Practical Bible Training School - Theologue Yearbook (Johnson City, NY)

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,J .gal--A -rw-L. ,J O Q ..-M.-. o ofoooo X If .ff AM, Af if y X. Zfx?f.4rrf Q? V!! xg LW IKAM JW, LN' I 4 A 5-I iffy 'fm 51fI'f9I,,'-P X :f'j? f'TQ:Q, .UU M .V Vkmx H I N IT. ww., .Il V ob Q of W, . , K K . I ..-., U o o Q QQ o' 1',,.1!, U' ' , W -s V X 'Lv ua' OO of NLM doa., df vo or O U- U '. L4.Q,.5oof' LZIgQL?i3k'?x JJ 47-?'5.o 1glA76?f,w?ij-Q, ,. OI: 325, 6,09 I. BIOGRAPHICAL Chapters Page I. IN THE BEGINNING .............................................................. 9 Dr. Davis' birth and early life in North Sanford II. YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN .................................................................... 10 Life in Afton and his conversion III. AND THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO HIM, SAYING, ARISE 12 Early life in Binghamton, consecration and study in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago IV. WHAT WONDERS GOD HATH WROUGHTU ..... 14 Pastorate in Hallstead, Pa. V. DO THE WORK OF AN EVANG'ELIST ........................................... 16 A brief account of some of Dr. Davis' evangelistic work VI. AND IT CAME TO PASS ............................,.............................. 24 The beginning of the Practical Bible Training School VII. UBEHOLD, THE PLACE WHEREIN WE DWELL IS TOO STRAIT FOR US .................................................................................................... 28 The purchase of the present property and the development of the institution there VIII. PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS .............................................................................................. 32 The sickness and death of Dr. Davis IX. O, DEATH WHERE IS THY STING? O, GRAVE WHERE IS THY VICTORY? ........... 2:3 The funeral of Dr. Davis X. HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH ................................. 36 The first sunrise prayer meeting at his grave FACSIMILE PAGES FROM DR. DAVIS' BIBLE ........................... IST A FACSIMILE PAGE FROM HIS SERMON BOOK ............................................ 41 PICTURES OF A FEW MEN OF GREAT INSPIRATION AND ASSISTANCE TO DR. DAVIS .............................................................................................. 42 THROUGH -a Poem by John R. Clements ................................................. 48 II. THE PRACTICAL BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL AND ITS ORGANIZATION IN 1934 ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY .... 55 SENIOR SECTION ............................ 63 UNDERCLASS SECTION ..... 78 CURRICULUM ........................... 82 THE SUMMER CONFERENCE ,..... ........ 8 5 ORGANIZATIONS AND AI I'IVl'I'IES .... Mi ALUMNI SECTION .... ........................... 91

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I-Iv Lived For OllJea'f ' : Q. 1 , - l ! 1, 4, l 1 E Z I sl Y x K 2 3 J 5 1 1 41 rr Mas. Joris A. DAVIS DEDICATORY To one who has lovingly shared the burdens and trials of her husband every step of the way, and who has never faltered beneath the load, we, the class of '54, count it 21 privilege to dedicate this book. But to us there is bm mic find, the Father, . I Cor. S:6.

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He Lived For Ollaerrl' 9 john A. Davis --Ambassador for Christ IN THE BEGINNING Gen. 1:1. On Melandy Hill, between Afton and North San- ford, New York, there is a farm. The water on the east of which flows into the Delaware River and on the northwest into the Susquehanna River, Here in a small farmhouse there lived a fine, Godly couple, Charles A. Davis and his loyal wife. They were highly respected through the entire region and had a large circle of friends. They always were recognized as line neighbors and ready helpers. Mr. Davis had two outstanding principles in life, the one born of his love for God-Christianity, and the other born of his service as a faithful soldier in the Civil War- patriotism. It was in this Melandy Hill farmhouse, john A. Davis was born on August 7, 1871. Few people knew of that birth, but many thousands, the world over were made to feel the influence of his life's work. He, and his younger and only brother, Alonzo F. Davis, while yet very small had many responsibili- ties of the farm and home to carry. From his earliest life, he had a great inclination toward things of a religious natureg and he was of 5 ,,,,-1 THE NORTH SANFORD CHURCH strong determination. The incident is told of a time when he had been visiting friends, whose custom it was to ask the blessing before partaking of a meal. In his own home, this practice had been permitted to fall into disuse. The first meal after his entry again into the family circle, the others started eating as usual without returning thanks. john asked, Papa, why don't you say something? At first the father tried to pass it off and endeavored to get john to eat his dinner. But the little fellow stub- bornly refused to eat until his wish had been com- plied with and the blessing asked. For some time the people of North Sanford and vicinity united in church worship alternating between the Methodist and Union Community Church. The Sunday School session was held in the same place that the worship of the day was carried on. The Davis family was very faithful in church attendance, but on some occasions the parents were not able to be present. At a very early age john was placed upon the back of a horse by the parents and thus rode to Sunday School. After the service was over some one would again put him on the horse for the home journey of three miles. When circumstances would not permit him to attend Sunday School he would get his mothers button bag, remove the but- tons, put them on the chairs about the room for his congregation and begin preaching to them. For two years, between the ages of eight and ten, he had a perfect attendance at Sunday School. The fundamentals of his education were secured in a district school, which he attended until about the age of twelve years. Part of this time he was under the instruction of Miss Russell, a woman of excellent Christian character, who instilled many truths in the hearts of the children under her care. The impres- sions made upon john at this time followed him through life. The man who was the first to take him to school has said, He was a' nervous little fellow. The boy full of life was ready for sports and he gave evi- dence of tact and leadership in spite of his being small in stature and physically weak. These were more than overbalanced by his ability to master prob- lems and lead others. Often he was seen with a group of playmates whom he had formed into regi- ments of soldiers with toy guns or sticks over their shoulders. These childhood characteristics followed him through life. He showed executive ability and had a great faculty for setting others to work and securing benehts from them. The following anecdote proves this trait in life. In john's play with others, they would often build stone houses. Much time, so john thought, was lost in digging the cellars for the play houses. Among his pets was a dog. He early discovered But as we were allowed of God Lo be but in trust with the gospel. even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, which meth our hearts. I Thess. 214.