Roberts - The Life and Times of Charles A. Roberts

Lyman and Milton were devout Christians. Union Oil millionaires who gave generously for the education of Christian men and women. They had envisioned a Bible Institute on each continent of the world. However, after the 1929 financial crisis in t he U.S., their plans were set aside. Encouraged to go for further schooling while waiting for the political situation in China to be resolved, Charles attended the Presbyterian Seminary in San Francisco. He thoroughly enjoyed the intellectual and theological challenge of his studies. It had been 13 years since he graduated from college. Faith and Miriam attended a local school, while Dede remained with Grace who was expecting another child. While at seminary. Charles received a telegram announcing twin girls had been born to Grace. His first thought was that his fellow friends at seminary were teasing him, so he went to the railway station to verify the news. He telegraphed "doubly overjoyed" and named the children Jean and Joyce. He rushed back to Glendale to see his new children for himself. This had been a good year for the whole family. Faith and Miriam, especially, enjoyed the time they spent with their father and a whole family together for a year. They attended the local elementary school and loved helping with the babies in the family. In May of 1928 conditions in China appeared to stabilize. Charles left immediately for Changsha. Grace and the three small children (Dede and the twins) waited until summer to return to China, with Grace's two missionary sisters. Bessie and Florence, and mother Pike. Faith and Miriam went to live with their Grandma Louisa in Vancouver, to complete their schooling and two get ready for college in a few years. without more interruptions. If all these family separations and traveling difficulties seem strange, it was normal for most missionary families in China at that time. The education of children, the unstable political situation and economic situation. and the separations were the average expectancies of life in this troubled period. The stressful conditions and frustrations accompanying the rapid expansion of H.B.I. had made family holidays a special and cherished time. Charles had purchased a 16mrn movie camera to record many of these family experiences in China.

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