REV. I. E. BILL, of Nictaux, N. S., was the second pastor after the separation. He came February, 1852, and continued till February, 1863. He labored faithfully and successfully in extending the triumphs of the Gospel—not only in the pulpit but also through the press, as editor of “The Christian Visitor.” During his pastorate of eleven years more than 300 members were added to our number by baptism, and by letter from sister churches. He was present at the laying of the corner stone of the present building in 1877. He is spoken of in the early days of his ministry in this city as one of the most popular preachers of his time. His fluency of speech and power of declamation made him a favorite preacher, and drew large congregations to hear him.
Rev. I. E. Bill was born February 19th, 1805, at Cornwallis, N. S. He was baptized by Rev. Edward Manning, and began to preach in 1837. He was ordained at Nictaux in 1829, where he was pastor for over twenty years, and was greatly blessed in his work—during the first year of his pastorate baptizing 151 persons. He was a warm friend of Acadia College and its affiliated institutions, and was present at the founding of the Academy in 1828. In 1881 Acadia University conferred on him the Degree of Doctor of Divinity. He established the first Ladies’ Boarding School at Nictaux in 1846. He was a pastor of Germain Street Church 1852 to 1863. After resigning the pastorate of this Church, he preached in Fredericton, St. Martins and other places. Dr. Saunders says “He was an extraordinary man and minister—loving and beloved. His ‘Fifty Years with the Baptists’ is a monument.” He dies at St. Martins, August 4th,. 1891, aged eighty-six years.
Dr. Gates in preaching his funeral sermon says: “You can know with what attachment Dr. Bill was bound to this Church, when you recall the fact that he retained his membership here until the last, and it is this Church that now reports another of its members passed into the land—‘where sweeps no desolating wind.’” Dr. Gates in concluding says: “Have you not known him; have you not heard him eloquently pleading for the higher education; have you not listened to him as with tender pathos he had pleaded for the millions of the perishing in the heathen lands; have you not listened at with burning words he denounced the evils of the time; aye, too, have you not felt the force, the power of his enthusiasm, his hopefulness as he has painted in your presence in glowing colors the coming of the more blessed days—the days of righteousness, of peace, of grace—days of the reigning of Jesus Christ?”
In 1856 the membership of the Church was 229, and in 1860, 320.
In 1859 the Deacons were: G. A. Garrison, John Fisher, Manuel Francis, E. J. Barteaux, E. H. Duval, and A. McL. Seely. This year we find the New Year’s Conference Meeting referred to for the first time. At the Annual Charity Sermon, the collection was £9.
It is to be regretted that owing to loss of the Records more of the History of the Church during Dr. Bill’s pastorate is not available. Dr. Bill himself in closing an historical sermon delivered in this Church in 1863 said: “The remaining portion of the History includes my own life and labors as pastor of this Church. We shall not go into the subject at present, but at some future day, and in other hands, it may be found to comprise a chapter not devoid of interest, as the history of this Baptist Church is rich in incident as it is also rich in suggestion and influence.”
REV. HENRY VAUGHAN’S PASTORATE, 1863-1864.
When Rev. I. E. Bill resigned, in 1863, Rev. Henry Vaughan, son of Simon Vaughan, of St. Martins, was called to the pastorate and entered upon his labors in March. He was a graduate of Acadia University and Newton Theological Seminary, and was ordained at St. George in 1862. He was a sound preacher and well qualified to fill the pastoral office, and his friends looked forward to a long life of usefulness in the Master’s service.
The Second Building.