Although Dr Stuart derived some benefit from his rest, yet it was felt by his office-bearers and people that the strain upon his strength by his manifold and abundant labours was beyond what he could be expected to bear, and in July 1881 the Session again submitted proposals to the congregation to the effect that the services of a properly-qualified probationer or ordained minister should be provided without delay as assistant to Dr Stuart in his pulpit and pastoral work; that the terms of the engagement should be for two years; that a suitable salary should be offered; and that a reasonable sum should be paid for outfit and passage money in the event of some one being engaged in the Home Country. The proposals were heartily agreed to by the congregation; and the Session in August 1881 appointed Drs Stuart, Salmond, and Macdonald a committee to carry the resolution into effect. The selection of a suitable person on the terms agreed to was entrusted by the committee to the Rev. Dr White, the Rev. R. G. Balfour, and Mr Robertson, members of the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland. A reply was received from these gentlemen in February 1882 to the effect that after the most diligent efforts they had been unable to procure a minister or probationer whom they could confidently recommend as an assistant to Dr Stuart, and that they could hold out no prospect of a suitable man being obtained on the terms offered.
Owing to the disheartening effect of the failure to secure an assistant, and the apparent improvement in Dr Stuart's health, no further effort to effect any permanent arrangement was made for a considerable time. About the beginning of 1887 the office-bearers deemed it to be their duty to give the minister as much rest and relief as possible, and with that view they appointed a Pulpit Supply Committee, consisting of Dr Hislop and Messrs Mackerras and E. Smith to co-operate with Dr Stuart in procuring assistance in the pulpit services. The committee succeeded in obtaining such assistance from clergymen and office-bearers as generally to relieve the minister from one of the ordinary Sabbath services during the months of February, March, and April. On May 3rd Dr Stuart informed the Session that on the advice of his medical adviser, Dr Copland, he would retire from active work for a short time and spend a holiday at Queenstown. The Session heartily concurred, and the Supply Committee were fortunate enough to secure the services of the Rev. Mr Treadwell, of
