By Rev. ALEXANDER MACRAE, Portree,
Synod’s Deputy.
MODERATOR AND BROTHERS,—As you are aware, the Synod at its meeting last November appointed a Committee for the purpose of providing the friends connected with our Church in Ontario, Canada, with ordinances last summer. This Committee asked me to go across to Canada as this year’s deputy from our Church to visit our people in that distant land. Many difficulties stood in my way, and I hesitated long in undertaking this important and responsible task. After careful consideration, I agreed to go in the hope that the Lord would not suffer any hurt to befall His own cause on my account. I need scarcely say that I had a keen sense of unfitness for fulfilling the important duties that I had undertaken. I hoped, however, that the Lord would perfect that which concerned me, and cause my fears in regard to several matters that deeply concerned me to be dispelled. As the several stations connected with our Church in Ontario are now fully organised, and a sufficient number of elders ordained, the Committee did not think it necessary that this year’s delegate should be accompanied with an elder from the home Church. I, accordingly, consented to go without the privilege of being accompanied by an elder; only I hoped that the prayers of not a few throughout our Church would follow me over sea and land to the scene of my labours.
I sailed from Glasgow on the s.s. “Lakonia” for Montreal on the 7th of May. I thus left a little earlier than the Rev. John R. Mackay did last year, as I was anxious to be back, if it were the Lord’s will, in time for our Communion at Portree on the second Sabbath of August. The weather seemed threatening at the time that I left, and I was afraid that I might have to experience a somewhat unpleasant passage. My fears, however, were not realised. A cold wind from the north blew with some vehemence on the forenoon of the first day at sea off the Irish coast; but it moderated in the afternoon, and afterwards a more favourable passage could scarcely be enjoyed until we reached Canadian waters. We passed Cape Rose—the northern extremity of Newfoundland—on the evening of Saturday, the 14th of May. On the following morning we found ourselves enveloped in thick fog, in which it turned out that other steamers in our vicinity had come to grief, and we had much reason for thankfulness that we got out of it without any mishap. We entered the Gulf of St. Lawrence before sunset, and after darkness had set in we encountered immense sheets of field ice, the presence of which at that time of the year indicated the severity of the last Canadian winter. We failed to get a passage through till daybreak. On Tuesday we were sailing up the river St. Lawrence, passing not far from Kamouraska, the birth-place of the renowned “Father” Chiniquy, and we reached Quebec early on Wednesday morning. It was here that the British army, led by General Wolfe, obtained in September of 1759 such a decisive victory over the French that Canada since ceased to be a French possession, which, as is well known, is now one of the most flourishing of the British colonies. History relates that the success of British arms in that conflict, on the issue of which the future of Canada so much depended, was largely due to the prowess of a certain Highland regiment, and it was but natural that from that time Highlanders should be playing a prominent part in the prosperity of that country. In sailing up the river St. Lawrence, one could not help regretting that the inhabitants of the fertile plains that stretched out on both its banks, as far as one could see, should be Roman Catholics. The presence of churches flying huge crosses, and numerously planted all along this beautiful river’s course, furnished a strong testimony to the strength of Roman Catholicism. We reached Montreal on the twelfth day after leaving Glasgow, and in this city I was sorry to find the Popish element that characterised the banks of the river St. Lawrence very much in evidence. I counted not less than 200 priests perambulating the streets. It was in this city that the excellent William C. Burns was pelted with stones and rotten eggs by the blinded devotees of Rome for proclaiming, with his wonted faithfulness, the glad tidings of salvation when he went out on a mission tour to Canada soon after the Disruption of 1843. There is a Protestant element in it, but the many imposing buildings reared by the Church of Rome indicate that “the mother of harlots” exercises her deadly influence over the great bulk of the population.
In regard to religious duties during the voyage, I had not an altogether unpleasant experience. At meals the divine blessing was always invoked without objection. I had a letter of introduction from the Rev. Neil Cameron to the captain of the “Lakonia,” by which he also went on the outgoing voyage, and I have no doubt it smoothed the way considerably. I fear that the duty of asking the divine blessing at meals is largely neglected, not only on steamers, but very generally elsewhere. On the first Sabbath at sea I was not in a condition to conduct a religious service; but on the second I was privileged to hold a short Gaelic service with two of the crew, who are natives of Tiree, and a short English service with the captain and passengers in the cabin. The journey by land was comfortably accomplished. I travelled all night from Montreal to Toronto, a distance of 333 miles. At Toronto I was met by a native of Skye, who insisted on me to stay with him till the following day, and at whose hands I received much kindness. I resumed the journey on Saturday morning, and in the afternoon I reached Seaforth, which is 140 miles to the west of Toronto. I was met at the station by our worthy missionary, Mr. Clark, who immediately conducted me to his hospitable home, where I was kindly received by Mrs. Clark and other friends. Later on I proceeded to Brucefield, which by road is six miles from Seaforth, and on arriving there I was accorded the same kind reception at the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest and their grand-daughters that I had previously experienced at Seaforth. Brucefield is already familiar to you from the reports of your former deputies, and through the name of our excellent friend Mr. Forrest being so much associated with it. At Brucefield, and wherever I went, very kind enquiries were made about Mr. Cameron and Mr. Mackay, and also about the elders who accompanied them, Mr. MacLachlan and Mr. MacLean. Their memories are very fondly cherished by our people in Canada, and I have been asked by more than I can well remember to convey to them their warmest regards.
It was arranged that, if I arrived late in the week, I would begin work at Brucefield. I thus entered upon my solemn duties on the fourth Sabbath of May. In the district of Brucefield there is scarcely any Gaelic spoken, and there was no call or necessity for a Gaelic service being held. Two English services were conducted in the Methodist Church, the use of which was again this year kindly granted to us. You are already aware from former reports that our Church is not largely represented at Brucefield; but the Lord shows a favour to that place in still leaving a remnant in it who are very loyal to the cause of truth. They meet from Sabbath to Sabbath in Mr. Forrest’s house for divine worship, and it is a matter to be very thankful for that our esteemed friend is able, at the advanced age of 81, to conduct the meetings. It was here that the godly Rev. Mr. Ross laboured for many years, who refused to enter the union of 1873. At that time the whole of his congregation stood out with him; but, after his death in 1887, they all returned to a church with which they formerly refused to have any connection for having abandoned fundamental principles, with the exception of those who are now connected with the Free Presbyterian Church. Such an occurrence has often taken place in the history of the Church; but it usually happens that those, who for a time contend for truth and afterwards forsake it, go in the long run further astray than any, and they present a more stubborn resistance than others to the doctrines and principles that they at one time professed to hold. Such a sad result is surely an evidence of judicial hardness, and very much to be dreaded. On the following Sabbath I was at East Williams. I left Brucefield on the previous Thursday with Mr. Clark, who kindly accompanied me to all the stations. The directions, in which the several stations geographically lie, have already been described to you with perfect accuracy in previous reports, and I need not make any attempt at describing them. At East Williams there is quite a comfortable church, which is locally known as the Lochaber Church. It derives this name from the circumstance that a lady from Lochaber in Scotland settled down there, and I am glad to say that she and her family are staunch adherents of our Church. The name of the late Mr. Donald Fraser, a native of Clachnaharry, near Inverness, is closely associated with this Lochaber church. He was deeply interested in its welfare, of which he had given a practical proof in having gifted material sufficient for its erection. Although it is now many years since the Lord called him to his everlasting rest, his memory is still quite fresh among the people. He wrote a pamphlet against the use of instrumental music and uninspired hymns in divine worship that well deserves being reproduced in the pages of our Magazine. He is reputed to have been a man of profound piety, and his influence for good appears to have been very great. We were very kindly entertained at East Williams by Mr. and Mrs. MacMillan. I have since been informed that they have removed to Ailsa Craig, and I feel sure that they will be very much missed. Here the congregation is very much larger than at Brucefield. The people in this district were previously connected with the congregation of the late Rev. Mr. Macpherson. Mr. Macpherson was a true and faithful witness, and he suffered much for truth and conscience sake.
I arranged to stay at East Williams for three Sabbaths—one Sabbath more than Mr. Cameron and Mr. Mackay were able to give. On the second Sabbath the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed, when the church, which accommodates about 300 people, was quite comfortably filled up. It was interesting to see among the audience on several occasions an intelligent-looking Red Indian, accompanied with his little boy. The church was again comparatively filled on the evening of the last Sabbath that I was there. No doubt there would have been a considerable sprinkling of those in connection with other Churches. Personally, I felt more affected at this closing service than at any of the rest, and I had a feeling of profound sorrow at parting with the people, who appeared to give the closest attention throughout. Here we had a short Gaelic service every day, except on the Sabbath and Monday of the Communion. The people at East Williams are highly privileged in their staff of elders. Mr. MacLeish, West Williams, who is a native of Asgog, in the district of Tighnabruaich, is the oldest member of Session. He is now assisted in the duties of the eldership by Mr. Menzies, Mr. Mackenzie, and Mr. Scott. In the absence of Mr. Clark, the duty of conducting the meetings usually falls on Mr. MacLeish, whose ministrations are deservedly valued highly by the people. During my sojourn at East Williams I was able to call on most of our people at their own homes, who received me with the utmost possible kindness. I was much interested in a visit to an old lady, a Mrs. Ross, from Ferintosh, who was one of those who nursed the celebrated Dr. Macdonald of Ferintosh on his death-bed. I have a pleasant recollection of two days I happily spent with Mr. MacLeish at West Williams, and also of a few days I spent at Lobo, in the opposite direction from East Williams. I was extremely sorry to hear since my return that Mr. William Scott, under whose hospitable roof I stayed at Lobo, died on the 11th September from a severe attack of appendicitis. Mr. Scott was a member of the congregation of East Williams, and was the father of Mr. Hugh Scott, one of our elders there. His parents, who emigrated from Roxburghshire, are reported to have been highly religious, and strong in their attachment to evangelistic doctrine. Mr. Scott entertained similar sentiments. He was a sincerely pious man, of sterling principle, and of unbending resolution to carry out what he deemed the interests of truth demanded. His death must have created a great blank in the congregation of which he was a worthy member, and the cause in general has sustained a great loss in his removal. Our tenderest sympathies go out to his lonely and sorrowing widow in her sore bereavement, to his son, daughter-in-law, and to other relatives. It was but a few weeks previously that Mrs. Scott lost a devoted brother, and we pray that He who is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort may comfort her in all her tribulation. I also regret to say that Mrs. Anderson, Ailsa Craig, a sister of the late Rev. Mr. Macpherson, and a worthy member of our Church in connection with East Williams, was so weak at the time that I was there that a recovery was scarcely looked for; but I was afterwards glad to hear that there was a marked improvement.
After leaving East Williams I returned to Brucefield, where I had again the pleasure of spending a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Forrest. Towards the end of the week I proceeded, accompanied by Mr. Clark, to the North Line of Kincardine, following the order adopted by Mr. Mackay last year. I conducted Gaelic and English services at the North Line on the third and fourth Sabbaths of June. The church that our people have here to worship in is now in a somewhat dilapidated condition. As at East Williams, the attendances at the North Line were also very encouraging—equal, at least, it was said, to those on former occasions. It is beyond doubt that the people in general take a growing interest in our work. They listened everywhere with rapt attention, and often much solemnity characterised them. May it please the Lord to mix His word by faith in the heart of not a few! At the North Line some were present from Paisley, about 14 miles to the north, and a considerable number from Lochalsh, about the same distance to the south. The worthy elder who represents our Church here is Mr. John Morrison, a native of Scourie in Sutherlandshire. Although deprived of his eyesight for many years, he is remarkably intelligent and well informed. Being but a mere boy when he left his native country, he can well recall the visit of William C. Burns to Ontario, of which he has pleasant reminiscences, and interesting anecdotes of the remarkable power that accompanied the preaching of that eminent saint. During our stay at the North Line we were hospitably entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, whose house has also been the house of your former deputies. I visited in this district a worthy couple from Stoer, who, through the infirmities incident to old age, are confined to the house, but who seem to be remarkably resigned to the will of the Lord and contented with their lot.
It was arranged that I would conduct a service on the evening of Monday after the fourth Sabbath of June at Kincardine. Kincardine is a town of about 5000 inhabitants, situated on the banks of Lake Huron. We met in the house of Mr. Roderick Macrae, a native of Loch Nedd in Assynt. Here we had a crowded meeting; and as in this town we have some faithful adherents, it is regrettable that more regular services could not be organised than is possible in present circumstances. From Kincardine I proceeded to Lochalsh, where Gaelic is spoken on a more extensive scale than in any of the places it was my privilege to visit. I should also think that the number of people connected with us at Lochalsh is equal to, if not larger than, that in any of the other districts. In any case the attendance at all the diets of worship seemed to be even larger than at East Williams. As we are called at home to mourn the loss of those who have been a tower of strength to the cause in our midst, so we mingle our tears with those in distant Ontario who are called to mourn for the same reason. It was during Mr. Mackay’s visit last year that a breach was made on our staff of elders at Lochalsh in the removal of Mr. Donald (Roderick) Mackenzie. As you are aware, another breach has since taken place in the removal of Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, a short account of whom appeared from the pen of Mr. Forrest in our Magazine. His death is keenly felt by the Lord’s people, for, besides having been a man of undoubted genuine piety, he was possessed of clear discernment and endowed with remarkable prudence. The only elder now left at Lochalsh is Mr. William Matheson, a nephew of the late Mr. Alexander Mackenzie. In his very kind and hospitable home I had the happiness and privilege of staying during my short sojourn there. Mr. Matheson has a keen sense of the responsibility of his office, and he has our sincerest sympathy. There is a very comfortable church at Lochalsh. I conducted services here on the first Sabbath of July, and on the following Sabbath the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed. The services throughout were very well attended. It was literally true that people gathered to the Communion from north, south, east, and west. Some were present from Detroit, in the United States, and from Milwaukee, which is about sixty miles to the north of Chicago, on the west side of Lake Michigan. Whatever the fruit may be, there was no lack of attention on the part of the people. In a district where so many families are connected with our Church, it is much to be regretted that they could not have more regular services than they have at present. Mr. Clark is somewhat isolated from our people where he has his home in the meantime. If, in Providence, he saw his way to remove to Lochalsh, he would find himself in the midst of a very warm-hearted class of people, on whom a great boon would be conferred by his presence among them. The people at East Williams and Brucefield are highly privileged in having Mr. MacLeish and Mr. Forrest to conduct the meetings; but at Lochalsh, Kincardine, and the North Line there is no one among them who would undertake this duty. These places are within comparatively short distances of each other, and if Mr. Clark’s way were made clear to remove to Lochalsh, a great favour would be conferred on them all, as the people could easily go in wet weather from the one place to the other to attend on his ministrations. This arrangement would certainly secure more regular supply for these places without infringing in any way on the rights of the other stations to Mr. Clark’s services.
On the following Sabbath, the third Sabbath of July, the Communion was dispensed at Brucefield, and, as usual, services were held on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday in connection with the solemn occasion. Here the work was considerably lighter owing to the absence of Gaelic services. The heat, however, was very oppressive, and I felt thankful that it did not last long. Comparatively cool weather ensued, which was a relief not only to me but to many others. A fair number of friends gathered from other districts, and it was said that the attendance on former occasions was fully maintained. A feeling of sadness prevailed on Monday evening when friends had to part with each other. They dispersed in all directions, and shall not all meet together again till the great day of judgment. Mr. William Scott, who is now no more, was among them.
I thus completed my ninth Sabbath in Canada, and I regretted that I could only give one Sabbath more. It was long before the session could decide on where I should conduct services on this last Sabbath. This was owing to differences that had, unfortunately, broken out at Newton soon after Mr. Mackay returned home last year. Mr. Cameron was one Sabbath at Newton where he formed the nucleus of a promising congregation. They were all so enthusiastic in their profession of sincerely homologating the position of our church that they, with little delay, set about the erection of a church in the hope of having it completed before the arrival of Mr. Mackay in the following year. When Mr. Mackay arrived at Newton he found this church ready for occupancy, or, at least, very nearly so, and formally opened it in the presence of a large congregation. A certain Mr. James Munro, from London, Ontario, who professes to have a commission for preaching direct from the Lord Jesus, has been in the habit of paying occasional visits to Newton for some years. As far as I know he is not in connection with any particular church, and he can only be recognised as a self-constituted functionary. After Mr. Mackay left last year he entered upon the reckless task of drawing out a constitution for the congregation at Newton, which he regarded as an improvement upon the constitution that they had already embraced. This unwarrantable action gave rise to considerable dissension in the congregation. The most deprecated his interference, but some lent him their support, and principally the present trustees of the church property. The title-deeds are, of course, in their hands, and there is a strong suspicion that they are written out according to the ideas entertained by Mr. Munro, as he may possibly have had in view to appropriate the building for his own use. That Mr. Munro’s ideas should have received support from any of those who professed to accept of our constitution was interpreted as tantamount to separation from our church. Some were so annoyed at his interference that they ran to the opposite extreme of returning to the Presbyterian Church of Canada. Such was the representation of the state of matters at Newton given me on my arrival in Canada, and it was doubtful whether I should go there or not. With the consent of the session, however, I wrote Mr. Donald Jack from East Williams, who is Mr. Munro’s leading supporter, announcing my arrival as this year’s deputy from the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. I also requested him to kindly let me know if I was justified in regarding him and others at Newton as still in unbroken connection with our church. I had a reply soon after, in which Mr. Jack assured me of no change having taken place in their relation to the Free Presbyterian Church, and he expressed the hope that I would visit Newton. He also expressed a desire to meet me that he might be able to more fully explain the state of matters. He and his brother, accordingly, arranged to meet me at Lochalsh. I there conferred with them in private, and, with the approval of the session, submitted to them certain propositions, which, if they subscribed, would, in our opinion, put matters at Newton on a permanently satisfactory basis. These they expressed their willingness to subscribe except the last, which had reference to church property; and with regard to this and, indeed, to all the propositions, they indicated a preference to defer subscription until they had an opportunity of consulting the rest of the trustees. They, however, in private, and afterwards before the session, reiterated their acceptance of the distinctive position of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and although it was pointed out to them that their profession involved separation from every individual who did not accept her position, they made no objection. In the circumstances the session had no difficulty in deciding that it was my duty to visit Newton, and it was agreed that a meeting of the session would be held in the church there on Friday the 22nd of July, at 7 p.m., to inquire into the nature of the differences that existed and, if possible, to remove them. Messrs. Forrest and Clark proceeded with me to Newton, and the session met at the time appointed, before which parties who were supposed to be at variance were summoned to appear. After constituting the session I ruled that only members and adherents of our church would have the right to speak. It turned out that Mr. Munro from London was present—at whose request I know not—and although he repudiated in very plain terms the authority of the session and challenged its right to meet in a church that he claimed to be his, he vehemently insisted on being heard. This privilege was, of course, denied him, being, on his own admission, an outsider, and considering his arrogance and the extravagance of his claims, it evidently was as well to attempt ploughing the waves of the sea as to look for even an approach to reasonableness at his hands. It was undoubted that an element existed favourable to the position of this outsider and another in favour of maintaining the position of our church. I then simply asked those who homologated the position of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland and submitted themselves to the exclusive jurisdiction of her courts to stand. I felt that there was a call to promptly remove all ambiguity, but when thus tested the Messrs. Jack and two or three others who act as trustees of the building ignored and really falsified their previous profession of unflinching adherence to the constitution of our church. In the circumstances the session could adopt no other course than to declare them outside of their jurisdiction, and justified the conduct of those who opposed the unwarrantable action of tampering with a constitution that was already understood to have been embraced by our people. The act of adhering to a man who openly repudiates our church as well as all other churches with an expressed determination on the part of the few who do adhere to him to pursue this course can have no other meaning than withdrawal from our jurisdiction. Before closing the session I announced my intention of ministering on the Sabbath to our people at Newton. I conducted two English services, and the attendance at both was agreeably surprising. At the forenoon service there was a good congregation, but in the evening the hall in which we met was literally packed. Although additional chairs and seats were brought in some failed to get accommodation inside. I exhorted our people to keep closely together, and assured them of being visited again next year. The session did not feel justified in raising any legal question with regard to the church building. They felt that that was a matter for those who contributed towards its erection. In any case I am happy to report that I parted with our people at Newton of one heart and mind in their determination to abide by the distinctive position of our church; and although we had a little trouble the result of it is that our position is more intelligently understood than otherwise it might be, and it apparently commends itself to the conscience of the general public.
The only other matter of importance that I have to report is in reference to the will of the late Mr. Alexander Mackenzie. As I already stated, Mr. Mackenzie was a highly-respected elder of our church in connection with the group at Lochalsh. After other sundry provisions are made, the fifth clause of the will runs as follows:—”All the rest and residue of my estate of all kinds and nature I give, devise, and bequeath unto the Free Presbyterian Church in Canada in connection with the Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland for the purposes of assisting and extending the said church in Canada.” The terms of this provision are so unequivocably expressed that they really leave no room to doubt what the design and intentions of the testator were. The very semblance of a doubt I can only attribute to a wilful perversion of the meaning of terms. On the occasion of my visit to Lochalsh I went to Lucknow, where Mr. Mackenzie latterly resided, and which is about eight miles from Lochalsh, to see the lawyer who had charge of the matter. I met him at his office along with a Mr. Murdoch, who is one of the two executors of the will, and I formally claimed for our church “all this rest and residue” as officially representing “the Free Presbyterian Church in Canada in connection with the Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland.” In course of our conversation a strange argument was used virtually denying the existence of a Free Presbyterian Church in Canada on the ground that there was no ordained minister and no Presbytery. I pointed out that this Free Presbyterian Church in Canada is not an independent body, but is only in connection with the Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland, as definitely stated in the will, and stood in the same organic relation to it as any of its congregations or mission stations at home, and no distance, however great, could affect the relation. I was ultimately assured that the Free Presbyterian Church would come into possession of the provision made in the will, and I left intimating that, in course of the week, I would forward an official written statement bearing on the matter. The session met a few days after, and I submitted the following written claim for their approval:—
“I, Alexander Macrae, minister of the congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland, and acting in name and by authority of the said Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland as Moderator of the Kirk-session of the Free Presbyterian Church in Canada, which exists in organic connection with, and not apart from, nor independent of, the said Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland, do hereby claim, in name of the said church ‘all the rest and residue of the estate of all kinds and nature’ of the late Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, of the village of Lucknow, in the county of Bruce, in terms of the fifth clause in the last will and testament of the said late Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, for the purposes of assisting and extending the said Free Presbyterian Church in Canada, as definitely stated in the said will of the said late Mr. Alexander Mackenzie.
“Further, as the Free Presbyterian Church in Canada is a regularly organised body, existing in organic connection with, and not apart from, nor independent of, the said Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland, but forming a part and parcel of it, being governed by a kirk-session regularly elected by the members of said body in Canada, and subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the Synod of the said Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland, I, Alexander Macrae, with consent of the kirk session of the said Free Presbyterian Church in Canada, governing in Canada in name and by authority of the said Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland, do hereby direct and authorise the executors of said will to pay, through their agent, in terms of said will, ‘all the rest and residue of the estate of all kinds and nature’ of the said late Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, to the general treasurer of the said Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, viz., Mr. Angus Clunas, 18 Ardconnel Terrace (East), Inverness, Scotland, to be administered by the said Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland for the purposes clearly and definitely stated in the will of the late Mr. Alexander Mackenzie, of the village of Lucknow, in the county of Bruce, viz., of assisting and extending the said Free Presbyterian Church in Canada, which is in connection with the Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland.
“(Signed) ALEXANDER MACRAE, Moderator
of the kirk-session of the Free Presbyterian Church in Canada, acting in name and by authority of the Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland.”
The session cordially approved of this claim on the ground that they undeniably and indisputably represent the Free Presbyterian Church in Canada, of which the testator was a devoted elder, and which exists in organic connection with the Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland, and is subject to the government of its Synod. I then signed the claim in their presence, and my signature was attested by two of the members—Mr. William Matheson and Mr. Hugh Scott. The session appointed a committee, of which Mr. Forrest is convener, for the purpose of looking after the interests of the church in this will. They were empowered “to adopt any course circumstances might call for, and to report to the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church in Scotland.” This written claim and a certified extract from the minutes of session bearing upon the matter were forwarded to the executors through their agent, and I have in my possession a note from him acknowledging receipt of them. I also made an affidavit before a magistrate which, in substance, was to the effect that I am minister of the congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland at Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland; that the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland is an organised body; that there are groups of people connected with it at East Williams, Brucefield, Lochalsh, and other places, who are governed by a body of elders elected from among themselves, and to whom ordinances are administered by a moderator appointed by the Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland; that they have no minister or presbytery, and no power to make canons themselves; that, except as above described, there is no body or institution known to me as the Free Presbyterian Church in Canada; and that the said body is in organic connection with the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Such is what I did in regard to this matter, and I hold that in our claim our identity is so thoroughly established that no conscientious executor could have any room to doubt it. There are startling developments nowadays in legal circles; but, in view of the plain facts set forth in our claim, it is surpassing strange that, since my return from Canada, there should be such a development of this case as Mr. Forrest now reports. His report is before the Synod, and the duty of vindicating by all lawful means the just claims of our church is beyond dispute.
The long interval that passed without having a formal meeting of session, in the absence of a moderator, was felt, particularly in view of the Newton case, to be an inconvenience. As a provisional arrangement, the session appointed a committee, consisting of all the elders, with Mr. Forrest as convener, for the purpose of attending to the general interests of all the groups under their care, with power to give counsel in any case that might arise, to hear and settle, if possible, any differences that might exist, and to act generally as to their wisdom might seem best for the welfare of the cause in all the districts under their charge, subject to the authority of the kirk-session, and to report to the first meeting of session, or, if need be, to the Synod of our church.
I thus brought the work entrusted to me to a close on the 25th of July. I hope that it was not altogether in vain. Although I have every reason to be ashamed of my feeble efforts, I cannot deny the Lord’s goodness in bringing me through with a measure of comfort. As to what effect the truth may have I consider it prudent to maintain a certain reserve. It is the Spirit that quickeneth. I am, however, within the limits of soberness in saying that, through representatives from our church having for a season laboured in those distant parts, some at least have been brought to think seriously about eternal realities. The greatest encouragement possible rests upon evidences of this kind. The material prosperity of Canada is, without a doubt, rapidly advancing; but there are sure signs that a process of spiritual retrogression and decay is going on. This is not so evident from the amount of active work engaged in, or from the many agencies that are in operation, as from the extremely little regard there is for purity of doctrine and worship. As in Scotland, and, indeed, in most countries that were once favoured with a pure gospel, the atmosphere is contaminated with Arminianising tendencies. The great doctrine of predestination is almost universally ridiculed, and other fundamental doctrines are equally ignored. Conscience, that ever needs itself to be guided by the word of God, is exalted above it, and whatever mode of worship it does not pronounce wrong is reckoned as scriptural. The result is that there is scarcely a church in which instrumental music is not now used.
Not a few seem to be dissatisfied at this state of matters. If they were within reach of a church that held a distinct testimony for purity of doctrine and worship they would, in all probability, avail themselves of the privilege of becoming connected with it. In these circumstances it is plain that the sooner our Church places a minister over our people in Canada the better. It is a consummation very much to be desired, and I hope that, in the good providence of God, it may be brought about at no distant date. In any case, whoever may again visit our people in Canada, nothing approaching adequate justice can be done to them unless his labours extend over a considerably longer period than has hitherto been possible. They are deeply attached to the distinctive position of our church. It has been suggested to me that one of the lectures delivered annually on church principles by our ministers to their people should be published in the Magazine for their information.
Although for nothing else than for the great sympathy and kindness of the people, and for the number of the Lord’s remnant I have been privileged to meet, I shall ever retain very pleasant memories of my visit to Canada. I took leave of our highly-esteemed friends—Mr. Forrest and Mr. Clark—at Stratford, having previously parted at Newton with Mr. Hugh Jack, a worthy man of 88 years, and Mr. Phinehas Macdonald, at whose house we were all hospitably entertained. Among the company there was a Mr. Charles Robertson, from Stratford, a native of Logierait, Perthshire, whom I felt it refreshing to have met. After calling at Toronto, and visiting the wonderful falls of Niagara, I sailed from Montreal on the 28th of July; and coming by the strait of Belle Isle, which lies between New Foundland and the inhospitable coast of Labrador, I safely reached home, after a very favourable passage, exactly on the day on which I reckoned before I left. The Lord gave me much reason for profound thankfulness and humility in view of all the goodness that He made to pass before me in all my travels, and, not least, for the very favourable circumstances under which I was restored to my family.
I received £81 16s 4d from our friends in Canada for expenses. After deducting my own travelling expenses, and paying the students who helped to supply the Portree congregation in my absence, there remained a balance of £35 2s, which, with 30 dollars that I got from a sincere friend of the cause, I placed to the credit of the Sustentation Fund.