p. 18 | An Experience in Australia by Francis N. Waugh

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 22, 1911

An Experience in Australia

By Francis N. Waugh

At one time a missionary vessel arrived in the port of Sydney with a large number of native Rarotongan missionaries on board, who were on their way home from New Guinea. The vessel was manned with sailors who could read and write in the Rarotongan language, so I went on board, and visited the missionaries. From them I received a hearty welcome, and also some very interesting items in reference to their work in New Guinea. I canvassed them for “Thoughts on Daniel” (Rarotongan edition), and they were all eager to buy. I did not have a copy with me, but simply told them of the different lines of prophecy made plain in this book.

In the evening I returned home, and asked one of our gentleman nurses if he wouldn’t like to go on board and sell some books.

“No,” he replied, “I wouldn’t; because, if you remember, I was ordered off that vessel last time.” “Well,” I said, “go again; for that vessel is the Lord’s territory, and he will go before you and prosper you.” At the appointed time he came to me, and expressed himself as ready to go on board and be ordered off again.

We filled his bag with copies of the

book named (it was all we had) as he was leaving. I gave him a letter to be handed to the Rarotongan missionary in charge of the company, telling him in his own language that the bearer had eleven copies of “Thoughts on Daniel,” but it was possible that the captain would not allow him to go around on the ship.

Our brother went on board, and sent the letter to the missionary, who, after he read it, came up and took the bag of books. In the meantime, the captain was watching our young friend, who became more and more anxious as the moments went by, wondering what had become of his books. He did not dare ask any questions.

After a time, up came the missionary, who handed him back his bag empty. “Everything is all right,” he said; “good-by.”

When the young man got well out of sight, he thought he would end his anxiety, so he looked into the bag. He found all the books gone, and enough money to pay their full value. Then it dawned upon him that while the captain had an eye on him, and he was fretting as to what was happening, the missionary was selling the books.

So the Lord helps us over barriers. Praise his name!

Francis N. Waugh.