The Ulcw, group continued until 1969 when the Burnside United Church was closed because of lack of funds and declining membership. At that time a decrsron was made to discontinue as a U‘C'w. group and re-form- as the Burnside Friendship Club. This organization is still very active.

Because the rural people go much further away now for socializing and entertainment, this group helps the ladies to keep in much with one another and they are the ones who usually collect for the district when someone is married or moves away.

Since 1972 the group has entertained at the Lions Prairie Manor, for the January birthday party, with songs, skits and readings and have had a lot of fun rehearsing and performing. The last few years have seen the grandchildren helping out with the program and they are a big hit with the audience.

W

The first Sunday School in the district was organized by Professor Grant of Queen’s University in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Grant.

Jonathan Troop started a Sunday School in the Methodist Church which continued for many years. John Crosland and Wm. Hillman were early superintendents. After Mr. Troop moved to Portage his son, Gordon, carried on for a time. Miss Ruth Haley (later Mrs. Russell Pugh) continued Sunday School by mail, when she was the school teacher at Burnside.

There was an organized Bible class with Wes Dunfield as the president. Ben Crosland was secretary-treasurer and Will Troop was the teacher for many years. There was one mid-week meeting or social evening every month of the year. The meeting took the form of a debate, box social or other special entertainment.

The Sunday School was also proud to have an orchestra in the teens and twenties.

The Presbyterian and United Church minute books, show reports given on the Sunday School at Burnside and Poplar Bluff, but there is very little information. Ralph Maddams gave the reports for the Presbyterian Church for 1912-1915. In 1928 the Sunday School was reported to be in good, strong condition, both financially and numerically. Average collection was $1.80 and 40 pupils were attending. In 1939 the average attendance was 21 for 39 Sundays.

Up until 1947 the Sunday School was reported doing well, but in that year there was no activity and there were no reports after that until 1955, when they had seven teachers and twenty-one children, with an average attendance of eight. The numbers slid dOanard the next year when there were only four teachers, fourteen pupils and an average attendance of six. They managed to carry on and a new curriculum was ordered in 1964. Burnside and Edwin congregations united in 1967 and the combined Sunday School continued until the church closed a few years later.

Reports from Poplar Bluff Sunday School were given by Mr. Bob McCulloch through the years 1921-1926. In the early thirties, Rev. Weaver of Burnside conducted courses of Religious Instruction at Poplar Bluff School.

Some other superintendents of the Presbyterian, Methodist and P9P1?" Bluff Sunday Schools were: Hugh Grant, K.C. McKenzre, John Pallister, Mrs. K. Gair, W.H. Treffry. Robert Leader, Mrs. R. Leader, Allan Munro, Sr., Robert Voss, Mrs. Cleaver and Mrs. Arnold Askin.

W

When Rev. Colpitts was minister at the Methodist Church, there was a very flourishing Epworth League. Their meetings featured lectures, debates~ ac" followed by a social evening.

MISSION BAND

The first Mission Band was organized in 1898 and Mrs. Brown was vice—president in charge. Miss Belle Grant was elected leader in 1899-1900. In 1900 they made a quilt and raised $15.00. In 1901- 1902 Miss Margaret Gair was leader and Mrs. McRae in 1903.

Money raised in 1899 was $45.39 (expenses $2.00). In 1900 $21.00 was raised and $36.65 in 1901.

In 1902 they ordered their first missionary study book. Previoule most of their study material was taken from the Missionary Tidings. a paper published by the Presbyterian Church.

Charter members were Mrs. Hugh Grant, Miss Belle Grant, Miss Rachel Grant, Mrs. W.O. McIntosh, Miss Lizzie Gair, Miss Margaret Gair and Mrs. Roberton.

These ladies were joined by: Jennie Roberton, Mrs, Bain, Mrs.

Cowan, Miss Walker, Mrs. Read, Mrs. Davidson, Mrs. Brown (church organist), Mrs. Shortread (moved in 1900), Miss Hays (school teacher), Mrs. Smith, Miss McLean, Mrs. McQuarrie, Mrs. Treffry (1900), Miss Munro (later Mrs. Stewart), Mrs. Mowat, Mrs. Jardine, Mrs. Clark. Mrs. McEachem, Mrs. McRae, Mrs. Rube Munro, Mrs. Thos. Munro, Mrs. Thos. Leader, Jr., Freda Braun and Mrs. Brydon.

We understand that this society discontinued in 1905 and Mrs. J. Allardyce had it re-activated. However there are no records to confirm this.

In 1913 Miss Mildred Walker, school teacher, organized a Mission Band at Burnside School. Meetings were held the last Friday of the month, from 3:30 to 4:00 in the school. During the holidays, the meetings were held in private homes and they were followed by a picnic lunch outside.

Miss Walker (later Mrs. Thos. Crosland) continued as leader until her death in 1917. Mrs. K. Gair then became leader. In 1918 Mrs. Pecover, wife of the Presbyterian minister, was appointed leader, with Mrs. Harry Leader as her assistant. The Band was discontinued at the end of 1918 for lack of members.

In 1936 a United Church Mission Band was organized with Miss Rose Hyde as leader and Miss Myrtle Pearson (school teacher) as assistant. In 1937 Miss Hilda Lathrope (school teacher) was appointed to assist Miss Hyde. Miss Verna Brown was leader in 1939, with Miss Carson (school teacher) assistant and Miss McCallister in 1942. Miss Ilean Pugh took over as leader in 1943 and was assisted by Miss Ruth Haley (school teacher). Mrs. Hilda Hyde (nee Lathrope) was the last recorded leader in 1945-1947. We do not know how long the Mission Band continued, but there were reports given for the Band for 1950-1954 inclusive, according to church records.

W

In 1914 a Leper Mission circle was formed through the effort of Mrs. J.M. Allardyce. It continued until 1918 when the president, Miss Ruby Voss, left the district to be married. No one else could be found to take over the presidency.

The girls did sewing and knitting and also had social evenings. A very amusing incident occurred during one of the programs. Seven girls had sung some old favorites and had finished with “Love’s Old Sweet Song". One of the young men attending remarked how pathetic it was to see seven old maids singing “Love’s Old Sweet Song". As it turned out, he married one of them.

CRAD LL

Mrs. Pecover, the minister’s wife, established a Cradle Roll in 1917 that was continued to 1925 by Mrs. Langille, wife of Rev. Langille.