1. No category

Vol. 33, No. 3
Sydney, Monday, January 21, 1929
Registered at the General f Oat
Obi., Sydney, for transmission
by 1.'4 to a Newspaper.
How to Meet Trial and Difficulty
who are labouring in places where the
THOSE
work has not long been started, often find
to discouragement and despair. When hedged about
with apparently insurmountable difficulties, then is the
themselves surrounded by discouraging conditions. time above all others to trust in the Lord.
The divine command to Moses to deliver Israel
The need of better facilities is great, and encouragement and sympathy may seem to be withheld. At found the wilderness shepherd distrustful, slow of
such times let not the workers give way to dis- speech, and timid. He was overwhelmed with a sense
couragement, but let them take their perplexities to of his incapacity to be a mouthpiece for God. But he
the Lord in prayer. When trying to build up the accepted the work, putting all his trust in the Lord.
work in new territory, we have gone to the limit of The greatness of his mission called into exercise the
best powers of his mind. God
our resources. At times it
blessed his ready obedience,
seemed as if we could advance
and he became eloquent, hopeno farther. But we kept sendful, self-possessed, well fitted
ing our petitions to heaven, all
Walking With God
for his great work. His exthe time denying self ; and
To walk with God
perience is an illustration of
God heard and answered our
Through all the years
what God will do to strengthen
prayers, supplying means for
Of changing human life !
the characters of those who
the advancement of the work.
To feel the dignity and grace
trust Him implicitly, and give
Because circumstances
That shine out from His glorious face
themselves unreservedly to His
change and disappointments
Until our being glows!
service.
come, because you do not have
His pace is ours; not in advance-It is wonderful how strong
as much help as you hoped to
He knows the force of circumstance—
To ours His step He slows.
a weak man may become, how
receive for the building up of
So step by step in converse sweet
prolific of great results his
the work, you are not therefore
Our happiness in Him complete,
efforts through faith in the
to become disheartened. Lay
Our point of view the same;
power of God and devotion to
every care at the feet of the
And justice, mercy, love of right,
Grown strong with clearer human sight,
His service. Through the exRedeemer. "Ask, and ye shall
We glorify His name.
ercise of his abilities in the
receive." Do your best, and
ELIZABETH M. REDFERN!.
cause of God, the hesitating
then wait, patiently, hopefully,
and irresolute become firm and
rejoicingly, because the promise
decided. His nature becomes
of God cannot fail. Christ's
exalted; the mission of Christ
life of untiring effort has been
recorded for our encouragement. He did not fail nor opens before him with new importance and glory, and
become discouraged. In time of trial, be patient. with deep humility he recognises in himself a co-labourer
Patience is a precious jewel. It will bring health to with the Saviour. No higher office than this is given
heart and mind. Wait on the Lord until He sees that to man. No joy can equal that which comes with the
you are ready to receive and appreciate the blessings assurance that he is an instrument in the hand of God
for which you ask. Exercise faith, even though the for the salvation of souls. It is a good thing to look
trials are severe. " Faith is the substance of things back upon a course of labour marked with definite
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Of faith results in the advancement of Christ's kingdom, to see
precious souls reaching up to the standard of Christian
hope is born.
It requires self-control to accept disappointment living, and to know that God has worked through our
meekly : but Jesus understands your needs. Every efforts for the accomplishment of such results.
The careless onlooker may not appreciate the work
prayer offered to Him in sincerity and faith will be
answered. Having done your best, refuse to give way nor recognise its importance. He may think it a losing
ALTSTRASrAl\I RECORD:
business, a life of thankless labour and
needless self-sacrifice. But the servant
of God sees it in the light shining from
the cross. His sacrifices appear small
in comparison with those of the Master.
A's he reviews his work, the trials and
difficulties that have beset him are not
magnified in his mind. The conscious-I-less of duty performed and the glory
of his coming reward amply compensate for all the sacrifice he may have
made.
Labourer for God, when you are weary
and heavy-laden, flee to Christ, who
has promised you rest. He is the Burden-bearer; He is your strength. Your
work in this world is to discipline the
mind, to store up knowledge, to perfect
character. Only thus will you be able
to wage successfully the warfare of life.
Keep the spirit humble. Envy, pride,
worldly ambition, cupidity, and love of
ease must be renounced. In simplicity
and love be like those little ones whose
angels do always behold the face of the
Father in heaven. But unite with these
virtues the courage of the tried warrior.
Faithful Calebs are needed, who will
raise their voices fearlessly in defence
of the right, who will be first to press to
the front of the battle, and plant the
banner of truth in the enemy's camp.
A chieftain in Israel, Caleb was one
of those chosen to spy out the land of
Canaan. When the spies returned from
this work, the voices of his companions
were raised in complaint. They acknowledged the goodness of the land;
but "the people be strong that dwell in
the land," they said, "and the cities are
walled and very great; and moreover
we saw the children of Anak there."
Caleb saw the difficulties just as
plainly as did the other spies,' but he
stood firmly at the post God had assigned him. He would not shirk any
disagreeable responsibility; and now, in
the face of his cowardly companions
who were threatening to stone him, he
cried with a ringing voice, "Let us go
up at once, and possess it; for we are
well able to overcome it."
It was Caleb's faith in God that gave
him courage, that kept him from the
fear of man, and enabled him to stand
boldly and unflinchingly in the defence
of the right. Through reliance on the
same power, the mighty General of the
armies of heaven, every true soldier of
the cross may receive strength and courage to overcome the obstacles that seem
insurmountable.
Success in the winning of souls does not
depend upon age or circumstances, but
upon the love one has for others. Consider John Bunyan imprisoned in the
Bedford gaol. His enemies think they
have placed him where his work for
others must cease. But not so. He is
not idle. The love for souls continues
to burn within him, and from the loathsome dungeon there is sent forth a light
that has shone to all parts of the civilised world. There he wrote his wonderful allegory of the pilgrim's journey
from the land of destruction to the celestial city. This book, "The Pilgrim's
Progress," portrays the Christian life so
accurately, and presents the love of Christ
so attractively, that through its instrumentality hundreds and thousands have
been converted.
Again, consider Luther in his Wart-
burg prison. His enemies exulted in
his absence; for the light of the gospel
seemed about to be extinguished. But
instead of this the Reformer was filling
his lamp from the storehouse of truth :
and its light was to shine' forth with
brighter radiance. While in prison
Luther's pen was never idle. While his
enemies flattered themselves that he was
silenced, they were astonished and confused by tangible proof that he was still
alive. A host of tracts, issuing from his
pen, circulated throughout Germany. He
also performed a most important service
for his countrymen by translating the
New Testament into the German tongue.
In varied ways God worked for His
people in ages past, and He is as willing
to work through those who to-day are
labouring for the salvation of souls. But
the trouble with many is that they have
not enough faith. They are too selfsufficient, too easily disturbed by little
trials. There is in the natural heart
much selfishness, much self-dignity; and
when the workers present the truth and
it is resented, they too frequently feel
that it is an insult to themselves, when
it is not they, but the Author of truth
who is insulted and rejected. There is
need of hiding self in Jesus. The nearer
one comes to Jesus, the less will self be
esteemed, and the more earnest will be
the effort put forth for others.
Whether you labour in public or private, you will meet difficulties. But
remember, brethren, in every perplexity
that God has angels still. You may meet
opposition, yes, persecution. But if you
are steadfast to principle, you will find,
as did Daniel, a present Helper and
Deliverer in the God whom you serve.
This is the time to cultivate integrity
of character. To all who engage in
missionary work I would say, Hide in
Jesus. Let not self but Christ appear in
all your labours. When the work goes
hard, and you become discouraged, and
are tempted to abandon it, bow upon
your knees before God, and say, Here,
Lord, is Thy pledged word. Throw your
weight upon His promises, and every one
of them will be fulfilled.
Learn to take Christ at His word when
you are inclined to despond. Believe
that "all power" is given to those who
need it, and that this power is for you.
Do not look on the dark side, but look
in faith to Jesus. The word of the
Lord is sufficient. Take hold unitedly
with a will to do what God has said must
be done. Success will attend those who
co-operate with Him all the time.
Let us not be weary in well-doing.
Why should we, with such helpers to
co-operate with us in fighting the battles
of life? At our baptism we were pledged
to the service of God. In the name of
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
we received the holy rite. The pledge
was a life pledge on the part of heaven
if we would comply with the conditions.
"If ye then 'be risen with Christ, seek
those things which are above, where
Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
"In due season we shall reap, if we
faint not."
Go, my brethren and fellow workers,
and spread out before God your necessities. It was when the heavens were as
brass over Paul that he trusted most
fully in God, and was delivered again
and again from unreasonable and wicked
21/1/29
men. Let us trust in God, saying,
"Though He slay me, yet will I trust
Him." Let self be crucified. Let the
love of God shine forth in words and
works. Let the gospel of Jesus Christ
exert strong, uninterrupted influence upon
mind and heart.
"Shall the prey be taken from the
mighty, or the lawful captive delivered ?
But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away,
and the prey of the terrible shall be
delivered : for I will contend with him
that contendeth with thee, . . . and all
flesh shall know that I the Lord am
thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty
One of Jacob." "Fear thou not : for I
am with thee: be not dismayed : for I
am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea,
I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee
with the right hand of my righteousness."
MRS. E. G. WHITE.
Received "Coming King " from
a Presbyterian Minister
ON October 1, it was my privilege to
visit a new company of Sabbath-keepers
in one of the barrios of Daraga. This
company of people had kept the Sabbath
for a period of three years, wholly unknown to us. Had it not been for one of
the believers who dropped into our tent
during our preaChing here in Daraga,
probably we would know nothing about
them even yet.
The believers were formerly Presbyter.
ians. In 1919 the leader of the company
received "Coming King" with some other
books from the Presbyterian minister.
The man began to read the book and
learned about the Sabbath. He began to
search the Scriptures and learned that the
Sabbath was the right day to keep. When
the minister discovered that the book had
made a Sabbath-keeper out of him, he
wanted to take the book from him, but the
new believer refused to give it up. The
minister tried to discourage him regarding
the Sabbath, stating that there were only
a few keeping the Sabbath in Manila.
When the new believer heard this, he took
courage in the fact that there were others
who were keeping the Sabbath.
Besides finding him a Sabbath-keeper,
we also found that he was paying tithe
into the Presbyterian mission. He showed
me a receipt totalling more than 113 pesos
paid into the Presbyterian mission during
the year 1926.
One of the brethren who went with me
asked him how he cooked his food,
and whether they used lard in cooking.
He said that they did not use either lard
or pork. He was then asked, " Where
do you get this from ? " and he replied,
" By reading Leviticus."
When I told him of our work and the
progress that it is making in all parts of
the world, his heart was filled with joy and
he replied, "The Lord will soon come."
This man has become a real missionary
and through his example and influence
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_ RECORD
ATIPT_RALAS
_
IAN
when we brought our tent into the barrio,
twenty-four stepped out and were baptised. Just before baptism this man
handed me 80.24 pesos tithe. Surely the.
Spirit of the Lord is working on the hearts
of the people.
W. B. RIFFEL.
Southern Luzon, Philippine Islands.
God's Commandment-Keeping
People ; Unknown Yet
Well Known
THE world knows not God's people,
and so far as numbers are concerned they
have never been in the majority. Nearly
2,400 years ago, while addressing God's
people, God's spokesman said : " The
Lord did not set His love upon you;
nor choose you, because ye were more in
number than any people; for ye were the
fewest of all people." Dent. 7 : 7.
And Jesus said to His people, " Fear
not, LITTLE FLOCK; for it is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom." Luke 12 : 32.
Keep All the Commandments
"All the commandments which I command thee this day SHALL YE OBSERVE
TO DO." Deut. 8 : I. And a warning is
given. "Ye shall not add unto the word
which I command you, neither shall ye
diminish ought from it, that ye may keep
the commandments of the Lord your God
which I command you." Deut. 4 : 2.
Thus we see that God's people keep "all
the commandments" of the Lord. They
do not attempt to " add " unto them or
" diminish ought" from them. Of them
God says, " Here are they that keep the
commandments of God, and the faith of
Jesus." Rev. 14: 12.
And their reward is sure, for " Blessed
are they that do His commandments, that
they may have right to the tree of life,
and may enter in through the gates into the
city." Rev. 22: 14.
Satan's Wrath Stirred
Because God's people, the " fewest of
all people" the "little flock," keep His
commandments, Satan's anger is stirred
against them.
We read, And Satan (dragon, Rev.
12 : 9) was angry (wroth) with the church
(woman, Jer. 6: 2), and went to make
war with the last part (remnant) of her
members (seed), which keep the commandments of God and have the SPIRIT OF
PROPHECY (the testimony of Jesus Christ,
Rev. 12 : 17 ; Rev. 19: To).
Remember, " It is on the law of God
that the last great struggle of the controversy between Christ and His angels and
Satan and his angels will come, and it
will be decisive for all the world."
God's People Unknown Yet Well
Known
"The Christian world is now making
movements which will necessarily bring
c.immandment-keeping people into prominence."—" Testimonies," Vol. P;1). 546.
" Our people have been regarded as
too insignificant to be worthy of notice ;
but a change will come."—Vol. V, p.546.
A change has come. The apostle Paul says,
" As unknown, and yet well known." 2
Cor. 6 : 9.
The writer has recently received a
number of newspaper clippings, and over
Too of them refer to the " Seventh-day
Adventists " and their activity against the
Lankford Sunday Bill. In fact, the-Sunday law advocates lay the major blame
on the Seventh-day Adventists for the
defeat, at the nation's capital, of over 150
Sunday bills. Thus the Adventists are
brought into prominence.
Read Some Clippings
Dr. David G. Wylie, President of the
Lord's Day Alliance, while arguing for
a Sunday law, said, " We represent the
Methodists, 8,700,000; Baptists, 5,227,225 ;
Presbyterians, 2,500,466 ; Disc i pies of
Christ, 1,668,908," and on through a long
list, " making a total of more than
20,021,953."— Congressional Records.
Yet notwithstanding this large number
who are supposedly in favour of Sunday
laws, they proceed to give reasons why
such laws are delayed or defeated. In
speaking of the progress of the Lankford
Sunday Bill they designate the Seventhday Adventists as one of their " chief
opponents of the bill." They are charged
with "spending big sums of money to
thwart this constructive legislation," and
" ARE THE PRONOUNCED ENEMIES OF ANY
SUNDAY LAWS." — Lord's Day Leader,
March-April, 1927, p.
In another issue they say, "It is likewise true that opposition to the Sunday
Rest Bill for the District of Columbia is
a determination on the part of A VERY
FEW to prevent the passage of any kind
of Sunday law." And their plan "is to
work for the repeal of every Sunday law
in every State."
Then they say, "If these facts were
not serious it would be absurd for a
group of not more than 100,000 religionists in the entire United States to attempt
such an ambitious, un-American programme and try to force it upon more
than 100,000,000 people of the nation."
—Lord's Day Leader, May-June, 1927, p. 12.
It is certainly a great charge against
the " 100,000 religionists " trying " to
force" a programme "upon more than
100,000,000 people."
But let it here be observed that it is
not the " 100,000 religionists" that make
things look " serious," but it is the mighty
gospel of the thir ange l's message
preached by the " little flock " to the
world. That is what makes things serious.
Indeed it is a serious thing to disregard
the message of heaven.
The Little Company
Thus it is clearly seen that " the Protestant world to-day see in the little company keeping the Sabbath a Mordecai
in the gate."—Vol. V, p. 450.
Let all remember that " the time is
coming when God's people will feel the
hand of persecution because they keep
holy the seventh day . . . But God's
people are to stand firm for Him. And
the Lord will work in their behalf,
showing plainly that He is the God of
gods."— Vol. IX, pp. 229, 230.
W. M. ADAMS.
THE fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees
in us something precious, which He desires
to develop.— " Ministry of Healing," p. 47. r .
____
3
A Remarkable Interest
During the past three months a remat kable interest to hear the truth has developed in Jamaica arnoug the Maroon
people, who for- centuries have lived by
themselves, surrounded by their superstitions. This interest has been aroused by
one of the lay members of the Port
Antonio c7—rch. Our readers will be
interested in the following paragraph of a
letter recently rece;ved from Pastor
Stockhausen, it
h he refers to this
work :
" Although Brother Stevens has not
been working there three months yet, and
holds meetings only on Sundays, he has
already gathered in a bountiful harvest.
On Sabbath I had the pleasure of organising a Sabbath school of seventy—fortyeight seniors and twenty-two children—
and a baptismal class of forty. These
believers are as intelligent as any we
have on the island. As soon as a truth is
presented to them they try to bring their
lives into harmony. Already the women
have laid aside their jewels, and the men
have put away their tobacco. I am planning to spend two weeks with them next
month, and shall not be surprised if I find
sixty or more in the baptismal class when
I arrive there. The whole district is stirred,
and the interest is spreading into three
neighbouring districts." — Inter-American
Division Messenger.
Up-keep
Ah me, this life is filled with care,
There's always something to repair.
A door slams, and a window breaks,
Upon the attic floor are lakes
Because the roof, once tight and new,
Now lets the rain come dripping through.
Men call this up-keep. Day by day
I watch the white paint turning gray,
The green paint yellows in the sun,
And there are drains which will not run,
And doors which squeak and taps which
drip,
And shades which have begun to rip.
Build as you may, a house requires
A vigilance which never tires.
Though staunch and sound when it is
new,
With building it we're never through.
Soon falls the place, however fair,
Which no one chooses to repair.
And so with life. One cannot rest
On what of yesterday was best.
A reputation for success
Is ruined soon by carelessness.
A businesss fame, however fair,
Needs constant up-keep and repair.
—Edgar A. Guest.
EVERY man has his place in the eternal
plan of heaven—whether he fills that place
depends upon his own faithfulness in cooperating with God.—" Ministry of Healing," p. 476.
GOD requires perfection of His children.
. . . This infinite standard is presented to
all that there may be no mistake in regard to the kind of people whom God will
have to compose His kingdom.—" Christ's
Object Lessons," p. 315.
AUSTRALASIAN REC
r_ita
I Our Mission Field ©
Notes from the Solomon Island
Mission
AT present there are eight mission
stations on Malaita, and some of the people are coming over the line. One is
ready for baptism, and the others have
made good progress but will have to wait
a while yet.
We have on Guadalcanar eight stations,
and Jugha, the native worker in charge, is
calling for more teachers.
The Batuna Training School is at present in its vacation, and preparations are
being made for the next school year.
The workers have put in as many improvements as time and money will permit, and
the place is beginning to take on a better
perspective. They have a larger annual
crop planted than ever before, and are
looking forward to record returns next
year. The work is going well in the
Marovo Lagoon.
Brother and Sister Campbell have begun their labours on the island of Choiseul.
Already their temporary house is up, and
the land is being cleared for the native
houses and their permanent home. They
are making the clearings large and will
use them for gardens. The field of
Choiseul is doing well, and it is the place
from which we expect to draw most of
our teachers in the future.
Bougainville is progressing. The people are turning to the message, and
Brother Tutty has many calls for teachers.
The Melanesia with its new engine and
some new timber, is running splendidly,
and is a better sea boat than before. We
have placed the engine forward and the
cargo midships, and she does not nosedive in the big seas as she formerly did.
G. PEACOCK.
Dec., 1928.
Choiseul and Its Missions
Arrival in Choiseul
IN the end of September Mrs. Campbell
and I were privileged for the first time to
sight the lengthy Choiseul coast line, and
it was not long before the good ship Melanesia had cast anchor in the pretty Oaka
Lagoon.
On the Sabbath, church and Sabbath
school services were held aboard the Melanesia. Those of us on the boat were
joined in worship by some forty men
from the Ghoghobe mission, and also by
a few heathen people near-by. The
Ghoghobe men had come to start clearing
operations on the site chosen for the
contemplated intermediate school. As
we looked into the faces of all the people
who crowded the deck, it was hard to
realise that they were in heathen darkness
only a few years ago.
Sunday morning the Melanesia returned
to the Marovo Lagoon to fulfill other
appointments, while the same afternoon
I •
we set out in the Kima on a visit to our
missions on Choiseul, Ghoghobe being our
first objective. We had heard and read
a good deal about the people of this
island, and so we were glad for the
opportunity of meeting them and seeing
this interesting field with our own eyes.
Visiting the Mission Stations
After some travelling, we passed through
the beautiful Tara passage. This passage
is not always so nice as it looks, for at certain
times the tidal current runs as fast as
seven miles an hour. We were fortunate,
however, in having to contend with only
a weak current at the time of our passing
through. There being a bad anchorage
at Ghoghobe, we spent the night at an
island some distance from the coast. It
was not far from here that a large timber
vessel from America was wrecked on a
reef a few years ago. Much timber was
gathered along the coasts for a long time
afterward, and used by the natives in the
construction of churches and houses, etc.
Landing next morning we visited this
village of some ninety inhabitants. After
greeting the people, we gave injections
while Gorapava attended to the mission
business. Lending a sad aspect to this
mission is the presence of the grave of
little Amy Gray—a spot marked by the
Life-giver. Having to hurry on, we
reached the mission at Vio the same
evening, calling in at Sisiata on the way.
There are some 160 people connected
with these two thriving missions.
Vio mission was established by Nangaha, who has brought the people in ones
and twos from the mountains—hunting
them from the latter and thus literally
fulfilling Bible prophecy—and has transplanted them into a healthy location on
the coast, where has grown up a neat
village and Christian community. This
young teacher proved himself practical
enough to sew dresses for the women as
they connected with the mission.
Early next morning we set off again,
visiting for the day the three missions
north of Vio and returning to Sisiata for
the night. These three missions each
have interesting aspects, the description
of which would take too much space here.
Soloro is the teacher at one of them. He
had the misfortune some years ago to
have a leg bitten off by a shark. Before
the coming of the gospel to Ranonga,
Soloto was a slave to Rongupitu (who is
now a teacher at Lavilai, Bougainville).
But to-day, both are on a common level,
and both are teachers to heathen communities, telling them the same great
truths from God's Word, whereas in
heathen times one was slave to the other,
and both slaves to Satan.
A Marvellous Sight
Before retiring for the night, we celebrated the ordinances of the Lord's Supper with the people of Vio and Sisiata,
at the latter place. Again it was marvellous to our eyes to behold a church
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crowded with men and women who joined
feelingly with us in such a solemn service;
men and women who just six years ago
were devil-worshippers ! Would any
greater miracle be needed to convince
people of the power of the living God ?
Surely one would think not. Two young
men—Nangaha and Kioto—were used of
God to bring out these nearly 200 people
from the prison house of Satan. God's
hand is mighty to save. Twenty-two injections were given to old and young,
after which we were happy to retire for
the night from the busy activities of the
day. Before morning light next day the
engine was going again, and by evening we had returned south through the
Tara passage to cur starting-off place at
Ruruvae Island, the new school site.
We spent one day at Ruruvae to see
how all the men were getting along with
their work there. Then we started cff on
the second half of our mission trip, which
took us up the east coast. At one mission
a new church was dedicated, and treatments were given at all places.
A Fine Constituency of Young People
There are many fine young people on
all of these missions along the Choiseul
coast, and we are compelled to believe
that they, with many young people from
other parts of the group, will make the
future teachers for other needy fields,
some of which yet are unentered.
Need for an Intermediate School
Numbers of these young people are
now as advanced as their teachers. For
many reasons• the Batuna Training
School cannot care for them all. After
leaving the outschools they need further
training before going to Batuna. After
this training is given, they will go on to
Batuna and there be finished off ready for
their part in the great, ripened harvest
field. Thus the contemplated intermediate school is absolutely essential both for
the present and the future. It is overdue.
It is a matter of first importance, so dear
reader, please pray for the successful
building up of this new work in the Solomon Islands. Later it will be seen that
its influence, in conjunction with that of the
present Training School, will spread far
beyond the bounds of the Solomons.
Now to return to the story of our trip.
The coasts of Choiseul are notoriously
reef-infested, but we came safely through
our eight days' run without mishap.
After remaining at Ruruvae a short
time, we set off some fifty miles across
the sea for the Marovo Lagoon in New
Georgia. It proved to be by no means
a pleasant run, for soon after leaving,
the Pacific lost its peace and was lashed
into fury for the whole day, during
which our small craft battled against the
mountains of the sea. However, we were
brought safely through. Soon after we
entered the lagoon, torrential rain fell,
causing the rivers to colour the lagoon
with their muddy waters. The reefs were
thus hidden, some of which we bumped,
but with little damage.
We could not help comparing the
people of Choiseul with those of Bougainville. The difference between the changed
lives of the former and the wretchedness
of the latter is astonishing, and thus we
know that erelong the same miracle of
grace will be repeated there and in other
places.
A. J. CAMPBELL.
21/1/20
Does God Punish Direct
Disobedience ?
THEY " lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
And He gave them their request ; but
sent leanness into their soul." Ps. 106:
14. " Because sentence against an evil
work is not executed speedily, therefore
the heart of the sons of men is fully set in
them to do evil." Eccl. 8 : II.
How true is this ! Men will persist in a
course that pleases them, even though
they know it is against God's wishes.
A leading native in Lavilai, who
already had two wives, came to me about
two years ago and consulted with me
about taking a third wife, saying that he
would like to marry her and that his two
other wives were pleading with him to
take on the third wife, so that she could
help in the gardens and so produce more
food. I advised him not to do so, assuring him that God would excuse his past
actions in marrying two wives, but now
that he was connected with the mission
(not baptised) he knew better, and God
would not bless such a union.
He agreed not to marry her, and for
months he did not ; but one day when my
wife and I were away in the launch he
married her. On our return we were
met by a deputation of excited natives
who informed us that this native had
taken the third wife and paid the money
over. They expected me to take the
matter up with him, but I said nothing, so
as not to estrange his heart. The woman
was hearty and strong when he married
her. Within a month she was stricken
with paralysis in both her legs, and the
local doctor reports that her case is incurable.
What a lesson ! The native took the
third wife when he knew it was wrong;
the two other wives had the satisfaction
of a companion, but she is now an encumbrance to them, consuming their food
instead of producing it. God did not
hinder his course, but truly his supposed
blessing turned into a curse and came
back on his own head and on his two
wives. I might add that it is only this
man's matrimonial affairs that now prevent him from being baptised, but there
are prospects that these may be
straightened out in the near future.
We had been working in Lavilai for
over two years when Brother and Sister
Campbell relieved us there. A few of the
people had given up their vices and two
were baptised, but the rest were indifferent.
A feast was held and some devilism was
practised, but they paid heavily for it
soon afterwards because one of their
leading chiefs died, soon to be followed
by the death of a girl who, though only
fourteen years of age, was the third wife
of one of the men. This girl had grown
cold and given up coming to worships,
and started to work on Sabbaths when she
was suddenly taken ill and died.
At her burial one of the Lavilai lads
laughed at the thoughts of burying a
woman instead of burning her. Brother
Campbell reproved him, telling him that
it was no laughing matter, and that he
himself might soon have to be buried.
Within a few weeks he also died under
distressing circumstances. I had often
pled with this lad to give up his vices, but
to no avail. He was an inveterate smoker
TRALASIAN RECORD- '444-tt]
and chewer of betel-nut. I believe this is
what killed him. He turned a deaf ear to
all entreaties.
But their troubles did not end with this.
Before this lad died, an elderly relative of
his went twenty miles to call a wizard to
come and try his devilism. The wizard
came, be immediately the man who
called hit. 'was taken sick and became
in his legs. It seemed to
partly par,
be a punisl —,ent, swift and sure, for calling the wizard.
We may sum up the situation as this:
the Lavilai folk communicated with Satan,
and this resulted in deaths. The girl left
off coming to worship and soon after died.
The lad laughed at her funeral and soon
after died. The man took his third wife
to help him, but she, was a curse to him.
Truly the way of transgressors is hard.
R. H. Turn-.
Bougainville.
Good Word from Fiji
[Brother G. McLaren, one of our district superintendents in Fiji, has written the following interesting letter to Pastor A. G. Stewart, telling of conditions in that part of the field.]
I HAVE just had a very interesting time
up in my district, visiting all the teachers
and the towns where our people are. I
can assure you right here that the Cakaudrove people are out for the advancement
of the message. Without exception, the
natives and teachers are doing better now
than I have seen or known them to do
heretofore. I called at Somosomo and
picked up Ratu Golea and Taniela Vauvau, and we did some visiting, holding
many meeting with those not of our
faith.
Ratu Golea is doing exceptionally good
work for a lay member, and I find him a
great help in visiting, the people in Cakaudrove. With Taniela Vauvau and the
boys from the Veilomani to help in the
singing, we have many fine meetings.
I must tell you about our visit to Qele
Levu, a small island ninety miles north of
Somosomo. On the way there we met
with head winds and rough seas, so it
took us two days to do the ninety miles.
Qele Levu is a low lying island, and very
careful navigation is required to reach
there safely. The boys really thought we
were lost on the way up there, but by a
strict check on the course and frequent
taking of cross bearings as we passed certain reefs on the way, I knew we were all
right. The weather came down dark
with big seas about twenty miles from the
passage, and there was complete silence
on board for about four hours. However,
when I reckoned that we should be off the
passage, I sent Sam up on the cross trees
to have a look out for the reef. I knew
immediately he had seen it by his shouting
and the response of the boys down below.
Then they began to sing once more.
We got into the passage all right, and
taking down the sails we steamed for the
island which is below the horizon at the
passage. Two and a quarter hours
brought us to the anchorage about twentyfive yards from a lovely white beach.
We had eaten nothing all day, so were
glad to get ashore. We stayed the
greater part of a week, and had a fine
time with people who are earnestly seeking for the truth. We are trusting and
praying that we shall have a good harvest
of souls, and another island entered with
the last message for mankind. Remember us in prayer that the Holy Spirit will
water the seeds of truth sown.
I am planning to return to this island
for New Year's
, Day with all our leading
Fijian men that are available then. The
people have invited us for that time and
are preparing for us on as big a scale
as possible. We intend to improve every opportunity, and hope to have a real interesting time.
While on this visit we called at Yanuca
and spent a profitable time there also.
At Loa we spent four days, and as a result two men took their stand for the
truth.
Ratu Meli is still at Latewa, and is as
earnest as ever and zealous for the truth.
Our tithes and offerings since the council are over ilia, so we are going to make
this a banner year for Vanua Levu.
G. MCLAREN.
111(1111111111fr111,1111111WIIIIIIIIIIMIIIMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIM111111111{M1111111111111,11111111
17'
NORTH
NEW SOUTH WALES
PRESIDENT
SECRETARY :
H. A. HILL
P. G. FOSTER
fflunnuanaainaminuanninnunatnannaannianinaninunnnanna
Sacred Concert in Maitland
Gaol
AT the request of our good friend and
brother, No. 22, we applied for and
secured permission to give a sacred concert in the East-Mail land Gaol on Christmas Day. Punctually at 2 p.m. fifty of us
assembled at the gaol gates. Having
been let through the doorway, we awaited
permission until we were passed through
the big iron gates, which were clanged and
padlocked. Upstairs we filed into the
chapel. Most of the prisoners were here
assembled and all seated in their places.
As soon as the first visitor arrived hearty
clapping took place, and as they saw some
whom they had seen before, an extra
vigorous clap was given, and when the
president and =the writer appeared they
cheered a welcome. We all filed onto
the rostrum.
Then the proceedings started. Copies
of "Christ in Song " were handed round
and we sang to open, " All Hail the Power
of Jesus' Name." Vocally the volume of
sound was grand. The whole company
remaining standing, Pastor H. A. Hill
offered up a short prayer. "There's an
Old Rugged Cross " was sung as a quartette by Sisters McFarlane and James and
Pastor N. H. Faulkner and Brother Keith
Foster. When Sister Butterworth's name
was mentioned for a recitation, they all
remembered her and some one asked for
"Broken Earthenware." This was rendered, and an encore was demanded.
Rudyard Kipling's " If " was heartily
applauded. Btother Banks conducted
the congregational singing. His little
daughter Shirley very sweetly sang " Jesus
Understands," sand " Somebody Cares."
Her harmony and articulation were both
excellent, and every helpful word was
heard distinctly. Little Gloria Lawson,
standing on a table, told the tale of " The
Young Mouse." When the people all
clamoured for an encore Gloria rushed to
her mother in alarm. She was quickly
reassured and recited, "Because They
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
Didn't Think." Both selections contained
admirable morals. It was but fitting to
follow this with a community song,
" Trust and Obey."
A violin solo, "Ave Maria," rendered
by Brother Francis Thornton evoked a
Sister 'Dellie .Cowan
hearty encore.
recited " The Leper," a piece published in
one of our papers, which contained many
allusions to the value of the presence of
Jesus for complete cleansing. Sister McFarlane delighted the audience with
"Beautiful Words of Jesus ;" and following
a recitation, " Only a Simple Picture,"
sweetly rendered by Sister Violet Mann,
" Abide With Me " was sung as a quartette. Our brother, No. 22, sang " Nearer
My God to Thee," and in response to a
hearty encore gave "My Task." "They
Are Nailed to the Cross," was given as a
duet by Sister McFarlane and Brother
Keith Foster. All very heartily joined in
the chorus, and did so just as if they
meant every word of it. Time did not
permit of encores for Sister Butterworth
and Brother Thornton when the first again
recited and the second played. After a
quartette, "Seeking the Lost," Mr. J.
Huer, Governor of the Gaol, stepped to
the front and expressed thanks for all that
had been done. He spoke most eulogistically. Brethren Hill and P. G. Foster
and the writer responded, the last named
also pronouncing the benediction.
A Christmas Treat
At 11.50 a.m. Numbers 22 and 121 were
supplied with a vegetarian Christmas dinner prepared by Sister Lawson and other
members of the Maitl Aid church. Number 22 received a portmanteau full of good
things supplied from Wahroonga members
and good friends in the North. Number
121 also was sent something additional,
but as he had already bought from his
own money ten shillings' worth of supplies,
which is the limit allowed, he was not
permitted to have what we sent. Mr.
Huer promised to pass it on to some of
the friendless ones, with the rest of our
surplus. Besides that which came from
Wahroonga, friends in Maitland and
other places donated cash which was
spent for fruit, such as oranges, passion
fruit, and plums, of which eight cases
were supplied.
It was a good gathering. The Spirit of
God spoke through the songs, the recitations, the prayers, and the looks of those
who were there. One lady who has
recently joined our ranks said it was the
happiest Christmas Day that she had spent
for many a year. Number 22 has taken
more than twenty lessons on Bible history.
Hehas never received less than 80 per
cent in marks and sometimes too per cent.
Letters from Two of the Men
Under date of December 17 our brother
wrote as follows :
"I am enclosing the small sum of ios.
in this letter. About a fortnight ago I
made application to the Comptroller
General of Prisons to be allowed to send
you this amount. We are permitted to
spend los. at Xmas, Ios. at Easter, and
los. King's Birthday, for food, so this year
I am not going to buy any food, but instead
wish you to accept this small amount as a
little offering to the Lord, either for tithe
or whatever you wish to put it to. Of
course, you will say it is a sacrifice and I
can't spare it. Well; it is a sacrifice, but
why give to the Lord only that which one
can easily spare ? The blessing comes
through sacrifice. The blessing of redemption came through the sacrifice of
Calvary, and I will receive further blessing by sacrificing to the Lord. I am not
giving it to you, I am offering it to the
Lord, so please accept it. I will be very
pleased if you do, even though it is only
the widow's mite. It is just,wonderful to
know that one belongs to Jesus. Daily
do I thank Him that, I am one of His
own. I long to be drawn nearer and
nearer, to learn more and more of His
blessed truths, to help in the work He
has done for us, and then to rise at His
call and be forever with the Lord. What
a day of rejoicing that will be I By the
kindness of the Governor I am allowed to
send you this special letter."
Another prisoner, No. 121, under date
of December 15, wrote as follows :
" Personally, I get at times a bit downhearted, especially at this time of the
year, when I see my comrades receive
letters and visits and bits of cheer from
their folks an,d homes and I have not a
friend or relative in this part of the big
globe. So to be able to look forward this
yuletide to a nice concert and cheery
faces and the fruit you have so kindly
arranged to send, does cheer one up ever
so much, especially to know that even
though I am within these walls there are
a few friends who have a little sympathy
for me. With all my grateful heart I do
appreciate your kindness and try in words
to thank you for it, and the other kind
friends at the same time. Kind words
and acts never die."
J. L. SMITH.
Boiled Tithe
IN speaking of the work being done at
our leper colony in Nyasaland, British
Central Africa, Dr. Birkenstock says :
" Nothing cheers my heart so much as
when I see these lepers, without hands,
come and bring their small tithe that
maybe, their families have worked for.
We do not take the money, but we have
them drop it in a small basin of water,
and then we boil it for half an hour and
put it with the other tithe money."
If our leper brethren, with their hands
eaten away, can be faithful in bringing
their tithe, what excuse have I ? God
expects and receives the tithe not only
from these poor lepers, but from His
people everywhere; and it would seem
that we should be the more faithful as we
live in this beautiful land were leprosy is
unknown and where we enjoy such great
blessings.
If tithe paid by the lepers must be
boiled, what should be done with the tithe
that is stolen from God and put to personal use? Boiling would hardly clear up
that situation. Let us thank God that we
have hands with which to pay tithe, and
that our money does not have to be
boiled.
LLOYd E. BIGGS.
In the North Pacific Union Gleaner.
AS the dew and the still showers fall
upon the withering plants, so let words
fall gently when seeking to win men from
error.—" Ministry of Healing," p. 157.
21/1/29
VICTORIA
PRESIDENT: W. G. TURNER
SECRETARY: E. H. GUILLIARD
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII111111111111111111111111111111111111 III MI11111111111111
R111111111111111IIIIIIIIL
A Baptism in Melbourne
IF there is joy in the presence of the
angels of God over one sinner that repenteth "—and we certainly believe this
to be true—then how they must be gladdened to see sixteen souls follow their
Lord to the watery grave and bury the
crucified old man and arise to " walk in
newness of life " ?
Not only were the angels and the unfallen intelligences pleased at such a sight,
but the family of God on earth also joined
in praising Him because of the triumphs
of Christ's kingdom.
January 5 was a day of rejoicing. God
granted us the most suitable day for the
occasion, despite the contrary indications
of the day previous. The Malvern church
was happy because their family was growing, and Brother W. A. Beatty, Miss H.
Brown, and the writer entered somewhat
into the joy of the Lord,—that surpassing
joy which comes when souls respond to
one's endeavours as an ambassador for
Christ.
A crowded church heard the discourse
explaining the necessity of a new birth,
since from the old Adamic nature nothing
pleasing to God can come. It is utterly
impossible for a carnal nature to do the
things which please the Majesty of heaven.
" Ye must be born again," is the divine
dictum. What folly for men to try to
obtain righteousness in their own corruptness. But what it is impossible for men
to do, God does for them when they surrender all to Him in Jesus' all-powerful
name.
Brother Scott led the congregation in
singing appropriate hymns as the sacred
and scriptural rite of baptism was administered. Brother Beatty pronounced the
benediction.
In the afternoon the church assembled
again with the new members to partake
of the ordinances of the Lord's house.
At the commencement of the meeting
Brethren Nash and Thompson were ordained as elders, whilst ordination hands
set Brother Dawson apart to the work of
a deacon. Later the right hand of fellowship was extended to the ten new members
who were entering into the fellowship of
the Malvern family, also to another sister
of previous baptism ; the other six will be
received into the membership of the
Moonee Ponds church.
After an explanatory address on the
significance of feet washing—an injunction imposed on the church with matchless wisdom, by its Founder—also of the
bread and wine of the Lord's supper, we
separated to participate in the ordinance
of humility, the new members taking
part.
The scenes of Calvary came prominently before us in the supper which followed. We remembered His amazing
sacrifice, and thanked God for " His
unspeakable gift." Truly we are privi,
leged in being the people who will COMplete the prophecy in the statement, ?'`As
often as ye eat this bread, and drink this
cup, ye do show the Lord's death till lie
come.
To that glad day we are fast
•
21/1/2/9
approaching. Soon Jesus will drink of
the fruit of the vine with us in His Father's
kingdom.
With these thoughts in mind we wended
our way to our various homes, rejjicing
in the feast of good things we had enjoyed
and praying, " Thy kingdom come."
Louts F. WERE.
West Australian Missionary
School
Closing Exercises
" WHY these sighs of relief in the halls
of W.A.M.S. ? " " Why these expressions
of unusual joy ? " That is a story easy
to tell.
Thursday, November 29, brought the
end of the final examinations for the
students, so all were delightfully carefree.
Then preparations were in progress to
bring a very happy school year to a
finish.
Teachers and students were entertained
at the home of Brother and Sister Speck
on Thursday afternoon, and with the
strain of study gone, all enjoyed the few
hours of association together.
On Friday evening we were pleased to
have with us a number of Bickley friends.
A study was given on the school motto,
" Greatness Through Service," and it
was an inspiration to hear the expressions
of praise and consecration from students
and friends present.
On Sabbath morning in the Bickley
church Pastor E. G. Whittaker preached
the sermon on the motto selected by those
receiving their certificates, "Complete in
Him." The point emphasised was that
the realisation of this motto in the life
called for power from God and brought
power into the life for service.
Our Brass Band -from Perth played
selections during the Sunday afternoon,
and these were much appreciated by the
large company of patrons and friends of
the school.
About two hundred people were entertained by the institution to tea on the lawn.
It was a very happy gathering, and the
management appreciated the opportunity
thus afforded them of meeting so many of
those who are interested in the progress
of the school.
To seat this large concourse of friends
in the chapel for the evening exercises was
of course impossible, so a number gathered
at the doors and also at the windows opening onto the balconies.
Every item on the programme was not
only well rendered but was worth rendering well. Songs from Mts. C. R. Hunter,
Miss R. Cleal, and Messrs. N. H. White,
L. and A. Dyason, and L. V. Wilkinson, a
piano duet by Misses Bradley and Hollingsworth, recitations by Miss R. Cleal and
Miss G. V. Cousins, a piano solo by Miss
V. Kingston, and a violin solo by Mr. L.
V. Wilkinson, all combined to give the
hearers a pleasant evening.
The chairman, Pastor E. G. Whittaker,
in giving his address referred to the genesis
of our educational work, and spoke of its
great development and far flung activities.
In presenting the Certificates of Proficiency to Miss I. von der Heyde, Messrs
W. A. Donald and H. W. Hollingsworth,
and the Preparatory Certificates to Misses
I. Hollingsworth, L. Risbey, E. Bradley,
and Mr. A. W. J. Boyle, the principal
made reference to the high standard of
work required in all the studies taken in
the school, as much work being covered
in the one year as is generally studied in
three years of high school work. This
high standard throughout the scholastic
activities makes the certificates valuable.
All felt that they had had a happy and
profitable time. The faculty and students
especially were pleased that a successful
school year had been brought to a close in
such a splendid way.
L. VETTER.
Dependence Upon the Indwelling
Christ
" WHAT may God justly expect of the
servant who has surrendered his all to
Him? In his book, "The Surrendered
Life," James H. McConkey writes helpfully on this point : "I am to cease from
self-dependence, and am henceforth to
live a life of constant trust in, and dependence upon, the indwelling Christ. I
have learned that in me alone, that is, in
my flesh, there is not one atom of spiritual life, and that the sole source of that
spiritual life is the Son of God, who
dwells within me in the Spirit. Apart
from the Christ within me I am a spiritual
pauper. The one great axiom of my new
life is to be this: Trust the Christ within
you. He is my wisdom, my life, my light.
He assures me that the Spirit dwelling
within me has taken charge of me. The
Spirit will guide ; the Spirit will teach ; the
Spirit will purify ; He will reveal the Christ ;
He will fit me for service; He will speak
through mel He will work the works of
God through me. He will at all times do
all things which my life needs for its
perfect growth in Christ. In the old life
I schemed, and planned, and fretted concerning my daily round of duty and
service. In the new life I am to leave
all to Him. In the old life I constantly
trusted my strength, my judgment, my
wisdom. In the new I am to trust His,
and His alone. He is now wholly in
charge. The reins are in His grasp. He
is the teacher, I am the scholar; He the
worker, I only the instrument; He the
potter, I the clay. The Spirit is therefore
now to have possession and control of me
in a sense and measure unknown before
I renounced proprietorship. I am now to
learn the greatest lesson in the school of
faith, the lesson of constant distrust of
self, and constant looking unto Jesus.
I am to be self-dependent in nothing,
Christ-dependent in all things."—Pages
62, 63.
CHRIST lived a life of perfect obedience
to God's law, and in this He sets an example for every human being. The life
that He lived in this world we are to live,
through His power and under His instruction.—" Ministry of Healing," p. r80.
7
WEDDING BELLS
Chambers-Wornes.—The Albury
(N.S.W.) church was filled with church
members, friends, and well-wishers, on
Tuesday, December 4, 1928, at 8 p.m., to
witness the marriage of Robert Stewart
Chambers, the son of Brother and Sister
Robert Chambers, of the Albury church,
to Miss Ivy Victoria Wornes, of Albury.
The church had been very tastefully
decorated for the occasion as their expression of good-will to the happy young
couple, who left immediately after the
marriage service by train for a short holiday to Sydney, amidst the happy cheers
and congratulations of the relatives,
friends, and citizens who had gathered to
wish them health and happiness in their
H. MITCHELL.
united lives.
Ulrich-Brooks.—In the Waitara
(Hornsby) S.D.A. church, December 31,
1928, Iris E. Brooks, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. G. E. Brooks, was united in marriage
to Carl F. L. Ulrich, only son of Sister
Laura L. Ulrich. Loving hands spent
much time in tastefully decorating the
church, and all joined in wishing the
young couple much of God's blessing and
care as they journey through life together.
R. E. HARE.
Hastie-Jacques.—On December 14 at
the home of the bride's parents at Glenora,
Tas., in the presence of a number of relatives and friends, Brother Archibald Hastie
and Sister Patricia Jacques were united in
the holy bonds "of matrimony. The home
was tastefully decorated, and the service
—a very impressive one—was conducted
by Pastor S. L. Patching. A large circle
of friends and relatives wish these earnest
young people heaven's richest blessing in
their united service for God.
PASTOR ALBERT MUNSON writes from
Menado, Celebes: "The light is daily
shining brighter and brighter in Menado.
We have over 600 believers here, a company in Tagaelandang, and one in Sangi
Island. And now a new field is opened in
Gorontale, about 200 miles down from
here on the south coast. The work is
struggling along in the island of Ambon,
where 270 are keeping the Sabbath."
THE Holy Spirit loves to address the
youth, and to discover to them the treasures and beauties of God's Word.—
" Christ's Object Lessons," p. 132.
Important Dates
Education Day : To be arranged quarterly by
each local conference.
A.M. College re-opens : Feb. 27, 1929.
W.A. Missionary School re-opens: March 13.
N.Z. Missionary School re-opens: March 13.
Appeal for Missions: March 2—
Week of Prayer : June 15-22.
Annual Council: August 27—
Camp-Meetings :
Victoria: January 17-27.
Tasmania: February 14-24.
West Australia: February 28-March 10.
South Australia : March 7-17.
— — .
8
'.;"
34t
-AUSTRZUJASIAN RECORD
Australasian rata
THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE
AUSTRALASIAN UNION CONFERENCE
OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
Editor: Anna L. Hindson
All copy for the paper and all advertisements
should be sent to Mrs. Hindson, "Mizpah,"
Wahroonga, N.S.W.
Single Subscription, per year, post paid - 51Order through your conference office, or send
direct to the Avondale Industries,
Cooranbong, N.S.W.
Advertising rate 2s. ed. for each insertion.
Printed weekly for the Conference by the
AVONDALE PRESS (A.C.A. LTD.). COORANBONG. N S
PASTORS A. G. DANIELLS and A. W.
Anderson, with their wives, returned to
Sydney, January 8, from New Zealand.
They tell of excellent meetings in both
the North and the South Island. These
camp-meetings will be reported later.
PASTOR H. J. MEYERS, with his wife
and family, passed through Sydney recently on the way from Auckland to
Melbourne. Brother Meyers has been
invited to take up the work of Missionary
Volunteer secretary for the Victorian
Conference.
MISS LAUREL FISHER, who was an
assistant teacher in the Auburn (Sydney)
church school last year, sailed for Western Australia January 12 to connect with
the church school work in that conference.
BROTHER W. OWEN BROAD and his
bride (formerly Miss Pearl Branford,
of the Monamona Mission) called at
the Union Conference office, Wahroonga,
on January 9. They sailed for New Zealand the following day to visit Brother
Broad's people in the North Island before
leaving for the New Hebrides.
IN writing to extend his RECORD subscription another two years, Pastor
W. L. H. Baker says.: " We came here to
Colorado Springs one year ago last July,
because of my condition of health, and I
have made good improvement. Prior to
coming here we were in Alabama, where
I was in charge of the Bible department
of the Oakwood Junior College for four
years. Since then I have been chaplain
of the Crestone Sanitarium. Colorado
Springs is a beautiful city of 40,000 inhabitants. We live about two miles from
the township on such an elevation that we
can see the whole city spread out before
us, with the fields and mountains beyond.
Pike's Peak more than 14,000 feet high, is
back of us and very near. Our home is
about three minutes' walk from the sanitarium."
MRS. F. L. CHANEY, formerly of Australia, writes from the Philippine Islands
in a letter dated December 14 : " Since
coming to the Philippines we feel as if we
are a little nearer to Australia than we
were when in the United States. We
have always followed the progress of the
work in Australasia with a great deal of
interest, and have noted the changes in
the personnel of the workers. . . . We
have been in the Philippines now just two
years, and have become fairly well acquainted with the field and with the conditions under which the work is done.
My main work has been in the Sabbath
School Department, as Union secretary.
For the first year and a half I taught in
the academy, in addition to the secretarial
work, but for the last six months have
been out in the field all the time."
Brother Chaney is secretary-treasurer and
auditor of the Philippine Union Mission.
Fire at Wahroonga
WE take this opportunity of placing on
record our sincere g+ atitude for the
merciful Providence that protected our
Union Conference office, the Sanitarium,
and the homes of many of our people in
the Wahroonga district during the serious
outbreak of bush fires that stretched in
an almost unbroken line from Lane Cove
to beyond Hornsby on Friday, January 4.
The Union office and several homes
were in imminent danger, especially in
the evening, when a strong southerly
fanned the flames of the furious fire. All
the brigades north of the Harbour on the
Milson's Point line came to our assistance,
also a detachment from city headquarters
under Chief Officer Nance, and the
Paddington and Drummoyne brigades.
These, with many local residents, worked
very hard in combating the fire, and it is a
source of much gratitude from all concerned that no lives nor homes were lost.
Desperate Struggles
The Sydney Sun dated January 5 gives
this account of the experience :
"Fighting through a scorching ocean of
flame, 200 firemen and volunteer firefighters succeeded in saving a section of
Wahroonga from being completely wiped
out last night.
" The flames, leaping to a height of
fifty feet, looked at times like eating up
some of the houses on Fox Valley Road,
and between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m. the fire
crept towards the Sanitarium.
"Swept on the wings of a terrific wind,
a fire which broke out in Fox Valley
Road at about noon yesterday assumed
serious proportions as the day wore on,
and at night threatened to eat up a portion of Wahroonga.
Yesterday morning Wahroonga, a picturesque northern suburb, had sweltered
in a humid heat, which became intensified
as the hours passed. It was at about
noon that the fire was first seen. Efforts
were made immediately to check the progress of the flames, but, fanned by the
breeze, they crept slowly but surely up
the valley.
"Within a few hours the fire had
grown from a tiny flickering flare to a
roaring rolling ocean of green and red.
All efforts to check the outbreak were
unsuccessful, and by 7 p.m. the colourful
waves of destruction were sweeping down
the valley towards the Sanitarium.
"Meanwhile residents of the locality
bad had to make herculean efforts to save
their homes. Racing over the tops of the
trees the flames advanced to the Fox Valley
Road and several houses were surrounded.
The residence of Mr. R. G. Cooper was
threatened and there was a rush of fire
fighters to this scene, in an ,effort to
check the advancing fiend.
" At 7 p.m. when a gale of siroccolike
fury roared up the valley it forced the
leaping flames before it. On, on, they
pressed, advancing towards the Sanitarium.
V:griit4
21/1/29
"The flames at this stage were taking
paddocks and roadways in their stride.
Licking the tips of trees, thirty and forty
feet high, they roared defiance at the fighters, who were now almost powerless.
With the wind lending its fury to the fire
the Conference office of the Seventh-day
Adventists, close to the Sanitarium,
seemed sure to go. The fire was kept off
this spot for a couple of hours, but at 9.30
p.m. the office was seriously threatened.
"Inmates of the Sanitarium were nervous, but there was no panic. They
watched the blaze from afar. They saw
night turned into fiery day. They saw
the heroic efforts of firemen and volunteers to stem, the flames. Yard by yard
the fighters were driven back by those
rolling waves of destruction, and the
wind howled in irony at them as they
went.
"Firemen played hoses over the Sanitarium grounds and the Conference office.
The fighters gradually secured the upper
hand, and at 4 a.m. the fight was over."
The Union Conference Committee subsequently passed the following resolution:
" Whereas, The Fire Brigade rendered
very valuable service in safeguarding our
property during the serious bush fire on
the night of Friday, January 4,
"VOTED, That we instruct the secretary to express to the brigade our great
appreciation of the service rendered us on
that occasion."
A Generous Gift
PASTOR J. E. FULTON, writing through
the columns of the Pacific Union Recorder
regarding the recent General Conference
Autumn Council, tells of an interesting
incident that happened at the time of the
meeting:
"Another item of interest was the
gift of a rich man in Denver who has
asked us to accept from him $300,000
(£60,000) for the starting of a sanitarium
in Denver. The money is all ready for
us, and he has even picked out a very
beautiful piece of land which he will
secure for us for part of the sum that he
gives. Besides this-great gift, he is willing
to assist us through his influence in other
ways.
"This gentleman was once a patient at
the Glendale Sanitarium. He was greatly
helped physically and heard something of
our message. He endeavoured to make a
gift to one of the helpers in the institution,
and was greatly surprised when this young
man said that he didn't accept any gratuities, that the institution paid him a salary.
This was a new thing and, he said, led
him to believe that we had something of
special value in our sanitarium work. He
was afterward a patient in another one of
our sanitariums and there also received
good treatment, which impressed him.
So he desires to makethis great offering.
" The brethren are negotiating with him
now over this matter, and the probabilities
are that the new sanitarium will be
started. This time, according to his own
plans, it must be free of debt ; and so it
will not come to the denomination as a
burden such as some of our other sanitariums have brought in building them up.
This item was considered very carefully
at the Autumn Council."