Representatives of the Australian Christadelphian Bible Mission met with an enthusiastic reception in Adelaide on 4th December when they presented a report of Mission activities. Bro. R. Hermann had recently returned from a five months’ campaign in the Philippines, Borneo, Hong Kong and Singapore, where for part of the time he had been accompanied by Sister B. Bundesen and Bro. D. McColl. On this occasion he was supported by the Secretary, Bro. A. Clark.
Between them they gave a graphic account of work done and plans for the future, and they touched the hearts of the meeting and made them realise that among the teeming millions of the East there was a great work to be done—”fields white unto harvest”.
There was nothing new in such a venture as this, Bro. Clark remarked, for from the middle of last century there had been sporadic preaching efforts assiduously followed by a band of ardent workers who had devoted their lives to the preaching of the truth—in India, China and the West Indies. The results had been satisfying in some places, whilst in others opposition had been violent. Ecclesias had been established and had prospered. Men and women had been drawn out of pagan environment to the acceptance of the grace of God in Jesus Christ. But when the early workers passed away the ecclesias had languished for want of a nurturing care. Brethren in the parent ecclesias of the West were too exclusively concerned with their own development and problems to feel the wants of unknown brethren in far-away places. But now in this present Mission there was the advantage of co-operation with a group of brethren in England who constituted the Christadelphian Bible Mission and in an organised way had carried on a series of successful campaigns in a number of European and West Indian countries.
Bro. Clark stressed how great were the needs of the present Mission from this country. There were four great needs, he said. First and foremost, for the prayers of all the brethren that the work might prosper. Volunteers were needed for the work abroad and at home. Those who could not work must uphold the labours of those who could; ecclesias were urged to give their support to the ideals and needs of the Mission. And before long funds would be needed for advertising and publications, became the people must be reached and the printed word was a necessity.
Bro. Hermann showed slides to illustrate the environment and lives of the people amongst whom he worked. There were among them men and women of outstanding character, who had grasped with a lively intelligence the truth of the gospel, who were avid in their search, and gave themselves to reading and study on every possible occasion. Some of them travelled many miles by public transport, or walked long distances to attend the ecclesial meetings with unfailing regularity.
This mission work, although only in its initial stage, had been rewarded with eleven baptisms during the past year, and all of the converts had felt and confessed the lack of something in their lives which the knowledge of the truth had supplied. They were ardent in seeking out others to hear the message of hope. Neither age nor infirmity, nor material wants have hindered them; they have sacrificed the material needs of daily life when their spiritual wants could be satisfied; they have sought baptism with an insistence that had brooked no delay. And they have a group of younger people who are following in the way.
The general impression gained by the meeting was that these people had had a desperate need satisfied by the truth of the gospel, and that we in this country who are resting upon the assurances of faith should be up and doing in the furtherance of this Mission work.
Lord, What wilt thou have me to do?