Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 186, 1898

Diary, September 1898

Cooranbong, N. S. W., Australia

September 1-22, 1898

Portions of this manuscript are published in 5MR 190; 4Bio 353.

Thursday, September 1, 1898

[Sunnyside, Cooranbong]

This day my left eye has been troubling me with weakness and painful twitching. I am presenting my case to the Lord in prayer. He will heal me. I believe He will do the work which His power alone can do. I have had several hours’ interview with Brother Daniells, from Melbourne. He has moved his family and Sister Graham from Melbourne to Sydney. Brother Starr, Brother Daniells, [and] W. C. White have had a long, interesting conversation in regard to the future of the work. We feel deeply interested that the work shall move healthfully and solidly. We thought several changes should be made of laborers in the field, to give them a change and to have different elements brought into the work. Brother Morse arrived this forenoon. Our conversation was pleasant and satisfactory. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 1

Sabbath, September 3, 1898

[Sunnyside, Cooranbong]

I spoke in the chapel to a large number. Quite a number of unbelievers were present. My text was Luke 10:25-28. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 2

Sunday, September 4, 1898

Willie, May, the children—Mabel and the twins—went with me to the workers’ railroad builders’ camp. I spoke to about one dozen women. The men kept afar off. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 3

Monday, September 5, 1898

Monday was mail day and I rose early to write, but the work pressing upon me was left half done because of having so little time. I must bear my testimony to our people in Africa. I fear that their money will prove the ruin of their souls. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 4

Tuesday, September 6, 1898

The mail is gone and I am relieved of a burden. I have been writing night after night—sometimes at eleven o’clock, at other times at ten o’clock, and often at two o’clock a.m.—and I was nearly worn out with taxation. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 5

Wednesday, September 7, 1898

Wednesday wrote to Maggie Hare, who is visiting in New Zealand. We feel deeply over the sorrows. Heaven can heal, but does not because the afflicted will not come unto their Saviour Jesus Christ, that they might have life. He gives the invitation, “Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden,” etc. [Matthew 11:28.] 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 6

Wednesday, September 14, 1898

Wednesday wrote again to Maggie Hare. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 7

Thursday, September 15, 1898

[Sunnyside, Cooranbong]

We have a crowded table with those we take care of through the meeting. On such occasions we want to do all we possibly can to help. We have precious seasons of prayer. Drawing nigh to God in faith means that fulfillment of the promise, His drawing nigh unto us. We must believe that God is, and is a rewarder of all who diligently seek Him. My heart thirsts for God, for the living God. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 8

Thursday, I read about twenty-five pages of calligraph copy in regard [to] the school grounds. It was to me, and I think to all, a very solemn occasion. I hope and trust the Lord will make this reading a blessing to all who heard it. The room was full to close packing. Then we had the pleasure of hearing testimonies borne by our ministering brethren in expressions of thankfulness and gratitude for the light given me of God. We feel deeply grateful for this light. The students and others who had come to the meeting bore testimony that was good, which led us to see that the matter brought before them was making its impression. It made me very weary to read this matter, for I felt intensely over the subject. I could not do much writing through the day. But we had profitable councils. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 9

Sunday, September 18, 1898

[Sunnyside, Cooranbong]

Sunday there was a very important meeting. A large number were in attendance. Elder Daniells preached an excellent discourse and all who heard him were much pleased. Many not of our faith were present. There has been counselling in regard to many matters. We feel that the work will take a new start, and as we look at fields about Cooranbong we feel deeply the necessity of setting in operation methods of labor which shall give attention to the poor sheep who have no shepherd but One, Jesus Christ. The sheep are scattered all over the country. There is work to be done at Newcastle. There has not been ministerial labor there and our publications have been sold all through Newcastle and Maitland. There should be no delay in this matter, and in two weeks we leave to attend the camp meeting in Queensland. We are praying for guidance and for wisdom to know how to move. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 10

Monday, September 19, 1898

[Sunnyside, Cooranbong]

Slept until half past two o’clock. Prepared at once and wrote many pages. Sara and Sister Graham left for Newcastle upon business. We had counsel in regard to the matter of the land. The light given me is that building lots should not be sold upon the nigh premises for our ministers or physicians to build their houses. We need the whole land from the school buildings to the Maitland road. We need it in order to have fruit trees planted and ornamental trees to beautify the place as much as possible. There must be farming land, for it is the Lord’s will that the school farm shall be an object lesson to teach spiritual things. “Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 11

We must be constantly giving lessons to students how to work the land to produce fruitful gardens, how to fell the trees that must come down, how to frame houses with solid foundations. Cisterns must be made intelligently to hold a supply of water. The water received into the tanks is to be conducted to a well, and that well prepared to contain a large supply of water. There should be more than one well near the sanitarium, and wells near the school buildings and the restaurant to supply water for cooking purposes—solid made wells with pumps for convenience in supplying water for all buildings. In every movement made, understand that all these preparations are your lesson book. Your success or failure will be in the education of your students who shall go forth as missionaries to foreign countries to bring their intelligence of building, of cultivating the land, of providing water from the Lord’s skies to be preserved for times of drought in countries where is dearth of water. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 12

Tuesday, September 20, 1898

[Sunnyside, Cooranbong]

Commenced my writing at three o’clock, after seeking the Lord most earnestly in prayer. The promise is, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: ... for he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7, 8. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 13

I wrote fifteen pages, and read articles which had been written for papers, and articles written upon Christian education. Had important interview with Elder Haskell, Elder Daniells, W. C. White, and Elder Starr in reference to important matters of future labor in various fields. How shall we best locate our workers, is the question to be settled. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 14

We were obliged to break up abruptly. Sara and I went in the platform wagon to take parties to the depot to take the train, and to bring back feed for the horses. At the station I exchanged to ride up to Cooranbong with Sisters Haskell and Malcome. We had a very pleasant visit. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 15

At seven o’clock went to Dora Creek with W. C. White, Brother Daniells and wife and child, who boarded the cars for Sydney, and Sister Graham. Sister Graham and I rode back to Sunnyside. It was a perfect evening. The new moon was shining clear and beautiful. The air was soft and agreeable and we felt in no hurry to go indoors. There is coming and going to the station every day, taking some who have come to visit Cooranbong and bringing others coming to Cooranbong. There is very much important business to be settled at this time. The manufacturing of health foods is to be located here at Cooranbong. All this means business. Then the canvassers’ institute is here. The close of the school term of our school is an important matter. Summer school will commence in a few weeks and the Lord will help us in this work. We believe it. We expect discouragements will come in, to teach us all the positive need of looking unto God for daily wisdom and physical health, and spiritual health which Christ alone can bestow. The Lord is good. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 16

Wednesday, September 21, 1898

[Sunnyside, Cooranbong]

Slept longer than usual—until half past three o’clock. Then I wrote quite a little matter upon the parables—(Luke 15), the lost sheep and the lost piece of silver. I spoke in the school chapel. Elder Haskell opened with prayer. The seats were well filled. I spoke to them from (John 6)—Christ is the Bread of Life. The Lord gave me much freedom and I am so much blessed in considering this chapter and how much it means to us. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 17

In the afternoon at half past three o’clock Brother and Sister Starr accompanied me to the church and there was a small number of sisters assembled to listen to remarks made. Elder Starr opened the meeting with prayer and we had appropriate singing. As it was warm the seats and table were brought out upon the shady side of the house and we there had a precious little meeting. I talked to mothers of the duty of properly educating their children. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 18

Sara was called to visit a sick woman from Sydney. She went to Dora Creek and then a boat took her across the Creek to a very nice house rented for a time in the hope that the sick woman could obtain relief by the atmosphere. Attention will have to be given this case. Sara did not return until past eight o’clock p.m. W. C. White did not come from Sydney. Elder Starr and May White went with the carriage for them, for others will come with him. We need to counsel together at every movement made, for the Lord would have this place an object lesson for many places. We seek counsel of God and then managers are appointed in the school and managers appointed on the land. Several teachers in the school are at the head of the labor outside, to plan and educate by their own example, giving lessons on how to prepare the soil to put in the seed to raise the crops. We shall see the results of these labors upon the farm in the future. For the present, it proves a blessing in providing exercise. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 19

Thursday, September 22, 1898

[Sunnyside, Cooranbong]

I slept from half past eight o’clock until nearly half past two o’clock in the morning. Then I dressed and sought the Lord in prayer and went at my work of writing. The wind is blowing hard. We are pressing in the writing. Sister Peck has been reading chapters, and making some corrections, for publication. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 20

Sister Peck is going through my writings for years and selecting items of importance for publication. It is no small matter to gather up the fragments that nothing be lost and arrange in order for the press. This matter is a particular one and an important matter. Our people need all we have in relation to this work of proper education. It is impressed upon my mind night and day. Our school must be a model school for others who shall establish schools in Australia; every movement we make must tell. There are side issues constantly coming up that have to be met and handled, but the outcome, I am instructed, must come before the people who have to go over similar ground in new places. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 21

Here stands in Cooranbong a school that was located in the woods in Avondale—in a forest and away from all cities, away from saloons. Here we purchased the land, and everything must be done after the perfect similitude given at every point by directions from the Lord. The truth must be held most sacred in its true bearings and the Lord will be glorified. We will not heed the “lo here, and lo there” [Mark 13:21] that will come in every place, but we will hear the divine Teacher and sow the seeds which will produce a harvest. The Lord has given us success amid the most discouraging circumstance to hinder the work that it should not prosper, but the Lord gave victory. 13LtMs, Ms 186, 1898, par. 22