1916 Cedrus Yearbook

19 History of the Class of'97 16 w E want others to know that we are not ashamed of our record. A college would scarcely be recognized if it did not produce graduates. The first class is necessary if there is to be a second or third. Those who finished the course of study and were graduated in 1897— the first class—consider themselvesJortunate indeed. It is with a feeling of delight that we write of the "dauntless and triumphant" seniors of'97. Our colors,"Black and White"; our motto,"What fools we mortals be"; and our yell,"Wo-oo-p'97" surely places us without a peer. In looking over some old notes we find this concerning the class of '97; "Our class men rank first in the class room; in the literary halls they are without a peer; on the athletic field unexcelled." The tremendous start thus received in college has sent thicslass with great velocity and power on down through the years, a mightly force for righteousness. REV.RAYMOND PORTER GORBOLD,A. B.,D.D. It is with deep reverence that we make any attampt to write about our dear classmate and friend Gorbold. Rev.Raymond Porter Gorbold, D.D., stands at the head of the list; and we devoutly wait with bowed heads in the presence of the only one who has "Crossed the Bar" and received hs crown, and who is praising God in glory day and night. And yet we must reminisce just a little. Who ever thotthat Gorbold would be a missionary? In fact who ever thot the he would finish the college course? He graduated in '97; attended Lane Seminary, Cincinnati,and was graduated in 1902; atthe suggestion of the Y.M.C.A.Student Volunteer Movement he taught in the English Government Middle School in Japan for two years; bacame a missionary under the care of the Presbyterian church in Kioto, Japan, 1904; married Miss Mary Palmer of Parks- ville, Missouri, a missionary located at Yamaguchi, Japan, April 7, 1905; received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Cedarville College, 1912; died December 30, 1915. Gorbold was a man of keen sympathy, rare thotfulness, unselfish, with a zeal to help everyone. He really showed the missionary spirit. Gorbold was "The live wire of Foreign Missions." His judgement of men and affairs was quick and exact. He gave evidence of genuine devotion to Jesus Christ, and his optimistic outlook on life was an inspiration to all. He was a godly man,his prayer life and testimony were in trueharmony,and his classmatesandfriends were gladdened to see him led step by step to higher and greater things until he stood as one of the greatest regenerative powers in the Japanese Empire in his generation. And why? Because the spirit of Christ had taken full possession of his life. His life of service here is over, but his usefulness lives on,an inspiration to all. REV.HOMER McMILLAN,A.B., D. D. Mixed up in every scrap, a joiner of every organization in the col- lege except the Philosophic Society, was Homer McMillan. Of course it would be Homer McMillan and D. W. Spence who would become Editors and Managers of the "Imago" which in years to come was to be known as the "Cedrus." It was just like Homer to be first in every- thing except recitation. Hehad the"ginger"; or,to be more up-to-date in college circles, he had the"pep". The history of Homer cannot betold in afew words. Only the briefest outline is attempted here. Perhaps more than any other in the class,Homer's experience has been great and varied. In the autumn of 1897 he entered Union Seminary, spending one year there, and in connection with his Seminary course spending one year in post-graduate work in Columbia University. Two years he spent in the Reformed Seminary at New Brunswick, New Jersey, graduating in the class of 1900; immediately entering upon the pastorate of the Bogart Memorial Reformed Church, where he continued to serve his Master for two years. Then he went to the Bethany Church of Los Angeles, Cal., and was pastor there for two years; then became pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Buford, Ga., where he remained two years. In 1906 he was called by the General Assembly of the Pres- byterian Church in the United States to the position of Associate Sec- retary of the Executive Committee of Missions,and later elected to the posit'on of Co-ordinate Secretary which he now holds,rendering splendid service to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. 76