CHAPTER XIX. Re-adjustment of the relations of the Pastors, Messrs. Somerville and Esson, to the Congregation, in 1822—Rev. Edward Black called and settled—Financial condition of the Church from 1825 To 1829 embarrassing—the unfounded rumours regarding Mr. Esson's character the Congregation divided, and result disastrous— Dr. Hamilton's account of the scene at the Church door, March 6th, 1831—Names of the adherents 0f Mr. Black and Mr. Esson respectively—Matters at issue settled by arbitration—the good that came out of the evil. The subscription list obtained by the special committee appointed to raise a guarantee fund for an assistant to Mr. Somerville, in December, 1816, covered a period of only five years, from the date of Mr. Esson's entering upon his ministry in Montreal. Before the time had fully lapsed, it was natural that Mr. Esson should show some little anxiety as to the future. Accordingly he wrote the following letter to George Garden, chairman of that special committee that had been instrumental in bringing him to Canada:— Montreal, August 3rd, 1822. "Dear Sir,—The period of my engagement, as colleague to Rev. James Somerville, in the pastoral charge of the congregation of the Scotch Presbyterian Church of Montreal, at the terms expressed in my call, subscribed by you and the other gentlemen of the special committee having now expired, permit me to enquire whether it be the intention of the subscribers, in behalf of the said congregation, to renew said engagement, or what arrangement, if any, has been made for the purpose of continuing my connexion with the congregation of the Scotch Church of this place, as one of their pastors. "I am, dear Sir, "H. ESSON. "To George Garden, Esq." This course was probably adopted with a view to paving the way for securing to the congregation the services of the Rev. Edward Black, who had come to Montreal on a visit about this time, and had officiated in the church. At all events, Mr. Esson appears to have done everything in his power to facilitate the movement to have Mr. Black appointed his colleague, when he ascertained that there was a desire on the part of some members of the congregation that such an arrangement should be made. In the circumstances, it was a dangerous step which Mr. Esson took, in raising the question of his status in the congregation, as one of the pastors. A prudent man, taking in the situation, would not have suggested that the congregation were absolved from obligation to him, because the period of the special subscription list for his maintenance had expired. Mr. Esson was settled, not for five years, but as permanent colleague of Mr. Somerville, and he ought to have taken that for granted, when he suggested that some fresh arrangement should be made as regarded the question of stipend. But he was simple-minded as a child in matters affecting his own interests, and it was creditable to the leading members of the congregation that they took no undue advantage of the door which he unwisely opened for their escaping from their responsibilities, and allowing him to resign. The special committee, to whom Mr. Esson's letter was addressed, forwarded it to the temporal committee, with the accompanying note:— "Montreal, August 22nd, 1822. "Gentlemen,—It being necessary to submit to the congregation the enclosed letter from Mr. Esson before we can make any reply, we have to request yon will call a meeting for that purpose with as little delay as possible. "Your most obedient servants, "GEO. GARDEN, "JAS. LESLIE, "ROB. ARMOUR, Special Committee. "ADAM L. MACNIDER. "Committee of Scotch Presbyterian Church, "Montreal." A meeting of the proprietors was accordingly held, and it was unanimously resolved to request the Rev. Mr. Esson to continue in the pastoral charge of the congregation, and to allow him £300, including £50 from government, on account of the military who attended the church. Although there were some in the congregation that did not find Mr. Esson's teaching profitable to them, they were men of honour, who would at least keep faith with him. Whether the opening of the correspondence with the special committee was designed by Mr. Esson to effect important changes, or not, it at least led up to this result. The first thing done was to provide for the nominal retirement of Mr. Somerville from the responsibilities of the active pastorate, as he had virtually retired years before. The committee communicated to Mr. Somerville the proposal that he should retire on an allowance of £150 a year. He replied as follows, signifying his willingness to acquiesce in the suggested arrangement, on certain conditions: "Having long discharged the duties of a minister in connection with the Church of Scotland in this city to the best of my ability; and finding now that the state of my health requires ease and peace of mind, I am desirous of retiring from the discharge of the active duties of that office, upon receiving from the committee of the church a sufficient guarantee for the regular annual payment of my present stipend, out of the first proceeds of the church; and upon this my proposition being acceded to, I heartily agree to the appointment of the Rev. Edward Black, as mutual assistant to myself and present colleague, with the full powers of colleague during his assistantship, and to his succceeding as colleague to the survivor of us. "I remain, Gentlemen, "Your most obedient servant, "J. SOMERVILLE, "Minister." 1 |