DR. GATES RECALLED.
ON MR. FREEMAN’S departure in July, 1902, Dr. Gates received a most unanimous call to return to the city and again take up the work of the pastorate of this Church. At the Conference meeting held August 1st, Dr. Gates’ letter of acceptance was received with great satisfaction, which was expressed by all rising and singing the doxology.
Dr. Gates resumed his work here on Sunday, November 2nd, when he preached to large congregations both morning and evening. The evening service was based on Acts 13:26—“To you is the word of this salvation sent.” Preceding the sermon, Dr. Gates expressed his gladness at returning to those whom he had learned to love in other days. He thanked them for all their goodness, and asked that their prayers might be offered for him, that while he was a citizen of St. John he might so labor together with them, that the city might be the better and more as God wanted it to be. He was proud of the City of St. John, No one could go away from it, as he had done, after working among its people for many years, and return without the feeling of being home again, and the inclination to whisper a benediction over the place. On the following Wednesday evening Dr. and Mrs. Gates were warmly welcomed back by a largely attended Church social. Deacon Simms, who presided, said it was seventeen years since Dr. Gates first took charge of the Church. Now after an absence of nearly two years, he returned to a united, well organized Church in a good financial condition. He pledged the hearty support of the congregation. He also warmly welcomed Mr. Gates, who is held in love and esteem by all. Dr. Gates expressed great pleasure in resuming the pastorate that had been very dear to him. There were many reasons that it made pleasant, chief among which were the confidence shown to him by Church and people, and because he regarded this as an ideal city in the various relations in life, particularly interdenominational harmony, and because that in coming back he felt he had done what the Lord wished. During the evening the Sunday School Orchestra played several selections.
In January, 1903, the following additions to membership during the previous year were reported:—by baptism 17, by letter 5, by experience 1, total 23. Present membership 582. Received and expended for all for all purposes, $8,508.
In 1904 the Church adopted the Canadian Edition of The Baptist Hymnal for use at the Sunday services, which has given very general satisfaction.
Maritime Baptist Union.
At a meeting of the Church held September, 1904, the pastor gave an interesting account of the movement for the union of the Baptist and Free Baptist Churches from its inception up to that time, and presented the following resolution: “Resolved—That the Germain Street Church is prepared to enter into organic union with the Free Baptist Churches of New Brunswick, on the Basis of Union as adopted by the Convention held in Truro, August, 1904, and by the Free Baptist Conference, September, 1904.” This was unanimously adopted.
A very large measure of credit in the progress of this movement is to be accorded to Dr. Gates, who by his energetic and strenuous endeavors as Chairman of the Union Committee, representing the Baptists, may be said to have been greatly instrumental in consummating the Union of these two branches of the one Body.
At the formal Uniting Service, held in Main Street Church, City, on October 10th, 1905, a History of the Union Movement during the past twenty years, from the standpoint of the committee appointed by the Baptists, was appropriately read by Dr. Gates; while on the same occasion a History of the Union Movement, from the standpoint of the committee appointed by the Free Baptists, was presented by Dr. McLeod.
During the latter part of February, 1905, Dr. 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.
Men's League.
In September of this year was formed the Men’s League, an organization of the men of the congregation to meet for a half-hour’s Bible study, during the fall and winter months, at the conclusion of the morning service. To T. S. Simms is to be given the credit of initiating the movement. Since its organization it has met regularly, under the efficient leadership of Mr. E. M. Sipprell, and has been productive of much interest in the study of the Word. During the winter months also a programme of Social and Literary evenings has been prepared and a Banquet held.
Dr. Gates' Resignation.
On Sunday, the 11th of February, 1906, to the infinite regret of the Church, the pastor’s resignation was read, in which he said: “In reaching this decision I trust I have been guided by the Spirit of God. Never will there come a day—be my earthly stay longer or shorter—when this dear old Church will be out of my mind. The Lord bless you all—your homes, your loved ones, these Church interests, and prosper you much more in the days to come even than in the past.” At a special meeting called to consider the pastor’s resignation, Deacon Simms referred to Dr. Gates' long pastorate, the Church’s appreciation of him as pastor and preacher, and the regret felt at the termination of the cordial relations which have existed between us. As Dr. Gates’ letter left but one of course open to the Church, it was therefore moved—that the resignation be accepted, and a committee be appointed to draw up a suitable resolution.
On Sunday, April 1st, Dr. Gates preached his farewell sermon, the Church being filled to the doors. He took for his text Isaiah 60: 1—“Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God.” At the close of the sermon Dr. G. U. Hay read a farewell address to the pastor, from which we quote: “Beloved pastor—twenty years ago last January you came to St. 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. 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. Be assured that you name will remain as a household word with us. May our Father in Heaven guide and direct you as he has done in the past and may you be a blessing to the Church to which you go, such as you have been to us, is our earnest wish and prayer.” In reply Dr. Gates thanked the Church on behalf of himself and Mrs. Gates for the many kindly services rendered them. “I thought,” he said, “when I came back from Windsor that I would be here for the rest of my life, but the fog of the last two summers got the better of me and I had to do one of two things, either give up the fog or preaching. I did not want to give up preaching, so I was compelled to try a dryer climate.”
At the close of the Friday evening prayer meeting a certified cheque to the retiring pastor, and to Mrs. Gates a diamond brooch, were presented as slight reminders of the affection of the people among whom they had labored so long.
Rev. G. O. Gates was born in Annapolis Valley, N. S. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school. After a course at Horton Academy he entered Acadia College, where he took his B.A. in 1873, graduating at the head of his class. A few years later he took the M. A. Degree in course. During his college course, he did missionary work in Colchester County, also spending one summer in Amherst as assistant to Dr. Steel. In his senior year he supplied the church at Gaspereaux. In the autumn of 1873 he was called to the pastorate of the church at Liverpool, remaining there until June, 1880; when he went to the First Church at Moncton where he remained until the autumn of 1885. In January, 1886, he came to this Church, remaining for fifteen years; when he went to Windsor, being there nearly two years. Returning to this Church, he was with us nearly three years longer, when he went to Westmount, P. Q., in 1906, having been there since that time. During his pastorate in this Church he spent six months travelling in Palestine and Egypt, and visiting the principal cities of Europe. While in St. John, Acadia University honored him by conferring the Degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Dr. Gates has had a large measure of success in the ministry. During one year at Moncton, one hundred and forty were added to the church, and while here, there was a steady increase of members, including a large number from the Sunday School. He has always taken a deep interest in Sunday School and Missionary work, working in connection with the Provincial Sunday School Association, and was for twenty-five years an active member of the Foreign Mission Board.
At the present time he is President of the Grande Ligne Mission and is also President of the Sunday School Association of the Province of Quebec. In all his pastorates Dr. 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.