a major one was the observance of the Lord’s Supper. The question was: who had the right to observe Communion and who did not. Until this could be resolved there would be no hope ofa Baptist Maritime union. On a positive note, and in the interest of gradually improving minister's salaries, the Convention established an annual minimum wage of $600 for qualified pastors, over and above the provision of a parsonage.

The Charlottetown Baptist Church was situated on the northwest corner of a city block bounded by Prince, Kent, Hillsborough and Fitzroy Streets. From the corner, the property extended approximately 210 ft. east on Fitzroy Street, and approximately 85 ft. south on Prince Street, to a vacant lot owned by a John McPhail. To access the back of his property from Fitzroy, McPhail had a 9 ft. right-of- way behind the church. Late in 1887, the church sold approximately 2600 sq. ft. of the eastern side of their property to John McPhail. A part of the deal was his giving up the right-of-way, which he no longer needed. There was still a large lot at the ”back” of the church property on Fitzroy Street, which was more than they required at the time. In the centre of the block, facing Kent Street, was the Excelsior Rink that accommodated ice skating in the winter and roller skating in the summer. Behind it, facing on Fitzroy Street and close to the property now owned by John McPhail, was the smaller Citizen’s Skating Rink.

Just before 11:00 pm on Monday night, May 14, 1888, a fire broke out in the ladies dressing room of the Excelsior Rink, which was closed for the season. It was believed to have been started by, ”... An incendiary, vagrant with a match or cigar or spontaneous combustion”. The Charlottetown Fire Department responded with (harlotteotown Fire Department’s FirstSteam Pump (c. 1887) their new "steamer”, but Public Archivesoi PEI the rink was totally engulfed before the steam pump could be set up or a bucket brigade organized. A home and a carriage business beside the rink caught fire, followed by the Citizen’s Rink. From there itjumped to the houses and businesses on the west side, and the only house in the middle of the block on Prince Street, which was being rented by Pastor Edward Whitman. The pastor’s house was situated between Dr. Johnson’s buildings on one corner and the Baptist Church on the other. By midnight, five more houses were burning and the Fire Department Was doing all it could to save them. Volunteer bucket brigades were working hard too, mainly to curtail the fire from jumping from building to building, or to another block. Wooden buildings were the first concern and the Baptist Church stood, ...Despite not a drop of water being applied, as though defying the flames. Vain was the hope, however, as all became aware the church was burning within. 50% this handsome and magnificent building was a roaring furnace, presenting a Spectacle at once imposing and awful (’Patriot’, May 15, 1888).

Thefe is also a note in this Patriot report that says, ”...When the big Baptist Church

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