Reports of Gospel Work and Other Assembly Activities

We have often received reports which did not quite relate to gospel work, and as a genwa.1 rule we have not thought it appropriate to publish them. We feel, however, that many of these reports of assembly activities would prove both interesting and helpful to our readers, and we have decided that in future; we will include them if space permits–hence the extended title at the top of this page. Having lengthened our cords we must now make sure that we strengthen our stakes.N. M. B.

CORRESPONDENTS

LONDON & HOME COUNTIES

Stanley H. Sayers, 33 Crieff Road, Wandsworth, S.W. 18

SOUTHERN ENGLAND

A. C, Payne, 39 Solent Road, Drayton, Portsmouth

SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND

G. H. Maxwell, “Leigh Beck,” 6 Birchy Barton Hill Exeter

MIDLANDS

P. P. Chamings, 3 Birth Road, Rubery, Nr. Birmingham.

EASTERN ENGLAND

T. G. Smith, “Charis,” St. David’s Drive, Broxbourne, Herts.

NORTHERN ENGLAND

J. H, Hall, 12 Borough Road, Jarrow-on-Tyne, Co. Durham

NORTHERN SCOTLAND

A. Mulholland, 6 Commerce Road, Elgin

CENTRAL & SOUTHERN SCOTLAND

A. McNeish, M.A., “Eastcraig,” 9 Jerviston Street, Motherwell

WALES

Walter A, Norris, 3 Morlais Street, Cardiff, orHarold Thomas, 269 Caerphilly Road, Cardiff

NORTHERN IRELAND

John Ferguson, M.A., 13 Parkmount Road, Belfast

EIRE

T. Ernest J. Archer, “Dunran,” Avoca Avenue, Blackrock Co, Dublin

A DRUNKARD CONVERTED

Tent meetings conducted by V. Cirel and D. R. Meadows at Pokesdown (Bournemouth) were well attended throughout. A number of people confessed faith in Christ. A notable case was that of a drunken man, sobered as a result of prayer, then convicted of sin and converted to God.

SOULS SAVED IN CAMP

More boys than ever before attended this year’s Hants and Dorset Christian Youth Camp. Souls were saved at this camp and also at the camp for girls. Several boys and girls have expressed their desire to be baptized.

RESPONSE IN VILLAGE AND ON SEASHORE

H. E. Bentall (Portsmouth) visited many villages in Cumberland. Open-air meetings were well attended, often despite heavy rain, and some, souls were saved. In one village school he was given permission to conduct morning prayers, and in die afternoon gave a flannelgraph demonstration. He also visited St. Ives (Cornwall) and conducted daily services on the beach. The interest shown was greater than in any previous year, and several young people trusted the Lord.

IN A MILITARY CAMP

From Bovington Military Camp, Dorset, comes news from Edward Hague of spiritual conflicts with Satan and joy in prevailing. A token of the Lord’s confidence after many discouraging weeks was the conversion of a young Regular soldier, the son of Christian parents. He made a “bedside witness” that very night and has maintained his testimony. Another young soldier was saved in 3 detention cell, but failed to make such a testimony although earnestly encouraged to do so. Now it is difficult to identify him from his worldly comrades. Another factor to contend with in such work is the appalling ignorance of the Scriptures betrayed even by well-educated men. Christian soldiers who come to the Camp are therefore encouraged to gather two or three times a week for Bible study.

CAMPS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS

The Exeter Assemblies’ Girls’ and Boys’ Camps were held this year, the former at Tiverton and the latter at Charmouth (Dorset). To the boys’ camp went about 45 officers and hoys, whilst the girls’ camp catered for 59. Two girls and seven boys made professions of faith in Christ, whilst two other boys confessed to backsliding and were restored to the Lord, The experience provided further evidence that camps such as these are amongst the best means available for winning youth for Christ.

TENT MISSION AT LANGPORT

For three weeks the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was sounded forth again under canvas at Langport (Somerset) by Charles McEwen (Exeter) and James Anderson Glasgow). Although numbers were not large it was encouraging to see unsaved ones gathered in each night, some returning several times. There was an open-air testimony before the meetings, when the weather permitted. Almost 1,000 gospel leaflets were used in the door-to-door visitation of the town and the surrounding villages, and there were few refusals. (E. J. F. Warren)

ENCOURAGEMENT AT BECCLES

During IS seasons of tent work in East Anglia, G. Fenn has never found a harder spot than Beccles, but he was greatly cheered by the response among the children there this season.

NEWS FROM LINGS.

From Lincolnshire, T. G. Webber writes of the disinclination of people to attend indoor meetings but of encouragement in the open air, when six prospective missionaries from Matlock “trekked” through. A small testimony for the Lord has been started at Grantham in the house of W. J. Taylor.

A TEMPORARY HOME

Brethren at Bedford are meeting in hired premises, as their hall had to be pulled down recently. The Sunday School is held in a, clay-school nearby, and a good work is going on. A site for a new hall lias now been purchased in the centre of the town and it is hoped that building will commence soon.

A NEEDY AREA

The assembly at Oulton Broad (Lowestoft) was commenced 30 years ago as a result of a tent campaign. M. Dye writes that he feels the district needs some aggressive gospel work. Although aged he still joins in local open-air preaching when help is available.

THE GOSPEL FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB

B. G. Dickenson writes from Manchester: “I have a gospel meeting here fur the deaf and dumb, and have had for the past 30 years. Over the years we have seen much blessing, and literally scares of these afflicted people have come to the Lord Jesus. Many have gone home, many continue to this day, and many have fallen by the way or are: “following afar off.” Our average Sunday-evening attendance is 20 to 30, but if all who come came regularly it would be over 40. Some who have been converted here in Manchester are to be found standing fast for the Lord in Sheffield, Crewe, Barnsley, Luton, etc. We have seen the Lord’s Hand in blessing this year, one woman–now a widow– giving evidence of a changed life and much interest. Her husband, converted some years ago, disobeyed the Lord in his marriage and drifted away. He was restored, met with an accident which deprived him of the use of all his limbs, and lay in hospital for 13 months unable to hear, speak or communicate. It was my joy to visit him weekly and to minister the precious things of Heaven, I witnessed his triumphant home-going and the conversion of his wife, and had the privilege of preaching the gospel to a number of unsaved relatives at his funeral.”

IN NORTHERN ENGLAND

During the tent meetings at Forest Hall (Tyneside), reported in our last number, the audience numbered about 300 on many occasions. A few people professed conversion and some backsliders were restored. There was keen interest in the children’s meetings and numbers increased as the campaign went on. The evangelists (W. E. Davies and David Hyslop), helped by Christians from the Bethesda assembly and other assemblies in the locality, carried out extensive visitation work and distributed thousands of invitation cards, magazinesand tracts. From ForestHail the tent was moved to the west end of Newcastle, where it remained for two weeks; two professed conversion and others were helped. The next pitch was at Hexham, an important market-town in Northumberland and a good strategic centre. Here the work was shared by David Hyslop and W. Wedderburn (a local brother), and it was very encouraging, especially among the young. Adult congregations averaged 30 to 40 each night, and attendance at the children’s meetings about 60. The tent was then taken to Benton, to the north-east of Newcastle. J. McCulloch (Prestwick) has revisited Hebburn and was encouraged by interest in the gospel

DERBYSHIRE EVANGELISTIC WORK

A small gospel tent was erected during August between two housing estates inWirksworth (Derbyshire) on a site provided without charge by the Trent Motor Traction Co. David Husband was the evangelist, and in spite of continued wet and cold weather there were good attendances. Public-address equipment was used to advertise the meetings and to broadcast gospel hymns. Local Christians supported the work well and valuable assistance was given by visiting helpers. Two girls confessed Christ publicly, and two others acknowledged their faith during private conversation. After two weeks the tent was moved to Kirk Ireton, where another free and most convenient site was provided. The tent was used for children’s work, but owing to the increasingly cold and wet weather it was considered wise to hold the adult meetings in the Institute Hall. Many hearts were stirred by the preaching of the Cross of Christ, but as yet no definite conversions have been reported. This was the first gospel mission in Kirk Ireton for 23 years.

IN SPITE OF THE RAIN

Work with the Lanarkshire Gospel Tent in East Kilbride, reported in our last issue, was followed in the second half of the summer season by another campaign in Viewpark, Uddingston. S. Thompson was again in charge. His systematic visitation of the homes of the people proved most effective. The tent was filled nightly, the local unsaved attending in large numbers. On some of the closing nights the weather was most unsuitable, being very wet and stormy, and yet, so great was the interest that the tent was filled to capacity. There were at least ten conversions and four backsliders were restored, three of whom have been received into assembly fellowship. Before the evangelist returned to Ireland he was able to visit the homos of some who were anxious to be saved. Some professed faith and some were deeply concerned. Thus further results are expected from this very remarkable campaign.

CHEERING NEWS FROM CAITHNESS

L. M. Randall (John o’ Groats) writes of help given to him by two young brethren on holiday from Renfrew who held open-air meetings at Thurso, Wick, Castletown, Keiss, Berriedale, and on the beach at John or Groats. A week-end was spent at Stromness (Orkney) where there was great interest in meetings both indoors and out. Joe Merson (Sandend) later joined the workers, and after a gospel meeting at Huna Hall a young man was brought under deep conviction of sin. He was soon pointed to the Saviour and has continued to bear a good testimony.

TRUTH VERSUS ERROR

P. F. Bruce and A. Ingram have been visiting by pedal-cycle the remote parts of Northern Scotland, calling from door to door. They have had many opportunities for conversation, and they always; leave printed gospel messages. They believe this kind of work is becoming increasingly important in view of the efforts of those who spread the erroneous literature of “Jehovah’s Witnesses” and “Seventh Day Adventists.”

SAVED AT SEA

L. G. Grant (Harrogate) conducted a tent mission in Aberdeen. Attendances were good and several people professed to be saved. Remarkable interest was shown in the open-air meetings. One young fisherman was spoken to, and he later said that he was saved whilst at sea as a result of what ho had heard

“GO YE THEREFORE …”

After prayerful consideration the brethren of Ballyhackamore assembly, Belfast, decided to hold a special open-air campaign this year in place of the usual series of indoor gospel meetings. It was felt that in this way a greater number of unsaved would be contacted. Accordingly, open-air meetings were held for three weeks during August. Harold Paisley and Isaac McMullan (now at Home with the Lord) were the speakers invited. There were special assembly prayer-meetings in the week prior to the commencement of the campaign, while short seasons of prayer were held every evening before the brethren went out to preach. The speakers preached earnest Lind rousing messages at five different stances in the neighbourhood. The meetings were extremely well attended, and several times there were about 80 present. Many passers-by stood to listen, while housewives could be seen standing in their doorways and sitting at their windows. There have been a few inquiries from the unconverted, but no conversions so far as is known. It is felt, however, that this campaign will yet bear spiritual fruit, and that in itself it was a good testimony in the district The words 01 our Lord still echo with their challenging ring in our ears today, “Go ye therefore, …” (Matt. 28. 19).

A WORKER LAID ASIDE

Onnumerous occasions we have printed reports from John Scott who does colportage work in the South of Ireland. He has been unwell for some months past and has been entirely unfit for his usual activities. He is at present in hospital in Dublin– under observation and having treatment–and it is quite possible that an operation may be necessary. Prayerful remembrance will be much valued.

PREACHERS FROM DUBLIN

Each Saturday during the summer monthsabout 12 workers from MerrionHall, Dublin, go out in a caravan to towns and villages within a radius of about 60 miles, hold one or two open-air meetings and distribute Gospels and literature. This work has been going on for quite a number of years.

ACTIVITY AT FFORESTFACH

In Swansea a large housing estate has been developed in recent years between Fforestfach and Treboeth. J.D. Jones erected his tent this summer on the Fforestfach side of this estate, but, whilst the meetings have been well supported by the Christians, the unsaved were slow to respond. The tent has, however, been packed to capacity by boys and girls–on some nights about 200 of them. The Fforestfach assembly has commenced a Sunday School in another part of the estate, called Penlan, using a hut loaned to them temporarily by the Swansea Corporation. This work has been going on since August, with an average attendanceof about the children each Lord’s Day. A regular open-air meeting is also being held on the estate on Lord’s – day afternoons at a time that is considered to be best suited to the people.

WITNESSING IN WALES

R. S. Jones erected his tent at Plough Road, Landore, and laboured under much difficulty. The children’s meetings here were very well attended. L. H. Tranter continues to help among assemblies in the valleys above Cardiff, and had two weeks’ meetings in Cefn Fforest, followed by a week at Blackwood (Mon.). The western valley of Monmouthshire is a mining area extending for more than 15 miles from the town of Newport, and consisting of a number of townships joining each other almost all through the valley. An assembly at Abertillery was discontinued early this year, leaving only the small assembly at Risca in that area. W. A. Norris and W. Trew concluded 13 weeks’ tent meetings in Risca on September 14th. A young woman who was saved earlier in the season obeyed the Lord in baptism and has been received into the assembly. A married sister has also been restored to fellowship.