BY THE REV. NEIL MACINTYRE.
IN giving in the Report of the Canadian Mission Committee, I am pleased to state that we have been successful in supplying Winnipeg and Vancouver during the past year with regular services, while Detroit was better attended to in that respect than in any former year. The question of supply is becoming a very difficult problem, and there is much need that the Lord of the harvest would raise up men who would be made willing to go to these important fields which are ready to harvest.
Regarding these three stations, I will briefly state how each of them stands at present :—
“(1) WINNIPEG. Winnipeg, which numerically is perhaps the most important, is at present supplied by the Rev. James A. Tallach. As was stated in our last year’s report, the congregation had asked the Rev. William Matheson, Chesley, to open their new church in June. When the Committee became aware of this arrangement, they thought it advisable to appoint him as the Church’s Deputy to visit Winnipeg and Vancouver in that capacity. Mr Matheson opened the church on 4th June. He reports that there was an encouraging congregation present, and that the church is a neat, well-constructed building, centrally situated, and capable of seating upwards of 160 people. After giving four Sabbaths to Winnipeg, during which time the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed, Mr Matheson proceeded to Vancouver, where he conducted services for five Sabbaths. He was much impressed with the importance of this congregation as a field of labour for a minister amongst comparatively young people. He reports that the attendances fell but little short of those at Winnipeg. On his way back he gave another Sabbath to Winnipeg. He maintains that there is no lack of encouragement in these two places for a minister who would get a mind to go to labour among them. The Committee desire to express their thanks to Mr Matheson for his labours in these congregations.
“As the Synod is aware, Mr Donald J. Matheson, who is now minister of Lairg and Bonar-Bridge, returned to Scotland last October. The Committee had much difficulty in procuring a successor. After appealing to several of our students, they finally prevailed on Mr James A. Tallach, who had finished his course in divinity, to go out. On Mr Tallach’s agreeing, the Southern Presbytery took immediate steps to license him, and on 13th October the Presbytery ordained him as missionary for Canada. He sailed the following day, and is now labouring in that congregation with much acceptance.
“It may not be out of place to express here our sincere sympathy with the Winnipeg congregation on account of the heavy travelling expenses they had to meet during the past year. Besides having to pay Mr Tallach’s expenses going out, they also had to defray Mr Matheson’s coming home. These sums are certainly a great burden on a small congregation, particularly when they are struggling to clear off the debt on their church. Perhaps I should inform the Synod that the Finance Committee paid Mr Tallach’s fare out of the Organisation Fund, but the Winnipeg congregation faithfully promised to refund this money.
“(2) VANCOUVER. As was already stated, Rev. William Matheson gave five Sabbaths to this Mission. Mr Donald Matheson, missionary, is still labouring there with much appreciation. While he is very anxious to get back to Scotland, and would be pleased to see a suitable person sent out to relieve him, yet he has very nobly consented to remain at his post until such time as a successor is procured. I am sorry to report that he was laid aside with influenza for several weeks, and had to leave the city for a time to recruit his health. I am pleased, however, to say that he is now better and able to attend to his duties. Mr Hugh Mackay, elder, conducted the services during Mr Matheson’s absence.
“Mr Matheson reports that there is comparatively no change either numerically or financially in the congregation since last year. A few families have left the city who used to attend, but probably others have come in their place. The congregation have been able to meet their obligations, which is a cause of thankfulness and encouragement. They are most anxious to have a minister settled over them, and are at present hoping that one of our ministers, to whom they have sent a unanimous call, may be led to accept it. While we
would be sorry to deprive any of our congregations of their pastor, yet it would be most desirable, in view of the large number of emigrants going out to those parts from our Highlands, that a minister should be settled there. Mr Hugh Mackay, our respected elder, very forcibly says in a letter to the Committee: “We are sending our Macedonian cry over 5000 miles to the Church in Scotland, and as I am penning this letter, these words came strongly to my mind: ‘Carest Thou not that we perish?’ There are many perishing in Vancouver for the want of the Bread of Life, and we hope the Lord of the harvest may send one who may labour among us.” These words, I thought, were very touching, and ought to appeal to us, for they indicate the ardent desire these people have for the Gospel and to worship God according to the rule of His Word. There is no doubt but there is a wide, open door in Vancouver for one who would get a mind from the Lord to go. The Church has every sympathy with them in their struggles in holding fast the form of sound words in doctrine and practice, and would rejoice to see a minister placed over them. The Committee have done their utmost to meet their desire in this respect, and we hope our efforts may be successful some day, if that is the will of Him who has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. It is to Him we should look and wait for patiently.
“(3) DETROIT. This station, which, numerically, is the smallest, has no regular services. Mr John Murray, after the close of the Session at Princeton last year, gave them several Sabbaths, and during the New-Year’s holidays gave them other two. Rev. Wm. Matheson gave them four Sabbaths during the winter, so that they were better supplied than in former years. The people were very much indebted for these services.
“Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, to whom the Church is indebted for taking the burden of the affairs of this Mission since the death of his late brother, wrote asking that Mr John Murray be allowed to visit them before returning home to Scotland. The request was granted by the Northern Presbytery, under whose jurisdiction Mr Murray is. The Mission, while not strong in numbers, is not decreasing, and we hope their feeble efforts in holding by the Word of God may be blessed by Him who promised that the Word which went forth out of His mouth shall not return unto Him void, but shall accomplish that which He please, and shall prosper in the thing whereto He sent it.
“It is gratifying to find that there are some still in these distant places who appreciate our efforts in keeping an open door, and who are anxious to have the Gospel preached to them and the public worship of God conducted according to His Word. There is no doubt but many young people going out from the Highlands and Islands to these places are carried away with the rush and bustle of Canadian life and imbibe false and erroneous religious ideas, and thus absent themselves entirely from any place of worship. If this report should catch the eye of such, we would appeal to them to remember that the God of their fathers in Scotland is also ruling in Canada, and will bring all men to judgment. Let me remind them of the exhortation of David to Solomon: ‘My son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts and all the imaginations of the thoughts; if thou seek Him He will be found of thee, but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever.’
“Since writing the foregoing I had a report from Rev. James A. Tallach, Winnipeg, in which he says the attendance at the various services have been up to the average, though there is not any appreciable increase. He also states that the congregation are doing their utmost to reduce the debt on the Church. There is still to be paid about \$3400, and at the present rate of contribution that it will take them about five years to wipe off the debt. He wished to take this opportunity, on behalf of the congregation, of thanking those outside Winnipeg, and especially those in the home country who have contributed towards the upkeep of the Mission. The congregation are to be complimented on the manner on which they have shouldered this heavy burden. If the Lord loveth a cheerful giver, there are some in Winnipeg whom He loves.”