Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 212, 1900

Wellman, Mr. and Mrs. George O.

Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

April 27, 1900

Previously unpublished.

Mr. and Mrs. George O. Wellman
Pacific Press
Oakland, California

Dear Friend:

A few months ago we received through Elder G. A. Irwin, your donation of $500.00 in behalf of the advancing work here in Australasia. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 1

We thank you for your gift. May the Lord bless you by opening the way before you whereby you may receive more to impart. I know that those who impart constantly receive more to impart. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 2

In this country we have had the same work to do that we have had in different places in America—in Battle Creek, in Oakland, and San Francisco, and in Healdsburg. God desires to have a center in this place. Here are to be located those who can educate young people for various lines of the work. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 3

On every hand we are cramped for means. But the Lord has kept before us the word: “Advance. You have no time to hesitate in unbelief. Go forward.” We see places to be worked on the right hand and on the left. In past years, Cooranbong has borne the name of being the worst place in this section of the country, but it was marked out as the very place where we were to establish our school. As I have looked at Cooranbong, I have often thought of the question Nathanael asked Philip, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” [John 1:46.] 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 4

When we first came up here, we found the estate we had purchased a thickly wooded piece of land. The ground was not called the best, but it was not the worst. Our workmen began at once to clear a spot on which to erect a house. For some time we lived in tents. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 5

Well, we held meetings, and the truth began to tell on the drunkards and the tobacco devotees. When built, my house was often used for a hospital for the sick. Sister McEnterfer was called every-where to attend cases of sickness. A great change has taken place. Many souls have been converted. But there is much missionary work to be done. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 6

The camp meeting held in Newcastle in 1898 resulted in the building of a church there. As a result of the camp meeting held in Maitland in 1899, a church is needed there. We feel very anxious that the work in these places should be successful. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 7

In the towns all around us people are calling for us to come and speak to them, and we shall work every place that we possibly can. We see so much to do that we hardly know where to begin. We must erect a small house of worship at Dora Creek, a settlement on the railway line three miles from here. In this place a few families have been converted to the truth, and about fifty adults and children meet together on the Sabbath in a rented room. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 8

At Martinsville, a village six miles in the opposite direction we have held open-air meetings again and again, for there is no room in which we can meet. There are only a few Sabbathkeepers in this place, but the people are willing to take hold and help us build a meetinghouse for worship. Then the students from the school can go every Sabbath and Sunday and do missionary work. We shall see if we can buy a piece of land, and then we shall erect a place of worship. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 9

In the future our school must be an active missionary agency, as the Lord has specified, more than it has been in the past. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 10

There is in every city and every suburb a work to be done in presenting the last message to a fallen world. And while we are trying to work these destitute fields at our door, the cry comes from far-off lands, “Come over and help us.” [Acts 16:9.] These are not so easily reached, and perhaps not so ready for the harvest as fields nearer our sight; but they must not be neglected. We want to push the triumphs of the cross. Our watch word is to be: Onward, Ever Onward. Our burden for the “regions beyond” [2 Corinthians 10:16] can never be laid down until the whole earth is lightened with the glory of the Lord. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 11

But what can we do? We sit down and consider, we pray, and plan how to begin the work in the places all around us. Where are the faithful missionaries who will carry the work forward? And how shall they be sustained? 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 12

Above all, how shall missionaries be trained? How shall workers be prepared to enter the opening fields? Here is now our greatest burden. Therefore our special anxiety is for our school. We must here provide suitable facilities for the education of workers in many lines. We see young men possessing qualifications that, if rightly educated, will fit them to become workers together with God. We must give them the opportunity. There are some who are placing students in our school, and are assisting them in defraying their expenses, that they may become laborers in some part of the Lord’s vineyard. Much more should be done in this line, and special efforts should be made in behalf of those whom our missionaries shall send from the islands to be trained as workers. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 13

Men and women of different nationalities must be brought in. There will be “no color line” here. All may come who can be educated for any line of missionary work. Workers we must have, and in twentyfold greater numbers to supply the needs of both home and foreign fields. Therefore, the Avondale school must not be restricted in its facilities. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 14

Our brethren have selected a site for our new sanitarium. It is about thirteen miles from Sydney, and is an excellent, healthful, location. The altitude is about 600 feet, and the place receives the cool life-giving breeze from the sea. Thus, while in the low-lying towns the atmosphere is impure, hot and oppressive, here it is pure, cool, and refreshing. Excellent roads and beautiful, picturesque scenery afford opportunities for pleasant drives. Freedom from the dust and smoke, the din and confusion of the city, will be most grateful to the brain-weary, and the sick. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 15

Our retired location will offer comparative freedom from any of the temptations of city life. While affording the benefits of country life, our sanitarium will be sufficiently near Sydney to secure the advantages of connection with the city. There are two railway lines leading into Sydney. The stations are about 20 minutes’ drive from the sanitarium farm, and there are trains running almost hourly to the city on both lines. Five or six little villages within a few miles of our site are fast filling up with residences of businessmen from the city. This district seems to be the most desirable of all the suburbs of Sydney. All who have seen our section of land speak in its favor. All are surprised that we have purchased it so cheap. We are sure that it possesses advantages above any other place we have seen. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 16

In our sanitarium we wish to teach health and temperance principles from a Bible standpoint. All need to understand how to preserve physical health, that the bodies which God has created may be presented to Him as a living sacrifice, fitted to render Him acceptable service. In order that this may be, we must give the system healthful nutrition, but no artificial excitement. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 17

The Lord has signified that He has purchased souls in all the churches. Many of these are blindly working to destroy themselves. To them light must be given as to the recovery and preservation of health. God’s simple remedies will work miracles in restoring feeble, distressed, diseased humanity. And since Christ has given men and women His precious life to heal the maladies of the human family, should they not be earnest to co-operate with Him? Should not all consent to be healed through adopting proper habits of life and correct methods of treatment? 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 18

To all our brethren scattered abroad, I have made appeals in behalf of the Sydney Sanitarium. Many are poor but this will not shut them out from the privilege of giving. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 19

At present I am enjoying the best health I ever remember having. I have been making supplication to God for His special blessing, that I may accomplish the work that He has given me to do. When I came to Australia, I thought of remaining only two years, but we are here still, and we can see no way of release. The aggressive warfare is still carried on from place to place. Camp meetings are the most efficient means of reaching the people, and in these meetings we have the greatest success. All classes, rich and poor, attend, and become intensely interested. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 20

In all these gatherings we carry the temperance question forward with firmness. And in all places we see drunkards and tobacco devotees convicted and soundly converted. Yet we are instructed that we must labor still more earnestly in these lines. This is the missionary work that so much needs to be done. As we near the close of time, we must rise higher and still higher upon the subject of health reform and Christian temperance, presenting these subjects in a more positive and decided manner. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 21

All who know the truth should be filled with spiritual life. They should give themselves to the Lord; then they will receive life from the Source of all life. They will be given the water of life in order that they may impart it to others. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 22

Life always shows itself in action. If the heart is living, it will send the life blood to every part of the body. Those whose hearts are filled with spiritual life will not need to be urged to reveal this life. They cannot help the divine life flowing forth in rich currents of life. As they pray and as they speak, God is glorified. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 23

Seeking for the soon coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 24

Your Sister. 15LtMs, Lt 212, 1900, par. 25