EGW
[The following notes and observations are taken from a personal letter to the Editor, and we believe they will be of much interest to the readers of the Review. The letter is dated at Sydney, Australia.—Ed.] RH May 29, 1894, par. 1
“Since leaving Melbourne I have spoken twice at Seven Hills, about eight miles from here. We had a precious meeting. Brother Hickox is laboring there. He has pitched his tent, and held meetings all alone. He has lived in a small tent, and done his own cooking. Some who attend the meetings supply him with milk. He has visited, given Bible readings, and conversed and prayed with families. Some noble, conscientious souls have fully decided to obey the truth, and several more are on the point of deciding. Eight have taken their stand to keep the Sabbath, and the interest holds good. RH May 29, 1894, par. 2
“A week ago last Sabbath I rode with my son ten miles to Kellyville, and spoke to the church in their own place of worship. In the afternoon he attended the ordinance meeting at Parramatta. The next day I rode eight miles, and spoke again to a good audience that seemed deeply interested. You see I am able to bear considerable work and riding about. This day I have written twenty-four pages of letter paper, and I am feeling real well. RH May 29, 1894, par. 3
“The failure of banks and the financial pressure make hard times everywhere in this country. It is difficult for students to obtain money to defray their expenses at school, or for our brethren to build even the most humble places of worship. We hear of people starving to death in the cities, and nearly every day persons come to our door begging for something to eat. They are never turned away, and we are constantly called upon to hand out money to keep the work moving. O how thankful I shall be when we can see the work going with power, and many souls compelled to come in from the highways and hedges because of the overwhelming evidence of the truth that the Lord impresses upon the human heart. RH May 29, 1894, par. 4
“Since writing the above, the president and secretary of the Victorian W. C. T. U., and four other ladies, have taken dinner with us. We became acquainted with them in Melbourne; they have just been attending a temperance convention in Sydney. We had a pleasant interview, and now they have gone out in our carriage to see the country, while I resume my writing. I hope that these sisters will be brought to a knowledge of the truth. We long to see those of intelligence converted, and standing in vindication of the truth. RH May 29, 1894, par. 5
“Much might be done in this country if there were those who would settle in different localities and cultivate the land as they do in America. Then they would be comparatively independent of the hard times. I think this will be brought about. Most diligent search has been made for a tract of land of several hundred acres on which to locate the school, so that the students may have an opportunity to till the soil, and poor families may have a little piece of land on which to grow vegetables and fruit. This would go far toward sustaining them, and they would have a chance to school their children. But money matters are very close. The people are all hard pressed for means, and know not just what to do unless times change. We must live and have means to carry forward the work. RH May 29, 1894, par. 6
“Wellington, Christchurch, and many other important places, both in New Zealand and in Australia, must have labor, and we need men and means. Our prayers go up to God, that laborers may be raised up to enter the harvest-field. We are nearing the close of this earth's history, and every soul should work now while the day lasts, for the night cometh in which no man can work. O that every representative of the truth may lift the burden that is so essential for him to carry, that the light of truth may go to all places of the earth. But the languid measures, the slow movements, the want of deep interest for perishing souls, grieve the heavenly intelligences. He who gave his only begotten Son to die for the sins of the world, has made it manifest that his love is without measure. O that all who have named the name of Christ would arouse from their lethargy and begin to work. RH May 29, 1894, par. 7
“Our work is to carry the truth to those who know it not. I have said to the church at Parramatta: ‘I must not occupy my time with you. It is the duty of every church-member to burn and shine, that the rays of light may be seen amid the moral darkness. I have not come to this part of Australia to devote my time and strength to keeping you in good spirits, and holding up you know the truth. It is my mission to go to the regions beyond, to those who sit in darkness, and have no light. Will you as a church help me? Will you hold up my hands? Will you have root in yourselves? Will you send your prayers, as sharp sickles, into the harvest-field? Can I rely upon you who know the truth, who have had great light and opportunities, to help me in my labor? RH May 29, 1894, par. 8
“I think this is the way we shall have to do; we must roll the responsibility upon church-members, and tell them God holds them accountable for the exercise of every spiritual power in the saving of the souls of those who have never heard the truth. We must solemnly urge upon them the fact that they are to be witnesses for God; and if they are exercising faith in Christ as their personal Saviour, they will accept the burden of responsibility.” RH May 29, 1894, par. 9
Mrs. E. G. White