The Diocesan Church Society of Prince Edward Island was formed around 1855. Our Parish has been represented on that Council since 1860, first attended by Pioneer Missionary Rev. Robert Wm. Dyer. The following are a few excerpts from his Journals -
January 21, 1860
Left for town this morning about half‑past 9, taking Mrs. Weeks with me. Arrived at St. Eleanor's in good time, took tea and remained all night. Left on the 22, took Mrs. W. to her uncle Stephen's, near Bagnall's, took dinner there and then went to town and arrived in time for tea at Captain Hancock's. Washed and shaved and started off to the D. Ch. Society's meeting ‑ the Governor in the chair. Present: Revs. Read, Meek, Fitzgerald, Pointher, Roach, Smith, Dyer, and I think, the Rev. W. Stewart. There were some good speeches. I seconded the 2nd resolution. The meeting went off well. The Archdeacon pronounced the Benediction and the meeting closed. I returned to Captain' Hancock's to sleep.
January 24, 1866
Had a Committee Meeting of the Church D. Society in the infants' schoolroom, to appropriate the money and then went and put in an advertisement of our Bazaar and Tea to be held, D.V., July next. After tea this evening, went to the Church D. Society's anniversary meeting. It was a large meeting, the Governor was in the chair and Mr. D. was present. The Governor gave us a nice speech; Mr. Pointher read the report, which was very interesting, I thought; then the speakers began, one after another. I moved the 3rd resolution and Mr. Hinsley seconded it. The meeting went off very well ‑ collections: about 5 pounds and was dismissed by the Benediction from the Archdeacon, a little after ten o'clock.
January 24, 1866
Had a Committee Meeting of the Church D. Society in the infants' schoolroom, to appropriate the money and then went and put in an advertisement of our Bazaar and Tea to be held, D.V., July next. After tea this evening, went to the Church D. Society's anniversary meeting. It was a large meeting, the Governor was in the chair and Mr. D. was present. The Governor gave us a nice speech; Mr. Pointher read the report, which was very interesting, I thought; then the speakers began, one after another. I moved the 3rd resolution and Mr. Hinsley seconded it. The meeting went off very well ‑ collections: about 5 pounds and was dismissed by the Benediction from the Archdeacon, a little after ten o'clock.
February 14, 1867
Shopping a little today. Had a clerical meeting in the afternoon at Mr. Fitzgerald's, the Archdeacon in the chair. It was proposed that the clergy should meet 4 times in a year: at St. Eleanor's in July and the other 3 times in Charlottetown ‑ April, October and at the District Church Society's meeting ‑ to discuss matters relative to the Church and Doctrine...
REPORT FOR 1874 TO THE DIOCESAN CHURCH SOCIETY
Alberton, Dec. 1874.
Rev’d and dear Sir,
In laying before the Diocesan Church Society my 14th or 15th annual report of the Church’s Mission in Alberton, Kildare and other places in connection, I am greatly encouraged when I look back to the beginning of my work in 1859, to see how steadily and step by step, with fighting without and fears within, the Church has year by year progressed in her glorious work throughout the Mission. And though the past years has been marked with many affective dispensations, both as regards myself and many of my congregation, I am thankful to record that although for nearly 2 months I suffered great bodily weakness and pain and for six days kept my bed, yet I believe that I only missed one Sabbath from doing duty at Church and I rejoice to say that in the midst of all we have been called to endure and go through, there have been added to the Church those being saved.
The attendance at St. Peter’s, Alberton, during the past year and especially for the summertime past, has been most encouraging; the Church, I think, never was so well attended as it has been the past summer, and for this revival in our Services and congregation we have to thank our friends, both in Charlottetown and Alberton, first of all, in assisting us so liberally in the purchase of an organ which has so materially improved our singing in Church and attracted so many persons to join in our worship. Another thing which has had a great effect in adding a more enlarged and, I may say, regular attendance, is the sound of the Church-going bell, the magnificent gift of a liberal, kind and Christian gentleman and Churchman in Charlottetown. I am thankful to say that my appeal in my last year’s report for an organ and a bell has been fully met and the result has far exceeded all my sanguine expectations. In consequence of a larger congregation, the Offertory has doubled to what it was last year; the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper has been better attended by our old members and about 14 new communicants have been added to St. Peter’s congregation during the last half-year. The Sunday School at St. Peter’s was opened for attendance in the spring as soon as the children could conveniently attend, but for the same reasons as I mentioned in my Report last year, namely, the long distance some have to come and others for want of decent apparel, the Sabbath has been but thinly attended. Nevertheless, our kind teachers have not been wanting in their duty towards those children who did attend and I trust that the blessing of the Lord will attend their labours.
The congregation at Cascumpeque Village has increased during the past year, so much so that some are sometimes obliged to sit outside and listen to our beautiful Service and to the preaching of the Gospel. To show their respect to your unworthy servant and their attachment to the Service of the Church, the people last winter presented me with a purse of thirty dollars to purchase some buffalo robes, for which they have received my thanks. I hope next summer to establish a Sunday School at the Village; I should have done so the past season but could not for want of proper teachers.
At Christ Church, Kildare Capes, the Church Services every alternate Sunday have been regular and very well attended; the Holy Communion has been regular with an increase in the number of communicants. The Sunday School has been in operation and very well attended; the children have been well cared for, and instructed by their unwearied, faithful teachers, in our holy religion.
Tignish is still one of my Sunday Stations and received my Services once a month; it is rather thinly attended. There are not many Church members in and about Tignish; still, for the few’s sake, I go there once a month.
Montrose Hall is another Sunday Service. To this place I go once a month and I am happy to say that it is well attended and has an attentive congregation. The Hall, being now finished, is quite comfortable and convenient for holding Diving Service and preaching the Gospel.
Lot Six, Lot Seven, Eight, Bloomfield and Cascumpeque Village, - these are my 5 weekday Stations where I preach once a month, excepting Lot 7 and 8, these 2 Stations I can but seldom visit but when I do, the people are always glad to see me. My Stations for my weekday prayer meeting are the Wharf, at Cascumpeque Harbour, Alberton and Upper Kildare. All these Stations, 7 in number, if added to my Sunday Stations, make a total of twelve, all of which get my Services from one to six times every 2 months. May the Lord be pleased to accept, this bounden duty and service and bless our souls, for Jesus Christ’s sake.
Having received papers from our beloved Bishop, containing proper Lessons with special, occasional prayers for the Day appointed by the Church for Intercession to Almighty God for an increase to the ministry, I am happy to say we had the privilege of Public Worship in St. Peter’s, Alberton, on that day, namely, the 3rd of December.
Laus Deo. Rev. Robert Wm Dyer
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