She knew what giving way would mean to him. It would lie on his heart like lead. He would not look for blessing so expectantly and hopefully in his parish if once his church began to cater for the amusement of his people instead of putting its full strength into the spiritual work. By this time Rachel knew her husband so well, that she felt sure that he would grow melancholy and depressed, and his work would be robbed of zeal and happiness in consequence. It was not as if he had any doubts as to the wrongfulness of such methods for Church work. He absolutely disapproved of them and had made his opinions known. If he gave way or countenanced such proceedings, in the least, people would cease to believe in him. Well there was one thing she could do to help him to be strong; she would go and do it. And while Luke was wrestling with his Church Council, Rachel was wrestling in prayer. Then she went down stairs to listen for his footstep. When she heard it, it did not inspire her with hope. Luke came in quietly and made his way slowly into the drawing-room where he knew he would find her. "Well?" she said. He took a seat on the sofa near her. "I have gained my point." Rachel's eyes shone. "What good news," she said greatly relieved. "Why do you look so melancholy?" "Because though I have gained my point I have lost four of the most regular members of the congregation. They walked out of the room." "Oh well, that is not half so bad as if they had gained the victory," said Rachel cheerfully. Then Luke looked lovingly down at his wife. "I doubt if I should have taken such a strong attitude if it had not been for you. I knew you were praying." "Yes, I was praying." "The knowledge of that helped me enormously. The four who resigned have been my most loyal supporters and I can tell you it was hard to stand out against them. They have been so exceedingly kind to me ever since I have had the church. It was this fact that made it so difficult. Besides I love peace." "Peace with honour, but not without." "That's just it. I felt that my Master's honour was at stake." "I can't tell you how thankful I am," said Rachel. And under his wife's influence Luke regained something of his usual spirits. But Rachel had only heard Luke's side of the question. The next day she was inundated with callers. "I suppose you know," said Mrs. Moscombe, the wife of the owner of the principal shop in the parish, "that the Vicar got his way by one vote only. I own when I heard all the arguments in favour of opening the Hall for such purposes I began to wonder if we ought not to do what the neighbouring churches have done to attract the young people." "I don't think that kind of thing attracts people to Church," said Rachel. "But as my husband says," continued Mrs. Moscombe, "it saves the boys and girls from going to worse places. Surely that is the work of the Church."