I read a brief history the other day regarding Billy Graham and his enrolment at Bob Jones University back in 1939. BJU was just getting started when Graham arrived and he soon discovered that some of the rules were way over the top. For example, young men were forbidden to talk with female students. Time was permitted only once a week and for no longer than 15 minutes, and then, only with a chaperone present.
He decided to change colleges and enroll in a college that had just opened their doors in Florida. Once BJ got word of Graham's plan to change he called him into his office and told him that if he left for another College he would never amount to much as a Preacher. Graham left anyway and the rest is history.
...I wonder if ole Bob ever ate any crow?
Time Magazine, Billy Graham Edition.
My parents were at Wheaton in the 1940s. I believe they knew Billy, but I'm not certain. Granted, the rules at Wheaton in their day were less strict than BJU, but back in the day, the rules at Wheaton were much more draconian. Here are the rules from 1860 (from the Billy Graham archives at Wheaton):
"THE FOLLOWING THINGS ARE POSITIVELY DISALLOWED, VIZ.:
■ Generally, all offensive, disorderly or indecent conduct
■ propagating infidel principles
■ profaning the Sabbath
■ profane or obscene language or behavior
■ playing billiards and like games
■ using intoxicating liquors or tobacco
■ disorder in rooms
■ disorder in or about the buildings, especially at nights
■ injuring college property
■ a careless use of fire
■ throwing water, dirt, or other offensive things from the windows
■ joining any secret society or entering the marriage relation while a member of the College
The deportment of the sexes towards each other will he particularly regarded by the Faculty, and any student whose conduct shall be, in the judgment of the Faculty, either foolish or improper, will be promptly separated from the institution, if admonition fails to correct it. In short everything is forbidden which will hinder, and everything required, which, we think, will help students in the great object for which they assemble here, which is improvement of mind, morals and heart.
The Faculty will exercise a parental and moral oversight of the character and conduct of the students, each officer having power to suspend disorderly students until next Faculty meeting. The students are required to be present at all College Exercises; to treat their officers with respect, and fellow-students with decorum; to attend church on the Sabbath; and not to leave town; or be out at night; or be out of their rooms in study hours; or absent from examinations without permission."
