Financial Difficulties Solved

Thus far we had endeavored to establish this enterprise without calling upon our people in North America for assistance; but we found the grade so steep and so long that we finally appealed to them for help. They promptly responded, by offering to appropriate a sum equal to the amount we would raise within, of course, a reasonable limit. This gave us great encouragement, and with good heart our people in Australasia undertook to raise their share.AGP 316.3

In the meantime we continued building operations, paying our share and running in debt for the amount we expected to receive from abroad. We gave our builders, and the business men from whom we purchased material, assurance that we should soon receive money to meet our obligations. We fully expected to receive this money by a certain date from America. But we were doomed to a terrible disappointment. Instead of a draft, the mail brought us the decision that, owing to financial depression, the General Conference would be unable to send their part. They advised us to delay building operations until the financial situation had improved in America. But we had already gone on with our building, and now we had no money to meet our obligations.AGP 316.4

Moreover, Australia was then suffering from a severe drought, and some of our faithful brethren who had made liberal pledges said we must give them more time.AGP 317.1

Then, some who had lent us money, hearing of our disappointment and embarrassment, became alarmed, and called for the payment of their money at once. The members of the school board were sorely perplexed and distressed. They knew not what to do. Naturally, they blamed themselves for going ahead without money. Mrs. White and her son offered to mortgage their places and lend the school the proceeds. They went so far as to spend thirty dollars for an official appraisement. But the appraisement being only 15 per cent of the cost value, no loan could be secured.AGP 317.2

The situation was grave. Money had to come from some source. In our great perplexity we made earnest supplication to our God, whose work we were trying conscientiously to carry forward. Our appeal was heard and answered. Miracles were wrought for us. In a few weeks our people in Australasia raised in gifts and loans all that was required to meet all our obligations.AGP 317.3