Evening star., 1935-03-24

granite TOCkS OF tnelr flelQS. ne women neiO
themselves tense and rigid, their thin lips
firm as ruled lines. The House of God was not
the place for emotion.
Only one woman was crying "a girl who
sat between her parents in middle pew. But
she bent her head and disappeared behind the
painted boards.
The church filled. The minister took his
seat near the pulpit the Book on his lap.
Then the front door opened quickly. and tall
young man walked down the aisle He held
his head straight, defiantly. But his mind was
not intent on where he walked. Directly by
force of habit. he went to the pew where the
weeping girl sat. Then he suddenly realized.
He faltered. The girls father looked up
grimly. The young man turned back and sat
down in an empty rear pew.
No sound was heard. No head turned
around to stare. But moment of human
crisis had come and gone.
The minister mounted the pulpit and
opened the Book. First, the worship of the
Lord. Then afterwards. the small affairs of
man. For two long hours he preached. His
arguments left no chink of hope for the
sinner, and few for the man who did not sin.
After the sermon was over, the minister
closed the Book and announced the hymn.
The congregation rose with faint rustic. The
sOng-leader sounded a note on his pitch pipe.
The singing began. 1t was harsh. 1t was tune
less. 1t was not music. 1t was not intended for
music. Sweet sounds did not appease the
Puritan God
LET us pray" said the minister. All heads
bowed down in prayer. All except two. A
sudden flash of lawless emotion shot across the
church. and two young faces lifted. The girl,
her cheeks white with cold. And the tall man
who sat alone. They looked into each others
eyes for an instant, and the room was a little
warmer for both They bowed their heads
and the minister's voice rang out unchal-
lenged above the pews.
Elaborately. minutely, the minister re-
counted the sins of man - their gravity and
their very great number. He begged for Grace
He prayed for the colony of Massachusetts,,
and the town of Bristol. He prayed for the
congregation. And he prayed for 1.-The wilful
young men,"
Then the minister voice rang out from the
high pulpit.
Daniel Bright" he commanded. Rise to
your feet. Hear the opinion of the congre-
CATION
Only one head turned around as the young
iAoh olOOd uP. IhC WSCpNiS Sul lIlcu W SIIlllc
encouragement, but her father beside her
made her look forward again.
Daniel Bright" said the minister in
solemn tones, 'you came here a pennies
beggar from England You were taken into
the home of Elder Pearson, our brother in
God. You were given employment You were
fed. You were clothed And the paths of
righteousness were pointed out to YOU
Answer me, Daniel Bright. Are these things
true?"
They are true" said the young man.
Daniel Bright" continued the voice from
the pulpit. you asked Elder Pearson for the
hand of his daughter Mary in marriage. He
saw fit to refuse you. Is that true?"
ut is true"
"Whereupon you enticed the young woman
and took her to Boston with you, preferring
to live in SIM
"No" cried Daniel fiercely. ats lie! did
not! Ill kill the man who says it!'
The minister continued calmly, as if no one
had spoken.
"You were apprehended by the authorities
in Boston and were brought back here for
judgement"
I'VE begged you to marry us" cried Daniel,
his face white with anger. But you would not.
We went to Stockbridge. to MIR. Burridge.
But he would not. So we went by the packet
to Boston. to the priest of the church of
England. But before we could reach him. we
were seized by the cOnstahIes and hrouoht