The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-26

toward che kirk. The people came for
miles.
Horace Murray, seated by Elder Wilson.
approached the church without the slight
est misgivings. How IT rejoiced his
heart. and encouraged him for the future.
to see so many out in a pouring rain!
He was TO see a long-standing and acri-
mcnious dispute amicably settled. True,
the day was ominous, but what of that.
He arrived at the church and alighted.
He was puzzled at first why so many
should choose to remain standing out
side in the rain; but he soon understood
Sam Bloice came quickly through the
crowd TO the carriage.
It's jist as 1 told yes" he said my
woman was right It's locked" pointing
to the door, IAN Is to be-"
Both Elder Wilson and Murray turn
ed. On the platform of the church sat
a dozen or more women. Two of them
were white and bowed. All were exposed
to the sweeping, swishing rain: only a
few had umbrellas.
The crowd closed a little closer around
the carriage. But no one spoke. What
was there to say? Even Sam was quiet
for a time.
A great load from Glendale, six miles
away. drew up; then from the other di-
rection came one of the wedding parties.
HAS the moderator Gomez Murray
asked at length of Sam
Yes, an is in the manse this ten min
utes"
"Ye'd better go in," Elder Wilson said
to Murray, land see; tell them were wait
in in the rain
The crowd opened and Murray went to-
ward the manse that stood some twenty
rods away. He rang and there was soon
before him a tall, dark girl She had a
firm, oval face. wine colored eyes set I'M
der long black Iashes, and high. gracefully
curved brows. Murray knew she was no
servant He raised his hand toward his
dripping hat.
rs mister-the minister-your father.
suppose. in?"
YES" she said. Twill you come in?
There is a strange minister with him.
who came a few minutes ago. They are
in this room. You are Mister-"'
Murray" he said.
She took her hand from the door knob
and reached it to him. I'VE heard you
were to be sent" she said.
yes" he said II was sent and I had
to come"
I'VE don't blame you" the girl SAID
sadly; "but l think the presbytery are
using papa unfairly. They want to turr'
him away; and he's getting old now and
where would he get another church atte!
turn him-and mamma-and me-out OF
the manse-and we'I never have-any
home-again."
The last words were spoken between
bursting sobs.
Murray had not looked for this. He
felt ashamed. dazed, confused. The wo-
mans tears had had their usual effect.
Was he right in having come, or wrong
Perhaps the old minister was not, after
IT. - !,
door and put her hand again on the
knob.
Papa, may I come in?" she sobbed.
A deep voice answered yes.
But she did not enter. She pushed wide
the door, motioned Murray toward it
then turned and went quickly away.
The moderator reached for Murray
hand, but did not speak. The old min
lister sat silent, and without raising his
eyes. for some time.
BY and by he spoke. His face bore
the marks of deep agitation. but he spoke
deliberately and firmly.
My people," he said, rising, "woul
not consent. They positively object &c
opening the church to any minister but
myself. They would not accept the set
/ Element we made, and neither can l now
! They met last night and concluded te
! lock the church; they did so. and that
way it is TO remain to-day. Is this the
young man."
He turned to Murray and shook hands
coldly.
The minister of the Glenco kirk was a
large. firmy-built man. He had a strong
| full face. deeply set in a heavy gray
! beard. He gavce one the impression that
! physically, his powers of endurance might
be almost limitless.
Murray turned from the room to &c
again TO the waiting crowd in the rain
| Both walked together to where the pa
! tient, now thoroughly drenched, GROVE
| of 200 stood before the locked kirk.
The old man told of che terms of The
settlement; of how hard they bore. as he
had thought over them, on him: of how
badly he was being used; of how, after
being their minister for l6 years, he coult
not consent to being set aside and have
! another preside at communion service il
| his church.
Murray then spoke briefly. He regret
/ ted the action of minister and people He
/ had hoped the settlement was final ant
! fair. He had come in the interests OF
peace, and was willing yet to seek u
| bring 1t about.
Then the crowd began to break az the
edges and melt away. 1t was still pour
/ ing rain. Scarcely word was spoken
! The teamsters frightened their reins, anC
! the heavy wagons with their loads lum
! bered away. Another attempt 60 SETTLE
| the dispute in the Glenco kirk had failed
| disastrously.
II was six weeks after For all tina
! time mat ,ers had STOOD as left on tn,
! eventful first Sunday in May But now
1t was nearing the meeting of presbytery
when swift retribution was to overtak'
the offending Glenc) minister and those
] of ponorepra inn who had talyen OY
! themselves the awful responsibility of no.
/ only refus ng to obey the presbytery's in
/ junction, but of 10 king the door in the
moderator's face. 1t was violent, open re
/ bellion.
Between the locking of the church ant
/ the meeting Of presbytery many thing:
were said in Gleuco, 1t was said there
/ seemed to be no bad feeling between the
old ard the -ung man; 1t was said, too
! that now and than, when the young mar
| had no service in any of the other
| churches of Sunday evening, he had
| been seen at the old mans service in this
/ Glerco kirk, and that afterward he had
! been seen 'goin into the manse."
Then it was known for certainty that
/ the day the young man rived the pa
per'' on the minister-the summons to ap-
| near before presbytery "to show cause
why he should not be disciplined he hao
STAYED all night. But it was wet that
/ evening, and again it was said he was
'gettin' the old man TO say things he