KNOX COLLEGE.

Evening Star, Issue 14093, 23 June 1909, Page 4

KNOX COLLEGE.

OPENING DAY. Until to-day the visits to Knox College •were mostly of a casual and. informal nature. The set opening fixed for this morning brought together a very large number of representatives of all classes, and the college was freely thrown open to their inspection. The proceedings began at 10 a.m., and throughout the day the invitation of Professor Hewitson was gladly accepted by. hundreds of people. DEDICATION SERVICE. The dedication service was conducted in the library at 10 ajn. by the Rev. James Chisholm. Moderator of the Assembly. The following occupied seats on the platform with the Moderator :—The Hon. G. Fowlds (Minister of Education), Professor He witson. Rev. A. Cameron, and Mr J. Allen, M.P.; and the hall was crowded with representatives of all. denominations. The Rev. A. Cameron, B.A. (chairman of the College Erection Committee)", in handing over the key of the college to the Moderator of the Assembly, spoke as follows:—As chairman of the Building Committee appointed by the Assembly to carry out the erection of "the building, I have the privilege of presenting to you, as Moderator of the Assembly, thß key of the college. In doing, so I have to report that the funds in hand are sufficient to meet the expenses of the erection of the college throughout. For this happy issue wo have to thank, in the first place, tho Giver of every good and every perfect gift, and under Him those members oi' the Presbyterian Church who considered it an honor and a privilege to contribute towards the funds. I hand to you the key of the college to keep in trust for the Church.— (Applause.) The Moderator said: As representative of the Church, I have very great pleasure in receiving the key at Vour hands. I have to congratulate you on the completion of the work of which you have been the .principal promoter. On behalf of the Church I have to thank you for the'splendid service you have rendered, not only to our own, but to future generations in building the college. Professor Hewitson, I have much pleasure in placing, this key. in your hands as master of the college. I do it with the greatest confidence! T congratulate you on the responsible position to which you have been Called, and, on behalf of the Church, hope that you will conduct your woik as master of Knox College with as much honor and success as vou have for thirteen years carried out the position of minister of Knox"Church. (Applause.) Professor Hewitson said: I thank you. and the Church for the trust reposed in me in handing mo the keys of the college. By the help of God I will try to cariy out the duties of my office', and carry on the good work so well begun by my good friend Mr Cameron. Then followed the prayer of. dedication, at tie conclusion of which all joined in singing Psalm. 100: "All people that on earth do dwell." The Moderator then read Ephesians, chapter iii, which was followed by a short prayer and the hvmn '0 God of Bethel' —Moderator's Address.— The Moderator then gave the; following address:— ° The motto of the college—" Grace and Truth " —is the theme of my address. The convenience and beauty of the 6ite on which the college stands, the architectural qualities of the the bodily comfort anil social advantages of" the students who reside within its walls are matters that will doubtless receive favorable notice at a later stage of the opening ceremonies. - The college has many points in common Srith other institutions of an educational and philanthropic kipd. It is subject to influences from mundane sources thast operate in purely natural ways.' These, however, can never (raalify it for its distinctive work of training a Christian ministry; The modem spirit .is sufficiently averse to shabbiness in dwelling-houses, in dress, and in morals to keep the Church and all its institutions fairly respectable. Respectability, however, is but a mood of the hour. It can never elevate, but only reflect, tho public opinion from which it springs. It cannot be a substitute for the progressive forces of grace and truth. Further, we have all the stimulus of the ecclesiastical traditions that we inherit from a glorious past. We have already shown our reverence for that past by associating the college with the illustrious and venerable name of Knox. His ■educational ideal, as sketched in tho 'First Book of Discipline,' was scornfully regarded by some of his contemporaries as" a. devout imagination." It has never ceased to charm tho vision of succeeding ages as it rises in stately grandeur from the primary school in every parish, through the college in every notable town, to the universities, with their triple crown of law, medicine, and divinity, in the largest centres of population. It is to be hoped that this "devout imagination" will never cease to haunt the class rooms and corridors of this college, .and frustrate any attempt to.limit the scope or lessen the thoroughness of Knox's great design. Still a divinity hall, even with the best scholarly equipment, can oidv minister to a flawless orthodoxy. It cannot generate spiritual lite with its evervarying manifestations and itst endless aspirings towards higher reaches of grace and truth. We have another stimulus on the practical side of our work, in the influences that radiate from a social environment which the Church has to a great extent created. That stimulus, however, will onlv keep us on the ordinary levels of humanitarian activity, abreast of civic institutions in their zeal to rectify social wrongs and further the common .weal. It will never set us in the van of a progressive philanthropy. That can only come from fellowship with Christ in grace and truth. What do we mean'by these terms that give to the Christian] religion its peerless distinctive excellence? In other words, what has Christ done for us? In His own person and work, amidsj. lowly and often adverse surroundings, He has eet before us the most attractive and most fruitful conception of God that the human mind can grasp. It is hot difficult to see that His revelation of the Divine Fatherhood, if honestly put to the proof,* would free social life from its hurtful destructions, and raise national life above the crushing rivalries that continually threaten to break out into fierce and devastating warfare. If our patriotisms and our policies impose limitations or restrictions upon the Christian conception of Divine Fatherhood, they cannot be in harmony with the supreme will, or in the line of its ultimate purpose,' and they should never tempt us to lower our ideals or slacken our endeavors to realise them in actual life. Jesus Christ has also set before us an example of perfect manhood amidst all the complex and exacting relationships of this mortal life. He has shown us clearly that a man's life, in spiritual elevation, in pure and lasting enjoyment, in effective service for his fellow-men, consisteth not in .the abundance of the things which -he possesseth. He has proved beyond ail cavil that a man's real worth, his value for highest and most enduring service, is determined'by what he is, in purity and strength of character, not by what he has of social rank or earthly riches. The greatest service He has rendered to-'ths human race is symbolised by the cross. There grace and truth are most signally displayed. He died for our sins. I am not .careful to express this truth—b-uiely tho greatest.the human mind can conceive—in what might seem more dignified and philosophic speech. The- simpler and more direct.the form in which it is expressed, the readier will it. find entrance to the human soul. When there it will set innumerable things moving. It will rouse the. conscience from its moral stupor; it will fire the heart with a passion of love; it will sway the will to a "free and joyous service. Sometimes the heart freezes before the breath of an encroaching .worldliness. All its affections become cold and sterile. What can Temove this winter of the soul?. It only needs tho grace and truth that are exhibited and conveyed through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ to melt the frozen heart and free its affections from their icy bonds, and send them forth in channels of usefulness, singing the. glad refrain " He loved me and gave Himself for me." Still" further, 'Jesus" Christ? has abolished death, and brought life and 1

Modem enterprise has provided 'to lavishly - for the -gratification of all our senses that / we are apt to rest satisfied with, our present, inheritance. But sooner or latex tie > ■ Christian hope comes to its' 015 a. In the recent biography of Stewart of Lovedale, ■who "was for a while the' companion of Livingstone, wo get a glimpse into the inner life .of these two Greathearts. ■ Livingstone's wife died, and the great traveller, who had faced so many deaths and braved so many' dangers., was utterly - broken down, and wept like a child. • After they had laid the body of; the loved one • Ito "rest on the "brae face of Shupanga," I the two men sat together in the evenings, ! and had long conversations about the : deathless life beyond the grave. Did the i hope of a glorious hereafter lessen the courage of these heroes, make them less resolute in their determination to" open up 1 the Dark Continent and bring light and liberty to its down-trodden, millions? Nay, verily. The hope of the glory that is yet to be revealed is one of "the" strongest motives to the diligent and faithful dis- ; charge of present duty. After our brief glance at these aspects of grace and truth, we have now to remember that another Agent has come- into the ' sphere of human life. He is sometimes called the Spirit of Grace and the Spirit of Truth. The unspeakable value of His presence and work is seen from two points of view. From the' historical standpoint we see Him working on our behalf, bringing into existence and fixing in permanent form the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make ;us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. How ! slowly the greater part of this wondrous fabric which we call the Bible was bnfli ' ■ up! It is not a book merely, but a library. Its contents are as varied as their literary ; 1 expression, in song and story, in proverb' and parable, in personal biography and I national history, in simple narratives that ' I a child can understand and in profound ■ utterances that the .wisest cannot fathom. - But at the heart of it- all, giving unity of purpose and aim to the surface diversity, ' there is Divine inspiration. Men spoke ;- 'from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit, f And because the Spirit's mission has been ! ,~ I and still is to testify of Ghrist, each part of Scripture receives it's' place and its function in virtue of its relation to THm, I Here, then, prepared by the Spirit, is a : i kind of magic crystal, in which wo may see Jesus Christ and all that pertains to | human life and destiny. But we need I eyes to see and hearts to appreciate this marvellous revelation of grace and truth. And so,* from the point of view of personal experience, we realise how.essential—the work^of-the Spirit is. The natural! man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of _God, for they are foolishness unto nirn,, neither can -he know them, because they' are spiritually judged, Both the outward : revelation and the inward vision are-i needed. The combined effect of the two: is clearly stated by the Apostle when ha; says -. " We all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit." ■■•■-- > Some of our seers, with their faces to the past, have sung of brave davs of old within a limited area. Others of our seers, with their faces, to the future, haTO sung- of a golden year set within an everwidening horizon. But we may rest assured that brave days will dawn, and the golden year will run its course, and the social and national rivalries that vex less' happy times will disappear, only when the grace and truth that have come by Jesus Christ are more widelv diffused and more generally possessed and utilised. With this end in view, the Church gathers her young men within these walls, and subjects them to a curriculum of study on these great themes, in their deep meanings and manifold applications, with the aid of the best scholarship she can command. " She also encourages them to an abiding attitude of prayer for the Holy Spirit, who • alone can make fresh and" radiant themes that have been too often dimmed with the breath of worldliness or soiled'with the mire of unseemly controversy. As the crown of her efforts she expects that her college shall radiate grace and truth throughout the whole Dominion, or wherever the feet.of her sons, shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, maywander. What the Church expects, let her endeavor more abundantly to secure ' by her sympathy, and her prayers, and her generous benefactions.- Now, unto Him that is able.to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him, be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen. ~ • At the concluision of tit© moderators address, all joined in singing Hymn 198, 'Glorious things.of Thee are spoken.' The service concluded with the moderator pronouncing the Benediction. THE MORNING MEETING. : At 11.15 a.m. the company, reinforced by many who could not attend earlier, reassembled in the library. The Rev. A. Cameron, the chairman, said in the course of his address that His Excellency the Governor had written on several occasions expressing his desire to be present, but he now wrote thai he was nimble to come. Then, they were to have had the Primate, and he was to have spoken, but he had received intimation of the death of one near to him. Amongst others who had sent apologies were the Hon. T. Mackenzie and" Mr Justice Williams. He (the chairman) felt sure that with all present there was a feeling of gladness at the success of this scheme so far as it .had proceeded. There .were forty-two students in residence, and in accordance with the original aim the College was made broad-based and catholic. But, as all might see, tibe building was incomplete. It was all on one side of the tower. They must, make an appeal to those who were in a position to give another start such as Mr Ross gave the scheme at first.—(Applause.) The structure eo faT was not quite half of the plan. It was inteaided to carry the building as far on the other side of the tower and to make it three sides of a square. This was wanted not merely to .complete the building and make it look better, but so as to be able to extend the influence ./ of the College. It wag already full, and he believed that if the other half had been erected that would have been full tco. He also hoped that before long the funds would suffice to. warrant the engaging of at least one tutor. The rev. gentleman's remarks were frequently applauded. The Hon. G. Fowlds,. Minister of Education, was called upon" to. wish success to Knox College. He said that the pro-. moters of the college were feeling that day the joys of achievement, which, was a one pf the primary emotions in the human mind. He was glad that ho was a Scotchman and a native of Ayrshire, the native place of Robert Burns, the" great Scottish poet, whose poetic temperament and prophetic fire had done so much to lay a mark on the characters of the early settlers of Otago. The name of Burns should also never be forgotten in connection with the establishment of the Presbyterian Ghurch in Otago. There was anothername that was also associated with the work of the Church, and that was the late Dr Stuart. In the'founding of the college, they were giving 'embodiment to the ideals of these early workers in the Church, who understood that in order to lay the basis of a sound character tbey must base their foundations on religion. Knox, the great founder of the Presbyterian Church, had realised the importance of education, and . had established free primary and secondary schools. This fact had- also' been' realised by the early settlers of Otago, and in the founding of this college they • were simply keeping up the standard set. The Presbyterian Church had always' stood for education. The Chairs of English, Mental Science, and Physics at .the Otago University were endowed by tha Presbyterian Church. He (the speaker) was proud of the-small part he had taken ' in making education free from the Kinder- • ' garten to .the University. It wis true ; ■ that all could not receive a free education I as far as the University, but all who had the capacity could go "from the Kinder- - 1 garten to the University without paying I a-penny. In conclusion, Mr Fowlds said '. he< hoped .that' before long Mr Camsron-'B '. I heart would be cheered by the rapid \ 'growth of the endowment fund, and uiat'i '~* , as soon.as-that fund was insk-safcififactory.' • [.candxtiao- W'- a Wp'^gj]yaß.f»J-.. -J

wrth.tae rest .of the building. He trusted \. that.the institution would prove a bond of - fellowship and social culture to the etu- ' /Bents of the- several faculties that were /privilegwl to reside therein?—{Applause.) ' The Rev. D. Borrie. the first student hi the Theological Hall,' arid now convener *f the Theological Hall Committee, was the next speaker. He made kindly refer- " 4 ince to the work of Dr Stuart and Professor Dinalop in tho cause of education, and said he would much have liked to see Mt "Will, another father of the Church, present: 'Much had horn done already in the way*of" establishing Knox College, but there were some tilings he;yet wished for. He would like to see the new wing up, so as to balance the building, and in the new wing a gymnasium and a swimming bath—neceesaiy adjuncts to theology as well as the other faculties. He congratulated the Rev. Sir. Cameron on the fulfilment of his dream up to tho present point; ho also congratulated the Master {who had done great service), the donors, the students, and the Church. He x wished he could congratulate the Church more. The Church had not yet realised that this college interested every member from Dan to Beersheba as the centre of her intellectual life.. But ho did congratulate the Church upon the noble gift ■" now in her holding, and he trusted that she would yet wake up to a realisation of its value.—(Applause.) Mr J. Ross, who was received with loud applause, thanked the Hon. Mr Fowlds and tho Rev. Mr Borrie for the congratulatory remarks that they had made in reference to the college. It was intended to make the college the handmaid of Presbyterian education. It was of a cosmopolitan character, and was open to students of all denominations. In the first Master of the college they had a man of the greatest ability and educational achievements. He (the speaker) had always looked forward to the foundation of this college, and he rejoiced that he had lived to see this day.—(Applause.) Canon Woodlhorpe, warden of Selwyn College, explained the absence of tho Primate, who had received a cablegram announcing the death of his brother, and he also mentioned that the Dean was confined to his room through illness. The Canon congratulated the authorities of Kncx College upon the possession of ( sueh ;i fine _ institution ; he went on to speak of the aims and objects of such a college; and he said that there was room in Dunedin for both Knox and Selwyn Colleges. Both Mr Hewitson and himself had had to refuse men because there was no more accommoda- ■ tion. What was very much wanted was a Lady Margaret College for the women students. He also thought that the Anglican and Presbyterian Churches ought to combine to establish a faculty of theology and confer degrees after examination. The Rev. P. W. Fairclough also joined in congratulating the Presbyterian Church on the foundation of the magnificent college, He was glad to see that they had decided to grow their own ministry, aud to furnish their men with the best possible equipment. The modern minister required a far different preparation for his work than his predecessor of former times. They had a different class of enemy to face. There was on hand asceticism, and on the other hand undue laxity. Mr Fairclough concluded an excellent speech by wishing the college every success in its work. The Rev. Dr Watt, -who was very warmly cheered by the students, expressed his gratification at finding the founders of the Church's education scheme spoken of with honor, and asked if he might be allowed to convey the good wishes .of the meeting to the Rev. W. Will, who was in all respects one of the. fathers of the Church.—(A hearty found of applause gave assent.) The speaker went on to speak about theological training, expressing the opinion that at no age of the Chinch's history vras there a greater need for educated men than now. Education was'at a high level. Men who were able to influence the people at the oldtime camp meetings -.vould not have such influence now, for the people would find fault with their grammar. None but educated men Could expect to be listened to. Educated men were also needed to show that there was no chasm opening up between what our fathers believe and what we believe about the Bible. HLs Worship the Mayor (Mr J. H. Wtdker) spoke of the importance of university training in building, up the characters" of the citizens. The City Council was represented on all the other educational institutions of the City, but had..no representation on the University Council. This, he considered, was a defect, and he hoped that an effort would be made to remedy it. Mr Walker concluded by congratulating Professor Hewitson on his appointment, and wishing rrirn every success in his work. He trusted that the work so auspiciously commenced that day would go on with increased success..—(Applause.) Mr James Allen, Vice-Chancellor of the University, spoke next. He apologised for the absence of His Honor Mr Justice Williams, who was engaged in court work. As to the suggestion of the mayor, he (Mr Allen) might mention that Professor Hewitson was leading a movement to amend the composition of the University Council, and as part of that amendment it was proposed to give representation to the mayor or some other member of the City Council. Xearlv every member of the Univereitv Council was in favor of that amending 6clieme, and as the Minister of Education was present he should be asked to further their desires by seeing that a Bill was put through.—(Professor Hewitson: "He has told me that he is keeping it in view.") Mr Alleu J went on to speak of the generosity of Dun- | edin in the matter of higher education. He knew of no city in the world that proportionately had given so much to tliat cause. Professor Giliay, chairman of the Professorial Board, conveyed the congratulations of his colleagues to the teachers and students of Knox College. He then went on to refer to the system of examination in vogue in the New Zealand University. As the papers were set by experts in the Home Universities the degrees conferred by the New Zealand University' had ' a value they would not otherwise have. Reference was also made by Professor Gilray to the success achieved by graduates ©f the New Zealand University in the world of science and literature. In concluding, Professor Gilray congratulated the Rev. A. Cameron on the success of his work in connection with the college. The Chairman mentioned that since the meeting began he had received a telegram from the Hon. J. A. Millar wishing the college every success. ° The Rev. Mr Cameron, on behalf of the Council, then handed to the Rev. J. Chisholm a gold key as a memento of the occasion, and the Moderator replied. Professor Hewitson acknowledged all the kind things that had been said about the college, and said" that they all owed a , .great debt to the Rev. A. Cameron. It was one of the greatest blessings that he (Mr Hewitson) had to possess the friendship of Mr Cameron—a gentleman who certainly was a visionary and at the same time eminently practical, and one with wide experience in'educational' matters. On behalf of the students in and out of residence, the Councillors, and himself, he (the professor) had much pleasure in handing to Mr Cameron a gold shield engraved with the college crest. Mr J. H. Lang, ALA., on .behalf of the students of the college, expressed thanks to Mr Cameron for the tfork he had donein connection with the college. Mr Lan<r then called upon the students present to give three cheers for Mr Cameron, and the call was heariuy responded to. M^ C ? m ! Ton ¥ iefl y responded, thanking the students and teachers for their hand-' ' some present. The meeting ended at 1.45 p.m. ; ,-' AT HOME, ETC. After the meeting a number of. guests _ were entertained at luncheon by the Master, Professor Hewitson. In the afternoon the Master held a reception. ' The students were to give, a concert at 4 p.m., and another is fixed for 8 p.m the proceeds of.-thase concerts being in ■ aid of the piano fund.