ACROSS THE PACIFIC by Anna L. Ingels

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 31, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 38.

ACROSS THE PACIFIC.

By Anna L. Ingels

AS THE Australasian mission field is the subject under consideration in the missionary societies in August, I thought that a brief sketch of my trip from San Francisco and arrival in Australia might be of interest. In accordance with the action of the late General Conference, I sailed for my new field of labor on the steamship Mariposa, April 27. Brother A. S. Hickox, one of the laborers designated for the opening of the work in Queensland, Australia, also sailed on this boat. A number of the dear friends with whom we had been so long and so pleasantly associated in the work in the years that are past, accompanied us to the boat. Soon the sad leave-taking began, and the last good-by was said to relatives and friends, whom we never again expected to see in the flesh, and we were loosed from our moorings and passed out into the great deep. Never before, I am sure, in all our lives, did the shores of our native land look half so dear as on this occasion, as, with straining eyes, we watched them receding from us, until the distance and the shades of night hid them from our view. I thank God that he has implanted within the human heart this love of home, even though the broad ocean, or the great continent, separates us from it; else how could we look with glad anticipation to the home beyond, that blest haven of rest, to which our feet are tending.

We soon directed our attention to the land to which we were going, and even in that sad hour, and at so great a cost, it seemed an exalted privilege to go on such a mission for Him who left His home in glory to come to this dark world for us. All regrets for the past, and all anxiety for the future, were laid at the feet of Him who "upholdeth all things by the word of His power," and who is mightier "than the mighty waves of the sea."

During the greater part of our voyage we were favored by wind and wave, and our passage was a smooth and most prosperous one. A week from the day we sailed we reached Honolulu, and remained over one day. Brother Burgess and his son were waiting at the wharf to meet us, and took us to their pleasant home, where we spent the day enjoying their kind hospitality, and seeing some of the points of interest in Honolulu and vicinity. This beautiful isle seems to be well termed the "Paradise of the Pacific." The luxuriant tropical vegetation that grew in such profusion everywhere was of great interest to us. Almost everything we saw in this line was different from what we were accustomed to at home.

As is well known, the government of these islands is at the present time in a very unsettled state. We were shown the private residence of the queen, Liliuokalani, who there awaits her uncertain future. American flags could be seen floating from many of the houses, indicating that their inmates were in favor of annexation to the United States.

Soon after we arrived, a number of the Sabbath keepers gathered at the home of Brother Burgess, and we enjoyed a most precious season together. It seemed to us, as well as to them, a privilege to be again permitted to join with the children of God in thanksgiving for his unspeakable love, and in supplicating his blessing. In the evening Brother Hickox spoke to this little company on the love of God, and the privilege of being colaborers with him. A Norwegian brother who had accepted the truth but a few weeks before, as the result of Brother Burgess' ship work, listened for the first time to a Seventh-day Adventist sermon, which he seemed greatly to appreciate. He was contemplating going to Battle Creek to prepare himself for some part in the work.

Another week brought us to Samoa. As we reached here late in the evening of a dark, rainy night, we were deterred from going ashore, which we had greatly hoped to be able to do. Many of the natives came out in their rowboats and remained alongside of our ship for hours. Many of them presented an intelligent appearance, and some were of fine physique. A goodly number were able to speak the English language to some extent. They seemed to be a good-natured people. They were of a rich copper color. Some wore but little clothing, while others were dressed, as are many of the white inhabitants of these tropical regions, in white. Some of the passengers of our ship were rowed ashore by the natives, and returned under the influence of liquor. We felt for the missionaries, who have to battle against all these adverse influences brought to bear upon the natives by the more enlightened nations. In the day of final reckoning, when all shall be called to give an account for "the deeds done in the body," surely these things will be seen in their true light.

At the end of the third week out we reached Auckland, New Zealand. We entered this port in the early morning. The city is built upon rolling hills and can be seen to good advantage from the harbor. Large, fine houses are built right down to the water's edge, and the beautiful foliage towering above them and waving to the breeze presents a most pleasing picture to one who, for days, has had nothing to rest the eyes upon but sky and ocean. Here we again enjoyed the hospitality and association of Sabbath keepers, who did much to make it pleasant for us during our stay of a few hours. Up to the time we reached Auckland we had an exceptionally smooth passage, but between this port and our destination we encountered head winds and a heavy swell. Many of our fellow voyagers were prostrated with seasickness during this part of our trip, and, in fact, some were ill almost constantly from the day we sailed. But neither Brother Hickox nor myself suffered in the least from this dread visitant of the sea. We felt to praise the Lord continually for his prospering hand, that was ever over us, and that during this long, and otherwise tedious, voyage we were able to concentrate our minds to read and study. We suffered but little inconvenience from heat in the tropics, and as the sea was smooth during this part of our trip, we were privileged to have our windows open, and enjoy an abundance of fresh air. Within two days of our arrival at New Zealand, on Monday night, May 15, we crossed the day line, the next day being Wednesday, the 17th. This was a novel experience, but would have seemed more strange had not all the days on shipboard been so very similar. But

little occurred to break the monotony. We saw a great many flying fish in the torrid zone. Some were no larger than butterflies, while others were a foot in length. We also saw great balls of sparkling phosphorus in the water as it was stirred by our ship's prow, or glistened in its wake. Some of the sunsets were most beautiful. Almost did it appear that the glories of heaven were shining through, so dazzling was the brightness, while at other times the shades and tints were exquisitely soft and delicate, presenting a great variety of hues. As I witnessed these scenes, and beheld the myriads of stars shining in all their splendor, I was led to realize as never before that "the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork."

Most of our fellow voyagers were of a worldly class and were much given to wine drinking and to novel reading. Some opportunity was afforded to sow seeds of truth. We were especially interested in an elderly gentleman, who was a freethinker, and with whom we had frequent conversations upon the subject of religion. He had been reared a Catholic, and having been led to see the inconsistencies of their belief, and their evil practices, and supposing other adherents to Christianity to be as false as they, he had renounced all. A few days before we landed, he asked, with the tears coursing down his cheeks, how he might come to Christ. He was directed to that word which is able to build him up and to give him an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. "Steps to Christ" was loaned to him, and used in other instances to good advantage. I thank God for this little work. It seems to me that too much could not be said in its praise. It is so admirably adapted for use in missionary work, and contains rich gems of thought for all.

On the evening of May 22, having been twenty-four days out, we steamed into the magnificent harbor of Port Jackson, and landed upon Australian soil, in the city of Sydney. We were met at the boat by Elder Daniells and wife, and Brother and Sister Reekie, from whom we received a most cordial welcome, and who have spared no pains in contributing to our comfort, and causing us to feel at home in our new field of labor.

Sydney, the oldest settlement in Australia, has a population of about 400,000. Owing to the numerous coves and bays formed by the harbor, the city seems built upon a number of peninsulas, and the large amount of water frontage thus afforded constitutes one of the greatest advantages of its position. The city is built upon the English plan, and many of the customs and characteristics are patterned after the mother country. Its streets are not as wide as in more modern towns, and many of them are quite irregularly formed. The houses are of stone or brick, and well constructed, although, generally speaking, of plain appearance. The city is adorned by some beautiful and stately buildings, among which are the town hall and the general post office. Sydney does a very large shipping business, and has steamship communication with various countries of the world. Excellent opportunity is thus afforded for ship missionary work. The greater part of its trade, however, is carried on with London.

We are just entering upon the winter season, and are having considerable rain at the present time, although during the first week of our arrival the sun shone out as warm and bright as in our finest summer weather in Oakland. New South Wales, the colony of which Sydney is the capital, is noted for its few gray days and its abundance of sunshine. The newly appointed governor of New South Wales arrived from England May 29, and was received with great demonstration. Thousands of people thronged the streets to do him homage. He was escorted from the boat by the members of Parliament, and other government

officials and men of rank, and attended by the militia.

My impressions of this country as a missionary field are most favorable. Of the middle classes, of which a large proportion of these cities are composed, there are large numbers of intelligent, temperate-looking people, who seem ready for the Third Angel's Message. Individuals are accepting the truth here from time to time under the most interesting circumstances. Although there has never been a series of meetings held in this city, we have a church organization, with a membership of sixty-seven. There are wide-open doors for missionary work in its various phases as carried on in the home field, and, as far as I am able to judge, efforts put forth here are attended with greater results. The canvassing work has been greatly prospered. Many have become interested in the truth, and a goodly number have taken their stand for it, through this means alone. A large field has been opened by the canvasser for missionary correspondence with those living in localities far removed from the centers of our work, and who cannot be reached, at the present time, in any other way. What little has been done in this line has met with most encouraging results. I feel truly thankful, and account it the greatest privilege, to be permitted to labor in this country. To this field the words of our Saviour are most applicable, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few." ANNA L. INGELS. Sydney, Australia, June 17, 1893.