THE following report was read at the Synod by the Rev. D. Beaton, Convener of the Canadian Mission Committee:—
According to the good hand of the Lord our God upon us, the liner “Scandinavian,” which, it is pleasing to note, has braved the perils of the deep throughout the War unscathed, bore us comfortably and safely across the seas. Scarcely a vessel of the larger size fell a prey to the enemy’s shafts that week. Even so was our homeward voyage.
The work of our deputies has so often been outlined in these pages that brevity may be studied at this time. The places visited for varying periods of service included Chesley, Wardsville, Detroit (U.S.A.), Winnipeg, Bayton, Lochalsh, East Williams, Kincardine, and Newton. The principal part of the labour consisted in preaching. At no place could any complaint justly be made for want of attention. The congregations listened regularly with apparent interest. With respect to attendance and attention, our people seemed quite encouraged.
The ordinance of baptism was dispensed in Detroit, Winnipeg, Bayton, Lochalsh, and East Williams. This was one of the most encouraging features of the year’s work, there being many baptisms, and in general those presenting their children for baptism gave satisfaction, and, in many cases, marked evidence of piety. May the Lord have respect unto the Covenant on behalf both of parents and children! The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed in Winnipeg, Lochalsh, Chesley, and East Williams. There were additions to the Communion Roll, and especially was this a marked feature at Winnipeg. It was good cause for taking heart, for it was not without hopeful confidence that those, thus received, are expected to adorn their professed subjection to Christ. Of some, better and longer known to our people, it had caused pain of heart not to have them with us. At this season, at Lochalsh, Murdo Matheson was ordained to the eldership.
At Bayton, which was visited for the first time by a deputy, and at the recommendation of the Synod’s Committee, there were good attendances. There are in that part some warm-hearted lovers of the good old way. Before I left Winnipeg, Mr. Gillies, upon whose earnest interest in the welfare of the cause of Christ there is no need here to enlarge, spoke to me regarding his paying a visit to a congregation at Bellafield, Manitoba. I advised to the effect that it was proper for him to arrange for such a visit, if the congregation had no ecclesiastical connection whatever, and, holding to the same general position as ourselves, requested such a visit from him. To him the Synod may look for any information required.
The year was marked by the removal of a number of our outstanding worthies. Of some of these an account has been given in these pages. Of two others, particular mention ought to be made here. At the General Meeting of the Ontario Mission, over a year ago, a resolution was agreed upon, and intended for publication, “That this meeting record its deep sense of loss by the death of our departed friend, Mr. D. T. Mackenzie, Lochalsh, General Treasurer, and its appreciation of the willing and efficient services so freely rendered by him for many years, and our sincere sympathy with the various members of his family.” Though an earnest follower of the good old way, and one who mourned the loss of fellowship with worthy witnesses who had passed before him, he never sought the privilege of sitting at the Lord’s Table. As his time on earth shortened, his heart and mind seemed to turn continually to the word: “Surely that which concerneth me, the Lord will perfect make.” Absent from that same General Meeting was George Baird of Brucefield. His health was not robust, but little did we think that in a few short weeks we would be called upon to mourn his loss. He was a humble and retiring man who did cleave with purpose of heart unto the Lord. He more than once declined the office of the eldership, but used to act as Secretary at the General Meetings. From East Williams also there was removed one who always had his seat in the meeting places of our people there. Angus Mackay was a quiet-going, regular attendant upon the Word preached, but one who never sought admission to the Communion Table. All of these, whom we sadly miss from our gatherings here, had passed the “three-score years and ten,” and nearly all, if not all, had seen four-score years of gospel privileges pass before them. They were all in the way, and it is with gladness of heart we can hopefully believe that the Lord met with them, as Abraham’s servant of old had to acknowledge His goodness to him. And here it is to be recorded that amongst our young people there are not wanting pleasing evidences of appreciation of the Word, and loyalty to it. May we see His word fulfilled to us: “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you,” for our prayer is, with Moses, the man of God, “Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.”
In conclusion, it is fitting to add that, though our people neither desire nor require me to sound their praises for genuine kindness, yet I gladly take this opportunity to record my warm thanks to them in general, and particularly to those in whose homes I had the privilege of staying, for their hearty hospitality.
WM. MATHESON.