And by this time it had come to be common knowledge in the community that the son's profligacy was almost certain to involve the Deacon in financial ruin.
It was a fact much discussed in inner business circles at Dobbinsville that Mr.Gramps' farm was heavily mortgaged, and that unless some crook or turn unforeseen favored him he would soon face bankruptcy.

He had been unable to pay the interest on the notes he had been obliged to obtain in order to keep his son from going where he really belonged.
As for Jake Benton, during these five years since his conversion, his poverty had stuck closer to him than a brother; but thanks be to his persecutions, he had grown immensely rich in spiritual resources.

He had become a mighty man in prayer.

The sick were healed in answer to his prayer of simple faith.

And it seemed only a natural thing for him to pray for his enemies.