Mary Baldwin College - Bluestocking Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

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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-

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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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The Augusta Seminary Anmtal. 25 terest to those from tliat section. Altlioiii li a little band among so jnany, we were i:;la(] to find that we numbered one hiindrefl and two. With hearts eharij ed with lioly purposes, and with enthusi- asm for missions deepened, tlic intfuenee of the Detroit Con ' en- tion will doubtless be felt thr()Ui2;hout our Southland. Tn order to bring the students into ( ' (tntact with their various boards, a few hours of one morning were given to denominational conferences, it was a little company of Southern Presbyterians who gathered in the lecture-room of the Central Baptist Church, bnt the mem- ' orj ' of the cosy informality of that coming apart, the cheery words of Dr. Chester, the frank, helpful suggestions of Mr. Sampson, the tender, sympathetic prayer of Mr. Rankin will long linger with the members of our delegation. The report of the Convention, read by Mr. Mott, was a most complete presentation of the purpose, field, results, influence and ])olicy of the movement. It showed a remarkal)le growth — a Student Volunteer Missionary Union in the British universities, missionary fires kindled in the universities of Scandinavia, organi- zations in South Africa and India. Six hundred and eighty-six volunteers are already in fields scattered from Greenland ' s icy mountains to India ' s coral strand. To realize the influence in the home land one had only to look at the vast gathering of stu- dents who were present, representing two hundred and ninety- four higher educational institutions, including pi-eparatory, normal, training, literar}-, scientific, law, agricultural, medical and theo- logical schools. The farewell meeting of Sunday night was full of great power and great possibilities for the w ork. A number of short addresses, given by the representatives of the various young peoples ' societies, showed the quiet, earnest consecration which was the spirit of the Convention. One could not watch the eager faces of this great number of cultured young men and women and not feel that this Epiphany of youth meant the influence of a mighty power which will sweep around the earth. As the students from these two hundred and ninety-four colleges return to their institutions, quickened and strengthened in a life of larger faith and purpose and with but one desire — to know God ' s plan for their lives, we must feel that we are approaching the beginning of the end of evangelistic enterjn-ise. Laura Shortt.