Henry - A History of Biola University Since 1908

42 · advice with respect to opening the Bible Institute and its program. Dr . Torrey agreed that Los Angeles was the most logical location for such a school, and advised that "a school confined to Bible produces the--be~t-~~-:,:: . sults . " He warned that some of the .literary work undertaken by other school~ has not proved a real help to the student, so the work should be along systerr atic and general lines, not dependent upon "great lecturers or teachers that specialize." Lectures by competent men available would be desirable oc- casionally, but such lectures should not interfere with regular classes . He further advised that a large assembly in connection with the school would furnish a place for unattached people to be gathered for worship and work . A close sutdy of the program adopted by Biola when it began reveals that much of this advice given by Dr. Torrey was followed. After deciding to begin the Bible Institute, the next question was when to begin the classes. Mr. Horton concluded that the announcement of the opening of the school should be in conjunction with the proposed evangelistic meetings planned by the Church Federation, with Dr . Torrey as the evangelist, and he and Dr . Torrey agreed that classes should begin irunediately following the meetings . Unfortunately, the evangelistic meetings were never held be- cause when it was too late to make other arrangements, the Skating Rink in which they were to be held was declared unsafe and was condemned by the City . Although the Bible Institute did open about the time the Torrey meetings would have ended, it lost the advantage of the publicity the meetings would have provided . In the meantime, the plan was to arrange for as many classes as possible in the Los Angeles area under the auspices of "a Bible Institute name," and to conduct similar classes, referred to as "extension work, " in other areas. Mr . Horton suggested that they begin looking for propsective students . By mid-September, 1907, Rev . Horton reported, "Ne are now at work organ- izing Bible classes in eight or more sections of the City under the auspices

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