Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/158

124 goodwill and, we believe, the prayers of the flock. We need hardly say that we will always be ready to welcome you in our homes both as our pastor and as a friend, and we will try so to welcome you that you will find it easy and pleasant to discharge your pastoral duties. May we also take the liberty of saying that we will not overlook your partner in our endeavours to make you happy and successful in your new home and new sphere of labour.

'Dated at Dunedin this 2nd day of May, 1890,

"The Rev. A. P. Davidson said he thanked them from the bottom of his heart for the remarkable proof of their goodwill which they afforded him by that large gathering and by the address which Mr Gordon had just read. His acquaintance with Dunedin was short, but it had been most pleasant; for during the sixteen days that had passed since he first set foot in this beautiful city he had received the heartiest greetings from many members and friends of the congregation. It was a very pleasant thing indeed to have such a kind welcome extended to him. He was very much afraid that their generosity was leading them to form expectations which he could but imperfectly fulfil. Still it was a great thing for a man to be trusted, as it stimulated him to do his best; it encouraged him to put forth every effort in his power; and he assured them that he should try to do his best.—(Applause.) When he was asked to come to Dunedin the invitation was a surprise to him, and it was some time before he could make up his mind to take part in so great a work as that which Dr Stuart and his congregation had carried on here for so many years. The yearly reports of Knox Church showed him the great extent of its Christian activity, but it was not till he came here, and sat down in the pews of the church and took part in the worship, that he understood what a great institution Knox Church was, and what a great opportunity its pulpit afforded for doing good. He was much struck by the fact that so many members of the congregation had all along taken part in the work. It was a great strength to a congregation when its work was shared by a large number of its people; and he had been long enough connected with Christian work to see this plainly: that it was just the people who were the heartiest in giving their own time,