Guide to the Papers of Hector Harrison

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MS 6277

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Hector Harrison
Title
Papers of Hector Harrison
Date Range
1915-1978
Collection Number
MS 6277
Extent
5.18 metres (37 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
National Library of Australia

Introduction

Scope and Contents

The papers consist of personal and business correspondence, circulars, journal articles, brochures, leaflets, newscuttings, newsletters, notes, pamphlets, sermons and service sheets. They record Harrison's long and distinguished career as a minister of the Presbyterian Church. He was minister and friend to men and women from all walks of life including Prime Ministers, Governors-General, ambassadors and his parishioners.

Correspondents include Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, Viscount and Viscountess Slim, Sir Robert and Dame Pattie Menzies and Elsie Curtin, wife of John Curtin.

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1096752).

Conditions Governing Use

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Hector Harrison, National Library of Australia, MS 6277, [box number and series and/or file number]'.

Provenance

The papers were donated to the National Library in three instalments in 1978, 1980 and 1993. Instalments one and three were donated by the Reverend Alistair Christie, a close friend of Harrison, and instalment two by Mrs Claire Lupton, Harrison's daughter.

An interview with Harrison, recorded by Mel Pratt in 1973, is held in the Oral History Section at TRC 121/46.

Arrangement

The three instalments have been amalgamated and arranged into eight series. Where possible, the original arrangement of the papers and file titles have been preserved by the Library.

Biographical Note

DateEvent
1902Born 5 April, in Northam, WA, into a Salvation Army family. Harrison was educated at Northam State School.
1918-20Enlisted in the Army at the age of 16 and served as a military bandsman.
1922-25Moved to Melbourne where he served as a Salvation Army officer in Richmond, North Melbourne and Fitzroy. He resigned from the Salvation Army in 1925 in order to prepare for the ministry.
1927-33In 1927 he entered Ormond College at the University of Melbourne. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1930, followed by a Master of Arts in 1932. He gained his Bachelor of Divinity from the Melbourne College of Divinity in 1933. Harrison also worked in a parish while studying.
1931Married Doris Tear on 30 May, 1931. They had four children: one son and three daughters.
1933Ordained, and inducted as Minister of New Town, Hobart, Tasmania.
1937-40Minister of St Aidan's Presbyterian Church, Claremont, WA.
1940Inducted on 9 May as Minister of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Forrest, ACT. At that time, Canberra had only a population of 8,000 and one Presbyterian Church.
1940-55Visiting chaplain to the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
1950-51Moderator, Presbyterian Church of New South Wales.
1953Awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
1955-65Visiting chaplain to Harman Naval Wireless Station.
1961Overseas trip to the United Kingdom, Europe, Israel and Palestine.
1962-64Moderator-General, Presbyterian Church of Australia.
1964-70Vice President, World Presbyterian Alliance. During this time he made several overseas trips to attend conferences and meetings.
1978Died on 19 November, 1978. A service of thanksgiving was held at St Andrew's Church on 21 November, 1978 conducted by the Reverend Alistair Christie, a close friend of Harrison.
DateEvent
1902Born 5 April, in Northam, WA, into a Salvation Army family. Harrison was educated at Northam State School.
1918-20Enlisted in the Army at the age of 16 and served as a military bandsman.
1922-25Moved to Melbourne where he served as a Salvation Army officer in Richmond, North Melbourne and Fitzroy. He resigned from the Salvation Army in 1925 in order to prepare for the ministry.
1927-33In 1927 he entered Ormond College at the University of Melbourne. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1930, followed by a Master of Arts in 1932. He gained his Bachelor of Divinity from the Melbourne College of Divinity in 1933. Harrison also worked in a parish while studying.
1931Married Doris Tear on 30 May, 1931. They had four children: one son and three daughters.
1933Ordained, and inducted as Minister of New Town, Hobart, Tasmania.
1937-40Minister of St Aidan's Presbyterian Church, Claremont, WA.
1940Inducted on 9 May as Minister of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Forrest, ACT. At that time, Canberra had only a population of 8,000 and one Presbyterian Church.
1940-55Visiting chaplain to the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
1950-51Moderator, Presbyterian Church of New South Wales.
1953Awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
1955-65Visiting chaplain to Harman Naval Wireless Station.
1961Overseas trip to the United Kingdom, Europe, Israel and Palestine.
1962-64Moderator-General, Presbyterian Church of Australia.
1964-70Vice President, World Presbyterian Alliance. During this time he made several overseas trips to attend conferences and meetings.
1978Died on 19 November, 1978. A service of thanksgiving was held at St Andrew's Church on 21 November, 1978 conducted by the Reverend Alistair Christie, a close friend of Harrison.

Item Descriptions

Series 1. Correspondence, 1915-78

This series consists of personal correspondence and correspondence relating to church matters. The personal correspondence includes letters from Harrison's mother, his brother and nephew. There is also a series of letters he wrote to his wife while on an overseas trip in 1961. Correspondence relating to his role as a minister of the church includes general correspondence with fellow clergy within the Presbyterian Church on church and religious matters, letters from parishioners and prominent people that Harrison met at official functions. These include Sir Robert and Dame Pattie Menzies, Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, Viscount and Viscountess Slim and Elsie Curtin, wife of John Curtin. Harrison also received many congratulatory messages on his receipt of the Order of the British Empire and on the occasions of his election to various state and national positions within the Presbyterian Church.

There are also numerous invitations to state receptions, garden parties and other functions which were held on occasions such as royal visits, the opening of Parliament and visits of foreign dignitaries.

General correspondence, 1936-64 (File 1) - Box 1

General correspondence, 1964-78 (File 2) - Box 1

General correspondence, 1975-78, notes and a letter written by a World War I serviceman by the name of Stanley to his family in November 1915 (File 3) - Box 1

Photocopies of letters, 1924-76 (File 4-5) - Box 1

The file contains letters of a personal nature from family and those relating to church matters. The familycorrespondents include Harrison's mother, 1924-25, his brother Allan, 1939-41 and his nephew Allan Harrison, 1940-41. Other correspondents include Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, Viscount and Viscountess Slim and Sir Robert and Dame Pattie Menzies. A detailed listing of the correspondence is located in Folder 4.

Correspondence between Harrison and Elsie Curtin, wife of former Prime Minister, John Curtin, 1945-60 (File 6) - Box 1

The file also contains biographical notes on John Curtin, a note containing instructions from Curtin relating to his funeral service, newscuttings on Curtin and other miscellaneous memorabilia. A detailed listing of the correspondence can be found in the folder.

Congratulatory messages received on his election as State-Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in New South Wales, 1950 (File 7) - Box 1

Congratulatory messages on his receipt of the award of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1953 (File 8) - Box 2

Letters written by Harrison to his wife while on an overseas trip, 12 January-2 June 1961 (File 9) - Box 2

Congratulatory letters and telegrams on his appointment as Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church in Australia, 1962; Folder 12 also contains newscuttings and other background material relating to the proposed unification of the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, 1972-73 (File 10-12) - Box 2

Greeting cards and invitations, 1923-78 (File 13) - Box 2

Invitations, 1944-57 (File 14) - Box 2

Series 2. Sermons, 1931-78

This series consists of sermons given by Harrison during his long career as a minister. The sermons have been arranged by the Library in two sequences. The first sequence is arranged according to the books of the Bible. The second sequence contains sermons written for special occasions such as Christmas and Easter or sermons on special topics such as education. Many of the sermons have been written in standard exercise books. A number of them have been re-used after children have written notes in them from Sunday School classes. Harrison has annotated most of the sermons with the dates they were given. Many of the sermons have been repeated on numerous occasions.

Acts, 1933-78 (File 1) - Box 3

Amos, 1939-75 (File 2) - Box 3

Chronicles, 1958 (File 3) - Box 3

Colossians, 1962-74 (File 3) - Box 3

Corinthians, 1946-78 (File 4-5) - Box 3

Daniel, 1965-76 (File 6) - Box 4

Deuteronomy, 1947-74 (File 6) - Box 4

Ecclesiastes, 1967-77 (File 7) - Box 4

Ephesians, 1933-74 (File 8) - Box 4

Exodus, 1971-73 (File 9) - Box 4

Ezekiel, 1972-74 (File 10) - Box 4

Ezra, 1969-72 (File 10) - Box 4

Galatians, 1933-75 (File 11) - Box 5

Genesis, 1958-78 (File 12) - Box 5

Habakkuk, 1970-77 (File 13) - Box 5

Hebrews, 1938-78 (File 14) - Box 5

Hosea, (n.d.) (File 15) - Box 5

Isaiah, 1942-76 (File 15) - Box 5

James, 1940-77 (File 16) - Box 6

Jeremiah, 1944-77 (File 17) - Box 6

Job, 1952-78 (File 18) - Box 6

John, 1931-78 (File 19-22) - Box 6

Joshua, (n.d.) (File 23) - Box 7

Jude, 1952-75 (File 23) - Box 7

Judges, 1951-75 (File 23) - Box 7

Kings 1 2, 1957-77 (File 24) - Box 7

Luke, 1934-78 (File 25-27) - Box 8

Mark, 1938-78 (File 28-29) - Box 8

Matthew, 1937-78 (File 30-33) - Box 9

Micah, (n.d) (File 34) - Box 10

Nehemia, 1938-53 (File 34) - Box 10

Numbers, 1969-70 (File 34) - Box 10

Peter, 1948-78 (File 35) - Box 10

Philippians, 1939-78 (File 36) - Box 11

Proverbs, 1941 (File 37) - Box 11

Psalms, 1969-70 (File 37) - Box 11

Revelation, 1948-77 (File 38) - Box 11

Romans, 1945-75 (File 39-40) - Box 11

Ruth, 1975 (File 41) - Box 12

Samuel 1 2, 1959-70 (File 41) - Box 12

Thessalonians, 1965-78 (File 42) - Box 12

Timothy, 1936-75 (File 43) - Box 12

Titus, 1967-78 (File 44) - Box 12

Zechariah, 1969-78 (File 44) - Box 12

Anzac Day, Remembrance Day, 1939-78 (File 45) - Box 12

Ascension, 1962-76 (File 46) - Box 12

Australia Day, 1937-78 (File 47) - Box 12

Baptism, 1972 (File 48) - Box 13

Bible, 1956-75 (File 48) - Box 13

Christmas, 1965-77 (File 49-50) - Box 13

Church, 1960-78 (File 51) - Box 14

Church and reformation, 1944-67 (File 52) - Box 14

Confirmation, 1965-78 (File 53) - Box 14

Easter, 1937-78 (File 54-55) - Box 14

Education, 1949-78 (File 56) - Box 15

Harvest Festival, 1935-56 (File 57) - Box 15

Holy Spirit, 1943-77 (File 58) - Box 15

Missions, 1958-76 (File 59) - Box 15

Mothers' Day, 1933-78 (File 60) - Box 16

New Year, 1933-77 (File 61) - Box 16

Palm Sunday, 1943-77 (File 62) - Box 16

Social services, 1970 (File 63) - Box 17

Stewardship, 1967-78 (File 63) - Box 17

Trinity, 1967-78 (File 63) - Box 17

Spring, 1937-75 (File 64) - Box 17

Miscellaneous sermons, 1948-78 (File 65) - Box 17

Miscellaneous sermons and notes, 1933-72 (File 66-69) - Box 17

Series 3. Subject files, 1916-77

This series consists of journal articles, newscuttings, pamphlets, brochures and notes on a wide range of church, religious, social and economic issues. Many of the journal articles are from the Expository Times and do not contain dates. Other journal titles include the Messenger and Presbyterian life.

Alcohol (File 1) - Box 18

Ascension (File 2) - Box 18

Baptism (File 3) - Box 18

Bible (File 4-5) - Box 18

Christmas (File 6-8) - Box 18

Confirmation (File 9) - Box 19

Communion (File 10) - Box 19

Cross (File 11) - Box 19

Cults (File 12) - Box 19

Easter (File 13) - Box 20

Education (File 14) - Box 20

Evangelism and freemasons (File 15) - Box 20

Harvest festival (File 16) - Box 20

Hell and judgement (File 17) - Box 20

Holy spirit (File 18-19) - Box 20

Immortality (File 20-21) - Box 21

Mothers' Day (File 22) - Box 21

New Hebrides and Africa (File 23) - Box 21

New Year (File 24) - Box 21

Nicene creed (File 25) - Box 21

Prayers (File 26-27) - Box 22

Presbyterian Church (File 28-31) - Box 22

Rome (File 32-36) - Box 23

Science (File 37) - Box 23

Social services (File 38) - Box 24

Social system (File 39-40) - Box 24

Stewardship (File 41) - Box 24

Trinity (File 42) - Box 24

Union of churches (File 43) - Box 24

Worship (File 44) - Box 24

Various topics (File 45-55) - Box 25

Series 4. Newscuttings, 1920-76

This series consists mainly of newscuttings, but also contains some journal articles and pamphlets similar to the material in Series 3. They cover most of the subject areas listed in Series 2 and 3 and additional topics such as sport, gambling and war. There are also some cuttings albums containing biographical information on Harrison and his family and the Salvation Army. Folder 3 also contains newscuttings on Harrison and his career and copies of journal articles, including book reviews, written by him and published in the various state and national Presbyterian Church magazines.

Photocopy of a cuttings book on the Salvation Army, 1920-39. Also included are cuttings relating to Harrison and his family (File 1) - Box 27

Scrap album, 1933-72, containing cutting with religious themes (File 2) - Box 27

Folder containing newscuttings about Harrison or articles written by him, 1935-78 (File 3) - Box 27

Included is a copy of the service of thanksgiving on the death of Harrison in November, 1978 and a special memorial supplement dedicated to him in The Echo, December 1978

Photocopy of a cuttings book, 1940-63, compiled while Harrison was at St Andrew's Church (File 4) - Box 27

Included are cuttings on the death of John Curtin, former Prime Minister, who was a close friend of Harrison. Harrison conducted the Memorial Service for Curtin held at Parliament House on 6 July, 1945 and the burial service at Karrakatta Cemetery, WA, on the 8 July, 1945.

Folders of miscellaneous cuttings on a wide range of topics, 1932-76 (File 5-38) - Box 27

Series 5. Service sheets, 1937-78

This series consists of service sheets from St Andrew's Church and other churches, both in Australia and overseas. There are also sheets or leaflets for special services such as weddings, funerals, dedications and Anzac Day. They include a service of thanksgiving at the Australian War Memorial to mark the cessation of hostilities in the Pacific area, 16 August 1945 and a service to mark the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on 12 May 1937. There are also a number of special service leaflets for the many weddings Harrison conducted.

Service sheets (File 1-7) - Box 33

Series 6. Newsletters, circulars, 1968-78

This series consists of newsletters and circulars from various Presbyterian churches throughout Australia. They include copies of Presbyterian News, the Presbyterian Church of Victoria News Sheet and Church News, St Aidan's Church, Claremont, WA. The file also includes miscellaneous minutes of meetings of church committees at a national level, e.g. minutes of the General Assembly of Australia, General Purposes Committee and the Presbyterian Planning Committee.

Newsletters, circulars (File 1-7) - Box 34

Series 7. Other papers, 1914-18

This series consists of miscellaneous material and some ephemera. A diary kept by Harrison in 1962-77 records the dates of church services and the type of sermon given. The diary, his annotations of sermons (Series 2), and his collection of prayer material listed in this series, reveal the methodical and orderly manner in which he prepared his church services.

Copy of the Australian Imperial Force Nominal Roll for Chaplains (1914-18) (File 1) - Box 35

Miscellaneous notes, invitations and cards, 1955-78. Included are some background notes on the organ in the Church of St Andrew, Canberra (File 2) - Box 35

Photocopy of a diary, July 1962-December 1977 (File 3) - Box 35

The majority of entries record the dates of Sunday services held at St Andrew's Church and the sermons given at each service. Harrison has also kept a record of services he has officiated at or attended in other places, both in Australia and overseas. Attendances at functions, receptions and meetings are also included along with special events within the church. There are occasional references to family events, the temperature on certain days and references to the weather, e.g. snow on Red Hill.

Minutes of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches Executive Committee (File 4) - Box 36

The file consists of four papers from meetings in Baguio City, Phillipines, 24-29 June, 1965; Strasbourg, France, 28 July-2 August, 1966; Toronto, Canada, 27 July-1 August, 1967 and Cluj, Romania, 25-29 June, 1968

Anecdotes and jokes suitable for reading at weddings, cut from newspapers and magazines or have been handwritten on cards (File 5) - Box 36

Prayers for use during church services. The prayers have been handwritten on cards (File 6-7) - Box 36

Small sign showing times for Christmas Day services and a framed poem titled 'Friends' (File 8) - Box 36

Cover used during church services by Harrison to hold papers or books, inscribed with his name (File 9) - Box 36

Series 8. Printed material, 1914-78

This series contains printed material in the form of pamphlets and leaflets on religious, political and social issues including birth control, Christianity, church union, communism, gambling and marriage and a number of booklets on other churches. There are also copies of a publication by Harrison titled Lift up your heads, which was an address given in the Assembly Hall, Melbourne, 12 September, 1962.

Printed material (File 1-6) - Box 37


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