Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-23
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY as, 1915.
NEW BETHANY CHURCH OPENED.

NEW BETHANY CHURCH OPENED.
In the presence Of the largest as
gathered on the historic
grounds in many a day, the hand
some new home Of the Bethany A. R.
P. congregation was formally opened
last Sunday, the exercises taking up
the greater part of the day, the fea-
lure of which were three inspiring
addresses-one by a former pastor
of the church, the second by the emf
nent pastor of a sister church and
the third by a prominent layman.
A prettier day could not have been
hoped for, the temperature being
neither too cold nor too warm, and
the bright sun which beamed down
on the handsome new edifice, finding
beautiful reflection in the pretty
stained glass windows, shed inspiring
light over everything. Although the
auditorium is unusually large for a
country church, it. was inadequate
for the comfortable seating Of the
great congregation, which was COM
posed Of people not only from the
territory which comes under the
direct influence Of Bethany church,
but from nearly every section Of York
county, and among those present
were some who live without the
bounds Of the state. A number Of extra
chairs and benches were press
ed into service: but still the seating
capacity was inadequate, and there
were more than two hundred people
who were unable to find even stand
ing room.
Rev. w. F. Grier, pastor Of Bethany
church presided over the exercises OF
the day, and the services were opened
with a song followed by the pastors
prayer, and the reading Of a Scripture
lesson taken from I Kings. 8 and 8
DR.. R. M. Stevenson, pastor OF
the church for about twenty-fiv "
years and who was succeeded by Rev.
Grier after DR.. Stevenson assumed
editorial management Of the Asso-
ciate Reformed Presbyterian, was in
troduced by the presiding officer.
1.-The work Of the Bethany con-
gregation During the last twenty-five
Years." was the subject Of the speaker,
who said he was indeed glad to be
among the congregation again because
he held a home feeling for Bethany,
where some Of the best years of his
life were spent. Twenty-Five years
tells on a congregation as we'll as on
an individual, he declared and there
fore his remarks would be largely
reminiscent in nature. OF the officers
who served the church when he took
charge, only one, Mr.. VIM. Q. Leslie
remains in office. Changes In the
community had been great. Twenty
five years ago all the land toward the
mountains was covered with wood and
the country was wild and desolate,
Most of the roads were at times i'm.
passable and one road could hardly
be distinguished from another.
Speaking Of the evidences Of prog
ress in models Of farming, DR.. Stew
enson said that twenty-five years
ago, farmers hardly expected to dc
better than make a living and as an
example mentioned the farm Of Mr.
r. N. Plexico which at the beginning
Of his p%astorate, producing hardly any
thing. Abiding to the sale Of whisky
which used to be general in the com
munity, the speaker told Of instances
under his personal observation. There
were numerous bar-rooms throughout
the community; young people could
not have parties for fear that some
guest would be under the influence
Of liquor; drunken men were pass
ing at all times and mothers and
wives and daughters were ever filled
with fear. Nothing, he declared, was
ever added to the community socially,
morally, financially or otherwise by
such bar-rooms. and he pointed to
the fact that the country had i'm
proved wonderfully since the evil
had been so largely stamped out.
DR.. Stevenson spoke Of the changes
in the modes Of travel-there were no
automobiles and few buggies In the
community during the early days of
his p%astorate; the men rode horse
back, and when the whole family was
to make a journey to church or else
where, the "~carry-all" was the vehicle
used. The spinning wheel and loom
which once were important articles
in every home, have disappeared as
have also the knitted socks and other
articles Of domestic manufacture.
Speaking of the church's history,
the speaker stated that during its
long life Bethany has had only six
pastors, and the average length OF
service Of each Of the six was %
years. There were 1877 names on the
church's membership roll twenty
five years ago, and although since
that time churches have been formed
at Glover and Crowders' Creek around
a nucleus Of Bethany church mem
bers, there are now more than 27O
members at Bethany.
In conclusion, DR.. Stevenson assured
the congregation of his ever present
interest in the community and stated
lIld Ic was SNCk SooSh w o>S 80
county papers which he considered
a letter from home. He advised the
congregation to treat their pastor
we'll; stating that often times persons
read Of a pastor resigning, when in
truth the people asked for his resig-
nation.
Although there have been many
changes since I first took charge, he
said-though those that were young
are now growing old, the same Gospel
is being preached nov that was
preached then. 1t has not changed
but it Is just as interesting as ever.
Rev. J. L. Oates.
Following prayer and the singing
Of a Psalm after DR.. Stevenson ad-
dress, Rev. Grier introduced the Rev.
]. L. Oates who addressed the con-
gregation on. The Effect Of the
Spiritual Upon the Temporal" and
prefaced his remarks by stating that
he was glad to be present not only
for the opportunity Of rejoicing with
a sister congregation but because the
blood that flowed in the veins of the
McGills Henrys, and other,
pioneers of Bethany, flowed in his
veins also.
The spiritual factor has brought
the changes spoken Of by DR..
said Rev. Oates. The spirit
ual gives that same force to the tenn
poral which the breath of God gives
to those who are dead. In the affairs
Of the world the spirit Of God working
- - - 80 1fyao tho ,nnuynr RI do