For years, the prospect of a visit to Bethany, W. Va., of the Campbells, did not appeal to me. I have always been more concerned about going all the back to Jerusalem, to the Christ, the Apostles, then going to Bethany and the Campbells and other worthies, in my thinking, preaching and practice. Therefore, the so-called "Restoration Movement" has not been of the interest to me it has been to others. This is not to say they are wrong and I am right. Nor is this to say the moving forces in what men call the "Movement" are not worthy of esteem, and their work not to be admired. It is my humble conviction though that men have erred in placing too much emphasis on- such to the neglect of going all the way back -- my concern is what did Christ and the Apostles think, preach and practice, not necessarily the thinkers of some later "movement," be they and their works ever so commendable. Having said this, dear reader, I must assure you that I am now thankful for my visit to Bethany; it was indeed a day to remember as the following will attest. I will ever be indebted to Don and Melissa Dunlap, dear friends, for making this day a reality during my meeting with the Indiana, Pa. congregation this summer past, where the Dunlaps are members.

The most appealing and impressive place to me in all of Bethany was the meeting house, what I saw and did not see. I saw a simple meeting place; it is not called the "church house" or "church building," but, I repeat the meeting house - not the chapel, the church, the sanctuary, but the meeting house of the church, the congregation, the assembly. This to me means a great deal and should; extremeism, indeed, has nothing to do with such a conviction. The meeting house has no indication that a Sunday School, or so-called Bible classes, was a part of its simplicity. There was no organ, piano, instrument of music, no suggestion of choirs and solos. On its exterior, nor in its interior, is there a steeple or a cross - no semblance there of denominationalism, sectarianism, cultism, of the harlot and her daughters, paganism. The windows are simple, clear panes of glass - no stained glass with its questionable, symbolism; no social halls, no recreation rooms.

On the inside, the focus of my attention was the pulpit, where the Campbells and others preached the gospel and the unsearchable riches in truer form than the world is now used to; and the table, on which there was one cup and one plate, suggesting the use of one loaf as the Scriptures teach and reminiscent of what Alexander Campbell said, "On the Lord's table there is of necessity one loaf."

On the outside, over the doors, is inscribed, "Church of Christ" for all the world to see; nowhere on the meeting house nor its environs is there any other name. On the marker erected long, long since, again is "Bethany Church of Christ." This thrills my soul; not only can we read it there, but the name is emblazoned on the eternal pages of Scripture for all to see.

In the entrance is an impressive plaque that reads in part: "Bethany Meeting House where Thomas and Alexander Campbell preached and prayed for the return of the church to her apostolic and primitive unity on the basis of One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism." Oh, what a noble, Scriptural worthy sentiment for then and now.

I saw the names of Thomas and Alexander Campbell several times, several places. Not once did I recall seeing "Reverend" used as a title of address by them or others. On their tombstones, not plainly seen now, are simply their names. This says something surely for these men and their times. I recall the same of Christ, the Apostles and other worthies.

Now, what a contrast on down the road, I daresay, not of the Campbells' making -- what an object lesson in drifting, digressing - the meeting house that took the place of the old meeting house after the turn of the century, long after the demise of the Campbell. No longer is the simplicity of the old meeting house evident, no longer is the name the same, no longer is the practice the same, no longer is the preaching the same, no longer are the lofty ideals the same; enough indeed to make a man bow his head and cry. Here before men's very eyes, the church once known right up the road loses her identity, she becomes just another institution among men if they are not men of discernment; we see what will denominationalize, sectarianize her. What a sad, sad spectacle for mortal eyes!!

Across the road is Bethany College for which Alexander Campbell sacrificed much and long -- as I see it, the biggest mistake of his illustrious life. He might say the same if he were living today to see matters as they are. For instance, its Baccalaureate and Commencement services were May 24-25, according to "The Campbell Light," its quarterly publication. There were two speakers, "The Rev. K. David Cole, Pastor -- and Moderator;" the other, a lady, "The Rev. Joan B. Campbell -- outstanding as a minister in both the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the American Baptist Churches (U.S.A.) -- ordained in 1980," so reads in part "The Campbell Light." Dear Reader, I cannot imagine the Alexander Campbell that I met on "a day to remember" approving of such -- no, not the Thomas and Alexander Campbell I came to appreciate as never before; they were truer to the Book than I had ever been told, or imagined, before that day I stood in the same meeting house, restored, and at the same pulpit they stood.