Torch, Fall 2000

command occurs, dissension and even resignations soon follow. But that was not what happened at Cedarville College. Indeed, as commented earlier, the “four horsemen” stayed on, and even, in some sense, so did James. And this should not be surprising. From his early days on, James’ life was God using an obedient man, not a man using God to further his own agenda. In fact, James embraced his new role as chancellor to relieve himself of the burden of the college and to pursue his speaking. This he did with a vengeance, for during his first year as chancellor, [James] held 31 conferences and ministered in two seminaries and three mission fields. In all, he preached 208 messages. As he traveled around the world, he sought to meet alumni on an individual or group basis. 9 In his ability to make tough decisions and stand by them, in his active dedication to Cedarville College, in his quest to remain true to God and His Word, Dr. Jeremiah exemplified what it means to be a leader. Without him, Cedarville University would not be the biblically-focused, quality institution that it is today. In the closing of “Say to This Mountain,” Belliveau writes: In the twilight of this millennium, in the age of prosperity and cynicism, James T. Jeremiah stands as a benchmark to all, a reminder and encouragement to any willing person of what is possible, what can be achieved if one has faith and a personal relationship with the God of the universe. James T. Jeremiah took to heart with all of his soul the Lord’s words to his disciples in Matthew 21:21 and 22: Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Endnotes 1 J. Murray Murdoch, Cedarville College: A Century of Commitment (Cedarville, Ohio: Cedarville College, 1987), 105. 2 Murdoch, 109. 3 Ibid. 4 “Cedarville College Gets OK on Teacher Education Plan,” Xenia Daily Gazette , 13 June 1963. 5 Ibid, 126. 6 Ibid. 7 Xenia Daily Gazette , 14 April 1975. 8 Ibid, 144. 9 Ibid, 151, 152. G regory K. Belliveau has been an instructor of English at Cedarville since 1996. He received both his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Kent State University. Belliveau’s book Say to This Mountain: The Life of James T. Jeremiah was published in 1999. His latest novel, Go Down to Silence , published by Multnomah Publishers, is due in bookstores in February 2001. Belliveau and his wife, Patricia, are the proud parents of a one-year-old daughter, Kaitlin. T (continued from page 12) On May 28, 1998, Dr. Jeremiah was surprised to find that the day’s chapel service was devoted entirely to honoring and celebrating him. Dr. Dixon and Dr. Jeremiah at the 2000 commencement ceremony. This was Dr. Jeremiah’s final public appearance before the entire College family.