In a very few weeks it was entirely done. The use
of the schoolhouse was granted through Dr Drummond's
influence with the Board free of charge; and to understand
the triumph of this it should be taken into account that
three of the trustees were Wesleyans. Services were held
regularly, certain of Dr Drummond's elders officiating;
and the conventicle in the schoolhouse speedily became
known as Knox Church Mission. It grew and prospered. The
first night "I to the hills will lift mine eyes" went up
from East Elgin on the uplifting tune that belongs to
it, the strayed came flocking back.
This kind never go forth again; once they refind the ark
of the covenant there they abide. In the course of time
it became a question of a better one, and money was raised
locally to build it. Dr Drummond pronounced the first
benediction in Knox Mission Church, and waited, well
knowing human nature in its Presbyterian aspect, for the
next development. It came, and not later than he
anticipated, in the form of a prayer to Knox Church for
help to obtain the services of a regularly ordained
minister. Dr Drummond had his guns ready: he opposed the
application; where a regularly ordained minister was
already at the disposal of those who chose to walk a mile
and a half to hear him, the luxury of more locally
consecrated services should be at the charge of the
locality.
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