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T H E K I N G
b N T h u r s d a y evening, June 21, 1934, 106 young people— the ninth larg est graduating c l a s s in t h e q u a r te r o f a
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century o f the history o f the Bible Institute o f Los Angeles — re ceived recognition for work com pleted in the four courses o f the Day School and in the Evening School. C om m en cem en t day marked also the completion o f a year o f exceptional blessing and divine provision, for in spite of continued financial depression, the enrollment in the school was the largest since 1922. “ The love o f Christ constrain- eth us.” The matchless words o f Paul were chosen by the gradu ates o f 1934 as their class motto. In the case o f many o f these young men and women, the phrase is more than an aim; it is descriptive o f a living reality, a growing apprehension o f Christ. Incident after incident could be related, which show the deep devotion o f these students to the Lord Jesus Christ, o f their will ingness to sacrifice for Him and for one another, o f their constant trials in the life o f faith, o f their quiet cooperation— yet a single instance must suffice. This ac
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count has been selected, not because it excels the expe riences o f many other students, but because it is typical o f them all. The story concerns two young men, whose names, for obvious reasons, cannot be mentioned. The first, an Amer ican lad, came to the Bible Institute o f Los Angeles some time ago and enrolled in the General Course. The other student, a young Russian, had escaped across a frozen Siberian river amid the murderous fire o f the Red army patrols. In the United States, he sought a new home, and the training in Christian work which might, in God’s provi dence, enable him to return to his homeland with the glad news o f the Saviour’s love. For three years, this young Russian had put up a brave fight against great odds. He had learned a new language and earned his way among an alien race. He had— and still has— the respect and confi dence o f all who know him here. While at the Bible Institute o f Los Angeles, this stu dent, like hundreds o f others, required part-time employ ment in order to meet the expense of board and room. To assist such students in their efforts to find work, the Insti tute maintains an employment department which is con stantly on the lookout for part-time positions. Work in restaurants, as chauffeurs, in horhes, and in stores is o f course highly prized. The most determined youths some times register at hospitals, signifying a willingness to give their blood when blood transfusions are ordered by surgeons.
The young Russian was due to gradúate from the Insti tute in the class o f 1934. With that goal in view, he worked conscientiously and constantly, both in the classroom and in his employment. And then— he fell ill. The doctor at tending him decided that he must go to a hospital for an operation. T o do this meant that he must lose his janitor job. Such situations are often met among the students by substitutions. The young American heard o f the Russian' student’s predicament, and at once offered to resign his own job, with the expectation that upon the latter’s return from the hospital, he could step back into his own janitor’s post— a supposition justified by his friendship with the building superintendent for whom he worked. All apparently worked out well. The young Russian soon recovered and returned, resuming his job, full o f gratitude to his friend. But in the meantime the unexpected had occurred. The building superintendent had lost his post. A new man had been appointed, and there was no janitor’s job to which the American student could return. A few day’s employment was found, and when these were over, nothing else was offered. “ There I was,” said the American, “ my term at the Institute only half finished, with no work, nor any prospect o f work. And in addition, I owed the Institute $35.00 for
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