By REV. FINLAY MACLEOD.
WHEN four years ago I gave a report of a visit to our mission stations in Canada and the United States of America I did not then expect that I would be called upon to report on the same mission field so soon again. It is now thirty-two years since the first Deputies went out to Canada from us, and, although these have passed from our midst to receive their reward in eternal glory, the work is being carried on, however, weak the instruments.
When it became apparent at the beginning of 1933 that the Canadian and Colonial Mission Committee had some difficulty in getting supply for that year I felt my mind drawn to our people there, with the result that I promised Rev. D. J. Matheson, then clerk pro tem. to the Committee, that I would go failing any other supply. At the beginning of March the Committee accepted my offer, with the request that most of my time would be given to Vancouver. After getting my passage booked, and other necessary arrangements settled I sailed from Glasgow by the S.S. Letitia (Anchor-Donaldson Line) on Friday the 14th day of April, 1933. Belfast was reached that night, and Liverpool the following day. Leaving Liverpool late on Saturday afternoon, we arrived in Montreal the second Monday after sailing. I was asked to preach on my first Sabbath at sea, using only the psalms for praise. The following Sabbath, I was told that some of the passengers wanted instrumental music, hence I
did not take the service. It is very painful to witness so much sabbath desecration, and, now, deck sports are allowed on Sabbath as on week-days. We had a most favourable passage, and arrived in Montreal on the 24th day of April. I immediately left for Toronto, staying with Mr. R. and Mrs. Campbell until the following Friday. During the week I visited friends, and conducted the service Wednesday evening in the Bloor Street Church.
There was a letter awaiting me at Toronto from Mr. MacKenzie, Detroit, arranging for services at Rodney for the last Sabbath of April, and in Detroit the first two Sabbaths in May. This was my first visit to Rodney, and a very pleasant week was spent with Mr. and Mrs. Maclellan. The services were held in a school, and we had a fair attendance at both services. According to arrangement I was in Detroit the first Sabbath of May. The effect of the depression on our congregation in this city was very marked, as a large number of those who formerly worshipped with us had left the city. The congregation at the Gaelic services are generally larger, but a fair number attend the English services also. I stayed with Miss MacKenzie, then of Bethune Avenue. It was refreshing to meet again the friends in this city, although the time was but short for I had to leave after my second Sabbath there.
On the Monday morning I left for Toronto and that evening got the Winnipeg train as I was expected in Saskatoon for the 3rd Sabbath of May. Reaching Winnipeg on the Wednesday morning, I spent two days with the Rev. D. Urquhart who was then supplying our Congregation there. At his request I took the prayer meeting, and was pleased to meet again the friends there. The following Friday I left for Saskatoon—about a days’ journey by a Canadian National fast train. The friends were waiting me at the station, and conveyed me to the house of Mr. and Mrs. Macaskill where I soon felt at home. I met for the first time Mr. Macdonald, Brock, also two brothers of the late Mr. Malcolm Macewan, Tain, who had come in to the services. On the Sabbath the services were well attended, as were the
prayer meetings during the week. Leaving on the Thursday evening for Calgary, I got there Friday morning. Mr. Beaton 13 Avenue West, being from home Mrs. Beaton and family did everything possible for my comfort. I feel very much for our people there and at other stations where they have not the gospel every Sabbath. We in Scotland have great privileges in gospel ordinances denied to them. They appreciate one or two Sabbaths in the year of such ordinances more than they can express in words. We had large gatherings in this city. I went with Mr. MacKay, Innisfail, to his home for a night, but had to leave on the Wednesday for Edmonton where I joined the Vancouver train the following morning. There was no service held at Edmonton, but I visited friends from the home-country. I arrived in Vancouver, my final destination on Friday morning, and was met at the station by Mr. H. MacKay. I received a very warm welcome from him, and the congregation there. During the eight months I had the pleasure of ministering to our people in this city, one could not meet with more attention and kindness anywhere. Mr. MacKay arranged that I would stay in his own home, as Mr. and Mrs. Robertson’s eldest daughter had been ill for some time previous to my arrival. I am pleased to say that she is somewhat better, and we pray for her recovery to health of soul and body.
As you are aware, Mr. MacKay had to carry on the work of the congregation since Rev. E. Macqueen had left over a year and a half before I arrived. My duties began on the first Sabbath of June, 1933, and I remained there until after the first Sabbath of January, 1934. During that time we had three services every Sabbath, and a prayer-meeting during the week. Mr. MacKay conducts a Bible Class on the Sabbath and there is also a Sabbath School. The congregation has not gone back in numbers since I was there four years before and if I am a judge the faithfulness to the Word of God which was conspicuous in their case has not abated. May this continue, and may the children rising up in the midst of much
wickedness be raised up as living witnesses to the power of the truth. The services were as a rule well attended. May the fruit be unto holiness and the end eternal life. Vancouver, like all the Canadian cities, requires the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In most of the churches, sad to say, the gospel is not known. It is our duty as a church, and our great privilege to go to the ends of the earth with the glorious message of salvation.
It was decided that the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper be dispensed on the second Sabbath of September. Mr. MacKay, Innisfail, who assisted as an elder on former occasions was present with us. The communion services were well attended, both the week day, and the Sabbath services. On Friday evening we had a fellowship-meeting in Gaelic and English. It was our experience that the Lord did not deny His gracious presence during the solemn ordinance. After the service on Monday evening Mr. John H. Macleod was elected to the eldership, and was ordained to the office of elder in the congregation on Sabbath evening, the 19th day of November.
I may mention here that the Canadian Railways now run cheap excursions to and from Vancouver during the summer. If the dates of the Communions, both in Vancouver and Winnipeg were inserted in our Church Magazine about two months before they are held, I believe some of our people would attend from a distance. The Magazine goes to places which local papers cannot reach. This should be done for the benefit of our people in Canada and the U.S.A., whether it is communion occasions, or the time the Deputy is expected at the several places in which he preaches.
The visiting part of congregational duties is very necessary, and eagerly expected when one is only on a visit from the homeland. There were several cases of sickness in the congregation during the time I was there. The Word was read with them, prayer offered and the great and solemn matters of the soul’s salvation brought before them. I am pleased to say that in all the cases, or mostly all, there is some progress to health, if not former health yet attained.
On the first day of the year a service was held in the forenoon; at which reference was made for the benefit of the congregation to the Presbyterian form of government. That is how the affairs of a Free Presbyterian Congregation should be conducted, especially with reference to the powers of a Finance Committee and the Kirk-Session. At a meeting of the Kirk-Session before I left various matters affecting the welfare of the congregation were taken up and discussed. There was also a meeting of the Finance Committee, and several matters requiring adjustment were settled. The result of a congregational meeting was sent to the Convener of the Canadian and Colonial Committee. There were four children received into the Church through the sacrament of baptism, and three members were admitted to the Lord’s Table.
As already stated I remained until the first week of January, and, although I was setting my face homewards I felt parting with our people there. The many tokens of kindness which I received from them I can never forget. I wish, especially to thank Mr. and Mrs. MacKay for all they did for my comfort. To thank all by name would be out of place in this report but I cannot omit Mr. and Mrs. Robertson who made me welcome to their home more than once in the week.
On Monday, the 8th day of January, I left by the C.N.R. for Edmonton, arriving there on Tuesday evening. The following day I could only visit a few friends before leaving for Red Deer where I held a service that evening. I stayed for the night with Mr. and Mrs. Maclean, and on Thursday Mr. Maclean drove me to Innisfail, the home of Mr. Angus and Mrs. MacKay, where I remained until Saturday. That day Mr. MacKay accompanied me to Calgary where I preached for two Sabbaths. As on the previous occasion the gatherings in this city were exceptionally large. The services are held in one of the halls of the new Library, and the prayer-meetings in the house of Mr. Angus Beaton, whose warm attachment to our Church is very real. I was able to visit a number
of families during the week. They more than once expressed the hope that a minister would come out this year. I wish to express my thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Beaton, and to the rest of the friends in Calgary for their kindness and attention.
As I had promised Mr. Macdonald, Brock, to visit him on my return journey, I travelled by the C.N.R. to Brock arriving there early Tuesday morning, the 23rd day of January. The previous day the weather had put on a wintry aspect, and I do not wish to have to repeat the experience of driving ten miles by sleigh. Saskatoon was reached on Friday. The weather being cold on the Sabbath our congregations were smaller than on my former visit. Mr. Urquhart had supplied this congregation for two weeks during the summer, and Mr. Donald Morrison, brother to Rev. M. Morrison, conducts a service on Sabbath, and a prayer-meeting during the week. Mr. Macdonald, Brock, goes occasionally there for the week-ends. To Mr. and Mrs. Macaskill I must express my thanks, and to the rest of the congregation for all they did for me, unworthy though I am of the least of it. During the week prayer-meetings were held, and friends were visited at Borden.
It was arranged that I should supply Winnipeg for about two months. Mr. Urquhart left for Scotland in August, and the congregation had been supplied by Mr. W. Sinclair and Mr. Allan Macleod. Before I arrived Mr. Sinclair confined himself to the Sabbath School, and Mr. Macleod had to carry on alone. Our people in this city are doing their utmost at present to pay off the debt on their church building. I can assure our people at home that they need some assistance, and I appeal to friends throughout the Church to contribute to this fund, however, small the donation. Our congregation in Winnipeg has not increased in numbers since I was there four years ago; but they are very loyal to the Church, and generous in upholding the truth among them.
On the second Sabbath of March the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered. Services were held on each day as at home, with a fellowship meeting on Friday evening.
Mr. Macdonald was present from Brock as an elder of the congregation. It was deemed necessary to have another elder ordained. Mr. Allan Macleod was elected by the members and was ordained to the office of an elder in the congregation after the service on Monday evening. The communion season was in our experience a very refreshing time. If there is such sweet fellowship on earth, what must the fulness of it be where it is perfectly enjoyed. Our prayer is that the Lord would prosper His own cause in this city. What is all the opposition of men before His infinite power? I remained nine Sabbaths with our people in Winnipeg. During that time I visited, as far as I know, all the families in connection with our congregation, and received much kindness from them all. This time I stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Ross, Dominion Street. I wish to thank them, and all our people there for their kindness. On my way to Toronto, and Detroit, I stayed for two nights in Fort William. Mrs. Newington, and her brother, Mr. MacKenzie, formerly of the Stornoway congregation, arranged a service for Wednesday evening in Mr. MacKenzie’s house. The time was short for arrangements; but a goodly number attended the service. For the last four Sabbaths of April I supplied our congregation in Detroit. Since my previous visit to this city a real improvement had taken place in trade; but that cannot be said as to the religious aspect of things. I was pleased, however, to see an increase in the attendance at the services, and this continued the four Sabbaths I was there. Some of the congregation asked me if it was possible for the Church to supply them with a minister for a longer period. I asked Mr. MacKenzie, our Treasurer there, his opinion on this matter, and he promised to let the Clerk of the Canadian and Colonial Committee know what they can do financially as a congregation. There were two children baptized on my former visit and one on my last visit. Three services were held on the Sabbath and a prayer meeting during the week. I will always appreciate the kindness I received from friends in this city; but special thanks are due to Mrs. MacKenzie,
474 East Grand Boulevard, whose interest in our Church is known to all the deputies. I must also mention Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Morrison for they showed real kindness. My last Sabbath in Canada—the first of May was given to Rodney where I began my labours the previous year. I was pleased to find Mr. and Mrs. Maclellan in good health. Their interest in the cause of Christ is well known to our people. The weather on the Sabbath was all that could be desired, and a goodly number gathered in the School. A few of the friends came from Rodney, Simcoe, and other places. On the Monday morning I came to Simcoe, and the following Wednesday evening, preached in Toronto to a good congregation. This was my last service in Canada. I cannot here mention all those to whom thanks is due; but I must mention Mr. and Mrs. R. Campbell, Toronto, for their many acts of kindness. On Friday I joined the R.M.S. Antonia of the Cunard Line at Montreal, and arrived safe at Greenock on Saturday the 19th May. When I look back on the past year, and think of the Lord’s goodness to myself and family, I have cause indeed to wonder at His goodness. When I think how little I have done, what cause for shame, and to wonder that we are put in trust with the gospel. Thus I would acknowledge Christ is a good Master to serve, and those who put their trust in Him shall not be put to shame. The testimony of the Free Presbyterian Church was never more necessary in Canada and the U.S.A. than now. Our people were never more attached to that testimony, and let us be assured that this shall continue while we honour our Lord Jesus Christ by faithful adherence to law and gospel in profession and practice. I conclude by acknowledging the Lord’s great goodness to me on sea and land, and in bringing me back safe to my congregation and family. To His great Name be all the praise.
Esau wept that he lost the blessing, not that he sold it.
—William Gurnall.