those of us who recall the old gymnasium hall on the second floor, with that single, narrow stairway access, will consider just how blest all those folks who attended regularly were, as fire regulations would never allow it to happen today.

Rev. John Gordon began preaching to the Charlottetown Baptist congregation about the time the new building was started, and just in time to follow a new get-tough policy initiated by the deacons and trustees, and approved by the membership. There were problems with a few members who were considered ”backsliders", and Rev. Gordon was advised to convey that those who were disorderly, or failed in their contractual giving (pledges), would have "the right hand of fellowship” withdrawn. The offenders also faced the fact that the church would no longer, under any circumstances, consider a letter of dismission for them. in other words, they were not welcome nor would they be allowed to leave. ”The right hand of fellowship” is the common expression used throughout the life of the Baptist Church to accent the bond between the pastor, trustees, Rev. john Gordon deacons and members. A good strong handshake always conveys sincerity, and being extended the "right hand of fellowship” continued to have a very special meaning.

By October of 1889, the 30’x50’ Sunday School Hall section of the new Charlottetown Baptist Church was completed, and regular church services were able to move to it from the YMCA, until such time as the main sanctuary was completed. Completion of the main body of the church was still some months away because construction of it wasjust beginning. Most of the clerk’s notes at this point in time are limited to listing newly baptized members, those who qualified for dismission letters and occasional references to minor expenses. The exception was if anything notable occurred, and in March of 1890 there was quite a story to document.

In early March, a telegram was delivered to Rev. John Gordon at the Charlottetown Baptist Church. It wasfrom theirformer pastor, Rev. Edward Whitman. in Joliet, Illinois, requesting a letter of dismission be sent as soon as possible to the clerk of the Baptist church in Joliet. Although he was now preaching there, he could not become a member without the dismission letter from Charlottetown Baptist. At the March church meeting, it was shockingly revealed that two members: Brother Charles Heartz and Brother Philip Foy, had preferred charges against Pastor Whitman, just before he left, for ”conduct unbecoming a Christian Minister of the Gospel.” When the charges were revealed, the majority in attendance agreed and refused Whitman a dismission letter. Clerk Nathan Davies immediately advised Rev. Whitman and the clerk of the church in Illinois of the charges, stating they were threefold. Although details were never made public at the time, the charges were noted in the letter as follows; ”...Undue familiarity with a young woman using 0" assumed name, falsehoods generally and the misappropriation of monies that had been paid him for church building purposes.”

The Charlottetown Baptist Church also advised that if a dismission letter was to be

54