Three of his most energetic women workers had withdrawn from the Ladies' Aid Society because a tiny spark of gossip had been fanned by wagging tongues into a devouring flame of scandal.

The choir had split over the amount of solo work given to a fanciedly preferred singer.

Even the Christian Endeavor Society was in a ferment of unrest owing to open criticism of two of its officers.

As to the Sunday school--it had been the resignation of its superintendent and two of its teachers that had been the last straw, and that had sent the harassed minister to the quiet woods for prayer and meditation.
Under the green arch of the trees the Rev.Paul Ford faced the thing squarely.

To his mind, the crisis had come.