During our almost six year sojourn in New Zealand it has been our joy and privilege for much of that time to minister and fellowship among the people known as the Open Brethren. Both in Hamilton and in Blenheim we have met many of their delightful families, who have become real friends. One such is the Sam and Katie Scott family whose forbears came from Scotland back in the very early pioneer days. Son Lindsay helped us set up the CWM Charitable Trust, the finances of which he now oversees for us.

Some time ago Sam gave me two small tracts containing the testimony of his maternal grand father Samuel Rogerson. I wept as I read the tribute to the Grace and Guidance of God in those way-back rough and rugged pioneer settlement days.

In this issue we have published the story of S Rogerson's salvation, the process of which began 12,000 miles away from where it ended. In the next we plan to tell the tale of Two Shepherd Brothers in the Early Days of New Zealand and how God forged family links with the Open Brethren movement, which has exerted an influence upon the spiritual life of a nation, the extent of which only eternity will reveal.

The Open Brethren world-wide are a quiet unassuming group of God's People, who endeavour to live by the BOOK. They never boast of numbers and it's very difficult to count their fellowships as many wont agree to be listed.

Like all groupings, of course they have their weaknesses as well as their strengths. For myself I shall be eternally grateful that our paths crossed at a difficult time of our walk with the Lord in the service that He chose for us.

As far as I can determine the number of Brethren Fellowships in NZ exceeds all other nonconformist groups in this country. Most have remained free from the end time deception and corruption about which we have written in previous CETFs.

Appeared in Volume 4.1 January/February 1998