THE REV. DR. STUART.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6502, 14 December 1882, Page 4

THE REV. DR. STUART.

In the Christian Leader "J. U.'D."thus gives a pen-and-ink portrait of the worthy pastor of Knox Church, Dunedin: —

On his arrival there was but one Scottish' church in the city, of which a nephew of . Robert Burns was the minister., The time was gone when a small synod met in the manse kitchen over whisky toddy and pipes. _ Things were shaping to more ambitious and imposing forms. The First Church had planted ministers here and there, and had now sent off a swarm to .the north end of the city, to what waß fitly called ICnox Church. Here Mr Stuart became the first minister, nor was it long before his power was felt. In pastoral visitation he was genial, and spon won a place in the families from which nothing could dislodge him- Tiara i* no man in Now Zealaud, probably, that has chrißtened, married,'and buried more people. Hia fine, hearty figure—only six feet two— with shepherd's plaid over his shoulder ia still, in spite of a buggy, to be seen, as of old, at all hours of the day, hurrying from one deed'of mercy, and kindness, and duty to another. His interest in public affairs has always been great. His w. rk for education has been, rewarded with the vice-chancellorship of Otago Univeisity. Hia presence is-sought-for at every public assembly, and benevolence flows most freely when ." the doctor " sounds the call. These are the chief grounds of hißpower: he is the friend of the poor and the helperof every public movement.. Hundreds go to him for counsel; for he creates a sympathy by his mauner and will help if he can, lie has often reminded me of the bishop in Victor Hugo's " lies Miserables." He is unselfish almost to extravagance ; he lives most simply, entertains largely, and gives freely of all that he has. If you wander into his orchard you can never eat plums enough to satisfy him ; when you Btop plucking he brings you picked specimens from fresh varieties that you must taste; and; departing, your pockets are filled for the children. It needs hardly be said that he stands among the young folk as high and loved as Goldsmith's vicar—they aro fond of the old man's smile. He has succeeded in reviving a catechetical service for ,young people every fortnight, and it is his most'popular. Sunday evening service. On Sunday morning ho lias a class of a hundred, and a goodly sight it is to see them troop out after him—"lift igoeth before them, and the sheep follow, him, for they know his voico." I have compared him to a bishop in his flock. But he 13 only primus inter pares in the synod. There he has broken away ■ from the Old Identity narrowness. Though Scottish to the backbone and Presbyterian to the marrow, he has had prevision and breadth enough to see that tho earlier ideal cannot be reached, that public institutions must be expanded to meet all »sections, and church arrangements varied to suit all varieties. If he does not always get his way, he has done more than anyone else to-promote the-pro-gressive and expansive spirit in that most independent of church courts. It does not matter where the doctor goes, he is at horne —he brings an atmosphere with him. In company, he is the life of the party rin sickness and sorrow,: the soothing comforter, breathing hope and peace; and travelling,-ho gets remembered and wished for everywhere.' I recollect riding over some forty miles of rivers and rough roads by the side of the driver. Directly he heard I was from Dunedin, he asked if I know a fine clergyman that had been that way lately. The man wasa composite character—an Englishman, born in Denmark, bred in Russia, and married to a Maori—and probably knew little of church affairs. I soon'found out:who his passenger had been, and was delighted to find that Tiis praises of " the doctor " as a traveller were not surpassed by the volubility with which he swore at the horses—and that- alone was amazing. The doctor works with honest preparation at his sermons; but it. is not the study, which makes his pulpit a power. Ho is not a great preacher, but he is a good one. The stuff and form of his discourses may be open to criticism; but their spirit and force are undeniable. "It is not what the doctor says," was the remark of a regular hearer, " there are many preach finer ; but somehow lie gives me a shore every Sabbath that helps through tho week." "A shove that helps through the week " is not a bad idea of what a preached sermon ought tobe ; and " the doctoi's " sermons are that and more. He is loyal to the Confession; he ia sound on the fundamentals; but on practice he is firm and strong. He has gained the right to be so by his own life and character. " First he wrought, and afterward he taught." One morning the daily papers published an embel- ■ lished paragraph to this effect: " Last night, or early this morning, the police discovered a great fellow hastening along the street with a huge bundle on his back. Chase was at ones made for the supposed burglar, who proved to be a minister of the city on his way to a poor woman with a supply of- bedding ho had promised to send butforgotton." .Thedoctor's promise slipped his memory till he went to his own bed—many would have thought it too ate—the doctor was up and away with his gift at once. It was just like him. It only remains to record that in the suburbs several parishes have been formed out of Knox, that the schools are well worked, that the new church is the finest in the country except the Christchurch Cathedral, and that it is all occupied. The labour.of so large a charge, of about a thousand communicants, is too much for the doctor with his advancing years; and it is to be hoped that some plan will be d«^ vised for his partial relief. Long may it bo before ho needs more than partial relief 1 May his bow long abide in strength 1"

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