Part 1--100 years on Riverside: Harrison and the White City

47 Harrison Street Johnson City

47 Harrison Street Johnson City

The entrance to the White City Park

The fountain and Roller Coaster in the center of the White City

One hundred years ago when the midnight arrived on Sunday, January 1, 1911 the Practical Bible Training School was preparing for a move and transition. The transition had already begun the previous summer in 1910 when the White City had gone bankrupt. From the 1934 Theologue the events happened like this:

This brewery-backed resort was a separate organization for the purpose of selling liquors. As such, it had the backing of the brewery and liquor interests, and any effort to obtain the grounds for other purposes would naturally meet with the determined resistance of those financially interested.This resistance was felt keenly. There was many a struggle and many a prayer. For two years John A. Davis waited for the manifestation of the hand of God. It appears that some of the stockholders, desiring to obtain an advantage, started a fight within the amusement organization which resulted in finally throwing the “White City” corporation into the hands of a receiver. At this time Evangelist Davis was holding a campaign in one of the larger cities of central Pennsylvania.

Between 1907 and 1908 John A. Davis began to pray for the grounds of the White City as the next location for PBTS. The 47 Harrison Street location had been outgrowing its location since soon after moving into the grounds in 1901 (only a decade earlier). In the summer of 1908 John A. Davis went onto the ground of the White City. The 1934 Theologue records it like this:

Mr. Davis, always keenly alive to the needs of the School and realizing the possibilities of this place, if it could be secured, one day paid the admission fee through the gates and visited the grounds. He saw the beautiful oak trees, the elms and other trees, among them evergreens, and visualized the possibilities of the place as a permanent home for the Practical Bible Training School. As he walked about the grounds he happened to glance into the bar-room and saw the men and women lined up three-deep around the bar, some of them in an advanced state of intoxication. As he turned to leave, he vowed to himself, “With the help of God I’ll smash this place, “ and with that resolve in his mind, as he was outside of the gate, he knelt beside the high wire fence and prayed to God to give him this place for His work.

God answered John's prayer two years later with the park going bankrupt. As mentioned earlier he was at a campaign in Pennsylvania when the sale occurred. It was bought by "a Binghamton business man [From what I can tell this Binghamton business man was Mr. Kilmer (though it is unclear which Kilmer it was)] interested in the School, though not aware of Mr. Davis’ hopes regarding the park, secured a short term option on the property and wired Mr. Davis rushed back, and within three hours had called his board together and exercised their option, which gave them title to the property with all the buildings on it, one of the which was a large and roomy hotel" (1934 Theologue).

Thus began the change from The White City Amusement Park to Bible School Park, NY

To be continued in part 2 (100 years years on Riverside: The transformation and move)

Faith and Family Night: Binghamton Senators--Friday, March 19, 2010

Scapegoat (Jared Ingraham, Will Reichel, and Jeremy McGinniss) preforming before the game

Sharon O'Connor at the Davis Table with student Teri Miller

Alumna Emily Wilcox singing God Bless America

Senators playing the Rochester Americans (Amerks)

Several Davis students enjoying the game

Alumna Steph Hight and Mrs. Marolyn Parker

Watching the game

Mega Force

Mega Force giving testimony of what Christ has done for them.

Mega Force

Several people coming forward after an invitation

Friday, March 19, 2010 was Faith and Family Night with the Binghamton Senators. Davis College and Andrew's Good News Ministries sponsored it. Several faculty, staff, students, and Alumni came to the game. The evening began with Scapegoat preforming on the concourse. Alumna Emily Wilcox sang God Bless America before the game began. The game was the Binghamton Senators vs. the Rochester Americans (Amerks). In the end Binghamton won 4-2 with the last goal being made by the goalie (Chris Holt) with 20 seconds left on the clock. During different breaks Mega Force preformed different acts like breaking cinder blocks and tearing up phone books while talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the end of the night one of them shared their testimony and several people came forward to accept Christ or rededicate their lives to Christ. It was a great night.

Faith and Family Afternoon: B-Mets and ApologetiX

Yesterday (Sunday, July 19, 2009) was the Faith and Family Afternoon at the Binghamton Mets stadium. Davis College was one of the sponsors of the day which included the game vs. the Erie Seawolves and concert after the game with Christian band ApoloetiX. Coach Tom O'Connor from Davis is also the chaplain of the B-Mets and before the concert he introduced several players from the B-Mets that shared their testimonies of what Jesus Christ has done in their lives. It is was a great afternoon. Several Alumni of Davis were at the game and concert and it was great to be able to catch up with several of them. Just a reminder, coming up is the Spiedie Fest (Friday, July 31-August 2, 2009). Come to Binghamton and enjoy this event and stop by the Hope Tent also sponsored by Davis.

Praying for the Families of the Victims of the Shooting at Davis College

News Ten Now Video of the prayer service (News 10 Now)

Today students, faculty, and staff of Davis along with members of the community came together and pray for the victims of the shooting on Friday. Several members of the Media were there including News 10 Now and the Press and Sun Bulletin. The video above is from News 10 Now's coverage of the prayer day. The Press and Sun also had another article about the prayer event. Many students and Mrs. Novak hope to be able to go back to the American Civic Center to continue to help those who want to learn English.

Special Chapel for Campus and Community on Monday 4/6/09 -- All Are Welcome

Dear Friends, Students, Faculty, Staff and Trustees,

In addition to the community services scheduled this week on Sunday and Wednesday, there will be a special chapel service on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 10:30 AM in Lowe Hall at Davis College. Our campus will gather together to pray for all of those affected by Friday's tragedy. We will be joined by crisis-trained chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Rapid Response Team who have already deployed to Binghamton. We are grateful for their ministry on our campus and in our community as they seek to provide the comfort of Christ. You can read the statement issued by Franklin Graham on the website at www.bgea.org

Friends from our local churches and the Greater Binghamton community are invited to join us for Monday's chapel -- all are welcome. If you cannot join us in person, join with us in prayer. Pray for for the shooting victims and the families of those who died. Pray for the law enforcement officers and community leaders. In particular please remember Professor Bonnie Novak and our five Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) students. This group has been going to the Civic Center, the site of the tragedy, on Wednesdays this semester. The students are anxious to know about the people they taught and befriended at the Center, and at the same time, they will be coping with many different emotions in the coming days and weeks. We covet your prayers on their behalf.

In Christ,

Dr. Dino J. Pedrone
President

Prayers for the Binghamton area

Most likely you have all seen or heard the news about the shooting in the American Civic Center in downtown Binghamton. The location is a little less than 3 miles from the campus of Davis. In fact several of the TESL students work there on Wednesdays. A few hours after the events began unfolding Dr. Pedrone sent out an email. Below is the text of the email.

Dear Friends,
Today tragedy struck the American Civic Center on Front Street in Binghamton, New York when a gunman took the lives of innocent people, and ultimately lost his own life. We have received many phone calls and emails from friends wanting to know if our campus is safe. Yes. We praise God that none of our students, faculty or staff were at the location.This is indeed the grace of God -- on Wednesdays, our Teaching English as a Second Language students are at this very location helping to teach English to people who are new to our country. It is a place where our students use the skills they learn in the classroom at Davis College, while helping people.
Today, Friday, our ladies were on campus for a conference and the men were involved in a campus work-day. After checking with (TESL) Professor Bonnie Novak, we are relieved to report that none of our students were scheduled to work at the Civic Center today. At the same time, our hearts are heavy and our thoughts and prayers are with those directly affected by this horrific event. Earlier today our TESL students gathered with Professor Novak in the Cafe and had prayer for those involved before they knew all that was happening. Our campus will continue to be in prayer to support all of those affected.
Sincerely in Christ,
Dr. Dino Pedrone
President

Keep the Binghamton area in your prayer as it goes through this hard time. Pray that God will open doors and that His loves and love of His Son Jesus Christ that we celebrate this weekend and next will bring more people to Himself.

Business World Gets a Look Inside Davis College

From News 34 News:

Businessmen and women from throughout the community visited Davis College today for the school's Friends of Davis chapel.
The college on Riverside Drive in Johnson City holds a President's chapel every Tuesday, but this week's also invited members from National Pipe, Newman Development, M&T Bank and the governor's office.
Davis College President Dino Pedrone says the goal is to introduce business people to the school, and then ask them to come back in the future to speak about their careers.
Dino Pedrone says, "There are so many things that our students can go in to eventually. And we want them to have that spirit to be able to go in to those things. So, yes, they'll be talking about some of those things. Not in this chapel today, but they'll be doing that down the road."
And Pedrone says the community is welcome to get to know the school as well.
This Saturday, 12 local churches are helping Davis College put on a Christmas party from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
It's free and open to all.

Check out the video on the same link.

News Channel 34: Interview with Dr. Pedrone

News Channel 34 out of Binghamton interviewed Dr. Pedrone for today's newscast. It is a very well done interview. To read the article click here. View the video above or watch it by going to the same link. News Channel 34 did an excellent job. There was only one mistake in it by saying that Davis has had the same president for 27 years. It has in fact had three. The issue comes from Dr. Miller working at the college for 27 years since 1981 when he started with Dr. Kroll. Dr. Kroll, Dr. Linebaugh, and Dr. Miller have been the three presidents since 1981 (27 years ago).

1934 Theologue: The Story of John A. Davis Part 4: "What Wonders God Hath Wrought"

I hope everyone has been learning something new about the life of the founder of Practical Bible Training School/Practical Bible College/Davis College. His life is a very interesting one as any life like that is consecrated to God. Here is part 4 of the 10 part series of the life of Dr. John Adelbert Davis.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

===========================================

IV.
“WHAT WONDERS GOD HATH WROUGHT”
Acts 15:12

Environment was not the chief cause of the joy that flooded the hearts of the faithful little band that forty ago met for worship in the old school house of Hallstead, Pennsylvania.

When the cool evenings caused too much discomfort at prayer-meetings, the small group sat around a stove with a cherry fire built by Deacon Amos Millard, whose lighted lantern furnished illumination. Songs of praise were lifted, and the prayers for a shepherd to lead the flock were intensely earnest. God heard and answered in His own best way, as He always does. In 1894 John A. Davis was called to the pastorate of this struggling church, with such, humanly speaking, unfavorable conditions. He began a strenuous work and kept it up.

The Boy Evangelist had the faculty of enlisting the interest and services of many railroad men. He frequently jumped on cabooses and engines, to become acquainted with the men. Many of them are now in glory through the personal work of this Boy Evangelist, who, in the great-acquainted talks showed them their need of a Saviour; and how to make this Saviour their Saviour. It became quite customary for those men to read their Bibles in their cabooses as the opportunity offered. The round house was a good place at the noon hour to go for a few minutes to chat, and there dispense lemonade and invite the trainmen to the tent evangelistic meetings. Men responded, too. It was true of Mr. Davis that he sought there for souls as he always continued to do.

The young pastor made a practice of calling in the home with telling effect, such as: “Don’t fail to be at prayer-meeting tonight. A great time is expected! Come early and bring your family.” In another home: “How about it? Are you willing, Mr. Blank, to quote a chapter from the Bible next Sunday evening?” Again at some gathering: “Let’s have a real Thanksgiving sunrise prayer meeting. Everyone who can do so, please bring something, -- either groceries or baked goods for those less fortunate than we; then distribute them among the shut-ins and needy after the meeting.” Enthused with this plan, the merchants in town contributed flour, sugar, tea, coffee, butter, and other staples. At each place a song, a bit of Scripture and prayer added to the Thanksgiving spirit. One lady attending the next prayer-meeting at the church, said she came to see what sort of folks were doing such kind deeds. Later she and her husband joined the church. Their boys also came to Sunday School. Friends brought to the sunrise meeting, turkeys and chickens enough to supply each of the fourteen bushel baskets with one.

What thrilling and blessed sunrise meetings those were! The youngsters were also on hand to do their part. Isaiah 50:7 was a favorite verse of the pastor’s: “For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded; therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know I shall not be ashamed.” He was first, last and always, a zealous personal worker, Bible teacher, Evangelist and pastor. Never was he made “ashamed” when his face was set like a flint, to follow the Lord’s leading. To illustrate: There was ample evidence of the need of a church ground for a foundation. At the same time of this excavating, men’s hearts were cleansed of rubbish for God’s service. They hauled stones and helped to lay them, doing anything and everything possible to erect this new structure. In the course of construction, also after completion, it was a common thing for two or more men to be found at the church praying. This was one of the happiest ways wherein God kept His word that He would not allow His followers to be “confounded.” Steady growth was another, for many were added to the church. A special prayer-meeting was held the night previous to the dedicatory services, December 3, 4, 1895, asking God to lead the people to pledge $4,000 on the church building fund the next day. He did, and $4,000 was pledged. What a dedication this was!

Christian activities were contagious in the community. Soon the Presbyterians built a fine brick church. The Methodists, too, built an attractive house of worship. Good fellowship prevailed. Evangelistic campaigns were wonderfully blessed by God, souls were born again. Great was the rejoicing when drunkards were saved, and saloons lost much patronage or were put entirely out of commission. The pastor, though young, glimpsed the sore tests that would come to such converts when they would draw their monthly pay, meet their old pals, be urged to drink and gamble away the support for their families, the church, and payments due on their debts. What was done to prevent their yielding to such temptations? PRAYER. Mr. Davis believed in helping to answer prayers. Groups of ladies gathered at homes and earnestly prayed for the “new-born babes in Christ,” for many of the men were such. They prayed for others who had not yet entered the flock of the Shepherd of souls. While the ladies were thus engaged, Mr. Davis would go to meet some of the railroad men who might be tempted of Satan to be led astray. Many a night did he walk the streets with them, linked arm in arm until the men reached home safely with their money still in their pockets.

Evangelism was carried on in various ways. Mr. Davis inspired others; he urged all to go on to victory. Conviction was strong that each person, young and old, should have some part in both the worship and activities of the church. One who took no part in prayer-meeting felt conspicuous. One lady said: “A person told me that I would soon go back to my former life; but what is there to go back to? Nothing but husks compared to the joy and friendship of my Saviour and His followers.” Thrilling reports were given in these services of divine power and grace to overthrow Satan’s allurements.

The baby organ was an important factor, for it seemed to say:

“I’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord,

I’ll do what you want me to do.”

That meant going into various homes with groups of enthusiastic young people for praise and prayer services, Bible study, and personal work. Again the organ accompanied zealous young Christians to a school house or a distant church for religious meetings. In those days a Gospel wagon was kept busy to convey singers and speakers to distant localities for services. The choir was accustomed to meet for prayer and praise previous to each service and to invite those whom they wished to win for Jesus Christ to be present! A credit to all concerned was the strong missionary spirit that prevailed among the church members.

Mr. Davis had ambition to launch out into deeper waters for souls, but how could his presence be spared? Easily answered. God says in Isaiah 65:24 “And it shall come to pass that before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear.” To prepare for such contingencies, Mr. Davis had certainly been divinely led in the early days of his ministry to take to himself an ardent Christian wife, a tactful, sweet-spirited, energetic, young lady with musical ability. Mrs. John A. Davis was warmly welcomed by all, and proved herself to be a most helpful pastor’s assistant. She took his place in the pulpit when he was led of the Holy Spirit to go into other vicinities to conduct evangelistic campaigns. The again some of the members would hold a platform service, or someone would preach a God-given soul-stirring sermon from his heart. Progress was marked in every department of the work of the church and with blessed results.

How the parish and village was stirred one day as a young man ran his bicycle at top speed, that he might proclaim to his friends and neighbors the new of a new arrival in town, and at his home! A baby boy named Gordon C, Davis, a love-gift from God, had begun his life at the Baptist parsonage. Later this young child, and the home was blessed again when another son, Charles J. Davis, was given to the proud parents by Him who giveth every good and perfect gift. The pleased parents had much to “tell the world” about their boys. Those were happy days for the Davis family, yes, and for the community too.

A Christian Endeavor society was soon organized and functioned successfully. On one occasion, thirty men were welcomed into it. Glorious times were continually experienced. Its membership was one hundred. One hundred boys and girls constituted the Junior Christian Endeavor society. These organizations had joyful and important parts in the church activities. They stood loyally by the pastor. They had the honor of being the largest of like groups in Susquehanna County.

The Hallstead Fire Company invited similar companies from Binghamton and other towns to join in a celebration and parade at Hallstead. They came in large numbers in fine uniforms and with brass bands. Both the Senior and Junior Christian Endeavor societies were ready for them. When marchers halted long enough to be served with lemonade by hustling Seniors, the Juniors invaded the ranks with dainty buttonhole bouquets, each attached with ribbon to a card with a Scripture passage written thereon. The boys and girls did quick work to make sure each fireman had one pinned on his uniform. It meant much work for these societies to gather and prepare all the flowers and cards, but the deep impression made on the firemen was assurance that all the work was amply rewarded by the joy and blessing given.

The following quotation is from a booklet, entitled “History of the First Baptist Church of Hallstead, Pennsylvania.” “During Mr. Davis’ pastorate he spent much time in evangelistic work in other fields. In September, 1899, he tendered his resignation, in order that he might devote all of his time to this special work to which he felt the Lord had called him. Women, children and strong men wept at the service when he announced his resignation, yet none would have asked him to remain against the leading of the Holy Spirit. November 26, 1899, both morning and evening, large audiences attended the farewell services for Pastor Davis. The morning text was 1 Corinthians 2:1-4 ‘And I brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power’; the evening text was 1 Samuel 12:24 ‘Only fear the Lord, serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you.’ He moved to Binghamton to give full time to his evangelistic work in which he became renowned. Be it known that some of his best and most blessed work was at Hallstead.”

-----
Coming up Part 5: “Do the Work of an Evangelist”

1934 Theologue: The Story of John A. Davis Part 3: "And the Word of the Lord Came unto Him Saying, Arise"

I hope you have been enjoying this series about the life of John A. Davis from the 1934 Theologue. I enjoyed reading it as I typed it up. Here is part 3 of the series.

If you missed the first two parts you can read them here on the blog:

Part 1
Part 2

===============================================================

III.

“And The Word of the Lord Came unto Him Saying, Arise.”

Jonah 1: 1 and 2

Changing fortuning led John A. Davis to take up residence in Binghamton, N. Y., where he received employed in one the large dry goods stores, then know as Fowler, Dick and Walker, or the Boston Store. He steadily developed and became a very efficient salesman. Rather than have a customer wait, he was often found pleasing three or four at the same time. The proprietor said “John sold more goods in his department than any other one had before or has since.” Whatever he did, he did well, putting his whole energy into it to make a 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, consecrated 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 interest in the newcomer, John A. Davis, and invited him to their services, and especially to the Christian Endeavor meetings, where he became very active. A revival spirit broke out among the young people and they were led into a desire for active service where they might witness for the Lord. The opportunity opened by going out to school houses in the surrounding country on Sunday afternoons to conduct services. One young man invited Davis to go, and so insistent was he that John consented. This particular Sunday proved to be one of the most important of Mr. Davis’ life. As they were walking to the service the suggestion was made for a prayer meeting preparatory to the work before them. The new member of the party wondered where they might have this meeting as a no building was in sight. One person pointed to an apple tree in a nearby field. This was a new proposition to John for he had never before offered an audible prayer. One after another prayed and he knew it would soon be his turn, so sentences were formulated in his mind, but when was time for him to pray, the prayer could not be recalled. At that very second a heart and life was consecrated to God. The Holy Spirit was given opportunity to come in and infill him. From this time on, never was he hesitant to pray, testify, do personal work, nor did people have to look around to find him for service for he was always ready. Someone has said, “Prayer is the hinge on which the door of opportunity swings.”

Monday morning as he entered the store, a marked change was seen in his life. During the remainder of his stay in the store he dealt with the clerks concerning their soul’s salvation, and as he waited on customers he did personal work. He withstood much ridicule from many and he was called by some “The Preacher,” but never once did he give up.

He went back to Afton and had services on the street corner; spoke to individuals in the home, on the street, anywhere in order to witness for his Lord. Most always he was seen with the Bible under his arm. In spare hours were devoted to Bible study, conducting meetings, and seeking opportunities to lead men to the Lord Jesus Christ. He was being used so marvelously in the work that people suggested that he devote his whole life to that of being a fisher of men, but he waited the definite leading of the Holy Spirit.

After much prayer and consideration, Mr. Davis felt a definite call to train for Christian service and to get a better knowledge of the Word of God. He resigned his position as clerk, which everyone thought was unwise choice because of his great success thus far in a business career. Through acquaintance and association with men from Chicago Evangelization Society, he decided to make application there as a student. When he was asked how he was going to get there, he replied, “By trusting God.” At the close of his last day of his last day of work at the store, all the clerks were summoned to the basement. At this time they presented him with a purse of money. In spite of the mockery and scoffing at his Christian life every person was saddened by his departure and bowed humbly and thanked God for the blessing he had been in each of their lives.

On April 19, 1893, Mr. Davis enrolled as a student of the Chicago Evangelization Society. It was the year of the World’s Fair at Chicago. This year was probably one of the greatest in the history of that institution. Mr. Moody made plans far in advance and secured men such as Dr. A. J. Gordon, Dr. John McNeil, Dr. R. A. Torrey and scores of others to speak and sing during this great exposition. In this way the students came in contact with these world-famed men. Meetings were held in large tents, theatres, public halls and churches, giving students opportunity for personal evangelism throughout the Exposition period.

Mr. Davis, like many other students, was not able to pay his way through school, and so had to work. His first employment was scrubbing floors, and later waiting on tables in the dining room. Because of his alertness, he was given the honor and privilege of waiting on D. L. Moody and his guests. This was the crowning point in Mr. Davis’ education because he observed Moody’s methods and characteristics. The things learned here were basic in the very principles carried out in his own work.

At the closing of the World’s Fair and the great evangelist campaign, he left school on September 7, 1893, and started on his way home. This he did voluntarily to enter evangelistic work. He stopped at Kalamazoo, Michigan for a few days. During his stay he held services in one of the city churches. He was on fire for God and a real revival broke out and he was urged to continue. He stayed four weeks, during which many made confession of Christ and the crowds became so great that the edifice could not accommodate them.

Without doubt this was God’s approval of his work and he realized his call was to preach the Gospel. But the times of testing came; temptation was to feel it had been a mistake to leave business; also that he was too young and with too little education. God’s hand was guiding. A definite call came from China, New York, to conduct an evangelistic campaign there. He prayed that if God wanted him in this work, He would give unusual results in this field. God marvelously blessed. Many a soul was reclaimed and saved. Continually invitations for meetings came from other places including Hancock, Deposit, and Binghamton, New York. Also an unsolicited call came from the First Baptist Church of Hallstead, Pennsylvania, to be its pastor.

Mr. Davis, however, found time in his busy schedule to keep in correspondence with a young lady whom he loved. On June 19, 1894, he and Miss Etta Carr were united in marriage, and two hearts were bound together by God with a united purpose to be of service to Him.

---------
Coming up part 4: What Wonders God Hath Wrought

Memories of PBTS from the 1930s- Part 3: Mrs. Ruth Kummerer (Class 1934)

Memories of PBTS from the 1930s

PART 3

Mrs. Ruth Huson Kummerer (class of 1934)

The final part of the three part series: Memories of PBTS from the 1930s. Today, I am posting about Mrs. Ruth Huson Kummerer who graduated in from PBTS in 1934.

I have been contacting individuals that graduated in the earlier years of PBTS and one of those individuals was Mrs. Ruth Kummerer from the class of 1934. I was thrilled when I found a letter in my box one morning. I devoured every word on the five pages of information and memories. By the end of the letter I had a wonderful glimpse into the life of Ruth from childhood up to present day.

In her letter she told me of the hard times that occurred during her early life. She was the first born in her family. A brother was born after her, but he only lived eighteen months. “Then my mother died when I was five and I went to live with my paternal grandparents” she wrote. Her father was a farmer and her so were her grandparents. Her father sold the farm that they had lived on and moved to Liberty, NY where he found work, and “he and I went to live in a small apartment.”

The only bright spot was that my father was a Christian and had always taken me to church if he was where he could. Liberty Baptist Church was the joy of my life. I publicly accepted Christ at 12, but I cannot remember a time in my early days that I did not have a strong love for the Lord. The church had various contacts with Practical and pastor encouraged me to attend – and at that time I had not heard of any other Bible School.

Yet, there was a problem. Ruth was only 16 years of age. The entering age at the time was 18 years old. Ruth had to get special permission to go to PBTS at that earlier age. She left “with $98.00 (money saved from gifts and a little from working). God took good care of me. At the end of three years I only owed $20.00.” At that time the room and board was only seven dollars a week, what one meal costs now at Davis College. Oh, how time changes.

She took the train from Liberty, NY, in the Catskills region of New York, to Binghamton during the summer of 1931. She was able to see the campus for the first time and was able to see the Summer Conference on the Sunset Knoll of 1931, which took place from July 23 through August 2^nd. She remembers the grounds and how wonderful the campus was when she first entered it. The summer conference was a week long of good solid Biblical teaching. Then there was Dr. John A. Davis.

She remembers Dr. John A. Davis very well. Ruth wrote that “he was a real giant in the faith. He had such a strong desire to help students (especially those who had little money and background). He had a great ability to draw out the best in people.” He would give a student body pep talk once a week, mostly on Fridays. He would teach them on evangelism. Ruth remembers that he had great illustrations. He might have a student stand and read Scripture and then continue on with his illustration while the student was still standing. It was a way to drive home the point. When Dr. Davis was done with that point the student could sit down. She told me her mind did not wander when listening to Dr. Davis since he had such an energy and presence. He would be preaching away and hammering away at points in his sermon that no one fell asleep. He was great to listen to even with his weak voice from losing it years before. Yet, he was a man interested in potential.

Dr. Davis was always on the lookout for potential. Most of the students had little money and came from families with little money. Everyone had duties at the school. There was no tuition at that time, but only room and board so the work they did offset the other bills. Ruth’s job was in the kitchen. The school would help find you other jobs on the campus to help you pay your bill. It would be in the kitchen that she would meet her future husband, but I will tell you about a little later.

Ruth’s room was on the third floor of the Old Main Building. Room 216 to be precise and her roommate was Jeanette Herman Selleck. Ruth and Jeanette remained close friends for all their years. “She went to be with the Lord a few years ago. Her oldest daughter is named Ruth and mine is Jeanette.” Ruth mentioned that she had another roommate during her time that was on Student’s League of Many of Nations. She was hardly ever around because of League, but when she was there they had a great time together. She would die at a early age even before graduation Ruth recalled.

Ruth did not remember the death of Charles Davis on Sunday, November 22, 1931. She recalls Charles being at the basketball games. He was good coach for the men’s team. The girl’s basketball team that Ruth was on was coached by Dorothy Gardner. Ruth wrote of her basketball memories:

I had never even seen a basketball game before PBTS, but I was anxious to be included in everything I could. The girls team only had a few games –mostly with church teams. Our outfits consisted of borrowed men’s white shirts and bloomers. We even won sometimes.

Ruth remembers a bus trip into Central New York to play one of the church teams and the fun that they had. During the Depression it was a privilege to be able to travel. It was her favorite basketball memory. Yet, tensions were beginning to happen during the end of her freshman year that the students were unaware of.

Between her freshman and junior year at PBTS the school would split creating Baptist Bible Seminary. Ruth wrote of this event:

The summer of 1932 I spent as a waitress at a fisherman’s lodge near my home. I had very little contact with students or the school. I did not hear of the difficulty until I returned. I had no decision to make. I was already there ready to start. Looking back on the situation now I can even see God’s hand in the division. I have always felt that Dr. Davis conducted himself well and was not guilty of infractions.

However, without the split there would never have been Baptist Bible Seminary –and it has been a great blessing to many people.

She thinks that the whole event had blown up during the summer after the students had gone home for break. Charges were thrown around and there was much conversation throughout the student body when the school year resumed.

It was after the split of the school and lack of teachers that Dr. Lowe came on staff fulltime. He had been making trips from his church to teach for a few days then return for the weekend. After the split he moved up and lived on campus to teach fulltime. He was Ruth’s favorite and from what I can tell many other Alumni called him their favorite. Ruth wrote that “he had such a great way of using illustrations that I still remember.”

Between all the learning the students of PBTS in the 1930s....were students. From what I have learned from Alumni in the 1930s is that they were kids just like the students that go to Davis. They were in their teens and twenties at one time in their life too. Ruth also remembers the cat prank that Pastor Wheeler told me of. The stray cats were rounded up and released in the guys’ dorm. She said it happened just before Halloween one year. It was either in 1932 or 1933. As part of the same prank or at another time they put roller-skates on a cat and sent it up and down the hallway in the girls’ dorm. Ruth did not see it happen, but she remember the stories being told about it.

“One afternoon while I was making molasses cookies for the evening meal I met a handsome freshman in the kitchen doing his required work.” It was Claude Kummerer. They had been assigned extra work for that day and they got talking as she worked on cookies for the meal and Claude was cleaning the floor in the kitchen.

In January of 1934 began the decline of Dr. John A. Davis. “It was evident that he was under a lot of stress before his stroke, but of course it was a great shock to everyone. He did not go to a hospital. Male students volunteered to watch over and care for him at home.” The students knew he was declining and they were as prepared as they could be for the death of this wonderful man of God. When he died the bottom fell out. Ruth and most of the student body were in their rooms at 7:45 PM when Dr. Davis died. From 7 to 9 PM was the study hour for the students before bedtime at 10 PM.

Ruth remembers students standing at the casket of Dr. Davis 24 hours a day keeping watch until the funeral of Dr. Davis. Ruth was working overtime in the kitchen preparing more food the guests attending the funeral. She remembers being in King Hall and on the Knoll almost falling asleep because of the fatigue from working in the kitchen. She wrote that “the funeral and the burial on the knoll were a great testimony to a great man.”

After the funeral Dr. Wagner, who was the class teacher, wanted to change the Theologue. “He immediately said that what was written was not satisfactory for this year and in less than a month he and the class produced the hard covered book” for the class of 1934. Dr. Wagner and the class rallied together to take out some parts of the 1934 Theologue and put together a wonderful book about the life of Dr. John A. Davis.

Ruth graduated in May 1934 and found work in Binghamton doing housework, and on January 19, 1935 Claude Kummerer and her were married. He continued his school work and became student pastor of Wilseyville Community Church. After his graduation Claude became full time pastor of East Lawrence, PA Church. This was the beginning of Christian services for 50 years in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

After retirement we moved to a retirement home in Southampton, PA. In a short time he was asked to be chaplain of this organization of about 500 people. After four year had a severe stroke and lived one week in the hospital (August 28, 1984) and God took him home.

Ruth is still very active being 91. She does a women’s Bible study through her church twice a month. She was wonderful to talk to and I learned much about the school’s history.

This concludes the 3 part series of PBTS in the 1930s. I am working on a new series that will come up in December and January. I will tell you more when I begin the interviews. If I receive more information from the wonderful Alumni in the 1930s I will post it here. So stay tuned.