Page:The Social War.djvu/24

18 I say,, Mr. President that brother Grumbler shall at once leave the room, or, if he go not voluntarily, then he shall be expelled by force."

"I will leave this matter to the majority of the friends," said the President.

Nancy Clover rose to the floor and said: "Brothers, I am grieved at your silly conduct; are we not a unit, does not a house divided against itself fall, and shall we quarrel amongst ourselves whilst a dangerous enemy is entering into our family, who, if his course is not summarily checked, will destroy our influence and beloved cause entirely V I repeat, brothers, as you love one another and our common and holy cause, cease these worthless bickerings and remain a unit, remembering that he who holds out to the end shall be saved."

This lofty speech of so good, pure and faithful a disciple as the beautiful sister, had a tranquillising effect, and the whole membership became a unit.

"As each member is ready to act his part in the contemplated plot of our worthy deacon, I now call for the question and plans of Deacon Stew," said the President.

The deacon arose and spoke as follows:

"Beloved saints, our cause is just and holy; moreover, as we are the elect and chosen vessels of the Creator, it behooves us to use any means to keep innovators and re probates away from our path. First, we shall use moderate, but effectual means; if, however, they fail, or if we even entertain a doubt of failure, we shall, secondly, drive the bullet or dagger to the inner recesses of the heart of the defiler of the brotherhood.

"There is a man in our midst who has always held sentiments antagonistic to, and dangerously at variance with, our common and holy cause, who has gained great influence in the family of our most heroic and wealthy co-laborer—I mean the family of General Armington.

"This innovator, by some act of his, has obtained access to the heart and home of the general, and aims to obtain