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“search the scriptures” John 5:39
Six miles east of Cullompton, nestling at the south-westerly end of the Blackdown Hills, is Panchydown Farm. Since 1941, meetings have been held in the farmhouse from Autumn to late Spring. The meetings were originally designed to cater for about 50 young evacuees living in the district so gospel messages were preached, in addition to having chorus-singing, competitions, Bible searching, etc. As these young folk returned to their homes it was found that the majority of those who continued to attend the meetings were already saved, so the emphasis is now on ministry of the Word of God for Christians. The informal atmosphere of a farmhouse dining-room, and the refreshments kindly provided by the occupiers, Mr. and Mrs. Broom, make the meeting a very homely affair which is appreciated by all who gather, some folk coming a considerable distance. (G. H. M.)
The year 1945 was an important one in many respects. We do not claim signi ficance for the order of events as we mention that in that year the Second World War ended, the first Number of “Precious Seed” appeared, and the first Tavistock Whitsun Convention was held. “VJ” Day was celebrated as a public holiday, and various activities were organized throughout the Country. The first Convention was arranged for that day to provide something suitable for Christian people, and it has been held on Whit-Saturday in each succeeding year. Rain in the morning this year made it necessary to cancel the outdoor programme, but the weather improved later in the day and attendances were little less than usual, especially in the evening. The afternoon and evening meetings, held in a large marquee, were addressed by Mr. J. M. Shaw and Mr. Harold Hutchinson (both of London). (N. M. B.)
A correspondent writes from Taunton to tell us about what he describes as “Household Baptism” at the Octagon Hall! A man and his wife attended a funeral service at the Hall. They were much impressed and came to other meetings, bringing their only son with them. In due course all three of them were born again and they were all baptized at the same time earlier this year.
A special effort was recently made in Canton, Cardiff, under the title “God Speaks Today.” The meetings, which were conducted by Peter Brandon, lasted for two-and-a-half weeks. Considerable numbers of strangers attended regularly, men, women and teenagers all showing a hunger for the Word of God. A few made professions of saving faith in Christ, and several more, apparently already believers, seem to have been helped spiritually and to have found spiritual food not available elsewhere in the district.
Meetings for the ministry of the Word were held during Easter at Llanelly, Treboeth, Port Talbot, Porthcawl, Glanyllyn, Caerphilly, Newport, Blackwood, and at the Ebenezer, Heath and Adamsdown Halls, Cardiff. Reports speak of searching and profitable ministry, with very good attendances, in most places.
A building was opened in April on the new housing estate of Caerau, in Cardiff. As in many such districts, work amongst the young is giving particular cheer.
The Cardiff Home Workers’ Conference was well attended at the Ebenezer Hall in May, when C. E. Stokes ministered the Word and reports were given by W. Atnslie, D. W. Frost, W. Morrish and W. Trew. (H. T.)
Whenever we publish reports from Eire, attention is drawn to the special difficulties attending gospel work in that Country. In 1937 a Committee was formed in Dublin to arrange for the exhibition of gospel posters on hoardings throughout the City and the Country. In June of that year the first poster appeared at Mount Street Bridge. In spite of the opposition that has been encountered and the difficulties arising from greatly-increased costs, the work has progressed and during the last four years gospel posters have been maintained at well over 50 sites. Results of this form of evangelism are difficult to measure, but those responsible receive encouragement from time to time. Mr. Hind, of the Scripture Gift Mission, which supplies the majority of the posters; writes: “A young R.C. girl on her way to Belfast from Dublin was attracted by the message she read on the Text Poster on one of the stations. She read the same message at various stations through which she passed, and by the time she reached the end of her journey it was well impressed both in her mind and on her heart. This led her to become interested and somewhat concerned about her spiritual condition. The sequel to it all was that she eventually sought and trusted the Lord Jesus as her personal Saviour. It pleased the Lord to lead her into training for His service and she later left Eire to serve as a Christian Missionary in Japan.”
Readers who would like to have more details of this poster work may obtain them from the Secretary, Robert Evans, 13 Tritonville Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin. We feel a special interest in this work because our Correspondent in Eire, Ernest Archer, takes an active part in it. Similar posters are provided by the Victory Tract Club, 306 High St., Croydon, Surrey.
M. Finegan and J. K. Duff have been conducting special meetings at Stonewall in Co. Cavan - the only assembly left in this large Irish county. At present the assembly consists of two brethren and a few sisters. A young man whose wife is already saved has professed conversion. For the most part the people are either careless or prejudiced against the assembly. The Lord, however, has given a gracious sense of His presence and help. Much earnest prayer is solicited on behalf of the small assemblies in Eire and in the “border” counties of Ulster. (J. F.)
We have previously referred to the work of the Merseyside “Bottle Evangelists,” whose method is to seal up gospel literature in bottles and hand them to Christians on board vessels leaving Merseyside for various parts of the world, so that the bottles may be dropped into the sea at various points on the voyage. Our friends are continually hearing from “finders” of bottles in most unlikely places. One bottle which left Garston in December, 1948, was found in Norway in January, 1953, more than four years later. There is evidence that this rather unusual method of propagating the gospel is being used for the salvation of some.
We hear of what is described as “an interesting experiment” made by four assemblies in Kent. Fred Howard (Bexleyheath) writes: “Many are concerned, particularly those attached to small assemblies, at the few attending ministry-meetings, and the consequent disappointment in bringing a ministering brother some distance to speak to a handful of the Lord’s people. The ministering brother may not mind, but it does seem a waste of the Lord’s gifts. The writer had a similar concern and, as a consequence, approached the brethren of three small neighbouring assemblies. In October, 1951, the first of a series of joint ministry-meetings for the assemblies at Bamehurst, Belvedere, Bexleyheath and Dartford was held in the Assembly Hall, Bamehurst. So successful was the experiment that it was decided to arrange for a second session, but this time the Dartford assembly was unable to participate. This series ended with the second Fellowship Tea when E, Barker ministered the Word of God. We are indeed thankful to the Lord for sending His servants each Friday with His Word. Those who have assisted include George Harpur, S. K. Hine, G. E. Andrews, Reuben Scammell, O. Speare, F. McConnell, J. M. Shaw, W. S. Loynes, O. S. Nye and P. Parsons. The attendance at the meetings has been well maintained and it is interesting to note that the cost (which included the gifts to, and expenses of, the speakers; lighting and heating the Hall; printing; stationery; postage, etc.) works out at 6d. per meeting per person attending. There is no doubt that the Lord has placed His seal upon the experiment and many instances could be given of blessing and help received, and of saints built up and led to baptism, but the main purpose of these notes is to encourage others experiencing difficulties with the assembly ministry-meeting.”
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