Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/71

Rh Church would do her best to assist them. On my return to Dunedin I followed my usual custom, and on Sabbath morning gave an account of my up-country visit, and mentioned the great desire of the people for the means of grace being placed within their reach. I added that the Church Extension Committee had at that time neither funds nor minister available for the purpose. The short address awakened sympathy in the soul of Mr Mackerras, with the result that in the course of a few days the merchants in Dunedin doing business with Naseby and neighbouring localities contributed the sum of £50 for the purpose of aiding in bringing out from Home a minister for the district. The Church Extension Committee took immediate action, and in due course the Rev. James McCosh Smith, M.A., B.D., was settled near the foot of Mount Ida, where he has laboured for nigh twenty jears with a cheerful contentedness which has elicited the admiration of the Church. In a review of his ministry recently published, he has borne emphatic testimony to the faithfulness with which his parishioners have supported him, and the unfailing respect and kindness which he and his family have received at their hands. He also emphasises his strong belief in the reliableness of the people in maintaining Gospel ordinances when kindly and believingly administered.

The following winter I was persuaded to visit St. Bathans for the purpose of opening the iron church which the people had erected there. On my arrival the weather showed signs of storm. As the guest of Mr A. D. Harvey, at that time clerk of the Warden's Court, I received the most hospitable attention. The accommodation was limited, and my hosts insisted on my occupying their own sleeping room. Becoming aware that the offer meant that I was to have the one bed of the house while they were to shift as best they could, I firmly declined their offer, and resolved to sleep in the sitting-room, which served as kitchen as well as parlour. When bed-time arrived I wrapped myself in a heavy blanket and my own Border plaid, lay down beside the stove, and slept as sound as a top in spite of the storm without, which swept furiously down from the neighbouring terraces. In the morning the ground was white with snow; but what was worse, the weather showed no sign of improvement. At the appointed hour we met in the church, where a goodly company had assembled, and proceeded with the service. It was decided not to have evening