Has Not God Gone before Us?
By Stephen N. Haskell
WE have sometimes thought that our friends might get tired of hearing so much about this country; but to us these colonies have become more and more interesting. We see the power of God accompanying his truth here in a manner which is truly encouraging. The labor put forth in New Zealand was small in comparison with what has been put forth in Australia; and of that work we have spoken fully. But we see much here to encourage the hearts of all who love present truth. The church here numbers fifty-five, and probably before another report reaches America, the number will be greatly increased. The tent has been pitched four times. In each place there has been much fruit seen, in souls brought to a knowledge of the truth. It is now in a suburb of Melbourne called South Yarra. The present prospect is better for a harvest of souls than in any other place where it has been pitched. The interest could not be better than it appears to be. The tent is filled much of the time to its utmost capacity with interested hearers; and there are generally as many, if not more, standing outside. But we are having pleasant weather, and everything is most favorable. The evenings are just cool enough to be comfortable. Last night a discourse was given on the signs of the times; and remarks like the following were heard as the people left the tent: "What wonderful things these men are telling us!" "Did you ever hear the like?" There are many clergymen in our congregations, and they as well as others appear to be much interested. Bibles are brought, texts are marked, and questions are asked. In this suburb the doctrine of the second coming of Christ has been preached more than in any other place in this section of the country. But the people have ideas of it so different from what we hold that, when they hear the word of God read, scripture after scripture, and see that some of the very positions taken by the popular clergy are signs of Christ's coming, and that the Saviour especially warned us against those who take such positions, they seem to be dumbfounded, having been taught to believe that the Bible is all right anyway. In Northern Australia the tent can be run in winter; also in Western and Southern Australia; so there will be no need of laying up the tent one day because of the weather. In some parts it rains but very little, and those parts are rapidly settling up. The influence of our missions has encircled the globe. There is no time in the year but in some parts of the world, tents are running; and there is no hour in the day but type is being set, letters are being written, papers are being mailed, and work is being done by the light of the sun to spread a knowledge of the solemn truths we profess. The friends here are as earnest in the missionary work as in any part of America. They have their tract and missionary society organized, and take about two hundred copies of the Echo for missionary work; and they pay for them the full price. Many are mailed to England as well as to different parts of the Colonies. We have seen no greater interest among children in the missionary work than we see here. Then the success of the work is truly remarkable, when compared to the success of past years; but is far from what we believe it is our privilege to see if we believe, and act out our faith in the matter. Almost daily we learn of individuals who are interested in the truth, and some are keeping the Sabbath who have heard only one sermon, and in some instances only a part of one sermon. But they secured our publications and read for themselves. In a few instances, we have found individuals who have never heard a sermon or read a single word on these subjects, and yet believe the truth from hearing about our work. Is not this as remarkable as it was in the time of Christ, when the Samaritans believed on the testimony of the woman who said, "Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did; is not this the Christ?" Among those who have taken their stand on the truth, are high school teachers, Sunday-school superintendents, foremen of wholesale establishments, building contractors, those having charge of manufacturing establishments and flooring mills, and one entire printing company, who are now trying to sell their business that they may connect with our work. Most of these are individuals of influence, and, with a few exceptions, have not lost their situations for keeping the commandments. These contractors have jobs in various parts of the country, and with their hands, many of whom are Sabbath-keepers, hold Bible-readings and distribute reading matter where they go. This creates an interest in the truth; so that in many places at the present time there are special calls for labor. In some instances, meeting-houses are offered by country pastors, if we will only come or send some one to hold meetings. There is work here at the present time for twenty-five ministers if we only had them. Many of these openings are better than any we had when we first pitched our tent; for they are in the country. We are in the midst of a city of three hundred thousand people, including its suburbs. Everything here is on the rush and drive, while in the country it is different. A few small efforts have been put forth in the country; and in one instance, as near as we can learn, there are eight keeping the Sabbath202of the Lord. There is no such thing as correctly estimating the extent of the work. But we can truthfully say, that in every place there are hearts that are all prepared to embrace the truth. A few Bible-readings are all that is wanted, or a little reading matter, or a sermon, and they will take their stand with us. It may seem strange to many of our brethren and sisters in America that in so short a time as we have been here we should report thus. But it cannot surprise the friends in America any more than it does ourselves. We can only say as Luther did in the close of his life, when speaking of the work of the reformation: "What have I done? I simply set the word to running, and then returned and took a chat with my lord Catherine [his wife]; and down came thrones and kingdoms the word impressing one to-day, and another tomorrow." It has been so here, and in a manner that God alone can take the glory. To his precious name be all the praise. One man of a respectable family who came to the tent meeting, after hearing, purchased some reading matter, and finally, with his wife, embraced the truth. His sister felt distressed over this matter, and sent her son, who is an educated young man, to talk with his uncle. Their first interview continued the greater part of the night, and resulted in the young man taking a stand with his uncle. This at first almost crushed his poor mother, and apparently broke her heart. But his labor for her and the other members of the family was untiring, and resulted in the entire family, except one brother who is a lawyer, embracing the truth. Ten of them now belong to the church. The young man is out doing missionary work. There are others who design to give themselves to the work as soon as they can arrange their affairs. Many of these had decided to go with us, and had commenced to observe the Sabbath before they had ever heard any preaching, or seen any of our people except this young man. Can we not conclude that the Lord has gone out before us? Many interesting items might be mentioned, but I have said enough to lead those who have felt an interest in this work and have given of their means to start this mission, to feel that their labor has not been in vain. It seems evident to us that within one year from the time this mission started, it will be self-supporting. Our friends here have acted a noble part. We hardly dare ask them to do anything; for as soon as they know that means is wanted, they at once do all that they can consistently. Our people here are in harmony with every point of present truth, and are as happy in serving God as any company that we have ever seen. We now expect to leave for New Zealand on the steamer which takes this letter, and one month later for America, and arrive there in season for the annual meeting of the Publishing Association at Oakland. We shall be glad to see all those who feel an interest in this mission. S. N. H.