Henry - A History of Biola University Since 1908

160 to give it out." In September, 1907, he was able to report to Mr. Stewart, "We are now at work organizing classes in eight or more sections of the City. " These classes had a two-fold purpose: to train people for personal work, . and to provide training for the indidual's life and understanding of the Scriptures. The popularity of such training was soon evident: approximately 600 people attended the classes at that time. Using these who were being trained, Mr. Horton intended to establish an evangelistic outreach in "Shop Work" in the railroad shops and factories in the vicinity. His attempt to prevail upon the Young Men's Christian Association to meet the challenge brought little response, primarily because their emphasis was more on social work than on the spiritual needs of men. Mr. Lyman Stewart's comment upon the aim of the Institute from the practical standpoint, "One of the purposes of the Institute is to have this entire coast evangelized, and to train young men and women who will go through the mining qamps and villages and give the Gospel to all people," helped to determine the curriculum of the Institute. That curriculum of Biola was designed to provide a two-year basic course of instruction including these courses: The Books of the Bible, The Great Doctrines of the Bible, Chapter Study, Homiletics, Church History, Practical and Personal Work, and Missions. The effectiveness of the program was evi- dent in the ready acceptance of Biola's early graduates by various mission agencies. By the end of the third school year, two graduates had been ac- cepted for mission work in China, two had gone to Kentucky, and one had gone to Arizona to work among the American Indians. As soon as the graduates of Biola began working in the various fields, both at home and abroad, they and the administration recognized the need for more training; and in 1912,the following new courses were added: The life .and Letters of the Apostle Paul, Old Testament Studies, Biblical Introduction,

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