] 74 -A HALF CENTURY. 



to me, that some of you still include these children of mine in your 

 prayers. 



If I seem to linger long on the happy memories of the home which 

 was our first liome, it is not that my thought does not also go out to the 

 many other homes of this parish, where we mingled with you in joy- 

 ous festivities, and shared the confidences of your every day family 

 life, coming closer to you still in tender and loving sympathy during 

 the darker days of sorrow and bereavement, drawing mutual comfort 

 from God's precious word and communion with Him, while we felt 

 His brooding presence and strengthening grace. 



If time would permit, what pleasure it would give me once more to 

 re-visit every home, even though I came alone, and recall personally 

 the pleasant visits of the past, Avhen as yet my own fireside was un- 

 broken, and your former beloved pastor walked by my side. This 

 may never be, but the time is coming, when, in our Father's house 

 above, we shall review His gracious dealings with us all, and no 

 change shall separate us there. 



The Ladies' Benevolent Society is an organization which. I am told, 

 has held its unwavering existence through the years, growing in use- 

 fulness and efficiency, and blessing hundreds of worthy missionaries in 

 the far-away home-land, who stand as God's messengers on the fron- 

 tier. God bless this venerable Society ! and continue to raise up 

 friends who shall perpetuate tjie noble work it has carried on so long ! 

 It was a memorable day for me when, as pastor's wife, I was made presi- 

 dent of it. I shall never forget the first time I occupied the honored 

 chair in the presence of my elders. In my youthful embarrassment 

 and ignorance of parliamentary rules, I looked imploringly to my con- 

 stituenc}' for their leniency and help. On one occasion, during the tran- 

 saction of business, as I attempted to guide this ship of state, dear 

 Mrs. Erwin, who long since went to her reward, quietly suggested to 

 me the proper time to. put a question to vote, which waited for action, 

 and thus saved me from a threatened failure. But she was not the 

 only one who sought to cover and shield my imperfect attempts at 

 duty in those early years. Many helpers surrounded me, who cer- 

 tainly were not critical, and to whose loving encouragement 1 owed more 

 than they knew. Together we walked in counsel and in service until 

 our hearts and aspirations were as one ; and together we shared our 

 mutual failures and triumphs. 



The Church Sociable which then followed the afternoon meeting, 

 was the crowning joy of the day. The pastor and deacons and mem 

 bers of the congregation came upon the scene in the evening, and en- 

 tered sympathetically into the efforts and aims of the Society. The 

 honorary membership fee of a dollar from the brethren, if I remember 

 correctly, was a much-appreciated addition to our treasury, and it re- 



