1934 Theologue: The Story of John A. Davis Part 9: "O, Death Where is Thy Sing? O, Grave Where is Thy Victory?"

The days after the death of Dr. Davis were sad days. On Wednesday, March 21, 1934 the funeral of Dr. Davis occurred in King Hall with the Rev. Ernest Crabill giving the main sermon for the funeral. The casket was then taken to the Knoll and the burial occurred.

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IX

“O, Death Where is Thy Sing?

O, Grave Where is Thy Victory?

1 Corinthians 15:55

The gray heavens were softly weeping. Nature appeared bowed in sympathetic sorrow.

The vast crowd of people within King Hall were profoundly affected. There were beautiful flowers everywhere at the front of the large auditorium.

That three thousand people crowded into King Hall was in itself a wonderful testimony. Two hundred of the Alumni of the School came from many fields of service. Other hundreds who could not come, sent tenderest messages of sympathy, and expressed as fully as words could how deeply they appreciated the life of the man to whom every student who ever stepped upon the Campus owed so much.

Those who participated in the service were: Rev. Ralph W. Carr, John Fulton, Rev. W.S. Crandall, D.D., Evangelist E. G. Crabill, John R. Clements, Rev. J.M. Siveright, Rev. Fred A. Mills—Dr. Davis’ long time evangelist song leader, and George H. Carr, for years the pianist of the party.

Rev. Fred A. Mills sang “This Day Comes Not Again,” so characteristic of Dr. Davis’ life. Dr. Crandall’s was a most fitting address. In it he likened the struggles of Dr. Davis to a scene which he, himself witnessed in a street in Jerusalem. He described a man staggering along under a huge load of food-stuffs, which he was carrying to a shop some distance down the street, where a group of hungry people were awaiting the arrival of the nourishment. This load bent the shoulders of the man until it seemed as though it would crush him.

This illustration was recognized by all present as most descriptive of the last few years of Dr. Davis’ strain to keep the Bread of Life available still to the students of the Practical Bible Training School.

Reverends Carr and Mills sang beautifully “No Night There.” Following this John R. Clements read from many of the telegrams of sympathy that had come from some of the great men of God of our land.

Mr. Mills sang one of Dr. Davis’ favorite solos; “Live for Others”; after which Evangelist Ernest G. Crabill preached. The sermon began with Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar.”

“Sunset and evening star

And one clear call for me;

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea.

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound or foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell

When I embark;

For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crossed the bar.”

The Mr. Crabill continued:

“It is most fitting that I stand here today at this bier to say some last words ere the body of this GREAT SOUL is carried to its resting place to wait the last trump at the coming of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

“Many years ago, this man with whom I found a kindred spirit, talked with me of a day such as this, that would come to each of us, and we entered into a covenant, with each other, to minister at that service in the name of our common Lord.

“I find it has fallen to my lot to perform this service to the best of my God-given ability.

“It was 33 years ago this spring, that I first met this man, at a Gospel service in the Binghamton Railroad Young Men’s Christian Association under whose auspices I had been recently converted.

“He captivated me with his loyalty to God’s Word, and his unbounded enthusiasm, exhibiting a real passion for the souls of lost men.

“We became friends at once, and immediately he began to plan to assist me in my burning ambition to become useful in the service for Christ.

“It was he, who laid the plan for me to enter evangelistic work; and my wife and I became members of his party the following fall; a work that I have followed these years. And no one ever rejoiced any more than he over any success I may have had.

“I knew the last time I talked with him that his work was finished; that the body in which he lived was incapacitated to stand the strain longer in the terrific pace which this great soul had been driving it. But I never will be able to tell just how I felt when the telegram came announcing his death. I felt I was in an earthquake. I took hold of myself, but I still trembled inside. I felt that there was a prince and a great man fallen. I never knew I loved him so much.

“I took my Bible and turned to his favorite text which I had heard him quote so many times. Isaiah 50:7, ‘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 that I shallnot be ashamed.’

“I thought, how characteristic of this man. He had set his face like a flint, and never wavered. Nothing could turn him from this course. He had a purpose in life. He sought to find the will of God for his life, and when once it was clear, he utterly refused to look back or turn aside.

“If he was knocked down he got up and went on. If he was knocked down again, he refused to quit. There was no such word as ‘defeat’ in his vocabulary. If there were stumbling stones in his way, he transformed them into stepping stones and thanked the Lord for them. If the mountain was high, he summoned more strength. If the job was hard, he took off his coat.

“He undertook great things for God yet nothing was too small for him. It was God’s work. It must be done. He summoned every willing soul he met to assist him in the great work which God had called him. If they quit he still went on.

“He felt God had a place for every redeemed soul and urged all to work hard at his job, knowing that the night was speedily coming when no man can work.

He was the most opposed man I have ever met. He was opposed by friend and foe. His own parents objected to his entering the ministry. His employer in the Boston Store attempted to dissuade him from his conscious call of God. Fowler knew he was a good salesman. He sold more goods in the store, at the post where he was placed, than anyone before or since.

“He was a great leader. He saw a great Light in the Valley. He knew it was of God. He had a real Christ. He must obey. He packed his grip and started to the railroad station to go to Moody’s without money to pay his fare. Like Abraham—he staggered not at the promise he believed God would help him, and he was not disappointed. Who ever had been?

“He drank deep of the wells of Salvation. He absorbed readily from all great saints of God. He coveted the spirit of devotion and usefulness of men like Moody, Whittle, and others.

“He aimed high, he would learn from anyone. He had only one purpose, namely, to spread God’s Truth and do all the good he could for every needy soul. He was the most unselfish and kindhearted man I have ever known. He thought the least of his own comforts, spending and being spent continually for others. He never seemed to think about eating and when he did eat, he seemed unconscious of what he was eating.

“He was always in a hurry—jealous of wasted time, yet cheerful. He liked play and a clean joke. He was frequently saying, ‘While I live, I will be alive; I would sooner wear out than rust out.’—This he literally did. He might have lived to be old, but he cared not for a long life, but for a useful life. How he is to be admired. No day was long enough for him to work for the Lord. He worked on into the night after others were asleep.

“If others were nonplused, not knowing what to do, he came out from a night spent with God, with a plan that he was sure came from Heaven, and summoned everyone in haste to help him carry it out. He thought it was time to rest when his work was finished. He is resting now—Blessed Dead.

“Everything he touched lived—he was a natural Evangelist, he enthused people. Their spirits revived in his presence. He made people want to do something for God and for souls.

“One religious editor said, ‘A great man gone.’ He has left a monument of his untiring zeal, the Practical Bible Training School, and hundreds of Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries that are throughout the earth, of those he saved and trained.

“He will not know, nor will others, the extent until the Judgment seat of Christ. What a gathering that will be! ‘When the Saints Go Marching In.’

“How he loved this place that God had entrusted to him and how he loved these students. Did he ever turn one away? No! He coveted every one for God and tried his best to impart all God had given him to them to help them multiply their usefulness. God can use me, why not you?

“He made people believe they had some worth and could be used in God’s service. His last request to me and his last conscious thoughts were John 10:27, ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.’

“John Davis has gone. You will see him here no more. His place is vacant—like the felling of a great oak—he will be missed. When you see him again he will not have a frail body, he will be a mighty giant for God.

“No man can fill his shoes. He has carried burdens enough for ten ordinary men. There was only one John A. Davis. God will still carry on His work, He will reveal His plans to others as He has to John. They may not be the same but God’s purpose will not fail.

It is hard to say ‘Good-bye.’ Every friend of mine that goes, makes me almost sorry that I cannot go.

“Over the river faces I see,

Fair as the morning looking for me.

Free from their sorrows, grief and despair,

Waiting and watching, patiently there.

Looking this way, yes, looking this way

Loved ones are waiting, looking this way.”

“Under an apple tree 40 years ago John Davis received his vision of his life work.

“John, I have kept my word. I have done my best; and just one thing more before I have fully kept my covenant with you. I must ask these gathered here if they love your Lord and more.”

Everyone who walked out walked out of King Hall that day, walked out a different person. No one could be in such a service and remain the same. The life of Dr. Davis was vividly and impressively revealed to all.

Two very impressive features of the funeral were the carrying of the casket down a path to the grave on the hillside, through all long row of students formed on either side of the path, many of them with floral displays in their arms; and the other, the many students passing by the grave after the casket had been partly lowered into it, each one as they passed dropping a rose upon the casket of their benefactor and friend.

* * *

The journey from King Hall to the grave was made through a drizzling rain; as if even the Heavens were weeping over the loss the school, the community, and the educational world at large had suffered.

Said one at the funeral: “When we come to yonder hill-slope grave, and have said ‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ I trust we will think, even if we do not speak aloud, in the words of the poet, this fond wish for our friends of their years.

“’Warm summer sun shine brightly here;

Soft southern breeze blow gently here;

Green sod above lie light, lie light;

Good night, dear heart;

Good night! Good night!”

Beautiful the thought, and unusual the experience for hundreds of students, past and present, and for hosts of friends to circle the grave in the falling rain, and as the casket was being lowered sing with strong, confident faith, numerous gospel songs including Dr. Robert Lowry’s great resurrection song:

“Up from the grave He arose

With a mighty triumph o’er his foes;

He arose a victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His saints to reign;

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah Christ arose.”

A pledge to the conviction that Christ having arisen, those who are His will rise also.

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Coming up: The 10th and final part of the life of John A. Davis from the 1934 Theologue.

1934 Theologue: The Story of John A. Davis Part 8: "Precious in the Sight of the Lord Is the Death of His Saints"

The history of John A. Davis in the 1934 Theologue goes from the moving to Bible School Park and a brief history of Dr. Davis' time there to his illness in early 1934 leading to his death on Saturday, March 17, 1934.

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VIII.

“Precious in the Sight of the Lord Is the Death of His Saints”

Psalms 116:15

John A. Davis’ circle of friends was large and far-reaching. During the days which God graciously permitted him to linger with us, people from every walk of life came to call. The rich and the poor, the high and the low alike had felt the influence of his Christ-like life. Hardly anyone came whom he could not recognize and he frequently spoke of the work in which they were engaged.

Many Christian workers came to see him and always went away inspired to do a greater work for God.

Business men of repute came to his bedside.

More than one of those prominent business men spoke of letters which Dr. Davis had written to him, wherein he had instilled bits of help for the Christian life.

No, his work for Christ never ceased when he stepped from the platform or walked from the room where he had been teaching his class, but he carried Christ into the office, in his business, in conversation, in the trains, on the buses, everywhere he went. As a result of a conversation on the bus or train, many a man has knelt, with a humble and a contrite heart at the foot of the Cross and received the knowledge of sins forgiven and the “peace that passeth understanding” and, for the first time in life caught a glimpse of the Truth.

Some of those stood by his bier and wept as they tenderly remembered moments when the great character had introduced them to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He, in turn, had taken them by the hand and led them “in the Way everlasting!”

One dear old man, with snow white hair, stood looking for the last time on the noble face. For a moment, he was overcome by emotion but regaining control of himself he told of the time when it seemed as though he could not go one step farther. In front there was nothing but dense blackness. Above, the very clouds seemed to be pressing close down fairly smothering him in their density. His heart was breaking, he was friendless and penniless. What was he to do? What he did do was to put on his coat and hat and slop out into the darkness of the night and walk up to Bible School Park. The hour was late but in one of the windows of the administration building, he saw a light. He knew this to be the office of Dr. Davis. Dr. Davis’ cheery “Come in” greeted his knock. He walked into the little office and sat down. Dr. Davis, busy as he was, pushed back his work and was at once all attention. After listening carefully to all that the man had to say, he took him to the Throne of Grace, asking for courage and strength to be given to this brother in Christ. Afterward he sympathized with him, as only Dr. Davis could; then given him a dollar which he had in his pocket, he sent him away feeling that, after all, life was really worth living and that there was, somewhere in this old world, a little corner, where he might work for Christ and be a blessing to someone else.

This is one of many, many incidents which could be told of this same nature. John A. Davis always thought of and lived for others.

Even on his bed during his last illness this was true. He tried to plan for the school and students, both always dear to his heart. He often sent messages from his bed, telling them to “carry on.”

During the very last days of his illness, three members of the faculty went to the little cottage to see him. He was very weak and had little interest in the things about him. As the names of the instructors were mentioned, he gave sign that he recognized them. Lifting his hand in that characteristic gesture, he pointed ahead three times. The teachers caught the mute message and cherished it in their hearts, resolving truly to “carry on” and move forward for God.

He knew that his life’s work and finished and on his lips might well have been the words, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” He strove not to be a burden during the days when he was so ill. No, quite the contrary, it was a cherished blessing and a precious privilege to be near him.

One afternoon, as his loved ones were near, wishing in their hearts that there might be just some little thing that they could do for him; suddenly the thin hand on the white coverlet stirred a bit. The eyes opened and that fine face lighted up as he appeared to be looking far into the recesses of heaven (and we believe he saw heaven that day) and he said, “Is that Moody? Oh, I want to go and be with Jesus!”

His passing from this earth was tranquil. Surrounding his bed were the members of the family, a sister of Mrs. Davis, Mr. M. C. Patterson, three nurses who had ministered to him during the entire five weeks of his illness, and a young man, one of the student body, who was there to aid in the caring of him.

He went out without a struggle. About one-half hour before his passing, his breathing grew more irregular. Twice they thought he was gone but his tremendous energy which had characterized his whole life, seemed reluctant to subside. One minute was here with us and then quickly as a flash, he was in another world with the One, Whom he had served so faithfully these many years.

His loyal wife, stood by his side until he had breathed his last. Then with tears streaming down her face she bent over and tenderly kissed the furrowed brow, whispering as she did so, “It’s all right, John dear, we’ve been together these thirty-nine years and it’s all right.” And looking around at each one of their little group and calling each one by their individual names, she said, “You wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for him. The only thing I can think of is the song, ‘When the Saints Come Marching In.’”

Gordon, his faithful son, who stood at the other side of the bed, bent emotionally over his father, saying, “Yes, it’s all right father, the Gates of Glory are opening now and you’re going on to your reward.”

A few moments later, the big bell in the main dormitory solemnly tolled sixty-two times, thus telling the sad news to the neighborhood. A great man of God had gone home. But behind he had left hundreds of persons whose lives he had vitally influenced for his Lord.

Though the solemn bell tolled out in mournful cadence there was no sorrow for him in his death. He was one of those who:

“...Sustained and soothed

By an unfaltering trust, approach the grave,

Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch

About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.”


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Coming up- Part 9: O, Death Where is Thy Sing? O, Grave Where is Thy Victory?

1934 Theologue: The story of John A. Davis Part 1: "In the Beginning"

I am beginning a new series. This will be a 10 part series from the 1934 Theologue. I started typing this up a while ago, and now I have finished typing up the 10 part series. I have been told by Pastor Wheeler and Ruth Kummerer that Dr. Wagner arranged this in a very short time after the death of Dr. Davis on Saturday, March 17, 1934. Ira Weyhe was one of the heads from the class for the Theologue though I am not sure who did the research for the well crafted series. Some of it looks like it was taken from A God Enthused Man, but that book only went to 1907 or so. I will do a post about that in the future. The following is the Foreword from the 1934 Theologue followed by PART 1: "In the Beginning" of a 10 part series entitled: John A. Davis--Ambassador for Christ. Enjoy the series.

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Foreword

The seventeenth of March, 1934, witnessed one of the most important events to happen in the history of the Practical Bible Training School. Upon this date Dr. John A. Davis, President and Founder of the institution passed away.

Since Dr. Davis’ death a feeling of inquiry as to the facts of his life has developed. In view of this fact, and in appreciation of this historic event the Senior Year Book, “The Theologue” has this year devoted a huge section of its space to an authenticated and informative life story of this great and beloved Christian educator.

We prayerfully hope that it may prove to be a blessing and an inspiration to all who read it. We trust that they may, through a perusal of the same, catch a glimpse of the indomitable will, tireless energy, and splendid courage of this noble Christian leader.

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I.

“IN THE BEGINNING”

Gen. 1:1

On Melandy Hill, between Afton and North Sanford, New York, there is a farm. The water on the east of which flows into the Delaware River on the northwest into the Susquehanna River. Here in a small farmhouse there lived a fine Godly couple, Charles A. Davis and his loyal wife. They were highly respected through the entire region and had a large circle of friends. They always were recognized as fine neighbors and ready helpers. Mr. Davis had two outstanding principals in life, the one born of his love for God—Christianity; and the other born of his service as a faithful soldier in the Civil War—patriotism.

It was in this Melandy Hill farmhouse, John A. Davis was born on August 7, 1871. Few people knew of that birth, but many thousands, the world over were made to feel the influence of his life’s work. He, and his younger and only brother, Alonzo F. Davis, while yet very small had many responsibilities of the farm and home to carry.

From his earliest life, he had a great inclination toward things of a religious nature; and he was of strong determination. The incident is told of a time when he had been visiting friends, whose custom it was to ask the blessing before partaking of a meal. In his own home, this had been permitted to fall into disuse. The first meal after his entry again into the family circle, the others started eating as usual without returning thanks. John asked, “Papa, why don’t you say something?” At first the father tried to pass it off and endeavored to get John to eat his dinner. But the little fellow stubbornly refused to eat until his wish had been complied with and the blessing asked.

For some time the people of North Sanford and vicinity united in church worship alternating between the Methodist and Union Community Church. The Sunday School session was held in the same place that the worship of the day was carried on. The Davis family was very faithful in church attendance, but on some occasions the parents were not able to be present. At the very early age John was placed upon the back of a horse by the parents and thus rode to Sunday School. After the service was over some one would again put him on the horse for the home journey of three moles. When circumstances would not permit him to attend Sunday School he would get his mother’s button bag, remove the buttons, put them on the chairs about the room for his congregation and begin preaching to them. For two years, between the ages of eight and ten, he had a perfect attendance at Sunday School.

The fundamentals of his education were secured in a district school, which he attended until about the age of twelve years. Part of this time he was under the instruction of Miss Russell, a woman of excellent Christian character, who instilled many truths in the hearts of the children under her care. The impressions made upon John at this time followed him through life.

The man who was the fist to take him to school has said, “He was a nervous little fellow.” The boy full of life was ready for sports and he gave evidence of tact and leadership in spite of his being small in stature and physically weak. There were more than overbalanced by his ability to master problems and lead others. Often he was seen with a group of playmates whom he had formed into regiments of soldiers with toy guns or sticks over their shoulders. These childhood characteristics followed him through life.

He showed executive ability and had a great faculty for setting others to work and securing benefits from them. The following anecdote proves this trait in life. “In John’s play with others they would often build stone houses. Much time, so John thought, was lost in digging the cellars for thee play houses. Among his pets was a dog. He early discovered that the dog was a good ‘ratter’ and John would take a stick, scratch it on the ground and call ‘Mice! mice!” The dog would dig into the soft earth and John would get cellars nearly dug by the efforts of the dog, who would often dig until his nose was raw.”

Aside from executive ability and leadership, he was very enthusiastic. Much of the work on the farm was done by him. The lad would start from home with eggs and vegetables to the neighboring village. Going from house to house selling his products, he would return home with the money earned; saving it to help pay off the farm debt.

All through his life this community about North Sanford held a dear palace in his heart. In 1922 the village organized a day of renewal of acquaintance and festivity called “Old Home Day.” Every year he made it a habit to attend. With the revival of interest in civil affairs and a desire to improve the appearance of the village, through discussion at beautified and developed, and to it was given the name “The John A. Davis Park” as a tribute to the farm boy of Melandy Hill, who had gone out and helped “make two blades of grass grow, where one had grown before.”

At twelve years of age a change came into the life of the youth. The family moved to the village of Afton, New York. This change was a step in God’s training of this youth for His future work.

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Coming up: PART 2: "Ye Must Be Born Again"

75 years later God has blessed both schools (Davis College and Baptist Bible)

This summer marks the 75th anniversary of the split between Practical Bible Training School and Baptist Bible Seminary. In May of 1932 brought the first meetings preparing for the creation of Baptist Bible Seminary. That summer Mabel Thomson and Hazel Vibbard terminated their teaching engagements with PBTS. Dr. Bancroft who had suggested it followed. A meeting was held on May 16, 1932. Several other meetings continued through June and into July. On August 28, 1932 Dr. Arthur Wright was appointed the first president of BBS. Registration occurred on Tuesday, August 28, 1932. The school was housed in First Baptist of Johnson City very near where PBTS had started on Harrison Street. The split created some confusion at PBTS that summer and in the fall. Some students went to Baptist Bible while others stayed at PBTS. While I do not know when the PBTS registration was it was after that of Baptist Bible's. As Pastor Wheeler had pointed out about his experience with the school splitting:

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?

Ruth Kummerer had told me about the split from her perspective saying:

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.

John A. Davis had only a few months before faced the death of his youngest son Charles and now the school was splitting. Amid financial problems from the Depression the school went nearly bankrupted. Less than 2 years later John A. Davis would pass away. It was a tough time for both PBTS and for Baptist Bible, but 75 years later both are still serving God.

73rd Anniversary of John A. Davis' death Saturday, March 17, 2007

At 7:45 on the night of Saturday, March 17, 1934, Dr. John Adelbert Davis went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. He had been surrounded by his close family and friends. He had been going down hill with some strokes and seizures since January. The pressure from the school almost dying with different trials also added to the burden. The catalyst to start his problems would have been the Great Depression and then the fact "that in the 1920s a PBTS business manager had secretly and unlawfully borrowed money in the name of the school for personal financial speculation, lost it in his gambling ventures, and left to the school his debts" (Dr. Barackman's PBTS History). Then the death of his son Charles Davis and the accusation against Dr. Davis, and the split of school all aided in his early death at the age of 62. He passed away in his cottage down on the banks of the Susquehanna.

Pastor Carl Wheeler remembers being in Study Hour when Dr. Davis passed away and the bell on the top of the school was rung 62 times in honor of Dr. Davis. Ruth Kummerer also remembers it being Study Hour and the bell ringing. The male students had watched over Dr. Davis. "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.”"

Dr. Davis was buried on the knoll the following Wednesday. Over 3000 people attended his funeral. The Newspaper article above shows the men carrying Dr. Davis. The front man on the right is Dr. MC Patterson.

Dr. Davis and his wife are now both buried on the Sunset Knoll overlooking the river.

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.