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3:5 of forty 0 mill (this >uld always fiYT UAL. ods and m, also {8.11 ouble Yard. IOI‘ Enormeus imporisations direct from the Manufacturers of England, at Dmmz’m 5’ Flaw/[e Ems. Our Seasons Importations excell in style and celor anything heretofore ex- - hibited by us -' - In ‘55. 17' 4%. different grades beginning per yard. fHIGINBOTHAM. Volume IV. Number 20 The best Eng] beginning at â€"â€" A. new material very heavy and noiseless, exceptionally suitable for dining rooms A11 carpets made and laid if desired at a. small charge. Four different qualities beginning - - 37 1-20. per yard. -. - ome and mi K TAPE STEY 9-1‘1'1 BRUSSELS WOOL CARPETS in all grades. UNION DUNDAS 8L FLAVELLE BROS. Q; ”)3 1 fl BEETS, BEETS, LINDSAY, THURSDAY, at 25.0. match. at The Synod Conference at Lindsay. In an artigiefiumishcd by the corpespond- ent of the Mail in that paper, descriptive of the Town-of Lindsay, and in connect- ticm with the Preshyterim Synod now being; held here, the folhm'ixxg historic facts aneut the rise and progress uf Pres- bytci'iaiiism in this \‘icininity will be uf inn-rust in our readers :â€" Interest to our readers :â€" “ Presbyterianism began its career in this. vicinity somewhat at. a disadvantage. The early settlers were chiefly connected with the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Methodist Churches, Roman Catholic ele- ment largely predominating. . The Presby- teriirns were few and scatterd. Until 1845 itinerant Presbyterian missionaries con- ducted service in private houses The first church, a small logr building, was put up in Lindsay 1845. . Until 1848 the con- gregation here worshiping was independent when it was taken under charge of the United Presbyterian Church. Rev. Mr. Moore, an Irish minister, preached occaswnally prior to this date. Rev. Gilbert chedie, the first regular pastor, was inducted in 1853. The spirit of divis- ion rent t!' e small hrdy asunder soon after and two congregmions were formed, the one Connected with the Free Church, the other with the Church of Scotland. The latter retained the original building, which was replaced in 1863 by a brick structure, the pastors being successively Rev. W. Johnston, J. B. Muir, Robert Dobie, and Uuuuau 111, ".12. AVLMLL, ...~ . .... .. -V -N. n--- J. Allister Murry. The Free Church Presbyterian section was ministered to for :1 nyumber of ye? rs by student mission- aries, among whom were: â€"M1‘. Gibson, now of London Englan d; and Mr. Mungo F 1.1se1'. now: Rev. Dr. Fraser, of Hamilton. In 1863 a frame 'church was erected The late Rev. R. Binnie and Revs. R. *Hoskin and E. W. I’antun were the first pastors. At the union in 1875 of the iVa‘rInus Presbyterian bodies throughout the Do- minion, the two Lindsay pastors, Messrs. Murray and and Panton, resigned, and their congregations amalgunutcd. the new organization occupying the building of the Church of Scotland section and taking its mme. bt. Andrew’s. Rev. Jas. Hastie, Dr. McTavish, and R. Johnston have in turn tilled the pastorate of the united charge. During Dr. McTavxsh’s ministry which began in 1884, the congregation made remarkable progress, and in 1886 the present handsome church was erected. It is titted out in the most modern style, with lecture-rooms, etc., and is seated for 1,000 persons. The present pastor is n-rr- 1- _.,-_. C: m idizin burn and a native of Kincardine ()11t.He IS yét under thirty years of awe. The high reputation with which he enter- ed on his wo1k has been more than main- tained. Of commanding presence, with a full and musical voice and ' peaceful delivery, clear and fearless in expounding and proclaiming the Trdth, often eloquent in expression, Mr Johnston seems assur- ed of long continued popularity and influ- ence. St. Andrew’s is largely attended, and has now about 400 names on its com- municant’s roll.” ~ The Synod conference opened on Mon- day evening last in St. Andrew’s church, being presided over by Rev. J. Ab: sham, of Whitby. moderator. The conference, which is preliminary to the business sessions of the Synod, turns this year upon the Word of God as its main subject. The interest of the general public was shown by a large attendance. A “ The Importance of the Study of the Word ” was introduced in an elaborate and vigorous paper by Rev. J. McAlpine, of Chatsworth. The speaker’s strongly cont- servative position on plenary inspiration was highly commended by Rev. R. Rodgers of Desboro. ~ Rev. J. McEwan, of Lakefield, next introduced the topic, “ Method in Bible Study,” in a characteristic address, makingr a plea. for the inductive method in the study of the Word. He passed a high encomium on the international series of Sunday school lessons. affirming that his knowledge of the Bible on the lines out- lined by him, he owed to the following of these lessons for the past 20 years. Rev. Dr. McTnvish deprecated search- ing the Scriptures for texts for pet theories or as a museum of curiosities, or merely to discover hard nuts to crack. He advocated the historic method. ' Revs. J. Somerville, Owen Sound ; Leslie, Newtonville ; McKay, Parkdale ; SCOtt. of Campbellford ; Milligan, old St. Andrew’s, Toronto, followed in a spirited discussion. ;The latter thought there was little to be gained by strong assertions about plenary inspiration without defining what is meant by the expresswn. I“ 1 " ”an au- - --_ - The Synod was occubied on Tuesday with the remaining topics of the religious conference begun on Monday, the attend- ance of the general public as well as the increased number of members present, manifesting the lively interest taken in the proceedings. Rev. Mr. Anderson. of the Baptist church, Lindsay, was invited to cor- respond. In the forenoon Rev. B. N. Grant, Orillia, occupied the chair. --. '1' n n The opening address by Rev. J. A. R. Dickson, Galt, drew on a. helpful discus- sion. which was taken part in by Revs. R. RodgerS, W. Bennett, Sprinqville; D. Sutherland. Warkworth ; R. P McKay, Parkdale ; S. H. Eastman. Oshawa; J. Hay. Cobourg; Mark Scott, Campbellford, and E. Ff Ton‘lnce, Peterborough. Mr. McKay'_ emphasized the importance of what might be termed “spiritual path- ology." He envied the marvellous skill of Dr. - Spencer, author of "‘A_ Pastor’s Sketches,” land would like to go back to PRESBYTERlAN CHURCH. *W (1 Y". 1m... x , I41"; 1391. college to learn how to afiopt the Worl tn individual cases. THE 'VVORD IN THE HOME. In introducing the topic, “The Word in the Home,” the Rev. W. G. Hanna, [7);- bridge, made a strong, plea for family wor- ship and daily Bible teaching in the home. It was God’s idea, that the home should be so ordered that; children should grow. up in it in the Kingdom of God, and not need to be brought back by conquest. The merely intellectual benefit of home Bible study was incalCulable. The Chairman denounced as a rank practical heresy the assumption that child- ren born in the covenant are not members of the Church, as also the supposition that any outside organization can take theplace of the home in child training. He held that the primary duty of both secular and religious teachingr rests on the parent. LU! l~‘."L\ lua tvl uv- Annl.‘ ‘43-.» v-- Principal Grant said that as head of a college his experience of ministers’ sons was Counter to the po 1ular impression. He could only wish that all sludents were up to their average as to moral training. Brief remarks were dded by Revs. J. Mc Ewan, H. Gracey, Gananoque; J. Mc- Alpine, A. Gaudier, Bramptonzand others. Mr. Gaudier judged from the reports of Sabbathschool work in Toronto Presby- tery that parents gave little aid to their children in the preparation of their Sab- bath school lessons. THE WORD IN THE SABBATH SCHOOL. Rev. H. Gracey took up teaching; the Word in the Sabbath school in an elabor- ate paper which elicited a lively discussion Rev. J. lVchlpine would do away with the present class methods and divide schools into three or four large divisions with a. competent teacher for each. Rev. R. D. Fraser, Bowmanville, adver- ted to the w1de and wholesome effect of the reading of the Scriptures in the Public schools by the teachers, most of whom were earnest Chrlstian men and women. Dr. McTavish would have the principles of pedagogics taught in the theological colleges. that the young ministers might be qualified to teach teachers how to teach. ' The afternoon programme comprised three topics: “ Reading the Word in Public Worship,” “ Topical Preaching,” and “ Expository Preaching.” introduced by Revs. J. Hay, Cobourg; G. M. Milligan and Dr. Parsons, amnto. The discussions, which were' free and general, were of special interest and benefit to the mimsterial portion of the Synod. NEW’ MODERATOR ELECTED. At the close of the moderator’s sermon the Synod was constituted by solemn prayer, and the roll» was called by the veteran clerk, Rev. Jno. Grunt, D. D. Orilli-a, who has served the Synod in this office ever since the union of 1875. Report of tre Commissioners-Theirl Findings a-‘d Recommendations. 1 OTTAWA, May 7.â€"The following is the report of the Trent Valley canal commis- sioners : T o the Right Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald. 6.0.8.. Minister of Railways and Canals for the Dominion of Canada. The commissioners appointed to “con- sider the question of further extending the line of water communication between lake Huron and lake Ontario, and to determine Whether any other local works are neces- sary, and whether it is advisable that an extension of the main work should be undertaken, and if so, to what extent,” beg leave to report. The ‘main work referred to is what is commonly called the Trent Valley canal, being a projected waterway from Matehe- dash bay, Georgian buy, lake Huron to Trenton on the bay of Quinte, lake On- tario. The work already completed, as set forth in the report of the Chief Engineer of Canals, has rendered navigable the follow- ing portions of the main route, viz. ; Balsam lake to the village of Lakefield ; the town of Peterboro’ to Heeley’s Falls on the Trent river, leaving 0 NECESSARY TO BE DONE, according to the same report, to render the whole route navigable, the following sections, viz., a canal from Matchedash bay to lake Couchiching, a distance of 13 21-100 miles, requires fourteen locks; a canal from lake Sirncoe to Balsam lake, 17 7 4-100 miles, requiring eleven locks ; a canal from the village of Lakefield to the town of Peterboro’, 9 61-100 miles, re- quiring thirteen locks ; a canal and im- provement in the present navigation be- tween Heeley’s Falls and Hoard’s creek, 10 85-100 miles, requiring 23 locks ; im- provement in _ the present navigation be- tween Hoard’s creek and Frankford. and a canal between Frankford and Trenton, 7 29-100 miles, requiring 10 locks. INFORMATION OBTAINED. In endeavoring to obtain all available information on the subject under con- sideration, the commissioners went over the whole route, travelling by steamer to ; Heeley’s Falls, and from Lakefield to Fenelon Falls and Lindsay ; and they also stock evidence at the following places: Montreal, Kingston, Toronto, V Oolling- wood, Midland, Barrie, Orillia,‘ Lindsay, Peterboro’, Trenton and Deseronto, and at several points on the line of the Erie canal. Due notice of the sittings held at the places on the route of the proposed canal 'was given, in order that an oppor- tunity of expressing opinion on the sub‘ect might be afi'orded to anyone disposed or TRENT VALLEY CANAL. THE WORK COMPLETED. 50 Cents per Year in Advance inclined to do so. The commissioners thought it advisable to frame a set of questions of a general character, Which they caused to be for- warded to the members of the House of Commons and of the Legislature of Ontario, and to the publishers of the newspapers in the province of Ontario, and to the clerks of'the cities and towns in that pro- vince. To these very few replies have been received. These questions and the answers thereto, together with the other information obtained, are forwarded here- with. ITS PRACTICABILITY ESTABLISHED. In regard to the practicability of the proposed route in reference to its water supply, the commissioners are of opinion that this has been established beyond question, both by the report of the en- gineer and by the evidence received. SAVING IN CONSTRUCTION. The attention of the commissioners has, been called to the width of the locks at present completed. There are 12 of these 134 feet long by 33 feet wide. For modem locks this width is very great; in propor- tion to the length. They are of the same Size as those on the Rideau canal. The latter, however, were built to accommodate side Wheel vessels, which at. this day it is nor necessary to use. The commissioners suggest that a. Width of 23 feet would be sufficient. It is proposed, aecording to the report of the engineer, that the prism of the canal should be 50 feet in width at its bottom. That would be insufficient to admit of vessels passing each other. should they be of the extreme width of the pres: ent locks, but it would admit such passage by vessels of the reduced width ; and, further, four barges of this reduced width would just about fill the St.. Lawrence canal looks, when enlarged, and it is obvious that a. considerable saving in con- struction by the suggested reduction in width would be affected. The attention of the commissioners has also been called to the expensive class or character of the works upon the locks lately constructed at Burleigh, Lovesick , Buckhorn, and Fenelon Falls. They think that a considerable saving in that respect might be made in the building of the remaining locks With- out materially affecting their substantial character, and they suggest that locksof a class of work somewhat similar to those of Bobcaygeon, Young’s Point and Peterboro‘ would be sufficient for the purposes of this canal. The commissioners desire to call attention to what is known as the “ lift lock.” which is now in practical use in England, France and Belgium, and to i which rather full reference is made in the ‘exhibits herewith. They suggest that it mightflbe judicious to make a re-surrey of the section between Heeley’s Falls and Hoard’s creek, and probably other sections of the route, with a view to the possible use of the “lift lock.” It will be observed, as pointed out above, that the distance between these points is 10 85-100 miles, requiring 23 locks. Under such circum- stances the “ lift lock” would seem to be desirable in the direction of economy in the cost of construction and in the time required for lockage. The commissioners simply call attention to the point Without themselves having formed any decided opinion upon it. TWO ROUTES AT THE WEST BSD. As will be observed in the evidence taken at Collingwood, it is suggested that the mute from lake Simcoe to Nottawasaga bay would be a more satisfactory and judicious one than that now contemplated between lake Couchiching and Matchedash bay, and it may be thought desirable, should that section be built, that a survey of the suggested line be made, in order to determine the respective merits of the two routes. GIVES ACCESS TO A WIDE EXTENT. In considering the bearing of the canal upon the development of trade and natural resources of the country through which it will pass, it should be noted that the con- ditions are peculiar, inasmuch as it would act as a connecting link in a chain of lakes and streams which. for the most part. lie transversely to the line of canal, and that it would therefore afl'ord access to an ex- tent of country and coast line much greater than usual in a canal of its length. The commissioners, upon the evidence and information which they have been able to obtain, and which accompany this report, are of opinibn that an extensiOn of the main work should be undertaken by the completion. as soon as convenient and practicable, of the work necessary to give continuous navigation from Balsam lake to the bay of Quinte. This would embrace the sections between Lakefield and Peter- boro’ and between Heeley’s Falls and Trenton. In' the opinion of the commis- sioners a waterway would thereby be made which would not only greatly increase the Value of the works already constructed, but would assist and develop the indus- tries along its route, and open up the re~ sources of the country through which it; would pass tojsuch an extent as to amply compensate for_the.e.xpen.diture necessary to 5e incurred, altheugh the work itseff would not be expected to produce direct revenue. PMPONDEMGE OF EVIDENCE FAVOMBLi. This conclusion is arrived at by a. care- ful consideration ,of the evidence adduwd before the commission, by which the com- missioners feel they must be guided, such evidence to their minds greatly preponder. ating in favor of the extensxon of this im- portant work in the manner indicated. (Sgd.) C. A. WELLER. . me Tums, __ Jon KENNEDY. can makéx pn'ef \ mums: EezAc:-2):\wm1m HI‘GENBOTHAM. i FAIAME RS9} SHOULD BE COMPLETED.