Accused but Forgiven
One of the endearing preachers of the last century was known by the name “Uncle Bud” Robinson. He was born one hundred and sixty-six years ago on January 27, 1860 in White County, TN. Bud Robinson moved to Texas, and took up cowboying. In his autobiography called Sunshine and Smiles, he told of his wonderful conversion to Christ at an old Methodist campmeeting.
During the invitation, the young cowboy fell under deep conviction, and started to make his way down to the alter. He related the experience: “I met the devil in the aisle and he tried to keep me from going to the altar. He told me that people would make fun of my greasy breeches, and my dirty shirt. I right then lost confidence in the devil. He had put the old dirty clothes on me, and as I had started to get new ones the devil tried to keep me from going. Then the devil came up and said, ‘Everybody will know that you have got a deck of cards and a pistol.’ The old rascal! I had got them both from him, and now when I wanted to get something better he made fun of me. When I reached the altar it was full...I fell on my face, stretched in the altar” (p. 38-43).
On the night Bud Robinson was saved, he found out an important tactic of our adversary. Satan will tempt us into sin, and then point the finger. The Devil is rightly called: “the accuser of the brethren.”
Sincere but Wrong
Some stories happen close to you that you never forget. During my teenage years, I grew up only a mile away from the Ohio Turnpike in North Central Ohio. Exit 7 was about 2 miles from my house, and traveling west you would traverse the 916 foot double spanned bridge that crossed the Sandusky River just before Exit 8.
Forty-five years ago, on Thursday, January 8, 1981, a freak, heavy fog appeared on that bridge at about 10:30 p.m. The blindness quickly caused accidents on both sides of the highway. In total 11 vehicles were involved with six injuries and three fatalities.
Only one of the deaths resulted from the collisions. The other two occurred because of mistakes. As the scene was later reconstructed the calamity became apparent.
In the eastbound lane, 38 year-old Earl Gregory of Uniontown, OH, heard and saw the crashing of cars. Fleeing his vehicle for safety, he jumped over what he thought was a guard rail.
In the westbound lane, Roy D. Rogers, a 29 year-old man from Mexia, Texas, heard an injured motorist screaming in pain. Running to his assistance, he jumped over what he also thought was a guardrail.
Minutes later, as the fog lifted, rescuers were horrified to see the bodies of these two men now dead on the ice below. A reporter summed up the situation: “They apparently thought that they were jumping over to the safety of a nonexistent median.” Forty-five years ago, as I read the newspaper account, I could visualize the awful scene.
Over the years I have recalled this heartbreaking tale, but with a more sobering ending.
How many people are caught in the fog of life, and in place of Christ they make that jump into eternity trusting in the safety of religion, good works, or even “the church”, for their eternity? But in the end, instead of reward, they experience everlasting tragedy.
Wonderful Christmas Offering
With the rising costs associated with everything, the staff and students at Heritage Baptist College are so appreciative of all those who financially give. The need for training the next generation in the Word of God is great, and it takes resources to supply a quality education. This year’s Christmas goal was $5,000.
We are happy to report that the Christmas giving reached just over $7,300. The Christmas project this year was directed toward needed heating repairs and smaller projects.
Thank you so much for all those who took part in this special offering!
Classes Resume on January 21, 2026
Second semester classes begin on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. We want to invite those interested in taking classes to sign up for the Spring term. A full listing of both day and evening classes, along with a special student registration form is available on our website (www.hbcindiana.com), or by contacting the office.
We look forward to a fine schedule of chapel preachers and other special events planned for this year.
The speaker for our first chapel on January 21st at 11:30 a.m. is Dr. Wayne Scott from Faith Baptist Church, Morristown, IN.
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend the 2nd semester opening chapel & lunch. You are cordially invited.
2026 Dates to Remember
The second semester at Heritage Baptist College includes many special events that are designed to help strengthen the churches:
| Semester Begins |
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Wednesday, January 21 |
| Easter Break |
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April 1 - 3 |
| Graduation Week |
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May 5 - 7 |
| Graduation Banquet |
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Tuesday, May 5th, 7:00 p.m. |
| Combined Church Service |
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Wednesday, April 6th, 7:00 p.m. |
| Commencement |
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Thursday, May 7th, 7:00 p.m. |