Page 222 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote and Some Stuff I Didn't (2011) H. Morris Williams

Then all of a sudden we were thrown into the world war (World War I).

All of our boys who were of age enlisted or were drafted into the Army,
and it was decided to close the college temporarily, or until the close of

the war.

The buildings and campus were offered to the government to take care
of the new recruits, and several companies were housed in the college

buildings.

Of course the faculty was scattered. This writer enlisted in the Army Y.
M. C. A. for the duration of the war. It was while we were in that service

that we met T. V. McCaul who was also in the Y. M. C. A. work. We

learn to admire and love him, and this blessed friendship has continued
through the years.

All Baptists know the rest of the stoiy.

Dr. S. B. Rogers, wise and sagacious leader that he was, held several

conferences with Dr. Lincoln Hulley, president of Stetson University,

who was gracious and farseeing.

Out of these conferences came the agreement which proved acceptable

to both the University trustees and the Convention, whereby our

educational interest became merged with Stetson in 1918.

Columbia College never opened its doors again, much to the sorrow and

disappointment of thousands of our people, and the property was deeded

by the Convention back to Lake City.

It was tendered by Lake City to the government and became a great
veterans hospital, being admirably suited to the purpose.

The merging of our educational interest with Stetson was a great move

for Florida Baptists, and we now have one of the greatest institutions of

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