Northwestern Bible School - Scroll Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

Page 15 text:

Dr, A r J. Frost Dr, W, B. Riley Rev. Wm. Francis HISTORY OF THE NORTHWESTERN BIBLE AND MISSIONARY TRAINING SCHOOL T WENTY years ago Dr. W. B. Riley conceived the idea of a Bible Training School in Minneapolis for young people who desired to fit themselves for more effective Christian service. Rev. Win. Francis, assistant pastor of the First Baptist Church, was in hearty accord with him in the project, and several men of the Church guaranteed funds with which to start the work. Dr. A, j. Frost, a wonderful Bible expositor, was called from Los Angeles to assist in tire under¬ taking. The School was organized in 1902, and the classes were held the first year in a small room in the First Baptist Church. The instructors were Dr. W. B. Riley, Dr. A. J. Frost, and Rev. Wm, Francis. The first class consisted of seven members. Flic first commencement exercises were held In June, 1904, with one graduate. Miss Anna Gooch. A directory of the graduates of the School up to the present time is given at the close of this Annual. The present building, Nos. 2 to 8 South Eleventh Street, was purchased in 1904. Apartment No. 8 was occupied the first year, and gradually the entire building was taken over, until it is now filled to overflowing so that we are obliged to hold our classes in the chapel of the First Baptist Church, which has been kindly loaned by them. Next year we expect to have a fine chapel, seating about six hundred and fifty, in our new building. In 1921 three splendid dormitory buildings were also purchased to meet the growing demands of the School Dr. Riley has been Superintendent during all these years. Mr. R A. Bartlett. Mr. Clias. Mountain, and Rev. J. O. Buswell served as Assistant Superintendents for brief terms. Miss Jessie Van Booskirk became Assistant Superintendent in 1914 and served for four years. During that time she won the love and adminn tion of all who knew her. Upon her death Dr John Elliott temporarily filled the office. In 1918 Rev. 11. B. O. Fhillpotls came to Lhc School, and the blessing he lias brought cannot be measured. 13

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•S ' pecml Lecturer iwBaaMSjis fio Tij-torntfui nud C -rch H rtoi-u 41 f 4..r lijt ' ali H eoL ti ii K ra ■, -SfeiRra I N ADDITION to his many duties connected with the school, Mr. H. B. O. Phillpolts leaches two classes in Personal Work. Three student teachers assist the Faculty. Miss Ruth Taylor conducts a shorthand class. Miss Hope Dana and Miss Edith Putman assist Miss Marie Aeomb, the Head of the English Department. Miss Lillian Evans is a valuable assistant to Prof. Baker. She leaches a class in elementary music. We have been unusually fortunate in the choice of student teachers the past year. 12 ■ '

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At about this time Dr. Riley began his continent¬ wide work as leader of the great Christian Funda¬ mentals Movement. Mr. Phillpotts intensive organ¬ ization work and the publicity given to the School by Dr. Riley’s travels have meant much, and it lias grown rapidly. Today the enrollment is one hun¬ dred and forty-three; the Faculty has grown until it now numbers sixteen ; the work has been increased from a two year to a three year course, and the standard of the School has been raised to a high point of efficiency. Although the School lias grown, its aim is still the same—that of teaching young men and women the Word of Cod so that they may be equipped to First Baptist Ciiukcii go out into Christian service, and especially that they may point others to Jesus Christ, the “ ' Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world A Not only does the Northwestern Bible and Missionary Training School teach the Word of God, but it teaches that the Bible is the Word of God. We are taught that “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and we believe that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God A No teacher is allowed in the School who does not believe in the virgin birth of our Lord, His deity. His sacrificial death, His resurrection, and His ascension; and it is a blessing to us to listen to the men of God on our Faculty who unfold these precious truths and the blessed hope that Jesus Christ is coming again to receive us unto 1 Iimsel f. The School is interdenominational. There are at present fourteen denomina¬ tions represented in the student body, and five in the Faculty. ' Flic students go out under the different boards to the foreign fields, and they are working in every evangelical denomination in our own lanch The Northwestern is not an endowed institution, and it is not our wish that it ever should be. It is supported by the voluntary contributions of those who are interested in the work. We believe that as long as we have the approval of God, He will sec that its needs are supplied. 14