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Life Sketches of Ellen G. White
An Industrial Experiment
From the time the property came into full possession of the Aus-
tralasian Union Conference, to the time of the opening of the school,
there was much to be done. Land must be cleared, a swamp drained, an
orchard planted, and buildings erected. For the accomplishment of this,
a number of students were gathered,—sturdy young men who were
glad to work six hours a day, and receive their board, and instruction
in two studies. The school opened March 6, 1895, and continued thirty
weeks.
For the accommodation of the twenty young men who entered into
this work, an old hotel was rented in Cooranbong, and several tents
were pitched beside this building. In April, Brother Metcalfe Hare,
who had been chosen as treasurer and business manager of the school
enterprise, moved his family to Cooranbong, and, desiring to be close
to the work, pitched his tents near the sawmill and the site set apart
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for school buildings. For nearly two years the tent, covered with a
galvanized iron roof, served as his habitation.
Many parents wishing to send their children to the school, thought
it ought to be located near one of the large cities where many Seventh-
day Adventists were living. They believed that thirty or forty acres of
land not far from Sydney or Melbourne would be much better than a
large tract of wild land near Newcastle. Others were opposed to the
place because they thought the land was so poor that little would be
gained in its cultivation. Mrs. White had a more encouraging view of
the value of the land; and when the liberal gift of $5,000 by the friends
from Africa made it possible to pay for the tract, she wrote: “I felt my
heart bound with gratitude, when I knew that in the providence of God
the land was in our possession; and I longed to shout the high praises
of God for so favorable a situation.”
In July, 1895, Mrs. White determined to manifest her interest in
the school enterprise and her confidence in the Avondale estate, by
purchasing a piece of the land, and making Cooranbong her home.
She selected sixty-six acres, and in a few weeks had a portion of
her family living in tents on the tract, which she named “Sunnyside.”
The erection of an eight-roomed cottage was begun; and as soon as a
clearing could be made, land was plowed, and fruit trees were planted.
Of this experience she wrote: