The Contribution of Presbyterianism to the Maritime Provinces of Canada. - book reviews

Sociology of Religion, Summer, 1998 by Danielle Irving

CHARLES H. H. SCOBIE and G. A. RAWLYK, (eds.). Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 1997, 267 pp. $49.95.

The contribution of religion to the history and culture of Canada is a subject of interest to scholars in many disciplines. While the Presbyterian denomination played a significant role in the development of the Maritime provinces, it has not attracted as much scholarly attention as other denominations. The purpose of this book is twofold. First, the contributing authors aim to reveal the various contributions Presbyterianism has made to Atlantic Canada. Second, the book serves to provide other scholars of religion with the incentive to conduct further research into the role Presbyterianism played in shaping the Maritimes.

The book highlights the "golden age of Presbyterianism" (XIV). It contains rich historical details regarding the turmoil the Presbyterianism church underwent in Scotland and the effects that this had on the newly established Presbyterian church in eastern Canada. The disruption of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland took place during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As the result of major conflicts, primarily over the issue of patronage, the church was fragmented into various factions.

The Presbyterian church that established itself in the Maritimes, following the influx of Scottish immigrants during the eighteenth to twentieth centuries, consisted of all factions. Despite the fact that the divisions of the Presbyterian church were transported to Atlantic Canada, this tension did not impede the ability of Presbyterians to make various important contributions to these easterly provinces.

One such contribution is in the area of education. The efforts of various Presbyterian clergy, such as Thomas McCullogh and Sir Dawson, led to the establishment of many institutions of higher learning in eastern Canada. McCullogh and Dawson helped to shape the character of higher education in Nova Scotia through their presidency of universities and their involvement with the development of curriculum.

Presbyterians must also be recognized for their activity in social and political movements taking place in the Maritimes. James MacGregor, a member of the Presbyterian clergy, was instrumental in the early developments of the abolitionist movement in Nova Scotia. Presbyterians were also involved with the social gospel movement, as well as, woman's suffrage, Native rights, and campaigns for open immigration.

The Presbyterian church contributed greatly to the national development of Canada. The church would unite in the years before confederation and focus their energies upon Canada. However, the influence of Presbyterianism also extended overseas. Representatives from the Maritimes would provide others with religious instruction and assist them in their political struggles for independence.

While all the chapters were well written, I found Laurie Stanley-Blackwell's essay entitled "'Tabernacles in the Wilderness': The Open-Air Communion Tradition in the Nineteenth and Twentieth-Century Cape Breton" to be particularly compelling. Stanley-Blackwell analyzes the organization of this religious gathering, as well as, the social, cultural, and religious functions that it played in society. The author also devotes attention to the important role women played during these gatherings. Her study offers a glimpse into the early years of Maritime Presbyterianism, as well as, into the changes in society that influenced the church.

The book possesses many strengths, the most important being the clarity of its purpose and the strict adherence to aims. The contributing essays were ordered in such a way that the thesis unfolds in a clear and concise manner. It must also be mentioned that, in spite of the fact that the Presbyterian church was dominated by males, the contribution of women to the church and society was not overlooked. Two chapters devote discussion to women's effort in the church and the development of the Maritimes.

A vast amount of historical evidence is provided in order to familiarize the reader with the structure and dynamics of the Presbyterian church. Overall, this serves as an asset; however, there are places where one can be overwhelmed by the historical detail and thereby distracted from the central argument.

This book has relevance for both scholars and students in various disciplines. Sociologists of religion will benefit from the discussions of the organization of the church, the contribution of the Presbyterian denomination to the Maritimes, and the roles of both the elite and laity. Likewise, graduate students specializing in the sociology of religion will find the book rewarding. It suggests numerous areas dealing with the contributions of Presbyterianism that have yet to be analyzed in depth. Historians who focus on the Maritimes will also find the book useful. The book's attention to detail and the richness of its thesis will be much appreciated by all who read it.

Danielle Irving University of New Brunswick