THESE were the ante-union days. Negotiations for union
were being carried on between the church of Scotland in Canada, popularly
known as the Kirk, and the Canada Presbyterian Church. The issue was still
doubtful, and for all who were desirous of seeing one great Presbyterian
Church in the Dominion, it was a time of great anxiety. As is almost
always the case, the danger to the cause of union and the delay in its
consummation arose not so much from essential differences in foundation
principles, but from local and often personal rivalries and jealousies,
the very existence of which was one of the strongest arguments for union.
Throughout the whole of Canada the greatest interest was taken by
Presbyterians in the discussions, and in many places intense feeling was
aroused. This was true of the congregation of Knox Church, in far-away
Winnipeg. Here, though the congregation had been formally received by the
Presbytery of Manitoba and was, therefore, a congregation of the Canada
Presbyterian Church, there was a very influential portion of the
congregation adhering to the Kirk who naturally were anxious to secure the
greatest advantage possible for their own party. The result was strife
which only became more bitter as the congregation grew in strength by
accessions from the East, and as the prospects of union became more and
more cloudy.
With the congregation in this condition, Mr. Robertson
took charge. It was a situation requiring the guiding of a man of strong
common sense, of fairness, and of a high
sense of duty. And it is no small tribute to Mr.
Robert. son that he was not found wanting. He takes his wife into his
confidence in regard to affairs in the congregation as follows:
"Things here are not in a good state. The two parties
in the church are quite distinct, and they are likely to continue so, as
far as I can judge. They have been jealous of each other all along, and
the prospect of a failure of union in June is having an influence just
now. I am afraid that both parties were for union on the condition that
things should be more or less in their own hands. It was perhaps
unfortunate that four-fifths of the congregation should be Canada
Presbyterians and the remaining part only belonging to the Kirk, but so it
is. The most of the Kirk party are men of influence and respectability,
while the other party, although having several men of wealth and high
social standing, are more or less socially below them. This has had its
influence. It became with the Kirk party a question of patronage because
of their position, etc., and to this the other would not submit. It looked
as if the former were saying, ‘We will give respectability and social
standing to the church, we will give considerable cash, too, but you must
let us have things our own way, and get our minister in the church.’ The
other party could not be expected to do that, and here they took issue. I
believe this question has a great deal to do with the present state of
things.
"Some time ago elders were chosen,
and organization was asked and granted by the Manitoba Presbytery. This
gave offense, because by this action the congregation became connected
with the Canada Presbyterian Church. The Old Kirk party could not accept
office as elders because to do so, since the church is in connection with
the Canada Presbyterian Church, they must join that Church. This they
could not do. The congregation drew up a constitution and came to
presbytery to sanction it. Presbytery did so, and this again was another
grievance. Dr. Clark then was sent for by the Kirk party in a quiet way,
to come up here and it was supposed that in the general chaos he would be
elected pastor, because supposed to be superior to anything here. This,
too, failed. Then again Dr. Clark was sent away and I was taken in here to
preach. I told them that I was not a candidate present or prospective for
the pulpit, and that if they gave a call to Dr. Clark or anybody else, I
was prepared to resign my position to-morrow, but that I would and could
not in deference to anybody, give Dr. Clark the pulpit now. I came here to
supply the pulpit and no other did so, at the request of the congregation,
at personal sacrifice—congregational and family sacrifice—and if they
would not agree to fulfill their part of the arrangement, I would at once
go away—I represent the Church in Canada and could not yield to Old Kirk
or any other.
"The whole of the Canada
Presbyterian people are of one mind in having me here. The Governor and
the other party come to church regularly, and I am on good terms with
them. I am only blamed, I suppose, because I happen to be acceptable as a
preacher. It is exceedingly unpleasant, but I suppose I must make the best
of it."
Sensible man he is, but none the
less is the situation vexing to his soul. Through the weeks that follow
the unhappy squabble goes on. Meantime, the congregations are growing in
numbers and the services in interest, so he wisely resolves to keep out of
the trouble and let the parties fight out their foolish petty fight
between themselves. And indeed, there is no need for him to interfere, for
both parties appear to be under sufficiently able generalship.
"I am happily not in the matter at
all," he writes under date April 30th, 1874. "The difficulty is between
themselves and Professor B—. He has been working in the interests of our
Church, as he ought, but still for the common good. The other party
thought he was doing for the Canada Presbyterian Church altogether. Hence,
everything was looked on with suspicion." It was a condition fruitful in
mutual misunderstanding, the most innocent deeds and words being
misinterpreted, as witness, "The late trouble was with Dr. Clark. It
appears that Professor B— in speaking to Dr. Clark, said that if this
contention and strife were to continue, that if there was no way of peace,
it was the opinion of some men in the congregation that it would be better
to separate. The Doctor then asked who they were that would be apt to go.
Professor B— replied that he did not now know, he only knew those who were
Old Kirk in their antecedents. This was only what any person might have
said. The construction put on his words is, that the Canada Presbyterian
Church party wish the others to leave the church, which is quite another
matter. Feeling has run high about this whole matter for a week or two;
now all other grievances are not thought of in comparison with this last.
I do not think they will go off.
"I am personally and as a preacher
not in the case at all. I understand that even Mr. McM— who is the head of
the other party, speaks very favourably of my preaching. Governor Morris
still attends. He was there last Sabbath and I had quite a chat with him
after service was over. He appears to be a quiet nice man. If he was alone
there would be no trouble. It is a great pity Dr. Clark is here at all."
With which all will devoutly agree.
