Queensland, Australia by Morris Lukens

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 19, 1912

Queensland, Australia

By Morris Lukens

THE Queensland conference and camp-meeting were held at Kelvin Grove, a suburb of Brisbane, September 19-29. This was the first camp-meeting held in the Australasian Union Conference this summer. The camp-meeting was located in a beautiful grove easily reached by the street-cars, and as a result there was a good attendance of the public. It was the purpose of those in charge of the meetings to present the truth in such a way as to meet the great needs of the people. Services had been held in a tent near by preceding the camp-meeting. Several who had attended these meetings and had not yet given themselves fully to the Lord were led to decide for the truth of God during the camp-meeting.

The attendance of our people at this meeting was very encouraging, it being the largest gathering of Seventh-day Adventists ever held in the Queensland Conference. This conference contains over 668,400 square miles, and scattered over its territory are 350 Sabbath-keepers. Some, in order to reach the camp-ground, were obliged to travel more than seven hundred miles. There was a spirit of harmony and earnestness and love manifested by all who attended, and from the first the Spirit of the Lord seemed to be very near his people. Opportunity was given early in the meeting for all to give their hearts to God, and to reconsecrate their lives to his work. The last Sabbath was a day long to be remembered by those in attendance, on account of the deep movings of the Spirit of God in convicting and delivering souls.

One feature of special interest was the liberal response to the call that was made in behalf of the work. After a short Bible reading by Pastor George Teasdale on the last Sunday at the early morning devotional service, the meeting developed into one of thanksgiving, in which nearly all present took part. It was indeed encouraging to hear the different ones testify to the goodness of God. Some had seen their loved ones converted at the camp-meeting, and all had been blessed in one way or another, and desired to bring a thank-offering to the Lord. One after another testified, and made his pledge. The Spirit of God seemed to draw near; and when the meeting closed, although no one had been urged or even asked to give, yet about $825 had been voluntarily pledged for the carrying forward of the work.

The early morning meetings were sources of special spiritual refreshing, and were enjoyed and appreciated by all who could attend them. One marked feature of all the meetings was the general regular attendance, and especially was this noticeable at the business meetings. The interest taken in the Bible instruction, missionary meetings, health lectures, etc., was such as to indicate

a real spiritual life in the conference. In harmony with the beautiful surroundings, a spiritual calm rested on the encampment and affected every soul that came within its reach, and heartfelt praise, without one discordant note, ascended to God for present blessings and for unstinted goodness during the past year.

Twenty-four rejoicing believers were baptized on the final day of the meeting. Aggressive plans were adopted for the carrying forward of all branches of the work. There is reason to believe that there will be united and vigorous efforts put forth by the whole conference membership during the ensuing year for the advancement of the work in all departments.

In response to the earnest call of the union conference that Elder Teasdale accept the position of principal of the Australasian Missionary College, the brethren in Queensland reluctantly released him from the presidency of that conference. Elder Watson, of Victoria, was unanimously elected president, the other officers remaining about the same as last year. MORRIS LUKENS.