Ellen G. White: The Australian Years: 1891-1900 (vol. 4)

The Missionary Outreach

“We have located here on missionary soil,” wrote Ellen White on June 9, “and we design to teach the people all round us how to cultivate the land. They are all poor because they have left their land uncultivated. We are experimenting, and showing them what can be done in fruit-raising and gardening.”—Letter 33, 1897. They tried also to set a good example in animal husbandry. Their animals were well fed and well cared for. The white cow that recently had given birth to a heifer calf, which they were raising, was giving twenty-two quarts of milk a day, and the nearly dry red cow, four quarts. Both Ellen White's large family of workers and guests, and W. C. White's family, were supplied abundantly with milk (Letter 141, 1897). 4BIO 325.4

In the economically depressed times, Ellen White continued to help needy families. Of this she wrote on February 10: 4BIO 326.1

We have a supply of poor families that must be kindly cared for and helped to help themselves. We have these poor as a legacy from God to us. Inasmuch as ye do this to one of the least of these, my brethren, ye do it unto Me. Then we will work on, doing our level best to alleviate the care of the poor, helping them when we can and strengthening them all we can in correct methods.—Letter 187, 1897. 4BIO 326.2

Her home and office helpers also participated. She gave a report of this on June 9: 4BIO 326.3

Last evening we had a Dorcas Society in our home, and my workers who help in the preparation of my articles and for the papers, and do the cooking and sewing, five of them, sat up until midnight, cutting out clothing. They made three pairs of pants for the children of one family. Two sewing machines were running until midnight. I think there was never a happier set of workers than were these girls last evening.—Letter 113, 1897. 4BIO 326.4