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→Chapter Ten - "The Word of God Prevailed": finished Chapter 10
==Chapter Ten - "The Word of God Prevailed"==
"Many that believed came, and confessed and showed their deeds... so mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed" (Acts 19:18-20).
The life in Christ with its consequent love for Christ produced the spiritual urge to repeat the operations whcih had resulted in such blessing at MacNab Street. An exercise was created in some hearts to move with confidence in God in order that more local churches might be established in other parts of Hamilton.
About 1909, a number of Christians living in the East End of the city built the Ebenezer Hall on the corner of Ruth and Barton Streets. Here a second testimony was commenced with the happy cooperation and fellowship of the assembly on MacNab Street.
Regrettably, in time a group of believers, because of internal difficulties, felt forced to withdraw from the Ebenezer Assembly, and to form a third testimony in the city at the corner of Cathcart and Wilson Streets.
It became evident that there was a certain departure at Ebenezer from the simplicity toward Christ (1 Cor. 11:3, R.V.) and in spite of the fact that a new hall had been erected on Gage Avenue North, the spiritual deterioration continued until there was a defection in practice fro the priesthood of all believers. A well-known minister of the Methodist denomination was called to be the pastor at Ebenezer. He did not remain long so another clergyman was called to fill his place. The work did not prosper. Ultimately, all activities at Ebenezer came to an end.
The assembly at he corner of Cathcart and Wilson Streets was invited to purchase the Ebenezer Tabernacle. This the saints did, and they changed its name to Bethany Hall. Ever since then there has been a testimony for Christ at Bethany. While it took some years to re-establish confidence between MacNab Street and Bethany, this was finally accomplished.
That Samson found sweetness where death and corruption had been was a puzzle to the guests at his wedding. An even greater wonder is in the fact that God can bring about fellowship where once there was discord; intimacy where once there was severance. The Lord does reward the exercise and effort of the spiritual who would that all believers speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among them, but that they be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Cor. 1:1-2). Well might the Psalmist write: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psa. 133:1).
With the growth of the city, and especially the development of heavy industry in the East End, it was only natural that some of God's children take up residence in sections of the city considerably east of Gage Avenue. About 1913, a group of Christians in the MacNab Street Assembly became exercised that they form another testimony in the Lord in the extreme eastern part of Hamilton. Because of the sad and bitter experience with the outcome at Ebenezer, the elders were very reluctant to approve this proposal. However, after much prayer and deliberation the move was finally endorsed and a hall was rented on Rosslyn Avenue.
This new assembly was likewise blessed of God. After about six years in the rented premises, the Lord's people were able to build the present Gospel Hall at the corner of Kensington and Cannon Streets. In this work they were greatly encouraged by the saints at MacNab Street who, although confronted by the need of a new building themselves, generously donated to the undertaking at Kensington and Cannon Streets.
As early as 1900, at MacNab Street plans were formulated to demolish the original building, the one purchased for the use of the assembly by brother Wilson, and to erect a new hall on the same site. A building fund was therefore opened on a purely voluntary basis. The MacNab Street Gospel Hall known to so many was built in 1921 at a total cost of $17,281.07. In order that the building be immediately completed a mortgage of $8,000.00 was raised, and this, plus the interest, $1,375.00, was fully paid in eight years. From the very beginning of its existence, the MacNab Street Assembly has sustained the policy, by the grace and power of God, to support itself, and at the same time to promote gospel work, and to assist others.
How the years roll by! It seemed but a short time till the expanding city had ascended "the mountain". Hamilton became so crowded that residential lots on "the mountain" were most desirable. Little by little the city gradually inched its way southward. The brethren at MacNab accepted this as a new challenge to spread the gospel in the southern areas. Consequently in 1952, a hall was build at the corner of Queensdale Avenue and East 36th Street. There they began evangelistic work among both adults and children.
Two advertisements in the ''Hamilton Spectator'' on February 16, 1952, indicated the purpose and extent of their plans for the new work. In the Monday evening edition of the same newspaper, ''The Hamilton Spectator'', there was a picture of the new hall with the caption: ''New Mountain Mission Opens''.
the report that accompanied the picture read: "Sunday School students can be seen here filing into the new Queensdale Gospel Hall, at the corner of East 36th Street and Queensdale Avenue, yesterday afternoon. Newly erected, the hall was opened for services for the first time yesterday. It was built under the sponsorship of MacNab Street Gospel Hall."
The Christians at Queensdale began to function as a local church, and for the first time gathered together to celebrate the Lord's Supper on September 4, 1955. Since then, as an autonomous assembly they have assumed the responsibility of preaching the gospel in the community, supporting the work of God elsewhere int he home and foreign field, and seeing to do whatsoever is conducive to the glory of God and the edification of the Body of Christ.