their gratitude to their Presbyterian predecessors. During a brief recess, the Presbyterian men said their good-byes and walked out of Old Main, some of them for the last time. It was a bittersweet moment. The hopeless burden of disappointment that had been building for several years was lifted from their shoulders. However, freedom from the burden had cost them the institution they loved. Now they comforted each other with the conviction that they had done what was best for Cedarville College. The new Board reconvened with Chairman George Dunn presiding. He read II Corinthians 4 as the standard by which the new Board would operate. Dean Webster then recommended that the Board plan to "operate a liberal arts college with the Bible major" for at least two years, while gauging constituency and student interest in the new school. He indicated eight faculty members plus a dean could handle the new program. The Board instructed Webster to place his recommendations in operation. 20 Four days later President Allan E. Lewis announced the good tidings to the pastors of the Ohio Association of Regular Baptist Churches. His letter included pictures of the six key campus buildings on the back. The buildings pictured were Old Main, the Science Building, the Carnegie Library, Alford Auditorium, and Bethel and Harriman dorms. His letter began: This letter is the record oE the moment when a miracle of God's grace took place. On Satur– day, April 4, at 3 p.m. the Board of Trustees of Cedarville College, Cedarville, Ohio, resigned in a body after electing in their place the Board of Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland. At that moment, we took over for the glory of God and the education of our young people, this com– pletely equipped college located at Cedarville, 24 miles from Dayton and 13 miles from Springfield21 Lewis reminded the pastors that this had been a tremendous step of faith for the college Board. He reiterated the need for $50,000 to transfer the BS.I. Day School from Cleveland to Cedarville and to meet the existing deficit of Cedarville College. He announced that the new school was to be a "liberal arts college based on the principles and beliefs of Regular Baptists." It would be known as Cedarville Baptist College and Bible Institute. Lewis indicated that many churches and individuals had already promised support, but urged others to recognize that the need was great and time was short. He reminded his 92/Chapter XI readers, "The few dollars that are necessary today will be multiplied many fold by this investment."22 One month later the Ohio Independent Baptist reported: Already great interest is being shown wher– ever the challenge of the Cedarville Baptist Col– lege and Bible Institute is being given. Many students are anxious to enroll. Churches are beginning campaigns to raise funds for this fundamental Baptist school. Enthusiasm is run– ning high.23 With hearts rejoicing in the miracle of God in providing a campus, and with a strong sense of commitment to the will of God, the new trustees of Cedarville College began preparation for the following September. As they looked toward their first semester of operation, they realized the task was challenging. They had only limited experience with a day school and no experience with a liberal arts college. A model for a liberal arts institution did not exist in either their state or national church fellowship. For General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, and for the new Cedarville College Board of Trustees, it was truly the dawn of a new era! 1. james T. jeremiah, personal interview, September 1985; Ruby jeremiah, personal interview by Ida St. Clair, December 1985. 2. Arthur Dyke, Taped Reflections, November 1985. 3. Ohio Independent Baptist, May 1953, p. 5. 4. Ibid. 5. Ibid. 6. Ibid., p. 6. 7. Executive Committee of B.B.I. to the Board of Trustees ofCedar– ville College, March 10, 1953. 8. Ibid. 9. Ibid. 10. Ibid. 11. Trustees Minutes, March 14, 1953. 12. Ibid. 13. Ohio Independent Baptist, May 1953, p. 6. 14. james T. jeremiah, personal interview, September 1985. 15. Allan E. Lewis to the pastors of Ohio Regular Baptist Churches, March 20, 1953. 16. Ibid. 17. Trustees Minutes, April 4, 1953. 18. Ibid. 19. Arthur Dyke, Taped Reflections, November 1985. 20. Trustees Minutes, April 4, 1953. 21. Allan E. Lewis to the pastors of Ohio Regular Baptist Churches, April 8, 1953. 22. Ibid. 23. Ohio Independent Baptist, May 1953, p. 6
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