All across the great plains of Kansas the harsh winter wind howled. There was no sanctuary to be had from it out on the open prairie. On that landscape labored four friends, hard at work building a sanctuary of their own complete with pews, pulpit, and a nave for the choir. Peter was back on his feet, and he worked twice as hard as the others in an attempt to prove he was just as healthy as a horse and needed no nursemaiding. Two Rivers was the foreman of their construction crew, showing the others how to draw the forms in their mind forth from the wood. Jacob had a beatific smile on his face throughout the entire process, as this church now rising out of the plains was for him quite literally a dream come true. Cassius worked in a trancelike state, for the meditation of his work drew him very near to the God of his understanding. He began to sing.
“Oh, fo’ a closer walk with Thee. O-oh, fo’ a closer walk with Thee! Oh Lord, my prayer, is fo’ a closer walk with Thee.”Cassius’ spiritual gave order and rhythm to the labor of his friends. Soon they found every nail being driven home in time. Jacob began to sing along. He made a mental note to have his choir transcribe the spirituals that Cassius sang when they arrived. And they would; Jacob had faith. As with every song, it’s time eventually passed. Two Rivers broke the silence.
“You are sure that these friends of yours are coming, then? This is going to be one strange church without a congregation.” Peter laughed at the older man’s lack of conviction.
66 CHAPTER 21. IF YOU BUILD IT
“You have quite obviously never been to New England my friend. There a man’s word is his bond. New England men are not like these southron scoundrels, they can be counted upon to keep faith with their fellows. They are coming. They said it. They meant it. It would behoove us to work as hard as we can to make all in readiness for their arrival.”
Two Rivers remained somewhat less than convinced. He repeated doggerel remembered from childhood.“Here is the church. Here is the steeple. Open the door, and where are the people?” Jacob laughed, as accorded his good nature.
“They will come, or they will not come. That is not what is important. This work, building this church, is important enough in and of itself. No workman who sets his hand to the plow and looks back shall be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is much more than just a church my friends. This is an act of faith.”
Cassius bobbed his head vigorously and voiced his agreement. “Amen.” Jacob had said exactly what Cassius had been thinking, although the preacher had spoken the truth far more eloquently than the field hand ever could. Two Rivers held his peace, as Two Rivers was a man who held his peace. Peter held his peace as well, having been properly chastised for his bragging and his arrogance. Jacob paused for just a moment to gaze up at the sky which lay behind the winter storm clouds. He knew. He did not know exactly what he knew, but he knew. Of that much Jacob was absolutely certain.