George Morling – “Beloved Principal”
1921 was a tough year for Australian Baptists. There was much turmoil within the denomination – partly because of floundering leadership, partly because of the introduction of modernist ideas on the authority and interpretation of Scripture. Many within Baptist leadership resigned or switched denominations, including Alexander Gordon – principal of New South Wales Baptist College. Despite pleas, he refused to reconsider his resignation.
As interim head of the college, the Trustees tapped 29-year-old George Morling. George was no stranger to difficulty – as a young man he faced a nearly uncontrollable stutter and great anxiety. To overcome these fears, he spent many hours preaching to himself in front of a mirror. His own struggles gave him both a great sense of God’s presence and a great empathy for those who had struggles of their own. These experiences were the foundation for three very fruitful pastorates prior to being named the head of this New South Wales Baptist College at such a young age.
George came into his job facing a disheartened staff, a large budget shortfall, doubts from contributors over his own experience and education, and a Baptist denomination ready to tear itself apart over the “new” ideas of interpreting Scripture. He dealt with his critics by studying at Sydney University while leading his own school. He dealt with the budget shortfall by enthusiastically promoting the college and aggressively raising funds. He dealt with the modernistic interpretations of Scripture both by insisting on the Bible being taught as truth, but also by stressing within the college the teaching of how to interpret the Bible so they would be very well-equipped to teach in their future work. To help students afford their education, George and his wife boarded students in their own home. George took extra care to ensure his students cultivated rich spiritual lives in addition to the academic training they received. His biographer recorded that he feared most “truth on ice” – a cold and formal orthodoxy. Instead, he advocated for “truth on fire.”
Impressed by the way the young man tackled the challenges facing the college, they made him the permanent Principal in 1923. Though he had a few bouts of serious illness, he held this position until 1960. Many of his students went on to fruitful pastoral and educational ministries in Australia and around the world.
George Morling held many positions in Australia in addition to Principal of New South Wales Baptist College. He was highly in demand as a speaker in various churches and conventions. He served in various leadership roles in the Baptist Union. He was an honorary lecturer in church history at the University of Sydney and Chairman of InterVarsity Fellowship of Australia. He wrote a book entitled “The Quest for Serenity” – a popular book to this day on living the Christian life. Queen Elizabeth II honored him with the Order of the British Empire in 1963 for “Services to Religion.”
In 1974, George Morling passed into the eternity he long expected at age 83. New South Wales Baptist College issued a statement, “With thanksgiving and praise this Council records the home going of Principal-Emeritus GH Morling in his 83rd year. For 40 years he moulded the traditions of the College. His Principalship was marked by high scholarship, careful biblical exegesis aglow with the evangelical emphasis, personal interest in all his students and his own deep experience of Christ.”
Eleven years after his death, NSW Baptist College was renamed Morling College in his memory. The school continues its evangelistic thrust and commitment to the truth of the Scriptures and practical training for the next generation of ministers. Online, they offer courses for free to the public.
Christian History e-mail: 09 April 2021.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Morling
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