Mary Baldwin College - Bluestocking Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

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The Augusta Seminary Annual. 23 The Second International Convention of the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign flissions. 0F the many conventions in tliis decade of conventions and conferences none, perhaps, promises larger results than the enthusiastic gathering of students in Detroit, Michigan, from Feb- ruary 28tli to March 4tli. As the Cleveland Convention marked the beginning of a new era in the history of the Christian life of our colleges, so to the Detroit Convention will be traced the ex- tension of a movement which must soon touch the student life of the world. Xcver was a more hospitable city chosen for a convention ; right royal was the welcome extended by Detroit. With the brightest of skies smiling above us, the most beautiful homes opened for us, and the largest church given over to us, we felt that never before had a convention been so warmly received. Every seat in the Central Methodist Church was occupied when Mr. Stebbins opened the Convention by singing Onward, Chris- tian Soldiers. As the entire audience joined him in singing, the hymn became an insjjiring Marseillaise, and, with such an army of consecrated and intensely earnest young men and women, the watch-cry of the organization, The evangelization of the world in this generation, seemed an easy possibility. The iirst evening was given to Eev. R. E. Speer, whose mas- terly analysis of Paul, the model missionary, held the attention of the audience for nearly two hours. During one entire morning session the qualifications of the missionary were discussed. Dr. Judson Smith ably advocated the necessity of thorough intel- lectual equipment. True mental discipline, said he, unlimbers a man and makes him more adaptable to every trying circum- stance. The process of acquiring is a testing and sifting process which eliminates the least useful. We are bound to oiier God the service of the best we can realize in ourselves. Eev. Har- lan Beach showed, in his inimitable way, the importance of prac- tical training. His motto was, Prepare to touch humanity at

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22 The Augusta Seminary Annual. heard Juan say that he believed that the ghost they had met the night before had been a spirit sent to warn them. He declared he wonld attempt no other robbery. The other men were silent. They, too, had been frightened by the ghostly apparition. Pabla listened, rejoicing. She had not even dared to imagine such a result as this. Juan to rob no more ! As soon as Pabla finished her morning tasks she eagerly has- tened to the old mission, hoping that Bessie M ould again visit the place. In her hand she carried a bunch of beautiful pond-lilies, but they liad begun to droop before Bessie appeared. She had come to sketch the old mission and had feared that, all alone, the time would pass drearily, for she had but half-hoped to see Pabla again. That winter to Pabla seemed in after years the happiest one in her life. Although Bessie never knew from what Pabla had saved her, she grew to love her, and many were the hours they spent together. Bessie taught her in the evenings in the quiet little cottage, and Pabla grew to love the little gray-haired mother she met at tliese times only second to Bessie herself. One day Pabla found out from Juan that she was really no re- lation to the old woman or himself, but had been adopted by them, Bessie, heai-ing this, begged her to return with her to the north and live with her always, but Pabla remembered the duty she owed to the old woman who had so long cared for her, and refused. One morning, just a week before the time that Bessie was to leave, Pabla, going into the room, found the old woman, as she thought at first, asleep, but upon trying to awaken her she found that she Avas dead. Pabla went north with Bessie, but every winter finds them both in Texas. She is very happy in her northern home, although perhaps there are at times longings for the sunny southland of Texas. LoTTA Savage.

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24 The Aiigusta Seminary Annual. every possible point. Dr. J. Hudson Taylor made a most earnest appeal in Ijebalf of close communion with God as the full equip- ment for the foreign held. Without movement or gesture, his simplicity of manner produced a profound impression. The same evening Dr. Taylor again addressed the Convention on tlie Spirit- ual ]S eeds and Claims of China. He was followed by Miss Guin- ness, who gave many instances of the power of a living gospel to reach the hearts of the Chinese, showing that the best way to win for Christ is to live winsome lives. It was a supreme pleasure to listen to the voice of Miss Guinness and look into a face so full of inspiration. One of the strongest addresses of the Convention was Dr. A. J. Gordon ' s— The Man of God and the Word of God. It was not until Saturday morning that we heard Dr. A. T. Pierson, wlio spoke on the Watcli-Crj of the movement. He developed mission service under two heads — the work of a liei ' ald and the work of a witness. Seven things are auxiliary to the immediate evangelization of tlie world : world-wide exploration, communication, assimilation, civilization, emancipation, jirepara- tion, organization. The afternoons of each day wei ' e given up tu section meetings, in which the phases of missionary work, the various fields, their conditions and needs, and the metljods for awakening and extend- ing missionary zeal in colleges as yet untouched, were ably pre- sented by specialists in these several departments. Of all the conferences the most interesting to the women of the Convention was the one held on Thursday afternoon in the Central Methodist Clmrch — interesting because it opened the eyes of many to the far-reaching character and wonderful success of woman ' s work. This conference was controlled in their interest and dominated by them. As Mr. Mott, the president of the organization, had proved himself a master of assemblies, so Mrs. Wishard showed her power to organize with ready tact and executive abihty. Notable wo- men were there, some to speak, many to listen. Inspiration, information and practical counsel were given. The great regret was that all could not be heard at length, but it was a high privi- lege to come in touch with such noble w orkers as Miss Geraldiue Guinness, of China, Miss Pauline Roote, M. D., of India, and Miss Ben Oliel, of Jerusalem. The conference of the Southern delegates was of especial in-