The Helpful Hand of God

Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction December 1961. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
the helpful hand of
god
... Can be very helpful indeed. But of course, it's long been known that God helps those who wisely help themselves....
BY TOM GODWIN
ILLUSTRATED BY BARBERIS
(From Vogarian Revised Encyclopedia :
SAINTS: Golden Saints, properly, Yellow Saints, a term of contempt applied by the Vogarian State Press to members of the Church Of The Golden Rule because of their opposition to the war then being planned against Alkoria. See CHURCHES.
CHURCH, GOLDEN RULE, OF THE: A group of reactionary fanatics who resisted State control and advocated social chaos through Individual Freedom. They were liquidated in the Unity Purge but for two-thousand of the more able-bodied, who were sentenced to the moon mines of Belen Nine. The prison ship never arrived there and it is assumed that the condemned Saints somehow overpowered the guards and escaped to some remote section of the galaxy.)
Kane had observed Commander Y'Nor's bird-of-prey profile with detached interest as Y'Nor jerked his head around to glare again at the chronometer on the farther wall of the cruiser's command room.
What's keeping Dalon? Y'Nor demanded, transferring his glare to Kane. Did you assure him that I have all day to waste?