our aim : a monthly record of the aborigines' inland ... · sent mrs. burgess a very nice...

n 11 TO the front! Your place is there.

In the conflict men are'wanted, 11 I nt !

Y Nen of hope, and faith, and prayer ; Selfish ends shall claim no right From the battle's post to take us, Fear shall vanish in the fight, 1

n

I1 To the front! No more delaying, Wounded spirits need your care ; To the front! thy Lord obeying, Stoop to help the dying there : Broken hearts and blighted hopes, Slaves of sin and degradation, Wait for thee, in love to bring Holy peace and liberation,

Ill 111

II I I ---- ---.--

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a OUR A I M November 2 1 , 1912.

The Church of the Living Lord is truly arising from its long apathy in regard to the Aborigines oi Australia.

;Never before has such an intelligent grasp ol‘ the problem been taken by leaders of missionary enterprise. A brighter day for our too long neglected natives is about to dawn. IVe, with others, who have toiled on for many years rejoice to see this day. Our desire now is by God’s grace to encourage and foster the awakening iorces by SJ mpathy and ptrayer and service. God, b j His Holy Spirit, hath done this thing. May we, ex-eryone, arise and gird ourselves and fulfil His Word, “My people shall be willing in the days of My power.”

IYorkers and sympathisers \vi11 be cheered to learn that the “Aborigines and Asiatics in Aus- tralia” was the subject of the Annual Conference 01 the Laymen’s hlissionary hlovement of Vic- tc-sria, which was recently held in Melbourne.

A survey of the present conditions was taken under the following heads :-

(a) The Problem Stated, hlr. R. Hecltett. (b) IVhat is Being Done, Rev. J. C. Jennison. (c) hIethods Examined, Dr. ’IV. Warren. The subject for the evening session was : “The

Relation of the Laymen’s Alissionnry Movement to hlissioiis, to Aborigines and Asiatics in Aus- tralia. ”

Captain Jenkins opened the subject by speaking of “Our Obligation to Study the Problem.” The next section, “Allotment of Spheres-How to Compass the IVork,” was introduced by Rev. F. €3. L. Paton, hI.A., B.L.

“Industrial Settlement and Trade Conditions” were brought forward by Re\-. E. R. Ebbs, while t > Mr. \V. A. Sanderson vms allotted the last phase of the subject, “Government Action-Politi- cal and RIunicipal. ”

The members of the conference thoroughly and enthusiastically considered the various phases of the important questions laid before them(, and quickened interest in Aboriginal missi’ons is the inevitable result.

Side by side with the fact of this conference and its important consideration of the Aborigines, we find another encograging development. The Council of the Churches in Victoria have for some time been considering ways and means as to what can be done in the matter of reaching the yet re- maining Aborigines and the Asiatics within our borders, and are now completing a scheme which

they trust will meet with the approval of the churches and result in the field being manned and the gospel preached ere the natives die out.

Another cause for gratitude was the oppor- tunity given in connection with the Chapman- Alexander mission held in Uailarat a t the close of October. A missionary meeting was arranged and held in St. Andrew’s Kirk. Dr. Chapman chaired the meeting, and in a very warm and sympathetic manner introduced each speaker. Mr. 1’. B. Davis, of the Pocket Testament League, was the first gentleman to address the meeting, and truly God’s people were stirred as they lis. tened to the wonderful story of the triumphs oi the gospel in Korea, and of the devotion and loyalty of the Koreans to the Lord Jesus. To Mr. Long was given the privilege of telling what the same blessed story has wrought in and for the natives of Australia, who have come under the influence of the preaching of the cross. At the same time he presented to God’s people the need of the 80,000 unreached Aborigines of the Com- monwealth. IVe have every reason to believe that a great many. present will think more of the heathen at their door, and will endeavour to take some part in sending them the Light to lighten their darkness.

Then, directly in connection with our own de- putation work still proceeding in Vktoria , we have every reason to rejoice, for God has by His Spirit, thmugh His servants, spoken to m,any hearts, who have never before given the Aborigine a thought. In Geelong, a t Ballarat and around Melbourne, the open doors presented are proving td be effectual. With all these facts before us, we thank God and take courage.

A.I.M. PRAYER BAND. NEST PRAYER DAY: XOVEMBER 28.

NO\’EhIBER TOPIC FOR PRAYER : KARUAH.

Prayer cards and letters supplied on application to Miss M. Stewart, A. I. ill., Karuah, N. S.W.

Prayer members enrolled.

Men may misjudge thy aim, Think they have cause for blame;

Say thou are wrong-! Hold on thy quiet way; Christ is the judge-not they,

Fear not! Be strong!

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November 21, 1912. OUR

+betpets AIM.

at lbonze, Some very helpful gifts have been received

lately, for which the workers are very grateful.. Through a sister in the South, the Lord has

sent Mrs. Burgess a very nice sewing machine, which is very useful in a place like Herberton, where the natives need help in the way of clothing so sorely.

Walcha workers are rejoicing over the gift of a stove, and the Bathurst Baptist Endeavourers are sending a Zither harp for our sisters’ use in the meetings on this station.

We have also the pleasure of forwarding a folding organ and a light, strong organ stool to Karuah.

This latter gift has given us great joy, as it is from all sides a very definite answer to prayer. The dear saint of God who has given it has long passed the allotted span of life, and was a most helpful friend in the earliest days of our work amongst the Aborigines. In answer to her prayer for guidance as to what she would do with the organ, one night the Lord said, “Send it to the Aborigines.” The Lord led her into touch again with us, and we told her the story of Icaruah Church. The Karuah people, away at the other end, were praying foyan organ, and we were desiring and praying, that as a little encouragement for all their self-denial and service, the mission might be able to present them with one. The Lord heard each petition and in His own beautiful way dovetailed the whole, and gave each sup- pliant tbe joy of answered prayer.

The Belmont C.E. Society, near Geelong, Vie- toria, have b’egun to give a monthly offering towards the rent of the house for the missionaries at Herberton, and the first donztion has reached us. The young women have instituted a sewing meeting to assist in their purpose. The secretary became interested through hearing Mr. Long’s address to the executive meeting of the C.E. Vnion, Geelong. .

Kogarah hlethodist juniors have made us feel for many years that they heartily desire to forward the work amongst the Aborigines, and now they have proposed to help some little Aborigi- nal boy on one of our stations grow up for Jesus, by assisting in his support, and praying that he may be led to devote his life to preaching the gospel to his countrymen.

Some d?ar children a t Wiseman’s Ferry, Hawkesbury River, N.S.W., who have lately been saved by the grace of God, are sending p x k e t s of Sunday school cards and literature for use in the Sunday schools on the mission stations.

We are much encouraged as a mission by the increased support accorded us in so many helpful ways by old friends and new, and now we hear of further service in view of Christmas. -

3

The friends at Double Bay have despatched their annual Christmas parcel to Herberton this year. I t was ready earlier this year on account of the Rev. and Mrs. Michael Smith resigning the charge of the Double Bay Presbyterian Church.

A Women’s Prayer and Missionary Llnion has been formed at Parramattta, and their first piece of service entered upon is the preparation of a Christmas box for the A.I.RI.

Bathurst Baptist Y. P. S.C. E. have been some time working to fill a box for Moonahcullah, and have proclaimed the month of November in their society a s a period of self-denial, the moneys thus saved to go towards the freight or the contents of the box.

The children of our IValcha Rlission have been busily engaged for some time in making IOO lolly bags to brighten Christmas for their dear little countrymen in Xorth Queensland. W H E N THQU SEEST THE NAKED THAT

THOU COVER HIM. A letter from Herberton dated October 31 closes

with this simple statement of the destitution of the poor bush blacks, who have lately come into Herberton, because they were starving, their nstive foods being all dried up.

“The people about us are in an awful state of rags and nakedness. One naked woman appeal- ing to us last night possessed only one garment, an old shirt-a man’s.’’

Can we not imagine how our missionary’s heart aches at such sights, and how they yearn to fulfil the words of the Lord’s chosen past for His p:ople described in Isaiah, 58-7? There are many, we feel sure, ready to strengthen the mission’s hands in this way.

?‘he A.U.S.N. Co. convey parcels and bales of left-cfl-clothing from any port, free of charge, to Cairns, the nearest seaport to Herberton for the A. I. hl .

Any desiring to forward gifts from their own wardrobes or those of their friends, left-off cloth- i n g suitable for these poor naked men, womlen and children, whom we are seeking to win for the Lctd Jesus, mayi label the parcels, “For the A.I.M., for N. Queensland Aborigines,” and in their respective States send them to the following addresses :-

N E W SOUTH \VALES.--RIIr. L. W. Long, c;o Mr. IVm. Tyas, 566 George Street, Sydney.

1’ICTORIA.-Mrs. C. D. Aston, “Sunnyside,” 420 Riversdale Road, Upper Hawthorn.

QUEENSLAND.-Miss L. Preston, c/o Mr. C

Such gifts, so opportune just now, will be for- warded without delay to our workers a t Herber- ton, whose hearts will be greatly cheered.

C. Booth, 67 Queen Street, Brisbane.


4 . OUR ‘AIM. November 2 I >* 19 I 2-

WALCHA, N.S.W. Another mon& has passed away with its privileges

and opportunities, and again we are able to testify, in the words of the Psalmist, that “the Lord is good”- and we know that what He has keen in the past €€e will be in the future.

The services amongst our p:ople have been held as usual, and the gospel messages listented to a:tentively. Pray, brethren, that the good seed may fall into good ground and bring forth fruit unto life everlasting.

The monthly prayer meeting was I-eld in town on the fourth Thursday, and kexen of us met togerher for prayer m d pais:. Our earnest desire is that w-e may realise more and more the value of prayer, and remember Our Father’s word to us is “Praying always with all prayei and supplication in the sFirit and na.ching thereunto with all perseverance and supplicaticn for ail saints.

Some lovely Iain has fallen here, and all around look; beautiful and gieen, remind-ng us “tliat :amething lives in every hue, Christless eyes kave never seen.”

The river rope during the rnont-1, cavsing us a iitile iiiconvefiience, but one of the men from the re-erve was able to serve us in this diffkalty by drivirg cs home in his sulky. \Ye have been delighted over the gift of a stove. A

friend in \I a k h a having purchased a new kind oflered us her 8kecond-hand one. I t is a gcod addition to our kit6hen, and very much mole conv~n’sii t tbnn tke o p n fireplace we were u3ed to. \\-e ale indced grsie- ful for this gift.

All our Feople are aell , and we are re;o!ci::g in the Lord for all the way He has led US.

M . 4 . MO 0 N AC U L L A H, N. S . W.

Flood waters everywhere. Oh that our hearts were overflowing with flood; from henveniy F!aces.

For about two weeks we hav: been unnble to get our wail regularly. ’I‘esterday we n:anrged to get over creeks and streams, with a long stick in each hand, and then across the new bridge wh:ch is being erected 0~7er the Tummudgerne, which is yet but half-decked. and, la=tTy, on a narrow plank acrovs another little c’eek.

Most of the men have been engaged on the stations du,xing the shearing *aeon. They come home on Saturdny evenings, s’ometimea travelling a great many miles to bring meat to their wives and children, a com- modity which h,as almost been out of the question in the:e Fait< during the droug‘ht. Th-ey retuirn the same night to the station where they a-e employed, or else earlv on Sunday morning.

The children enjoyed the two weeks’ holiday froin s.chml at Ptfichaelmas. They s’low b1.7 their lives and actions that their thoughts are turned heavenward, and have proved the Lord Jesus in many ways to be their friend. \Ye get into an empty hut for Sunday school, and the children cheer our hearts by trlring to make it Imk nice. They put sp l ings and planks acrow the floor for seats, a box in the middle for a table, piper for a cxetr, and decorate it with but tercup a-d other wild flowers, i n kot tks and tins for vases.

The Lord has bceen pleafed to sucplv 111 o;ir needs by m w n s which hare made us say, ‘(His ways a-e Fast finding out.” A parcel of eggs was one day left on the other side of the water without the sender’s nrime.

At the beginning of the month Captain Glover, of

the Salvation Army, assisted with the service, which w a s , happy and helpful.

Owing to the flood water lodging in the IOW p a t s , , the mosquitoes are here in swarms, and to some of us, , 2s well as the children, they are almost vnb’earable.

. One desr Christian mother has I-ad to go into t h e . ho;pital. Will friecds p1ea.e join ill Frayer to God for her recovery.

We zre enjoying the t v o boxes CO ably put up b4v willing hands a few molirhs agc, a r d tl-e tent is now a tGing o r the Fa;&.

1r.n. THE, QUEEN OF KARUAH CROWNED.

We had a gloriocs opprtuni ty of mitncssing for the Lord Jc:cs on Saturday, 2nd Sovernlxr, wken Mrs. Kidgeway was crowned Queen of Pcrt Ftephens.

Mr. Ridgway’s coronation tooli p k c a 2. good while aS3.

C*aptdn Phi!ipson, of the s s k-ariiah, has for some time been anxiou,; to r-cognise h=r con&:ent and in- r?:istrious iife, aTid acccrfiingly planned t 5 s event, and he, w:th other friends, ].ad a beautiful crc;m cast and, r i t h om con ea t , xrariged a coronation +ay. Jt \vas celebrated at Bo3ra1, as many along the ri ler desired to attend. \\-e a11 xen t I-F in the S.S. ICariJali i n the morning a-id ]:ad lilnch p’cn’c st le. As the whole was to take ttle form of a camp me?ting, the men built camp,; and

ny?bs, zqd nirarged fc.rns for sentine ?.ccomn-da?ion. T:ie Fin: 2nd Qceen ’:ere 5urrounded by maids of I-orcwr 2nd a L-odve.ilnTrd of nion. Adelaide, who too!; hor ra-t very grzc=fvll-,-, cnriied the crown on a cushioli 10 t:-e czptsin, and b3xe-l quite nic-ly. T1-e Sntior.al i i n tbea v a s mnq after the caFt,?in had placed the crown 011 tbe Queen’s head, and t!le bovs p’ayed a :election on Iexres. Photos mere t?lten by t!ie reporter, and several (riber ladies and qznt!en:en. After tea we held our meeting en the nooral \-,-had, wkere we had the benefit of the electric light flow tbe $.F. F-nriinh. A great crowd of p o p l e were on the d x k 5 nitd on the wli-trf. The coronation ceremony n-es IeFerted for the tenefit of those not preEent in the afternoon. T!-en ovr Feopk took the meeting in the follcwing wav :--Ore prayed, another wad the z3rd Psalm, and AI clc l<~i Fell gave a beautiful C ; O S F ~ ~ message, emp5a:ising t b s t b , t for thz Glace of Go2 in giving them, a s n tribe, tke Gos;el, they wcu!d have bad had a verv low p l x e in the vmr:d, and codcl not hnve ]:ad such a p:ivilege aE being Ere ent on such an occasion t9 witness to whnr God had done for them. They mere different Feap!e since tbe missionaries c a n e amongst them. T!?e words were I-uzl‘y ?Ttp’.zuded. 1.eaf band sekctions slid co!os fol!owed. 1.’; ‘ ~ 5 ’ 4 ; v-x? 11ai:ded tr, nie to help in completing the c’iurch. We exvlained our priccip!es, but the cq?Fkt?:n m n m n r e d a collec ion both afternoon and evening. In t’ 3-1ltir-c them, I gale an account of the u-ork at k - ~ r i i ~ h , and t’e progre;.;i being made as the yeqw slipped by. 1.IiPa Jacbzon pang n solo, Captain PhiliFswn a:-d c t lx-s ‘.poke ~ ~ o r d s of ihnnks, and apolcgie; wcre ;t.ad. I efresbments were s2ired, and we returned I-omc by n?3 or 1au1 ch, m7e!l plex-ed with the kindvess ~ h o w n to us 211. Jrany com- ments w m e made on the rnal11y and gentlemanly bearing of’the men, and on the attire of the little ones, who looked sweet in their nice white drerses with colored sashes.


November 2 1 ~ 1912. OUR AIM. s

THE HARVEST FIELD.- Continued. We had only a week for preparation, so we made

special prayer that all would work out for God’s glory, and, truly, He was mightily magnified.

The reporter expressed surprise a t the whole proceed- ings, and so touched was he that he offered to send copies of some of the photographs taken that day to sell in aid of the church building fund, for he said: “Such people as these deserved to be encouraged and helped.”

HERBERTON, N.Q. September was a month full of opportunities of sowing

in fresh soil. Many strangers have been reached, but it is only a touch and they are gone again, back once more in their old squalid surroundings amidst sin and tempta- tion ; only a word, a memory left, no strong, loving hand to help them climb to the Rock, out of the hand of the foe.

A good number are camped there, and they are always responsive and eager to learn. Sorrow and death have burned many barriers, and let us into their hearts.

Four days were spent at Cedar Creek, and such a gathering of every type of aboriginal ; the largest number we have seen there. But with so many people and limited time, it was hard to get that personal touch which is so needful with these people. May the Lord speedily gather these souls together, where they can be under con- tinuous training and loving help, cared for spirit, soul and body.

Writing of October, Mrs. Burgess says :-“A very busy, and rather eventful, month has passed, with many tokens of our Father’s care and protection for the people and ourselves, and many gracious answers to prayer to cheer us Irvinebank and Atherton have been visited, and two visits to Cedar Creek, also Evelyn. A large number of strangers have come into this district the last few weeks.

Quite a lot of people came in from the bush last week, and are camped along the creek near us; a strange tribe and their King, from Cardwell district, amongst them. The day after they came in, their King got into trouble, was arrested, and sentenced to. three months’ imprison- ment.

We visited him in the watch-house, and told hiin about the Lord. He had never heard of Jesus before. He asked us to bring in his little children to kiss him, and to give his two wives some money. We went to the tribe, but they hid themselves, and had to be coaxed out of hiding. Not one would go to see poor King Mango. They are wild bush people, and are afraid to go near the town, thinking they, too, might be sent to prison, poor souls. I t was beautiful to see the sympathy and affection of every aboriginal around toward this man in trouble, a hundred or more claiming relationship, and ‘plenty cry’ for him. Let us pray for this chief, that the Lord may turn this misfortune into a blessing, and bring him to know and serve the Lord Jesus.”

MACKAY, NORTH QUEENSLAND. ‘‘Since my return from the South,” our Sister at Mac-

kay writes, “I have not once been prevented from going to the camp through the weather, although, sometimes, i t has been most threatening, and at times showery; nor have I been hindered by sickness. The Lord has always strengthened me.

The meetings have been small lately, but the few who are in the camp have been attending, with but one or two exceptions. Last Sunday the gathering only num- bered four. %’hen I arrived at the camp I could not see

Evelyn was twice visited.

anyone about but one old man. I went from gunyah to gunyah, but no one was to be seen. I thought, Can i t be that there is no one to come and hear the story? I sat down and asked the Lord if thexe was anyone any- where about to bring them out. A minute or two afterwards one and another came along. They were red ly more eager than ever before to list& and learn, and re- peated the verses of their hymn qmte smartly. After reading God’s word and delivering the little message, I prayed with them, and then asked if anyone would like to pray, and, then, to my joy, three of them pmyed one after another quite intelligently, and t‘ze fourth muttered something we could not understad, hut our God, we are sure, caught the request, and will not let i t go un- answered. The first one began (crying as she prayed): ‘Oh, Lord Jesus, save em me, make em me good fellow. Oh do, Lord Jesus, save em me,’ and continued in other similar and touching worcls. T t e second, a young man, said : ‘0, Lord Jesus, make em my k a r t clean ; 0, Lord Jesus, come into my heart,’ followed by other petitiors asking the Lord to make them and keep them good fer- lows. The third was a l : ~ a young man, I cannot remember all their words, but I do know they meant it, and it was their cry to God in tbeir own woa’ds. I asked them afterwards i f they thought Jesus had done what they asked, and they said: ‘Ye:, yes, me believe ’m Jesus.” They certainly telieve Jesus, and they xeverence God’s word, and bow their lieads in adoration in prayer. If a stranger comes along, they will not let him stand a moment without telling him to take off his hat.

“We can praise God that these people mill not be judEed according to our light..

“ f h e light of the world is begiiining to sbine in their hearts through God’s Holy Spirit.”

CHILDREN’S HOME, SINGLETON, N.S.W. The month just closed has bzen one of real hard work,

and yet one would not mvrmur, hut sememker it is for our Master, whom we love.

One of our children came home from Echaol one day sick, and SOOE we saw it was merisles. Some twelve of our children contracted the malady, nrd for a time the Home was a busy beehive for t’he workers, who were up and down night and day. But, t‘-ank God, the epidemic is gone. Three have had w h o p i n g cotgh, but that, too, is leaving. One little boy cnlyckeep a ‘ittk weak, other- wise, we are all bright and 1-appg.

Through the kindness of come endeavowm, we were able to supply a mother from St. Clair with some clothing for her baby, which U R = I-ern on Cctober 8. When the clothes were sent, we bad no child in the Home whom they wculd fit, kut they we:e an o,rportune gift in this case.

The Singleton Public School Exhibition took place on October 26 and 27. Three cf the Home girl;; tock part in it, 2s well as our own three children. The c2li:dren’s work reflected great credit on their teachers, who take a very deep interest in them. Our children were well . represented in the exhibit. G.C.S.

Give me a faithful heart-likeness to Thee, That each departing day henceforth may see

--

Some work of love begun, Some deed of kindness done, Some wanderer sought and won, Something for Thee,


NJovcmber 31, 1912.

Dear Young Friends- Instead of giving you a letter from one mis-

sionary this ‘month, I will give you four little incidents from a s many letters, which I think you will like.

This first one came on a post card to my little boy from our missionary, Miss Erown, who, while she has been a t home on furlough in \Vestern Australia, has sometimes visited the camps of the poor b!acks over there.

“On2 day I saw a poor black man with a little baby in his arms. He was the father and the little one had no mother, for she is de2d. He held the baby so tight all the time I was there, a s if he was afraid I would take it, and run away if he did not keep his arms close around it. Poor little black children! Please ask Jesus to send someone to tell them that our God loves them, and wants to put His arms right around them, so that nothing can really hurt them or take them away from Him.”

The next two are quite different little stories, but they show how the Lord takes care of His children, who leave all for His sake to go and tell the dark people of His great salvation.

One of our workers sent me the following account of an encounter she had with a pack of savaqe camp dogs a few weeks ago. You know, I think, that the Aborigines, when left in their neglected state, keep a lot of dogs. I once counted 90 dogs at a funeral of a black woman.

“When I reached the camp,” our worker writes, “ I was immediately surrounded by every dog in the p l ~ c e , barking and biting a t me like a lot of hungry wolves. I lifted my heart to God. It w‘vc?s a stormy morning,,and I had my mackintosh 0.7 my arm and they dragged it this way and that, and although several were hitting at them and yelling Gut, they would not leave me till the owner of the two most savage dogs came and called the‘m or did something to them, I do not know which ; but I do know that God’s protecting hzqd was over His child, and when they left me I had not one scratch and not even a little hole in my mackintosh. How I lifted my heart in praise to God who had stopped the mouths of dogs as wc21 as lions.’’

Another missionary gave me in a letter about a fortnight ago this little incident of God’s care :-

She says:-

.“The Lord has just preserved me from snake- bite.‘ I was sitting on the ground near the verandah, writing, when I heard a rustle and I looked and there was a young snake just close by my arm. I got up quickly. A friend was pass- ing a t the time, and he looked for it, found it and killed it. I am so glad it is out of harm’s way. ”

‘The last story, dear young helpers, only reached me last night and very truly touched my heart.

In the Karuah rews you will read of the coronation of the Queen, which was a public ceremony. The Icing and Queen‘felt they would like to cele- brate the ei-ent in a quieter way amongst their own dear people, so invited them all to a special tea a t their home at Soldier’s Point. Their cot- tage looks very pretty just now with its neat gardens, trellised grzpe vines and its bearing fruit trees. Their dining-room was packed for tea, many who could not be seated at the table stood around the walls. The King and Queen sat together in one corner under the Union Jack, with the Queaen’s crown raised on a cushion between them. They did look so nice and happy, for the King loves to enter;tain a crowd of his own people. His mother was there, tco.

After tea a meeting was held, and Miss Stewart s p k e on the great crouning day, Matt. 24-30. ‘ihen the dear old Ring was asked to speak. H e expressed his joy at‘ the presmce of his friends. Then, dear young folks, the touching scene oc- curred, to which I have referred. This Aboriginal King broke down entirely, and sobbed with a breaking heart.

W h a t made him sob, do you think? W h a t heavy burden was ‘on his mind,

which, when he tried to speak, brcjke up the fountain of his tears?

H e has two brothers who care not for the things of God. They were outside as the meeting was going on. The thought of their unsaved condi- tion, as he referred to it, and his intense longing for their precious irnmortal souls, which could not b: stilled, even in the midst of the greatest earthly joy and honour which had come to him, overpowered him and bowed him low in tears and grief. Oh, may God give each of you, dear young friends, such a passion for souls is the prayer of yours with the same desire,

Listen! I will tell you.

(Mrs. L. W.) RETTA LONG.


November 21, 1912. OUR FIGHTING OVER DEAD MEN IN T H E

HERBERTON DISTRICT.

NESS. CHAINS OF SUPERSTITION AND DARK-

The first Sunday in the month there was a b;g fight at Evelyn, a camp ten miles out. Some-of the old people came in during the week and asked us to go out, as they were afraid and wanted our protection. So early Sunday morning we drove out and found a good gathering of people,, but

‘very quiet. We had a service and about midday went away for lunch. On returning, we found about one hundred people naked, befeathered, and fully-armed, coming out of the scrub, and another hundred a t the camp ready to meet them. They joined and began to fight, and fought most skil- fully for some time with swords, spears, boome- rangs, and shields. About fifty women were in the fight with spears, but did little except yell, chatter and skirmish. After an hour’s fighting, they .became mtore reckless, and some were wounded, one man badly. Taking the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit and much prayer, we went into the midst of them and told them to shop, and in a few minutes most of them ceased. One man with an awful wound on his head con-% tinued to fight with a tomahawk. He came to us when we called him and listened to us, and promised to stop, but a minute later went a t it again. Finally, he and his enemy and a few suppr t e r s went into the scrub. A number of warriors shook hands with us and were friendly and nice, but the yelling, wailing and confusion were awful. We realised that it was an unseen force we. were wrestling against. Most of the fighting is over dead men; no one, according to an Aboriginal, dies naturally, but is killed by evil magic. When a man dies the magic man- is called, and he “divines” who did the deed and fixes it on a certain tribe; then that tribe is chal- lenged to fight, and as six or seven men had to be fought over, a lot of people were involved in this fight. Nothing but the gospel can break these chains of superstition and darkness.

FISHERS OF MEN. Two of our North Queensland workers visited

Atherton during show week, and found the Aborigines had gathered from every quarter. They have sent the f.ollowing brief but interesting account of the visit:-

I t was indeed a place for the spreading of nets, and as we looked on the many eager faces that crowded around us, we feh again with renewed power the call, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” W e arranged for a final meeting at 3 o’clock in the show grounds. A large ring of about IOO ,Aboriginals, some Kanakas, ~ Malays, and a few Chinese gathered around, and for an hour listened attentively to the gospel, illustrated by Dicture roll and song. A

L. B., Herberton.

AI&#. 9 god nuf ibe of our school people *ere with us, and helped with the singing. The Kanakas also were most hearty in singing and spoke with tear- fu l eyes of Miss Young and other mission workers ‘;n the north, regretting their present isolation. Softened faces on every side revealed the Holy Spii-it’s working, and several confessed their need oi cleansing from sin. How needy these people! How ready to take hold of a loving pitiful hand! And h*ow hard to hav-e so m8any unshepherded souls, but other work awaits us and we have to leave them, and our only way of reaching them for months, perhaps, is by prayer.

THE C.E. TOPIC, We were pleased to supply papers, letters and

leaflets to many societies in N.S.W., Victofia and Queensland on the Christian Endeavourers’ subject :-“Christ for the Aborigines. ” The consideration of the topic has already borne fruit, and new helpers have been added to us

CHRISTMAS PARCELS. Will friends who are preparing parcels of

Christmas gifts for our mission stations kindly communicate-with Mrs. L. W. Long, c/o Mr. VVm. Tyas, 566 George Street, Sydney, who will advise them of the most n d j - place to send their parcels. This is to ensure an equal distribution, as some stations arG already being provided for. If any wish their gifts to go to a certain station, will they please state so, and their desire will be carefully carried out. Friends not desiring ‘to send their parcels direct to any station may leave them with Mr. Tyas, and rest assured they will be used to the best advantage.

NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF A.I.M. MISSIONARIES.

Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Long, c/o Mr. Wm. Tyas,

Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Smith, A.I.M. Home, Single-

Miss M. Stewart, A. I.M., Karuah, N. S.W. Miss M. Brown, A.I.M., on furlough. Miss E. Jackson, A.I.M., Karuah, N.S.W. Miss M. Acland, A.I.M., Walcha, N.S.W. Miss M. Bagnall, Moonah Cullah, c/o Mr.

Perrin, Mail Coach, Deniliquin, N.S.W. Miss 31. I. Crebbin, Moonah Cullah, c/o Mr.

Perrin, Mail Coach, Deniliquin, N. S. W. Miss J. E. Dodimead, A.I.M., Horn% Singleton,

N.S.W. Miss A. J. Gr’een, A.I.M., St. Clair-road, Loose

Bag, via Singleton, N.S.W. Mr. A. Russell (Native Helper), Karuah, N.S.W. Miss R. Dedman, Walcha, N.S.W. hIiss hl . Timbury (Associate). l l r . and Mrs. \fJ. Burgess, A.I.M., Herberton,

Miss B. Smith, A.I.M., Herberton, North

*Mrs. F. Sleep, Mackay, North Queensland.

566 George-street, Sydney, TU’. S. W.

ton, N.S.W.

North Queensland.

Queensland.


8- 6UR AIM. SUBSCRIPTIONS RECEIVED F-OR “OUR

A.I.M.” The business manager begs to xknowledge

(with thanks) receipt of the follon-i1.g subscriptions :-

Messrs, J.B., q / - ; 14’.H., I / - .

RIesdames E., J .H.J . , G., S., ll-., - I / - each. Misses C. J.K., J.oC., 2/6 each ; B., z j - ; P., P.,

1,’- each. Agents: A.J.G., 6/-; T.J., 4/-; H.C., 11/4;

P.S., 3 / 6 ; E.RI., s / O ; A.C., P.S., 2 / - each; G.C.S. , H.H., I/- each.

“OUR AIM” SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR EN SUING YEAR.

I W l friends wishing io continue as sub- scribers to our monthly publication, please remit One Shilling to the Agent in their district; or to nlr. L. 11-. Long-, c/o hlr.JVm. TJ-as, 566 George- sireet, Sydney, X.S.IV. ?

DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR THE A.I.M. OF AUSTRALIA.

. October 10th to No\-emIxr i n t l i . 1912. So. 621 . . . . . . . . . . amount k:o 5 o

2 . . . . . . . . . . *o 1 0 0

3 . . . . . . . . . . 0 I 0 0 3 . . . . . . . . . . 0 2 6

. . . . . . . . . . 0 2 6 b 3 . . . . . . . . . . 0 2 6 7 1 1.5 9 8 . . . . . . . . . . 0 1 0

9 . . . . . . . . . . I 0 0

63” 0 1 0 3

. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . I 0 13 0 (1) 2 . . . . . . . . . . I 0 0 0 3 . . . . . . . . . . o 19 6 4 . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 5 . . . . . . . . . . I 0

6 . . . . . . . . . . 0 6 1 . . . . . . . . . . I 0 8 . . . . . . . . . . 0 10‘ Q . . . . . . . . . . I 0

64c . . . . . . . . . . 2 0

2 0 4

c

I . . . . . . . . . . I 0

. . . . . . . . . . ( I ) Home Fund. (2) ’Tra\-elling Expen se s. (3) Herberton Kent. (4) Singleton Home Rent. ‘

STATE REPRESENTATIVES. KEIV SOLTH WkiLES.

Re\-. 11’. RIichael Smith, “Little Cot,” Cross- street, Double Ba!..

I’ICTORIAr . RIr. J. H. .Todd, C.I.M. Office, 267 Collins-

street, Melbourne.

Rev, lIv. L. hlorton, Angus College, Adelaide. S 0 V T H A LY ST R ALl A.

QUEENSLAND A.I.M. .DEPOT. ll‘ill Queensland friends please note die ad-

dress of our Brisbane Depot for receii-ing bundles l l i l d parcels of left-off elothiirg for the Aborigines :

ilk. C. C. Booth, . - Tailor ,

6: Qdeen-street, Brisbane.

Parcels should be addressed to RIiss L. Preston.

and left or sent to this address. Miss Preston will then forward them to H e r k r b n or elsewhere as the need arises.

A.?.hI, LEAFLETS. “Queen Susan.”

“Oh, lVon’t You Come.” “ A Corn of Wheat.”

“How I Came to Jesus.” “ A Sower’s Reward.”

‘ ‘A Dialogue. ’ ’ In packets (assorted) 40 for 6d.

POST CARDS. Phota Cards of the Queensland Aborigines,

3d. each. Printed Post Cards, Id. each. 1,eaflets and Post Cards obtainable from--

hIrs. L. W. Long, C/o l t r . lVm. Tps ,

566 George-street, Sydney. ’I’~-pen.ritten papers on the “Aboriginal Inland

itlission,” hIethods of . Work,” “Characteristics of the Australian Katives,” etc., suitable for read- i n g a t Missionary hIeetings, will be supplied on application to Mrs. Long.

indivic4u-g inksionaries whose names and addresses are given on page 7, will also give in- formation regarding the work on their respective s t at ion s ..

The

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS. Subscriptions to “OUR AIM,” and contribu-

‘lions to Aborigines’ Inland Miss$n, shourd be sent to-

h4r. L. W. Long, Director, A. I.M.,

C/o Mr. W m . ‘I’yas, 566 Georgc St., Sydney, N.S .W.

Subscriptions to “OCR AIM” will be acknow- ledged by your initials in our following publication. Receipts are sent to the donors of contributions to the work.

. . . . . . . . . . . -. ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . _ _

’Published by the A4borigines’ Inland Mission and printed by J. €4. Edmondson, Hawthorn, Vic. Digitised by AIATSIS Library 2006 - www.aiatsis.gov.au/library

our aim : a monthly record of the aborigines' inland ... · sent mrs. burgess a very nice...

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