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10 THE ABORIGINE. **The Aborigines in Victoria.** HON. DIRECTOR, CANON GASON. While remembering the “virgin soil” we are working upon along the Roper River, we must not forget the blacks at our doors. There is often a tendency to weave a romance about things and persons in the dis- tance, sometimes to the detriment of those on our threshold. This we are not doing at present, but we must guard against it. The Victorian Blacks have a very strong claim upon us who live on and by Victorian soil. We require far more support than we are get- ting for the Roper River mission; at the same time, let us not forget that we have two faithful mission- aries labouring at Lake Condah and Tyers, men who have spent the best part of their lives amongst their people, trying to lead them to a higher and better life, and in many cases succeeding. Do you ask, is there any tangible result to be seen? Yes, undoubtedly. We could take you to an Aborigine who on three several occasions tried to murder the missionary. Now he prays twice a day for the man he tried to kill. A woman said to Mrs. Stahle re- cently: “I am very sorry in my heart” (her son was absent, and she did not know where he was); “but when I feel it sorry in my heart, I look up to the sky and say, Oh, my Lord, comfort me, help me, keep it close to me, and then He takes my sorrow away, and I feel it better.” Again: “I always ’member a text Mr. Stahle preach about, and I always ’less Jesus wherever I go.” Here is a portion of a letter written by a full Black born and educated at Con- dah. The writing is like copperplate; the composition you can judge for yourself. He had just heard of his mother’s death, and writes as follows to Mrs. Stahle, whose ready sympathy the blacks are always sure of:— “I know and feel that mother is now in that bright and happy home above, free from all pain, sorrow and care; gone to join her loved ones gone before, and living with her blessed Saviour in that home that He has prepared for God’s people. It is not our cor- ruptible bodies lying in the grave that we should grieve over, but thank God for our immortal souls, that, provided we have served and lived with Him here on earth, are allowed to live with Him for evermore.” One old man told a recent visitor to the station, “Father and mother (Mr. and Mrs. Stahle) been here very long time, 200 years.” When he no- ticed a doubtful look cross the astonished visitor’s face, he added, “very nearly 100 years. All my bro- thers and sisters out in the world, only one brother and one sister left” (meaning Mr. Norman Stahle and his sister). The above will give some idea of the kindly feelings of the natives towards the heads of the station. Recently the Rev. John Bulmer had preached on “The heavenly race.” As he came out of the church, one of the men said, “I want to run in that race.” Mr. Bulmer was on one occasion urging a Black to decide for Christ. At the time there was a great deal of fighting in the tribe. Tommy said, “Wait until fights all over.” “But,” said Mr. Bulmer, “You might be seriously hurt; what would do then?” “O, then I look to Jesus quick!” There is much to encourage us to “thank God and take courage” in both stations, though there is much also to sadden the heart and drive us nearer to God. Gambling and dancing lead to much sin and sorrow. The missionaries and their wives are doing what they can to find harmless counter attractions, and with some success. The Government are doing much to make the people comfortable. Recently prizes were promised for well-kept gardens, clean homes and per- sons. Like many of their fairer brethren, the Blacks do not like too much work. A visitor wrote in the “Visitor’s Book” the following verse:— “Who’ll play at marbles all the day Until the boss drives them away To work at arrow root or hay? The Blacks.” We are glad of the encouragement given by the Gov- ernment. It will support and strengthen the efforts of the missionaries. Only the other day dear old Mr. Bulmer, who is over 70 years of age, dug and planted a large garden with vegetables as an example to the men. At Lake Tyers, Miss Christensen has a branch of the Gleaners’

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