Opening Chapel
The opening chapel service for the Fall Semester at Heritage Baptist College was held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.
Dr. Dave Martin brought a special message from the Bible on “A Pharisee, A Sinner, and the Saviour,” encouraging the students and pastors with the story of the woman and the alabaster box. Besides the preaching, there was also special music and testimonies.
A wonderful group of preachers, friends, and visitors attended the opening.
What a special start to the new semester!
Your Heart Will Tell
My grandfather, Dr. D.W. Crankshaw was the epitome of the wise country doctor. He was born on September 8, 1887, and he later began his practice in Michigan, often using a horse and buggy. Dr. Crankshaw went on to serve in combat stations in two World Wars, and retired to practice medicine in central Florida. Without the use of modern technology, his methods would now be considered outdated, yet his great skill became widely known. Dr. Crankshaw had studied at the early Mayo Clinic, and was a specialist in four areas. One of his strongest areas was diagnosis.
One day, a local resident named Dink Wells came to Dr. Crankshaw’s office in Lake Placid. Dink did not like to visit doctors, and he had never been to Doc Crankshaw’s office before. But having felt so poorly for several days, he submitted to visit a physician.
Dr. Crankshaw had him sit down, and then with a stethoscope in hand he wheeled his stool over and listened to Dink’s heart. After a minute he pushed the stool back, thought a moment, and then rolled the stool close and listened again to Dink’s heart. Again he pushed his stool back and thought.
Finally Dr. Crankshaw asked, “Dink, have you been in here before? Have I ever examined you?”
“No sir,” replied Dink, “it has been a long time since I have been examined by any doctor.”
Dr. Crankshaw thought again then asked, “Were you in the Army at Camp Blanding in 1942?”
“Yes sir,” answered Dink, I did go up to Camp Blanding for a physical to enlist for WWII, but they turned me down because of my heart.”
Dr. Crankshaw smiled and answered, “Dink, I was that physician.”
My grandfather remembered Dink Wells after all those years because of his unique heart.
In a spiritual sense, many a Christian is known by the “heart” they have for the work of the Lord. Living a lifetime for God takes that kind of commitment.
“The Preacher” (Solomon) refers to “thine heart” in 23 passages in the three books that he penned. “Give me thine heart” is a phrase given to encourage Christians.
If the Lord has our heart, He will be able to direct in our lives.
Sermon in Snakes
Chester Bedell, became famous locally in his lifetime, and as the report circulated after his death, his tomb was often visited.
I first read the story of Chester Bedell as a boy in the Sword of the Lord Scrapbook.
Chester Bedell lived in Northeast Ohio during the 1800’s. He married into a Presbyterian family, but revolted against the teachings of the Bible. In the era of Darwin and others who denied the Word of God, Bedell looked toward “human reason” as his savior.
Bedell became wealthy, and owned 2500 acres of ground east of Akron, Ohio. He used some of that money to make several trips to the Holy Land attempting to disprove Christianity. He even wrote a book portraying his views.
As the Fall of 1908 approached, Chester Bedell is said to have defied God one last time by challenging: “If there is a God, may snakes infest my grave.” He died shortly thereafter. His September obituary in the Alliance Review> read: “Two days before his death he lapsed into unconsciousness without having expressed a murmur at the grasp of the icy hands upon him. He died hopeless of the future as he had lived.”
Bedell had earlier painstakingly arranged his burial. From his wealth, he had constructed a well-drained vault, a large stone pedestal and a lifelike bronze statue of himself. The statue showed Bedell holding up a scroll that read “Universal Mental Liberty,” while his foot was on another scroll (signifying the Bible) entitled “superstition.” The total marker stood over 15 feet high.
According to firsthand accounts, snakes started appearing from day one, especially large black snakes. The low placement of the grave and the drainage may have been an attractant for the snakes...still the Bedell grave got all the snakes it could handle.
In 1943 the lower part of the Hartzell Cemetery was moved for the creation of Berlin Reservoir. Chester Bedell’s grave was the only grave moved which had a vault.
My father-in-law pastors in NE Ohio only a couple of towns over from that cemetery. Knowing that I was only a few miles from this famous spot, I visited and took pictures of the monument. All the time, of course, I was looking for snakes...and I am kind of glad that I didn’t find any. The removed grave is now located on high ground but only the tall pedestal remains. The statue of Bedell was taken down years ago. I stood there thinking on this infidel whom over 100 years ago found out - There is a God!
A long-time resident and next-door neighbor, Bob Brown saw me, and invited me over to his house. Along with his wife Almagene, he offered me more information on the famous atheist, including the whereabouts of the once hidden Bedell statue. As I left, I asked Mr. Brown if he believed the snake accounts of the original grave. He concurred.
A century ago, the Chester Bedell gravesite was a frequent attraction, with as many as 200 people visiting on a single day. As the reputation of the atheist and his snakes grew, some residents wanted the statue taken down. Back then, the old caretaker refused stating – “it preached too many sermons!”
