Evangelistic Thrust In Australia

With the Wellington camp meeting fresh in their minds, the workers looked forward optimistically to plans for the first camp meeting in Australia. They entertained hopes that there would be a response similar to that witnessed in New Zealand. The meeting was scheduled to open in Melbourne on Friday, January 5, 1894, and there was just time to get the tents pitched for this innovation in gospel preaching.WV 301.2

The committee on location found a 10-acre (four-hectare) tract of land, grass-covered and partly shaded by eucalyptus trees (blue gum), in the suburb of Middle Brighton, nine miles (14 kilometers) from the Melbourne post office. It was south of the city, near the bay, and was served by an excellent railway line that had trains running every 30 minutes from morning till late at night.WV 301.3

Family tents were being made in three sizes for the camp meeting. Prices and styles of tents that might be purchased in the city did not fit the plans of the camp meeting committee, so good material was secured, and by early November, 35 tents were ready for sale or rent.WV 301.4

The Bible Echo for December 8 carried an Ellen White appeal for an outstanding attendance, as she pointed out the objectives of the meeting. It was to be a time of spiritual refreshing for the church and also an effective means of reaching the city with the third angel's message. “Come to the Feast” was the title of the three-column invitation.WV 301.5

Notice was also given of some of the best help the denomination could supply in making the meetings a success. The president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists would be present; Ellen White and W. C. White would be there; and Dr. M. G. Kellogg, ship physician for the Pitcairn, would be giving instruction along health lines. One notice especially delighted the believers of a few years:WV 301.6

Our readers will be pleased to hear that Elder J. O. Corliss, who spent some time in Australia five or six years since, is now on his way back, accompanied by Elder W. A. Colcord. They expect to be with us at our camp meeting (The Bible Echo, December 1, 1893).WV 301.7

It was announced also that there would be a dining tent on the campgrounds, “furnished with tables, dishes, chairs, et cetera, and with proper waiters to serve the meals” (Ibid., November 22, 1893).WV 301.8

A weeklong workers’ meeting would immediately precede the camp meeting, so the pitching of tents began on Tuesday, December 26. Initial plans called for 50 family tents, but these were taken so quickly that orders were given for 25 more.WV 302.1

The camp meeting opened on Friday, January 5, as scheduled. Through buying and renting, the number of family tents had more than doubled during the week of the workers’ meetings. Even though the nation was passing through stringent economic times, every possible effort had been made to “make all things in the camp meeting after the divine order” (The Review and Herald, September 25, 1894).WV 302.2

The community in Brighton, a beautiful town, was stirred. The Sabbath meetings were a feast for the believers, and by then the grounds were being filled with people from the community whose interest had been aroused by the tent city and the distribution of reading matter. Ellen White wrote:WV 302.3

People of the finest and noblest of society are coming from all places. The tent is filled in the afternoons and evenings, so there is scarcely room for them to find a seat (Letter 125, 1894).WV 302.4

In the afternoons and evenings throughout the week our congregations number about one thousand (Letter 100, 1894).WV 302.5

Many voices are heard expressing the gratitude of joyful hearts as men and women contemplate the precious truth of the third angel's message, and come to realize the paternal love of God (Letter 86, 1894).WV 302.6

The visitors made good use of the dining tent. One hundred ninety were served on Sunday, January 14. The cost to the patrons was only sixpence, or twelve and a half cents. No meat was served, and the diners really enjoyed their meals (Manuscript 3, 1894).WV 302.7

“This camp meeting is advertising us as nothing else could,” Ellen White wrote in her letter to Mrs. Caro. “The people say it is a wonder of wonders, this city of clean, white tents. Oh, I am so thankful” (Letter 100, 1894).WV 302.8

On Sunday, January 14, Mrs. White wrote to A. T. Jones in Battle Creek:WV 302.9

The first Sabbath of the conference meeting [January 6] three commenced the observance of the Sabbath, and yesterday five more took their position on the truth. Two businessmen [A. W. Anderson ^{*Father of the late well-known evangelist and teacher, Roy Allan Anderson, and his brothers, Ormond and Clifford.} and his brother Richard] with their wives and relatives, numbering eight, begged for tents in order that they might remain on the ground and attend early-morning and evening meetings. One of the men will return every day with his horse and carriage to Melbourne, a distance of eight or ten miles (13 or 16 kilometers) and look after the business, returning at night.WV 302.10

These two brothers keep a large music establishment and are convicted of the truth, and we believe will yet take their position. Far and near the sound has gone out concerning this city of tents, and the most wonderful interest is awakened.WV 303.1

Other campers crowded together a bit to make two tents available to the Andersons, who camped there for a few days.WV 303.2

One of the attendees at the meetings was Mrs. Press, who was president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and for several years had been a vegetarian. She sought an interview with Ellen White and visited with her in her tent. Mrs. Press requested Mrs. White to address her group, and urged participation on the part of Seventh-day Adventists in the work of the WCTU. The WCTU president called for someone to give the WCTU members lessons in hygienic cooking. When told the Adventists had no one in Australia well enough qualified, her response was, “Tell us what you do know” (Letter 88a, 1894).WV 303.3

Not long after this Capt. and Mrs. Press hosted a private cooking school conducted by Mrs. Starr and Mrs. Tuxford in their home. Helpful guidance in food preparation was given to the Press family in connection with this cooking school (Letter 127, 1894).WV 303.4

Thoroughly pleased with the response the meetings were receiving, Ellen White wrote enthusiastically to A. T. Jones in America:WV 303.5

This is the first camp meeting that Melbourne has seen, and it is a marvel of wonder to the people. There is a decided interest to hear the truth. This interest we have never seen equaled among those not of our faith. The camp meeting is doing more to bring our work before the people than years of labor could have done.... Yesterday the most noted physician in North Fitzroy was here to listen. Some ministers have been here, and a large number of businessmen (Letter 37, 1894).WV 303.6

Writing to Edson White, she said, “Taking it on all sides, this is the best camp meeting we have ever attended” (Letter 86, 1894).WV 303.7