The following article briefly sketches the beginnings of the "non-instrumental" Churches of Christ in Australia. For a fuller treatment see D. Roper, Voices Crying in the Wilderness: A History of the Lord's Church with Special Emphasis on Australia, Adelaide, Restoration Publications, 1979.

Restoration Journal, Vol. I, No. 5, 15 July 1972, pp. 11-12.

      The church began in the first century just as Christ had planned it. Men and women became members of the church by the thousands! By following the teachings of the inspired men of God, the Christians began to establish the church wherever they went.

      The New Testament writers were aware that men would depart from the pattern which Christ had given and so they warned against it. However, as the centuries progressed, human innovations were added to the plan of Christ and the apostles doctrine was replaced by tradition.

      The religious leaders had access to the scriptures but most of the people had no ready access to the Bible so that they could study it for themselves. This led to the Dark Ages in the history of the church. . . .

      There is no way we can know exactly when the church was first established in Australia, since when one obeys the gospel,--God adds him to the church.

      However, as far as known history is concerned, the restoration movement in Australia originally came from the British Isles.

      In 1843, an English Christian by the name of Thomas Jackson went to New Zealand, where he converted Thomas Magarey.

      Magarey came on to what is now South Australia. He first met with the Scotch Baptists and then in 1846, he withdrew himself to begin breaking bread with several others after the New Testament order.

      From this small beginning, the church began to grow, swelled by English immigrants, especially as the "gold rush" began in the '50's.

Progress of Restoration in Australia

      As the work grew, it was felt that the colony churches needed help. At first the help that came was a real asset. For instance, there was H.S. Earl, who preached to crowds up to 2000 and who baptised 279 in one year.

      But something happened in the Movement in other places. Some wanted to change the original plea--to become like the denominations about them.

      For various reasons, those of conservative convictions found themselves unable to send men to other places. More and more, those who came to Australia were of a "progressive" persuasion.

      Changes started occurring in the Australia movement. In 1866 (twenty years after the church was established in Australia), the first "conference" was held. Other changes also began.

      But the Australian brotherhood mainly heard only one point of view. It was largely unaware that a substantial portion of the world-wide movement was against the innovations.

      There were some voices against the changes. Stephen Cheek spoke out with a powerful voice. But he died in 1883 and with him died the end of any wide-spread and effective protests against the drift back into denominationalism.

      In the 1880's the instrument of music began to be introduced--first into Bible classes, then into the evening service, and finally into the morning service.

      In 1889, the Federal Conference was organised.

      J.W. Shepherd spent two years in this county (1890-92), working mainly with the old Elizabeth Street congregation, trying to warn the brotherhood. But his voice largely went unheeded.

      Digression continued. There was increased interchange with denominations. Many began to take a "liberal" view on the miracles in the Bible. Denominational doctrines began to be held by many. The position on the essentiality of baptism was greatly altered.

      In other countries, large numbers wishing to remain with the original position withdrew themselves from those advocating and practising these departures. But this was not to be in Australia. Slowly, but surely, almost all of the churches moved farther and farther away.

      Most protests were individual ones--with only a handful of small congregations. Men like J.W. McGregor and A.G. Chaffer need to be remembered for their faithfulness during these trying times.

      In 1937, John Allen Hudson visited Australia. He was cordially received by the "conference" churches, but it soon became evident that the only real hope of going back to the original plea would be outside conference ties.

      While here, Hudson met Colin Smith, who decided to leave the conference. After training, smith began to work in the Sydney area, trying to call men back to the church as Jesus built it.

      He was later joined by other men, such as Charles Tinius and Allan Flaxman. Tom Tarbet arrived and went to Melbourne.

      Gradually workers have helped re-establish the original restoration plea in all the major cities of Australia and in many of the smaller towns.

      The task of "restoring the Restoration" has really just begun in this country, but we take heart at what God has been able to do in such a short time.

      Encouraged by the 2,500,000 members of non-denominational churches of Christ around the world, and strengthened by our God, we look forward with confidence to God doing great things in Australia.

[NOF 625-626]