Hands Across the Sea by William Ambrose Spicer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 23, 1903

Hands Across the Sea

By William Ambrose Spicer

AUSTRALIA stands for far more than its own interests, in our world-wide missionary campaign. It was discovered by the Portuguese three hundred years ago. But God's hand in history reserved it for the Anglo-Saxon race. An English-speaking commonwealth, leavened by the Protestant idea, has been planted at the very threshold of one of the darkest and most populous portions of the earth, southeastern Asia, the East Indies, and the island world of the Pacific. And in Australia earnest, vigorous churches have been raised up, and in a sisterhood of conferences are pressing forward in recognition of the glorious responsibilities laid upon them by their geographical position.

Our brethren in Australasia are heart and soul with us in the movement that is to carry the third angel's message to all the world in our day. Already a strong mission committee, working under the Australasian Union Conference, is directing all the operations in the island fields. Workers developed in the colonies are laboring in various groups. The whole island field is reaping the benefit of contact with the growing cause in Australia. That island continent is the true motherland of all the numerous brood of islands that dot the southern seas.

And now we have, in the July offering, an opportunity again to clasp hands across the sea with our brethren in Australasia, in token of our comradeship with them in this blessed service. The strengthening of their work means a lifting influence in all Malaysia and Polynesia.

“Like a mighty army Moves the church of God.”

We are one body. Seas can only unite us. As the call comes to strengthen one wing of the army where special re-enforcement is needed, we may know that the whole grand plan of our Leader is being carried a step nearer to the final victory. It makes sacrifice a joy to know that every effort in faith will surely count in hastening the coming of the Lord. Some of the most thrilling incidents in the story of missions have come to us from the East Indies, and the lesser islands round about Australasia,—“pin-heads of creation,” some one has called them. In these dark little spots the gospel has triumphed over savagery, and cannibals have been won to Christ. We must press into the same regions with the last message. A strong base of operations in Australia means great things in our work among these millions. Let us lift with a will in the offering of July 4. We may give with glad hearts; for it is all for Jesus' sake, and will hasten on the message of his coming. W. A. S.