Reports of Gospel Work

As we have received reports from many parts of the British Isles, we have tried to picture the harvest field, realising that the activity which has been reported is buta fraction of the whole. Man/ thousands have heard the old, old story of Jesus and His love, and hundreds have responded to its appeal. Responsibility for the care of these brothers and sisters in Christ devolves or the local assembly. Where there is no assembly the problem is greater, but “more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of,” and this power every child of God may use.

It is still true, however, that the labourers are few in comparison with the multitudes still to be reached. There is no reason for complacency, but we can at least thank Gad and take courage.

(N. M. B.)

LONDONand HOME COUNTIES

(London and the Counties of Middlesex, Hertford. Essex, Kent, Sussex and Surrey). STANLEY H. SAYERS, 33. Crieff Road, Wandsworth, S-W. 18.

SOUTHERN ENGLAND

(Wilts., Gloucester, Oxford, Bucks., Berks, Hamp-shire and the Isle of Wight) A. C. PAYNE, 39. Solent Road, Dray ton, Portsmouth.

SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND

(Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and the Channel Islands). C H. Darch, “Netherlea,” Tamar Avenue, Taunton.

THE MIDLANDS

(Cheshire, Derby, Notts., Shropshire. Stafford, Leicester, Rutland, Hereford, Worcester. Warwick, and Northampton). PEARSON P. CHAMINGS, 3, Birch Road, Rubery, Nr. Birmingham.

NORTHERN ENGLAND

(Lancashire, Westmorland. Cumberland, Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire and Isle of Man). J. HOWARD HALL, 12, Borough Road, Jarrow-on-Tyne, Co. Durham.

EASTERN ENGLAND

(Lincoln. Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, Bedford and Hunts). T. G. SMITH, “Charis,” St. David’s. Drive, Broxbourne, Herts.

NORTHERN SCOTLAND

(The Counties of Inverness and Aberdeen, and the-Areas North of them). A. MULHOLLAND, 6, Commerce Road, Elgin.

CENTRAL and SOUTHERN SCOTLAND

(All Areas South of the Counties of Inverness and Aberdeen). ANDREW McNEISH, M.A., “Mayfield,” Belshill Raid, Uddingston, Glasgow

WALES

WALTER A. NORRIS, 3, Morlais StreetCardiff. or HAROLD THOMAS, 269, Caerphilly Rd, Cardiff.

NORTHERN IRELAND

DAVID CRAIG, “Ailsa,” Fisherwick Gardens, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. EIRE.
T. ERNEST J. ARCHER, “Dunran,” Avoca Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

BAPTISM AT SWANWICK The Brethren at Swanwick, Hants, report that at a recent baptism, which included several young converts, a sister, some 80 years old, confessed the Lord in the waters of baptism. Originally an Anglican, she has been exercised for some years concerning baptism.

BLESSING AT WEYMOUTH Stan Ford conducted the Christ for Victory tent campaign it Weymouth. The meetings were well-attended throughout, a good number of unsaved coming under the sound of the Gospel which was clearly and faithfully preached. Some adults and children have professed conversion – Appreciated help was given by Lieut. Gen. Sir. W. Dobbie, Brig. Gen. Frost, J. J. Ruddock of Ireland, and R. Coombes of Cardiff.

TIMES OF REFRESHING AT OKEHAMPTON From Okehampton comes news of a tent mission. Harold German was responsible for the first week, with H. Roberts to present the Gospel in song. A car fitted with loud-speaker, touring the streets, provided excellent publicity at the commencement of the mission. W. G. Banfield followed Harold German, and visitation work by all three evangelists resulted in good attendances. On several occasions the tent, which will hold ISO people, was nearly full. There were some who professed conversion, including a local farmer and a visitor from Wales. A feature of the work was the support given by Christians not connected with the assembly in Okehampton. This assembly has passed through a difficult period, but has been strengthened during recent months by the addition of brethren who have come to reside in the district, and the tent mission has given further encouragement.

(N. M. B.)

CHRIST CLAIMS CORNWALL CAMPAIGN

Edgar Jackman, and a team of workers varying in number from two to six at a time are experiencing great joy and fellowship together in this campaign. They are working with a tent, car and caravan, and public-address equipment. At the villages of Hampt and Golberdon, song services with brief ten to fifteen minute messages were used as a means of attracting interest and presenting the Gospel. With such glorious weather, and by the kindness of Methodist friends, it was possible to accommodate the villagers on forms and spend from one to one and a half hours each evening in singing God’s praises. Every opportunity was taken afterwards of contacting people personally and at Golberdon three confessed to accepting the Saviour, whilst several Christians were helped. The first fortnight of the campaign thus went swiftly by. Circumstances changed on arriving at St. Stephens, Launceston, for the next week. Here the work was mainly among children ranging from 12 to IB in number each night – Little headway could be made in this area, where the religiously inclined were steeped in ritualism, though some interest was aroused in Launceston itself on Market days. One enquirer was held in earnest conversation for four hours, but did not yield to the Saviour. The spell of fire weather was temporarily broken during the weekend, but at Darite a short service was broadcast from Edgar Jackman’s home and was much appreciated by the villagers. The next camp was at Wadebridge. Here the Lord led the team through sheer force of circumstances to camp on the edge of the public car park, which, however, had been turned into a fair ground. Several interesting talks with the showmen resulted in a service arranged specially for them. There was little response from the local people, however, although one or two Christians expressed appreciation. The team then moved to St. Columb Minor, the main objective being Newquay. Here, on the first three evenings, an open-air testimony was held on the front, with very good audiences of attentive listeners. Two young women, after listening on the second evening, made earnest enquiries at the close, and a man seemed on the point of decision on the third evening. The police pointed out that meetings were not permitted except on the beach and this was confirmed in an interview with the Town Clerk, The tides Were not then suitable fir beach services, however, so work was confined to tract distribution there on the following day. Children’s meetings held on a Council housing estate at St. Columb Minor, were welt attended.

TENT MISSION AT TATWORTH

The tent campaign at Tatworth near Chard, continued for Four weeks under the preaching of Chas. McEwen. Easily accessible from Perry Street, South Chard and Tatworth, it gave these districts a unique opportunity to hear the Gospel, upheld by earnest prayer, faithful visitation on the part of the evangelist and the constant support of believers from all around. There were some evenings when quite a number of strangers came in – Such an occasion was one Sunday, when our brother was enabled to speak very powerfully on future judgment. Two very worth while open-air meetings were held at Perry Street, where a considerable number fit people listened with sustained interest. Two testimony meetings were held in the tent, in which several local believers gave their own witness to the power of God in Christ. Three children’s meetings were held and one girl evidently heard the Lord’s voice speaking. There hive been several evidences of the finger of God. One woman has shown a deep interest arid has professed to believe. One old man admitted he was on the wrong road and another old man was quite shaken by the Truth.

(R. Shallis)

EAGER LISTENERS IN CUMBERLAND

H. E. Bentall, Portsmouth, has just returned from a period with the

Cumberland Caravan. Reception in the County has been very good and he reports that they had the unique experience of people bringing chairs and forms into their gardens in order to listen to the Gospel message. To get a better view of the preacher, some folk carried their chairs into their neighbours’ gardens

RETURNED UNTO THE SHEPHERD …

Thomas Richardson of Grange mouth, held meetings for six weeks in the Lanarkshire Gospel Tent, which was pitched at Newarthill, a village near Motherwell. A good beginning was made. Two backsliders (husband and wife) were restored, baptized and brought into fellowship in the little assembly – As the meetings proceeded, however, the response was disappointing. It is hoped that there may yet be results from the faithful sowing of the Seed.

PREPARING THE SOIL

The Renfrewshire Tent was pitched in the midst of a large housing estate at Gallowhill, Paisley. Much hard ploughing has been done there by William Wright of Clydebank.

SOWING THE SEED IN NORTHERN SCOTLAND

When the Pilgrim Preachers visited Aberdeen, Huntly, Elgin, Nairn and Inverness, many people, old and young, were reached with the Gospel. P. F. Bruce has visited Kinlochleven, Ballachuish and Glencoe. He tells of meeting a young believer on a cycling holiday. The lad sought him out again with an unsaved companion, and this resulted in an open-air meeting around the camp fire beside a Highland stream. During tent work at Keith, Harry Burness and Joe Merson have experienced much disappointment so far as adults were concerned, but some interest was shown by children.

PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS, IN SOUTH WALES

Strangers attended meetings held by L. H. Tranter at Ebbw Vale and Tredegar, and in both places the Word was much appreciated. John James held well-attended meetings at Llanharan. Tent meetings have been commenced at the following places: Cross Hands (Aneurin Ward, A. J. Chilcott and Handel Evans). Treorchy (W. Trew, R. J. Morris and W. A. Norris). Senghenydd (E. A. Toll). Llanely (John Dan Jones). Cwmrhydyceirw (R, S. Jones). W. G. Banfield was at Blackwood for three days. The meetings were very encouraging, quite a number of unsaved in, and one confessed faith in Christ.

AUDIBLE AND SILENT WITNESS

F. Nickles writes. “Grangetown is one of the older districts of Cardiff, and a Tract Band came into being there about twenty years ago. Very few of the originals are still with us, but as each season comes round there are always young men available to fill vacant places. Our average number of workers this season has been about sixteen, and in spite of meeting a “heat-wave” every Saturday we have gone out. To be “on-the knocker” for God on a hot summer’s afternoon calls for more than ordinary grace. Our visit to Llanbradach, in the mining valleys, might first be mentioned. At this place, half-a-dozen of our band were distributing tracts in rather an outlying area and decided to hold an open-air meeting there and then. The six of them stood in the middle of one of the streets, sang a hymn, and then a speaker passed on a message. As the little testimony was proceeding, a number of people left their doorsteps and joined the group, one brought out a piano-accordion and accompanied the singing of Gospel hymns and choruses. The street seemed to be full of joy and liberty and it was with reluctance and many good wishes from the people that they finally came away. In a poor quarter of Newport, we found the afternoon work of door-to-door visitation very hard going. We seemed to have no opportunities given us for conversations. After tea we stood in the open-air not knowing what to expect, but we found things quite different Two young local lads, newly saved, were eager to do some preaching, and how boldly and earnestly they told the people the Gospel story and pleaded with those listening to accept it. That evening it would have been easy to have carried on later than usual. Several big, new housing estates in the Cardiff area were visited, including Rumney and Llandaff North. We must say that were it not for our public-address equipment sending the speaker’s voice to the widely scattered houses on these estates, our preaching in the open-air would be almost futile. Our visits to districts in the Rhondda Valley vicinity have made us realise how religious Wales is. At Ynysybwl, Hengoed, Llanharan, we constantly met those who told us of their chapel going. In response to our question whether they were saved, it was always the same answer, “I hope I shall be.” We soon told such of the present salvation we were enjoying, and trust God will give them to see this truth from His Word. These are some of our experiences during this season. We have “cast our bread upon the waters,” knowing it will be seen after many days.

INDIVIDUAL CONTACTS IN EIRE John Scott writes, “During the last couple of months one thing which has impressed me greatly is the indifference of many of the people, and it calls for great effort to get them interested in the Scriptures. It was refreshing and encouraging then to meet those who seemed eager to have the Scriptures and were ready to talk about the things of Eternity. Calling at one home I found a woman reading from a Testament she had purchased from me a long time ago. When she saw me she said, “Come along in, I was just having a few minutes rest and thought I would read a bit about the Lord. I often do this and I find I am getting to know parts of it off by heart.” I asked her if she had come across anything which puzzled her. ‘Indeed I do,” she said, “but that doesn’t worry me. I just enjoy what I can understand, and trust that I shall be able to get to know it all better.” In the course of conversation she told me some of the things which puzzled her, some of which were very easy to explain, and others to one who had so little teaching on Scripture, seemed hard to grasp. However, she seemed grateful, and one trusts in future to be able to lead this woman in the ways that be in Christ.”

Alfie Poland writes, “After several unsuccessful attempts to introduce the Gospel to an elderly man, at last I handed him a booklet entitled “Heaven, where it is and how to get there,” and he remarked that there was no such place. “How do you know that?” I asked. “Because nobody ever came back to tell us,” he replied “But didn’t our Lord come back!” I said. He answered. “So they tell us, but how do we know all that is true.” This was a surprise, for the average Roman Catholic implicitly believes in the truth of the Gospel records, ever though they may never have rend them. After further conversation he expressed doubt as to the existence of God and Christ, and that there was any such thing as sin. Yet he acknowledged the existence of conscience, I asked him v/hers his conscience came from. “I received it from my mother.” he replied. “And where did she receive it?” I asked. He said he did not know. Eventually I found that the real reason for his attitude was the unchristlike lives of religious leaders which had made him bitter against all religion. I sought to distinguish between religion and Christ, and for a short while had the joy of testifying to the Power of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour from sin.”

EXMOUTH SUMMER CONVENTION

The Summer Convention held at Exmouth, S-Devon, in June, 1949 (the first of its kind to be held in that part of the Country) was acclaimed by all who attended as a tremendous success.

Lasting five days, the programme was composed of Conversational Bible Readings in the mornings, and Special Addresses in the evenings. The morning sessions were all on the Gospel of Mark, and were introduced by Mr. H. St. John, M. A. (North Wales) and Mr. £. W. Rogers (London). These two leaders were joined by Mr. H. Lacey (Cardiff) and Mr. J. H. Large (Barnstaple) for the evening sessions, the special addresses being based on the structure and setting, and the present day application of various books of the Bible there were full attendances at all sessions, including visitors from Ireland. Scotland, Wales and all over England.

On Wednesday afternoon a special session for the ladies attracted about 200 sisters, arid proved a most interesting occasion. The speakers were Mrs. Rendle Short, (Bristol), Miss Edith Morgan (S. India) and Miss Olive Rogers, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. E, W. Rogers, (London). It was a happy coincidence that a veteran worker who has spent long years in South India should be accompanied on the platform by a young woman who purposes to leave this country very soon, to serve the Lord in the same field

Afternoon coach trips to various beauty spots were organised for the visitors who seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed their stay in Exmouth and spoke of great spiritual help received from the Convention.

The conveners have decided to hold another Convention (D.V.) in June (19-23) 1950.