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“search the scriptures” John 5:39
“In labours more abundant”, 2 Cor. 11. 23. “Always abounding in the work of the Lord”, 1 Cor. 15. 58.
With these words of Paul in our minds, it is a happy privilege to be able to present so many items of news that tell of the labours of the Lord’s servants in many parts of our needy land. May He, who is Lord of the harvest, bless them indeed.
We have news from A. Gray, MOUNTMELLICK, telling of blessing during the summer months. At PORTARLINGTON, a man who had been saved and visited for Bible study, asked for baptism. He was eventually baptized in a temporary tank on the car park of the gospel hall. Over 60 of his neighbours and friends from the town came to witness the event. He gave a clear testimony to the way in which he was saved. Later his wife and sister went to Parklands for a holiday. They spent time reading the Bible together and, on returning home, eventually his wife was saved. This family needs prayer. A G.L.O. team of workers worked here with the children, and every home was visited with interesting contacts made. The hall was opened each evening for young people to enjoy coffee and chats. This activity will continue locally. Encouragement to continue the work here, in spite of the smallness of the numbers, was thus given. A work was done at PARKLANDS and COURTOWN Caravan Parks. Many boys and girls heard the message of the gospel in the meetings. Teenagers were contacted, and some professed faith in the Lord; a follow up of prayer is needed. There were several who professed faith in the Lord at the Postal Sunday School’s Camp. Two of these were at camp for the first time. They came from a Roman Catholic family, and although they were encouraged to do P.S.S. lessons for several years the parents are now upset and confused, and have forbidden further contact. Please pray for these two girls.
The work goes on in the North in spite of the acute problems, and J. Graham sends in news of assembly activities. The Lord is blessing, and a number of ventures are planned for the future months. We shall pray that the gospel will continue to go out to the people. At BALLYWATERMOY, J. Martin and W. Jennings saw blessing in well attended meetings. In the village of BROUGHSHANE, the assembly took advantage of good weather to have three weeks’ open air meetings, seeking to reach people on various housing estates. A. Aiken gave assistance in these efforts. At BLACKSKULL, Co. Down, E. Wishart and S. Thompson were encouraged as they commenced work in Orange Hall. At CARRYDUFF, H. Andrews and R. Pickering preached to large numbers in their tent. A visit was made by J. Flannigan, to BALLYNAHINCH and NEWCASTLE for ministry of the Word. An encouraging start was made at LISTILLION, near Letterkenny, by G. Stewart and S. Patterson in meetings held there. Three more folks have professed faith in Christ as the result of meetings held recently by the brethren at QUIGLEY’S POINT. Midweek gospel meetings have commenced in a number of assemblies, and these go on during the winter months. Such meetings are attended by people, especially women, who do not attend Sunday evening meetings. These efforts have proved fruitful in the past. We are asked to pray.
The importance of hospital visitation work is highlighted by Edward Jamieson in a prayer letter. Each week he visits 15 to 20 believers from various assemblies throughout the province, some facing major surgery. Some face terminal illnesses, others are in pain. There is a burden of need to care for such. Our brother Robert Beattie, an evangelist, is mentioned as needing much prayer in the eventide of his life. He has had a pace-maker fitted, and his gracious and caring spirit was observed by all who attended him. Let us pray for such and all who engage in hospital work. E. Jamieson also continues to visit R.U.C. members in Belfast hospitals. During the summer months a considerable number of policemen were visited. Encouraging conversations took place with many of the men. Again, earnest prayer is sought for these men, who are often the victims of senseless violence.
A variety of news items covers a good part of the country this time. We are grateful for so many insights into the Lord’s work. The sunny summer weather has given many opportunities for open air work, and these have gratefully been taken by many. Brethren Forbes, Marshall and Meikie worked very hard in this way in the FALKIRK area. Door-to-door visitation was undertaken, and they literally “gossiped” the gospel to many folks on their door steps. Some listened, and there were encouraging conversations. Sadly, the vast majority were indifferent and showed no concern. In his first week’s meetings at CUMBERNAULD, Peter Brandon saw at least one saved each night. A different story comes from RATTRAY, near Blairgowrie. John Campbell and Jack Hay erected their hall there, but religious bigotry and false cults, especially Jehovah’s Witnesses, made the work hard. How sad when wrong teachings oppose the truth and hinder the lost from hearing of the Saviour. At different places in LANARKSHIRE, five Saturday Rallies for open-air work and ministry were held. Numbers reached 60 outside and 120 inside for ministry, and the interest was fine. Prayer, preaching and a cup of tea, then a teaching session, made for encouraging and stimulating times of Christian fellowship.
Jim Aitken sends news again of his outdoor activities for the Lord. Many enjoyed the fine weather and listened in the open air. The visits to various places were much appreciated. A visit to a car park in a housing estate saw nine teenagers, engrossed in a game of football, suddenly stop and give good attention to the message. In one village it was good to hear a lady confess openly that she was a believer. She had been receiving mail for some months previously. One brother of 81 turned out each night of the week for the open air meetings. When he was asked if he wished to sit in a car, he protested saying that he wanted to be “seen” for His Lord. Great courage and faithfulness! Stewart McKenzie tells of blessing in the Edinburgh Camp held at ABERDEEN. Some young people trusted Christ, others were encouraged in their Christian life. A junior officer, saved when he was 8, said it happened at a campaign held by our brother in earlier years. The two weeks’ outreach work with a team of young folk in FORFAR was very encouraging. Two had been baptized and added to the assembly since last year’s visit.
It is good to have from Robert Eyres our first report of work in this area. In the small village of FEARN, Frank Reid gives weekly ministry to eight believers. Three of these professed faith in Christ one year ago while meetings were being held. At DINGWALL, the Annual Conference was a time of blessing. Messrs. Burt, Hyslop and Hall gave challenging and helpful ministry. The assembly here always have unsaved at the gospel meetings. Frank Reid held gospel meetings at CONON BRIDGE during May, and also tracted the village but the response was poor. Brethren from the MAYBURGH assembly distributed tracts in the village, and there was a good interest. It is hoped to do this regularly. The small assembly at WICK was helped by a visit for ministry by Joe Mersom. The ORKNEYS have always been a tough and difficult field for evangelism. John Burns spent three months doing open air work in the islands. Some 600-700 homes were visited on the main islands with tracts. Outlying islands of EDAY, WESTRAY and PAPA WESTRAY were visited — itinerant work was done there.
The Annual Bible Readings were held at KILRAVOCK CASTLE, Inverness. The passage for study was Hebrews 1-5 dealing with the Person of Christ. A.M.S. Gooding and G. Waugh conducted, and good numbers of young folks were present.
Reports from this area are brief. The WYLAM assembly held their annual children’s campaign for one week, and the attendances averaged 65. K. Clegg of N. Shields gave the messages. On the final night about 100 parents and children gathered for an encouraging meeting. The TEESIDE Christian Camps held their seventh annual camp on their site at THROPTON, Northumberland. The Boys’ Camp consisted of Sunday School, local school and social service lads, mostly from the Cleveland area, and there was a wide range of activities for them. The Girls’ Camp was made up of about 40 Sunday School scholars from the area. At both camps the clear and simple gospel message was presented. The follow-up continues with prayer.
The news of the Lancashire Tent Campaign held at RISHTON, near Blackburn, with Jim Hutchinson is most encouraging. There was a great sense of the Lord’s presence, and good fellowship during the campaign. The outstanding features were the number of young people that attended and also the good number that came in from the district. The gospel was preached with much power, and two ladies made a profession of faith in the Lord. At Mauldeth Road, MANCHESTER, one week of helpful ministry was given by J. Hunter with excellent attendances. The Annual Manchester Camp was held at the site near Edinburgh with Derek Bingham responsible for giving the Word. The atmosphere was good, and keen interest was shown with some good response. The Friday night Young People’s Ministry Rallies have commenced as a follow-up to this work, and there is much prayer that lasting fruit will be seen.
The assembly at FALCON LODGE, Sutton Coldfield, were busy during the summer. This assembly is surrounded by a large number of houses. A party of 25 young people was taken to North Wales for a holiday in which relaxation was joined to spiritual help in a happy and blessed time. Then “Adventure Week” was held in the hall, and about 80 children joined in. A varied programme of Bible teaching, film strips, craft classes and outings was arranged. Workers felt much help from the Lord in these ventures. The climax came at the Sunday evening service when the hall was packed with children and parents. Good contacts were made over a cup of tea. All of the parents showed appreciation at what was done, and the workers were encouraged. WARWICK Dynamite Club had a useful outreach tent at STONELEIGH Town and County Festival. This Show is the biggest Bank Holiday Show in the country with 150, 000 visitors each year. About 650 children were contacted and given Introductory Postal Sunday School Lessons. Results have been seen, and there are great possibilities in these contacts. Ivor Cooper held a five day children’s mission in a village where there is no Evangelical Church. Up to 60 children attended each night. One family delayed holidays to be at the Prize Giving night. Many of the children who attended continue to do P.S.S. lessons. From further east comes news of the small fellowship at MILTON KEYNES. They are now in their new building although it is incomplete. Much work has to be done, and the need of this heavily populated area is tremendous. Much prayer continues that an adequate testimony may develop here.
From various sources we have news from this area. Archie Carew writes of work done in Schools. This work is not restricted to the London area. Many opportunities present themselves to present Christ to school children. Some instances can be given. A ten minute spot on his Christmas programme was offered by the headmaster of a Junior School. The whole school with visiting parents and the staff gathered, and a message was given. The head, who was there, had often said that he would come in to listen to what was said. Within eight months he had died of cancer.
How vital that he had at least heard of Christ. Christian headmasters, etc. make a difference. Through one such, a regular opening was given into an infants school, with openings also in older classes. On premature retirement, the acting head extended the opening—the whole school was open to visits. Then a new head was appointed over this and a nearby Junior School and both schools are now open to the gospel. On regular visits, 220 children, the head and 12 staff members listen to the “pure and unadulterated Word of God”. Times of contact are also given in the staff room where questions are dealt with. A High School gave an opening to speak to five groups of third and fifth year students. At a girls’ High School, a lunch hour meeting saw more than twice the expected number turn up. And at a Primary School, where the head is a believer, the whole school and members of the staff gather to listen for 30 minutes. So it is that old and young are reached together in this form of evangelism. It is a specialist field of work, demanding much wisdom and prayer. Through it the truth of God is spread abroad.
From H. E. Johns comes news of the S.E. London Mobile Unit and the work in this area of London. The Annual Trafalgar Square Rally was a powerful time of witness to the Lord, with many thousands hearing the gospel. At least 20, 000 people in demonstration on their way to “No. 10” moved slowly through the square, and heard the Word preached. The S.E. London Christian Camps were held at CHIDDINGLEY, East Sussex, over a period of 5 weeks. Many young people heard the gospel, and the Word was clearly taught. Many of those attending told of blessing. Derek. Bingham held special children’s meetings at BARNEHURST and CATFORD with encouraging results. Also at WAINSCOTT good attendances were seen. Good numbers attended a holiday club at MAYNARDS GREEN, and also at WELLING.
J. Harman tells of good times held in the open air on the sands at WEYMOUTH. Local believers rallied round well. There was some heckling one evening, but many heard the Word. Tracts were distributed and helpful conversations took place. Stephen Gillham visited the DORCHESTER Agricultural Show for a witness. The tent at first collapsed in the wind and rain, but was eventually erected safely and the opportunity was used to contact many with the gospel. Children and young people were well catered for, and on two prize giving nights children and parents gathered well. Although only a one day show, all was felt to be worthwhile.
The small group of believers at the gospel hall in PANTYFFYNNON, Dyfed, was encouraged by a visit by Jeff Harrison. As a result of interest shown during a bereavement and the conducting of a funeral service, members of the family attended the special gospel service and two ladies were saved. The South Wales Mobile Unit had a day of witness among holiday visitors in PORTHCAWL where many contacts were made. A service held in the gospel hall was well attended. At the SWANSEA and district Assemblies Camp, good weather was enjoyed, and several of the young people professed faith in Christ. Cardiff and District Girls’ Camp proved a time of blessing. Margaret Hare tells of times of quiet and Bible teaching of basic truths, and of those who came to know the Lord through the Camp.
News from this area comes from Peter Smith, “Beth-Shalom”, 49 Pennyacre Road, TEIGNMOUTH, S. Devon. He will be glad to receive news. With the ending of the summer, fellowship of visiting believers to this holiday area ended. Some small assemblies benefited much in this way. BISHOPSTEIGNTON with only four in fellowship and KINGSTEIGNTON with eleven, have averaged ten visitors each Lord’s Day. These small testimonies ask for much prayer. Believers in Kingsteignton have distributed tracts round about and also held open air meetings each Friday evening for one hour. There is also a small assembly at CHUDLEIGH. The assembly at TEIGNMOUTH enjoys contacts with local residents through coffee mornings on Fridays. The aim is to introduce them to Christ. An invitation to gospel activities is given. During the past 18 months, three girls have been baptized and added to the fellowship. Twenty young people from Teignmouth and three leaders attended the Plymouth & District Camp at MORTHOE, N. Devon. Altogether over 20 young people made professions of faith in Christ during the four weeks of camping. To God be the glory for His goodness! Leonard Dan tells of open air meetings held in the Civic Centre in PLYMOUTH with opportunities for distribution of Scriptures, and for a P.S.S. stand to be erected at YEALMPTON one-day Show, and of the interest shown by children and parents.
This county is on the map again. Items tell of encouragement in assemblies. At GLOWETH Chapel, TRURO, there have been a number of conversions with young people being baptized and received into fellowship. 17 campers and 8 helpers attended the Plymouth & District Camp at MORTHOE. This proved a great help in spiritual things. Regular visits are made to three old people’s Homes in Truro, enabling the gospel to be shared with them. 45 young people attended a P.S.S. Camp at FOWEY. Arthur Thurston gave good spiritual teaching, and some professed faith in Christ. Because of kindness to a girl who was injured, a mother has begun to attend meetings at SALTASH. We have news of activities from John Hadley. In July the Tent was erected at WHITSTONE. Each village between BUDE and LAUNCESTON was visited in door-to-door work, in fellowship with Stan Burdett and others. A good interest was shown by the children, and mothers brought them each evening from the village. The same pattern of visitation and Tent work was seen at TREGONY, a village not visited before. There were some interesting cases of conversion which illustrated God’s overruling and goodness. The Tent was also erected at CARLYON BAY, and interesting contacts were made.
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