There was an awakening over all the religious world in the latter part of the nineteenth century.  Holiness, the key-note of Holy Scripture, was being taught.  Out of that holiness awakening grew a reformation whose standard was “Back to the Bible” in faith and practice.  Robert and Mary Davis were strangers as yet to these grand movings of the blessed Holy Spirit, but that Spirit was leading them on unerringly.  God desired to plant in Bethany His own glorious church, to be a beacon-light, an ark of salvation, to the people of that community.

A series of events accelerated the progress of the Davis’ toward the ultimate truth.  Their attendance at the various churches, and their spiritual life, caused every pastor to consider them good prospects for membership.  It so happened that during the few days that followed the last debate at the schoolhouse, three different ministers visited them with this idea in mind.

On one fine day, Pastor John B. Jones, of the M.E.  Church, drove up.  He was invited in, most cordially.  After some casual remarks, Pastor Jones introduced the subject of joining church.

“Do you contemplate uniting with any church in the near future?” he asked them.

“Yes, it has been our intention to join soon,” said Robert.  “May I ask a few questions?”

“Certainly,” replied Mr. Jones.

“Does the Methodist Church teach holiness?”

“John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church,” said Mr. Jones, “taught holiness, and sanctification subsequent to regeneration.  But we do not preach much on that subject now.”

“What I am thinking about,” said Robert, “is this:  I am longing for a real church home, where I can feel at one with, and in fellowship with real Christians.  Pastor Jones, there are so many professing Christians who are Christians only in name.  I cannot fellowship them.  They engage in questionable practices; they are dishonest and tricky; they use bad language; and their bent is more toward pleasure than religion.  My soul really craves a church home.  Can you offer me such where I shall have the fellowship I crave?”

“We need just such members as you and Mrs. Davis would be, Mr. Davis,” said Pastor Jones.  “Many of our members are not spiritual.  I have tried to arouse them, but it seems in vain, but if we had more members like you, we should have a spiritual church.  Old Mother Piercy claims sanctification, and there are three or four who are praying members.”

“I will pray about it, Mr. Jones,” said Robert.

On the next day, Mr. Percy Johnson visited them on the same mission, and on the day following, Mr. Claude Perkins came.  To them, Robert replied much as he did to Mr. Jones.  All of them deplored the lack of vital godliness in their churches and bewailed the lack of spirituality among their numbers.  It was a fact that on prayer meeting nights very few persons were out to either of their churches.  On the outside, Robert could discern little difference between the various denominations.  He had learned that they held different doctrines, and had different schemes of government, but as to the real church life, the heart and soul of them, he saw little difference.  He was about to decide to join by casting lots, when something providentially started his mind along another line of thinking.