6
Two weeks saw the goal reached. But
on they went, setting records and shatter-
ing them, ever on to higher goals and more
thrilling experiences. How that little band
worked! Then with £98 behind them and
one more day's work ahead — and that in
the poorest section — they were out in
the territory at nine sharp. And now the
day and the territory are done; they have
their receipts; the £100 has been obtained
and passed, the total has crept up to £102,
and like the heroes they are, they rest on
their oars, well pleased.
That is the end as far as we know it
yet; but the thrill lingers, bringing back
memories of the joys of service in the way
with the Master. But that is not the only
reminder. There are the interests awakened
which we are certain will bear fruit for
the kingdom, in souls found while we went
on the errands of our Master in behalf of
the heathen,
MISSIONARY LEADER.
After Many Years
Last year while on my way to the Union
Conference session in Melbourne, I stopped
off a few days at my old home at Scott’s
Creek, S.A. On the Sunday evening I went
to the old Methodist church on the hill
where I have preached so often and where,
too, much of my spiritual life was moulded.
I had no sooner reached the church than
I was asked to take the service. ‘‘But,”’ I
protested, ‘‘ your preacher is here.”’
‘*Never mind,’’ they said, ‘‘we want you
to take it. We are sure he will not
mind.’’ And so I took my stand behind the
old familiar pulpit, while the preacher sat
in front of me with his eyes cast down.
While back at the old place a few years
ago, I was on the Methodist plan for seven
Methodist churches. Then, naturally, I
preached subjects more in keeping with
Methodism, Here was my opportunity to
preach again. On what should I preach?
It would be easy to give some neutral
gospel sermon to those gathered there.
“But no,’’ I thought, ‘‘here is an oppor-
tunity to testify to the truth of the mes-
sage I accepted in that village years
ago under the labours of Brother Alfred
Sperring.’’
I chose the subject, ‘Armageddon.’ The
message went home to the hearts of the
people. There before me sat one of my
brothers and his wife. ‘There, too, was
the foremost business man of the district.
After the meeting this gentleman said, ‘I
enjoyed that sermon. That is the preaching
we need in this church. Methodists are
starved today.’’ He said he would en-
deavour fo persuade the resident minister
in charge of the circuit to allow me to
preach there again on my return from Mel-
bourne, I was not permitted. Evidently
that lecture has finished my preaching in
that Methodist church. I feel somewhat
disappointed and sad over it. The preacher
who sat back was very angry, and hore
an indignant protest to the resident min-
ister.
However, all things work together for
good to those who love God. -I asked a
number whether they would like to hear
a series of prophetic lectures, as I thought
X could arrange for some one to come up
from Adelaide to speak. They said they
would like it very much. I spent my last
evening at the old home before returning
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
here to Perth. During the afternoon of that
day, my sister-in-law asked if they might
have a study in the home that night. She
felt sure neighbours would come. The talk
at the church had interested her. Well,
I spoke to a room full of interested people
that night.
On the Adelaide station next day I saw
Pastors 8. L. Patching and T. J. Bradley,
and it was agreed to do something for
Scott’s Creek, Pastor Bradley eventually
went to Scott’s Creek, took a hall and
preached the message, with the result that
about a dozen or more are now meeting
in Sabbath school. I learned this from a
letter written to me by my aged mother,
who has passed her eighty-seventh year.
If I had preached a simple sermon in the
church that Sunday night instead of preach-
ing on a distinctive doctrine of prophecy,
the interest would not have been created.
Our mission is moving very nicely here
i# Perth. So far we have baptised
twenty-three this year, and twenty more
are awaiting baptism. Quite a number of
men in good employment have taken hold.
Miss Nippress and Miss McIntosh are
enjoying their work and are rejoicing in
the results. God is giving the increase.
W. M. BR. SCRAGG.
Influence Lives On
Brief, very brief, ofttimes, is our con-
tact with people as we pags along in ser-
vice down the ways of life. The results
of our influence some of us may never
know this side of the Judgment. But it
pays to give cheerfully of our best, even if
the contact Is but momentary, and the one
concerned a stranger. We cannot give what
we do not possess. That is axiomatic. But
what we are so often comes out incon-
sciously to help or hinder fellow pilgrims
along life’s way. ‘‘What I have, give I
thee,”” said Peter with John to the ex-
pectant cripple at the temple gate, What
he gave was a life’s influence sanctified
by the Master, Jesus Christ. We have need,
as workers, to remember this, in whatever
capacity we serve in the great commission.
Of what we have, good or ill, we drop a
pebble into the pond of some human
thought or life, and the wave of influence
rolls om.
There came to our desk the other day
a gimple, impressive illustration of this.
Learning of the death of our beloved ‘‘Ted-
dy’® Norris, one of our colporteurs, an
utter stranger to us wrote the following
letter. Hopeful that it will be of help
to other workers, colporteurs or otherwise,
we pass it on in full
‘‘“The N.S.W. Tract Society,
21 Gordon Avenue,
Hamilton.
‘‘Dear Sirs,
“It was with regret that I learned re-
cently of the death of Mr. BE. Norris.
‘IT can well believe that, in his passing,
your denomination has lost one of its val-
ued workers, and the world in general a
very gracious personality. He was here for
only a few minutes twice in connection
with the sale of hooks, which I received
in good order. I had never met him be-
fore. Yet I cannot forget his quiet, un-
assuming way, although, on the other hand,
he was enthusiastic about his Master's
business.
“If I, as I go about my everyday work,
should impress people with a like simplicity
4/10/37
and gentleness of character, I shouid feel
that my life bears witness that the God
I believe in lives.
‘Mr. Norris certainly lost himself (or
‘found’ himself) in his job, He was a
salesman, but before that he was absorbed
in the Christ he represented. I could only
wish that my religion was as definite a
witness as that.
‘‘Please convey my sympathy to his rela-
tives, and congratulations that they pos-
sessed such a young man.’’
J. W. KENT.
From the Most Western Church
in New South Wales
Much water hag flowed under the bridge
since any item of interest from Broken
Hill has appeared in the columns of the
‘‘Record,’’ but not because there was noth-
ing of note to report; on the contrary, we
have been enjoying rather a full pro-
gramme.
Nearly two years ago, Brother J. BEggins
appeared on the scene of action, and those
who know him are well acquainted with his
enthusiasm and zeal for work and thorough-
ness. He just rolled up his sleeves and
battled straight im, and reconstructed the
church to such an extent that many of the
Ingatherers from South Australia who
visited here in the old days would scarcely
recognise this renovated structure.
The people here are very grateful indeed
for the assistance rendered by Brother and
Sister Eggins during their short stay. As
the church had heen several years without
a conference worker, we certainly regretted
the early departure of Brother and Sister
Eggins.
However, the Lord never closes one door
without opening another, and shortly after-
ward Brother and Sister G. J. Parker came
to labour in our midst. Because of their
coming, our love for Brother and Sister Eg-
gins and family has not in any degree les-
sened, as we shall always keep a warm
corner in our hearts for them.
We are also very grateful to Brethren
Ibbott and Basham, who sometimes came in
long distances from their canvassing terri-
tory to supply us with spiritual food, even
before we were part of the South N.S.W.
Conference. Since then, Brother H, White
in company with his bookmen, combined
with business, has in his usual bright, brisk
manner rendered considerable assistance in
all the services. Pastors R. BE. Hare, H. E.
Piper, and E. L. Minchin have visited us
on different occasions, during which times a
Profitable and spiritual experience has been
enjoyed.
Now I want to enlarge on the work done
by Brother and Sister Parker. Ladies first!
Sister Parker, although her health has been
very indifferent, has accomplished quite
deal. She and Brother Parker gained th
confidence of the young people by organis-
ing public socials, also private ones in their
own homes, all of an educational nature.
Our young people need not only our sym-
pathy and prayers, but also our practical
help. We are very proud of our young
people. They are a bright, responsive band
of young folk and quite talented, too. Duz-
ing the preaching service, the primary and
intermediate children met in an anteroom
every alternate Sabbath under the direction
of Sister Parker. They started with
‘‘Creation,’’ and other Bible subjects fol-