Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/145

Rh 'Dunedin, December 4, 1888. 'The Rev. D. M. Stuart, D.D.

'Reverend Dear Sir,—Your office-bearers, on behalf of themselves and the members and adherents of the church, have much pleasure in welcoming you back to Dunedin, and to the scene of your long-continued and much-valued labours; and they cordially unite in rendering thanks to Almighty God for His watchful care over you throughout your travels, and for restoring you to your attached people in safety, and, we trust, in greatly improved health and strength.

'We need scarcely say that we followed you in our thoughts and with our prayers throughout the course of your journeyings by sea and land, and that we were greatly interested and gratified at the receipt of your pastoral letter, and of the good news that reached us from time to time of your welfare, and of the kindly and appreciative welcome so very generally accorded you during your visit to the Old Land.

'We devoutly trust that by God's blessing the relief from your ordinary duties for the past six months will be followed by very happy results, and we fervently pray that your Divine Master will spare you yet for a time to labour in His vineyard, and to prove, as in years that are past, a blessing and a source of comfort to many members of the church and of the community.

'We are sure you were greatly pleased to learn from time to time how efficiently and successfully the Rev. Mr Cameron has in all respects fulfilled the duties of acting pastor of Knox Church during your absence. That gentleman, by his ability, his kindness, and his pious zeal, largely mingled with prudence, has gained for himself the respect and gratitude of every member of Knox Church, and of all who are in any way interested in its welfare.

'Although we hope and trust you have returned to us in the possession of a large measure of health and vigour, yet we share with the whole membership of the church a strong desire that you will see it to be your duty to spare yourself as much as possible in the prosecution of your pastoral and other public labours, so that, as far as human effort can avail, you may be all the longer preserved to your attached people and to the general community. We feel assured that we represent the wishes of the entire congregation when we express the hope that you will consent to such arrangements being made as