From the Archives

Life on the land in Australia is changing but one thing that is not changing is the great difference between good and bad seasons. Our quote from The Real Australian of November 1926 describes something of this difference.

“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose”. So sang the prophet and patriot, Isaiah, over two thousand years ago. Some of us have seen a literal illustration of it. Only a few weeks ago we were coming down the track which leads into White Cliffs. We had often seen it dry and barren.

Shifting heavy sand would bespread our path. The mulga dotting the landscape would look hungry and despairing. Nothing would there be to please the eye – not even the atmosphere quivering in the heat or the distant mirage showing its mockery of lakes and islands and trees. Hopeless and desert like did it appear. But this time how marvellous the change! God had unrolled a carpet of wonderful colour and patterns before our eyes. There was the rich deep purple of the Darling pea, the yellow splashes of the wild buttercups, the touch of white from a tiny daisy. The carpet stretched away in acres with all its blaze of light and glory that sang to the praise and the thanksgiving of a God who had sent copious rains.

As we reflected we could not help but remember that through the seasons which had been so dry and unfaithful, innumerable tiny seeds had remained buried in the loose sand. Heaven at last smiled with showers, and the wilderness was glad and the desert rejoiced and blossomed as the rose.

For nearly ninety years BCA has sought to provide a spiritual and practical ministry in all parts of Australia and under all conditions of life. Pray that this ministry under God’s guidance, will continue to meet the needs of those working the land in all its current changes and difficulties and pray also that “the desert will rejoice and blossom as the rose” for those still suffering from drought.

Clem Kirkby
Honorary Archivist

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