Australia by C. H. Parker

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 5, 1910

Australia

By C. H. Parker

NORTH FITZROY, VICTORIA.—Since my last report, our Victoria-Tasmania camp-meeting has been held. It was a good meeting, and some say it was the largest that has been held in the state. There were one hundred tents pitched, and more than three hundred fifty persons encamped on the ground. These, with those who took rooms in adjacent houses, would swell the number to about five hundred. A good spiritual tone characterized the entire meeting; many times the Spirit’s presence was forcibly felt, and on such occasions there was a great turning unto the Lord.

Much attention was given to the young people. This effort was under the direction of Elder L. A. Hoopes, and the Lord gave him a special unction from on high in service for them. There was a decided turning of the hearts of the fathers and mothers toward their children, and vice versa. Of late years the world has been adorning the bodies of many of our people here with things that God has forbidden. It was a beautiful sight to see the movings of the Spirit upon the hearts of these, and it is needless to say that, as the ax was laid to the root of the thing, the fruits of an amended life appeared.

The night and Sunday afternoon services were well attended from the outside, and our large tent, which holds about fifteen hundred, was inadequate to seat all, and many had to stand outside. At these meetings our people gave way to the public. Since the close of the meeting, services have been continued in a tent, which has been pitched close to where the camp-meeting was held. There has been a fair, growing interest, which we trust will deepen into a thorough transformation of many of the lives in that part of Melbourne. Quite a number came from the opposite side of the city. This shows a decided interest, as people will not travel far these days, unless there is something that is of special importance to them.

Three hundred pounds (about $1,450) of our surplus funds was voted to the union conference, and a like amount was contributed on the camp-ground. Three fourths of the Warburton tithe, which is about three hundred fifty pounds (nearly $1,700) was voted to the union conference, besides a second tithe for the General Conference. This means that something over thirteen hundred pounds ($6,305) will have been given by this conference for missions this year. This, of course, does not include Sabbath-school offerings, etc. There was no undue urging, but the people wanted to give. One man said, “It has always been a hardship for me to give a sixpence before, but it was easy for me to give five pounds [$25] to-day.” May the Lord always keep this spirit among these people. I believe that they have the message and its interests at heart, and it only needs to be set in the right way before them, and they will make any sacrifice to carry it forward.

Ten were baptized at the close of the camp-meeting, and a number of others will be baptized in their home churches. The meeting was held at Coburga, a suburb of Melbourne, beginning February 3 and closing on the thirteenth. We believe that its results will be far-reaching for the message here and abroad. All have returned to their homes with a determination to work, for the night is close at hand, when no man can work.

Pastors J. E. Fulton, L. A. Hoopes, and A. H. Piper were the ministers from abroad, and their labors were much appreciated by one and all.

C. H. PARKER.