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

Page 12 text:

. Q70f1eG69gua. Zin illimnnry nf .Unhn iliultnn By MRS. JOHN FULTON REV. JOHN FULTON On the night of May 20, 1940, John Fulton, a man greatly loved by the faculty and student-bo-dy of the Practical Bible Training School, and for many years intimately associated with Dr. John A. Davis in the great Davis and Mills Evangelistic Campaigns, finished earth's activities at the age of seventy-nine. He left a host of friends and loved ones here, and went to be with his Lord and the many loved ones who had gone on before. His passing came in the midst of Commencement preparations. The funeral services were held in King Hall with the faculty and entire student body participating, and with Rev. Gordon C. Davis in charge. The service was deeply impressive, and the presence of God was profoundly manifested. This was a fitting close to a miraculously God-touched and transformed life. During his two years invalidism from heart trouble, the students frequently went over to his home on Riverside Drive across from the Bible School, where they sang and prayed for him. This greatly cheered and touched him in his isolated, shut-in hours. During the last twelve years of his life he was in very close touch with the school. He was a man of much prayer, and the school and all its interests were carried to God daily in his devotions. His occasional messages to, and personal contacts with the students, were a source of great inspiration. Like John A. Davis, whom he dearly loved, John Fulton had memorized vast portions of God's Word. He always urged others to memo- rize some Scripture daily, and to retain it by constant review. Born on April 7, 1861 at Cranny QBallydouganJ near Lurgan, County Down, Ire- land, of sturdy Irish parents, he was the fourth in the family of eleven children. From childhood he was a leader and a favorite. John always had 'ia way with him. Once niet, he was never forgotten. Possessed with much native wit and intelligence, although Page Eight

Page 11 text:

C270 i ! r 5 l K s a I i A i.1,,,,,' LOVINGLY DEDICATED By the Class of 1941 TO MRS. JOHN A. DAVIS With hearts full of praise we lift our voices to God in thanksgiving for the privi- lege of having known you during our three years here at school. Although you have never been our instructor in the class room, you have been one in your daily life. Your humility and quietness have been an example to us of a sincere Christian. It is with deepest appreciation that we dedicate to you our book. What He bad promised, Hc was able also to perf0rm.' ROMANS 4:21. Page Seven

Page 13 text:

W Qghwfww MRS. JOHN FULTON uneducated, he was instantly at home and at ease with people in all walks of life, from the most cultured to the most down-fallen and illiterate. He was a born entertainer, and always held the rapt attention of his listeners whether his audience was one or thousands. He was married in Ireland at the age of 21. He looked longingly to America as the place where he could quickly make his fortune, and be able to bring over his wife and children. At the age of 23 he landed in New York City, where, after walking the streets for months seeking employment, his savings became exhausted. Then he decided to go into the liquor business, as it looked like easy money . Being a man of initiative, he devised a way by which he was soon established in a place of his own. Before long he found himself not only selling liquor, but possessing a string of race horses. With gam- bling, politics, and the liquor business he rode high on the crest of the wave of wordly prosperity for twenty-five years. The prayers of a godly Quaker mother never ceased to follow him. In 1907, four years after the death of his faithful Christian wife, who left him with six children, somewhat like Saul he was arrested, while in his bed at his hotel, by the voice of God quoting-- He that being often reproved, hardeneth his heart, shall be suddenly destroyed, and that without remedy. Thinking he was about to -die, he promised God at his bedside that if his life were spared, he would leave the cursed business and live for Him. God took him at his word and completely delivered him from the liquor and tobacco habits. Mr. Fulton locked the hotel, never again to return to it or to the old life and companions. He refused to sell or handle a penny of the property that he said had come from the devil. With six motherless children for whom to provide, and with only seven dollars in his pocket, he faced a time of severest financial testing in the panic of 1907. By exchanging every luxury for a diet of bread and water, Mr. Fulton was hav- ing a firm foundation laid by God for his future ministry. Almost immediately he QContinued on Page 725 Page Nine