So the Rev. Geoffrey Mountain came to Avonlea , conquering and to conquer . Night after night the church was crowded with eager listeners , who hung breathlessly on his words and wept and thrilled and exulted as he willed . Into many young souls his appeals and warnings burned their way , and each night they rose for prayer in response to his invitation . Older Christians , too , took on a new lease of intensity , and even the unregenerate and the scoffers found a certain fascination in the meetings . Threading through it all , for old and young , converted and unconverted , was an unacknowledged feeling for religious dissipation . Avonlea was a quiet place , -- and the revival meetings were lively . When David and Mary Bell reached the church the services had begun , and they heard the refrain of a hallelujah hymn as they were crossing Harmon Andrews ' field . David Bell left his wife at the platform and drove to the horse-shed . Mrs. Bell unwound the scarf from her bonnet and shook the frost crystals from it . In the porch Flora Jane Fletcher and her sister , Mrs. Harmon Andrews , were talking in low whispers . Presently Flora Jane put out her lank , cashmere-gloved hand and plucked Mrs. Bell 's shawl . `` Mary , is the elder going to testify to-night ? '' she asked , in a shrill whisper . Mrs. Bell winced . She would have given much to be able to answer `` Yes , '' but she had to say stiffly , `` I do n't know . '' Flora Jane lifted her chin . `` Well , Mrs. Bell , I only asked because every one thinks it is strange he does n't -- and an elder , of all people . It looks as if he did n't think himself a Christian , you know . Of course , we all know better , but it LOOKS that way . If I was you , I 'd tell him folks was talking about it .
Mr. Bentley says it is hindering the full success XXXXX the meetings . ''
If In about because from of on through to with