Lebanon Valley College - Quittapahilla Yearbook (Annville, PA)

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Biography EV. LAWRENCE KEISTER, D.D., was born near Scottdale, Pa., the youngest child of a large family. His father was Solomon Keister, the impress of whose fine personality and beautiful Christ- ian character is seen in all of his children. He was a spiritual father, to many others who came in contact with him; and many young men have been helped by his sweet spirit, kindly admonition and generous material help. His large benefactions knew no partiality in the work of his chosen church. The son had the good fortune to be brought up on the farm ; and he shared all the benefits that are incident to such open air life. His early training was secured in a country school, which he attended until he com- pleted all that this school offered. This was supplemented by reading and private study, the value of which he early learned. In the fall of 1877 he entered Otterbein University, and graduated in the class of ' 82. The following autumn he entered the School of Theology of Boston University, from which he graduated, with second honors, in the spring of 18S5. He also studied philosophy under Prof. Borden P. Brown at this University. He has been honored ' with the following degrees: B.S., Otterbein; A.B. and A.M , Leander Clark; S.T.B., Boston University; D.D. Lebanon Valley. During the years spent in Boston Dr. Keister made the acquaintance of, and came into fellowship with, Bishop Phillips Brooks, whose great preach- ing, and heart-to-heart, fatherly converse, in the Bishop ' s own study, have exercised a profound influence in his life. He spent two years and eight months on the Pacific Coast, where he visited the principal cities and engaged in fruit growing for over two years. But such could not be his life ' s work, for his talents demanded other em- ployment; and in obedience to a voice, not his own, he returned to the East and took up the work of the pastorate in Allegheny Conference Here he

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served several of the most important stations, Wilkinsburg, Scottdale and Mt. Pleasant. From the last named he was elected to the presidency of Lebanon Valley in June 1907. He has published lectures in Homiletics ; the Christian ' s Calendar, a vest pocket companion containing selections from the Bible and the writings of men, together with notes of interpretation by the author. It is designed to give daily spiritual furnishing for the Christian; also a small volume en- titled, Parables for the People. It is written for him whose citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven, and is a guide to him in all that is vital in his conduct as a Christian citizen. It presents Christ as the life of the Christian and as his ideal in conduct. It proves to be most helpful to him who strives to be perfect as the Father in heaven is perfect. The presidency of Lebanon Valley College at this time is a great oppor- tunity. It is such because of conditions that have root in the past. But it is, as well, a great responsibility. Its duties are tiresome and burdensome, and no small man can measure up to them. And yet a man — the man- — has been found. Too big to use any position he has ever held for his per- sonal advancement, and modest and generous to a fault, he at last finds himself where at the call of duty, he shows himself capable of working out the solution of an untoward situation. The recently equipped laboratories, the new walks and other improve- ments, the peace and quiet of a very successful year, a contended and loyal student body, an enlightened and more interested constituency and large plans for the future that meet with favor from all who hear of them, and more beside, all attest the wisdom of the choice of the Board of Trustees in June 1907.