Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/139

Rh in the class-room every Thursday for praise and prayer. I assured my friend and substitute, Mr Cameron, that at this exercise he would be loyally supported by Messrs Rennie, Torrance, Wright, Fraser, A. Cameron, and others, and that he would find the re-union at once delightful and refreshing. To me our Prayer Meeting has always been 'a feast of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.' I crave for it your prayers always, and your presence as often as possible.

"The Sabbath School was the second of our congregational institutions. It met the next Sabbath after the opening of the church, under the superintendency of Mr Gillies; but, as it was felt that he was overburdened, Mr Street took his place, and for many years discharged the duties of superintendent with unfailing courtesy and regularity. You know that the school of to-day is most efficiently conducted in both its departments by Messrs Reith and White and their noble band of teachers. I never fail to assure them of your assistance to make it, if possible, still more efficient.

"The Albany Street School had its first location in the large room of Mr John Grant's house, and under his superintendency. When the accommodation became too limited, our Deacons' Court erected plain quarters for it in Albany street, and, when it became necessary to shift, the Court without hesitation erected suitable premises in Union street. These and our other schools, by their labours in the cause of Scriptural education, have made us as a congregation their debtors. I ask as a favour that Messrs Reith and White convey to their teachers and scholars the assurance of my love and prayers; that Messrs Jenkins and Dalgleish give a similar assurance to the staff and scholars of Albany street School; Mr W. T. Todd to the staff and scholars of Mount Cargill School; Mr Chisholm to the friends at Whare Flat; and Messrs Harlow and Hutchison to those of Leith Valley. Once and again have I recalled with delight the kind words addressed to me by Mr Hogg on behalf of the Committee on my last visit to the Valley. Some of you know that my friend Mr Gardner was compelled by a sharp illness to give up the Pine Hill service and Sabbath School. How glad would I be if two of our active young men were to volunteer to give him their assistance for a year. As nothing is impossible which is required for the extension of the kingdom of God, I hope to hear that this service