History of Presbyteriam'sm

In the year 1857 Mr. Donald McNeill, a licentiate of the Free Church College, Halifax, was ordained and inducted as the first pastor of this congregation. There was then but little to inspire hope. The peo- ple were few in number, and they had become greatly disheartened by their frequent failures to ob- tain a regular supply of gospel ordinances. The only church edifice they had at that date was a small building 24x30 feet, half finished outside, and only a rough board floor, with very primitive seating ac— commodation. But though few in number and hum- ble in their circumstances, they constituted a small band of noble men and women who were ready to make any sacrifices which the Master’s cause re- quired. Some of these good fathers and mothers in Israel have gone to their rest and to their reward, such as Angus Beaton, John McDonald, Donald Smith, John McGregor, Mrs. Angus Beaton and Mrs. Donald Munn. The names of those still living and laboring in the Lord’s vineyard must be passed over here, but their reward will come. Mr. McNeill was an earnest and indefatigable worker, an earnest preacher and a successful minister. He had the sat— isfaction of seeing rapid progress in his congrega— tion, both in matters temporal and spiritual. Dur- ing the period of his ministry two new churches were erected and finished free from debt, and what is even better, these churches were well filled with earnest and attentive hearers. They had also pur— chased a glebe on which they erected a very com- fortable manse for their minister, and had an active

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