Pastor oí the Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.
A FTER leaving Biola, I went as a student to the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Fol lowing a period of time in the pastorate, I re turned there for graduate work and was there in 1932 at the time of the World’s Fair in Chicago which was known as "A Century of Progress.” Among the students was a very modest, sweet-spirited fellow who never had much to say, but always greeted everyone with a warm, friendly smile. Some of the fellows found out one day that it was his twenty-fifth birthday, so at breakfast in the dining room, one of them made a flowery announce ment of the fact, and they all applauded vigorously, cry ing "Speech! Speech!” They felt he would be too timid to respond, but to their surprise he rose, smiled and said, “Mr. Chairman, and brethren of the Hall, you see before you a quarter of a century of progress,” and sat down. It was a most effective speech! It almost brought the roof down!
When I received the gracious invitation to bring this message to the Graduating Class of 1947 and to all the rest of you, I soon became conscious of the fact that I was graduated from Biola in 1922. So this is a sort of Silver Anniversary for me. Whether or not it has been a quarter of a century of progress, I can say that it has been a quarter of a century filled with the grace and mercy of God! I have seen the Word of God demonstrate again and again that it is "living and powerful.” I have seen the Gospel of Christ in its wonderful, redemptive power at work in the hearts of men and women. I have seen the fulfillment of our Lord’s words, “Greater works than these shall ye do, because I go unto my Father.” I have seen souls saved, lives transformed, homes re claimed, churches gloriously strengthened and developed. I have seen young people respond to the call of God and the challenge of world need, and go out with hearts aflame to bear witness to a living Lord and Saviour! Page Nine
AUGUST, 1947
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