Taree Greats - David Elliott

David and Violet Elliott came out of the Taree Salvation Army and entered work for The Salvation Army as officers. They volunteered for foreign service and were sent to China. Unfortunately, Captain David Elliott passed away during service there.

A report in The Leader on 26 March 1921 describes the circumstances: 

News has just reached Millthorpe from China by cable, of the death of Captain David Elliott of The Salvation Army, who, with his wife and child, were farewelled at Millthorpe last October prior to take up Mission service in China. During his residence here Captain Elliott was very popular, especially in the outlying portions of the district where he was an earnest worker.

For the Sake of China

A little over two months ago, Captain and Mrs Elliott and little Lennie, Captain Nelson and Ensign Abbott arrived in China from Australia. On the night of their welcome meeting, Captain Elliott, with manly earnestness, delcared with no uncertainty that God had called him to China, that he was glad to come, and that he was going forward believing that God would help him to overcome the many difficulties ahead. Mrs Elliott also spoke of the definite call, and said that they were prepared to do their best, but what they could not do they hoped that their little boy, who had been dedicatd for China, would be able to do.

Captain Elliott's purposeful words and earnest bearing impressed all, especially the people to whom he felt called, with the fact that he loved God, he loved man and was on God's altar for service or sacrifice. He looked forward to long service, but was called to sacrifice. He was struggling hard with this most difficult language. He was using up all strength and energy in his endeavours to grapple with it. The same grit and determination that wrested for himself, by his own earnings, and education at night school, was standing by him in this difficult task. He was often keenly conscious of his limitations, which, however, were not apparent to others, and had to continually battle against discouragement.Everyone who attempts to learn Chinese has this battle, but was peculiarly tried. One night he was undecided as to whether he would not stay home from the English prayer meeting and study Chinese. He eventually decided in favour of the meeting and now I am sure he is glad he did so. What a blessing that 'tongues shall cease' in heaven and we shall all enjoy perfect freedom of speech in the Heavenly language.

Out for the Salvation of the People

On Sunday, March 16, Mrs Elliott, the Captain and Lennie spent the day at Peking West Corps. In every meeting, both inside and out, by singing and speaking, he endeavoured to move the people to a knowledge of the true God.

Whenever he spoke, one glance at his face was enough to convince that he was desperately in earnest. In the evening Open-air he sang, 'Salvation is the Best Thing in this Wide, Wide, World' and then, in a few pointed words, spoke to the people of God's great gift and provision made for all who are willing to comply with teh conditions. Looking back on that evening and the last meetings he took part in on earth, my heart is deeply moved, and as I see him again in my mind, his keen eyes looking so straight at the people he loved, and whom he had come to help, his every action betokening concern for eternity, I cannot think that he could have been more earnest had he known this was his last opportunity to 'preach the Word'. The indoor meeting was an Altar Service, the closing of our Self-Denial Appeal. He spoke strongly of a Christian's duty to at least give a tenth to God. He pleaded with deep feeling for an immediate surrender of the life to God.

He died at his Post

The next day he was taken ill and died within a week. The day following his call to higher service the Commissioner conducted a deeply impressive burial service in the adjoining compound. The coffin containing the beloved remains rested on one side, while a number of Cadets stood as a guard of honour, one holding the dear old flag over the head. As the old songs were sung and prayers and words were uttered, the Spirit of God was very near, impressing all with the importance of eternity, the intense need fo being ever ready for the call hence. Some of the Cadets were sobbing. They felt that Captain Elliott had truly given his life for China. Ensign Samson feelingly sang 'He died at his Post' - words pecularly appropriate to the Captain's call Home. 'Jesu, Lover of my Soul', 'When the Roll is Called up Yonder' and 'Above the Waves' seemed to never had had such depth and meaning as on this most touching occasion. Every heart was stirred, and only with difficulty could the tears be restrained. No one but felt that our dear Comrade was safe beyond all suffering and sorrow, but the circumstances in this far-off and needy battlefield seemed, from a human standpoint, to make the party pecularly pathetic.

The Commissioner spoke of the Captain's hopes and prospects - how all bade fair for a long life of fruitful service. Then the call Home had come, and human perceptions are baffled. Just here we coudl do none other but trust our Father, who makes no mistakes, and who, beyond all human conception, si concered for the salvation of the world, and consequently must use all instruments submitted to his will to the best advantage. It was in His wisdom that this warrior had been thus early called from the battlefield. He quoted these comforting lines - 

Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill

He carried out His bright designs

and works his soverign will.

Mrs Commissioner Pearce prayed that God would specially comfort Mrs Elliott, and that He would also specially protect and guide little Lennie. Colonel Friedrich, in a sympathetic and earnest prayer, said that our Comrade had but stripped off the human form as a worn-out garment, and was then in fullest liberty, enjoying the glories of heaven. Major Chard spoke of the Captain's good record in the past, and how his work remained and his influence was still moving others to think of eternity. Captain Nelson, who himself has but recently pass through the vale of sorrow, spoke feelingly of God's power to help us far beyond our expectations. He mentioned how the reading in the 'Soldiers Guide' for that day seemed to be specially designed of Providence for that occasion  - Morning - Care for the Widow; Noon - The Resurrection; Evening - Prepare to Meet Thy God.

Towards the close of the service, Mrs Elliott stepped forward on to the stone steps that did duty as a platform. She said that when she had been asked by the Commissioner to speak she had said that she could not. But her conscience had been accusing her of cowardice, so she felt that she must speak. She most bravely controlled herself. She said that she was not thinking that the coffin there contained her husband. She knew that he was safe at Home. She was sure of that. She wished to thank all for their kindness, sympathy and prayers. She desired to particularly thank Ensign Edwards for helping her to nurse her husband. She said that she could never forget that. She had risked her life for her husband. She could not repay her with money, but all her life she would never forget what she had done. 

She intended to go forward and do what she could for China.

No on who listened to her and saw the calm, controlled way in which she spoke, could forget her example of Christian fortitude, and how, in this hour of dark, keen sorrow, her faith rose triumphant. She was truly leaning on the Arms Almighty, and resting on the promises of God. What a source of strength to the soul who will trust Him!