1890-1891
South Africa, Tasmania, Australia, New Zealand
April 20th, 1891
Ford's York Hotel, Adelaide
My beloved Henry,
I returned from Western Australia a few days ago and was much refreshed in my spirit in the happy fellowship with the gathering there who are well clear of Mr Raven's doctrines and Stuart's influence. The Lord has delivered 3 others in this place since I left yesterday and we broke bread together and had a day of good things not soon to be forgotten. There were ten present by 14 are clear and we trust many more will soon be brought out – Broom's paper is a good one also one published in Dublin a letter to C.H.M. "what becomes of His divine person" also the Sandymount[?] circular and a sheet giving an extract and some comments from the meeting in Dublin C.H.M. is connected with. I should much like to send these with a copy of Mr Ord's explanation to all the South African addresses I sent you if you will kindly get one to attend to it and I will supply you with all the others on my return.
Sorry to hear of poor Mr Shapland's illness – his father told another at Ilfracombe that he was quite out of his mind – I can see what an increased burden this will put on your shoulders and others too, but I hope all will work together for good. I cannot imagine how Charlie and Arundel could have been so blinded by this evil doctrine and it only shews what an evil power is working with it – first to conceal the evil character of it – then to flatter any who will bow to it or persecute or slander any who expose and refuse it. C.H.M.'s and J.B.S.'s conduct is outside all that is honest and straightforward among men of the world in saying that no one has visited Raven to shew him the leaven. I believe they are feeling like a stag at bay and hardly know what to do – their consciences are evidently ill at ease.
D.V. I am just leaving for Melbourne but stopping for a day or two at Ballaratt and expect a leading brother will meet me there for Melbourne who knows all the saints there and we hope God may grant deliverance for some of them.
Shall be glad to hear how things are getting on in Cornwall – I fear Barker's influence will again cripple many of them. Dear Mr Pollock wrote me a few weeks since giving very interesting details of the whole work in England and in various parts of the world. How good of the Great Shepherd of the sheep to send this faithful pastor to visit so many gatherings to see how they do.
My own business both here and in Western Australia has been prospered far beyond all expectation through the goodness of God, and through His mercy my health continues good and the Lord sustains my joy in Himself and peace in the midst of this terrible conflict – the like of which I have never known before. All our other troubles in the past are as nothing compared to this. I should hope Captain Barton's stand will have a voice to the Devon and Cornish meetings – is there any movement in Exeter. I judge from Mr Pollock's speaking of a visit to Taunton that there are a few outside there.
Trust you are being preserved in the midst of the storm and with much love to dear Zoe and yourself believe me my beloved Henry.
Being very affectionate Bro,
Edward