REPORT OF THE LONDON CONVENTION

DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:--

As probably you know the month of May is in this country the time when most of the religious organizations and societies have their yearly London meetings and they are known as "May meetings." The London Convention just past was a May meeting for us, and was a grand time of refreshment from the presence of the Lord. There were more visitors and more friends of the Truth than at any previous convention in this country, and, accordingly, there was more of the holy Spirit of love manifested; indeed, the Convention was a grand testimony to the increase of the Harvest work, and of the growth in grace and knowledge of those who are walking in the light now given to the consecrated. How we wished that all the Lord's children were sharing with us in the things our Master is now spreading before us! It was good to be there; the light of heaven shone in the faces of the brethren, and the joy of the Lord seemed to fill each heart. Yet there seemed, at least to the writer, to be more solemnity. Probably the clearer realization of the end of the Harvest, and the need for cleansing from all defilement of the flesh and spirit were effectual to this. From first to last there was a "waiting upon the Lord," and our expectations were more than filled.

This time the Convention was held in the heart of the city, in a fine hall attached to the Cannon St. Railway hotel. The hall usually seats over 800, but would at pressure hold 1000. It proved just a convenient size for us, but gave us little liberty for advertising. Perhaps the largest number present would be 850, when Brother Edgar gave an address on "Where are the Dead?" The average number of brethren and friends and partly interested would be 500-600. I remember that when you were here in 1903 and we were looking at the room for the first meeting, a room which would hold 400 at a crush, I said I was afraid it would be too small. You said you would be surprised if that should be the case. The room was well filled, though. When you come next year, if the Lord will, I think the fine hall we have just had may be too small. So much is the Lord blessing his work, and for so much we praise him!

The Convention was opened by a welcome from Brother Hemery and a word from Brother Williamson as your representatives--Brother Williamson in a more personal sense as coming directly from you. Brother J. Hay then gave an address, "Jehovah's Suffering Servant," and later, Brother Hemery gave a talk on the "Songs of Degrees." Sunday was spent in praise and testimony, and in listening to addresses by Brother Edgar and Brother Williamson; their topics were, respectively, "Rest and Restitution" and "The Divine Plan Revealed in God's Attributes." On Monday 58 brethren (30 brothers and 28 sisters) symbolized their consecration by immersion. We praised the Lord for them, and prayed for them and for ourselves, that we all may be kept by the grace of God, and that we may be accounted worthy to stand in our lot. In the afternoon Brother Johnston spoke of the "Feasts of the Lord," and in the evening Brother Edgar gave the address already referred to. Earlier in the afternoon Brother Williamson spoke of the need of laborers in the harvest field, and many who wished to take some part in the Colporteur work signified their intention to shape their affairs to assist them to that end. We hope the dear brethren will use such opportunities as the Lord shall permit them to have, for there is very much yet to be done before the field is gone over. Tuesday brought us a very helpful address from Brother Williamson on the necessity of embroidering our garment with faith, fortitude, love: and an address by Brother Hemery on "Christ, a Priest after the Order of Melchisedec." The closing of the Convention was one of its most impressive features. We asked Brother Williamson to give us an illustration of the "good-bye" said in the American conventions. In this way, instead of merely singing a good-bye, we sang it and spoke it to each other. One lady who came to that last meeting was so taken with the spirit of it that she, too, came round with the brethren to shake hands with the speakers and elders of the meetings represented. Afterwards she said it was all so unusual she could hardly understand it; she said, "Surely the Millennium has begun in you people," and we assured her that was just the case.

Before the final parting a message of love was sent to you, dear brother, and the meeting arose to signify its wish to have the message sent. We all wish your spiritual prosperity, and pray that grace and strength abundant may be yours.

"As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even forever."--Psa. 135:2.

I am, dear Brother Russell, yours in his grace,

J. HEMERY.

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