In the life of most men there is a stage where important issues are decided--a parting of the ways, a turning point beyond which a new course is entered upon, and a new life begun, a tide which may lead to fortune or the reverse. It was so in the case of A. B. Maston, whose opportunity came when O. A. Carr, of Columbia, Missouri, who had spent some years in Australasia, and had returned to America, was commissioned by the Church of Christ at Wellington, New Zealand, to engage a preacher to labour with them in the gospel.

      A. B. Maston tells of his engagement in these words:--"In October, 1879, I visited Bloomington, Illinois, there being in session at that place the 'Missionary Convention,' of the Christian Church. There I met Bro. O. A. Carr, of Columbia, Missouri, who wanted a man to go to Wellington, New Zealand. I was recommended to him by Bro. O. A. Burgess and Ira J. Chase. I came home and consulted my wife, and she said go, and so I contracted with him for that work."

      In the "Standard and Apostolic Times," of December, 1879, O. A. Carr writes: "Bro. Maston preached a very impressive sermon at Columbia, Mo., Dec. 14., on 'the Toilers of the Harvest Field.' He has been a toiler all along. He went to Sunday School barefooted, when a poor boy; he earned his [16] clothes and worked his way into Butler University; and now as a preacher of the Gospel he is an enthusiastic toiler. He built up a prosperous church at Hebron, Ind., and did very efficient work as an evangelist in many parts of Indiana. I feel gratified that Bro. and Sis. Maston responded to the call from New Zealand, for they are noble spirits and will do a good work. It will be remembered that the Church in Wellington, New Zealand, sent £80 to pay the way to them of a preacher from the United States. Owing to the demand for labourers in our home field, I had some difficulty and much delay in securing a preacher. But when I presented the matter to Bro. Maston, he promptly said, 'I am your man,' and I believe he is the right man, and Sister Maston the right woman for the work."

      Writing on Dec. 2, 1879, A. B. Maston tells the story of the farewell:--"The brethren at Hebron gave us a farewell supper at the residence of Bro. Ross. About 150 persons were present. At the final leave-taking, all were smitten with sorrow, but we parted: God grant that it may not be the last time. We went home with Bro. White. Dr. Belding and Bro. Franklin were present at the supper, and Bro. Franklin went with us to Bro. White's and stayed a night."

      The next day, a Brother Dye brought them to Valparaiso, where they took train for Bourbon, Indiana, thence the day following to Pierceton; where friends were waiting to bring them to his father's house. On the 6th, they proceeded to [17] Milford, and spent the Sunday with Mrs. Maston's family, the Lichtenwalters. On the 10th they bade farewell to these, and the next day proceeded to St. Louis, where they heard Mr. Moody preach. At Columbia, on the 13th, Bro. Carr was waiting for them. On the following Lord's Day he preached for Bro. Carr. A collection was taken up towards their travelling expenses, amounting to thirty-three dollars.

      After the long railway journey to San Francisco, they took their passage on board the "Australia," for Auckland, on Dec. 22. They made the shortest trip to Honolulu on record up to that time (6 days 22 hours). The voyage was uneventful, and they arrived at Auckland on Sunday, Jan. 11th, 1880. Bro. E. Carr went on board to meet them, and took them to Sister Hawk's, where they found a home for several days. A. B. Maston went to the Christian meeting house, and heard Bro. Hawkins preach. He was asked to make a few remarks, and after the meeting several of the brethren called on Mr. and Mrs. Maston at their lodging. On the 16th they removed to Bro. Carr's. On the next Lord's Day he addressed the Auckland church in the morning, and preached in the evening to a large and attentive audience on "The Light of the Gospel." He came in contact, among many others, with Sister Roebuck, Bro. Goodacre, Bro. Henry, Bro. Rattray, Bro. McDermott, Bro. Dilly, Bro. and Sister Stokes. He visited Papakura, and called at Bro. C. Wallis's. [18]

      They stayed at Auckland till Feb. 12th, Bro. Maston preaching each Lord's Day, and several times during the week. On Feb. 15th, they arrived in Wellington. [19]

[LABM 16-19]