The invasion started at 3 p.m., after Bro. G. C. Wauchope officially opened the Home for inspection. From then on a continuous stream of brethren, sisters and friends were directed through the maze of passages and rooms by well placed guides. Needless to say many minor ‘conferences’ developed as old acquaintances were renewed and new ones cemented in the bonds of fellowship in the Truth. After viewing the older section, there was a mid-tour pause in the dining room where numerous cups of tea were dispensed by a team of happy, if slightly harassed sisters, who were ably supplied by brethren brewing it by the gallon. A word of appreciation must be said for the many nameless cooks who supplied the delicious home-baked fruit-cake and biscuits.
Leaving this cheerful hubbub, the visitors were shown the new wing which caters for another 20 guests in either single or double rooms. These recently completed and most modern extensions will allow single persons and married couples to be cared for and raises the total guest capacity to 32. Some of the highlights commented upon were the facilities for guests to make a cup of tea for themselves or their visitors; the restful decor of the new lounge; the excellent laundry appointments; the tasteful furnishings and colour schemes; the obvious evidence at every turn that hours of careful thought had been lovingly given for the comfort and happiness of others; and, determined not to be overlooked, the white cockatoo, who, despite the excitement of hundreds of visitors, did not mix his (or is it her?) repertoire in the slightest–to the great delight of the many children present.
The care of the aged, particularly those in the family of God, is the concern of all of us. Their needs are both material and spiritual and at ‘Bethsalem’ these are met. We learned with joy that one guest had learned the way of salvation there and had been baptised. Fortnightly Memorial meetings and regular visits by brethren to lead in the daily readings are regarded as an essential part of Home life. The devotion of all those who labour in this work and the obvious visitor-interest augurs well for the future, should Jesus delay his coming.
Indeed, as each of us begins to feel the effects of the passing years, we may be thankful that such a Home exists. Perhaps we may be moved now to give some of our vitality to this or similar establishments, so that, should we find it necessary to spend our declining years there, it will not be an ‘institution’ but in every sense “our home”, in which we personally have had a deep and abiding interest over many, many years.
Fellowship with the Maker and Brethren