Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 31d, 1895

Harper, Walter

“Norfolk Villa,” Prospect St., Granville, N. S. W., Australia

January 1, 1895

Previously unpublished. +^Note

Dear Brother Harper:

I have just looked over your letter in order to answer it. I was much exhausted after the camp meeting, too much exhausted to do much writing. During the camp meeting the Lord sustained me in a wonderful manner. It seemed necessary for me to attend many conference meetings, and to have something to say in them. I will send you a copy of an account of the meeting, taking it from my diary. I will not worry any more over the one thousand dollars. I know that the Lord will open ways for His work in this country. There were quite a number of souls converted at our last camp meeting. It was held in Ashfield, and though there were not so many encamped upon the ground as at Melbourne, yet the attendance from outside was fully as large as at the camp meeting in Brighton. After the camp meeting in Ashfield, the tent was pitched somewhat nearer the center of the town, and Brother Corliss has labored with great perseverance and earnestness. Twenty-seven have signed the covenant, and others are reported as keeping the Sabbath who have not yet united with the church. I am very thankful for this. 10LtMs, Lt 31d, 1895, par. 1

Since the close of the camp meeting, a trained debator challenged Elder Corliss to discuss the Sabbath question. Three times during the debate the Lord opened before me the manner in which the discussion should be conducted. I will send you a copy of this matter, for I would be pleased to have you read it to others. There are many who feel that it is their privilege to be sharp and severe in dealing with an opponent who states falsehood as though it were truth and makes misrepresenting assertions. This debator, like Goliath, was proud and boastful, and defied the armies of Israel; but the truth like the small pebbles that David used, brought about his defeat. His weakness was apparent. 10LtMs, Lt 31d, 1895, par. 2

Elder Corliss under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, carried the controversy through without giving occasion for his congregation to say that he had once lost his temper. For six nights he met this opponent of the truth, and the Lord stood by His servant. His brethren stood by him also, and special prayer was offered every night before entering the meeting, that the Lord would give victory to the truth. The discussion was carried through with dignity, and the impression left upon the minds of the people is of a right order, causing many to favor the truth. Poor Brother Corliss is now suffering from the strain that necessarily was brought upon him. 10LtMs, Lt 31d, 1895, par. 3

You mention something in regard to purchasing a carriage for me. I must have overlooked this part of your letter or else you failed to send it. I will look over your letters again. I shall have to have another carriage soon. The one I have is a second hand phaeton. I purchased it because the wheels were low, and I could get in and out of it more easily than out of a high-wheel carriage. For one year it was impossible for me on account of the rheumatism to raise my feet, or to use my arms in climbing into a carriage. For many months I had to be assisted to step even into the low phaeton, and it was necessary for me to have a carriage of this kind. But this carriage being so low is very heavy for the horse to draw. It is a comfortable riding carriage, and will do very well as long as it will hold together. Will you please tell me in your next letter what your propositions were in regard to the carriage. 10LtMs, Lt 31d, 1895, par. 4