Phoenix tribune., 1920-02-21
THE GAMBLERS
Church
(By welborn Victor Jenkins)
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Ebenezer with rod of iron. The
church finances, the chuch policy and
the church government haG fell his
iron sway from years immemorial. The
pastors one and all had had 10 do mis-
bidding or else support their families
upon the occasional crumbs tnat might
happen to fall from his table. The
deacon's board merely reflected the
opinions and wishes of the lord high
chancellor, Deacon Thompson. Prob
ably his prestige proceeded from his
great wealth. He owned three plan.
tations, gin house, saw mill and
grocery store. The white folks did
not bother him. All the colored peo-
pie were afraid of him. He was the
dictator of the community in general
and Ebenezer in particular.
Until the so-called Gambler
Church" was founded upon that nev ar
to be forgotten Sunday, Ebenezer had
carried the largest membership of any
church in the association. They had
had some very good pastors-gooi
speakers and educated And they had
tried to please Deacon Thopmson, one
and all; but sooner or later they had
run counter to some of the deacon's
wishes, whereupon they each and all
had had to look for new fields and
vineyards.
So Ebenezer with the consent of lie
deacon had called the Rev. Samuel
D. Harris to the pastorate. The dea-
con had given his overwhelming en-
dorsement because of all men Rev.
Harris seemed the most docile nor
had any minister who had ever
preached trial sermon at Ebenezer
appeared so meek and manageable.
However, the deacon was doomed
to meet in this the greatest disappoint-'
ment of his life. Rev. Harris was
anything else but soft clay. Beneath
his gentle manners and undoubted
piety was an opinionated soul and
rugged will hard and unyielding as
granite. And while he instantly won
the hearts of the entire congregation
OF Ebenezer, it seems that he and the
deacon could agree upon nothing Did
the deacon want a certain rally on
the first Sunday, Rev. Harris wanted
it and had it on the second. Did the
deacon suggest that the Sunday school
picnic be held at Blue Lake, Rev.
Harris wanted it and had it at Sandy
Creek. Naturally enough, then the
deacon began feeling that Ebenezer
needed new preacher.
But for once the deacon found him
self quite baffled. In a manner to
say, Ebenezer was crazy about Rev.
Harris. The children flocked after
him, the young girls decorated his
pulpit each Sunday morning with
freshly cut flowers, the young boys
feared, loved and respected him in
way that was unusual. His wife
rarely found it necessary to prepare
dinner of a Sunday One member
after another was constantly insisting
upon their dining out
So. the deacon had nursed his envy
and pouted in the amen corner secret
ly wishing for something to turn up
that would break the vast influence
of such a popular preacher. He had
| not long to wait; it came at last
! There was big rally on for the
raising of money to build a new brick
church. The members were all divid-
ed off into clubs. From time to time
the presidents of these clubs were
supposed to report to the deacon's g
hoard. A certain Sister Hawkins had
a club. She ran a restaurant and did
not have time to come often to church
as some of the members but she al.
ways sent in her dues promptly and
remained in good standing. But for
some reason she had not made any
report from her club. Deacon Thomp-
son dropped by one day to take her
to task for her evident lack of in.
terest in the rally.
"We can't build this church unless
you club members stay on the job"
60 long now, Deason"; Sister
Hawkins had said. L was the first
president to report. l sent in twenty
five dollars a month ago."
twenty-five dollars! Amt yor
mistaken? Who did you give it tor
81 reckon l amt mistaken" avereG
Sister Hawkins. 81 give it to Brother
Harris. l sent it on the last Wednes
day night of last month You remem
Der it rained so hard that day but
faired off about sunset. Brother
Harris was here in the restaurant fol-
over an n'hour waiting for the rain tC
stop"
Il remember the day." said the dea