May 2011

So God created the great creatures of the sea Doesand theevery rain living have aand father? moving thing with which the water teams, Who fathers the dropsGreat ofaccording aredew? the works to their of the kind, LORD; Joband they38:28 every are pondered winged bybird all according who delight to in its them kind.”

GenesisPsalm 111:2 1:21 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011

CONTENTS Editorial

Have you noticed how life has a full circle? From being born into this world as Editorial 2 weak and helpless babies, dependent on the nurture of others, we often end

our lives the same way, frail and needing the care of others. It is quite a Not ashamed of the gospel 3 shock to realise that those who brought you up have now becoming those Considering Romans 1:14-17 depending on you. And then, very soon, the preceding generation has passed away and you are the next generation. It is the natural way of life Life under the Banner here below. But doesn’t it overwhelm you sometimes? Who of us are truly up The Quieted Soul (I) 5 to being the ‘elders’ in our families – whether physical or spiritual families? Dear friend, the baton is being passed on to us. Are you ready for it? Have The Past for Today you begun your run so that when you receive it you will be doing the very Presbyterian Beginnings 7 best you can? Is your hand in the right position to receive it? You don’t want to drop it! The World in the Banner 9 And yet the marvellous thing through all this is how much God gives us what News & Views we need to be able to properly lead. As we look to Him, through His Word, His Spirit guides us in His way. This is the blessing many of our covenantal Children in the Banner 12 families can testify to. In a way, Synod is a part of this process. We will see this particularly so at Youth & Search Work 13 this Synod with the addition of three newly inducted ministers amongst us. Not that all of them are so young – that reminds me I’ve got older! – but they Mission in the Banner 14 are telling us of the passing of the baton. Two reports from India May the Lord bless their service to Him in their local churches and through our denomination. But may He also raise up more men, and especially young men who come from our own church families. ISSN 0729-3542

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of then. They will not be put to shame Editor: when they content with their enemies Rev. Sjirk Bajema in the gate. 44 Prospect Hill Road, Narre Warren, VIC Psalm 127:3-5 AUSTRALIA 3805 Ph. (03) 9705 1505 Email: [email protected]

Subscriptions for 2011 The Presbyterian Banner is the official magazine of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia. 11 Issues per year (Note new prices) The PCEA was established in 1846 and adheres to the Westminster Confession of Faith (1647) as its Within Australia: $35 [Bulk $30] doctrinal standard. Literary contributions are welcome. Submission by email is preferred. Overseas : AU $50 Airmail. The opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the authors - not necessarily of the editor or the PCEA and may not be reproduced without permission. Articles written by the Editor may be repro- Direct Credit : duced without asking for permission, although with appropriate acknowledgement. This magazine is available as a pdf file on the Church Website: www.pcea.org.au Bendigo (BSB) 633000 A/C No. 140124082 2 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011 ‘I am Not Ashamed of the Gospel’ Considering Romans 1: 14-17 George Ball

The apostle Paul reminds me here of my words… the Son of Man will be Whereas the Gospel has the power a little terrier straining at the leash: ashamed of him when he comes in to transform and change lives. It bursting with eagerness and interest, His Father’s glory.’ Paul alludes to it changed Paul; the Gospel gripped life and curiosity. Paul says in verse in 2 Tim: 1 v. 8, ‘Do not be ashamed him, humbled him, and radically 13 that he had planned to come to to testify about our Lord, or ashamed changed his life on the Damascus Rome — but had been hindered. And of me His prisoner. That, however, road. It changed the way he viewed in verse 15 he says, ‘I am eager was not Paul’s problem. I hope it’s not himself, from one who was (bursting) to preach the Gospel at a problem for you either. ‘blameless’ to the ‘chief of sinners’. Rome.’ He’s straining at the leash. What made Paul unashamed of the He saw it change the lives of others Paul also reminds me of David and Gospel? Why did it fill him with won- too. Have we not experienced it in Goliath! Rome was like the giant Goli- der, admiration and confidence? Is it our own lives? Has God not recon- ath. Rome was the capital of the because he had special courage and ciled us to himself through Christ, world. The seat of government; the resources that nobody else had? Not forgiven our sins, made us children, symbol of imperial pride and power. It at all! He was proud of the Gospel put his Spirit in us, changed us? was an imposing and impressive because:— As the world sees it, the Gospel place. It was also, as you can imag- doesn’t look much like power at all. ine, a place of idolatry and immorality. The Gospel is the Power of God It looks like weakness – spoken by A place of high culture but also of so- The Gospel is words – it’s a mes- ordinary and fallible people, and phisticated sinning. An intimidating sage. It’s an account of what God has believed by wimps. The Gospel place to visit for any preacher! Rome done for us in Christ – but it’s more uses words which are invisible was not the tourist attraction that it is than that. It’s power. (The Greek word things. This Gospel instead of telling for us today. The modern equivalent is ‘dunamis’: from which we get words people to stand up on their own two of Rome might be Mecca! Imagine like: dynamite, dynamic, dynamo, feet is asking them to become in- going to Mecca as a missionary! dynamic, etc). The gospel is not of- stead like children and depend on Paul was like little David. According fering some new concept or philoso- Jesus. Yet this Gospel is the power to tradition he was a little man, unim- phy; nor is it presenting merely a of God to all who believe. There is pressive in appearance. Yet this little good idea, or simply offering good no need to be ashamed of it. man could say, ‘I am eager to come; I advice. If that’s all the gospel is – we want so much to come; I can’t wait to would have every reason to be The Gospel is about Salvation come to you; I’m rarin’ to go!’ Like ashamed of it. Good advice won’t The Gospel is power with a pur- David, he could have said, ‘I come save us, even if it is well meaning and pose. There is such a thing as against you, not with sword or spear well intended. power without purpose. I have a or javelin – for the Lord doesn’t save The Gospel is the operation of a friend who has a museum of more with these, but I come in the name of power — the power of God. ‘To than 300 old engines of various the LORD Almighty.’… The only preach it therefore is to let loose an types which he has rebuilt. Visitors weapon that Paul had in his backpack immeasurable power among those can visit the museum to see and was the Gospel – yet he wasn’t afraid! who hear it.’ hear the engines running. It’s a very Indeed, he relished the challenge. We have a fascination with power. As impressive sight and sound. It’s mu- He says, ‘I am not ashamed of the a little boy it was the attraction of trac- sic in the ears of the collector. But Gospel.’ (v.16). This is likely a nega- tors, excavators, aeroplanes, boxers what do these engines do? Nothing! tive way of stating the positive – an and wrestlers! As a man it is the fas- They don’t empower anything. example of litotes. (So James Philip cination of governments and rulers There is also power which is pur- and Moffatt). It’s a deliberate under- and business executives. Remember poseful – I’m glad of it every time I statement for effect. E.g. you ask me Rome too had a fascination with switch the kettle on or press the how I am. I answer, ‘Not bad,’ which power – it had reason to be proud of light switch. And there is power really means, ‘I’m good!’ Or, if some- its power structures; it had the military which is positively destructive. We one says, ‘Not happy, Jan!’ it really hardware to subdue nations. Their have seen examples of that recently means they’re very angry and upset! naval power ruled the waves. Their in Christchurch and in Japan. So when Paul says, ‘I’m not ashamed cultural power gave the world great What kind of power is the Gospel? of the Gospel,’ he means, ‘I’m im- literature, law and art. Their technical The Gospel is power with a pur- mensely proud of it; it’s the news that power constructed the great roads, pose. It can be both destructive and I’m proud and confident to proclaim.’ many still in use today. There was constructive. It has the power to Of course it’s possible to be ashamed one thing however, that Rome, or condemn and cast a soul who re- of the Gospel — sadly! Who hasn’t Caesar, or governments, or culture, jects it into hell. been? Jesus alludes to it in Mark 8: or law could NOT do: these things It has also the power to save a soul 38, ‘If anyone is ashamed of me and could not change lives. from hell. It’s the power of God unto

3 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011 salvation. It has the power to rescue what like the contents page of the sions or small print. It has always men and women, boys and girls, letter. been this way – as we shall see in from the penalty of sin; from the Righteousness is what God is. Right- chapter 4; and it remains this way. power and dominion of sin; and ulti- eousness is what God does. Right- Paul told the jailor, ‘Believe on the mately from the presence of sin eousness is what God requires of us Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be (bringing us into the immediate pres- all. Righteousness is what we all saved.’ (Acts 16: 31). All we need ence of Jesus). That’s nothing to be need to be right with God. We don’t to do is to accept this gift of God (it ashamed of! have a righteousness of our own. is a gift — not a wage or reward) If you knew that someone had found There is none righteous – not one! with a believing heart. the cure for cancer, would you be We could never in a million years Some of you are members of the ashamed of telling others? No! You’d earn it or achieve it. But in the Gos- NRMA (in other states the equiva- want to proclaim it as loudly and pel righteousness is revealed – and lent organisation would be RACV, widely as possible. You’d want to is royally bestowed on everyone who RACQ, or RACWA). Very wise! say, ‘this is where to go, this is who believes. In the Lord Jesus Christ we Membership carries certain privi- you must see, this is the treatment have the righteousness that God is leges; one of which is the right to that you need.’ The Gospel is the completely satisfied with and that be rescued when your vehicle only cure there is for the eternal ills passes His scrutiny. When we be- breaks down. Let’s say you are of men and women; it’s nothing lieve upon Christ, His righteousness, driving to Sydney. You smell therefore to be ashamed of. It’s His holiness, His perfect satisfaction something burning – and then you something to be proud of! is put into our account, and we are see smoke coming from under the declared by God (amazingly) bonnet. It’s coming from the head The Gospel is for Everyone ‘righteous’! gasket. You pull in to the hard The Gospel is for everyone. It’s for This text became for Martin Luther shoulder. You are relieved to know men and women. It’s for boys and ‘the gateway into heaven’. He writes, that you have a rescuer – a saviour girls. It’s for Greeks and non Greeks. ‘Night and day I pondered it until … I – in the NRMA. What do you do? It’s for the wise and the foolish. It’s grasped the truth that the righteous- Just wait for help expecting that for learned and unlearned. It’s for ness of God is that righteousness NRMA should automatically know rich and poor. It’s for the Jew and the whereby, through grace and sheer your problem? After all, you’ve Gentile; it’s for the Muslim and the mercy, he justifies us by faith. There- been a member for years! No! You Hindu. It’s for the Anglican and the upon I felt myself reborn and to have call 131 111. You tell them your Catholic. It’s for the Baptist and the gone through open doors into para- problem, where you are, and then Presbyterian. It’s for the religious dise. The whole of Scripture took on you can ‘unworry’. You must call to and the irreligious. It’s for the good a new meaning, and whereas before be rescued. and the bad. It’s for the truckie and the righteousness of God had filled The Bible tells us who are broken the bikie. It’s for the guy with the tat- me with hate, now it became to me down and ruined that we must call toos and the earrings and the Blund- inexpressibly sweet in greater love.’ to be rescued, ‘Everyone who calls stones. It’s for your neighbour and Luther wasn’t ashamed of the gos- on the name of the Lord shall be mine. It’s for you and me. No one is pel. saved.’ (Rom.10: 13). You must excluded! It’s for every type of per- call! You must believe. You must son, of every age, colour, nation receive. ‘It is not because of any and language. value my faith has that God is We need never worry if perhaps pleased with me. It is only be- our message is unsuitable! No mat- cause Christ’s satisfaction, right- ter who you meet, you know that eousness and holiness make me the Gospel is suitable for them. It’s right with God. And I can receive tailor made! ‘Everyone who calls on this righteousness and make it the name of the Lord shall be mine in no other way than by faith saved.’ (Romans 10: 13). There’s alone.’ (Heidelberg Cat. 61). no need to be ashamed of that! ‘The righteous will LIVE by faith! The Gospel is all about LIFE – The Gospel Reveals Righteous- Luther declaring justification by faith abundant life; eternal life; life to ness (v.17) the full. The opposite of life is What does the Gospel reveal? Per- The Gospel is Received by Faith death. There is a choice. The wise haps you might say, ‘the love of The Gospel is the power of God to will always choose life! God’,‘the mercy of God,’ or ‘the everyone who has faith. The only It’s nothing to be ashamed of! grace of God’? That’s only partly way to receive this Gospel and re- right. Paul tells us however that the ceive this righteousness is through Gospel reveals supremely ‘the right- faith in the Lord Jesus. Everyone eousness of God’. This is a key word receives it in exactly the same way – and an important statement. Indeed, no matter who they are — whether this is the central theme of the letter Jew or Gentile. There are no exemp- to the Romans. This verse is some- tions or special categories or conces- 4 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011 Life under the Banner The Quieted Soul (I) Jim Klazinga We live in a noisy world. Everywhere This is what we will focus on for the In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. you find people, you find noise. The rest of this article: one of the main Lewis talks about pride, and how it noise of the TV at home. Noise at problems that gets in the way of is the opposite of Christian morals. work. Noise at sporting events. knowing true peace. Then next ‘There is no fault which makes a Noise on construction sites. Noise at month, we’ll look further at what this man more unpopular, and no fault schools. Babies crying, dogs barking, psalm teaches us about how we can which we are more unconscious of tires squealing, couples arguing, ste- have a quieted soul. in ourselves. And the more we reos booming. We turn our attention to the first half have of it in ourselves, the more we Noise, noise, noise, it’s impossible to of verse 1 of Psalm 131 — ‘Lord, my dislike it in others. The vice I am escape from. In fact, there are some heart is not haughty, nor my eyes talking of is Pride or self-conceit… who would not know what to do with lofty.’ The psalmist is basically saying According to Christian teachers, the themselves without some kind of here: I am not proud. If you have a ultimate vice, the ultimate evil, is racket blaring in the background. For haughty heart and lofty eyes, you are pride… it was through pride that the them, silence is frightening. It makes a proud person. devil became the devil… pride leads them feel alone. The truth here is quite simple. Having to every other vice: it is the com- For most of us though, there are times a pride-filled heart is the opposite of plete anti-God state of mind… it is when we just have to get away from having a quieted heart. Pride simply pride which has been the chief all the clamor. It’s late at night, after precludes any real possibility of cause of misery in every nation and the children have gone to bed. You peace, either peace with yourself or every family since the world be- sit down in your lounge, close your peace with God. Pride and peace gan… Pride always means enmity eyes, and just drink in the silence. cannot go together. — it is enmity. And not only enmity Ah, finally, some peace and quiet. between man and man, but enmity The thing is, though, the quiet we to God. In God you come up need to experience is more than just against something which is in every an absence of sound-waves hitting respect immeasurably superior to our ear-drums. There is a quiet we yourself. Unless you know God as need that we cannot get with ear- that — and therefore, know yourself plugs. as nothing in comparison — you do The problem is that in the midst of a not know God at all. As long as you noisy world, we have noisy souls. are proud, you cannot know God. A The sinfulness of the world, and even proud man is always looking down more, the sinfulness of our own heart on things and people: and of — it has cluttered our soul, making it course, as long as you are looking noisy, filling us with a fundamental down, you cannot see something uneasiness. Our souls are in turmoil. above.’ What we need, far more than quieted ear-drums, is quieted souls. To put it The ultimate anti-God vice simply, we need peace. We need There is a lot of wisdom in what what the Jewish people call: shalom. Lewis is saying here. Pride is the Mind you, this is not easy to find in ultimate anti-God vice. In many our sin-filled hectic world. Not easy at ways, pride lies at the heart of sin. all. Pride can never lead to peace. Sadly, pride is encouraged in our The way to a quieted soul society. Mind you, it's not always So, how is it possible for us to have a called pride. Instead, a much more quieted soul? How can you experi- You could sit in the most comfortable positive word is used: self-esteem. ence peace in your heart? Well, of all recliners. You could meditate on Even many Christians believe we Psalm 131 proclaims an important the most sublime of musical composi- should promote self-esteem. We truth regarding this. In a few short tions. You could find the most serene should feel good about who we are. verses, this beautiful Psalm of David location in all the universe, light-years We should be happy with ourselves. displays in succinct poetic language away from all the distractions of mod- God loves us just the way we are. what it means to have a quieted soul. ern civilisation. But with pride in your He has to, because God is love, One of the ways it does this is by pre- heart, any peace you think you may right? So we should love ourselves senting before us what the opposite of be feeling will be fleeting. You will not just the way we are as well. the quieted soul is, showing us what it be able to know the peace that comes But think about it: how ultimately is that prevents us from having a qui- from truly being able to say, ‘It is well proud it is to imagine that God has eted soul. with my soul!’ to love us just the way we are. We 5 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011

are sinful. We are sinners. We are and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah hum- does not humble us now in this life, nothing when compared to God. bled himself for the pride of his heart, He will certainly humble us later in When we come face to face with His he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, eternity. The proud will be cast holiness, we are confronted with our so that the wrath of the Lord did not down. own unholiness. When we come face come upon them in the days of Heze- Think about what this means, and to face with His might, we must real- kiah.’ The pride of Hezekiah incited pray to God now, ‘Lord, here I am, a ize our weakness. When we become the wrath of God. Only when he hum- sinner. I have been proud. I have aware of the righteousness of God, bled himself was that anger delayed. been haughty. I have thought of this can only make us aware of our We can also look to Proverbs 18:12, myself higher than I ought to think. I complete unrighteousness. ‘Before destruction the heart of a man have not considered others more The Bible nowhere allows us to feel is haughty, and before honor is humil- significant than myself. Lord, hum- good about who we are in and of our- ity.’ Pride really does go before a fall, ble me. Forgive me.’ selves. Mind you, what we can feel doesn't it? When you can say this, truly say good about is Christ in us. What we Psalm 18:27 — ‘For you will save the this, you will know the Spirit has can glory in is that we have been set humble people, but will bring down enabled you to know humility, and apart by God the Father since eternity haughty looks.’ Proverbs 6:16-17 tells you will be on the road to peace. It to be holy and blameless before Him. us that the Lord hates haughty eyes, won’t matter how much you are sur- We have been redeemed by the pre- they are an abomination to him. And rounded by noise. You will still be cious blood of Jesus Christ. We are we could go on and on. But by now it on the road to having a quieted sanctified by the Holy Spirit living in should be perfectly obvious. Painfully soul. our hearts. obvious. Pride can never lead to And all this is in spite of the fact that peace, but only to destruction. we were completely undeserving of it. We need to examine our souls, and We merit nothing, we bring nothing in pray that God might humble us. If He ourselves. Any cause we might think we have for boasting in ourselves, for pride in ourselves, is a mirage. Be- yond the work of God in and for us, feeling good about ourselves is sinful pride. This is true no matter what much of the world and contemporary Christian- ity says today. We need to realize that much of what we are being told about pride is an insidious, unbiblical lie. Be aware that this lie is very preva- lent. The lie says that the only way that we can have peace with our- selves is to be proud of who we are. But in fact the opposite is true. Only in knowing first of all how sinful and wretched we are can we begin to truly know the peace that comes from knowing that our sins are forgiven in Jesus Christ.

Pride is against peace To emphasise the fact that pride can- not lead to peace, consider other Scripture passages that speak to this. For example, in 2 Chronicles 26:16, we read about a man named Uzziah, king of Judah — ‘But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction.’ His pride led to His ruin. In 2 Chronicles 32:25,26, we read about another proud king, King Heze- kiah — ‘But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah

6 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011 The Past for Today

Presbyterian beginnings in Melbourne Rowland S. Ward Last month we considered Christian Clow had met Rev Dr John Dunmore beginnings in Melbourne. In this arti- Lang when on furlough in in cle the focus is on Presbyterian begin- 1829. In 1823 Lang had become the nings. first Presbyterian on the Aus- tralian mainland, and was based in Rev James Clow Sydney. He made frequent overseas The first Presbyterian service in Mel- trips, chiefly in the interest of obtain- bourne by an ordained minister was ing more ministers. Clow maintained a conducted in the Pioneers’ Church by correspondence with Lang, and de- Rev James Clow on the afternoon of cided he would go out to South Aus- Sunday 31 December 1837. Clow tralia. On 4 May 1837, shortly before was a farmer and miller’s son born his 47th birthday, Clow, his family and with only one hand at Charterhall near two servants boarded the barque New Stirling, Perthshire in 1790. He was Britain at Leith for the four-month voy- educated at St Andrews and Edin- age to Hobart. There were three other burgh and licensed as a preacher by ministers on the Church of Scotland Presbytery of board: John Lillie (1806-66), destined Kirkcaldy in 1813. In April 1815 the for Hobart, where he was inducted at Rev Dr same Presbytery ordained him as a St Andrew’s Church on 10 September Chaplain to the East India Company with James Clow presiding; William well as supplies for a year, two tents at Bombay, where he arrived in No- Hamilton (1807-79) who fell in love and other items. It was a very rough vember that year. In April 1819, just with Clow’s 13 year old daughter Mar- crossing and took about two weeks, 12 days before he presided at the garet, married her in 1840 with her but the family landed safely at Mel- opening of the building of St Andrew’s parents’ blessing, and took her back bourne on Christmas Day after their Church, which he had caused to be to the manse of Goulburn; and John 60 ton vessel had been driven erected for his congregation, Clow Tait (1809-60), who had married two aground for a time at Williamstown. married Margaret Morrison. Eight chil- days before sailing, and was to serve There was no one to meet them and dren were born to them in India but at Wollongong and later at . they walked the mile (1.6km) over only six survived infancy – four girls Arriving at Hobart on 4 September rough ground to their newly ac- and two boys. Clow’s health was in- 1837 after a relatively uneventful voy- quired property at the furthest ex- creasingly poor, and he retired in No- age, Clow heard such glowing reports tremity of the township. Clow imme- vember 1833 with the handsome pen- about the prospects of Port Phillip that diately took steps to organise a sion of £365 a year. He returned to he made a visit. Landing near Gee- Church of Scotland service in the Scotland where two more daughters long at Point Henry, which was Pioneers’ Church on 31 December were born. named after one of Henry Reed’s 1837. ships, he conducted a service in Dr Thomson’s house Kardinia on the Rev James Forbes Barwon River in what is now called When on 20 January 1838 James Belmont, probably on Sunday 15 or Forbes walked across the planks 22 October 1837. This was the first from the ton steamer James Watt service conducted by a Presbyterian and stepped on to the bank of the minister in Victoria. Clow rode the 50 Yarra River, he was surely greeted miles (80 kms) to Melbourne and was by some of those who had gathered present at the second land sale on 1 as the steamer disembarked her November where he purchased 4 al- 141 passengers. It is probable that lotments totalling about 2 acres Rev James Clow was among those (0.8ha) on the south west corner of who greeted him; but as the fort- Lonsdale and Swanston Streets ex- nightly overland mail service from tending to Little Bourke Street, using Sydney had only begun a month £162 of the three or four thousand before, it is unlikely he had prior pounds he had brought with him. knowledge of Forbes’ arrival. Clow returned to Hobart, organised James Forbes was the oldest of the his affairs and chartered three schoo- ten children (only five surviving in- ners for the trip to Melbourne. He fancy) born to Peter and Margaret Rev James Clow (on chair) brought with him all the materials to Forbes, who farmed on the ‘New construct a weatherboard dwelling as Braes’ estate of Sir Arthur Forbes in

7 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011 the parish of Leochel-Cushnie about Forbes left Greenock on the 541 ton able minister, wherever he may be 45 km west of , Scotland. barque Portland on 24 July 1837. The settled.’ James was baptised on 4 April 1813, ship carried 310 passengers, seventy Forbes certainly did prove to be a and was educated locally and at Aber- of whom were cabin and the rest zealous, active and acceptable min- deen Grammar School. steerage. There were no less than 25 ister. Although without ministerial clergy on board including John Dun- experience he was the ideal man for more Lang and James Forbes. the task of building up the Presbyte- Forbes had cabin accommodation rian church, as subsequent events and his fare was £55. Although 25 demonstrate. His appointment being children died, mostly of measles, and for the District of Port Phillip, Forbes four adults also died, there were no proceeded there by the James Watt. attacks by pirates. The diet on board He left Sydney on 7 January 1838 was poor and an outbreak of scurvy and arrived via Launceston on 20 occurred near Madagascar. On January 1838 as previously stated. Lang’s advice the ship stopped at Having surveyed the field, Forbes King George Sound near Albany in lost no time in beginning work. He Western Australia to reprovision. All conducted his first service in the Leochel-Cushnie Church, 1797 the sick made a remarkable recovery. simple wooden Pioneers’ Church on (Photo William Lawson, 2004) During the voyage there were regular Sunday 28 January, and the follow- prayers each day and services on ing day wrote to the Police Magis- He entered King’s College, Aberdeen, Sunday shared among the clergy on trate, Captain Lonsdale, with a view in 1826 and completed the Arts board. Forbes also led discussion on to securing more suitable use of the course in 1829 but, like the majority of teaching methods, and there were building. After all, he was the only students who regarded it as an ex- classes for the children. The Portland minister appointed to Port Phillip, pensive formality, he did not bother to arrived in Sydney on Sunday 3 De- and the building had been funded officially graduate. The Church of cember 1837 in the evening. on a non-denominational basis. The Scotland’s Presbytery of Garioch re- following day Lonsdale, who was an cords show that he was enrolled in Anglican, responded that few Pres- divinity for part of 1829/30, 1830/31 byterians would have contributed to and as a regular student 1831/32. He it and the land was now reserved for may have had doubts about his fit- the . However, he ness for the ministry for he accepted a conceded Forbes’ request for two teaching appointment at the Colches- services each Sunday, the first at ter Royal Grammar School in England 12.15pm and the second at 4pm, between 1832 and 1835. Mind you, and this arrangement began on 4 filling in with teaching was a common February 1838. Episcopal services practice as there were more candi- were held at 10.30am and 6pm with dates for ministry than places avail- Sabbath school at 9am and 2pm. able. In Colchester, Forbes experi- There was an underlying attitude of enced an evangelical conversion as superior rights for the Church of he heard the sermons given in the England. Lang in Sydney had had to school assembly by the Church of fight for the right to solemnise mar- England preachers. This brought him riages (secured 1824), and to re- back to the divinity course at Aber- move the monopolistic Church and deen which he completed in 1837. School Corporation which reserved He was licensed as a preacher by the one-seventh of the land for the Presbytery of Garioch on 10 May Rev James Forbes Church of England (replaced by 1837. Recruited for Australia along Bourke’s Church Act in 1836). John with about 20 other ministers and Writing in 1847, Lang referred to the Lillie in Hobart had to battle for 10 teachers through the influence of Rev ministers he had brought out in 1837, years to secure freedom from the John Dunmore Lang, Forbes was or- with the exception of William McIn- obligation of pupils at the Training dained for work in Australia with his tyre, as the ‘Twelve Apostles’ consist- School in Launceston to attend An- friend William McIntyre by the Presby- ing of ‘four Judas Iscariots, and eight glican services (secured 1847). tery of Glasgow on 29 June 1837. The full-grown specimens of contemptible Clow had had similar problems in dark-haired and bearded Forbes was, shuffling and drivelling incapacity’. But Bombay. according to C.S .Ross, ‘a thin man, his assessment of Forbes at the time somewhat above the medium height, was rather different: The first Scots’ Church and with a naturally grave but kindly ex- ‘Mr Forbes is a very young man School, 1838 pression of countenance, which in- somewhat vain of his superior accom- On Saturday 3 February 1838 a spired confidence, and won the hearts plishments, somewhat dictatorial. But meeting of members and friends of of his fellowmen’. Only one photo- we feel perfectly confident that he will the Church of Scotland was held graph of him is known. prove a zealous, active and accept- with James Clow in the chair. It was

8 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011

resolved to build a church that would also serve as a schoolhouse, and that £300 be raised in order to obtain the matching grant available under the Church Act. This is regarded as the official birthday of in Victoria and the beginning of Scots’ Church. A committee of James Clow (treasurer), James Forbes and Skene Craig (secretaries) was appointed to collect subscriptions and to take the steps to obtain a church site. The sum of £139.19.0 was subscribed on the spot. A simple temporary church in Permanent ministers arrival dates Collins Street West next to where the Rialto building now stands was James Forbes Presbyterian 20 January 1838 erected on a site loaned by David William Waterfield Independent 22 May 1838 Fisher and it was in use by June. It measured 29 feet by 15 feet. The 2 James C. Grylls Church of England 12 October 1838 acre site on the corner of Collins and Russell Streets where the first perma- P.B.Geoghegan Roman Catholic 15 May 1839 nent Scots’ Church was built in 1841 Joseph Orton Wesleyan (Methodist) 3 October 1840 (replaced by the present building in 1874), was soon secured as a gov- John Ham Baptist 13 December 1842 ernment grant.

The World in the Banner

What happened when South Korea experts. If a student keeps misbehav- dents, arguing that the course of banned corporal punishment ing after 30 days of suspension, the action allowed is to make them sit I blogged earlier about South Korea ministry will allow teachers to sum- down or talk with them.’ banning corporal punishment recently mon parents to school for counseling.’ Welcome to a typical New Zealand and the sudden upsurge in assaults Of course, in the past, the misbehav- classroom. To our friends in Seoul, on teachers and bullying amongst iour would have been dealt with in 5 it will only get worse! students. According to a teacher, ‘the minutes. Now it can take up to 30 + Family First NZ troublesome students find the new days!! As expected, the liberals imme- ban as a godsend.’ Hilariously, the diately criticised the guidelines of The Pressures of Politics Ministry of Education had to come up press-ups and running laps, saying, There is immense pressure on the with alternatives: ‘The ministry was ‘The push-ups suggested by the min- Prime Minister and her minority gov- responding to widespread complaints istry will inflict physical pain on stu- ernment to give serious considera- from teachers that students were run- dents, and it isn’t allowed by the tion to same sex marriage and ning riot since corporal punishment Seoul Office of Education.’ euthanasia. Being beholden to the was banned in Seoul in November. The latest report shows that teachers Greens and four independents Teachers argued that physical punish- have lost control and say students means that a leader who is not fully ments were widely considered an ef- now have the upper hand committed at heart to marriage in fective means of disciplining students ’This has led to an increase in disrup- her personal life will find it even in schools. Under the guidelines, tions, and students are openly – and harder to resist reneging on a prom- teachers are permitted to discipline unabashedly – questioning and chal- ise to uphold marriage as between students by ordering them to do push- lenging their teachers. In some cases, one man and one woman. I believe ups, stand in the back of the class- even top-performing students who the highest political office of our na- room, or run or walk a few laps had long been the teacher’s pet have tion not only deserves our respect, around the school playground. Teach- been acting up as well, convinced by but we are required to respect that ers will be permitted to suspend stu- their fellow classmates to take advan- position. The problem we face how- dents from school for up to ten days, tage of the regulation governing stu- ever is that we need to be critical of with a maximum suspension of 30 dent human rights. Teachers say they one who holds that office and who is days a year. Suspended students will are literally powerless to stop disrup- unable to maintain faith with the receive counseling from education tions and deal with misbehaving stu- people of the nation she serves by

9 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011 changing her position on some critical ‘And that is what some of you were’. civilians. On 2 March the same issues dependent on what she be- These God fearing people of the forces, 1000-strong, attacked an- lieves people want to hear, and will church of Corinth were once among other Abyei village causing 33 casu- keep her in power. the wicked. alties. This violence has triggered a How should we think about the debate The wickedness, he has noted previ- massive displacement of 45,000 on homosexuality? ously, if maintained and lived will re- Southern Sudanese — mostly The apostle Paul in 1Corinthians 6:9- sult in eternal death; but those who women and children -— fleeing 11 can hardly be more direct. He asks repent of their wicked ways and are south. Both the North and the South us whether we really understand that led to a life in Christ Jesus are for- are preparing for conflict. Please there are certain people, or more par- given and do inherit the kingdom of pray for the long-suffering, war- ticularly, certain life style choices peo- heaven. They do, because they are ravaged, predominantly Christian ple make, which will exclude them ‘washed’ and ‘sanctified’ and ‘justified masses of South Sudan. from the kingdom of heaven. He calls in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ + Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | these people ‘the wicked’, and in case and by the Spirit of our God.’ (1 RLPB 099 | Wed 16 Mar 2011 we don’t understand who the wicked Cor.6:11) are, he specifies who he is referring This is the kind of church we are and UK Judge Overturns Advertising to, ‘…Do not be deceived: Neither the ought to be, a body of people who Standards Authority Ruling sexually immoral nor idolaters nor have been justified by the grace of A 22 March 2011 BBC article titled adulterers nor male prostitutes nor God in Christ Jesus, who are also ‘Judge Overturns ASA Sodomy Ad homosexual offenders nor thieves nor struggling together with the remnants Ban Decision’ reports that a United the greedy nor drunkards nor slander- of sin to be a people pleasing to God. Kingdom High Court judge has ruled ers nor swindlers will inherit the king- As John Piper puts it, we want to be a against an Advertising Standards dom of God.’ (1 Cor. 6:9–10) body of sinners who have been justi- Authority (ASA) 2008 decision that a No one can fail to notice that homo- fied by Christ alone ‘with all of our full page ad titled ‘The Word of God sexuals are included here. By the differing genetic, hormonal, environ- against Sodomy’ placed in the News way, let’s be careful to use correct mental disorders that incline every Letter by the Sandown Free Presby- terminology. We are not addressing one of us, in varying ways, to do sinful terian Church in Ireland (FPCI) in ‘gays’. There is nothing about homo- things. the summer of 2008 was sexuality that can be described as We want to be a church where homo- ‘homophobic’ and could not again happy as all the colours of the rain- sexual people can either overcome be published in the same manner. bow. The homosexual agenda has their sexual disorder, or find the faith The ad was placed by the Sandown hijacked the word to dull the senses and courage and help and love and FPCI ahead of an August 2008 ‘Gay and thinking of people into thinking power to live a triumphant, joyful, celi- Pride’ parade in Belfast, Northern that there is something good about bate life with the disorder.’ Ireland. the homosexual life style, but Bibli- Let us pray that the Lord in His mercy The ruling said: ‘The applicant's reli- cally and morally this is a wicked grant we be a church which knows the gious views and the Biblical scrip- choice of life which will only result in sinfulness of homosexual behaviour, ture which underpins those views no contributing significantly to the de- as well as being a people who seek to doubt cause offence, even serious struction of the fabric of society, bring- support and guide those struggling offence, to those of a certain sexual ing much trial and degradation, and with homosexual desires, that they orientation. Likewise, the practice of deliver the rebel heart to an eternity of will also know the blessing of being homosexuality may have a similar deep suffering. justified in Christ Jesus. effect on those of a particular reli- However, is homosexual sin unforgiv- Albert Esselbrugge (Taken from the gious faith. But Article 10 (of the able? It is important when reading the Box Hill Reformed Church Newsletter) European Convention on Human passage from Corinthians that we Rights) protects expressive rights don’t just note or hear the negative. Conflict Threatens Peace in South which offend, shock or disturb. The apostle goes on. Remember as Sudan Moreover, Article 10 protects not you look at these verses that he was Conflict has increased within South only the content and substance of addressing the church in Corinth. He Sudan since the 9 January 2011 Ref- information but also the means of wrote to Christian people who knew erendum on Southern Self- dissemination since any restriction what the title Christian really meant. Determination. During February the on the means necessarily interferes These were people who depended on Sudan People's Liberation Army with the right to receive and impart the mercy and grace of God shown (SPLA) clashed with forces of the information. The fact is that the ad- and worked in the life, death and res- southern opposition figure Gen. Ak- vertisement did not condone and urrection of the Son of God. Do you hor, leaving 200 dead. Some 50 were was not likely to provoke violence, see what is said in verse 11? In the killed when the SPLA clashed also (it) contained no exhortation to other previous verses he had listed a series with the forces of Gabriel Tanginya, improper or illegal activity, (and) of life styles and the people who who is backed by Northern Islamic constituted a genuine attempt to choose to live that way, and said that Khartoum. In the North-South border stand up for their religious beliefs such people will not inherit the king- region of Abyei, 100 Misseriya Arab and to encourage others to similarly dom of heaven, but then he makes a militiamen and other Khartoum- bear witness. Whilst such views and very import an statement. He says, backed forces massacred police and scriptural references may be 10 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011

strongly disdained and considered (3) SHOT! On 21 March in Hyderabad China Church Seeks Right To seriously offensive by some, this does a group of Muslims were harassing Worship Freely not justify the full scope of the restric- Christian women entering the church, Christians in China are free to meet, tions contained in the impugned de- so four Christian men came out to but only under the Chinese Commu- termination.’ request respect. The Muslims left but nist Party (CCP) registering author- + BBC, 201 Wood Lane, London W12 returned with guns and four Christians ity in CCP-registered premises. 7TS, England, Fax: 020-8008-2398 were shot. Younis Masih (47, married Whilst some 37 million Christians + Free Presbyterian Church in Ire- father of four) and Jameel Masih (22, worship in official CCP-registered land, [email protected] married a month ago) died instantly. churches, some 66 million do not. The Christians had to protest for Churches remain unofficial gener- Jerusalem Bomb Kills Scottish Bi- hours, blocking the main road with the ally because CCP conditions for ble Translator In Israel to Study two dead bodies, just to force the po- registration severely curtail religious Hebrew lice to file their report. freedom. Christians who meet in The 23 March 2011 bomb blast (4) THREATENED! Death threats 'abnormal, fanatical' (i.e. unregis- in Jerusalem, Israel, attributed to Pal- have been made against Joseph tered) churches risk police brutality estinian militants, injured fifty people Francis, the director of the Centre for and up to 15 days in detention or up and killed 59-year-old Mary Gardner Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement to three years in the 'laogai': some from Orkney, Scotland, who was (CLAAS) in Pakistan. These death 1000 CCP 're- education through studying Hebrew for six months threats started after Mr Francis spoke [slave] labour' camps. at Jerusalem's Hebrew University in publicly about the misuse of the blas- Authorities have hounded Beijing's preparation for returning to Togo and phemy law. Despite the dangers, Mr 1000-strong Shouwang Church from working on translation of the Old Tes- Francis is refusing to back down. He various premises since 2008 and tament into the Togolese language, simply requests prayers for himself the church is now battling to meet Ife. and the entire staff of CLASS. even in the open until officials grant Mary Gardner had worked + Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | them their right to worship in an ap- in Togo since 1989 under the aus- RLPB 101 | Wed 23 Mar 2011 proved location. Please pray for the pices of Wycliffe Bible Translators, Church in China. translating the New Testament into Presbyterian Seminary Announces + Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | the Ife language. Degrees for Ruling Elders and Dea- RLPB 103 | Wed 13 Apr 2011 + Assist USA, [email protected] cons + Wycliffe Bible Translators, Greenville Presbyterian Theological [email protected] Seminary (GPTS) now offer the Mas- ter of Ministry for Ruling Elders and Pakistan: Killings Continue the Master of Ministry for Deacons (1) ASSASSINATED! On 2 March programs, which include training in Pakistan's first Christian cabinet min- personal piety, knowledge of the Bi- ister, Shahbaz Bhatti, the Minister for ble, understanding of the Presbyterian Minorities, was assassinated on his form of church government, and the way to a cabinet meeting. Militants role of the elder and deacon in the from Tanseem Al Qaeda and Tehrik-e church. The M.M.R.E. program is de- -Taliban Punjab drove into Islama- signed to help the Ruling Elder func- bad's secure diplomatic area, gunned tion not at the local church level and down the MP and drove away, leaving at the presbytery and General Assem- many suspecting that members of the bly level. The M.M.D. program is de- security forces were complicit. Bhatti, signed to help the Deacon see his a Catholic and long-time religious lib- role not only in terms of the local erty advocate, was killed for his cou- church, but in the wider church as rageous public stance against the well. blasphemy law and as a protest The requirements of the M.M.R.E. against the government's appointment and M.M.D. program may be com- of a 'disbeliever' to the cabinet. pleted in as little as two years of full- (2) MURDERED? Qamar David, an- time study at GPTS. The degree may other Christian victim of the blas- also be completed under GPTS's phemy law, died in Karachi Central Mentor-supervised Distance Educa- Jail on 15 March. Whilst authorities tion program. maintain he died of natural causes, For more information, please see: his family and supporters are con- http://www.gpts.edu/resources/ vinced he was murdered. Charged in documents/ June 2006, David was sentenced to April_2011_Enewsletter.htm life in prison in February 2010. He had + Greenville Presbyterian Theological faced endless threats on his life since Seminary, [email protected] his arrest. 11 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011 Children under the Banner

From: ‘Search and Solve: Bible Activity Sheet’, by Betty De Vries, [Illustrated by Donna Greenlee] Baker Books, 1998 12 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011 Prescribed Search / Youth Work

MAY 2011

SENIOR and INTERMEDIATE (Intermediate omit questions 1 and 2)

JUDGES chapter 3

1. Which nations did the Lord leave, to prove whether the children of Israel would keep his com- mandments?

2. Name three judges mentioned in this chapter who delivered Israel.

chapter 4

3. What was Deborah’s message to Barak concerning Sisera and his army? (2 verses)

4. Why would the journey not be for Barak’s honour (or glory)?

5. What happened when Barak came down from Mount Tabor with his ten thousand men? (2 verses)

6. What was the name of the woman who killed Sisera?

Chapter 5

7. What words did Deborah use to commend the tribes of Zebulun and Naphthali?

8. Why was Meroz cursed?

JUNIOR

JUDGES chapter 4:1--9

1. How long had Jabin king of the Canaanites oppressed Israel? How many chariots did he have?

2. What message did Deborah give Barak when she sent and called him? (2 verses)

chapter 5:18--31

3. Which river swept away the enemy?

4. Who would be blessed above women in the tent? Please send the answers to: Mrs I Steel PO Box 942

Epping NSW 1710 Or email to: [email protected]

13 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011 Mission in the Banner News from India

God gave increase… The most encouraging fact was that believers, yet miss the message of PRAY FOR INDIA 56 of those youth were new believers/ the Cross by limiting Christ’s power By: Pradeep Kumar, PFC Chhapara seekers mostly belonging to villages to physical blessings. Some of them surrounding Chhapara. The theme do possess the right understanding There has been great encouragement was ‘I PRESS ON’, encouraging of the Gospel but are not able to recently in the village work in the cen- youth to run their race with Faithful- cope with the social pressure of life. tral part of India. Many servants of ness, Commitment and Holiness. Still many others can be found who God from Australia, Scotland and lo- participate in Christian activities cal people have worked hard with Seekers Camp 2010 regularly but fail to exhibit their ma- prayers and tears in this part of the The Rev. P. Kumar memorial Trust turity in faith publicly. country for many years. Now God has Chhapara organised 2nd Spiritual There can be many other observa- given increase and we are seeing the Seekers Camp, which was named tions corresponding to the same real fruit of their labour. Many spiritual Satsang (Satsang is an indigenous need — especially the need of activities are being organised to follow way to proclaim spiritual truth, used scripture teaching. New believers -up and to teach the Word of God by Hindu Gurus) in December 26th- lack understanding of the Gospel through Sunday Schools, House 28th in the memory of Late Rev. and failure to total commitment does Churches, Youth Camps, Seekers Prakash Kumar. Initially it was not mean that they have no faith in Camps and Monthly Discipleship Pro- planned for all the seekers residing Christ; rather, it indicates that they grams. near Chhapara, but this year we de- are not being taught the basic be- In Chhapara, Grace Ministries of India cided to invite only selective new be- liefs of Christian Faith profoundly. team in the leadership of Mr.Vinay lievers changing our strategy due to This knowledge has led us work out Das, one of the orphans, and The the hostile atmosphere around. 80 a Discipleship Training Program Rev. P. Kumar Memorial Trust people attended the event and were titled ‘Grow up…in Christ’. The pro- Chhapara are working together with encouraged to Grow up in Christ; gram is planned and being funded local Churches to serve the Lord and the theme of the Seekers Camp 2010. by the Rev. P. Kumar Memorial to reach the unreached. Missionaries These new believers were taught to Trust in association with Chhapara preach the Gospel and visit villages, grow in different areas of their spiritual Church Session and Grace Minis- the Church teaches, and The Rev. lives by local speakers. At the end, as tries of India, to help the new believ- P.Kumar Memorial Trust arranges expected, we just praised God for us- ers, seekers and missionaries of the funds to help the missionaries and ing different people with diverse gifts Grace Ministries of India who are new believers, providing Bibles for to grow his Church spiritually and nu- working in Chhapara to have a bet- new believers and bicycles for the merically. About 200 people including ter understanding of Christ and his missionaries, and also provides funds congregation attended at evening ser- work, and to be encouraged to live a for organising Seekers Camp and vices and enjoyed the fellowship of life of gratitude and commitment. Monthly Discipleship Programs. This new believers from different villages. is our strategy to work together and Their accommodation was provided Objectives: spread the word of God-which is our by Mission School Chhapara. To teach new believers the sole au- supreme task. Result: A Professor of the Govern- thority of God’s word over their faith ment College, Chhapara Prof. Va- and life. PFC Youth Retreat 2010 rade, was baptised with his whole To teach the basic dogmas of Chris- It was not long ago that we planned family — his wife and a child. We tian Faith in simplified and contextu- to meet the spiritual needs of young praise God. alized manners. Christian with a specific ministry. It all To lead them towards maturity of began in 2008. In previous two years Monthly Discipleship Program: Faith, Christian obedience, and total we had witnessed God’s unexpected Prayer Needs commitment through fellowship and favor in success of the Retreats 2008 The Christian community of Chhapara counseling. and 2009, and then time came to tes- has been witnessing a great growth in To make them Disciples of Christ tify God’s care for young souls yet the number of new believers and who shall be willing to proclaim again in 2010. Lots of thoughts and seekers in the past few years. On one Christ and suffer many social and labour went into the effort. God added hand such rapid escalation fills us other disadvantages for the Faith. His blessings in them, causing us to with a heavenly bliss leading all of us wonder and praise Him with our to praise and thank God. But, on the Outcome mouths wide open and hearts filled other hand, it overwhelms us with a In the long term, through the pro- with joy. The Retreat took place in sense of responsibility towards these gram we hope to raise a generation Chhapara, attended by 97 young peo- new believers. To our observation, of new believers who in future will ple who stayed at Mission School. there are those who call themselves come out from their own social bar-

14 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011

riers and be able not only to formu- ‘Hussain Villa’ in Balbangra village and visit his home near Patna. We late a mature Christian family or com- (6km further). It was winter and very traveled on the train overnight and munity, but also to teach biblical cold for India (-3deg. C), especially reached Dehradun the next after- truths to their next generations. when there was little heating. There noon — to enjoy a warm bath! A few years back a young boy from a was no electricity or running water in poor locality of Chhapara, Mr. Fakir the village. The people Chand, heard the Gospel and be- The next day we left to visit the The Lord’s work is about people, came a born again Christian. He is Taleem (discipleship) centre. Be- about helping people in their need; now serving as an evangelist in cause of the cold all district schools both physical and spiritual (Mat 9: Chhapara having finished B.Th. Now were closed, but Rahmat had ar- 35). People are the focus of Rah- his younger brother, Mr. Brajlal, hav- ranged for the children to come on mat’s ministry; people of Muslim ing finished B.Sc., expressed his de- this day. Getting out of the taxi, we background. His focus is upon peo- sire to go to seminary and to serve walked down the narrow lane/drain of ple who are poor and marginalised. the Lord. He is now doing B.Th. from the town till we saw a sign announc- I have gone back and read the ini- PTS Dehradun. Miss Laxmi Bar- ing ‘Murideen Marifat Taleem Centre’ tial proposal and earlier reports on maiya, who worked many years at in English and Urdu. Going in, we this project. One aim was to keep Rev. P.Kumar’s house, was baptised saw over 50 children seated on the young people from becoming mili- a few years back and is supported by floor (bricks and mud) in a room of 4 tant Muslims because of their pov- Inverness Support Group while she x 4m. This was the class for under 8 erty. Later in a survey Rahmat, or does nursing training. Now her whole year olds. In the adjacent classroom rather his sister, found a community family excluding her father is in faith older children were sitting at narrow involved in the flesh trade, another and are strong believers. Please pray desks. outcome of poverty. for all these spiritual activities, for In a third room, the other half of this In Maharajgang (population new believers, missionaries and building, rice and pulses were being c.25,000, literacy 50%) we meet evangelism work. cooked for the children’s lunch. This Kaiser, Rahmat's younger sister. TO GOD BE THE GLORY. room had an earthen floor and no After she came to the Lord in 1998 doors. In an open quadrangle the she went from house to house to Taleem School for Muslim children children sat to eat their meal and help the children. Kaiser is a gradu- in Bihar, India later to play. There was a latrine and ate, married with two children. We by Dennis and Elizabeth Muldoon a hand pump for water in a corner of met her husband, Mr Abrar, also a the yard. The school was secure with believer, who works in the Post Of- In January this year we had the op- buildings and a high wall all around it. fice. portunity to visit India. We went to The school building had a new corru- Kaiser is the principal of the see old places and old friends, as in gated iron roof that Rahmat had paid Taleem centre and teacher of Eng- places and friends from the days for. lish, Maths and Bible. She was when we lived and worked in India as The Taleem centre is well located in quiet and hard working. We saw all Interserve partners. While there we the town, although all the girls are the children, 110 in all, more than wanted to meet with Dr Rahmat, escorted to and from the centre for the expected 20-25. When I asked whose work among Muslims is sup- safety. We later walked through the about attendance rates she pro- ported by the PCEA. We planned to narrow lanes of this town. Few peo- duced a register with their names visit one of the centres where he has ple were out because of the cold recorded. She was in need of a established a work, a town in the weather. This was a blessing since new register as the present one state of Bihar called Maharajgang. foreigners were not a common sight was full. I suggested a better way ‘Maharaja’ means king in the local in this town. Rahmat was concerned to record attendance. She also pro- language — the place of the king. for our safety at all times. duced pages from tests the children We landed in Delhi, visited Dr Dick- The next morning we had breakfast had done. son briefly and then took the over- of ‘aloo paratha’ and ‘chai’ and got We met Reshma and Shabnam, night train to Allahabad. On January ready to leave. Rahmat looked con- two other lady teachers. We also 4 Dr Rahmat and Sajjad, his young cerned as he talked with the others met Mr Alamdar, a believer, first at colleague, arrived from Dehradun. and made phone calls. He said news ‘Hussain Villa’ in the village and The next morning we boarded the had got out that he was in town with later at the school. He stays at the train and at 10pm arrived at Siwan. foreigners. He feared an opposition school to guard the property (they Rahmat had called ahead to arrange group might be ready to confront us have a gas stove and utensils). He a taxi and a security man to accom- back at the railway station in Siwan. also escorts the children to and pany us. It was not very safe to travel He suggested we take the taxi all the from school. the roads after dark in this part of the way to Ghorakpur and get on the Shakeela and another young girl, country because of terrorists train there. When he showed me Zeena, prepared the food. After the (Naxalite/Maoists). After an hour scars on his legs from previous at- children went home and others left, (35km) we passed through Mahara- tacks by Muslims, I readily agreed! Shakeela stayed back to talk with jgang and eventually arrived at His friend Sajjad decided to leave us Rahmat and Kaiser. Rahmat called 15 The Presbyterian Banner May 2011

centre there for a time. Sajjad accompanied Rahmat all the way from Dehradun. He is a graduate in physiotherapy and is now Rahmat’s ‘Timothy’; ‘now’ meaning since the tragic death of Rahmat’s wife in March 2009. Sajjad is her brother. Looking back at the reports I noticed the detail that was given prior to her death. She was clearly a great help in this ministry. By God’s grace the work continues, but me in to say that she wanted to be there is a need to further train the Jesus Christ in this place where the baptised. She wanted to come with us leaders and teachers. love of God has not been seen be- to Dehradun. It was decided that Kai- It was wonderful to meet the children fore. We saw no churches or Chris- ser would bring her later. The Lord tian witness in this town. I asked had touched the heart of this young Rahmat about other Christians. He (late teens?) girl. said he had met one Pentecostal We were introduced to the children man some years ago. while in the classrooms and we I met members of the International briefly read the Bible and prayed Missions Board from the Free with each class. I had taken a few Church of Scotland on my last day Bible books for children (in English). in India. They support the work of Dr One older girl read from an Urdu Rahmat in Japla, and Dehradun primer on the Gospel of Luke that where he is based. We visited the Rahmat had managed to find (see church Rahmat leads in Dehradun photo). I taught them a Hindi chorus and met a number of women who about Jesus — after it was trans- attended. They came wearing their lated into Urdu! Afterwards they burqa and with their children (some were all given a sweet and then went Seeker’s Camp—2010 with husbands also). They came at out to play and have their meal. It will considerable risk from the commu- be good when the children learn some who are the focus of this ministry. It nity where they lived, to worship the verses, catechism and songs as we was a very cold day when we were Lord Jesus Christ. had seen in a village Sunday School there — the sun never got though the It is amazing, and something for outside Allahabad. fog. Yet some children came with no which we give great thanks to the shoes and without sweaters. They Lord, that this work is up and run- come from poor homes and often ning. We should continue in prayer from depraved homes. I was told of and giving to this strategic ministry. one girl who was being abused by her The devil will try to derail it again but uncle. She shared this with the God is great and the promise of Je- teacher and after Rahmat counseled sus remains — Lo, I am with you her father the uncle was kicked out. always, even to the end of the age. How happy this little girl was to be coming to this centre where people cared and where she heard of the love of Jesus.

Dr Afroze, Rahmat’s brother, met us The prospect at Siwan station and accompanied us We praise the Lord for a safe visit to on the visit. He is also a believer and this town in the poorest and most appeared to be assisting Kaiser in the lawless state of India. It was moving work of the Taleem centre. We were to meet the people whom the Lord not there on the Lord’s Day but were had placed upon the hearts of Dr told a small group met for worship in Rahmat and his wife over four years this centre. It seems Afroze has a ago. The people, especially the chil- small clinic in the town — we saw him dren (but not the environment!) left preparing medicine. At one time Rah- a deep impression on our hearts. mat had a clinic here. Afroze was not We praise God that the children are present when we left. I think he was being loved, being taught to read sent to Japla to look after the Taleem and write, and hearing the Gospel of Rev. Muldoon in front of Taleem school

16