History of Presbyterianism anism. They were much pleased with Mr. Mc ¬ Gregor's ministrations on this occasion, and always looked forward to his visits with a great deal of pleasure. His attention to them at this early pe¬ riod led many of them to cast in their lot with the Presbyterians of that place; and a number of their descendants to this day are active and consistent members of that denomination. The congregation of was organ¬ ized in 1822 by Rev. Dr. Keir . For many years their supply of preaching was limited to an occa¬ sional day's service from Dr. Keir , Dr. Geddie , Revs. R. S. Patterson , M. A ., J. C. Sinclair , John McLennon , M. A ., A. Munro , Robert Douglas and others. Rev. R. Douglas visited nineteen times on horseback, before they had a set¬ tled minister of their own. Their first settled pas¬ tor was Rev. Daniel McCurdy , who was inducted in the year 1830. The next was Rev. Neil Bethime , who was ordained and inducted by the Free Presby¬ tery of Pictou . Mr. Bethune was a native of Scot¬ land and came to this island when quite young, with his parents. After obtaining as good an edu¬ cation as the schools of the country at that time af¬ forded, he spent several years teaching school in Bedeque , and at the same time, under the direction of the late Rev. R. S. Patterson , M. A ., prosecuting the study of the classics, mathematics, logic, moral and natural philosophy. He then returned to Scot¬ land, and in the Free Church College in Edinburgh completed his theological curriculum. Mr. Beth- 92