Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/138

104 communion in the dear old church on the third Sabbath of June, 1860, when I was surrounded and supported by Captain Cargill, Mr Gillies, Rev. Robert Hood, Mr Hepburn, Mr Wilkie, Mr Street, Mr J. H. Harris, my wife of youth, and others ever dear. What wide gaps in the ranks of the covenanted host of that day!

The musing mind transported me to the English Border and the 'Old Meeting' by the Tyne—as the devout company who worshipped there loved to speak of their church—and the first communion of my ministerial record in October, 1849, surrounded and supported by the lairds, farmers, and grave shepherds of the upper reaches of North Tyne and the adjacent fells and glens. By the law of association I was also carried to Leven by the sea, where in the spring of 1838 I took my place for the first time at the heavenly feast, under the ministry of Dr George Brewster, to the joy of my parents and to my own spiritual advantage. Since that far-away day I have often had to humble myself in penitence, but I have never regretted the step which introduced me to life-long privileges, and laid on me life-long obligations. But contrariwise, my experience of the sufficiency of the Gospel for life and godliness has emboldened me to urge others to go and do likewise.

"I often recall with feelings of gratitude the Divine goodness to us as a congregation in the gift of office-bearers at its start, who took not only a personal interest in its progress, but also in the progress of our city and settlement. This honourable feature of our congregational history Dr Hislop brought out in the memoir which he wrote in connection with the opening of the New Church. I am sure you rejoice with me that this direct and personal interest in Church and State is as marked a feature of our present office-bearers as of their predecessors. Now, while writing far away at sea, I am saying to myself every vital interest of the congregation is, under God, perfectly safe in your hands and theirs.

"The Prayer Meeting is the first-born of our congregational institutions. It was begun the week the church was opened, and weekly all down it has been held with scarcely a lapse. I know that many of you are prevented from attending by family and other duties. Still a fair representation of the congregation has always delighted to meet