August 1931
349
T h é
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
OPPORTUNITIES 1 „/DOORS
M M
J ane [we will call her that], you just must go to the Lyceum-Eteri Conference at Camp Bethel.” A sweet Christian girl was Speaking to a friend whom she scarcely knew. “I ’d love to,” came the rather hesitant reply, “but you see, I don’t know anything about it, and anyway, I couldn’t afford to go.” “Oh, don’t let that stand in your way. You can easily earn your expenses by waiting on tables and helping in the kitchen. A number of the girls do.” The eyes of the eager young listener brightened.
Christians in informal conversation and attended the splendid devotional and inspirational meetings, it was not long until she discovered the reason for the abounding joy that these girls possessed. They had something that she did not have, something that she wanted, something— they told her—that she might receive by a simple act of obedience and faith. Suddenly it all seemed so necessary, so simple, so altogether desirable. In the quiet of the devotional hour on the evening of the first day at camp, this girl yielded her life to the Lord Jesus Christ. The next evening and on several other occasions, she gave a
She was not a Christian girl—her dress and general appearance indi cated that at a glance—yet the prospect of a week at camp with a group of happy girls her own age held a fascinating appeal. To the Eteri girl who spoke to her, the whole question seemed al ready settled. “After you’ve been in camp an hour,” she said gaily, “you’ll know more about the work of the Lyceum and Eteri clubs than I could tell you in a week. But this much I can give you in advance: “The Lyceum Club was organ ized twenty-five years ago in order to provide an opportunity for Bible study and Christian fellowship for the young women of Los Angeles. Meetings are held every week at
clear testimony to her new-found peace and joy. Nor did it stop there. To her family and friends, she con tinues to witness for her Saviour whose love has won her heart. Another case, totally different but just as definite, was that of a crippled girl who attended the con ference at the strong insistence of her mother. She had been confined in a hospital for weeks and had suf fered excrutiatingly. She knew the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour, but the whole terrible experience through which she had just passed had embittered her spirit. Life held no interest for her. But the com bined urging of her mother, the Eteri teacher, and the girls of the Eteri club finally broke down her
the Bible Institute. The club appeals to business girls, students, and young married women, and you should see the happy crowd that comes. About a hundred and fifty attend every week. The Eteri clubs were more recently organized. They have the same aim as the Lyceum Club, that is, to study the Bible, to win souls, and to enjoy Christian fellowship, but they meet in homes and churches—in fact, wherever an interest in them is shown. Some of the Eteri clubs are composed of college girls, representing several of the outstanding schools in Cali fornia. Quite naturally, the Lyceum and Eteri girls have a great deal in common, and the combined conference at Camp Bethel is always delightful. “You’ll simply love the camp! It is only thirty miles from Los Angeles, and is situated among the live oaks and the sycamore trees at the entrance to San Dimas Canyon. You know the conference dates—June 23 to 28. Come along, won’t you?” “Yes, I ’ll go!” the new girl replied with a determined little nod. “And I ’ll work awfully hard in the kitchen,” she added demurely. The conference was a revelation to this young woman. She received a warm welcome from the more than two hundred girls and leaders who were present. Vaguely, she wondered why they were so friendly, so understand- in, so sympathetic. As she talked with loving, earnest
reluctance. Arriving at camp, she was surprised to find how joyful and exuberant all the girls were. They made her one of their group at once, and their love and en thusiasm were immediately contagious. Soon the joy of the Lord was filling her heart. Among the testimonies given at the twilight hour, none was more touching than that of this tested, but now trusting and triumphant young woman who had found in Christ “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Another life that was touched and brightened was that of a popular young high school teacher. The girls loved her, but she seemed unable to help them spiritually as she longed to do. At the conference, the Lord spoke def initely and clearly to her heart, convicting her of coldness and indifference, restoring her to fellowship with Him self, and opening before her broad avenues of service for Him. Hundreds of other testimonies might be added. These few will show, however, that the tenth annual summer conference of the Lyceum-Eteri Clubs had the seal of God’s approval upon it. Through the special speakers— Dr. Charles G. Trumbull, Editor of The Sunday School Times, whose message was on the victorious life, Dr. Elbert L. McCreery, Dean of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Miss Florence Barnwell, of the American Euro- [Continued on page 362]
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