Henry - A History of Biola University Since 1908

59 Coast." As one looks at the structure and ministry of Biola University today, one realizes that these words by Lyman Stewart were more prophetic than he could have imagined- at the --tlrne~-h,-;-;rote them. The financial crisis which halted the construction program in 1913 saw little relief the following year. In fact, the situation grew more critical in the sununer of 1914, mainly because of the condition of the Stock Market and the inability of the supporters of Biola to liquidate their assets. Dur- ing this time Mr. Stewart wrote a friend, "We still have some $375,000 dol- lars to dig up to complete the buildings. The question that is troubling me is, where are we going to find it? We have made no general canvas; in fact, we have made no canvas for funds, as most of our friends have been claiming that they have more calls than they can meet, so we have waited for a more opportune time." During the financial crisis when they were trying desperately to raise funds to complete the buildings, Mr. Horton made a trip to the East visiting Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York, in the hope of inducing some affluent business men to purchase some of the Bible Institute Building Company Bonds. Among themĀ· were from Chicago, Mr. Crowell, founder of the Quaker Oats Com- pany and a benefactor of Moody Bible Institute; and Mr. Lawson, Publisher of the Chicago News, a man who gave liberally to philanthropic enterprises. In Philadelphia, he met with Mr. John Wanamaker, the famous Philadelphia merchant. He was not able to interest any of these men in the Bible Insti- tute because they knew little or nothing about it, and because the local demands for their financial help were so great. After many delays and much discouragement, they were able to sell $500,000 dollars worth of bonds, and the buildings were finally completed. The dreams of many had finally come true. There was a total of three build- ings; a large auditorium in the center with two balconies, flanked on each . side by a thirteen-story building. The two outside buildings were separated from the auditorium by a court or walkway 24 feet in width. The auditorium

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