Ballarat

During the early part of 1918 Ballarat, like many Australian cities and country towns, was increasingly occupied with the repatriation of those wounded in the Great War. Relief and jubilation spread through the City on the 12th of November, when news of the signing of the Armistice the previous day was publicised in Ballarat's morning papers. The day was given over to celebration and thanksgiving.

Anzac Day was born on the 30th of November, when the community welcomed back veterans who had been involved in the fighting for the four years that followed the Gallipoli landing. Tribute was also paid to the sick and wounded, who had been repatriated earlier. Troops continued to filter back throughout 1919. To celebrate the sacrifice of those who served and to mark the Allied victory, Lucas sponsored the construction of an Arch of Victory that straddled the Melbourne to Adelaide highway at the Western end of the city. An open competition for the design was won by H. H. Smith, principal of the School of Mines Technical Art School.

Antipathy towards the Irish and sectarian bigotry surfaced with the cessation of hostilities. The 1916 uprising in Ireland, which was viewed as a stab in the back to the British in their war effort, and the inflammatory statements of Archbishop Mannix, who had publicly argued that the motives of the Allies had been primarily economic, fuelled these resurgent tensions. A Methodist minister, Rev. T. H. Indian, and the Ballarat Branch of the Protestant Federation, led the charge.

As a result of the involvement of so many from Ballarat in the war, including alumni of Ballarat College, whose numbers were decimated by the conflict, empathy for returned men ran high, resulting in the formation of local branches of the Returned Servicemen's League and of Legacy. As well, ex-servicemen who fell foul of the law were often treated with extraordinary leniency.

An American influence began to be felt in clothing styles and dances in the 1920's, when the new Hollywood cinematography was proving enormously popular. Traditional values and commitments, represented by the churches, were beginning to lose out against competition from the cinema and from sporting organisations concerned with promoting football, cricket, tennis, athletics, rowing and sailing, fishing, handball, tug-o-war, iron quoits, bicycling, shooting, motoring, and horse-racing, trotting and coursing. The ritual of Anzac day, heartily supported by the

churches, was also contributing to the gradual secularisation of the calendar of holy days. Anzac Day came to eclipse Easter as the most significant of the city's yearly rituals.

Other significant developments, following the war, were the growing popularity of the South Street Debating Society's burgeoning range of competitions, in which those involving bands and choirs evoked greatest interest, the increased involvement of women in the city's business and civic life, in spite of a stereotyping perpetuated, not only by men, but by many of Ballarat's socially conscious matrons, and the amalgamation of West and East, city and town, on the 24th May 1921, which represented a significant breakthrough and was facilitated by the belief that a United Ballarat would ensure economic growth. The period following 1919 also saw the development of private secondary education and the refurbishment of old buildings and the construction of new structures in the City's centre.

During this period influenza menaced the city. Soldiers brought the Spanish flu back with them from overseas and Ballarat's open sewers also contributed to the contagion. Two positive results to flow from the seriousness of this situation were that priority was given to hygiene and the city finally decided to construct an adequate sewerage system.

By 1929 a world-wide economic downturn began to be felt in Ballarat, as elsewhere in Australia. Firms reduced staff or closed altogether. Apart from the Brewery, Selkirk's Bricks and Sunshine Biscuits, most businesses struggled to survive. By January, 1931 1/3 of the workforce was unemployed. The Depression peaked in 1933. While a dole programme was established in June 1930, it was elementary. The assistance offered was hopelessly inadequate. Fortunately, it was upgraded in March, 1931, when recipients were given food orders on local tradespeople. In August, 1931 the Ballarat Unemployment Relief Committee introduced a work for sustenance scheme that paid the unemployed more as wages than they would have received from orders. The engineer at the Town Hall co-ordinated the work.

The Labour Bureau, the sustenance office at the Town Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Home were major ports of call for the unemployed. The churches, and agencies in which they were represented, also dealt with casualties. Ballarat soon acquired a reputation of being the place to be during the Depression, which swelled its numbers with itinerant bagmen. In contrast to the "sussos", those who opted to seek a livelihood as gold prospectors, working abandoned trailing or searching for fresh finds, grubbed a passable living from the ground and enjoyed an independence that others forfeited in seeking public assistance.

Tensions generated by the extension of the Depression, and the agitation of troublemakers, led to a series of strikes in 1935, 1936 and 1937, and to rivalry

between the Trades Hall Council and the Australian Workers Union. In addition, increasing conflict led to the establishment of an Unemployed Association and to the open advocacy of Communism on the part of a small group of unemployed. There was also a group of Communists in the Railway Workshops. To counter the threat posed by this development, a shadowy White Guard, an underground organisation of former AIF officers and concerned middle-class citizens, alarmed at what they perceived as a threat to law and order, organised clandestinely. However, by 1938, the economy had begun to recover and business confidence picked up.¹

Australian Churches

Following the first world war, when community and church leaders romanced over the development of a new world order, Australian economists, while attempting to protect domestic markets with tariffs, soon recognised that the island continent was increasingly at the mercy of international factors beyond its control.

Because of the ethnic make-up of the population, particularly the English, Irish and Scotch component, Anglican, Catholic and Presbyterian churches continued to look to Britain for senior leaders.

Churches also recognised, in the tradition of Australian voluntarism, that they would need to look to their laity to finance their work and to serve on important local, state and national committees. Both factors placed considerable stress on city churches, whose middle-class membership was moving to the suburbs and resulted, over time, in an increasingly middle-class constituency.

Churches were also tightening up their administrative structures. Despite the fact that many churches sought to develop or strengthen national executives, resources and power was located at State level. Theological differences between states, which were often recognised as being pan-denominational and reflected in the broader secular social context, became more marked. This was particularly seen in the intensification of the Evangelicalism of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney.

A burgeoning ministry to the outback was also a feature of this period, with the development of the Flying Doctor Service and the setting up of Inland Missions by Presbyterians and Methodists. Churches were also established in the new national capital in Canberra.

New forms of youth work, and a variety of clubs, were developed by churches across the denominational spectrum. Campaign evangelism was also a feature of this period. Within Churches of Christ, E. C. Hinrichsen, a young minister from the West Morton area, west of Brisbane, had begun to make a name for himself as a consistently successful evangelist. Between 1910 and 1930 the membership of the Australian Churches almost doubled. In a number of denominations, from

Anglicanism to Pentecostalism, holiness and healing became important emphases.

Evangelicals also began to gather their forces to address what they saw as challenges to the authority of the Scriptures. The use of Peake's Commentary on the Bible was hotly debated at the Methodist theological college at Queen's college Melbourne. Evangelical networks among the churches also began to be established.

The churches also addressed a range of ethical issues, which included alcohol abuse, gambling, sexual misconduct, desecration of the Sabbath, the horrors of war and political violence. However, continuing identification with community racism meant that few protested against the violent and neglectful way in which Aborigines were treated.

During the Depression the churches did what they could to alleviate hardship in local congregations and in the community. An occasional voice was raised to suggest a less acquisitive and more equitable pattern of wealth creation and distribution.²

Dawson Street

The year 1918 was of considerable significance in the history of the Dawson St. Church of Christ. The arrival of A. W. Connor marked the beginning of longer, more settled ministries.

The years 1918-1933 cover the ministries of A. W. Connor and G. T. Fitzgerald. The maturity, energy and initiative of both men gave a new stability to the congregation and familiarised lay leaders, who continued to exert significant influence, with the shape, feel and possibilities of strong leadership on the part of the incumbent evangelist.

A. W.CONNOR, 1918-1926

Beginnings

In February, 1918, when Dawson St. had not yet secured the services of a minister, A. G. Scambler, who was to occupy the pulpit for the following month,³ wrote to the Australian Christian, outlining the advantages enjoyed by the church. He rhapsodised:

With a beautiful city, a prosperous community, a modern and attractive church building and good attendances, especially at the evening meetings, there is reason for great expectations if a good strong preacher can be secured.⁴

Sharp of Brighton, L. C. McCallum and A. G. Scambler filled the pulpit in late March and early April.⁵ Southgate spent 3 weeks in Ballarat from the 14th April, for which he was paid £4 per week.⁶

In May the officers called a special meeting of the church to invite A. W. Connor for a 2-year engagement at £5 per week. He was also offered £35 removal expenses.⁷ By June the officers were able to announce that Connor had accepted their invitation to take up the position of evangelist and that he would commence on September 1.⁸ Connor was a big man, almost 6 foot tall and 14 to 15 stone,⁹ who was also described as having a big personality.¹⁰ Connor was, at that time, engaged by the church at Subiaco, a suburb of Perth, where he would conclude his term on August 18. He planned to spend August 25 with the church at Kalgoorlie, while on his way to Adelaide. His intention was to spend two days in Melbourne and to begin at Ballarat on Sunday September 8.¹¹ A large group from the church gathered on the Ballarat railway station to greet the Connors as they travelled by train from Adelaide to Melbourne.¹²

Over 120 were present at the morning worship service, in a recently renovated and improved chapel, when Connor began his ministry on September 8. He delivered a "stirring and impressive exhortation" from 1 Corinthians 3:9. He was introduced by Wilkie to the Adult Bible Class in the afternoon, after which he spoke to the Junior School. In the evening he preached to 320 on "The Indispensable Christ.

On September 9 Connor was welcomed to the city by the mayor, Cr. Holloway, at a civic reception in his honour. A more informal welcome was tendered by the church at a social organised on the 11th.¹³ The Connors took up residence at 111 Ascot St. Sth.¹⁴

Two significant events, that coincided with the commencement of his term, added impetus to the early months of Connor's ministry.

C. E. Convention

The first of these was the Australasian Christian Endeavour Convention, which was held in Ballarat in September. At the convention, where it was reported that Australia boasted 1855 societies and 50,614 members, J. E. Thomas, preacher of the Lygon St. Church in Melbourne, was appointed President for the ensuing two years. Thomas was also President of the Victorian CE Union. Victoria, at the time, boasted 35% of the Australian membership.

The convention also expressed sympathy with the Strength of Empire Movement and with its opposition to "the continual employment of gambling devices in raising money for patriotic purposes". It also petitioned the government to declare "wartime prohibition", "believing the liquor traffic to be the greatest menace of the moral welfare of the commonwealth".¹⁵

Fifty visitors from the Convention worshipped with the church on the Sunday. The evangelistic service in the evening was addressed by J. E. Thomas, who gave "a stirring address on 'The Price of Power'".¹⁶

South Street

The second event was the annual South Street competitions, which were held in October and in which "Bro. Tippett's choir" came second in the Champion Choral Contest. Tippett, who was from Melbourne, and several singers from the choir, took part in the evening service at Dawson St.¹⁷

The War

When Connor commenced his ministry at Dawson St. patriotic fervour was strong, despite the fact that the war had continued for longer than had been originally anticipated. In November Germany surrendered and signed the armistice. On November 17th special thanksgiving services were held at Dawson St. Connor spoke to the Bible School that afternoon on "The Significance of our Flag", special hymns of praise were sung and scholars were handed "neat patriotic" cards that commemorated "the close of the great war".¹⁸

In February of the following year, members, who had been on active service, began returning from the front.¹⁹ In May a social was held to welcome back three members who had been serving overseas.²⁰

The signing of the peace in July, which brought a deep sense of relief, was capitalised on by Connor, who used the occasion to highlight the importance of sending "the message of peace to the nations unevangelized".²¹

Throughout the remainder of the year servicemen continued returning from the front. The fourth and final social, organised to welcome them back, was held on December 8.²² On December 2 A. W. Connor had been one of four speakers at a dinner organised by the Victorian Home Missionary Committee in the Masonic Hall, Melbourne, to welcome home returned soldiers.²³ In June of the following year a memorial window was unveiled by Major Baird, Chief Secretary of Victoria, commemorating 47 of the congregation who served in the war, sixteen of whom had died in the conflict.²⁴

Temperance

Early in his ministry Connor indicated his commitment to the temperance cause. In April, 1919 Connor was one of two speakers at a temperance demonstration in the Lygon St. chapel. A. R. Main, Principal of the College of the Bible and Editor of the Australian Christian, was the other.²⁵ An article, under Connor's name, "The

Menace of a Dry Australia", was published in the June 5th edition of the Christian.²⁶

Early Enthusiasm

Connor's arrival generated considerable enthusiasm among the congregation. After four months it was reported that he had "done much to consolidate the church by pastoral visitation and improvements in organisation". Attendances on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings had risen. Prior to Christmas, 105 were meeting for the breaking of bread.²⁷

Early in 1919 Connor began preaching a series of addresses, delivered at intervals throughout the year, on "The Crises of the Christ".²⁸ These appeared throughout the next few years as a series of articles in the Australian Christian, where they ran under the general title, "Great Events in the Life of Christ".²⁹

Ballarat Council of Churches

The minutes of the annual meeting in February, 1919 indicate that Dawson St. was represented on a Ballarat Council of Churches.³⁰ This council must either have folded, or else been duplicated by a second, differently constituted or oriented organisation, because in March, 1926 the church was invited to send two representatives to a meeting called to consider establishing a Council of Churches.³¹

Influenza Epidemic

In late January and early February, 1919 restrictions were imposed on churches and other public meetings as the result of a severe influenza epidemic in Ballarat. While this reduced attendances at most functions in the city, and strained the finances of many churches, Dawson Street boasted an attendance of 90 at the morning service on the final weekend of the month's restriction and a continuing high level of financial support throughout the period.

To obviate the difficulty the epidemic was posing the final am. worship service was conducted with one segment being held inside and the other segment held outside the building in the church grounds. In the evening a "splendid open-air service" was arranged in the church grounds under lights. An offering, in support of the Victorian Home Missions Department, taken at this same time, realised twice the amount asked for.³²

Continuing Ministry

The anniversary services of the church, organised on March 23rd, drew "exceptionally large attendances." Connor's evening address, "Pitching Towards Sodom", was "listened to with wrapt attention by a congregation of about 250". The

following week the church welcomed a score of visitors, who had travelled to Ballarat by rail on a Railways' picnic excursion.

J. A. Wilkie, who reported to the Christian on the activities of both Sundays, indicated that the church was "looking forward with confidence to a busy and fruitful winter" and that the officers were planning to resume evangelistic services at the Peel St. Chapel.³³

On April 6th Connor was in Kaniva for the local conference. Several weeks later, Wilkie's growing enthusiasm surfaced in the comment; "We are getting many outsiders coming regularly on Sunday evenings, and trust that others are on the verge of decision.³⁴ By May membership had reached 199.³⁵

Excitement abated somewhat in June, due to inclement weather, though plans were in hand for increasing the numbers in the Bible School.

During that same month the names of former members at Gordon, that is, the Chapman family,³⁶ were entered on the Dawson St. roll, the church at Gordons having ceased to exist because of lack of numbers.³⁷

Plebiscite on Individual Communion Cups

In July the officers decided to hold a plebiscite on the introduction of individual communion cups at the Half-yearly meeting. Obviously, the influenza epidemic had made many in the congregation aware of the need for greater hygiene.³⁸ The plebiscite yielded 45 in favour, 18 against, with 4 abstentions. Despite this overwhelming result, no action was taken "out of deference to one of the brethren." One wonders who the brother was!³⁹ A decision was finally taken on Dec 4th, 1922.⁴⁰ In July of the following year members were asked to contribute towards the cost of individual communion cups.⁴¹

Mrs. Morris

It was also noted that Mrs. Charles Morris, a "Mother in Israel" for over fifty-five years,⁴² and mother of "Bro. Chas. Morris, J. P.", elder of the Ballarat church,⁴³ was too weak to attend services.⁴⁴

The Sunday School anniversary, scheduled for August 24, was conducted under a cloud. Mrs. Morris died that morning and the church was distracted by grief.⁴⁵ The Morris family had been "one of the great sources of strength to the cause in Ballarat". Mrs. Morris herself was described as "one of the brightest and sweetest Christians it was ever our privilege to meet".⁴⁶ She was 71 when she died.⁴⁷

Affirmation of Connor's Ministry

The church was excited by what Connor was achieving. The Officers Board, at their meeting on the 1st September, 1919, expressing both enthusiasm and gratitude, passed the following motion:

That we thereby note the fact of the first anniversary of the coming of Bro. A. W. Connor as evangelist with the church in Ballarat and express our sincere appreciation of the high level of his utterances, his unwearied pastoral activities and his work in all good citizenship movements and we express the hope that this year of beginnings may be followed by years of happy united fellowship.⁴⁸

The same meeting congratulated E. H. Price on his appointment as chairman of the Benevolent Asylum and on having completed the planting of the Avenue of Honour.⁴⁹

Visitors and Numbers

Late in October "Bro. E. Tippett", and members of his choir, were again present at an evening service, where they contributed to the musical presentation. That morning six new members were welcomed.⁵⁰ In December it was reported that attendances at the Lord's Table averaged 80, that the Sunday School was now under the superintendency of A. E. Bailey, that the Bible Class averaged between 30 and 40 and that a new Men's Society had been organised, with E. H. Price as its first president.⁵¹

Two Years On--A Further Term

The church was happy with the work Connor was doing. In July of the following year, a little under two years since commencing with the church, Connor was invited to remain for a further term.⁵² Each year consequent to this the church continued to offer Connor a 12-month extension.⁵³

Further Plans

In December, by which time membership had reached 208, the board endorsed plans to establish a Young Men's Improvement Society and decided to call for 18 volunteers to help with systematic visitation.⁵⁴

Anti-Liquor

During 1920 Connor's commitment to the Anti-Liquor cause continued unabated. In July, 1920 a sub-branch of the Greater Ballarat Branch of the Anti-Liquor League was formed in the church.⁵⁵ On July 29th, which was designated "Anti-Liquor Sunday", Connor arranged for Gifford Gordon to address the church in the morning and H. A. Proctor in the evening.⁵⁶

H. A. Proctor, M. A., LL.B, who had been minister of the North Richmond Church, served with distinction as a Chaplain in the war. He had been nominated as the O. P. D. Chaplain most worthy of receiving the government's offer of a year's university work, which he had spent at the University of Edinburgh, before returning to Australia.⁵⁷ On his return, he was engaged for a brief period by the Victorian Anti-Liquor League, prior to returning to England for further study.⁵⁸ He was engaged in promoting their "No-License" campaign.⁵⁹

Connor was a vigorous proponent of the No-License cause in Ballarat. Early in October, when he and other No-License speakers went to one of the open-air locations where they were accustomed to hold forth, they discovered a 30 foot sign erected on the hotel opposite, which read, "Vote Continuance and Remain Prosperous". Spurred on by the competition, they were quick to point out that a crucial word was missing. They argued that the sign should have read, "Vote Continuance and (we) remain prosperous".⁶⁰ Later that month, Connor preached at a morning service on "The Cross and the Liquor Curse".⁶¹

The Blakemore Mission

In July it was announced that the church had engaged Bro. Blakemore, from the church at Swanston St.,⁶² to conduct a two-week mission for them in September.⁶³ Blakemore was shortly to become Victorian Young People's Organiser. Enthusiasm for the mission began to mount and the church began praying for revival.⁶⁴

With A. L. Gibson filling in for him at Swanston St.,⁶⁵ Blakemore began the fifteen-day mission, working closely with Connor. At the evening service, on the first night of the mission, a young woman from Buninyong was baptised.⁶⁶ A week into the mission it was reported that, although a crowd "is hard to get on weeknights", Blakemore was "teaching the people and making a strong evangelistic appeal".⁶⁷ The "volunteer" mission closed with ten decisions, three girls from the Sunday School making commitments on the Sunday night. It was felt the effort was "well worth while".⁶⁸

Wilkie at South Street

In October 1920, at the South Street Competitions, Wilkie, along with a Mr. Hall, carried off first prize in the teams debate, taking the affirmative on the topic "Should Victoria be Dry?" Both were members of the No-License executive.⁶⁹

South Street Achievement

In October, 1920 the Girls Club gained a third place in the South Street competitions.⁷⁰

Visitors

The Ballarat Festival, from September 27th to October 29th, 1921 drew choirs, bands and teams to Ballarat. The church invited members of Churches of Christ, who were visiting Ballarat for the occasion, to worship at Dawson St. or Ballarat East.⁷¹ Among those who came were visitors from Melbourne and Balaklava in South Australia.⁷²

Visiting preachers, who spoke at either Dawson St. or Ballarat East during the year, were G. T. Waldon, Secretary of the Foreign Mission Committee, W. B. Blakemore, State Bible school organiser,⁷³ John Crockatt from Leeds in England,⁷⁴ A. E. Illingworth, who preached at the Bible school anniversary,⁷⁵ and Bro. Caldicott of South Australia.⁷⁶

Connor Publishes Book

Mid-1921 A. W. Connor's articles on the life of Christ were brought together into a book of 24 chapters, which was favourably reviewed by the Presbyterian Messenger. T. H. Scambler argued that the publication was

a mine of information and a fountain of inspiration. Bro. Connor has combined the critical faculty of the expositor with the warmth and glow of the evangelist.⁷⁷

Increased Attendances

Throughout 1922 attendances continued to improve. Anniversary services on March 26 were highly successful. It was claimed that the morning meeting was "the largest attendance in the church's history at morning service".⁷⁸ In November it was reported that attendances at both church and Sunday school were continuing to rise.⁷⁹ In December the church was continuing to boast of "splendidly attended morning services" and it was noted that attendance in the Sunday School had almost reached 200.⁸⁰

Wider Afield

During the year Connor preached at Boort⁸¹ and Ouyen.⁸² At the Victorian Conference in April it was decided that Connor would preach the Conference Sermon the following year.⁸³

Connor, who had been in ministry for 25 years,⁸⁴ was becoming well known to a broad readership through the Australian Christian. He was a prolific writer, frequently turning addresses into articles. This can be illustrated from the 1922 Christian. The January 12th edition contained a brief article by him in support of the work of Home Missions, which, he argued, on the basis of his experience in the Wimmera District between 1897 and 1902, had given a fillip to small country

churches. He contended that this "outpost evangelism" had given "a church, a new vision, a new interest and outlook, to thousands of country boys and girls". It had "enabled the country districts to send out a stream of converted young men and women to enrich our city and urban life".⁸⁵

There appeared in the February 2nd edition of the Christian a one and a half page article entitled, "Witness to Jesus" in which he argued that testimony to Jesus as the Word of God was to be found in the Bible, in the Church and in Christians.⁸⁶ "A Two-fold Invitation: To Christ to Come: To Come to Christ", appeared the following month.⁸⁷

In the same edition of the Christian, March 16, readers were advised of the availability of two excellent pamphlets by Connor, "The Significance of Christian Baptism" and "The Significance of the Lord's Supper".⁸⁸ The Austral Printing and Publishing Co., which had printed these pamphlets, had previously published a series of sermons under the title "The Lord of Glory", which Connor had preached on Sunday evenings at Dawson St. These were reviewed by the British Advocate. To Connor's disavowal of any claim to "originality or literary excellence", the reviewer responded by arguing that "this certainly undervalues the collection; for they are not ordinary, and show that Mr. Connor has read widely and uses his reading to great effect in his preaching". He went on to add that "In these sermons we have an example of a pure and dignified form of English entirely suited to the subject".⁸⁹

At the 1922 Victorian Conference Connor preached the address at the Home Missionary demonstration at the Masonic Hall on April 14th.⁹⁰ A brief report on his presentation, "A Threefold Vision for God's Harvesters", was included in the conference report.⁹¹ A full text of the sermon appeared in the April 27th Edition of the Christian.⁹²

The June 1st edition of the Christian published an exposition by Connor on 1 Peter 2:4-10.⁹³ Another brief exposition, this time on Philippians 1:12-18, appeared in the Christian later in December.⁹⁴ The reason for Connor's literary silence between June and December is to be accounted for on the basis of his involvement in exciting developments at Peel St., that is, in the Hinrichsen-Brooker Mission at Ballarat East.

The work at Dawson St. was proceeding apace, notwithstanding the effort Connor was putting into reviving Ballarat East. It is little wonder that the church invited him to stay for a fifth year, an invitation he readily accepted.⁹⁵

J. A. Wilkie

Wilkie, like Connor, was also involved in the 1922 Victorian Conference. Besides vigorously debating issues on the floor of conference, Wilkie also addressed the preachers' session. The report ran:

J. A. Wilkie, of Ballarat, delivered an address of unusual spiritual power on "The Senior Partner". He pleaded for a Spirit-filled life, and a less mechanical view of religion. Our lives should consist not so much in a working for Christ, but in His working in and through us. The audience was greatly moved. In our judgement this session was the best of its kind we ever attended.⁹⁶

In December of that year, Mrs. Wilkie left for Scotland to visit her mother. As J. A. Wilkie was to accompany her as far as Freemantle, both were farewelled at a social, where it was remarked that they had "been a power for good in the church".⁹⁷

Arriving in Fremantle, Wilkie "was given a welcome to West Australia by a large company of brethren who had gathered for tea in Albany Bell's social hall, Hay-st, Perth." In reply he "gave an address full of encouragement and strength". During his brief stay in WA, Wilkie "impressed himself and that bright earnest spirit of his life upon the Western brotherhood".⁹⁸

Men's Meeting

In May, 1922 Connor sought information about Men's Meetings from the Melbourne conference office.⁹⁹ The first Men's Meeting at Dawson St. was held on June 19th, when 30 were present.¹⁰⁰

1923

Dawson St. faced 1923 in a mood of optimism. 50 had been added to the church during the previous year.¹⁰¹ The church began 1923 with a membership of 213. The total revenue for the previous year exceeded £900, leaving the church with a small credit balance to begin the New Year.¹⁰²

Early in March Connor visited the Mallee. Twenty years had elapsed since he had been in this part of Victoria. He commented on the material growth of the area, with which he felt the church had not kept pace. He suggested that Minyip, and particularly Warracknabeal, would be fruitful mission fields.¹⁰³

On the 18th and 19th of that month Dawson St. celebrated the tenth anniversary of the opening of the present chapel. J. McG. Abercrombie was a guest preacher and a record 150 broke bread during the day.¹⁰⁴

On April 1st Connor preached the Conference Sermon at the Victorian Conference. His emphasis was characteristically christological, his subject being, "The Changeless Christ".¹⁰⁵

25th Wedding Anniversary

April 21st was also a significant event in the life of the Connors. On that evening they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. G. B. Moysey, who had married them 25 years ago, was present for the occasion. He presided at the gathering and delighted the audience with a beautiful solo.¹⁰⁶

G. B. Moysey

Moysey was himself a legend in Churches of Christ. His father was of Devonshire stock and migrated with a new wife to Victoria, settling eventually on a bush block at Beaumaris. G. B. Moysey, the second son of a family of nine, worked on the farm until he was 18. The influence of Restoration literature and Sunday School tuition helped convince him that he should devote his life to preaching the gospel. He received training under the early American evangelists, H. S. Earl, G. L. Surber, O. A. Carr and T. J. Gore. Moysey had been an outstanding preacher for over fifty years.

In June of the same year, when G. B. Moysey was in Ballarat for the Connors anniversary, he and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.¹⁰⁷

E. L. Williams

A relatively unimportant report of an Anzac evening prayer meeting, conducted by four of the young men of the church, is significant by virtue of the fact that one of them, E. L. Williams, originally from the Kaniva district, was to become principal of the Federal College of the Bible.¹⁰⁸

Prices to America

On July 23, E. H. Price, his wife, three family members and a party of friends, left Ballarat for a three-month visit to America.¹⁰⁹ They were welcomed back in November.¹¹⁰

While they were overseas, Mrs. Lucas, mother of E. H. Price, died at Brighton. The church with which she had been associated for 41 years¹¹¹ was profoundly affected by her death and "the flag at the City Hall was flown at half-mast for one of Ballarat's best citizens".¹¹²

The Price family again travelled abroad again in 1929.¹¹³ A business trip to England was made the following year.¹¹⁴

In mid-August 1923 the church, keen to have Connor remain with them, invited him to remain for a further year.¹¹⁵

The Kellems-Richards Mission

The most significant event in the life of the Ballarat Churches of Christ in 1923 was the Kellems-Richards Mission. The Executive and Home Missionary Committee of the Victorian Conference, in co-operation with similar committees in other States, brought to Australia from America the Jesse R. Kellems mission party. The Melbourne Evangelistic Campaign was planned for July, using Wirth's Olympia, which could accommodate 5000 people.¹¹⁶ The Ballarat churches arranged with the organisers of the Kellems visit for the party to visit Ballarat for a brief mission.

Jesse R. Kellems was born in Eugene, Oregon, in September, 1892. He was the son of Dr. David C. Kellems, for 22 years professor in the Eugene Bible College at Eugene, Oregon, and a noted evangelist. Kellems' mother was a graduate of the University of Oregon and Head of the Department of Public Speaking and Professor of Missions. Jesse Kellems graduated B. A. from the University of Oregon in 1914. He received his B.D from the Eugene Bible College, and, at 26, was awarded the D.D. He travelled extensively in Europe and preached in Churches of Christ in England and Scotland. He was the author of four books.

Charles H. Richards, the singing evangelist, was born in Washington State, and, like Kellems, was 30. He was a graduate of the Eugene Bible College musical department and had been associated with Kellems for five years. He had studied with Broodbent in Washington and Bleiden in London. He had a rich baritone voice and was a fine soloist and song leader. Kellems wife acted as secretary of the party, while Richard's wife, an accomplished pipe organist and pianist, was organist.¹¹⁷

The Melbourne Mission was the first conducted by the Kellems party in Australia. It commenced on July 22.¹¹⁸ 5000 were in attendance on the opening night.¹¹⁹ By early August the attendance had reached 7000.¹²⁰ The mission closed on Sunday 26 August. The final tally was 480 "decisions for Christ" and a thank offering of £1500.¹²¹

The Kellems Ballarat Mission began on September 2nd. The faith of the churches in hiring the Alfred Hall was rewarded with an attendance of 1500 on the first night.¹²² Despite difficulties with the weather, the mission maintained momentum.¹²³ After the service on Sunday night, the 9th of September, a number of young men travelled home to Ararat on a motor bike.¹²⁴ Throughout the second week, "in spite of cold, wintry and wet weather (real Ballarat weather), as well as strong counter attractions", attendances kept up.¹²⁵ By the time the mission had closed, on Sunday 30th,¹²⁶ "115 souls (had come) forward and confessed Christ". At the close of the mission the party moved on to Castlemaine¹²⁷ and then to Adelaide.¹²⁸

Numbers

At the annual meeting, held early in February, 1924, it was reported that during the previous year 56 had been added to the membership, while 21 had been lost through transfer.¹²⁹ The membership at that time stood at 250.¹³⁰ This number, however, did not represent average communicants, as is evident from the fact that the church was excited about the fact that 140 broke bread on Sunday 24th!¹³¹ At the church anniversary, held the following month, it was reported that the combined membership of the three Ballarat Churches of Christ [York St. was included in the tally] was over 400. This figure elicited the enthusiastic comment; "the cause of Primitive Christianity in Ballarat has a brighter outlook than ever before".¹³²

At the Victorian Women's 39th Annual Conference, held on Wednesday, April 16, 1924, Mrs. A. W. Connor delivered the conference essay, on "Service", which was described as "of a very high order"¹³³ Wilkie was also invited to address the Victorian Women's Conference, where he spoke on "Things we Forget to Remember".¹³⁴

Later that month the church lost three of its active families. The Tuckers moved to Wagga in New South Wales. Roy Pittock, who had "had a fine scholastic career", was appointed to Melbourne, while Bro. Baker shifted to Avoca, where he was appointed headmaster.¹³⁵

In June 100 young people from the Dawson St. and Peel St. churches met at Dawson St. for a social evening. The Ballarat Churches of Christ, which were growing in numbers, were enthusiastic about the future.¹³⁶ It is also obvious that young people, and particularly young men, were attracted to Connor's preaching.¹³⁷

Increase in Minister's Salary Recommended

In April, 1924 it was recommended that Connor's salary be increased to £6 per week.¹³⁸

Welcome Publicity

The Age, on Monday August 11th, 1924, reported that

Mr. Charles Harvey, officer in charge of the Ballarat Art Gallery, and a leading member of the Church of Christ, has established a social club at his residence in Lymes St., one of the main objects of which is the giving of religious and Scripture instruction to young people. . . .¹³⁹

Charles Morris

In July the church was saddened by the death of Charles Morris, who had been associated with its ministry for over 57 years. During June he had been absent from services because of failing health.¹⁴⁰

Morris was born in London in 1848 and came to Melbourne as a child in 1854. His parents were Anglicans. After hearing G. L. Surber, an American Disciple evangelist, preach, Charles was " won for Christ and the New Testament plea". He encouraged his mother to hear Surber. She was won over and so were the rest of the family. Morris transferred to Dawson St. from Lygon St. Melbourne on April 10th, 1867. As a relatively young man he took over superintendency of the Sunday School. In 1892 he was appointed an elder. Connor wrote of him: "He came as near filling up the requirements of a Christian bishop as any the writer has known. His ministry was a benediction to the church . . ."¹⁴¹

Federal Conference

At the Federal Conference, held in Sydney in October, Connor was elected to the executive committee as a Victorian representative.¹⁴²

The Gale-Withers Mission

By early November the church had begun to prepare for a two weeks' mission with W. Gale and A. B. Withers, which was planned for the end of the month.¹⁴³ This brief volunteer mission saw 7 "come forward". Five linked with Dawson St. and one each with Peel St. and York St.¹⁴⁴

Other visitors during November were John Sherriff and his wife, Churches of Christ missionaries in Rhodesia.¹⁴⁵

Literary Output

During 1924, Connor continued publishing articles in the Australian Christian¹⁴⁶

Throughout 1925, Connor's literary output continued unabated. If anything, it increased, with an almost weekly series on the Book of Acts.¹⁴⁷

Preaching Appointments

Dawson St. members with proven preaching ability, like Wilkie and Benson, together with Ramage and Burdeu from Peel St., continued to help out at York St. and Mt. Clear during 1925.¹⁴⁸ Meredith was also a Dawson St. preaching station.

Transfer Losses

On the other hand, as a balance to this obvious strength, it was reported that the church had lost 12 members in the space of two weeks through transfers to Melbourne.¹⁴⁹

Lyall and Cyril Williams to the College of the Bible

Early in February, Lyall and Cyril Williams, two young men originally from the Kaniva district, conducted the prayer service at Dawson St. and preached at Mt. Clear, before leaving for study at the College of the Bible.¹⁵⁰

Chapel Debt Cleared

At the same time it was reported that money had been contributed to clear the chapel debt.¹⁵¹ The mortgage documents, now discharged, were burnt.¹⁵²

New Baptistery

An "always open" baptistery, a picture of which appeared in the Australian Christian and which was built to honour the memory of Mrs. Lucas by her son, E. H. Price, was opened on March 15.¹⁵³

Cricket Premiership

In April the church cricket team won the B Grade premiership.¹⁵⁴

Mission at York, SA

In May Connor conducted a 3-week mission at York, South Australia, which was appreciated by the church there.¹⁵⁵

Connor Undecided About the Future

At the May board meeting Connor indicated to the officers that he had received "an invitation to labour with another church" and "requested that the officers express an opinion" about whether or not the church desired a change. The officers indicated that they were "unaware of any desire on the part of the members for a change of evangelist" and assured him of their "continued confidence in him."¹⁵⁶ In August Connor indicated that he would continue with the church into his eight year.¹⁵⁷

A Men's Rally

On July 27, 60 "men and youths" from the three Ballarat churches met together for a rally. These get-togethers continued, with a meeting in October at Peel St., where prepared readings were delivered and critiqued. The meeting concluded with a brief discussion on "The wise limits for a Christian's activities in politics".¹⁵⁸ In August it was reported that Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Price were leaving for Britain and that they

would return at the end of December.¹⁵⁹

In February of the following year Burdeu suggested the possibility of establishing a regular Men's Meeting, made up of men from Dawson St., Peel St. and York St. churches.¹⁶⁰

The Unemployed

On the 18th of October a collection was taken up at the evening service for the unemployed in Ballarat.¹⁶¹

Three Deaths

1926 started off for Dawson St. with three deaths, Harry Franklin, Mrs. Reid and John Bunting.¹⁶²

Herb Malin Superintendent of the Sunday School

In February H. Malin took over superintendency of the Sunday school.¹⁶³

Wilkie Relinquishes Bible Class

That same month it was announced that J. A. Wilkie was relinquishing leadership of the Bible Class after more than 12 years service. The Bible Class had been a significant feature of the ministry of the Dawson St. Church. Wilkie needed a respite.¹⁶⁴ Connor took over the class. Attendances were in the 30's.¹⁶⁵

At the 1926 Victorian Conference Connor was again elected to the Executive and Home Missionary Committee.¹⁶⁶

Numbers were down on Easter Sunday morning, due to attendance at the Gipsy Smith Mission. However, the strength of the Dawson St. nucleus was evident in the reasonable attendance at Dawson St. and the number of Dawson St. members taking services elsewhere--Burdeu at Maryborough, Baker at Peel St. in the morning and Wilkie at Peel St. in the evening, Benson at York St. and Morrison at Mt. Clear. Bert Pearce took the Sunday School at Mt. Clear.¹⁶⁷ The effectiveness of Connor's ministry was also evident in the fact that 7 young men from Dawson St. were studying at the College of the Bible.¹⁶⁸

Connor Concluding

At the April board meeting Connor intimated "his desire to conclude his labours with the church on Sunday June 13th.¹⁶⁹ In May, the Ballarat papers reported on expressions of appreciation of his religious education classes at the Urquhart St.

school during the past eight years. The committee and staff of the school presented him with "nine useful volumes".¹⁷⁰

It was appropriate that Connor deliver a farewell address to the church at Peel St. He had helped revive it and had nurtured its progress. This took place on Sunday 30th of May.¹⁷¹

The Connors were farewelled by Dawson St. on June 14th. It was said of Connor on that occasion that he was a hard worker and a popular figure in church circles. He had set a standard which others would find hard to observe and his resignation was accepted with deepest regret by the church. Representatives from Peel and York St. churches, W. Feary and R. G. Cameron, spoke appreciatively on behalf of their congregations, as did Mr. T. King, who was there representing the Anti-Liquor League. Most significantly, J. A. Wilkie "spoke with fervour of the feeling of the members towards the departing pastor". Connor was presented with a purse of sovereigns and an enlarged photo of the church officers. The women of the church presented Mrs. Connor with an eider quilt, while a fountain pen was given to Mr. Connor by the Young People's Club.¹⁷²

Connor would be missed. He had built up the work at Dawson St., re-established the church at Peel St., brought the group of baptised believers at York St. into the ambit of Churches of Christ, kept the work at Mt. Clear going, encouraged a sizeable group of young men to train for the ministry and conducted missions at Peel and York St. churches. There is little wonder that Churches of Christ in Ballarat were loath to see him go! After leaving Ballarat, Connor took up the ministry at Prahran, the mother church of the Victorian Churches of Christ.¹⁷³ The following year, 1927, he was elected President of the Victorian Conference.¹⁷⁴

The Ballarat churches were to suffer another loss when R. G. Cameron, minister at Peel St., was farewelled the following month.¹⁷⁵

Connor was sadly missed, but numbers maintained. 40 regularly attended the midweek meetings, while the Sunday school boasted 169 scholars.¹⁷⁶

Engagement of Fitzgerald

In April, when Connor indicated that he was resigning, the officers decided to approach Will Gale, offering him a salary of £6/10/- per week. If he was unavailable, G. T. Fitzgerald of Nelson, New Zealand was to be offered the position. Gale declined the offer.

G. T. FITZGERALD, 1926-1933

Arrival

The church eagerly awaited the arrival of G. T. Fitzgerald and his family on August the 12th.¹⁷⁷

Fitzgerald was born at Corinda, NSW, on May 22, 1889. At the age of 19 he accepted Christ as Saviour, and, the following year, entered the College of the Bible Glen Iris to train for the ministry. Before his engagement with the church at Dawson St., he had ministries in Western Australia at Bunbury, Bassendean and Subiaco, and in New Zealand at Mornington, Invercargill and Nelson.¹⁷⁸

In Fitzgerald the church had a winsome and persuasive Irish orator. He was also less conservative, more fiery¹⁷⁹ and radical, than either his predecessor or successor.¹⁸⁰ E. H. Price argued that he preached his best sermons off his big toe--he was always dancing round on the soles of his feet.¹⁸¹ There was a restlessness about Fitzgerald. He loved talking and his mind was always on the go. To turn it off he would sometimes walk around Lake Wendouree or have a cold shower before going to bed.¹⁸²

A converted Roman Catholic, Fitzgerald, shortly after commencing, preached a series of addresses on "Why I left the Church of Rome", when attendances at evening services increased to between 250 and 300.¹⁸³

Other positive indicators were evident by December, when the Bible Class had increased to 36 and the Bible School had maintained an attendance of 200 for the month. Fitzgerald's messages were "greatly appreciated".

Some Sort of Amalgamation!

The suggestion of amalgamating Dawson St. and Peel St. was discussed at a meeting in July, 1926. The idea was that "one governing body be appointed for both churches."¹⁸⁴ A combined meeting of the two boards was called for 8th of August.¹⁸⁵ In Essence the proposal was that Peel and Dawson Sts. be regarded as one church, meeting as two congregations, with separate rolls of members, separate finances and separate building funds. Each congregation was to elect its own officers, 6 from Peel St. and 8 from Dawson St. A secretary was to be elected by Dawson St. and an assistant appointed by Peel St. Monthly joint meetings were to be held, once a quarter at Peel St. and the balance at Dawson St.¹⁸⁶ Both churches adopted the proposal and the first combined meeting was held on the 4th October.

Burdeu, who had earlier transferred from Dawson St. to Peel St., must have relinquished his association with Peel St. some time later, as the Dawson St. board minutes indicate that, following the 4th of October meeting, a letter was sent to the Peel St. board, indicating Dawson St.'s confidence in the Peel St. officers following

Burdeu's return to Peel St.¹⁸⁷ They obviously trusted his judgement.

In January, 1927 York St. was invited to attend the joint officers meeting.¹⁸⁸ How long this arrangement lasted is difficult to determine. It was significantly altered in June, when joint meetings were reduced to once a quarter.¹⁸⁹

In July, 1928 Dawson St. invited Peel St. and York St. to its Half-Yearly meetings.¹⁹⁰ At that time a District Plan Committee, that arranged speaking appointments between the churches, was operational.¹⁹¹

Enthusiasm Continues

Enthusiasm at Dawson St. continued into 1927, with the auxiliaries in good shape and healthy attendances at gospel services. However, in comparison with the Connor era, there was a dearth of reports from Dawson St. This is probably due to the fact that Connor, as correspondent for the Christian from Dawson St., ensured that news of what was happening at the church was made known to the readership of the national journal.

YP Divided into Clans

Early in the year the Young People's Club adopted the novel plan of dividing its members into clans, with each member wearing a plaid to indicate the clan to which they belonged. A healthy rivalry between the clans was evident.¹⁹²

Statistics

At the church anniversary in March, 1927 it was reported that there had been eighteen additions and 20 removals during the previous year. A debit balance of £14 at the beginning of the year had been turned into a credit of £1 by the end of the year.¹⁹³

In June the church reported that it was in a sound condition. Attendances at both Sunday services were good. The Bible school was flourishing and Fitzgerald's Bible class was well attended. The Young People's Literary Society was a remarkable success, with 50 to 60 attending each week. Part of this success could be attributed to the depression and the shortage of money and therefore lack of opportunity for alternative diversions.¹⁹⁴ The weekly prayer service and young people's meeting generally attracted around a hundred each week.

York St. Mission

During Fitzgerald's absence from Dawson St. for the duration of a mission at York St., services were taken by Wilkie, Benson, Ladbrook and E. L. Williams.¹⁹⁵

Planning to Extend

In August, 1927, the board began drawing up plans to extend the building to better accommodate the Kindergarten and Primary School departments of the Sunday School. They were advised that the cost of the new building would be approximately £1800.¹⁹⁶ By January of the following year donations and promises justified proceeding with the new building.¹⁹⁷

A Worthy Successor

For most preachers, following A. W. Connor would have been a daunting task. However, scarcely a year into his ministry, Fitzgerald had "won the esteem of all".¹⁹⁸

Death of James Morrison

In November, 1827, James Morrison, who had been senior deacon for 30 years, died, after a long illness.¹⁹⁹

Fitzgerald Invited for a Further Term

In October, 1928 Fitzgerald was informed that the board were recommending to the church that he be invited to minister to the church for a further 2-year term.²⁰⁰ In April of the following year Fitzgerald indicated that he was accepting the 2-year extension.²⁰¹

Pentecostal Aims

Reminiscent of Church Growth thinking of the 1970's and 1980's, the Dawson St. church, in December, 1928, listed its "Pentecostal Aims" for 1930. The list ran:

Membership of church to be 250 by June 1930 Addition by baptism to be 40. Special evangelistic effort each year. Careful conservation and culture of each new convert by special means. Decision day and aims of Bible school referred to B. S. teachers. Endeavourers Sups to be required to consider their aims. Bible Class to be consulted as to an aims for membership of 50. Amount for Home Missions 1939, £35 Amount for Foreign Missions 1939, £80 Amount for College, 1939, £15 Every member pledged to work, pray and vote for prohibition in 1930. Attendance at Lord's Day by 1930 of at least 70% Attendance at midweek service 50. Every member enlisted for daily Bible reading and prayer Weekly and proportionate giving to local and Brotherhood enterprises.

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Number of subscribers to Christian to be increased by 1/3.²⁰²

The 1929 Annual Meeting

Enthusiasm for Fitzgerald's ministry increased. There was a record attendance at the 1929 annual meeting, held on February 6th, at which the church endorsed the Pentecostal Aims proposed by the officers. A mission was planned for Mt. Clear for April, several months away. Later in the year Fitzgerald anticipated conducting a mission at Dawson St. At the annual meeting Fitzgerald's term was extended a further three years from the completion of his current engagement.²⁰³

Dawson St., throughout this period, like other Churches of Christ, remained strongly committed to the cause of prohibition.²⁰⁴

Victorian Conference Sermon

Fitzgerald's commitment and oratorical ability were recognised when he was invited to preach the 1929 Victorian Conference sermon. He addressed the topic; "Can the Church of Christ Survive the Changing Times?" Referring to scientific, attitudinal and lifestyle changes, he went on to argue that "the fundamental need of the church (at that time) was not fundamentalism or modernism, but a church consisting of individual Christians who were counting on the side of good and good alone. When the world saw that the church was more beautiful than it, then, and only then, would the world wish to become Christian".²⁰⁵

During May Fitzgerald preached at a mission organised by the Peel St. church. Dawson Street was itself gearing up for a mission scheduled to commence on June the 9th.²⁰⁶ This mission, at which Harold Feary acted as song leader, and which ran for two weeks, resulted in five additions to the membership.²⁰⁷

Unemployment

Awareness of rising unemployment was reflected in the fact that during August, 1929, the literary and social guild held several gift evenings "to help relieve those out of employment".²⁰⁸ Fitzgerald was himself extremely generous to those in need. Of this period, his son Lyn commented:

Because it was the Depression we had many visitors to our home. In our home it was quite a common thing to have strangers eating with us or sleeping the night, or borrowing a train fare because they had a job promised in Bendigo or somewhere else.²⁰⁹

Possibilities at Sebastopol

Also in August the board was appraised of the fact that a Mr. Allen and a Mr. Horsfall, who were associated with the Baptist church at Sebastopol, had approached Fitzgerald to invite Dawson St. to carry on work in that area, in the

Baptist building.²¹⁰ Burdeu, who was conducting the Sunday School at Mt. Clear, was keen to commence a work at Sebastopol.²¹¹ Burdeu, Fitzgerald and Wilkie explored the issue, but came eventually to the conclusion that it was 'inadvisable to commence services" there, and notified a Mr. Grey to that effect.²¹²

Fitzgerald Resigns

At the board meeting on the 7 October, 1929 Fitzgerald said that he was resigning, the resignation to take effect in three to five months, "according to the discretion of the officers of the church."²¹³

A special meeting of the officers on October 13th decided to try and persuade Fitzgerald to change or reconsider his decision.²¹⁴ In November the board recommended to the church that Fitzgerald be requested to withdraw his resignation and that they offer, with additional effort on the part of members, to raise his salary to £7/10/- from the 1st of January.²¹⁵

Fitzgerald Unwell

The strain under which Fitzgerald was placing himself, and uncertainty over his future, may well have contributed to an illness which kept him from the pulpit in the closing weeks of 1929 and the first week of 1930, when Wilkie and W. Feary, from York St., filled in for him.²¹⁶

Fitzgerald threw himself into whatever he tackled, which must have tired even his physical and mental energy. As E. P. C. Hollard was to later comment:

He's never been in anything but a hurry from the time he first came across my path and captured my attention. Maybe he did slow down a little, possibly the words did not come as furiously, and I fancy that his step has slowed down to a fast walk. But once on his feet in a pulpit, or at a conference session, and GT was with us again.²¹⁷

Debate with Langley

By February, Fitzgerald had recovered sufficiently to take on "Mr. Langley, of the Rationalist Party of Melbourne" on the subject, "Is it reasonable to believe in God".²¹⁸ T. H. Scambler, who had himself debated with Langley, referred to the characteristic tricks of oratory to which Langley descended. He commented:

In Mr. Fitzgerald he had an opponent whom he quickly learned to treat with becoming respect before the audience. The preacher is nimble-minded and quick at repartee. He has the ability of keeping on tap the information gained by extensive reading. He has all the Irish relish of a fight, and was thoroughly well prepared for the encounter. He had read widely over the field covered by

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the proposition, and made a magnificent presentation of the reasonableness of faith, and effectively countered his opponent at every turn.²¹⁹

Connor Revisits Dawson St.

The following month Connor, now minister at Prahran, revisited Dawson St., and gave several "interesting addresses".²²⁰

YP Work Healthy

In April, a Young People's Bible Class was formed by Wilkie and Fitzgerald and the Literary and Social Guild opened its Winter session with an attendance of 60.²²¹

Pentecost Celebrations

In June the churches at Dawson St., Peel St. and York Street combined for a week of meetings to celebrate the anniversary of Pentecost. At Dawson St. on the Sunday morning 276 met to break bread. Local preachers and lay speakers were joined by A. R. Main, from the College, and "Bro. Robinson, the preacher at Hartwell.²²²

Disarmament

Also during June church members were asked to sign a petition in favour of disarmament.²²³

The A. E. Hurren Mission

Early in July the church threw itself whole-heartedly into a mission with A. E. Hurren, preacher at the Bendigo Church. Lal Feary was song leader. The first two weeks of the mission saw 9 "decide for Christ".²²⁴ The final figure was 12.²²⁵

5th Year

On July 17th Fitzgerald began his fifth year with the church.²²⁶

The Coming of Spring

In October, the Sunday School conducted one of its most successful anniversary services, involving 170 scholars. At one of the sessions, a cantata, "The Coming of Spring", was presented before an audience of 350.²²⁷

Planning for United Mission

Also in October the Ballarat Churches began planning for a United Mission, with T. H. Scambler of Box Hill.²²⁸

Wilkie and the South Australian Conference

Recognising his ability and stature, J. A. Wilkie was invited to preach the conference sermon at the conference of the South Australian churches in Adelaide in September 1930.²²⁹ Reporting on the address, S. E. Riches commented:

The speaker informed his audience that "Our Present Business" was stewardship, and as stewards we must be lamp-bearers revealing the way to a return to primitive Christianity which was centred in Christ, simple, catholic and intensely spiritual; as stewards we must be girded servants regarding all our possessions, and our own private lives as entirely at his disposal; as stewards our lives must be lived in expectancy of his future return.²³⁰

The Bendigo Mission

In November, Fitzgerald, reciprocating Hurren's visit earlier in the year, commenced a mission at Bendigo.²³¹ This was a difficult time for the missioner. Early in November Mrs. Fitzgerald was admitted to a private hospital and their son Douglas was operated on for appendicitis.²³² The mission, which extended from November 23rd to December 8th, was successful, with 5 decisions being registered. Marked features of the mission were Fitzgerald's "fine constructive teaching and his satisfying and kindly answers to questions".²³³

200 at Sunday School Picnic

The 1931 programme was off to a good start, with 200 attending the Sunday School picnic at Lake Wendouree.²³⁴

Growing Co-operation Between Ballarat Churches of Christ

The growing association between the Ballarat Churches of Christ continued to be fostered, with a large contingent from York St. attending a midweek meeting on February 4th, when Harold Feary conducted the service and a young man, who had made a decision at York St., was baptised. It is likely that York St. needed to or was keen to use the Dawson St. baptistery.²³⁵

J. E. Thomas on the "Second Coming"

On May the 30th and 31st, J. E. Thomas, minister at Balwyn and Victorian CE President, delivered a series of addresses on "The Lord's Return".²³⁶ Fitzgerald continued the theme, and, on July 5th, preached on "The End of the World".

Record Bible School Attendances

In July it was also reported that the Bible School attendance was continuing to increase and that it was "nearing the 200 mark"²³⁷ On December 13 there was a record attendance of 208.²³⁸

The Scambler-Feary Mission

By far the most significant activity for the Dawson St. congregation during 1931 was the Scambler-Feary Mission, at which there were attendances of 350. This was conducted during late November and early December, running for two and a half weeks. There were "record attendances, and soul-inspiring messages and singing. Twenty confessions were taken".²³⁹ Reporting on the addresses, Fitzgerald commented:

The messages were such that the most thoughtful man would be glad to have his most cultured friend sitting alongside of him, yet they were such that any average mind would get the message.²⁴⁰

Invitation to Continue

At the annual business meeting in February 1932, it was reported that there had been 36 additions the previous year and that the membership stood at 290. The recommendation of the officers that Fitzgerald be invited for a further term was endorsed by the membership. The church was obviously happy with its preacher.²⁴¹ Fitzgerald's acceptance of the further term was conveyed to the church on May 22.²⁴²

Ballarat Unique

The situation of Churches of Christ in Ballarat was, itself, rather unique. As A. W. Connor, commented, in the Australian Christian in January, 1932:

That provincial centre has possibly the best representation of our churches outside the capitals. There are three churches in the city and one on the outskirts. There is a happy co-operative fellowship, and the two preachers, Bro. G. T. Fitzgerald at Dawson St. and Bro. C. Thomson at Peel St. are happily busy in a great work.²⁴³

Later in the year, Wilkie, reviewing the progress of Churches of Christ in Ballarat, is reported to have commented

that in 1918 there was one meeting with 197 members, 175 scholars and 20 teachers, but now there were four meetings, 458 members (apart from recent mission), 515 scholars and 64 teachers.²⁴⁴

Box Hill Mission

Fitzgerald commenced a mission with the Box Hill church, perhaps reciprocating the visit Scambler made to Ballarat the previous year, on April 3rd, when folding doors needed to be opened to accommodate an overflow crowd in the school room.²⁴⁵ The second week of the mission opened with "great messages from Bro. Fitzgerald" and an evening attendance of 300.²⁴⁶ The second week of the mission

brought the total number of decisions up to 18.²⁴⁷ The mission closed after three weeks with 34 decisions.²⁴⁸

Wilkie Conference President

Early in 1932 Wilkie was elected President of the Victorian Conference, and in this capacity visited local churches, where he presided²⁴⁹ and preached.²⁵⁰ As Conference President, and in the midst of the Depression, he felt he needed to encourage greater giving from those still able to give. In a stirring appeal to the churches, which had fallen severely behind in these depression years in their giving to Home Mission work, he spoke of the need for "Calling up the Reserves". He wrote:

When many Christian folk who are keen to give have hardly the necessities of food and clothes, it is up to every one of us who can still get a bit of luxury to increase our gifts. The giving that hurts yields a harvest of joy".²⁵¹

Back to Dawson St.

A tone of optimism about the future was evident at Dawson St. at the half-yearly business meeting in July, though, as a reflection of the depressed economic state of the nation, the general account registered a debit of £24/4/9.²⁵² By January, 1933 the debt had run up to £36/8/6. At the annual meeting the officers recommended that the deficit be reduced by "straight giving", with members being asked to give an extra amount above their ordinary giving.²⁵³

The Wiltshire Mission

In March, 1933, the church began planning for a mission with Jabez Wiltshire, minister of the Grote St. church in Adelaide and editor of the South Australian Newsletter in the Christian,²⁵⁴ to conduct a mission at Dawson St.²⁵⁵ Grote St. agreed to release their minister, provided Dawson St. would agree to release Fitzgerald for a mission at Grote St. in October.²⁵⁶

The mission commenced on May 7th,²⁵⁷ with Lal Feary as song leader,²⁵⁸ and resulted in 16 confessions. For his part, Wiltshire endeared himself to all present.²⁵⁹ This momentum was continued by Fitzgerald, so that, by mid-June, 21 had been added to the church. The number had reached 27 by July.²⁶⁰

Resignation

Enthusiasm, however, quickly turned to painful disappointment when Fitzgerald informed the church on June 18th that he had accepted a call to the church at Maylands, SA. At that stage, the time of his departure had not been settled.²⁶¹ He

did hope to be relieved of responsibility by September 3rd.²⁶²

While Ballarat knew that they were losing a preacher of considerable ability, and would not have been happy that Fitzgerald was leaving them, a more objective observer was confident, anticipating his departure for Adelaide, that he would be "a force in that city".²⁶³ Before leaving, Fitzgerald planned to hold a brief mission with the Peel St. church.²⁶⁴

Early in August the church learned that Fitzgerald would conclude his ministry at Dawson St. on the 20th of that month. Much to their relief, they discovered, at the same time, that Jabez Wiltshire, from Grote St., who had been with them in the mission earlier in the year, had accepted a three-year appointment with Dawson St. and that he would join them in December.²⁶⁵ A new enthusiasm was evident in the fact that a record number of 222 scholars and teachers were present at an afternoon Children's Day service on August 13th.²⁶⁶

Farewell

A fellowship meeting of 150 farewelled the Fitzgeralds after a memorable 7 year ministry. At a further meeting, at which friends, supporters and church auxiliaries had opportunity of expressing their appreciation, the wider community was represented by the Council of Churches, the Prohibition League, the Anti-War Council, the Sunday School Union and the Baptist Church.²⁶⁷ Recognising his talent and missionary passion, the South Australian membership voted Fitzgerald onto the Foreign Missions Committee of the South Australian Conference in October.²⁶⁸

Fitzgerald went on to minister at Maylands, SA, Ponsonby Rd., Auckland, NZ, Mile End, SA, Stirling-Aldgate, when he was also State evangelist in SA, Edwardstown, Col. Lt. Gardens, Blackwood Circuit, SA, Box Hill, Vic, Stirling-Aldgate Valley, SA, Blackwood, SA, Maylands, SA, Clovelly Park, SA and then as elder at Blackwood, SA.²⁶⁹

In the interim, between the departure of Fitzgerald and the coming of Wiltshire, the church enjoyed the services at weekends²⁷⁰ of J. E. Allen, who was in-between ministries and looking for a church appointment in difficult economic times.²⁷¹ He was employed from the 17th of September to the end of November for £3 per week including fares and hospitality.²⁷² There were 3 decisions during Allen's ministry.²⁷³

[BCOC 209-238]