DAYS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND DAYS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND OUR MISSION TOUR IN AUSTRALASIA AND CEYLON BY THOMAS COOK " Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: Thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. . . . Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" EXODUS xv. 6, 11. f otttron: CHARLES H. KELLY 2, CASTLE ST., CITY RD. ; AND 66, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.G. 1896 Annex 06 PREFACE "HOLLOWING the example of the Apostle Paul, -- who " declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry," after his return from his missionary journeyings, I have endeavoured to give in these pages a plain unvarnished account of the remarkable triumphs of the Cross which we were permitted to witness during our recent tour in Australasia and Ceylon. To make sure of impartial and unprejudiced testimony I have inserted reports, as far as I could secure them, written by resident ministers, describing the work in their own churches. This will explain the many personal references the book contains. These would have been omitted, but in most instances they are associ- ated with principles and methods of work which it is important to retain, and the one could not well be excluded without the other. Ministers have also sent the particulars I give concerning most of the special cases of conversion mentioned in the book. In each case the facts were verified by careful personal investigation. Numbers 5 6 PREFACE of enquirers are given, because without figures it is almost impossible to discriminate between one work of God and another. The same indefinite phrases might be used with almost equal appropriateness of a hundred seekers as of a thousand. When it is understood that enquirers are referred to, and not converts, there can be no objection to a judicious representation of such facts. The figures are necessary to a right appreciation of God's work. We are able to form a definite idea of the wonderful manifestation of the Spirit's power at Pentecost, because St. Luke informs us that " the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Our chief aim is to encourage and stimulate the faith of Christian workers. The physical, geographical, historical, and political elements of the book are chiefly the result of general reading and observation, but information was occasion- ally supplied by local friends, which I have not hesitated to use. My use of the plural number includes my wife, who was my companion in travel and toil. Well do I know how rich our Church already is in such literature as these pages contain, but new stores are required to show that the old spirit and aims survive, and that even in this age the gospel hath all its ancient power, and that the wide world over the people respond as readily as ever to " the old, old story " from " the old, old Book." CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. OUTWARD BOUND . . . . .11 II. WESTERN AUSTRALIA ..... III. SOUTH AUSTRALIA ..... IV. SOUTH AUSTRALIA ..... V. VICTORIA ....... VI. VICTORIA AND TASMANIA .... VII. NEW SOUTH WALES ..... VIII. NEW ZEALAND ...... IX. NEW ZEALAND ...... X. NEW SOUTH WALES ..... XI. QUEENSLAND ...... XII. CEYLON LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS ..... 26 WESLEYAN CHURCH, LECTURE HALL, AND INFANT SCHOOL, PERTH ....... 33 KING WILLIAM STREET, ADELAIDE . . . .45 F. CHAPPLE, ESQ., B.A., B SC. REV. JAMES HASLAM SIR JOHN COLTON ...... 51 WESLEY CHURCH, MELBOURNE ..... 100 POST-OFFICE, MELBOURNE ..... 103 REV. A. R. EDGAR SISTERS OF THE MISSION MR. DERRICK 107 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE ..... Ill REV. SAMUEL KNIGHT HON. DAVID HAM . . . 142- HOBART FROM THE BAY ..... 147 WAVERLEY WESLEYAN CHURCH .... 173 SCENES IN MAORI LIFE . . . . . .188 QUEEN STREET, AUCKLAND . . . . .191 MAORI GIRLS ....... 197 REV. C. E. BEECROFT REV. WILLIAM MORLEY REV. T. F. PRIOR ....... 222 VIEW OF SYDNEY ...... 257 MR. JOHN CORBETT ...... 275 WESLEYAN CHURCH, BRISBANE ..... 282 DISTRICT SYNOD, COLOMBO ..... 305 CEYLONESE FERNS . 315 " But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore He saith, when He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. . . . And He gave some, apostles ; and some, prophets ; and some, evangelists ; aud some, pastors and teachers ; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ." " The man on whom special evangelistic power is conferred must, as a rule, separate himself from the ordinary duties of the pastorate. He is appointed to other work and must not decline it. His position is one of exceptional honour, and also of exceptional peril. He should be strengthened and sustained by the constant intercessions of the Church." Dr Dale's Lectures. DAYS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND CHAPTER I OUTWAKD BOUND WHEN" the late Mr. Joshua Dawson, of Weardale, was dying, he told certain members of his family that the conviction had grown upon him, during his illness, that I should be sent to the ends of the earth to do the work of an evangelist. This, from such a man, at such a time, coupled with similar impressions of my own, prepared me to respond favourably to the invitation of the South Australian Methodist Conference, which arrived a few months afterwards, to conduct missions under their auspices in various parts of Australia. Not that I believe in following blindly mere impulses. Impressions produced by the Holy Spirit will survive the following tests : 1. No impression is from God if it would lead us to act contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures. 2. Nor are God-given convictions repugnant to enlightened reason. n 12 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND 3. They harmonise always with our moral intuitions our sense of right. 4. Impressions of Divine origin come gently, and the more they are prayed about the stronger they become. Other impressions often come with a rush, and fade away when we wait before God to know His will. 5. Outward Providences confirm all inward impressions made on the mind by the Holy Spirit, so shaping events as to facilitate the performance of the duty. These tests are mentioned, because, often when we have reached "a place where two ways met," they have helped us to discern Divine guidance, and may help others. Certainly in the case of myself and wife, there was a precise adaptation of the Providences of God without, and the intimation of His Spirit within. Regarding both as an expression of God's will, and each as illustrating and interpreting the other, we accepted the invitation of the Australian brethren, and commenced without delay to prepare for the journey. Our one supreme desire was to do the will of God. Every arrangement was made, with the words " If He will " prominently before us ; and we wished for nothing else but that His purposes should be accomplished. The valedictory meetings, held in Exeter Hall, London, a few days before we sailed, filled us with larger hopes, and inspired new courage with which to face the responsibilities of our undertaking. These meetings were organised by the secretaries of the "Out and Out" Band, and attended by representatives from all parts of the country. In OUTWARD BOUND 13 the evening the great hall, capable of holding two thousand five hundred people, was filled even to the top gallery. No audience could have been more enthusiastic. Applause was forbidden ; but the exuberant feeling was allowed a safety - valve in what our Salvation Army friends would call " a volley." From first to last there was no flagging or diminution of interest All the speakers spoke words of sympathy and wisdom. Their theme was : " The relation of the baptism of the Spirit to the efficiency of the Christian worker." It was pre-eminently a season of grace and delight, and furnished encouragement afterwards, when we were far away, in times of difficulty and temptation. Before the meeting, the assurance of the Divine presence had been unmistakably given us. His " I am with thee " had chased away all fear, and made the promise of victory sure as though we had seen it. We felt we could praise Him for what He would do, as Jehoshaphat and his people did the day before the victory God had promised them (2 Chron. xx. 17-19). Thomas Champness was right when he said, in speaking of Elijah's triumph over the Baalites : " Many are ready enough to shout when the fire falls ; but we want shouters when the stones are selected." We did this at that meeting, staking our reputation and all else on the Divine faithfulness. One quotation from my address will suffice : " The promise of victory is as good to us as though the answer were already an accomplished fact. But what is the basis of this confidence ? The command : ' Go and disciple all nations,' is preceded by the declaration, ' All power is given unto me in heaven , 4 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND and in earth,' which I take to mean that Christ pledges Himself to make effectual what He sends us to do in His name. He places His infinite resources at our disposal and bids us draw upon Him. If He bids me go as His messenger, with such assurances of His presence and power, He will seal the truth on the hearts and consciences of those to whom He sends me, or His word is a delusion. We know where we are walking when we walk on this ground. We have trodden the path before, and have always found the ' rock beneath ' when we have ' stepped out ' upon God's written Word. Xone believe in the adaptation of means to an end more than I do, nor in the prudence that calculates the forces upon which we can depend. My faith is no blind fanaticism, but an intelligent trust. What further calculation is needed when I realise that all power is in Christ and that He is sending me ? The command is in itself the promise of ability to perform. Faith is believing that God means what He says, and acting upon it without anxiety about consequences. ' He that believes in Christ does what he cannot do, attempts the impossible and performs it.' " How abundantly God honoured this confidence, and how He granted the requests of the hundreds who prayed for us, the following pages will explain. At the formation of the Baptist Missionary Society, Mr. Fuller said: "There is a gold mine in India, but it seems as deep as the centre of the earth. Who will explore ? " "I will go down," said Mr. Carey ; " but remember you must hold the ropes." There is gold in Australia mines deep and inexhaustible, which have been sadly neglected in the search for less OUTWARD BOUND 15 precious treasure. These mines we were asked to help to explore ; but many obscure saints at home " held the ropes," whose names will never be known till that hour, when many that are great shall be small, and the small great. We left London on February 9th, 1894, in the steamship Oroya, and had an exceedingly pleasant passage as far as Naples. Calling at Gibraltar we were met by the Rev. W. T. Coppin, our chaplain for the soldiers and sailors stationed there, who gave us a most interesting account of the blessing of God upon his labours, and conducted us over the premises used as a Soldier's Home the centre of his operations. Many a mother will have cause to thank God for the kindly care and oversight her son in the army received at that institution. It is well that such agencies have become part of our Church organisation. None who visit the place can have any doubt as to the advisability and need of having ministers appointed to this work. The Oriental appearance of the town, the varieties of colour and of race we saw in the streets, the lovely foliage and flowers, the bright sunshine, and the deep blue sea all around, were most charming. It is almost impossible for those in England to imagine the complete contrast between their own land and this ; and to be so near makes it all the more remarkable. As we walked through the galleries of the celebrated rock and saw how strongly it was fortified, we could understand how it has come to be regarded as impregnable. The Bay of Naples well deserves the praise that has been lavished upon it. It is beautiful alike in l6 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND outline and in colour, and rich in rare historic memories. Looking from the sea on entering the hay, to the right is Sorrento, the birthplace of Tasso ; Pompeii, the city of the dead and the past ; Eesina, built over the buried Herculaneum ; with Vesuvius in the background, outstanding from the rest of the spurs of the Apennines, and fuming away till its vapour cloud is borne fifty miles across the land or the sea. Before you is the city, built like a long, straggling village, rising tier upon tier a vast amphitheatre from the magnificent azure waters of the bay, and stretching all along the circular shore, an unbroken range of house-line some ten miles in extent. Crowning the height is the castle fortress of St. Elmo, with its dungeons ninety feet under the ground. To the left the coast is studded with villas and dotted with gardens. There, is the supposed tomb of Virgil ; and to the extreme western point, are ruins of old Koman palaces and temples, with- the towns Puzzuoli and Baia the ancient " Liverpool " and " Brighton " of Eome. Behind you, is the island of Capri, beautiful and wonderful, with its memories of the vile Emperor Tiberius, whose ruined palace may still be distinctly seen above the trees. Naples is the largest city in Italy, and the great centre of social and commercial life. The city proper has a population of five hundred thousand ; but in the province, and immediately accessible for our mission work, are at least a million souls. Being Sunday when we were there, we did not join the rest of the passengers in their excursion to Pompeii, but found out the Wesleyan church that we might see something of OUTWARD BOUND 17 the Lord's work in the place. We were astonished to find such a handsome and commodious building, erected in one of the most central and densely-popu- lated neighbourhoods. Squalor and- dirt abounded, as did the people. To reach the pastor, the Rev. T. W. S. Jones, who lives in the upper storeys of the church building, we had to climb eighty-five steps. From him we received a most cordial welcome, and, of course, a pressing invitation to preach. His impor- tunity was such we could not but yield, and half an hour afterwards we were in the pulpit exhorting a select but earnest English-speaking congregation to do as Caleb did, " follow the Lord fully." Not a few outsiders came and retired as the service proceeded, their free-and-easy manner contrasting strongly with the decorum to which we are accustomed at home. Perhaps of all fields of Christian labour Italy is among the most difficult. There, the aid of schools, such as are found so helpful in India, is almost ''an impossibility. Not only have the workers to battle with the inherent evil of the human heart, but with religious indifference and unbelief engendered by a spurious Christianity. Christianity has been traduced, betrayed, and falsified. "We saw enough to realise how much of the Papacy has to be unlearned its vocabulary, its ideals, and its spirit before the mind can come to the feet of Jesus and learn of Him. That solid lasting w r ork is being done for the advance- ment of the Master's kingdom by Mr. Jones and his helpers we have not the slightest doubt. We took lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Gutteridge, friends from Yorkshire, who have settled in Naples, 1 8 DAYS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND and have now a large business establishment. They showed us much kindness. Afterwards, Mr. Gutteridge accompanied us to Puzzuoli, where I had promised to preach in the evening. Puzzuoli is the " Puteoli " of the last chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. It was at this very place Paul landed, a prisoner, on his way to Eome, and having found brethren, he tarried seven days. Some of the piers of the mole of this " Liver- pool," the then emporium of eastern commerce, and round which the Castor and Pollux would sail into the harbour, are still standing ; and not far distant the wonderful ruins of the reputed temple of Serapis, and many other relics of the ancient city. The amphi- theatre in which Nero watched the games, one of the largest, after the Colosseum in Eome, still gives proof, even in its ruined gallery, of the immensity and magnificence of its proportions the substructures being intact and fresh, and almost as new, apparently, as in the days of Paul. On the other side of the bay is Baia, before mentioned, the ancient " Brighton " of Rome, of which, among the ruins, only the temple baths still stand, and remains of Caesar's palace. The earth all around is still covered with traces of past grandeur, which are scattered freely among the olives and fig - trees of the peasant. Not far away lies Lake Avernus, and the descent to the fabled river Styx, and the land peopled by the shades of the dead. In tombs discovered recently, have been found, between the teeth of the skeletons, pieces of money, placed there to pay the passage of the spirits across the river. Tear-bottles have also been found with the dead, in which friends sealed up the tears they shed at the OUTWARD BOUND 19 funeral, that the spirit might know of the grief his departure had caused. (The Psalmist refers to this custom of collecting tears in a bottle in Psalin Ivi. 8.) Three such bottles, supposed to be at least two thousand years old, were presented to us, and some very ancient coins, which had been unearthed during excavations in the neighbourhood. One of the coins was in circulation when Joseph and Mary went up to Bethlehem to be taxed at the time when our Lord was born. It bears the image and superscription of Augustus Caesar, and the date of his reign. We could not help feeling excited as we stood on such sacred and classic ground. The whole district teems with relics of the past. But to preach amid such associations is something to be remembered, a red-letter day in one's life. Our service was held in the house of Francesco Sciarelli, the oldest of our Italian ministers still living and engaged in the work. An ex-monk of the order of St. Francis, he left his convent to join the volunteers who formed the " holy corps " under Garibaldi, a band of priests. Having heard Gavazzi preach in the piazza of Naples, he obtained possession of a copy of the New Testament, which was blessed of God in guiding his feet into the way of peace. After his conversion he worked with Mr. Jones in Naples for seven years, and then left for Ptome to initiate our work there. It was Sciarelli who, with Gavazzi and Eibetti, stood face to face with the renowned champions of the Papacy, chosen by the Vatican itself, to discuss, in the city of Piome, the question : " Was Peter ever in Eome ? " Whatever other result followed the debate, the papist legend of Peter's twenty-five years Pontifical reign was 20 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND scattered to the winds, and the papal pretension to Pontifical power proved to be an innovation. Not only had we great pleasure, but liberty and power, in declaring to the congregation at Puzzuoli the good news of salvation and everlasting life. Nor were evidences wanting that the Word was blessed to those who heard. After service we returned to Naples, and arrived just in time to say a word to the Italians gathered for worship in our church. Mr. Jones interpreted our message, which was to the effect that we had often O ' heard of their faith and love in the Lord Jesus, but to speak to them face to face was a double joy, and to greet them as brethren in the name of those whom we represent in England. After we had wished them God-speed with a few words of Christian counsel, they all stood to thank us, and to request not only an interest in our prayers, but that we would, in their name, salute the churches we should visit during our tour, and assure those of other lands of the interest " they of Italy " take in the progress of the work of God among them. It was altogether a day to be remembered. We could not but thank God, at its close, for the influences which go forth from our Church there, to regenerate a corrupt society, and revive a purer faith and life amid so much comfortless, soulless unbelief and indifference. We left Naples on Sunday, February 18th, at mid- night, and immediately encountered what the sailors called "rough weather," but which soon developed into a terrible gale. For three days we were " rocked in the cradle of the deep " in a manner we shall not soon forget. For the whole time we were unable to OUTWARD BOUND 21 leave our berths. During the storm one of the sailors was much injured, and others more or less shaken. We reached Port Said considerably behind the ex- pected time, but were thankful enough to get there in safety. We stayed about six hours to take on board a fresh supply of coal. This was carried in baskets by a horde of half-clad natives, who looked more like denizens of the lower regions than human beings. As we had heard that the people were a disreputable lot, and that there was but little to be seen in the place, we did not attempt to go ashore. The sail down the Suez Canal and through the Red Sea was full of interest. We passed where the Israelites are supposed to have crossed on their way to Canaan, and skirted a portion of the desert in which they wandered. It was a fine sight to see the huge flocks of flamingoes, pelicans, and ducks, which abound all along the banks of the canal. Here, also, is almost always visible the mirage which is so inseparably connected with the Eastern desert. Sometimes a reflection of the ship itself seems to be sailing along. When night approached we were still able to continue our journey, as the vessel was provided with an electric projector, which threw the light one thousand three hundred yards ahead. The brilliant light which showed the vessel her way gave us a sight of the banks as we moved along ; and a strangely weird picture they presented. The canal cost seventeen million pounds sterling ; was begun in 1856 and finished in 1869. Its length is ninety-two miles ; its depth, twenty-six feet ; the tolls average eight hundred pounds sterling per vessel, or eight 22 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND shillings per ton of net tonnage. The saving to commerce is five million pounds sterling per annum. From the Bed Sea we had a fine view of the peaks of Sinai, one of which was pointed out as the actual mountain on which Moses received the Law. The intense heat interfered with our comfort before we reached Aden, but after entering the Indian Ocean a pleasant change in temperature was experienced. Tempered by moderate and refreshing trade winds, this new ocean was delightful. Calm as a river, with a clear sky, full of wonderful variety as to shade and colour, with fish and birds, sunsets and moonlight altogether new, we enjoyed it as only those can under- stand who have had the experience. Each night we had a capital view of the Southern Cross, which was particularly brilliant at the time. But life on board ship soon became monotonous. How to improve the time was rather a difficult problem. There were too many distractions to read much ; and as there were not many passengers of our way of thinking, we did not care to form companion- ships. Opportunities, however, did occur of speaking for the Master ; and these were not neglected. " I have tried," wrote Norman M'Leod in his diary, " at least for the last twenty-five years, to accept of whatever work is offered me in God's Providence. I have, rightly or wrongly, always believed that a man's work is given to him that it is floated to one's feet like the infant Moses to Pharaoh's daughter." Our experience illustrated the Divine philosophy of those words. To one who spoke of the impossibility of finding satisfaction in this life, we told of the rest we had found in Christ, and tried to show the way. To OUTWARD BOUND 23 another who mourned over a sad bereavement, we spoke of the hope the gospel gives, and urged her to make her calling and election sure. A third asked us if we really believed in a Personal God, to whom we replied : " He is as real a presence to us as you are, we talk to Him as a personal Friend, and the intimacy grows closer and tenderer as the years roll on." These are but examples of the testimony we were able to bear, seed, let us hope, that will germinate unto eternal life. Colombo, the capital of Ceylon, the land of " spicy breezes," was reached on Tuesday, March 6th. To a newcomer, what he sees there is bewilderingly inter- esting. When we stepped ashore, we seemed to have entered a new world. The streets teemed with representatives of nearly every Eastern race and costume. Red and yellow were the prevailing colours, and both contrasted well with the dark skins of the people. The gorgeous tints of the flowering trees, the variety and magnificence of the palms, the crotons, ferns, and creepers, with the sweet-scented cinnamon bushes, and the fresh verdure of the grass, combined to form a scene of novelty and beauty unsurpassable. We did certainly appreciate the glimpse our seven hours' stay afforded us of tropical life and vegetation under the most favourable circumstances. But our chief object was to arrange a series of missions for the island, to be held as we returned from Australia. The missionaries heartily welcomed us, and by their kind- ness contributed much towards the enjoyment of our visit. From the Eev. W. H. Rigby we received much valuable information concerning the work which needed to be done in the strengthening of native 24 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND Christians, as well as in the conversion of the heathen. He informed us that, in the opinion of the district Synod, our visit would be as timely as it would be helpful. His convictions as to the possibilities of our missions were most encouraging. The greatness of the need was everywhere apparent. A run of three thousand one hundred and ninety- seven miles from Colombo brought us in sight of Cape Leeuwin, the south-west point of Australia. From Cape Leeuwin to Albany the distance is one hundred and fifty-eight miles. This was traversed in ten hours, when we found ourselves at our destination, just thirty-six days from the time we left England. We were met, on our arrival, by the Eev. J. A. Jeffreys, who conducted us to the house of Mr. and Mrs. John Eobinson, whose hospitality soon made us forget that we were among strangers, and twelve thou- sand miles from home. As the mission at Perth, the capital of Western Australia, had been arranged to commence on March 25th, we found we had a week to spare, so we decided to begin at once at Albany. A meeting for Christians was held on the night of our arrival, when many sought the " baptism of fire." CHAPTER II WESTERN AUSTRALIA Albany Perth York A LBANY is the starting-point for travellers to all -j- parts of Western Australia. It is situated on the shore of King George's Sound, and possesses one of the finest harbours in the world. All mail steamers make it the first and last port of call in going to, and returning from, other parts of Australia. At present the population does not exceed two thousand, but the town is well laid out, and enjoys a temperate and delightful climate, " deliciously cool in summer, and objectionably English in winter." Our mission commenced with a service to Christians, because we believe a revived Church is the first great need. God will never allow a low type of piety to be widely diffused. In the Acts of the Apostles God's plan for the evangelisation of the world is clearly stated. So long as those lines were followed, the work was done with wonderful rapidity and success. Within one generation paganism was shaken to its centre, and Christianity had spread throughout the known world. The Pentecostal baptism was the grand preparation for the Apostolic Church, and it is still the indispensable condition of success. All filled 27 28 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND with the Spirit, and consequently with holy all- absorbing enthusiasm to save the lost, and all " workers together with Him," is the secret of a real and genuine revival. Scripture and history fully establish that this is the Divine method of saving the world. Nothing can be a substitute for the power from on high. No amount of study or talent can take the place of the Holy Spirit. " Until the Spirit be poured out," saints are neither quickened nor sinners saved. " Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." The time was not lost which we spent in waiting for the Spirit. Many dated from that service new light and power and love. It proved the best possible preparation for the mission. The following day being Sunday, I preached twice, and conducted a service for young people in our beautiful and commodious church, which is capable of accommodating more than half the adult population of the town. At night the building was crowded, and God gave the first-fruits of the glorious harvest He sent us to reap in Australia the earnest and pledge of grander and more glorious triumphs. Nor was the blessing confined to the unconverted. A letter lies before me from a minister, who was passing through the town and attended the services, in which he says : " I profited much under your ministry on Sunday, and shall look back with devout gratitude and sweet memory to the first service you held in Australia." Much to our regret, because of the engagement at Perth, we were compelled to leave Albany after four days. Souls had been saved at each service, believers had been quickened and helped, and increased interest WESTERN AUSTRALIA 29 and power had been daily manifest. Mr. Jeffreys continued, however, to lead the assault against the strongholds of the enemy with encouraging results. Perth was reached after nearly twenty-four hours of continuous travel. The journey was long and tedious. We not only stopped at the stations, but wherever we were hailed by passengers who wished to join the train. The monotony was occasionally relieved by a fine view of the many-coloured bush and wild flowers and beautiful blossoms which enrich the forests of the colony. Our welcome at Perth was warm and hearty, making us sure that the promise of co-operation would be carried out to the fullest extent. Before describing the work there, let me give some particulars of the colony of which Perth is the capital. Western Australia was discovered as far back as 1527 ; but the British flag was not hoisted till 1829. Until recently its progress has been slow, but steady and sure. The fact that, for many years, the country was used as a convict settlement will account, in some measure, for its retarded development. Gigantic strides, however, have been taken during the last three years ; and the colony has suddenly emerged into the full glare of the world's light and renown. A zone of gold has been discovered, extending from the extreme north to the extreme south some two thousand miles, and perhaps four hundred miles wide. This leaves no doubt as to the future of the colony. Men and capital are pouring into it at a tremendous rate, and, in the opinion of experts, the world will hear still more of Western Australia when machinery is more plentiful. 30 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND Though including one-third of the entire area of the continent, and covering nearly a million square miles, the population, at the time of our visit, did not exceed ninety thousand. It is difficult to realise the contrast between the vastness of the territory and the sparseness of the population. Were the colony and England peopled proportionately, the former would contain five hundred millions, and the total population of the latter would not exceed three thousand. It is true that since these calculations were made, some thousands have been added to the population of the colony ; but, with such an extensive territory, even a hundred thousand would make but little difference. With her boundless pastures, her hills and vales and grassy plains, her forests of timber, among the finest in the world, and her stores of gold, copper, lead, and tin, there is room enough in Western Australia for all the surplus population of Europe. The colony invites settlers. In an interview with Sir John Forest, the premier, he informed me that the government is prepared to offer free grants of one hundred and sixty acres of land to all persons above eighteen years of age who will settle in the country for farming purposes. Let none think that large fortunes are easily made by such settlers. Not many are rich, but scarcely any are poor, and none need be, if they are willing to work. Idlers always return from the colonies sadder and wiser men. Western Australia possesses, also, one of the healthiest and most agreeable climates in the world. Though it was the beginning of winter when we visited Perth, the weather was exactly like our English summer, and we were informed that the heat of their WESTERN A US TRALIA 3 1 summer is moderated by sea breezes, which are as regular as they are refreshing. Perth is pleasantly and picturesquely situated on the banks of the Swan River. The public buildings and streets are far superior to what we expected to find in a town of its size and population. The main street, from east to west, covers a distance of nearly two miles, and is planted with cape-lilac trees, which not only afford grateful shade, but add considerably to the beauty of the place. Nearly all the chief public officials live in Perth, where, owing to the large number of English families which settled in the colony in its early days, English manners and customs are strikingly maintained. To find so little that was new or original was a disappointment. Except that the people are warmer in temperament, more cordial in their manners, and freer from reserve, the Australians are exactly like the stock they have sprung from. Mr. Froude noticed that there was " greater animation of spirits " in Victoria than in England, and the same is true of all the colonies. Their genial climate has much to do with this difference, and their history and training will explain their openness and cordiality. Perth was unusually active during our visit. The rush for Coolgardie had just commenced, and Perth being the nearest starting - place, hundreds were passing through daily. It was a stirring sight to see the eager faces of the diggers, prospectors, and capitalists, as they crowded the trains which left for this " Bonanza " of the west. The religious needs of the city are well supplied. For its fifteen thousand inhabitants, there are at least 3 2 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND a dozen ministers and as many churches. Our church, which is a handsome Gothic structure, was built to accommodate seven hundred worshippers, but as many more can be crowded into it, as we proved on the second Sabbath of our mission. Large congregations had usually attended on Sunday evenings, but our member- ship had not increased proportionately. Under the energetic superintendence of the Eev. G. E. Eowe much progress had been made the year before our visit. In all departments the work had been extended, on social lines especially. The establishing of a Sisterhood for visiting and nursing the poor had met with general favour, and had been the means of creating a new interest in Mr. Eowe and his work. This, and much else, contributed to the success of the mission, the time of holding it being most opportune. As no such effort had been made in the city before, we found considerable prejudice and suspicion had to be battled with the first few days. Missions were a new departure ; and Australians are no more ready to fall in with what they have not been accustomed to, than English people. It needed some little time, also, to prepare the workers to deal with the enquirers ; but the difficulties soon disappeared as the presence and power of God were manifested. The first Sabbath more than twenty adults professed conversion, and before the week ended the first hundred had avowed publicly their decision for Christ. Several of the converts were gold-diggers, who were on their way to Coolgardie. One told us that he had been to the goldfields, and, though not knowing why, he had felt compelled to return. Hearing of the mission, he had attended on the Sabbath, and had been awakened to a WESTERN AUSTRALIA 35 sense of his sin and danger. On the following day he realised God's pardoning mercy, and understood then why he had been sent back to Perth. The crowning day of the mission was the second Sabbath. It was a grand sight to see the church crowded with the sterner sex in the afternoon, and grander still to see them deciding to be on the Lord's side. Two Sinhalese, who had been brought as servants to the colony, were among the seekers. Persons of all classes and conditions of life attended in the evening, from the premier to the dusky aboriginal. All sorts were in the enquiry-room at the close of the service. Not a few were prominent citizens, whose conversion had been long hoped for. It is needless to state that our hearts were full of praise when we learned that fifty-five persons had that day professed to realise Divine forgiveness. The mission concluded on the second Monday, when fifty additional enquirers were reported. The last to enter the enquiry-room was a young man who had been but two years in the colony. In England he had been a class leader and local preacher, but, like many others, when he came among strangers he had not attached himself to any church, and had lapsed into sin. His sighs and groans and tears produced the deepest impression, but they were followed by unspeakable peace. The next day he put into my hand, at the station, the following letter : " Good-bye, and God bless you. I only just managed to touch Christ's garment last night. It was almost too late. I was the last to return, and what a struggle I had. I feel if I had left the vestry without settling the matter, I should have lost 3 6 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND my opportunity. God help the young men who have given way to infidelity. It is such a struggle to return. For such my poor weak prayers shall always go up to God. Many thanks for your kind help and sympathy." The spreading flame reached adjacent townships. One minister, who had attended the mission and received a spiritual baptism, told of seven converts under his ministry the next Sabbath. Another re-dedicated himself to God, went to a new Circuit, and commenced his work by holding a ten-days' mission. According to a local paper the result was as follows : "The church has been quickened, many having received very special blessing, backsliders have been recovered, while others have been reclaimed from sin and shame. A spirit of hopefulness has sprung up in the hearts of the members. Some are seeking the fulness of the Spirit, others are pressing into the land of perfect love. The minister's hand and heart have been strengthened, and ' still there's more to follow.' " Our holiness-meetings were largely attended and greatly blessed. Several said those meetings had inaugurated a new era in their religious life. The two hundred souls God gave us at Perth represent more than will appear at first sight. Taking into consideration the religious condition of the colony, the limited population, and the fact that we were able to remain only nine days in the city, the ministers thought the results were cause for profoundest gratitude to God, and remarkable as exceeding the expectations of the most sanguine. The membership of our own Church was largely augmented, and most of the other WESTERN A USTRALIA 37 churches shared in the benefit. Nearly two years afterwards, when we were returning to England, the Dean of Perth was a passenger on the same vessel. He informed me that several of his flock had been blessed during the mission, and one man particularly, whose life had been altogether transformed since that time. In a farewell letter, written when we were leaving Australia, Mr. Eowe says : " Your visit to Australia has been immensely blessed to the spiritual good of thousands. I did hope that you would be able to visit Perth again. The Church is prospering on all lines, and ' the best of all is, God is with us.' Your name and work with us are sweet and helpful memories." We left Perth when the work was just beginning to really impress the town. Nine days were all too short, but other engagements had been made, and could not be altered. Quite a little crowd gathered at the station to see us off, with assurances of kindly interest in our welfare, and promises of remembrance in their prayers. We were not only " loaded with such things as were necessary" for the journey, but with flowers and fruit in abundance. The kindness we received we shall never forget ; especially do we cherish grateful memories of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Walton, whose hospitality we shared. Mr. Walton is chief inspector of schools for the colony. Six years ago he came from Derby to occupy this responsible position. He is now as much respected and esteemed in Perth as he was in Derby before he left. The journey to the coast was broken at York, where we spent a night ; and I preached to a large and 38 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND attentive congregation, with the result that eight other souls were added to the number of those who believed unto salvation. Two of these had attended the service at Perth on the previous Sabbath, and had been awakened to a sense of their need. Leaving York at 4.30 the next morning, we drove twenty-two miles through the " Bush " to meet our train at Beverley, which left at 7 A.M. That ride we shall long remember, through magnificent country, with the sun rising in splendour such as cannot be described. We reached Albany late in the evening, to find our steamer had just arrived and would sail at midnight. It was not, however, until 2.30 A.M. that we could get on board and secure our berths, by which time we were so tired, that we were not surprised, when we awoke the next morning, to find we had made considerable progress towards Adelaide, our next sphere of labour. Three days at sea in beautiful weather were much enjoyed, and helped us to recuperate for work in South Australia, "When we are not living near the throne, our minds become occupied with questions of order, of talent, or of truth ; or if we sink into yet a lower state with questions of facility, or influence, or wealth. This Church-reform will be followed by great good ; the clear development of such a doctrine would bring a revival ; more lustre or strength of talent in the ministry would insure progress. We only wait the removal of such and such hindrances to open this door ; or we only wait for the supply of pecuniary means and we shall see good done there ; or for the accession to the Church of some person of influence, and God's -\vork will prosper yonder. Faith is sadly wasted when bestowed on such things. Give them their right value, place them where God has placed them ; but the fact that you trust in them shows that your heart is wrong. Wait not for these for the power is not in them but for THE BAPTISM OF FIRE." The Tongue of Fire. CHAPTER III SOUTH AUSTRALIA Adelaide Moonta Mine Kadina E arrived at Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, on Sunday, April 8th, 1894, and were met at the wharf by Mr. John Hill, commissioner of railways, and the Rev. James Haslam. We proceeded at once to the residence of Sir John Colton, with whom we made our home during the first fortnight. A reception and welcome tea was held on the Tuesday, the tea being provided by ladies from the different churches. This was followed by a public meeting in Pirie Street Church, which was largely attended. The Rev. J. B. Stephenson, President of the Conference, took the chair. Representatives of all the churches, except the Anglican, spoke words of welcome. After briefly acknowledging their kindness, I entered directly upon the work I had gone to Australia to do, and urged all present to make a full and complete surrender of themselves to God. The religious heartiness of the service came to us as a pleasant surprise, and the cordiality with which we were received could not have been exceeded. It was the same at every place we visited. One reason was that we had recently come from England, and, with colonists, love for England is 41 42 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND a passion. Every Englishman is from " home," it matters not what part of England he comes from. Even the young people, who have never seen the old country, speak of it in terms of affection, and cherish the hope of some day visiting it A visitor from England revives, among the older people, a thousand tender memories, and seems to bring the homeland nearer. For this reason they all seemed to regard us as personal friends. But we were Methodists as well as English persons, and Methodists are at home with Methodists all the world over. The family name is a passport and an introduction everywhere. Methodism is a spiritual freemasonry, and all who have travelled can tell, as I do, of unexpected and hearty welcomes because they have borne that name. The terms " brother " and " sister " have not lost their meaning among us yet. Besides, was I not a Methodist preacher ? Other churches speak of " Our minister," but Methodists say, " Our* ministers." As a New Zealand friend put it : " They claim the passage, ' All things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas.' " On more than one occasion I was introduced as " one of our ministers from England." The Australian Methodists claim all Methodist preachers as belonging to them. Eor these and other reasons, we were treated with a generosity and affection wherever we went, which could not have been surpassed had we been their nearest relatives. Little crowds gathered at the railway stations when we were starting on a journey ; and, not content with this personal expression of friendliness, they would telegraph to friends who lived in towns through which we were to pass, with the result that at almost every important station a SOUTH AUSTRALIA 43 little band would be gathered to meet us, bringing flowers and fruit and various other things to minister to our comfort. Among those who met us in this way were not a few who had been blessed in our missions in England. It made my heart thrill to hear them tell how I had been used of God in leading them into His kingdom. But to return to Adelaide. The city has been happily named " Fair Adelaide," which is a true epithet whether applied to the situation, the climate, or the elegance of its buildings. Travellers are not without reason loud in their praise of the city and the picturesque beauty of its surroundings. It is situated six miles from the sea, on a rising plateau, with a fine range of hills known as Mount Lofty range in the background. Park grounds surround the city on all sides, dedicated in perpetuity to the use and recreation of the citizens. These fine open spaces have much to do with the healthiness of the place. The streets are laid out at right angles the principal thoroughfare, King William Street, is one of the handsomest streets we have ever seen. The buildings are quite equal to those in the best of our provincial cities. The population, including suburbs, numbers about one hundred thousand. For the spiritual needs of the town, churches exist in such abundance that Adelaide has been named " the city of churches." There are no less than thirty-nine Methodist churches, some of which are very handsome and commodious. Our missions were held in two of the largest and most important. The first Pirie Street Church has been designated " the Cathedral of South Australian Methodism " and 44 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND "the Mother Church." Its erection, in 1850, was a bold and wise step, as it gave to Methodism a status which has ever since been to its advantage. The governor of the colony laid the foundation stone, and its opening marked an era in the history of our Church. Subsequently, galleries were added to meet the needs of the increasing congregation, and there is now sitting accommodation for fourteen hundred people. The adjuncts of the church have been enriched by a capacious lecture hall, vestries, and class-rooms. The entire cost of the property was fifteen thousand pounds sterling. Its commanding and central position was peculiarly adapted for our first mission in the colony. The Rev. Joseph Berry, the present pastor, is a man after our own heart. By his sympathy and hearty co-operation he helped much in securing the results we have to record. Mr. Berry's preaching is char- acterised by intellectual vigour, moral fibre, and deep spiritual insight by point, pathos, and power. Kent Town Church, where we held our second mission, is the most ornate and beautiful of all our churches in South Australia. It was opened in 1865 by Rev. William Taylor, now Bishop Taylor, and recently of Central Africa. The congregation increased so rapidly with the growth of this important suburb, that it became necessary soon to add transepts, the foundation stone of which was laid by Mr. T. G. Waterhouse, whose widow now resides at Hampstead. The church has a seating capacity for eleven hundred persons. The trustees are to be congratulated upon having such a property free of debt. The Rev. James Haslam is the present minister of the church. He comes from Bolton, in Lancashire 45 SO UTH A USTRALIA 47 and has done splendid service for the Church in this colony. In 1888 he was elected President of the Conference, and discharged the duties of the office with the marked ability and thoroughness which characterise. all his work. He is known as a strong, forceful preacher, and commands attention by the strength of his convictions, and his subdued and devout earnestness. Mr. Haslam was chiefly instru- mental in arranging for our visit to Australia, and the manner in which he organised and prepared for us deserves the highest praise. Towards the success of the Adelaide missions, the courtesy and notices of the press contributed not a little. With some portions of the press of Australia, a man would have a better chance if pugilism rather than piety were his forte, but, happily, such is not the case in South Australia. We were literally " boomed " by the leading journals ; portraits, interviews, and notices being given almost to extravagance. The result was that congregations, from the beginning, were all that we could desire. A large number of seekers entered the enquiry-rooms the first night, and the mission was launched with every prospect of success. Night by night the power and interest increased until the Sabbath, when the spacious church was far too small to accommodate the crowds that came to hear. Friday nights were set apart for holiness- meetings, on which occasions the congregations were larger than on any other night. The hunger for instruction on this subject was most- inspiring, and the number who received definite blessing was not the least important result of our visit. Conversions 4 8 multiplied so rapidly, that before the end of the mission between four and five hundred persons had professed to receive remission of sins. Noonday prayer-meetings were largely attended. At these, some remarkable answers to prayer were announced by the workers. Special prayer-lists of at least a dozen names had been recommended ; and before the mission ended, the majority of the persons on several lists had found the Saviour. One told of fourteen friends on her list who had been converted. Others rejoiced over seven, eight, nine, and ten, for whom prayer had been answered. At the last service the church was a spectacle never to be forgotten. Looking from the organ loft, a dense mass of faces presented itself, wherever the eye turned, from floor to ceiling. Aisles and passages were crowded, and doorways thronged. But the most interesting sight was that of the new converts, who filled the central area from the communion-rail to the rear of the church, and though two thousand voices made the wall vibrate to the foundations, the song which most affected the ear and the heart was the doxology when sung alone by the four hundred and eighty souls who had been brought to religious decision during the mission. It was a memorable gathering, and one which is not likely to be forgotten, least of all by those for whom it was held. After an address to the converts, a number of others pushed their way into the enquiry -rooms, and so, amid triumph and thanksgiving, closed our first mission in South Australia. Among the seekers were many of the youths attending Prince Alfred's College. As an educational institution the college dates from 1869: but the SOUTH A US TRALIA 49 memorial stone was laid in 1867 by His Koyal Highness Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, who had previously consented that the establishment should bear his name. The first headmaster, Mr. S. Fiddian, B.A. of St. John's, Cambridge, left one hundred and three boys on the roll after a two years' term. Mr. J. A. Hartley, B.A., B.Sc., brother of the Eev. Marshall Hartley, succeeded Mr. Fiddian in 1871. Under Mr. Hartley's energetic and able administration the college made such rapid advance, in both efficiency and popularity, that in 1876, when Mr. Hartley retired from his connection with the institution in order to take the responsible position of permanent head of the Education Department in South Australia, there were upwards of two hundred youths in attendance. In April of that year, Mr. F. Chappie, B.A., B.Sc., arrived from England to assume the duties of headmaster, which he has fulfilled ever since. His appointment, from the first, was deemed highly satisfactory, and it has proved throughout eminently suitable. Under his direction and assiduous care, still greater progress has been made. Within five years the students had reached three hundred and twenty-five, and in 1885 it touched four hundred. The college thus acquired the proud position it has never lost, of being the largest and most successful educational establishment of its kind in the southern world. At the annual speech day in connection with the college, which took place exactly eight months after our mission, Mr. Chappie read his annual report, in which he referred to the work among the boys as follows : " There are some subjects which it scarcely seems 4 50 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND reverent to speak of in public, and yet, sir, I should not be doing justice to my own grateful convictions, or to those of my young friends, if I failed to say, that one event will never be forgotten in the records of the year 1894 by me and by them the visit of the Eev. Thomas Cook. Many before me date from that visit a turning point in their character a time of decision that will, by God's continual blessing, influence mightily the whole of their future lives." Our mission at Kent Town commenced, on the Saturday of the same week we finished at Pirie Street, with an address to a large band of selected workers. The enduement of power was urged as the first and ever-continuing necessity for successful service. On the first Sabbath over ninety persons, young and old, decided for Christ. This grand beginning proved that the confidence with which the mission had been looked forward to was not in vain. It was the pledge and earnest of still richer blessing. Every evening during the week brought larger congregations, until the Friday evening, when, at the holiness-meeting, the baptism of the Holy Ghost descended upon a full church. This prepared the way for the second Sabbath's services, which brought blessings above our largest expectations. The afternoon service was for young men, many of whom decided to be on the Lord's side. We had an enormous crowd in the evening, and, what was better, the room was filled with enquirers, who came as soon as they were asked, to seek peace in Jesus. Monday's service was unequalled for impressiveness and results. The constant stream of men and women and young people down the aisles into the enquiry-room led many to ask, " How REV. JAMES HASLAM. F. CHAPPLE, ESQ., B.A. B.SC. Sill JOHN COLTON. 51 SOUTH AUSTRALIA 53 is this ? We have never seen it thus before. Truly this is the work of God." Tuesday's service was preceded by a social tea, at which several hundreds of the converts and workers were present. Before my address to the converts, Mr. Haslam asked all to join in praise that we had been sent to Adelaide, and for the wonderful blessing God had given, which he hesitated not to say would raise the whole of the generation with which they would come in contact. In writing to a local paper, he thus describes his impressions of the mission : "Whenever our Church's history is written, no previous event will stand out more boldly than that of the mission just closed, during which three hundred and ninety persons have entered the enquiry-rooms as seekers for Christ. . . . An overwhelming thankfulness for such a marvellous reaping is conjoined with a solemn feeling of responsibility. Looking over the list of con- verts, it is seen that all classes are represented. From halls of the wealthy and cottages of the poor they have come many young, some old and grey-headed ; fathers and mothers who have allowed their children to enter the kingdom of heaven before them, and some who now for the first time see how the most solemn parental responsibilities have been undischarged and unnoticed ; children, in whose salvation the prayers of years have found their answer. Husbands and wives that were parted have been made one in the Lord. Many families are now as a whole joined in Christ, and are walking together to heaven. The effect of the mission upon those outside the Church is one of its remarkable features. It is talked of with respect, and with an evidently 54 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND solemn conviction of its reality. To the Church it has been the occasion of a great uplifting. The converts are identified with many of the churches, and it is scarcely less a matter of rejoicing that the mission has been a stream of blessing, fertilising the other churches, than that it has brought richness to our own. A church consecrated at its opening in the most sacred way, by the salvation of souls, in which, in the intervening years, thousands have been saved, and now visited in so marvellous a manner, must surely regard itself as baptized anew to the one great work of every church the work of saving." It would be impossible to quote from all the letters received from correspondents whom the mission had benefited. As I write, a great bundle lies before me all full of joy and gladness from hearts brimful of gratitude for new-found salvation in Jesus. Those who have borne the burden and heat of the day ; men and women who have known better days ; young men and maidens, some whose friends are in the " old country " ; students, and others from business houses ; and not a few parents and children all join in praising God for the services. A few extracts will speak for themselves. A minister from another church writes : " May I be permitted to rejoice with you, and wish you 'God- speed.' I feel that I owe you a personal debt of gratitude, inasmuch as three of my children, under your guidance, have arrived at the point of decision. You will therefore never pass from our sympathetic and grateful recollection. As his soldiers said of Napoleon, so we say of you, 'He will live in our hearts.' The praises of the congregation are re- SO UTH A USTRALIA 5 5 quested by a family of ten, all now united in the service of the Master, six of whom have been con- verted during the mission." The Principal of Way College, in sending an invitation to speak at the college, says : " Some of our boys have been impressed at the services, and one of our masters in the Manual Training Depart- ment has been converted, and has been bearing witness to the reality of the change." " Thank the Lord," writes a Sunday-school teacher ; " five in my class have come out on the Lord's side this week." Another says : " Nine on my prayer-list have been converted." " I have been a Christian for twenty-two years," writes a schoolmistress, " and have often sought purity of heart ; but I never saw my privilege as at your holiness-meetings. ... I very tremblingly took Iwld, but I have since felt a peace and tran- quillity of soul never realised before. I felt I must tell you what a blessing you have revealed to me," All the letters tell the same story of salvation found in Jesus, backsliders restored, and believers strengthened and blessed. Among the features of the work was the large proportion of converts belong- ing to other churches. To no fewer than fifty-nine different churches were lists of converts forwarded after the Adelaide missions. Probably the proportion of Methodist converts did not exceed one-half of the whole. Our object was not to make Methodists but Christians ; and this secured for us the confidence of all the evangelical churches. Nor did the work cease with our visit. The flame spread in all directions, as the following letter from a minister will reveal : 5 6 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND " Your work told with blessed effect on Payneham. and Campbelltown. At the latter place conversions have taken place almost without intermission ever since. Though only a small country church, holding about a hundred persons, there must have been between forty and fifty converts twenty were saved during your mission. At Paynehani the taste of soul- saving work was so joyous that I asked my old friend, Rev. John M'Neil, of Melbourne, to give us a week's services, with the result that fifty-five others decided for Christ. We are having conversions one, two, three, and four continually at various places in the Circuit. I thought these facts might encourage you." We left Adelaide with the feeling that God had helped us there as much, perhaps, as He had ever done in our lives. The vast congregations, the sustained and increased interest, the loving spirit of ministers and people, the hundreds of seekers after pardon and sanctification, called for songs of loudest praise. In less than four weeks more than eight hundred persons had entered the enquiry-rooms as seekers of salvation, nearly all of whom professed to find peace with God. There can be no doubt that our visit to Australia had been well timed. The crash of banks, dearth of employment, and the disappointment occasioned by the disappearance of hard-earned savings had left the people hungering for something more substantial than earthly good. Adversity is a blessing when it leads us to God ; and after the commercial disaster, hard- ship, and suffering they had experienced, we found the people of Australia in a mood to return to Him, and to seek His blessing. Unity and love prevailed also in the churches. Much prayer had been offered SOUTH AUSTRALIA 57 and large expectations awakened. Fields were white unto harvest. We had nothing to do but to put in the sickle and reap. As our method of conducting after-meetings was entirely new, it did not, at first, meet with general approval, though most agreed with us before the mission was over. The usual method adopted was for silent prayer to follow the sermon, then, while the people were quiet and bowed, to plead with them and pray for them alternately. I have found it best to conduct the after-meetings single-handed, and seldom allow any but myself to lead in audible prayer. This is because I have suffered much from injudicious persons engaging in prayer. Many a church cannot maintain a decent prayer- meeting, because those who ought to pray are usually silent, and certain other men are obliged to occupy the time, whose dreary repetitions become intolerable to all except those who are well seasoned. Such persons have no opportunity of inflicting themselves upon our meetings, and the result is a wonderful relief. Our congregations remain to the after-meet- ings in a manner which astonishes those who adhere to the old plan of two prayers and a hymn. Then I believe that the man who has just preached has more influence with the congregation while his spell is upon them than any one else could possibly have. It often breaks the continuity of the service to allow another personality to come between the preacher and the people. So I plead alternately with God and the people, until converts begin to move into the enquiry-rooms. Not that this method was invariably adopted. It is best for an evangelist to have no fixed 58 DA YS OF GODS RIGHT HAND rule in his movements. Some times I asked the awakened to come forward, some times to rise in their seats, and occasionally no movement was called for. Unexpectedness in the conduct of the meeting will not unfrequently surprise the unconverted out of their defences. Where I know the people and can depend upon them there is nothing I like better than the old-fashioned prayer-meeting; but such places are few and far between. From Adelaide we went to Moonta Mine, one of the richest copper mines in the colony. It is situated on York Peninsula, on the eastern shores of Spencer's Gulf, about a hundred and thirty miles from the city. The people at Moonta are almost exclusively Cornish, with all the characteristics of that county strongly developed. Their aversion to new methods, especially the use of the enquiry-room, threatened, at first, to be a difficulty ; but the result of the plans we adopted soon disarmed prejudice and established confidence in our success. After a holiness-meeting, held on the Friday night, reserve broke down completely, and all worked together with a will. Long ago I learned the lesson that if we would convert sinners, we must revive saints. This is not only needful, because the converts in a period of revival are almost certain to conform to the type of the average professor, but because the harbouring of unkind feelings, the want of charity and forbearance, ill-will, the indulgence of prejudices or animosities, prevent the outpouring of God's Spirit, without which all our efforts are vain. The preaching of the doctrine of entire sanctification prepares the way of the Lord by welding together in unity and love SO UTH A USTRALIA 59 His people as no other truth does. " Indeed," says Wesley, "this I always observe, wherever a work of sanctification breaks out, the whole work of God prospers." Not only does my experience confirm this, but I doubt not that the success of my mission is mainly the result of zealously holding forth this great salvation. Our holiness-meetings were almost invariably turning points in our missions, where previously we had experienced hardness and diffi- culty. At the service at Moonta not a few purified their hearts by faith, among them one of the ablest and most popular Primitive Methodist ministers of the district. His clear testimony to the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus, at a service I held for ministers the following week, produced a profound impression. On the Sabbath fifty unconverted persons surrendered to Christ ; and night by night interest and power increased, until two hundred and seventy persons had avowed their decision to serve God. This result, among a population of between three and four thousand, filled us all with devout gratitude to God. As is usual in Cornish communities, the excite- ment and emotion of some of the penitents were very great. Their cries and sobs, and their shouts of rapture when the light came, made me live over again experiences in Cornwall, which I treasure among the most precious of my memories. Numerous incidents will long be remembered. Two daughters who had been converted brought their mother to the Cross. A mother, with her arm round his neck, brought her eldest son, for whom she had long prayed. Two sons went home rejoicing in Christ and asked leave to begin family prayer, with 60 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND the result that both father and mother were converted. The wife, two daughters, and two sons of a local policeman decided ; but he held out. He insists, however, upon the daughters conducting family prayer ; and, to his wife's surprise, he knelt himself in prayer before retiring to rest the other night, for the first time in his life to her knowledge. The after effects at this place were delightful. Thus wrote one of the ministers : " You left us on Saturday, and that evening, at the prayer-meeting, three decided for Christ. On Sunday morning, at 7.30 A.M., I met a class, and found a father there, whose three children you had led to Christ. He had resolved to make a fresh start. That same afternoon, at East Moonta school, a young woman professed conversion ; and another at their Monday evening prayer-meeting. We had another seeker at the class- meeting on Friday, the husband of the woman whose sons started family prayer after the Sunday evening service. Then at Mr. Burt's church we had taken turns during the week, with the result, since you left, of over thirty seekers." Under date June 13, he writes again: " Souls are being saved every night, and the interest is growing rather than abating. We must have had over two hundred seekers since you left. After a fortnight with the Primitive Methodists, we went for ten days to the Bible Christian Church. The result being ninety-one enquirers ; while at Cross Roads, in three nights, there were seventy others. Every ordinary service produces good results also. "Yesterday, I was sent for to baptize a child belonging to a woman who was staying with her SO UTH A US TRA LI A 61 mother from Port Pirie. While I was at the house, the post came in with a letter for the child's mother. She opened it listlessly, but soon commenced to jump and shout, ' My George is converted ! praise the Lord, my husband is saved ! He was converted at Mr. Cook's mission last night.'" Our third letter is from the Eev. A. P. Burgess to his father at Adelaide, and was published by him in the Methodist paper, The, Christian Weekly. It reports still further progess. " The work of God is unabated, and souls are coming to Christ every night. Services are being held at Moonta Mines, Cross Eoads, and Moonta continuously, and for all practical purposes Methodist union is a reality ; while at every service souls are being born into the Kingdom. Last Wednesday night, while you were all saying farewell to Mr. Cook, forty precious souls knelt at the penitent form in connec- tion with our united services at Moonta alone, while Mr. Burt reports conversions every night at the Mines. On Sunday, in six different churches that I know of, including every church on the Mines, sinners came to Christ. This does not include Cross Koads, of which I have not heard. Since Mr. Cook came here I can account for seven hundred and eighty-nine, but there must be a good number more, as many are deciding for Christ at home, and in our class-meetings and prayer-meetings also. To God be all the glory. A large singing-party from the Mines visited Moonta last night, and made the town ring with the songs of Zion. Men are doing their work here to the tune of ' Eglon,' and the grand old hymn, ' Eock of Ages ' is to be continually heard, sung as only Cornishmen can 62 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND sing. There is every sign of the good work continu- ing. We are all very tired, but very, very happy." About the same time Mr. Burgess wrote to me. The letter is dated two months after our mission. It contains most cheering information : " The work goes on apace. . . . Last Wednesday we had forty-one precious souls at the penitent form. . . . On Sunday there were conversions in six of the churches that I know of. Last night made the fifty-seventh con- secutive night in which we have seen souls saved. I have not missed a meeting. . . . Moonta has never had such a revival in its history. It has seen larger numbers, but so many old people going to the penitent form is unheard of, and that is the common thing now. Of the first hundred seekers at our last mission all were over fifteen years of age except one. "The following is the list since the work com- menced : " Rev. Thomas Cook's Mission, May 9tli to 18th . . 278 United Services, Moonta Mines, Primitive Church . 51 United Services, Moonta Mines, Bible Christian Church 136 Primitives, Moonta 21 Bible Christians, Moonta 102 Wesleyans, Yelta 34 Cross Roads . 150 Ordinary Services 28 800" Mr. Burgess concludes by stating that he has not been able to obtain the number of those converted at home, nor under the labours of the local preachers and Salvation Army. The angel of requests so the legend runs goes SO UTH A US TRALIA 63 back from earth heavily laden every time he conies to gather up the prayers of men. But the angel of thanksgiving, of gratitude, has almost empty hands as he returns from his errands in this world. But this was not true of Moonta. They held a thanksgiving service, which was properly described by a local paper as a " notable " one. The following sketch will be read with interest : "A united thanksgiving service was held in the Moonta Mines Wesleyan Church on Monday, July 23rd. The evangelistic services having been of an inter-denominational character, it was only fitting and right that the public act of thanksgiving should be of the same nature. The night was dark and the roads muddy, but the enthusiastic endeavourers of the township formed a long procession, and, picking their way through the slush and mud by the light of several torches, came singing through the streets. Another singing band left East Moonta, and met the first near Mines' offices ; a contingent of the Mines' Endeavour Societies being also present. The united party sang up Wesleyan Street to the church, arriving a little late to find between eight and nine hundred people present. It would be difficult to describe the meeting. Seven short addresses were given by the four ministers and three senior Circuit stewards ; the church choirs all amalgamated. We noticed members of six different churches helping to lead the singing ; it was a foretaste of Methodist union and heaven some think the former term includes the later. The Yelta friends were absent. On Sunday night three young men sought and found the Saviour at Yelta, and they stopped away, holding a service in their own church for the sake of other anxious ones. The Rev. J. D. Langsford took the chair, and compared the present revival with the great one of nineteen years ago, quoting from the local papers. The Rev. A. P. Burgess, who followed, mentioned that nine hundred and seven had professed to find peace with God in the different churches during the ten weeks since May 9th, beside which a number had decided for Christ in their homes and at their work. Mr. Cornelius, the Circuit steward of the Primitive Methodist 64 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND Church, spoke on the power of church fellowship, urging all new converts to join a church. Mr. Adams led the congregation in a solemn act of thanksgiving, and the doxology was sung. The Rev. 0. Lake had been present at the revival nineteen years a< T o, and in comparing the two a most noticeable feature was the prevalence to-day of a spirit of unity, all sections of the community uniting with one aim and one purpose. Mr. Symons, the Circuit steward of the Bible Christian Church, spoke on work and its power to keep interest quickened and alive, urging every new convert to .start and lead another to Christ. The Rev. J. Burt drew attention to the fact that in several centres the interest was unabated, and called for sustained efforts on the part of all. The singing between each speech went with a swing, and was a feature of the evening. A collection was taken up and divided between each church for the benefit of the poor. The influence of the gathering was most inspiring. To God be all the glory." The next place visited was Kadina, another small town, with a population similar to Moonta, and about ten miles distant. The news of the work at Moonta had preceded us, and had created considerable expecta- tion. We found a hearty and united people. Our first convert was a young lady who was awakened and saved on the Sunday morning. Contrary to custom I was led, that morning, to preach more directly to the unconverted. It seems she had determined not to attend any of the services, and was present on that occasion only, because she expected the sermon would be for those who were already Christians. At the close of the service she airne forward in deep distress, and said the message had all been for her. Before she left she was filled with joy and peace through believing in Jesus, and afterwards became one of our best workers. The first Sabbath the number of seekers was not large, but each night afterwards we had thirty-six in SO UTH A USTRALIA 65 the enquiry-rooms. The coincidence in the number each evening caused such general interest that, among the workmen of the smelting works, the question was asked each morning, if the number had been main- tained. Even unconverted men would ask if they had had the " thirty-six " the night before. The Rev. Isaiah Perry has since sent me particulars of some of the converts, which show that we gathered of every kind, (a) A man; thirty-six years years of age. Seventeen years ago he was a local preacher, and twelve years ago a probationer for the ministry. He was a married man, and domestic trouble caused his fall. He and his wife both re-dedicated themselves to God. He determines to work for Christ, but grieves over lost opportunities. Said he, " I was almost lost, but, thank God, He has saved me ; the worst is that the opportunity for service has gone." (&) A man ; forty-three years of age. The previous Monday he was before the local police court, and fined for being drunk and disorderly. He and his wife both give evidence of a real change. His con- version occasioned wonder, and created confidence. (c) A well-educated young man ; whose parents are Presbyterians. He had been the cause of considerable anxiety to his family. A week before his conversion, a brother from Sydney had written to say that he believed George would soon be saved. This impression had come to him while engaged in prayer. The young man seems fully determined to follow Christ. (d) A backslider for twenty years. The memory of the past haunted him, especially the neglect of a widowed mother in England. While seeking the 66 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND Lord he exclaimed, " Oh, the burden of the past ! ' He is now an earnest worker. His wife and daughter have since been saved. (fi) A woman ; who was converted in her own home while working at her sewing-machine. Leaving her work she hastened to tell her joy to a neighbour with whom she had previously quarrelled, and besought her forgiveness. (/) A man ; forty-seven years of age, who has passed through many Cornish revivals, but without conversion. In this, however, he has been " knocked over," as he terms it, and is determined to try and make up for lost time. With this list is enclosed a letter and resolution from the Quarterly Meeting of the Kadina and Wal- laroo Circuit. The resolution reads as follows : " This meeting expresses its devout gratitude to Almighty God for the great success which has attended the visit of Eev. Thomas Cook to this Circuit. The mission has been blessed of God to the spiritual quickening of our people, and the in- gathering of many persons, both young and old ; while other churches, have participated largely in the success. This meeting earnestly prays that the good work which has been commenced may continue, and that the Divine blessing may still rest upon the labours of His servant." In the letter, Mr. Perry tells of the progress of the work. " We had a social tea for the converts on Monday night. About two hundred were present, and a fine sight it was. Everybody was exceptionally happy, and altogether the gathering was a great success. Many direct answers to prayers have been received. SOUTH AUSTRALIA 67 Homes have been completely transformed, and the social and religious aspect of the people quite changed. We have had, already, over three hundred cases of decision for Christ." The mission filled the hearts of all Christian people with thankfulness, and prompted them to seek and expect conversions more than they had ever done before. At Moonta and Kadina the churches were wise enough to work while God worked. Some ministers have special gifts to teach, others to incite ; one prepares the fuel and the other kindles it. But when it is kindled, let the churches know that their opportunity has come and bestir themselves to carry on the work. No help from outside is useful which tends to release ministers and people from a full sense of personal responsibility. If the impression prevails that the visit of the evangelist relieves those on the spot from obligation, no real good can result.' The mission should be only the beginning of a continual adding unto the Lord. And to allow the work of conversion to cease with the departure of the missioner is as wrong as it is unwise. "Lord, give me every year More burning zeal for souls immortal ! Make me plead with such with earnestness intense, Love strong as death, and faith God-given. Will the world cry ' Mad ' \ I would be mad such madness be my joy ! For thrice it blesses: first, my own cold heart; Then glorifies my God ; and plucks, perchance, My sin-stained brother from the jaws of death." Aiwn. Brainerd had such a burning earnestness that he said : "I cared not where or how I lived, or what hardships I went through, so that I could gain souls for Christ." Henry Martyn was another such flame of fire ; his earnestness beamed from his countenance, and spread itself among men ; his very portrait seemed inspiring. Charles Simeon had it hanging against the wall, and he said it seemed to say to his very soul: "Be in earnest, don't trifle, don't trifle." And Mr. Simeon would reply: "Yes, I will be in earnest; I won't trifle, souls are perishing." The weeping of John Welsh during the night would .some times awaken his wife, and when she asked why he wept he would say : " I have tlie souls of three thousand persons to answer for, and I don't know how it is with many of them." Such are the men God uses men whose souls throb with Divine sympathies, and who say, as Paul did : "This one thing I do."' CHAPTER IV SOUTH AUSTRALIA Kooringa Port Pirie Broken Hill IT was while we laboured in Moonta that the Triennial or General Conference met in Adelaide. Australasian Methodism is governed by five Annual Conferences, held simultaneously in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and New Zealand, whose functions are purely adminis- trative; with a Triennial Conference whose powers are exclusively legislative. The General Conference consists of ministers and laymen in equal numbers, who are sent as representatives from the Annual Conferences. The brethren assembled at Adelaide sent me an invitation to address the Conference, with assurances of an affectionate welcome to their shores. In reply I thanked them for their hearty greeting and good wishes, but asked to be excused the speech. Some wrote expressing disappointment that I had not complied with their request; but had I done so the mission at Moonta would have suffered ; and it is more congenial to me, to do the work than to talk about it; I therefore remained at Moonta with the results already described. The following returns re- present the territory under the jurisdiction of the 71 72 General Conference: Ministers, 645 ; Local Preachers, 5231; Churches, 2717; Other Preaching Places, 2002; Church Members, 93,274; Colleges, 11; Sunday-school Teachers, 17,647; Sunday - school Scholars, 177,517; Adherents, 455,871. Dr. Dale said, after visiting the colonies: "Methodism has shown magnificent vigour," and, in the light of these statistics, the testimony is true. " There is something," he continued, " in the organisa- tion, creed, characteristic spirit of Methodism that makes it a great religious force in a British colony." Not only have we held our own, but our Church has grown every year to a position of greater strength in relation to the population of the colonies. Already one-tenth of the entire community belongs to us. Religious equality and freedom, which exist every- where, will, in some measure, account for this success. With no State-church exclusiveness to contend against, we have had opportunities such as are not possessed in England. Besides, the Episcopalian Church in Australia is, in most places, so " high " that it repels some of their best and most devoted people, many of whom worship with us. In connection with his diocesan visitations, one bishop, at least, had a dance given in his honour at almost every place he visited. Catering to worldly tastes, which often means a letting down of the high standard of New Testament piety, does not fill the churches, nor does resort to human expedients or devices. When we were in Australia, the papers were discussing the question : " Why do not men go to church ? " Some suggested a prior question : " Is it really true that men do not go to church ? " One editor undertook to find an answer to SO UTH A USTRAL1A 73 the latter query. He sent men to count at the chief places of worship. The report was worth more than a thousand letters. At the Salvation Army barracks men were in the majority. At the Presbyterian church the sexes were about equal. There entered into the Wesleyan church just five more women than men. At St. Michael's (Anglican), the figures showed ninety-six men and a hundred and seventeen women, At the cathedral, where the service is " very high," the rate was about two women to one man. The figures go to prove that the "higher" the service, the fewer the men. In explaining the reason for the difference between " high " and " low," one paper suggested that the subordination of the sermon was the cause ; but I think, with the editor of our Methodist paper, " a manly dislike to what Froude calls ' the magical theory of the priesthood ' has more to do with it." The Dean of Norwich recently spoke of churches of " incense and nonsense " as denuded of men. We formed the highest estimate of the ability, zeal, and devotion of the Australian ministers. Having travelled that Methodist Canaan, from Dan to Beer- sheba, we know them well, and the sort of stuff they are made of. As they do most of the entertaining, we often shared their hospitality, and now desire to make grateful acknowledgment of all the kindness, forbearance, and goodwill, which were uniformly extended to us by the brethren with whom we came in contact, as well as the genial welcomes with which they everywhere greeted us during our travels. Spiritually and mentally, they are at least equal to the average minister at home. Many have been 74 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND trained in our English institutions, others are natives, or colonial born. Speaking of natives, one of our English Methodist papers, some years ago, congratu- lated the Australian brethren on the fact that out of nine candidates for the ministry, five were aboriginals just as it should be, the editor thought. He, poor fellow, did not discriminate between natives and aboriginals ; but the Australians felt sorry for him that he did not know better. Aboriginals are the low and degraded people who inhabited the continent when the British took possession in 1770. There are but very few of these left, and attempts to Christianise them have met with very moderate success. It is difficult for men born in England to adapt themselves to the rough-and-ready life some ministers have to live in the " Bush " Circuits ; consequently the " native " does quite as well for all purposes as the Englishman, and perhaps a little better. Nothing is more wonderful than the love and sympathy which bind the brethren together; and I take leave to believe that there is no grander brother- hood in the world than that of the Methodist ministry. Many in Australia know much more about what is going on in England than those who live in this country. The questions they asked me about the ministers at home were as interesting as they were varied. Though they have never seen each other in the flesh, they rejoice in mental pictures and spiritual introductions which others give them. In all our doings they take the liveliest interest, and copy all that is best in our methods of work. We thought the pastoral element predominated in the Australian ministry somewhat to the neglect of 75 the evangelistic. Ministers preach oftener to the same congregations, and seem to lose the forceful manner of appeal so essential to soul-saving. The art of soul-saving must be cultivated, or the gift will be lost ; and many lose it by allowing other considera- tions to become paramount. It is true that all men do not, in the same measure, possess the evangelistic gift. Gifts vary. " There are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit." Nor does evangelistic or converting power necessarily imply superior piety. Eesults are modified by temperament, mental constitution, and spiritual capacity. All men are not constitutionally endowed with that peculiar, persuasive, and command- ing power which successful soul-winners possess. " God does not allow some to become reapers because they do the ploughing so well." Some prepare the soil and others reap the harvest, but many might be reapers who are not, if they would give themselves more directly to soul-saving work. Father Watsford, W. G. Taylor, Eainsford Bavin, and others are doing noble service in helping the Australian ministers to gather in the fruit of their labours, but where they have one man with the evangelistic gift, they seem to have a hundred " pastors and teachers." This will explain why the membership in Australia is so much smaller in proportion to the congregations than it is in England. In England every pond seems to have been well fished, but yonder the unconverted abound in the churches. We found hundreds ready and waiting to be helped into the Kingdom, which will enable our readers to understand how it was that the work of ingathering commenced, at each place we visited, almost immediately we arrived. 7 6 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND Kooringa, the next place visited after Kadina, was no exception to this rule. During the five days we were able to give them, no fewer than one hundred and sixty persons professed conversion. It was at this place that the famous Burra Burra copper mine was discovered in 1845; but during the last fifteen years it has not been worked, owing to the low price of copper, and the fact that the mine had become exhausted of its best deposits. The closing of the mine greatly reduced the population, which does not now exceed fifteen hundred. The country all around is used for pastoral purposes. Immense flocks of sheep are reared in the neighbourhood. As many as a hundred thousand are owned by one farmer. Our congregations consisted of persons from all parts of the district within fifty miles. The church, which will accommodate five hundred worshippers, was incon- veniently crowded the first Sabbath, and that day we rejoiced over more than fifty seekers. At the last service we witnessed a scene, which those who were present will never forget. A band of young men, about thirty strong, had attended all the services. Particular interest was centred in them, because many belonged to our own families, and others had been trained in the Sunday school. Much prayer had been offered that they might be won for Christ ; and the last night of the mission had come with scarcely any break in their ranks. After the sermon we noticed how deeply serious many were ; but none would yield to our appeals. The after-meeting was far advanced, and some had begun to fear that they had hoped in vain, when one noble fellow stood up in the midst of his companions, and, with the eyes of the SOUTH A US TRA LI A 7 7 whole congregation upon him, walked deliberately down the gallery steps, along the aisle of the church, and into the enquiry-room. Such decision had immediate effect upon the others. A second soon followed, then another and another, until quite a score had come, broken down and penitent, to confess decision for Christ. As they walked down the aisle, one by one, each manifestly acting for himself, because no two came together, parents and friends clapped their hands and shouted for joy. Some wept and praised God aloud, and all said : " It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." More than forty persons professed to receive remission of sins in that service, and amid flowing tears and resounding praises we parted, pledging ourselves to meet again beyond the river. One of our best workers at Kooringa was Dr. Brummitt, a greatly-beloved physician. He called to tell us, one morning, that his two sons had been converted, during our Kent Town mission, and that during the mission at Kooringa, his two servants, his coachman, and charwoman had all been brought to God. He also said : " I have loved you, Mr. Cook, for some years now, because of the help you rendered to a medical friend of mine in the old country. We were students together, and I had the joy of leading him to the Saviour. He became a devoted Christian and my bosom companion. We had sweet fellowship in the Master's service until he went to England to complete his studies. He became assistant to a London practitioner who was an atheist ; and while in his house, he was robbed of his faith. This led to his going altogether wrong, and such misery followed that 78 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND he decided to return to Australia. Before doing so he went to visit my mother, and on the Sabbath she took him with her to the Methodist chapel. It so happened that you were conducting a mission in that chapel at the time, and your message reached his heart. It brought back old memories, and led him to seek again the blessedness he had lost. Nor did he seek in vain. Before he left my mother's home he had restored to him the joy of God's salvation. All this he wrote and told me a week or two before he sailed, but he never reached Australia, he died on the voyage and was buried at sea. I have often longed to see you and tell you all this, but never thought I should. Now, I have to thank you, because you helped me when you helped my friend." We finished at Kooringa the first day in June, and in November received the following communication, signed by the secretary of the Christian Endeavour : . " At our Christian Endeavour Half-yearly Meeting, held a short time since, humble gratitude was ex- pressed for God's blessing on your mission in Kooringa. Since your visit our society has been greatly strengthened by new members, and the older ones revived. The Saturday night prayer-meeting, which was started during your mission here, has also been vigorously kept going by the young converts, and has proved a constant blessing to them. A resolution was passed in our Society that you should be informed of the warm regard our young people still have for you, and we hope to prove in the future that your labours among us were not in vain. It filled our hearts with a deep holy joy that we were honoured of God with the privilege of being associated SOUTH AUSTRALIA 79 with such work, especially in view of its far-reaching possibilities. Daniel Webster's words were often in our minds : ' If we work upon marble, it will perish ; if we work upon brass, time will efface it ; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust ; but if we work upon immortal minds, if we imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God, and love of our fellow -men, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity.' " Two days after finishing at Kooringa found us started at Port Pirie. The town, which has a popula- tion of about four thousand, is situated, like Moonta, on the eastern shore of Spencer's Gulf. It is the port for Broken Hill silver mines ; and upon the prosperity of the mines its trade largely depends. Extensive smelting and refining works furnish employment for a large number of men. These preponderated in our services, and many were converted. Because our church was not sufficiently commodious to accommo- date the crowds we expected, the Institute Hall was engaged for the mission. It was not well suited for such services, but we were obliged to make the best of what we had. To make provision for enquirers was one of the chief difficulties. Some suggested that we should use the dressing-room at the back of the stage, but the room would not accommodate more than a dozen, so I asked what would be done when fifty came. They had not dreamt of such a number at any one service ; but I insisted that that number should be provided for. This meant clearing out an old lumber-room which was full of stage properties and other rubbish. So, taking off my coat, I said, " Gentlemen, let us get to work." In three hours the 8o DA YS OF GOD S RIGHT HAND place was entirely transformed. The earthen floor was covered with boards, over which we spread carpets ; the holes in the sides of the building were covered with tarpaulin ; boxes and battens were utilised for seats, and all was ready. The news spread like wildfire of what we had done, and brought the people in such crowds the following day, that the building which would seat seven hundred persons proved too small for the occasion, and after- wards scores had to be often turned away who could not be accommodated. At first the forces of evil leagued themselves to oppose. Certain scoffers in- dulged in a parody of our proceedings at an adjacent public-house. But the raging of the adversary was only the prelude to extraordinary blessing. Under the mighty operation of the Spirit of God, a strange fear came upon the town, until men who were far from being religious, confessed that they had never known the people so impressed before. Religion became the chief topic of conversation, and all spoke of it with profound respect. The pastor himself, the Eev. Thomas A. James, shall describe the mission : " Great expectations were aroused in the hearts of the Christian people of Port Pirie, when it was known that the Kev. Thomas Cook was coming to conduct a ten-days' mission. Signs of revival had been gather- ing for some time. It was confidently believed that the day of visitation had come, and God's people were ceaseless in prayer. The Institute Hall was hired for the mission, as it was the only building in the town at all adequate to accommodate the numbers who were expected to attend. On Sunday, June 3rd, the mission began with a prayer-meeting at 7 A.M., when, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Si in spite of the dark, damp morning, nearly one hundred persons assembled. It rained heavily before the morning service, but hundreds found their way to the hall. On Sunday afternoon there was a service for young people ; rain overhead and slush below did not prevent the hall from being well filled. Mr. Cook spoke to the young people on the importance of decision for Christ, and, in response to his appeal, thirty pressed into the enquiry-room. More rain, but a full hall at night, and many decisions for God. The mission was now fairly launched ; and neither wet weather, bad roads, nor long distances prevented the people from attending. Night after night the interest deepened, until the whole town was roused. The congregations that assembled were unprecedented in the history of Port Pirie. All classes and creeds were represented, and people came from near and from far. One prominent feature of the mission was the large attendance of men at the services. Every night the Word was preached with demonstration of the Spirit and with power. The holiness-meeting of Friday evening was a memorable time. Mr. Cook's exposition of the great privilege of believers to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, and to claim ' the continual cleansing from all sin,' was very help- ful. God's people were blessed unspeakably, and between forty and fifty persons entered the enquiry- room to seek and to find pardon of sin. The second Sunday of the mission began, as usual, with a prayer- meeting at 7 A.M. ; and at this early hour one young man decided for Christ. In the afternoon there was a meeting for men only, which will never be forgotten. Every seat was filled. Professional and commercial 6 82 DA YS OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND men, as well as mechanics and toilers of all sorts, made up the audience. In a plain, outspoken address from the words : ' Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,' Mr. Cook spoke to the intelligence and hearts of his hearers. Several men went into the enquiry-room, and many came later and testified to good received. The last night June 12 came all too soon. Every seat was occupied, and many persons could not get in. Mr. Cook first addressed the converts, and then made a last appeal to the un- decided. The response will never be forgotten. There was a general move towards the enquiry-room dozens and dozens passed in, un