CHAPTER XVII.
IT has already been stated that as far back as 1862 measures were taken by the office-bearers and members to employ the services of a congregational missionary or catechist to render assistance to the minister in overtaking the ever-increasing amount of work devolving upon him, more especially in connection with the outfield missions. Mr H. Gilbert, an elder of the congregation, was the first missionary so employed, and he was succeeded by others already mentioned. The Session, being strongly of opinion that the time had fully come when assistance of a more permanent and substantial nature should be provided, appointed a committee in March 1879 to consider and report on the best means by which so desirable an object could be secured, and to confer with Dr Stuart on the subject. The proposal to provide a permanent assistant did not appear to the minister to be practicable, and in the following month the committee submitted the subjoined recommendations:—That Dr Stuart be requested to take leave of absence for a year, or for such portion of that time as he may see fit; that his salary be paid as usual during his absence; that a sum of money be placed at his disposal to defray travelling expenses; that he be authorised to obtain, if possible, the services of an ordained clergyman during his absence; and that the question of permanent assistance be meanwhile held in abeyance. Dr Stuart did not see his way to accept these proposals, and nothing more was done until October 1880, when, at the urgent request of his office-bearers, he agreed to take leave of absence for three months. The Rev. Professor Salmond performed the pulpit and pastoral work with much acceptance during the minister's absence.
Although Dr Stuart derived some benefit from his rest, yet it was felt by his office-bearers and people that the strain upon his strength by his manifold and abundant labours was beyond what he could be expected to bear, and in July 1881 the Session again submitted proposals to the congregation to the effect that the services of a properly-qualified probationer or ordained minister should be provided without delay as assistant to Dr Stuart in his pulpit and pastoral work; that the terms of the engagement should be for two years; that a suitable salary should be offered; and that a reasonable sum should be paid for outfit and passage money in the event of some one being engaged in the Home Country. The proposals were heartily agreed to by the congregation; and the Session in August 1881 appointed Drs Stuart, Salmond, and Macdonald a committee to carry the resolution into effect. The selection of a suitable person on the terms agreed to was entrusted by the committee to the Rev. Dr White, the Rev. R. G. Balfour, and Mr Robertson, members of the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland. A reply was received from these gentlemen in February 1882 to the effect that after the most diligent efforts they had been unable to procure a minister or probationer whom they could confidently recommend as an assistant to Dr Stuart, and that they could hold out no prospect of a suitable man being obtained on the terms offered.
Owing to the disheartening effect of the failure to secure an assistant, and the apparent improvement in Dr Stuart's health, no further effort to effect any permanent arrangement was made for a considerable time. About the beginning of 1887 the office-bearers deemed it to be their duty to give the minister as much rest and relief as possible, and with that view they appointed a Pulpit Supply Committee, consisting of Dr Hislop and Messrs Mackerras and E. Smith to co-operate with Dr Stuart in procuring assistance in the pulpit services. The committee succeeded in obtaining such assistance from clergymen and office-bearers as generally to relieve the minister from one of the ordinary Sabbath services during the months of February, March, and April. On May 3rd Dr Stuart informed the Session that on the advice of his medical adviser, Dr Copland, he would retire from active work for a short time and spend a holiday at Queenstown. The Session heartily concurred, and the Supply Committee were fortunate enough to secure the services of the Rev. Mr Treadwell, of Wanganui, who occupied the pulpit for three Sabbaths in May with much acceptabihty. Valuable assistance in carrying on the Sabbath services was also rendered about this time by some of the ministers around Dunedin, and-by office-bearers of the congregation. Dr Copland rendered invaluable service to Dr Stuart and the congregation during the entire period of his connection with Knox Church, and more particularly at this trying time. He was ever ready to preach in the church in cases of emergency, and his skill as a physician was always freely placed at the minister's disposal. By his removal to another sphere of labour in 1888 Knox Church sustained a great loss.
As little or no improvement had taken place in the minister's health, the office-bearers, shortly after his return from Queenstown, resolved again to take steps to relieve him of a portion of his pastoral work. For this purpose the Pulpit Supply Committee was strengthened by the addition of Messrs Bartleman, Roberts, Gordon, Pryde, Cameron, and Torrance. The committee engaged the services of Mr Duncan Wright for a few months for the work of visiting the sick, attending funerals, holding services in the outlying districts, and occasionally assisting in the ordinary church services, either personally or by exchanging with ministers of other congregations. On Mr Wright's labours coming to an end, owing to his being called on to fulfil an engagement previously entered into, the Pulpit Supply Committee found it impossible to obtain permanent assistance to Dr Stuart of a satisfactory nature, and all that could be done for some time was to secure for him as much relief as was possible by enlisting the services of ministers of other congregations and of some of the office-bearers and members of Knox Church.
When matters had continued for several months in this perplexing and unsatisfactory state, God in His providence unexpectedly opened up a way out of the difficulty by putting it into the hearts of an esteemed elder of the congregation (Mr Robert Glendining) and his partner in business (Mr John Ross) to press upon Dr Stuart's acceptance the offer of a passage to Britain and back again.[1] This generous offer was made in the beginning of April 1888, and it was heard of by the office-bearers and members of the congregation, as well as by Dr Stuart's numerous other friends, with feelings of extreme satisfaction. Yielding to the representations and solicitations of his office-bearers and friends, Dr Stuart accepted the offer. The congregation met on May 3, 1888, and warmly supported the granting of the proposed furlough. This well-timed generosity of Messrs Ross and Glendining was the more heartily appreciated as experience had shown that in all probability Dr Stuart would not have been prevailed upon to take his well-earned and much-needed holiday under any other arrangement. All needful preparations having been made with the least possible delay, Dr Stuart left Dunedin by train on May 30, 1888, accompanied by the good wishes and prayers of numerous friends. He sailed next day from Lyttelton for London in the direct steamer "Kaikoura,"—his friends Mr and Mrs R. Glendining being fellow-passengers.
Before Dr Stuart's departure very satisfactory arrangements were made with the Rev. J. H. Cameron for his carrying on the pastoral work of the congregation. The Rev. Dr Dunlop kindly consented to act as moderator of the Session and Deacons' Court, and the Minister's Bible Class was taken in charge by Dr Hislop and Mr G. M. Thomson. The Rev. Mr Cameron entered with zeal on the performance of the duties undertaken by him, and discharged them with much ability, prudence, and acceptability throughout the entire period of Dr Stuart's absence. The congregation held loyally together, and faithfully supported Mr Cameron and the office-bearers by a steady attendance upon ordinances, and maintained by means of its various agencies and organisations its reputation for activity and usefulness.[2]
On the 15th of August letters posted at Teneriffe were received from Dr Stuart, giving particulars of his voyage up to that point, and representing how much he felt benefited by the rest and change. There was also received from him by the same post a Pastoral Letter dated "At Sea, June 18th," the perusal of which afforded much gratification to the congregation and his numerous other friends. The letter was printed, read from the pulpit, and circulated; and, as it is exceedingly interesting and instructive, and abounds in wise counsels and pleasant reminiscences, it is well worthy of a permanent place in the history of Knox Church. It is as follows:—
"Dear Friends,—The proofs of your confidence and love have been so many and varied that I feel sure you will be glad to learn, under my own hand, that up to this date I have felt neither sickness nor weariness. This result I connect with the goodness of God, your prayers, and the wise and kind ministries of my friends Mr and Mrs Glendining. Contrary to my expectations and my former experience of the sea, the voyage thus far has been, in the words of Mr E. B. Cargill, one prolonged holiday. It is almost a new thing for me to pass through many cares without care, not with the indifference of the sluggard, but with the privilege of a mind at liberty.
"Yesterday you had the opportunity of taking your seat at the Lord's table, and avowing before men and angels your faith in Christ as the redeeming God, and your purpose to be His servants and soldiers till life's end, I was with you in spirit during the action sermon, the table service, and the thanksgiving. The fact is, Mr and Mrs Glendining and myself met in my cabin at noon, and after a pleasant talk about you and your sacred engagement we read the following Scriptures, each taking a part:—Ps. lxxxiv., Is. liii., and 1 Cor. xiii., while I engaged in prayer, asking God to bless the preacher and the message, the office-bearers, the members, the veterans, the rank and file, and the additions by certificate and examination. We also besought God to visit with His reviving grace the dear friends who were kept from joining you by the restraints of Providence, as Dr. Macdonald, Mr Douglas, Mrs Borthwick (our oldest member), Mrs Wilson of Victoria street, Mrs Mackinlay of Hillside, Miss Hughson of Maclaggan street, and others. Our little service was not only a pleasant break in a Sabbath at sea, but a means of grace which proved refreshing to our souls.
"As I meditated on your service, I was led to think of our first communion in the dear old church on the third Sabbath of June, 1860, when I was surrounded and supported by Captain Cargill, Mr Gillies, Rev. Robert Hood, Mr Hepburn, Mr Wilkie, Mr Street, Mr J. H. Harris, my wife of youth, and others ever dear. What wide gaps in the ranks of the covenanted host of that day!
'But with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.'
The musing mind transported me to the English Border and the 'Old Meeting' by the Tyne—as the devout company who worshipped there loved to speak of their church—and the first communion of my ministerial record in October, 1849, surrounded and supported by the lairds, farmers, and grave shepherds of the upper reaches of North Tyne and the adjacent fells and glens. By the law of association I was also carried to Leven by the sea, where in the spring of 1838 I took my place for the first time at the heavenly feast, under the ministry of Dr George Brewster, to the joy of my parents and to my own spiritual advantage. Since that far-away day I have often had to humble myself in penitence, but I have never regretted the step which introduced me to life-long privileges, and laid on me life-long obligations. But contrariwise, my experience of the sufficiency of the Gospel for life and godliness has emboldened me to urge others to go and do likewise.
"I often recall with feelings of gratitude the Divine goodness to us as a congregation in the gift of office-bearers at its start, who took not only a personal interest in its progress, but also in the progress of our city and settlement. This honourable feature of our congregational history Dr Hislop brought out in the memoir which he wrote in connection with the opening of the New Church. I am sure you rejoice with me that this direct and personal interest in Church and State is as marked a feature of our present office-bearers as of their predecessors. Now, while writing far away at sea, I am saying to myself every vital interest of the congregation is, under God, perfectly safe in your hands and theirs.
"The Prayer Meeting is the first-born of our congregational institutions. It was begun the week the church was opened, and weekly all down it has been held with scarcely a lapse. I know that many of you are prevented from attending by family and other duties. Still a fair representation of the congregation has always delighted to meet in the class-room every Thursday for praise and prayer. I assured my friend and substitute, Mr Cameron, that at this exercise he would be loyally supported by Messrs Rennie, Torrance, Wright, Fraser, A. Cameron, and others, and that he would find the re-union at once delightful and refreshing. To me our Prayer Meeting has always been 'a feast of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.' I crave for it your prayers always, and your presence as often as possible.
"The Sabbath School was the second of our congregational institutions. It met the next Sabbath after the opening of the church, under the superintendency of Mr Gillies; but, as it was felt that he was overburdened, Mr Street took his place, and for many years discharged the duties of superintendent with unfailing courtesy and regularity. You know that the school of to-day is most efficiently conducted in both its departments by Messrs Reith and White and their noble band of teachers. I never fail to assure them of your assistance to make it, if possible, still more efficient.
"The Albany Street School had its first location in the large room of Mr John Grant's house, and under his superintendency. When the accommodation became too limited, our Deacons' Court erected plain quarters for it in Albany street, and, when it became necessary to shift, the Court without hesitation erected suitable premises in Union street. These and our other schools, by their labours in the cause of Scriptural education, have made us as a congregation their debtors. I ask as a favour that Messrs Reith and White convey to their teachers and scholars the assurance of my love and prayers; that Messrs Jenkins and Dalgleish give a similar assurance to the staff and scholars of Albany street School; Mr W. T. Todd to the staff and scholars of Mount Cargill School; Mr Chisholm to the friends at Whare Flat; and Messrs Harlow and Hutchison to those of Leith Valley. Once and again have I recalled with delight the kind words addressed to me by Mr Hogg on behalf of the Committee on my last visit to the Valley. Some of you know that my friend Mr Gardner was compelled by a sharp illness to give up the Pine Hill service and Sabbath School. How glad would I be if two of our active young men were to volunteer to give him their assistance for a year. As nothing is impossible which is required for the extension of the kingdom of God, I hope to hear that this service will be supplied. Friends, let me beg you to remember that our Sabbath Schools are the nurseries of the Church, and as such have a claim on your prayers and sympathy.
"The Minister's Bible Class is as old as the church. From its opening it has been largely attended. In my heart it has lain next the pulpit. I have given its members in my own way whatever of Biblical knowledge and Christian experience I have gathered. When I take a look over the congregation old members of the class meet my eye in almost every seat—some as office-bearers, and many as Christian workers. I cannot tell you what joy I felt when Dr Hislop told me that he and Mr G. M. Thomson had arranged to conduct the class during my furlough—he taking as his subject the heroic faith and love of the first Christians, and Mr Thomson the course of lessons which I had fixed on for the session. Young men and women of the church, allow me to urge you to enlarge your knowledge of Divine things by attending the morning class now in the hands of Dr Hislop and Mr Thomson, or the afternoon class so ably conducted by Mr Chisholm.
"Our founders, before the congregation was organised, assured the Presbytery that the new congregation would be, from the outset, self-supporting and aid-giving. The promise has been faithfully kept. The Sustentation Fund has for many years been under the direction of Mr Mackerras, who is fully persuaded of its value as our greatest and best church extension agency. Let me crave you to show our deacons and collectors charged with its ingathering that your contributions, great or small, are made not grudgingly 'or of necessity, but willingly.'
"The Church of Otago was missionary from its commencement. You all know that our congregation made missions, home and foreign, a plank in its constitution. When population poured in upon us in the early days of the diggings, we employed in succession the valuable services of Mr Gilbert, the Rev. Mr Anderson, and at a later period those of Mr Wright and Mrs Welsh. Nor did our expenditure in any respect diminish our contributions to either philanthropy or foreign missions. As our missionary operations embrace at present the Maori, 'the heathen Chinee' within our bounds, and the New Hebrides, regularity in our contributions becomes necessary. But as our Missionary Association has Mr Edmund Smith, the son of a missionary, for its president, we may feel confident that the greatest object of a church's existence will not be allowed to drift out of sight.
"Our Ladies' Association, which does its work wisely and well, has your hearty goodwill. Under the direction of Mrs Grant, Mrs Glasgow, Mrs Wilkie, and their devoted sisters in the Lord, you may rest assured that the funds you place at their disposal will be wisely dispensed. When I have occasion to visit the Association, I never hesitate to counsel them to look to you for support in their beneficent ministry.
"The Young Women's Society, under the presidency of Mrs Hoodie, has scarcely had time to make good its claim to your sympathy. It started with a double function. It seeks the personal culture of its members, but specially their training in works of faith and labours of love. Your goodwill is secured when I tell you that it looks out for those children who are left to play on the streets on Sabbath afternoon, in order to place them under the influence of the Sabbath School. Give this, the youngest of our congregational institutions, a place in your prayers.
"For the Literary and Debating Society of the congregation I ask your sympathy. It was founded long ago by the late Mr Robert Gillies, as was also the Congregational Library, which I deem valuable, and deserving of a more generous support than it has of late received. I am glad to be able to say that the society is rendering excellent service to an important branch of education. An evening in its rooms is as enjoyable as it is instructive.
"The choir has established its claim to the regard of the church by its services to the noble exercise of praise. I wonder whether the congregation generally knows that in our interests it gives an evening a week to musical practice. I am hoping that you will institute an annual festival in order to testify your gratitude to its members who add so much to the beauty of the service of praise in the congregation. I for one bless God for our choir and their Christian labours.
"The Sabbath Morning Fellowship Meeting has my goodwill and sympathy. When I enter the pulpit the thought is to me inspiring that in an adjoining vestry several of our young men give a part of their hour of prayer to supplication to God for a blessing on my presentation of the Gospel. I remember one Sunday morning when I was moved to the lowest depths of my soul by the declaration of a boy who came up to me in the street, saying, as he looked me in the face, 'Doctor, I pray for you,' and then hopped away like the blackbird in my garden after delighting me with its sweet carol. Having the prayers of our young men and children, I feel as if I could do any work which the Lord is pleased to require at my hands.
"Friends, we live in times when knowledge is flowing hither and thither with the force of the stream-tide. My counsel is to keep your eye on the old land-marks. Should God give you such a measure of illumination as to see some things more clearly than the fathers saw them, and thus necessitate a new setting, you may rest assured that at the right time He will also give the men and the means for the work. With the way of life open and utilised throughout its course, you will not allow yourselves to speak disrespectfully or disparagingly of the labours of men who worked as in the fire for the truth, and whose work has done much to rear successive generations of noble asserters and defenders of liberty, civil and religious. Every new ray of light thankfully receive; but don't overlook that those serve their generation best who 'do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.'
"Realising as I now do, and as I have often done, your surpassing kindness to me since I stepped on the shores of New Zealand in January 1860, and especially your great forbearance with me, notwithstanding blunders, failures, and worse in the work of the Christian ministry among you, I feel a gratitude which I camiot express, and I desire above all things—if permitted to resume work among you—to be eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, feet to the lame, hands to the weak,—in a word, the messenger and servant of Christ as He will give me opportunity.
Every Home mail brought letters from Dr Stuart, which were usually handed by the recipients to other members of the congregation, and were perused with great interest and pleasure. It afforded much gratification to his people and other friends to learn from these letters and other sources of information that Dr Stuart was received with the heartiest welcome and much consideration wherever he went, and that he was deriving much benefit and enjoyment from his visit to the Old Land. The only cause of anxiety and distress to Dr Stuart's friends in New Zealand was the very serious illness of his youngest son, Mr Donald M. Stuart, in the latter half of 1888. It was greatly feared for a time that he might be called away before his father's return; but it pleased God to rule otherwise, and to grant parent and son the gratification of meeting again, and of spending a few weeks together before the last summons came.
- ↑ The suggestion of a trip Home came first from Mrs John Ross, for many years a member of the congregation, but at the time resident in London. The suggestion was at once adopted by her husband and Mr Robert Glendining, with the result of much enjoyment, and restoration to a measure of health far greater than either my physicians or I ventured to anticipate. I shall never forget the delicate attentions I received on the voyage from Mr and Mrs Glendining, or the welcome I received from Mr and Mrs Ross and their household on my arrival in London.—D.M.S.
- ↑ The admirable arrangements for carrying on the work of the congregation were so satisfactory that I had not a moment's misgiving respecting it. In Mr J. H. Cameron's hands the work of the pulpit and the pastorate was safe. In its performance he showed the highest sense of Christian honour and the greatest faithfulness. Dr Dunlop, Dr Hislop, and Mr G. M. Thomson showed equal ability and faithfulness, as did also the Pulpit Supply Committee, consisting of Messrs E. Smith (convener), Bartleman, Cameron, Gordon, Mackerras, Pryde, Roberts, Torrance, and Dr Hislop. To the last day of my life I shall feel my indebtedness to them, and my obligation to remember them in my prayers.—D.M.S.