Bluffton University - Ista Yearbook (Bluffton, OH)

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Thirty Y- ,zrs of Progress Few know the real story of the thirty years of hoping, of work- ing, of the faithfulness and perseverance of those who have made this institution possible. Little do we, who enjoy its benefits now realize the cost with which every step was made. On June 19, 1900, the corner -:tone of the first building was laid, and in a few months the building was erected, but the far more difficult task of building the college was yet to be accomplished. The opening address by President Hirschy contained the principles upon which the foundations of a college could be built. It behooves us to lay foundations firm and broad so that the super-structure may have a strong support. Thoroughness should be written over every classroom door, and characterize every teacher and every student. We must learn to come face to face with truth, fearlessly to embrace it, and resolutely to live it every day. The opening exercise found eighteen students registered for regular academic work. Here was a college with one beautiful build- ing, in the midst of a natural grove, a conference of churches and a board of trustees backing it, and funds subscribed for five years maintenance. Then followed a long period of educational and religious conflict and financial struggles. In the very nature of things a college is the doorway by which young people enter into the world of affairs, and the time for projecting ones self into the world had not yet found general recognition among the Mennonites. The one principle of pacifism was expressed not with the idea of convincing the world of its value, but rather to hold fast to that for which their fathers died in the days of religious persecution. Finances from the beginning were small for the work under- taken, but large for the small constituency. At the close of the eighth year the endowment had reached ten thousand dollars. The first gift received toward the endowment was fr no Mary Herschler of Ashland, Ohio, and the amount was five thousand two hundred dollars. The number of books in the library was then increased to eight hundred and two. An interesting incident was brought about when during the summer of 1905 the students of a neighboring normal school rose up in rebellion demanding the exclusion of all colored students. News reached Bluffton at the same time that John P. Sloan, son of a Kentucky slave, was denied a fair chance in a neighboring high school. In spite of the feeling created by the aforesaid Normal school the young man was invited to attend Bluffton. When the news came out