DR. GATES’ PASTORATE, 1886-1900.
In September, 1885, the Church extended a call to Rev. G. O. Gates. He accepted, and entered upon his duties on New Year’s Day, 1886, being present at the Annual Conference Meeting. On the following Sunday he preached to large and attentive audiences. At the close of the evening service Rev. Dr. Goodspeed on behalf of the Church extended the right hand of fellowship to the new pastor and his wife. A recognition service was held January 19th, at which there were present Reverends Goodspeed, Cahill, Bruce, Shawffield, Stewart, Gordon, Spencer, Hopper and Saer. Dr. Goodspeed, who presided, welcomed Brother Gates to the pastorate and said “Though Mr. Gates had never preached here before, and was known to the Church by reputation only, a record is better than any fugitive effort in the way of preaching,” Mr. Cahill, in his address to the pastor, said “Your obligation is to fill the pulpit, but the obligation of the members is to fill the pews.”
Reduction of the Debt.
This same year the church was encouraged by the gift of $200 from Mr. Jacob Bradshaw, which they resolved to place in the Savings Bank to form the nucleus of a Sinking Fund, for the purpose of paying off the debt on the Church property. In 1879 quarterly collections were commenced for this purpose by means of envelopes. This plan has been continued, but the payments made monthly, and the mortgage reduced $1,000 every second year.
In 1888 our hearts were cheered by the generous donation of Mrs. James Dyall of $1,000 towards the reduction of the debt. At her death in 1892 she also left the residue was reduced $4,600—this amount being made up by the first payment on the bequest of the late Mrs. Dyall $3,603, a rebate of $500 from the estate of the late J. H. Moran, and the balance from the Sinking Fund.
The total amount received by the Church from the estate of Mrs. Dyall was $7,160, all of which was applied towards the reduction of debt.
In 1887 the Sunday School and all Societies in the Church were at their request placed under the direct control of the Church, and have since reported to the Annual Meeting. This year, also, the Roll was thoroughly revised and the active memberships reduced to 257, the non-resident members being placed on a separate list.
Mission Founded.
In February, 1889, a Mission was founded in the North End of the City by W. C. Cross and others associated with him. At first held in a room in the rear of a grocery store on Sheriff street it soon outgrew its early quarters, and in the fall of the same year a building was erected on Murray street, at a cost of about $750, whence its present name—“The Murray Street Mission.” The large majority of the workers have always come from Germain Street Church. In addition to the regular Sunday School at 9.30 a. m., a week-evening prayer meeting has been conducted during a large part of the time. At present, Chas. R. Wasson is Superintendent, with L. W. Simms and W. E. Roop as Assistant Superintendents.
In 1890 Dr. Gates was offered the position of Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board—a position he was eminently qualified to fill, but at the earnest solicitation of the Church he declined the appointment.