A Letter from Sister White

AU.1900-11-01.001

Steamer Moana, Sept. 6, 1900 . Dear Friends in Australasia:- If everything is favourable we shall arrive in Samoa about seven o’clock Friday morning. We have had a very smooth sea. It has been a little rough, but not bad. The Lord has been watching over us all the way. He has been preparing the way for us. If the future stages of our journey are to be as prosperous as the past, I shall be so glad, for I do not want to be all worn out when the journey is completed.

AU.1900-11-01.002

We feel deeply our need of God and our need of wisdom. We believe; and the faith that works by love purifies the soul. I do not wish to devote time to writing of the objectionable part of our journey. We have no time for that. God is good. He is full of loving kindness and tender mercy, and I praise Him because He is good. My heart is drawn out after God. He is of tender kindness alway. Now let us be like Jesus, and it will save us much trouble. Let everything be done in order and harmony, and this can only be where self is hid with Christ in God. This fact must be established, that every faculty is to be cultivated and brought into most earnest exercise, and then we shall increase our talents by using them. May God help His people to learn of Him meekness and lowliness of heart.

AU.1900-11-01.003

My heart is with you in Australia. As I looked into the memorial you gave me (the autograph album) I felt to thank you with much pleasure. It is a beautiful reminder of my friends, and it came so unexpectedly. I appreciate it more than anything else they could have given me. It is so beautifully gotten up, there is such a variety, and it exhibits so much skill and taste and beauty. I have not looked through mine yet and have still considerable before me. May the Lord bless those who have had a chance to give expression to their feelings, and I know there are many dear souls who would have said something but they lacked opportunity. The matter is so arranged that many have expressed themselves as whole churches. I cannot express to you how much this memorial has been appreciated. I thank all who have so freely bound up their hearts with my heart. I receive your words of appreciation of our labours with a heart filled with tenderness and love. May the Lord abundantly bless you all. I love you all in Christ Jesus. Let nothing come between us to separate our hearts; but may they blend in sweet harmony and Christian fellowship.

AU.1900-11-01.004

We are all of good courage in the Lord. Ella commenced to have a school for her twin brothers, other children joined, and now there is quite a school. Brother Leonard Paap takes the older children, and Ella the younger ones. I think this movement will work out well and it will leave a good impression on minds. Those in the second cabin have singing quite often, and this will leave an impression on minds. One of the officers asked them to sing «Abide with me,» and said it was his favourite hymn.

AU.1900-11-01.005

Two of the passengers leave the boat at Samoa. The lady saw Desire of Ages , and expressed her admiration for the book so I made her a present of it, and also gave her the little book Christian Education . She said when she took it up she could not lay it down, and she never saw words in print so enlightening and so beneficial. Her husband has been reading Desire of Ages , and he says it is a wonderful book, and both seem very thankful for the books. They expected to leave Samoa to go to other islands. We mean to sow beside all waters. Some fruit may come of the seed sown. I prayed that the Lord would open the way that I might find some one interested in Desire of Ages . This opportunity soon came and it will keep me in touch with these island workers.

AU.1900-11-01.006

May the blessing of the Lord rest upon you all, and draw all our hearts together in the closest bonds of unity and love in Christ Jesus. This is my daily prayer. E. G. White. —