pathetic an interest he took in primary education, and unanimously appointed him the first president of the New Zealand Institute.
But, when the public had fully recognised Dr Macdonald's great value and worth, and when a brilliant career of public usefulness and influence seemed awaiting him, he was in 1883 struck down by a fell disease; and, "although he rallied from the first attack of illness, he never became quite his old self. Other attacks followed, necessitating change of scene, and consequently prolonged absences from school. At length, after hoping against hope for his permanent recovery, the Board of Governors found themselves reluctantly compelled to take steps to appoint a successor, and Dr Macdonald retired from the rectorship of the High School in the early part of 1885. The prolongation of Dr Macdonald's life to a period beyond what could have been expected from the severity and frequency of the shocks to which his health was subject, was no doubt owing in a large measure to the skilful, careful, and affectionate attendance he had during his retirement."[1]
The following is the minute unanimously adopted by the Session of Knox Church on the occasion of Dr Macdonald's death:—"The Court desires to place on record the great esteem and appreciation in which they held their late brother and fellow-elder, Dr William Macdonald. Wise in counsel, unusually gifted with understanding and knowledge, yet humble in spirit, he was one who carried out to the measure of his ability the duties pertaining to his position as a member and elder of this congregation. There was no one who took a warmer interest in its welfare, or was more ready to spend himself in its service; and, though it pleased God in His wisdom and mercy to visit him with a grievous trial, to which he at last succumbed, yet as long as he could he manifested a keen interest in the church and all connected with it. In thanking their Heavenly Father for the good he was enabled to do and the clear light of truth which he was privileged to uphold, the Court would commend to His care and keeping his widow and family, and would express the hope that the bright example left by the husband and father may long be cherished in their memories, and followed by them."
Knox Church has recently sustained another loss in the sudden
- ↑ Otago Daily Times, May 17, 1890.
