Australia’s Need by G. C. Tenney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 16, 1903

Australia’s Need

By G. C. Tenney

G. C. TENNEY

The details of the situation in Australia, in consequence of the great drought through which the country has been passing for some years, portrays a dark picture. The rainfall of Australia is always an uncertain factor, although a very necessary one in the prosperity of the country. Through all these years of dearth there have been isolated showers here and there in most parts of the afflicted regions. In some portions of the country the effects of the drought have been only partially felt. In some cases tolerably good crops have been realized, especially in the narrow regions bordering immediately on the coast. But as a whole, the country has been for six or seven years deprived of even its small normal allowance of moisture, and it has been gradually becoming more and more arid and desolate. Gradually the pasturage has disappeared, and the cattle, sheep, and horses have been more and more closely pinched, until actual starvation and death have overtaken millions of the dumb creatures dependent upon the care of man, while men were utterly unable to save them from their unfortunate fate.

A brother said to me, “I can bear any privation as far as it affects me, but when I go out among my cattle, and the poor, starving creatures huddle about me and follow me around, begging for food, it breaks my heart.” One of our canvassers drove in a sulky past a place where a half dozen starving calves were standing. They smelled a little feed he had along for his horse, and followed him, crying for food. When he returned at night, the calves lay along the road dead, each one having followed as far as life held out. I could describe at great length heart-rending scenes of desolation and destitution, but it is not necessary thus to appeal to a Christian people.

I am informed that in most, if not all, parts of the country refreshing rains have now fallen. Whether the relief is permanent or temporary, it is not possible to predict. But we hope that by this time the suffering animals, as many as are left, are being fed. The sufferings of the people are being met by philanthropic efforts. But the wants of the cause of truth must be met by its special friends. Under ordinary circumstances, the work in Australia would not only be self-supporting by this time, but prosperous. In no country in the world would our dear people more gladly respond to the call of duty toward other parts of the world. It is a great grief to our brethren and sisters there that they must be receiving so much from abroad, when it is in their hearts to impart to others. They realize that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and would be most happy to share that blessedness. I have no doubt that in his own good time and way God will bring about the opportunity for Australia to return to his cause that which has been so lovingly bestowed upon them by their unknown brethren across the sea. From an intimate personal knowledge, I can testify to the sincerity of their devotion to the cause. Nowhere on earth is the precious truth we cherish more appreciated than in those countries which lie at our antipodes. May God bless them and help them, and may it still be in the hearts of God’s people on this side to support the weak, and not to please themselves.