Roberts - The Life and Times of Charles A. Roberts

The establishment of the large Yale Medical School, Hospital and High School by his own alma mater propelled Dr. Keller to pursue the building of what was to become the Hunan Bible Institute. He quickly went out to purchase 25 acres of land just outside the city near some ancient grave sites. He then arranged for American architects. from Shanghai, to draw up the plans for a beautiful main building of three stories with a central atrium and Chinese style roofs with curved corners. He wished to make the best use of Chinese style design along with the best of the western design plus modern amenities. A large Ivy-league grass quadrangle fronted the main building with two large dormitories. three stories high, on each side of the quadrangle. Single private rooms, and several baths on each floor which were planned in dormitories faced each other across the green quad and fronted the main building. Trees, plants and flowers lined the quad and dorms. Five large western-style homes were also built for faculty members both Chinese and American. A high 15 foot wall with an imposing gate-house encircled and secured the campus. Charles would soon have a large hand in planning for trees and flowers, the overall landscaping of the campus was an assignment he enjoyed. In all China, this campus would soon become the second largest campus with its beautiful buildings. Changsha was a new assignment for Charles. He had first crossed the pacific Ocean and entered China in 1916 with his beautiful wife. Florence, and baby daughter, Faith. They were independent missionaries supported by churches and friends from Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin. Reverend Carl Nowack and several other missionaries had recruited them for evangelistic work in the province of Hunan, north of the Yangtze River.

CHILDHOOD AND MARRIAGE

Charles once remarked that it was the enthusiastic concern for missions that his wife Florence had, along with her teaching and music credentials, which encouraged him to go to China. While spending 30 days sailing the Pacific Ocean to China, he began to think of how only just six years previously, in May 191 O. he had left England to cross the Atlantic Ocean with his widowed mother emigrating to Canada. He was then only 15 years of age and had just completed his schooling in St. Sidwell's Cathedral School in Exeter, England. Charles had

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