Herbert Maxwell ARROWSMITH

ARROWSMITH, HERBERT MAXWELL (b. Sydney, NSW, 30 July 1903; d. Sydney, 10 Aug 1982). International Christian leader, Anglican clergyman.

Whenever Bert Arrowsmith's name is mentioned, people attest to the great influence he had on their lives. He had an infectious love for the gospel and a warm affection for people. Born into a Christian family he made a personal decision to follow Christ at the age of eight. An intelligent, hard-working student he became dux of Parramatta High and won a scholarship to Sydney University. However, the illness of his father resulted in his going to work instead of attending university. He first worked in a shoe store then with the Social Welfare Department and then as an accountant. A gifted musician, he gained his LRCM in piano.

In 1932 he was appointed NSW secretary of the Bible Society. In 1935 he sailed with his wife Freda and two small children for Shanghai, China where he was to work for the Bible Society for two years. On his return to Australia, he became secretary for the Bible Society of Qld.

He began his ThL at Moore College in 1938 gaining the Eleanor Abbott and Barker scholarships. He was deaconed and priested by the abp of Sydney in 1940-41 and was Acting General Secretary of CMS NSW 1940-45 and Federal Secretary 1943-45. During World War Two he was a part-time chaplain with the RAAF. In 1945 he became vicar of St John's Toorak, Melbourne.

In 1949 he was appointed Commonwealth Secretary of the Bible Society, remaining in that position until his retirement in 1968. During these years he had a remarkable influence on the Australian church, lifting its vision to the needs of the world for the Word of God. His outstanding contribution to BFBS worldwide resulted in his becoming chairman of the United Bible Societies. In 1954 Canon Arrowsmith was made an MBE.

He was Hon Canon of St Andrew's Cathedral (Sydney) from 1955, Archdeacon of the City of Sydney 1960-62 during which period he also had a preaching ministry at St Philip's Sydney and, in his retirement, at St John's Parramatta.

One of his final public appearances was at 4:30am in the chill of Martin Place on 25 April 1980. It was the ANZAC Day Dawn service and Bert was the preacher. He was noted for his alliterative three-point preaching and this sermon was no exception! 'This is', he said, 'a Dawn Service, a Divine Service and a Dedication Service ... It is the day when we celebrate courage and sacrificial valour, enterprise and resourcefulness, loyalty and fidelity, service and solidarity.'

When Canon Arrowsmith died, tributes poured in from all over the world: 'His was service of a singularly devoted kind. Thanks be to God for him.' (Lord Coggan, former Abp of Canterbury). 'His eloquence was superb: noone could lift a great meeting anywhere in the world like him ... I salute the passing of a noble man of God, a priest, a missionary of the Word, a fine Christian gentleman.' (Rev Dr John Watson, former General Secretary BFBS UK).

The Bible Society in Australia, The Sower, No 102, Oct 1982

ROBYN CLAYDON