----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Story of The Fishermen's Club OF LOS ANGELES
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A Decade of Fellowship and Successful Service
TENTH ANN IVERSARY
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D R . T . C H O R T O N
W ITH the modest purpose of receiv ing Biblical instruction and inspira tion for the winning of souls, seven young men, on Monday evening, April 24, 1906, assembled in Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles, under the leadership of Rev. T. C. Horton. The now famous “Fishermen’s Club”, is the direct outgrowth of this nucleus, and the Bible Institute of Los Angeles is itself largely an outgrowth of the- Fishermen’s Club, which has its headquarters in commodious and splendidly equipped rooms in the great Institute building. The seven young men have increased to ISO, of equal consecration and definiteness of aspiration. The club was organized (it may be said reverently) along the lines and for the same purpose that gave birth to The First Fishermen’s Club, called by the Master “to catch men alive” (Luke 6 :11—Greek). For 521 consecutive weeks, including the celebration of the tenth anni versary, the Monday night gathering was never once omitted. It has invariably been an evening of exercise in evangelistic Scripture and doctrine, and in methods and aspiration for winning souls—“catching men” for Christ. These fishermen never on such occasions “toil all night and take nothing.” In their meetings they are- free and joyful, and by the score, voluntarily stand up and tell for the benefit of others whom they may have brought to the meet ing, the delight they have found since tak ing Christ into their life. Many members of the club have now
become^ successful evangelists, ministers and missionaries—at home and abroad. They are occupying fields in China, Japan, Africa and South America. The entire club contributes regularly to the prosecu tion of evangelism in these and other far- off lands. A remarkable percentage of the member ship has gone into specific Christian serv ice, or are now pursuing a regular theologi cal course as candidates for the ministry or missions. And of right good quality are they—being rooted and grounded in the revealed and vital Word of God. Having been pledged by the Fishermen’s Club copyrighted badge to prosecute the work to which they are called, if found guilty of conduct unbecoming' a Christian they will, like the soldier of his sword, be stripped of the pin. One has well said of the club: “There has never been any weak, senti mental, goody-goody teaching in this class, There has never been a coaxing of fellows to come, or trimming of the Gospel for fear of hurting their feelings. There have been straight, shoulder-hitting messages given in love. There has been abundant and abiding ' evidence of the tremendous grip of the Gospel upon the hearts of young men. Men have been - faithfully, fearlessly and lovingly dealt with. The club has produced some young men whose faces have been set like a flint for right eousness. Preachers, teachers, evangelists and missionaries have grown out of the class as naturally as the oak springs from
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