Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/183

Rh the Band of Hope has been formed, and the numbers who attended the first meethig on 8th June, and filled the class-room, show that the interest awakened in the work is universal over the school. Dr Stuart occupied the chair, and spoke briefly on the object of the Band, while Mr W. H. Ash gave a short practical address on temperance, songs and music being contributed by various friends. The second meeting, which was held on 22nd June, for the enrolment of members, was also well attended, and a goodly number signed the pledge. Mr Todd, the enthusiastic superintendent of the Sabbath School, has undertaken the supervision of the Baud of Hope."

There seems also to have been a lull for some time in the operations of the Welcome-All Society, for the last notice respecting it is contained in the Annual Report for 1889, which is as follows:—"This society meets on the third Wednesday of every month, in the classroom of Old Knox Church. The main aim the society has in view is the propagation of temperance principles among the young people of the congregation; and as a proof of the success of its efforts we have only to look at the roll-book, which shows a total membership of 414. Much of this success is without doubt due to the unflagging interest which the president, Mr R. Chisholm, has taken in the society. The meetings during the last year have been on the whole fairly successful, having an average of 40. It is with feelings of deep sorrow that the society have to record the loss of one of their oldest members, the late Mr Alexander Rennie, who became a member in 1881, and until the time of his death always manifested the keenest interest in the society. The members of the society have placed on record their high appreciation of the many valuable services rendered to the cause of temperance by their late member, Mr Rennie."

In the year 1887 another department of Christian work was added to those already in operation. This was the "Knox Church Young Women's Society," whose formation was the outcome of conversations between Dr Stuart and Miss Isabella J. Hislop, afterwards Mrs Hare, who was called away from her work on earth in March in 1891. Its