332
July 1930
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
wisdom lay down, with folly; the sage whose wise sayings rise like a very ladder to heaven treads the path to hell; the wisest man in theory becomes in practice an adulterer, a sensualist, a slave to his own vices, a prisoner to his own despair. The Book of Ecclesiastes sums it all up. “ Vanity of vanities . . . all is vanity” It is the textbook of suicide. Close that book and write upon it this sentence, “ The world by wisdom— even Solomon’s wisdom—knew not God.” The greatest moral philosophy is helpless without the Gospel of the grace of God. —-o— “ The Lord is My Shepherd; I Shall Not Want’' I shall not want rest. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” “ Come unto1me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28 ). I shall not want drink. “He leadeth me beside the still waters.” “ I f any man thirst, let him come unto’ me, and drink” (John 7:37). I shall not want forgiveness. . “He restoreth my soul.” “ The Son o f man hath power on earth to forgive sins” (Mark 2:10). I shall not want guidance. “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” “ I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). I shall not want companionship. “ Yea, though I walk T h e B i o l a OME genius coined the word “ Biola” by the use of the initial letters of Bible Institute of Los An geles. It has come to be a household word needing no interpretation. But the phrase “Biola Challenge” is new and should arouse inquiry. It sounds like an invi tation to engage in a contest. It demands attention and calls for action. It suggests an issue that should be frankly faced and properly met. Biola claims the right to issue a challenge—in the full force of that arresting word. The reasons are many; only a few are advanced. First of all, Biola challenges because it is—Biola. Two outstanding things characterized Biola in the beginning of its history. First, it was pledged to loyalty to a well-defined Scriptural statement of Christian doctrine. Second, its leaders were fired with a passionate desire for the salvation o f lost men everywhere. Nearly a quarter of a century has passed—here Biola stands, strongly, sanely upholding the truth, unharmed by either liberalism or fanaticism. The same evangelistic passion that characterized the early lead ers burns today in the hearts of all the staff. In other words, Biola is Biola, unchanged, and dares therefore to issue a challenge. Biola challenges also because of its past record. Why emphasize or exaggerate a few stormy days o f the past? They have passed, thank God. Remember, rather, the thou sands of Scripturally trained, Spirit-filled messengers that have gone forth from Biola’s halls to the ends o f the earth. Think, too, of the far-flung battle line in China where the testimony and ministry of Biola in China has meant the evangelization of many areas before untouched by the Gospel and the building up o f not a few strong Christian churches. Such a record is itself a challenge. Biola challenges also because of the task immediately before it. In a few weeks a new school year will open with a greatly increased enrollment o f students. None of these students will be required to pay anything beyond a very modest sum for room and board. The actual cost of their education must be met, as it has always been met, by Chris tian stewards who believe in the training of Christian youth for life and service. Again, Biola challenges because of a clamant need. Biola is not bankrupt, but the Board of Directors are very will-
through the valley o f the shadow o f death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me.” “ I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). . I shall not want comfort. “ Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” . “ The Father . . . shall gvue you another Comforter” (John 14:16). I shall not want food. “ Thou pr,eparest a table before me in the presence o f mine enemies.” “ I am the bread o f life\ he that cometh to me shall never hunger” (John 6:35). I shall not want joy. “ Thou anointest my head with oil.” “ That my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15 :11). I shall not want anything. “My cup runneth over.” “ I f ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14). I shall not want anything in this life. “ Surely good ness and mercy shall follow, me all the days of my life.” “ Seek ye first the kingdom o f God, and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). I shall not want anything in eternity. “ I 'will dwell in the house o f the Lord for ever.” “ I go to prepare a place for you . . . . that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2, 3 ). The whole Twenty-third, Psalm is summed up in Philippians 4:19, “My God -shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” C h a l i e n g e ing to let the public know that there is a financial emer gency. They also frankly say that this is not a new prob lem. For a number o f years, in fact since the death of Mr. Lyman Stewart, the founder of the Institute, the annual income has not been sufficient to meet operating expenses. Every year there has been a deficit, fully secured by val uable property, but nevertheless by a gradual accumulation becoming a great burden, The Board of Directors wish the public also to khow that there has been effected a very great saving in the expense o f administration of the Insti tute. The Biola dollar will hereafter accomplish more than ever. Once more, Biola challenges because of its glorious pros pects. Biola is not looking backward. It is not trying to merely bury an unpleasant past. Neither is it content with past successes. With new vision and new courage, assur edly born of God, Biola is planning for an enlarged and strengthened curriculum which will give it a unique place among Christian educational institutions on the Pacific Coast. The new four-year Bible-Collegiate course will ad mirably meet the needs o f Christian young people who desire the cultural value o f a college course but with a Biblical background. Biola challenges—after all, that statement must be cor rected ; Jesus Christ challenges. With all reverence it must be affirmed that the Lord Jesus Christ prompted men of God to found Biola. It is His hand that has held it steadily and faithfully to the pattern shown at the beginning. It is He who is inspiring with new vision, new faith, those who see a glorious new day for Biola. It is He who challenges. The practical plans for the sending forth of this chal lenge widely are being matured. There will be no offensive methods of publicity, no “high pressure salesmanship.” Biola’s friends, tried and true, will be rallied and they in turn will find, it is hoped, many thousands o f new friends who will be Biola’s supporters by prayer and sacrificial giving.
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