JUNE (HUTCHINSON) MACLEAN

MARY MACLEAN

DOUGLAS MILLER

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As a child, worship services seemed very long and I often wondered how much longer the minister would talk. Rev. Ross’s prayers were at: least fifteen minutes in length. In the summer I got through the services by looking at the beautiful flowers Mrs. Monkley would bring to church.

Once Mrs. Ross went on vacation to Bermuda. While she was away Mr. Ross set up a schedule of the homes he would visit for the supper meal. One evening it was my mother’s turn to have Mr. Ross for supper. The food was put on the table. It all looked good. The blessing was asked and then Mr. Ross said,

‘Margaret, there is something missing on the table.’

Mom was very surprised, and looking around, said

‘What did I forget?’

Mr. Ross’ answered, ‘You forgot the molasses.’

Rev. Ross was very modern and forward thinking for his time. I loved to see him coming for a visit. In my youth, people didn’t visit on Sunday. I recall the very first time that someone arrived on a Sunday and I wondered if my parents would let them come in the house. They were welcomed and even stayed for supper; this was my first experience of Sunday vis- iting.

Rev. Ross came to my married home one Sunday when my mother was visiting with us. The topic of the suitability 0f Sunday visiting was introduced and Rev. Ross stated the opin‘ ion that he saw nothing wrong in the practice for one was merely visiting and talking.

Rev. Ross preferred skim milk to drink. Dairy farmers in Lot 16 recall that when he visited their farms he brought With him a gallon bottle to fill with skim milk.

This reflection was delivered at the 125th Anniversary Service.

When I attended Sunday School as a child in this church, it was a two-hour ordeal. We had to go to Sunday School for an hour and then sit through church afterward for an and-her hour. At that time, we had to go to school all winter and to Sunday School all summer.

LOT 16 UNITED CHURCH AND ITS PEOPLE