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CHAPTER XIIAN "EXPLANATION AND A DARETHE Rev. Dr. Cooper preached in Glen St. Marythe next evening and the Presbyterian Churchwas crowded with people from near and far. TheReverend Doctor was reputed to be a very eloquentspeaker; and, bearing in mind the old dictum that aminister should take his best clothes to the city andhis best sermons to the country, he delivered a veryscholarly and impressive discourse. But when thefolks went home that night it was not of Dr. Cooper'ssermon they talked. They had completely forgottenall about it.Dr. Cooper had concluded with a fervent appeal, hadwiped the perspiration from his massive brow, hadsaid "Let us pray" as he was famed for saying it, andhad duly prayed. There was a slight pause. In GlenSt.Mary Church the old fashion of taking the collectionafter the sermon instead of before still heldmainly because the Methodists had adopted the newfashion first, and Miss Cornelia and Elder Clow wouldnot hear of following where Methodists had led.Charles Baxter and Thomas Douglas, whose dutyitwas to pass the plates, were on the point of rising totheir feet. The organist had got out the music of heranthem and the choir had cleared its throat Suddenly118