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           ReverendSykesthencalledontheLordtoblessthesickandthesuffering,aprocedurenodifferentfromourchurchpractice,exceptReverendSykesdirectedtheDeity’sattentiontoseveralspecificcases.

           Hissermonwasaforthrightdenunciationofsin,anausteredeclarationofthemottoonthewallbehindhim:hewarnedhisflockagainsttheevilsofheadybrews,gambling,andstrangewomen.BootleggerscausedenoughtroubleintheQuarters,butwomenwereworse.Again,asIhadoftenmetitinmyownchurch,IwasconfrontedwiththeImpurityofWomendoctrinethatseemedtopreoccupyallclergymen.

           JemandIhadheardthesamesermonSundayafterSunday,withonlyoneexception.ReverendSykesusedhispulpitmorefreelytoexpresshisviewsonindividuallapsesfromgrace:JimHardyhadbeenabsentfromchurchforfiveSundaysandhewasn’tsick;ConstanceJacksonhadbetterwatchherways—shewasingravedangerforquarrelingwithherneighbors;shehaderectedtheonlyspitefenceinthehistoryoftheQuarters.

           ReverendSykesclosedhissermon.Hestoodbesideatableinfrontofthepulpitandrequestedthemorningoffering,aproceedingthatwasstrangetoJemandme.Onebyone,thecongregationcameforwardanddroppednickelsanddimesintoablackenameledcoffeecan.JemandIfollowedsuit,andreceivedasoft,"Thankyou,thankyou,"asourdimesclinked.

           Toouramazement,ReverendSykesemptiedthecanontothetableandrakedthecoinsintohishand.Hestraightenedupandsaid,"Thisisnotenough,wemusthavetendollars."

           Thecongregationstirred."Youallknowwhatit’sfor—Helencan’tleavethosechildrentoworkwhileTom’sinjail.