Ballarat, Australia by M. C. Israel

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 19, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 32.

Ballarat, Australia.

By M. C. Israel

WE are holding meetings in the public hall in this place, with a large attendance, the best we have had in the colony. Seventeen meetings have been held in the hall; there are thirty-four keeping the Sabbath, and scores of people are deeply interested. Twenty were keeping the Sabbath as the result of readings that were held previous to our commencing the public meetings.

Last evening we had an invitation out in the mining district by one who had attended here, and we found a room well filled with intelligent people. I gave a reading on the Coming of the Lord and kindred events; which occasioned some inquiry in their minds about the immortality question; so Elder Corliss took the matter up and preached to them another hour on that subject. They were all pleased, especially the man of the house, who said that light had come into his mind that night which had saved him from infidelity. His wife is a Christian woman, and he had been afraid to tell her the state of his mind. They gave us a strong invitation to come again to-night; which we shall do as we cannot have the public hall.

It is a feast to us to have the privilege of

bringing the truth before these hungry souls. We expect a church of at least seventy-five to be raised up here in a short time.

The quarterly meeting of the church at Melbourne took place on July 3. Nearly all the members were present. It was a profitable season. The quarterly report of the Melbourne branch of the International Tract and Missionary Society was as follows: Members 37; reports 30; families visited 122; letters written 30. There had been 24,382 pages of reading matter, and 1,789 periodicals distributed, and 46 subscribers obtained for our papers. Brother John Bell, ship missionary, had visited 162 ships, and placed on them 3,240 periodicals. A number of very interesting letters were read, showing that the message is making its way to the different colonies, and is being received with interest.

One lady who has embraced the truth at this place, has sent for some of her friends who live one hundred miles distant, to come and stop with her and attend the meetings. This shows the interest that is manifested on the part of many to get the truth before their friends. All of our party are well and of good courage, and ask a continuation of the prayers of our brethren for the prosperity of the work.

M. C. ISRAEL.

Ballarat, July 13, 1886.