The city of Grafton, New South Wales, with a population of 17,000 lies about 410 miles north of Sydney and 230 miles by road from Brisbane. It is situated 30 miles inland on the Clarence River. The district is known as Big River Country. That gives some idea of this river’s magnitude. The fertile river flats soon give way to what Australians call bush country, which consists of vast areas of Eucalypt forest or semi forest. As a result the community is fairly isolated.
As a congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, we too are small and isolated. Auckland, New Zealand, is some 1600 miles away where we have our nearest Free Presbyterian congregation. This sense of isolation is accentuated because of our fewness. Nevertheless, we can say the promise is precious which says, “there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” As Paul was comforted by the coming of Titus so we are encouraged by the visits of our New Zealand ministers at communion seasons. Other New Zealand friends are also mindful of us.
Reference is often made to the dead heart of Australia, the barren desert which occupies so much of the continent. This typifies the spiritual condition of the nation. Dead materialism grips fast hold of the people. However, there are some semi-desert areas which are relieved by artesian bores which bring much-needed water from the bowels of the earth. So the Lord has the oasis of His Church. As a congregation we can thank the Most High that for many years the water of life has been set forth amongst us.
It has sometimes been said that Australians work hard and play hard. Whatever else is true they play hard. In a most affluent society where the people are better off financially than most, there is much time and money for pleasure. So the Scripture is certainly fulfilled which says that men are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Consequently, because the Laodicean spirit is so strong, there is a real hindrance to the spread of the Gospel. Thankful we are that Christ has amongst us those who have learned to value the pleasures at His right hand and to count the pleasures which are but for a season, as dross and dung.
Another feature of Australia is the vast distances people travel using all forms of transport. As our only minister in the continent, my work in the ministry carries me to the distant cities of Brisbane and Sydney. Regular visits are made to both centres. Once a month since my arrival I have supplied our people in Sydney. Services are held on a week night. We have been meeting in the heart of the city up till January, but now we have moved to Parramatta, a locality more central to most of those who attend. Our numbers are usually in the region of twenty. So far we have no organised Sabbath services. In a well spread out city of three million people, this is not so easy to accomplish.
While speaking about distance, we had one family of nine which travelled by car and caravan from Albany, Western Australia, 3,200 miles to be with us, as a congregation, for six weeks during the summer school holidays. One could not help being reminded of the Queen of Sheba who came from the uttermost parts to hear the wisdom of Solomon. But we are also to consider that where Christ’s Gospel and His Church are, a greater than Solomon is present. Are we not also reminded of the distance that the Saviour travelled, even to the Cross, to accomplish redemption for His people and bring them near to God. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Although we are far from our brethren, nevertheless we appeal to you as Paul did to those he wrote, saying, “Brethren pray for us.”
Truth must be spoken however it be taken.
John Trapp