110 years ago today....(Part 2 of 2): The Confirmation

Only five days had passed since God had laid on John A. Davis' heart the need for a Bible School on the East Coast. John had left Hazleton, Pennsylvania and after a brief stop in Binghamton had traveled onto Elmira, NY to continue to preach the word. Now it was Tuesday, April 10, 1900 and John would be preaching in the Elmira Tabernacle out of Matthew 7:24-27, it was the sermon that he had entitled The Two Foundations. John had preached this sermon on a few other occasions over the years as many traveling preachers and evangelists would do. Tonight however the fountains of the school would be laid.

Mrs. L.A. Crossan

As John A. Davis was arriving in Elmira to prepare for the revival meeting, God had already set into motion events that would confirm the creation of the Bible School. Days earlier, as God was laying the Bible school on John's heart, a poor wash-woman by the name of Mrs. L.A. Crossan was given a dollar bill. She thanked God for it upon receiving it and she prayed that she could use it to the glory of God. Soon the LORD was going to give her an opportunity to use it in a mighty way.

1899 Silver Certificate (most likely the kind given to Mrs. Crossan)

Now it was the late afternoon of Tuesday, April 10, 1900 and Mrs. L.A. Crossan went to hear the 28 year old evangelist John A. Davis at the Elmira Tabernacle. She was ready to soak in the word with many others that attended. John A. Davis stood up and in his rich powerful voice resonated throughout the church as his enthusiasm for the Word of God vibrated the windows of the church and the souls of the people. He began by reading from Matthew 7:24-27.

Matthew 7:24-27~

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."

The beginning of that sermon from A God Enthused Man:

This parable is recorded by only two of the writers of the gospels, Matthew and Luke, and are words from the Savior's own lips in that memorable sermon on the mount. The truth is here put in a nutshell; simple, practical, and easy to be understood, and ought to have a greater power over each one of us, and I sincerely hope that the Holy Spirit will carry home to each heart the truth that God would have them to learn. May I say at the very beginning that I believe that the message was given to me from the Lord and I hope that our hearts may be in a receptive condition, and that God will help us to profit by the words of the message, for this work of building (character building) is something we all are or at least ought to be interested in.

Later on in the sermon...

We must Build on Something. That is common sense. We cannot build on air; we all know that we must build on some foundation. It is true that at times all build what they call “air castles,” but they do not amount to anything. So then, if all are building and must build on some foundation how very important it is to know what we are building.

As Mrs. Crossan listened to the sermon she was moved by God to give Mr. Davis the dollar bill. She wrote out a quick note and slipped it into an envelope with the dollar bill and continued to listen to the powerful message beginning delivered by this young man.

Where are you building? Where art thou? Is the question God asked Adam. Do you hear God's voice asking you the same question? You know where you are. Perhaps you are hiding away behind some excuse that was manufactured long years ago in hell and furnished yon by Satan. Are you trying to cover your nakedness from God's eye with that fig leaf apron of your own works? Rom. 3 :10, 23, says: "There is none righteous, no, not one. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Oh, then, begin to build on Christ.

He continued on bringing the word of the LORD to the people. Many turning over their lives to Him or dedicating their lives to Him. John A. Davis finished by praying Psalm 23.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Amen.

John A. Davis finished the prayer and several people came up to the front of the church and began to shake hands with him and talk with him. Mrs. Crossan worked her way up to him and handed him the envelope. He thanked her as he put it into the pocket of his suit coat. John continued to shake hands and pray with others for another hour after the meeting, before heading out.

He walked back to where he was staying and removed his suit coat when the envelope fell from his pocket to the floor. It had been a busy yet wonderful evening preaching the word that he had completely forgotten about it. He opened it and out fell a one dollar bill. Inside the envelope was also a note. He opened the note and read the following words:

I am a poor washer-woman but God has laid it on my heart to give you this dollar to help you carry out the plan He has revealed to you.

John read the note then looked back at the dollar bill and then back to the note. God had confirmed in this small way that He wanted John to start a Bible School on the East coast. That dollar bill had become his Gideon Fleece. No more confirmation was needed though. He soon was preparing for the first classes of the Practical Bible Training School.

A Dollar and Dream

Today in President's Chapel I spoke briefly about the history of the College and beginnings in April 1900. I mentioned about L.A. Crossan's one dollar gift, which will appear on this blog in more detail on April 10. It was a great time and I am very thankful for Dr. Pedrone for inviting me. Along with the challenge I made below the college has launched a similar campaign which you are more than welcome to donate to also. You can view it here. Now Facebook only allows for $10 or more to donated. If you would like to donate just a dollar or $5 you can use the Davis website link in that same post.

Something that I found only recently is that Mrs. L.A. Crossan that donated the dollar on April 10, 1900 died a year later. She donated all her earthly goods to the school. It is amazing to see how God can use something so small and use it for His glory and honor. 110 years after that one dollar gift God is still blessing this school.

Today Marks 109 years since PBTS was laid on our founders heart

It was a 109 years ago. Thursday, April 5, 1900 was the place and Hazelton, Pennsylvania was the place. A 28 year old John Adelbert Davis had been conducting campaigns in the city when God laid on his heart a Bible School similar to that of Moody's Bible Institute that he had attended in 1893. Shortly later he went up to another campaign in Elmira, NY where he was given the one dollar from Mrs. Crossan that confirmed the vision was from the LORD. That summer the first classes of PBTS were begun over a store on the corner of Main Street and Arch in Johnson City (then Lestershire), NY.

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

The One Dollar Miracle

The following post is from the 1931 Theologue. It was an article written by Charles Baker entitled "What a Dollar Bill Did." I have added some images to enhanced the story of the one dollar that created PBTS. I am guessing that the dollar would have been given to John A. Davis in Late March or in April of 1900 as the first classes started in June of 1900. I am doing research trying to find when his Campaign would have been in Elmira during these months to pinpoint the exact day. Enjoy the article.
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In the year of nineteen hundred there lived in Elmira a poor washer-woman who knew what it was to trust God for her daily sustenance and support, not only materially, but spiritually as well. She believed Philippians 4:19, and was trusting God to supply all her needs. Everything she possessed was on the altar of God, and she was depending upon Him for guidance to use all she had to tell of the love and compassion that she had found impersonated in the lowly Nazarene, Who, to her, was as real as any visible person.

L.A. Crossan (the wash woman)

One day she was given a dollar bill for which she thanked the Lord and promised to use it to His glory. In the brief history of this dollar bill and what it accomplished, we shall see an illustration of the truth, “Little is much if God is in it,” for truly God was in that gift from the beginning. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and his ways past finding out!” God has a plan for each and every one of our lives and He wants us to give ourselves over to Him that He may show what He can do. If we have unreservedly yielded our all, whether talents, money, or possessions; if we have consecrated our whole being to Him, intellect, emotions and will, He will make much out of what we have given Him, though it seems so little to us. It was so with this dollar bill. It was in the hands of a faithful steward who was waiting for the message from heaven in answer to her prayer that the Lord would present an opportunity to use it in His service.

An 1899 Silver Certificate (what I guess would have been given to her)

About this time the evangelist, John A. Davis, who later founded the Practical Bible Training School, while in a meeting in Hazelton, PA., had a vision in which the conception of the school came to him. He was wonderfully moved in which the message from God, which seemed to set forth the Lord’s plan for his life. But he was just “the Boy evangelist” and he could not understand how God could use him to establish a school. He prayed much about it but little did he know how the answer was to come. He was still undecided as to what to do, when he went for a campaign to Elmira, where lived this faithful servant of the Lord. During the campaign the answer to her petition had come, so one night after the service she handed him an envelope. Being busy shaking hands, Dr. Davis put it into his pocket without opening it. Thus he forgot it until along in the night when he remembered it and opened it. To his surprise out fell a dollar bill and a little note which read something like this, “I am a poor washer-woman but God has laid it on my heart to give you this dollar to help you carry out the plan He has revealed to you.” Gratefully Dr. Davis accepted the money, and realizing that God had thus set His seal upon his mission, he set out with great zeal and enthusiasm to accomplish the task of organizing a Bible School.
The first sessions of the school were help in rented rooms over a store in Lestershire, NY, now Johnson City, and continued during the season nineteen-hundred, from June to August, with Dr. Davis as instructor. In the summer of nineteen-hundred-one the school entered its own three-story building at 47 Harrison Street, made possible through the generosity of the citizens of Johnson City and many other friends.
For ten years the school grew rapidly and soon that location was no longer convenient. The Lord again intervened, and honoring the prayers of the president and faithful workers, He opened up new prospects. A notorious amusement park located on Riverside Drive which was offered for sale was providentially secured. Here a great reformation began. The various vices of Satan were put to rout and a place of vile repute was transformed into the most beautiful spot on the banks of the Susquehanna. Those who have spent a year or more at P.B.T.S. can testify to the wonderful devotional atmosphere of the school and the sincerity of the instructor. Not only has this place been reconstructed and remolded, thus benefiting the community, but it is the place where yearly the lives of approximately one hundred and fifty young men and women are being remolded and trained for the Master’s service.
This is what a dollar bill, having been dedicated to God, has done, and is still doing. Only eternity will disclose the recompense of a dollar given back to Him.