Strathalbyn was the place of my birth and the date of that event was July 5^th 1902. I accompanied my brother who arrived a half hour or so before me.

      Both my parents were born in Somersetshire, England but didn't know or meet each other until many years after their arrival in Australia. My father, with his parents, Edward and Susan Bartlett, and most, if not all, of his brothers and sisters arrived in this country on board the "Harry Lorrequer" in 1849. He was then seven years old, the youngest of a family of twelve.

      They settled on a farm at Macclesfield. My guess is that the farm was owned by a well-to-do Englishman who had employed my grandfather to look after his property. Transactions of that kind were frequent in those days. The farming situation in England was poor. Australia appeared to be a better proposition to both speculators and farmers.

      Scraps of information which I picked up over many years from my mother and Aunty and my wife enable me to record a few happenings in the early life of my maternal grandparents and family from the time they boarded ship in England to commence a new life in Australia. They were five in number, grandfather Walter Patten, his wife and three children, Alice, Agnes and a baby boy, Walter. They set sail in 1862 but grandma did not reach her destination. She died at sea.

      Upon his arrival with the children grandpa acquired a house with a small shop attached to it in Lily St., Goodwood and opened up what may have been a drapery. Apparently, when the girls left school Alice looked after the home, and helped her father in the shop. Agnes, who eventually became my mother, found employment, and possibly a home, wealthy citizens in the then elite suburb of North Adelaide. The baby boy, Walter was adopted by a Mr and Mrs Jacobs of New Hamburg, now known as Willyaroo, a tiny hamlet near Strathalbyn. In 1866 my father, Thomas Bartlett married Susannah Colman, ten years his senior. Of that union there were three children, Sarah born in 1867, Edward in 1869, and William in 1871. Susannah died in 1897. Two years later father married Agnes Patten, nineteen years his junior. A son, Francis, was born to them in 1900, and twins, Stephen and Walter in 1902.

      I would not be surprised to learn that my father became acquainted with mother when she visited her brother Walter at the Willyaroo home of the Mr and Mrs Jacobs who had adopted him. The hear-say that the visits of Agnes eventually were exchanged for permanent residence was probably true.

      In those early pioneering days families in he country had to learn how to be self-supporting. When my father married Susannah he was able to build a substantial lime-stone and mortar home for themselves at Strathalbyn on land he had acquired. He repeated that performance when he married Agnes and also raised and grew all the food necessary for the family, and sold the surplus.

      There were no buying and selling regulations to restrict such private enterprise at that time. Both of my parents, belonging as they did to the Victorian era, were nurtured and admonished according to authoritarian standards and were largely influenced by them.

      Despite the severity of their upbringing mother was kind and gentle but father was a strict disciplinarian. I could speak only when spoke to. I did as I was told--or else! Mother could not veto anything father demanded. It was expected of her to obey him in keeping with the marriage

vows. I was never able to rid myself completely of the irritating inferiority complex which the early suppression of speech and action had produced. It often kept me dumb when I should have spoken and made me hesitate when I should have taken action

      I was educated at Strathalbyn Primary and High Schools to what was known as Intermediate standard, and began work as Telegraph Messenger at the age of 16 in the local Post Office. In 1921 I was transferred to Glenelg as a Postman, thence to Magill, and finally to the G.P.O. Adelaide. I successfully applied for the position of Clerk in the Weather Bureau and stayed there for the two years 1926 and 1927.

      In early childhood I was taken by my parents to the Sunday morning services in the Church of England and sent to their Sunday School. The coming of a Priest with High Church beliefs and practices was given by my Father as the reason why our family severed connection with the Church of England. At this time a family by the name of Binney came from nearby Langhorne Creek to reside next to us at Strathalbyn. They were three in number, a Mother who was blind, one daughter who was an invalid and subject to epileptic fits and another daughter healthy enough but extremely deaf. Shouting into a large ear trumpet was the only way of communicating with her. Severe though these limitations were the three of them lived beautiful Christian lives. They attended Services of worship in the little chapel belonging to the local Church of Christ.

      My Father observed that these people were living on a spiritual level far above us. Time came when they invited us to share with them in the life of the Church where they attended. My brothers and I began to attend Sunday School. We enjoyed the friendliness of our teachers. There was not the same stiff and starchy manner that we had known previously. Later, in 1912, my parents were invited to attend evangelistic meetings that were being held in a tent that had been erected on a vacant block of land. S. G. Griffiths was the Missioner. He had a tremendous voice. His sermons could be heard far beyond the confines of the tent.

      I, with quite a number of other children, was quite happy to go to these meetings. A quarter of an hour was devoted to us. I learned more about the books of the Bible in the two or three weeks of that Mission than I had in all my previous Sunday School attendance. My Father was a bit cautious about accepting the invitation to attend these meetings but at last consented to go one night when the evangelist was to speak on some such subject as "What Churches of Christ Stand For". That night it poured with rain and Miss Hilda Binney, knowing my father would go to the meeting no matter how stormy the weather, contacted Mr. Griffiths to make sure he didn't change the subject of his address. Father was so impressed by what he heard he invited Mr Griffiths to discuss the matter further at home. That is how our association with the Churches of Christ began.

      The Church at Strathalbyn in those days had no resident minister.

      The pulpit on Sundays was supplied by speakers from Adelaide and one or two local laymen. On the Sunday night of Mother's Day in May 1913 my brothers and I made our confession of faith in Christ when a Mr George Wilson was the preacher. We had been prompted a little by my father who had suggested it was time we gave some thought to making such a decision. We were very young but not unaware of the seriousness of the step we were taking. At least I knew I was doing the right thing. I was so over-awed at my boldness in taking such an important step that I wept.

      I have to confess that there were many lapses from grace after that when I "like Peter my Lord denied", but always, as if the Lord planned it, and maybe he did, someone would come into my life, or something would happen to remind me of the vow I had taken. The fact that I had publicly owned Christ as my Lord in my verbal confession of faith and in my baptism always brought me back to him to whom I belonged.

      In 1914 another member of the Binney family was to exercise an influence over me as great as any one person has ever done. His name was Joseph. He had been trained at our College in Bethany, U.S.A. Because of his glorious tenor voice he was used, upon his return to Australia, as Song Leader In Tent Missions conducted by H. G. Harward.

      When the Church at East Preston, Victoria, made history for themselves by building their chapel in one day, Joe Binney became their first Minister. His ministry was of short duration for cancer developed within him and he came home to die. In the 12 months he was with us at Strathalbyn there was never a murmur about having to suffer, only a patient endurance of it and a cheerful bearing of witness for Christ and a prayerful concern for the nations of the world which were In the throes of that turmoil which resulted in the outbreak of World War I. He even asked his Doctor Sir Joseph Verco, if he would help him attend the local chapel one Sunday night to sing once more for Christ.

      His wish was granted. The chapel was filled with people who came to hear Him. There were no dry eyes by the time he finished his singing witness, "Have you read the story of the Cross". A fortnight later he had joined the heavenly choir. Contrary to one of our publications which says his body was laid to rest in the cemetery at Strathalbyn, it was interred alongside those of other members of his family in the cemetery at Langhorne Creek. Young as I was, twelve years of age, his witness confirmed in me my faith in Christ and helped me to come to terms with death. I have not been afraid of it from that day to this.

      I began my work-a-day life in the Strathalbyn Post Office as a Telegraph Messenger.

      Among other duties I operated the switchboard at the Strathalbyn Telephone Exchange from 6.30 to 9.30 p.m. in the year 1919.

      Many a night when walking home along quiet country roads, lit only by the light which streamed from a myriad of stars I would gaze in wonder at the heavenly sight and sense the presence and power of the Creator.

      When boarding in Adelaide I sometimes felt homesick and would seek the company of my older brother who was an active member of the Church at Park St., Unley. In 1923 he fell a victim to pneumonia but his christian example, and the compassion shown to me by the Church, particularly by the members of the Choir and Christian Endeavour Society, made quite an impression on me. It led me to transfer my membership from Grote street to Park, Street,

      The influence of Park Street, Unley, over the next four years upon my life was very considerable. I came to see the Church universal as the Body of Christ as never before, as a community of Christians who exercised the greatest force for righteousness in the world. Even before taking up membership at Park Street I made it my business to listen to a debate between their Minister, Mr Robert Harkness and the President of the Rationalist Association, Mr. Scott Bennett. For four nights in the Wakefield Street Theatre these two men, before a great crowd of people, dealt with the pros and cons of two subjects: 1."Has Christianity been of benefit to the world" and 2. "Is the Jesus of the Gospels a myth?"

      It didn't occur to me that my faith could have been shaken or destroyed if Mr Harkness had been less spiritually equipped. I had no doubt about his intellectual ability. As it was I came away more firmly convinced than ever that God is and that he is the rewarder of all who diligently seek him, and that Jesus was not only a historic character but God manifest in the flesh. I still have a copy of the booklet in which those debates have been recorded. I presume a copy is in our archives. If not mine is available.

      The above experience was partly responsible for my resolve to attend the Kellems Richards Mission every night of its duration. This Mission was held in the Exhibition building for a month, Oct-Nov 1923. It attracted some 3000 every night in the week except Saturday and was both a teaching and evangelistic Mission and proved, for me, to be an edifying and uplifting experience. Some two hundred decisions for Christ were registered at that time. Most of the converts were baptized by J. E. Webb, the then minister at Park St., Unley, at the Exhibition during the Mission Meetings.

      As a member of the Unley Christian Endeavour Society I attended the National.. Convention held in Melbourne in 1926. At one, of the inspirational rallies, Mr George Saunders, returned Missionary from the Philippines, and currently ministering with our Lygon St Church, spoke on "The Will of God in Foreign Missions". So clearly and powerfully did he present the claims of the Mission Field that his audience of 2 to 3 thousand people listened enthralled. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit were keenly felt. At the conclusion of his message a 500 voice choir quietly arose and sang, "When I survey the wondrous cross". The last words, "Love so amazing so divine demands my life my soul, my life, my all", clinched the appeal of the speaker and dozens of young men and women moved forward to offer their lives and services. I felt the pull but I knew I was not ready for that.

      James E. Webb who ministered at Park Street, Unley from 1923 to 1927 gathered a few young men together, of whom I was one, to give them an insight into a few subjects taught at the College of the Bible. The day came when he suggested that I might give some thought to the equipping of myself more fully for service in the cause of Christ and his Church by going to Glen Iris, our College of the Bible.

      After all of these experiences I have enumerated I woke up to the fact that the Lord was calling me to the Ministry of the Word. It takes a lot to open the eyes of people as blind as I was. Even now I am persuaded it was as much to keep me one of his own as to use me in his service that the Lord (the Holy Spirit) was so patient with his prompting of me.

      To enter College at 25 years of age back in the 1920's was a little unusual. Most of the men were younger. Only two of the men who were in College in my day were married. That I might commence at once the Bible Course at Glen Iris I returned to school in South Australia to take the necessary secular subjects. Although not brilliant academically I secured the College Diploma at the end of 1930. The significance of Glen Iris to me was first the coming into contact with men of the calibre of the Lecturers; men of scholarship, spiritual empowerment and warmth of fellowship beyond anyone I had previously known. A. R. Main, the Principal, impressed me with his power to communicate; T. H. Scambler with his Christian personality; R. T. Pittman with his humility and J. S. Taylor with his sincerity, The lectures soon broadened my outlook on life and deepened my appreciation and understanding of the Scriptures and also of God and of Christ. Although not daunted by it I perceived that the task to which I had set my hand was far greater and more demanding then I had imagined. By the time I had finished the prescribed course I felt like many another must have felt, that it was all too short to face up adequately to the responsibility of edifying saints and winning alien sinners to Christ,

      After leaving College I had no opportunity of further training except in the school of experience and in the reading of books. Lack of sufficient finance would have prevented me from "in service training" had any such thing been available and the isolated area where I first ministered prevented my access to books that would have been most helpful to me. I relied on old commentaries and books by Alexander Whyte, Campbell Morgan, Harrington Lees, Henry Drummond and others that had been given to me. The nearest approach to any further training

came with the Magarey Lectureships that were introduced to the South Australian preachers in the late 1940's or early 1950's.

      Over the years I have become increasingly ecumenically minded. The exclusiveness of the brethren with whom I first worshipped at Strathalbyn gave me the impression that unless people were immersed there was no hope of salvation for them. I formed the notion that only by a return to the teaching of the Scriptures as understood by Churches of Christ could Christian Union be brought about. In my thinking I practically un-Christianized all who did not go along with us. In saying this I am not charging my teachers with the same narrowness of vision.

      My association with the Church at Park St., Unley helped to correct these erroneous ideas and my College training practically removed them. Even so, in the course of my ministry I was long surprised to find how hard it was for me to slay my prejudices. Eventually however I have overcome them and now welcome every honest attempt by whomsoever to achieve unity in the Body of Christ.

      My gifts are few. I have ability to memorise my messages. In a book on the subject of preaching written by a Dr Black of Edinburgh Scotland, which we studied in College there is a chapter on "The Holding Power of the Eye". I have found that to be no slave to notes or to a manuscript enables one to use that power to good effect. People will listen even if the sermon or address is "not so brilliant." I have not been greatly concerned about inability to preach a profound and powerful sermon so long as my conscience could tell me I had done my best, for I have the comforting belief that the Holy Spirit uses the message to speak to the minds and hearts of the listeners.

      My ministries have been more of a pastoral nature. More and more I have taken a delight in visiting people in their own homes. Getting to know them in that way has been more effective in keeping members happy in the Church and winning souls for Christ, especially teen-agers, than any of my sermons even though I loved preaching. I was never part of a team ministry but I would like to have shared in one with an understanding Pastor when I started out.

      Coming out of College at the beginning of the economic depression wondered if any Church would be prepared to extend a call to me. My Christian character might be blameless but my achievements were mediocre, and my personality not at all aided by my diminutive stature, could hardly be regarded as powerful or magnetic. Standing on the threshold of a new career these were the deficiencies I noticed.

      Unbeknown to me the Minister of the Church at Berri, South Australia, Mr A. B. Talbot by name, had been watching my progress through college. He had met me at a "Preacher's Retreat" just before I went to College. As a result of his prayers and planning in co-operation with the Church Board I found myself as a married man in my first Ministry at Berri in 1931. I was married to Miss Gladys Cutts by H. R. Taylor in the church at Park St., Unley, perhaps a little earlier than I might have been but for the special request of the Church at Berri for a married man to be their Minister. That meant borrowing £200 with which to buy furniture etc. I had used up all my financial resources paying my way through College.

      We spent a happy seven year Ministry in the Riverland town despite the economic depression. The salary was £3/10/- per week and Manse free, quite munificent for those days. While there we were able to pay back the money we had borrowed to make the Manse as comfortable as possible. The outstanding events in that ministry were a few Missions. The first was conducted by K. A. Macnaughtan with whom I had roomed some time at College. He was ministering at Mildura. In the midst of the Mission he debated with a Seventh Day Adventist Pastor. Seven hundred people filled the local theatre to listen to that debate. Afterwards everybody settled down in their

Churches to worship just as they had done before. Not since have I had any confidence in debates to promote the interests of God's Kingdom.

      We celebrated the Silver Jubilee of the Berri Church while there and marked the occasion by holding another Mission. This time the Missioner was G. T. Fitzgerald. Charles Hunt of Western Australia, paying a visit to his relatives in Berri; a preacher who had ministered at Berri 21 years before, offered to conduct another Mission and his offer was gratefully accepted. All three Missions were fruitful in adding a number of members to the Church, mostly young people of teen age,

      In those days of slow transport, rough roads and financial hardship we were an isolated people. Our nearest sister Church was Mildura,100 miles away. Occasionally we were visited by preachers from the city to encourage us and give us come words of advice. Among these sons of consolation were Will Ewers and Hugh Gray. I cannot speak too highly of the loyalty and courage of both officers and members of the Church at Berri, The unemployment problem which today is giving so many people a heart-ache and the Governments a head-ache was worse for families then than now for no unemployment benefits were available. There were at least 500 people camped in humpies along the river bank at Berri. To exist they had to collect coupons once a fortnight at the Police Station. These coupons were presented to a grocer in exchange for food--a most degrading and demoralising situation.

      My College training and what other experience I had had was totally inadequate to meet the needs of these people. Their misery came to an end only through the outbreak of World War II which brought with it a worse misery of a different kind. That was a maturing experience for me.

      I couldn't understand how Governments who could only find a pittance to help people keep alive could suddenly find millions of dollars to pour into the military machine to kill them.

      A call to Minister with the Church at Balaklava, South Australia, one of our big country Churches boosted my ego far more than it should have done. Ere long I found myself at variance with some members of the Church Board, chiefly over the obligation of the Church to meet the need of people who were struggling to make ends meet. Our South Australian Conference of Churches had just elevated their Social Service Committee to the status of a Department and were asking the Churches if they would be good enough to take up an annual Social Service Offering. After four years in this field I resigned, believing I had not the confidence and support of the Board, and I accepted an invitation from the Home Mission Committee to care for the two small churches at Gawler and Williamstown.

      The former is an industrial centre, the latter a fruit growing district. They had few interests in common. That circumstance alone was a deterrent to a really effective ministry. Other matters arose which made it quite ineffective. The years we were there, from 1942 to 1946 were mostly war years and wages had risen steeply.

      Even a labourer could command as much as £10 per week. My salary commenced with £4/10/- per week and did not exceed £5/5/- per week out of which we paid 30/- per week rent. Two of our children were High School students. To make matters worse I had to undergo surgery which put me out of action for 3 months. To cap it all the last few months of my ministry the Church Secretary and I were on exceedingly bad terms, I came to the conclusion that I had made a mistake; the Ministry was not for me; I determined to resign.

      Upon my arrival at Gawler I learned that the Church had failed to find a house that we could rent and use as a Manse. I had to find one myself. We found living quarters in most pastorates were poor and Gawler was the worst. They improved at Croydon and Kensington Park. At no time during the first 18 years of ministry was my salary sufficient to meet more than our weekly needs. Books and other equipment invaluable to a Minister were out of the question. At Berri my wife

worked at fruit-harvest time for a few years. One year at Croydon in the early part of my ministry I worked for some months in a clothing emporium one and a half days a week. Had the opportunity presented itself at Gawler we would have done a similar thing to supplement my salary. Had it not been for my wife's frugality and resourcefulness in outfitting, our children with clothes and shoes and a few wedding fees we would not have been able to continue for years as we did at Gawler.

      Looking back now I view what happened at Balaklava and Gawler as experiences which the Lord used as a disciplinary measure to remind me that it was his work in which I was engaged, not mine, and that my sufficiency to undertake it depended on him, not me. When I was at my lowest spiritual ebb a call came to me from out of the blue to minister with the Church at Croydon, South Australia. So wisely and graciously did the Elders approach me and meet my need that I was constrained to accept their invitation to serve a term of 3 years at Croydon.

      Having learned one or two lessons I humbly and with thanksgiving to God settled into the new work. Such a relationship with every age group was established in that first 3 year term that a close-knit bond was tied which held us together happily and fruitfully for the next 18 years. In the course of time I had the joy of seeing the Church grow toward the 200 mark. A very healthy Sunday School had been built up by a dedicated band of teachers. It was a grand sight to look upon nearly 300 scholars with their teachers filling the Anniversary platform year after year. Most of our 213 decisions for Christ in our 21 year ministry came from the teen-agers in this school.

      Because of the rather impressive array of them I feel I should name those who hold, or have held, influential positions in our Brotherhood and Churches. Barrie Greer has served a term as State President, also Federal President and is at present on our State Board in South Aust. Bruce Marriott who trained at Glen Iris and had a Ministry in Toronto, Canada, and in U.S.A. as well as in this State of South Australia and is now Outdoor Recreation Officer of the State Department of Recreation and Sport and Elder of the Church at Croydon, and will become our State President this year.

      Peter Galliford is another who trained at Glen Iris. One of the young ladies who is now Mrs M. Battersby became President of the Women's Conference in 1979 and is now on our State Board. Brent Atherton is another young man on that Board. He is a High School teacher. Laurie Higgins has been Treasurer of what was the Executive, and is now the State Board, for a number of years. He is also Treasurer of our Rest Homes Board. Tom Edge and his wife Ruth (nee Pickup) are in charge of our Welfare Centre at Grote Street. Three of our young ladies, Sandra Neuling, Petrea Hoskin, (now Mrs P. Johnson) and Heather Burford (now Mrs B. Atherton), in turn became Secretary to the Director of the Youth Department. My son, Jim successfully negotiated for the building of our Christian Rest Home at Everard Park and since has built our Churches at Croydon, Brighton and Colonel Light Gardens. Our daughter, Mrs Marlene Messent, is the Secretary of our Church at Marion and Tom Bartlett, not a relation of ours, is the Secretary of the Church at Croydon. Several others are Deacons or Deaconesses in one or other of our Churches.

      Having noted the number of decisions for Christ that were made at Croydon during our ministry there it may be of interest to note that I officiated at 208 weddings. At some of these, where the young couple were dedicated Christians, the presence of the Lord could be felt and we were confident that their marriages would endure through all the years and they have.

      Funerals are by no means the saddest of occasions in a ministry. Many of them can be regarded as triumphs, not tragedies. Because of lives well-lived for the Lord the notes of thanksgiving and victory have been sounded. I conducted the funeral services of 334 Croydon citizens, many of them, as one would expect, were not members of the Church of Christ.

      In 1964 the Church at Croydon opened their new sanctuary for worship. Thanks to many members who were tradesmen and freely gave their services the cost of the building was brought within reach of what the Church could afford. Situated in a central position in the suburb it required that this edifice be erected and the old building converted into a useful hall. Unfortunately these facilities came too late to be of service to the K.S.P. and P.B.P. Clubs that had functioned so splendidly for 25 and 30 years respectively. However they are being used to good effect by the local Church and for Brotherhood functions.

      Although I reached retiring age before leaving Croydon I was still in good health and able to work for the next 6 years with the Church at Kensington Park in a ministry which was very pleasant even if, from the point of view of adding numbers to the Church roll it was not very fruitful. While there the Church generously allowed me to serve the South Australian Brotherhood as President of Conference from September 1971 to April 1978.

      Twice before I had been invited to fill that position but had refused on the ground that the Presidential Office was not for me. When the third invitation came I thought maybe I was shirking a responsibility I should assume. It was an interesting experience which helped me to know "our people" better and appreciate more the richness of the contribution they are making to the welfare of this State. However, with all due respect for those brethren who thought otherwise, I am now convinced that the leadership of our Brotherhood was not a role to which I was particularly suited. Prior to my occupancy of the Presidential chair I did serve for several years on the Social Service Department and Aborigines Committee, and in 1956 preached the Conference Sermon.

      Since retiring to the Christian Rest Home I have been able to help a little here and there. A few months Pastoral visiting at Clovelly Park until the Church there merged with the Church at Ascot Park to become the Church at Marion and a similar exercise at Fullarton, plus a little Chaplaincy oversight at our Glen Osmond Rest Home, then known as St Georges, kept me happily engaged.

      A later 2-year Interim ministry at the Dulwich-Rose Park Parish was an enriching time for me. I believe our brethren there are engaged in a venture with the Uniting Church which could pave the way to a God-honouring union by bringing a little nearer in their parish the goal for which our pioneers worked so hard. We dare not neglect to be evangelistic but I think it possible that, in my generation, we forgot that the Church from the day of Pentecost till now has been proclaiming the Gospel--more effectively in some places and at certain times than at others admittedly. Our specific task, should have been the bringing together in unity all the people of God. This we should have done and not left the other undone.

      It was a delight to work, with John Chivell and Colvil Smith at Unley for the five years 1978-1982 until the Church there decided that the wise thing to do was to close down and put their considerable resources to use elsewhere. My wife and I have now transferred our membership back to Croydon where two older children are members. Our daughter is the leader of the C.W.F and our son is an Elder and Choir Leader, our daughter-in-law is a member of the choir and our son-in-law is a Deacon. We pay frequent visits to Marion where our younger daughter is Secretary and her husband is an Elder. It is most gratifying to know that all six are so actively engaged in the work of the Lord. We have eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

      Opportunities to serve on the Primary and High School Committees at Balaklava, Gawler and Croydon presented themselves to me and I felt it incumbent upon me to grasp those opportunities. Both townspeople and urbanites considered that my involvement showed that Churches of Christ were interested in the welfare of their communities. To the extent of the Minister's and the Church's ability I believe they should share in municipal affairs and responsibilities and thus set an example of good Christian citizenship.

      No notable contribution to the life of the Church has been made by me, but I like to feel that my love for Christ and the Church have been evident in my preaching and practice. To me that would be my most important contribution. The only change that has taken place in me after all the years, as far as I know, is the one which must of necessity take place through keeping company with the Lord and his people. As a result of that my concept of God has deepened, there has been growth in grace and the knowledge of my Lord and Saviour. My love and understanding of people has, in consequence developed, causing me to act more helpfully toward them than otherwise I would have done. My prayers for the reconciliation of people and nations who are at variance with each other because of racial, religious, cultural and economic differences are more meaningful.

      Gratefully acknowledging that my ministries have been of worth only because of my relationship to Christ, I now pray that the Holy Spirit may use the eventide of my life to bless the lives of the folk with whom I have to do that they who are not Christ's may be brought into touching distance of Him and that the others will be brought into a more intimate relationship with Him and love one another.

      (An embolism 4 years ago, followed by another at the end of last year, damaged my lungs and in consequence of this, I have not been free from the bronchial attack which has been assailing me all this year, 1983, in spite of antibiotics and regular taking of medication. On the threshold of my 81st birthday, I can hope for, but not expect, a restoration of my former good health. I thank God for having kept me so well over the years and am now ready for whatever for me may be His will.)

      One of S.A.'s best known and most loved ministers Wally Bartlett, together with his brother Steve, was born at Strathalbyn on 5th July, 1902. He was baptised in the Strathalbyn Church of Christ in 1913.

      At the age of 15 years Wally commenced work at the Strathalbyn Post Office and two years later was transferred to the City, where he worked in different suburbs before he was once more transferred to the G.P.O. From there he moved to the Weather Bureau.

      It was at this time Walter felt the call to become a minister of the Gospel. In order to qualify for entry to the Bible College he had to complete further studies which he did on a part-time basis during the two years he was with the Weather Bureau.

      During this period he was involved with the Churches at Glenelg, St. Morris, Grote Street and Unley. While attending the Unley Church he met Gladys Cutts. They were married by H.R. Taylor on 7th March, 1931 in the Park Street Chapel, before they moved to Berri for their first ministry.

      This was followed by ministries at Balaklava, Gawler-Williamstown Circuit, Croydon and Kensington Park.

      From 1971 Wally Bartlett served for 18 months as Conference President of our S.A. Churches.

      At the end of 1973 a celebration was held to mark the retirement of Mr. & Mrs. Bartlett but after a very short break they were in an interim ministry at Dulwich-Rose Park.

      Gladys and Walter have three children Leita, Jim and Marlene, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

      During his years in ministry Wally Bartlett showed the love of Christ through his preaching, leading and pastoral work, and led scores of people to know and love the Lord to whom he gave his life so many years ago.

      Those who know him well speak of him as a kind and gracious gentleman--a man who, through his example, has been an inspiration to so many.

      Boy, O Boy, could we fill a page about this gentleman. Best put it in note form then.

      How long at Croydon Church?

      For 21 years, from 1947 to 1967 inclusive as our Minister, and again, since being welcomed in as a member in February, 1983.

      What other Churches?

      Strathalbyn for 8 years, Glenelg and Grote St., each one year.

      Unley 4 years and thence to the College of the Bible.

      At Berri for 7 years in his first ministry, Balaklava 4 years, Gawler 5 years, Kensington 6 and Dulwich 2 interim ministry, and 7 years in retirement at Unley and now with us.

      Sounds like a Methuselah doesn't its only the but addition of the years would make you think so.

      Hobbies and interests? Reading, indoor bowls and Scrabble.

      Occupation? "Retired", but still preaching once a month at Everard Park Christian Rest Home,

      Anything extraordinary?

      On numerous occasions in younger years rode a push-bike from Adelaide to Strathalbyn and back on a very pot-holey road (we think there's a girl in this somewhere). Had his cycle lamp stolen and got fined for riding without one.

      Officiated at 2 double weddings when one of the brides at one and one of the groomsmen fainted at the other and of course there's a lot more to be said but he's among us now and he's good to talk to, so go and have a chat if you want more detail.

      Later, she found herself in Darwin and spent 7 years there.

      Solo--"The Prayer perfect---Miss B. Billett
      Brotherhood Greeting--Dr. A. J. T. Thomas President, S.A. Churches of Christ Conference
      Women's Representative--Mrs. L. Braddock
      Church Representative--Mr. G. Smith
      Benediction--Dr. A. J. T. Thomas
      Organist--Mrs. O. McKay
      Violin Solo--Mr. L. Jarman

      Thanksgiving Service
      Sunday December 2nd, 11 a.m.

      Mr. W. N. Bartlett made his decision for Christ at Strathalbyn in 1913.

      Transferred to the city in 1921 he attended the Churches at Glenelg, St. Morris and Grote Street for brief periods and then spent four years at the Church, Park Street, Unley, before entering the College of the Bible, Glen Iris, Vic. in 1928. Mr. Bartlett also served as president of the S.A. Conference of our churches, from September 1971 to April 1973.

      After graduation Mr. Bartlett married Miss Gladys Cutts of Unley and they began a seven-year Ministry at Berri on the River Murray in 1931, This was followed by ministries at Balaklava 1938-41, Gawler-Williamstown circuit 1942-46, Croydon 1947-67 and Kensington Park 1968-73.

      It would be impossible to assess the value of the life of our brother and his wife and the influence they have exercised for Jesus Christ. This can only be revealed by the hundreds who have been won to Christ, the lives that have been changed and the countless people who have been comforted in time of sorrow, given courage when they have been in despair and advised when they have been perplexed. The example of Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett as they have faithfully served the Lord they love has indeed been an inspiration to all who have come to know them.

      Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett will spend their retirement at:--
      No. 3 Cottage, Christian Rest Home, 34 Norman Terrace, EVERARD PARK, 5035