Although the financial crisis of the colony had changed the fortunes of this little group, they managed, for a time, to remain in close proximity with each other. It is likely that the little southern congregation existed up until 1845 when Murray left for England and the Lawries shifted to Lonyunga in the Myponga Hills. It wasn't long after this that John Lawrie became concerned about the brethren "scattered over the wild prairie." It was then that Lawrie persuaded his fellow elder, John Aird, to come to S.A. to take charge of the "little flock" in the south.