1903.—GENERAL CONVENTIONS REPORT.—1903.
WE have had three splendid General Conventions this year, and each of them very successful in all respects. The first one, on April 4,5, was in the South, where the "Truth People" are much less numerous than in other quarters of our land. It was held in Atlanta, Ga., which for many reasons may be styled the principal city of those parts. The gathering of friends was estimated at 150, while the meeting advertised to the public had an estimated attendance of 450. Nineteen symbolized their consecration by water immersion. The listed speakers were Brothers Stevens and Wilbor, representatives of the Atlanta Church, Pilgrim Harrison and Pastor Russell.
The spiritual power of the Convention was great, and we trust still abides in those who attended, and extends to their home-comrades who could not attend. The sentiments of the majority, we believe, were voiced by one old brother who boarded the train on which the writer departed. Shaking our hand warmly he said, "Brother Russell, I would not take a thousand dollars for the good I have received from this Convention;—and I am only a poor man, too." He is a mountain farmer who knows well what it means to combat the thorns and thistles and to eat his bread [R3250 : page 373] by the sweat of his face; yet he prized the spiritual blessings above all compare because of such were his treasures—heavenly.
The second Convention, at Denver, Colo., on July 10-12, was central to a large district not previously favored with Convention privileges. The friends in attendance were chiefly of Colorado, and from California, Nebraska, Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Utah, Indian Territory, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio and numbered about 350 earnest, zealous brethren and sisters, in about equal proportions. Thirty-six availed themselves of the opportunity offered and symbolized their burial into Christ's death by immersion in water.
The principal public service was attended by
about 900, and it is to be hoped that our Master's
name and cause were honored and blessed by the
grand seasons of refreshing here enjoyed.
The listed
speakers were Brother Hall of the local congregation,
Pilgrims Williamson, Draper, Barton, Howel and
Pastor Russell.
"It is good to be here," seemed the
general sentiment of all in attendance.
Not by any [R3250 : page 374] means the least important of its sessions were the
Testimony Meetings and the final Love Feast, at
which many eyes were filled with tears as the company
sang,
"Blest be the tie that binds
All seemed to have in mind the great Convention
of the future which the Apostle designates "The
General Assembly and Church of the Firstborns,"
in which we hope to participate and which will not
break up forever.
What a hope,—forever with the
Lord and those who are his!
The last Convention of the season has just closed
at Toronto, Canada,—Sept. 5-7.
We surely had a
blessed season of spiritual refreshment.
Many said,
"This is the grandest we have ever had!"
Yes!
This is always the sentiment at every Convention, and
it is really difficult to determine superiority when
everything is so soul-satisfying and heart-uplifting.
The listed speakers were Bro. Stovel of the Toronto
Church and Pilgrims VanAmburgh, Hay, Harrison,
McPhail, Barton, Streeter, Samson and Pastor Russell;
but many others were heard from effectively in
the Testimony Meetings, which continue to be
amongst the most effective sessions of all
Conventions.
The attendance was chiefly Canadian, and from
New York, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Pennsylvania;
the latter being the most prominent numerically.
The number of "Truth people" was estimated
at 800, while the attendance at the two public gatherings
averaged about 1800 each—some estimating the
number much higher.
At the baptism service fifty-eight
symbolized their burial into death with our
Lord, and it surely was a solemn funeral occasion,
yet one in which all rejoiced, remembering the promise,
"If we be dead with him we shall also live with
him." (2 Tim. 2:11.)
The concluding session was
a Love Feast long to be remembered.
In some respects
surely this last Convention deserves to rank
chief of all Conventions thus far held under the auspices
of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
Central to a large population and to the homes of a
large number of the interested, the attendance of the
Church and the public was larger than at any previous
Convention.
The attraction to the people of Toronto
was thorough advertising and the best public
auditorium.
The generous arrangements connected with these
Conventions deserves a word of appreciation.
The
brethren of the entertaining Churches recognized the
fact that hundreds of the Lord's brethren were coming
at considerable cost, and concluded that no reasonable
expense should be spared to make their stay
pleasant and spiritually profitable.
It is safe to say
that the friends of the entertaining Church spent pro rata as much or more time and money than did those
who came to them long distances.
However, all was
so cheerfully and heartily done, "as unto the Lord,"
that they evidently shared the great blessings of the
Conventions also, proportionately.
It is too early to decide upon these definitely, but
as the Grand Army Encampment will secure special
railroad rates to Boston, and the World's Fair will
probably secure special rates to St. Louis, these two
cities will probably have next year's General Conventions
if the churches at each desire this arrangement.
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above."