Dr. Marion C. Patterson (class 1926) and all 9 Presidents of Davis

Dr. Patterson (1934)

Dr. and Mrs. Patterson (1965)

One thing I have been thinking about for a few months, but more so as Dr. Dino Pedrone's installation as the 9th president of Davis approaches, is Dr. Patterson. Why Dr. M.C. Patterson you may ask, well I was thinking about it and something occurred to me that I thought was very cool. Dr. Patterson knew all 9 presidents of Davis College. Dr. Patterson graduated from PBTS in 1926 when Dr. John A. Davis was president (2nd president), but he also knew John R. Clements (1st) who was on the campus for many years. He served as a Vice President under Dr. Gordon Davis (3rd), and he obviously knew himself (4th). He knew Rev. Robb (5th) his successor, both when Rev. Robb was a student (class of 1942) and during the time they served together at PBTS. For Dr. Linebaugh (7th) he would have known him as a student as Dr. Patterson was working at the college when Dr. Linebaugh was a student graduating in 1949. Dr. Kroll class of 1965 (6th), Dr. Miller class of 1972 (8th), and Dr. Pedrone class of 1967 (9th) all had Dr. Patterson as President when they were students at PBTS.

All Nine presidents of PBTS/PBC/Davis were known by Dr. Patterson.

Two godly Alumni have left this earth to be with Jesus

As I posted earlier today, Dr. Barackman went home yesterday. I found out just today that Miss Mary Baker also went home to be with Jesus this past Friday. She was of the class of 1946. She was a missionary in Africa for many years and set many young hearts and minds on fire for Jesus Christ and missions. I am in the process of working on memories from anyone who knew either of these Alumni. If you would like to share a memory fill out the form on the side or email me at cadams@davisny.edu I hope to have a larger post in the next few days with some photos from Theologues.

I myself never met Miss Mary Baker, but the few things I have heard about her are wonderful. She was a missionary in Africa for many years and had a passion for the lost souls of humans everywhere. She would get people excited about missions anytime she would come back to her Alma Mater.

Dr. Barackman I never met in person, but I talked to him once on the telephone and wrote a couple letter to him and received a couple back. The last one was from October of last year. He wrote it soon after getting out of rehabitation. He was excited that I was still studying the history of Davis. In the final paragraph he wrote.

"I was released from Broad Acres rehabitation center on September 8th (2006) after having been there for eight months. It is wonderful to be home with my wife, I have been doing a study of Psalm 23. It will be an exciting time when we are with John A. Davis and John R. Clements in glory and learn more about the school's history. I appreciate your interest in this and your desire to maintain a current history of today's events."

Well Dr. Barackman now you are in glory talking to Dr. Davis and Mr. Clements. Soon we will be together either when Christ returns or I go to be with Him.

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Please share your memories of these two godly Alumni. I know I would love hear more about both and I know other Alumni will too.

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Dr. Barackman's Obiturary -Sun-Gazette
Dr. Barackman's Obituary- Press and Sun
Miss Mary Baker's Obituary

1934 Theologue: The story of John A. Davis Part 10: "He Being Dead Yet Speaketh"

The final part of the 10 part series. If you missed any of the series they are all posted on this blog. All the links are under this introduction and also they are posted on the side bar. Send me an email or fill out the form on the side and tell me what you thought of this series. I know I enjoyed learning about John A. Davis through typing it up. Enjoy the last part.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9

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X.

“He BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH.”

Hebrews 11:4

It was two days before Easter. That morning the rising bell rang at five thirty. By six o’clock the student body of the School was on Sunset Knoll, gathered around the grave of their departed president.

The newly-made grave was covered with evergreen, and in the green bed a beautiful lily had been placed.

Rev. Gordon C. Davis was in charge of the service, and led in the singing of several familiar hymns. As the note of the last hymn died away Rev. M. C. Patterson offered prayer. Following this Rev. Marmion L. Lowe read from the Scriptures. Then John R. Clements spoke about the blessing which Dr. Davis had been to unnumbered lives, and expressed thankfulness for having been one of his associates. Numerous students spoke briefly, mentioning their thankfulness for the life of Dr. Davis and expressing their faith in Christ as “the resurrection and the life.”

The early morning worshippers then went to “Friendship Cottage,” the home of Dr. Davis, and in front of the house sang for Mrs. John A. Davis, “There’s a Land That is Fairer Than Day” and “God Will Take Care of You.”

This may have been the forerunner of many Sunrise Services at the grave of Dr. Davis. That out of the deep spiritual tone of the meeting an unsaved young man was moved to yield to Jesus Christ as his Savior was not without deep significance.

“He, being dead yet speaketh.”

Thou noble man! God’s man!

Who didst not turn to right nor left

But ever followed on

To know the Lord;

Thy work is done; rest on

Gently enfolded in God’s arms of love

For thee to live was Christ

And death thy gain!

Rest fearlessly; rest heart!

Thy Lord for thee didst conquer death;

And Christ, through toil of thine, lives on

In men.

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I hope you have enjoyed this 10 part series from the 1934 Theologue.

1934 Theologue: The Story of John A. Davis Part 6: "And it Came to Pass"

Now we are moving into the PBTS days. Though I am surprised this text from the 1934 Theologue does not include about the one dollar given by L.A. Crossan in 1900 that confirmed John A. Davis vision from God. This part (Part 6) is about the founding of the school and the first classes meeting on the corner of Arch and Main Streets in what was then Lestershire, NY (now Johnson City). Then the move the next year to Harrison Street. Enjoy.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

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VI

“AND IT CAME TO PASS”

Mark 1:9

It was in the early summer of 1900 that Rev. John A. Davis sent a notice to the various churches in Binghamton and vicinity to the effect that he was about to organize a Bible class which would meet evenings in a hall room over a store, at the corner of Arch and Main Streets, Lestershire, New York.

Between eighty and ninety people came to this first class. They all were believers, more or less interested in learning how better to study the Bible. The class was called together by Mr. Davis. After brief introductory remarks, he gave the first lecture. The succeeding sessions were carried on in much the same general way. Mr. Davis was the only teacher for the term. The attendance grew, until there were about one hundred and twenty students in the class.

The subjects taught were those in which Mr. Davis was a master, namely, “How to use the Bible”; “Personal Work”; and some introductory studies in Doctrine.

That summer some evenings were cool and pleasant while others were hot and sultry. However, the attendance never dropped nor did the interest flag throughout the whole period. God had need for a school and He inspired Mr. Davis to make this start; and He took care of the interest and the attendance and gave Mr. Davis students to work with from the very beginning. Mr. Davis’ teaching was so inspirational, so absorbing in every detail, that it mattered not whether the evening was sultry or pleasant; the students were attentive to the utmost degree, intensely interested in catching the words of life and power, coming from God’s servant.

During the closing weeks of that first term the class permanently organized and the feeling became general that the work must not be allowed to drop, but that a permanent school building should be obtained and a Bible school established which would give instruction for both day and evening students throughout the year.

Following this determination, land was donated on Harrison Street for a school building. The closing exercises for this first term were held in one of the Lestershire churches. The matter of a permanent school building was presented to the people and several hundred dollars immediately secured toward the project. This gave an impetus to the work which assured its completion. The students organized in groups of five to ten for services in the churches of the immediate vicinity and at distances of many miles. Everywhere they went with the enthusiastic message, “We are going to build the school.” The students would put on a platform service and, at the close, take an offering for the work which was already dear to their hearts. Plans were drawn and the building was quickly completed. The following year found the school housed in this new building on Harrison Street and ready for classes along regular, prescribed courses of study. The first “certificates of completion of introductory studies” were issued under date of September 1, 1901, over the signatures of John R. Clements, President; and John A. Davis, Superintendent.

The selection of a name for the institution deserves mention. Mr. Davis was urged, by a number of people, to call the school “The Davis Bible School.” The selection of a name was delayed for several weeks, due to Mr. Davis’ determination not to call the school after himself. He insisted that what he wanted to give was a practical working knowledge of the Bible to young people, which would enable them to be of unusual service in their respective churches. Again and again, he would say that he wanted a practical Bible-training course. His friends finally surrendered to Mr. Davis’ judgment, and he named the institution “The Practical Bible Training School.”

The School was incorporated under the membership laws of the state of New York in the year 1900, by John A. Davis, John R. Clements, E. Talmadge Graves, A. B. Corby, and George W. Holyoke, all of Binghamton and Lestershire (now Johnson City). The articles of incorporation and application were drawn by Honorable Harry C. Perkins, who later became Secretary and Legal Advisor of the institution. The petition was approved by Supreme Court Justice, Honorable George F. Lyon, himself a Binghamton resident.

In 1901, Rev. William H. Pike was chosen dean of the school and continued in the position until 1917. He was a man of exceptional ability, mighty in the Scriptures, as well as a fine executive. The other men, known nationally, who taught either special subjects in the school or gave large contributions of time in a more general way were: Rev. E. P. Marvin of Lockport; Robert Garry, the “Man of one Book”; Rev. E. F. Hallenbeck, D.D., a Binghamton pastor and gifted Bible teacher; Rev. George L. Aldrich, D.D., a Scranton pastor and deep Bible student; and many others of wide prominence in God’s work. Miss Mary Scotten was a worker at the school from its inception and for years a member of the faculty. She is revered by every student who has ever studied at the Practical Bible Training School.

The building shown in the accompanying cut was erected in 1901, and it was thought of commodious proportions. The building had offices, lecture rooms, and a parlor on the first floor; dining room and culinary department on the floor below; and dormitory accommodations on the second and third floors. The ground was sufficiently sloping so that the dining room opened on the lawn, at the lower side of the building.

In the early days of the Practical Bible Training School on Harrison Street, in Lestershire, the interest became such that a Bible Conference was proposed. The suggestion was carried into effect with telling results. The attendance was large, many coming from surrounding town; each person with Bible and notebook, ready to get real personal inspiration. These were never-to-be-forgotten occasions.

God marvelously answered the soul-stirring prayers. One man claimed Isaiah 40:29, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” Thousands who have attended the Practical Bible Training School Summer Bible Conference, held annually since then, will say “Amen” to the truth and confirmation of this promise.

When the glad meeting in eternity where vast numbers who have been inspired and whose hearts melted at such gatherings will join in the resounding notes of Alleluiah Chorus in adoration of Jesus Christ, then will the realization of the success of the comparatively small beginning be know. Bible conferences mark the achievement of another of Dr. Davis’ visions.

“And soon or late to all who sow,

The time of harvest shall be given;

The flower shall bloom, the fruit shall grow,

If not on earth, at last in Heaven.”

One of the earliest students at the Practical Bible Training School was G. Lloyd Hughes, shown in the accompanying cut. He was a young Welshman from the Pennsylvania anthracite regions, called of God for definite service. He came to Lestershire and worked his way through school. He was a thoroughly consecrated young man, who lived close to God, as an incident of his school days will show. Lloyd Hughes had been working at the time and, in his working clothes, was on his way walking from his place of employment to the school, at the close of the day’s work. He was proceeding along a street when he felt an urge to call at a certain home which he was passing. He glanced at the house, realized that he knew no one there and continued down the street. However, the urge to stop at that particular house was so great that he retraced his steps and, because of his having working clothes on, went down the side of the house to the back steps, and up those steps. He knocked at the door, which was opened by a working man. Lloyd said, “I beg your pardon, sir, but did you want to see me?” to which the man replied, “I guess I do; you were speaking on the street corner over in Stella the other evening, and I can’t get away from it. I want to know how to become a Christian.” Lloyd led him to Christ.

Lloyd Hughes made it a practice of being present at the “family devotional period,” held each evening in the parlor immediately after supper. He frequently prayed, “Lord do not let me disappoint you.” These times of worship were honored with God’s presence, and bring blessed memories to mind.

Lloyd went to China and proceeded to the southern part. He was possessed with a longing to preach the Gospel in Annam. He finally did have this pleasure which, however, was short-lived for during the heated season of the year he was stricken with brain fever and went home to be with his Lord. Lloyd lived a brief but brilliant life for God, and was another product resulting from the consecration of John A. Davis.

A Gospel wagon was pressed into service and proved a great help in carrying Gospel singers and workers—also attracting the attention of men, women and children to the inspiring meetings they held. Musical instruments and a large part in calling the crowds.

An incident in the life of John A. Davis is worth mentioning here. H. H. Wagner was one of the first students of the school, and one of the students to go out in the groups for platform meetings. One Monday morning he was waiting at the office for Mr. Davis, in order to make report concerning the meetings held while Mr. Davis had been out on an evangelistic campaign. When Mr. Davis came in, he had his offering from the campaign in coin bags, in a satchel. While receiving his report, he emptied the offering out on his desk and commenced to count it. At this moment, Miss Lena King, matron of the institution, entered. Mr. Davis greeted her and asked how the institution had been getting along during his absence, and whether or not the school’s bill had been paid. She replied that they had not been paid but, on the contrary, there were several which were somewhat pressing. Mr. Davis then counted out three or four small amounts, saying, “I need that for my grocery bill and that for...” designating other bills and, with a sweep of both hands, he pushed the uncounted offering over to Miss King and said, “Miss King, take the rest of it.” This is but one illustration of the unusual sacrifices of John A. Davis for the institution God brought into being through him.
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Coming up Part 7: Behold, the Place Wherein We Dwell Is Too Strait for Us

Memories of PBTS by Pastor Dick Riffle (class 1943)

MEMORIES OF PBTS 1931-1944

As told by Pastor Dick Riffle, Clarkston, Washington

A little background of how I heard about Practical

I first heard of the Practical Bible Training School in 1931 when my brother Melbourne Riffle began as a student there. He was married, had four children, and in his 30’s when he became a Christian. He was led to the Lord by Pastor Ralph Chaffee in Caton, NY. Pastor Chaffee’s daughter in later years was married to someone at Practical; I think one of the presidents. In 1932 Melbourne and a classmate, Lawrence Kelly decided to hold Evangelistic services in the Grange Hall in Lindley, NY, my home town. The only church there was the Methodist Church and it had dwindled to eight people in attendance. The Minister was a modernist (liberal) and did not preach the Gospel. I was 14 years old at the time Mel and Lawrence held the meetings. Another boy and I had been bass fishing in the Tioga river close by and were coming by the Grange Hall. We heard some singing and the boy with me asked me what was going on. I told him and said, “Let’s go up and listen in.” He said, “Not in these old clothes and hip boots!” I said, “We can sit in the back.” So up the stairs we went and found a bench in the back corner. We propped our fish poles in the corner and listened to the singing.

Soon my brother Mel gave a message. I had been brought up in the Methodist church and was familiar with doctrinal truth but had never heard the plan of Salvation explained so clearly before. When Mel gave an invitation for any who wanted to accept Christ as their personal Savior, I found myself heading for the front, hip boots and all. He carefully explained the way of Salvation and that night I accepted Christ as my Savior. Sunday morning came I could hardly wait to get to the Methodist church to tell my Minister. I was early but he was there. I said, “Rev. MacArthur, I have something to tell you. My brother Mel and a friend have been holding meetings this week in the Grange Hall.” He said very flatly, “Yes, I heard about that.” I replied, “I went forward and got saved the other night!” He said, “That all right son, every young person has to have some EMOTIONAL experience in their life. You’ll get over it!” I was stunned! But it flashed through my mind immediately, “My Minister does not believe the Gospel!”...I turned and ran out of there and never went back to hear him again. When Mel went back to PBTS that fall, he had Pastor Chaffee come every Sunday night and preach for the next year to hold the congregation together. There had been many saved during the meetings. When Mel graduated in 1934 from Practical the group asked him to organize the Lindley Community Church. He wrote the Constitution and By-laws and became the Pastor for one year. This was the beginning of my exposure to PBTS.

It was under the ministry of Pastor Eisenhart that I came to Practical. In October of 1940, I rededicated my life to the Lord when he was Pastor in Lindley, NY. Helen’s sisters, Clara and Dorothy came to live with them. In 1941 I entered the school at the winter term. For the next two and a half years I had to make up the fall classes of 1940 among with my regular subjects. Clara Ruhlman (Clara was the younger sister of Florence Ruhlman, Pastor Carl Wheeler’s wife) came to Bible school in the fall of 1941. At Christmas time, we became engaged. Early in 1942 I received notice that I had been classified as a 1-A and I was to report for duty in the army in June of 1942. June came I got as far as the Induction Center in Rochester, NY. I passed every physical test until I came to the eye Doctor. He asked me if I knew what kind of eyesight I had and I told him, “Yes! 20/20 with my glasses!” He said, “But without them they test 20/400. You are within 10 percent of being legally blind. And I notice you are studying for the Ministry. What are you doing here? Didn’t you ask for a deferment?” I said, “No sir! I come from a very patriotic family and if God wants me in the Army, that is where I want to be!”

I have always believed this man was a Christian because he said, “Son, this country needs SPIRITUAL help as well as winning a war. For every young man who is planning to do what you are going to do, I can get 1,000 young men for the army that are not interested in spiritual things. I’m sending you home to finish your schooling.” I went home and the next week got a job working for the Army on a construction job building an Ordinance Depot for army supplies. I worked until Fall semester and returned to Bible School. My next topic will tell you something about Dr. Gordon Davis.

The draft board had given me a “temporary” 4-D classification (Ministers Classification was 4-D) with instructions that if I was not in full time ministry shortly after I graduated I would be called up again by the Military. Clara and I prayed much about this so before we went home for Christmas met with Dr. Davis in his office. We told him that we wanted to get married before returning for the winter term. He said, “No. It has been a standing rule that students that got married in between semesters could not return until the next fall.” We then told him that we did not want to do as so many young couples had done. Married a week and then separated by going into the military. And that there was a good possibility I would be called again in June. We stated we had prayed about it and felt it was God’s Will.

He got up from his desk and started pacing the floor, pushing his pencil back and forth through his hand (a habit of his). “Well, Mr. Riffle, if I give you permission to let you get married when you go home and let you return, it will break a precedent that has existed since the school began. BUT...If you and Miss Ruhlman believe this is “God’s Will”...Who am I to say it isn’t! You have my permission to get married and return for the winter semester!...In March we went to the Baptist church in Blodgett Mills to preach and the second Sunday they asked us to become their Pastor. I wrote a letter to my Draft Board and shortly after received a permanent 4-D classification.

Memories of Clara and my days at Practical

John R. Clements the writer of the Hymn “No Night There.” Each year on his birthday the student body would gather in front of their home and sing that song for him and also “Happy Birthday.” He was the Postmaster until year of ’43. During the first part of 1943 he was confined to his bed most of the time. Clara and I would drop in once in a while to visit with him. The first time we were in his room we saw something that he never talked about. He was such a humble man. On his bedroom walls hung two large pictures in ornate frames. One was a picture of President Teddy Roosevelt and the other of Williams Jennings Bryan. Each had inscribed a handwritten note, “To My Friend, John R. Clements” signed “Teddy Roosevelt.” On the other picture, “To my Good Friend, John R. Clements,” singed “William Jennings Bryan”...We would always ask him to tell us the story of a hymn, how and who wrote it or some unusual thing about it. The one I remember well was about Ira Sankey, writer of the hymn “The Ninety and Nine.” During the years he traveled with D.L. Moody in speaking engagements, a feature of the service would be when Sankey at the close of the service would play his portable organ and sing “The Ninety and Nine.” Such a service ended in Philadelphia once nigh. Sankey was closing up the organ, the crowd was leaving, and an elderly lady came to the front. She said, “Mr. Sankey, I walked several miles to get here tonight, but I just got here and I came to hear you play the “Ninety and Nine” but I missed it!” Mr. Clements continued, “And then Sankey, the great man of God that he was, who had just played before thousands, opened up the organ and played the “Ninety and Nine” for ONE dear lady!”

Mr. Clements had made a project of researching the history and writing of songs both secular and spiritual.

The Faculty

Dr. Davis and his “Public Speaking” course enabled Pastors to speak clearly when they preached and singers to sing from the diaphragm. John Ruhlman told me this story of when he was a student. One of his class members (William Clancy) was in charge of firing up the boiler to provide hot water for the school. Clancy would get off work about 10:00 at night. Covered with coal dust and sweat, he would get to the Inner Circle Dorm and find guys in the shower and most of the hot water gone. They promised they would save a shower place for him. The next night he came in and someone was in the shower. So he went and got a pail of cold water, crept in the shower room, and dumped the whole pail of water over the wall by the shower on the one who was there. A loud scream came, not from one of the students but from Dr. Davis who had slipped up to the dorm because something was not working in the shower at his house.

It is difficult to be brief about the Faculty. Dr. Lowe with his clear doctrinal and practical teaching of the Word. His humor kept your attention and made a point about some truth he was presenting. His studies and sermons on Ruth and the Song of Solomon have never been matched by any writers that I have read. His devotion to the Lord, God’s Word, his family and his students were outstanding, His book “Christ In All the Scriptures” has never been equaled.

Dr. Harvey Wagner (former FBI Director in Food and Drug Inspection for 15 years before coming to Practical) had a photographic mind. He knew most of the Bible from memory and insisted and encouraged us to memorize as much as we could. When a student gave an answer or made a statement in class, he would always point to that student and say, “Chapter and verse, please!” He gave me a copy of his large Doctrinal and Dispensational chart after his meetings with me when I was a Pastor in Marshall, Michigan in 1945. He was a great man of prayer. His office was connected to his classroom and if you came in early, often his door was partly open and you would see him on his knees in prayer before coming to teach.

Francis Holden was a great in his classes on Biblical Theology and Old Testament History. His godliness also showed in his life and teaching.

Nellie Manley was such a sweet person and made Church History very interesting.

Hilda Copley was a good Teacher and I enjoyed her classes in English and American Literature.

Alice Chatlos was a not only a great teacher of Greek, but a great example of one whose life was lived in the light of Eternity. Her Father being a millionaire, she could have lived a life of luxury and ease but chose to give her life to the Lord at Practical. The only time I can recall her talking about her parents, was when she told us her Dad had sold their home in New Jersey to none other than Glen Miller, the famous orchestra and band director.

Dr. and Mrs. Patterson were great representatives for the school and as leaders of the Students League of Many Nations inspired many young people to come to Practical as students as well as the many who accepted Christ through their ministry. Dr. Patterson also enlisted financial support for the school with the many contacts that he had.

Mrs. John A. Davis (“Mother Davis”) we called was a great inspiration to everyone. She was so thoughtful and concerned for every student. After Clara and I were married, we had a room in the “Brown Cottage” overlooking the river. I was sick one night and she came and made a personal visit on us. One of the chapel features of the year was when she would tell the story of how the “White City” or “Sin City” was purchased as a campus. I will tell it in her words as accurately as I can.

“John heard about the property being for sale. He had been looking for a place that was larger than where we were. I will never forgot the day when we drove up and parked out front on Riverside Drive. We began to walk up the sidewalk leading to the main building. As I looked at the scene before us, it was the worse place I had ever seen. Garbage, trash, whiskey bottles, broken glass, broken windows, buildings falling apart, a terrible sight to me. All of a sudden John who was ahead of me, spun around, his face was shining, his eyes full of excitement and shouted, “ISN’T IT BEAUTIFUL! JUST WHAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR!” I saw only the trash, the work, the rundown buildings. John saw STUDENTS! And a place where they could be taught the Word of God and prepare themselves for Christian service! What a vision he had for God!...”

The Brown Cottage

We were to live in what was called the “Brown Cottage” at school. It sat overlooking the Susquehanna River. We had a single room with a bath. There were three other married couple in the building with similar accommodation. We were on the lower floor near the furnace room which had a small “pony” stove that heated the water tank. It had a single cast iron plate at the top. It was my responsibility to keep the stove burning around the clock. We bought a “cold handle” frying pan, (which I still have) and once in a while would buy some hamburgers and buns and fry them on the little stove.

Each student at the school had to give one hour of work every day. It could be cleaning a hallway, washing dishes, cleaning a bathroom and various other duties. In my Senior year, I was given the responsibility of opening the dining room for the student body. Breakfast at 6:00 am, lunch and the evening meal. I wore a white jacket and stood at the bottom of the stairway as the students came down for meals. As soon as everyone was seated, I hit a small set of chimes with a little mallet and asked a student to say the blessing.

Food at Bible School during those early years was nourishing but not fancy. Lots of macaroni and cheese dishes, and other types of pasta. The girls gained weight, much to their dismay. Meat during the week was mainly cold cuts, no butter, and skim milk. I hated the milk at first but it was always cold and I developed a liking for it. The best meal of the week was on Sunday. It was always the same but very good. Ground beef meat loaf with onions cooked in it. Wow! Did that ever smell good as we came into the dining room!

The school had special music groups that would minister on Sundays to various churches in the area. There were two men’s quartets. One good one and the one in which I sang lead. Carlo Pietropaulo bass, Art Meadows, baritone, Cecil Whitney, tenor. One Sunday we were at a small Baptist Church and before the service the Pastor met with us to instruct is as to when were to sing our first number,

He said, “Right after the S.O.S. group come in, you will sing your first number. Oh, you may wonder who the S.O.S. are: That’s our women’s choir. They know I refer to them as the S.O.S., but they don’t know what that stands for. I secretly refer them as “Sisters of Satan.” They are the WAR department of this church!”

The official Ladies Trio from the School were Clara, Betty Denkleman, Margaret Weckle. Boy! Could they sing! Besides going to churches, they sang at school.

John A. Davis' house still looks over the banks of the Susquehanna

John A. Davis' house still looks over the banks of the Susquehanna where he passed away 73 years ago on the night of Saturday, March 17, 1934 at 7:45 PM. His son Gordon and wife Etta were by his bed has he entered Heaven. John R. Clements was also there and with Mrs. Davis' last words to John created a poem. Dr. Davis was 62 years of age when he left this earth and entered glory.

John R. Clements: A man of many talents and gifts

John R. Clements was the first president of Practical Bible Training School. He was appointed by John A. Davis to be this while Dr. Davis continued to be Superintendent. (see stationary below from Harrison Street)
John R. Clements had many talents and gifts from the Lord. He was born on November 28, 1868, in Newry, Ireland. He soon moved to the States with his family. He loved music and poetry and he was seen writing poetry and songs many times on the Campus. He had been saved under the ministry of D.L. Moody and went into Christian service. When he met Dr. Davis the two became wonderful friends. He was president from 1900 until 1914. He was Postmaster of the Bible School Park Post Office from 1935-1945. The man did not stop. He had much energy in serving the Lord and not wanting to waste his talents or gifts. He died on January 9, 1946...61 years ago this past Tuesday.

One poem that John Clements wrote after the death of Dr. Davis was the poem "THROUGH." Mrs. Davis had said when Dr. Davis was near death, "John, you're almost through." With that in the back of his mind John Clements wrote:

"Almost through" with the strain and strife
The warp and woof of a busy life;
"Through" with the road that led mid tears
To the summit heights of rounded years.
"Through" with the gains that oft proved loss;
"Through" with the heavy splintered cross.
No more the nights with disturbing dreams,
When nothing proves the things it seems.
"Through" with the thoughts of other cares
That creep into helpfulness unawares;
And stilled forever the helping hand
That many were led to understand;
Hushed the voice that had swayed the throng,
In trumpet calls both loud and long;
Closed the eyes that had seen afar
The havoc of life's rough jolt and jar;
And hushed almost the heart that bled
For hosts in sin who sat as dead.
Feet no more to move swift and free,
Where needy of earth were wont to be.
"Almost through,"--but bliss of the years,
The stillness breaks with myriad cheers.
The Gates of Pearl are tonight ajar
There's a Pilgrim coming who journeyed far!

Memories of PBTS from the 1930s- Part 2: Pastor Carl Wheeler (class of 1934)

Memories of PBTS from the 1930s

PART 2

Pastor Carl Wheeler (class of 1934)

Part two in a three part series: Memories of PBTS from the 1930s. Today I am posting about Pastor Carl Wheeler who graduated in from PBTS in 1934.

I first heard about Pastor Wheeler from reading a Touchstone interview his nephew Don Hall did with him and his wife Florence, who went to be with Lord October 2005. I was excited reading about John A. Davis from someone who knew him. I had been emailing back and forth with Don Hall asking what he knew about John A. Davis from his research and he mentioned that he would give me his Uncle Carl’s address. Naturally I thought he would be emailing me his postal address, but no it was his email address! Wow! I was excited. An Alumnus from 1934 had an email address. I was thrilled. We began a great correspondence over email during the later part of the summer of 2006. By the beginning of the school year we had exchanged many emails and I had set up an interview with him over the phone for September. He related many stories over email before our phone interview. One was about him and Billy Sunday:

A PBTS student and I had privilege of a Youth Ministry in what may have been the last campaign of Billy Sunday. A converted well known baseball player, got saved and became an Evangelist which dominated and influenced in the early part of last century. In our ministry in the campaign in the Bronx, N.Y. 1934 we transported "Billy and Ma." Sunday as they were called, from his hotel to the Church. A great honor and here is some thing from my "collection' which is a glowing tribute to the Savior, Billy loved. I have and autographed picture which I treasure and his signature in my well worn Scofield Bible.

In another email over the summer I had asked about the school split of 1932. He recalled this:

The School split during my summer vacation from being a freshman. So much going on in every way and a big problem what to do the next fall. A crucial decision I had to make while sitting alone in a borrowed car and I can't remember the name of that Main Street or avenue. So thankful my steps turned toward Practical and a new Semester amidst questionable circumstances with many of my former teachers not there... My mind says "Floral Ave." Right?

So on Floral Ave Pastor Wheeler prayed and continued to go to PBTS. One other email I received gave me a chuckle. Pastor Wheeler wrote:

Am such a novice. At School learned much about Israelites, Canaanites, Jebusites but know little about Megabytes...Am pre school age in that realm.

Yet, he is the first person I know that is 94 years old that knows how to email and instant message people. I do not know of anyone else. Some of his emails sound like they are from someone that is my age in the fashion they are written. Pastor Wheeler and I became great friends over the internet by the beginning of the school year.

It would be the first Alumni phone interview I would do. It was on Thursday, September 7, 2006

Great energy I heard over the line. Pastor Wheeler told me he was born January 20, 1912 and I could not believe it. I would have thought he was only in his 60s by the energy in his voice. He was born in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania and grew up there before coming to New York to PBTS. His brother Clyde had come to PBTS in the 1920s and had graduated in 1926. Pastor Wheeler also mentioned that one of his oldest brothers was named Earl, and he was killed in WWI. The name Earl was passed on to his nephew Earl Wheeler who is on the Board here at Davis College. It was through the death of his brother that he was able to come to PBTS. God works in interesting ways and usually the ways we will not or do not want Him working in.

Pastor Wheeler remembers going to school for the Summer Conferences. His brother Clyde did much with the Student’s League of Many Nations, while he attended PBTS. He would go around and put up posters to get areas ready for the League’s arrival months ahead of time. Yet, it would be the calling of the Lord to serve Him that drew Pastor Wheeler to attend the alma mater of his brother.

He also mentioned how the League came to Susquehanna, Pennsylvania on several occasions. It was a fasted paced program with flags and patriotism for the countries they represented. It was a three fold service according to Pastor Wheeler that had songs and testimonies of what God had done in their lives. It never dragged, because Dr. John A. Davis was a fast moving kind of person. There would be an appeal for others to accept Christ during the time and also an appeal for others to join in the work of the ministry of Christ. After 80 years these events still are very vivid.

The energy of Dr. John A. Davis also continues to be clear in his mind. He wrote in one of his emails that Dr. Davis had “no grass growing under his feet.” He was very energetic to say the least. Even though he had lost his voice in 1912 and only gained some of it back the energy he had made up for it. He had a Billy Sunday kind of mentality. He could put his foot and kick it up over the chairs when preaching and put emphasis on certain words by inflecting them upwards. Even with the energy he had only some voice. He had a squeaky voice when Pastor Wheeler knew him. From what I know from my own research Dr. John A. Davis lost his voice in 1912 and was only able to regain some of it with some therapy. He had a powerful voice in his days, but with the lack of amplification in the late 1800s Dr. Davis lost his voice preaching to crowds of thousands of people. Pastor Wheeler was thankful for having a great person like Dr. Davis around when he was at PBTS.

During his time at PBTS Ira Weyhe was Pastor Wheeler’s best friend and roommate. Ira was the president of the class of 1934 and also the chief writer for the Theologue of 1934. Another good friend was George H. Kyrk. Pastor Wheeler and two other friends had a trio that would travel to different churches and minister to the congregation. They all lived in the Inner Circle, the converted Merry-Go-Round. The Inner Circle was right behind the Old Main Building and he remembers looking up and knowing exactly where his sweetheart, Florence, was. Sometimes he would write a note to Florence and have the night watchman slip it underneath her door.

He and Florence met while they were doing their different duties on campus. She would work in the dinning hall and he would take her dishes out. Florence would not have been able to stay if it were not for the care that the Davis’ had for the students. They would put some of their own money on the student’s bill or find them other jobs to do around campus to pay for their time at PBTS. It was like one big family at PBTS during the 1930s.

Yet, even with the family unit there were hard days for the school. Being the Depression the food was limited. Sometimes a farm in New York or Pennsylvania would have some extra potatoes and have the students come down and dig them up and take them back to PBTS. Looking back they did not think of themselves as being poor, but being college students even in the 1930s funny things were bound to happen.

He remembers a prank that Florence and some of the girls did on one occasion. They rounded up some cats and released them in the guys’ dorm and caused some excitement. They most likely got in more trouble for getting to close to guys’ dorm than for releasing the cats. Yet, other trials arouse while Pastor Wheeler was there, one being the splitting of the school.

In the summer of 1932 the school split and some professors and students went and formed Baptist Bible Seminary at the First Baptist of Johnson City. As was mentioned earlier in this article Pastor Wheeler remembers praying for God’s guidance on Floral Ave. After much prayer he decided to stay at PBTS. His best friend Ira was still there and Baptist Bible had already started a few weeks earlier. Pastor Wheeler was very thankful he stayed at PBTS, because it would be in 1932 that he and Florence would meet for the first time. To help out Dr. Davis people like Dr. Lowe, a graduate of PBTS came to teach where he would be the rest of his life teaching the Word of God. He believes that the stress both from the death of Charles Davis in 1931 and the school split in 1932 was kept from the student body, but Dr. and Mrs. Davis had to be under immense stress because of both events.

Pastor Wheeler remembers Doctor Wagner very well. Not only him being the class teacher, but he preached the Gospel and loved the Lord. He lived and preached to the students to live as if Jesus were coming back that day. He was also a matchmaker trying to get Pastor Wheeler and Florence together. Many of the professors left churches to take up the burden of PBTS. It was a labor of love; their love for the Lord and their love for the school and its mission.

Another person that he had great respect for was John R. Clements the first president of PBTS. He remembers him writing music and poems all over campus. He would play on his Bilhorn organ also. On one occasion he remembers him writing a poem outside the Inner Circle and he had Mr. Clements write it down for him later on. It was called “On the Jesus Way.” Pastor Wheeler still remembers most of it and treasures its words. It talks about the storms that happened during life and being protected by Jesus Christ. A great man of God who loved his Lord served Him through music and poetry.

In January of 1934, John A. Davis had a series of strokes. The school continued to operate as normally as possible. The classes plugged away. They would have days of prayer and fasting for Dr. Davis’ health. Florence was in a trio that sang at Dr. Davis’ bedside at the cottage. When John A. Davis passed away he remembers the bell on the top of the Main Building ringing 62 times. Yet, even though he was in glory the memory of Dr. John A. Davis would live on.

Pastor Wheeler remembers the Practical Helps that Dr. Davis would give to help people going into the ministry. How to conduct oneself when preaching or visiting a house and the appearance you bring. They were great tips that he has passed down to his children and grandchildren. Dr. Davis gave good practical help for ministers of the Word. He would preach his sermons and be “full of life” and be jumping around. “He was an innovator” for his time doing things that most would not dare to do. He would put things together in a clever way and originate new and different ways to present the gospel (read Education that Educates). A great man of God was Dr. Davis the founder of PBTS

My interview with Pastor Wheeler concluded after one hour and ten minutes on the phone. It was a great phone interview and it was well worth my time to learn more about the rich history of the school. We continued to communicate via email and finally met last month in October here at Davis College. View the picture here. Pastor Wheeler I believe is a living example of era of Dr. John A. Davis, because he has a great bundle of energy and I believe he could jump over a chair.

Coming up next week on Davis College History...Part 3 of 3 Mrs. Ruth Kummerer (Class of 1934)