Elder Daniells’s Australasian Report by A. G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1914

Elder Daniells’s Australasian Report

By A. G. Daniells

From Elder A. G. Daniells

WE take pleasure in placing before our readers the larger portion of the last letter received from Elder A. G. Daniells just before he left Australia for the Far East. It will be a source of great satisfaction to our brethren and sisters to learn that although he has been engaged in such strenuous work in Australia, the Lord has prospered him and given him health and strength to go on with his work. Let us remember Brother and Sister Daniells in our prayers, as they continue their earnest efforts in behalf of the great and needy mission fields.

I have not written as I intended, and the reason is because I have been under such fearful pressure ever since landing in New Zealand. Before I came, the brethren had made out a very strenuous program, covering every day of my time until after the ministerial institute and union conference. This arrangement has taken me to every part of the Australasian field except Western Australia, and has brought me in touch with a great majority of the Sabbath keepers in Australasia. But it has meant very heavy work. I have traveled about eight thousand miles, have preached nearly one hundred and fifty sermons, given thirty Bible studies, and visited eighty families. I have also attended over fifty council

meetings, and have had numberless private interviews. For this reason my writing has gone by default. I have felt that while here for so short a time I ought to give myself up entirely to the people and to the various interests of the work. I am glad now that I have done this. It would have been a matter of great regret to me if I had gone through the country and failed to come into close, friendly touch with the masses. I have gathered much information, and as soon as I get away from Australia I shall begin to put it in shape for publication.

I cannot tell you how glad I am that I have made this visit. It has given me a far better understanding of conditions here than I was able to obtain by talking with the delegates who attended the General Conference, or by reading reports. I have become acquainted with their entire staff of laborers. I have also been able to judge of the tone of the religious life throughout the field. I have seen how they are carrying on their administrative work in the various departments. I have also gained some idea of the possibilities of this field. After going over the ground and making notes, I have had the privilege of long interviews and counsels with the leading officers. I find the brethren anxious for suggestions. They have shown themselves ready to respond to everything that they could see had merit, and they have been willing to give careful study to all the suggestions made. The fact is, I did not know how fully we were endeared to one another until I came. The cordiality with which they have received Mrs. Daniells and myself, and the efforts they have put forth everywhere to make our stay comfortable and helpful, have given this field a larger and warmer place in our hearts than when we left fourteen years ago.

I have now about finished my work, and shall soon be off to India. In a few days I shall give the graduation address at the Avondale Missionary College. Then I hasten to Melbourne, where I shall spend a Sabbath. They write me that they have secured a large hall in the heart of the city, and will call all the churches together for our parting service. Then Brother Fulton and I shall spend two or three days at Warburton before leaving for Adelaide. There I am to give a lecture in a public hall, on the Eastern Question, Thursday night, and hold meetings with the church Friday night and Sabbath morning. In the afternoon, Brother Fulton, Brother Fletcher, the secretary of the home missionary and educational departments, Mrs. Daniells, and myself will leave for Freemantle. The brethren have arranged for a camp meeting in Western Australia, which I shall attend. On the third of November we sail from Freemantle for Colombo, where we should arrive the twelfth. I have notified Professor Salisbury of these plans, and am hoping that he will meet me at Colombo. I want to get a good view of that island before crossing over to Tinnevelli to meet our Tamil Sabbath keepers. Then my tramp over India and Burma will begin in real earnest. Our ministerial institute and annual council will open in Calcutta on January 15. If I succeed in doing my traveling before this meeting begins, I shall be able to leave India soon after it closes. Just what my movements will be then I cannot say at present. If I am not needed in any part of the European field, I should like to return to the States via the Asiatic Division, visiting the most important centers in that field. As I look forward to it, the journey looks long, and the work heavy; but we live only a day at a time, and seem able to bear the burdens that come to us.

I have been greatly blessed healthwise. While working to the limit of endurance, I have come through very well. Although somewhat weary, I am feeling real well, and think that the rest on my way to India will put me in shape for the program that awaits me there.

The Review is a very interesting visitor in this distant part of the field.