CELEBRATE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY

Appropriate Ceremonies Commemorate Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Bethel Presbyterian Church.

The seventy-fifth or diamond anniversary of the Bethel Presbyterian church of this city was most religiously observed on Sunday last. At morning and evening services there were very large audiences, the attendance at night taxing the seating capacity of the church.

The morning services opened with organ prelude by Floyd N. Roberts. Following this were doxology, invocation, Gloria Patria, hymn No. 129 by choir, composed of W. H. Jordan, Hazel Jordan, Mrs. J. I. Bowen, Mrs. F. J. Scudder, Miss Lu Cole, W. M. Edwards and Prof. Williamson. Scripture lesson was read by pastor, Rev. Stevenson, followed by prayer by Superintendent Stitt, of the Home. Miss Stitt, of the Home, sang well a solo, entitled "Hold Thou My Hand." Then followed the announcements and anniversary sermon by Rev. W. A. Hutchison, of Augusta, Ill., who was pastor here from October 1, 1878, until November 1, 1881. His remarks were of a historical nature, 1832 to 1882, but very sympathetic and touching, many tears being shed while he read over the names of those who had gone before. His portrayal of vision, which visited him some three years ago while seriously ill, of heaven and the glories therein, was indeed eloquent and intensely interesting. It tended to lift one to higher ideals of life and better things. Mr. Hutchison is a most pleasing speaker, and easily carried his audience with him as he progressed with his remarks. Prayer followed his remarks, then came a sweet and tender solo, "I Am a Pilgrim," by W. M. Edwards. This was followed by reading of several letters from distant friends. It was nearly 1 o'clock when the benediction was pronounced.

The evening services were similar to those of the morning, Mrs. F. J. Scudder singing a beautiful solo, "By the Waters of Babylon." W. M. Edwards followed with a historical review of the church from 1882 to 1908. Sunday School Memories, by Mrs. Hester Hatch, were very interesting.

Then followed reading of other letters and reminiscences and short addresses by Dr. Hutchison and Rev. Stevenson.

On Monday night there was a social gathering at the church. The attendance was good and a splendid time was enjoyed.

During the morning services a novelty was presented to the audience, that of the first collection baskets of the church. They were small black bags tied on the ends of broom sticks. These unique baskets, or rather bags, were made by Mildred Campbell and Mrs. Sidney Muzzy, the latter the grandmother of Mrs. O. E. Holloway. A generous collection was deposited Sunday in these bags.

A short history of the organization of Bethel Presbyterian church is not amiss here.

On December 24, 1832, a company of eighteen persons met at home of John Bell, in West Liberty, one mile southwest of Knightstown, and organized Bethel Presbyterian church. Fifty years later, December 24, 1882, the golden anniversary of the church's organization was held in this city, Rev. W. A. Hutchison then delivering the principal address. At that time only two (Harvey and Rebecca Bell) of the original promoters of the church of West Liberty were living. Today there are none. The moderator of the first church was Rev. David Monfort, and the names of the original eighteen were John Bell and wife, Sarah, with their son, John M., and daughters, Margaret and Rebecca; William McCutchan and his wife, Margaret, with their sons, James and Samuel, and daughters, Rebecca and Isabella, who came from the church of Bethel, Augusta county, Va.; also Rachel H. McCutchan, from the church of Tinkling Spring, same county and State, and from the church of Lewisville, Ind., Harvey Bell and his wife, Nancy; David Byers and wife, Elizabeth; William Edmondson and wife, Mary.

As Rev. William Carson, a former pastor of the church, once wrote, "the charter members were the rugged and brawny pioneers who, with patient labor and simple faith in God, drove out the heathen, built up society, established the schools and laid the foundation of righteousness for a strong and practical christianity, beautiful as morning light. They made the wilderness and solitary place glad. Many a rose of Sharon was planted in the faith, that its beauty and fragrance would spread as the seasons rolled on, till at last earth ended with Eden, as it began. Then goodness leavened society, it made the world better, and like a refreshing stream, fertilizes the community and still flows on and makes glad the city of God in the place which once knew them, but knows them no more forever. Some of these names are household words: the Campbells, Rueben Peden, Harvey Bell, Penn Hill, Robert Forbes, Abraham Hulit and more than a score of others with almost equal force and fidelity. They were the salt of the earth, their influence is self=perpetuating, it is immortal. What consecration, what hospitality, what gracious charity and saintly devotion and unselfish sacrifice marked the whole trend of their lives in the home, in society, the Church, the Sabbath School, the prayer meeting and in all of the walks of life! The fall of these grand characters is like the fall of the oak in the forest, leaving a great vacancy behind and bringing down a thousand adjacent interests. Vacant chairs in the home, vacant offices, vacant pews, vacant places once occupied, now occupied no more, brings forth a sigh from many a heavy heart."

O for a touch of a vanished hand,
And the sound of a voice that is still.

The church today has a membership of nearly three hundred of the most charming class of people in all respects to be found anywhere -- refined, cultured, courteous, intelligent and full of generous hospitality. The ladies constitute the power behind the throne and have a record for ambition, devotion and hustling energy in every beneficent enterprise of the church that has made them deservedly illustrious.

Of the nineteen ruling elders twenty-five years ago only one responded Sunday when their names were called, namely, W. M. Edwards.

Twenty-five years ago there were fifteen deacons. Only three, Joshua I. Morris, W. M. Edwards and Lee A. Furgason, answered Sunday. All of the others are dead.

The first pastor was Rev. D. V. Smock. He was ordained and installed November 17, 1836. He remained six years. It was during his pastorate that the first board of deacons, John Alexander, Charles D. Campbell and Samuel McCutchan, was ordained.

In all only three buildings for worship have been erected by the Presbyterians. The first was a frame, 30x40 feet; the second, built in 1840, was a frame, 40x50. It is now used as the grain warehouse of W. C. Welborn, near Pan Handle depot. The third is the present commodious brick building, and well arranged with convenient rooms for Sabbath class, infant class, prayer meeting and pastor's study. The auditorium on the second floor will seat about five hundred. Here is a large, handsome pipe-organ of splendid compass and quality of tone, presided over by Floyd N. Roberts, a young and aspiring musician of more than passing notice.

The Banner is indebted to W. M. Edwards for the following relative to the reason why church has assumed the name Bethel:

ED. BANNER--Some inquiries have been made as to the reason why the Presbyterian church has recently assumed the name Bethel. In answer to these allow me space in your paper to make known all that may be of public interest. From our records we found that our church, when organized, at West Liberty (a mile southwest of town) was organized Bethel Presbyterian church. "Bethel," House of God! A most beautiful and suggestive name. When the church removed to Knightstown the name Bethel became obsolete and the church has been known simply as Knightstown Presbyterian church until at our last congregational meeting the congregation voted to return to the name "Bethel," in honor of the memory of its founders, and in anticipation of our seventy-fifth anniversary.

Afterward when we applied to Whitewater Presbytery to ratify our action, it was found that in all our county records, deeds and other official documents were all in the name "Bethel." So no change was necessary on the books of Presbytery, and the church hereafter will be known as Bethel Presbyterian church of Knightstown.

Source: Knightstown Banner, May 15, 1908