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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
August, 1937
A Christian E n d e a v o r gathering of county-wide importance had been held near the boy’s home town, and the beloved Howard L. Brown, General Secretary of the California Christian Endeavor Union, had been one of the speakers. Like other leaders of this organization in California, Mr. Brown evidences a Spirit-given pas sion for souls. In simple language George told at Biola of a great transaction that had taken place months earlier. “Howard Brown used one illustration that I couldn’t get away from,” he ex plained. “ It was just a little story about a rose. ‘If you had a beautiful white rose,’ he said, ‘and you wanted to give it to your mother, you’d give her all of it—all at once —not just a petal at a time.’ Right away, I saw that the Lord Jesus Christ ought to have all of my life. And—well—I just gave Him everything!” Other Christian Endeavor young people have made the same decision, hundreds of them. And in giving their lives—fragrant in consecration, beautiful in determination —they have come to see a clear and blessed truth: that it is not upon their giving that salvation rests, but upon their receiving first of all of that which the Greatest Giver offers through His death. They may say with Paul: “ Not by works of righteous ness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5). Just how many there were at the recent Jubilee Convention who transferred a whole life into Hands that are nail-scarred, God knows. These are the ones, their names inscribed in heavenly records, who have accepted in very truth “ The Chal lenge of Christ.” And for them the Bible Institute of Los Angeles gladly would offer both praise and prayer.
of the chorus—over 300 in all—had met one evening each week for a strenuous practice period of two hours under the able and prayerful direction of Herbert G. Tovey, Director of the Music Course at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. “ It was a wonderful opportunity, both musically and spiritually,” one of the singers confided. “ ‘Remember,’ Dr. Tovey told us, ‘these songs will ring throughout eternity—songs about the blood of Christ, and the Word of Christ. Think of that as you sing.’ And we did.” T o M eet the M aster Vernez Cook, another visitor to Los An geles, is something of a musician herself, having studied violin, piano, and oboe, and being qualified to teach these subjects. But it was not of this proficiency that she spoke, while she conversed with friends at Biola. “ I think I’m the happiest person in the world,” she introduced herself. And she looked happy. “ You want to know what my big desire was in coming to this Convention?” she went on. “ I’ll tell you ! It was to meet my Master face to face and to have thè joy of seeing others for whom I have prayed come to Him. I’ve been in the prayer band which has prayed morning, noon, and night for blessings on this Convention. And oh, He has proved that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. I surely agree with the mis sionary speaker from Africa when he said that all the pleasures of the world are a bubble when compared with the lasting joy of seeing one person accept Christ.” Vernez expects to major in music in col lege, and she is thinking also of Biola. “Bible training surely would appeal to me,” she said. “ I think God’s Word ought to be in every young person’s heart before he takes up university study these days. You know, what we young people need most of all is a fuller and richer knowl edge of the Bible, of its power and bless ing in our own hearts.” Like Vernez, George Lawrence was im pressed most deeply by those features of the Convention which urged soul-winning and the young person’s yieldedness to Christ. George is a Christian— one who, at school, would “ rather play basketball than do anything else”—and the members of his team know that he belongs to Christ. “ The hardest thing a fellow has to do, I think, is to show the crowd he’s really ■prouà. to be a Christian. I’m for anything that will help a fellow do that. Meeting Christ here has helped me, and I know it has helped others, too.” G iving C hrist A ll With manly directness, George referred to the day when he had received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour and had given his life into the Lord’s control. As he spoke, his sentences were like broad, firm brush strokes in a picture of strength and beauty. Perhaps he was unconscious of the scene which his words constructed—a home in a California small town, a stalwart son who bore an especial affection and regard for his mother, and a crisis day in which they both figured.
GO VERNOR FRANK F. M ERRIAM
Relating his remarks to the words chosen as the theme of the Convention, "The Chal lenge of Christ," the Honorable Frank F. Merriam, Governor of California, in an ad dress of welcome to the Christian Endeavor delegates said in part: "Life today is made up of one challenge after another . . . This great company comes here, facing and ac cepting the greatest challenge, the challenge OF CHRIST, and for that reason you may go out to have a tremendous influence upon what California is to become . . . We hear on every hand, 'Where is our country go ing?' I can tell you where it is going, and I am no wiser than any other man. It is going in the direction in which groups such as this shall lead the way. What we need are Christian men and women in California to day who will stand shoulder to shoulder and fight for what they believe, accepting the challenge and pressing on to triumph."
The Challenge Of Christ M att. 28: 19— 20 California C. E. Golden Jubilee Convention Theme Song
H. G. T.
Herbert G. Tovey
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