The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-12-23


preacher arose to make one last SUI
preme effort to reclaim some soul from
eternal torment At his direction the
most Jealous members Of the congrega-
ton left their seats and mingled with
the audience. looking for a chance con-
vert
1t was at this critical moment that
an unlocked for interruption disturbed
the passing Of the old year and marred
the peacefulness 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. uplifted 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. disheveled. fighting prison
er. 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.
b An
picture!' commanded Deacon Wiley,
selling 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 l get you
homer
ters," exclaimed Rev Ebenezer 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 a suppressed litter from
those who took the preacher literally
Sam Wiley. the widest scamp that
ever robbed watermelon patch. look
ed at his fathers stern. unyielding
face and felt the grip tighten on his
shoulders. He cast furtive glance
toward the women's ''amen" corner and
saw his mothers eyes filed with tears
He turned to his right and saw his
companion in misery. "Diddy" Mills,
crying like baby. Just for moment
he stiffened with PRIDE and then he felt
his fathers strong arms forcing him
down on his knees. At the same time
"Diddy" Mills went down under the
pressure on his shoulders.
who will be the next to come for
ward?" shouted Rev. Ebenezer Harker
dancing back and forth before the pull
pit with Joy he could not conceal
1.-THE 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. 1t
was very funny to the crowd around
the door, but after awhile something
seemed to choke their laughter Sister
Mills high pitched and quavering voice
arose in prayer, and there was q pathos
in her appeal that started tears into
the eyes Of the toughest rowdy In the
crowd. Sister Wiley. unable to restrain
her emotions. Joined her cries with
those Of Sister Mills Suddenly q wave
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 the
low railing. They were hardly down
when two more came forward
Such revival was never known be
fore in the history Of the church as the
one which started with the watch meet
ing that night Rev. Ebenezer Harker
said to himself that 1t was due to his
powers as an exhorter Two mothers
believed in their hearts thar the eff1ca-
CT Of prayer had been demonstrated IN
wonderful manner But suppose
those muscular fathers had remained
inactive. Would the protracted meet
ings have lasted another wees2