Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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 - THE BETHANNUAL : 19 31 fc- Built on the rock that is steady in storm, “House of God.’ by thy faith ever stand! Fervent in spirit and serving the Lord— Souls for thy fruitage, and men strong in God. —Fouts. Twelve

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THE B E THAN N UAL : I 9 3 I -4 President's Message Two of the greatest universalizing forces in tl»i world are Christianity and education. The former is ihe greater and more influential of the two, Thev level all clavscs. distinctions, ages and ranks of the human family. The cooperation of the two as renresented b Christian education is the most potent force in all the world for making and molding character, and the upbuilding and constructing a safe and sane human society. This is the process in which Bethel plays a distinct and definite part. No national or other lines can debar or exclude from the privileges and blessings thus offered. As an instance of how ail classes of people arc equalized according to disposition, abilitv, and personal application we quote from C. M. S. in a religious journal: “The two young people who brought to Kansas the highest awards for home economics and swine husbandry are Orcn Rcusscr of Clearwater, and Thelma Tjaden of Kcchi. The names of the all-American football team selected bv a committee of well known college coaches read like a telephone directory of Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Japan and Iceland. The two young Americans who have recently received the prizes as the healthiest boy and girl of the 4-H clubs of the United States have the good old fashioned names of Bodenhamer and Snydergaard. The finest specimen of athletic superiority in a mid-western university bear the names of Thor A. Larsen and Toyohiko Tjeiro. But what of it? The finest Greek scholar in my own university bore the name of Svend Thorenson. The Phi Beta Kappa awards went to Jenson Waldcnschift, Pendrift Borg, and Canute Wend berg. If, as Senor Marconi said the other night, speaking from Rome into my home in Topeka. Kansas, the time is coming in the knowledge of radio activity when the nations of the earth shall be practically united in a knowledge of one another to such an extent as to preclude the possibility of war on account of brotherly interest in and frienship for one another, what matter whether a man's name is Jones or Runymcad ? One of the finest pictures in the Book of Revelation is that picture of the time to come when all tongues and languages shall blend in one great universal chorus singing together the one universal song of the Redeemed. Everyone is human before he is anything else, and the likenesses of the different members of the human race arc far greater than the differences. Doubtless one of the larger ministries that Bethel Institute achieves is the contribution that is made to this larger vision of a Christ for all the world and the world for Christ, or the Gospel for all mankind, regardless of creed, color, race or condition. This Gospel i carried forth, not only bv the preacher, the missionary, in the most commonly accepted meaning of that term—the singer, but also by the teacher, the writer, the business man and woman, the Christian printer, tradesman, the homemaker and every other one who has caught the vision of a universal Saviour, a Redeemer for all the world, and who carries or broadcasts His message to men, women and children in all parts of the world. It is this that is the foundation of that conduct which makes Christian character and integrity possible. There is but one rule of conduct for anyone to do the right thing. The cost may be dear in money, in friends, in influence, in labor, in a prolonged and painful sacrifice; but the cost not to do right is far more dear. You pay in the integrity of your manhood, in honor, in truth, in character. You forfeit your soul’s content and welfare, your life's useful issue, and for a timely gain you barter eternal values. Every factor, every activity at Bethel Institute, including its publications—The Clarion, Bethel Evangel and Bethannual—has the one purpose in mind, to better equip and prepare students and young people for this sterling character and greatest of all tasks, the winning of the world to the Triumphant and Victorious Christ. This remains ever true, even though the daily grind of common and seemingly monotonous task' seem very remote from the great goal ahead. But such is the work of the Christian religion and its child that of Christian education. Everyone that h3s even a small share therein need not be discouraged for he is engaged in a real task, one that is a universalizing influence among the nations of the world. It has to do with the shaping of the thinking processes of man and lifting their gaze, their aspiration upward and Heavenward. God speed Bethannual of 1931 on its way in making its contribution toward the worthy prize of the upper calling in Christ Jesus! G. ARVID HAGSTROM. Eleven

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 THE BETHANNUAL : 1931 Faith’s vision hath found rich fulfillment in thee, The prayers of the faithful fail not with the Lord; Thy walls stand like first-fruits of marvelous growth, God’s witness to teachings firm—grounded in truth. —Fouts. Thirteen