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

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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.

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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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12 He Lived F or 0lfJ67'J'li From the very beginning of the meetings he showed great interest and attended regularly. The Truth as given by these two faithful student evangelists seemed to grip him. Finally, he decided it was the right and manly thing to accept Christ as his Saviour and take his stand in the Christian life. He believed that Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Godfwjohn 315. He responded to the invitations of the evangelists, first, to be prayed for, and then to the more appealing one, to accept jesus Christ as a personal Saviour, His confession testi- mony was: While I have no special feelings, I am glad to give myself to Christ. I . H. DIVINE tseatk-fl! w. .1. suomxu menu Going forth from the church, he went to his home with the determination to live a different life. His very nature made him a zealot. The results began to appear in his influence and efforts on others. He had a passion for souls, a passion that vitalized faith, banished doubt, developed experience, and gave poise to knowledge and reason. On the following morning as he was putting the usual display out in front of the England store, the editor of the Afton Enterprise, Mr. Nelson Barton, called john to the opposite of the street, extended his hand and said, l'That was a noble stand you took last night. This brought such encouragement to his heart that he went back to work with a greater desire and determination to live a life that would tell for Christ. A few Sundays following this decision, january 26, 1890, a former pastor, Rev. B. Stone of Walton, returned to Afton to have a baptismal service for those desiring to follow their Lord into baptism and join the church. Among those in this class were john A. Davis, his father and mother, who had never been immersed in baptism, and ten others. y... , , - e .l..a,ft.....mi.,V V K K .S ' THE A. T. ENGLAND STORE AND BLOCK IN AFTON In spite of his leadership in some things john was very timid and retiring about taking part in service. He was faithful in attendance and to all obligations, but when opportunity was given for a testimony meet- ing he was rather backward and shy. Sometimes, however, he would muster courage to testify in the Christian Endeavor Society. He gradually grew into active service in this church, especially among the young people. 111 And The Word of the Lord Came unto Him Saying, Arise. jcmah 1:1 cmd 2. Changing fortunes led john A. Davis to take up his residence in Binghamton, N. Y., where he received employment in one of the large dry goods stores, then known as Fowler, Dick 84 Walker, or the Boston Store. He steadily developed and became a very etiicient salesman. Rather than have a customer wait, he was often found pleasing three and four at the same time. The proprietor said john sold more goods in his department than any other one had be- fore or has since. Whatever he did, he did well, put- ting his whole energy into it to make il successful and worthwhile work of it. He believed, What is worth doing at all, is worth doing well. The Main Street Baptist Church about this time was newly organized and had many enthusiastic, con- secrated young men in its membership, who were on the lookout for every new member possible and for an opportunity for service. They took a keen inter- est in the newcomer, john A. Davis, and invited him to their services, and especially to the Christian En- deavor meetings, where he became very active. A re- Hcm your blessings with praise, lest they unravel.