Untitled article by E. H. Gates

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jun 22, 1905

From Australia to America

By E. H. Gates

ACCOMPANIED by my wife, I left Australia for the General Conference, January 23. Our first stop was at Fiji. Most of the workers in this mission came together to counsel with reference to the proposed school for native youth, as well as to discuss other matters.

For two years or more we have been working to establish a school where our native young men might be educated for workers in the islands of Melanesia, which are still to a large extent in savagery. Only a few months ago we sent Brother S. W. Carr, an Avondale school student, as teacher, to Fiji. The brethren had looked over different islands to secure a proper site for a school, but had not found anything desirable. Soon after my arrival we made an extended trip in the mission launch, and on the island of Ovalau, sixty miles north of Suva, we found just what we wanted, and it was much better than we had expected to find.

We did not need a large tract of land for the school, but were not able to lease a small one, and so secured the place already mentioned, containing probably five hundred acres, for what thirty or forty acres would have cost. The land is suitable for raising yams, taro, and bananas, which are staple articles with the natives. It has several hundred bearing cocoanut trees, which will supply the students with food, and give enough income to largely pay the land rental. A more suitable place could hardly have been secured in the Fiji group.

The work of planting, and preparing the place for occupancy, has begun. Brother Fulton’s large house at Suva Vou will be taken down, and made into two houses at Viro, the name of the new school location. Some of the students are already planting their yam and taro patches, and building their native houses.

On another island the native brethren

of one of our churches, who expect to send students to the school, are planting yams for the use of students. The school is located about fourteen miles from a large town, thus avoiding the danger of the vile associations of such places.

The printing-press will be removed from Suva Vou to Viro, and capable students will be instructed in the art of printing.

A tract society was organized for the Fiji mission, and a librarian appointed. A good-sized club of Signs is taken by the society, most of which are taken and paid for by the people of the town.

From Fiji I went to Samoa, and spent a few weeks. The sanitarium there is having a fair patronage. I had the privilege of baptizing one man at that place. A half-caste man began to keep the Sabbath while I was there. His first knowledge of the truth was received by reading “Daniel and the Revelation,” a copy of which he bought of Brother Floding. I sold some books, and took orders for three periodicals. On our voyage from Fiji to Vancouver, we were able to interest a few persons in the truth. On arriving at Honolulu, we secured a copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons” and “Daniel and the Revelation,” which were purchased by two of the passengers. One man in particular showed the deepest interest in all phases of the truth that we were able to place before him.

E. H. GATES.