Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/78

CHAPTER IX.

Chronological narrative resumed—Collection in aid of Taranaki Settlers—Administration of Baptism—Session protests against some drinking customs—Wesleyans obtain use of church on Sabbath evenings—Assistance to PortsChalmera congregation—Mr H. Gilbert, catechist or missionary—Services at North-East Valley—Session recommends formation of Bible Society—Extract from Annual Report for 1864—Rev. E. Anderson, congregational missionary—Formation of Young Men's Christian Association—Evening Classes for Youths—Congregational Library formed—Collections for neighbouring congregations—Chinese Missionary advocated by Office-bearers—Congregational Debt extinguished in 1867—Rev. J. Chisholm appointed Congregational Missionary—Kaikorai Church constituted—Rev. E. Hood—Formation of Congregational Missionary Association—Scholarship for Divinity Students established.

HAVING given in a somewhat connected form up to the present time an account of each of the more important agencies or schemes of usefulness brought into operation by the minister and his first office-bearers soon after their appointment, the writer will now narrate in chronological order some of the more notable events in the history of Knox Church. Although devoting a large share of their attention to the organisation and building up of their own church and congregation, yet the office-bearers soon gave evidence of their earnest desire to yield practical obedience to the apostolic injunction, "Not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others."

The first special church-door collection at Knox Church (September 16, 1860) was in aid of the unfortunate Taranaki settlers, who had been driven from their homes and cultivations by the Maori war then carried on in the North Island, The amount of the collection was £70 10s. 6d., a comparatively large sum in those days.

At a meeting of the Session in September 1860 the minister stated that he had been applied to by members of the church for the baptism of their children at their own residences, and he asked the Session to lay down a rule for his direction. After consideration it was resolved that "on account of the distance of the residences of many from the church, the state of the roads, and other causes, it is necessary