Desk in dormitory room which Dan shared with a room mate
In my freshman year I experienced a number of firsts. Living in a dormitory or residence was new. All I had ever known was living at home with my parents. Within that first week the floor supervisor, who was a senior student and one that was to be the monitor or supervisor of our floor, told me to go to my room and be quiet. It was between 6:30am and 7:00 and we were supposed to have a quiet time, a devotional time. I was out in the hall talking with another student. I had read my Bible and had some prayer while at home, but every day and at 6:30 in the morning? Well, learning to have a quiet time with the Lord was the beginning of a life long journey. I have often wished that I had done better through the years, but I have at least done what I could in spending time with the Lord each day.
Another first was partaking of communion. I've mentioned this in a previous post, but since The Salvation Army did not follow the ordinance of communion or baptism, my first communion service was at PBI. What a thrill, over 2,000 people, students, staff, faculty and community people worshiping together in the big old Prairie Tabernacle. Other firsts included a monthly prayer Sunday. We would not have a noon meal, which on other Sundays was a lunch that we would prepare at breakfast time. That noon hour on prayer Sunday was spent in provincial and state prayer meetings. Since there were some 900 students on campus there was a goodly number from most provinces and states. There was probably at least 20 or 25 fellows from Ontario that gathered for prayer each month. Since there was a strict boy/girl rule at PBI, we had separate prayer meetings. The Ontario girls met somewhere else. The prayer Sunday afternoon had another service in the tabernacle.
Each class session began with prayer. Also Monday through Friday there was a missions prayer meeting, which was optional at 4:00pm until 4:30pm. Some students would go for a few minutes but had to leave early to be at their assigned student work at 4:30pm. Student work was called gratis. Since the cost of a school year, late September to mid April cost $235.00, each student was required to do 90 minutes of work on campus each day. My first student work was being in the kitchen at 5:30am to help make breakfast, usually oatmeal porridge or cream of wheat. Since I was trying to have my quiet time before going to work, I was getting up at 4:45am. I did that until Christmas and then asked for a change. I was then assigned the job of cleaning toilets in J-K Dorm. Other student jobs in the succeeding years included shoveling snow off of sidewalks. The last two years were great. I worked in the kitchen dishing out seconds and receiving the dirty serving bowls, scraping them out for washing. The great thing about that job was, I would go early and eat my noon and supper meal, which I could do in 15 minutes or so. Then my work was done while others were eating. Couldn't have had it any better. Another added blessing was that in my senior year my sister Barbara had her grade eleven year in the Prairie High School. We were able to meet for a few minutes each day.
The Friday night meetings were usually planned and executed by the students. It was an enjoyable time. Sometimes we had special speakers, other times, music nights and a variety of meetings. Of course there was the daily chapel held on school days which consisted of guest missionary and Bible speakers. Many of the chapels, two seniors would give their chapel message. These were usually about ten minutes each.
All in all, my four school years at Prairie Bible Institute were times of drawing near to God and learning more about His Word. The teachers were all good and unique in their own way. I remember J. M. Murray for his three years of teaching the Book of Psalms. My homiletics teacher taught us to have eye contact with our audience. The big joke was, he never did. He would look down the centre aisle and then up in the right corner or the room. If you asked who my two favorite teachers were, I would have to say L. E. Maxwell and Dave Enarson.
I stayed the summer of 1951 and worked on campus in construction. I was
given two weeks vacation, but the cook, Delbert Davidson, asked if I
would help him drive east. So, I was able to get an extra two weeks,
giving me a month at which I rode with the Davidson family, helping
drive to Chatham. They then drove on to Vermont to visit family and
picked me up for the drive home. The summer's work was to compensate
for the next school year. Taking a couple extra weeks off meant throwing in
a few extra dollars towards my school year.
The fun and fellowship with fellow students was great. Even now, 64 years since I graduated, I have had email contact with some classmates. Three of my classmates contributed an endorsement to my second book. I've never had any regrets for those school years. They hold many fond memories.
The fun and fellowship with fellow students was great. Even now, 64 years since I graduated, I have had email contact with some classmates. Three of my classmates contributed an endorsement to my second book. I've never had any regrets for those school years. They hold many fond memories.
Receiving my diploma from Rev. L.E. Maxwell
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