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
- ↑ 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.
