Eastern Mennonite School - Shenandoah Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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FIRST ROW (left to right): M. T. Brackbill, Dorothy Kemrer, C. K. Lehman, D. W. Lehman. SECOND ROW: H. D. Weaver, D. R. Hostetter, E. G. Gehman, H. A. Brunk. THIRD ROW: Sadie Hartzler, J. R. Mumaw, Mrs. Paul Stauffer, M. J. Brunk. FOURTH ROW: Elsie Martin, Melvin Ruth, Homer Mumaw, Ada Zimmerman. FIFTH ROW: Mark Stauffer, Mrs. M. T. Brackbill, Lela Eshleman, Moses Slabaugh. Page Four

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John L. Stauffer, our able president, is one of our Bible teachers. He is a bishop, serves on numerous church com- mittees, and is frequently engaged in Bible Conference work. He works hard, and accomplishes much. He is a man of wide and varied experience, and a wise counselor. We esteem him truly as a man of God.—M. S. The President’s Message To the Graduating Class of 1940: Commencement time! You have reached your goal. I rejoice in your cultural achievement, but I rejoice more in your religious profession. Every one of you has professed the name of Christ and all are members of the same Christian fellowship. This fact makes you a distinctive group among the thousands of graduating classes of 1940, Each graduating class within the last decade has gone out into a depressed and distressed world, and you step out into a world at war. Our own nation has thus far been spared the ravages of war, but the future is uncertain, Our nation is not entirely guiltless of international provocations before the Judge of the whole earth. You have heard your parents relate experiences associated with World War Number One, but today you face the possibility of experiences that may await you because of World War Number Two. As representatives of the Mennonite Church, one of the historic peace churches, you can go forth with the same message that was heralded by the angels at the birth of our Saviour, “On earth, peace and good will toward men,” You can think peace, talk peace, and live peaceably with all men. True nonresistance is more than a mental conviction; it is a heart condition. The Christian who has the “peace of God” within, can be assured also of the “God of peace” as his protector and sustainer. Christ, the “Prince of peace”, must be a living reality to every true exponent of nonresistance. One cannot be a true exponent of peace unless he is fully separated unto God and separated from evil. Nonconformity to the world is a companion truth to the doc- trine of peace and good will to men. Our peacetime testimony and practice must be consistent with our wartime claim for exemption if we want it to be respected and granted by civil authorities. If our peacetime living is not consistent with our war- time claim, we will be reputed as cowards and judged unworthy of the desired exemption from carnal warfare. Such are the issues involved in these times. May every one of you graduates determine by the grace of God to be loyal to Christ and His Church, and faithfully exemplify the doctrine that has been handed down to us by our faithful forefathers. Your motto, “Forward with Christ,” should be very precious and real to you. The apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” John L. Stauffer. Page Three

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The Faculty Maurice T. Brackbill is our enthusiastic instructor in Physics, Mathematics and Speech Arts. He is director of Vesper Heights Mennonite Observatory and sponsor of the Astral and Scriblerus Societies. Thoroughness, promptness, and neatness are characteristics appreciated both by his fellow-instructors and by his students.—J. L. S. Dorothy C. Kemrer, devoted to the teaching of Latin and Greek, as well as Typing, and an occasional Mathematics course, is successful in stimulating students to thoroughness and mastery. She is an active Avian and Astralite, congenial, and deeply interested in student life and activity—M. T. B. Chester K. Lehman is our Dean and Registrar, a Minister, and head of the College Bible Department. Frequent calls come from various states for his services on Bible Instruction Programs. Students appreciate his deep interest in their educa- tional and spiritual problems.—D. C. K. Daniel W. Lehman is an efficient trainer of teachers. He instills in students the conviction to magnify the profession of teaching without compromise of Christian principles. Through personal example he impresses a wholesome attitude toward Christian recreation. In all of his work a youthful enthusiasm and energy is main- tained.—C. K. L. Our efficient bursar, H. D. Weaver, keeps us jolly with his pleasing personality. If you want money he has it; if you have money he wants it. He pays for our food, and coal, and remunerates the teachers. As composer of music and business manager of the School, he renders a unique service—D. W. L. The assistant dean who is head of the department of biology, D. Ralph Hostetter, is held in the highest esteem. His thoroughness and promptness on every occasion is a real challenge to all. We appreciate his fluency of speech, keen sense of humor and fine Christian character—H. D. W. Instructor in German, and in English Composition; intensely interested in the spiritual welfare of our young people; faithfully preaching the Word; brimful of ideas and suggestions; spicy and witty in discussions; sympathetic to the “Pennsyl- vania Dutch”—this is Ernest G. Gehman.—D. R. H. Harry A. Brunk, Valley-born, is distinctly a product of E. M. S. Popular first as student, now as History Department head, a s committee man, as public speaker extraordinary, he is vitally woven into the fabric that is E. M. S—E. G. G. Sadie Hartzler is concerned about what is correct in English. More “precious” to her is her Lord. She covets the constant fellowship with Christ in her own life and in the lives of others. She is a worthy spiritual adviser and teacher—H. A. B. Because the church has called John R. Mumaw to other phases of work, it is small wonder he hurries about when he is here. Students in Christian education and in literature find him enthusiastic and thorough. His congenial personal contacts and his practical addresses have enriched our lives.—S. A. H. Page Five