the drive to Elsie,
and that was that the day was Sunday; but her conscientious scruples were
overpowered by those who voted that it was "no harm, surely, to drive to
church on Sunday."

But Elsie felt that they were not going to church for a worthy motive, but
only as sightseers, and, judging by the accounts they had heard, a visit
to a McDonaldite or Jerkers' church was similar to going to a play or
circus. Still her scruples were not strong enough to allow Lancy and Dexie
to go without her, but the beautiful scenery through which they passed had
for her no charm, for she felt, for the first time in her life, that she
was a Sabbath-breaker.

Dexie had no such pangs of conscience, but enjoyed the drive to the utmost,
and Elsie's oft-repeated remark that they "ought not to have come" found no
response in the hearts of the rest. Happily for Elsie, a Sunday feeling
soon possessed her, for Dexie, in the fulness of her heart, could not be
silent, and as ordinary talk seemed out of place in the Sabbath stillness,
she began to sing.

Elsie's voice soon joined the rest, and the sound of harmony rolled along
with the carriage, and before they reached the church of the Jerkers, Elsie
felt more at ease with herself and her surroundings.

It seems passing strange that while the Shakers, Quakers and other peculiar
sects have all come in for a share of newspaper discussion, this most
peculiar sect called McDonaldites, or Jerkers, have escaped the pen of the
reporter. This may be due to the fact that, during the life of the great
McDonald, Prince Edward Island was considered by travellers to be rather an
out-of-the-way place and not worth visiting. But year by year the army of
tourists is increasing, as the Garden of the St. Lawrence becomes better
known, and a visit to a McDonaldite church may yet be one of the sights in
store for my reader, for it is doubtful if such a sight can be witnessed in
any other civilized community.

McDonald, the leader of the sect, has been dead many years. He was a man of
powerful physique, and his mind must have corresponded to his large and
vigorous body, for the power or influence which he had over his followers
was something extraordinary, if not alarming. As his presence was not
necessary to set the members of his Church in motion, and the "jerks" are
kept up even to the present day, there may be some other explanation for
the singular behavior of his followers; but the memory of their leader