Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, 1895-1925.

by George Fosty

It was here on one occasion, a large crowd of Whites assembled in an attempt to stop him from giving his sermon. For fear of violence and repercussions from the large mob of predominately White men, the deacons of the congregation had pleaded with Preston to delay or postpone his sermon. Instead, Preston moved the sermon outside allegedly stating: “We will go outside, as the grace of God gives me sufficient power over men and Devils; hence I fear neither.” At first the crowd had drowned out Preston, stopping him from being heard by the congregation assembled outside. Unmoved by the hostility, he continued speaking, eventually silencing his detractors. Hardened pioneering men who had first assembled to stop the service were now crying and asking for forgiveness for the acts of what they had attempted to do. Many came forward at the end acknowledging their guilt, asking personally for forgiveness and prayers. Some were eventually baptized, becoming members of the church itself. This would be the first and last known demonstration of its kind in Dartmouth. It would also mark one of