73 convinced his own program would rectify this problem, establish better re- lationships, and widen Biola's sphere of influence. -~~=~-~-~~-~Allother upsetting change made by Macinnis was the curtailment of the Bibl~ Women's Work, which involved several Women's Bible Classes in the Southern California area taught by a group of competent well-trained women. Unfortunately,. Dr. Macinnis did not realize he was treading on "sacred ground for this program was initiated in the early days of Biola, financed by Mr. Stewart, and supervised by Mrs. Stewart for many years. This announcement sent a shock wave through much of the Biola constituency and brought irnmediat1 protests, the most vocal coming from Mrs. Stewart because of her husband's interest and her own personal relationship to the work. She feared this actio; would produce widespread denunciation of Biola and would provide a number of resignations from the faculty and staff. Dr. Torrey, the former Dean, was very critical of Dr. Macinnis' action in curtailing the Women's Work. He was convinced it would be detrimental to the School and was even un-constitutional, because the program had been established and financed by Mr. Stewart, who had expressed his desire that it remain a pert of the School's ministry. Dr. Torrey went so far as to threaten that unless immediate steps were taken to rectify this mistake, he would withdraw both his financial and vocal support of the School. Dean Macinnis' public statements and his attempts to change the policy and program were upsetting to the faculty, staff, and friends of Biola, creat- ing a tense atmosphere that ~ was as if a bomb had been planted in the midst of the School and everyone was waiting for the explosion. It occurred in 1927 with the publication of Dr. Macinnis' contraversal book, Peter, the Fisherman Philosopher. the book became famous irn.~ediately, not because of its value as a contribution to Christain literature, but because of the THE BOOK PETER, THE FISHERMAN PHILOSOPHER
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