Currain "prayed eight consecutive Sabbath days that God would send some rain, but there was no fervency in his prayer, therefore he prayed in vain." On the ninth sabbath, Currain announced to his flock that they too would have to help him pray for rain. However, he was a strict "sabbathtarian", which, among other things, meant that it would be unseemly to allow women to take part in the worship service - even in their desperate straits. He therefore told his flock, "Come here tomorrow afternoon at precisely two o'clock when the women will be permitted to pray."

 

Now, Aunt Rebecca had a brain as well as a heart full of living faith. She stood for no hypocritical leanings and no tolerance for unbelief. When Monday came, Aunt Rebecca spent her morning concentrating on the coming prayer meeting. At half past one, she hurried along the road to the Meeting House carrying (as the story goes) her large umbrella.

 

She met Deacon Bell, who chided her for carrying the heavy umbrella. But Aunt Rebecca scolded right back: "You had better fetch yours along," she said, "For I shall pray for rain, Faith will bring the blessing down - I will not pray in vain!"

 

To be continued.