hnriAi\(i^^ - QBC/QTS

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JJiDle College

RECORDER

16 Spadina Road Toronto

Price Ten Cents Per Annum

Volume 59

TORONTO, JUNE, 1953

Number 2

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

4th May,. 1953.

Dear Sir,

The Queen sincerely thanks the students and friends of Toronto Bible College for their kind and loyal message, which Her Majesty much appreciates.

Yours truly.

^CiMlh^J^

tmL.

The President,

Toronto Bible College.

The letter from the Queen's Secretary, photostatically reproduced, speaks for itself. Even so, a word of comment may not be out of place.

At this year's Graduation Exercises a Choral Prayer for the Queen's Corona- tion was sung immediately before the National Anthem. Both the words and the music of this choral prayer were Mr. Ernest Shildrick's own composition.

A copy both of words and music, together with an expression of loyalty from the vast throng gathered within Varsity Arena, was sent to the Queen through the State Department in Ottawa. The letter, herewith reproduced, was Her Majesty's gracious reply by the hand of her personal Secretary.

THE BIBLE COLLEGE RECORDER

^ije 59tf) #rabuation Cxercises^

Canon J. Douglas Paterson

Thursday, April 30th, was Graduation Day at Varsity Arena and there is no need to ask "which graduation?" because there is no other which could fill that vast hockey arena year after year. No hockey team could draw such a crowd because on these occasions even the players' ice surface was completely filled with seats and only one end was given over to the platform party and student body.

What a crowd — yes — but what a spirit! Principal Rhodes, who presided, said it so well when he told us that the crowd was really a congregation and they changed the arena into a Church. So it was — a great family of God's people — all one in Christ Jesus — made up of all sorts and ages. Some had come from the furthest corners of Canada to be present at this graduation — graduates were there who are now on furlough from four continents — we heard of children of gradu- ates now graduating. The Christian fellowship was so happily shown in the applause given to each student coming up to receive a diploma and in the congra- tulations after the meeting was officially over. It must have been an hour before everyone was through shaking hands and talking.

It was good to see two of the beloved "old timers" in our midst. Dr. McNicol sat at his successor's right hand and did not miss one detail. He was honoured by having a Scholarship given by the Governors in his name, and the first award of the John McNicol Scholarship went to Galina Kruberg, a most outstanding student who came to us from the University of Vienna. Mr. Ernest Shildrick was back where he belongs and nobody needed to be told. Under his training and leadership the College Choir sings a kind of music which is uniquely different. This year he presented to us not only his own music but a College-student-choir-leadcr (Helen Bruce) who led the choir in a very special number which has been greatly appre- ciated and blessed when it has been sung in many places. The hymns selected for the service were, as usual, old favourites, rousing tunes, and they were sung with the fervour and volume we expect when Mr. Shildrick leads.

The "words of witness" by four students — two girls and two boys — were messages which evince the training of the College and the quality of the gradu- ates. It is always more satisfying than an address by even the most famous speaker because they are testimonies by our own students and we love to hear their experi- ence, to share their conviction, and to see the holy fire as they tell of the challenge of Christ which leads them on.

Mr. Inrig, President of the Board of Governors, reminded us that this was the 59th graduation and that after tonight we are into our 60th year — Diamond Jubilee! With 950 graduates today in various forms of Christian service and between 30-40 going out into service each year, the College has something to show, and all who are in any way connected with the College have something to be proud of. Surely this 60th year will be a landmark when we will pause only long enough to realize an old slogan, "Hats off to the past, coats off for the future."

As the 48 Day Class graduates, the 6 Evening Class graduates, and the 1 Medical Student (Missionary Volunteer graduate) were called to the platform by Principal Rhodes they were handed their diplomas by the President, after which Canon J. Douglas Paterson, a member of the Council, offered a prayer of dedication and commended them to God. In this prayer all the graduates of former classes were remembered. The choir took up the thought as they sang a choral benedic- tion after which our beloved Principal-Emeritus, Dr. John McNicol, said a closing

THE BIBLE COLLEGE RECORDER

prayer and sent us on with his blessing. How good it was to see Mrs. McNicol sitting with Mrs. Rhodes, smiling and taking everything in with evident enjoyment.

So we passed out of the 59th year into the 60th Diamond Jubilee year, a little stronger in faith, confident that He who has led still leads, who declares, "I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door and no man can shut it."

^resientation to JUr. ^Ijilbdcfe

After the opening devotions at the Annual meet- ing of the Board of Governors, the Advisory Council and the Faculty, Mr. Inrig, our genial President, called upon Dr. John McNicol, Principal-Emeritus, to make a presentation. The presentation consisted of an Illumi- nated Address that was tendered to Mr. Ernest Shildrick, in warm appreciation of the many years of devoted service he has given to the College as our distinguished and unforgettable Director of Music.

Dr. McNicol spoke of the very beginning of Mr. Shildrick's association with Toronto Bible College, and of the way in which music grew from an optional

afternoon course to an integral part of the College _ _„__

system of training. He spoke of the results of Mr. MR. shildrick

Shildrick's leadership, seen in the continual need to find larger accommodation for the Graduation Exercises, until at length we moved into Varsity Arena with capacity for more than 6,000. He spoke also of the distinctive

Suality of T.B.C. singing under Mr. Shildrick's tuition — whether the singing of le Student Body, or of the Evangelistic Choir, or of a Ladies' Double Trio or a Male Double Quartette. There was something that marked it as T.B.C. singing — the clarity of the diction, the precision of the attack, the shading of the tone, and, not least, the spiritual quality that pervaded it. As a small token of sincere appre- ciation of all that Mr. Shildrick has done for T.B.C. music this illuminated address was presented to him.

The address itself, its scroll work and lettering, was the workmanship of Miss Ruth Cook, an Evening class T.B.C. graduate. Done in several colours it was indubitably "a thing of beauty." The wording of the Address follows:

ERNEST SHILDRICK

In grateful recognition of your devoted service for 23 years as Director of Music at the Toronto Bible College.

Your dedication to the highest standards of choral art, your original contribution to Gospel song, and your magic touch as a choir leader have created within the College its distinctive tradition of sacred music. In years to come it will be our constant endeavour to prove not unworthy of the heritage you have left us.

Signed : William Inrig, President

Denzill Raymer, Alumni Secretary J. B. Rhodes, Principal.

THE BIBLE COLLEGE RECORDER

©iamonb 3nh\ltt Alumni Conference

When Toronto Bible College opens this fall it will enter upon the 60th year of its history. To commemorate the occasion the entire first week of term will be devoted to the special activities of the Diamond Jubilee Alumni Conference. Not only our alumni, but our student body and all our friends, are cordially invited to join us in these Jubilee festivities.

They will begin on Monday evening, September l4th, with a Prayer Rally in the Assembly Hall. There is no better way in which we could enter upon the events of the week, or prepare ourselves more fittingly to take part in them, than by a united gathering for prayer and testimony. Once again we shall prove that "heaven comes down our souls to greet, and glory crowns the mercy-seat."

On Tuesday morning, September l$th, at 10 o'clock, the Opening Service of the new session will be held. It will be conducted by the Principal, Dr. J. B. Rhodes, and the chief address will be given by the Principal-Emeritus, Dr. John McNicol. New staff members, returning alumni, both returning and new students, and our special speakers for the Alumni Conference, will be cordially welcomed into our midst. At approximately 11.00 o'clock Mr. Raymer, Alumni Secretary, will present Reports and conduct Elections. Lunch will follow at 12.30. Then in the afternoon Rev. Stewart Boehmer will deal with the first of five topics to be presented during the week, that are designed to be of special interest to ministers, missionaries and Christian workers. He will speak on "The Pastor and his Sunday School." Ample opportunity for discussion will be provided, and then, at 3.30 Dr. Ferrin will deliver his first address to us, "Strategy of the Remnant." This also will be followed by a period of discussion.

Dinner will be served at 6.00, after which there will be opportunity for the continued fellowship of Class reunions. At 8 o'clock we shall all gather in Walmer Road Baptist Church for the evening meeting, Dr. Ferrin bringing the first of his evening messages to us, "The Irreducible Minimum."

Successive days will follow much this same pattern. A Time-Table will be found elsewhere in this issue.

The evening meal is designed to provide opportunity for Class Reunions. Full announcement will be made, but the following years will meet together: 0 and 5, 1 and 6, 2 and 7, 3 and 8, 4 and 9-

On Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock a Reception will be held at the College for all our Alumni and interested friends. This will be an opportunity for Christian fellowship with many former friends, and an opportunity to make new friends both among the Staff and the Graduates.

The climax of the Conference will be on Sunday evening, at 9 o'clock, in Walmer Road Baptist Church, when a corporate Communion service will be held. It will be simple and brief, conducted by Dr. John McNicol, Dr. J. B. Rhodes, Rev. Wm. Tyler, President of the General Alumni Association, and Rev. Howard Bentall, minister of the Church. Members of the Faculty and of the Alumni Execu- tive will serve the elements.

We should like to take this opportunity of thanking the Minister and the Deacons' Board of Walmer Road Baptist Church for their kindness and courtesy in allowing us to use their beautiful Church on the evenings of our Conference

THE BIBLE COLLEGE RECORDER

week. As it was within Walmer Road Church that the Toronto Bible Training School took its rise, in the time of Dr. Elmore Harris, there is no Church in which we should feel ourselves more at home tnroughout our Diamond Jubilee Con- ference. We are very grateful to them for their whole-hearted response to our request.

Now all that is necessary to ensure the success of this Conference is for YOU, who read these lines, to reserve this week, September l4th to 20th, for this purpose.

Sntrotiucing !

(special speakers at our Diamond Jubilee Conference)

The Board of Governors, the Faculty and the General Alumni Executive have worked together in preparing the details of our Diamond Jubilee Conference. The Lord has been very good to us, and we can clearly recognize His hand and His guidance in the arrangements that we have been able to make.

Two Guest Speakers are coming to us from the United States, Dr. Howard W. Ferrin and Dr. George E. Ladd. Another Guest Speaker comes to us from the Old Country, the Rev. Harding Wood. A brief account of these brethren follows. We have also been very fortunate in securing the assistance of well-known minis- ters here in Toronto: the Rev. Stewart Boehmer of Calvary Church, a recognized expert on Sunday School administration; Dr. Oswald J. Smith of the Peoples Church, who will tell us of the way in which he conducts outstanding Campaigns for Missions, not only in his own Church but in an increasing number of denomi- national and other Churches across the continent; and the Rev. Gerald Gregson, now attached to the Staff of Wycliffe College, who serves so widely throughout Canada as an Evangelistic Missioner. In addition, members of our T.B.C. Staff will take part in the morning and afternoon gatherings, bringing messages.

Dr. HOWARD W. FERRIN has been President , of Providence Bible Institute since 1926. Under his leadership the Institute has grown from a mere hand- ful of students to more than 500 in the day school. Evening Schools are conducted in Providence, Boston and Worcester with a combined enrolment of about 1,000. We have all heard of the "Miracle Dollar" that was bid, over and above the round figure that the Institute Governors were prepared to offer for a beauti- ful country estate, and of the way in which Providence Bible Institute acquired an unsurpassed campus includ- ing acres of park-land. This expansion became neces- sary to provide for the increasing numbers in the stu- dent body. The Institute reaches out beyond its two j^^ howard w. ferrin campuses and its evening classes, however, for through Dr. Ferrin's initiative it now operates its own FM radio station, W.P.T.L.

Dr. Ferrin has been largely responsible for the spirit of liberty that character- izes Providence Bible Institute, particularly with reference to the interpretation of prophecy and kindred controversial issues. Both Staff and students are permit- ted to exercise their own private judgment, and one view is not made predominant so as to stifle and exclude any other opinion. That is a spirit that is not always

THE BIBLE COLLEGE RECORDER

found in our evangelical institutions, and we look forward to the presence with us at our Jubilee Conference of this distinguished Christian administrator and College president whose own spirit is so clearly reflected within his own school.

Dr. Ferrin is also largely responsible for encouraging our Board and Faculty to proceed towards the accreditation of T.B.C. under the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, Institutes and Schools. During a visit he made to the College last fall, when he met with members of the Board and Staff, he presented the advantages of such a move in a very clear light. He showed us that the work done in recent years has fulfilled a move that was made some 25 or 30 years ago by Dean J. M. Gray, Dr. John McNicol and other Bible Institute leaders, who found, however, that the time was not ripe for such a forward step. Today it has been possible to secure the co-operation of Bible Colleges and Institutes throughout the continent within the Accrediting Association, without at the same time involving any specific doctrinal commitments beyond general agreement with the historic evangelical position.

We feel, therefore, that Dr. Ferrm is already an old friend of T.B.C, and we await his coming among us at our Diamond Jubilee Conference both prayerfully and expectantly.

Dr. GEORGE E. LADD is the Professor of New Testament History and Biblical Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. He took his early studies at Gordon College of Theology and Missions and also at Gordon Divinity School, Boston. Graduate studies were pursued at Boston University in the classics. A fellowship at Harvard University permitted a period of full-time study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical and Patristic Greek. Before entering upon his work at Fuller Seminary, Dr. Ladd had served as Head of the Department of New Testa- ment at Gordon Divinity School. He was also Guest professor at the Summer School of Wheaton College

DR. GEORGE E. LADD in 1949-

His addresses at our Diamond Jubilee Conference gather around the subject of The Kingdom of God. Their titles will be found in the Conference Time-Table on another page of this issue. Dr. Ladd has made a careful examination of the Scriptural teaching on this important subject, and his findings have been set forth in the volume, "Crucial Question About the Kingdom of God" published only last year. The substance of this volume was delivered as the 1952 Mid-Year Lectures at the Western Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary, Portland, Ore. Else- where in this issue of "The Recorder" will be found a summary of recent reviews of Dr. Ladd's challenging and convincing book. It really prepares the way for a much larger work covering the whole field of New Testament eschatology which Dr. Ladd is already contemplating.

In his own Foreword to "Crucial Questions" the author tells us that "Through- out college and seminary days I adhered to the particular premillennial interpreta- tion — usually called dispensationalism — which I had previously learned, and attempted to find support for this position in the Scriptures and to familiarize myself with other important contemporary interpretations. While the current premillennial interpretation seemed more nearly to coincide with the New Testa- ment teaching than any other, there remained a feeling of uncertainty as to the

THE BIBLE COLLEGE RECORDER

soundness of some of its positions. Accompanying this was a growing dissatisfac- tion with the quality of much of the hterature which espoused this position. Most of the books I read seemed to assume the whole system rather than prove it. While many Biblical passages were quoted, the exegetical problems involved appeared to me to be unsolved. The solution of these seemed to be essential to the consistency of the position. . . .

"I have tried to discover for myself what the New Testament in general and our Lord in particular teach about the Kingdom of God, and without assuming any system at the outset, to make my way through the modern literature to what- ever conclusions the Biblical data might require. ... I am convinced that we must interpret the Old Testament by the New and not vice versa, and this procedure has been deliberately followed."

In welcoming Dr. Ladd to our Diamond Jubilee Conference we have assured him of complete liberty in the presentation of his thought. Not only in his inter- pretation or Scripture but in the spirit that he evinces throughout his book he appears to be closely akin to us at T.B.C. But we shall not require him to dot every 'i' and cross every 't' precisely as we may happen to do. As we share with him in the fruit of his investigations into Scripture we believe that we shall all be enriched.

The Rev. HARDING WOOD, M.A. needs no introduction to users of the Scripture Union "Daily Bread." For many years he prepared those choice and helpful comments, and all who used them through those years would gladly testify to the unusual insight that the Rev. Harding Wood possesses into the mean- ing of Scripture, and to the unique skill with which he can bring home to our hearts "things new and old" from the Word. It is to deliver a week of Bible readings, under the auspices of the Scripture Union, and at T.B.C. Assembly Hall, the week immediately following our Jubilee Conference, that Mr. Harding Wood comes to Canada. We are very thankful for his timely visit, for Mr. Harding Wood is also Extension Lecturer of the London Bible College, London, Eng- ^=^- hording wood, m.a. land. And it is in that capacity that he will appear at our Jubilee Conference on Saturday night, to bring to T.B.C. greetings from the London Bible College, England. In fact, the Rev. Harding Wood will appear in a DUAL capacity on Saturday evening, September 19, at Walmer Road Baptist Church.

He will appear as a Staff member and representative of the London Bible College at our Jubilee Conference; and he will also appear as Special Speaker and Lecturer of the Scripture Union at the S.U. Annual Rally to be held on the same evening at the same place. Through the kindness of Mr. Arthur Rouse, Canadian Secretary of Scripture Union, we have been able to arrange for a Mammoth Rally of Young People — those young in spirit as well as in years! — on that Saturday evening. It will be both the Annual Rally of Scripture Union and the Diamond Jubilee Conference meeting of T.B.C. Mr. Harding Wood will have a timely word for all alike. Those who heard him on his last visit to Toronto will require no urging to come early for a good seat. The evening will furnish us with "a feast of fat things."

J. B. R.

THE BIBLE COLLEGE RECORDER

There came from the Christian press in 1952 a volume that should interest our entire T.B.C. constituency, whatever their predilection in prophetic interpreta- tion: — "Crucial Questions about the Kingdom of God," by Dr. George E. Ladd, published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., $3.30 in Canada.

A few extracts from reviewers will show how widely this book appeals and how worthy it is of careful study.

Dr. John McNicol, our own beloved Principal-Emeritus, has described it as "the best documented volume on this subject" that he has seen for a long time. It is written by a young man who is a master of his field of enquiry, who is familiar with all the relevant material on the subject. That is Dr. McNicol's opinion.

Dr. Wilbur Smith writes the Preface to the volume in which he says, in part: "I believe that Dr. Ladd's work is the first volume to appear in our country since the beginning of this century written by a thoroughly equipped scholar who knows the views of the principal New Testament scholars, who is well acquainted with the important literature in French. German, and English, and who at the same time is a thorough-going premillennialist, a believer in a Messianic Kingdom and in the millennium to come. For this reason, his book assumes major importance. . .

"As an older man in this field of Biblical interpretation, especially in eschato- logy, with a great many friends in circles of extreme dispensationalism, whom I deeply love, may I ask for this young man a very careful hearing. His book is based upon thorough scholarship and unswerving loyalty to the Word of God. I think that it is time for all who believe the Holy Scripture to be divinely inspired, who love the Lord's appearing, and who believe 'that only in His second advent is there any hope for this world, to approach these subjects without dogmatic pride, without a feeling that we ourselves have attained the last word, that there is nothing further to be said after we have expressed our convictions. If there is any body of people in this country prone to divide bitterly, it is the students of prophecy, who so quickly belabour others who do not agree with them in some points, as, for instance, the matter of whether the Church will go through the tribulation, the revival of the Roman Empire, the building of a millennial Temple in Jerusalem, the establishment of a Davidic throne on this earth, etc. But if there is one body of men who ought to be united in love for the Lord and His Word, it is this group. . . .

"I write this preface with pleasure. It is a joy to commend to all students of the inexhaustible, ever-fascinating and profoundly important area of Biblical predictive prophecy this carefully executed work of my beloved friend and colleague."

Dr. John F. Walvoord, who succeeded the late Dr. Lewish Sperry Chafer as Professor of Systematic Theology and President of Dallas Theological Seminary, devotes the first article of the January issue of "Bibliotheca Sacra" to an examina- tion and appraisal of Dr. Ladd's book. Among other things Dr. Walvoord says: "While a number of volumes have appeared on the general theme of the Kingdom of God, this work of Professor George E. Ladd of Fuller Theological Seminary will take a unique place among them. It is, first of all, a work of a conservative scholar who debates on the high level of faith in the inspired Word of God. Secondly, it is a defense of premillennialism, in contrast to such works as Louis Berkhof's "The Kingdom of God" and Geerhardus Vos's "The Teaching of Jesus Concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church," which defend the amillennial position. Thirdly, it's a critique of the dispensational concept of the Kingdom of God. To some this will be the most significant contribution."

THE BIBLE COLLEGE RECORDER

As representative of the foremost school of Dispensational Theology on the continent Dr. Walvoord, as one would expect, takes issue at various points with Dr. Ladd's interpretation of Scripture. In fact for a penetrating, yet charitable, critique of Dr. Ladd's work, from the Dispensational position, there is probably nothing better than Dr. Walvoord's article. Perhaps as significant as the article itself, however, is the fact that this difference of interpretation about the Kingdom of God has not resulted in exclusion of Dr. Ladd from the pages of Bibliotheca Sacra. He is at present contributing to this journal a series of articles on the King- dom of God concept in Jewish apocalyptic literature. It is a most hopeful and encouraging sign when Christian fellowship, especially amongst evangelicals, can transcend differences in Biblical interpretation. Would that it were a more com- mon phenomenon!

To indicate the wide appeal of Dr. Ladd's new book, let us note the appraisal given it in the current April-June issue of "The Christian Ministry," organ of the Mennonite Church, published at Scottdale, Pa.

"It is always refreshing to find an author who has courage to divorce himself from a 'system' to learn the meanings of Scripture. This is particularly commend- able in one who is handling problems pertaining to eschatology. . . . George E. Ladd has been willing to look at the Scriptures without determining beforehand where he shall arrive in his thinking. He has accepted certain views which nor- mally are attached to amillennialism and has at the same time held to a form of premillennialism. While this book may not be the answer to the problem in the Mennonite Church it shows to the reviewer the possibility of finding a common ground on which all Mennonites could stand in sweet fellowship and concurring convictions about future things. . . . We need more of this type of discussion in matters pertaining to eschatology. Let us look for the common ground and employ scholarship to find the essential points on which we agree so that we may build a stronger structure of unity in our beliefs regarding the events associated with our Lord's return."

As we conclude this survey of recent reviews of Dr. Ladd's book, "Crucial Questions About the Kingdom of God," we turn to the April issue of "The Evangelical Christian," a Christian monthly known and esteemed by all our "Recorder" readers. Here, in part, is what it says:

"This is a volume that no student of eschatology can ignore. It is written by a man who has thought deeply and read widely on the subject, and brings to bear on this much disputed doctrine of last things dispassionate thinking and clear, sound, scholarship. While Dr. Ladd differs from some premillennial conceptions he nevertheless believes that there can be no millennium until Christ comes. He examines with succinct reasoning the objections to the doctrine of a millennium, and devotes his last chapter entirely to a consideration of Revelation 20, and the varied interpretations or it. . . . This is an excellent work that will amply repay careful reading,"

This is a volume, we are certain, that readers of "The Recorder" will find stimulating, challenging, and convincing. It holds a special interest for us in that Dr. George E. Ladd is to be one of the guest speakers at our Diamond Jubilee Alumni Conference this fall. His addresses will all relate to the Kingdom of God; the titles will be found in the Conference Time-Table, elsewhere in this issue. May we remind you that there will be opportunity for questions and discussion at the afternoon gatherings. Read, enjoy and digest this book, and bring your ques- tions with you to the Jubilee Conference! Bring your own copy of the book and we are sure that Dr. Ladd will be glad to autograph it for you.

J. B. R.

Biamonli Jubilee Conference

	Monday Sept. 14	Tuesday Sept. 15	Wednesday Sept. 16
			Dr. Rhodes
9.00			The Church: Her Origin & Order
10.00		Opening Service Address: Dr. McNicol	Dr. Ferrin The Unenforceable Obligation
		Reports and	Rev. C. A. Armstrong
11.00		Elections:	The Pastor and
		Mr. Raymer	His Y.P.
Luncheon
		Rev. S. Boehmer	Rev. A. G. MacBeath
2.00		The Pastor and	The Pastor and
		His S.S.	His Vocation
		Dr. Ferrin	Dr. Ferrin
3.30		Strategy of the Reninant	Fire or Fire
Dinner
8.00	Prayer Fellowship at T.B.C.	Dr. Ferrin The Irreducible Minimum	Dr. Ferrin World-Wide Missions and the Lord's Return
		Wahner Rd. Baptist Church	Walmer Rd. Baptist Church

©iamonb Sfubilee Conference

Thursday Sept. 17	Friday Sept. 18	Saturday Sept. 19	Sunday Sept. 20
Dr. Rhodes	Dr. Rhodes
The Church:	The Church:
Her Faith & Worship	Her Life & Witness
Dr. Ferrin The High Cost of	Dr. McNicol
Bad Theology
Dr. Ladd	Dr. Ladd			T.B.C.
What Kingdom	The Question of the			in City
Did Jesus Proclaim?	Postponed Kingdom			Churches

Dr. Oswald J. Smith

The Pastor

and Missions

Dr. Ladd

The Key to the

Kingdom

Dr. Ladd

The Righteousness

of the Kingdom

Walmer Rd. Baptist Church

Luncheon

Rev. Gerald Gregson

The Pastor and

Evangelism

Dr. Ladd

How can the Kingdom

of God be Both Future

and Present?

Reception

at

T.B.C.

Dinner

Dr. Ladd

When will the

Kingdom Come ?

Rev. Harding

Wood S.U. & T.B.C.

Rally

Communion

Service

9.00

Walmer Rd. Walmer Rd. Walmer Rd.

Baptist Church Baptist Church Baptist Church

12 THE BIBLE COLLEGE RECORDER

^rabuation ^t^timonp

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." This is our feel- ing who have studied at Toronto Bible College.

How strange that here there should be a bond of unity. Our students represent 21 different denomina- tions — but there is unity amongst us. We come from all levels of society and with varying degrees of educa- tion — but there is a bond of unity. We come from eight different countries of the world and seven prov- inces of Canada. Our graduates serve in 41 countries under 46 mission boards, reaching to the very ends of the earth — but we are all one in Christ.

LENORE SHARPE '53 ^ ^^^^ recognized this unity when attending the

Evening Classes of the College. I was teaching school in York Township and studying at the University. At the same time I had the privilege of two evenings a week at the Bible College. As we studied the Word of God, we came to love its message and not only its message, but its Divine Author. As my love for God grew deeper, my consecration was deepened. In childhood, I had a great desire to become a missionary. However, few people took me seriously and soon I lost the vision and doubted that God had called. Now, I could see clearly in God's Word that the last command of Christ was, "Go into all the world." I felt compelled to show my love by keeping this final commandment. Thus after completing three happy years in Evening Classes I entered the Day School. Here I have learned the SECRET OF CHRISTIAN UNITY.

In the formality of the classroom or the ease of the halls, dining and common rooms, we have spent many hours in discussion with the faculty and fellow stu- dents. We have made deep and lasting friendships and have known that great joy of being of one mind in Christ. We have discovered that we are all in agreement on the big things of life and of Christianity. There is no doubt in our minds that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. We recognize that only the Son of God could cleanse us from our sin and that, by His death on the cross. We know the presence and power of a personal God — a LIVING REDEEMER! We believe that Christ is the answer to the need of the individual and of the world as a whole. On these things we can agree and thus we have a basis which will stand when other minor things would seek to divide us.

With true unity, there is always diversity. Although we are all fitted into the pattern of salvation, no two of us are alike. At Toronto Bible College there is no effort made to fit us into the same mould and send us out as mere stereotypes. We are encouraged to think and act independently. Our own personalities and talents are developed to the full. We are not fed like baby robins with special points of view and far-fetched interpretations. We do not memorize a set of notes which we later repeat in parrot fashion. Rather, in our school, we are given the pros and cons of divergent views and by independent thought and unbiased study arrive at our conclusions.

And now we go forth to various walks of life — some to full time work for Christ in a secular field, some to further study, some to home pastorates, and others to the foreign fields. Some will serve with denominational boards, others

THE BIBLE COLLEGE RECORDER

13

with interdenominational missions, but wherever we go or whatever we do — we are one in the love of Christ. "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The desire of every young person is to be success- ful. Before entering the Toronto Bible College, I took nurse's training in my home province of British Colum- bia. Success in nursing depends upon prompt and accurate obedience to the physician's orders. I keenly felt this responsibility, for neglect or delay could pro- long suffering or cause death.

But as a Christian nurse I had a greater responsi- bility than this: Jesus Christ the Great Physician had a claim upon my life which I could not resist. He said ""If ye love me, keep My commandments." I came to realize that success in the Christian life also depends upon obedience. Therefore my purpose in coming to the Toronto Bible College was to prepare for Christian service wherever God should lead.

KAY WILSON, '63

During these years of training many spiritual lessons have been learned through the devotional life of the College. Fellowship in prayer and praise has made me conscious of the presence and power of the living Christ. Through the messages given in our devotional hour each week I have come to realize the necessity of maintaining a real and vital relationship with Jesus Christ. The lives of our beloved Faculty and of fellow students have encouraged me to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

The course of study during these three years has met another great need in my Christian life. I came to College with questions upon my mind concerning Chris- tian doctrines, the origin of the Bible, and the history of the Protestant faith. Through the systematic study of God's Word and subjects related to it, I have been able to think through and understand the answers to these problems.

Thinking through each book of the Bible has revealed the love and faith- fulness of God in His dealings with men. The Old Testament is no longer a difficult account of history, but each book has become a living, personal message. As we studied the life and death of Jesus Christ from the Gospel records, I grew to love Him more and desired to follow His example of perfect obedience to the will of God. The life and epistles of Paul also helped me to understand my calling and position in Christ as well as the pattern and power for Christian living and service.

Our studies in Christian Missions made me aware of conditions in our world today. The enemy is active against the Church of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Communism and Nationalism hinder her progress in many lands, while materialism and indifference have weakened her influence at home. We learned something of the spiritual darkness and physical suflFering of people who are held in bondage to sin and under the influence of non-Christian religions. But in spite of opposition there are unlimited opportunities in our generation to preach the

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Gospel and relieve suffering. Therefore, in obedience to His call and depending entirely upon His sufficiency I look forward to serving Christ in the land or Africa.

Tonight I thank God for the Toronto Bible College, and count it a privilege to be a member of this great family scattered throughout the world. I regret that these wonderful years have passed so quickly, but I leave with this promise: "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

HOWARD SMITH,

One of the outstanding aspects of our course at Toronto Bible College is the training in practical Christian service. Having served three years on the Evangelistic Committee I have been able to get a com- prehensive view of this training in action. To me, it presents a unique picture.

It is unique because it provides experience in numerous spheres of service. Personal work at Toronto General Hospital: mission, factory and jail meetings; house-to-house visitation among the Jews; open air services; children's work in Sunday Schools and Good News Bible Clubs; Young People's work; and the conducting of Church services- — all these furnish oppor- tunities for presenting the Gospel message to men, women, and children in various circumstances of life.

The experiences which we have had, through these opportunities, will prove

invaluable, I am sure, in our future service for the Lord.

Another unique feature of our practical work programme is the fact that it lies entirely in the hands of the students. Week by week the members of the Evangelistic Committee meet in executive session to consider the various appoint- ments. Thus, each service is planned and carried out by the students themselves. A check is necessarily kept on the activities of each of us, weekly, that we may gain credit for them, and that the faculty may note our progress. It is their desire that we should engage in as many activities as possible during our three years, so that wc may gain an all-round experience. Consequently, we begin to learn here that which will be required of us in future service — to use our own initiative, and to .stand on our own feet.

But the secret of our fruitful ministry lies in a further unique principle of our training. This is the practice of the presence and leadership of the Holy Spirit in all our activities. Together we wait on Him that He may unite us in purpose and effort, and empower us, as we plan and carry out our evangelistic activities.

Think of Toronto General Hospital, How thrilling it has been to find patients prepared to receive Christ because we sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit in prayer. "It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing," These are the words which our faculty would have indelibly imprinted on all our hearts.

Resigning my teaching position, I came to College with a desire to prepare for missionary service. Three years seemed such a long time! But now I recognize their vital importance. Sometimes years of training serve only to dim the vision of a world's need. Not so with these years of training at Toronto Bible College.

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Rather, the practical emphasis has served to enlarge our vision, and to intensify our personal responsibility to the Lord. Here, we have received a greater impetus to fulfil the Lord's command: "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."

WALTER BEE CHAM, '53

The decision to enter Christian service was not entirely my own. I was but obeying the orders of the King of kings. There was an inner spiritual compulsion that I dared not resist. It was later that I realized the wonderful privilege of serving God. My sense of a Divine call came when I had read the Bible through for the first time. I saw my great obligation to my God and Saviour. Thus my only reason for living was to be the slave of Christ even as the Apostle Paul.

After I responded to God's call, my life took on new meaning. I had never thought that I was selfish, but my life certainly had been lived for myself. Life can be very miserable even for a Christian who fails to put others first. The man who lives only for himself is in a very small business. The Prince of life, the

Lord Jesus, was certainly right when He said, "He that saveth his life shall lose it and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

During my first year in Dr. McNicol's Bible lectures the repetition of the phrase "death of self" seemed quite unimportant to me. I soon reahzed however, that only through the death of self and continual yielding to God, could my life truly fulfil its purpose. Nothing is so chaotic as a life away from God. Enough chaos has already flooded the world by man refusing to obey God. For me to be completely controlled by an all-wise and all-loving God is simply my reasonable service. Even at best all I can say before the judgment seat of Christ is, "I am an unprofitable servant, I have only done what was my duty."

Having taught school for three years I have a little experience in education. While at Normal School, special emphasis was laid on the practical application of the lessons. Therefore it was the extensive practical programme of the Toronto Bible College that made me choose this school.

I have not been disappointed for I have received experience in almost every