Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/116

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82
HISTORY OF KNOX CHURCH.

he was very successful. A fortnightly Sabbath service has been maintained regularly ever since in the Mount Cargill School, granted for the purpose by the School Committee. A Sabbath School with a well-assorted library has also been in successful operation. Mr John Reith took charge of the service and the Sabbath School for several years, and his labours were very much appreciated by the settlers. In this good work he received able assistance from Messrs Hutchison and Southwick, and from other friends. On Mr Reith's retirement in 1886 he was succeeded by Mr D. Thomson; and, after the removal of the latter to Victoria eighteen months later, Mr William T. Todd carried on the work for a time with unfailing regularity and much zeal and success. He was assisted occasionally by members of the Session and other friends, including some of the students in attendance at the Theological College. Mr Todd was compelled to relinquish his charge of this station in 1889, through pressure of other important work. Public worship has been kept up since by members of Knox Church Fellowship Union. Many of the settlers, by their steady attendance, show their appreciation of the services. The communion is statedly dispensed by Dr Stuart or Mr Davidson. Those who go up to conduct the services speak warmly of the kindness and hospitality invariably shown them by Mr and Miss Moir of the Schoolhouse.


In connection with the outfield work undertaken by Knox Church it may be mentioned that in 1883 a fortnightly Sabbath service was begun at Pine Hill School by an elder of the church—Mr R. S. Gardner, the schoolmaster—with occasional help from the minister. This was discontinued for a time, but was resumed by Mr Gardner in 1887. Since that gentleman's removal to a distant part of the district the fortnightly service has been taken in charge by the Knox Church Fellowship Union. The Union thankfully acknowledge the help received by them in this work from various Christian friends, both within and without Knox Church congregation.


The opening of the public school in Leith Valley in 1884 enabled the settlers there to accomplish a long-cherished desire to secure the establishment of a Sabbath service as well as a Sabbath School in the district. The success of the movement has been largely due to the exertions of Messrs Hogg, Jones, Booth, and others. The station is