Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-02-04

South OF StauntOn on the HOwardsvllle Turn
pike, midway between the villages of Green
vile and Middlebrook.
About fifteen acres of ground were given by
Mr.. Wadde grandfather Of Mr. James Bum
gardner, Senr.) for church purposes, on which
the old church was erected sometime in 1900
1t was built of logs in the form of Greek
cross. Rev Mr.. Scott preached here and at
Hebron, alternately. Rev. Wm. McPheeters
was for some time he pastor, afterwards DIR.
Chapman until 1921. The old church was
pulled down in 1920, then preaching was heid
10 he grove. ard at St. Johns church, ab ,ut
| a mile from Bethel occupied at that time by
Lu: herans and German Reformed Presbyter-
ans. The present church, d spacious brick one,
was finished in 1922 1t is capable of holding
700 or 800 persons, and OF the time it was Gn-
lshed, it Was said to be as handsome a church
as could be found fer milcss@sToe walls were
seriously injured by great fall o snow la 1888,
but were afterwards strengthened by iron rods
In the fall Of 1922. Dr. Francis Mcfarland
then travelling n the South. and while guest
of DIR. Addison WaddelI of Staupton. was in-
vited to preach at Bethel, which he did for
three Sabbaths Soon afterwards. he received
a unanimous call from the church, which he ac-
cepted, and was installed iu lS23-Dr. Ruffner
preaching the sermon, and DR.. Specie OF Au-
gusta church, delivering the charge
la 1886, DR.. Mcfarland returned to Phila-
delphia, as Corresponding Secretary OF Board
Of Education Rev. Alex B. McCorkIe was
pastor Vt the church until 1S4l, when he took
charge of church liz Ga, and DE- McEar
land retur ed and was pastor until his death In
October. 1871
La 1865, DR. Mcfarland, through infrmity
Of age aud i-health gave up regular preach
ing. Rev. Mr. Houston supplied the pulpit
| for while afterwards Rev. Park Fiournoy.
lo 1868, Rev. James Murray of Suffolk was
called, preached some time, was Installed as CO.
pastor, remaining as such uut Dr. Mcfarland
died. Mr.. Murray breaches regularly at Bethel
every Sabba'h, conducts Bible class number
lug between 20 aud 80 scholars, (from Bible doc
| triue. by DR. Ramsey Sunday morning Du-
ring the summer and autumn he breaches in
the evening at her Greenville, Mlddlebrook,
Hawpe's saw mill, Christians Greek, Broad
head, or Mint Spring school houses; conducts,
assisted by the elders, weekly prayer meetings,
alternately at Christian Greek and Broadhead,
when he explains some passages OF Scripture,
and makes very interesting addresses.
The ruling elders are MessEs. John Merritt,
Matthew Pilsou, David Black wood, Finley
Humphreys, Benz /. McClung, A A. Sproul,
aud Alex. Brownlee, who has been confirmed
Invalid Tor SeVeral years.
During the year 1882, the first Sabbath school
was organized aid Continued to flourish for a
number of years. superlntended by John A.
Douglass, an eminent Christian, and successful
teacher of youth. 1t was truly delightful to
see the interest taken by parents and children.
| Parents would come on horseback six miles,
and bring their little ones, from The prattler Of
five summers up to those III their teens A
choice library of over 500 volumes delghte
the youth by their interesting reading, and the
weigh'ier volumes gave Information and enter
tainment to older heads. There are three Sab
bath schools in the congregation-ons at Mint
Spring, Mr.. John NJ. Lambert, Superinten-
dent; one at Broadhead, with Mr.. b. 4. Nc
Cluug Supt and the other at Christian s
creek. where it has been conducted for num-
her OF wears by Messrs. Pilson & Biackwood
These gentlemen have, by punctuality and per-
severance, kept this school up, and by it make
| the Sabba, d evenings interesting and usefuily
| spent. Much good We trust, has resulted from
| the influence of Sabbath schools; as we hear
iron distant lands OF Sabbath schools being or
sanized by some of the members of the first
Sabbath school at Bethel.
| In 1881, the church was visited by revival
| DR.. Baxter, Rev MIR W ills,n and other min
lsters, assisted Dr. Mcfarland. During COM
muniop seasons four days meetings were kept
! uD that year-c0mmenclDg on ITiuay, cOelng
on Monday Some hat proiessed religloo then
have become ministers of the gospel. Among
these were Rev. james Humphreys; also his
brother, David, distinguished Tor his zeal and
activity in his Masters cause, though his life
was short one Two years later, Rev. Philan-
der NJ Custer (now 10 Lewisburg, w. Va. was
received iato the church. His llie has also been
devoted one.
Separated from the church-yard, which is
nicely enclosed and shaded by Ornamental trees,
is the silent city Ct the dead = within the
enclosure of which repose the bodies of over
400 r,ous. La 1917 there were bur % graves.
fhe Ladies' Cent Society has had much
done 10 the yard In the way OF removing I'M
slightly objects, briers, &c, from among the
graves, causing a great Improvement in the
appearance of the yard Three ministers
sleep their last sleep" here-kev. Eusebous
! Logan, Rev David Humphreys, aud DR.. Nc
Farland twelve elders also repose here Rob
ert Tate, Matthew PlIsou, Senr.. Col. Robert
Doak, Robert Mcpheerers, John Logan, John
Brawiord, John A Douglass, john Sproul,
Maurice AusIn, Samuel Humphreys, Samuel
| Hays AID James Hays-father and son. Two
persons were inferred last year-Mrs Hester
isumgardner and Mr. Ballard Smith.
WiIhin the last two or three years parsOn-
age has been purchased within a mile of the
church. and some repairs were done to it last
| wear 10 incIOsiny the yard, &c.