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TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
EDITORIALLY SPEAKING
"47th Engr. Constr. Bn., Okinawa, April-A, 1946.
“ God Speed You!” A GAIN it is our glad and sad privi- “ ■ lege to present diplomas and de grees to the graduating class of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. We are glad because we realize full well that the course of training which these young people have received at Biola is but a means to an end, the end be ing the place of service to which Christ is calling them. But we are sad as well, for we have come to know and love every one of them in the Lord, and partings are not easy. This year it will be our privilege to graduate one of the largest classes on record, over one hundred splendid, earnest young people. And, as is the case during the last few years, the greater percentage of students feel called to either home or foreign mis sionary service. Perhaps this class is average from the scholastic stand point, but it is far above the average if you weigh the seriousness with which this class regards its responsi bility to God for the evangelization of the world. We look for great things from them, if our Lord tarries. A word to the class of 1946: You have learned a few things in Biola classrooms about the Word and the world. But God has much more to teach you; may you always remain teachable. There will be difficulties, too, many of them, but never forget that our God is able, yea, Exceeding abundantly able to bring you through all of them. He will honor some of you with positions of prominence-; others He will honor just as surely with obscure and humble Stations of serv ice. But do not fear, and do riot be discouraged, for God counts faithful ness, not achievement. We take real pleasure in believing that here at Biola you have gained a firm foundation in the things of God. Not that we have given this to you, but over and over again, day in and day out, you have been exposed to the living Word of God. If anything has been accomplished, this is the reason. God bless you as you leave us, and God use you mightily for the glory of His dear Son! ★ ★ A Good Report ■ytTE PUBLISH herewith a letter which ’ ’ brought real joy to our hearts, and renewed our determination to press on with our task of training and prepar ing young people for service under the banner of our great Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ:
15:19). He follows this declaration with words of comfort and encourage ment. What is the meaning of this ? Surely, there are many churches and so-called Christians that are not hated by the world. Ministers without number are invited to address schools, luncheon clubs, political meetings, women’s or ganizations. The world preaches and practices tolerance for all religions. At the present time at least, no great hatred for the church as a whole is manifested. What then did the Lord mean by His teaching of an attitude of animosity on the part of the world toward His disciples? Ah, dear friends, you must make a distinction between religion and Christ. There is a difference between the atti tude of the world toward the princi ples of religion and the Person of Christ. The disciple who faithfully proclaims Christ as the world’s Sav iour, and emphasizes the t r u t h of man’s depravity, will most certainly experience the hatred of the world. In fadt, real, true-to-Christ Christians, if they fail to incur the enmity of the world, should carefully examine their lives and testimonies. Not that we are to exhibit a pseudo martyr complex, or to invite persecution, but on the other hand, we are to be forewarned and forearmed concerning the world’s reception of our message and its treat ment of us as ambassadors of Christ. ★ ★ “ Youth For Christ ” rpHE movements of the phenomenal “Youth for Christ” organization continue to make headlines. Recently the leaders of the American group set out for a series of city-wide rallies in England and on the European conti nent. Reports from these meetings tell of a fine reception being accorded these young men, and of the excep tional opportunities for permanent youth organizations. "Youth for Christ” has not escaped criticism from many sources, and some of it has been very bitter. It has been charged with everything from running a circus to forming a new denomina tion. Rival groups have sprung up. Religious leaders have both praised and denounced it. What is the truth concerning this movement? To be sure, “Youth for Christ” does not attempt to conduct a ’church sei'Viee, nor does it claim to. There are entertainment features; there is life—lots of it. The music is
“Thé Faculty, Bible Institute, Los Angelés, California. “Dear Sirs:
“I want to acknowledge in this note the great service that has been ren dered to the Kingdom of Christ by one of the young men in this battalion, who is a graduate of the Bible Insti tute. His name is Ernest Rich, and he works as a Sergeant in our Motor Pool by day, but always and everywhere his life shines forth for Christ. “I have known Ernest for more than a- year, most of that time in the 1635th E n g i n e e r Construction Battalion. 'About a month ago, we were trans ferred to this organization. We left Fort Lewis, Washington, last June 4, and came across the Pacific to the little island of Ie Shima, staying there until January, when we came to the larger island of Okinawa. During all of this time, Ernest steadfastly and ably took a leading part in all of our Christian activities. He organized and conducted a very successful men’s Bible class; he was one of the leaders in a Bible study and prayer group which met three times a week; he served often in special ways, as well as preaching on many occasions to our Sunday evening audiences. Always his Bible scholarship, as well as his deep and devoted Christian faith, were an inspiration to many of us. There is no way of estimating his influence. He had the respect and admiration of all the officers and men. I count it a privilege to have been his Chaplain, and to have served with him. “I thought you would like to know this about Ernest. He has been and is a credit to your great school, and I pray that your good work may con tinue. “Sincerely yours, “Richard M. Pope, "Chaplain, U. S. Army.” ★ ★ "Hateth You ” TT IS found in the last discourse of -*• the Lord Jesus given on the night of His apprehension. The place was the upper room, and the hearers, eleven men, blood-bought and blood- washed. Their hearts were heavy, but their minds were attentive to the words of the Lord. Jesus was'saying, “I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John
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