The "Australian Christian" and the Tracts were by no means the only interests of the Austral Publishing Co. Besides a general printing business, which, though limited, included the publishing of several small papers, A. B. Maston found time to edit and publish a monthly children's newspaper, called "Pure Words." A selection of stories and articles peculiarly adapted to children speedily brought the magazine into favour with the scholars of the Lord's Day Schools, and the circulation ran up beyond three thousand. This bright little paper is eagerly looked for by the children, and is the means of inculcating many wholesome lessons for the young. A. B. Maston's object was to supply the children of members and others with literature wholly free from sectarian teaching. Many of the religious papers circulated in Lord's Day Schools, though bright and interesting, are vitiated by false doctrine, and may sow the seeds of error in the susceptible minds of the young. It would, perhaps, be difficult to estimate the value of the service rendered to the rising generation by the inauguration of our children's paper. To-day the little magazine is finding its way into the homes of nearly all the members of the Church of Christ in Australia and New Zealand. [63]

      The desire to supply literature for the Lord's Day Schools free from any admixture of false teaching, led to the issue of the Austral Lesson Leaflets. Similar lesson helps were already in circulation among the denominations, and many of our own schools were using these, because no others could be procured. Needless to say, sectarian doctrine was frequently conveyed to our teachers and scholars in this manner, and A. B. Maston saw that a leaflet of our own was needed. To publish these papers is not so simple a matter as appears at first sight. They have to be written accurately, abreast of the advanced scholarship of the denominations, and this involves discriminating work. When printed, the work of publishing is not an easy task. They must be in the post in good time to reach the remotest school in New Zealand or West Australia, at least a week before the date of the lesson for which they are printed. To count out and circulate more than 40,000 of these leaflets among all the schools in the brotherhood, and then to keep track of all the secretaries, and collect the money involves a lot of labour. But all the trouble is paid for, though the margin of profit is almost nil, by the amount of good which must be accomplished by the inculcation of the truths of the inspired Word of God.

      The Annual Almanac of the Churches of Christ was another creature of A. B. Maston's fertile brain. Every year an almanac, containing useful information and attractive illustrations, found a ready sale of over 6000 copies. A feature of this [64] almanac, which always renders it distinctive, is the list of Bible readings and hymns suitable for the Lord's Day meeting for worship. In the arduous work of selecting these items, A. B. Maston was aided by faithful brethren, who gave their services gratuitously.

      Church roll books, church transfer books, for commending members from one church to another, unfermented wine for the Lord's table, cards for those who make the good confession, quarterly plans for church officers, Sunday School class registers, Endeavour pledges, and other requisites, and a score of other useful helps, were speedily added to the stock, so that almost anything required by churches, Lord's Day Schools, or young people's meetings, was to be found at our own publishing house.

      But a still more extensive work was done in the sale and publication of pamphlets and books. A. B. Maston imported everything in the way of literature that was worthy of introducing into Australia from our publishing houses in the United States and England. From the Austral Publishing Co. the best of our own American and English literature circulates all over the land, and many thousands of uplifting publications have found their way into the hands of the brethren. A. B. Maston also published many works, some of them reprints from American and other publications, others written by Australian authors. Foremost among these was the little book, "On the Rock," which has already been noticed. "Sincerity seeking the way to Heaven," "Our Position," "Doctrines of the [65] Disciples," "Life and Death," "The Resurrection," "Life of A. Campbell," and other works, had a great sale, and accomplished, and are still accomplishing much good.

      In the way of larger books, "Pure Gold," a selection from our best writers; "The Gospel Preacher," a collection of sermons by our leading preachers; "The Way," a volume of sermons and articles; "Truth in Love," a reprint of the paper published by Stephen Cheek; and "The Life of Elder J. Smith," were among the earlier ventures, and had an extensive sale. Among the later books, "Visions of the Christ" and the sermons of H. G. Harward, and Isaac Errett's "Letters to a Young Christian," were perhaps the most successful.

      From the very beginning, the publishing of the hymn book used in the worship of the Churches of Christ was an important feature of the work of the company. Later on, hymn books for use in gospel services and missions found a ready sale. Along with these, a good stock of Bibles and Testaments was constantly replenished.

      But the most ambitious effort in the way of publications was undoubtedly the "Jubilee History of Churches of Christ in Australasia," published in 1903. This handsome volume of 424 pages involved an immense amount of labour on the part of A. B. Maston, and he threw himself into the work of producing it with his usual energy. When we remember that the work comprises the history of about 280 churches, with a sketch of the career of each, and pen-portraits of hundreds of individual [66] members, besides the preparation of over 700 illustrative blocks, some idea of the magnitude of the work will be obtained. The volume will always be a monument to the energy and patience of the manager of the Austral Co. The book was beautifully printed, and handsomely bound. The cost of the pictures alone was £500. [67]

[LABM 63-67]