CHAPTER III THE VISION AND THE VENTURE
Educational institutions such as Biola University never emerge spon- taneously. When a need for such a school is perceived by interested per- sons and shared with others, a vision of how best to meet this need emerges. This natural process of growth and development was the pattern which re- sulted in the founding of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles which developed into Biola University. In 1908, the seed which God planted in the minds of Mr. Lyman Stewart and Rev. T. C. Horton developed into a mature plant, and today the vine has produced many branches which have reached into various parts of the world. The dedicated, Christian lives of the co-founders of Biola motivated the far-reaching contributions that they made to the Church in particular and to society in general. Mr. Lyman Stewart was an active Christian layman , being ordained an elder in three churches: the Presbyterian Church in Titus- ville, Pennsylvania, from 1870 until he came to Los Angeles, California, in 188~; the Immanuel Presbyterian Church until 1915; the Church of the Open Door, of which he was a charter member, until his death in 1923. Basically, his interests were evangelism and good Bible instruction, which the Lord used in the life of this dedicated layman and successful business man. In some of Mr. Stewart's early business ventures he was quite success- ful; but, unfortunately, he invested more than his income warranted. To off- set this, he began to reduce his tithing. As a result, he said, "My judge- ment was taken away." By the end of his six years of business, he was des- titute of funds and heavily in debt. Some time later, he was able to reap dividends again, which allowed him to return to his investments in the Lord': wor.J<.. Repeatedly, this passage of scripture came to his mind: "Sell that ye have, and give alms: provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasurE
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