Taylor University - Ilium / Gem Yearbook (Upland, IN)

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B. W. AYRE5

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Chester C ollege. He was gTachiated from Taylor University in 1895, reeeivino ' the degree of Ph. B. While a student, he had a long sickness, almost breaking down in health. Determined to have an education, he went to Georgia, where he could study and at the same time build up his eonstitutli-n. Here he remained two years, comjileting the theological course in Gamman Theological Seminary, Atlanta, receiving the B. D. degree. Tn 1896-97 he was Instructor in Vocal Music in Gammon an l Clark University and President of Demorest, Ga., Summer Normal Seliool. In 18 97 he returned to Taylor University to bcM ' omc Pro1Vss n- of Theology and Dean of the Theological Department. In June, 19111. he was elected to the Vice-Presidency of the University. Pi-csiih ' ut Reade ' s failing health made it necessary for Professor Shilling to per- form many of the functions of President. After the death of Dr. Reade in July, 1902, Dr. Sliilling became acting President, serving in this difficult position until June, 1903, when, at his own recpiest, the trustees gave him leave of absence for one or two years for advanced studies in Semitic languages and related subjects in Drew Theological Seminary and Columbia University. While attending school there he served a pastorate at Hilton, N. J. After graduating in June, 1904, from Drew he took a pastorate at Dingman ' s Ferry, Pa., at the same time pursuing special work in oratory in New York City. He was holding special re- vival meetings on tliis charge when he was suddenly taken ill. He was removed to the hospital at Port Jarvis, N. Y., where he died Nov. 21, •1904, aged .32 years, 10 months and 7 days. Prof. Shilling was a tireless worker. While teaching in Taylor University he pursued courses of study leading to the following degrees: A. B., A. M., Ph. D. and S. T. D. He was faithful as a teacher in the class room and as an administrative officer surpassed the expeetaticni of his friends. He was the personification of jiush and punctuality. He was rarely late to any engagement and never put of till tomorrow the duties of today. In undertaking any enterprise his characteristic expression was, It has to go; we ' ll make it go. Tn his busy life he found time to drink at the poet ' s fountain and listen to the Muses. He has written a number of poems of commendable merit, among which are, Ruth, Broken But Not Off, Wiien I Consider the Heavens, Gammon Hall, The Old Ilarii, The Departed, ' ' etc. On Commencement Day, June, 1899, there occurred in Literary Society Hall of Taylor University a very beautiful ceremony. It was a double wedding, in which John H. Shilling was united in marriage to Miss Mary Snead and John L. Hoover to Miss Osee Snead, Dr. Reaile officiating. Mrs. Shilling has one child, Charles Wesley, three years ohl, to comfort her in her widowhood. Why a man of such promise should l)e thus cut off just when his preparation for life ' s work, for which ho toiled so faithfully with hand and brain, ' s complete, we cannot understand. But we believe that his knowledge and mental grasp obtahied in these years of study are not accoimtcd loss, either by hinisolf or the Great Teacher, as Professor Shilling now matriculates in Irs post-graduate course of study in the University of Heaven.

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B. W. AYRE5 BW. AYRES.— B. S., 1908, Taylor [Tniversity ; A. M., 1900, Tay- lor University; Ph. D., 1902, Taylor University. 1884, grad- nated from Hartford City High School; 1885-1888, stndent at DePaiiw University; 1888-1889, teacher in District School; 1889-1890 ' Superintendent of Eedkey High Schools ; 1890-1892, Superintendent of Moutpelier Schools; 1892-1893, Superintendent of Warren Schools; 1893- 1897, bookkeeper Dunkirk Lumber Co.; 1897-1902, Dean Normal Dei art- me-nt Taylor University; 1902-1905, Dean Taylor University. Professor Ayres, though he is familiarly known as the ' ' Dean ' ' and though he bears the title with grace and dignity, counts this not tlie highest of the titles he bears. Professor Ayres is pre-eminently the teacher and the erudite counselor. No student ever sat under him in class in recent years who did not declare him to be a most excellent in- structor. Let him be announced as its teacher, and almost any class would at once become popular at Taylor. This results from the fact that he is teaching, not for money, nor through mere accident, but be- cause he loves the profession. He clothes it with the dignity it deserves and makes the class room a place for the inculcating of life principles in civic equity, social duty and Christian brotherhood. Incidentally, though purposely and from the bottom of his Puritanic heart, he espouses the cause of party Prohibition. In this, as in every- thing else, he is candid and forceful. He shows the highest marks of the teacher in that he so teaches and lives that his life is grafted into the life of the student, and thus he is becoming a power through tlie world. Surely this is meat and drink and sound consolation to him, for it will merit God ' s approbation at the end.