—(continued from page 4)—The sponsoring church plan was adapted to a “School of Preaching” in Sydney, and social “fellowship” was promoted as the “work of the church.” (From a Brisbane bulletin, “Bro. Self in his sermon last Sunday night spoke of the foot clinic as being a good work of the church; its purpose being ‘to save soles!”) There is plenty of evidence that Australian brethren were appalled by the antics of some U.S. preachers, and a reserved, almost anti-American feeling developed  on the part of some. When conservative preachers came to Australia (to preach the gospel, establish churches in new areas) the mimeographed tirade against “Anti-s” that greeted them was enough to cause thinking Australians to contact them and want to know what this was all about. We began our work with special classes in the building of the Port Hacking church, Sydney. In the afternoons of Oct. 1-2-3, Harry taught a series on “Hard Sayings of Jesus” and l taught “Abrahamic Promises.” In the evenings of those days I discussed “The church” and Harry presented a fine series on “Fellowship.” Plans to repeat this in Bundaberg, Q’ld. were changed by an airline strike. After two days in an Austin, with Australian preacher Max Burgin, we arrived in time for Friday night services only. Then Harry set off with Australian preacher Ray Ward for the inland cattle town. of Emerald, Q’ld. where he conducted a mission; while I remained in Bundy with Burgin and Rolly McDowell for a mission. The following week I flew to Rockhampton, Q’ id.; while Harry made

a long automobile trek to Innisfail (in the tropic zone), stopping for a private home discussion in Townsvllie. His work in Innisfail closed on Thursday, mine in Rocky on Friday, and by Saturday we were together again, flying to Brisbane, Q’id. We “batched” in the home of bro. Gordon Stevens, and conducted day classes in the home of bro. Norm. Cardinal. Preachers McDowell, Burgin, and Harry Wyer were also in Brisbane, and these periods became a sort of seminar for serious study. At night Harry and I preached, alternately, in a hired hail; and one night I had private studies in a home with eight or nine people, while Harry preached at the hail. It was fun— if you like work. We were constantly aware of the long-range import of our efforts, and prayed for wisdom. And this was the pattern in weeks that followed. Saturday was travel day, flying the long stretches when flights were available, or “flying low” in a VW or Austin, with Burgin or McDowell at the wheel. Spring begins in September in the land “down-under” so we worked the north (where spring first comes) then moved south with the changing season, trying to stay behind the rains and ahead of the extreme heat. In two extended tours of Australia I have found climate like that in southwestern U.S.A. I was in Armidale (met in hall, 27 non-member visitors) while Harry was in Lismore (17 visitors, renewed interest in a firm work there, 2 more recently baptized). Harry then went to Inverell (preached in hall, studied with (Continued, next page.)  [Previous Article] [Next Article]

	Created on 4-Dec-00	Page last updated