Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/53

CHAPTER V.

The Sabbath School—The Church School Superintendents: Mi J. Gillies (1860); Mr C. H. Street (1860–75); Mr D. Wright (1875–80); Dr Macdonald and Mr W. B. Harlow (1880–83); Mr J. Reith (1884–1890); and Mr W. T. Todd (1890)—Juvenile Industrial Exhibition (1884)—Annual Gift-Day, begun in 1885—Schools at Wakari, N.E. Valley, Ravensbourne, Pine Hill, Mount Cargill, and Leith Valley—Pelichet Bay School: Messrs J. Grant, R. Dalgleish, and W. G. Jenkins—Sabbath School Missionary Boxes.

THE value of the Sabbath School as a most important auxiliary of the Church was fully recognised by the minister and office-bearers of Knox Church from the very outset. The church was opened for Divine service on May 6, 1860; and a week afterwards (May 13), a Sabbath School was begun under the superintendence of the late Mr John Gillies. As far as can be ascertained, the first staff of teachers consisted of Mrs D. M. Stuart, Mrs Macgoun, Miss Brown (now Mrs T. Moodie), Miss E. Brown (now Mrs Herdman), Miss Gillies (now Mrs Macrae), Miss Logan (now Mrs Berwick), Miss Macgoun (now Mrs Boot), Misses Revell,^[1] and Purdie. Messrs R. S. Allen, S. Croker, F. W. Falconer, E. Gillies, G. Hepburn, T. Moodie, and Alex. Stewart. After a few months of valuable service, Mr Gillies retired from the active duties of superintendent, but until the day of his death he never ceased to cherish a warm interest in the welfare of the school. The late Mr C. H. Street was appointed his successor.

1. Miss Revell was born and reared in London. She came to Otago in the first days of the settlement with a family with whom she served for a time. She was well educated, and had great force of character. She joined the staff of the Sabbath School on its establishment in 1860, and proved a very successful teacher. Her pupils revered her. It was the opinion of Messrs Gillies and Street, and in which I concurred, that she was a born teacher, who readily found her way to the confidence and affection of her pupils. She returned to London many years ago to be with her mother in her old age. During my Home visit I found her out, and was delighted to learn that she was still the servant of the Sabbath School, and as successful in her work as when she taught in Knox Church School twenty-five years ago. She was the pluckiest little woman of my acquaintance. Bad roads and wet weather never kept her from Bible Class, Sabbath School, or public worship. I remember when a week's rain from the south-east had flooded the whole of the Flat, leaving only small patches visible. I was in my place at 9.45 on the Sabbath morning to meet the Bible Class, but of the large number on the roll Miss Revell alone turned up, having fortified herself for the journey with leathern gaiters. That forenoon only twenty-five persons appeared at the morning service, of whom five were women. Miss Revell was a worker wise and energetic. I think of her as one of our church founders.—D.M.S.