Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/178

142 Soon after completing his apprenticeship to the business of draper, he emigrated to Victoria, where he became the subject of strong religious convictions, and underwent the great change which gave shape and direction to his whole future life. He returned to his native country towards the close of the "fifties," and married soon afterwards. Induced probably by the favourable accounts sent Home by his brothers-in-law, the Messrs Shennan, he emigrated to Otago soon after the discovery of gold at Tuapeka, intending to engage in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. Mr Kirkpatrick, however, found business prospects so encouraging on account of the activity induced by the opening up of the goldfields, that he decided to remain in Dunedin and enter on his original calling. He accordingly established the firm of "Hugh Kirkpatrick & Co.," so well known in Dunedin and throughout Otago for many years.

Soon after settling in Dunedin Mr Kirkpatrick and his wife joined the membership of Knox Church, and in 1862 he was elected to the eldership. He discharged the duties of this office quietly and efficiently. A man of few words, he ever gave his vote and influence in favour of the church's progress in usefulness and the extension of Christian work in the congregation and the outfield. He was noted for the regularity of his attendance on ordinances, as well as at the many meetings of Session which the exigencies of the early days rendered necessary. Some years ago Mr Kirkpatrick gave up business in Dunedin, and subsequently removed to his sheep station at Closeburn, in the Mount Ida district. Of late years he and Mrs Kirkpatrick have only occasionally resided in Dunedin.

Upon the settlement of the family in the country, Mr and Mrs Kirkpatrick resolved to have Sabbath services conducted at their station as often as possible for the benefit of their family and neighbours, and Mrs Kirkpatrick successfully interested herself in procuring a harmonium and a supply of hymn-books for the service of praise. The following extract is taken from a notice of Mr Kirkpatrick, from the pen of the Rev. J. McCosh Smith, of Naseby, which appeared in the Mount Ida Chronicle:—"On the day of his death he was up and about, and was livelier than he had been for weeks. In the evening he took an interest in the conversation till 8 o'clock, when he retired, bidding them all 'good night.' Between 10 and 11 his wife, going into the room, found him dead. It was seen that he had