Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/179

Rh died in his sleep—his head and hands and body just in the position of sleep which was usual with him. The death was not unexpected, yet it was sudden, and the shock—which all felt, especially Mrs Kirkpatrick—was great. But one consolation, and that not a small one, remained: that he was ready as a Christian is ready—prepared as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is prepared. His life had been given to God, and in his old age the Lord had not left him. The text of Scripture most in his mind was this: 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him ' (1 Cor. ii. 9). His old Bible is a study, all marked and fingered, showing how much it had been used; and no one could come into contact with him without feeling that he was a Christian indeed. Often he was seen to look as into some far-away land. In that land he now is: home now with God."

The Session adopted the following minute on the occasion of Mr Kirkpatrick's death:—"Mr Hugh Kirkpatrick, who served our congregation as member and elder for nigh thirty years, fell asleep in Jesus on July 11th at Closeburn Station, where he took up his residence two years ago. While prosecuting his business in Australia the glorious Gospel came home to him with a power which gave a new direction to the current of his thoughts and life. Though a comparatively silent member in the Church Courts, he earnestly supported every forward movement for taking Christian ordinances to the outfield. He supported the occasional religious service in the Gimmerburn school-house, and gave accommodation and hospitality to the ministers who came that way. He showed special gladness on the Rev. J. McCosh Smith, M.A., of Naseby, arranging for his holding stated services in the district, though at considerable intervals. In his house and in his business Mr Kirkpatrick never forgot the privilege and the obligation of the Christian. His unfailing presence at public worship and his hearty support of the institutions of the congregation cheered and encouraged those whose duty requires them to occupy the more prominent positions. The Session direct their clerk in forwarding this minute to his widow to express their sympathy with herself and her family on their bereavement."

It devolves upon the writer, before concluding this History, to