Dr. John Knox

"PEI Missionary"

*Excerpt from Reuban Butchart's "The Disciples of Christ in Canada Since 1830", Chapter 10*

Scotland made a direct contribution to the religious life of the Island when Dr. John Knox, a distinguished scholar of Edinburgh University (and medical doctor as well) came to Charlottetown as an Episcopalian clergyman in the year 1841. He came practically as a missionary for the Church of England. He was born and educated in Edinburgh, but received his medical degree in London; afterwards serving as a classical tutor in Cambridge [123] University. Soon after coming to The Island his religious views underwent a change (so says O. B. Emery) who writes a careful obituary in The Christian in Dec. 1892.

He was baptized by the Rev. Alex Scott and united with the Baptist church. Soon after this he went to Albany, N.Y. where he was pastor of a Baptist church; but his voice having failed him there he returned to the simple life of the Island to pass more than forty years in service to its churches. He first preached for the churches at Lot 48 (Cross Roads), Three Rivers (Montague), East Point, and as far West at times as Cavendish and St. Eleanors. (While in the U.S. it is said he received the degree of LL.D from Harvard University.) "Afterwards there was a change in the churches referred to as to what they should receive and teach as authoritative in matters of faith and practice. The majority (a large majority) decided for the Bible and the Bible alone as authoritative; and to the Christian the New Testament especially. At the head of these stood Dr. Knox, and in taking this stand they identified themselves with the reformatory work of the Campbells, Barton W. Stone, Walter Scott, Jacob Creath, and a host of others, coming to the conclusion that human creeds as authoritative are divisive." W. W. Eaton, writing in The Christian, December, 1847, says of him that he was the principal teacher in the order of the New Testament in the churches mentioned. Undoubtedly the great work of Knox was in building up these, and other, churches on the Island.

It is said that his views were largely enlarged during his visit to the U.S. He developed his charges toward that end in conformity with the adoption of the name "Disciples of Christ" in 1830 (cf. Mill. Harb., Aug. 1830), and accepted that name for his churches. Thus he aligned himself with the full Disciple position and used his great talents to the dissemination of their principles. His brilliant mind attracted the attention of all who came under its influence. The American Christian Missionary Society in the years 1859-60 engaged him to travel and preach in the Maritime provinces, where he travelled great distances and spoke to record audiences. In the year 1860, he was asked to be minister of the Halifax group, their first settled pastor. He made a fine beginning there, but an unfortunate schism, directed by superior money power, discouraged his efforts and he resigned and came back to the Island.

A sample of his thinking is found in a letter he wrote to a church elder, quoted by Charles Stevenson in his letter to W. W. Eaton, contained in The Christian, September 4, 1846. Knox writes "I formed a church (East Point) last Lord's day (August, 1846) Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone; a church which is connected with no association but the universal brotherhood; no bond of union but Christian love; no ground of union but obedience to the whole truth as it is in Jesus; and no rule but the uncorrupted and blessed word of God. There are now (on the Island) more than three hundred disciples whose care rests upon me in a measure, under God 'who, when things are set in order . . . will exhibit the simplicity and power of truth to the bewildered professors on this Island." Such was the language of the Reformers of that day, as opposed to overlordship and creeds. Knox's aims were very plainly to impress upon his people obedience strictly to scriptural teaching and authority. "The Bible and the Bible alone, must govern the disciples of Jesus." This spirit for long permeated the foundation and frame of the edifice erected by Dr. Knox. The foregoing "forming" of the church at East Point must have been in the nature of a re-consecration to the principles of the church of Christ, according to the N.T., since the founder of East Point, (A. Crawford) did not definitely go the whole way.

Poem written by Dr. John Knox for the opening of the South Lake Meeting House (Courtesy of the Maritime Christian College Archives)

Transcription of Poem:

Come let us lift our hearts on high, To God who dwelleth in the sky,

Let us aloud our voices raise , And sing our grateful songs of praise.

Accept this House of Prayer O Lord, According to thy faithful word,

And from it may our prayers arise , Like grateful incense to the skies.

Within this temple cause to shine, Thy glory in Thy truth divine,

To guide the strong, refresh the faint, And turn the sinner to a saint.

There may we see Thy brightest Beams, And drink Thy deepest living streams

And gather courage from Thy Law, To fight the battles of our Lord.

There may the young with open eyes, Forsake earth's vanities and lies,

And every needful blessing find, In Christ who died for all mankind

There may the sore distressed in mind, Thy Blessed peace and comfort find,

And strengthened by Thy matchless grace, Pursue with joy the Christian race.

May aged pilgrims bowed with care, Within this house Thy bounties share

And be by hopes so sure and bright, Made meet to dwell with saints in light.

May all in every time and need, Within these walls be blessed indeed

And by their holy conduct prove, Their life of faith, their power of love

God of salvation rich and free, This house we dedicate to Thee,

Accept the gift, make this Thy rest, So shall Thy waiting church be blessed.

A testimony to the character of Knox comes from W. W. Eaton, who writes in his journal, The Christian, December, 1847, p. 148: "During the two days we spent at Lot 48 we were edified and delighted by his stock of interesting anecdote, his large fund of general intelligence and his extensive knowledge of men, of modern theology and the glorious system of Christianity. His very superior natural colloquial powers, his clear discernment of human character; his fine polished manners and his very liberal education obtained in Scotland's capital have put him in possession of means of doing much good towards God's glory and the upbuilding of the Redeemer's kingdom.

Knox was a magnetic personality upon the platform or pulpit. One who knew him well states that a fine tolerance toward other religious people warmed his ministry. His character was such that, although he came as an Anglican and afterwards diverted his life to another channel, he could and did preach in most of the Anglican churches on the Island, as well as those of other bodies. Such a testimony is rare. In his later years (after 1881) he turned to medical practice in Charlottetown, owing to impaired sight, and mingled his practice with comfort and counsels. Shortly before his death he attended a conference at Cross Roads, and was then suffering from complete blindness. He was the preacher of the occasion. One who heard him relates "He was quite blind as he ascended the pulpit steps and read the [125] chapter and hymns from memory. Though blind his ringing voice and commanding presence were unimpaired." His lovable disposition won him the confidence and friendship of all. About him there was no dispute among the Island people. Of him the Island Patriot said that he was one of the most scholarly, eloquent and public-spirited preachers of the Island. O. B. Emery (fellow-preacher) in The Christian, Dec. 1892, stated that "he leaves a name which alone may die when Islanders cease to think." Dr. Knox was twice married, first to Margaret Ferguson; later (1876) he married Catherine Dewar, daughter of John Dewar, of Lot 48. He had no children. He died on November 16, 1892, aged 75 years. His earthly remains, with those of his wives, lie in Cross Road cemetery. Over his grave the inscription, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

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