History of Presbyteriant'sm

ization as a station) unable to support a minister. Accordingly, on 9th May, 185 5, West River was dis- joined from Strathalbyn, united with Charlottetown and organized into a congregation known as the Free Church congregation of Charlottetown. The Lord’s supper was first dispensed in this congrega— tion, while it was only a preaching station, by the late Rev. Murdoch Sutherland of Pictou on 17th September, 1854. He also preached for a few Sab- baths in the newly organized congregation in the following summer, 1855, and so well pleased was the congregation with his services that they extended to him a most cordial and unanimous call to become their pastor, but both his congregation (Knox church, Pictou) and the Presbytery of which he was a member, being strongly opposed to his removal to Prince Edward Island, Mr. Suther— land declined the call to Charlottetown.

This congregation having now grown to such an extent that outside help was no longer necessary, the West River section was, in August, 1856, dis— joined from Charlottetown and soon after united with Brookfield, a section of the Scotch settlement, and organized into a new congregation with Rev. William Ross as their minister. In the meantime the Free Church congregation in Charlottetown received supply of preaching from Messrs. Neil McKay, Donald McNeill, Rev. George Sutherland and others. In the spring of 1856 this spirited little congregation made another, and this time a success- ful. eflort to secure a settled pastor. They called

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