“Move up, Hazel,” Granny said, for the child was at the end of the bench and there was space for one more on it.
Hazel moved up reluctantly, dreading a seat-mate, but Scipio, who had been standing, slipped in at her side. She felt relieved.
The minister, a portly man in a long black coat, mounted the platform and the congregation began to sing:
“That old time religion,
That old time religion,
That old time religion,
Is good enough for me.”
They did not rise, but remained in their seats swaying a little back and forth. It was strange minor music.
After the singing, the minister prayed and read from the Bible, and then he began to preach. He gave as his text:
“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of Hell?”