Benjamin SHORT

SHORT, BENJAMIN (b. East London, England, 1833, d. Sydney, NSW, 10 June 1912). Founder of Sydney City Mission, insurance salesman.

Benjamin Short was the son of a carter working by the East India Docks, and came of a long line of Independents. In 1860, now a master wheelwright, he migrated to Australia with his wife and three infants to find a freer and more rewarding life. He adopted Australia as his homeland, but was shocked to find the same destitution in Sydney as in East London. He began work for the establishment of a Sydney City Mission on the lines of the London City Mission with its motto 'Need not Creed'. This was achieved at a public meeting in 1862.

Six weeks after arrival he persuaded the Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP) to employ him as their first, full-time canvasser or salesman. At a time of few charities and no social security for widows and homeless, he saw insurance as often the only preventive for destitution: but people had to be taught insurance. Throughout the 1860s he travelled as far as Newcastle, Tasmania, Melbourne and Adelaide to teach and sell insurance.

The lectures proved popular because they were couched in humorous and encouraging terms for people who had no idea what insurance meant. With his lectures, he coupled advice on 'heavenly insurance' as he called it, presented in such a way that many entered into a covenant of grace at the same time as they pledged themselves to save the cost of a beer or two each week to insure the security of their family. Ten years were spent in New Zealand canvassing for the AMP during which time he held conventions for Christians of all churches in his house and garden at Nelson. These conventions continued later in his home at Bowral and became a source of great evangelical strength, presenting a Christianity that was united in fellowship. Benjamin Short's view of religion was methodical and balanced. He believed that conversion was a state of happiness marked by peace of God and guidance throughout life.

In 1891 he became a director of the AMP and did much to establish its sound principles. The latter part of his life was largely taken up with missions in Australia and England using his famous model of the Tabernacle to explain salvation.

ADB 6; Personal papers: AMP and SCM archives; W G Short, The Happy Migrant

WILSIE G SHORT