LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF KNOX CHURCH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 253, 5 December 1872, Page 6

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF KNOX CHURCH.

(From the. Evening Star, November 26.)

On the 24th November, 1572, John Knox, the most celebrated of Scottish reformers, died in Edinburgh. The tercentenary of his death was very appropriately chosen for laying the foundation stone of the new church named after him, about to be erected on the site at the junction of Pitt street with George street. We gave a description of the proposed building a few days since. The interesting ceremony took pUce yesterday afternoon, at four o'clock. There were present on the ground the Rev. Dr. Stuart, the pastor of the Church ; several ministers of the Presbyterian Church, clergy of various denominations, some of the ciders of Knox Church, Mr David Ross, architect of the Church ; Messrs Hoach and Martin, the contractors for its construction, and a large concourse of persons. The stone — a welldressed large-sized block of blue stone — was suspended, ready to be lowered into its place, and in a corresponding bed-stone a niche Was prepared, in which a phial COUtaiuiug the current coins of the realm and copies of the Dunedin journals and magazines were placed. But prior to the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone, Mr Reith, one of the building committee, read the follawing historic statement : -

" For several years past the Deacons' Court had under consideration the advisability of erecting a new church, and the matter was frequently discussed by the Court ; but, owing to the depressed state- of trade experienced by all classes of tbe community, it was deemed wise to postpone taking action until such time as business matters generally assumed a healthier aspect. On the 12th day of April, IS7O, it was resolved by the Deacons' Court to purchase the adjoining section to the present church at a cost of L 250, with the view of erectiug a new church on the old site. On the 11th day of April, 1871, the Deacons' Court resolved that steps be taken towards the erection of a new church in the course of tbe following spring. A subscription list was opened at the next monthly meeting of the Court, and the amount subscribed by the members present amounted to L 675 17s. A congregational meeting was held on Tuesday, the 12th day of May, 1871, at which it was resolved to proceed with the erection of a new church, capable of accommodating 1000 persons. A committee was appointed to canvass for subscriptions, and another committee (to act in concert with the Deacons' Court) to obtain plans, and be prepared with information to be laid before another meeting. A committee appointed to enquire and report as to the probable cost of the foundations of the present site, and also of a new site, unanimously recommended the purchase of the section adjoining the manse property as the site for the new church, and" the advisability of keeping the present church for the use of the Sabbath school. After much consideration it was resolved by the Deacons' Court to adopt the recommendation of the committee, provided that Mr John Hyde Harris, the donor of the present. site, eonconsented to the change ; and the committee were instructed to obtain all necessary information, with the view of submitting the proposal to the congregation. A congregation,*] meeting was then Jjejd. o« the gist day

■ — — of AnguK, 1871, at which the proposal to purchase the section above referred to was discussed, and met with tbe cordial approval of the meeting, which recommended the purchase of the same, Mr Harris having acquiesced in that arrangement. The Building Committee having offered by advertisement the sums of L 25 and and Lls respectively, for the two best designs for a stone church capable of accommodating 1000 persons, plans from 17 persons were sent in. The Committee gave in a final report oo the 25th day of July, 1872, recommending, among other things, that the consent of the congregation should be obtained to the principle that the Deacons' Court should select and appoint an architect for the erection of a new church. This report was laid before the congregation at a meeting held on the Bth day of August, 1872, when a resolution was passed to the above-mentioned effect, and another resolution was also passed remitting the ■whole question of the erection of the new church to the Deacons' Court, without limitation of amount. Finally, the Deacon's Court held a meeting on the 22nd day of August ultimo, when a ballot -was taken for an architect, and Mr David RO3S was found to have received the highest number of votes. The plans prepared by Mr Ress were adopted by the Court ; tenders were called for, and that of Messrs Roach and Martin for the sum of L6BIB (which does not include seating and fighting) was accepted. And now, after a great many vexatious delays— j covering the space of one year— arising out j of the choice of plans, for which tenders were called, and found to be in excess of the sum sought to be expended by tbe Court, we are this day met for the purpose of laying the foundation stone of the new Knox Church." The Rev. Dr Stuart then proceeded to formally place the stone in situ, and was presented by the architect, Mr David Ross, with a handseme silver trowel, the gift of himself and the contractors, Messrs Roach and Martin. The trowel was purchased of Mr John Hislop, watchmaker and silversmith, and bore the inscription:— " Presented to the Rev. D. M. Stuart, D.D., by D. Ross, architect, and Roach and Martin, contraccors, on the occasion of laying the foundation-stone of Knox Church. Dnnedin, November 25, 1572, the tercentenary of the death of John Knox." The Rev. Dr Stuabt then came forward, and after applying the usual tests, he spread the cement, the stone was lowered into its resting place, and striking it with the highly polished mallet of New Zealand wood, prepared for the occasion, he declared the foundation duly laid, and trusted it would prove a support to a first-rate fabric. The Rev. Dr Stuart then gave a short address. He stated that the foundation stone of Knox Church, King street, was laid on the" 23rd November, 1859, by Mr Hatris, the donor of the site. Many who on that day gathered round him had been removed by death ; but it was a blessing to reflect he had still some of that noble band to support him who tirst stood forward, to help him. The first Khox Church, at the the time of its erection, was the largest and most commodious house of prayer in the Colony, yet Dunedin was little more than a full-grown village. But the expansion of the Church took place more rapidly than was anticipated, owing to the discovery of gold in the Province. It was pleasing to remember that all the churches of the city fulfil the increased duties that devolved upon them 1 through the sudden increase of population. He often recalled to mind the Arcadian times of the Province with pleasure ; but he remembered with greater satisfaction the first days of the goldlields, for they were days of greater faith, and he thought of greater enterprise. He might be permitted to say that f 'om the office-bearers of the Church he had received every encouragement to preach the Gospel, and more assistance than he could express. He was glad to bear testimony to the fact, as it might prove an encouragement to those young men who were looking forward to take part in ministerial work. It showed that where Christian ministers did their work openly and manfully they would be supported. He sometimes read very unfair representations of the Colonies in tbe Home papers. The Colonists were represented as caring for nothing beyond mouej'-making, and giving nothing for benevolent objects. For his part, he found far greater liberality and more frequent acts of benevolence in the Colonies than at Home. .Several Churches on the goldfields supported the ordinance of religion, but mainly he was glad to See amongst the Churches in Otago a spirit of charity in their intercourse with each other. It was shown by interchange of pulpits when any happened to require assistance of that nature. The future, therefore, | required provision to be made for. First, ground must be broken up, the forest subdued, and schools established ; but if he could foretell the future from past experience, there would be no difficulty. There were croakers who said Christianity had lost its hold on the people, but it was not true. At no period in the Church's history was there so large a number of educated men and women professiug Christianity. Multitudes were to be found among.-t men of the highest class of mind who maintained the doctrines of the Gospel. Even in America, where our cousins were proverbially " cute" in their appreciation of the power of the dollar, a million and a quarter was actually given for the propagation of the doctrines of the Gospel by oue denomination, and that not tbe largest. He asked to be permitted to thank those present for their sympathy in the proceedings of the day. He trusted tbe church would be completed in such a way as to bring profit and comfort to the contractors, credit to the architect, and give satisfaction to the congregation. If spared to preach within its walls, he trusted ho should never forget that love was the key-stone of the GospeL He desired to see Otago flourish by industry and instruction in religion. He trusted God would bless them. Mr Georgk Hepburn, one of the elders of the Church, said :— Dr Stuart. — Rev. Sir, — [ have much pleasure in being present with you on this auspicious occasion. It will, I nave no doubt, be still in your recollection that I formed one of the small party who were waiting to welcome your arrival to these shores, on the old jetty, in January, 1860. 1 was also one of two who were deputed by tbe First Church (Mr Burns') to form the nucleus of a session in the first formation of your present congregation. I was present at the laying of the foundation stone of your present church, in 1860. at which time it was thought by some that the situation was too far out of town for such a building ; but, Sir, before two years had passed over us, the building was found to be so much too small for the increased and still increasing demand for sittings, that an addition of one-third was speedily added to tbe building, making accommodation for about 900 sittings, which area has been fully occupied to the present time, many more applicants not being able to find accommodation ; hence the effort now put forth to erect this new church. During this long period, you, as well as myself, bir, have v.itnessed many changes in the congregation. I refer more particularly to the Session and Deacons Court : while numbers were being added at intervals, numbers were also removed, and of those not a few to their long homes ; amongst whom were the father and pioneer of the settlement, Capt. Cargill ; Rev. Robt. Hood, elder; and our late session clerk, Mr John Gillies. During all that time 1 have continued in office with you, and by tho good hand of my God upon me, have tbe honor to

be so still ; and I entertain tie fond hope ofy being spared to see the cope stone of the new\ building finished, the foundation-stone of which we have seen laid this day. Not only so, but hope and pray that you yourself will be spaiedto fill the pulpit on the opening day, and for many years more, to preside over an united and prosperous congregation, even long after 1 have gone the way of all the earth. May the building now prosper, and no accident occur to any one during the progress of the work. The Rev. Mr Gillies pronounced the benediction,, which concluded the proceedings.