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O. A. OLSEN

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 7, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 6.

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O. A. OLSEN

By Ole Andres Olsen

Australasia

O. A. OLSEN

We are much cheered by the reports that come to us through the good old REVIEW from time to time concerning all parts of the field, showing the rapid progress the message is making, and how quickly it is spreading even in the remote parts of the earth. This, in itself, is one of the most definite signs that the coming of the Lord and the glorious consummation of the gospel is right at the door; for when this gospel of the kingdom shall have finished its work, having been preached in all the world, the end will come.
From the Australasian field, also, we can give a good report. Since the close of our excellent union conference, two local conferences and camp-meetings have been held, the first one being at Sydney, New South Wales. It is becoming somewhat difficult to find suitable locations for these gatherings in or near our large cities. The meeting this year was held October 18-28, at Bondi, a suburb of Sydney, where as yet no labor has been put forth. The ground, while favorably located, was rather limited for space; still it answered the purpose quite well. We were greatly favored with most perfect weather throughout the entire meeting. The Spirit of the Lord was present in a marked manner, and we had, as it were, a fair taste of the blessings of the latter rain.
At this meeting we had with us quitea representation from our island mission workers. Brother and Sister Cady, from Tahiti, and Brother Christian, of Norfolk Island, were still with us. Brother and Sister Teasdale had arrived from New Zealand, on their way to Java. Brother Joseph Mills, who was about to start for Singapore, Brother G. A. Marriott, who will soon leave for either Fiji or Tonga, and Sister Skadsheim, who leaves for Java as a Bible worker, were all present, and added much to the interest. The meeting took on a missionary character, first in its interest in fields abroad, and second in pushing the missionary campaign with vigor in the home field. It was an occasion that will long be remembered.
The work at this place is now being followed up. Since the camp-meeting, twenty have been baptized, including rebaptisms. We hope the effort in this place may develop a strong church.
November 1 we had another interesting occasion. On that day a party of eight boarded the steamship “Guthrie,” bound for Java and Singapore. Brother Mills, one of the recent teachers of the Avondale school, goes to Singapore to assist in the school work; and Brother W. W. Fletcher, from Victoria, also goes to Singapore to strengthen the corps of workers there. Elder Geo. Teasdale and his wife and two children, Sister Helena Teasdale, Sister Skadsheim—a former Bible worker in New South Wales—go to open up work in Java, where as yet we have done nothing.
This company was reinforced at Brisbane, where Brother and Sister Wantzlick and their child went on board the ship, for work in Sumatra. So the steamer carries workers to three very important fields—Java, Singapore, and Sumatra. We all rejoice greatly in this advance move, and earnestly pray that the signal blessing of God may attend these laborers.
The second camp-meeting since our union conference has just closed, at Masterton, New Zealand. Here also we had a very interesting and profitable meeting. Masterton is located about half way between Wellington and Napier, on the east side of the North Island, in the midst of a prosperous and well-to-do community. It has a population of five thousand.
The weather was not so favorable during this meeting as was that experienced at the camp-meeting in Sydney. This, to some extent, hindered the attendance from the community. On both Sundays the weather was favorable, and we had large and attentive audiences. The two city papers gave very favorable notices of our meeting, and printed quite full reports of the discourses. This was much appreciated.
The interest here will be followed by a tent-meeting, and we have reason to expect that a strong company of believers will be raised up in this place.
A special feature of the meeting was the consideration of the school for New Zealand. This movement was begun at the meeting last year. A considerable sum of money has been raised; but up to the present they have not been able to decide upon a location. This was found to be a more difficult matter than was expected.
This meeting also had its special missionary feature. The union conference drew heavily on New Zealand for our mission field. Not only were Brother and Sister Teasdale taken, as already mentioned, but also Brother and Sister Pascoe, for Rarotonga, who, at this meeting, took their leave of the brethren in New Zealand, and together with Brother and Sister Cady were to sail from Auckland the next week. On the last Sabbath of our camp-meeting Brother Pascoe was set apart by ordination to the gospel ministry. This was a very precious occasion, on account of the gracious presence of the Holy Spirit.
The business of the conference was carefully attended to, and Brother Cobb was again called to bear the burden of the presidency.
Another interesting feature of this meeting, as well as of the one held in New South Wales, was the vote of the conference to support a laborer in the mission field from their conference funds. This assistance is greatly appreciated by the union conference, as we are thus enabled to push the work more rapidly. By the time this report reaches the readers of the REVIEW, twelve additional laborers from the Australasian field will have entered the island mission work, located as follows: Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Rarotonga, Fiji, and Norfolk Island. Brother and Sister Mitchell, of Adelaide, South Australia, will be located in Norfolk Island; and in a short time it is expected that two more will join the work in Fiji.
We are now on the boat from Wellington to Sydney, to meet Elder G. A. Irwin, who has arrived during our absence. We shall indeed be glad to meet him; and may the day hasten when the work shall be completed, and the Lord come and gather his own. What a meeting that will be!
Sydney, Australia.