Advancement in the Australasian Union Conference
By Ole Andres Olsen
We have surely entered a most solemn, yet exceedingly interesting time. There can be no doubt that we are living in the very closing scenes of this world's existence. The most interesting and inspiring of all evidences is the remarkable rapidity with which this closing gospel message is now reaching out to all parts of the world. The territory of the Australasian Union Conference is immense, composed as it is of the commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the South Sea Islands, the Malay Peninsula, and the East Indies; divided into seven organized conferences — New South Wales, Victoria, New Zealand, Queensland, West Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania, also four mission fields; namely, (1) North Queensland, including all the northern territory; (2) the Eastern Polynesian Mission, composed of the Society, Cook, Marquesas, Tuamotu, Gambier, and Austral groups, also Easter Island and Pitcairn Island, with many others; (3) the Central Polynesian Mission, composed of the island groups of Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga; (4) the Malaysian Mission, taking in the group of islands known as the East Indies. Only the Eastern Polynesian Mission, of these mission fields, has as yet been organized, but at the first opportunity the others will also be organized. The work is making progress in all our organized conferences. The past two years have been prosperous seasons for Australia and New Zealand; and every year witnesses a substantial advancement in the work of the message. Unity and harmony prevail among the workers, and they all manifest the fullest harmony with the message and the organized work. In the purchase of one hundred sixty-eight acres of land for an intermediate school and a sanitarium, New Zealand has taken a forward move. The location is a favorable one, near Cambridge in the Waikato district, one hundred miles south of Auckland. They have begun building operations, and expect to be in readiness to open school at the beginning of next year. No steps will be taken to start the sanitarium until the school is fully established. West Australia has also made a move toward a school. One hundred acres of land, very favorably located, was turned over to the conference for a consideration of one hundred pounds. They are already beginning school in a small sanitarium; but this will be a consideration for the future. The place — Heidelberg, thirty miles from Perth — is also a most excellent location for a small Publishing and Printing Institutions
The removal of the printing and publishing work from North Fitzroy, Melbourne, to Warburton, has been successfully accomplished. With this step we have also banished all commercial work, and are devoting all our energies to our denominational work. It is a matter of note and considerable interest that our own work is rapidly on the increase — so much so that we have taken much more of the North Fitzroy plant to Warburton than we expected to, and the force is kept at labor to its utmost. Our book sales are steadily on the increase. At the present time we are closing out the last remains of the Echo Publishing Company — the name of the office at North Fitzroy — preparatory to vacating the building. The Avondale Press is a department of the Avondale School, and is in a very prosperous condition. They have only recently moved into their new building, which was much needed. The Press gives employment to eighteen of the students. They are at present issuing four journals — the Union Conference Record, an eight-page weekly; the Australasian Good Health, a sixteen-page monthly; and the Rarotongan paper, Tuatua Mou, also an eight-page monthly. The printing of “Christ Our Saviour” in the Malay has just been completed by the Press. “Daniel and the Revelation” will soon be ready in the Rarotonga language. Sanitarium and Health Work
The Wahroonga Sanitarium continues to enjoy a steady patronage. The blessing of the Lord is manifested in a marked manner, and an excellent spirit prevails in the institution. The outside premises, including the orchard, have been much improved. Since the departure of the Drs. Kress, we have given much careful, prayerful thought and study to the readjustment of the work and the situation at Wahroonga. This means much more than those unacquainted with the situation can fully appreciate. We shall work hard, and hope for the best, trusting in God for guidance. The health branch of the work in South Australia is now making an advance move. For a number of years Brother A. W. Semmens has successfully carried on treatment rooms in the city of Adelaide. These have not only been successful, but have been a great blessing to the work. We have for some time been on the lookout for an opening for a small sanitarium, as the effort there now demands such a step. Recently a property located in the hills, thirteen miles from the city of Adelaide,13near a railway station, at an elevation of over one thousand feet, has been purchased by a capitalist, who now offers it to us for sanitarium purposes at a rental. The conditions are favorable, and the owner also offers to make such changes and alterations as shall make it what we require. The brethren in New Zealand have decided to place the property of the Christchurch Sanitarium on the market. As soon as this is done, treatment rooms will be opened in Christchurch, and the sanitarium will be located in connection with the school, near Cambridge, on the North Island. This is the most favorable locality for a sanitarium in all New Zealand. We have three health restaurants — one in Sydney, which has been in operation for some years; another in Melbourne, opened only last December; and a small one recently started in Wellington, New Zealand. The one at Sydney had rather an adverse experience at the time of its commencement, but during the past two years has been very successful. The one in Melbourne has begun with excellent prospects. The patronage has exceeded our highest expectations. The past year has been the best in the history of the school, from every standpoint. The enrolment exceeded two hundred. The spiritual interest was most excellent, and the work accomplished was very satisfactory. Financially, the school made a gain of over eight hundred pounds. This does not include what came in from the sale of “Christ's Object Lessons.” The present year of the school has started well, with a larger attendance at the beginning than at any previous time. All the enterprises — such as the Avondale Press and the food factory — connected with the school, are doing well. The farm has also brought in good returns the present year. At a late meeting of our Sanitarium and Benevolent Association Board, in conjunction with the school board, it was decided for the school to take over the Avondale Health Retreat, and make that also a department of the school. The young people of our various conferences, except Victoria, have taken it upon themselves to assist in paying the wages of the native laborers. The Victoria young people are paying the wages of Sister Skadsheim, in Java. Those in New South Wales are paying the wages of Brother Joseph Mills, our teacher in Singapore. We are sincerely grateful for the blessings the Lord has granted to us, and for the steady growth that is seen in all the branches of the work in this field. We shall, by the help of the Lord, put forth every effort to press forward, that this growth may continue to increase more and more. We have started out in our missionary campaign, which we hope may take hold of our people in all the conferences. We have begun holding special institutes for educating the work ers and our people generally, and hope to bring this matter into every church and among our scattered believers in the various conferences and mission fields.