AN APPEAL TO THE FRIENDS OF THE POLYNESIAN MISSION.
By E. H. Gates
Dear Brethren in the Lord: Since coming to Australia, I have more fully studied the large Polynesian field, and I believe the Lord is giving light and wisdom concerning the best way to carry on the work there. On account of the great heat and other unpleasant features of the tropical islands, our missionaries find it difficult to labor there continuously without breaking down in health. How this difficulty can be overcome, and still the work be carried on, has been a perplexing problem to us who have to do with these matters. And not only must industrial schools and other enterprises be established in the missions already opened, but new missions must be opened in more unhealthful and dangerous fields. In New Guinea, to the north of Australia, and in Melanesia, northeast and east of Australia, are vast fields where savagery and cannibalism still reign, and where the name of Christ is scarcely known. In these islands we have made no beginning, though the Lord has told us to go to every “nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Rev. 14:6. But when we had gone as far as we could, the Lord gave us light concerning our duty to the islands of the sea. At a meeting held in July, in connection with the Australasian Union Conference, at this place, Sister White was led out by the Spirit of the Lord to tell what had been shown her concerning the work for the islands of the sea. Speaking of the Avondale School, she said: “God designed that here an institution should be established from which workers should go forth to the islands of the sea. Persons of other languages are to be brought here and taught the English language. These will go back to their different countries to educate others.” “We are to have at this school an office of publication. A printing press is to be established here. An education in printing is to be given here to those who shall come from the islands and other places. They are to learn to print in their own languages, and to translate from the English into these languages. Then they are prepared to give valuable help. At the same time they can give instruction in the island languages to those who are fitting themselves to go to the islands. . . . I am talking of what I know. We need to wake up.” See Conference Record, July 28, page 8. Already the Lord has begun to work for us. We have a half-caste woman from the Cook Islands connected with our work here, who is a printer and translator. A native young man from the Tongan Islands is also here; and a young woman from Baratonga is on her way to this place. I am in correspondence with others, who we hope will soon be in the school; and in a few days I expect to take a trip to the islands in the interests of this and other enterprises. We praise God that as soon as he gives light on our duty, he begins to open the way for us to perform that duty. Now we find that the greatest problem is how to get the funds to pay the fares for these natives to this place, and support them in the school after they get here; for few of them have money to attend school. The Avondale School Board is prepared to co-operate with us by opening the way for a few students from each group, whom our missionaries may select and recommend, to enter the industrial department of the school, and earn one half of their school expenses. The average cost of board and tuition in this school is about fifteen shillings a week ($3.75), or twenty-seven pounds (one hundred and thirty-five dollars) for the thirty-six weeks of the school year. In other words, $67.50, in addition to his work, will pay a student's schooling for one year. This offer, of course, does not apply to every native who may wish to attend school, but only to those who may be selected, after carefully considering their moral and intellectual qualifications. Only those who give promise of becoming workers after a reasonable length of time in school, will be received on these conditions. A few weeks ago, in private conversation, Sister White told me, as plainly as words could make it, that the plan I have outlined above is the proper one to adopt in carrying the message of truth to the islands. As we have been so plainly instructed on this subject, we expect to arrange at once to bring from each of the different island groups a few native students, trusting that God will put it into the hearts of our brethren in America to aid us by sending money to bear the expense of the enterprise. The Avondale School is not able to do more in this direction than it has already offered to do, and most of our brethren know the embarrassed condition of the treasury of the Foreign Mission Board. We must look for help to our brethren who have money. I expect to help at least one native student to a year's schooling. We ask all our brethren to whom109this appeal may come, to place it as far as possible before our churches, and those who have money. For a year the Sabbath-schools of Australia have given all their contributions to the islands; but this fund must be used to print books and tracts, which we are getting translated, and is not available for the education of natives. Those of our brethren who will give to this important and worthy enterprise, may send their contributions to E. R. Palmer, Business Manager of the Avondale School, New South Wales, Australia; or to Miss E. M. Graham, Treasurer of the Union Conference, 25 Sloane St., Summer Hill, New South Wales. Drafts on London or New South Wales banks, and postal notes, can be cashed here at their face value. Drafts on London need not be drawn in duplicate. But if so drawn, send both the first and the second exchange. E. H. GATES, Superintendent of Polynesian Mission, Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia.