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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jan 2, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 1.

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Australia

By Morris Lukens

MORRIS LUKENS
THE largest, and in many respects the most important, conference and camp-meeting ever held in Australia, was convened at Sydney, New South Wales, Oct. 15-27, 1912. Sydney is one of the largest cities in Australia, having a population of nearly seven hundred thousand. It is about the size of Boston or Baltimore. It is the capital of the state of New South Wales. Few capitals in the world can rival Sydney in natural advantages and beauty of site.
The weather throughout the camp-meeting was ideal. There were about one hundred thirty tents pitched, and these were occupied by nearly five hundred of our people. This number was doubled on both the Sabbath days by members of the churches in the surrounding suburbs coming to the camp-meeting.
With the exception of the early morning meeting, and the evening preaching service, the first three days of the meeting were devoted to the business of the conference. Following this, the time was fully occupied in devotional and evangelistic meetings, and in timely instruction for our people. From first to last the meetings were well attended, and a deep interest manifested. A spirit of unity and brotherly love pervaded the encampment, and the presence of the Holy Spirit was clearly indicated by the ready responses to calls for consecration, and also by the liberality manifested as opportunity afforded.
Elder A. H. Piper was reelected president of the conference, and Elder R. E. Burke vice-president. God's prospering hand had been seen, and each department of the conference showed a substantial gain. Plans were made for aggressive work in all departments.
A healthy spiritual life in the conference was indicated by the interest taken in the studies on the cleansing of the sanctuary, conducted by Elder J. E. Fulton, at 11 A. M. each day; in Elder J. Pallant's talks on justification by faith, daily at 3 P. M.; in the health lectures by Dr. Eulalia Richards, at 4:30 P. M.; and in the special instruction given by Elder George Teasdale and others.
The young people's meetings were under the supervision of Elder L. A. Hoopes, and Miss E. M. James, the young people's secretary of the conference. It was especially encouraging to see how the Lord worked for the young people. A number gave their hearts to the Lord for the first time. Several also who had been in a backslidden condition renewed their consecration to the Lord.
The missionary campaign meetings were very profitable, not only because of the instruction given, but because hundreds of dollars' worth of our good books, pamphlets, tracts, and periodicals were purchased by our people with which to do missionary work.
The union conference members present were Elders Fulton, Teasdale, Hoopes, and Pallant, Brethren Johanson and Hodgkison, Dr. Eulalia Richards, and the writer.
About fifteen hundred dollars was given in pledges and offerings for home and foreign mission work.
The Lord came very near to his people on the two Sabbath days of the meeting, and the heavenly presence of the Holy Spirit was felt. Hundreds came forward for prayers, over one hundred of thesefor the first time. Many fathers and mothers were blessed of God as they led their children to the penitent-seat. Children were seen pleading with parents, and it was very encouraging to observe some young people come forward, then return to plead with and bring some one else with them. Ninety gave in their names for baptism, eighty-two of whom were buried with their Lord in this sacred rite the last day of the meeting. This is the largest number ever baptized at one time in Australia.
From first to last the meeting was a feast of good things, of which those in attendance freely partook; and all returned to their homes refreshed and strengthened, with a stronger determination to let their light shine in clear steady rays during the year to come, that others who know not this truth which we have learned to know and love may be attracted to it.