INTERESTING ITEMS FROM ELDER W. C. WHITE.
By William C. White
On Board Pitcairn, Auckland Harbor, N. Z., Oct. 6, 1893. ELDER M. C. WILCOX, EDITOR "SIGNS OF THE TIMES" —Dear Brother: The Monowai sails to-morrow, and I must write you a few lines regarding the work in these colonies. The Pitcairn arrived here from Norfolk last Sunday, October 1, having been four days and a half making the trip. All on board were well, and Dr. Kellogg hastened on to Kaeo, where I had been for a week, waiting for the Pitcairn, as I had heard that she would call first at Whangaroa Harbor, to land the family of Brother Salt, who came with her from Norfolk. At Auckland the captain learned that I had orders from the mission board to hold the ship till Elder Olsen comes, and he at once began the work of setting up the rigging, and making some necessary repairs, including painting, etc. In eight or ten days he expects to sail to Wellington, where some of the books on board will be landed, and stored, for use on future voyages. Then the captain will be able to do some missionary work on the ships visiting Wellington, while waiting for the camp meeting and Elder Olsen’s arrival. Wednesday morning, October 4, Brother Joseph Hare and I walked to Whangaroa, to meet Dr. Kellogg. We found him well, and of good courage. The Lord’s blessing has attended his work, and the doctor himself has received a large measure of blessing in his own heart. As soon as Brother Hare’s sailboat, capable of carrying about four tons, and which had come down with the tide the night before, was loaded with the goods that had arrived that day for the Hare Brothers’ store, we sailed across the harbor to Tame Tame, where Lane & Brown’s shipyards are located, and made arrangements for Dr. Kellogg to lecture on temperance the next Tuesday. Then we sailed up to Kaeo, and had time to introduce the doctor to the leading men of the place, before our evening meeting, where he met the church, and where we planned for his future work. He will spend two or three weeks in Kaeo and vicinity, and then visit Auckland and other churches on the way to the camp meeting at Wellington. Very glad for having the opportunity to introduce Dr. Kellogg to the friends in Kaeo, I left the next morning for Auckland, knowing that those on the ship would wish as soon as possible to hear the plans of the board, and Elder Olsen’s letter regarding them, and thus know what to do. At Auckland wharf I was met by Captain Christiansen, who brought me to the ship, where I expect to abide till we reach Wellington. We have but little to indicate the plans of the mission board for the future, but we hope that this detention of the ship means that they entertain the hope that some workers may be selected from the Colonies to go to the islands. There are strong hands and willing hearts here, and with many a willingness to go anywhere that the voice of duty calls; but the great barrier to the appointment of workers from our young churches is the lack of education and experience. The school will help, but how we wish the school had begun five years sooner! As it is we must do all we can to redeem the time, and as we see that the days are evil, our efforts must increase, as our anxiety is more intense. We do rejoice in the growth of our little school. Last year there were thirty students. This year there are sixty. Next year the term will begin so early that some who depend on earning their school money in the canvassing field may be debarred, but others will fill their places. Our summer school, continuing sixteen weeks, and having a practical and a missionary course, promises to be well attended. In a year or two we shall have a good company of young men and women ready for service, but who can be spared to go this year it is hard to say. We are now recruiting a company of canvassers from Australia to come to New Zealand, for several of the New Zealand canvassing force have gone to Australia to attend the school. How I wish that some of the canvassers who are having such a hard time in the States were here in New Zealand! Our New Zealand camp meeting is appointed to be held near Wellington, November 23 to December 12. Elder Olsen says he will be with us November 27. At the close of this meeting we hurry across to Sydney, and on to the Australian camp meeting, which comes the first of January, and, with the business meetings which follow, will fill that month full of work. Our letters that leave San Francisco November 14 should be addressed to us, care International Tract Society, Banks Terrace, Wellington. After that, for a month or two, to Melbourne, and after that, care Australian Tract Society, No. 2 Cook Street, Glebe Point, Sydney, N. S. W. I must close now and hand this to Brother G. A. Anderson, who, with his wife, leaves us by this boat, intending to go to St. Helena, for the double purpose of getting rid of rheumatism, and of fitting for medical mission work. Yours in hope,
W. C. WHITE.