said: "I became very anxious lest the Catholics should again get control of the entire Philippines; and there were only two Bibles in the entire Philippines, so far as is known, at the time of the Spanish-American War.” Because of his concern over the conditions that prevailed, he took the question up with A. B. Prichard, a Presbyterian minister who prepared and underscored Testaments which Stewart had published in Spanish and then distributed exten sively in 22 Spanish-speaking countries. It was in connection with this work that the Rev. Mr. Prichard became president of The Los Angeles Bible Institute, a project founded by Stewart. Classes were held from 1901 through 1903. How ever, when Prichard accepted the pastorate of the Central Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, the Bible classes were discontinued. After the Bible institute work disbanded, the publishing part of the ministry continued under its secretary, Ralph D. Smith, and its name was changed to the Bible House of Los Angeles. Stewart continued to be the main supporter of the Bible House for several years and he stated that he "probably contributed about $175,000. This I regard as a very satisfac tory investment.” One of Stewart’s greatest concerns was the mat ter of apostasy in the Christian church. As a result of this concern, he became keenly interested in the publication of literature on the funda mental teachings of the Scriptures. This intense interest was aroused when he attended a Bible conference at Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1894. At this conference he heard some of the finest Bible teachers of both the United States and Canada, among whom was James H. Brookes, editor of a little magazine entitled The Truth. A copy of The Truth had providentially fallen into the hands of Stewart and he found it exceedingly instructive and helpful, particularly because of its sounding a note of warning in reference to the problem of apostasy by calling attention to the teachings of men who had previously been strong in the pulpit but who were then teaching error. While attending this conference, Stewart be came deeply impressed with the idea of sending this little magazine to all the ministers in America
total of more than $25,000 to the local work. He later felt compelled to withdraw his support be cause he believed it ceased to be loyal to the gospel and to its original purpose. His interest shifted to the men and boys on Main St. He was instrumental in organizing what at that time was the Gospel Union Mission, now called the Union Rescue Mission. The burden of the expense of this mission work became too heavy for Stewart financially and he eventually had to withdraw from the work. The contributions to the YMCA and the U n ion Rescue Mission amounted to far more than a tithe of his income but he said, "I was endeavoring to make good my default on my former tithes, with interest.” A t the close of the Spanish-American War, many who were engaged in Christian work believed that the Roman Catholics were exercising a strong hold on President McKinley and were dictating policy to him in reference to the Treaty of'Paris, which dealt with the Philippine Islands. Stewart The riches of God are manifold, Surpassing the wealth of jewels and gold; And all may draw from His bounteous store, For His hand is ever adding more. Whoever has listened to symphonies Played by the wind in tall pine trees, Or watched the desert stars that spill A bucket of silver on dune and hill; Whoever has seen the emerald lawn Agleam with dew in the rose-flushed dawn; Whoever has smelled the sweet perfume O f dooryard lilacs in fullest bloom, Or planted a seed in fertile sod, Has shared in the riches and wealth o f God! T h e w e a l t h o f g o d
— C h r i s t i n e W h i t e
The King's Business/February 1958
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