AMONGST SQUATTERS AND DIGGERS.
AFTER this, I made a Mission tour, in a somewhat mixed and original
fashion, right across the Colony of Victoria, from Albury in New South
Wales to Mount Gambier in South Australia. I conducted Mission Services
almost every day, and three or more every Sabbath, besides visiting all
Sunday Schools that could be touched on the way. When I reached a
gold-digging or township, where I had been unable to get any one to
announce a meeting, the first thing I did on arriving was to secure some
Church or Hall, and, failing that, to fix on some suitable spot in the
open air. Then, I was always able to hire some one to go round with the
bell, and announce the meeting. Few will believe how large were the
audiences in this way gathered together, and how very substantial was
the help that thereby came to the Mission fund.
Wheresover railway, steamboat, and coach were available, I always used
them; but failing these, I hired, or was obliged to friends of Missions
for driving me from place to place. On this tour, having reached a
certain place, from which my way lay for many miles across the country,
where there was no public conveyance, I walked to the nearest squatter's
Station and frankly informed the owner how I was situated; that I could
not hire, and that I would like to stay at his house all night, if he
would kindly send me on in the morning by any sort of trap to the next
Station on my list. He happened to be a good Christian and a
Presbyterian, and gave me a right cordial welcome. A meeting of his
servants was called, which I had the pleasure of addressing. Next
morning, he gave me £20, and sent me forward with his own conveyance,
telling me to retain it all day, if necessary.
On reaching the next squatter's Station, I found the master also at
home, and said, "I am a Missionary from the South Sea Islands. I am
crossing Victoria to plead the cause of the Mission. I would like to
rest here for an hour or two. Could you kindly send me on to the next
Station by your conveyance? If not, I am to keep the last squatter's
buggy, until I reach it."
Looking with a queer smile at me, he replied, "You propose a rather
novel condition on which to rest at my house! My horses are so employed
to-day, I fear that I may have difficulty in sending you on. But come
in; both you and your horses need rest; and my wife will be glad to see
you."
I immediately discovered that the good lady came from Glasgow, from a
street in which I had lodged when a student at the Free Normal College.
I even knew some of her friends. All the places of her youthful
associations were equally familiar to me. We launched out into
deeply-interesting conversation, which finally led up, of course, to the
story of our Mission.
The gentleman, by this time, had so far been won that he slipped out and
sent my conveyance and horses back to their owner, and ordered his own
to be ready to take me to the next Station, or, if need be, to the next
again. At parting, the lady said to her husband, "The Missionary has
asked no money, though he sees we have been deeply interested; yet
clearly that is the object of his tour. He is the first Missionary from
the Heathen that ever visited us here; and you must contribute something
to his Mission fund."
I thanked her, explaining, "I never ask money directly from any person
for the Lord's work. My part is done when I have told my story and shown
the needs of the Heathen and the claims of Christ; but I gratefully
receive all that the Lord moves His people to give for the Mission."
Her husband replied, rather sharply, "You know I don't keep money here."
To which she retorted with ready tact and with a resistless smile, "But
you keep a check-book; and your check is as good as gold! This is the
first donation we ever gave to such a cause, and let it be a good one."
He made it indeed handsome, and I went on my way, thanking them very
sincerely, and thanking God.
At the next Station, the owner turned out to be a gruff Irishman,
forbidding and insolent. Stating my case to him as to the others, he
shouted at me, "Go on! I don't want to be troubled with the loikes o'
you here."
I answered, "I am sorry if my coming troubles you; but I wish you every
blessing in Christ Jesus. Good-by!"
As we drove off, he kept growling after us. On leaving his door, I heard
a lady calling to him from the window, "Don't let that Missionary go
away! Make haste and call him back. I want the children to see the idols
and the South Sea curios."
At first he drowned her appeal in his own shoutings. But she must have
persisted effectually; for shortly we heard him "coo-ee-ing," and
stopped. When he came up to us, he explained, "That lady in my house
heard you speaking in Melbourne. The ladies and children are very
anxious to see your idols, dresses, and weapons. Will you please come
back?"
We did so. I spent fifteen minutes or so, giving them information about
the Natives and our Mission. As I left, our boisterous friend handed me
a check for £5, and wished me great success.
The next Station at which we arrived was one of the largest of all. It
happened to be a sort of payday, and men were assembled from all parts
of the "run," and were to remain there over night. The squatter and his
family were from home; but Mr. Todd, the overseer, being a good
Christian and a Scotchman, was glad to receive us, arranged to hold a
meeting that evening in the men's hut, and promised to set me forward on
my journey next day. The meeting was very enthusiastic; and they
subscribed £20 to the Mission--every man being determined to have so
many shares in the new Mission Ship. With earnest personal dealing, I
urged the claims of the Lord Jesus upon all who were present, seeking
the salvation of every hearer. I ever found even the rough digger, and
the lowest of the hands about far-away Stations, most attentive and
perfectly respectful.
A lively and memorable extemporized meeting on this tour is associated
in memory with one of my dearest friends. The district was very remote.
He, the squatter, and his beloved wife were sterling Christians, and
have been ever since warmly devoted to me. On my arrival, he invited the
people from all the surrounding Stations, as well as his own numerous
servants, to hear the story of our Mission. Next day he volunteered to
drive me a long distance over the plains of St. Arnaud, his dear wife
accompanying us. At that time there were few fences in such districts in
Australia. The drive was long, but the day had been lovely, and the
fellowship was so sweet that it still shines a sunny spot in the fields
of memory.
Having reached our destination about seven o'clock, he ordered tea at
the Inn for the whole party; and we sallied out meantime and took the
only Hall in the place, for an extemporized meeting to be held that
evening at eight o'clock. I then hired a man to go through the township
with a bell, announcing the same; while I myself went up one side of the
main street, and my friend up the other, inviting all who would listen
to us to attend the Mission meeting where South Sea Islands idols,
weapons, and dresses would be exhibited, and stories of the Natives
told.
Running back for a hurried cup of tea, I then hasted to the Hall, and
found it crowded to excess with rough and boisterous diggers. The hour
struck as I was getting my articles arranged and spread out upon the
table, and they began shouting, "Where's the Missionary?"--"Another
hoax!"--indicating that they were not unwilling for a row. I learned
that, only a few nights ago, a so-called Professor had advertised a
lecture, lifted entrance money till the Hall was crowded, and then
quietly slipped off the scene. In our case, though there was no charge,
they seemed disposed to gratify themselves by some sort of promiscuous
revenge.
Amidst the noisy chaff and rising uproar, I stepped up on the table, and
said, "Gentlemen, I am the Missionary. If you will now be silent, the
lecture will proceed. According to my usual custom, let us open the
meeting with prayer."
The hush that fell was such a contrast to the preceding hubbub, that I
heard my heart throbbing aloud! Then they listened to me for an hour, in
perfect silence and with ever-increasing interest. At the close I
intimated that I asked no collection; but if, after what they had heard,
they would take a Collecting Card for the new Mission Ship, and send any
contributions to the Treasurer at Melbourne, I would praise God for
sending me amongst them. Many were heartily taken, and doubtless some
souls felt the "constraining love," who had till then been living
without God.