Trail-Tales of Western CanadaRobinson, F. A. (Frank Alfred)
Religion
Trail-Tales of Western Canada
Robinson, F. A. (Frank Alfred)
Canadian fiction -- 20th century; Missions -- Canada, Western -- Fiction; Short stories, Canadian
The appeal was based on the words: "I find no fault in this Man." All
the controversial weaknesses of the Church were dismissed, and the
great problems of heart and life were dealt with in a manly,
sympathetic manner, and men's thoughts were directed to that One whose
name still occupies its splendid solitary pre-eminence. Before any
person left the building, the speaker was in his accustomed place at
the door to speak a personal word and give a handshake. Frank Stacey
clasped the proffered hand with genuine cordiality, and in a voice that
was heard by all, said, "You're playing a bully good game, preacher.
You hit as good a pace to-night as last night, and if you keep it up
you'll lick us to a finish before your innings is out."
Smut Ludlow was not in good humour, and as the boys sat around the
bunk-house stove having their last smoke for the day, he was clearly
disgusted and maddened at the changed attitude of the camp toward the
preacher. Once he expressed himself after Frank had praised the
preacher for his "grit." "You're a ---- lot of turncoats; things are
in a ---- of a mess if you fellows can be bamboozled by one of these
---- parasites."
"Well! we ain't the only ones what were bamboozled, Smut. He sure put
it all over you last night, and if you had enough brains to fill a
thimble you'd keep your fool mouth shut." Never in their long
acquaintance had Frank opposed Smut to the extent of this deliverance,
but there was no question but that the preacher had overcome Frank's
opposition and aroused his admiration. "Anyhow," he continued, "that
chap's a different brand to most of 'em, and I kinder think he can put
up the genuine goods."
Frank threw his clothes over the line and clambered into his untidy
bunk, and long after the heavy breathing of wearied men had become
general he lay with strangely new thoughts. He agreed with the
preacher that it wasn't a square deal to "find no fault in this Man,"
and then to deliver Him to be crucified. And that night the preacher
had, by numerous illustrations, compelled the worst of men to pay their
tribute to Him who was the highest that humanity has known; and yet
were they any "squarer" to Him than Pilate was? Had they not much more
evidence than Pilate had, and yet, in the face of an absolutely
unanimous verdict of "not guilty," they pronounced what was equal to
the death penalty. Again and again Frank said to himself "That ain't
square."
There was not a seat to spare in the dance-hall during the subsequent
nights. Frank Stacey missed no service, and when, at the mission's
close, a meeting was called of those interested in the organization of
a Church and the erection of a building, he was one of the little
company.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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