to swim. nearly drowned.
He recalled these events and how his new friends at a nearby church had encouraged him to become involved in the church. At 17 years of age the Peoples' Church of Toronto encouraged Charles to attend a Bible College in Ft. Wayne. Indiana, now called Taylor University. At the church he heard Rev. Carl Nowack speak of the work in China. Today, a scholarship bearing Charles' name is given each year at the university to a student who has serious interest in overseas missions. Charles was eager to attend the school although he found it difficult to leave his mother who would now be left alone in Canada. However, she was brave and believed that he would benefit from this experience. He entered the Bible college with a strong English accent amidst a large group of Swiss-German Mennonites. It was a coed school, and all the students were responsible for chores around the campus to cam their room and board. There was a wonderful family relationship in this college setting. As an only child, he enjoyed it thoroughly. One evening he and a friend took two girls out on a date and were late in returning to the school. Charles apologized for his error and was allowed to remain. but the other young man was incensed and left the school. Twenty years later he met up with his friend again, who was by then a bishop in the Methodist Church in New York. At the end of two years Charles graduated from college in June 1914. With a promise from Florence Suter to marry him, Charles went to visit her family and farm in Watertown, Ohio. Florence was four years older than Charles and had teaching credentials, teaching experience and musical talent. The large, hard working Suter family with six sons and two daughters was a new experience for Charles. His mother, Louisa, in Canada was disappointed that her son was going to marry so soon and to an American girl. In October 1914, Florence and Charles were married and traveled the mid-west to raise money to support their planned work in China. The next year, their first child, Faith, was born on the farm in Ohio. The doctor came to the house and encouraged Charles to observe the labor and delivery. The doctor wisely instructed Charles on the process because he said Charles might have to deliver the next child in China or help others! True enough!
In 1916, Florence, Charles and baby Faith sailed for China. This was difficult for
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