R. W. STEVENSON, Charlottetown, P. E. Island Canada.

Born in the province of Prince Edward Island; a student at Bethany College, W. Va.; graduated in 1879, and served as minister of the gospel in the churches at Montague, P. E. Island, Canada; Mankota, Minnesota, Syracuse, N. Y., Troy, N. Y., St. John, New Brunswick, Can., and is now minister in the Central church, Charlottetown, near the place of his birth.

      Prince Edward Island is the smallest province of the Dominion of Canada, having an area of 2,100 square miles, and a population of about 108,000 inhabitants. Its largest city is Charlottetown, the capital, with a population of about 14,000. The Island received its present name in 1799, in honor of the Duke of Kent, commander of the British forces in America. Prior to this, the name of the Island was "Isle St. Jean." It was at first settled by Acadians and possessed by the French, but was afterwards ceded to the British. The inhabitants at the present time are largely made up of Loyalists, Scotch, English, Irish and French. Prince Edward Island has been singularly free from agitation arising from claims on the part of any religious denomination to monopolize state favor. The Roman Catholic religion has at all times formed a large element in the population.

      The majority of the disciples of Christ are Scotch descent. Alexander Crawford, a Scotch Baptist, came to the Island as early as 1811, from Edinburgh, Scotland. He had been converted and baptized by the Haldanes, and educated in their school. In doctrine he was a moderate Calvinist. On coming to Prince Edward Island he became acquainted with a number of independents; with these he began to labor, and with marked success. He was the first to do any immersing on the Island. The names of those first immersed were John Stewart, Duncan Kennedy, Donald McGregor, and others--eight persons in all. Mr. Crawford preached in many places on the Island. Lot 48, Three Rivers, East Point, Bedeque, Tryon, Belfast, and other places, in all of which are congregations of immersed believers. He taught the supremacy of the Scriptures, ignored all human creeds and confessions of faith and published a work on baptism of great merit. This was also true of his book on the Abrahamic Covenant. However he was not fully out on the design of baptism, but the teaching of Mr. Crawford led greatly toward the Restoration by the disciples. His family afterwards became identified with the Church of Christ, showing plainly the tendency of the teaching and preaching of this man of God. He never became identified with the Baptist Association in the Maritime Provinces. He advocated the observance of the Lord's Supper every Lord's Day, whether an ordained ministry was present or not. His labors were blessed by many souls led to accept Jesus Christ. The most of these afterwards readily became identified with the Church of Christ in the beginning of her work on Prince Edward Island. Mr. Crawford died at the early age of forty-two years, greatly lamented by all who sat under his ministry. Just before and after his death the Regular Baptists visited the Island, and some of the congregations gathered by Mr. Crawford joined their association. The church at Lot 48, however, remained faithful to the doctrine taught them by him. The worship in the church at Lot 48 was sustained by faithful men, although for some years they were not regularly favored with an ordained ministry.

      About this time John Knox, a young man from Edinburgh, Scotland, talented and well educated, began preaching in Lot 48 for the Episcopalians, or Church of England, as it is called here. His attention having been called to the ordinance of baptism, he was immersed by Benjamin Scott, a Baptist minister. Dr. [146] Knox continued in the work of the ministry of the church for many years. He preached most acceptably in many congregations on the Island, and, being a man of rare eloquence, he commanded a wide influence among the churches. By a sermon he preached on the 9th chapter of Romans the doctrine of unconditional election and Predestination was forever disposed of in the Lot 48 church. Dr. Knox also preached in Three Rivers. In those days the Baptists held the ground, but the Doctor's teachings were a marked improvement on the rank Calvinism preached--that the sinner is without ability to accept of Christ. The people gladly accepted the teachings of Dr. Knox, which were similar to those preached by the Church of Christ. His brilliancy of intellect and love of the truth led him to discover and discard the errors of Calvinism. About this time he also secured the writings of Alexander Campbell, which confirmed and strengthened him in "the faith once for all delivered to the saints." The result of Dr. Knox's ministry in Three Rivers was a heated controversy which ended in a division of the church--a very large and influential majority of the membership afterwards entered the fellowship of the Church of Christ. To this congregation he, for many years, most faithfully ministered in word and doctrine. The charter members of this new organization were the Stewarts, McDonalds, McLarens, Robertsons, Dewars, Campbells and McFarlines. All good old Scotch names as the reader will readily observe. Dr. Knox established the work in East Point also. After an exciting period, when the differences were being explored, the simplicity of the gospel became manifest, a division took place and a congregation of the Church of Christ was organized in the Baptist meeting house. Forthwith building material was prepared, and in thirty days a meeting house was erected which served for many years as a place of worship. Since that time, however, a new and more modern house of worship has been built, and the church is to a degree prosperous. The names that appear conspicuous in the records of the church are the McDonalds, Morrows, Stewarts, Chings, Camerons, Roses, Youngs and Bakers. Peter Stewart, an elder in the church, a good man and blessed with much natural ability, served the church for some years, as a teacher and exhorter, until he moved to Three Rivers. H. A. McDonald is a son of this congregation. He is a minister and teacher of more than ordinary ability among the disciples.

      The church in New Glasgow had its beginning about the year 1820. At that time John Stevenson, a deacon in the Scotch Baptist church in Paisley, Scotland, came to Prince Edward Island and settled in New Glasgow. The place being destitute of any means of grace, he began teaching a Sunday school, reading the Scriptures and speaking to the people as he had opportunity. In time a number of persons, among whom were several members of his own family became anxious to obey the Gospel of Christ. He walked seventeen miles to secure the services of a regular ordained Baptist minister to immerse these candidates. Failing to secure one he returned home. His son, Charles, urged him to attend to it himself, as there was nothing in the New Testament forbidding him to do so, which he did, and continued so to do as occasion demanded until the time of his death. He entered into rest in the eighty-fourth year of his age. Mr. Stevenson on one occasion, hearing of Alexander Crawford being within seven miles of his home, and being anxious to form his acquaintance and talk with him concerning the things of the Kingdom, went to meet the now distinguished minister, but was disappointed, as Mr. Crawford had left the place for his home.

      Requesting ordination at the hands of the Baptists, ministers were sent to hear Mr. Stevenson preach, but refusing to be bound by the articles of faith, he was not ordained. The Baptist ministers acknowledged his ability to preach the gospel and lamented that their hands were tied by the articles of faith. He, however, continued to serve the church to the extent of his ability with much acceptance. He was a good man, a constant supporter of the gospel, and a firm friend of his brethren in the ministry, many of whom had labored with him in the gospel. Mr. Stevenson had a family of twelve children, consisting of six sons and six daughters, all of whom, with their families, are members of the Church of Christ.

      Donald Crawford, a nephew of Alexander Crawford, born on the Isle of Arran, Scotland (by the way the Crawfords are related to Sir William Wallace, his mother being a Crawford of Arran). Donald came to this Island with his father's family at the age of seven years. He united with the Baptists with the understanding there should be no creed but the New Testament, and that the articles of the Nova Scotia Baptists should not be enforced. He continued with the Baptists for [147] several years, until certain ministers enforced the articles of faith. Mr. Crawford immediately severed his connection with the Baptists. At the age of twenty-one years he began preaching the gospel in private houses, school houses and wherever opportunity afforded. In 1850 he entered fully into the ministry, and afterward preached four years in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick with much success, many being led to accept of Christ. Churches were afterwards organized, several of them in Digby Co. N. S. He then began laboring in Prince Edward Island, preaching the gospel and circulating literature. He published a pamphlet entitled "Conversations on the Christian Religion," which incurred the displeasure of the Baptist champion of the Island, who vented his criticisms through the Christian Messenger, the organ of the Baptist churches in the Maritime Provinces. The paper was generously opened for a reply and a number of letters passed between these two gentlemen, which had a wonderful effect in enabling the people to have a better understanding of the disciples of Christ. He married Miss Harriett Wallace, of Shubenacdie, N. S., a most brilliant and suitable companion in the work of the ministry. He located in New Glasgow, from which place his labors have extended over the greater part of the Island--Charlottetown, Lot 48, East Point, Montague, Bradalbane, Summerside, Tryon, Tignish, and other places. He organized the church in Summerside, started the cause in Green Mount, in the western part of the Island and took upon himself the financial responsibility of the work in Bradalbane. Many and arduous have been his labors in the cause of Christ. For over half a century he has labored in word and doctrine, and still lives, in his 82nd year, to enjoy the honor and respect of the whole brotherhood. The Church of Christ in New Glasgow is one of our strongest churches. They possess an elegant house of worship, entirely free from debt. They are now enjoying the labors of Mr. A. N. Simpson, a graduate of the College of the Bible, Lexington, Kentucky. The names of some of the charter members of this church are the Stevensons, Bagnalls, Dickinsons, Houstons, McKays, Simpsons, Nisbets, and Orrs. The church in New Glasgow has sent out a number of preachers of the gospel: John Simpson, John Smith, Crawford McKay (deceased), W. P. Murray, all of the United States; R. W. Stevenson, minister of the church in Charlottetown; G. N. Stevenson, minister of Coburgh Street church, St. John, N. B.; Everett Stevenson, minister of the North Street church, Halifax, N. S.

      The church in Summerside was organized in 1858 in a hall. This organization was effected by Elder D. Crawford, who gave much of his time to the needs of the church for over twenty years. His first sermon was preached in the home of Elder Thomas Beattie. The church since then has had the ministry of T. H. Capp, a graduate of Bethany College; also W. H. Harding, H. E. Cooke, and now they have the services of Frank Harlow, a young man of promise. The church in Summerside has sent out some of the very best men in the brotherhood of the Churches of Christ: A. McLean, President of the Foreign Christian Missionary Society, the late Neil McLeod, of Jamaica, H. T. Morrison, A. Linkletter, Judson Brown, T. Jelley, A. N. Simpson, E. E. Crawford, and C. C. Crawford, of Elmira, N. Y.

      The church had its struggle with sectarianism. When a number of persons had united with the new organization, a determined opposition arose, resulting in an eight months' controversy between Elder D. Crawford and Isaac Murray, a Presbyterian minister. This controversy was carried on in the newspapers, and resulted in a wide-spread knowledge of the teachings of the Churches of Christ. In all these controversies it was the lot of Mr. Crawford to be on the defensive. The church in Summerside, although it always lived in peace and good fellowship, never reached great proportions. The prospects for the future, however, are bright and encouraging.

      Green Mount church is located in the Western-most part of the Island. This church had its beginning by a number of disciples baptized--some of them by Elder D. Crawford, Capp, Cooke, and Harding, who preached occasionally in that locality. Mr. Charles Stevenson, eldest son of John Stevenson, a man of some ability in prayer and exhortation, gathered the baptized believers together for Lord's day worship. These continued faithful in the apostles' doctrine, in the fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers. They have a suitable house of worship, and at the present time have the ministry of Brother Frank Harlow, of the Summerside church. [148]

      The church in Charlottetown. The work began in Charlottetown in 1869. In that year Benjamin Franklin visited the Island and preached in the Atheneum to large audiences. A number of persons were baptized, the church was organized, and met for a time in a hall. Then a church house was erected on Great George Street. The first minister was G. W. Williams, a graduate of the College of the Bible, Lexington, Kentucky. Then Fallgater, Ira Mitchell, U. G. Miller, and George Manifold in turn served the church. Special meetings have been held by B. B. Tyler, N. S. Haynes, R. W. Stevenson, D. Crawford, Dr. Knox, and others. For a time this church made some progress, but unfortunately men crept into the church, ambitious to preach, opposed to the regular ministry, and being carried away with erroneous doctrines, the church became divided. More than half of the congregation withdrew from the disturbing element to make an effort worthy of the plea of the disciples of Christ.

      At first the division was thought to be unfortunate for the work, but it has proved the wisdom of those who understood the situation and the salvation of the cause in Charlottetown. A new and elegant building has been erected; the cause is now prospering; the church commands the respect of the city, and the success of the work is assured, providing the brethren keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace. The new organization secured a continuation of the services of Mr. Manifold, who was succeeded by R. F. Whiston, J. G. Burroughs, and R. W. Stevenson, the present incumbent. The outlook for the church in Charlottetown is promising. At present the church is united and consecrated to the work of the gospel.

      The church at Montague Bridge, formerly known as the church at Three Rivers, is the largest and one of the most influential churches in the Maritime Provinces. It has a large membership, and a splendid church house, and also a pleasant home for their minister. This is the home church of Profs. F. T. O. Norton and Herbert Martin, also J. T. McNeil, of Kokomo, Ind. The church at Montague has been ministered to by Dr. John Knox, E. C. Ford, Fallgalterer, R. W. Stevenson, O. B. Lowery, Carrol Ghent, G. N. Stevenson, and A. Martin; besides special meetings have been held by B. B. Tyler, N. S. Haynes, Howard Murray, W. H. Harding, and others, whose names cannot now be recalled by the writer. The present incumbent is W. R. Motley, a man of much ability as a minister.

      The church at East Point is also a prosperous church, but being far from the railway, and at a great distance from the rest of our churches, makes it difficult to secure regular preaching services. But the class of people are among the very best in the community, and being both intelligent and religious, the cause of our Lord is no doubt safe in their hands.

      The church in Murray Harbour is a new organization. They have a, nice house to worship in, free from debt. The work was begun by M. E. Genge, who came from the Baptists, and identified himself with the disciples. This church has but few members, but they are intelligent and faithful. They are really a mission under the fostering care of the church of Montague Bridge, the minister of which makes monthly visits to work in Murray Harbour.

      The churches in Prince Edward Island hope for an increased prosperity for the cause of Christ. They have a Mission Board, organized to push the work on the Island, by strengthening the weak churches and opening up the work in new places, where the people have a desire to walk in the old paths.

      The members of the Home Mission Board are R. W. Stevenson, president; A. N. Simpson, vice-president; J. H. Williams, secretary; Frank Bovyer, treasurer; E. S. Norton, and Frank Harlow, advisory. The churches in Prince Edward Island are all missionary churches. The numerical strength of the churches is about 600 members, 10 church houses, two parsonages--value of property, $27,000; 500 children in Sunday-school; six ministers, four of them regularly employed in the work. [149]

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