dropoffyourkeylee,
Thanks for pasting that convention program.
As you say, the baptism numbers (by today's standards, at least) were impressive. During the years leading up to 1975, the JWs certainly were on a roll. While I cannot recall the exact number, the baptism numbers at the Christchurch assembly were of a similar proportion.
Also, unlike today, the majority of these were not born ins. For example, the "star of the show" of those baptised at the Christchurch assembly was a former Methodist minister. He had some scathing things to say about his former church, and these remarks made up a considerable amount of the media coverage that the assembly attracted.
One can only guess how quickly the disillusionment would have set in, and what ultimately became of this individual. (i.e. the very things he lambasted his former church for were some of the same things the JWs are just as guilty of - he had yet to find that out!)
Bill.