HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE EAST POINT BAPTIST CHURCH

THE WOMEN’S FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY

The Women’s Foreign Mission Society was organized on May 22, 1871.

A band of thirteeen women gathered at the meeting-house of the East Point (Kingsboro) Baptist Church at the above date, and solemnly banded themselves together to promote in an efiective way, the cause of Foreign Missions among the women of the Church. The officers were: Jessie Fraser, President; Mrs. Donald Robertson and Mrs. Duncan Rob- ertson, Vice-Presidents; Anna Scott, Secretary; Mary Jane Ford, Treas- urer; Ann Leet, Ann MacDonald and Esther Robertson, Managers.

We learn something of the faith of these Christian women from a letter written by Miss Anna Scott to Mrs. Shelden, Secretary of the Central Board of Missions, Nova Scotia, telling of an unsuccessful at- tempt to organize a society in the autumn of 1870, and the success of the attempt at a later date. At the second attempt the sum of $10.00 was voted for Foreign Missions. The membership increased so that at the end of the first year thirty-revert responded to the roll call. The members pledged themselves anew to consecrate their time, their talents and their means to the sending of the Gospel to "those whose spiritual darkness is a challenge to the faith of Christian women.

Nor were the women alone in their desire to make the Society a success. At the annual meeting in 1873, Rev. John Shaw and Deacon Alexander Scott addressed the Society on the subject of missions.

The first change of importance took place in 1873 when the local society decided to sever its connection with the Nova Scotia Board and co-operate with the P. E. Island Board. For four years from its birth the Society was active in faith and prayer and giving. A new inspiration was given the sisters by the visit of Mr. Rider from Newton and Mr. M. Brown from Acadia. A little later the Lord called Sister Emily Stewart to higher service, but before passing home she left a generous gift in money for the missionary cause.

The first life members were enrolled in 1880, when Mrs. J. A. Gor- don and Miss Anna Scott were enrolled followed by Mrs. Alexander McLean and Mrs. Duncan Robertson. In 1883 the Society decided to set aside a certain amount for the teaching of children in the Telugu Minion. Previous to this ofierings were given under the general head

of Missions. In 1884 the Society received a new impetus from the meeting of

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