Anonymous

“ A. C. Dixon, of the Ruggles Street Baptist Church, Boston, spent four days with us assisting the pastor in holding special Evangelistic meetings. These were held each afternoon and evening. Dr. Dixon’s exposition of Scripture was powerful and convincing, though clothed in the plainest language, and arrested and held the attention of thoughtful men and women, not only of our own congregation but from other churches as well. As a result of these meetings, which were continued after Dr. Dixon left, there were a number of additions to our membership, including nearly thirty from the Sunday School. ”

“ John to be our pastor, and during the intervening years with the exception of twenty-two months spent at Windsor, N. S., you have lovingly and faithfully ministered to this church and congregation. It is no easy task to break asunder ties that have been binding us together during these happy years—years of large-hearted and unselfish ministry on your part, and something, let us hope, of grateful appreciation on ours. ”

“ During the eight years we have been working to reduce this mortgage nearly all of our people have helped in its reduction, and tonight as we burn it, no one can say that it was paid by only a few, but all have come to our help. Many have had this very much at heart, and denied themselves considerably in order to give their assistance in this noble work.
I am also happy to report that in all the pledges of the past eight years of over $8,000, the shrinkage has been less than one per cent., which speaks well for this dear old Church. ”

“ I love its streets, its bracing air, and the push and energy of its citizens. There is no better place in the world for a man who loves the work, and no city on the continent where the great heart of Christianity beats truer for what is good and pure and holy. ”

“ The Church being again without a pastor, instructed their clerk, Mr. James Holman, who was going to England on business, to apply to Rev. Mr. Lester, an eminent Baptist minister of Liverpool, for advice in regard to a suitable young man as future pastor. He responded to the wishes of the Church and selected J. D. Casewell. He accepted the proposal to come to St. John, and before leaving England was ordained. He was inducted into the pastorate in June, 1835. His eminent pulpit talents, combined with a kind and generous heart, gave great promise of future success. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Gates has proved himself an earnest and faithful worker, not only in his own Church and denomination, but in every department of work having for its object the advancement of the cause of Christ at home and abroad. We have been pleased to have him with us taking part in the Centennial exercises of this Church, which he loves so well.
REV. W. W. MCMASTER'S PASTORATE
On May 4th, 1906, a call was extended to Rev. W. W. McMaster. He accepted and entered upon his duties on Sunday, August 5th.
In March, 1907, special meetings were held, the pastor being assisted by Rev. W. F. Alton, of Sussex. ”

“ No people can ever be quite so dear to me as these. And now, dear people of this Church, let me publicly thank you for all your co-operation and loving appreciation from the first day even until now.”
Rev John D. Freeman was born in Queens County, N. S. He took his B. A. at McMaster University and his M. A. at Acadia. He has been pastor at Guelph and Whitby, Ont.; at Fredericton, and Germain Street. N. B., at Bloor Street, Toronto; and is now pastor of a very old church at Leicester, England, being only the third pastor the church has had during the past one hundred years. ”

“ We remember tonight with grateful hearts the large blessings which have come to the Church under your ministry; we could call to mind the glad and joyous experience which by the favor of God we have been permitted to enjoy together; the pleasant fellowship which has characterized all our meetings; the blessing of the Sanctuary; the peace and harmony which have prevailed in the Church; the seasons of special blessing which have been enjoyed; the large number that you have been permitted to baptize and welcome to the fellowship of the Church ”

“ Samuel Bancroft supplied the pulpit for a time with much acceptance, and several converts were added during his short term of service.
REV. J. G. NAILOR.
Rev. J. G. Nailor, of England, visited the city in September. 1831, and was invited to occupy the pulpit. Being a man of more than ordinary talents, his preaching was highly approved of by the Church and he was called to the pastorate. He declined the call, but agreed to remain for a few months as acting pastor, when he left for the United States. In this year a good Sunday School was conducted. ”

“ 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. ”

“ He died January, 1881, after a ministry of sixty-five years. As a student, preacher, pastor, teacher and writer, he was very successful. He mastered thirteen languages, so as to be able to read the Bible in them all. Of his controversies and discourses one of his opponents said that “He wrote with the seriousness of a Christian, and the politeness of a gentleman.” He formed the first Temperance Society in New Brunswick. He was the editor of the Baptist Missionary Magazine for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In 1838, he acted as a principal of the Baptist Seminary at Fredericton. ”

“ May their fervency and self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of truth be perpetuated in the coming pastorate.”
Brother Porter enters upon his labors with us on the 3rd Sunday of September with the assurance of the unanimous and hearty support of the membership of the Church, upon what we earnestly pray and confidently expect may be a very successful pastorate.
Rev. F. S. Porter was born in Fredericton, N. B., where his father, Rev. T. H. Porter, was pastor of the Brunswick Street Baptist Church. He received his elementary and business education in that city. ”

“ The steady increase in our Church and congregation, the activity in all departments of work, and the flourishing condition of our Church in late years are due to your inspiring personality and earnest diligence, and in a marked degree to your power of organization which has been a constant influence in every department of Church work. ”

“ Mrs. Harper, Mr. A. Magee, Amy Nixon, Captain William Harding and his wife, all of whom had shown much interest previous to the formation of the Church.
First Officers.
Nathan Garrison was the first Church Clerk. Thomas Pettingill was chosen Deacon of the little Church on account of his deep-toned piety and sincere devotion to the cause of God. He was soon joined in office by Jeremiah Drake, and “these two, like Jachin and Boaz, the pillars of Solomon’s temple, did, as these names signify, Establish in Strength the truth as it is in Jesus, both by precept and example. ”

“ His death occurred on the eighty-seventh anniversary of his birth, November 1st, 1870. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.”
DEACON EDMUND H. DUVAL was born at Hounsditch, London, February, 1805. In early life he was converted and united with the congregation of which Rev. Henry Althans was pastor. Subsequently he was baptized by Rev. John Howard Hinton, and became a member of the Devonshire Square Baptist Church. Coming in contact with many Jews, he sought their conversion, which quickened in him a missionary spirit, and led him to a more thorough study of God's Word. ”

“ Ansley’s course on earth was done, and he died without reaching his home. Mr. Robinson continued his labors in Charlotte County for some seven or eight years. The speed sprang up in all directions, and an abundant harvest was gathered in.
Mr. Robinson came to St. John for the first time in 1838. The Church had for some time been in a cold divided state, but a change for the better was soon apparent, and the ministry of Mr. Robinson was so acceptable that it was soon necessary to enlarge the Church by an addition of seventeen feet. ”

“ Thomas Griffin, who came from England, was the second pastor. He took up the work in 1818, and remained two years.
In 1820 the Female Mite Society contributed from Missions £15 3s. 7d. ($ 60.72) . “The Church was small.” says Dr. Bill, “having only about sixty members and they had just completed their first house of worship. This contribution indicates the depth of their piety, and their earnestness in sending the Gospel to the destitute.” ”

“ They say that a tree which has been long rooted in one place will not grow in a stranger soil. If this be so, maybe I shall return. I am doing what I feel I ought to do, and who can oppose God’s leading?”
One of the city papers referring to Dr. Gates said: “As a preacher he is unsurpassed by any in the city, and as a citizen his personal popularity extends far beyond the bounds of his Church and Denomination, and his departure will be keenly felt.” An address, engrossed on parchment by T. H. Belyea, and bound in Morocco, was presented to Dr. Gates by the Church ”

“ During the century the Church has been ministered to by twenty duly inducted pastors, besides others who have acted for a time as supply. In the early years the pastorates were mostly short, but later the pulpit was filled by four faithful ministers—Rev. Samuel Robinson, Drs. I. E. Bill, G. M. W. Carey, and G. O. Gates, whose combined terms of service reached nearly sixty years.
Besides the deacons, who with us are elected for life, some brethren have filled the clerk's office for long periods. ”

“ 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. ”

“ On May 23rd, 1810, the Church was organized by Rev. Henry Hale, and called the First Baptist Church of St. John. The membership consisted of twelve persons—seven brothers and five sisters, who had been brought to a knowledge of the truth through the labors of Revs. Edward Manning, Joseph Crandall, James Innes, Theodore Harding, James Manning, Joseph Dimmock, Thomas Ansley, and other evangelists. The names of the original members so far as we are able to obtain them are as follows: (1) Jeremiah Drake, grandfather of Brunswick and the Misses Drake ”