By Rev. N. MACINTYRE.
THE Report of the Canadian Mission Committee will necessarily be brief as the Rev. Finlay Macleod, our Deputy for last year, and who, in the good providence of the Lord, has just returned to this country, will give in a report of his many labours at the different stations. Mr. Macleod, I believe, will have a very encouraging report to give for I have had many letters from friends in Canada expressing their high appreciation of his services and also informing me that the attendances were exceptionally good at all the stations. The Committee would take this opportunity of expressing their sincere thanks to Mr. Macleod in coming forward and offering himself when they were in a difficulty as to securing a delegate. They are also indebted to him for prolonging his stay in Canada even beyond the time he at first promised. We trust however that the Lord has rewarded him in blessing his labours among the poor sinners of Canada and the United States. Regarding supply for this year the Committee after corresponding unsuccessfully with several of our ministers secured the services of Rev. Wm. Grant, Halkirk. No doubt it would be more desirable to all concerned that a Gaelic speaking delegate should be sent but as such could not be procured we were much indebted to Mr. Grant for stepping into the breach. Mr. Grant sailed on 26th April by New York and arrived safely at Detroit, United States, where he was to begin his labours. He intends to give three or four Sabbaths there and a Sabbath to Rodney, and then, God willing, proceed to Winnipeg and thence to Vancouver. There are several other places in the Far West, such as Calgary, Saskatoon and other places, which are anxious that the deputy should visit them, but as Mr. Grant’s time is somewhat limited we left it to his own discretion whether he should visit them or not. The Committee, however, pressed upon him that if he could by any means spare the time he should go to these poor people who are so anxious to have the gospel preached to them. We regret that Mr. Grant could not be prevailed upon to give a longer period than six months but after urgently pressing him to remain at least nine months as the two former Deputies did he informed us that he was medically advised to be away from Canada before the winter sets in. I may inform the Synod that there is a probability of a Deputy going out by the end of this year or beginning of next but this arrangement is not yet definitely fixed. Regarding monies loaned to Deputies out of the Organisation Fund to meet their travelling expenses, the General Treasurer informed me that that has been fully repaid by the Canadian Stations. We certainly feel that a heavy burden is being laid upon our faithful people in Canada and United States in defraying the expenses of delegates but they are evidently quite willing to meet all this if they can have the gospel preached to them for a few Sabbaths. There is no doubt but there are wide and important fields ready to harvest both in Canada and America for faithful ministers to labour in and it would rejoice the heart of the Church at home and our people there to see pastors, sent by the Lord of the harvest, placed over them to break the bread of life. May the Lord hasten it in His time.