Dwight S. Banks was born in Rumford, Maine, October 5, 1899. His father was employed there as a painter for the Great Northern Paper Company. When Dwight was about six months old his father was transferred to Millinocket, Maine. Here, after a time, he set himself up in business as a painter, and by his industry and character became one of the leading men of the town.
When Dwight was about six years old, his father who had always been active in the church, felt a definite call to give up his business and enter the ministry. To do this meant the surrender of all his personal ambitions, and a great financial loss, but the call of God meant more than these. Through his pastor he was called to the pastorate of three small Baptist churches located about nine miles from Bangor, in the towns of Levant, W. Levant, and S. Levant.
While here, he came in contact with some members of the Life and Advent Church, and hearing them preach the imminent, literal return of the Lord Jesus, remonstrated with them for preaching what he felt to be contrary to the Scripture. In reply to their arguments, he admitted that he had never had occasion to really study the subject, but stated that if he was given a few months to look into the matter he would prove his position. Challenged to do this, he pored over his Bible. A better student by nature than many college men today, it did not take him long to discover that the Second Coming was indeed a Bible doctrine. To his great surprise he found that his wife had preceeded him in accepting this view.
Admitting to his Adventist friends that he had been mistaken, Dwight's father at once sought to impart his new-found truth to his congregations, but at that time the Baptists were not favorable to the doctrine of the Second Coming, and soon he was told that he must either stop preaching it or resign. A man of conviction, he promptly resigned, and a short time later the family moved to Hermon, Maine, which was about four miles away, where he had received a call to the Free Baptist Church.
Sometime during this period, he had contacted Rev. J. A. Woodworth, then pastor of the Bangor Advent Christian Church. As a result of their conversations together, Mr. Banks decided to join the Bangor Church in which resolve he was joined by Dwight's mother and older brother, Ivan. In Dwight's own words we quote: "I can well remember the day when the four of us went to church there, and to my great surprise the three of them were called forward and given the right hand of fellowship. Loyal little Baptist that I was, I felt deeply hurt, particularly since I had not previously heard of their plan to join the Adventists. On reaching home I discovered that my sister who was six years older, had similar feelings. Furthermore, knowing what was going to take place, she had refrained from going to Bangor with us."
Shortly after this event, Mr. Banks was appointed State Evangelist by the Maine Advent Christian Conference, and the family moved to Bangor. Here all attended the Advent Christian Church, and gradually Dwight's feelings subsided and when he was twelve years old he decided he wanted to be baptized. He had accepted the Lord when about eight years old, and had planned to be baptized then, but his mother had never allowed him to play near the rivers or pond, and when he saw the large lake where he and the other candidates were to be baptized, it was too much, and his courage failed him so that he was among the missing when his name was called. As a result he waited four years for another opportunity, which came in Bangor.
In 1913 his father became pastor of the Somerville, Mass., Advent Christian Church. The following year his brother Ivan enrolled in the Boston Bible School, now the New England School of Theology. As a result of this contact a number of the young people from the Somerville Church began going over to the school for evening classes in Teacher Training and Music. Dwight was among this group, and through the influence of the school he came to feel that God was calling him for service. Accordingly he enrolled in the School the following year, and at his urgent request was admitted to his brother's class on condition that he make up some work.
After graduating in 1918, Dwight accepted a position as salesman for the [Advent Christian] Publication Society, and among other assignments was sent to manage the bookstand at Mechanic Falls Campground. There he heard Mr. Hudson, then on furlough from India, tell of the need for someone there to take charge of a Bible School...
Accordingly, Dwight felt led to offer himself for the need in India and was accepted. As he was only nineteen years old, it was felt that he was young to go and was advised to wait a couple of years with the suggestion that the time be taken up in study at the newly opened School of Religious Education in Boston University. Thrilled with the thought of going to a real college, and through the kind recommendation of Dr. H. E. Thompson to his friend, Dean Athern, he was admitted as a special student since he lacked points to enroll as a regular student.
Not knowing any better, he enrolled for as many courses as the curriculum would allow, and by the end of the second year had accumulated sufficient credits so that the Dean advised him to apply for regular classification. He felt that he could complete degree requirements through another year of study. During this time he worked in offices, and various things, and in the fall of 1920 became a part-time instructor in the New England School of Theology. In connection with that work he was ordained to the Christian ministry.
After completing his work at B. U. it seemed wise for him to take further studies, and he enrolled in Clarke [sic] University. From this school he received his Master's Degree.
Now definitely ready to sail for India, he spent the next few months in deputation work for the mission society, and in late summer was married to Thelma Hawkes, of South Windham, Maine. He had met her at Mechanic Falls campground, and she had come to the School to study.
Sailing in the early fall, they arrived in India a month or so later, an immediately took charge of the Anglo-Indian work in Velacheri, carrying on language study at the same time. Not being too clever in language, and failing to secure the best type of teacher, progress was slow. With the departure of Miss Saunders, the other missionaries were stationed at Guindy, and Thelma and Dwight were left in charge at Velacheri where he has been stationed ever since for a matter of about twenty-five years.
Here, after a little over three years of service, Thelma was taken ill with some unidentified disease and after only a few days fell asleep on January 25th, 1926. She was the first and so far the only missionary of our denomination to give her life in India. To make it possible for Dwight to carry on, the Clotheys who had come out in the fall of 1924, were transferred to Velacheri to live, although his work continued to be in Saidapet where the Industrials were located.
After nearly two years of trying to carry on alone, in the fall of 1927, he was married to Ruth Stevens whom he had met the previous summer in Kodaikanal. A nurse in the Presbyterian Mission Hospital at Miraj, she had come to India in 1923. After their marriage, they continued to live with the Clotheys in Velacheri, as accommodations were rather limited; Ruth taking over the Dispensary and beginning the study of her second Indian language having already learned Marathi in her former Mission.
In the summer of 1928 a daughter, Barbara, was born and as Phyllis Clothey had been born only a few days before, there were two babies in the Clothey-Banks bungalow; which made life very interesting even if somewhat more complicated. However, early in 1929, it was decided that the Banks should take their furlough as Mr. Banks had already overstayed one year because of the various circumstances. So in the middle of that year they arrived in America on their first furlough.
A missionary's furlough is not a long vacation as a great many seem to think, for during the furlough period he is expected to do deputation work and thus help keep interest in missions alive and vital. Also, many missionaries feel it advisable to take up further studies, both to secure a better hearing for their message and for their own personal benefit. Consequently, during this furlough in addition to deputation work, Mr. Banks enrolled in Gordon College for the B. D. course. It was during this furlough that Kenneth was born.
Returning to India in the fall of 1930, he was given charge of the Mission's Industrial School and Press, as Mr. Clothey who had had charge of that work was due for furlough. He carried this responsibility along with the work in Velacheri.
The year 1936 found the Banks family again in America, and again in addition to the usual deputation work, he took up further study at Gordon College.
Going back to India, he again relieved Mr. Clothey, taking over the village department together with the Velacheri Church School, etc. Anticipating that the Clotheys would return after the usual eighteen months, he carried on, but war prevented the Clotheys arrival on the field, and so he carried on for six years. The task was doubly difficult because of the problems created by war conditions.
Again in 1946 he arrived in America on furlough. Through the kindness of a friend a comfortable home was provided in Arlington, Mass. One of the pleasures was being able for him to have his mother live in the home too, with the rest of the family nearby. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable phases of furloughs in the Christian fellowship that missionaries and those who hold the ropes in the homeland is the sweet Christian fellowship that all have in Christ.
Boston : Woman's Home and Foreign Mission Society of the Advent Christian Denomination [1946?] [8] p.
Transcribed for Berkshire Christian College's Adventual Library, 13 Jun 2023, by Duane E. Crabtree
When Dwight was about six years old, his father who had always been active in the church, felt a definite call to give up his business and enter the ministry. To do this meant the surrender of all his personal ambitions, and a great financial loss, but the call of God meant more than these. Through his pastor he was called to the pastorate of three small Baptist churches located about nine miles from Bangor, in the towns of Levant, W. Levant, and S. Levant.
While here, he came in contact with some members of the Life and Advent Church, and hearing them preach the imminent, literal return of the Lord Jesus, remonstrated with them for preaching what he felt to be contrary to the Scripture. In reply to their arguments, he admitted that he had never had occasion to really study the subject, but stated that if he was given a few months to look into the matter he would prove his position. Challenged to do this, he pored over his Bible. A better student by nature than many college men today, it did not take him long to discover that the Second Coming was indeed a Bible doctrine. To his great surprise he found that his wife had preceeded him in accepting this view.
Admitting to his Adventist friends that he had been mistaken, Dwight's father at once sought to impart his new-found truth to his congregations, but at that time the Baptists were not favorable to the doctrine of the Second Coming, and soon he was told that he must either stop preaching it or resign. A man of conviction, he promptly resigned, and a short time later the family moved to Hermon, Maine, which was about four miles away, where he had received a call to the Free Baptist Church.
Sometime during this period, he had contacted Rev. J. A. Woodworth, then pastor of the Bangor Advent Christian Church. As a result of their conversations together, Mr. Banks decided to join the Bangor Church in which resolve he was joined by Dwight's mother and older brother, Ivan. In Dwight's own words we quote: "I can well remember the day when the four of us went to church there, and to my great surprise the three of them were called forward and given the right hand of fellowship. Loyal little Baptist that I was, I felt deeply hurt, particularly since I had not previously heard of their plan to join the Adventists. On reaching home I discovered that my sister who was six years older, had similar feelings. Furthermore, knowing what was going to take place, she had refrained from going to Bangor with us."
Shortly after this event, Mr. Banks was appointed State Evangelist by the Maine Advent Christian Conference, and the family moved to Bangor. Here all attended the Advent Christian Church, and gradually Dwight's feelings subsided and when he was twelve years old he decided he wanted to be baptized. He had accepted the Lord when about eight years old, and had planned to be baptized then, but his mother had never allowed him to play near the rivers or pond, and when he saw the large lake where he and the other candidates were to be baptized, it was too much, and his courage failed him so that he was among the missing when his name was called. As a result he waited four years for another opportunity, which came in Bangor.
In 1913 his father became pastor of the Somerville, Mass., Advent Christian Church. The following year his brother Ivan enrolled in the Boston Bible School, now the New England School of Theology. As a result of this contact a number of the young people from the Somerville Church began going over to the school for evening classes in Teacher Training and Music. Dwight was among this group, and through the influence of the school he came to feel that God was calling him for service. Accordingly he enrolled in the School the following year, and at his urgent request was admitted to his brother's class on condition that he make up some work.
After graduating in 1918, Dwight accepted a position as salesman for the [Advent Christian] Publication Society, and among other assignments was sent to manage the bookstand at Mechanic Falls Campground. There he heard Mr. Hudson, then on furlough from India, tell of the need for someone there to take charge of a Bible School...
Accordingly, Dwight felt led to offer himself for the need in India and was accepted. As he was only nineteen years old, it was felt that he was young to go and was advised to wait a couple of years with the suggestion that the time be taken up in study at the newly opened School of Religious Education in Boston University. Thrilled with the thought of going to a real college, and through the kind recommendation of Dr. H. E. Thompson to his friend, Dean Athern, he was admitted as a special student since he lacked points to enroll as a regular student.
Not knowing any better, he enrolled for as many courses as the curriculum would allow, and by the end of the second year had accumulated sufficient credits so that the Dean advised him to apply for regular classification. He felt that he could complete degree requirements through another year of study. During this time he worked in offices, and various things, and in the fall of 1920 became a part-time instructor in the New England School of Theology. In connection with that work he was ordained to the Christian ministry.
After completing his work at B. U. it seemed wise for him to take further studies, and he enrolled in Clarke [sic] University. From this school he received his Master's Degree.
Now definitely ready to sail for India, he spent the next few months in deputation work for the mission society, and in late summer was married to Thelma Hawkes, of South Windham, Maine. He had met her at Mechanic Falls campground, and she had come to the School to study.
Sailing in the early fall, they arrived in India a month or so later, an immediately took charge of the Anglo-Indian work in Velacheri, carrying on language study at the same time. Not being too clever in language, and failing to secure the best type of teacher, progress was slow. With the departure of Miss Saunders, the other missionaries were stationed at Guindy, and Thelma and Dwight were left in charge at Velacheri where he has been stationed ever since for a matter of about twenty-five years.
Here, after a little over three years of service, Thelma was taken ill with some unidentified disease and after only a few days fell asleep on January 25th, 1926. She was the first and so far the only missionary of our denomination to give her life in India. To make it possible for Dwight to carry on, the Clotheys who had come out in the fall of 1924, were transferred to Velacheri to live, although his work continued to be in Saidapet where the Industrials were located.
After nearly two years of trying to carry on alone, in the fall of 1927, he was married to Ruth Stevens whom he had met the previous summer in Kodaikanal. A nurse in the Presbyterian Mission Hospital at Miraj, she had come to India in 1923. After their marriage, they continued to live with the Clotheys in Velacheri, as accommodations were rather limited; Ruth taking over the Dispensary and beginning the study of her second Indian language having already learned Marathi in her former Mission.
In the summer of 1928 a daughter, Barbara, was born and as Phyllis Clothey had been born only a few days before, there were two babies in the Clothey-Banks bungalow; which made life very interesting even if somewhat more complicated. However, early in 1929, it was decided that the Banks should take their furlough as Mr. Banks had already overstayed one year because of the various circumstances. So in the middle of that year they arrived in America on their first furlough.
A missionary's furlough is not a long vacation as a great many seem to think, for during the furlough period he is expected to do deputation work and thus help keep interest in missions alive and vital. Also, many missionaries feel it advisable to take up further studies, both to secure a better hearing for their message and for their own personal benefit. Consequently, during this furlough in addition to deputation work, Mr. Banks enrolled in Gordon College for the B. D. course. It was during this furlough that Kenneth was born.
Returning to India in the fall of 1930, he was given charge of the Mission's Industrial School and Press, as Mr. Clothey who had had charge of that work was due for furlough. He carried this responsibility along with the work in Velacheri.
The year 1936 found the Banks family again in America, and again in addition to the usual deputation work, he took up further study at Gordon College.
Going back to India, he again relieved Mr. Clothey, taking over the village department together with the Velacheri Church School, etc. Anticipating that the Clotheys would return after the usual eighteen months, he carried on, but war prevented the Clotheys arrival on the field, and so he carried on for six years. The task was doubly difficult because of the problems created by war conditions.
Again in 1946 he arrived in America on furlough. Through the kindness of a friend a comfortable home was provided in Arlington, Mass. One of the pleasures was being able for him to have his mother live in the home too, with the rest of the family nearby. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable phases of furloughs in the Christian fellowship that missionaries and those who hold the ropes in the homeland is the sweet Christian fellowship that all have in Christ.
Boston : Woman's Home and Foreign Mission Society of the Advent Christian Denomination [1946?] [8] p.
Transcribed for Berkshire Christian College's Adventual Library, 13 Jun 2023, by Duane E. Crabtree
Dwight S. Banks was born in Rumford, Maine, October 5, 1899. His father was employed there as a painter for the Great Northern Paper Company. When Dwight was about six months old his father was transferred to Millinocket, Maine. Here, after a time, he set himself up in business as a painter, and by his industry and character became one of the leading men of the town.
When Dwight was about six years old, his father who had always been active in the church, felt a definite call to give up his business and enter the ministry. To do this meant the surrender of all his personal ambitions, and a great financial loss, but the call of God meant more than these. Through his pastor he was called to the pastorate of three small Baptist churches located about nine miles from Bangor, in the towns of Levant, W. Levant, and S. Levant.
While here, he came in contact with some members of the Life and Advent Church, and hearing them preach the imminent, literal return of the Lord Jesus, remonstrated with them for preaching what he felt to be contrary to the Scripture. In reply to their arguments, he admitted that he had never had occasion to really study the subject, but stated that if he was given a few months to look into the matter he would prove his position. Challenged to do this, he pored over his Bible. A better student by nature than many college men today, it did not take him long to discover that the Second Coming was indeed a Bible doctrine. To his great surprise he found that his wife had preceeded him in accepting this view.
Admitting to his Adventist friends that he had been mistaken, Dwight's father at once sought to impart his new-found truth to his congregations, but at that time the Baptists were not favorable to the doctrine of the Second Coming, and soon he was told that he must either stop preaching it or resign. A man of conviction, he promptly resigned, and a short time later the family moved to Hermon, Maine, which was about four miles away, where he had received a call to the Free Baptist Church.
Sometime during this period, he had contacted Rev. J. A. Woodworth, then pastor of the Bangor Advent Christian Church. As a result of their conversations together, Mr. Banks decided to join the Bangor Church in which resolve he was joined by Dwight's mother and older brother, Ivan. In Dwight's own words we quote: "I can well remember the day when the four of us went to church there, and to my great surprise the three of them were called forward and given the right hand of fellowship. Loyal little Baptist that I was, I felt deeply hurt, particularly since I had not previously heard of their plan to join the Adventists. On reaching home I discovered that my sister who was six years older, had similar feelings. Furthermore, knowing what was going to take place, she had refrained from going to Bangor with us."
Shortly after this event, Mr. Banks was appointed State Evangelist by the Maine Advent Christian Conference, and the family moved to Bangor. Here all attended the Advent Christian Church, and gradually Dwight's feelings subsided and when he was twelve years old he decided he wanted to be baptized. He had accepted the Lord when about eight years old, and had planned to be baptized then, but his mother had never allowed him to play near the rivers or pond, and when he saw the large lake where he and the other candidates were to be baptized, it was too much, and his courage failed him so that he was among the missing when his name was called. As a result he waited four years for another opportunity, which came in Bangor.
In 1913 his father became pastor of the Somerville, Mass., Advent Christian Church. The following year his brother Ivan enrolled in the Boston Bible School, now the New England School of Theology. As a result of this contact a number of the young people from the Somerville Church began going over to the school for evening classes in Teacher Training and Music. Dwight was among this group, and through the influence of the school he came to feel that God was calling him for service. Accordingly he enrolled in the School the following year, and at his urgent request was admitted to his brother's class on condition that he make up some work.
After graduating in 1918, Dwight accepted a position as salesman for the [Advent Christian] Publication Society, and among other assignments was sent to manage the bookstand at Mechanic Falls Campground. There he heard Mr. Hudson, then on furlough from India, tell of the need for someone there to take charge of a Bible School...
Accordingly, Dwight felt led to offer himself for the need in India and was accepted. As he was only nineteen years old, it was felt that he was young to go and was advised to wait a couple of years with the suggestion that the time be taken up in study at the newly opened School of Religious Education in Boston University. Thrilled with the thought of going to a real college, and through the kind recommendation of Dr. H. E. Thompson to his friend, Dean Athern, he was admitted as a special student since he lacked points to enroll as a regular student.
Not knowing any better, he enrolled for as many courses as the curriculum would allow, and by the end of the second year had accumulated sufficient credits so that the Dean advised him to apply for regular classification. He felt that he could complete degree requirements through another year of study. During this time he worked in offices, and various things, and in the fall of 1920 became a part-time instructor in the New England School of Theology. In connection with that work he was ordained to the Christian ministry.
After completing his work at B. U. it seemed wise for him to take further studies, and he enrolled in Clarke [sic] University. From this school he received his Master's Degree.
Now definitely ready to sail for India, he spent the next few months in deputation work for the mission society, and in late summer was married to Thelma Hawkes, of South Windham, Maine. He had met her at Mechanic Falls campground, and she had come to the School to study.
Sailing in the early fall, they arrived in India a month or so later, an immediately took charge of the Anglo-Indian work in Velacheri, carrying on language study at the same time. Not being too clever in language, and failing to secure the best type of teacher, progress was slow. With the departure of Miss Saunders, the other missionaries were stationed at Guindy, and Thelma and Dwight were left in charge at Velacheri where he has been stationed ever since for a matter of about twenty-five years.
Here, after a little over three years of service, Thelma was taken ill with some unidentified disease and after only a few days fell asleep on January 25th, 1926. She was the first and so far the only missionary of our denomination to give her life in India. To make it possible for Dwight to carry on, the Clotheys who had come out in the fall of 1924, were transferred to Velacheri to live, although his work continued to be in Saidapet where the Industrials were located.
After nearly two years of trying to carry on alone, in the fall of 1927, he was married to Ruth Stevens whom he had met the previous summer in Kodaikanal. A nurse in the Presbyterian Mission Hospital at Miraj, she had come to India in 1923. After their marriage, they continued to live with the Clotheys in Velacheri, as accommodations were rather limited; Ruth taking over the Dispensary and beginning the study of her second Indian language having already learned Marathi in her former Mission.
In the summer of 1928 a daughter, Barbara, was born and as Phyllis Clothey had been born only a few days before, there were two babies in the Clothey-Banks bungalow; which made life very interesting even if somewhat more complicated. However, early in 1929, it was decided that the Banks should take their furlough as Mr. Banks had already overstayed one year because of the various circumstances. So in the middle of that year they arrived in America on their first furlough.
A missionary's furlough is not a long vacation as a great many seem to think, for during the furlough period he is expected to do deputation work and thus help keep interest in missions alive and vital. Also, many missionaries feel it advisable to take up further studies, both to secure a better hearing for their message and for their own personal benefit. Consequently, during this furlough in addition to deputation work, Mr. Banks enrolled in Gordon College for the B. D. course. It was during this furlough that Kenneth was born.
Returning to India in the fall of 1930, he was given charge of the Mission's Industrial School and Press, as Mr. Clothey who had had charge of that work was due for furlough. He carried this responsibility along with the work in Velacheri.
The year 1936 found the Banks family again in America, and again in addition to the usual deputation work, he took up further study at Gordon College.
Going back to India, he again relieved Mr. Clothey, taking over the village department together with the Velacheri Church School, etc. Anticipating that the Clotheys would return after the usual eighteen months, he carried on, but war prevented the Clotheys arrival on the field, and so he carried on for six years. The task was doubly difficult because of the problems created by war conditions.
Again in 1946 he arrived in America on furlough. Through the kindness of a friend a comfortable home was provided in Arlington, Mass. One of the pleasures was being able for him to have his mother live in the home too, with the rest of the family nearby. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable phases of furloughs in the Christian fellowship that missionaries and those who hold the ropes in the homeland is the sweet Christian fellowship that all have in Christ.
Boston : Woman's Home and Foreign Mission Society of the Advent Christian Denomination [1946?] [8] p.
Transcribed for Berkshire Christian College's Adventual Library, 13 Jun 2023, by Duane E. Crabtree
When Dwight was about six years old, his father who had always been active in the church, felt a definite call to give up his business and enter the ministry. To do this meant the surrender of all his personal ambitions, and a great financial loss, but the call of God meant more than these. Through his pastor he was called to the pastorate of three small Baptist churches located about nine miles from Bangor, in the towns of Levant, W. Levant, and S. Levant.
While here, he came in contact with some members of the Life and Advent Church, and hearing them preach the imminent, literal return of the Lord Jesus, remonstrated with them for preaching what he felt to be contrary to the Scripture. In reply to their arguments, he admitted that he had never had occasion to really study the subject, but stated that if he was given a few months to look into the matter he would prove his position. Challenged to do this, he pored over his Bible. A better student by nature than many college men today, it did not take him long to discover that the Second Coming was indeed a Bible doctrine. To his great surprise he found that his wife had preceeded him in accepting this view.
Admitting to his Adventist friends that he had been mistaken, Dwight's father at once sought to impart his new-found truth to his congregations, but at that time the Baptists were not favorable to the doctrine of the Second Coming, and soon he was told that he must either stop preaching it or resign. A man of conviction, he promptly resigned, and a short time later the family moved to Hermon, Maine, which was about four miles away, where he had received a call to the Free Baptist Church.
Sometime during this period, he had contacted Rev. J. A. Woodworth, then pastor of the Bangor Advent Christian Church. As a result of their conversations together, Mr. Banks decided to join the Bangor Church in which resolve he was joined by Dwight's mother and older brother, Ivan. In Dwight's own words we quote: "I can well remember the day when the four of us went to church there, and to my great surprise the three of them were called forward and given the right hand of fellowship. Loyal little Baptist that I was, I felt deeply hurt, particularly since I had not previously heard of their plan to join the Adventists. On reaching home I discovered that my sister who was six years older, had similar feelings. Furthermore, knowing what was going to take place, she had refrained from going to Bangor with us."
Shortly after this event, Mr. Banks was appointed State Evangelist by the Maine Advent Christian Conference, and the family moved to Bangor. Here all attended the Advent Christian Church, and gradually Dwight's feelings subsided and when he was twelve years old he decided he wanted to be baptized. He had accepted the Lord when about eight years old, and had planned to be baptized then, but his mother had never allowed him to play near the rivers or pond, and when he saw the large lake where he and the other candidates were to be baptized, it was too much, and his courage failed him so that he was among the missing when his name was called. As a result he waited four years for another opportunity, which came in Bangor.
In 1913 his father became pastor of the Somerville, Mass., Advent Christian Church. The following year his brother Ivan enrolled in the Boston Bible School, now the New England School of Theology. As a result of this contact a number of the young people from the Somerville Church began going over to the school for evening classes in Teacher Training and Music. Dwight was among this group, and through the influence of the school he came to feel that God was calling him for service. Accordingly he enrolled in the School the following year, and at his urgent request was admitted to his brother's class on condition that he make up some work.
After graduating in 1918, Dwight accepted a position as salesman for the [Advent Christian] Publication Society, and among other assignments was sent to manage the bookstand at Mechanic Falls Campground. There he heard Mr. Hudson, then on furlough from India, tell of the need for someone there to take charge of a Bible School...
Accordingly, Dwight felt led to offer himself for the need in India and was accepted. As he was only nineteen years old, it was felt that he was young to go and was advised to wait a couple of years with the suggestion that the time be taken up in study at the newly opened School of Religious Education in Boston University. Thrilled with the thought of going to a real college, and through the kind recommendation of Dr. H. E. Thompson to his friend, Dean Athern, he was admitted as a special student since he lacked points to enroll as a regular student.
Not knowing any better, he enrolled for as many courses as the curriculum would allow, and by the end of the second year had accumulated sufficient credits so that the Dean advised him to apply for regular classification. He felt that he could complete degree requirements through another year of study. During this time he worked in offices, and various things, and in the fall of 1920 became a part-time instructor in the New England School of Theology. In connection with that work he was ordained to the Christian ministry.
After completing his work at B. U. it seemed wise for him to take further studies, and he enrolled in Clarke [sic] University. From this school he received his Master's Degree.
Now definitely ready to sail for India, he spent the next few months in deputation work for the mission society, and in late summer was married to Thelma Hawkes, of South Windham, Maine. He had met her at Mechanic Falls campground, and she had come to the School to study.
Sailing in the early fall, they arrived in India a month or so later, an immediately took charge of the Anglo-Indian work in Velacheri, carrying on language study at the same time. Not being too clever in language, and failing to secure the best type of teacher, progress was slow. With the departure of Miss Saunders, the other missionaries were stationed at Guindy, and Thelma and Dwight were left in charge at Velacheri where he has been stationed ever since for a matter of about twenty-five years.
Here, after a little over three years of service, Thelma was taken ill with some unidentified disease and after only a few days fell asleep on January 25th, 1926. She was the first and so far the only missionary of our denomination to give her life in India. To make it possible for Dwight to carry on, the Clotheys who had come out in the fall of 1924, were transferred to Velacheri to live, although his work continued to be in Saidapet where the Industrials were located.
After nearly two years of trying to carry on alone, in the fall of 1927, he was married to Ruth Stevens whom he had met the previous summer in Kodaikanal. A nurse in the Presbyterian Mission Hospital at Miraj, she had come to India in 1923. After their marriage, they continued to live with the Clotheys in Velacheri, as accommodations were rather limited; Ruth taking over the Dispensary and beginning the study of her second Indian language having already learned Marathi in her former Mission.
In the summer of 1928 a daughter, Barbara, was born and as Phyllis Clothey had been born only a few days before, there were two babies in the Clothey-Banks bungalow; which made life very interesting even if somewhat more complicated. However, early in 1929, it was decided that the Banks should take their furlough as Mr. Banks had already overstayed one year because of the various circumstances. So in the middle of that year they arrived in America on their first furlough.
A missionary's furlough is not a long vacation as a great many seem to think, for during the furlough period he is expected to do deputation work and thus help keep interest in missions alive and vital. Also, many missionaries feel it advisable to take up further studies, both to secure a better hearing for their message and for their own personal benefit. Consequently, during this furlough in addition to deputation work, Mr. Banks enrolled in Gordon College for the B. D. course. It was during this furlough that Kenneth was born.
Returning to India in the fall of 1930, he was given charge of the Mission's Industrial School and Press, as Mr. Clothey who had had charge of that work was due for furlough. He carried this responsibility along with the work in Velacheri.
The year 1936 found the Banks family again in America, and again in addition to the usual deputation work, he took up further study at Gordon College.
Going back to India, he again relieved Mr. Clothey, taking over the village department together with the Velacheri Church School, etc. Anticipating that the Clotheys would return after the usual eighteen months, he carried on, but war prevented the Clotheys arrival on the field, and so he carried on for six years. The task was doubly difficult because of the problems created by war conditions.
Again in 1946 he arrived in America on furlough. Through the kindness of a friend a comfortable home was provided in Arlington, Mass. One of the pleasures was being able for him to have his mother live in the home too, with the rest of the family nearby. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable phases of furloughs in the Christian fellowship that missionaries and those who hold the ropes in the homeland is the sweet Christian fellowship that all have in Christ.
Boston : Woman's Home and Foreign Mission Society of the Advent Christian Denomination [1946?] [8] p.
Transcribed for Berkshire Christian College's Adventual Library, 13 Jun 2023, by Duane E. Crabtree
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