The Avondale Press by W. M. Crothers

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 4, 1900

The Avondale Press.

By W. M. Crothers

The Third Angel's Message has probably in no other part of the world made more rapid progress or more successful conquests than in the countries of Australasia. Brought to these shores about fifteen years ago, and regarded by the people, when first introduced, as an invasion of the time-honored faith and customs of their forefathers and their country, it has steadily made its way against all opposition, until at present its sound has been heard and its fruits appear in almost every part of this vast field. Four Conferences have been organized; and other colonies, now worked as mission fields, will no doubt soon take up the responsibility and burden of their own work.

Every feature of the work is now well represented. A sanitarium was opened in Sydney a few years ago, the business of which has so rapidly increased as to make necessary, for the accommodation of its patients, a large, well-equipped building, which is now under process of construction. In Christchurch, New Zealand, another sanitarium has opened its doors to the suffering; while in South Australia and Queensland smaller institutions of the same kind are rapidly growing in public favor.

The Avondale school has just closed a successful year. Many improvements have been made to the property; and during the vacation the buildings will be considerably enlarged in order to accommodate the increasing number of students. These evidences of prosperity are encouraging, but that which is still more to be appreciated as a cause for thanksgiving is the assurance of the managers that every student in attendance during the year just closed has learned the knowledge of God.

In the circulation of books and other literature, this field, in proportion to the number of its inhabitants, holds first place. Canvassers for both religious and medical books continue to have excellent success in nearly all parts of the field, and we confidently believe that more books will be sold in the future than have been sold in the past, and that the fruits therefrom will be more abundant. Much attention has also been given to the publication and circulation of our periodicals, and with the best results, many of our members having received the light by this means.

Until recently the Echo Publishing Company was the only denominational printing plant in the colonies. But a few months ago word was received instructing us that a printing press should be run in connection with the school at Avondale, for the purpose of printing missionary literature, and at the same time training suitable persons in this most useful of arts.

Acting upon the instruction given, a small room was secured in the Health Food Company's factory, which was rudely fitted up with machinery, contributed by the Echo Publishing Company, our American publishing houses, and the Foreign Mission Board. Later a power press was purchased, and since its installation, the printing of the truth has been pushed vigorously forward. Several tracts in the Polynesian languages have already been published, and another is in the hands of the printer. Considerable job work has been done for our institutions, and for several months we have been printing the Union Conference Record, our church paper, and also the Herald of Health, a monthly medical journal, which ably advocates correct principles of health and temperance. This journal is rapidly growing in favor with the people, and its circulation is increasing. Our book canvassers find it almost excellent as a help, deriving their profits from a liberal commission allowed on yearly subscriptions.

In addition to the work already mentioned, the press has recently undertaken, on its own account, the publication of a monthly missionary paper called the Joyful Tidings. This paper is being supported by contributions from some of our institutions and from friends of the enterprise, and it will be distributed gratuitously in out-of-the-way places and among the sheep and cattle ranches, which, because of their inaccessibility, are not usually reached by ordinary means. At present, and probably for another twelve-months, newspapers, etc., printed in New South Wales, will be carried through the mails to any part of the colony free of cost; and by availing ourselves of this extraordinary privilege, we expect to send the joyful tidings of the Third Angel's Message to thousands who, if dependent upon a living messenger, might never hear its welcome sound. Contributions are solicited for the support of this work, and, whether large or small, will be gratefully received if addressed to the Avondale Press, or to the undersigned, Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia.

W. M. CROTHERS.