Thrusday Novemeber, 4, 1875

ASSIGNMENT TO SYDNEY

Nov. 4th. I went six miles with President Welling to Brunswick, to distribute tracts. Passing through the large, nice Royal Park, from the hills, one is led to say, "Oh how beautiful!" President Welling thinks Sydney is the worst mission field, is much more aristocractic, has more Josephites, more apostates than Saints, Bechamp's scandals, and Mrs. Stenhouse's lectures, etc., - but says I am best able to meet them.

Wednesday, November 3, 1875

Nov. 3rd. Toothache kept me awake. I gathered and exchanged tracts.

Tuesday, November 2, 1875

Nov. 2nd. We went to Melbourne, visited the public library and called on Bechamp. We find that Brother Steed can go direct to New Zealand from here. I go by steamer to Sydney on Saturday Nov. 6th and Brother Steed to New Zealand on Thursday Nov. 11th. We paid for and ordered our suits delivered. Had toothache very bad. Walked about fifteen miles.

Monday, November 1, 1875

Nov. 1st, 1875. A stormy day was spent visiting with Brother Witheral and writing.

Sunday, October 31, 1875

Sunday, Oct. 31st. Heavy wind and rain continue at 3:00 P.M. so we cannot have our advertised meeting on the Common, but we have Sacrament Meeting with the Saints at Brother Kent's. Brothers Welling, Steed and I each spoke. We were followed by Brothers Carlton, Witheral and Kant and Sisters Kant and Witheral. At a Council Meeting at 4:30 President Welling gave much good instruction, supported by Brother Steed and myself. At the 6:30 P.M. meeting, at the request of President Welling, I preached a Gospel sermon. Mr. Barrat and wife were present.

Friday, October 29, 1875

Oct. 29th. We stayed at the house and did counseling on the future course of the mission and did reading and conversing. Next day we advertised and posted a notice for a meeting on the Common and went to Melbourne where we tried on our suits.

We visited the Botanic Gardens east of Melbourne and saw many native and foreign trees and flowers, very nicely and expensively arranged. We witnessed boat racing on the Yarrow River. Then we viewed the artillery practice, maneuvering and firing. We walked about twenty miles and were back about dusk. At 11:00 P.M. Brother Witheral and wife from Geelong arrived and we visited until 1:00 A.M. They are faithful, intelligent Saints. Sister Witheral has traveled considerably in the U.S. and is well informed.

Saturday, November 6, 1875

Nov. 6th. I packed up, prepared for departure, and bade farewell to the Kants, who have kindly cared for and fed us and washed our clothes. I left under my pillow, my endorsed photo, a sovereign, (a British gold coin worth 20 shillings or one pound,) and a note of appreciation. Arriving at Melbourne, I learned that the vessel will not start until 5:00 P.M. instead of 2:00 P.M. We went to Sandridge Wharf at the mouth of the Yarrow, where vessels too large to be towed up to Melbourne, load and unload. The wharf extends several hundred feet into the bay. Several railroad tracks extend the length of it to receive and bring in the loading. At 5:00 P.M. on board the "City of Adelade", I bade good-bye to Welling and Steed and am off alone for Sydney. A strong wind all day and I am seasick once more.