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