The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-12

snow-covered hill at whose summit the
church stood was dotted with the black
forms of the gathering crowd climbing
slowly upward. When the opening hymn
was announced all the seats had been
taken, and a dense crowd of boys and
young men occupied the space between
J the door and the last row of Seats In his
1 duai capacity of usher and janitor, Deacon
Ezra Wiley surveyed this gathering
around the door with mingled feelings of
alarm and satisfaction. He recognized.
the splendid opportunity for evangelistic
| work presented, and he also saw the dan
ger which threatened the devotions of the
I evening. 1t was especially alarming to
him that the possibility of trouble should
come up at such critical moment in the
labors of the church. As the good deacon
took his seat in the 'amen'' corner he
contided his fears to Brother Mills tba
village blacksmith, and also deacon of
the church.
The preacher led the CONGREGATION In
singing that good old hymn, There Il a
Fountain Filled With Blood" and then
made one of his most powerful" open
ing prayers. 1t was punctuated with
"amens" from all parts of the church. In.
Guiding the jostling, irreverent crowd
around the door. The sermon was a
graphic portrayal of the burning lake an
which all sinners might expect 10 find
themselves after death. Running through
the sermon was an appeal for all to con-
Tess their shortcomings and misdeeds. and
come forward to the mourners' bench for
the prayers of the brothers and sisters
who had found salvation AS the hours
Shipped by and the end of the old wear
approached, the service changed into a
season of prayer and testimony The little
clock which hung on the wall behind the
pulpit finally pointed to II oclock. and the
preacher arose to make one East supreme
effort to reclaim some soul from eternal
torment. At his direction the most zeal
Gus members of the congregation left their
seats and mingled with the audience, look
ing for a chance to convert
1t was at this critical moment that an
unlooked-for interruption disturbed the
passing of the old year and marred the
peacefulness of the meeting Deacons
Wiley and Mills had been so bold as TO
approach the goddess crowd around the
door and suggest that there was too much
laughing and talking. They had even
dared to tell two or three of the leading
spirits that a failure to preserve order
meant ejectment from the church The
sound of loud talking suddenly reached
the ears of the worshippers, and all heads
turned toward the door Loud curses and
angry words, uplifted fists and stamping
feet told that a fierce struggle was taking
place. Out of the tangled mass presently
came Deacons Wiley and Mills, each in
triumphant possession of a painting
disheveled, fighting prisoner. The culprits
were the sons Of their captors, and,
against ell their kicking and squirmng,
they were forced slowly along the asles
on each side of the church to the MOURN
ers' bench, fighting every inch of the way.
Get down on your knees, darn your
picturer' commanded Deacon Wiley, seiz-
ing his son by the, shoulders and allowing
his indignation to gain the mastery. Get
down on your knees, or I'll skin you alive
when I get you home"
Keep your seats, brethren and sisters"
exclaimed the Rev. Ebenezer Harler
This young man is sorry for what he has
done, and we may yet save him from the
wrath to come"
There was suppressed litter from those
who took the preacher literally. Sam
Wiley, the widest scamp that ever robbed
a watermelon patch, looked at his fathers
stern, unyielding face, and felt the grip
tighten on his shoulders. He cast a fur
tive glance toward the womens "amen''
corner and saw his mothers eye filed
with tears. He turned to his right and
saw his companion in misery, "Diddy'.
Mills, crying like a baby. Just for a mo.
ment he stiffened with pride and then he
felt his fathers strong arms forcing him
down on his knees. At the same time,
f'Diddy' Mills went down under the pres
sure on his shoulders.
Who will be the next to come forward?"