The Rev. D. Beaton gave in the following report of his visit to the States and Canada:—
Accompanied by Mr Alexander Sinclair, I set sail from Liverpool on the “Carmania,” on Thursday, 1st June, and after a fairly pleasant voyage, we reached New York on Saturday forenoon, 10th June. Owing to being overtaken by dense fog, we were delayed for two days, and instead of getting in on Thursday, as anticipated, it was Saturday before we landed. This rendered it impossible for me to reach Detroit before the Sabbath, so we proceeded to a friend’s (Mrs Sinclair), who is connected by marriage with a well-known Wick family of that name. We were hospitably entertained there over the week-end. On Sabbath afternoon we witnessed one of those sudden storms which at times strikes American cities. The sky became overcast, there were a few flashes of lightning, followed by peals of thunder, when all of a sudden a whirlwind struck the city. As we looked out of the window on the Central Park, we had some idea of the tremendous force of the wind in the way it snapped in pieces the branches of the trees, and tore some of them up by the roots. The storm was over in about five minutes, followed by an almost perfect calm, but there was a death-roll of 60 persons and 100 injured reported next day. On Wednesday we bade farewell to our kind friends, and sailed up the Hudson River to Albany. It was an ideal day, and as we passed up this noble river, which flows through some of the finest scenery in America, and flanked by places of historic interest in connection with the American struggle for Independence, we had an experience that will not be readily forgotten. We landed at Albany and took train to Shenactady, where we spent the night. On our train journey we passed through the tunnel where a train was caught in the rushing waters of a tremendous waterspout, and the passengers of which had a narrow escape. The country through which we passed bore evident signs of the deluge that must have poured from the clouds. These things—the storm at New York and the waterspout—were solemn reminders to us that there are dangers on the land as well as on sea, though we are readier to fix our minds on the latter, and that we needed the Lord’s protecting care over us as much on land as on sea. On Thursday we proceeded on our way to Detroit, passing through Buffalo, and thence into Canada, entering the States again at Detroit. We were there met by Mr R. S. Mackenzie, who gave us a cheery welcome. To one entering an American city for the first time, with its feverish activity and its very atmosphere pulsating with the restless energy characteristic of the American people, the contrast is very striking, compared with the calmer methods and ways of the Old Country cities. On Sabbath I preached in Detroit. We had not many of a congregation; in fact, our congregations in this city were the smallest I addressed in the New World. There was a slight increase during three months of my stay; but few though our people are in Detroit, they have a great deal of enthusiasm, and it should be mentioned to their credit, they handsomely met the deputy’s expenses to and from Detroit, and for the supply of his pulpit, and also by other acts of generosity and kindness they took away the feeling one is so ready to feel when far away from home of being a stranger in a strange land. The greatest attention was paid to the Word preached, and may the Lord bless it to some who heard it, and with whom we shall never meet until the books are opened and the secrets of men’s hearts are revealed. During my stay, I put up for the most of the time at Miss Mackenzie’s (Milwaukee Avenue), a sister of Mr R. S. Mackenzie. I also enjoyed the hospitality of Mr R. S. and Mrs Mackenzie, Grand Boulevard, and that of Mr and Mrs Weyher, Grosse Ile, father and mother of Mrs R. S. Mackenzie, who in the most generous and kindly way placed the comforts of their fine home on the St Clair River at my disposal. While mentioning these, I am not forgetful of the many kindnesses received from others. Two of those whom I would have been glad to see, and to receive the warm welcome which they always gave—Miss Rebecca Finlayson (known to many of our people in Scotland) and Mrs Macrae (formerly of Kincardine, and a native of Achnacarnin, Stornoway)—had passed away to their everlasting rest. I missed their cheery welcome, but both had gone, I believe, to be with Christ, which is far better.
I will not take upon myself here to deliver an opinion upon Detroit religiously or otherwise, but simply to say that the Lord’s Day is practically a day of pleasure, theatres and picture palaces or cinemas being open, and the great American game, baseball, openly played. The traffic officers, one Sabbath while I was there, took the census of motor cars passing into Belle Isle, one of the pleasure parks of Detroit, and counted 10,000 cars, which if put on end would stretch for 60 miles. As the centre of the American motor industry, its streets are a terror to pedestrians. Three or four deaths every week, and about 300 injuries every month, are the casualties given in the police returns.
When in Detroit, our people in Vancouver sent me an invitation to visit them, and at the end of August I set out on the long journey to Vancouver—travelling night and day; the journey occupied 3 days and 4 nights. I broke my journey at Chicago, and renewed the acquaintance of former years with Mr and Mrs Allan Mackenzie, formerly of New York, and who showed kindly hospitality to a number of the delegates in passing through New York. Mr Mackenzie kindly took me round in his car, and I had an opportunity of seeing something of the throbbing life of the Second City of America. On our way to Chicago we passed over the track where the week before the Illinois railway shopmen, who were out on strike, tore up the railway track and wrecked an express train. Fortunately, no incident happened to us, though owing to the belligerent attitude of the strikers, no one knew what might happen at any moment. As we passed through the States of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, we had splendid opportunity of seeing the varied features of American agricultural life and industrial activities. One of the finest sights we witnessed was the wheatfields of North Dakota. The fields, stretching for miles and miles, were white to the harvest with the very finest wheat, soon to be garnered in. From North Dakota we entered Saskatchewan, and passed on through the great prairie belt of that province and its neighbour, Alberta, past Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat, Calgary, until we came to the stupendous Rocky Mountain Range. No words can describe the titanic grandeur of these giant masses, towering up to the heavens. A little English boy, who was all liveliness aboard the train, was awed as he looked out on the mighty mountains, and eagerly asked his mother, “How was God able to carry these mountains here?” It was a question such as a child would put, but it is to be feared that the multitudes that view these stupendous works of His hands little think of the Being who placed them there. The train takes twenty-four hours to pass over this range, reaching at the highest point an altitude of 5000 feet.
On reaching Vancouver, I was met at the station by Mr Donald Matheson, our missionary there. During my stay in that city, I put up at Mrs Morrison’s, whose house was near the church. Mrs Morrison (from Applecross) and family showed the greatest kindness, and made my stay in this great Pacific City of the most pleasant nature. Vancouver, though a large city of over 200,000 inhabitants, appeared like a quiet country town after the feverish activity of Detroit. Our people having secured an excellent corner lot, built a nice frame church on the same, and have paid off the debt, with the exception of 800 dollars (£160). Our people there, as you are aware, had their trials, but they came splendidly through them. The building was filled to overflowing at the night services during the deputy’s visit. Our Church has been criticised by outsiders for entering Vancouver, and a few short-sighted Free Presbyterians thought we had made a mistake, but after visiting Vancouver, I feel the Synod did a right thing in acceding to the petition signed by over a hundred people, asking our Church to send a deputy. It was with the deepest regret, after coming such a long distance, that I could only give four Sabbaths there. Our Missionary, Mr Matheson, is appreciated by the people there, and I am glad to say that he has consented to remain at his post for some time yet. The Committee feel deeply indebted to Mr Matheson for this, and I am sure the Synod will join with them in this expression of their indebtedness. While at Vancouver I had the pleasure of meeting Mr and Mrs James Campbell, Inverness, looking well and cheerful after their long journey from Toronto.
As it was arranged to have a service at Calgary, I came on to this important prairie city, and was hospitably entertained during my stay there by Mr and Mrs Cowan, both of whom did everything that was possible to make my stay pleasant. In Calgary I met with some of my old hearers from Wick, and also some of our people from Helmsdale, Inverness, and other places. I had the pleasure of meeting again Mr and Mrs Angus Mackay (formerly of Rogart), after a lapse of many years. Mr Boyd, son of the late Captain Boyd, Inverness, made arrangements for the Sabbath meeting, and there was a very good turn-out for a beginning. I believe, if a Gaelic-speaking deputy would visit this city, he would get large congregations, as there are many Gaelic-speaking people there. On Monday afternoon I parted with my kind host and hostess, and other generous friends, and set off for Regina, which was reached next day. Here I stayed for a day or two, and had a short service, at which the twin children of Mr and Mrs Ewen Fraser were baptized (Mr Fraser is a son of the late Mr Duncan Fraser, Carr-Bridge, and his wife a daughter of Mr and Mrs James Campbell, Inverness). Here I met with one or two Free Presbyterians, and to them and Mr and Mrs Fraser especially would I desire to express gratitude for their kind hospitality. After a day’s run I reached Winnipeg, and enjoyed the well-known hospitality of Mr and Mrs William Sinclair.
The people turned out very well to the services; in fact, perhaps, with the exception of Toronto, they were the best attended services which I had in Canada. Our people have not been able to get on with building a church there, though very anxious to do so, owing to certain circumstances that would take me too long to dwell on here, but which have been made known to members of Synod in the report from the Canadian Mission Committee. We trust, however, that the way may soon be opened up to them to get into a building of their own, and thus encourage those who have the well-being of the cause at heart in this great city—the gateway to the great prairie lands of Western Canada. Mr Macleod, who conducts the services in Winnipeg, has a very heavy task, owing to the fact that he attends classes at the University of Manitoba, and conducts the services on the Sabbath, and our people should not forget this. It is a strain known only to those who have passed through it.
From Winnipeg I turned southwards, and after a train journey of two days and three nights, reached Detroit, of which I took my final farewell. As I was anxious to visit our friends in Ontario, the Rev. William Matheson made out an itinerary for me, which was faithfully carried out. Former deputies, knowing Ontario and the distances between the different places, will realise that it was a somewhat difficult task to cover so much ground, but through the kindness of Mr Matheson and others, who took me from place to place in their cars, where trains were not convenient, all the places, with the exception of Wardsville, were visited. On reaching East Williams, we called on our former host and hostess, Mr and Mrs Mackenzie, and were pleased to see them all again, with Mrs David Mackenzie (Mr Mackenzie’s mother), a fine type of Christian, gentle but steadfast as a rock, who has since then passed to her everlasting rest. Accompanied by Mr Matheson, we then motored to Mr Duncan Macleish’s. The Misses Macleish and their brother were as kind as ever, and we enjoyed being once again in their hospitable home, with its pleasant memories of past years; but we missed the kindly welcome of their warm-hearted father, Archibald Macleish. On Friday we motored to Lochaber, and after making a number of calls on old friends, I preached at mid-day there, and thence drove to Lobo, and spent the night at Mr Hugh Scott’s. I was pleased to meet again with the old friends at Lobo. On Saturday, Mr Henderson drove me in his car to Winona, where I boarded the train for Toronto. During my stay there I was entertained in the usual hospitable manner by Mr and Mrs Roderick Campbell. On Sabbath, services were held in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. We had splendid congregations, and here I met with quite a number of old friends, Scottish and Canadian, some of the former not long out. We have quite a number of people in Toronto, and from the Canadian Mission Committee’s Report it will be seen that a desire has been expressed of having a regular Free Presbyterian meeting held in that city. On Monday I returned to Newton, and held a meeting there. Mr Matheson and I spent the night there, and were pleased to meet again Mr Phinehas Macdonald, Miss Macdonald, and Mr Phinehas Macdonald, junior, and other friends. We were interested in seeing at the Mission a number of German Mennonites, who by their sober dress and quiet demeanour attracted our attention. They are, I believe, regular attenders of our meetings there. On Tuesday we reached Chesley, and met a number of old friends. But in none of the places we visited did we miss so many familiar faces, many of them removed by death, and others gone away from the place. Since our return home we have learned, with deep regret, of the removal of Mr William Kyle, one of our elders. He had lost his sight many years ago, but was as cheerful and happy a man as one could meet. Needless to say, Mr Matheson and his warm-hearted wife (a daughter of Mr Lachlan Ross, elder, Bayton, Winnipeg, and formerly of Scourie) made us feel as if at home. On Wednesday, accompanied by Mrs Matheson and their infant daughter. Mr Matheson drove us to Kincardine, a distance of about 50 miles, where we visited a number of old friends. From there we drove to Lochalsh, a distance of about 12 miles or so, and made one or two visits. We spent a few hours in Mr Murdo Matheson’s home, which will be well remembered by our deputies for the kindly reception they got there. Though father and mother are gone, Mr Matheson and his sister, Miss Bella Matheson, keep the house open to friends of the cause. After conducting a service in the church, Mr Alex. Finlayson motored us to Lucknow, so that we might be nearer the station to catch the early train at six in the morning for Toronto. I reached Toronto about noon on Thursday, and left there on Friday night for Montreal, travelling all night. One has not to take many steps in Montreal to discover that it is a Roman Catholic city. The display of images in the windows, of the type beloved by the Pope’s followers, is sufficient proof of this. We were struck on boarding the “Tunisian” (now the “Marburn”) by the cheery welcome given to us by the Chief Steward. It is not usual to find gold-braided officials effusive in their welcome to strangers, but Mr Duncan Mackintosh, from whom we learned afterwards that he was an Argyllshire man, is the type of man that would do good even to a sea-sick voyager, if cheerfulness and amiability would do it. He took me into his cabin, and I was pleased to see there a well-marked Gaelic Bible that bore abundant evidence of being Mr Mackintosh’s compass on stormier, deeper, and broader seas than the Atlantic. After ten days at sea, which were rather stormy after the first three days, we reached Glasgow on Monday, the 13th day of November. I conducted service on board ship, the second Sabbath at sea. Such is an account of my journeyings as deputy to our people in Canada. Taking it all in all, though it had its shadows, it was an event in my life on which I can look back with pleasure and profound gratitude to God, who took me safely over thousands of miles by land and sea, through many dangers that I saw with my very eyes, and others of which I had no knowledge.