On April, 11, 1898, A. B. Maston left by the s.s. Mariposa for San Francisco, in order to consult a physician in the United States with reference to his disease. He made his way to the old homestead once more, and subsequently visited various parts of the States, meeting many of the prominent brethren. In June he underwent an operation at the hands of a Cincinnati physician. He returned to Australia, landing in Sydney on Oct. 1, 1898.

      The treatment, however, failed to give him permanent relief, and after a year of suffering, he was operated on for the seventh time, in October, 1899.

      These months were very busy ones, and in addition to the many duties devolving upon him, he managed to inaugurate and control a fund to enable young men anxious to fit themselves for the work of preaching, to pursue their studies either in Australia or in America. He solicited donations from liberal brethren, and raised a fair sum of money, from which many needy students were assisted. Several of these young men have become earnest and successful preachers of the gospel, and are filling prominent positions among the churches. Bro. Maston always had a deep interest in the welfare of young preachers, and showed it in a very practical way. He is remembered with [68] gratitude by many, who, but for his timely assistance, would probably have been unable to secure an education.

      As the years went by, Bro. Maston gained the confidence of the brethren in a remarkable degree, so that he became the confidential adviser of the churches, and was consulted by them in all manner of difficulties. His help and advice were sought by churches needing preachers, preachers needing churches, individuals in trouble, isolated brethren, and country members in need of many and various things. All found a willing friend and brother in the cosmopolitan manager of the "Austral."

      It was now a fight for life, and the long list of operations given in an earlier chapter is only the barest indication of the sufferings of these final years.

      His daughter, Melba, left for Sherman College, Texas, in December, 1902. In January, 1904, Bro. Maston paid another visit to New Zealand, returning in March. Mrs. Maston left for a visit to America in July, 1904, returning in September, 1905.

      During these trying years, Bro. Maston attended almost all the Conferences in Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales, and moved about among the churches in all the States. He was greatly cheered by the sympathy and practical help of the brethren in all parts.

      On January 12, 1907, he went to Sydney to meet his daughter, Melba, who had completed her college course, and was returning from America. At [69] the same time he was anxious to pay a visit to his daughter, Hobia, who had recently married and was living with her husband, Mr. Sydney Gole, in Mosmans, N.S.W.

      Racked with pain, he was unable to stay to the Sydney Conference, but returned to Melbourne to undergo, if possible, another operation. On January 23, 1907, the wounds were opened, but only to discover that further surgical aid was impossible, and he was taken from the private hospital to his home.

      The last entry in his diary was made on Friday, February 8, 1907: "At home most of the day, at office an hour or so afternoon." How he managed to attend the "Austral" that day, no one knows, but he did so, and returned to his home to take to his bed and die.

      Knowing that the end was drawing near, an appeal was made by the Victorian Home Mission Committee in the "Christian" for a testimonial. This was liberally responded to by almost all the churches, and over £600 was collected in a short space of time. The sufferer had the satisfaction of knowing that some provision had been made for those who would be left behind, for whom he himself had never been able to lay by. [70]

[LABM 68-70]