It was an incongruous medley. The earnest,
reverent prayer, and the earnest, admiring profanity, rendered chaotic
one's ideas of religious propriety. The feelings in both were akin; the
method of expression somewhat widely diverse.
After prayer, Craig's tone changed utterly. In a quiet, matter-of-fact,
businesslike way he stated his plan of organisation, and called for all
who wished to join to remain after the benediction. Some fifty men were
left, among them Nelson, Sandy, Lachlan Campbell, Baptiste, Shaw, Nixon,
Geordie, and Billy Breen, who tried to get out, but was held fast by
Geordie.
Graeme was passing out, but I signed him to remain, saying that I wished
'to see the thing out.' Abe sat still beside me, swearing disgustedly at
the fellows 'who were going back on the preacher.' Craig appeared amazed
at the number of men remaining, and seemed to fear that something was
wrong. He put before them the terms of discipleship, as the Master put
them to the eager scribe, and he did not make them easy. He pictured the
kind of work to be done, and the kind of men needed for the doing of it.
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