Part 4

We have come to the end of the minutes. What does this record for a hundred years indicate? These old manuscripts traced by hands long since gone to dust tell us that these people believed that they were called with a Holy Calling; that it was their duty to shew forth the works of Him who had called them out of darkness into His marvellous light. They adopted the old doctrine that when they were Baptized, they were Baptized into his death, and that henceforth they must walk in oneness of life. That they observed the two grand outstanding ordinances of the new covenant. Baptism on the profession of their faith in their risen Lord, and the memorial of his dying Love, the Supper instituted by Him for all His followers. That they walked in fellowship with one another, and often met together to talk with one another of the all important matters of the soul. That they confessed that they were still angers and pilgrims here, and that the object of their pilgrimage on earth was to obtain an enduring inheritance in a better Country, that is an Heavenly.

Also, that they as a Church exercise a watch care over one another. If any were reported as having gone astray it is not left with the pastor alone; Brethren are appointed by the Church to confer with them, and to win them back. Nor need it be supposed that these remonstrances ended in a report to the Church. If brethren remained contumacious they were set aside or excluded. In many instances discipline had a salutary effect. The wandering members came back and were gladly received into their fellowship. It is also seen that the Church recognized its obligation to give the Gospel to the world. It is on record that this Church took up the collection in the Maritime Provinces for Dr. Judson when he established himself in Burmah as a Baptist Missionary.

From all these, we readily infer the divine origin of the Church. It is a society of Christians who associate to help one another in all that pertains to good honorable lives; to encourage one another when in trouble; to bear one another’s burdens and so to fulfil the law of Christ. A real Church, will, like its Divine Lord, be filled with tender solicitude for the lost sheep.

We are ready to confess that the ideal has not been attained; but we humbly claim that in striving for this we and our fathers have had such an uplift as could not otherwise be possible. For whatever this Church has been, for whatever it has done through a long line of men and women, we, their successors desire to render the glory to Him, whose spirit has ever prompted to such a course, and who by His Grace has strengthened us to do His Will.

THE ASSISTANT PASTORS OF THE CHURCH

Rev. George O. Gates, D. D., when a student at Acadia spent three months in the summer of 1872. Mr. Tate from Newton Theological Seminary spent the vacation of 1873 with us.

As the town grew the work at the branches could not be overtaken by any one man. After the above dates Rev. J. I. DeWolfe* spent one year; Rev. R. I. Skinner* two years; Rev. Wm. George* (hiring the years 1879-81. Rev. Geo. R. White.*

Mr. Gates, brother of G. O. Gates, was with us during the summer of ’86, Rev. C. W. Corey during 1887, Rev. Mr. Gehring, Rev. A. S. Kempton,* Rev. J. H. McDonald, Rev. H. G. Estabrooks, W. H. McLeod, Johnson Miner, A. F. Newcombe, J. A. Huntley, M. A. Richardson, J. T. Dimock, Ernest Brooks, Lemuel E. Ackland, F. F. Foshay, G. C. R. Keirstead.

*Deceased.

THE LICENTIATES OF THE CHURCH

Hilbert Black* (son of Dea. W. F. Black). S. McCully Black* (D. D. and editor for twenty years of denominational organ). Joseph H. Pipes* (died before completing his education), Absalom Powell, (pastor in the United States and this Province) Walter S. Black, (pastor in the North-West). Charles A. Eaton D. D., (pastor in Natick, Mass.; Bloor St., Toronto; Cleveland, Ohio; Madison Ave., New York. Geo. B. Cutten, Ph. D. (Yale), pastor in New Haven, New York, and Ohio, now President of Acadia University, Wolfville N. S. Geo. A. Lawson, pastor West end Halifax, and now of Moncton. W. M. Steele* B. A. Acadia and M. A. Yale, Pastor Greenville S. C. and Professor of Philosophy at Furman University, S. C. Wm Travis, Pastor in the North West. M. S. Richardson, pastor Prince St., Truro, N. S. Ernest J. Brooks, pastor at Rawdon. David Dixon, pastor in Digby Co.

NOTE:—

Revs. Geo. W. Schurman, Stephen Schurman, and David Crandall were also members of this Church, but were not licensed by us.

*Deceased.

THE DEACONS OF THE CHURCH DURING THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS.

Thomas Stokes Black*, (the first and probably for many years the only deacon; he was the son of the first Wm. Black, and brother of the Rev. Wm. Black, the apostle of Methodism). W. Freeze Black*, (son of Thomas S. Black, who was five years deacon contemporaneously with his father). Wm. Donkin*. Elisha B. Cutten*, (These two brethren were deacons in 1842). Samuel Taylor*, Salem. Cyrus Black*, (clerk for many years), Moses Lowe* and Robert Embree*, were elected and ordained on Nov. 3rd, 1885; Robert McCully*, (son of Rev, S. McCully* died May 19th, 1878). Amos Blenkhorn* (prothonotary, died March 24th, 1892, aged 86). A Torrey Bent*, (died 1897, aged 86 yrs.) J. M. Layton, (who has served under every pastor in the church). Thomas R. Black*, (Grandson of deacon T. S. Black, Senator of the Dominion, died Sept 16th, 1905, aged 74) M. D. Pride.* Geo. W. Christie* (Died July 31st, 1908) Wm. M. Read, (prothonotary). Hugh Logan, 3rd* (died Sept 24th 1906, aged 79). D. F. Quigley, (removed to Vancouver B. C.) Hebert Freeman*, (died July 23rd, 1905, aged 46.) Samuel Freeman, 3rd. D. Wilbur Freeman. J. Avard Black. B. James Lawson. Amos Logan. Wilbur O. Logan. Alex Clegg. J. Alex Christie. W. W. Black. M. M. Tingley. *Deceased

Centennial Program.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16th. MORNING SERVICE, 11 O’CLOCK.

Doxology and Invocation. Hymn No. 118.—“O God Our help In Ages Past” Scripture Reading Chant, Psalm XC.—“Lord Thou Hast Been Our Dwelling Place” Prayer. Solo—“Out Of The Deep.” Marks. Mr. J. L. Ralston. Offering. Anthem—“The Lord Is Exalted.” J. E. West. Hymn No. 119.—“When All Thy Mercies.” Centennial Sermon—Rev. J. H. McDonald, B. A. Hymn No. 131.—“My Soul Repeat his Praise.” Benediction.

SUNDAY, 2.30 P.M MASS MEETING OF BIBLE SCHOOLS.

Centre and Highlands. Address—Rev. Geo. A. Lawson. Offering. Double Quartette—“Consider and Hear Me.”—Pflueger. Mrs. Black, Mrs. Betts, Miss Lawson, Miss Simpson, Messrs Bishop, Lawson, Shiers, Marney.

SUNDAY, 7 O’CLOCK.

“Glory to Thee, My God This Night.” Gounod. The Choir (Mrs. Betts, Soloist.) Hymn No. 87—“The Lord is King.” Scripture Reading. Solo—“If With All Your Hearts.” (Elijah) Mendelssohn. Dr. R. H. Burrell. Prayer. Offering. Anthem—“Praise The Lord, ye Heavens Adore Him.” E. Turner. The Choir. Sermon—Rev. G. B. Cutten, Ph. D., President Acadia University. Quartette—“Jesus Lover of My Soul” Miss Hazel Lawson, Mrs. S. L. Lawson, Messrs. Lawson and Sopp. Hymn No. 59—“Now The Day Is Over.” Benediction

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17th, 8 P. M.

Chairman—The Pastor. Solo—“The Ninety and Nine”—Champion, Selected. Mrs. A. Betts. Lecture—“The Poets And The Life Beyond” Rev. J. H. McDonald, B. A. Duet—“Eventide” Nevin. Messrs. Lawson and Shiers

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18th, 3 P. M MASS MEETING.

Baptist Women’s Missionary Aid Society. Amherst, Amherst Highlands, Salem, Leicester. Chairman—Mrs. J. Alex. Christie, President Amherst Society. Hymn. Scripture Reading. Prayer. Hymn. Historical Sketch of Amherst Missionary Society. Mrs. Jesse Harding. Solo—“Just For To-day” Abbott Mrs. C. C. Black. Address—Subject, North-West Missions. Rev. D. E. Hatt, B. A. Silver offering for North-West Missions.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18th.

CENTENNIAL SUPPER 5.30 to 7 P. M. For members of Church and Congregation. Committee in Charge > The Women’s Aid Society Mrs. Rogers’ Bible Class

CENTENNIAL NIGHT, 8 P. M.

Chairman The Pastor. Doxology and Invocation Hymn No. 671—“I Love Thy Kingdom Lord” Reading Scripture. Prayer. Solo—“The Good Shepherd”—Barri Mr. A. E. Sopp. Historical Sketch of Church—Rev D. A. Steele, D. D. Male Quartette—Selected. Messrs. Fraser, Thompson, Shiers and Sopp. Offering. Hymn No. 670—“Christ is made The Sure Foundation” Address—“Glimpses into the Lives of Rev. Samuel McCully and Charles Tupper, D. D.”—Mrs. H. Wyckoff Rogers. Solo—Selected Mr. Fraser. Address—“Brief Reminiscence of the Past” Deacons Layton, Read, S. Freeman and Mrs. G. B. Smith. Anthem—“The Radiant Morn.” Woodward. The Choir. Hymn No. 138—“O God the Rock of Ages” Benediction.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19th, 8 P. M.

Centennial Fraternal Service. Chairman The Pastor. Ladies’ Chorus—“God is Watching Over All”—Abt. Scripture Reading and Prayer. Hymn No. 128,—“The Lord Our God is King” Reading of Letters from former Pastors and assistant pastors. Offering. Solo—“Close to Thee” Briggs. Mr. S. L. Lawson. Congratulatory Addresses. Ministers of Town.

Duet—“My Faith Looks Up to Thee” Nevin. Messrs. Lawson and Sopp. Congratulatory Addresses Baptist Ministers of County. Anthem—“Pilgrims of the Night”—Parker The Choir Hymn No. 654—“Blest be the Tie that Binds.” Benediction.

A special invitation was extended to congregations of the other churches of the Town to unite with us in our Fraternal Service.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20th, 8 P. M.

Led by Pastor. This was a service of Prayer, Praise. Testimony, Thanksgiving and Consecration. Address—Subject—“Retrospect and Prospect.” The Pastor. Letters were sent to all the non-resident members of the Church requesting that they send a few words of Greeting to be read at this service.

Resident Members.