Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/160

126 Lord" (Mendelssohn), with chorus by the combined choir. Messrs Timson and Barth played a selection by Auber as a pianoforte duet, and the Garrison Band, who were stationed in the band-room, performed a number of pleasing selections.

"Before the proceedings were brought to a close, the chairman stated that a bird had just whispered in his ear that of the £2800 which they owed on the new kirk, the sum of £2000 had now been subscribed.—(Loud applause.) He congratulated Mr Cameron upon his successful efforts in connection with raising a fund towards the extinction of the debt, and expressed the hope that he might be authorised to announce some day that the debt had been subscribed, that the church was free, and that the seat rents were reduced. On the motion of Mr W. Downie Stewart, M.H.R., seconded by Mr E. B. Cargill, a vote of thanks was passed to the united choir, the ladies who had provided the refreshments, and the other persons who who had contributed to the entertainment."

On the morning of the following Sabbath (May 4th), Mr Davidson was introduced to the congregation by Dr Stuart.

In the evening the pulpit was occupied by Mr Davidson, who took for his text the first 13 verses of the 26th chapter of St. Matthew, in which reference is made to the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany.

The settlement of the Rev. Mr Davidson having now been happily accomplished, the Session on June 3, 1890, unanimously and heartily adopted the following resolution:—"The Session desire to put on record their grateful sense of the services rendered to the congregation by the Pulpit Supply Committee, especially by Mr Edmund Smith, the convener, in providing suitable supply for Knox Church pulpit during the period which elapsed from the return of Dr Stuart from the Old Country up to the present time—a period during a portion of which Dr Stuart was called upon to pass through sore bereavement and much bodily weakness, but under which he had the deepest sympathy of every member of the congregation. In thanking the brethren for the interest taken in, and the time devoted to the duty entrusted to them—a duty now happily ended—the Session would