The Presbyterian of the South : [combining the] Southwestern Presbyterian, Central Presbyterian, Southern Presbyterian. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1909-1931, February 24, 1909, Page 7, Image 7

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February 24, 1909. THE PRESBYTERIA elder of our own church, Mr. James Sprunt, of Wilmington, N. C. During the convention Mr. White spoke these words and they have lingered with me: "The longer I live the more am I amazed at what God is willing to do through any man who is willing to let God have his way." I believe we have here the keynote of his life. He was the dominating figure in the convention, but we felt all the while that he was enabled to be this because Christ is the dominating power in his life. Our own Dr. D. Clay Lilly followed Mr. White Tuesday afternoon. His subject was, "Man and Master." ne was up to his usual high spiritual standard. . On Tuesday night Governor Glenn spoke on "The Call for Laymen." Unfortunately I did not hear his address, but it made a profound impression upon the laymen. I heard them speak of it on every side. It is an inspiration to see and hear a man likfc him who has lain aside all political aspirations and given himself absolutely "tq Christian work. Rev. C. A. R. Janvier, of Philadelphia, but formerly a missionary to India, made the closing address of th<? evening on "The Providential Preparation for World Conquest." This was counted one of the great addresses of the convention. On Wednesday. This was really the great day of the convention. Rev. W. R. Dobyns began the day with an address on "The Biblical Basis of Missions," Mr. Robert E. Speer closed the day with an address of great power on "The World's Debt to the Missionary." In between these two speakers came multitudes of others. Mr. Louis H. {Severance, a multi-millionaire, told of his visit to mission lands and his observations there. Dr. J. W. Bradley brought an anneal frnm Phinn Uav 1-iJ o r i ?iunc ?mi mi HJlU of Africa. Mr. Charles H. Pratt spoke of "The Call of Christ" to men. Mr. W. T. Ellis told of missions from the viewpoint of a journalist, and many spoke on various themes in the afternoon conferences. All of these addresses were of a high order. There was not a poor one in the lot. There were three, however, which will stand out vividly in the minds of those present for years, to come. T\_ T ^ j-?r. j. vv. liradley simply swept the convention off its feet by his passionate appeal for the medical work in China. He had not gotten to his seat until men began to jump up all over the audience and offer money to equip the hospital in Suchien. In a very short while ten thousand dollars were subscribed and the chairman had to urge the men to quit giving. I had not heard of the like since the days of Moses when he had to ask the people to quit'giving. Mr. Ellis also made an address'which we will not forget soon. I suppose we all remember him as the jour? ' * lansl who went out without any bias for missions and investigated the mission stations of the world, as only a newspaper man can do. He returned an enthusiast. His command of the English language is almost perfect. It enables him to tell clearly and beautifully his wonderful story. He had many words of praise for our Southern Presbyterian missionaries. Mr. Robert E. Speer made the great speech of the convention. His style is simple, chaste, direct, and forceful. He throws no bouquets, he wastes no words, he a. ? * * lN OF THE SOUTH. 7 drives directly at the point with tremendous earnestness. Nobody applauded while Robert E. Speer spoke. I have heard him only twice. The first time was back in my college days. But he ipoves me as no other man has ever done. Some seventeen years have passed since I first heard him, but the influence still remains. I expect to carry the influence of this address in my life to my dying day. On Thursday. This was the fullest day of the convention. Dr. T i <' ? .... j ainvo x. * ante ap?jis.c un xove as tne great dynamic tnat is to save the world. Mr. J. Campbell White followed with "America's Share in tHe World Conquest." Dr. S. H. Chester pointed out the distinct responsibility, of the Southern Presbyterian church. Mr. W. H. Raymond defined the business of the Executive Committee. Dr. J. 0. Reavis gave us a vivid picture of the immediate needs of our mission fields, and Hon. Samuel B. Capen, of Boston, took as his theme, "The Need of the World, a Challenge to Business Men." All of this was put in the morning hour. In the afternoon there were four separate conferences in as many different places. .One was for Pastors, one for Church Officers, one for Sabbath School Workers and one for Physicians. At night Dr. S. M. Zwemer, of the Dutch Reformed Church, who has been a missionary in Arabia, told of the Mohammedans. This was an eye-opening address. Mr. J. Campbell White followed him and made the closing address of the convention. There was one address on Thursday that we will remember for many days to come. That was the address of Rev. J. O. Reavis. He told of the immediate needs of our mission fields. I was sitting where I looked the audience in the face. Hundreds of strong men slipped their handkerchiefs to their faces and brushed away the irrepressible tear. I wish the whole Southern Presbyterian Church could have heard that appeal. Here are some ot the needs: A Boys' Industrial School in Mexico, $25,000; a Girls' School in Mexico, $10,000; a College Building in Cuba, $10,000; a Seminary in Brazil, $15,000; a Girls' School in Pernambuco, $20,000; a School Building in Lavras, $25,000; a Theological Seminary at Nanking, China, $5,000; a Hospital at Hwianfu, China, $10,000; a Hospital at Kashing, China, $10,000; Medical Work, Soochow, China, $10,000; a Hospital, Kunsan, Korea, $5,000; three schools in Korea, $5,000; at Kobe, Tanon CAminir" ffrr?nr? A e? C41 ? * TS~ ^ 1 T ? O ^viMinaij giuuuuj, , cl L 1VUUC, JiipUIl, OCII1inary Building, $5,000; in Africa, a Seminary, $10,000; forty dwellings for missionaries, each, $2,500. When Mr. Campbell White had concluded his address at night a number of splendid gifts to meet some of these needs were announced. Mr. James Sprunt, of Wilmington, N. C.; Mr. C. E. Graham, of Greenville, S. C., and Mr. E. B. Chester, of Brownsville, Tenn., each gave $10,000. Rev. George H. Atkinson pledged himself to give or raise $5,000. The convention had already pledged $10,000 to Dr RraHlpv'c lirtcnitol TViaro 11? - . ?. iiusjnvai. i UV.lt. VYtlC 111(111y Silltllicr glllS, amounting in all to five or ten thousand dollars. It was not the purpose of those who were in charge of the convention to take collections or subscriptions at all. What was done along this line came as a spontaneous outbreak among the men on the floor. Walter L. Lingle.