Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1910-12-30


YOU ALlVE!
preacher arose to make one last SUI
prrmc effort to reclaim some soul from
eternal torment. At his direction the
most Jealous members of the congrcgl-
ton left their seats and mingled With
the audience, looking for a chance con-
vert
1t was ut this critical moment that
an unlocked for interruption disturbed
the pcaccfuness of the meeting Dea-
cons 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 fail
ure to preserve order meant ejectment
from the church. The sound of loud
talking suddenly reached the ears of
the worshipers, and all heads turned
toward the door Loud curses and
angry words. upliftcd fists and stamp
ing feet told that fierce struggle was
taking place. Out Of the tangled mass
presently came Deacons Wiley and
Mills. each in triumphant possession Of
a painting. dishevelcd. fighting prison
err The culprits were the sons of
their captors. and against all their
kicking and squirming they were
forced slowly along the aisles on each
side of the church to the mourners'
bench, fighting every inch of the way.
n <1n
pictured" commanded Deacon Wiley.
Selling his son by the shoulders and
allowing his Indignation to gain the
mastery. Get down on your knees or
III skin you alive when | get you
home.'
keep your seats. brethren and Sis
ters." exclaimed Rev EbcneZer Har
ker. This young man is sorry for
what he has done and we may yet
save him from the wrath to come"
There WAS Il suppressed litter from
those who took the preacher literally.
Sam Wiley. the widest scamp that
ever robbed Il watermelon patch look
cd at his fathers stern. unyieldins
face and felt the grip tighten on his
shoulders. He cast IL furtive glance
toward the womcn's "amen'' corner and
saw his mothers eyes filled with tears
He turned to his right and saw his
companion in misery. "Diddy" Mills,
crying like a baby. Just for II moment
he stiirened with pride. and then he felt
his fathers strong arms forcing him
down OH his knees At the same time
"Diddy" Mills went down under the
pressure on his shoulders.
"Who will he the next to come for.
ward?" shouted Rev. Ebcnezer IIalker,
dancing back and forth before the pul:
pit with Il joy he could not conceal
"rhe Lord bless these young men who
have seen the error of their ways. Let
us all unite in prayer"
Everybody prayed. Deacon Wiley
leading the low. murmuring chorus
with fervent entreaty to his son to
foregO the wickedness of the world and
unite with the church. When Deacon
Wiley ceased Deacon Mills began to
pray aloud for his hayward boy. /,
was very funny to the crowd around
the door. but after awhile something
seemed to choke their laughter Siste,
Mills high pitched and quavering voice
arose in prayer. and there was pathos
in her appeal that started tears into
the eyes Of the toughest rowdy in tn.
crowd. Sister Wiley. unable to restrain
her emotions. joined her cries Will
those Of Sister Mills. Suddenly a wav,
Of increased excitement swept through
the congregation Two of the tough
est young men Of the town walked
slowly down the aisles and knelt at til,
low railing. They were hardly dow
when two more came forward
Such a revival was never known he
fore in the history Of the church as TIN
; one which started with the watch meet
ing that night. Rev. EbeneZer Harkc
said to himself that it was due to hi
powers as an eXhorter. Two mother
believed in their hearts that the cfiica
cy of prayer had been demonstrated il
wonderful manner. But suppos
those muscular fathers had rcmainc'
inactive. Would the protracted meet
ings have lasted another week?