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Life and Times of D. M. Stuart, D.D.

Chapter XV. — Philanthropist

page 97

Chapter XV.
Philanthropist.

Apart from the ministerial work required of him in connection with his own Church and Synod, Dr Stuart won for himself a wide reputation throughout the Colony by the earnest, intelligent, and active interest which he ever displayed in all schemes and institutions of benevolence and philanthropy. There was hardly any public movement initiated in the interests of humanity with which he was not very closely identified. He was one of the prime movers for the establishment of agencies which, though not directly connected with the Church, have yet exercised a powerful influence on the social and religious life of the people, either by bringing them within reach of Bible truth, or by rescuing them from penury and want, and by kindly administration to their material comforts, paving the way into their hearts for the entrance of God's Word, which bringeth salvation.

Shortly after the discovery of gold and the increase of population at the mining centres, he reported that the demand for the Scriptures was far ahead of the supply. On inquiry being made, it was found that the Provincial Government had some 500 copies on hand, which had been procured for school use. An application for a number of these was favourably entertained, and they were supplied at page 98wholesale price. The Testaments, with Psalms and Paraphrases, when offered for sale were all eagerly bought up. "In this experiment," Dr Stuart said, "we have the genesis of the Otago Bible Society, which has been the means of putting 88,966 copies, in whole or part, into circulation. This Society, which was organised about 1864, met at the outset with remarkable patronage. Judges, magistrates, ministers, and others crowded to its earlier meetings," and Dr Stuart always stood among the foremost of those who took a. deep and practical interest in its beneficent operations.

The objects of the Patients' and Prisoners' Aid Society were to employ an Agent to encourage and instruct, by means of religious services and otherwise, the inmates of the Dunedin Hospital, Gaol, and Lunatic Asylum, and to aid persons discharged from these Institutions to make a fresh start in life. Dr Stuart's strong and deep sympathies were with the work of the Society to the very last. He had boundless confidence in Mr Torrance, the Chaplain and Agent of the Society, and never wearied of commending his methods of dealing with the sick and the morally weak and lapsed.

The Benevolent Institution, which was founded to afford home and shelter to the aged and infirm, the widow and orphan, the disabled and destitute of all creeds and nations, has quietly and unobtrusively progressed in its mission of mercy for now upwards of thirty years. Not only is ample provision made for the supply of the temporal wants of its inmates, but they are also brought within reach of the abiding page 99consolations of our holy faith. Right down its history, Dr Stuart advocated a wise and enlightened policy in dealing with the beneficiaries of this Institution. His kindly consideration for the "poor brethren "shines out in the following extracts from a letter which he addressed to the Chairman of one of the annual meetings which he himself was unable to attend:—"…. Were I on your Board, I would allow a small sum—say four shillings or five shillings—to the impoverished needing aid, if they prefer their own fireside to the substantial comforts of the Benevolent Institution, The fact is that our five-shilling pensioners get occasional assistance from acquaintances and neighbours in the form of a parcel of meal, or groceries, or a load of coal, or a change of flannel. I would not stand up for any policy that would shrink up the charitable disposition which is God-given, or foster the idea that their home in old age must be a bed in a room with five others, or at a fireside where a dozen or more clamour for the warm corner. In this new country it is most desirable to cherish the old notion that there's no place like home, whether in old age or in the last days. There are, no doubt, greedy souls, but I do not hesitate to say that ninety per cent, of our poor would far prefer their own cottage and fireside in old age to a palace under the regulations which are necessary when numbers are congregated in bedrooms, common sitting-room, and at a common table. Pardon me if I exhort you to do your utmost to foster the spirit of self-respect in our poor brethren….." Again, on 12th January, 1893, he wrote to the Chairman of the page 100Annual Meeting—"…. With others I regret that families should require, temporary outdoor relief; but the friends who harp on this circumstance overlook that such aid prevents the breaking up of the humble home—the greatest calamity that can befall a family, and whose certain entail is incurable pauperisation. It is a wise and economical kindness to help widows, and even old folks, to keep the fire alive on the hearthstone…."

The Hospital and Industrial School also received a large share of his attention, and a visit from him to those institutions rendered the monotonous life of the inmates, for whom he always had a kindly word, temporarily brighter. He was always a great favourite with the young people of the Industrial School. He sometimes joined them in their sports, and his playful, genial, sympathetic manner won all hearts. The Refuge for Fallen Women was largely indebted to his fostering care and influence; and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was one whose claims on public support were strongly urged by him, as opportunity served.

He took a clear and decided stand on the question of Temperance, and threw himself, with all his eloquence and influence, into the movement. But his charity never failed him here. His talk on the subject never degenerated into narrow and churlish dogmatism. "Let every man be persuaded in his own mind," was the wise and broad apostolic precept which he kept before him in urging the cultivation of this virtue on his fellow men.

Dr Stuart's heart ever turned with a glowing

page 101

affection to the Highlands, and it was only a natural outcome of his intense patriotic fervour that he should become a member of the Gaelic Society, which "brought to him," as he said, "a reminiscence of the free, open air by mountain and glen, once gay with tartan and redolent of heather and reek of peat; better still, a reminiscence of men and women, good, brave and true, who served their generation according to the will of God, and are examples to their descendants to follow a like honourable career." He was elected Chief in succession to Dr Menzies deceased, and kept well before himself and others the social, benevolent, and intellectual objects which the Society had in view. In those respects he believed they just exemplified the old words Clann nan gaidheal ri guaillibh a cheile. "We owe our love of liberty," he said, "far more than we think, to the voices of the mountains of the Highlands, of their rivers, lochs, sounds, and open sea; and to the men of second sight, and the sages of the clachans, more than to books, did we owe our sure hope that the times would come when every honest man would have his vote, and every child his school. I like to recall that the Highlands have a good record in the armies of the Empire. It is my boast that my section of the Highlands—including Appin and Athol, Breadalbane, and Glengoss, Glendochart and Glenlochy—reared the men who formed the Black Watch, and whose dauntless spirit still beats beneath its tartan."

The principles that underlie and animate the Order of Oddfellows naturally attracted into membership one who was possessed of so large and generous page 102a heart; and the following extracts from an address, which he delivered to his Lodge will be read, we are sure, with interest: "I bless God for our social nature which constrains us to take a direct interest in other's well-being…. Years ago a widow was struck down by an illness which refused to yield to medical skill. During my visits I noticed the freshness of the sick room, and knowing that the nurse was the little daughter of the house, I complimented the girl on her cleverness. The mother replied that her neighbour called twice a week, and took away the washing, and as often returned it cleaned, mangled, and aired. I never met this neighbour without saluting her with as much consideration as I would my guardian angel. Not a stone-cast from our Lodge I one day overtook a mother of my acquaintance pegging away at a good rate, though carrying on one arm a lump of a child and a quartern loaf, and holding in her other hand a pitcher of Scotch broth. 'As I am going in your direction,' I said, 'allow me to carry the pitcher and the loaf.' She consented, saying she was on her way to Grange street with bread and broth for the children of a new arrival whose mother and grandfather were sick, and father without work. It was a case of hardship, she added, for the only lassie of the family was only ten years old, and she had to nurse the mother and the year old baby. In that neighbourhood I recognised a successor of the good Samaritan, and a proof that in a city of our habitation we have the elements of practical benevolence. But, much as I appreciate kindness of this sort, I am page 103glad when organisations for mutual assistance, like the Friendly Societies, are started among us. Every man with a feeling heart must rejoice at the establishment of institutions like savings banks and life insurances. It is ever to me a great pleasure when I see young women storing up in the savings banks the credit balance of the month—a provision against sickness, or mayhap, for helping to furnish a cottage when the looked-for day has come which shall make her bride and wife. The Friendly Society is necessary in the community to provide organised help when sickness and accidents, to which all are liable, have cut off the wages which are the bread and butter of the household. It is a beneficent arrangement which secures to its members and their families medical attendance, medicine, and decent sustenance. I have pleasure in saying that the members of the Friendly Societies and their families, in sickness, possess the comforts which take from the sick chamber not a few of its drawbacks. The chances of recovery are multiplied by this providence, and the ministrations of the visiting members. Brothers, I regard your institution and kindred institutions as ministering angels. I am confident that the suffering you prevent, and the good you do in comforting and healing the sick have a record in the journals of heaven."