Monday, January 31, 1876

Jan. 31st.  We went to Goulburn, spent part of the day with Mayberry's, went to the post office, and returned to Chittenden's.  It was 126 degrees in the sun and 96 in the shade.

Sunday, January 30, 1876

Sunday, Jan. 30th.  We spent the morning in teaching the Gospel to the family.  in the afternoon we had a walk in the Bush, then a further Gospel talk.  In the evening, we retired to a stream, one half mile away, and baptized Caroline, Eliza and Hyrum Chittenden, Brother Cluff officiating.  Returning to the house, we confirmed them.  After singing and prayer, I gave a short cheering address.  We felt we had spent the day with good results.

Saturday, January 29, 1876

Jan. 29th.  This morning, after Brother Cluff and I retired in Prayer, we consecrated oil and administered to Brother Crittenden, who has, for some time, been suffering from kidney trouble.

Friday, January 28, 1876

Jan. 28th.  We went back to Goulburn and to Mayberry's and looked over their Church works, of which they have a supply.  They had a record of the Camden Branch, from which I take the following: Brother Chittenden, six in number; and Mayberry, two in number; and their families were baptized Apr. 24th, 1854.  A Branch of the Church was organized Jan. 3rd, 1857 with 11 members, Thomas Mayberry, President.  The Elphic family of three completed the eleven.  Brothers Stewart, Potter, Dowdle and others filled appointment until May 21st, 1855.  Mayberry left the Branch in July 1859.  I had a further talk with a fellow passenger from Sydney.

Thursday, January 27, 1876

Jan. 27th.  After bath and breakfast, I bade good-bye to the Peg family and the Brethren and took the train for Goulburn, 134 miles - ticket 1-8-6 (1 pound - 8 shillings - 6 pence) - Brother Cluff accompanying.  At 32 miles we pass Kembleton, where the Gospel was preached in 1854 and a small branch started in 1857.  We pass small settlements and farms.  At 85 miles we are on a mountain top 3,000 feet high.  We reached Goulburn at 5:00 P.M.  For the last ten mies the country opens out with hills in different directions.  Goulburn is less inviting that I had expected.  Like Sydney, it has poor water, four of five thousand population.  On the train I had a conversation with a passenger about the country, and then, as usual, on the Gospel.

We found our first address, Thos. Mayberry, at Newton, a half mile from the main town.  He lives in a house of his own - a Bush house.  He is Welsh with an English wife and a family of three boys and three girls.  The parents accepted the Gospel twenty years ago at Cambelton.  In drifting about, the children have not been baptized.  They have not seen Latter-day Saints for sixteen or eighteen years.  Brother Mayberry went with us to Brother Chittenden's, and his wife's father, at Tyranna, a small settlement four miles distant.  They, like the Mayberry's, have not met with Latter-day Saints for eighteen years.  They have, at home, two daughters and one son and a grand daughter, also an orphan they hire.  We stayed the night.

Tuesday, January 25, 1876

WORK IN GOULBURN AND TYRANNA

Jan. 25th.  I spent the day at Brother Speight's and in the evening, packed my valise for a trip to Goulburn.

Monday, January 24, 1876

Jan. 24th.  I prepared matter for the cover to "Only way to be Saved", and went with President Groo and Croxall and arranged to have it printed.

Sunday, January 23, 1876

Sunday, Jan. 23rd.  In the morning I had another visit from Oils.  We talked on history of the colonies, then on science, morality and religion.  He was much pleased with our last interview and was over an hour telling his wife about it.  In the 3:00 P.M. meeting I bore my testimony.  At 7:00 P.M. I gave a 25 minute talk from the Hymn: "Know then that every son is free to choose his life and what he'll be."  I said that God gives us a will and the freedom and reason that makes us men, and, as we have to account to him, we should use our freedom and reason and not be swayed by prejudice.  I followed with a Gospel sermon supported with scripture quotations.

Saturday, January 22, 1876

Jan. 22nd.  Time flies.  Conversing about the flood and the division of the earth in the days of Peleg.  Went to the gardens in the afternoon and then to the beach and gathered sea shells.  Then a lonely hour in prayer and meditation.

Friday, January 21, 1876

Jan. 21st.  We arranged to have 1,000 copies of "Only Way to be Saved" printed with the Articles of Faith on the cover.  I had a long walk and prayer by the Bay.  Solitude is sometimes a pleasure.  Alone with one's God.

Thursday, January 20, 1876

Jan. 20th, 1876.  President Groo received a letter from McLaughlin at Kiapva.  Three of the four Elders left at Aukland had reached that place.  He and Brother Steed were distributing tracts, and were having 1,000 copies of the "Only Way to be Saved", printed.  I went with President Groo to see Ellis.  We found that he was with Claude Rogers at Newcastle.  Mrs. Ellis had much to say in favor of the Reorganized Latter-day Saints, thought the hundred pounds spent by her husband to go to Plano was well spent.  This evening, we are told that Mr. Wardon, the post master at Glebe, is reporting that Brother Peg is keeping a bad house,  has two girls to accomodate the five Elders.  Some will do anything to vilify, distrust and prevent the good we would do.

Wednesday, January 19, 1876

Jan. 19th.  Shaved for the first time since leaving England.  President Groo said, "Why Brother Miller, you have completely spoiled your face."  They all say they like my looks best with my beard on.  In the afternoon I took a walk with reflections and secret prayer by the Bay.

Tuesday, January 18, 1876

Jan. 18th.  I spent the morning studying and visiting.  Afternoon I gave the parting grasp to swan and Burton who take the steamer for Hobertown, Tasmania, their field of labor.   I am impressed with the obedience to duty that impels Latter-day Saint Elders to give the parting hand and go among strangers to proclaim the Gospel of Salvation to the world and at their own expense.  I spent a very sleepless night.  It is warm; mosquitoes, fleas and bedbugs!  I got up at 1:00 A.M. and stayed outdoors three hours.  Then I got my only sleep after 4:00 A.M.

Monday, January 17, 1876

Jan. 17th.  In the house, I am studying the Bible and the encyclopedia and listening to Croxall's silver instrument and Swan's violin - both experts - also Burton's flute, and singing hymns and songs.  Oh, how I wish I could sing and play!  But with God's help, I will use my talents for his  cause.  The weather is extremely hot.

Sunday, January 16, 1876

SEVEN MONTHS FROM HOME

Sunday, Jan. 16th.  Seven months from home.  I am very sore from a cold taken last evening.  The diarrhea continues.  Both result from extreme heat and cold and bad water.  I missed the afternoon meeting, which was a good one.  At the evening meeting, Swan spoke on the goodness of God to his children in the adaptation of everything in nature.  President Groo followed in the same line and spoke of the instructions, crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior, the day of Penticost and the conversion of Paul and his ministry.  After meeting I met and talked with Mr. Harold, the sea captain I gave my address to some four weeks ago.  I joined with President Groo in anointing and administering to Sister Peg for her headache.

Saturday, January 15, 1876

Jan. 15th.  Letters from home.   All are well.  Frank is going to the University.  I went with Brothers Cluff and Swan to see Brother Hoagland off.  Then I went to see the Gas Works.  My under clothes are very wet from perspiration.  The sudden change from the hot inland to the cool sea breezes affects my system.  I sponged my body and changed clothes.

Friday, January 14, 1876

Jan. 14th.  I finished letters for home, also wrote to George Heifner and Cousin Benjamin - forty pages in all. I had supper and a visit at Brother Nichol's who related some of the past history of the Sydney Branch.

Thursday, January 13, 1876

Jan. 13th.  There is a warm inland wind.  I am writing letters for tomorrow's mail.   We settled for the furniture for the upper room and we are fitting up for a conference house.  1-7-6.  (1 pound-7 shillings-6 pence) each for the five Elders remaining here.  Mosquitoes have been bad for several nights so we bought mosquito bar.

Wednesday, January 12, 1876

Jan. 12th.  Time flies, Oh how swiftly!  May I improve the passing moments.  I went with Brother Hoagland to arrange his fare to Melbourne to join with Brother Welling.  He will start next Saturday.  I wrote to Job Welling, describing Brother Hoagland and giving the news.  I bought a book for Dannie and music for Nathalia to send home.  I visited with Groo and Nichols.

Tuesday, January 11, 1876

Jan. 11th.  I dreamed of milking a cow.  The milk looked pale, was not alike in the different teats and I thought that the reason was the cow had not been cared for.  I then, with a companion, cleaned out manger and stall, making an effort to throw the filth far enough so it would not fall back, which succeeded.  The last of my dream was of storing good wheat with much effort.  The construction I put on this dream is that the Saints here have been neglected and need waking up and gathering to Zion.

I had a visit from Arthur Oil, a nephew of Brother Peg.  He is a Catholic.  Our talk was of the goodness of the Creator as seen in all things that surround us and the blessings and designs of the Gospel, in preparing the world for the second coming of the Savior and the Millenium.  There is a balmy ocean breeze.  I am thankful for my health and blessings.

Monday, January 10, 1876

Jan. 10th.  I prepared a bill of books and tracts for Burton and Swan to take to Tasmania.  I also took inventory of tracts and books on hand and reported to Croxall, who will keep the accounts of the mission.

Sunday, January 9, 1876

Sunday, Jan. 9th.  At the afternoon meeting, President Groo read his letter of appointment as President of the Mission and was sustained as such.  He then stated that he had chosen David Cuff and Mark Croxall as his counselors and asked that they be thus sustained, which was done.  Then came the usual testimonies, in which I joined.

At the evening meeting, at the request of President Groo, I occupied most of the time.  I spoke of the earnestness and understanding with which we should worship our Heavenly Father, in whose image we are, and who has so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son in the flesh that, by obedience to the principles and ordinances of the Gospel, we can be saved and exalted in His presence.  These principles are: first. faith; second, repentance; third baptism by immersion by one having authority for the remission of sin; fourth, laying on of hands by one having authority for the reception of the Holy Ghost, which is to lead us into all truth and show us things to come and bring the past to our remembrance..

The fruits of the Gospel are: peace, love, charity, chastity, and observing the two great commandments of the Savior; first, Love the Lord with all thy might, mind and strength; second, Love thy neighbor as thyself.  These commandments, followed by all, would undo the necessity for bolts and locks and implements of death with which all the nations of Christendom are arming themselves for each other's destruction.  They would also have a tendency to usher in a millenium of peace and prepare the world and its inhabitants for the second coming of Christ.

Saturday, January 8, 1876

Jan. 8th.  I went for mail again and got three copies of "Deseret News" and three "Heralds" and have reading for the day, which we spent in the Botanic Gardens. Saturday afternoon is a general holiday for the working classes.  There were many well dressed.  Sydney people are neatly dressed.  The women are freer from trimmings, decorations, and flumadidles and gewgaws than are our women at home.

Friday, January 7, 1876

Jan. 7th.  S.S. San Francisco and Mikado arrived from the east.  I went for mail but got none.  I am reading, writing and studying.

Thursday, January 6, 1876

Jan. 6th.  I wrote a four page letter to President Welling.  I copied a letter of instructions to President Groo and sent it to him.  I also wrote one to my cousin, Benjamin Miller of Illinois, who was a playmate of my childhood.  Passing near him on my way here, I had no time to call on him.

Wednesday, January 5, 1876

Jan. 5th.   I took a walk northeast into the country for several miles and saw some lovely residences and countryside, some nice straight lumber, like in our eastern states; some with bark like hickory and some that shed its outer bark.

Tuesday, January 4, 1876

Jan. 4th.  I wrote to Mr. Heifner, a ship companion in England.  I took a walk and talked with Hyner.

Monday, January 3, 1876

Jan. 3rd.  I wrote letters to my sister's husband, M.D. Hammond, to my sister Jane Rice, my wife and the Sunday School.  I took a walk and had a Gospel talk with a man whose name I did not record.

Sunday, January 2, 1876

Sunday, Jan. 2nd.  I spent the morning visiting.  At the 3:00 P.M. Sacrament meeting, all the Utah Brethren and Brothers Speight and Platt and Sisters Peg and Armstrong spoke.  Later, I saw Sister Armstrong to the train.  The night meeting was the first time since arriving at Sydney that I passed a meeting without speaking.  Brother Swan and Pres. Groo took the time.

Saturday, January 1, 1876

NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION

Jan. 1st. 1876.  I went with Brother Swan, who is Scotch, to see the Scotch Highlanders in their national attire and holiday amusements.  First was tossing the Cabara pole, 12 feet long, 6 inches through.  They support the bottom end in the hands, and as it starts to fall in front, so lift it as to make the top end strike the ground and the bottom end, which was held in the hands, pass on over.  The one who can make it strike the ground the farthest away gains a prize.  But few have the strength to try it.  Another was the Sword Dance with two swords crossed on the floor.  They dance in the corners.  The one who takes the steps the longest without touching the sword has the prize.  A tug of war, a hurdle race and other amusements were all new to me.