History of Knox Church Dunedin/Chapter 18
CHAPTER XVIII.
AFTER a stay in the Home Country of about three months, Dr Stuart left London by the P. and O. steamer "Victoria," and reached Melbourne in November, 1888, Mr and Mrs R. Glendining being again his fellow-passengers. It was his intention to remain in Victoria for a short time, and then return to New Zealand by way of Sydney; but, having received news of the precarious state of his son's health, he abandoned the idea, and came on by the first available steamer, which arrived at the Bluff on Sabbath, the 2nd of December. Coming on by train next day, he was met at Mosgiel by a number of the office-bearers, from whom he received a most hearty welcome. Dr Stuart's return was hailed no less heartily by the members of his congregation, and indeed by the whole community, among whom his name has been a household word for many years. On the evening of the following day (Tuesday, December 4, 1888) a meeting of the congregation was held in the church. This occasion may properly be regarded as a memorable one in the history of Knox Church, and therefore no apology is needed for inserting the following report of the proceedings, published next day by the Otago Daily Times:—
"A devotional service was held in Knox Church last night in connection with Dr Stuart's return to Dunedin. Dr Dunlop presided, and there was a very large attendance, the church being crowded in every part. On the appearance of Dr Stuart on the platform surrounding the pulpit the audience rose en masse. The service commenced with the singing of the Hundredth Psalm. Dr Dunlop then engaged in prayer, after which
"Dr Hislop (addressing Dr Stuart) said: Your office-bearers have conferred on me the honour of presenting you with an address on behalf of themselves and the members and adherents of Knox Church on the occasion of your return. I will now read the address:—
'The Rev. D. M. Stuart, D.D.
'Reverend Dear Sir,—Your office-bearers, on behalf of themselves and the members and adherents of the church, have much pleasure in welcoming you back to Dunedin, and to the scene of your long-continued and much-valued labours; and they cordially unite in rendering thanks to Almighty God for His watchful care over you throughout your travels, and for restoring you to your attached people in safety, and, we trust, in greatly improved health and strength.
'We need scarcely say that we followed you in our thoughts and with our prayers throughout the course of your journeyings by sea and land, and that we were greatly interested and gratified at the receipt of your pastoral letter, and of the good news that reached us from time to time of your welfare, and of the kindly and appreciative welcome so very generally accorded you during your visit to the Old Land.
'We devoutly trust that by God's blessing the relief from your ordinary duties for the past six months will be followed by very happy results, and we fervently pray that your Divine Master will spare you yet for a time to labour in His vineyard, and to prove, as in years that are past, a blessing and a source of comfort to many members of the church and of the community.
'We are sure you were greatly pleased to learn from time to time how efficiently and successfully the Rev. Mr Cameron has in all respects fulfilled the duties of acting pastor of Knox Church during your absence. That gentleman, by his ability, his kindness, and his pious zeal, largely mingled with prudence, has gained for himself the respect and gratitude of every member of Knox Church, and of all who are in any way interested in its welfare.
'Although we hope and trust you have returned to us in the possession of a large measure of health and vigour, yet we share with the whole membership of the church a strong desire that you will see it to be your duty to spare yourself as much as possible in the prosecution of your pastoral and other public labours, so that, as far as human effort can avail, you may be all the longer preserved to your attached people and to the general community. We feel assured that we represent the wishes of the entire congregation when we express the hope that you will consent to such arrangements being made as would relieve you in future from bearing the full strain of the pulpit and pastoral work devolving upon the minister of Knox Church.
'We desire in conclusion to express to you our warmest sympathy in your great sorrow on account of the state of your son's health. We commend you and him to God, the great source of all true consolation, and we pray that the Master whom you have so long served will bestow upon you all needful grace and submission in this period of deepest trial.
'We remain, reverend dear sir, yours very faithfully,
|
JOHN DUNLOP |
GEO. DUTCH |
C. MACANDREW |
"I think I may confidently express the conviction that the citizens of Dunedin and the settlers throughout Otago generally share our feeling of satisfaction at your safe return, and join us in hoping that you may long be spared in health and strength to do your Master's work amongst us. We have in our address acknowledged the valuable services rendered by the Rev. Mr Cameron, as acting pastor of Knox Church. I desire to say a word or two regarding our deep obligation to the elder whose name is at the head of the signatures to the address. I refer to the Rev. Dr Dunlop, acting moderator of the Session and Deacons' Court in your absence. I am sure I express the sentiments of every one of the office-bearers when I say that the ability and wisdom with which that gentleman presided over our meetings, and the great readiness he manifested at all times to be of service to the congregation, deserve most grateful recognition. I feel also warranted in saying that the admirable manner in which Dr Dunlop conducted the two communion services held during your absence gave rise to a widely-expressed feeling of satisfaction and thankfulness on the part of members of the congregation. I have now the pleasure of handing you the address.
"Dr Stuart said the pleasure he had in meeting Dr Dunlop, the elders, deacons, and members of the church, and in receiving the singularly beautiful address which had been presented to him, far exceeded his powers of expression. He need scarcely tell them that the document was prized by him, and would be prized and read, not for its style only, but above all for its sentiments, in the days to come. When he left Dunedin some seven months ago there was borne in upon his soul the full persuasion that the congregation, through the Divine blessing and the watchful efforts of the Rev. Mr Cameron, would have peace and fellowship, and in all his wanderings this conviction never wavered, but rather grew in intensity. And now he had the comfort of finding that his expectations had been more than realised. Between Melbourne and Otago he felt a mist cleaving unto him—a coldness and dampness which he could not shake off, but when he reached Mosgiel the unexpected appearance of the office-bearers of the church shot a beam of sunshine between the mist and his heart, removing the coldness and filling him with light and genial warmth. Then the bright talk afterwards, and the crowds of friends that met him at the Dunedin station, and the welcomes on every lip filled his cup of joy to overflowing. And, as he was driven home through the well-known streets and recognised the old friends and old neighbours, his heart beat fast and strong. He was conscious of a rare happiness—so great that he was perfectly certain he could not give expression to it. He need not say that the expression of the congregation's wishes in reference to the working of the church in the future would be a law unto him to which he would gladly conform. In all the efforts of the congregation to promote the cause of God in the place of their habitation they had always found a right way, and he was sure of this: that as they had hitherto worked eye to eye, bringing to the work helping hands and loving hearts, so long as God spared them their future would be as the past had been, and to every work required of them they would bring their hearts and their hands. How could he thank them for their generous sympathy in the affliction that had overtaken his poor boy, for their condolence, and for their prayers! But he was sure that both he and his son would be sustained until the appointed end. The prayers of the congregation were needed for his son. What young man in sinking health, having to meet every day the wife of his bosom and his bairns, but needed the prayers of his friends and neighbours! But he believed that his son had learnt that ahint the clouds the sun shines bright, and that he would be enabled to bear what was assigned to him with patience and hope until God declared His will. Dr Stuart then expressed regret at missing many members of the congregation who were absent through sickness or death, and went on to refer to his visit Home, saying he could never sufficiently show his gratitude to the congregation for insisting upon his taking a rest which had been the means of his recovering health in a large measure, and of giving him very great enjoyment.—(Applause). He spoke of the very kind ministrations of Mr and Mrs Glendining, who accompanied him Home, and of the warm reception he received in the Old Country from many people who formerly lived in Otago, and from others to whom he was known only as the minister of Knox Church. Then he went on to thank the Rev. Mr Cameron for the way in which he had upheld the credit of the congregation during his absence, and concluded as follows:—'Maybe there were times when the thought went through my mind that I was necessary to the maintenance of this church. I see now that no man is necessary. If I were now laid aside like a plucked flower, the congregation would go on in its career of Christian usefulness—perhaps with more vigour and with more success than has ever characterised it. Know this my friends, that thousands of people at Home know about you, and are pleased to know that you Britons of the South are loyal to the Gospel, and are prepared by your means, by your co-operation, by your prayers, and by your Christian activity to stand by it, to keep it, to defend it, and to rejoice in it. I must not now venture upon another word to the office-bearers, to the workers, and to the whole of you. Accept my thanks—my earnest, heartfelt thanks— for your prayers, for your kindness in the past and to-day, and for all that is in your heart to do for me and for the Gospel.'—(Applause.)"
Mr Donald M. Stuart, after a long and painful illness, was called away on Saturday, January 12, 1889—forty days after his father's return to Dunedin. The greatest sympathy was felt for Dr Stuart in the sad bereavement which thus befell him, and the deep sorrow which filled the manse was shared by all the congregation, whose prayers were heartily offered up for the bereaved father, widow, and children. The following is the resolution of the office-bearers on this sad occasion:—"It was unanimously resolved that this Court, as representing the office-bearers of Knox Church, desire to convey to Dr Stuart their heartfelt sympathy with him on the occasion of the sore bereavement to which he has been subjected in the Providence of God by the lamented death of his son, the late Mr Donald M. Stuart; and they commend their beloved pastor to God and to the word of His grace—the alone true source of consolation and comfort in the hour of deepest trial."
The writer ventures to conclude the story of Dr Stuart's furlough with the followmg article, which appeared in the leading column of the Otago Daily Times of December 6, 1888. It may very properly be regarded as truly expressing the sentiments of the general community throughout Otago, irrespective of nationality or creed:—"The affectionate solicitude demonstrated by the officers, members, and adherents of Knox Church at the return of the Rev. Dr Stuart, and the touching remarks which he delivered in response to the address presented at the devotional service on Tuesday evening, are among the most pleasing incidents which have happened in Dunedin for some time. Dr Stuart is so entirely identified with this city, and we might say with Otago, and so well known among all classes, that it seems unnecessary to refer to the eminent qualities which have given him a place second to none in public estimation, and have made his name veritably a household word. High principle, a devoted sense of duty, kindliness of manner, which is but the expression of most perfect charity, utter and complete unselfishness have distinguished Dr Stuart among his fellows; and it is not surprising that the opportunity has been taken by those under his pastoral care, and more immediately connected with his work, to pay him the tribute of honour and regard which, to the gratification of the whole community, he has received. It is beyond question true, as set forth in the address, that 'the citizens of Dunedin and the settlers throughout Otago generally share' the feeling of satisfaction at his safe return, and join in 'hoping that he may be spared in health and strength,' and remain among us active in good works for many years to come. It is remarkable that, throughout a career practically coeval with the existence of Dunedin as a city, Dr Stuart, while by no means addicted to concessions where essentials are involved, and ever giving full credit for good intentions and conscientious conduct to those from whom on dogmatic points he materially differed, has kept himself clear of the bitterness of controversy, and has been content to do his own duty according to his convictions. It is this largeness of mind and breadth of view that have raised him so high in public esteem, and gained the respect and regard of other denominations. Thoroughly characteristic of this Christian gentleman were the few apposite words in which, out of the very 'fulness of his heart,' he replied to the address of his congregation. Almost poetic in their simple beauty of expression, so completely to the purpose and the point, they must have gone home to the heart of every one present. We may, while congratulating the reverend Doctor on his safe return, and his people on receiving back their beloved pastor, express the hope that he may yet have a long term of service in the ministration of his pastorate, and of usefulness as a citizen of Dunedin."