A Century in Retrospect - James Gunn
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Title
(The Stone of Help)
"Hitherto hath the Lord Helped us" - 1 Samuel 7:12Forward by Donald B. Moffatt
Twenty-five years ago (1949) James Gunn was responsible for the preparation of a booklet celebrating the Seventh-Fifth Anniversary of the founding of the MacNab Street Assembly. It is most fitting that, in this book, he has undertaken the task of recording the history of this Assembly during the last one hundred years.
Over a year has been spent in research and in writing. The gratifying results are evident in the pages which follow. That he has been able to accomplish this while recovering his strength from a serious operation and while engaged in a busy schedule of meetings is remarkable.
James Gunn has given over fifty years to the service of his Lord. First as a missionary to Venezuela, then in most of the major centres in Canada and the United States. He has authored a number of books. Since its inception he has been the editor of Ministry in Focus, a monthly magazine devoted to the edifying of God's people.
The Assembly, now meeting in the West Fifth Bible Chapel, wishes to express to our brother our deep appreciation. We recognize that he has spent hundreds of hours in preparing this book. We are grateful to him and to the Lord for enabling grace.
The Assembly, now meeting in the West Fifth Bible Chapel, wishes to express to our brother our deep appreciation. We recognize that he has spent hundreds of hours in preparing this book. We are grateful to him and to the Lord for enabling grace.
The cover design is by Ruth Ter Smitte who also did the layout and prepared all the material up to the printing stage. Our sister expended much time and labour in this project and her efforts are greatly appreciated. Acknowledgement is also due to Janice Agnew, Sharon Grant, Liz Johnson and Janice Kirk who helped prepare the copy and assisted in proof reading. We are confidence that this record of the Lord's faithfulness to one of His Churches is for His glory.
Acknowledgments (by the author)
It must be apparent to the reader that in a work of this kind materials have been gathered from many sources. It is therefore fitting that credit be given to these, and that sincere gratitude be expressed to all who have contributed information or suggestions.
We are grateful for the records found in the former Hamilton Herald, the Hamilton Spectator, The Witness, The Barley Cake, and Our Record. Quotations have been taken also from the biographies of Donald Munro, Donald Ross and T.D.W. Muir. Help has been received from the offices of Echoes of Service, Bath, England, and Food for the Flock Inc., Toronto, Canada.
Thanks are due to: Mrs. George Bentley, Fred Cameron, Mrs. Guy Cesar, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Grant, Mrs. W. Joyce, David Kirk, Mr. E. Little, Donald Moffatt, Mrs. A. Petrie, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Price, Mrs. Louise taylor, Mrs. Thomas Telfer, and Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Thomson. Should inadvertently some be forgotten to whom credit is due, we ask their indulgence and pardon.
Index
- Chapter One - "My Name Shall Be There" - An Introduction
- Chapter Two - "In My Name" - The beginning of the MacNab Assembly
- Chapter Three - "Abounding in the Work" - Developments and the occupancy at 140 MacNab St. North
- Chapter Four - "Feed My Sheep" - Deacons, Elders and Spiritual gifts.
- Chapter Five - "Sent Forth" - Home workers commended by MacNab Assembly.
- Chapter Six - "Hazarded Lives" - Missionaries commended by MacNab Assembly.
- Chapter Seven - "Messengers of the Churches" - Spiritual gifts from elsewhere.
- Chapter Eight - "Gather Together" - History of annual conferences.
- Chapter Nine - "The Little Children" - A survey of the Sunday School.
- Chapter Ten - "The Word of God Prevailed" - New assemblies arising from MacNab.
- Chapter Eleven - "Women of Stirred Hearts" - The Sewing Class.
- Chapter Twelve - "Divinely Led" - The entire property is finally secured.
- Chapter Thirteen - "They Strengthened Their Hands" - West Fifth Chapel is completed.
- Chapter Fourteen - "Doing the Will of God" - Assembly activities resume and expanded.
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.
Chapter One - "My Name Shall Be There"
"That Thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which Thou hast said, My name shall be there; that Thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which Thy servant shall make toward this place". (1 Kings 8:29).
The City of Hamilton, called the Pittsburgh of Canada, throughout former years contributed much to the advancement of "Upper Canada", that area now known as Southern Ontario. This it certainly did for the development of the Niagara Peninsula. The City derived its name from the son of a Presbyterian minister, Robert Hamilton of Dumfries, Scotland. This son, Robert, came to Canada about 1770. He settled first at Carlton and Kingston, but in 1784 he moved to the Niagara district. There he established a business.
In those early days there was a trading post for the Indians at what is known as Dundurn Park (home to Dundurn Castle). Robert Hamilton supplied the manager with the goods that were used in trading. In 1813 George, Robert's son, purchased land nearby, part of which was a farm that lay between what at present are called James and Wellington Streets. Later he had all this property surveyed as a township and gave it his name, Hamilton. About 1820 a young lawyer, Allen Napier MacNab, purchased a large tract of land. Here he built the distinguished castle, and called it after his ancestral home, Dundurn on Loch Earn, Perthshire, Scotland.
In the early years of expansion two names of this illustrious Scotsman were given to streets in Hamilton, Napier and MacNab Streets. To many of God's people scattered over Canada, the United States and, in fact, over the world, the names Hamilton and MacNab came to bear a spiritual import as well as a historical significance.
Since the beginning of this century there has stood on MacNab Street, Hamilton, a testimony to the Lord Jesus. The assembly there was to many a place of spiritual fellowship and edification. For many years, at annual conference time, the question frequently asked among the saints of God who gathered in Christian simplicity was, "Are you going to the MacNab conference at Hamilton this year?"
One of our poets wrote, "Change and decay in all around I see". While most changes do arise from deterioration, many result in progressive improvement. This has happened to the assembly on MacNab Street. In most large cities residential areas either deteriorate or move to the perimeter, urban areas being reserved more for commercial and professional buildings. Eventually it became necessary for the assembly on MacNab Street to move elsewhere. Spiritual roots had penetrated deeply. There had been so many sacred, precious experiences in that Gospel Hall. To move seemed sacrilegious, but with time, the move became imperative.
In spite of fears and doubts, after deep exercise of heart and much prayer, it became obvious that the Lord was directing. To some it was clear that a move to a more suitable neighborhood would be for the furtherance of the work of the Lord. They also felt that God's glory should be the only objective in such a move.
Naturally the assembly wanted to locate in a congenial residential community. Consequently they searched over the mountain district, the summit of the Niagara escarpment. Some of the Christians in fellowship were already living there. In a miraculous way the property on West Fifth Street was made available. Here the new spacious building was erected, and on Wednesday, March 4, 1970, the assembly took possession. It was soon apparent that God, who had been with the work in the Gospel Hall, MacNab Street, was still with His beloved people in the Gospel Chapel, 440 West Fifth Street. The presence of the Lord is not in anywise localized.
Because of the better facilities in the new premises, new activities were instituted and old ones continued. God's power was manifested in numerous ways. The saints were encouraged, and their progressive program is bearing fruit.
"Jehovah is good; His loving kindness is forever, and His faithfulness to all generations."
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