NEW ZEALAND by A. G. Daniells

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 18, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 32.

NEW ZEALAND.

By A. G. Daniells

It has been some time since anything has appeared in the Signs relative to the work in this corner of the great harvest-field. At the time our last letter was written we had decided to build a church edifice. The blessing of God has been with us in this enterprise, and now we have a neat, creditable place of worship, 32 by 55 feet. We have had but little trouble in getting the amount that was promised before we began the work; and a considerable amount has been added to it.

It has been a surprise to people that we could in so short a time build a house with so little effort for money. We believe the hand of the Lord has been in the work. The house was greatly needed, and we ventured out by faith that God would be our helper. One man who is not with us, in practice at least, promised us $25 at first. In a few days he came to pay, and added $5.00 to it. Each week he has added until he has given $45. Besides this we have received about $7.00 each week at our Sunday evening services. In all this we recognize the hand of the Lord and give him the honor and glory.

Our dear brethren at Kaeo have donated all the timber for the seats, which is a great help. They also offer to give us timber to build a house by the side of the church for a mission house and for the office of the Tract and Missionary Society, as soon as it is needed. This is evidence that the same spirit that actuates the people who believe this truth in America, has found its way into the hearts of the people in New Zealand. This is the spirit of the Master, who gave all he had to save a perishing world.

As we continue our work here, the work increases and presses us on every hand. New openings present themselves all around us. By invitation I have been out in the country about forty miles from Auckland and given a temperance lecture. At the close, the trustees of a nice, commodious church building invited me to return and preach to the people. This I very much desire to do if possible. There are a great many towns and settlements within a radius of fifty miles of this city, in which meetings might be held with profit, if there was anyone to do it. The people have read a great deal in the Auckland papers about our work, and are anxious to know about it. They have not yet heard very much to prejudice them; but we are confronted with that old, distressing fact that there are no laborers to go among them. What a pity! People ready and anxious to receive the truth, but no one ready to give it to them. May the Lord arouse the indifferent to action.

Our Tract and Missionary Society, which has a membership of over forty members, is taking hold to spread the truth the best it can. Papers and tracts are being sent to different parts of the colony, and some encouraging letters are being received. The Kaeo Society is also putting forth earnest efforts. After sending a few copies of the Bible Echo to about a hundred people, they wrote to them asking them what they thought of the paper, and if they would not like to become subscribers. Of course they received some very curious replies; but among them there were some good, encouraging letters, which gave evidence that the truth was finding its way to some hearts. In this way we are endeavoring to do what we can. I am often deeply impressed with the power and vitality of the truth of God.

The opponents of truth are doing what they can to hinder the people from accepting, but their efforts only advertise us, and cause many to ask who we are and what we believe that is so strange. One minister wrote a long article on the Sabbath question, and had it published in a paper that has a circulation of 1,500 in the colony. A reply of equal length in defense of the truth has been put in the same paper, thus bringing the Sabbath question before hundreds whom we could not reach in any other way at present. Another minister has just published a little pamphlet on the same question, and is having it sold in the city. I have announced to review it in a few nights, and there is reason to believe our church will be crowded full.

We were never of better courage and faith in the Third Angel's Message than at the present. We cannot doubt but that this field should have been entered years ago during its greater financial prosperity. What could have been done then with comparative ease must be done now with more of a struggle. We find difficulties and obstacles in the way, but as one after another gives way it gives us more determination to press the battle to the gates.

A few have given up the Sabbath, but others have filled up the ranks, so that our number holds good. This week we begin a series of meetings in the church, to continue several weeks. Our intention is to go over the principal points of our truth about the same as we would in a series of tent-meetings. By this effort it is hoped quite a number who are now halting will take their stand with us. This is a matter of great anxiety to us at present. In our next letter we shall be able to tell what success shall have attended the effort. We still desire to be remembered at the throne of grace. A. G. DANIELLS. Auckland, N. Z., July 17, 1887.