Central Bible College - Cup Yearbook (Springfield, MO)

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Longer aye THE FIRST STUDENT BODY-1922 We have asked Brother Willard C. Peirce to tell us about the early days of C. B. l. Here's what he has to say: Arriving the latter part of Iuly, we were confronted with the little frame church at Calhoun and Campbell, kindly offered by the board of the church, to the General Council to start the school until such time as a permanent building might be built. Brother Kerr, to whose hands the task of opening the school had been committed, looked to me to take charge of the many details incidental to the physical adjustments necessary. We found a basement, partly floored with concrete, used only by the church for fuel and heating purposes. 'ACleaning-overalls-shovels and brooms-wheelbarrows--rubbish-then came scrubbing- hands and knees many times-walls to be plastered in part theres where Brother Kerr's past experience at his trade as a plasterer came in handyll and then paint and whitewash! A ceiling needed-only rough unfinished floor joists to be seen-what shall it be? To cover with beaver board-but where was the money to buy it? Other more essential needs took all the available cash, so it was muslin, tacked over the ceiling. It looked fine-till the furnace smoked, and with the dust sifting through the floor above, it got a Wee bit streaked-but what was that? The glory of the Lord coming down many times, made us forget all about the streaked ceiling. But among all the recollections, none are so bright and bring such joy to all our hearts as the memory of the smile of our dear Father Kerr, who with Mother Kerr, led, taught, and gave .a real living example of what it meant to think Scripturally, speak Scripturally, live Scripturally, and die Scripturallyn every day during that first and the following years of their ministry. l trust these few words of recollection may prove of some interest and blessing. Yours in the bonds of Calvary, W. C. PEIRCE. 19

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Qjifzacfo 'mfs ERNEST S. VVILLIAMS General Superintendent Assemblies of God President Central Bible Institute Dear Class of 1938: Three years of life at Central Bible Institute are past, happy years in spite of the discipline of school life and the fatigues of study. You have filled your responsibilities well and your toil will not go unrewarded, ln years to come you will look back with pleasure, perhaps rejoicing more in the memory of scenes of discipline, or the pranks of youthful vigor, than upon the stubborn day to day routine of study. Now you are leaving us, but we will continue to have you in our hearts, and whether your calling take you across the briny deep or locate you within the confines of your native land, our desire will continue to be that you may prosper, be true to God, and be preserved from all evil. Now you enter the school of human experience from which none can escape. Severe will some of its teachers be and some of its lessons will be hard to learn.. Be not discouraged. It is the way to prepare for the Great Come mencement-such a commencement as earth has never known, where you will receive your diploma from the Master Teacher, and with it His benediction, Well done! Then you will look back on the days spent in the school of life with greater delight than you can now look back on the days which you have spent in C. B. l. The Holy Spirit will teach you, guide you, and never leave you, nor forsake you. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life. God bless you. ERNEST S. WILLIAMS. 20