Report of New South Wales Missionary Volunteer Department
By ETHEL M. JAMES
As we look back over the past year, we feel that we have much to thank the Lord for. When we count up the young people, it is interesting to see how many are filling places of usefulness in the work. We find one of our Missionary Volunteers in the Cook Islands; one has gone to the Friendly Islands; one, whose interest was first awakened as an isolated member, has gone to Adelaide to work in the sanitarium; one has gone to the Solomon Islands; still another has gone to India; two have joined the forces in China; and we might mention others who have gone this year to fill places of usefulness in the Lord’s work. Some have attended the college at Avondale, or entered the sanitarium and café, in preparation for future usefulness. But this is not all, for there are many strong young people who are doing faithful work in their home churches, and sharing in the joy of service. Our present membership is nine hundred and three. One hundred and twenty of these are isolated, and the others are banded into twenty-five societies. Efforts have been made to lead the young people to a systematic study of the message by memorizing our quarterly doctrinal texts. Scriptures were memorized last year on the signs of Christ’s coming, the second coming of Christ, the law of God, and the Sabbath in the Old Testament. Written examinations were taken at the close of each quarter, as follows: Second coming of Christ, 188; signs of Christ’s coming, 191; law of God, 312; the Sabbath in the Old Testament, 219. As we have visited homes, it has been encouraging to hear these scriptures rehearsed, sometimes in the early morning while the housework was being done. Others have taken the time while going to and from their work. Even very young children who cannot read and write are eager to learn, and can answer many questions with a “Thus saith the Lord.” We have heard these scriptures repeated and made the subject of conversation in many homes, and some are endeavoring to use them when talking of our faith to strangers. The books selected for our Reading Course this year were “Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing” and “Livingstone the Pathfinder.” One hundred and eighty-three copies of the latter book have been sold to our members in New South Wales, and others are still ordering. These books have been read in many homes, and while out visiting recently I was surprised to find how many have read the books through two or three times already. We are glad to see our young people reading for themselves, and fortifying themselves against the enemy. Conventions and officers’ meetings have been held in different churches, and on May 2 the Missionary Volunteer officers met in the conference office, and spent a profitable time together. The week of prayer proved a blessing to us all. Meetings for the children were held daily in some of our churches. At Eugowra and other places the young people and children do not meet many people, but they are watching for opportunities. Morning Watch Calendars have been sold more freely this year. In all, about nine hundred copies have been sent out from our office. The demand is increasing every year. But what is more encouraging still is to see them used.20Many have spoken of their appreciation of these morning readings. During the past year one hundred and thirty-seven young people were baptized and united with the church. Some of these are standing faithfully for the truth in divided homes. The great and final gathering day is right upon us, and we realize that there is urgency in our work, and especially so in our work for the children and youth. Before the storm bursts, we want to see the lambs of the flock sheltered within the fold.