Rev. Joseph Seller was the pastor of the Alberton, P.E.I. Circuit from 1878 - 1881. It was during his pastorate, that the Methodist Church in Miminegash

was built in 1881. This church and the growth of the membership in the circuit are tributes to his leadership as a minister.

The Summerside Journal, July 21, 1881, reported, “Rev. Joseph Seller, M.A., so well and favorably known in Alberton, RBI. and vicinity, left yester- day morning for Fairville, N.B. where he has been stationed.”

Rev. Joseph Seller retired in 1911 and died in Greenfield, Manitoba on May 18, 1927. He was a faithful, energetic pastor and an able preacher.

REV. HIBBERT ROBERT BAKER 1881 - 1882

Rev. Hibbert R. Baker was born in Athol, N.S., January lst, 1846, the son of Luther L. Baker, a man prominent in Nova Scotia, and Letitia Keever. Early in life he identified himself with the Methodist Church. For some years he taught in the Academy at Sackville, N.B., and received the degree of BA. from Mount

Allison, later taking his M.A., degree.

Mr. Baker entered the ministry of the Methodist Church in 1872, and spent forty-one years in active service in the Maritime Provinces. Eighteen years of his ministry were exercised in New Brunswick, twelve in Prince Edward Island and eleven in Nova Scotia. His circuits were often widely extended, necessitating long,

cold drives, especially in the autumn and winter.

In 1881, Rev. Baker assumed the pastorate of the Alberton, P.E.I. Circuit where he remained until 1882. While in Alberton, a daughter, Bessie Letitia, was born on August 20, 1882 and was baptised on November 23, 1882 by Professor Burwash.

In all his preaching Mr. Baker struck the evangelistic note. On many of his fields he had the great joy of seeing extensive revivals of religion in response to his fervent Gospel appeals.

A distinguished preacher in his earlier years, Rev. Baker was a student and scholar, deeply interested in history and in poetry. He wrote many poems of recognized merit and was regarded as one of the best authorities on Tennyson’s

life and works in Canada.

Rev. Baker married Laura Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of the late Rev. Richard Smith, so well remembered for his successful ministry in the Atlantic Provinces. She was a devoted wife and mother, and her death in 1912 was keenly felt by her husband and family. Not long after his wife’s demise Mr. Baker went to Victoria, BC. He became a member of the Metropolitan Church, and used his talents in various kinds of Christian activity so long as his health and

strength permitted.

The death of Rev. Hibbert R. Baker occurred in Victoria, BC. on October 9, 1934 at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.

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