The Session appointed three ladies of the congregation as "District Visitors" for each Ward. Membership now stands at 294.

I908 It is interesting to note in the Sunday School reports, they had 52 sessions during the year. with and average attendance of I96 per Sunday in I907 and 200 in l908, with 325 on the roll in I907 and 346 in l908. Collection for the year was $246.3l or $4.74 per sabbath (an average of $.02 per child).

I909 The Examiner of February ll: "The firemen were called out around seven o'clock. The blaze was found to be in the main floor of the church and was caused by an overheated pipe of the furnace. Water hoses were laid from the Methodist Parsonage (now Trinity Church) and Hobbs Comer (where present day Zion is now) and the blaze was smothered in about ten minutes. A considerable portion of the floor had to be torn up and the ceiling of the basement was damaged to quite an extent. The damage by water in the basement and by smoke upstairs will be considerable. A couple of the stained glass windows were broken. It is believed the damage will be in the vicinity of $500. The hydrant at the Bank of Nova Scotia building (comer of Richmond and Great George) blew its top when first used and the water flooded Richmond Street to Prince and down to the water front. It cut a track down to the mud, as the flow was not stopped for four hours. The most damage was done to the Bank as the cellar completely filled with water and a staff of firemen with an engine were kept busy until two in the morning pumping it out. in fact the main loss as a result of the fire were the many valuable books and records stored in the basement, which were completely ruined."

St. Paul's church Board of Trustees kindly placed their new Sabbath School at Zion's disposal for Sunday services, while the Sabbath School met in the Academy of Music loaned by the First Methodist (now Trinity United).

With the fire the building committee intensified its desire for a new church.

Estimates for 1909 were for a total budget of $3,l00.

l9l0 Beside the Session and Trustees, the church also had a building committee. The year witnessed the strong expression of the congregation's determination to proceed with the erection of the new Zion. The plans and specifications prepared by architect Charles B. Chappell were accepted and tenders were called for.

Ralph G. Strathie was inducted as pastor on December 29, l9l0.

The roll now stands at 4 l 3. Removal from our membership roll has been large. Twelve heard the summons of the Angel of Death, and laid aside all earthly cares and associations as they turned their faces to the Land of Light.

.32.