p. 667 | NEW ZEALAND by Alonzo G. Daniells

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 4, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 42.

NEW ZEALAND.

By Alonzo G. Daniells

WHAT is called winter in New Zealand is just past, and summer is upon us. The change, however, is so slight that we who are accustomed to the vigorous winters of the middle States of North America, hardly appreciate the change of seasons. I think the coldest day in the North Island, during the past winter, was about forty degrees above zero. All the native trees retain their foliage, and the grass remains as bright and green as at any period of the year. In fact, this is an evergreen country. The only trees and shrubs which lose their leaves are those imported from foreign countries. I do not think a more desirable climate can be found in the world.

And this is not all that can be truthfully said of this country, standing alone in the midst of the ocean. Tourists who have crossed the Alps, and looked upon the most beautiful and noted scenery of Europe and America, confess that the "Hot Lake District" and the "Southern Alps" of New Zealand are in some respects unrivaled. At the highest altitude in the North Island, there are active volcanoes, hot lakes, boiling springs, and geysers, and beautiful terraces. In the South Island the lakes are cold, and the mountains are covered with snow and ice, and the glaciers equal the Alps of Italy. The plains and alluvial valleys are very productive. In some places the land yields from forty to sixty, and sometimes ninety, bushels of wheat to the acre. Capitalists own large tracts of land, on which feed multitudes of fine sheep and cattle.

In no country has nature done more to make its inhabitants happy than in this. And yet the people are not happy. There is a terrible depression in business, and the finances of the government are in a lamentable condition. Thousands of people are leaving the colony, and but few are coming to take their place. Intemperance and sensuality are prominent in the long catalogue of sins committed here, the same as in other parts of the world. If we are allowed to draw conclusions from these facts, it seems certain that nothing but the grace of God can so affect the

hearts of men as to keep them from sin and misery. This the Spirit of God can do.

I am truly grateful that we can tell the readers of the SIGNS that God has been blessing the work here during the last few months. The interest in Napier, where I have been during the last year, is an astonishment to me. I have never seen anything like it in my experience. There is no great stir or excitement, but the Spirit of God works quietly yet effectively on the hearts of the people. Those who first accepted the truth have remained firm, and others have been added, until there are about one hundred now keeping the Sabbath. The Sabbath-school numbers about one hundred and fifty.

This increase in numbers has made it necessary for us to erect a house of worship. The building is now under headway and will be finished as soon as possible. It is 30x50, with an addition 25x30, which will be divided into class-rooms for the primary and intermediate divisions of the school. This will be the second church building erected by our denomination in New Zealand.

Brother E. M. Morrison, who has been with us some months, has just closed a very interesting canvassers' drill, which lasted two weeks. Some eighteen attended the meetings and took a lively interest in the lessons. Several of them had been in the canvassing field during the past year, and as they had not had any instructions to speak of, they appreciated the meetings very much. During the last year they have sold about $4,500 worth of subscription books. They are of good courage to start in with another year. Several new ones have joined the company, and they have set their mark to sell $10,000 worth of books the coming year.

The books they have sold are being read, and the readers are beginning to call for the living preacher to come to them and explain the way of life more fully. But we cannot answer these calls, because we have no ministers to send. There are but two of us. We need a score at once. Everything seems favorable, and the people are ready for the message. "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into the harvest." A. G. DANIELLS.