The Committee, as decided at the last meeting of Synod, has to report that Rev. J. P. Macqueen, after being ordained by the Southern Presbytery, sailed from Greenock on the 27th of October, 1934, as the Deputy to Canada and Australia. He has since conducted services in Toronto, Fortwilliam, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Vancouver. He left Vancouver on the 27th of March this year on a six month’s visit to our people on the Clarence River, Australia. It is expected (D.V.) that on returning to Canada, he will give a longer period to Vancouver and Winnipeg, and visit other stations where we have services.
The Rev. D. M. Macdonald, at the request of the Committee agreed to supply Detroit for three months. He sailed from Glasgow on the 6th October for New York. His letters indicate that he had encouraging congregations in Detroit. He preached in Rodney for one Sabbath and held services in Buffalo and New York.
A letter reached the Committee from New York asking for a visit from our Deputies, and, if possible, to form a mission in connection with the Free Presbyterian Church. All that the Committee could do in the meantime was to authorise Mr. Macdonald to give two Sabbaths there on his way home.
On account of the heavy financial burden borne by our congregations in the U.S.A., and Canada, by yearly visits from ministers all the way from Scotland, our Committee urged Mr. Macdonald to extend his visit and proceed to Winnipeg and Vancouver for some time. We are pleased to report that he consented to go for six weeks to each place, and if possible will visit Saskatoon and Calgary.
This report would be lacking in expressing our obligations, if we did not acknowledge what has been done by our elders both in Winnipeg and Vancouver. Mr. Mackay reports good attendances at the services in Vancouver, and we know that the visit of our Deputies will encourage the elders and congregation there. May they be enabled to continue faithful in a back-sliding age. In Winnipeg our congregation, though smaller in numbers has done well in reducing the debt on their church-building. We also acknowledge with gratitude that the interest is reduced to 3½ per cent which will prove very helpful in meeting payments in the future. We wish to thank all who contributed to this Fund, and those who wish yet to contribute to remind them that contributions will be gratefully received by Mr. John Grant, our General Treasurer.
In bringing this report to a close, the Committee would impress upon the Synod that there is a great field ready in the U.S.A., and Canada for the gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The door is open to us to enter that field with the glad tidings of salvation, and may we be enabled while we have the opportunity to go forward making mention only of His righteousness who has promised—”Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”