When George Branford first moved to Wenton no religious services were held in the village. He stood this condition of things just one week, and then he organized a Sunday-school and established a weekly prayer meeting. These services were held in the schoolhouse, for the want of a more suitable place. But one day Sailor Jack came down to Wenton to visit his old friend. After going over the mill, he took a stroll around the village. He even climbed the highest hill and looked down upon the busy community at its base. Then he returned to the mill office, and said, abruptly, to George Branford:
"You need a chapel here badly."
"I know it," George replied. "We shall have it in time."
"There is a nice lot out there on that knoll for it," added Sailor Jack. "It's almost the centre of the village, and it would be a sightly position."
"Yes," answered George, with more interest; "that's the site I had picked out for it."
"Wonder what it is worth?" went on Jack, rising from the chair into which he had thrown himself on entering the office, and going to the door to get a better view of the knoll.
"Oh, it can be bought at a reasonable price," said George. "Chapman, the storekeeper, just beyond, owns it; but he is a Christian man, and is anxious for the chapel, and will do the right thing when the time comes for building."
"Guess I'll go over and talk with him," Jack responded, sauntering off in the direction of the store.
George turned to his desk with a smile. He understood the drift of Jack's questions, and lifted up a silent prayer that the Lord would lead his old friend to carry out the purpose that was slowly forming in his mind.
He saw nothing more of Sailor Jack until dinner time. He seemed pre-occupied at the table, and ate in almost absolute silence. When he had finished his meal, however, he pushed his chair back from the table, and crossing one knee over the other, he looked steadily at George for a half minute.