Torch, Fall 2000

and with the pen in the years ahead. Cedarville College continued to gain recognition among Regular Baptists in the months [and years] ahead. Two important events greatly aided in this process. The first occurred in June 1958, when the 27th annual conference of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches met in Columbus, just 45 miles from Cedarville. Eight hundred messengers came from all over the United States to attend the include money which has been given to the college for debt retirement, organ fund and so forth. As we compare the gifts for 1955 to those received during 1954, we are happy to report that over $11,000 more was given in 1955 than in 1954.” 3 While seeking financial help from Ohio churches, Jeremiah continually reminded the Regular Baptist constituency of the importance of “Baptist schools for Baptist youth.” In a lengthy article, he reminded his brethren that the best way to preserve the Baptist heritage was to have Baptist churches and Baptist missions staffed by graduates of Baptist schools. He urged Regular Baptists to support not only Cedarville College but other approved schools of the Association. He reminded them that Baptist schools needed their money and students in order to gain accreditation, recognition, and the prestige needed in the academic community. 4 This theme, expressed graphically in March 1956, was one that Jeremiah was destined to repeat again and again from the pulpit conference. The evening meetings ranged in total attendance from 1,500 to 2,500. 5 With so many Regular Baptists congregated that close to campus, it was inevitable that Jim Jeremiah would find some way of getting them to Cedarville! For months he had been traveling mile after mile to the churches with the Cedarville story. All those preachers and all those messengers in one place were too much to resist! He arranged for bus loads of Regular Baptists to come to Cedarville on the Wednesday afternoon of the conference. Ruby Jeremiah stayed home and she and Miriam Maddox prepared ham and potato salad, which was served in Alford Auditorium. A tremendous crowd gathered as bus after bus arrived from Columbus. The next month the Baptist Bulletin reported: “On Wednesday afternoon the Association made a trip to Cedarville College. A crowd of over six hundred and fifty were served a lovely lunch and enjoyed a sight- seeing tour of the buildings and grounds.” 6 This happy occasion was used to introduce literally hundreds of people to Cedarville College. In those early years of appealing to Regular Baptists for support, Jeremiah, the pastor who had become president, learned many important lessons. One of the most significant related to finances. In the local church, a desperate need could be met by appealing to people who understood the problem and were familiar with the circumstances. However, appealing to churches across the nation required a different approach. “I learned that you don’t send out letters of despair if you want a response. The answer to that kind of thing is, ‘If they are that bad off,