The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-03-14
THE CLOSING DAYS OF THE NASHVILLE
CONVENTION
By Rev. A. L. Phillips, d. d.

BY Rev. A. l.. Phillips, ID. d.
The last two days of the Student Volunteer Con-
Vent1on were marked by a steadily increasing pow
The first days and a half were given to
carefully prepared reports the Executive Com
mittees from the secretaries from the fields, from
missionaries and from experts. Every phase of the
problems of the Movement discussed, whether
it pertained to the manners and customs of the
Christian world its sin and sorrow or to the
education of the volunteer candidate or to the or
ganization and equipment of the home forces. The
awful need and the wide welcome of the whole
world We're pressed home with great power, that
no eye could be blind, and deaf, no heart I'M
touched, no conscience asleep The appeal for ac-
ton was then made with irresistible force. First
came great offering, amounting $40 900 90
for the work of four years, $22,5OOOO year for
the quadrennium Then followed appeals from men
on the field for microscopy prayer. Indeed all
during the Convention great stress was laid on
prayer, and prayer-cards with special suggestions
were circulated for daily use. Then came great
meetings of UNCONVENTIONAL groups where under
official leadership plans made for preserving
the impressions made and for prayer and encour-
agement. Our delegates met under the leadership
of Secretary Reavis, who managed with ease and
enthusiasm Then met with all other Presby-
terrain delegates in big meeting, presided over by
Rev a. j. Brown D. D., of the secretaries of
the Northern Church. What a blessed experience
1t was-a united Presbyterian force in face of the
awful needs Of the shining world.
Without undue pressure the vast crowds now
taught stirred awakened We're made to face each
for himself herself the great question as to what
duty demanded and whether love was drawing O.
these heart searchings and battles fierce and hard
on every side But such the truly wonderful re-
straInt shown by the leaders that every had to
fight it out alone with God, or with the help of q
wise leader in private. All day Sunday vast crowds
pressed eagerly and early to the churches to hear
convincing arguments and stirring appeals to make
Jesus known in this generation. In the afternoon
yvar 6iI-ido
ing was addressed by masters The last night the
great auditorium was full This meeting cannot be
described fully. The Bible-readng, the songs, the
prayers, the cabegrams, bringing stirring mes
sages from all the world the glad Offering Of
over Sl,2OOOO for the family of a local minister
who had been Killed suddenly by street a cci
dent while working for the Convention led us with
beating hearts to the last half hour On the pIat
form were seated the students present who were
under appointment to sail to their fields during the
year One by one Mr. Mott called them out
they named the field to which they were assigned
and in one sentence gave one reason for going To
CHINA, to Japan, to India, to Africa to Persia to
south America, to Mexico, they had turned their
faces. Finally one young man left and as Mr.
Mott turned to him. he answered distinctly "Anv-
where" 1t indeed joyful sight Their fell
low-students bowed their heads in silent PRAYER for
them, when suddenly the splendid uuartette broke
out with the glad song Speed Away! Speed AWAY >,
AS the soft notes of the refrain died away Mr.
2obt Speer stepped to the front to deliver the clos
ing message summed up in Look up to Jesus.
look down in the lost world" In the perfect 81
fence OF the closing moment his resonant voice rang
out through all the vast multitude. After benedic-
ton farewells were slowly said, and with burning
hearts we turned away
The following statistics will be of interest. as
showing the size of the Convention and it's reach
Students Observation-Disclosures. 1000
ieSSoIS' ''''''''. ..'................. 286
IotaL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 3,946