History of Knox Church Dunedin/Chapter 14
CHAPTER XIV.
IN June 1879 Mr William T. Glasgow, in consequence of his promotion in the public service and his removal from Dunedm, resigned the offices of deacon and clerk of the Deacons' Court, which he had held for many years. The following resolution was passed by the Session on the occasion:—"In accepting Mr Glasgow's resignation the Session desire to record their high appreciation of the many valuable services rendered by him to the church, especially as clerk to the Deacons' Court, as Sunday School teacher, and as a member of Knox Church Young Men's Society during the many years he has been connected with the congregation. The Session pray that he may long be spared to render himself similarly useful wherever Providence may cast his lot." The Deacons' Court also recorded their appreciation of the admirable manner in which Mr Glasgow had for many years performed the duties of Clerk to the Court.
In September 1880 the congregation lost the services of another zealous and efficient worker by Mr John Borrie's resignation of the offices of Session Clerk and elder, consequent upon his official promotion rendering necessary his removal from Dunedin. The Session placed on record the following resolution with reference to Mr Borrie:—"In receiving Mr Borrie's resignation of the offices of elder and Session Clerk, the Court resolved to record their high appreciation of his valuable services to the congregation in the deaconship, to which he was admitted April 27, 1862, but more especially in the eldership, to which he was ordained July 5, 1866, and as clerk of the Kirk Session, to which office he was elected Aug. 1, 1871. As a member and office-bearer he manifested in his efforts both for the defence and the diffusion of religion a whole-heartedness worthy of all admiration. In his new sphere the Session wish their esteemed brother health and prosperity." On Mr Borrie's resignation the Session secured the services of Mr Colin McKenzie Gordon as Session Clerk, a position which he still holds with much credit to himself and great advantage to the congregation and its office-bearers.
In May 1883 the congregation lost by his resignation the services of Mr Arthur Scoullar, who had proved an active and efficient member of the Session for a number of years. The following minute was adopted by the Session on the occasion:—"The Session accept with deep regret the resignation by Mr Arthur Scoullar of his place in this Court. In doing so they desire to place on record their sense of the fidelity and zeal with which during the seven years of his connection with the Kirk Session he has discharged all the duties of the eldership; their recollection of his open-handed liberality and modesty in giving many gifts for the promotion of Christ's cause and kingdom; and their appreciation of the warm and untiring interest which he has displayed in the spiritual welfare of the congregation and of the church at large. The Session desire further to record an expression of their own gratitude and that of the congregation to Mr Scoullar for his services as treasurer of the congregational Sustentation Fund. They believe that his energetic and skilful management of that fund will materially contribute to its permanence and growing success."
It has already been mentioned that Mr Robert Short was one of the first-elected deacons of Knox Church, and that he was the first clerk of the Court. He resigned these offices in 1864, but maintained his connection with the congregation. He was elected to the eldership in 1881, and did good service until 1885, when he resigned the office in consequence of his removal with his family to the Oamaru district. He was well known throughout Otago for very many years as the courteous and obliging chief clerk of the Crown Lands Office at Dunedin. The Session adopted the following resolution on the occasion of Mr Short's resignation:—"On receiving the resignation of Mr Robert Short of the North-East Valley, the Session have pleasure in recording in their minutes that he joined Knox Church in May 1860; that he was one of the original deacons, and for a time was clerk of the Deacons' Court; that he filled for some time the office of elder, and in these capacities rendered good service to the congregation in its efforts to maintain and promote the Kingdom of God; further, that the Session earnestly desire for Mr Short and his family in their new home good health and the blessings of the Gospel."
In August 1891 Mr John Reith, who for twenty-nine years had served the Church in several relations, was appointed to an important position in Wellington. On the occasion of Mr Reith's resignation of his connection with Knox Church, the Session adopted the following minute:—"On receiving the resignation of Mr John Reith's eldership in the congregation the Session have pleasure in bearing testimony to his many services to Knox Church for over a quarter of a century as an elder, as superintendent of Mt. Cargill Sabbath School and preaching station for many years, as superintendent of the Main Sabbath School, and as the originator of the teachers' class for the study of the lessons, teacher of the first Bible Class that met on Sabbath afternoon, and founder of the Gift Day Festival. In these departments of spiritual work Mr Reith displayed striking ability and devotion, which have left their mark for good more extensively than the Session can express. His relation to the weekly prayer meeting was very close, and his assistance was much appreciated. His family followed his example in devotion to the congregation and its institutions. The Session further congratulate him upon his appointment to represent the Book and Bible Depot in Wellington, and express their confidence that he will prove eminently helpful in diffusing literature of a healthy tone, and that he will continue to use in the service of the Gospel the great energy and practical wisdom which he showed in our church and city. The Session heartily commend him and his family to the grace of God, and to the church with which they may identify themselves."
In March 1892 Mr Duncan Wright, one of the elders of Knox Church, left New Zealand to enter on the work of an evangelist under the Evangelisation Society of Victoria. An account is given in chapter V. of Mr Wright's valuable services while under an engagement as congregational missionary and superintendent of the main Sabbath School. Since the termination of this engagement he has given himself wholly to the work of an evangelist. The Session of Knox Church, in a resolution adopted on March 2, 1892, bear the following testimony to Mr Wright's character and services:—"In view of the retirement of Mr Duncan Wright from the eldership in the congregation, the Session record their appreciation of his many services to its institutions and schemes of spiritual usefulness. As congregational missionary and superintendent of the main Sabbath School for about four years, and as an elder for sixteen years, he served the church and its enterprises both earnestly and loyally. Furthermore, they have pleasure in stating that though engaged in the work of an evangelist for many years in New Zealand, his loving regard for the church and its various institutions has suffered no abatement. In leaving Knox Church and New Zealand to undertake evangelistic work under the banner of the Evangelisation Society of Victoria, they express their strong confidence that by the blessing of God he will 'hold forth the Word of Life' for men's saving health and God's glory. They affectionately commend their brother and his family to the love of the Christian church they may join, and to their prayers and goodwill."