"Lest we forget" : dedication souvenir : Presbyterian Church, St. George, Sabbath, February, 9th, 1908

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"Lest we forget" : dedication

souvenir : Presbyterian Church,
St. George, Sabbath, February 9th
1908

BX

9003

S19

P744

1908

SOUVENIR
Presbyterian Church

ST. GEORGE
Dedicated February 9, 1908

Rev. D. H. Marshall, Pastor

Lest We Forget"

DEDICATION
SOUVENIR

Presbyterian Church, St. George,

Sabbath, February gth, 1908

"A land of promise, a land of memory.

A land of promise flowing with the milk

And honey of delicious memory." -Tennyson.

PUBLISHED BY THE YOUNG PEOPLE S GUILD

/3X

1&OJ

1*1 oil

"REMEMBER THE FORMER THINGS FROM OF OLD."

INTRODUCTION

OVKR three-quarters of a century of history is back of
Presbyterianism in St. George, and without a doubt,
it has witnessed many important changes and events
along the years in the community. It carries us back to
pioneer days when our forefathers hewed for themselves
little homes in the "forests primeval," built the mills whose
ruins to-day are the admiration of the antiquarian, erected
rude school houses, little churches and laid the foundations,
strong and well, upon which the succeeding generations
builded. At this crisis in our history we love to look back
in reverence to our fathers, and we feel they are still with
us the past calls out to us and posterity cries from out
the future "Quit yourselves like men."

Our fathers were religious men and loved the Church
of God. Accordingly we read that the first divine services
were held in a school house, about a mile west of St. George;
then, in 1834 a church edifice was erected. This was sup
planted by a new brick church, more commodious, in 1861,
and to-day we begin a new chapter in our history in the
dedication of this new house of worship to the honor and
glory of God. Thus the world moves on:

"I read on the porch of a palace bold,
On a brazen tablet, letters cast,
A house though a million winters old,
A house of earth.comes down at last.
Then quarry thy rock from the Crystal All
And build the dome which shall not fall."

To many the old church has hallowed associations.
Memories from out of the past consecrate it dear to them
forever. At the mystic touch of memory old faces, old
voices, old friendships, old days leap forth out of the shad-

ows and stand with them in the light of the living present.
The new church may never be the same to them.

"We may build more splendid habitations,

Fill our rooms with { aintings and with sculptures,

Hut we cannot buy with gold

The old associations."

But courage, sad heart if God s Church be militant,
it must obey the marching orders. There is a lesson which
the church of God must needs remember that buildings
and orders and forms are but the instruments of the day s
work. The attractive power of Christ s Church is not
dogma, ritual or architecture, but Christ Himself. It is
solemn to think of the fleeting series of men, and all the
fleeting phenomena of our changeful existence, but it is in
striking contrast to the Everlasting Word the Rock-basis
of all "the Word of God which liveth and abideth for
ever." Remember Christ lives and therefore we can front
the change and decay in all around we see, calm and trium
phant. Men may go; what of that ? Churches may pass
away; but what of that? Christ lives. Is the host below
leaderless? Onward! Onward! He lives.

Yet have Thou respect unto the prayer of Thy servant, and to his supplica
tion, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which
Thy servant prayeth before Thee this day: that Thine eyes may be open
towards this house night and day, even toward the place whereof Thou
hast said. My Name shall be there." - 11. Chron. 6:19-20.

NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

DEDICATED FEBRUARY 9, 19O8.

THE OLD CHURCH.

DEDICATED Nov. 17, 1861.

MILE STONES.

1814 First house erected in St. George.

1832 First divine service in St. George was conducted by
Rev. Wm. Proudfoot, father of Prof. Proudfoot, of
Knox College.

1834 Organization of congregation by the Rev. Win.
Proudfoot.

1834 First church built cost $650.

1836 Rev Thos. Christie, of Flamboro, ministered to the
congregation at St. George.

1838 Rev. James Roy became first pastor of St. George
Presbyterian church.

1845 Organization of the first church in Brantford by Rev.
James Roy.

1860 Rev. Robt. Hume, M. A., ordained and inducted.

1 86 1 Nov. 17 A new brick church dedicated by the Rev.
Dr. Ormiston, of Hamilton.

1885 Rev. W. vS. McTavish, B. D., was ordained and in
ducted.

1896 Rev. I). Y. Ross, M. A., inducted.
1905 Death of Rev. D. V. Ross.

1906 May 25 Rev. D. H. Marshall, M. A., ordained and
inducted.

1907 July 23 Laying of corner stone of new church by
Hon. Wm. Paterson, Minister of Customs. Ottawa.

1908 Feb. 9 Dedication and opening of new church by
Rev. W. vS. McTavish, of Kingston.

HISTORY

OF

St. George Presbyterian Church

000

THK IMONKICR CIITKCH OK TIIK DISTRICT, AM) FIRST
PRKSHYTKRIAN CIU RCII IN HRANT COUNTY.

T

O O

II K pioneer settler^,
who came to this
district in 1814, the
early twenties and thirties,
were not only men of the
energy and perseverance
necessary to cut down the
forest, build houses and till
farms, hut were for the
most part men with a deep
desire that they and their
families should possess all
the advantages of educa
tion, religion and sound
morality, that make for
good citizenship and a
Therefore they joyfully welcomed the
mining, in is.}.?, of the Rev. Thomas Christie and the Rev.
Win. Proud foot, missionaries of the Church of Scotland,
who at the call of duty left important and comfortable
positions in that land to undertake the arduous life of
missionaries in a new and sparsely settled country, where
riding on horseback was the usual mode of travel over
roads little more than forest trail.

Divine service was first held in a schoolhouse situated
one mile west of St. George, and a few rods north of the
gravel road, in 1832, at the time when (trace church, t In-
first church in Brant ford, was being built.

In 1X34 a church edifice was built where the Presby
terian cemetery now is. and a congregation organi/ed with

9]

REV. THOMAS CHRISTIE.

strong nation.

twelve members and a number of adherents. Rev. Thomas
Christie, whose headquarters were at Flamboro, and Rev.
Wm. Proudfoot, father of Rev. Dr. Proudfoot and of Vice-
Chancellor Proudfoot, of Toronto, who had located at
London, ministered to these until 1838.

In that year the Rev. James Roy became the first Pas
tor of St. George church. Educated in Scotland, a man of
strong physique, abundant energy and a kind heart, he not
only ministered to the needs of his scattered congregation
by faithful preaching and attention to pastoral work, but
took a keen interest in education, occupying for several
years the position of Superintendent of Schools.

Among those who came under his influence was his
frequent visitor and a member of his congregation, the late
Principal Caven of Knox College, one of the leaders of the
Church in Canada, who was at that time teacher at what is
now known as McLean s School.

In 1843 there were but three Presbyteries in Canada,
those of Toronto, Flamboro and London, and St. George
belonged to Flamboro.

Mr. Roy s work was not confined to St. George. The
"Records" state that in 1845, the members of the congrega
tion of the United Associate Presbyterian church St. George
in and around Brantford, who occasionally had services in a
school house which stood in what is now the Market
Square, Brantford, petitioned the Flamboro Presbytery to
be formed into a congregation in Brantford, under the
inspection of the pastor of St. George, Rev. James Roy.
Mr. Roy was appointed to take the necessary steps to orga
nize the congregation and form of session. In 1847 Rev.
James Roy resigned the oversight of this congregation,
having thus had charge of the first Presbyterian church in
Brantford for two years as well as being honored by its
organization.

Mr. Roy, being taken ill on one of his main horseback
journeys through his extensive parish, fell from his horse
and was killed, 1852.

Services were maintained without a pastor for eight
years, and in 1860, the Rev. Robert Hume, M. A., was

[10

ordained and inducted over the congregation, to which he
faithfully ministered for 24 years.

The following year a new and commodious brick edifice
was erected and dedicated Nov. 17, 1861. Dedicatory ser
mons were preached by the Rev. Dr. Ormiston, of Hamil
ton, a gifted orator, at morning and evening service, and by
Rev. Dr. Thompson, of Gait, at the afternoon service. The
church minutes record that the sermons were rich in thought
and illustration, and peculiarly appropriate to the interest
ing occasion. Truth was fervently and eloquently preached
that will not soon be effaced from the mind. Th r> audiences

REV. ROBERT HUME. M.A.

were very large and many could not find entrance. The day
was exceedingly pleasant, the most delightful of the season.
A Soiree was held the following evening, at which the
church was again filled to excess. The chair was taken by
the pastor, and speeches were delivered by Revs. Messrs.
Lee, Donald, Laing, Fletcher, Porteous, and Rev. Dr. Orm
iston and by Rev. \V. Lund, of the Methodist church and
Rev. Dr. Davidson of the Baptist church. The following
day the children of all the Sabbath schools were entertained.
All the services were peculiarly pleasing and profitable.

MR. R. TURNBULL,
Precentor for Many Years.

After a time the old frame
church, which had done good ser
vice for 27 years, was moved to
Main street north and transformed
into a dwelling house, for which
purpose it is still used.

During Mr, Hume s incumbency
a neat and comfortable brick manse
was built, surrounded by pleasant
grounds and gardens, and the
church prospered; the membership
which had grown steadily, was in
creased from vear to vear.

In 1864 the IT. P. Hymn-book was added to the Psalms
in the service of praise. The singing had been under the
direction of a Precentor, the position being filled by Mr. R.
Turnbull and later by Mr. P. Rudell. Later the organ was
introduced, Miss R. Rudell being the first organist.

Mr. Hume was a man of a quiet and reserved nature
and kindly disposition. His sermons were marked by deep
erudition, logical reasoning and sound doctrine. He
preached also at Branchton for a time and occasionally held
services at Harrisburg. A Young People s Literary Society
under his management did good work. For a number of
years he has lived a quiet retired life in Toronto.

In iSS5 the Rev. W. S. McTavish, B. I)., was ordainel
and inducted as pastor of the church, coming fresh from
the college and entering upon the
work with an enthusiasm and
earnestness that was maintained
throughout his pastorate. Genial
and affable he speedily won a wide
popularity. Among other valuable
instruction he inculcated systematic
giving, setting the example by giv
ing "the one-tenth." A Society of
Christian Endeavor was organized,
he giving special attention to young
people s work. Under the direction
of Mrs. McTavish, "a daughter of

MR. P. RUDELL,
Precentor for About 30 Years.

[12

the manse," the work of
the women of the church,
hitherto mostly confined to
assisting in choir, Sabbath
school and social gather
ings, was given wider scope
by the founding of a Ladies
Aid Society, and the orga
nization of the Women s 1
Foreign Missionary Society I
and the Gordon Mission I
Band. The resignation of I
Mr. McTavish in 1895 to
acoej t a call to Deseronto
was a matter of deep regret
to everyone.

In May, 1896, Rev. D.Y.
Ross, M. A., was inducted
into the pastorate and en
tered upon the work with
the experience gained in
two former successful pas
torates. A year devoted to
the work in the mission
fields of the West, gave him a keen insight into the value
of mission work, which always had his support and assist -
tance, as well as that of Mrs. Ross. All departments of the
work begun by his predecessor were ably carried on. Kind
ly and courteous, he was conscientious in the discharge of
his duties in the pulpit and as a pastor, especially when
illness or sorrow entered any home. He gave special atten
tion to the church attendance of the children, and valuable
assistance and instruction in the praise service, possessing
musical gifts of a high order. In 1897 the Book of Praise,
one of the finest collections of hymns extant, was introduced.

On Septeml>er i9th, 1904, the yoth anniversary of the
organization of St. George Presbyterian congregation and
the building of the First Church was celebrated. Sermons
were preached on the Sabbath by the Rev. R. G. McBeth.
M. A., of Paris, and on the Monday following a lecture
given by the Rev. R. K. Knowles, M. A., of Gait. Initial

REV. W. S. McTAV.SH. B. D.

REV. D. Y. ROSS, M. A.

steps toward the building
of a new church edifice
were taken at the beginning
of 1905.

Though suffering from
ill health for a twelve
month, Mr. Ross was only
absent from his pulpit a
few weeks when death
claimed him on Dec. 22nd,
i) .15, and he passed to the
Upper Sanctuary.

May 24th, 1906, Rev.
D. H. Marshall, M. A., was
ordained and inducted as
Pastor, and although only in his second year he and his
helpful wife have already endeared themselves to all. Affable
and tactful, with abundant energy, and entering into all
branches of the work with enthusiasm, he is proving him
self a worthy successor of the scholarly gentlemen who have
preceded him in the pastorate.

The pastors have been assisted in the work by a number
of able men in the eldership:

1857 R- Christie, G. Dewar, J. Anderson, R. Turnbull.

1871 T. W. Charlton, G. Clark.

1880 I). Ronald, W. B. Wood.

1886 Alex Hunter, D. Baptie.

1888 J. H. Fleming. C. A. McLean.

1895}. M. Robb, I). Reid.

1898 F. Doud, W. M. Turnbull.

1902 C. Congo, J. McNeilly.

1907]. Wilson, T. M. McEwen, E. B. Ronald. J.
Greenfield.

The church just abandoned has been used for prayer
and praise for 46 years, and within its walls sermons have
been preached by many of the most noted divines of the
Church in Canada, and by renowned missionaries from dis
tant lands, many of whom are now numbered in Heaven s
Honor Roll.

From out its membership have gone men and women

who have enriched church
life of many of the cities of
our own Province, such as
Toronto, Hamilton, Lon
don and Brantford, as well
as many places throughout
our Dominion notably in
the West as far as the Pa
cific Slope. They are also
to be found doing good
work in New York, Ohio,
Michigan, Illinois, Ken
tucky, California and other
of the United States.

It is worthy of note
that the pastors, with the
exception of the pioneer,
came from Ontario, their
early homes being within a
small radius of each other,
Mr. Hume s boyhood being spent in Esquesing. Mr. Mc-
Tavish s at Nassagaweya, Mr. Ross at Fergus, Mr. Mar
shall s at Brain ptou. All were men with fine educational
advantages and wide scholastic training, each having won
his Degree in Arts at the University of Toronto before
entering on a Theological course at Knox College, Toronto.
Of them each and all it may be said that they were honor
able gentlemen, honored and appreciated not only by their
congregation, but by the whole community, and were valu
able members of Paris Presbytery of which St. George
became a part in 1861, and of the other Church Courts.

MR. DAVID REID.
Clerk of the Session for 13 Years.

5]

REV. D. H. MARSHALL, M. A.

Rev. D. H. Marshall, M. A., was born at Snelgrove,
Peel County. His early education was attained at the
Brampton High School, from which institution he entered
on a career as public school teacher. In 1899 he entered
upon a course at Toronto University, and graduated with
honors in the department of Oriental Languages in 1903.
He received his M. A. degree in 1904. In the fall of 1903
he entered on his theological course at Knox College, from
which he graduated in 1906, winning several scholarships.
On May 24, 1906, he was ordained and inducted as pastor
of St. George Presbyterian church, where he has incessant
ly labored in the cause of righteousness with that zeal and
enterprise that are bound to win for him great success.

THE SESSION.

Reading from left: Front Row-E. B. Ronald, Rev. D. H. Marshall, C. Congo;
Second Row J. Greenfield, J. Wilson, T. M. McEwen, Clerk, F. B. Doud.

BUILDING COMMITTEE.

THLS committee comprises a body of men who are able
and willing workers, either on Committee or off it.
Their faithfulness in response to so many calls during
the operations is praiseworthy. A great deal of the work,
i. e., brick, sand and stone hauling, excavating, carting the
lumber from Brantford, removing the old sheds, etc., has
been managed by them to lessen the expense of build
ing. Not only this committee, but the whole congregation
have manifested an active interest, and have responded ad-
mirablv to the calls of this committee for assistance.

[8

THE BUILDING COMMITTEE.

Reading from left: Front Row J. Greenfield, Dr. J. L. Addison, Ch.,

F. B. Doud ; Second Row Guy Durham, T. M. McEwen, Chas.

Robertson. D. H. Nelhs, Rev. D. H. Marshall, J. Heveron, Sec.;

Third Row Wm. Robb, A Woolman, E. B. Ronald,

J. Wilson, J. Ronald; Fourth Row C. Congo,

Wm. Patrick. Jos. Warmin^ton.

ORDER OF SERVICE.

SABBATH, FEB. 9th.

MORNING.

Organ Prelude.

Hymn i, verses i, 2, 4, CHOIR

Invocation.

Singing, Psalm Selection 72

Scripture Reading.

Prayer.
Anthem, "Thou Art the Father" Mrs. Adams

THE CHOIR.

Dedication.
Announcements.

Selection, MANCHESTER QUARTETTE

Singing, Hymn 389

Sermon, I. Kings, 9 : 3

REV. W. S. McTAViSH, B. D., PH. D.

Prayer.
Selection, MANCHESTER QUARTETTE

Offering.
Singing, Hymn 462

Benediction.
Organ Postlude.

EVENING.
Organ Prelude.

Singing, Psalm Selection 91

Scripture Reading.

Prayer.

Anthem, CHOIR

Announcements.

Offering.

Selection, . MANCHESTER QUARTETTE

Singing, Hymn 185

Sermon, Proverbs 9:10

REV. \V. S. McTAVisn.

Prayer.

Selection, MANCHESTER QUARTETTE

Singing, Hymn 608

Benediction.
Organ Postlude. [20

Rev. Dr. McTavish addressed a gathering of Sabbath
School children and young people in the afternoon at 3
o clock. The choir of Glenmorris Presbyterian church
conducted the musical program.

On the following evening, Feb. loth, an excellent sup
per was served in the basement from 6 to S, followed by a
refined programme in the auditorium. Members of the
Presbytery and local ministers delivered addresses. R. A.
Shaw, tenor, of the Metropolitan church, Toronto, rendered
several selections; Miss Mary Day Smith, soloist, of Tor
onto, contributed several numbers, and the Manchester
Quartette again delighted the gathering.

Rev. J. A. R. Dixon, Ph. I)., of Gait, continued the
opening services on Sunday, Feb. 16, and preached morning
and evening. Miss Scholey, soloist, of Toronto, rendered
special solos.

A grand entertainment was held in the church on Mon
day evening, February ijth, when the following well-
known talent acquitted themselves nobly: Donald C. Mac-
Gregor, Toronto s famous baritone; the Tresham Sym
phony orchestra and a nine-year-old clarionet player; Mrs.
Milne, reader, of Brantford.

Miss Nell McKenzie presided at the organ during the
Sabbath services, and as accompanist at the entertainments,
and in both instances proved herself a musician of ability.

21]

J. Greenfield.

TRUSTEES.
Jas. Mullin, Chairman.

D. H. Nellis.

THINGS TO REMEMBER.

The corner stone was the gift of Mr. Chas. Congo.
The hymn board was the gift of Mr. Jas. Turnbull.
The Ladies Aid Always doing and always helping.

The new Pulpit Hymn Hook was the gift of Miss Annie
K. Reid.

Our brethren in the sister churches they lent a hand.
Thank you.

Robt. Ruc ell, Esq., of New York, presented a very fine
pulpit Bible in memory of his parents.

The corner stone was laid by Hon. Win. Paterson, Minister
of Customs, Ottawa, on July 23, 1907.

One hundre:! chairs for use in the Sabbath School room
were presented by Mrs. (Dr.) Addison.

The beautiful oak pulpit desk and seat were donated to the
church in memory of the late Martha Robb.

The church bell was purchased and put in the tower by
our friends in the community, also a clock both timely
gifts. Special thanks are due Messrs. Robt. Hickox
and M. Horning.

SENTINEL PRINT
ST. GEORGE

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET

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