Mark turned with perfect courtesy to this new voice: "The Bible also tells us not to judge one another!" he replied quickly.
"Mr. Joyce, you are a stranger here, but I am not. They have known me
since childhood. Also there are some items that might be of interest to
you. Cherry Fenner five years ago was a little girl in this Sunday
School. She stood up in that pulpit out there one Children's Sunday and
sang in a sweet little voice, 'Jesus loves me this I know, for the
Bible tells me so.' She was an innocent little child then, and
everybody praised her. Now, because she has been talked about you are
all ready to condemn her. And who is going to help her? I tell you if
that is the kind of Christ you have, and the kind of Bible you are
following I want no more of it and I am ready to have my name taken off
the roll at once."
Harricutt rose in his excitement pointing his long-flapping forefinger: "You see, gentlemen, you see! He defies us! He goes farther! He defies
his God!"
Suddenly the minister rose with uplifted hand, and the voice that never
failed to command attention, spoke: "Let us pray!"
With sudden startled indrawing of breath, and half obedient bowing of
the heads, the elders paused, standing or sitting as they were, and
Mark with high defiant head stood looking straight at his old friend.
"Oh, God, our Father, O Jesus Christ our Saviour," prayed the minister
in a voice that showed he felt the Presence near, "Save us in this
trying moment from committing further sin. Give us Thy wisdom, and Thy
loving-kindness. Show us that only he that is without sin among us may
cast the first stone. Put thy love about us all. We are all Thy
children. Amen."
Into the silence that followed this prayer his voice continued quietly: "I will ask Mr. Harricutt to take the chair for a moment. I would like
to make a motion."
The elders looked abashed.
"Why,--I,--" began Harricutt, and then saw there was nothing else for
him to do, and stepped excitedly over to the minister's seat behind the
table, and sank reluctantly down, trying to think how he could best
make use of his present position to further his side of the question.
The minister was still standing, seeming to hold within his gaze the
eyes of every one in the room including Mark.
"I wish to make a motion," said the minister, "I move that we have a
rising vote, expressing our utmost confidence in Mr. Carter, and
leaving it to his discretion to explain his conduct or not as he
pleases! I have known this dear young brother since he was a boy, and I
would trust him always, anywhere, with anything!"