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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 72

Wellington

Wellington.

At St. Andrew's Church on May [unclear: 13] service had especial reference to the death of the Rev. Dr Stuart. The Rev. C. S. [unclear: preached] from the text "For we know [unclear: that] our earthly house of this tabernacle [unclear: were] solved, we have a building of God, an [unclear: h] not made with hands, eternal in the [unclear: heaven] (I Corinthians v, 1). Speaking of Dr [unclear: Stuat] said that the words "They rest from their labours, and their works do follow [unclear: there] applied very aptly to the character and [unclear: work] probably the best known and most [unclear: extensive] beloved minister in the colony, the [unclear: news] whose not unexpected death had been [unclear: tes] graphed to us from the southern city where from about the space of 34 years he had exercis[unclear: ed] useful and most important pastorate. He had passed away full of years, and after enjoying the honours and consideration to which a long and useful career, where charity and [unclear: benevole] were the most conspicuous features, entitled him. He possessed a large share of [unclear: bo] health and vigour. He had excellent [unclear: talea] and his moral and intellectual powers were no mean order. He was esteemed by him friends, and most dearly beloved by his beard He was peculiarly gifted with a power which provoked attachment to his person on the [unclear: pa] of those with whom he came in contact. He was rigidly and seriously occupied with those questions that concern the intellectual training of the youth of the colony, and he believed was his constant aim and endeavour to make that institution a focus whence the light of knowledge should emanate. He worked in the page 23 hope of making his college a copy and example of similar foundations in his native land, and, like them, a power for good. He thought he was not wrong in saying that the sphere of religion his views were [unclear: bread] and tolerant, his Christianity was manly and utterly free from the semblance of cant; it was together pervaded by the principle of [unclear: ve] He had seldom known one who acted out so thoroughly the principle expressed by the Apostle James: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

At St. John's Presbyterian Church on May 13 reference was made by the Rev. J. Paterson, both in the morning and evening, to the loss [unclear: ffered] by the Presbyerian Church in the death of Dr Stuart. In the evening the sermon was [unclear: sed] the words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." The rev. gentleman said they must all have been grieved by the sad news of the death of Dr Stuart. The event was not indeed unexpected, for he had been in a very critical state of health for some time past. When he saw him a few days ago the doctor was telling him of his complaint, and his awful suffering at times, and said—"I shall not get over this. It will in the end prove fatal." But he was prepared whenever it was the Master's wish to call him. He said to him—"Doctor, you have comforted many with the promises of the Gospel and the consolations that are in Christ; you will yourself be comforted with the comfort wherewith you comforted others." Yes," said Br Stuart, "I trust in the Saviour I have preached to others I rest simply and [unclear: lely] on the Lord Jesus Christ." The doctor was a man of great gifts, and these he had [unclear: con-crated] to the service of the Master. He had the social qualities, a warm, kind heart, and a benevolent spirit, and those were all exercised in the service of Christ and for the good of humanity. They were mainly the elements of his popularity and usefulness. He was a good man, who served his generation well. He was a prominent figure in Dunedin, and there he would be missed, but he would be mourned throughout the church, for his influence was widely felt. His death was the removal of a large personality from amongst them, and they could not but sympathise with the congregation of Knox Church, who had lost so eminent and so good a pastor. Tennyson's "Crossing bar" was sung by the choir as an anthem, and the "Dead March" played as a voluntary at the close of the service.