Kes 24

Earlier this month, I went with friends up to Keswick to sample the Convention and to buy books. At the late morning 'Bible Reading', David Gibson from Aberdeen gave a thoughtful and sober exposition of a section of Isaiah. In the session before, the tail-end of which I managed to hear, the Right Honourable Tim Farron, MP, was regaling the main tent with his wisdom, and flogging another one of his books. I saw several Convention-goers walking around with hardback copies, one inspecting the hallowed space upon which Mr Farron had deigned to sign his autograph. Once upon a time, it would have taken a politician of great courage and conviction to be invited to speak at Keswick; Christians in Parliament are now so few, the bar is set accordingly low.

Although the Convention has moved from its previous location set amidst terraced housing to better premises at the old pencil factory, locals have learned to dislike those weeks of the summer during which thousands of Christians descend. The Convention has been meeting in the town since 1875, which predates even the most elderly residents’ existence, so they have few reasonable grounds for complaint. Yet it seems a dreadful pity that those weeks are not considered a blessing to people other than shopkeepers and hoteliers whose tills ring the merrier. This beautiful Lakeland town hosts many Spirit-filled, redeemed children of God each summer; let us hope they provide a good witness to the spiritually dead among whom they gather.

Although I did not regret staying longer, I am always encouraged at large gatherings of Christ's folk. We who attend small, rural chapels must needs be reminded of the vast community to which we belong, exceeded only by the number of angels in heaven's economy of population.