September 1924
TH E K IN G ’ S B U S I N E S S
539
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fested in unusual power, hundreds of conversions resulting, Dr. Torrey laid the matter before the Lord for decision as to his future, as a result of which he felt that the Lord would have him answer the call for the larger service. When he tendered his resignation as Dean of the Institute and Pastor of the Church, his definite decision
A DESERVED TRIBUTE TO DR. TORREY Twelve years ago Dr. R. A. Torrey accepted a call to the position of Dean of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles,—having completed his world evangelistic campaign and at that time conducting evangelistic Ser vices and Bible conferences in this country. The Bible Institute of Los Angeles was organized in 1908 and had gathered into its fold about a hundred
as to the Spirit’s leading left no other course open to either organization but to accept, and, with gratitude to God for his long and helpful service, he was bidden God-speed, with the assurance of continual prayer in his behalf. Dr. Torrey will maintain his h o me in this city, and his greatly beloved wife will abide here for the greater part of the time. He will, of course, be a frequent preacher and lecturer in the church and school, where a warm welcome will always await him. GIVING THE GOSPEL TO A GREAT CITY There are two simple and imperative words which em brace the command of the Lord to all saints everywhere, and throughout the whole Christian age,— “ GO and GIVE!” The giving of the Gospel to all people is the obligation im
young people as students. The need of a leader of experience was recognized and the Insti tute considered itself very for tunate in receiving a favorable response from Dr. Torrey whose long and successful service as Superintendent of the Moody Bible Institute eminently quali fied him for this responsible position. The Institute has had a n o r m a l and wholesome growth and its graduates are now scattered over the world field. When the Institute building with its fine, large auditorium, was completed, Sunday services w e r e conducted and , as a result, an interdenominational church was formed, the name s e l e c t e d for it being 1 ‘ The Church of the Open Door.’ ’ The new organization carried a statement of doctrine identical with that of the Bible Institute, comprising all the great funda mental doctrines of the Bible. The Church of the Open
Lo! within the congregation, Stands the Lord, our God Most High: He among the gods now judgeth; None His wisdom can deny. How long will ye judge unjustly? How long wicked mien accept? Now defend the poor and needy, And the fatherless protect. Yea, the needy now deliver, Save them from the unjust hand, For they know not of .their danger, Neither will they understand. Oiut of course are the foundations Of the earth, because of sin; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Now the reign of grace begin. 1 have said that ye are children Of the Lord, our God Most High'; : But ye all, like men, shall perish, And like princes fall and die. God arise! and judge the nations, Claim the earth, and dwell therein; Thou all nations shalt inherit, ' And them cleanse of ev’ry sin.
—Paraphrase of Psalm 82, from "Peerless Poems of David the King” by Jane Copley.
posed upon believers. The manner, the method, the means, are all incidental. In the days of the early church it was accomplished by word of mouth because they lacked the other means so numerous in later days. As facilities have increased, however, the saints have become more and more willing to “ Let George do it.” No one is able definitely to define just who “ George” is, but they are all satisfied that there is some person or some means other than themselves upon which the responsibility can be placed. And so, in a large meas ure, the command of our Lord is not recognized as authoritative, and is not executed. All honest believ ers acknowledge the fact that the command was given by the Commander, and they recognize the need of its execution, but they are not willing to make a personal application of it. We live in a great and growing city. Los- Angeles claims a million and one hundred thousand people, and is increasing so rapidly "that the (so-called) evangelical churches (which are not all evangelical by any means) are confronted with an appalling proposition. Cults of
Door, from its inception, took the position that it would not solicit people to unite with it, and thus avoid the criticism of proselyting. The students attend ing the Institute were, as far as possible assigned to churches of their own denominations for Sunday services. The Church of the Open Door has now a membership of fifteen hundred and is definitely evangelistic. Its services have been held in the Institute buildings, with out rental, and the two organizations—the Institute and the Church—have worked together harmoniously in service for the Lord. Calls for the ministry of Dr Torrey throughout this and other countries have been continuous. He has been able to respond to a few of these, but has been compelled to say “ No” to most of them. He has felt the strain of endeavoring to meet two imperative obli gations,—first, to the Institute, which has suffered in his absence; and, second, to the increasing world need. While conducting a month’s evangelistic service this spring in Winnipeg, where the Spirit of God was mani
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