DR. HEIDENHOFF'S PROCESS

by

EDWARD BELLAMY







CHAPTER I.


The hand of the clock fastened up on the white wall of the conference
room, just over the framed card bearing the words "Stand up for Jesus,"
and between two other similar cards, respectively bearing the sentences
"Come unto Me," and "The Wonderful, the Counsellor," pointed to ten
minutes of nine. As was usual at this period of Newville prayer-meetings,
a prolonged pause had supervened. The regular standbyes had all taken
their usual part, and for any one to speak or pray would have been about
as irregular as for one of the regulars to fail in doing so. For the
attendants at Newville prayer-meetings were strictly divided into the two
classes of speakers and listeners, and, except during revivals or times
of special interest, the distinction was scrupulously observed.

Deacon Tuttle had spoken and prayed, Deacon Miller had prayed and spoken,
Brother Hunt had amplified a point in last Sunday's sermon, Brother
Taylor had called attention to a recent death in the village as a warning