the trustees of Cedarville College," that they had determined to "seek God's will and ask Him to provide a church or school that would measure up to their standard and take over Cedarville College for its continued operation."J The Baptists listened in amazement as the Presbyterians outlined the plan by which "the ownership and control of Cedarville College would be transferred completely into the hands of the new Board of Trustees to be operated without any restrictions or conditions."4 It was a "breathtaking proposition" from the Baptists' perspective. As they made their way back to Cleveland, the Baptist Bible Institute (B.B.I.) Committee excitedly discussed the opportunity before them. If a short time before someone had proposed the theoretical idea of moving B.B.1. out of Cleveland it would have been vetoed promptly and unanimously by the Board of Trustees, but here was something far greater than ever had been anticipatedS Again they recalled Milner's roadside devotional of that morning. It had been one of the most remarkable days any of them had ever experienced! As they traveled, a member of the committee remarked, "This thing is too wonderful and too good to be of any source other than God. It is too much for us, but since it is the challenge of the Lord we dare not refuse to face it."6 The entire B.B.1. family had been praying for a campus. Though this opportunity far exceeded their fondest dreams, they had to face the challenge of looking beyond human understanding to face the reality that God had answered exceeding abundantly above all that they had asked or thought. Three days after the Cedarville visit, on Monday, March 9, the regular bimonthly meeting of the Cleveland Board of Trustees was held. That evening everything else was set aside in order to give full attention to the Cedarville opportunity. The committee thought other denominations were actively pursuing Cedarville, and they were concerned that someone else might seize the opportunity ahead of them. They wondered if they would be able to convince the total Board of the Cleveland school that nothing was hidden in the opportunity that presented itself. The Board discussed every aspect of the potential move. There were several serious questions. Could the Cleveland Bible Institute take over such a large operation? Would they be able to combine a liberal arts college with a Bible institute? What about the $25,000 needed for anticipated operating deficits? What about the $25,000 that would be needed to prepare the new campus for operation? Could they provide the larger faculty and staff that were required for such a venture? The concluding verse from Milner's March 6 roadside devotional was read to the entire Board: "With us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles." The vote to accept the Cedarville College offer was unanimous! The next morning Allan E. Lewis, president of B.B.I., and George S. Milner, treasurer, drafted a letter to the Cedarville trustees on behalf of the Baptist Executive Committee. The opening paragraph announced their decision: At the regular meeting of our Board of Trust– ees last night, the Executive Committee present– ed a report of our trip to Cedarville College, and of the discussion we had with the officers of your Board regarding your proposal to transfer the management and trusteeship of Cedarville College to some educational institution meeting your requirements to continue the operation of it as a Liberal Arts college. We are happy to inform you that our Trustees voted unanimous– ly to accept your proposal and to proceed with negotiations to complete this transaction if your Board should act favorably toward us? The Baptists went on to express their willingness to agree to the conditions outlined by the Presbyterians. These stipulations had initially been presented to the Southern Baptists, and subsequently shared with the Regular Baptists. Many referred to specific operational matters, but there were two key proposals to which the Baptists agreed: First, that Cedarville College would continue under its original name and would remain an institution for higher learning; second, that the new leadership would accept responsibility for any remaining indebtedness at the close of the 1953 school year. It was recognized that this indebtedness might reach $30,000. In order to demonstrate their good faith, and to assure the Presbyterian trustees of their ability to operate Cedarville College in accordance with this agreement, the Baptists submitted the following information: 1. The Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland (which would be merged and become Cedarville College) is approved by the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches which has approxi– mately 650 congregations in all of the northern United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Our Trustees are Christian men of high moral character, respected and responsible citizens, and they have carried the responsibility of pro– moting, financing and directing the operation of this educational institution for the past ten years. Chapter Xl/87
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