Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-04-25
For the South Kentucklan
THE OTHER SIDE.

THE OTHER SIDE.
For several years, some of the men,
bers of Bethel church have urged the
necessity of dividing Bethel, forming
therefrom two churches; one to be at
Pembroke and the other at Fairview,
or some other point north of Bethel.
Recently, some one has set forth the
desirability, not to say necessity, of
such action, in published article
styled "The need of the Hour" This
article has been read by many in the
community. 1t is well written and
plausible on its surface. 1t might de-
ceive some. But there is another side
to the question, which the present
writer will attempt in plain way to
set forth.
The writer has made dcligcnt in
quiry, and feels persuaded that
large majority of the members Of
Bethel, not only feel that there is no
necessity for division, but that said
division would be positively detri-
mental to the interests of the whole
Bethel community, and the cause of
the Master represented by the present
interests of Bethel church. Bethel
has name, prestige in our commu-
nifty, in our Association and in our
State, that it would sorely grieve us
to lose. Were we to divide, neither
church would be Bethel in name.
honor or past associations. Each
church must work out a new history,
make new name, etc. This would
be no evil, if the two churches in
their separate capacities, could accom-
plish as much or more good than onC
united Bethel. But we believe tina
such would not be the case.
Is is said that Bethel territory, is
too great in extent, to work well, the
field she covers. If the field covered
by Bethel were essentially missionary
ground, this would be true. But
such is not the case. There is scarce
ly family in the community. thai
has not representatives in some one o
churches, Methodist, Presbyterian Of
Baptist to be found in the section o
country from which Bethel draw
her congregation. These familie
consider themselves identified will
some one or other of said churches
The writer has been surprised, when
attending churches of the various de
nominations, Presbyterian, Metho
dist and Baptist, where the congrega
tons were large, to find when TIN
division has been called for, how few
in these congregations were not pro
Tossing Christians. Bethel is not OF
missionary ground, nor would eithe
of the two churches be were she t,
divide. There is room now in gu
churches, for this whole community
There is work for all churches, i
they would but do it. Bethel coul(
have her missionary societies, tina
would,take up the orphan, clothe, feeC
and educate him; that would sustain
missionary in the destitute por
tions of Christian and adjacent coun
ties; or that would do some espeeia
work in the foreign field. Would
that Bethel would arise to such worl
to the extent of her ability. The
might add tenfold to the luster of he
now fright name.
AS for Suuday-scho work, Bethe
Onght to do more, she has done NOR
than she is now doing. A few year
since a good Sunday-school was sus
tanned at Bethel throughout eigh
months Of the wear, and an adult Bi
BILE class throughout the whole yeal
This could be done again. Then lie
Pembroke and various country neigh
borhoOds supplement this work b.
schools in their midst, held on Sab
bath afternoons. There is at leas
one neighborhood Sunday-school
that maintains a Sunday Afternoon
school. This school meets in a schoo
house where there is frequent preach
ing of the word, and here a prayer
meeting was for time sustained.
"The need of the hour" it seems t
the present writer, is a good pix
from Pembroke to the Elkton road
Then Pembroke would have churc
accessible throughout the year, an
nearer to her people than are man
city churches to regular attendants
who walk the distance from thei
homes to their church twice a day
Then the people of Pembroke VIII
are hungering and thirsting for tn
gospel can be filled and their thirs
quenched. The money that woul
be required to build two churches
if devoted to the building of a pix
would put Bethel within easy acces
of her whole congregation beside
the pike would be of immense advan
tage to Pembroke and the Who'll
community.
Suppose Bethel should divide an