THE WORK IN THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.
By George C. Tenney
Our interest in the startling phases which the work has assumed in America is not small, since we have, with others, been looking for these very movements to mark an important era in the history of our work. We have all thought that when the real work for the incorporation of Sunday laws into our national enactments should be begun this would be a signal for us to arouse at once for the closing effort which will seal the eternal destiny of all. No doubt, however, that there are thousands to whom this time will seem as nothing out of the ordinary, and any considerations to the contrary will be easily explained to the satisfaction of their drowsy and worldly minds. How many I have heard remark, "When I see this movement secure a change of the Constitution and a national Sunday law, I shall then know that you are right and shall be with you." But it is safe to predict that among such people not one in a hundred will ever feel the impulse they had anticipated. It is an easy thing to doubt and disbelieve the work of God. All these things can be explained without the necessity of a change of the position chosen by the carnal mind. How often do the words of Dan. 12:10 come to mind: "None of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." The influence of the present position of affairs has had its effect upon the people here, and we watch with much interest the developments. The work of the Lord is not local. That which affects it in one part of the earth affects it equally in every part. Besides this we have here in Australia very much the same condition of things to meet that the truth has to meet in America. It is the expressed ambition of these colonies to develop the "happiest and freest nation in the world." They have the elements of progress and conservatism combined to a certain extent. At first the Established Church of England was to quite a degree the protégé of the public funds in the colonies. But this charge has happily been discarded, and it is claimed that the Government is unsectarian in its respect for religious bodies. But it does not take a very acute observer to discover that the consideration of popularity weighs heavily in favor of any aspirant for public favors, and that the power and influence of the popular religious bodies are by no means insignificant. Religious declarations in public places are very usual, and the principles of religious obligation are everywhere recognized, even by officials whose private characters are blackened by flagrant immoralities. It is but the remains of a long-established custom with many who have never felt for a moment the real power of the truths they acknowledge. How much of hollow mockery and of blasphemy comes up before a holy God in these forms and ceremonious displays of a religious nature, offered by the hands of the vilest sinners. It is bad enough in America, on this score, but there are many men there who will not display a religion they do not believe. But here it is different, for infidelity is not popular. A celebrated infidel offered himself as a candidate for election to Parliament in one of the districts of Melbourne, when a public meeting was called and his candidacy was declared to be an "insult to the constituency." All heterodox ideas are classed together, and anything that is not popular is heterodox, especially so if it conflicts with a custom of the Fathers. And here is where we find the Sabbath truth located. The agitation of the question is sure to bring it to the front, and when the weakness of the Sunday cause from a scriptural standpoint becomes evident, there will be a popular demand for legislation that will quickly place the work in advance of where it now stands in America. We cannot say that the image to the beast exists in Australia, but we know that the spirit of the dragon is here, and that opposition to the popular will, will soon arouse it. The rights of the minority do not trouble the majority. There is the inflexibility of iron in the character of the people, which they have inherited from their grandmother kingdom, Rome, that does not prevail naturally in the hearts of Americans toward an opponent. We are glad, notwithstanding this outlook, to be able to state that we believe the issue to which this work is sure to lead is approaching. We have been able to accomplish comparatively but little, and yet the agitation of the Sunday-Rest question is becoming one of considerable importance. Opposition papers are advertising extensively the writings of one who has lately apostatized from our work in America. These advertisements are accompanied with warnings against our works, and "patent medicine-like" claims of what this remedy and its authors are capable of doing. These sound very familiar to those who have read similar things on the other side of the ocean. We have no manner of fear of this step, and believe it will help us to reach many who would not otherwise become interested in the truth. The meetings of Brother Curtis in Adelaide are resulting in bringing quite a number into the ranks of present truth. Twenty-five have thus far signed the covenant, and the end is not yet reached. Brother Israel in Tasmania is having an interesting experience and a good hearing, though the congregations are not large, as the community is small. A few have decided to obey, and the work still continues. At Bismark, about twenty miles from Hobart, Brother Steed, who was licensed at our Conference, is holding meetings, with good attendance. We are still looking forward to the completion of our building at the Echo Office, which has been, unfortunately, delayed. It will be perhaps two months yet before it will be finished. And then we hope to be able to more effectually prosecute the work both locally and in general. It rejoices our hearts to hear of the gracious visitation of God's blessing enjoyed in many places in America, and we feel to reach out for some of the same here. We have many evidences of divine help, and believe that if we are faithful to our trusts God will help us to triumph with his people at last with the work accomplished to his glory.