Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/156

122 Professors Salmond, Sliand, and Gilray, and the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, M.L.C.

"After praise and prayer, the Chairman said: 'In 1858 many Christian people in Dunedin became convinced that the time had come for starting a second Presbyterian congregation. On taking counsel with each other it came out that, though reared in different churches, they were quite willing that the proposed congregation should be conducted on the lines of the Church of Otago. So great was the unanimity on this matter that fully 90 per cent. of the population contributed to set the movement agoing. The leaders were nobly supported. The First Church aided to provide for the overflow which could not find room in its own homely quarters. The subject was brought before the presbytery by the late Mr John Gillies, Mr James Wilkie, and others, and its sanction was readily obtained. A site was gifted by the late Mr J. Hyde Harris, and plans for church and manse were presented by the late Mr Langlands. An army of collectors took the field, including the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Mrs John Hill, and others, and funds were readily obtained which justified the committee in commencing the building of church and manse. Many Christians who were not Presbyterians, as Dr Purdie and Messrs Thomas Dick, Charles Henry Street, E. Smith, and Archibald and James Barr readily co-operated. The church was opened in due course and the first minister inducted. The day was bright with sunshine, and the people crowded to the service. Many of the chief men of the city were present. It was a grand sight to witness Captain Cargill (the Moses of the settlement), Messrs James Macandrew (the Superintendent of Otago), John Hyde Harris (the district judge), John Gillies (resident magistrate), George Hepburn, James Brown, John Logan, James Wilkie, Robert Chapman, and others worshipping and listening reverentially to the Rev. Dr Burns—the Aaron of the settlement. The communion—that binding ordinance of the church—was dispensed in June 1860. The minister was assisted by Captain Cargill, Rev. Robert Hood, and Messrs John Gillies, and George Hepburn. The service drew out the hearts of the people in fervent love to God and to each other. From that day it has been the rule in the congregation to help and love each other. The composite character of the congregation was its strength. We met as Christians, and, while living and working under the blue banner, our inspiring motive was the love of