Chapter XV.
School Changes.

In the end of 1858 Mr. Knowles achieved his wish, and became ordained a clergyman of the Episcopal Church. He resigned his charge of Pigeon Bay school shortly before the arrival of his successor from Home. There were then eighteen day scholars and two boarders in the master's house. Mr. Hay had been beforehand with his arrangements, knowing the probable date of the school becoming vacant. Nearly a year previous to this time he consulted the Rev. Charles Frazer, first Free Church minister of Canterbury, who came occasionally in course of his ministrations to visit the Peninsula. He was for years the only Presbyterian minister in Canterbury, so his services were scattered over a. wide area, his head-quarters being Christchurch. To him Mr. Hay confided his difficulties—for by this time he had quite made up his mind to send direct Home for a teacher—so together they wrote to Dr. Bonar, Convener of the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland, asking him to select a thoroughly competent teacher and send him out, Mr. Hay at the same time sending Home £100 for outfit and passage money. Dr. Bonar made an excellent choice, so far as the character, disposition, and abilities of the new master were concerned, but unfortunately his constitution was weak. He had been page 180head master of the Academy of Airdrie, a coal and iron-mining town in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

It is interesting to know our Aunt Julia (Mrs. Hay's youngest sister, therefore grand-aunt of the "children of the clan "), wife of the Rev. A. M. Wilson, lived all the years of her married life in Airdrie. The writer has many fond memories of the patient, gentle "little Auntie," who suffered so much from chronic asthma, yet who failed not

First Post Office, Christchurch.

to do her faithful duty in church and home. She died comparatively young, leaving four little children, and was laid to rest in Airdrie cemetery.

Frequent childish visits to this bleak town have left on the writer's mind an impression of dreariness and decay. From the fact that mining operations had been carried on underneath the town, many of the houses, in one quarter especially, were in a state of collapse from the subsidence of the ground; whole streets were consequently unsafe to page 181live in. The "Academy," a large, uninviting stone building, where poor Mr. Gillespie spent his best energies, had deservedly a good reputation in the West of Scotland. Mr. Gillespie arrived in New Zealand early in 1859, accompanied by his mother and father, who bought a piece of land in Pigeon Bay, and began farming at once.

Mr. James Gillespie—Died 14th November, 1860.

Mr. Gillespie was their only remaining son out of a family of six children, the others having all died of consumption as they grew up. It was almost as a forlorn hope that they left their native land to try the effect of a warmer climate, which for a time benefited the young man's health.

He was remarkably clever as a teacher, and had wonderful power and influence over the children, by whom he was almost idolised. His system of teaching was the page 182Scottish parish school system, which had been many years in vogue at Home. The curriculum was English and commercial, as is the rule of present day grammar and high schools, the purpose being to make pupils intelligent readers, good writers in English composition, and accurate arithmeticians. As an aid to the better comprehension of the English language and the study of other modern languages, Latin was taught, but occupied a secondary place as a means to an end—not an end in itself. French was also taught, and for discipline in logical - thought mathematics was depended on. The school was remarkably strong in mathematics, but this again was gone into as a means to an end.

Mr. Gillespie's powers as a mathematician soon became widely known, and his success as a teacher caused comparisons to be made between his system and that of the Christ's College Grammar School, which up till now had had the pre-eminence, with the result that the decision was in favour of the new curriculum. In a very short time Mr. Gillespie had as many pupils as he could manage; they came from far and near, and afforded the best proof that the new system of education was an advance on the old. Mr. Hay soon found it necessary to build a larger schoolhouse, beside the old one in the orchard. An immediate result of this reformed mode of teaching was that Mr. Gillespie was asked to take the head-mastership of the new High School, Christchurch at an increased salary, soon after his arrival in New Zealand. He was too honourable a man, however, to listen to this proposal, and absolutely refused to cancel his engagement to Mr. Hay, no matter how tempting the inducements offered.

As a notable example of his authority and influence, two or three refractory' youths were sent to him from Christchurch and Lyttelton, to see if he could conquer page 183their almost hopeless obstinacy and idleness. To make matters worse two of them were notorious "bullies" of the genus "larrikin." Mr. Gillespie told them, in presence of the school what he knew of their former conduct, what he expected of them in the way of attention to study and respect towards himself, and what they might expect from him on the first infringement of his rules. It was enough there was not the slightest attempt at insubordination, and those big boys became exemplary pupils, ever showing the sincerest regard for their revered master.

From this time forward there was little play-time for our young people at Annandale. Their lessons occupied them at least four hours every evening. To use Mr. Gillespie's own words to Mr. Hay, which the latter quoted in a letter to his brother (date, May 14, 1859): "None of them have been worked up to their abilities; they are like young unbroken colts." Mr. Hay adds: "Mr. Gillespie is working them hard; they have a room to themselves, and are at it from tea till bed-time. I have to send a line to Mr. Gillespie every Friday evening, telling him who has been indolent in learning his or her lessons." James was then 18, Tom 16½ years of age, and neither of them up till that time could do a long-division sum nor read a sentence correctly and fluently. Mr. Gillespie had such a happy knack of making their studies interesting that they thoroughly enjoyed their once hated lessons, and made marvellous progress during the short time their beloved master was spared to them. He lived only a year and nine months after coming to New Zealand, that short time being the only practical education James and Tom had.

Towards the last the young man suffered greatly at times, he frequently came to school when too weak to stand, and yet he kept to his post, ever thinking of the children's welfare before his own. The slight improvement page 184in his health soon ceased, for the dread disease had too great a hold upon him; but to the last he was brave and hopeful, and though his parents and Mr. and Mrs. Hay often entreated him to rest more, indeed to stop the work he was no longer able to do, his earnest spirit could not yield to inaction. The last weeks were sorrowful ones to his parents, friends and pupils, yet hallowed by much delightful intercourse, and many tokens of loving interest in the pupils he so faithfully counselled, who one and all clung to him with devoted affection. The last few months, James and Tom took a horse to him to ride to and from school, though distant but a quarter of a mile from his house, so eager was he to carry on his work to the last. On 10th November, 1860, he was obliged to give up, that he might put himself under the doctor's care. He gave a week's holiday, and James, Tom, Mr. Gillespie's man, and two pupils (the refractory ones above referred to) took him up to Lyttelton in a whaleboat, staying the night in Port Levy to break the strain of the long-exposed journey. On the 13th November, Mr. Hay went up to see him in his lodgings in Lyttelton, and found him very weak but cheerful and happy. Having business in Christchurch, Mr. Hay left him at midday, promising to get back early next morning to accompany him home. Meantime he found Hew C. Frazer (the Presbyterian minister), and asked him to remain the night with Mr. Gillespie, which he did, Mr. Stewart, fanner, of Pigeon Pay, also staying with him.

Next morning, as Mr. Hay was returning over the Port Hills, a messenger met him near the summit, with the sad news that Mr. Gillespie was dying. He speedily gained the house, and found Mr. Gillespie unconscious—in a few moments he died. He had managed to dress himself, and was waiting for Mr. Hay, his one desire being to reach page 185home; but this was not to he, though his last sudden attack was unexpected. He was seized with three tits of epilepsy (he had had no previous attacks of this kind), following quickly on one another, and from the last one he never regained consciousness. Mr. Hay, to his great grief, was only in time to close his eyes. Rev. C. Frazer and Mr. Stewart both described the last night of his life as most peaceful and happy. He was resigned and ready to receive his reward—"Well done, good and faithful servant"—only waiting his Master's time to "enter into the joy of his Lord."

Mr. Hay returned at once to the Bay to convey the mournful news to his parents—a sad task, for though they knew he could not recover, still they fondly hoped to have seen him back again for a little time. His death away from home and their loving care, made their trial harder to bear. His last resting-place is Addington Cemetery, Christ-church. His father, accompanied by Mr. Hay and all the boys of the school, went up to the funeral, and, as a mark of their attachment to their master, the scholars erected a monument to his memory, a large greystone column, the best they could obtain in those days. Thus was the earthly career of this worthy, talented young man closed at the early age of 31. During his short life he did excellent work, and made his mark on the advancement of education in Canterbury, besides which he left behind him the incense of a pure, unselfish life. "He rested from his labours, and his works do follow him." In a letter Home soon after his death Mr. Hay says:—"You can form no idea of the good Mr. Gillespie has done in this place, both temporally and spiritually. 'Although dead yet he speaketh.'"

The influence of a good man lives to bless the lives of those around him, and a schoolmaster's work, like that of good parents, stretches far into futurity in an ever-widening page 186circle, as the young lives he has helped to tit for life's battle take their part in their country's history, and stamp their mould of character upon it.

After Mr. (Gillespie's death his parents continued to reside in Pigeon Hay on their farm. They bore their sorrows with calm, Christian courage, making their lives beautiful with self-denying care for others, and taking special interest in the welfare of the young people, as their noble son had done. It was their greatest comfort and pleasure to carry out as far as possible, his plans and wishes. In the simplicity of their hearts they seemed unconscious that by their own excellent training they had laid the foundation of his sterling character. The old lady, always more or less an invalid, showed none of the querulousness that so often accompanies weak health, but maintained a bright, happy expression of face and manner. Speaking the Doric of Ayrshire in a sweet, musical voice, she delighted old and young by her ready wit and humorous remarks, often puzzling her young favourites with her quaint Scotch phrases, and enjoying their mystification. Her religion was so truly a part of her life that she never let a chance escape of telling the "old, old story" in her own simple, fervent manner, and as she had the happy knack of winning the confidence of her young friends, these opportunities readily arose. It was ever her delight to help the young to walk in the ways of truth and purity, the "paths of pleasantness and peace."

She died a few years after her son, and her old husband was left very solitary. He survived her many years, and when feeling his age and loneliness, he married the faithful housekeeper who had attended to his wife during her later years. He was a successful energetic colonist, a staunch pillar of the "'kirk" he loved. In character determined, original and shrewd, his strong honest principles guiding life and action, he was strict in his adherence to the "soon' doctrines of the Kirk," nor page 187would he tolerate modern innovations. As he expressed himself once to the writer—"I canna thole thae palavers folk gang on wi' in the hoose o' God." He sternly opposed the use of the organ or harmonium for church service, on its first introduction, likewise "thae hymes"—"what mair do folk want than the "Psaulm o'Daurid?" In later years, however, he became reconciled to the "kist o' whistles." He was critical in judging sermons, and nothing delighted his old heart more than an earnest discussion—with a foeman worthy of his steel—on the "work of the Spirit," "justification by faith," &c, &e. The Bible he had a thorough knowledge of, and was fluent and fervent in prayer. The "Shorter Catechism" and "Confession of Faith" were his strongholds of defence of the faith of his fathers. The old bones of contention between the Calvinistic and more modern views of Theology, viz.—"Calling and Election," "Predestination," &c., &c.—were toughly held on to by this stern old stickler- for orthodoxy, who expressed his "views" with no uncertain sound. Any difficulties as to limitations, or inconsistencies in his creed, were met with calm contempt, as "no essential to salvation." We hae naething adae wi' onything we canna understan.'"

And yet the grand simple truths of the Gospel were twisted and dwarfed to fit into his own "soon'doctrine," which was nothing if not contradictory and obscure'. However, these rigid ideas were but the sketch, the real man, with his strong true character, impressed all who knew him with admiration and respect. Like his country-men, he could "hand on to baw-bees," but to every cause-he considered worthy, he gave liberally. The Pigeon Pay Church and other religious movements show ample proofs of his benevolence. This good old man died about 14 years ago, viz., in 1886, and was buried beside his wife and son in Addington Cemetery, Christchurch. Truly of him it might be said—He "lived a life of faith in the son of God," and "died the death of the righteous."