This shocked Ralph’s veneration a little.  But it was the sincere utterance of an earnest soul.  It may not have been an orthodox start, but it was the one start for Bud.  And there be those who have repeated with the finest aesthetic appreciation the old English liturgies who have never known religious aspiration so sincere as that of this ignorant young Hercules, whose best confession was that he meant hereafter “to put in his best licks for Jesus Christ.”  And there be those who can define repentance and faith to the turning of a hair who never made so genuine a start for the kingdom of Heaven as Bud Means did.

Ralph said yes, that he thought that was just it.  At least, he guessed if there was something more, the man that was putting in his best licks would be sure to find it out.

“Do you think he’d help a feller?  Seems to me it would be number one to have God help you.  Not to help you fight other folks, but to help you when it comes to fighting the devil inside.  But you see I don’t belong to no church”

“Well, let’s you and me have one right off.  Two people that help one another to serve God make a church.”

I am afraid this ecclesiastical theory will not be considered orthodox.  It was Ralph’s, and I write it down at the risk of bringing him into condemnation.

But other people before the days of Bud and Ralph have discussed church organization when they should have been doing Christian work.  For both of them had forgotten the danger that hung over the old basket-maker, until Shocky burst into the school-house, weeping.  Indeed, the poor, nervous little frame was ready to go into convulsions.

“Miss Hawkins—­”

Bud started at mention of the name.

“Miss Hawkins has just been over to say that a crowd is going to tar and feather Mr. Pearson to-night.  And—­” here Shocky wept again.  “And he won’t run, but he’s took up the old flintlock, and he’ll die in his tracks.”

CHAPTER XVI.

THE CHURCH MILITANT.

Bud was doubly enlisted on the side of John Pearson, the basket-maker.  In the first place, he knew that this persecution of the unpopular old man was only a blind to save somebody else; that they were thieves who cried, “Stop thief!” And he felt consequently that this was a chance to put his newly-formed resolutions into practice.  The Old Testament religious life, which consists in fighting the Lord’s enemies, suited Bud’s temper and education.  It might lead to something better.  It was the best possible to him, now.  But I am afraid I shall have to acknowledge that there was a second motive that moved Bud to this championship.  The good heart of Martha Hawkins having espoused the cause of the basket-maker, the heart of Bud Means could not help feeling warmly on the same side.  Blessed is that man in whose life the driving of duty and the drawing of love impel the same way!  But why speak of the driving of duty?  For already Bud was learning the better lesson of serving God for the love of God.