Henry - A History of Biola University Since 1908

119 There were no schools which could serve as a model in this pioneering venture, but someone was needed to supervise the program. Moody, who had _.__.,_-..,,;.--------- ,...:- ---- heard of the work of R. A. Torrey, invited him to Chicago to discuss the mat- ter, which resulted in Dr. Torrey becoming superintendent of this newly organ- ized Bible Institute on October 1, 1889. Moody explaining the training he J had in mind, gave Torrey a free hand to work out the details for the Bible Institute, which actually became the pattern for this new movement. Five years after the Moody Bible Institute was founded, Dr. Torrey be- came Pastor of the Moody Church, which grew remarkab]_ y under his ministry. Soon the large auditorium was filled for the morning service, and the at- tendance for the evening service soon required extra space. Late in 1901, when Dr. Torrey, planning his world-wide evagnelistic campaign, received the first invitation, from Australia, he was unable to accept it because D. L. Moody had just passed away. Dr. Torrey felt a greater burden for the Institute than he had felt before. However, following further appeals and much personal prayer, he felt led to honor these re- quests and was granted a years's leave of absence from Moody Church and the Institute to engage in this work. Instead of one year, however, the cam- paigns lasted three, finally culminating with an extensive campaign in the British Isles. Upon his return to the United States, Dr. Torrey; although asked by the Moody Bible Institute to continue as Superintendent, felt led to con- tinue his evangelistic and Bible conference work. During this time, he was invited to Montrose, Pennsylvania, by Dr. John Macinnis. While there he viewed the surrounding area, Conference Hill, of which he said, "This is the most beautiful site for a Bible Conference I have ever seen." Later he established the famous Montrose Conference on the~ grounds. Following the successful period of evangelism and Bible conf~rences, in the summer of 1911, Dr. Torrey accepted the call to become Dean of Biola.

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