June 13, 1963 that day—that glorious Millennial morning—that glorious resurrection morning when the kingdom would be established, and when the blessings of the Lord would be conferred first Vou. XXIV ZION’S WATCH TOWER (195-196) upon his faithful, as shown in the parables, and that subsequently all the families of the earth should be blessed through that kingdom.—Matt. 25:1-30; Luke 19:11-127, ALLEGHENY, PA., JULY 1, 1903 No. 13 CONVENTIONS ACROSS THE SEA COMPLETION OF THE EDITOR’S TOUR Dear Watcu TowEk Reapers:—At Edinburgh was our last stop in Scotland, our next convention having been arranged for Liverpool, England. On our arrival we were met by six representatives of the local church, who greeted us warmly in the name of our King, and made us comfortable. After a refreshing sleep we were ready for the convention sessions of Saturday and Sunday (May 16, 17)—five well-attended sessions, beginning with 300 and ending with 600, and averaging 400. Of these, probably 80 were friends from cities we did not have the time to visit—some of them coming considerable distances. Our topics were the same as at other points, except that on Sunday afternoon we had a Question and Answer meeting, lasting from 3 to 5. A free luncheon was served between the afternoon and evening sessions on both days, and was enjoyed by about 150. It is our hope that some good was accomplished by this convention also; that some who came from curiosity were deeply interested; that some already established were encouraged to “press on;” that some partially convinced were helped to full conviction respecting the great divine plan and the grand privilege of participating in it—now, in sufferings and reproaches, and hereafter in glorious services in the kingdom; and that some of those already clear in the truth were encouraged and more firmly established, and incited more than ever to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us {in some, one weakness; and in others, another],” and to “run with patience the race that is set before us in the gospel.” If kind words and fervent wishes and earnest hand-shakes speak of love and zeal, then surely we had abundant testimony of the devotion of the Liverpool church. The next morning thirty gathered at the depot, leaving other concerns in order to bid us a final adieu and to urge that we come again before long. Again, as we parted, the song-prayer was lifted heavenward— “God be with you till we meet again!” Our next appointment was Birmingham, where we arrived about noon, and were met and welcomed at the depot by representatives of the local church. We could stay but the one day here; but had two sessions—3 to 5 and 7 to 9. At the afternoon session we spoke of the oneness of the church, the body of Christ, and the terms of our relationship to our Head; and saw that in no sense are we gathered to men or organizations, but to the Lord himself. “Gather my saints together unto me: those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” “They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.” About 20 Watcn Tower readers from outside cities attended. After a free luncheon, in which 55 participated, came the evening session—more particularly for the public—the topie being, “The Oath-bound Covenant.” Next morning we bade final farewells and resumed our journey. Manchester was our next appointment. We reached there by noon and at 2:30 p. m. began another happy convention, in the usual Salford meeting room. The attendance (about 125) represented the deeply interested of that vicinity and of neighboring towns. The closest attention was given us while we endeavored to stir up the pure minds of all, by pointing out the oneness of the church as the members of Christ’s body, and that we must all be “beheaded’’—must all lose our own headship and self-will, in order that we may be acceptable as members of Christ’s body, over which he is the only Lord and Head. and his will the only law or control. A free luncheon was then served—participated in most joyously by about 100. Then came our publie meeting in the Town Hall, 6:30 to 8:45. Here a very intelligent audience of about 500 gave close attention for nearly three times as long as is their custom. We trust that some received the lesson of “The Oath-bound Covenant” into good and honest hearts, and that thus started, they will begin to read and to study the literature, without which there is little hope for full development under the blessings and privileges of the Lord’s people in this “harvest” time. The next day we had three sessions. At 1] a.m. and 3 p.m. we addressed the church on the necessity for putting on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand in this evil day. We pictured the race-course, called attention to its various degrees of progress in the fulfilling of the law of the new creation—namely, love. Our evening session at 6:30 was again a publie one in the “Pendleton Town Hall.” Again we had the intelligent audience of the previous night, and again they gave closest attention till 8:40, when we were obliged to IV—30 close with prayer, without taking time for a closing hymn, and to hasten to our train, connecting with the steamer for Dublin, Ireland. But the audience was loth to leave even then, and, while we put on our wraps to leave, stood singing: Before the train started, fully sixty of the friends had gathered around our “carriage’ door. For the third and fourth (and, by some of them, for the sixth) time our hand was clasped in a fervent good-bye, and the hymn-prayer went up from all our hearts, as with bared heads we unitedly sang: “Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love.” Dublin was reached in due course—May 21st. Our first meeting was a public one the same evening, 8 to 9:40, in Rotunda Hall. Our audiences were very attentive, though less enthusiastic than those of England and Scotland—owing, no doubt, to the fact that “present truth” is newer there, has been less studied and is less clearly comprehended. Our first topic was “The Oath-bound Promise,” and it is our hope that some of the dear people who listened so intently may be awakened to the necessity of studying the divine plan as set forth in MixLENNIAL Dawn. Some so resolved, and made the start the same evening, as we happen to know. Friday’s meetings were held in the same place, from 4 to 6 and 8 to 10. Some interest was awakened, but how much or how deep, who can say? We are hopeful, however, of the future work here—especially if the city can be systematically colporteured. We hope that two or three of the brethren will see their privilege and undertake the work. We know of no service open to so many of the Lord’s people and offering such abundant return of sheaves, as well as of joy to the reapers. Saturday morning started us for Belfast, where an evening meeting with an interested group of fifteen wag enjoyed. Our hearts burned with love for the Lord and for the brethren, as we called to mind that “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant.” (Psa. 25:14) We noted also the words, “None of the wicked shall understand,” remarking the impossibility of interesting such in present truth; and that any once sanctified and blest are sure to lose their interest in the deep things of God if they “return to their wallowing in the mire” of sin. We called attention to the fact that murderers and criminals in general profess faith in the eternal torment doctrine, and have mostly been trained to it from infancy, while we who know the Lord, his plan of mercy and love, are constrained, not to license and sin, but, reversely, to copy the divine character. Sunday’s public meetings in Belfast were from 3 to 5 and from 7 to 9:15. The interest, indicated by the close attention given for lengthv sessions, was excellent. Here we parted company with Brothers Hemery (the London representatives, who toined our party at Glasgow) and Henninges, who returned to London via Liverpool, where the latter met Sister H. on her arrival from America. The Editor took ship next morning for Glasgow, bidding good-bye on the wharf to six very earnest brethren, who assured us of their full consecration to the Lord and the truth, and their intention to serve it henceforth with renewed energy. They urged us to return, as the Lord’s providence might lead, and wished us to remember them to those of like precious faith in America Our duties required but a bricf stay in Glasgow, and we took the night train for London, en route for Germany, etc. At London we parted company with Brother Hemery and were joined by Sister Henninges from the U. 8. A. She brought us the kind greetings of the Buffalo and the New York City churehes, which were greatly appreciated. About 65 of the London friends had gathered at the railway station to hid us a final adieu—too many to gain admission to the train platform, so we bade them “Good-bve” in the station, where we joined them in the well-known verse: “Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Tg like to that above!” The scene was one long to be remembered, for our hearts felt the meaning of every word we uttered. In answer to [3213]
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