p. 13 | The Work in Australasia by J. E. FULTON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 16, 1912

The Work in Australasia

By J. E. FULTON

J. E. FULTON

WE are glad to present to the REVIEW readers something of the progress of the cause throughout the Australasian field. God has wrought for his people in the establishment of the work. Some who read these words will remember the early days in Australasia, and how the work started in obscurity. But it has grown. Those early missions and schools have become prosperous conferences and important institutions. Continent boundaries do not circumscribe the third angel’s message. It leaps beyond such boundaries, and behold, it springs up in islands far away! This divine plant thrives in every clime.

Over a quarter of a century has passed into history since our first laborers began work in this country. During that time, from year to year, an increasing number of loyal believers has joined the ranks of God’s remnant people, and scores have given themselves to the work of preaching the message. Although for a time Australasia was largely dependent upon America for men and means with which to carry forward the work, this is no longer the case. The care bestowed upon it in earlier days has been transferred to other dependent fields. Institutions for the training of workers in the Australasian field are now largely supplying the demand for workers. This is a source of gratitude, especially when we know that laborers so trained are carrying heavy responsibilities in both the home and the foreign field.

Our Educational Institutions

Our training college has the largest enrolment in its history. Every department is full. We trust that many of these students will come forth successful laborers. Many of our Avondale students are now scattered over the field, doing successful work in all departments of the cause.

The Darling Range School, in West Australia, has had another successful year, with a goodly number of students, who have taken a deep interest in the work; and the financial gain of the school for the year has been excellent. From this school, and from the Pukekura Training-school in New Zealand, students have passed on to our college for further training. Both these schools have done good work.

Our nurses’ training-school at Wahroonga, New South Wales, which has developed a number of workers for the cause, both for the home and for the foreign field, is now full, and we look forward with interest to still others’ answering the calls from many lands.

The Fiji Training-school, at Buresala, is full of students, and a good spirit prevails. God has blessed this school. Fiji has twelve or more trained native laborers from it, preaching the truth in various islands; and this month a young Fijian, Penisemani Tavodi, and his wife start for heathen New Guinea as missionaries.

The Warburton Institute for Evangelistic Canvassers is the infant among our training institutions; but already workers speak of the good they have gained in this school. A short course for workers in this very important branch of God’s cause is given at a moderate cost. This is a new departure in our educational work.

Sanitariums

God has blessed the health work during the year. The Sydney Sanitarium has had a better patronage than for years. Dr. T. A. Sherwin, recently graduated from the Sydney University, has taken up work in connection with this sanitarium. Good reports reach us

also from the Adelaide and Christchurch Sanitariums. During the past year a sanitarium building has been erected at Warburton, and the outlook for this new institution is encouraging. The Avondale Health Retreat has now reopened. Dr. Margherita M. Freeman is in charge. We are glad to see this institution started again on its God-designed mission.

Cafe Work

In no other department has greater success been manifest. Here the truth is brought before thousands of men and women. Our workers in this branch of the cause have labored untiringly to make their work a success. A large band of young people in different states are training in this important work.

Our Publishing Houses

In 1874 the Lord spoke through his servant, saying that in this country presses would be at work printing the third angel’s message. Two printing offices in this country are a fulfilment of that statement. Our leading institution at Warburton has been busy, and God’s blessing attends its work. Avondale Press is busier than ever publishing island literature. Some new native books have just been completed, and others are on the press.

Forward Steps in the Island Fields

Pastor C. H. Parker and his wife, who have spent long years in efficient service in the island fields, have now left our shores, to enter upon mission work in a new and untried field, the New Hebrides. Brother and Sister H. E. Carr, trained nurses, accompanied Brother and Sister Parker to this new and difficult field.

Soon Brother and Sister E. J. Giblett will sail for Niue, or Savage Island. Here, again, we open up a new work. This island is not on the thoroughfares of trade or travel, but will be, next to Pitcairn, our most isolated island mission.

Recently Brother and Sister Reginald K. Piper sailed from New Zealand, to take up work on Rarotonga, thus enabling Brother Sterling to engage in work in some of the new islands of the Cook group.

Pastor George Stewart and his wife have lately settled in Nukualofa, Tonga, to engage in missionary effort in that important group. Brother W. W. Palmer is located there also, engaged in self-supporting work. Brother and Sister Thorpe, who were advised by physicians to retire from Java on account of the malaria, are at this writing sailing for Tonga, where they will again take up mission work. There they will have a climate free from malaria, and we trust God will be pleased to give them many souls.

Lord Howe Island has recently been annexed to our mission territory. Brother A. H. Ferris, our missionary on Norfolk Island, reports an interest on Lord Howe Island, and was directed from our office to make an effort for the people of that lone isle. We trust it may be successful.

The Barambah Mission for the aborigines of Australia is another enterprise. Brother P. B. Rudge and wife have entered upon this long-neglected work. The Barambah Mission is located in Queensland. Brother Rudge writes as follows:—

“Our work at the mission has increased a great deal during the last three weeks or so, and we have had more opportunity of meeting the people. A regular Bible study, which we were holding with one woman at first, has developed in numbers till at our last sitting we had twelve. This, with a few other things, has helped to encourage us in our work.”

Brother and Sister J. A. Chaney sailed from Australia on January 3 for New Zealand, to take up work among the Maoris. Brother G. Worgsworth, of New Zealand, joined them. The Maori Mission will now be considered a part of our regular mission field.

We are glad that new workers have been able to go to needy fields, and that new missions can be entered; but pray, brethren and sisters, that the Lord of the harvest may raise up many more laborers to enter the many fields yet unentered. All through the great Polynesian field there are groups, and many lone isles also, where the torchlight of truth must be carried.