WE HAD hoped for a thousand Bible Students at the Norfolk, Va., Convention, but had a splendid season of refreshment with the approximately six hundred (625) who did attend. After all, it is not numbers, but soul-fellowship which makes a Convention a success. And when it is remembered that this season twelve General Conventions have been provided, instead of one as formerly, it is not surprising that the attendance at each is considerably less. Besides we have had scores of One-Day Conventions. One effect of this scattering the Conventions is that many dear Bible Students have been privileged to attend a Bible Students' Convention for the first time. Their soul-satisfaction, their spiritual joy overflows from eyes and lips. Truly we are having times of refreshing—spiritual!
Norfolk has been no exception to the rule. The Lord met with His people! It was good to be there! We knew this before our arrival—from letters and post-cards, saying, "The best yet," "the best ever," etc. But it is always so to the spiritually minded and grateful hearted children of God.
The Program was faithfully carried out on the different days as follows:
Saturday, July 22................."Enrollment Day"
Sunday, "
23...................."Our Captain"
Monday, "
24............."Soldiers of Christ"
Tuesday, "
25...................."Our Warfare"
Wednesday, "
26................."Our Sacrifices"
Thursday, "
27...................."Our Triumph"
Friday, "
28......................"Our Peace"
Saturday, "
29......................."Our Home"
Sunday, "
30................."Our Government"
Pilgrim Brothers Burgess, MacMillan, Graham, Thornton, Meggison, Barber, Thorn, Wright, Herr, Toole and Johnson gave addresses on the topics named. Brothers Baeuerlein and Meggison served acceptably as Chairmen.
The Editor conducted a Question Meeting and had a children's Consecration Service on the 29th, and on Sunday the 30th closed the Convention with an address, on "Jehovah's Government," and a Love Feast. Then came the service for the public at 3 p.m., topic, "The World on Fire." About 1,300 were present.