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

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10 He Lived F or OllJe1'f that the dog was a good 'ratter' and john would take a stick, scratch the ground and call 'Micel micel' The dog would dig into the soft earth and john would get his cellars nearly dug by the THE JOHN A. DAVIS PARK efforts of the dog, who would often dig until his nose was rawf' Aside from executive ability and leadership, he II. of the work on the farm would start from home the neighboring village. selling his products, he money earned, saving it to help pay off the farm debt. was very enthusiastic. Much was done by him. The lad with eggs and vegetables to Going from house to house would return home with the All through his life this community about North Sanford held a dear place in his heart. In 1922, the village organized a day of renewal of acquaint- ance and festivity called 'lOld Home Dayf' Every year he made it a habit to attend. With the revival of interest in civil affairs and a desire to improve the appearance of the village, through discussion at one of these gatherings, a plot of land was acquired, beautified and developed, and to it was given the name 'lThe john A. Davis Parkl' as a tribute to the farm boy of Melandy Hill, who had gone out and helped make two blades of grass grow, where one had grown before. At twelve years of age a change came into the life of the youth. The family moved to the village of Afton, New York. This change was a step in God's training of this youth for His future work. YE MUST BE BORN AGAlN.', john 317. Upon entering the village, life was to have a new environ. There were new conditions to contend with and new acquaintances to be made. With the change came the advantages of a better school life. From a rural school to Afton Academy was an advancing step. Here he continued his education until he was about sixteen years of age. He was always recog- nized as a good student, alert and quick. Although john was very fond of sports, he cared little for hunting or fishing like many other lads. Base- ball was his chief game and he was found very active in this sport. Hours were spent on the field playing. One time he tried to join the town team but because of smallness of stature was not accepted. He decided because of this, to organize a team among the school fellows. He became one of the best players on the team and later captain and manager. While playing at Vallonia Springs, midway between Sanford and Afton, an interesting incident occurred. Mr. Justus Carr, a member of the band which was often present, ome and was e was laid as the games were well attended, went from his h in Nineveh junction to this particular contest was accompanied by his daughter Etta. john playing and was injured in sliding to a base. H carried from the held to the spring house and on a bench. If you can not he The crowd gathered about the place to get a view of the injured lad. He laid in a white baseball suit that was stained with blood. Among those anxious for a better view was this twelve year old girl from Nineveh junction. When she saw the wounded boy her sympathies were aroused and expressed aud- ibly. However, a year later she too, moved to Afton THE DAVIS HOME AT AFTON and there developed a friendship between them which with the advancing years, grew into that unfaltering love which continued through all the trials of the busy years and even through the sombre sunset hours. lp dovft hinder.

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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.

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He Lived For Others 11 Frequently Afton had special holidays and usually large crowds came. The merchants built stands A. T. England, fwho owned the block in the pic- ture on Page 121 had such a stand in the driveway THE AFTON in front of their stores to display their wares. These days were busy ones for clerks and merchants alike. On one occasion like this while rushed with business, THE SPRINGHOUSE AT VALLONIA SPRINGS ACADEMY - at the side of his store. Young john, who had a great liking for parades, was standing in the store door at a vantage point, from which he could see over the heads of the people and enjoy the occa- sion. Mr. England was only able to attend to those at the stand and so called to young Davis, john, get into the store and get busy. This was the be- ginning of a clerkship that lasted as long as the young man remained in Afton. The reports of this work with A. T. England revealed an industrious young man, pleasing the customers, and building up his employer's business. While not busy, otherwise, he was putting the stock in order. His energy and earn- estness was observed by other merchants with the re- sult that other positions were offered him. However, the clerk was true to his employer. He was a stead- fast, loyal worker for whom other offers, even with financial advantages, had no attraction. john and his parents began attending the Baptist church at this time. During the holiday season of 1889 the village was stirred by an evangelistic campaign, conducted by two student preachers, one being F. H. Divine from Colgate University, and the other W. Sholar of Hamilton Theological Seminary. They alternated in preaching. At this time john was in his later teens. 'ifThei'e is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. I Sam. 2:2.