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s (he ig ; "Historic Background Three days of celebration are to : "mark 'the fiftieth birthday of Port Perry United Church, culminating in a banquet on Wednesday, January 22, when the tables will be graced by the : presence of many old friends, and EV. WESLEY ELLIOTT, Port Perry President of Bay of Quinte Conference, 1021 J. J. BLACK, B.A, 'B.D. bridge Street, Church, 'Lindsay. a " MecMechan, of Whitby. _ The Aativeiionn of the past reviewed in a three day cele- bration, as this Church enters the second half of the century free of debt, and well equipped to render even 'greater roast turkey will form the basis of the fem" p ¥ Fifty-two years ago--in 1884-- there was a union among the Meth- odists which marked a great forward step in the Christian life of the com- munity. 'Four Methodist bodies join- ed and became the "Methodist Church in-€anada!' /- dists, the. 'Canada Methodists, the Primitive' / Methodists, and the Bible Christians. 'The Canada Methodists were mada up'of the Wesleyans and another group of Methodists who had united: a few years before. 'A year after this larger union ot Methodists, local events. were trans- | | the building of the new: church in Port: Perry, = The: railway had been | built from 'Whitby. north, and the ' trend of business took the people | away from Prince Albert to Port 1 Perry. Church union and the con- tinued growth of the population of Port Perry rendered a more com- modious Methodist. church necessary. "Fine Spirit. Shown A word of appreciation should be spoken of the fine spirit shown by those Methodists of fifty years 'ago for their part in 'the union. People had strong religious convictions in those days. One church was NOT "as good -as another" to them, Some never could go to the church of the new union. They had worshipped God in a particular way all their lives and could not change. Others sacrificed these feelings, in so far as they could, and carried into the new church a fine spiritual fervour that resulted in changed lives for hundreds of men i women in the years that followed. Well- Known Names Many names come to mamiky of those who lived in those days. of change and growth -- Aaron Ross, William Brock, W. T. Parrish, 8S. E. Allison, A. J. Davis, Charles and Wil- liam Jones, Charles Rose, T. Bedford, J. Jewitt, J. Nott and Solomon Fra- lick, A. C. Courtice--these men, and men and women like them, undertook the work of 'building and maintaining the new church with spirit and under- standing. The result is that to-day | we have a church that is a credit to them and to Port Perry. - The corner stone of the new church "was laid by Mr, Aaron Ross on July 2nd, 1885. Rev. J. F, Ockley was pastor then, and among the noted ministers present on that occasion were Rev. Wm. Briggs, Rev. J. J. Red- ditt, Rev. R. Roberts, Rev. N, R. Wil- loughby, and Messrs. Hassard and "The archi- tects were Smith &- Gemmell, of To- ronto. The contractors were John Powers ,of Port Perry and Thos. Deverell, of | Whitby. The cost of the building.» was Toa a 'than $14,000, 'including the organ; 'and the church was free of debt with- in ten years of its erection, The|A 'same 'would cost at least three ti 6000. to-day. It has ~~ the Episcopal Metho-| T PERRY UNITED CHURCH CELEBR ATES ITS ~ GOLDEN JUBILEE service to this community in the years to come. PE pV To Sa aN A = 7 A AARNE RE TTRALN TEATS been kept in a fine state of repair, "| and has been modernized jn-many re- spects with the passing of the years. In 1928 extensive renovation was made at a cost of $6,000, and the whole amount was paid by the con- gregation within the year in which the work was done. Changed Attitudes Recent years have brought great changes in the attitude of the people toward the church. In the early days the church was almost the only re-! ligious and social organization in thy! community. It was necessary to be at church early in order to be sure of a seat. The evening service was more largely, attended than the one held in the morning. : Almost évery year re- vival services were held; class meet- ings and "love feasts" were a regular part of the church meetings, and con- to church membership. The rules of the church were very strict in mat- ters of conduct. ~ There were thous- ands of splendid characters in those early churches whose downright earn- estness, and fine, clean, generous liv- ing proved the sincerity of their Christianity. It is not too much to say that we are still reaping the benefits of those lives of positive goodness, and the restraint and sdcrifice shown by those early Christians would be worthy of emulation to-day. The new church was completed, and the formal opening was held on' January 22nd, 1886. Rev. William Briggs, Rev. John Potts, and Dr. Staf- ford were among the speakers. Rev. | sermon. List of Ministers iy Eighteen ministers have officiated in the Port Perry Church since its opening. The list follows: 1883-86, Rev. J. F. Ockley, Rev. 8. C. Philp; 1886-88, Rev. N. R. Willoughby; 1888- 91, Rev. H. M. Manning; 1891-94, Rev. L. W. Hill; 1804-95, Rev. R. Cade; 1895-98, Rev. D, N. McCamus; 1898- 1901, Rev. Geo, McCall, 1901-04, Rev. G. H. Copeland; 1904-1908, Rev. B. 'Greatrix; 1908-11, Rev. R. H, Leitch; 1911-16, Rev. R. Bamforth; 1915-17, Rev. W. P. Rogers; 1917-19, Rev. W. Elliott; 1919-23, Rev. W. D. Harrison; 1928-27, Rev. Wm. 'H, Higgs; 1925, Rev. A. E. Thornley (Associate); 1927-38, Rev. R. T. Richards; 1933, Rev. W. J. H. Smyth. On Sunday, February 1st, 1925, Rev, A. E. Thornley, six elders and over one hundred members and ad- herents of St, John's Presbyterian Church . anticipating the consumma- tion of Church Union on June 10th, 1925, entered into fellowship and. co- to constitute the Port Perry United Church. Rev. A, E. Thornley' con- tinued as Associate Pastor for two months, ; : y Free of Debt ; The Jubiles-- Celebration is entered by the Port Perry church free of debt. special thank offering of over $1000 has been given to meet all loans Wm. Briggs preached the dedicatory, re REV. W. J. H. SMYTH, MA. B.D. Present Minister. version was looked 'upon as essential have been set aside for the celebation ==January 12, 19 and 22. - On January 12th, the special speaker was Rev. J. J. Black, of Lindsay; and on the 19th, Rev. Jas. Semple, President of the Bay of Quinte Con- ference of the United Church, will be the speaker. On that occasion a ladies' quartette from Oshawa will assist the choir--Mrs. Fisher, Miss L. Garrow, Mrs. Bdteman, and Miss Marion Ross. The culiminaiion of the event will be the entertainment to be held on Wednesday, January 22nd. The pro- gramme includes a roast turkey sup ! per, an entertainment by Toronto artists and an address was to have been given by Rev. H. M. Manning, but he is seriously ill and is unable to attend. His place will be taken by, Rev. D. N. McCamus, another former' pastor. Rev. R. T. Richards will also speak. The present minister of the Port Perry United Church is Rev. W. J. I. Smyth, M.A. B.D. Under his fine leadership the church is moving stead- ily forward, and the. Golden Jubileg promises to be one.of the great events in the church life of this district. An historical booklet has been pre- operation with the Methodist Church] REV. D. N. McCAMUS bas|and outstanding debts, Thre days : D.D., of Belleville, 'ful worker--Mrs. | in the Young People's Society. present President is Mr. Robt. Harris. pared to mark the occasion. It con- tains much information and many pictures that will be appreciated by all who have known this ehurch in the past years, The In the official reports of the Port Perry church, as in the reports of all other churches, the names of the-men appear most largely. They have been the business administrators, and, in large measure, have been responsible for financing the organization. But their efforts would have been very in- complete had it not been for the loyal support of the women, whose devoted service and sacrifice have kept- the church in good condition, and have ever shown that spiritual power which is evidenced in continual service. Loyal Support of the Women. There is a long list of the names of the women who in the Ladies' Aid, (now Women's Association) and in the Woman's Missionary Society, have kept the work alive and progressing. The honour roll includes--Mrs, Aaron Ross, Mrs. Wm. Brock, Mrs. Wm. Ross, Mrs. C. J. Pearce, Mrs. D. Per- kins, Mrs. Lund, Mrs. H. Parsons, Mrs. C. C. Kellett, Mrs. Geo. A. Rose, Mrs. A. J. Davis, and many others of later date, who keep the torch burning for God and the Church, and for ser- vice to humanity. The Work among the Young People In the Sunday School, no name is held in greater esteem than that of Mr. William Ross, who in the churcn prior to the building of the present edifice had been Superintendent for many years, and who continued in that office in the new church until 1909. He was an ideal Superintend- ent, beloved by the children; and blessed with a disposition of great kindlivess. In all, we believe (in the two churches) Mr, Ross gave thirty years of service in the Sunday School. He was followed by Mr. Samuel Farmer and he in turn by Mr. Morley Campbell, Mr. John McClintock, Rev. Jos. Bell and Mr. R. B. Smallman, who is now entering his ninth year of service as Superintendent. One faith- Geo. Jackson--de- serves special mention for her long and successful service in the Primary Department. Young People's Society work is of more recent date. Early in the cen- tury Mr, Gordon Worden, Mr. R. F. Downey, Mr. Jas. Ward, Miss M. Philp (now Mrs. Brandon) and Miss R. Woon, were outstanding workers The The Choir There is a long list of choir leaders and organists, and under their direc- tio this Port Perry church has held '| an enviable musical reputation. Three | men have rendered very fine service | --W. H. Harris, J. C. Taylor, C. C. Jeffrey. ' They havé been untiring in their efforts to promote the interests of the choir and of church music, Mr, A. J. Davis was the first choir leader in this church, Miss Gertrude Ross and Miss Agnes Brown also occupied the out that vision life is a failure. SAMUEL FARMER, Editor and Publisher. position for some time. Perhaps the name most frequently quoted in this connection is that of Mr. Joseph Goldring. Under his leadership some notable choir concerts were held, The present leader is Mr. V. P. Stouffer, whose: undoubted musical ability has been given ample evidence, particular- ly as to his mastery of the violin. We have not room for a complete list of leadere. Recording Stewards Only three Recording Stewards have had charge of the Minute Books of the church--Mr. J, H. Brown for twenty-eight years, Mr. Geo. Stone for six years, and Mr: Samuel Farmer for five years, the latter still being the Recording Steward. Mr. J. H. Brown was also Treasurer for a num- iy of years. Other treasurers include . W. Brock, Mr. Wm. Ross, Mr, S. er Mr. Geo. A. Rose, Mr. E. H. Purdy, Mr. C. C. Jeffrey, and the pre- sent treasurer, Mr. F. E. Reesor. Last Sunday's Services The services on Sunday last were largely attended. The choir was out in full strength and more than filled the choir loft. Their rendering of "I am Alpha and Omega" and "Sun of My Soul" was greatly appreciated. Mr. Stouffer and the choir deserye credit for the quality of the music and for the loyal attendance at both ser- vices. The solos and duetts by Mrs. Blackwell and Mr. Percy Skitch, of Lindsay, were most pleasing. Rev. J. J. Black, B.A, B.D. was the preacher, and his discourses were inspiring and helpful. Particular mention is made of the evening ser- mon, which emphasized the need of the presence of God-in our lives if true success is to be ours. He based his address on the dramatic event por- trayed in the 3rd chapter of Daniel which tells of the golden image set up by Nebuchadnezzer; of the fiery furnace; of the order of the great king that all should worship the image, of the refusal of Shadrack, Meshach and Abed-nego, and the order of the king that they be cast into the furnace for their disobedience. Then followed their miraculous deliverance, and the appearance in the furnace of the fourth person, whose image was like unto the Son of God. It is this fourth personality that can bring the greatest blessing into human life-- putting the individual who sees this Being in touch with the Divine. With- Re-Modelling the Choir Loft. The choir loft is being thoroughly enlarged and re-modelled this week. Mr, Koch is doing the work, which is to' be completed for the services next Sunday. The re-arrangement will per- mit of a better seating of the choir members according to their parts, and will' permit of the seating of several more persons, 'Authority for the work Those Who Remain There remain of those who were members of the church when it was dedicated the following--Mrs. A. J. Davis, Mr. Wm. Ross, Mr. S. Jeffrey, Mr. J. H. Doubt, Mr. A. W. Allin. 5V. R. T. RICHARDS, B.A., B.D. was given by the Trustee Board; and approval of the plan was given by the | Official Board at its recent meeting. REV. A: BE. THORNLEY, B.A.