The Story of the B IOLA Chimes and the Dedicated Servant W h o R ings Them DR. GORDON E. HOOKER
hands, dedicated to the Saviour, are blessed of God not only playing the piano, but also ringing the chimes for thousands to hear daily. While at this Christmas season they are particularly beautiful, 365 days out of the year, Dr. Hooker literally “ rings the bells of heaven.”
buildings of the time of day. The music is as much a ministry as the large “ Jesus Saves” signs also strategi cally placed atop the Bible Institute buildings, or the students themselves who witness to men and women in the streets below. Many have been the u n u s u a l stories of lives “ snatched from the burning” through hearing a familiar old melody. Dr. Hooker has been privileged to hear from those whose lives, filled with despair and hopeless ness, were contemplating suicide, until they heard “ Just as I Am,” “ Softly and Tenderly,” “ Pass Me Not,” and other old gospel invitation al songs. But, while letters are encour aging, Dr. Hooker’s full ministry will only be revealed, when in glory those whose hearts were touched by songs “mother used to sing,” recount the familiar hymn which was used by the Holy Spirit to turn them to God. Playing the chimes at 8:40 A.M., 12:20 P.M., and 5:00 P.M. (odd times are so that they will not interrupt class sessions in rooms below) is only a part of Dr. Hooker’s ministry at BIOLA. For many years he has served as pianist for meetings in the Church of the Open Door. He regularly assists in the downtown BIOLA Rally Sun day afternoons. In addition to this, his techniques and dedicated talents are passed on to students whom he instructs in the music course of the school. Married to Martha S. Hooker, (also a faculty member of BIOLA and editor of the Junior King’s Business section), the two live in a convenient apartment at the Bible Institute buildings. Together they actively carry on a summer program of beach evangelism known at the “ Children’s Seaside Mission.” Few Monday nights have gone by when the strains of Dr. Hooker’s distinctive stylings haven’t been heard coming from the Fisher men’s Club meeting. While there are few hymns and gospel songs which Dr. Hooker hasn’t heard, he himself has composed many hundreds of them, including words and music. His lovely piano transcriptions have been purchased by scores of people, and in this way his ministry has been even further extended. The ready wit of this devoted serv ant of Christ endears him to the hearts of students and staff alike. His
Dr. Hooker scans an arrangement he has made for the chimes. F o r m o r e than 43 years, the gospel message has rung out in song from atop the Bible Institute build ings because of the faithfulness of one of God’s choice servants. Dr. Gordon E. Hooker, graduate of BIOLA in the class of 1922, has manually operated the heavy bells (the largest of which weighs approximately 2 tons) three times each day. People in nearby office buildings declare that they can set their watches by the chimes which have become' as much a part of Los Angeles as the bustling freeways only three blocks away. The music of the bells, however, is not merely a means to set Watches or remind the thousands in adjoining Standing in the door of the bellhouse. Dr. Hooker waits for the exact moment to ring out a hymn of praise.
Dr. Hooker, standing on the roof of the 13-story BIOLA building, points to the dis tant freeways and buildings where his music thrice .daily may be heard.
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