Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Ms 75, 1894
Diary, May 1894
Granville and Dora Creek, New South Wales, Australia
May 4-29, 1894
Previously unpublished.
Friday, May 4, 1894
Granville, New South Wales
I am not feeling well. Malaria symptoms are striving for the mastery. I have perplexities upon my mind that are difficult to solve. My American mail has brought me worriment. But the Lord is acquainted with it all. He can bring to me relief and His peace and His wisdom. 9LtMs, Ms 75, 1894, par. 1
Sabbath, May 5, 1894
Granville, New South Wales
I have suffered with head and heart difficulty all day. Did not venture to attend meetings. My spirits are oppressed, my heart burdened. 9LtMs, Ms 75, 1894, par. 2
Sunday, May 6, 1894
This morning my head is some better, my heart weak and heavy. Elder Starr, Willie, Brother Lawrence and wife go early to the meeting to be held at Seven Hills. Members of the Sydney, Kellyville, and Parramatta churches are to attend the meeting today. It is a question yet to be settled whether I can go later on and fill my appointment. The Lord can strengthen me and bless me. 9LtMs, Ms 75, 1894, par. 3
Wednesday, May 23, 1894
Dora Creek
We left Granville about half past [?] o’clock for Dora Creek. In two hours and a half we were at Dora Station. We walked across a very damp piece of ground, a portion of the way across the paddock, to the temporary residence of Brother and Sister Lawrence. We found several here. Willie White and several of the brethren were already on the ground and had been examining the land several days. 9LtMs, Ms 75, 1894, par. 4
Thursday, May 24, 1894
Dora Creek
We rode again on the rowboats on the river to view more thoroughly the tract of land upon which the school will be located if the committee [members] are pleased with the land. 9LtMs, Ms 75, 1894, par. 5
Friday, May 25, 1894
Granville, New South Wales
We were early at work packing to return to Granville. Important meetings were to be held in Parramatta Sabbath, and Sunday important matters were to be considered and decisions made in reference to future labors. There seem at this present time to be very weighty responsibilities to be borne. The morning train is swift; running two hours and a half brings us to Granville. We passed Fountaindale farm twenty miles from Dora Creek. We arrived at home. They were not expecting us. 9LtMs, Ms 75, 1894, par. 6
Sabbath, May 26, 1894
Granville
It is a lovely day. The Lord be praised for His goodness and mercy. We need wisdom to know our duty, that we may do it. 9LtMs, Ms 75, 1894, par. 7
Sunday, May 27, 1894
Granville
We are having beautiful weather. I never was in any place where there was more pleasant and fine weather—clear, bright, sunshiny days. Today Elders Daniells, Starr, and McCullagh held an important missionary meeting in the church at Parramatta. In the afternoon a meeting was held in the Town Hall, upon the subject just now in agitation in this place caused by the arrest of Firth brothers for working in their fields on Sunday. The meeting was a success. The Lord has brought about the agitation of the Sunday question in this region and now, I consider, is the time to present the truth. 9LtMs, Ms 75, 1894, par. 8
Monday, May 28, 1894
Granville, New South Wales
I am determined to cast all my care upon the Lord, who careth for me. He has a work for me to do and where would He have me and what would He have me to do? Is it duty for me to return to America? I sometimes think it is. May the Lord guide me in this matter. I will not plan or devise. The Lord must will and plan, and I will follow His directions. The Lord is good. The Lord is merciful, of tender lovingkindness. He knoweth all things. I leave my troubled mind and heart, and all my disappointments, and will trust in God and Him alone. He will order my way and bless my obedience in keeping the way of the Lord. I will not trust man or make flesh my arm. I am so sad that if I awake in the night season my thoughts trouble me. 9LtMs, Ms 75, 1894, par. 9
Tuesday, May 29, 1894
Granville, New South Wales
I have not been able to sleep since half past three o’clock. I am relieved in my feelings. Heartsore, I dreaded the future. I could see no relief for me—nothing but perplexity and uncertainty. The Lord has revealed Himself to me in the night season. The Lord Jesus was speaking to me: “I have not been unmindful of your griefs. I have known your sorrows. Will you not lay your burdens upon Me? I have a work for you to do. I will not leave thee to the will of thine enemies.” 9LtMs, Ms 75, 1894, par. 10
Read Isaiah 54:4-8. “Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: .... For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee but a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.” There was an assembly and many things were presented before me in figure, which I cannot call to mind. But a great peace came to my heart in resting from my burdens in Jesus Christ. 9LtMs, Ms 75, 1894, par. 11