Eastern Mennonite School - Shenandoah Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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Page Eleven

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Page Ten Ambassadors for Christ There is a rather long list of things which should characterize a student who is being graduated from an institution of learning. The diploma which he receives on commencement day of course represents many of these things. It shows that he has passed a prescribed course of study and has made an acquaintance with various fields of knowledge such as the sciences, mathematics, literature, and languages. But the graduate must have learned more than that. Knowledge such as we have just mentioned is simply the tools. It is necessary for the student to have learned how to use these tools. The heart as well as the head must be trained. Some one has said that the quest for truth should bring one repose of mind. We might call this the satisfaction of studying. Keen delight is also found in study- ing. The pleasure of seeing new worlds through microscope and telescope has made many a heart throb with joy. It has been said, however, that the touchstone of edu- cation is sympathy—to have a feeling of kindness toward the unfortunate and to be sincerely helpful. A greatness of soul is one of the best marks of an educated person. But there is yet one mark of an educated person that we would mention. We trust that it is a mark that characterizes each member of our graduating class. That mark is simply this: The pursuit of a great purpose. The class of 1938 has chosen for its motto, “Ambassadors for Christ.” To engage in ambassadorship for Christ, we believe, is pursuing a great purpose. It is also an old purpose, this business of representing Christ, for it was to this task that a small group of men devoted themselves almost two thousand years ago. To be ambassadors for Christ has been the desire of thousands of lives since those early days of Christianity. And there is associated with these lives a nobleness of character and a peace of soul that comes only by devotion and service to Christ. We are happy that we too can follow this same path, confident that the same devotion and service to the same Christ will yield in our lives the same fruit. To be ambassadors for Christ means a great deal more than applauding the ideals and aims of the Christian faith. For a youth, or anyone, to serve Christ means to serve Him and no one else. To be an ambassador for Christ—-the kind of ambassador Christ would have one to be—calls for a severe attitude toward oneself. “Let him deny him- self and take up his cross and follow me.” The talents of Christian youth are solicited everywhere for non-Christian purposes. The temptation for a Christian youth so to use his abilities is strong. It can be overwhelming. In nothing does a young Christian need to guard more carefully than in the choosing of a life’s work. We repeat, to follow Christ means to follow Him and no one else. But let it be remembered that the same Christ who requires us to deny ourselves is able to give us the needed courage and vision to do so. Vhere are within the Mennonite Church unlimited opportunities for “Ambassa- dors for Christ.” There is a desperate need in our Church for greater spirituality. Here is a life-long challenge that is best met by a daily living that is quiet, consistent and sympathetic. Within our Church, however, 1 is a growing missionary spirit. It is expressing itself in a general expansion of missionary endeavor, such as the found- ing of new mission stations and the conducting of summer Bible schools. If we can serve as ambassadors for Christ in any such enterprises we should consider it a privilege. As ambassadors for Christ we must serve Him in the way that He desires. If | we would build for Him it must be according to His design. “Except the Lord build | the house, they labor in vain that build it.” His message of love, His redemption for mankind, can be made known only by those who are captured by His spirit and pos- sessed with His grace. i For each ambassador of Christ there is that strong assurance, “Lo, I am with you.” | In the confidence of such Presence we can be equal to the tasks ak today and measure ' up to the responsibilities of tomorrow. —Grant M. Stoltzfus. I | — | |

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Paye Twelve Chester K. Lehman Class Adviser Harrisonburg, Va. Has a sympathetic concern for our class . . . has many and varied interests . . . applies himself intensively to his numer- ous tasks . . . students appreciate his fair and thoughtful consideration of their problems . .. a profound philosophical and theological thinker . . . serves School and Church with sincere devotion. Wanda Baugher FS, Bea bY Harrisonburg, Va. Philomathean; Astralite LV. Vivacious, congenial . . . conscientious worker . . . persuasive and frank speaker .. . devoted governess of Bro. Mumaw’s children . . . appreciative of Christian opportunities. H. Ernest Bennett Cumberland, Md. College Bible IIT, TV Alleghany H. 8. °33; E. M. S. Jr. Coll. ’86; Smithsonian ; Astralite I, Il) LIL Avian 1V;.Y. P.. Ce Ay President Lil; IV; Class President III, IV. Enterprising and business-like . . . engaging conversationalist . . . possesses all-around athletic skill . . . successful as hall- manager . . . respected for courtesy and sincerity . . . will be first E. M. S. graduate to be awarded Th. B. degree. J. Herbert Brubaker Piel, LV Mount Joy, Pa. Armerian; Men’s Chorus III, IV; Avian IV. Indispensable electrician in dormitory ... tall in stature . . ready helper .”. . refuses to be despondent .. . a friend to everybody ...a future farmer of Lancaster County. June E. Burkholder He SAlyv Denbigh, Va. Philomathean; Mixed Chorus IV; Avian IV. Fine sense of humor . . . cultivated tastes, refined manner... delights in writing original compositions ... versatile... her buoyant spirit and joviality are infectious. John Byer Tampa, Fla. Hes ea Ly Philomathean JI, IIT, IV; Armerian II; Men’s Chorus IV; Mixed Chorus IV; Avian LV. Our professional umpire . . . amateur electrician . . . aviation enthusiast ... sober and deliberative . . . his resourcefulness and determination make him self-reliant.