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David and Edith Ferris.

Photo courtesy of Shirley Tarburton from the private collection of Ervin Ferris.

Ferris, David Andrew (1904–1987) and Edith May (Candish) (1903–1978)

By Shirley Tarburton

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Shirley Tarburton, M.Litt. (Distinction) (University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia) retired in 2008 after 40 years teaching church-school (mainly high school but including eight years at university). An Australian, she has taught in four mission fields, Australia, and New Zealand. She has authored five books and co-authored one on church history, biography and family history, as well as several magazine articles. She is married to Dr. Michael Tarburton with two adult children and four grandchildren.

 

First Published: January 28, 2020

Audio

David Andrew Ferris was a Seventh-day Adventist medical missionary to the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) and the Solomon Islands. He later pastored in North New Zealand and Western Australia, and was superintendent of Karalundi Mission, Western Australia.

Early Years

David Andrew Ferris was born February 23, 1904, in the small country town of Dookie in Victoria, Australia, to Arthur (1869-1961) and Jessie (nee Dunlop, 1879-1958) Ferris.1 At the time, his father, who managed an orchard, was studying to become a Seventh-day Adventist.2 David Ferris and his twin brother, Walter Geoffrey (1904-1985), had an older brother, Norman (1902-1958), and three younger sisters, Esther (1906-1922), Muriel (Mrs. Peter Ferris, 1918-2006), and Edna (Mrs. Verne Heise, 1922-2006).

Education

When he was six years old, Ferris’s parents went as Adventist missionaries to Norfolk Island where they served for the next ten years.3 Here Ferris commenced his schooling and was baptized.4 When, following a furlough early in 1921, the family moved to a new appointment on Lord Howe Island, Ferris and his brother stayed in Australia.5 To earn enough money to go to college, Ferris sold Adventist books as a colporteur.6

Ferris enrolled at Australasian Missionary College (now Avondale College) and took ministerial studies during 1924 and 1925,7 then commenced nursing training in 1927. In March 1930, he graduated from the nursing course at the Sydney Sanitarium and Hospital (now Sydney Adventist Hospital).8 He spent the rest of the year colporteuring in the South New South Wales conference.9 Then, in September he received an appointment to the New Hebrides Mission.10

Marriage

On February 4, 1931, Ferris married Edith May Candish11 whom he had met at the Sydney Sanitarium.12 Edith Candish was the only daughter of William Joseph Candish (1879-1969)13 and his wife, Susan Teresa Kappler (1878-1955).14 She was born in Fremantle, Western Australia, on November 6, 1903,15 and had a younger brother, Leslie William (1906- 1984).16 Candish attended the Palmyra primary school before enrolling at Western Australian Missionary College (now Carmel College) where she completed her secondary schooling.17 At that time, applicants for nursing training were not accepted until they had reached 22 years of age, so while waiting to reach that age, she worked for the Sheed family in Kalgoorlie.18

Candish commenced training at the Sanitarium in 1926, a year before David Ferris, and took a four-year course. They graduated together because his was a three-year course.19 After graduating in March 1930, she went on to complete a six-month course in midwifery at the Royal Hospital for Women,20 excellent preparation for their mission service together.

Career

Ferris’s parents were missionaries on Lord Howe Island at the time of his marriage to Candish and had been unable to attend the wedding.21 The newlyweds arranged to visit Ferris’s parents on their way to the New Hebrides.22 They sailed on the Makambo from Sydney on March 14, 1931, and after two weeks with Ferris’s family, arrived at the school on Aore Island for their orientation in the second week of April.23

After attending the general meetings for the mission, David and Edith Ferris were appointed to Ambrym Island, living in temporary quarters at the Baiap mission station (which had been partly destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 192924) while a new mission was built further north.25 David Ferris’s territory included the islands of Epi and Pentecost. Medical missionary work was greatly need in the area.26 As soon as one room and a verandah were rebuilt at Baiap, they moved in. There was continual activity from surrounding volcanoes, which kept the air peppered with drifting ash that contaminated their food, water, and everything else. Nevertheless, they accepted it all cheerfully and immediately started treating as many patients as they could find, walking from place to place.27 The Ferrises’ work was not limited to providing medical help, but included pastoral responsibilities and running a primary school.28 Ten were baptized after their year at Baiap.29

Early in 1932, as soon as an area was cleared, they moved to the new location at Limbul.30 Here they lived in a small dwelling built of bush materials and leaf thatch until a permanent house was constructed.31 Ferris set up a sawpit and, with the help of some of the young men at the mission, prepared the necessary timber.32 These helpers also voluntarily did all the other work needed to carve the mission station out of the bush.33 Ferris kept in contact with the mission at Baiap, as well as regularly visiting other villages34–sometimes with the assistance of the mission ship Karioff 35 and at other times using a canoe.36 At the end of 1933, he baptized a group of men and women who had become Seventh-day Adventists during the year.37

The Ferrises returned to Australia for their first furlough in June 1934.38 In order to be better prepared for the medical missionary work in the tropics, they took a special course39 in Tropical Hygiene and Sanitation at the Sydney University in July, for which David Ferris received a distinction.40 He also attended the 1934 Annual Council.41 The Ferrises shared their mission experiences at camp-meeting42 and other places before43 they returned to Ambrym Island in October.44 As Ferris visited around his district, he was encouraged to see how the churches had grown while he was away.45

In August 1935, eleven new members were baptized46 during the Ambrym camp meeting, which was attended by 300 people.47 The people were diligent students of the Bible. The Baiap Sabbath School consistently reported a daily study record of 95% or higher.48 When a new boat was acquired by the mission, Ferris had permanent use of the Karioff,49 and he was able to visit all areas of his territory more frequently.50

Early in 1936, Edith Ferris returned to Sydney, where she gave birth to their first child, Colleen.51 When she returned to Ambrym with the baby–sailing on August 8–she was accompanied by a nurse, Laura Brumby, who planned to augment the medical work.52

The work of the Adventist mission continued to expand in David Ferris’s district. In 1936, Paama Island was entered53 and a church was opened at Fonteng.54 Another 13 new members were baptized at Baiap in 193755 and a new mission was established at Lanisup in 1938.56

While in Australia on his second furlough in 1938, Ferris was appointed to the directorship of the Malaita Mission in the Solomon Islands.57 Following the birth of his son, Kevin Stewart, in the Sydney Sanitarium,58 Ferris proceeded to the Solomon Islands by himself in June.59 His family joined him in August.60

Their new station was at Kwailibesi mission at the northern end of Malaita.61 A small hospital had been built there in 1936, and a thriving medical ministry established.62 A number of churches had been established in the surrounding areas and further along the coast,63 but they impacted only a small percentage of the estimated population of 45,000 on the island.64

The week after Edith and the children arrived, World War II broke out in Europe. This was to have a great impact on the Solomon Islands in two years’ time, however, mail arrived infrequently, and news often took a long time to reach them.65

The family had been reunited for just eight weeks when Colleen contracted a fever. To stave off malaria, which was very common in the area, her parents gave her quinine. Tragically, she choked and died.66 It was discovered that an abnormality of her thymus had blocked her airway, promoting choking.67 Ferris’s older brother, Norman, who was stationed at Kopiu on the next island, Guadalcanal,68 notified church headquarters at Wahroonga by radio from Tulagi.69 David Ferris took his family to the Adventist Aymes Memorial Hospital at Kukudu in the Western Solomons, (which had opened earlier that year70), where they recuperated physically and emotionally for several months.71

It is a testament to their fortitude that the new year saw the Ferrises back at their post at Kwailibesi, working harder than ever overseeing the dispensary, school, and mission.72 In September 1940, with Ferris increasingly busy, Edith Ferris and baby Kevin returned to Australia.73 She gave birth to a second son, David Warren Cameron.74 Rather than return to the uncertain war-time conditions in the Solomons, Edith Ferris elected to remain with her parents in Perth, Western Australia, until their next furlough.75

On February 22, 1941, during district meetings held at Batuna, Western Solomons, Ferris was ordained to the gospel ministry.76 Later that year, he received a request to transfer to New Zealand after his furlough, to lead the Health Ministry in the South Island.77 However, this appointment was interrupted by World War II.

As hostilities encroached on the Solomon Islands, responsibilities were divided among local workers, important equipment was secured or hidden, and careful instructions given to cover various scenarios.78 On Friday, February 13, 1942, shortly after the Japanese landed in the northern Solomons, the Adventist missionaries remaining in the Solomon Islands left for Sydney, Australia, on the mission ketch, Melanesia.79 Those on board were Hamley Perry, A. Robert Barrett, James Cormack, David Ferris, John Howse, John (Jack) Gosling, and Charlie Tucker.80 There was great rejoicing when they safely reached Bundaberg, Queensland, on February 20.81

In place of his rescinded appointment to New Zealand, Ferris was given pastoral work in Newcastle,82 where the reunited family spent a happy three years.83 During this time, a baby girl joined their family by adoption.84 Glenda Narelle was born January 27, 1943,85 and made their family complete.

In January 1945, the Western Pacific High Commission issued permits for David Ferris and John Gosling to return to Kwailibesi on Malaita in the Solomons.86 Leaving in March, they were taken by military transport via a circuitous route.87 They were given a rapturous welcome88 and immediately set about getting everything in working order again.89 There was a serious food shortage on Malaita, and it was with great thankfulness that they welcomed Norman Ferris who arrived from Kopiu with a boat-load of food.90

In July 1946, David Ferris returned to Sydney, bringing six Solomon Islanders to crew the Melanesia for its return to the Solomons. He was accompanied by his brother, Norman, as the captain.91 Ferris was hoping permits would be issued enabling him to take his family back to Malaita; however, the Union Conference decided otherwise, transferring him, instead, to the New Hebrides to care for a leper station that was to be established there.92 This was familiar territory and he left to take up the task on November 1, 1946.93 However, his family had to stay behind as no building had yet been commenced.94

While the leper station was being set up on Malekula,95 Ferris took up residence on the nearby island of Atchin96 where his family joined him in June 1947.97 By 1948, the leper village was full of people happy to be receiving treatment.98 Ferris also developed a novel treatment for yaws. Patients came from other islands because the treatment was so successful.99 To facilitate travel between the islands, in April 1949, Ferris and a New Hebridean crew went to Sydney, to take delivery of the Ka Seli and sailed it back to the New Hebrides.100

From November 1949101 to April 1950,102 the Ferris family enjoyed furlough in Australia, receiving medical treatment,103 visiting family and sharing stories of their mission service at camp meeting.104 Back in the New Hebrides, Ferris was moved to Tanna, to be district director there.105 He was busy with his pastoral and medical duties when, 10 months later,106 he was appointed to ministerial work in North New Zealand.107

Ferris pastored in the Wellington area, Upper Hutt, and Miramar,108 and worked with Pastor L. Vince’s Wellington City Mission in 1953.109 In 1955, Edith Ferris took the two younger children with her to Western Australia as she was needed to care for her seriously ill mother.110 About the same time, Ferris and their eldest son moved to Napier to pastor in that area.111 Edith Ferris needed to stay in Western Australia after her mother died to be near her aging father, so Ferris was transferred to that state in March 1956.112

In Western Australia, Ferris pastored the Narrogin congregation113 where he conducted several baptisms.114 In January 1958, he became the superintendent of the aboriginal mission at Karalundi where he served until May 1960.115 He was much loved there, and even after the completion of his term of service was invited back to speak at camp meetings.116

In June 1960, Ferris returned to pastoral ministry in a large Western Australian district that included Sunbury, Wellington Mills, Donnybrook, Capel, Busselton and Margaret River.117 Between 1962 and 1964, he was pastor of the Geraldton church.118 This was followed by time at Northam119 and, from 1965 to 1967, in Manjimup.120 During this time, the Ferrises trained to facilitate 5-day Stop Smoking programs.121 In 1968-1969 they ministered in Bunbury.122

Retirement and Death

The Ferrises retired on February 23, 1969, after 39 years of service, sixteen of which were spent in the Pacific Islands.123 They moved to Cooranbong124 to spend their retirement surrounded by friends and where Walter Ferris joined them the following year.125 Here, Edith Ferris passed away on July 4, 1978.126

David Ferris spent his last years in the Charles Harrison Retirement Home at Avondale where he died on December 11, 1987.127 He was remembered with affection. To the Karalundi children he was Jamu, ‘loved grandfather.’128 Ferris served enthusiastically wherever he was appointed. He had the ability to form caring relationships with those he worked for.129

Sources

“A Letter from Pastor D. A. Ferris.” Australasian Record, February 19, 1940.

“After a furlough…” Australasian Record, April 18, 1921.

“After years of efficient service…” Australasian Record, October 27, 1941.

“Ambrym, New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, November 23, 1931.

“Among the passengers …” Australasian Record, June 23, 1947.

Anderson, O. K. “Forward on All Fronts in West Australia.” Australasian Record, November 11, 1957.

Anderson, O. K. “The Truth Triumphant.” Australasian Record, February 25, 1957.

Brash, Thomas. “Candish.” Australasian Record, July 4, 1955.

“Brother A. H. Ferris …” Australasian Record, May 17, 1920.

“Brother and Sister David A. Ferris …” Australasian Record, March 23, 1931.

“Brother and Sister David Ferris ...” Australasian Record, May 18, 1931.

“Brother D. A. Ferris …” Australasian Record, January 16, 1939.

“Brother D. Ferris …” Australasian Record, December 5, 1938.

“Brother David Ferris …” Australasian Record, January 14, 1935.

“Brother David Ferris writes …” Australasian Record, March 9, 1936.

“Coming in from the New Hebrides …” Australasian Record, June 18, 1934.

“Distribution of Labour.” Australasian Record, September 29, 1930.

Engelbrecht, G. F. “Brief Survey of the Work in the New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, May 4, 1936.

Engelbrecht, G. H. “Aore School, New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, January 1, 1934.

Engelbrecht, G. H. “Gathering Students for the Training School, New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, March 20, 1933.

Ferris, A. A. “Skinner.” Australasian Record, August 8, 1955.

Ferris, A. H. “Dedication of the Ka Seli.” Australasian Record, May 2, 1949.

Ferris, D. A. “Elliott.” Australasian Record, September 28, 1964.

Ferris, D. A. “Experiences on Ambrym, New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, March 19, 1934.

Ferris, D. A. “Experiences on Ambrym, New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, March 19, 1934.

Ferris, D. A. “Geraldton Church Anniversary.” Australasian Record, July 2, 1962.

Ferris, D. A. “Giblett.” Australasian Record, February 22, 1965.

Ferris, D. A. “How the Heathen Sacrifice Social Attainment.” Australasian Record, August 3, 1936.

Ferris, D. A. “In the Solomons Once More!” Australasian Record, June 4, 1945.

Ferris, D. A. “McHugh-Ferris.” Australasian Record, March 1, 1965.

Ferris, D. A. “On the Trail to Coraken.” Australasian Record, October 16, 1950.

Ferris, D. A. “Piper.” Australasian Record, February 12, 1968.

Ferris, D. A. “The Missionary Must Be a Practical Man.” Australasian Record, May 20, 1946.

Ferris, D. A. “The New Leper Station, New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, January 5, 1948.

Ferris, Edith. “Ambrym, New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, October 9, 1933.

Ferris, N. A. “God Sent Food in Answer to Prayer.” Australasian Record, June 11, 1945.

Ferris, Sister D. A. “Did You Hear?” Australasian Record, April 5, 1948.

“For the Intercessory Prayer Circle.” Australasian Record, January 13, 1936.

Frame, R. R. “Staff Appointments and Transfers.” Australasian Record, January 22, 1951.

Government of Western Australia, Burial Index, Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Candish, Leslie William. http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/results.php.

Heise, Edna Ferris. “Interest on a Colporteur’s Investment.” Australasian Record, December 14, 1985.

Heise, Edna. “David Ferris.” Australasian Record, February 13, 1988.

Heise, Edna. “Missionary Twins.” Australasian Record, April 21, 1984.

Heise, V. J. “Ferris.” Australasian Record, February 13, 1988.

Hollingsworth, C. F. “A Camp Meeting on Ambrym, New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, September 9, 1935.

“Karalundi – Crystal Brook.” Australasian Record, January 1, 1962.

Kent, J. W. “N. N. S. W. Conference.” Australasian Record, April 26, 1943.

King, A. R. “A Missionary Visits the West Australian Missionary College.” Australasian Record, October 29, 1934.

“Late word from Pastor D. A. Ferris . . .” Australasian Record, June 11, 1945.

Maberly, F. T. “Total Activity in the West.” Australasian Record, October 17, 1960.

“Missioners’ Long Voyage Ends at Australian Port.” The Courier-Mail, Saturday, February 21, 1942.

“Mrs D. Ferris . . .” Australasian Record, October 14, 1940.

“New Year Honours.” Australasian Record, March 23, 1970.

“Nine Seventh-day Adventists . . .” Australasian Record, October 22, 1934.

“On April 24 . . .” Australasian Record, May 8, 1950.

“On August 8 . . .” Australasian Record, August 17, 1936.

“On Sunday, July 7 . . .” Australasian Record, July 22, 1946.

“Our Island Mission Field Unprecedented Progress and Opportunities.” Australasian Record, September 23, 1935.

Paget, Isobel M. “An Open Letter to Pastor and Mrs David Ferris, Veteran Missionaries to New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, February 10, 1969.

Parker, Alfred. “Ferris, Edith May.” Australasian Record, August 21, 1978.

Parker, Alfred. “Ferris.” Australasian Record, August 21, 1978.

Parker, C. H. “News from the New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, August 31, 1931.

Parker, Dorothy. “Home Letters from Dr Parker.” Australasian Record, December 7, 1936.

Pascoe, A. L. “Batuna District Meeting.” Australasian Record, April 14, 1941.

“Pastor A. H. Weil returned . . .” Australasian Record, September 26, 1938.

“Pastor and Mrs D. A. Ferris . . .” Australasian Record, December 5, 1949.

“Pastor D. A. Ferris . . .” Australasian Record, November 18, 1946.

Peacock, G. “Survey of the New Hebrides.” Australasian Record, July 15, 1935.

Peacock, G. “Week of Prayer at Baiap, Ambrym.” Australasian Record, November 13, 1933.

Perry, J. C. H. “The Many Duties of a Missionary.” Australasian Record, June 23, 1947.

Perry, J. C. H. “Solomon Islands to Australia on the ‘Melanesia.’” Australasian Record, March 30, 1942.

Peterson, Adrian M. “Dedication of Manjimup Church School.” Australasian Record, January 30, 1967.

Prettyman, C. H. “Graduating Exercises Sydney Sanitarium.” Australasian Record, April 21, 1930.

Rudge, W. E. “Eighth Karalundi Camp Meeting.” Australasian Record, January 1, 1968.

Rusa, George. My Life Story – A Floating Log. Cooranbong, NSW: Desk-top Publishing, Heather Dixon, 2005.

“Seventeen Sydney Sanitarium nurses . . .” Australasian Record, January 5, 1931.

“Shortly before . . .” Australasian Record, July 10, 1939.

“Sister D. A. Ferris . . .” Australasian Record, August 21, 1939.

“Sister David Ferris . . .” Australasian Record, August 20, 1934.

“South NSW Conference and Camp-meeting.” Australasian Record, December 15, 1930.

Speck, A. E. “Ferris-Candish.” Australasian Record, March 16, 1931.

Stewart, A. G. “Dedication of Amyes Memorial Hospital.” Australasian Record, September 4, 1939.

Stewart, A. G. “Ferris.” Australasian Record, December 11, 1939.

Stewart, A. G. “Ferris.” Australasian Record, December 11, 1939.

Stewart, A. G. “In the Islands of the Sea – Divine Predictions Fulfilled.” Australasian Record, May 2, 1938.

Stewart, A. G. “Through the New Hebrides. – Part 2.” Australasian Record, August 3, 1931.

Stewart, A. G. “Visiting Kwailibesi Station, Malaita.” Australasian Record, August 21, 1939.

“Superintendent A. L. Pascoe writes . . .” Australasian Record, January 15, 1940.

“Superintendent A. L. Pascoe writes . . .” Australasian Record, May 13, 1940.

“The ‘Orsova’ berthed in Sydney . . .” Australasian Record, April 2 1956.

“The island mission field . . .” Australasian Record, October 8, 1934.

“The most thickly populated . . .” Australasian Record, January 15, 1940.

Turner, Bessie C. “The Editor Wanted to Know.” Australasian Record, May 8, 1950.

Turner, W. G. “The New Hebridean Field – Part 2.” Australasian Record, July 6, 1931.

“Union Conference Annual Meeting.” Australasian Record, October, 28, 1946.

“Union Conference Secretary’s Report.” Australasian Record, September, 17, 1934.

Victorian Births Index. Ferris, David Andrew, 1904/1839.

Vince, L. D. “Wellington City Mission.” Australasian Record, August 24, 1953.

“We are pleased . . .” Australasian Record, January 29, 1945.

“We deeply regret . . .” Australasian Record, December 4, 1939.

Western Australian Births Index– Candish, Leslie William, 1906, Fremantle No. 320.

White, H. “News Items from Western Australia.” Australasian Record, April 9, 1956.

Wilson, G. I. “Candish.” Australasian Record, March 24, 1969.

Worker’s Biographical Record. “David Andrew Ferris.” South Pacific Division of the General Conference Archives.

Worker’s Sustentation Application. “David Andrew Ferris,” South Pacific Division of the General Conference Archives.

“Writing from the Solomon . . .” Australasian Record, October 2, 1939.

Notes

  1. Victorian Births Index, Ferris, David Andrew, 1904/1839.↩

  2. Edna Ferris Heise, “Interest on a Colporteur’s Investment,” Australasian Record, December 14, 1985, 10.↩

  3. “Brother A. H. Ferris …,” Australasian Record, May 17, 1920, 8.↩

  4. Glenda Robinson, email message to author, January 31, 2019.↩

  5. “After a furlough …,” Australasian Record, April 18, 1921, 7.↩

  6. Glenda Robinson, email message to author, January 31, 2019.↩

  7. Worker’s Biographical Record, “David Andrew Ferris,” South Pacific Division of the General Conference Archives.↩

  8. C. H. Prettyman, “Graduating Exercises Sydney Sanitarium,” Australasian Record, April 21, 1930, 4.↩

  9. David Andrew Ferris, Worker’s Sustentation Application. South Pacific Division of the General Conference Archives. Folder: “Ferris, David Andrew,” Document: “Worker’s Sustentation Application.”; “South NSW Conference and Camp-meeting,” Australasian Record, December 15, 1930, 6-7.↩

  10. “Distribution of Labour,” Australasian Record, September 29, 1930, 24.↩

  11. A. E. Speck, “Ferris-Candish,” Australasian Record, March 16, 1931, 5.↩

  12. C. H. Prettyman, “Graduating Exercises Sydney Sanitarium,” Australasian Record, April 21, 1930, 4.↩

  13. G. I. Wilson, “Candish,” Australasian Record, March 24, 1969, 15.↩

  14. Thomas Brash, “Candish,” Australasian Record, July 4, 1955, 7.↩

  15. Alfred Parker, “Ferris, Edith May,” Australasian Record, August 21, 1978, 14.↩

  16. Western Australian Births Index– Candish, Leslie William, 1906, Fremantle No. 320; Government of Western Australia, Burial Index, Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, Candish, Leslie William. http://www2.mcb.wa.gov.au/NameSearch/results.php↩

  17. Glenda Robinson, email message to author, January 31, 2019.↩

  18. Ibid.↩

  19. C. H. Prettyman, “Graduating Exercises Sydney Sanitarium,” Australasian Record, April 21, 1930, 4.↩

  20. “Seventeen Sydney Sanitarium nurses …,” Australasian Record, January 5, 1931, 8.↩

  21. A. E. Speck, “Ferris-Candish.” Australasian Record, March 16, 1931, 5.↩

  22. “Brother and Sister David A. Ferris …,” Australasian Record, March 23, 1931, 8.↩

  23. “Brother and Sister David Ferris …,” Australasian Record, May 18, 1931, 8.↩

  24. G. Peacock, “Week of Prayer at Baiap, Ambrym,” Australasian Record, November 13, 1933, 3.↩

  25. W. G. Turner, “The New Hebridean Field – Part 2,” Australasian Record, July 6, 1931, 1-2.↩

  26. A. G. Stewart, “Through the New Hebrides. – Part 2,” Australasian Record, August 3, 1931, 4.↩

  27. C. H. Parker, “News from the New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, August 31, 1931, 3.↩

  28. “Ambrym, New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, November 23, 1931, 3.↩

  29. G. Peacock, “Week of Prayer at Baiap, Ambrym,” Australasian Record, November 13, 1933, 3.↩

  30. Edith Ferris, “Ambrym, New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, October 9, 1933, 8.↩

  31. G. H. Engelbrecht, “Gathering Students for the Training School, New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, March 20, 1933, 2-3.↩

  32. Ibid.↩

  33. Ibid.↩

  34. D. A. Ferris, “Experiences on Ambrym, New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, March 19, 1934, 2.↩

  35. G. H. Engelbrecht, “Aore School, New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, January 1, 1934, 4.↩

  36. D. A. Ferris, “Experiences on Ambrym, New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, March 19, 1934, 2.↩

  37. Ibid.↩

  38. “Coming in from the New Hebrides …,” Australasian Record, June 18, 1934, 8.↩

  39. “Sister David Ferris … ,” Australasian Record, August 20, 1934, 8.↩

  40. David Andrew Ferris, Worker’s Biographical Record. South Pacific Division of the General Conference Archives. Folder: “Ferris, David Andrew,” Document: “Worker’s Biographical Record.”↩

  41. “Union Conference Secretary’s Report,” Australasian Record, September, 17, 1934, 3.↩

  42. “The island mission field … ,” Australasian Record, October 8, 1934, 8.↩

  43. A. R. King, “A Missionary Visits the West Australian Missionary College,” Australasian Record, October 29, 1934, 4.↩

  44. “Nine Seventh-day Adventists …,” Australasian Record, October 22, 1934, 8.↩

  45. “Brother David Ferris …,” Australasian Record, January 14, 1935, 8.↩

  46. C. F. Hollingsworth, “A Camp Meeting on Ambrym, New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, September 9, 1935, 3-4.↩

  47. “Our Island Mission Field Unprecedented Progress and Opportunities,” Australasian Record, September 23, 1935, 1-2.↩

  48. “Brother David Ferris writes …,” Australasian Record, March 9, 1936, 8.↩

  49. G. Peacock, “Survey of the New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, July 15, 1935, 3.↩

  50. G. F. Engelbrecht, “Brief Survey of the Work in the New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, May 4, 1936, 3.↩

  51. A. G. Stewart, “Ferris,” Australasian Record, December 11, 1939, 7.↩

  52. “On August 8 …,” Australasian Record, August 17, 1936, 8.↩

  53. “For the Intercessory Prayer Circle,” Australasian Record, January 13, 1936, 8.↩

  54. D. A. Ferris, “How the Heathen Sacrifice Social Attainment,” Australasian Record, August 3, 1936, 3.↩

  55. D. A. Ferris, “Baptism at Ambrym, New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, February 15, 1937, 2.↩

  56. A. G. Stewart, “In the Islands of the Sea – Divine Predictions Fulfilled,” Australasian Record, May 2, 1938, 13-14.↩

  57. “Brother D. A. Ferris …,” Australasian Record, January 16, 1939, 8.↩

  58. Glenda Robinson, email message to author, January 31, 2019.↩

  59. “Shortly before …,” Australasian Record, July 10, 1939, 8.↩

  60. “Sister D. A. Ferris …,” Australasian Record, August 21, 1939, 8.↩

  61. A. G. Stewart, “Visiting Kwilibisi Station, Malaita,” Australasian Record, August 21, 1939, 4.↩

  62. Dorothy Parker, “Home Letters from Dr Parker,” Australasian Record, December 7, 1936, 3-4.↩

  63. “Writing from the Solomon …,” Australasian Record, October 2, 1939, 8.↩

  64. “The most thickly populated …,” Australasian Record, January 15, 1940, 3.↩

  65. “A Letter from Pastor D. A. Ferris,” Australasian Record, February 19, 1940, 7.↩

  66. A. G. Stewart, “Ferris,” Australasian Record, December 11, 1939, 7.↩

  67. Glenda Robinson, to author, February 12, 2019, e-mail.↩

  68. “Superintendent A. L. Pascoe writes …,” Australasian Record, January 15, 1940, 3.↩

  69. “We deeply regret …,” Australasian Record, December 4, 1939, 8.↩

  70. A. G. Stewart, “Dedication of Amyes Memorial Hospital,” Australasian Record, September 4, 1939, 3-4.↩

  71. “A Letter from Pastor D. A. Ferris,” Australasian Record, February 19, 1940, 7.↩

  72. “Superintendent A. L. Pascoe writes …,” Australasian Record, May 13, 1940, 8.↩

  73. “Mrs D. Ferris …,” Australasian Record, October 14, 1940, 8.↩

  74. David Andrew Ferris, Worker’s Biographical Record. South Pacific Division of the General Conference Archives. Folder: “Ferris, David Andrew,” Document: “Worker’s Biographical Record.”↩

  75. “After years of efficient service …,” Australasian Record, October 27, 1941, 8.↩

  76. A. L. Pascoe, “Batuna District Meeting,” Australasian Record, April 14, 1941, 3; David Andrew Ferris, Worker’s Biographical Record. South Pacific Division of the General Conference Archives. Folder: “Ferris, David Andrew,” Document: “Worker’s Biographical Record.”↩

  77. “After years of efficient service ...,” Australasian Record, October 27, 1941, 8.↩

  78. George Rusa, My Life Story – A Floating Log, (Cooranbong, NSW: Desk-top Publishing, Heather Dixon, 2005), 21, 27-29.↩

  79. J. D. H. Perry, “Solomon Islands to Australia on the ‘Melanesia’,” Australasian Record, March 30, 1942, 3.↩

  80. Ibid.↩

  81. “Missioners’ Long Voyage Ends at Australian Port,” The Courier-Mail, Saturday, February 21, 1942, 3.↩

  82. J. W. Kent, “N. N. S. W. Conference,” Australasian Record, April 26, 1943, 5.↩

  83. Ibid; Worker’s Biographical Record, “David Andrew Ferris,” South Pacific Division of the General Conference Archives.↩

  84. Glenda Robinson, email message to author, February 12, 2019.↩

  85. Ibid.↩

  86. “We are pleased …,” Australasian Record, January 29, 1945, 8.↩

  87. D. A. Ferris, “In the Solomons Once More!” Australasian Record, June 4, 1945, 5.↩

  88. “Late word from Pastor D. A. Ferris …,” Australasian Record, June 11, 1945, 8.↩

  89. N. A. Ferris, “God Sent Food in Answer to Prayer,” Australasian Record, June 11, 1945, 8; D. A. Ferris, “The Missionary Must Be a Practical Man,” Australasian Record, May 20, 1946, 3.↩

  90. N. A. Ferris, “God Sent Food in Answer to Prayer,” Australasian Record, June 11, 1945, 8.↩

  91. “On Sunday, July 7 …,” Australasian Record, July 22, 1946, 8.↩

  92. “Union Conference Annual Meeting.” Australasian Record, October, 28, 1946, 8.↩

  93. “Pastor D. A. Ferris …,” Australasian Record, November 18, 1946, 8.↩

  94. J. C. H. Perry, “The Many Duties of a Missionary,” Australasian Record, June 23, 1947, 5.↩

  95. Ibid.↩

  96. Ibid.↩

  97. “Among the passengers …,” Australasian Record, June 23, 1947, 8.↩

  98. D. A. Ferris, “The New Leper Station, New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, January 5, 1948, 5.↩

  99. Sister D. A. Ferris, “Did You Hear?” Australasian Record, April 5, 1948, 4.↩

  100. A. H. Ferris, “Dedication of the Ka Sali,” Australasian Record, May 2, 1949, 4.↩

  101. “Pastor and Mrs D. A. Ferris …,” Australasian Record, December 5, 1949, 8.↩

  102. “On April 24 …,” Australasian Record, May 8, 1950, 8.↩

  103. “Pastor and Mrs D. A. Ferris …,” Australasian Record, December 5, 1949, 8.↩

  104. Bessie C. Turner, “The Editor Wanted to Know,” Australasian Record, May 8, 1950, 5.↩

  105. D. A. Ferris, “On the Trail to Coraken,” Australasian Record, October 16, 1950, 4.↩

  106. David Andrew Ferris, Worker’s Biographical Record. South Pacific Division of the General Conference Archives. Folder: “Ferris, David Andrew,” Document: “Worker’s Biographical Record.”↩

  107. R. R. Frame, “Staff Appointments and Transfers,” Australasian Record, January 22, 1951, 2.↩

  108. Glenda Robinson, email message to author, February 12, 2019.↩

  109. L. D. Vince, “Wellington City Mission,” Australasian Record, August 24, 1953, 4-5.↩

  110. Glenda Robinson to author, February 12, 2019, e-mail.↩

  111. A. A. Ferris, “Skinner,” Australasian Record, August 8, 1955, 15.↩

  112. “The ‘Orsova’ berthed in Sydney …,” Australasian Record, April 2 1956, 16.↩

  113. H. White, “News Items from Western Australia,” Australasian Record, April 9, 1956, 4.↩

  114. O. K. Anderson, “The Truth Triumphant,” Australasian Record, February 25, 1957, 3; O. K. Anderson, “Forward on All Fronts in West Australia,” Australasian Record, November 11, 1957, 2.↩

  115. Worker’s Biographical Record, “David Andrew Ferris,” South Pacific Division of the General Conference Archives.↩

  116. Special Correspondent, “Karalundi – Crystal Brook,” Australasian Record, January 1, 1962, 8-10; W. E. Rudge, “Eighth Karalundi Camp Meeting,” Australasian Record, January 1, 1968, 3.↩

  117. F. T. Maberly, “Total Activity in the West,” Australasian Record, October 17, 1960, 3.↩

  118. D. A. Ferris, “Geraldton Church Anniversary,” Australasian Record, July 2, 1962, 4.↩

  119. D. A. Ferris, “Elliott,” Australasian Record, September 28, 1964, 14; D. A. Ferris, “Giblett,” Australasian Record, February 22, 1965, 7.↩

  120. D. A. Ferris, “McHugh-Ferris,” Australasian Record, March 1, 1965, 14; Adrian M. Peterson, “Dedication of Manjimup Church School,” Australasian Record, January 30, 1967, 6.↩

  121. Adrian M. Peterson, “Dedication of Manjimup Church School,” Australasian Record, January 30, 1967, 6.↩

  122. D. A. Ferris, “Piper,” Australasian Record, February 12, 1968, 15.↩

  123. Worker’s Biographical Record, “David Andrew Ferris,” South Pacific Division of the General Conference Archives.↩

  124. Ibid.↩

  125. “New Year Honours,” Australasian Record, March 23, 1970, 7; Edna Heise, “Missionary Twins,” Australasian Record, April 21, 1984, 12.↩

  126. Alfred Parker, “Ferris,” Australasian Record, August 21, 1978, 14.↩

  127. V. J. Heise, “Ferris,” Australasian Record, February 13, 1988, 14.↩

  128. Edna Heise, “David Ferris,” Australasian Record, February 13, 1988, 14.↩

  129. Isobel M. Paget, “An Open Letter to Pastor and Mrs David Ferris, Veteran Missionaries to New Hebrides,” Australasian Record, February 10, 1969, 2-3.↩

×

Tarburton, Shirley. "Ferris, David Andrew (1904–1987) and Edith May (Candish) (1903–1978)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. January 28, 2020. Accessed March 25, 2025. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=B7VW.

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Tarburton, Shirley. "Ferris, David Andrew (1904–1987) and Edith May (Candish) (1903–1978)." Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. January 28, 2020. Date of access March 25, 2025, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=B7VW.

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Tarburton, Shirley (2020, January 28). Ferris, David Andrew (1904–1987) and Edith May (Candish) (1903–1978). Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. Retrieved March 25, 2025, https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=B7VW.

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