Keep Ringing the Bell
The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, is one of America’s oldest colleges. A little-known fact is that this honored institution was closed in 1881 due to the Civil War and a lack of finances. It remained closed for seven years.
Yet its president, Benjamin Ewell, never lost hope for the school. In anticipation of the day when the college would re-open and fill with students, he rang its bell every day of those seven years.
Christians can maintain this type of persistent hope, too, no matter how bleak our situations look. As St. Paul writes, we “boast in our hope,” which “does not disappoint us” (see Romans 5:2-5, NRSV).
Yet its president, Benjamin Ewell, never lost hope for the school. In anticipation of the day when the college would re-open and fill with students, he rang its bell every day of those seven years.
Christians can maintain this type of persistent hope, too, no matter how bleak our situations look. As St. Paul writes, we “boast in our hope,” which “does not disappoint us” (see Romans 5:2-5, NRSV).
