For some years the ecclesias in Tasmania have been anxious to arrange a large gathering of brethren and sisters for the purpose of studying together the Word of God, of preaching the Word, and to strengthen one another in the things “most surely believed amongst us.” Our small numbers and the difficulty of obtaining suitable accommodation have previously prevented us from holding such a gathering. The last few years, however, have witnessed a considerable increase in the numbers of the Hobart and Launceston ecclesias and when, nearly 18 months’ ago two main land and two Hobart brethren were discussing special efforts it was felt that we should try to arrange something larger than hitherto.
Our aims in arranging this campaign were to engage in Bible study, but also to hold a largescale preaching effort in Hobart, which was beyond the resources of the local ecclesia. We therefore called upon brethren and sisters to spend part of the time in leaflet distribution and personal contact work with the aim of encouraging people to attend the three lectures which had been arranged in Hobart Town Hall. We had hoped that we should have had about 100 brethren and sisters and young people from the mainland ecclesias. In fact, we had just over 60, including a number of Tasmanian brethren and sisters who had arranged their holidays in order to support and attend the campaign, but this smaller number proved quite sufficient to accomplish our aims.
The campaign was held for nine days from January 16th to 24th, and we were constantly together during the whole of that period. This gave us a sense of “oneness’ which revealed fellowship in its true meaning. Together we read from the Word of God, Studied its message, proclaimed it to those around us, and engaged in various forms of fraternal association which cannot have failed to give all of us a greater awareness of our privileged position and a more profound recognition of our responsibilities before God.
The campaign commenced with a fraternal evening of dedication, when we were reminded by Bro. H. P. Mansfield (Adelaide) of the vital place which prayer must play in our lives.
A question session was held during the Sunday afternoon when a variety of questions both doctrinal, practical and expositional were answered.
The first lecture was held on that Sunday evening when Bro. H. P. Mansfield spoke on “War with Russia is inevitable”, showing the relationship between world events and the coming of Christ. Although at that stage we had not distributed any leaflets we were encouraged by the attendance of about 12 interested friends. The lecture had been widely advertised by a half-page Press advertisement which had obviously aroused wide interest.
The activities from Monday to Saturday could be divided into three main sections. Mornings were devoted to a study of the prophecy of Zechariah, afternoons to leaflet distribution, personal contact work and other activities, and in the evenings various meetings were held, all of which were of profit. Each day at 7.30 a.m. we had early morning Bible readings and prayer which we felt would be a suitable way of commencing the day’s activities. These were well supported despite the early hour!
During the week 20,000 leaflets were distributed over the whole metropolitan and suburban areas of Hobart. Much personal contact work was also undertaken. Our thanks are due to those who co-operated in this work.
On Wednesday afternoon we had a cruise around Hobart Harbour and on the Saturday afternoon we were taken by bus to the pinnacle of Mount Wellington and enjoyed some glorious views from a height of over 4,000 feet.
Mid-week Bro. H. P. Mansfield gave a challenging lecture, “Christendom astray from the Bible”, in which our distinctive beliefs were emphasised. This address aroused considerable interest and numerous Questions were asked by the audience. About 18 friends attended this lecture.
On other evenings various matters were dealt with: Bro. H. P. Mansfield gave a very good instructive talk on the value of Bible marking and made suggestions as an aid to Bible study; Bro. James Mansfield described his experiences on his overseas trip to Hong Kong and U.S.A. and his descriptions of the American Bible Schools and his visits to American ecclesias, illustrated by slides, proved very interesting; Tasmanian brethren spoke of the work being done in this island for the Truth: Bro. F. W. Onley (Launceston) referred to the early history of the Truth in Tasmania (he also showed slides which gave some idea of the natural beauty of this island), and Bro. Ken Niejalke (Hobart) spoke of personal contact work, indicating the vast amount of work which still faces the Tasmanian brethren. He and other brethren stressed the need for more workers and emphasised that there is ample opportunity for work for the Truth in Tasmania and in other isolated parts of Australia for those who are willing to leave the large centres of Christadelphian activity. On Friday evening Bro. James Mansfield gave an interesting talk on the book of Ruth.
The campaign reached its climax on Friday evening when Brethren David Case and John Kershaw (Launceston) and James Mansfield (Sydney) spoke on the dangers facing the Brotherhood today and of the need for us to get back to the fundamental principles of our faith.
The final Sunday morning meeting was one of the largest Memorial meetings to have been held in Tasmania, when 83 brethren and sisters were present. Bro. A. Cheek (Enfield, S.A.) exhorted us on the need for complete dedication to the service of God. In the evening Bro. H. P. Mansfield gave a lecture, “Christ is coming to reign on earth”, and again we had a powerful testimony to our faith and were encouraged by the presence of 14 friends.
Throughout the week we received much spiritual food, Which if thoroughly digested in meditation and further study, will strengthen us in our faith. We live in a materialistic world which is a particular danger to the brethren and sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ. This materialism can result in a spirit of self-sufficiency as we can easily fail to appreciate our need for utter dependence upon God and His redeeming grace in Christ Jesus. We are subject to many influences in the world which can undermine our confidence in the Word of God. It is only by coming together as often as we can in contemplation of God’s Word and by applying this message to our daily lives that we shall remain a separate people dedicated wholly unto the service of God. This Campaign has undoubtedly helped to emphasise these fundamental things.
The campaign has also been of great value in its witness to our beliefs. The first informal meeting which was arranged subsequent to the final lecture to encourage our friends to further study witnessed the attendance of 15 visitors. We have also received nearly 100 applications for literature. A large leaflet distribution in November received a similar response. In these days, when many Brethren often bemoan lack of interest in our lectures, we can perhaps learn some lessons from these responses to our preaching in Hobart. The lectures were intended to emphasise that world problems today will only be resolved in the coming of Christ. Judgment is an essential part of the Divine plan with the nations as it is with individuals.
Likewise the preaching of the Truth must involve a challenge to the prevailing philosophy of the world. It must certainly be positive, but we as a community must be prepared in our preaching to proclaim distinctive beliefs. Perhaps one reason why our lectures sometimes are apparently unproductive of results is that we do not preach a distinctive Gospel. If we have something better to offer people than those around us, which is undoubtedly true for it is the message of the Word of God, then we must show how it is better. Let our faith and our preaching be positive, let it be challenging, and let it be the Word of God and not the thoughts of men.
The first Tasmanian Bible Campaign has certainly proved worth while and it is our intention, God willing, to hold a similar one next year. In thanking all those who supported us in planning the campaign and by their presence we would say that we look forward to seeing many of them again then, if the Lord wills. Many who helped towards the success of this effort were unable to be with us and we hope that these and many others will be able to join us in another period of spiritual refreshment in 1966.
Lord, What wilt thou have me to do?