Cornerstone University - KUMI ORI Yearbook (Grand Rapids, MI)

Page 17 text:

EVENING SCHOOL CLASS WILL We. the members of the evening school graduating class of 1948, do hereby make., ordain, publish and declare this to be our last Will and Testament. To die specified underclassmen we will the following: To Loren Dudley, Fred Brandou’s first homiletics outline. It is expected that this is to serve as a useful and helpful pattern for future outlines. This is on one condition — that Mr. Dudley doesn’t, allow this outline to be known to a certain instructor. To Elmer Dundas. one of Roy Botruff’s most cultivated talents — that of song directing. This should prove beneficial in his future work. To Florence VanDonkelaar, Lowell Bush’s twice-weekly trip to Grand Rapids and B. B. I., with hopes that one term’s work will provide the necessary credits for graduation. To Gerard Knol and Claude Jackson, one haircut each by Clarence Calkins. Appointment may be ma.de by telephone or personal call at least one week in advance. To John Tower, Glenn Empson’s recipe for getting an “A” in every class. First never miss a class except on exam night; second, never be on time to any session; third, never whisper in class, but let the teacher do the talking; fourth, never sit on the front row, hut rather as far to the rear as possible; fifth, study once in a while. This recipe is guaranteed authentic by Mrs. Empson. To Violet Hornbeck, Annabelle Wood, and Mrs. VanRavenhorst, three seats ui the front row of Mr. Dahl berg’s class, hv Florence Empson. Those sealed in the rear may be marked absent. To Harriet Terpstra and Winifred Stillwell, a long look at Cora Near's diploma. It is expected that this will be an incentive to harder work, and a diploma of their own next June. To Bill Hall and Minnie Jackson. Peter Nienhnis wills nothing, because everything he has acquired will be needed by himself, especially his ability to make sermon outlines. To Marjorie Lyons and Jack Sorenson, Oscar Sunde’s ability to explain and discus Mr. Quincer’s questions. Helpful hint—say all you can think of, and then a little more. EVENING SCHOOL CLASS OF 1948 Executor — Lowell Bush Nineteen

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EVENING SCHOOL REMINISCENCES One evening in the fall of 1958 my husband and I sat meditating on the Lord's goodness to us, and thinking of the spiritual blessings and instruction received back in the years of 1946-48 when we were students at the Baptist Bible Institute in Grand Rapids. We made many new friends during those years. From a class of about forty, only nine survived the rigors of the mid-term and final exams, and graduated with all the pomp and splendor that caps and gowns could give. There were a few who started a term late, and did not graduate with us, but we always thought of them as one of us. As we continued to think of that auspicious occasion the ones taking part came to our minds in review. There was Fred Brando u (he surely enjoyed putting his outline for the twenty-third Psalm on the blackboard in Mr. Quincer's homi- letics class). Now' he is travelling through the southland in his house-trailer holding evangelistic meetings. Members of his family are assisting him in giving out the gospel to those in the highways and byways. They are known as ‘The Neglected Areas Evangelistic Parly.” Roy Botruff is now? the pastor of a flourishing Baptist church at Hickory Corners. His wife, June, is a great, help to him in the Lord’s work, and adds words of encouragement as Roy brings the unsearchable riches of Christ to those who are lost in sin. The call of the north land was heard hv John Bajema, and today he is faith- fully giving out the message of salvation in word and song to those in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We have been glancing through several missionary papers, and notice that there are many doing work with the boys and girls. Among these are the two faithful girls from Muskegon, Cora Near and Florence VanDonkelaar. They are stationed just across the border in Mexico, and report a growing interest among even the older folks as Florence gives flannelgraph lessons, and Cora leads the group in singing. (That reminds vs of the music class in conducting at dear old B. B. I.) A children’s home was opened up a few years ago in China with Faith Cook in charge. Faith always did like to work among the little tots and listen to their many questions and stories. Just the other day we were calling on Clarence Blakeslee at Butterworth Hospital (he had a dislocated shoulder from patting himself on the back), when who should we see but Clarence Calkins, the “barbershop theologian.” He re- minded us of the verse in Proverbs 11:30, “He that winneth souls is wise.” While he is doing some barber work for the patients, he tells them the way of salvation. Quite frequently while shaving a patient, he asks, “Are you prepared to die?” He believes in getting decisions, even if it is at the poiut of a razor. Dutch New Guinea has finally been opened up to missionary work, and we find that Harriet and Pete JNienhuis are stationed in the interior. Harriet’s teach- ing experience and Pete’s patience in. minding the baby while attending classes at B. B. I. are proving of much practical value to him now. (Pete didn’t think so when he was holding his little girl, Faith, when trying to recite in Mr. Knol’s doctrine class.) He is able to preach to the natives without being disturbed by their many interruptions. It seems that Lowell Bush, shortly after graduation married Joyce Whittum. (That song they sang together in chapel sounded so nice.) Now they are singing over a radio station in Africa, In between times they are doing missionary work, and trying to keep up with their twins and triplets. And last but not least there was the fellow who has “Sunday” every day of the year. Oscar is his first name. He was the. quiet, studious sort of a fellow, and is now one of the instructors at B. B. I. Florence Empson. Eighteen

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B. B. I. NIGHT Let u$ imagine a visit to some of the students of the Baptist Bible Institute evening school. !n the late afternoon of any Tuesday or Friday we arrive iri Cedar Springs, and enLer the service department of a local garage where we find mechanics busy at their task of repairing automobiles. As we watch, one of the. mechanics glances at the clock, lays aside his tools, and with resolute steps is on his way to B. B. 1. Amidst the noisy clamor of a busy day in Grand Rapids, a voung lady closes her desk, rehearses in her mind the seven-fold classification of Prophecy, and hur- ries away to B. B. I. In Muskegon and Holland we hear the factory whistles blow, and see the workers come pouring out. We notice that several men and women seem to be in a special hurry, and we remember that this is B. B. I. night. A barber in Grand Rapids carefully locks the door of his shop, brushes the hair from his coal, and is on his way to B. B. I. Over in Wyoming Park an athletic coach lingers over the evening meal. Suddenly he is stirred to activity by the strike of the clock, and he sprints away to B. B. I. A farmer near Greenville leaves the plow early tonight, hurriedly milks the cows, and reviews in his mind once again the lesson in Personal Evangelism, for this is B. B- I. night. As we continue our visits we reach Rockford, Sand Lake, Newaygo, Sparta, MiddleviUe, Grandville, Fruitporl, and many places in Grand Rapids. At each stop we find busy people; housewives, laborers, clerks, business men, nurses, engineers, teachers, railroad workers, salesmen, maintenance men, and others in keen anticipation of their evening at B. B. I. Classes begin on the stroke of seven. Each, class is opened with prayer, and after roll call the subject is presented, usually in lecture form with occasional questions and discussion. Students love these sessions for the Word of God lives anew for them, knowledge is multiplied, and continual growth in grace and useful- ness to the Lord result. All too soon two class periods axe past, and the students, a hundred strong, pour into Chapel for a time of worship and praise before the last class. These are times of interest and real value, as well as variety. Informal times of praise and personal testimony, song and special music, and inspiring messages from special speakers and faculty make these periods soul refreshing. The last class of the evening follows, but another night is coming, and more precious knowledge is gained. There is never a dull moment: even the assign- ments are interesting, as this one proves: M-r. Quincer (to class in Homiletics), “Your assignment for this term will be to read and outline two chapters each week except during vacation—(long pause] —when your assignment will be five chapters.” Classes are over, and students linger in the hall (until Mr. Knot turns off the lights) to discuss news from many “battle fronts”, for these busy evening school students are also laborers in His vineyard as Sunday School teachers, Bible Club leaders, Sunday School superintendents, Gospel singers, preachers, and hearers of the gospel message in many places in Western Michigan, The words of our Lord, “Strengthen thy brethren,” (Luke 22:32) spoken to Peter, seem to have reached the hearts of the. faculty of our evening school. Busy pastors and equally busy instructors from the day school hold sacred the conviction that through their evening school classes an ever-increasing service to our Lord will be accomplished. Roy Botsuff T wen ty