Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-09-01
BETHESDA CHURCH
Auspicious Reopening sunday
of Handsome Structure


of Handsome Structure
In the presence of large ana
appreciative aud sympathetic aud
fence, Bethesda Presbyterian
church at R, ckbridge Baths wac
reopered Sunday last for worship,
after undergoing extensive I'M
provements. The occasion was
notable day In the history of that
congregation. After long ana
patient effort their hopes are re.
allied, and the beautiful structure
stands as q memorial to the de-
votion and conservation OF a lOya!
mem bership.
The services were held at ii
o'clock. Rev. DR.. John M. Wells,
of Wilmington, N. o., preached
the sermon. A large choir, under
the leadership of Mr.. Frank L.
Snider, with Miss Bette Morrison
as organist, rendered sweet and
inspiring music. Solos by Mrs.
Henry Miller and by Mr.. and Mrs.
Scrivener of Richmond were spec
tally sweet and wcrshipful.
After the sermon the pastor
stated the beautiful church was
free from debt, and that tho COM
pletion of the enterprise had rolled
great burden from the hearts OF
the congregation. The work was
entered on for the comfort of the
congregation and the glory OF
God, and now that 1T was COM
Melted there was occasion for re-
ioiciug. He then requested tnaf
the chairman of the building com
mittee and the chairman OF the
board of deacons come forward
Mr.. A. Moore Anderson and Mr.
Frederick Mohler advanced to the
pulpit, and the impressive service
IF delivering the keys was held
Mr.. Anderson, as chairman Of the
building committee, delivered the
KEYS of the church to Mr.. Miller,
the pastor, declaring the church
free from debt, and Mr.. Miller IL
turn handed them over to Mr.
Mohler, chairman of the board OF
deacons. Mr.. Miller ssid IL was
great pleasure to transfer the keys
to the beautiful and completed
house of worship. The pastor ther
lied in prayer and invoked thu
blessing of God on the presenta
ton of the completed work.
DR.. Wells text was jeremiah
9th chapter, 10th verse: este ne
We IN the ways, and see, and asl
, for the old pathe, where is tn
good way, and walk therein, an!
We shall find rest for your souls'
The sermon was forceful AM
eloquent = presentation Of a pie
for the old faiths and teachings o
, the church. He prefaced his ger
mon with tie statement that tn
two great forces at work are radi
calism and conservatism; the one
aggressive, stimulating, blazint
new paths and accomplishing
great work; the other, careful
r holding to the old ways and actlnI
as a check on the former. Th
two forces, with high purpose an
2 noble endeavor, are accomplishln
for the church the very best re
, suits. DR.. Wells discussed a
, length the following subdivision
of his subject: ~ Belief In tn
truth, integrity and authority o
1 Gods word; (2) reverence 10
e. Gods day; (S) great fundamentS
: doctrines.
Bethesda church stands on a
eminence overlooking North Rive
near Rockbridge Baths and take
: in a fine sweep of country for mile
around. 1t is of brick and Pre-
d sents an imposing appearance In
a recent improvements consist OF
e new tower on the northern corr er
AN annex in the rear for the choI
t loft and primary Sunday scho'
r class below; a porch over the eos
r ern door; the charging OF the III
d roof to gables; the abandonment
of the old vestibule and THROWN
o that space into the auditorium
O and most striking of all, the pla'
q ing of three memorial window
: one to DR. McElwee and Mrs. Nj
e Elwee, one to former minister
Is and one to deceased elders.
/, The interior of the church pr'
d sents quiet, restful and WORSHIP
full appearance. The walls an
n ceiling are in water color, OF gre
l. green, with ceiling bars divloir
d into squares of dark green an
frescoed in ivory. Delicate ar
SIMPLE decorations add to Il
beauty of the auditorium. II
10 decorations were done under tl
, supervision of Mrs, Miller, by M
ls Willis Pierson of Lexington,
g. The browning beauty are u
memorial windows. The one
W DR.. and Mrs. McElwee is ip Il
ID rear of the pulpit, over the chol
I. and lie circular iu shape. II
window is of jeweled glass, al
Id the scene is emblematic of t
k Father, Sen and Holy Spirit, co
K. tanning the CROSS, crown al
~ Aames of fire represented by u