Gone and all but forgotten

September church bulletin

The other day while thumbing through an old commentary on Hebrews I discovered some sermon notes. Witten on fragile, yellowing, musty smelling paper was an outline of a sermon drawn from Heb 2:10, “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” On the back of the page the church name is boldly printed as Arncliffe Baptist Church, Kyle Street, Arncliffe; there is also a picture of the interior of the church. The pastor is listed as J.A. Waugh. I did what all curious people do, I Googled. Google maps indicated there is no longer a church building in Kyle St. I found a church notice in the Sydney Morning Herald for May 1943 and J.A Waugh was then the pastor at Arncliffe. Interestingly, he refers to the war in his sermon notes. I then did what all curious Baptists do, I contacted the Baptist historical society. The fellow who responded to my email said that I had struck oil. He was actually baptised by James Waugh, sadly the Arncliffe church no longer exists. The archival department are keen to see my newly discovered treasure and I would like to know more about the pastor and church so a meeting is in the pipeline.

The notes themselves are in point form (introduction, 3 main headings, sub points and comments); the content and substance look good. With this scanty bit of information and the enthusiasm from the response I received, it would seem James Waugh was a faithful man. What a tragedy there is no longer a Baptist witness in Arncliffe. The church commenced its life there around the turn of the 20th century and today it is gone, not even the building remains. How many of the churches in the book of Revelation remain? Where will Southern Districts be as a congregation in 10, 20, 50 years?       

We can’t determine the future but we can do what is necessary to be pleasing to the Lord. If we do not maintain faithful ministry it would be better for us to die as a church; if we cease to love Christ and labour for His glory it would be better if we die as a church. If we cease to pray we will die as a church; if people are not converted we will die as a church. James Waugh’s sermon was no doubt a blessing to those who heard it all those years ago, and today it speaks as a reminder that that which once existed is no more. The fruit is in God’s hands, the labour is in ours. 

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