*Excerpt from Reuban Butchart's "The Disciples of Christ in Canada Since 1830", Part 2, "The Churches of Christ in NS"*
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This picturesquely-situated town of two thousand, whose main industry seems to be shipping fish from Fundy's heaving tides, is in Digby County on the Annapolis Basin. Here we have some earlier churches--Westport, Tiverton, Southville, S. Range, and Danvers. Perhaps Digby was too big for entrance in pioneer days, for we are a rural people in all provinces except B.C.
The cause here was begun in 1898 (Harding), and H. A. Devoe, if not first preacher was the one who, living near it, determined to see a worthy cause established. In May, 1889, J. A. Gates had been preaching there, and later H. E. Cooke and Howard Murray were to add their quotas of faithful witness. Through Devoe's energy a lot was bought and funds were raised for the erection of an appropriate house of worship. This was after evangelism had got together about thirty who could be depended upon--all this amidst considerable opposition as well.
For development at this point Bro. Devoe turned to the Maritime board, and to evangelist J. A. L. Romig, who had shown remarkable results from his work in western centres. A meeting conducted by him in a tent, brought in only six persons. Is Digby town "stony soil?" But Devoe kept on and there came a day (Oct. 12, 1902) when a truly fine house of worship, seating three hundred and fifty, was dedicated to God's work, amidst fond hopes of even greater triumphs later. Ralph Gebbie, an Australian, then Maritime evangelist, was preacher. He gave all credit to Devoe. At that time Stanley Hines was the church's elder and generally the church's standby (there seems always one such man). In 1903 the membership was thirty resident, sixteen non-resident: gifts to Home Mission $133.40, with five baptisms and five received otherwise. This was the right track; helping others, in need of help themselves.
In 1905 the reports are not so good, and there was less and less hope. By 1911 we learn from The Christian (March issue) that C. E. Armstrong had been sent by the board to revive the work. His vigorous aid stirred a fresh warmth and attendance, which was encouraging "since the house had been closed for so long." During its period of activity Digby co-operated with Danvers and South Range in preacher supply, but this had to come to an end. The reason for this was that the Maritime board was without resources to finance an unfinished effort. What is a board but a co-operative committee handling the funds and directing the aid of all sorts which the brotherhood supplies? Eventually there had to be silence in the effort.
The failure of Digby should be studied by other boards. Its founding seemed to have all the requisites for success. There was the splendid faith of Bro. Devoe and a neighborly promoter of churches in the person of David Fullerton, of Pictou. Again, faith was followed by the good works of a fine building and at least early financial support. The organization seemed to be adequate and worship was enhanced by the aid of a fine organ in congregational singing. Challenged by the remarkable success of J. A. L. Romig in the West, and also in Cornwallis (which see) that indomitable evangelist put his energies into a meeting, with the small result quoted. In searching for a reason for the lack of growth, a preacher, I. G. Shaw evangelizing in the province in 1914, attributed it to "neglect on the part of the preaching brethren, since it became a field of tares" (Christian Standard, Aug. 15, 1914).
The facts adduced here seem to point to more than the preachers. Nor can we reasonably say that "denominational rivalry"' caused the breakdown, though that condition was a factor as elsewhere. It is well to remind ourselves that while the Lord gives the increase, according to faith and effort, there is always a possibility of "stony soil" and of the refusal to listen which our Lord warned his first preachers about when he sent them forth ("shake the dust off your foot as a testimony", he said and go onward). The prophecy which Jesus made--that "greater works" are possible to future laborers, might be said to be a challenge to the whole Church of Christ to provide in real unity the strongest appeal to the individual and the community.
We may reasonably conclude that because the "other sheep" which Christ was to seek in other areas may have presented to the Spirit of God a brighter field than Digby did at that time. The historical value of the foregoing facts lies in their presenting a somewhat complete picture of a failure.