The Gospel Messenger 10-08-1895 p 653 Vol. 33 No. 41

A few days ago I had the pleasure of going with my father to see brother and sister Root who live some eight or ten miles northeast of Altoona. Sister Root met with an accident a few days prior to this which might have proved very serious. While on her way home from Altoona she was driving down the hill lying between Altoona and Juniata, when one of the city brewery wagons, driven by a reckless driver, came tearing down the hill, running the tongue of the heavy wagon into the buggy, upsetting it, and throwing its occupant some distance from the vehicle.

The man, in all probability, was under the influence of liquor. This, to me, is one way in which a man, in a sense, may become insane by his own consent. He satisfies his appetite with that which makes him dead to all his surroundings. It is a mystery, since God has given man and woman an intellect and power to do such things as will be to their best advantage, that they will of their own accord do that which is harmful.

There are crimes and evils that must be removed if a nation would exist and prosper, and is there a worse evil existing than intoxicating drink, which is, in nine cases out of ten, the cause of so many crimes?

After having spent the forenoon pleasantly with brother and sister Root, we left for Bellwood, to attend church and Sunday school at the mission. About one year and a half ago the Missionary Board appointed Eld. J. W. Wilt to take charge and organize meetings at that place. He, with two or three members, rented a store-room which they converted into a neat little chapel. They had church and Sunday school every Sunday afternoon and prayer meeting Thursday evening of each week. The meetings have been well attended. The Sunday school, at present, has an average attendance of from ninety to one hundred.

Since the organization twenty souls have united with the church. Surely the hand of the Lord hath been in the work!

The room which they occupy is not large enough to accommodate the congregations comfortably, so, about one month ago, they began the erection of a new church, which will, at its completion, seat some three or four hundred people, its dimensions being 40x50 feet. The new chapel is situated in the northern part of the town, about three-fourths of a mile from the Pennsylvania railroad depot.

Ardie E. Wilt.

440 Fifth Ave., Altoona, Pa.

The Gospel Messenger May 8, 1897 page 295 Vol. 35 No. 19

Bellwood is now an organized church, with a membership of some sixty or seventy. Had they their church debt paid, it would be self supporting This is quite a good showing, considering that it is only a few years since the first preaching was done there. It is under the care of Eld. J. W. Wilt, who was largely instrumental in causing it to be what it now is.