592
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
October 1928
Biola Glee Club Given Warmest Welcome Everywhere H ugh P eterson T ells the S tory
Biola Men’s Glee Club returned to Los jSxj7 Angeles late in the evening o f the 14th of muyb August having completed their transcontinental tour ° f approximately 8,000 miles, by special IfS-W motor coach, having filled all engagements and -fAll. having made the circuit without serious incon
extent o f such a ministry. Surely none but the angels of heaven can reveal it, for “ the Word of the Lord is quick and powerful” and it “ will not return void.” Nor are these the only contacts that were made in the name of Christ. Approximately 400 homes opened their doors to the boys. This means that some 1,200
venience as to health, roads, cli mate or accident. At the outset some thought such an undertaking was a scheme quite commendable, but alto gether too ambitious, while others wisely shook their heads with a “ Wait and see.’? Hence the interest manifested in what the boys them1 selves had to say about it. And they had much to say! The primary aim o f the trip was to represent the Lord Jesus Christ and, as His ambassadors, tell forth; the old story in testimony and song, and by consistent Christian living, or, as Dr. John McNeill so aptly put it, to carry across the continent “ fundamentalism set to music.” Secondary to this, was the desire to demonstrate what the 'Bible Insti tute is doing for the equipment o f young men as C h r i s t i a n workers,' and the; rlesire to give the members of the Club, as stu dents, an opportunity of seeing first-hand the various conditions that exist in the e v a n g e l i c a l c h u r c h e s throughout the coun try. Jt was no mere “ holiday jaunt” but rather a strenuous un
people at least, and probably, more, were influenced by the testimony .of a consistent Christian life ,!and this in their own homes. In this Connec tion, every member of the Glee Club acknowledges his debt ofi gratitude to those who so cordially received them. With few .exceptions,;, they were everywhere gladly‘« received and blessed by the fragrance o f home life away from home. Many lasting friendships were made. Special mention should be made of the splendid hospitality o f the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, where they spent three happy days in Christian fellowship, the Moody Institute bearing all expense. Other schools and colleges visited were the National Bible Institute o f New York, and Denver, Xenia Seminary, Wheaton College, Des Moines UnK versify, Ashland College, Ohio, and Montezuma College/ New Mexico. At each .of these sister institutions fraternal greetings o f Christian Jove were exchanged. Apart from all these;!opportun ities of Christian service. and- fel lowship, the tour could be reckoned
PROF. JOHN BISSELL TROWBRIDGE GENIAL LEADER OF THE GLEE CLUB TO WHOM PRINCIPAL CREDIT IS DUE FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE TOUR
dertaking. It meant some sacrifice and much endurance. The itinerary took them through 17 states^of .the Union and 53 of the chief cities along their route, includ ing El Paso, Kansas City, St, Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, New York, Omaria; Denver, etc. The Club made over ' 80 appearances" which comprised full con certs in churches, downtown missions, p u b l i c halls, street and beach meetings, also giving programs over the radio. Some 50,000 heard the message and many hun dreds of people made a new dedication of their lives to the service of their, Saviour, particularly young men and women who were inspired by the sight of 21 young men, old-fashioned enough to believe in the old-time religion, the Faith of their fathers arid mothers, who; at the same time, retained all the virility of true manliness'.5 Some souls were brought to the feet of the Lord for the first time and many others were personally dealt with and given the opportunity of accepting Christ, so that they are now indeed “ without excuse.” Gospels of John to the number of 5,000 were handed to men at service stations, maintenance men on the highways, storekeepers and restaurant owners, to waiters and waitresses, labor ers, and business men. Add to this hundreds of Gospel tracts that were distributed, and then try to conceive the
a success if the only thing accomplished had been the unifying in heart and mind o f 21 young men. Mission aries tell us that not a few outgoing recruits to the foreign field fail utterly because they cannot merge with the rest of the missionaries with whom they are obliged to asso ciate. During 63 days of close association in the big bus, in a space of some 200 square feet,-the Glee Club boys have most surely learned the art of “ getting along.” L In spite o f an endless variety o f personalities and tempera ments, nationalities and denominations, of likes; and dis likes, and in spite of the fact that.leach and every man has been trained to be a leader, the boys became one big family and, learned quickly to love each other with the love of ¡Christ which had been shed abroad in their hearts. And they were the better able to do this since their physical health was maintained. The Lord blessed every man in this regard. Doubtless Dr. H. W . Boyd’s presence with them had much to do with the fact that they returned, the picture of health, with skins tanned and faces beaming. Not the least fit and active was the beloved director, Professor J. B. Trowbridge, ■ who could climb the mountains or run the highways with any of them.
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