Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-11-23

OF Capt. Nj. ii. Clark, who was his
private secretary during the life of
the confederacy. lie left Saturday
evening by special train for Elkton,
where the party was met by hacks
and taken to Mr.. w. II. Jesup's. lie
spent the night with Mr.. Jesup and
attended the dedication the next day
Of ytRttA $3.50
BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH.
This building is situated upon the
spot where Mr.. Davis was born and
the ground was purchased by him
last year and presented 10 the church
for the purpose. The structure is
one of the handsomest in southern
Kentucky and was erected at a cost
OF over $1,000. 1t is finished in ele-
giant style and seated with opera re-
clining chairs and is provided with
pastors study, baptistry, dressing
rooms and all the modern improve
ments. In the wall of the vestibule
is a slab communicating the fact that
the spot was the birthplace Of Mr..
Davis.
The six wiadows bear inscriptions
that show they were donated by Mrs.
Jennie w. Rodman, Miss Lula Nose
ley, Mrs. Sadie Downer, Mrs. Susie B.
Jesup, Dr. s. NJ. Lowry and Rev.
Samuel Baker.
THE ARRIVAL OF MR.. DAVIS.
The weather which was so promis-
Ing for day or two previous, changed
Sunday morning at daylight and the
day was ushered in with a cold dis
agreeable rain which continued all
day Sunday and the better part of
yesterday. Extensive preparations
had been made for the event but all
plans had TO be changed. The car
pets were hastily taken up and the
tables which had been arranged
around the church were transferred
to neigboring tobacco barn and dis
appointment was depicted on every
face. But there was 10 material
change in the programme. The prep
arations went ahead and at all early
hour the people began TO come in,
despite the rain and the church
and barn were soon filled and wher-
ever there was ashelter about the little
village of Fairview the people con-
gregated and waited for the dedica-
ton services to begin. Just before
the appointed hour the distinguished
guests arrived.
Mr.. Thos. Pyc requested that there
be no cheering or applauding, as it
was not time or place for such man
ilestations. Mr.. Davis descended from
his carriage at the door aud leaning
upon Mr.. Jesup's arm entered the
building aud took seat three seats
back from the front. lie was accom-
panied by DR.. Strickland, Capt. Clark |
and two or threel Aies from Clarks-
vile. DR. Strickland, DIR. Baker and
the pastor, Rev. E. N. Dicken, took |
their seats In the pulpit and the for
mcr proceeded to preach the dedica-
tory sermon. 1t was discourse elo-
quent, appropriate and instructive
and was listened to throughout with
the closest attention.
AT the conclusion of DIR. Strick.
lands discourse, Mr.. Davis arose and
spoke as follows:
Ladies' aud Gentlemen of the Con-
gregation: My heart is always filled
with gratitude 10 you, who extend to
me so many kindnesses. / am thank
ful that can give you this lot upon
which to worship the triune God. 1t |
has been asked why l, who am not a |
Baptist give this lot to the Baptist |
Church. | am not Baptist, but my |
father who was better man than l.,
was q Baptist.
Wherever / go, when come here
feel that this is my own, my native
land,' When l see this beautiful |
church it refills my heart with thanks. |
1t shows the love you bear your Gre
aior; 1t shows your capacity for |
TO your God. The pioneers
Of this country, as have learned |
from history were meu of plain, SIM
pie habits, full Of energy and imbued |
with religious principles. They lived i
in day before the dawn of sectarian
and sectional strifes. In |
their rude surroundings and teach
ings il is no wonder that they learned |
that God was love.
II did not come here to speak. l
would not mar with speech of mine
the effect of the beautiful sermon to
which you have listened. simply
tender to you, through the trustees of
Bethel, the site upon which this
church stands. May the God of heav-
EN- bless this community forever, and
may the Savior of the world preserve
this church to his worship for all
time TO come"
When he concluded Rev. Mr.. Dick
ell made some remarks and at IDOL
the meeting adjourned. and the
audience repaired to the tables, where
an abundance of dinner for crowd
twice as large had been provided.
The Ex-President and his party ale
their dinner at a private table spread
in the pastors study, adjoining the
pulpit.
Mr.. Davis returned to Clarksville
by the regular 5 O'Clock passenger
train which he boarded at Pembroke.
AT night Rev. L. N. Dicken held
services at the church which conclu-
ded the exercises of the day.
Wivesl Mothers! Daughtersl