rs have gone hand and hand into
this evil. We don't know whether any other church has felt in duty boun'
to sift its membership, an' reprimanded the guilty, but Free Will
Baptist Church feels it her indispensable duty to do so, an' we are
sorry to say that the first case we are pained to try is that of our
pastor, Rev. Jonas Melvin, who, on the 10th of November, 1898, stood
with gun in hand, assisting the devil in his work." Turning to the
minister, who sat all the while with head bowed, the deacon concluded:
"Brother Jonas Melvin, have you anything to say to this charge, why it
should not be sustained, and you be dismissed from this church?"

Rev. Jonas Melvin arose. "Brethren," he began, "this work began in the
church; church people laid the plans and led in the execution of those
plans. Those men who waited upon the Governor to persuade him to keep
the troops away that the mob might execute its work unmolested, were
leading church men and ministers of the gospel." "They were no
Christians!" cried a feminine voice. "I thought I was doing my duty as a
Christian in assisting in restoring good government to the people of
this town, and if I have done wrong, the Lord is my judge." Mr. Melvin
sat down. "The state of things as they existed in Wilmington did not
justify the taking of a single life," said a brother, rising, "and many
a man has been made to stumble by the deeds of professing Christians in
this riot; and while I'm on my feet, I move that the resignation of Rev.
Jonas Melvin from the pastorate of this church be demanded." "Secon'
ther motion!" exclaimed Mrs. Pervis, jumping to her feet. "An' I wish
ter say jes' here that Teck Pervis, who perfessed religion las' year,
has jes' gone back to ther deval bekase, ses he, the preachers war in
this thing. Preachers whose han's air full er blood air not fit ter
handle ther word er God."

The motion was carried with but few opposers. Mrs. Pervis felt light
enough to fly away that night as she walked homeward, for she had
carried the church with her for God and the right. She hugged the arm of
Deacon Littleton with painful tenacity as they both strode homeward
together. "Think of them po' creeters drove frum ther homes ter suffer
an' die by men claimin' ter hev religion. Jonas Melvin mus' go back ter
Georgy whar the people air in leeg wid ther deval."

CHAPTER XXI.

Bill Sikes.

Bill Sikes was a man who always looked ahead and wisely prepared for
declining ye