Hislory of Presbyterianism

report at next meeting of Synod. When, in 1845, the Synod did resolve to undertake the work, and advertised for a missionary, the Rev. John Geddie (who had been dedicated to foreign mission work by godly parents, as an expression of gratitude to God for sparing their child’s life in a case of severe ill— ness) offered his services, which were accepted. This of course, led to his separation from his con— gregation, which took place on 20th October, 1845. Though his people were warmly attached to him, and would gladly have retained his services,yet from a sense of duty to the benighted heathen, and in the spirit of obedience to the will of the Great Head of the church, they consented to part with their beloved pastor, and followed him with their kind wishes and earnest prayers in his work of faith and labor of love amongst the perishing heathen. Thus from this little island there went out the first Canadian missionary to the heathen, and one of the most successful, for he could say, “When I landed on Aneiteum there was not a Christian, and before I left there was not a heathen, on the island.”

After Mr. Geddie’s departure to the foreign field Cavendish remained vacant for about four years, receiving during that time such supply as Presby— tery was able to give them. In March, 1848, they called Mr. Joseph Handyside, a gifted and popular preacher who had just come out from the U. P. Church of Scotland, but Mr. Handyside was taken suddenly ill in Pictou, and being Of a delisate Con- stitution, he sank rapidly into a decline and passed

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