An Industrial Experiment
From the time the property came into full possession of the Australasian Union Conference, to the time of the opening of the school, there was much to be done. Land must be cleared, a swamp drained, an orchard planted, and buildings erected. For the accomplishment of this, a number of students were gathered,—sturdy young men who were glad to work six hours a day, and receive their board, and instruction in two studies. The school opened March 6, 1895, and continued thirty weeks.
LS 357.2
For the accommodation of the twenty young men who entered into this work, an old hotel was rented in Cooranbong, and several tents were pitched beside this building. In April, Brother Metcalfe Hare, who had been chosen as treasurer and business manager of the school enterprise, moved his family to Cooranbong, and, desiring to be close to the work, pitched his tents near the sawmill and the site set apart for school buildings. For nearly two years the tent, covered with a galvanized iron roof, served as his habitation.
LS 357.3
Many parents wishing to send their children to the school, thought it ought to be located near one of the large cities where many Seventh-day Adventists were living. They believed that thirty or forty acres of land not far from Sydney or Melbourne would be much better than a large tract of wild land near Newcastle. Others were opposed to the place because they thought the land was so poor that little would be gained in its cultivation. Mrs. White had a more encouraging view of the value of the land; and when the liberal gift of $5,000 by the friends from Africa made it possible to pay for the tract, she wrote: “I felt my heart bound with gratitude, when I knew that in the providence of God the land was in our possession; and I longed to shout the high praises of God for so favorable a situation.”
LS 358.1
In July, 1895, Mrs. White determined to manifest her interest in the school enterprise and her confidence in the Avondale estate, by purchasing a piece of the land, and making Cooranbong her home. She selected sixty-six acres, and in a few weeks had a portion of her family living in tents on the tract, which she named “Sunnyside.” The erection of an eight-roomed cottage was begun; and as soon as a clearing could be made, land was plowed, and fruit trees were planted. Of this experience she wrote:
LS 358.2
“When the foundation of the house was laid, preparations were made for the raising of fruit and vegetables. The Lord had shown me that the poverty which existed about Cooranbong need not be; for with industry the soil could be cultivated, and made to yield its treasure for the service of man.”
LS 358.3
Mrs. White's unbounded enthusiasm regarding the improvement of the Avondale estate, did much to cheer and encourage others. She was particularly insistent that no time be lost by the school men in the planting of an orchard; and she greatly rejoiced when in October one thousand choice fruit trees were planted on a favorable piece of land occupied a year before by a thick forest of eucalyptus trees.
LS 359.1
After the close of the industrial school in November, several months passed without material progress being made. The people felt very keenly the financial depression under which the colonies were still staggering. Criticism regarding the effort to build up a school in such a wild, out-of-the-way place, grew more and more general. Then came the unfavorable termination of a lawsuit into which the school had been dragged by the hasty action of its solicitor, which cost two thousand dollars, besides causing serious delay in the work.
LS 359.2
What could be done? The work seemed to be at a standstill, with little prospect of more favorable conditions. The loss of two thousand dollars would have been very discouraging at any time, but at such a time as this it was most disheartening.
LS 360.1
41
LS
Life Sketches of Ellen G. White
[{"para_id":"41.40","title":"Chapter 1\u2014Childhood","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0004_eng_m_chapter_1_childhood_41_40.mp3#duration=262&size=1160381"},{"para_id":"41.59","title":"Chapter 2\u2014Conversion","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0007_eng_m_chapter_2_conversion_41_59.mp3#duration=607&size=2543052"},{"para_id":"41.98","title":"Chapter 3\u2014Strivings Against Doubt","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0014_eng_m_chapter_3_strivings_against_doubt_41_98.mp3#duration=620&size=2594860"},{"para_id":"41.128","title":"Chapter 4\u2014Beginning of Public Labors","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0018_eng_m_chapter_4_beginning_of_public_labors_41_128.mp3#duration=1219&size=4990114"},{"para_id":"41.189","title":"Chapter 5\u2014Separation from the Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0026_eng_m_chapter_5_separation_from_the_church_41_189.mp3#duration=1103&size=4528984"},{"para_id":"41.262","title":"Chapter 6\u2014The Disappointment of 1843-44","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0034_eng_m_chapter_6_the_disappointment_of_1843_44_41_262.mp3#duration=994&size=4090577"},{"para_id":"41.321","title":"Chapter 7\u2014My First Vision","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0044_eng_m_chapter_7_my_first_vision_41_321.mp3#duration=480&size=2033960"},{"para_id":"41.343","title":"Chapter 8\u2014Call to Travel","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0045_eng_m_chapter_8_call_to_travel_41_343.mp3#duration=493&size=2084203"},{"para_id":"41.376","title":"Chapter 9\u2014Answers to Prayer","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0049_eng_m_chapter_9_answers_to_prayer_41_376.mp3#duration=293&size=1285306"},{"para_id":"41.392","title":"Chapter 10\u2014Labors in New Hampshire","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0050_eng_m_chapter_10_labors_in_new_hampshire_41_392.mp3#duration=792&size=3283310"},{"para_id":"41.443","title":"Chapter 11\u2014Meeting Fanaticism","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0057_eng_m_chapter_11_meeting_fanaticism_41_443.mp3#duration=1040&size=4274608"},{"para_id":"41.503","title":"Chapter 12\u2014The Sabbath of the Lord","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0065_eng_m_chapter_12_the_sabbath_of_the_lord_41_503.mp3#duration=197&size=901581"},{"para_id":"41.516","title":"Chapter 13\u2014Marriage and United Labors","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0066_eng_m_chapter_13_marriage_and_united_labors_41_516.mp3#duration=715&size=2973910"},{"para_id":"41.560","title":"Chapter 14\u2014Struggles with Poverty","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0071_eng_m_chapter_14_struggles_with_poverty_41_560.mp3#duration=491&size=2078503"},{"para_id":"41.587","title":"Chapter 15\u2014Labors in Western New York in 1848","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0075_eng_m_chapter_15_labors_in_western_new_york_in_1848_41_587.mp3#duration=595&size=2492617"},{"para_id":"41.623","title":"Chapter 16\u2014A View of the Sealing","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0081_eng_m_chapter_16_a_view_of_the_sealing_41_623.mp3#duration=316&size=1375428"},{"para_id":"41.642","title":"Chapter 17\u2014Encouraging Providences","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0082_eng_m_chapter_17_encouraging_providences_41_642.mp3#duration=458&size=1946705"},{"para_id":"41.673","title":"Chapter 18\u2014Beginning to Publish","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0088_eng_m_chapter_18_beginning_to_publish_41_673.mp3#duration=382&size=1639899"},{"para_id":"41.698","title":"Chapter 19\u2014Visiting the Scattered Flock","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0093_eng_m_chapter_19_visiting_the_scattered_flock_41_698.mp3#duration=662&size=2760009"},{"para_id":"41.742","title":"Chapter 20\u2014Publishing Again","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0100_eng_m_chapter_20_publishing_again_41_742.mp3#duration=589&size=2468360"},{"para_id":"41.776","title":"Chapter 21\u2014In Rochester, New York","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0105_eng_m_chapter_21_in_rochester_new_york_41_776.mp3#duration=577&size=2419742"},{"para_id":"41.807","title":"Chapter 22\u2014Advancing Under Difficulties","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0110_eng_m_chapter_22_advancing_under_difficulties_41_807.mp3#duration=878&size=3625786"},{"para_id":"41.858","title":"Chapter 23\u2014Removal to Michigan","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0117_eng_m_chapter_23_removal_to_michigan_41_858.mp3#duration=293&size=1285890"},{"para_id":"41.872","title":"Chapter 24\u2014Labors in the Middle West\u20141856-58","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0120_eng_m_chapter_24_labors_in_the_middle_west_1856_58_41_872.mp3#duration=368&size=1585533"},{"para_id":"41.897","title":"Chapter 25\u2014Personal Trials","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0124_eng_m_chapter_25_personal_trials_41_897.mp3#duration=213&size=963013"},{"para_id":"41.911","title":"Chapter 26\u2014Battling Against Disease","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0128_eng_m_chapter_26_battling_against_disease_41_911.mp3#duration=612&size=2562753"},{"para_id":"41.950","title":"Chapter 27\u2014Conflicts and Victory","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0132_eng_m_chapter_27_conflicts_and_victory_41_950.mp3#duration=517&size=2181249"},{"para_id":"41.979","title":"Chapter 28\u2014Among the Churches in New England","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0137_eng_m_chapter_28_among_the_churches_in_new_england_41_979.mp3#duration=453&size=1927510"},{"para_id":"41.1012","title":"Chapter 29\u2014Reclaiming the Lost","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0142_eng_m_chapter_29_reclaiming_the_lost_41_1012.mp3#duration=685&size=2853252"},{"para_id":"41.1055","title":"Chapter 30\u2014Traveling the Narrow Way","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0150_eng_m_chapter_30_traveling_the_narrow_way_41_1055.mp3#duration=381&size=1638363"},{"para_id":"41.1073","title":"Chapter 31\u2014Burden Bearers","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0151_eng_m_chapter_31_burden_bearers_41_1073.mp3#duration=282&size=1241612"},{"para_id":"41.1086","title":"Chapter 32\u2014A Solemn Dream","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0152_eng_m_chapter_32_a_solemn_dream_41_1086.mp3#duration=618&size=2584231"},{"para_id":"41.1113","title":"Chapter 33\u2014Missionary Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0153_eng_m_chapter_33_missionary_work_41_1113.mp3#duration=481&size=2038648"},{"para_id":"41.1136","title":"Chapter 34\u2014Broader Plans","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0154_eng_m_chapter_34_broader_plans_41_1136.mp3#duration=272&size=1202003"},{"para_id":"41.1153","title":"Chapter 35\u2014Into All the World","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0155_eng_m_chapter_35_into_all_the_world_41_1153.mp3#duration=481&size=2036339"},{"para_id":"41.1180","title":"Chapter 36\u2014Circulating the Printed Page","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0161_eng_m_chapter_36_circulating_the_printed_page_41_1180.mp3#duration=286&size=1255467"},{"para_id":"41.1196","title":"Chapter 37\u2014Public Labors in 1877","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0162_eng_m_chapter_37_public_labors_in_1877_41_1196.mp3#duration=936&size=3856539"},{"para_id":"41.1253","title":"Chapter 38\u2014Visit to Oregon","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0169_eng_m_chapter_38_visit_to_oregon_41_1253.mp3#duration=613&size=2564820"},{"para_id":"41.1289","title":"Chapter 39\u2014From State to State","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0174_eng_m_chapter_39_from_state_to_state_41_1289.mp3#duration=607&size=2540778"},{"para_id":"41.1330","title":"Chapter 40\u2014A View of the Judgment","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0181_eng_m_chapter_40_a_view_of_the_judgment_41_1330.mp3#duration=656&size=2735834"},{"para_id":"41.1362","title":"Chapter 41\u2014The Death of Elder James White","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0184_eng_m_chapter_41_the_death_of_elder_james_white_41_1362.mp3#duration=875&size=3612413"},{"para_id":"41.1397","title":"Chapter 42\u2014Fortitude Under Affliction","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0185_eng_m_chapter_42_fortitude_under_affliction_41_1397.mp3#duration=600&size=2513484"},{"para_id":"41.1430","title":"Chapter 43\u2014Restoration of Health","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0189_eng_m_chapter_43_restoration_of_health_41_1430.mp3#duration=590&size=2473662"},{"para_id":"41.1465","title":"Chapter 44\u2014Writing and Speaking","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0190_eng_m_chapter_44_writing_and_speaking_41_1465.mp3#duration=1257&size=5140949"},{"para_id":"41.1537","title":"Chapter 45\u2014Labors in Central Europe","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0200_eng_m_chapter_45_labors_in_central_europe_41_1537.mp3#duration=927&size=3822168"},{"para_id":"41.1604","title":"Chapter 46\u2014Labors in Great Britain and Scandinavia","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0207_eng_m_chapter_46_labors_in_great_britain_and_scandinavia_41_1604.mp3#duration=1739&size=7072512"},{"para_id":"41.1715","title":"Chapter 47\u2014In Confirmation of Confidence","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0217_eng_m_chapter_47_in_confirmation_of_confidence_41_1715.mp3#duration=948&size=3906751"},{"para_id":"41.1774","title":"Chapter 48\u2014Danger in Adopting Worldly Policy in the Work of God","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0223_eng_m_chapter_48_danger_in_adopting_worldly_policy_in_the_work_of_god_41_1774.mp3#duration=1266&size=5177716"},{"para_id":"41.1825","title":"Chapter 49\u2014Across the Pacific","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0224_eng_m_chapter_49_across_the_pacific_41_1825.mp3#duration=1326&size=5420990"},{"para_id":"41.1904","title":"Chapter 50\u2014The First Australian Camp Meeting","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0234_eng_m_chapter_50_the_first_australian_camp_meeting_41_1904.mp3#duration=493&size=2084788"},{"para_id":"41.1930","title":"Chapter 51\u2014The Avondale School","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0235_eng_m_chapter_51_the_avondale_school_41_1930.mp3#duration=2933&size=11851199"},{"para_id":"41.2086","title":"Chapter 52\u2014Through the South to the Conference of 1901","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0248_eng_m_chapter_52_through_the_south_to_the_conference_of_1901_41_2086.mp3#duration=881&size=3638866"},{"para_id":"41.2136","title":"Chapter 53\u2014At the Nation's Capital","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0254_eng_m_chapter_53_at_the_nation_s_capital_41_2136.mp3#duration=1047&size=4302451"},{"para_id":"41.2207","title":"Chapter 54\u2014In Southern California","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0261_eng_m_chapter_54_in_southern_california_41_2207.mp3#duration=792&size=3283703"},{"para_id":"41.2250","title":"Chapter 55\u2014The San Francisco Earthquake","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0262_eng_m_chapter_55_the_san_francisco_earthquake_41_2250.mp3#duration=922&size=3803674"},{"para_id":"41.2302","title":"Chapter 56\u2014At the 1909 General Conference","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0268_eng_m_chapter_56_at_the_1909_general_conference_41_2302.mp3#duration=889&size=3670102"},{"para_id":"41.2351","title":"Chapter 57\u2014Closing Labors","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0275_eng_m_chapter_57_closing_labors_41_2351.mp3#duration=1570&size=6393959"},{"para_id":"41.2434","title":"Chapter 58\u2014Last Sickness","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0281_eng_m_chapter_58_last_sickness_41_2434.mp3#duration=1037&size=4261017"},{"para_id":"41.2488","title":"Chapter 59\u2014The \u201cElmshaven\u201d Funeral Service","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0282_eng_m_chapter_59_the_elmshaven_funeral_service_41_2488.mp3#duration=641&size=2678910"},{"para_id":"41.2524","title":"Chapter 60\u2014The Memorial Service at Richmond","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0283_eng_m_chapter_60_the_memorial_service_at_richmond_41_2524.mp3#duration=585&size=2452935"},{"para_id":"41.2557","title":"Chapter 61\u2014The Funeral Services at Battle Creek","mp3":"\/mp3\/41\/0284_eng_m_chapter_61_the_funeral_services_at_battle_creek_41_2557.mp3#duration=1941&size=7878729"}]