DOWN MEMORY LANE

One cannot look back to the old days without mentioning the annual Sunday School Picnic, which used to be the highlight of the summer as was the Christmas Concert in the winter. The picnic was usually held in some “far-away” place and either a train or one of the river boats was chartered for the occasion, and the whole day, until late evening, devoted to pure enjoyment. When the children were marshalled in line by the Sunday school workers, outside the Sunday School preparatory to the march to the railroad station or the wharf where the “Harland” was moored, invariably one or two of the town characters would be waiting to take part in the procession. As a matter of course, they were taken along and were feasted, along with the children. There was always a table for the visitors and the adults. Nobody was overlooked. Such places as Morel] and Marie were favorite picnic spots by train and on the boat trips, either the East or the West River.

The Pastor’s Report of the Methodist Church for the year l896, records that the Minister was Rev. George M. Campbell with the Rev. D. H. Lodge as the Supernumerary Minister. The Stewards were: G. H. Haszard, James Paton, W. W. Stanley, Edward Moore, H. R. Boswell, A. S. Johnson and Henry Smith, Recording Steward. During this same year, 1896, sixty—seven were received on profession of faith, nine by letter, twelve were removed by death, ten were dismissed by letter and thirty—four names were dropped, in accordance with the Discipline. This left four hundred and twenty—one mem- bers —— an increase of twenty for the year.

In his report, the minister, Mr. Campbell mentions the Kensing- ton Hall Mission as “a band of workers, whose equal I have never met and upon whose work there is manifest the approval of God”. The Epworth League of Christian Endeavour, the Literary Depart- ment and the Dorcas Society, “full of good works and alms deeds” as well as the Missionary Society and the Central Relief Committee are all favorably commented upon, as is also the weekly Prayer Meeting, with large and encouraging attendance. “The ‘Class Meetings’ ” (he goes on to say), “have been hallowed spots for old saints”.

“Large congregations have waited upon the public ministry of the Word. The future is full of hope. The Lord our Christ still goes on before leading his willing people to certain Victory. So shall our sons grow as trees of the Lord’s planting, so shall our daughters be as cornerstones fashioned after the similitude of a palace —-— types of that higher Christian civilization of that day when upon every industry, every enterprise, every amusement of the age, and upon every heart shall be written, as the prophet has foretold, a “holiness unto the Lord”.”

~31—