In his second paragraph, Jeremiah reminded the Board of the tremendous needs that faced the college. As a result of a Planning Committee meeting between administrators and officers of the Board of Trustees, it had become apparent that new dormitories and a maintenance shop were needed. Further, the library had to be doubled and the cafeteria improved and enlarged. At the same time, other facilities needed remodeling and the chapel debt had to be liquidated. These developments were needed even if the student body grew no further. But Jeremiah indicated that applications were running well ahead of the previous year. Because of his concern for Cedarville College, he stated: My question is - how can I best help in the program of progress that lies before us? Frank– ly, I am not sure I can carry the heavy responsi– bility that would be expected of me. Nor am I sure it would be fair to the college to begin such an expansion program if I cannot carry my part of the responsibility. The prospects of all this may be greater because the load is heavier as the college grows or because I will be 65 within about two years. l6 But Jeremiah made it very clear that while he was calling on the Board to recognize his increasing age he had no intention of walking out on them. He was, however, asking their help in determining an appropriate time for him to alter his responsibilities in relation to the college. He told the Board, "I do not intend to quit." He went on to say, "As long as I can I want to do whatever possible to serve the Lord in the cause of Cedarville College."l7 Jeremiah offered several alternatives, including the possibilities that he could remain as president until June 30, 1979, or that he could terminate his relationship with the college on June 30, 1977. He wanted to give the Board plenty of time, and he sincerely desired their help in doing what was best for the college. A third alternative involved his continuing involvement in the ministry by representing the college, even after his responsibilities as president were concluded. Jeremiah had been told by many members of the Board that it would be up to him when he wanted to retire. His response was: I would like it much better if we could agree that it is our decision. Through the years we have enjoyed a great time of fellowship as we have worked together. I need your help and advice now as much or more than ever before. The fact that the ti~e is moving on means sooner or later the termination of my present relationship with the college must come. The Board of Trustees must determine the best time for this change to be made. l8 The excerpts from this letter reveal a great deal about James T. Jeremiah as a man of God. From the time he made cement blocks in the basement of the Administration Building to the day he drafted his letter to the Board, Jeremiah had sought to build Cedarville College, not as a testimony to himself but as a testimony for his Lord. His love for the institution could never be challenged. Jeremiah had spent his life building a college which had become a dynamic educational ministry for the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. By this time it was the largest of the Association's approved schools. Under Jeremiah's direction Cedarville College had made a commitment to invest heavily in areas that were not traditional in the fundamentalist camp. During his presidency the faculty of Cedarville College contributed to the development of the concept of the integration of Scripture and knowledge. He had effectively used the Baptist Bulletin to advertise the ministry of Cedarville College to the Regular Baptist constituency and stood firm in his commitment to liberal arts, in spite of the fact that many in the Association were very critical, or at least suspicious, of the liberal arts. Now he recognized that the next step in the institution's development would be a giant one. In response to the specific question "Why did you decide to step aside?," he replied, "The main reason was that I felt that it was going to take a ten-year period of time to do some of the things that had to be done, and I In the 1970·s. Pastor Green and his Christian Service depart– ment initiated beach evangelism. Seeing the opportunity to witness to the many college students on the beach during Spring Break. the department continues to send a team to Florida every year. Chapter XVII/143