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 The
Feb. ‘74 issue of PLAIN TALK (available upon request) contained a
partial report of a series of “missions” which bro. Harry Pickup,
Jr. and I conducted in Australia the last three months of ‘73. This
issue will conclude that report. It should be understood that I do not
speak for bro. Pickup, but include his work as part of my view of the
journey.
Following
our “break” week, Harry went to Sydney for a mission with the Pt.
Hacking church, and reports from there indicate good interest, with 18
first-time non-members in attendance. Bro. Jim Beech (U.S. preacher in
Wagga Wagga, NSW) took me to the twin-cities of Albury, NEW ‘and
Wodonga, Vic., where I was joined by bro. Max Burgin. We “batched”
in a trailer.
Bro.
and sis. Simon Valk came to Australia from Holland, determined to
establish a church wherever they settled. They met in a hall in Albury
for many months before a single non-member could be interested. There
were good days, when a dozen or more saints met with them, and they have
witnessed some baptisms. But backslidings and “moves” have
repeatedly discouraged them. Our one-week stay was woefully inadequate.
I taught a home class, Max and I talked to weak saints far and near, and
we rejoiced when the janitor of the hall and his wife visited with us.
But we left Albury with heavy hearts. A full-time worker is needed in
this growing community of 40,000 people.
On
Saturday (travel day) Max took me to Melbourne, Vic., where I joined
bro. Rolly McDowell for a
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transcontinental flight to Perth, W.A. I had an
invitation from Dr. Harry Blackmore to visit his home, and I
anticipated Bible studies there. I also hoped to break down some
prejudices which U.S. liberal preachers had imported to Australia.
(It was from Perth that Marvin Phillips (1967) had sent out his
mimeographed attack on “Antis” in an effort to
block conservative men.)
Bro.
Blackmore and his family were very hospitable, but told us “letters
had been received” warning brethren against us. However, a group
of men had agreed to meet with me in a home, and ask questions. On
Monday I rode to the place of meeting with an Australian preacher
who admitted he had never heard or read anything I taught but
declared he would not believe any thing I might say. I suggested he
should at least get something first-hand so he would know what he
was “anti”. Seventeen men gave me a ‘going over” that night
— and the men were separated from the boys; the rabid “anti-antis”
from fair-minded but by no means soft-hearted brethren.
The
week was filled with Bible and more Bible study. Not all agreed, but
I preached to a house filled with good people on Friday, and we
parted friends — including the “anti-anti” preacher. This was
one of the most profitable weeks of the trip; due largely to bro.
Blackmore’s great heart, and the wonderful assistance of Rolly
McDowell from “Bundy.”
Isn’t
it sad that U.S. brethren, are so unwilling (or unable?) to get
together for a calm Bible study of differences? (Continued next
page)
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