Torch, Spring 1987: Centennial Issue

,.., rville College Two threads of continuity appear woven throughout the I00 year history of Cedarville College. One of these threads is the successive boards of trustees who desired to keep the college in a God-honoring ministry; the other is the seal of the college which has reflected those desires. In 1894 the first board of trustees determined that the motto of Cedarville College would be Pro corona et feodere Christi - "For the Crown and Covenant of Christ." These Reformed Presbyterians had never forgotten the persecution their Covenanter ancestors had undergone in Scotland as they struggled to affirm the Lord Jesus Christ as sole Head and King of their church and of their lives. Dr. Wilbur McChesney, second president of the college, stated of the Covenanters: "They espoused the truth. They believed God's Word.... Blessed be God that here stands a college whose motto is theirs and whose purpose is not only to perpetuate their precious memory but to keep to the forefront the undying principles which they received and cherished and suffered for in order to transmit them to us. " The motto appeared prominently on the seal of the college during the 66 years of the Presbyterian administration. In 1953 , ownership and operation of Cedarville College passed from the Presbyterian board of trustees to that of the Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland. The Baptists recognized that they shared with the founders of the college not only common desires for the college but also similar doctrine. This was evidenced by the acknowledgement in the Cedarville College Bulletin 1953-55; ...it is astounding to note the oneness of spirit of purpose which has characterized each school. Both institutions [Cedarville College and the Baptist Bible Institute] were established by .. . Bible-believing Christians with the primary motive of providing training of the highest scholastic standard with a definite biblical emphasis and without compromising Christian convictions and conduct. As evidence of its standards the seal of Cedarville College bears the inscription ... "For the Crown and Covenant of Christ." This is in perfect accord with the doctrine of the Baptist Bible Institute which is definitely premil lennial and therefore teaches the second corning of Christ when He shall be crowned and shall reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords . While keeping the Cedarville seal as it had been under the Presbyterians , the Baptists added the school motto (from the Baptist Bible Institute) "For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 1:9). Thus the highest goals of both the old and the new Cedarville College were merged into a visual reminder of commitment to Jesus Christ. Dr. David McKinney 1894-1915 Dr. David McKinney, the first president of Cedarville College, reflected the conviction of the founders when he stated: "Cedar– ville College believes that culture of the mind without the nurture and growth of spiritual life is a mistake. Education without mor– ality is a menace to the state... accordingly, the Bible is the textbook of the College." When McKinney became presi– dent, the college owned only a nine-acre parcel of land. For the first year of operation, he found a meeting place, secured a faculty, and enrolled 32 students for the fledgling college. During his entire 21 year administration, McKinney con– tinued to live in Cincinnati and to pastor a Reformed Presbyterian church there. While he consid– ered his primary calling to be his pastoral ministry, he assumed leadership of a new college that had only a charter and a piece of bare land. He left it a thriving institution free of debt and with three buildings, a godly faculty, loyal alumni, and an increasing number of faithful supporters. That he accomplished all these things while serving on a part– time basis speaks of his adminis– trative and promotional skills and of his commitment to Cedar– ville College. The Cedarville College family in 1904. Front row, left to right: Mary Ervine, Wilbert R. McChesney (later the second president). David McKin– ney (first president), Frank A. Jurkat, Mary Eddy. Back row , lefi to right: Florence Smith, Raymond Fitzpat– rick, Belle Beazell. 7