our day
to a close with family prayers and the singing of one or two hymns, as
an act of devotion. When our closing hymn rang out from our car that
night, at the depot grounds in San Antonio, doubtless many were curious
to know just what we were. Since my return from our "Flight in Spring,"
it has occurred to me that much real pleasure and spiritual profit
could be had by a mission band of clergymen making just such a tour as
we made, but with the special end in view to hold services for one or
more days at the points visited. I think the clergy would hail such a
mission with gladness, judging from the hungry way in which Dr. Morgan
and myself were constantly importuned to "stay over and preach."

One dear old brother made such a pitiful appeal, and seemed so feeble,
that Dr. Morgan defied the injunction of his Vestry not to use his
throat while away, and disregarded even the appealing advice of his
dear wife, and did actually preach. The Doctor said that, of course, I
would do the same at night. Of course, I had to consent. Then a miracle
took place: our dear old brother seemed to have a new lease of life the
moment his two Sunday sermons were off his conscience. He was so spry
that on Sunday afternoon he suggested a Sabbath day's drive among some
orange groves, which we took behind two spanking bays, the ribbons
being held by our erewhile feeble brother, now in all the vigor of
hearty old age, warming up to the exciting drive. On and on we went
until I suggested that it would be well to turn back, as I wanted a
little quiet time before church to gather my thoughts together before
preaching. In the blandest way the old gentleman told us he had lost
his way, and was looking for a place to turn back. I thought we never
should get home; but I made the best of it, and brooded all the return
way on recent events at the Philippines, of Dewey and his watchword:
"Keep cool and obey orders," and at night I gave a patriotic sermon on
the text: "But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory."

I felt sure that if we remained over until next Sunday, our dear
brother would be again as feeble as ever, and that in our charity we
could not but preach, even though we might suspect. We did not leave
San Antonio until after five o'clock the next day, and that gave us a
little more pleasurable time there. It is such a flowery, bright, and
cheerful place, that it quite attracted us.

In the morning I went to the Alamo and gave that t