p. 137 | The Work in Melbourne, Australia

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 4, 1886

The Work in Melbourne, Australia.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

It is now about eight months since we landed on the Australian shores. Then, we were strangers in a strange land, where there were none of like precious faith. It was in mid-winter, when we were having continual rains, and damp, chilly weather. The people were reserved in their habits, and they became suspicious of us when they learned of our views being so different from those held by others. The doctrine of Christ's coming, taken by itself, is not unpopular here; but the view we hold of it and the Sabbath was sufficient to call forth warnings from the pulpit and the press, without giving us an opportunity to reply. Every attempt to get our views before the public proved fruitless. But we were backed up by thousands of sympathizing friends in America, and from these friends thousands of prayers daily ascended to God, who has countless millions of angels at his command,—angels who are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation; and how could we be homesick or discouraged? Angels of God went before us and prepared the way, although at times it seemed dark and dreary.

Soon, however, some became interested in the truth, and a few took their stand with us. When the tent season arrived, we pitched the tent and commenced a public effort; and as the result of the Bible-readings and the tent labor, a church of twenty-eight members, including ourselves, was organized here January 10, called the Melbourne church of Seventh-day Adventists. The following Sabbath seven more united, and others are waiting baptism and expect to unite next Sabbath. The tent is now pitched for the third time, with a growing interest, in South Melbourne, one of the suburbs of this city.

Among those who have embraced the Sabbath there are teachers, mechanics of almost every class, contractors, printers, and day-laborers. Not one of them had the habit of using tobacco or ardent spirits; and yet the use of tobacco is as common here as in America, and that of ardent spirits is much more common. In a few instances we have seen a fulfillment of Matt. 10: 35, 36; but in most of these cases the truth has triumphed. Although on account of the peculiar construction of society there are apparently, greater difficulties in the way of observing the seventh day here than in America, yet the real difficulties are no greater when men actually commence its observance.

It is the better class of people who have acknowledged the truth. Although poor in this world's goods, yet we trust that they are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom. Not only this, but the influence of the truth has extended into the country, and there are some who are observing the Sabbath from reading and correspondence. In not a few places quite an interest has been awakened, and there are to all outward appearances, many as good openings for the truth here as in any part of America. The prospect before us at the present time is better than in America, because there is not that prejudice in respect to at first coming out to hear.

The general impression is that our arguments are so easily overthrown that there is no danger of any being convinced by them. This impression, however, is wearing off. What to do with us is a question that has been discussed in councils of ministers. Sometimes they have threatened to meet us in the open field; but after hearing, it has been decided that this was not best. Doubtless, however, the time will come erelong that they will do this; for there are members of nearly all sects, as well as some who never made a profession of religion, who have taken their stand with us. This stirs the ire of the dragon.

There seems to be a feeling here, as in other places, on the part of some who have good positions and a large flock, that they have the right to dispense their views, that their methods should be adopted, and that others of a different persuasion are not needed at all in the country. One clergyman said to his flock, 'They are not needed. They are no church. They have no business in the Colonies. They came from the obscure State of New England, from whence comes some good things, but many things that are bad.' He of course warned his flock against hearing us or attending our Bible-readings. Another said to his congregation, 'You have no business to invite them to your houses without first asking us [officers of the church]. And if they were gentlemen, they would not go till they had first consulted us.' And yet that denomination has made more aggressive moves among other sects than any other in this portion of the country. At times we have felt thankful for anything to advertise us; and all of these things have helped us in the end.

In New Zealand the cause is fairly planted, also among the better class of people. Only one of the number there who have embraced the truth was in the habit of using tobacco, and he gave it up, although he was over sixty years old and had used it more than forty years. There is an anxiety manifested by many of them to learn all that is believed and practiced among Seventh-day Adventists in America. They manifest full confidence in the work. We think it a great mistake to conclude that it is not advisable to give all points of our faith, such as the ordinance of John 13, because converts are young in the faith. We had the ordinances last Sabbath, the first opportunity after we had organized, and all, without an exception, participated in this ordinance.

The fact is, the Lord has gone before us in preparing hearts for the reception of the truth; and if we are faithful in acting our part in presenting the truth, we shall find that many of those who embrace it will go into the kingdom of God before those who have had greater light and privileges, but have not lived in accordance with the light. The work is of God, and he is leading in it. It is for us to follow, and keep near to him, and we shall see in his work what we have never yet seen in the Third Angel's Message. Our hearts are full of courage as to the prosperity of the cause in this part of the world.

Since the above was written, ten more have joined the church. Nine were baptized last Sabbath. Last night I visited one who had been most bitter because his wife and mother had become interested. The warfare is over, and he expects to unite with us next Sabbath. S. N. H.