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.