Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/64

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T redounds to the credit of the Presbyterian Church of Otago that she appointed her ministers to visit the Gold Diggings in rotation as soon as people began to be drawn to them in considerable numbers. In August 1861 the minister of Knox Church preached at Gabriel's Gully on two Sabbaths, and held meetings with the miners. During his absence Dr Burns of the First Church conducted the services in Knox Chui'ch one jDart of each Sabbath. Sometime afterwards several of the office-bearers who could spare the time, and were possessed of the requisite gifts, were appointed to visit Tuapeka for the purpose of holding religious services with the diggers. Among those who engaged in this work were Messrs T. B. Gillies, T. S. Forsaith, H. Gilbert, &c. On subsequent occasions the minister was authorised to visit the Goldfields, where he usually spent two or more Sabbaths. In September 1862 "the Session, having heard from the minister of the labours and success of Mr Bruard, the missionary on the Tuapeka Goldfields, and that he required assistance to defray the expense of erecting churches there, resolved to grant him an opportunity of obtaining a collection in the church for that object."

In May 1862 it was resolved by the Deacons' Court that a collection should be made in aid of the Canvas Church that had been erected in Stafford street for the benefit of the diggers and other strangers who in large numbers flocked to Dunedin in those days. This structure, which afforded room for 250 sitters, had been opened in November 1861 by the Rev. Dr Burns. Both the site and the material had been gifted by Mr Henry Cook, now of Melbourne, the cost of erection having been subscribed by residents of Dunedin. The Stafford street congregation subsequently developed into St. Andrew's Church, Walker street, which now enjoys the ministrations of the Rev. R. Waddell, M.A. The first minister was the Rev. Adam Dickey Glasgow, who