The Christadelphian, December 1959

“Report from the Burwood Ecclesia”

We have received with pleasure a report from the Burwood ecclesia from which the following extracts are taken. Since this report was received in mid-October we have had a letter also from bro. F. King, of Largs North, with whom we had two interviews when in Australia. Bro. King has followed independently a similar course in many particulars to the Burwood brethren and come to the same conclusion. He expresses appreciation of the help of the Unity Committee brethren in Sydney, and reports that the members of Largs Bay ecclesia are now meeting with Woodville ecclesia. The following is from the Burwood brethren’s report:

Burwood Christadelphian Ecclesia

Masonic Hall, Belmore Street, Burwood

Correspondence to:

5, Perkins Street,

West Ryde, N.S.W.

August, 1959.

Report to Ecclesias on Reunion in Australia

Dear Brethren,

Greetings in the Master’s Name.

Many earnest brethren throughout the world have been puzzled over ecclesial conditions in Australia. Without any doubt, many extreme and sometimes erroneous statements have been made over the years, but it is equally true that a considerable amount of ignorance has been displayed concerning the beliefs of brethren in both fellowships.

It was therefore somewhat of a surprise to hear from bro. John Carter, Editor of The Christadelphian, during his visit to Australia in 1958, that the Shield ecclesias generally were more in harmony with the English ecclesias than appeared to be the case with the Concord West group in Australia. This was accounted for by the use of certain extreme expressions which were not fully understood. Moreover, mention was made that certain brethren in the Shield ecclesias did not believe the errors attributed to them by the Concord West group and we were advised to contact these brethren personally.

Bro. Carter published a report of his visit and findings in The Christadelphian under the heading “The Truth in Australia”, and brethren are urged to read these reports to save a lot of repetition in this report. Particular attention is drawn to the following pages in The Christadelphian for 1958, July, pages 324–6, August, pages 372–6, Nov., pages 515–8, Dec., page 543, and 1956, June, pages 209–12, Aug., pages 291–3.

Many brethren and sisters did not realize that such divergencies were unintentionally being supported by the Concord West group of ecclesias and it appears that a somewhat similar position had arisen in Australia to that which existed in America in 1947 when it was found that certain Berean brethren had, without realizing it, leaned to Andrewism in opposing Central brethren on certain points.

A number of brethren and sisters of the Concord West ecclesia, being concerned that many of its members were using the extreme interpretations mentioned above, presented a Statement to the ecclesia with a view to remedying the position. Furthermore, it was felt that whilst such a state of doctrinal imperfection prevailed, no true and sincere investigation of the affairs of Reunion could be undertaken. Having failed to move the ecclesia to adopt a more reasonable attitude, some 28 brethren and sisters (including three arranging brethren), separated themselves and formed the Burwood ecclesia, which has, for the past five months, been conducting a full and frank investigation into all the activities and doctrines of the Reunion ecclesias. Subsequently we were joined by other brethren and sisters and a number from the Strathfield ecclesia (including four of their arranging brethren).

Close contact has since been maintained with the N.S.W. Christadelphian Unity Committee, who, to facilitate our investigations suggested that we appoint two brethren to attend all the meetings of the Committee as observers. This offer was accepted and so we have been able to observe at first hand how the Unity Committee have been dealing with the various matters raised by reunion.

At the commencement of our investigations, a list of charges made from time to time, regarding alleged error and loose conduct in the Shield ecclesias, was compiled, and these have been investigated over a period of months. Many of these charges have been circulated overseas and have been published on several occasions in the Old Paths magazine and we have been appalled at the lack of care in ascertaining the truth or otherwise of many of these charges before circulating them abroad.

The greatest impediment to a correct understanding of the position of the Shield ecclesias generally, and certain of their brethren in particular, has been a misunderstanding and misuse of certain terms and bro. Carter quite clearly lists these difficulties in The Christadelphians referred to above.

[The report goes on to give the results of investigations under the sub-headings:

(1) Basis for Reunion; (2) Fellowship; (3) Hundred per cent acceptance of the B.A.S.F.; (4) Evidence quoted in the “Open Letter on Reunion” issued by the Concord West Group of Ecclesias in March, 1956; and (5) General Conduct. Section 2 mentions that bro. A. R. D. Moye and the Broken Hill ecclesia have been withdrawn from. Section 4 includes an account of interviews with brethren H. W. Wright and J. B. Watson to ascertain their views, the results in both cases being regarded as satisfactory. Finally, the report states:—]

Conclusion

Whatever causes for division may have existed during the past fifty years, we recognize that a new generation exists and it is with the present that we must concern ourselves.

Without doubt the faults of the past have not been confined to the one group of ecclesias. There have been extremes in both fellowships and unfortunately these extremists have clouded the situation for brethren and sisters in general. A great deal of misunderstanding has existed between brethren and sisters of both the Shield and Concord West groups in Australia, but as a result of bro. Carter’s visit, his subsequent reports and our investigations, these misunderstandings have been clarified.

We have been wholeheartedly assisted in every way by the N.S.W. Unity Committee, who have without any reserve supplied us with all information sought by us, investigated certain matters brought to their notice and readily made available to us their files.

As a result of prolonged and continuous investigations we are aware that certain problems are being faced. We are satisfied that the former Shield ecclesias and their delegates to the Unity Committee are brethren of honesty and integrity and we are convinced that they will faithfully deal with all problems coming before them.

We wholeheartedly endorse the words of the Committee contained in a recent communication which reads:

“Whatever may have existed in past years, there is now no reason fundamentally to cause division to be sustained and the brethren would, in our considered view, be well advised not to sustain division. We have persevered very strenuously and our work has meant bringing into line in respect to doctrine and fellowship practice some who were uncertain and confused as to the beliefs we hold, and unfortunately the rejection of some who have openly taught the opposite to our doctrine.”

We also are satisfied that there is now no reason to sustain division and the Burwood ecclesia has decided unanimously to join in fellowship with the former Shield (now Central) ecclesias, on and from Sunday, Sept. 6, 1959.

We desire to impress upon the brotherhood that we neither condone past weaknesses and laxity nor the extremism from whatever source arising.

Whilst realizing the need to maintain purity of doctrine, we would emphasize the moral responsibility of brethren to cease from indulging in unwarrantable enmity, strifes of words and dissensions, to intemperate and false accusations on little or no investigation, all of which things are works of the flesh that will exclude from the Kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19–21, R.S.V., 1 Tim. 6:3–5, R.S.V.). Also, to sustain unnecessary division is as reprehensible as condoning error.

Rather would we exhort brethren to approach all difficulties in the Spirit of Christ which is a spirit of humility, and to excel in those lovely fruits of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23, R.S.V., Eph. 4, 1 Cor. 13).

We are attaching a copy of the Basis for Reunion referred to in this report, and communications and enquiries in the interest of unity are invited from brethren and sisters who desire further information.

For and on behalf of the Burwood Christadelphian ecclesia,

John A. Kingston,

Recording Brother.

Arranging Brethren

Brethren F. Madeley

W. Pearson

H. Burns

J. Dawson

A. Grierson