Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/60

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
30
HISTORY OF KNOX CHURCH.

cessively the school-houses in Albany street and Union street, which accommodated the district prayer meeting as well as the school, Mr Grant showed zeal worthy of imitation, and which they gladly recognise." At the request of the Session Mr Jenkins, in association with Mr Dalgleish, now undertook the charge of this school, and, with the exception of a few months' absence from Dunedin, he has ever since devoted himself to the work with much zeal and success.

In 1876 a Sabbath School was organised at Ravensbourne by Mr John Tennant, a former deacon of Knox Church. It was maintained in connection with the church until 1879, when Ravensbourne and Rothesay were formed into a separate ministerial charge. At Pine Hill a Sabbath School was begun in 1881 by the schoolmaster, Mr E. S. Gardner, an elder of Knox Church. In connection with the Sabbath services conducted at Mount Cargill by office-bearers and members of Knox Church, a Sabbath School has been in successful operation for a number of years. Miss Moir, of the Schoolhouse, Messrs Moir (teacher), Reith, Todd, and others have done good work on behalf of the Mount Cargill school. In their report for 1881 the Session expressed a desire to see a congregational or union Sabbath School and occasional religious services established about the middle of the Leith Valley. The opening of a public school in that locality in 1884 enabled the residents to carry out both suggestions, and a Sabbath School is now in successful operation there. Mr Andrew Hogg, the active superintendent, Messrs Jones, Booth, and other residents have been indefatigable in their labours on behalf of the school.

It is scarcely necessary to state that the Sabbath Schools are provided with circulating libraries containing well-selected and suitable books, and that the scholars are statedly supplied with children's illustrated periodicals suited to their years. The children are taught to take a warm interest in Christian missions, and encouraged to contribute towards their support. The contents of the missionary boxes for 1890 yielded the sum of £70 10s 9d. Of this amount Pelichet Bay contributed £3 19s 11d, and Mount Cargill £1 8s 1d. The money was apportioned as follows:—£36 for the maintenance of six native teachers on the island of Emæ, New Hebrides; £20 to the mission ship "Dayspring"; and £20 10s 9d to the General Mission Fund of the church.