This section will concentrate on Main's roles as Principal of the College of the Bible and Editor of the Australian Christian. It also contains a brief biography by Wilkie Thomson, written when he was editor of the Australian Churches of Christ Historical Society Digest. Biographical data on H.G. Harward is also included.

1. A. R. Main
2. H. G. Harward

1. A. R. MAIN

A.C., 1913, pp. 621.

      The College has made a beginning in its work. As we consider the progress of the past few years, we can but thank God and take courage. In the equipment, the large company of students, the number of teachers, there have been signs of splendid progress. The brethren have liberally responded to our appeals. But we are yet in the days of small things. Not the sunniest of optimists can think that we have done all we could and should do.

      There are two classes of folk who cause us much anxiety. First, there is the brother who expects a six or seven-year-old struggling institution to rival in greatness, in the quality of its work, in its standard, the achievements of Colleges long-established, magnificently equipped, richly-endowed. Such a man is unreasonable in the last degree: Colleges, like characters, are not grown in a day. Time is needed for development and mellowing ere the product be what we could wish. But perhaps the people we have most cause to fear are those who would try to tell us that we have all we require and that to maintain our present position would be quite satisfactory. It is not so; we must advance, or we shall fail. It is imperative that we ever seek to raise our standard and improve the quality of our work.

      Principal Main's "Statement of Purpose," which he formulated very early in the life of The Federal College of the Bible, and which he undoubtedly carried on to the Woolwich Bible College, reads:--

      "The Chief purpose of the College of the Bible is to provide Biblical instruction on liberal and scientific principles for students, and to furnish ample facilities for education for the Christian ministry. It is also the purpose to encourage an impartial and unbiased investigation of the Christian scriptures, and in the spirit of devout faith in the Divine Word, freely to lay under tribute every source and light and truth available to modern scholarship. This College seeks to train good men for great tasks, and to make them strong to meet the needs of the age in which they live. Pursuant to such ideals, a the courses of study are selected, and in all departments of instruction, an evangelistic spirit is maintained in order that together, the faith, the inspiration and the usefulness of the student, may be cultivated."

A. R. Main, A.C., 1914, p. 667.

      In response to an earnest request, I have consented to act as editor of the "Christian." The position was unsought, and is not lightly entered upon. The task assumed is an onerous one, rendered more so by the calibre of the men who have previously occupied the editorial chair. A.B. Maston was editor of this paper from its beginning in 1898 until 1907, when he was succeeded by F.G. Dunn. The splendid influence of these brethren made the "Christian" what it is. Their names will rightly continue to be held in grateful remembrance by the churches. One may speak of attempting to carry on the work, but not of filling the place, of these men.

      The achievements of by-gone leaders may cause us to falter through fear lest we fail to reach their standard, but on the other hand there is an inspiration in the high ideals and example set before us. When Tennyson succeeded Wordsworth as poet laureate, he seemed to find cheer and stimulus in the thought of the graciousness of the Queen, who "to one of less desert" allowed--

      In humbler sphere, we too may trust to receive encouragement by the fact of a noble succession.

      Our publishing houses and our papers have been leading instruments in the progress of our work in the world. Ever since the invention of the printing press it has proved its worth religiously. One of our greatest poets has said:

      The first book to be published from movable types was a Bible. Every reformatory movement, from the beginning of the sixteenth century onwards, has made the press its servant. Luther was an enthusiastic publisher. To-day the opponents of the gospel are strongly endeavoring to use its mighty power against our holy religion. The Bible, however, as it was first in time is still first in extent of circulation. Christians everywhere are seeking to provide wholesome books and periodicals to supply the

cravings of those who will read--whether the reading be good or bad. Pulpit and press are allies, not rivals; we may leave it to literary society debaters to decide as to their respective merits.

      The "Christian" has, in the past, been a powerful agent in the propagation of the gospel, and in the advancement of the cause we love. That it may continue to be so is our prayer and shall be our endeavor.

      Our ultimate aim is the glory of God and the progress of his cause. This paper is pledged to the work of restoring the Christianity of Christ and his apostles. It will constantly plead for loyalty to Jesus Christ as the Head of the church. We have no confidence in any cure for the world's sin and misery other than that provided by the gospel. We are believers in the inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures. We shall stand for the old Book and its truth, though it will not be inappropriate to seek to present the old truth in a new dress. The cause of Christian union on the basis revealed in the Scriptures will ever find in this paper an earnest advocacy. Every good work may command our support. Our missionary interests, whether in the home field or in the regions beyond, our College; Bible School work; the temperance cause; efforts made to win and train the young people of the churches--for the help of these we exist. Our interests and sympathies should be wider than the work in which we are immediately engaged. The cause of religion at large is of vital importance to us. Questions of public interest and morality concern us and all Christian people. We wish to stand for good and right and truth, wherever found; and, as Hezekiah of old, when we work thus with all our heart, we hope by God's blessing to prosper.

      We have reached the constructive stage of our movement. For a long time we were perforce destructive, iconoclastic. The rocks have to be blasted before the foundations of the beautiful temple can be laid. Our pioneers had the blasting to do, and they laid the foundations deep and strong. There will be for us such need of faithfulness to God and his Word as characterised them; but it is unlikely that we shall have to pass through a period of storm and stress such as they endured. The altering situation has been reflected during the passing years in a change in the tone of our religious papers. These have become less controversial in spirit. It is to be hoped that we have none the less stood for truth while we have more emphatically urged that it must be spoken "in love." One of the many fine things done by our late beloved editor was his safeguarding of the influence of the paper by keeping it free from personalities and needless controversy. This course we shall follow. The "acrimonious polemic" will be conspicuously absent. The "Christian" is intended to be a representative paper. Our wish is that its contents and spirit may be such that a member of the Churches of Christ in Australasia may place a copy in the hands of any one with perfect confidence that the brotherhood will be adequately represented and our glorious plea commended. In the nature of the case, brethren of equal piety and equally loyal at heart to Jesus Christ will differ in many things. It is not the primary object of this paper to proclaim or discuss such differences, though sometimes it may help us all to have truth as seen from different standpoints expressed. But every contributor should first make his utterance pass the three golden gates of silence--

      Our hope for a successful discharge of our duties is based upon a confident expectation that the brethren generally will grant their sympathy and support. The announcement has already been made of the continued help of D.A. Ewers, to whose assistance in the past the paper owes so much. We cannot pay too high a tribute to the value and ability of our brother's work. We rejoice in the thought that our readers may look forward to many enjoyable articles from his pen. There are in Australasia many who can greatly assist by literary contributions; we shall seek for their help. Suggestions will gladly be considered, and, if they seem good and practicable, will be adopted. For the present, then, we shall do our best to merit the goodwill of the brethren. By giving up much outside work, we hope to be able to devote sufficient time to editorial duties to ensure the welfare and improvement of the paper. We cannot hope to please every one, nor can we promise to attempt to do so. But we do wish to please the Lord of all, serve his church, and help on his work.

A.C., 1916, p. 555.

      With the annual Educational Number of the "Christian" now presented to the Churches of Christ in Australasia in the interests of the College of the Bible, a fitting opportunity is given to the Board of Management to pay a tribute to the Principal of the College, and to express its high appreciation of the excellent work he has done for the Institution which now occupies a large and growing place in the esteem and affection of the brotherhood.

      A brief biographical sketch will be interesting to the readers of the "Christian." Alexander Russell Main was born in Dumbartonshire, Scotland, in 1876. His parents were attached to the Presbyterian Church. He was educated in the public school, and then attended special classes at the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College. After these studies he became a pupil teacher in the public school at Cumbernauld, Scotland. Coming to Victoria with his father, he settled in Drummond, one of our country towns, and became a member of the Church of Christ in 1893. In the following year he came to Melbourne, and lived in the home of our late Bro. A.B. Maston for some considerable time. It will be well remembered that Bro. Maston took a keen interest in young men who displayed aptitude for church work and showed promise of becoming preachers. In the subject of this sketch Bro. Maston saw intellectual gifts, and encouraged him in the development of these by taking special studies, and by urging him to take a University course, so that the best education possible would be obtained. After a short term of University life, however, owing to ill-health Bro. Main decided to enter the preaching ranks before his course was completed. He accepted an invitation to labor with the church in Brisbane, but before leaving Victoria was united in marriage with Miss Violet R. Somerville, a daughter of esteemed members of the church. He remained in Queensland three years, and then returned to Victoria, taking up work with the church at Footscray for two years. Business life then claimed part of his attention. In February, 1907, the College of the Bible was established, when Bro. H.G. Harward, who had previously been distinguished in evangelistic and church service, was called to be a member of its teaching staff, and shortly afterwards became Principal.

      The members of the Board of Management who knew Bro. Main's outstanding qualifications as a teacher invited him to join the College staff and resume his University course, with a view to its completion. He complied with these representations, and became one of the teachers, and, re-entering the Melbourne University, continued his studies in the Arts Course. On Bro. Harward retiring from the College in 1910 Bro. Main was appointed Principal. In addition to preaching for churches on Lord's days, and his teaching duties at the College, he pursued his University studies with much success. In the closing months of 1010, Bro. Main qualified for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and passed the Final Honors Examination at the beginning of 1911, which entitled him to receive the degree of Master of Arts in 1913 without further examination. In his first year he gained honors in Logic and English, while in the second year he stood first in the School of Logic and Philosophy, gaining first-class honors and the Hastie Exhibition. At the subsequent Final Honors Examination Bro. Main secured first place in the class, gaining first-class honors in the School of Logic and Philosophy, and taking in addition the Hastie Scholarship.

      On completion of the University course Bro. Main devoted his abilities to the College of the Bible, and on Lord's days still took church work, as well as a large amount of journalistic duty for the "Australian Christian." It will interest readers to be reminded that Bro. Main wrote for the first number of the "Christian" on the Sunday School Lesson. This he continued to do for two years. From the end of 1903 till now he has regularly contributed a weekly page. When the late Bro. F.G. Dunn passed away, Bro. Main was called to the editorship of that journal, a position which he now fills with conspicuous ability. This year he is President of our Victorian Conference. He is also an honored member of the Council of Churches. For some time he has acted on the Examining Committee of the Australasian Baptist College and the Sudan United Mission.

      Bro. Main fills a large place in our church life, for which he is particularly well qualified by his abilities and training. We assure him of our affection and esteem, and of our sympathy in his varied avenues of splendid service.

R. LYALL, Chairman, Board of Management.      

A. R. Main, A.C., 1919, p. 1.

      Amongst the happy experiences of our "few and evil" editorial days has been the receipt of messages of appreciation and encouragement from brethren in all the States and also from readers much further away. There are many good people who are in the noblest ministry on earth--the ministry of cheer. There have been less pleasant experiences at times. A good deal of criticism felt to be as unwarranted as it was unkind occasionally made us wonder if there could possibly be any call to endure it for a week longer. Some men have never written but to complain and criticise; though, possibly, there occasionally appears something of good in our pages, they have not happened to read it. But gladly we acknowledge that generous appreciation has come our way much more frequently than has angry criticism or anonymous abuse. There is room in all our hearts for a spirit of greater "brotherly kindness," to use one of the most beautiful phrases in the world. Differences of opinion are not always an evil; with very decided differences in judgment, men may be sincere Christians and esteem each other as such. Criticism

of the right kind is ever helpful and welcome. But Christian people ought to be able to write as brethren and with charity in their hearts for all.

A.C., 1945, pp. 505-506.

      Alexander Russell Main believed that the greatest task to which a man could devote his strength and ability is found in the Christian church. It was his aim to make clear and simple to young and to old the facts of the gospel. As writer and teacher he sought to unfold the way of life and salvation in Christ. There was an unerring purpose in his life, and he refused to be drawn from it. While others were influenced by the fashions of thought for the day, he pressed on steadfastly with the mission of making the facts of the New Testament clear. His consistent loyalty to Christ and his persistent efforts contributed a great deal to the growth of churches of Christ in Australia.

In Youth

      Born in Scotland in 1876, he came to Australia as a lad and settled with his people in the Drummond district in Victoria. Stephen Cheek had gathered and formed a group of brethren into a church in Drummond, and into that fellowship A. R. Main was received. It was there that A. B. Maston met and recognised him as a youth with promise. Arrangements were made for him to go to Melbourne in 1894 to study while serving at the Austral Printing and Publishing Co. "The Australian Christian" was first published in 1898, under the editorship of A.B. Maston, and in the first number Mr. Main began to contribute weekly studies for Sunday schools. About that time he began to assist the church at Hawthorn, Victoria, where he served as preacher for two years.

Full-time Preacher

      Toward the end of 1900, Mr. Main was invited to go to Brisbane as preacher of the church. Before leaving Victoria he married Miss V. Somerville on October 30, 1900. While in the Northern State he compiled and wrote the Queensland section of the "Jubilee History of the Churches of Christ in Australasia." He served as president of the Queensland conference during 1903. Returning to Victoria, he accepted the call to serve as preacher of the church at Footscray, where he continued until 1905, and at the Victorian conference of that year preached the conference sermon.

Student and Teacher

      During these years Mr. Main revealed that he possessed teaching ability. He was a lecturer at the Australian Bible College, and in April, 1907, three months after the establishment of the College of the Bible, he was invited to assist the principal, H.G. Harward, as lecturer. At the commencement of the second half-year term he began to teach. While teaching part-time Mr. Main continued his studies at the Melbourne University, where he gained distinction and won the Hastie Scholarship in the School of Philosophy. When H.G. Harward resigned from the college, A.R. Main was appointed principal as from January 1, 1911. From small beginnings, and under great difficulties, he built up the institution until it became a recognised training college of high repute. This vital work of the brotherhood was guided by his wise judgment and sound teaching until the end of 1938.

Editor

      For many years the readers of "The Australian Christian" had been helped by the articles by A.R. Main and by his weekly page in the interests of Christian Endeavor. His effective teaching in these contributions marked him out as the most suitable leader in Australia to carry on the very able editorial work of F.G. Dunn. So at the death of Mr. Dunn, A. R. Main was appointed editor and commenced this work on October 8, 1914. For 27 years he watched over the interests of the paper and guided the thought of the churches on vital themes. It was his aim to exalt Christ, to declare the facts of the gospel, and to present "news" rather than "views" to readers. Many have testified that they have been helped a great deal by his editorial work. Because of his association with the church paper, brethren from all over Australia

sought his advice on problems of the Christian life, and this involved a great amount of research and correspondence.

Brotherhood Leader

      Besides being president of Queensland and Victorian conferences, he was honored by being elected president of the Federal Conference held in Melbourne in October, 1924. He was in constant demand as a speaker at brotherhood rallies. As a mark of appreciation of his long years of service, he was appointed the Australian delegate to represent his brethren at the world convention of churches of Christ held at Leicester, England, in 1935. At that gathering he spoke on the subject "The Place and Power of Christian Journalism." Proceeding to U.S.A., where he delivered lectures, the Butler University, Indianapolis, conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in recognition of his outstanding services.

Closing Years

      Having regained some of his strength after his retirement from the Glen his college, A.B. Main responded to the invitation to assist churches in N.S.W. establish a State college. Believing he could, out of his long experience, help the brethren start their college on sound lines, he proceeded to N.S.W. at the end of 1941. Already there is proof of the good work he began so well. He was so anxious to be of service that he had planned to help in various ways in the coming year. He was actually on his way to assist the churches in Queensland when he was called home to join Mrs. Main and the great throng in the presence of the Lord. He died at 11.45 a.m. on October 13, at Sydney. Services were conducted in the

      Chatswood chapel and also in the Northern Suburbs Crematorium by F.A. Youens. At the former Mr. A. Brooke, Chaplain-General, represented the church at Gardiner, Victoria, where Mr. Main had spent many happy years as an elder. Others taking part included H.J. Patterson, principal of Woolwich Bible College, and Ethelbert Davis, president of N.S.W. conference.

      A.R. Main served the churches willingly and unselfishly. His great i deal was to serve Christ and to win men into the kingdom of God. His record is a memorial that will not be soon forgotten. He has built his life into the brotherhood to which he was so devoted. It was his prayer that many rise up and advance the work of the Restoration Movement, so that the cause he loved may continue to glorify Christ.

      Let us love and read and study the scriptures, and make them the guide of our life. Let us preach the word. It is the strength of our movement. God meant the scriptures to furnish the man of God completely unto every good work. No human dogma, or creed, or philosophy can do for us what the Book of God will do.--A. R. Main.

The Christian-Evangelist, Feb. 19, 1942, p. 213.

      In Australia and New Zealand both Baptists and Disciples resemble their religious counterparts in England rather than those in America, though this is more true of Baptists than Disciples, the latter having undergone considerable modification through the influence of American preachers and Australian preachers trained in America. The American influence, however, has been chiefly of the conservative variety represented by J.W. McGarvey.

      Before the establishment of the College of the Bible at Melbourne some thirty years ago, McGarvey's name made the school at Lexington, Kentucky the mecca of ambitious young Disciple preachers from under the Southern Cross. After the establishment of the Australian college a similarly conservative tradition was maintained by A.R. Main who, as principal of the only college and editor of the only church paper, exerted his brilliant talents in a way that has moulded the thought of the

Australian brotherhood into a singularly uniform pattern. And this pattern has also been largely, though not completely, followed in New Zealand.

Wilkie J. Thomson, Digest of the Australian Churches of Christ Historical Society,

I. Early Days

      If you look at the map of Scotland, or are familiar with it, you will know that the county of Dunbarton lies north-west of Glasgow, between the mouth of the Clyde, Loch Long and Loch Lomond. It can be cold there, very cold, as the north-west gales sweep down from the Hebrides and across the many water-ways of the broken and disjointed coast. Within this county was the small parish of Cumbernauld, and here, more than 100 years ago, was a dairy farmer by the name of John Main, who took to wife Isabella Muir at Torpichon in 1853.

      There were several sons and daughters of the marriage and, as the farm was not large enough to maintain the family, the older boys used the farm horses and dray for cartage work. Glasgow was then extending its borders and here, twelve miles or so out from the city proper, well-do-do business people were building their homes.

      The farm was more than a mile out from the village of Dullatur and the Main children, on their way to school, had to deliver milk to these houses. In winter the snow was often banked up on each side of the road. The milk was carried, not in billy-cans, but pitchers. The late Mrs. Isabella Turnbull, an elder sister of Alexander's, said they had to carry eight or nine of these on each hand. She described with much feeling the hardness of this task in winter's bitter cold and the ice-covered, slippery roads. Alex. was spared this task because he was too young to carry them. (I questioned Mrs. Turnbull about these jugs "eight or nine on each hand." I later wrote her regarding them and, in her reply, she re-affirmed the same number. She did tell me that they were for the early morning cups of tea of the well-to-do, so they may have been small jugs).

      This younger brother, Alexander Russell Main, was born on February 19, 1876, and two years later his mother died. Thereafter the eldest sister kept house.

      Alex hated the cold and let everybody know it on the way to the village school. In later years he was revolted by the mud and slush of the byres where the cows were housed throughout the winter. I have often had a mental picture of him doing his share of the farm work, which included the cleaning of the cow-house, a job in those days generally referred to in Scotland as "the muckin' o' the byre." There grew a determination in his heart that if he should ever have a son he would not have to live under such conditions if he could possibly provide better.

      The Cumbernauld Public school to which Alexander went later, was fortunate in having a headmaster of some outstanding ability, not the least of which was the recognition of the potential within his students, many of them, it is said, filled important positions in various parts of the world. His name was D. Macphie. From this school, Alex gained a scholarship which made it possible for him to attend night-school classes in Glasgow, to which he travelled the twelve miles by train, and he became a pupil teacher (P.T.) in the Cumbernauld Public School.

      Travelling the twenty-four miles in all, to Glasgow land back, may seem an easy thing to us now, but it was not so easy in that day and generation to attend such night classes throughout the long and severe winters. Crouched in a corner of a carriage compartment from which he would have to arise occasionally and stamp his feet to restore the circulation, this very good-looking, fresh-faced youth would spend most of his travelling time in study. Early photos of A.R. Main show him as a youth or young man of strong character, a firm chin, well-shaped mouth, aquiline nose and bright clear eyes, beneath a high and broad forehead which was crowned with dark hair. I should imagine that few would pass him by without taking a second look at this young man of such striking personality.

      The Main family attended one of the three different Presbyterian Churches in the village--The Free Church of Scotland. Alexander's personality must have been felt there, for a rich gentleman of Dullatur prophesied that he would become a minister. When he was about 13 or 14 years old, this man promised him a Bible, but, with good Scottish caution, made the proviso "when he should become ordained."

      The older brothers of the family migrated to Australia and in 1892 Alexander followed them out. It was on this voyage that he committed the gospel of Matthew to memory. The headmaster of the school regretted his leaving, as he predicted a brilliant career before him in Scotland. A full set of Waverley novels was presented td him which are in the possession of his son, Douglas. They are inscribed as follows:--

      The new home to which he came was in Drummond, Victoria, where Stephen Cheek had established a church in 1878. The preacher of this church at the time was K. McKenzie. He was not a particularly literate man apparently, but he and his wife are referred to in the Jubilee Pictorial History of Churches of Christ in Australia in the following words:--

      Although Mr. Main, sen., later came to settle with his sons, Alex was still unsettled. He did not feel fitted for farm work and he was considering returning to Scotland and school-teaching when A.B. Maston paid a visit to Drummond. One result of that visit, apparently, was that Alex committed his life to Christ. He was baptised by Mr. McKenzie, in the creek which ran behind the McKenzie home. A picture of this creek appears in the Jubilee History, on page 263, and is entitled "A Historic spot" because here Stephen Cheek had baptised about fifty people. The picture is one of beauty, peace and tranquility, but some of those baptised there told how larrikins and enemies to the way of Christ did their utmost at time to despoil the baptismal waters and to interfere with the services.

      There is an interesting link in the lives of these two men, Maston and Main, although one was an American, 41 years of age, and the other a Scotsman of 18 years, and in many other ways so dissimilar. Aaron Burr Maston was born in Ohio, U.S.A., in 1853. His home was a small log cabin in Coshacton County on the bank of a winding river known as Crooked Run. No doubt the winters were severe there, too, but not quite as bad as at Main's Dullatur. But Maston's mother had lived to care for and cherish her children. Alex Main was left motherless at 2 and a half years and, because of his advanced intelligence, his re-actions perhaps would be those of a child a little older. Not that he lacked love from his sisters and brothers, for they seemed to care for him to the point of spoiling. Although Maston had earned a B.A. degree in America, he was not academic as was the younger Alex Main. Maston was a man of strong imagination, a man of vision who turned his dreams into realities.

      I have often wondered if Main took thought to enjoy the moonlight and shadow on the snow as he trudged to and from the station, although, as we shall see later, he retained a love for Dullatur. But Maston wrote, "Men get to love places for their associations. To me the most enchanted scene on earth is the little valley in Ohio where I was born and partly brought up. There is more music and poetry in its memories than all else beside. The log cabin is a king's palace, decorated inside and outside with the rich recollections of childhood." "Amongst the Churches of Christ throughout Australasia, for a quarter of a century, the name of A.B. Maston was a household word, while for the last fifteen years of his life, he was the most striking, picturesque personality among the twenty thousand Disciples of Australia and New Zealand. His name had also spread to America, Africa and Great Britain." (Quotations from "Life of A.B. Maston," by G.P. Pittman, 1909.).

      It was this man who recognised in Main the potential within him, and one may well wonder if he foresaw the day when Alex would carry his torch of service when he, Maston, should be called out of this world. He persuaded Alex Main to go to Melbourne and took him into his own home and gave him employment as a compositor at the Austral Co., which he had founded. There Alex made some friendships that lasted throughout their lives--Douglas Pittman, who became Manager of The Austral Co., and Randall T. Pittman. The latter tells that he first met Alex at a Conference Picnic held at Surrey Hills and his accent was so broad that he had difficulty in understanding him.

      With A.B. Maston, Alex Main attended the church at Collingwood, where the former was preaching, but ill health forced Maston to relinquish the work. His place was taken by Ferdinand Pittman,

in 1896, and R.T. Pittman remembers his brother referring to the brilliant young man who attended the services. A friendship which Alex made there was with F. Collins (1875-1960, Page 2 Digest No. 19), who became one of our greatly loved preachers.

      There is a notebook extant with some of Main's sermon titles and dates. The first is dated January, 1895, and was preached at Drummond. Many of his early sermons were preached at South Yarra.

      There is no doubt that Main absorbed much teaching from Maston. It was O.A. Carr who persuaded the latter to go to New Zealand from America and he gave to him a list of suggestions to help him in his ministries in "a foreign country." Within these suggestions there is the basis of all that Maston did. As we follow through the life of A.R. Main, we may find these the fundamentals of A.R. Main's work. When Maston died, after years of suffering, at the early age of 54, Main was one of those whose appreciation of him is published in Life of A.B. Maston. He wrote within it, "Though dead, our brother yet speaketh. The wonderful patience, the marvellous cheerfulness with which great tasks were attempted and accomplished, in the face of suffering such as we cannot imagine, the passionate love for the church . . . . the strong uncompromising plea for a Christianity pure as at the beginning, the ready help extended to the brethren in any-time of need--the memory of these things will be with us. We have seen the heroism of a Christian life, and should not forget the sight." And then he quoted the lines:--

      But much was to happen in the life of A.R. Main before he wrote those words of his friend and mentor, A.B. Maston.

      (Note:--For fifteen years I have been searching for an old family Bible belonging to the Mains'. Since the last issue of this paper, I have found it in the possession of Mrs. Patten, of Ringwood, a niece of A.R. Main. Although the birth certificate of A.R.M. states his mother's maiden name as Muir, her maiden name is Mair in the Bible; and this name was borne by his sister, the late Mrs. Isabella, Mair Turnbull.--W.J.T.).

      Working, studying and preaching became the common round of Alexander's life. He gave eleven Sunday morning addresses in 1895 and five gospel messages, the first in the city being at Williamstown. But in 1896 he was really sought-after as a preacher. He listed eighteen morning "addresses," as he refers to them and which was customary then, and twenty gospel messages. His first decisions for Christ came in this year, the first of the two being Miss Low of Malvern and the second, Alf Finger of Hawthorn.

      Throughout this year and 1897, he seems to have preached at most of the existing Churches of Christ around Melbourne--both small and large. He also preached the gospel messages at Hawthorn from August 30, 1896 to October 4, 1897, and at Surrey Hills until November 8, and re-commenced at Hawthorn on December 6, where he preached at the gospel services consistently throughout 1897 and 1898, excepting on a few occasions when he was called upon to give special addresses in other places. His note-books show that he had twenty-seven decisions for Christ to the end of 1898.

      It must be remembered that these were days when brethren in the churches did much of the exhorting themselves whilst the "evangelist" gave the gospel messages. The principle of the "open platform" was maintained for the most part in a very orderly manner. Men were encouraged to "exhort" the church, and it was considered that it did the man himself good and the church as well. But for the most part men had to "tarry in Jericho 'till their beards be grown" before they were acceptable to this work of exhortation. That A.R. Main should have been used so widely throughout the Melbourne churches speaks volumes concerning the preaching of a young man of 18-21 years, for there were a great number of able speaking brethren at that time as well as preachers.

      On April, 1899 he commenced preaching at Berwick. Here he made life-long friends of E. Hillbrich and Paul Aurisch, who no doubt taught him to fish in Cardenia Creek. This was the only sport he seemed to follow actively and he fished every stream he could get to. Past students may recall his illustration about "looking up" and how he looked down when crossing a stream on a slippery log. His own vivid word picture of how the downward look caused him to finish the crossing straddling the log and lifting himself on his hands, left much room for merriment, as we saw his then Pickwickian figure--he wore steel-rimmed glasses as well--struggling across the log in that way. That he would sit at the edge of Gardiner's Creek, which ran through the college grounds, with a piece of string tied to a stick and

a bent pin for a hook, I considered to be apocryphal, although I have seen a snap of him sitting fishing there.

      In his Hawthorn days he had come to know Miss Violet Somerville. It was one of her stories, told I imagine, to discreet ears, that during Alexander's courting days and after saying "good-night" at the front gate Violet said, "Can I go in now?" "I don't know whether you can or not but you may," replied her lover. So much for the budding teacher.

      From the first issue of the Australian Christian in 1898, A.R. Main contributed the page on the Sunday School lessons each week and later conducted the Christian Endeavour columns. With study, preaching, pastoral work and writing, he was a busy man. But he still found time for courting and on October 30, 1900, he married Violet Rose Somerville at her parent's home, Inverlieth Street, Auburn. The officiating minister was Joseph Pittman and the witnesses, Isabella McCallum and George Russell Main. The bridegroom's "profession or rank" is given as "Evangelist."

      Mr. Main had accepted an invitation to labour with the church at Ann Street, Brisbane, Queensland, the city church. One can well imagine that Ann Street was very glad to have such a fine looking couple as the Evangelist and his wife although there must have been some who shook their heads dourly about such a young man serving such an august church. Alex was young and looked it, because of his fresh complexion, but people were surprised when they heard him speak. It did not seem possible that such sound wisdom should come from such a youth!

      Queensland in that day did not have many paid Evangelists and much of the preaching in country churches was done by local brethren. Somehow they managed to make exchanges, church with church, despite long distances and from time to time were helped by speakers from the city. When one realises the immensity of the State, it leaves a sense of wonder and admiration for those who gave their time and suffered the discomforts of such travelling as at the turn of the century. Although being a preacher of the church in Brisbane, we find Mr. Main also preaching at Zillmere, Rosewood, Ma Ma Creek, Mt. Whitestone, Rosevale, Mt. Walker, Boonah and Beaudesert over his two and a half years ministry. Sometimes there appears little notes to his visits--"No gospel meeting. Very wet."

      In 1903 he was president of the Queensland Conference and this no doubt demanded his travelling about a good deal.

      He was appointed to prepare the Queensland section for the Jubilee History, which he did so well. The editor, A.B. Maston, included a large picture of Main on Page 110. He also appears amongst the deacons of the Brisbane Church and Mrs. Main amongst the members of the Sewing Class. As kind as they may have been, one cannot help but feel sympathetic in the obvious discrepancy in their ages and of those around them. Within his review of Churches of Christ in Queensland on pages 103-108 in the Jubilee History, as he draws near to the conclusion Mr. Main mentions some of the things that were deterrents to the advance of the work in this State, and says, "After all, the chief deterrent comes from within. When we better learn we have been saved for service, that a plea for Christian Union is most effectively made by exemplifying that unity, and that soundness of doctrine should be accompanied by goodness of living, we should more speedily go forward."

Back to Victoria

      Leaving Queensland the Mains left behind them some very great friends. Although distance divided them, the friendships remained for life.

      The Church to which they came was Footscray, which had a membership of over 100, and the first confession of faith listed in August, 1903, is that of Alma Streader and then Easton, names well-known in the Brotherhood in later days. From August, 1903, to May, 1905, he lists 42 decisions for Christ and then he has written in his book, "ceased to keep records." He still, however, kept records of his sermons and places of preaching.

      During this ministry he was lecturer at The Australian College of the Bible. The catalogue of the College list A.R. Main as the teacher in the Department of English and Philosophy. Under "English" was taught grammar, composition, rhetoric and history of English literature. Philosophy embraced Ethics, Psychology and Logic. He also taught elementary Bible History, Bible Geography, Bible Analysis and advanced Bible lectures. Classes were held in the University High School building. Preaching, lecturing and writing for "The Australian Christian," together with all the meetings and pastoral work in connection with Footscray, plus his studies at the Melbourne University, left him little time for other pursuits, whatever his desires to do so may have been. In 1905 he preached the Conference Sermon, his subject being "The Inevitable Christ."

      It is R.T. Pittman who recalls that Mr. Main fell ill with what was then called "brain fever." We have searched for something written in the sparse notes that might indicate the time of such an illness. All that can be seen is not what is written, but a big blank in the record of sermons which extends from February 11 to April 22 to May 12 in 1906. This could be the occasion which interrupted Main's studies at the University and which were not resumed for at least a year. Mr. Pittman adds that Mr. Main nearly lost his life in that illness. If the above dates should have been the time of his sickness, then he must

have been well ahead with his C.E. page in "The Australian Christian" for there is no cessation of those splendid studies, nor have I found any notice appearing in that journal respecting any such sickness, but it was quite in keeping with the man that no such notice would appear. He was always shy and reticent, unless the need called for him to speak, and always embarrassed about anything that called for personal publicity.

Darker Days

      Mrs. Main's sister, Emmie, had made her home with the Mains soon after their return to Victoria and proved a great blessing to them. Emmie Somerville, it is said, was a woman of lovely Christian character and they were very fond of her. We do not know when Miss Somerville died, but her death brought great sorrow to them. But even darker clouds were gathering.

      In 1907 The College of the Bible was established, under Principal H.G. Harward. Three months later A.R. Main was invited to serve as a lecturer, which offer he accepted and commenced teaching in the third term. The students lived-in Rathdown Street, Carlton, and lectures were given in-the Lygon Street Church building.

      By the end of the year 1907 the Mains had two sons, Alan Somerville and Douglas, the latter born in December of that year. Alan was a child of great intellectual promise and had taught himself to read from street hoardings and shop signs. In 1908 Mr. Main went to Surrey Hills, Victoria, as minister of the church there. They lived in Suffolk Parade. Here Alan died in August at the age of four and a half years. One can never plumb the depths of another's sorrow, but the line of sensitivity of a genius, in which class A.R. Main was placed, is greatly extended. Under his record of gospel addresses for August 23 and 30 he has written simply "Home." Alan's death took a heavy toll of him, but on the following Sunday night, September 6, he preached on "Christ and a Speculative Enquirer," followed by "Christ, Our Example," "King Forever," "Cornelius," "Mercy," "Good Confession" and "Amen," obvious sermons of unswerving faith in the Lord. In January, 1909, Main paid a visit to New Zealand. Whilst there he attended the N.Z. Conference and spoke on behalf of the College of the Bible in Australia. He also preached to the churches at Vivien Street, Wellington; Dunedin and Invercargill. He was to see fruit for this trip some years later, "I took the hook" says Will R. Hibburt. As a fisherman it must be agreed that Mr. Main caught "some fish"--although not a large one, yet making up for lack of avoirdupois in vitality.

      In the B.C. Magazine of February, 1910, edited by student R.T. Pittman, we read, "A.R. Main passed the examination for Second Year Arts at the Melbourne University. He secured honours in Logic and Philosophy and carried off the Hastie Exhibition in that School." It was in this year that the college had moved to its present home at Glen Iris and the Mains had moved nearer the college.

      Like some meteorological low that refuses to move, clouds of sorrow still engulfed them. On December 1, 1910, Mr. Main wrote in Miss Priscilla Ellis' autograph book:

      On December 3 their daughter Emmala Rose died suddenly at the age of 13 months. Here again is the simple statement over two Sunday nights "Home re Emma." Mr. Douglas Main, their one surviving child, now of Mount Kembla, N.S.W., says he can dimly remember something to do with Emma in the home, but did not understand its significance.

      In 1910 the appointment of a new Principal was under consideration. A very strong plea came from the students of the College that C.R. Main should be appointed. It was a most wise and happy choice that on June 10, 1910, he should succeed H.G. Harward. In the B.C. Magazine of that year Principal A.R. Main wrote, "The College exists for glorifying God, helping the cause of Christ, and advancing the Kingdom. If this purpose is realised the College will be a glorious success. If this end be not attained, then, whatever else be done the institution will have failed.

      In the University calendar of 1911, A.R. Main is listed among members of the Senate with the degree M.A.

      In 1911 Professor Laurie, who held the Chair of Philosophy in the Melbourne University, retired. An approach had been made to A.R. Main to succeed him, but Mr. Main had put his hand to the plow and for him there was no turning back. It was said that he was twice offered the Chair of Philosophy which he refused, but we have no verification of this second offer. It is only natural that around such a man many legends should grow up, but many of those legends of his greatness had an abundance of truth within them.

      In 1914 F.G. Dunn, the editor of "The Australian Christian," died, and Principal Main was appointed in his place. He had already written much in that journal, as well as tracts and booklets, one of the latter being on Christian Unity and the book "First Principles."

      On taking up the editorship of the journal he proclaimed his aim in it: "To exalt Christ, to declare the facts of the Gospel and to present 'news,' rather than 'views' to readers." This position he held for 27 years and enriched the Australian and New Zealand Brotherhood by his wisdom. It was written of him, in a brochure by J.E. Thomas when furthering an appeal to send Mr. and Mrs. Main overseas, "There has been no spirit of criticism and contention manifest; but always the sane and constructive spirit that characterises the articles for a Christian scholar and gentleman," and this after twenty years of his editorship, and almost 1,000 editorials.

      Mr. Thomas's words are far more commendable than one might think in the mere reading. There were people who opposed the College, "The Australian Christian," and, made it obvious, A.R. Main. I doubt if they could be numbered on one's forgers and were very vocal through a certain publication which tended to exclusiveness. Not one valid reason can be found to support anything that was written, for it was never spoken in front of Mr. Main himself. That was a risk no one dared take with such an analytical and logical mind as had the Editor and Principal. That is not to say that Mr. Main did not write letters to people who may have been unkind, un-Christian and blatantly rude. He did. He told us so. But he left the letters on his desk for a day or so and consequently never posted them. He advised his students to do the same if they must write such letters, and it seems very excellent advice.

      He had a strong sense of humour and I would have no doubts that he would have to curb it. But often humorous gems would be given as asides in his lectures. "Always take a text from the Bible when preaching and be sure to impress it upon your hearers. You will then be sure they have received something worth-while." The warning against wandering from the subject was well given, of the student who, in an address and by way of illustration, brought a lovely sailing-ship through the Heads, its white sails billowing in the wind and glistening in the sun; but, by the time the said student had brought his ship into the harbour, it was a steamship with the black smoke pouring from its funnels, etc.

      R.T. Pittman remembers visiting the Mains in their home at Hawthorn, when A.R.M. read Lamb's "Dissertation on Roast Pig." Many years after that, L.C. Peacock and I were invited home to Sunday dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Main (we were then new students). After dinner Mr. Main read to us the same essay, which he could not read without continual chuckling.

      In 1922 the publication of a student magazine was re-commenced with "Our Annual." The Principal wrote within the foreword; "College is serious, but not so serious as to be devoid of joy. The lighter contributions herein contained--sketches, verse and prose--bear witness to the happiness of student days; those in graver mood breathe the spirit of devotion pervading the College; the heaviest will serve to recall Faculty utterances to the minds of former students and other sufferers. So every reader will find something to please."

His Human Humour

      There are men still living who can vouch for some of the humorous stories that gathered around "The Prof," as he was called by the students.

      As Housemaster, Mr. Main would make occasional visits to the study-dormitories. On one occasion, the students of one such study were holding a "feed" of soft-drinks and cakes, about 10 p.m. The plate of cakes had been especially prepared with an old piece of gingerbread that had been about the place for weeks. When a knock came on the door, it was thought to be the student who was particularly fond of gingerbread. The door opened to the bawled "Come in!" and there stood the Principal. On a quick recovery from the shock, a student invited Mr. Main to join them. He did, and the plate of cakes was held out to him. His hand went around the plate and took the stale and somewhat soiled gingerbread. Explanations were made for the sake of the principal's gastronomy. At the conclusion of the supper, he said, "Well gentlemen, there's a fine of one shilling for having food in the studies. There's my shilling," and laid it on the table.

      In a later day, on the upper frame of our study doorway (I shared the study with the late H.O. Gray and A.W. Stephenson), one of our number had written "Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning--Is. 5:11:" When Mr. Main saw it, "And why don't you finish the text, gentlemen/" he said in his highly inflected and broad Scotch. We pointed out that here was a case whereby removing a portion from its context, we could make scripture prove anything and that this portion suited us admirably, whilst the rest of the text, "that they may follow strong drink," didn't interest us, anyway. I can still see his efforts to maintain a serious mien and the shaking of his body with repressed laughter.

      One of the most daring jokes against him was brought off by the late Will Waterman, at a graduation ceremony. The Principal asked Will to write an essay to read on the occasion. Will asked Mr. Main what he should write on, who replied, "On anything." "But it all seems so futile," said Waterman. "Well, write on that," suggested the Principal. At the graduation, Will commenced by telling the story of his conversation with Mr. Main. In his hand he held the "essay;" but, without reading, he went on and

on, convulsing his audience with laughter or sobering it with his wisdom. Despite this, one could not help thinking "Get on with your essay." But when he opened up the paper it had one word written on it, which he held up for all to see. It was "Futility." Mr. Main said it was one of the most brilliant talks he'd ever heard.

      Another student, on the same occasion, referred to Mr. Main as having written "Gee" against an answer in an examination paper. The principal sat there shaking his head and his body shaking with laughter. Of course, the word was "See." Mr. Main could write a copper plate hand, but he rarely did.

      He was an outstanding exponent of scripture, especially of the gospels. (A great many people looked forward to him publishing a commentary on these books of the New Testament and this he always intended to do; but when, in later years, he had the time, he had lost the energy). But his lectures included living pictures of the circumstances of which he was teaching, lightened with a remarkable humour--beam in the eye, etc. Or, in church history, no-one hearing Mr. Main could forget the story of Martin Luther, how he effectively helped 15 nuns to escape the convent and his subsequent marriage to Katherin Von Bora!

      Space forbids the quoting of his many witticisms in Conference-debates, etc. Perhaps one that is well remembered by all who heard it and still remain, was in Perth, W.A., on the occasion of his first "official" visit to the State. He commenced by telling of all the wonders of which he had heard of the State's flora, weather, etc., and then said, "I came, I saw, I concurred."

      At the end of 1918 the Mains went to live in their own home "Dullator," an easy walk from the College and Mr. Reg. Ennis, the Organising Secretary, came to live at the College as Housemaster. How glad Mr. Main must have been to be relieved from a little of the great responsibilities that he had carried for some years, which had included Federal and State offices. Only those who have been denied the right of living in their own homes can imagine his satisfaction on the arrangement. He was a garden-lover and specialised in growing dahlias, helping to make the College garden bright with their blooms. Now it was to be his own garden, his own land, his own home! But it was not long before a measure of irritability, said to be common to the male members of the Main family, began to show. The reason was all too evident when Mr. Ennis relinquished the task of Housemaster and A.R. Main had to give up his home and return to the College to live and take over again the duties of Housemaster; nevertheless, in the students' "Our Annual" (1923-4) he wrote, "Grave and gay are mingled in our College experience. All our men and women have seriously given themselves to the noblest task on earth; they will not do their work the less nobly if they can appreciate the joy and humour of life."

      In 1911, the year in which Main became Principal, First Principles was published. As the preface says "The articles in this hand-book treat of subjects selected as a special course of study by various Bible School Unions of the Churches of Christ in Australia. Primarily, this hand-book has been written for teachers and senior scholars using the lessons and preparing for examinations on them."

      It is a book that has been, and still is, used widely, having been translated into other languages. Its contents are: 1. The Bible; God's Book, 2. Sin and its cure, 3. Jesus Christ; His Person and Office, 4. The Holy Spirit, I; Work of Inspiration; Baptism in the spirit; Spiritual Gifts, 5. The Holy Spirit, II; Conversion and Sanctification, 6. Faith, 7. Repentance and Confession, 8. Baptism, 9. The Church, I; Its establishment and membership, 10. The Church, II; Its Worship and Ministry. The original copy ran into 136 pages and over 34,000 words.

      In 1913, "Baptism; Our Lord's Command" was published. The late T.E. Rofe paid to have copies sent to all Churches of Christ in the Commonwealth. This, like other booklets of his, was an address that Mr. Main had given and by request of Conference was published. He was Conference President in 1917 (the third year of World War One). His Presidential address was delivered in the Masonic Hall in Melbourne (then used by the Conference for its larger meetings) on April 6 and was entitled "Reconstruction." This was becoming the theme of the day and time and A.R. Main was right "with it." He commences his address by telling of various words used during the ages and going through "Catholicity" to "Reformation" to "Restoration" and "Evangelisation." Then he deals with some of the outstanding evils of the day, which incidentally are much like our own, and concludes with "Reconstruction" and our Plea! This latter is a grand peroration for faithfulness to Christ. "Seeing that 'our plea' is Christ--His exaltation and pre-eminence in Church life and doctrine, in creed and ordinance--we unhesitatingly declare that any imperfection is with the exponents of the plea and not with the plea itself." He went on to show that the Christian world believes in union, prays for union, works for union and adds, "The only thing it seems to lack is the knowledge that there is a divinely given basis of union. We shall be recreant if, at such a time, we be found unfaithful. The world needs our plea--not half of it merely, for union simply (everybody besides now pleads for union), but the whole of it; for who in addition is pleading for union on the New Testament basis?"

      In 1920 the Federal Conference was held on April 7 and 8. W.C. Brooker of S.A. was too ill to preside. This Conference was held in Melbourne and Principal Main was called upon to preside. The Federal Conference of 1922 was also held in Melbourne and Main was President. I was at some of the meetings of both conferences. At one meeting which was held in the Independent Church, Collins Street, a man sitting in the congregation stood up and interjected. The third time he did so the speaker stopped

and looked to Mr. Main who immediately got to his feet and told the man that if he interrupted the speaker again he would have the policeman from the nearest corner called in, etc. The man gathered his coat and scarf in his arms and left the meeting. Some people thought the president was a bit hard on the interjector and in my own youthful judgment I too felt sympathetic. But in more mature years and experience I think the president did the right thing.

      In 1924 a booklet was published by the Austral Co. Why I Belong to The Church of Christ. This was an address delivered at a meeting of the Collins Street Baptist Church Y.P. Social Circle and was delivered on September 7, 1921. It was published at the request of the Executive of the H.M. Committee of the Victorian Churches of Christ. The foreword says ". . . . that it fairly represents the position generally held by those connected with churches pleading for a return to the faith and order of the Apostolic Church." There are 31 pages in this book and over 10,000 words. It bears the name it does because that was what he was asked to speak upon. The headings are: No Short Cuts; What is the Church of Christ?; We Stand For a Purely Undenominational Position; Vital Truths which We Share With Others; The Plea for Restoration and Union; A Catholic or a Scriptural Position; Evangelistic Zeal and Message; The Lord's Supper; Recapitulation.

      I venture to observe here that the logic and scriptural position given by Mr. Main is irrefutable. It is well worth reading by every member of Churches of Christ if by no one else. When speaking about Restoration and Union. "it has often been thought that we err by seeking a return to the past. The Spirit of God is yet with us. The doctrine of development is widely held. Therefore, it is alleged we need not seek the restoration of the New Testament order. I humbly submit it is not good reasoning from the member of any church which in its standards, confession, or doctrinal basis, acknowledges the supremacy and sufficiency of the scriptures. If a man rejects these, we may reason with him, but the line of reasoning would be different from that we give to those who in theory accept the New Testament as true. There can be no evolution beyond Christ, if He were really Emmanuel. The Spirit of God does not in a revelation today contradict that which He has given in the Scriptures." Referring to our undenominational position the writer says, "We do not believe in denominationalism, or in interdenominationalism, as expressing the Lord's Will, but endeavour to an undenominational or nonsectarian attitude. Our rejection of human names is associated with this fact and follows from the obvious truth that such, not only are unauthorised by, but are condemned in scripture. Party names are derogatory to Christ and to Christians, and tend to perpetuate division." He emphasises that in taking this position we can still stand for both courtesy and truth.

      "I know that some will scarcely allow that we can hold an undenominational position. Well, they must admit our intention, or else claim to know better than we the purpose of our hearts." If they still deny that possibility he feels like leaving them to settle "their disagreement with the Apostles, Paul for instance, at the first favourable opportunity." Whilst these extracts do not convey in any way the fulness of his statements or reasoning, they do show the position held by Churches of Christ in that day.

      The fourth book which was published by the Austral Co. in 1928 is Messages from the Word. Studies in Ambiguous Texts. This came from a series which the author ran in The Australian Christian. T.H. Scambler wrote the foreword and says within it, "In the following studies A.R. Main, M.A. has brought to his readers the results of wide research and clear thinking. Principal Main's long experience as an instructor in the courses in the New Testament at the College of the Bible has prepared him to an unusual degree to become an expositor of the Word, and the pen of a ready writer has enabled him clearly to express the results of his investigations."

      An interesting little pamphlet of eight pages was of the address given at a Queensland Conference. It is entitled--The Centrality of Jesus and the Unity of Christians. Within it he said, "When I am asked if Christians will ever thus write, my simple answer is: "I do not know" . . . . "I do know that the will of Christ our Lord is that Christians should unite." He gives six reasons advanced by religious bodies generally as to why Christians should unite and the change for the better that had come about in between the two World Wars. Under the Sin of Division he quoted from the booklet of the Victorian section of the Australian Regional Committee of the World Conference of Faith and Order. These four essays had been contributed by Anglican, Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Church leaders. The writers had gone far beyond a mere statement of the desirability of Union. "They take the position which preachers of Churches of Christ have consistently maintained, that disunion is sin." But a greater advance was necessary, that of giving Christ the Central place in our lives. Religion should be expressed "in terms of Christ." We should make Jesus Christ the centre, the focal point of all our thinking. "Christianity is Christo-centric."

1. We honour Him by wearing His Name.
2. He was the Church's message, "preached Jesus."
3. The Creed of the Church is definitely expressed in terms of Christ.
4. The Ordinances of the Church exalt Christ.
5. Christianity is a way of life.
6. A future life awaits us. He is our hope, etc.

      His conclusion was, Love is the secret of Union. He concluded with the following illustration which I would like to give in his own words:

      "You recall the familiar story of the man who saw in a picture gallery the representation of our Lord's suffering for sinful humanity. He looked, he stood in adoration, long and earnestly he gazed, the tears came into his eyes and in ecstasy he clasped his hands and exclaimed, 'Bless Him! I love Him.' One who overheard the words presently came up and taking him by the hand, said, 'Brother I love Him too.'"

      Others gathered, and ere long an adoring group stood by the picture of the crucified Lord--a company united in heart, loving because He first loved them. Love was the reason for the sacrificial Cross. In love is the secret of union to be found. May we all come to possess an abiding love for Him; such a love as will enable us to keep his commandments, and also to love all for whom Christ died."

      I have quoted this story in full as A.R. Main told it. He was a master of illustration and at times he could be very moving emotionally. I later heard him speak at a farewell dinner, when I listened to one of the greatest flights of oratory I had ever heard. Speaking to him afterwards I referred to his "oratory," I remember how humbly his head went down and he shook it slowly as he said, "Oh no, mister, I'm not an orator."

To Britain and America

      As early as 1921 it had been in the mind of the College Board that the Principal should have an extended holiday, but it was not until the Federal Conference in Launceston, Tasmania, in October 1933 the following resolution was brought forward and carried unanimously and with acclamation:

      "As an expression of the brotherhood's appreciation of the invaluable and self-sacrificing service of Bro. A.R. Main as Principal of the College, that this Conference instruct the College Board to arrange a testimonial for the purpose of sending Bro. Main to the World's Conference in Leicester, England in 1935."

      J.E. Thomas was deputed to prepare a brochure to be sent to all the churches, but before it saw the light of day, gifts were pouring in from all over Australia.

      J.E. Thomas (1879-1944 Digest No. 13) was the right man to make the appeal for he himself was beloved. He had that kindly eye that sees the good in men and magnified that above all else. Not that any magnification of A.R. Main's qualities was needed nor did he use such. It was a simple and direct statement of what the Principal had done and he included Mrs. Main to whose "gracious courtesy" he referred. "she is a woman beloved among us, and has used her gifts in the service of the Lord Jesus with great acceptance. She has been used as a speaker among the sisters, and she would worthily represent them in every way wherever she visits, either in England or America."

      Then followed a round of visits to State Conferences before Mr. and Mrs. Main left for the second World Convention in Leicester, England. W.A. was the last State visited and the weather was perfect. It became one of Mrs. Main's jokes when speaking from the platform that people (many of whom were 't'other siders' anyway) would ask, "Do you ever get any weather like this in Melbourne?" On the day they left Fremantle by ship it was pouring rain. Someone had the temerity to shout, from the quay to the Mains, "Do you ever get any weather like this in Melbourne?"

      At this 2nd World Convention Mr. Main not only represented Australia and the New Hebrides, but was also on both the Resolutions and the Nominating Committees. He gave addresses on The Place and Power of Christian Journalism, and also, In Loving Memory of Wm. Morrow. The Hon. W. Morrow, M.L.C. (1869-1934. See Digest No. 28) was one of the founders of the World Conventions and was a vice-president at the time of his death. It was a moving peroration in which he eulogised upon this man, his character and his work who had said, "All I am today I owe to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ." Main commenced by quoting:

      Whilst in Britain the Mains visited Dullatur hoping to see something of the old home, but Glasgow's environs had long since swallowed up the dairy farms there and he found he could not even be sure of the locality where their farm had been.

      Then followed a trip across the U.S.A. where he was feted and gave addresses at Churches, Colleges and Universities. He was entertained by a great many organisations and people and his adjectives concerning these occasions range from "beautiful" to "good." They were driven about to see all the sights, but had to travel by train from city to city. Sometimes trains were late or they had to be caught in the middle of the night or early mornings and there was little rest at times. State Conventions were being held and Main spoke at some of these on subjects ranging from "Australia" to such as "Backward--or forward with Christ."

      The highlight of these occasions was at Butler University on October 7 where he received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity and he gave an address. Following this his diary reads, "Photo and moving pictures." Then, Luncheon at Columbia Hotel with Dr. Patman, some faculty and distinguished men (Vi with women. Visited U.C.M.S. rooms--photo for World Call (with Dr. S.). Dinner at Whispering Winds--V.G. Excellent fellowship. Dean Kershner in chair. Distinguished college company in our honour. Faculty and Wives. Spoke at both functions." It was indeed a busy day for the new Dr. But this had followed 10 days of such busy times, and they were to continue daily until November 13 when they left for Long Beach, California--and then the diary unhappily ceases.

      To the writer's knowledge A.R. Main never used the title "Dr." in any way. According to K.A. Jones, if anyone so addressed him he would say, "Mister will do, thank you." I recall a tea and very happy evening which followed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Duff Sen. at Launceston, Tasmania. One of the lady guests kept addressing Mr. Main as "professor." I suppose he would accept such a title the same as he would "Principal," but I could see that it irked him. That spirit of the tie that binds us as one in Christ Jesus was basically strong within him.

Back in Australia

      Resuming his normal life here we find A.R. Main speaking at the Youth Service of the Victorian Conference. His subject, "How Happy to be young in Australia in 1916." The Argus report of that address was headed Confidence in Youth and we have reason to believe that the older he grew the closer he got to young people. It was in this address that he quoted The Hymn of the Pessimist.

      He must have been as well aware of the approaching signs of another world holocaust of war as any of us, but he could foresee great possibilities in the youth of Australia.

      In 1938 A.R. Main retired as Principal of the College of the Bible at Glen Iris. He was then only 62 years of age and it seems that he retired at a very early age. He settled down quietly for a time in his home Dullatur in Scott Grove, Gardiner.

      On November 24, 1938 the closing Graduation Ceremony (now called Ordination Service) was held. Mr. Main had had 32 years association with the College and had been its Principal for 28 years. At this service the Board of Management expressed its appreciation of Mr. Main's services to the College and to the Brotherhood. T.H. Scambler and T.R. Morris each gave a brief message. The Chairman Robert Lyall presided over the meeting; Mr. Main gave a valedictory address. An illuminated address was presented to him. Mrs. F.L. Mitchell, Hayden McCallum and W.F. Nankivell contributed musical numbers. Miss M.E. Pittman was accompanist.

      At the usual closing session of the students, A.R. Main gave his final Devotional message to them. It was on 1 Cor. 14:2b, "Let everything be done with a view to the building up of faith and character" (Weymouth).

      "The coming of Principal A.R. Main, M.A. to inaugurate the work immediately lifted the College to a high intellectual and spiritual standard," it was reported. In the following year 12 churches were served and 75 were added by the preaching of the students and it was further reported that "Principal A.R. Main had done a magnificent work and had the full confidence of the Board." The dream of B.G. Corlett was being fulfilled.

      After two years living at the College, Mr. Main was relieved of housemaster duties and the Mains went to live at Lane Cove. The Principal was undoubtedly preparing to slip into retirement again. He was now 68 years old and there were signs that age and his years of work were taking their toll. Whatever plans they were making for the future, the greatest calamity in the life of Mr. Main came suddenly and unexpectedly in the home-call of his earthly partner in life. On January 28, 1944, Mrs. Main passed away in her sleep.

      Mrs. Main had been a valiant partner indeed. Mrs. E.C. McCann, of Melbourne, wrote in "The Australian Christian" of Mrs. Main's work amongst the sisterhood of the churches, listing all the various offices she had held and the committees over which she had presided. She had always refused the Women's Conference presidency because she considered her first loyalty was to Mr. Main and the College. In conferences she had a ready wit, was wise in her judgments and possessed a gift of lucid statement coupled with a natural graciousness which was so helpful in discussion. In association with the late Miss Helen Ellis, she had shown outstanding leadership as superintendent of Mission Bands and during her term of office, Miss Vera Blake had become the first living link missionary. As a foundation member of the church at Gardiner, Vic. it was from her Bible Class of girls that the first decisions of the church had come. A.W. Ladbrook, M.A., Dip. Ed., wrote in the obituary, "Many Australian and New Zealand mothers were thankful for the motherly care that Mrs. Main had given to their sons." She had represented the women of the Australian churches most worthily in Britain and the U.S.A. She was respected, honoured and loved throughout the Australian churches. The funeral services were held at the Chatswood Church and the Northern Suburbs Crematorium on Saturday January 29. Those taking part at the chapel were F:A. Youens (minister); Mrs. W.G.E. Lewis, Dr. A.C. Crisp, Dr. R. Wilson, P.E. Thomas, B.A., T.E. Rofe and B.G. Corlett. The service at the crematorium was conducted by H.J. Patterson, M.A., Vice-Principal of the College and A.W. Ladbrook, Senior Lecturer.

      It was said and written that Violet Main "was a faithful help-meet to her husband." I can believe that to be so, far more than any of us can realise and one can only try to imagine what a blow her decease was to her husband. Suffice to say, he resigned as Principal of Woolwich Bible College in April, 1944, and was appointed Principal-Emeritus by the N.S.W. Conference. The late H.J. Patterson became Principal on April 14, and was loyally supported in his work by Mrs. Patterson.

      Mr. Main had a room at the College and would sometimes stay there over-night. He made a few trips down to Melbourne to which place he was planning to return. The Mains had never taken their membership from the church at Gardiner, Vic., and they had both been looking forward to the time when they could return there. In October, 1945, Mr. Main left Melbourne to go to Brisbane, where he was to speak at a Queensland Conference. On the journey he suffered a heart attack and when the train reached Sydney he struggled from it to a 'phone box and called his cousin, Ern Millar, who drove him to his own home. Dr. Roy Millar (well-known in the N.S.W. Brotherhood), his nephew, attended him. F.A. Youens and Mr. Douglas Main were also involved in these efforts of care and attention and getting Mr. Main into a nursing home. But there he died at 11.45 a.m. on October 13. One wonders if Principal Main had not been so independent and had had the train conductor and Travellers' Aid Society do the 'phoning if it would not have given the doctor a chance to save his life!

      The passing of the Great-heart of the Australian Brotherhood cast a gloom over the churches. In Sydney, obsequies were conducted at Chatswood and the Northern Suburbs Crematorium by F.A. Youens. By request these were of the simplest nature.

      In Melbourne, a Brotherhood Memorial Service was held on Sunday, November 18, at 3 p.m. in the Gardiner Chapel. The President of Conference, A.W. Cleland, presided; Chaplain-General Allen Brooke, then minister at Gardiner, read the scripture lesson, and the speakers were J.McG. Abercrombie, (representing Conference and the churches), Principal E. Lyall William of the College of the Bible and A.W. Stephenson, editor of "The Australian Christian." F.C. Whittington of Gardiner, was soloist. One would suppose that in every Church of Christ in the Commonwealth reference was made concerning the passing of A.R. Main. I know that wherever preachers or Brotherhood Committees met, there was a great sense of loss felt--a pillar of the churches had gone. But we knew that his influence would still live on through his teaching and preparing men and women for the ministry of the Word, and by his preaching and soul-winning for Christ, and through his authorship. The editor of "The spectator," the Methodist journal, wrote of him, "Principal A.R. Main was held in high esteem in all the churches."

      E.C. Hinrichsen, a unique and most outstanding missionary and graduate of the College of the Bible, wrote; "To the student he was little less than supernatural. Not only did he have an answer for every question, but he anticipated the question. No book worth reading seemed to be unknown to him. To the Conference he was the final authority. More than once it would seem that a question would be decided in the affirmative. Then Mr. Main would rise, quote the Word, use a few unanswered arguments and the whole attitude would change."

      A.W. Stephenson, M.A., then editor of "The Australian Christian" in succession to A.R. Main, himself a graduate of the College of the Bible, wrote: "It was his aim to make clear and simple to young and old the facts of the Gospel. As a writer and teacher, he sought to unfold the Way of Life and Salvation in Christ. There was an unerring purpose in his life, and he refused to be drawn from it. Whilst others were influenced by the fashions and thought of the day he pressed on steadfastly with the mission of making the facts of the New Testament clear . . . . It was his prayer that many rise up and advance the work of the Restoration Movement, so that the cause he loved may continue to glorify Christ."

      Editors of other church papers made eulogistic comments. But, with what better words could I conclude this brief outline of such a wonderful man's life than to quote words of Alexander Russell Main:--

      "Let us love and read and study the scriptures and make them the guide of our lives. Let us preach the word! It is the strength of our movement; God meant the scriptures to furnish the Man of God completely unto every good work. No human dogma or creed or philosophy can do what the book of God will do."

2. H. G. HARWARD

A.C., Oct. 10, 1901, p. 473.

      The Evening Mail of Bendigo says:--It was at the pleasant residence of Dr. James Cook, in Barnard street, that a representative of the Mail found Mr. H.G. Harward, the evangelist, who has been for some weeks conducting mission services in a tent at the corner of High and Short streets.

      The son of the late Mr. Matthew Harward, formerly a prominent sharebroker in Bendigo, the subject of this sketch is now in his 33rd year, having been born in Honeysuckle street, Bendigo in 1868. Mr. Harward is of medium height, of slight build, dark complexion, and of quick, nervous disposition. His face is oval and singularly mobile and expressive. The eyes are the eyes of the religious enthusiast--full, dark, dreamy and eloquent. The lips are thin and cleanly cut, and the lines which stretch from them are those of self-restraint and determination. The chin is not too aggressive, but there is a slight squareness which corresponds with the set of the lips. The face is clean shaven. Mr. Harward's early life was spent here in Bendigo. When a boy he was employed for some time at the offices of the local newspapers, and then joined the Postal department as a telephone operator. Though his parents belonged to the Church of England, he went to the Bible Christian Church with his companions, and he was still in his teens when the deep religious strain in his temperament impelled him towards the life of an evangelist.

      But though he became associated with the church of Christ when in Collingwood some 12 years ago, he did not take up preaching as a profession until he visited America some four years later. Before he left his native shores the young evangelist discovered that he possessed the gift of eloquence, and he determined to make use of it in the cause of the church of Christ. When only a week in America he began a mission in Newtown, in the state of Kansas, and remained there for nearly three years, his work, being attended with such success that before he left its fruit was seen in the shape of a substantial church with a great congregation. From Newtown Mr. Harward went to a college at Illinois, and studied there for four years, earning his living meanwhile by preaching. In 1898 he won the college championship for oratory, and his fame as a public speaker was thus firmly established. Having become married in New York to Miss Thompson, a Melbourne lady, to whom he had been engaged for some years, and who has relatives in the mission field, Mr. Harward remained in the United States for some time, during which he was engaged in mission work, and then he became seized with a strong desire to visit his native land.

      Since Mr. Harward's return to Victoria, he has been stationed at Fitzroy.

Digest of the Australian Churches of Christ Historical Society, No. 76, March, 1982.

      This brief review of the life of H.G. Harward is based on his memoirs. Harward, who was an outstanding evangelist and the first Principal of the College of the Bible, had two children--a girl and a boy. Doreen, who married N.D. Morris, is living with her daughter, Ailsa Curtis, in Canberra. Neil Morris, Ailsa's brother, was for a period treasurer of the Woolwich Bible College. Athol, H.G.'s son, died in 1981. His son, Brian Harward, is actively involved in the life of our churches.

      H.G. Harward was born on May 1st, 1868, at Bendigo. A twin sister, Chrissie, lived for only seven months. In all, five sons and five daughters were born to the family.

      Harward's father was a sharebroker on the Bendigo Stock Exchange and the director of several mines. His mining ventures earned and lost him a small fortune.

      Young Harry Harward received his early religious training at a Bible Christian Church and Sunday School. On one occasion he won a first prize, donated by Sir John McIntyre, for his knowledge of the Catechism. He claimed later that he did not retain this knowledge for long anniversaries and tea

meetings were great occasions among the Cornish folk. Harward, with others, not only enjoyed the food but helped to train younger children in recitations.

      Harward's boyish ambition was to be a Temperance lecturer. He early began to recite such standard pieces as "The boy stood on the burning deck!" This was good training and helped him overcome a modest and retiring disposition. It also helped to prepare him for his real work later on.

      Harward could not recall a great deal about his school life. He attended regularly without gaining any medals or certificates. Because he was keen to start earning, he left school at twelve. Like many of his generation, he started work young. He was to keep working for another sixty years.

      His first job was at the Bendigo Advertiser. He would rise about 3.30 a.m., go to the office, walk miles delivering papers, and return home about 8 o'clock. He did similar work with the Bendigo Independent. It was good exercise and he had many interesting experiences.

      Harward worked for a time for a Mr. Varcoe, who had the agency for the paper. He frequently banked the money for him. On one occasion he banked 25 pounds in the Oriental Bank about thirty minutes before it closed its doors. It was lost. Fortunately, he wasn't blamed. On another occasion Harward collected the accounts for a Mr. Wenbourne, who had a book and stationery business with a newspaper agency, when the latter gave up the run. Harry discovered that he was only 6d behind. Wenbourne offered the young Harward a position in his shop, but the idea did not appeal.

      At fifteen Harward began working at Haiseman's coach building shop. For fifteen months he wielded the smith's hammer, pumped the handle of the bellows and helped to forge the heated metal into various parts of buggies, wagons, etc., for which he received 5/- to 10/- each week. He had more than a strong feeling that he was being under-paid in this occupation

      It was about this time that the Victorian telephone exchange began to be set up throughout the State. An exchange was established in Bendigo, where Harward was appointed the first telephone operator.

      The Government later took over the telephone exchanges. Passing their examinations, Harward was appointed to their staff. He was 21 at the time and was transferred to Melbourne for further training and practice.

      Harward was trained as an instrument fitter and henceforth spent his time in a workshop or repairing phones in the homes of subscribers. The latter took him into the suburbs and he soon became aware that liquor could be procured for little or no cost. He found it easy to decline such invitations. Drink was never a temptation to him.

      Soon after commencing work in the suburbs he came into contact with the Church of Christ. He was eventually baptised by H. Milner Black and took up membership with the Collingwood Church. He began to take an active part in C.E. work and open air preaching. It was at Collingwood that he pet his wife.

      After spending three years in Melbourne, Harward was transferred to Warrnambool and put in charge of the exchange there. While at Warrnambool he won first prize for a prepared speech on punctuality at a Mutual Improvement Society. In all he spent 13 months at Warrnambool. During six of those months he shouldered the preaching load at the local Church of Christ. He later assisted the minister, Mr. McAlister, in circuit work in the Port Fairy district.

      Harward was at this stage conscious of a call to ministry. After discussing the matter with Milner Black, he resigned from Government employment, and left for the U.S.A. with Milner Black on board the "Monowai" in October, 1893. Harward went with Black to Salina, Kansas as a preacher. He decided to await an opening. The first call came from the State Sunday School Union, with an invitation to go to Clayton to conduct a Sunday School rally. The purpose of this rally, which was spread over three days and three evenings, was to increase attendance at local schools. The result of Harward's visit was that the membership was trebled. He remained in Clayton for two weeks, conducting evangelistic services. While there he received a telegram asking him to go to Newtown, Kansas, for three days.

      He travelled by train through the night, arriving at Newtown at 5.30 a.m. The journey had been made unpleasant because of a heavy fall of snow. No one came to meet him. He felt very much alone. He remained at the depot until the shops began to open, and then sought out an eating house. When putting away the food he thought to himself, "How stupid I am to be here away from everyone in this cold." Despite the fact that he had not been met, he eventually discovered some church folk. There was no church building, members were meeting in a lodge room. As at Clayton, this rally was also a great success. As no preacher was available he was invited to stay on an evangelist and remain there for two years and nine months, during which time 257 people were added to the church. Meetings shifted from the lodge room to a vacant shop which the members papered. They also had to provide seating. Later on a building was erected on the main street of the town which at that time boasted a population of 7,000. The building was dedicated in 1895. At the same time Harvard was ordained.

      Busy with the erection of the new church, Harward collected a congregation of curious onlookers who came to see him at work. In addition, he organised churches in two districts, Polwin and Whitaker. He also gave assistance to the church at Peabody, a town about 30 miles from Newtown. Newtown was an important railway centre on the Santa Fe system and their work attracted many railwaymen.

      With an elder of the church, a man named Ralph, Harward attended the National Convention of the Disciples held at Dallas, Texas. He thoroughly enjoyed the meetings, which continued for a week and ran from 9.30 in the morning till 10 in the evening. It was here that he first learned the joys of buckwheat cakes and maple syrup. The two returned to Newtown on Friday afternoon, having arranged with Vernon Rose to conduct a special mission beginning on the Sunday. Rose arrived on the Saturday but was confined to bed with fever. The mission was left to Harward. It continued for five weeks. Sermons he preached in the evenings were prepared in the mornings. There were 57 decisions from this five week effort.

      There were nineteen different churches in Newtown. Harward baptised folk from most of these. Until they erected their own building, baptisms were conducted in the open air, when the weather was favourable, or in the Baptist Church if it was not.

      Many of the members of the Newtown church were farmers. Some of them were only a few miles out and Harward could ride out on his bike to their homes for breakfast. He spent two years and nine months at Newtown. He loved the people and built up a stock of happy memories associated with these devoted and loyal people.

      It was around this time that Harward felt the need of further education. In 1896 he resigned and left for Eureka College, which was situated at Illinois, 120 miles from Chicago. Illinois was a town of about 2,000 and bordered by rural scenery of extraordinary beauty.

      While travelling by train from Newtown to Illinois, Harward met another young man, Alix Spicer, who was returning to Eureka College from a Christian Endeavour convention. They fell into conversation because both were wearing C.E. badges. It was in Spicer's company that Harward entered Eureka, which took the edge off his loneliness. The two became good friends during Harry's stay at college. In choosing Eureka College, Harward was departing from the usual practice of Australians who made for the College of the Bible, Lexington, Kentucky.

      Harward was well received at Eureka. A real, live Australian was a novelty. Few students knew anything about Australia or its citizens.

      The Sunday after arriving Harward had a break from preaching. From then on he preached regularly, receiving appointments from nearby towns. He preached at Hausville and Mullane City. His worst experience was at the church at Gero Gordo. He was frustrated by the Godlessness and worldliness of the congregation. It must have been painful for him to have to front up every second Lord's Day. The matter came to a head when he arose one morning and taking the pulpit, told the people that they hadn't enough religion to stock a secondhand store and that he would be leaving at midnight. He was as good as his word. He didn't return. The church later revived. It would be interesting to know how much Harward's reprimand had to do with this. The church which benefited most from his services, while he was at Eureka, was Mackinaw, which was 20 miles from Eureka and the greatest whisky centre in the U.S.A.

      Harward didn't find getting back to study easy. He had left school at twelve. He had to work hard to keep up with his classes. He did well, however, securing A's in all of his class work and examinations except Latin 2, in which he was awarded a B.

      Preaching, however, was Harward's great love. At the college there were three literary societies, the Periclean, the Edmund Burke and the Adelphian. He was a member of the last mentioned, deriving much pleasure and considerable profit from the association. The outstanding achievement fro Harward in his association with these oratorical and literary societies was his winning of the Oratorical Championship of the State of Illinois, which was held at Galesbury. The college was delighted. It was the first time that Eureka had won the contest. The student body met the returning Harward as he stepped from the train, conducting him in victory to the college grounds. The prize for winning the competition was 75 pounds. His subject had been "The Grand Old Man, W.E. Gladstone." This victory gave him the right to represent the State against six other States in a contest held at Lincoln, Nebraska. W.J. Bryant was one of the adjudicators. Harward ranked high in the marking but did not come top.

      It was while studying at Eureka that Harward was married to Eliza (Lylia) Thompson on 16th August, 1897. Miss Thompson travelled from Melbourne with her brother. They visited Northern Ireland and England on the way. After the wedding, which was celebrated in New York, Robert returned home and the Harwards set out for Niagara Falls, where they spent their honeymoon. A framed marriage certificate, with small photos of each partner, always hung in their bedroom.

      Having completed his study at Eureka, Harward decided to return to Australia. On the last night of his stay at the college he preached in the local church before the students and professors. Following this service he received a telegram inviting him to accept a call to the city church in Peoria, Illinois, a church of 1,200 in a city of 80,000. It was a great opportunity, but he would not be shaken from his resolve to return to Australia. Harward called in at Newtown, Kansas, on his way to embarkation.

      Arriving at San Francisco, he had great difficulty cashing a bank draft and ended up having to leave it at the bank to be forwarded on if it was found to be correct. This meant that when he arrived in

Sydney he had no money and had to borrow five pounds from P.A. Dickson to get to Melbourne and then Bendigo.

      Friends and churches welcomed the Harwards home. They were offered many opportunities for service. Congregations at North Fitzroy and the Fitzroy Tabernacle extended invitations. Characteristically, Harward decided to accept the invitation at the Tabernacle because it was the most needy field. He described his two years at the Tabernacle, which were highly successful, as a delight.

      Despite the fact that he thoroughly enjoyed working with the officers and members of the Fitzroy Tabernacle, Harward was unable to settle for a local ministry. He felt that his gifts would be best used in general evangelistic work. The vision that beckoned him on was a ministry of itinerant tent missioning. He had seen tent missions used effectively in the U.S.A.

      During his second year at the Tabernacle he was invited to conduct a tent mission in Bendigo. This was to be the first tent mission conducted by Churches of Christ in Australia. The Tabernacle paid his salary add met the local expenses of the mission.

      A tent was purchased for 25 pounds and was in service for 18 months before it was blown to pieces. The Bendigo mission-was of special interest to him because of his earlier associations. Many old friends gathered in the tent and as a result of the mission 97 were baptised. As the concept caught on the caution of older brethren, who were weary of the influx of large numbers, was overcome. It was also pointed out by Harward that the Scriptures, particularly of the book of Acts, recorded large numbers being added to the Church.

      According to Harward's memoirs it was at the Victorian Conference of 1902 that he advocated the development of tent missions. As a consequence, he was appointed first State evangelist and authorised to raise the money for the purchase of a tent. He entered into this work and continued in the position of State evangelist for four years. The first of the missions to be conducted, under the auspices of State Conference, was at Maryborough, where 50 were baptised. Missions were held in both city and country areas. In his four year term as State evangelist Harward conducted 1,600 meetings. When a mission was in progress Harward would preach every night of the week and three times on Sundays. While he was State evangelist for Victoria Harward received a special request from the Church at Enmore in Sydney. The Enmore mission resulted in 100 baptisms. Harward's period as State evangelist closed with a visit to South Australia, where he conducted several missions.

      During the final three decades of last century Churches of Christ in Australia became increasingly aware of the need for a local college for the training of ministers. A number of ventures were started, and while conducted with some success, did not adequately meet the needs of the growing movement. Young men who, like Harward, had gone to the United states, more often than not did not return to their country of origin but were invited to remain on in ministry in the U.S.A. At the Federal Conference of 1906, which was largely called for this purpose, a decision was made to establish an Australian College of the Bible. The principalship of the new institution was offered to T.J. Gore, M.A. of South Australia, an American evangelist who had come to Australia in 1867 and had made his mark in south Australia. Gore declined the offer. An approach was then made to Harward and to James Johnstone, M.A., who had also been to America for training. Harward was surprised that he should have been approached, but nevertheless accepted the invitation. After a few months the Board of Management of the College of the Bible appointed him Principal.

      The College first met in a private house in Rathdowne Street, Carlton, but when more room was required it was transferred to the Lygon Street Chapel schoolroom. In 1910 a property was secured at Glen Iris, to which the College was transferred. Johnstone early faded from the picture and A.R. Main was invited to take his place. Harward and Main were associated as teachers for three years.

      While he was an excellent teacher, evangelism was Harward's real love. At the end of 1910 he retired from the College principalship to return to general evangelistic work with the Church at Oamaru in New Zealand, where he was associated with Mr. J. Binney.

      Harward returned to Australia at the invitation of the New South Wales Conference, which invited him to become their State evangelist. He continued in this position for twelve months, when he resigned to take up the ministry at the City Temple in Sydney. The five years which he spent at City Temple he described as "very happy." He later accepted a call to Enmore.

      After two years at Enmore he was appointed the first Federal evangelist and conducted missions in South and Western Australia and in Queensland. In addition to his mission work Harward served as Conference President in New South Wales, as Secretary of Federal Conference, and, during 1923 and 1924, was President of the Federal Conference. His Federal Presidential address at Enmore Tabernacle on "The Place of the Church in the Purpose of God" was published at the request of the Conference.

      Harward next received an invitation to help with the work in Britain and left for London in 1926. He was away for 17 months. He was warmly welcomed and conducted missions in several centres. He spent two periods of three to four months with the church at Evington Road, Leicester, where 55 were baptised and many friendships formed. He must have enjoyed his time at Leicester because, speaking of the people, he commended their unsurpassed kindness.

      Harvard left London for Australia on March 2nd, 1928. He visited France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, the Riviera, Monte Carlo, Venice and Italy, before taking a steamer from Naples to Alexandria. From there he went to Cairo, whence he visited the Pyramids, and then went on to Palestine. Taking a steamer from Port Said, he arrived in Sydney on May 20th. A luncheon was held to welcome him home.

      Harward resumed work by spending three months with the church at Taree. He then accepted an invitation to work with the North Sydney Church, where he continued for five years. During this time he made special visits to New Zealand and Tasmania, the former to assist the church at South Wellington and Lower Hutt.

      After a further period of five years as New South Wales Home Mission Organiser, Harward was forced to relinquish his ministry due to indifferent health. He was presented with a gift of 475 pounds, which concluded a remarkable land fruitful ministry of 50 years with Churches of Christ.

      Besides the activity already referred to, Harward, in the course of his 50-year ministry, served as President of the Victorian Christian Endeavour Union and President of the Victorian Conference. He was twice President of the New South Wales Conference and was President of the New South Wales Christian Endeavour Union. His book of "Evangelistic Sermons" was the first book to be published by the Austral Printing Company, a venture set up by the initiative of A.B. Maston which became the publishing house of Churches of Christ in Australia. In one of his visits to New Zealand Harward took part in a Prohibition campaign and was subsequently offered the position of the Organising Secretary of the Alliance. This he declined.

      There are still those among us who remember Harward. He is spoken of with great affection and admiration. His knowledge of the Scriptures, his oratorical ability, the compelling logic of his preaching, his deep brown eyes, raven hair and deep voice are frequently commented upon.

      Two stories which relate to his thorough acquaintance with the Scriptures deserve retelling. Apparently on occasions he would challenge people to call out a text from anywhere in the Bible land guarantee to follow with the next verse. He wasn't known to fail! Another characteristic was his recitation of the Scriptures. He would recite rather than read. On one occasion, after Ross Lloyd read from the Bible, Harward followed with a recitation of the passage and the comment, "and it was nearly word perfect, wasn't it, Mr. Lloyd" When at the College Harward sought to encourage students to learn the Scriptures by heart. When someone at a preachers' social gathering in Sydney asked whether, during his time as principal, he made the students learn by heart the book of Acts, he replied, "It never did them any harm."

      I would be grateful, as "Digest" editor, if those among you who remember Harward would put down on paper or speak into a cassette your memories of this godly, accomplished and highly successful evangelist who has contributed so much to our movement. Already his daughter, Doreen, has passed on a number of personal memories among which were the difficulties she faced when changing to different school systems, because of the constant mobility of the family. And during the period her father was Principal at the College she must have done a lot of walking. She walked each day to the Tooronga Road Primary School and would often accompany her father to Camberwell Station when he was on his way to preaching appointments.

Graeme Chapman.      

[NOF 494-515]