Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 70, 1899

Haskell, Brother and Sister [S. N.]

“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

April 14, 1899

Portions of this letter are published in 11MR 95-96; 4Bio 415, 417. +^Note

Dear Brother and Sister Haskell:

Yesterday, April 13, the main school building was dedicated. The morning meeting commenced at six o’clock, a time when those who had been and still were working on the ground could have the benefits of the meeting. W. C. White, Brother Palmer, and Brother Hughes spoke for a short time. Then I spoke, and at the close of the meeting made the dedicatory prayer. This was a very precious meeting, and I was glad in my heart to see so many students present. If you and Brother and Sister Tenney could have been here, it would have pleased us much. It seemed to me all the while that you ought to have been here. The new school chapel is, I think, an excellent room. It is large and very favorable for the speaker. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 1

At the three o’clock meeting, we expected Elder Starr and some of the government men. We sent to Morrisset and Dora Creek to meet them, but no one came. I suppose the reason was that the sky looked as though we might have a downpour any moment. Nevertheless the room was full. The room was decorated and festooned by flowers from our gardens, and beautiful tree ferns, some of which were placed before the entrance to the building. W. C. White spoke well. Brethren Palmer and Hughes followed. Herbert Lacey then addressed the people, but I had become so weary that I could not remain till the close of the speech, although he spoke well. It is painful for me to sit long in one place, and I had to leave. I remained longer than I ought. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 2

Several weeks ago Brother Pocock was sent for to help in the painting of the building. He is a coachmaker and a painter and builder. We had been calling for him for some time, but he was reluctant to leave his wife and little ones. We have from our family sent them clothing from time to time, and the clothing you left will help them. We made most searching inquiries in regard to the situation of his wife and children, for we had been informed by Brother and Sister Starr of their extreme poverty. We learned that he could not live where he was and provide for his family. We sent him right back, with word to bring his family to Cooranbong without fail. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 3

When they reached here the two youngest children were very sick. The whole family had to walk three miles in the hot sun to reach the train, and they thought the little boy had been sunstruck. He is four years old, a pretty child, and very intelligent. They came to our house from the train, and after dinner they were taken by their earnest wish to the cottage of two rooms which Brother Hughes of Cooranbong has in the liberality of his heart granted them. Mr. Hughes and his family have done everything they could do in their kindness of heart for Brother and Sister Pocock. This family must be saved if possible. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 4

Sara immediately began giving the little boy treatment. We soon saw that his symptoms were those of acute poisoning. He was not well when he left his home. After walking three miles he drank a lot of water. The day before leaving, the father and mother sent the children to the grandparents, while they slept in their shanty for the last time. The grandparents are not believers, and they had cooked a parakeet, of which the boy ate very heartily. He was tired and hungry, and this used him up. Afterwards nothing could be given him which he could retain on his stomach, but the discharges continued nearly constantly. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 5

Sara was with him night and day, and Sister Robb was sent for to share the burden with her. We knew that it would be a battle for his life, and everything was done that it was possible to do. But the boy died on Sabbath about eleven a.m. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 6

I spoke on Sabbath morning, after Brother Palmer, who read some extracts from the Special General Conference Bulletin. I was much pleased with the way in which he handled the matter. We had a most precious meeting, also a meeting in the afternoon, which I dared not venture to attend. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 7

On Sunday afternoon brother Pocock’s dear little boy was laid at rest. There was a good attendance at the funeral. Brother Hughes conducted the service and, it is reported, did excellently well. I could not attend the service, for I had an appointment at Dora Creek, at an open air meeting. Ninety were present, and I had the best of attention. Some were seated on the ground, others were standing. The fishermen stood off in a little company by themselves, but they may come nearer after a while. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 8

I had much freedom in speaking on this occasion. I spoke upon the subject of Christ as a healer. Not only was He the sin-pardoning Saviour, but the Restorer. I felt very pleased with the freedom with which W. C. White spoke. He set before the people that our work was to do the work of Christ, to seek to save the souls and bodies of the afflicted. He referred to the efforts we were making to erect a hospital. The school has given fifteen acres of land for this purpose, and now they think they should add five or ten more for the benefit of those who shall come to the hospital. They should have an opportunity to get exercise in cultivating the soil. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 9

I now feel interested in the work of building small churches at Martinsville and Dora Creek. We shall be helped in this by those interested in the truth, but who have not yet united with us in church capacity. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 10

We have been in one of our closest straits financially, but we hope that release will soon come. Some has already been sent from Battle Creek, but it had to go through the Echo office, and they could not raise it for us, for they were short of means. It has become necessary for Brother Daniells to disconnect from the school to go to Melbourne and Adelaide to raise means. If the people in Battle Creek make us dependent on the Echo office, we shall not have anything more than we now have. Why cannot they see and understand these things? If the Echo office had the means, we could obtain from it that which we need. But we shall expect something by the next boat from America. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 11

All these circumstances, the sickness and death of Brother Pocock’s child, the opening of the new building, the clearing of the land for the hospital, have taxed every power that we possess. On Wednesday the school had a holiday and took their dinner to the school ground near the chapel. It commenced misting in the morning and kept up some time. After dinner the weather was showery, and a meeting was held in the church. Several of us had something to say. After one hour the meeting closed, and again the workmen went on to the grounds. W. C. White and Brother Palmer were right on the ground with the workmen. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 12

I am very glad that there is some prospect of help from America. We have been so perplexed to know what to do, but light is coming in, and we hope it will not cease its shining until the perfect day. As yet we have received nothing from America except the donation of one hundred pounds from Elder Loughborough, and that was tied up in the office for two months. Half of it, I think, has come, but there are workmen here waiting to get their pay. We are hoping and praying that means will come, that we may not be dishonored before the world. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 13

Everything that comes into our hands is swallowed up as quickly as possible, and still we want more. Dr. Kellogg says he has sent us money, but nothing of the kind has reached us except the one thousand dollars for the hospital. We had thought it best to use this at once to pay the workmen; then the school can give us its value in lumber for the hospital. The large school building is completed. It is plain, neat, and roomy, and all feel pleased. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 14

We are hoping, trusting, and praying. Encouragement has come, and we trust we shall not have to wait long. I think if our American friends knew how we were placed financially, they would not send their money round by the Echo office. If the Echo office had money, we could have used it long ago. But they cannot get it. A widow lady who had loaned Elder Daniells £300 for, as he thought, a long time, called for it some time ago from the Echo office, and would not wait. They could not obtain the money from the bank to pay her. Thus it is at the present time. We hoped that the mail would bring us some drafts that we could use, but they forget, or do not know, that we must have a duplicate. If the duplicate does not come in this mail, we shall have to wait until it does come. But it will all come right soon. We have had a long time of waiting and anxiety. We almost fail; then we gird up by faith, and pray, and trust, and wait. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 15

Now, Elder Haskell, as soon as you think you can, please come and you shall have our parlor or Sister Peck’s room, just which you please. We shall be very glad to have you any time, and if you need rest we shall be glad to have you rest. The perplexities we have had in the past, we hope will soon be over. There is hope for us in God. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 16

I will write more when I am rested. The hospital must now have our attention. We expected Dr. Caro yesterday, but he did not put in an appearance. We want some suggestions from him in reference to size of the hospital rooms and bathrooms. The clearing of the ground will continue while we can get donations from the workmen. We mean to make our money go just as far as possible. I must now close. I have written this letter in great haste, and am feeling very tired. Remember us to Brother and Sister Tenney. Tell them our next letter will be to them. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 17

In love. 14LtMs, Lt 70, 1899, par. 18