The Romance OF THE Missionary Institute NYACK-ON-HUDSON NEW YORK Students on their way from the Administration Building, where classes are held, to the Institute. \ / K(■/ ( fl Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2020 with funding from Columbia University Libraries https://archive.org/details/romanceofmissionOOunse One of the latest pictures of Dr. and Mrs. Simpson with the Dean and Mrs. W. M. Turnbull. The Origin and Outlook of the School When Dr. A. B. Simpson was led forth from his settled pastor¬ ate to evangelize the unchurched masses of New York City, and to reach out towards the dark corners of the heathen world, it is not surprising that he should have early turned towards the training of others as a means of accelerating the accomplishment of his task. His first converts caught fire from him and were eager to go abroad as missionaries, or to win souls at home. They flocked round him for advice and help. Thus, in the year 1882, the first training class composed of new and zealous followers, met on the stage of a theatre in Twenty-third Street, New York, using rough benches and hastily improvised tables as their equipment. The history of the years that followed may be conveniently divided into three periods. During the first eight years, from 1882 to 1890, the school was moved from place to place, like the tent in the wilderness; but the pillar of cloud and of fire always attended. On Monday, Octo¬ ber 1, 1883, it was formally organized in a rented home on Eighth Avenue, New York, as the Missionary Training College for Home and Foreign Missionaries and Evangelists. Between forty and fifty students were in attendance. The second period, from 1890 to 1897, covers the years during which the Training College was located at 690 Eighth Avenue, where a substantial building was erected in connection with the Gospel Tabernacle. The rapid development of the work, the high price of land in New York, and the distractions to student life in the city, led to the choice of a rural site when a larger building became necessary. The third period covers the years from 1897 to the present time, during which the Missionary Institute has been located at 5 6 ROMANCE OP THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE Rev. Paul Rader, President. AT NYACK-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 7 South Nyack. The cornerstone of the main Institute was laid on April 17th and the opening exercises were held in October, 1897. Mr. Rader, the beloved President of the Institute, is now visit¬ ing the great mission fields of the world in order to obtain first¬ hand knowledge of conditions, and to catch the vision of what God desires to have accomplished in the immediate future. Upon his return he expects to lead a bold, definite, and con¬ certed effort for the evangelization of some of the untouched and unplanned fields. He recognizes that the first necessity will be the raising up, through prayer and capable leadership, a host of fully surren¬ dered young lives. Are there not thousands of young men and women who are waiting such a clarion call to Christian heroism, and to daring, rugged and sacrificial pioneering? Nyack has been prepared of God as a training school for such recruits. The missionary passion, of which this new aggressive movement is an expression, is interwoven into its entire history and ideals. Mr. Rader’s Message “I am delighted to serve in connection with the greatest Missionary School in the world. There are many Bible Schools in the land, but few like Nyack, where young lives meet the Lord Jesus in His all-sufficiency, go down before Him in full and glad surrender, and then go out to live the message that the world so sorely needs. May God ever keep Nyack true to its calling as a Training School of Faith, Prayer and Sacrifice.” 8 ROMANCE OP THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE This class is known as Bible Four. The students are studying the Book of Job. AT NYACK-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 9 The Nyack School Motto Our motto is “The Whole Bible to the Whole World.” The Missionary Training Institute is preeminently a Bible School. The study of the Word of God, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, holds first place and is considered vital in every course. The Bible subjects are the most important ottered and receive the greatest attention, being conducted by capable teachers who expect the highest quality of work in the classroom. The aim is to give a thorough knowledge of the English Bible and to cover each one of its divisions in an exhaustive and intensive manner. About one-third of the time devoted to all the subjects of the curriculum is spent upon the Scriptures. The whole Word of God is accepted as Divinely inspired, and finally authoritative for life and faith. No shadow of doubt is cast upon any portion of it by any teacher of the school. Nyack Stands For An unmutilated Bible. Salvation through the Blood of Christ. Entire separation from the world. The baptism of the Holy Spirit for life and witnessing. Victory through the indwelling Christ. Rugged consecration to sacrificial service. Practical faith in the sufficiency of Christ for spiritual, tem¬ poral and physical needs. Increasing, purifying hope of the Lord’s return. Burning missionary zeal to evangelize the world and bring back the King. The Whole Bible to the Whole Wide World* God has given us a great commission, On our banners let it be unfurled, This our holy trust and glorious message— The whole Bible to the whole wide world. God has given us a great salvation, Saving us from sickness, sin, and hell; Let us come to Him and take it freely, Let us then as freely go and tell. Christ is calling us with many voices, For His speedy coming to prepare; Shall He find us watching, robed, and ready, At His call to meet Him in the air? Blessed Master, we have heard Thy summons, And Thy heart has heard our answering cry; We are going forth to meet the Bridegroom, For we know His coming draweth nigh. *The last hymn written by Dr. Simpson on the Nyack Motto and sung at the Congress of Missionary Bands, February, 1919. 10 ROMANCE OF THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE This picture was taken at the close of the Chapel Service, which is held every school day from 10: 00 to 10: 30 in the morning. AT NYACK-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 11 The Spiritual Life of the School The Institute is specially rich in provision for devotional and missionary culture. A half-hour is allowed before breakfast for private devotions. The Morning Chapel Service lasting thirty minutes, conducted by members of the faculty, visitors, and stu¬ dents, strikes the keynote for the day. The attendance at this inspiring service is not, as in some colleges, optional, but obliga¬ tory. All class exercises are accompanied by prayer. After supper family worship is held for thirty minutes in the women’s and men’s dining halls, conducted by the superintendents. This service is generally remarkable for the fresh, up-to-date testi¬ monies of the students, and is so guided as to cultivate the freest and best expression of social worship. After this the students retire to their private rooms for a time of meditation and prayer, known as the Quiet Hour. The Sunday morning preaching service, and the Sunday eve¬ ning worship of praise and testimony, complete the weekly order of spiritual training. In his last Convention address at Nyack, Dr. Simpson expressed his convictions as an educator in the following words: “Just as God called Elijah to stand for a living God, so God is calling His witnesses to-day to stand for a living. God, a living Christ, and a supernatural faith. We stand for a supernatural Book, for a supernatural life, for a supernatural work, dependent entirely upon the Master and the power of the Spirit. “This makes necessary our Training School. It is not enough that we should grasp these mighty truths, we must commit them to those who will be able to teach others also, and provide, as the Master did, through His own disciples for the perpetuation of these principles, and for their propagation throughout the whole world.” The Growth of the School psppfLl twMim . 1921 * t 19 20 400 ^ 19 T 9 355 1^ 1918. 262 apt mm\ The above figures, as will be readily seen, illustrate the growth of the School in recent years. The number of stu¬ dents for 1920 is approximate, as the enrollment will not be complete until the opening of the January term. AT NYACK-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 13 i '■ 1 ■jg A *■' • iMte c. M « ■: W0lt M fgS$ i. »? ’ "B wz^maR i -t i T— KA i ^ Ar* ~-t jf* A ; Ejfffi ~\*»a 11 ■< iv ' A ; »-«V jT* {*■* IJ«*\ $18 A’I'Af ^ OL j _ vi JSWtL , ** E-v- !•? It. ^ gjp * S*^vJFvF ?® 3|3 ' -f 5^ ./!« i®*.* F\^ ,&i^ If* . Cnk : We love Nyac-k, yes we do. Some of the Boys of 1920—“Ready to report for orders.” 14 ROMANCE OF THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE The missionary candidates of 1920, with some members of the Board. A Nyack farewell. AT NYACK-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 15 A Nyack Farewell On the opposite page is a faint representation of one of the most impres¬ sive occurences at Nyack. It is the farewell to an outgoing missionary party. The students gather, as will be seen in the picture, on the terrace, and all the pent-up enthusiasm, affection, and aspiration of the students finds expression in singing Dr. Simpson’s immortal song, “Be True,’’ writ¬ ten for one of the graduating classes. We are going forth from the school of Jesus, We have sat at His blessed feet; We have drunk from truth’s celestial fountain, We have tasted its honey sweet. We are witnesses for our blessed Master In a world where friends are few, And He sends us forth with the watchword holy, Whatsoe ’er it costs. Be true. Be true! Be true! Let the holy watchword ring; Be true to your trust, Be true to your glorious King; Be true! Be true! Whether friends be false or few; Whatsoe’er betide, ever at His side, Let Him always find you true. We are going forth with a trust so sacred, And a truth so divine and deep, With a message clear and a work so glorious, And a charge, such a charge to keep. Let it be our greatest joy, my brother, That the Lord can depend on you, And if all besides should fail and falter, To your trust be always true. We are going forth with a glorious mission As ambassadors for God, We are sent with heaven’s last word of mercy Over all the world abroad. We are sent to save from the blight of sorrow, And the curse of sin undo; With a work so grand and a trust so holy, Oh, what heart would not be true? We are going forth with the blessed Spirit, And the Master always near: He has told us, ‘ * Lo, I am with you always, ’ ’ And we need not faint or fear. With the Master’s presence always near us, Shall we not both dare and do, With the mighty Holy Ghost within us, Shall we not be always true? The Locatio The Institute Building O’ Our School is situated on The Beautiful Hillside at South Ny Hudson. From the crest of the hill, on which the Institute, Audit lime view that extends in marvelous variety across the four miles of tb shore, until the eye rests satisfied upon the color-clad slopes of Connecti Look Out Tower Buttermil Balance Bock which suggest many delightful walks. In the beautiful Hackensack j lakes, the nearest of which is only three miles distant. Directly across famous by Washington Irving’s story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollo! literary geniuses were entertained by the beloved author. West Point.' Washington’s Headquarters at Newburg- may be reached a few miles IV which Rip Van Winkle ventured forth. Sing Sing Prison may be seen a few miles up the river; and an at hand, at the same time, opportunity for the enjoyment of the unsuu Christian service in the world’s greatest metropolis. : of the School 'looking the Majestic Hudson , twenty-eight miles above New York City, and overlooking the wonderful im, Wilson Hall and other buildings are situated, may be obtained a sub- iver’s placid width, beyond the picturesque little towns fringing the farther ; , thirty miles distant. In the immediate vicinity of Nyack are '’alls The Gateway )k Mountain Ramapo Valley ley, begirt with a great chain of lofty hills, are nestled several charming e river, and accessible by a half hour’s ferry service, is Tarrytown, made Here, also, is Irving’s home, “Sunnyside,” -where so many of America’s lere the United States Military Academy is situated, is thirty miles north, ler up the river; and still within reach is Catskill, the little village from ir’s ride south finds you in the heart of New York. Students at Nyack have ssed privileges of this beautiful country and unparalleled opportunities for 18 ROMANCE OF THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE Two of our Chinese boys. Sunrise on the Hudson. The R. M. S. “Cretic” which carried our last Palestine party. “Into hearts that know not Jesus we would speak the saving word.” AT NYACK-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 19 The Missionary Passion of the School Nothing so deeply impresses visitors to the Institute as the mis¬ sionary passion of the students. When C. H. Spurgeon was showing a party of visitors through his spacious tabernacle in South London, one of the strangers asked to see the heating apparatus. To the surprise of the visitors the g'reat preacher took them into a large room under the church, where several hundred people were assembled for prayer. “This,” said Spur¬ geon, “is our heating apparatus.” Similarly at Nvack, the daily missionary prayer service at the close of the morning’s classes, and the meeting of the various Missionary Bands on Friday afternoon for praise, prayer and intercession, furnish the fire by which this missionary spirit is fostered and fed. Intelligent prayer is made possible by the frequent reports of the progress of the Gospel in each land, and definite needs are ever kept before the students. All the students of the school are members of the Missionary Society. The Friday evening missionary meeting, which is conducted by the student body, has become widely known as a season of rare and profound missionary inspiration. Graphic and soul-stirring appeals from the missionaries of every land are given on these occasions, and many a one has received his call to a life-work in the Foreign Field through these meetings. Another undertaking of the Missionary Society is the pledge for missions which is made each year. Students learn the lesson of practical faith in trusting God for this money, and have opportunity for the joy of sacrificial giving. Is this the time, 0 Church of Christ, to sound Retreat ? To arm with weapons cheap and blunt The men and women who have borne the brunt Of Truth’s fierce strife, and nobly held their ground? Is this the time to halt, when all around Horizons wider meet, destinies confront, Stern duties wait our nation, let us Never play the laggard when God’s will is found? No; rather strengthen stakes and lengthen cords, Enlarge thy bands and gates, O thou elect, And to thy kingdom come for such a time. The earth with all its fulness is the Lord’s: Great things attempt for Him, great things expect, Whose love imperial is, whose power sublime. 20 ROMANCE OF THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE The upper picture we call ‘ ‘ The Long and the Short of It. ’ ’ Most of these boys are American, but the group includes an Italian, a Canadian, and a Greek. There are represented no fewer than eighteen nations at Nyack. The Institute Helens illustrate the sunny atmosphere which per¬ vades the School, even when the skies are dark with clouds and rain. AT NYACK-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 21 These thirteen students are called “Uncle Joe’s Boys.” They all hail from Boston. "Uncle Joe,” other¬ wise Rev. Joseph Evans, is certainly “blazing the way” in his Alliance Branch. Add to these thirteen boys twelve girls, and Boston is represented at Nyack this term by twenty-five stu¬ dents. What a splendid trail Boston has blazed. Blazing the Way Our missionaries are laboring in six¬ teen virgin fields of the missionary world. They are not duplicating the efforts of other Societies, but every¬ where are pressing out beyond the fron¬ tiers of existing Gospel effort. They have been instrumental in winning over eighteen thousand native converts in the past generation, and are leading on a force of about seven hundred native pastors whom the Lord has given them, and who have been trained in the for¬ eign Bible schools, patterned after the parent institution. It is of special in¬ terest to remember that Dr. Simpson was the pioneer in the field of Bible Training work in America, blazing the way for an ever-increasing number of similar institutions. The Missionary Institute consequent¬ ly inherits traditions of unparalleled missionary zeal. Our graduates have blazed the way as pioneers into Tibet, Interior China, Central India, French Indo-China, French Guinea, Portu¬ guese Congo and Interior South America. They hold strategic centers in the great mission fields of the w r orld. They have a strong base in Jerusalem for reaching the new Jewish state and Arabia. They are conducting training schools for native workers in many for¬ eign lands. Our school leads all other institutions in the number of its students who have actually gone to the foreign mission fields. Between three and four thousand students have already gone out from the Nyack Institute, and of these over one thousand have actually gone to the regions beyond. 22 ROMANCE OF THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE . * ^ lisSPP. The Nyack Missionary Institute Orchestra. AT NYACK-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 23 The Ministry of Music A most noteworthy feature of Institute life is the fervent spirit of song spontaneously expressed in chapel and halls. Dr. Simp¬ son’s unique and large ministry as a song-writer has bequeathed to the school and indeed to the whole Church a wealth of inspir¬ ing songs which embody the very essence of his God-given mes¬ sage. When four hundred young people sing from hearts that are filled with a sense of the reality of a living God and an en¬ throned Christ, the melody that bursts forth is akin to the music of heaven. Nyack choruses thrill the souls of every visitor. The coming of Mr. Charles C. Washburn with his rich ex¬ perience in vocal training, and his consecrated spirit, has added blessing and strength to the ministry of music in the school. None the less appreciated is the old-time ministry of Miss Eva Quaiffe who presides at the piano and ably instructs the students in this department. Miss Dora Mantle is devoting her unusual talent in developing the orchestra and helping her pupils to a mastery of the violin. The versatile genius of Mr. T. Henry Storey is also of large service in the organization of a band which we expect to be used of God in the evangelistic efforts of the school. School is out, and the tired mind is soothed and refreshed by music. 24 ROMANCE OF THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE The Nyack students are not afraid to smile. Saturday morning. A picture that needs no description. A.T NYACK-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 25 Wholesomeness of Spirit There is nothing strained or fanatical about our Nyack young people. They are earnest, sincere, and sacrificing, but are natural and normal withal. They are always ready for a call to prayer or for a testimony service, and their highest pleasure is a good spiritual meeting. Yet they are not long-faced nor morbid. Buoyant joyousness of spirit is felt everywhere, and in the home- life happiness and good cheer are simply contagious. The facul¬ ty and students at Nyack form a happy family and the gracious spirit and ceaseless care of the hostess, Mrs. Turnbull, is an abiding benediction to all who enter. Every effort is made to care wisely for the physical welfare of the students. Wholesome, simple, well-cooked food, excellent water and an unlimited abundance of fresh mountain-side air are valuable assets. All students are required to take a certain amount of outdoor or gymnasium exercise daily. The tennis courts, the woods and hills, and the skating in winter, offer ex¬ cellent opportunities for healthful and pleasurable exercises of much variety. In addition to these natural means of health, a simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Physician of the household prevails, yet every student is perfectly free to have medical attendance in sickness, as he chooses. At Christmastime every effort is made to make the glad season as homelike as possible for the students who remain. 26 ROMANCE OF THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE The Kitchen Staff. A Dish-Washing Crew. AT NYACK-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 27 Enjoying God’s lovely out-of-doors at Nyack. Self-help by the students at a Children’s Home during vacation. Self Help Practically all the students who come have very limited financial resources. Some are under the necessity of earning their entire expenses while at school. The cost of board and tuition is less than $30 per month. Yet even this amount seems large to those who must earn their way while carrying a full course of study. The school is entirely without endowment and has received comparatively little in the way of gifts to supplement its reve¬ nue, so that the administration has required constant and rigid economy. The most worthy are often in the greatest need since many of our most able students devote their vacation time to Christian service for which they receive but little remuneration. Thou¬ sands of dollars could be invested to good advantage in such promising lives. Even small gifts will often help a student over times of emergency, or intensify his training by setting him free to devote his entire time to study. 28 ROMANCE OP THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE Dean Turnbull: ‘ ‘ That is the ideal spot for the Chapel! ’ ’ Dr. Mantle: ‘‘There is no better or more suitable site on the hillside.” \T NYACK-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 29 Visions of the Future The leadings of the Lord for the future are usually in har¬ mony with past providences and present circumstances. It is patent to all that Dr. Simpson was Divinely guided in the founding of this Institute and in the formulation of its princi¬ ples. The school’s faithfulness to its original ideals has brought an increasing measure of blessing through the passing years. Never was there stronger or truer spiritual life and never was the missionary interest more intense and intelligent. Never was the personnel of the student body more virile. There are actually present in the school more students than can be conveniently accommodated. We are therefore compelled by the embarrassment of blessing to look definitely to the Lord for the future. There is great need for a new dormitory for men. But before going forward with the erection of new build¬ ings, it appears advisable and even imperative to put our present plant into thorough repair, and to make the most of the accom¬ modations which we now possess. In our efforts to liquidate the indebtedness which has burdened the Institution until this year, repairs have been postponed, and equipment has not kept pace with the growing needs. The future is bright with promise, and we covet the prayers of God’s remembrancers that we may be enabled first, to strengthen our stakes, with a view to lengthening our cords to the full measure of the will of God. 30 ROMANCE OF THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE wm An endless succession of devoted young people have passed from this beautiful Nyack mountain road to the jungle trails of heathendom. AT NYACIv-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 31 For more than twenty years this postman, always a welcome visitor, has delivered mail to the Institute. If the response to this appeal should double his burden he will cerainly not complain. The inscription over the General Post Office in New York is eminently appropriate for our Nyack Missionary pioneers: “Neither rain, nor snow, nor ice prevent these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed task. ’ ’ All letters and checks should be sent to Rev. Walter M. Turnbull, D.D., Dean, Missionary Institute, Nyack-on-Hudson, New York. Checks should be made payable to Missionary Training Institute. 32 ROMANCE OF THE MISSIONARY INSTITUTE Nearly all the photographs that appear in this booklet were taken by Mr. Arthur Hammond, one of our Nyack students. A group of our married students. The Buildings of the MISSIONARY INSTITUTE Nyack-on-Hudson In 1897 the first and largest of these buildings was erected. In that year this building accommodated the entire school. Today all these buildings together will not accommodate the student body. We cannot accept all the young people who wish to come. We thank God that the burden of indebtedness is gone. To get out of debt we postponed urgently-needed repairs. $50,000 is immediately required in addition to the ordinary reve nue to make the school thoroughly efficient. The Board of Managers and the Faculty are looking to the Lord and His stewards for this amount before the 1921 Commencement. All current expenses, food, light, heat, etc., are met from student payments for hoard and room. The moderate tuition charge of $20.00 per student covers the faculty allowances. The Supplementary Budget will be entirely used to meet the following urgent needs: Enlarging of class rooms. New kitchen equipment. Wiring of buildings for electric lighting. New roofs and floors. Remodeling of dormitory accommodations. Additions to library. Purchasing of new pianos. Special coal fund. Aid to worthy students. Present world conditions demand the immediate reinforcem ent of missionary ranks. God is raising up hosts of consecrated recruits everywhere. At the crucial point between these hosts of devoted souls and the appalling needs of the lost in darkened lands, stands our School. Our mission is to prepare these plastic lives to help to evaugelize this generation and bring back the King. If this is also your vision, join us. We shall greatly appreciate your prayers and gifts. Believing in the urgent need of preparing workers for the whitened fields of the world, I will endeavor, in dependence upon God, to send before May 16, 1921 the sum of $ ... _ .. .for the Special Budget of $50,000 for the Nyack Missionary Institute. Name Address......... Fill in this blank, tear off and mail to Dr. W. M. Turnbull, Dean, Nyack, N. Y.