Many of the women began to cry softly . Fervent amens broke from some of the members . When the evangelist sat down , after a closing appeal which , in its way , was a masterpiece , an audible sigh of relieved tension passed like a wave over the audience . After prayer the pastor made the usual request that , if any of those present wished to come out on the side of Christ , they would signify the wish by rising for a moment in their places . After a brief interval , a pale boy under the gallery rose , followed by an old man at the top of the church . A frightened , sweet-faced child of twelve got tremblingly upon her feet , and a dramatic thrill passed over the congregation when her mother suddenly stood up beside her . The evangelist 's `` Thank God '' was hearty and insistent . David Bell looked almost imploringly at Mollie ; but she kept her seat , with downcast eyes . Over in the big square `` stone pew '' he saw Eben bending forward , with his elbows on his knees , gazing frowningly at the floor . `` I 'm a stumbling block to them both , '' he thought bitterly . A hymn was sung and prayer offered for those under conviction . Then testimonies were called for . The evangelist asked for them in tones which made it seem a personal request to every one in that building . Many testimonies followed , each infused with the personality of the giver . Most of them were brief and stereotyped . Finally a pause ensued . The evangelist swept the pews with his kindling eyes and exclaimed , appealingly , `` Has EVERY Christian in this church to-night spoken a word for his Master ? '' There were many who had not testified , but every eye in the building followed the pastor 's accusing glance to the Bell pew . Mollie crimsoned with shame . Mrs. Bell cowered visibly .
Although everybody looked thus at David Bell , nobody now expected him XXXXX testify .
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