When the boys were sacrificing all, if need be, on the field of battle,
unparalleled sacrifices were made at home to keep the college going. The heroism
of those who remained at home was worthy of the heroism of those who went to the
front. By 1864 a debt of $12,000 had accumulated, and the future looked very
dark indeed. By efforts that were almost superhuman this debt was paid off in
1866. The war was over, and the college manfully addressed itself to the task of
reconstruction, and in the coming years provided for the church and the nation
the type of leadership needed in days of crisis.

In 1871 Dr. Scarff was succeeded by Dr. Louis A. Dunn, through whose wise
management the college recovered all that was lost during the war. Failing
health caused him to retire in 1881, the same year that Dr. and Mrs. Stoddard
returned to their loved work in India. The presidency was then tendered to Dr.
Gardner, who, because of ill health, was able to give only three years to the
work. Prof. Tripp became the acting president for the following year, when Dr.
Reed was elected to succeed Dr. Gardner. He remained with the college for only
one year. Fortunately, Dr. Dunn was able to take the helm again. He served the
college faithfully until the day of his death, which took place on Thanksgiving
Day, 1888. His successor was Rev. S. J. Axtell, who resigned in 1890. Dr.
Stuart, then pastor of the Pella Baptist Church, followed him, and gave five
years of distinguished service to the school. During his first year in office
Cotton Hall was built to accommodate the increasing number of students. No
sooner was Cotton Hall completed when plans were made for the erection of the Y.
M. and Y. W. C. A. building, which was later generally known as the Auditorium.
Owing to financial difficulties it took nearly ten years to complete this
building. Dr. Stuart literally wore himself out so that he was obliged to resign
in 1895. Dr. Chaffee, as his successor, made a warm place for himself in the
life of town and college alike. Upon his resignation in 1899 Prof. Bush was made
acting president for one year, when Dr. Garrison took over the work, and held
the reins of government successfully for nine years. In 1905 Jordan Hall of
Natural Sciences was erected. The following year Dr. Dunn's son honored the
memory of his father by erecting Dunn Cottage as a home for the president. Dr.
Garrison was followed by Dr. Beyl, whom neither the town or college will soon
forget. His successor was Dr. Bailey, who at one of the most critical periods of
Central's history showed himself a master of the situation.

Such is the rather cold narrative of events previous to the transfer of the
college in 1916. Words at best can never do justice to Central's history. In a
brief account like this much of thrilling interest must necessarily be omitted.
One would like to mention some of the outstanding teachers by name, recite at
great length the heroic work of the Ladies' Auxiliary, and give a list of all
the alumni. One must content himself with a bare sketch.

Central has aways been stamped by the ideal of Christian service. For that
reason primarily her influence has been felt the whole world round. Among her
graduates are those who have distinguished themselves in the halls of our state
and national legislatures, several court justices, eminent jurists, skilled
physicians and surgeons, leaders in the teaching profession, business men of
marked ability, bankers, preachers of God's abiding word and missionaries who
brought and are still bringing the spirit of Christ and of Central to the ends
of the earth.

Much could be written about the various attempts on the part of the Baptists to
unify their educational program. It is a pity that such plans could not be
carried out without some unpleasant incidents. Suffice it to say that after much
debate and prolonged discussion it was decided to centralize their educational
work in Iowa at Des Moines, and to offer Central College as a gift to the
Reformed Church in America. The proffered gift was gratefully and
enthusiastically accepted.