were constantly being charged with intemperance, the act of excessive drinking. Liquor was readily available at any one ofa dozen local breweries, illegally at most waterfront ship arrivals and as contraband arriving daily from the rumrunners working Island coastlines. The Island branch of the Sons of Temperance was now well organized in their big hall called ”The Atheneum", located on the north-east corner of Grafton and Prince. The big Temperance Hall was well supported by churches and concerned organizations. Many years later, after Prohibition, the Temperance Hall closed and became the Charlottetown Kindergarten. In 1923 it became the offices of the Charlottetown Guardian.

Three days after the Baptist Church reopened, a ”Soiree” was held in the Temperance Hall. An article in Haszard’s Gazette suggested that the Baptists were going to put on a "Tea and Table” thatwould be a benefit for relocation expenses. On May 8, 1853, a reporter with The Islander commented on the "Soiree” as follows:

The Baptist Tea Meeting came off, according to announcement, on Friday evening last, the 6th inst. in the Temperance Hall. The evening was fine. Twenty tables, provided gratuitously for the

occasion, were spread and bountifully supplied, and a large company - as large and respectable as any we remember to have seen there on any similar occasion - partook of the repast. The brass band of the ”Sons" (of Temperance) gave their services gratuitously and played a number of their best pieces. We thought the band never sounded so well in the Hall. After Tea the tables and dishes disappeared as if by magic. The seats were wheeled round, and a full audience were waiting to hear the addresses. Reverend W. Hobbs, Pastor of the Baptist Church in Charlottetown, who presided on the occasion, spoke first. He was followed by Commander Orlebar on ’The claims of Sabbath Schools and Seafaring Men’. His remarks were appropriate, touching and solemn. On each of these points he could speak from experience, and would lend his Baptist brethren a helping hand, upon the truly English principal of helping those who are trying to help themselves. Brother J.R. Nattawary of the Wesleyan Church made the concluding address on ’Christian Union’ These exercises were varied by hymns and vocal music. At about ten the company separated. Those interested in getting up the Tea were affected with the kindness shown them by the community of Charlottetown, and this spirit of kindness and gratitude seems to have been mutual. ’Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Upwards of £20, clear of all

expenses, were realized.

When Rev. Nattawary was speaking on ”Christian Union”, we wonder if Pastor Hobbs might have been speculating ...with immersion???

Pastor William Hobbs resigned in the winter of 1854 to accept a call to a new church in far away Australia. He spent the next 10 years in the South Pacific before returning to North America. William Hobbs became well known in 1880 for leading the group who started the first Baptist church in Los Angeles, California. When Pastor Hobbs resigned from Charlottetown Baptist, he highly recommended retired Pastor, Rev. John Knox as his replacement. When approached, Pastor Knox agreed and became the church leader in May. Misfortune struck when Pastor Knox, described as an eloquent preacher, was forced to resign for medical reasons after only a few months in the pulpit. John Knox lived in Charlottetown for another 20 years before his death, and for most of that period he was permanently blind.

Eighteen fifty-four would illustrate the interesting relationship the Charlottetown Baptist Church had with their parent association. It was the Nova Scotia Baptist Association that had provided both the manpower and financial

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