Chapter Thirty-Six: Family

Sunday, August 14, 1910

Paula was still wondering why Sarah felt it was so urgent to speak to Crystal and Sam as the Conrad wagon rolled up to the church building. The Clementines walked up behind them.

Michael tipped his hat. "Morning Jean, Emily, Will."

"Morning Mr. Conrad."

"Morning Paula, Michael."

"Will Clementine?" came a voice from the top of the steps leading to the front of the church building; it was Larry Hall, one of the elders of the church.

"Morning Larry."

"Will, what do you know about the story of the Good Samaritan?"

Will gave a slight chuckle, "Well, let's see…" he began walking towards him. "A fellow gets beaten up by robbers. A priest and a Levite pass him by and a third man, a Samaritan, stops to…."

"You're knowledgeable. I want you to teach the adult Sunday school class this morning."

"Huh? Me?"

"Yes, yes, you can do it."

"Well, I guess I could if I had time to study up on it."

Larry looked at his pocket watch: "You've got 7 minutes, get crackin'"

"But… why didn't...?"

"Michael is needed for an impromptu elder's meeting. I appreciate your help Will. Michael, let's go."

Michael looked to Paula and then to Larry. "Um, yeah, of course."

As the two families entered the foyer and went their separate ways they were curious and slightly intimidated about the prospect of what was to come.

Michael and Larry headed downstairs. Paula and Jean went to the auditorium. Will took his Bible into the broom closet, the only place he knew where he could have enough privacy to rehearse his oration.

Emily walked down the hall to the high school class room when she opened the door only Sarah was in the room.

"Mornin' Em."

An hour later, worship began in the auditorium in the usual manner. Franklin Willis made the announcements and said the opening prayer. Michael Conrad lead two songs: Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, Our Blessed Redeemer followed by Sunshine In My Soul.

When he was finished with the two hymns, Preacher Sam stood up and went to the pulpit. The crowd wondered why there was a break in the normal order of things.

"Friends, under regular circumstances, it is our custom to have a Bible reading, a third song and then communion. Those things will happen this morning, but, not in the same order.

Instead of my sermon on Samuel and Saul, I have two matters to discuss.

The first item concerns the ladies of the church. Last night my wife Crystal and I walked to Casey's Cafe for dinner. As we walked home, Emily Clementine and Sarah Conrad happened to come by in a wagon. They'd just returned from working at a youth camp. Sarah said she needed to speak with us, and, naturally, we obliged her. She discussed with us some recent problems she'd been facing considering her judgment. I say this not to impugn her character, her issues were no greater than which is typical of girls' her age. As we talked she raised a pertinent question, she said, 'Doesn't the Bible say something about younger women being taught by older women?'

'Titus 2:3-5,' I answered, 'The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.'

She then asked, 'How come we don't do that?'

Frankly, in my twenty-five years of preaching, I'd never considered that question. Sarah continued, 'The Bible says pray, so we pray. It says sing, so we sing. Why don't the older women teach the younger women all of those things?'"

Sam shook his head. "I flat out did not have an answer for her. We talked about how mothers were supposed to train their daughters in these fields, however, for a variety of reasons, that training is often weak, unskilled or non-existent. Sarah pointed out that there was no legitimate excuse to not follow this heavenly mandate."

Sam chuckled to himself, "Yes. A sixteen-year-old girl was teaching a forty-five-year-old preacher on how to apply a Bible verse." He shrugged. "God moves in a mysterious way, indeed."

There was light laughter in the congregation.

"I could stand up here and preach a lesson on how mothers are obliged to teach daughters, and that would do some good, however, more must be done if we are to combat the problems of poor cross generational communication with any seriousness. It must be a continual effort and their must be a spark to ignite this change in thinking."

Sam used a broad hand gesture from left to right. "That's where you come in." The audience was intrigued.

"After planning with the elders, a significant meeting will occur. This Saturday, August the twentieth, there will be a special program specifically for mothers and daughters. It will begin at 10 am and end at 2 pm. This same format will continue the following Saturday at the same time.

This program is for women only. No men will be present with the following exception, the elders, will serve lunch."

Several in the congregation thought that was most odd.

"The lunch will be catered from Casey's Café and Clementine Bakery. Ladies, please do not prepare any food to bring. I, Michael, Walter, Larry, Rufus and the others will serve the meal in the fellowship hall downstairs. We will clean up. I want the women to remain focused on the issues my wife will discuss. I do not want them distracted by anything.

In that spirit, there will be child care available at Eagle Creek School. I have a good friend in nearby Quincy, he and his family have already volunteered to help take care of the little ones. The school has a large playground, bathrooms, a library, enough to keep small children entertained for hours. Women can drop off their children beginning at 9 am and pick them up by 3 pm. The program will be geared toward girls aged eleven and up. Girls who are ten or younger will be at the school.

Now then, we did not forget about the boys. Boys ages ten and younger will be at the school. Boys between eleven and fourteen will spend the day with Augustus Grossman at his ranch. They'll hike, fish, play baseball, football, and other activities for rough housing young men. At both the Grossman's and the school, a lunch will be provided so you ladies do not have to worry about fixing lunches. Augustus has recently been studying a new organization of young men called Boy Scouts. It's a British idea whereby boys are trained in outdoor skills and basic medical care. It only recently came to America, so Augustus and the other men who are helping him will be able to instruct, lead and take care of any problems which may occur.

With all of these concerns addressed there should be no distractions for the ladies. If we forget something, well, will have to take it as it comes, but we are blessed with a number of innovative men and whatever the problem might be we should be able to fix it.

The program will begin with a lecture by Crystal on the topic of men, women and emotions. Crystal will speak for an hour and then host an open forum where you can ask questions, share ideas and so forth. After the forum will be lunch. You'll have an hour to talk among yourselves, uninterrupted with minimal distractions. When you return from lunch, the class rooms will be available for small group discussions. In each classroom, a mother will relate her experiences, good and bad, and encourage others to share their knowledge. And here's the most interesting part, the leaders of those classroom discussions will be chosen… at random."

That caused a minor commotion.

Sam smiled and nodded. "If you're a mother and you come to these special days then there is the possibility that you might have to be the one to talk to your peers in a classroom. The reasoning behind this is two fold: first, it gets mothers thinking about what they would say, additionally, it emphasizes the necessity that everyone should be prepared to state those things that they believe.

I'm not asking you to stand in front of a four hundred seat auditorium, just appear in a classroom. Stay seated if that makes you comfortable, all I ask is that you do your best. No one is going to be judged on their oratory skills. This is not a contest- it is a meeting of sisters who have a common bond and a common concern, the welfare of their daughters. The boys will benefit by their mothers' openness and the fathers' will be encouraged to talk their sons about similar matters.

Finally, you should feel completely comfortable inviting any friend and neighbor to these special days. The talks will not address the tenants peculiar to our faith, like a cappella music, rather, they will be more general admonitions about parenting and openness something with which all mothers can agree regardless of where they go to church.

Additionally, I ask that you let me or Crystal know by Friday noon if you are attending. We need an approximate count of how many will come so we can have the food ready. Since this will be our first attempt, that number could be ten or a thousand. Because of the impromptu nature of these events we have not set aside funds in the budget. At the mothers/daughters days, we will not ask anyone for donations; that being said, today, if possible, I and the elders ask you to please give a little extra in today's offering to help cover the expenses.

I know these mother/daughter days will be a blessing to you. I pray they will serve as an example for others to follow. We live in a rapidly changing world of new ideas and new technologies and, unfortunately, a new morality. If we do not act now to stem the tide of public depravity in all forms and avenues of life then the darkness of the world will, I repeat, will slip into the sanctuary of the church. We cannot afford it and as long as I am in a position to address this woeful state I will not allow it to infect the body of Christ without a fight.

This Saturday, Crystal will be here to lecture. This Saturday, I will be here to help serve lunch. Next Sunday, my status as your preacher will be left to you."

There was a great stir in the audience; folks did not know how to react to that last statement.

Sam took a moment to think, the congregation looked at him intently. "In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, the apostle Paul is discussing communion. This passage is frequently read around the Lord's table. You have likely heard it dozens of times and I have likely read it thousands of time in the course of my studies and profession as a minister of the Gospel.

Typically, when the passage is read we, I focus on it as an example of the importance of communion; and, of course, I believe it is important. That being said, there is a portion of this message I have not thought about as well as I should until this morning when I was meeting with the elders downstairs in the kitchen.

1 Corinthians 11:27-29 says, 'Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.'"

Sam sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "For the last three years, I, with the approval of the elders, Larry, Michael, Walter and Rufus, have been lying to you."

The crowd was confused. People murmured amongst themselves.

"I began preaching here in January of 1907. It's been a wonderful experience. I've had the privilege of meeting most everyone in town, making friends and dealing with the inevitable triumphs and tragedies life that this profession, brings.

I've been there for you. I've performed, I dunno, maybe fifty weddings and I'd dare say as many funerals. I have counseled couples going through divorce. On one occasion, I talked to a man whom I shall not identify, who had a pistol in his mouth. Through much prayer, I convinced him to give up whiskey."

Armando Hernandez stood up and faced the crowd. "That was me preacher. Because of you I haven't had a drink in two years."

Sam smiled and motioned with his hands. "Not because of me, Armando. I'm a man, just like you."

Armando sat back down.

"I say all this not to excuse my behavior but rather to put it in its proper context. I am forty-four-years old, older than most folks here. By the blessings of my youth and vigor, the church has benefited and grown from a group of 150 souls to about 350.

When Crystal, Kevin and I arrived in this town we brought along with us our daughter Pam. With so many new members they may not have known that I even had a daughter, let alone one with her unusual predisposition.

The first Sunday I preached here, many of you could tell that Pam was… was different. Early on, when she was just a baby, Crystal and I noticed that she acted quite peculiar; she did not behave like the other children.

Because of her wild, rambunctious behavior, she was expelled from first grade. Crystal, bless her heart, attempted to give her an education but it was a constant challenge. Pam would often go into fits if she was unable to comprehend something right away.

The third time she gave Crystal a black eye, when Pam was just eleven-years-old, Crystal and I decided to seek professional help. We tried various remedies but the elixirs were mostly alcohol. They would calm her down for an hour or so but she'd soon be behaving like a whirling dervish.

The eldership at the two previous churches where I preached, the church in Eureka and Casper, Wyoming, were sympathetic to my plight. They would even volunteer to come over and help Crystal… manage Pam. I love my daughter but her impulsive, reckless behavior was a constant strain on our marriage. I spent many nights wrestling in prayer, seeking answers but finding none.

I would not even begin to fathom why the Good Lord creates minds such as the one that belongs to my daughter. When she… how shall I say this in polite company? When she became a woman her actions became even more worrisome. She would attempt to escape our house and would act strangely around visitors to our home, especially men. The older she got the more her troubles grew.

When Rodney Baker passed away suddenly and I was asked by the elders to be the new preacher, Crystal, Kevin, myself and Pam all moved to Eagle Creek.

We attempted, that first day, to bring her to services with us. She was almost seventeen and we thought that a new environment would bring her a sense of serenity, but, during my sermon she… for whatever reason, began howling like a wolf. Crystal put a hand on Pam's mouth and led her out of the building. She drove her home, gave her some elixir and put her to bed.

Because of Pam's… disruption, needless to say, I was thrown off of my train of thought that day. I can't tell you what I preached about or how the sermon ended but as I finished the sermon I felt for certain that the elders would fire me. I nervously shook hands and met several dear souls that day. It seemed as though everyone was eager to meet the new minister."

He paused and wore a slight smile. "Come to think of it, Diane Grossman, who was fifteen or so at the time, was the first to call me 'Preacher Sam.' I've always liked that nickname."

Some in the audience smiled along with him.

"As the last of the crowd went home, I was resigned to the inevitable, sad conclusion that I was about to lose… everything. Kevin and I went to Casey's Café that day with Michael and Walter. I assumed that they were going to fire me. After lunch, Kevin and I went home. An hour later, Michael, Walter and Larry came to my door. We sat in the parlor. Crystal sheepishly asked if anyone wanted coffee, a couple of us requested a cup.

While Crystal made the coffee, Pam burst from her room dressed in her nightshirt. She ran into the parlor and hopped on my leg, 'Horsey daddy, I want to play horsey.'

The men were, understandably, confused and embarrassed. They all looked down. Crystal ran in the room and tried to restrain her. Pam pushed her to the floor.

Pam noticed Larry and ran over to him. She hugged him and began kissing his forehead.

'Grandpa, grandpa, you're my grandpa.'

He did not know what to do, Crystal finally wrestled her away kicking and screaming from him and I helped get her back to the room. She'd broken the lock somehow so I asked Kevin to guard the door. I apologized to Larry; he was very patient during the fracas.

I came back into the room and quietly found a seat.

Walter asked, 'Why didn't you tell us about her?'

I just shook my head, 'I don't know. I thought things might be different here. Maybe she'd change.'

Michael asked, 'How long has she been like this?'

'Since she was a toddler. Crystal has been trying to raise her but, it's an impossible task. Gentlemen, I know that I embarrassed the family today and Larry I am so sorry for this incident.'

Michael spoke again, 'We hired you out of the recommendation of Rodney Baker. As he lay on his death bed he spoke fondly of you. We were impressed by your credentials and talents. You have a devout wife and son and from what you've told us, you have bright plans for this church, but, until this morning, none of us even knew you had a daughter, let alone one who was so… queer.'

I shook my head and said, 'I should've said something. She really belongs in an asylum. My brother Thaddeus runs one in Cheyenne and he is willing to look after her. I have not institutionalized her because, well, have you ever been to an asylum? Even my brother's facility, the finest in the state, is a miserable place.'

Michael spoke up, 'But, you'd be willing to place her in your brother's care?'

'If I had to, however, that would be a last resort. Additionally, it's a private institution….'

Michael Conrad spoke up, 'And you can't afford it?'

I shook my head. 'No, not on a preacher's salary.'

The elder's talked amongst themselves for a few moments. Crystal came into the parlor and sat beside me on the couch. We held hands and silently prayed.

Larry said, 'Sam, we want you to be our preacher. It is clear that Pam has problems, but it is equally clear that you are not the one at fault. Would you be willing to put her in your brother's asylum if the church paid for it?'

I didn't know what to say. I looked to Crystal and she nodded her approval.

'We would, but, is spending money in such a way good for the church? Some would object to using funds that way and well, I could certainly understand their objections. Besides they'll want to know what happened to my daughter. She came for one service and then just vanished, that is sure to arouse suspicions. Even so, most people do not understand her… unique condition. My daughter, for lack of a better term, is insane. Some older folks may feel it is improper to mention mental illness in a public forum.'

The elders briefly looked to each other and then Walter said, 'Cheyenne is a long way from here. No one has to know why she disappeared. If anyone asks we'll say she has gone to be a missionary in Africa. She began howling during services because she had a fever. She got well and now, has returned to her mission work with children.'

'But… but that's not the truth.'

'Under the circumstances, this story may have to do. Sam, Crystal, we believe in you. We know you and trust you but to most people, you're a stranger, an outsider. To introduce you to this community as the father of a lunatic would be… chaotic. There are some who would feel that the insanity is contagious or somehow it's God's punishment. It would make you an ineffective leader. We could simply fire you and pass the buck on to another church but we don't want to do that. You are a good man and you'd have to go through the same trauma all over again at the next city. Deception is a sin; however, it may be the best course of action in this case.'

And so, after much prayer, we all agreed to this necessary fabrication. When Rufus was brought on as an elder last February, he agreed to go along with the story. No one outside of that inner circle or Crystal, Kevin, Larry, Walter and Michael knew about this, not even their wives.

Looking back on it, I can't say for certain that we did the right thing. I hate lying. I hate killing, but at the same time I realize that when a soldier is in a war, sometimes, terrible decisions must be made."

Sam made a motion for Michael, Walter, Larry, Rufus and Crystal to join him up front. Crystal stood beside her husband and put an arm around his waist.

"Today, I, the eldership and my wife are confessing the public sin of lying. I believe God has forgiven us, but, the rest is in your corner. If you so desire, I and each elder, will resign."

There were gasps in the audience.

"If you feel that this deception disqualifies me from being your preacher or if you feel the elders should step down, I would ask you to stand and publicly speak your peace."

The room was silent. People looked around to each other, some whispered to their loved ones. After more than two minutes of silence. George Watson slowly stood up.

All eyes focused on him. He looked down for a moment and then turned his attention to the group standing behind the pulpit. He took a deep breath,

"Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love."

His wife, Peggy, stood beside him. "The fellowship of kindred minds."

Others followed. "Is like to that above."

By the time the second verse began, everyone in the auditorium was on their feet.

Before our Father's throne

We pour our ardent prayers.

As the congregation sang Armando Hernandez ran to the front, got down on his knees and held on to Sam's legs, "You're not going anywhere."

"Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one."

Mayor Tallard and Mrs. Tallard joined him up on stage, they held on to Rufus and Walter.

Our comforts and our cares."

As the last verse was sung, almost one hundred went up front, most on their knees; crying and praying.

From sorrow, toil and pain,

And sin, we shall be free,

And perfect love and friendship reign

Through all eternity.

No one resigned that day. There was overwhelming approval from the congregation for the elders. That day's sermon was preached not by Sam Hines but by everyone in the audience. It was the greatest message ever heard and it contained only one word: family.