But it is not only with financial and kindred matters that Mr. McMaster has busied himself of late years. In 1862 he for the first time entered political life, having been elected to represent the Midland Division, embracing North York and South Simcoe, in the Legislative Council of old Canada. He was opposed by Mr. John W. Gamble, who sustained a crushing defeat, and Mr. McMaster continued to represent the Midland Division until the Union. When the Senate of the Dominion was substituted for the old Legislative Council, after the accomplishment of Confederation, Mr. McMaster was chosen as one of the Senators to represent Ontario, and he has ever since taken part in the deliberations of that body. He has always been identified with the Liberal Party, but has never been an extremist in his politics, and has kept himself aloof from the faction fights of the times.
His highest claim to the consideration of posterity will probably rest upon his services in the cause of education. These have been of a kind which we would be glad to see emulated by others of our wealthy capitalists. His first connection with general educational matters dates from the year 1865, when he was appointed a member of the old Council of Public Instruction. He continued to represent the Baptist Church--of which he is a prominent member--at that Board for a period of ten years. When the Senate of Toronto University was reconstructed, in 1873, he was nominated one of its members by the Lieutenant-Governor. But his most important services in the cause of education have been in connection with the denomination of which he is a devoted member. When the Canadian Literary Institute, at Woodstock, was originally projected, he contributed liberally to the building fund, and repeated his contribution when money was needed for the restoration of the buildings after they were burned down. He has ever since contributed liberally to the support of the institution, and indeed has been its mainstay in a financial point of view. He has been largely instrumental in bringing about the removal of the theological department of the Institute to Toronto, where a suitable building is now in process of erection for its accommodation in the Queen's Park, on land purchased by Mr. McMaster specially for that purpose. The cost of erecting this building is borne entirely by Mr. McMaster, and will amount, it is said, to at least $70,000.