PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

strong men, but as early as 1845 there were negotiations for union between the Synod of the Presbyterian church in Nova Scotia and that of the Free church. These negotiations issued in union in the year 1860.

It is of more interest perhaps to learn of the vast change that had taken place in the state of things since the induction of Doctor Keir in 1810. At that period the country presented the appearance of an almost un- broken forest. Only here and there at wide intervals might be seen a few solitary settlers dwelling for the most part in poor log huts with a little clearing around them. The moral and religious condition of the people also was very affecting. The few that made any pretensions to piety were as sheep scat-

tered abroad, having no shepherd. But how '

great the change in 1845. Instead of one dense, uninterrupted forest, an extensively cultivated country stretches before the eye; instead of a few lonely huts, numerous and comfortable habitations; instead of a hand- ful of struggling settlers, a population of fifty thousand; instead of a feeble band of isolated Christians, having none to care for their souls, a number of laborious ministers and flourishing congregations. “Ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree and in- stead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

In the interval between 1845 and 1875 the number of charges had increased from twelve to twenty and steady advance was made in consolidating the various congrega- tions in the erection pf churches and manses

311a

and in providing for the wants of a contin- ually growing population. The ministers were without exception splendid specimens of the Christian and the gentleman, and some of them like Doctors Snodgrass and G. M. Grant, played no inconspicuous part in the upbuilding of the national life of Can- ada, while the others within the more limited sphere of this province, showed that good- ness is incalculably diffusive.

Space forbids any more than the mention of such names as the Reverends Thomas Duncan, J. M. McLeod, Isaac Murray, George Sutherland, James Allan, Alexander Munro, Alexander McLean, Neil McKay, Allan Fraser, W. R. Frame and John G. - Cameron. There was a host of others, noble self-sacrificing men all of them, each of whom lived the motto “I am a man and I think nothing human alien to me.” They were leaders in education, temperance, evan- gelism, and while they encountered opposi- tion and met with many discouragements, yet they were loyal to the Christ and true to their own high ideals. They knew that at times,

God’s ways seem dark, but soon or late They touch the shining hills of day; The evil can not brook delay,

The good can well afford to wait.

It is well for this province today that such men lived and loved, laboured and be- queathed. Infinitely well was it for those who, as a result of their magnificent daring in the proclamation of divine truth, and of their high-souled purpose enforced by wealth of character, were turned towards the forces that make for righteousness. 3.5 ,4,

The year 1875 isa year‘rendered ever memorable in the history of the church by