Something must be done--and done at once.

The entire work of the church was at a standstill.

The Sunday services, the week-day prayer meeting, the missionary teas, even the suppers and socials were becoming less and less well attended.

True, a few conscientious workers were still left.

But they pulled at cross purposes, usually; and always they showed themselves to be acutely aware of the critical eyes all about them, and of the tongues that had nothing to do but to talk about what the eyes saw.
And because of all this, the Rev.Paul Ford understood very well that he (God's minister), the church, the town, and even Christianity itself was suffering; and must suffer still more unless-- Clearly something must be done, and done at once.