vations manifold, incidental to "life in the bush, having little more to live upon than his half pay as a retired chaplain," and brought up their large family of six sons. and three daughters, instilling into their minds high principles, and imparting to them that culture which, emanating from so many Scotch manses, has led on clergymen's sons to distinction and honour.

His patriotism, of which he had given such striking proof in his youth, grew with his advancing life, and helped to deepen in the whole district that loyalty which has ever characterized the men of Glengary. We find his name second on the list, on the loyal address presented to Lieut. General Sir Gordon Drummond, President of the Province of Upper Canada, on the 21st December, 1814, at the conclusion of the second American war. Bishop Macdonnell's name being the first.

The mention of Bishop Macdonnell suggests the insertion of an interesting incident of those days, illustrative of the kindly sentiments which the Gaelic-speaking residents of Glengary, Protestant and Roman Catholic, cherished towards each other. Some dispute had arisen between Mr. Bethune and his parishioners, as still sometimes happens in the best regulated congregations, which they failed to settle by themselves. The happy thought occurred to some one to submit the difficulty in question to Bishop Macdonnell, their respected Roman Catholic neighbour of St. Raphael's, and this course was mutually agreed on. After the hearing of parties, the worthy prelate, who might he expected to give the benefit of the doubt to his Protestant confrère, by way of upholding the the principle of authority, not only gave judgment in his favour, but gave the people a good lecture on the duty of respect and obedience which they owed to their ecclesiastical superior. And my informant tells me that the congregation received the exhortation in good part, and

the breach betwixt them and their pastor was healed. This incident shows that the happy relations subsisting between Roman Catholics and Protestants, seen in the occupation of the Recollets Church in Montreal by the latter, was general at that time throughout the country. And it is pleasant to note that the Highlanders of Glengary still live in an atmosphere of peace and good will, although differing in their religious views. It is not many years since St. Andrew's Hall, Martintown, in which Presbyterian religious service is held on Sabbath evenings, was placed by Rev. J. S. Burnet and his congregation at the disposal of Rev. Father Gauthier, the Roman Catholic Priest of Williamstown, for the holding of a concert on behalf of the work of his parish; and it was not only patronized by the Presbyterians of the district, but the St. Andrew's Choir actually had a place on the Programme.

After Mr. Bethune's removal to Glengary, there remains no record of any subsequent connection with the congregation he left behind in Montreal, except on two occasions: once, when his son Alexander Neil, afterwards Bishop of Toronto, was baptized by Rev. John Young, on the 7th September, 1800; and, again, when he took part with Rev. Dr. Sparks, of Quebec, in the ordination of Rev. James Somerville as minister of the St. Gabriel Street Church, on 18th September, 1803.

He died on the 23rd September, 1815, deeply regretted by the community amongst which he had lived and laboured so long.

The following tribute was paid to his memory in the Montreal Gazette a few days after his decease: "Died at Williamstown, after being long in a weak state Mr. Bethune,

of health, the Rev. John Bethune.

at an early period of his life, left Scotland with his parents for the purpose of settling in the colonies of America.

When these colonies rebelled, he and many others were reduced to much distress by their steady loyalty and by their firmness and attachment to the Government. At this time was probably laid the foundation of that disease which has ultimately caused his death. During the rebellion he was appointed chaplain to the 84th Regiment, with which he did duty till the peace was concluded. He then settled in Canada, where he lived respected and beloved by all who knew him.

"Mr. Bethune was a man remarkable for the mildness and agreeableness of his manners, but at no time deficient in that spirit which is requisite for the support of a Christian and a gentleman. He understood what was due to 'the powers that be,' without losing sight of that respect which was due to himself. He has left a widow and numerous family; but the place they hold in society will show that as a husband and father he must be numbered among those who have done their duty well."

In after years a very tasteful monument to his memory was erected by his six sons, the inscription on which is very much admired for its chasteness, and the warmth of respect and tenderness of affection which it breathes. I give it entire.

One side has :—"Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Jno. Bethune, Pastor of the congregation of the Kirk of Scotland in Glengary. He departed this life at Williamstown on the 23rd September, 1815, in the 66th year of his age, and the 44th of his ministry."

Another side has :—"This monument is erected as a mark of filial affection to his memory by his six sons, Angus, Norman, John, James, Alexander, Donald."

The third side bears: "That he was a faithful steward, the peace and happiness of his flock are the most certain proof.

endearing qualities which united society in the closest bonds of unanimity and friendship, his numerous congregation, who shed the tribute of unfeigned sorrow over his grave, have borne the most honorable testimony.

"That he was open, generous and sincere, those who participated in his friendship can afford the most satisfactory evidence.

"That he was a kind and affectionate husband, a tender and indulgent parent, the love and unanimity of his numerous family furnish the most undeniable proof."

Happy the sons that had such a father, and honoured the father that had sons to appreciate him. Mr. Bethune's influence upon Canada did not terminate with his decease in 1815. He lived for more than half a century afterwards in his sons, and still lives in an honoured and useful posterity. No stronger proof could be afforded of the even balance of his nature, and of the gentleness, tempered with wisdom, that characterized him, than his success in training up a large family of sons, all of whom afterwards did credit to his memory, and proved worthy of their revered sire.

Several members of his family had a connection, in after years, with the congregation which their father had organized. His eldest son Angus, who was born in 1783, entered the service of the North-west Company when a young man ; and, on his return from a lengthened sojourn in the Red River country, in 1815, had a son baptized by Rev. James Somerville, the mother of the child being an Indian woman. This indicates that he must have been

himself a member of the congregation.

The books of the church show that Norman, the first of Mr. Bethune's children born in Glengary, became the proprietor of a pew in 1809; and he and his younger brother James entered into a partnership with Alexander

C

Henry as auctioneers in 1817. Norman continued his connection with the old Church till the dissension occurred in 1831. Mr. Bethune's daughter, Christie, who was married to Robert Henry, a merchant, on the 2nd November, 1817, with her husband, afterwards attended the "Scots Church" in St. Gabriel Street. Still another member of Mr. Bethune's family became connected with the congregation. This was his youngest daughter, Ann, born 21st May, 1798, who was married to Mr. Henry McKenzie on the 23rd May, 1815, and whose son, Simon McTavish McKenzie, we are happy to have with us yet worshipping in the church of which his father was an honoured elder, and his grandfather was the founder.

But the two most eminent members of his family became clergymen of the Church of England in Canada. These were John, his third son, and Alexander Neil, already mentioned, the fifth,—the former, the late Very Reverend the Dean of Montreal; and the latter, the late Right Reverend Bishop of Toronto. This is one of the many points of contact between the St. Gabriel Street Church and the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country. Several circumstances conspired to bring about the entrance of Mr. Bethune's two sons into the English Church. The chief of these, undoubtedly, was the influence of their school teacher, the late Bishop Strachan. Mr. Strachan was ordained by Bishop Mountain, on the 22nd May, 1803, and settled at Cornwall immediately afterwards. In the autumn of the same year, he opened a school in that town, which afterwards obtained a just celebrity. Amongst his first pupils at Cornwall was John Bethune. Mr. Strachan was a famous instructor of youth. He had enlarged views as to the proper scope of education, and succeeded in inspiring his pupils with a love of letters, as well as in awakening into full activity their intellectual powers. His own mental gifts were of