[12] GN vol. 20, no. 12, 1 December 1929

THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION OF AUSTRALASIA.

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RESUME OF ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

Held in Brisbane, September 25 to 29, 1929.

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"Glory to God in the highest, for wonderful things He hath done!" How sincerely these words were sung over and over again during the annual conference just closed! They represented the expression of thankful hearts who had cause to glorify God for what had been accomplished in themselves as well as in their midst during the past months. For some weeks previous much prayer had gone forth that this "gathering together" should be a time of great spiritual uplift; and results proved the value of consistent prayer. Glory to Jesus for His abiding presence! It was with great joy that the Lord's dear ones met together on that opening night; some had never met before, yet there was that feeling of recognition which is only found among those who have been baptised into that Glorious Body by the blessed Holy Spirit, and who have been made partakers of the Divine Nature. There was a total absence of any hardness throughout, for the precious Blood of Jesus had gotten us the victory; and how they did sing! It was an inspiration just to hear those grand old Pentecostal hymns being sung as only those filled with the Holy Spirit can sing them, especially "Thou Christ of Burning, Cleansing Flame, Send the Fire" and "Changed in the Twinkling of an Eye." Over and over again these hymns rang out until the atmosphere was clarified and a good foundation laid for the ensuing nights of the conference. Pastor Martin, of Bethel Assembly, who had been acting as chairman of the Advisory Council pro tern., took charge, and, after a short address and Scriptural exhortation, threw the meeting open for everyone to speak as they felt led; seven or eight availed themselves of this opportunity of giving some Scriptural exhortation or testifying to what God had wrought in and through them during the past 12 months. Pastor Martin emphasised the necessity of everyone making an effort to attend every night of the conference to ensure unbroken fellowship throughout.

Thursday night the meeting was in the hands of Brothers Lincoln Duus and Maurice Smith. These brethren, taking for their subjects "Fixedness of Purpose" and "Faith" respectively, dealt with two very vital factors in our Christian experience—factors which, when coupled together, form the dynamic force of our spiritual life. Bros. Warren and Weimer, like the previous speakers, spoke with the unction of the Holy One.

Bro. Warren gave a very sweet morsel from the Fourth of Philippians, his subject being "The Christian Walk and Warfare"; he urged the appropriation of the Christ life. Bro. Weimer, following along the same line end speaking from the Third of Acts eulogised the convincing qualities and power contained in the name of JESUS.

The most noticeable point in all meetings was the combination of thoughts emanating from each speaker; although each was ignorant of the other's mind, yet both operated through the mind of the Spirit.

Saturday, to some, was a very strenuous day, yet a day for remembrance, especially to those who remained at the all-night of prayer. The afternoon was devoted to the Annual Business Meeting and election of officers. There was not much business, but what there was was vital to the work, as it was in the line of progression— that of evangelistic work—resulting in a definite move being made to evangelise the wider fields of the Master's vineyard. The evening service was the scene of deep spiritual fervour, and the presence of the Holy Spirit was mightily felt, resulting in the tongues and interpretation following the message of our Bro. Martin, who, with Bro. Day, led the gathering out of the realm of material things into that of the spiritual. Bro. Day spoke from Matthew, on those burning words of Pilate, "Behold the Man"; his message was so plain and simple that even a child could follow without difficulty. Bro. Martin traversed the Old Testament on the subject of "Christian Progression." The point was: "I lead, follow on." The words came from our brother in an expression of simple humility, and every one present felt uplifted. The meeting closed early, and by ten the hall was empty with the exception of those who remained for the all-night prayer, and oh, what a night it was! When it was over, each expressed the opinion that such a meeting they had never seen before; right from the beginning the power of God was weighing heavily in the room. In order to give the atmosphere a chance to clear, the fans were set going whilst the company retired for supper, the family circle being presided over by Sister Duus, Senr. Even at this meal the power of God was operating, and everyone was being lifted and energised so that all trace of physical exhaustion was eliminated from each one; at eleven fifteen the doors were closed, thus shutting the little company in with the Lord. Anyone coming upon this Jl-gathering would have been struck with the perfect order which reigned—the sisters were down one side of the room and the brothers down the other—throughout the night. It was indeed heavenly to hear the singing and prayers that went up from those hearts full of love, on behalf of those seeking the "fulness," and, oh joy! when one brother of six weeks' conversion fell slain by the Spirit, and, as; the clock struck 1 a.m., burst forth into Heaven's own language, having been thus completely submerged by the Holy Spirit. The power continued with us until 4 a.m., when, after a little longer in definite prayer, the meeting closed.

Sunday, the table of the Lord was presided over by Pastor Martin. An opportunity was given for personal testimony. Bro. L. Duus spoke on sinful timidity and sinful forwardness.

In the afternoon there was an open meeting, in the hands of Bro. Martinsen.

The evening service, the closing meeting of the Conference, was bathed in heavenly grandeur; the message was given by the Secretary, Bro. K. Cannon. God undertook, and there fell on that meeting such a realisation of the nearness of the Presence of God that people were convicted of sin in their lives and appeals were given time after time; it was heart-aching to see the battle that was going on within the hearts of sinners.

We sow the seed, and God waters, and the results are in His hands. Praise His Holy Name. The Conference is now a thought of the past. We have left those glorious heights of Spiritual grandeur, where we have been feasting on our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, and singing His praises until we have become so obsessed by His beauty that we have found it hard to return to the realm of material things; and now' shall we forget those days of glory and blessing and just go on in the same old rut as before? God forbid! May every blessing gained, every thought revealed, be but a sword thrust to spur us on, conquering, and to conquer, the dizzy heights, the wide expanses, the unfathomable depths; looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, until the Day Star arises and the shadows flee away, and we are caught up to be with Jesus, Amen and Amen.

—Keith B. [P. sic] Cannon, Secretary of the Advisory Council.

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Jesus knew that the five thousand who got a free dinner made a trivial gathering when compared in influence with the twelve people on whom He so lavishly expended Himself.

—H. E. Luccock.