New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-20
Value 500, at

cation would get them-that was 1t. II is sin
gular fact that man is an animal that longs 10
be intoxicated in some way-to be stirred De-
yond his normal condition.
MERGERS tall broad-shouldered figure stood
cree; and dominant before the fire. There was
something compelling in him Even his sister
felt IT, and could not throw it off, though men
tally she scoffed at herself for her weakness.
As for Almna she yielded without struggle
TO the force which she called the spirit OF God
I, had come down 10 make men flee from eter-
nal wrath.
Mercer gazed about him. His glance took IN
every person. Each person felt that 1t was to
him 10 his very soul. that this evangelist had
come.
Are you returning from bondage?
The preacher repeated his words. his voice
Knocking at every heart. From the bondage or
sin to the freedom Of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Then he paused Amina sat with terrible, yet
delicious chs chasing each other over her she
glanced at Temple wondering II the girl would
get religion.
Temple was looking straight at the speaker
In the pause there was movement at the
door Without glancing that way. Temple was
aware that Sally was in the doorway. and she
saw beside her the great white bulk Of the New
foundand Yucaan.
The girl made a slight motion with her hand
and the yellow woman and the dog came to her
side There was no room on the benches. With
out any hesitation the woman sat down on the
floor I'm front Of her mistress She drew up her
legs and clasped her hands over her knees The
dog seated himself on his launches, gazed at
Temple and slowly thumped the floor with his
tail
In the silence Of this slight interruption. Al
nina was looking forward with mingled misery
and happiness to a powerful delineation OF the
eternal anger from which mortals must some way
escape.
MERGERS eyes wandered over his little congrega-
ton: they came to the girl directly In front OF
him Temples eyes were still upon him alb
sorbedly
\ sudden change ~ intention came 10 the
preacher He had intended to talk Of the awful
consequences OF sin, the terrors Of everlasting
damnaton. He had meant to exhort his hearers
to lee-nec from the wrath 10 come
His penetrating voice suddenly asked In its
softest accents:
els there a man here who remembers that he
loved his mother-or his father-or his wife-or
any one In the whole world? Il there? Is there
MERGERS glance now inexpressibly gentle and
sweet went again from one 10 the other OF those
stod. ignorant. unthinking faces. His words
may have had some effect. but there was that III
the mans presence. the mysterious something
which is given to some human beings ana when
makes them leaders. which had far more effect.
\ faint. tremuous voice that yet came from a
bearded man. behind the others, was heard say
ing:
Yes ves-fur shore-fur shore.
Then there was movement through the whole
company. and murmurs Of assent.
Sally rocked herself to and fro and groaned
deem down I'm her chest Temple sat perfectly
still her hand on Yucatans head. Mercer was
aware that her face was toward him. He was
so intensely aware OF 1t that he passed his hand
involuntarlly over his eyes that he might more
fully give himself up To those others-those ami
mails in the guise of men and women who were
so I'm need of the salvation OF love and peace
which Jesus Christ had brought into the world
A man near the door sprang To his feet. He
had one hand on his hip: he flung the other out
hercey.
There's my little ga-my little Tressy"-he
cried Jury her! I'll be damned II don't lurv
her."
Mercer turned like fash upon this man.
Yes yesr' he exclaimed now you know what
I mean You love her and you like to do what
will please her. She likes to do what will please
you. You'd do anything Tor <ner. because
you love her You'd die for her. There's some
thing in every heart here tonight that knows
what I'm talking about"
There was another movement. light came
upon dull faces and grew. and grew. Sordid life
OF crap making" and drinking, and licenious-
ness seemed to drop away piece by piece. like
old rags from a beggar's body. 1t was not God
laundering curses at them, but God loving
them.
At the end OF one OF the sentences Mrs. Amml-
down suddenly began to sing
30 love divine, that stopped to share
our sharpest pang. our bitterest tear!
On thee we east each earthborn care;
We smile at pain while Thou art near
| No one seemed to know this hymn among the
natives, but at the third line Temples strong,
! rich contralto joined In, and supported and bore
up the other voice: and thus the two sang to the
| end OF the hymn
The instant the words ceased Mercer broke
| forth into something quite different He had
no plattudes about the sentiment OF religion then
| He talked about drunkenness. and lazness. ana
| wlfe-bec ing and adultery.
He lsshcd the people, and they took his lash
! ing; nay. they crouched to It. They writhed;
| they groaned they swore with occasional out
burst that 1t was Gods truth he was speaking.
They gazed at each other.