Elgin, which he did quite once a week,
and if so, how much? Mrs Forsyth, or whoever it was, might eliminate
the unknown quantity. It cannot be said that Dr Drummond discouraged the
project; he simply did not mention it and as it was known to have been
communicated to him this represented effectively the policy of the
closed door. He found himself even oftener in East Elgin, walking about
on his pastoral errands with a fierce briskness of aspect and a sharp
inquiring eye, before which one might say the proposition slunk
away. Meanwhile, the Methodists who, it seemed, could tolerate
decentralization, or anything short of round dances, opened a chapel
with a cheerful sociable, and popularized the practice of backsliding
among those for whom the position was theologically impossible. Good
Presbyterians in East Elgin began to turn into makeshift Methodists. The
Doctor missed certain occupants of the gallery seats and felt the logic
of circumstances. Here we must all yield, and the minister concealed
his discomfiture in a masterly initiative. The matter came up again at
a meeting of the church managers, brought up by Dr Drummond, who had
the satisfaction of hearing that a thing put into the Doctor's hands was
already half done. 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