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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 72

The Memorial Services

page 34

The Memorial Services.

Knox Church.

A memorial service to the late Rev. Donald M'Naughton Stuart, D.D., was held in Knox Church on Sunday morning, and was attended by a congregation of some fifteen hundred persons, the church being crowded. Almost all the members of the congregation wore black, and many of the ladies appeared in deep mourning. The service was conducted by the Rev. Dr Watt, and the following gentlemen occupied seats on the pulpit dais:—Hon. W. D. Stewart, Messrs E. B. Cargill, R. Chisholm, Alex. Burt, James Mason, G. L. Denniston, Gardiner, R. Giendining. Wm. Hutchison, M.H.R., Wm. Stuart, G. M. Thomson, John Reid, R. Sutherland, F. Shaw, Johnstone, P. G. Pryde, W. Hislop, G. Calder, C. M'Kenzie Gordon, W. D Sutherland, W. B. Harlow, E. Smith. T. Moodie, W. Simpson, Rev. Dr Dunlop, Rev. Dr Belcher, and Rev. James Chisholm.

The service opened with the 23rd Psalm; the 34th chapter of Deuteronomy was read as the first, and the 15th chapter of First Corinthians, from the 35th verse, as the second lesson. The hymns were the 411th and the 391st.

The Rev. Dr Watt preached from Acts xiii, 36: "For David after he had served his own generation by the will of God fell on sleep." Towards the close of his discourse, referring to the late Rev. Dr Stuart, the preacher said:—This morning, from the vacant pulpit of your late revered pastor and my own warm friend of 30 years' standing—a pulpit from which I have often heard him eulogising the gifts and graces of friends who have passed over to the majority,—I had intended to say a few—surely needless—words in commendation of his own noble Christian character and of the splendid work which he has been privileged to accomplish in this community. I find, however, my duty anticipated, and I feel as if to open my mouth on the subject were a work of supererogation. My feeble testimony would be inaudible in the remarkable chorus of loud and unanimous praise which has come from all hands to salute his memory. I may, however, record my belief that years will come and go to be numbered by scores, before another citizen will be found pacing the streets of Dunedin who will fill so large a place in the public eye. There will be found in the coming as in the past years men of worth and standing, with now and then a man of commanding genius, with whom, after they have [unclear: faith] served their generation, the communi[unclear: ty] part with deep regret—God will [unclear: never] Himself without those who will [unclear: wi] and work for Him in Chur[unclear: ch] State;—but let me again record with [unclear: defer] my conviction that for many long years [unclear: to] there will not be seen in Dunedin anoth[unclear: er] will unite in himself the wonderful combination of qualities Dr Stuart possessed, and [unclear: who] succeed in so remarkable a manner in [unclear: m] his personal influence felt through all [unclear: classes] his fellow citizens. There is already [unclear: tak] some worthy memorial of him being set [unclear: up] I sincerely hope that it will be done, [unclear: not] much for his sake as for the sake of the [unclear: yo] who are growing up around, and who oug[unclear: ht] be taught to emulate and imitate exampl[unclear: es] civic worth and public spirit. Still, as someone has already felicitously quoted: "Si [unclear: mo] tum quæris, circumspice" What useful [unclear: instion] is there in Dunedin which has not received the shaping touch of Dr Stuart's hand-[unclear: if] did not give it the instant impulse? Dunedin largely owes to him, with the help of other worthy citizens—some of them departed [unclear: a] some of them still with us, and whose [unclear: l] help he valued higher than any part [unclear: be] privileged to take himself in the matter,[unclear: -] of our most prominent public buildin[unclear: gs] as the Boys' High School, the Universi[unclear: ty], the noble church in which we are [unclear: now] and we may fairly say that his [unclear: name] remain for many years to come written [unclear: in] large and legible characters across the [unclear: face] our fair city. Dunedin herself will [unclear: re] long a monument to his memory [unclear: unless] sink out of sight, swallowed up in some [unclear: gr] cataclysm of Nature. If he himself [unclear: were] suited, the monument he would like [unclear: best] carry down his memory to coming years in this city would be Knox Church continui[unclear: ng] same spiritual force as when he presid[unclear: ed] her various organisations. He loved his [unclear: chu] with a passionate love, and was proud [unclear: of] with surely an innocent and pardonable, [unclear: if] even praiseworthy, pride. She was his spiritual home, to which he always return[unclear: ed] pleasure from his excursions into other fields of philanthropic effort and social usefulness. [unclear: H] often spoke to me of his office-bearers, [unclear: wh] co-operation in the work of Christ be [unclear: val] highly; and he lost no opportunity of mentioning with affection those of [unclear: the] who had gone before and joined the [unclear: General] page 35 Assembly and Church of the Firstborn. I took more than once particular notice of the [unclear: xiety], amounting to even anguish of spirit, with which he regarded those whom he was introducing to the fellowship of the church for the first time. He evidently wrestled hard in [unclear: prayer] for them that they might hold true, and think I learned something of the meaning of the remarkable words of Paul: "My little children, of whom I travail in birth till Chri[unclear: st] formed in you." There are many here to-day whom he was privileged to receive into the communion of the church—some, perhaps, whose hair is now turning grey. Let me [unclear: treat] you for his sake to stand fast, to stand true to yourselves and to give him, on the great day that is coming, the opportunity of presenting you faultless before God as his [unclear: crown] of joy and rejoicing. And if there is [unclear: say] this church to-day who has heard the Gospel from his lips again and again, receiving the message to reject it with indifference, will you not remember that being dead he yet [unclear: speaketh] to you in that message, and will you not now receive it after the voice of the messenger is silent? and will you not give him where he is, before the throne, the joy of Knowing that though he is dead the words spoken by him still live, and is the power of God unto salvation to you. Your pastor and fed is now fallen asleep in Jesus, and He giveth His beloved sleep.

Of all the thoughts of God that are
Borne inward unto souls afar
Along the Psalmist's music deep,
Now tell me if that any is,
For gift or grace, surpassing this—
"He giveth His beloved sleep."

What would we give to our beloved?—
The hero's heart to be unmoved,
The poet's star-tuned harp to sweep,
The patriot's voice, to teach and rouse,
The monarch's crown, to light the brows—
"He giveth His beloved sleep."

What do we give to our beloved?—
A little faith, all undisproved,
A little dust, to overweep,
And bitter memories, to make
The whole earth blasted for our sake—
"He giveth His beloved sleep."

"Sleep soft, beloved!" we sometimes say,
But have no tune to charm away
Sad dreams that through the eye-lids creep:
But never doleful dream again
Shall break the happy slumbers, when
"He giveth His beloved sleep."

And friends, dear friends, when it shall be
That this low breath is gone from me,
And round my bier ye come to weep,
Let one, most loving of you all,
Say, "Not a tear must o'er her fall—
He giveth His beloved sleep."

During the offertory Mr Barth played the Funeral March in C minor (Guilmant), and as the voluntary the Funeral March from "Erocia Symphony" (Beethoven).

Children's Service.

The children of Knox Church Sabbath Schools assembled in the church in the afternoon, and, accompanied by teachers and friends, entirely filled the body of the building.

The Rev. D. Borrie. who took for his text Hebrews xi, 4—"He being dead, yet speaketh"—said: Dear Boys and Girls,—I am here to-day to express my deep sympathy with you in your sore bereavement by the death of your much beloved minister, Dr Stuart. I can do this with my whole heart, for I too feel bereaved. I too have lost my friend and father with whom I often took sweet counsel. Allow me, not only in my own name but in the name of many outside Knox Church—in the name of many Sabbath school teachers and scholars—to express our sympathy with you in your loss. We pray that God himself may comfort and bless you in this your great sorrow, and that you may know the sympathy and fellowship of Jesus, the great sympathiser. Dr Stuart is dead, but he still speaks to you by his life and character, by his words and works, remember; and Jesus lives and says, "My grace is sufficient for you," "My grace is made perfect in your weakness." He has promised, "Lo, I am with you always unto the end of the world"; "I will never leave you nor forsake you." May you remember and realise this. But I am here to do more than to sympathise with you, I have to say something about our departed friend and father, and to draw lessons from his life and character. This is a thing sanctioned by Scripture, a great part of which is taken up with the lives of good men, and surely we may refer to good men still and show what God has done for and by them, not for the glorification of the men themselves, but for our own instruction and to the glory of His Grace, who not only made them to be accepted in the Beloved, but hath made them what they were, and enabled them to do their good work. My text, then to-day is, "Dr Stuart being dead, yet speaketh Now, you do not need me to tell you about Dr Stuart, for you know more of his love and goodness than I do. You knew his large, loving heart, so full of kindness to all; you knew his love for the children, and his deep interest in all that concerns them; you knew that he was foremost in every good word and work. If I were to describe his character I would say that he was a Barnabas—the son of Consolation, a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith; and that, like Persis the beloved, he laboured much in the Lord: for Dr Stuart was indeed a son of Consolation, was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. He was a true bishop of blameless character—apt to teach, a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate: a man thoroughly furnished to every good work. He was, indeed, a good and a great man, and we might say, "Know ye page 36 not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel,"—a man and a Christian minister, who will be missed by your children, by Knox Church congregation, by the whole Presbyterian community of Otago and Southland, by all the churches of Christ in this city, by every good cause, for many a day; and who is truly mourned for by all classes through-out the land. I did not, however, come here to eulogise our dear departed friend and father, for he does not need our praise; and yet, as one who knew him intimately and loved him well, I may be permitted to add my testimony to his worth and to lay one small wreath on his grave. But I am anxious to draw lessons from his life and work that we might learn, like him, to live nobly—that you young people might learn to follow in his footsteps, as he followed in the footsteps of Jesus. And if from his place in glory he sees us here now, if in spirit he is present to-day, I am sure this would be more pleasing to him than saying good things about himself. The Rev. Mr Borrie then spoke to the children of Dr Stuart's early home, of his early consecration to Christ, of his integrity of character, of his perseverance and untiring industry, his liberal studies, his kindliness of spirit and great-hearted generosity, and, concluding, said:—"All Dr Stuart's labours were for others and for the cause of Christ. When you think of the meetings he attended, of the visits he paid, of the letters he wrote—(he was always writing letters, in season and out of season)—of the visits and interruptions he endured, of the marriages he solemnised, of the funerals he officiated at, his labours were truly great. He was always at it I have been to his study at all hours and never found him idle, and seldom resting. He was mostly busy, with pen in hand, correcting exercises or matter for the press, directing newspapers and periodicals, filling up forms, or writing letters. He was the busiest man I ever met with. He was not slothful in business, fervent in spirit serving the Lord. 'Seest thou a man diligent in business, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men,' and 'the home of the diligent maketh rich.' Dr Stuart is rich to-day in good works that shall be his crown of rejoicing in the day of Christ, and he stands to-day before the King of Kings. Truly, like 'Persis, the beloved, he laboured much in the Lord,' and copied his Master in continually doing good. And his message to you and me is to be up and doing while it is day, for the night cometh when no one can work. And what shall I say more, for time fails me to point the lessons from the life and character of our departed friend and your minister? He, being dead, yet speaks to you in many ways. But he is dead—he sleeps in Jesus. He rests from his labours. He has gone home to be with Christ, which is far better. 'Having served his generation, by the will of God he fe[unclear: ll] Yes, he is at rest, and dwells forever wi[unclear: th] Lord he loved and served so well. So [unclear: we] well say "Servant of God, well do[unclear: ne]." do not mourn for him as those who [unclear: have] hope, for we believe that Jesus died [unclear: and] again, and those also that sleep in [unclear: Jesus] will bring with him. We shall [unclear: meet] We would not have him back, but rather thank God that he gave him to us so long grace enabled him to do so much, And [unclear: at] took him to Himself. May we hear him [unclear: sping] to us to-day! May we seek to follow [unclear: in] footsteps, as he followed Christ! May [unclear: we], seek to win, through grace, the welco[unclear: me] done, good and faithful servant, enter [unclear: th] the joy of your Lord!"

Evening Service.

In the evening there was an [unclear: overflow] congregation. The gallery and body of church were almost filled before the bel[unclear: ls] [unclear: menced] to ring out the summons to [unclear: wo] and the building was not only crowded [unclear: in] part before 6.30 p.m.—forms and chai[unclear: rs] brought in for the accommodation of [unclear: a] of persons, while others were conte[unclear: nt] standing room, and remained on the[unclear: ir] throughout the service,—but hundred of [unclear: pe] were unable to gain admission. The [unclear: pulp] occupied by the Rev. J. Chisholm, of [unclear: Mi] who preached from the text Hebrews [unclear: xiii] 8 (revised version): "Remember them [unclear: that] the rule over you," and the words follow[unclear: ing] said:—The death of Dr Stuart will [unclear: be] felt in Dunedin. He was wont to speak [unclear: of] in Scott's phrase, as "Mine own own town" He worked loyally to advan[unclear: ce] highest interests. There is hardly an [unclear: institution] that does not owe something to his [unclear: cou] and energy. But the shadow of his loss [unclear: w] like an eclipse over the whole province, [unclear: daing] many a home. His name is a [unclear: hou] word among us—it is linked by [unclear: bri] baptism to many a fireside. Along wi[unclear: th] tear that gathers in the eye at thought [unclear: of] death, there will start up memories [unclear: of] little mannerism or quaint utterance, and sto[unclear: ry] of how he acted at toe christening [unclear: or] he said at the wedding will be told an[unclear: ew] weeping and with laughter. He stood in [unclear: ev] pulpit of our order from the Waitaki [unclear: to] Bluff, and there are reminiscences [unclear: of] hearty word spoken or some timely [unclear: s] ungrudgingly rendered in every congregation. His [unclear: plaided] form seemed always to remi[unclear: nd] of the breezy hillsides, the pine woods, [unclear: and] heather of his native land. His sunny [unclear: face], cheery manner, his forceful talk, [unclear: bore] them a kind of inspiration. Drooping [unclear: sp] seemed to rally in his presence. All [unclear: lim] of energy stiffened when he was by into [unclear: cour] and hope. He was page 37

[unclear: One] who never turned his back, but marched breast forwards;
Never doubted clouds would break;
[unclear: ver] dreamed though right was worsted wrong would triumph;
[unclear: ld] we fall to rise, are buffeted to fight better, Sleep to wake.

Long before the first step was taken to establish a second Presbyterian Church in Dunedin, God was preparing a man to be its first minister. The requirements set down for the guidance of [unclear: those] at Home who were asked to select a [unclear: ister] for the new charge were briefly these: He was be a man with a fresh, genial natu[unclear: re] attract the young; a liberal-minded man, with sympathies, easy of access to all [unclear: ses] a man in vigorous health, not too [unclear: young] with a varied experience of human [unclear: affairs] These very requirements were being get ready during all the years that young Stuart [unclear: d] amid the often adverse and always conditions, which helped to develop [unclear: ust] and valiant and many-sided [unclear: personality]. The providence and grace of the church's [unclear: ble] head worked marvellously together, and when the call came the man was ready. We re to see for a little how the needed equipment was provided and how it came to be [unclear: supplied]. He was born at a small village call[unclear: ed] in the Highlands of Perthshire. His [unclear: er], a staid, God-fearing man, and much [unclear: suspected] by his neighbours, was a stonemason [unclear: trade]. His mother was a tall, spare woman, with an earnest face and a tender look in her [unclear: eye]. Both had to toil hard and stint themselves in order to make a small income over the [unclear: needs] of 11 children. It was a pious home. Family worship was never missed. Those who have had no experience of this element in [unclear: Feetish] piety may read of it in the "Cottar's Saturday Night." Burns has given us there a [unclear: ture] which has all his vividness—the rich [unclear: r] the varied movement, the pathetic in-[unclear: t]-of real life. There was the singing [unclear: of] Psalm, the reading of a lesson from the sacred page, the prayer that winged the soul to loftiest [unclear: outlook]

From scenes like these old Scotia's grandeur springs,

Which makes her loved, revered abroad.

Amid such influence gentle spirits are nurtur[unclear: ed] grow through the coming years to the nature of heroes. David Livingstone felt the spell of home piety all through his wanderings. That scene, photographed on the heart of the [unclear: civilised] world, of the worn-out traveller kneeling by his bedside at Ilala, in the heart of Africa, was but the end of a subtle chain whose [unclear: t] link was forged and fastened in the [unclear: home] Blantyre. When not long ago I climbed the circular stairs and stood in the little room where great missionary was born, and afterwards the epitaph which they have graven on the black marble in Westminster Abbey, I thanked God for the pleasant homes of Scotland with their frugal living, their simple pieties, and their sturdy virtues. What Dr Stuart became amongst us here was very much the ripe result of the seed that had been sown in the home of his childhood. He went to school for a while, but when nine years of age was sent to eke out the scanty resources of the household by herding cows. The farmer liked him, and wanted to engage him for another year, but the place was deemed unsuitable, and he returned to home and school again. There is one incident of these days which gives an insight into several things, and shows that the child was father to the man. He was won over, partly by the coaxing and partly by the threats of some older boys, to play truant and go to the woods to gather blackberries. On the way he was enjoined not to tell. He agreed to this, but "if I am asked," he said, "I must speak the truth." Some time after his father went to pay the school fees. The teacher inquired where the boys had been on such and such a day. The father could only reply that they had left home to go to school. When he got back the boy frankly confessed his fault, expressed sincere regret, and submitted with a good grace to the chastisement which, in loving solicitude for his future well-being, the father saw meet to inflict. After his own school days were over he began to teach others. He was wont about this time to carry a bottle of milk to school with the avowed purpose of making his dry bread more palatable at dinner time; but the milk usually found its way to the table of a poor widow near by, whose only son was disabled by asthma. You have all read with what patient valour he fought his way at Leven, and how, surmounting all obstacles, he passed with distinction through an ordinary arts curriculum at the University of St. Andrews. Here, during the long winters, his own earnings were eked out by a little box regularly sent from the old home with cakes and scones and eggs and butter, "smelling of flora and the country green." The colour that had faded through burning the midnight oil came sooner back to the pale cheeks of the student when he got away for a brief rest to his boyish haunts from the fact that he had used to good purpose the strength and courage which the home supplies invariably yielded. During the summer vacations he taught a school or travelled here and there as tutor, ever keeping his eye and ear open to what was lovely and of good report. In Edinburgh he came for a short time under the spell of Dr Chalmers, and drank deep draughts of inspiration from that greatest of modern Scotchmen—so massive in every noble quality. From the grey metropolis of the north he went to the sunnier south, and did good educational work at Windsor. Thence he passed to London, where he studied theology and kindred sub- page 38 jects, and so became fitted by scholarly attainments for the work of the Christian ministry—the goal which he had kept steadily in view from the beginning, and towards which all his past efforts had been persistently directed. Ere long he was settled in Falstone, where he was brought into contact with men of a primitive type: grave shepherds many of them, who had leisure to meditate on the deep things of God. I called when at Home on Dr Marcus Dods with a letter of introduction from your late minister. Dods, as some of you know, is a professor of high standing and one of the most trusted leaders in New Testament criticism at the present time. He hails from the borders, and knows the district on Tyneside where Stuart laboured. His face lit up at once with a fine, appreciative glow when he saw the familiar handwriting. He spoke in the heartiest terms of our common friend, and urged me, if it were possible, to visit Falstone. "Man," said he, "the very dogs go to kirk there. The young minister soon endeared himself to the people and commended the Gospel not only by is vigorous preaching but by his devoted life. He took a keen interest also in education—not only saw that there were schools for the children, but, what was even more characteristic, tried to remove all hindrances, whether of a physical or a moral kind, out of the way of children going to school. A friend told me the other day that when he was at Home he saw a wooden bridge which had been erected over the Tyne, chiefly by the efforts of Stuart, for the convenience of scholars. And every year since he came to Dunedin he has sent Home a pound to keep that bridge tarred and in good repair. While there the call to Knox Church found him. He had been attracted to colonial life. His vivid imagination loved to picture the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth Rock and the building amid the primeval forest of "villages which are now opulent cities, but which have through every change retained some trace of the character derived from their founders." He deemed it a rare privilege to live at the beginnings and have a hand in shaping the destinies of national life. He knew that in the old country other things besides freedom had broadened slowly down from precedent to precedent. Here he felt we were young, our affairs plastic, and much might be done to shape and guide national life to finer forms and better issues than had yet been reached in older lands. Thus he came amongst us well equipped for his great work, with the precise requirements which had been sketched by the foresight of those who may be justly regarded as the fathers of this congregation. Hew were his gifts and graces applied? As a member of his Bible class I can speak from experience of his work amongst the young. He was never tiresome, always fresh and stimulating. He got most of us to write short essays on prescribed [unclear: them] There was clear proof when these [unclear: were] back that they had been carefully read. [unclear: Th] was always a footnote with some word of [unclear: c] He marked the tiniest bud of promi[unclear: se], flooded it with the sunshine of his [unclear: approval]. The corner of Old Knox Church wh[unclear: ere] of young communicants sat one summer evening is sacred ground to me. It was [unclear: near] communion, and we were looking forw[unclear: ard] a certain tremulous desire to commemorate dying love of Jesus. The tones of our [unclear: bel] pastor grew more solemn and tender [unclear: as] the shades of night deepened. He seemed [unclear: to] us to the very foot of the cross. We [unclear: saw] Christ hanging in utter loneliness of sp[unclear: irt] unspeakable agony there. We heard [unclear: a] that seemed calmer than silence pleading us, and our inmost hearts made [unclear: gra] response, "God forbid that I should glo[unclear: ry] in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." loved, as you all know, to preach the [unclear: Gov] He had faith in its efficacy. It made [unclear: him] hopeful man he was. He could never [unclear: des] of even the worst, seeing that Christ's [unclear: him] had been shed to atone for sin, and [unclear: His] and glorified manhood, with its gene[unclear: ral] experience of earthly toil and temptation [unclear: and] and sorrow was now on the throne of [unclear: the] verse. He held his Presbyterianism in subordination to the Gospel, deeming it in according with the Word of God, fitted to give expression to the rights of the Christian people, [unclear: and] furnish effective means of bringing [unclear: the] searchable riches of Christ to bear on the [unclear: b] and lives of all. On one occasion he had [unclear: been] speaking with his usual enthusiasm about the blue banner, when Justice Richmond, [unclear: who] sitting beside him, said, "I like to see you waving it over me, so long as you keep it [unclear: wav] under the glorious banner of the [unclear: Gospel] "That," he replied, "is what I alw[unclear: ays]. He regarded the Presbyterian Church as regiment in that consecrated host which [unclear: no] can number. It had its own banner, [unclear: its] uniform, its own forms of drill and [unclear: discip] its own methods of carrying on the gre[unclear: at] fare against evil and bringing the wo[unclear: rld] subjection to Christ. His own experien[unclear: ce] his wide reading in church history [unclear: convi] him that the Presbyterian Church had [unclear: b] used by God to do a noble work in the old [unclear: wo] and the new. But he never dreamt of [unclear: unching] others because, forsooth, their banner different in shape or colour from his o[unclear: wn], because the kind of weapons they used, or their mode of handling these, did not meet with the approval. The one great end was to get [unclear: h] souls, in the name of Jesus Christ and through the power of His Holy Spirit into the death grapple with sin. He was jubilant th[unclear: en] he well knew on whose side the victory [unclear: would] lie. His many and valuable services in the cause of education were with the same intent page 39 He worked on the lines laid down by the [unclear: ottish] Reformers. He was never weary landing their enlightened zeal in seeking to [unclear: tablish] a school in every parish and a college In every notable town to lead up to the national universities. That was his model. His time and energy were freely given to adapt it to our new [unclear: conditions]. Ignorance he was sure could ne[unclear: ver] the mother of devotion. Every spark of truth and very shred of reality must help to reveal the highest, and beget in men's hearts a deeper [unclear: erence] and in their lives a more acceptable worship Knowledge, he felt, was the hand-Eden of religion, only she must know her place She is the second, not the first.

A higher hand must make her mild,
If all be not in vain, and guide
Her footsteps, moving side by side
With Wisdom, like the younger child.

No one insisted more than he on the fact that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." He knew well that learning was but a [unclear: will-the-wisp] and life an utter failure apart from the "wisdom that cometh from above, which is first pure, then peacable, gentle and easy to be entrusted, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy." Further, by his widespread activities in visiting the sick, in relieving the destitute, in comforting bereaved, in shedding the light of kindly sympathy into despairing hearts and darkened homes, in lifting the fallen and luring them into the paths of virtue, he was but seeking to bring the manifold grace of God to bear on the varied needs of humanity. The spring of his tireless philanthropy was in the Gospel. It was the love of Christ that constrained him. We regard [unclear: as] his highest claim to our reverence and love the fact that he was a faithful minister of Jesus Christ, Considering his manner of life let us imitate his faith. He believed in Jesus Christ, and gave himself in free, joyful surrender to do his bidding. It must have seemed sometimes a hopeless task to do all the work that was laid to his hand. How was he with his few loaves and fishes to feed such a multitude? He never wasted time or courted failure by idle questioning. He just set about doing what he could, giving he had, and his resources increased, and became wonderfully adequate to meet the demands that were upon him. He exemplified a mighty truth which our weak faith is apt to let slip: that the way to get more in the Kingdom of God is to use with diligence and fidelity what we already possess. "To him that hath shall be given, and he shall have [unclear: ouldantly]." Because of his faith in Jesus Christ he had faith in the possibilities of human nature. He did not stand aloof from his fellows in any exceptional or self-righteous mood and coolly criticise their failings. The [unclear: eer] of the cynic was never on his lips. He drew out what was best in men by trusting them to the utmost. And thus he exemplified another great truth of the Kingdom, "With what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again." His faith taught him that where sin abounded grace did much more abound. It gave him some insight into the dimensions of redeeming love and clothed him with a beautiful humility. He said to me when nearing the end, "The prayer that seems to suit me best is just the prayer of the publican, 'God be merciful to me a sinner.' The text that keeps repeating itself to my mind is this, 'Faithful is the saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.' Oh, Chisholm, I am content now to take the lowest place in His Kingdom, and would fain creep in to kiss His feet." He has gone. To the last he stood at his post. He would not lay down his weapons, or unclasp any part of the armour that had been dented in many a struggle. Time and Death alone unharnessed our Christian knight and laid him to sleep. And who will grudge him his repose? Grief is apt to be selfish, and bereaved hearts will continue to sigh for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still. Our loss we should remember is his gain; and we have much still related to him to be thankful for. His bodily presence is gone, but the stirring example of his Christ-like life, the radiant influence of his unselfish devotion to every good cause, remain. Let us imitate his faith, let us fight the good fight, that we too may lay hold on eternal life!

Into a murky chamber I beheld
Enter an armed warrior, bowed with eld,
With harness battered as in mortal fight,
Who to the twain there watching sadly said:
"A solitary man, I ride on quest
All unachieved, and with you fain would rest
A little space, for sore am I bestead."
Then rose the twain—the one with mournful face
Yet beautiful, the other gaunt and grey—
Said: "Take thy rest, hence none are turned away,
Hence none may pass;" then softly did unbrace
His armour, whispering, "Rest, thou weary one,
Here in this quiet house; thy quest is done."

Aye! and Time and Death in thus gently un-harnessing our Christian knight were but the messengers of Jesus Christ, in whose blessed presence his glorified spirit now suns itself, while his body, being still united to Christ, rests under His faithful watch and ward till the resurrection morn. What, in a word, then, is the great lesson of his life? It is this, verified by an ever-increasing cloud of witnesses, that all might, and varied power for well-doing, come to the man in whose heart Christ dwells by faith. Ah, brothers, amid the cross currents and surface billows, that are stirred by the passing winds and often buffet us, we may lose ourselves, and be drifted hither and thither, and tossed on the cruel rocks at last; but we page 40 may, all of us, if we will have it so, feel the ground-swell of divine grace, the deep current of eternal love, that sets steadily to the desired haven. It was to this he committed himself. It is present and available for all of us in such grand words as these: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday as to-day and for ever. He is able to make all grace abound unto you, that ye having always all sufficiency in everything may abound unto every good work.

The musical portion of the service, during which many of the congregation were deeply affected, again had special reference to the occasion. The preliminary voluntary, played by Mr Barth, was "Oh, rest in the Lord"; the anthem was "What are these" (Stainer); and the out-going voluntaries were Handel's "Dead March," during which the whole of the vast congregation remained standing, and Beethoven's "Funeral March." The collections for the day, which were in aid of the poor of the congregation, amounted £54 11s 3d.

St. Paul's Cathedral

At St. Paul's Church on Sunday the Ven. Archdeacon Edwards preached from Revelations iv, 8: "They rest not day and night, saying Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." The Archdeacon said inter alia in reference to the late pastor of Knox Church:—"I wish to say a few words about that striking figure that has passed away. Of course I refer to Dr Stuart. During the many years I have been in Dunedin I have been present at several public funerals which have been largely attended, but not one to be compared with his, when so many of all classes, rich and poor, high and low, were to be seen in the procession; and they were there not because they had been requested to attend, but because they were mourners indeed. Now, why was this? Because Dr Stuart had endeared himself to them by the many noble and Christian qualities that adorned his character. His whole life was spent, not only in doing good to the souls, but also to the bodies of men. He was ever ready to rejoice with those that rejoice, and weep with those that weep. As to his generosity, it was boundless. As I walked in that enormous procession that followed him to the grave, my thoughts reverted to a public funeral which left this church nearly five and twenty years ago—viz., that of Mr Patterson, an eminent civil engineer, who was drowned in a small stream near Oamaru. He was a member of the English Church. Mr Balfour, also a civil engineer (a shipmate of his from Scotland, where they had been schoolfellows and dear friends), hearing the news of Mr Patterson's death, was hurrying from Christchurch to attend the funeral when he too met the same fate, being drowned off Oamaru when landing from the steamer. His body, being recovered, was brought to Dunedin, and, being a leading member of Knox Church, [unclear: than] was a Presbyterian service, at which I was [unclear: prese] and at which Dr Stuart officiated before [unclear: star] for the cemetery. At the request of his [unclear: fris] I willingly consented to allow his body [unclear: to] by that of Mr Patterson. Dr Stuart accompanied me to the cemetery, where I [unclear: read] service at the grave. I mention this to [unclear: s] the large-hearted Christian liberality which marked the whole life of Dr Stuart. [unclear: lu] add that it is gratifying to me to [unclear: make] following quotation from the published [unclear: hi] of Knox Church:—'Archdeacon Edwar[unclear: ds] from first to last maintained the most [unclear: pleasent] and kindly relations with the minister and [unclear: gregation] of Knox Church, and has [unclear: o] manifested his sympathy by his [unclear: presen] among them on occasions both of rejoicing mourning.' Dr Stuart has gone to [unclear: that] remaineth to the people of God, and has left in the hearts of those that loved him memory that will never die."

Trinity Weslevan Church.

At Trinity Wesleyan Church on Sun[unclear: day] Rev. J. Newman Buttle preached a [unclear: discount] on "The Enduring Life," taking his text [unclear: from] John xii, 23, 26. He dwelt specially [unclear: upon] portion of the text which says, "He that [unclear: lo] his life shall lose it; and he that hateth [unclear: his] in this world shall keep it unto life [unclear: eter] This passage, he pointed out, contain[unclear: ed] principle of the enduring life. The examples of the operation of this principle, he observed were so numerous that a selection became [unclear: dis] cult, but he referred to the lives of [unclear: Joh] Howard, William Wilberforce, David [unclear: Livi] stone, Dr Brown, the missionary, and Dr [unclear: Staurt] as examples; and more especially to the liv[unclear: es] the two latter. In alluding to Dr Stua[unclear: rt], said it seemed that their old friend had caug[unclear: ht] his inspiration from God's truth when [unclear: he] led to live the life that he did, and to [unclear: accomplish] the work he did in their mid[unclear: st], although they loved to have him with [unclear: there] and rejoiced in his labour, although his [unclear: wa] was a distinct advantage to this [unclear: Present] moment, and although they mourned [unclear: with] heartfelt grief for his death, yet out of all [unclear: th] there would come a more fruitful blessing and in the days that were to come they would see the harvest of the seed-sowing of their [unclear: de] friend who had gone home to God. Most of them knew the doctor in his private life-some perhaps, very intimately. They rejoiced in [unclear: his] friendship, and they felt that in him there [unclear: was] one in whose heart there was sympathy everyone who was in trouble. He had a [unclear: wa] of counsel for all who needed it, and encouragement for all those whose spirits drooped by the way. It was because of the wonderful sympathy in the man's heart that they drawn to him. It was Christlike, and therefore it had a power over men's hearts. [unclear: Th] page 41 connected with his own congregation would realise too, how great their loss was at this present moment, for he gave to that church and congregation long years of devoted, [unclear: self-ficing] labour; and it seemed that the partner of his life—his young wife—was taken home at the commencement of his career that he might give a more undivided attention to his congregation, and he responded in that call. And so in connection with that church there had been established and maintained through all these years all the agencies which were suggested by the necessities of our time. After referring to the various agencies of the church, the preacher proceeded to say that the intense grief manifested by the congregation at the doctor's funeral showed how strongly his life had taken hold of the people of his church. And now his labours seemed to have been cut short, his work was done, and he had gone home to [unclear: heaven]. And what was going to be the result of it? He believed that by his life he had given to his congregation such an illustration of devotion God and the cause of humanity that it would be a distinct and decided benefit to the whole community. In the lives of scores of citizens of this place, especially in the lives of young people, there had teen such a powerful illustration of his text that night that many would say: "If leading a life like Dr Stuart means being a Christian, I shall be one with Christ."

Garrison Hall.

At the Garrison Hall on Sunday a service in memory of the late Mrs Captain Best was held, there being a large number present. The Rev. Mr Ready in the course of his remarks referred to the many excellent Christian qualities which characterised the deceased lady's life, and the fortitude and resignation with which she had [unclear: horne] the illness which eventuated in her death. He also mentioned that her husband, the late Captain Best, who perished in the ill-fated [unclear: kaknui], was a member of that congregation, Etbe last sermon he had heard on earth was delivered at one of their services in the Rattray [unclear: eet] Hall. Mr Ready, before concluding, also referred to the late Dr Stuart, speaking as follows:—"We have been called upon to sustain a great loss in the death of our dear and beloved Dr Stuart. The best eulogy that can possibly be given to the doctor was the expression of universal sympathy manifested last Wednesday at his funeral. In character he was humble, gentle, and generous. Although he took a leading part in all Christian and philanthropic work there was no ostentation in his spirit or bearing. Most affectionately he went in and out among his brethren and his fellow-citizens. He was a man greatly beloved. His sympathies were as wide as the Cross. His heart was strange to no man's heart, for no heart was beyond his sympathy. Little children received his benedictions, and men and women struggling with the worries and anxieties of life his counsel and help. He was kind and courteous to all. He was a man of liberal sentiment, of broad and Catholic sympathies—no narrow sectarian was he; his heart was too warm and too big for that. He was deeply interested in the work and progress of every good institution and church. His death is a national loss to us. We will miss him. A good minister of Jesus Christ, a kind brother, and a valued citizen is gone from our midst. All churches will miss his wise counsel, his generous help, his warm sympathy and his genial presence. We deeply sympathise with the congregation at Knox Church. There is no doubt many of them feel, to say as Dr Pierson said concerning the death of C. H. Spurgeon, 'When God made Spurgeon He broke the mould.' It is questionable whether the congregation will find another Dr Stuart. But it is not all darkness; a Divine light rests upon this scene of sorrow. 'We sorrow not even as others which have no hope.' Our dear friend, brother, minister is gone from us, but he is gone to Christ. The loss is ours, the gain is his. John Foster calls death 'a radiant idea.' The holy, happy dead are 'like the stars by day—withdrawn from mortal eye, but not extinct: they hold on their way in glory through the sky.' Our friend is still ours—'not lost, but gone before.' Farewell, dear brother and friend. Thy memory will long be fragrant. Thy 'works will follow thee,' a potent influence for good in the midst of men. Thy happy spirit is ascended to those that are 'perfect.' One more motive have we who still tread the pilgrim's path to the celestial country, in the prospect of meeting our sainted friend, brother, citizen, minister there."