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Lectures and visits by missionaries, as well as the proceedings of AIM meetings were often reported in newspapers around the country during the Mission years. The transcripts below are a small selection from the National Library of Australia's Digitised Newspapers online collection:
Northern Star, 21 Aug 1905, p.2 (view pdf)
ABORIGINES INLAND MISSION
At the very mention of the name of mission how our thoughts run to such places as China, India, Japan, and the various isles of the sea, but the question arises what are we doing for a race that is close at our doors, the aborigines? Why is this race despised and rejected by the white population? There is no excuse to be offered that they were unaware that such a people were in existence, for they lived here before a white man ever put foot on this fair land of ours. What have we done? Why, if the past was to be placed before us we would hide our faces with shame. We have taken their land, shot them down by scores, cruel and barbarous treatments have been meted out to them, and then not satisfied we have taught them evil and undesirable habits, such as drinking, gambling, etc. After this unjust and unfair treatment, is it not time that we put our hands to the plough and start to scatter seeds of kindness and compensate them for the great wrong we have committed, and which has caused such a blot to be made on the annals of the past ? Should we not try to uplift and enlighten them intellectually, morally, and spiritually? For the purpose of so doing an inaugural meeting was recently held in Singleton, when a mission was formed which will be known as the "Aborigines' Inland Mission." For some months past a number of enthusiasts und lovers of the work have been earnestly and prayerfully engaged in the drawing up of a 'constitution, and at the meeting, which was presided over by Miss Dixon, this was laid upon the table, having been duly sign ed by all present. Mr. H. S. Austin then moved, seconded by Mr. G. Coughlan, that the constitution be adopted. This was carried unanimously, the meeting rising and singing the Doxology, and while standing the marching orders were presented by Miss Dixon. The meeting then cordially welcomed and accepted Miss Retta Dixon and Miss Mabel Timbury as the first mission aries. Both these ladies have been engaged for some time in the work, and have, therefore, had useful experience. The election of officers resulted as follows :-President, Miss Dixon ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. A. T. Cochrane and H. S. Austin ; Treasurer, Mr. G. Coughlan : Press Correspondent. Mr. B. Millard ; Secretary. Mr. B. Bartrop (John-street, Single-ton). Mr. B. Millard moved that the night for the holding of the monthly business meeting be the last Wednesday in the month, which was seconded by Mr. Coughlan and carried. Other minor matters were dealt with, and owing to the lateness of the hour the meeting was adjourned.
At the next meeting, which was held at the residence of Mr. A. T. Cochrane, and which was presided over by the President, Miss Dixon, correspondence was read from the Aborigines' Board, expressing approval of the starting of an orphan home : from Tasmania inviting Miss Dixon over to a missionary demonstration and offering her the opportunity to speak on the aborigines' work : from the Koguruh Junior Christian Endeavour Society offering a primus stove or some other useful article and from a lady in Victoria enquiring about the work. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of Miss Dixon. Miss Dixon then handed over to the Treasurer small sums which had been received from friends who take an interest in the work. Miss Dixon then reported to the meeting that she had waited upon various persons and visited a number of houses for the purpose of engaging a residence to be used as a home for orphan children, and after careful consideration thought a place in Pitt-street as most suitable. Mr. Austin then moved that the committee secure the residence as an orphan home and also headquarters of the mission. Seconded by Mr. Cochrane and carried. Miss Timbury reported to the meeting the result of her visit to Newcastle, where she had been treated with, great kindness, and everywhere hospitably entertained. She visited a number of C.E. societies, and everywhere the privilege was extended to her to speak on the work, and interest is being aroused. The fixing of nights for the holding of workers' and pub lic prayer meetings were decided on and the meeting then rose, to meet again on Thursday night next. The above mission is at present working very successfully at two stations in the neighbourhood of Singleton, viz. St. Clair and Redbournberry, and it is the desire of the committee to reach every station in the State.
Citation: Aborigines Inland Mission. (1905, August 21).;Northern Star(Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71838588
Sydney Morning Herald, 30 Nov 1918, p.7 (view pdf)
THE CHURCHES. MISSION WORK AMONG ABORIGINES
There was a large attendance at the annual meeting of tho Aborigines' Inland 'Mission, held in the Pitt-street Congregational School Hall recently. The annual reports, which were of a most encouraging nature, stated that four new mission stations were opened during the year at Gayndah (Q.), Tweed Heads, Bulgandramine, and Wagett (N.S.W.), and three more missionaries accepted, making a total of ten mission stations and twenty one out-stations, with seventeen mission-aries ministering to 1400 aborigines. The report drew attention to the large number, yet unreached by the gospel-probably about 70,000. This constituted an urgent call to the Churches of Australia. A number of the aborigines were on active service. The receipts for the year amounted to £935, including £60 subscribed by the aborigines themselves. A large number of donations in kind wero also received. During the meeting addresses were delivered by Miss M Brown, missionary, of Condobolin, and Mr. H. G. Harward, of the City Temple. Of special Interest was the testimony given by the aboriginal king of Port Stephens. The director of the mission (Mr. L.W. Long) presided over the gathering.
Citation: THE CHURCHES. (1918, November 30). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15813342
Brisbane Courier, 18 Oct 1922, p.6 (view pdf)
FOR THE ABORIGINES. INLAND MISSION WORK
An informative address, entitled "Mission Work among the Aborigines of Australia ," was given by Mr L W Long (Director of the Aborigines Inland Mission) before a fairly large gathering in the Ann-street Presbyterian Church last evening. Mr John Smith presided. With the aid of about 60 lantern slides, Mr Long described the progress of the work of the mission the object of which, he said, was to carry out with respect to Australia's aboriginal people the command of Matthew xxviii 19-20. The mission was interdenominational in character, and was supported by the free-will offering of God's people. Cards and the white man's "fire water," the speaker contended, were the great drawbacks among the aboriginals to-day. There still remained a very big field to take possession of in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, when they remembered that there were still over 80,000 aboriginals to be ministered to. They could not look with any comfort to the treatment meted out to the Tasmanian natives. He hardly thought that they need hold it up against the aboriginal that he was unwilling to work. Such was not the case. He thought they would all agree with him in saying that if the Gospel had done nothing else it had changed the outward appearance of the natives. With all due respect to legislation, gambling among the aboriginals could not be stamped out except by earnest prayer and persuasion on the part of the missionaries. The slides shown, which were very interesting, mainly dealt with groups of natives in each of the States, and comparisons of the conditions of the aboriginals before and after the advent of the missionaries.
Citation: FOR THE ABORIGINES. (1922, October 18).;The Brisbane Courier;(Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 6. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20578250
Townsville Daily Bulletin, 29 Sep 1926, p.9 (view pdf)
ABORIGINES' INLAND MISSION
The Director of the above Mission, Mr. L. W. Long recently paid a visit to the Palm Island Settlement: in con nection with the Spiritual work among the Aborigines there. The chief objective of his visit was to baptise several of the converts. This ceremony took place on the Sunday morning. The candidates, numbering forty-one, as sembled at the School where a brief address was given by Mr. Long. They then marched in a double file to the creek a distance of about three-quar ters of a mile. It was a very impressive and beautiful sight to see these earnest, white clad, men, women and children walk in silence to the appointed spot. Then, after a short prayer, walked one by one into the creek. Mr. Long then asked 'do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour,' and each time the response tame clearly - I do', each Candidate was then immersed ''in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost" and then came out on the other side of the creek, and proceeded to the dressing sheds. A large and reverent crowd had gathered to watch this service the first of its kind on the Island. After the baptisms those who had thus publicly confessed their faith marched back to the School for a service, at which a short address was given explaining the constitution of the A.I.M. Palm Island Baptist Church. Those present becoming foundation members of the same. This was followed immediately by a Celebration of the Lord's Supper. At the evening service on the same day three, of the people were dedicated as Native Helpers of the A.I.M. and will work In conjunction with the Missionaries on the Island. During his visit Mr. Long. was able to have meetings with all the people and received a warm response and attention to his ministry. He was much impressed by the knowledge of the scripture manifested by the children both in day school religions Instruction and Sunday School, and also by the change the Gospel has wrought in many lives since his previous visit. Mr. Long now returns to Sydney to prepare for the Annual Meetings of the Society which takes place in the Chapter House on November 2nd.
Citation: ABORIGINES INLAND MISSION. (1926, September 29).Townsville Daily Bulletin;(Qld. : 1885 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60917401
Sydney Morning Herald, 17 May 1927, p.12 (view pdf)
ABORIGINES. ACCELERATED DECLINE. MISSION CONFERENCE REPORT.
The conference of the Australian Aborigines' Inland Mission was opened at the City Temple, Campbell-street, yesterday, and a number of missionaries and those lately accepted for service in the field were present. The report referring to aboriginal census disclosed that to June 21, 1920, there were 59,290 bull-blooded aborigines and 15,102 half castes in the Commonwealth. From a total of 62,394 aboriginal men, women, and children, on June 30, 1925, the figure fell by 3119 In the 12 months ended June, 1926. The loss in the previous 12 months had been 12. Thus the new figure presented a remarkable accelerated decline in the race during the year. Of the total of 74,308 aborigines, 23,329 were said to be nomadic, 9743 were in regular employment, 13,776 were in supervised camps, and 27,650 were listed as having no occupation. The conference will continue till May 27.
Citation: ABORIGINES. (1927, May 17). The Sydney Morning Herald(NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16381419
Sydney Morning Herald, 18 May 1927, p.19 (view pdf)
THE ABORIGINES. THREATENED EXTINCTION. MISSIONARIES' APPEAL.
It was stated by Mrs. L. W. Long, at yesterday's conference of the Aborigines' Inland mission, that the mortality of the Australian aborigines was becoming alarming, and that if it continued at the same rate as during the past few years, only 20 years would elapse before the full-blooded aborigines became extinct.
Mrs. Long outlined the history of the mission since its inauguration at Singleton in August, 1905, when the "field" consisted of only 80 aborigines. To-day, she said, stations were established in many parts of the State, as well as in Queensland, and now more than 6000 aborigines were bring ministered to, extending throughout the south-western districts to South Australia, and after a somewhat discouraging commencement In Queensland, was progressing most satisfactorily in different parts of that State. During the past year nine new missionaries had been added to the ranks, and there had been several associates, bringing the total number of additional workers in the twelve months to 19. Mrs. Long said that the aborigines were dying at a greater rate than ever before. For the 12 months ended June 30, 1926, the deaths totalled 3119, and the mortality was the highest among the children under two years of age. While on a visit to the Central Australian districts she was struck by the absence of native children. With such a high death rate among the children, the aborigines could not hope to survive for many more years. Remedial measures were urgently necessary.
The chairman (Mr. U W. Long) said that it was a deplorable fact that people seemed to be more interested in conserving the native fauna and flora of Australia rather than in saving from extinction the native inhabitants, who belonged to an intensely interesting race and one which bridged the present with the long-forgotten past. In the South Australian districts traversed by the trans-Australian railway, the richest and poorest people of the world came together. The railway carried hundreds of tourists from all parts of the world, and they came in contact with the aboriginal at his worst. The tourists returned home and said they had "seen" the aborigines, and spoke of them in derogatory terms, when, actually, they had seen only what the white people had allowed them to drift to.
An outline of the work among the aborigines In South Australia was given by Miss Brown, a missionary. She said that mission work in the Central Australian districts was particularly difficult, because the aborigines were of a roving disposition, and the missionaries were unable to follow them in their wandering. They, however, were most responsive to spiritual teachings. Motor transport was necessary for effective mission work in the Central Australian area, though in the sandy districts the use of camels was imperative.
Citation: THE ABORIGINES. (1927, May 18).;The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 19. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16367097
Brisbane Courier 10/04/1928 p.12 (excerpt) (view pdf)
"NOT HOPELESS." ABORIGINAL MISSION WORK. ADDRESS AT EVANGELICAL CONVENTION.
A plea for the remnant of the dying aboriginal race was made by the Rev E Buckley, of the Aborigines' Inland Mission when he delivered an address yesterday at the afternoon session of the Contention for the Deepening of the Spiritual Life, which was held in the pavilion at Dutton Park under the auspices of the Queensland Evangelisation Society. "It is well worth while towork among the aborigines," he said. 'It is not as some people think, a hopeless task."
The chair at the afternoon session was taken by the Rev J S Needham of the Australian Board of Missions,Sydney. He confessed that racially he could see no hope for the Australian aborigine. He was amazed to read the statement of an American scientist who had spent eight months with the natives of Northern Australia to the effect that the mentality of those natives was equal to that of the white man. The black man was an inferior, and he was painfully aware of it. He was merely a hanger-on to the fringe of white civilisation. The only hope for him was segregation and evangelization. He was surprised to note from the Press that a deputation of Cairns residents recently asked the Premier to allot them to have the use of a portion of the Yarrabah Mission area for picnicking purposes. A portion of that reserve cut off previously contained practically all of the good soil in the settlement. Some whites had fished in one of the settlement bays, and there was an attempt to secure for the white men the timber which grew on the reserve. He was glad to note that Mr M Cormack did not accede to the request of the deputation but had promised to confer with the mission authorities before doing anything in regard to further encroachment on the reserve. He hoped that the natives would be left undisturbed on the already too small are allotted to them. It was true that that portion of the reserve which the Cairns people coveted was a fine resort but so also was Green Island, Double Island, Kuranda, and all the coast from the mission settlement to Port Douglas. Why could they not let the unfortunate aborigine end his days in peace on his own little reserve? It was a case of Naboth's vineyard again. Referring to the Royal Commission and the subsequent trial of certain police for the alleged murder of natives in West Australia he said that the Australian Board of Missions had written to the Premier of Western Australia expressing its astonishment at the reinstatement of the policemen concerned. A protest by a body representing about 40 per cent of the people of Australia was worthy of a reply but the West Australian Premier had not replied to any of the boards several communications upon the matter.
Mr Buckley, who is attached to the Aboriginal Mission Station at the Tweed River, said that 22 years ago the Aborigines' Inland Mission was started at Singleton (NSW). It was separate from the Australian Inland Mission, and must not be confused with it, although both were working on exactly the same lines. When the mission to which he belonged was begun it had two stations. Today there were 20 stations on their list staffed by 35 white and three native missioners, and there were several native helpers, and a number of associate workers. At present the mission was working in three States Queensland-at Barambah, Taroom and Palm Island-NewSouth Wales, and Victoria. The object was, mainly and almost solely, to evangelise the aborigines of AustraliaThe mission believed that the State Governments were doing in a great way their part in looking after the temporal needsof the aborigines and it was the desire of the missioners to look after their spiritual needs. He exhorted his hearers to think of those neglected souls, whom God wished to be saved, and to support the missions, which were attending to the welfare of the aborigines, for whom they were all responsible.
Citation: "NOT HOPELESS.". (1928, April 10).;The Brisbane Courier;(Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 12. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21241179
The West Australian, 15 Oct, 1934, p. 12 (view pdf)
'THE GREAT DOCTOR.' Remarkable Aboriginal Beliefs.
An Interesting account of aboriginal customs indicating that the Australian natives have a belief in a 'great spirit,' was given on Friday by Miss M. Brown, a daughter of the late Archdeacon Brown, of Perth. Miss Brown worked for25 years as a member of the Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia. She has been on furlough in Western Australia and will leave Perth on October 20 to continue her labours amongst the natives in an independent capacity.
From conversations with the aborigines, declared Miss Brown, she had concluded that, while it was true that they had no idea of the need of a sacrifice for sin (though in the north of Queensland there was a firm belief in a great spirit whose wrath was to be feared), yet belief in a great spirit was general. It was believed that, he sent his son, a great doctor, to give wise, good laws to the old men who, in their turn, passed them on to the young men after their initiation into manhood. The initiation was accompanied by great suffering and the youth failing to pass with manly fortitude through the torture appointed, was considered unfit to be entrusted with the secret laws and therefore disqualified from becoming a man. The suffering, she went on, differed in various parts. In Queensland the men were tested by having to lie on hot ashes. On the Lachlan River their front teeth were knocked out. On the Bogan dreadful gashes were inflicted on the chest and back. These wounds also represented the totem of the men's tribe. An account of the religious meeting conducted during the delivery of the laws to the young men who had been initiated was given to Miss Brown by one of the old men at Condobolin on the Lachlan River. All the men of the surrounding tribes were summoned to attend and none dared to disobey, though it might mean a journey of 100 miles. The women accompanied the men to a certain point beyond which they were not allowed to go. Hidden from view, the men made a circle within which stood the 'newly-made' men, while around stood the elders, one of whom, the chief doctor, acted as lawgiver to the newly-appointed staff. The ceremony over, the new men approached the women who, on hearing their return, chanted a hymn as they drew near, without a word being spoken on either side. Each man received a salutation from the women in the form of a daub of white clay mixture, on his face. Banishment for 18 months followed. On their return to the camp the men had to live away from the others in bachelors' quarters and were never allowed to speak to the women till after 21. Even then they were not permitted to go near the women's huts until they too were married.
'Though these religious ceremonies have regrettably died out in many parts,' stated Miss Brown, 'the good characteristics formed by the carrying out of the great doctor's laws, such as sharing possessions with others, respecting the good, entertaining strangers, reverencing 'Eyumah (the great spirit) are still to be traced in the simple lives in every camp. My informant told me they would never have dared to sing the name of Eyumahas we sing the name of God. Another old man from the Bogan River tribe would lower, his voice to a whisper when he spoke of the great spirit, either as Eyumah, 'Him' or 'the old fellow.' From another reliable informant from Deniliquin near the border of Victoria and New South Wales, we learned that to smile or laugh at one of the sacred meetings would surely bring the offender, some sudden pain such as toothache or earache.
Lying Punished by Death. This same old man, who ,was noted for his truthfulness, also told us that, a liar would be punished by death, so great was this sin in the eyes of his forefathers, and very severe punishment was dealt out to the child who gave his parents a 'back answer.' Not only in their everyday lives can be traced the influence of the great doctor's teachings but, according to their tradition, the footprints of time have not erased from view the literal signs of his presence in this country of theirs. With great fervour they would like to show you not far from the centre of New South Wales, the fossilised canoe he travelled in, the remains of his beautiful garden and the wonderful fishing pond in the Hunter River above Singleton where today you can see the walls of rock in the bed of the river that divided the different 'fish from each other, and, above all, the very fire on a high mountain in Scone, above Singleton, which he lit to boil his billy. As he lit it, is it any wonder that it has been burning ever since? 'Then, though he used canoes he was, independent of them, for with much seeming veracity, that they never think you will doubt, they tell you that he would go from the mainland, with others in a canoe, to an island, but having to leave without him (for he had vanished) they found he had reached home before them, having walked the sea. This feat many had seen him perform. Healing, powers were his also and these powers in some measure he left to the minor doctors who followed him. Remarkable stories are told of wonderful cures. Their medicinal herbs are being used today by many white people who are quite satisfied with the good results obtained from them.
After hearing so much of this wonderful man, it is not surprising to learn that before he left this world he fought Warrigal, the devil, gaining the victory and today, somewhere in the east, the enemy is chained up as a result. It was at Forster, near the eastern coast of the northern part of New South Wales that the account off the great doctor's departure was given by a very old, pure aboriginal woman. It happened during a walk, which proved to be the last, with a small company of men who had followed him wherever he went. ' He led them up into a high-mountain and after giving them a few instructions, he was parted from them. Gradually with hands outstretched over their heads, he went up and up until a cloud received him out of their sight. 'Was it any wonder?' concluded Miss Brown, 'that after listening to this story the question should arise in our minds, 'Is not this the Christ and are we really the first messengers of the Cross?
Citation: "THE GREAT DOCTOR.". (1934, October 15).;The West Australian;(Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32813660
Sydney Morning Herald 04 Nov, 1935, p.11 (view pdf)
ABORIGINAL SPEAKER. A Worker for His Race. ADDRESS TO MISSION MEETING.
Fred Barber, a grey-haired aboriginal, 57years of age, addressed the annual meeting of the Aborigines Inland Mission on Saturday. A hearty, humorous speaker, he stood on the platform behind the mission's banner, "OurGod is Able," and appealed for missionary work among his people. He was born at Sackville, on the Hawkesbury River. In his youth he drifted to Sydney, and became well-known as a cricketer "I've played cricket all over Sydney," he said,"but the Devil had me then." Today he one of the mission's most valued workers. He has tramped the New England district from his base at Tingha for the last 13 years, visiting aboriginal settlements. "I walk theroad," he said, "and sometimes the gravel gets into my boots and hurts my feet. But God is good to me, and there is glory in my heart all the time".
Barber is a practised speaker. His eyes sparkled behind his gold-rimmed glasses as he strolled up and down the platform on Saturday, telling his delighted audience that he found that his total resources were 2/- a few days before he wanted to come to Sydney for the mission's meeting, and that the situation had been saved by an unexpected wind-fall."God is good to me," he said quietly "He supplies all my wants. That is all I know."
Suddenly his voice boomed out, filling the hall. He gestured to the audience. "Your people are living in our country," he said "We are not asking you to give it back. But", he waved his pocket Bible above his head "I am asking your people to give the Gospel to mine".
Citation: ABORIGINAL SPEAKER. (1935, November 4).;The Sydney Morning Herald;(NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17229965
The Courier-Mail 29 Oct, 1938, p. 5 (view pdf)
ABORIGINAL HYMN;COMPOSERS
Hymns composed by aborigines were sung at the annual meeting of the Queensland advisory council of the Aborigines' Inland Mission of Australia.
One of the hymns, 'Is your life a channel of blessing?' which wasplayed on the organ of the Ann Street Presbyterian Church, and sung by young men and women, was written by the heir to the tribal throne of Cauruah. He, however, preferred Christianity to the traditional Crown.Miss A. Irons, one of the missionaries, said there had not been a missionary at Mitchell for some time, and all the people had slipped back into their old ways, in which gambling played a big part. There were between 50 and 60 children to be saved and a kindergarten was needed. Miss J. Bryan, another missionary,said that in one particular area the teaching of the gospel had definitely put an end to tribal warfare.Mr. B. H. Lovelock is the new president, the Rev. George Haughan having retired.
Citation: ABORIGINAL HYMN COMPOSERS. (1938, October 29).;The Courier-Mail;(Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), p. 5 Section: Second Section. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article38717973
The Courier-Mail 06 Jul, 1940, p. 11 (view pdf)
ABORIGINES' INLAND MISSION
Evangelical work done by the Aborigines' Inland Mission of Australia was meeting with much success said the President of the Queensland State Advisory Council (Mr. B. H.Lovelock) at the annual meeting, held in the Ann Street Presbyterian Church last night. Six thousand aborigines were members of the mission, said the secretary(Mr G. E. Lean). The mission had 43 centres and more than 100 outposts. A membership of 127 included 50 full-time missionaries and 46 native workers. A missionary would leave Brisbane shortly for Darwin to develop mission work among 15,000 aborigines in the Northern Territory, where it was intended to establish a chain of stations.
Citation: Aborigines' Inland Mission. (1940, July 6).;The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved January 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40952095
To read more newspaper articles, visit the Digitised Newspapers database in Trove at NLA and search for "Aborigines' Inland Mission".