The place is located in the northern part of the Province of Saskatchewan, about fifty miles north of the city of Saskatoon, also about ten miles north of Borden where some Friends had lived, from which the settlement takes its name, Borden being a village and place of business at the railroad.
The Monthly Meeting takes its name from the township, or similar to this in our country, and is called Halcyonia. Several of the elder Friends have been removed by death, William McCheane and wife, Nathan Saunders, and Hugh Wake, whose wife, a valuable Friend, is still living, so that now the meeting is mostly in the hands of a younger generation.
There is a community and meeting of Mennonites, and also of Dukobors, both of which emigrated from Russian, and are Friendly inclined, especially when they learn what Friends are.
The country is level Prairie like, and often-times subject to being arid, as was especially the case this past season, but they find a way to overcome the difficulty, disposing of the stock, shipping in provinder, etc.
The faithfulness of the Friends is especially interesting and instructive, and rather increases as the generation passes, may it always be so, and will as they are faithful to the Light, which is universal and impartial.
There are a few members in the city of Saskatoon, who hold a meeting in one of the homes, and a more solid or more lively Friends' Meeting I seldom sat in, and we must believe it is not what we take but what we find where we travel, for we may remember the words of Christ to His disciples, "In whatsoever house ye enter, first say, peace be to this house, and if the Son of Peace is there your peace will rest upon it." [Luke 10:5-6.]
There is every evidence wherever one goes that the blessing of God rests upon the hones and faithful labor, and so it does here, and especially upon the faithfulness in spirit, and what is more important than this, for the promise is given by Christ, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." [Matthew 6:33.]
The principle crop is spring wheat, perhaps sown in Fourth month, large farms as much as 400 acres, and many a quarter section 160 acres, they raised some barley and oats, but no corn, being too cold for it, and the season too short. They raise cattle and baby beaves from the calves at their sides, also horses, renting a large tract of the government for collective pasturing in care of herdsmen of their own number. The country is open, little to obscure the vision for miles, and few fences, generally what there is is barbed wire, and this looks as though it did not rust, partly no doubt because they burn wood, thus there being little sulphur in the air, which rusts.
Quite a large river runs from the North West and through this country turning north towards the Bay, this is called the North Branch, another comes up from the south and flows into the other, they have been using a ferry to cross the river but lately the government has erected a large and substantial concrete bridge a little west which causes more travel for Friends but is convenient and very comfortable for crossing, the river can hardly be considered navigable except for small boats; the name of the river is the same as the Province, Saskatchewan.
The important part to consider wherever we go as Friends is that we crry with us the true principle of the Society, which is, "Primitive Christianity revived in its ancient simplicity." This Truth teaches and the Scriptures bear abundant witness to.
It is remarkable that these Friends, isolated as they are and yet having had contrary influence have kept the faith as they have so pure, and as I have said the next generation is in true harmony with the survivors of the former, is cause for rejoicing for their and Truth's sake.
Perhaps it is an advantage they are so far away that frequent visits are prohibitive, but it is the privilege of the true church to bear them in mind, and bring them before our Heavenly Father whose they are, that they may grow in Him, and in Christ the true vine, being living branches thereof being fruit to His praise, unto which we feel to commit them and all of us, tho whom be glory, honor, praise and all thanksgiving, now and ever, Amen.