The West Australian Mission
- (From Australian Correspondence)*
THE Colony of West Australia, fittingly styled the “Cinderella” of the Australasian group, has at one bound leaped into world-wide prominence, consequent upon the recent marvelous discoveries of gold at Coolgardie and the Murchison. Gold is the magnet which has attracted thousands to her shores, and will attract thousands more. Its length from north to south is 1,480 miles. Its area is 975,920 square miles. The population is about 180,000; of this number 30,000 are in Perth, the capital. The colony has great possibilities, not only in its mineral wealth, but in its vast tracts of territory suitable for agriculture and horticulture. Its forest resources are unsurpassed in Australia. The glad tidings of present truth were carried into the colony in 1894 by the canvassers, through whom a great work has been accomplished. Throughout the colony are a number of scattered Sabbath-keepers who received the truth through the faithful efforts of the canvassers. The ministerial part of the work was begun in the early part of the year 1896 by Elder J. O. Corliss and Brother J. E. Collins. After opening up the mission, and organizing a church, Elder Corliss left for America, and during the remainder of the year the work was in the hands of Brother Collins. Soon after, a few Bible workers and nurses were sent to the field. A health home was started in Perth in a rented building, which did good work. A Helping Hand Mission was also started, in connection with which was a laundry to furnish employment for the destitute and needy. According to the year-book of West Australia, there are two hundred and fifty post towns. So far the message has been preached in only six of these places; but the truth, in some form, has been carried to most parts by the faithful canvassers. There are about one hundred and fifty Sabbath-keepers, an increase of about one hundred for the first three years. The amount of tithe paid in 1899 was approximately forty-five pounds. In 1901 it had reached one hundred pounds a quarter. Our people in West Australia appreciate the Sabbath-school as a channel for gaining a knowledge of God. Over ninety per cent of the church-members are members of our school. At the camp-meeting which was held in March, 1902, the West Australian Mission field was organized into a conference, with three organized churches, and four companies of Sabbath-keepers, totaling a membership of one hundred and fifty. A constitution was adopted, and the conference duly organized. The workers consist of two ministers, one licentiate, and five canvassers.