Henry - A History of Biola University Since 1908

183 this fact, but he complained that Biola had made so many commitments for him that he had been unable to do the proper accounting. The other prime -f ac'tcri~~wa-ssomewhat related to the poor method of bookeeping: funds destined . for the China work were diverted i~td other channels. Dr . Keller complained that he did not receive any of the contributions amounting to some $10,000 . 00 for 1932-1933 . He noted that the balance sheet sent him in May, 1932 , showed a loan to $10,000 . 00 from the China account to the Western Enterprise Engine Company, funds that should have been sent to China. The Biola Business Manager acknowledged this, and replied that the money was invested to draw interest while not needed . Unfortunately, the Western Enterprise Engine Company became bankrupt , which was a heavy blow to both Biola and the Hunan ยท Bible Institute . In 1936 another crisis, more political than financial, arose in the China work. At that time a strong Nationalistic movement sweeping the Or- ient and very strong in China, engulfed such organizations as the Hunan Bib- le Institute. Consequently , there was a definite move of a group of strong Nationalistic Christian leaders to take over the leadership and activities of the School An American missionary who was not affilitated with the Hunan School informed the Biola Board of the seriousness of the situation . He had been told by a member of the Hunan Institute that two men intended to take con- trol of the School, and to operate it ''independent of the foreigners . " He said, " It is the spirit of the new China. All they want from the foreigner is his money. These men contend that the property belongs to the Chinese, and they defy anyone to come in and in any way assume authority, especially Mr . Roberts." This missionary also informed the Board that the Chinese were willing to have Dr . Keller continue, because they looked upon him as a mere figurehead . Aspiring Chinese leaders had clashed with Roberts before . They saw him as . a man they would not be able to maneuver.

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