Knots of people gathering about Halifax Street, the Town Hall and Unley Town Hall wearing round blue card badges may have aroused the curiosity of some of the citizens of Adelaide. It is to be hoped that the curiosity of some was roused. On both sides of the badge the owner’s name was written, with the name of his or her ecclesia. As a means of identification they were excellent, but the question was raised as to their effect upon the minds of visitors to the public addresses. Would it be thought they implied segregation? It was a nice point, but the chairman on the occasion of the second address explained the purpose of the blue badge. The wearers were paid the compliment of being able to answer a question a visitor might care to ask.
If thought about, the blue badges signified a common hope, a common object in life, a bond of brotherhood instituted and secured by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Seen in action, the wearers of the blue badges might have caused mystification by the almost casual use of Hebrew and Greek when explaining or enlarging upon a portion of Scripture. Were the young people overlooked? Had the old listeners been forgotten?
With the advantage of many years in the Truth we looked back and noted the change from the “orthodox” use of Hades, Sheol, Nephesh and the like to the now constant and rapid reference to a variety of Hebrew and Greek words. This is a growing tendency and with it has come the “taken for granted” attitude. We heard the Greek for “servant”, were told it meant “slave”, but so rapidly that many might have wondered why the reference. Did the minds of the elderly grasp these distinctions?
How different was the method of Bro. George Darke when speaking at the picnic at Tanunda. There was something to be said for grey hairs and experience.
He had been allotted the theme, “They shall speak of the glory of Thy Kingdom”, based upon Psalm 145. In that Psalm, “speak” occurs three times — each the translation of a different word in the Hebrew and each used by the psalmist for a specific purpose. The speaker was careful to explain the different meanings, compare them, relate them to their settings and without great elaboration illuminated the topic placed in his hands.
Here was an object lesson; here the memory had received an impresssion that long will remain.
Those visitors to our public addresses who accepted the invitation to the musical evening saw another aspect of the activities of blue badge wearers.
In the first half of the performance we all listened to a variety of musical instruments and harmonious voices; an exhibition of precise timing—or shall we say, of “working together” as these badge wearers did so ably on other occasions. There was something for everybody in the feast. But who will forget the rendering of “Penitence, Pardon and Peace”? Bro. R. Palmer had welded his choir into a unit. The faces of many of the singers told of their personal enjoyment which they so ably communicated to the listeners. It was all so typical of the other varied aspects of the Conference.
Another peep, a more subtle peep, by the visitor would have revealed a finely organised gathering with nothing, it would appear, overlooked. The consideration for creature comforts had to be seen to be believed; everywhere was the evidence of the love that had drawn the badge wearers together.
Not all the badges were blue—a few exceptions indicated membership of the Conference Committee. The secretary, Bro. K. Provis, had no distinguishing badge of office—he did not need it. He was everywhere in evidence, hearty, irrepressible and equal to anything.
We left Adelaide happy and very grateful for renewing old friendships; for making new ones and praying that our lights might twinkle and shine like those of Adelaide which are a constant source of admiration to the beholder.
Lord, What wilt thou have me to do?