196 T HE K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S husband and father, and those who knew him intimately have lost a true Christian friend. Wilbur Chapman fought a good fight and kept the faith. He lived not in vain. Thousands of souls have through his preaching repented of their sins and confessed Christ as Saviour and Lord. Heaven is richer, but earth is the poorer by reason of his going. We thank God for his life of service and pray that it may please Him to raise up more of his kind that the Gospel may be given and God glorified.—T. C. H.
A S hort S tory of aGod-Blessedchurch It is located in Los Angeles and is three years old. It is interdenomina tional. It meets in the Auditorium of the Bible Institute. It has no organic relation to the Institute but is in hearty affiliation with its work.
Its spiritual officers are Elders. Its financial officers are Stewards. Its benevolent officers are Deacons. Its Pastor is Dr. R. A. Torrey.
This church has a statement of doctrine covering all the Fundamentals of the Bible. In connection with the statement is the following, which every candidate is compelled to sign: I t is my desire to be received into th e membership of th e Church of the Open Door. I cheerfully Accept th e statem en t of doctrine of th is church as recorded above, and subscribe to th e Constitution and By-Laws. In assum ing th is membership I agree to be loyal to the in terests of th e church, to seek its pu rity and prosperity, to do some definite C hristian work, to be subject to th e discipline of th e church, and to contribute to its support as th e Lord shall prosper me. If a t any tim e I find myself a t variance w ith the teaching, life and ru les of th e church I agree to ask for my le tte r and quietly w ithdraw . This is a saving clause, and saves the church from any cliques or parties. Dissatisfied, disgruntled people are under obligation to ask for their letters. This is fully explained when the candidate is examined by the Session. The present membership is 673. There is a strong endeavor to keep the roll clean. Mere statistics mean nothing to this church. The morning and evening services average in attendance from fourteen to sixteen hundred. The total gifts for all purposes in 1918 amounted to $24,000. There are twelve of the members in the foreign field,—in Africa, China, South America, Central America, Honolulu. The church supports the Sunday School and the offerings of the latter pass through the church for missionary purposes. Dr. Dowling, formerly State Secretary of the Sunday School Association, is the Superintendent of the School. Members of the church were visitors for the Home Department last year. The midweek prayer meeting is a great gathering. Several hundred people, including many visitors, are in attendance. It is a real prayer meeting. There is no exposition of scripture. The members read the scripture out of their hearts. A few mofnents are 'given to praise for answered prayer, then requests' are made and prayers offered. Requests come from many sections of the country for prayer. There are always testimonies to God’s faithfulness in answering the requests.
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