~AIISTRALASIAN RECORD
I { [HHH
SOUTH NEW ZEALAND
PRESIDENT: H. E. PIPER
SECRETARY : A, S, HERBERT
HHTHINHTH EARTH =
HEIR EI
FHITIHE
[THE
Church Dedication
SOME one has said that the immediately
possible is not worth striving for, but that
the ideal that kindles enthusiasm, and
gives inspiration to all human endeavour,
is the praiseworthy thing.
For a long time the company here at
Dunedin held just such an ideal. The
thought of this city, the fourth largest in
the Dominion, being without a church
building, and so dividing a chain of
churches that extends from Auckland to
Invercargill, has proved an inspiration to
attempt the seemingly impossible~-that of
forging a link that would make a con-
nection sure. In this work enthusiasm,
that “zeal that prompts to the ardent pur-
suit of laudable objects,” has made * the
fiery flame of adversity” to be but an
agent for the accomplishment of its task.
To-day the ideal stands materialised.
As we look over the newly dedicated
structure, and remember the obstacles
that have been met and surmounted, we
thank God for His leadings, and look for-
ward to the time when we all as workers
shall sit down in fellowship with Him.
D. SIBLEY.
Sydney Sanitarium
FOR many months our workers have
been labouring and praying earnestly for
two ladies who have been at the Sani-
tarium several times. Each stay here
gave fresh opportunities of approach on
spiritual themes, and in both cases the
last stay here brought them to the point
where they were glad to have Bible studies.
Then they left us——still not having made
definite decisions.
At the recent camp-meeting at Concord
Park, both of these good
sisters took a definite stand
for God and for His mes-
sage for to-day. One, fol-
lowing the patient and
prayerful efforts of Miss
Osmond, our Bible work-
er, decided to camp on the
ground, This meeting
was to her a revelation
and a feast, and at its
close she went on her way
rejoicing. She is now
earnestly seeking to win
others.
The other lady provi-
dentially returned to the
San for a brief stay, dur-
ing the camp-meeting.
Nurse Brumby has been
regularly corresponding
with her and sending the
Signs, since her last visit.
The seed had been falling
New Church, Dunedin
In the heart of the city there is a solidly
built brick church with an over-all meas-
urement of 27 x 70 feet, and a seating
capacity of more than 150. The building
is beautifully finished, both within and
without, and with the land has cost £2000,
£300 of this being on loan from the
ACA. Ltd
The day of the dedication, of course,
was a very happy one. Many friends and
visiting brethren joined us for the occasion.
The dedicatory sermon was preached
by Pastor H. E. Piper, the retiring presi-
dent, who took for his text the passage
found in Genesis 28:17, where Jacob is
recorded as saying that God's presence
had made his stony resting place “the
house of God and the gate of heaven.”
After emphasising that only the presence
of the Holy One .could make the new
church a gateway to heaven, the speaker
invited the congregation to join in asking
the Lord to make this building just such
a place to all who worship within its
walls, Co
into good ground, and
now all that was needed
was an invitation to ac-
company a party of nurses
to the Sabbath service, to complete the
germinating process. This good soul,
who is alone in her search for truth in a
Roman Catholic district where religion is
little thought of, has taken a fearless stand
for God. Qur canvassers had reached
her with “Daniel and the Revelation” and
“The Great Controversy” some years
ago. The books, however, were kept as
ornaments and remained practically un-
read, She has returned home with full
determination to read them carefully.
We had opportunity of giving her some
further studies, of which she has taken
notes, before she left us again. We hope
by correspondence to help her to become
fully established in the faith,
Obituary
“ What must I do to become one of you
people; for I want to die a Seventh-day
Adventist?” This was the question of a
dear old Christian who has come to the
San on many occasions through the years,
“Vou all seem so happy and peaceful, anu
every one is so kind to me, that I feel you
have something that I do not possess.”
This led to her securing a good-print
Bible and beginning to study some of its
truths hitherto not understood. She soon
desired baptism, and we had plans in mind
for the ordinance to be administered,
when her sickness developed more seri-
ously and made it impossible for us to
proceed further. )
She died happy in the Lord, resigned
to His will, and in sure hope of the life to
come. Her relatives in appreciation of
what the San had done for her requested
us to conduct the funeral service at the
Crematorium the following day. There
was a large attendance of relatives and
friends, whom we were glad to comfort
with the thought of her certain and sure
hope of arising with * those that sleep in
Jesus,”
Convicted by ¢“Christ’s Object
: Lessons *’
Recently a lady patient came to me and
asked whether we had a book named
Christ’s Object Lessons.” On inquiring
of her what led to her asking, we found
that she had the day before received a
letter from a friend of hers in North
Queensland. The letter expressed pleas.
ute in the knowledge that the lady was at
the San, and then related the fact that the
writer had been converted by read.
ing a Seventh-day Adventist book called
“Christ’s Object Lessons.” Some one
sold it to her, and perhaps has forgotten
the sale, and little dreams of the work it
has accomplished. I handed the lady a
copy of the book, opening it at the chap-
ter, “ This Man Receiveth Sinners,” which,
it was suggested, might be the chapter
which her friend had found so helpful.
This occurred only two days before she
left. She read portion of the book, and
when returning it expressed her deter-
mination to secure a copy, for she had en-
joyed the portion read.
Thus we form a link in the great gospel
chain—* a golden chain, the mercy and
compassion of divine love,” which it is
God’s purpose should be * passed around
every imperilled soul.”
C. H. PRETYMAN.
———
“Indispensable ”
A LAY brother in Queensland, writing
to ask that his subscription be renewed
without missing any copies, says this of
our church paper: “The AUSTRALASIAN
RECORD is indispensable to the believer in
acquainting him with the movements of
the various members of the family of God,
and imparting encouragement through the
evidence of God's wonderful work for man-
kind through the message for this time.
Also the counsel and warnings given are
what we need, ‘lest at any time your
hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so
that day come upon you unawares.’ Luke
21: 34.”
We appreciate our brother’s remarks.
There are some things that are in-
dispensable in these days of financial
stress, and we would encourage all to put
in this list those things which give spiritual
help to themselves and others.
We would remind our readers that
many subscriptions are falling due just