t of his companions to the
church-door and into the church.

Churi grew pale from fright; he believed nothing less than that Erick
had rushed into the church to betray publicly to the whole congregation
the intended grape-theft. Instantly he turned around and ran away like a
madman, for he firmly believed that half the congregation was on his
heels, since he heard a crowd running after him. But the runners were
his companions, who followed him in greatest haste, for since they saw
the brave Churi run like fire, they thought that there must be great
danger, and they rushed with always longer and longer leaps after him.

Erick had run into the midst of a crowd of people, who all stood in the
passage of the church because there were no more seats on the benches,
so full was the church. Now the hymn, accompanied by the organ, rushed
like a big, full stream on through the church:

"Thy Zion scatters palms
And greening twigs for Thee,
But I in glorious psalms
Will lift my soul to Thee!
My heart be overflowing
In constant love and praise
In service will be growing,
Will Thy dear name then grace."

In breathless attention Erick stood there, for it was his mother's song!
He was trembling in every limb and large tears ran down his cheeks. A
woman who sat near him noticed the trembling little fellow; she drew him
compassionately close to her and made a little room for him, so that he
could sit down.

The singing had stopped and the pastor began to preach. During the
sermon Erick recovered a little from the strong emotion which had quite
overpowered him when he suddenly heard in such powerful tones his lost
song again.

He now looked round and saw that he was firmly wedged in and could not
move, for two more women had forced themselves between the sitters, and
the whole passage the full length of the church was densely thronged
with people. So Erick sat, quiet as a mouse, and did not stir until the
sermon and prayer were at an end. Then once more the full tones of the
organ sounded and the congregation rose and sang:

"I lay in heaviest fetters,
Thou com'st and set'st me free;
I stood in shame and sorrow,
Thou callest me to Thee;
And lift'st me up to honor
And giv'st me heavenly joys
Which cannot be diminished
By earthly scorn and noise."

His mother had sung that at the very last. Erick saw her again before
him, as she had sat the last