Sometime in 1947, a “stranger” rode on a motor cycle into Toowoomba from Warwick, about 60 miles way, on rather a unique mission. Some years earlier he had been given a copy of “Elpis Israel’ by the late Bro. Harold Clarke, who used to spend a lot of his spare time in lunch-hour talks with mates in the Railway workshops at Mayne. Bro. Clarke did not live to know that this “gift” had the effect of bringing at least six people into the Truth—but such was the case.
On this Monday morning there was a Railway strike, so that our friend, now on transfer to Warwick, was not working, and the writer was stranded in Toowoomba, having exhorted and lectured there the day before.
His mission was to find a “Christadelphian”, and after looking for a while decided to make enquiries. The first shop he went into happened to be Bro. Russell’s, and after a little talk, it was decided to bring him along to where I was staying. “Will you come over into Macedonia (Warwick) and help us?”
We talked for several hours: he had read “Elpis Israel” and knew what was in it. What should he do to be baptised? If we could come to Warwick on Wednesday night, he would guarantee at least six others would be present. They had all studied the Bible together and believed that what was in “Elpis Israel” was the Truth. With the assistance of the late Bro. Russell, and several other members from Toowoomba, we went. There were eight people present besides ourselves. On the following Saturday the same company again journeyed to Warwick where Bro. Ryan (formerly R.C.) was baptised in the Condamine River.
Some little time later we were induced to return to Warwick where two lectures were given in the Town Hall, some 40 to 50 people being present. Considerable interest was shown, especially as at that time there was war in the Middle East between Arab and Jew. Time would not permit to tell of the formation of an Ecclesia there at this time, consisting of nine members. A few members still remain in the vicinity of Warwick, but several others have moved to other centres, and some are fallen asleep.
Early in 1948, we again visited a remote centre of the Darling Downs, where we were stranded for nearly a fortnight, firstly by another train strike, which lasted a week, and secondly by torrential rains which made roads impassable.
However during this visit, we were the recipient of a second-hand Morris Utility, a gift from a brother, which we afterwards drove for about 30,000 miles. This enabled us to visit many other brethren and isolated places not easily reached by other transport. Isolation visits consisted of such places as Kenilworth in the Mary Valley, Bidwell in the Maryborough district, West Cooroy, Mundubbera in the Burnett Valley, MontoCoominglah, at the head of the Burnett. The roads at that time were mostly dirt-tracks, and should a storm arise overnight, one could be stranded for days. This was sometimes much to the enjoyment of the members and their families, resulting in Bible discussions and singing of hymns each night. Can you imagine half a dozen members of a family, each carrying a hurricane lantern, setting out to walk nearly a mile to their neighbours, through mud and wet grass, and back again later, just to have a sing-song and a Bible reading together? It was often a reality.
Bro. Arthur Clarke of Doonside will be able to recall with joy, the trip he once undertook on the Gospel Van, visiting brethren and sisters at Nambour, Cooroy, up the rugged mountain track to West Cooroy, a walk down the mountain where we were not game to drive, and then on to Gympie. We journeyed nearly out to the Coast to Bidwell, where we spent the night with a family of six. We sang hymns, did the Bible readings, and talked until late into the night. Bundaberg was the next port of call, and we also visited Kingaroy, Coolabunia, and Toogoolawah on the way back.
I must tell you how I came to be possessed of a second van for the work. By this time, the Bro. Ryan mentioned previously had been transferred to Rockhampton and was a member of the Ecclesia there. Being a mechanic as well as a steam engineer he offered to overhaul the van, but at the same time warned me that it would not be roadworthy for much longer, and promised some material help towards a new one.
During the next few months I still drove the old bus, but made it a matter of prayer, firstly as to whether I should even ask for another, and secondly as to how such was to come about. I cast lots for the answer to the first which came positive, but how? On the next visit North I left the bus at Bundaberg because I was not game to drive it over the dreadful road which existed beyond that point. I asked the Lord to give me a clear indication concerning the matter which was so seriously occupying my mind. The answer came very clearly.
On the way South I alighted from the train at Gladstone, intending to do some work there if possible, but upon enquiries found that there was no accommodation at any of the inns, all were booked out. The only thing was to get on the next train. The stationmaster informed me that I could get a train later that day, “The Sunshine Express”, if there was a seat vacant, and by paying excess fare. There was a seat vacant, and greatly to my surprise found that I was sitting opposite a lovely brother from Brisbane, who was returning from a visit to N.Q. During the talk I persuaded him to leave the train at Bundaberg and spend a few days with me in visiting the brethren on the way. We stayed the weekend at Bundaberg, visited brethren at Mary-borough, Bidwell, Gympie, and various other points en route. At Nambour we visited another young brother, a foreman salesman at a motor company, and there was the very van standing on the floor. It had been used only as a demonstrator, and was going for £500. What about the old bus?
The manager agreed to allow £100 on it, so I took an option over it for a week. The brother who was a traveller with me was so impressed at the whole journey that he made me an offer of £100 on reaching Brisbane. I now had immediate offers of £250 and with the little I had managed to save, by the end of the week had sufficient to drive back to Nambour and take possession of a “good-as-new” panel van.
“Ask and ye shall receive”, if we do not ask amiss or for selfish purposes. We drove that van for 50,000 miles, and I believe every mile was “On His service”. We set out with renewed confidence, and new resolutions to try and carry our services even further afield.
Lord, What wilt thou have me to do?