THE following letter has been received from the Rev. Donald Macleod, missionary, by the Rev. Neil Cameron, Glasgow:—
EGMONDVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA,
26th August, 1908.
MY DEAR MR. CAMERON,—I duly received your very kind and welcomed letter, and regret being so long in answering it. I have visited the North Line, Kincardine, Lochalsh, and Goderich, and at all these places had splendid gatherings, which, on the whole, were most encouraging. I have been at Brucefield for the last two Sabbaths, the Communion being on the second. The usual services were observed from Thursday to Monday, with the addition of a prayer-meeting in Mr. Forrest’s house on Saturday night and Sabbath night after the evening service. At these meetings Mr. Forrest, Mr. M’Leish, Mr. David Mackenzie, Mr. Phineas M’Donald, and Mr. Baird took part with a good measure of liberty, and, personally, I enjoyed them very much. Friends were present from East Williams, Lochalsh, Newton, Wardsville, Detroit, and Milwaukee, U.S.A., and on Sabbath evening a Mr. Thomson was present from Oregon, U.S.A. Quite a number came from Detroit, and the gathering being swelled by some residents
about Brucefield itself, it was the largest seen in connection with our Church there yet. The Methodists again kindly gave us the use of their church for the whole week. I had there also my first baptism—an infant daughter of Mr. Roderick Mackenzie, Detroit, named Margaret Christina. He is a brother of Mrs. Shupe, who was also present with her husband. I hope the Lord will abundantly bless the administration of the Ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper to all of us who were present. I came here yesterday as I had some little business to do in Seaforth, and I am leaving to-morrow morning for Newton, breaking my journey at Stratford for a few hours in order to visit Mr. Robertson. I shall be (D.V.) leaving Newton for Owen Sound en route for Winnipeg on Tuesday morning, the 1st of September. Mr. Alick Finlayson, Lochalsh, is going with me to Winnipeg.
Sometime ago I had a letter from the Secretary at Toronto re marriage in answer to Rev. Mr. Sinclair’s letter. He wouldn’t give me permission right away to perform marriage, as he thought he hadn’t all the particulars that he would like to have; but he sent me a copy of the Marriage Law of Canada, and asked me to study carefully sections 1 and 2 of it. After doing this I saw that the only thing about which there was any doubt was if a year would count for residence in Canada. When at Parkhill I consulted Mr. Mactavish, solicitor, there, and he assured me that I need not in the least have any fear in regard to it. So it is settled so far as I am concerned. But we have already taken steps to interview some of the Members of Parliament with a view to getting, if possible, the right given to our Mission here that any of our ministers coming from Scotland would be allowed to marry.
We are also going to make some repairs and improvements on the Church at East Williams, North Line, and Lochalsh. I shall (D.V.) be going to Wardsville and Detroit some time after my return from the North-West. The weather is keeping fine and cool, and I feel very well indeed. It is such a welcome change from the hot weather that we have been having ever since I came. I am very much indebted to you for remembering us at the throne of grace, for our need of it is daily increasing, and I have no doubt you will continue to plead for us. I often think that the people here are at a great disadvantage as hearers of the gospel in not being accustomed to the sea and the hills and mountains. Scotland is highly favoured in that respect, as resembling so much the land of mountains, hills, and streams, that borders on the Mediterranean Sea where the Revelation of God was given; for the whole Word of God abounds with references to these things, and people who have never seen them cannot be expected to fully appreciate and understand them, and neither they do. We need here the promise: “I will pour water upon the thirsty and floods upon the dry ground.” At all the places that I have visited the people are in their usual health. I hope that you are all well. I must now conclude with my kindest regards to you all.—Yours very sincerely,
D. MACLEOD.