Untitled article by R. C. Porter; Hattie Porter

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 10, 1908

From Honolulu to Australia

By R. C. Porter; Hattie Porter

We are now pleasantly located at Avondale, New South Wales. It is mid-winter here, and last night it was cold enough to freeze a very slight sheet of ice. The people here complain about its being severely cold, while to us it is most delightful autumn weather.

We had a pleasant passage from Honolulu to Australia. The sea was rough the first day after leaving the Fiji Islands, but this was the only rough weather we had during the entire voyage. Even this was not a storm, but swells from a storm that had passed while we lay at anchor in Suva harbor.

We were disappointed in not meeting Elder and Sister C. H. Parker at Suva. They were living sixty miles from the station where the boat anchored, and they had started in plenty of time to reach Suva harbor before the arrival of our vessel. But having only a sailboat, they were becalmed, and unable to reach the landing until our vessel had steamed out into the sea. They saw the vessel depart, but were unable to communicate with us. We spent the day visiting different parts of the island in order to become acquainted with both the village and country life of the natives. In the village the natives are well dressed, and appear quite intelligent. Their ideas of dress differ somewhat from Americans. With rings in their ears, noses, and on their fingers, toes, and ankles, they will go barefoot and otherwise scantily dressed, apparently feeling that they are well clothed. In the country they live in thatched huts into which the only opening is the door. Pineapples, bananas, and many other tropical fruits are grown on the island, and sold at an exceedingly low price. I bought a large bunch of bananas for a shilling. Coral from the reefs is sold in large quantities. The stores are well supplied, and as nicely kept in order as in any ordinary American village. Most of them are under the management of Europeans.

We had the privilege of meeting Sister Brown at Suva. She informed us that Elder Parker had received an injury from a fall while traveling over the mountains to visit a church. He came on the next boat following ours, and is now taking treatment at the Sydney Sanitarium, and making good progress toward recovery. The shock of the fall affected his nervous system, and it will take time for him to fully recover. He reports the island work in a prosperous condition.

Our boat touched at Pinkerba, Queensland, and spent the Sabbath there. Sister Haddock and one of the other sisters met us at the wharf, and conducted us to the church in time for the forenoon service. Another service was held in the afternoon, after which we returned to the vessel and went on our way to Sydney. When we reached the landing, Monday, July 13, we were glad to see the familiar faces of Prof. C. W. Irwin, Elders W. A. Hennig, G. B. Starr, and J. E. Fulton, and Sister E. M. Graham. We were soon joined by Elder J. Pallant, the president of the conference, and Elder F. W. Paap and Brother Fisher, who gave us a hearty welcome to Australia, and took us to the hygienic café for refreshments. Never did we appreciate more the healthful food provided by our cafés and sanitariums than on our arrival here after being deprived of such food during our long voyage.

At four o'clock in the afternoon we took the train for Dora Creek, where we were met by Sisters Irwin, Hennig, and the preceptress of the Avondale School, Sister Hattie Andre. One of the students had brought the electric launch down the creek to the station to carry us and our baggage to the school. The launch is a very practical little boat, capable of carrying several tons of freight. It is a great convenience to the school, as it carries all their heavy freight to and from the school and station. As we approached the landing at Avondale, we were happily surprised at being greeted by the melodious strains of music by the Avondale school band, led by Elder L. A. Hoopes's son. Elder

and Sister Hoopes, Professor and Sister Roger Brown, and a large number of students and teachers gave us a welcome to Avondale.

After a good night's rest we took a survey of the college campus, and the former homes of Elder W. C. and Sister E. G. White, and found all the orchards laden with mandarins, oranges, and lemons, although it is mid-winter. The school is very prosperous. It is filled to about its capacity with a class of earnest students. The printing plant, health-food factory, and machine shops are all doing excellent work, and providing an opportunity for many students to obtain an education who otherwise could not have this privilege. The entire plant will be electric-lighted by the time of the union conference, which will be held September 3-13.

Last Sabbath we spent with the churches in Sydney. Elder O. A. Olsen had just arrived from his tour to England and America and the islands, and our churches in Sydney all united in the Sabbath services at Stanmore chapel. The main auditorium was more than filled, and the Spirit of the Lord deeply impressed the word spoken upon all hearts present. The last thing we witnessed before leaving Washington for Africa was a vigorous Sunday campaign for the District of Columbia. Three hours after our arrival at Sydney, we attended a meeting of all the ministers of the city in the interests of Sunday legislation. A strong Sunday-observance movement is now on foot in this field, as in America.

We shall remain in Australia until after the union conference, and sail September 30 for Cape Town, South Africa.

R. C. PORTER, HATTIE PORTER. July 24, 1908.