The first Sunday in the month was Fast Day at Piney Ridge the same as in
all wards of the Church. The Bishop had some visiting to do that morning
so he did not get to Sunday School; but he returned about eleven o'clock
and found the horses hitched to the white-top buggy ready to take all
the household to meeting.
"Are we all ready?" he asked as he came into the house.
"Just about," replied his wife who was putting the finishing touches to
the baby's bonnet. "Here, hold him." She placed the baby in Glen's arms.
The father somewhat awkwardly tossed him up and down.
"Now be careful," admonished the mother, "don't muss his clothes up like
that. Today is his first public appearance, you know."
"Your coming out, eh?" he asked of the baby. "Well, we'll have to be
good, won't we."
This was in the front room. Thomas Strong sat, hat in hand, ready, while
he smiled at the bear-like antics of the happy father with his first
baby. Then when the mother came in with hat on, the old man arose
slowly, went to the organ and looked at a photograph of Chester
Lawrence, which had recently been framed and now held the place of honor
on the organ. The Bishop, seeing the movement, lifted the baby to the
picture.
"I believe there _is_ a resemblance," he remarked. The old man only
smiled.
Hugh Elston now drove up to the door. The young mother climbed into the
front seat, and then was given the baby. Grandpa Elston took a back seat
by Thomas Strong, while the Bishop sat by his wife to drive. Then they
were off.
"Did I tell you," said Mr. Strong to his companion, "that I got a letter
from my brother last evening?"
"No; you did not."
"Well, he's been recently to London and visiting with Elder Malby. It
seems he can't keep away from that man, and I must say Elder Malby is a
wonder. Such a spirit he has with him--"
"The missionary spirit, Brother Strong--the spirit of the Lord."
"Yes, yes," mused the man--"strange--and he but a hard-working farmer--I
wouldn't be surprised if Brother Gilbert came to America and out west
here. He intimated as much in his letter. Poor brother, he also has
suffered."
"If he comes, give him our invitation to visit with us."
"Thank you, that I shall."
"Perhaps he will accompany Elder Malby when he is released."
"Invite them both," said the other. "We shall all like to see them very
much."
There was a brief silence, as the horses trotted along. Thomas Strong's
gaze roved across the Flat to the mountains, then rested again on his
companion. Presently, he said:
"Brother Elston, the other day you were speaking of vicarious work for
the dead, 'temple work' you called it. I understand the doctrine of
baptism for the dead, but some other things are not quite plain--for
instance, having the dead married, made husband and wife, which they
would have been had they lived and had the chance--well, you
understand."
Yes; Hugh Elston understood, and made his explanations to his companion,
who listened attentively and exclaimed at its close:
"I am so glad--for Chester's and Lucy's sake--so glad!"
In good time they arrived at the meeting house. The Bishop busied
himself with the business before him. The good people of the ward came
in, exchanged the usual greetings, then found seats. There were flowers
on the sacrament table as usual, and the meeting house looked sweet and
clean--a fit place in which to worship the Lord.
The opening hymn in which the congregation joined was:
"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm."
At the close of the song, Thomas Strong nodded his head and whispered,
"Amen."
Then after prayer and the sacrament, the Bishop announced, "All mothers
who have babies to be blessed will please bring them forward, and all
who were baptized yesterday will kindly take their places on the front
seat."
Julia, with rosy face, bore her baby to the front, followed by another
mother with less timidity. A little girl tip-toed along the aisle, and a
boy, "just turned eight" trod heavily forward. Then Thomas Strong also
arose, and silently took his place on the front seat alongside the
mothers with the babies and the children.
The sun shone through the uncurtained window and lay as a broad strip of
light along the front seat. The little boy was nervously twitching his
feet, the little girl's hands were folded serenely, the babies cooed.
The white-haired man sat with the children, now one with them and of
them in very deed. His face was as a child's, as was indeed his heart.
The meeting was still, silenced by the strange, solemn occasion. Then
the Bishop, assisted by his counselors and Patriarch Hugh Elston laid
their hands on the three who had been baptized in water for the
remission of sins and now bestowed on them the Holy Ghost. Then the
officiating Elders came to the mothers.
"Brother Elston," said the Bishop, "bless the baby."
Hugh Elston took Julia's baby into his arms, where he lay cooing into
the men's faces as they gathered around. The Patriarch, in slow,
carefully chosen words, gave the babe its name and a blessing:
"Chester Lawrence--for this is the name by which you shall be known
among the children of men--"
There was a moment's pause in the blessing. Thomas Strong glanced up to
the men, then looked at Julia in surprise.
"Oh," said he softly, "my boy's name shall live--Thank God."
THE END.
End of Project Gutenberg's Story of Chester Lawrence, by Nephi Anderson