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Liberty Freedom 2 "The success which . .. is in part to be traced to the talents and matchless wis dom and integretity of the Commander-In-Chief ... and to the superintending prov idence of God, who designed to rescue the Pilgrams from foriegn oppression, and in spite of their many faults, to make them a great nation in which religous and civil liberty should be perpetuated, and all men left free to pursue their own means of happiness and develop the inexhaustible resources of a great and boundless empire." HIIITA&I (lpJ •I" . II (lpJ z Ill > D c A church, first of all, is people. Our church in its early days was men like Joseph Bates, James White, Hiram Edson, and J. N. Andrews. ~ ~~~"·~~ It was women too, like Mrs. Hiram Edson, who sold her silverware to help publish the sanctuary, and timid wispy Ellen Harmon, whom God called at 17 to teach a people the "matchless charms of Christ." A church is people; but people aren't a church unless they have something to say, a message from the Lord. Seventh-day Adventists have seen miracles aplenty. Schools, hospitals, publishing houses established on a shoe string. Visions sent from the Lord just when needed most. And greater mira cles, the conversion and dedication of people, including young people, to difficult, selfless service. But the great miracle that this church was designed for , it is still wait ing to see. The Seventh-day Adventist Church cannot rest satisfied until Jesus comes again at the second advent. 1LELBN. A t-;' I'A H t)'J'. W£11I UI'l$ tiAIIII,\Pi 1 lllf.SI.l't\11-I UJIIl\l iSJ "As God sent His servant to warn the world of the com ing flood, so He sent chosen messengers to make known the nearness of the final judgment. And as Noah's contempo raries laughed to scorn the predictions of the preacher of righteousness, so in Miller's day many, even of the professed people of God, scoffed at the words of warning." p. 339 GC "Abundant light has been given to our people in these last days . Whether or not my life is spared, my writings will con stantly speak, and their work will go forward as long as time shall last." E.G. White. u CALL T O REMEMBRANCE T HE FORME Fl. DAYS." HIIITAGI On July 4, 1948, at the conference campground of Wes cosville, conference leaders held a meeting to decide wheth er or not to build a boarding academy for Pennsylvania Youth. Elder T. E. Unruh was for this idea and strongly urged it on. A committee was formed, called the Educational Expan sion Committee, and was given power to act for the constit uency in the matter of establishing the boarding school. As the committee brought their ideas to the churches of Pen nsylvania, 96~% of the members approved the plans and played their support. The search began for the land on which this boarding school could be built. Three years passed and there was no land to be found. The building funds were going down, as was the faith. In 1949, the churches contributed nearly $5000.00, in 1950 less than $1500.00 and in 1951 there was $800.00. In August 7, 1952, Mr. J. Lu Bausher consented to con sider an offer. Bausher was the owner of the Blue Moun tain Springs Dairy, outside of Hamburg. On January 28, 1953, the sales agreement was signed. The final settlement was on April 1. The new owners of the Blue Moun tain Springs Dairy was the East Penn sylvania Conference. The land they owned consisted of 667 of land, 169 head of cattle, and a full line of farm equipment. During the first year, the Building Fund's staggering sum was nearly $220,000.00. May 3 and 10, 1953, were the first official visiting days to the new school property. More than 500 people toured the grounds of the anxiously-awaited land of their school. April 4, 19 54, waa the official "Ground-Breaking Day." The people who participated in this event were: W. B. Ochs, Charlene Snyder, D. A. Ochs, E. A. Robertson, David Martin, Harold S. Campbell, and T. E. Unruh. Soon excuvation was begun and then the construction of the buildings commenced. The Girl's Dorm, the Boy's Dorm, and the Dining Hall, were completed on March 1; 19 55. School began in the Fall! "Servants of God, with their faces "The great controversy is ended. Sin lighted up and shining with holy con and sinners are no more. The entire uni secration, will hasten from place to verse is clean. One pulse of harmony place to proclaim the message from and gladness beats through the vast cre heaven. By thousands of voices, all ation. From Him who created all, flow over the earth, the warning will be giv life and light and gladness, throughout en. Miracles will be wrought, the sick the realms of illimitable space. From will be healed, and signs and wonders the minutest atom to the greatest will follow the believers. Satan also world, all things, animate and inani works with lying wonders, even bring mate, in their unshadowed beauty and ing down fire from heaven in the sight perfect joy, declare that God is love." of men. Thus the inhabitants of the p 678 GC earth will be brought to take their stand." p. 612 GC "Used by Permission" 15 "Even So, Lord Come Quickly" "And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelation of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemp tion, and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devo tion, and with more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise." P. 678 GC 16 *~* ~*~*~* *~* DEDICATION To the pioneers who came to this country in search of reli gious liberty; To the men who struggled to develop a nation where each man can worship according to the dictates of his own con science; To the millions who gave their lives for freedom's causes; Many generations have passed since your time, but we still remember your sacrifices; To that small group of men and women who sought and found new truth; To those who worked to raise a church which would strong ly support religious freedom; To those who gave of themselves that others might have new life; Other leaders now fill your places, but we have not forgot ten the heritage you gave us; To the men and women who, over twenty-five years ago , had a dream of a school where their young people could be taught of God; To those who sacrificed to make that dream a reality; To the parents and staff who have tried to teach us of the Man who gives real freedom; To all of you, the founders and supporters of religious liberty, we dedicate this alburnn. 17 Principal's MESSAGE Dear Students, It has been a privilege to have you as students at Blue Mountain Academy this year. I have especially appreciated your positive attitude, your spirit of cooperation and sense of dedication. Blue Mountain Academy has been made a much better school be cause of your contribution. You will recall the wonderful time you had at BMA as you leaf through the pages of this beautiful yearbook in the days ahead. The staff has endeavored to give you every opportunity to grow spiritually this year. Some of you have accepted Christ for the first time while others have rededicated their lives to Him. This spiritual growth on campus has resulted in a very positive year. I pray that you have taken full advantage of the spiritual opportunities and are daily preparing to meet Jesus when he comes in the very near future. Christ's work as our intercessor will soon be completed and He will declare, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous; let him be righteous still ; and he that is holy, let him be wholly still." Revelation 22 : 11. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for each one where the "ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the widespreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God's people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home." " My people shall dwell in a peaceful habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls salvation, and thy gates Praise. They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another: ... Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." Great Controversy, p. 675 Where have you chosen to spend eternity? Will you be ready when Jesus comes? It has been a thrilling experience for me to assist you in your educational and spiritual development this year, and I pray that you will remain faithful to your commitment to meet Jesus in the near future.