History of Presbyfefianism

West to Murray Harbor in the east, a distance of ninety miles, and embracing the whole breadth of the island, and that, too, when there were compar- atively few roads, and but few of the modern com- forts of travel. He preached on week days as well as on Sabbath, in private houses, in school houses, in barns and on the hillside. On sacramental occa— sions he often spoke for six hours without intermis- sion. No man of ordinary intellect or physical en— durance could for any considerable length of time endure the herculean labors of this devoted servant of God. He seemed to be wholly consecrated to the service of his Divine Redeemer. He probably bap— tized more children, married more couples, preached more sermons, traveled more miles and built more churches than any other minister in the Dominion. His churches are to be found scattered here and there over the greater part of the province, and thousands are still living who revere his memory, and look back to him as their spiritual father.

Mr. McDonald’s followers numbering about five thousand and being scattered over nearly two-thirds of the island, it will appear evident that he could not make more than monthly visits to some of his sta— tions; but as in each of these pious and intelligent men had been ordained to the eldership, religious service was conducted by them in the absence of the minister. The number of elders ordained in connection with this congregation could not have been less than one hundred, about thirty-five of whom are still living, some of them over four score

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