A student in the United States

[Ani]

A student in the United States

In the summer of 1888, Peter Dunov traveled to the United States. His intention was to acquire a degree in theology and return to Bulgaria as a preacher. On September 19, 1888, he enrolled for a two-year special course at the Drew Seminary in Madison, New Jersey, and the same afternoon met with his future lecturers: James Strong, Samuel Upham, John Milley, George Crooks and Henry Butz, all renowned ecclesiastics and scientists. Peter Dunov spent five years at the Seminary. He shared a room with his compatriot Marin Delchev. The first year was preparatory; he read a lot and attended only general lectures. In the second year, he delivered sermons and participated in discussions on students' sermons.

In the summer of 1890, Peter Dunov completed the two-year theology course at Drew Seminary where he was a special student, i.e. someone who already had a theological qualification. He would not leave Drew, however. He decided to stay another two years to expand his knowledge. On October 15, 1890, Dr. Butz signed a document certifying that Peter Dunov was a regular student at Drew - a document required by immigration authorities to extend his residence in the US. Having missed only a few days, he enrolled in Professor Crooks' extra-curricular course in world literature, and in Samuel Milley's history course. On May 19, 1892, Peter Dunov got his certificate for his completed studies at Drew Seminary. However, his thirst for knowledge and the opportunities offered by the United States kept him somewhat longer in the New World. On October 12 the same year he enrolled in the Theology Department of Boston University for a three-year course. Again he was a special student, for three reasons: because he already possessed a pastor's license from Rousse (1887), because he was a member of the Methodist congregation of Madison, and because he had taken a course at Drew. The University of Boston offered the best theological education of that time. It was attended by students from all over the world. There was an atmosphere of self-control and discipline. In a Christian hostel, the university students lived in a community, each of them seeking to be of service to the others. There John Wesley's famous phrase "Forward to perfection!" was consciously applied in practice. Peter Dunov attended the lectures of Bordon Parker Bown, Sheldon and Mitchell. He had free access to four huge libraries: the university library, the library of the late pastor Latimer, the theological library and the Boston Public Library. Every Monday, he attended the conference of pastors from all Christian denominations, and he frequented improvised debate clubs and lectures at the Lowell Institute. Peter Dunov was quiet and humble in character. He earned his own living. He was not ashamed of any work and would often go to the port to carry passengers' luggage. When they asked him how much he wanted for the service, he answered: "As you please." He had opportunities to start work as a teacher in well-to-do families but he preferred more ordinary and less binding work. To him, hardships were challenges. He did not seek safety. "God will provide!", he invariably believed.

Peter Dunov in the United States.

One day he bought some new clothing with money he had just earned. However, on his way home he saw a miserable beggar, stopped to talk with him, and finally invited him to his place. He ended up by giving him food and his new clothes.

Students liked Peter Dunov because of his erudition and sensitivity. They admired his spirit and eloquence. They often went out of town together, and the students would gather around him and listen to him for hours while he spoke of the beauty and immensity of the universe and the grandeur of God. Sometimes he would walk away from the group without them noticing, and they would find him later, sitting somewhere with his eyes closed or staring admiringly at the sky, absorbed in thought. When he saw them, he would remark: "Look at this starry sky! What wisdom, what harmony, what majestic reason! Look at these streams, at these flowers around us! Where do this beauty and love come from?"

Dunov had brought his violin to America. To him, music was not an opportunity to stand out but a profound inner need. Once he accepted an invitation to play his violin in a student concert. To a full hall, he played a strange melody that made a strong impression on the audience. Many friends asked afterward who had written that music. Dunov smiled in his special way and replied simply: "I improvised. I depicted with sounds the prodigal son."

 

Peter Dunov about his violin:

"Years ago they asked me: Are you engaged? I am, I replied. Where is your fiancee? She is always with me. Where? Here, my violin. I travel around the world with it. She has never said an offensive word. Hers is an excellent language; she never speaks rudely."

Peter Dunov was one of the last students to write his thesis in practical theology under Professor Luther Townsend. Although unwillingly, he agreed about Dunov's preferred topic: "The migration of German tribes and their conversion to Christianity." He worked on it for two years and took his degree despite his professor's skeptical attitude. The thesis was completed on April 15, 1893. The manuscript contains 44 pages and is kept at the Boston Theology Department. In his spare time, Peter Dunov attended lectures in other departments as well. He was interested in the latest developments in all spheres, and read books and articles in fields such as phrenology, chiromancy, physiognomy, and anthropology. He was engrossed in the study of a person's character on the basis of his or her system, hands, skull and facial appearance.

On June 7, 1893, Peter Dunov obtained his diploma from the Boston University. He immediately enrolled at the same university's medical department. A future preacher would need some medical knowledge. He took an increasing interest in the work of scientists who were unveiling the secrets of the human body and mind. The discoveries in that field helped him acquire a new scientific view about the phenomena in the surrounding world. The time Peter Dunov spent in the United States was a time of intentional and intensive accumulation of knowledge that led to a profound change in his views. He transcended the traditional religious worldview, turning to scientific evidence based on experience and observation. In 1895, Peter Dunov returned to Bulgaria. Although to a cosmopolitan spirit such as his the United States were the ideal place for development at that time, he never hesitated to return and shoulder his mission as a spiritual enlightener.

 

 

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

School of Theology

This certifies that PETER DUNOFF

has satisfactorily completed the regular three years' Course[G12] 

of Study in this School and is entitled to the rank and privileges of a

GRADUATE OF THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

of Boston University.

Given at Boston, Massachusetts this seventh day of June,

year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighty-three[G13] 

William Warren, President of the University

Henry Sheldon, Dean of the School of Theology

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