Ms 18, 1900

Diary

Geelong, Victoria, Australia

March 25, 1900

Previously unpublished.

We left Geelong, Friday, March 23, at eight o’clock a.m., I having an appointment to speak to the church at North Fitzroy Sabbath forenoon. We had a good, intelligent congregation, and I spoke from (Matthew 6)—“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt,” etc. [Verse 19.] That evening we were in Geelong. Sunday I spoke in the beautiful hall that is secured for meetings, to follow up the efforts that shall be made to bind off the work begun at the camp meeting. The Lord is good. He gave me strength to speak to the people in this hall Sunday afternoon to about two hundred people. Brother Farnsworth spoke in the evening. I do not know [more]; I will learn of the meeting [later]. 15LtMs, Ms 18, 1900, par. 1

Now this morning at eight o’clock I go to Melbourne, [and] at five o’clock take the cars for Sydney. We shall meet Elder Daniells and John Wessels in Melbourne. They take the boat on Wednesday for Africa. W. C. White and Sara and Brother Daniells went [onto] the sailing vessel for Africa. They report it a nice, large boat. 15LtMs, Ms 18, 1900, par. 2

This place, Geelong, will have a company to take their position upon the truth, and God will bless them. Already the meetinghouse question is a live one. I am glad that one Brother Watson is able to do something in the building of a house of worship. When he embraced the Sabbath, he was receiving three pounds ten shillings per week. But his employer turned him off. Then he was somewhat troubled as to what he should do. His business is that of a tester of wool. He has skill and understanding in trading in wool. He commenced business on his own account and did well. Then other firms wished him to take their means and invest in wool. He did this, receiving ten pounds per week. 15LtMs, Ms 18, 1900, par. 3

Then this firm, where he had been employed, wanted him back. He gave a decided refusal, but said he would work for them in taking their money and purchasing for them. They placed in his hands six hundred pounds. He found a good chance, and invested eight hundred pounds. This brought to his employer double, yes, triple, his money value. But he trades for many firms, and his wages are often twenty pounds per week. His employer now sees his mistake, and urges him to come back; but he will not go. He gave one hundred and twenty-five dollars to the expense of the camp meeting, and twenty pounds for the sanitarium, and he will be able to do something large in the putting up of a church building in West Geelong. 15LtMs, Ms 18, 1900, par. 4

There is a man and his wife who have taken their stand on the Sabbath. This man is retired on his property. He will help build the meetinghouse. There is now the work to be carried on by house-to-house workers in giving Bible readings and instruction wherever they can get in. But Elder Daniells’ going to Africa and Elder Farnsworth to Tasmania makes the working forces short. 15LtMs, Ms 18, 1900, par. 5