Torch, Winter 1987

. I .l. One Hundred Years of Godly Heroes by Dr. Paul Dixon Auan Bloom, professor at the University of Chicago, has authored a blockbuster, best-selling book entitled The Closing of the American Mind. In this stimulating volume he addresses how higher education has failed democracy and has impoverished the souls of today's students. One of Bloom 's contentions is that today 's collegians have no heroes. George Roche, the president of Hillsdale College, has written A World Without Heroes, which he calls a modem tragedy. In the foreward to this book, Russell Kirk defines "hero" from the Old Century Dictionary as "a man of distinguished valor, intrepidity, or enterprise in danger; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; one who exhibits extraordinary courage, firm– ness, fortitude, or intellectual greatness in the course of action. " By this definition we have every right to call those men and women of Hebrews, chapter 11, heroes and heroines. W.E. Vine says to be godly is "to be devout, denotes that piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him." We certainly may add the descriptor "godly" to those heroes and heroines of the faith. We find godly heroes throughout the Bible. Praise God for our godly models in Abraham, David, Deborah, Paul, Peter, Mary, Martha, and the seemingly unending list. We also have our Edwards, Spurgeons, Wesleys, Whitfields, Crosbys, Ketchams, Jacksons, and a host of others. This year, as we are celebrating our Centennial at Cedarville, we have focused on those special heroes in the life and ministry of the College. It has been truly a grand year of celebration and thanksgiving to God for His bountiful blessings. We have reflected in a special way on those five godly Reformed Presbyterians who founded Cedarville College - Rev . J.F. Morton, Thomas Gibson, Richard Park, Hugh McCollum, Jr. , and Hugh McMillan. In their honor, we have renamed the first building constructed on our campus (1895) Founders Hall. In those early years God raised up two godly Presby– terian presidents whose tenures spanned nearly 50 years. They were Rev. David McKinney and Dr. Wilbert McChesney. In his inaugural address in 1915, Dr. McChesney said, "Cedarville College was founded in prayer, has been maintained in faith, and supported by sacrifice; and long after this generation shall have run its race, Cedarville College will live to enrich the nation, gladden the church, and bless the world." Our college cannot speak of our godly heroes without mentioning Frank A. Jurkat who was the only man to serve on the faculty during both the Presbyterian and the Baptist eras. He taught Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, German, and history at Cedarville College for 58 years. On one occasion, the students said of Jurkat in their yearbook, "We humbly thank God for the fellowship He has privileged us to have with this one who has meant so much to our school." Two of our godliest heroes have been James and Ruby Jeremiah. From those early days of struggle in 1953 when Baptist Bible Institute of Cleveland moved to the Cedarville College campus until now, they have been the driving force behind this Christian college. There would be no Cedarville without them. These two dedicated, humble, godly people have crossed our paths, shaped our lives, and greatly influenced our college. This year's Centennial yearbook, the Miracle, is affectionately dedicated to our modem-day heroes, James and Ruby Jeremiah. Long is the list and deep the appreciation for a host of others who are our godly heroes at Cedarville College - many trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and prayer warriors. We give thanks to God for His godly heroes at Cedarville College during these past 100 years. 3