The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-09-16

puLkI00.
No word came from Adam Carr.
Sunday was at hand. The Satur-
day Courier had announced the pro-
gram for the services at the First Com
gregational church. There was to be
a solo I'm the morning by the popular
Miss Smith. with flute and cello OBJ
ligato. More wonderful still, a cello
solo during the collection" By the fa-
nous Professor Parker. OF Boston. In
the evening a song service, with
short sermon by the minister, the Rev.
Mr.. King.
And ali this in the First Congrega-
tional church of Corinth. Horace Blag-
den's church!
AT 1890 O'Clock Mr.. Blagdon put on
his tall hat, took up his gold headed
cane and announced to the two Mid
thornes that II was time to be off to
church. Mrs. Blagden was not up to
1t, so they were leaving her behind.
The bell hasn't rung yet, Uncle
Horace" observed Eric, who had been
waiting for the resounding peals OF
that well known sumfnoner OF the
faithful. .. -. -...-.'
Mr. Kings orders. my dear boy
said Horace as calmly as II the silenc-
ing Of that venerable and never fall
ing bell was the most trivial thing In
the world. He -pondered moment and
then added, with queer little shake
Of his head: Mr.. King is really a hui
man sort Of a Christian. sensible
one, 1 might say. Come along, please.
We can't afford to be late after what
he said at the board meeting last week."
He seemed nervous and quite anx-
ious TO be off, t..
You see, my dears, there's q very
sick child across the street from the
church. Assesses in the ears, under
stand. They've got tan bark along the
entire block. Last week I attended to
having the heavy teaming stopped on
that part Of the street The chilPs
mother Informed Mr.. King that the
frightful changing OF the church bell
almost set the little girl wild with pain.
So"-.here he took long breath-'Mr.
King promised her that--er, ahem-it
should not ring until the little sufferer
was quite fully recovered Most un-
usual. Most extraordinary. The bell
hasn't missed a service, morning or
night, in so years"
Good for Mr.. King" cried Mary.
He is the right kind Of Christian.
I don't see why The foolish old thing
has to ring, anyway"
Mr.. Blagden looked hurt. Really,
Mary, that isn't just the proper" He
caught himself up with one of his rare
smiles, albeit was rather a shame faced
effort. Mr., King did not put II In just
that way, my dear. but he was quite
convincing and--er, ahem-very POSI-
tive. He said that IL the members OF
the First Congregational church did
not know the hours for service, II was
high time they were learning them. 1t
isn't necessary to ring a bell in order
said he, so why bring them TO church
in that way Really, he was quite en-
phatic about It. Somehow, we agreed
with him. I believe 1t is his intention
to make note of the tardy ones today,
for-er, Johannesburg purposes, as
n mt 70 rH n .
Mr.. Blagden looked at his watch, and
accelerated his speed quite noticeably.
Eric and Mary could scarcely credit
their senses. Truly, wonderful thing
had happened In Corinth. A new gos-
pei had supplanted the old A rock
shaken into life by a process OF en-
lightenment that was positively be-
wildering An up TO date minister,
with an up to date gospel, had COM
pletely upset the religious calculations
of $50 years, and Corinth was sur
viving the shock!
Eric could not help wondering how
long 1t would be before one Of the
great, progressive and covetous met
ropolitan congregations would extend
a call to this amazing Mr.. King--and
get him at a vastly Increased salary,
with perhaps a pension for his wife
when he became too old to preach, or
IL BOl theu VI hlul anu WdnlSu u
change. -.5
The new Congregationalism had at
last forced its way into Corinth Il
had taken many years. ! venture the
opinion that the First Congregational
church did more toward proving the
blindness Of faith when Ii called Mr.,
King than anything that has been done
in the name or the history Of religion.
A congregation so settled and stead
fast in it's ways could not have ac-
complished transition so complete as
this except by accident Mr.. King was
truly an accident, quite as much Of an
accident as the stroke OF lightning
which never strikes twice in the same
place. II anyone had told the trustees
in advance that he was going to tweak
traditions nose until 1t slipped entirely
out Of Joint, those excellent gentlemen,
Horace Blagden included, would have
preserved the tenets Of the church so
cival King would never have been
heard in Corinth. But they took him
on faith, and they had been taking
him on faith ever since, without
murmur of dissent. y
He was the modern CONGREGATIONAL
list God bless him!), and as strong az
Samson when IL came to shattering
pillars. The old church fell down
about their heads, without hurting
anyone, and a new one went up In its
place so swiftly that before the con-
gregation knew what II was about IL
was reformed, rejuvenated, human
tied. He was giving It something to
think about. something to enjoy, some
thing to grasp.
Continued next week.)