PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

labor at the time for eight or ten priests, so that while these good and zealous men had the mutual encouragement of each other

they saw that their portion was to be one of strenuous and unremitting toil.

The Catholics of Charlottettown also re- ceived their share of Father MacEachem’s much-divided attention. In the early years of the century there were but few Catholics in Charlottetown, those of the earlier Port- la—Joie having been driven away after the fall of Louisburg. As far as can be learned from their names they were of various. na- tionalities, but most were emigrants from the Emerald Isle. For some years their spiritual welfare was attended to by the Abbe de Calonne, and—upon his, removal to Rustico, and his departure from the Island shortly afterwards, the care of these faithful devolved upon Father MacEachern. He visited them as frequently as was possible under the prevailing circumstances, and ad- ministered to them the sacraments of the church. He had long looked forward to the building of a church for the accommoda- tion of the Catholics of Charlottetown, but this was not easily accomplished, as it was difliCult to obtain a suitable place for that purpose. At length in 1815, an excellent site was procured, and in a short time building operations were commenced, and thus was the first Catholic church in Charlottetown erected on the site at present occupied by the magnificent St. Dunstan’s Cathedral, its ded- ication title having been assigned by Bishop Plessis.

\Vhile these operations were in progress the two zealous missionaries were kept busy in administering to the needs of the people. Father Beaubien gave his attention mainly to the Acadians, and was untiring in his efforts to promote the religious welfare of these people. This involved much labour,

285

exposure and fatigue 'on the part of the good priest, but he realized that he was in the service of his Divine Master, and was ever ready for the call of duty. Father Mac- Eachern was likewise untiring in the dis- charge of his priestly oflice, and though new problems were ever arising relative to the religious needs of the people, he was always ready to take up these increasing duties. The mission of Seven Mile Bay next claimed his more immediate attention. This mission though small, was one of the oldest on the Island, having been settled by Highland emi- grants at the beginning of the nineteenth century. While they also received all the attention that could be expected at the time, the building of their first church was not undertaken till' the year 1815. Prior to that time their religious duties were com- plied with by either having a station held in the district, or by attending divine service at the nearest Catholic church. Father Mac- Eachern therefore organized them for the purpose of providing themselves with a place of worship which was effected in the year above mentioned.

In 1818, Father Beaubien returned to Quebec, .much to the regret of Father Mac- Eachem. A strong bond of friendship ex- isted between those two hard-working mis- sionaries, and the departure of the one was deeply felt by the other. Another priest, however, Rev. Joseph Etienne Cecile, was sent by the Bishop of Quebec to replace Father Baubien. Father Cecile, though not of a robust constitution, bravely undertook the duties assigned to him.

New settlements began to spring up in different parts of the Island, and consequent~ ly still other churches had to be erected. A better understanding having been arrived at between Colonel Compton and the Acadians, some of them returned and settled on his