives seldom can be lengthy lives. The flame, if it burns strong and fast, cannot burn long. Let us rejoice in its brightness and pureness. He at whose altar fires the flame was kindled and perpetually fed, may safely be trusted for the results of the sacrifice. We must also emphasize Mr. Macdonnell's readi- ness. In view of the chances and changes of life he bore himself alwaj's so that wo could observe that he was ready. As he was constantly ready for duty, for burden-bearing, for any helpful work, whether of his own seeking or of other's asking, so, .also, he was ready for the larger calls and messages of Providence. Just as he crossed the Atlantic of his own motion, in what seemed to him a critical moment for one of the enterprises of the Church, so he habitually accjuiesced in events not of his own choosing, whether it was casual disappointment or the severest stroke he evei- had to endure. And, after all, what is the life of a good and true man ? Is it not waiting for God's will ? Yes, and something more, preparing for God's will. Readiness comes from service, from the temper and habit of the " living sacrifice." Hence it is so inspiring to think of Mr. Macdonnell in the latest years of his life ; for then he revealed the highest possibilities of a life of faith and hope. In that triumph of Christian manhood, the process and n. The its light light of irmur at iber that he flame, Let us at whose aally fed, ! sacrifice. I's reacli- of life he ^e that he • duty, for her of his o, he was rovidence. motion, in one of the ac<iuiesced lier it was ke he ever le life of a for God's for God's the temper Llacdonnell [vealed the hope. 1 >» )rocess and THE MAN AND HIS POWER. 407 outcome of his whole life were revealed. We could see that he was already wearing tlie victor's crown. And when the closing weeks and days brouglit him face to face with the final issue, he simply waited and prepared as befoi'c. He liad never expected to live a long life. Yet he desired to live, if it might be so, for the sake of others, and for continued influence upon his fellows. And so he lioped ever still for life. But when on the day before he died, it was told to him tliat he would very soon be going to join her who had gone on before him, he simply said, with a look of bright surprise, " Oh ! I didn't know. How long will it be ? " The ending of his life closed a chapter in many lives. To many souls that light was a guide and in- spiration. To many his departure would seem to be the withdrawal of a strong, steady impulse toward righteousness. To many he was n leader in the war against evil, going forth as a knight of Christ with the charge laid upon him that was given to the young king in ancient Israel, "Ride forth prosperously in behalf of meekness, truth, and righteousness." His practical power came largely from the fact that he taught us to find our strength and confidence, not in our force of brain or will, but in the consciousness that we are doing our duty and serving Christ. And so he became a monumental example and reminder. He moved men to say when in doubt as to a critical moral choice, " Would 1). J. Macdonnell do this, or this, or this, if he were now in my place ? " Moreover, there was little or nothing about him to \i «1 1! 408 LIFE OF D. J. MACDONNELL. ! i ;ii : (liiiiinish the force of this spiritual attraction. God be tlianked, this one of our ideals we have not been com- pelled to discard, siiattered though it would have been by a single act of unkindness, or selfishness, or dis- honour. There were in him none of those obtruding angles of self-assertion which so often repel admiration or dampen enthusiasm. His character seemed to be as near the perfect sphere of consistency and beauty as is possible to be moulded out of weak and sinful humanity. Then we remember ajrain that his influence was not only wide, but minute and specific, that his work was helpful because it was so personal ; because he so ministered to individual needs. His life was like some great river which blesses a whole nation in its course, and yet here and there comes close to the dusty highway, that it may (|uench the thirst and rest the eye of the weary traveller. And now we are apt to say, " This is all gone ; and his life-work is a thing of the past." But thus it cannot be. It is the kind of influence exerted by a * man that determines its degree of vitality and finally its claims to inmiortality. And the influence of our friend and brother was of a kind that was self-devel- oping and self-perpetuating. There is nothing that lasts or rules like love, for " love never faileth " ; and love was the very essence of his life. And so by the law of love he shall still rule us from his tomb. God be sn com- ve been or (lis- truding ni ration d to be I beauty d sinful iiice was liis work icause he was like ion in its ■^e to the liirst and •one ; and .t thus it jrlcd by a ' id finally tce of our ielf-devel- hing that Ith " ; and Iso by the nb. SERMONS. I CREATION WAITING FOR DELIVERANCE. (5th December, 1S75.* ) "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are nothin'j trorth in comparison with the glory which shall he I'cvcaled in (or, in ref/ard to) us. For the earnest expectation of the rredtion in }rnitin(f for the reviaJimj of the sons of (iod (for the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who suhjcctcd it), in hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the freedom of (he yfori/ of the children of (}od. For we know that the whole creation is tjroanimj toijether and travailimj m pain together until now. And not only so, but even we oui'selres, thomjh ire have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves are groaning within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in hope : but liope that is seen is not hope ; for what a man secth, why doth he still liope for ? But if we hope for that we see not, with patience we wait for it." — RoM. viii. IS-'Jf). The same Greek word which is translated "crea- tion " in V. 22, is rendered " creature " in the tliree *The reader will notice that this was written before the appear- ance of the Revised Version, with which it will be instructive to compare the preacher's renderings. The exact date is also a matter of interest. We may observe that this was a continuation 1 |;|: < i i tfl S' I ■ i ii 410 SERMONS. precedinj^ verses. Better render "creation" in all. Verse 20, except the last two words, should he read as a parenthesis, and the words * in hope " joined to V. 21, which expresses the suhstance of the hope. The 19th and 2 1st verses will then be strikin^dy parallel to each other, thus : (a) For the earnest expectation of the creation (b) — is waiting for the revelation of the sons of God. (c) — In hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption (</) — into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (a) and (c) contain hope that animates creation : (b) and (d) the consummation to which that hope points. The words " in hope," instead of being connected with the verb " subjected," are connected with " wait- ing" in V. 19 — "The earnest expectation of the creation is waiting in hope." This gives a somewhat better sense, though the meaning is not essentially different. The one rendering expresses God's design in subjecting the creation to vanity, viz., to awaken hope of deliverance ; the other states the fact that the hope of deliverance is cherished. In V. 19 "revelation" is a better rendering (of a/roHa\vi/:i>) than "manifestation": the noun is cognate with the verb translated " revealed " in v. LS In v. 24 we should read "were saved," i.e.. ui V time when v/e became Christians. of the series of sermons in the course of w iich the fanioii " herct ical " utterance was made. Of more importance is it to.>notice t! ■ revelation of the spirit of the man in his time of trial. TTP f CREATION WAITING FOR DELIVERANCE. 411 in all. be read )inc(l to \o hope, rikinj^iy creation i of God. shall be (,/)— into Jod. creation : hat hope connected i\\ " wait- n of the somewhat ssentially d's design ,o awaken fact that lering (of noun is "in V. IS .e., At V iiou "heret Lo'noti<e tl The connecting link between tln'se verses aii<l those expounded lust Sunday is tlu^ last clause of v. 17 — "If 80 be that we suffer with Him (Christ), that we may be also glorified with Him." Bv tiie wav of the Cross we must pass to the Crown, even as He did. Through death to life; throu^di sufieriuir to i;lorv — that is the law alike for the Master a!id the disciple. This thought is enlai'ged upon in the passage for to-day. "Well may we suffer,' says Paul, "seeing that we are sustained by such lioju" of glory, ' For — I. The glory will hiv outive'u/h the sufferings (v. liS). If. The sufferings are themselves proplucii's of liberation from evil (vs. 19-28). III. Our salvation is one of hope, not of sight. But if such hope is ours, we may surely endure " willingly " and steadfastly the present, whih; wait- ing for the completion of our glory in the future (vs. 24, 25). I. The glory ivill far oiUweHfh the safferi n</s. " Kor I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are nothing worth, in comparison with the glory which shall be revealed in us." As the same Apostle writes to the Corinthians (2 Cor. iv. 17), "Our light afflic- tion, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory." The sufferings are very liard to bear ; it seems some- times as if it would be impossible to carry the burden any longer. It is when we put the future glory into the opposite scale that the insignilicance of the sufferings is made to appear. T^'ore is no question about the reality of the suffer- 412 SERMONS. I <i ing. Creation is groaninj^. Man, tlic head of creation, is groaning under the burden. Man consciously expresses what the rest of creation is inarticulately uttering. He gives voice to the woes of earth. Human history is full of groans and sighs. A wail of sorrow runs through the Bible from the record of the murder of Abel and the curse of Cain, down to the revelation of the judgment that is to fall on the " great city Babylon " in which " was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." Not the worst men, either, are they who cry out bitterly under their load of grief. Listen to Job (chap. iii. 3), " Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said. There is a man child conceived;" and chnp. x. Listen to Jeremiah (chap. xx. 14), "Cursed be the day wherein I was born : . . . Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee. . . . And let that man be as the cities which the Lord overthrew and repented not." And the core of the Bible is the record of a life of sorrow ; and right in the centre of human history stands One who is pre-eminently " A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." What we find in history and in the Bible we find in poetry. If poetry is the highest form of human thought, the deepest tones of the poet are those which have been awakened by sorrow. It has been well said, " When we seek pleasure in poetry, we are not satisfied unless we find tears in it." " The cry of the t iff H CREATION WAITING FOR DELIVERANCE. 413 rti jreation, sciously culatcly f earth. A wail ecord of down to II on the the blood 7eve slain ther, are of grief, ly perish sh it was d ehnp. x. ed be the id be the saying, A let that irew and a life of m history )f sorrows e we find of hunuiu lose which been well we are not cry of the human " is too often a wail of sorrow. As Mrs. Browning writes — " 'There is no God,' the foolish saith ; But none, 'There is no sorrow.' " For, explain it as men may, (ill experience it. Not only the old, who have seen friend after friend depart, but little children have their eyes blinded with tears — tears of bitter sorrow. Is it not one of the saddest testimonies to the power of evil — to the effects of sin — that little children are involved in such a hei'itage of suffering ? " Visiting the ini([uity of the fathers upon the children " — of drunken, and profligate, idle and dishonest parents upon their little ones who have not yet been actual partakers in their crimes or vices. It is God's law. Do we blame (Jod for it ? Does not society do the same ? With this difference, that God has a purpose of mercy running like a golden thread through the dark web of suffer- ing, while society too often crushes without any thought of ultimately lifting up. Now, Paul speaks here of deliverance from this awful burden of suffering — deliverance for man, deliverance for the whole creation. What does Paul mean by "the whole creation" :* Does the ex])ressi()n include man i I take it that it does, and that Paul means the -^diole creation, rational and in-atioiiid, not yet redeemed, but standing in neetl of and capable of redemption. Obviously, there is an antithesis betwren "us who I ' i 414 SERMONS. have the first-fruits of the Spirit " and the rest of the creation. Then, why exclude man ? Does he not give voice to creation's groaning ? If we may say, in a figure of rhetoric, that the desert is " waiting " to be turned into a paradise again, that the brute creatures, all whose cries are in the minor key, are " waiting " for the new earth in which there shall be gladness ; is there not a far deeper sense in which men are " waiting " for the revealing of the sons of God? There ought to be strong reasons assigned for excluding man from " the whole creation." What are they ? Chiefly these : 1. It cannot be said of men in general that they arc waiting with earnest desire for the revealing of the sons of God. 2. It cannot be said that they were subjected to corruption not of their own accord, but by God. 3. It is not a fact that they shall obtain deliver- ance. 1. To the first objection it may be answered, surely "waiting" and "hoping," as well as "groan- ing," may be afiirmed with more truth of men than of brutes or of the inanimate creation. It is quite true that the Scriptures often speak of the material world as a sentient being, trembling, rejoicing, etc , e.g., " Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad," "Let the fields be .joyful," "Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice " (Ps. xcvi.), " The moun- tains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their 1 tr CREATION WAITING FOR DELIVERANCE. 415 t of the he not 7 say, in ing" to e brute key, are shall be n which sons of rned for ' What b they arc ng of the ejected to ^od. ieliver lanswered, js •• groan - men than |t is quite material icing, etc , earth he shall all 'he moun- b you into clap their hands" (Is. Iv. 12). This personification of nature is perfectl}^ intelligible, and there is every reason for including the inanimate creation in the present pas- sage ; but does it follow that man must be excluded ? Does he not give voice to creation's groans ? And does he not, too, give voice to creation's hope of deliverance ? What is the burden that causes the groaning ? " Vanity," " corruption." Not sin — that is not the question raised here — tliough sin is tlie root of the misery that presses .so heavily on the world. We do not need to ask whether men everywhere — heathens, Jews and Christians — feel the burden of sin, and long for deliverance ; but whether men everywhere groan under " vanity " and "corruption," the perisli- ableness of all earthly things, pain, loss, decay, death, as the climax of all earthly ills. Now, if it may be said, in a figure of speech, that the earth is longing lor deliverance from the thorns and briers, the storms and earth(|uakes which disfigure it, and which are indications of the disorder springing from man's sin : if, in a still higher sense, the lower animals may be said to be groaning under the load of suffering — suffering very often inflicted by man so that a " Humane Society ' is necessary to protect dumb beings — surely in the strictest sense it is man that groans audibly and articulately because he is subject to vanity. How aptly do the words from the Epistle to the Hebrews come in here, " Who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage!' Of wliom but of men could that i ! i m 416 SERMONS. bondage be affirmed ? It is when you stand beside the bed of a strong man writhing in agony, and yet dreading the death wliich will release him from suffering, that "the bondage of corruption " assumes one of its most striking forms. Still, admitting that men in general groan beneath the load of " vanity," it is alleged that they are not " luaitiug for the manifestation of the sons of God," or hoping for deliverance " from the bondage of corruption." Surely, however, in whatever sense the inanimate or irrational creatures may be said to be waiting and hoping for deliverance, the same may be affirmed in a higher sense of man. Are men quite satisfied with decay, and disease, and death ? Do they acquiesce in the evils that encompass them ? Is not life a long struggle ofttimes against death ? Is there not a " fond desire and longing after immor- tality " characteristic of men, even when sunk and degraded ? Has there not been in all nations a more or less conscious longinjj for a Deliverer — a Christ — an Anointed One — who would restore the lost Para- dise, and break the bonds of evil, and roll away the stone from the door of the sepulchre ? I might (juote whole pages of Archbishop Trench's work, entitled '' Christ, the Desire of All Nations," illustrative of these longings after deliverance among the heathen. I shall just quote a f-'^ntence or two : "However, in tlie ne elect people, as the bearers of the divine promises, as the central heart of the spiritual world, as the appointed interpreters to the rest of their blind desires, this longing after a beside md yet n from assumes beneath ^ are not of God," adage of sense the aid to be ie may be uen quite ath ? l^o them ? Is leath? Is ,er immor- sunk and ,ns a more |a Christ- lost Para- ll away the .ight (luote [k, entitled istrative of e heathen. [\\e bearers [art of the Iters to the ur after a CREATION WAITING FOR DELIVERANCE. 417 Redeemer came out in greater clearness and in greater strength, and with no troubling, disturbing elements, . . . yet were those longings them- selves not exclusively theirs. They indeed yearned and knew what they yearned for : tlie nations yearned and knew not for what. But still tlicy yearned : for as the earth in its long polar night seeks to supply the absence of the day by the genera- tion of the Nortliern Lights, so does each people in tlie long night of its heathen darkness bring fortli in its yearning after the life of Christ a faint and glim- mering substitute for the same. From these dreamy longings after tlie break of day have proceeded oracles, priests, sacrifices, law-givers, and the like. Men have nowhere given up hoping, nor accjuiesced in the world's evil as the world's law. Everywhere they have had a tradition of a time when they were nearer to God than now, a confident hope of a time when they should be brought nearer again." 2. The second objection to including man in ' the creation " is that he cannot be said to have been made subject to vanity umu/Ulngli/, whereas this may be said of the rest of created things. " Cursed is the ground for thy sake " was the sentence pronounced on the earth for man's sin. And there is a most striking connection between the outward disorder of nature and the inner discord of humanity. When man sinned " all nature felt the wound." But, surely, man felt it most keenly. And, although man sinned " willingly," yet it may with perfect truth be said that he was "not willingly " subjected to "vanity'' — 28 t' \ ''■ ^1 in ■ t f- wk ■■ . k U m 1 \ 418 SERMONS. that without his consent decay and corruption were stamped on his body, and he was doomed to death. It is significant that the first victim of death was named Abel — "vanity." " All men are vanity." " Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity." 3. The tJiird objection is, tliat it is not a fact that men in general shall obtain deliverance. If man is included in " the creation," then it seems to follow that all men shall be brought into the freedom of the glory of the children of God, that all are hoping for deliverance from the bondage of corruption, and that all shall have their hope realized. In reply to this objection, it is sufficient to say that the universality of the declaration concei'ning deliverance creates no greater diflficulty than similar universal expressions, such as, " I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me ; " " Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowl- edge of the truth." If there be those who ex- clude themselves from the drawinj; of Christ and from the salvation ofiered to all, so there may be those who will exclude themelves from the very deliverance for which they more or less consciously long. For we must remember that it is one thing to renew the face of the earth, and (juite another to renew the nature of man. The fiat of Omnipotence will turn the desert into a garden. The saving of u soul is not a question of mere power — not even of omnipotence — it is a question of love and righteous- ness ; of moral force, not physical. And, in God s r m delivered from .sin iZZ. \ ,"'"•'" ">« '""n i« ;-ci«e of that free wil 'Lr wZg ',"""■ '" "- Inrn, may resi.st, a. he docs lal p^*' '■"«™''o«-od appeals add,.os.sed to l.ismor.! ^ °^'"" '■'■''*'■•*'■ ''» "'« not continue to re.si "?' """"■" ''^'•''' >',ay ho hardened by resisting ^,.^1,^"! T? """" ■"°- rosist, then l,e mustfhut h^ ,/ "'' '^ '"' ^''°"''' «o «- fry of the child:: orjid ""' '"■" '"' •^'>- - i have dwelt at leno-th on th;. • . , pas-sage seems to be mbh«I f '"""'' '^'^""^e «'e eance if we exclude ^,".t^f^ °^ ^ '"""'' ''' '^^ «ignifi. i« the drift of ptr „'"'"'" """"'^'"d- What Christians a. ca^td oSn-Hh Ch "t "'"^ " ^'- «-ell suffer, seein.. that 1, ™'- ^ou ,„ay ;;opeof„ory Do^not tn'd ^Uh™-''^"-' "^^ "'« the common lot. You ar7„ »»ffenng.s. It is creation is groanine and ^! .f «eption. The whole '"'e very earth yof tread ;;?;""« '" .P«'" *°=-'her. '"•"'■nJ you. all are combin,; T' ""'""''■''■ "'^ ■»«" r-^,^'otonly the:: te^it ^ "" " '""'' "^ h"ve the first-fruits of the^n . ™ ^°" "*» 'I" not know to win 1 '^ «•'' .'''•"*''™''""'S- ^'hcy Vou are looking fb ward to tT"'"*-' '""'' ' >-«" ''« f."'.ry in the redemZn of he h ' , ~"'P'^''°" "^ >-""■• .™« .sutfer willinclf hi?! " ! ''°''^- "'ell. then, may Vou know that t IZtZr'^T' "'""'""«'>' "-g'orywilUaroutweigh fellri^"" ^'°^^'' "'^' fit III 420 SERMONS. II. TJie sufferings are themselves, in a sense, pro- phecies of liberation from evil. Very significant i.s the figure used in the 22nd verse, " The whole crea- tion is . . . travailing in pain together until now." All these confused cries, articulate and inar- ticulate, that are ascending up to heaven, many oi" them cries against God instead of to God, are birth- pangs. The struggles of all animated beings against pain and death are unconscious prophecies of deliver- ance yet to come. The whole creation is compared to a woman in travail, bearing a new world in her womb. The anguish of every natural birth points forward to the great birth-time of the world, when the promise shall be fulfilled, " Behold, I make all things new." The mystery of death is cleared up when we think of it as but the entrance into a fuller life. If this be true of the creation not yet redeemed, it is true in the fullest sense of the children of God, "Even we ourselves, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body." Wo groan, it is true, but our groaning is no mere vaguo longing for an undefined good, but a confident expec- tation of a glorious issue to all our suffering. We have the first-fruits of the Spirit now; we are waitiii<^' for the complete harvest. Our spirits are renewed already by the indwelling of the spirit of Christ — though " the body is doomed to death because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness." We look for the renewal of our bodies, for the time when " ho that raised up Christ from the dead shall also ' "im CREATION WAITING FOR DELIVERANCE. 421 I.SC, pro- ticant is )le crt-'ii- ler until ,u(l inar- inany of a-e birtb- 'n against i dcliver- parcd to a tier wonib. torvvard to ^e promise ings new." vetbniV: of eenied, it i^ iod. "Even E tbe Spii-it, waiting foi' ,ody." ^'^'^ mere vaguo dent expoc- ering. ^^ ^' are waiting' re renewed of Cbrist- cause of «iii' " We look e when " l^^, shall als(J quicken our mortal bodies by His spirft that dwelleth in us." And so we can sing, "Then welcome, harmless grave I By thee to heaven I'll go ;" for we know that death is to us but the strait fixate through which we nnist pass to enter into life — that the sufferings of this present time are pangs of labonr whicli will end in a glorious new birth. III. Our salvation is on^ of hope, not of sight. But if such hope is ours we may surely endure willingly and steadfastly the present, while waiting for the completion of our glory in the future. " We were saved in hope." In one aspect our salvation is complete, in another it is not yet attained. When we first trusted Christ we were saved. And yet we are exhorted to put on " for an helnuit the hope of salvation." We "received the spirit of adop- tion," and yet we are " waiting for the adoption." What is the meaning of these different expressions ? They mean that we have now in principle what we shall hereafter possess in its full development. Our salvation 7ioiv is but the little seed-corn: by and by it will be a tall stalk with the ripe ear gracefully waving. Now we are saved, as the sick man is cured when he has begun to take the medicine which l)reaks the force of the disease, though he is still confined to his bed ; tlten we shall be saved, as the sick man is cured when all traces of disease are gone and he walks once more with bounding step. Xoiu we are saved as the wrecked man is saved when he makes - 422 SERMONS. the jump from the sinkinjij ship into the life-boat ; then we shall be saved as he is saved when he stands once more safe and sound beside his loved ones on the shore after the waves and billows have been securely passed through. Have we Christ in us tlie hope of glory ? Have we been sealed with that holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession i nm FAITH. 423 e-boat ". ; stands 1 on the lecurely I Have ^e which lemption II FAITH. (l.'Jth September, 1S7S.) " Now faith is the assurance (or confidence) of things hoped for, the conviction (or evidence) of things not seen." — Hku. xi. I. The theme of this stirring chapter is Faith. Tlie closing verses of tlie 10th cliapter contain a warning and an encouragement. " Now, the just shall live hy faith : but if he draw back my soul hath no pleasure in him. But we are not of harkdidinrf unto perdi- tion, but of faith to the saving of the soul " — i.e., the preservation of the true life of the man. In closest connection of thought the 11th chapter opens, " Now faith is " — and then folhnv tlu^ defini- tion and illustration of faith, and the celel)ration of its triumphs. Faith — i.e., confidence regarding the future, and conviction of the reality of the unseen — has been the secret spring of every great and godly life, the condition of success in the large and true sense, the key to all noble deeds and heroic sufferings. In glowing words the writer tells of the victories which the great cloud of witnesses have gained by their faith, and points, last and chiefly, to Jesus " the 424 SERMONS. loader and perfecter of faitli," l)iddinf]j tho Hebrew ChriHtians look to Him, aii<l so run with patience the race set l)erore them'. We consider to-(lay, TItc DeJinUion of FnUh. — " Assurance of things hoped for, the conviction or (evidence) of things not seen " — assurance of the certdlrity of things hoped for, and of the renllty of things not seen. Faith, then, has relation to two classes of oljjects — (1) those that are future, and (2) those that are unseen. 1. Faith in relation to the Future. — It is assurance of the certainty of the glorious future. When a man is confident that, in spite of appearances, the good things promised or hoped for shall be attained, and when the present is dwarfed hy the more glorious future, that man exercises faith. In faith, e.g., the farmer sows. If the few bushels of grain were sent to the mill and ground, tlun-e would be immediate benefit in the shape of so much Hour. But faith looks to the harvest time, when twenty or thirty fold shall be reaped, and so the little brown seedlings are committed to the ground. Boys, you know what faith is, when you give up some portion of your pleasure and play, that by harder work you may win the prize at the end of the term. The sun is bright, and the play-ground charming, and the merry shouts of the cricketers make you almost shut the book and run, for you are a true boy and love cricket ; but you resolutely deny yourself the present enjoyment, that you may make sure of the future good, which you count better worth having. jn FAITH. 425 lobrcNV lice the ^(tith. — ;tion oi' of the idllty of to two ire, and Lssurance en a man the good ined, and 5 glorioiiH I, e.g., the were sent inniediate But faith hirty t'ol<l dlings are \)\x give up that by ihe end of lay-ground cricketers In, for you resolutely you may )unt better Little children, you know what faith is. Some of you have said, when you tooiv the seeds out of a ripe apple, " Mother, can I plant this seed in my gardcui i* And will it grow to be an aj)ple tree ;• And will it have apples on it ^ " And mother said," Yes, but you will have to wait a long time for it to grow." And then you put it under the earth, and if you hatl little faith, you went after a week or two and dug it up to sec if it was growing; and if you had more faith, you waited till the snow came and covere<l up the earth to keep it warm, and then the sun shone and the rains fell, and by and by you saw a little green thing, just like a weed, coming up, and you would have pulled it up, but mother told you that that was the little apple tree. You thought it didn't look a bit like an apple tree — no branches, no bark, and no apples on it — but still you waited, and year after year you watched it. and at last it grew into a real tree. Well, that planting and waiting, expecting a tree to grow out of that little seed, was just faith working — you had the " assurance of things hoped for." Men, some of you know what faith is. When you have come to see that certain political principles, let us suppose, are true, and, therefore, best for the country, and when you liave resolved that, come what may, you will maintain and defend those prin- ciples, whether men call you Tory or Radical, whether the maintenance of those principles leads to power or not, you exercise faith. Appearances may be against you ; short-cuts to success, and very tempting ones, may be open to you ; the temptation to sacrifice con- 14 m 426 SERMONS. ;f 11 viction to policy may be very great; but if you set your faces like a flint, resolved to follow whither Truth, as you see it, may lead, and to take the con- sequences, you are men of faith. You may possibly never enter the promised land ; you may not live to see the triumph of your principles ; if so, you will nevertheless die in faith, not having received the promise, but still cherishing the " assurance " that the things " hoped for " shall certainly be realized. Is religious faith different from this faith in the child, the boy, the man i' Not at all : it only occupies itself with different objects and takes a wider range. Instead of looking for an earthly prize, it looks for " a crown of rightecjusness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give unto all them that love His appearing." Instead of being exercised about an apple tree, it is exercised about " the tree of life," which is in the midst of the street of the New Jeru- salem, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. Instead of being occupied with principles which tend to secure the political and social and commercial well- being of the nation, it is occupied with principles which will secure the holiness and blessedness of redeemed humanity here and hereafter. The believer looks not for the fulfilment of his own theories, but for the fulfilment of God's promises ; he waits not for the triumph of the political party to which he belongs, but for the coming of Christ ; his view is not bounded by the earthly horizon, even though within that horizon he may see political purity and social regenerotion, prosperous commerce, rigiiteous m FAITH. 427 you set whither the con- possibly >t live to you will iived the ' that the 3d. th in the y occupies ler range, looks for Lord, the that love ised about ee of lit'^N" |>^ew Jeru- le nations. A'hich tend rcial well- principles ;sedness of 10 believer leories, but waits not which he lis view is though en purity aiKi riL •hteous laws and international amity; but it takes in tlie eternal atjes durini»; which tliere sliall \w ceaseless progress in the knowledge of God and fellowship with Him, when the good of all lands and of all the generations, their bodies fashioned like unto the body of the glory of Christ, and having the spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelling in them, shall be glorihed with Christ for ever and ever. 2. Faith in relation to the Unseen. — It is " the conviction of things not seen " — the conviction of the reality of things not seen. Faith is not necessarily occupied with the future. You never saw an iceberg. You never saw the rich foliage of tlie tropics. You believe in both. Your eyes tell you that water in the glass is pure. A friend tells you it is I'nll of living things, which he has seen through a micro- scope. You believe liim. Your eves tell vou that the stars are little specks in a soli<l blue hemisphere; the telescope tells you that they are suns and planets, rolling along with inconceivable rapidity. Y< never saw yellow fever, it may be. You never saw one of the sufferers; yet if the plague breaks out you willingly send tens or hundreds of dollars to relieve. You never saw the k 'e in your wife's heai-t, you never will see it: it is one of the thinw that eye cannot see ; and yet you are surer of it than you are that Queen Victoria reigns. You have the "conviction of things not seen." Vou caiuiot see the [)ati(nice and toil and self-denial of th»^ doctors ami mu'ses when some terrible epidemic is raging, and yet your heart throbs as you read of their Christ-like <levotion, even 428 SERMONS. n unto death, as it never throbs when you read that stocks have gone ip, or tliat your candidate has been elected by trickery. You have faith, " the conviction of the reality of the things not seen." Again I ask, Is religious faith a different thing ? No: but it takes higher flights. It concerns itself not simply about " the sweet, sweet love of daugliter, of son and of wife," but about the love sweeter far and more unfathomable, of (Jod in Christ. It rejoices to believe in heroic doing, and more heroic suffering on part of men and women ; but it rejoices still more to trace these to their fountain-head in the one great sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave His life a ransom for all. It delights in the power of even poor human love to lift up the fallen, to soothe the sad, and to succour the dying; but it rises to that "love divine, all loves excelling," which stooped to the lowest degradation that it might raise the lost to the dignity and glory of sons of God. It is " the convic- tion of the solid reality of things not seen." It never saw God : but it knows Him and cliiigs to Him. It knows Him in Christ; the power of the risen Saviour is a more real factor in its spiritual life than the power of an earthly monarch ; the love of Christ is a more constrainiuii" motive than the love of dearest friend. The "unsjen" is not the unknown. Faith is not credulity. It rests on real knowledcre. We know (U)d tiMJuo-h we see Him not. We know His power and wisdom by His works : we know His love and grace by His Christ. We know what God is from the testimony of the manv who have truste<l FAITH. 429 Him : we may know from our own experience. \V(; are not asked to trust an unknown (Jod. liut we are asked to follow whither He points the way, thou^di we see not the path. The two senses of faith melt into one in Clirist. The faith that looks into the future and the faith that realizes (lod in the present arc the same thin<^^ Christ is the revealer of the future glory. Christ is the manifestation of the unseen (irod. It makes God and heaven real. When we are in darkness as to God's existence or His love, when we (piestion the reality of a future life, w«' fall baek on Christ as our i^rand artjument for both, lie lived tlie life of heaven on earth. He "came down from heaven," and yet spoke of himst-lf as 'the Son of Man which is in heaven." His hlesscchu'ss consisted in His oneness with th<i Father — not <loin^- His own will, but the will of His Father. Are we livinf>: that bles.sed life ? Are we walkiuLT with God ? Are we livin<^ in the lit^ht of eternity ( under the powers of a world to come :' (Jr are we concentrating our power and thouglit on the outward and the visible i ^'\\ 430 SERMONS. : ; 1 III. HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS. {J4th September, 1870.) \fi n ■i: i " Blessed ar>.' they whicli do hunger and thirst after righteous- ness ; for they shall be tilled." — Matt. v. 6. I. What is the ()])ject of desire ? What is this good tiling for which it is blessed to long ? Right- eousness. Being and doing riojit. Walkino- in the straight path of duty, turning neither to the right nor to the left. Conformity to God's law, the doing of God's will in every circumstance and every relation of life. To be righteous is more than to be just, as we use the word "just," and as we see the ([uality of justice displayed among men. We cannot help contrasting justice with kindness or generousness. A man should be jtist, we say, before he is genei'ous. The man who is simply just gives exactly what is due, whether of wages to his servant, or of dutifulness to his wife, or of hojioiu' to his sovereign. He does not make allow- ance for faults or shortcomings; he does not overflow with love or loyalty. L^verything is weighed and ^\. : HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS. 431 righteous- IS this Right- g in the le right ,ic doing rehition s we use justice itvasting 1 should ■nan who Hiether of wife, or e allow- )verflow Ihed and measured. Such a man secures our esteem and approval : he does not win our love or devotion. Paul eontrfists the barely just man with the nobly generous when he writes : " Scarcely for a righteous man will oiw die ; yet peradventure for a good man ..ome would even dare to die." Righteousness, as Jesus uses the term here, includes both justice and gO(3dness. It is a great thhig, when there is so nnich of twisting and double dealin*; in social and connnercial life, to find a man of thorough integrity, who will adhere unswervingly lo the strai'dit line of trutli and honour. It is a jjreater thing to find a man who combines with this integrity the gentleness that wins, the meekness that endures wrong, the courage that, seeks to right the oppressed, the mercifulness that forgives until seventy times seven, the pity that is burdened with human misery, the love that is strong as death. " Righteousness " covers all this ground. The righteous man does not simply p.:y his debts: but regards fairly all claims on his time,, l;ls knowledge, his strength, his sym- pathy ; the claims of his children, of his servants, of his friends, of the State, of the Church ; and not these alone, but the claims of the poor, the sick, the tempted, the unfortunate, the fallen, the wretched, the criminal. We see, then, lu)W hum> a field is covered bv tliis wor<l rijjhteousness. It is nothina- less than holiness ; nothing short of perfection. It is the keeping of God's commandments in their length and breadfh, in the spirit, not in the letter, doing the will of ( iod from the heart. 432 SERMONS. m .1 'h 11 " RifijliteousncsH " is sometimes used in a narrower sense in tlie Bible, as in the passage already (juotcd from St. Paul ; but in general it has the rich mean- ing indicated. Thus Moses writes : " It shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these conniuind- ments before the Lord our (Jod, as he hath com- man<ledus." (])eut. vi. 25.) When we look back to tl it ^ context we find the one great connnandment, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, with all thy soul, with all thy might," and we infer that the righteousness of the Old Testament saints was no mere external conformity to rules or to ritual, but was summed up in love of (Jod and neighl)()ur. We turn to Paul and read: " Ood, sending liis own Son in the likeness of sinful fiesh that f/w rifj/iteousncss of the law might be fulfilled in us," etc. It is not a new sort of righteousness that Christ brings in; it is just the old "righteousness of the law," that which law could set before men, but could not secure. But there is a new poivcr of fLdfilmenf, as well as a detirer ^presentation in the life and death of Christ of what God's righteousness is than there could possibly be in words engraven on stones or written in a book. Non', to be righteous is to be Christ-like. Under every dispensation, at every stage of the world's history, righteousness sprang from the root of faith, and faith wrought by love, and love was shown in keeping God's commandments. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him foi- right- eousness. The prophet Habakkuk wrote, " The HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS. 433 rrowor (juotcd mean- be our nmaiul- ,h com- ;k to the , "Thou irt, with fer that ints was o ritual ;i(i-hh()ur. i,i(r His that //"■ lI in us,' iiess tliat Iteousnews 'ore men, poiucr of \n in tlie Iteousness raven on hteous is [e of the the root kn'e was ibrahaui (> r v\i' ht- Tl le rij^liteous shall live by faith ;" and the apostle takes up his text and makes it the theme of his ^rand (;[)istle to the Jlomans. " With the heart man believeth unto rijxhteousness." What is that rij-ht- eousness ? Let Paul answer: "Circumcision is noth- ing, and mu'ireumcision is nothin*:^, but the kee})in(^ of the commandments of God."' (I Cor. vii. I!).; Paul and Moses a<jfree to a nicety. But there is in Paul (a) a clearer ])resei)tation of God's ri<^hteousne.ss ; (6) a new power of fulfilment— Christ the source. This, then, is the righteousness after which it is so blessed to hunwr and thirst. II. Think of the blessedness of the desire for ri;;ht- eousness. ;' Hun<:^er and thir.st," a strikin^L,^ ex])ressi()n to indicate intensity of desire. It is characteristic of the human race to hun<:er and thirst, '['he keen lonj^ino- of tlu! huiif^ry bcjy who stands starin<^ at the ituns in the window of the baker's shop is an endjlem of stronu" desire that clin£js to men throuo;h life. ( )ne hun<j^ers for popularity — cannot be content unless his praises are sounded in nien's ears. Another thirsts I'oi" gold — and what a tormenting thirst it is in some men! A third liungers and thirsts for love — the love of man or woman — a noble longinj--, but one that is often full of pain. In one form or another men ar(! longing for something better and liappiei' than the preseub. The soul of man never says, " It is enough." The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the car tilled with hearing. Men are dissatisfied with their circumstances, and they hurry to and fro, seek- ing for lwi[)piness in change of scene and occn])ation, 29 434 SERMONS. I*;i'r, ■Ui fillirifr their houses witli the good things that money can l)uy, gathering treasurers of art and Hterature wliicli may gratify taste and eidarge the mind. And tliis is so far good. Tliis dissatisfaction with his circumstances is one condition of material progress. Had men not been dissatisfied with hmd)ering stage coaches, we should not have had improved metliods of stream ti-avel. Had men been content with tallow- candles, we should not have learned to utilize gas and electricity for purposes of lighting. But men are dissatisfied with fhemsetves, and no change of circumstances will remove that dissatis- faction. Just as dissatisfaction with his circumstances is a condition of material progress, so dissatisfaction with liimself is a condition of spiritual growth. This noble discontent marks the heii^ht of man's nature, se})arating him by an impassable gulf from the unaspiring brute. It is the root of desire for man's true food ; for that which will nourish the God-like in him; for that which will abide wdien houses and lands and earthly possessions shall have passed away — in short, for righteousness. The longing for righteousness may be said to characterize all men to some extent. Who is there that feels thoroughl}^ satisfied ? Who does not admit that his life is not wdiat it ought to be ? It has been beautifully said " ' I thirst ' is the voice of the whole world." There is a void in man's heart that God alone can till. In many cases, however, the desire is very feeble and partial — desire to break the bonds of some one Iwul money n-ature , Au'l itU Uis rogrt'ss. ig stage methods h tallow ijas autl , and no dissatis- Tustances tisfaction th. This ,'s nature, ^roni the for man's God-iiko uses and sed away |e said to is there Inot admit has been Ithe whole 1 God alone lery feeble lie one hi^d HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS. 435 liabit, whose consequences are unpleasant ; desire that may be (juenched by a stronger desire of gratifying appetite, or of gaining the good opinion of the world. Even tliat measure of desire is a good tiling, for Christ delights to fan the feeble spark into tlame, and it may be the point of contact for the operation of His Spirit. But the desire of which Jesus speaks in the Beatitude is not feeble or fitful — it is hunger and thirst — consum- ing desire ; it is not partial, not to escape the bonds of this or that evil habit, but to attain to righteousness, to be perfect even as the Father in heaven is perfect. This is a bless( longing. It is blessed because it is constantly meeting with partial satisfaction. It is a pleasant thing for the child to be hungry when he is iXoini; home from school to have a irood dinner in his father's ' ause : it would be a terrible thing to feel the pangs of hunger if there were no food in the house and no prospect of getting any. So with the trin? Bread of the soul. It would be indeed an awful thing if men, awakened to a sense of their need of God, bur- dened with the consciousness of guilt, earnestly crying " Deliver us from evil," were condenmed to be perpet- ually unsatisfied, either not knowing that there is " Bread in the Father's house " or being unable to obtain any share of it. But there is " bread enough and to spare," and "water of life " freely flowing, yea, " wine and milk" " without money and without price." And the invitation is, " Ho ! every one that thirsteth." " If any man thirst, hit him come unto Me and drink." Men have come, and are coming, to have their liungeraud thirst satisfied, and not in vain. Still thg I , 4;J6 SERMONS. «>n 'UiM satisfaction is partial. The more wo ^etof rifjhtcovis- ne.ss, the more merciful, pure in heart and (gentle, we become, the more we want. Tlie more we j^row spiritually, the more we hunger for that which pro- motes our j^rowth. And still there is the pain of disappointment. Still we have to cry many a time : " The ^ood that I would I do not." Still hi<^h purposes are unfultilled, <rood resolutions broken, and it nuiy seem as if our strivin<^ were in vain. But here comes in the word of the Lord, " Blessed . . . for they shall be filled ! " Filled with what ! Righteousness, mercifulness, purity, peace, love and joy. " Filled " to the utmost measure of capacity I What the law could not do, love does — the righteous- ness of law falfilled in us ! There is a heart of hope in our efforts. Not always shall we come short, we shall "attain" and "be perfect " ! Not always shall we be wounded and broken in the fight — victory is sure I He who was in the flesh fought all our spiritual foes. He who knows their strength, tells us so. He is our Helper, our Friend, our Brother. " Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world." Abidingj in the Life, we live, we grow strong and pure, we gain the victory. So we look forward and sing : " O Christ is the fountain, the deep sweet well of love, Tlie streams on earth I've tasted, more deep I'll drink above ; There to an ocean's fulness His mercy doth expand. And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuers land." No other hunger shall be thus satisfied. Hunger for gold, or praise, or even love, shall not be "filled " ^o tliat the heq,rt shaU be fully and finally satisfied. HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIOHTEOUSNESS. 437 rhtcOUH- ntU\ w*i re y;n>vv lich \)i'o- piiin of a tiiiH^ : pui-poHeH lI it may " Blessed th what i love and capacity '. riirhtcous- rt of hope short, we ^a shall we i-y is sure '. itual foes. He is our is He that WnU. in the e gain the L"l You luinger for j^old, and you «^et it, and too often the nion^ you accumulate the less 3'()u seom to have, and the less gocxl you get of it. You hunger for praise, and you get it, hut not seldom there is a sting in it, for you know tliat it has not been fairly (earned, or you suspect that it is not genuine. Von hunger for love, and you get it, and you say, it may be, " We are all in all to each other." And If you say so, you are doomed to disappointment. No two human beings can be all in all, for human love has limits. Only one can forever satisfy the soul longing for love. Our love to one another must be rooted in Jiis love, and then indeed there is in it an indefinite expansiveness. Ilk above ; Hunger )e " tilled ' satistied. / , IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I fM IIIIM ? ^ IIIIM i IAS ill 20 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 .« 6" ► V] <? % ^^ /: y >^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 S. ^V <r :\ \ >> .\ «f* V '4' 438 SERMONS. IV. SUFFERING LOVE. (mh Decetnhcr, 1882.) " Love suffereth long, and is kind." — 1 Cor. xiii. 4. Love is the standard by which the worth of gifts is to be measured — their worth is in proportion to tlieir usefulness to others. It is tlie rule of use of all gifts, great or small, natural or supernatural — we are to use them not for our own glorification, but in the service of men. All talents, all powers, all privi- leges, are to be used unselfishly. It is possible, says Paul, to possess great gifts with little or no love ; to speak with tongues and yet be only sounding brass ; to be prophets, as Balaam was, speaking God's truth with our lips, but far from God in heart ; to make great sacrifices, yea, give our bodies to be burned, yet only to do so from some selfish motive. And in that case, however men may praise us, wo are " nothing," for in the spiritual sphere men are counted worthy not in proportion to genius, or gifts- or outward acts, but in proportion to love. Then follows the wonderful delineation of love, which ha.s been rightly accounted one of the gems of Scripture. SUFFERING LOVE. 439 Take, first, the characteristics. " Love suffereth long and is kind." Tlie one is the passive, the other the active side, of love. Love is long-suffering — bears much and long. Bears patiently evils inflicted by others. Bears ingratitu<le, treacli'-ry, misrepresenta- tion, in a gentle spirit. Bears with the weakness, the fretfulness, the indifference, the thank lessness of those whom it seeks to bless. It is comparatively easy to be kind to the grateful, but one is apt to be wearied by ingratitude. It is easy to minister to a sick friend who is patient : not so easy to one who is fret- ful. It is satisfactory to relieve the worthy who are in need ; not ho easy to relieve the unworthy, those who have thrown away opportunities. Do wo not sometimes expect too much from the tempted and the fallen ? " Kind." This is positive. Love does all the good it can to others — to friends and kindred of course ; to the poor, to enemies, to outcasts : by words and deeds. It spends time and money, thought and sympathy. It does not say, " Am I my brother's keeper ? " It <loes not say, " I am vot bound to do this or that." There are no assi<;nable limits to love. It is ever reachiuir out in wider circles to all who need help. Foremost in the list of characteristics of love is "long-suffering." Love has burdens to bear — the wants and sorrows and sins of others. It " weeps with those that weep." It has crosses to carry of which selfishness knows nothing. The man who loves most will be the greatest sufferer. It was by no accident, it was by no arbitrary arrangement, it was I ■•A t J-: 440 SERMONS. in accordance with the very nature of things, that Jesus, who was Love incarnate, was emphatically the " Man of Sorrows." The path of love led Hiin to the Cross. The more nearly we approach Him in our love to others, the more we shall know of suffering. The more we try to bear the burdens of sin and shame under which men arc groaning, the more w(i shall know what is meant by "the fellowship of Christ's sufferings " and " being made conformable unto His death." If you would avoid suffering, therefore, turn aside from the path of love. Shut your ears to the cry of the needy, the unfortunate, the sad, the fallen, the ignorant, the wretched. Live in a respectable neigh- bourhood and forget, as far as you can, that there are sin and shame and soitow >vithin easy reach of your residence that are not respectable. Drop the accpiaintance of men who arc beginning to go astray and who may possibly bring reproach on your name, or may give you trouble by asking for counsel or aid. Join a respectable church if you choose ; but do not allow yourself to be carried away by the fanaticism of people who think that the main business of the Church is to save lost men and women. Shut yourself out from the fellowship of those who might make any unpleasant demands on your time, or your money, or your sympathy ; who might interfere with your com- fort, or your gain, or your self-indulgence. Do all this, and you will avoid a good deal of suffering and at the same time be thoroughly respectable. But if you would be like Christ, you must, like SUFFERING LOVE. 4 a irrs, that cally the jii to the 1 in our sufforinj]j. sin and more w6 wship of iformable turn aside the cry of fallen, the ihle neij;h- t there are ' reach ot Drop the go astray y'our name, isel or aid. ,ut do not fanaticism ess of the t yourself make any money, or your com- le. l-)o all fering and Him, be " acquainted with grief." You must open your hearts to an ever-widening circle of your fellows who stand in need of your help. You must le< the tendrils of your love cling to every one with whom God brings you into contact — not only to the good and gentle and refined, with whom it is a pleasure to have intercourse, but also to the unlovely, the dis- agreeable, the disgusting. You must make their wants, sorrows, trials, your own. And you sliall suffer, but it will be blessed suttering, for it will bring you nearer to God. It will be suffering with a kernel of joy at the heart of it. You shall enter into the "joy of your Lord " — joy over the lost found, over the ban- ished brought home, over men set free from the bondage of sin and brought into the glori<iUs liberty of the sons of God. Who that knows Christ would not willingly share in the suffering that he might enter into the joy ? '^. Uust, like 442 SERMONS. V. THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. (2nd September, 1SS3.) " If any man n'illeth to do liis will, he sliall know of the tenrhintj, whether it be of God, or whether I apeak from myself." — John vii. 17. " When he, the Spirit of trutli, is come, he siiall {f>iirli> you into all the truth," — John xvi. 13. Men were perplexed by the words of this new Teaelior. Some said, " He is a good man ; " others, " Nay, but He deceiveth the people." How were they to know whether His teaching was divine or not ? What test were they to apply ? Jesus gives this answer : " If any man ivUletk to do," etc. At first sight the statement is strange. The converse might be thought more reasonable : " If any man will take pains to knoiv what God's will is, he shall be enabled to do it." Willingness to do God's will, i.e., the spirit of loving obedience, is the condition of knowing trutli. The principle is specially applicable in the realm of moral and spiritual truth, though it applies in measure to lower spheres of knowledge. Knowing comes by doing. By doing God's will in the sphere of the THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. 443 TH. le fffirhinil, ,^f "—John this new i;" others, o\v were klivine or Uus t^ives I' etc. At converse man will shall i)e material or intellectual, i.e., by acting; in obedience to the laws which God has established, we come to know that will as we could never have known it apart from experience. A boy may be tauji^ht that on certain conditions his body will tloat in the water, but his knowledge is different after he lias trusted himself to the water and learned to swim. A pupil may l)e able to state the result of an arithmetical or alirebraic problem with perfect correctness, but he does not know it as another does who with painful eHbrt, and after many failures, has found it out, and who under- stands the principle on which the result has been obtained. Ob-serve, however, it is not so much (hniy/ (iod's will that is said to be condition of knowledge, as being willing to do it. " If any man iv'dleth" etc. In short, moral sincerity is the thing desired — what our Lord, in Luke's account of the parable of the Sower, calls " an honest and good heart. " Now, this moral qualification is in large measure needed for successful gaining of knowle<lge in a lower sphere. Truth in science, art, political economy — if a man would know such truth, he must liave the H])irit of the truth seeker ; must have a mind open to the light ; must be ready to recognize laws which (fod has stamped on the material universe and on human life. If he seeks his own glory instead of God's ; if he tries to establish his own " views " instead of finding out God's will, he must fail. It is the humble spirit patiently seeking to understand God's ways in nature and providence, that is as a rule rewarded with success in the search for truth. 444 SERMONS. :ll Iti Clearly this principle will apply with {greatest force to truth ahout our moral and spiritual relations. This is the truth which is indispensahle to the peace of the human spirit because directly affectinjj duty and life at important .points. What is my relation to the B«Mnf( who j^ave me life ? What are my duties to my fellows ? What is my destiny ? Sin is a terrible fact — how shall 1 f^et rid of it { Misery is a fact — what is the explanation of it :* Is it incurable i J)eath is an awful fact — is there any way of meeting it calndy, of triumphing over it i Who can tell me triU}/ about these things ? Is it possiV)le to find out the truth i* " What is truth ? " is a (juostion put by many besides Pilate — sometimes in contempt, some- times in despair — a8ke<l as despairingly in Christen- dom as ever in heathendom. Still, amid the blaze of light from the Bible and the Cross, " we grope and gather dust and chart" ! The human spirit cannot rest without knowing the truth that artects the welfare of the spirit. We may do without a knowledge of astronomy, etc. We long to be assured on some infallible authority that we are right in our beliefs about God, life and innnortality. We cannot be satisfied with a '* perhaps." Herein lies the strength of the Church of Rome. She comes to perplexed spirits and says, " I will guide you in- fallibly." The dogma of the infallibility of the Pope is meant expressly to meet this want. It was long doubtful where the infallibility rested, whether in Councils, or Pope, or both together. Now men are pointed to an old man at Rome, and told, " There is THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. 44: 3st force IS. Thi8 ;e of the and life \ to the ea to my terrihle a fact — icurable i ■ meeting n tell me I find out »n put by npt, some- Christen- le blaze of grope and lOWing the We may We long lat we are mortality. " Herein iShe comes le you in- the Pope was long Ihether in men aro " There is the infallible guide." To those who can accept it, what a strain it takes off mind and heart I There is no more per|)l«'xity, no more groping in* the dark, but .simple, restful, ab.solute submissio!i— rand henr'o peace. " False peace," we Protestants .say, and rightly. We repudiate the infallibility of Church and Pope, and we refer men to the Bible. That, we .say, is " the in- fallible rule of faith and ))ractice." " Hut it needs an interpreter." That is true, for interpretations are endlessly various. Here Home steps in and says, " The Church is the infallible interpreter, an<l the Book is not a safe guide except as interpreted by the Church." We .say, God is the ]nt«'rpreter, and each human spirit has direct access to the Source of all illumination. "The Spirit of truth will guide you into all the truth." A great ])romise ! This does not mean that every man is at liberty to think what he likes about the Book, irrespective of Divine teaching; but that no man, no priest, no church, has the right to insist that men .shall drink the living water from their cups or their canals, when the Fountain itself is always open to them. Nor does it mean that the voice of the Church, the result of the earnest thought and prayerful study of good men, is to be disregarded. The Spirit of truth was accessible to them, as well as to us, promised to them as to us; it is at our peril if we shut our minds against the light which they have to imj)art. Hence the absurdity of the conceit of men who say : " Fling away conuiientaries and go directly to the 446 SERMONS. Bible as 1 do," which is f^enorally found to iDCan '•Take nw as your coinineiitator, and you will bo safe I " Hrncu the unwisdom of tryinjjj to cut loose cvon in this a;;*' of shifting; opinion from the creeds which ^ive in condensed form the result of Christian thouj^lit on many important points. It seems to be dirticult to avoid one of the two extremes — that of makin;^; the creed an idol, a })ositive hindrance to the free entranc*' of the li^^ht of truth into men's minds, which practically takes the place in Protestant Churches of trddition, or the Pope in the Church of Rome : or that of casting; it away as utterly worth- less because it now only partially represents the mind of the Ciiurch. Nay more, it is p()ssil)le to use tlie Bible itself in such a way as to sliut out (Jod and His trutli. There is a wav of usinj; Bible sentences which is sinjply superstitious, a way of picking and piecinj; texts which is unprincipled. There is a possibility of being in bonda«ife to the letter of it so as to lose its spirit, of applying its utterances to persons and circumstances with which they have nothing to do. The Bible is not a code of rules ready-made to be applied to all the events of life. (lod has not given it to us to save us the trouble of thinking. That is what Rome professes to do. His Word is a "light" to our path, but still we have to think and judge about the patii, and most assuretUy we are not freed from perplexity about the mystei'ies of life and of eternity. One sometimes thinks that the burden of life is heavier, THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH. 447 to mean I will be cut kx)se ho creeds Christian 'ins to be i— that of ice to the ii's miiuls, Protestant Church of rly worth- ,s the niin«l ami the problems of existenct more difficult of solution than thev^ wen* in the days of Job or .lereniiah. \V«' sometimes think it wouhl have been so easy to makr tlu' Bible dearer — to prevent the miscon- ceptions and mistakes that have arisen. Mi*;ht not the whole of the Transubstantiation controversy ft. have l)een jU'evented by a few words of comment on the sentence, "This is my body ' ;• Mi^dit not the relation of children to the Church have been so clearly detined as to have .saved all the ar^uin^ about infant baptism i* Would it not have prevented much perplexity if there had been some indication of what we are to approve and what to condemn in the j^reat characters of Scripture ? Mi^lit not tlu; Trinity and the Atonement have been set in clearer li^dit, .so that men would not havr* stumbled ,so much as they do at them ? Mi<(ht there not have been, as a (|uaint character in a well-known story su^^^jests, "a book of Leviticus in the New Testament" to j^ive direction about conduct ? But Cod has left the Bible as it is, with its ap- parent contradictions and anomalies, with its strange silence on many points, with its liability to mi.scon- struction. (iod's " tronl " is in it, but it does not always lie on t .c surface, nor does it discover itself to the heedless or indolent seeker. It lies hid in histories and parables and allegories and love stories; in p.salms and proverbs and letters to individuals or to churches ; and we must search for it as for hi(l treasure. s !;ti m III ! ' m: 1 '#1 \t 448 SEUMONS. TIk^ Bible throws lif^ht on the enif^mas of life. Yet the Bible itself is in sonm reH|)eets an eni;;iua. The wonls of J(\suh are the kernel of the Bible, ami yet even over them how men have wranj^h'd I Some of His .sayinj^H are amon<; the hardest of interpreta- tion in the whole Book — hard even to the humble an<l lovin«r spirit, harder still to men; intellect seek- ing with granmiar and lexicon to sound their depths. We nnist join the words with the Life,an<l interpret them in the light of that Life. There are no words that will less bear to be separated from the spirit and character of the Person who uttered them. "The Life is the Light of men." The life of .le.sus is the utterance of CJod's thought. Here was One perse- cuted, yet l)lessed — losing His life, to find it again in untold myriads of souls save<l b}' His death — a Man of sorrows, yet with an inward peace such as the most prosperous never enjoyed, a joy such as the world knows not, peace an<l joy which He can bestow as from a never-failing spring on all who will receive — sufi'ering a shameful death and thereby highly ex- alted, attaining a name that is above every name — an unknown, poor, friendless Man, yet in the hour of greatest danger speaking prophetic words as to the extension of His Kingdom, which the lapse of centuries has proved signally true. How shall we understand that Life — that Death ^ Not by logic, but by love. Not clearness of head, but purity of heart is needed. Logic will in vain try to reconcile the discrepancies, either of the Life or of the words. Love alone can .solve the enigma: " He that loveth not, knowetU not." » THK KNOWLEDOE OF THE TRUTH. 44!) of life. iiM*', ami i : Some iti'i-pn'tJi- [} humble lect Hcek- ir depths, intcrprt't no words spirit and , m. " Tlic osviH is the Jno perse- it aj^ain in th — a Man iich as the ich as the ;}in bestow 1 receive — lijrhly ex- [ry name — ihe hour of as to the hipse of lat Death '. is of head, II in vain If the Lif»' e enigma : The central fijjure in the Hible is Jesus Christ. All previous teaching culn)inat<'s in His — He tills u|) tla^ law and the prophets. All sul>sr(|uent t«'aching grows out of His, is a development of what He had said in germ. The IJfr and Death explain the words. Th»' Spirit unfolds the meaning of the Life and Death. We have an infallible rule of conduct — the Life of Chiist. We are to leai'n it. We have an iid'allible interpret«'r — the Sj)irit of the truth, who /Hirifif's our /h'( n't ft, Hi) that we understand and welcome the truth. Does it follow that we shall have no j<er- plexiti(?s? A.ssuredly not; for we have not on 'n\f(iU\hlf> (tjyprehc.iision of the teaching of tlu' S|>iiit. It do(!s follow, however, that we hav«' contidence that even throuifh error and darkness an<l doubt we shall be idtimately brought int») tlu; light of <Jod, that we shdll know, if we " follow on to know the Fiord." Eternity will show that not in identity of belief, but in uvih/ of uplrit does the true unity of the Church consist. Tho.se of us who hope y^'t to .see one Protestant Clunrh in this land might well despair if unifonnity of Ijelief were essential. There will be strange meetings in heaven, and none stranger, per- haps, than those of keen theological disputants, who iu«l<red one: another traitors to the ti'uth of (lod. The devout Romanist, seeing in the words of his Lord the warrant for the .sacrifice of the Ma.ss will be surprised to meet the earnest Protestant who con- demned him as an idolater. The Trinitarian will Hud before the throne many a T^nitarian wdio denied in words the deity of Chri.st, but who paid Him the 30 li 450 SERMONS. full homage of a reverential and confidinj; love as the express image of the Father, and who lived not to himself but to Christ, Many souls that all through life went sad and heavy-laden because they could only dindy discern the features of the Saviour behind the veil of superstition, will rejoice along with many who were kept altogether outside the pale of the Christian Church by the narrowness of good men, when together they behold the Saviour " as He is," — when they see His face and serve Him. " Now we see through a glass, but then face to face ; " Now we know in part, then shall we know as we are known. " Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." I ^ 1 u THE PLACE AND THE WAY. 451 lovo as lived not through cy could Saviour ce along tside the nvness of > Saviour erve Him. ce to face ; [lovv as we ^ attained, the same VI. THE PLACE AND THE WAY. {J!nh Aiii/u.st, IS.Sf!.) " And whither I go, ye know the way. Tluimas saith unto him, Lonl, we know not whither thou goest ; hf)w know we the way ? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and tlie truth, and the life ; no one cometh unto the Father, l>ut by me." — .John xiv. 4-6. We cast our eyes back over a few verses and read (xiii. 'i.S) " Little children, yet a little while I am with you. . . . Whither I go, ye cannot come." These words, tender and yet troubling, were still sounding in the ears of the faithful eleven. Separa- tion from their loved Master is imminent, an<l He seeks to prepare them for the hour of darkness that is coming. He speaks words of cheer, which have lightened the burdens of many thousands of trouble<l hearts. " Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God ; believe also in Me." Let faith cure your fears. Remember there is One who governs all things in wisdom and love — '* the Father," of whom I have so often told you. Trust Him to bring light out of darkness. Trust Me, too; do not doubt Me too ro. H'' I 452 SERMONS. hastily. Forget not the many tokens of love and power I have shown you. Trust Me now when I tell you that all shall be well, that My going away is necessary in order that all may be well. Trust Me as the llevealer of the Father, who came from God and go to God. " In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told 3^ou : for I go to pre- pare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto my- self, that where I am there ye may be also. And whither I go, ye know the way." We have here, then, the place tuhich Christ is pre- paring, and the ivay to it. I. The Place. — " I go to prejiare a place for you," among the many "dwelling places" in " My Father's house." The " Father's house " is God's home. If we ask tvhere that is, we are reminded of Isaiah's " I dwell in the high and holy place " ; of the Psalm- ist's, '* () though that dwellest in the heavens " ; of the Lord's Prayer, " Our Father which art in heaven " ; of Paul's " dwelling in light unapproach- able" (1 Timothy vi. Ki). God fills all things: He dwells " with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit " as well as " in the higli and holy place " ; we may understand the Father's house to be the universe which He fills with His presence, or some central region of light in which the glory of His love is especially manifested. " In My Father's house are many dwelling-places." " Mansion," which now means a large, stately edifice, THE PLACE AND THE WAY. 453 ove and leii I tell away ia ist Me as God and ons, if it ro to pre- ro a place unto niy- Iso. And ist is pre- for you," y Father's lie. If we saiah's " I he Psahn- heavens " ; Ich art in approach - II thin*,^s; itrite and and holy ouse to be esence, or ry of His g-places. ly edifice, used to mean simply " dwelling house, " and that is its meaning here. The word conveys the idea of rest and permanence. Dwelling houses, not tents, we shall have in heaven — " a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." The Son abideth ever, and we, being joint heirs with Christ, shall be for ever at home, " At home with the Lord." We shall live there with our risen and glorified Saviour. For we are to have glorious bodies as well as glorified spirits, and the dwelling-places will be adapted to the needs of the inhabitants. If we could get firm hold of the truth conveyed by these wcjrds of the Lord Jesus, would it not alter the feelings wdiich many of us still cherish when we think of the next world !" Do we not often think of Death as severing the ties that bin<l us to this warm, home- like world and landing us outsi<le in the cold and darkness, where everything is strange / Thank (Jod, to most of us this world is liappy and home-like ; but yet it is not, and is not meant to be, such a home as heaven — it is not our true houm — it is rather the vestibule. Heaven is a roomy place. There are " many " dwelling-places, because there are " many sons" to be brought to glory. Who can tell how many :* Our widest thouixlits come far short of God's thou<xhts. The "breadth" as well as the length and depth an<l height of the love of God in Christ " passeth kiiow- ledii'e." "For the love of (Jod is broader than the measure of man's mind," etc. We cannot tell what a vast nmltitude of men and nations are embraced in ' I? a. * 454 SERMONS. that love, " Many " shall come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven." " A jijreat mul- titude," which no man can num})er, shall stand before the throne of God and before the Lamb. T)ie Saviour of mankind "shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied " as he surveys the crowds of redeemed ones that " throng up the steeps of light," as He listens to the " ten thousand times ton thousand and thousands of thousands saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power and riches and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing." Among these dwelling-places He is preparing <i place for each of His disciples. In what the pi-epar- ation consists we cannot tell ; but we may supposi' that it is connected with the taking of Christ's own holy humanity into heaven. Our " great High Priest, Jesus, the Son of God, is passed into the heavens," and now we sing " When Thou hadst overcome the sharp- ness of death, Thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers." A place "for you." The words have an individual- izing tenderness about them. Though the Father's house is large and glorious, no child, however little, shall feel lost or lonely in it. Just as, in some of our houses, there is the library or office for the father, the work-room for the mother, the nursery or play -room for the children, each of these fitted up for the person that is to use it, so shall it be in heaven. Whatever the capacity of each child for blessedness, he shall be THE PLACE AND THK WAY. 45.' fille<l. We shall not all berjin at the same stajre of knowledge or of holiness : we shall not all have our spiritual life developed after precisely the same fashion. God loves variety, and there will not be dead uniformity in heaven. In tlie preparation of the several places in which His saints are to live, Christ will consult their respective needs, spiritual antl intel- lectual. There will be places for the little children and places for the mother souls that have borne the burdens for others ; places for the wise and learned, where they may eternally increase under most favour- able circumstances their stores of wisdom and know- ledge, and places for the simple and untiiught where they njay use their scanty powers to the best advantage in tiie service of the King. The presence ofChritit will be an essential element of blessedness. II. The Way. — " Whither I go, ye know the way. Thomas saith," etc. " I am the Way," etc. This is not a harsh or narrow declaration, but a statement of fact. There is no real recognition of the Fatherliness of God apart from Christianity. In tlie answer of Jesus " the Way " is the leading thought. The " truth " and " life " are subordinate. The closinof words of verse six show this : " I am the Way because I am the Truth and the Life, etc. I am tlie perfect manifestation of (iod and the motive imiver to bring man to God." 1. Christ is the Way, because He reveals God. He can say not simply " I teach you aVtout the Father," but " He that hath seen Me," etc. " What I am, God is." Philip wished to see God, as you and I have ■T 45G SERMONS. longed that there might be some unmistakable mani- festation of what God is and what He wills. Jesus says, look at Me. I show you God's very heart ; learn of Me and you shall know (Jod. " Have I been so long . . and dost thou not know Me, Philip ? " So He speaks to us. Above all, in His sacrifice. He makes clear God's heart of love to sinners — God's grace to the undeserving. God comes to us in Christ saying, " See in My Son how I feel about your sin ; see in His life My unsullied purity ; see in His sorrow and surt'ering My hatred of sin, ]\Iy love of sinners ; hear in His word of forgiveness My forgiveness." 2. Christ is the Way, because He is the motive poii'cr to bring men to God. He is the life : He (juickens by imparting life as the vine-stock does to the branch ; He renews the will so that the prodigal is able to arise and return to the Father. It is more important to know the Way than the goal. The soul asks, " Where is tlie great ocean i " and the stream answers, " Trust yourself to me and I will bear you to the ocean." It is of infinitely more consequence to know Christ than to descant on the glories of heaven. " I will not gaze on glory but on my King of grace." No road from earth to heaven stretches far enough except Clirist the Way. m WHO MAY BE COMMUNICANTS. 457 le mani- , Jesus { heart ; e I been ?»hilip ? " :itice, He s — God's in Christ r sin ; see rrow and ers ; hear le 7notlve life: He ;k does to e prodigal ler. It is oal. The Ihe stream boar you juence to 1' heaven, f grace." r enough VII. WHO MAY BE COMMUNICANTS IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ? {£3nl October, 1SS7. ) " Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt he saved, thou and thy house." — Acts xvi. 31. " He that hath my coinniandnients and keepeth them, lie it is that loveth Me." — John xiv. 21. What are the conditions of admission to full com- munion in the Presbyterian Church ? Who may, and who may not, be communicants ? These are ([uestions which, in effect, I am often asked. Let me try to answer them plainly. In the ttrst place, let it be distinctly understood that the terms of admission to the Presbyterian Church ought not to be in any respect different from the terms of admission to any other branch of the Church of Jesus Christ. Every member of the Presbyterian Church is professedly a member of the Church of Christ; conversely, any member of the Church of Christ may be a member of the Presby- terian Church. The (juestion, therefore, with which I am dealing is, in reality, this : What are the terms of achiiisslon to the Church of Jenus Christ? . i %M 458 SERMONS. Let me give the answer under two liearls : I. In respect to Creed. II. In respect to Life. I. What are the terms of a<hnission to the Church in respect to Creed ^ What nnist a man, or a child, believe in order to be a Church member in full com- munion ?* Must ho accept the Westminster Confes- sion of Faith ^ or the Shorter Catechism ? or the Apostles' Creed ? It may sur[)rise some persons to be told that the candidate for membership in the Presbyterian Church is not required by any law of the Church to jrive his assent to any one of these statements of Divine truth. Assent to the Confession of Faith is required of office-bearers in the Church, but not of private members. The children of the Presbyterian Church are taught the Shorter Catechism, ami must have their thinking largely moulded by that marvellous compendium of theology ; but they are not recjuired, when coming to the Lord's Table, to declare their acceptance of the teachings of the Catechism. Nor are they required to accept the Apostles' Creed. In- dividual ministers or sessions may ask assent to one or other of these documents, or to some other state- ment of truth ; but no such assent is j)rescrihed by the law of the Church. In the " Rules and Forms of Procedure " I find the following statement under the head " The Congregation " : " The members of a * Every baptized child is, of course, a member of the Church, though not " in full communion." WHO MAY BE COMMUNICANTS. 459 he Church or a child, n full coul- ter Cont'es- \m ? or the [d that the L-ian Church to give his livine truth. required oi of private riau Church iiiUHt have marvellous lot re(iuired. eclare their ihism. Nor Creed. In- isent to one •ther stato- 'escrihed hy id Forms of It under the jnbers of fi If the Church, conj^refjation entitled to all Churcli privilof]res are those, who upon profession of faitli in C'lirist and ol)edience to Him have been received l)y tlie Session into full communion." (Sec. 1 {>!).) Tlie duty of the session in regard to ap})licants for admission to full connnunion is thus dealt with in the same hook (Sec. 13): " The application " [/.^., to he received into full connnunion] " is then reported to the session, jind, when satisfied of the aj)plicant's knowledge of Divine truth and of his Christian character and deportment, the session receives him in such a manner as may be deemed for edificati(m." Usage, I presume, varies very nnich. What is practically aimed at is assent to the " fundametitals " of the Christian faith. But what are the " funda- mentals " ? What is included un<ler " faith in Christ and obedience to Him " f For example, is it im{)era- tive that a candidate for admission to full communion in the Church should believe in the doctrine of the Trinity as traditionally set forth in the Nicene or the Athanasian Creed, or in the Westminster Confession i or that he should biilieve in the theory of the Atone- ment that prevails in the Church ? or in the opinions handed down from the fathei'S concerninir future punishment ^ To each of these <|Uestions I advisedly answer, No. I cite such (juestions as these boldly, rather than (juestions about the six <lays of creation, or about predestination, or final perseverance, l)ecause the former are the (questions about which thoughtful men are troubled nowadays. Is it of no consequence, then, what a man believes 460 SERMONS. 1 1 Hi 1^ about tlu' ))ointH rcfcrrod to ? May hv tliiiik what lie pleascH :' Far IVoiu it. It is of ^rcat inoiiK'iit tliat lie hIiouM think truly, uiKler the ^uidaiico of the Spirit of truth Himself, conci'rniiij^ such matters. Moreover, he will he a foolish man if he throw away as worthless the results of the thouj^ht of past i;«'nerations. And, yet, it remains true that he is not hound hy any traditional inti'rpretations of, or deductions from, the Word of Cod, hut is at liberty to ^o afre.sh to the fountain and drink for himself. It mav be ijranted, for instance, to be esscjitial that a Chri.stian man should believe in God, the Father, the Son and the Hcjly Spirit: but it <loes not follow that he accepts all the statements of the Xicene Creed, or of the Athanasian, re^ardin;^^ these distinctions in the divine nature. So, a<i;ain, it may be held to be essential that he should believe in The Aioiiemftif of .le.sus Christ, who "died for (jur sins according to the Sci'iptures," " who ^ave Himself for us,' "who His own self bare our sins in His own body upon the tree"; but not that he should accept the theory of An.selm, or of Calvin, or of Wesley, concerning the nature of the sutf'erinns of Christ and the way in which reconciliji- tion to Hod is thereby secured. If, when he finds it stated in the Shoi'ter Catechism that Christ ottered up Him.self " a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice," he should wish to add that the offerinir was intended to satisfy divine love not less than divine justice, he will not be cast out as a heretic. So, again, it may be regarded as essential that he WHO MAY BE COMMUNICANTS. 4G1 h1i()u1<1 Ix'Hcvr in tlic tcacliint; of Christ as to " th«^ ctenml tire, pn']»an'<l for tlu' devil ami iiis aiij^'cls." into which the\vickt'(l .shall " depart "; hut it (iocs not folh.w that he accepts ine(lia>val helief.s ahout the tortures of the danined, or that he does not helieve that there is lio^ht yet to he «^ot from (Jod's Word on this tremendous theme. Faith in C'hri.st and ohedience to Him." Tl lese d^ wonls evidently ;jo down to the fundamentals. 'I'hey echo the woi'ds of our two te.xts. What, then, i,s " faith in Christ "' ? What is meant hv the lenlv of Paul and Silas to the jailer : "Believe on the Lord .lesus " t Those words clearly im])ly some helief uJunif .h'sus. We must helieve some thini^s dhoat liim hefore we can ])elieve on Him. Nay, we nuist believe ^i-eat thinj^^s about him before we can l)eli(!ve on Him in the sense of the New Testament writei's — before, that is, we can yield Him the absolute trust and the uncompromising obedience which H(^ demands. On tin; other hand, faith in Christ is consistent with much misbelief or imperfection of belief dhouf Him, The little child of a vear old believes in his mother and holds out his arms to her trustfully as In; would not to a stranger; but his belief about !)< r must be very endjryonic. Many a man is a loyal subject of Britain who knows little of her history, and wdio could not pass an examination on the British Constitution. There are men ready to die lor their country who could not explain the difierence between the system of Government in Britain and that in the 462 SEHMONS. . 5 li i f Unitt'*! States. So with loyalty to Clirist. Men may be rcjuly to obey His last eoiiiiiiaii<l — willing to follow Him whitluTsoi'Vt'r Ho leads — and yet may he sorely puz/Jed ahout the mystery of His Person. What is t(j he done in the case of such persona ? Arc they to ))e excluded from Church fellowship until they can pronounce the Shihholeth of the creeds { The Church is tolerant of much imperfec- tion in the conduct of her mendxirs, provided only "the root of the matter " is in them. Is not the author of " Kcce Flomo" rij^ht whenhe maintains that " we ou^ht to be just as tolerant of an imperfi^ct creed as we are of an imperfect practice ? Everythin*^ which can be ur<j;ed in excuse for the latter may also be pleaded for the former. If the way to Christian action is ))eset by corrupt habits and misleading' passions, the path to Christian truth is overgrown with prejudices and strewn with fallen theories and rotting systems which hide it from our view. It is (juite as hard to think rightly as it is to act rightly, or even to feel rightly. And, as all allow that an error is a less culpable thing than a crime or a vicious passion, it is monstrous that it should be more severely punished ; it is monstrous that Christ, who was called the friend of pul)licans and sinners, should be represented as the pitiless enemy of bewildered seekers of truth. How could men have been guilty of such an inconsistency ? By speaking of what they do not understand. ... To the world at large it seems quite easy to find truth, and inexcusable to miss it. And no wonder ! For by finding truth they WHO MAY HE COMMUNICANTS. 463 moan only learning l»y rote tlu; maxiniH cunviit aiouiK 1th (>ni. "Thus Christian heliof is fully as hard a thint; as Christian ))ractici>. It is intrinsically as hard, and those who do not perceive the <litficiilty of it under- stand it Just so much less than thos»^ who <lo. Christ's first followers, as we have seen, were far from pos- sessing the full CMiristian belief. Not till lon<,' after His <leparture did they arrive at those conclusions which are now repirded as constituting^ (Christian theolofjv. " But when it is once acknowledi;ed that to attain a full an<l firm belief in Christ s theolo<;y is hard, then it follows at once that a man may be a Christian without it. . . •. Do we find Him" (i.e., Christ) " frequently examining; his followers in their cree<l, and rejecting one as a sceptic and another as an infidel ? Sceptics they were all, so long as He was among them, a society of doubters, attaining to faith only at intervals, and then falling back again into uncertainty. And from their Master they received reproofs for this, but reproofs tenderly expressed ; not dry threats nor cold dismission. As.suredly those who represent Christ as presenting to men an abstruse theology, and saying to them peremptorily, ' Believe or be damned,' have the coar.sest conception of the Saviour of the world. He will reject, He tells us, those who refuse to clothe the naked or tend the sick, those whose lamps have gone out, those who have 4 I 464 SERMONS. buried their talents, not those whose minds are poorly furnished with theological knowledge." These are true words. It is not a matter of little moment what a man believes about the person of Christ ; it is his duty to seek to know the truth concerning this great subject, and it is the duty of the teachers in the Church to " expound unto him the way of God more carefully " on this theme ; but it is possible for him to entertain mistaken notions regard- ing it and yet to have true faith in Jesus Christ. There are men who deny in terms the deity of Christ, who yet bow before Him with more absolute rever- ence and submission than some of tliose who in terms acknowledge His deity. Here is a man who says "Jesus Christ is God, and 1 worship Him "; and yet he strives for riches as keenly, and regards his brother's rights as little, as if Jesus liad never said, " Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth," and as if His apostle had never written, " Not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others." Yonder is a man who says, " I accept Jesus as my Saviour and my Lord ; but 1 cannot tell whether he is equal to the Father or not " : but the man's whole life is a following of the pre- cepts of Jesus as to purity, unworldliness, gentleness, self-forgetfulness, love to God and man. Which of the.se two men would Jesus welcome as His disciple ? Can it be doubted that He would say of the latter as He said of the man whom the disciples forbade to cast out devils because he " followed not " them : " Forbid him not ; for there is no man which shall do " these WHO MAY BE COMMUNICANTS. 465 nds are of little erson of be truth duty of ) him the but it is IS regard - IS Christ, of Christ, ate rever- ^ in terms who says ; and yet irards his ever said, ,he earth, it looking ou also to says, " I •d; but 1 or not " ■. the pre- entleness, [which of disciple ? latter as Ide to cast " Forbid o " these tilings " in My name, and be able quickly to speak evil of Me " ? True faith in Jesus Clirist is consistent with much misbelief about His person. We have read in the Sunday school les.son for to-day of a woman touching the liem of Christ's robe, under the im- pression that she would get some good from this contact. " Superstition ! " we say ; and so it was ; yet there was true faith in that woman's jjeart. She knew her sore need of heabno', and she believed in the power of Jesus to heal ; and His love met her faith with a ready response. So, doubtless, there is many a poor soul repeating Pater Not^tevs and counting beads in a way that provokes a pitying smile, who yet has some germ of true faith in the unseen Lord whose image is before her ; ami these uninstructed, yet genuine, believers w^ill go into the kingdom of heaven before some self-complacent and sell-indulgent Protestants who confound knowledge of theology with faith in Jesus Christ. " Faith in Christ and obedience to Him." The only faith in Jesus that is worth anything is faith that oheyf< — " faith working through love." " He that liath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me." The loyal subject is the one who spi-ings to arms at his country's bidding — not waiting to settle all disputed tjuestions of jiolitical science. The true Christian is the man who obeys Christ without waiting to solve all the pi-oblenis ol' theology. He has warrant for hoping that, in the very path of obedience, there will come fuller light as to "who" 31 466 SERMONS. ! 'i ^i-Ul the " Son of Man " is. " If a,ny man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching." To the warm-hearted, sceptical Thomas, the Resurrection of Jesu8 seemed too great a fact to be accepted on any testimony without the evidence of his own senses ; but he had been ready to " die with " his beloved Friend, and when the gracious ]\[aster oifered him the proof he souglit, his obedient soul cried out, " My Lord and my God." There are not a few in our day to whom the deity of Christ seems too great a truth to be believed, whose hearts would nevertheless bound with a joy unintelligible t(j those who have never wrestled with doubts^ if it could only be made clear to them that that doctrine is not a mere specu- lation of theologians, but the statement of a blessed reality. " Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved." What, then, is His relation to me ? In what respect am I to believe on Him ? The word "saved " indicates that I am to believe in Him as a Saviour. I believe in my physician as a healer : I may not understand his method of treatment, but I do his bidding in the matter of medicine. I believe in my friend as a friend — one whom I can trust. I may not understand his theological or scientific opinions, but I am quite sure that he will stand by me in the time of trial — that he will prove himself a friend in need. Jesus is Saviour : " He shall save His people from their sins " — I am to believe in Him as Saviour. When He says to me, " This is my blood of the cove- nant, which is shed for many unto remi' ion of sins' ; WHO MAY BE COMMUNICANTS. 46'; " Be of f(Ood cheer, thy sins are forgiven," I am to take Him at His word, just as I do my pliysician when he says, " Use this medicine, and you will bo well to-morrow." When He says, " Come unto Me, all ye that lalnjurand are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," " Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me," I am to come and take His yoke — the yoke of submission to the Father's will, which he asks me to bear side by side with Himself, and learn tlie blessed lesson of obedience. When He says, " I am the Bread of Life," "The bread that I will give is My flesh for the life of the world," " He that eateth Me, he also shall live because of Me," I am to ap})ropriate Him and feed on Him, liy thought and love and trust and obedience, for the nourishment of my spirit's life, jiist as I feed on the daily bread which the Father gives for my bodily life. I may ask, " What has Jesus done for me that I should believe in Him as my Saviour? " Let us look at some of the answers given in the New Testament to this question. Hear Paul answer it : " Who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men : and, being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, be- coming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore also God highlv^ exalted Him, and gave unto Him the name which is above every name : that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth, and ,!.| 468 SERMONS. things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. ii. 6-11.) Or listen to the glowing sentence into which he condenses the whole redeeming work of Christ : " Who loved me, and gave Himself up for me." (CJal. ii. 20.) Hear Peter answer the question : " Who His own self bare our sins in His own body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteous- ness. (1 Peter ii. 24.) Hear John answer it : " Herein was the love of God manifested in us" (i.t'., in our case) "that God hath sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Paul, Peter and John agree entirely as to the ground on which the claims of Jesus rest. He is the "only begotten Son," who was "in the form of God," who " emptied Himself, talking the form of a servant," who "gave Himself up for me," who " bare our sins,' who is " the propitiation for our sins." Here is a personality that is unique : here is One who occupies a unique relation to God and man and sin. He is " the Way " ; shall we not " come " by Him unto the Father ? He is " the Truth "; shall we not " learn " of Him, and be "taught in Him, as truth is in Jesus " — all truth embodied in Him, all principles of true living contained in Him? He is "the Life"; shaU we not " arise from the dead " and come to Him that ■.i».a'MifJ.'a WHO MAY BE COMMUNICANTS. 469 Lie should -y of God which he [ Christ: for me." His own ' tree, that righteous- he love of 'that God svorhl that •e, not that nt His Son as to the He is the ni of God," a servant," our sins," Here is a ^o occupies tin. He is un to tl le learn " of Jesus — s of true "; shall Him tl lat we " may have life"? Shall we not realize in our experience His great word, " I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly " ? He is '' the true Vine"; shall we not cling to Him as the branch to the vine-stock, that, .sharing His life, as the branch shares the sap that flows through the stem, we may grow and bear fruit ^ He is " the Resurrection " ; shall we not believe in Him, that we may "never die " f' He is " the First, and tlu' Last, and the Living One," "alive for evermore " ; shall we not with un- troubled hearts yield ourselves to His keeping, who has the keys of Hades and of death, who will open the way for us to pass through into the very presence of God ? II. — In respect to Life. What are the conditions, as regards conduct, of becoming a connnunicant in the Church ? There is an idea generally prevalent that a man should not "join the Church" without giving up a good many things wdiich are regarded as inconsistent with a profession of religion. It is held that the profes.sing Christian must not only give up whatever is sinful, but also refrain from many things that are lawful for other people. He nmst "come out and l>e separate " from the world, and especially from what are called "worldly" amusements and indulgences. The lists of such anmsements and indulgences vary in length according to the views, prejudices and up- bringing of those who make them. Dancing, card- playing, theatre-going, billiards, the use of tobacco, the drinking of wine and spirits, are often found among the proscribed pleasures. 470 SERMONS. Now, there is no manner of doubt that Christ calls on His followers to " give up " much. " If thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off and cast it from thee : for it is profitable for thee tliat one of thy members should perish and not thy whole body go into hell." Whatever hinders the spiritual life — whatever threatens the destruction of faith and love and purity and hope and joy in tlie Lord — must be given up at any cost. The real trouble is that, as a rule, the idea of " giving up " does not go nearly far enough. " If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me," That is the far-reaching demand of Jesus Christ. It is not the giving up of thingfi, but the giving up of self, tnat lie nMjuircs. A man may give up the use of tobacco or wine, and yet may be far enough from being a true Christian — may retain " self " in the form of a love of money, for example, that eats his soul like a canker. A man may give up the card-table or the theatre merely because he has grown tired of these forms of recreation, and may retain " self " in the form of a temper that makes his home a bear-garden, and his tongue " full of deadly poison." The attempt to draw a clear line between amusements that are lawful for Church members and amusements that are not lawful is generally useless, and is often mischievous. The eft'ect is, on the one hand, to alienate not a few true disciples of Jesus who are indulging, with the clear approval of their own consciences, in some form of forbidden recrea- tion ; and, on the other hand, to lull to sleep, in WHO MAY BE COMMUNICANTS. 471 fancied security, many persons vvlio do not reflect that tlie chief dan^^er arises from excessive indulirence in wliat is in itself lawful and rl(,dit. The real question is, have you given yourself up to the Lord ? Then you will eat, or drink, or dance, or play, or smoke, " to the glory of God " ; or, if you cannot do so, you will give these things up. If you find that any one of them cannot be fitted into its place in the service of Christ, in the strengthening of your body, or the refreshing of your mind, or the gladdening of your heart, so that you may be the better fitted for His service, you must let it go. Moreover, you will do well to take the counsel of wise Christian friends as to your choice of annise- ments, and listen to what thoy ma}' have to sa}^ from their own experience as to the injurious tendencies of certain forms of recreation, rather than follow heedlessly the lead of the gi<ldy and worldly. The Presbyterian Church wisely makes no laws on these matters, though it sometimes gives advice. What it seeks — what Christ seeks — is to have men " renewed in the spirit of " their " mind," and then trained to clearer Christian discernment and more fervent Christian love. The life of a Christian is not to be one of mere negations, but a gloriously positive, rich, full, blessed life. The New Testament is full of striking antitheses, in which the positive side of life is set over against the negative. The negative side is thus expressed, " Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts ; " it is immediately followed by the positive. " We should live soberly and righteously and godly 1 472 SERMONS. in this present world." The prohibition, " Make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof," is closely connected with the injunction," But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ." " Ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh," writes St. Paul. If you ask, how is this to be accomplished ? he gives the answer in the same verse, " Walk by the Spirit." He warns again.st drunkenness : " Be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot"; and then, knowing the u.sele.ssness of mere prohibitions for the conquering of a vicious habit, he adds, " but bo filled with the Spirit." If he forbids " foolish talking or jesting, which are not befitting," he tells how the tongue is to be actively employed, " but rather giving of thanks." He finds the antidote to the exces.ses of liberty in the law of love : " Only use not your freedom for an occasion of the flesh, but through love be servants one to another." He gives an ugly catalogue of " the works of the flesh" : " Fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousnes.s, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like"; but he exhibits by way of contrast a beautiful bunch of heavenly grapes which are "the fruit of the Spirit" : " Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temper- ance." He states in one terse sentence the general principle of which he gives so many illustrations: " Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Such is Christian life — a gloriously positive, strong^ full life, calling into play all our powers in the service ' Make not bliereof," is b put ye on HI tlie lust low is this i the same IS against wherein is i of mere habit, he be forbids befittinir," employed, e antidote e: "Only the flesh, lier." He le flesh": idolatry, factions, evellincs, contrast are "the suffering, temper- > general itrations : ivil with "■HO MAV BE COMMUNICANTS. 473 Of Hi,„ who make,, us "free in,Iee<f •■ Tf , tl.ese thing,. u.s,cd are ye if v ' 1*' ^'". soever ye ,|o in wnrrl ,... • . ^ """"■ " ^Imt- of the Lord jesul" '" '''''''■ ''° "" '" ">e nan.e f-::in\r;.hX'rn'" ,fT - "'» «-.-o„r -J the Church T," "Chri " ^r' "' '"■'• -^P'"'' '."" into its ran;, as :Zj^,r'''' ^ -'-- e, stronc: e service 474 SERMONS. VIII. DEATH ABOLISHED.* Preached in St. Andrew's Church, Toronto, on Sunday, ^rd March, 1889, in connection with the death of GEORGE PAXTOX YOUNG, LL.D. Professor of Logic, Metaphynic* and Ethicm in Univemity College, Toronto, " Our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and incorruption to light through the (iospel." — '2 Tim. i. 10. Two things are here declared to have been aeconi- plislied by Christ: first, the abolition of death, and, secondly, the bringing of life and incorruption to litjht. I. What do these great words mean : " Christ Jesus abolished death?" Clearly, they do not mean that Christ has delivered men, or any portion of the race, from physical death, or from the pain of dying. Death comes impartially to all, sparing neither youth nor usefulness, leaving sad and stricken hearts in his path. Still, as of old, plague and pestilence, storm and hurricane, war and the legion of sicknesses, by which our bodies are wasted, are the instruments of * See also p. 159 of this volume. DEATH AnOLTSHED. 47^ liege, Toronto. Death. The life of tlio most (lovott'd saint is no nioic secure airainst tlie attacks of tliis <;rt'at cncniv tlian that of tlie vilest r('|)rol)ate. Tln' hest of men must die, sometimes in great agony. The Christian man will bear suflering in a trustful an<l patient spirit ; but he can purchase no innnunity from pain or death. In the full consciousness that all this was goinjx on, and would contiiuie, I'aul wrote these words: ''Our Saviour Christ Jesus abollsltiil (lent It." What do these words mean ? 1. Christ has taken away "(he stincj of ifatfh." " The stinff of death is sin." Death comes as a scor- pion, and the sting with which it slays men is sin. Chri.st Jesus takes sin away, and, th<High death may still wear an ugly look, it is powerless to do any real hurt, because its sting is gone. It is the burden of guilt on the conscience that makes a man afraid to die. Looking back on the sinful past, lu? is afraid to meet God in judgment. His own heart condemns him. Christ removes the burden of guilt from the con- science. He reveals God, forgiving sin at the cost of the life of His own Son. The past is blotted out. The man \h '' reconciled to God tlirowfJt tlie deaili of His Son.'' Being set right with God, all things are new to him. Not only is life full of new meaning, but death comes now to summon him into the presence, not of an angry Judge, but of a loving and righteous Father. The sting of death is gone ; it has no real power to hurt. 2. Christ delivers fi-om the "fear of death." " Since then the children are sharers in jicsh and blood, lie 476 SERMONS. (dso Hunxd/ in like manner pdrtook of the same ; th(U tlinnujli death, ha uiljfht hrhuj to voiujht hint that had the pofc/'r of daUh, that is, the devil ; and rnKjht dclirer (dl theiu who throu(/h fear of diidh were all their lifelinie stdtject to bo}id((ffe." (Jf course, wlu'ii tlio Htin^r of (loath is taken away, the fear of it is also to a largo extent removed. Yet, apart from sin, tliere is a terrible aspect about death. Death is nej^ation sepjlration, darkness. It is the cutting ofi'of the man from the world in which he has lived, and from the friends to whom his heart is bound. No more will his eye look on the beauty of earth and sky, or on the faces of loved ones; no longer will his ear be open to the sound of welcome voices ; connnunion with the earth and its inhabitants is at an end. I do not know that any man can fairly realize all this without some dread. There is the natural fear of the unknown. Even the Christian cannot help shrinking from death, as the jmtient shrinks from the surgeon's knife, or as the emiorant dreads the unknown danijers of a new land. In large measure, however, Christ robs death of its gloomy and terrible aspect. He does so, for one thing, by bringing the blessedness of tlie future home of the soul so prominently into view that the soul is content to leave its earthly tabernacle. Though " the valley of the shadow of death " is dark, the very imagery used intimates that there is light beyond ; for, if death casts a shadow, must there not be a brightness which it intercepts ? The emigrant is content to leave the home of his childhood, and to bravo the perils of the deep, when he is assured by a DEATH ABOLISHED. 477 son or a brother in tlm now land that hr will ('xelmn<;o poverty an<l hardshij) for oaso and comrort. Tliou^d) ho nmv slu'd hittor tears as ho takos tho last look at tho land that ;favo him birth, hopo will lu' stron;^' within him as ho thinks ol' all that has boon told him about his new homo, an<l Fonns plans oF lil'o and work in tho luturo. And so tho Christian, koon as mav bo th ai liT w'len ho is eallod to h-axc this hr)mo-liko world, with all in it that has mad«! life bri;^dit and ^ood, will 1)0 sustained by tho hope of a mori^ blossod and i^lorious abodo — tho true homo of tho soul — "a, bb'sse<l i'oiiiitrij, th<tf is, a hcdmili/" — and will bo ready to pass throu<;h tho swollin^rs of .loi-tlan, assured that tho ''Father's Inmsc/' is on the other side, and that the Elder Brother is waiting to receive him. 3. Christ imparfs a privcijdr of I'tfv to tho believer, which is an earnest of tho "life and incon-uption " that shall bo his in ovorllowinix measure hereafter. Tho words spoken to Martha wore spoken for us : " Wliosoever livftJi (tnd helirveUi on Me shall never die." The insurrection life is bo<^un already in the believer. A moral and spiritual resurrection has taken place — a risin<ij out of the death of sin into the life of rii^'hteousness — which is the pledt^^e of tho bodily resurrection. " If thf Spirit of Jihii that raised up Jesus from the. dead, divelletli, in i/on, Ih' that raised up Clirist Jesns from the ile'ul shall (/iilcke)i <dso your mortal bodies thi'oagh His Spirit that d'welleth, in you." In this case, thoroforo, death is " ahulished." The physical death must come in tlu; I W -i ' 'I It 1<(1' 478 ■'^; SF.RMONS. or<lor (3f nature ; but it is a l)e«;inninfif rather than an endinj^S a })roceHs oF life rather tluin of death. It is tlie I'oMiniij up of tlu- .shifting' tent tluit we may take up our abode in the <;'ndurin<j^ iiuinKion. It is the dotfing of the be^^^ar'a ra<rs that we may don the princely robes. It is the shufflinj^ off of the mortal coil t)f flesh that the life within may have room to expand and may receive from (Jod a "spiritual body" which may be a fit or<ran for the renewed spirit. In these senses, then, amongst others, Christ Jesus " ahollxhf'd death." He has taken away its sting, which is sin. He has delivered from the fear of it, by revealing the glory that is to be. He has counter- acted it, and vii'tually conquered it, by implanting the germ of eternal life in the believer's heart. II. The thouixht contained in the first clause is expanded and stated in a more positive form when tlie apostle goes on to say " and brought Life and incorrupt ion to light through the Gospel." Notice the expression, " brought to light." It is not said that Christ Jesus was the first to jiropound the doctrine of the innnortality of man, the first to teach that there is a life beyond the grave, but thai; He was the first to bring these truths into clear light. Men had had faint glimmerings of the truth before He came, but they had groped, comparatively speaking, in the dark. We have only to read the speculations of Plato, or the books of the Old Testament, to under- stand the force of the expression " brought to light," as applied to Christ's declarations concerning a future state as contrasted with the guesses of the wisest lieathen, or the faint hopes of Old Testament saints. DEATH ABOLISHED. 479 Let us ask more particularly 1. Wh(U it was that Christ brouj^ht to li^ht. 2. How He hroufirht it to li^ht 1. What (lid Christ hrincr to li^dit ? "Life and incorrupt ion," Not hare iininortality. Not mere endless existence, which ini<(ht he a curse rather than a blessinf(, and mii^ht he described as endless death rather tlian eternal life. What was the hope that heathen philosophers held out ? That tlie human spirit, bein<( of aditi'erent nature from tlie body, being uncompounded and therefore not capable of beini^ sej)arated into parts like the material body, might continue to exist forever as pure spirit. Was there anything cheering in this hope ? A spirit without a body, an inhabitant without a home, a being without organs through which he might come into contact with God's universe : can any of us tell whether that would be a blessed life or not ? Might it not be a dreary and unblessed existence dragged on through endless ages ? Do not Paul's words express the natural feeling of human hearts : " Not for that we luould he unclothed, hut that we would he clothed upon, that ivhat is mortal may he swallowed up of life ?" Not bare immortality, then, has Christ brought to light, but "life and incorruption." Life of the highest sort, intellectual and spiritual ; a life an- alogous to that which we now live, but with a re- newed spirit in place of a sinful one, and a glorious, incorruptible, spiritual body instead of the body of ilc:;h and blood; a life of ever expanding knowledge of God's works and ways and increasing delight in n- 480 SERMONS. h i '*'■■> iM. is'* Hi adding to its stores ; a life of close and warm fellow- ship with kindred spirits bound by ties which no death shall dissolve ; above all, a life of growing near- ness to God and likeness to Christ, of endless activity in God's service and boundless joy in His presence : — such is the life which Christ has brought to light through the Gospel. Who does not see the contrast ( Who will not say that compared with the brightness of this revelation, the speculations of human reason have been only darkness ? 2. How did Christ bring life and incorruption to light ? (I) By His teachivg. By His own words, which are spirit and life, and by the words of those who spoke and wrote as they were guided by His Spirit. Listen : " Let not your heart he troubled : ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Fathers house are many tnansions ; if it ivere not so, I would have told you ; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and jirepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye riiay be also." " Because I live, ye shall live also." " I am the Resurrection, and the Life : he that believeth on Me though, he die, yet shall he live: and tvhosoever liveth and believeth on Me shall never die" Spake ever man like this Man ? There are those who believe that these words were not spoken by Jesus, or written by John, but were concocted by some clever forger in the second century, who palmed ott' his own hallucinations upon simple-minded Chris- tian people. Believe it who Qan • To us they are the DEATH ABOLISHED. 481 n fellow- vhich no ing near- s activity esence : — ; to light contrast ? brightness an reason ruption to rds, which those who His Spirit. : ye believe hers house mild have OIL And me again, 'here I am, \e shall live Life : he fill he live ; hall never There are lot spoken icocted by ho paUned [ded Chris- ley are the words of Him "in ivhoni are all the treasures of luisdoni and knoivledge hidden." (2) By His death. " We behold . . . Jesus because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that by the grace of God He should taste death for every man." " That through death He niigJtt bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." " Through death." It was the only way. H' Christ was to redeem from the eur.se of the law, Ho must " become a curse for us." If He would break tlie power of death, He nnist die. He did so. He tasted deatli for every man. In the act of dying He gained the victory over death, and now he says to every timid, but trustful soul, " Fear not ; I am the first and the last, and the Living One; and I luas dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades." {']) By His raising of the dead. Once and again He gave proof that He held the " keys of death " by unlocking its portals and sunmioning back to human fellowship those who had passed bey(md the reach of the voices of kindred. When he touched the bier at the gate of Nain and said, " Young man, I say unto thee. Arise" and the dead man "sat up and })egan to speak" ; or when to the man that had been dead four days He " cried with a load voice, Lazarus, come forth," and "he tliat ivas dead came forth," Jesus demonstrated that " those other living, whom we call the dead," have not really ceased to live. Little is told of them, or by them. The absence of 32 !i 482 SERMONS. sfl infoniiation concerning the raised Lazarus is one of tlie most strikinjif instances of the silence of Scripture. " ' VVliere wert thuu, brother, those four days? ' There lives no record of reply, Which telling what it is to die Had surely added praise to praise. Behold a man raised up by Christ ! The rest remaineth unreveal'd ; He told it not ; or something seal'd The lips of that Evangelist." (4) By His Resurrection. This fact is, after all, the corner-stone of our Christian faith and hope. " If Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain ; your faith also is vain." But noiv hath Christ been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of them that are asleep.'' That is to say, Christ was the first that rose from the dead to die no more. This was a new fact in the history of man. Lazarus and others had been restored, but only to see corruption ajrain. Christ's Resurrection demonstrates the con- tinuity of life in the unseen world. " / am . . . the Living One ; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore." "Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more ; death no more hath dominion over Him." This fact is laden with blessing for the race. The Resurrection of Jesus does not stand apart as an isolated and altogether inexplicable phenomenon having no relation to the experience of ordinary men. DEATH ABOLISHED. 4S3 Paul refuses to tolerate the views of those who accept tlu' Resurrection of Christ, but deny tlie possibility of their own risin<r from the dead. " We ivitncss^d of God t/iAit lie raised up ('hriat: whom lie niised not up, if 80 he that the dead are not rawed. For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised." " BiU now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firxt-fniits of them that are asleep. For since by rnan came death, hy man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." Not for himself only, but as the representative and first- fruits of redeemed humanity, Christ is risen from the dead. And so, when we connnit to the tondj our dead who have fallen asleep in Jesus ; and when our doubtin<jj souls, thinkinj]^ of the many who have j»one without returnin<i^ or sendincj any friendly voice across the chasm that divides us to assure us that they still live and love us, are ready to ask with Job, " //' a man die, shall he live again ? " — we will listen to the voice of the Redeemer of mankind as He comforts Martha with words that lighten the (j^loom of the sepulchre by the assurance that the dead continue to live : " / am the Resurrection and the Life : He that believeth on Me, though he die, yet shall he live ; and luhosoever liveth and believeth on Me shall never die." You know that in dealing with this theme I have had in mind an event which has occupied the thoughts of many throughout this land during the past few days — the deatli of Pi'ofessor Young. A great man — a great scholar, a great tliinkor, a f,\ 1 (• i L 1 J ft !< 4 I |e 484 SERMONS. great teacher — has pasHed from our sight. There is no exaggeration in saying that Professor Young might have filled the Chair of Matliematics, or that of Classics, or that of Oriental Languages, as ably as he filled the (Jhair of Philosophy. Papers from is pen which were published in the Amierican Journal of Mathematics proved liim to be one of the ablest mathematicians of the a":e. While the ranjje of his scholarship was remarkably wide, his mind V, ") .>t simply a store-house of much learning, but h V, '^n original and profound thinker. Above all he wat; x t<^acher — a prince among teachers — with a wonJerfui ;.r<'er, in the first place, of inspiring inter;':... 1. 1 v\ , • \ •^t- subject he taught and kindling enthusiasm on the part of his pupils, and, in the second phice, of making his thoughts stantl out in the sunlight, clear and luminous, so that the dullest might apprehend. Many of Professor Young's contemporaries did not know how great he was, because he was so modest. He did not sound a trumpet before him, saying, " These are my opinions, listen and bow down." His modesty was almost excessive. Many a time have I been made uncomfortable by his deference to my judgment on some matter regarding which I knew that he was a master while I was only a pupil. One outstanding characteristic was his intellectual honest)/. He was incapable of any sharp practice with forms of speech to bring them into apparent harmony with his thoughts. He would have no credit for views which he did not hold. It was his DEATH ABOLISHED. 485 inability to ^iva to tlie Wostininstor Confession the sort of assent wliich was expected by tlie ('liurch that led to his resignation of his position in Knox College, and, subsequently, to his withdrawal from the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. On the same ground lie declined to teach a i>ible class in this church, or to act as an elder when elected sonu; years ago l>y a very large vote. When I urged him to teach, his answer was, "I couM not teach from the point of view which you and the Church would wish me to take." Though thus self-excluded from office in the Church he loved — and no one that knew him would have dreamed of excluding him — was he not a genuine believer ? Who amon<j us doubts it ? I would to God that all whose names are on our connnunion roll had the like faith in the living (lod, the same desire to be conformed to the image of Christ I It was in May, 1878, that Professor Young became a comnmnicant in St. Andrew's. He did not bring a certificate of church membership, as he might have done; but he wrote in substance as follows : " If you and your Session will allow me to come to the Lord's Table, putting my own construction on the act, I shall be glad to profoHs in this way my purpose to live soberly, righteously and godly." Without (pies- tion he was heartily welcomed to the fellowship of the Church, and he remained a consistent member of St. Andrew's, a most regular and devout worshipper, an almost painfully attentive listener, a generous sup- porter of the missionary and philanthropic ettbrts of i 486 SERMONS. ^ the Cliurch, until a few months aixo when domestic considerations made it necessary lor liim to m) to a nearer place of worsliip. He left us very reluctantly, and we as reluctantly parted with him, and he con- nected himself with the youn<ifer branch of this con- l^regation on Jarvis street. Is it not the ease that as men ^vow riper, they allow many thinjjfs to drop into the second place for which they once contended as vital i Professor Young had learned better than most of us to set the various elements of truth in their tru3 relation to one another. Experience had taught him that " it is the simple things that are the great things." He kept always uppermost the great and weighty matters of faith in the living Ciod, love to God and his neigh- })our, trust in the Saviour whose death for sin he thankfully commemorated. We speak sometimes of the old man coming back to the simple faith of his childhood. Yet the faith of the aged believer, while simple as a child's, has a strength and vigour which the child's faith cannot have. So was it with our beloved friend : he was no longer like the sapling, freshly planted in the garden of the Lord, but "rooted and (/rounded in love .... drong to ajyprti- hend wltJi (tU the saints ivhat is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ ivhlch pasi^eth knowledge." Whittier's Poem, '' The Eternal Goodness," had a great charm for him and reflected largely his own feeling. He read it to a company of delighted listeners not long ago, reading; as he was wont to do, with much expression. domestic io ^o to a 'luctantly, (1 lie coii- tlii.s con- per, tliey place for Professor to set the on to one " it is the He kept latters of lis nei^h- )r sin he etinjes of th of his er, while ir which kvitli our saplincr, ord, but ajypre- Uh and e love of had a his own e lighted it to do, DEATH ABOLISHED. "0 friends! with whom my feet have trod The (juiet Hislea of prayer, (ilad witness t<. your zeal for (iod And luve of man I bear. I trace,your lines of argument ; Vour logic linked and strong I weigh as one who dreads dissent And fears a doubt as wron<T But still my human hands are weak To hold your iron creeds : Against the words ye bid me speak My heart within me pleads. Who fathoms the Eternal Thought '. Who talks of scheme and plaii^ The Lord is God ! He needeth not The {>oor device of man. I walk with bare, hushed feet the ground Ye tread with boldness shod ; I dare not tix with mete and bound The love and power of (Jod. Not mine to look where cherubim And seraphs may not see ; But nothing can be good in Him Which evil is in me. The wrong that pains my soul below I dare not throne above : I know not of His hate,— J know His goodness and His love. 487 In III, .11 1: i! IE i 488 SERMONS. I dimly guess from blessinga knuwn Of greater out of sight, And, with the chiistened Psuhuist, own His judgments too are right 1' i-'l'l ,1. > I I know not what the future hath Of nuirvel or surprise, Assured alone that life and death Hia mercy underlies. And so beside the Silent 8oa I wait the murtied oar ; No harm from Him can come to me ^ On ocean or on shore. I know not where His islands lift Tlieir fronded palms in air ; I only know I cannot drift Beyond His love and care." It has occasioned no surprise to hear on all hands of Professor Young's wonderful influence over his students, and, especially, to learn that not in one or two instances, l)ut in many, young men who had been tempted to agnosticism or infidelity had been brought back or kept from going astray by the influence of their great teacher's simple faith and beautiful life. An old and dear friend came to see Professor Young after his stroke of paralysis. Standing a few feet from where he lay, she uttered simply the words " In the everlasting arms," and, though the power of speech was gone, the beautiful face was lighted up with a DEATH ABOLISHED. 489 glow wliicli bore witno.s.s to the iH'sj)oiiHe of the soul. Wlieii the grand, gentle .spirit passed away, one who had been watcliing by liini said that it really seemed as if there were a " cloud of witne.sses " hovering about in the room. " Inmgination ! " you say. Yes ; but there is a blessed reality at the heart of it. The scene in Convocation Hall was very impres- sive. The tone of the whole service was triumphant. Floral offerings were on this occasion at least appro- priate. I could not help feeling, as I looked on the body robed in the academic gown which had been worn in the class-room, and saw the cap laid on tin; coffin-lid, as if some great military hero were being laid to rest. And ha<l he not been a true soldier, inspiring men and leading them on in the battle of truth against falsehood, of reality against all shams and hypocrisies, of Clod and Innnortality against all that would degrade and belittle humanity ( Our friend is fallen asleep, but only to wake to fuller and more glorious life. The scholar, the thinker, the teacher, the lover of truth, the child of (Jod, has not ceased to live. " This corrnptihle mud imt o)i. incorr\iptio7i, and this mortal must put on im- Tnortality. But irhen this corruptible shall have pat on incorruption, and the mortal shall hare put on iniiinortality, then shall come to pass the saylvf/ that is luritten, DEATH is swallowed ui» in victory 1 " ii; I 490 SERMONS. IX. CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN. (imh Septtmher, JS!>3. ) •' Who niiml eartlily thinga lieaveii." — Pjul. iii, 19,20. our citizuiiship is in In tlu'se words Paul contrasts two classes of per- sons and two ways ot" living. " Imitate me," he sa^ " and those who live as I live." He does not w? thus in a spirit of egotism, or presumption, or self- righteousness ; but in downright, intense earnestness. Paul has himself become the possessor of a new life, and he would have other men share the inspiration of that life. Every preacher of the Gospel ought to be able to make this appeal ; and any minister whose life is in manifest contradiction to his preaching is fore-doomed to failure, however brilliant or scholarly he may be. With great intensity — with tears — Paul warns his Philippian friends against the influence of the sensual, self-indulgent, earthly-minded men who professed to be Christians, but " were enemies of the Cross of Christ." The Cross meant the taking away of sin ; they clung to sin. The Cross meant self-sacrifice : CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN. 4f»l their lives were Helt'-iu(liil<rent in tlic <;r()s.se.st loniis — t'oniiH wliicli L'Von decent pii^jaiis would Imve con- demned. Tlu' Cross njeant unworldlinesM ; they " nunded earthly thiiit^s." Paul draws a contrast between the |)rinei})le that aniniat(Ml the livesof tliese sensual worldlini,^s and the principle that animated his own lil'e and the lives ol' '1% d •thly til his fellow-Christians. " Our citizenship is in neaven. mey nave tlien* view bounded by the earthly horizon ; they believe in and live for what they can see and touch and taste — lor what St. John so si<^nificantly describes as " all that is in the world, the lust of the liesh and the lust of the eye and the vain-glory of life." The controlling;" in- fluences which mould our lives are heavenly. The country of our allegiance is above. We draw our inspiration from the recollect m oi it. Wherein, then, lies the radical ditierenco between the one way of living and the other { What is exactly meant by "minding earthly things:'" it does not mean being interested in our daily work and doing it diligently and successfully. "In diligence [be] not slothful," wrote the same apostle, and he illustrated the meaning of his prece[)t by pursuing the laborious occupation of making tents. It is simply a .stupid idea that a man pioves himself to l)e holy by neglecting liis work on the plea of his interest in some religious meeting, or by doing it with a grudge as if his soul were stained by contact with this w^ork-a-day world. Nor is there here any condemnation of human 492 SEItMONS. l,U- govcrninent, wliicli is "ordained of God," nor any jiistitication of the absurd talk one soinetinie.s liears as to Christian men having notliing to do with politics because they are bound to keep clear of " the world." Undoubtedly we are bound to overcome the world, whether in politics, or in ('hurch work, or in family or social life. Indeed, there is no warning so much needed in our day and in our land as the warn- ing against the worldliness which in Protean fonns threatens to eat as a canker the life of the Church. What Paul does condenni is the doing of our work without any reference to ( )od — separating our human interests and occupations from (Jod — making things an end in themselves apart from CJod — putting money, or pleasure, or success, or power in the place of (iod. I'he problem to be wrought out by Christian men of business is to combine spiritual attainments with diligence and success in business — to be in the world, yet not of it —to " use " the world and its affairs and interests in such a way as really to lift up the spirit into the heavenlies. When this problem is presented, some men give up at once the attempt to solve it. 'Ihey say : " There is no use in being Quixotic. We do not live in Utopia. You nuist adapt yourself to your surroundings. There is no use in setting up an impossible standard. You cannot get on unless you do as others do." Now, such a view of life an<l conduct a Christian man has no alternative but to reject. If success be attainable only on condition of tampering with conscience, or setting aside the words of Jesus, the follower of Jesus nuist make up his mind to fail. CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN. 493 Other men cut tlie knot, they go aa nearly as possible " out of the world." In the old days they went into monasteries. Now, they givo up business and politics and study for the ministry, or seek to be connected with the Bible Society, or the Y.M.C.A., or the Salvation Army. Now, a chanjjje of occupation is not necessarily the thing needed in order that a man may be spiritually minded, provided always that his occupation is use- ful and honorable. Selling Bibles is not intrinsically nmre holy than selling shirt-collars. You may be as worldly in a theological hall or in the otHct' of the Y.M.C.A. as if you remain a lawyer's clerk, or a dealer in real estate, or a plumber's assistant. 1'he ordinary rule is that given by St. Paul to tlu^ Corin- thians : " Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called," let him "therein abide with (Jod." What a man nmst do is to find out for what woi-k he is fitted, and then do it with his might as ))art of God's plan for the good of the conmiunity and the race. It mav be but a little niche he has to till — digging drains, or copying deeds, or grooming horses, or attending to a furnace — he will be more honourable in doinjx his humble task faithfully so that it mav bt^ fit for God's eye to see than in grasping at a higher positicm which he is unable to fill. Even lower sorts of woi'k may be idealized. " Who sweeps a room as for God's law makes that and the action tine," sinufs old (jleorge Herbert. How much more easily may the higher tasks of nurse, teacher, merchant, lawyer, physician, statesman, minister of i. iii 494 SEKMONS. U'l the Gospel, be lifted up ! The nurse, for example, has often more distasteful work to do than the shoe- black or the drain-digger ; she may do it merely for the sake of the wages she receives and then it will be irksome enough, but when done for the love of Christ and of suffering men it is worthy of the most culti- vated and refined women. The lawyer may think only of his fee and of the quickest and sharpest way of earning it, and then his occupation is mean enough; but if he realizes that his work is to assist in un- ravelling the tangled skein of human affairs in order to secure the rights of men, he becomes a co-worker with the Lord who loves righteousness. The statesman may manipulate men and organizations ver}'^ cleverly so as to keep himself in power, an<l he will win the gloiy that belongs to a shrewd gamblei' ; or he may with singleness of purpose devote his powers with utter self-forgetfulness to the promotion of the lasting welfare of his country', and then the men who love their country will call him V)lessed. The minister of the Gospel may seek his office mainly for the "piece of l)read " attached to it, and then he is one of the most degraded of men; but when he gives himself humbly and whole-heartedly to the task of saving men and building them up in holy character, there is no work on earth in which God takes greater delight- So, then, whether our work is of the lower or of the higher sort, let us do it as in the light of eternity, the light of God. Not tliat we are to be every moment consciously occupied in thinking about God and eternity, any more than we are to gaze from CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN. 495 1/ ' I' morning till night at the sun while we are doino- our daily work : but that we are to let eternity flood the soul with light on all human relations and interests Jesus Christ made the ideal real. He transfigured the work of the carpenter, of the healer, of the teacher. It is possible for us to approximate to this i«Jeal-|'Ican <lo all things in Him, who strengthen- eth me Let Christian men-men with large endow- ments for commercial life or professional work-not weakly drift with the current of worl.lly usac^e nor yet think It necessary to pull aside into some quiet eddy where they will escape the force of the current Vic ory over the world is better than escape from it' And victory is possible to the man who banishes the spirit of fear" and works in "the spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind," confident that he IS a co-worker with God. " This is the victory that overcometh the world, even oar faith " Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that beli(>veth that Jesus is the Son of God ? n 496 SERMONS. ij/ vm X. THE TRUE CONSOLATION. (30th May, .ISO4.)* " And we know that all things work together for good to them that love (Jod, to them who are the called according to his pur- pose."— KoM. viii. 28. Janet Roy, Maggie Henderson, Jolni Boll, Robert Rowley, James Stewart, Jessie Haldane, such is the death-roll of this congregation for the past five weeks. In various forms, at different stages of the journey of life, the messenger has come — to one the appointed span of seventy years was lengthened out, to another but three summers were given. To one, after long and patient waiting, release came at last from the burden of the flesh. Another was stricken down suddenly, without any warning, save that which is given by the constantly increasing infirmities of years. One went amid comfort, another amid poverty and anxiety con- cerning wife and children. Two were taken in those bright early days when life seemed so full of hope and promise. Their bright faces had made sunshine in two happy homes, the affections of loving hearts had * A few weeks after the death of Mrs. Macdonnell. THE TI:L'E CONSOLATION. 497 been twin.njj aroun.I tl,en> witl> „vci- incroasinir tenderness and hope. And now there is dnXIf vl>p the sunshine was; the fon,! hopes ha v b'n ashed to the «roan,l. Under any cirenn.stanees " hard to rob doath of sadness-it is the cliniav of '.u.nan .lis; ,,„t it has peenliar elenu.„tr, "L: ttr n '"'^ "' ''°'' ''"-^ '^'■■^■» l>»--"'y upon hen,. There are widows and fathorLss fronf wl om U.e„. stronj, ,n,ide and protector has been taken .:; rhere ,rre .nothers weepin. for their children. The^' «i-e children upon whon, the sorrows of lite lave begun too early to press. There are friends '! icvW c»^er departed ones, whose love filled their li^es wU^ Here is a word of con,solation. " We know that a, thn k together for good to then.Z lo^! hall. t ""'"""'='•' '" °" '' '-"^'^ I'l-'t your haltmj, feet, ye sorrowing ones. He w-ho went Lrough poverty, suffering, shan.e an,l death for has hrown by His life an.l death a new li.ht upon our hie and death. Ifis life ha.l little of wh, t e oun happ,ness-little of what the world calls ,y jet It was a most l,les.sed life. //„ .said. " Ble.ssed a.v they that n,ourn, for they shall be con.forted " 2 but he' f' ; T"'''' ■" "'"'" ''"™ t'-ihulation ; l^.t be ot goo,l cheer: 1 l,,.,v,. overcome the world ' He had a deep peace which the world ,li,l „ot eoni- prehend. and of that He said, " Peace I leave w , you ; A^ peace I give unto you." .Such wo:ds He I 498 SERMONS. spoko with human Hps on earth. And wliat says He now from heaven ? Even the same that He said with a voice " as the sound of many waters " to John, " your brotlier and companion in tribulation " when He was in the isle of Patmos : " Fear not ; I am the first and the last : I am He that livetli, and was dead ; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen ; and have the keys of Hades and of death." Through all the changes of the seasons — through all the changes of life — through suffering, sorrow and death, let us cling to Him who has the right to speak such words of power as these. PRAYERS. I. For the Fouty- Eighth Highlandeks. God of our fathers, in Thee do we put our trust Our own arm cannot save us ; but Thy ri<rht hand and Thine arm and the light of Thy countenance. O Lord of Hosts, who hast in times past o-one forth with our armies, be Thou witli us and with'our fellow-soldiers, whithersoever we go. In the assur- ance of Thy guidance, may we be strong and' of a good courage. In the name of our God wi.i we set up our banners. May these colours never be displayed on the side of mjustice or tyranny or wrong; but only and always m the cause of freedom and righteousness and our country's weal. Give peace in our time, O Lord. Should these Thy servants ever be called to fight the battles of their country, may they be enabled to do so as beconieth good soldiers of Jesus Christ, seeking to maintain consciences void of offence towards Thee and towards men. Hasten the time when the Prince of Peace shall reign over all nations, so that men shall realize their 500 PRAYERS. nli^'M m brotherhood in Christ, and wars shall cease unto the ends of tlie earth. God save tlie Queen. We bless Thee for her long and pi'osperous reign. May Thy blessing rest upon her dui'ing her remaining years. May Thy Spirit strengthen her heart ; may Thy providence prosper her government. May she receive at last the crown of glory. II. A Morning Prayer for the Children. Heavenly Father, I thank Thee for this new day. Help me to spend it so as to please Thee. Help me to think, speak and act as a chikl of God. May I learn of Jesus to be loving and gentle, meek and lowdy, forbearing and forgiving. Help me to be obedient to my parents and dutiful to teachers and friends. Keep me from false or angry words, from selfish or unkind acts. Forgive all my sins, and may Jesus dwell in my heart so that I may be strong to resist temptation and to do what is right. May all my days be made glad with Thy presence, and may I dwell in the Father's house for ever, through Jesus Clirist, my Lord ! ie unto the PRAYERS. III. 501 IXTERCESSOUY PraVER AfTEI{ SeRMUN. {-?f>fh October, ISm-Sn-inon on Roi„n„M j-H, /,?.) O Go.1, who hast made tlio li^rl.t of Thy -lorious Oospel to sliino on us, bless Th^- word which w. l.ave heard this day. May it he receive<l into our hearts with taitli and love, and by it may we be strengthened tor every ^ood word and work. Eternal Father, of whom every family i„ heaven and earth is named, who hast called us into the fellowship of Thy Son Jesus Christ, we desire to remember at Tliy tlirone of ^.race all with whom we^ imve part in the communion of saints. We bes.rch Thee to drive out of our hearts the spirit of selfish- ness and implant the spirit of love, that we may be ready to bear the burdens of others and to have fellowship in their necessities. For the sake of Him who though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, who had not where to lay his hea.l on earth may we remember the poor and be willin^r to minister tood to the huno-ry and clothin^r to the naked For the sake of Him who was deserted by friends in the hour of His great need, may we not be for.rotful to entertain strangers, but be given to hospitalitN' May we remember the words of the Master, " Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Thou who hast made of one blood all nations ot men, remember, we beseech Thee, every creature 502 PRAYERS. *l' of Tliinc for ft'ood, and visit tlio wliole world with Thy mercy. Let the light of Thy blessed Gospel shine, and let the darkness be scattered. May we not be forgetful of our duty to extend, by word and life and gifts, the knowledge of Christ. IV. Pkayeu After Sermon. (/'■salm (\vl.v. IS.) Lord, open Thou our eyes that we may behold wondrous things out of Thy law. Whatever veils of indirterence, or prejudice, or sinful indulgence have hindered the entrance of the light into our souls, let them be taken away. May our delight be in Thy law. May Thy words be a joy to us and the rejoic- ing of our hearts. May Thy statutes be our songs in the house of our pilgrimage. May the law of Thy mouth be better to us than thousands of gold and silver. May Thy word be a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path. Give us understanding and we shall keep Thy law. Make us to go in the path of Thy commandments. Incline our hearts unto Thy testi- monies and not to covetousness. As thou hast spoken to us by Thy Son — the Word that was made flesh and tabernacled among us — let our hearts be open to receive Him who is the Way the Truth and the Life. May we feed on Him the Living Bread. May we know Him and in this know- ledge have eternal life. , -^ ."s4-'i' ;iv*«»'iA: Rm mssBsm IMIAYERS. :)03 PuAYEii Before Communiox. (Fridaij, l.ith Orfohtr, /,S7>!.) Alniirrlity and most luorcirul ({od, Thou art (glorious in lioline.ss. Tliou art of purer oyvH than to behold inicjuity. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto Thee. Evil .shall not dwell with Thee. Father! we have sinned ai^ainst heaven and in 'i'hy sight, and we are not worthy to be called Thy chil- dren. We know that in us dwells no »rood thin<r, for when we would do good, evil is present with us, and we see a law in our niendters wari-ing against the law of our minds. Lord, deliver us from this body of death, from this tyranny of sin. Our burden. Lord, is heavy— the burden of duties unfulfilled; of opportunities lost: of talents hidden ; of days wasted forever; of words unspoken, or spoken untruly,' idly, unlovingly : of evil thoughts, again and again reappearing, e\en as they were fiist admitted into the heart. O let the piti fulness of Thy great mercy loose us from the bonds of those sins which we have committed. Forgive tlie daily sins of our present life and remendier not the offences of our youth. cleanse Thou us from secret faults ; keep us back from presumptuous sins. Lord, pity and cleanse, save and forgive, for Thy mercy's sake. Behold, Lord, we come at Thy call ; we come, weary 604 PRAYERS. and lieavy laden with the burden of our sin.s : be it unto UH jiccordin(( to Thy ^lucious woi'd. Lord, in no wise cast us from Thee. May we find rest in I'iiee. Say unto each weary soul, " Ivj of good cheer. Thy sins are forgiven thee." Say inito each weak and helpless one, " Thou art loosed from thine infirmity." Say unto each tried and tempted one, " My grace is sufficient for thee." In the prospect of sitting down at Thy holy table, may we be enabled to look upon Him whom our transgressions have pierced and to mourn, (^onscious of our own great unworthiness, mav we be comforted by His uiifnthomabic love. May the memorial of His suti'ering and death deepen in us the sense of the evil of that accui'sed tiling which cost the Son of (Jod so nuich. May the remendn-ance of His dying love quicken our love to Him, and may we, in all time to come, walk before Thee in holiness and righteousness of life, to the glory of Thy holy name. riUYEMS. 5o; VI. PiiAYEu After Sermon— Comminion Sunday. (ir.th Ortohn; 187H) Our Father in licMven, wo ble.ss TJico tluit Tlioii didst send Tliy Son to .seek und .save us tlw lost : that Ho came not to })o ministered unto, but to min- ister, and to crivo His life a ransom for many. We bless Thee tliat He who was the Ancient of Days became for us a little child: that He who had been in Thy bosom from eternity was for our sakes born of a woman and cradled in a man<,^or : that Ho who knew no sin was tempted of Satan in the wilder- ness that He mi^dit succour us when we ai-«! tempted ; that He by whom Thou didst make the worlds endured for us liuncror and thirst and weariness and had not where to lay His head on earth. We bless Thee that Thy Son was so patient and tender to men and women on earth, that we nn"«rht learn to trust Him ; that He washed His discii)?es, feet, that we might learn to render humble services of love to one another; that He wept and <rroaned at the grave of Lazarus, that we might know His sym- pathy with all our sorrows. We bless Thee that He endured for us the agony in the Garden : that for us He was left to watch and pra\- alone : that for us He was betrayed and boimd, spat upon and buffeted : that for us His liands and 506 PRAYERS. if' feot were pierced with nails ; that for us He was numbered with transgressors and did hang in shame and torture on the Cross ; that for us He suffered the hiding of Thine own countenance ; tliat for us He tasted death and w^as hxid in the grave. Blessed Jesus, Thou Man of Sorrows, Thou greatest and lowliest One, Thou Lamb of God that takest aw^ay the sin of i.he world, Thou who lifted up on the Cross drawest all men unto Thee, write the story of Thy life and death on our hearts, we beseech Thee, that the remembrance of Thy shame and sorrow may move us to love and gratitude. Now, Lord, give us of Thine own wherewith to serve Thee. Clothe us w^ith the w^edding garnvMit of Th}?^ righteousness that we might be lit to sit at Thy table. Feed us with thine jwn tlesh and blood, that we may be truly nourished. Let Thy banner over us be love. May the language of our hearts be, " What shall we render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards us ? We will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord." Unto Thee who hast washed us from our sbis in Thine own blood and made us kings and priests unto God and Thy Father, be glory forever. Amen. He was in shame fered the r us He INDEX. greatest !st away lie Cross of Thy lee, that w may with to m'mt of at Tliy xl, that over us " What 3onefits on and s'ns in is unto Aberdeen, Scotland, 137, 141. Aberdeen, Earl of, 340, 391. Alexander, Miss Isabella, '288.//", 301. Alexandria Bay, 181, Allan Park, 14./: Armour, E. Douglas, 270. Arthurs, VVilliaiii, 82. Augmentation, 199 y/; 208/', 275, 308, 303. Bain, Rev. James, 03/, GO. Baltimore, 79. Banff, N. W.T., 283. Barclay, Rev. Dr. John, ')•>, (>l /l 08, 237. Bathurst, N. B., 1, 3. Bcecher, Menrv Ward, 80. Behnke, Dr. Emil, 317, 320. Bell, Joseph, M.D., 194. Belledune, N.B., 209. Berlin University, 2") //! Bethune. James^^ 73, 82, 230. Bible Readei-, 234, 302 /; 323. Binscarth, Man., 282. " Black, I'rof. Jolin, 28, 142. Blaikie, Rev. Dr. VV. (}., 330. Boville, Rev. R. (;., 280. Branch Sunday Sciiocjl, 328. Brindisi, 319/. Brown, Gordon, 252. Browne, Dr. Lennox, 310 /', 320. Buchanan, Rev. J., M.D.j 239. Buffalo, N.Y., 240. Building Committee of St. Andrew's Church, 82. Burns, Rev. Dr. R. E., 279. Calgary, N.VV.T., 283. Campbell, Miss Eleanor, 335. Campbell, Rev. Robert, I). D., 20 /*, 52. 09, 84, 80, 88//; 190, 190, 359. 3!M. Campbell. Mrs., i.//;21,35, 1.30//; 240. 250./; ;i5L'. 3SI //; Campbell, Rev. Robt., Sc. D., 201 //! Campbell, Mr. Robert, .3.3."). Canterl)urv, England, 188. Cai)-a-rAigle, 141, 240, .3.35, 340, 381. Carfiae, Tlionias, (»7. Carmicliael, Rev. Dr. James, 05. 77 /. Cartwright, Sir RicliunI, •_'07. ("assets, Hamilton, KH, 193/, 291 /" 295, 300, .340. Castle, Rev. Dr., 181. Caven, Rev. Dr. William, 95, 98, 105, 107, 1 10, 125, 131, 2.-)2, 2.58, 204, 200, 270, 272. 275, 347. Ceylon visited, 319. Chalmers, Rev. Dr. Tiionias, 51. Chalmers Clniicli, Kiiigstun, 1!I2. Chalmers, Mr., 209. Chaplain of the 48Lh Hi.rlihuiders, 329.//: Charactei- of Mr. Ma.'doimcll, .3, 5 //; 13, 10./; 19/; 22//; 29//; .30'//; 44,//; 52, ()2, 04, 09/; 72, 75, 95, 14(5,//; 158, 219//; 243, 248, 251, 284, 315, .322, .3.-.0 //; .378, 380/, .392-408. Charltnti, John, 2(i0, 270, 272. Chatham. N. B., 279. Chicago Exj»ositi()ii. .340. Children (.f Mr. .MaiMlonni'll, .321, 340, 344, .31)0, 383. .3i»0. Cimri'li Building, 82.//; Church of Scotland in Cariala, 75 /; 91/ Clark, Dr. Daniel, .302. 508 INDEX. Col)ourg, Onl., 201>. ('oc'hraiu', Kcv. Dr. NVilliani, 1'2(). CoH'ee-luiuses, 184, I8S. Confession of Faitli, .S(> //", (\2 {f, 00, im//; '2-Ajr. Cook, Kov. Dr. Jolin, '>2, 86, tfi/, 128. Cooke's ("luii'cli, Toronto, 68. Cornell LJniversitv, 181, Cornwall, Ont., 4;{. Correspondence, 'JOT./*. Courtice, Kev. A. C.,' 26-J. Cowiui, Prof. Henry, "Jit, Ul. " Clanks,'" Kelii,'ious, U,3. Crathie, Scotland, 142. Ci'awford, i*rofessor, 2."). Cumberland Presbyterians, 182. Cunningham's " Historical The- ology," 50. "Daisvhaidi," l.'iT. Dale, iiohert F., 240, 280. Davids(m, Dr. C. P., Q.C., 270. Davidson, Col. .lohn I., 302, .S28. Deas, Miss, oT. Deiniistoun, .Judge, 178. Dol)ie, Hev. Mr., r)2, 108. Doiner, Professor, 2") f'. " Dorset" School, lOl', 288/ Douglas. Rev. James, 44, Douglas, Dr. James. 12. Douglas, Dr. Robert, 9. Douglas, Kev. Dr. (icorge, 270. Dover, Kngland, 188. Drummond, Kev. D. R., ;m /', XiS, Dulutli, Minn., 78. Dunbar, Scotland, 188. Dundee, Scotland, 1175. Faster Sunday service, 346. Kcdesiasticism in the State, 262.//; Ediidnirgh visited, 8, 144, ;{24, \r,~K Fdinburgh Academy, 8. Fdinburgh University. 2'}. Fgy])t visited, .'{17./". Eldershij) of St. Andrew's Church, 7.S, 161, 2.S0, 240, 230, 201, :ui/, 369. K<jual Rights movement. 259 //. E»jual Rights speeches and addresses, 2()5 //; 278 /'. Es(|uimalt, li.C, 283, J'Jitr/io/(>i/io)i , 223 /. Evangelical Alliance, 79, 265. Ferguson, Hon. Adam, 55. Ferguson, ( Icorge, 58. Kisher, Edward, 174 /*. Flint, Prof. Robert, 18.3. Foreign missions, 200/. Frci'tiiini, \'ork, (iS. Frizzell, Rev. W., 208, 2.")8, Fulton, Alex. T., 82, 3.37. Funerals, 347, .'ilMiy. Future Punishment, 90.//, 102.//; 45!). (Salt (iiammar School, 9. (;andier, Kev. Alfred. 229, 2.37, 240, 27(i, 380. (Jardinei', Miss Margaret, 234, .302/, 32.3. <;a:.,t/c, York, 68. Ceikic. Dr. \V. H., 240. (iemmell, Alexander, 231, .327. General Assemblv, 98//; 115/", 120/", 240, 242, 275, 3Ri/, 338, .363/, .380. George, Dr. .Tames, 12. (leinian liteiatuie, 27, 314. (ieiinar.v. Residence in, 25 ff'. (Gibraltar, 317, 319. (iibson. Rev. \)v. J. Monro, 175. (iib.son, Profes.sor, 40. (iilmor, 1. C, 82, 2.30. (Jiliav, Rev. Alexander, 404. (Gladstone, \V. E., 263. Glasgow, Scotland, 142, 144, 376, (ilasgow University, 2.3. Glebe lands of St. An<lrew"s Church, 72, 227. a/oh,', Toronto, 294. Glover, Rev. Dr., 36. (ioldsmith, Rev. Thomas, 32(;, .341. (iooil Kridav service, .346. ({ordon. Prof. D. M., 28, 84, 146/, .363,/; .366. Graduation at Queen's College, 9. INDEX. 509 nt. 259/ andaddiesscs, {7. U, 102//; 45*). -^!>, 2.37, 240, , -^•u, .so-_>/, l,.-J27. !'■)/, 120/; .'{38, HO.-J j/; 14. 'o, 17;"). 404. 44, .S76. s Cluireh. .S2(;, 341. 84, 146/; Orant, C. M., 31.//; .37"). <iniiit, IViiicipal (J. M., 1(>2 //; 179 1S4, 198,27"), 347, 3S(;,3!H,;J!»S. <inint, K., 182. <iio^'K. l-{fv. Dr. William, IS], 247. 2o2, 373. Halifa.v, N.S., ], 121, 240, 279, .3()7. Hall, Rev. Dr. .Jdhri, 3.3(). Hamilton Giammar Scliool, 9. Harri.s, Kov. JaiUL-.s, 00, OS. Hairis, I'rof. R. Carr, 209. Hart, S. R., .S28. Hart, Prof. Thomas, 21, 7(5, 300//! Harvie, .Mrs. .John, .302. Hay, Rol)crt. 82. Healtii of Mr. iMacdoimcli, 283 /' 312.//; .326, 331, .340, .3.->4, 36S>; 37;)-384. Heidolherf,', 28. Heiidi'rsoii. Rev. Dr., 375. Hengsteril)oi'g, Professor, 26. Henniiig, Mrs., 57. Herdman, Rev. .Mr., 170. Herald, Rev. .lames, 71. Higginhotliam, W., 82. Highland Regiments, (i7. 329. Hineks, Hon. Ki'inicis, 07. Hockiii, Mrs., 109./: Home life. .352./; .3i)l. Home missions, 75//; 174, 1 !)<»//; 282./; 3 Hi, .3.-)0." Homesii.'kness, 320. Hopkins, K. J., Mus. Doe.. 188. Hoskin, Rev. R. 11., 2!»1. Hos.saek, Rev. !). (' , 346. Howland, W. H., 205 /; Hndson River, 79. Hunter, Rev. Dr. \V. A., 400. Hymns, 70, 78, I8(i //; l!)i», .3.38, .363, 370,//: Inimigrant lads assisted, 238 /: Inductions, 43./; <i5 /: Inglis, Rev. Dr. David, 79. Inglis, Rus.sel, 82, 211, 2.3(), .342. Instiumental church unisic, 08. Jona, 8eotland, 142. I .Tac(|nes, .lohn, 82. .lanusoM. W. .M., 82. .lellrey. Ilev. 'J". W'.. 72. Jenkins, \U'\. Dr., 52, 127 /" 191 I!(0,/: .Jesuits' Kstates in (^>uel)ec, 2,')9 //: .lol), Jionk of, 233./: .JoiK.'s, Hon. A. (;.", 279. •los.s. .John, 2-J8, 240, 280. Jubilee (.f St. Andrew's Church, Toronto, 181. Kaogassikok Lake, 77. Kay, Frank. 313,/: Kay, -lohn. Mil, 2.30, 3i)0, 313, ,327 f. Keith, (Jeorge, 240. Keith, (Jeorge A., .303. Kellogg, Rev. I),-. S. M., 25ti. King, l!ev. Principal .lolui M., 98 105,201./: Knox Churcli, Toronto, (iS. Knox ("ollego, Toronto, 89, I(i2 258. Lady Parish, 54, 325. Laiiilaw, Rev. Dr. I!. .1.. 107. Lake Counti'v, Kngland, 142/: " Lalla Rook'li." 10. Lash, Z. A., 82. Last days, .387.//: Last message to his people, .384 /: Leaeh, Rev. W'm. T., 08. Lectures to students. 308 /: Lee, Piof. l-tolicit, 25, 40. Leitch, Prof., 22. Leith, Scotland, 1.3. Licensure, 39, 42. Locli Katrine. 143. Logic, Rev. Dr.. 54. London, Kngland, 142, 2.35, 310. " London House," 28S //: Lyie, Rev. Dr. Samuer,' 280, .347. McCarthy. Dalton, 200 /', 272. McCo.sh, Rev. )),•. .lames, 54. Mci>otiald, C. S., 24(». 327, .Macdonald, Re\ . .J.nncs A., 214 //' 278. .Macdonald, Sii.Iolin ,\., 100, 321. :^.v_.'»"*tf%*.. 510 INDEX. B-Ki\ MiKjrlonald, J. K., 270, 272. MiUMloiiaM, VVni., 28. Mac.lonnell, Mrs. D. J., 47 ff\ 5.3 f, 80, 136, 138, 149//; 177, \S8ff, 247, 257, 313, 320/, 32.1, 337, .343/, 3.-)8/. Macdonnell, Rev. George, 1 ff', 41, 43, 4.->, .17, 71/, 114. Mac'dorinell, Mrs. (Jeorge, 2, 6, 107, 188/ MacdDunell, (Jeoi'ge M., 14, 24, 38, 45. Macloiinell, John M., 14, 175, 189, 197 /". McCJee, David, 193/ 240, 313, 317. MdJill, Hon. Peter, ()7. Macgillivrav, Captain Dugald, 303, 3(M), 32«). Mdiiegor. Rev. P. (!., 122, 124, 128. Maeliar, Rev. Dr. John, 12. Maehar, Mrs. John, 13. Machar, Miss, 10, 170, 172, 298, 340. Marhar, John M., 12. Ma(kay, Rev. Dr. A. B., 204. Mackenzie, William Lvon, 07. Mackerras, Prof. J. H., 80, 123/ 104, 178.//; McKniglit, Rev. Principal, 119/", 12(i. McLaren, Rev. E. D., 283, 355,359, 404. McLaren, Prof. Win., 84. Maclaren, J. J., 200. Maclaurin, K. A., 240, 328. Maclean, Dr. Donahl, 12. McLean, A. Faniuhar, 156, 240, 328. McLean, Thos. A., 73. Maelennan, Mr. Justice James, 1(51, 252. McLennan, Rev. K., 52. McLeod, Rev. Dr., 129. Macleod, Norman, 24, ,38. McLeod, Rev. P. .McF., 281. McMillan, Rev. Alex., 374/. McMurrich, Hon. J., 181. MacMurciiy, Angus, 282, 284. MacMurcIiv, Archihahl, 51 /', 01, 70/, 73, 155/ 181, 210, 287. MacMurcby, Mrs., 210, 278. Macrae, Rev. Dr. Donald, 101, 365/. McTavish, Rev. Dr., 301. McVicar, Rev. Principal D. H., 109, 115, 275. McVicar, Rev. J. H., 387. Mai/, The Toronto, 40, 101 //', 264. Malta, 319. Manitoha, Visits to, 70 /T, 175/, 282, 311, 307. Manitoha Schools, 273/. Manse, St. Andrew's, Toronto, 80/ Massie, James, 230/ 302. Mathieson, Rev. Dr. Alex., 52, 86. Melrose, Scotland, 143. Melville Cliureh, Fergus, 17, 54. Men's Association of St. Andrew's, 292, 290, 300. Michie, James, 01, 82, 150/ 194/ Michie, Miss, 190. Middlemiss, Rev. Dr. James, 57. Middleton, W. E., .342. Milligan, Rev. Dr. G. M., 100, 181, 252, 347, 374, 404. Milligan. Wm., 82. Mills, Hon. David, 267. Milnes, James, 2. Ministerial Association, Toronto, 258, 2()4. Milton, Ont., 71. Mission School, 70, 73, 81. Mitchell, William, 01, 73, 82, 109, 1.50, 19J, 247, 323. .328. Mitchell, Rev. William, 109. Moore, Samuel, 297. Moosomin, Man., 282. Morris, Hon. Alex., 181. .Morris, Hon. Wm., 67. " Mothers' Meetings," 2.34. Mowat, Prof. J. B., 24, 100 /". Muldrew, John, 240, 297, 341. Mulock, Vice-Chancellor Wm. 252. Murrav, Rev. Robert, 180/ 370//'. Muskoka, 240. Mutch, Rev. John, 250. Naples, 317. Neil, Rev. John. 391. Nelson and Waterdown, 9. INDEX. 511 », 278. W, 101, .S65/. 01. il I>. H., 109, J87. 101 J, 264. f, 175/, 282, 'oroiito, 80 f. )2. lex., 52, 86. 1, 17, 54. t. Andrew's, '^«/, 194.//: lines, 57. ., 160, 181, Toronto. 3, 82, 109, '8. 109. 1. )o/; 341. Wm. 252. ''ff, 370.//: Nepigon River, 77. New Year's, 176/, 184/. Xew York Cit.y, 79, 374. Nicihol, Kev. P. E., 277. Oban, Scotland, 142. O'Brien, Henry, 267. O'Brien, Col. W. E., 266, 270. Offers of churches, 43, 46, 60, 191, 192. Old St. Andrew's, Toronto, 71,84/ 160, 181. Or.lination, 39, 42. Organ of St. Andrew's Church, 227 /: Orkney, 46, 66, 137 /T. 188 //", 235, 322.//: Pacific coast visited, 281 ft'. Pai.sley, Scotland, 144, 375. Pan-Presl)vtcrian Council, 182 /, 335 ./."^ Parsons, Rev. Dr., 301. Perrv, Capt. Chas., 82. Peter boro', 43 ft\ 58 /, 132. Philadelpliia, 79, 182/ Port Artluir, 77, 175. Potts, Rev. Dr. John, 181, Prayers, 139, 21(5 / 223/, 389, 390, 499-506. Preaching. 47, 75, 88, 108, 138/ 182, 222 .//; 231 , 256/ 311, .340 /; 355, 365, 409-498. Presbytery of Edinburgh, 39, 42. Presbytery of E(linl)urgli, U. P., 40. Presbytery of (iuelph, 22. Presbytery of Toronto (Church of Scotland), 62 /f, 244. Presbytery of Toronto, 96, 111, 254, 2.58, 310. Prince Albert, N.W.T., 311. Princeton, 79 ./'. Pringle, Rev. John, 404. Pringle, T. M., 82. Queen's College and University, 9 jf, 18, 162.//; 236, 370. Jleid, Rev. Dr. Wni., 252. Removal of St. Andrew's, 73, 81. Rintoul, Rev. Wm., 66, ()8. Robb, G. C, 228. Robertson, Rev. Fretl. \V., 47.//: Robertson, Rev. Dr. James, 17(5, 391, Robinson, Joseph, 193, 240. Rogerson, J. M., 82. St. Andrew's Church, Fergus, 8, 54, 71. St. Andrew's Cliurch, Montreal, 60. St. Andrew's Church, Peterl)()ro'. 43.//; 60. St. Andiew's Church, Toronto, «)0 t\ 65.//; -,2.//; 81 .//; 1.33.//; 171 /r, 181, 193 //; 206 /; 227 //; 2.36, 280, 285, 311 / .327/ "332 //; 369. St. Andiew's Institute, 287.//: St. Enocli's Churcli, Toronto, 71. St. James' S(|uare Ciuircli, Toronto, 217. St. John, N.B., .362.//: St. Luke's Cliurcli, Bathurst, 2. St. Magnus Cathetlral, Kirkw.Jl, 138, .323. St. Mark's Church, Toronto, 228 //, 237, 24(1./; 276 //: St. Paul's Church, Montreal, 191. Salary of Mr. Macdonnell, 72, 191, 193, .337. Sand Banks, The, 236. Scarth, Robert, 56. Schools, Separate and Public, 271 //: Scotland visiteil, 7, 22//; 137//; 188 .//■, 194, ;]74.//: Scott, Rev. .Marcus, 276 /: Second Presbyterian Church, Chi- cago, I9'2.' Sedgwick, ({ev. Robert, 129. Sedgwick, Rev. Thos., 115. Sermon, I'he lirst. 14 t'. Shepard, \V. A., 24(»,'.3()9. Small, .lohn T., 291. Smellie, Rev. Ardiibald, 194. omellu Hi A. C. !'., .3.39. Smellie. Rev. Dr (ieorge, ,53 l\ 182, 235 /', 338 /; 383. I 512 INDEX. • i n M5 Rmellie, Mrs. George, 55 ff, 235, 338 f, 345, 383. Sinellie, (i. L., 339. Sinellie, Miss I. L., 175, 235, 340, 370, 379/, 383, 39J. Hmellie, Janics, 159. Smellie, Robert S., 174, 231, 341, 390. Smellie, Dr. T. S. T., 175. Smellie, Wm.,181/. Smith, (loMwin, 301. Somerville, Rev. J. F., 229. Spence, Miss, 298. Staffa, Seotland, 142. Stafford, Rev. E. A. 204. Stanley, Lonl, 272. Starr, Leamler, 1. Stewart, Alex., 240. Stewarton Church, Ottawa, 340. Storm, VV. (',.. 8.3. Strachan, James, 297, 302. Strathy, Mrs. (Emma George), 298, 305/ Strauchon, Miss Cecilia, 303, Stuart, Rev. James, 280. Stuart, Rev. J. G., 277. Sunday car question, 331/, 340. Sunday ol)servance. 38/, 232. Sutherland, Rev. Dr. Alex., 266. Swing, Rev. Dr., 175,/". Switzerland visited, 27/ Tassie, Dr., 9. Temj)erance (question, 184, 242/ Tenii)oralities Fund, 192. Theological Clul>, 280. Toleration, 250/ Topp, Rev. Dr., 122, 124, 128, 149. Toronto University, 102, 225, 252. Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway. 296. Traill, Rev. Walter, 54. Trial before the Church courts, 96/ 140, 146/ 251. Trosachs, The, 143. Tweed Valley, Scotland, 143. Twining, Dr., 1. Union of Canadian Presbyterians, 83/ 91, 165. Universalism, 108. Urquhart, Rev. Dr., 43. Vancfmver, B.C., 283. Vankleek Hill, 18. Vatke, Prof., 20. Victoria, B.C., 283. Virden, Man., 285. Walker, The Misses, 298. Wallace, Rev. Robert, 276. Walsh, E. H., 302. Warden, Rev. Dr. R. H., 201, 204, 208, 311. Wardsville, 21. Warsaw Springs, N.^\, 338. Washington, D.C., 79. Watt, Dr. John, 28. Watt, Rev. Mr., 319. Weir, Rev. Prof., 24. Wi'xtmiuMfr, The, 214. Wiarton, 208. Williamson, Rev. Dr. James, 12. " Willing Helpers," 234. Wil.son, Sir Daniel, 252, 301. Wilson, Geo. H., 73. Wilson, Prof. John, 54, 143. Winnipeg, 76, 78, 175, 198, 285. Witncsi^, Montreal, 89/ Women's Association of St. An- I drcw's, 292, 300, 337, 349/ Women's Foreign Missionary So- ciety, 339, 349. Wright," Prof. R. Ramsav, 225. , Wylie, Robert J., 240, 341. York Town Line Church, 206. Youghal, N.B., 210/ 278. Young, Prof. George P. 225, 234, 247/ f lotlanrl, 143. ian Presljyterians, Dr., 43. , 283. 8. 83. 35. sses, 298. obert, 276. 32. )r. R. H., 201, 204, , N.V., 338. 3., 79. 28. , 319. ., 24. e, 214. r. Dr. James, 12. r.s," 234. iel, 252, 301. 73. )'hn, 54, 143. 8, 175, 198, 285. al, 89/. nation of St. An- 300,337, 349/ gn Missionary So- 549. ». Ramsav, 225. L, 240, 341. e Church, 206. 210/, 278. Jeorge P. 225, 234, M