Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/133

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T has already been stated that as far back as 1862 measures were taken by the office-bearers and members to employ the services of a congregational missionary or catechist to render assistance to the minister in overtaking the ever-increasing amount of work devolving upon him, more especially in connection with the outfield missions. Mr H. Gilbert, an elder of the congregation, was the first missionary so employed, and he was succeeded by others already mentioned. The Session, being strongly of opinion that the time had fully come when assistance of a more permanent and substantial nature should be provided, appointed a committee in March 1879 to consider and report on the best means by which so desirable an object could be secured, and to confer with Dr Stuart on the subject. The proposal to provide a permanent assistant did not appear to the minister to be practicable, and in the following month the committee submitted the subjoined recommendations:—That Dr Stuart be requested to take leave of absence for a year, or for such portion of that time as he may see fit; that his salary be paid as usual during his absence; that a sum of money be placed at his disposal to defray travelling expenses; that he be authorised to obtain, if possible, the services of an ordained clergyman during his absence; and that the question of permanent assistance be meanwhile held in abeyance. Dr Stuart did not see his way to accept these proposals, and nothing more was done until October 1880, when, at the urgent request of his office-bearers, he agreed to take leave of absence for three months. The Rev. Professor Salmond performed the pulpit and pastoral work with much acceptance during the minister's absence.