NEW ZEALAND by A. G. Daniells

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 31, 1887

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

NEW ZEALAND.

By A. G. Daniells

THIS is the sixtieth day since we held our first meeting in the tent in the city of Auckland. When we began we were entire strangers, and were looked upon with suspicion, which attends every new enterprise. Some wondered if we were not Mormons or Spiritualists, but the majority were of the opinion that we were here to get the people's money. They had never seen a tent used for religious worship. Only a few came out at first; but it was not a week until the tent was well filled, and the attendance has been fair ever since. On some occasions 500 have been present. Many have become deeply interested in the subjects, and of course friendly to us. So far we find the colonial people very friendly and hospitable. They invite us to their homes, and take great pains to entertain us; and are truly anxious to do something for our comfort and happiness.

The views we have presented on many of the subjects are entirely new to the majority. Some have dismissed them as erroneous, and unworthy of any thought, but the greater number of those who have heard, have endeavored to investigate them with care. Some have been at almost every meeting. Many bring their Bibles, and some write down every text that is given. The number of our books which the people purchase at the stand is another evidence of their desire to know the truth. In our report last month our book sales were $60. This month we have sold about $45 worth, making in all over $100 worth. And the people are still buying. Hardly a night passes that we do not sell two or three dollars worth. On several occasions gentlemen have come to the tent in the midst of the day, and taken bound books and tracts. This is the more significant when it is known that times are close here. The great wave of business depression has rolled over New Zealand, and the people have not seen such close times for fifteen years.

I wish to mention another point with reference to our publications. Those who have bought them are highly pleased with the policy of the writers. They say the language is so simple and expressive that they can understand it, and above all there is so much Scripture given on every subject that they have learned more about the Bible in reading those books and the Bible together, than they have ever known before. They never complain of the prices, although we have to sell them a little above the American price, on account of the extra cost in getting them here. I am persuaded that thousands of dollars worth of our books can be sold in this colony; and we should have been at it years ago. Every month now is precious, yet really noth

ing is being done. The colonists are a reading people. Oh, where are the young men who will devote their lives to this work? My heart is moved, when I look over these islands and see the thousands of kind, intelligent people who know nothing of the last message. I wonder why the burden of this truth has not driven us to these scattered sheep long ago.

This month has been a good month to us. The interest has been better than at any previous time. The Lord has been near us. Ten at least have taken a stand for the truth, and others are almost persuaded to do the same. About thirty attended our Sabbath meetings. Yesterday we had a good social meeting, in which some arose, and with weeping thanked the Lord for his glorious truth that had lately come to them. We truly feel that it pays to labor and sacrifice for the salvation of others. At least half of those who have begun to observe the Sabbath are men. One is a photographer who has just served a long apprenticeship in the best gallery in the city. We think he has accepted the truth with all his heart so far as he understands it.

My wife meets with great encouragement in the Bible-reading work. She has all she can attend each week. The people invite their neighbors in, and that opens the way for new readings, but she cannot respond to all the calls. There is work for many workers. Some ladies are so interested they attend nearly every reading in the neighborhood. We truly feel that God has gone out before us, and that the people are hungering for the truth. Brother Edward Hare is busy obtaining subscriptions for the Bible Echo and "Great Controversy," Volume 4. He meets with success.

The weather has been delightful ever since we came here. The heat of the summer is past, and the thermometer has not registered more than eighty degrees. We have had refreshing rains occasionally, but no storms. During the sixty days our tent has been pitched, we have not lowered it once, nor missed an appointment. The evenings are from five to ten degrees cooler than the days, and are generally clear and calm. We could not desire a more lovely summer. As the summer fruits are going out of market, the autumn fruits, such as oranges, lemons, figs, quinces, apples, grapes, etc., are coming in. A great variety of fruits are grown with much success in this part of the colony.

We are expecting Elder Curtis and family, also Brethren Baker and Belden and their wives on the Mariposa, which is due in about a week. We shall rejoice to meet these servants of the Lord on their way to Australia, and shall do all we can to make their stay of one day here as pleasant and profitable as we can. It is good to be scattered over the earth to spread the last message to men. We crave the power of God in this work.

A. G. DANIELLS, Auckland, New Zealand, Feb. 28.