THE EXPERIENCES OF THE REV.

JAMES REID
The editor of the James Reid diaries refers to him as being crusty and diffident

(Reisner, Front Page). Crusty describes his grumpy demeanor; however, he was able to

change his mind. Being a diffident person suggests someone who is shy, ill at ease, modest

and at times unsure. The Diaries display these human traits with respect to Reids family,

friends, fellow clergy, parishioners, the community, and himself. The following samples

taken from the Diaries describe the man who was a colonial frontier church leader and one

who faithfully recorded the weather which often hindered travel, increased loneliness, and

gave hope for a good harvest and church attendance.

THE COMMUNITY

I called on the Doctor today, and paid his bill. 17/6. He is the same old crooked

sixpence, and will always be the same. We are taught by the Gospel to owe nothing to any

person but love, and not to provoke any one. But instead of obeying the godly exhortation

the most part of vulgar people put on horns to push and bunt with them (Reisner, 32).

While I had to attend the Service of God, a swarm of young people took the

opportunity of being in the meadows picking strawberries. Some of them were children of

the Sunday School. How degraded must these people be! The children of two English

families, of one American and one French, were thus profaning the Lords day within

sight of the Church. I must see what can be done to prevent them to morrow. The life of a

Clergyman is difficult in the Townships - (Reisner, 107).

...I passed a very old man...tottering on the Brink of the grave, very drunk. At the

house I passed his son and his wife fighting savagely on the street, and their daughter

trying to separate them...what an awful beastly sight (Reisner, 112).

 ...a young man...who never had any intimacy with my family, stopped one

Sunday after Church...to ask one of my daughters to go with him to Sutton to a Rechabite

Meeting (a Temperance meeting dealing with alcoholism) , and because she chose not to

go, he has chosen to keep out of Church ever since (Reisner, 9).

In the evening ....and his ,,,,came and spent the evening with us in a friendly way

which pleased me very much, being without the usual parade of visiting (Reisner, 85).

Last week I met...the nephew of the Rev. ...of Montreal, a boy brought up in his

kitchen. The boy left him four years ago came to Granby...He then came down here, and

I promised him employment and wages from ... Since that he has lived with the ... people

that never attend Church. When he came he wanted a Book of Common Prayer, which he

said he would pay when he got money. He never came with the pay. I reminded him of his

neglect...He came to the Church...in his hands a parcel neatly made up...containing 2/ the

price of the Book. ..I kept the Book and sent back the money (Reisner, 37).

THE FAMILY

I feel much concern about Mrs. Reid...she is very subject to Attacks of the

Erisipelas (a bacterial skin infection) (Reisner, 35).

Doing little or nothing, but in sadness and sorrow. It seems to be my whole

thought to dwell on my poor Malcolm pining away in long sickness and dying among

Strangers far from us (Reisner, 123).

HIS COLLEGUES

The Rev. Jones was here today, and as usual staid to dinner. He is the same old

sixpence & always will be (Reisner, 15).

In the Herald of yesterday which came by this days mail there is a rumour that

the new Bishop of Montreal is selected in the person of an english Clergyman of the name
of Francis Fulford. He is said to belong to a very Ancient Saxon Family, that is, of the

ancient inhabitants who possessed the Kingdom before the Norman conquest. He is said

to be a High Churchman. I care very little whether he be high or low. For let a clergyman

have been ever so low while simply a clergyman, he will be high enough when he is once

Bishop and my Lord. Let us hope well of him (Reisner, 89).

THE CHURCH

I went to Cooks Corner, but found nobody there as they all went to the funeral of

... who died of whiskey drinking and opium. She was long addicted to both and at last

died like a beast, yet she was the daughter of a pious woman, but an indifferent father

(Reisner, 17).

The Bishop was here in June and confirmed eighteen in Church. There were five

more who did not come (Reisner, 34).

I had the funeral of ...s babe which was no more than two weeks old. They are not

church going people. The child was not baptized, and not entitled to burial service. I only

read the 39th Psalm, and a prayer out of Dr. Stewarts Book. Had I refused, there would

have been an offence. The people think they are entitled to whatever they ask from the

Clergy, but themselves bound to nothing (Reisner, 14).

This morning ... was married to little gentleman from New York. They kept it very

secret, but some got wind of it. In the Afternoon I went up to the Pinnacle to marry one ...

and a young girl of the name of ... I got $13 today, not a bad days work (Reisner, 112).

PIETY

Jane went to a party of young people at the Doctors last night which concluded

with a dance, very inconsistent indeed with the character of a Church member, as his

wife is (Reisner, 14).

 SELF EVELAUATION

This day has made me of the full age of sixty eight years, and blessed be God for his

long continued kindness. I am a strong, healthy old man. But alas! what an unprofitable

servant have I been in the Church of God, and in the world! How little good I have done in

the course of a long life! How few have been converted, or advanced in piety by my poor

services! May God deal not with me after my sins, nor reward me after my failings!

(Reisner, 7).

I have entered yesterday on my 70th year. Thank god! I am a strong healthy old

man. Whether this is to be my last year I know not (Reisner, 52-53).

CONFEDERATION

They have scouted the idea of annexation to the States. The very word I do

abominate from the bottom of my heart... (Reisner, 39).

They seem to be in favour of an union of all five British Provinces. I do not like the

project at all (Reisner, 39).

Resource: Permission to quote the above given by the McGill-Queens University Press, July 10. 2017.

The Diary of a Country Clergyman. Eds. Reisner, M. E., Montreal: MQUP, 2000. Print.