It was on this same occasion of the opening of the Australasian Bible School, which afterward developed into the Australasian Missionary College, that Mrs. White said:
(LS 338.1)
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“The missionary work in Australia and New Zealand is yet in its infancy, but the same work must be accomplished in Australia, New Zealand, in Africa, India, China, and the islands of the sea, as has been accomplished in the home field.” —Bible Echo, Supplement, September 1, 1892.
(LS 338.2)
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The suffering from neuritis which began in January, continued till the following November. Very faithful and vigorous treatment for checking the disease was given her by her nurse and secretaries; but during the winter months the ailment made steady advance. Still she continued her writing. Propped up in bed, she wrote letters to friends, testimonies to leading workers in the cause, and many chapters for “The Desire of Ages.”
(LS 338.3)
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As spring approached, there was some improvement; and in October she decided to try the drier climate of Adelaide, South Australia. There she spent six weeks, with beneficial results.
(LS 338.4)
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In a letter written from Melbourne December 23, 1892, to the brethren assembled in General Conference, Mrs. White reviewed her experience during this long sickness, as follows:
(LS 338.5)
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“I am rejoiced to report to you the goodness, the mercy, and the blessing of the Lord bestowed upon me. I am still compassed with infirmities, but I am improving. The great Restorer is working in my behalf, and I praise His holy name. My limbs are gaining in strength, and although I suffer pain, it is not nearly as severe as it has been during the past ten months. I am now so far restored that by taking hold of the balusters I can walk up and down stairs without assistance. All through my long affliction I have been most signally blessed of God. In the most severe conflicts with intense pain, I realized the assurance, ‘My grace is sufficient for you.’ At times when it seemed that I could not endure the pain, when unable to sleep, I looked to Jesus by faith, and His presence was with me, every shade of darkness rolled away, a hollowed light enshrouded me, the very room was filled with the light of His divine presence.”
(LS 338.6)
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One day she reviewed the rise and progress of the denominational publishing work. She urged that the brethren in Australia put forth their best efforts to develop into strong laborers in this and every other line of Christian endeavor.
(LS 341.1)
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At the close of the Australian Conference, Mrs. White decided to undertake the long deferred visit to New Zealand. She was accompanied by Emily Campbell, who assisted her both as secretary and as nurse. Her son, W. C. White, and Elder and Mrs. Starr were also with her during much of the time.
(LS 341.2)
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Arriving in Auckland February 8, they were met by Elder M. C. Israel, and conducted to a furnished cottage which the Auckland church had placed at their disposal.
(LS 341.3)
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During the twelve days spent in earnest labor for the Auckland church, Mrs. White spoke eight times. After this she spent three weeks with the brethren and sisters in Kaeo, the oldest Seventh-day Adventist church in New Zealand. Here she found a number of promising young people, for whom she labored earnestly.
(LS 341.4)
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Both in Auckland and in Kaeo Mrs. White urged the brethren and sisters to go with their families to the annual conference which was to be held the last of March, in Napier. This conference was to be a camp meeting, the first undertaken by Seventh-day Adventists south of the equator. Regarding this experience she wrote:
(LS 341.5)
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“We felt that this first camp meeting must be, as far as possible, a sample of what every other camp meeting held in the future ought to be. Over and over again I said to the people: ‘See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.’Hebrews 8:5.... Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.’Matthew 5:48.”
(LS 341.6)
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But regarding this proposed camp meeting it seemed impossible to arouse much enthusiasm. Logging camps, and groups of tents for road builders, were well-known institutions, not much to be desired; but a comfortable camp for a company of people gathered to worship God, was an entirely new thing for New Zealand.
(LS 342.1)
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On account of the financial depression, it was unusually difficult for many to attend. Up to the beginning of the meeting, there was little promise that more than thirty would be encamped on the grounds. For that number tents were provided. But just as the meeting was opening, the people from the different churches came in, unannounced, until there were twice as many as had been expected. During the last week of the meeting there were eighteen tents in the encampment, occupied by fifty-three persons. Many others occupied rooms near by. These, with the membership of the Napier church, made a good sized congregation during the day. Every evening the large tent was well filled.
(LS 342.2)
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As the meeting progressed, the camp meeting plan was heartily approved, and it was voted that the next annual conference be held in camp. Resolutions were adopted endorsing the Australasian Bible School, and funds were contributed,—five hundred dollars for the furniture, and four hundred dollars as a students’ aid fund. Two hundred and seventy dollars was subscribed as a camp meeting fund.
(LS 342.3)
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