Charles Ernest YOUNG

YOUNG, (CHARLES) ERNEST (b. Nelson, NZ, 14 Jan 1855; d. Stanmore, NSW, 26 Apr 1927). Sugar planter, founder of the Katoomba Convention and ardent supporter of missions.

Ernest Young was the youngest of the three sons of Henry Young, a New Zealand settler. The Young family moved to Australia in 1878, where they were among the pioneers of the sugar industry at Bundaberg, Qld, establishing the Fairymead plantation and mill, which became large and successful, leading to the further growth of the industry in the region. Fairymead became the biggest employer in Bundaberg, including in its work force up to 600 Kanakas. The Youngs, brought up devoutly, undertook as a duty the care of their workers, in particular the task of evangelising the Island people. This became the life's work of Ernest's sister Florence Young (q.v.) who began to teach them the Gospel in a Sunday school and then established the Queensland Kanaka Mission, of which Ernest became the hon secretary. Later, on the repatriation of the Kanakas, this became the South Sea Evangelical Mission (SSEM), working chiefly in the Solomon Islands. It was largely supported by Young, who also established trading interests in the Solomon Islands—the Malayta Co. He supported the visit to Qld in 1890 of Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, and became secretary of the Mission's Australian branch.

He m. on 19 Feb 1891 Margaret Else, daughter of John Shedden Adam of Bathurst, NSW, and built a summer retreat, 'Khandala' at Katoomba. Hospitality to visiting missionaries was customary at Bundaberg, and continued at 'Khandala'. Family prayers were held daily after breakfast, often led by a visitor of note. Fellow worshippers at church were invited to join, and so began in 1903 an annual convention for the 'Deepening of the Spiritual Life', held regularly each January at 'Khandala'. It rapidly became 'the annual rallying-ground for much missionary and spiritual life in New South Wales', and was modelled on the English Keswick Convention. Meetings soon outgrew the children's playroom where the convention had begun, and a marquee was erected on the croquet lawn. Speakers were housed in the spacious 'Khandala', while others stayed in local guest houses. Published proceedings, funded by Young, enhanced the effectiveness of the convention. The tone of the convention owed much to the spirituality of Ernest and Margaret, who invited the speakers and drew up the program. Prominent among them was Nathaniel Jones (q.v.), who left a stamp upon it that outlasted his death in 1911.

Young's six children were brought up to 'belong to God' (letter to his eldest son, Henry, 21 March 1897). All remained steadfast throughout life in their parents' faith, and were strong supporters of the convention and of the missionary enterprises that had been dear to their parents. Ernest Young's own parents had the custom of reading Psalm 103 as a benediction to mark the birthday of each member of the family; the practice, begun before the 1850s, continues to the present day. He fully supported several missionaries in the CIM, and as a thank-offering for the birth of each child between 1894 and 1910 added an additional missionary. God had prospered the work of his hands; his prosperity was used to advance the kingdom of God.

For a generation until his death at the Sydney headquarters of the CIM (which he had provided), Ernest Young was an outstanding evangelical stalwart, champion and patron. His wife continued his work until her death on 12 Dec 1951. He was of a retiring nature, and shunned public life in Bundaberg, where the importance of the Fairymead Sugar Co could have made him a major personage. It appeared to local people that he was wrapped in his own business, though his long experience and obvious acumen in the industry were respected by Qld sugar men. Characteristically, he was a generous supporter of local churches.

To Ernest Young commercial success was the result of God's blessing as much as his own hard work. His personal piety was reflected in his family life, his integrity as a businessman and above all in his zealous support for the Lord's work wherever he found the opportunity.

F S H Young, Pearls from the Pacific (London, nd [1925]); M E Young, Life's Precious Jewels (Sydney, nd [c. 1949]); M E Young, The Place of Sapphires (Sydney, nd 119-47l); Bundaberg Daily News and Mail, 27 Apr 1927; The Christian (London), 14 July 1927

STUART BRAGA