《大洋州圣工的需要》
1903年 7月4日
大洋州圣工的需要
1903.年6月11日写于加州疗养院
我美国亲爱的弟兄姐妹： {Needs July 4, 1903, par. 1}
主一次又一次地把大洋洲的需要呈现在你们面前。你们知道在不同的战线已经完成了哪些工作。关于在这个园地设立机构的问题，你或多或少已得到充分的了解。许多人提供了他们的资金来帮助这些机构。但很少有人了解为在澳大利亚建立出版社、学校和疗养院所作的自我牺牲的努力，也很少有人了解这项工作目前的财政需要。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 2}
一个传道园地
我不后悔我们在大洋洲度过的岁月。我感到高兴的是，我们是在十多年前应总会的紧急要求前往那里的。我们发现自己是在传道的土地上，哪里守安息日的人很少，几乎没有什么设施。我们的第一项工作是团结那里忠诚的工人，努力尽快地开辟这块园地。主赐给我们接触人心的机会，并祝福我们拯救灵魂的努力。人们组织了教会，建造了会堂。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 3}
我们在工作中实行了最严格的节约，以便把现代真理的事业置于有利的地位。上帝不断地指示我们拓展新的领土。我们尽我们所能来听从这个指示。为了行走在照耀我们道路的亮光中，我为行走在照耀我们道路的亮光中而卷入了债务，因为工作的需要很紧迫，布道所库存的资金有限。我们不但不因这个局面灰心，反而竭力推展十字架的胜利。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 4}
被疏忽了的呼吁
我们若不是左右受阻，那里的工作就必加力十倍。我们需要钱的时候，不能像在美国经常做的那样去大教堂寻求帮助。主在夜间指示我呼吁美国的教会为大洋洲地区慷慨奉献。我们发出了呼吁，也有了一些回应。但我们并没有得到这块园地所需要的一切。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 5}
在夜间的异象中，主指示我说，美国的众教会已经准备好要帮助我们，但有几位负责弟兄说：“我们在国家需要这笔钱”。因此，本应给予的帮助被扣留了。如果那些劝阻的人知道新区的工人们是如何化很多的时间在上帝面前祷告，祈求获得帮助，以满足落在他们身上的责任的——那里几乎没有建筑，没有机构来表现我们工作的特色——他们就不会那么做了。.{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 6}
出版工作
进入澳大利亚以后不久，墨尔本的出版社就成立了。在我们之前的先驱者们承担了这个机构的沉重负担。主在他们前面开路。经过耐心和克己的努力，出版工作有了坚实的基础。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 7}
教育工作
我们到达新区不到一年，澳大利亚和新西兰的弟兄姐妹们尽管很贫困，仍与上帝所显明的旨意衷心合作，在墨尔本建立了圣经学校，培训希望预备自己为主服务的青年人。为了维持这所学校，我们做了多方面的牺牲。赫斯格长老提供的财政援助非常及时。学校的工作结果没有使我们失望{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 8}
一所澳大拉西亚综合学校最终在新南威尔士州永久建立。上帝指引我们来到科兰邦附近的一片土地，在悉尼以北大约75英里。在这里，这位伟大的老师指示我们建立一所模范学校，在这所学校里，学生们不仅有机会获得书本知识，而且还能得到各行各业和土地耕作方面的实际训练。远离城市生活的诱惑，阿文代尔基督教工人学校的学生将被给予各种鼓励，以发展身体和精神，以及精神。
一所大洋洲的普通学校终于在新南威尔士永久建立起来了。主将悉尼以北约75英里的一块位于库兰班的土地指示我们。大教师要我们在这里建立一所示范学校，让学生们有机会不仅获得文化知识，还能得到各门手艺和农叶方面的实际训练。埃文代尔基督工人学校的学生远离城市的各种诱惑，得到充分的鼓励发展体力、灵力和智力。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 9}
我们大洋洲学校的基础是在自我牺牲中奠定的。在埃文代尔，上帝的天使站在高尚的工人身边。我感谢上帝，在经济如此困难的时候，我们没有坐下来，叉起手来，不做任何前进的努力。我感谢祂使我们南非的朋友们在最需要的时候产生帮助我们的愿望。美国的一些朋友提供了若干必需的设备。我还放手使用我自己的资金来满足一些必要的学校工作。凡到我手里的，我都没有留下。这些都是属耶和华的，应慷慨地使用在祂的事工上。在经济危机时期，我借了几千美元的钱，开具了我个人的借条，把钱捐给了学校。在最初的日子，我们就这样在在库兰邦奋斗。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 10}
医疗布道工作
在埃文代尔学校建立后不久，我们在悉尼一所租来的房子里开设了治疗室。上帝非常赐福这个机构，它很快发展成一个小疗养院。通过它的影响，许多人接受了真理。有时由于一些家庭成员去疗养院治疗，整个家庭都开始守安息日。一位富有的宣教士在那里接受治疗时对真理产生了兴趣，很快就决定守安息日，并立即开始用自己的资金帮助圣工。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 11}
疗养院如果管理得当，就成了上帝所指定帮助生产者和消费者都接受真理的机构。在我们的医疗机构里，工作人员接受培训成为上帝的同工，执行伟大的医疗布道士的训诲。如果护士能摆正自己与疗养院的关系，他们就会培养起自觉性，说话体贴，乐于助人、行善不倦。他们真诚地希望帮助他人。他们的同情心发挥治疗的影响。每一个疗养院都应是基督可以居住的地方。祂生命治疗和恢复的影响弥漫每一个房间，帮助身心的康复。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 12}
遭遇的困难
上帝指示我们，与其留在城市里，不如在乡下有自己的房子，以开展疗养院的工作，为大洋洲园地培训护士。但我们似乎已经尽了最大的努力建立了其他的机构，占据未进入的领域。在这次危机中，主给了祂在美国的管家一个机会，与祂联合在澳大利亚建立一个疗养院，并使其正常运作。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 13}
已经向我们在美国最古老最强大的机构发出呼吁，要求在经济上协助在大洋洲建立姐妹机构。但他们却不知道该怎样行。他们负债累累，把钱化在可能引起法律纠纷的事上。因此本应提供的帮助受到了阻碍。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 14}
高尚的努力
1899年7月，在库兰邦举行的大洋洲联合会会议上，有人向与会的弟兄姐妹们提出，我们必须有一间设备齐全的疗养院;;虽然兴建教学楼、几个地方的会堂、埃文代尔保健修养所和埃文代尔出版社启动的开支造成了资金的短缺，仍有少数与会的人承诺向悉尼疗养院提供五千美元。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 15}
在那些慷慨承诺的人中，很少有人手头有资金。这笔钱得挣来攒去，过了几个月才收到很多钱。但我们鼓起勇气去寻找一个合适的地点，最终在离悉尼13英里的瓦隆加找到了一块大约70英亩的美丽土地。那是一个风景如画、很适合健康的地块。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 16}
赫斯格长老和欧文长老在出席了联合会会议之后回到美国。他们在许多地方发出了个人的呼吁，有些人对这些呼吁作出了热情的回应。从筹集到的资金中，向埃文代尔保健休养所、联合会、阿文代尔出版社、昆士兰和西澳大利亚布道所提供了帮助。一部分用来帮助购买疗养院的地皮。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 17}
凯洛格博士送了一份一千美元的个人礼物，并答应如果可能的话，一定从国际医疗传教士协会那里争取到五千美元。几个月后收到了这笔捐款。但有一段时间，疗养院的工程摆在我们面前，我们的地皮只付了一部分款，手头只有几百块钱可以买建筑材料。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 18}
“起来建造”
最后主的话临到，说我们起来建造的时候到了。悉尼疗养院的工程应该毫不拖延地进行下去。我们确信，尽管前景令人生畏，但主会鼓励我们凭信心行走。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 19}
建造悉尼疗养院的工程是巨大的。我回到美国之后，曾希望以个人名义发出强烈的募捐呼吁，帮助我们的弟兄们完成这座建筑。但我发现需要向美国的兄弟姐妹筹集巨款作为接济学校事业的基金。不久之后，他们又被要求竭尽全力缓解我们在斯堪的那维亚处于窘境的机构。帮助这些机构摆脱窘境在很大程度上依赖美国教会信徒的资源。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 20}
我没有停止祈祷，希望有资金完成在澳大利亚的医疗机构。我在几次大会上发出呼吁。但许多有需要的园地也在寻求帮助。主指示我呼吁我们大洋洲的弟兄姐妹们觉醒，团结起来帮助悉尼疗养院，尽其所能使这个机构尽快运转起来。主要求他们审时度势，虔诚祈祷，并在很大程度上依靠自己来完成建筑。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 21}
我们在大洋洲的同工们兴高采烈地热情回应。第二个十分之一拨出来增加建筑基金。人们奉献了许多礼物，包括金钱、劳力和材料，反映了他们说不尽的克己牺牲。负责工程监督的伯顿长老和他的家人，梅里特·h·凯洛格博士，克雷斯和其他人做出了巨大的个人牺牲，无私和不懈地工作，以完成建筑。有时当那些负责人绞尽脑汁，不知道如何获得推进工作所必需的资金，上帝便感动某人向该机构提供贷款，有时无息，有时利率很低。在极大的鼓舞下，工人们坚持不懈地工作，牺牲他们的收入，努力为建筑的使用做准备。主赐福给他们忠心的努力，给他们宝贵的经验。尽管有许多恼人的耽搁和障碍，主的旨意和道路还是在建造的过程中得以实现。奉献礼拜和正式开放是在1903年1月1日。 {Needs July 4, 1903, par. 22}
让我们为澳大利亚疗养院而感谢上帝!主多次指示我们这个机构的重要性和建立的必要性。祂会祝福那里的医生和工作人员，因为他们努力使这个机构实现祂的理想——一个拯救男人和女人的灵魂和身体的机构。. {Needs July 4, 1903, par. 23}
我们在大洋洲的兄弟姐妹们做得很好。他们以巨大的牺牲和繁重的劳动为代价建起了疗养院。耶和华看见了。祂了解情况。我们赞美祂把乐意的精神注入我们跨越广阔太平洋的同工心中，激励他们心甘情愿地响应对他们的呼吁。他们与上帝合作，乐此不疲地克己，从事真正的福音医疗布道工作。让我们因主借着祂子民同心协力所做的工作而赞美祂。让我们鼓励我们大洋洲的兄弟们继续在他们的园地里发动攻势。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 24}
我们目前的责任{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 25}
形势
悉尼疗养院既然已经建成并对病人开放，我们在美国的兄弟姐妹们就可能以为自己没有进一步的义务了。事实并非如此。在大洋洲还有一项大工要做。许多领域仍未进入。大洋洲联合会肩负着向太平洋许多岛屿传达信息的重任。在国内，有许多大城市等待着我们去开发。福音工作必须在悉尼和墨尔本展开。这些城市的大部分地区还从未进入。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 26}
此时必须作出积极的努力，向没有得到警告的地区宣扬第三位天使的信息。由于长期持续的干旱，澳大利亚陷入了严重的贫困。虽然我们不在现场，但在这种情况下，我们不敢对当地的需要保持沉默。即使在最有利的条件下，筹资全面装备疗养院，减少债务，以及在新区的前期工作，都需要所有的人作出巨大的牺牲。现在这么多人因干旱而损失惨重。多年前主第一次呼吁我们捐款建立悉尼疗养院的时候，我们还没有做。现在我们应该利用这个机会表现我们的慷慨。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 27}
7月4日安息日是指定为大洋洲捐款的日子。我在美国的兄弟姐妹们：我诚挚地请求你们在指定的时候尽你们最大的努力来满足我们姐妹园地的需要。让父母和孩子们联合起来捐款。让年老的和年轻的人都记住，在上帝的眼中他们都是孩子。在这个时候，他们要慷慨地回应这个呼吁，来显示他们对天父的顺服。这样做的人将得到上天最丰盛的祝福。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 28}
福音的荣耀
福音的荣耀所根据的原理，就是藉着时常显出善行，而在堕落人类的身上恢复原有的神圣形像。这种工作是在天庭开始的。上帝在天上决定给人类一个昭然无疑的证据，显明祂是怎样地爱他们。祂“爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生”(约3:16)。I{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 29}
上帝对世人动了慈心。父、子、圣灵就制订了救赎的计划。为了充分实现这个计划，便决定上帝的独生子基督要舍命作赎罪祭。什么方法能衡量这爱的深度呢?上帝使人不可能说祂原能做得更多。连同基督祂赐下了天庭一切的资源，以致在救拔人类的计划中，一无所缺。这就是爱——默想这爱应该使人心中充满难以言表的感激! {Needs July 4, 1903, par. 30}
人人都要参与
建立教会和疗养院只是上帝之爱进一步的表现，上帝的子民个个都应参加这项工作。基督在地上建立祂的教会，明显是为了藉着信徒们宣扬上帝的恩典。祂在全世界的子民要举起祂安息日的纪念碑，这是祂和祂子民之间的证据，表明祂是使他们成圣的那位。这样，他们就要表明自己已重新效忠并坚定支持祂律法的原则。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 31}
建立和管理疗养院，要使它们具有教育的性质。它们要向世人显明上天的仁爱。在疗养院里虽然肉眼看不到基督的临格，但工人们可以要求那应许：“我就与你们同在，直到世界的末了”(太28:20)。祂已向我们保证：祂要赐给那些敬爱祂的人能力，好继续祂在这个尘世开始的工作。祂周流四方行善事，教导无知的人，医治患病的人。祂的工作从未止于显示祂医治身体疾病的能力。祂使每一次医治的工作都成了一个机会，向人心传授祂仁爱慈悲的神圣原则。祂的跟从者们也要这样工作。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 32}
与天使联合
天上宇宙的居民被指派出去，与充当上帝援助之手的人类工具密切接触。在履行这个爱的使命时，天使与堕落的人类混在一起，为那些将要承受救恩的人效力。神圣的与人间的媒介联合起来从事在人类身上恢复上帝形像的工作。凡与上帝的性情有分的人都被上帝指定要与天使联合起来，以不倦的热心推进救赎计划。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 33}
行动呼吁
我们这班人岂不要觉悟自己的责任吗?我们岂不要趁着作工的门路依然敞开的时候，藉着奉献钱财推进这时候的圣工来表现我们对上帝和同胞的爱吗? {Needs July 4, 1903, par. 34}
基督之爱的原则要求采取行动。当这个呼吁临到你们时，但愿谁也不要密谋熄灭仁慈的火花，而要努力把它煽成一团强劲而稳定的火焰。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 35}
所有的钱都是主的，我们现在号召我们在美国的信徒联合起来，慷慨捐助我们的姐妹园地澳大利亚。但愿我们信徒的心中重新燃起髑髅地为堕落人类所显示的爱。要仰望荣耀的大君为犯罪的世界舍弃自己的生命。髑髅地用比我们所用更有力的语言说话。 “我为你我舍命，你舍什么给我?” {Needs July 4, 1903, par. 36}
要存着自我牺牲和舍己的精神团聚在髑髅地的十字架周围。你既站在十字架前，亲见天上的大君为你而死，你怎能紧闭心门说：“不，我没有什么可舍的”呢?你们若尽力而为，上帝就必赐福与你们。你们若来到施恩宝座前，发现自己是靠着从天上垂下救人脱离罪坑的金链，得与这宝座联在一起，你们就必向那些活在世上没有上帝、没有指望的弟兄姊妹发出爱心来。{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 37}
愿上帝帮助我们感觉到现在就是我们为主作工的时间和机会。当我们看到祂对我们所表现的爱时，我们的爱岂不要被唤醒和扩大，以致我们为上帝做什么都似乎不会太多吗?让我们有所作为而且现在就做吧。让我们从冷漠中觉醒，捕捉上帝之爱的灵感，前所未有地为主作工吧。 {Needs July 4, 1903, par. 38}
怀爱伦
THE NEEDS OF THE CAUSE IN AUSTRALASIA
4-Jul-03
The Needs of the Cause in Australasia
Sanitarium, Cal.
June 11, 1903.
My dear Brethren and Sisters in America,?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 1}
Again and again the Lord has presented before you the needs of the Australasian field. You know something of what has already been accomplished there in the different lines of work. You have been informed more or less fully in regard to the establishment of the institutions in that field. Many have sent of their means to help these institutions. Few, however, are familiar either with the self-sacrificing efforts that brought into existence the publishing-house, the school, and the sanitarium in Australia or with the present financial needs of the work.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 2}
A Missionary Field
I do not regret the years we spent in Australasia. I am glad that we went there, over ten years ago, in response to the urgent request of the General Conference. We found ourselves on missionary soil, in a land where there were but few Sabbath-keepers, and scarcely any facilities. We made it our first work to unite with the faithful laborers there in an effort to open the field as rapidly as possible. The Lord gave us access to the hearts of the people, and blessed our efforts to save souls. Churches were organized, and meeting-houses were built.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 3}
In our work we practiced the strictest economy, in order that we might place the cause of present truth on vantage ground. Constantly the Lord instructed us to add new territory. We did all we could to heed this instruction. I involved myself in debt, in order to walk in the light shining upon our pathway; for the demands of the work were urgent, and the funds in the mission treasury were limited. Instead of being discouraged at the outlook, we endeavored to extend the triumphs of the cross.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 4}
Neglected Appeals
If we had not been hindered on the right hand and on the left, the work there would have been pushed forward with tenfold greater strength than it was. When in need of means, we could not visit large churches to appeal for help, as we had done so often in America. In the night season, the Lord instructed me to call upon the churches in America to make liberal contributions for the Australasian field. We sent appeals, and some responses were made to these calls. However, we did not receive all that the needs of the field demanded.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 5}
In the visions of the night, the Lord revealed to me that the churches in America were ready to help, but that some of the brethren in positions of responsibility were speaking words of caution, saying, “We shall need this money in this country.” Thus the help that would have been given was withheld. If those who spoke the words of caution had known how the workers in new fields,—fields where there were almost no buildings, no institutions, to give character to our work,—had spent hours in earnest prayer before God, asking for help to meet the responsibilities coming upon them, they would not have spoken as they did.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 6}
The Publishing Work
The publishing house in Melbourne was established soon after Australasia was entered. The pioneers who preceded us bore heavy burdens in connection with this institution. The Lord went before them, opening the way. By patient, self-denying effort, the publishing work was placed upon a firm basis.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 7}
The Educational Work
Less than a year after we arrived in our new field, the brethren and sisters in Australia and New Zealand, notwithstanding their deep poverty, co-operated heartily with the Lord’s opening providences, by establishing in Melbourne a Bible school for the training of the youth who desired to prepare themselves for the Master’s service. In order to maintain this school we sacrificed in many ways. The financial assistance rendered by Elder Haskell was very timely. The results of the work of the school did not disappoint our expectations.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 8}
A general school for Australasia was finally established permanently in New South Wales. The Lord directed us to a tract of land near Cooranbong, about seventy-five miles north of Sydney. Here we were instructed by the Great Teacher to establish a model school,—a school in which students would be given an opportunity to gain not only book-learning, but practical training in the various trades and in the cultivation of the soil. Removed far from the temptations of city life, the students of the Avondale School for Christian Workers were to be given every encouragement to develop physically and spiritually, as well as mentally.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 9}
The foundations of our Australasian school were laid in self-sacrifice. Angels of God stood by the noble workers at Avondale. I thank the Lord that at the time when there was so great a dearth of means, we did not sit down and fold our hands, making no effort to advance. I thank Him for putting into the hearts of our friends in South Africa a desire to help us in a time of great need. Some friends in America advanced funds to provide a few needed facilities. I freely used of my own means to meet some of the many necessities of the school work. Of all that came into my hands, that I could call my own, I withheld nothing. It was all the Lord’s, and was freely spent in His service. In times of crisis, I borrowed money, to the amount of several thousand dollars, giving my personal note, and advancing the means to the school. Thus we struggled in the early days at Cooranbong.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 10}
The Medical Missionary Work
Soon after the Avondale School was established, treatment-rooms were opened in Sydney, in a rented dwelling house. The Lord greatly blessed this institution, which soon developed into a small sanitarium. Through its influence many souls accepted the truth. In some instances whole families began to keep the Sabbath through the visits of some of the members to the Sanitarium for treatment. A wealthy clergyman while there for treatment, became interested in the truth, soon decided to keep the Sabbath, and at once began to help the work with his means.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 11}
Sanitariums, properly conducted, are divinely-appointed agencies that will bring into the truth those who will be producers as well as consumers. In our medical institutions the helpers are trained to be laborers together with God, to carry out the teachings of the great Medical Missionary. If the nurses place themselves in right relation to the sanitarium work, there is developed in them self-forgetfulness, thoughtfulness in speech, helpfulness in service, patient continuance in well-doing. Their earnest desire to help others carries with it a sympathy that is healing in its influence. Every sanitarium should be a place in which Christ can abide, the healing, restoring influence of His life pervading every room, for the restoration of soul and body.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 12}
Difficulties Encountered
The Lord instructed us that instead of remaining in the city, we should have buildings of our own, in the country, in which to carry on sanitarium work, and to train nurses for the Australasian field. But we had given to the utmost of our ability, it seemed, to establish the other institutions, and to occupy unentered fields. In this crisis the Lord gave to His stewards in America the opportunity to unite with Him in establishing a sanitarium in Australia, and placing it in working order.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 13}
Appeals were made to our oldest and strongest institutions in America, to assist financially in the establishment of sister institutions in Australasia. But they did not see how they could do this. They were heavily in debt, and to give of their means might cause legal difficulties. So the help that should have been sent was hindered.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 14}
A Noble Effort
At a meeting of the Australasian Union Conference, held at Cooranbong in July, 1899, the necessity of our having a properly equipped Sanitarium was presented to the brethren and sisters assembled; and notwithstanding the scarcity of funds caused by the expenditure of large sums in the erection of the school buildings, meeting-houses in several places, and the Avondale Health Retreat, and in the starting of the Avondale Press, the small company present at this meeting pledged to the Sydney Sanitarium enterprise nearly five thousand dollars.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 15}
Very few of those who pledged so liberally had the means at hand. It had to be earned and saved, and several months passed before much was received. But we took courage to look for a suitable location, and in time found a beautiful tract of about seventy acres at Wahroonga, thirteen miles from Sydney, in a very picturesque and healthful district.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 16}
On their return to America after the Union Conference, Elders Haskell and Irwin made personal appeals in many places, and to these appeals some responded heartily. From the funds thus raised, timely help was rendered to the Avondale Health Retreat, the Union Conference, the Avondale Press, and the Queensland, and Western Australian Missions. And a portion was used to help in the purchase of the Sanitarium site.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 17}
Dr. J. H. Kellogg had sent a personal gift of a thousand dollars, and promised to secure, if possible, a gift of five thousand dollars from the International Medical Missionary Association. Several months later this was received. But for some time the Sanitarium enterprise stood before us, with our land but partly paid for, and with but a few hundred dollars in sight with which to purchase building material.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 18}
“Arise, and Build”
Finally the word of the Lord came that the time had arrived for us to arise, and build; that the work on the Sydney Sanitarium should go forward without further delay. We were assured that notwithstanding the forbidding outlook, the Lord would strengthen us to walk by faith.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 19}
The effort to build the Sydney Sanitarium has been a tremendous one. Upon my return to America, I hoped to make strong personal appeals for means to assist our brethren in completing this building. But I found that the brethren and sisters in America had been drawn upon heavily to raise a material fund for the Relief of the Schools enterprise. A little later they were called upon to strain every nerve to relieve our institutions in Scandinavia, which were in a pitiable condition. The effort to lift these institutions out of their embarrassment drew heavily on the resources of the church members in America.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 20}
I ceased not to pray that means might come from some source for the completion of the medical institution in Australia. I made appeals at several general meetings. But many needy fields were calling for help. The Lord instructed me to call upon our brethren and sisters in Australasia to awake, and rally to the help of the Sydney Sanitarium, doing all in their power to set this institution in operation as soon as possible. They were asked to study the situation carefully and prayerfully, and to depend largely upon themselves to complete the building.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 21}
Our fellow laborers in Australasia responded cheerfully and heartily. The second tithe was set apart to increase the building fund. Many gifts of money, labor, and material, representing untold self-denial, were made. Those who were connected closely with the supervision of the work.—Elder Burden and his family, Dr. Merritt H. Kellogg, the Drs. Kress, and others,—made great personal sacrifices, working unselfishly and untiringly to complete the structure. At times when those in charge were put to their wits’ end to know how to obtain the means necessary for the advancement of the work, the Lord moved upon some one to make a loan to the institution, sometimes without interest, and sometimes at a low rate. Greatly encouraged, the workers would persevere, sacrificing their earnings, and striving to prepare the building for occupancy. The Lord richly blessed their faithful efforts, and gave them a precious experience. In spite of vexatious delays and hindrances, the will and way of the Lord was carried out in the completion of the building. The dedicatory services and formal opening took place January 1, 1903.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 22}
Let us thank God for our Sanitarium in Australia! The Lord has repeatedly given instruction regarding the importance of this institution, and the necessity for its establishment. He will bless the physicians and helpers there, as they strive to make the institution what He desires it to be,—an agency for saving the souls as well as the bodies of men and women.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 23}
Our brethren and sisters in Australasia have done nobly. At the cost of great sacrifice and much taxing labor their Sanitarium has been erected. The Lord sees; He understands the situation. We praise Him for the willing spirit that He put into the hearts of our fellow workers across the broad Pacific, inspiring them to respond willingly, gladly, without murmuring, to the appeals made to them. In co-operating with God, cheerfully doing their work with self-denial, they have been engaged in true gospel medical missionary work. Let us praise the Lord for what He hath wrought through the united efforts of His people. Let us encourage our Australasian brethren to continue to wage an aggressive warfare in their field.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 24}
Our Duty, in View of the Present?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 25}
Situation
The Sydney Sanitarium having been completed and opened for patients, our brethren and sisters in America may conclude that no further obligation rests upon them. Such is not the case. A great work remains to be done in Australasia. Many fields there are still unentered. Upon the Australasian Union Conference there rests the burden of carrying the message to many of the islands of the Pacific. And in the home field there are great cities to be worked. Evangelistic efforts must be put forth in Sydney and Melbourne. Large portions of these cities have never been entered.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 26}
In this time, when aggressive efforts must be made to proclaim the third angel’s message in the unwarned portions of the field, deep poverty has come upon Australia, because of the long-continued drought. Although we are not there on the ground, we dare not, under these circumstances, keep silent in regard to the needs of the field. Even under the most favorable conditions, the burden of raising means to equip fully the Sanitarium, and the effort to decrease the indebtedness, in addition to the advance work to be done in new fields, would have called for much sacrifice on the part of all. Now that so many have lost heavily on account of the drought, we who came short of doing what we ought to have done years ago, when the Lord first called upon us to send means there for the establishment of the Sydney Sanitarium, should improve this opportunity to show our liberality.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 27}
Sabbath, July 4, has been set apart as the day when an offering for Australasia shall be taken. My brethren and sisters in America, I plead with all earnestness that at the appointed time you shall do your best to help meet the necessities in our sister field. Let parents and children unitedly give of their means. Let old and young remember that in God’s sight they are all little children, and that at this time they are to reveal their obedience to their heavenly Father by giving freely in answer to this call. Upon, those who do this, will rest heaven’s richest blessings.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 28}
The Glory of the Gospel
It is the glory of the gospel that it is founded upon the principle of restoring in the fallen race the divine image by a constant manifestation of benevolence. This work began in the heavenly courts. There God decided to give human beings an unmistakable evidence of the love with which He regarded them. He “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 29}
The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption. In order fully to carry out this plan, it was decided that Christ, the only begotten Son of God, should give Himself an offering for sin. What line can measure the depth of this love? God would make it impossible for man to say that He could have done more. When He gave Christ, He gave all the resources of heaven, that nothing might be wanting in the plan for man’s uplifting. Here is love—the contemplation of which should fill the soul with inexpressible gratitude!?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 30}
All Should Have a Part
The establishment of churches and sanitariums is but a further manifestation of the love of God, and in this work all God’s people should have a part. Christ formed His church here below for the express purpose of showing forth through its members the grace of God. Throughout the world His people are to raise memorials of His Sabbath,—the sign between Him and them that He is the One who sanctifies them. Thus they are to show that they have returned to their loyalty, and stand firm for the principles of His law.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 31}
Sanitariums are to be so established and conducted that they will be educational in character. They are to show forth to the world the benevolence of heaven, and though Christ’s visible presence is not discerned in the building, yet the workers may claim the promise, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” He has assured us that to those who love and fear Him, He will give power to continue the work He began on this earth. He went about doing good, teaching the ignorant and healing the sick. And His work never stopped with an exhibition of His power to heal physical disease. He made each work of healing an occasion of implanting in the heart the divine principles of His love and benevolence. Thus His followers are to work.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 32}
Uniting With the Angels
The inhabitants of the heavenly universe are appointed to go forth, and come into close touch with human instrumentalities who act as God’s helping hand. In the performance of this mission of love, angels mingle with the fallen race, ministering to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Divine and human agencies unite in the work of restoring the image of God in man. All who partake of the divine nature are appointed of God to unite with the angels in carrying forward with untiring zeal the plan of redemption.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 33}
A Call to Action
Shall we not as a people awaken to our responsibility? Shall we not manifest our love for God and our fellow men by giving of our means to carry forward the work for this time, while the way is still open for work to be done??{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 34}
The principles of Christ’s love demand action. When this appeal shall come to you, let no one conspire to quench the spark of benevolence; let every one strive to fan it to a strong, steady flame.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 35}
All the money is the Lord’s, and we now call upon our people in America to unite in making liberal gifts to our sister field, Australia. Let there be in the hearts of our people a revival of the love shown on Calvary for fallen humanity. Behold the King of glory giving His life for a sinful world. Calvary speaks in language more forcible than any I can use. “I gave My life for thee; what hast thou given for Me?”?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 36}
Meet around the cross of Calvary in self-sacrifice and self-denial. As you stand before the cross, and see the royal Prince of heaven dying for you, can you seal your heart, saying, “No; I have nothing to give”? God will bless you as you do your best. As you approach the throne of grace, as you find yourself bound to this throne by the golden chain let down from heaven to earth to draw men from the pit of sin, your heart will go out in love for your brethren and sisters who are without God and without hope in the world.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 37}
God help us to feel that now, just now, is our time and opportunity to work for the Master. As we see the love that has been shown for us, shall not our love be awakened and enlarged, so that nothing will seem too much for us to do for God? Let us do something and do it now. Let us arouse from our apathy, and, catching the inspiration of God’s love, work as never before for the Master.?{Needs July 4, 1903, par. 38}
Ellen G. White.
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