New South Wales by E. H. Gates

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 10, 1903

New South Wales

By E. H. Gates

COORANGONG.—When Sister White was urging our people to take up the work of canvassing for “Christ’s Object Lessons,” she wrote the following words: “Through the work for the relief of our schools, a fourfold blessing will be realized,—a blessing to the schools, to the world, to the church, and to the workers.” “There are souls in desolate places who will be reached by this effort. The lessons drawn from the parables of our Saviour will be to very many as the leaves of the tree of life.” “Souls will be converted, and money will come in.”

In our work in Australia this promise has been fulfilled, one instance of which I will relate. As our brethren at Avondale were laying plans to send out students to canvass for this book, a worldly young man who was present, but who had never taken the least interest in the present truth, said he believed he could sell some of the books to his friends in the business world. Before undertaking the work, of course it was necessary to know what the book contained, and so he read it through. The first time he went out, he sold several books. From that time a change was seen in his life. He began to attend students’ meetings at the school, and finally got up courage to bear his testimony. Tobacco using, liquor drinking, swearing and the taking of the lives of God’s innocent creatures have all been given up. Every one, both outside and inside of the church, sees that he is a changed man. Within the past few months his sister, a bright girl of fifteen, has given her heart to Christ, and next Sabbath both expect to be buried in baptism, to show to the world that their affections have been transferred from earthly things to heavenly treasures. Thank God. E. H. GATES.