IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A ^/ ^ ,*i .<^ ^> ^^^ ' '-% & 4 K ^ 1.0 I.I 11.25 12.8 2.5 ^ liiift £f lis 12.0 6" Photographic Sciences Corporation 9% WEST MAIN STREET WEUTER.N.Y. MStO (716) •72-4503 :<\^ ^ qv (meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un das symboles suivants apparaitra sur la derniire image de cheque microfiche, salon le cas: le symbols -^ signifie "A SUIVRtf". le symbols V signifie "FIN '. Maps, plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included In one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre filmis A des taux de rMuction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul cllch6. 11 sst film6 A partir de I'angle supArleur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 THE FATHEKS OF CRIMSBY PARK. I. Kiiv. John WAKKPiiii.i), D.D. 3. Kkv. John Smaw, I). D. 3. J. n. Bn\VSI.AL(iH, Ksi 4. Kkv. Samlf.i. Kosr, DA). 5- David Hdisskk, Ks* 6. Rkv. Michael Fawckti. 7. ' o.n Bkamkk, l':s(,> r * GRIMSBY PARK HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SK.1^:'ICHES OK TllK I..MK. I'KKSIDKM' NOAH PHELPS AND OTHLRS > ^' BY HARRIET PHKLPS YOUMANS T*_#-'- ■■)'■ TORONTO WlLUiAM BRIGGS 1900 Kntkkku iic'ciii'dinn lo Ac-l of tliu I'lii'liaiiiuiit of Canada, in llic > oar one thousand iiiiif liiindr"d, by Hakhikt I'nKi.i'H NOima.ns, at tin- l)('|iartniont of A^rri- rulllliv. COXTKNTS. (iKiMsiiY Camf-Meeti.\(; - Noah Phelps - The Rev. Dr. Wakefield John B. Bowslalkih Grlmshy Park 46 56 ILLUSTRATIONS. The Fathers or (Ikimshy Park - Frontispidr A Jolly Outing 13 Scene on the Beach ------ 24 Steamboat Landinc; ------ 24 Noah Phelps 30 "Uncle Noah" Amo.\(; His Friends - - - 39 A (ii.iMPsE of the Lake Front - - - - 50 Amon(; the Cott.ac.es 57 "The Trysting Pl.xce" - - - - - - 57 The Piazza of Lake View House - - - 60 Board of Directors, 1894 67 Board of Directors, 189S ----- 67 An Angry Surf 73 The Calm That Follows 73 GRIMSBY CAMP-MEETING, THE camp-meeting seems to have been a prominent feature of the early religious life of Canada. Long before there were towns or villages, the scattered settlers were wont to gather occasi;)nally in those primitive meetings. When the little log houses were miles apart, and men and women were engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with the forest, the wild beasts, and poverty, there was in some places little time or thought devoted toreligif)Us subjects. Isolated, and engaged continuall)- in this fight, it is not surprising that they sometimes forgot their early training and grew cold and indifferent toward reli- gious matters. Children were born, and sometimes half grown, in some localities, before they had ever heard a sermon or seen a church. It was then that the Metho- dist Church sent forth missionaries to carry the comforts of the Gospel to those solitary families. Many of these men were as poor as their parishioners, and as hardy and brave. Travelling on horseback, in all kinds of weather, over the length and breadth of the immense circuits, the story of their hardships and adventures reads like a romance. Their forms stand out dis- tinctively in the history of those early times. They were men of heroic type, and many of them would have been prominent in any country or age. Their successors were largely of the same c ist, and some of them can be remembered by persors now living. 7 8 a/UAfs/iv /'A A' a: I . As the countr)' became more thickly settled and the people more comfortable in circumstances, churches and circuits increased, and the cainp-meetin^ seems to have become more and mf)re a sort of j'earlv T'east of Taber- nacles, where the people loved to <;ather for social reli- ;j;ious interc(*ursc. Forty or fifty years a^o they were in their palmy da)'s, and many wonderful scenes were witnessed at those meetings. There were times when saints and siimers were alike overcome by the myster- ious spiritual influence which swept over the immense congregation like a whirlwind and prostrated the people like fields of grain borne down by mij^hty winds. Those were veritable Pentecostal da)'s, the history of which is too well authenticated to be disputed, and is well worth study. Grimsby Park is one of the few survivals, if not the only one, of the old-fashioned camp-meetings remain- ing in Canada ; but the summer visitors who throng this pretty resort would never suspect that forty years ago a ver)' different scene was presented to those who came to the spot for very different reasons. Indeed, as early as 1846, we are told, thirteen years before the first camp- meeting, a mammoth temperance meeting was held here. At that time the bank extended out much farther than it does now. (ireat trees stood over where the waters now ripple, but tie waves gradually undermined the bank, and earth and trees disappeared, the shore receding year by year until a great change has taken place in the appearance of the water front. This tempeiance meeting, which they called a " sot'n'e " was held on the high bank in front of the home of Samuel Russ, Esq., which stood near the pre.sent Lake View House. There were long tables bounteous!)' spread, Uh'/MSfi 1 ■ CAMr-MEETIXG. .'e at which the ^rcat asscinbl)- feasted toj^ether. There were over two thousand persons present to enjo)' the pro- gramme of band music and speeches from the eloquent men who graced the platform. Two of them behjn^ed to the famous Ryerson famil\'. The)' were Kj^erton and. William, whose names are still remembered. On this occasion the latter ^ave one of his masterpieces and the j^reat congregation was spell-bounfl b\- his fervid el(Kiuence. The meeting was a great success. Grimsby Camp-Meeting came into existence in 1859. In the autumn of 1858 a camp-meeting for the Hamil- t(in District was held on the farm of Mr. Clamp, near Smithx ille. The Rev. Samuel Rose was Chairman of the District, and had charge of the meeting, which was attended by persons from the whole Niagara Peninsula, then included in the Hamilton District, At the next Conference the F^amilton District was divided and the Niagara District formed, with the Rev, Samuel Rose, who was stationed at Thorold, as its Chair- man. Early in the Conference year a committee was f(jrmed t' rendered the hymn beginning — ' " () could I speak the matchless worth, () could I sound the glories forth," etc., to the tune of " Ariel." This was a very popular hymn and the people joined in with a will, the bass rolling up grandly on the last line, " In notes al-m-o-s-t divine." m n GRIMSBY CAMP-MEETING. " Joy to the wcrld ! the Lord is conit' ! Let earth receive her King," 27 was another favorite with a special tune ; and there were many others This old-fashioned, stirring music was no small factor in the work of the meetings, and the choir was always the willing strong right hand of the pulpit. At the close of the preaching service the choir vacated their places and the ministers and lay speakers gave short and earnest exhortations to the unconverted, for whose welfare prayer was offered and to whom kind words of encouragement were spoken. The character of the singing changed in those after- meetings, anyone being at liberty to vary the exercises by starting a hymn. Some of the tunes were in plaint- ive minor strains, which must have had a very depress- ing effect on those who were susceptible to such influ- ences. Others rang out joyous and glad, expressing another shade of religious feeling. Sometimes the meetings were quiet, and again the more demonstrative gave vent to their feelings in shouts and hallelujahs. At the close of this after-service there was usually an adjournment on the part of a few of the brethren to Mr. Phelps' tent. Here also came many {persons who were still in spiritual darkness, but seeking for light. Those were unusual meetings. There sometimes seemed to be a hallowed influence about the place which was felt as soon as the door was entered, and many remarkable conversions took place there. Mr. Phelps' personality shone out strongly here. He was exceedingly helpful to many persons in the meetings, and his name is still held in grateful remembrance by many whose eyes have seen neither his face nor Grimsby Camp-meeting for many a long year. M 28 GRIMSBY PARK. Those early meetings were characterized by great simplicity, earnestness, and spirituality. The people came together for religious exercises only. For this purpose business was suspended, household routine dis- turbed, and the entire energies of the participants given to the woi-k. The)' expected to be blessed and strength- ened for the various emergencies of life, and they were not disappointed. If they sometimes gave expression to their spiritual ecstasies in shouts or tears, or other demonstrations which fastidious persons disapproved of, what mattered it when the)^ came forth from the meetings with faces shining with the light which comes alone from altitudes beyond the reach of the soul's every- day experience ! There was such a heartiness in the greetings they gave each other in those da)'s, such a grip in their hand- shakes, such candor in their eyes. Sons and daughters of the soil many of them were, with hard work for their daily portion, but their honesty, their simplicity, their kindness of heart, were beautiful. The faithful ministers who did so much for the old Grimsby Camp-meeting, laboring early and late for the good of souls, are not )'et entirely forgotten. They were like the rest of humanity, of all types and tempera- ments. From that rude pulpit the message sometimes came in the thunders of Sinai, and sinners quaked in their seats as the day of wrath was portrayed in burn- ing, fiery language. Some there were whose discourses were full of Gospel sweetness, melting and subduing the stubborn heart by the gentler methods of preaching- Others were full of doctrine, and laid down the law with almost apostolic clearness and precision. The people who attended those meetings heard the truth •a GRIMSn 1 ' CA MP-MEE TING. 29 ;s ;s from every possible standpoint. They had " line upon line, and precept upon precept" from the faithful ser- vants of God who, year after year, came up to the great congregation and preached salvation to sinful men. Old scenes, old worshippers, old friends, how few are left ! Where stood Nature's leafy tabernacle the present temple rears its lofty dome. In place of the row of board tents the modern cottages outline the old circle. " The old order changeth, yielding place to new." If the "shades " of the fathers were to visit the scene of so many of their early experiences, they would .search in vain for one familiat landmark, unless, indeed, they hap- pened to meet Dr. Wakefield. The sight of that genial, unaltered countenance would surel}' reassure them. As to the rest, they would see no trace of the old Grimsb)' Camp-meeting. ^e 1 NOAH I'HELPS. NOAH PHELPS. NOAH rilELPS was born in Fabi'us, X.V.. July i.Sth, i.Sj8, and died in Streetsville, Ont., January 15th, 1900. His father. Samuel Green Phelps, was a member of the New I'lniiland branch of the famil\- which has furnished man\' j3rominent citizens to the American Republic. bVom the landini;-. in 1630, of the Mary and John, the old shij) which broui^ht so man\' of America's famcjus forefathers to her shores, until the present, the annals of that country show but few pa^es upon which the famil}' name does not occur. Mr. Samuel Phelps c;une with his family to Canada in the \'ear 1833, when Xoah was five years old, and settled in Merritton, on the banks of the Welland Canal. The country was very new at that time, and the canal in process of building. ()li\er Phelps, Ksq., the con- tractor in charge of the work, was Samuel Pheljjs' uncle, and it was owing to his infiuetice that so man\' of the family came to Canada. From earl)- childhood Xoah Phelps manifested the same strong and vigorous (.jualities which characterized him through life. He was a masterful lad, and his Darents, with their stern Xew l"".ngland notions of famil\- government, found it ver\' difficult to keep this imperi- ous and impatient spirit in proper subjection. In fact, they did not. At seventeen his tall, manly form towered above that of his by no means diminutive father. He would have passed anywhere for a man past his majorit)'. 32 GRlMSnY PARK. At this early age he had already been placed in very responsible positions by Mr. Oliver Phelps, whose busi- ness interests were extensive and varied, and had always acquitted himself with great credit and ability. At eighteen he was married to Miss Adeline Love- land, a native of the State of Penn.sj'lvania who died at Grimsby Park in 1896, some three and a half years before the death of her husband. Though reared in a religious famil}', with a pious and devoted mother, from whom he inherited some of his strongest characteristics, and whom he resembled more than did any of her othc children, Mr. Phelps was, for a number of years, a skeptic. It was not an ideal com- munity in which to rear a family, on the banks of the Welland Canal, in the thirties. There were few people at all like the friends and neighbors left behind in the State of New York, and a teeming population of Irish navvies does not create a very wholesome moral atmos- phere. Yet a few families who came to Canada about that time were obliged to settle down and make the best of it. The educational advantages were very limited. Few people could afford to send their children away to school, and though some of Mr. Phelps' cousins enjoyed the advantages of Yale College, it was his lot to enter upon man's estate at an age when most young men are still in tutelage. There was much lawlessness throughout the Niagara Peninsula in those years, and the people who were employed on the wot-ks were principall}- of a rough class. Drunkenness and profanity were rife, fighting and bloodshed common. It is small wonder that the few religiouslv inclined families found it hard to train up NOAH PHELPS. 33 lew to 'ed Iter len ira jre Ish lup their children as the\- wuuld, even though they kept them apart from their surroundings as much as possible. That Mr. Phelps held skeptical views for a few }'ears, in common with so many other young men, is not so much a matter of surprise under the circumstances as that he and his brothers never contracted vicious habits of an)' kind. With the exception of his oldest brother — who was a Baptist, like his parents — Mr. Phelps' brothers all became Methodists when he did. After the completion of the Welland Canal, as the country became settled and the population increased, manufactories were started, and the excellent water powers afforded by the canal were utilized. Mr. Phelps' oldest brother had, some time previously, gone into the lumber business, in partnership with the late Richard Collier, but being obliged to relinquish their site in favor of the Great Western Railway, then be'.ng built, the firm di.ssolved, and Mr. Collier built a new mill at Lock No. 5 on the old canal, while Mr. O. J. Phelps selected the site at Lock No. 8 and built a mill there, taking into partnership his brother Noah. The business grew and expanded as the \'ears passed, and other mills were acquired in different parts of Ontario. Other branches of manufacturing were also engaged in, and the firm became prosperous and wealth)'. L^nexpected reverses eventuall)' came upon them and swept awa\' in a day the accumulations of a lifetime. Mr. Phelps was converted when he was thirty )'ears old, and from that time until his death he remained a prominent member of the Methodist Church. In the early days of Methodism in Merritton he was ever to the front. His energy and ever-read)^ sympath)' were always to be relied upon whenever the little church ^w 34 GRIMSBY PARK. it' -i s X '% l"'^ called for them. The membership was small, and active Christian workers had their hands full. Of course, after the completion of the canal mcjst of the laborers had left the vicinity, following up other public works in Canada and the States where such labor was required, but there was still an irreligious element caring nothing about churches, nor what they represented, and it was uphill work trying to maintain the cause among them. VVelland Canal was then a great thoroughfare. It was during those years that the ves.el carrying-trade was in its glor}', and the canal was a great commercial water- way. There was plenty of reform work for all, and in all the forward movements of the neighborhood Mr. Phelps' influence was felt. Nothing was too small to attract his attention ; nothing ftjrmidable enough to deter him. When the Grimsby Camp-meeting was inaugurated he was at once interested, and from the beginning of its existence he was never absent but one season, when he, with his wife, was away on a journey. He went into the camp-meeting, as into everything else,' with all his might. I think it safe to sa\' that the people who have for years enjoyed the privileges of Grimsb\- Park will most of them never know how much they owe to Mr. Pheljjs. In the earlier days, when the object of the gathering was wholly religious, his energies were devoted to the exercises which filled'up much of the time. His " tent " was open to the public at all times, and was a favorite meeting place. Many and wonderful were the conver- sions which took place within those humble walls. There are persons still living who associate with this spot some of their most precious spiritual experiences. NOAH PHELPS. 35 The first camp-meeting was held in Grimsby i.i 1859. My first visit took place in about the eighth year of its existence, and well do I remember how strange and unusual it all seemed. Mr. Phelps was kindness per- sonified to the little group who were enjoying his hospi- tality for the first time that }'ear. The onl>' hardship we e.xperienced was in rising at what we thought an unearthly hour for the early breakfast, which was always over and the simple morning tasks finished when most of our neighbors were just stirring. Our host's nervous teinperament allowed him but little repose. He always rose very early, and, to work off his superfluous energy, would light the camp fire, and get the kettle boiling, and then arouse the little household. Indeed, we have sometimes seen the glow of the flames through the chinks in the wall when the world was still in darkness, and our neighbors in slumber, though we were not required to rise quite so early. After awhile we learned to enjoy the earl)- morning hours in the woods before the sounds and scenes of the day could claim our attention. Mr. Phelps' " tent " was on the spot now occupied by his cottage. It was larger than the majorit}' of the tents, and always read}' for meetings. xAn\- hilarious brother, overflowing with religious zeal, could drop in with a few kindred spirits and shout and pray to his heart's content. There was often a morning meeting, sometimes one in the afternoon, and always one late at night after the public service was over. This meeting has been known to last until two o'clock in the morning, and even then some of the good people would be loath to give up and go home. This was rather hard on the inmates of the cottage, but they learned how to go to bed and to sleep in spite of the singing and talking in (TT GRIMSBY PARK, the next room. Mr. Phelps never seemed to grow tired, nor ready for sleep. In fact, insomnia pursued him all his life, and his restless energy allowed him little rest when awake. It is surprising, therefore, that, in spite of the ceaseless activity which characterized his whole life, his days were prolonged to the full three score years and ten, the allotted span of the Scriptures. In the year 1874 the Grimsby Camp-meeting became Grimsby Park. The next summer the old board tents had disappeared, and many of the present cottages stood in their places. Into this new pha.se of the work Mr. Phelps threw himself with his usual ardor. The religious side of the institution still claimed his earnest support and assistance, and the business side came in for a large share of his time and attention. He was elected the first President of the new com- pany, and occupied the chair continuously until death called him hence, after twenty-five active years spent in the company's service. During the first half of this period he was in the prime of life. Large and varied interests claimed his attention and called him often from home on important business journeys, but he always managed to retain for Grimsby Park the summer months, and arranged his affairs so that his time and attention could be given to the interests of that institution during the season. Those persons whose memories can go back fifteen or twenty years will remember how tireless were his efforts to promote the welfare of the Park. Early in the morn- ing he was about and personally inspecting every part of the machinery of the place. From office to wharf, from new buildings to the inspection of a " dangerous " tree, lots, leading meetings, entertaining strangers, selling NO A II PHELPS. 37 •f strai^ditenin^ out troubles between unreasonable visitors and the ^ate-keeper, soothing the ruffled feelinjjjs (jf sensitive cottage owners, showing the advantages of the place to newcomers — who cannot remember him in all these and many other roles? There were numerous little difficulties which had to be settled when the neces- sity for hygienic and other rules became apparent. Other members of the board would always, if possible, evade the irate housekeepers, who sometimes objected to the restrictions which had to be imposed for the general good ; but for him there was no escape. I have seen several of those injured ones waiting at the station for the early train when he was expected, and they would walk to the grounds beside him pouring out their griev- ances. It was the only time the)' could snatch from his bu.sy day. He always left them soothed and satisfied. I mention these things only to illustrate this side of his character, which contrasted strongly with the masterful and almost dogmatic side which we .sometimes knew. During all these years he received no .salary, paid his own travelling and other expen.ses in connection with the meetings and business of the board, presented no bills for postage, telegrams or other incidentals, and gave substantial financial aid whenever it was required. Dr. Wakefield, in his kindly tribute to Mr. Phelps in the Guardian a few weeks after his death, says : " His board tent, and then his cottage, both upon the same lot, were always open for pra)'er and other meetings, of which he him.self was often the leader, and many scores of souls have been converted to God upon that spot. " When the camp-ground was incorporated as a Park he became it. President, and continued such until the day of his death. To its interests he gave both time 38 (; KIMS BY PARK'. and mono)' unsparini^Iy. and was better known ujjon its trnnMids for iTian\' \ears than anv other inan. He looked upon the Park as his child, and loved it as such, while for forty \'ears he did all he could to make it both useful and attractive. He was einphaticall\- the friend of chil- dren and ymnit; people, and the man>' hundreds who have j3racticall\' ^rown up in Grinisb\- I'ark cannot fail to feel the imjjress of his life, and must feel a sense of per- sonal loss at his death. " He bei^an his work at Grimsby a stron^^ command- ing personality, in the midst of life ; he left the ground at the close of the meeting last summer shattered and . broken, w ith the consciousness that his work was done, and God .soon gave him rest. " To .scores of ministers he was an able assistant in evangelistic work, and as a preacher and e.xhorter his word was often with great power, while he perfectly- understood how to lead a seeking soul to jesus Christ. In his revival work Brother Phelps had great power and success in sj^eaking with men personall\- about their .souls, not only in the public .services but at their work and in their homes. His faith in God was perfectly sub- lime, and man>- will rise up in the day of the Lord to call him blessed. He was loyal and true to the Church of his choice, libei.il in support of its institution.s. and was often honored w ith a place upon the floor of the Conferences. ' The memory of the just is ble.s.sed."' His love for tlie \-oung has been mentioned. For years he has been " Uncle Xoah " to man\- of the sum- mer residents at the Park. Whether this habit became established through the presence there of so many whf» had a familj- right to call him b\- that name, or whether his relations to most of the inhabitants of the place were n is \' t. d ir K >- O CA 40 GRIMSBY PARK. w t ! I such as to render it appropriate, I do not know ; per- haps there was a little of both to account for it. In any case his connection with the Park was a unique one ; his place never can be filled. The children may continue to enjoy their own special day — the games, the picnic, the march to the field, the old-time " tafify-pull " may still take place — but without " Uncle Noah " to lead the merry company it will not be just the same. It was lovely to see the children crowd about him, eager to gain his attention, always free to tell him their little troubles. In earlier days I have seen him snatch a brief hour from a very busy da> to escort a gleeful crowd of little folks to the beach, and, chartering the largest boat, load it to the water's edge with a precious cargo of babies, and paddle around in safe and sheltered waters with his one hand. They always kept their baby promises to sit very still while afloat, and came back to land satisfied and happy. No wonder they loved the jig, kindly man who could find time in the midst of a busy life to make little children happy. One day during his last summer, as he sat on the verandah of his cottage, pale and sick, a dispute arose among some children playing in the temple. The voices rose louder and louder, and the war of words waged warmer, then suddenly ceased, and they all came run- ning up to the house and laid the case before their friend, who listened patiently to each complainant, and then pronounced judgment, which was at once accepted as right and final, and the whole crowd ran back to their play. Mr. Phelps' last season at the Park was a trying one. In addition to his chronic illness he had injured his ankle, and walking was painful and difficult. He man- NOAH PHELPS. 41 aged, however, to get about with the aid of a stout stick. He insisted from the first that it was to be his last visit to Grimsby Park. " I shall never come here again," he said to me a number of times, and when I attempted to answer in a reassuring way he would shake his head sadly. Towards the last, symptoms of paralysis were quite unmistakable ; he became more and more dependent upon his friends. His grandson was nearly always at his side, and Mr. Andrews, the Manager of the grounds, was most assiduous in his kind attentions. A constant stream of solicitous inquirers stopped at the verandah where he usually sat to offer a word (f sym- pathy or encouragement, but all felt that the time for his departure was drawing near. He was occupied much of the time in going over the business of the past with the directors, most of whom were of a younger generation and knew little of the earlier times. The closing meeting, or farewell, which has always taken place at the end of the season'.- services, was much enjoyed by Mr. Phelps. This ceremony, or exercise, has marked the close of the camp-meeting from the beginning, and to many persons is a solemn and impressive occasion, while to others it is a mere spectacle. It is, perhaps, the only remaining ceremonial of the old camp-meeting seen to-day at Grimsby Park in the original and simple form, and now that Mr. Phelps is gone it may drop into disuse. It was in spite of much pain and great weakness that the aged President of Grimsby Park set out to lead the march around the circle for the last time, the dissuasions of his friends having failed to deter him from the sad task. Few of the older generation were beside him. He was the only one of the laymen, at any rate, who 42 GRIMSBY PARK. had helped inaugurate the practice forty )-ear.s ago. One by one the}- had passed a\\a>', and he alone was left, conscious that this was for him the last time. To the most careless observer the scene was a sad one ; but, for him, what memories of the past the hour must have evoked ! What precious as.sociations the scene must have stirred ! An unusualh' large number of people had remained for the occasion. The great auditorium seemed nearly filled, and all watched with tender sym- pathy his slow and painful progress, as, leaning on the arm of the ever-faithful Mr. Andrews, he took his place at the head of the procession, and began what iT!u«t have been a very trx'ing walk around the circle, the great audience joining in singing " Shall we Gather at the River," which has been the hymn for the occasion from time immemorial. The march over, the last hand- shaking took place and the people slowly dispensed, many lingering to watch the tired figure, surrounded by a little group of friends, limp slowly and painfully back to the armchair on the verandah, so soon to know him no more. The little knot of friends lingered late around his chair that night, instinctively feeling that it was the last time. He took his departure from the grounds a few da\s later on the early boat. It was not known that "he was to leave that morning, and few persons were about. As he stood for a moment on the wharf he turned and looked his last farewell — looked long and lingeringl)' on the old familiar scene, the tears streaming down his face. " I shall never see you again ! I shall never .see you agam I " he repeated over and over again. It was indeed his last farewell. His disease rapidl\- gained upon him, and the dreaded paralysis soon reduced the strong man to the weakness NOAH PHELPS. 43 and helplessness of a child. He lay for months pain- racked and sleepless, his proud spirit tortured b\' the condition of dependence, which, he thouj,^ht, imposed so heavy a burden on his friends and nurses. The power- ful frame resisted stubbornl\' the inroads of disease, and the impatient spirit lingered in the earthly tabernacle until the middle of January, when he was mercifullx' released. He died with the words " mother " and "Jesus" upon his lips. As I knew but little about Mr. Phelps' work as an exangelist, I asked his old friend, the Rev. J. H. Robinson, to write a short statement concernin- and late, but did not inter- fere with the pra)er-meeting. When he took two weeks for camp-meeting, or to help a brother, the business was left behind. ' Not slothful in business ; fervent in spirit ; serving the Lord.' "In personal conversation he had great tact and prac- tical wisdom in dealing with souls. It was a common occurrence for persons to break down and cry to God for mercy in the office, or shop, or home. In prayer he talked with God — so tender, appropriate, comprehensive, fervent, so trustful — he took hold of God's promises. " Some authors were read and admired, but the Bible was his choice, his dailj- counsellor. To him it was the Word of God. He talked of its truths with a confidence and earnestness that stirred men. He believed and, therefore, spoke. He knew the Gospel to be the power of God unto salvation. " The evident object of his sermons and addresses was the salvation of lost men. The\' abounded with illus- trations gathered from Scripture, experience and obser- vation. Many of them had a thrilling effect. It is a great loss that the}' were ncjt gathered into a book of striking incidents in evangelistic work, or, better still, if a biography could be written of our brother, illustrated by scores of remarkable answers to prayer, great awaken- ings, sudden conversions, enemies reconciled, difficulties settled, power of testimon)-, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. He did a grand work for his Master. ' They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firma- ment ; and the)' that turn man\' to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.' "TSigned) J. H. RoniNSON. "Palmerston, May 24th, 1900." THE REV. DR, WAKEFIELD. As the man who preached the first sermon on the Grimsby Camp-ground, fort}'-one years ago, and who is still with us, as vigorous apparently as ever after fort)'-nine years of active work in the Methodist ministry, the Rev. Dr. Wakefield deserves rather more than a pass- ing notice. He is seldom absent fnjm the year!)' gathering in this historic place, and to those who are of the older dispen- sation he forms a link with the past which it is hoped will long continue to exist. In an old copy of the Camp Ground Recorder, of June, 1S78, with a fine ph(jtogravure of Mr. Wakefield, we find the following article, which, so far as it goes, is as true to-day as it was then : " By unanimous vote of the Directors, the Rev. John Wakefield, Chairman of the Chatham District, has been invited to take charge of the camp-meeting services for the present year, and he has consented to do so. We endorse this action as most judicious. It requires a combination of cjualities t(^ make a successful camp- meeting leader, and these qualities Brother Wakefield has in a marked degree. He is emphaticalK* ' the right man in the right place.' When a man is appointed to a responsible position the public feel a natural curiosity to know something of his personal appearance, as well «is his antecedents, and we have anticipated this desire 46 THE REV. DR. WAKEFIELD. 47 in the accompanying engraving. Those who are ac- quainted with Brother Wakefield will perhaps think that it scarcely does him justice ; still the general likeness is there, and will be at once recognized by those who have seen the original. For the information of others we add a few descriptive sentences. " He is fully up to the medium height, and is suffi- ciently ' tall across ' to turn the scale, we venture to guess, at some 175 or 180 pounds. The glow of youth- ful health has not yet faded from his countenance, and as the frosts of years have but slightly vouched his brown hair, he appears somewhat younger than he reall)' is. Mr. WakefieH was born in the year 1830, if we mistake not, within the patrimony of him of nurserj' rhyme celebrity, ' Grey, Earl of Warwick, who killed the dun cow.' " He possesses all the fearlessness of the doughty earl, albeit his courage is displayed in a vastly better cause. He is zealous, pushing, and outspoken, and few preachers speak with more force and ease than he. His sermons are well thought out and methodically arranged, and the arguments are mingled with hortatory appeals, which his rapid utterance, resonant voice, and spiritual unction, render very effective. He was converted in a locality prolific of Methodism, and of good and useful men not a few — the township of Blenheim, near the village of Washington. This event occurred in his nine- teenth year, in the course of a great revival. His talent for public speaking was soon recognized, and he was sent to a circuit in 1852, after spending some time at Victoria College. Since then his work has been con- stant and varied — circuits, stations, and districts having filled up the time, from Sherbrooke in the east to 4 48 GRIMSBY PARK. \}% I Chatham in the west (of which latter District he is now Chairman), thus comprising a ministry of twenty-six years. With the blessing of God he may >et make it up to fifty. He is a born commander, and we doubt not will give a good account of the force under him at the approaching camp-meeting." " (Since writing the above brother Wakefield has been elected to the honorable position of Secretary of the London Conference. It requires but one step more to reach the chair.)" The above was written twenty-two years ago, and, judging from appearances, he will surely make up the half century in the ministry — which will only require one more year. He has long since reached the " chair," havinj^ been President of both the London and Hamil- ton Conferences ; and he has had the additional honor of being sent by these bodies to the only two Ecumenical Conferences ever held by Methodism — one in City Road Church, in London, England, in 1 880, and the other in the city of Washington, U.S., in 1890. Mr. Wakefield is still in the regular work, a very successful pastor, with no apparent decrease in energy or ability, though it is forty-one years since he preached the first sermon on the camp-ground. The clear ringing voice which once echoed through the woods, with a range no other speaker could reach, has lost none of its force and clearness ; his sermons none of the old-time effectiveness, and, listening to him sometimes, one has but to close one's eyes to imagine the old days back again — the outlines of the huge Temple melt away, and back in their old places are the great forest trees which once sheltered the worshippers. Their long branches sway over head, and THE REV. DR. WAKEFIELD. 49 the swish of the rustling leaves makes a low accompani- ment to the voices of preacher and choir. Back in their old places, too, are they who laid the foundation of the present camp-ground— honest, plain folk, for the most part, of the old Wesleyan type, now almost extmct. The evolution of Methodism has left behind much which We regard regretfully, but it has also absorbed and assimilated much which is of great advantage to its people. Growth means change. This has been abundantly verified by the history of the Canadian Methodist Church. To one who, like Mr Wakefield, has passed through all the fleeting years in constant touch with the changing history of the Metho- dism of Canada, the retrospect must be vastly interest- ing. May his days be many in the land, and his face long remain a familiar one on the Grimsby Camp- ground ! ■r. JOHN B. BOWSLAUGH. jVjO history n( the old Cirimsby Camp-' the time for the histtjrian has not yet come — perhaps it never will comt; — but as a social study it is worth attention. There is no trace of the old camp-meetin- by the same spring which was so important a factor in the choice of a location for the old camp-ground. Here are the telegraph and telephone offices, the post- office, book store, drug store, barber shop, check room, 56 VJ AMON'C TIIK COTTACKS. TlIK i KVSTINc; I'LACK 58 GRIMSBY PARK. baggage room, Compan}''s offices, bic}xle livery, photo- graph studio, and I know not what else. Across the way is the Park House, its broad verandahs all aflutter with the bright summer costumes of the ladies and children. In every direction are the cottages, peeping out from among the trees, or lining the shady lanes and avenues which straggle off in many bewildering ways. Through an opening between two dwellings the road passes into the auditorium, with its circling cottages forming, like the old tents, the enclosure where the meetings have always been held and where stands the great Temple or Tabernacle. This structure baffles description. It stretches its wide umbrella-like expanse over the place where once the "fathers" held their outdoor meetings. As an architectural curiosity it is certainly unique, but language fails when one attempts a descrip- tion of it. It is capable of sheltering an enormous con- course of people, and when it is filled of an evening, and the electric lights flash their rays into its farthest circles, the spectacle is an impressive one. The arching roof lifts its great dome high above the assembled multitude, and harbors an imp of an echo which mocks and gibes incessantly when speaker or singer holds forth. The Park people, however, have grown accustomed to the annoyance and scarcely notice it. The Boys' Tabernacle is a neat little church on a street leading from the circle to the lake shore. This building- was erected years ago by Rev. Mr. Calvert, principally for boys' meetings, but is now used for many father pur- poses. There is held the early morning prayer-meeting, classes of different kinds, and other meetings. The high bank along the lake front is lined with cottages, whose inmates can study the latter in all its varying moods. The sun.sets are particularly fine. GRIMSBY PARK. 59 Down on the beach the boat hijuses and bathiny,- houses stand, and the long wharf runs out into the water, forming a fine promenade and fishing platform, as well as doing its dut)- toward the steamer which calls at the Park every da>'. Rowing is popular, and a twilight trip to the lily pond pays well when a boat-load of the lovely blossoms is the reward. Echo Point is in the opposite direction, and is a most interesting place to visit. Lake View House commands a magnificent view of the water, and enjo\\s the lake breezes whenever the slightest zephyr is stirring. Beyond are still more pretty cottages, and then the athletic grounds, where all sorts of manly sports are indulged in. Great care is taken wherever it is possible to preserve the grounds in their natural condition. Mosses and lichens and wild flowers are ever)'where. The birds dart about among the trees, and the squirrels make themselves quite at home and do considerable mischief sometimes in the empty houses during the quiet months when the Park is deserted by its summer population. In short, Grimsb)' Park is an up-to-date summer resort of the Chautauquan class, with ever\' facility for innocent and healthy enjoyment and sport. Due regard for the religious and intellectual wants of the people is shown in the preparation of the programme, which includes sermons, lectures, concerts and entertainments, classes in elocution and studies in literature, besides other attractions, and no end of good things for the little people. Some of the most eminent divines in America have addressed the Grimsby Park congrega- tions, and many of the most brilliant platform speakers of the age are t<^ be heard there. There is always an D O <«1 SI H GRIMSBY PARK. 6\ abundance of excellent music furnished by the best bands in the countn-, and the best singers are engaged for the concerts. Grimsby J^ark is a paradise for children and x'oung people. The perfect safet\' with which children may be allowed the freedom of the place makes it an ideal spot for mothers with large families, and the Grimsby Park youngster is certainlx' the most contented, safe, happy- go-lucky baby in existence. He can dig all day long in the clean sand on the beach, bareheaded and bare- footed, too, if he likes. He can toddle all around the camp-ground and ne\er come to grief When he grows older he learns to swim and dive, and manage a boat like an old tar. He fishes off the wharf, and goes to the mountain for ferns, and sometimes, we are sorr>' to say, he forages for fruit and other delicacies on forbidden grounds, as the farmers can testify. But woe unto him if the stern e>-e of the policeman catches a glimpse (jf him in the act, or the tale of his misdeeds reaches the ears of the authorities. There is a small room some- where among the Company's apartments where more than one culprit has been brought to justice, who failed to get off as easily as did " Dan Pool's " friend in the days of yore. There is a limit to the fun a lad may have even at Grimsby Park, but every possible allow- ance is made for the exuberance of youthful spirits, and a fellow ought not to take advantage of this indulgence and break the rules. All this comfort and perfection was not brought about in a day. It has taken twenty-five years of hard work, much study and observation, and many thousands (jf dollars to evolve the present modern park from the old camp-ground which preceded it. The same men who 62 (.;rimshy park. did so much for the (^Ider institution were the founders and fosterers of the new one. It was found in the season of 1874 that the old camp, which had been in existence for sixteen years, must undergo extensive repairs if it was io continue another year. This called for a large outlay of money, and as there was an existing debt of several hundred dollars they hesitated about incurring further obligations. The expenses had hitherto been met by collections, subscrip- tions, and rents from the old tents ; but the sum realized was not sufficient for the needs, and it was felt that steps must be taken to bring about a more satisfactory state of affairs. An entry in an old minute-book of 1874 reads as follows : " A call was made from the preacher's stand for a meeting to be held in Mr. Phelps' tent, on Wednesday, September 2nd, 1874." (Then follows a long list of names of those present.) At this meeting steps were taken to organize a company, to be called the "Ontario Methodist Camp-Ground Company," and the place to be called the " Ontario Methodist Camp-Ground." All the plans seem to have been formed, the company fully organized and chartered, by the next year, with Mr. Phelps as President, Mr. Fairfield as Secretary, and Mr. Bowslaugh as Treasurer. When the people assembled for the season of 1875, all traces of the old camp-meeting had disappeared. Sixty or .seventy new modern cottages had sprung up on the sites of the old tents, and there was an air of business and expansion about the whole place. Nego- tiations were in progress with the Great Western Rail- way for rates, stopping of trains, and building a platform, etc., for the accommodation of the people. GRIMSnV PARK. 63 Then came the restaurant (which later developed into the Park House) with a grocer}' and post-office. The purchase is noted of " ninety common unvarnished chairs for the dining-room, and twenty bedsteads and mattresses for the use of lodgers." Then by degrees came bathing and boat houses, drainage, cleaning up of the grounds, purchasing canvas tents to rent, etc., reaching out to learn from other institu- tions, and gradually adopting, somet'-aes improving on their ways and means for the advancement and improve- ment of the place. Telegraph offices, barber shop, and "backs to the seats" in the auditorium came in 1876, and " hereafter straw for beds was to be paid for at the rate of ten cents a bed." Those were bus)' and growing years, and all those changes were not effected without some friction. A few persons of the old regime disapproved of some of the new methods, especially any changes which altered the religious and devotional character of the exercises, and introduced anything of a secular or mere intellectual nature. To them the old place was holy ground, and everything of a light or trifling nature was desecration. The opening or closing of the gates on Sundays has always been a hard question to settle. There are so many excellent reasons to urge on both sides that it is small wonder the authorities differ. I think on the whole they have taken the wise and right course, and I am sure they have often found it hard to come to a decision. About the year 1877 the water tanks were built, and the water brought to the cottages. This year the Park boasted of a newspaper, a live little sheet, edited b}' the Rev. John Ridle)'. 64 GRIMSBY PARK. In 1878 a charge was made at the gate — I think for the first time — and collections (which had not been sufficient for the running expenses) abolished. The entrance fee was 5 cents, the season ticket 25 cents. I am afraid there were some who grumbled even at this modest charge, and it was abolished at a later meeting. We find, however, that in 1880 the admission was 10 cents, " children free, and season tickets 50 cents." " A silver tea set was purchased about this time by the directors and presented to Mrs. John B. Bowslaugh, as a slight token of their appreciation of the constant and unfailing kindness manifested toward them by Mrs. Bowslaugh and her family." In 1878 the engine was purchased for the waterworks, the wind-mill which had been erected at the end of the pier having proved inadequate. The Book Room was asked to open a stall on the grounds this year. At a meeting on August 29th, 1879, " It was resolved to hold a Dominion Day demonstration in the ibllowing summer, with a concert and fireworks in the evening." The International Temperance Association held its annual meeting here that year, lasting for several days. Many prominent Canadian and American speakers were present, and the meeting was a great success. In 1880 the brothers William and Rechab Tandy conducted the music, and I venture to say that in no year since has the music at the Park equalled that of this year. The closing concert was one to remember. Dr. Griffin was the Chairman, and he filled up the spaces between the musical numbers as only Dr. Griffin can at his very best. In 1882 the new hotel was planned, and in 1883 it was ready for occupation. During all the years there GRIMSBY PARK. 65 was constant improvement and embellishment, and Mr. Phelps, Mr. Howslau-^h, and Mr. Fairfield were the busiest of busy men, loyally sustained and supported by the Company. In the meanwhile the meetings were being well attended and were very pcjpular. F(jr a number of years the old camp-meeting methods were adhered to— three sermons every day, with many meetings besides, and the period extended to a fortnight with two Sab- baths included instead of one. The change to the pres- ent system was a gradual one. The meetings were in charge of different ministers, who each conducted them with marked success and ability. They were the Revs. Dr. Williams, Dr. Sanderson, Dr. Griffin, Dr. Wakefield, Dr. Sutherland, and probably others, before Dr. Benson's* term of several years and Dr. Philp's, which still con- tinues. The pulpit and platform services have always been first-class, and thousands of persons have been enabled to listen to sermons and lectures which by no other means could be brought within their reach. Very faith- ful have been the efforts of the boards of later years to carry on the work of their predecessors. Onl\' on the books of the Company are the names of those men to be found, and as I have not access to those records I can only mention those names which come to mind, and they probably are not in the order to which they belong. Judge Jones must have been for many years among the directors of the Company. So also was the late Dr. Rosebrugh and Mr. Thomas Culham, Mr. Edward Galley, and Mr. Wilkinson, the energetic Secretary and Vice-President, the Revs. Mr. Robinson, Mr. Burns, and many others whose names ought to be here. 66 C'A'/JASV.T PAKk'. Mr. \\. C". I'';iirficlcl. who was for so man)- years asso- ciated with the affairs of the Park in connection with Mr. IMielps and Mr. Ho\\sIaui;h, is another man whose name belongs here. Indeed, as a member of the trio which for so man\- years were associated in the interests of the phice, and did so much for the benefit of the Corn- pan)-, it would bean act of injustice to i<^nore his I()n<^ >ears of work in its service. Mr. Fairfield was for fifteen years the Secretar)-Treasurer of the Company, and, like the others, he ^ave his time, thoui,^ht, and money gratui- tously to the cause. Xearly ever)- day in the season he could be seen in company w ith his collea<4ues busy about the affairs of the Compan)-. The position of Secretary of such an in.stitution is no sinecure, but entails much hard work, and Mr. Fairfield, equall)- with the other two, deserves that these services shcjuld be acknowled'^ed. His duties were not confined to the secretary's work alone, but his judgment was always relied upon when questions of weij^ht came up for consideration, as well as in matters of detail about the place. It is .several years since Mr. Fairfield se ,red his official connection with the Park and cea.sed to spend his summers there, but his famil)- still occupy one of his cotta^^es during the .season and he occasionally visits the place for a short time. Mr. W. C. Wilkinson, Secretary-Treasurer of the Toronto School I^oard, has summered at the Park for twenty years, and has taken a deep interest in the affairs of that institution. He has been a member of the Park Board for ten years, and for seven )-ears has been its Secretary. Two years ago he was elected Vice-Presi- dent, and since the death of the late President Phelps has been acting President. He is now the oldest mem- ber of the Board, and his experience and knowledge of r.OARI) (JK DIRIXTORS, 1S94. :-^^1^:^ ^^j^- y^-i V- liOARI) (JF DIRECTORS, 189^. 6S GRIMSBY PARK. the past is invaluable to the present directorate. Mr. Wilkinson is prominent in Methodist circles in his own city, being a trustee of the Berkeley Street Methodist Church, and active in its Sabbath School. He is also prominent in temperance and benevolent associations, and in every way a most desirable man for the position he holds on the Board of the Grimsby Park Company. It is with a feeling of great sadness that the Park community thinks of the vacant places which death has made since last year. The death of the President was not unexpected, but that the genial and lovable Dr. Burns, in the full strength of his manhood and with all his mental and physical powers undiminished, should be called away so suddenly came as a great shock not only to the Grimsby Park people, but to his numerous friends and admirers throughout the country. At Grimsby Park he will be missed from the platform, from the social circles where he shone so brilliantly, and from every phase of the Park life. But especially will those who have for }'ears attended his Sunday afternoon Bible-class rniss those occa.'.ions when he brought to them the latest and brightest thought on the absorbing Bible questions of the day, and endeavored to bring the truth home to their minds w'th greater force and clearness. No othe;' man will fill the unofficial place that Dr. Burns occupied at the Park. His personality was a unique one, and the vacancy caused by his death will be a permanent one. Grimsby Park has become a most popular resort for young people. The summer girl is here in all her glory — afoot, awheel, afloat, at the station, the wharf, the tennis courts and in the assemblies — you cannot escape her even GRIMSBY PARK. 69 if you would. She is omnipresent, and without her Grimsby Parl< and the world would be dull indeed. She gives an air of perpetual motion and perennial youth to the scene, and keeps the old fogies from stag- nation. She is on excellent terms with the Doctors of Divinity and other magnates, whom she beats at lawn tennis. If she liked she could beat them at quoits. Long may she reign ! The Grimsby Park boy is the king of his kind. He doesn't have to wash his face, because he is always in the lake and it never gets dirty. He doesn't have to brush his hair, because it never needs it, and, anyway, it wouldn't be of any use. He never has to black his boots for the same reason, and, besides, they are worn out before the new look is off them. He is not asked to run errands in this boys' paradise, nor to mow the lawn, nor to hang up his hat. His mothe.' does not torbid him to go in swimming as she does at nome, and he can fish from morning until night. He can rent a bicycle for 1 5 cents an hour, and if his funds are low, as they usually are, he can earn a fortune in no time picking berries for the farmers near b)'. He can get all the ice- cream he can pay for, and if he is a " square " chap (which he mostl}' is) he can do pretty much as he pleases. Oh, it's a fine thing to be a Grimsb)' Park boy! One of the prettiest sights to be seer; at the Park is the crowd of little people who fill the front seats in the Tem- ple when a ccjncert, a lecture, or other entertainnient is on. Their enjoyment of some of those entertainments is quite a matter of course, but it is surprising to .see how intently thc\' follow every word of the speaker, some- times when the theme is serious, and far abo\e the ken of such infants, one would .suppo.se ; but the bright eyes 70 GRIMSBY PARK. never leave the face of the speaker, and they keep so quiet that one cannot doubt their comprehension of, as well as their interest in, the subject. It must be gratify- ing to a speaker to be able to hold the attention of such little people and at the same time retain that of the older ones. Last summer, when a popular tenor was charming the audience with his singing, he seemed par- ticularly pleased with the manifest appreciation which beamed up to him from those front benche.s, and when the syrnpath}' between them grew so strong that the little voices with one accord took up the air of the chorus and accompanied him in a low, sweet hum, he was apparently delighted, and at the end of each verse looked his expectation of its repetition. The little creatures seemed to know instinctively just how far to go and where to stop. The mothers of Grimsby Park have the hardest time of any class. If it were not that they find their chief joy in making their families happ)-, they would need much sympathy. Especially is this true during their first experience there. It takes two or three seasons to learn, " past all doubting truly," that your boys are not going to be drowned at the Park. At the end of that time you can sit calmly on the bank with your sewing and .see them dive off the very end of the pier and come up again safely without a tremor. You can even admire the dexterity with which they will upset themselves out of a boat, and disappear under it for an awful long time before they bob up serenely, and roll into the frail bark like }'oung porpoises. So far as human intuition can reach it does seem as though they were safe from the danger of drowning, and aou have no more worry on that score ; but oh, the anxious da)'s, the evciings of GRIMSBY PARK. 71 torture, you have known, the hideous dreams that have haunted your pillow in the past! Anothergreatfearhas also abated somewhat — nobody's child has as yet been killed at the railroad station, and, thinking over all the narrow escapes from death which smart little children have had, in spite of all the silly exhibitions of fearlessness with which they have startled the onlookers, you have come to the conclusion that some good angel must surely watch over the children at train time. Then you learn after a while that your Park neighbors do not think you a very negligent mother, your children utterly neglected and uncared for, according to appearances. They know, what you are fast finding out — that an immaculately clean frock, smooth hair, tidy shoes, etc., are the result alone of an eternal vigilance which is unattainable in this life and not worth while anyhow. You thus, in due time, get down to a basis where you can manage to exist ; but you never reach a time when you can understand where all the bread and butter goes and how it is that your family requires so many meals a day. You never become reconciled to the enormous contributions you are com- pelled to make to the income '>f that Grimsby shoe- maker. Som* times you yield in sheer despair to the incessant petitions to go barefoot and can scarcely be! 'eve that it is your own Tommy kicking his bare heels in tne air in utter ecstasy. When you have got used to that ou are a seasoned Grimsby Parker of the deepest dye. You can take your sun-brf)\\ned lads and lasses home in the fall, plump and healthy, even if they are out at both knees and elbows. You have all laid in a stock of health and energy that will carry you straight through the winter, with ull its duties and i)leasures, and never a call from the famil)' doctor ; and besides, \ou 72 GRIMSBY PARK. have learned a great many lessons about the relative values of things. It is a far cry from the present gay and festive scenes to the old days when worship and devotion filled all the hours. We may look back regretfully to those days, and sigh for the voices we shall not hear again, the faces our eyes shall behold no more, but none the less shall we value the present, with all it holds for our enjoyment and profit. The improvements which have been made about the place are to add to our comfort and enjoy- ment. The gifted men and women who succeed each other on the platform year after year exercise their talents for our edification. The lake with its changing beauty, the sky with its stars, the woods with their voices, are ours also. The social intercourse with our Park neighbors, the intellectual stimulus, adds another item to our obligations. It is no small privilege to move side by side for a while with the full warm current of youth and happiness which flows like a warm human gulf stream through the avenues of this Park. Every year that separates us still farther from the scenes and enjoyments of our youth but enhances the value of the lost glory of that golden time, and we watch with loving and indulgent interest the happiness and abandon of those who dwell in the enchanted places now. Fnjm the bright-faced girl with her bic\-cle, her tennis, and her prett}' gowns, and her bo}- brother with his freckles, his escajiades, and his general and blessed " awfulness," down to the Park babies, we imbibe every day some subtle influence which delays the processes of time in our own souls and keeps us youthful, if not young. Grimsb}' Park has grown xer}- dear to the hearts of AX ANCRV SUR1-. THE CALM THAT FOLLOWS. 74 GRIMSBY PARK. those who summer within its borders. The tie which holds them here season after season, in spite of the attractions of other places, only grows stronger as the years go by. Like the rest of the world, Grimsby Park stands upon the threshold of a new century. The prophets tell us that in spite of the dark clouds which hang low over the moral horizon in some quarters, in spite of the angry passions which seem so rampant among the nations, and the selfishness which dominates the business world, the coldness which devitalizes the Church in some places, the world is about to enter upon a period of peaceful ness and great spiritual awakening. The arm of the Lord is still powerful to allay the turbulent passions of men and nations, and electrify with renewed fervor the fainting spirits of the faithful. When that time of peace comes, and we have learned to turn expectant eyes toward the heavens — when God's people are ready for the spiritual uplifting which is to place them on the higher plane of living which we hope lies before us in the near future — Grimsby Park will again resound with songs and halle- lujahs. The mother will pause in the midst of her loving servitude to listen to the joyful sound of the Temple services. The youth and maiden spinning along together over the shaded roadwaj's will not be ashamed to acknowledge to each other tliat the world is beautiful, and life is sweet, and, above all, that God is very good. The man of business will gladly turn from the incessant pursuit of wealth to listen to the voices in his soul. " Holiness to the Lord " will be the theme of every ser- mon, the burden of every song. The little children will overflow the front seats in the great congregation, their GRIMSBY PARK. 75 tender eyes lifted confidingly to the faces bending lov- ingly over them, and the music of their voices will be the sweetest note in all the swelling anthem of praise. Grimsby Park has a noble past which these imperfect pages have utterly failed to depict ; a present which is in perfect harmony with the trend of the times and full of promise, and a future which we venture to predict will combine all the enjoyments and privileges of the present, with a spiritual zeal and devotion which will surpass even that of the old times.