ON January 31, 1879, The Rev. James Breckenridge of Streetsville preached and moderated in a call to The Rev. Malcolm C. Cameron. Knox Church, Milton, also gave a' call to him on February 24th, and his induction took place on March 25th, The Rev. James Breckenridge, The Rev. John Pringle of Georgetown and The Rev. Mr. McLaren of Cheltenham taking their parts in the service. Mr. Cameron was a recent graduate of Knox College, physically strong and vigorous, of sociable disposition, and very earnest in his work as preacher and pastor. There was a spiritual quickening in both congregations, and a new interest was manifested by an improved attendance on the services. In the first years of his ministry considerable additions in both Churches were made to the membership.

At a meeting of Session in Knox Church on February 1, 1879, a petition from a number of people in the congregation was read requesting permission to use an organ in the Church services as an aid in congregational singing, and the request was granted. In Boston Church at the Annual meeting, 1882, it was decided to make use of an organ in the services of worship. A little later an organ was purchased, but when it was finally put in place, a good woman felt that she could not worship God where such a thing was present. A few more conscientious objectors compromised with themselves for a time by refusing to join in the singing. All, however, in due season became perfectly satisfied, or comfortably accepted the situation.

Another new thing took place. At a meeting of the Session in Knox Church on September 21, 1880, it was decided to sing Hymns as well as Psalms in the public worship of both congregations. It had for a long time been believed by many people that there were no divinely inspired songs outside of the Old Testament Psalter. Certainly it was at least accepted by them that “he that believeth should not. make haste,” but should patiently wait until he became quite sure that the Holy Spirit could inspire good men and women to write spiritual songs in these later days. At last, however, it came to appear reasonable that the Spirit of God might still inspire people to do this, that spiritual songs having in them a Gospel message, and expressing the experiences and aspirations of the Christian heart might, and should, be sung in Christian worship.

On June 6, 1880, John T. Elliott and Alexander Bowman were ordained as elders, and on March 7, 1886, George Irving and John Michie were ordained to the same office.

Mr. Cameron was quite zealous in the cause of temperance, and to some this zeal was not acceptable. They thought ministers should stick to the gospel and not meddle with any of these disturbing social and reform questions.

The custom of a Church service on Friday, Saturday and Monday in connection with the Lord’s Supper on the Sabbath began now to give way to a preparatory service on Friday.

At the annual meeting in 1883 the matter of building more sheds for horses was considered. It is probable that the south shed was erected that summer. Edwin Thornton was the builder.

At a meeting in Boston Church on January 26, 1886, managers from Knox Church presented a request that the Boston people consent that the forenoon service should be held in Milton, and the afternoon service in Boston Church. The matter required time for consideration, and the longer it was considered the more clearly it was seen that it would be better that the congregations should become separate, self-sustaining charges. Each congregation seemed strong enough to support a minister, and the plan commended itself to both.

While the separation of the two congregations was pending The Rev. Mr. Cameron decided that under the circumstances it would be best for him to resign. On April 25, 1887, at a meeting of Session, elders from both Churches being present, Dr. David

Robertson was appointed to represent it at the meeting of Presbytery as being favorable to the acceptance of Mr. Cameron’s resignation. The Boston congregation at its meeting on May 3rd, 1887, appointed Robert Stewart and Alexander Bowman to represent it at Presbytery, and instructed them to concur with Mr. Cameron in asking that his resignation be accepted, inasmuch as he believes that his action is for the interests of both congregations. The meeting also passed a resolution expressing its hope that Mr. Cameron would have abundant success and happiness in whatever field he might be called to labor. Presbytery accepted his resignation, and shortly afterwards he received a call to Knox Church, Harriston, Ontario    .

The elders who served in the pastorate of Mr. Cameron were John Hardy, John T. Elliott, John Michie, George Irving, Alexander Bowman, John Turnbull, W. H. Lindsay, J. H. Fraser, Dr. D. Robertson and H. Patton.

During the vacancy the Rev. Mr. Murray of Streetsville was moderator. On October 3, 1887, a meeting of the Boston congregation was held, and Robert Stewart and George Irving were appointed to attend Presbytery on October 5, and request it to consent to the separation of Boston and Knox congregations, and that each be constituted a self-sustaining charge. The delegates" were authorized to promise $800 and a free manse to a pastor. Knox congregation took steps in the same direction. The pastor of St. Andrew’s Church, Milton, had resigned, and a number of members and adherents of the Church expressed a readiness to unite with Knox Church in order that there might be in Milton a self-sustaining Presbyterian congregation. A subscription list was circulated, and $800 secured in pledges for a minister’s support.

At a congregational meeting of Knox Church the following resolution was moved by Francis Barclay, and seconded by John White, and carried:—“That the congregation of Knox Church, Milton, believing it to be for the best interests of the congregation that a dissolution of the union hitherto existing between the congregations of Boston and Knox Churches take place as soon as the necessary steps can be taken for the purpose, beg to express the kind feelings they entertain towards the Boston congregation, and call to their remembrance with pleasure the agreeable intercourse they have had in days gone by, and trust that although the congregational union may be dissolved that the union of heart springing from Christian feelings may be long continued.”

The Session, which had always acted as the Session of both congregations, met in Knox Church, Milton, on September 5, 1887, and appointed Dr. D. Robertson and John Hardy to attend the meeting of Presbytery in Toronto on the next day, and present the following resolution of the Session:—“Whereas the congregation of Knox Church, Milton, has for some years seen the desirability of having a morning and evening service, and having found it impossible to obtain that privilege without encroaching on the best interests of their sister Church in Esquesing, this combined Session of Boston and Milton Churches hereby records its unalloyed pleasure at the prospect of the congregation of Knox Church, Milton, to stand alone, and learn with satisfaction that they find themselves financially strong enough to 'keep a pastor of their own, and thereby obtain the desired service morning and evening, of which they stand in need, and it being agreeable to all parties concerned this Session would recommend that a separation of the congregations take place as early as can be conveniently arranged.”

W. G. WALLACE, Mod’r pro tern.
W. H. LINDSAY, Clerk.

The last communion service of Knox Church, Milton, and Boston Church, Esquesing, as united congregations, took place in Boston Church on Sabbath, October 9, 1887. The moderator pro tom., The Rev. James Murray of Streetsville, conducted the very impressive service, and referred in appropriate terms to this last communion together of the two congregations, which had been united since 1855, and was now this day separated at their own desire and by edict of the Presbytery of Toronto.

The elders who officiated at the service were John Hardy, John Michie, George Irving, Alexander Bowman, David Robertson, Hugh Patton and-Walter H. Lindsay.