River of Mercy by BJ Hoff Read Free Book Online Page B

hadn’t discouraged his lust, which led him to seek conversion in order that they might marry.
    Fortunately, Bishop Graber had refused the man’s request.
    Not that the bishop was without fault for some of the lapses in conduct and good judgment on the part of the People. Here again the dangerous sin of indulgence could be blamed for a number of their young people straying to the Englisch world and even leaving the community altogether.
    There had also been whispered rumors for some time now that a few among the People were actually helping runaway slaves to escape their owners for the freedom of the North. Outright breaking the law, they were. If Bishop Graber knew of such things, he apparently was inclined to turn a blind eye. Some made allowances for the bishop though. He was old and getting soft in the head.
    All the more reason the new bishop must be a man of great strength, a man who would not compromise under any circumstances. To stop any further lapses in the faith and quell any rumbles of division within the community, the new bishop must be a man continually involved with the People and willing to deal promptly and severely with any form of misconduct.
    Samuel knew himself to be such a man. For proof, anyone could look to the sons he had raised. True, Aaron had seemed bent on sowing seeds of rebellion with his Englisch friends on occasion. That was of course due to this rumspringa tradition—a foolish and dangerous practice that Samuel would put a stop to once he became bishop. Ja, his eldest son did try his patience, but more often than not the boy recognized his father’s authority and that of the church. So far he had done nothing to get himself in any real trouble. As for Noah, his middle son, and Joe, the youngest, Samuel had all he could do not to be prideful. No man could ask for more obedient kinner than those two.
    Of course, he had worked hard and disciplined conscientiously to develop their obedience and submission to authority. All in all, his sons were living proof that it was unwise to spare the rod when raising one’s children.
    As for Aaron, Samuel never doubted the boy would come around in time. He would make certain he did. He must be broken of his sour-tempered moods and stubborn ways if he were ever to become a righteous man and a leader in the community.
    Rachel becoming a part of their family would be a good thing. In addition to being a fine helpmate and mother to his sons, she would naturally assume many of the chores for which the boys were now responsible. This would leave him more time to train them up while teaching Rachel the ways of their household, and it would free up the boys’ time considerably so they could be of more help on the farm.
    Of course with Rachel’s farm and property added to his own, there would be even more work to do, but they would manage. Everything would work out. Rachel was young enough that he should have no great difficulty molding her to fit into their family and teaching her the way he liked things done. She would make a difference in all their lives.
    He found himself eagerly looking forward to that difference. Any necessary discipline to rid her of her faults and gentle her character should be well worth the effort.
    So much depended on his becoming bishop. Sometimes he wished the community wasn’t so dependent on the draw of the lot for these decisions. Wouldn’t simply appointing a bishop be a more efficient way to make certain the best man for the position were chosen?
    Immediately he dismissed the thought. To desire any change in God’s ways would be sinful. After all, the Lord God would recognize and select the man most fitted to carry out His will for the People’s good and for His glory. Samuel’s part was simply to trust and wait with patience.
    Admittedly, it was the patience that presented him with the greatest challenge.

7
M USIC IN THE N IGHT
    He who hears music, feels his solitude peopled at