Around Old Bethany: A Story of the Adventures of Robert and Mary Davis

In Short

Set against the backdrop of 1880s Missouri, this narrative follows Robert and Mary Davis as they abandon their conventional church backgrounds to embrace the "Church of God." Through prayer, study, and heated community debates, the couple seeks a "New Testament pattern" for living, characterized by holiness and unity. The book functions as both a personal story of spiritual awakening and a doctrinal defense of a specific non-sectarian movement. It has endured as a foundational text for those interested in the historical ethos and theological priorities of this particular religious tradition.

The Story

The narrative begins with the arrival of the railroad in a corner of Missouri, bringing with it a diverse population and a fractured religious landscape. Robert and Mary Davis, dissatisfied with the sectarian rivalries and cold formalism of their local churches, begin a quest for "Bible truth." Their catalyst is a religious weekly paper that introduces them to concepts like "entire sanctification" and the existence of a single, non-sectarian "Church of God."

As Robert begins to speak out in community prayer meetings, he clashes with Peter Newby, a long-standing local figure who champions traditional denominational dogma. Robert’s defense of a sinless life and his rejection of sectarian labels ignite a series of tense schoolhouse debates. These confrontations force the Davises to dig deeper into the Scriptures, creating a record of their findings that emphasizes a visible, unified church.

The couple’s commitment is tested by personal failures—Robert falls into a physical altercation with a neighbor, necessitating a humble, public confession—and by the arrival of various "false guides" in their community. These include followers of Christian Science and those advocating for the observance of the Jewish Sabbath. Robert and Mary navigate these challenges by relying on what they view as a superior, Christ-centered interpretation of the New Testament.

The couple also faces a devastating health crisis when Mary falls gravely ill. Her recovery, which they attribute to divine healing, reinforces their faith and their mission. Their influence begins to reshape the local community, eventually drawing their neighbors, Jake and Kate Newby, into their fellowship. The narrative captures a period of religious fervor, during which the community experiences both an unsettling "tongues" movement and a subsequent, orderly revival.

The story concludes years later at a family reunion. An aged Robert reflects on the legacy of the movement he helped establish in Bethany. He recounts how the small, often ridiculed group evolved into an influential congregation, emphasizing the necessity of preserving "unadulterated" truth for the next generation. The book closes with his final exhortation to his children and the community to remain faithful soldiers in the cause of the Church of God, looking forward to an eternal reward.

How It Unfolds

The awakening Robert and Mary discover a religious periodical that challenges their current denominational affiliations and prompts them to study the New Testament directly. This leads to a profound sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo and a commitment to seek the "true church" described in the Bible.

The public confrontation Robert begins to defend his developing convictions in local prayer meetings, which puts him in direct opposition to Peter Newby. The resulting schoolhouse debates highlight the deep divide between traditional, institutional religion and the couple’s burgeoning, reform-minded faith.

The struggle for consistency The Davises encounter various challenges, including Robert's own lapses in behavior and the intrusion of competing religious ideologies like Christian Science. They must learn to reconcile their lofty theological goals with the practical realities of daily life and human fallibility.

The test of faith Mary’s life-threatening illness serves as a trial that shifts the couple’s focus toward divine healing and total reliance on God. Her recovery acts as a sign to the community, helping to broaden the movement's influence among their neighbors.

The establishment of a model Following a chaotic period of religious extremism, a structured and orderly revival takes root in Bethany. The narrative culminates in the formal establishment of a congregation, followed by a final look at the lasting impact of this work on the lives of the next generation.

The People

Robert Davis is the central protagonist, a man defined by his earnest, often impetuous pursuit of truth. He begins as a seeker, matures into a vocal debater, and eventually becomes a seasoned, reflective elder of the church. His path is marked by a struggle to align his personal conduct with his high spiritual ideals. Mary Davis is his intellectual and spiritual partner, whose steady, quiet influence and devotion to the Scriptures balance Robert’s zeal. Her recovery from illness acts as a turning point that anchors their mission in the community. Peter Newby serves as the primary antagonist, representing the entrenched, dogmatic religious establishment. He is portrayed as a man whose identity is tied to his standing in the old church, making him a formidable obstacle to the couple’s progress. Jake and Kate Newby represent the community members who are initially skeptical but eventually drawn into the Davises' orbit, illustrating the ripple effect of the couple's personal transformation.

In Its Own Voice

"No sooner had these settlers built themselves homes than they started to build chapels and churches; it was a chapel if its builders rebelled at calling a building a church, and it was a church if its builders had no such scruples."

This observation, made in the first chapter, establishes the atmosphere of sectarian fragmentation that the Davises are trying to overcome.

"I have seen the church in Bethany grow into the place of influence it now has, from the very humblest beginnings."

In the concluding chapter, an older Robert reflects on the tangible results of his lifetime of religious commitment and community labor.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the restoration of an idealized, apostolic Christianity. The narrative argues that the modern church has been corrupted by divisions, human-made doctrines, and a loss of "vital piety." The story suggests that by stripping away these historical accretions and returning to a literal, prayerful study of the New Testament, individuals can recover the power and unity of the early church. It is a story about the tension between individual interpretation of the Bible and the need for a cohesive, organized religious community. Ultimately, it poses the question of whether a modern, "pure" church can exist in a world of competing denominations.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of American religious movements, particularly the holiness tradition, will find this a fascinating, if focused, artifact of its time. The book offers a window into the intensity of rural life in the late 19th century, where theological disputes were not merely academic but were the primary source of intellectual and social engagement.

Reading it feels like stepping into a time capsule. The language is earnest and often dramatic, reflecting the high stakes the characters feel regarding their souls and their neighbors' salvation. However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes, particularly regarding the blunt, often confrontational nature of religious debate and the rigid, unquestioning stance toward the "false" teachings of other groups. The text does not apologize for its narrow scope; it is deeply partisan and assumes the reader is already invested in its specific ideological framework. If you are looking for an dispassionate historical analysis, you will not find it here. Instead, you will find a raw, personal, and unapologetic account of how a specific group of people understood their mission to "restore" the faith. It is a challenging, sometimes difficult read, but it provides an invaluable, unvarnished look at the internal logic of a movement that helped shape a significant corner of American religious life.