iving Day comes then. No! no! do not follow me, sir," she
added saucily, as he rode quickly towards her. "Your road lies straight
on," pointing with her switch to where the roads forked. "Mine leads
down this lane to Oaklands."

"Very well," he answered with grave sweetness, "I will leave you now,
but I shall remember what you have said, and hope that my own
thanksgiving day may, in truth, come next November--though it is a
weary while to wait."

CHAPTER XV.

THE WAITING-TIME

The Cane Ridge revival of the August before had been followed by many
others of a similar nature throughout the country. Although there was
much that was fanatical and grotesque in these meetings, much good was
undoubtedly accomplished. With all the fanaticism, there was in them
the wholesome leaven of gospel truth which did much to arouse the
churches from their deathlike indifference. Better than this, the
revivals were a bond of union between the different religious sects;
for, in the prevalence of enthusiasm, even such rigid upholders of
creed as Gilcrest and Landrum felt more concern about the salvation of
their children than about the tenets of their church. In fact, from the
beginning of the awakening, Books of Discipline and Confessions of
Faith had been gathering dust, and soon would have been completely lost
to view, had not the more strenuous churchmen at last in alarm put
forth their hands to stay their tottering ark of creed, mistaking it
for the ark of God. But though for a time the orthodox element held its
peace, apparently well pleased to see members of other denominations
joining cordially in the revivals, each sect finally became fearful
lest other churches might draw away disciples from its own ranks. The
tocsin was sounded, "'To your tents, O Israel!' Our creed is in
jeopardy! There must be no more union meetings!" Thus the old
denominational war waged with renewed fierceness.

Though Barton Stone was, like John, gentle and tender, yet he was also,
like Paul, ready at need to wield the double-edged sword of logic and
truth to cut down sophistry and combat unbelief. Therefore, to those
dominated by sectarianism, as well as to the indifferent and the
scoffer, his work was unacceptable; but between the high-water mark of
orthodoxy and the low-water mark of willful unbelief, there were many
who heard him gladly.

His June appointment at Cane Ridge was an occasion never to be
forgotten by those present. Indeed, his