The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-08-10

This here church Is open. Ercusc me-"
up the cracks that wrinkled their hard
faces, they seemed to smile, as If tho
Christmas JOY had somehow moved
something in their old, stony hearts.
The people were all there-farmers,
%ranchers, cowboys, wives and children
all happy, all proud Of their new
church, and now all expectant, waiting
for the Pilot and the Old Timer. who
Were to drive down If the Pilot was fit
and were to bring Gwen If the day was
fine. AS the time passed on Bill, as
master Of c6-rc;nSr.es began to grow
uneasy. Then Indian Joe appeared
and handed n note to Bill. He read 1t,
grew gray in the face and passed 1t to
me. Looking, / saw In poor, waverlng
lines the words:
Dear Bill-Go on with the opening. Sing
the psalm-you know the one-and say q
rayer and, oh, come to me quick. Bill.
YOUR PILOT.
Bill gradually pulled himself to-
gcther, announced in n strange voice,
"The Pilot can't come" handed me the
psalm and said:
"Make them sing"
1t was that grand psalm for all hill
peoples, II to the hills will lift mine
eyes," and with wondering faces they
sang the strong, stcadying words.
After the psalm was over the people
sat and waited. Bill looked at the
Hon. Fred Ashley, then at Robbie
Muir, then said to me in n low voice:
"Kin you makea prayerT'
n cInnl ny lnn1 nchppnn1 90 II Itl
80, Of my cowardice.
Again Bill paused, then said:
"The Pilot says there's got to be a
prayer. Kin any IL make onef"
Again dead, solemn silence.
Then Hi, who was near the back,
said, coming to his partners help:
whats the matter with you trying,
yourself. Bill?"
The red began to come up in Bilrs
white face.
"'Tain't in my line, but the Pilot
says there's got to be n prayer, and
I'm going TO stay with the game"
Then, leaning OH the pulpit, he said:
Lets pray" and began:
GOD Almighty, / amt no good at
this, and perhaps you'll understand II
I don't put things right" Then n
pause followed, during which / heard
some Of the women beginning to sob.
what | want to say" Bill went on,
'is were mighty glad about this
church, which we know it's you and
the Pilot that's worked it. And we'ro
all glad to chip in"
Then again he paused, and, looking
up, l saw his hard, gray face working
and two tears stealing down his
cheeks. Then he started again:
but about the Pilot don't want to
~persoom-but If you don't mind we'd
like to have him stay. In fact, don't
see how we kin do without him. Look
at all the boys here, Hes just get
ting his work In and is bringing 'em
right along, and, God Almighty, II
you take him away 1t might be n good
thing for himself, but for us-O God"
The voice quiyered and was silent
"AInen!'
Then some one, / think 1T must have
been the Lady Charlotte, began "OuI
Father" and all Joined that could join
to the end. For n few moments Bill
stood up, looking Mt them silently
Then, as If remembering his duty, he
said:
''This here church is open. Excuse
me-"
He stood at the door, gave a word OF
direction to HI. who had followed hin
out, and leaping on his bronco SHOOK
him out into a hard gallop.
The Swan Creek church was opened
1.-The form of service may not have beer
prrcct. but If great love counts fol
hything, and appealing faith, then al
was necessary was done.