Introduction Cedarville College was founded in prayer, has been maintained in faith, and supported by sac– rifice; and long after this generation shall have run its race, Cedarville College will live to en– rich the nation, gladden the church, and bless the world; and with the years it will grow in material equipment until it becomes the joy of this community and is numbered high among the favored colleges of our country. These words were uttered by Wilbert Renwick McChesney, second president of Cedarville College, in his inaugural address on November 12, 1915. They reflect his knowledge of what had occurred in the past and an amazingly accurate assessment of what would happen in the future. He could not begin to envision, however, how uneven the path to success would be. Along that path walked many people: people of prayer, vision, and sacrifice. People who served as trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff. Parents who entrusted the education of their children to the faculty. Students who came with a desire to grow and learn. People who made wise decisions that led to great success - others who made poor decisions that led to failure and disappointment. 2/Introduction
-~--------------------------------------------- The distinguishing characteristic of the people who founded Cedarville College was their firm commitment to principles of biblical Christianity. That same commitment is seen in the people who maintain it. Reformed Presbyterians founded the college "For the Crown and Covenant of Christ" (college corporate seal). Regular Baptists have maintained it "For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 1:9). The mission and objectives of the institution mark it as a distinctly Christian college. The doctrinal statements of both the Presbyterians and Baptists reveal a firm commitment to the basic principles of historic fundamentalism. The thesis of this volume may be stated very simply. There were three keys to the early success of Cedarville College. First, a Introduction/3
strong tie to a church constituency, the General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America. Second, strong executive leadership, as seen in Rev. David McKinney and W. Renwick McChesney. Third, a strong tie with the local community. Gradually, Cedarville College lost all three. In 1928 the General Synod released the college to a self-perpetuating Board. Two years later that Board seriously undermined their executive leadership. Subsequently, circumstances caused the college to lose respect in the eyes of the community. Through its last decade as a Presbyterian institution, Cedarville was a college in trauma. The trustees were forced to deplete the endowment because none of the prerequisites for success were in place. Realizing they could 4/Introduction continue no longer, the trustees sought new leadership for their beloved college. In an act of gracious Christian statesmanship, they turned the campus over to a group of Regular Baptists representing the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland. After a faltering beginning, the Regular Baptists began to redevelop the three key elements necessary for success. They gradually built a strong tie with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. Executive leadership emerged in the person of James T. Jeremiah and was continued by Paul Dixon. Through the years a strong, positive relationship was reestablished with the Village of Cedarville, Greene County, and the greater Miami Valley. In the process, Cedarville College has
established a unique niche for itself. Its strong liberal arts emphasis provides a framework for its sensitivity to the new educational needs of the information age and the demands of the professions. Over the course of the century of its existence, many people have passed through the halls of Cedarville College. Over 10,000 students have enrolled in classes since 1894. Seven hundred and eight had graduated by 1953; since then, there have been 5,327 graduates. Hundreds of others have labored as trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff. These people have influenced one another in dramatic ways. The main focus of this work will be on the key leaders, the decisions they made, and how those decisions molded the institution into what it is today. Through this method, the reader will grasp the marvelous spirit of the Cedarville experience. In the early chapters of the volume, the flashback technique is employed. The account opens in 1953 when the stage was set for the transition from a Presbyterian to a Baptist college. In Chapter IV a detailed account of the Presbyterian years begins and continues through Chapter X. In Chapters X and XI the negotiations between Baptist Bible Institute and the actual transfer of the college into Baptist hands are described, and the remainder of the volume deals with the Baptist years. In 1987 Cedarville College celebrates the 100th anniversary of its charter. This volume is being issued as a part of the school's Centennial Celebration. Introduction/5
T Chapter I The Cedarville College campus in 1953; the scene which James T. Jeremiah sawon his First visit to the College aFter hearing of its plight and the possibility of taking it over.
college received a sizeable bequest that enabled the trustees to move toward making the college a reality. A Cincinnati pastor, Dr. David McKinney, was named first president, and Cedarville opened its doors to the first students on September 19, 1894. Cedarville College remained a Reformed Presbyterian school until 1928 when the General Synod released it to the trustees so the Board could seek financial assistance from the Presbyterian Church in the u.s.A. The latter body refused to consider support until such a break was made, and then rejected the request anyway! This left the college with no supporting constituency. Other difficulties e~erged in the '30s, and by late in the decade the trustees dipped into the endowment for a small "loan." This practice continued in the '40s, and by the early '50s the modest endowment had been depleted to keep the college alive. When the endowment was gone, the trustees realized they could no longer continue operation. Because of their great love for the traditions of their college, they looked for another Christian group that would bring new leadership to the struggling school and enable it to continue. Engle indicated to Jeremiah that the trustees of Cedarville College were seeking a merger. As Engle briefly outlined the plight of Cedarville College, Jeremiah's mind focused on the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland (B.B.I.). This institute had its inception on September 27, 1941, when several Bible-believing pastors attended a Bible conference at the Calvary Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. These men held a special session to discuss the possibility of establishing an educational institution to train Cleveland area young people for the ministry. The nine pastors attending that initial session were George A. Bates, George G. Nika, Gerald V. Smelser, Gordon Anderson L.T. Merchant, D.E. Luttrell, Howard Kram~r, William S. Ross, and J.F. Guthriell. They selected Pastors Luttrell and Ross to contact Bible schools in Detroit and Grand Rapids for data that might be helpful in formulating their plans. A second meeting was held on October 20, 1941, at the Russett Cafeteria. George Bates was chosen as chairman, and the nine pastors received the material provided by the Michigan schools. The pastors then entered into a lengthy discussion regarding the feasibility of launching such a project. After reviewing all the data, the decision was to move forward as 8/Chapter I quickly as possible.1 In less than a year, B.B.I. was ready to function. By July 1942, a course of study for the first year was adopted and officers were elected. The school was offered the use of the Educational Building of the Hough Avenue Baptist Church for classrooms, and on September 15, 1942, the Baptist Bible Institute opened its doors to Clevelanders. Two hundred and seventy-four enrolled for the first term.Z The initial curriculum was composed entirely of Bible courses, which were offered on Tuesday and Friday nights. The need for a full-time dean was discussed at the October 20 1941 meeting, but the institute was staffed by , pastors who "were required to be graduated from high school, to have Theological Seminary or accredited Bible School training, and to have membership in a fundamental Baptist Church"3 for the first several years. The first full-time employee of B.B.I. was Rev. Kenneth A. Amsler, who was called to the position of dean and director of promotion. "Under his able leadership, the institute moved forward ... The curriculum was strengthened, the faculty increased numerically and scholastically, the constitution was revised, a new Board of Directors elected and a Board of Reference appointed."4 In January 1946, B.B.I. incorporated in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio. On June 4 of the same year, the first nine graduates received their diplomas. The following September the day school began with 28 students enrolled. Just one month earlier the institute gained initial government approval for qualified students to receive veterans' benefits.5 The institute became an approved school of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (G.A.R.B.C.), and in October 1949, was accredited by the Accrediting Association of Bible Institutes and Bible Colleges in its intermediate division. By May 1951, the trustees revised the charter of the institute to permit the granting of theological degrees, and additional courses were added leading to the Bachelor of Religious Education degree. At the same time a Bachelor of Theology degree was approved, and the corporate charter was changed to read: To conduct a theological school for the teach– ing and training of ministers, missionaries, and teachers of the Gospel; for the granting of theo– logical degrees and diplomas which have value in religious ecclesiastical fields; to disseminate Christian knowledge and information' to re– ceive, collect, and disperse funds; and ;0 erect, acquire, own, manage or rent property all in furtherance of the above purposes.6
The Executive Committee of the Baptist Bible Institute of Clevelandin 1952: Allan Lewis, President, Leonard Webster, Dean, John Bennett, Registrar, George Milner, Chairman of the Board. These men were instrumental in engineering the many details of Baptist Bible Institute's move to Cedarville College. Jeremiah had become aware of B.B.I. while serving as pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Toledo. In 1949 he left Toledo to become the pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio. By this time his leadership role in the G.A.R.B.C. was reflected in his membership on the Council of Fourteen, the body elected to direct the national fellowship. At the same time he served on the Council of Ten, which led the Ohio Association of Regular Baptist Churches. This kept him abreast of the new school's activities. Though he was already a member of the Baptist Mid-Missions Board and the Executive Committee of the Fellowship of Baptists for Home Missions, when B.B.I. invited him to join their Board of Trustees in 1952, he quickly accepted. He had a tremendous burden for education throughout his ministry. Now, the question raised by his deacon focused Jeremiah's mind on the tremendous needs faced by B.B.I. "Due to war conditions, long working hours and the general confusion of the times, the first four years of the institute's life were fraught with difficulties."7 The creation of the day school in September 1946 added a significant number of new problems. The Hough Avenue Baptist Church Educational Plant provided all the space needed for classrooms, offices, and library, but with the influx of day school students from out of state, the young school needed dormitories. The only dormitory available was a large, aged mansion in the Western Reserve area of east Cleveland. According to Gerald Smelser, "The boys were on the third floor and the girls were on the second floor and the dining facilities were on the first floor. Well this, of course, was not the greatest idea in the world, so there Chapter 1/9
The dormitory of Baptist Bible Institute where, in the words of trustee, Gerald Smelser, 'The boys were on the third floor and the girls on the second . .. this, of course, was not the greatest idea in the world." was a desire to find another similar mansion."8 Smelser's comments demonstrate that this fundamentalist Bible institute had no desire to lead the trend toward coeducational dormitories! The trustees searched the area for additional dormitory property to no avail. One trustee indicated Western Reserve University "had used up all the fine buildings around their campus, and we were having real problems."9 As a Board member, Jeremiah was aware of the needs and frustrations the trustees had been encountering. But his eagerness to recommend the Cedarville property was tempered by a series of reservations. He was unsure what the ramification of merger might mean. While the purchase of property was a very clean process, merging raised a series of questions about possible conditions. At Jeremiah's request Engle had arranged to meet with representatives of Cedarville College, and that meeting was about to take place! As Jeremiah's auto turned north along Main Street in Cedarville and approached the campus, the young pastor began making mental notes on the village. It was a clean, pleasant village with a quaint brick paving on the main road. The car moved along Route 72 about one-half mile before Jeremiah got his first glimpse of Old Main, the building that was to be the focal point of his ministry for many years. He remembered: la/Chapter I There was one sidewalk on the campus that led directly to what is now the Development Office at the main building entrance. The door– way faced the east then. We went into the room. The floors were oiled in the fashion that they used to oil old wooden floors in the school houses to keep down the dusl.lO As the meeting with the representatives of Cedarville College began, Jeremiah was well aware of the prevailing attitudes in the G.A.R.B.C. The young Association had been founded in 1932 on the concept of biblical separation. A group of fundamentalists in the Northern Baptist Convention agreed it was impossible to purge the Convention of theological liberalism. They were convinced that the only solution was to sever completely their ties with the Convention. Through the years of their infancy, the new Association stood firm in the conviction that complete separation from doctrinal apostasy was a biblical mandate. Jeremiah remembered when Regular Baptists could not even merge with other Baptists. In 1947 another group of fundamentalists, who had stayed in the Convention when the Regular Baptists left in 1932, decided it was time to leave. A series of discussions were held between the Regular Baptists and the Convention fundamentalists, but the two groups could not agree on the issue of separation. The Regular Baptists remained firm on the principle of ecclesiastical separation,
but the group that would ultimately become the Conservative Baptists preferred to leave the question of affiliation in the hands of the individual churches. Jeremiah recognized that the theological controversies of the day were very real. He knew the sensitivity of Regular Baptist people to those issues. He realized that a new direction for the Bible institute would require the support of the pastors and people in the G.A.R.B.C. in order to succeed. He was not at all sure that a merger would be supported. His own theological commitment and the commitment of those in the Association he loved were fresh in his mind as the discussion of "merging" began. He leaned toward Harold Engle and whispered, "1 don't think Regular Baptists can merge." Engle smiled at his young pastor and replied, "Preacher, you had better wait a minute and see what they mean by 'merge.' "11 As the discussion developed, the love that the Presbyterian trustees had for their institution became obvious. They had no desire to bring about a merger for personal or selfish gain. If they had wanted that sort of thing, the property could have simply been sold outright. What they really wanted was a continuation of the school's ministry in the lives of Christian young people. These men were willing to turn the campus over to someone who had the strength, desire, and burden to carryon for the cause of Christ. Consequently, they devised a plan by which the Presbyterian trustees would gradually resign, allowing representatives from the new group to be elected. By exchanging the Boards in this manner, it would be possible for Cedarville College to continue functioning under its charter, and the ministry could go on uninterrupted. When he understood the selflessness of the Presbyterian trustees and the wisdom of the plan they ·had devised, Jeremiah recognized the unique opportunity available to B.B.I. This was clearly a "merger" that even Regular Baptists could accept! 1. Marturian, 1953, p. 12. 2. Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland Catalog, 1952-53, p. 9. HereaFter referred to as B.B.1. Catalog. 3. Marturian, 1953, p. 12. 4. B.B.1. Catalog, 1951-52, p. 12. 5. Ibid. 6. B.B.1. Catalog, 1952-53, p. 10. 7. B.B.1. Catalog, 1951-52, p. 13. 8. Gerald Smelser, Taped Reflections, October 1985. Smelser was one of the original group of pastors who organized Baptist Bible Institute. He is still an active member of the Cedarville College Board of Trustees. 9. Ibid. 10. james T jeremiah, personal interview, August 1985. II. Ibid. The Hough Avenue Baptist Church, the educational facility oE Baptist Bible Institute, soon became inadequate Ear the number of students enrolled, leading to a search for another location. Chapter 1/11
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Chapter II For the trustees of Cedarville College, the year 1952 was a difficult one. Things had not been going well for the school since World War II. It had been hoped that following the war, when the soldiers returned to the classroom, the college, like so many other areas of American life, would return to normal. owever, wea presidentla leaaership had gradually dissi atea the ins itutio 's resources. Though the student body hi d grown following ~he war, this mere "!f consumed the assets of tn, institutio ore rapid y. The trustees who operated Cedarville College came from every walk of life; they were farmers, businessmen, clergymen, attorneys, and physicians. But all had one thing in common: a desire to s-ee-Ceti-arville College go forward, Pro corona et foedere nristi - "For the Crown and Covenant of. Christ.'" Their love for the institut~~gr out of a 10 g allegiance. ~an~Iii'rf these me w-t'r gra uates of the college r'no had gone on 1~ 'cc ss in their particular fields of endeavor. hey felt indebted to the institution hat had provided them with their education. In the first Board meeting of 1952, held on March 26, several ominous notes were sounded. First, a football player had been severely injured in a game against Defiance College. Though e w~o1J-ed..£ully recovered, the Boarcr was toltl that their insurance did not cover his injuries and the college would be responsible for all his medical bills. Later in the meeting, Mr. E.H. Miller, acting preside t, made rORosal that Cedarville use r kn wn as Tuition Ian Incorporated to collect overdue tuition bills. This firm would immediately pay the tuition due the college; then collect it, along with Announcing the official opening of the College, this ad ap– peared in the XENIA GAZETTE, a local paper, on June 28, 1894
interest, from the student. Miller made the proposal because only about 15 percent of the students were paying their fees at the beginning of the term. Miller also indicated that the college had experienced great difficulty in collecting tuition money. In this March 26 meeting, Miller indicated to the Board that three institutional needs were obvious: (1) more money; (2) more students; and (3) improved housing facilities. He further reported that the accounts payable had reached the level of $32,000, which, in spite of $8,000 in gifts, left a current debt of $24,000. The trustees voted unanimously that a "special committee be appointed by the chairman to renew our plans for operation of Cedarville College, the problems connected herewith, and bring in a report to the Board of Trustees within 30 days, or as soon as possible."z Despite the discouraging news in the March meeting, the college trustees continued to move forward. In their June meeting, they approved the granting of 13 degrees. President Miller reported repairs were being made to the gymnasium and a campaign to raise funds was being planned for September 1, 1952. The proposed fund drive was to provide two additional residence halls - one for girls, and one for boys - and to increase and replenish the endowment. He reported "that the prospects for new students seemed excellent."3 Consequently, the Board authorized Miller to issue contracts to the faculty for the next academic year. However, the chairman of the Investment Committee was "authorized to sign proxies, to sell, assign, and pledge any or all the securities held in the name of Cedarville College." This motion carried but the minutes omitted the usual reference to Board unanimity.4 By November 1952, the trustees realized that the Endowment Fund was virtually gone. They had authorized the borrowing of $37,000 in their April meetingS with the expectation that the fund drive to be launched September 1 would help make up the difference, but the funds were not forthcoming. It became a serious question as to whether or not the school "could open for the remainder of the 1952-53 college year."6 In their December meeting, the trustees vigorously sought a means of raising $50,000 to $75,000 in order to save Cedarville College. Board members were urged to "make a firm resolve to do everything within their power" to bring this financial drive "to a successful conclusion."? .In addition, they were urged to find a businessman to serve as president of In this house, the application Eor Charter was signedon January 20,1887, by Thomas Gibson, Hugh McMillan, Hugh McCollum, Richard Parks, and James Morton. Six days later, on January 26, 1887, the Secretary oE State issueda Charter Eor "The Cedarville College." This house soon became the President's home, housing both McKinney and McChesney. 14/Chapter II
the college. Then, the Investment Committee made the motion that a number of securities be transferred from the safety deposit box, held by the college in the Xenia National Bank, and delivered to the Winters National Bank in Dayton as security for yet another loan. Next, the Operating Committee was authorized to borrow an additional $18,000 "for the purpose of replenishing the operating account, and to pledge such securities for the lending institution as shall be required by them to secure this borrowing."8 The Board convened on Saturday evening, January 17, 1953: "There was full discussion of the plight of Cedarville College. The financial situation as reported by Mr. MacMillan demands (sic) immediate attention. It was indicated that the Board would be unable to increasing in the near future but would not peak until the mid-1960s. Gradually the Board of Trustees realized that Cedarville College was going to collapse. It would take a miracle to keep the doors open. The Board authorized Chairman Earl McClellan to investigate the possibility of a merger with another college. He subsequently reported that he had held conversations with a representative of the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church, but nothing had corne of it. A similar negative report was given concerning "conversations with Wittenberg College and Muskingum College."lo However, it was reported that there might be some hope of a merger or working agreement with Wilmington College. At this point the trustees decided to make their concerns public. The people of the Modern technology comes to CedarviJ/e. In the year foJ/owing the issue of the Charter this steam engine fire pumper came to town. borrow sufficient money to finance the next semester."9 Dr. Kennedy, who had been acting as the administrative officer because of the illness of Dr. Miller, reported that student recruitment would be very difficult because of the low number of college-age entry students available. This number, he reported, would begin Village of Cedarville were to be advised of the critical situation in which the college found itself, and the Board would meet one week later to see if any interest in saving the college had developed in the community.ll By this time rumors already were circulating throughout the academic community. The college faculty was frustrated and concerned. Chapter II/IS
Dr. David McKinney, pastor of the Plum Street ReFormed Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, was the First President, leading the institution from 1894 to 1915. In a faculty meeting on January 12, Dr. Frank Albert Jurkat, who had been with the college since the second year of its existence, pleaded with the trustees to hold onto the college. Jurkat had invested his life in the institution. "He said he felt the faculty had more interest than the trustees because they have a job interest in the College and the trustees do not."12 Consequently, Jurkat moved that "Dr. Kennedy represent the faculty at the January meeting of the Board," and that "the individual members of the faculty hand to him any recommendations or advice they may care to make."13 When the Board of Trustees reconvened at 8 p.m. on January 24, the meeting had an aura of pessimism. McClellan read the Board the one-line resignation of Acting President E.H. Miller, which was accepted. Realizing the institution might close, the trustees were deeply concerned for the needs of their faculty and staff, especially the aging and faithful Professor Jurkat. Chairman MacMillan reported that the holdings of the college totaled $114,728.94, while the outstanding debts totaled $115,426.04. Furthermore, the 16/Chapter II salaries and other expenses for the remainder of the year would total about $45,000.14 The Board proceeded to vote to sell the securities in the Endowment Fund to meet their financial obligations. The roll call vote passed with one negative vote and one abstention. Then they unanimously passed a resolution: The Operating Committee and one member of the faculty - to be chosen by the faculty – be authorized and directed to confer with prop– er officials of Wilmington College, or any other college they may deem desirable with a view toward a merger under such terms as in their judgment may best protect the interests of the present students, the alumni, the faculty, the local community, and Dr. F.A. Jurkat, and re– port to the Board of Trustees of Cedarville Col– lege for action15 The trustees then began to work through a report of all their holdings, earnestly seeking to maintain financial integrity. By the February 7 Board meeting, no merger had been arranged, though the Nazarenes, the Church of Christ in Christian Union, and the Southern Baptists had all expressed interest. The Board authorized its chairman and secretary to "sign an agreement with any legal representative or group representing the Southern Baptist Church, with a view toward taking over the operation and ownership of the College."16 The home of Hugh McMjJJan, where classes were First held on September 19, 1894. On that day, the College outgrew the Facility as 32 students enrolled For classes.
On February 19, Dr. Kennedy called the regularly scheduled faculty meeting to order and gave a brief statement on the status of the college. He announced that at the moment there were no definite plans for the next year. Kennedy acknowledged the tension that existed among students and faculty and encouraged the faculty to stand firm in their resolution. The faculty must not become the least bit lax because of the situation. Do not take the atti– tude of "what's the use?"; do not let down on discipline. Also, we have been warned by the Board to guard against unfounded rumors which circulate among the students and community.I? By this time rumors already were running rampant, not only on the campus but throughout the village. It had become obvious that the institution's situation was desperate. Full authority to explore all possibilities for continued operation had been invested in the Operating Committee, composed of Mr. Rankin MacMillan, Mr. J. Earl McClellan, Mr. Dallas C. Marshall, Mr. Leo Deutschf, and Mr. Harold Neill. It was decided that the best course was to liquidate the endowment and pay all debts, and then operate the remainder of the college year. In the meantime, efforts would be made to se– cure a church group to take over the remainder of the operating obligations and the operation of the college, as of June 2, 1953. The major responsibility for making the contacts fell on the shoulders of Mr. McClellan and Mr. MacMillan. I8 Gradually all the groups that had been considering assuming responsibility for the college withdrew from the picture. Some viewed the situation of the school as hopeless; others were unable to garner the necessary finances for even a merger; still another felt the Village of Cedarville did not provide adequate opportunity for student employment. News of Wilmington College's interest "leaked" to the press prematurely; the leadership withdrew that interest. Finally, no one was left but a Baptist preacher from Dayton who had met with them earlier. That meeting had been so preliminary and exploratory that there was little reason to hope it would bear fruit. 1. Pro corona et foedere Christi was adopted as the motto for the corporate seal by the trustees in 1894. Cedarville College Trustees Minutes, September 19, 1894. Hereafter referred to as Trustees Minutes. 2. Trustees Minutes, Mary 26, 1952. 3. Trustees Minutes, June 18. 1952. 4. Ibid. 5. Trustees Minutes, April 30, 1952. 6. Cedrus, 1953, p. 6. 7. Trustees Minutes, December 3, 1952. 8. Ibid. 9. Trustees Minutes, January 17, 1953. 10. Ibid. 11. Ibid. 12. Faculty Minutes, January 12, 1953. 13. Ibid. 14. Trustees Minutes. January 24, 1953. IS. Ibid. 16. Trustees Minutes, February 7, 1953. 17. Faculty Minutes, February 19, 1953. 18. Cedrus, 1953, p. 6. EXPENSES. l'uition.-First term, 13 weeks, . Tuition.-Second term, I I weeks, . Tuition.--Third term, II weeks, Incitlental expenses ($1.50 per term) per annum, Boarding, from $2.00 to $3.00 per week. Rooms, from 50 cents to $1.00 per week. Books, $6.00 per year. SUMMARY OF MO~EY EXPENSES FOR YEAR. $8 00 7 00 700 4 50 Boarding, 35 weeks, $2 to $3 per week, . $70 00 Room ren t, " 50 cts. to $I per week, 17 50 Tuition for the year,. . . 22 00 Contingent expenses for the year, 4 50 Books, . . . . . 6 00 $105 00 35 00 22 00 4 50 600 Totals, This page, extracted from the first College catalog, shows what it cost to attend during the 1895-96 school year. Those who took music lessons paid an additional $15 a year for lessons and $1 a month for instrument rental. Chapter 11/17
Chapter III Following his meeting with the Operating Committee of the Cedarville College Board of Trustees, Pastor Jeremiah returned to Dayton convinced that the Board of the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland (B.B.I.) should~ive serious consider ion to the CedarviU eoUege p 0 osa. He imme i tely prepared a report for Nir George Dunn, chairman of the B,B.I. Board of Tr stees. After the frustrations B.B. , t usfees had been experiencing in tf..ying to "bu" roperty, they had difficulty believing that a complete campus might be "given" to them! Dunn quickly appointed George Milner to chair a committee investigating the unique possibilities of the situation outlined by Jeremiah's report, • Milner,lWho had founded the Milner Electric Company, a prominent supJ>lier of electrical products in Cleveta-I'l.d, was a dedicated Christian ~n~solidbusinessman. He was the treasu er of " J, and th~ natural ch'oice to chair this ~ iff' . C.lUS /,Tof the important finan ial i sae inv:o Y-ed~ t ers Assigned to the comm' 'tee~ere ev. :A:l1an Lewis, pastor of Nottingham Baptist Church and current president of ~~;1·)t>hn G, Bennett, vice president\nd re islf~'t, 'flf ~ ins~it,ute; and Leonard Webst~ac'lng aean Jommg these four members of tlt adm'Jl:istration of the Bible institute were two representatives from the Board of Trustees, Pastor James T. Jeremiah and Pastor Earl Willetts. On the morn'n of Friday, March 6, 1953, George Mi ner iloted his car throughout the Cleveland ea pic ing up membe s of the committee for a trip to Cedarville. When his final passenger entered the car near the little town of Berea, Milner turned off the ignition Founders Hall, formerly "Old Main," in the fall of 1895. It was not until May of 1896 that the building was officially dedicated.
The baseball team of 1897. and addressed the four members of the committee who were seated with him: This morning in my haste to get an early start on this trip, my wife and I read for our family devotions the brief portion given for this date in the little book Daily Light on the Daily Path. God spoke to our hearts and I want to share this message with you. Then as he read from the page given for March 6, it was evident that God's hand had been displayed in thi~ selection: "The Lord your God ... went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents, in fire by night to show you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day. - As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the Lord alone did lead him. – The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. - Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of the them all. - For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish. - We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according 20/Chapter III to His purpose. - With us is the Lord our God to help' us, and to fight our battles."l Milner's comments deeply moved the hearts of his listeners. They seemed to sense that perhaps the disappointments of their earlier attempts to purchase property had really been God's way of preserving them from a mistake and keeping them for this moment. Allan Lewis led them in prayer, committing their journey and mission to God; and with a sense of divine appointment, the handful of men headed south for Cedarville. Passing through an area of gloomy, overcast skies and falling snow, the party emerged into the bright sunshine. And in the conversation it was noted that perhaps this, too, was symbolic of the bright future God was opening to B.B.I., a school dedicated "For the Word of God, and the Testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 1:9).2 As the men entered the Village of Cedarville, they were delighted to discover that the clean little community gave every evidence of progress and growth. They commented on
Every other day, President David McKinney rode the train into Cedarville from Cincinnati, arriving at the Cedarville depot. He maintained the rigorous schedule so that he could be both pastor and president. the new structures being erected along the highway into town and along the streets near the college. When they reached Cedarville, they were joined by the final member of their committee, Pastor James T. Jeremiah, who had driven from Dayton to meet them. They were given a complete tour of the campus. Anticipating a campus in ruins, they were pleased to discover that most of the buildings gave evidence of careful maintenance.3 Though there was work to be done on Old Main, it was obvious that the existing Board had sought to maintain the campus. The events of the day had caused the Baptist representatives to be almost overwhelmed with the possibilities the Cedarville campus afforded. As they sat down with the Operating Committee of the college Board of Trustees, they listened carefully as the Presbyterians outlined the history of the institution. The sad details regarding the liquidation of the institution's endowment and the gradual building of an institutional debt were clearly outlined for the Baptists. "Every effort was made by the Operating Committee to see that these visitors were fully apprised of the facts of the situation."4 This report of the Operating Committee of the Cedarville College Board of Trustees to the representatives from Cleveland was a manifestation of the personal integrity of the Presbyterian men. In spite of their desire to see their institution continue its existence, and despite the fact that this Cleveland group might be their last hope of seeing this, these faithful men were careful to let the Baptists know the severity of their plight. When the Presbyterians completed their report, they asked the Baptists to outline what they hoped to accomplish if Cedarville College should be turned over to them. In the discussion which followed, the Baptist committeemen outlined both their beliefs and objectives to their hosts. In the course of that explanation, virtually every aspect of the B.B.!. doctrinal statement was covered. That doctrinal statement was extremely important to the men of the committee. All administrators, members of the faculty, and members of the Board of Trustees of B.B.!. were required to sign that Confession of Faith each year they continued in their relationship to the school. The doctrines they felt were essential to B.B.!. were the same doctrines they intended to carryover into their new venture. The doctrinal statement recorded here appeared in the final catalog of B.B.!. and the first catalog of Cedarville College as a Baptist institution, in exactly the same form. In the discussion of doctrinal beliefs between the Baptists and Presbyterians, there were obvious differences based on their denominational backgrounds. But both groups recognized that there was a commonality in commitment to the basic tenets of biblical Christianity. The differences between the two groups were not as important as the similarities. "Both institutions were established by groups of Bible-believing Christians with the primary motive of providing training of the highest scholastic standard with a definite Chapter III/2l
Two literary societies existed on campus in the early days, making these rooms in Founders HaJJ their meeting places. The Philadelphian Society (top) was the First to Form, sponsoring an oratorical contest, "with malice toward none and charity toward all." Soon, the membership became too large and students Formed the Philosophic Society (bottom). 22/Chapler III
The Village of Cedarville exhibited its own manner of charmin the early twentieth century. Its quiet, unpaved streets, with newly installed electric poles, provided the "healthful setting" which the College promoted (picture looking north up Main Street). A town band provided lively entertainment. Chapter I1I/23
The first graduates of the College, the class of1897. L to R, First row: john Bickett, became a pastor; Raymond Gorbold, a missionary to japan; Homer McMillan, a pas– tor and secretary to the Presby– terian Church, U.S.A. Second row: Calvin Morton, became a teacher and principal; john Orr, a pastor. biblical emphasis and without compromising Christian convictions and conduct."s Furthermore, both groups were committed to seeing Cedarville College maintained as a Christian institution of higher learning! The B.B.I. representatives explained to the Operating Committee of the Presbyterians that their school verse was Colossians 1:10: "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, 24/Chapter III and increasing in the knowledge of God." They pointed out that the school motto was found in Revelation 1:9: "For the Word of God, and the Testimony of Jesus Christ." The verse and the motto, they explained, provided the foundation for understanding the purpose of their institution. It was their desire to provide a Bible-centered, Christian education to students in every walk of life, in order that those students might be able to
The Declaration of Cedarville College Cedarville College teaches the existence of the one living and true God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. It claims that the Old and New Testaments are the verbally inspired Word of God and are the only infallible rule of faith and revelation of eternal salvation. It maintains that Jesus Christ is the eternally begotten Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, and is God-man, able to save unto the uttermost all who believe in him. It maintains that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and brought upon himself physical and spiritual death, that he is born in sin and at the age of accountability becomes responsible for sin in thought, word and deed. It maintains that Christ atoned for man's sins by his death, and man is justified only upon condition of acceptance of the blood atonement. It teaches that all who accept Christ as their personal Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and persevere in righteousness through the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost until the end of their earthly life, when at the appearance of Christ they become like him. It teaches that Christ died, was buried, rose in his crucified body, ascended into Heaven, where he is our intercessor and priest; and that he will come in person in the last times and raise both the just and unjust from the dead and distribute their rewards of eternal condemnation and eternal salvation. Trusting in God and the co-operation of true Christians in all churches who subscribe to the above tenets of faith, Cedarville College appeals for the support and patronage of all who believe in the fundamental truths of the Bible and the training of men and women for loyal, definite service for Christ's Crown and Kingdom. The above declaration, adopted in 1928 by the Board of Trustees aFter separating from the ReFormed Presbyterian Church, reinForced the original commitment of the Five Founders, and demonstrates the Fundamental belieFs and values of the institution. stand "For the Word of God, and the Testimony of Jesus Christ." In the process, they sought to prepare individuals to become life service workers; teachers, pastors, and missionaries who would enter a full-time ministry for Christ. The Baptists went on to explain that they realized not every young person would en ter the ministry. Therefore, those who wanted to be grounded in the principles of the Word of God while preparing for another field of endeavor would also have their educational needs met. According to Jeremiah, the Baptist committeemen concluded: "Since this was a liberal arts college to start with and since the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches did not have a liberal arts college, this was the opportune time to start one."6 As the Baptists outlined their purpose of training not only preachers, evangelists, and missionaries, but also teachers and laymen to carry forth their Christian faith into a lost world, a stillness settled over the room. Presbyterians and Baptists were wedded in the realization of the great mission reflected by the history of Cedarville College, and the unique prospect that the ministry could be carried on for future generations under new leadership. The stillness was broken by a sob. No one looked up to see the source of the weeping, and silence again engulfed the room. Finally, Earl McClellan looked up and cleared his throat. McClellan was chairman of the Presbyterian Board of Trustees and had been chairing the meeting. He had graduated from Cedarville College in 1913, some 40 years before. His balding head, atop his 5'10" frame bore testimony to his years. As he peered about the room, he seemed to grow in stature. "Gentlemen," he said, "this is what Cedarville College always was meant to be."7 1. "Cedarville Baptist College and Bible Institute, "Ohio Independent Baptist, May 1953, p. 4. 2. Ibid., p. t5. 3. Ibid. 4. Trustees Minutes, March 14, 1953. 5. Ibid., p. 4. 6. James T. Jeremiah, personal interview, August 1985. 7. This incident was recalled by Dr. Allan Lewis and confirmed with Dr. Donald Kyle and Miss McClellan. Chapter [1/2S
Chapter IV The women's basketball team of 1898.
Obviously, Steele and the Reformed Presbyterians were concerned that their young men were being syphoned off by other denominations which were able to provide undergraduate training. Consequently, they were not entering the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary in Philadelphia, but were drifting into other denominational seminaries. In light of the shortage of pastors in the Reformed Presbyterian movement, the founding of a college was seen as necessary to the preservation of the denomination. An undergraduate education that was appropriate for aspiring theologians was also appropriate for young men and women in other walks of life. Consequently, the mission of Cedarville College was broadened beyond the initial resolution of Dr. Steele. In 1915 the college yearbook, Cedrus, commented on the expanded purpose of the institution: Cedarville College was founded with the sub– lime object in view of advancing the interests of God on earth. The training of young men for the Gospel ministry, the education of young men and women for missionary service at home and abroad, and for work as laymen in the Sabbath School and in the church, were the purpose for which it was established. The de– velopment of Christian life and character in those who should go out into the world, into business and professional circles, into the arena of public life, and into the sacred precincts of the home, and carry with them some of the splendid inspiration and lofty principles im– bibed at Cedarville College, was not overlooked.4 In his inaugural address "The Ideal College," Dr. Wilbert Renwick McChesney, the second president of Cedarville College, referred to the school's historic purpose. He noted that the ideal college had the supreme mission of molding young lives. He pledged his personal loyalty to the purposes for which Cedarville had been established: The motto of Cedarville College is "For Christ's Crown and Covenant." It was first her– alded by our forefathers of Scotland and Ireland as they suffered persecution and martrydom for the crown rights and loyal prerogatives of King Jesus. Ah! They were but men with the frailties of human nature, but they were men of force and character, unswerved by the threats of ty– rants and undaunted by the power of kings. They espoused the truth. They believed God's Word. They defended the church and they handed down in their own blood, sealing their testimony in many instances with death, the happy heritage and precious privileges which we enjoy today. Blessed be God that here stands a college whose motto is theirs and whose pur– pose is not only to perpetuate their precious memory but keep to the forefront the undying principles which they received, and cherished, and suffered for in order to transmit them to usS The motto to which McChesney referred in his inaugural address, Pro corona et foedere Christi, which translated means "For the Crown and Covenant of Christ," was chosen by the trustees to be placed in the corporate seal of the college.6 More than a mere phrase, it was an objective that was shared by the trustees, the faculty whom they hired, and the The Cedarville College Faculty of 1910. Left to right, top row: p.s. Morgan, Ada Allen, Coach Palmer, LeRoy Allen, Florence Williamson. Second Row: Agnes Smith, Florence Russel, jeanette Orr. Front Row: W.R. .McChesney, President McKinney, F.A. j urkat. 28/Chapter IV
students who attended the school. The firm commitment to the principles of biblical Christianity was obvious to people in the Village of Cedarville, as well as the people of Greene County and surrounding counties. Two decades after the school was established the college yearbook could boast: These noble ideals Cedarville has, in a re– markable degree, been able, by the blessing of Almighty God, to translate into realization. Considerably over one-third of its male gradu– ates have become Christian ministers, and many of them are doing a great work for the Master. A goodly little band of foreign mission– aries have gone out into the field as a nucleus for the many more who are yet to follow. Even more than the combined numbers of these two classes, are those in the ranks of teachers, whose influence for good in the lives of the rising generation is boundless. And to be counted only by the hundreds are those who have gone out, either as graduates, or with only partial courses to their credit, and have enriched with consecrated lives, the communities and congregations, as well as the business, profes– sional, and social groups to which they belong, and whose characters bear testimony to the loy– alty of Cedarville College to her King? These happy reflections of 1915, however, failed to bear testimony to the crisis that preceded success. For a while it did not appear that the college would ever become a reality. In 1902 John Alford (above) donated the old Reformed Presbyterian Church to the College to be usedas agymnasium. Previously, the basement of Founders Hall housed the gym. The gym was namedin Alford's honor and still bears his name today, although it is nowa drama facility. Chapter IV/29
Following Dr. Steele's recommendation of May 20, 1885, that a college be established, work began immediately through a committee composed of Rev. J.F. Morton, Mr. Thomas Gibson, Mr. R. Park, Mr. Hugh McCollum, Jr., and Mr. H.H. McMillan. It was their task to find a site for a college "in or about the town of Cedarville" as quickly as possible. They were to be joined by the remainder of the members of the Synod in securing funds for the fledgling institution. On January 20, 1887, these five men banded together and became a corporate body in keeping with the laws of the State of Ohio; and on the 26th of January 1887, they obtained a certificate of incorporation for Cedarville College.8 These were exciting days as the five men anticipated seeing the college become a reality. With the charter in hand, the same five men whose names appeared on the incorporation papers met on March 11, 1887 at 11:00 a.m., at the home of Rev. Morton. Thomas Gibson was chosen temporary chairman, with Morton serving as temporary secretary. The group was led in prayer by Rev. J.G. Kendall before naming themselves to the original Board of Trustees to accomplish the initial work of the college. They organized themselves and outlined their responsibilities, then proceeded to formulate articles of regulation to submit to the General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church for approval in their meeting of May 1887. In subsequent weeks the trustees carefully evaluated several possible properties in the Cedarville community, finally settling upon a location on the north edge of the village that was owned by Mr. ].R. Orr. Though the trustees settled on the Orr location as early as June 1887, negotiations dragged on for over a year. In May 1888, the Board refused to accept an offer made by Orr because it was "filled with conditions that are objectionable."9 By this time the men were becoming frustrated by the problems that kept interfering with their dream. Finally, the objections were resolved through the work of Richard Park and Hugh McCollum, and the purchase was finalized. Having land increased their anticipation of the college becoming a reality, but there was much yet to be done. In the meantime, the five trustees worked tirelessly to raise funds. By June 10, 1887, they announced that a total of $8,419 had been pledged to Cedarville College; however, only $463 of that money was cash on hand. By May 10, 1888, the total amount pledged was 3O/Chapter IV The interior of Alford after it was renovated and wings were added For bleacher seating. $9,729.35, but the treasury showed only $549! At this time Treasurer McMillan discouragingly reported that "he had written to different ministers and members of the church, soliciting subscriptions for the college, but had met with little encouragement."lO One year later no further contributions had been received, and the college dream seemed to be turning into a nightmare. In spite of all their efforts, the committee was receiving little support. In frustration they issued the following threat: In different parts of the church, so little of interest has been manifested in this matter that the Board is discouraged, and unless greater interest is awakened, and more done in the en– suing year, the Board will recommend that the whole enterprise be abandonedI1 Another year passed and a disillusioned band of trustees met once more. In their minds this was to be their final session. No further contributions had been received, and nothing had been done to advance the cause of the college for the entire year. They were
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