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REPORT OF THE LONDON CONVENTION

DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:

It is with much thankfulness to the Lord for his many mercies that we send you a report of the London Convention, June 2-4. Our loving heavenly Father has indeed poured out his blessing upon those who have sought him. The brethren came with their hearts full of loving gifts of praise and devotion, and the promise has been fulfilled to the extent of our capacity to receive. There was a general concensus of thought that the time had been laden with blessings from the Father's hand: and probably this was because the brethren had first brought their gifts into the storehouse. We are so much inclined to expect things that we forget ourselves and self gets to the front; our minds are so set on the good we are to get or on the good times we are to have, that we often hinder the blessing from the Lord. But on this occasion the brethren did appear to come to give -- first themselves to the Lord, then to the brethren, and our gracious Lord gave to us according to his Word. It was good to see the effect of the gatherings upon those who had not hitherto been to a convention of this kind: to some of these the days were as the days of a new happy life, a foretaste of the good to come, and we know that they were as "red letter days" in their experience. As seems to be the usual experience in convention, the fellowship was the great stimulant, and as the numbers of the Lord's people were greater than on previous occasions, and as, therefore, there was more of the holy Spirit with us, it was to be expected that most good was done and gained. The addresses were good and helpful, and surely added to the experience and the wisdom and knowledge of the dear brethren.

There were 40 brothers and sisters who symbolized by immersion their consecration to the Lord, and amongst these was my daughter. We know that to some of these this service was a solemn time, for just before them is a time of trial into which they must enter; and we thanked the Lord for their faith in him, for their willingness to walk in the valley of the shadow if the Good Shepherd chose so to lead. The Lord add his blessing to these dear sheep, and to all his own! At the close of the last meeting by vote a message of loving greeting was sent to you.

There was, quite apparently, a feeling in the Convention that the time of our labor is drawing to a close, and that there is need for wisdom and grace to direct the energy aright, that the remaining work may be done to best advantage. We remembered the dear brethren scattered abroad, and all the work which is being done throughout the world; and we prayed for it, and for you, dear brother, that the grace of the Lord may continue to sustain you in your arduous labors for the Kingdom and for the brethren. With much love in the Lord, I am your brother and fellow servant.

J. Hemery