1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Vol. 31, No. 31
Sydney, Monday, August 1, 1927
Regiot, t e Tat, S vault PJA.
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How to Solve Perplexing Problems
the daily life there come many perplexing proI NTO
blems that we cannot solve. There are those who
obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday : and the
Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul
wish to adjust every difficulty, and to settle every ques- in drought, and make fat thy bones : and thou shall be
tion before they begin to work. Such will surely fail. like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose
In the end, the future will be just as indistinct, and waters fail not."
the problems just as perplexing, as when they began to
It is not our efforts that bring victory ; it is seeing
speculate about them. It is in following, light given God behind the promise, and believing and trusting Him.
that we receive greater light. Those who go forward Grasp by faith the hand of infinite power. The Lord is
in faith will find the solution of the problems that faithful who has promised.
perplex them. Light will shine
Questions will arise that
mr.vrowen-trwrovvrtverrytyvvv,rrerrevwerrie
on the pathway of the workers
cannot b e settled b y any
who go forward without quesamount of thinking. Do not
tioning. God will go before
spend time trying to settle
Choose ThOu My Path
them, giving them skill and
them. Take up t h e work
Cnoose my path, for I am weary
understanding to do that which
waiting to be done, trusting in
Of my choice; my way is dreary,
needs to be done.
Having
God. His righteousness will
But, 0, Lord, if Thou be near me
committed themselves to the
go before you, and the quesI will cheerful be.
work, and having asked wisdom
tions that have troubled you
Let Thy holy presence ever
Go before me, let me never
from God, 'let them trust in
will answer themselves.
In my blindness from Thee sever,
Him. They cannot carry the
The voice of duty is the
Bind me close to Thee.
burden of their responsibility
voice of God—a n in born,
alone. This Christ , does not
heaven-sent guide.
Whether
Let Thy Word each day shine brighter
In my heart, and make it lighter,
ask them to do. He will carry,
it be pleasing or unpleasing,
And, dear Jesus, draw me tighter,
not a part, but the whole • of
we are to do the duty that lies
Closer, Lord, to Thee.
the weight of their burden ; for
directly in our pathway. If
Let Thy gentle streams be flowing
He is a mighty Saviour,
the Lord would have us bear a
Round my path, where I am sowing
Move forward at the call of
Seeds of love. And grant their growing
message to Nineveh, it will not
May a blessing be.
God: When He points- out a
be pleasing to Him for us to go
HARRY ARMSTRONG.
work to be done, in His rime
to Joppa or Capernaum. God
and with full faith take up Oat'
has reasons for sending us to
work. You maY not see thO
the place to which our feet are
end from the beginning.! Perdirected. There may be souls
plexities may surround you. Others may tell, you pleading with God for light in the very place to which
of the lions in the way. But nevertheless go 'forward, God calls you--souls to whom you can make plain the
saying, The Lord wants this Work dune, and I will act way of salvation.
my part faithfully. I Will not fail nor be discouraged.
It is the little foxes that spoil the vines ; the little
At times the arm of faith seems too short even to neglects, the little deficiencies, the little dishonesties, the
touch the Saviour's garment, but there stands the prom- little departures from principle, that bind the soul and
ise, with God behind it : " Then shalt thou call, and the separate it from God.
Lord shall answer ; thou shalt cry, and He shall say,
It is the little things of life that develop the spirit
Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee and determine the character. Those who neglect the
the yoke, the putting -forth of the, finger, and speaking little things will not be prepared to meet severe tests
vanity ; - and if thou draw out thy soul t d the hungry, when they are brought to bear upon them. Remember
and satisfy the`a ieted soul; then shall thy light rise in that the character-building is not finished till life ends.
A.14STRALASIARMECORD
2
Every day a good or a bad brick is placed
in the structure. You are either building
crookedly or with the exactness and correctness that will make a beautiful temple
for God. Therefore, in looking for great
things to do, neglect not the little opportunities that come to you day by day.
He who neglects the little things, and yet
flatters himself that he is ready to do
wonderful things for the Master, is in
danger of failing altogether. Life is
made up, not of great sacrifices and wonderful achievements, but of little things.
MRS. E. G. WHITE.
A Minister's Story
He Is Richly Rewarded for Giving Up
a Business Career
OCCASIONALLY I pick up a magazine
and find within its pages the story of
some one who has left the ministry to
enter business. Almost always the story
begins with a narration of the writer's
sacrifices as a minister and of the change
in circumstances since the preacher has
become a business man. Seldom have I
read the account of one who gave up a
successful business life to become a
clergyman, yet I know front my personal
experience that there are many who have
found a satisfaction and a joy in the
Christian ministry th t they were unable
to find in any other walk of life.
I write as one who ave up a most successful career in the business world, and
a salary that ran up into thousands, to
become a clergyman. Perhaps there are
those who would be interested in my
story as well as in the story of the man
who ceased being a fisher of men to become a seeker after gold.
From my earliest youth I had grown up
with the idea of entering the ministry. I
chose my college course with this decision in mind. As far as was possible I
made all my preparations tend to fit me
for the pastor's life. It happened, however, that in the necessity of making my
own way through college, I discovered
that I possessed unusual business qualifications. Upon my graduation, I was
made a very nattering and tempting offer
to enter business. Here is the muchtalked-of and highly desired chance that
comes once in a lifetime, so I thought,
and I wanted to accept the offer. I tried
to make myself believe that after all
what the world needed more than anything else was more consecrated Christian
business men. I could not settle the matter without first consulting the old pastor
who had been my adviser for many years.
I told him of the business offer, and of my
desire to accept it. I argued with him along
the same line of thought as I had argued
with myself. I found him to be greatly
grieved as I told him of my decision, and
I terminated the interview by promising
him that, although I was going to accept
the offer, I would leave the business world,
no matter how great my success in it
might be, if ever I found that in it I was
not rendering to the Christ and His church
the service that I felt I could give as a
minister of the gospel.
I did enter upon the business life, and
from the very first my success was assured. Within the first year my income
was amply sufficient to enable me to
marry my college sweetheart, who had
1/8/27
expected to wait the full three years of species can be transformed into another."
my seminary course for me. Success,
In the latest edition of the Australian
happiness, and, in time, a precious boy, Museum Magazine, April-June, 1927, page
were ours as evidence of the rightfulness
of my decision. Yet as my interests and 63, C. Anderson, M.A., says concerning
responsibilities increased, I found that I Darwin:
was giving less and less time and thought
"For years he continued his observato the work and programme of the Church.
Often we found ourselves neglecting the tions and accumulation of facts, his notes
regular services of the sanctuary to drive became voluminous, he continually sifted
out into the country for a family picnic. and abstracted, testing various hypotheses,
It was these observations that brought me until in 1844 he was convinced that one
to face squarely the promise that I had species can be transformed into another."
made to my old home pastor. It was a
True, it was not until fifteen years
long and hard battle, one which my wife
and I had to face and fight together. We later, 1859, that his book, "Origin of
fought the battle through together, I say, Species," was published, yet it is most
and won.
significant that he was finally convinced
It has been years now since the second of his theory in 1844.
momentous decision was made, but
J. J. CRAMMOND.
neither of us has ever regretted it. True,
there have been sacrifices, hardships,
trials, which might never have been ours
had I remained in business, but these
Nearing Home
things are lost sight of in the joy of serving Him who came not to be ministered
(Written as Pastor Parker and the writer
unto, but to minister. I have been priviwere nearing Fiji.)
leged to enter the holy of holies of lives
that I would not otherwise have touched
"THIS passage must be a dangerous one
had I not entered the ministry. 1 have
with those jagged, pointed rocks out so far
been used, I think, in encouraging many
from land, anti the lighthouse on the
young men and women to go on with opposite side away up on the bill."
their higher e?ucation. I have had men
"Not so at all." was the cheery comment
and women come to me with their probof a ship's rfficer. " Those rocks are
lems, and we have tried to work them out charted. Every captain must study his
together. I have passe 4, hand in hand, chart. The passage to the harbour is
through the dark valley of he shadow of
death with those whom I would never quite safe."
Our voyage had been a long one, but it
have reached had I remained in business.
In short, I have had experiences that I had quickly passed : we were almost home
would not exchange for any amount of —aimost home again to the bland field I
money, and I know that many of them
It made me think f our voyage to the
would not have been mine had I not heavenly land dear brethren and sisters,—
entered the pastorate.
we are almost there ! Our blessed ReSometimes friends spealc of the past
deemer, our Captain, is guiding the ship.
and of the wealth that would have been We need have no fear, and oh, what a
ours had I remained in business; At such privilege is ours to have a part in soultimes I think of Him who, though rich, winning
became poor, that we through His povMany times in the island work, on a
erty might become rich, and I thank'God small sailing boat entering a difficult pasfor the riches of His mercy and for the sage, we have seen and beard the preparaprivilege of labouring in His vineyard.-,- tions. No idle talk allowed ; the children
The Christian Herald, March 13, 106.
must be quiet and out of the way ; eNrery
man at his post of duty and at attention
Passages through the reef are not all
direct and in a straight course. Very often
Evolution and the Judgment
they curve, and a false move would mean
THE main reason we exist as a separate, shipwreck. We almost hold our breath
distinct body of people is that the pro- and wait speechless for the captain's comphetic truth, "the hour of God's judgment mand to the man at the helm to bring the
boat around. "Cava 1 " At the word the
is come," meets its fulfilment in 1844. sailors jump quickly to adjust the sail
At that date God had planned in His accordingly: what a relief and what gratiprovidence to raise up a people who tude we feel as we pass into the quiet bay
would especially emphasise the funda- or harbour !
Just new, every true child of God has his
mental truth of creation. Their message
eyes on the Captain of our salvation.
would call upon men to "worship Him "For He will finish the work, and cut it
that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, short in righteousness: because a short
and the fountains of waters." At the same work will the Lord make upon the earth."
date the enemy had planned, through the Rom. 9 : 28. There is work yet to do. A
work full of joy. A work that will bring
philosophy and "wisdom of this world" to stars in your crown. Distress and percounteract the influence of this truth, by plexity have arisen in many lands. While
bringing into being the theory of evolu- we have the opportunity, shall we not lay
up our treasure in heaven, ere it is too late ?
tion in its modern setting.
There are many islands in Fiji where the
Without doubt Darwin is the father of
banner of the third angel's message has not
modern evolution, and one of the most been lifted. A larger boat is needed to
remarkable facts concerning this apostle reach the islands farther afield. Shall we
of the jungle-origin of man, is that in not give of our best to the Master?
1844 A.D. he finally decided that "one
MYRTLE PARKER.
1/8 27
•••
AlISti
-riMASIAN RECORD-
IJ
T
•
News from Afar
imm
Notes of Travel—No. 5
Taken from Letters
Our Visit to Jerusalem
THERE are now two Jerusalems, the
old inside the walls, and the new built up
outside the walls and having much more
modern buildings and proper shops and
wider streets. We walked along the
north side of the wall through very dusty
streets as far as the Damascus Gate (fish
gate) and just off the road here is one of
the spots pointed out as Calvary. Passing
on farther we came to Herod's Gate and
here we entered the city with its narrow
streets (all of them seem no wider than
from six to fifteen feet), paved with worn,
slippery cobblestones. Some are even,
some terraced, some open to the sky, and
some shut in. We passed along part of
the Via Dolorosa. This is shown as the
way over which Christ passed as He left
the judgment hall. As Jrrusalem has
been destroyed so many times (the last
time in A.D. 70, when Titus levelled it to
the ground), we know this cannot be the
road. From excavations now going on,
the city of His day is about twenty feet
or more below the present city level, so
these spots that are shown to tourists are
not the real places, but well above them.
However, we passed through a gateway
near the church of St. Anne, and after
going down several flights of stairs we
came to what really is the pool of Bethesda.
It has not been all unearthed yet, but its
corners and some of its porches have, and
there is no doubt as to what it is. We
saw many columns and old statues and
pottery which have been unearthed from
the ruins, and bought some postcards.
Passing along we came out of the city by
Stephen's Gate (sheep gate), on the east
side from which the road leads to Gethsemane and Olivet.
Old Jerusalem is enclosed by a wall
about thirty-nine feet high forming an irregular quadrangle about two and a half
miles in circumference. It has eight
gates ; but one, David's Gate, has not been
opened for centuries. The two chief
streets intersect in the centre of the town
and divide it into four quarters,—Moslem,
Jewish, Armenian, and Grmco-German.
All the other streets are very crooked and
dirty.
The houses are built entirely of stone
which is dug out to form the cistern under
the house and its small courtyard, and
then the house is raised up over that with
a flat roof to catch the rain water for the
well, from which it is pumped up in some
cases or drawn up in buckets.
From the time of the Crusaders till
the fall of Jerusalem in 1918, all the
territory from the Taurus Mountains
in Asia Minor right down to Mt. Sinai
Desert was called Syria ; but since the
war, on the recommendation of the
League of Nations, Syria has been divided into two regions. The northern,
m
[0
under the mandate of the French, is
known as Syria and Grand Lebanon; and
the southern part, under British mandate,
is Palestine and Transjordania. The
Syrians feel greatly injured over this division, and their discontent and resentment are the causes of local riots and
minor wars. The League of Nations declared that the people of Palestine and
Syria should be recognised as independent, but under the guardianship of Great
Britain and France for guidance until
they can stand alone. They do not, however, enj IT constitutional government as
the inhabitants refuse to participate in
elections:
Jerusalem has about 64,000 inhabitants,
of whom Moslems form a big percentage,
nearly as many as the Jews. There is a
large percentage of Christians also.
Syria's capital is Damascus, while Beirut
is the capital of Grand Lebanon.
Gethsemane and Mount Olivet
As we passed from Stephen's Gate to
the east of Jerusalem, the Mount of
Olives stood before us. It is separated
from Jerusalem by the Valley of Kidron.
The road descends rapidly to this valley
and past a spot marked as the place of
the stoning of Stephen. We soon crossed
the valley by a bridge. Just over this
bridge on the left and well enclosed by
high walls, is a very old olive tree called
the tree of agony, said to be the spot
where Christ agonised in prayer. There
is not much imposing about the garden
now. There are no big trees,—just a few
old olive trees which have their trunks
split with age. Here somewhere it was
that Judas betrayed Christ.
We walked up the slopes of Olivet,
thinking as we did so of the events in the
Saviour's life associated with this spot.
When near the top we sat down on some
rocks to rest, and had a fine view of
Jerusalem, especially the temple area now
occupied by the Mosque of Omar,—Jerusalem, "beautiful for situation," nestled
among the hills. To our right as we
ascended Olivet the hill slopes are covered with stone slabs, many thousands of
them, marking the graves of Jews. On
the western slopes, the Jerusalem side of
the Kidron valley, are thousands more of
Moslem graves. As we reached the summit, the view of the surrounding country
was very fine, especially of Jet usalem and
its environment. Standing somewhere
here Jesus uttered those words, "0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem," etc. Every spot in
the valley or on the hill traditionally
sacred is occupied by mosques or churches.
Encircling Jerusalem
Just over Mount Olivet is the village of
Bethany on its western slopes. Returning
to Jerusalem by the Bethany Road we
passed the tomb of Absalom and farther
on the tombs of the prophets, and then
crossing the Valley of Kidron again by
another bridge we looked down the valley
8
of Hinnom or Gehenna to the south of
Jerusalem. It seems to be the sewer of
Jerusalem, judging by the fearful smells
we met. We climbed the ascent to the
south-east corner of the wall of Jerusalem
and followed the entire course of the
south wall and then up the western side to
the Jaffa Gate. Immediately to the south
of this gate is the gap in the wall about
fifty feet wide that was made to admit
Kaiser Wilhelm and his retinue in 1898
when he visited the Holy City. The Jaffa
Gate itself is quite intact. From this gate
David Street passes right into the heart of
the city. It is a great business centre
and leads to the chief bazaars.
When we reached our boarding house
in the new Jerusalem we had encircled
Jerusalem two and three-quarter miles
and had walked in all some seven or
more miles. Interested but very tired, we
were glad to rest awhile before tea at 6.30
p.m. Tea over we went for a stroll to
get warm, and then to bed to condense
two nights' sleep into one. It is winter
here and cold, just as cold as winter in
Wahroonga. About five weeks ago they
had three days of snow in Jerusalem, the
first for six years. The sun is nice and
warm, but the winds strong and cold.
Down to Jericho and the Dead Sea
Wednesday, March 23.—Up at 6 a.m.
Breakfast at 7 a.m. Brother Zerne had
hired us a car— a Buick Six, seven seater.
Into the car at 7.30 and off the six of us
went for the day taking our lunch with us.
First along the road to Bethany which we
passed on our left, then down toward
Jericho. Jerusalem is 2,500 feet above
sea level, so the way to Jericho is as the
Bible says, "down." The road zigzags
down the valleys. Down, down we went
passing on the way a small stone building with a stone wall around it which
marks the traditional site of the Inn of
the Good Samaritan. These mountains
are full of caves, and therefore good
shelter for robbers in Christ's day. About
fifteen miles from Jerusalem we had a
glorious view of the plain of Jericho, the
Jordan valley, and the Dead Sea, with the
Trans-Jordan mountains i n the background. At the foot of the mountains as
we emerged on to the Jordan valley we
turned to the right off the Jericho road to
go to the Dead Sea. We were now over
1,000 feet below sea level; we had therefore descended about 3,500 feet in fifteen
or more miles. Another few miles across
the desert covered with salt bush, and we
were at the Dead Sea, a little west of
where the Jordan enters. Here were a
few huts of Arabs and anchored off the
shore two small sailing crafts. A crude
bathing shed was also on the beach. We
hired bathing suits for one shilling each ;
all but Brother Zerne went in for a swim.
The weather here was nice and warm
compared with Jerusalem, but the water
a little chilly. We greatly enjoyed our
dip in the Dead Sea. Fresh eggs float in
it with one-tnird of their vo ume above
water. It is twenty-six per cent salt, the
same as Salt Lake, Utah. Its greatest
depth is 1,300feet ; ten miles wide by fiftythree long. Woe betide if any water gets
in your eyes! The beach is very grayelley, no sand. After a delightful ten
minutes in the brine and a wash down in
fresh water (for when we came out the
salt formed a fine powder all over us),
we dressed and proceeded on our way to
4
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
We visited the tradithe Jordan River.
tional spot where Jesus was baptised some
three or more miles up from the Dead
Sea, also the spot where the waters were
divided by Elijah's cloak. The crossing
of the Israelites is several miles to the
north. Both banks of the Jordan here are
lined with a species of willow tree, and
the view up and down stream is quite
pretty. The waters are flowing rapidly
south and are of a muddy colour. The
soil here is a red sandy loam. Just a
hundred yards or so and the trees give
place to the salt bush of the salt impregT. A. SHERWIN,
nated soil.
M. M FREEMAN.
o Our Mission Field
ttg) 414
The Annual Fijian Council
A Most Inspiring Gathering
LEAVING Sydney June II, the Australasian Union Conference delegation, comprising Pastor C. H. Watson, Pastor L. D.
A. Lemke, and the writer, arrived in
Suva five days later to attend the Fijian
annual council and to hold a general
meeting for the Indian Mission in Fiji.
The arrival of the delegation in Fiji
was evidently awaited with much interest
and pleasure by both our workers and
laity, and as our good ship Sonoma was
nearing the wharf we could see a number
of familiar faces, both European and
native, among the expectant crowd that
awaited her arrival.
After hearty handshakes and greetings
and the passing of the Customs, we were
soon distributed am on g the mission
families, but not before our first day's
programme was announced. This included a short welcome and presentation
from some of the representative native
brethren, and a general meeting in the
Suva Vou church in the evening, where
each of the delegates would be invited to
address the church members.
Just previous to the evening meeting in
the church we were all invited into Pastor
Martin's front room while a few of the
good Fijian brethren, including Ratu
Sailosi, Ratu Meli, and Timoci Nawara,
seated themselves on the floor with proper
Fijian decorum and after a few words of
welcome to the " three chiefs " from Australia, presented a tambua, or whale's
tooth, in royal Fijian fashion, welcoming
the delegation and imploring God's blessing upon us all and the work of the council soon to follow. Three very nice mats
and three very large yams were also included in the presentation.
Although the words spoken by my
fellow delegates had to be interpreted,
their messages were warmly received.
To the writer it was a very great privilege to again take up the Fijian language,
which is next to my mother tongue, and
discourse to these dear people of God's
wonderful providences since we left them
some fifteen months ago. Ratu Sailosi
responded to the addresses on behalf of
the Fijian brethren, and so the first good
meeting was ended, portentous of other
good meetings to follow.
The next two or three days were largely
devoted to the Indian Mission work, and
the delegates were well pleased to see
this work being built up on a more permanent basis. The new and spacious
location at Samabula gives evidence of
being a good investment. The schools
for boys and girls being conducted there
give promise of good results. About
tor ty pupils ate now under the instruction
and helpful influence of our workers in
these school'. While the school buildings
are well built and are in a good state of
preservation, it is evident that the strictest economy has been used in the building
up of this work and the schools still lack
a great many things to give them the
equipment and conveniences they really
need. Sabbath and Sunday evening services were conducted by the visitors and
greatly appreciated by our Indian adherents and friends who were present.
Travelling to the Fijian Council
Early on Monday morning every one
was astir, making preparation for a trip
about fifty miles from Suva up the Rewa
River to one of our district stations at
Naqia, on one of the large branches of the
upper Rewa.
Having been transported by motor
lorry hired for the occasion, we had soon
covered the first twelve miles by road to
Nausori, where our two small launches
were awaiting our arrival, Brethren Lane
and Steed having come for us the evening
before. By seven o'clock in the evening
we were all being hospitably entertained
by Sisters Steed and Edwards, away from
the sights and sounds that are considered
"life"by the people of the world.
Amid the quiet hills and on the bank of
this beautiful stream where nature is
lavish to the extreme and prodigious beyond description, the Intermediate School
for our young people in Fiji is located,
and is without comparison in all our
Australasian Union.
This large family, numbering about 130,
are happily domiciled amidst these ideal
rural conditions. The gorgeous hues of
the hibiscus, the crotons, the coleus,
draceneas, and many other highly coloured
shrubs growing under these ideal tropical
conditions must be seen to be fully appreciated. But the most delightful sight
that our eyes saw was the fine large body of
boys and girls, cleanly dressed with healthy
bodies and happy hearts, receiving a Christian education under these conditions.
May Heaven's benediction continually
rest upon this instituticn, is our prayer.
Arriving at Naqia
A few hours by launch from Navuso
brought us to Naqia where the council
was to be held. Lavish preparations on
the part of the district natives had been
made for the entertainment of the large
number of believers who were gathering
in from many parts of Fiji.
1 8 '47
A special welcome ceremony was also
prepared on behalf of the delegates from
Australia and comprised a written address
of welcome read by one of our Fijian
workers, which was followed by the presentation of two large whale's teeth by the
buli or district chief, dressed in the primitive chieftain's style and wearing a large
necklace of whale's teeth. Though not
an Adventist he warmly welcomed the
leaders of the work from Australia, the
ministers, the chiefs and laity from all
parts of Fiji, invoking the blessing of
God upon our council and work throughout the group.
A Brass Band
The innovation of the brass band from
the Buresala Training School playing
during the council, proved a real success
and gave added publicity to our work.
Though having had only a few months'
practice, the band rendered a number of
items in a very creditable manner and
Ratu Meli
were heartily applauded.
must have felt highly gratified at the
success of his solicitation of many of
these instruments while abroad.
Council Proceedings
The large European church at Naqia,
which 'accommodates nearly 500 people
without seats, was many times crowded
during the council. Fully six hundred
people were present, and on some occasions many could not find admittance to
the, church.
A daily programme of devotional instruction, and council meetings was conducted, with preaching services each
evening.
Interesting reports were rendered by
the field workers and school superintendents. A very encouraging feature of
the council was the, presence of a leading
chief not of our faith who spoke very enthusiastically of the spirit of the meetings;
also the presence of a number of new
believers from the island of Koro who
,have but recently accepted the message.
Deeply Spiritual
- From the commencement of the council
it was very evident that God's Spirit was
witnessing to the spoken word, and His
Moving upon hearts was very apparent.
The•messages from our Australian breth.ren which had to be interpreted were
greatly appreciated and were used of
God for the refreshing of hearts. On
several' occasions large numbers were
moved to tears and wept for joy in the
assurance of God's love for all men and
His-purpose to save many from among all
nations.
The Sabbath school was conducted in
three divisions, and the total attendance
was 592. Deep interest was shown by all
as they heard of the growing interest
manifested by the natives of Papua in our
mission work where two of our Fijian
families are working. Mitieli Nakasamai,
one of our Fijian ministers who lost his
health during the ten years he laboured in
that trying field, publicly volunteered to
'return to help that needy people. Be has
not yet fully recovered his health, but
said he was prepared to go and give his
life for the heathen people of New
Guinea.
1/8/27
RALX§IK ikEd-c*Dy- "Nt4".titta4
ETik-Ausf-
Baptismal Service
One of the most impressive sights during the council was about thirty candidates for baptism being led two by two
into the river to bear witness to a new
life within, as Pastor Martin and Methusela
Naisogo administered the rite of baptism
in the likeness of our Saviour's death,
burial, and resurrection.
A Freewill Offering
After a very pleasing entertainment
given to the council in the village by the
children of the Wainibuka School, when
a most creditable performance of physical
drill and vocal items was rendered, the
attendants at the council made a freewill
offering to help liquidate the debt on the
Naqia church, and a second offering on
behalf of the children of the Wainibuka
School, which resulted in a grand total
of over seventy-five pounds being contributed for these two worthy objects.
The Best Council
The closing meeting came too soon for
many who seemed reluctant to see the
council close. Many declared it to be the
best council they had ever attended, and
all left feeling that God had richly blessed
them.
With mingled feelings of sadness at the
thought of separating and with feelings of
untold joy for the blessings received,
earnest farewells were expressed and a
determination to be faithful and true to
the message which makes us one, we left
the place where God had come very close
to His children and spoken to their hearts.
May He continue with His dear children in Fiji is the prayer of His humble
servants who were thus privileged to assist in ministering to them at this most
inspiring gathering.
A. G. STE'WART.
Suva, Fiji,
,July 6, 1927.
Dedication of the Church at
Cheke, Solomon Islands
ON Thursday morning, at the sound of
the bell, all gathered on the Melanesia, for
we were invited to attend the dedication
of the church at Cheke, about five miles
farther up the lagoon.
Cheke is not really a new mission, for
most of the people living there formerly
lived away up on the hills, but now all
have moved down near the water's edge,
and have built a new church there.
The Melanesia and its load of happy
students arrived at Cheke about 9 a.m.,
and as the service did not begin till 10.30
we had some time to visit round amongst
the people. We found some who were
sick, and also prepared som food and fed
a poor little under-nourished baby.
The little church was very neatly made,
and being decorated for the occasion it
was a real credit to the little company
there. The seats were all taken out except one to make more room, and about
120 natives were able to enter and occupy
the floor space.
Jimuru led out by announcing the opening hymn, and leading the congregation in
prayer. After the second hymn, announced by Rangoso, Brother Peacock
preached the dedicatory service which
was interpreted by Rangoso.
His opening text was found in Ex. 25:8,
the Lord's words to Moses, "And let
them make Me a sane:Italy ; that I may
dwell among them." Sonic promises of
God were then read showing how He will
bless ard save His people; and although
these dark-skinned people were, in their
heathen state, a curse, God could now
make them a blessing, and an example to
all those who visited them of His saving
power to change heathen hearts.
Brother Barrett also spoke a few words,
reminding the people that after they had
built a house to His glory, Gcd wanted a
commandment-keeping people to worship
in it ; and that as the people of old had
all things in order, so they now should
have their church and all its surroundings
clean and tidy, so that God could come
and visit them.
All bowed while Brother Ferris prayed,
dedicating the church to God's service,
and invoking His blessing upon the
gathering.
Brother Barham announced the closing
hymn, "Not I, but Christ," and Pana
closed the service with prayer. An offering of £5 was then given towards the
church.
The next very interesting item was the
feast. The white people were supplied
with native food, cocoanuts to drink, and
oranges. Two long tables made of banana
leaves spread on the ground were neatly
arranged, and the food put out in small
heaps all along them. Another small
table was prepared for the chiefs and
teachers present, special care being taken
in arranging it. When everything was
ready 135 natives seated themselves round
the tables, and then all rose while God's
blessing was asked upon the food. All
were very busy arid looked very happy for
awhile. Then the waiters came along with
bundles of leaves, distributing to all ; and
the food they could not eat each parcelled
up in the leaves to take home, thus leaving
the tables quite bare.
After shaking hands, all left for their
homes feeling happy and refreshed, for
God had met with them and blessed them.
EVELYN R. TOTFNHOFER.
Lord Howe Island
(From a Letter)
WE had a good Week of Prayer. Although on the first Sunday a fearful
cyclonic storm struck the island, the
evenings during the remainder of the
week were beautiful clear moonlight
nights, and we had that Sunday night's
reading on the following Sunday evening,
so we really lost no meeting. The prayers
and testimonies of our people here were
very earnest. Most of our folk went to
every meeting. Two sisters from the
south end of the island walked every night,
the journey to and fro meaning a fivemile walk each evening.
The offering amounted to £7. Our
people here felt impressed to give, and I
believe they gave whole-heartedly that
the work might be finishen. One sister
who has no one else to help support her
home, and whose income is not more than
a pound a week, had twenty-seven shillings in her envelope; and another, a
widow, had a if note. This reminded
me of the poem for the Thirteenth Sabbath, on the Widow McWiley and her
one pound note.
We had a good Thirteenth Sabbath
school service. Our aim for offerings
5
this quarter was £8, but we reached £9
7s. 5d. Each quarter we raise our aim
by ten shillings, and always get it and
more, although some think we never shall;
tut Sister Fenton always says, "Have
faith, we shall reach it," and we do.
The children sang the hymn about
" dark New Guinea " very nicely, and our
daughter Muriel recited the poem regarding Mrs. Mc Wiley.
I do not know if I told you about our
chart. I painted a sinking ship wi.h
thirteen men on board to be rescued before the ship sank. The ship represented
heathenism ; the sea, the ocean of sin; the
point of land jutting into the sea, salvation. Each Sabbath if the aim for the
day was reached, a child rescued a man
with a life-line (device) and he was placed
safely on land, saved. On the Thirteenth
Sabbath we had two men to rescue.
While these two were drawn across to
land on the life-line, the children sang,
" Throw out the life-line," and by the use
of a little device the old ship slowly sank
into the sea out of sight as the men were
saved.
We have lost some of our membership,
two boys who have gone to Avondale and
David to take the nurses' course; but for
those who are training for some part in
God's work we do not grieve. We are
finding the Missionary Volunteer programmes in the Leader especially interesting and helpful lately. Our young
people's society is ding well and a good
deal of literature is distributed among the
people who visit Lord Howe. The tourists
that come to the island often attend our
meetings. Thus we sow the seed, and
although we do not see many results, we
have the promise that the Word will not
return void.
JESSIE FERRIS.
OUR aged Sister Belden on Norfolk
Island, writes in a mail just received some
interesting reminiscences of early workers in this message. We quote: "I received five American letters last mail,
three of them from Washington, from
Sister Plummer and Brethren N. Z. Town
and Tyler Bowen. These were called
forth by the RECORD containing my
phuto. I became acquainted with Brother
Town when he was canvassing to pay his
way through South Lancaster School.
He used to come to our house and stay
over Sabbath and Sunday. And Brother
T. E. Bowen, of the General Conference
office, I knew when he was a little boy.
I lived in the same neighbourhood with
his father and mother awhile and soon I
got them interested in the truth, and sent
to the first Brother R. F. Cottrell to come
and hold some meetings. He had had a
fever and Brother Andrews thought
he was not able. I wrote for him again
in a little while, and yet he did not dare
venture, but he told his wife that if I
wrote again he should take it that it was
the Lord's will that he should go. Well,
I waited a little while, and wrote the
third time, so he came and gave a course
of lectures. Several families embraced
the truth ; among them was the Bowen
family. Brother Bowen tells me that four
workers have developed from that group.
Don't you think I'm glad ?
" The quilt that I have now finished is
the eighth that I have made for missions.
I think this is my last. On August 13, I
shall be ninety-six."
........
.•Ps
.conins•••••••....••*avr•
.
A ST
. A1.14$91415. RECORD
6
QUEENSLAND
PRESIDENT
SECRETARY ;
A. C. CHESSON
P. GLOCKLER
Among the Cane Fields of
Queensland
TOWNSVILLE is one of Queensland's
northern towns. It possesses some 25,000
of a population. In its centre there rises
a somewhat rugged and precipitous hill.
In former days an American syndicate
offered to remove the greater part of this
hill if the land, made up by the removal,
were ceded to them for ninety-nine years.
But the civic fathers refused the offer and
the mountain still stands in the centre of
the town.
A number of pleasant meetings were
held with the company of Sabbath-keepers
in this place. I was given a very hearty
welcome at the hospitable home of Mr.
Hill. The trees and flowers round
Townsville are all tropical. Some of
them are very beautiful.
Leaving Townsville I journeyed by
train eighty-two miles to the west and
reached Charters Towers. This was formerly the second city in Queensland, but
decline in the mining industry came and
lessened its prosperity. Shafts and machinery may be seen in all directions, but
the sound of the grinding is low. It is
said that more than one thousand houses
have been removed to other localities.
Here again a very enjoyable four days
was spent in visiting and holding meetings with the Sabbath-keepers. Most
were found of good courage. One aged
member, Sister Oates, walked over two
miles to one of our meetings. It was a
pleasure to meet with the loyal-hearted
there.
The journey then lay southward over
fifty miles to the cane fields of Ayr.
This is a large cane-growing district.
Several large sugar mills are in the
vicinity, and some of the small railway
lines extend for sixteen miles out from
these centres, through an almost endless
succession of cane fields.
In company with Brother Todd I had
the privilege of visiting one of these mills.
We watched the cane being raked in at
one end and the sugar coming out, bagged
and ready for market, at the other. The
process is most interesting. Cane stalks
from four to ten feet long are raked in
among the rollers, where sharp revolving
knives cut them to pieces. These pieces
are then forced into recesses where they
are cut up in small pieces, and these
again are forced between great iron rollers
that crush out all the juice. The refuse
of the cane is then taken to feed the fire
that produces power for the factory.
The juice is then boiled, clarified, thickened by evaporation, crystallised, dried
in a centrifugal copper, and then turned
out sweet, brown sugar.
In the factory laboratory we were
shown the various methods employed in
testing the cane juice as to its sugar value.
The values thus obtained determine the
price that the grower obtains for his cane.
The sugar finally reaches the refinery
where it is re-melted and filtered through
bonedust that has been burned in a furnace. This is how the white crystal
sugar is obtained.
At the home of Brother Morgan I enjoyed an hour's work cutting cane with
some of the boys. In this work the cane
is cut off at the root, all the leaves and
top removed, and it is then carted to the
siding and piled on the trucks ready for
the mill. When on the trucks the work
of the grower is completed. All the railway and truck work is done by the factory.
Ayr is a place with large supplies of
underground water. It is pumped by
machinery to irrigate the growing cane.
Without this supply the cane could not be
grown here, as it is known as one of the
dry areas of Queensland.
Brother Clifford Anderson has been
working in this district for some time.
His meetings have been well attended.
A number of profitable studies were held
Nr'j41
1/8/27
with the church, and the hours spent together were pleasant indeed. Brother
Todd's kindly home proved a very pleasant and quiet resting place while in that
locality. A short visit was also made to
Home Hill, across the great river Burdekin. A Sabbath was spent with the little
company there. Then I rested for a few
hours at the distant forest home of Brother
Bapty. Several services were also held
among the coloured people. There is
promise of some of these finding their
place in the message.
Our only regret in all these places was
the shortness of time. May the blessing
of God rest on the loyal hearts who are
carrying out His ministry in this part of
the great field. Tropical vegetation still
holds at Ayr and the pineapples grow.
R. HARE.
141%11J
ur
ome Missions Department
kef
That Little Extra Effort,
and Its Result
ti
4,
1
1. r1A
in the card of a high official in the Telegraph Department, called at my home
to see me. On my enquiring his need he
asked me, " What must I do to become a
Seventh-day Adventist ? " I questioned
him closely, and found that he had learned
the truth from the Great Teacher Himself with the help of the books he had
bought. There was only one thing, he
was a very heavy smoker and had been a
heavy whisky drinker. He wanted to
know what the Bible had to say about
these things. We talked the matter over
and when he rose to leave I asked him,
"Mr. Ferguson, when shall I see you
again?" His reply was, " When I have
given up my pipe." Just about two
weeks went by and he came back, his face
aglow with the consciousness of a victory
gained. "Thank God," he said, "I do not
feel the slightest desire for any of those
things now."
To finish the story, Brother Ferguson,
after witnessing for God in his office,
retired from Government service and is
spending his time in the spreading of the
literature that meant so much to him.
Little did that Indian boy know, as he
trudged his way home, with a rupee in
his pocket, that he was the stuff heroes
are made of; and that Providence had
used that little extra effort of his to bring
a soul to God, and through the man, his
family, and further than that to provide
another worker for the great vineyard.
REUBEN E. HARE.
"LET us not be weary in well doing;
for in due season we shall reap, if we
faint not." Gal. 6: 9.
He was only an Indian boy. He was
tired, and his teeth were chattering ;
another attack of fever was coming on.
The day had been long and trying. He
had not sold any of the small books and
tracts that he carried so carefully under
his coat to keep dry. It was raining as it
can only during an Indian monsoon and
he wanted to go home. But, no! another
train would soon come roaring into the,
great junction and possibly there might
be some sahib who would buy a book;
he would try, anyway.
As the great train came into the station
from the south, the tropical night was
settling down with that abrupt suddenness
that makes one wonder where the day has
gone. The sahib in the corner was bored
and weary, anxious to be at his journey's
end, when an insistent tapping at the
window aroused his curiosity. As he
raised the window a number of small
books were placed in his hands with the
humble request that the sahib would buy.
The sahib was not interested and was in
the act of passing them back when the
title of one of the little books caught his
eye. "Steps to Christ," he did not know
much about them, but, well, he had
four hours before him in the train and it
would be something with which to pass
away the time. He began to read but
before he had turned many pages, the
"Longing for Light"
wearisomeness of the journey was forgotten, as there came to his mind a desire
WHILE visiting a country town during
to follow those "steps." The little book the Appeal for Missions campaign, I came
was read and re-read, then he wanted more in touch with a lady who, when spoken to
and found that some one had thought- about the work we are doing in home and
fully placed an address where more could foreign fields, said : "I have been hungering
be obtained, on the inside of the cover, and praying for light. I do want to live a
with a rubber stamp. A letter soon went Christian life. We used to go to church,
to that address with some money and a but never seemed to get that for which we
request for more literature. Pastor Mar- were longing. So instead of going to
tin sent the books, and at the same time church, once a month my husband and I
sent him my address in Bombay.
drive out several miles to hear an old
A few days later a gentleman, sending gentleman give a Bible study. He is so
18/27 rai47 XTISTRZUJABIAN RECORD.
earnest and sincere, and it does me good
to hear him."
I was impressed that this lady was
hungering for the truth, so asked her if she
would like some reading matter. "Yes, I
will be pleased to have it," she replied.
When reaching the office, several copies
of the Signs and Little Friend were sent
along to her. Some weeks later the tollowing letter came to hand:
" Will you please pardon my tardiness
in acknowledging the papers you so kindly
forwarded and thanking you for them. I
have read with interest the Sgns of the
Times, also the stories in the Little Friend
to the children, and I sincerely thank you
for your kind interest. The short conversation with you cheered and encouraged
me greatly and I am striving hard to find
grace in the Master's sight.
"May I add that I wish your missionary
work the greatest success. It is truly a
wonderful and courageous work. Again
thanking you for the reading matter,
"I remain,
"Yours truly,
The statement in the "Acts of the
Apostles," page 109, was brought forcibly
to my mind: "There are many who are
reading the Scriptures who cannot understand their true import. All over the
world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and
inquiries go up from souls longing for light,
for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are
on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only
to be gathered in.
"An angel guided Philip to the one
who was set king for light and who was
ready to receive the gospel; and today
angels will guide the footsteps of those
workers who will allow the Holy Spirit
to sanctify their tongues and refine and
ennoble their hearts. The angel sent to
Philip could himself have done the work
for the Ethiopian, hut this is not God's
way of working. It is His plan that men
are to work for their fellow men."
Further literature has beet) sent, and I
am awaiting a reply. May the winning of
souls be our incentive in missionary work.
E. R. WHITEHEAD.
It More Than Repays
I HAVE received my club of Signs regularly each week and have enjoyed giving
them to the people to read, also have had
some very pleasant experiences.
One lady to whom I gave a Signs containing the article "Protestantism Dying
Out in Europe," told me how interested
she was in this article, and that she had
read it through twice and was going to
read it through again to make sure she did
not miss anything. She said it was all
very true, and when she was talking to
others about this subject she would remember what she had read in the Signs.
She herself had been associated with
Roman Catholics and is not ignorant of
facts.
Another lady told me how much she enjoyed the Signs. She had not been receiving them regularly, just occasionally when
I called on her with one. Without my
asking her she told me one day she would
like to subscribe for the paper a little
later. She said she had five young men
staying at her home and that they all
used to read the Signs in preference to
novels. She seemed very pleased about
this, and wanted to see all the,young men
converted. She also showed me two
books she bought from some one that had
been round canvassing at one time. She
brought out " Bible Readings" and another one of our publications, and was
very much surprised when I told her they
were our books. She ,aid what splendid
books they were and how much she enjoyed reading them.
Another lady to whom I gave a copy of
the Signs one day found a tract that I had
enclosed, " Which Day Do You Keep and
Why ?" and she asked me later if I had
any more of those little tracts, and if
I could let her have some, as she would
like to send them to her friends. I gave
her some, for which she was very thankful. How encouraging it is to see others
not of like faith spreading our message.
This lady as well as others told me we
keep the right day. This of course
accounts for her wanting to show the
leaflets to her friends.
I have very much enjoyed the Ingathering this year, meeting several of the people who take the Signs. They seemed
only too pleased to give me a donation
and made me feel very welcome.
One lady who had already given, asked
me when I called on her with the Signs
if I was still collecting. She said she
would like to give me another donation
if I would accept it. I told her she had
done her share and that I didn't expect
another donation from her, but she said
it was for a good cause and that she would
not miss it, so she went inside and
brought me another offering.
The work of distributing the Signs is a
real pleasure. I have found it so. The
happy experiences one has, and the joy it
brings, and the friends it makes, more
than repay the effort.
One lady :old me that a gentleman had
remarked to her that he thought a lot of
Seventh-day Adventists, and had been
reading some of our literature, and further
stated that we were right in the day we
keep. This lady, although not an Adventist, told him that that was the church he
It is not only the people
ought to j
to whom we give literature that read it,
but also the ones that have it passed on to
them by those who receive it from us.
We do not know how far it really does go.
One lady told me she lent one of her
Signs to some one to read and was quite
concerned because the person did not
return it.
I hope soon to add others to my sixteen
subscribers. We leave the results with
Him who has said, "My word shall not
return unto Me void," and we trust there
will be many saved in the kingdom
through the reading of this good literature.
LILY BUNNEY.
OBITUARIES
SCOBIE.—B ro th e r William Heugh
Scobie was laid to rest in the East Maitland
(N.S.W.) cemetery on Monday, July II.
Born in West Maitland, August 12, 1830,
our brother had passed the allotted span of
life. He maintained his physical vigour,
and his mind also was unimpaired to the
last, though during recent years great
care had to be exercised owing to an
internal strain which affected the main
artery. After a brief illness of only a
few days, heart complications developed,
and he fell asleep. He accepted the third
J
7
angel's message under the labours of
Pastors Colcord and Hicocks just subsequent to the first camp-meeting held at
Maitland twenty-nine years ago. Many
meetings have been held in his home
during recent years, and there are souls
now rejoicing in this precious truth as a
consequence. The writer was privileged
to visit him during his sickness, and to
comfort him with the unfailing promises
of God. It is these promises that console
the bereaved wife and children in their
sorrow, and the glad hope of reunion
which sustains them. The service at the
grave was conducted by our president,
Pastor H. A. Hill, while the writer spoke
a few words of comfort and exhortation
to those gathered in the home. Like
Lazarus, our late brother now lies sleeping awaiting the coming of his Lord,
whose glorious voice will awaken him
out of sleep.
C. MANN.
TOTENHOFER.—Brother August Totenhofer, aged sixty-seven years, the beloved
husband of Emily Totenhofer of Berriedale, Hobart, died on Sabbath, July 9.
Brother Totenhofer came to Tasmania in
1872,—fifty-five years ago. While residing at Collinsvale he accepted present
truth under the labours of Pastor M. C.
Israel about thirty-seven years ago. He
has always taken a prominent interest
in church work, and has been a very
valuable member in the cause. Being of
a very energetic disposition his recent illness compelled him to ease up, his heart
being affected as the result of a strenuous
life. His one desire was that he might
live to see the realisation of the blessed
hope, the coming of Christ. Atter his
operation in the General Hospital,
Hobart, be improv d, and thought that
surely he would live to see Christ come.
But the heart gradually weakened until
the end came. With Brother Tutty, Sister
Stellmaker, and his wife and Peggy (an
adopted daughter) around his bedside, he
expressed his confidence in the message
and in Isaiah 63:24, and then peacefully
and quietly passed away. The writer
visited him frequently and found him
always confident that if not living to see
Jesus come he would hear His voice on
the resurrection morning and see Him then.
We laid him to rest in the Cornelian Bay
cemetery, Hobart. Our sincere sympathy
is extended to the sorrowing wife and
three sons and two daughters who are engaged in the Lord's work, —Brethren
George, Reuben, and Howard Totenhofer,
Mrs. John Nash and Miss Evelyn Totenhofer. Words of comfort and promises
of hope were spoken at the home and also
at the graveside. " There'll be no dark
valley when Jesus comes," one of his
favourite hymns, was sung.
E. G. WHITTAKER.
Wanted.—A home for an orphan boy
eleven years old. Has had good Adventist home training. For further particulars apply, THE EDITOR, AUSTRALASIAN
RECORD, " Mizpah," Wahroonga, N.S.W
For Sale.—At Avondale, house of five
rooms, verandah three sides, washhouse,
set-in tubs, copper, etc. Nine acres land,
30 young fruit trees, pony, trap, cow and
calves, 100 laying fowls. Price, etc.,
write G. A. W., Avondale Press, Cooranbong, N.S.W.
8
AUSTRALASIAN RECORD
4k
›.- 4
udatlasilmt
rnri r
THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE
AUSTRALASIAN UNION CONFERENCi!
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.
- 5Order through your conference office, or send
direct to the Avondale Industries,
Cooranbong, N.S.W.
Single Subscription, per year, post paid
Advertising rate 2s. 6d. for each insertion-
Printed weekly for the Conference by the
fairly good, seeing that sever al of our
members are girls dependent upon their
relatives who oppose this truth, Our
Appeal for Missions has commenced and
we have now collected £6 gs.
A baptismal service was held here the
day after we returned to Tonga, when
three candidates were baptised. Brother
Knudsen and James are spending two or
three evenings every week in paying missionary visits and giving Bible studies,
with the result that a few are interested
in our precious message. We look for
them to unite with us when they understand more fully.
MAGGIE FERGUSON.
AVONDALE PRESS (A.C.A. LTD.), COORANRONG. N.S.W.
Cyclone at Lord Howe
date of the South New South
Wales camp-meeting has been set for
October 4 to 16.
THE
THE Sunday night meetings being conducted in the city of Sydney by Pastor J.
W. Kent are being transferred from the
Empress Theatre in George Street to the
Astor Theatre, 254 Pitt Street. Beginning on Sunday evening, July 24, Pastor
Kent is giving a series of lectures on the
subject of evolution.
AS this paper is sent to press, representatives from the different conferences
are on their way to the important convention to be held at Warburton in the
interests of the publishing, canvassing,
and home missionary work in this Union.
This will be attended by Brother H. H.
Hall of the General Conference ; Brethren
C. H. Watson, W. W. Fletcher, W. J.
Westerman, F. G. Rampton, R. E. Hare,
A. W. Anderson and A. R. Watson of the
Union Conference; also the presidents,
secretary-treasurers, field missionary and
home missionary secretaries of the local
conferences. Two days after this meeting
closes, the Annual Council of the Union
Conference will open at Wahroonga.
Week of Prayer at Vavau, Tonga
WE held our Week of Prayer at the
same time as the believers in Australia,
and I am glad to tell you that we had
some very good meetings right through
the week, well attended, and above all,
the Spirit of the Lord was present with us.
That week was a particularly cold one,
the temperature falling to sixty degrees
every night. But in spite of the fact that
the fongans feel the cold keenly they
came along well. At 5.30 a.m. the first
bell rang, and when the second rang at
six o'clock there was always a goodly
number in church waiting to receive the
blessing of the Lord. A short Bible study
was given, after which the majority joined
in a season of prayer.
At 6.3o p.m. we assembled again and
enjoyed listening to the Week of Prayer
reading. We had not less than fourteen
natives at every meeting, and sometimes
over twenty. There was a good spirit
throughout, and I believe all enjoyed the
meetings and were strengthened and refreshed. Although we are not a large
company we are unitedly seeking the
Lord.
At the close of the Week of Prayer the
Annual Off Ting was taken up. This
amounted to £13 8s. 2d., which we consider
WRITING of the cyclonic storm that
visited Lord Howe Island, in June, Brother Ferris says: " We have had rather
stormy weather here lately, and considerable damage was done to our little island.
Usually at this time of the year we get a
reminder that last-day conditions prevail.
The barometer stood lower than has
hitherto been known. Radio messages
came that two cyclones, one south-east
and one north, were advancing and likely
to meet at Lord Howe, so we were somewhat prepared, and truly enough they did
meet at Lord Howe!
"For two days the dense clouds of salt
spray spread over the island from the southeast will terrific force, until every sign of
green was withered and brown. Then
with unusual suddenness it lulled and
struck us from the west. The roofs of
small buildings, sheds, etc., began to fly,
our verandah spouting was broken at every
point, and chimney tops were stripped off.
I had twenty-five banana trees in full
bearing all destroyed. Every vegetable
plant became non-existent in our gardens.
The people estimate that £2,000 worth of
palm seeds were lost. A launch that had
lately arrived, and had cost £400, was
grounded and practically ruined.
" We were very glad when the storm
finally moderated, and were thankful for
our Heavenly Father's protecting care, and
that no lives were lost. A pandanus
tree was brought down the hill side to
within a few yards of our house, and
fell right in Mrs. Ferris's flower garden.
Most people have been engaged ever since
repairing damages and clearing roads."
It was not long ago that Brother and
Sister Ferris suffered loss through fire, and
now this cyclone has visited them with
disastrous effect. We were impressed by
the cheerful tone of Brother Ferris's letter
and cannot but admire the spirit with
which they take the "spoiling of their
goods."
"IT is just a little over a week," writes
Brother W. N. Lock, "since we returned
from Efogi, and I enjoyed my visit up there.
We left Brother and Sister Mitchell full of
courage and they are getting along very
nicely. On the first Sabbath of my visit
we went up to Kagi, about one and a half
hour's walk, and held a service with the
people. There were about seventy present.
Then we returned an-1 held a service in
the church. We spent the We-°k of Prayer
at Ef rgi and hal some good meetings.
The f Mowing Sabbsth we spent at Manar
when over seventy attended the two
services held."
.4f.„11114
rwAftelti,
V8/217
Two New Pamphlets by Pastor
Fletcher
THE Signs Publishing Company has
issued two pamphlets by Pastor Fletch, r.
The first is entitled
" Both Lord and Christ "
This shows that the believer cannot
accept Jesus as Christ without at the
same time exalting Him as Lord, nor can
he accept Jesus as Lord without receiving
Him as Christ, the crucified Lord.
The secret of success in the Christian
life is an open one, like the mystery
referred to in the New Testament, signifying something hidden to the uninitiated,
but clear and plain to those whose hearts
were prepared to receive the God-given
explanation. Notwithstanding that the
secret is an open one, however, there are
thousands who have not discovered it,
although they would like to do so. It is
with the hope of helping such that this
little pamphlet is sent out.
The second pamphlet is called
" Chief of Sinners "
And aims to show that the greatest sin
of all is the sin of alienation from God
and unbelief in the Lord Jesus Christ.
These publications will, we believe, be
found helpful to all our people, leading to
a deepening of the spiritual life of thr se
who give earnest attention to their messages. We believe they will also be
found very useful for circulation among
friends and acquaintances not of our faith.
The pamphlets contain thirty-two pages
each, with attractive covers, and are sold
by the conference book departments at
threepence a copy, plus postage.
ON Thursday evening, July 7, a lantern
lecture was given at the College, and again
on Saturday night in the village church,
illustrating the remarkable blessings God
has brought to other lands through the
Big Week Extension Fund. As the needs
of these fields were brought before the
audiences and the wonderful work accomplished by the Big Week was told by the
slides, all felt grateful for such a plan.
An hour and a half was spent on the
Friday morning with the gospel salesmanship class, a bright group of young
men and women who are planning to
enter the canvassing field this vacation.
Brother Hall having spent six or seven
years in tract society work, twenty-six
years in the publishing house, another six
or seven years in the Publishing Department of the General Conference, the last
four of which have been spent mostly in
Europe, he is peculiarly fitted to help the
Book Department in this field at the
present time, and we are most grateful to
the General Conference for having planned
that a share of Brother Hall's itinerary
be spent among us.
Wanted.—Adventist family desires
dairy and mixed farm on shares. For
particulars write to G. A. W., Avondale
Press, Cooranbong, N.S.W.
Important Dates
Field Missionary and Home Missions Convention :
July 28-August 9.
Union Conference Council : August 12-19.
Queensland Camp-Meeting : September 6-18.
Lismore Camp-Meeting: September 20-25.
Missionary Volunteer Week: September 24-October 1
South N.S.W. Camp-Meeting : October 4-16.