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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1934-04-12, Page 2THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1U31 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE History of Roy's Church Narrated (Mitchell-Advoeate) At the social half hour following the evening service of (Main Street United Church, IMr. Wllliaxn Bal­ four gave a most interesting history of Roy’s Church, a short distance west of Russeldale, of which he was a most active and valued member for many years, and knowing that it will be of interest to many through­ out this district whose ancestors worshipped in this historical church we feel priveleged to pass it on. The original Roys church congre­ gation, aid the speaker in opening , his talk, was comprised of two groups. The first group came to this district from the Niagara Peninsula and settled on Che Thames^ Road from Russeldale to Farquhar. If one drives along this road they may tstill see eight stone houses in a stretch of one and one-quarter miles which were erected by these people over seventy years ago and stand as a monument to their labors. These men were masons ana stone cutters by trade. During the winters they hewed the forests and in the sum­ mer when they went to work in the Welland canal their wives and chil­ dren burnt off the land. The money •these men earned had to keep the families both winter and summer until they could convert the land into usable soil. A second group of people came from Lanark /Counity, settling Ion the 'Cromarty line between Fullar- ton boundary and Cromarty and on the Staffa line between Fullarton boundary and Staffa. Here Mr. Bal­ four told of the fame of Lanark Co. for its maple syrup and sugar and said; “If you want good syrup or sugar, just go to these people who realy know how to make it." These two groups of people, anx­ ious as we all should be to hear the Gospel, were first served for three years by travelling ministers from London. During that time the sa- rament of the Lord’s Supper was twice held at the home of Alexander Park, grandfather of our townsman, Norman Park. During this time, too, two deaths occurred. The first was caused from a falling tree which claimed the life of Andrew Clark, an uncle of Sandy Cole. There in a spot in the forest which was. af­ terwards to be Roy’s cemetery, where the body was buried. There, too, was interred the body of litle Jane Rhodes, the daughter of an English settler who had lost wife near Thorold after a short resi­ dence there and had come with his two chidlren to this part of the country. Waiting in vain all day for one of the travelling ministers to conduct the service, a neighbor, Richard Moore, read tne commitment by moonlight. “Donald Park has told me more than once,” said Mr. Bal­ four, “that that pathetic scene never left him for years.” In 18131 a meeting was called at the home of William Roy to consider the building of a church. To this meeting came people from Staffa, Cromarty, Farquhar, Russeldale and near Kirkton, an area over six miles Square and they decided to erect a church one a quarter miles west of Russeldale. That fall the walls were finished, but having no shing­ les, for they had to be split out of trees and dried, that work was not done until the following spring. Then the pulpit consisting of two 2x4 perpendiculars upon which was placed a square piece for the Bible and Psalter, and the minister’s bench made of two blocks with tim­ ber across, were installed. There was no floor in the church for eigh­ teen months. A few scattered boards enabled the members to step to the ground and become seated on the joists. In those days, said Mr. Balfour, the front seats had to be filled first as latecomers could not have passed anyone sitting farther back. In those days the young men brought their axes to prayer meet­ ing to cut wood for Sunday and prayer meetings, and no doubt, said the speaker, many of the young wo­ men admired the youths as they were cutting this wood. Many from Cromarty, Staffa and Farquhar car­ ried their shoes and stockings to the church, put them on for service and removed them to go home, both to I save them and because they had to cross streams. There were no bridges then; every half-mile two felled trees were placed together to form bridges. Andrew (Morgan was the first presented in this church, one of the first elders, one of the first S. S. superintendents, and one of the teachers. He was assisted by Jas. Russell, (Mrs. William Roy and Arch­ ibald McLean, father of Mitchell’s present mayor. Peter Melville, was the first child baptised, and the first marriage solemnized was between Alexander Park and Miss Kennedy. This ended the services of travelling ministers and in their stead the church was served by catechists Fraser and Kennedy from St. Marys. The great feature was that this church was opened free of debt in 1855 when Rev. John Froth eringham was ordained by Prof. Proudfoot, father of Dr. Proudfoot of Monkton, who rode on horseback 3!5* miles from London to conduct the ceremony. In about ten years the church was too small to serve all its congregation so some of the members withdrew to join with others in the outlying com­ munity to form a new church. Among the names recalled were those of Norris, Miller, Kennedy, McDougall and McVey from the IStaffa group; and Barr, Curie, Hamilton, McKel- lar and Park from the Cromarty Presbyterian church, one and a quarter miles this side of Cromarty and these two churches were served by the same minister from that time until 1925 when Cromatry Church voted to remain in the Presbyterian Church. The minister called a meet­ ing of Roy’s for the same purpose and it was moved and seconded that no vote would be taken to split the church. All but two members rose to favor this motion and no amend­ ment was brought in, hence they united with the Methodist to become a United Church of Canada. Another group from Roys then built the Thames Road Church which stood almost where the church of that name now stands, and became a sister church to Roys being Served by the same minister. Names of those who went to this church include, Hackney, McGill, McCurdy, Duncan, Kay, Gardiner McNichol. Still another group built a church one and a quarter miles this side of Kirkton where resided the families his1 of Gjilfillian, Rutherford, Brown, ' They had removed from Roys as famflies increased and the church could not serve them all. While those in the vicinity of Mount Pleasant had worshipped with Roys they never joined nor took1 active part, so built their own church, still known as 'M't. Pleasant 'Church. Thus it was that there were four distinct groups originating from Roys that branched out into a wider field of service. In 1871 Rev. Fotheringham re­ signed from Roys ana Rev. Peter Scott was ordained. In that year a congregational meeting was called to consider a new church resulting in the contract being let to Alex­ ander Park, of Cromarty at a price of $1200|. It was of brick and was constructed in the fall of 1871 and the following spring. Again the congregation went Into its new church free of debt and for thrity- one years Rev. >Scott served them. “I never saw nor heard of any system for conducting the business of a church that was superior to Mr. igcott’s method," said Mr. Bal­ four. The first Sunday of the month was devoted to Missions, the other Sundays the collections went for the upkeep of the church and never during those thirty-one years, was money asked for missions or the minister’s salary asked for from the pulpit. Twice yearly the Managing Board made a canvass and gathered the salary which was always paid six months in advance, in 1901 Rev. Cranston succeeded Rev. Scott and in 1907 he was followed by Rev. R. G. McKay. In 1910 it was felt that the old church had served its day and gen­ eration, and the congregation was canvassed to see if the subscription could be raised for a new one. $6,- 000 was subscribed, hence in the following spring the third new church for Roys was built, the con­ tract going to Roger Bros, for ma­ sonry work and William Eierman, of Mitchell, carpentry. On June 22nd the cornerstone was laid by Gilbert McIntyre, M.P., ana Speaks er in the House of Commons and nephew of Gilbert McIntyre, one of the first elders of the church. The Sunday school cornerstone was laid by Donald Park, another of the first elders. Being a backward fall only the walls, roof and windows were completed and the church was not officially opened until Febru­ ary 1st, 1913, by Rev. Dr. Martin of London, and now minister of St. Thomas First United Church, the only Presbyterian minister going in­ to the union who has stayed con­ tinuously in the one church to Mr. Balfour’s knowledge, he said. Knox 01101X311 choir from Mitchell supplied the music on this occasion, it was the aim of the congregation to again enter their new church free of debt subscriptions were made freely and $100 remained after all had been paid. If one family would be mentioned more than another in the history of Roy’s Church, said Mr. Balfour, it is of Morgan. Andrew Morgan was the first presenter, one of the first elders, Superintendants and Sunday School teachers. He has now gone to hi,s reward and his son, John, who was the next presenter, one of the next elders, superintendents and teachers also> served his generation and passed on. Now his son, John, is acting elder in Roy’s Church. Thus the three generations of the Morgan family served in the high­ est positions in the church. In con­ clusion. said Mr. Balfour-, may I, mention that one can go into- Staffa Cromarty, Thames Road, Kirkton, Mount Pleasant and Fullarton Churches and find descendant after descenant of those people in that area of six miles square who helped to build the first Roy’s Presbtyerian Church. Mr. Balfour has also given many years to the church, serving in Roys Presbyterian from 1872 to 19011 with Rev. Peter Scott; 1901-190(7 under Rev. Richard Cranston; 1907-1911 with Rev. R. G. McKay; 1911-1914 with Rev. David Ritchie, In Knox Church Mitchell, with Rev. Dr. Mc­ Rae, 1914-1919; Rev. James Gor­ don 19119-19 23; Rev. H. L. Bennie, 1923-1924; in Main Street (Mitchell, from 1924-1928 with. Rev. 'H. D.. Moyer; Rev. Murray Stuart 1928-31 Rev. A. E. Doan, 19i3<1-32; Rev? G. Kersey, 1932- to present time. CHISELHURST (Too late for last week) Mr. John Cole has. been on the sick list. iMr. D. Kinsman .has purchased the late Mr. Starks splendid 5i0»-acre farm for $2,700. Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Harris of Lyn­ donville, N. Y., and daughter Elsie spent the Easter holidays with the former’s brother Thomas and sister |Mirs. J], W. Harris, of iCardnduff, Sask, and his nephew Mr. Allan Miller. Miss Maud E. L. Miller of Wasli- ago, arrived home at Easter and spent a few days- with her mother and father and brother and called on Mrs. L. Horton. Miss Millar left Monday to attend the Ontario school convention at Toronto of which she is a delegate. IMiiss Miller has been a great success as a teacher these last six years at Rama S. S. 6, being a graduate of Exeter High School. We all wish (Maud continued success. Mr. J. W. Harris who was in St. Joseph’s Hospital for a month un­ dergoing an operation of appendici­ tis and adhesions- is slowly recover­ ing. IMiisis Mary Kerslake, of -London, was home for Easter. Mr. Bert Venner had a successful auction isale and now has rented J. Horton’s- house and moved there. A good crowd attended the Easter service on Sunday and Mr. Sinclair preached a comforting sermon on the “Friendship of Jesus and how He walked with two discouraged men and comforted them and brought the Eater joy into their hearts.”' At the close Sacrament was administer­ ed to all who wished to partake. are beng made to choose his success­ or for the Grand Bend and Green­ way charge. We extend congratula­ tions to Mr. Mathers. Miss S. Young is recovering from a severe attack of Quinsey. Mr. Kenneth 'Smithers, Mr. Man­ uel Curts and Miss Luella Curts visited in London last week, Mrs. A. Hotson has returned to London, She was accompanied by Mrs. J. Hotson and Willis who spent a few days there. The Easter services in the Unit­ ed Church were full of interest. The Easter message of Easter joy and duty by the pastor, the special numbers by the choir, the impress­ ive communion service and beauti­ ful Easter flowers were much ap­ preciated by the large congregation, Easter visitors were: Miss O’Neill, of Clandeboye, with Miss Dorothy Belling. Miss Colwell, of* London, with Miss Thelma Sheppard. Mr. Byron Brown, B.A., Toronto with W. J. Brown. Mr. Dawson Woodburn, Toronto, with Mr. and Mrs. C. Woodburn. Mr. Claude Fallis, London, with Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Brophey. Miss Lilian Ulens, Windsor, With Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Ulens. IMiss Viola Curts, London, with Mir. and Mrs. C. H. Curts. Mrs. Paxman, London, with rela­ tives. Miss Martha Nichol, Hamilton, with Mr. and Mirs. J. B. Nichol. Mrs. Roy Sheppard, (London, Mr. S. English, Detroit, with Mr. and Mrs. R. English. Miss Ellen Hicks with Mr. and Mrs. W. Hicks. Mr. Harold Pollock, Detroit, with (Mr. and Mrs. Milton Pollock, • • When you're hungry at BEDTIME Here’S a “night-cap” that will not only satisfy that bedtime craving for food, but will help you sleep! A bowl of crisp Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and milk. Whole­ some. Rich in energy. Easily, quickly digested. Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are kept oven-fresh and flavor-perfect by the heat-sealed inner WAXTITE bag. Made by Kellogg in London, Ontario. FOR FLAVOR Dr. Wood’s Norway Pine Syrup The Terrible Cough Seemed to Hang On Mrs., M. Dukart, Bradwell, Sask., writes:—“For a long time I suffered from a terrible cough which seemed to hang on despite numerous medicines I took. I was told about Dr, Wood’s Norway Pine Syrup, so started taking it right away. I took two bottles and my cough was gone. Now I always keep my medicine chest well supplied with it/’ Price, 35c a bottle; large family size, 65c, at all drug and general stores; put up only by The T. Mil­ burn Co., Limited, Toronto, Ont. GREENWAY About twenty men gathered at the home of Mr. Boh Belling and held a very successful wdod-bee, the result was about 35 cords of -wood cut, split and piled, It was encouraging news to him to receive while he is still in the hospital. ■Mr. Jas. Geromette has engaged iMr. Fraser, of Exeter, to work his farm this season. Mr, and (Mrs. Fraser moved here last 'Saturday., A special meeting of the official Board Was held in Grand Bend Unit­ ed Church oil Monday evenirig. Rev, S. .J. Mathers has accepted a call to Bathurst St. Church, Toronto. Plans PRESENTATION A pleasant evening was spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sid Jer­ myn, of Granton, when about 60 friends and neighbours met to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hobbs, who are moving to a farm near Denfield. An address was read by Miss (Marjorie (Foster and Mrs. S. Jermyn made the presentation of a clock. Hon. Duncan Marshall Addresses Banquet Reference was made last week to the address of the Hon. Duncan Marshall, who spoke at a banquet of the “Brotherhood” in James. Street United Church on Tuesday evening, April 3rd. The subject of Mr. Mar­ shall’s address was Agricultural Ed­ ucation. He said that the value and importance of agrculture at the presest time is being impressed up­ on minds as it has never been Im­ pressed before. Mr. Marshall had come to Toronto 12 years ago from Alberta and was surprised at the lack of knowledge of business men in the city as to the value and im­ portance of farm crops, and what the success in agriculture meant to the success in industry. Farmers are the greatest employers of labor and are also the greatest producers of wealth Farming starts in most districts be­ fore anything else. First the farms, are tilled and then villagers appear to meet the demands of the farmer and the towns and cities follow all because of the demand of agricul­ ture for the things industry pro­ duces, No class spends more read­ ily than the farmer does. When he gets a little money he spends it for repairs, something for the home or new machinery and this, in turn cre­ ates labor. We have found out that when crops are bad or returns are low that industry and employment suffers. •One .of the greatest things con­ fronting the government is to pro­ mote agriculture and to arrange for markets for without markets, there is no outlet and no returns. Mr. Marshall paid a splendid tribute to this district havihg passed through it many times on his way to his. home in Paisley. The speaker .said that there was no science as complicated as the science of agriculture. We may an- alize the soil but that does, -not give us a clear indication of what it will grow. 'Cultivation and tilling has as much to do with it as fertilizers. Farming requires more ability, edu­ cation, and intelligence than any other calling. Nobody gets more advice than the farmer but much of it is not worth taking. The farmer these days must worry through the best he knows how. Our agricultural colleges have taught our boys the scientific education of farming but have failed to show them how to ca­ pitalize on it. Canada’s No. 1 hard wheat is the best grown anywhere in the world. Russia and the U. S. grow a small portion of it and the demand for this wheat will grow steadly in the next five and ton years. This wheat is. grown in those districts where the frost goes from 30 to 40 degrees be­ low zero. The frost does something to the soil that scientists cannot ex­ plain. When trade conditions be­ come adjusted we will be able to sell our wheat, said the speaker. During the past few years we have failed utterly in giving our boys the true prospective of the farm. The average boy in the city gets fair wages. He buys a home. Unemploy­ ment comes, along and then comes the interest on the mortgage and taxes and he has mo way to raise it. On the farm there is always enough for the wife and family to eat and there is no question of the farmer finding enough to do. Farmers work on the 8-hour union scale only they work 8 hour® in the morning and 8 in the afternoon. Farming is the greatest individ­ ualistic industry there is. It devel­ ops individualism. Farmers do their own work and their own thinking. What is necessary to get into the minds cf youth is juist what they have on the farm. The greatest thing anyone can get out of life is joy and satisfaction. If a farmer can appreciate the beauties of nature and get joy and satisfaction out of his calling it means a lot. For fifteen years. IMr. Marshall was a breeder of Shorthorns and he stat­ ed that three of the best Shorthorn bulls that ever went to Western Canada were purchased from Mr. Harry Smith, of the Lake Road. Mr. Smith, he said, was one of the best Shorthorn breeders ig (Canada. In Belgium children are taught the importance of breeding good stock and they have developed one of the best breeds of draught horses, Scottish farmers understood every field on their farm. Tennants, said the speaker, had to make enough money off their land to pay the rent, If they couldn’t do that they went into the villages into business. The mysteries of soil, of bacteria chal­ lenge the fanner; the production of better Crops, of better stock, of bet­ ter poultry gives, wonderful satisfac­ tion. Breeding live stock is an im­ portant and fascinating job. Sit a boy down on a milk stool and let him pull away and see. nothing for his work gives him no satisfaction. But let him sit down and get worthwhile results. Let him see the pail run­ ning over with milk and he will take an interest in ithe cow and in his work.. We have good land and op­ portunities. What we need is markets and education. Farmers do not farm for fresh air and exercise. The vital thing to any business is. profits. Im­ portant question for farmers is whether they are operating at a pro­ fit Agricultural colleges should de­ vote some time to >t*e business end of .farming. Education that will get boys to believe that they have a great and wonderful calling is the education that is needed. WHEN relatives arrive . . . and your husband is away . . . and you can’t stand the strain by yourself Get him on Long Distance . . w it’s the quickest help in any emergency £lf you’re in a fix; or you’re lonely; or any kind of emergency arises; Long Distance is there 'to help you, a quick, depend­ able, personal messenger; clear and easy to use regardless of distance. You can talk 100 miles for as little as 30c—see list of rates in the front of your directory.