I'RINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 297 is still a source of unnecessary weakness among them. VISITING MISSIONARIES. It was well for the decadent Baptist in¬ terests of this province that a spirit of deep¬ ening sympathy was manifested by kindred workers in the neighboring provinces. Mis¬ sionaries from Nova Scotia at an early date came over to lend assistance in awakening the feeble churches to new life. This was the beginning of a new era in the history of these churches. In the summer of 1825 Rev. C. Tupper , father of Sir Charles Tupper , the eminent Canadian diplomatist and states¬ man, spent some time in performing mis¬ sionary labor on the Island. He was a pious and faithful preacher of the gospel and his ministrations among the people were greatly appreciated wherever he went. All .classes received him kindly and heard his message with respect and profit. He was especially successful in healing the breach in at least several communities connected with the re¬ ligious differences to which we have already referred. ()ne year later two veteran missionaries, Rev. Joseph Crandall , from Sackville, New Brunswick , and Rev. Theodore Seth Hard ¬ ing, from Horton, Nova Scotia , came over to continue the good work inaugurated by Rev. C. Tupper . These were strong men, heroes in Baptist ranks, gifted with personal qualities adapted to exert great influence over the popular mind and heart. Large congregations gathered to listen to their dis¬ courses and many persons became so deeply impressed by their teachings as to decide at once to consecrate their lives to spiritual service. Many baptisms followed, and the first so-called Associated Baptist church was organized at Bedeque in 1826. It had a mem¬ bership of twenty-eight persons, including a number from Tryon . Its chosen deacon was Isaac Bradshaw , an active and highly respected man who had come from Sack¬ ville, New Brunswick , to reside at Bedeque and some of whose descendants are residing there at the present time. The church at Bedeque has had a worthy record. It has been the parent of a numter of other churches and it has sent forth some noble men into the great active world, not the least of whom is President Schurman of Cornell University. Another efficient missionary, who did good service in strengthening the churches and establishing new interests, was Rev. Samuel McCully , of Amherst , Nova Scotia . He came hither in 1830 and visited various parts of the Island, delivering his message with clearness and ability. At North River he held meetings at the residence of William Dockendorff . an intelligent and te- sourceful fanner, who for many years oc¬ cupied a position of honor in the parliament of the province. Here he organized the North River Baptist church in October, 1830. This church has steadily held to its original tradi¬ tions and is at present one of the largest and most active in the country. During the same year a violent storm drove to the shore of Lot Forty-nine , now known as Alexandra, a vessel having on board a young man named Benjamin Scott , a Baptist licentiate from Yarmouth. Nova Scotia . He at once began to preach in his new and unexpected surroundings and many persons were constrained to accept the doc¬ trines he taught. Rev. Hezekiah Hull , hav¬ ing come providentially to the community in the year following 1831, baptized these con¬ verts and organized a church consisting of fifteen members. Mr. Scott was afterward