Auckland,
New Zealand.
10th August 1979.
Dear Mr Macleod,
I know you are interested in our movements since leaving Scotland. On the whole we had a comfortable flight: from Prestwick to Vancouver; from Vancouver to Sydney and thence to Auckland. During this vast journey we had a break of ten days in Vancouver and spent one night in Sydney in the hospitable home of Mr and Mrs A. Shaw.
The friends in Vancouver were wonderful and we thank every one who made our visit there so pleasant. We cannot mention all by name but Mr D. Robertson is due special mention for his dedication to our cause in Vancouver. I preached twice in Vancouver and paid some visits. Among these were visits to the sick, accompanied by the minister, Rev. D. Beattie, whose ministry is appreciated and we believe blessed to some. Our prayer is that both minister and congregation will continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of God our Saviour.
The Vancouver elders have, like Timothy, known the Scriptures from their youth. This and their upbringing in the Free Presbyterian Church would explain their appreciation of our heritage as a church. One should remember that two of these elders are the sons of men who rendered excellent service to the church. Alexander MacAskill and Archie Robertson were prominent in their own day and this is reflected in their sons, Allan MacAskill and D. Robertson. The other office-bearers, among whom is Farquhar Matheson, one whose loyalty as an elder is due special recognition, are all trustworthy as members of the church. We pray that the Lord may enable them to uphold the standard set by the fathers, Dr MacDonald and Hugh MacKay, whose loyalty fills us with a sense of genuine admiration.
One feature of the friendliness of our Canadian friends was the large representative body of well-wishers, who met us at the airport. I am unable to give figures but it was a very considerable number. Seen off on 19th July by fewer friends, because it was early in the day, we left Canada en route for Sydney, Australia, where we were met at the airport by Mr and Mrs A. Shaw and Miss Shaw. After our night’s rest in our hospitable hosts’ home, we joined the plane for Auckland and after a comparatively short flight over the Tasman Sea, we arrived at Auckland Airport and thence to the manse at 10 Brouder Place, where we have been comfortably placed since. This was on Saturday, 21st July, but notwithstanding the fact that we had flown for 8,000 miles or more, we were remarkably fresh and I was able to conduct both services on the Sabbath.
Our stay in Auckland is very pleasant. The church people show deep appreciation of the church’s interest in them by sending a deputy and we benefit by this. Kindness is heaped on us. The services are well attended and keen interest is shown in the preached word.
Auckland congregation has three elders, Donald Beaton, Edward Christensen and Kenneth van Kralingen. In these gracious men, the church has trustworthy representatives and the congregation has devoted fathers. The congregation is loyal to the testimony raised in Scotland in 1893 and this applies, not only to the members who inherited the testimony, but also to those who acquired this precious heritage. In addition to the three elders there are five male members and several female members. The spiritual life of the congregation is reflected in its uncompromising adherence to the fundamentals in doctrine and practice: also in its desire to have a minister loyal to the pattern generally observed throughout the church. Here the services are conducted strictly in accordance with the form of worship at home. We earnestly hope that a minister will be settled here soon. Pray for this. Financially the congregation has achieved, in the form of property and funds, what can only be described as spectacular. We cannot be too thankful to the Lord for the evidence of His goodness to the Free Presbyterian Church overseas.
We leave for Gisborne and Wellington next week (D.V.)
With Warmest Regards,
Yours sincerely,
D. Campbell.