Robert’s Confirmation

By Susan Harris

Susan Harris spent all the summers of her childhood - and most summers since then - just a small distance down the road from the home of Robert Crouse.  In addition to the recollection of time spent sitting at his feet listening to his preaching and teaching, she has wonderful memories of interesting and humorous dinner table conversations over the years.

Anecdotally…

When my father, The Rev'd Walter Harris, was Rector of the Parish of Petite Riviere in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia in the 1940s, one of the churches in this six-point parish was St. Mary’s in Crousetown and one of the children attending St. Mary’s was the young Robert Crouse.  At that time, when children of the parish reached the age of 12 or older, the Rector would go from house to house (there being only one telephone in Petite in that era - at the local doctor’s house - let alone any online means of communication!) to invite those he knew to be of the appropriate age to prepare for confirmation. Most responded with indifference and/or their parents spoke for them. When he got to Robert’s home, however, apparently this young person responded by saying “Oh good!  That’s what I’ve been waiting for!”  Very much NOT the usual response!! The confirmation classes were conducted separately at the home of each child and my father reported how impressed he was, not only by Robert's interest, but also by the interest of his United Church grandmother with whom Robert lived (and who largely brought him up). She sat in on the classes along with Robert and apparently both grandson and grandmother seemed deeply engaged.

This second photo is of his grandmother, whom our father always called Mrs. Beech.  Doesn't she have a lovely twinkle in her eye?!