crippling its energies and hindering the out-flow of its benevolence.
This amount had been gradually reduced till in 1871—five years after
the completion of the edifice—there remained the sum of $6,400, which
was covered by a mortgage. This the young men of the Church resolved
to make an effort to have removed. A committee composed of James
Harrington, James S. Harding and Thomas D. Denham were appointed to
devise a plan to pay off this debt. They submitted a scheme for its
reduction by weekly payments of ten cents each member of the church.
So far as we can learn this is the first application of a Weekly
Offering system in this Church. At the end of two and a half years,
the committee reported that $2,000 had been raised and paid on the
mortgage. This so encouraged the Church that an effort was successful
made to secure larger subscriptions, and the entire debt was paid off
on Christmas eve, 1873. In doing this the Church was greatly indebted
to the generosity of Mr. Henry Vaughan, whose subscription and those
of his family and friends amounted to $1,700—over one-third of the
whole amount. It is believed that this was the first time in the
history of the Church when the property was entirely free from debt.
Now, in 1910, history is repeating itself.
Building Damaged by Fire.
On the 28th of January, 1874, at midnight, the Church was discovered
to be on fire, the building being considerably damaged, and the organ
completely destroyed. The amount of the award, $4,676, was, however,
sufficient to repair the damage. Various churches and halls were
offered for the use of the Church, till the building was repaired.
Among there were Brussels Street, Leinster Street, and Calvin
Churches, the Mechanics’ Institute, the Academy of Music and the Y.
M. C. A. The offer of the Y. M. C. A. was accepted, and their hall on
Charlotte street was used till the Church was ready for occupancy. On
the following Sunday the pastor preached a powerful sermon—alluding
to the loss by fire, and showing how much worse our condition would
have been, if the debt had not been paid off.
This year a finance committee composed of G. M. Steeves, J. J.
Bostwick and the writer was appointed to oversee the finances, and
enlist all members of the Church and congregation in this part of the
work. Feeling that the time was not ripe for the introduction of a
weekly offering system, they introduced a monthly one, and from this
time to the present full annual financial statements have been issued.
In February the pastor was granted leave of absence to visit Great
Britain. He left in April and returned in August much improved in
health. On his return, he delivered in several places a most
interesting lecture on the “Westminster Abbey.”
In 1874, a Mission Sunday School was started at Portland Bridge, with
a view to looking after the neglected children in the vicinity of
York Point. J. J. Forest was the first Superintendent and was
followed J. J. Bostwick, with whom the writer was associated.
The Young People’s Meeting was organized in 1876, largely through the
efforts of Brother E. H. Jones. This same year permission was given
the Fire Department to connect the Fire Alarm with the Church bell.
On June 13th, 1877, a beautiful Communion Service was presented to
the Church by Deacon and Mrs. Dyall.
Church Destroyed by Fire.
June 20th, 1877, is a memorable day in the history of this city, as
on that day two-thirds of the main part of the city was wiped out by
fire. Our Church in common with all others in the burnt district was
entirely destroyed, leaving only a picturesque ruin as shown in the
oil painting by Mr. J. C. Miles, and in the frontispiece of Stewart’s
“Story of the Fire.”
Nothing was saved from the building but the new communion service,
and this only by the persistent effort of Mrs. Dyall. The bell, the
gift of Captain George W. Marsters, was found embedded in the ashes,
this being the second time for it to receive its Baptism by Fire. It
was shipped to the founders in England and recast, and is still in
use at the present time.
On Sunday, June 24th, the Church met for worship with the Brussels
Street Church. Invitations were received from Brussels Street and
Calvin Churches, and from Peerless Lodge and Odd Fellows to make use
of their new buildings. The new Portland Bridge Mission Building was
nearly completed, and available for the use of the Church.
The offer of Brussels Street Church was accepted, and we united with
them till their new pastor, Rev. A. J. Wilcox, arrived, when the
Sunday evening service was held in Calvin Presbyterian Church, the
week-night meetings being held in the Mission Hall.
At a meeting held June 26th, a letter was read from Charlottetown
Baptist Church, enclosing a draft of $450, to be divided between this
and Leinster Street Churches. This was the first contribution towards
rebuilding and was highly appreciated. It was our privilege in turn
in 1889 to assist this church to a small extent, when their building
was destroyed by fire.
While the new edifice was in course of construction, this Church and
Leinster Street united in sending Rev. J. D. Pope to England and
Scotland, and Rev. G. M. W. Carey to the Upper Provinces and the
United States, to raise funds to assist the two Churches in
rebuilding. The net result from their efforts, after deducting
expenses, was $5,221, which was divided equally between the two
Churches.
The Third Building Erected.
In order to provide additional accommodation in the new building, the
Church purchased from Deacon Francis the adjoining lot on Queen
street, giving us 100 x 120 feet in all.
At the laying of the corner stone of the present building the
following ministers, besides the pastor, were present and took part
in the ceremony: Revs. Dr. I. E. Bill, J. P. Parsons, W. P. Everitt,
and A. J. Wilcox. The ceremony, which was very impressive, commenced
by the choir singing the hymn:
“How pleasant, how divinely fair,
O Lord of Hosts Thy dwellings are!”
Dr. Carey concluded the reading of the corner stone document with
these words:—“And now perplexed, but not in despair; cast down, but
not destroyed; with faith and trust in the God of Bethel, our
fathers’ God and our God, and in the Lord Jesus Christ, on this
Tuesday afternoon, second of October, 1877, in the forty-first year
of her Majesty’s reign, and the eleventh year of the Dominion of
Canada, Earl Dufferin, Governor General, and the Hon. S. L. Tilley,
Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, the ninety-second year of the
incorporation of St. John, and the sixty-eighth of the Germain Street
Baptist Church, we lay this corner stone with the fervent prayer and
aspiration that the spiritual glory of the Temple now being raised
may far surpass the glory of the former temples which have risen on
this site.”
The following were placed in a tin box and deposited in the corner
stone:—Documents taken from the ruins of the former building; List of
Officers, August 24th, 1864; Statement of Pastorates of Revs. I. E.
Bill and Henry Vaughan; Names of the Founders, Organizers and Pastors
of the Church; List of Officers and present number of Members;
Statement of the Sunday School before the Fire; Baptist Hand Book of
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island; Copies of The
Christian Visitor; Silver coins—5, 10, 25 and 50 cents Dominion
Currency; together with the documents read at the laying of the
present corner stone.
On Sunday, February 24th, 1878, we met for worship for the first time
in the vestry of the new Church. The pastor being detained at
Annapolis, on account of a storm, Rev. George Armstrong preached in
the morning and Rev. Dr. Watters, of St. David’s Church, in the
evening.
Dedication of the Church.
The main audience room of the Church was opened on the 11th of
August, and dedicated to the worship of the Triune God, with
appropriate services. Rev. Dr. I. E. Bill, a former pastor, preached
in the morning from Acts 20: 35—“Remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” He
spoke earnestly and impressively on the duty of giving liberally so
as to place the Church as soon as possible in the same position
financially as previous to the Fire, when there was not one cent of
incumbrance on the property. The pastor preached in the evening from
Haggai 2: 18, 19—“From the day that the foundation of the Lord’s
temple was laid, from this day will I bless you.” Dr. Carey concluded
as follows: “From this day may the blessing of God rest upon the
place and the people, the worshippers and their work, and may the
glory of the latter house be greater than that of the former. May
spiritual and temporal prosperity abide and abound on it, and may it
be an earthly palace for the Prince of Peace.” The house is tasteful
and commodious, with a seating capacity of about 850. It was the
first church edifice completed after the fire. In April of this year,
the hour of evening service was changed from 6 to 7 o’clock.
From Associational Letter, 1879.
“The total cost of Church and Parsonage, including organ and
furnishings was $46,000, of which $30,000 has been paid, including
$4,000 contributed this spring by for liberal members of the church
and congregation. This leaves a debt of $16,000. Additions during the
year: by baptism 14, by letter 4, reinstated 1. Loss: by death 3,
dismissed 3. Present Membership 474. Attendance at Young People’s
Meeting during the winter, fully 100. At Portland Bridge Mission the
average attendance at the Sunday School was 90, and on Sunday
evenings from 300 to 400. Our Licentiate, Brother John F. Newton,
spent his vacation laboring in this field, and his work was highly
appreciated. Brother W. F. Parker, (now Rev. W. F. Parker) spent his
vacation working among the colored people at Spar Cove, and was
blessed in his work. Our Sunday School has been in a prosperous
condition during the year, though still not as large as previous to
the fire. Number of Scholars, 170, Teachers, 18. Volumes in Library,
250.”
Rev. John F. Burditt.
Upon the completion of Brother Burditt’s theological course, he
volunteered for Missionary work in India, whither he proceeded under
the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Board. At first associated
with Dr. Downie, at Nellore, while studying the language, he later
founded a mission in a new field at Udayagiri, where he was
successful in building up a very flourishing church. After ten years
of unremitting labor he returned home on furlough. Upon his return to
India he was stationed at Narsarapette, where three years later he
died of typhoid fever, in 1894—a martyr to his too strenuous
endeavors in the cause of Christ. Thus has our church had the honor
of sending out laborers into the Master’s Vineyard.
Rev. Dr. Carey’s Resignation.
Rev. G. M. W. Carey having resigned the pastorate, and accepted a
call from the Princess Gate Baptist Church, Liverpool, Eng., preached
his farewell sermon, March 6th, 1881. The house was filled to
overflowing and many were turned away. Dr. Carey preached a powerful
sermon from Acts 20: 26-27, 31-32. Both preacher and congregation
were visibly affected during the discourse. On March 11th the
farewell meeting was held, and despite a heavy rainstorm the church
was completely filled. Besides the members of the congregation there
were present representatives of the various denominations of the city
to say farewell to one who by his faithful work, not only in his own
Church and denomination, but in all departments of Christian work, as
well as by his kindly manner and upright character, had won the
respect and love of all with whom he had brought into contact. As a
slight token of appreciation, handsome presents in silver and a
beautiful French marble clock were presented to Dr. and Mrs. Carey.
During his pastorate of fifteen years, Dr. Carey had preached fifteen
hundred sermons, baptized three hundred persons, solemnized three
hundred marriages, and delivered one hundred and fifty lectures.
Rev. G. M. W. Carey was born in Belfast, Ireland, March 10th, 1829.
He received his early education at the Moravian Village, Grace Hill,
Belfast, and when a boy came to Canada with his parents. He attended
the Grammar School at Vankleek, Ont., and at the University of
Rochester, N. Y., took the Degree of B. A. and M. A. from Acadia
University, as well as from the Baptist College, Toronto. He also
held a certificate from the University of Chicago for having
successfully completed the advanced course in Hebrew, and in 1894 the
Honorary Degree of D. D. was conferred by Acadia. He was ordained
after his graduation from Rochester, and was pastor of the Queen
Street Baptist Church, St. Catherines, Ont., for ten years. He then
came to St. John, and labored successfully with this Church for
fifteen years—1865-188. He was then called to the Princess Gate
Church of Liverpool, England, where he remained four years. Returning
to Canada, he was pastor at Brantford and Ottawa, Ont., for some
years, when he returned to St. John, having accepted the pastorate of
the Brussels Street Church of this city—remaining from 1839 till
1899. He then went to Ottawa, where at his daughter’s home,
surrounded by his wife and family, he lay down to rest, and in his
sleep passed peacefully away—in just such manner, as he himself had
often expressed the desire that his passion might be.
Dr. Carey was one of the most eloquent preachers who have filled this
pulpit, and drew large congregations, especially to the evening
services. As a lecturer also he was very popular—his lectures on
“The Making and Ministry of Money,” always drew crowded houses, and
were delivered for the benefit of various churches and societies. His
genial manner and exemplary Christian character endeared him to all
classes in the community. He was a true optimist, and looked forward
to a confederation of the English Speaking Peoples of the globe, to
promote religion, learning, commerce and peace.
REV. W. M. WEEKS’ PASTORATE.
On the 8th of April, 1881, Mr. William M. Weeks, the pastor elect,
was ordained by a Council called for that purpose, and inducted into
the pastorate. This year revised rules of order were reported by a
committee, and adopted by the Church. During the year the debt was
reduced $1,600, of which amount $300 was raised by the Ladies’ Mite
Society. The Weekly Offering system, which is still in use, was also
adopted. At the end of a year Brother Weeks resigned the pastorate
and returned to the United States.
PASTORATE OF REV. HENRY CROSS.
On the 24th of March, 1882, a call was extended to Rev. Henry Cross.
He accepted and entered upon his duties on Easter Sunday. A formal
recognition service was held May 11th, at which Rev. Dr. I. E. Bill
was chairman, and representatives of the city churches were present.
Y. P. S. C. E. Organized.
On February 12th, 1883, the Young People’s Society of Christian
Endeavor was formed and took the place of the Young People’s Meeting,
which has been held regularly since 1876. The following were the
first officers: T. D. Denham, President; F. W. Wigmore,
Vice-President; W. C. Cross, Secretary; Donaldson Hunt, Treasurer. To
Deacon T. S. Simms is due the organization of this society—the first
to be formed in Canada. It was only two years previous that the first
society had been organized by Rev. Francis Clark, the father of the
Christian Endeavor movement. Brother Simms brought from Portland the
idea of this organization, and a copy of the constitution of the
parent society. He was anxious to start a branch here, in which he
was warmly supported by the pastor. Shortly after the formation of
the Society there were 24 Active and 29 Associate Members, Total 53.
In 1896 the membership had increased to 171 Active, and 18 Associate,
Total 189.
In February, 1904, The Coming of Age Anniversary of the society was
held, and again in 1908 the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary was celebrated
in an appropriate manner, on which occasion an Historical Sketch of
the Society was prepared and read by Donaldson Hunt. At the present
time (1910) there are upon the roll some 120 Active, and 40 Associate
Members—Chas. R. Wasson, President. An interesting feature of the
work of the Society at the present time is the supporting by the
members of a native helper in India.
During the twenty-seven years of its existence this society has
proved a great help to the younger members of the church, and we
trust will continue to do so.
Our brother, E. H. Jones, who had been for some years an active
member of this church, having completed his course at Newton and been
appointed by the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Board as a
Missionary to Japan, was ordained to the ministry August 19th, 1884,
by a Council convened in this Church. Rev. W. F. Parker, who as a
young Christian worker in this Church had been associated with
Brother Jones in the work here, preached the ordination sermon.
Towards the close of Dr. Gates’ pastorate Brother Jones made a short
visit to the city, being home on furlough, after which he returned to
Japan, where he has been laboring for over a quarter of a century.
At the annual meeting in January, 1885, Rev. Henry Cross resigned the
pastorate after three years’ service with us. He preached his
farewell sermon Sunday, March 22nd.
Rev. Henry Cross was born at Beeston, Nottinghamshire, England,
December 12th, 1840. When a boy he was sent to private schools in his
native village, and in his youth he attended a college at Nottingham
four miles distance from his home. Mr. Cross was baptized into the
fellowship of the Baptist Church at Beeston, March 4th, 1855. At the
age of seventeen years the Church granted him a license to preach,
and he was known throughout his native country as the “boy preacher.”
In 1858 he entered the Baptist college at Nottingham, now known as
the Midland Baptist College, from which he graduated in the spring of
1863. On graduating from college he became the pastor of the White
Friars Lane Baptist Church, Coventry, which he served for eleven
years.
Mr. Cross left Coventry for the United States in 1874 and received a
call to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church, St. Paul, Minn.,
in 1874, where he remained for four years. In 1879 he became the
pastor of the Pilgrim Baptist Church, New York City. He resigned this
pastorate in August, 1881, on account of his broken-down condition
caused by the death of his wife.
In the spring of 1882 Mr. Cross accepted a call to the pastorate of
the Germain Street Baptist Church, St. John, N. B. In 1886 he became
pastor of the Baptist Church in Manasquan and served the Baptist
Church there for nine years longer, until 1905, when he retired from
the active pastorate making his home in Red Bank, New Jersey, where
he is still engaged in preaching the Word as opportunity presents.
While without a pastor the pulpit was supplied by Revs. T. S. McCall,
of Toronto, and J. W. A. Stewart, of Hamilton.
The report to the Association in 1885 says: “For a long time it has
been our privilege to have one or more brethren licensed to preach
the Gospel. Among them our Brother Deacon E. H. Duval was for many
years a standard bearer, till his Master called him home. Then came
Brother J. F. Burditt, now a missionary in India; Brother W. F.
Parker, now pastor at Woodstock; Brother George F. Jenkins, at
present pastor of a church in Maine, and Brother E. H. Jones, now a
missionary in Japan.”
DR. GATES’ PASTORATE, 1886-1900.
—————
In September, 1885, the Church extended a call to Rev. G. O. Gates.
He accepted, and entered upon his duties on New Year’s Day, 1886,
being present at the Annual Conference Meeting. On the following
Sunday he preached to large and attentive audiences. At the close of
the evening service Rev. Dr. Goodspeed on behalf of the Church
extended the right hand of fellowship to the new pastor and his wife.
A recognition service was held January 19th, at which there were
present Reverends Goodspeed, Cahill, Bruce, Shawffield, Stewart,
Gordon, Spencer, Hopper and Saer. Dr. Goodspeed, who presided,
welcomed Brother Gates to the pastorate and said “Though Mr. Gates
had never preached here before, and was known to the Church by
reputation only, a record is better than any fugitive effort in the
way of preaching,” Mr. Cahill, in his address to the pastor, said
“Your obligation is to fill the pulpit, but the obligation of the
members is to fill the pews.”
Reduction of the Debt.
This same year the church was encouraged by the gift of $200 from Mr.
Jacob Bradshaw, which they resolved to place in the Savings Bank to
form the nucleus of a Sinking Fund, for the purpose of paying off the
debt on the Church property. In 1879 quarterly collections were
commenced for this purpose by means of envelopes. This plan has been
continued, but the payments made monthly, and the mortgage reduced
$1,000 every second year.
In 1888 our hearts were cheered by the generous donation of Mrs.
James Dyall of $1,000 towards the reduction of the debt. At her death
in 1892 she also left the residue was reduced $4,600—this amount
being made up by the first payment on the bequest of the late Mrs.
Dyall $3,603, a rebate of $500 from the estate of the late J. H.
Moran, and the balance from the Sinking Fund.
The total amount received by the Church from the estate of Mrs. Dyall
was $7,160, all of which was applied towards the reduction of debt.
In 1887 the Sunday School and all Societies in the Church were at
their request placed under the direct control of the Church, and have
since reported to the Annual Meeting. This year, also, the Roll was
thoroughly revised and the active memberships reduced to 257, the
non-resident members being placed on a separate list.
Mission Founded.
In February, 1889, a Mission was founded in the North End of the City
by W. C. Cross and others associated with him. At first held in a
room in the rear of a grocery store on Sheriff street it soon outgrew
its early quarters, and in the fall of the same year a building was
erected on Murray street, at a cost of about $750, whence its present
name—“The Murray Street Mission.” The large majority of the workers
have always come from Germain Street Church. In addition to the
regular Sunday School at 9.30 a.m., a week-evening prayer meeting has
been conducted during a large part of the time. At present, Chas. R.
Wasson is Superintendent, with L. W. Simms and W. E. Roop as
Assistant Superintendents.
In 1890 Dr. Gates was offered the position of Secretary of the
Foreign Mission Board—a position he was eminently qualified to fill,
but at the earnest solicitation of the Church he declined the
appointment.
In 1892 Brothers William Lewis, C. C. Parker, and J. H. Wasson were
elected Deacons.
On January 5th, 1894, was held the Roll Call of the Church, the
number on the roll being 436, 277 resident and 159 non-resident. Of
the resident list, while 13 sent word that they were unable to be
present through sickness, or absence from the city. Of the
non-resident members, 10 reported verbally and 11 by letter.
1895 was a year when as a result of faithful planting of the seed of
truth by the pastor and others a large in-gathering occurred. We
reported to the Association: “Additions by baptism 77, by letter 20,
by experience 2, total 99. Present Membership 461.” At the Communion
service in April, 59 new members received the right hand of
fellowship.
This year the Convention held its Fiftieth Anniversary with this
Church, where it will be recalled its first meeting had been held.
Our contributions to the Denominational objects amounted to $902 this
year, and in 1897 $1,200. This contrasts favorably with 1887, when
only $281 was raised for these objects.
Rev. Louis Duval.
In 1895 Brother Louis was licensed to preach. After completing his
course at Acadia University and Newton Theological Seminary, our
Brother and his wife went to Africa to labor for the Master.
Returning home on furlough in 1909, he remained about nine months,
and has since returned to his work in the Great Dark Continent, where
he has had the experience of erecting a Church upon this—one of the
outposts of the great Master’s Kingdom. His first boy convert is now
studying to prepare himself for the ministry to his fellowmen.
Dr. Gates’ Trip to the Orient.