Jack the Englishman

by H. Louisa Bedford

To Betty, all unused to church functions, it seemed the most beautiful service she had ever attended, the touching words of consecration, the collects that followed when the Bishop, kneeling in the middle of the step that led up into the tiny sanctuary, prayed God to let His blessing rest upon this house and upon the people that should worship therein, and last of all the Bishop's address, quite short and simple, so that everyone present could fully understand, and yet so forcible in its simplicity, so impressive on the importance of this dedication day, which he begged them to observe as a holiday from that time forward, a day of joyous thanksgiving that God had allowed them, as to Solomon, to build Him a house. And then the Bishop raised his hands in supplication.

"Prosper Thou the work of their hands upon them, O Lord; O prosper Thou their handiwork."

The Blessing and a recessional hymn closed the short and simple service, and then, whilst the congregation trooped off to the paddocks where sports were to finish the day's holiday, the Bishop, after a hasty lunch provided at the farmer's house near by, announced himself ready to accompany Betty and Tom Chance.

An hour later the cart drew up at the door of the cottage opposite the church, and the Bishop stood for a moment bareheaded on the threshold.

"Peace be to this house," he said in his kindly tones, then stooped to pat the head of the little boy in a white suit who stood with his cap in his hand earnestly looking up into his face.

"Jessie's little brother?" he suggested.

"No, my little nephew," smiled Betty, "but he was very anxious to see Jessie confirmed."

"And it's always well to have a congregation," answered the Bishop, and then he passed into the room where Jessie lay, a pretty picture in her soft tulle cap and white muslin jacket which Betty had provided for her confirmation day. A flush was on her cheeks, and her eyes glowed like stars as the Bishop bent over her and took her hand, speaking a few kind encouraging words. And then his eye glanced round the crowded room, for Jessie's parents had driven over for the day, and a neighbour or two had expressed the wish to be present.

"It seems rather close and crowded, doesn't it?" said the Bishop, turning to Tom who stood by the open doorway, "and there is plenty of room over there," with a nod at the little church opposite. "I think we could carry her, bed and all, over there, don't you? Will you see to it, whilst I adjourn to the vestry and put on my robes?"

"But of course I could nearly carry her alone," said Tom, so between him and her father, Jessie was gently moved over the road through the porch, and into the church beyond, whilst Jack to make the thing complete, climbed on to his usual hassock and rang the bell until the Bishop, preceded by Uncle Tom, issued from the vestry, and then he slipped quietly into a seat where he could watch the whole service from beginning to end. It was just as Uncle Tom had pictured it; Jessie lay there with folded hands and a radiant face making her promise with a clear confident voice, and then the Bishop drew near and laid his hands upon her head, and Jack watched with awe-struck eyes, and wondered if the wind that came rushing down from the hills at that moment and went whistling by the church was the outward sign of the Holy Spirit descending upon Jessie and making her strong. She was not strong at present for she was crying!