Report of the Australasian Union Conference
[Elder O. A. Olsen, as president of the union, presented the following report to the Conference, May 21.] Review of the Union Field and Work
It is with hearts full of sincere gratitude to God, from whom is every good gift and every blessing, that we here recount some of the mercies that have been so graciously bestowed on the work in the Australasian field. The country as a whole has enjoyed general prosperity, and this in turn has made our situation the more favorable for the work of the message. Our field is an extensive one, taking in, as it does, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, all the South Sea Islands, the Philippines, the East Indies, the Straits Settlements, and Malay Peninsula; an immense area stretching from 20 north latitude to 46 south latitude; and from 95 east longitude to 130 west longitude; with a great variety in the way of population, numbering, at a conservative estimate, from sixty to sixty-five millions.10 Within our territory we have seven organized conferences,—New South Wales, Victoria, New Zealand, Queensland, South Australia, West Australia, and Tasmania. Our mission field is divided into four divisions, as follows: Eastern Polynesian, with headquarters at Papeete, Tahiti; Central Polynesian, with headquarters at Buresala, Fiji; Malay and East Indian Mission, with headquarters at Singapore; and the Philippine Mission Field. During the past four years the blessing of the Lord has been over our field, and a good degree of prosperity has attended all the different departments of the work. We would have been glad to see more accomplished in every line, and this might have been, had we all been more devoted and faithful to our high calling. The number of churches has increased from 82 to 117, an increase of 35; and the church-membership from 2,851 to 3,750, an increase of 889; and the total number of Sabbath-keepers from 3,363 to 4,492, showing a growth of 1,129. The growth in tithes and offerings has been rather more in proportion than the growth in membership. From 1901-04 the tithe was $138,838.46, and from 1904-08 it was $223,702.14, showing an increase of $84,863.68. The Sabbath-schools have increased by 98, and the membership from 3,151 to 5,033, an increase of 1,882; and the Sabbath-school contributions to missions from $12,507.29 to $23,140.45, an increase of $10,633.16. Offerings to missions aside from those made by the Sabbath-school and Young People's societies have amounted in the last four years to $25,590.32, an increase of $18,316.62 over the previous four years. The total contributions to home missions have amounted to $8,796.76, an increase over the previous four years of $8,613.23. We are glad also to show some increase in our book sales, which in the last four years have amounted to $314,334.69, this being an increase over the previous four years of $31,554.88. Our increase in the matter of laborers, I am sorry to say, has not kept pace with the general growth. Some have left Australia to return to the States. At the end of 1904 we had 28 ordained ministers, and we had only the same number, Dec. 31, 1909; 3 more have since been ordained. At present we have 23 licensed ministers, an increase of 8 over the number of four years ago; and 72 Bible workers, an increase of 27; but the number of canvassers is smaller by 10 than at the beginning of 1905. We have 23 office workers. Thus the total number of workers is 224, as against 185 four years ago, an increase of 39. There is prospect of a larger increase in the near future. During the last four years considerable attention has been given to the missionary campaign work. Conventions have been held in all the states but one. Not only is a deep interest taken in this work, but its results are most gratifying: first, that the way is thus opened for every man, woman, and child to take an active part in the Lord's work, especially in the matter of the circulation of our literature; second, this activity brings a special blessing to the church, as well as to individuals; and third, by this means a more systematic and extensive work can be done in the circulation of our literature, spreading the knowledge of the message far and near. While this work is as yet only fairly begun, most encouraging results have already been realized. The plan is to make this missionary campaign a continuous and permanent idea in every part of our conference. During the past four years, the young people of Australia have been formed into an organization known as the Young People's Division of the Missionary Society; and we now have 66 societies, with a membership of 839; and in the State Home Department, 173, making a total of 1,012. Thus our young people form an important factor in our missionary campaign work, and we are glad to state that a great and effectual work is being done by them. In addition to the work they are doing in the regular missionary lines, the young people of the several home conferences have undertaken the support of one or more missionaries in the mission field; that is, the young people of one conference have one or more, and the young people of another conference have another. They themselves raise, by their own efforts, money for the support of their missionaries. While the union conference duly appreciates the money thus raised, we much more appreciate the saving and salutary influence this effort has upon the minds of our youth, and its effects in binding up their interest with the salvation of souls and the proclamation of the last message to the world. At our late union conference it was felt that the time had come to issue a young people's paper, the work of our young people demanding such an organ. The paper has accordingly appeared, under the name of the Young People's Magazine, and has met with a very cordial reception. The blessing of the Lord is over our institutions. At the time of the last General Conference, arrangements were in operation for reorganizing and removing the Echo publishing plant from the city to the country. This has now been accomplished. The name has been changed to the Signs Publishing Company; and the plant is nicely established at Warburton, Victoria. We are pleased to add that all connected with the publishing work are greatly pleased with the change. The good hand of the Lord has been over the Avondale School, and we can say, with the servant of the Lord of old, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord spoke concerning this school and its location. It continues to be a wonder to all who visit the place. The industries connected with the Avondale School have grown to large proportions, as seen by the amount of credit earned by the students. Here follows a statement of the value of such credits for the past seven years: 1902, £364 4s. 11d.; 1903, £800 18s. 8d.; 1904, £1,419 16s. 5d.; 1905, £2,020 17s. 10d.; 1906, £2,228 9d.; 1907, £2,938 18s. 1d.; 1908, £4,035 4s. 1d. In the way of improvements the school has added a building 40 x 60 for the Avondale Press; this has become a very busy place. It is here that printing is being done for the islands and mission fields. We are now printing the truth in 9 languages. We issue 12 different publications in the English, 3 in Maori, 4 in Rarotongan, 6 in Tahitian, 5 in Fijian, 6 in Tongan, 5 in Samoan, 6 in Singapore-Malay, and 4 in Java-Malay; making 51 in all. During the past four years 81 young people have gone out from the school at Avondale, and entered the different lines of work in the message. Most of these have finished one or more of the courses of study offered by the school. Five have entered the ministry, 4 the Bible work, 25 have become teachers, 19 have entered the canvassing work, and the rest are in other lines of work. Some are in the home field, while others have gone to mission fields, so that the school has representatives in China, Java, Singapore, Fiji, Tonga, Pitcairn Island, Sumatra, the Philippines, and New Guinea. Two new schools were opened at the beginning of 1908. The Pukekura Training-school, near Cambridge West, Waikato, New Zealand, is very favorably located on a farm of 170 acres. It has a comfortable building, and the present year opened with 42 students in the home, just double the number last year, with a number more as day students. The Darling Range School, in West Australia, is not so large as the one in New Zealand, but is equally favorably located, being in the country some thirty miles out from Perth. The climate and location are all that could be desired. Last year the school had an enrolment of 22, and will have nearly double that number the present year. This school has 100 acres of land, which was largely a donation. Our people in West Australia are rallying to their school enterprise in a noble manner. Mission schools have also been started in Singapore, in the East; in Raiatea, in the Eastern Polynesian district; at Haapai, in the Central Polynesian district; and a girls' school at Buresala, Fiji, has just opened. Our mission training-schools are of the greatest importance to the cause, as a means of preparing native laborers for the field. We must depend on native labor to carry the message to the millions of natives. Many are the calls and openings for schools, but we have not been able to furnish the teachers. At present we have 23 church-schools, an increase of 7 during the last four years. We would have more church-schools, but so far the teachers are lacking. In our last report to the General Conference we were working among a population of 7,863,589. At present we have work among a population of 48,851,122. During this time, work has been begun at Singapore, the Philippines, Java, New Guinea, and among the Maoris in New Zealand. Thus we have enlarged our borders, and annexed territory containing a population of 40,650,000. At the same time the work has been strengthened in other mission fields. In all, the home conferences of New Zealand and Australia have furnished 56 workers for the mission fields during the last four years. This could not have been done without the hearty and cheerful co-operation of the conferences in11furnishing both workers and funds for the extension of the message in mission fields. What has been done, however, is only a trifle as compared with what must be done in the very near future, for the message must go to all these people. PAPERS AND OTHER LITERATURE
The importance of getting out literature in the many languages and dialects has not been lost sight of. Indeed, we have improved every opportunity to get translations into a new language. We print monthly papers in the Fijian, Rarotongan, Maori, Tahitian, and Tongan languages, and a small quarterly in the Malay. We have also issued books and tracts in Fijian, Tahitian, Rarotongan, Tongan, Samoan, Tagalog, Singapore-Malay, Java-Malay, and Maori. Our Sabbath-schools have become a very important factor in our missionary operations. During the period they have contributed $28,297.21. Of this amount $23,140.45 was given to mission enterprises. THE HEALTH AND SANITARIUM WORK
Some progress has been made also in these lines. The Sydney Sanitarium at Wahroonga has passed through some trying experiences in connection with the changing of physicians and managers that became necessary by the leaving of the Doctors Kress; but I am pleased to report that at the present time the institution has quite recovered itself, and is enjoying a good patronage, with an excellent feeling in the home. As for the field in general, I am pleased to report that our laborers and people in every conference are in harmony and union, and in heartiest sympathy with all the principles of the message and in every forward movement. Our latest series of camp-meetings and conferences has been decidedly the best since my coming to Australia. Every conference, and indeed every department of our work, is hindered because of a shortage of laborers. In behalf of our workers, I would say that they are all of good courage, and ready for any labor and sacrifice that the message and the work may call for. Our aim is to give “the third angel's message to all the world in this generation,” and we quite sense the responsibility of the statement, “Upon the Australasian Union Conference rests the burden of carrying the message to the islands of the Pacific.” Elder Olsen then called upon J. E. Fulton to report for the populous East Indian field, under the Australasian Union care. He said:— I wish to bear greeting from our Sabbath-keepers and workers in this great island field. These islands are a very old settlement, being discovered only 29 years after Columbus discovered America, by the great navigator Magellan, who landed on the island of Cebu in 1521. Of the inhabitants, some are pagans, some are Mohammedans, and the greater number are professed Christians. Since America has taken over these islands, Protestant missions are operated by different denominations. There seems to be quite a movement on the part of the natives to read the Bible, which has been withheld from them so long. The population of these islands is stated to be about 8,000,000. What a field for missionary effort! It would seem that now is our time to work there. Brother and Sister Finster and Brother and Sister Caldwell are not only missionaries in that group, but what are they among so many? In the Philippines one finds himself in a country of strange contrasts. He sees the old forts and city walls, and ancient cathedrals, some of which were built not long after the time of Martin Luther. Alongside these he now sees modern buildings of every kind; and emerging from, or entering through, the gray and moss-covered walls, in old Manila, the electric cars are seen raging along in American style. We have done something here in the way of circulating literature. Hundreds of the Signs of the Times have been pouring into the Philippines every week, addressed to school-teachers and others who read English. Brother Caldwell has done excellent and successful service in selling Spanish “Patriarchs and Prophets.” In a letter just received Brother Caldwell tells us that his deliveries have been good, and he is now re-canvassing the territory for “Coming King,” also in Spanish. The Lord has opened the way to secure a good translator, to put some of our literature into the Tagalog language, one of the most important dialects in the group. At our late council meeting in Manila we decided to get a few leaflets translated and printed in this dialect. Three hours after a meeting where we decided on two small tracts to be translated, we were in the house of the translator, a man who has been employed by the American Bible Society. He immediately took the work, and in three days had completed the task, and the manuscript was placed in the hands of the printer, copies of the tracts to be in the hands of the people, and, we trust, the truths taught soon to be in their hearts. In a recent letter from Brother Finster, we are told that the translator has been working on a Sabbath tract, and that he became so much exercised over the question himself that he has decided to obey. Many of you have been interested in hearing about the great split in the Catholic Church in the Philippines. You have been interested because you have heard that the new movement, called the Independent Catholic Church of the Philippines, has been circulating God's written Word. While in Manila I called upon Archbishop Aglipay, who claims to stand at the head of at least 3,000,000 people. He received me cordially, and asked me many questions about our faith. He expressed himself as happy to learn of a people who really have the interest of the native people at heart, which he thought was an unusual thing. When he heard of our General Conference, and knew that I was a delegate, he asked me to bear a request for him to this Conference. “Tell your delegates assembled at General Conference,” he said, “to pray for my people.” The needs are great. We ought immediately to have 2 more ministerial workers, one in the north and one in the south, and 2 canvassers for the same districts. Many more laborers could be used; but considering the general needs of God's cause in many lands we make only this moderate request. A mission station, where a school can be carried on, will soon be needed. This will need to be carefully selected, and should, we think, be located where the workers could have the most favorable surroundings for health, which must be carefully guarded in this climate. There are about 3,000,000 people in this great island. Padang is the chief city, and the place where our mission is located, under Brother Wantzlick. There are about 30,000 people there, 18,000 being Malays, 10,000 Chinese, and the remainder Europeans. Mohammedanism has a strong hold upon the Malays. Padang is a good center for our Malay work, and we have unrestricted privileges to work for any class. The Battaks live in the interior, about seven days' travel from Padang. We have a few there who are keeping the Sabbath. There is an interest among the Battaks, but on account of the promise of the government to the German mission, occupying this territory, no other people are allowed to enter there. Still no one man, or company of men, can set bounds which will not be broken over by the message. Four of these Battaks have attended our school in Singapore. Two of them have since returned, and one of them is teaching the truth to his people, and writes of an interest on the part of many, and also of opposition on the part of the German missionaries. But, being a native son, he is left to carry on the work. Brother G. F. Jones, of the Singapore Mission and school, writes that there are a number of these Battaks who wish to attend school. It seems that a school should be started at some point in Sumatra, near enough to receive these eager people. Where are the workers for this great island with its millions? There are precious souls there ready to receive the light. Who will go? The city and island of Singapore, at the extreme end of the Malay Peninsula, furnish a field of study for those who desire to learn something of the customs and religions of the various people of the East. Thousands of Chinese are here also, and their numbers and activity give one the impression that this is quite like a Chinese city. Of its 300,000 population, over 200,000 are Chinese. Then there are also Klings from Western India, a numerous body of Mohammedans, and these, with many Arabs, make up the many petty merchants of the city. There are also a few thousand Europeans in important positions, both in business and in government. There are churches, Hindu temples, Chinese joss-houses, and Mohammedan mosques, representing the different religions of the people. From a commercial standpoint, Singapore is a great center, and from the missionary's standpoint it is also a great center. I am told that fifty lines of steamships call at Singapore. Brother and Sister Jones have been here for some time, and the Lord has blessed their labors with fruit. This is one of the most populous spots on the globe, in fact it is said that one part of Java is the most densely populated12district in the world. The island is 635 miles in length, and about 100 miles in width, and yet it supports a population of 32,000,000 people. The inhabitants are said to be chiefly Mohammedans, but they are not very strict about their religion, except here and there in the large cities. Many of the people seem to know nothing of God, and so are really heathen. The island is very productive, rice being the staple article. Many kinds of food are raised, and some of the most delicious tropical fruits are here found in abundance. The people are kind and full of good nature. We believe there are many people among them who would respond to the truth. They are a very needy race. We have a great work to be done there, but where are the reapers? Is the Lord laying the burden on some of the young people for this great field? May God arouse his people to the needs of these millions of perishing souls. [Amens.] The centers of our work are located in Soerabaya, and Soember Wekas, and Pangoensen. At Soember Wekas, 35 miles inland from the hot, fever-stricken district of Soerabaya, and at an elevation of 2,400 feet, we have secured a property of three and one-half acres of good land, planted to tropical fruits, shrubs, and flowers, with a substantial house and bamboo bungalow, the main house being well furnished at the time of purchase. Through the property flows a lovely little stream, passing through a large cement swimming bath, 20 x 20 feet, as it runs on to the garden below. The altitude secures us a cool and delightful climate. The mountains at the back rise to an elevation of 10,000 feet. We secured this property at the very moderate price of about $900. Our missionaries were not the first to proclaim the Sabbath truth in Java. Nearly half a century ago a godly man by the name of Jantz went to Java as a missionary from Holland. He translated the Bible into the Javanese, no easy task. His son and daughter afterward joined him in missionary work. The father died; the son labors on as a missionary, and so does the daughter, of whom we wish especially to speak. About sixteen years ago this sister received the light on the Sabbath question, together with the kindred truth, the second advent doctrine. When we learned of her work, she was visited; and Elder E. H. Gates brought a request from Sister Jantz to our conference, asking us to take over her work, and carry it on under our direction. At our last union conference, the brethren asked me to visit Sister Jantz, talk over the proposition with her, and see what ought to be done. We shall never forget the welcome received. From every member of every family, as we rode along on the little Arab ponies, we heard one and the same welcome, “Salamat dateng duro,” which means, “Blessing on your coming.” We saw the place and the people, attended the prayer-meeting that night and the services on the Sabbath, and we felt sure that a number had learned of Jesus. They all (about 200) rest on the Sabbath, and a considerable number do this intelligently and from choice. Some of the young have so far progressed in experience and knowledge that they are able to go to the surrounding heathen villages, and preach the gospel. Some gave their experience on the Sabbath, and their testimonies were truly refreshing. God has done a great work there through our sister, and we feel sure that something should be done to further train these young people, so that they may be used to give the message in a definite manner. This wonderful island, with its 32,000,000 people, presses upon us responsibilities and opportunities for service. God leads. The moving pillar of cloud signals us to break up our camps of ease and leisure, and move on at once to active service for the Master. Borneo is the second largest island in the world, larger than any country in Europe, excepting Russia. It is a land of great mountains, mighty plains, and numerous rivers, abounding in animals, wild and fierce, including elephants, rhinoceroses, lions, monkeys, etc. Many of the people, also, are as unapproachable as the wild animals. There are, however, many Malays in the coast towns, also a large number of Chinese artisans, and some European settlers. The population is about 2,000,000. Borneo is divided between the British and the Dutch. Missions have been opened in Borneo, and good success has attended the work. Many of the people show a desire for the gospel. Who will prepare to go to this great island? Some must go there soon, and learn the language. May God raise up laborers for this needy field. This is another Dutch possession. It is an odd-shaped island consisting of four arms, or peninsulas. It lies east of Borneo, and is larger than any one of the Philippine group. The population is about 800,000. The greater number of the people are Mohammedans, but in the northern part there are about 200,000 Christian natives. This will certainly be an interesting field for missionary labor. Pray for laborers for this great island. Then there are the Moluccas, or Spice Islands, which lie between Celebes and New Guinea, and include Ceram, with its 300,000 people; Banda, with 111,000; Ambonia, with 39,000; Ternate, with 92,000; also other smaller islands. Some of these islands are very rich in their products, but the people are of greater value, and the question is, Who shall be found to carry the truth to these souls? We trust that some one will soon have a burden for this part of the East Indian field. Starting at the eastern end of Java, and traveling eastward, there are a number of interesting islands; Bali, or little Java, with over a million people; Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba, Timor, and many others. Most of these are thickly populated, and to all of them must go the third angel's message. The Bible tells us that the isles are “waiting for his law.” The message is to go to every kindred, tribe, and people. The Gentiles will come to the light. The time has now come to push the preaching of the message to every island of the heathen world. It has long been given in the home fields; and while there is much still to do, we know that the Lord has said, “Now, just now, is the time to work in foreign countries.” “The light is to shine to all lands and to all people.” “The daystar has risen upon us, and we are to flash its light upon the pathway of those in darkness.” “God's people are not to cease their labors until they encircle the world.” “The work in foreign fields has not been advanced as it should be advanced.” “Our General, who never makes a mistake, says to us, ‘Advance.’ Enter new territory. Lift up the standard in every land.” “Our burden to the ‘regions beyond’ can never be laid down until the whole earth shall be lightened with the glory of the Lord.” “Scarcely a thousandth part of the work is being done that ought to be done in missionary fields. God calls upon his workers to annex new territory for him. There are rich fields of toil waiting for the faithful workers.” “The vineyard includes the whole world, and every part of it is to be worked. There are places which are now a moral wilderness, and these are to become as the garden of the Lord.”