IN COMMEMORATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19800, 27 May 1926, Page 7

IN COMMEMORATION.

PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. GIVING THANKS FOR THE PAST. Ross Chapel at Knox College was the scone last evening of an impressive commemoration service at which a memorial tablet was unveiled in honour ol the late Professor Watt, for so long tutor and professor of Hebrew at the Theological College. The president ,of the ,Auld Lang Syne Club, which consists chiefly of men wiio received their training in tile Theological Hall here, the Rev. J. M. Simpson, presided. The gathering was part ot the celebrations taking place this week to mark the jubilee of the Theological College, and wag largely attended by professors,'Students, ex-students, and friends of the college. After prayer and praise had been offered, the Rev. H Maclean read trom the New Testament passages appropriate to the occasion. A brass tablet bearing the following inscription was then unveiled tu.d read by the Rev. A. B. Todd while the audience stood: —

“In memory of the Rev. Michael Watt, M.A., D.D., 1855-1922, tutor, lecturer, and professor in the Theological College from 1874 to 1921, a teacher greatly beloved, in whom learning was blended with reverence and ripened into grace. Erected by his former students.” Alter the Rev. Professor Gumming rad offered prayer, the Rev. John Collie gave a memorial address. He expressed regret that the eldgst surviving student of the college, the Rev. W. Scorgie, had not been able to give that address. He referred in feeling terms to his friendship with the late Professor Watt, and to the value and length of his services to the church. Professor Watt came to the Dominion 60 years ago equipped with the finest scholarship. It was now 52 years since he first took part in the training of their students. To students of the last few years Dr Watt was little more than a name, but to those who had known him his memory was among the finest and most ennobling that they cherished. The whole church had , the deepest respect for his scholarship, but ho was remembered for muen more than scholarship, lor his piety and his learning were intimately blended, bacred learning was a term of peculiar appropriateness when applied to Dr WattHis character was largely the outcome ol his scholarship, and his study of the Scriptures made him the man be was, at once the most humble and the most dignified man that ever adorned the ministry of their church. They were thankful that they could always think of him as a preacher to whom the truth of God was infinitely real, whose whole nature was touched to a finer grace by the faith in which he lived. Dr Watt’s English was always a model of purity, but that was, after all, a detail. The permanent influence of a ministry and professorship like his was deeper and wider than any acquisition of scholarship. Not only was this fineness of character united with the scholarship, but the cnaracter was largely the fruit of the scholarship and habits of thought which he cultivated. They liked to think of his geniality, his laughter, his fine Highland courtesy, the freshness of his interests, and the width of his knowledge on so many subjects and the dignity of his bearing. His bearing and carriage and walk were a true indication of the character within. His character was as much an achievement as a gift. His trust was the fragrant blossoming of his thinking. It was a wonderful help to students to feel that thinking and learning could be so articulated with ® forming of character. No man cou d be less dogmatic, and yet no man could do more to confirm faith by the whole attitude of his life. His students might forget many of the details of his teaching, but they could never forget their teacher as a man in whom wider knowledge meant clearer faith and deeper reverence. The singing of the hymn, O God. Our Help in Ages Past,” was followed by the reading of the following names of the deceased members of the staff, conveners of the Theological College Committee, and alumni of the College: ’ . Staff. —Rev. D. M- Stuart D.D. (prior to the establishment of the Hal!): Rev. Michael Watt, M.A., D.D., 1874-1921; Rev, Wi - liam Salmond, M.A., D.D., 1576-1886: Rev. John Dunlop, M.A-, D.D., 1887-1909; R OV - James Chisholm (acting): Rev Andrew Cameron, 8.A., LL.D. (acting); Mr James Conveners. —Mr E. B. Cargill. Rev. W. Johnstone, Rev. D. M. Stuart, D.D., Rev. A. Cameron, 8.A., LL.D., Rev. Borne. Alumni.—James Chisholm, 1870 (ordained); John Steven, 1870 (ordained); David Borrie, 1875-77; James Blackie, 1876-79; Andrew Cameron, 1879-80; J. A. Will, 1879-80; George Grant. I BBI ' B -- Eneas Mackintosh. 1881-82; Thomas Smaill, 1883-85: John Cpwie, 1886-88, John Murray. 1886-88; Kobert Fairmaid. 1887-89; A. H. Treadwell, 1888-90 William Grant, 1889; E. J. Carter, 1888-90, W. W. Brown, 1893-95; Harold Peters, 1891-93; Thomas Tait, IS9G-98; J G. M'Leod, 1900; J. R. Shore. 1900; Alexander Porter, 1902-04; J. T. Gunn 190406; W. C. Blair, 1905-07; S. Gaston, 1905-07; Alexander Gow, 1905-07; James Lowery, 1905-07: N. D. Meholson, 190609; O. Blundell. 1908-10; F. R. Blue. 1909-10: A. R. Madill, 1911-13; E. W. Halford, 1913-15. p ... The following students for the ministry fell in the Great War, 1914-18:—F. F. Adamson, T, Aitken, A. G. Avery, P. Durward, J. W. Fisher. D. A. Frew, J. Kirk, J. D. R. Munro, John W. lco J, E. G. Pilling, E. K. Prebble, A. S. Reid, C. N. Sutherland. , The commemorative address was delivered by the Rev. Adam Begg, who said their thoughts were turned to those whose ministry on earth had ended. Let them think of the men who in answer to the call of their church undertook the training of their theological students. Their first professors were men of outstanding gifts, well equipped to lay the foundation of theological training in this land. He paid a glowing tribute to Dr Salmond, Dr Dunlop, and Dr Watt. No church had been better served by its professors of theology, and they thanked God for the worthy lead these men had given. “Unconscious, they were great. Of the students who had gone through and since passed away, some had given only short service, but all gave of their best. Some like David Borrie and Andrew Cameron and James Chisholm were men of outstanding gifts, who made great contributions to the welfare and advancement ot the church. He could not refrain from mentioning also the name of Ihomas Smaill, who gave his life for the regeneration of Epi, in the New Hebrides. They remembered with pride the way in which their men had played their part in the Great War. As they remembered all those who had completed their service in this earthly sphere their hearts were glad. Tnese men had played the man for their country and their God, and had enriched their church with sacred and ennobling memories. The stirring and appropriate hymn, “For All the Saints,” followed this address, and thereafter the sacrament of the Communion was dispensed by the Rev. G. 11. M'Neur, of Canton. Modemof the General Assembly.