The Province of Ontario is yet a mission field. In this vast province are found some fifty Churches of Christ. The struggles experienced in planting and maintaining these churches cannot be set forth on paper.

      It seems impossible to go back to the fountain head of this movement. Early in the past century there came to the province from Scotland and England, men who had been led to a careful study of the Bible in the old home lands. True to their convictions, they taught what they believed, and received no little help from the writings of Mr. Campbell. Gradually the changes came which led them away from the organizations with which they had associated. Gradually there were formed new organizations known as Churches of Christ. Bearing all expenses, enduring long, difficult journeys, these noble men planted the gospel seed. Much opposition was met everywhere.

      To overcome these difficulties the churches in different parts of the province began to deliberate and co-operate. Of these co-operative efforts the most successful and permanent was formed by the churches in and about the county of Wellington. This organization has yet an existence, holding in trust certain funds for evangelistic work.

      The "Wellington Co-operation" sent out evangelists as early as 1851, and continued its work until the provincial organization was formed in 1889. "The Co-operation of the Churches of Christ in Ontario" has had a successful career. Many of the churches now strongest in the Province have received help from its funds. Our pioneers lived on farms, and their work was chiefly done in the country districts, to the neglect of the towns and cities. But from the country came the men and women to the towns, strong and earnest for the Lord's cause. In later years more attention has been given to the work in the centers of population. The co-operation has an affiliation with the A. C. M. S., paying ten per cent. of the money received for missions, to that organization. The A. C. M. S. in return, helps in various missions in Ontario. Very recently these two societies have placed a missionary in Montreal, Quebec. The Co-operation has secured a missionary for Sault St. Marie, a promising and important new town. Many other places are waiting for men and money to enable the Co-operation to plant churches.

      The first president of the Ontario Co-operation was Hugh Black, of Everton. In 1897 John Campbell, of St. Thomas, was appointed, and in 1900 James Tolton, of Walkerton, was elected. Very much credit is due to these men. The present board is constituted as follows: President, James Tolton; vice-president, James Lediard; treasurer, John McKinnon; recording secretary, W. C. McDougall; corresponding secretary, Amos Tovell. Advisory Committee--J. D. Higgins, R. N. Wheeler, M. N. Stephens, N. C. Sinclair, W. G. Charlton, George Geir.

      The educational system of Ontario gives a continuous course from the kindergarten to the completion of a university course. This has made it appear to many disciples that it is unnecessary to establish a school of our own in the Province. Efforts have been made to provide help for those preparing to preach the gospel. The establishment of a chair or lectureship in affiliation with the [138]

AMOS TOVELL, Guelph, Ontario.       Born in Eramosa, Wellington county, Ontario, January 20, 1861; teacher eight years; preached at Wiarton, Ont., 1891; student at University of Toronto 1892; Hiram College, O., 1893-6; preached at Geneva, O., 1893-4; Mineral Ridge, 1895; minister, Elyria, O., 1896-9; Guelph, Ontario, 1899; Corresponding Secretary of the "Co-operation of Disciples of Christ in Ontario," 1903.

JOSEPH P. REED, Hamilton, Ontario.       Born at Glanford, Ontario, February 18, 1875. Student Toronto University, 1894-96; student Hiram College, Ohio, graduating with degree of A. B., 1902. Accepted ministry of Church of Christ, Hamilton, Ontario, August 17, 1902.

Provincial University is now meeting with much favor. Courses of lectures were given during college sessions about ten years ago. Subsequently a small school of a private nature was established in St. Thomas. This is not looked upon as a permanent work and it is hoped the original plan may soon be established.

      The following list gives the co-operating churches and ministers.

      Acton, David Dick; Alvinston, E. Sinclair; Aurora; Aylmer, R. W. Ballah; Blenheim; Bowmanville, B. H. Hayden; Bridgeburg; Collingwood; Dorchester, R. W. Ballah; Emo, D. N. Manly; Erin Centre, F. C. Lake; Erin Village, F. C. Lake; Everton, W. G. Charlton; Grand Valley, L. A. Chapman; Glencairn, J. P. McLeod; Glencoe, E. Sinclair; Guelph, Amos Tovell; Hamilton, J. P. Reed; Harwich; Kilsyth, C. C. Sinclair; Iona, Colin Sinclair; Lobo, T. L. Fowler; London, S. B. Culp; Marsville, L. A. Chapman; Mimosa, W. G. Charlton; Mosa, E. Sinclair; Northwood; Owen Sound, James Lediard, J. A. Aiken; Rainham Centre; Rat Portage, M. P. Hayden; Ridgetown, C. W. Martz; Rodney, J. T. LeFever; Rosedene, Henry Genders; St. Thomas, W. C. McDougall; Selkirk; Selton, C. W. Martz; Stayner; Sweets Corner; Toronto, Cecil St.; A. T. Campbell; Toronto Junction, Oliver McCully; Toronto, Wynchwood, F. E. Lumley; Walkerton, B. Murray; West Lake; West Lorne, J. T. LeFever; Wiarton, Albert E. Tovell, deceased; Winger, Henry Genders.

      Many men and women whose names cannot be recorded here have had their share of the work in the Province. One who for years went about in the district of Muskoka and did much to comfort and help the scattered disciples there, is worthy of special mention. William Crewson will long be remembered for his fidelity, his humility, his godliness. Those hereafter named are recognized as the pioneer preachers of Ontario:

      James Black was born August 15, 1797, in Kilmartin, Argylshire, Scotland. At nine years he was a shepherd boy. At fifteen he began to teach a parish school. He was required to sign the Confession of Faith and to [139]

CHURCH AT BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO.       The value of religious literature is illustrated in the origin of the work in Bowmanville. About 1844 some writings of Alexander Campbell fell into the hands of thoughtful men here. Mr. Campbell was induced to come and do some preaching. The result was most gratifying. Moses E. Lard was here for some time. The church has had a steady, even life, active in all good works and missions. B. H. Hayden, Minister.

B. H. HAYDEN, Bowmanville, Ontario.       Alma Mater, Bethany College, Va., class 1870. Ministry: Lubec, Me.; W. Rupert, Vt.; Canton, Pa.; Chicago, Ill.; Erie, Pa., and Worcester, Mass. Was State Evangelist of New York, 1882-4. The two years following preached in England; then a three months' trip in Egypt, Palestine, Asia Minor, Turkey, Greece and Italy. Minister at Bowmanville since 1900.

teach according to the Holy Scriptures and required to teach the Bible and the Shorter Catechism. The study of these writings led to confusion, which grew until he heard the gospel preached by Elder Dugald Sinclair, then a Baptist. The acceptance of the gospel caused him to lose his position as teacher.

      In 1820 he came to Canada and taught and preached in Elgin and Halton counties until 1829, when he removed to Eramosa, where he resided for fifty-seven years. From this home he carried the gospel far and wide. He founded churches, did much evangelistic work, and edified the Christians. He was the first agent for the Bible Society in Upper Canada. He was foremost in organizing the first co-operative work among the churches. He was always ready for advance movements in missionary efforts. He was a very devout Christian, an earnest student of the Bible, a successful preacher, a kindly man, beloved by all who knew him. He entered into rest April 21, 1886.

      Dugald Sinclair was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, May 25, 1777. His parents were Presbyterians. In 1801 he was baptized in Liverpool and began preaching at once. The years 1806-1810 were spent in Bradford College. Upon graduation the Baptists sent him as a missionary to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. In this work he continued for ten years. Next he traveled in England in the interest of the Bible Society. In 1831 he came to Canada and settled in Lobo. The western part of the Province became his field, and there his zeal and ability were long engaged.

      After nearly seventy years of preaching he was called to his rest in 1870. He had been absent from the pulpit one or two Lord's days before his death. Shortly before his death he said to his son: "When I was baptized it was as a disciple of Christ, and when I met with a people so designated, I united with them at once." The memory of such a life is precious. [140]

COLIN SINCLAIR, St. Thomas, Ontario.       Born Middlesex Co., D. C., Ontario, March 26, 1834. Preached for the Church of Christ in Mosa 1863-65. Provincial Evangelist 1866-67. Minister of church at Ridgetown, Kent county, September, 1867-83; for church in the city of St. Thomas 1885-86; for church in town of Collingwood, September, 1887-98; for church in the city of London, Ontario, September 1898-1901; for churches in Ridgetown and Iona, 1902-03.

F. E. DUMLEY, Wychwood, Ontario.       F. E. Lumley was born at Iona, Ontario, in 1880. He attended public school in winters and worked during the summer months on a farm. In 1897 he became a Christian and began to attend College at St. Thomas, Ontario, spending nearly four years there. In 1901 he went to Toronto to take charge of a growing church, at the same time attending McMaster University. This work continued for two years, after which he went to Hiram College.

      Alexander Anderson was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1812. He was taught according to the doctrine of the Presbyterian church. In 1832 he came to Canada. Soon afterwards he heard Elder John Menzies preach. He accepted the plain gospel and at once obeyed his Lord in baptism. After four years he settled in Eramosa, where Elder James Black and others became his associates in the gospel. These two were much together in evangelistic work, in which Mr. Anderson was very successful. Long journeys were performed on horse back in winter and summer.

      For the last twenty years of his life he lived in Hamilton, Ont., where his labors were continued as long as health permitted. He died in 1897, having served his Master faithfully, having loved his brethren fervently, and having been loved by very many.

      James Kilgour was born in Kirkaldy, Scotland, Aug. 27, 1812. Owing to an accident in early youth, resulting in the loss of a leg, he turned his energies to literary pursuits. After receiving a liberal education he established and taught a private seminary until his departure for Canada, in 1845.

      His father, in his early days, was a Presbyterian, but being an extensive reader of the Bible, he associated himself with the Baptists. James Kilgour also became a member of the Baptist church. Apparently this congregation grew into a more perfect knowledge of the Scriptures, and the members were ready to associate with the disciples of Christ as soon as these were found.

      Mr. Kilgour became an ardent and active advocate of the Christian faith, and in this work he never grew weary. For many years he was influential in educational affairs, and as County Inspector of Public Schools, he had a helpful influence. The church in Guelph owes much to him, for there he lived and labored as long as health permitted. In 1893 he passed peacefully to the beyond.

      Edmund Sheppard was born in Newark, England, February 3, 1823. His parents were [141]

M. P. HAYDEN, A. M., Rat Portage, Ontario.       Born in Deerfield, O., June 7, 1845. Graduated in Classical Course, Hiram College, O., in 1872; received degree of A. M. in 1875. Preached in Wellsville, O., 1877-9; Atchison, Kan., 1882-3; Marshaltown, Iowa, 1888-9; Rockford, Ill., 1892-3; Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, 1899-1902; Rat Portage, Ont., 1902-03. Corresponding Secretary of Kansas Christian Missionary Society 1882-3; Secretary-Treasurer of Western Canada Christian Missionary Association 1901-3.

LEWIS A. CHAPMAN, Grand Valley, Ontario.       Born Glenmont, O., October 11, 1865. Student at Hiram College, O., graduating with degree of B. L., 1893; completed post-graduate course with degree of A. M., 1897. Minister Church of Christ Enon Valley, Pa., 1892-97; Lima, O. (Wayne St.), 1898-99; Evangelist in Oregon 1899-1900; Lorain, O., 1900-02; Grand Valley, Ont., 1902-03.

ALBERT E. TOVELL, DECREASED, Wiarton, Ontario.

EDMUND SHEPPARD. [142]

Episcopalians. He met disciples of Christ in Nottingham, England, and identified himself with them. In 1843 he came to Canada. For some years he taught in the public schools, and then was appointed an inspector of schools. The period from 1850 to 1867 was given to this work. During and after his career in educational work he devoted much time to preaching. He was an eloquent and unusually powerful speaker. The whole of the western part of the Province of Ontario benefited by his labors, and the church in Dorchester may be called his monument.

      His nature was extremely sympathetic, and the sorrows which came to his own home were augmented by those of many other homes, and all told heavily upon his vigor. But this sympathy increased his power over men, of whom he won many to Christ, and edified in spiritual life. He died May 30, 1894, having been but one Sunday away from pulpit duties.

      Of the pioneer preachers of Ontario one remains. C. J. Lister was born in London in 1820, and was brought to Canada in 1821. For thirty-seven years his home was in Bowmanville. In 1866 he moved to Owen Sound, where he now lives.

      At the age of twelve years he was apprenticed to a large wholesale and retail house, and after some years of service there he was employed in a bank. He was first under Anglican teaching, but was not satisfied with the form of prayers into which he put no heart. A study of the New Testament led him to understand the gospel before he knew anything about the disciples of Christ as a body. He received help from the Christian System and Millennial Harbinger. Some churches were already organized in the Province, and with these he labored in evangelistic work. At the age of 83 he is still active, and proposes a missionary tour this summer. Of his own faith he writes: "He is trusting all to Jesus for time and eternity; trusting in His name, His wonderful power, and His inimitable and infinite love, and is looking for His second glorious appearance."

[COC 138-143]