ROSS. REV . GEORGE Edward Minister of Zion - Dec 09, 1906-Nov 13, 1910 Born: c. 1873 Ordained: May 7, 1896 Died: Jun 15, 1945 George E. Ross was from Newport , , Nova Scotia , the son of James and Martha Burgess Ross. He received his early education at local schools and prepared for university at Pictou Academy. He graduated from Dalhousie University in 1893 and from Pine Hill Theological College with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1896. He was ordained on May 7, 1896, and after a short ministry in Halifax, he was a missionary to Demerara (now present day Guyana, ) before accepting a call to St. David's Church, Maitland, , Nova Scotia on July 23, 1901. Mr. Ross was a man of considerable diplomatic powers, and this trait was to serve him well. When he arrived in Maitland, the original church constructed had been unused for many years, and the matter of taking it down required considerable tact. The original minister, at his request had been buried on the spot of the unfinished church where the pulpit was to be erected ( Rev. Alexander Dick died in 1812). By Mr. Ross ' careful handling of the situation the old church was torn down. St. David's prospered under Mr. Ross . His outstanding work was the centennial booklet of 1903. On November 12, 1906, a call from Zion signed by 225 members and 56 adherents was signed in favour of Mr. Ross . He was inducted on December 9, 1906, preaching his first sermon on December 16. Following the abrupt removal of Rev. Sedgewick , the congregation was more than pleased with his replacement. All departments of the church showed remarkable growth from his energy. He came to Zion as a recruiter for the Presbyterian Church, and set up the "Order of Recruits for the Ministry" which resulted in many young men joining the ministry. He pushed for the erection of a new church. The "Buy a Brick" campaign started with the children of the Sunday School was a success. And as can be seen in the appendix, the Sunday School recorded considerable growth during his stay at Zion. His diplomatic powers, in Maitland served him well in Zion as his appeal for the new church was contributed willingly and cheerfully. The site was purchased, and rental income generated. There was a universally favorable opinion of Mr. Ross expressed by all members and adherents; his piety, ability, energy and sociality, his care and watchfulness for new comers, his go-ahead-activeness and his stick-to-it-ivness. The choir under the direction of Professor Watts , the instrumental guidance of Miss Waterman , and the social leadership of Mrs. S. C. Moore is said to be the equal of any in the city. 92-