this thing that has brought sorrow and shame to us and
to those we love? You know what I mean. Some of you are strong; will you
stand by and see weaker men robbed of the money they save for those far
away, and robbed of the manhood that no money can buy or restore?

'Will the strong men help? Shall we all join hands in this? What do you
say? In this town we have often seen hell, and just a moment ago we were
all looking into heaven, "the sweet and blessed country." O men!' and
his voice rang in an agony through the building--'O men! which shall be
ours? For Heaven's dear sake, let us help one another! Who will?'

I was looking out through a slit in the curtain. The men, already
wrought to intense feeling by the music, were listening with set faces
and gleaming eyes, and as at the appeal 'Who will?' Craig raised high
his hand, Shaw, Nixon, and a hundred men sprang to their feet and held
high their hands.

I have witnessed some thrilling scenes in my life, but never anything
to equal that: the one man on the platform standing at full height,
with his hand thrown up to heaven, and the hundred men below standing
straight, with arms up at full length, silent, and almost motionless.

For a moment Craig held them so; and again his voice rang out, louder,
sterner than before--

'All who mean it, say, "By God's help I will."' And back from a hundred
throats came deep and strong the words, 'By God's help, I will.'

At this point Mrs. Mavor, whom I had quite forgotten, put her hand on
my arm. 'Go and tell him,' she panted, 'I want them to come on Thursday
night, as they used to in the other days--go--quick,' and she almost
pushed me out. I gave Craig her message. He held up his hand for
silence.

'Mrs. Mavor wishes me to say that she will be glad to see you all, as in
the old days, on Thursday evening; and I can think of no better place to
give formal expression to our pledge of this night'

There was a shout of acceptance; and then, at some one's call, the long
pent-up feelings of the crowd found vent in three mighty cheers for Mrs.
Mavor.

'Now for our old hymn,' called out Mr. Craig, 'and Mrs. Mavor will lead
us.'

He sat down at the organ, played a few bars of 'The Sweet By and By,'
and then Mrs. Mavor began. But not a soul joined till the refrain was
reached, and then they sang as only men with their hearts on fire can
sing. But after the last refrain Mr. Craig made a sign to Mrs. Mavor,
and she sang alone, slowly