Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists

A MISSION OPENED

At the annual session of the General Conference held in Battle Creek, Mich., in November, 1884, a resolution was adopted recommending that Eld. S. N. Haskell go to Australia as soon as possible to superintend the establishment of a mission there; and that Eld. J. O. Corliss and other laborers go at the same time to labor in the mission. HSFM 94.3

In accordance with this, on the 10th of May, 1885, Eld. Corliss with his wife and two children, Eld. M. C. Israel with his wife and two children and Bro. H. L. Scott of California, Bro. Wm. Arnold of Michigan, and myself, took passage on the steamer Australia. After twenty-eight days’ sail we landed at Sidney. HSFM 94.4

In about one month we were settled in Richmond, one of the suburban towns of Melbourne. As it was winter, the weather was quite disagreeable, there being almost constant, chilly rains. We found that halls suitable for meetings varied in price from one to three pounds per night. Not thinking it advisable to rent one at these prices, we labored from house to house, reading the Bible and conversing with the people. But it was with difficulty that we could get access to them. Being Americans, we were looked upon with questioning and suspicion, especially as we introduced a new doctrine. We were indeed strangers in a foreign land. As soon as a few persons had become interested in the truth by Bible readings and personal labor, we met with the bitterest opposition from the people and the press. We could secure but a few places in which to place our tract distributers, and these were in shops. But in the different parks we placed papers in the tops of the iron fence posts. These were taken by those who passed through the parks to and from their work. The secular papers, although undenominational, could not be prevailed upon to publish articles which would in any way vindicate views different from those indorsed by the public sentiment. HSFM 94.5

This was in marked contrast with what we afterward found in New Zealand. There the papers are ready to publish, as news, that which in any way contributes to the interest of the reader. One Lutheran preacher advertised quite extensively that he would expose Adventism by telling the history of its rise, and what the object of these men was in coming from America. He stated that we had come from the “obscure State of New England,” whence everything that was bad had come, and many things that were good; that there was one Miller, in America, who had proved to be a false prophet, and that out of his theory ours had developed. In one of the largest papers of the city there were three articles in one issue warning the people against us and our work. Ministers of various denominations seemed to take pride “in exposing those Adventists who came from America.” One threatened to discipline any member of his church who permitted one of us to enter his house. He said we had no business to enter their houses unless we first consulted him. HSFM 95.1

When we saw how expensive it would be to hire halls, we ordered a tent 40x 62 ft. By September it was made and pitched in North Fitzroy, one of the suburbs of Melbourne. As I was in New Zealand at the time, the burden of the meetings fell upon Eld. Corliss. These were advertised in the daily papers, and many thousands of circulars were scattered through the suburbs. Very soon it was seen that the unfavorable notices that the papers had given of us and our work had only tended to arouse the curiosity of the people, and bring them to the tent. HSFM 95.2

Quite a number who had become convinced by the Bible readings, at this time began to work for their neighbors and friends, with Bible readings prepared for them. Thus it appeared that the visiting and personal labor which we did soon after arriving, had laid a good foundation for public effort. Those who had become interested by Bible readings were in constant attendance throughout the series of meetings. Although some lived a number of miles from the tent, and it cost them from twelve to eighteen cents to go to the meetings and return, poor men attended regularly month after month, thus showing that their hearts had been affected by the doctrine taught. We afterward learned that the number of those who embraced the truth by hearing at the tent, was exceeded by those who embraced it as the result of the personal labors of others. HSFM 95.3

A worthy Presbyterian deacon attended a few meetings, purchased some tracts, and embraced the Sabbath. His brother and wife were greatly affected by his taking a stand upon so unpopular a doctrine. They requested their son, who was highly educated, to visit his uncle and convince him of his error. After an interview which lasted nearly all one night, the nephew became convinced that his uncle was right, consequently he went home a Sabbatarian. From that time he began to labor ardently for his father and mother, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, and the result of his labor was that thirteen out of a family of fourteen took their stand for the truth. Only one, a lawyer, failed to acknowledge the truthfulness of their position. Here were twelve persons who embraced the truth without hearing a discourse or becoming acquainted with one of our laborers. HSFM 95.4

This spirit of personal labor for their friends was a marked characteristic of the Australian Sabbath-keepers. Their earnestness and zeal was great; they left no stone unturned to reach their friends and neighbors. Some embraced the Sabbath who first learned of our work by taking the Signs from the parks. They came to the mission to inquire who we were, and what our object was in coming to that country. After the matter was fully explained to them, they took reading matter, and in a short time we learned that they had fully taken their stand to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. As is usually the case, some who first embraced the truth afterwards renounced it. But by the circulation of reading matter and the personal efforts of those who remained faithful, a knowledge of the truth was extended to other cities and towns, and an interest was awakened in different parts of the country. HSFM 96.1

During the tent season, from September to May, the tent was pitched five times in four of the suburbs of Melbourne, and as many courses of lectures were given in it. In each place some took their stand for the truth. The work having once started, the truth seemed to be clothed with power, and went forth, like a lamp that burneth, to all parts of the city and into the country. One man who was a contractor heard a few discourses, became interested, and he and his wife took their stand with others. He began at once to labor for his father and mother, brothers and sisters, and continued so earnestly that in a few weeks nine of them embraced the truth. This contractor carried on a large business, and employed many hands. After deciding to keep the Sabbath, he called his employees together, and told them that he would have no more Saturday work. A few were dissatisfied. They were immediately paid off and discharged; the rest were told that if they chose they might put six days’ work into five by working over time. He was doing government work on a contract, and was behindhand with it. Unless the work was finished at a certain time, he would forfeit his pay. Word came from his men that they must work on Saturday if they finished the work at the time appointed. He returned word that they should go to work on Sunday instead. This was an unheard of thing in Melbourne. In order to avoid any trouble, he went to his employer, and explained why he desired to work on Sunday instead of Saturday, and his proposition was accepted. The police raged, and were going to prosecute him. But a lawyer to whom they went for counsel said to them: “The English laws are founded upon the law of God, and if it should turn out that these men are right in their explanation of that law, it might go hard with you.” He advised them not to carry the matter farther, so it was dropped. HSFM 96.2

This affair stirred the community. The people wanted to see the contractor. Accordingly he promised to meet them, and tell them why he worked on Sunday. He expected to see only a few persons, but was surprised to find the house crowded. He gave them a Bible reading on the Sabbath question, and left them deeply interested, and earnestly calling for preaching on the subject. HSFM 96.3

One firm in Melbourne who sold HSFM 96.4

[Map] AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND (S. D. A. Churches and Companies of Sabbatarians). American organs, and employed agents to travel through the Colony, after accepting the truth, placed our publications in the hands of all their agents. They also opened a book department in their store, where our publications were offered to their customers. Thus far they have been very successful in obtaining subscribers for the Bible Echo, as well as in selling it and our other publications. Other merchants have embraced the truth, and thus a number of stores are closed every Sabbath.

Not many families were broken by the truth. In most instances, every member accepted it heartily. Most of these are from the middle class, contractors, school-teachers, printers, foremen of wholesale houses, and persons engaged in managing and carrying on various kinds of business. Not one who united with us was at that time using tobacco or drinking ardent spirits. They were persons who had begun the work of reform before the truth found them; and nearly all were persons of influence. This gave our work a favorable standing. HSFM 97.1

The success of our work troubled the clergy so much that councils were held to find a man who would debate with us. Individuals from all classes sent and procured our leading denominational works; but after reading these, they seemed to think that it was better not to debate with us. Before this, the Disciple minister had a standing challenge to debate with any one who did not agree with the views of that church; but on this point he became suddenly silent. By this general agitation of the subject we became extensively known. The efforts against the truth only served in the end to help it forward. HSFM 97.2