•.<«»tStti.'W:<' PRINCETON. N. J. :* Library of Br, A. A. Hod^e. Presented. BV 2813 .M3 P3 Patterson, George, 1824- 1897. Memoir of the Rev. James MacGreaor . D. D. . MEMOIR EEV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D., MISSIONARY OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATE SYNOD OF SCOTLAND TO PICTOU, NOVA SCOTIA ; NOTICES OF THE COLONIZATION OF THE LOWER PROVINCES OF BRITISH AMERICA, AND OF THE SOCIAL AND RELI- GIOUS CONDITION OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. BY HIS GRANDSOJ^^ The Rev. GEORGE TATTERSON, PASTOR OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION, AT GREENHILL, PICTOU, NOVA SCOTIA. "In journeyings ofteD, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the Heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the -wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren, in weariness and paiufulness, in ■watchiugs often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the cure of all the churches." 2 Cor. xi. 26-28. PHILADELPHIA: JOSEPH M. WILSON, No. Ill South Tenth Street, below Chestnut Street; James Patterson, Pictou, N. S. ; A. & W. McKinlay, Halifax, N. J. De Mill, St. John, N. B. ; Charles Fletcher, Toronto, C. W. William Oliphant k Co., No. 7 South Bridge, Edinburgh; D. McLellan, Hamilton, C. W. 1859. PREFACE. The following work has been undertaken principally from the combined force of the following reasons — first, that such a work was due to the subject of it, and secondly, there appeared to the author no likelihood of its being attempted by another, to which he may add that the time for doing justice to the sub- ject was rapidly passing, and would soon be gone for ever. From the apostolic labours and sufferings of the deceased, the loveliness of his Christian character, and the universal esteem in which he was held, not only in Nova Scotia, but wherever the tale of his early privations and his arduous toils was told, together with the many marked dealings of Providence with him throughout his career, it was universally felt at the time of his decease, that such a memoir was called for; and when it was known that he had left an autobiography, detailing the most important events in his life, public expectation was ex- cited. This autobiography was placed in the hands of the late Dr. MacCulloch, who from his long and intimate friendship for the deceased, as well as his eminent literary gifts, was so well qualified to do justice to the subject. The number of his engagements prevented him from fulfilling a duty, which would have been as grateful to his own mind, as we might have ex- pected it to have been worthy of the deceased. Time has since passed, and there seems no other person likely to do the work, and the author has felt that it were better that he should do it, however imperfectly, than that it should not be done at all. (iii) IV PREFACE. These rcnsons were strongly enforced by the additional con- sideration, that the time is going by, when the work could be done in any thing like a satisfactory manner. Most if not all of Dr. MacGregor's cotemporarics are gone. There are but one or two persons living, who knew him previous to his arrival in this country, and these are now in their dotage. Those who hud reached years of maturity when he arrived in Nova Scotia, are all gone to the land of deep forgetfulness, and in a few years there will be none living able to speak from personal knowledge of his early toils. The written documents, which throw light on his history are also perishing, and many are irre- coverably gone. " There is a time for every thing," but the time for doing justice to the memory of Dr. MacGregor is nearly past. But in a short time it will have gone for ever, and what is now difl&cult will be then impossible, and what can now only be done imperfectly can then not be done at all. And during the collecting of the materials for the following memoir, the writer has had many warnings to remember the divine admoni- tion, " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Several individuals, who might have afforded infor- mation have passed away, while he was contemplating an effort to obtain their reminiscences, or he has visited others, only to find their memory a blank, and their intellect quenched by dis- ease or infirmity. Impelled by these considerations, the author has devoted, he cannot say his leisure time, for leisure time he has not known for ten years, but such intervals as he could snatch from en- grossing avocations, to gathering and arranging the materials of the present volume. He is aware that it will disappoint many, and none can be more sensible of its deficiencies than himself. But it is only fair that he state the difficulties in his way. In the first place he cannot speak of the subject of the memoir from personal knowledge. Two scenes exhaust his personal recollections. The one is the remembrance, deeply engraven upon the mind of childhood, of a tall dark-complex- ioned man entering the room being the signal for a rush to him PRErACE. V of us children, and of the thrill of happiness passing through our frames as we sat upon his knee. The other is of being lifted up, a boy of scarce sis years of age, in a room full of disconsolate mourners, to gaze upon his lifeless clay. Then all his cotemporaries are gone. Of the companions of his boy- hood none remain, so that we are indebted mostly to tradition for the few incidents, that have been gleaned regarding his early life. Those who were associated with him in the minis- try in his early years, all rest from their labours. Those who were of age when he came to this country, are all gone to the land of deep forgetfulness, leaving the author to gather his in- formation regarding those most interesting years of his life, from those who were but children at the time, or from tradi- tion, and he has learned enough in attempting to get at facts handed down only for a single generation, to" see how valueless is such a dependence for religious truth. But besides these things, he has been disappointed in his efibrts to obtain copies of his letters. For years Dr. MacGregor kept up a corres- pondence not only with the General Associate Synod, but with a number of private friends in Britain and America. His communications were highly valued by those who had the pri- vilege of receiving them, and from traditionary information, we learn that they contained deeply interesting accounts of his early labours. But the parties who received them are all gone, and in some instances their children after them, and we have made enquiry after their papers only to learn that they had been all ruthlessly committed to the flames, or had otherwise perished. Besides, the deceased kept no journal or diary. A few memo- randa were found of events written after they occurred, but they want that vividness imparted to a scene, by its being de- scribed under the feelings and impressions of the moment. Biographers in most cases derive their most interesting mate- rials from such a source, and in this case the want can never be supplied. His life exhibited so many remarkable incidents, and his intercourse with individuals so many instances of iute- 1* VI PREFACE. resting spiritual dealings with men, that if full records had been taken of them at the time, we believe that they would have formed a biography unsurpassed in the English language. As it is, the author has received accounts of such incidents from the children or the children's children of those connected with them, yet in so imperfect a manner that he could make no use of them. It is true that the deceased in his later years, at the urgent solicitations of some of his friends, who had often listened with delight to his narratives of what the Lord had done for him, commenced to record his reminiscences ; but this was done after the lapse of forty years, when the impression of these scenes must have become dim, and the review of only seven or eight years was accomplished, when he was struck with paralysis, which impaired all his faculties, and especially his memory, so as to leave the remaining portion of his narrative meagre and imperfect. Even of this, a large portion has been lost, together with many of his other papers. Under these circumstances, the author has done the best that he could, and what he has done, has involved an amount of labour of which but few are aware. He has travelled long dis- tances to see persons likely to afford him information, in some instances only to find with them " the sun and the moon and the stars darkened." He has conducted a correspondence with persons not only in Nova Scotia and the other British American colonies, but in Britain and the United States, which even in these days of cheap postage involved considerable outlay. He has strained his eyes and exhausted his energies in poring over dingy MSS., in a very cramped system of short-hand, never intended to be read by any but the original writer. He has spent considerable labour in illustrating the subjects incident- ally connected with his life. He has consulted authorities very difficult to procure in this country, and has even obtained works from abroad. To him, however, it has been a labour of love, and could he see his object realized, of setting before the present generation a just view of the labours and character of the departed, he PREFACE. Vii would feel himself amply rewarded. To those still living who were familiar with Dr. MacGregor, he is aware how imperfect his work will appear. Yet it would be taking an undue liberty with the public to appear before them, did he not believe that he had so far succeeded in sketching Dr. MacGregor's life as to afford some idea of " what manner of man he was." It would be affectation in the author to express any other convic- tion, than that, with all the disappointments he has met with and all the deficiencies in his performance, his labour has not been altogether in vain. He rejoices to believe, that he has been enabled to some extent to present before the rising gene- ration of the church, such a record of his labours as will give them a better view of them than they have hitherto had, and such as is fitted by the divine blessing to be profitable both among his brethren in the ministry and in the private circles of the church. Nor is he without hopes, that what he has done may be the means of making his name more widely known abroad. Some of the facts and incidents recorded in the following pages may appear trifling. The purpose for which these have been introduced, has been to illustrate the character of the sub- ject of this memoir, or to exhibit the state of the country at the time. And if they are examined in this light, the author believes that the most trifling will appear to serve that purpose. It will be seen that much of the information is traditionary. He is aware of the uncertainty of such authority. But the necessity of resorting to it was in his case unavoidable. He has, however, been at pains to verify facts, both by comparino- information from different quarters, and by securing where practicable the testimony of two or three witnesses, and thou^rh it would be too much to expect, that his work would be abso- lutely free from errors, yet he believes, that though f\irther information might more fully illustrate the subject treated of, it would not materially alter his statement of facts. Some of the remarks made in explanation of subjects as they occur may be deemed unnecessary. In reference to these Vm PRErACE. the author would remark, that his work is written for two classes of readers, viz., Scottish and American. The account of the rise of the Secession may be unnecessary to the former, but it is one of those portions which the latter would be least willin>>; to spare. On the other hand the explanations regarding customs in America, though unnecessary there, will we believe be valued by those in Scotland who feel sufficient interest in the subject to peruse his work. He would also embrace the opportunity of acknowledging the aids received in various ways from different individuals. These are so numerous that he cannot particularize them. But he cannot forbear mentioning two, viz., Mr. John Douglass, Mid- dle River, Pictou, and Mrs. Hugh Stevenson, of London, C. W. The former was for many years on the most intimate terms with Dr. MacGregor, and has now for the long period of fifty-five years filled the office of the eldership. From him he has re- ceived a large portion of his information regarding the early condition of Pictou, and many of the incidents recorded in the first part of the memoir. The latter is a niece of Dr. Mac- Gregor, and from her recollection of conversations with her mother. Dr. MacGregor's younger sister, he has derived the greater part of the information regarding his father and his own early life recorded in the first two chapters. It is not unlikely that the present volume will elicit fuller information on some portions of his life which the author has been able to treat very imperfectly. Should this be the case, and the present work meet with a favourable reception, any additional f icts that he may be able to collect, will be embodied in a companion volume to the present, to be entitled " Memo- rials of our Fathers," in which he designs to exhibit the life and labours of tliose brethren in the ministry, who were asso- ciated with Dr. MacGregor in his labours. For such a work the author has been already collecting materials, and should Providence spare his life and bless his undertaking, it will be issued in the course of two or three years. The work will be found to contain information which may be \ PREFACE. ix regarded as not having any direct reference to Dr. MacGregor. This has been inserted with no desire to increase the size of the volume, but by the advice of friends, who have strongly urged that nothing should be withheld, which would help to exhibit the state of the country at the time. In conclusion, the writer would only say in the words of an Apocryphal writer, " If I have done well, and as is fitting the story, it is that which I desired, but if slenderly and meanly, it is that which I could attain to." George Patterson. Green Hill, Pictou, Nova Scotia, July 1859. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Connection of events in Providence — Highland foray — Ecclesiastical state of Scotland in the last centurj- — Father of Doctor MacGregor — His conversion — Character and family 1 CHAPTER II. Doctor MacGregor's birth — Native place — Its inhabitants — His dedica- tion to God — Boyhood — Education at school — At college — Ecclesiasti- cal affairs in Scotland at that time — His theological studies — Inquiries on Baptism — Character in j'outh — Studying Gaelic — Letter to a Mac- Gregor— Notices of him at this time 19 CHAPTER III. His licensure — Preaching as a probationer — Petition from Picton — His views of it — Appointment by Synod — Farewell to friends — Ordination — Early Missions of the Secession — His departure — Voyage — Arrival at Halifax — State of Society there 41 CHAPTER IV. Nova Scotia, its extent, appearance, soil, and resources — Early settle- ment by the French— and Englisli — Character of the settlors — Reli- gious opinions — New Lights — County of Pictou — Early settlers from Philadelphia — Hector passengers — Emigrants from Dumfriesshire — Disbanded soldiers — Their moral, social, and religious condition — First supplies of preaching — Application for a minister 62 (xi) XU CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. Journey to Pietoii — Road — Crossing River — Lodging — Ash cakes — Ar- rival in Truro — Messrs. Cock and Smith — Travelling I'roni Truro to Pictou — Arrival there — Its appearance — First Sabbath services — Se- cond Sabhatii — Administration of Baptism — Elders from Scotland — Third Sabbath — Robert Marshall — Kenneth Eraser — State of educa- tion 89 CHAPTER VI. Meeting with Truro brethren — Controversy — Lodging — Election of elders — Upper Settlement, East River — AViuter labours — Visitations — Dis- banded soldiers — "Brand plucked from the burning" — Hand mills — Travelling on the ice — Spring — Letters from borne — Humiliation Day — First churches — English and Gaelic — Summer labours 110 CHAPTER VII. Merigomish — Stipends — Redemption of slaves — Slavery controversy' — Roads to churches — Visiting — Sacrament of the Supper dispensed 139 C II A P T ]<; R VIII. Visit to Amherst — Interesting case — Course of visiting — TVni. MacKay's prosecution — His lodgings — Mrs. A. admitted — Grant of globe — Pro- posal for another minister — Elders ordained at Merigomish — First house in Pictou tov/n — Cases of spiritual distress — Visit to Onslorr — Answer to prayer 164 CHAPTER IX. General view of his early labours — Discouragement on arrival — Early preaching — Visitations — Catechizing — Travelling — Hardships — Ac- commodations— Conversational powers — Affections gained — Indians — Dispensation of the Supper — Gathering of people — Place — Services — Interest excited — His discouragements removed — Growth in grace — Success 179 CHAPTER X. Prince Edward Island, its extent- — Appearance — Soil — Early settlement — His first visit — Charlotte Town — Cove Head and St. Peter's — Mr. Des- brisay — Princetown 207 CONTENTS. XIU PAOB CHAPTER XI. General view of his Missionary labours — State of travelling — Forests — AVinter — Snow shoes — Dangers — Crossing streams and bays — Accom- modation— Conversation — Preaching — Examinations — Visiting — Re- sults 222 CHAPTER XII. Settlement of Stewiacke — Visits thereto — Suffering from hunger — Um- brage at Elder — Communion — Answer to prayer — Elders at Upper Settlement — Visit to Amherst — Dissapointment as to MacBean and Creo — Arrival of Romanists — Converts among them — Visits to River John, Tatamagouche, and Wallace 245 CHAPTER XIII. Social progress of Pictou — Statistics of congregation — Books imported — David Dale — Elder's offence — Visit to Noel, &c. — "Perils of waters" — Sickness — Visit to Prince Edward Island — Conversion and freedom of slave — Remarkable conversion — Winter of 1795 265 CHAPTER XIV. Appointment of Messrs. Brown and Ross — Their arrival — Reception — Dispensation of the Supper — Formation of the Presbytery — Settlement of these brethren — Division of Pictou congregation — Doctor MacGre- gor's marriage 2S5 CHAPTER XV. Supplying vacancies — Journey to Cape Breton — Visit to Miramichi — Applications to Scotland — Indications of degeneracy in Pictou — Elec- tion of 1799 — His farming — Studies — Presents of books — Essay on Millennium — Death of his father — Letter to AVilliam Young — Arrival of Mr. Dick — His ordination 309 CHAPTER XVI. Arrival of Doctor MacCulloch— His settlement at Pictou — Doctor Mac- Gregor's visits to Prince Edward Island and Douglass — Remarkable conversion — Letters — Province of New Brunswick — Journey through it — Letter — Journey through Prince Edward Island 337 XIV CONTENTS. PAGB CHAPTER XVII. Visit to Miramichi — Halifax — Doctor Keir's arrival — Mr. Gordon's death — Accession of Mr. Mitchell — Doctor Keir's ordination — Death of Mrs. MacGregor — Doctor MacGrcgor's second marriage — Death of Mr. Dick — Settlement of Mr. Pidgeon — Degeneracy in Pictou 353 CHAPTER XVIII. Home labours — His charities — Bible Society — Circulation of the Scrip- tures— Correcting Gaelic Bible — Contributions to British and Foreign Bible Society — Formation of auxiliary — Sermon on the occasion — Ad- dresses on its behalf — Interest in its operations — Collections for bring- ing out preachers — Academy projected — Collections on behalf of young men preparing for the ministry — Circulation of Tracts — Correspondence on that subject — Collections for Gaelic School Society, for Jewish Mis- sions, for Baptist Missions in Burmah — General Remarks 376 CHAPTER XIX. Arrival of Messrs. Patrick and Croiv — Mr. Patrick's settlement at Meri- gomish — Mission to Scoodic, &c. — Growth of harmonious feeling among the Presbyterian ministers — Opening of negotiations for union — Their progress and success — First meeting of Synod — Results of union — Se- cond meeting — Arrival of ministers — Doctor MacGregor's correspon- dence with ministers in North of Scotland — Efforts to obtain ministers from the Established Church of Scotland — Extract of letters — Com- mencement of divisions on the East River — Holmes — Fletcher — Defec- tion of people of Upper Settlement — His address to them — Their re- pentance— Arrival of Rev. D. A. Eraser — Division through the coun- ty— Hia feelings 401 CHAPTER XX. Later missionary journeys to Prince Edward Island, St. Mary's, and Cape Breton — Publication of Gaelic Poems — Estimate of the work — Their success — Other Gaelic writings — Letter to Rev. Samuel MacNab 437 CHAPTER XXI. Letter to Mr, Andrew Bruce — Degree of D.D. — Zeal for Pictou Academy — Bible Society — Domestic Missionary Society — Formation of local so- cieties— Sabbath-school society — Letter to Rev. R. Douglass — Synod Bermon — Ordination of Rev. Angus MacGillivray 456 CONTENTS. XV FAGB CHAPTER XXII. Congregational affairs — Old age — Civil disabilities of Dissenters — Opera- tions of Glasgow Colonial Society — Letter to its members — Gas experi- ments— General Mining Association's operations — Selling his farm — First stroke of paralysis — State after that time — Death — View of his mental powers — Domestic life — Widow — and family 478 APPENDIX. A. Petition from Pictou 511 B. Petition to the Presbytery of Perth 512 C. Extract of ordination of the Rev. J. D. MacGregor 514 D. Copy of Slave sale 516 E. Letter of Associate Presbytery of Pictou to General Associate Synod. 517 F. History of Parish of St. James, N. B 521 G. Notices of Doctor MacGregor's character and labours 525 MEMOIR OF THE REV. JAMES MACGREGOR. CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY. The glory of children is their fathers. — Prov. xvii. 6. The plans of Providence exhibit one closely connected chain of events, stretching from the beginning of time till the end thereof; and each link in the chain is inseparably united with every other, whether in the all absorbing past or the opening future. Each event, as it occurs, has been the result of a com- bination of causes acting, it may be, through all the past periods of human existence, and will exert its influence upon the future till " the last syllable of recorded time.'' Each individual of the mighty multitude who throng our globe, is, both in the circumstances in which he is placed, the characteristics by which he is distinguished, and the part which he acts, the pro- duct of a series of causes and events, stretching away back into the past until history and tradition go out in darkness; and he produces a circle in the ocean of time which is ever widening and will continue to extend till the last trumpet shall arrest the course of sublunary things. Humble as may be the sphere which he occupies, unimportant as may seem the events that befall him, his life is yet a stage in a history whose roots reach back to the time when man received his origin from his Crea- tor, his influence during his own time ramifies in all directions, and forming part of the mass of life, ever hastening onward, he aids in swelling the vast tide of human progression toward (1) Z MEMOIR OF THE the ultimate goal of humanity on earth ; yea, even strikes a chord whose vibrations reach to other spheres and continue through eternal ages. But in the ease of the vast majority of mankind, the connection of their lives, cither with \vhat precedes or what follows, can be traced only for a few generations. A few can point to a line of ancestry extending f:ir back into the remote past; a few have their names linked with events, which on the page of his- tory stand out in brilliant illumination from the dark ground of oblivion; and a few act a part upon the theatre of life, by which they obtain a celebrity which bears their names down to a distant posterity. But of the overwhelming mass of mankind history preserves no record. However strong their desire to connect their names with what is eminent in the past, with events which are famous in story, or with men whom we vainly denominate the deathless great, the desire is vain ; their very genealogy can be traced only for a few ages, and their early an- cestral history is a blank. Alike vain is their desire for future fame. All remembrance of the vast majority of mankind is destined to pass away, save from that mind which fully knows all beings and all events, which searches all motives, which weighs all actions, which traces all influences, and awards all retribu- tion. Even local tradition preserves any information concern- ing them only for a brief period. In a few generations their very names will be forgotten on earth, — their monuments will crumble to dust, and nothing mark the spot where their ashes repose, so that all efforts to preserve the recollection of them seems like a vain struggle with the decree of the Almighty. Yet " the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance." Whatever be their ancestral history, the light of their good deeds lingers around the scene of their labours long after they have lain down to their last repose. " Their works do follow them." Many of them have done deeds far surpassing in real greatness those of the warrior on the tented field ; and, it may be in some humble sphere, where the voice of worldly applause reached them not, they have achieved results more important REV. JAMES MACGREGOK, D.D. 3 than the victories of Trafalgar or Waterloo. And when actions are judged according to their intrinsic merit, and honours awarded accordingly, the heads of such men will be encircled by a glory compared with which the earthly honours of the mightiest conquerors shall have " no glory by reason of the glory that excelleth." Such men will not be forgotten. Their '' record is on high." One there is, who, we are assured, '' is not unrighteous to forget their work of faith and labour of love, which they have showed toward his name." And among men, '' future generations will arise up and call them blessed." Jus- tice to their memory, as well as the profit of those who succeed, requires that their deeds should be recorded, their virtues hon- oured, and their names embalmed, in the grateful recollections of posterity. This is a duty enforced by divine authority. " Remember the dajs of old, and consider the years of many generations; ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee." The things " which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength and his wonderful works that he hath done." Such is the justification of the present imperfect and too long delayed efibrt to do justice to the memory of one, of whose labours the Lower Provinces of Brit- ish America have reason to retain a gi'ateful recollection. In tracing his antecedents, we at once acknowledge that we can point to no long pedigree of illustrious ancestors. But if the Scripture declaration be regarded, that " the memory of the ju&t is blessed," his parentage was well worthy of a record. He might use regarding it the language of the Poet, " My boast is not that I deduce my birth, From loins enthroned, or princes of the earth, But higher far my proud pretensions rise. The son of parents passed into the sliies." Nor can he be connected historically with any of those great events which in the past have decided the destinies of nations ; 4 MEMOIR OF THE but we caa record incidents, which to him who will "obserre the work of the Lord and consider the operations of his hand," mark the wonder-working hand of Divine Providence, which connects all events past, present, and future, the smallest as well as the greatest in one scheme; and by the manner in which they combine to work out his purposes manifests his glory, so as to attract to himself the admiration, the esteem, the reverence, and the love of intelligent beings. Let us then direct the minds of our readers to a period a few years previous to the last rebellion in Scotland, and briefly refer to the social condition of the Northern parts of that coun- try previous to that important event. The outbreak of 1715 had been speedily quelled, but the spirit of rebellion, so far from being extinct, was only gathering strength for the more terrible outbreak of 1745. The majority of the clans were zealous in their adherence to the House O'f Stuart, and schemes being then on foot for the restoration of the exiled family to the British throne, they were not disposed to render very im- plicit subjection to the ruling powers. The power of the High- land chiefs still remained unbroken, the ancient feudal, or per- haps more properly, patriarchal institutions were in full vigour, the social changes which were introduced on the suppression of the rebellion, were still unheard of, and chief and vassal alike retained their attachment to their peculiar customs and their ancient superstitions. In particular war was deemed an em- ployment highly honourable, while honest labour was despised, and it was viewed as no disgrace, but on the contrary as an ex- ploit of signal merit, to sweep off the cattle of a neighbouring clan or of Lowlanders, who refused to acknowledge their superi- ority. In these circumstances life and property were insecure, not only in the Highlands, but in the districts bordering upon them. Among the Highland raids, or plundering expeditions, char- acteristic of that period, was one, made as near as we can ascer- tain between the years 1730 and 1735, upon a hamlet in the Northern part of Perthshire; close by Loch Earne and bordering REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 5 on the Macgregor's country. The dwellings of the inhabitants were burned, and their cattle driven away. We have no par- ticular account of the event. It of course receives no mention in history. Before the scenes which the general historian has to describe, it fades into infinitesimal insignificance. Even local tradition scarce preserves any particulars of the affair, cither of the actors in it, the events connected with it, or its initiie- diate consequences. But in one respect we know that the most important results followed. It was the means of leading one young man, then about twenty years of age, to leave his native district, and to proceed to the Lowlands, for the purpose of obtaining employment there, and upon this simple fact, the whole of our subsequent history depends. The individual who came down some one hundred and twenty years ago, like so many more of his Highland countrymen before and since, for the purpose of improving his worldly condition, belonged to the celebrated clau Gregor, but then bore the name of James Drummond, his family having adopted that name in consequence of the out- lawry of that elan, and their being forbidden to use their own name. This was the f;ither of the subject of our Memoir, and his visit at that time was the means in the arrangements of Divine Providence of determining the character of his whole future life, and produced results which eternity alone can disclose. We believe it is not too much to say, that at that time there was throughout a large portion of the Highlands little of reli- gion but the name. In some places the change from Popery to Protestantism had been accomplished merely by the order of their Lairds, while except in some favoured districts the mass of the people had but little acquaintance with the glorious doc- trines of the Keformation. Even some years later, it was com- monly said that '^ Sabbath didna come aboon the pass of Killie- crankie." Of the prevalent ignorance and ungodliness James's native parish had its full share. Up till the time of his leav- ing for the South, he had, so far as we can learn, little or no knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel. His motives in going south appear to have been entirely of a worldly nature, I* 6 MEMOIR OF THE and he applied himself to learn the trade of a weaver in Alloa. But Providence which *' leads the blind by a way which they know not, and conducts them in paths which they have not known/' was compassing his path to bring him to the enjoy- ment of blessings he yet knew not of He came to the Low- lands seeking worldly good, but Providence designed to make his visit the means of securing to him that wisdom, whose price is above rubies, illustrating the divine saying, " I was found of them that sought me not." We must however here advert to the ecclesiastical state of Scotland at this period. That spiritual deadness into which many of the churches of the Reformation had sunk at the be- ginning of the eighteenth century was severely felt in that country, and was in a large measure produced or at least greatly aggravated by the measures adopted for the settlement of the Church of Scotland after the Revolution of 1688. That settle- ment while it restored the Presbyterian form of Church Govern- ment so dear to the people of Scotland, and delivered the per- secuted from the severe suiferings to which they had been sub- jected, yet entailed many evils upon the Church. The admission to parishes on easy terms of the late Episcopal in- cumbents, men whom Bishop Burnet, himself an Episcopalian, describes as " the worst preachers he ever heard, ignorant to a reproach, and many of them openly vicious, a disgrace to their orders, and indeed the dregs and refuse of the Northern parts," paved the way for the introduction of many errors in doctrine and practice. The law of patronage also facilitated the intro- duction of a corrupt and time serving ministry, so that, at the time of which we speak, they had become the ruling party in the Church. The Evangelical party had continued after the Revolution to exercise considerable influence, but corruption gained strength. The generation of ministers who had upheld the testimony of the Church in the trying times of the martyrs had now passed away, and a generation of another spirit ruled the counsels of the Church, whose nieasures wei'e characterized "by utter unfaithfulness to the doctrines of the gospel, as well REV. JAMES MACaREdOR, D.D. 7 as disregard of the rights and liberties of the Christian people. The most dangerous errors had been promulgated by one of its professors, and by others occupying prominent positions ; yet such was the temper of the majority, that they were allowed to escape altogether or with very slight censure. And not only BO but the General Assembly had condemned as " unsound" and *' detestable," a proposition adopted by one of the Presbyteries as a means of testing the qualifications of applicants for the ministry, which is of the essence of the gospel,* and in the celebrated Marrow controversy which immediately followed, stamped with their disapprobation a work which was distin- guished by its exhibition of an unfettered gospel, and censured at their bar some of the best men in the Church for their faith- ful advocacy of its principles. Under the law of patronage, ministers the most objectionable were intruded into parishes in opposition to the wishes of the great majority of the people, and even of Presbyteries. At one meeting of Assembly no less than twelve petitions and appeals were presented against objectionable settlements, yet in every case they were persisted in even when the introduction into the Church could be accom- plished only by military force. Many excellent and faithful men had protested against these proceedings, but galled by their faithful testimonies the prevail- ing party determined to prevent or suppress them, and enacted that no reasons of dissent against their proceedings should be re- corded. Two representations, one signed by forty-two ministers and the other by 1700 people were refused to be heard, and a pro- test signed by fifteen ministers was not permitted to be recorded. The only method left to those who mourned over these corrup- tions was to protest against them in their public ministrations, and an attempt to suppress these in a particular instance led to * The following is the proposition inserted in the minutes of the Presbytery of Auchterarder, for which they were treated with indignant severity : "That it is not sound and orthodox to teach that we must forsake sin in order to our coming to Christ and instating us in covenant with God." 8 MEMOia 01? THE the Secession, and gave birth to the United Presbyterian Church. At the meeting of the Synod of Perth and Stirling, in Octo- ber, 1732, the Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, one of the ministers of Stirling, and retiring moderator, in preaching the opening ser- mon, which he did from Psal. cxviii. 22, " The stone which tlic builders refused is become the head-stone of the corner," testi- fied with great plainness of speech against the course pursued by the courts of the church, Mr. Erskine had long stood forth the consistent friend, both of the doctrines of the gospel and the freedom of the church. In the controversies of the previous twenty years he had held a prominent place among those who were struggling against the defections of the majority. But his present measure brought matters to a crisis. The Synod resolved, that for the statements and language of his sermon he should be rebuked at their bar, and admonished to behave orderly in future. On an appeal to the General Assembly, that court approved of the sentence of the Synod, and appointed him to be admonished and rebuked at their bar. Against this decision, Mr. E., together with the Rev. Alexander Moncrieff of Abernethy, the Eev. William Wilson of Perth, and the Rev. James Fisher of Kinclaven, tendered a paper containing their solemn protest, and claiming the liberty of preaching the same doctrines, and of testifying against the same, or like defections of the church, upon all proper occasions. The indignation of the Assembly was aroused by the faithful language of their protest, and without allowing the protesters a hearing before the court, it ordered them to ap- pear before the Commission in August, and to retract, and ex- press sorrow for what they had done, on pain of being suspended from the exercise of the ministry in the first instance, and of being deposed should they still continue refractory. On their refusal to retract or express sorrow, the Commission of Assem- bly did in August, 1733, and in a way which set at defiance even the forms of justice, suspend the ''four brethren," from the exercise, of the ministerial function, and all the parts REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 9 thereof. To this sentence they refused to submit, declaring it null and void. In November following, the Commission dis- solved the pastoral relation between them and their congrega- tions, declaring them no longer ministers of the Church of Scotland. The " four brethren" then handed in a protest, in which, after describing the " continued course of defection" of " the prevailing party," they declared themselves bound in con- science to make a Secession from them. This step they fol- lowed up on the 5th December, 1733, by forming themselves into a Presbytery, called the Associate Presbytery. They continued for some time to occupy the same pulpits, and their preaching excited greater attention than before. Throughout the length and breadth of Scotland, the proceedings of which we have given a summary were regarded with deep interest. By the most pious portion of the community these men were looked upon as the friends of evangelical truth and the representatives of popular rights, and from the treatment they received were regarded with the admiration and sympathy due to sufferers in a righteous cause. In the parishes of the seceding ministers the interest showed itself in rather tumul- tuous forms, when the attempt was made to intimate the sen- tence of the Commission in their respective churches. But far beyond their parishes the interest was widening and deepening. Either from zeal for religion or from sympathy, multitudes were to be found leaving their respective parishes, and travelling great distances to attend the ministration of the seceding min- isters, and within five years after the secession, the Presby- tery had in one twelvemonth no less than 70 applications for preaching. We have referred to these events, not only because some ac- quaintance with them is necessary to understand the ecclesias- tical position and portions of the history of the subject of our memoir, but especially because they were the events which un- der God determined the character of his father, and in this way made him what he was. We have seen the father leaving his native parish for the Lowlands, ignorant of the doctrines of 10 MEMOIR OF THE the gospel. But that Providence, " in whose hands are our times," and who ordereth even the fall of a sparrow, brought him south at the very time that these events were exciting public interest, and placed him in circumstances where his attention could not fail to be directed to them. In his wise guidance he was led to a place of sojourn, only a few miles dis- tant from Stirling, the scene of Ebenczer Erskine's ministra- tions, and to a master who was a cordial friend to the doctrines of the gospel. Among the crowds who flocked to hear Mr. Erskinc in Stirling was this man, whose name has passed away, and he frequently took his Highland servant with him. These meetings were scenes of spiritual refreshing to multitudes of God's people, and many wanderers were gathered into the Re- deemer's fold. ''When God writes the people, he will count that this man and that man was born there." And among the number of those who at the final account will be reckoned as seals for the ministry of Ebenczer Erskinc will be the name of James Drummond. We know not the exact circumstances in which the saving change took place, whether he was suddenly aroused from carelessness, or whether gradually enlightened ; but we have it on undoubted authority, that it was by his preaching that he was brought to the knowledge of " the truth as it is in Jesus." He could not but be attracted by the preach- ing of Mr. Erskine, who is described by his contemporaries as of an appearance so majestic and noble as to command both re- spect and affection, while his pi'eaching was characterized by tender and pathetic appeal, and clear exposition of gospel truth ; but as he became spiritually enlightened, he was also drawn by the spirit which his hearers discovered. " One thing says Mr. Gilfillan, " that greatly contributed to his leaving the Established Church, was the dryness, as he called it, of the ministers he heard, and the carnal conversation of the people on the Sabbath day. When he sat in what was then called the servants' loft at Alloa, before public worship began, nothing was heard but the news of the country and the idle chit-chat of the past week : but when be went to Stirling or returned REV. JA3IES MACGREGOR, D.D. 11 from it, the savour of Christ's knowledge was diffused all around. They " took sweet counsel together as they went to the House of God in company." Under such preaching and in such so- ciety he gradually increased in the knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel, and also of the ecclesiastical state of Scotland; and his sympathies gradually gathered round the men, who had made so noble a stand for an unfettered gospel and for popular rights against the defections of the time. And " having first given liimself to the Lord," he joined himself to those who were holding aloft the banner of truth and spiritual freedom. But the event which particularly impressed his mind, and if it did not determine his choice in favour of the Secession, at least confirmed and established it, was the scene which occurred on the expulsion of E. Erskine from his church. For some years after the suspension of the " four brethren," they con- tinued to occupy undisturbed the parish churches, in which they had formerly preached, although they had been joined by four others, and were engaged in measures for training a go.*pel ministry, and for supplying various parts of Scotland with gos- pel ordinances. At length however, in the year 1740, the whole eight were cast out of the Church, and deposed from the min- istry, and the Assembly immediately gave intimation to the magistrates of their respective burghs, that they might be dis- possessed of their pulpits. A description of the scene that occurred at Stirling we shall give in the words of a recent popu- lar writer : "At Stirling on the first Lord's day after Mr. Erskine's de- position, the church bells were forbidden to be rung, and the people, on assembling at the usual hour, found the doors of the church and church yard made fast to prevent their entrance. The exasperated multitude were about to proceed to violent measures to effect their entrance, but their venerable pastor having made his appearance, and expressed his disapprobation of all violent measures, succeeded in dissuading them from the attempt. Then in the presence of the immense multitude, whom the interestinp; occasion had brought tosether, he lifted 12 MEMOIR OF THE up his pulpifc Bible, which according to the custom of the times, he had brought with him from his house, and with that majestic manner, which was so natural to him, and with awfully impressive solemnity of tone, protested as in the Divine pres- ence, that he was now obeying the dictates of duty, and that not he, but his opposers, were responsible at the judgment seat of God for the scenes of that day. The words spread a thrill of deep emotion throughout the vast assembly — more especially as they looked on the gray hairs and majestic form of the vene- rable sufferer; but every thought of violence had given way to holier feelings, and quietly retiring to a convenient spot, they listened to the ministrations of the dauntless witness whom they now began to regard not only with the affection due to a pastor, but with something of the veneration claimed by a martyr. " The place selected for the solemn service was such as to harmonize with the state of mind of the worshippers, and to provide the vast multitude with a fitting sanctuary. To this day the visitor to Stirling is guided to a verdant and elevated spot, that rises to the northward of that ancient seat of kings. Here with the frowning ramparts of the castle rising above him — rich and waving plains beneath, amid which the ' many linked' Forth seeks his majestic way, and begins his strange and mazy circles as if loath to leave so fair a scene, with far in the distance the noble Grampians raising their bold and rugged pinnacles into the clouds — did this father of the Secession gather together his scattered sheep, and rear, as it were, in visible form, the standard, which bore inscribed on it, ' Christ's crown' and '■ His people's right.' "The first portion of the 60th Psalm was given out by Mr. Erskine to be sung, and very appropriately opened the services of the day. '0 Lord thou hast rejected us And scattered us abroad, Thou justly hast displeased been, Return to us, 0 God. REV". JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 13 The earth to trcmblo tliou hnst made, Therein didst breaches make, Do thou tliercof the breaches heal, Because the land doth shake.' " A short prayer follov/cd ; after which the venerahle man read as his text those words of Matt. viii. 27, ' But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and sea obey him ?' The sermon which followed was one which those who heard never could forget. The occasion, the scene, the subject, all tended to elevate both speaker and hear- ers into a higher region, and made holy eloquence sound like inspiration. It was a day of deep and varied emotions. Some were saddened to tears, when they thought of the precious min- ister whom the Church of Scotland had driven from her pale, in others joy in the truths which they had heard, swallowed up for the tim»8 all other feelings; while hoary headed men felt the recollections of youth suddenly revived, and those who had been active in the proceedings of that day seemed to their minds to have ' served themselves heirs to the iniquity and wickedness of some of their forefathers in that place, who stoned that emi- nent seer and faithful martyr, Mr. James Guthrie.' " * Among the number of those who on that occasion hung upon the lips of the preacher, and whose feelings were strongly excited by the event, was James Druniraond. He was a man of great tenderness of heart, and his natural feelings were deeply impressed, so that to the latest hour of his life he was accustomed to speak of it with emotion. He had by this time learned to value the truths for which Mr. Erskine had been ex- pelled the Church, and henceforth he cast in his lot with the persecuted remnant. About that year, we are not informed whether before or after this scene, he applied for the privilege of communion with the Church, and was after due examination admitted by Mr. Erskine himself From that time he acted * Thomson's Early History of the Secession. 14 MEMOIR OF THE through life the part both of a consistent Christian and a firm Seceder. Soon after this period he returned to his native parit^h and settled at what was then called Portuiore, but where now stands the village of St. Fillans, just at the fuot of Loch Earne in tlie parish of Conirie, and county of Perthshire. He had left home for the purpose of seeking tlie improvement of his woiklly circumstances. He returned with a treasure more valuable than the gold of Ophir or the gems of Golconda. As tlie womnn of Samaria went to tell to those of her own city of the Saviour she bad found, he returned to his native parish to com- municate to others the knowledge of that salvation, which he had received during bis absence. And as " Andrew first find- eth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is being interpreted, the Christ, and he brought him to Jesus," and as Philip found his friend Na- thaniel, so bis first efforts were among his relatives and friends, to bring them to Jesus. And his efforts were not in vain. " When be returned to the Highlands," says Mr. GilfiUan, " he endeavoured to communicate the good news among his relations and neighbours, and his endeavours were not without some suc- cess. A few came forth to the help of the Lord, and a seed was sown which shall not be destroyed, we trust, for ages to come." Whether he was the first to introduce the Secession into the pari.^b of Comrie, wc are uncertain ; but we know that he was among the first, and wc are assured that he was the first in that quarter of the parish in which he resided. His bro- thers and friends through his influence became Seceders, which in many parts of Scotland at that time was synonymous with being serious Christians. His brothers were indeed pious men, and it is believed that they became so through his instrumen- tality. From the origin of the Secession there had been in Comrie, as ia many of the parishes in Scotland, a praying society, and out of this, as in many other instances, sprung the Secession Congregation of that place. The members were found travel- REV. JAMES MACGREOOR, D. D. 15 ling long distances to obtain that bread of life, which was not dispensed at home, and with the prevalence of " moderatisni" in most of the parishes of Scotland, their attention was natur- ally directed to the ministers of the Secession, among whom the gospel of the grace of God was proclaimed in all its fulness and freeness. One is mentioned as having frequently travelled a'l the way to Dunfermline to sit under the ministrations of llalph Erskine, and James is traditionally reported, as having travelled on foot all the way to Muckhart, a distance of over forty miles, to enjoy the faithful preaching of the word. Shortly after his return, a petition was presented to the Secession I'res- bytery for a supply of preaching, which was granted, and among others, one of the Erskincs, we believe Ralph, preached occa- sionally to them, while residing there for the benefit of his health. At first the prospects of the cause were good, several persons of influence having expressed themselves favourable to it. But these gradually fell off, and from various circumstances the eifort did not succeed as was at first anticipated. A few however remained faithful, and amid every severity of cold and rain attended upon the services, which were held in the open air. In 1752 they leased ground and erected a small place of worship, but with the exception of a few months in the 3^ear 1760, they were until the year 1767 under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Muckersie of Kinkell, and upon his ministrations James attended regularly, and always spoke of him in terms of the highest reg-ard. " It was a gratifying sight," says Mr. Gilfillan, " to those who can enjoy such a spectacle, to see James and his wife going all the way from Loch Earne to Kinkell, about eighteen English miles, almost every Sabbath in summer, and they were commonly at the place of worship by nine o'clock in the morning. James used to wrap himself up in his High- land plaid, and going into the church in winter or to a small grove near it in summer, he slept two hours, that he might not after his long walk be overcome with drowsiness during the ser- vices, and then rose to hear the word, which he always did with great eagerness and seldom without tears." In the year 1767 16 MEMOIR OF THE the Rev. Mr. Barlas was ordained minister of Crieff and Com- rie, preaching one fourth of Iiis time at Comrie and three- fourths of liis time at CrieiT; and in his old age he had the pleasure of enjoying the services of a pastor in Comrie, the kite Kev. Sainuei Gilfilian, who was ordained there in 1791. The following notice of his life and character are principally from 3Ir. Gilfillun's sketch. lie was a person of great integrity of mind and primitive simplicity of manners. His name among some ministers of his acquaintance was Nathaniel. He was much given to the exercise of prayer. " The woods on the side of Loch Earne, if they could speak, would testify how often he wrestled with God for his church, and especially for this benighted part of the country." The late Dr. Jarment of London, visiting Comrie, requested a grand-daughter to take him to the house where James lived. She did so. Only two stones were left. He sat down on one of them, and gave ex- pression to his thoughts in the remark, "If these stones could speak, how many prayers could they tell of, that had been put up within those walls by that good old man !" He was remarkable for his reverence for the Sabbath. On that day he had family worship three times. On going and returning from church he was always engaged in religious con- versation, and was disliked by many on that account. Not unfrequently it might be heard said, " Here comes that great Seceder, we canna get a word said." His warnings to the young also were faithful and affectionate. " Children," he would say, "attend the Kirk when ye're young. I found it easier to go to Kinkell when I was young, than I do now to go to Comrie." He was however particularly distinguished by his earnest desire for the spreading of the gospel, and, though occupying an humble sphere, he showed it by his personal exertions for the conversion of those around him. Many a dark night did he travel round the country with practioal books, in order to read them to those who were careless and ignorant, and leaving them with them that they might peruse them at their leisure. REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 17 The Christian Magazine, then the principal religious periodical circulated in the Secession Church, he read with great avidity, particularly what concerned the progress of Christ's kingdom. The tears rolled down his aged cheeks when he heard of the remarkable success, which attended the labours of the missiona- ries of the Secession in Orkney, and he lived long enough to hear that the Highlands of Scotland, about Moulin, had become the scene of the Redeemer's power. The revival of religion which took place in that part of the country under the late Dr. Stewart, Mr. Gilfillan was accustomed to represent as an an- swer to his prayers. Reserving an account of the closing scenes of liis life for another part of the work, we here merely notice his family. Shortly after his return from the Lowlands he married. His wife's name was Janet Dochart or McGregor. She was a native of Dunira, about half-way between Crieff and Comrie ; now the seat of the mansion of Sir D. Dundas. She was a woman of decided piety, and also one of a turn of mind which fitted her to be a help-meet for him. He was a man of so gentle a spirit, and so interested in spiritual matters, as almost to regard his worldly interests with carelessness. While industrious and regular in his labours, he was so free from anxiety for the things of this life, that had he not had one with the spirit of a Martha, to look after the affairs of his household, his worldly concerns might have gone into confusion. But he found in her not only one that feared God, but a clever manager, of active habits and thrifty care, who " looked well to the ways of her household, and ate not the bread of idleness." To them were born three sons and three daughters. The daughters were all married. Two of them died in Scotland, and the other in Canada. Two of them left families; some of their descendants still reside in their native parish, but the majority of them are either in Canada or the United States. They have generally been exemplary in their lives, and most of them of decided piety; some are filling stations of respecta- bility and influence, and several even in humble life have beea 2* 18 MEMOIR OF THE distinguished by remarkable intelligence. Of the sona, two died in infancy, one from sniall-pox, the other from scalding, and the third was the subject of this lueuioir.* * In preparing tliis chnpter, I have been indebted among other works to McKerrow's History of the Scecssion, Thomson's E;ir!y History of tlie Seces- sion, as well as other works which treat of the Ecclesiastical History of Scot- land in thu last century ; also to a notice of James McGregor in the Christian Magazine, Vol.; I. to a similar notice of him in Frascr's life of E. Erskine; to the memo r of the Rev. Sam. GHfillan, by his son; and to conversations with a grand-daughter in London, C. W., and with several persons resident in the parish of Comrie. REV. JAMES MACGllEGOR, D.D. 19 CHAPTER II. FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS LICENSURE, 1759-1784. " My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews." Acts xxvi. 4. The Rev. James Macgregor was born at what was then a small hamlet called Portmore, just at the foot of Loch Earne, in the parish of Comrie, and county of Pertlishire, North Britain, in December 1759.* The spot is now occupied by the village of St. Fillans, so called from a certain saint whose name tradition hands down as a resident of this neighbourhood, who in the days of his mortality filled the office of Prior of Pittenweera, and afterwards was the favourite saint of Robert Bruce, and a relic of whom was carried in a shrine by the Abbot of luchaflfray at the battle of Bannockburn. Here rising from a little rocky knoll, on which two indentations are pointed out as the marks of the knees of the saint at his devotions, is Saint Fillan's Spring, which was long believed to possess miraculous power over disease ; and even yet it is viewed by the supersti- tious Highlanders as possessing saintly virtue. "And magic virtues charmed St. Fillan's Spring." f * After his death a paper containing the following in his hand 'writing was found in one of his books. "James Macgregor, D.D., Born Dec. 1759. Came here, July 20, 1786. Was here, 1830." As he died on the 3rd of March of the year last mentioned, it must have been written within two months of his death, when he was calmly waiting the arrival of the last messenger. f To this spring Sir Walter Scott refers in the first stanza of Mai-iuion, 20 MEMOni OF THE That district presents much fine scenery, hoinp; on the bor- ders of the IIi<:hhinds, and blending tlic grandeurs of the hill country, with the beauties of the Lowlands. The lake itself is a beautiful sheet of water, about soven miles long, gemmed by a solitary islet, and lying in placid loveliness in the midst of a ring of heathy mountains, while in the distance are seen the summits of the highest mountains of the ^Yestern Highlands. " There are few Scottish lakes more worthy of a visit than Loch Earne. Its shore throughout, and for at least half a mile in- land, is clothed with thriving copse and brushwood, creating continual changes of the scenery, and a succession of the most picturesque and romantic views. Beyond these woods on every side hills and mountains arise, piercing the clouds with their lofty summits and adding grandeur and sublimity to the scene. Looking from either end of the lake, the view is peculiarly magnificent, the whole valley can be seen at once, with its enormous vista of mountains enclosing all around — the trans- parent lake which forms its glassy centre — and the beautiful fringing of wood with which the base of the mountains and the shores of the lake are adorned."* From the foot of the loch eastward stretches a beautiful vale or strath, commonly called Strathearne, and sometimes denomi- nated the Arcadia of Scotland, faced on both sides by extremely rugged hills. Issuing from the loch, near the village of St. Fillans, the river Earne finds its way through this valley, some- times amidst forests of pine and larch, or in the shadow of per- pendicular crags, or again stealing through a wide open moor- land, with a few patches of corn diversifying the heath and the rocks. About six miles to the east, where two mountain " Harp of the North ! that moulJorinp; long hast hung On the witch elm that shades Saint Fillan's spring." And Wordsworth also refers to it when, speaking of the effects of the restora- tion of Popery to power in Britain, he says that it would " reconsecrate our wells To good Saint Fillan and the fair Saint Anne." * Gazetteer of Scotland. REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 21 streams, the Ruchill and tlic Lednock, after pourinh- landers over the wide world. Of his birth or the circumstances of his childhood, we have no particulars, except one which has come down to us by tra- * Cyledonia stern and wild, Fit nurse for a poetic child. 22 MEMOIR OF THE dition, viz., that at liis baptism his father rolemnly dedicated him to tlie work of the Lord, .sliouhl it be his gracious will, in the ministry of his Son. As already nicritioiicd, two sons had been already born in the family, who did not long survive. Whether this influenced the mind of his father, or whether the proceeding was merely the impulse of a pious heart, we know not: but it is delightful to contemplate such an exhibition of parental piety, and to behold his parents manifesting the spirit, if not using the language, of Hannah: "For tliis child I prayed, and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him. Therefore, also, I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he liveth, he shall be lent to the Lord." And looking at the subsequent career of tlie child, we cannot help remark- ing the goodness of a covenant-keeping God, and pointing out the encouragement it affords to pious parents to follow a similar course. The practice of parents training one or more of their children for the office of the holy ministry, so common among the Scottish peasantrj^, is one which God has been pleased greatly to bless. Doubtless there may have been in many in- stances a mingling of worldly ambition, and it is sad to see the useless and misspent sacrifices, that have sometimes been made to train young men for the ministry whom Providence never intended for the work. Yet when such sacrifices have proceeded from right motives — when they have been accompanied with faith and prayer, and particularly when they have been the result of a pious parental dedication, God has in numberless in- stances blessed them as the means of filling the ranks of the ministry with able and faithful labourers. "God has not left himself without witness." "His faithfulness to his household covenant, and to his New Testament Church, has been signally manifested in a long line of ministers parentally dedicated to him in this holy work. From Samuel and those that follow after, a great cloud of witnesses have testified of these things. It has always pleased God to propagate his church by means of a pious posterity. He has transmitted his gospel ministry by this means. The sanctity of the domestic relation, and the REV. JAMES JMACGREGOR, D.D. 23 power of parental influence and prayer, have been employed by him for so momentous a result as the recruiting of labourers for the harvest-field of the world. And by all the necessities of his church, and of perishing millions in all lands, he calls upon Christian parents to lay their sons at the foot of the altar, and to crave for them, as their high Christian birthright, the distinguished honour of serving him in the ministry of recon- ciliation."* Our own church exhibits another distinguished example of the same thing in Mr. Geddie, their first missionary to the New Hebrides, who was in infancy dedicated by parental piety to the service of the God of mis.sions, and who has been honoured as the first to plant the gospel among a new and in- teresting family of the human race. "Were the same spirit more generally prevalent in the church, we would not hear, as we now do from every Protestant communion on this continent, the cry, " The harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few." Of his early days we know little, except that he bore the character of a lively and active, yet gentle boy, of very inquisi- tive disposition, and occasionally giving evidence of a quick temper. Those who knew him in after years, when he exhibited a Christian placidity of mind which scarcely any provocation could disturb, will scarcely credit this last statement; but when they remember the holy fire, unmixed with human passion, which at times burst forth from him, they may believe that such would have been his character before natural tempers had been so thoroughly subdued by divine grace. Yet in general he was mild, kind, and afi'ectionate, and though posses- sing great animal spirits and forward in fun, was never given to wickedness. From the account we have given of his father, wc need scarcely say that he enjoyed the inestimable privilege of pious parental training. The family exhibited, indeed, the excellence of Scottish piety, as delineated in the Cottar's Saturday Night, which might well lead the poet and the patriot alike to exclaim, * Jacobus's Address before the Synod of Pittsburgh, 1857. 24 MEMOIR OP THE " Prom scenes like these, old Scotia's grnndeiir springs, That makes her loved at home, revered abroad." The society among -whom his lot Tvas cast was of a similar description. Mr. Gilfilhin, when settled in the parish, a num- ber of years later, indeed describes the inhabitants of the par- ish as "generally prejudiced against the Secession — the present and rising generations fatally sunk in security — bent on all sinful and vain diversions — averse to reading and enquiry — and angry when their duty is told them." The picture seems too darkly coloured. At all events it is not true of that section in which Dr. McGregor spent his early life. It is generally de- scribed as a quiet neighbourhood, with but a scanty population, and this generally of a pious and exemplary character. Under such influences his character received an impress of goodness from his earliest years. In the kind Providence of God he was never permitted to run the course of youthful folly, so frequent even among those, who have afterwards become eminent in the Church of Christ. Tiiroughout his curly life his conduct was characterized at least by morality and outward respect for religion. How early he became decidedly pious, we know not. With that modesty, which prevented him saying much of himself, and that reserve on personal experience, so characteristic of Scottish piety, we have not hoard of an instance in which he referred to the subject. But from his enquiring turn of mind, from the manner in which religion filled the mind of his father, and pervaded his whole household arrangements, he must have h;nl his attention directed to the subject at a very early age ^ and from any information we have received, we are inclined to believe that he was one of those who are "sanctified from their muthcrs' womb," — that the seeds of religious truth took root in his childish mind with the first impressions of a pious home, and the first instructions of his parents' lips. For this we have no decided evidence, but several circumstances induce us to regard it as highly probable. His father had, by attention to his little farm as well as by REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 25 his trade as a weaver, and also, ("tell it not in Gath," in these temperance days,) by keeping a still, and manufacturing a lit- tle whiskey, provided the means of giving his son a classical education ; and mindful probably of his early vow, at the age of eight years placed him at the grammar-school at Kiukell. Here his father paid his board, but he was not allowed to be idle, for the thrifty wife, with whom he lodged, imposed on his good nature by obliging him at night to reel four dozen knots of fine linen thread, which her two daughters and two servant girls had spun through the day. From this period he was little at home except at vacations. He also attended for a time the grammar-school at Dumblane. Of this period of his life we know almost nothing. All his cotemporaries are gone, and we have not met with any who were acquainted with him at either of these places, but by those who were residing in his native place, he is described as having been quick to learn. The following incident however, which occurred while he was at Kinkell, is of interest. He and some other boys were in a boat on the river Earne, and some of them having given it rather a sudden swing, he was thrown into the water, and immediately sank to the bottom, where he appears to have been deprived of all energy, and remained un- der water seemingly in a state of unconsciousness. To all ap- pearance his course seemed run, but God had destined him for other work. After lying for a few moments, the thought rushed through his mind, that he was a great fool to lie there and be drowned ; and immediately putting forth all his ener- gies, he reached the surface and was assisted into the boat by his companions. From Dumblane he proceeded to Edinburgh to attend the University. Here he passed the usual curriculum of study. It is now impossible to obtain any account of him at that period of his life. But his habitual application to study would lead us to believe that he would be at least a diligent student, and from the strong mental powers which he undoubtedly possessed, and his extremely inquisitive disposition, as well as frona the 3 26 MEMOIR OF THE evidence he gave afterwards of his attainments, we are safe in concluding, that if he were not a profound scholar, he had in all the branches of education made respectable progress. We have also in our possession translations made at this time from some of the Greek Classics, which afford farther evidence of the same thing. While receiving his education, he was supported principally if not entirely by the industry of his parents. While residing in Edinburgh he lodged with a female friend of the family, who did his cooking for him, while from his father's farm there came meat, meal, butter, &c., besides articles of female handicraft provided by the thrifty care of bis mother and sisters. In that household was exhibited the spectacle so characteristic of Scot- land, where the industry of all was cheerfully employed, and sacrifices cheerfully endured, with the view of fitting a beloved son and bi'other (in this case an only one) for the work of the ministry, — all their toil and self-denial cheered by the hope of seeing him filling a station of respectJibility and usefulness, and their piety gratified with the prospect of his being the means of advancing the lledeemer's kingdom. In these labours and sacrifices, the mother, as was natural, was the most forward, sometimes almost exciting the jealousy of the sisters, who, as they saw the best ham, or the best of something; else laid aside for ''James," would sometimes say, " Ah, mother, if you get James provided for, you don't care for the rest of us." We believe however that while attending college he partly supported himself by teaching. Sometime about the year 1776 (which must have been before he completed his college curri- culum) be taught school at Glenlednock, about four miles north of Comric. Here he had a large school, and was much esteemed as a teacher. An individual, living in 1856, who attended his school, and in whose father's house he lodged, de- scribes him as having been an active, sprightly lad, full of life and activity, very sociable in the family, and so full of fun, as sometimes to elicit a reproof from the grave but pious old man with whom he lodged, in whom the vivacity of youth had long REV. JAMKS MACGllEGOR, D. D. 27 since passed away. "While tcacliing here he also employed himself in translatinp; the book of Proverbs into Gaelic, prob- ably for the purpose of improving himself in that language. Before describing his Theological course of study, it will be necessary to give some account of ecclesiastical affairs in Scot- land during the years preceding. In the preceding chapter we have given a brief narrative of the origin of the Secession. For some time its progress was rapid, so that in the year 1744, it became necessary to divide the Presbytery into three, under the inspection of a synod called the Associate Si/nod, which held its first meeting at Stirling in March 1745. At that time there were reported as in connection with the body, thirty settled congregations and thirteen vacancies in Scotland, while already the cause had made progress in Ireland. But already a dark cloud was lowering over the infant church. A vexatious dispute had been introduced into Synod respecting the religious clause of certain oaths, required to be taken by the burgesses in the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Perth. This clause ran in the following terms, " Here I protest before God and your Lordships, that I profess and allow with my heart the true religion presently professed within this realm, and author- ized by the laws thereof; I shall abide thereat and defend the same to my life's end, renouncing the Roman religion called Papistry." By some this was held as implying an approval of the corruptions of the Church of Scotland, against which the Secession was testifying, and they therefore refused to take the oath ; but others held that it only meant the true religion itself in opposition to Popery, and therefore were willing to take the oath, or at least regarded the point as one on which conscien- tious men might honestly differ, and which therefore might properly be made a matter of forbearance. The controversy increased in bitterness till in 1747, only fifteen years after the Secession, they split into two sections : those who condemned the taking of the oath being usually known as Antiburghers, and their Synod being entitled the General Associate Synod, and those who did not object to the taking of it, being com- 28 MEMOIR OF THE monly known as Burghers, and their Synod bearing the name of the Associate Synod. This " breach," as it was long called, may be regarded as the one great blot upon the history of the Secession. Division under any circumstances must have been attended with many evils, but in this case these evils were greatly increased by the spirit in which the controversy was conducted, angry feelings were excited, the friendships of years were severed — and bitter recriminations were launched against each other, " Each spake words of high disdain And insult to bis heart's best brother." But while the " contention was so sharp," as to cause the parties, like Paul and Barnabas, to " depart asunder the one from the other," it is easy to perceive that much of their pro- ceedings originated in a morbid conscientiousness, which feared the admission of the slightest blot upon the purity of their public profession. The discussions to which the question gave rise, were also the means of throwing light upon the important question of the power of the civil magistrate in religion, and led to clearer and more advanced views on the subject. Thus the way was prepared for that great controversy, which more extensively agitated Scotland many years after on a point in- volved in it, viz., that of Civil Establishments of religion, and the bulk of both branches were led to take their position as the strenuous advocates of the most entire freedom of the church from all dependence upon the civil power. And it is well known that out of the latter controversy, usually known as the Voluntary controversy, arose the far famed Non-intrusion con- troversy, which finally issued in the formation of the Free Church of Scotland. It is gratifying to observe that in other ways the division was overruled for good. Each body continued faithful to the doctrines of grace, and the liberties of Christ's people. Each watched over the other^s purity, and as Paul and Barnabas on their separation went in different directions, and thus were the means of spreading the gospel more widely than REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 29 when united, so the separation of the Scceders was the means of their carrying the great principles for which both were con- tending, into a greater number of places than would have been done had they remained together. And perhaps it saved them from tiie persecutions of the ruling power. It has been handed down by tradition, tliat some of the leading parties connected with the ecclesiastical affairs of Scotland, intended to use their interest with the Government of the day to adopt measures for the suppression of the Secession. But that when they heard that they had split, they concluded that it was unnecessary, as they must soon be destroyed by their mutual strife. We have furnished this account of the division in the Seces- sion, as some acquaintance with it is necessary to understand the course afterward adopted by the subject of our memoir. For the benefit of those of our readers not acquainted with the Ecclesiastical history of Scotland in the period referred to, we may remark, that the course of the Established Church was worse instead of better than before. Had her leaders had "understanding of the times," they might, by timely concession, have at least checked the growth of the Secession, if not have extinguished it altogether. But the very opposite policy was adopted. The very divisions of the Secession encouraged them to persevere in their career of corruption and oppression. The most obnoxious presentees continued to be forced upon an in- dignant people — and Presbyteries and presentees in some in- stances could only reach the parish church under the protection of dragoons, and under the same care went through the mon- strous mockery of committing to the patron's nominee, by prayer, the charge of the souls in the Parish. Individual mem- bers of Presbytery were not even allowed the liberty of absent- ing themselves from such unhallowed proceedings ; and in some instances, where a minister refused to take part in such a pros- titution of the ordinances of religion, he was summarily de- posed for his so called contumacy. It was in this way that Thomas Gillespie, one of the most amiable and upright men of his time, was cast out of the church, and became the founder 3» 80 MEMOIR OF THE of the Presbytery, which afterward became the Synod of Relief , The ruling party now aimed at the entire suppression of popu- lar power in the church. Under Principal llobertson, who succeeded to the leadership of the Assembly about the year 1763, it waa boldly proclaimed, and acted upon, that the call of the people was not necessary, and that the presentation of the patron was sufficient reason for the Presbytery taking steps to- ward his ordination. Of those in the church who after the rise of the Secession had opposed their efforts to patronage, some like Willison had passed away from the scene, others like Witherspoou sought in America a free field for their energies, while others had sought in one or other of the Dissenting bodies, that relief for their consciences, which they could not find in the Establishment, And at length "Moderatism" reigned undisturbed over its whole proceedings. Under this system a ministry preaching, to use the language of Dr. Chal- mers, " a morality without godliness, a certain prettiness of sen- timent, occasionally served up in tasteful and well turned periods, the ethics of philosophy or the academic chair rather than the ethics of the gospel" — a ministry that after subscrib- ing a Calvinistic creed, taught openly Arminian, Pelagian, or Socinian errors — a ministry oftentimes not even, moral in its deportment, filled the pulpits of the Established Church, and by its deadening influence, was destroying vital godliness among the people, so that were it not for the lights kindled in Dissent- ing temples, there is every likelihood that evangelical truth would have been quenched throughout the land. Such was the state of the Church of Scotland during the youth and early manhood of the subject of our memoir, and as he watched public events with deep interest, we need not wonder that he waa by examination, as well as by education, a thorough Seceder. But it is also necessary to remark that he was also educated a strict Antiburgher. At the division the Erskines took tlie liurgher view, while Moncrleff, then Profes- sor of Theology, embraced the opposite sentiment. To this party the congregation to which Dr. Macgregor's father be- REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 31 loDged, as well as most of the Seceders in that quarter, adhered, and it must be observed that this was by far the " straitcst sect" of the two. In regard to intercourse with other bodies they took ground which would now scarcely be taken by any church in Christendom. They avowed the principle that there should be no communion without union. So far from allowing for- bearance in matters of minor importance, they held the very making a distinction between essentials and non-essentials to be the very grossest latitudinarianism, and forbearance they re- garded as a sinful concurrence with what is evil. Nay farther, they held that even hearing in the churches of those who did not unite with them in their protest against prevailing corrup- tion, was a lowering of their testimony, and becoming partaker in the evil deeds, against which they had erected a standard. Following out these principles, they would have refused com- munion equally with one who swore the Burgess oath, as with one who denied the atonement, and would have brought under discipline any member of the church, who would have heard a sermon from a parish minister. Notwithstanding the obliga- tion, under which Dr. MacGregor's father lay to Ebenezer Ers- kine, he was thoroughly trained a strict Antiburgher. Mr. Gilfillan naicchj remarks of him, " As James's temper was rather gentle and soft than bold and intrepid, and not fully un- derstanding the terms of communion in the Secession, he almost yielded to the plausible but lax opinion of hearing a good ser- mon anywhere. But being at a sacrament at Orwell about that time, a young minister, his name he thought was Mr. Smyton, obviated that difficulty, and henceforward he was so fixed in his principles, that nothing could shake them till his dying day." In these strict principles his son was trained, and he at first avowed them until circumstances led him either to modify or abandon them altogether. It is necessary to refer to these things as the subject will come up in a subsequent part of the narrative. After completing the usual college curriculum, he was ad- mitted to the study of Theology, under the Rev. William Men- 32 MEMOIR OF THE crieff, Alloa, wto had succeeded liis father, the Rev. Alexander Moncrieff of Abernethy, as Professor of Theology to the Gene- ral Associate Synod. A writer, speaking of those excellent men who adorned the early history of the Secession, thus describes him : " One of the most amiable of those excellent men was Professor MoncrieflF of Alloa. He was a person of very digni- fied presence, but of great kindness of heart. Ilis deportment was in every respect becoming. He was admitted by all who knew him to be a man of great piety and worth. He was be- loved by his pupils as a man, admired as one of the most en- gaging preachers of the day, and revered for his qualities and conduct as a Theological teacher. His prelections were dis- tinguished by simplicity, clearness, and precision, both of style and sentiment. He excelled in removing the difficulties which met him in his course, and in briefly but satisfactorily refuting the arguments and reasonings of adversaries." The Hall met at Alloa for two months in Autumn, and the term of study was five years. During the vacation the studies of candidates for the ministry were prosecuted under the care of Presbyteries, and sometimes young men were taken for a time to reside in the families of aged ministers for the purpose of receiving their aid in the work. We do not know the exact date of his attendance, but we have in our possession, notes of lectures by Professor Moncrieff" in the year 1781. Neither know we any thing of him as a student. All who were in at- tendance at that time have long since finished their earthly course. The only memorials that remain are the notes of Pro- fessor Moncrieff"'s lectures just referred to, and some notes of sermons heard while in attendance at the Hall. The notes of the lectures are plainly written out, and give in short compass, yet in a very clear manner, the substance of the lectures. They show his orderly habits and his attention to his business as a student. The character of his mind would prepare us for this, and as a result he showed from the time of liis arrival in this coun- try, a thorough acquaintance with the Scriptures and with The- ology. We know also that previous to his arrival in this coun- REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 33 try he had particularly attended to the study of Hebrew, and had acquired an intimate acquaintance "with the language. This attainment was by no means common at that time in Scot- land. It is mentioned in the life of Dr. Dick, that while re- siding with a parish minister just about this time, he surprised him by his being acquainted with that language, this being an accomplishment which few or none in the district but himself could boast. We have in our possession fragments of a com- mon-place book of Dr. MacGregor, which show that he read the language critically. Of his mental powers at this time the only specimens we possess are two discourses, the one marked ''Edinburgh 1781" on James ii. 24, the other about the same period on Rom. iii. 28, an Exegesis on 1 John iii. 14, and an Essay on Baptism. These would pass as good, and we may say as superior, in any Theological Seminary. Having mentioned an Essay on Baptism among the papers prepared when a student, we may here remark, that at an early period of his career, his mind was agitated with doubts on the questions at issue between Baptists and Pedobaptists. In the preface to the treatise published in the present volume among his remains, he remarks, " The author was brought up a Pedo- baptist, but in consequence of reading the arguments on the Baptist side he hesitated." We are not certain as to the time at which this took place, but it is understood that it was pre- vious to his arrival in this country. It is believed that for a time his mind was strongly inclined to the Baptist view of the question. It is therefore instructive to read his account of the manner in which his difficulties were removed. " He searched anew the New Testament as impartially as he could, and with a fear lest his early prejudice for infant Baptism might mislead him. Still however he hesitated, for there he could not see a clear foundation for either side. There he could not see a com- mand for, or an example of, infant Baptism so plain as to satisfy him, nor could he find satisfactory evidence for or against im- mersion, but still he thought that all light on God's Baptism 34 MEMOIR OF THE should be expected from searching not heathen authors, but God's own word. Providence having led him to notice Paul's phrases, ' doctrines of Baptism,' in Heb. vi., and ' divers Bap- tisms,' as the words should be rendered in Heb. ix., he was and is persuaded that he found a clew to guide him into the truth. Paul sent him to JMoses. To Moses he went, and among his Baptisms he found one, which, as he believes, the prophets foretell shall continue till the end of time. Building the instructions of the New Testament upon this foundation, he is gati.^Ccd that sprinkling of infants with clean water is an ordinance of God." His views on the subject will be found in this treatise. It was however prepared long after, being one of the latest efforts of his pen. But it embodies the views which he held from the commencement of his ministry. The reader will perceive that they are entirely founded on Scripture, that he traces the ordi- nance, not to any Heathen practice or Jewish tradition, but to the appointment of God under the Old Testament, and finds the same institution modified under the New, and adapted to the nature of the more advanced dispensation. In presenting this view, he did not undervalue the arguments commonly used for Infant Baptism, but this was an important view which had been long overlooked. We have been pleased to observe, that in recent discussions this view is beginning to receive the prominence to which it is entitled, but as we believe that he derived his views entirely from the prayerful study of the word of God, we regard this treatise as aff"ording evidence of how a plain mind engaging in seeking the knowledge of God's revealed will, with a simple desire to know the truth, and with earnest prayer for divine direction, will be guided into the truth. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God." " The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way." From this time his convictions on the subject became decided and continued unshaken to the end. He used to say that he was " sure that tlie Baptists were wrong." One said to him, REV. JAMES JMACGREGOR, D.D. 35 " The Baptists think that they are right." " Yes," he replied, "but there is a great difference between thinking and being sure." And he was accustomed afterwards to express himself in strong terms of gratitude to the God of truth in guiding him to the conclusions at which he had arrived. He however retained a warm feeling of kindness to the Baptists as a body, wliich he afterwards manifested in a practical manner on more than one occasion. We cannot but remark how wisely ordered it was in Provi- dence, that he should thus have been led to a thorough exami- nation of the subject. A large proportion of the ministry of Scotland have not completely mastered the Baptist controversy. They are seldom called on to discuss it, and are therefore not always ready at once to encounter opponents. But in this country, where the Baptist system prevails, and its advocates are zealous and ready armed with the usual plausible but super- ficial arguments by which they defend their views, the minister is frequently called to defend God's household covenant with believers, and to contend against that superstition, which at- taches so much efficacy to an outward rite, according to the quantity of water, and the mode of its application. Dr. Mac- Gregor, during the course of his ministry, necessarily came fre- quently in contact with those who held these views, and we cannot but re^-ard it as a wise arrangement of Divine Provi- dence, that he should thus be so thoroughly prepared for the work. We may here remark, that his preaching on the subject was often most effective — that it confirmed believers in the doc- trine— removed the doubts of enquirers, and stopped the mouths of gainsayers. A Wesleyan minister lately remarked, that " the only time he had ever heard him preach was on this sub- ject, and his sermon he could never forget," and we shall here- after accord proof of his success in quieting agitation on the subject. We have thus anticipated what properly belongs to a subse- quent portion of the history, and we therefore return to con- sider him as a student. Durins; the vacations of his college 36 MEMOIR OP THE and Theological curriculum he was frequently about home. He is described as then being " a fine frank lad," full of fun and activity. The companions of his boyhood embraced such occasions to meet in bis father's bouse, and he would keep them the whole evening in amusement. Those who knew him in his later days — who recollect the deep seriousness that pervaded his whole conversation — bis objection to sinful levity or even excessive mirth, will scarcely credit this; but the evidence upon which we make the statement is undoubted ; and those who peruse his writings, will sometimes detect in them an un- der current of mirth, which though repressed by the weight of what he felt resting upon him as a minister of Christ, occasionally came to the surface, and in the company of his familiar friends, particularly his brethren in the ministry, burst forth in a rich fountain of harmless merriment, and which gave in after life to a piety of the deepest and most earnest nature, an air of cheerfulness, which preserved it from an}' appearance of morose- ncss or gloom. He was possessed then of great bodily activity, and was a superior swimmer. An old man living in 1857, pointed out a tree well out in the lake to which he used to swim. At the same period be is represented as remarkable for a most inquisitive disposition, " searching into every thing," as it was expressed to the writer. One curious example of this was mentioned at Comrie. On one of the neighbouring hills, was a stone, which either in its appearance or position seemed some- what singular. Desirous of understanding its mysteries, he engaged some men with a bottle of whiskey to turn it over. They did so but found nothing under it. It was probably con- nected with some superstition, possibly with the idea of money being found under it. From the same inquisitive disposition he had made himself familiar with the superstitions of his countrymen and the legends of his native district. Of these be afterward wrote home an account, which is now not to be found. It may be mentioned that the neighbourhood, though not connected with the religious history of Scotland, has many REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 37 interesting historical associations. It was the scene of bloody conflicts between the Romans and the Caledonians, and it was at the foot of the hills already described, that the conquerors of the world were arrested in the career of conquest. The battle of Mons Gram pins, it is generally believed, was fought a little to the east of Comrie, and some of the hills in its neigh- bourhood bear names, whose meaning in Gaelic commemorates the contests of that era. The district also has associations, which would be interesting to a Highlander, particularly when the spirit of clanship existed in considerable force. The im- mediate vicinity of his birth place, was the scene of many san- guinary conflicts between the Campbells and MacGregors; while eastward of Comrie, is the village Fiantiach or Fingal's house, and Cairn Comhol, in memory of Fingal's father, and also the supposed tomb of Ossian. It will be unnecessary to inform our readers that he was too true a Highlander ever for a moment to doubt the authenticity of Ossian's Poems. During the course of his Theological studies he taugl*t school at Morebattle, in the south of Scotland. A widow lady, living in 1856, daughter of the Rev. James Morrison of Norham, on the south side of the Tweed, a few miles below Berwick, and niece of the Rev. David ' Morrison of Morebattle, under whose ministry he was placed, recollects of his paying a visit of a few weeks to her father's family, in which he was much esteemed, as in all the families and by all the persons with whom he privately associated. He was then a tall, dark, fine looking man, of very cheerful disposition. He sang Gaelic songs to them, and wrote several poetical pieces in English, which her father and the family admired. She also states that by her father, as well as her uncle, and the other ministers of the neighbourhood, he was highly esteemed as a man of decided piety, excellent talents, and engaging disposition and manners. He also taught for some time in Argyleshire with the view of improving himself in Gaelic. Though this was the vernacu- lar language of his native district, yet the dialect spoken by the people there, was not considered very pure. From the state 38 MEMOIR OF THE of the Highlands at that time, with but a small proportion of its iiiiaisters who either knew or preached the gospel, and many of the inhabitants in a state of ignorance and supersti- tion, but little in advance of what they were at the time of the Keformation, and the Secession having few Gaelic preachers and anxious to add to their number, he felt himself called in the Providence of God, as well as impelled by his affection for " his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh," to preach the gospel among his Highland countrymen. And in order that he might be " thoroughly furnished" for the work, he took a school in the "Western Highlands, where he had oppoi'- tunity of making himself master of the language, probably where some eminent Gaelic scholars resided. We may men- tion that, as the result of his attention to the subject, he be- came one of the most thorough Gaelic scholars of his day whether in Britain or America. He did not however disdain humbler occupations. There is in the possession of his family a large map of Perthshire, which he purchased several years after he came to Nova Scotia, and he informed his fiimily, that he had acted as chain bearer in the surveys, upon which it was made. It may be mentioned here that he had somewhat of a philo- logical taste ; and having made himself an excellent Hebrew scliolar, and at the same time studying his native tongue, not in a superficial manner, but in its scientific construction, he be- came convinced of the existence of certain radical affinities be- tween these two languages. This was afterward brought before the public by Dr. Jamieson, in his learned work entitled Her- mes Scythicus. In a letter to the Doctor, accompanying a copy of this book as a present, Dr. J. says, " It will remind you of our old lucubrations about the Hebrew and Gaelic." It has come down to us as a dim tradition that his investigations on this subject, previous to his coming to this country, were likely to have given him a name among the literati of his country, though from his great modesty, he never spoke of it himself. His naturally inquisitive disposition and warm aflfcction for REV. JAMES JIACGREGOH, D.D. 39 his Highland countrymen, also led him to enquire into the histoiy and characteristics of the- various Highland clans. Keference to these will be found in one of his Gaelic poems, to bo referred to hereafter. The same feeling led liiiu nbout this period to resume the patronymic of his ancestors. It is well known that the clan Gregor had been outlawed, and that it was for a time unlawful even to use the name. His father's family h:ul in consequence for several generations borne the name of ])runi!nond. But having evidence from written documents or authentic tradition, that they were genuine members of this celebrated clan, he took their name, though his relations gene- rally continued to be known as Drummonds. Having referred to the warmth of his feelings as a Highlander, we may insert here a draft of a letter, though written after he was licensed, addressed to a clergyman in the north, of the name of Mac- Gregor, which we have deciphered from his sh.ort hand JMS. Rev. Sir — Pardon the presumption of an unknov/n )'oung' clergyman, wlio ti-oubles you for once with liis corrcspondencL'. The cliiof reason for my writhig to you is my joy for having found a niinisLcr of my own clan, for I am a I\IacGregor, and I hear that you are of the same clan. I never knew any minister of my own clan, but IMr. J., to whose kindness I am much obliged, until in June last, being in the north country, I heard of you, I was north at N ,* and on my way back, I fJjund that the landlord at A. v/as a MacGrcgor, on which account I called for him, and Iiad a little conversation v/ith him, and he told me particularly concerning 3'^ou. I rejoiced as soon as I heard it. I was in haste, being obliged to be in CricfF against Sabbatli, and on that account did not call upon you. Yet notwithstanding I am now sorry that I did it not, for I found a Mac- Grcgor in G , who is acquainted with your Character at least, and re- commended your acquaintance to me, and blamed me for not calling. I cannot help this now, but if I come to the north again, I shall probably sec you. The only rejjaration that I can make at present, is to trouble you with these few lines, by means of an acquaintance that is passing tlic road. I am truly glad to find a Mr.cGrcgor of ynur charr.ctcr, for though our clan were treated worse than they deserved at the l.ands of men, 3'et I believe they never were, any more than the rest of the clans, very reli- gious. It is good tliat there are now religious p. rsons anio:igst thcin, cspe. cially tiiat there arc some wliosc office it is to prcacli Christ's gospel, and 40 MEMOIR OF TUB to declare to sinners, the gift of God, eternal life. Let us rejoice that the grace of God is Iree, free to tlie chief of sinners, and let, us lahour to de- clare (?) the gl'^ry of God and do good to the souls of sinners. I shall think myself honoured if you please to make a return to this and direct it, J. D. McG., &c. To make the most of the scanty materials in our possession for the illustration of this portion of his life, we may give two extracts from letters which serve to throw a little light upon his character and history previous to his arrival in Nova Scotia. The Rev. James Ptobertson, of Kilmarnock, in a letter dated June 1788, says, " My wife presents her most affectionate re- spects to you, minding the time when you burnt the candle and beat the coals to read, when you should have been sleep- ing." And Mr. David "Wallace, writing from Paisley, says, " I have no doubt that after your long absence from this coun- try, you will not recollect my name, but you may perhaps re- member that when in Paisley you frequently visited the mother- in-law of my father, William Wallace, who as she had but little English, took much pleasure in your conversation in the Gaelic language, and when I also (being then about five years of age) had the pleasure of sitting on your knee, which was to me at that time sublime happiness. The sentiments of regard im- pressed upon the hearts of my parents, on account of your kindness to them, and my grandmother mentioned above, and which local distance and length of time cannot obliterate, are the incentives to my now (at their desire) writing you." REV JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 41 CHAPTER III. FROM HIS LICENSURE TILL HIS ARRIVAL IN NOVA SCOTIA, 1784-1786. " Go yc tlicrefore and teach all nations, — and lo, I am witli you alway, even unto the end of the trorld." — Matt, xxviii. 19, 20. Having completed the usual course of Theological study and performed the usual exercises prescribed as trials, he was duly licensed to preach the gospel, we cannot exactly ascertain at what date, but it must have been about the year 1784. From memorandums on his sermons it appears that while a pro- bationer he preached at the following places, Comrie, Crieff, Kilmaurs, Hamilton, Brechin, Paisley, Dunse, Peebles, Dundee, Cupar, Arbroath, Auchtermuchty, Kilmarnock, Morebattle, Alyth, Alloa. Of the character of his preaching at this time we cannot now get any account, but we cannot be far wrong in supposing that it was similar to what it was when he arrived in Nova Scotia, viz., that it was acceptable, but by no means of the eminent character by which it was afterward distinguished. A Mr. James Hay, writing in 1811, says, "I have never for- gotten the excellent discourse which you preached at Alloa, which I admired very much at the time, and I have met with little since that was not contained in your argument." And the Rev. Alexander Allan, of Capar-angus, says, " Your memory is still dear to some good people here, and j'ou have a place in their prayer?." And Messrs. Buchanan and Pagan, who had been employe'. I as agents of the people of Pictou, sny in a letter to their constituents, " It will be needless for us to expatiate upon that gentleman's character as a minister; we shall only 4* 42 MEMOIR OF THE say that this has been made to appear in such a strong point of view, we have not the least doubt of his giving entire satisfac- tion to your congregation." During the whole course of his preparation for the work of the ministry, and also Avhile engaged as a probationer, it was believed both by himself and the Synod, that the sphere in which he was called to labour, was the Highlands of Scotland. But the Secession had made but little progress in that part of the island, and they had few congregations there. The most interesting and most important was at Chapel Hill, in the parish of Nigg, Rosshirc. This congregation had originated in the violent settlement of a minister obnoxious to the whole parish. In consequence of the universal opposition to him, the Presby- tery were unwilling to proceed with his ordination, but awed by the authority of the General Assembly, who significantly referred them to the fate of Gillespie, who about four years before had been deposed from the ministry for refusing to join in such an act, four members of Presbytery proceeded to the church for the purpose. They found it empty, and were about to proceed with the mockery of committing the care of the souls of the parish to the obnoxious presentee, when an aged and venerable man, usually known as Donald Roy (^Arujlice Red Donald) whose name has been made widely known by the wri- tings of one of his descendants, the lamented Hugh Miller, stood up and in solemn tones, announced to them, that " if they settled that man to the walls of the church, the blood of the parish of Nigg would be required at their hands." The members of Presbytery awe struck, gave up the work for that day; but under the fear of ecclesiastical authority at head quar- ters, they accomplished it on a subsequent occasion. The whole population however refused to enter the Parish Church, and after vainly endeavouring to obtain relief within the Established Church, they at length joined the Secession. For some time they had been under the ministry of the Rev. Patrick Bu- chanan, but, he being advanced in years, efforts were about being made to obtain the subject of our memoir as his col- REV. JAMES MACGREaOR, D.D. 48 league and successor. The people of Comrie also, •who had hitherto formed a part of the pastoral charge of the Rev. Jas. Barlas, of Crieff, but who had always looked forward to having a minister of their own, were making an effort to secure his services. We believe, however, that he looked upon Nigg as the probable scene of his future labours, when those events transpired which caused his removal to Nova Scotia. In the fall of 1784 the people of Pictou had sent to Scotland a petition for a minister. It was entrusted to Messrs. John Pagan and John Buchanan, two respectable inhabitants of Greenock. Mr. Pagan was one of the members of the Phila- delphia company by which Pictou was first settled, and the owner of the ship Hector, which brought to that place the first immigrants from Scotland. Of Mr. Buchanan we know nothing. The dutj intrusted to them they seemed to have discharged faithfully. They were at liberty to present the petition to any Presbytery that they deemed most likely to comply with it. They held various consultations with ministers of different Pres- byterian bodies, and had their attention directed to more than one who was thought likely to suit, but at length they made proposals to him. From records still existing it appears, that he was highly recommended to them, and that some of the minis- ters of the body to which he belonged considered it his duty to accept the proposal. Among his shorthand MS. we have found the following draft of a reply to a letter submitting the matter to his consideration : " I received yours with Mr. P's and tlie petition. The petition breathes the spirit of tlie gospel and discovers no small acquaintance with its doc- trines. It describes so fceling-ly t!ic case of tlie people of Pictou, tliat I think some person or other is clearly called upon to go to their assistance, but I am not so clear if I be the person. I do not wish to raise cajjtious objections against it from a desire to stay at home, nor, had I a regular call to go thither, should I wish to disobey it. It is very plain that I cannot answer any petition at my own hand, but by the order of the Synod. Thcre!ore t!ie Synod must be in the first place petitioned, and if they ap- prove of it, I should probaidy obey. This sets aside at once what Mr. Pagan says about sailing in the beginning of March, I have already re. ceived appointments from the Synod till the beginning of March. And 44 JIEMOIR, or THE though that term were out, they have power to give new appointments. I do not blame Mr. P. for wishing the petition to be answered so soon, for perhaps lie cannot be acqaaiiifcii witli tlic constitution of the Synod. All tliat I mean is to show him tlie impoar.ibilily of answering it so soon. Bat when Messrs. R. M. and you earnestly wish my con-.pliancc with this providential call, I hope you mean in an orderly way, viz., by its first coming before tlie Synod. At the same time it is doubtful, if Messrs. Buchanan and Pagan can present it to the Synod, without first consulting their constituents, and getting their approbation. From the petition itselfl it appears, that it was never designed to be presented to the Associate Synod. Perhaps the petitioners do not know whether tlierc be any Asso- ciate Synod. It seems to me that the petition was designed to be jirescnted to some of the Presbyteries in the Highlands, where the probationers un- derstood both Gaelic and English. Now I greatly suspect that it would be irregular to present the jjctition to the Associate Synod, beside the in- tention of the petitioners. That expression, "also to strengthen the hands of the few ministers of tlic Presbyterian denomination already tlierc," is certainly improper in an)' petition to be presented to our Synod ; thougli all tilings considered, we cannot expect it to be otherwise. If the expres- sion means, as is wholly probable, a strengthening of the hands of the Presbyterian ministers there, in the way of keeping (?) cliurch communion with them, it is surely beyond the power of the Synod to answer it. The Synod is as bound to protect me as I am to be subject to them, and there- fore they cannot throw me away beyond their own connection. Again, if the Synod should send me away, and require of me not to join in com- munion with the Presbyterian ministers there, miglit not the people justly sajf, that tiieir petition was not answered and on that account refuse to receive me ? I know notliing of the Presb3'tcrian ministers there, but is there any reason to hope that they are all sound, and especially that they are all friends of a covenanted Reformation ? If we arc to judge of them from the Presbyteries of the Establislied Church here, may we not con- clude that there is only one here and tlicre that is sound in the faith ? And if any of them be Arians and corrupt, and I join with them, how is it possible for me to escape the dangerous infection? I know that "a little leaven leaveneth tlie whole lump." Mr. P. wishes to get one who preaches tlie doctrines of the Westminster Confession, as worthy of a place. And I heartily wish that whoever is chosen may in tliis respect be wholly to his mind. I believe the people want such a one, and he, upon your re- commendation, takes me to be such a one. Some such there may be there already, and he may wonder that I refuse to join with them. But I flat- ter myself that Mr. P. knows that many worthy ministers of tlie Cliureli of Scotland preach these very doctrines, and yet are obliged to contradict them in their practice, by giving the rigiit hand of fellowsliip to false brethren, and by sitting in judgment with tliem. He knows that tliis is a very disagreeable situiition. I wisli ho c.)uld come one step farther, and see the (utter) unlawfulness of it, cspcciilly after a remedy is provided, as REV. JAMES IMACGllEGOR, D.D. 45 I liope is done in the Secession. Then he would sec the reasonableness of my shunning sucli a situation." The above is only the first draft, and therefore in languajre and composition is not so correct as the copy would be. But we have inserted it as an interesting exhibition, and the only one we possess of his sentiments at that time. It will be seen that it indicates his readiness to go wherever duty might call him, — that he held himself at the disposal of the church, and was willing to submit to the decisions of its councils, without any sentimental weakness about leaving kindred and country. At the same time there appear scruples which in the present day would be regarded as needless, but which will be readily understood by reference to those views of church communion, to which we have adverted; and which may be considered as indicating a morbid sensitiveness about compromising the in- terests of truth and godliness, by any fellowship with those who, partaking of the Christian name, were yet not considered as coming up to the same standard of purity in doctrine and practice. The following extract of a letter' of the Rev. Patrick Bu- chanan, in reply to one of his, serves to indicate his state of feeling at the time : "You desire me to let you know what I think of the affair relative to Nova Scotia. Really, dear brother, I cannot attain to any thoughts about it, worth the communicating. My mind recoils at the thouglit of one fitted for preacliing the gospel in Gaelic leaving poor, desolate, secure Scotland. But if the Lord has determined your future labours and use- fulness to be on the other side of the globe, we should certainly acquiesce in his determination as he shall be pleased to bring it about in his ador- able providence, and say, ' The will of the Lord be done.' " We know not however what may turn out yet before the meeting of Synod ; and if they shall be directed to appoint you to remote America, I am glad to learn that you are disposed to consider it as the Lord's call to you to go, altliough the tliougiits of your leaving us, I confess, very sen- sibly affect me." Having referred the whole matter to the church courts, Messrs. Buchanan and Pagan presented a petition to the Pres- 46 MEMOIR or THE b3'trry of Perth, thnt lie be appointed to Pictou, accompanying it with the petition from Pictou."''' That Presbytery transmitted both papers to the Synod, and the matter came up for conside- ration in the hiut the improvement was very rapid. One circumstance which perhups more than any other especially tended to arouse the ardour of his nature, 180 MExMOIR OP THE was his view of the condition of the settlers. "His spirit was stirred within hioi when he beheld" tlie ignorance and spirit- ual desolation around hira, and all his energies, intellectual, and spiritual, as well as physical, were awakened on their be- half. To the preparation of his discourses, he devoted as much time and labour as his circumstances would permit. When at home he was diligent in study, and in his little garret he spent hours over his books, it might be when others were asleep. But he was much of his time from home, and even when at home he had often little time allowed him for study. He was not long here till he was greatly interrupted when at home by calls from persons wishing to cotiverse with him. There were times when not a day would elapse without such calls, sometimes to the number of half a dozen. Many of these would be anxious about the salvation of their souls — some would come to have their perplexities solved either in regard to matters of religious experience or Christian doctrine, while some perhaps caiue from curiosity, or to enjoy his company. He however never repelled any, and spent much time in con- versing with them, although their business was not of such a nature as to justify such encroachments upon his time. So little consideration had the people that some would come to converse with him on the Sabbath morning. Under these cir- stances it was little of regular study that he could do. He was therefore soon under the necessity of abandoning the practice of writing out his sermons in full. The mode which he adopted, and which he followed through life, was to write outlines, containing the heads and particulars, with the leading illustrations, and the principal passages of Scripture to be quoted. Of these we have already given samples. These were the result of much thought, or as much as he could give, and he learned to study in every situation, sometimes with the noise of children around him, at other times travelling along the road. On one occasion going up to preach at a private house, in company with old James MacDonald, the elder, the latter happened in conversation to quote a particular passage of REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 181 Scripture. A little after the Doctor became silent, as it* niusine:. James thinking that he was studying his sermon, did not dis- turb him. "When they arrived at the place of preaching, the Doctor preached on the text which James had quoted, with great life ; observing afterward, that he had intended to preach on another subject, but that the remark of James had led him to select the one chosen. Frequently, however, he was obliged to preach without much study, and he was graciously sustained, as many of the servants of the Lord have been in such circum- stances. On one occasion, coming home to Donald MacKay's very late in the week, he was obliged to preach without much preparation. When service was over, Donald said to him, " I think you got that sermon out of your sleeve." He acknow- ledged that he had not much time to study it. " Oh," said Donald, '' I wish that you would always preach without study, if you would give us such sermons as that." It has been said that the nature of a minister's preaching might be learned from a list of his texts. We have such lists for some months of his early ministry. From these we learn, that his preaching was occupied with the great themes of evan- gelical truth. One practice, then common in Scotland, which he followed, may be particularly noticed, viz., preaching courses of sermons, sometimes on some great doctrine of the gospel, at other times on the several verses, in succession, of some rich portion of the word of God. Thus we find a series of discourses on Rom. viii., another on John xv., and a third on Isaiah liii.j commonly one verse, but sometimes only one clause, and at other times two verses being employed at a time. That he did not neglect the practical duties of religion, we may learn from his course of sermons on the Ten Commandments already de- scribed. Besides he regularly followed the Scottish practice of lecturing, or continuous exposition of the books of Scripture, his first course being on the gospel of Matthew. Very soon a deep impression was made upon the minds of the community, manifested in the eagerness with which they attended upon his ministry, from every part of the district 16 183 MEMOIR OF THE Many doubtless were attracted by the novelty of the service (for preaching was then a novelty), and even to those who had a spiritual taste for the word, this added an additional charm to his ministrations. JJut many came from higher motives, even to hear words by which they miglit be saved. In winter they could not all assemble at one place, as the snow shoe was the only mode of conveyance. But in summer, whether the preach- ing was at the East or West Ptiver, the inhabitants of all the neighbouring settlements attended. A large number came by water in canoes or boats, but many walked; and we have heard even of young women walking regularly to the East Eiver, from West River and Rogers Hill, distances of ten, twelve, or fifteen miles. The aged would set out on Saturday, and stay overnight with some friend on the way, while the young and robust would leave home early on the Sabbath morning, per- haps before sunrise. They usually travelled in small compa- nies, the older endeavouring to lead the conversation to reli- gious subjects. J^Iost of them walked barefoot, some carrying their shoes and stockings in their hands, till they arrived at a brook near the church, where they washed their feet, and put on their shoes and stockings, and thus proceeded to the place of meeting. When they nssembled, all, witli the exception of the profli- gates, who soon relinquished attendance, listened Avith the utmost attention, the younger jjortion of the audience as to something both new and strange, the older with a pleasure chastened by the recollection of similar privileges enjoyed in their native land. The only interruption, we have heard of, was by a Quaker, present on one occasion, who when the Doc- tor had after sermon called upon the parents to present their children for baptism, stood up and said, " Friend James, who gave thee authority to do that?" The Doctor replied, "Come to me to-morrow and I will tell you." The Quaker did not accept the invitation. When the services were over, they travelled in groups home ward, when the conversation, led by one of the elders or some REV. JAMES J\!ACtlRK(i()l{, D.I). 183 agod Christian, would be on spiritual subjects; but would chiefly turn upon the sermons of the day, and among tlie company, the greater portion of what they had heard would be repeated. Ill fills Ikobert IMarshall and Kenneth Fraser were particularly distinguished'. l\eturning from the Loch Broom Church, the lattc'r would collect those going in the same direction with him, at a spot where there was a windfall on the path. Here they sat down, and the bread and'other refreshments which they liad brought being handed round, he would begin at the youngest, and re(|uire him to tell what he recollected of the sermon, and proceed in the same manner to the eldest, and among them the greater portion of the discourses would be recalled. A good many of the older people from the Highlands could not read, but it is said that many of them could give a wonder- fully correct account of the sermon, and had much Scripture in their memories. Those who could read had been taught in a manner common till a much later period in the Highlands. This was to take the English Bible, and teach the pupils to give a Gaelic word for each English one. Thus even those who could speak very little English, could give an account of an English sermon, or translate a chapter of the English Bible into Gaelic. And as Gaelic Bibles were then very scarce, this •way of reading the Scriptures was very common among them. Next in importance to the public preaching of the gospel, and perhaps occupying more time, and involving more labour, were his ministrations from house to house, and his public cate- chising. But regularly did he discharge these important parts of pastoral duty. His visitations were conducted in the follow- ing manner: After the usual salutations, he lost no time in proceeding to the object of his visit. He commenced by ask- ing each member of the household, beginning at the head of the family and proceeding to the youngest, whether they regu- larly observed the duty of secret prayer. He next asked the head of the family whether he discharged the duty of family worship. The various answers to these questions led to cor- responding explanations and eshurtations. He th.en com- 184 MEMOIR OF THE tnenccd •with the husband and started some subject in relip:ion, and put such questions as might best serve to elicit his state of mind, lie thus engaged him in conversation, and tendered such advice, encouragement, or warning, as liis case seemed to require. He did the same with the wife, and with each mem- ber of the family around to the youngest child, to wliom he put a few questions, and spoke a few kindly words. Thus his visitation was a direct religious conversation with every indi- vidual, and an earnest pressing home upon each of religious things. We need not say that such an exercise, in the style of familiar conversation of which he was master, was fitted to make him acquainted with the spiritual condition of every member of his flock, and how such close personal dealing was fitted to produce saving impressions. The whole was concluded by an affectionate, fervent prayer. So much time was occupied in these exercises, and the houses were so much scattered, that three or at most four families were as many as he could visit in a day. The following is a brief description of his diets of examina- tion. On Sabbath intimation was given that all the families, within a certain distance, would meet at such a house on a par- ticular day named. Such was the interest which these meet- ings excited, in those days, that not only would the members of the families in the quarter attend, but a number from other sections would esteem it a privilege to be present, and would attend to receive instruction as hearers, so that the house would be full. After prayer he commenced with one family, usually that in whose dwelling they were assembled. Commonly some question of the Shorter Catechism was chosen as the basis of instruction. Perhaps Justification was the theme, and then the father was examined on some point in the question, such as the meaning of Justification, or the condemnation of all men by nature, and the impossibility of being justified by our own doings. The answers given afforded opportunities for the cor- rection of errors — for the elucidation of what was not clearly understood, or the fuller illustration of what was but imperfectly REV. JAMES MACGIlEGOn, D.D. 185 appreciated. Then he turned to the mother, and proceeded to elucidate, by means of questions to her, nnothcr point in the question, and so with the other members of tlie family in order, with the exception of the very young children. The next family was dealt with in a simihir manner, and so on till he had gone over them all. And now the signal is given, " You young childron, come around mc," and immediately there is a patter- ing of little feet, and a rush forward of the juvenile portion of the audience. Glistening eyes show the eagerness of many a little heart, to show how he has " learned his questions," and his anxiety to gain an approving word from " the minister." Some questions suited to their capacity are put to each. Those who have answered well receive their due meed of approbation, while otlicrs are encouraged to do better next time, and all re- ceive a kindly exhortation. A short address to the whole assemblage and prayer conclude the service. " There were many circumstances," to use the language of another, "that imparted to these meetings a peculiar interest — the number and variety of the questions proposed — the diver- sified and often striking illustrations of the subject under re- view— the answers given — their different degrees of pertinency, and the ground tliey afforded for remark, elucidation, or cor- rection, on the part of the examinator — the amount of doctri- nal matter exhibited — the familiar style in which the whole business was conducted — all this conspired to render of high consequence this portion of ministerial labour. It was the general persuasion, that, at one such meeting, there was oftea more information communicated than was to be derived from many sermons. But the truths brought under notice, fre- quently formed the subject of after reflection and conversation. It was kept in mind, who had best acquitted themselves in the answers returned, what the mistakes that had been incurred, the corrections by which they had been followed, and their co- incidence with the infallible standard of revelation. The ten- dency of all this was to produce more correct, and extensive 16* 186 MEMOIR OF THE views of divine doctrine, to qualify to hear the gospel with more understanding, to peruse treatises on religious subjects with greater advantage, and to render more fit for subsequent examination. While thus a taste for sacred truth was invigo- rated, there W'as also a greater aptitude to impart information to those, whose cases might more urgently require it." From the state of the country, as we have already described it, these pastoral duties could not be discharged without much labour in travelling. In summer the harbours were crossed and the streams ascended in canoes. Those used by the whites were usually constructed of a single tree, which had been hollowed out, generally one of the large pines, which were then abundant. These, when properly made, formed a very conve- nient craft capable of carrying four or five persons with perfect safety. But from the situation of the people, it was only a small portion of his travelling that could be performed in this manner. Much of it was by land, and only in a few places were there even paths. What were called roads scarcely served any purpose but to prevent the traveller going astray. They were narrow, and the traveller was apt to be scratched by the branches of trees, by which they were crossed, stones and roots of trees rendered the walking difficult, and at most seasons of the year they w^ere wet and boggy, though over the worst places logs were laid. All these circumstances rendered walking dis- agreeable. But the chief of the travelling was along shore or along the banks of rivers, which were often encumbered with trees and stones, and at other places presented bogs, in Avhich the pedestrian was in danger of being mired, or creeks which required a long circuit round, or brooks which it was necessary to ascend for some distance to a convenient place of crossing. But the greater part of his regular family visiting and cate- chizing was done in winter. It is certain that whether more snow fell then than now, that it lay more continuously through the winter, and most of the travelling was on snow shoes, ex- cept when crossing the ice, or when the snow had been soft- REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 187 ened by a thaw, and, being afterward frozen, became sufficiently hard to bear the traveller.* But in this work he was remarkably active. There were few men equal to him in going through the woods. His very gait was peculiar. It was so fast that he kept others who were in company with him on a half run. The late Alexander Came- ron, of Loch Broom, one of his elders, and a strong active man, used to say that he never saw a man, with whom it was as difficult to keep beside. By running he could outstrip him, but if he relapsed into a walk, the Doctor was sure to be soon away head of him. Though not a very strong man, yet he possessed such remarkable powers of endurance, that he tra- velled long distances with comparatively little fatigue, and out- did many, who were accustomed to labour and travelling in the forest. In visiting among the people during these years he also en- dured much privation from the poverty of the people. Their little huts had only one way in which they could be kept com- fortable from the cold, viz., by large fires, and happily wood was abundant. There were none of those diabolical inventions, called cooking stoves, which only render darkness visible, and by consuming the oxygen of the air, and leaving the inmates of the dwelling to breathe the impure residue, are destroying the health of the young of our land, and sending fell consumption on his destroying march through our borders. But a large chimney, with a capacious open fire-place, occupied almost one entire end of the house. In the back of this fire-place, was placed a large billet of wood, cut ofi" the thickest tree that could be found, and familiarly called " the back log." In front of this, resting on two iron supporters called " dog irons," smaller sticks were laid, under which the fire was placed, A glowing blaze soon ascended, which difi"used by radiation at once heat, and light, and cheerfulness, to the whole dwelling. But their accommodations, otherwise, were of the poorest * A fuller account of the travelling in those times will be given hereafter in our eleventh chapter. 188 MEMOIR or THE kind. Often the liard pkuk was liis only bed, and potatoes his only fare. We have hoard of his waking to find his cover- let white with snow. AVhere the people were in better circum- stances, a comfortable bed was provided, sometimes the only one in the house. l>ut during these years, on his visitntions, which were mostly in winter, his most co?nmon bed wns some straw spread out before the fire, and covered with a rug. Such clothes as they had were given for a covering. He would take oft' his coat and wrap it round his feet, which were most apt to become cold. ]3ut his chief dcpenJence for heat was upon the fire, which was left burning when he lay down, but which he was frequently obliged to replenish during the night. Yet never was he known to complain. No expressions but those of gratitude escaped his lips. ]jut how keenly he felt such priva- tions may be learned from the remark which he frequently made in his advanced years, when surrounded by the comforts of life, that he never lay down to rest at night, without feeling thankful for a bed. Ilis fare too was of the humblest kind, but he partook of it with thankfulness, knowing that the people did the best for him they could. lie not only forbore all complaint, but with a delicate appreciation of the feelings of poor people, employed every means of making them see that he valued their kindness. Thus when potatoes and gruel were the only articles of diet provided, we have been told of his eating heartily, lest they should think that he either despised their fare, or felt the want of better; or again when a little bread and milk was offered, and the poor woman felt mortified at not having any thing else, we have heard of his speaking even in terms of reproof, as if she were despising God's mercies, saying to her, " What more would you wish ? Here is bread — the emblem of Christ and his blessings, and milk — the emblem of the word of God. De- sire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." But in nothing was he more distinguished than by his con- versational powers. In this he possessed a peculiar gift. Whether travelling, or in the house, he kept up one uninter- REV. JAMES MACGUEaOK, D.D. 189 ruptcd strcnni of interesting conversation. The only time that might be considered an exception to this, was when travelling to preaching. Then he was commonly silent, but returning he was more than usually fluent. IMuch of his conversation was directly on the subject of religion, and whittever subject came up he possessed a remarkable faculty of giving it a religious turn. This power was remarked by every person who came in contact with him. In after years, some of his brethren used to say, they really envied him. One of them said, " We'll go into a house, and will be thinking upon what subject to begin and how to introduce it, but before we know, Mr. MacGregor will be right in the midst of religious conversation." On one occasion travelling in company with another niinistor, he e;illcd at a house on the way, while the former went on to the house where they were to stop. When the Doctor arrived he found him laughing and talking with some levity with a young woman in the house. The Doctor immediately began to speak rather reprovingly to him. The latter replied, " We can't always be talking religion." "Oh," said the Doctor, "you should look at the example of the Saviour. When he entered a house, he went slap dasJi into the subject of religion." Nothing could more strikingly illustrate his own practice. He has been known to say that he never met with but one man with whom he could not engage in religious conversation. This was an old soldier, a drunken, ignorant, Irish Roman Catholic. He could find nothing which would serve as a handle by which to get hold of his mind. He remarked that it seemed strange to him, that he should have travelled some miles with him, and not have been able to do any thing for his spiritual enlightenment. What a reproof is this to so many ministers and private Chris- tians, who spend, it may be, days in the company of others, without an effort to direct their minds to the great concern ! But while his conversation was largely 'occupied with reli- gion, yet much of it was upon other subjects. At one time he might be heard instructing those around him in the mysteries of the Copernican system, although the idea that the earth 190 MEMOIR OP THE moved round tlie sun, provoked the incredulous declaration from one, whose senses seemed to contradict such a view : *' Lies, lies ! when I built my house I i^ut the door on the west side, and it's there yet ;" at another time, explaining the won- derful processes of nature, evaporation from the sea, the carry- ing of the clouds over the land by the wind, the descent of the rain, and the combined influences, by which the fruits of the earth are bronght to maturity. Or again he might be found pointing out improved modes of culture, or advising them as to improved modes of management ; while again he would be glean- ing information from them on subjects, with which his com- panions were better acquainted than himself. Nor should it be omitted that he w'ould sometimes enliven the company with some harmless joke. The following incident, simple as it is, will serve to give an idea of his usual manner. Two young men had gone over to Salmon River to get some grain ground. There were indeed by that time one or two mills erected in Pictou, but they were useless. While there the Doctor arrived on his way home from a mission to Amherst. He was asked to stay all night, but at first felt inclined to go on, as he had been several weeks absent from home. But on finding two of his own people there, who could not leave till the next morning, he consented to remain. After having had dinner and being rested a little, he went down to the mill and took a plan of it. The nest day they set out on their return home, he riding on horseback, they •walking, with their sacks of flour across their horses' backs. Going through some bushes, they pulled a quantity of hazel nuts, which they gave him to eat. On emerging into an open space, he said, "Now you've been giving me food, I will give you some spiritual food." He accordingly took out Fleming on the Fulfilling of Scripture, out of which he read for some time. So interested did they become, that my informant, wlio was one of them, said, th.at the very first opportunity he had, he purchased a copy of the work. The plan of the mill he brought home to John Fraser (squire) who was about erecting REV. JAMKS AIACOREGOR, D.D, 191 one. It was not quite perfect, ;ind lie sent it to a inilhvriglit in Halifax, witli whom lie was acquainted, who made some cor- rections upon it, and from liis plan as thus amended, 31r. Fra- scr built his mill. In the opportunities afforded him of intercouri^e with the people no class was overlooked. Wherever he met witli the youm; he would always engage in conversation with them. So attracted were they to him, that bo}S would follow 1iim for some distance along the road to enjoy his company. Persons now aged or in middle life, have told me of meeting him on the road, and liis stopping to give them exhortations, which they had never forgotten. But it seemed as if he made it especially his object to pay attention to such unfortunate creatures, as from age, poverty, or some infirmity, are apt to be despised. While we have referred particularl}' to his labours directly on behalf of religion, we must observe, that h.is efforts were also directed to whatever else he considered as tending to promote the welfare of the community, and the comfort of individuals and fimilies. Particularly did he labour to improve the educa- tion of the place, to induce among the people a deeper sense of its value, and to make greater exertions for its support, while ho was diligent in his endeavours to introduce more efficient systems. He also himself imported Bibles and religious hooks for sale and circulation among the people. Those were not the days of Bible and Tract Societies, and this could not be done so easily as now. But he had that active turn of mind, that he was always busy about something, and attended to every thing small and great, even to what might seem trifling. Thus when asking the head of a family, if he observed family wor- ship, and learning that he did not at night for want of light, lie would direct them to take some pine roots, and have them sjilit up and dried, and the wife to hold one of them as a torch while the husband read. Or again in the house where he lodged, he might be found telling them to put a large bnck log into the chimney on Saturday night, which would do over Sabbath, or to carry in sufficient water to do till Mond-iy. Or on one of ]92 MEMOIR OF THE the preaching days of a sacrament, he would tell the young and vigorous to go over to the East or West raver, and leave the old to occupy the houses near at hand. All this was done in so kind a manner, that these very little things aided in causing the aftections of the people to entwine around him. J]ven when he reproved, and no man was ever more faithful in giving reproof, it was done with such kindness, that the offending were attached to him at the very time that lie exposed their faults. Instances there were in which he re- proved with severity, but these were peculiar cases, and in general his reproofs were rendered effective by the very gentle- ness of his manner. With such a manner of going out and coming in among tlvem, we need not wonder that he attained a place in the affec- tion of the people, as high as ever any mere man did in the hearts of his fellow men. Even very rough characters were attracted to him, of which the following may be given as an instance. On one occasion returning home from Prince Edward Island, late in the autumn, a strong north-west wind arose and the waves ran high, in consequence of which they could not reach Pictou Harbour. The nearest point they could make was the beach extending out from near the nioutli of Merigomish Harbour. He was landed here and his com- panions set out on their return. He took up his knapsack, and was looking which way to direct his course, it being his inten- tion to go to Mr. Roy's, when he saw a tall stout man coming along. He turned out to be an old soldier, but a very rough Irishman — a very strong man, and one who had been noticed for his bravery in the field. The Doctor asked him the way to Mr. Roy's. He said he would go with him to show him the way, and carry his knapsack for him, and added, " If it would not hurt you I would carry yourself." He led him first to Mr. Roy'.s, where they lodged that night. In the morning he said that he would go with him to the East River and carry his i.napsack, and if he wished to go farther he would go with hiiu. REV. JAMES JMACGREOOR, D.D. 193 There was another class in whom he felt a deep interest, to which we may refer, although his interest in thcin secured no particular result. We allude to the Aboriginal Indians. He was very charitable to them. Coming along the Middle River he once fell in with two Indians drawing an aged relative on a hand sled. Entering into conversation with them he discovered that they were in want, and gave them an order on two of his pnrishioners living near for the amount of their share of his year's support. One of the latter remarked to the Indians, that he was better to them than their own priests. They replied, " Our priests always wantum, but he givum." But he espe- cially felt an anxiety to promote their spiritual interests, and often talked of plans for this end. Some years later, the Earl of Dalhousie, then Governor of the Province, being in Pictou, called in company with Mr. Mortimer to see him. Conversa- tion having turned upon the benevolent and missionary efforts of the day, the Doctor said, " But there is a poor unfortunate class among ourselves, that I wish we could do something for, I mean the Indians." " Oh," said the Earl, " they are just like the brutes, you can't do any thing for them," "Oh," said the Doctor mildly, but very solemnly, " Your Lordship should not say so," and he went on to refer to the success of the gospel on tribes equally degraded with them. But such was the jealousy of the Bomish priests, under whom the In- dians were, that he never succeeded in doing any thing effectual for them. But the most interesting of the services of these early times was the dispensation of the sacrament of the Supper, which after the first summer took place annually. The event was the subject of preparation for some time previously. Intimation was given several weeks beforehand, and times were appointed for conversing with those who sought admi.*sion to the church. They were subjected to a most thorough examination as to their knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel, their experience of its saving power, and their perfornianceof their religious duties, especially secret prayer, and, where the parties were heads of 17 194 MEMOIR OF THE families, family worship and the catechizing of their house- holds. Sometimes their spiritual gifts were tested by their being called on to engage in prayer before him. The Session also met, it might be several times, when the conduct of church members was strictly incjuired into, the unruly were warned, the erring admonished, differences were adjusted, and scandals purged. The dispensation of the Supper was the occasion for the gathering of multitudes, like the children of Irsael assembling in Jerusalem to their solemn feasts. Not only did persons come from all parts of the county of Pictou, and from the various settlements in Colchester, but numbers travelled from Nine Mile River, Kennetcook, and other places in the county of Hants, at a distance of at least eighty miles, and in later years some came from Prince Edward Island. The houses and barns of those who lived within a reasonable distance of the place, were freely opened for the reception of strangers, and some- times both would be well filled. In preparation for such assem- blages we have heard of those who were in somewhat better circumstances baking bread by the barrel, but the poorer were equally ready with the wealthy to provide as they were able for the entertainment of strangers. It is told that Robert Mar- shall, when providing to the best of his power, for those who came from a distance, and yet feeling the humble character of the provision made for them, was in the habit of acknowledging the fact with the remark, '' Gin ye're Christians, ye'U be con- tent wi' it, an' gin ye're no, it's mair than ye deserve," The spot selected for the observance of the ordinance was on the Intervale, on the Middle River a little below the bridge at Archibalds, on what is now the farm of Mr. John Douglass, under the shade of a high bank on the west side of the river. But the stream has encroached so much upon the Intervale, that its waters now puss over tlie spot where the sacred Supper was observed. By midday the sun was so far round, that the bank shaded the worshippers from his rays. Here a tent was placed for the minister, the multitudes sat or reclined upon the REV. JAMES iMACGRKGOR, D.D. I'JO green grass of the Intervale, or under the leafy shade of the trees on the bank, facing the minister. Early in the week people began to arrive, so that by the day the services were to commence they were assembled by hun- dreds, in after years by thousands. The ordinance was dis- pensed in the manner common at that time in Scotland, and as this is in many places now known only as matter of history, we may give a particular account of the services which were usually observed in connection with this solemn rite of Chris- tian worship. Thursday was the first day of " holy convoca- tion," it being called the day of humiliation or fasting. On this day two sermons were preached, one in English and the other in Gaelic. These discourses were usually directed to the object of bringing sin to remembrance, and exhorting men to confession and repentance. The Psalms selected bore reference to the same subject, while the prayers were principally devoted to the acknowledgment of sins, and supplications for mercy on account of them. The remaining part of the day was spent with the solemnity of a Sabbath, being devoted to such secret and family religious exercises, as were suitable to such a day. Some, though not the majority, observed it literally as a fast, abstaining entirely from food before preaching, and afterward partaking only of such slight refreshment, as was necessary to support nature. Friday was what was called by the Highlanders, " the day of the men," — a day for private religious meetings conducted by the elders, catechists, or more experienced Christians, simi- lar to what is called in the United States and other places, con- ference meetings. Prayer, praise, mutual exhortation, remarks on the subject especially selected for consideration, or, as it was commonly called, '' the question," (which, however, usually in- volved marks of grace,) formed the exercises of this day. Saturday was the preparation day, and again he preached a sermon in each language, generally of such a nature as was fitted to prepare the miads of Christians for the solemn services be- fore them. 196 me:motr of the The remaining portions of these days were not devoted to religious exercises, as the Thursday. Mucli of them was spent in friendly intercourse among the people. Not only did all the people in the county know one another, but they generally knew most of the residents in the neighbouring counties. And they generally lived as a band of brothers. And these annual services were almost the only occasions when they could meet, and there was but little communication otherwise in the interval. We need not wonder that there was much interchange of friendly feelings. But yet these meetings in the several families around were scenes of hallowed Christian fellowship. In their dwellings was " heard the voice of rejoicing and salva- tion." The conversation led by the serious, perhaps by some hoary headed elder, would revert to the sermons of the day — perplexities on the minds of the enquiring would be solved by the knowledge and experience of riper Christians — kindly ex- hortations to the young would be received with reverence from the lips of the aged — while all were sanctified by devotional exercises. In this way we believe that many families, in the spiritual profiting derived from the company of their guests, have had reason to feel, that they had " entertained angels un- awares." Then came the Sabbath, in which all the services had to be conducted by himself After the opening Psalm and prayer, came what was called the Action Sermon, usually devoted to the great central truths of Redemption, specially exhibited in the ordinance of the Supper. This was followed by prayer and praise, and then by the service usually known in Scotland as " the fencing of the tables," which consists in a plain state- ment of the character of those who have and those who have not a right to observe the ordinance, and which was generally concluded by the reading of such passages of Scripture as Psalm XV. ; Matt. v. 1-12 ; Gal. v. 19-24. Then followed part of an appropriate Psalm, during the singing of which the elders brought forward the elements and placed them upon the com- munion table, while the first company of communicants slowly UEV. JAMES MACGllEUOll, 1>.D. 1U7 and reverently took their places on the seats, provided for them. These consisted of two long benches on which they sat facinj^ one another, with a narrow table covered with a pure white cloth between them. On the seats being filled, the minister took his place at the head of the table, and having first read as authority for observing the ordinance, one of the scriptural narratives of its institution, usually Paul's in 1 Cor. si. 23-2G, he offered up prayer, especially giving thanks for the blessings of salvation, and for this ordinance in which it is commemorated. Then followed what was called the " serving of the tables." A short address was delivered to those at the table, when the minister broke the bread and handed a portion of it and afterwards the wine to those nearest to him, repeating as he did so the words of institution. The elements were then passed along from one to another, to the foot of the table, the attending elders sup- plying deficiencies, while the minister continued his exhorta- tion. When the address was concluded, he dismissed them from the table with such words as the following, " Go then from the table of the Lord singing his praise, and may the God of peace go with you." At the utterance of these words, the precentor gave out the first line of the verse immediately following what had been last sung of the Psalm of which the singing had commenced ; and as the singing proceeded, those who had been at the table rose, and began, many with moist- ened eyes, slowly and reverently, as if treading on holy ground, to retire, while another band with the same measured tread ad- vanced and took their places. Another table service followed and another singing, and so on till all those who spoke the one language were served, when those who spoke the other were served in a similar manner in their native tongue, until on the whole altogether there would commonly be seven table services. After the service of communicating was over, a Psalm or Hymn, in imitation of the Saviour, (Mark xiv. 26,) was sung, after which the minister delivered the concluding exhortation, usually called " the directions." This consisted commonly of advices to those who had communicated, as to their future conduct, 17* 198 MKMOIR OF THE and an earnest appeal to tlios-e "who had been merely spectators, to embrace the Saviour and profess his name. Then came the evening sermon, tlie whole being concluded with prayer and praise. These services often occupied the most of the day. They commenced at ten or eleven o'clock, but the sun would be far down the western sky before the last sermon would be over. On Monday, which was commonly called the Thanks- giving day, there were again two sernions. We need not say that such services so long continued, and conducted entirely by himself were severe exercises to him both intellectually and physically; and we need not wonder at hear- ing of him on the morning of the first of these days, as he descended the hill on the east side of the river, where he came in sight of the crowd collected, stopping for a moment, and ex- pressing a wish that the services were over. But while before- hand he was diligent in his preparations, he learned in the hour of need to cast himself upon the Lord, and he was graciously sustained. The promise was fulfilled, " It shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak." He seemed to rise with the occasion, and in the vigour and unction of his address to increase to the end. Indeed from the descriptions given, his efi"orts on these occasions were the most astonishing of his life. It was on these occasions, particularly, that the remarkable power of his voice was exhibited. But few men could address large audiences in the open air as easily as he could. His voice was not indeed loud nor anything of what is called sten- torian, but it was beautifully clear and melodious as a woman's. There was not the least harshness about it, but its tones were rather plaintive and tender, yet such was its compass that he was easily heard over the largest assembly ; and so clear was his utterance, that he was heard as distinctly at the outer edge of the crowd, as at the very centre. We have had places pointed out to us at distances of half a mile, where not only was his voice heard, but the words were distinguished. And on the occasion which we are describing it was remarked that it in- creased in clearness and fulness till the last day of the service. REV. JAMES MACGRKGOR, D.D. 199 To the people we need not say that these were occasions of deep interest, and notwithstanding the labour they involved, they were seasons of pleasure to himself. The whole circum- stances in which they were assembled were fitted to stir the soul of both preacher and congregation. The spot upon which they were met, the quiet grassy glade, on which the tables were spread, with the wooded bank in front, looking down upon the river, and around the sloping hills covered with forest then in all the verdure of summer, and only here and there broken by the small clearing of the settler, formed a scene from which the eye even of the mere lover of nature might drink in de- light ; but he must have been of a cold heart, who could gaze un- moved on that multitude assembled under the broad canopy of heaven to engage in the highest and holiest rites of our reli- gion— the old men reverently uncovered while their gray locks were occasionally stirred by the summer breeze — the aged wo- men, their heads covered only with a cap and handkerchief, sitting near the speaker, or, it might be, admitted into the tent with him, — together with those in the prime of life, the busy matron and the sturdy woodsman, the maiden diffidently coming forward to join in covenant with the heavenly bridegroom and the children now first brought to witness "the sacrament," and gazing with childish curiosity at each successive service — all now reverently standing with bowed heads, the aged like Jacob leaning on his stafi", or in companies passing slowly to and from the communion table, or again all listening with eagerness as the sweetly tender tones of his voice rang through the valley — more especially in the sacred stillness of a summer eve, when nature seemed hushed in silence, and the trees of the wood appeared as if listening to the voice of the servant of God, while the far off echoes sounded as the response of the work of creation to the celebration of redemption. But we must especially notice the singing. Who that has heard the service of praise at a Highland sacrament at the pre- sent day can have forgotten it ? The old tunes, all in the minor key, with their peculiar mournful expression. 200 MEMOIR OF THE " Perhaps Dundee's Avild warbling measures rise, Or plaintive Martyrs, worthy of the name, Or noble Elgin beets the heavenward flauie, The sweetest far of Scotia's holy lays, Compared with these, Italian trills are tame, Nao unison ha'o they with our Creator's praise." The peculiar reading or chanting of each line by the precentor, previous to singing, — then the singing with no accompaniment to the human voice, but the ripple of the river and the rustling of the forest — not conducted by a few performers, it may be, hired to do the praises of God on behalf of the congregation, but the whole multitude joining heart and voice, in a volume of melody which rolled toward heaven as the voice of many waters. " Oh/' said a Lowlander who understood not a word of Erse, " that Gaelic singing, there is grace in the very sough o' it. But to himself and the godly of the land, these seasons were especially delightful as great spiritual festivals. His heart was moved for the multitude fainting for the bread of life, and he laboured as in agony for their salvation. " His doctrine dropped as the rain, his speech distilled as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass." His joy was fulfilled as he saw them eagerly listening to the word of life, and saw so many whom he had reason to regard as his spiritual children, feeding as in green pastures and beside the still waters. While many a pious heart, as they went up to these solemnities, instinctively sung in the words of the Psalm- ist, '* I joyed when they said unto me. Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 0 Jeru- salem,— whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, into the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord." To such these services were as cold water to a thirsty soul. " The Holy Spirit came down as rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth." The hearts of be- lievers were satisfied '' even as with marrow and fatness," and the " Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this REV. JAMES MACOREGOR, D.D. 201 and that man was born here." Multitudes there have been con- strained to say, " How dreadful is this place ! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." To no class were these services more interesting than to the Highlanders, who came from a distance. Except when they came to Pictou, or when he visited them, they never heard the gospel in their native language, for he was the only Gaelic speaking minister in the Lower Provinces. It is well known, that their mountain tongue has a peculiar influence upon this people. But all the circumstances of these occasions, the deep solemnity of the services, the earnestness of his address, the associations which it called up of their native land, and of similar gatherings there, rendered its tones still dearer and more impressive ; and with tears streaming down their faces, they eagerly listened for hours to the words of eternal life, in lan- guage which fell on their ears like sweetest music, and awakened the most tender recollections. So deeply were they afi'ected by these services, that it was quite common for them immediately on their return home to look out for a purchaser for their farms, and, as soon as they could sell, to remove to Pictou, that they might be under the ministry of Doctor MacGregor and enjoy the gospel in their native tongue. Of the incidents of these sacraments, one of the most re- markable of which we have heard is the following : On one occasion a very heavy shower of rain appeared approaching right upon the congregation assembled. It was just at the time of the change from the one language to the other. The people became quite agitated. He called upon them to be composed, and engage with him in prayer. He then off'ered a most earn- est prayer, presenting before his heavenly Father the case of the multitude exposed without shelter, and earnestly entreating him, that as he gathered the winds in his fists, and stayed the bottles of heaven, that he would avert from the consresation the threatened torrent. The prayer was heard ; the cloud which appeared coming right upon them was diverted from its course, but passed so near them, that they could see the heavy 202 MKMOIR 01' THK drops falling into what was called the ''deep pool," and a few drops were felt by those on the outer edge of the congregation. But not a person in the congregation was wet, although a few yards below there was a heavy rain, and a brook which emp- tied into the river close by was swollen to a torrent. We do not say that tliere never was any impropriety in the conduct of those who attended these meetings. There were, as might be expected, thoughtless persons who behaved with levity. In later years when population increased, and the pro- gress of trade brought an influx of a looser class, there were irregularities ; but we do not think that there ever were those worst scenes, which Burns has described in his Holy Fair. And in the early years of his ministry, the utmost decorum prevailed, and to the godly they were scenes of spiritual enjoy- ment, which formed green spots in the wastes of memory, and indeed few of that generation could speak of them without emotion to the latest hour of their lives. Amid these arduous labours, and the severe trials which he has described, he for some time felt something of the discour- agement which he did on his first arrival. His good friend Donald jNIacKay, with whom he lodged, who, though having severe domestic trials, was a man of a cheerful turn of mind, used to employ all his efforts to enliven his times of depression. He used to relate the following as an instance : One day the Doctor had been up the East Biver, and returned home quite cast down. There was then no path, and travelling was along the shore. At Fish Pools, there is an overhanging rock close by the river. When the water is low, there are ledges on which one can pass without much trouble. But when the river is high, it is very difficult getting along, and if a person misses his footing, the water is deep, and he is certain to be completely drenched. On his way home he got into the water and was of course thoroughly wet. This, added to some other discourage- ments he had met with through the day, so affected him that he sat down in very low spirits. Donald came in, and seeing him in this state said, " You seem low spirited, what's the REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 203 matter." " Oli," said ho, " I am done out. 1 can do no more. I must cjo home." ''Go home!" said Donald, '' and what will you do with those sheep in the wilderness ? They 'II be bleating after you." " What is the use of ray staying here ? I am doing no good," was the Doctor's reply. " But you are only sowing the seed," Donald rejoined. '' But there is no ap- pearance of any fruit." " Is there not ?" said Donald ; " look at . Before you came here he was living utterly regard- loss of religioii, and now see the change in him." He then went on to enumerate one instance after another of benefit from his ministrations. The Doctor's heart soon revived, so that he entered with cheerfulness into conversation, and Donald used to say that he never saw him so depressed afterward. Gradually, however, he became so deeply interested in his work, so strongly attached to the people, and saw such manifest tokens of the blessing of God attending his labours, that all his depression entirely passed away. "Writing in the year 1792 to the preachers at home, he says, " I have been here about six years, in as disadvantageous circumstances, I suppose, as any whom the Synod ever sent to this continent; and though in- deed I have been in it, in weakness, in fear, in trembling, yet I account it the happiest thing that ever befell me, that I was sent to America. I had my reluctance, my struggle, ere I set off, but I have reason to bless God while I live, that I was not suffered to comply with the counsels of flesh and blood to stay at home. I am sure that all the world would not keep you out of America, if you only knew what it yields." Indeed it seems clear that during these years a considerable change passed over his character. We are not able distinctly to trace its progress, but there seems sufficient evidence of the fact. During the first year or two his piety, though marked, was not of the depth and fervour of his later years. We have heard an instance, and only one, soon after his arrival, where he gave way to an angry impatience. It was at a diet of examina- tion at the West River. It was held for the Gaelic people there, of whom there were but five families. Some of them 204 MEMOIR OF THE had been late in cominjr, which irritated him a little, but when he began to examine them he found most of them so ignorant, that he lost patience with them, and dismissed them with what was re- garded as a very angry reproof. This was very different from his character in later years. In nothing was he more distin- guished than by the perseverance with which he laboured to teach the ignorant," and the patience with which he bore with their slowness to receive instruction. But there is evidence otherwise of the rapid groM'th of his piety during the first years of his ministry. The ditHculties by which he was surrounded, the trials he was called to endure, and his lonely condition, led him to a closer walk with God. Those who lived in Donald MacKay's house, could tell of the hours he spent over his Bible, or in secret converse with God. To this he seems to allude in the following extract of an ad- dress on behalf of the Pictou Academy : " It is now about thirty-eight years since I was missioned by the Asso- ciate Synod to Pictou, where my situation for some years was so discou- raging, that I believe an angel from heaven could not have jjersuadcd me that in my day there would be occasion for the application I am now making. Pictou, equal in extent to a large county, contained then nearly ninety families of various religious denominations, but chiefly Presbyte- rians, and so scattered that nowhere was one house to be found near an- other. They had no school, no road, no bridge ; indeed tliey had scarcely any convenience. I could view myself in no other light than that of an exile from social enjoyments, not only for a while, but all my life, but my despair of earthly comforts occasioned a more active applicatio7i for those that were spiritual. I have, however, enjoyed a good share of both." At all events the result was manifest to those who came in contact with him, in the ripened spirituality and the matured Christian experience characteristic of his after life. It only remains to be noticed here that he soon reaped an abundant harvest. The whole community with a few excep- tions were excited on the subject of religion, and a great change took place in its moral character. The letters of his friends in our possession, some of them written as early as 1788, all speak of their receiving intelligence from him of abundant success. Thus the Rev. A. Pringle, of Perth, writing on the 21st July REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 205 of that year, and noticing a letter from the Doctor of date 17th September 1787, says : " I see by it and by some others which I have had occasion to read, that you are living on the fatness of God's house in the midst of a forest. It is easy witli our glorious Master to turn a wilderness into a fruitful field. You say that you are happy and reconciled. I wonder not to hear you say so. Your ministry is blest, your people arc prospering in religion, your enemies are confounded and silenced, and your own soul is tiiriving. I tliink that you have good reason to sing unto the Lord, for he is doing excellent things. I desire to rejoice witli you and to join in returning all tlie praise to our common Lord. " You complain of the want of British prayers. I fear you have too just reason. Yet I hope, that a warm concern for the success of tlie gos- pel in America is ratiier on the increase. I believe, a letter dropping in now and then, will tend greatly to quicken us. It is spring in Pictou, but antunni in Scotland. Our valley is full of dry bones, but wc arc living in hopes of a reviving breeze from the four winds. When it goes well with you, 01), don't forget your old withered companions." And the Rev. P. Buchanan thus writes under date 28th Oct. 1790: " The account you give of the success of the gospel in your congregation is comfortable and refreshing indeed. May the gracious Lord be pleased to continue his favour in this respect, keep you and your congregation humble, that you may be always thankful and self-diffident,' that you may by grace be kept from saying, 'I am rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing,' but another well qualified minister." Similar remarks might be gleaned from the letters of other correspondents. But to all around the change on the commu- nity was visible. A writer in the Acadian Recorder for 1826, says : "I was in Pictou when its oldest clergyman. Doctor MacGrcgor, began the exercise of his ministry among us. I could not imagine that he would be able to continue among us, for the people were few, and scattered over a large territory ; none of tliem were rich, and they were of different religious denominations, though I must acknov^lcdge to their honour that they conducted their divisions with mutual candour and forbearance. But after a little time, I found that the clergyman enjoyed the good will, the approbation, and esteem, of almost all the inhabitants. They came far and 18 20G MEMOIR OF TJIK near to hear liim, by land and by water, tliough there were no roads, and but few boats (but canoes) in tlic place; anil tlioy heard not in vain. He in I'.is turn travelled early and late to visit them ni their houses, to press upon them all the duties of domestic piety. His labour was not lost. Piety and benevolence sprung' up apace. Decency of conduct, peace and har- mony among- nciglibours, with frujrality and industry, flourished in Pictou flir many a year. Often have I heard the happy state of Pictou envied in the neighbouring settlements." The result of Ills labours appeared in the complete change whicli passed over the moral and relitiious condition of the com- munity. It would be difficult to find a community any where in which the ordinances of relip;ion were as regularly and uni- versally observed, and tlic practical duties of godliness as con- scientiously discharged, as they were throughout the district of Pictou. And this character it has in a good measure retained. There has been degeneracy — there has been an infusion of other elements with the worst results, but though the lustre of its early piety has been sometimes tarnished, it has never been ex- tinguished. As a whole Ave have never seen a community in which all the duties of religion are as universally observed — and we have reason to hope that the seed sown will not be ex- tinguished to the latest posterity. REV. JAMEb JMACGllEGOU, D.D. 207 CHAPTER X . FIUST JOURNEY TO nilNCE EDWARD ISLAND, WITH AN AC- COUNT OP THAT COLONY, 1791. "Tho Islos shall Avait for his law." — Isa. xlii. 4. The next and one of his most important missionary journeys was to Prince Edward Island, and as that portion of the church enjoyed a larger share of his missionary labours, than any other place, except Pictou, as he was the means o^ 2)Ianting the gos- pel through a very large portion of it, and as the cause of re- ligion throughout its extent is deeply indebted to him, we shall give a brief account of its history and physical features. Prince Edward Island, formerly called St. Johns, lies to the south of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and intervening between it and the Coasts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, from which it is separated by the Straits of Northumberland, a channel va- rying in width from nine to forty miles. In its general form it resembles a crescent, lying in a direction from North West, to South East, with its hollow part toward the Gulf Its great- est length is about 134 miles, and its greatest breadth about S-i. But it is throughout so deeply indebted by bays and inlets of the sea, that scarcely any part is distant more than seven or eight miles from the influx of the tide. It contains an area of 2,134 square miles, or 1,360,000 acres. The surface presents a very different aspect from the adjoining portions of the main land, being generally level, scarcely ever rising to any great elevation. The central portions, which are the most uneven, never rise into mountains, but form a suc- cession of ridges, which present an agreeable variety of hill and 208 MEMOIR OF THE dale. Nowhere is the scenery grand, but every "where it is picturesque and beautiful. The soil is light and sandy, upon a stiflf clay subsoil, which again rests on a very soft sandstone. It is generally of a liuht red colour, is remarkably free from stones, and is every where fertile, while it is never interrupted by those rocky tracts, which abound in Xova Scotia and New Brunswick. It is peculiarly adapted for the raising of grain, but is not so well adapted for grazing purposes, as some portions of the neighbouring colonies. This island was first colonized by the French, a number of whose descendants remain on it till the present day. Uut at the capitulation of Louisburg in 1758, it fell into the possession of the British, to whom it was confirmed by the treaty of 17G3. It continued part of the Government of Nova Scotia till the year 1770, when it obtained a government of its own. In its early history a fatal error was committed, which has ever since been a cause of discontent, and which has materially retarded its prosperity to the present day. In one day in the year 1767, the whole soil of the Island, with some inconsiderable excep- tions, was granted by the Home Government, in 67 townships, of about 20,000 acres each, to individuals supposed to possess claims upon it, chiefly officers of the army and navy, who had served in the preceding war. But what has chiefly hindered the settlement of the country, has been the terms upon which the proprietors have given their land to settlers. They in general have refused to give freehold titles, or if they did, the prices were entirely too high. But commonly they have given only leaseholds, a system against which there is in America an invincible repugnance, so that the best class of British emigrants have been attracted to other colonies. By the terms of their grants, the proprietors were bound to settle their lots within ten years, to the extent of at least one person for every two hundred acres. Little, however was done to fulfil this obligation, and in the instances in which proprie- tors made an effort to do so, their arrangements were so badly REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 209 made, that settlers were landed in a state of entire destitution, and sometimes almost perished with hunger. It is even said that there were cases where in their extremity individuals had eaten human flesh. About the year 1771, some settlers arrived from Argyleshire, who settled on the west side of llichmond ]xiy. A year later a few more from the same quarter settled at Princetown. About the same time, a considerable body of Highland Catholics, brought out by Capt. MacDonald, settled at Tracadie. About the year 1774 and 1775, a number of others from Perthshire settled at Cove Head, St. Peters, &c., and a few from Morayshire at Cavendish, and a number from Pumfrieshire at Georgetown, and other places in its neighbour- hood. At the peace of 1784, a number of Loyalists arrived, who settled principally at Bedeque. These were the principal settlements that had been made up till the time of the Doctor's first visit. The number of inhabitants at that time was small, and these were widely scattered. We may remark that, not- withstanding the disadvantages under which the island has been placed, it has in subsequent years rapidly increased in wealth and population. Our readers, however, may suppose that at that time the coun- try was both physically and socially in a very backward condi- tion. There was not a road on the island, with the exception of one between Charlotte Town and Cove Head. There was scarcely even a blaze between other settlements. The greater part of the travelling was along shore, and there is one pecu- liarity of the island, which rendered this particularly difficult, viz., the number of deep creeks and inlets of the sea, which either rendered a long circuit necessary to go round them, or else must be crossed in canoes. Thus from Charlotte Town to Princetown, the course was to proceed up the banks of the Hillsborough, then cross to Cove Head, and thence to proceed along the north shore of the island. The physical appearance of the country, and the social state of the inhabitants will more particularly appear from his own narrative, to which we now return. 18* 210 MEMOIR OF THE '< I tliink it was this summer, (1790,)* that I paid the first visit to ( St. John) Prince Edward Island. The session ap- pointed me two Sabbaths to St. Peter's and two to Cove Head. Having taken a passage to Charlotte Town, the metropolis, sixty miles from Pictou harbour, I landed next day, after an agreeable passage. In a few minutes I found Charlotte Town to be wicked enough for a far larger town. Swearing and drunkenness abounded. I was directed to a Mr. Ilae, a Scotch merchant, a sober man, with whom I lodged agreeably. " Next day, I hired a horse, and rode out to Cove Head, six- teen miles, on an agreeable road. Near the end of my journey I missed my way, and calling at a house for information, met the landlord at the door, and asked him to show me the way to Mr. Millar's. Pointing with his hand across a creek or small bay, he said, * There is Mr. Millar's. You have missed your way a little ; but I will send a boy round with the hor?e, and put you across the creek in a canoe, and your way will be shorter than if you had not missed it. Please to walk in, and rest a little.' I thanked him for his kindness, accepted his in- vitation, and he gave my horse to a boy to take to Mr. Millar's. I found the inside of the house well furnished, and much more handsome and genteel than the outside warranted one to expect. I was quite surprised at seeing a good-like library, and a large one, considering the place, I was most agreeably entertained while I stayed. The gentleman easily found out what I was, and expressed his happiness that a Presbyterian minister had come to visit the Presbyterians there; but I had no courage to attempt ascertaining what he was. He accompanied me to Mr. Millar's, and addressed him thus : ' Mr. Millar, I have brought you what you have been long wishing for, a Presbyte- rian minister, and I hope he will do you much good.' Mr. Millar thanked him affectionately, and after a little conversation the gentleman returned home. After a cordial welcome from Mr. Millar, and mutual inquiries after one another's health, I asked who the gentleman might be ? He replied, 'It is parson Des * From his Memorabilia we learu that this first visit was in 1791. REV. JAMES MACaREOOR, D.D. 211 Brisay, the Church of England clergyman of the island, a Cal. vinis^tiG preacher, a man of liberal scutinicnts, and of a benevolent disposition.* ' And where does he preach ? ' He rides every Sabbath to Charlotte Town, and preaches in the church there.' * And why does he not reside in town ?' ' It is a wicked place, and he is more retired and happy in the country.' I afterwards became acquainted with him, and was always welcome to preach in his church, which I uniformly did when I could make it convenient. His kindness ended not — but with his life." This gentleman is worthy of more particular notice. He was a descendant of the exiled Huguenots of France, and had been originally a Presbyterian. AVhen called upon to baptize the children of Presbyterians, he performed the service accord- ing to their mode, omitting the sign of the cross and praying extempore. He had entered the ministry with no just impres- sions of its duties and responsibilities. Describing to Doctor Keir afterward his state at that time, he said, " The Bishop asked me whether I had received the Holy Ghost, — poor Des Brisay had not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." He, however, became a devoted Christian, and deci- dedly evangelical and Calvinistic in his views, through the reading of the works of John Brown of Haddington, lent him by Mr. Millar. He then preached boldly and faithfully — preached " the truth as it is in Jesus ;" and Charlotte Town, as the Doc- tor remarks, at that time abounding in wickedness, he faithfully reproved the prevailing sins in the highest as well as the low- est, even when his doing so gave great offence in high quarters, and among his own relatives. But he was particularly distinguished by his catholicity of spirit. All the ministers of our church, who visited the island in his time, were welcome to the use of his church to preach in, and they frequently availed themselves of the privilege. He even invited them to preach for him, he going through the Church of England service, while they preached afterwards. On one occasion the late Rev. Duncan Ross was in Charlotte Town, in company with Robert Marshall, At the end of the 212 MEMOIR OF THE week, having failed in obtaining a passage home, Mr. Des Bri- say asked him to preach fur him on Sabbath. Mr. lloss con- sented, and asked at what time the service would begin ? " Oh !'' said Mr. J)., '■'■you may come about 12 o'clock ; I begin my ser- vices at 11, but 1 know that you don't care for them, and Deacon Marshall hates them." The late Doctor Keir mentioned to the author, that on his arrival on the island, Mr. D. had treated him with great kindness, and continued to do so as long as he lived. AVe feel it due to his memory in this connection to bear this testimony to his liberality of spirit and kindness of heart, " I found that Mr. Millar was from the parish of Muthil, twelve miles from Loch Earne, where I was born. He told me of Mr. Lawson, MacEwan, and others, who came out at the same time. At hearing Mr. Lawson's name, I instantly recollected that when I was a little boy, I heard much talk of a Mr. Law- son and others going out to America. They were decoyed out by one of the great proprietors to settle his land. They were to pay a shilling of rent per acre, and they thought it cheap till they came out and saw it; but then they found it dear enough. After them came a number from Dumfriesshire, who settled here and in St. Peter's. On their first arrival they were like to perish with hunger, as the few settlers who were before them had little enough for themselves; and they could not all have lived, had not a number of them got over to Pictou, and ob- tained relief there from the old settlers." The intercourse with these people was peculiarly pleasant, as they were from the neighbourhood of his native parish. This itself afforded the means of much interesting and pleasing con- ference, particularly as the instances were very few, after his arrival in this country, where he met with any such. But in ad- dition, he met with some who were acquainted with his relatives. We have seen a spinning-wheel wliich was one of a number brought out by them, made by an uncle of his, and which though now about a century old is still fit for service. And in one in- stance, if not more, he met with an old school-fellow. The fol- REV. JAMES MACGIlEGOIl, D.D. 213 lowing used to be related by the late jMr. John Anderson, who lived at the cast point of Prince Edward Ishind. On the Doc- tor's first visit to Prince Edward Island, after Mr. Anderson's arrival in the country, the latter having lieard that a Presby- terian minister had come to Charlotte Town, proceeded thither to meet him. At tliat time there was no road through the country; but all who travelled had to keep along shore, and cross the rivers and bays at the outlet, (for there were no bridges,) in canoes or boats, till they came to Cove Head. Then they came across the portage to the Hillsborough, and down along its banks to Charlotte Town So eager was he to have an interview with a minister, that he set out on foot, and travelled on as rapidly as lie could till he reached town, which he did early in the morning. On inquiring for the minister, he was told that he had not yet risen, being wearied with his labours. The Doctor on learning that a person wished to see him, sent for him to his bed-room. On comparing notes, they found that they had lived at the same place in Scotland, and attended the same school. The Doctor at first could not make him understand who he was. At last he asked, " Do you not mind a little boy called Jemmy Drummond?" "Oh yes, and are you Jemmy Drummond ?" This the old man used to relate with a glistening eye and a full heart. The Mr. Millar mentioned above was a very pious and intel- ligent man. He was one of the few out and out Seceders then in the country, having been a member of 3Ir. Barlas' congre- gation in Crieff, in which the Doctor was brought up, and was well versed in Theology. The Doctor and he became great friends, but they differed widely on the New Light question ; Mr. Millar being a strong Old Light mnn, and a vehement advo- cate for the employment of the power of the civil ^MaL^strate in the suppression of heresy. On one occasion when the Doctor was at his house, they got into conversation on the subject. While the Doctor was shaving, Millar spoke for some time with considerable vehemence on the subject. It seemed to excite the Doctor a little, for be said, " Stop, stop, you have made me 214 MEMOIR OF THE cut myself. Let us talk of those things about Christ in which we agree till our hearts yd warm, and then we will discuss these points afterwards," — a good advice in reference to all discus- sions among professing Christians regarding the course they should pursue as to those points on which they diflfer. " The people of Cove Head and St. Peter's were not without knowledge, for they liad good books, which they lent to one another, and the roads to Charlotte Town being tolerable, they had opportunities at times of hearing Mr. Des Brisay. Never- theless, they rejoiced greatly in the visit of a Presbyterian min- ister, and heard the gospel with every appearance of delight. Some of them got their children baptized regularly by Mr. Des Brisiiy ; some would not employ him on any account; and oth- ers did not know what to do. Some, after waiting for the chance of a Presbyterian minister till they had four children, gave up hopes and npplicd to him. To some I baptized two, three, four, and to one man sis children. These two settle- ments, which are sixteen miles apart, united in a petition to the Synod for a minister, which I undertook to forward, telling them at the same tiu)e that there were two applications before theirs unanswered. I preached two Sabbaths at each of the places; the first and last-at Cove Head, because it was nearest Charlotte Town, whence I expected to sail for Pictou, and I wished to be at Charlotte Town as soon as possible after my work was done, that I might not miss a passage, as one was seldom to be found. '' After sermon the fourth Sabbath, a man from Priucetown, thirty miles west of Cove-Head, waited on me with a petition from the people of Princetown to visit them, and spend a few Sabbaths aiuong them, as they had not seen a minister since their first settlement there. This petition involved me in a great dilemma, as the time allowed me by the Session was now out, and if I went at all, 1 could not decently give them less than two Sabbaths more, and 1 did not know how many weeks more I might have to wait for a passage. On weighing the case, I judged it my duty to comply, and set oflf with the man IlEV. JAMES MAOOUEGOU, D.D. 215 on Monday morning, sometimes walking, sometimes riding, and sometimes sailing. Our way was chiefly along shore, at times on a beautiful beach of fine sand, and at times among rocks and stones almost impassable ; while at the ferries we had to ven- ture in small canoes, and (ow the horse after us. The island horses are used to swimming, and in this manner often cross ferries half a mile wide. One hors3 swam across Ilichmond Bay, which is six miles over. The man informed me that the 1^'incetown people had mostly emigrated from Cantyre in Argyle- shire, nearly twenty years before, and had been all that time destitute of tlie gospel : that ignorance abounded j that secret and family prayer was generally, if not universally, neglected ; and that there were about sixty unbaptized children in the set- tlement; and that the common way of obtaining baptism was by carrying the children to Charlotte Town to Jlr. Des Brisay, who, according to the custom of the Church of England, made no difference between the children of the most profane and of the most holy, but baptized them all. Thinking upon these things I was brought to my wit's end, for I could not baptize the children of people so ignorant and negligent ; yet, if I re- fused to baptize them they would not believe me to be a true minister, or to know anything about the gospel. But I had one great comfort : — 'Go disciple them, baptizing them — teach- ing them; and, lo ! I am with you.' " We reached Princetown on Monday evening, and I lodged with Donald Montgomery all the time I stayed. I do not know if I took the best way for doing good to the people, but I took the way I thought best. I preached only the Sabbath-days, and employed all the week-days in conversation, especially with those who had children to baptize. I sent information through the settlement that I would baptize no children till I had con- versed with their parents, and was convinced that they meant to live like good Christians, and bring up their children as such. I concerted with Donald Montgomery to divide the set- tlement into two parts, one for each week, and each part into five sub-divisions for five days of each week, directing each 216 MEMOIR OF THE sub-division to come as regularly as matters would allow. By a little conversation 1 generally found out what instruction they uiost needed. Though sometimes tliree or four were with me at once, I gave le^s or more instruction to every individual. They were especially deficient in their views of the odiousness of sin before God, of tlieir guilt and defilement by it, of the danger of depending on their own righteousness (indeed, this was their main trust, though they would instantly agree that their good works could not save them), and in their knowledge of tlie character, offices, and work of Christ, and of the nature of his salvation ; as also of the office and work of the Holy Spirit. Prayer was neglected. They did not work on Sab- batli, but it was not kept holy to the Lord. Few were guilty of any flagrant violation of the duties of the second table of the law, yet few had any just conceptions of them. " I admitted to baptism all who agreed to the fullowing things : — First, That as sin, death, and the curse came into the world by Adam ; so pardon, life, and the blessing came by Christ. Secondly, That they renounced all dependence upon their own righteousness, and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation from sin and misery. Thirdly, That as they had been hitherto careless and ignorant, they must henceforth be diligent to grow up in religious knowledge. Fourthly, That as they depended on God for every blessing for them- selves and their families, so they purposed to pray to him, and worship him every morning and evening in the family and closet. " Also, I made inquiry of neighbours, as circumstances would allow, concerning the moral conduct of each applicant, and where there were particular exceptions, I exacted a promise of reforma- tion. This was all the preparation for baptism to which I thought I could attain, and of some I had good hopes ; but of others I liad great reason for fears. Indeed, the two weeks which I passed at Princetown, were the two most anxious which I ever passed in this world; to which the following incident greatly con- tributed. REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 217 " When I came to the tent on Sabbatli, I found a crowd of people ( not a hirge assembly), all standing and talking, as I had seen in the fairs of Scotland, as if they had met on a week- day for some secular business. I desired them to sit down and be silent, as we were to begin the public worship of God. Some obeyed, but the greater part continued standing and talking. I called to silence a second and a third time, and some more obeyed; but others did not. The only plan I could then think of was to read the psalm so loud as to drown their voices, and af- ter a little it had the desired effect. The first sermon was in Gaelic, and at the end of it I baptized the children of the High- landers. In the afternoon the talk was not so loud nor so stub- born ; it was, however, sufficiently discouraging, though an evident reformation had taken place. At the close of the ser- mon I baptized a number of children in English — in all, about thirty. " I spent the second week much as the first, and on the sec- ond Sabbath I baptized about thirty more children. Between the Sabbaths I rode to a neighbouring settlement, and baptized six children to one man. Of all that applied for baptism about Princetown, I rejected only one man, who absolutely refused to keep up the worship of God in his family, and he went the next day and got his child baptized by a Popish priest.* I believe numbers more would have done the same had they been refused. "I had great fears that many of them would turn out a disgrace to religion and to me ; but herein I have been happily disap- pointed. Durirfg the week several came to me, inquiring if I could direct them how to get a minister to Princetown. I de- sired them to consult among themselves, and promised, that if they agreed about it, I would write a petition for them, and forward it home. I wrote it, accordingly, and it was subscribed after sermon; but I had to tell them that I was afraid it would not be soon answered, as there were two others besides — from * This man, who was named MacDonald, continued a Papist, and his de- scendimts belong to the same persuasion to this day. 19 218 MEMOIR OF THE Cove Head and St. Peter's — that sliould be answered before it, and that I perceived that young ministers were backward to come to this country. I promised, however, to do my best for them. "When I was at Princetown I went, by invitation, to a neighbour's house to breakfas't; and when it was over, I told tliein that, as they hud been so h)ng witliout a minister to tell them their duty, I was afraid they neglected the worship of Crod. Tlie head of the family replied that they did. I said that it was not enough that every individual in the family wor- shipped God in secret — the family should worship God together, because they committed many family sins, and enjoyed many family mercies, and needed many more • and that, if they had no objection, I would perform it on this occasion, as a directory for them. lie replied, that they would be much obliged to me. Having got the Bible, I sung a short psalm, read a chapter, kneeled and prayed; but none of the family cither sung or kneeled — whence I inferred that they had never seen family worship before, and, of course, that it was not com- mon in the country. But I had not confidence to tell them of it. " I took an opportunity to ask of ])onald JMontgomery how it happened that there was so much gabbling at the beginning of public worsliip on the first Sabbath, and not on the second. He replied that he and others were ashamed of it; and that it was owing, in part, to some lloman Catholics that were there, and in part to their youngsters born there ; for none of them ever heard a sermon, and some of them were nineteen years of a"e " The only other fact worthy of mention that we have been able to gather regarding his first visit to Princetown, is that at the time there was a malignant fever prevailing there, after- ward called the Highland fever, so called because it had been introduced by a number of Highland emigrants that had arrived shortly before. They were landed on the beach, and placed in a shed, where they were much exposed to the inclemencies of REV. JAMES MACGREUOH, D.J). 219 the weather. It proved very fatal among them, and also ex- tended to the families already residing in the place. The Doc- tor visited them, prayed with them, and he also exhorted the people to take them into their houses, which at his request, some of them did. " I was so concerned for my passage home, all the time I was at Princetown that I seldom neglected, in my addresses at the throne of grace, to beg of my heavenly Father, that if it was agreeable to his will he would provide me a passage, so that I could be home the following Sabbath j and, accordingly, I re- solved to leave Princetown early on Monday morning, lest, by a little delay, I should lose a passage; but before I got ready, numbers came to bid me farewell, so that I was detained a while, and could hardly tear myself from them; and, having to call at some houses in Cove Head, I was obliged to stay there all night, and heard nothing of a passage. Early on Tuesday morning I set off for Charlotte Town ; and about a mile from it met Mr. Rae, going to the country, of whom I asked if he knew of any vessel going soon to Nova Scotia. He replied, ' What a pity that you are so late ! it is not an hour since a schooner sailed for Pictou.' 'Oh, I cannot believe you,' said I; she could not go without me, when I was so near,* But I cannot stay to talk : can you tell me the captain's name, and where he lodged?' 'Worth is his name, and he lodged with Brecon.' I hastened to Brecon's, and asked if Captain Worth was there. The answer was, ' Yes.' I thanked the God of heaven, and asked if I might see him. Being introduced to him I asked, * Can you give me a passage to Nova Scotia ?' ' Yes, if you will be content with the accommodation which I have.' ' It will be very poor unless I be content with it. When do you sail ?' ' In ten minutes' time.' ' Very good, that an- swers me well. I have to call for a gentleman, and I will be * In telling this incident he used to suy that when informed that there Jatd been a vessel for Pietou, he felt that it was just impossible that she could have gone, and his mind was at once set at rest. In his Memorabilia he mentions the same as an example of the efficacy of prayer. 220 MEMOIR OF THE back •within ten minutes.' In fifteen minutes we were on board Captain Worth's vessel, and I felt very happy and thankful. " When the anchor was weighed, and the sails set, Captain Worth said to me, ' Well, Mr. 3IacGregor, I was as ready to sail yesterday at this time as I am now, and the wind has been fair all the time, and I could not go; but I know not wliat kept me.' 'That is strange,' said I; 'what could hinder you ?' ' I cannot tell ; I had nothing to do, and I wished to go; but it seems I could not.' 'Why,' said I, 'it seems you had to wait for me.' ' I believe,' said he, ' that is the very thing, whatever be in it.' I told him my detention, by going to Princetown, and my anxiety about a passage, when he said he was happy in being the instrument, in the hand of Provi- dence, to give me a passage. We had a prosperous voyage ; and I saw not Captain Worth again till after thirty years, when he reminded me of the above, and more conversation which we had on board. I got home on Thursday to my own people, who were sorry at my long absence, but satisfied Avith the reason of it. " As soon as I got the things that were behind in the con- gregation, by my absence, brought to their place, I set about writing a pressing letter to the Synod, urging the sending out of four young ministers, or if they could not send them all, some at least, to those congregations that were perishing for lack of knowledge. " I represented the destitute state of Prince Edward Island in general ; that I had not preached in Charlotte Town, nor in a number of other small settlements, who never had the gospel preached to them ; that Mr. Des Brisay seldom preached but in town ; that the only other clergyman in the island was a Catholic priest; and that the most gospel they got was from Methodists. But all the answer that I got next sum- mer was, that the Synod sympathized with me, but could find no one willing to come to my assistance. REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 221 "I had this year applications to preach at Onslow, where I had preached once before, and from Stewiackc, where I had not; but I could not answer them. Six weeks was a lono- time for my congregation in the best time of the year, considering that I had to preach in two languages, and in two places far dis- tant from one another. 19* ; 222 MEMOIR OF THE CHAPTER XI. GENERAL VIEW OF MISSIONARY JOURNEYS. " In journeyings often." 2 Cor. xi. 26. As we have now entered upon his missionary journeys, which occupied so large a portion of his attention from this time for- ward, it may be as well to give some general account of the state of travelling at that time, and of his general mode of pro- cedure on such excursions. The following amusing account of the state of travelling in the early settlement of the country first appeared in the Recorder for 1827.* " Mr. H., the improvement of our roads and bridges is one of the best, if not the very best, which our Legislature has ever eflfected. The contrast is great indeed between the state of the roads now, and at the beginning of this century, twenty- six years ago. Many a story have I heard from my father, Basil Wisewood, of the disasters which befell travellers in his time, when there was only one road in the Province deserving the name, viz., that from Halifax to Windsor, and Annapolis. And with wonder I have heard him tell, that the road cost as much as would pave it all over with dollars. The people of the * It formed part of a series of articles of an amusing character, which ap- peared under tlie title of the "Busybody." the writer or more properly writers of which assumed the name of Solomon AVisewood. Wo have found the draft of this among Doctor MiicGregor's papers in his own handwriting, from which we infer that it was a contribution of his to the series. It indicates that ho possessed a rein of humour, had he chosen to exercise or cultivate it. REV. JAMES IMACGREGOR, D.D. 223 best settlements found their way to this road or to one another by a blaze, that is, a mark made on the trunk of a tree here and there, in the proper course, for the purpose of dircctinj^ travellers ; but in the younger settlements, travellers had to provide pocket compasses, and guessing their course, find their way through the forest much in the same way as sailors do along the sea. By the by, Mr. H., pocket compasses formed in those days a considerable article of our infant commerce, though it is now ousted, and almost forgotten. " In going by the compass the traveller sometimes, widely mistaking his course, missed entirely the intended settlement, and came in upon another, or missed all settlements, and tra- velled on, till he lost all hope of seeing a house, in which case he often believed the compass itself went wrong; and discredit- ing it, he would wander he knew not whither. Sometimes the traveller would be confounded desperately, for the compass needle would obstinately refuse to traverse, and he could not know East from West, North from South. I cannot recollect his description of its wonderful vibrations and whirling, to the no small terror and amazement of the traveller. " Travelling by a blaze was little better. He told us strange things of losing the blaze, and the impossibility of finding it again, of striking out a straightforward course, independent of the blaze, and yet, by and by, coming upon their own track again, — of the snow being so driven against the trees as to hide the blaze, and causing frequent stops to rub it ofi", — of its being so deep as to cover the blaze, and causing frequent stops to dig away the snow in order to discover it — of travellers being be- nighted by such stops, and lodging in the forest where they had to kindle large fires on the top of the snow, four or sis feet deep, and there (dismal to be told !) one side next the fire was roasted, and the other frozen. I have heard him tell of experienced travellers, who in such a case would kindle two fires, at a proper distance from one another, and lie down be- tween them, and enjoy themselves luxuriously between two fires. In those days swamps were avoided as intolerable. The 224 MEMOIR OF THE steep mountain sides "were preferable, and hence there are still many hills on our roads which might now be easily avoided. " I have heard him tell of great dangers and hairbreadth escapes from drowning in crossing brooks and rivers swollen with unexpected rains ; for in those days no journey would be undertaken immediately after a heavy rain. He had himself to wait different times for two or three days nearly fasting un- til the subsiding of the water rendered the river passable. He told of horses swagging in swamps almost to their ears, and of the great difficulty of their riders. There were few taverns, but every man who had a hut was hospitable." As we have given his account of travelling in the early state of the country, we may give his remarks upon the condition of the roads at the time he wrote : " Such were the difficulties of travelling in this Province within these forty years. How great and how happy is the change now 1 Hills are levelled and valleys are filled up ; the crooked places are made straight, and the rough places plain. A duke in his coach and six may ride in safety from end to end of the Province. This is saying much, but truth demands it. A busy body, however, can still see many faults, and much need of improvements. The best of our roads need to be made better, and much more the worst, and many new ones are needed. They are in general wofully soft in the spring and fall, crying out for gravel or MacAdam. The bridges too are sadly mismanaged, being made of green timber, which cannot last. Were the timber seasoned for a year before it is used, how much firmer and more durable would the bridges be !" His picture of the courses of the roads will be recognized as true, by many still living. " It was not practicable at first to lay oS" the proper courses of these great roads, for they were imperfectly known, and the diflFerent settlements being connected together by such blazes and footpaths, as suited themselves. It was best at first to make improvements on these paths, so that travelling might be safe. But it is time now to look to the interests of the whole REV. JAMES MACQREGOR, D.D. 225 — especially of tlie extremes, who will have lonpj journeys to the metropolis, however straight the roads be made. To every alteration of any consequence, opposition will be made. Every villa<;e, every man of selfish views, every tavern keeper, every miller, and every blacksmith, will be loth to see it taken farther from them. But the convenience of individuals or villa<:;es are not to be compared with the accommodation of the public. There are at present many deviations from this rule; but the greatest I recollect is in the north road to the east, in its course through that famous flourishing place, Pictou. Travelling some time ago towards the east end of the Province, when I reached the brow of Mount Thorn, where the North coast, and the Eastern country are first seen, I stopped to view the scene. Ilight before me I saw Pictou Harbour and the ocean, and I think the skirts of the town. To the East and South, the land extended farther than my sight could carry. I saw instantly that hereabouts the road to Merigomish and the East should part from the Pictou road, and point toward the head of Meri- gomish harbour; but I had to follow the Pictou road, eight or ten miles farther to Blanchards. There I parted with it by a great angle, crossed the West River, and after some time as- cended a mountain long and steep, more so I believe than any other in the Province. When I passed the steep and reached the clear land a little higher, I had a fine prospect to the South and East ; and on my right hand, I saw a long level tract through which the road might have come, so as to escape the hill and be much shorter. Then I began a long descent, squint- ing down the stream till I came to the mill, where I crossed the Middle River on a good bridge; and immediately turned up the river on the road by which the jMiddle River people go to Halifax by Upper Stewiacke, so that here I was travelling nearly back about a mile. I then turned to the East River and crossed it, but instead of keeping right on to the head of Meri- gomish harbour, I had to go two miles down the river to New Glasgow, on the road which leads to Pictou, where, had 1 kept it eight miles farther, I would have met the road which I left 226 MEMOIR OF TUR at Blancliards so far bcliind. I turned off at New Glasgow, and begMti to ascend another mountain fur about two miles, and wiien 1 reuclied its top, I saw on my right hand anotlier long level tract, where the road would have been much shorter, and escaped the mountain wholly. Descending thence by a long and gradual slope, I found upon enquiry that the course of the road led into Merigomish harbour, two or three miles below its head. Therefore it turned again to the right, and at last gained the desired point, the head of Merigomish harbour. " Pausing here, I could not but smile at the sagacity of Pic- tou people as road makers, and pity those who have to travel so many needless miles. JMany a shilling must they leave in the Pictou taverns, and many a cold blast must they endure along its mountains, which aright direction of the road would save-." Reverting, however, to the state of travelling at the com- mencement of his career, we observe that as remarked above he often travelled long distances, where there was no road at all, and where he and his fellow-travellers were obliged to shape their course by a pocket compass, and this through the forest. In these cases, of course, the travelling was all on foot. This involved great toil. The forests of Nova Scotia do not present the appearance which we have seen in some other parts of America, where the trees are far apart, and the ground so level that a carriage might be driven between them. But the trees generally are close together, with a considerable undergrowtk of small bushes. From the thinness of the soil in many places, they abound in windfalls. The roots of these carry up the soil, which again falls and forms little hillocks known in this coun- try as cradle hills. The difficulty of passing through a forest of this kind was increased by the irregular surface of the coun- try. Almost every part of the Province is traversed by hills, the sides of which are sometimes steep — deep ravines intersect the path of the tr;iveller, — while the valleys present much ground that is low and boggy, and thus wet at all seasons of the year. But from the amount of snow falling, and the slowness UEV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 227 "with which it melted, even the very driest were scarcely dry even at niidsuunuer. Uoder these circumstances, the traveller was obliged to brush through a thick undergrowth of bushes, sometimes to climb over or creep under a windfall, and ag.iin to spring from one root to another over boggy spots. At one time he was obliged to toil up a steep ascent, at another to cross a brook by a single fallen tree, on which it required the whole skill of a rope dancer to preserve his equilibiium, and which was not always successful in preventing his having a thorough wetting in it, while again he might be seen clambering up its banks, by laying hold of the bushes with which it was lined. In this work Doctor MacGregor, in the days of his strength, was remarkably active, rivalling those born in the forest. As one of my informants said, he never saw any person from the old country so smart in going through the woods. We may remark here, that while the forest added to his toils, his natural sense of beauty was often charmed, and his admira- tion for the glories of nature excited by its magnificence and grandeur. Woods still cover a great part of Nova Scotia, but along any of the lines of travel, there is now to be seen only comparatively small trees, and these commonly second growth. All the woods fit for timber, except in remote districts, has been taken to market ; but then the forest was the undisturbed growth of ages. Trees then met his view, which must have been standing when Columbus embarked on his first voyage for the Western world. These appeared in the most promiscuous style. " Many varieties," says MacGregor, " of the pine, in- termingled with birch, maple, beech, oak, and numerous other tribes, branch luxuriantly over the banks of lakes and rivers, extend in stately grandeur along the plains, and stretch prondly up to the very summits of the mountain. It is impossible to exaggerate the autumnal beauty of these forests; nothing under heaven can be compared to its effulgent grandeur. Two or three frosty nights, in the decline of autumn, transform the boundless verdure of a whole empire into every possible tint of brilliant scarlet, rich violet, every shade of blue and 228 MEMOIR OF THE brown, vivid crimson, and clittoring yellow. The stern, inexor. able lir tribes alone maintain their eternal sombre green. All others in mountains or in valleys burst into tlie most glorious vegetable beauty, and exhibit the most .'splendid and most en- chanting panorama on earth." As he passed through the forest in its original grandeur he often felt awed as if passing amid the stately pillars of the temple of nature. "This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks, Bearded with moss, and in garments indistinct in the twilight. Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad aiid prophetic, Stand like harpers hoar, with beards that rest on their bosom. Loud from its rocky caverns the deep voiced neighbouring ocean Speaks, and in accents disconsolate, answers the wail of the forest."* When emerging into some open space he beheld the forest stretching before him over hill and valley, in the various shades of green and summer luxuriance, or in the richer glories of autumn, he would stop to gaze and call the attention of his com- panions to the scene, who, however, saw in the forest only an impediment to their industry, and a hindrance to the progress of the country, and knew no duty with regard to it, but to re- move it from the surface of the earth as speedily as possible. The danger of losing the course, while traversing the forest, is more common than most persons would imagine ; and what is singular, a person losing his way is most likely to come back upon his own track, or to the very spot from which he set out. To obviate this danger the first step in the march of improve- ment was to hlaze, as it was termed, the course between different places. This consisted merely in taking a chip off each side of trees at short distances apart along the line of travel. By taking a chip off each side the person going in either direction has something to guide him. Looking forward he sees before him the tree from which a chip has been taken, and making his way to it, by a glance ahead sees the next tree that is blazed, and so onward. By habit a quickness is acquired in discover- * Longfello\V'.s " Evangeline." REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 229 ing the course, wliicli in ordinary circurastances enables a per- son to proceed with considerable ease and rapidity. But in other cases, there are considerable difl&culties, which he has amusingly sketched in the extract given above. The next step was to make a road, as it was called. This, however, consisted merely in cutting out the trees on the line of travel, sufficiently to form a sort of bridle path. The stumps wore not removed, nor was the ground levelled or thrown up. Tliis, however, enabled the traveller to proceed on horseback. This was so much gained, but if any modern thinks, that this secured luore rapid locomotion, he only betrays his ignorance of the subject. A good walker would not only keep up with a traveller on horseback, but often get ahead of him. The ground was generally soft, and sometimes so deep, that the horse could scarcely carry his rider ; and from a peculiar in- stinct of the species, one horse would always place his foot in the track made by his predecessor, so that the road, so called, got into deep holes, in regular order where each stepped. In the course of a year or two the young trees began to grow up — the stumps that had been left in the ground began to send up sprouts, and the branches of the trees alongside the road, began, in utter disregard of all laws regarding His Majesty's Highway, to extend across the path prepared for his lieges. So that the traveller was iu danger, either of being brushed from his sad- dle, or, at all events, of being rudely scratched by the branches, unless he was expert enough to parry them off as he advanced, which if there had been any rain just previous, would be sure to afford him the benefits of a shower bath. So thick would they grow, that travellers approaching from opposite directions, would sometimes not perceive one another until they were just in contact. In winter, travelling became attended with some additional difficulties. The snow fell in the forests to the depth of three or four feet, and we have heard well authenticated instances, where towaruo spring it was measured and found to be actually over six and even seven feet deep. Of course travelling with 20 230 MKMOIR OF THE horses was then out of the question. And the only mode of travelling was by snow shoes. As remarked by Mr. Clarke, of Amherst, "the untrodden snow bank was his railroad — the snow shoe the only car upoii which he was mounted, — while of his earthly house, the collctr heani bore along his entire bag- gage." The use of snow shoes was adopted by the early settlers fiom the Indians. They consisted of a wuoden frame of an oval shnpe, but with the end.s elongated to a point, about two feot long and about one wide. Across this leathern thongs were stretched at equal distances, and others again crossed at right angles, interlacing them so as to form a net work. In this way such a broad surface is presented under the feet, that a traveller can easily pass over snow of ordinary firmness without sinking. But this mode of travelling was at times very laborious. When the snow was very soft, the snow shoes sank in it and became clogged, or when it was very hard, they were apt to slide. But the chief difficulty was for strangers to become ac- customed to their use. Such persons are sure to trip them- selves every few steps, and to roll helplessly in the snow. To travel with ease upon them requires a peculiar tact, which is only acquired by practice, and some never become expert at this mode of travelling. It is necessary to walk with the feet wide apart, otherwise the snow shoes strike one another, and trip the unfortunate pedestrian ; and each foot must be lifted up in a peculiar manner, with the toes as high as the heel, or the whole foot together, otherwise the forward point will catch in the snow, with the same result. But when expertness is ac- quired, it becomes an easy mode of communication. Old per- sons have assured me that in their youth they would travel a long distance in that way, with greater ease to themselves, if the snow were suitable, than they could the same distance on tlie best road they ever saw. Doctor MacGregor, of course, had his difficulty in acquiring expertness in a mode of conveyance so entirely new to him, but being active on his feet he after a time became quite expert at RKV. JAMES MACUHKUOil, D.D. 2'6L it. The Indians to whom he had been very kind, and of whose skill in guiding their way through the intricacies of the forest he sometimes gladly availed himself, made him a present of a pair, nicely ornamented, which he retained all his days. As the hard leathern soles of his boots cut the thongs of the snow shoes, it was necessary to use moccasins. These were made of green hide taken from the lower legs of the ox, or more com- monly of the moose. These last they purchased from the In- dians, who had a way of making them soft and pliable by rub- bing them between their hands. Let not my lady readers be shocked at the idea of our writing the biography of a man, whose nether extremities were encased in " shanks," as they were termed, or moccasins of untanned hide. We are describ- ing not a modern, refined, kid-gloved man-milliner of a preacher. We are describing a veritable man of labour, and one who bent himself to his work in the true spirit of endurance. Behold him then equipped for his journey. His boots are taken off and deposited in his knapsack, which was generally carried by one of his companions, his feet are encased in the afore des- cribed moccasins, over his legs are drawn what were called " In- dian leggins," a sort of overall made of blue cloth, with a red stripe down each side, and fitting closely about the feet and strapped down, while the faithful racket (snow shoes) that is to bear him safely onward, is fastened to his feet by leathern thongs round the ancles; and whether you count him fit for your drawing-rooms or not, he is fully equipped to go on his errand of mercy to seek out the solitary dweller in the wood, and to gather the lost sheep of the desert into the Redeemer's fold. These journeys were not without danger, as he experienced. Travellers often became benighted, and though they might be provided for encamping in the woods, yet at other times they lost their way and, becoming exhausted, were unable to kindle a fire in those days when lucifer matches were among the un- discovered wonders of the Nineteenth Century, or running short of food were unable to reach their intended destination, 232 MEMOIR OF THE and perished. That this was no imaginary danger will appear from the subsequent history, but especially from the following entry in Halliburton's history, for the year 1795 : " The Rev. Mr. Lloyd, Missionary at Chester, loses his way in a snow storm, while on his route through the woods to Windsor, and is frozen to death." In summer the easiest way of travelling was along shore, or along the edges of rivers. But this had its difficulties. The shore was often encumbered with drift wood, or piled up with stones, which, however interesting to a geologist, were very awkward for the pedestrian. In some places the tide rose so high that it was necessary to clamber up steep banks to get along. At other places the ground was soft and boggy, particu- larly at small creeks, which often rendered it necessary to make a long circuit to go round the head of them, and greatly increased the distance travelled. But oftentimes these waters must be crossed, which was fre- quently a work of considerable difficulty. His narrative affords ex- amples of the principal modes by which it was accomplished. The smaller rivers could commonly be forded on horseback, but pe- destrians sometimes adopted the somewhat school-boy mode of walking on stilts, which were kindly provided, pro hono puhJico, by good Samaritans, and left at the banks of the stream for the convenience of travellers. But soon bridges were constructed of rough logs, on which travellers were sometimes in as great danger as when there were none. The broader and deeper streams required to be crossed in canoes, sometimes the birch bark canoe of the Micmac Indian being employed, at other times the kind more commonly used by the whites, which con- sisted of a single tree hollowed out. It may seem an attempt to impose upon the credulity of our readers, but we have heard of persons crossing creeks of some width on cakes of ice. A minister of our church, still living, can tell of such an adventure. Travelling early in the spring, he and his companions came to a creek, which he saw no means of crossing. The ice having been broken up, several cakes REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 233 were lying along the shore. His companions launched one of these cakes, and got upon it, having first cut two poles as means of propulsion. They called upon him to join them, which he did, only after a good deal of persuasion, when they commenced " poling," as it is termed, their frail bark across the watery element, and safely reached the other side. We have not heard an instance in which Dr. MacGregor crossed a stream in this manner, but it is more than likely that he did so, and at all events the incident shows the sort of shifts to which it was then necessary to resort. Besides the crossing of rivers and creeks, a work of still more danger was the crossing the sea in his voyages to Prince Ed- ward Island, Cape Breton, and New Brunswick. There was then no steamer to carry the traveller with regularity and des- patch. In his later years, sailing packets plied between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, but in his early career, it was only occasionally that he could obtain even a sailing vessel to transport him across; while very commonly he made these voyages of forty, sixty, or it might be a hundred miles in open boats, some of them being large half-decked boats built expressly for such voyages. Like his Master crossing the sea of Galilee, his only accommodation was the humble fish- ing boat, in which darkness and peril must alike be en- countered. On one occasion coming either from Prince Edward Island, or Miramichi in a schooner, he was overtaken by a violent storm, so that even the crew felt a little alarmed. They were at sea over Sabbath, and the storm having somewhat abated, he read to them the 107th Psalm, and preached on our Saviour stilling the storm. The only other circumstance regarding the physical state of travelling which we deem it necessary to notice, is the poor ac- commodation to which he was obliged to submit. A hearty welcome he was almost certain to receive, but his fare was often of the humblest kind, while a hard couch, the scanty covering of which ill-protected him from the cold, was his only bed. In 20* 234 MEMOIR OF THE fact such privations as we have already described as endured in Pictou, lie suffered when travelling abroad, with this difference however, that at home his visiting was principally in winter, while his travelling abroad was generally in sumnjer. But whatever privations were in his way he cheerfully endured. Not only so, but we have heard of his purposely staying with poor people, when he might have had better accommodation elsewhere. On one occasion a man having travelled with him from Bedeque to Lot Sixteen, Prince Edward Island, the Doc- tor lodged in his house, although the man had to borrow a loaf and candle from one of his neighbours. This he did, though the man scarcely asked it, and though he might have been com- fortably provided for elsewhere, because he knew it would be a gratification to the poor man. On these journeys he acted almost literally on the divine in- junction, certainly in the spirit of it, " Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass, in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves, for the work- man is worthy of his meat." He used to say that he bad gone from home with a supply of money in his pockets, and had come back with them empty, but that at other times he had left with them empty or but scantily supplied, and he had returned with them full. Generally he took just a little to provide against emergencies, but otherwise he set forth trusting that his Master would provide for him. In this he was not disappointed. The people were everywhere hospitable, they provided fur his wants, and brought him on his journey, and even made collections, which they gave to him. In this way his expenses were moderate. lie used to say that he had travelled all the way up above Fredevicton, in New Brunswick, a distance of about 300 miles and back, at an expense of only twenty shillings. Feeling the importance of his work, he was accustomed on leaving to solicit the prayers of the pious among his flock. On his way leaving he has frequently called at the hut of Robert REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 235 Marshall, and said, "I have just called in to ask you to pray for me when I am away." In these journeys he generally had companions — and so much was his company valued, that men who did not show much re- gard for religion, who accompanied him on some of his jour- neys often declared, that they were more than repaid hy the pleasure of his conversation, both for their time and trouble. He kept up an incessant stream of edifying conversation. Much of this was directly on religious subjects, and whatever subject came up he would give it a religious turn. Reflections of a pious nature were finely interspersed with conversation on ordi- nary topics, and this so naturally as showed them to be the spontaneous effusion of a heart occupied with sacred things, and whose religion mingled with the whole current of its thoughts and emotions. But much of his conversation, particularly on long journeys, was of a more general character, embracing a very wide range of topics. At one time he might be found in- structing them in the mysteries of nature — at another, relating anecdotes of a light and cheerful character, and again when conversation flagged, renewing its interest by singing songs, either in English or Gaelic* In the places which he visited, his stay was necessarily short ; sometimes a week, or, at most a fortnight, being all the time he could spend in a single settlement. But he made the most of his time, being employed night and day, with scarcely relaxa- tion enough for sleep. He, of course, preached on the Sabbath day, and from the destitute condition in which he found the people as to the gospel, his preaching was generally upon the great central truths of the Christian system. To show this it is only necessary to refer to the general character of his texts. They were such as the following : " I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord." " Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth, * There are here some repetitions of what has been stated in another con- nection, in the 9th chapter, but this could scarcely be avoided. 236 MEMOIR OF THE for I am God, and beside me there is none else." " Be ye re- conciled to God," &c. From the carelessness and indifference prevalent among the people, be found it necessary to labour, especially, to bring them to a sense of their guilt, and need of pardoning mercy. This he endeavoured to do, not by general declamation about hu- man guilt and depravity, not by references to mankind at large, but by references to themselves, and the enumeration of par- ticulars in their own conduct. He described in the plainest terms their evil passions, anger, wrath, envy, &c. ; their evil speaking, lying, Sabbath breaking, drunkenness, &c., but from these rose to a higher exhibition of their sinfulness by point- ing out their relation to God, and showing their alienation from his character, and total disregard of his claims. But this was only probing the wound, that he might apply the balm which is in Gilead. His exhibitions of man's sinfulness were only the dark ground, on which to exhibit in brighter colours the glories of Christ as a Saviour. From the ignorance of the people too, he was led to seek the greatest simplicity of speech. His language was the very plainest; and where he was preaching a single sermon, not knowing whether his hearers would ever hear another, he aimed, not at preaching a systematic discourse, but in saying what was most impressive. For the purpose of rousing the careless he scrupled not to employ a strong epithet, even though to some it might give offence. Doctor MacCulloch, in a little work called " William and Melville," thus describes him as he appeared on one of these excursions : " In the course of the evening the clergyman arrived. Few of the older Presbyterians of these Provinces are strangers to the apostolic enterprise and exertions of Doctor MacGregor. At a period when Nova Scotia presented to a clergyman only toil and privation, he resigned the endearments of the land of his fathers, and cast in his lot with the benighted and solitary inhabitants of the forest. Aroused to activity by the vigour of youth, and burning with desire to promote the REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 287 best interests of man, lie traversed the pathless solitudes in every direction — not to collect the hire of the labourer from the people of the wood, but to share their hardships, and to soothe their sorrows by the tidings of salvation. Wherever a prospect of usefulness opened, he disregarded fatigue and out- braved danger, that the lost sheep of the desert might be re- stored to the fold. In one of these excursions of mercy he had now arrived at the cottage. ''In the opinion of Melville the appearance and manner of the clergyman were little calculated to produce an impression in his favour. With the homely garb of the country, he com- bined a plain simplicity of language which indicated neither literary nor scientific acquirements. In the course of the even- ing, however, Melville was agreeably disappointed, by discover- ing, under this unassuming exterior, an extent of information and good sense which he had not anticipated. The clergyman's capacities of directing the conversation particularly attracted his attention. Whatever topic was mentioned, he appeared con- stantly to keep in view that he was the minister of Christ, and by the well timed introduction of some striking and affectionate remark, he imperceptibly turned the thoughts of the company to the grar|d ends of human existence. Though Melville had no desire for religious instruction, he found it impossible to listen without being pleased. " In the cottage, the succeeding day was a Sabbath to the Lord. Mercy and truth had met together; and there was joy in the wilderness and solitary place. The clergyman's dis- course was rather a general exhibition of divine truth, than the regular discussion of a particular topic. He viewed his hearers as the servants of God, and the subjects of his law. Advert- ing to the precepts of religion as a transcript of '"'■^•'iie recti- tude, he showed them the immutable nature of this standard of righteousness. Bringing them to its test, he subjoined an impressive exhibition of the great misery and utter helpless- ness of man ; and then turned them to the Saviour as their sole relief. In simple but glowing language, he delineated the love 238 MEMOIR OF THE and grace of the Kedeemerj and alTectionatcly soliciting from them the submission of faith at the footstool of mercy, he pressed upon their minds the value of a religious life, and cheered them with the gospel, in its blessed consolations and glorious results. " As the clergyman proceeded, the elevation of his feelings reached the hearts of his hearers; his sentiments, combined with the mellowed tones of his voice, were like showers that water the earth. It was a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." Ihere was something very solemn in sucli work. He some- times went to people, among whom would be found persons twenty years of age, who had never heard a sermon. He had only the opportunity of addressing them once or twice, and then a year or perhaps two or three must elapse before he could again visit them. Need we wonder that his whole soul was roused to the deepest earnestness of appeal, and that he sought, in the simplest language he could command, to explain the way of life, and that he besieged the throne of grace for their Sfdvation ? There was also much that was pleasant. In every settlement there were persons, who remembered with interest the privi- leges they had enjoyed in the more favoured lands from which they had come, who " wept when they remembered Zion." To such his visits were green spots in their earthly pilgrimage, the remembrance of which they cherished as among the purest of their earthly joys. And to others, his preaching had all the attraction of novelty, — and drawn by curiosity, his impressive manner at once riveted attention, and they listened with eager- ness to the marvellous story of the cross as something entirely new. Where the people were sufficiently organized, he sometimes dispensed the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. On these occa- sions the ordinance was accompanied with all the services then usual ill Scotland, and the scene presented was such as we have described as exhibited on similar occasions in Pictou. There REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 239 wcro the same " solemn assemblies" from Thursday till Mon- day, the same crowds gathering from surrounding settlements, the outward circumstances of meeting, under the blue vault of heaven, by the murmuring stream, or under the shadow of the frreen wood, were the same, but to all this was added the no- velty of the scene. In many instances the young had never seen the ordinance dispensed, and wonder mingled with their other feelings as they instinctively enquired, " What mean ye by this service ?" while to the old it was deeply affecting, as recalling similar scenes in their native land. Involuntarily their minds reverted to the stern mountains, or the peaceful valleys of Scotland or Ireland, in which they had spent their youth. Tender recollections crowded upon them of the lonely glen in the Highlands, the sunny dale of the Lowlands, or the green fields of Ulster, where they and their fathers had met to keep the feast, of the gathering of the various groups from mountain and glen, of the minister from whose lips they first heard the words of eternal truth, and of the times of refresh- ing from the presence of the Lord, which they had there en- joyed. Long had they been ready to say as David, " When we remember these things we pour out our souls in us, for we had gone with the multitude; we went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy day." But now that God had visited them in a dis- tant land, and these hallowed scenes were renewed to them in the wilderness, they wept for joy, and their feelings found ex- pression in the language of David, when bringing the ark to Jerusalem: <' Lo we heard of it at Ephrata; we found it in the fields of the wood. We will go into his tabernacles ; we will worship at his footstool. Arise, 0 Lord, into thy rest; thou and the ark of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and let thy saints shout for joy." We are not certain but the very spots selected for preaching added to the interest of these solemnities. In some places there were churches, but in others his preaching was in barns or private dwellings, but just as frequently in the open air, 240 MEMOIR OF THE sometimes on the hill side under the shelter of the forest, whose lonp; shadows stretched across the multitude; or by some brook whose soft murmur mingled with the psalm of the worshipper, as if man and inanimate nature were combining their voices in one anthem to their Creator; or in the intervales, where the overhanging banks shaded them from the noonday sun. We have never preached in such circumstances, nor sat in an assem- bly of this kind, without feelings such as we never had in wor- shipping in any temples made by human hands. With him, too, such were more impressive from his drawing many of his illustrations, like the great Teacher, from the objects of nature around, and he reached the height of impressiveness as he closed his labours, by appealing to the rocks, the trees, the hills, or where within sight, to the burying ground, the green graves, as witnesses against his hearers in the day of judgment. As he left his stand, not pulpit, for such a thing he com- monly possessed not, it was only to enter upon an unceasing round of travelling, preaching, and religious conversation. Where the people had been originally Presbyterians, and re- tained the habits of their forefathers in Scotland or Ulster, one of the modes of instruction found most effectual, was by diets of examination. The whole inhabitants of a settlement would gather on such an occasion, and in the course of catechizing, opportunities were afforded to explain more particularly what was not clearly understood, and of taking a wider view of the system of divine truth. From his narrative it will be seen that he was often called upon to administer the ordinance of Baptism, particularly to children, sometimes twenty or thirty being presented at one service. He however never dispensed it as mere form, but only after thoroughly examining the parents, carefully instructing them in the nature of the ordinance, and earnestly pressing upon them the important obligations resting on them. But he was often called to baptize adults, and his ministry afforded not a few examples of the apostolic practice of baptizing h(;u.seholds. Thus we have heard of his baptizing the husband and wife and IIEV. JAMES MACGREOOR, D.D. 241 seven children at the same time. And the following case re- corded by himself, shows how the similarity of his circum- stances with those of the apostles produced an example of "going down into [or to] the water." " Being once," he says, " on a missionary excursion, I agreed with several parents to bnptize their children next day at public worship, but neither I nor they took thought to provide a vessel for the water. The preaching was in the open air, by the side of a brook, and when I desired the parents to present their children for bap- tism, there was no vessel. This, however, was no serious diffi- culty. Anyone in the congregation might say, 'See here is water in the brook, what doth hinder the children to be bap- tized there ?' As far as the brook was in view of the congre- gation, no part of it was deep enough for immersing the chil- dren and no part too shallow for sprinkling them. They were sprinkled." Sometimes, also, he preached on week-days in settlements around, so that there were journeys on which he preached every day of the week. But his time on week-days was chiefly oc- cupied in teaching from house to house. The advantage of this was that it gave him an opportunity of more direct dealing with individuals. He especially addressed himself to heads of families, because he was commonly asked to baptize their chil- dren, which he sometimes did to the number of seven or eight, and he wished to impress upon them a sense of their responsi- bility, and to lead them to the faithful di.scharge of the duties of family religion, not only for their own sake, but as the means which God commonly employs for the salvation of the young. ''Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." And his discourse being conversational, an op- portunity was afforded for them to state their perplexities, and for him to remove them. In the houses in which he lodged, the neighbours would gather to listen to him, so that his conversation was often pro- longed far into the night, while breakfast would not be over the next morning, till some would again be round him. And 21 242 MEMOIR OF THK as he travelled to another settlement, many parted from him with tears, while the young and tlie vigorous sometimes accom- panied him either on foot or on horse-hack, to the next place of lahour, to listen to his conversation by tlie way, — or to liear his discourse there. So incessant were his labours that it was amazing how he could go through them with so little rest. But at any interruption he would fall asleep, and he had learned to sleep in any position, or in any circuinstajices, so that son)etiiiies lie was found sleeping on horse-back, while his horse leisurely pursued his journey — sometimes lying like his Miistcr, in the hinder part of a boat, with the hard stones of the ballast for his couch, and the rail for his pillow, while again he would snatch a few minutes' repose on his chair, while those around him im- agined him studying. Yet even with the slight refreshment obtained in such ways, he started up to resume his work with new vigour. The effect of such a visit even for a few days, among a people in a condition so destitute, was much greater than at first sight would be supposed. It has been said that he never visited a place, on such a mission, where saving results did not follow. Believers, whose souls had long languished in the spiritual drought reigning around them, were refreshed, and the things that were ready to die were aroused into new life; souls not altogether regardless, but who had been, as it were, feeling after God, and with some degree of anxiety looking to their immor- tal interests, were guided in the way of peace, and were filled with joy in believing; while many careless were aroused to seek the Lord. On such occasions there was a real revival of reli- gion— not what is often understood in America by that term — the getting up a mere animal excitement by means fitted to ex- cite weak nerves, — but solemn impressions of the tnithuYion the mind, eager inquiries after the way of life, and personal accept- ance of the Saviour. The number of individual cases of this kind resulting from his labours, the great day alone can dis- close. But the most known result was commonly the inducing an RKV. JAMES MACUUKGOR, D.D. 248 anxiety to have the ordinances of the p;ospel regularly dispensed, and for that purpose, leading them to make efforts to obtain the services of a minister of the gospel. Where this was obtained within a reasonable time, the result was the formation of a con- gregation. He planted, and by visits for some years would water, and where a faithful labourer followed him, he reaped an abundant increase; but with his own sphere of labour requiring more of his attention, and new spheres claiming his sympathy, he was unable to build where he had laid the foundation ; and when, as was too often the case, no faithful minister was ob- tained, the movement died out, or, at least it became the scene of the labours of other denominations. " Herein is that say- ing true, one soweth and another reapeth." '' That both he that soweth, and he that reapeth may rejoice together." In this work he came to take great delight. He saw the settlers every where as sheep scattered upon the mountains with none to care for their souls — he met among them the most cordial reception — every one who had any respect for religion, and others feeling their ignorance and their need of instruction, alike feeling the sentiments, if not adopting the language of the Prophet, '' How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringetli good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation !" He saw men listening with eagerness to the word of life, and saw that word having free course and glorified among them. This, his "joy therefore was fulfilled." And we believe that it had a good effect upon himself and his preaching. From early life he had been pious, and in his first preaching he preached the truth, preached it clearly, and with some degree of earnestness. But it was the sight of the destitute condition of the settlers, as " sheep wanting a shepherd," and perishing, with none to care for their souls, that stirred his spirit within him, kindled all the ardor of his nature, and filled him with consuming zeal for their salvation, and made his preaching of that earnest and rousing character, by which it was afterwards characterized. In this way his labours extended over the then settled parts of 244 MEMOIR OF THE Eastern Nova Scotia, and of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The most of the older Presbyterian congregations throughout this extent either originated with him or were cher- ished by him in their infancy. From the year 1788 till the year 1820, a period of over thirty year.*;, scarce a year elapsed without one or more missionary journey, such as wc have de- scribed, so that he might adopt the language of the apostle, ■which we have adopted, as descriptive of his life : " In jour- neyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren ; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are with- out, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D 245 CHAPTER XII. CONTINUED LABOURS AT HOME AND ABROAD. — 1791-1793. "In weariness and paiufulness, in watchings often, in Lunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." 2 Cor. xi. 27. The next missionary excursion of which he gives an account was a winter journey to Stewiacke. This settlement lies in a south-westerly direction from Pictou, and was about thirty miles distant from his home. The people there had not originally emigrated in one body. In the year 1780, a single settler named Kennedy from New England, erected his hut where John Putnam now resides. He was followed the next year by Mr. Samuel Teas, a North of Ireland Presbyterian, and Messrs. Whidden and D. Fisher from New England, who also settled in the Middle Settlement. In the following year Messrs. Wm. Fulton, Thomas Croker, Charles Cox, and Matthew Johnson, settled near where the village now is. Shortly after they were joined by others, some of whom settled in the Upper Settle- ment. At the time of Doctor MacGregor's first visit to them, there were about twenty families in the Upper Settlement, and about ten in the Middle. These were of mixed origin, some being from the North of Ireland, one or two from Scotland, but the majority from New England. They were generally well trained in religious matters. Previous to this, Mr. Cock of Truro, and Mr. Smith of Londonderry, paid them one or two visits. The Rev. James Slunroe also preached among them 246 MEMOIR OF THE part of his time for about two years, between the years 1791 and 179-i. We insert here his own account of his journey, though the older settlers agree that bis first journey did not take place so errly as the date which he has assigned to it, (the first journey was in 1794,) and that his narrative confounds two journeys. " 1791. This winter I bud to break in upon my plan of winter visitation and examination, by a few missionary excur- sions. To have given a little supply of sermon to Onslow and Stewiacke in summer would have been a sacrifice quite out of the power of the congregation, as one Sabbath in summer was worth two, or even three, in winter. I therefore determined, with the consent of the session, to give each of them two or three Sabbaths in winter. This, however, was no easy task when the snow was two or three feet deep. Here I bad to travel forty miles on snow shoes, a journey almost three times as long as any which I had hitherto performed in that way. Travelling on snow shoes is eligible only when the snow is neither very soft nor very hard ; for when it is very hard the snow shoes are apt to slide, and when it is very soft they sink deep, and become wet, and so heavy as to clog the feet greatly. It was soft then, and though I had three or four men before me making the road more solid, yet I was quite faint by the time we had travelled eleven miles. One of the company had with him a little rum and bread and cheese, of which we all partook; and by which I was recruited more than by any meal of victuals which I remember. But 1 became faint again befure I reached a house, which was four miles distant. Then, having dined and rested, we travelled on to Truro, ten miles, where I had a sound sleep. " In this short missionary excursion I had very attentive audiences, both on week-days and Sabbaths; but, as I could not but foresee, the proportion of females was much less than it would have been in summer. This was owing to the depth of the snow, and is unavoidable where the population is so thin that there is not enough of travelling to make good paths. On REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 247 my way home from Stewiacke I was more hardly bestead, both by fatigue and liung(>r, than ever I was. I left Stewiacke on a fine morning, along with four Pictou men — two belonging to the West River and two to the Middle lliver; and having scarcely twenty miles to travel, we doubted not of reacliing Pictou be- fore night. But we took a little bread and cheese with us, as we expected to be hungry before we could reach a house. We had travelled only a short way when the weather changed, and the travelling became extremely heavy. We therefore resolved, instead of going, one party for the West River and the other for the Middle River, to keep together, and steer a middle course between the two rivers until we could get far on, and so have less travelling after dividing. By this plan we would have but one path to break, and each one's share of the fatigue in going foremost to break it would be less. Thus we clung together till night, and then we judged ourselves only half way to Pictou. As it began to be dark, one began to cut down fire- wood, another to cut down poles and spruce branches for a shed or camp to shelter us, a third was engaged in fixing the poles and laying the branches in order over them, while the fourth laid the wood (cut by the first) in order upon the snow, collect- ing dry rotten sticks, striking fire, and kindling it. During most of the time in which they were thus engaged I rested, being much fatigued; but I soon grew very cold, and therefore got up and gathered a parcel of the spruce branches and strewed them on the snow for couches during the night. We soon made an excellent fire, and kept it burning all night, feeling no other inconvenience than that we had to turn now and then, for the side farthest from the fire soon grew cold, and the other too warm. I had no idea that a fire made on the top of the snow would have given us half the comfort we had ; but my fellow- travellers were used to it, and well knew how to manage it with the greatest propriety. They laid on the snow a row of straight logs close together for a hearth, upon which they laid other logs and splits for the fire. " With morning we rose to prepare for our journey. We 248 MEMOIR OF THE had good appetites, but no provisions. "We separated — one party squinting to the left, with intention to hit the West River at a considerable distance down from its source ; the other, to which I belonged, squinting to the right, with the same inteu- tion as to the Middle Kiver, We, however, missed our mark completely, for we travelled on till we thought we must be far past the Middle River; and judging that we had passed it so near its source as to do so without knowing it, or perhaps wholly above its source, we altered our course, and struck to the left, assuring ourselves that we could not miss it again. Onwards we marched, till we again thought ourselves far past it; and not meeting it, we could not determine what was best to be done. After consultation, we resolved to turn again to the right. By this time I was extremely wearied, and glad of any excuse for resting two or three minutes. We had not gone far when we met a hlaze (a chip taken off the side of the trees, to show travellers a course) crossing our path almost di- rectly. We resolved to follow it, as it would lead us some- where ; but whether it was best to follow it to the right or left we could not determine. By mere random we chose the left, and followed it as we thought about three miles, but probably not two, when we began to fear it was leading us from home, and accordingly we came straight back upon our own track, and kept the direction for more than four miles as we thought, and then stopped for another consultation. I was glad of any excuse to stop a little. We now resolved to take a kind of random course till we should fall in with a brook, and then to follow it whithersoever it went. This we did, and soon fell in with a brook, which we followed a long way, shortening its windings as much as we could. It led us at length to burnt land, which gave us a hope that a settlement was not far ofif, though the immense multitude of fallen trees lying in every direction embarrassed us greatly, obliging us to creep under them and climb over them with great difficulty. The burnt land was extensive, and our progress through it extremely slow and fatiguing j but having got past, we soon arrived at a good REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 249 path on the side of the Middle River, about four miles below the upmost settler. Here we took off our snow shoes, and being relieved of their weight, I felt as if I had no feet, and yet was so done out, that I could scarcely reach the next house. Here we were speedily supplied with plenty to eat and drink ; but I could cat nothing till after I had rested a while, when I felt an appetite for some boiled potatoes. Rest and sleep re- stored me to my usual appetite and strength." The older settlers all agree that on his first journey he came through the woods direct from Pictou. Messrs. Samuel Teas and Robert Hamilton went for him, and Messrs. David Fraser and John Marshall went with him. Between the farthest up settler on the Middle River, (John Collie,) and the farthest up settler in the Stewiacke, a distance of nearly thirty miles, there was an unbroken forest, without even a hla::e to guide the course of the traveller. They directed their course by compass, and of course had to travel on snow shoes. He spent two weeks on the excursion, pi'eaching on Sabbaths and week-da3's in barns or dwelling houses, particularly at Mr. Robert Hamilton's, near where the village now is, at Mr. Wm. Fulton's just where the upper settlement meeting house now stands, and on the oppo- site side of the river. One sermon on the words, '' The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked," is par- ticularly remembered. They also agree that it was on the second journey he was re- duced to such extremities, and that this was in the year 1795. On this occasion he came by way of Truro, At the Stewiacke side there was a blaze through the woods, but there was none at the Pictou side. His companions were John MacLean and Donald MacLeod, of "West River, and Thomas Fraser and John Marshall, of the Middle River. On this occasion he preached in both settlements. This visit also extended to two weeks, during which he laboured both on Sabbaths and week-days, both preaching publicly and visiting from house to house. On both visits he held diets of examination. These meetings were at that time popular among the Scotch and Irish Presbyterians, 250 MEMOIR OF THE and tlicrc was, for the population, a larid long wished to see one of their congregations, and hoped that their congregation would be a fair sample of a New England Church. He said, * I am afraid that we are de- generated.' *I have heard much of the piety and suflferings of the New Englanders, and I will count myself paid for my trou- blesome journey, in seeing a fair sample of their religion,' ' And I am as anxious to hear a Presbyterian, for I have read of the persecutions they have suffered. Tlie doctrines of grace and salvation are the same everywhere, and in all generations, though every one has his own way of handling them.' " I preached two Sabbaths to them in a respectable place of worship, and to Methodists and Baptists. They heard with apparent attention and satisfaction. Many of them stayed and conversed a good while after public worship was over. On re- turriing to Mr. Burpe's I saw a woman, who said she came from Perthshire many years ago, and had never heard a Presbyterian sermon since she came, till that day. She hoped I would be so good as preach her a sermon or two at her house on a week- day. I said I certainly would be very happy to do so. We agreed on the day, and she promised to send a man and a horse for me. At Squire Burpe's we employed the time in reli- gious conversation, partly on the sermons, and partly on other topics. '' On IMonday I visited some of the neighbouring families, and the river, a delightful and grand object. Though it was very low, not reaching half-way up its banks, yet to me it ap- peared extremely large and grand. I was told that in the time of the spring freshets it overflows all its banks, and covers that whole intervale, two miles broad, in some places two or three feet deep. During that time every house and barn is an island; the potatoes, and other things that may be injured by water, niu<'t be carried up to the garret. Every house has a canoe for sailing into the barn or Viyre, or neighbour's house. The fence- poles on the lowest grounds are collected into heaps and laid in REV. JAJIES MACGREGOU, D.D. 345 a safe place. But sonictitucs the freshet rises higher than ex- pectation, and carries off the fences that were thought free of danjzer. Then the farmers are seen in their canoes, and their servants up to their breasts, going after their fence-poles; and soiiietiiues they lose them after all. "I was informed that the use of the beautiful row of trees along the river-side was to prevent the ice from spreading over the intervale and destroying houses, cattle, &c.* When the spring melts the snow everywhere, the streams and little brooks break their ice and carry it before them to larger brooks and smaller rivers which carry it forward with accumulating force. The resistless fury of a thousand streams, and the ice carried with them, drive before them the ice of the great river itself, with reiterated and irresistible crashes. This ice is chiefly carried down the main stream ; but some of it would break out here and there with incredible fury : but the trees serve as a harrier against it. " Next day the man came for me to go where I had prom- ised to preach. When we reached the house, the man and his wife came out to welcome me in. We soon inquired whence each other came. He told me he came from Clocky Mill, near Gask. I was astonished, remembering instantly that when I was a young lad at Kinkell, at the grammar school, I heard much talk of the miller of Clocky Mill going to America. I told them this, and at once we became great friends. We ad- mired the Providence that orders all our lots. I began to think that God had other designs in sending me here than preaching to the Congregationalists. I preached to two or three families with uncommon life and earnestne.'^s, as my meeting with this family was unexpected and providential. *This mode of pbinting trees along the edges of intervale and marsh lands, was first introduced into the lower colonies by the French; and the object seems to have been to preserve the soil, by retaining it by the roots, and to prevent the encroacliment of the sea. The tree principally employed was the willow, and by them it is supposed to have been introduced into Nova Scotia, where it is very common in the older settlements. 346 MEMOIR OF THE " Next morning I tonic a view of liis farm. It was large, and in good onler. The land seemed gi)od all around the lake, and almost wholly unsettled. A bcautil'ul river flowed for three or four miles from it, with scarcely any fall, into the St. John, 80 that the tide of the St. John reached tlie upper end of the luke. After breakfast I returned to Mr. Burpe's, reflecting on the wonderful disposals of Divine Providence in ordering and changing the lots of men in this world. Next day I crossed the river, to see one or two families who had invited me, and one who had promised to take a jaunt up the river with me. I was informed of a number of the New England settlers, who, being discontented with the fine intervale, on ticcount of the trouble and danger of its freshets, had moved twenty miles up the river, and settled there on land hi^h and dry, though not so rich.* I was requested to visit them, and I was desirous to go. I saw this gentleman, who was willing to set off with me next Monday. I found him a pious and agreeable com- panion. " On Monday we went, and reached the place that night. I preached on a week-day and on the Sabbath, and visited and conversed on other days, pressing them to live by faith on the Son of God, and obey by faith. They were destitute of pub- lic ordinances, and were plainly the poorer for it. The family in which I was were remarkably regular. There were five boys and five girls of them, from marriageable age down to in- fancy; and I do not remember to have seen an angry look or to have heard a cross word among them during the tia,e I was there. I admired the regularity of the family. The cause was this: the father was ailinsr, of a slow consumption, so that he could not work, and he directed his whole endeavours to in- structing his children in temporal and spiritual matters. And, to all appearance, God was with him. " Next Monday we came down the river to the Nasliwaak opposite to Fredericton. We went up the Nashwaak for the Highland settlement. On our way we saw a Baptist church, * Called the Kidse. RKV. JAMKS MACGREaOR, D.D. 347 where my guide proposed to stop two days, and give them a sermon or two. I could not refuse. Tlie cotigregation was small, but respectable. When, I readied the Highlanders, I found they were the roinains of a llighlan4 regiment which the British government had settled there at the conclusion of the revolutionary war in America. I found they iiad been mi cru- bly abused in their settlement. The officers got large lots of the best land; the men got lots all length and no breadth. The consequence was, that one-half of the men had to leave their lands and shift for themselves somewhere else. The rest took possession of their lots, some of them for something and some of them for nothing, and thus made a shift to live. Their dispersion disabled them from maintaining a minister of the gospel, and left them as stray sheep in the wilderness. A few of them had turned Baptists and Methodists ; but the best and the worst of them had continued Presbyterians, but could do little to maintain the gospel. I preached to them, and gave the best direction I could to live a life of faith upon Christ, the Saviour of sinners. Next day I stopped at Fredericton, but had no opportunity of preaching. The day after I returned' to my old quarters, where I stayed and preached the Sabbath fol- lowing. " On Monday I set off on my return home, and that night slept at the house at the lake, where I was treated so kindly be- fore. In passing the few miles of wood from the river to this house, it was so dark that I had to trust the horse more than myself. In the middle of the wood he turned suddenly to the left hand. I struck him to turn him back, but immediately he turned again. I struck him again, but still he turned to his own way. I was then visited with a sudden fear that lie might be right, and that I was putting him wrong, and so I let him take his own way, and lie soon bi'ought me to the house. As soon as he was stabled, and I began to chat with the good man, he told me I was wrong, and the horse right, so th;it if I had not yielded we must have been out all night. In this house I 348 MEMOIR OP THE mot vrith every Christian attention, and left them in the morn- ing with mutual feelings of love and kindness. " Next night I reached the kdy's house who showed me the •way going, and who invited me to lodge with her on my re- turn. Her husband was at home, and welcomed me cordially. We employed our time chiefly in religious conversation, giving and receiving mutual instruction. Of books, they had only a Bible and a hymn-book, with both of which they seemed pretty well acquainted. We concluded with family worship and re- tired for the night. The house was all kitchen, and my bed was on the floor. The soil was sandy and the fleas numerous. I could get no rest or sleep, with their constant biting and crawling. As soon as I found all the rest were asleep, I went and shook them away as clean as possible, and then returned unseen to my bed. I was soon as bad as before, but made no complaint, and remained as content as I could, and rose with the rest. We spent this morning in religious conversation, and after breakfast and family worship we prepared to go to the place where I was to preach. They came to hear the first Pres- byterian minister that had come to the place. I preached as plainly and faithfully as I could on these words, ' Look unto n)e, and be ye saved.' I conversed but little about the sermon af- ter it was over, as I needed to be on my way home. One of the Highlanders who were at sermon, took me alung with him, and lodged me with much Christian feeling. Next day he rode nine or ten miles along with me — that is, three miles past the house where the strap of my saddle-bags was cut — where we parted most affectionately. I soon reached my kind friend, Mr. Scott's, who prevailed on me to stay all night with him. He entertained me by reading curious poetical compositions of his own. I endeavoured to make my conversation pleasant and profitable to him. Having stayed all night, I set forward in the morning. I soon reached the place where my horse before walked so steadily on one side of the dyke. He never offered to try it again. He saw the path leading round the dam, and took it at once. When we came back to the road, I alighted, to have a REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 349 better view of his foot-steps along the dam side. I could not distinguish them. I travelled till I came to Westmoreland, where I lodged with a Baptist. He requested me to preach in their meeting-house. I did so, and reached home the sec- ond day. " On getting home I heard there was a vessel at the beaches and a minister on hoard. Next morning I took a boat and went to see ; and there I saw Mr. (now Dr.) MacCullocli. By- aiid-by his family and baggage were brought ashore, jNIr. IMac- Culloch was intended for Prince Edward Ifsland; but Dawson * saw among his baggage a pair of globes. This occasioned his being called to Pictou, where he still remains." The llev. Daniel MacCurdy passed over the scene of his labours, and has informed me that though this was the only visit he paid to that part of the country, his memory is still savoury over a considerable extent of country. The following incidents were related to me by him. On one occasion he was asked if he could tell his experience, this being with a certain class of religionists the sum and substance of piety. He re- plied, " I have not much to tell about my experience, but I can tell you my faith." On one occasion having stopped to get his horse shod, the blacksmith told him that his wife was a pious woman, and invited him into the house, to talk with her. In a little they were engaged in religious conversation. "But do you hold to election ?" said the woman. " Oh no, election holds me," was the reply. The same saying is attributed to Row- land Hill, and perhaps the Doctor may have got it in that way. The following incident of this visit I have had from a reliable source. When visiting the Highlanders up the Nashwaak, the people collected about £7 for him. He received the money, but heaving of a poor widow who had lost her only cow, he gave it to her to buy another. It may be mentioned here, that the Presbytery made various efforts to supply the people whom he visited on this occasion, * The late John Dawson, Esq., for several years an influential person in Pictou. 30 350 MEMOIR OF THE but from the scarcity of preachers they could do but little for them. The result was therefore that they fell in with other denominations. We shall here give the principal part of one of his letters to the Kev. Samuel Gilfillan, published in the Christian Magazine, as it not only gives a more particular description of this visit, but also a view of the state of matters in general within tlie more immediate sphere of his labours. PicTou, Oct. 2\st, 1805. Dear Sir : — I am unwilling that our correspondence should cease (as it has for a time), though I wore to get no other benefit from it, but better and readier information concerning my relations and my native country, than I can otherwise obtain. The greater part of those I was acquainted with are gone, and were I to return I would see chiefly a new people and a new place. But the principal features of the country remain unchanged, and some of my relations and acquaintances are still alive, on which account I wish to hear of the one and of the other. I suspect that I have a ten- derer attachment to that country than if I were there; and that fancy paints the scenes gayer than the life. Once I thought that few earthly pleasures could be equal to see a young country rising by rapid improve, mcnt from nothing into importance, which I have seen and do see literally come to pass. This pleasure migiit perhaps be equal to its picture in the fancy, were not experience to come in with painful feelings of difficulties and disadvantages incident to a new country. Such is the rapidity of im- provements in Pictou, tliat by and by we shall not well know whether to call it an old or a new countr}'. But while we are advancing towards more of the advantages of the former, we are leaving beliind us those of the latter in proportion ; so that it is not easy to judge, which is best, the state before us or the state behind us. Indeed I believe, that the wisdom of Providence hath balanced the sweets and the bitters of all countries, so that the difference between the best and tlie worst is not great. I knew Pictou when it possessed scarcel}' any of the advantages of civil society, but then it had no thieves or villains, no lawsuits, no taxes ; we were all brothers, almost all things were common. Now we have three ministers, and we cannot all keep down open wickedness. Some years ago land could be had for ftotliing, now it must be bought; but while it could be had for nothing, it was a nuisance, and our cry was for people to occupy it, and now when it must be bought, it is of value ; and a piece of liind that would a few years ago be sold for one hundred pounds, may now be sold for two hundred without any alteration in its real value. All is vanity. If we had more ministers, our church would flourish much more than it does. Prince Edward Island is still unprovided for. Several of our REV. JAMES MACGRKGOR, D.D. 351 congregations will in a few years need to be divided into two. Merigo- mish, near Pictou, will take a minister as soon as he comes. This sum- mer I made a tour of a eonsidcrable part of the Province of New Bruns- wick. I went about three hundred miles from home. I saw many settle- ments in a very destitute situation. In general they were so thinly peo- pled, tliat they could not support the gospel in their present lukcwarinncss, I saw no place so populous as Pictou. The River St. John, witii its vari- ous branches, makes up the principal part of the Province of New Bruns- wick. The river is settled for more than two hundred miles up. I saw four or five of its branches ; some are settled twenty, some thirty, some forty miles. This settling, however, consists only of one row of inhabi- tants on each side of the river, pretty close where the land is good, pretty far apart where it is bad. Scarcely anywhere is there a second row be- hind. When I reached my journey's end, were I to set down one foot of the compasses where I was, and extend the other two hundred miles, and describe a circle, I fear it would not include two real gospel ministers. Tiiere are a few Church of England ministers on the river, (with whom I had not an opportunity of personal acquaintance,) but I was informed that the people left them, when tliey became concerned about their souls. The chief part of the people are New Lights, whose principles are a mixture of Calvinism, Antinomianism, and enthusiasm. They arc, however, the best materials which the place affords for the tbrmation of a church. The rest of the people are Wesley's Methodists, who are rather on the decline. On the other hand the New Lights are increasing, and I suppose rather improving in their principles, and they have now changed their denomina- tion from New Lights to Baptists. They baptize not infants, for their teachers are mostly laymen. They have lately fallen in with a Baptist minister in the metropolis of this Province, who got some of them ordained. This circumstance may beget a lasting attachment to the Baptists. When I went among them, I found that many of them never saw or heard a Presbyterian minister. They heard of them and thought them all good. They heard me with apparent eagerness and pleasure. Had we a few ministers in that Province I suppose they might unite with us. Great allowance should be made for them as they never heard the pure gospel. I saw four places in that Province where hope may be entertained of Pres- byterian congregations. The first of them is the place that called me thither. They consist of between twelve and twenty men, pretty substan- tial both as men and Christians. They have a kirk, a manse, and a glebe. Most of them are from New England and were Congregationalists ; but there the Congregationalists and Presbyterians frequently kept communion together. They would accept a Presbyterian minister, if he were not very rigid. This is an opening not to be neglected. It is near the centre of the Province. The other three places are settlements where are a few Presbyterians for a foundation, but they are all weaker than the first place. I believe there would soon be a demand for a number of ministers in thai Province if they had once one. I heard of a corner of the Province, where there were more Presbyterians than any place I had seen, but I could not 352 MEMOIR OP THE go to them. 1 passed through several other settlements where I had not time to make any stay. — Christian May., vol. x. Turning to home labours, we may record a curious incident which befell him this autumn. We shall give it as it appears in his Memorabilia, omitting the name of the party concerned. '' In 1805, Nov. 10, just as I was going to begin public wor- ship, , stood up in the meeting house, and spoke to this eflfect, ' James, I ask you wherefore you railed at me in the sermon last Sabbath ? Why did you not bring me before the Session ? Am I not a gentleman ? Did not I support the gospel from the beginning? I have something to say to you. You was guilty of adultery in the first house you lodged in. You are accused of fornication in the next house you lodged in,' Donald MacKay interrupted him, saying that he was pro- faning the Sabbath. Then stamped with his foot, wrinkled his face, clenched his fist, and having reached out his arm, shook it in the most threatening manner, and said some- thing which I do not recollect. N. B. There was no railing in the sermon referred to, and the other accusations were false." On the matter being brought under the notice of the Pres- bytery, they laid it upon the Doctor as a duty to prosecute the individual in the civil court, although his own disposition would have led him to have passed it over. On steps being taken to prosecute the individual, good Mr. Brown interposed his offices as mediator, and brought the man to the following acknowledge- ment^ which terminated the afiair. " Be it remembered that on the 10th day of November last (the Lord's day) I of the East River of Pictou, County of Halifax, and Province of Nova Scotia, did, very im- properly and rashly, being in a great rage, groundlessly charge the Rev. James MacGregor, at and of Pictou aforesaid, with adultery and fornication, by publicly saying that in the first house he had resided in after coming to this place, he had been guilty of the former, and in the second of the latter. I now publicly acknowledge my fault, and declare my sorrow for REV. JAiMES MACQREGOR, D.D. 353 having thus improperly expressed myself, believing in my heart that these charges are without foundation. I therefore entreat the Almighty to forgive this one of my greatest sins. I also beg Mr. MacGregor's pardon — trusting that I may be in future guided by a more Christian spirit. Witness my hand at Pictou, this 21st day of August, 1806. Ed. Mortimer, Witness, John Brown, " It is worthy of mention that though this unfortunate indi- vidual continued to show hostility to Doctor MacGregor, his family are to this day decent members of his congregation. During the summer of 1806 the Doctor performed another laborious missionary journey in Prince Edward Island, of part of which the following fragment of his narrative presents a sketch. " 1806, July 1. Went to Prince Edward Island. The in- habitants were still increasing, and my visits needed to more and more new settlements, as well as to the old ones. " On the 2nd, being Tuesday, I landed at Three Rivers. On Friday I preached three sermons on Eph. ii. 3-5, and went to Murray Harbour, On Saturday, the 5th, I preached two ser- mons, and came to William Graham's, seven miles distant, and preached one discourse, and returned to Three Rivers. On Sabbath, the 6th, I preached three times at Three Rivers. On Monday, the 7th, I went to Bay Fortune, and on Tuesday, the 8th, preached two sermons there. On Wednesday, the 9th, went to St. Peter's, and preached there two sermons on Thurs- day, and two on Friday. On Saturday, the 12th, I went to Cove Head and preached. On Sabbath, the 13th, I preached three sermons, and three more on the Tuesday following, from Rom. V. 1 — 12, and Eph. ii. 10. On Wednesday, I preached at the house of Mr. Simpson, New Loudon,* a very pious and intelligent man from Moray, on Ezek. xxxvi. 31. On Thurs- * More properly Cavendish. 30* 354 MEMOIR OF THE day, I preached at Mr. Cosens'* two discourses on Gal. ii. 30. On Friday, preached at Malpeque (Princetown) one sermon, and ou ISabbatli, preached three seruious on Matt. xxv. and Gal. ii. 20. On the Thursday followiug, preached two discourses on Psalm xcv. 7, and heard Mr. Pidgeon preach. Ou Saturday, preached two sermons. On Sabbath, the 27th, preached the action sermon on Phil. ii. 8, fenced the tables, and served four, and preached a Gaelic sermon. Also heard Mr. Pidgeon serve a table and preach. On Monday, I preached twice on Heb. ii. 10—12, and Isa. vi. 6, 7, and heard Mr. Pidgeon preach. After sermon went to Bedeque." This mission lasted for sis weeks; of his employment during four of which we have an account above. It will be seen that he preached thirty-seven times and delivered five addresses in twenty-five days, besides travelling over a great portion of the Island. Nor were his sermons short. They were not like some modern efforts twenty minutes' essays of amiable sentiment- alism, read in a manner that would not excite the nerves of the speaker. They were of good length. But rarely the people heard the voice of the preacher of righteousness, and the pious listened with deep delight for an hour to the message of truth. They were too, like Elihu, " full of matter." Every one of them contained some important doctrine, clearly stated, and thoroughly discussed ; and they were delivered with a power and earnestness, which, while fitted to lodge the truth in the mind of the hearer so far as human power could do it, were most trying to his physical system but especially to his nervous organization. It will be seen, however, that on other occasions he did not preach as much as on this occasion, but still he was not idle, being constantly engaged, when not travelling or sleep- ing, in ministering the word from house to house. The other two weeks were spent in similar labours at Bedeque, Lot 16, &c. The following incident which we have received from a sonrce which we deem reliable, probably took place on the occasion of * New London. REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 355 dispensing the sacrament at Priocetown as described above. During the time of preaching, either on Thursday or Haturday, there suddenly arose a fearful storm of wind. So violent was it that the people in church were afraid that the building would be unroofed. He stopped and engaged in prayer to Ilim who " rides upon the whirlwind/' to " stay his rough wind." In a few minutes the storm abated. It was discovered afterward that there were several boats crossing at the time from the other side of Richmond Bay. When they set out there were no in- dications of danger, but the storm arose so suddenly and so violently, that those on board feared that they would have been swamped, but when they were in the greatest extremity the storm abated as suddenly as it arose. The following additional information regarding his visit on this occasion to George Town and Mun-ay Harbour, has been furnished by the Rev. Neil MacKay. It was in the former place that he landed from Pictou, having come over in a large boat which had been built for the Right Rev. Doctor MacEach- ran, Roman Catholic Bishop of Prince Edward Island at the time. By this time a number of families had arrived from Perthshire, and to these he preached in Gaelic. At one of the public services he was shamefully abused by a drunken man, who called him " a black mouthed Seceder," and a great many illnatured things; but the Doctor took no notice whatever of him. He baptized a child for the wife of this very man at the same diet of worship. At one service he baptized a child with- out announcing the name, because the parent in applying to him asked to give the child a name. It was on this occasion he first visited Murray Harbour. There were at that time only three actual settlers besides the hands connected with a fishing establishment set up by Mr. Cambridge the year previous. Early in that spring (1806) a number of families immigrated from Guernsey, and were at that time living in Mr. Cambridge's store, upon a point in the harbour still commonly known as the " Old Store Point," where the harbour beacon now stands. These were all the inhabitants 356 MEMOIR OF THE at that time. His preaching took place at the house of Jlr. James Irving, a Dumfriesshire Presbyterian. The immigrants from Guernsey were generally Episcopalians, considerably tinged with Arminianism, through the teaching of John Wesley. The Doctor's ministrations were very acceptable to them. They subsequently took land in the place and were the ancestors of a large portion of the present population. It is believed that his attention to them at this early stage of the settlement was the means which led to the adherence of many of them and their descendants still to Presbyterianism. It may be mentioned, that after this date the population of Murray Harbour increased rapidly, as Mr. Cambridge in that year built a large establishment of mills and commenced a trade iu lumber, which gave employment to a number of persons, who ultimately took up land in the neighbourhood, and immigrants poured in from various quarters. The Doctor visited them on several occasions, but exact particulars of his visit we have not been able to gather. It is sufficient to say that his visits were the means of cherishing them as a congregation, till they were able to obtain a minister of their own. This season he had the privilege of welcoming one who should permanently be stationed on the Island, viz., the Rev. Peter Gordon, another who had been induced to devote himself to the work of the ministry in this country through his published letter. Mr. Gordon had been a working weaver, but hearing Doctor MacGregor's printed letter read from the pulpit of the congregation to which he belonged, he was so impressed with the destitute condition of the colonists, that he resolved to de- vote himself to study, with a view to the holy ministry, and with a determination on his licensure to come to Doctor Mac- Gregor's assistance. He pursued his object amid many diffi- culties, and probably undermined his constitution by the severity of his application. But upon his licensure, he immediately offered his services for Nova Scotia, and being accepted, he arrived here in the course of the summer. He was a man of warm feelings, and on first seeing Doctor MacGregor, he rushed REV. JAMES MACUREGOR, D.D. 357 into his arms saying, '' Oh, father you have brought me to this country." After supplying Halifax and otlier places in Nova Scotia for a fevr weeks, he was sent over to Prince Edward Island for the winter. The Presbytery were particularly anxious about that part of the church, in consequence of their being so long with- out a minister, and being so frequently disappointed. In the year 1799, the Rev. Francis Pringle had been appointed to that quarter, but coming out by the way of New York, the Presby- tery there detained him. In the year 1803, Doctor MacCulloch arrived in Pictou for the same destination, but it being too late for him to get a passage across he remained in Pictou all winter, and was settled there in the following spring, persons arriving in Pictou from Prince Edward Island to take him across, on the very day of his induction. Mr. Gordon was therefore appointed to the Island for the winter, and was soon after settled at St. Peter's. This relieved the Presbytery, in a great measure, of the charge which they had had of that portion of the church. 358 MEMOIR OF THE CHAPTER XVII. FROM THE ARRIVAL OF MR. GORDON, TILL THE SETTLEMENT OF MR. PIDGEON. — 1806-1812. " Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love." — Rev. ii. 4. During the year 1807, as already mentioned, he paid his second visit to Miramichi, but we have no particulars of it, ad- ditional to what has been already given. We have no account of any missionary excursions during the year 1808, and the minutes of Presbytery after the year 1806 have been lost, but we know that about this time the members of Presbytery were engaged in supplying Halifax, where a con- gregation had been formed shortly before. There had been for some time a Presbyterian minister there ; but he was said to have been in his doctrine an Arminian, and in his general practice a fair specimen of the " Moderate" clergy of the Church of Scotland ; and some serious persons were anxious for a min- ister of a different stamp. They therefore united in purchas- ing a church, which had been originally used by the Methodists. In some way the title to it was in the hands of a wealtliy indi- vidual in that connection, but he having quarrelled with them, refused them the use of the building, and for some time preached in it himself. Finally he sold it to the parties just mentioned, who in the year 1806 applied to Presbytery for supply of preaching. This was granted, and Mr. Gordon supplied them for six weeks on his arrival in the Province. For the next three or four years they were supplied by the Presbytery, but, as there were scarcely any unsettled ministers under their care, REV. JAMES MACOREnOR, D.D. 359 the most of the work had to be done by members of Presbytery. Doctor MacGregor did his full share, supplying them oo more than one occasion for two or throe weeks. ]>ut we have no particulars of bis visits. This autumn, (1808,) arrived another minister, who was af- terward to be distinguished by his abundant labours, and whose personal excellencies have since rendered him the object of es- teem wherever he was known. We allude to Doctor Keir, whose recent removal the church now deplores. He had come out specially to supply Halifax, but Mr. Gordon's health was now failing, and the Presbytery being anxious about the condi- tion of the church there, sent him thither for the winter. In April following, the brethren were saddened by the death of Mr. Gordon, which made the first breach in their number. Pre- vious to his arrival in this country the seeds of consumption were sown in his constitution. Fi'om the time of his arrival in the Island, he had laboured with great diligence in his IMas- ter's work, and was greatly beloved by the people. But the toils connected with his sphere of labour were too great for his weak physical frame to sustain. Still he laboured on, as if re- solved to die in harness. Toward the close of winter he had gone from St. Peters to Princetown, but in great weakness, where he preached by exchange with Doctor Keir, and bap- tized a number of children. On his way home he died at Cove Head, leaving a widow and two fatherless children, one of them but a few weeks old, to the care of Him who hath said, " Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in me." The members of Presbytery felt the bereavement keenly. They not only felt the loss of their brother's services to the church — they not only sympathized with his people, left as sheep with- out a shepherd, and with but little prospect of one to supply his place — they not only grieved as for the loss of a brother, who had been "very pleasant" to them in all his intercourse with them ; but they felt something like that peculiar grief, which attends the first death in a family. They immediately 360 MEMOIR OF THE resolved to manifest their sympathy for his widow and children, in a practical manner. Subscriptions were taken up through their congregations for their relief. In this work Doctor Mac- Gregor, who had already shown some of those qualifications, which caused him afterward to be good-humoredly described as the prince of beggars, and who was distinguished for his perso- nal charity, was particularly forward. In summer he was sent over to minister the bounty of thq churches. In his nieuiornnda he says, " 1809, Gordon died, and I went to comfort his wife." On this occasion he not only preached at St. Peters, but at Cavendish, and Princetown, and we believe at other places. He moderated in a call at Prince- town to Mr. Keir, and we believe also at St. Peters. The lat- ter in the meantime returned to the main land where he sup- plied Halifax and 3Ierigoniish. But such was now the state of the Island, that the Presbytery, with whom at that time rested the decision in competing calls, appointed him to Prince- town, with his own entire concurrence. His ordination, how- ever was deferred till the following June. In this year, ( 1809,) the Presbytery received another acces- sion to their number, in the person of the Rev. John Mitchell. He was a native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, had been educated at Hoston Academy, and came out to Quebec as a missionary, of the London Missionary Society. After labouring for some time at Bay Chaleur, he settled at Amherst, whence he removed to Iliver John, in the year previous, from which time he preached not only there, but at Tatamagouche, and Wallace; and afterward at New Annan. Though originally a Congregationalist, he in this year joined the Presbytery, of which he continued a mem- ber till his death. He was not a man of superior gifts, but he was a good man, and a faithful preacher of righteousness. Thus another portion of the vineyard, in which Doctor MacGregor was the first to preach the gospel, obtained a minister, whose la- bours extended over a sphere, which now employs the labours of four or five ministers. In June 1810, the Presbytery proceeded to Princetown, for REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 361 the purpose of ordaining Doctor Keir. The members present were Doctor MacGregor, the Rev. Duncan Ross, Doctor Mac- Culloch, and the late Mr. Mitchell, of River John. They ar- rived by way of Bedcque lute in the week. Doctor MacGregor preached on Saturday, from Phil. iii. 8. '' I count all things but loss for the excellency of Christ Jesus my Lord." But the ordination did not take place till the following day, ( Sab- bath). An ordination was then an event entirely new in that part of the Island, and excited great interest. There were many, doubtless, who rejoiced in the event, as realizing their long disappointed expectations, of having the ordinances of religion regularly dispensed among them. But the novelty of the event excited the curiosity of many others. So that the whole population, not only of Princetown, but of New London, Bedeque, and the west side of Richmond Bay, able to attend, assembled on the occasion. The audience, for those days, when population was sparse, was considered immense. The old church would not hold half of the congregation. A platform was accordingly erected outside the church, but close by it, on which the ordination took place. Part of the audience re- mained seated in the church within sight and hearing, while the rest were assembled outside. Doctor MacCulloch preached from Acts xvii. 31. " He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained," narrated the steps, put the questions of the formula, and offered the ordination prayer. Mr. Ross gave the charge to the people, and we believe also to the minister, and Mr. Mitchell concluded the services by a sermon from Acts xiii. 26. " To you is the word of this salvation sent." But con- siderable disappointment was felt by the people, that they were not hearing the voice of Doctor MacGregor, whom they re- garded as the father of the congregation, and whom many of them individually esteemed as their spiritual father. As one brother after another occupied the stand, there were whisper- ings, '' Will it be him next?" and as the services were conclu- ding without his taking any part, their disappointment almost 31 362 MEMOIR OP THE amounted to vexation ; but a complete revulsion took place, when it was intimated that, in ten minutes after the benediction was pronounced, Doctor MacGregor would preach in Gaelic. The peo- ple of Princetown were originally from Cantyre, in Argyleshire, and the old people mostly spoke Gaelic, so that they eagerly crowded around him to hear the gospel in their native tongue, and such was their interest in it, and their esteem for him in- creased by the revulsion of feeling resulting from their previous disappointment, that he had been speaking but a few minutes when the whole congregation were bathed in tears. Altogether the day was one of deep and hallowed interest, and yet has a place in the fondest recollections of the few surviving of those present, while the young have heard of it traditionally as a day long to be remembered. But, " when the sons of God came to present themselves be- fore the Lord, Satan also came with them," and so it seemed to be on the present occasion. There was a man present, who was an infidel and a bold blasphemer. He had considerable skill in sketching, and drew a caricature of the whole proceed- ings. He pictured Doctor MacGregor in one of his postures of greatest earnestness, and represented him with words coming out of his mouth, which were a profane misrepresentation of his test, while leading persons in the congregation were ex- hibited with mouths open, or in other ridiculous postures. Apart from its profanity the thing was cleverly done, and it was shown to a good number. The author was at that time a man of influence, — had a fine establishment of mills, — and for a time made considerable money, but he came to poverty, and died in Charlotte Town in great wretchedness. This summer Mrs. Gordon removed to Nova Scotia, and we may here notice some events in her history, as she is soon to be brought within the scope of our narrative. She had been left an orphan at an early age, but though she felt some of the hard- ships which so often fall to the lot of such, yet the God of the fatherless watched over her interests, and provided for all her necessities. She learned those lessons which are tau"ht with REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 363 such peculiar efficiency in the school of adversity, and early she learned to put her trust in the God of her fathers, whose Provi- dential care she was often afterward to find a never failing re- source. At an early age she went to live with her uncle, the Kcv. Archibald Bruce of Whitburn, then professor of Thcolo^^y to the Antiburgher Synod; but not to eat the bread of depend- ence, for the terms on which she lived with him, were such as to render her support the result of her own industry. As she grew up she for a number of years kept house for him, he being unmarried, and as the Theological Hall of the Synod met annually at Whitburn, she became intimately acquainted with most of those, who were afterward the ministers of the body. While residing here she heard Doctor MacGregor's printed letter read from the pulpit of the congregation to which she be- longed, and was much affected by it. On her return home she gave free expression to her feelings of sympathy for the desti- tute state of the people of this country. '' I am vexed," she said, " for the state of those poor people, and that no person goes to them." " Oh !" said her uncle, " these things are painted." " I do not know," she replied, " but they seem to me like the truth." "Would you go to them?" asked her uncle. "Well if I thought I could do any good I think that I would." Lit- tle did she imagine how she was to be taken at her word. As we have already mentioned, Mr. Gordon about the same time heard the same letter read, and was in like manner so affected by it, that he devoted himself to study with a view to the work of the ministry. For a time her life moved smoothly on, and she had the pros- pect of a comfortable settlement in her native land, by a union with one who ministered in holy things in the body to which she belonged ; when suddenly there came upon her one of those disappointments, which has crushed many a gentle heart, and caused many a lovely flower to wither on its stem. He whom she trusted broke the most solemn vow, we believe for the gold of another. Like a slender reed she was bent low before the 364 MEMOIR OP THE storm, but under the pressure of the stern duties of life, her spirit recovered its elasticity, and ere long it appeared, that Providence had appointed her sphere in very different circum- stances. Without descending to particulars, we have only to say that ten years after the conversation above described she was married to Mr. Gordon, then under appointment to Nova Scotia. Her uncle, who united them in marriage, reminded her of what had transpired on the occasion of the reading of Doctor MacGregor's letter, which she had for some time for- gotten. The recollection of it deeply impressed her mind, and led herself and her friends to unite in admiration of the manner in which God leads his people in a way that they know not. When Mr. Gordon died she was again left destitute, and that with two little fatherless children, one of them only a few days old; and though sometimes " cast down," yet her trust was in the faithfulness of a covenant keeping God. On one occasion she was sitting in tears reflecting upon her situation. Her eldest little girl, who was playing about the room, came up to her knee, and looking in her face with the artless confidence of childhood said, " Mamma, God help us." " My child," said the mother as she clasped her in her arms, " you have rebuked me." The Presbytery having taken her case into consideration, arranged that she should live with Mr. Dick, as he had a large house and no family, and it was expected that either by teach- ing or sewing she might maintain her family. It was in this view that she came over to Nova Scotia, but when she came to the East River, Mrs. MacGregor would not hear of her leaving on any condition. It was represented that Mr. Dick had a large house. '^ Oh, our house is large enough," was the reply. " But he has no family." " Still there is room enough, or if there is not we can build another." Her determination pre- vailed, and the Doctor set to work to build a small house for Mrs. G. on a corner of his lot, partly from his own means, but partly by subscriptions wherever he could obtain them. During the time it was building, she lodged in the Doctor's house, and REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 365 when it was completed, she went to occupy it, intending to sup- port herself and little ones either by teaching or sewing. Little did any of them dream of what was soon to transpire. Mrs. Gordon had not been many weeks in her own house, when Mrs. MacGregor was suddenly removed by death. On the Cth of Nov., she gave birth to her fourth son, and seventh child. She had as was thought safely passed her hour of trial, and the Doctor informed of it retired to his closet. But from unskilfulness in the subsequent treatment on the part of those about her, her case took an unfavourable turn. The Doctor having returned from his retirement, said that he had just been giving thanks to God for her safe delivery. But already she was in great agony and expired in a few hours after. This event we need scarcely say was the greatest trial that had yet befallen him, and he was greatly " cast down'' by it. The severity of the stroke in itself, its startling suddenness coming when danger was thought to be over, the peculiar cir- cumstances of the case, particularly the manner in which her death had been occasioned, combined with his great natural tenderness of heart, so affected him, that the strong man was for the time bowed to the earth. The common people, who were apt to mistake strong feeling for want of resignation, were greatly surprised at the depth of his sorrow. Their views might be expressed in the language of Eliphaz to Job, "Behold thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. But now it is come upon thee and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled." To one who expressed surprise at his being so deeply affected by it, he said, " Do you think I am a stick or a stone ?" Donald MacKay said to him, "James, where is all the strength and support you have been giving us in our trouble ?" " Ah, Donald," was the reply, " I was then in the sph-it, but I am now in thejlesli." Till this time he had not failed in fulfilling an apjwintment to preach. He was to have preached at the Upper Settlement 31* 366 MEMOIR OF THE the day following, being a day of humiliation or thanksgiving. He, however, did not go, and we believe also that he did not preach on Sabbath. Doubtless he might have said as did Aaron when his sons were cut oflf, "Such things have befallen uie; and if I had eaten the sin oflfering to-day, should it have been accepted in the sight of the Lord?" On the Sabbath follow- ing he preached at the Upper Settlement in the old church, from Rev. xiv. 13, " Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord from henceforth ; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them." He alluded most affectingly to the event, and applied it most solemnly. He brought it home to himself, as well as the peo- ple. He said that death had come as near him as it could with- out touching himself. But soon Christian faith and resignation prevailed. Writing on the 4th December following to the Rev. Samuel Gilfillan, he thus describes the event : " Yours of November 1809, I received in the course of last summer, I do not mind the time exactly. I was not anxious to answer it till November, the usual time of ray writing home; and when that time arrived, my attention was arrested by an- other subject. It pleased God, on the Gth of last mouth, to call home to himself the dear partner of my joys and griefs, and to leave me struggling in the vale of tears. But his 'good- ness and mercy shall follow me all my days.' The hand of my heavenly Father never administered to me such an affecting stroke. Yet those of sorrow were not the only tears I shed. I have no reason to mourn as those who have no hope. She died (and 1 may say she lived) praying for mercy through the Redeemer." He afterward erected a monument to her memory with the following inscription, in Gaelic verse. Bu bhean phosda bha tlnthi Bu mhathair bha caoin Bha creidiuih le gradh aic Us gnath nach robh faoin. REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 367 Of which the meaning in English is, " She was a wife most affectionate, a mother most tender, she had faith with love and a conduct consistent." We may as well here tell the rest of our story. A few months rolled by. His desire to comfort the widow and to minister to the fatherless drew him often to the cottage at the corner of his lot. Perhaps the expression of mutual sympathy in their bereaved condition rendered such visits a solace to his own spirit. Public rumour would have it that other motives drew him thither. His own natural sagacity soon led him to perceive the incongruity of keeping up two houses with two families, on one farm, each family having only a single parent, and the advantage of their being united under one roof. He presented such strong arguments on the subject, that the lady could not but acknowledge their force, as well as the propriety of setting public rumours at rest. Accordingly in writing to Doctor Keir, on the 20th Dec. 1811, he says, "There is a talk, and I suppose upon good authority, that Mrs. Gordon and I are to be married in a week or two." Accordingly early in the year 1812, they were duly united. We have no such romantic incidents to record of his second as of his first marriage ; but we may say that the union was as happy as a union could be between two sinful mortals in this world, and one which was a great blessing to their respective families. Her children he treated as his own, and their affection for him became as in- tense a^it could have been for their own father; while she was indeed a mother to his children, each of whom has retained through life the same feelings that they would have had for their own mother, a feeling so strong that the common idea of step-mothers they have been disposed to class with the improb- able fictions of a barbarous age. Mr. Ross used to say in his good humoured way, that one good wife was enough for one man, but that Doctor MacGregor had had two. Of the summer of 1811, he thus writes in a letter to Doctor Keir. " This year is uncommonly hard upon the generality of people in this Province. Provisions are very scarce, and money MEMOIR OP THE still scarcer. We ministers are not getting our stipends paid so well as usual, but we have plenty to eat. Our Legislature has established a number of Grammar Schools in this Province with an hundred pounds salary to each, besides the pay of the scholars. Mr. MacCulIoch has got the one for our district." During the same summer the Rev. Mr. Pidgeon, who had been sent out by the London Missionary Society, was on appli- cation received by the Presbytery as a minister under their in- spection, and during that season was called to the pastoral charge of the congregation of St. Peter's, Cove Head, and Bay Fortune, left vacant by the death of Mr. Gordon. His induc- tion was appointed to take place the following spring, and Doc- tor MacGregor, Doctor Keir, and Mr. Dick, were appointed a committee of Presbytery for that purpose. But before that time it pleased the Great Head of the Church to remove Mr. Dick from his earthly labours. He died in the winter of the year 1812. His deatb was deeply felt by the brethren and throughout the church. In spring Doctor MacGregor pro- ceeded to Prince Edward Island, being taken thither in a boat belonging to Mr. James MacLaren. He was landed at George Town, and thence proceeded to St. Peter's on horseback. There he met Mr, Keir. Such was then the infrequency of communi- cation between the Island and the mainland, that Mr. Keir had not heard of Mr. Dick's death. The first enquiry therefore was, " Where is Mr. Dick ?" to which Doctor MacGregor solemnly replied, " Mr. Dick is in eternity." We have no par- ticular account of the induction services. In private, when it was over, he good humouredly remarked to some of the people, *' You ought to be mucb obliged to me, as I have taken your former minister's wife ofi" your hands, and now I am come to give you another minister." After the induction he returned to George Town, and Mur- ray Harbour, at botb of which places he preached. He does not seem to have itinerated in other parts of the Island. Prob- ably as the principal settlements in the western part of the Island were now under the charge of Doctor Keir, and those REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 369 in the east under Mr. Pidgeon, he did not feel it necessary. He was taken home from Murray Harbour in the same boat that had brought him over. "We shall conclude this chapter with some account of the de- generacy in morals in Pictou, which, as we have already inti- mated began some years before, but which was now at its height. He, himself, thus describes it in a letter written about the year 1809. " I am already an old man, failing both in body and mind ; while my labour, could I attend to it, is constantly increasing. Though I cannot say that I am labouring in vain, yet the kingdom of Satan is visibly growing stronger every year. There is au incredible change in Pictou in my time. For the first nine or ten years we were visibly reforming, but ever since the generality have been backsliding, though many individuals are still holding on their way. Many of the older Christians have dropped off the stage, and few of those who have come in their place have their spirit. Many causes contribute their influence to our degeneracy. There were not much above 400 souls, if so many, in Pictou, when I came to it, whereas we are now nigh 4000, if not more. When people increase, sin multiplies. The first settlers had to struggle hard in clearing the woods for a living, their sons enjoying their labours are easy but not good. The first settlers mingled little with the world, through poverty and want of roads ; now we have some riches and tolerable roads, and of course easy communication with strangers and their in- fections. We have suffered from emigrants settling among us from different parts of the Highlands ; but more from merchants and traders from England, and the south of Scotland. The ig- norance and superstition of the former have not done us so much evil, as the avarice, the luxury, the show, and the glittering toys of the latter. " But the grand cause of our depravation is the shutting up of the Baltic. If the Devil contrived it for the ruin of our morals, he is a master in politics; for it were hard to contrive a more effectual scheme for that purpose. If God were not 370 MEMOIR OF THE above him, he would accomplish his end completely. Ever since that event, ships, sailors, money, and spirituous liquors with their attendant evils, have been pouring in among us continually. The great demand for timber has in a manner caused us to lay aside lavming, our most innocent, and in the long run our most profitable earthly employment, and give up ourselves to the fel- ling, squaring, hauling, rafting, and selling of timber to the ships, and the squandering of money. Once in a day I could not have believed that all the vices in the world would have done so much damage in Pictou, as I have seen drunkenness alone do within these few years. Indeed, this sin is pre-eminent in America. The prosperity of fools destroys them. Gloomy indeed is the prospect which the young generation here pre- sents. But still God rules ; and Oh ! how mysteriously and won- derfully does he prevent, permit, restrain, or let loose sinners in their evil ways. And I must confess that I see his love and truth more eminently glorified in the preservation of his own in the midst of so much wickedness, and so many temptations, than before they became so prevailing. Oh ! the wisdom of God in training his poor inexperienced people to fight successfully with sin, his tenderness in suiting their trials to their ability, and his merciful power in making them conquerors, after being frequently foiled. But how desperate is the stupidity and brutishness of sinners, quite insensible to the struggle against sin, to the humility, self-denial, and holiness, manifest in the example of their nearest neighbours !" The causes of this degeneracy are here fully described. The first was the great influx of worldly prosperity. When the war first broke out, the price of timber fell, but it soon rose to an unprecedented height. Especially after the closing of the Baltic ports against British commerce by the decrees of Napo- leon, the demand for Colonial timber became very large, and great efforts were made to supply it, and Pictou became for years one of the chief places of export of timber to Britain. In the year 1805 its exports amounted to £105,000. Such an in- flux of prosperity introduced a large number of a very worthless REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 371 class of persons. It produced the extravagance and other evils of unregulated prosperity, while the vices of a state of war af- fected all classes of society. It might have been expected that such prosperity would at least have had an important influence upon the improvement of the country. But it would be diifi- cult to find in any land an example of such prosperity leaving so few permanent results for good even upon its material pro- gress. Farming retrograded. The farmers went to the woods for timber, and left their farms to neglect. The land was thus depreciated by having the valuable timber removed from it, without its being cleared or rendered fit for the plough ; while a ruinous system of farming impoverished the land already un- der cultivation. The farmer thought only of hastily commit- ting his seed to the ground in spring, and of removing the crop in harvest, and paid no attention to manuring, rotation, or other improved systems of agriculture; in many instances the dung being allowed to accumulate around their stables until the sills rotted, and it became a question whether it were easier to re- move the mass or the barn, unless where an individual with more foresight erected his barn by a running stream, which served to carry away the filth. In this way their farms became thoroughly exhausted, and the evils of this state of things have continued to the present day, both by the improper system of farming ^hich is even yet not entirely abolished, and by the bad reputation which the country gained as to its capabilities for agriculture. The merchants, partly owing to the system of credit already described, and partly owing to the changes which took place in the lumber market, nearly all failed. Scarcely one of them died wealthy. Of those who at one time were most flourishing, even of the man who counted himself worth £100, 000, the estates proved insolvent ; and the country came out of a season of commercial prosperity, such as it has never since seen, with exhausted resources. Lumbering has been generally most fatal to the morals of those who have made it their business. The usual mode of con- ducting it was for a number of men to iro to the woods in au- 372 MEMOIR OF THE tumn with a supply of provisions, and there to erect a rude camp in which they spent the winter, with the exception of visits to the settlements for necessaries. They then proceeded to cut down timber, to square and haul it to the neighbouring streams. In the spring, when the melting of the snow and the fall of rain causes a large rising of the rivers, the timber was floated down to the nearest port of shipping. This mode of living, separated from the humanizing influences of civilized life, tends to brutalize men; while the exposure to cold and wet, particularly in rafting in the spring, forms a strong temptation to hard drinking. But the great characteristic of the times, as mentioned by the Doctor in an extract previously given, was the extent to which rum was used. The first settlers used very little. They had not the means of obtaining it, as it then cost twenty shillings a gallon. Besides pure water, or milk, almost the only drink in which they indulged was the Partridge berry tea. Even tea, now used in Nova Scotia to an extent, which for the number of its inhabitants is altogether unparalleled, was for some time an unknown luxury. We have heard of an old woman, inviting some of her friends to tea for the first time, who prepared it by boiling a pound, and carefully straining oflF the water, served up the leaves something in the form of greens. The arrival of the disbanded soldiers introduced drinking, and partially afi"ected the habits of other settlers. But it was not till the lumbering business became active, that their morals and habits became se- riously afi"ected by the use of ardent spirits. In the year 1794, rum began to be introduced freely from the West Indies, and the extent to which it was consumed in after years seems now absolutely incredible. We have heard for example of a settle- ment, in which there was imported in the autumn at the rate of half a puncheon for every family in the settlement, and by the month of April the supply was exhausted. The habit of drinking was most prevalent among the lum- berers. We have heard for example of a man being employed at five shillings, with an allowance of two glasses per diem, EEV. JAMES MACGREQOR, D.D. 373 and yet being in debt in spring, though the money had gone for nothing but rum. When a lumbering party went to the woods, they initiated their proceedings with a carouse, which made such inroads into their supply of rum as rendered an early visit to the settlement necessary to have it replenished. When they did get to work, they daily consumed quantities which are to lis inconceivable. We have heard of a man at work taking his glass every hour, or in the course of a day consuming his quart bottle of rum, while at intervals their labours were ar- rested for the enjoyment of a carouse, which might last two or three days. Thus in spring they still found themselves in debt to the merchant, from whom they had got their supplies in autumn, the timber they had made scarcely paying for the pro- visions they had consumed, and the rum they had drunk. The lumberers, however, were not the only persons affected by the free introduction of rum. No class of society was ex- empt from its influence. The extent to which rum became hahitualli/ used, is little known to the present generation, but there are a number of persons still living, who from their recol- lection can give facts, which fill us with amazement. They can tell of the time, when two glasses a day was considered a mode- rate allowance for a working man — when a person in comfort- able circumstances would not have thought of sitting down to dinner without a decanter on one corner of the table — when it would be an unpardonable aff'ront if a neighbour when he called was not offered the bottle — when rum flowed freely alike at all occasions of family interest, births, deaths, and bridals* — and at all occasions of public concourse — when every bargain was cemented over the social glass — when in fact no business of any kind could be transacted except in presence of the bottle, and * It is but just to observe that from tbe manner in which Baptism was ad- ministered, publicly and on tbe Sabbath daj', from the careful examination of the character and knowledge of those who received it, as well as from the solemn feelings with which it is generally viewed by Scottish Presbyterians, we have never heard of " Christenings" being the occasions of feasting among Doctor MacGrcgor's hearers, as we have hoard of there being in other places. 32 374 MEMOIR OF THE as has been often said a pig could not be killed without liquor. As late as the year 1827, it was published in the local news- paper, as a remarkable circumstance that a house frame was raised without the use of ardent spirits.* The habitual use of liquor, perhaps not quite to the extent which we have described, was common among the best and most sober part of the community. The minister as regularly took his dram as his parishioners — the elder sold liquor, and saw one son after another becoming drunkards. We may there- fore imagine how much more deeply others indulged — how many lived and died drunkards. In fact, even the most respectable members of the community, and professors of Christianity, some- times went to excess. Thus for long years the ministers of the county might be said to have maintained one grand struggle against rum, and it was not until the Temperance Reformation began about the year 1827, that the evil was decidedly checked. Doubtless there were good men who had not defiled their garments — and among the rising generation, there were still some, we may say many, who gave themselves to the Lord. But in general it was a time when iniquity abounded, and the love * "On Friday last the frame of a largo dwelling house, the property of George MacBonald, was erected without the use of rum. In lieu of it alo nnd beer were used, so that the work was completed in a superior manner, while neither abusive language nor profane swearing was heard, no black eyes nor drunken men seen ; but peace and friendship pervading the concourse. That this change of custom, in this part of the country, will be followed in future (at least to a great degree) may be reasonably expected, since it tends not only to promote the harmony, health, and respectability, of those who as- semble on such occasions, but the interests of the builder. Ten or twelve years ago he must have used almost as many gallons of the mighty ruin, in erecting a frame of similar dimensions, and for this not unfrequciitly have his nsime stationed on the wrong side of some ledger; whence it may not bo so readily erased, as some purchasers of spirits allow themselves to believe." — Col. Patriot, \7tJi S'e2jt. 1828. It may bo added, thai; an attempt was made previously to raise without rum, but such was the small number of the friends of Temperance, and such the opposition of its enemies, that the attempt failed. REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 375 of many waxed cold. Even the Christians trained in that era Were not equal in character and wortii to the first generation trained in this county. In the description we have now given, we do not mean to coiititic our remarks to the period at which we have arrived. The degeneracy had reached its height about this period, but it began about the end of the last century, and it extended to a greater or less extent over the first quarter of the present. 376 MEMOIR OF THE CHAPTER XVIII. CHRISTIAN AND BENEVOLENT ENTERPRISES. — 1808-1815. *' That the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified." 2 Thcss. iii. 1. After his missionary tour in Prince Edward Island at the time of the induction of Mr. Pidgeon in 1812, we know of no missionary journeys undertaken during the two following years. But he had plenty of work at home. Besides the different sec- tions of his congregation on the East River, he had to give oc- casional supply of preaching to Merigomish. Besides at that time it was customary when the Sacrament of the Supper was dispensed in one congregation, that all the neighbouring minis- ters should assist. This occupied a considerable amount of time in summer, the season most suited for missionary excur- sions. He was also clerk of Presbytery, and though the corres- pondence of the Church at that time was not very voluminous, yet it was sufficient to be felt as an encroachment upon his time.* Besides about this time there was a large influx of emigrants from the Highlands, which continued for several years. These persons occupied the back settlements of the county of Pictou, and some portions of the adjoining counties. Those who set- * Perhaps the war that was then prevailing may have hindered his visits to the neighbouring Provinces, as American Privateers were then frequently on the coast. REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 377 tied in the southern parts of the county naturally fell under his care, and he did what he could for their spiritual welfare. But being the only member of Presbytery able to preach in Gaelic, with the exception of Mr. Ross, who was imperfect at it, he was also frequently called to visit other settlements. Of such visits the following will serve as a sample. Being urgently so- licited to go out to the back of Rogers' Mill, to preach to the Highlanders there, he consented if Mr. Ross would find a man to accompany hiui. Mr. John Douglass was the person selected. When they reached the place, they found a man who had come fifteen miles to hear sermon. The Doctor immediately said, *' We need not complain of the distance we have come." He preached twice on Sabbath to a large congregation. As the service was concluding he said to Mr. Douglass, "John,* there is a large number of people here, how would it do to give them an- other sermon to-morrow '/" Mr. Douglass replied, " We can only get home to-morrow, and if you have preaching early you can do that afterward." He accordingly intimated preaching the next day at 10 o'clock. Squire MacCara, with whom he lodged, promised to have dinner ready when sermon was over, that he might not be detained. When the sermon, which was in Gaelic, was about concluding, Mr. MacCara asked Mr. Douglass if he was near done. Mr. Douglass replied that he was. Mr. Mac- Cara sped away to have dinner ready. But a moment after two old women came in, who had so exerted themselves to get there, that the perspiration was coming through their hair and wetting their caps. The Doctor immediately resumed his dis- course, and preached almost as much longer. When they came to Mr. MacCara's, dinner was cold. The Squire said, " We must blame Mr. Douglass, for he told me that you were nearly done." Mr. Douglass replied, " We must blame Doctor Mac- Gregor, for he lengthened out his discourse." " W"e must blame * It should have been mentioned before that it was then the common way to address one another b}' their christian names. Doctor MacGregor encour- aged his people in using the same style to himself. Hence he was often ad- dressed as .James, more especially by the Gaelic people. 32* 878 MEMOIR OF THE the old women/' said the Doctor. He then explained how it happened. " Oh, if that's the way," said the Squire, " we must not complain." It is time however that we refer to his efforts on hehalf of the missionary and benevolent institutions of the age. His in- terest in these had been practically manifested previous to tlie time in his history at which we have arrived, but from this time exertions were more systematic and extensive, and we wished to describe his efforts on behalf of different measures together. From the incidents already recorded, it will have been appa- rent, that he was always remarkable for his charitable dona- tions. During the whole of his ministry, there were numbers of new settlers arriving, who were for some years very poor. Often did he relieve such, particularly by giving them supplies of seed in spring. For such objects the sums sometimes given were for his circumstances very large. Thus a minister known to be very poor having visited him, and spent some weeks with him, he, on his departure, gave him £6 to buy a cow. As this minister died in 1799, this must have happened in the early part of his ministry. Indeed had it not been for the economy of himself and his wife, and their good management of their farm, his liberality might have embarrassed him in his worldly affairs. This charity was in a number of instances returned into his own bosom. One curious example may be given. A sister of his, in humble circumstances, was on her way to Canada in an emigrant vessel with her family. On passing the coast of Nova Scotia, she expressed a wish that she were on land with her brother. One asked who was her brother there ? She replied, " Doctor MacGregor, a minister in Pictou." The cook having heard this, told them that he had once landed at Pictou, after being shipwrecked, that the Doctor himself had come down to the wharf and taken off his own top coat and given it to him. He had also provided him with employment during the winter. The poor fellow was so grateful for this kindness that, during the rest of the voyage, he could not do enough for them. REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 379 But, considering the character of his own labours, and the missionary spirit which had ever characterized him, we might expect, that when the great movements of the present day for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom commenced his heart would be deeply interested in them. Accordingly, from their very outset, he watched their progress with the liveliest feel- ings of delight, and gratitude to the Great Head of the church. Intelligence from abroad was then only received at distant in- tervals, but when received was doubly welcome. People used to say that they could tell when he had received missionary tidings from abroad, by his preaching on the Sabbath after. The information thus received he diligently circulated among the people, and as soon as circumstances permitted, he endea- voured to enlist their sympathies practically in support of the leading Christian enterprises of the day. This it must be observed was no easy matter. It is always a matter of some difficulty to bring a church unaccustomed to ef- forts of the kind, to do its duty. This was more difficult at the commencement of Missions, for then every thing was new. But it was especially difficult in his position in a new country, with a sparse population, the church consisting of a very few congregations, — many of its members poor, the large majority maintaining themselves only by hard labour, and scarcely any wealthy, and thinking themselves scarcely able to maintain the gospel among themselves. Indeed many would have considered that he would have been perfectly justified in not making any appeal to his people at all on the subject, more particularly when it was considered how imperfectly the stipends of himself and his brethren were paid. But his zeal on these subjects was as a consuming fire within his bones, and he engaged in the work with all the ardor of his nature. His success will appear by an account of the principal eflforts of the kind made in his own and the neighbouring congregations. The institution which most deeply enlisted his sympathy, and on behalf of which he first engaged the efforts of his people, was the British and Foreign Bible Society. From the time of 380 MEMOIR OF THE its formation he was interested in its proceedings, and he heard of its progress with intense delight. From an early period he adopted active measures in promoting its objects, both by circu- lating the Scriptures within his own sphere, and by raising subscriptions to aid the operations of the society. From the report of that Institution for the year 1S08, we take the follow- ing extract of a letter from him, dated 4th December, 1807 : Dear Sir : — By tlic reports of tlic British and Foreirjn Bible Society, I see among- their good endeavours, their exertions, in favour of my coun- trymen, in the Highlands of Scotland. Of these many thousands, both Protestant and Catliolic, iiave emigrated both formerly and of late into these parts of America. This district situated about 100 miles north-east of Hali- fax, contains tiOO or 700 families of them, of which the majority are Prot- estants. Atiiong these I have ministered in the gospel about twenty years, in their mother tongue, and for twelve years another minister has served in my neiglibourliood in the same language. There arc also many High- landers in Prince Edward Island, ( formerly St. John,) and Cape Breton ; in the former they make the m«jority of the inhabitants. There is scarcely a corner of the Province, in which they are not to be found. The Catho- lics in general are quite indifferent about the Bible ; but almost all the Pro- testants wish to have it, and as they cannot at present get it in Gaelic, most of them have it in English. Most of the old people cannot understand the English, nor read, but they send their children to school, and these can understand both languages, and of course translate, afler a manner, a chapter for the benefit of their parents, which they generally do, morning and evening. Many of the j'oung generation, and numbers of the old, can read the Gaelic, for though we have but three or four full copies of the Bihle and a few odd volumes, yet we have plenty of Psalters, Catechisms, and some religious tracts. It would certainly be a great mercy to have Gaelic Bibles somewhat plenty among them. Many could pay for them, but many others could not, especially of the late emigrants, who are very nu- merous. If you could send me fifty copies, or any other number gratis, for the use of the latter, I would distribute them as faithfully as I could. If you could send me fifty copies for sale, I would send you the pny as soon as I could, though I cannot now mention the exact time. More might bo sent for afterwards, if these were f)und productive of the expected advan- tage. Our neighbour Province of New Brunswick is in considerable want of Bibles. May the great author of the Scriptures bless the Society, and prosper their endeavours, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified. I am. Dear Sir, Yours, most sincerely, James MacGregor. REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 381 The above exhibits in a striking point of view the scarcity of the Scriptures in Gaelic, even at the beginning of this century. Similar destitution existed in the Highlands of Scotland. The Society, which had just published a version of the Scriptures in Gaelic, promptly met his request, and large supplies of the Scriptures both in Gaelic and English were forwarded. In the year 1808 we find Bibles and Testaments sent on his recom- mendation to Mr. Mortimer for sale, and in the same year we find reported among the Society's operations, a grant of 500 Bibles and Testaments in Gaelic to Nova Scotia and Canada. A portion of these were sent to him, and the Secretary says, in a letter: " Of those entrusted to your care, the Committee vo- ted them for sale or gratuitous distribution, according to your discretion ; therefore if you can find persons desirous of a Bible, who are too poor to purchase one at a reduced price, you have a discietion to give them one, although if they pay but a trifle for it, they would take greater care of it, and perhaps read it oftener than if it were given to them gratis." From the manner in which the last mentioned grant is men- tioned, as well as from some of the correspondence, it would al- most appear as if the committee considered Nova Scotia as somewhere in the back-woods of Canada, and Quebec on the direct route to it. The following extract of a letter of the Doctor's, written probably in 1812, regarding another lot, seems to indicate this, or at all events shows the difficulty of commu- nication at that time. On February 7th, I received yours of May 20th, 1811. The duplicate I received some time before. The books are still in Quebec. They were put on board tlie brig Peggy, Cap. Richard Smith, for Halifax. She met with a violent gale, and had to go back to Quebec in distress, and there slie stayed all winter, but we expect her early in summer. As the harbour of Quebec is frozen four or five moiitlis in tlie year, and as the coninmni- cation between Nova Scotia and Quebec is not frequent even in summer, it is easier for us to get any thing from London than from Quebec. If the Society should have occasion to send us any more books the better vi'ay will be to wait for a vessel bound for Halifax, or Pictou. I have gotttn information that the most part of the Peggy's cargo was damaged, but that the books narrowly escaped. May kind Providence watch over them 382 MEMOIR OF THE Still. I spoke to Mortimer's clerk, ( liimself not being at lionic,) concern- ing' tiie books sent iiini in 18Q8. His excuse was, tliat it is not their cus- tom to pay f^)r consignments till they are sold, and that these books were not sold till very lately, owing to their not having the metre Psalms, but he said they would be paid now. When these Bibles arrived tliey excited the greatest interest. Persons, whose recollection extends that fiir back, describe the scene, when they were opened, as like the gatherinir, which we may sometimes see in our villages, of boys crowding around an apple-cart. We may mention here that so well known and appreciated were his attainments as a Gaelic scholar, that when this society published their first edition, they requested him to give it a careful revision, and mark any errors that he might observe. We find the following in a letter from the Secretary, under date, 2.5th September, 1810 : " You will oblige the Committee by sending to me your list of errata in the Gaelic Bible, by a spring packet, and should any others be afterward observed by you, the list of them may follow." He accordingly examined it with great care, and made a considerable list of errata, as appears from the following ex- tract of a letter written about the year 1812 : "The above list is doubtless incomplete. Few of the errata will dis- turb a common reader. If I observe more, I will mark them. In two or three instances I was guided only by my own knowledge of the language. Eccl. xii. 6, and Isa. li. 6, seem wrong in the first edition, and tliough it is pretty evident that they are typographical mistakes, yet, as I would wish no dependence to be had on my judgment, I would like these in- stances to be referred to better judges. There is another erratum which I have marked, in about 300 places, and I doubt not but it occurs much oftener; for it is so small that it was long before I noticed it. It is an apostrophe, which in certain situations stands for the possessive pronoun /»'.», and is i)laced before the word with which the possessive agrees. It is a late in)provement, and useful, but many readers will not notice it. In the London Edition it is omitted oftener than it is printed, before the Pro- verbs; but after that book I observed one omission only. I have made a separate list of these." From an early period too, he began to raise subscriptions REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 883 among his people for the promotion of the objects of the society. We find a letter from the Secretary of the Institution, acknowl- edging a letter from him of 4th of June, 1809, enclosing a bill for £80 sterling, and referring also to one previously sent for £04. These sums were, doubtless, in part sent as payment for copies of the Scriptures sold, but old persons recollect that about the year 1808 or 1809, he called on them, and having set before them what the Institution was doing, appealed to them for a contribution, to promote its objects, which they gave. So that a portion of these remittances, we cannot say how much, was given as a free contribution. At length after a consultation among the brethren it was re- solved to form a society, for the more efficient carrying out of the objects of the institution, and a meeting was held at the West River for the purpose. He preached on the occasion from 2 Thess. iii. 1. — " That the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified." The following, which contains a rough sketch of the first part of his sermon on the occasion, may be worthy of preservation : "That tlic word of the Lord might have free course and be g-lorified was ihe great desire of tiie apostle Paul. To tliis end all his endeavours were directed, for he knew that the Holy Scriptures alone were able to make sinners wise unto salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus. This is the river that makes glad the city of our God, and it was the desire of the apostle, that it might flow in an even channel gladdening the nations to the ends of the earth. The word of the Lord has free course when in- stead of being neglected or opposed, it is rightly received as tiie saving and sanctifying truth of God; and it is glorified, when its life and power arc displayed in the humble, holy, and lovely conversation of true believers. Such a conversation glorifies the word, &c. No other cause is adequate to produce such an effect. " We all ought to imitate Paul in his strong and active zeal to give free course to the word of the Lord. Our zeal must be languid indeed, if it is not animated and encouraged by the present appearance of Providence. Who does not rejoice at the strong and rapid course which is given to the word of the Lord in our d,iy, especially since the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society ? How great things has it done in a few years ! What, a grand prospect does it open to our view ! and who would not wish it a thousand times stronger than it i?, that it might circulate the Scrip- tures * * among the hundreds of millions who inhabit the globe ? 384 MEMOIR OP THE "To give you a clearer idea of the propriety of formingr ourselves into a Bible Society, that we may have tlic honour of contributing a share in help- ing forward the work of the Lord, we shall, I. give you a general idea of the course which the word of the Lord has to run, II. What is now doing to give it a course, and III. some encouraging considerations. "The Scriptures themselves sliow that the word of the Lord must have a course till it reaches tlie ends of tlic earth. God hath given Christ the Heathen. All tlie ends of the earth shall, &c. All kings shall serve him, Hab. ii. 14; Mnl. i. 11. "God has divided the earth into four grand divisions, Europe, Asia, Airica, and America. Tiirec of these, Euro|)e, Africa, and America, are supposed to contain in round numbers, one hundred and fifty millions each, and Asia five hundred millions. Wc would not vouch for the accuracy of these computations, but they may serve the jiurpose. It is probable that there are more Jews and Mahometans in Europe than there are Chris- tians in Asia and Africa. But supposing them equal, we have in these three divisions one hundred and firty millions of Christians, and six hun- dred and fifty millions of heathen. Suppose Americ.D, 413 your mind on this point, that I may represent it to the Presbytery at their next meeting'. He is very willing to endure hardsiiips." The prospects of the united body wore for a time most fa- vourable. The Academy had gone into successful operation, and several ministers arrived from Scotland, within the two or three years following. At the time of the union, the Synod was divided into three Presbyteries, Halifax, Truro, and Pictou, and soon after another was formed in Prince Edward Island, and another in New Brunswick. But the fair prospects before the Church were soon blighted by causes to which we must now advert. "We have seen that it was the design of the founders of our church to unite Presbyterians of different names in one body, and that for this purpose a basis was adopted in which all could cordially unite, and that at first the measure was successful. With a single exception, all the ministers of the Church of Scotland in the Province went into the union. The plan was also cordially approved by some of the best ministers of that body in the mother country. About that time Doctor MacGre- gor was in friendly correspondence with several of its ministers in the Highlands, particularly Doctor MacDonald, of Ferintosh, Mr. Macintosh, of Tain, Mr. John Kennedy, of Killearnan, and Mr. Stewart, of Dingwall. It is well known, that these men were the pillars of evangelical truth in the North of Scot- land. In the course of correspondence. Doctor MacGregor had laid before them in full the basis of union, and the plans of the church. The following extract of a letter from Mr. Macintosh will show how cordially they were approved by these men. " The details relative to the state of religion and irreligion in your part of the world arc truly affecting. You have much need of daily supplies of spiritual wisdom and understanding, and I doubt not but your God in covenant gives you grace corresponding to your need. Opposition in the lath of duty you may expect to meet with, but you will overcome through ilhii tiiat loveth you. Wlien you and I think that the stripling David killed Goliath in single combat, and that infallibility hath promised that 35* 414 MEMOIR OF THE worm Jacob sliall tlirasli the monntains and beat them small, we onght to be courag-eous, when most sensible of our own weakness and of the power of our enemies. Indeed it lias often been a source of encouranrement to my- self, ti)at 'God linih chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, tStc.' He hath endowed you with gifts and graces, suited to the important station, to which he has called you — but it is only in the strength oi" tiie grace that is in Christ Jesus, tliut you can honourably pro- ceed in tlic path of duty and prosper. " It rejoiced my heart to learn that you have some worthy brethren in that country, who unite with you in forwarding the best of causes. Their counsel and co-operation will refresh and invigorate your soul. Oh, may you all be of one heart and one way I You have many adversaries; but that will be expected by all who know the history of the church of God in past ages. I have had some very intemperate letters from men who do not approve of your plans and principles. You may believe that I made no reply to such communications. The writers do not seem to be candid and open to conviction, — and I had not leisure, health, or inclination to en- gage in controversy. Your statement of facts has fully satisfied my mind, respecting the real cause of all the opposition which you and your serious friends have met with. I am grieved to learn that your plan of union has failed.* Accounts of the disputes among you, subsequent to the date of your letter, were truly vexatious to me. 1 admire the Catholic and Chris- tian sjjirit displayed in the attempt to unite evangelical ministers and se- rious Christians, without making any sacrifice of principle. The plan promised to be productive of the happiest effects, and I hope it will bo adopted at some future period." t The correspondence, of which the above is a specimen, con- tinued several ^-ears. The most of the letters have peri.slied, but those familiar with them describe the correspondence as having been as interesting in its nature aa it was Christian in its spirit. They freely unfolded to each other their plans for advancing the common cause, they described their trials and sympathized with each other under them ; but they particularly rejoiced to tell of what God had done, and was still doing, in their respective spheres. It has been mentioned to us, that they resolved to fix upon an hour, when both he and they should engnge in prayer, for the success of the gospel. Eight o'clock on Saturday eve- ning was the time agreed upon. The good men forgot to make allowance for the difference of time. But, no matter. Could there have been a more delightful exhibition of the spirit of * This refers to the failure in 1815, already menlioned. t Before tLis letter was written the union b.id actually takeu place. REV. JAMES MACUREOOR, D.D. 415 union, than tliis one proceeding, or a more impressive evidence of the real union subsistinj^ between the genuine followers of the Lamb, though separated by broad oceans, or what seemed far more difficult to pass, the earth-built walls of sectarian sepa- ration. At that time, as we have mentioned, Pictou was rapidly fil- ling up with Highland immigrants. Those after their arrival were under the ministry of Doctor MacGregor and his asso- ciates, who contented themselves with preaching the gospel to them, without pressing upon them any of the peculiarities of the secession. The secession was little known in the High- lands, except by unfavourable report, and those who came from that quarter were not only attached to the Church of Scotland, but many had a blind prejudice, and an ignorant bigotry re- garding the ministers of any other body. To accommodate them, it was resolved to make an effort to obtain for them min- isters from the Establishment. Besides more distant settle- ments requiring pastors, one was needed between the sphere of Mr. Ross's labours on the West River, and Doctor MacGrcg- or's on the East. Accordingly, it was resolved that an effort be made to obtain a minister to be settled there, and though the old settlers and their descendants preferred the secession, they were willing to receive one whom Doctor MacGregor might recommend. And as the majority, embracing the back settle- ments, preferred the Church of Scotland, Doctor MacGregor was appointed to correspond with the ministers already mentioned to secure, if possible, for that and other places, ministers of that body, such as they might recommend. These ministers entered cordially into these views, and used their best exertions to carry them out. More than once they had their attention directed to individuals preparing for the ministry, whom they thought suitable, but before they were ready to be sent, circumstances occurred either to prevent their coming, or to prevent these ministers from recommending them. And, at length they were reluctantly obliged to acknowledge themselves unable to meet the wishes of their brethren in this 416 MEMOIR OF THE country. This will be seen by an extract from the letter of ]Mr. Maclntoi^h, from which we have already quoted : " But, it is time for me to tell you that Mr. Stewart and I liavc not succeeded in obtaining a preacher wliom we could recommend to you. Far from being indifferent to the great objects of your letters, or insensible of our own obligations to do every tiling in our power for accomplishing tiiat object, we had serious consultations among ourselves, and witii seve- ral of our brethren, — and wrote to the South of Scotland, enquiring if a person possessed of the qualifications you describe, could be found who would accept of your offer, — but I am sorry to tell you, that none has oc- curred as yet, that we could send to that part of the Lord's vineyard. Those that we would think best qualified would not leave their situations in this country. Indeed we have few preachers of any description in this part of the country. But I do not wish to expose the nakedness of the land. Mr. Stewart and I have advised with the most intelligent and zealous ministers in the North of Scotland, — but did not hear of any that would suit your purpose, and was willing to go to America. There is a Mr. , a student of divinity, who offered himself, and expected to be licensed with the view of going to that country, but we declined to recommend him, un- til we were better satisfied as to his steadiness and views of church gov- ernment. He is recommended to us as a serious young man, possessed of respectable talents, and we hope that he is so. But we know that he has been reeling some years ago, and we would think him very ill-suited to your part of the country, unless he be steel to the back. * * I understand that you have got a Gaelic preacher into some part of that country in course of last summer or harvest. But it is quite unnecessary for me to say anything about him. I hope that your intended Academy may prosper." To show how this spirit prevailed among his brethren, we shall quote part of a letter from the Rev. John Kennedy of Killearnan : "It is a pity that the living members of the mystical body should be separated by little external differences, while they are found holding the head. I readily admit the truth and force of what you wrote of many, who were here members of the Church of Scotland, as ignorantly holding by her in name when they go over the water, and so foolishly in the ex- treme fbrfeit to themselves the inestimable privilege of having the gospel preaclied in other connections. I am surprised how any, who really know the truth as it is in Christ, could ever think of living separately from the spiritual members of your connection. Is it not the same Christ that all gospel ministers preach? Is it not the same spirit that applies to all the redemption purchased by Christ, and that carries on in all converted sin- ners the work of internal sanctification ? Is it not the same hope, to REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 417 which nil quickened sinners arc begotten by llic resurrection of Jesus Clirist from tlie (lend? Is it not from the same iiiexliaustiblc store, tliat all those commissioned by Christ to preach the jrospcl, have their provis- ion, and when it pleased him to place tiie treasure in eartlien vessels, did he not reserve the cxcelh'ncy of the power for himself? I regret that spir- itual believers should look upon themselves as of Paul or of Apollos. J trust tliat things continue flourishing witii you. I trust that your College is in a prosperous way, and tliat it will prove a thriving nursery for the churcii of Nova Seotia. The eimreh in Nova Scotia finds a daily place in my prayers." Well liad it beea for the interests of vital godliness in tbis Province if the spirit of these men had animated the other ministers of the Church of Scotland. That unhappy schism from which Presbyterianism in this Province has scarcely yet recovered would have been averted. But from these letters it will be seen, that while there was so much that promised well for the extension of the common cause, elements of a very dif- ferent nature were at work, which were soon to issue in a most painful and unnatural strife. Of this, so far as it affected Doc- tor MacGregor, we must now give an account, though we should be happy could the whole, with a due regard to historic truth, be buried in oblivion. We shall give a calm narrative of events, stating the facts as impartially as we are able, and with as much tenderness to the feelings of surviving relatives of persons whose conduct may be impugned, as truth will allow; and we shall as much as possible employ the language of others. The following is from Doctor BlacCulloch's letters to Doctor Burns : " At the time that Doctor MacGregor was eagerly pressing forward in his career of benevolence, his congregation and several others around him, were visited with an inundation of Highlanders, under the spiritual guid- ance of some of those pests of the Highlands, who contrive to earn a sub- sistence, not by honest industry, but by travelling from house to house, and retailing their trash, as the devout saws of this good minister, and that pious old woman. Finding their ghostly instructions neither prized nor productive in Pictou, tiiey contrived to infuse into their followers a spirit of dissatis.'iiction with Doctor MacGregor and other clergymen around him. These complained that the ministers of Pictou neither preached the gospel, nor would prosecute the witches, by whom some of them were grievously tormented ; and what was a greater stumbling-block still, they 418 MEMOIR OF THE found tliat in Piclou those who wish the gospel must support its ministers. As llic safest and clieapcst course, tliereforc, tiicy withdrew from the pub- lic ordinances of religion ; atone time, edifying each other in tlicir folly, and at aiiotlier, receiving the ministrations of any strolling vagabond, who chanced to visit them; till from a belief that a minister from the Church of Scotland would be paid by the king, they obtained from the isle of Mull, your Correspondent, tiie Rev. Donald Frascr, to preach to them the true gospel, and give tlie witches their due." It uiay be stated however, that the witches gave most trouble in Mr. Ross's congregation. When he refused his assistance to put a stop to their doings, two of his church members actu- ally went down to the Gulf, to secure the aid of the Koman Catholic priest, for the purpose. Mr. Ross, at length, preached a sermon on the subject, which gave such offence that a number never went to hear him again. On the East River the division principally originated with a man named Holmes. He was one of those men who make great pretensions to superior sanctity, but who, from the circumstance of their religion chiefly manifesting itself in making loud and long prayers, are regarded by some as men of the deepest piety, and by others as unquestionable hypocrites. He had arrived, a few years previous to this, in poverty, and had been most kindly treated by Doctor MacGregor and his people. The Doctor per- mitted him to act as a Catechist on the P^ast River, but would not provide him with pay. His labours in this capacity were not gene- rally valued; and on several occasions his expositions of Scripture, and statements of doctrine, were disputed by men, who were as well informed on such subjects as himself. During his vis- its round, he soon began to give out that they had not the gos- pel in Pictou, and to endeavour to produce discontentment among the people with their minister. Soon after he left for the United States, to see a brother there — Doctor MacGregor even collecting money, to help to pay his expenses. After two years he returned, complaining, that during his absence he had only heard two ministers who preached the gospel, '' and they were Seceders." On his return he for a time resumed attendance upon Doctor REV. JAMES iMACOREGOR, D.D. 419 MacGregor's ministrations, but very soon began to excite dis- satisfaction in the iiiinds of those, whom he could influence. Some of those who joined him had previously expressed them- selves higlily pleased with Doctor MacGregor's preaching. Their great fear, they said, in coming to Nova Scotia was that tiiey would not hear the gospel, but they were rejoiced to find that it was as purely preached here as in Scotland. But now through Holmes' representations, they were persuaded that the gospel was not preached at all in Pictou. A case of discipline occurring about this time rendered him still more dissatisfied with tlie church here. The party thus formed began holding meetings of their own on Sabbath after the Gaelic service, though many of them understood English well enough to have attended service in that language. After this they sent to Scotland a man named IMacStephen, to get a minister for them, but the vessel in which he sailed never was heard of* We shall now quote the words of the late Alexander Grant, originally published in a Provincial newspaper in the year 1840: " The Doctor preached a sermon about this time, at the suggestion of the Session — upon the 13th verse of the 13th chapter of Hebrews. The sermon was not tlie oceasion of dissension, but dissension was tlie occa- sion of the sermon. A number of illiterate men from the Highlands of * A Mr. MacKay, who afterward settled at New London, Prince Edward Island, and who came out with some of the leaders of the party, but who refused to join in their opposition to Doctor MacGregor, informed the Rev. A. MacGillivraj', that he was the last who parted from this man on his departure. He said to him as they parted, "I cannot think that you will prosper, and I cannot wish you to prosper, for your errand is not good. You are going home with a falsehood. You are going to tell that Doctor MacGregor does not preach the gospel. It is not true. I have watched him and know that he preaches it as^urely as any minister in Scotland. Besides this, the min- isters in the North know Doctor MacGregor's character and will not believe you. I have heard mini.«ters of great name, both in the North and South of Scotland, and I have remarked that some were great in preaching the law and its terrors, and others in preaching Christ's love to sinners. I have watched Doctor MacGregor, and cannot tell what he is greatest at. He is great at every thing ho turns to." Thus they jwrtedj and for ever in this life. 420 MEMOIR OP THE Scotland — men who while at home separated themselves from the com- munion of the clmreh, having become wise in their own eye?, and deter- mined to refuse instruction, bcg-an to disturb this congregation by assert- ing tliat the Seceders were not Presbyterians at all. Tliose captious and bigotted individuals faulted the Doctor very much too, for his reproving them and others for their foolish notions respecting witchcraft. The Doc- tor, having been informed of these i7iattcrs by the members of Session, re- solved, at their suggestion, to prcacii a discourse, illustrative of the scrip- tural constitution of tlic Secession Church. This he did from the text already mentioned. This discourse did not contain a single sentiment cal- culated to offend any reasonable man. He stated that all wiio entered the cluirch Contrary to the regulations establislied by Christ, climbed over the wall, and consequently were thieves and robbers — that the Secession min- isters and elders came in by the door — that they were chosen by the peo- ple and ordained by the Presbytery, in conformity with the practice of the apostles and primitive Christians. It was at this time, that one of these fault finders exclaimed from tlie outside of the church, ' Christ is the door.' To this the Doctor at the time paid no attention, but proceeded with his wonted calmness in the illustration of his subject. 'Some individuals among you,' says he, ' affirm tliat we are not Presbyterians — that we liave no Presbytery. I can assure you that we have a Presbytery, and such a Presbytery, as cannot be found within tlie four posts of the Church of Scotland. We have a Presbytery in which there is neither a minister nor elder, that did not come in by the door. They have been chosen to their offices by the voice of the people, and ordained in obedience to the author- ity of the Head of the Church. In the Church of Scotland there is not a Presbytery in which there are not to be found some members that did not come in by the door. Ministers, instead of being chosen by the congre- gation, are often presented by the patron, and the congregations are com- pelled to submit to the patron's choice, let the qualifications of the presen- tee be what they may.' "On the Monday after this sermon was announced, there was a con- gregational meeting, at tlie West Branch, at which C. M'L. was present; under the influence of a very bad feeling, tliis man stated that Doctor Mac- Gregor in his sermon yesterday declared that there were, between the four posts of tlie Church of Scotland, but tliieves and robbers. I at once con- tradicted the man, by telling him that the Doctor never declared such a thing; but that he said there was not a Presbytery of the Church of Scot- land which did not contain some members that did not come in by the door, that is by the will of the patron, without the consent of the congre- gation. I told him at the same time he would have to account fiir what he said. There were men present whom I called to bear witness. I then gave him up to the Session. After some time he appeared, and admitted that he had spoken in the above mentioned manner. The Doctor being present, denied having used such an expression. He said that though Christ was before him, tiiough heaven was on the one side, and hell on the other, and that though liis avoiding the one and gaining the other depended REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 421 on the truth of that statement, he would deny his ever having made it — that he had as ord and Saviour Jesus Christ, according to his capacity and oppor- tiiiiily. 'J'liercforc a child must be diligent to gain acquaintance with the truth — to know (^lirist as God and man, in his threefold office of prophet, priest, and king; his obedience, sufferings, and death, to be for sinners, to free t!:em from iiell and pureiiase heaven for them ; the new birth, his [enter- ing upon] the way vi'herein a cliild should go. If one is not born again he cannot see tlie kingdom of God ; the love of Christ [inviting] to the way wherein a child should go. He encourages the love of children, by say- ing, " Suffer the little children to come unto me," and by saying, " Have ye never read, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, (fcc." He took a little child and set him in the midst, saying, "Whoso recciveth one such little child, &c.," and "Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which be- lieve in me, &.C." Matt, xviii. 2, 5, 6. But in order to know Christ as a precious Saviour, children must know their sins, their guilt and follies ; and to know their sin it is necessary that tiiey know the law which forbids sin, and they must believe the Bible account of the entrance of sin into the world. II. The training. A child knows no other way until he is taught, but God has made him capable of being taught very young, as we may see by his receiving teaching in temporal things; and he hath provided them parents, friends, and teachers, capable of training them. And an honour- able and important charge he hath committed to them. " Take tiiis child and nurse it for me." In training, their minds must be informed and directed. 1. They must be informed of tlie truths mentioned before, according to their capacity, and in as plain terms as possible. They must be fed with milk not with strong meat. Timothy. His mother taught him to know the Scriptures from his childhood. Those who (rain must mark if they understand, and when they do not, endeavour to make it plainer. Teach tliem first easy things. 2. They must be directed and showed how to do their duty. Christ taught his disciples to see, to feel, &e. Hos. xi. 1-4. The way must be strewed with roses. Difficulties and prejudices removed; with a strict adherence to truth; their questions must be answered with discretion. [1.] By conversation, Deuf. vi. 6. "Thou shalt teach them diligently to thy cliildren and talk, &c." Religion should be tiie talk of the parents, that they can say, " We cannot but speak the things which we see and hear." This is too seldom done. The children would mind it like other things, if it were commonly talked of. [2.] Rj teaching them to read and understand the word of God, by giv- ing them questi'jns, psalms, &c., to learn and understand, and to teach 40 470 MEMOIR OF THE them to find Christ in tlicir questions and psalms, since he is really in them. [3.] By example. — Children are apter to feel example than precept. HI. Tills is a kind and good promise hy the God of love and truth, to induce trainers to train diligently, and children to be trained. 1. This promise is always actually i'ulfilled when it can be fairly pleaded. It lias often been visibly accomplished in the preservation of the children of godly parents, from forsaking the way of duty. Tlie greater part of them will keep the way, ( in which they were trained,) but God often exceeds his promise by taking untrained sinners under his gracious cliarge. 2. It would always be visibly aecomplislicd if there were no fault in the training of parents especially, wliieh prevents the aceomplishment of tlie promise. Good people train tlieir children with great satisfaction till they think tlicm out of danger, and then they slack their hand, and the children find the world too strong for them." This Society was for several years very successful, and did a large amount of good throughout the County of Pictou and adjoining districts. It employed agents in establishing schools where they did not exist, and in visiting those that did exist; it imported the improved lesson-books, and library-books, pub- lished by the British and American Sabbath-school Unions, as well as by private publishers ; raised funds which were em- ployed in supplying these books to the poorer settlements. In this way the Society was the means of introducing Sabbath- school instruction in many quarters, and of improving the char- acter of the teaching given in their instructions throughout the country. It was customary to have an annual sermon preached on its behalf in Pictou. That for 1826 was preached by him, of which the following notice appeared in the Acadian Recorder, for October 21st of that year: On the evening of Sabbath the 1st inst., there was preached in the Provincial Presbyterian Church, by tlie Rev. Doctor MacGrcgor, tiie annual sermon on behalf of tiie Pictou Sabbath-school Society. Tlie ])as- sage selected as a text was Prov. viii. 17. " I love them that love me, and tliey that seek me early shall find me." The discourse was higlily appro- priate, and obviously excited very great interest. Tiiis was marked in the countenances of old and young. The earnestncs.s and elocjuence of the venerable gentleman seemed to arise in no small degree from the quality REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 471 of a great portion of tlic audience, entering upon human life fraught with p^iinful and dangerous vicissituiies. To guard thcni against tiiese was the design of his instructions; and witii tlio same view lie particularly recom- mended the Sabbath-school sj'stem. He stated that for the space of forty years he had preached the gospel in tiie district of Pietou, tliat although he had reason to conclude, tiiat his ministrations had been the means of spiritual benefit to some, that others, though enjoying the same opportu- nities, had turned out "miscreants and nuisances in society." His con- clusion was, that had Sabbath-schools, during all this period, been in exis- tencc, and judiciously managed, the amount of Christian morality in the scenes where he had laboured, might have been much greater. Tlic na- ture of the means employed, as also the extensive experience of past years, indicate the correctness of his sentiment. The society in Pietou is gradually gathering strength. Tliis, the annual reports sufficiently show. The following extract of a letter, dated Pietou, February 13th, 1827, will show the prosperous state of the society at this time: " This day the annual meeting of the Pietou Sabbath-school Society was held in the old Presbyterian Church. The report gave a very flattering account of the state of the schools in operation, under the direction of this institution. The number of schools in connection with it is 77, of pupils attending 2335, and of teachers, 198, of whom 19 are females. During the course of last year, the increase of schools is 20 ; of scholars, 628 ; and of instructors, 73. Within the same period, books have been imported to the amount of £104, 10s Qd, sterling, and the vol- umes circulated, by donation and sale, are 6950. There are besides libraries attached to many of the schools belonging to the Society. As long as he lived he took a deep interest in the proceed- ings of the Society, and took an active part in the promotion of its objects. The Society sank a few years after his death, but not until its work was accomplished, by Sabbath-school instruc- tion having been established as part of the regular congrega- tional machinery throughout the adjoining districts. In carrying on these Christian enterprises, some even of his brethren in the ministry took but little interest, and he era- ployed tongue and pen in exciting them to greater exertions of 472 MEMOIR OF THE the kind. The following letter of this kind was written to the Itcv. Kobort iJuutilass, nut indeed because he was remit^s in the Work, but merely with the view of enlisting him in these un- dertakings, he having but recently arrived in the country, and been newly settled in the congregation of Onslow : " Rev. and Dear Sir : — I am sure tliat if your zeal is not more live]}' than mine, it is botli a sin and siianie to you, for you are in your prime and 1 am far past it. It is true, your missionary excursions have been but sliort, but still they might give you a specimen of tlie deplorable state of the country at largo, for want of the means of instruction. I have seen the principal places in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton, and I know that they are in a most pitiable condition. In all New Brunswick there are only two Presbyterian ministers, the same in Prince Edward Island, and none at all in Cape Breton. Six Sabbaths and some week-day sermons I believe is all the Calvinistic gospel that ever Cape Breton enjoyed. There are many settlements in it that never heard a sermon. There is the same in New Brunswick, at least a Calvin- istic sermon, and I fear the same may be said of several settlements in this Province. Sheffield, after waiting (as they say) twelve years for a minister from the church of Nova Scotia, has petitioned the London Mis- sionary Society. Wlien God shall ask us, why did you leave all these in your neighbour, hood so long without exerting yourselves to obtain ministers for tiiem ? — I know no better answer we can make than Cain's, — " Am I my brother's keeper?" Cape Breton requires two ministers immediatLl}', — Prince Ed- ward Island, three besides Nicol ; New Brunswick, four or five ; and this Province four or five. Though these fifteen were had within a year, other fifteen would be needed in the course of four or five years, for there are many settlements now weak, that will by that time be able to receive ministers. Indeed the whole country is fast filling up with siimers, but we seem to be fast asleep, and taking no notice of their growth, nor ma- king any commensurate provision for them. Mr. Sprott, and a poor twenty pounds to help out a Gaelic minister, is all the provision we have made, which at best is very inadequate to the demand. You may think that several of these places I allude to are not able to maintain ministers just now, and 1 grant it, but the blame is wholly ours, who neglected them ; for had we duly nursed them I believe we miglit have fifteen con- gregations in our church, which we have not tliis day. At the rate that wc are going on, we will not supply half of the demand for Presbyterian ministers through this country. And what must be the consequences? " It must be that enlargement, and deliverance will arise to them from another place, and we shall be confounded." Siiefficld, and with it the must of New Brunswick, bids far to to be lost by our past negligence, and the very thought of it should cover us with confusion, and arouse us to make vigorous efforts for saving the other congregations. REV. JAMES MACGREQOR, D.D. 478 If you ask, what shall I do? the answer to that question is the main de- sign of this letter. I say tiicn, stir up yourself, — your neighbour minis- ters, and your congregation to earnest prayer and generous eontribution for the spiritual good of their destitute neigiibours. Take pains to inform yourself and tlicni of the depravation of the country at large, and that its reniody is to be expected Irom tiieni, or from nobody- Inform them of the amazing exertions of tlie European Cliristians, in behalf of tlieir neighbour- hood and tljc world. Inform them of the similar exertions of their breth- ren in the United States, in behalf of all sorts, especially the Indians, Ne- groes, Roman Catholics, and the back settlements ; besides the missionaries to Jerusalem and the East. Say to them, let us go and do likewise. Now be not angry, neither tell me that I may drive my Highlanders so, but your congregation is not to be so driven;* ibr you may depend upon it, that it is by information similar to the above, that the spirit of God hath kindled and spread the flame of zeal so wonderfully and beautifully throughout Christendom. Let me tell you that the same flame will spread through Nova Scotia, and through Onslow ; but of Onslow I am not certain whether they will be content to rank in the rear, or be emulous of setting the hon- ourable example before their neighbours. Much depends upon Mr. Doug- lass; if lie do his part, the people will do theirs, better than he thinks. If Mr. Douglass tiiinks they will pay his stipend worse by contributing to the spread of tlie gospel abroad, he is mistaken, for one duty will not hin- der, but further another. Inform your congregation that ten or fifteen ministers are needed in the church here without delay, and that the Synod funds are utterly inadequate to obtain them. Inform them that the grow- ing demand for ministers cannot be answered from home, and of course that they must help to support an Academy for raising them here. In- form them that we need a printing press, to circulate among us and among our neighbours the wonderful works of God, and that it will be their profit, as well as their duty, to contribute their mite to obtain it. Organize male and female pcnny-a-week Societies without delay, if you have not done it already. Endeavour to make them emulate one another, and other con- gregations with a holy zeal. Let the money be devoted to whatever relig- ious use tiie majority of the society thinks best, but endeavour if possible to get the first of the money appropriated for obtaining at least two copies of the Boston Recorder, for circulating religious knowledge through the congregation. It is a weekly paper, containing tlie religious news of al- most all parts of the world, and especially of the United States; and will, I hope, n)ueh increase the number of subscribers. It is published by Na- tlianiel Willis, Rogers' Buildings, Congress Street, Boston. It costs thir- teen shillings and one penny hall-penny, if paid in advance, that is, within * The allusion here is to an incident that occurred at a meeting of Synod at Truro, lie was, as on many occasions, urging the members to greater exertions for the exten- sion of the gospel, and to stimulHte other portions of the church, told what was doing in the congregations in Pictou, when a member of the Truro Presbytery with considerable warmth, exclaimed, "But we cannot drive our people as you do the Pictou Highland- ers." 40* 474 MEMOIR OF THE the first month, and three dollars if paid at six months, and I suppose tlie same if paid at tlie year's end. I foresee an objection to these socielies in the searcity of money, but tliis objfction exists every where, and so it netd not be an obstacle with you more than clsewliere. Money, or produce which can be turned into money, will be gotten for tiie most necessary purposes, and for this, if it be thought a necessary purpose. There are societies in and tlie United States, wliere some give sheep, others lambs, plhers pasturage, and others take them to market, &c. Many a shift will be contrived by zeal- ous souls. Our church could raise five hundred pounds annually without being distressed at the end of ilic j'ear, more than if tlicy raised not one. Twenty congregations of one hundred members paying each a dollar, would make five hundred pounds. With that sum we might do much good : — get the printing press, helj) to support the academy, and pay the passage of a number of preachers ; but, unless we try we can do nothing. " Stir up the gift tliat is in thee." I am. Rev. Dear Sir, Yours, James MacGregor. In the United States there are many societies for giving education for the ministry to poor, pious young men, who cannot educate themselves, and they find it very profitable to the ministry. Could not your congrcga- tion find such a one and educate him ? As the Synod has committed the printing press to me, 1 mean by-and-by to apply to your societies for aid to obtain it. You will therefore be good enough to give me the names of the presidents of your societies.* In the year 1824 he was chosen a second time Moderator of Synod, and at the opening of its session in the following year, he preached the sermon which appears among his remains, on Psal. cxxii. 6. " They shall prosper that love thee." This is the only sermon of his that we have fully written out. Those who recollect his preaching, will at once recognize it, as ex- hibiting his style and mode of thought. It is a sermon which * As formerly mentioned, among the objects proposed after the formation of the Synod ■was the obtaining a printing press for the circulation of religious intelligence. The ■work of collecting money for the object was entrusted to Doctor MacOreuor. lie en- tered cordially into the measure, but did not receive a liberal response. A small press was shortly after presented to the Synod by a lady in Britain, and the scheme was abaii- dnni'd. This press was used for a time in printing Synod documents, and ■was sent cut to the New Hebrides with Uev. Mr. Geddie, the first missionary to that quarter, .ind is now employed by the mission, on the Island of Erromanga. BEV. JAMES MACQREGOR, D.D. 475 in fact pictures himself. It would be scarcely possible to point out any where a sermon in which the author's own character was more clearly delineated. Love to Zion was his great char- acteristic, and he enjoyed through life a large measure both of spiritual prosperity, and we may even say of temporal. Yet in another point of view, partly from the occasion and the subject, the sermon is not considered as a fair specimen of his usual style of preaching, particularly in lacking the fervent appeals both to saints and sinners, which were so frequent on ordinary occasions. In the year 1824 he was also permitted to have the expecta- tion expressed in his letter to Doctor Keir realized of having another minister on the East River. The Upper Settlement, including the East and West Branches, was disjoined with his full concurrence, and the Eev. Angus MacGillivray ordained as the first minister there. The two churches in that quarter had been built previous to the division, and when that took place, the claim of the adherents of the Church of Scotland to the use of them half the time had been conceded for the sake of peace. When the ordination of Mr. MacGillivray was ap- pointed to take place in one of them, some of the Highlanders, in their ignorance, imagined that this implied some mysterious union between him and the building, which would endanger the rights of the Church of Scotland. They therefore employed a lawyer to interpose to prevent such a result. The latter was foolish enough to write a letter to Doctor MacGregor on their behalf, with a view to arrest the proceedings of the Presbytery. It is well known that the branch of the Secession, to which he belonged, took very high ground against all interference of the civil power with the church. His old Antiburgher feeling seems to have been roused by the attorney's conduct, which he regarded as both uncalled for and absurd, and it would appear as if he had determined to follow Solomon's advice, (Prov. xxvi. 5,) and give him such an answer as his impertinence deserved. On the evening previous to the ordination, the brethren were as- 476 MEMOIR OP THE sembled at his bouse, -when he mentioned that he had received such a letter. " And I suppose/' said Doctor MacCuUoch, " that you sent him one of your soft, slippery answers." " If you choose I will read to you what I have written," was his reply. "Let us hear it then." He accordingly read a copy of his reply something to the following effect, " Sir, I have re- ceived a letter from you, but it is so badly written that I am unable to read it. But what I have been able to decipher contains so little sense, that I would decidedly advise you, for the future, to mind your own business and leave the affairs of the church alone." — " That's enough," said Doctor Mac- CuUoch. Nothing more was heard of legal proceedings, but during the ordination services one man stood up and proclaimed aloud, " I protest in the name of the Church o^ Scotland against your marrying that man to this church." Doctor MacGregor said mildly, " Oh, we do not marry him to the walls of the church, it is to the people." The man called upon his friends to follow him, and left the church followed by two or three others. This settlement gave him great pleasure, not only as reliev- ing him of a portion of his labours, but also on account of the people in that quarter, whose numbers had so increased, that they required a separate minister. On parting with them ho preached a tender and affectionate farewell discourse. lie reviewed his labours among them, and contrasted the results upon them in this world and the next. Some who had sat under his ministry had profited by it, and he had no doubt were now in glory; while others, pursuing a different course, he had as little doubt were now in the place of misery. Tn this solemn manner he pressed upon them attention to the gospel of God's Son, as hereafter to be proclaimed to them by another. He also gave them a number of advices as to their duty toward their new minister, and urged them to libe- rality in his support, and for the extension of the gospel, REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D, 477 calling upon them to mark the fact, tliat wliile those, who had been zealous in the support of the church were now the most thriving in their worklly circumstances, those who had from the first disregarded this duty were now worth, notliiug. 478 MEMOIR OP THE CHAPTER XXII. CLOSE OF LIFE — 1825-1830. " I am DOW ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is nt hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith ; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day ; and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing." 2 Tim. iv. 6 — 8. Our narrative now draws to a close. But a few incidents remain to be noted. From the date of Mr. MacGillivray's ordina- tion, there was but the one church in which he statedly preached, and he was thus in his old age relieved of the toil- some labours of his former years. This church, we may re- mark, had been built in the year 1803, on the east side of the river ; and stood till recently, as many of our readers will re- member, just opposite the Albion Mines. We have not felt it necessary to refer particularly to his dis- charge of pastoral duty, since the first years of his ministry, because the description given of his labours then, will apply to subsequent periods, with the exception of such changes as the progress of the country and the improvement among the peo- ple induced. The congregation, as we have seen, was gradually contracted within narrower limits, so that he did not need to spend his nights from home. Roads had been formed, so that travelling was now comparatively easy, till at length about the year 1822, some of the leading men in his congregation com- bined to make him a present of a gig, which was the second on REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 479 the East River, and which served him during the remainder of his days. The people, with the exception of the new set- tlers, had now generally become comparatively comfortable in their worldly circumstances, so that he was not now subjected, either at home or when among them, to the privations of his early years. They had also made considerable advance in reli- gious knowledge, and were regular in the discharge of the duties of Christianity. So that his work was not to lay the foundation by instructing them in the first principles of the oracles of God, nor to form their religious habits ; it was rather to build them up and establish them in the faith which they had embraced. We may remark, that, with the exception of the great out- break in his congregation by the arrival of the ministers of the Kirk, his congregational affairs in general moved on with a calm and uniform course. There were such small difficulties as will occur in every Christian society. His people were nearly all Highlanders, whose tempers are at least peculiar. But being a thorough Highlander himself, he knew exactly how to manage them, and his influence among them was un- bounded. Ofi'ences did come, but seldom had they any refer- ence to himself. But his tact and conciliatory manner were generally successful in removing them without much difficulty. He had now come to old age, and though the hardships of his early years had impaired the vigour of his constitution, yet he was still able' for the efficient discharge of all his pastoral duties. He did not, however, travel to great distances from home; his last journey of any length of which we have any ac- count, was to Musquodoboit in the year 1823, as one of a com- mission of Synod, to decide some mattess in dispute between the congregation there and their minister. He still, however, visited neighbouring congregations, assisting at sacraments, or appealing to their liberality in support of the measures of the church. On behalf of all forms of Christian effort, his zeal was as ardent as ever, and his activity scarcely diminished. His preaching had lost but little of the animation of his early 480 MEMOIR OP THE years, but tin's was more than compensated by the deeper ten- derness of his tones, and by the venerable appearance which age had lent to his form, while all that he said produced a deeper irapresssion from the universal esteem, which his char- acter and labours had excited. In his general bearing the ardour of youth had been mellowed by years into a heavenly meekness and calmness of spirit. Still his soul fired against any dishonour done to his Master, and he reproved sin in all classes as boldly as ever. About this time a gentleman from Britain, having, in company with a relative of his own, built a vessel a little below where now stands the village of New Glas- gow, launched her on the Sabbath. He was much hurt, and not only did he write a faithful letter to each of them, but the first time they went to church they heard their sin set before them in a sermon on the words, " Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." We can scarcely exaggerate the respect with which he was now commonly regarded. Few men had the art of gaining affection as he had. Among the inhabitants of Pictou gene- rally, with the exception of the new settlers, who formed the. Kirk party, his influence was unbounded. That Doctor IMac- Gregor said so, was sufficient to settle all disputes. Perhaps this was more marked from the large proportion of the people being Highlanders, or their descendants, a people who seem peculiarly inclined to strong attachments of this kind. "We just thought," said one man to the writer, " that he could raise the dead." And now that he had a hoary head which was truly a crown of glory, he was universally regarded as " such an one as Paul the aged." Not only through Pictou, but through a large portion of this and the neighbouring colonies, he was regarded with the most loving veneration, such as we might suppose the apostle John received in his old age from the churches of Asia. By his brethren in the ministry he was looked up to as a father, and by the church at large, almost as its founder. Vi-sitors to the county felt it their privilege to see and converse with him as a notability, and we have met with REV. JAMES MACOREQOR, D.D. 481 persons even in the United States, who from such interviews had carried away ineffaceable impressions of the loveliness of his christian character. Yet all the honour and respect shown him, never seemed to kindle a single emotion of vain glory in his bosom, or to produce any other spirit than that of him, who while proclaiming himself as having laboured more abun- dantly than all his brethren, yet regarded himself "as less than the least of all saints." His own feelings at this time were such as any man might envy. The affection and esteem with which he was greeted on all hands would have been gratifying to any mind ; but espe- cially pleasing was it to him, to look back upon the changes which had taken place in his sphere of labour, and to behold what God had accomplished by his instrumentality. How dif- ferent was now the physical state of the country ! — smiling farms and villages had taken the place of the primeval forest. But especially might he be delighted to see the moral wilder- ness rejoicing and blossoming as the rose. Where he had been a solitary labourer, ministering to a few lonely dwellers in the wood, he now saw a community marked by intelligence, virtue, and religion ; and far beyond, where he had planted with much toil and watered with many tears, he saw flourishing Christian societies. He saw a Synod formed, and a church united in measures for the promotion of the kingdom of the Redeemer, and he saw the assurance of her permanence in an institution fur the training of her future ministry. Often did he speak with the liveliest gratitude of what his eyes had seen. - Still he had to suffer what every aged person must endure, the pain of separation from those who have been the compan- ions of his prime. From time to time, one after another of those who had shared his early trials, and had been his comfort and support in the days of trial, preceded him to the presence of his Master. In a New Year's address, about this time, he speaks of their having lost during the previous year two of their elders, and "best friends of the church ever since the gospel came to Pictou." About the year 1827, Robert Mar- 41 482 MEMOIR OF THE shall was called awny, and about the same time Donald MacKay finished his course. On the Sabbath after the latter was bu- ried, the Doctor in commencing his discourse alluded to the event, and said that he might say, as David, '' Know ye not that a prince and a great man is fallen in Israel." After referring to his character, he particularly adverted to his services to himself, and said, that, but for him, he believed that he would have stumbled or given up altogether. Still, in such cases the pain of separation was alleviated by the prospect of an early reunion ; and he loved to think and speak of them as in heaven, and of the near prospect of being with them. Travelling once in company with David Fraser, student, they came to a point where their roads diverged. As they were about to separate, he asked the latter how far he in- tended to go that night ? " To Robert Marshall's," was the reply, the place being still known by his name, though he was dead. The Doctor paused for a moment, as if in thought, and then repeated his question. " To Robert Marshall's," was again the reply. " If you are going to Robert Marshall's, you must go to heaven, and I am going no farther !" A reference to two more subjects will complete our notice of his public life. The first of these to which we mean to di- rect attention, is the unfavourable position which dissenters and dissenting ministers then occupied, both in this and the neigh- bouring Provinces. We are led to advert to this point hero, by a circumstance, which, for the sake of the party concerned, we would have been disposed to pass over, but which we shall advert to, as illustrating this feature of his times. At presentj happily all denominations of Christians in these Colonies, are upon a level as to civil rights. It was not so, however, in Doctor MacGregor's days. The Church of England was not only recognized as the Established Church, but it possessed the ear of Government, and was enabled to thwart the efforts of dissenters to obtain the same privileges as others. The eff'ect of this we have seen in the old Pictou Academy struggles. Dissenters were thus for a long time the objects of suspicion on REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 483 the part of the higher authorities, and their ministers were un- der disabilities, particularly as to the celebration of marriage. In a memorial to the United Secession Churcli, from a Committee of Synod, of which Doctor MacGregor was one, it was said : "Sustaining' tlic cliaractcr of Sccedcrs, except in the establishment of the Seminary in Pictou, we have been thwarted in every application to Government, wliich lias had for its object cither a removal of grievances or the advancement of the interests of our cliurch. Some years ago we who reside in Nova Scotia, applied to our Colonial Legislature to be re- lieved from certain restraints with respect to the celebration of marriage. An act in our favour was accordingly passed, but when it was transmitted to Britain, for His IMajcsty's approbation, there went with it a representa- tion from the Established Church, that we were Scceders, and the Royal assent was withheld. * * Wc may also add tliat the same cause which prevented our success with His Majesty's ministers operates powerfully against us, in the minds of our Provincial authorities. The enemies of Presbyterians possess their ear; and we have neither opportunities, nor that respectability of position, which might enable us to counteract the in- fluence of misrepresentation and prejudice in those circles, where we are known only by report." All the early ministers found themselves under the necessity, for the sake of avoiding greater evils, of solemnizing marriage ; and they generally did it in the manner prescribed by law ia Scotland, though it was not strictly legal here. The practice was generally permitted, but some of the Church of Scotland ministers, who had arrived in the Colonies, though in reality dissenters here themselves, began to assume airs of superiority ; and, instead of combining to obtain for their fellow-Presbyte- rians the same privileges as others, endeavoured to rivet upon them the disabilities under which they were lying. One of them in New Brunswick accordingly wrote to Doctor MacGregor the following letter : , N. B., February 21s<, 1825. Dear Sir : — At the request of Mr. John MacArthur, farmer, parish of Sussex, Kings County, in this Province, I now address you : — I baptized llirce children for him lately, and found upon inquiring that he had been married by you about twenty years ago. It immediately occurred to me, that, according to the Marriage Act of this Province, he was not legally married, inasmuch as the act above referred to limits the power of celebra- 484 MEMOIR OF THE ting marriage to the Established Clergy of the Church of England, and Justices of the Quorum, but docs not jircvcnt such cclcbralioii by minis- ters of tiie Ciuirch of Scotland, reguhirUj ordained according to the rites thereof. Any other person celebrating or assisting in the celebration of marriage is declared liable to prosecution, and must forfeit to his Majesty a sum not exceeding one hundred pounds, nor Itss than fifty, and must be imprisoned for twelve montiis. jMr. M. and his friends have long been uneasy on the subject, and as I was anxious to know if tlicre was any clause in the act that could relieve them, 1 cunsulted with a professional gentleman on my return to town, and found unfortunately that his opinion was that the marriage was illegal, — that you were liable to the penalty, — and that there was no remedy for Mr. M., but by having the ceremony again performed by an authorized pers.on. Meantime he has requested me to ask you to send a certificate of his marriage- I am, Dear Sir, Yours, sincerely. We will not stay to characterize this letter as we think it deserves. But let our readers mark the statements of the let- ter, that the marriage was null, and the party solemnizing it lia- ble to fine and imprisonment; and compare with this the re- quest to Doctor MacGregor to send a certificate that he had so solemnized this marriage, and they may form their own conclu- sion. On the back of the letter is the following by Mr. Mac- Kinlay : Dear Father : — I think has little to do. He is anxious to promote a party. Religion does not seem to be his object. 1 would send no certifier; te. This is only a snare for you, although there is not a particle of danger. You had better not be in a hurry in sending him an answer. When Doctor MacCulloch returns we will consult about it. Dear Father, — Yours, &c., John MacKinlat. What further correspondence took place we know not, but, notwithstanding this writer's zeal for the maintenance of the law, the Province of New Brunswick was saved the shame of fining and imprisoning for twelve months, a minister of Christ for lending the sanctions of religion to the marriage contract. The other subject connected with his public labours, to which we mean to advert, is the operations of " the Glasgow REV. JAMES MACGREQOR, D.D. 485 Society (in connection ■with the Established Church of Scot- land) for promoting the religious interests of the Scottish set- tlers in British North America." Of this Society Doctor Ro- bert Burns, then of Paisley, now of Toronto, was Secretary and the chief moving power. We at once admit that the ob- ject of the Society was good, that there was much need of such efforts for the supply of the spiritual destitution of the Colonies, and we are not in the least disposed to impugn the motives of its founders and supporters. Nor are we disposed to deny that it was the means of doing much good in other colonies, and in supplying the destitute portions of this colony, particularly Cape Breton ; though under wiser management, the good accomplished might have been greater. But still we must say, that as far as the sphere of operations of the Presby- terian Church of Nova Scotia was concerned, the whole system pursued by this Society was unjust. Its leading principle was to supply ministers of the Church of Scotland to the colonies, and to build up an interest in connection with that body. But when a Presbyterian body was already organized here on the broad basis of our common Presbyterianism, which was putting forth most praiseworthy efforts to overtake the destitution around, and to train a ministry for the next generation, and which would welcome sound Presbyterian ministers from the Church of Scotland, as readily as from other Presbyterian bodies, to enter upon the same sphere, merely to build up their own sectarian peculiarity was schism in the sight of God, and could only be expected to prove disastrous to the cause of Pres- byterianism, and dishonouring to the religion of Christ. But the mode in which its operations were carried on rendered matters much worse. It must be granted that there was a ne- cessity of extending pecuniary aid to the poorer settlers. But this aid was often granted in such a way as to prove an encour- agement to the latter to slackness in their own efforts. As Doctor iMacG-regor remarks, " To make a poor enough mouth was all that was thought requisite to ensure the Society's bounty. It is a fact, that at least one settlement agreed to 41* 486 MEMOIR OP THE subscribe one hnlf only nf wbat tbey believed themselves able to pay, lest otherwise tlioy should not be thought poor enough." The tender of £50 per annum, and a minister from the Church of Scotland, was freely made all round, even to settlements ■which had been receiving supply from the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, and in such a way as held out a bonus to separa- tion. Some congregations of that body, when they came va- cant, feeling their weakness for the support of a minister, yielded to the enticement, and others were divided. But this was not the worst. We have already described the commencement of division among Presbyterians in Pictou. The men who had caused it, were taken by the hand by the Society; and were aided in all their schemes, particularly in their efforts to destroy the Pictou Academy, on account of its furnishing ministers to the Presbyterian Church. Doctor Burns himself joined in sneering at native preachers, and per- sisted in sending out men, whom he has since described in the very lowest terms. Under these circumstances the Committee of Missions of our Church, of which Doctor MacGregor was a member, transmitted to the Directors of the Society, by the hands of Doctor Mac- Culloch, a memorial on the subject of the course which they were pursuing. Believing the supporters of the Society to be acting with the most upright intentions, but at the same time under misapprehension of the state of matters here, the Com- mittee set before them a large amount of information regarding the condition of the Colonies, pointed out defects in the plans of the Society, represented the evils of the system they had adopted, and affectionately urged a different course. This me- morial was disregarded, if not treated with contempt, and a sharp controversy ensued between Doctor MacCulloch and Doc- tor Burns. Doctor MacGregor also wrote the letter which appears among his remains. It describes, in the mildest spirit, the evils which must ensue from the system pursued by the So- ciety, and affectionately pleads for union among Presbyterians. Doubtless the chief blame of these evils rests with the So- REV. JAMES MACGREQOR, D.D. 487 ciety's agents and corrospondcnts in this country. They sent home the most cxag£;(!nited accounts of the destitution in this Province — and poisoned the minds of the Directors of the So- ciety against the church here, and particuhirly against the Pic- tou Academy and the ministers trained in it ; in fact, wrote home what Doctor Burns has since described in his own expres- sive way, as " great lies." But the Society was not guiltless. They would give no heed to information furnished by other parties in circumstances to know the truth, they trusted their correspondents, even after their gross misrepresentations had been exposed, and they plainly showed, that in the spirit of High Church exclusiveness, they disdained all co-operation with those whom they despised as Dissenters. For a time the efforts of the Society were successful, so that in 1833 a Synod was formed in connection with the Church of Scotland. But the end showed that the basis of the system was unsound. In 1843 came the disruption of the Church of Scotland, when the prophecy of Doctor MacCulloch, regarding the ministers sent out by that Society, that " a presentation would show them to be but wayfaring men," was abundantly fulfilled. A large proportion of them returned to Scotland, to occupy the vacant watch-towers there. In the meantime their efforts had been successful in destroying the Institution, which, if it had been properly sustained, would have afforded a supply of faithful preachers. Presbyterianism was thus left with ranks broken, with much ground lost, and with an ill savour from the divisions among its adherents. Both bodies found themselves in 1844 in the position that the oldest was in 1816, of having to begin to found an Institution for the training of a native ministry, and as to union, we are not in this year 1859 in the same position in which our fathers were in 1817. We may here record some experiments, which he made about this time, which will show his active and inquisitive turn of mind. His farm, it had been discovered ere this, was situated over a bed of coal. In a small pool of water, not far distant from his house, there was observed a bubbling up of gas. The 488 MEMOIR OP THE Doctor began to make experiments on it. lie first took a tub, or half ;i puncheon, and inverted it in the water. In this he had a hole bored and a pipe stem inserted. In the end of the pipe stem he put a pin, until the tub became so full of gas, as to be nearly raised out of the water. He then drew out the pin and lit the gas, when it burned beautifully and brilliantly for a time. This he did on several occasions for the amusement of himself and others. Near this, and only a few rods from his own house, there was a small stream of water, where it was dis- covered that the gas was more abundant. The boys used to fill a puncheon, and when lit, as in the last case, it would burn for a length of time. It afi"orded them a fine amusement, when the puncheon was full to turn it over, and throw into it a lighted paper. It produced a high and brilliant blaze, which could be seen for a considerable distance around. He then conceived the idea of introducing it into his house. He got wooden pipes made, but those whom he employed to make them, had no way of boring them out of a solid piece, and the only plan they could adopt, was to dig out channels in two flat pieces and join them together. But in this way it was scarcely possible to make them tight. He managed, however, by means of them to get the gas into his house, and it would burn in the cellar, or at the door step, but he never succeeded in getting it to burn in any of the rooms. He then imported gas fittings and leaden pipes, but the quantity of the latter sent was quite insufficient, and before he got another supply, circumstances occurred to interrupt his plans, and they were never resumed. An event must now be mentioned which caused an impor- tant change in his worldly circumstances, viz., the commence- ment of the operations of the General Mining Association. In the year 1826, that company obtained a lease of the mines and minerals of the Province, and in the following year sent out their first agent, Mr. Richard Smith, to open their works at the East River. The spot chosen for their first operations was close by the residence of Doctor MacGregor, and Mr. S. boarded in his house for some time, as the only suitable one REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 489 near. The Doctor took a deep interest in what he was doing, and delighted to converse with him as to liis projects, and their results upon the future progress of the country. On his first arrival in the Province, lie seemed to have regarded his field of labour as unimportant, and likely to yield but little fruit; but after he had been a few years here, and saw the progress which the country was making, he formed a more enlarged conception of Its capabilities, and future destinies, and this naturally led to higher views of the importance of the special work assigned him in the Providence of God. He Telt himself labouring for posterity — as sowing seed which would bear fruit to many gene- rations— as laying the foundations of a structure which was to grow wider and higher through all time. Having long before learned to expect great thinjrs as to the future of this country, he was now deeply interested in the prospect, now opening, of its more rapid progress, by the development of resources, hither- to lying dormant and almost unknown. But another change became requisite. His farm became necessary for the operations of the Association, and a few months after, at the solicitation of Mr. Smith, he agreed to sell it for the sum of £1150 (S4600). He was, however, to occupy the house till he had time to build another. He sold off all his farm stock, with the exception of one or two cows, and bought a small piece of ground on the opposite side of the river, and near the church, on which he built a cottage, in which he spent the remainder of his days. We cannot but remark the kind- ness of Providence in supplying his temporal necessities. He had through life manifested the utmost self-denial ; he had never grasped at stipend, he had cheerfully borne losses, and had liberally given in charity and for the promotion of the cause of God. Yet he had always been abundantly provided for, and now by a remarkable providential dispensation, depend- ing on the simple fact of his just obtaining his farm on that spot, he was in his old age put in possession of a sum larger than he had ever expected to possess — sufficient not only for the comfort of his own declining years, but also to provide for 490 MEMOIR OP THE the last (lays of his widow, to educate the younger children who at his death were unable to provide for themselves, and to bring them forth to fill stations of respectability and usefulness in society. We must, however, now come to the closing scene. Doctor MacGregor enjoyed uninterrupted health till the year 1S24, when symptoms of cancer appeared in his lower lip, render- ing a surgical operation necessary. The wound was soon healed and the cure proved effectual. He retained his usual soundness of constitution till the 13th of February, 1828, when he was suddenly prostrated by a severe stroke of paralysis. He had been holding a diet of examination at MacLellan's Brook. The day had been very cold and he had walked home. Whether the exertion had affected him or not is uncertain, but in the evening he remarked that he felt a strange sensation in his head, and went to a basin to bathe it in cold water. Soon af- ter he was completely paralyzed. For several days he was unable to speak, and gave no indication of consciousness, ex- cept by the moans which he uttered, under the extremely active treatment, to which his medical attendant felt it necessary to resort. For some weeks he was entirely laid aside from public duty, and it may be remarked that till this time he had only been prevented from preaching on two Sabbaths, one of these being on the occasion of his first wife's death. His mind was also for a time greatly enfeebled, — his memory being especially afiected. By the blessing of God upon the means employed, however, his health was soon in a great measure restored, but his whole right side was ever after partially paralyzed. There was always a feeling of numbness in it, and a peculiar pricking sensation which he compared to what is felt in a limb, when the circulation has been for a time arrested. This state of his right side caused a partial lameness during the rest of his days. He also regained in a great measure his mental vigour, but his memory of names he never recovered. He could not even name his own children, and what is somewhat singular, he very often called one by the name of another. REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 491 In a short time he resumed his public duties in his congre- gation, and continued to discharge them till the week of his death, visiting, catechizing and preaching as formerly. During this period his preaching was of a peculiar character. In intellectual power many thought his discourses equal to the performances of his early days. In this respect the only marked feature, and it was one which he felt more than was apparent to others, was the difficulty, fi'om the state of his memory, of recollecting the course of thought which he had traced out for himself. He wrote out a sketch of his sermon, but was obliged to keep his finger on his MS., following what he had written, in order to retain the thread of his discourse. On one occasion he could not find his text. He opened the Bible and turned over the leaves, looking for it but without success. He then said that he had forgotten where his text was, but he knew the subject of it, and turning to another text, he preached with his usual earnestness and vigour. It was remarked too that he recollected the scriptures almost as well as ever, and quoted them as freely and as fully as ever, but he could not recollect the names of the writers, and did not attempt to name the books from which his quotations were taken. But the feature which chiefly characterized his preaching, was the heavenly spirit which breathed through all he said. He felt the sen- tence of death in himself. He knew that in a very short time he must preach his last sermon, and that at any moment he might be cut down, and he preached "as dying unto dying men." He might be described as dwelling in the land Beulah, and he addressed his fellow-men as on the very verge of heaven, and as if he already breathed the air of the better land. The same spirit was manifest in private. He still studied, but a tendency to lethargy, and the difficulty of writing from the paralyzed state of his right hand, partially unfitted him for this work. He was thus left more to meditation, and his thoughts seemed to be much in heaven. He showed the same gift, wliich he had always possessed, of giving conversation a religious turn, but now heaven was his chief theme. One day coming up to 492 MEMOIR OP THE the Academy, where a number of the students were standing, they spoke to him, asking him how he was? *'0h," he said, " very well, except this poor side, but one moment of heaven will be worth it all." Sometimes, when musing, — on the clock striking, he would say, " I have been here another hour." In the evening after tea, he commonly sat with his right side to the fire, and frequently slept till the time of family worship. A gentleman who lodged in his house the winter before he died, was surprised on one of these occasions by his breaking out into prayer in his sleep. The prayer was of considerable length, and had all the characteristics of a family prayer. It was slightly incoherent, but only sufficiently so to indicate that he was asleep. On enquiry of Mrs. MacGregor, he was informed that he frequently prayed in his sleep. One morning a few days before his death, — his daughter, about fifteen years of age, said to him, " 0 father, I dreamed that you were a king, and that they were putting a crown on you." " Oh," said he in a most pleasant manner, " I will soon be better than a king, and wear a crown of glory." His condition at this time cannot be better presented than in the description given by the immortal dreamer of the state of the Pilgrims when in sight of the City : "Now, I saw in my dream, that by this time the Pilgrims were got over the enchanted ground, and entering into the country of Beulah, ( Isa. Ixii. 4-12. Song ii. 10-12,) whose air was very sweet and pleasant. The way lying directly through it, they solaced themselves there for a season. Yea, here they heard continually the singing of birds, and saw every day the flowers appear in the earth, and heard the voice of the turtle in the land. In this country the sun shineth night and day; wherefore this was beyond the valley of the shadow of death, and also out of the reach of Giant Despair; neither could they from this place so much as see Doubting Castle. Here tliey were within sight of the City they were going to; also here met them some of the inhabitants thereof; for, in this land the shi- ning ones commonly walked, because it was upon the borders REV. JAMES MACQREaOR, D.D. 493 of heaven. In this land also, the contract between the Bride and Bridegroom was renewed ; yea, here, " as the bridegroom re- joiceth over the bride, so doth their God rejoice over them." Here they Ii;id no want of corn or wine, for, in this place they met with abundance of what they had sought for in all their pilgrimage. Here they heard voices from out the city, — loud voices, saying, ' Say ye to the daughters of Zion, Behold thy salvation cometh ! Behold his reward is with him.' Here all the inhabitants of the country called them ' the holy peo- ple, the redeemed of the Lord, sought out, &c.' " Now as they walked in this land, they had more rejoicing than in parts more remote from the kingdom to which they were bound; and drawing near to the City, they had yet a more perfect view thereof. It was builded of pearls and precious stones, also the streets thereof were paved with gold ; so that by reason of the natural glory of the city, and the reflection of the sun-beams upon it, Christian with desire fell sick. Hopeful also had a fit or two of the same disease. Wherefore here they Jay by it a while, crying out because of their pangs, * If ye see my beloved, tell him that I am sick of love.' " But being a little strengthened and better able to bear their sickness, they walked on their way and came yet nearer and nearer, where were orchards, vineyards, and gardens, and their gates opened into the highway. Now as they came up to these places, behold, the gardener stood in the way ; to whom the Pil- grims said, ' Whose goodly vineyards and gardens are these i" He answered, * They are the King's, and they are planted here for his own delights, and also for the solace of Pilgrims.' So the gardener had them into the vineyards, and bid them re- fresh themselves with the dainties (Deut. i. 23, 24) ; he also shewed them there the King's walks, and the arbours where he delighted to be, and here they tarried and slept. '* Now, I beheld in my dream th;it tliey t:ilked more in their sleep at this time than ever they did in all their journey ; and beiug in a muse thereabout, the gardener said even to me, ' Wherefore musest thou at the matter ? It is the nature of the 42 494 MEMOIR OF THE fruit of the grapes of these vineyards, " to go down so sweetly as to cause the lips of them that are asleep to speak." " So I saw that when they awoke, they addressed themselves to go up to the city. But, as I said, the reflection of the sun upon the city, (for the city was pure gold,) (Rev. xxi. 18; 2 Cor. iii. 18,) was so extremely glorious that they could not, as yet, with open face behold it, but through an instrument made for that purpose. So I saw that, as they went on, there met them two men in raiment that shone like gold, also their faces shone as the light. "These men asked the Pilgrims whence they came; and they told them. They also asked them where they had lodged, — what difficulties and dangers, what comforts and pleasures, they had met in the way; and they told them. Then said the men that met them, ' You have but two difficulties more to meet with, and then you are in the city.' " At length he reached the brink of the river, but his passage across was neither long nor stormy. He continued to discharge all the duties of the ministry till the very close of life, having been engaged in pastoral visitation but a few days before his death, and having on the Sabbath previous preached with more than ordinary vigour. On that day being the 28th February, 1830, his texts were in Gaelic, Rom. v. 10 ; and in English, Eph. ii. 7, 8, and he preached in a manner which, considering the debilitated state of his health, surprised the congregation. On Monday the Rev. John I. Baxter, being then a student of Theology, spent the evening with him reading Hebrew. After Mr. B. left, he engaged in family worship. The Presbytery was to meet next day, and he was as usual looking forward with eagerness to the prospect of meeting his brethren. He had just given directions to Mrs. MacGregor to prepare his clothes for him for the next day, and was preparing for the repose of the night, when he was visited with another paralytic stroke. Suddenly his bodily frame was shaken, the icatures of his face were distorted, his power of expression was gone, and he was in the act of falling on the hearth, when Mrs. MacGregor, being REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 495 in the room at the time, caught him in time to prevent his fall. Medical aid was promptly called in, but the physician at once pronounced his case iiopeless. After this he may be said to have hold no communication with his family. He survived, however, apparently in great agony, though probably ixncon- scious either of mental or bodily sensation, till Wednesday fore- noon, when he entered into the joy of his Lord. From the manner of his death there was no opportunity of his giving one of those death-bed testimonies, so comforting to friends, so useful to survivors, and so honouring to religion. But we are reminded of an anecdote of Whitefield, which seems to suit this case. In the last visit but one which he paid to America, he spent a day or two at Princeton, under the roof of the Rev. Doctor Finley, the President of the College there, x^fter dinner the Doctor said, " Mr. Whitefield, I hope it will be very long before you will be called home, but when that event shall arrive, I shall be glad to hear the noble testi- mony you will bear for God." " You would be disappointed. Doctor," said W^hitefield, *' I shall die silent. It has phased God to enable me to hear so many testimonies for Mm during my life, that he will require none from me ichen I die. No, no, it is your dumb Christians, that have walked in fear and dark- ness, and thereby been unable to bear a testimony for God during their lives, that he compels to speak out for him on their death- beds." We will not say that this is any thing like a universal rule of God's procedure. Yet when we consider how Chalmers and W^hitefield, and others of the most laborious of his servants, have been summoned away in the midst of their toils, without being permitted to give any death-bed testimony to the power of the gospel, we feel as if it were not uncommon in the arrange- ments of divine wisdom that those who have been most abun- dant in labour, should leave their testimony for God in their lives of usefulness. ''Their works do follow them." Yet his whole course from the time of his first attack of paralysis was a death-bed testimon}-, and that of the most de- 496 MEMOIR OF TIIK lightful and impressive kind. It was the walk of one who felt himself daily on the vcrjre of eternity, and who lived almost as if his spirit had crossed its threshold. On calmly reviewing the whole then, we may say with the poet Fitting close For such a life ! His twelve long sunny hours Bright to the edge of cLirkness ; then the culm Repose of twilight and a crown of stars. Thus died James MacGregor, and we may say that few men have been more warmly loved while living, and more deeply mourned when dead. Hundreds of homes were filled with weeping, at the intelligence of his sudden departure. Not only in the county of Pictou, but far beyond, multitudes of all classes — the old, with whom he had shared the privations of their early settlement, — the middle aged, who iu youth had learned from him their first lessons in spiritual things — and the young, who had been taught from infancy to pronounce his name as something sacred, but whose reverence had been tempered by afiection as he moved among them, alike mourned him as a father and a friend ; while from those interested in the afiixirs of that church, in whose welfare he felt so lively an interest, and for whose establishment he had laboured so zealously, there arose a cry, like that of the sons of the prophets, on the ascen- sion of Elijah, " My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof." On the Saturday following, " devout men carried him to his burial and made great lamentation over him." The funeral was the largest ever known in this part of the country, and, with all the increase of population, and all the increased facili- ties for intercourse, probably the largest that has yet taken place in the Province, it having been calculated that there were scarcely less than two thousand persons present, "I shall never," said the Rev. John MacKinlay, ''forget the peculiarly imposing solemnity of the procession — a dark, dense column of mourners, headed by a few venerable individuals, the par- REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 497 ticular friends of the deceased, slowly advancing, under a bril- liant sun, and along the pure, dazzling snow, to the sacred spot where his mortal remains shall repose till the resurrection." By appointment of Presbytery, the Rev. Duncan lloss, now tho senior minister of the district, preached on Sabbath to his congregation, giving extensive details of his labours and use- fulness, and amid deep and heartfelt expressions of sorrow, ex- horting them to " remember the things which he spake while he was yet present with them." In most of the congregations of the body, as well as by ministers of other denominations, the event v/as referred to, with suitable expressions of admiration for his character and labours. A monument was erected to his memory with the following inscription, composed by Doctor MacCulloch, of which copies may be seen framed in many houses, particularly on the East River. AS A TRIBUTE OP AFFECTIONATE REGARD FOR THE MEMORY OF THE LATE JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D., The first Presbyterian minister of this district, who departed this life, March 3, 1830, in the 71st year of his age, and the 46th of his ministry, this tombstone was erected by a num- ber of those who cherish a grateful remembrance of his apos- tolic zeal and labours of love. When the early settlers of Pictou could afford to a minister of the gospel little else than a participation of their hardships, he cast in his lot with the destitute, became to them a pattern of patient endurance, and cheered them with the tidings of sal- vation. Like Him whom he served, he went about doing good. Neither toil nor privation deterred him from his Master's work, and the pleasure of the Lord prospered in his hand. He lived to witness the success of his labours in the erection of numer- 42* 498 MEMOIR OF THE ous churches, and in the establishment of a Seminary, from which these churches could be provided with religious instruc- tors. Though so highly honoured of the Lord, few have ex- ceeded him in Christian humility ; save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ he gloried iu nothing; and as a public teacher, combining instruction with example, he approved him- self to be a follower of them Avho through faith and patience now inherit the promises. Doctor MacGregor was rather above the middle size, had a somewhat long visage, and dark complexion, was spare in flesh, and possessed an athletic active frame. No portrait of him is in existence. It might be expected that we should now give some more particular delineation of his character. But our effort has been an entire failure, if this does not appear better in the facts which we have recorded, than in any description we could here give. All we could say might be comprehended in the eulo- gium of a gentleman, whom we have already named, a stranger, who came to reside on the East River, and who belonged to an- other denomination, that "he was the most like what he could imagine Christ to have been, of any man he had ever seen." A few testimonies borne to him, however, we have inserted in the Appendix, (See Appendix Gr.) Should we be accused of the partiality of the friend or the biographer, we dare aver be- fore the Searcher of Hearts, that our aim has been to present him as he was, and we solemnly affirm, that we know not one fact to his discredit, which we have concealed. We may, however, make a few remarks on his mental powers, as it will afford us an opportunity of referring to some points yet untouched. It has been remarked, that it is scarcely pos- sible to find a person, who excels in the gifts of conversation, writing, and public speaking. Such is the division of natural gifts among the children of men, that it is not common to find an individual who occupies an eminent position in even two of these departments. The great writer is often no orator, and is REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 499 as frequently deficient in conversational powers; while the wri- tings of the thorough orator may be unread, and the delightful companion of the social circle may fail to make any impression from a public platform. ]Jut we do claim for the subject of our memoir a high place in each of these departments. As to his conversational powers, we have had occasion so frequently to refer to them, that we do not feel it necessary to advert par- ticularly to the subject again. This was one of the first fea- tures, which struck every person who met with him. And we may remark, that not only were the common people interested in his conversation, but the most cultivated minds were de- lighted with his society, and were often struck with the extent of his information, and the vigour and originality of his thoughts. As a writer he had not much opportunity to distinguish him- self. Engaged all his life in the most arduous labours, in cir- cumstances the most unfavourable for literary pursuits, it would be no matter of surprise if he should not have added any thing to the permanent Theological Literature of his day. But the ex- isting specimens of his writings aifurd abundant evidence, that he possessed strong powers of mind, capable of grappling with the most profound subjects of human investigations — clear rea- soning powers — together with a somewhat poetical tempera- ment, which lent a grace to his speculations, so that, had this been the sphere to which he devoted himself, he might have won for himself a high rank among Theological writers. In proof of this we need only refer to his defence of the Impreca- tions of the Psalms. Under any circumstances we would con- sider that treatise sufficient to establish his character as an original thinker, and a forcible writer. But when we consider, that it was written before he was thirty years of age, when he was entirely secluded from literary society, and even from all intercourse with men of education, — when he was engaged daily in most harassing toils — and when he had access to no books but the Bible, and the few old volumes he had brought with him from Scotland, we cannot help regarding it as a won- 500 MEMOIR OF THE derful production. He has there anticipated the latest investi- gations of modern criticism on the question, and we know of no work in the English language to the present day, in which the whole subject is discussed in a manner so exhaustive and so satisfactory. His style is remarkably clear and simple, yet vigorous withal. We question if there will be found one unintelligible or con- fused sentence in all that he has written, while he often excels in condensing a large amount of meaning into a single phrase. These excellences of his style are doubtless owing in the first instance to the clearness and force of his conceptions, but in the next place to the fact that his language is generally the strong sturdy Saxon of Bunyan and the fathers of English Literature. It should be remarked here, that the Gaelic was his native tonsrue. His fomily judge that he thought most in it, from the fact that if disturbed when engaged in thought, his first excla- mation was usually in that language. Perhaps the quaintness of some of the expressions in his earlier compositions, is owing to this cause ; but his later writings possess such accuracy of language and purity of idiom, that none would have supposed from them, that he had been trained in another tongue. We may remark here, that he had somewhat of a philological taste, which may account for his being so thoroughly master of both languages. Thus we find him not only well acquainted with the sacred languages, but importing at one time a Modern Greek Testament, at another a Welsh Bible, and we have heard of his studying some portions of the language of the Basque Pro- vinces, and pronouncing it, in opposition to the judgment of many scholars, to be a dialect of the Celtic. But the generation which knew him best will always consider that it was as a preacher that he exhibited the highest powers. His coteraporaries generally will always believe that, in this character, he was unrivalled in this part of the world. This opinion was entertained of him by all classes of society. " The common people heard him gladly," but the most cultivated REV. JAMES MACGREOOR, D.D. 501 minds were scarcely less impressed under his pveacliinf]:. Many of the facts recorded in the memoir, afford evidence of his power iu public address. Of his sermons the great charac- teristics were plainness and simplicity. The truths of the gos- pel were stated iu a manner level to the comprehension of a child. A clergyman recently deceased, informed us that he re- tained a distinct recollection of the course of thought in lec- tures, heard from him when he was eight years of age. The people were generally of humble attainments, and his illustra- tions of divine things were commonly taken from the most familiar objects. Sometimes he used strong and what might almost be termed rough expressions, but they were such as con- ve3'ed his meaning in a way that would not readily be forgotten. We give a single example. Describing the worthlessness and vileness of mankind by nature, he wound up by saying, that they were fit only to be "shovelled into hell." In his mnnner, too, the great peculiarity was the absence of all art. There were none of the tricks of oratory. One great charm of all he said, was that it seemed to come so naturally from the heart. But there was all the earnestness and the com- plete absorption with his subject which marks the genuine orator. He had not much action, but as he warmed with his subject, his eye kindled with such brilliancy, that it seemed to pierce through each beholder, and his whole frame seemed instinct with emotion. And he had all the command over the feelings of his audience which marks the genuine orator. la preaching the law, or proclaiming the justice of God against sinners, he was sometimes terrific. As one described it, " You would think that the judgments of heaven were about to alight on you," or as another said, " He would almost make your hair stand on end." But his highest delight was to proclaim the gracious truths of the gospel, and on such themes as the love of God to sinners, or the sufferings of Christ, the teiirs coursed down his cheeks, though commonly he still retained firmness enough to proceed, a tremor of his voice, peculiarly affecting, marking the depth of his emotions. In his later years this 502 MEMOIR OF THE tenderness increased, so that he was sometimes so overcome, as to be unable for a little to proceed. At tliis period of life he seldom addressed a communion table without shedding tears. In short, if he was not " the best minister that ever came to America," as we have repeatedly heard him termed, it would be useless to attempt to remove the idea from the minds of the first settlers of Pictou, and the early inhabitants of many other places in these Provinces. We have visited such on their dying beds, and when the faculties were so far gone, that they did not know their own children, we have seen the eye brighten at the mention of his name, and the soul awake to utter enthu- siastic praises of him. In vain have we tried to reason with such, that the same divine grace which made him what he was could make others as good. With them there could be but one Doctor MacGregor, and as Foster said of Robert Hall, "while rciidy to give due honour to all valuable preachers, and know- ing that the lights of religious instruction will still shine with useful lustre, and new ones continually rise, they involuntarily turn to look at the last fading colours in the distance where the greater luminary has set." We have scarcely said any thing of him in the domestic circle, but it is scarcely necessary to do more than remark, that the light of his Christian example shone as brightly there as in any sphere of Christian life. Much of his time when at home was spent in study. Eeturning home from visiting, he some- times scarcely took time to warm himself, till he sat down to his books or his writing. He was able to prosecute his studies undisturbed even by the presence of his family. His children remember that they might pursue their innocent sports without his seeming to heed them in the least, but the moment that any thin-c: improper was said or done, he checked them with the rapidity of thought. But he was not so absorbed either in study or public work, as to neglect the moral and religious education of his children, and his faithfulness appears in the result. Trained up in the way they should go, not one of them has departed from it, and it would not be easy to convince the REV. JAMES MACQREGOR, D.D. 503 members of that houseliold, that any other family ever had so good a husband and t'atlicr as they. It will bo proper to add some particular notice of the subse- quent life and last days of her, who, for eighteen years, had been the Doctor's nearest and dearest associate on earth. We are happy, therefore, to insert the following, furnished by a member of the family : "Though sorely stricken by this heavy blow, (viz., her hus- band's death,) she did not sink into despair, or refuse to be comforted. She rose in the strength of promised grace, and devoted herself to the care of her family. In the cottage where her husband had spent his last days, she dwelt in peace, reign- ing in the affections of the younger portion of the family who dwelt with her, and receiving many marks of undiminished re- gard from those of riper years, who were now gathering little families around their own hearth-stones. Pleasant days were these to which we revert with great delight, when the younger members of the family dwelt together, or were separated only for short seasons as circumstances rendered necessary. Gradually however, one after another was called in Providence to leave the parental roof tree. One removed to New Glasgow. Her second daughter was united in marriage to Rev. J. I. Baxter, of Onslow, and removed thither. Her third daughter, becoming the wife of Rev, J. Campbell, dwelt in St. Mary's. Her only son, the Rev. P. G. MacGregor, having been licensed in 1841 as a preacher, was settled during the same year in Guysboro, and in 18-13 in Halifax. The marriage of her youngest daugh- ter to Rev. J. Cameron, of Nine Mile River, involved the ne- cessity of some change in domestic arrangements, and, among the many homes offered, she accepted of the invitation to ac- company her youngest and last married daughter to her new home at Nine Mile River. Arriving there, after a rest of a few weeks in Onslow, she was surrounded with a people who were entire strangers, and removed far from the familiar faces and dear friends, with whom, for more than a quarter of a century, she had dwelt in peace and happiness. Yet her cheerfulness 504 MEMOIR OP THE and contentment were undiminished, even when visited with an affliction, calculated to subject them to a severe trial. Her hearing was slightly impaired by a cold taken about the time of her change of residence. Restored for a time, it was lost olmost entirely through a return of cold in the head. She went to the hou.se of God as in times past, and worshipped in spirit, but alas! the voice of the preacher and the psalm of praise were no longer audible. She could no longer hear or take part in ordinary conversation. Deeply she felt the loss sustained by the diminution of social intercourse, but more deeply the loss of the sanctuary services, which now appeared to have termina- ted for her on earth. Yet she never murmured, and never forsook the assemblies of Zion. She loved to be there, and in communion with the God of her youth enjoyed the bles- sedness of those who ' dicell in the house of the Lord.' She now spent much of her time in retirement, and, unless present with the family, her employment appeared to con- sist chiefly of reading, meditation, and prayer. She marked the dispensation, and expressed her belief, that it was mer- cifully sent to withdraw her from the world, and to lead her into closer communion with God, preparatory to her appearance in his presence. "Having paid a visit to her son in Halifax, this affliction was happily removed through the skill and kindness of Doctor Par- ker, and as the familiar sounds of human voices were again clearly heard, in the tones of ordinary conversation, tears of gratitude flowed down her cheeks in copious streams, and spe cial thanks were given to God, that she again could hear tht glad tidings of salvation, and join with the multitude who kept holyday in songs of praise to her Covenant God and Redeemer. " The times of the dispensation of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper at Nine Mile River, were to her occasions of great in- terest, especially when her son assisted the Rev. Mr. Cameron, whom she also loved as a son. She remained throughout the whole services, and on one such occasion in winter accompanied them to a distant section of the congregation, to be present, as- REV. JAMES MACGREQOR, D.D. 505 Bigning as a reason that she could not have many more of these precious seasons, and must improve those within her reach. "In June, 1851, she determined to revisit the scenes and the friends of former years. Coming first to Onslow, about the middle of June, she spent a week or ten days with Mrs. Bax- ter; all the other members of the family she was to meet in New Glasgow. These were days of great enjoyment to mother and daughter. She received and returned visits of friendship, was present at religious ordinances, both in Onslow and Truro, and no indications were visible to the most observant that her race was so nearly run. She accompanied Mr. and Mr.s. Came- ron on their way to the meeting of Synod, and on the evening of Wednesday, the 25th of June, her eldest daughter, Mrs. James Fraser, of New Glasgow, had the satisfaction of receiving her, apparently in her usual state of health, to spend some weeks together. How delusive are human expectations ! She was to watch over her in her sickness, to close her eyes in death, and then having for a short season proved herself not only a sister but a mother to the younger members of the family, to hear the Master's call, and to go also at his summons. " On Thursday her children and grand-children gathered around her. Other dear friends called, — not to pay visits of form, but to give expression to their feelings of affectionate regard. The two following days ( Friday and Saturday) were spent chiefly in returning these visits, and in affectionate intercourse with many who loved her for her own virtues and graces, and who were reminded by her presence of the worth and services of one over whom the grave had now closed for more than twenty years. The exertion and mental excitement of these days were probably too much for her feeble frame, but no injurious effects were yet visible. " On the Saturday afternoon and evening several ministers coming up from Synod called, which prolonged the strain upon her nervous system. On the Lord's day, however, she was where she ever delighted to be, — waiting on God in the ordi- nances of his grace. She worshipped in Primitive Church. 43 506 MEMOIR OP THE Rev. Mr. Baxter preached in the morning, his text being Psalm cxliv. 15, ' Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.' Rev. P. G. MacGregor preaclied in the afternoon from 1 Sam. ii. 30, * Them that honour me I will honour.' She felt it good to be there. She expressed the satisfaction which the services yielded her, and her determination to hear the Rev. Mr. Sedgewick, in the evening, giving as a reason that she might never have another opportunity of hearing him. Her son, on whose arm she had leaned in going to, and returning from, the house of God, perceiving that the exertion of the previous days and the strain of two long services had produced some measure of exhaustion, advised her to rest at home during the evening, reminding her of the duty of guarding against over-exertion. She yielded to advice. On the morrow, how- ever, she was indisposed, whether from over-exertion or from cold, taken from a current of air in the church, none could tell. On Tuesday she continued poorly, but revived somewhat on Wednesday, so that on Thursday morning, Mr. and Mrs. Ca- meron felt free to return home, and her son to visit friends at Guysborough and St. Mary's. On his return to New Glasgow on the morning of the following Thursday, having had no intel- ligence of any relapse, he found that she had passed from earth a few hours previous. " For several days she had been visibly sinking, but as her strength had frequently been much prostrated by severe colds, no serious alarm was taken till death was at hand. All that filial love and medical skill could do was done. Doctor Forrest, then the resident physician in New Glasgow, attended her; while she was watched over, by one of the most loving of daugh- ters as well as by her family. Not a few of her sayings during those days and nights are treasured up in their hearts. To the late Mrs. Carmichael, a much loved friend of many years' stand- ing, she said, *I think it probable, that I have been brought back to die among you.' To another she said that when she placed her foot on the waggon-step at Nine Mile River, she thought she might never return, and took a farewell look of the REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D.D. 607 neat cottage, where she had spent two happy years of her life. *' She refused to have persons sitting witli her by night, re- marking that she was never lonely. On one of these occa- sions, awaking from sleep, and referring evidently to her dreams, she said to her daughter on her entering her room, ' I am al- ways seeing those old men.' ' What old men, mother?' was her daughter's inquiry. She replied, ''The old men who used to follow father, (/. e. her husband,) when he went to the Up- per Settlement and other places to preach.' Doubtless, she was soon to join with many of those old men in singing the new song before the throne. "On Wednesday the Rev. Messrs. Herdman,Roy,aud Walker called on her, and each spent some time with her in religious conversation and prayer. Toward evening she inquired if her son might be expected on that evening, and learning that his arrival was not probable; she remarked that she had been highly privileged on that day, that she had enjoyed the prayers of three ministers, adding, but if Peter were to come to-night, he would be the fourth. "During the night she slept. Early on Thursday she asked to be helped to rise, and sit upon an arm-chair. She appeared faint and requested that the window should be raised. — 'Twas done. Her head dropped on the chair, and in a few moments she breathed her last, having passed away without a moan or a struggle ; her countenance in death, wearing the same placid and sweet expression, by which in life it had ever been distin- guished. " On the 12th, devout men carried her body to the grave. Though this was done with many tears and with heartfelt sorrow, yet they did not make great lamentation over her. Those who had lost a mother knew that she had been called home. They knew that she had oft directed them to the Lord Jesus, to teach them how to live and how to die ; and now that she was re- leased from the trials of earth, they felt persuaded that her ab- sence from the body was presence with the Lord. 508 MEMOIR OF TUE " She left behind her no enemy. Her mental powers were not above mediocrity. She was remarkable, rather for the sweet- ness of her disposition, for the consistency of her Christian walk, and the ardour of her devotional feelings. She loved di- vine truth, and her own New Testament, in large print, bore tlie marks of a book which had been carefully read. She taught her children to fear and to love God. She prayed for them, and with them. In the absence of others to conduct family worship, the household were not left to go forth to the world without meeting together at the throne of the heavenly grace. With reverence and fervour, strongly indicated in the tones of her voice, the sound of which the writer will never forget, she pled with the God of all the families of the earth, her covenant God, who had led her in youth, and through life, to guard and guide them through all dangers on earth, to lead them to Jesus, and to fit them for his everlasting kingdom in glory. " Her trust in Providence never failed. She rose under diffi- culties. Committing herself to God in prayer and using dili- gently appointed means, she rested with confidence on the divine promises. Her calmness was seldom disturbed. She dwelt under the shadow of the wings of Him that is the Al- mighty. Thus living, her end was peace. Having served her generation, she fell asleep." Doctor MacGregor had eleven children born to him. Of these, two died when but a few days old. The remaining nine, viz., three sons and three daughters by his first marriage ; and one son and two daughters by his second, — survived him. All are still living, with the exception of one daughter, the author's mother, who finished her earthly career in 1843, having lived a life of unobtrusive usefulness, and died in the triumphs of faith. They all filled stations of usefulness and respectability, in so- ciety as well as in the church. They were all married, and all had families; and the promise is now being realized, "My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the REV. JAMES MACQREGOR, D.D. 609 Lord, from henceforth and for ever." His eldest grand-son has been permitted to raise this monument to his memory, and of his other grand-children, the majority of those who have reached years of maturity, arc now members of the church, and there has not yet been one black sheep in all the flock. May we have the reader's prayers that no one of his descendants be either filled with spiritual pride, saying, " We have Abraham to our father," or increase his condemnation by despising the exalted privileges with which we have been favoured, but that wc may be "mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations." 43* APPENDIX. Appendix A. PETITION FROM PICTOU. To the Reverend, the Moderator and remanent members of the Presbytery of , to meet at . The Representation and Petition of us a Committee appointed by the inhabitants of Pictou in the Province of Nova Scotia, for obtaining a min- ister of the Everlasting Gospel, — Humbly shewing: That, for nigh twenty years past since the first settlers came to Pictou, they have laboured under a variety of hardships and difficulties, which it would be needless here to mention ; but which our Commissioners, Messrs. John Buchanan, Senr. and John Pagan, are pretty well acquainted with. What has been most affecting to us was the want of the Gospel and ordi- nances thereof dispensed among us during that time. For though the Philadelphia Company made provision for, and sent a minister, viz., the Rev. James Lyon, at the first Settlement, yet he did not continue among us, which very much discouraged the people, and was exceedingly detri- mental to the settling of the place; and though we have had sc^'eral visits of the Rev. Daniel Cock, of Truro, and David Smith, of Londonderry, in our neighbourhood from time to time, yet many, very many silent Sabbaths have passed over our heads to our very great grief, and the great prejudice of the interest of religion, especially with respect to a numerous young generation, for want of the ordinary means of grace and salvation ; and though the settlement of the place has met with a variety of discourage- ments, and back-sets in Holy Providence, yet our number within these few years by past is very considerably increased, and is daily increasing, and a very promising prospect of yet a far greater increase, occasioned by the happy peace between Great Britain and the States of North America. We have agreed to pay to the minister settled among us, in the mean- time jC80 per annum, for the first and second year ; jC90 per annum, for the third and fourth year, and thereafter £100 currency, that is £90 ster- ling, annually, — one-half thereof in cash and the other in produce; and if Providence smile upon the Settlement and our industry, we hope soon to he able to make some addition to that sum. Besides we have agreed to build a house and barn for the minister, and that he shall have a glebe Lot of land. And, also that we shall clear so much of it from time to time for his encouragement, &c. As to farther information that the mem- bers may require, our Commissioners can satisfy them. We would, therefore earnestly request the Presbytery, in the bowels of (511) 512 APPENDIX. our Lord Jesus Christ, the alone King' and Head of the Church, and for his sake, — for the advancement of liis kingdom, and for the salvation of precious perishing souls in this wilderness — that you may take every pro- per step which your wisdom may point forth unto you, agreeable to the sacred oracles, to send us with all convenient speed a minister to labour in word and doctrine amongst us — as also for strengthening the hands of the few ministers of the Presbyterian denomination already here — and for some farther supply of several other vacant congregations and desolate Corners in tiie Province — who are as sheep without a shepherd as well as ourselves, and who are frequently asking for supply, but can obtain very little, though they may happily be encouraged, if we succeed, to take more vigorous measures to obtain ministers. That he who has the stars of the Churches in his right hand may di- rect you to a proper object, and put it in his heart to come over to our Mace- donia for our help; that the Breaker may go before you and be a spirit of judgment unto you when sitting in judgment, and with his eye set upon you to give you all that counsel and direction that may be necessary in this and every other matter that may come before you, for the glory of his great name and the advancement of his interest and kingdom, is the sin- cere prayer of us the Committee aforesaid. — Subscribed by us lor our- selves and brethren at Pictou, this eighth day of November, 1784. [Signed] Robert Patterson, John Patterson, Robert Marshall, William Smitli, Donald MacKay. Appendix B. PETITION TO THE PRESBYTERY OF PERTH. At Greenock, Qth March, 1786. To the Reverend, the Moderator and remanent members of the Associate Presbytery of Perth, to meet at Perth the l^th of this month. The Representation and Petition of the subscriber, Commissioner for the inhabitants of Pictou, Province of Nova Scotia, — Humbly sheweth : That the inhabitants of Pictou, emigrants from Scotland, though wil- ling and able to support the Gospel, are in a destitute condition, through the want of Gospel ordinances dispensed among them, as the copy of the petition of their Committee hereto prefixed more fully narrates. That it is necessary that the minister who shall be missioned to them be qualified to preach in the English and Gaelic languages, as many of the people are from the Highlands of Scotland. That your petitioner has full power to apply to any Presbytery or other Presbyterian Court, for having a Gospel minister regularly missioned to them. That, besides the stipend promised by the people, your petitioner is authorized to advance from jE30 to .£40 Sterling for passage, cabin-stores, and other incident charges that may be necessary. APPENDIX. 513 That sundry who have tlic Gaelic lanfjuagc liave offered tlicmsclvcs but as he is well informed of Mr. James Druniinond MacGrcgor, Proba- tioner, under the inspection of the Reverend Presbytery of Perth, being quali- fied for preaciiing ui the Gaelic language, and that he is one who is hon- est and faithful in adhering to the doctrines of the Westminster Confession, and the system of Presbyterial government as maintained by the Churcli of Scotland, in her purest times ; he therefore wishes to apply to the Cvmrts of tlie Secession, that they may mission him, and in so doing he thinks he does a real service to that people, and that he does his best to fulfd his commission. That he has no reason to suspect one from the Secession will be disa- greeable to them. They have received with pleasure some from the otiier Sj'nod ; he believes the people will be ready to receive the gospel from him as their minister, and though it will require time and much labour for instructing that people, he hopes Mr. MacGregor will find much com- fort in bringing them forward to know the way ot God more perfectly. May it therefore please this Reverend Presbytery to mission the said Mr. Jas. Drummond MacGregor to Pictou, Nova Scotia, that he may la- bour among that people, agreeable to their petition, taking all due steps towards this, that he may be ordained and sent off in the course of next summer. Or if this Reverend Presbytery shall not judge it competent for them to send Mr. MacGregor as a missionary, or shall think it reasonable the superior court should, if Mr. MacGregor, who has been brought forward to the ministry with a particular view to the preaching of Gaelic in Scotland can be spared from his native country to preach the same language to his countrymen in America. May it then please this Reverend Presbytery to refer tiie whole cause to the Reverend, the Associate Synod at their next meeting, and to require Mr. MacGregor's attendance at said meeting, if they shall grant a reference or transmission of this petition, so as this mission be not delayed till the season of getting a passage would be lost. And the petitioner engages to communicate whatever information as to particulars the Presbytery may require, or that they may judge proper Mr. MacGregor be informed of, as to this important cause as to himself and that people. And begs the Reverend Presbytery will excuse his absence on account of the distance and his advanced years, and that the other Commissioner does not subscribe, he being from home, and the Petitioner not willing to lose the opportunity of presenting this petition at your first meeting. That the Great Shepherd may direct you in this and all other mat- ters coming before you, is the sincere desire of Your humble Petitioner, [Signed,] John Pagan. These certify that Mr. John Pagan, the subscriber of the above petition, is of a respectable character for a number of years. He was an Elder of the Rev. Dr. John Gillies's Session at Glasgow. Since his coming from Glas- gow to reside here, he has occasionally officiated in one of the Parishes of Greenock. And ( he) farther testifies that the copy of the petition from Pictou on the first and second pages of this sheet is a true copy, I hav- ing carefully compared it with the original petition. Attested at Green- ock, this nintii day of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty six years. [Signed,] John Buist, Minister. 5U APPENDIX. Appendix C. EXTRACT OF THE ORDINATION OP MR. JAS. DRUMMOND MAC- GREGOR ON A INIISSION TO PICTOU, PROVINCE OF NOVA SCO- TIA, NORTH AMERICA. At Glasgow, 30^^ May, 1786. Which day and place the Associate Presbytery of Glasgow met, being constitute with prayer, by the Rav. Mr. James 1'aylor, Moderator, pro tempore. Present, Messrs. John Jameson, James Alice, John Buist. Wil- liam Jameson. Andrew Mitchell, David Somcrvail, James Ramsay, James Grcig, Andrew Thomson, James Punton, James Robertson, and James Graham, Ministers ; with John Blair from Glasgow, William Allan, from Paisley, and James Hart, from Hamilton, Ruling Elders. There was given in the following extract from the Associate Synod, viz., " Minute of the Associate Synod, respecting the mission of Mr. Drumrnond MacGregor to Nova Scotia. — Edinburgh, 4th May 1786. "There was transmitted by the Committee of Bills, and read, a refer- ence from the Presbytery of Perth, of a petition subscribed by Mr. John Pagan, as a commissioner empowered by some people settled in Pietou. in the Province of Nova Scotia, to obtain a minister ibr them to preach the Gospel among them, in which some brethren represented that i\Ir. John Buchanan, the other Commissioner, concurred, though he had not subscribed it through being absent at that time. — craving the appointment of Mr. James Drummond MacGregor, on a mission for that purpose, as, under- standing that he was capable of preaching in the Gaelic as well as the En- glish language, for which there was a necessity at that place : also, of a petition subscribed by five members of a Committee of the inhabitants of Pietou, viz., Messrs. Robert Patterson, John Patterson, Robert Marshall, William Smith, and Donald MacKay, transmitted by them to Messrs. Jonn Buchanan and John Pagan, craving that a minister might be sent over to preach the Gospel to them, promising a sum of money therein specified yearly for his subsistence. Both these petitions were read, — a considerable time was then spent in conversation together, and with Mr. MacGregor on the subject, and the question was agreed to be put: Grant the said petition and appoint Mr. MacGregor accordingly. After prayer for the Lord's countenance in the matter, the roll being called and votes marked, it carried unanimously, grant and appoint, like as the Synod did, and hereby do appoint Mr. James Drummond MacGregor, on the said mission accordingly. They excused Mr. MacGregor from all appoint- ments he is lying under in the Presbytery of Perth, except the ensuing Sabbath, transmitted him to the Presbytery of Glasgow, appointed him to deliver a lecture on Matt, xxviii. 1!), 20 verses, a popular sermon on the last clause of verse 20, an Exegesis on the following question, viz., — An Chris- tus sit Deus, to give account of the first half of the first century of Church History ; to read the first Psahn in Hebrew, and the Greek Testament ad aperiuram libri, before the said Presbytery, against the last Tuesday of this month at Glasgow ; at which time the Synod appointed the Presbytery of Glasgow to hold their next ordinary meeting, and they appointed that on the Presbytery being satisfied with I\Ir. MacGregor's trials, they take the first opportunity to ordain him to the office of the holy ministry, and that APPENDIX. 515 Mr. MacGrc^or take the first opportunit)' afterwards of setting off for Pic- tou, in Nova Scotia, to exercise liis ministry among tliat people, ui)on which Mr. Btiist in name of the Commissioners took instruments in the clerk's liands and craved extracts." — ( Extracted.) [Signed,] Jas. Monson, Si/nod Clerk. Mr. James Drummond MaeOregor delivered his Lecture and Popular Sermon from t!ie siil)jects assigned him, which the Presbytery sustained as part of trials for ordination. Eodem die ct loco, Ilora 2da, P. M., Sederunt ut supra. Proceeded to take Mr. Mac(j!rcgor's private trials. He delivered his Exegesis, defi-^ndod his Thesis, read tlie first Psalm in Hebrew, the Greek Testament ad aper- turam libri, gave an account of the first half of the first century of Church History, answered extempore questions. The question was put. Approve of the trials delivered in view of ordination in cumulo or not, the roll called and votes marked; it carried unanimously, — ap])roved. It was reported that a vessel is expected to sail this week for Hulifax, and no other opportunity expected tiiis season, therefore moved that the Presbytery shall proceed to the ordination, to-morrow. The question was jiut, — Proceed to the ordination or not; a brother being engaged in prayer, the roll called and votes marked,^it carried, — proceed to the ordination. Appointed Mr. Robertson to preside in the ordination, Mr. Graham to be- gin with prayer, Mr. James Greig to preach after the ordination in the Session House, at Glasgow, 31st of May, 178G. Which day and place the Associate Presbytery of Glasgow met, being constitute with prayer, by Mr. James Robertson, Moderator. Present, Messrs. John Jameson, James Alice, John Buist, William Jameson, An- drew Mitchell, David Somervail, James Ramsay, James Greig, James Punton, James Taylor, and James Graham, Ministers; with John Blair, from Glasgow, William Allan, from Paisley, and Thos. Hart, from Hamil- ton, Ruling Elders. The Rev. Mr. JoJm Stewart, a member of the Presbytery of Stirling, being present, took his scat. By order of the Presbytery, Andrew Alison served the Edict, calling thrice publicly any who had any thing to object against the doctrine, life, or conversation of Mr. James Drummond MacGregor, why he may not be ordained, tliat they compear beibre the Presbytery, to give in tlieir objec- tions, or, that the Presbytery would proceed immediately to the ordination. He having returned the Edict, the Presbytery went to the church.* The Rloderator preached a sermon from Isaiah, chap. 60, verse 9. A(\er ser- mon, and account given of tlie Mission of Mr. MacGregor, the questions usually ])ut to ministers at their ordination, and a question as to his ac- cepting of and closing with this mission, and his performing Ministerial duties to the people at Pictou, were put to Mr. MacGregor, and he having answered them to the satisfaction of the Presbytery, after praise, the Pres- bytery with prayer and imposition of hands, did solemnly ordain Mr. James Drummond MacGregor to the office of the holy ministry, on a mis- sion to Pictou, in Nova Scotia. Thereafter the righthand of fellowsliip w;is given him by the bretlu'en of the Presbytery, and the Moderator hav- ing addressed him in some exhortations, tlie public work was coneludi-d, witli a sermon by Mr. James Greig, from Acts, chap. 2f), vcr.^o 17, and first clause of the 18th verse. The Presbytery having returned to the Ses- pion House, Mr. MacGregor declared his willingness to subscribe his an- * Mr. Graham began with praise aud prayer. 516 APPENDIX. Bwers to the questions put to him when required, and took his Beat in Presbytery. Mr. Thomson, the clerk, having- gone home to the fast in his congrega- tion, beibrc tlie sacrament; the Presbytery directed Mr. Buist, their clerk, pro tempore, to extract the minute of Mr. MacGrcgor's ordination, to be sent along with him. Tills and three preceding pages, having a marginal note on the third page, extracted by John Buist, Presbytery Clerk, pro tern. Appendix D. The following is a copy of a document on record in the Registry Office in Pictou. " Know all men by these presents that I, Archibald Allardiee, of the Province of Nova Scotia, mariner, for and in consideration of the sum of fjrty pounds currency to me in hand paid by Dr. John Harris, of Truro, have made over, and sold, and bargained, and by these presents do bargain, make over, and sell to the aforesaid Doctor JoJm Harris, one negro mart named Sambo, aged tivcnty-five years or thereabouts, and also one brown mare, and her colt now sucking. To have and to hold the said negro vian and mare with her colt, as his property, for and in security of tiie above sum of money until paid with lawful interest. And at the payment of the above mentioned sum witli interest and expenses, tlie aforesaid Doctor John Harris is by these presents firmly bound to deliver up to the afore- said Archibald Allardiee, the said negro man, named Sambo, with the mare and colt (casualties execi)te(l). But if the said negro man, mare, or colt, should die before the said money should be paid, then in such proportion, I, the said Archibald Allardiee, promise to make good the deficiency to the said Doctor Jolin Harris. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my han,d and seal, this tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord, one thou- sand seven hundred and eighty-six, and in tiie twenty-sixth of our Sove- reign Lord, George the Third's, Reign. Archibald Allardiee, l. s. Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of James Phillips, Robert Dunn. Truro, August 26th, 178G, Recorded on the oath of James Phillips. John Harris, D. R. Along the margin the following words were written. " Assignment to Thomas Harris, 20th day of April, 1791." per John Harris, D. R. APPENDIX. 517 Appendix E. ADDRESS OF THE MliNISTERS OF THE ASSOCIATE PRESBY- TERY OF NOVA SCOTIA, TO THE GENERAL ASSOCIATE SYNOD. FwTOV,Feb. 5, 1799. Rev. Fathers and Brethren — Moved, we hope, with zeal for the g;lory of God, and concern for the salvation of our follow creatures, we beg- leave to intreat you in behalf of the people of this country, and to second by our influence with you, the applications made to you from several congrega- tions here, that you would send to them ministers of the gospel to feed their souls. They have great need of gospel ministers. There are many people in this and the neighbouring Provinces, wlio are now and liave, (or a long time, been without the gospel. Many of the young generation liave never heard its joyful sound. There are many infant settlements so weak, that they cannot support a fixed dispensation thereof, who earnestly desire occasional supplies; many others are able and willing, but all their endeavours to obtain it have hitherto been in vain. You have some young men under your inspection, who might come over and preach to some of tliese people ; and sure it is their duty to come. It is a most grievous thing to think of their perishing for lack of knowledge, while there is a possibility of giving them the moans of knowledge, every one ought to pity and help tliem to the utmost. We do what we can, but our labours Cannot be much felt in such an extensive circle. Tliere is a necessity for more hands to be employed in the work. The work is the most honour- able, pleasant, and profitable, in which any one can be employed; and it is astonishing that any who are called to it, should not engage in it with some degree of the zeal of tlie great apostle of the Gentiles, and disregard every difficulty and opposition in the way. What should ministers tear in the work of Christ ? How grievous then is it, that there is a necessity of pressing them to it by all sorts of arguments, and that all will not do ! This is an age in which there appears a great deal of zeal for the pro- pagation of the gospel among the Heathen. An equal zeal for its pro- pagation among those who have little or nothing of Christianity but the name, is no less necessary, and the work is far less arduous. Tiiosc who have never heard of the name of Jesus, are not the only people who have need of hearing the gospel. There arc many people here who have heard of Christ, who have Bibles, and who have sometimes heard the gospel preached, who yet may be said to be in a perishing situation for want of the means of grace, and whose case calls as loud for iiclp as that of the heatiiens. It is as really duty to provide for those as tlicse. Many publications have appeared of late in various forms, urging by every imaginable argument the duty of ministers to go to the iieathen. Though we cannot plead the cause of the people here so eloquently as tiicy, nor make use of language so affecting, yet we beg leave to say, that there is no argument in these publications which will not conclude in tiieir favour witli equal propriety. We beg you therefore to think of them when you read these publications, and we earnestly wish the young men preparing for the ministry to do so, 44 51 8 . APPENDIX. But there are some things more favourable in the case of the people here than in that of the heathen, at least in the estimate of flesh and blood ; and were not these counted upon, there would be no need of this ad- dress. Surely it is not such a hardship for ininisters to go to the nearest parts of America, not beyond our own dominions, to a civilized country, where they iiave countrymen and friends before tliem, and to a people sensible of their need of ministers, and earnestly desirous of them, as it is to go a long voyage (to the Pacific Ocean, for example), far beyond the British dominions, to an unknown country, and to a people uncivihzed and insensible of the value of ministers. If there are men found willing to go through these greater hardships, wc hope there will not be wanting some willing to go through tlie less; though with heart-felt sorrow we have long observed tlieir backwardness. It is about ten years since the people of Amherst sent you a petition for a minister. The subscribers were not numerous, but they were mostly men of sense and piety. It was the superior confidence they ])laeed in you, tlwt induced them to apply to you ; and every year since they ex- pected an answer, though their hopes grew fainter the longer they waited. They gave a call to Mr. Brown very soon after his arrival in this Pro- vince ; and had he been left to his own choice, there is little reason to doubt that he would have preferred them to the people among whom the Presbytery appointed him, though he was not dissatisfied with their appointment. Delay and disappointment discouraged them, several of them sold their possessions, and removed to other places of the Province, and to the United States, wiiere they could find tlie gospel. Others are removed by death ; so that few of the subscribers are now in Amherst. Those who have come in tlicir places, especially the young generation, having little acquaintance with gospel doctrines, and being hopeless of any relief from you, have now bargained with a minister whom chance threw in their way, and of which they may repent ere long. Amherst is grown to be a populous place, and had you sent a minister to it, it might now have been a flourishing congregation ; whereas it has been ten years with- out the gospel, after applying to you for it, and they are perhaps badly pro- vided for at last. To other places who observe the bad success of Amherst, what a great discouragement is this ! About seven years ago, the people of Prineetown, and Stanhope, and St. Peter's in the island of St. John, applied to you for two ministers, and they have waited ever since with patience (or rather impatience), fre- quently inquiring if tliere was any hope of a speedy answer to their pe- titions. For a number of years we returned for answer, that ministers might soon be expected; but we are asliamed to give tliem that answer any longer, and now we know not what to say. That people stand in need of the gospel almost as much as any people on the face of the earth ; for beside all other considerations, their being in an island prevents them from having so ready access to other means of knowledge as if they were on the Continent; and they are surrounded with Papists, who have always one or more priests among tiiem, who use all their dexterity in making converts, especially among the young generation. There are in the island of St. Jolm, eight or ten other settlements that would require sup- ply of sermon, being yet so weak, that they cannot support ministers for themselves. It is a great trial of patience, to wait seven years for a min- ister, and to have an opportunity of hearing the gospel for two or three Sabb'iths only during all that time. There are good Christians in the island of St. .John, who, in all probability, have not heard five sermons these twenty-five years; and probably there are some there twenty-five years APPENDIX. 519 old who never heard a sermon ! Who would not compassionate this peo- pic? We hope two ministers would be very agreeably situated among them, and in a short time there would be a demand for a number more. We earnestly beseech the Synod to consider the case of tiiis island, and to send over two ministers to them as soon as possible. Tiic ])cop!e of Douglas, in this Province, were tiie next to petition you for a minister. Tiiis congregation is very ibrward and eager to obtain the gospel, but withal impatient of delay ; so that there is danger, as they are not sufficiently aware of the evil of error, that they will not wait so long as you would wish or expect, but, being wearied out, will apply to some other quarter for that help which they will give over hoping for from you. A part of this congregation have an opportunity of hearing Mr. Brown occasionally, as there is but a few miles of water between them and his congregation; but this seems only to make them more eager to have a minister of their own. There is therefore special need for the Synod to consider the case of this people, and grant their petition. Tiiough the people of Mirimichi, in New Brunswick, be last in their ap- plication, yet they themselves consider their case as so deplorable above others, especially on account of the breaking dispensations they have met with, that they are entitled to be first answered. And indeed it is hard to deny their claim. It is difficult to say which of these four places is most in need. But if the Synod cannot supply them all at once, let some of them be supplied, and the rest as soon after as possible, if they shall wait. The people of Cape Breton petitioned the Session of Pictou, before our erection into a Presbytery, to appoint their minister to pay them a visit to preach the gospel to them, and to give them advice and direction how to obtain a minister for themselves. The petition was granted, but the visit could not be paid till August last ; partly because so few of them were desirous of the gospel, (the generality being lukewarm), that they could scarcely support it; and partly because there was no hope of getting their petition granted for a long time, through the backward- ness of ministers to come out ; and because so many other places were entitled to be supplied before them, they were advised to delay sending home their petition for some time. But had they a minister, there is no reason to doubt that he would soon form a congregation ; for the gospel would be a new thing to them, and, through the divine blessing, would run as it did among the Gentiles at first. Were there a minister there, application would soon be made to him from Newfoundland, and other places. In all appearance, nothing but the want of ministers prevents the gospel from spreading rapidly through this Province, New Brunswick, part of both the Canadas, island St. John, Cape Breton, Newfoundland, «fec. Had ministers been forward to come to our assistance since the first of us arrived here, the gospel would have been already spread considerably through these countries. We wish the Synod to advert to the growing population of this coun- try. Places that were not capable to maintain the gospel a few years ago, are now able ; places that are not now able, will be so soon. Pictou is now more capable to maintain four ministers, than they were to maintain one when they sent their first petition to you. It may be a presbytery instead of a congregation, before the present generation be gone. There is within twenty miles of Pictou, a new settlement almost capable to maintain a minister, where, fifteen years ago, there was not a single inhabitant. The country in general peoples fast ; for it is not uncommon to see eight or ten children in a family grown up to be heads of families themselves ; 520 APPENDIX. for the case is not here as at home, that the greater part die in infancy. Besides, in times of peace, there are frrcat accessions from other places. Hence you may see the importance of planting congregations in this coun- try, and that there will always be an increasing demand for ministers. If the Synod thinks tliat more money should have been sent home to pay for their passage, we answer, Wc have not the face to bid the people advance more monc}' ; for as matters stand at present, it would look like as if wc were asking it for ourselves. Douglas advanced money, Fra- ser, Thom, and Co., respectable merchants in Miriniiclii, ])romised to write to Hunter and Co., Greenock, to answer the order of tlie Kev. James Robertson, Kilmarnock, for the passage of the minister to that place; and we suppose he has perlbrmed it, or, if not, it will be done be- fore the passage be long due. None of us have been in the island of St. John these four years past, and we know not the present sentiments of the people there, save only that they are still waiting for the ministers ; but when they wrote the petitions, they laid tlieir account with paying the passage of the ministers. Besides, Lord Montgomery's agent there had then power (and we suppose has it still) to pay the passage of the first Presbyterian minister who should come to the island. Could we give people some assurance of getting a minister the first or second year after sending home their petition, they could easily be prevailed upon to col- lect the money beforehand ; but they cannot be much to blame for a backwardness, while their prospect of an answer is so distant and uncer- tain. We apprehend there is more need than you or we have been aware of, for fervent addresses to the Lord of the harvest to send forlh labourers to his harvest. The sending forth of ministers is a matter of the greatest importance, and demands much prayer. Our blessed Master, previous to his sending forth the apostles, both exhorted his disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest, and continued himself all night in prayer to God. We doubt not but we have more need to stir up ourselves and our people, than you and your people, to this duty. Yet the more that you and the people under your charge abound in tliis duty, the sooner may we expect the answer of our suit. Perhaps it might not be improper for the Synod to cause an address to be drawn up, and circulated among the preachers under their inspection, calculated to impress upon their consciences the obligation they are under to obey calls from foreign parts, especially such calls as have been lying a number of years before the Synod unanswered. But tliis we leave to the wisdom of the Synod. We beseech you to exert yourselves in behalf of the people here. And we pray the Great Shep- herd of the sheep to prosper all your efforts for his glory and the good of the Church. James MacGregor Duncan Ross, John Brown. APPENDIX. 521 Appendix F. HISTOKY or ST. JAMES. ( From the Colonial Fresbyterian.) On the 16th May, 1803, wc bade adieu to all that was dear to us in As- synt and Edcrachilis, — two parishes in Sutherlandshirc, Scotland. VVc sailed for Wilmington, North Carolina, with clear sky and liiir wind, which soon made the land of birth look small to us. The godly Niel Morrison, whose praise was in the churches at home, being one of us, be- fore sunset, called the passengers below to worship God. We sung a portion of the 45th psalm : O daughter, hearken and regard, And do thine ear incline ; Likewise forget thy father's house And people that are tiiine. Then read a chapter and prayed : this practice was continued invariably during a passage of twelve weeks. The different heads of families prayed in their turn. Every Sabbath a sermon was read on deck. Beating against head winds on half allowance, we were at last getting tired — spoke a ship and learned that the yellow fever was raging in New York and Southern States. We protested against going any farther Soutli, and arrived in Boston 16th of August. The wharf was thronged by gentlemen and la- dies from morning till night, eager to employ the young of both sexes. Men with families were kindly treated by gentlemen looking out dwellings for them. Five families went to Carolina, expecting their friends there would help them, but found them no more than able to help themselves. The rest heard of a large tract of land in Kennebeck, State of Maine. They embarked for Thomaston, but on arrival found terms did not suit. Had to winter there, being late in the season. Being informed of vacant crown land on the Schoodic river, they embarked in Spring and soon found tliemselves once more on British ground. At that time no land was thought worth accepting save hard-wood land, and as they were deter mined if possible to settle together, a sufficient quantity of land could not be found nearer than the Chiputneticook Ridges. The land was exam- ined by the assistance of a guide and pleased well, but on returning from it, it was ascertained that there were three claimants for it. Sadly disap- pointed and bordering on despair, they were told of a large tract of land back of Digby, N. S. Embarked for Digby — making the third passage since landing in Boston. Again they were disappointed ; the land was taken up in blocks by rich men, and with their purses empty they could not locate themselves together in that place. Three families settled at Bread Cove. The rest were faint yet pursuing. They paused at Annapo- li.s Bay, not knowing what was in the wheel of Providence for them. Most of the men of wealth in St. Andrews were Scotch. When they heard of the immigrants' departure from N. B. they were very angry ; hired a schooner and sent her afiter them at their own expense, and brought them back to St, Stephen. They built quite a little village of log houses on the bank of the river until they could do better, A remonstrance ac- companied by Petition, was sent to Fredericton. No decisive answer had been given to the Petition until the House of Assembly met. The late 44* 522 APPENDIX. Ninian Lindsay, Esq., was one of the members from Charlotte at that lime. Arriving in l-'redericton his first push was towards Government House, and laying the case plainly before tiic Governor, he said the im- migrants must have the land petitioned ibr. Tiicre were three ciaimanls to tlie land. Tlie hitc Josepli Porter was one of them, and his first act of kindness to the settlers was the surrender of his claim for their sukes. Tlie others adhered to tlie claim. However, the late Donald MacDonald, Esq., being a real Highlander, a Lawyer, and a Crown Land Surveyor, obtained an order of survey. Heading his Highland crew to the spot, he built a camp outside of Mark's grant. The two claimants appeared and forbade his proceeding any further. He told them to mind their own business, and he would mind his. He had his orders and he would exe- cute them. The survey was made, and lots east who should be served first. They then proceeded with the distribution. In laying out the Scotch Ridge a quantity of 200 acres was allowed to husband and wife, and 50 acres for every child. The late Benjamin Pomroy, who had four sons married, and two sons in law, natives, obtained an order of survey on a ridge one mile West of it — the present Pomroy Ridge. T)ie immi- grants wrote to their friends who stayed beliind, ( in the States and Nova Scotia,) how they fared at last. This intelligence brought them along, and they got land on the Basswood Ridge, two miles East, and on the Lit- tle Ridge, three miles West, bounded by the St. Croix. But then they were discontented as they could not be together. Three miles through thick woods was too great a distance to admit of their being neighbours, and so the men of the Scotch Ridge changed with them one hundred acres on the Scotch Ridge for one hundred acres on the Little Ridge. Now they were happy. They then spotted a line of road, shunning every swamp, cutting under-brush only; built a large camp to eat and sleep to- gether until each would have a spot clear to build a house and plant pota- toes. They worked together in crews, doing equal justice to each individual. One week they worked at St. Stepheii and Calais, earning supplies for the following one. Having obtained these they would start on Monday morning with their heavy packs carrying them full 12 miles. They con- tinued this plan during the Fall of 1804, and Spring and Summer of 1805. It was at this time that the late Joseph Porter and Colin Campbell, Esqrs., endeared themselves to the immigrants by many acts of kindness. They both had stores, and whatever the settlers wanted they could have for la- bour, or otherwise whenever they got able. And seldf)m would they em- ploy any other tlian the immigrants. In the Fall of 1805 they moved into the wilderness, carrying their children on their backs, and their various necessaries, such as they had, in the same way as they had long done. They found an excellent crop of their own planting for digging. But they could nut forget that the Israelites were guided in the wilderness by a pil- lar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, so when the Sabbath came they all met in one house. The master of the house commenced the wor- ship of God by singing, reading a chapter and prayer. Then sung and read a sermon ; and concluded by singing and prayer by one of the hearers. Then they agreed to keep one day in a fortnight as a question day. These questions would be similar to the following. After singing, reading a chapter and prayer, the leader would ask if any one had a word working in his mind that he would like to hear the brethren upon. One would an- swer. The apostle says, "I bear tliem record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge." I would wish to hear some distinguish- ing marks between the man whose zeal is according to knowledge, and whose zeal is not, as God may reveal it to your own souls. The leader APPENDIX. 523 would call on them one after another, and some would have such utter- ance ffivfii thcni, that all could not speak in one day. There would be at least tlirec prayers. This was continued so long' as we were as sheep without a shepherd. Tlie godly Nicl Morrison lieard of the success of his llllow passengers, and soon rejoined them. Also five of the families that went to Carolina made their appearance. Mr. Morrison used to take every alternate day in leading worship. In tlie year 1810, I tbund myself on the Scotch Ridge, when a portion of the foregoing history of the wanderings of the settlers was given to me. From that time I can write from observation, and participation in all the struggles, joys, and sorrows of St. James. At the time of my arrival I learned that there were twenty persons who observed the worship of Goa in Iheir families. The grant of land was issued in 1812, and parish officers found it in- convenient to have St. Stephen so extensive. It was divided next winter, and the parish of St. James formed from a part of it. About tliis time the lamented McDonald died, and his intimate friend Colin Camnbell. Esq., succeeded him, as Crown Land Surveyor; and laid out Oak-hill for na- tives of St. Stephen. In 1813-14, the crops failed, and nothing could be got from Calais on account of the war. In a general election which oc- curred, it was said that Joseph Porter, Esq., did not miss a Scotchman's vote in the county. Wiien he was declared elected, a man called him the Scotch member. Mr. Porter thanked him and said. " I am proud of that title." The year 1815 bordered upon famine : many herbs and roots sel- dom used as food were sought after and obtained. Mr. Porter managed to get 200 bushels of corn into his grist mill; would not sell a bushel of it to lumbermen. He said that oxen and horses could eat hay, but poor men's children could not. By this time tlie road to St. Stephen was straightened and made shorter and more passable. Horses could now carry a load on their backs. Rev. D. Mac- Caul, whose ministry the immigrants attended at St. Stephen, was there- fore able occasionally to visit St. James on week-days and preach. Rev. Dr. MacGregor, of Pictou, visited us, and administered the Lord's Sup- per. Some years after, Rev. Mr. Sprott visited us ; next Rev. Mr. Mac- Callum came twice, and administered the sacrament each time. Having but two elders. Rev. Mr. Wilson, who came to this province from the North of Ireland, ordained five additional elders and administered the sac- rament. In 1825 tlie Report of the Glasgow Colonial Society reached us, holding out inducements of supply to settlers in the Colonies. We thanked God and took courage. Held a meeting to consider what could be done about building a church. One thought it could be done : another, that it was visionary. One thought that He who sent the fish with a piece of money in his mouth to Peter's hook would send us help ; another, that we might build a small church, but not a large one ; a third, that we could build a large church easier than a small one ; that friends would be more liberal in aiding us, and we could have a bolder face to beg for a respecta- ble building than for a mean one. It might be said of St. James in those days: Behold how good a thing it is -\nd how becoming well. Together, such as brethren are In unity to dwell. — Ps. 133. All longed to see the one object accomplished. It was finally agreed to erect a building, 42x36, 17 feet post, with end gallery, and a tower. A 524 APPENDIX. Bubscription list was opened — the old men signing^ from £5 to iJlO in la- bour and materials. We had a goodly number of young men who had no wives to make them drag heavily, and they went into it like the 42d going to battle. A man was sent to St. Stephen with a paper, and the third day came home with i^To subscribed. Another man was sent to St. John, St. Andrews, &.e. People were astonished at our courage and success, for to many the object seemed visionary. Being late in the season wc postponed building till next summer. lu January 1826 our brightest star, Niel Morrison, was called to his ever- lasting rest That was a day of mourning and weeping in St. James. Be- lieving that death was near, he said to a brother elder, " You nmsttake my place in the Sabbath services." I watched with him the night before liis death ; in the morning had family worship with him. At the close of if, he stretched out his hand, drew me near, and said, " My dear , never continue praying as long as you get words to utter. Many a time I have been splitting on that rock. Long prayers are a weariness to the carnal mind." I mention this for the instruction of young converts. Aged ex- perienced Christians generally make short comprehensive prayers. Summer came, and every man and ox was up and doing. A frame was raised, underpinned, boarded, and the roof shingled and painted ; liie tower boarded to the bell dock, and covered to keep the rain out until we could do better. Funds getting exhausted we were brought to a halt. We were reminded of the words of Dr. Watt : We may expect some danger nigh When we possess delight. A Gaelic preacher, who laboured a few years in Pictou, appeared amotigst us, saying that he had heard of us and felt anxious to give us a few weeks preaching. We received him with joy. Weeks passed — months — attach- ment growing stronger in some, suspicion springing up in the mind of others. The general attachment was so great that a call was spoken of. hour elders wished to see credentials before signing a call. He stated that these were in Pictou, but he would go and get them. He left and was gone about six weeks. Here I find a difficult task, viz., to deal with the inconsistency of the dead, and yet I cannot explain the case without doing so, more or less. We received a letter from a friend in St. John that he was in and about that city all the time under the influence of . He returned, but no credentials; they were lost. How hard to root out prejudice even in good people ! A Gaelic minister in St. James it was im- possible to part with. Here a division took place — the congregation and two elders, majority; four elders and their families, minority. Our school, house erected on an acre of land purchased in 1811 was large. It was intended for holding meetings. It was left with the majority for six months, on the condition that the minority should have it next six months. The latter knew that the former had godly men and women among them. They had the aged elder of Sutherlandshire with them, who seemed to have the Bible by heart, although he knew no letters, nor English. The Bword of the Spirit, which is tlie word of God, and prayer were deemed the best recourse, in order to overcome the trouble. No application to the Presbytery was made, no violent language, nor public discussion. One party did indeed say that the other neither knew their Bibles, nor the principles of the Church of Scotland ; that if the minister preached the truth on the Lord's day, his failings during the week were nobody's busi- ness. Loving brethren and sisters going to worship the same God, through the same Saviour, began to avoid each other. A third elder was ordained and added to the other two to strengthen — one more lamb-like could not APPENDIX. 525 be found. The disscntintr elders, as tlicy mijrlit be called, attended the ordination, said nothing, and alter benediction walked off, followed by several men and women expressing- sorrow that we should differ. By the expiration of six months tlie minister moved his quarters to tiic Ba^swood Ridge. Tiie school-house was left, and occupied as proposed. The mi- nority increased. This state of things continued nearly three years. At last the word of God came so forcibly to the aged elder tliat he could not resist. He confessed his error of his own accord. After this the majority got to be a small minority. Mark here what a great injury one gifted man can do to a congregation. At last the minister took his leave. Wc tlien wrote to Rev. Dr. MacLean of St. Andrews to give us a day's preach- ing. He was a good Gaelic scholar, came well prepared for the occasion and found us all in one house. Thus ended our first division, January, lb'30. Resolved to go forward with the building, a man was sent to Frederic- ton to solicit aid. He set off on horseback about January 20. On his ar- rival in Frederieton he met the late Colonel Wyre, and James Brown, Esq. They took him into the Assembly sleigh : drove to Government house, and introduced him to Sir Archibald Campbell who gave him .£10. He returned by way of St. John. There he found that his never failing friend Colin Campbell, tlicn Editor of the Courant, published in St. An- drews, had in a conspicuous column given notice of his tour, the dimen- sions of the church, the weakness of the congregation, and wished him all success in his praise-worthy undertaking. The feeling of attaclmient be- tween Messrs. Porter, Campbell, and the emigrants never was disturbed , it exists in their children, and I doubt not will go down to the tiiird or fourth generation. The delegate from St. James brought home £54 in his pocket. Next Summer tlie walls were finished inside and out, lathed, floors laid, pulpit built. The church was seated with benches, and when prepared was opened by Dr. MacLean. But our young men were not pleased with the look of the church which as yet had no steeple. Although most of them wrought double their first subscriptions, they subscribed again the sum of .£25 without consulting the old men, and beautified the church with a handsome spire. This made it a pleasant object to look from a distance, and it enlivened the neighbourhood in which it was placed. Meanwhile we sent a bond to Scotland, well signed, with a view to get a minister, and anxiously awaited the result. Appendix Gt. (From the Colonial Patriot, March 6th, 1830.) Dr. MacGregor. It is this week our painful duty to record the death of the Rev. James MacGregor, D. D. Two years ago he was seized with paralysis ; and on Monday last experienced a return, which terminated in death on Wednesday. He had completed 70 years. His funeral took place this day, at one o'clock ; and was attended by an immense assem- blage from all parts of the district. For 44 years this excellent Divine has laboured in Pictou ; and there never lived a man more universally esteemed 52G Ai'PJiNDix. and beloved. lie came to tliis country under the authority of the Asso- ciate Synod, in Scotland. Wc refrain from farther remarks, assured that an extended account of his lilc will be ere long prepared by abler hands. The following extract from a speech delivered by Jotham Blanchard, Esq., at Glasgow, at a general meeting of tlic Society for advancing libe- ral education in the Colonies, may not, in the meantime, be considered out of place. " Near half a century ago this father, ( Dr. MacGregor,) actuated by an ardent piety, and a mure than ordinary vigor of mind, put his life in his hand, and crossed the Atlantic to preach the gospel to those who literally dwell solitarji in the woods. lie had a field boundless in extent as in dif- ficulties. The Eastern part of Nova Scotia, and the adjacent Islands of C:ipe Breton and Prince Edward, were all before him. The inhabitants were fi^w and far apart — roads in that region were an invention of a late fhiy — the site of the (own of Pictou contained one or two houses — and it was not an easy matter to travel to the next, — marked trees, a pocket com- pass, or an Indian were the only guides through the wilderness in those early times; and the frail barks which were used on the harbours, and rivers, and seus, afforded a still less desirable mode of travelling. But the people were in need of the gospel; and that to Dr. MacGregor, was suffi- cient to call tbrth all that duty required — they were anxious for it, and that called forth more. It would be difficult to justify his constant expo- sure of person by night and by day ; and his almost superhuman exer- tions from week to week, and year to year. A plank was ot1t his bed, and a potato his fare. Sleep was not seldom denied him for peveral niglits together. The people were located in little settlements, and when he visited one of these there were they all ; and his prayers and preaching and exhortations were often continued with little interruption lor a week at a time. Nor were his labours in vain. There are yet many in life of the best of our people, who received all their religious knowledge and reli- gious impressions under his ministry. Many more have gone to their re- ward, and he will speedily enter upon his, for he is worn out in the service of his Master." {From the Halifax Recorder, March 6th, 1830.) DIED: At the East River of Pictou on Wednesday last, at an advanced age, the Rev. James MacGregor, D. D., Minister of the Gospel. In recording the death of this worthy and honoured father of the Church of Nova Scotia, wc cannot refrain from expressing our grief at the removal of so kind a relation from the bosom of his family — so pious and benevolent a member from the body of society. He was among the first Presbyterian Clergy- men, who, animated by the hope of benefitting mankind, Icfl the comforts of a British home, to seek toil and privation in the forest of Nova Scotia. About the year ITSfi he landed in the district of Pictou, where his exer- tions for religion cnnnot soon be forgotten. "Aroused to activity by the vigor of youth, and burning with desire to promote the best interests of men. he traversed the pathless solitudes in every direction — not to collect the hire of the labourer from tiie people of the wood, but to share their hardships, and soothe their sorrows with the tidings of salvation. When ever a prospect of usefulness opened, he disregarded fatigue and out- APPENDIX. 527 braved danger, that the lost sheep of the desert might be restored to the fold." He laboured in t!ic true cause of pure Christianity, viewing tlie human family with the eharitablc eye of a brollicr, lie raised no petty objections about form. He was neither the narrow zealot of a particular sect, nor the paltry bigot wlio wished to create distinctions where no diiferenee ex- isted. If he met a believer, he joined him as a Iravelkr journeying on the same road to the same country, and was happy tliat they liad been brought together. If he found an unfortunate brother, who needed consolation, be remained not to inquire, whether that brother were of Paul or of Apollos, but administered to him the comforts of tlie gospel. He was a Trustee of tlie Pietou Academy, who filled the situation with equal honour to him- sell", and advantage to the institution ; and he was an active co-operator in whatever tended to promote tlie interests of education. To Pietou he has ever been a father and a friend. When in its infancy he guarded llie morals of its inhabitants — communicated to them a knowledge of tlie Sa- viour, and watched over their best interests. Now that he has been gatli- ercd to his fathers, the virtuous and tiie f;;-ood of all denominations who knew Jiim will deplore the loss that the Christian religion must sustain in his removal ; yet it is a subject of joy to know that his spirit has been wafted to the bosom of tlie Master, wiiom he so faithfully served while on earth. Even the individuals who embittered his latter days by their ef- forts to frustrate his labours, and who endeavoured to sow the seeds of dis- cord where peace had formerly reigned, will now leave him to his rest : and tlicy will probably lament that they inflicted a wound into the heart of one so benevolent as the Rev. Dr. Macdiregor, who never wounded any. The friends of Christianity may rejoice to learn that a memoir of this Reverend Gentleman will be presented to the public, from the pen of one who will not fail to make it interesting to every religious mind. MEMOIR OF THE REV. JAMES MACGREGOR, D. D., EROiM A WORK ENTITLED "BIBLIOTHECA SCOTA-CELTICA. " BY JOHN REID, GLASGOW, 1832. James MacGregor was a native of Perthshire : he was born and brought up in the vicinity of Comrie, on the romantic banks of the Loch Earn. He not only spoke the Gaelic witli fluency, but wrote it with elegance and precision, which in those days was a rare attainment. After passing through the necessary Seminaries and Halls of learning, at the early age of about 21,* he was licensed to preach by the General Associate Synod. Nearly half a century ago, although his prospects of a charge in this country were very encouraging ; upon a requisition being received from Nova Scotia for a minister, actuated by an ardent piety, and more than ordinary vigor of mind, he crossed the Atlantic to preach tlie gospel to tliose who "dwelt solitary in the woods." He here entered on a field boundless in extent as in difReulties. The Eastern part of Nova Scotia, and the Islands of Cape Breton and Prince Edward, were all before him. The iniiabitants were few and far between. Roads in tiiat region were an invention of a later day. The site of tlie town of Pietou Contained only one or two liouses, and it was not an easy matter to travel to tlie next hamlet, — marked trees, a pocket compass, or an Indian were his only guides through the wilderness in those early * AVe think this a uiistakc— G. P. 528 APPENDIX. times ; but the people were in need of the g-ospel, and that, to Dr. Mac- Gregor, was suflicient to call forth all his exertions. It Would be difficult to justify liis constant exposure of person, bv night and by day, and his almost sujicrhunian exertions froni week to week, and year to year. A plank was often his bed, and a potato his fare. Sleep was frequently a strang-cr to him for several nights togetlicr. Towards the close of liis life and niiiiistry, we regret to say that the comfort of this man of God was embittered, and liis congregation rent by tiic intrusion of a stranger into his labours; and still more to add tliat party spirit sup- planted the feelings of gratitude, and not a few wjio owed much to him, when none other would come over to help them, deserted his ministry Ibr that of anotlier, certainly not more able, or affectionate, or Evangelical. Nothing, however could divert his benevolence from its predominant bent. Attached to the land of his fathers, and anxious to promote the best interests of his countrymen at home — to edify those by his pen, whom he could no longer reach by his voice, he conceived the design of clothing the doctrines of the gospel in Gaelic versification, that he might unite tlic best instruction with the sweetest melodies of his native land. The execu- tion of this purpose produced the little volume of hymns which bear his name. MacGrcgor may be regarded as the apostle of Nova Scotia, or at least of the District of Pictou. Doubtless, others have laboured in other parts of the Colony with laudable industry, as well as with desirable success, and deserved their meed of praise. Nay, one or two had preceded him on the scene of the ministry; but he was best known in this western part of Scot- land, therefore most frequently mentioned there, and very highly as well as justly esteemed. In proof of this last statement, one fact which is honourable to all par- tics concerned, deserves to be recorded. No sooner were his character and claims testified to the members of the University of Glasgow, than the Senate unanimously agreed to confer upon him the title of D. D., an honour which he amply merited by his attainments and his services, but which, coming from his native land, and from a literary quarter so highly respectable, would be received by him with peculiar interest, and would contribute, there can be no doubt, unsolicited and unexpected as it was on his part, to shed a gleam of light upon the evening of his life, and to cheer him amid the causes of depression which arose from the failure of nature, and the fickleness of some of his former friends. Besides, being a man of ardent piety, of determined resolution, of expan- sive benevolence, and of elevated spirit, he was a Divine of no small reach of thought, and a poet of considerable genius. His letters which he wrote on behalf of the Church in that distant land, exhibit a charming and touching simplicity. Some of his essays, published in a religious periodical in his native country, show that he was possessed of an independent turn of thinking ; and the small volume of hymns, already noticed, is believed to be the last of his printed works, and demonstrates, as well as the whole tenor of his life, that he loved to consecrate the crowning and the most powerful efl forts of his mind, to the glory of God, and the good of his countrymen. In the Spring of 1828, he was seized with epilepsy,* and at Pictou, on tlie first day of March, 1830, at the age of 70, he experienced a return, which terminated in his death on the 3d. Ilis funeral was attended by an immense assemblage from all parts of the district. * Should be paralysis. — Q. P. APPENDIX. 529 For 46 years this excellent Divine had laboured in Pictou, and there never lived a man more universally esteemed and beloved. K.XTRACT FROM A SERMON PREACIIKD BY THE REV. ROBERT S. FATTERSON, I HAVE made these remarks witli a view to turn your attention to the hiiiientcd death of the late Dr. MaeGrcgor, of the East River, of Pictou. \Vc are not in the habit of preaching funeral sermons. While we consider it our duty carefully to improve ])rovidential dispensations, we conceive th;it this is better done without referring to tlic character of the deceased. We do not hesitate to say, however, that from this rule there are some ex- ceptions. There are persons who are possessed of such superior excellence, or who have been so distinguished lor their zeal and activity, and la- bours in the cause of Christ, that it would bo unwise and unjust to with- hold that tribute to their memory which our feeble abilities can afford. Among these, the venerable minister whose death we have announced to you, holds no inferior place. Nor ought this tribute of respect to be eoulined to that part of the clmreh in which he more immediately resided. Tliough connected with a particular congregation, his usefulness was not restrained within siich narrow limits. Like an eminent servant of Christ of old, his praise was in all the churches. His name was extensively known, and the respect which it secured was not more limited. Surely then, it cannot be improper in me to make him the subject of a {ew remarks. And here I would wish not to be misunderstood. He who is now gone, is removed beyond the reach of the kind offices of humanity. He has, no doubt, mingled with the multitudes who surround the throne. All the re- spect which we can afford him, will not in the least degree affect his state. But he has left us an example, which each, according to the sphere in which he moves, would do well to follow. While we cherish the memory of his virtues in our hearts, let us imitate them in our life. Between forty and fifty years ago, this excellent man, influenced by a strong desire to promote the salvalicn of perishing mortals, left the coun- try of his nativity. All the endearments of home, which to him were neither few nor small, must yield to his ardent benevolence. Born in a country, which, for ages past, had been the seat of science and civilization, enjoying the advantages of a liberal education, he was formed for realizing the j>leasures of literarj' society. Possessing no common degree of sensi- bility also, he must have keenly felt the pains of separation from relatives and friajids. But ail these considerations, his desire to promote the hon- our of his master and the salvation of his fellow men, far out-weighed. Suihce it to remark, that leaving the land of his fathers, he arrived at the shores of Nova Scotia. The district of Pictou was to be the scene of his labours. He who now visits that country can form but a very imperfect idea of what it was at that period. Nothing was to be seen but a con- tinued succession of wood, with here and there a solitary inhabitant, with a little cultivation. The pathless forest, also, presented but a poor means of intercourse between the scattered settlers. In this situation none of you will anticipate that their cotnforts would be abundant. But I need j>ot pretend to give you information upon this point. There are some in tiiis worshipping assembly who might well be my instructors, and to them I appeal for the truth of these statements. Such was the state of the country when this faithful minister entered upon his labours. A mind less ardent, appalled by the difficulties of the 45 530 APPENDIX. situation, would hare shrank back from the attempt. But his zeal was of no common order. Ardent in youth, vigorous in constitution, and burn- ing witli desire to promote the salvation of his fLllow-mortals, he com- menced liis mhiistrations. Exposed to privations and toil, he laboured long and faitlifiilly in that part of the church. He has been a father to the district of Pietou ; he has watclied over the best interests of that grow- ing community, and deatli, only, terminated his exertions on its belialf. His labours have not been in vain. The Master whom he so faithliilly served has honoured his ministrations with ricli fruit. He lived to sec many spiritual children to be a source of comfort to liim in his declining years ; and he will have many for a crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord .lesus. Wide and difficult as was his charge in the district of Pieton, his labours were not confined to it. He could not behold the vast moral wilderness before him witliout tlie deepest sympathy. In Nova Scotia, New Bruns- wick, Cape Breton, and Prince Edward Island, there was a vast field un- cultivated. Tiiousands were jKTisliing for lack of the bread of life. The prospect was too painful for the benevolent mind of this faithful minister, to contemplate without sympathy. Nor did his sympathy evaporate in mere unavailing desires. He resolved to traverse the pathless forest, and carry the tidings c^f salvation to those who dwelt solitary in the woods. We are accustomed even now, to complain of inconveniences of travelling ; but judging from the present, we can form little idea of the difficulties that existed forty years ago. At that period roads were almost entirely un- known. The sea shore often presented the only path, intercepted by nu- merous rivers, which were crossed frequently with great difficulty, and sometimes with no small danger. Tiic accommodations of the traveller were anything but eomfortablc. This indeed, in most instances, was not the fault of his benevolent entertainer. Had lie possessed the means, no doubt the accommodations of liis visitor would have been more ample; but what could be expected from him ? Placed in the middle of the wood, his little cultivation affording him only a scanty means of subsistence ; far re- moved from any quarter vi'hcre the comforts of life could be procured, he was but ill-prepared for the entertainment of strangers. A plank was of- ten the lied, and a potato the fare of the weary traveller. Such was the situation of the country, when this faithful servant of Christ traversed a great part of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Cape Breton, and Prince Ed- ward Island, sharing tlie hardsliips of the scattered inhabitants, and sooth- ing their sorrows with the tidings of salvation. And no doubt his name is mentioned in many a humble dwelling ; no doubt many can trace tlieir best Consolations to his prayers and his instructions ; and no doubt many will drop the tear of sympathy over this venerable minister. It is not our intention, at present, to enter into a detail of his varied la- bours, in the service of his Master. Any attempts of this kind our limits would not permit ; and, indeed it is altogether unnecessary. I am per- suaded that many of you are vrell acquainted with his great exertions. It cannot be improper, however, shortly to advert to some of the most promi- nent features in his character, which we ought to make the object of our imitation. His faith was of no ordinary description. To that revelation which God has given us of liis will, he gave his most unqualified assent. His was no speculative faith; it powerfully influenced his lile. Not only in the season of ])rosf)crity, when tlie world smiled around, but in the dark hour of adversity he firmly trusted in God. 'I'lie consequence of this was, tliat iii the most threatening dangers, his miiid was at case, llrmly re- APPENDIX. 531 lying- upon that God who holds the reins of the universe in his hands, he was serene amidst tiic convulsions by wliieh ollurs are terrified ; and we have known few who possessed such a firm and unbroken assurance of a happy immortality. Let us imitate his faitli ; let us believe the divine tes- timony; let us acquiesce in tlie dispensation of heaven. His charity was expanded . He was not of a censorious temper. He was ever dis|>osed to put tlie most favourable construction upon the actions of others. He could not be induced to attach blame without the most de- cisive proof; and he was most ready to excuse and iorgive. His cliarity was not Confined to the narrow limits of a sect, but reached to all who bore the Christian name. All who bore the image of the Saviour, as iar as known to him, shared in liis esteem and his friendship. I'hough firmly attached to the Presbyterian doctrine and modes of worship, he lived in habits of intimacy with clergymen and private Christians of various de- nominations. His was not indeed that boasted, though false liberality, too prevalent at the present day, whicli can so easily overlook sin. He was too faitliful to his Master, and too charitable to his brethren, to overlook sin, even in those whom he most esteemed ; and he was remarkable lor a happy talent for administering reprooi", without giving offence. Brethren, let us imitate his example; let us cultivate that expanded cliarity by which he was so honourably characterized ; let us be disposed to extenuate and forgive the faults of our brethren ; and let us love all who bear the image of Christ, to whatever sect or party they belong. His zeal was most ardent. Perhaps thU was one of those excellences in his character, which shine with prominent lustre. The cause of Zion ever lay near his heart, and he earnestly sought its advancement. His zeal did not waste itself in unavailing desires, but incited him to holy activity. Nor was it repressed by trifling, nor even by great difficulties. Those obstacles wliieh would have paralyzed the exertions of others, only excited him to increased activity. His zeal was not blind attachment to a sect or part}'; it was an enlightened zeal; it was a holy desire to advance the cause of God. Does not this trait in his character furnish us with a for- cible reproof? Is it not too evident that zeal among us is in a languish- ing condition ? Let a reflection on the bright example set before us kindle in our hearts the holy flame. I need scarcely intbrm you that his labours were abundant. Which of his brethren could compare with him in these ? Who of them has mani- fested such unwearied exertion, in carrying the glad tidings of salvation to the abodes of the destitute ? Upon his missionary excursions also, he was most industrious. Day after day, and week after week, with little intermission, his prayers, and his preaching, and his exertions were con- tinued. To him it was no drudgery to be employed in the service of his Master. It was the object of his fondest delight, and his most ardent de- sire ; and when the body was worn down with fatigue the spirit remained unabated. You who have heard him upon these occasions can say that he was truly eloquent. It was not indeed the eloquence which consisted in the tinsel of rhetoric; it was not the eloquence which consisted in liigli sounding words, or gracefully turned periods; but it was the eloquence of a heart deeply affected with the awful i-ealities of eternity, and earnestly desirous of impressing the same feeling upon the minds of others ; it was an eloquence which for a plainness and simplicity which rendered it adap- ted to the lowest capacity, strikingly resembled that of his great Master. As an evidence of his unabated exertion in the cause of the Redeemer, I need only farther mention, that even after the first attack of that disease which at last tcnninuted his mortal existence, though much weakened, he 532 APPENDIX. considered it bis duly, instead of diminisliing, to increase his public labours on the S.ibbatli ; and on the first day of Ibat very week on which his dcatli occurred, he ])rociainied tlie name of tliat Saviour into whose bliosful pres- ence he was soon to eutcr. But lie rests from his labours ; his toils arc ended ; his privations arc terminated; and he enjoys uninterrupted and eternal repose, in tlie bosom of his Saviour and his God. Brethren, let us imitate his cxam|ile. We arc not all called to be public teacliers in the church ; but we are called to be diHjjnit in the respective spheres whicli Providence has allotted us. Let us not be slotliful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving- the Lord. Let us be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in tlio work of the Lord. But his usei'ulncss was not confined to his public labours. Sensible that he could but ill serve his Master by limiting his ministrations to the pulpit, he was the advocate of religion wlicrcvcr he went. Every suitable opportunity was embraced lor recommending the interests of piety ; and to him few, very few indeed, were unsuitable. He possessed a happy faculty of turning the conversation, whatever it might be, into the channel of re- ligion, without giving offence. As the love of Clirist was his ruling prin- ciple, so he oflen dwelt upon tlie wonders of redemption. As the great tilings of God's law occupied the meditations of his heart, so they were of- ten upon his lips. Remembering this trait in his character, have we not much cause to blush deeply ? How seldom is religion the subject of our conversation ! How often does a criminal shame prevent us Irom avow- ing the cause of that Master wliom we profess to serve! Let us learn wisdom from the bright example before us; let our conversation be always with grace, seasoned with salt ; let us be always ready to give an answer to every one that asketli us a reason of the hope that is within us, with meekness and fear. The benevolence of this servant of Christ also claims our attention. It was tender and affectionate. None told him the tale of woe, and told it in vain. Possessing deep sensibility himself, he knew how to feel for others. His benevolence did not terminate in mere unavailing sympathy. None was more ready to extend the hand of relief; nor was his benevo- lence limited to bodily distress, — he was too sensible of the value of the inunortal soul to overlook its interests. In the house of mourning, and at the sick bed, he was no stranger, and few were better qualified to admin- ister the healing balm of gospel consolation. He felt much for the situa- tion ol' the beniglited Heathen ; he greatly rejoiced in those benevc^lent exertions by which tlie present times are so honourably characterized, for relieving tiiem from their destitute situation. He dwelt fondly upon the prospect of millennial glory, and every means for effecting it had his pat- ronage and support. He was ever ready, upon all occasions, to contrib- ute of his labour and of his property to the interests of benevolence: and so liberal was his exj)enditure for this purpose, as oflcn materially to di- miiiish the comforts of himself and family. Let us imitate his benevo- lence; let us pity, and, according to ^ur ability, relieve the distressed ; let us soothe the sorrows of the afflicted; let us not withhold our support from the institutions of benevolence. His interest in the cause of education ought not to be overlooked. He was a Trustee of the Pictou Acadeniy, who filled tlie situation with equal honour to himself and advantage to the Institution. Educated in that Seminary, I would count it alike ungenerous and unjust, not to mention the interest which this excellent man took in its prosperity. Little did he expect ever to sec such an institution there when he arrived at the district ofFictou. Covered with wood, inhabited by a few settlers, possessing APPENDIX. 533 none of the wealth, and few of the comforts of life, hardly, if at all, enjoy- ing tlie advantage of llie eoinmoncst cdueatioii ; he little aiiticij)ated tiiat Buch an institution would so soon he established in it. He liad seen vast tracts of land rescued from the forest; he iiad seen extensive settlements formed, where Ibrmerly there were few, if any, inhabitants; he had seen a town erected where there only one or two solitary dwellings ; he had seen ph.ees ot" worship reared where formerly no temjile of (Jod was to be found ; he had seen numerous faitliful pastors around him, where he was long only .a solitary labourer ; he had seen a seminary lor liberal education estab- lished where there was hardly a common sciiool; he had seen Zion in her desolation, and in her prosperity ; he iiad seen a vast moral wilderness, and he had seen tlie excellency of tJarmel and Sharon ; and who could behold such a prospect without emotion ? It was too much for a mind of far less sensi- bility than that of Dr. JMacGrcgor. Here my mind naturally recurs to those occasions, when with others assembk'd in that Institution, I shared in his advices and in his prayers. Many of these seasons I well remember. 1 shall not soon forget my own feelings, when I heard that excellent man expressing his thankfulness for those prospects which so far exceeded his most sanguine expectations, while the rolling tears disclosed the emotions of his heart. Thus we have given you, though very imperfectly, a short sketch of the most prominent features in the character of this faithful servant of Christ. I'hat he was without his faults we do not presume to afRrm. To be free from imperfections, while here below, is more than falls to the lot of hu- manity. Even the most eminent saints and servants of God have not at- tained to perfection. Even the great Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are. But we may safely affirm, that he whose life we have now briefly sketched was a burning and shining light. For unaffec- ted piety — for ardent zeal — for laborious exertion — for disinterested benevo- lence, he has not left his equal in these parts. Well, indeed, may the church lament her loss. Truly, a great man is fallen in Israel. But shall we mourn for him ? No I He is gone to that God whom he so faithfully served ; he is gone to that Saviour whose cause he so zealously and successfully promoted; he is gone to join the assembled throng of holy angels; he is gone to mingle in the blissful company of glorified saints, and no doubt he has met with many happy spirits, the the fruits of his ministerial toil. Let us then be followers of them, who, through faith and patience, are now inheriting the promise. 45* Princeton Theological Seminary Libraries I 1 1012 01206 0549 DATE DUE .;^,^J^^ -4K1M! iwWq CAVLORO 1 rniNTEDINU.t.A. Wl