Oil Field Work was a strategic sphere of service for early Biolans. At the time of Biola's founding, a large number of manual laborers were employed in southern California's booming oil business, and their work areas developed an unedifying culture and social life. Lyman Stewart was already experienced with helping create more Christian conditions for workers in his own company, and a team of Biolans were dedicated to reaching out to these working men. They would travel by a wagon to the various camps and conduct services for the men.

1910

The Institute Items page from The King's Business June 1910 describes typical early Oil Field Work in some detail. Mr. Sloan and Mr. Lowe were the main ministers there. They spent the first week of April 1910 at Standard Camp, 12 miles from Coalinga. The Oil Men were holding two dances during that week, so the work of the evangelists was "somewhat handicapped," but it included follow-up work and prayer with "several of the boys" from the Limited, where Sloan and Lowe had worked the previous week. During the second week the Biolans were able to hold tent meetings in Coalinga and "also a street meeting every night on Whiskey Row." An average of fifty men attended the tent meetings, and two to three hundred heard the street meetings. The King's Business Vol. 1.6, June 1910, pg 96 [

In July 1910, W. M. Sloan] and John Lowe returned from a six month tour of California's oil fields. Driving a horse cart in difficult terrain, they "preached and sung the gospel of grace to hundreds of hardened men and have had the pleasure of seeing a number of hardened men converted. They have strengthened the hands of the pastors in the small fields also." Sloan and Lowe announced plans to travel to the fields south of Los Angeles before returning to the north.

1911

In June 1911, the anniversary issue of The King's Business reports on the Oil Field Work in the Oil Field Evangelistic Department Article. It reports that the first year of work opened even greater opportunities in 1911 because, on this second trip in the wagon, "the prejudice of some who suspected the sincerity of man _sic_ on such a mission was dissipated."The King's Business, Vol. 2.6, June 1911, pg 129, http://www2.biola.edu/kingsbusiness/view/2/6/21

In September, Mr. Earl Olin became the partner of Mr. Sloan in this ministry.The King's Business, Vol. 2.8, August-September 1911, pg 204,
[In December, The King's Business.] reports that the Institute was constantly recieving letters from people commending the work of Mr. Sloan and Mr. Olin. Many continued to be saved through their work.The King's Business, Vol. 2.11, December 1911, pg 271 http://www2.biola.edu/kingsbusiness/view/2/11/23

In December, this testimonial appeared:

Being a member of the Toltee Union Mission, which was organized while the Rev. W. Sloan was with us in the Kern River Oil Fields, I would like to express my feeling of gratitude to you for his services and the way in which he brought God's message to us. It has been a great help and inspiration to hear his explanation of the Bible.

Words fail to express our feeling of gratitute to you for sending such men out into the Oil Fields to preach the Godspel of Christ where it is so badly needed but we do pray and trust that God's richest blessing will rest upon them.
W.A.T.The King's Business, Vol. 2.11, December 1912, pg 272, http://www2.biola.edu/kingsbusiness/view/2/11/24

1912

In January 1912, this short letter sent by Mr. Sloan from his location in South Taft, CA, appears in The King's Business:

"Last week was one of victory. We have the crowd, the Holy Spirit is doing close work. Three-two women and one manh1. who resigned their membership in the card and dancing club here on the hill, made a start for Christ. Folks are friendly-conviction is working. Liberty in the message – expectancy in God's doing great things. Lawrence is a jewel and is winning with his voice. I think God for him.

"We finished our work here tonight. Eight joined the Church as a result of week's work; two baptized._sic_"The King's Business, Vol. 3.1, January 1912, pg 22, http://www2.biola.edu/kingsbusiness/view/3/1/22.

From June 1911 through June 1912 The King's Business states that William Sloan "held services in 34 different towns and camps. The number of meetings held was 291. The average attendance 40. There were 98 conversions, 56 of whom united with churches. Sixteen were baptized. He held two communion services. conducted two funerals and performed two marriage ceremonies." The same article also includes that George Hampton had been accompanying Sloan at this point.The King's Business, Vol. 3.8, August-September 1912, pg 209-210, [& http://www2.biola.edu/kingsbusiness/view/3/8/19]

Picture of Lowe and Sloan in cart at http://www2.biola.edu/kingsbusiness/view/1/8/1 References ==