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The Retirement Years
1896
At her new home in Cooranbong (“Sunnyside”) the greater portion
of the year, engrossed in writing, speaking, and counseling with the
workers re development of the school. Visited Sydney in March and
spoke in Ashfield church; also in September. Attended and labored in
camp meeting in Adelaide in October, accompanied by W.C.W. and
Sara M. Spoke in Newtown and Ashfield en route to Adelaide. Left
Adelaide Oct. 19, with Sara M. and Elder Haskell. Stopped off in
Ballarat for appointment, and thence to Melbourne, where she spent
about two weeks and spoke several times in area churches, including
the “new church” at North Fitzroy.
Labored in the second conf. meeting of the New South Wales Conf.
(of which W.C.W. was president) in Ashfield, in Nov. Returned to
“Sunnyside” in late Nov. Quite ill, suffered intensely for two weeks
and was unable to attend meetings for a time. Spoke to the people from
her phaeton, out-of-doors, on the last evening of the year. Thoughts
[196]
from the Mount of Blessing and Christ Our Saviour were published in
1896.
1897
At her “Sunnyside” Home. Spoke “in the chamber above the mill”
on Sabbath, Jan. 2 (for first time since her illness late in 1896). “We
must have a meetinghouse,” she decided—and she inspired interest
and effort until the meetinghouse was a reality. Planning to build a
home for W.C.W.’s family. Counseling with Bro. Semmens re a health
home.
Visited Summer Hill (to counsel with Brethren Semmens and
Haskell re health home), and met speaking appointments in Newtown
and Ashfield—all in Sydney area, in Feb. carrying heavy burdens
in connection with the school, counseling in regard to many prob-
lems, speaking frequently, etc. Also overseeing building of home for
W.C.W.’s family, while he was in U.S. for Gen. Conf.
Visited Summer Hill, Sydney, Ashfield, and Newtown again in
August, speaking and counseling, and spent a few days in Summer
Hill in Sept. spoke frequently to the students, and on Sabbaths “in the
crowded upper chamber.” Oct. 16 spoke in the new chapel, and Oct.