The Evangelical Student
A Magazine of the League of Evangelical Students
Largely forgotten now, the League of Evangelical Students was an early 20th century forerunner to such contemporary evangelical student fellowships as InterVarsity, Campus Crusade for Christ and Reformed University Ministries. It mission statement declared it to be "an inter-denominational and international student movement for the defense and propagation of the Gospel in the modern student-world."
Organized in 1925, the League grew to have over 60 chapters across the campuses of America, with an affiliated chapter located in China. Its leadership came primarily from the conservative ranks of the northern Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and it is notable that many of these same leaders were later to figure prominently in the formation of both Westminster Theological Seminary in 1929 and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in 1936.
The Evangelical Student magazine ran from 1926 until 1939, with the first issue appearing in April of 1926. In addition to the magazine, the League held annual conferences which were hosted by various chapters. Three articles appearing in the first issue give something of the background and purpose of the organization: "Why the League," by Allen A. MacRae; "The League's Program," by Ned. B. Stonehouse; and "The Grand Rapids Conference," by W.A. H. Zoerner. The final issue of the magazine was issued in January 1939 (Vol. 14, no. 1).
Press release on the formation of the League of Evangelical Students :

Theological Students Organize
At the recent Students' Association meeting of the Middle Atlantic Theological Seminaries, held at Drew Seminary, there was such a determination on the part of the liberal students and the representatives of the Y.M.C.A. to suppress testimony to the evangelical faith and to break down the distinction between the evangelical faith and modernism that the evangelical students decided to withdraw from that association to form an association loyal to the Word of God.
Plans are on the way at Princeton Theological Seminary for the formation of this evangelical students' association. Invitations will be extended to the students of all theological seminaries which stand loyal to the Word of God and the historic Christian faith.
The division among students of theology is a backfire of the controversy which has raged about Rev. Harry E. Fosdick, of New York, whose resignation as special preacher of the First Presbyterian Church was forced by the evangelicals at the last General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.
Union Theological Seminary, in which Dr. Fosdick is a professor of practical theology, was a member of the group of students from which the evangelicals have seceded.
"Institutions that openly denied the divinity of Christ were represented in that association, and we could not find a basis for co-operation," said one of the evangelical students.
Another man declared that in the Drew conference a student from Crozer announced he would not agree to work on a basis that said Christ was the only begotten Son of God. A student from Union Theological Seminary says the same representative declared a man could be saved as well in the name of Buddha or Mohammed as in the name of Christ.
W.O. Johnson, Jr., president of the Students' Association, in a letter to students announcing the action of the mass meeting, writes :
"The conference at Drew showed there was no common basis for work in recruiting men for the ministry. In fact, the majority of seminary student associations represented, if we are to judge by declarations and opinions expressed by their representatives, have so far departed from the central message of evangelical Christianity as to make these purposes impossible of attainment and practically undesirable.

[excerpted from THE PRESBYTERIAN 94.45 (6 November 1924): 12.]
Click here for access to the contents of The Evangelical Student, 1926-1939. [Note: we are still missing a few issues of this title, and would welcome donation or loan of those issues]
Index:
  Author Article
  Adams, William W. "Why I Believe the Gospel, 10.3 (Oct. 1935) 16 - 19.
  Allis, Oswald T. "Comparing the Incomparable, 4.2 (1930) 18 - 27.
  ------" "Light on the Higher Criticism from Ras Shamra," 11.1 (Jan. 1936) 6-7.
  ------" "The Law and the Prophets," 4.1 (Oct. 1929) 11 - 28. [First published as a pamphlet in 1925]
  ------" "The Scriptural Method of Bible Study," 1.2 (Oct. 1926) 3 - 6.
  ------" "The Short Bible - Its Meaning and Menace," 9/10.1 (Jan. 1935) 13 - 21.
  Bancroft, E.H. "The Meaning of the Death of Christ," 4.2 (Jan. 1930) 28 - 33.
  Berkhof, Louis "The Development of Spirituality in Seminary Students," 13.1 (Jan. 1938) 10 - 14.
  Boggs, John J. "Two Religions," 10.3 (Oct. 1935) 20 - 25.
  Bordeaux, W. Harllee "Lord, What Wilt Thou Have Me To Do?," 5.3 (Apr. 1931) 37 - 40.
  Bouma, C. "Christian Philosophy," 1.3 (Jan. 1927) 9 - 12.
  Broomall, Wick "The Christian Doctrine of Regeneration," 13.1 (Jan. 1938) 15 - 19.
  Bucci, Victor "A Fresh Approach to Student Witnessing," 14.1 (Jan. 1939) 5 - 7.
  Buker, R.B. :Missions Viewed by a First-Termer," 6.1 (Apr. 1931) 17 - 19.
  Burggraaff, Winfield "The Revival of Evangelical Theology in the Netherlands," 4.2 (Jan. 1930) 6 - 17.
  "Whither Students?," 3.3 (Apr. 1929) 21 - 26.
  Buswell, J. Oliver, Jr. "Our Testimony," 3.2 (Jan. 1929) 16 - 22.
  Chafer, Lewis Sperry "Doing the Will of God," 4.3 (Apr. 1930) 10 - 12.
  ------" "The Divinely Prescribed Method of Contending for the Faith," 1.3 (Jan. 1927) 12 - 14.
  ------" "The Gospel We Are Appointed to Preach," 12.3 (Oct. 1937) 19 - 21.
  ------" "Paul the Soul-Winner's Pattern," 6.3 (Apr. 1932) 19 - 20.
  Chalmers, Thomas M. "To the Jew First," 6.3 (Apr. 1932) 15 - 18.
  Champion, John B. "The War-Perseverance of the Saints," 5.2 (Jan. 1931) 21 - 23.
  Clark, Gordon H. "By Way of Welcome," 5.3 (Apr. 1931) 33. [Address before Sixth Annual Conference]
  ------" "Christian and Pagan Ethics," 4.1 (Oct. 1929) 29 - 32.
  ------" "Ethics and Theology, 7.1/2 (Oct. 1932/Jan. 1933) 29 - 33.
  ------" "Leadership," 6.2 (Jan. 1932) 6 - 9.
  Clelland, John P. "The Evangelical Student and the Apostle Paul," 6.2 (Jan. 1932) 15.
  ------" "President's Report, 6.3 (Apr.1932) 38 - 41.
  Conrad, A.Z. "The Mistakes of Modernism," 3.3 (Apr. 1929) 5 - 10.
  Craig, Samuel G. "Faith and the Faith," 5.3 (Apr. 1931) 4 - 10.
  Cummings, Calvin Knox " 'If God Be For Us'--A Meditation," 12.3 (Oct. 1937) 26 - 27.
  ------" Review of The Certainties of the Gospel, by William Childs Robinson, 11.1 (Jan. 1936) 29
  ------" Review of The Christian Faith in the Modern World, by J. Gresham Machen, 11.2 (Apr. 1936) 30 - 31.
  ------" "What the League Has Meant to Me," 6.2 (Jan. 1932) 17.
  Davison, Alexander "The Separated Life," 13.1 (Jan. 1938) 20 - 24.
  Dawson, W. Bell "Evolution and Its Danger," 12.2 (Apr. 1937) 13 - 14.
  DeVries, Jack "A Tour Among the Colleges, 9/10.1 (Jan. 1935) 33 - 36.
  Drew, Edward P. "Straight Thinking and Christian Belief," 7.1/2 (Oct. 1932/Jan. 1933) 5 -
  Du Bose, Horace M. "Archaeology and the Bible, 4.2 (Jan. 1930) 3 - 5.
  Eggleston, J.D. "The Search for Truth: Where Is It Leading?," 12.3 (Oct. 1937) 5 - 14.
  Faber, Morris "Report of the President," 7.3/8.1 (Apr.-Oct. 1933) 44.
  Faurot, Jean Review of The Assurance of Faith, by Louis Berkhof, 12.2 (Apr. 1937) 32 - 33.
  ------" Review of Christianity and Liberalism, by J. Gresham Machen, 12.2 (Apr. 1937) 31 - 32.
  Fitzwater, P.B. "The Incarnation and Its Implications," 13.3 (Oct. 1938) 11 - 15)
  ------" "The World Made Flesh," 4.3 (Apr. 1930) 22 - 24.
  Fritsch, Robert R. "The Story of Creation," 7.1/2 (Oct. 1932/Jan. 1933) 13 - 16.
  Frost, Henry W. "Intercession," 3.1 (Oct. 1928) 12 - 15.
  ------" "Missionary Motives," 5.1 (Oct. 1930) 5 - 12.
  Glover, Robert H. "The Challenge of Missions to Christian Youth," 5.3 (Apr. 1931) 24 - 27.
  Gray, James M. "The Baptism of the Holy Spirit," 5.3 (Apr. 1931) 28 - 32.
  Grounds, Vernon "Why Was I Born? Why Am I Living?," 14.1 (Jan. 1939) 12 - 15.
  Gruber, L. Franklin "Is There a Conflict Between Science and Religion?," 4.3 (Apr. 1930) 16 - 21.
  Haines, Margaret W. "Wanted! Those Who Will Obey!," 6.2 (Jan. 1932) 10 - 14.
  Hamilton, Floyd E. "Can a Christian Student Rationally Reject Evolution in the Light of Modern Science?" 9/10.1 (Jan. 1935) 22 - 28.
  ------" "The Modern Missionary Message," 5.2 (Jan. 1931) 17 - 20 [reprinted, 11.2 (Apr. 1936) 24 - 27]
  Harris, R. Laird " 'No Condemnation' - A Mediatation," 13.1 (Jan. 1938) 26 - 28.
  ------" Review of The Basis of Evolutionary Faith, by Floyd E. Hamilton, 11.2 (Apr. 1936) 31 - 32.
  ------" Review of The New Geology, by George McReady Price, 11.1 (Jan. 1936) 28
  ------" Review of A Scientific Investigation of the Old Testament, by Robert Dick Wilson, 12.1 (Jan. 1937) 31.
  Harrison, Everett F. "The Lordship of Christ and the Christian Life, 14.1 (Jan. 1939) 1 - 5.
  Heerema, Edward Review of Our Lord - An Affirmation of the Deity of Christ, by Wm. Childs Robinson, 13.1 (Jan. 1938) 29 - 30.
  Hockman, William H. "The Missionary Challenge of the League," 4.3 (Apr. 1930) 13 - 15.
  Hodge, Caspar W. "The Modernist Theory of Religious Knowledge," 1.4 (Apr. 1927) 2 - 5.
  Hunt, Mary B. "Kept by the Power of God," 6.2 (Jan. 1932) 18 - 19.
  Jellema, W.H. "The Christ of the College," 4.3 (Apr. 1930) 6 - 9.
  Jenkins, Finley Dubois "Christianity and Progress," 1.3 (Jan. 1927) 2 - 7.
  Johnson, George "The League and Evangelism," 5.1 (Oct. 1930) 19 - 22.
  ------" "Revelation or Discovery," 1.4 (Apr. 1927) 6 - 10.
  Jones, William J. "Buchmanism: An Appraisal," 7.3/8.1 (Apr.-Oct. 1933) 30 - 43.
  Kelly, Howard A., M.D. "A Personal Testimony by a Great Surgeon," 13.1 (Jan. 1938) 24 -25.
  ------" "Dr. Howard A. Kelly on the Bible," 1.4 (Apr. 1927) 10 - 11. [from notes by E. Van Deusen]
  Kelsey, H.A. "Enrichment of the Spiritual Life," 5.2 (Jan. 1931) 5 - 9.
  Keyser, Leander S. "Being in Tune with God and the Universe," 3.2 (Jan. 1929) 4 - 6.
  ------" "The Bible and Our Crucial Problems," 5.1 (Oct. 1930) 23 - 25.
  ------" "The Greatness of Christian Faith," 6.3 (Apr. 1932) 21 - 25 [reprinted 12.3 (Oct. 1937) 22 - 26.]
  ------" "The Testimony of a Venerable Defender of the Faith," 11.2 (Apr. 1936) 28 - 29.
  ------" Review of The Challenge of Kagawa to the Church and Nation, by R. A. Ofstedal, 11.2 (Apr. 1936) 32.
  Kuiper, R.B. "Compromising the Authority of the Bible," 9/10.1 (Jan. 1935) 6 - 11.
  ------" "An Indictment of the Social Gospel," 11.2 (Apr. 1936) 14 - 19.
  ------" "Just What is Christianity?," 5.3 (Apr. 1931) 16 - 23.
  Kyle, Melvin Grove "If the Foundations Be Destroyed, What Can the Righteous Do?," 6.3 (Apr. 1932) 26 - 28 and 7.1/2 (Oct. 1932/Jan. 1933) 17 - 28.
  ------" "The Story of Ancient Sodom in the Light of Modern Science," 1.1 (Apr. 1926) 10 - 12.
  Laird, Harold S. "Our Great Commission," 12.3 (Oct. 1937) 15 - 18.
  Lathrop, Maxwell D., Jr. "A Student Invests," 6.2 (Jan. 1932) 16.
  Lehman, Martin C. "Some Recent Trends in Religious Thought," 12.1 (Jan. 1937) 9 - 14.
  Maccartney, Clarence E. "The Doubter's Dialogue," 6.3 (Apr. 1932) 29 - 37.
  MacRae, Allan A. "A Revolutionary Discovery or A Gigantic Hoax?," 12.1 (Jan. 1937) 5 - 8.
  ------" "Why the League?," 1.1 (Apr. 1926) 3 - 4.
  Machen, J. Gresham "Facing the Facts Before God," 6.1 (Oct. 1931) 6 - 10.
  ------" "Is the Bible Right About Jesus?: I. What the Bible Teaches About Jesus," 3.1 (Oct. 1928) 4 - 11.
  ------" "Is the Bible Right About Jesus?: II. The Witness of Paul," 3.2 (Jan. 1929) 7 - 15.
  ------" "Is the Bible Right About Jesus?: III. The Witness of the Gospels," 3.3 (Apr. 1929) 11 - 20.
  ------" "A Precious Fragment of the Gospel According to John, 11.2 (Apr. 1936) 6 -7.
  ------" "The Separateness of the Church," 12.2 (Apr. 1937) 6 - 12.
  Mellema, Dirk "A Challenge," 5.1 (Oct. 1930) 26 - 27.
  ------" "President's Message, 5.3 (Apr. 1931) 34 - 36. [Address before Sixth Annual Conference]
  Murray, John "Risen With Christ," 12.2 (Apr. 1937) 29 - 30. [Colossians 3:1-4]
  ------" "The Source of Salvation--A Devotional Meditation," 12.1 (Jan. 1937) 28 - 29.
  ------" "Your Father Who Is in Heaven--A Scriptural Meditation," 11.1 (Jan. 1936) 26-27, 11.2 (Apr. 1936) 29 - 30
  Ockenga, Harold J. "Address of Welcome," 6.3 (Apr. 1932) 3 - 4.
  Olson, Arthur O. Review of What Is Faith?, by J. Gresham Machen, 12.3 (Oct. 1937) 29 - 30.
  Peach, Robert W. "Visible--Temporal; Invisible--Eternal," 11.1 (Jan. 1936) 15-20 and 11.2 (Apr. 1936) 19 - 24.
  Peeke, H.V.S. "Missionary Symposium: Why I Became A Missionary," 4.2 (Jan. 1930) 34.
  Peursem, William Van "The Christian Student and the Natural Sciences," 5.2 (Jan. 1931) 10 - 16.
  Philips, T. Roland "How to Make a Success of the Ministry," 6.1 (Apr. 1931) 14 - 16.
  Pieters, Albertus "Could Jesus Christ Sin?," 3.2 (Jan. 1929) 23 - 24.
  ------" "Science and the Bible, 7.3/8.1 (Apr.-Oct. 1933) 4 - 15.
  ------" "Why I Became A Missionary," 4.2 (Jan. 1930) 35 - 38.
  Reid, William Stanford Review of The Inspiration of the Scriptures, by Loraine Boettner, 14.1 (Jan. 1939) 15 - 16.
  Rian, Edwin H. "The Church's Status Today," 11.1 (Jan. 1936) 20-25.
  Robinson, Harold McA. "Religious Education or Christian Education?," 5.2 (Jan. 1931) 2 - 4.
  Robinson, William C. "The Self-Affirmation of Jesus," 4.1 (Oct. 1929) 5 - 10.
  ------" "The Worship of Jesus," 12.1 (Jan. 1937) 15 - 22 and 12.2 (Apr. 1937) 22 - 28.
  Rudolph, Robert K. "A Word of Greeting," 5.2 (Jan. 1931) 24 - 25.
  Rule, Andrew K. "Christian Supernaturalism and Modern Thought, 11.1 (Jan. 1936) 7 - 14.
  Schauffele, Carl G. Review of Prayer, by O. Hallesby, 12.3 (Oct. 1937) 28 - 29.
  Schultze, Henry "The Gospel of Christ Confronting a Recalcitrant World, 11.2 (Apr. 1936) 8 - 13 and 12.1 (Jan. 1937) 23 - 27.
  Scott, Charles Ernest "The World Call to College Students," 6.3 (Apr. 1932) 5 - 14.
  Sloan, Harold Paul "Christ and Experience," 1.2 (Oct. 1926) 11 - 12. [from a talk given at Princeton Seminary]
  ------" "Keeping the Precious Deposit," 5.3 (Apr. 1931) 11 - 15.
  Smith, Harry Framer "Modernism, Its Diagnosis and Antidote, 5.1 (Oct. 1930) 13 - 18.
  Stonehouse, N.B. "The League's Program," 1.1 (Apr. 1926) 4 -5.
  Strong, Robert "Paul's Gospel, 14.1 (Jan. 1939) 8 - 11.
  Stuckey, Melvin A. "The Gibraltar Fact of Christianity: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ," 9/10.1 (Jan. 1935) 29 - 33.
  Timmer, Johanna "God's Secrets," 10.3 (Oct. 1935) 7 - 16.
  Van Deusen, E. "A Contribution," 1.1 (Apr. 1926) 7 - 10.
  ------" "Convention Echoes: Excavations at Kirjath Sepher," 1.3 (Jan. 1927) 8 - 9.
  ------" "Knowing the Truth," 1.4 (Apr. 1927) 14 - 18.
  ------" "Understanding the Word," 1.2 (Oct. 1926) 7 - 10.
  Van Til, Cornelius "Do Scientists Today Believe in God?," 12.2 (Apr. 1937) 15 - 21.
  ------" "Facing the Problem," 7.3/8.1 (Apr.-Oct. 1933) 16 - 29.
  ------" Review of Study Your Bible, by Edward J. Young, 11.1 (Jan. 1936) 29-30.
  Vos, J.G. "Golden Opportunities in Foreign Missions, 13.3 (Oct. 1938) 6 - 10.
  ------" "The Spirit of Error," 1.2 (Oct. 1926) 6 - 7.
  Weller, W. Waldo "The Testimony of the Holy Land to the Truth of the New Testament Gospels, 7.1/2 (Oct. 1932/Jan. 1933) 10 - 12.
  Wilson, Robert Dick "Virgin Means Virgin," 1.2 (Oct. 1926) 12 - 13. [as summarized by E. Van Deusen]
  ------ "Why I Believe the Old Testament," 1.4 (Apr. 1927) 11 - 14. [from notes by E. Van Deusen]
  Woods, Henry M. "The Apostle Paul's Call to Foreign Missions and Ours," 6.1 (Oct. 1931) 11 - 13.
  Woodbridge, Charles J. "Our Student Opportunities Seen from Germany," 3.1 (Oct. 1928) 16 - 22.
  ------" "The Macedonian Cry of Modern Missions," 13.3 (Oct. 1938) 2 - 5.
  ------" "The Missionary Objective," 10.3 (Oct. 1935) 25 - 27.
  Wrighton, William H. "A Spiritual Awakening in a Southern University," 12.1 (Jan. 1937) 27 - 28. [re: Univ. of GA]
  Young, E.J. "Archaeology and the Old Testament," 13.1 (Jan. 1938) 4 - 9.
  Young, William "Leaguers For Christ," [poem or song without musical notation provided], 12.3 (Oct. 1937) 21.
  Zoerner, W.A.H. "The Grand Rapids Conference," 1.1 (Apr. 1926) 5 - 7.
     
     
Other Publications of the League of Evangelical Students:
 

Christian Truth Today: A Presentation and Defense of Historical Supernatural Christianity for College Students, Volume I, Edited by Rev. Calvin Knox Cummings and published circa 1937. Articles include:

  • Introduction - The Basis of Christian Faith and Life, by Rev. Calvin Knox Cummings, pages 5 - 9.
  • Revelation, by Rev. Robert Strong, pages 10 - 24.
  • The Inspiration of Holy Scripture, by Rev. Edward J. Young, pages 24 - 39.
  • The Life of Christ - Studies in the Gospel of Luke, by Rev. G. Horace Wood, pages 40 - 70.
  • The Gospel of Christ - Studies in Galatians, by Rev. James E. Moore, pages 71 - 94.
  • The Doctrine of God, by Mr. Henry Stob, pages 95 - 112.

The content of future planned volumes was noted at the end of the above Volume 1:

Volume II - The Works of God: Creation and Providence. [we are looking for this volume]

Studies in Genesis
Studies in John
The Origin and Nature of Man
The Person and Work of Christ

Volume III - The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Application of Salvation. [we are looking for this volume]

Studies in Hebrews
Studies in Romans
The Church, the Means of Grace, and the Last Things

 
   



 











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