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

Set against the rolling plains of 1885 Missouri, a bustling rail town teems with settlers from every corner of Europe, each bringing its own slice of Christianity. Lutherans, Catholics, Baptists and countless other denominations sprout chapels side by side, each confident it holds the truest path to God. Into this lively, yet confusing tapestry arrive Robert and Mary Davis, newly married and eager to honor the faith taught to them as children. Their devotion quickly runs into a maze of rival sermons and competing doctrines, leaving the couple unsure which congregation truly reflects Scripture.

Determined to find clarity, Robert and Mary begin a careful search, attending services, listening to sermons, and measuring each church’s claim against the Bible they cherish. Their journey introduces them to misleading teachings that promise ease but lack biblical grounding, prompting the pair to lean ever more on prayer and study. As they sift through the noise, they discover a simple, steadfast truth that guides them toward a vision of a community built on the New Testament pattern—an emerging hope that promises deeper fellowship beyond the crowded denominational landscape.