This book “The God-Seeker” is a novel written by Sinclair Lewis. It is part of Flagstaff Hill’s historic book collection, known as the Pattison Collection. About SINCLAIR LEWIS (1885-1951) The author was born as Harry Sinclair Lewis in 1885 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. He was renowned as an American novelist, playwright and short story writer. His first writings were romantic poems and short stories. Six of his novels were published by the time Lewis was 36. Lewis won the 1926 Pulitzer Prize for his book “Arrowsmith” but declined because he had been helped in the writing of it by science writer Paul de Kruif, who received 25% of royalties on the sales. However, Lewis is listed as the sole author. Lewis received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1930 for his “vigorous and graphic art of description and his ability to create, with wit and humour, new types of characters." He was the first author from the United States to receive this award. Lewis graduated from university in 1907. He worked as a reporter and editor for several publications. He was a prolific writer, publishing dozens of works and numerous articles, and became popular for his satire. Lewis married and divorced twice and died alone from a heart attack due to advanced alcoholism) near Rome on 10th January 1951, aged 66. This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council his huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself.Lewis’s book is significant for its association with the writer, who was the first American to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature (1930). This book is significant for its connection with the Pattison Collection which, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Title: The God-Seeker Author: Sinclair Lewis Publisher: William Heinemann Ltd Date: 1949 Hardback board book covered with brown linen, and a coloured picture pasted onto front cover. The book title and author’s name is on the coloured picture on the front cover along with a picture of a man standing. The spine also has the title and author’s name, handwritten in white. On the spine is a white adhesive label with a typed library call number. Inside the front cover is a printed label. The front pasted down endpaper has one label covering another label. The front loose endpaper as a purple stamp impression. The book, a novel, is part of the Pattison Collection originally belonging to the Warrnambool Public Library.Adhesive label - “PAT / FIC / LEW” Printed labels on front endpaper of both the Corangamite Regional Library Service and the Warrnambool Public Library. Stamp in purple ink on inside front loose endpaper “WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool public library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool books and records, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool children’s library, american novel, jonathan cape, sinclair lewis, harry sinclair lewis, 1930 nobel prize for literature, the god-seeker, william heinemann ltd

The Methodist Children's Home was originally the home of Mr Gulliver a chemist. It became the centre of a farm at the Home. When the Home was sold to the Catholic Church 1953 it was renamed 'Marian Lodge'. The Methodist Children's Home in Cheltenham was founded c1880 to provide housing for neglected children from the inner city. The Founders aimed to provide regular nourishment, a stable environment and integrate the children into the local community thereby improving their education and lives. However new settlers to Cheltenham area who were seeking a healthier and more respectable lifestyle for their families were not happy to share Church and School with the Home's Children. ( see 00561) 1950's saw a new direction for the support of children and families in poor and difficult situations . The new Methodist Burwood Homes Facility opened in 1951 and children were transferred from Cheltenham in 1952. The land was sold to the St John of God, Catholic Order in1953 who maintained an orphanage until Myer Pty Ltd bought the site in 1967 and constructed the Southland Shopping Centre c1892-1953 The Methodist Children's Home Cheltenham was founded to provide safe accommodation and education for neglected children from the inner city slums. The St John of God Order purchased the Home 1953 and the land was sold to Myer Pty Ltd. who built Southland Shopping Centre 1967 Black & White photograph showing a farm house that was originally owned by Mr Gulliver, a chemist and then the Methodist Children's Home was established 1892. Named Marian Lodge after the St John of God Catholic Order purchased the property in 1953 Back Hand written information st john of god home cheltenham 1953-1967, marian lodge, mr gulliver, pharmacy, methodist childrens home cheltenham 1892-1953, myer southland 1967, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, cheltenham state school no.84, methodist chapel cheltenham, methodist school cheltenham, beaumaris west state school, meeres frederick, meeres walter, education, early settlers,

A typical leisure activity for children of this era was a doll's tea party. The Methodist Children's Home in Cheltenham was founded c1880 to provide housing for neglected children from the inner city. The Founders aimed to provide regular nourishment, a stable environment and integrate the children into the local community thereby improving their education and lives. However new settlers to Cheltenham area who were seeking a healthier and more respectable lifestyle for their families were not happy to share Church and School with the Home's Children. (see 00561) 1950's saw a new direction for the support of children and families in poor and difficult situations . The new Burwood Homes Facility opened in 1951 and children were transferred from Cheltenham in 1952. The land was sold to the St John of God, Catholic Order in1953 who maintained an orphanage until Myer Pty Ltd bought the site in 1967 and constructed the Southland Shopping Centre c1892-1953 The Methodist Children's Home Cheltenham was founded to provide safe accommodation and education for neglected children from the inner city slums. Black & White photograph of Methodist Children's Home and Cottages combined 'Dolls Tea Party' Cheltenham 1935Back Handwritten informationmethodist childrens home cheltenham 1892-1953, dolls, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, cheltenham state school no.84, methodist chapel cheltenham, methodist school cheltenham, beaumaris west state school, meeres frederick, meeres walter, education, early settlers,

The Reverend Doug Dargaville, Anglican clergyman and former General Secretary of the Victorian Council of Churches from 1966 – 1982, and again for a time in 1995, passed away on 19 March 2013. "The death of Rev. Doug Dargaville at Bacchus Marsh in Victoria, Australia has been announced, and his funeral is to take place on March 28th. Doug was one of the great pioneers of the ecumenical and interfaith movements, especially in his role as executive secretary of the Victorian Council of Churches from 1966 to 1982. Perhaps more than anyone else, he laid the foundations for the organizational structure of the ecumenical movement here in Victoria and across Australia. A small man with a big vision, he brought his inclusive Anglican spirituality to the tasks at hand. With his retirement to the country town of Bacchus Marsh outside Melbourne with his beloved Lucy, his life’s work was not yet complete. He devoted three years of his life during the 2000s to being the general secretary of Religions for Peace Australia, and was always a strong supporter of the interfaith movement, not least during the Parliament of the World’s Religions, held in Melbourne in December, 2009. He was an efficient and prudent administrator, never seeking the limelight yet everything was done with an ironic and disarming humor and a certain impish and whole-hearted spirit. He was, in every sense of the word, a good man whose life was completely devoted to overcoming barriers and forging unity between the different churches and different faith traditions. We pray that he will find rest and eternal peace with the God whom he served so well and so faithfully for so long." Professor Des Cahill, Chair, Religions for Peace Australia.B & W photograph of Rev Anderson Douglas Dargaville discussing ecumenical material with another man.dargaville, douglas, victorian council of churches

B006.1 associated with St George's PFA, St Kilda. Membership of the PFA was symbolised by the wearing of the badge. Badges were received by new members only at a special Badge Presentation Service. The letters "PFA" stand out clearly on the badge with the letter "F" the largest because Christian Fellowship is central - with God and and one another. Around the letters is a ring of blue. A ring is an emblem of love and blue traditionally stands for truth of loyalty. Behind the letters are a white St Andrew's cross. Around the edge of the badge are serrations which point outwards and symbolise the reaching out of the Fellowship to the world. The aim of the PFA was "to unite youth in the fellowship of service of the Kingdom of God." Its objectives were "to present to youth the Gospel of Jesus as good news for them, the community and mankind, and as a call to vigorous and faithful activity for Christ's Kingdom in collaboration with all who seek that Kingdom. to help them understanding of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ through study of the Bible and other sources of inspiration. To assist youth to grow to full and true maturity by helping to meet their spiritual needs in physical, mental and social realms. To unite the youth of the Presbyterian Church into a Fellowship of worship, study, recreation and service directed toward the achievement of these objectives." Source: "PFA Handbook", 1960.Seven Presbyterian Fellowship Association round blue and white enameled lapel badges. B006.1 PFA lapel sterling silver badge.PFApresbyterian fellowship association

This postcard is part of an album of postcards which date from late 19th century to mid 20th century. Religion played a significant part in daily life at the time.This postcard is in an album of postcards dating from the late 19th century to mid 20th century and, as such, indicate the popularity of collecting postcards in Australia which reached a height in the early 1900s until around 1920.This postcard depicts the scene of Mark 10: 13-16 from the bible, where Christ meetings a group of children.On front, printed under image: 'Christ Blessing Little Children / St. Mark 10: 13-16' On back, printed above line: 'Christ Blessing Little Children' On back, printed below line: 'THEY brought young children to / Jesus, that He should touch them: / and His disciples rebuked those that / brought them. / But when Jesus saw it, He was much / displeased, and said unto them, "Suffer / the little children to come unto me, and / forbid them not; for of such is the / kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, / Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom / of God as a little child, he shall not enter / therein." / And He took them up in His arms, / put His hands on them, and blessed / them. / So that day the mother helped the / disciples to learn about Jesus. The dis- / ciples thought the children would be a / trouble, but the mothers knew that Jesus / loved the little and helpless ones, and / would bless them, for one day He had / said, " All who seek to enter the kingdom / of heaven must become like little chil- / dren." So they were not afraid to draw / near.'postcard, 1900s, "green postcard album"