Evening star., 1925-06-05
CONTINUED from Yesterdays Starr

Mr.. Hopkins face was grave as he
went through the services. He knew
now the sword that hung over MN
and his family. At supper time a
neighbor had run in, hurried out, leaV-
ing him and his wife with supper un-
finished before them. 1t took courage
for the minister a sensitive man, to go
through the service Now and then he
glanced at his senior deacon, listening
with apparent attentiveness. He saw
the narrowed eyes, the thin mouth, the
face without mercy. Somehow ne
managed to get through though his
hand trembled when he turned the
pages of the Bible. Then he an
nounced the business meeting to fol-
low, asked Mr.. Crump to take the
chair. and quietly and quickly lett.
AS he passed down the aisle, his heart
went out to his hunting companion
sitting with child in his lap, and his
cogs at his side, pulling his beard
7 oor old faithful scout.
From the time the business meeting
opened Bills heart was in his mouth.
He heard the few routine matters dis
posed of in a dry, matter-of-fact way.
Then the moderator, clearing his
throat, asked if there were any other
matters TO come before them. With
the rising of Withers the fight was on.
The face of the deacon as he took
his place in front of the gathering
was sorrowful but firm. His manner
carried with it a certain kind of con-
Niction, not without its effect even on
the crowd that ought to have known
him. The time had come. he said,
when they must deal with very pain
full matter-so painful that he had
asked-ahem-for guidance.
Here he was interrupted. Other
members of the church were coming
in-and they were not the people
whose names had been on the deacon S
note book, The rear isles were filling,
and in the entry was the sound of
whispering. Bill looked around. With
trembling hands he set the small child
on Molly's lap. and then in some way,
he couldn't tell how, he was on his
feet.
But his voice, usually so hearty and
confident. sounded to him like another
mans, almost like an old woman'S,
and he was aware that he was smiling
foolishly. He had, in the prelimina-
ries, picked up at least one parlia-
mentary word.
Il move" he said, II move that the
meetin' go upstairs whar these folks
kin find seats an set down"
He was aware that somebody be-
hind him timidly seconded the motion.
/ Hel JOlOlllSI w lllltlS was Oil illS
feet. He spoke sternly, ring in his
voice:
The main auditorium has always
been used exclusively for the worship
of God. 1t has never been profaned
by a business transaction of any kind.
The church does not propose at this
late day TO-
Brother McCorl<Ie's motion is out
OF order" ruled little Mr.. Crump.
Bill sat. down. The steam roller had
passed smoothly over him and Deacon
Withers was going on with his speech.
1t was a skillful speech. For long
time, he declared, he had felt, and
others who had their hearts as well
as their names in the church had felt.
that the time had come for Il change.
Nobody could esteem, even love,
Brother Hopkins more than he. But
that esteem and love must not blind
him, nor them, to the fact that the
church was suffering. Brother Hop
kins, though kind man, was not as
circumspect as a chosen vessel of the
Lord should be. He was given to
worldly pleasures and to worldly, even
unworthy, associates. This fact had
sorely grieved him and all those who
loved the church, and who feh that