FOLLOWING the dissolution of the pastoral relation existing between The Rev. James Mitchell and the congregations of Boston and Knox Churches, they were supplied through Presbytery for several months. Professor George Paxton Young D.D., of Toronto, supplied the pulpit for some time. The Rev. Robert Ewing of Georgetown presided as moderator at a meeting of the two congregations on September 21, 1868, to ascertain if they were ready to call a pastor. There was found to be a difference of opinion, some being very desirous of waiting longer, and others insisting that a meeting be called at once to give a call. When this meeting was held on November 2, 1868, there was still a great lack of unanimity, but a call was given to The Rev. Donald Stewart of Nova Scotia, and he was inducted into the charge in the “Upper Church,” on March 23, 1869. The dissatisfaction in the congregations continued, and Mr. Stewart’s pastorate was of brief duration.  He was doubtless a gocd man, hut he was a misfit in that place. His last appearance at a meeting of session was on February 17, 1870. He told Presbytery that he had “been in hot water for eleven months, and he wanted to get out.” It very considerately relieved him, and he departed thankfully in search of another charge where the relations between pastor and people would be more ^perfectly adjusted, and the environment more comfortable.

It is a mistake to extend a call to a minster when a considerable portion of the congregation and good Church supporters find themselves unable to join in the call, and it is a mistake on the part of a minister to accept, if he learns of the situation beforehand. He may, however, be misled, and not know it, and then he becomes the chief sufferer. It is better for the congregation to wait a little longer, not necessarily for a better man, but one upon whom all

can unite. However, people have to learn by experience, for they are not always wise without it. Dr. Topp of Toronto, visited the congregations, and reported back to Presbytery that he found an excellent spirit in both, and a disposition to consult the things that make for peace. Nevertheless, the Church had lost by its unwisdom.

At a meeting of Session on March 14, 1871, at which The Rev. Joseph Alexander of Norval acted as moderator, it was resolved that both congregations in their respective places of worship after the Church service on March 29th, take action to petition Presbytery to appoint one of their number to moderate at a meeting to give a call to a minister to become their pastor. The Rev. John Eadie was called soon afterwards and inducted on June 21, 1871. He was cordially welcomed. At the annual meeting on January 4, 1872, the managers were instructed to furnish chairs for the pulpit, and to devise a plan for allocating families and individuals to pews and sittings in the new Church. While the congregation had been regularly giving to the schemes of the Church it now organized itself into a missionary association. Young women were appointed to solicit subscriptions for the schemes to be paid by the envelope system, and Mr. Eadie was made secretary and treasurer. He and his family lived in a rented house in Milton, and the Boston congregation agreed to pay two-thirds of the rent. The managers were given power to sell the old meeting house, and it was bought by Donald McKinnon of Georgetown and converted into a shop for business purposes.

In June, 1874, the congregation approved of the Basis of Union of the Canada Presbyterian Church, and the other Presbyterian Churches of British North America. At this time there were four Synods:—The Synod of the Lower Provinces, the Synod of the Maritime Provinces in connection with the Church of Scotland, the Synod of the Canada Presbyterian Church, and the Synod of the Canada Presbyterian Church in connection with the Church of Scotland. “In. the early part of Tuesday, June 15, 1875, the supreme courts of the four negotiating Churches met separately for the last time in different Churches in the City of Montreal.

Each adopted a resolution to repair to Victoria Hall, and there consummate the union.” This was done. The Rev. John Cook, D.D., minister of St. Andrew’s Church, Quebec, and Principal of Morrin College, was unanimously elected moderator of the First General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. On its roll were the names of 623 ministers, of whom 35 were from the Synod of the Maritime Provinces, 129 from the Synod of the Lower Provinces, 115 from the Canada Synod in connection with the Church of Scotland, and 344 from the Canada Presbyterian Church.”

Before this time the families in the Scotch Block formerly connected with the Church of Scotland had either joined the Boston congregation, or attended St. Andrew’s Church, the “Old Kirk,” in Milton.

On January 7, 1875, the report of a committee to suggest in what respects the Constitution of Boston Church should be changed in order to conform it to the Model Constitution in the Book of Forms was made to the annual meeting. The Model Constitution was adopted with some alterations. It was decided that in place of an election every year for the whole body of managers, two managers shall retire, and two be elected to their places, and the places of any who vacate their offices shall be filled up; that the congregation shall annually elect the secretary and treasurer of the board of managers; that the congregation shall elect annually two persons, members of the congregation, as auditors of accounts; that the congregation shall hold an annual meeting on the second Thursday, or on one, or other lawful days in January; and that regular adherents of the congregation are invited to attend the business meetings, and advise regarding its affairs, but they are not at liberty to vote, .neither are they eligible to hold office.

It was resolved that at the tea meeting, or social entertainment, held after the annual business meeting, a financial statement and report of the work of the congregation should be made to those present.

On Dec. 9, 1877, James MacPherson and John Hardy were ordained elders.

About this time some friction manifested itself in the congregation. Mr. Eadie was a faithful pastor, zealous in his efforts to do good, preaching regularly to the Boston and Knox Church congregations, and favorably to special evangelistic services. He was a fluent speaker, but he was not hopeful and inspiring. The law and sin abounded in his sermons, but grace did not much more abound. “The sheep looked up and were not fed.” He had a sharp tongue and sometimes thought it better to excoriate them, and he did. It was a mistake. But the obligations of the pastor and his flock are mutual, and both sometitmes fail and come short. Through the loss of members by death and the backwardness of some to contribute it was found difficult to meet expenses. Money is needed by the minister to buy books, and particularly for the support of himself and his family. “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.” As a general thing congregations pay the minister his salary, but some unnecessarily drift greatly into arrears. Then, unless he has reserves to fall back upon, lie becomes hampered, thinks his work is not appreciated, becomes discouraged and is rendered incapable of doing his best. When arrears from year to year become the rule, and deficits have to be made up, some people imagine they are wronged, and that, although their pastor may be a good man, they had better have a change, and secure a preacher, who is more magnetic, and can draw more people to the Church and more money to the treasury.

Now, one way to help make a good preacher, pastor, happy and optimistic man is for the people to be sympathetic and friendly, to cordially co-operate in the work of the Church, to tell him once and awhile how they were helped by the sermon, and to pay him promptly as per agreement in the call.    .

But whatever the plan is to provide the necessary money no plan will work itself. It has to be worked-by managers and people. St.-Paul indicates a good system when he wrote:— “Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store as God has prospered him,” I Cor. 16: 2. This method is 4ppw largely employed in the duplex envelope by means of which money for the support of the Church, and for the different

Boards are paid weekly. This keeps giving as a part of the Sabbath worship always before the people. It requires forethought to have the money always ready to give, and makes more book keeping necessary, but it is an excellent way. With Christian spirit on the part of all, and tact and good management on the part of the managers, the financial wheels of almost any congregation will run smoothly and pleasantly. These more or less relevant remarks, suggested by the Church records, are modestly supplied here for the consideration of those whom they may concern.

Mr. Eadie had loyal friends in both congregations, but the time of his departure was at hand. His last appearance at a meeting of Session was on June 18, 1878. At the close of a pastorate of seven years he received a call to Pinkerton and Cargill in the Presbytery of Bruce. From that charge he went to Pt. Edward, and from that to Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, where he died, and was survived by Mrs. Eadie, a daughter, and five sons. The Rev. Gillies Eadie B.A., one of his sons, is a missionary of the Presbyterian Church in Canada at Changte Ho, China.