THE AUSTRALIAN MISSION by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, March 10, 1885.

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 10. Whole No. 1605.

THE AUSTRALIAN MISSION.

By S. N. Haskell

A few weeks ago an article appeared in the Review with the heading, “Shall the Australian Mission be abandoned?” To this our brethren all along the line will respond, No. One of the last enterprises that our people would be willing to abandon is the establishment of this mission, which will extend the knowledge of present truth into a new, large, and promising field. The fact that when this mission shall be established, the influence of our missions will encircle the earth, adds to its importance. Australia, including the surrounding islands, is the only fully civilized country where our missions are not directly exerting an influence.

But unless this mission is abandoned, some steps for its furtherance should be taken immediately. First, we want men; and secondly, we want means, and that at once. We want men who have had an experience in the things of God, those who have been engaged in his work as canvassers, colporters, preachers, or otherwise; those who have learned to trust God and see the divine Providence opening the way before them; those who will not count their lives dear unto themselves, if they can have the privilege of bearing the message to those who know it not. We want those who can go out as the apostles went, actuated by the love of souls. There is plenty of room for scores of such individuals in the Australian field.

It would be well for those who go, to bear their own traveling expenses as far as possible. Where are the men in present truth like Judson and others, who gave their all, and even their lives, for the establishment of the light of the gospel in heathen lands? But Australia is not a heathen land. This continent, and the islands which surround it, are peopled largely by the enterprising portion of the English and Scotch, and more or less by all the other nationalities. This people have been enlightened so far as an intelligent idea of the gospel is concerned, but are unacquainted with a knowledge of present truth.

We want men of means, men who will give us one thousand, two thousand, and even five thousand dollars, for the establishment of this mission. Already men not of our faith have proposed to help us set up a printing establishment in Australia. It requires at least three months for parties in Australia to exchange correspondence with others in America. To carry forward the work successfully, it will be seen that a paper should be issued sooner or later at that place. Shall we not have fifteen or twenty thousand dollars to do this, and to aid in other respects?

One man, who is not a Seventh-day Adventist, has proposed to aid us in purchasing a press, printing material, etc., to the amount of two thousand dollars. To provide the necessary facilities for printing will require ten thousand dollars, and perhaps more. Is there not some one of our faith who will respond immediately by subscribing two thousand or even five thousand for this enterprise? Is it true that God is moving on the hearts of men of other denominations to step in and take the crowns of some of our brethren?

We are certain that our brethren will respond at once. It is a hard time to sell property, but in a brief period it will be much harder. It may require more of an effort and sacrifice to do this now than heretofore; but is not this object of sufficient importance to justify a special effort and a great sacrifice on our part? Who of our brethren will consecrate an extra “forty” or an “eighty” which they can spare, to the Australian mission? If they cannot sell at once, they can, in one way or another, raise money on their property; and a thousand dollars to-day in the cause of God is worth as much as ten thousand will be a few years from now.

Twenty-eight years ago, when the first power-press was purchased (now preserved as a memento of the sacrifice made by twenty one-hundred-dollar men), it was considered a great victory gained, and so it was; but it is easier to-day for our numerous friends to establish a new printing office at a cost of ten thousand dollars, than it was then for the few who had faith in the work to purchase one two-thousand-dollar press. God regarded the sacrifice made by those men, and some of them were signally blessed.

As it has been in the past, so it will be in the future. The friends of the cause will continue to increase. Persons of means will embrace the truth, and devote their substance to carrying it forward. Those of our brethren who have means will never be able to invest it to better advantage than at the present time. Again we say, We shall expect an immediate response to calls made for the Australian mission; for we know that there are hearts in our ranks that are as true to the cause of God as the needle is to the pole.

We have heard from quite a number who propose to go to Australia at their own expense, to devote their time to the cause of present truth in that distant field. Our other missions also need help. The time has fully come when the truth should go to earth’s remotest bound. As the rays of the sun enlighten the earth, so should the light of the third angel’s message find its way to every part of the world.

Donations of any sum, large or small, to the Australian mission will be acceptable, and can be sent directly to the REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich., or Signs of the Times, Oakland, Cal.

S. N. HASKELL.