THE AUSTRALIAN FIELD by E. J. Burnham

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 6, 1887

THE AUSTRALIAN FIELD.

By E. J. Burnham

At last accounts, Elder Corliss was just closing his second series of meetings in Adelaide. The meetings commenced in the town hall of Norwood, one of the suburbs of Adelaide, on the evening of September 5, and were transferred to the tent October 17. Between forty and fifty have signed the covenant. Brother Corliss has spoken on the tithing system and church organization. He intended to organize a church yesterday, when he confidently expected the large majority of those who have begun to keep the Sabbath to enter into church relationship. A large and flourishing Sabbath-school has been organized. There are fewer doubtful ones among the Sabbath-keepers in Adelaide than one usually finds; the most of them, though poor, are sterling people. There was only one tobacco-user among them, and he has given up the vile weed.

Brother Israel has been in Melbourne a part of the past month. He has not only conducted the Sabbath services, but spent some time in visiting and looking after the missionary and the publishing work. The church in Melbourne are by no means weary in their missionary efforts. They seem to be constantly studying how they can best bring the truth before others, and get them interested in it. Occasionally one is found who is willing to read, and such a case is not permitted to drop. One young man from Scotland has lately begun to keep the Sabbath as the result of this kind of labor. He is a real estate agent, is well educated, and seems to be a person of moral worth. Before he came to Australia, he formed the resolution that he would serve the Lord, and give to his cause a tenth of his earnings; so his heart was all prepared to receive the truth. When the Sabbath was presented, he said, "Why, yes; that is right. The seventh day is the Sabbath."

But while the Sabbath-keepers here labor to bring the truth before their immediate associates, they never forget the friends at "home," as they fondly call their native land; and many papers, tracts, and letters, laden with present truth, find their way across the wide ocean to English homes.

The church in Ballarat are no less earnest. They let their light shine. A prominent lady said to one of our sisters a few days ago, "We are sure to meet your faith wherever we go. On the cars, in the street, everywhere, it is sure to be the subject of conversation." Every Sunday afternoon there is a Bible-reading conducted by some member of the church, and they take pains to get as many out to these meetings as possible. Elder Israel was present yesterday, and there were five or six there not of our faith. There are several of the sisters who hold Bible-readings whenever they can get a few together. They sometimes have a collision with the ministers; but that does not dampen their zeal at all.

We feel that the Lord blesses in the work in Australia, and that we have great reason to be grateful for his prospering hand. Will our friends in America still remember us in their prayers; for we know that success is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God working through our efforts.

E. J. BURNHAM.

Melbourne, Nov. 29, 1886.