Such was the man, and such was the work he achieved. He deserves to he remembered by the citizens of Montreal, not because he was a man of brilliant intellect or of surpassing powers in any way, but because, by his high character and attainments, he maintained the credit of the order to which he belonged, and exercised a widespread and wholesome influence over the English-speaking society of this city, when it was a community so small that every clergyman had a personal acquaintance with all its members. This was the formative stage in the history of Montreal. After the lapse of eighty-three years, from the date of the beginning of his ministry, it is, of course, impossible to put one's finger on any tangible results of his pastorate in the spiritual life of the community. The influences he and his contemporaries exerted are indistinguishably blended in the life of to-day, as the echoes of the past go to form the murmur of the universe. But all the testimony we can gather goes to show that he served his generation faithfully according to the will of God, entering fully into all enterprizes and undertakings which aimed at the moral and social welfare of the community, as well as discharging with ability the duties pertaining to his office in the more restricted sphere of his own church. After his decease, the congregation to which he had ministered so long and faithfully, erected a tasteful mural tablet to his memory, with the following inscription :— "Sacred to the memory of the late Rev. James Somerville, who was born in the village of Tollcross, near Glasgow, 1st April, 1775; ordained Minister of this Church, 18th September, 1803, and died 2nd June, 1837, aged 62 years; "This Tablet has been erected by this Congregation, in token of their gratitude for the munificent legacy of One Thousand Pounds, bequeathed by him for the pur pose of building a Manse for the accommodation of the future Ministers of St. Gabriel Street Church; Having been bereaved of his children, he consecrated at his death the whole of his property, of which the greater part was the bequest of disinterested friendship, to the cause of Science, Friendship, Humanity and Piety." His friend, Dr Wilkie, to whom, as has been seen, he left a handsome legacy, erected a very tasteful monument to his memory in the old Protestant burying ground on Dorchester street; but when it was converted into Dufferin Square, in 1875, there was a general demolition of the old tombstones, and among other sacred memorials destroyed, was the Somerville monument, before the attention of any person interested in its preservation was called to the matter. In the absence of any kindred of Mr. Somerville left in the country,the St. Gabriel Church authorities took action and had his remains removed to Mount Royal Cemetery, a few members of the congregation subscribing about $100 for the purchase of a suitable lot in which to deposit them. But his bones now lie in a nameless grave, while there are on all hands granite and marble memorials over the dust of citizens of less account. The St. Gabriel congregation. have done their part. And now it remains for those specially interested in the management of the General Hospital and the members of the Natural History Society, institutions that profited at least as largely by Mr. Somerville's generosity as St. Gabriel Street Church did, to unite in erecting a simple and inexpensive monument over the grave of this benefactor of the community. CHAPTER XI. Rev. J. SOMERVILLE RECOMMENDED BY REV. DR. SPARK-FIRST TROUBLE OVER THE POSSESSION OF THE KEYS OF THE CHURCH-MR. SOMERVILLE'S LETTER ON THE SITUATION-HIS ORDINATION AND INDUCTION-THE SECOND PRESBYTERY OF MONTREAL-REV. ROBERT FORREST AND REV. ROBERT EASTON, SECESSION MINISTERS FROM SCOTLAND-ERECTION OF ST. PETER STREET CHURCH-MR. EASTON'S ADDRESS ON THE OCCASIONTHE DIFFICULTY ABOUT GETTING REGISTERS BY ALL, EXCEPT MINISTERS OF THE CHURCHES OF ROME AND OF ENGLAND-THE CHARACTER OF THE ADHERENTS OF ST. GABRIEL STREET AND ST. PETER STREET CHURCHES RESPECTIVELY. Reference has already been made to the want of unanimity on the part of the congregation in the settlement of Mr. Somerville. As the first secession took place in consequence of opposition to his ordination and induction as pastor, it is only justice to his memory that his attitude in the matter should be made known. It has been stated already that Rev. Dr. Spark of Quebec received Mr. Somerville on his arrival in that city with great cordiality, inviting him to preach in the pulpit of St. Andrew's Church, and extending to him other friendly offices. Mr. Somerville became a member of St. Andrew's Church, and his name appears on a petition from that congregation to the Governor, in 1802. When Mr. Young left Montreal, and the Scotch congregation in St. Gabriel Street applied to Dr. Spark for aid in their emergency, he could not do otherwise than recommend the friend he had so lately met with, and whose good qualities he had already had many opportunities of observing. Mr. Somerville was invited through Dr. Spark, to preach in Montreal, which invitation he accepted in the autumn of 1802, conducting divine service twice on the Sabbath after his arrival and returning to Quebec the same week. The specimens afforded by his appearance in the Church in St. Gabriel Street, the general turn of his frank and open and grave conversation, the ample recommendations he had brought with him, both from Quebec and from his native country, appeared to give satisfaction to the majority of the congregation. In consequence, an expectation of a future mutual connection was formed, on both sides, and preparations were made for a call being presented in due time." Completing the year's service as a teacher in Quebec, he removed to Montreal in the early part of June, 1803. Although not inducted, he entered immediately upon the discharge of such duties as a licentiate could regularly perform,—visiting the sick, consoling the afflicted, and preaching on the Lord's Day. In this way, an acquaintance was formed between him and his future flock, prior to the formal creation of the pastoral tie. It was at this stage that a subscription list was opened, in order that some guarantee should be provided for his support. A number of substantial householders and heads of families bound themselves to pay for this purpose a definite sum annually for three or five years. The Rev. Dr. Spark was Mr. Somerville's patron; but the Rev. Dr. Mason of New-York, who had also been communicated with at the time of Mr. Young's withdrawal, recommended the congregation to call one of the young preachers of the Burgher Secession Church, whom he had induced to come from Scotland to America. This was the Rev. Robert Forrest, already mentioned. His appearance made a favourable impression upon those who for a time were disposed to contend for the possession of the building on St. Gabriel Street, and, as has been seen, secured the keys of the Church. The congregation of Christ Church were now worshipping in the Scotch Church, and Messrs. Hunter, England and James Logan had obtained the keys from John Gerbrand Beek, one of the Church Wardens, at the conclusion of the Church of England service, on 21st July, 1803. This action led to the serving of the following protest on Mr. Hunter :— "By this Public Instrument of Protest or attestation,— Be it known and made manifest to all persons to whom these presents shall come or may concern, that on the Twenty-second day of July, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and three, at the request of Duncan Fisher of the city of Montreal, Cordwainer, William Forbes of the same place, cooper, two of the elders of the Scotch Church in this city, and William Martin of the same place, gentleman, one of the members of the committee appointed to regulate the temporal affaire of the said Church. We the subscribing Public Notaries of the Province of Lower Canada, residing in the said city of Montreal, by lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, went to the house of William Hunter, merchant in Montreal, and then and there speaking to him personally, demanded of him the keys of the said Church of Scotland or Scotch Church, which were delivered to him yesterday (the 21st inst.), by John Gerbrand Beek, Esquire, one of the Church Wardens of the Protestant congregation in this City, whereunto the said William Hunter answered that he was desired by Mr. Logan and Mr. England to get the keys of the Church from Mr. Beek, and that he cannot deliver them to any person, except said Mr. Logan or Mr. England. Which answer not being satisfactory, we, the said notaries, at the request aforesaid, have protested and by these presents do most solemnly protest, as well against the said William Hunter, as against all others whom it doth, shall or may concern, for all cost, charges, damages, interest, expenses, hurts and injuries, already suffered or that shall or may hereafter be suffered by the said Duncan Fisher, William Forbes and William Martin, in their capacities aforesaid, or others concerned, for or upon account of the premises: Thus done and protested in Montreal aforesaid on the day and year first before written, a copy of these presents having been left with the said William Hunter, at his dwelling house in Montreal—that he and all others concerned may not plead ignorance in and about the same. In test, veritatis, J. A. Gray, Not. Pub. |