The Register
February 22, 1899
Reminiscences.
The first Baptist Association in Nova Scotia was formed at Granville in
the year 1800. The Rev. George Dimock , of Newport, was present at the
formation of the association. Mr. Dimock died on the 30th Sept., 1865,
and was the last one removed by death who was present at Granville
nearly one hundred years ago.
On the 17th July, 1817, the ordination of Rev. Charles Tupper, father of
Sir Charles, took place at Canard, Kings Co. There were only two
delegates present to take part in the ordination, Revs. Edward Manning
and Theodore Seth Harding, the latter of whom was considered at that
time one of Nova Scotia’s most eloquent preachers. The nearest Baptist
churches then were Newport and Nictaux. In the distance now embraced
within these two localities in Hants and Annapolis Counties there are a
large number of Baptist churches and congregations.
Fifty years ago next autumn the Micmac Missionary society was formed and
work commenced among the aborigines of Nova Scotia. Dr. Rand was the
faithful missionary employed and he found that no translation of the
Scriptures existed in their tongue. Not ten Indians could be found who
understood English sufficiently to make anything of the plainest chapter
in the New Testament. In the winter of ’46 the first translation of a
passage of Scripture into Micmac was made, John III chap. 16th verse.
An old lady with a withered hand near Charlottetown helped Dr. Rand in
the translation.
In the month of August, 1866, the Baptist convention held its annual
session in Berwick. Delegates were present from New Brunswick, P. E.
Island and different sections of Nova Scotia, Canada and the United
States. The late Hon, Judge Johnston was present and made an effective
speech on Acadia College. He also gave an account of the early history
of Dalhousie College, Halifax, and feelingly stated that perhaps he
would not again address the convention. Thirty-three years have passed
away since this large gathering in Berwick and several who took part in
the proceedings are no longer on earth. Berwick at this season of the
year looked beautiful and was in all its splendor. Some of the
delegates present saw it for the first time and were loud in its
praises.