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Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1034, 18 May 1894, Page 4

»•> The news has already travelled far and wide that a venerable and highlyesteetned father of the church of Ota^o O and Southland has just gone to his rest —that the Rev. Dr Stuart cf Knox Church, Dunedin, died on Friday morning last at the ripe age of 75 years. Of his person, his character, history, and work, very full obituary notices have been written and published in the Dunedin papers; while from pulpit, press, and platform throughout the Colony public sentiment regarding the virtues of the deceased and the loss the Colony has sustained through his death have been fully voiced. And this sentiment haa been common fco Wan and women of al) shades of political and ecclesiastical opinions ; the one thought has occupied all minds, one feeling has stirred all hearts —a feeling of grief and sad-ness-over the loss of a good man who for so many years had held a strong hold on the affections of the people. As the Daily Times says : " Since the death of James Macandrew, seven years ago, Otago —the Otago which both these adopted sons of hei's loved with a passion so leal and ardent —has not been called upon to mourn a loss comparable with this, and it is no disparagement to the men who survive to say that many a year is likely to pass without the repetition o£- such heartfelt regret. For Dr Stuart's personality has been bound up in a uniquely intimate fashion with the life of this city and province during the past generation. As pastor and as friend, in joy and in sorrow, at baptism, bridal, and burial, he has been a familiar agent of social benevolence and spiritual oonsolation —an agent of whom much was expected, and not expected in vain. Of the Presbyterian Church he- was regarded as the embodiment rather than as a mere representative, andithat big heart of his had a warm place for all other churches and organisations that make for righteousness and Christianity." ■ Rev. Donald M'Naughton Stuart was born on sth February, 1819, in a humble dwelling in ICenmore on the banks of the Tay in the Highlands of- Scotland, and obtained his early education at the parish school there. In 1837 he purchased the good will of an "adventure" school in Leven, Fifeshire, where he started with one scholar, the fee being 3d a week. This condition of the school ; continued for six weeks, during which : both teacher and pupil attended the i full regulation hours, Two years afterwards he entered Sfc. Andrew's University, where he took his under-gradu-ate course of four years, and afterwards entered the New College, Edinburgh, where he pursued his theo^ v logical studies. In 1844 he was appointed classical master in a first-class 1, school near Windsor, and shortly after-, wards was elevated to the position ofj principal. During this time he carried! on his theological studies under Drs Lorimer, M'Cree, and Hamilton, and: subsequently, completed them m'-Edin-j burgh. He was licensed to preach byj, the Free Presbytery of Kelso,; and was ; then called by the Presbyterian bon^

gregation of Falstone on the English border, where he continued for 10 years to labour with much acceptance. In 1858 it was determined to establish a second Presbyterian Church in Dunedin. The selection of a minister was entrusted to a commission consisting of Dr Bonar (the convenor of the colonial committee of the Free Church of Scotland), Dr Guthrie and Professor Miller (of the Edinburgh University), who, in the letter of instructions forwarded to them, were informed that it was of the utmost importance that the. minister should be •" a pious, energetic, and godly man — one who would take a particular interest in securing the hearts of young men for public good, and who would visit and allure the people to churcbgoing habits." The minister, it was further stated, " would require to be. large-minded, prudent, affable, gentle yet 6rm, and rrady for every good work." It was desired also that the clergyman selected should be 11 vigorous in health, but not a young man — i man rather of some experience in the ministry and in the business of church courts." Mr Stuart was the ministpr selected by the commission, and all know how fully he has prored the wisdom of their choice. While engaged as teacher at Windsor he became acquainted with Miss Jessie Robertson, and when he had been settled for about a. year at Falstone he went south and was united to her in marriage. At Falstone Manse their three sons — William, Alexander, and Donald — were born. The two latter are dead, and (he former resides in Victoria. Mrs Stuart died on April 16, 1862, at Dunedin, and the rev. gentleman never married again. In 1872 his alma mater, the University of St, Andrews, conferred on him the honorary degree of D.D., and four years afterwards he entered into possession of his new church in George street, which had been erected at a cost of LIB.OOO, and he lived to see this magnificent structure free of debt. Dr Stuart has been a prominent figure in Dunedin and in Otago during the long period of upwards of 30 years. No man in the Colony has bepn better known or more fully appreciated. He has left a m^rk in connection with the educational, benevolent, and many other institutions of the country such as time •will fail to efface. The exigencies of space prevents our even enumerating his most 'prominent labours, but this is unnecessary, as Dr Stuart has evtr been a prominent public man, and his unwearied efforts to promote, every good cause are well known. Regarding bis last illness we may mention that he suffered from serious abdominal disease, which was gradually undermining his health and his strength. He has also had inter mittent symptoms of heart failure since 1887, which caused grave alarm to his medical adviser. About five weeks ago he got a severe chill, which was followed by extensive congestion of both lungs. From this he never thoroughly recovered, and on and off had days of great distress. As to the last moments the Daily Times says : — "On Friday his condition was very critical, and, as illustrative of that anxiety to spare trouble to others which was characteristic with him, it may just be mentioned that on that day, when he was already within the shadow cf the dark valley, he expressed a wish to leave his room upstairs and to die in the manse dining room so that those who would have to do with his body after the spirit should have taken its flight might be relieved as mach as possible of inconvenience. Towards Friday evening he revived somewhat, and later on he obtained several refreshing snatches of sleep. About 5 o'clock on Saturday morning he arose, but shortly afterwards he lay down again on his bed. His nurse, noticing a sudden change upon ihitn, at once sent for Dr Coughtrey, who remained with the patient for over an hour. From the time at which the change was observed Dr Stuart's life gradually ebbed away, and at 7 a.m., peacefully and without a struggle, the end came. His son, Mr William Stuart, who on being cabled for, arrived from Melbourne about a week ago, his faithful and patient housekeeper (Miss Lang), and his nurse (Mrs Groves) wer«* present whpn death almost imperceptibly came upon Dr Stuart, and his medical adviser, who had been with him just before, was with him also immediately after the event. From five o'clock until the time of his death the rev. gentleman, though conscious, was almost speechless, and now after life's fitful fever he sleeps well."