Historical Context
This letter, dated November 15, (presumably 1931), was written by Evan's cousin, Everard Christian Call, who was on a mission in Australia. Everard and Evan's paternal grandfather was Anson Vasco Call II, and they had different paternal grandmothers.
1. The "Million Pop" Milestone
When Everard writes that Sydney has a "pop.[ulation] of well over one million," he is witnessing a historic peak. Sydney officially surpassed one million residents around 1925–1926. By 1931, it was the undisputed "metropolis of the Southern Hemisphere," though it was simultaneously reeling from the economic crash.
2. Missionary Life During the Great Depression
The year 1931 was the height of the Great Depression. This context explains several points in the letter:
The "Weight Gain": Everard’s boast about putting on 15 lbs. was significant at a time when many back in the United States (and in Australia) were struggling with food shortages. It speaks to the hospitality of the local "Saints" and investigators he mentions.
Street Meetings as Entertainment: With little money for movies or theater, "street meetings" in places like the Sydney Domain or suburban corners often drew large, curious crowds. Everard mentions "large crowds" and "numerous investigators," reflecting a time when people were searching for hope and spiritual stability amidst financial ruin.
3. A Small But Vibrant Community
In 1931, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia was tiny but growing.
The Sydney Branch: At the time, there were likely fewer than 1,500 Church members in all of Australia. Everard’s report of 21 baptisms in one week would have been an extraordinary success story—a genuine "harvest" for a small branch.
Enmore & Simmons St: Enmore was (and is) a bustling inner-west suburb of Sydney. Living at 27 Simmons Street placed the missionaries in a working-class area where people were often more open to new religious movements during the hardships of the 30s.
4. The 26-Day Voyage
Even by 1931, the journey to Australia remained an arduous month-long trek by steamship (likely via Hawaii and Fiji). This isolation meant that missionaries like Everard had to be incredibly self-reliant, receiving news from home only once every few weeks when the mail boats arrived.
