worked diligently so that small but regular givings were forwarded to the Head Office, Pictou, Nova Scotia. The result of this effort was that permission was granted for a manse to be built in the area before 1915. The expense for this was paid through the General Revenue Fund.

Although the Presbyterian Church membership was larger than the Methodist Circuit, they also borrowed money through the Missionary and Maintenance Fund to build a manse in Cavendish. An ‘act of the times’ was established when the “Board of Managers” of the church established a Missionary Society. The resident clergyman assumed the position of Secretary- Treasurer. The ladies of the organization were the workers while the control was in the hands of the men!

In 1900, Mr. Stanley Ross, Mr. Robert Brown and Mr. A]. McLeod were appointed as repre- sentatives from the Stanley Section within the Cavendish Charge. Under their direction the Missionary Society was instituted. Mr. John Simpson was the first President; Vice-President, George Simpson; Secretary-Treasurer, Rev. M.H. McIntosh; and Directors — Miss Laird, Mrs. A]. McLeod, Miss Margaret Ross, Mrs. Houston and Mrs. H. Toombs.

The appointed ladies were responsible for calling regular meetings in their district and oversee— ing that contributions were sent for Missionary work through the “Ladies Aid”. This also helped defray the expenses within their own church. In 1906 the women raised $85.25 to help pay the Stanley Bridge members’ cost of painting the manse in Cavendish. The name of the organization was changed in 1914, when the women were entitled to name this organization The Women’s Missionary Society. The Ladies Aid was established, where members worked to pay off debts that were not essentially outreach Missionary work.

Records state that the Ladies Aid might not have been organized had it not been for the “Banks”. A motion was made in 1947 to open a bank account at the “Royal Bank of Canada” in Hunter River. A reply came from the head office of the Bank in March 1947, refusing this request and stating that “it was not permissible for the Women’s Missionary Society to have money in the bank”. Hence the change of name for the Treasurer who, up to this date had the responsibility for holding all monies at home. She now became the Treasurer for the Ladies Aid as well as the W.M.S.

In later years the members of the Women’s Missionary Society were given the responsibility for establishing youth groups including: Baby Band, Mission Band, Messengers, Explorers, Canadian Girls in Training, Young People’s Society, Married Couples, Fellowship Groups, and Men’s Association.

To assist the less fortunate, new and used items of clothing, as well as other necessities were packed and shipped to Missions across Canada. A request from the Grenfell Mission, Labrador, for clothing, sheets, pillow cases, towels, baby clothes, etc., resulted in a “barrel being filled and shipped”. For many years the members annually supported this area in the same manner. Several shipments of clothing were sent by freight train to a Mission in Port Simpson, BC, which was under the direction of Rev. John MacLeod, of Valleyfield. He personally visited the

local organization to thank them for their assistance.

The Brunswick Street Mission has been remembered for many years. They continue to assist refugees in the port city. On one occasion, “220 pounds of cloth1ng was shlpped to the Port

Workers in Halifax for distribution to immigrants to this country”.

Following the Second World War, the “European Relief Programme” was established for the needy. Clothing, bedding and every day necessities were sent to Europe, Some of these items arrived in Scotland. Letters of thanks were received from recipients for these items. Other

areas which were given assistance included Korea and Trinldad.

151