All language subtitles for Com Um Pé no Céu

Well, here's something
interesting about us.

And in a Toronto paper, too.

Really, John?

"Stratford, Ontario

"April 19th, 1904.

"Mr. and Mrs. John E. Morris

"announced the engagement
of their daughter, Hope

to Mr. William Spence
of Newbridge, Ontario."

It's really in
the Toronto paper?

- Of course.
- Let me see it!

"No date has been set
for the wedding

"but it's expected to take place

sometime during the summer."

Oh, dear, that bell would ring
now and any hour, too.

"Mr. Spence, who is
one of the most

"brilliant students
of the medical school

"of the University of Toronto

"will, upon
his graduation in June

"set up practice in Stratford

"where his fiance's
parents reside.

"Mr. John E. Morris

who is a prominent
carriage maker of.."

- 'Why, William!'
- Eh?

Did she say "William?"

It is Will!

Well, speak of the bridegroom.

Oh, Will.

Hello, dear.

What are you doing here?
Why aren't you in school?

Is it vacation?
Are you playing hooky?

Maybe if you ask him
one question at a time

he could answer,
but this is a surprise.

Come in, Will, come in.

Well, thank you, sir.

Yes, I, I know it's a surprise

but I, uh, I came
because I had to see Hope.

Well, dear,
I guess that's our cue.

- Upstairs we go.
- Oh, no, please don't go.

No, you and Mother Morris
will have to find out

sooner or later,
you might as well hear it now.

Well, what's the matter, Will.
Are you in trouble?

Is it your family? Is it
something serious?

I'm not in trouble, sir,
and it's not my family.

But, uh,
I guess it's serious, though.

I think you'd better
sit down to hear it.

I think you'd better
all sit down.

[instrumental music]

Well, uh, I..

Oh, dear,
I know it's something dreadful.

No, no, it isn't dreadful,
Mother Morris.

Just that I don't know quite
how to begin.

Well, the beginning might be
a good place then.

Alright, Father Morris.

I'll start at the beginning.

Last Sunday evening

I happen to be walking past
a church in Toronto.

I didn't know what church it was
but I went inside.

There was revival meeting
going on.

There was a man preaching.

I found later
it was Bishop Hodgson.

The Methodist Church.

Oh, yes, I've heard of him.

A regular fire-eater.

And it was wonderful sermon.

And as I listened,
something happened to me.

[music continues]

Guess you'd have to say
I got the call.

You may laugh at that, sir,
I know I'd have laughed once.

But it was just as clear
as if the Lord was there

and had placed his hand
on my shoulder.

At the first invitation,
I found myself at the rail.

Oh, you mean
you joined a church, Will?

I think
that's perfectly splendid.

Of course, I'd have preferred
you join the Episcopalians.

They are much more at home.

No, it's more than that,
Mother Morris.

I...I've decided
to become a minister.

- A what?
- That's perfectly absurd.

How could a doctor
be a minister?

I'm not going to be a doctor.

- Do you mind, Hope?
- Naturally, she minds.

You prepared yourself
for medicine.

You taught school for years
to save the money

to put yourself through school

and now you come up
with this emotional whim.

But he asked me, father.

- Do you want this very much?
- Yes, very much.

I've arranged for you
to set up in practice here.

You have a sunny future
waiting for you.

It isn't common sense
to toss it away.

Why?

I think I'll find
everything I would've found

in medicine and more.

(John)
'Now, Hope, keep your head'

'even if he's lost his.'

Then if it's what you want

I think it's what
I want for you.

I knew that's what you'd say.

So there was no sense in letting
the grass go under my feet

and I asked Bishop Hodgson
when I could begin.

He's promised me a pastorate
in the fall.

He said I could catch up on
my homiletics as I went along

and I said,
"Alright, where do I start?"

Where do you?

Well, and there's
another thing.

(Mrs. Morris)
'Not far away from home,
I hope.'

Well, there's nothing open
in Canada, Mother Morris.

So I'm going to
the United States.

But, Will, I never heard
of anything so absurd.

You mean, you're going
to become a Yankee?

Yankee?

You see, there's
a vacancy in Iowa.

A small town church
and two circuit churches.

- Where's Iowa?
- Why, it's a jumping-off place.

Inhabited by nothing but
rascals and cattle thieves.

John, he mustn't take
our daughter so far away.

[crying]
'She mustn't leave us.'

(John)
'Oh, don't you cry, dear'

'or I shall, too.'

Will you come with me?

[music continues]

Isn't there something
in the scriptures?

Something Ruth said?

"Entreat me not to leave thee

or to return from
following after thee."

"For whither thou goest,
I will go

"and where thou lodgest,
I will lodge.

"Thy people...shall be my people

and thy God, my God."

[music continues]

[horn blaring]

[bell clanging]

I told you it wouldn't
do no good, stranger.

Nothing ever stops
at Laketon, nothing.

I've been trying for ten years
on an off to flag that fire.

It's just like waving
a lace hanky at a cannonball.

Look, it's stopping.

- 'She's got her brakes fixed.'
- 'Huh?'

Come on back, darn you!

What do you think
I'm waving for?

Just to be sociable?

Come on! Come over here!

Sorry, folks, I guess the
engineer couldn't stop so quick.

You can get off this way.

Alright, alright.

Ah, now, Hope, don't be afraid.

Just look there,
just as I told you

not an Indian in sight.

Thank you, conductor,
for a fine trip.

You ought to pick up
a round trip ticket

for having to back up so far.

I'll do that next time.

[laughing]

You folks getting off here?

Well, we thought for a minute

we were going to wind up
in San Francisco.

- I'm William Spence.
- Howdy.

- This is Mrs. Spence.
- Howdy.

- Oh, how do you do?
- Now, darling.

I'll prove to you that
there's nobody around here

to scalp us
but the Congregation.

Say, you must be
the new circuit preacher.

That's right.

This is a shame,
no one here to meet you.

They didn't expect you
till next week.

Ms. Watkins,
you know, she's the head

of the parsonage committee

she'll have a cat fit.

She just put the old preacher

on the local this morning.

I know I'm ahead of time

but you see, this is new to me.

It's my very first parish

and we wanted to plunge
right in..

(Hope)
'Oh, Will, my new trunk!'

Shod, should've had
my truck down there.

I use to wheel it up empty
and wheel it back empty.

- I just gave it up.
- Don't you worry, dear.

It won't break, and don't you
worry about our welcome.

What stumps me is how I'm gonna
get you all to the parsonage.

Uh, guess
I'll rustle up something.

Hey, George!

George Reynolds, doing anything
with your pusher wagon?

I got a couple of
passengers for you.

[instrumental music]

Like our town?

Quite a place.

Oh, not so much yet,
but growing fast.

Of course, we like it.

Don't we, Hope?

Oh, yes.

Afternoon, Mrs. Baker.

Meet your new minster
and his wife

Mr. and Mrs. Spence.

Mighty fine woman.

A widow with four children.

Can't afford to give
the church a dime

'but when you're sick,
she's the one who offers'

'to sit up all night.'

'Mrs. Simpson, here's'

'your new preacher
and his wife.'

Better get word
to Sister Watkins.

Now that women gives.

Raised the best doctor
in the county, too.

You folks coming to town
like this

will sure stir up
a lot of excitement.

It'll be all over town.

[music continues]

[ducks quacking]

Well, that's yours, folks.

'Not much look at, is she?'

'But then, I guess you didn't
expect much.'

- Shall I help you with--
- No, no, no, no.

Now don't you touch a thing.

You just make yourself at home.

I'll bring this stuff in.

Thank you.

Take your bride in
and show her the new place.

Thank you very much, George.

Easy, dear.

There you are.

[chuckles]

Uh-uh.

[instrumental music]

[plank creaks]

Oh, oh.

I'll fix those.

Our first threshold.

[music continues]

Set me down.

[music continues]

Gaze in speechless wonder.

Oh, don't worry, Hope.

When we get your wedding
presents placed around it

it won't look half bad.

May I take that down?

[William laughing]
'Yes, of course.'

You can do anything you want.
It's your home.

There you are,
I'll just set it down here

till you find out
where you wanna put them.

Well, bless my soul.

Here comes Sister Watkins now
running like a turkey.

I told you Mrs. Simpson
was a fast worker.

Oh. Mrs. Watkins.

Afternoon, come right in
and meet your new preacher

and his blushing bride.

'Meet Brother Spence.'

We've been looking
forward to this.

- Oh, my goodness.
- May I introduce my wife?

Hope, this is Mrs. Watkins

the head of our parsonage
committee.

- How do you do?
- Won't you sit down?

No, thank you.

My dear, I'd rather drop dead

than admit I'm head of anything

that's responsible for this.

Isn't it a terrible mess?

'But we didn't expect you
for another week.'

Please don't apologize.
We should have let you know.

Here, here's a pie
fresh out of the oven.

Oh. Thank you.

Maybe it will help make amends.

That's very kind of you.

Why, you poor darling lamb.

My, you're only a baby,
aren't you?

'Now don't you fret a bit.'

The other ladies of the
committee will be right along.

Mrs. Simpson
has gone after them.

'We-we'll have this place
spick and span'

before you know it.

Please don't worry about that.

I'll step out to the porch
to meet them.

I can see I'm leaving you
in good hands.

(George)
And I'll step right along
with you.

In a hen-fest like this

us men must stick together.

[grunts]
Uh..

Well, I guess I'll move
the rest of the things.

- 'Please sit down.'
- 'Don't mind if I do.'

(Watkins)
'At least until the ladies
get here.'

'Then we'd go to work
quicker than a jiffy.'

[instrumental music]

Oh.

- Oh, I'm so sorry.
- Never mind, dear.

You just sit down
and leave everything to us.

Who removed father's boar head?

Why..

I...I'm afraid I did.

Oh. I wouldn't have said
a word if I'd known it was you.

But my own father
put that trophy there

with his own hands 20 years ago.

And no one has moved it so much
as a quarter of an inch since.

The parsonage won't seem
the same without it.

- Oh, well..
- I-I'll get it right away.

- I'll put it back again.
- Oh, don't trouble.

But if you'll just tell me
where it is, I'll--

No, I'll bring it.

I, uh, moved
some other things, too.

I'll put them all back.

(William)
'Hope, where are you?'

I'm up here.

Up where?

Up here.

What are you doing
in the attic?

'I, I was just in the way.'

Have you been crying?

- Just a little.
- Oh.

[crying]
They wouldn't let me
touch a thing.

I had to put back everything.

Every ugliness
in it's proper place.

And I won't be able to use
my wedding presents or anything

because..

...because they'll think
I'm stuck up.

[instrumental music]

Lesson number one.

The parsonage belongs to
the ladies of the congregation.

But they're good folk, darling.

Just look at all those gifts
they brought us.

A whole table
full of pies and cakes.

I'm so ashamed.

But I used to plan what our
first home would be like.

This..

No, Will, don't let me say it.

Don't let me complain.

I'll say it for you.

This house looks like a place

the county poor farmers
abandoned it.

A dog wouldn't live in it.

A cat wouldn't be caught dead
under the front porch.

The moles
starve to death here and..

...and the mice
smother in the dust.

[laughing]

Oh, Will.

Thank you.

[sniffles]
I'm alright now.

Of course, of course,
you're going to be alright.

And consider my princely salary.

$385 a year.

'If I can collect it.'

Oh, uh, by the way,
that reminds me, uh

lesson number two. Uh..

I wouldn't wear my nice clothes,
Hope, if I were you.

'At least, not for a while.'

Why ever not?

Well, uh..

...there were a couple
of hints dropped by

the ladies when they left.

You see, it won't do
for you to outshine

the ladies of the congregation.

We, uh, we are just
a pastor and his wife.

We're not their betters.

We are...the people's servants.

I'll try my best to help you.

You know,
I'm beginning to understand

what Benjamin Franklin meant
when he called people

as poor as church mice.

[chuckling]
Poor Richard was letting
the preacher have it

right between the eyes.

Just look at this junk.

There's lesson number three.

You notice a minister
never throws anything away.

- Now here's something.
- What is it?

Missionary barrel, looks like.

Really? For us?

Must be a missionary barrel.

Where else could you find
a collection such as this?

- For you, my love.
- Oh, for me and who else?

[chuckling]

Ah, new shoes for papa.

Don't laugh,
another year and may be

better than we're wearing.

[chuckles]

Oh, Will, take it off,
if you knew what you look like.

Wait till you see yours.

[chuckling]

Oh, Will,
it's going to be such fun.

Uh, darling, you've had
a couple of bad jokes today.

But let us be of good cheer.

Something tells me
this is just the beginning.

[chuckling]

[instrumental music]

Be kindly affectionate,
one to another

with brotherly love.

Brother Spence,
you preach good sermons

but there ain't enough
sin in them.

Well, thank you,
thank you, brother.

Next Sunday, we'll have sin.

[music continues]

Mother, here are a few books
I forgot that I'd like you

to put in that trunk, too,
please.

[train chugging]

(male #1)
'Good morning, doctor.'

Mor-uh, good morning.

And there they were brazenly
holding hands in church.

I doubt if they even
heard your text.

- This was last Sunday?
- Yes, Dr. Spence.

By the way
what was my text, uh..

[music continues]

[train chugging]

And the peace of the world

is the salvation of the world.

[explosion]

[dramatic music]

Yes-yes, I know things are high

but wages have increased, too.

Yes, uh, I suppose they have.

[train chugging]

[train horn blaring]

[music continues]

[bell ringing]

[baby crying]

[crying continues]

Mother.

Oh.

Oh, alright.

[crying continues]

[bells ringing]

[people screaming]

[baby crying]

Oh!

Eileen, where is your mother?

She's in the kitchen,
father.

I'm sure you've done
your practicing.

You go out and play,
and, uh, take baby with you.

Yes, father.

[baby crying]

Hope, can you tell me
why in thunderation

this parsonage should have been
built next to a firehouse?

Or even vice versa?

Can't even tell you
why this parsonage

should have been built at all.

Take a good look at it.

Give me some water, dear.

That bell goes off
at the most provoking times.

Disturbs me
when I'm preparing my sermons.

It interrupts my prayers.

Even wakes the baby
in his sleep.

Bells! Bells! Bells!

Oh, uh, and, uh, speaking
of the baby, dear

don't you think it's high time
he was christened?

After all, even if he did come
upon us unexpectedly

he's still entitled to a name.

I wasn't aware that we were
speaking of the baby, Hope.

You know my wishes
on that matter.

I've said my last word
on the subject.

Well, I haven't.

Neither have a lot
of other people.

You know, they are all talking,
the whole congregation.

A Methodist baby
should be baptized

before it's ten days old.

Here my poor child is nearly
three months old

and not named yet,
and your child, Will.

The minister's child.

What are people to think?

Mrs. Dibble told me just
the other day

that Mrs. Jellison said right
out in the ladies aid meeting

that it was practically a sin.

Hope, if you persist with this
topic of conversation

I shall only change it.

A hundred times, if necessary.

Alright, dear.

- To what?
- To anything.

What is it for supper,
for example?

- Not a thing.
- What did you say?

I said, not a thing.

You mean, not literally?

Literally, figuratively
and specifically.

Statistically, we have a half
a loaf of bread

'and a quarter of a pound
of butter.'

'Luckily, there is enough
milk for the baby.'

- What are we going to do?
- Haven't you any money at all?

I have a ten cent piece.
It's our entire cash capital.

And your quarterly salary
not due till next week.

Well, in the meantime,
telephone the grocer

and have him send something
out on credit.

No.

No, we've used up
the grocer's next quarterly

church donation to the penny.

- The butcher's, too.
- Would it hurt just this once?

Mother, what is this?

I can tell you without looking,
it's the Methodist discipline.

'What is the discipline?'

The discipline of the Methodist
Church is the privy collection

of its rules and regulations,
its declarations of faith

and its order of services.

It is amended
if need be only..

Only for the general conference.

Right.

It's-it's for certain
admonitions

concerning personal conduct.

Thus, it prohibits
the hoarding of money

the accumulation of wealth
or the going into debt.

That's it. That's it!

The going into debt.

Forbids labor on the Sabbath,
even the preparation of meals.

It outlaws the motion picture,
the theater, dancing, tobacco.

You may not sing any songs
or read any books

which do not increase
our knowledge of God's love.

We may not play any card game

which might be used
for gambling

and divorce is something
to be whispered about.

[chuckles]

Mother, you surely
know your discipline.

I ought to. We've lived it
for 13 years.

Now it appears we're also
to eat it.

Give me the book, father,
and I'll stew it in a pot.

Though I imagine it will
prove tough fare.

Jolly, if only a wedding couple
would come along.

[sighs]
What a $5 wedding fee
would do for us now.

Even a $2 wedding fee.

What's the matter, Hope? Aren't
people getting married lately?

Well, this is July.

They say the season
ends in June.

Well, something will turn up.

The Lord has always
provided for us.

If there's one thing
I have learned

a pastor and his family
have to believe

in the miracle
of Manna from heaven.

If it doesn't come,
we don't eat.

Oh, goodbye, dear.
I'm going to make some calls.

[instrumental music]

[children laughing]

[music continues]

Eileen. Eileen.

I thought I told you
to watch baby.

Yes, father.

Eileen, bring in baby. Bring in
your poor unnamed brother.

Oh, uh, Hartzell, come here.

- I'm, uh--
- Yes, sir.

I'm going out for a little
while, so you keep the watch.

Alright.

Uh, I'm going to
the courthouse first.

I'll be there
about three minutes.

Then I'm going to drugstore
to talk to Mr. MacFarland.

- Fifteen minutes for that.
- Yes, sir.

Then I'm going to the hospital
to visit Mrs. Olsen.

A half hour.

You, you stay right
on the front porch

and keep a sharp eye open.

If any wedding couples
come along

you'll know where to find me.

Yes, father.

- Hi, Angus.
- Aren't you going in the car?

There isn't any gas.

[instrumental music]

- Good afternoon, Sandy.
- Good afternoon, reverend.

Afternoon, Alf.

Well, nice seeing you,
Brother Spence.

Thank you. Thank you.

Can I, uh,
do something for you?

No, no, not a thing.

Saw you at the morning service
last Sunday.

I always know if I look over
at the left, I'll see your face.

I wouldn't miss one of your
sermons for the world.

[chuckles]
Thank you very much.

By the way, Alf, uh..

I'm not getting as many weddings
as I used to.

You, uh, sure you're telling
people how to get to my house?

Well, I've been worrying
about that, too.

The new Justice of Peace
has been getting

the bulk of the trade lately.

He-he's got a sign up
on his front porch.

Why don't you put one in yours?

- Have a bite.
- Oh, no, that's too commercial.

Well, here's the rub.

Most of the couples ask me

"Where is the nearest
place to get married?"

And being a good Christian,
I-I can't lie.

His place is right down
the block.

Why don't you tell 'em
that the nearest

minister is Mr. Spence?

Then you-you won't be lying

and, uh, my children can eat.

That's a great idea.

You know, Alf, a civil marriage
is unquestionably legal.

I'm ready to admit that.

But nobody was ever hurt
by a good Christian ceremony.

Very well, I'll do it.
Thank you, Brother Spence.

You're welcome.

Could I, uh..

Could we get a dog license?

Yeah.

[instrumental music]

Oh, Betty, what's the matter?

I got something in my eye,
it hurts.

Let's take a look.

There we are.

Thanks, Mr. Spence.
You're as good as a doctor.

[chuckles]
Almost was one.

Mac, what's new?

Well, let's see, oh-oh, yes, uh,
Mrs. Johnson ordered

some more
sleeping tablets today.

Uh, third time this month.

So, must have some problem
on her mind.

Well, I hear Henry's been seen
across the railroad tracks.

- Of course, that's only talk.
- Oh, sure, sure.

Guess that's all.

Billings is there fighting
again, he's on another toot.

- Mm-hmm.
- Guess you heard about that.

Yeah. Don't know what I'd do
without you, Mac.

What I don't know is
how you do all you do.

Everybody and his neighbor's
problems 24 hours a day.

'It's all part of the job.'

Hello, reverend, how's
the business of saving souls?

Hello, doctor.
Fine, thank you.

How's the business
of saving teeth?

[chuckles]
Well, my patients may howl

but they don't sing hymns,
thank goodness.

- Chocolate soda, Mac.
- Comin' right up.

You know, Dr. Horrigan

you're a thorn in my side
and I admit it.

What have you got against
religion that you should scoff

every chance you get?
I'd be interested in hearing.

Have a soda.

Thank you, don't mind if I do.

- I'm rather empty.
- Two, Mac.

- Make mine strawberry, Mac.
- 'Mm-hmm.'

What have you got for religion?

Everything, it seems to me.

It's man's protection.

His bulwark against trouble.

This is 1917, doctor, most of
the world is at war.

Now, we're in it, too.

Man can do with a little
aid from God

to keep him on an even keeled.

I think Christian morals
are the only thing

that can save him
and the world.

Moreover, Christianity is fun.

It's a way of life, it's man's
greatest joy and satisfaction.

Of course, to me, personally,
it's even more than that.

It's the end and all of living.

Now and forever.

Amen.

Wouldn't blaspheme
if I were you.

It's not too good for the soul.

Mr. Spence, how do
you know you have a soul?

I can feel it.

You can feel it?

Means you can touch it.

No, no, no, I don't mean that.

- Well, you can see it.
- No.

- Can you taste it?
- No.

- Can you smell it?
- No.

- Can you hear it?
- No.

Well, then all your senses are
against you, you have no soul.

Dr. Horrigan, as a dentist
you must have had

many a patient with a toothache.

Ever had one yourself?

- Certainly.
- Did you touch it?

- Hmm?
- See it?

- No.
- Smell it?

- No. No.
- Taste it? Hear it?

Then all your senses are against
you, you never had a toothache.

[chuckles]
Well, that's just sophistry.
Pretty good though.

Worthy of old
Socrates himself.

Father, there's a wedding
couple.

Don't bother me, son.
Alright, you admire Socrates.

As a philosopher, I do.

- Did you say a wedding couple?
- Yes, father.

Well, you don't have people
going around

claiming Socrates as divine.

As far as that goes,
Christ was a good teacher.

Why don't you
leave the religious angle

out of Christianity and respect
it as a good rule of living?

They've been
waiting a long time.

- Come on.
- Alright. Alright, I'm coming.

Thank you for the soda.

All I ask is that
you respect Christ as a teacher.

I'll respect him as the son of
God, and we'll both be happy.

We'll continue with this
discussion in another time

and I'll see you in the front
pew of church yet.

Mac, let me have another soda.

Ah, Hartzell, no unseemly haste,
but let's go.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye. Thank you--

Good luck, bride. God bless you.

Don't forget to bring
the first born

back to the church
to be baptized.

We'll bring all our children
for you to baptize.

Oh, John, stop.
He's always teasing me.

[laughing]

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

- Good luck.
- Bye.

(female #1)
'Goodbye.'

I, uh, of course,
I shouldn't ask

but, uh, did you
get the wedding fee?

Holding on to it for dear life.

How much was it, $5 or $2?

I haven't had a look.

Well, I noticed you used $5 line
of jokes, so I suppose--

Ah, what do you mean?

Well, now don't pretend
you don't know

what I'm talking about,
Will Spence.

[chuckles]
I haven't assisted you

at hundreds of weddings
for nothing.

Well, you start off
the minute they come in

while you're still
filling out the records.

Well, of course,
I jolly them along a little.

Gets them over the nervousness.

Getting married
is a terrifying process.

Yes, but I notice you use
a different set of jokes

for each price range.

I can seen you figuring it out
plain as day.

This is a $5 wedding
or a $2 wedding?

The minute you open your mouth

I can tell which
you've decided it is.

Hah, you do go on.

Now, don't you deny it,
Will Spence.

The $2 opening goes like this.

"Uh, be careful how you answer
these questions, young lady.

It's perjury to falsify your
age on the marriage record."

Ah, but your $5 opening is..

- Come in, come in.
- Alright.

"So you want to be married?

"Well, you're wise to get a ring
on this young lady's finger

before someone else does."

Then you give
the bride one of those

overwhelming smiles
of yours and say

"I bet it took some tall talking
to get you on the dotted line."

Oh! What a lot of bosh.

But it's after the ceremony that
you really do yourself proud.

The $2 form.

"Alright, kiss her now.

That's what
you've been waiting for."

But your $5
winds up a humdinger.

"Alright, now, you're married.

"If you don't hurry up
and kiss the bride, young man

I'll do it myself."

[chuckles]
Mother, you, you've gotten
to know me too well.

I always give them
the same ceremony.

Yes, for nothing
near a million dollars

you give them the best
that's in you.

I love weddings.

Perhaps because
I had such good luck at my own.

- Shall we look?
- Alright.

We've allowed ourselves
sufficient time to demonstrate

that we're people
of iron self-control.

Two dollars.

First time I've ever been wrong.
Guess I must be losing my grip.

Oh, well, two dollars is two
dollars. Besides, I'm hungry.

Mother, call up
the grocer and tell him

to send something out for
supper. Something filling.

I'm going to write
my sermon tonight.

I think I'll start off with the
miracle of feeding the multitude

with five loaves and two fishes.

Perhaps somebody in the
congregation will take the hint

and invite us to
share a Sunday dinner.

- You better telephone.
- 'Will..'

I've always done
everything you say.

- Haven't I?
- Now, what's up?

Just this. I'm not going to
feel very well

preparing your dinner tonight
or any other night

until the question
of the baby's name is settled.

Dear, this is no time to discuss
baby's name. I'm-I'm hungry.

It's the most
perfect time in the world.

I'll never again get you
in such a weakened condition.

Dear, I'm perfectly willing
at any time to baptize baby

but I will not have him call
plain William Spence.

He's got have a middle name.

I never had one,
and I always felt

there was one strike
against me on that account.

But he wouldn't be plain
William Spence.

- He'd be William Spence Junior.
- Junior! Junior is sissy name.

I'll not have my son
be a sissy. I'm hungry.

A lot of men name
their sons after themselves.

I let you name your first son
after your Bishop Hartzell.

This time, I think
you should follow my wishes.

Very well, mother.

I'll knuckle down to you
to the extent of William.

Provided we follow the good old
Canadian custom of calling

the child by his middle name

which middle name is to
be Frazer.

After my grand old
Scottish uncle.

And I don't mean the one
who was hanged as a horse thief.

It's after 5 o'clock, dear.
Did you say you were hungry?

We can argue here till doomsday

and I'll still like
William Spence Junior.

I never would have thought
you'd take

such an uncharitable
advantage of me.

Very well, mother,
I'll give in.

- I'll name the baby.
- This Sunday?

This Sunday.

Now, please hurry up
and fix my supper.

Otherwise, you're going to
make an awfully silly spectacle

of yourself when you enter
church Sunday morning

with the baby under one arm
and me under the other.

[Hope chuckles]

[sighs]

[sighs]

[bells ringing]

Mother..

[ringing continues]

♪ Who will
all our sorrows share? ♪

♪ Jesus knows
our every weakness ♪

♪ Take it to
the Lord in prayer ♪

♪ A-a-a-men ♪♪

It is now our privilege

to administer
the sacrament of baptism.

[instrumental music]

Such children of the
congregation as..

...shall be presented
by their parents.

Remember the words of the
scripture, where it says

'"And they were bringing unto
Him little children'

'"that He should touch them.'

'"And He took them in his arms
and blessed them'

'laying His hands upon them."'

[baby crying]

- The name, please.
- John Henry Appleby.

[baby crying]

John Henry Appleby

I baptize thee
in the name of the Father

the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

'Name, please.'

Susan Ann Edwards.

Susan Ann Edwards

I baptize thee
in the name of the Father

the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

[speaks softly]
What are you bawling for?

[speaks softly]
I was never baptized.

- The name, please.
- William Spence Junior.

William Frazer Spence

'I baptize thee
in the name of the Father'

'the Son and the Holy Spirit.'

Amen.

[baby crying]

- The name, please?
- 'Richard Henry Jones.'

'Richard Henry Jones..'

I wonder what's keeping
your father, it's..

It's an hour
since church was out.

He's coming up the walk, mother.

Oh, is he?

Well, I must get dinner ready.

I bet she'll give him
"Hail, Columbia."

Shh, don't swear, it's Sunday.

But I bet she does, too.

You're not supposed to
bet on Sunday either.

Oh, you.

[instrumental music]

- Am I late?
- I held back dinner.

I stopped to talk..
Uh, lots of people.

Nothing will spoil.

I, uh, stopped to get this
to bring you.

- Oh, ice-cream.
- Yeah.

- How's baby?
- Baby?

Baby.

Frazer's having
his afternoon nap.

Frazer?

Frazer.

- Mmm, strawberry.
- Hmm.

Your favorite kind.

Is there, uh, anything
I can do to help?

- Oh, uh, no, thank you.
- Hmm.

Well, just let me know
when dinner's ready.

"Verily I say unto you

whosoever shall not receive the
kingdom of God as a little--"

Well, playing quotations
and answers, hmm?

- 'Yes, father.'
- 'Yes, father.'

Enjoying yourselves?

- Yes, father.
- No, father.

What's that, Hartzell?

We've played
this game every Sunday

since Santa Claus gave it to me.

Gee, I'd rather play
like the other kids.

You know, son,
I'm a reasonable man.

I can imagine
it isn't easy for you

to be children
in a minister's family.

Particularly when the city
fathers have planned so badly

as to plant temptation right
outside the parsonage window.

But you know as well as I do
what the discipline has to say

about levity on the Sabbath.

Well, doesn't it mean them, too?

Yes.

But I expect you to
be an example to the others.

You know, son, you and I,
Eileen and mother, all of us

the pastor's family
are in a special category.

We are, uh.. Well, it's as if
we walked a sort of tight rope.

Balancing with one foot on Earth
and one foot already in heaven.

You want to go to heaven,
don't you?

Well, how do I know
I'll like it?

Well, young man, you..

You'd better make up
your mind to like it.

Since that's where we're all
ticketed to go.

- 'Dinner's ready.'
- Good.

I could eat a horse
with its harness on.

Me, too.

[doorbell rings]
Yeah.

Now who could that be
at this hour?

I'll see.

Don't they think we have to eat?

- Why, Mrs. Jellison.
- Good afternoon.

I was just passing by and..

Mrs. Jellison,
this is indeed a pleasure.

I do hope I'm not disturbing you

but I just had to tell you
how much I enjoyed the sermon.

Thank you.
It's very kind of you.

Oh, if I'm holding up
your dinner

I can come some other time.

Not at all. Not at all.

A good church member like you?

Children?

- Good afternoon, Mrs. Jellison.
- Good afternoon, Mrs. Jellison.

Good afternoon, Eileen...and
Hartzell.

Why, I haven't seen you since,
uh, Wednesday.

'Remember, at the movie house?'

You, uh, you saw my son
at a motion picture theatre?

Oh, surely you must be mistaken,
Mrs. Jellison.

Oh, I hope I haven't
said something I shouldn't..

'I-I couldn't have
been mistaken.'

He was coming out of the matinee
as I was going in, and--

Oh, yes, yes.

Mother, make Mrs. Jellison
at home.

I have some business
in the study.

Hartzell.

'Hartzell?'

[dramatic music]

Oh, my dear, I really
didn't mean to say anything.

I hope I haven't
caused any trouble.

Son, this is right along the
line I was talking to you about.

You're old enough to decide
what is right or wrong

and I want you to make up your
own mind about such things,

But If I were a butcher,
you'd be glad to help me

in the store, even
if you didn't like the work.

- Wouldn't you?
- Yes, sir.

If I were a carpenter, you'd be
glad to help me, wouldn't you?

Yes, sir.

Well, I'm a preacher.

You can see that what
you've done hasn't helped me.

In fact, it has embarrassed me.

It was a good picture.

It had Douglas Fairbanks.

And I didn't go on Sunday.

You think I'm an old fogey,
don't you?

Yes, sir. I mean, no, sir.

You mean, yes, sir.

- Tell me the truth.
- Yes, sir.

Suppose I ought to strop you.

But your incorrect thinking
must be my fault

so it's up to me to correct it.

You know what I'm going to do?

I'm going to
take you next Saturday

and point out in the film itself
why it's not good for you.

[instrumental music]

Two tickets, please.

All of yours to spend?

One for me
and one half fare for my son.

Uh, yes, sir.

[piano music]

(boy #1)
Hey, sit down!

- Who does he think he is?
- Shh. It's the preacher.

Holy mackerel!

[cheering and applauding]

(boy #2)
"'Bakeoven, the desert town'

stewing in its uncouth sins
beneath the brazen sun."

[applauding]

'"The Hello, uh..'

'...Dance Hall, baited
and set to disposal."'

There.

Is that an example
you want to follow?

[whistling]

You get what I mean?

Can you lend your presence
to such an exhibition?

[people whistling]

[indistinct chattering]

'"Handsome Jack Pressley,
the supposed proprietor '

'"of the Hello, uh..'

And leader of a sport
element of Bakeoven."

[audience booing]

(boy #3)
'"Dawn breaks
on the mountain home'

'of Preachin' Bill Hardy."'

[birds chirping]

[dramatic music]

(boy #2)
'"You've got
just one minute to tell'

'where you've hidden
Silent Marr.'"

[audience booing]

'"I'll make him talk.
Throw some bush in his church."'

[instrumental music]

[audience screaming]

[audience applauding]

[audience cheering]

[audience booing]

(boy #3)
'"This bandit took
the clean-up from the guard'

'"and then tore
my wife from my arms'

'"and dent-dented her.'

'She has not been seen.."'

[audience booing]

[audience cheering]

(boy #3)
'"This man lied.'

'"The wo-woman taken
from him was not his wife'

'"but was intended
for a life in his dance hall.'

'She is under
government protection."'

[audience gasp]

[audience cheering]

[audience booing]

[audience cheering]

[clamoring]

[audience cheering]

(all)
"Arrest these men!"

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

[clamoring]

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

[audience cheering]

(boy #3)
'"There's your princess,
Mister United Stated Marshal."'

[audience cheering]

[all cheering]

[all cheering]

[piano music]

- Why, father.
- Yeah, mother.

- Do my eyes deceive me?
- No, no.

- I was in there, alright.
- Can you imagine?

You know something, mother?
That picture wasn't bad.

In fact, it had a good moral.

How did you like "The Silent
Man," Brother Spence?

I liked it, Sister Sale.
I liked it.

- Oh, well.
- I'm glad you liked it.

And I'm glad you went.

You've always said yourself

we could do with
a little broadening.

Yes, sir. It was good.

It was downright good.

In fact, you know
what I'm going to do?

I'm going to
preach a sermon about it.

He who speaks to only
one generation is dead.

And therefore,
he who speaks to only

one generation is already dead.

And he who listens
to only one generation is deaf.

We should listen
to our children.

Sometimes we feel
that the younger generation

is going to perdition fast,
but if we lis..

[bell ringing]

But if we listen
and try to understand

we may change our minds.

'In fact, from the young
we may even learn a lesson.'

The church, too,
should listen to the young.

That it may keep
abreast of the times

and continue
its growth through them.

The Lord bless you
and keep you. Amen.

We'll dispense
with the closing hymn.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

[indistinct screaming]

Mother!

Mother, where are you?

Mother!

- 'Here I am.'
- Oh, darling.

Oh, the first time I ever

miss church
and the house burns down.

Did you save my books, mother?
Did you get my books--

- Yes, I did, but my new--
- Bless you for that, mother.

- What about the children?
- Well, they are safe, but--

- Where?
- Well, uh..

Frazer's at the Dibbles,
and the others

they're helping the fire
department.

- Hartzell, hang on to it.
- I am.

Come out, fellas.

[instrumental music]

Well, I've been trying to tell
you, my new hat's in there.

Look at that house burn.

As heartily as
any sinner in hell.

[dramatic music]

The firehouse is on fire.

Men, we can't save the parsonage

'but for Pete's sake, don't let
the firehouse burn down.'

(male #2)
'Bill, come on.'

[instrumental music]

But, Will, my new hat.

The one I paid five dollars for.

What a blaze.

Oh, mother, don't you cry.

What id the old parsonage
does burn up?

They needed a new one
and we're moving anyway.

My work here's just about done.

We're, we're moving?

Yeah, the, uh,
telegram came this morning

and I didn't have
time to tell you.

- Where are we going?
- Know what they want me to do?

They want to make me
district superintendent.

Me. Then they had another idea,
making me a missionary to India.

I answered that one, alright.

I said the real heathen
are in the church.

And to them
will I be missionary.

Now, dear, don't tell me
where we're not going

but where we are.

And about the parsonage.

Oh, I do hope
it's a nice one for a change.

You don't know how it hurts me
to bring up my children

the way we've had to.

Always on the move.

Never really being to able
to settle down anywhere.

And they're
normal children, Will.

They're entitled to
a respectable, permanent home.

Even if they are
the minister's family.

Well, to tell the truth, mother

I didn't enquire
about the parsonage.

But don't get your hopes up.

We're going to Sioux City.

There's a detachment
of troops stationed there

and as well as being pastor,
I'm going to be their chaplain.

I hear there are lot of young
men piling into the army

these days and they're going to
need spiritual guidance.

You mean you're going to
join the army?

- Well, in a way.
- Oh, Will.

Now, I guess, I'll have to bring
up my children in a pup tent.

Mother, mother,
they saved your new hat.

[instrumental music]

[laughing]

[dramatic music]

Well, sir, what do you thing of
Uncle Sam's cottages?

Well, not as much room
as the parsonage

but there aren't any loose
boards on the front porch.

[music continues]

I'm well and feel fine, mom.

So, don't you worry.

Don't you worry, either, son.

[music continues]

[explosions]

[all cheering]

Come on out..

- Mrs. Spence.
- What is it?

- The war's over!
- How many to ring the bell?

(male #3)
'It's all over!'

[crowd cheering]

- What is it?
- 'The armistice is signed.'

So it has come, at last.

[indistinct chattering]

This is no time for
riotous celebration

or the ringing of bells.

This is a time to give thanks
to our Heavenly Father

who's granted us this mercy.

[instrumental music]

Almighty God, we thank thee

for thy blessing
that this war has ceased.

We thank thee
for thy gift of courage

which alone has carried us
through anxious days.

We ask thy blessing upon those
who will not again return

to live among us.

And we beseech the All Father

that war may never
come again to us

or to our children.

Help us to live
as brothers in Christ Jesus

that wars may be no more.

But if it be thy will

that we must ever again

in this imperfect world

defend our democratic
way of life

give us strength to do so

with courage and determination.

And in the troubled days ahead

when we are entering
what must be a new world

give us thy peace.

Amen.

(all)
Amen.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

Hartzell! Hartzell!

- Yes, sir.
- What are you doing?

I was fixing
a leak in the cellar.

Did you put a pan under
that leak in your room?

- Yes, sir, I did.
- Well, go up and empty it.

Please, it's overflowing
into the study.

Yes, sir.

[music continues]

[vessel clanking]

- 'Eileen?'
- Yes, mother?

(Hope)
'Eileen, let me have the flour.'

It isn't that
I'm complaining just to complain

but I want to dance,
all the girls I know dance.

The discipline forbids dancing

so you know that means
your father forbids it.

Here's the coal.

Looks like I have to do
everything around this house.

It looks like..

Arlene, let me cut the cookies.

Alright, Frazer dear, but be
careful and don't cut yourself.

'Not being able to do it
simply shuts me out of'

everything, mother.

Alright, I'll speak to him.

That much I promise.

But not this afternoon.

Saturday afternoon when your
father's preparing his sermon

he can't be disturbed,
you know that.

(William)
'Hope. Hope!'

Sounds to me like
father's already disturbed.

Mother! Mother.

- 'Yes?'
- You'd better hurry.

- What happened?
- Father wants you.

Oh, I'd already
gathered that, dear.

- 'Hope!'
- Mother, why is he yelling so?

Well, I'll soon find out.

Where's you father?

He's in there, mother.

- 'Hope, is that you?'
- Yes, dear.

Will, come out of there.

You're spoiling
your second best suit.

You know how many holes
are on this roof?

'Nine. Just in
this one section.'

- I just counted them.
- 'Yes, dear, I do know.'

Three in the hallway,
four in the boy's bedrooms.

(Hope)
'Two in Arlene's room,
one in ours.'

Well, that's an outrage.

Yes, dear, I told you last month
before the spring rains began.

It doesn't matter
what you told me last month.

Yes, I know that.
You're an independent thinker.

You like to discover
things for yourself.

Now, you found out we have 19
leaks, that makes it official.

You'd think
the parsonage committee

would so something about it.

Have you told Mrs. Sandow?

No, I haven't.

But I'd like to let myself go

and really tell her
what I think.

Rich old hen
sitting up there in your

stone chicken coup
on top of that hill.

Look at you.

Just because
you built the church

you think you can
run the whole shebang.

Well, I won't put up
with it any longer.

Stand up on the stool.

Every, every rope has an end

and so does a man's patience.

Now, dear, it won't do any good

to hold imaginary
conversations with Mrs. Sandow.

- Why don't you telephone her?
- Telephone, bosh.

I'm going to see her.

Not out in this rain.

Let's see if her house is dry

and we'll all be tighter
if it is.

Now dear, don't get too excited.
It's bad for your heart.

My wrath is righteous.
"Woe unto them

that decree unrighteous
decrees."

'Hartzell, another pan, please.'

We've used them all up.

Now, Hartzell,
please, don't argue with me.

Now that you're
in this mood at last

I'll come down
and help you on with your coat.

'Make sure
you don't change your mind.'

Oh, did-did you talk to mother?

Yes, she said
she'd talk to father

but the mood he's in today,
I don't think it'll do any good.

Hmm, no.

Well, let's just
keep working through her.

She'll help us
think of something.

Oh, Hartzell, why did our
father have to be a minister?

That's something
I've often wondered.

'Course, he's better than
he used to be.

Far ahead of most, I guess,
but there's still room

for a lot of improvement.

Well, as a father, he's just
about perfect, I guess.

But if only
he'd been a businessman.

Or-or even
a-a grocer or a plumber.

Anything but a minister.

Do you know what's
the worst part of it to me?

Being a minister's son, I mean.

No, what?

It ruins
my technique with women.

Your technique with women.

Alright, laugh if you want to
and I don't blame you.

But that's the trouble.

I haven't got any technique.

But it's not my fault,
it's the fault of my upbringing.

Why, do you know,
if I even get gay enough to

to try and hold
a girl's hand or anything

right away I'll remember
I'm a minister's son and..

- And I freeze up.
- I know.

Girls look at me different from
other fellas, too.

I don't know, they expect
me to act different.

Why, if I even try to
put my arm around one of them

they right away
bring up that old one

about all minister's sons
being wild.

Don't you
have the same problems?

Yes, in reverse.

Hmm. Hmm?

[instrumental music]

I, I came to see Sister Sandow.

Well, she's gone out
for the afternoon, Dr. Spence.

Well, that's too bad.

Does, uh, does your roof leak?

Oh, never mind.

Good day.

[instrumental music]

- Dr. Spence?
- 'Hello, Samson.'

Why, doctor,
this is a surprise.

How nice and dry
you are here.

Parsonage roof has 19 leaks.
I just counted them.

Well, I'm sorry
to hear that, doctor.

I suppose you've come to see
Mrs. Sandow, but..

She isn't home.

Her lawyer drove her out
into the country

to look at one of her farms.

Even in the rains, she keeps her
appointments with her lawyer.

Then Samson, suppose you and I
have a little chat.

I'd like to ask you upstairs

but I'm afraid my place isn't
fit to receive my pastor.

Ah, since a man's home
is his inner spirit

all he needs in a house
is a roof over his head.

Yeah, a roof over his head
without leaks.

Yeah, mind that step, sir.

It's bad out today.

Yes, it is.

Very nice of you
to call on me in the rain.

But you oughta come
on a better day.

On a good day, you'd be
working in your garden.

Today we can talk.

Is that so?
You're a wise man, doctor.

Couldn't I make you
a cup of tea?

- Oh, now, don't you bother.
- Oh, it's no bother.

No bother at all.

The kettle is always
boiling.

I, uh, I must apologize
for my room.

But you're the first guest
I've ever had.

'Twenty-two years and no one.'

I'm going to open
the special box of tea

that Senator Harton
gave me once for driving him.

I've been waiting
to prepare tea with it.

'Uh, sugar, doctor?'

No, thank you.

You shouldn't go through
so much trouble for me, Samson.

But you're my pastor.

I like the way you said that.

I've been called
a lot of things in my time.

Sometimes even
that meddling old fool.

Sometimes better names,
sometimes worse.

Does your pastor mean
that much to you?

Of course, you do, doctor.

Haven't I watched you laboring
since you came?

Visiting the sick,
helping folks to die in peace

'during the awful influenza
epidemic.'

Joking with people during the
bad times of the depression.

Never sparing yourself
day or night.

I know the sacrifices
you've made.

Thank you, Samson.

I think you'll like it. It's
supposed to be very fine tea.

I meant thank you
for your words.

A fine cup of tea, too.

Doctor, don't you know that
there are hundreds of people

in your church that think
the same about you that I do?

Didn't you know that?

At the moment,
I need reminding.

Oh, Samson, you're
a remarkable man.

You haven't missed
a Sunday evening service

during my ministry here.

I see that you read
your Bible, too.

It's my only companion.

You have no friends?

Mrs. Sandow doesn't like me
to have them.

They cause talk, gossip.

She's afraid of gossip.

So you live here all alone,
never seeing anyone.

Oh, Mrs. Sandow has me in
after supper for prayers.

'In fine weather, I talk
to the maids in the garden.'

'But I need no friends.'

'I have my Bible
and my flowers.'

'They are enough.
Shall I get you some more tea?'

No more, Samson.
Thank you for your kindness.

I came here in anger
and I leave

with a lesson
in Christian humility.

Would you like to pray with me
before I go?

I'd be honored, sir.

Never be honored at the person
who offers prayer, Samson.

Be honored with at privilege
of praying to God.

I am, always.

Almighty God

we thank you thee
for the privilege

of walking humbly in thy sight.

Of doing thy work.

Of living in the world
of Christ Jesus.

We thank thee
for the flowers and the birds

and for every living and growing
thing that enriches our lives

and brings us testimony
of thy goodness.

Bless thou thy
servant in this house.

Be with him and comfort him.

That his days maybe rich and
abundant with thy great love.

[instrumental music]

- Oh, you startled me.
- Is that a new one?

Yes, just started.

That makes 20 leaks.

It's indecent.

The stew's a little weaker
tonight than usual.

You'll know the reason why.

Well, take off your coat.

Why you staring at me?

Because I'm seeing you
for the first time.

What an absurd thing to say.

You've seen me everyday
for 20 years.

Just what I mean.

I haven't been able to see
the forest for the trees.

Whatever you're saying
I'm sure is very profound

but if you don't get out
of those wet clothes

you'll catch cold.

I'm seeing you
as you are, Hope.

The wife of a parson.

I'm remembering the trials
you've had to put up with.

The series of parsonages
that you've had to live in

and bring up your children in.

Each home
dingier than the other.

I'm remembering your dream
of having a nice home.

Try the stew.

Hmm. It's good.

You worked in the church.

Sunday school,
missionary societies.

The so and so club.

Committee for the elevation
of the plight of the poor.

Full time job in itself.

Still you've managed
to find time to..

...manage your house.

Just cook and mend
and scrub for a family.

Rear children,
comfort a husband.

Doin' all this,
with the serenity of a Madonna.

Thank you, Will.

There's nobody who can turn
a praise as well as you can.

Mother, we're gonna have
a new parsonage.

Yes. What did Mrs. Sandow say?

She wasn't home
but her house was dry.

Even the garage was dry.

What's necessary for a car

oughta be necessary
for a preacher.

I've had enough of this.

- What are you goin' to do?
- I don't know.

Well, it's goin'
to be difficult.

Parsonage is just
so handy to the church.

You'll never get them
to build a new one.

Not as long as this one stands,
certainly.

Hmm..

That's an idea.

Now, Will, you're not going
to burn this one down?

No, but I'm gonna get a new
church built right on this spot.

The they'll have to build
a new parsonage.

That's it,
that's what I'll do.

You're not going to build a new
church to get a new parsonage?

Oh, yes, I am.
You watch and see.

Besides, we need a new church.

Have needed one for years.

Why should people
have money to spend

on everything
except a new church?

That's it. We're gonna
get a new one.

And Mrs. Sandow is gonna pay
for most of it.

Let me at that telephone.

[instrumental music]

Three-one-eight-two, Greenway.

Hello, may I speak
to Dr. Romer, please?

This is Dr. Spence.

[instrumental music]

Just make a few calls
around, John.

See how folks feel about it.

Much better if the impetus
comes from you

instead of the pastor.

That's right.

Thank you, John. Goodbye.

[doorbell rings]

Well, Mrs. Sandow, we don't
often get to see you.

Is Mr. Spence at home?

Well, yes, he's in the study.

Very well.

Well, well, Mrs. Sandow
you couldn't have come

on a more opportune time.

I was just sayin'
to Dr. Romer--

Brother Spence, I hear
you've been calling on Samson.

Yes, indeed.
Fine devote man.

I'll have none of it.

Excuse me, I didn't
hear you correctly.

Yes, you did. I said,
"I'll have none of it."

You mean, I cannot
call on Samson?

You may not. Or I'll be the
laughing stock of the town.

Do you realize what you've done?

You've put Samson
on my social plain.

You are my pastor
and you'll call on me.

My gardener belongs
in the garden.

Your gardener is also
a member of my church.

Not at all.
He attends evening service.

- Well, Sister Lydia--
- Don't you sister me.

Tell me, don't you have
Samson in for evening prayers?

I do and I also have prayer
with my maids.

As mistress of my house,
I'm responsible for my servants

and that includes
their devotions.

But I don't invite
my servants to tea.

And I don't expect them
to invite my friends

to have tea with them.

But we're all children of God.

There's no distinction
in his sight.

"As you would do under me

do even so
under the least of these."

Don't you start quoting
scripture to me.

You ministers are all alike.

You confide the precedent
of the Bible

for everything. Even sin.

I will not comment your
having tea with my servants.

I'm sorry, Sister Lydia.

But I cannot accept
your way of thinking.

Then you are no longer
my pastor.

From this day on,
I'm a Baptist.

[dramatic music]

She's leaving.

Gonna be a Baptist.

Well, there goes you church
and my parsonage--

Not on your life.

This church is not
a one man proposition.

Nor a one woman one, either.

We can put up a church
without her.

(William)
'Now, what I had
in mind gentlemen'

'was that, uh,
while we're thinking'

'of building a new church'

we could take a good look
at the old one.

If we can stand it.

That was why I suggested

the building committee
meet here.

I suppose you all have
your own ideas

about what kind of a church
we should have

so let's get them all out
in the open right now.

Who wants to talk first?

Well, as the chairman
of the committee I think--

Gentlemen, as an architect
you probably--

That way you know
exactly how I feel

about this whole thing--

That's pretty close to a tie.

So I'll settle it
by beginning myself.

In fact, I already have begun.

I've written
to the Central Committee

and gotten sketches
of all the latest ideas.

While we're building,
we'd better build the best.

- Why do we need a new church?
- Yes, why do we?

My grandfather designed this one

and it's always
served its purpose.

Lot of souls have been saved
in this church.

Well, while we're saving
these souls, Clayton

there's no harm in making
their bodies more comfortable.

Did our founder John Wesley
preach in the church like this?

No, he didn't.
And he had the right idea, too.

May I add, Dr. Spence

all a church needs
is four walls and some benches.

And the harder the benches,
the better.

People don't come to church
to take a nap.

No, they come to worship
and to feel the presence of God.

Which is exceedingly difficult
in this monstrosity.

You better get another
architect. I withdraw.

Well, it seems to be
an easy answer to that one.

Right. It's easy enough for me.

I'm afraid
we were too hasty, John.

We need Clayton.

I don't see how we're going
to get along without him.

Dr. Spence, will you
kindly explain to me why

in the proposed plans,
you've changed

the location
of the choir loft?

Is the, uh, choir moved,
Preston?

- You know, very well it is.
- Well, it's true.

It's split and moved
to the sides.

And you're quite right,
it is a little hidden

by this beautiful
ornamental wood carving.

Well, my wife won't like it.

My cousin, Lulu Digby,
won't like it.

The Hodges and the Rhodes
won't like it.

And I don't like it.

Well, I've always thought
the function of a choir

was to be heard
rather than seen.

Are you implying
that my wife's face

is not fit to look at?

Not at all, not at all.

Now, let's just talk this
over quietly, Preston.

Will it help to shorten
the conversation

if I remind you that my
donations to this church

have been rather considerable?

Top of the list.
Year after year.

- And I've been grateful.
- Hmm.

I'd planned on a donation
to the new church of

something over $50,000.

Well, it's a lot of money.
It's a lot of money.

Of course, I'd put you down
for $75,000

but even so
it's a lot of money.

Do you even know
what it would've mean

if I withdrew my support
from this project?

Sure. We know
what it would mean.

None of your old cronies
would contribute either.

And all those people
you've got under your thumb

who work in your bank
and in your factories.

They'd be afraid
to contribute, too.

Romer, you have
the general idea.

Now, gentlemen we can't--

Gentlemen, I'm afraid
we're not getting

very far this evening, let's all

go home and think it over.

Perhaps we can meet again
next week.

- And perhaps not. Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

Now, there's no choice,
our position is clear.

We'll be home early tonight.

My wife will be surprised.

[indistinct chatter]

How you could keep
your patience..

Practice.

Hope says I let it
out at home later.

On her and the children.

Disgusting squabbling,
petty grown men, too.

No, John, it wasn't
what you'd call disgusting.

Not down right disgusting.

You get a few Methodists
together and they always fight.

It's a good sign,
healthy sign.

Shows they think enough of
their church to fight about it.

Yes, but not enough
to build a new one.

Oh, I guess we just have to sit
on that church building idea

for a while.

Bill, do you believe
in what you told them

about wanting a church that's
both beautiful and spiritual?

Yeah, of course, I did.

- Well, then fight for it.
- Wait.

- Thurston?
- Well, stand up to that bully.

Well, John, many churches
have their bosses.

You, you learn
to get along with them.

Their big contributions--

A bully is usually
a coward, Bill.

If you'd lick him on this

choir issue, you'll have him
licked on everything.

I have been worrying about
that choir for a long time.

Ah, that's a disgrace.

All his family
and all his friends

smack dab up there in the middle
of the shebang every Sunday.

Carrying on like
prima donna opera stars.

And the reason to voice in
that whole choir

that didn't cracked
about the year 1900.

John, you know, I don't think
I can preach very many

more sermons with that
caterwauling in ears.

Jolly..

Have you got a plan?

Well, sort of.

Something that might
get rid of our present choir

and set Thurston down a peg
or two at the same time.

- It's pretty drastic though.
- It'd have to be drastic.

He's about as delicate
himself as a steamroller.

What is it?

I suggest you come to church
on Children's Day.

[instrumental music]

♪ Come thou fount of ♪

♪ Every blessing ♪

♪ Tune my heart
to sing thy grace ♪

♪ Streams of mercy
never ceasing ♪

♪ Call for songs
of loudest praise ♪

♪ Teach me some
melodious sonnet ♪

♪ Sung by flaming
tongues above ♪

♪ Praise the Mount
I'm fixed upon it ♪

♪ Mount of Thy ♪

♪ Redeeming love ♪

♪ Amen ♪♪

No Children's Day services
would be complete

without our special
offertory anthem.

Today, however,
I have a surprise for you

and for the choir.

'Perhaps,
I should say the children'

'have a surprise for you.'

In their own
devotional exercises

downstairs every Sunday

'they've been following
a project'

'learning hymns and anthems.'

In fact, a pick group of them

have been rehearsing
with all their might and main.

'"The Children's Prayer
from Hansel and Gretel."'

Now I feel
that we should recognize

and encourage
the children's efforts.

'They are the future members
of our church.'

Therefore,
with the gracious consent

'of the members of our choir'

I suggest that the children
substitute for them today

and render the offertory anthem.

'Thank you. Thank you.'

No one having dissented,
we will proceed.

[instrumental music]

♪ When at night I go to sleep ♪

♪ Fourteen angels
watch do keep ♪

♪ Two my head are guarding ♪

♪ Two my feet are guiding ♪

♪ Two upon my right hand ♪

♪ And two upon my left hand ♪

♪ Two who warmly cover ♪

♪ Two who o'er me hover ♪

♪ Two to whom 'tis given ♪

♪ To guide my steps ♪

♪ To heaven ♪

♪ When at morn
I wake each day ♪

♪ Golden sunbeams
round me play ♪

♪ The flowers nod to greet me ♪

♪ And birds fly down
to meet me ♪

♪ Soft warm breezes kiss me ♪

♪ And whisper
that they miss me ♪

♪ O'er this
there sail ♪

♪ Most lightly ♪

♪ White clouds
come for a party ♪

♪ And to be their children ♪

[choir singing]

♪ Oh Lord ♪

♪ Bring me to heaven ♪♪

Nothing is so rich to a father

as the sound
of his children's voices.

I'm sure our heavenly Father
is as pleased as we are

with the fine singing
we've just heard.

A happy thought
has occurred to me.

Our loyal choir has had no rest
in nearly 12 years.

That is right, isn't it,
uh, Sister Thurston?

Thirteen years.

Thirteen years.

That is service
deserving of reward.

Why don't you good singers
take a vacation this summer?

'In the meantime,
we'll let the children'

'provide the music
for the church.'

[applauding]

Alright. Alright.

I-I accept that applause

as a tribute
to our faithful choir.

'Over the summer,
we'll let you rest.'

The, uh, children will carry on.

[clears throat]

My text for today is, uh,
from Chronicles 14, 15th Verse.

"And the children of Israel
fled before Judah.."

- I enjoyed it very much.
- Thank you. Thank you.

- Yes, wonderful, sir.
- Thank you very much.

I'd like a word with you,
Dr. Spence.

- Yes, of course.
- Right now!

- Oh. Excuse me.
- Certainly.

I presume you're rather
proud of yourself?

Well, Preston, I didn't think
my sermon this morning

was anything to brag about.

I'm not referring to the sermon.

He's talking
about those children.

Oh, yes, I was

very proud of them.

Did I do alright, Father?

Run along, son.

I got 'em clapping
like anything, didn't I?

Uh, you'd better go home, dear.

So the whole thing
was a put up job.

Yes, Preston, I guess we'd have
to say it was a put up job.

For years, I've let you run
the choir as you wanted

and many is the Sunday I have
gone home with a headache.

Think of that multiplied by 300

and you'll get a rough idea
of the headache

our congregation
has had to put up with.

I demand that you reinstate
the choir at once.

If you don't, we won't--

We won't beat about the bush,
Dr. Spence.

Those children
are not going to sing again

while I am at the head
of the music committee.

You don't mean that,
Mrs. Thurston.

You're just excited
and I can't blame you.

I do mean it and I'll mean it
tomorrow and the next day

or any day you name.

(William)
'Then, Mrs. Thurston, I can
only accept your resignation'

with thanks
for your many years of service.

What do you mean,
accept her resignation?

May I remind you
the church appointments

are made and unmade by me?

That is a condition which no
longer exists in this church.

In that case,
this church is no longer

big enough for you and me.

Oh, I think it is, Preston.

Just remember what I say.

One of us will go.
Come along, Martha.

And I have a good idea
which one it'll be.

I seem to be going
forward backward.

Mrs. Sandow, architect Porter
and now Thurston.

They're not the church.

And to think
that all this started

with my trying to build
something.

[instrumental music]

I'm surprised there are so many.

Yes, but all so little.

There are no little
contributions

to Christ's work, John.

No little members
of a congregation

of one of his churches,
all are of equal worth.

But unhappily,
not of equal worth at the bank.

Elias Sampson, $25.

Do you realize
what that cost him?

Horris Night. $200.

He has a boy
who wants to study medicine.

Mrs. Lane. 50 cents.

She hasn't 50 cents to spare.

Yes, I know
and that's all very fine.

But now notice the total
of these contributions

of the faithful,
and you'll see how thoroughly

Thurston has done his work.

We couldn't get past
putting in the foundation.

Well, the foundation
is something.

It's the beginning.

Keep at it, John, will ya?

Oh, of course, of course.

Oh, by the way I'm doing
a nice cholecystectomy

tomorrow morning, come around
and watch, if you've got time.

Got to keep you up to
your mark in your medicine.

- Thanks, I'll do that, John.
- Fine.

You know, Bill,
you'd have made a good doctor.

What a pity
you became a preacher.

At a time like this,
I could take that two ways.

Well, you know
which way I mean it.

[chuckles]
Yes. You bet I do.

Thanks for everything, John.

Cheer up. Might be a lot worse.

And, Bill,
stop driving yourself.

- Remember that heart of yours.
- Gosh.

- Hello, Hartzell.
- How do you do, sir?

Hartzell?
It's only two o'clock.

Why aren't you at school?

- You aren't playing hooky?
- No, sir.

Something's happened.
You better tell me.

I've been expelled.

Expelled?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Haskins called me
into the principal's office

and said I was dismissed.

Why? What for?

(Hope)
'Is that you, Hartzell?'

- Yes, mother, I..
- Y-you come in here.

[dramatic music]

Was it because you threw
that Christmas decoration

uh, full of water
at Miss Mitchell?

You apologized for that
as I told you, didn't you?

It..
It wasn't that.

Was it that editorial
you wrote for the school paper

about teaching geometry
to students

who were interested in English?

No, sir, Mr. Haskins said

I've done a good job
on the paper.

A-and he said
I was the best cheerleader

they've had for some time.

Well?

And he said they were counting
on my flute

in the orchestra concert.

He said it was mainly because
I'm so prominent in this school

that..

And he was embarrassed
to expel me.

You know, Hartzell,
I'm doing my best.

You keep on telling me what it's
not, we'll never get anywhere.

Now just skip all that
and tell me what it is.

Well...do you know
Elsey Mayfield, father?

I know some Mayfields.

A Congregationalist family,
aren't they?

Her father is an electrician.

I don't know if he's a
Congregationalist or not.

Did you try to convert her?
Is that it?

No, sir.

You see, Elsey was
in my Latin class..

Well, now we're getting
somewhere I suppose.

But she isn't anymore.

Yeah, but why
isn't Elsey Mayfield

in your Latin class anymore?

As her family has moved
to San Francisco.

Well, Hartzell, it seems
entirely reasonable

to me that if a family
has moved to San Francisco

Elsey would no longer be
in your..

Son, I'm going to loose
my patience in a moment.

Mr. Haskins said it was on my
account that family moved away.

He said they had to get Elsey
out of town.

Do I have to say
anymore father?

[dramatic music]

Son, I want you
to answer me a question.

If ever in your life you lied
to me, don't do it now.

If you were responsible,
I'll stand behind you

but if you're not responsible

someone is going to
hear from me.

Son, are you
or are you not guilty?

No, sir, I'm not.

I believe you.

- You haven't told your mother?
- No, sir.

Good. I wouldn't tell her.
It would only worry her.

Alright.

(William)
'Uh, just a moment,
Mr. Haskins.'

You say that
our superintendent of schools

has got the story
from Mr. Claypool

who overheard it at
a luncheon club meeting.

Yes.

He was sitting at a table
with several men

and he didn't remember
who had imparted the news.

So I visited all four of them.

Uh, you'd be surprised,
Dr. Spence, all the blind alleys

I've been up the last few days.

A certain man's secretary

was given the news
by a manicurist.

She received it
from an acquaintance

who got it from one
of Elsey Mayfield's friends.

Which friend?

Uh, Dorothy Ledbetter.

Dorothy Ledbetter.

The chief tale bearer
of the queen's sister's circle.

They do a lot of good,
that group, but they're also

the wireless gossip
dispensers in town.

Which one of the good sisters
started it?

I went to see Dorothy Ledbetter.

She'd been to tea one afternoon
at Lulu Digby's and--

- Did you say Lulu Digby?
- Yes.

Dorothy had gotten
the story there.

Perhaps, she betrayed
the confidence.

She wasn't quite sure.

Lulu Digby.

One more step and we arrive
at Mrs. Preston Thurston.

Thank you.

I hope those people
are very happy.

They've done a fine job
of ruining a young boy's life.

[instrumental music]

Oh, how do you do?

Good afternoon.

[dramatic music]

[knocking on door]

Come in. I'm not asleep.

That's just it. You should be.

Dr. Romer ordered you to sleep.

Then he ought to order the
wheels here t-to stop spinning.

I don't mean to pry
but perhaps if you tell me

what kind of bad news
you've had?

Oh, this letter? No, as a matter
of fact it's probably good news.

Perhaps, providential,
who knows.

There's a pastorate
vacant in California.

The bishop wants to know if I'd
be interested in moving.

Moving? You mean you--

I'm through here, Hope.

When a pastor
is no longer wanted

he can be of no service
to his congregation.

Just because Preston Thurston--

He's got me licked.

He has licked me
and he knows it.

I can never
get the church built now.

But even that won't satisfy him.
Who knows where he'll stop?

Perhaps, he'll even begin
to attack me through my family.

What about this new post?

Is it a definite offer?

Seems to be.

We're invited to go out
and look things over and decide.

Shall we?

Well, what would be the harm?

It'll be a nice trip.

The rest will do you good.

[instrumental music]

Everything you've hoped for.

Yeah. And the parsonage.

You liked it, didn't you?
I could tell.

The look in your eyes.

Like a kitten
set before a dish of cream.

Everything I've hoped for.

All I have to do is say yes.

That's all, Will.

It's a very little word.

Maybe too little.

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

I can't do it.

Accept the fruits
of another man's labor

would be like stealing.

And I can't quit
in the middle of a fight.

Become known as a man
who couldn't finish a job.

I'm going home.

I'm glad, Will.

Where was it
the Mayfield family moved to?

- The Mayfield family?
- Uh, San Francisco, wasn't it?

Would you like to go home
by way of San Francisco, hmm?

We could see the Golden Gate.

[doorbell buzzing]

Good afternoon.

Why, it's Dr. Spence.

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

- I heard you were away.
- I'm back.

I suppose you're coming
on your hands and knees

to invite us
back into the choir.

Not on your life.
I came to haul you into court.

You and your whole tribe
with you, including you.

- Mercy me!
- You'll do what?

Mrs. Thurston, thank God
I'm a Christian or I'd kill you.

Dr. Spence, what on earth
has come over you?

You cooked up a fine scheme to
get me out of town, didn't you?

But you overlooked one thing,
Mrs. Thurston.

A preacher stops
being a preacher

and starts being a father
when his son is attacked.

I don't know
what you're talking about.

'Don't add another posit
to your sins.'

'I know the whole story.'

Tallulah Digby?

I'm going to tell from my pulpit

what you and your crowd have
done, and shame you publicly.

- Oh, no!
- Oh, yes, you.

And you and your husband
and your cousins

and your brothers-in-law
and the whole

scheming crowd of you.

The Mayfields moved
to San Francisco

only because the father
got a better job.

And believe me, I know. I went
to San Francisco and found out.

You crucified a guiltless boy.

You got together
with your whole clan

and hatched the scheme,
didn't you?

'Didn't you?'

You don't deserve to live.

The only reason you don't die
is because the good Lord

wouldn't know
what to do with you.

What are you going to do?

I'm going to make you
suffer the way..

No, I'm not evil.

With the great deal
of assistance

from the Thurston family

I'm going to build a new church.

Good afternoon, ladies.

[sobbing]

(Will)
'Wonderful people, architects.'

'Imagine being able to build a
perfect-scale model like this.'

(Hope)
'The more wonderful being able
to build the church.'

It'll never get built
unless we go to work.

Now, let's see, uh..

I'll set Thurston here,
Potter over there.

John right here for my support.
Eileen, what is it you want?

You've been standing here in
my way for the last 15 minutes.

I asked you about
the social center, father.

For the last time, Eileen

there isn't going to be
a social center.

We're building a place
for worship. Not for tomfoolery.

But it wouldn't
have to be part of the church.

It could be a separate building.

I get everything smoothed over
with the committee

and now this has to spring up,
in the bosom of my own family.

Now dear, I'm sure Eileen means
it as a compliment to you.

What do you mean a compliment?

Is opposing your own father
a compliment?

She just means that you've
made the church something

that isn't just
a Sunday thing anymore.

It's a seven-day proposition.

Clubs and organizations meeting
almost everyday or night.

If they had a place to meet in
outside the worship rooms--

And maybe a little stage

for pageants
and amateur theatricals.

Yeah, and, father,
all the fellas are talking about

how swell it would be
if we had a gym.

Now, don't you start.

For all the trouble
you've been in, I should think

you'd say as little as possible.

- I wasn't in any trouble.
- Huh! No trouble?

But you said yourself
I was a crucified lamb.

Never mind what I said when
I was feeling sorry for you.

- Father, here's Dr. Romer!
- Good evening, everybody.

Oh, hello, hello, John.
Vipers in my own bosom.

John, may I talk with you
a minute?

Why, there's nothing
that I'd like better.

What do you want to
talk to him about?

Nothing important, dear.
Hartzell, Eileen, come in here.

What's everybody leaving me for?

Who's going to help me
fix these chairs?

You can fix them, dear,
if we did

you'd only fix them
all over again.

(Will)
'Now, what are you up to? You..'

And, Preston,
your generous contribution

of $85,000
is going to be of big help.

Eighty-five thousand..

Come-come to think of it,
that's just the amount

I had in mind contributing.

Well, then, I guess
that settles everything.

- Except the recreation center.
- Oh, now, John--

But I've changed
my mind about it.

That's what I wanted to tell ya.

I am willing to bow
to your judgment.

- Why you, you--
- You see.

If we don't build
a recreation center

we won't have to tear down
the old parsonage.

What do you mean
not tear down the parsonage?

The parsonage is a solid,
substantial building.

- Perfectly satisfactory.
- Of course.

And there will be plenty of room
there to get the new church in

without disturbing
this building at all.

Therefore, we won't have to
build a new one.

Mother's parsonage.

Besides, it'll save
a lot of money.

I-I had never thought of it,
but of course, you're right.

And with that saving
we could each

cut down our contribution
a little.

Well, now, wait a minute,
gentlemen. Wait-wait a minute.

Let-let's not jump to any,
uh, snap judgments.

My only argument
against the recreation center

is the admonition against
levity within the church.

But, on the other hand there is
the problem of providing

good, clean fun for our youth.

Maybe it would be a good thing.

'Maybe it would keep them out
of pool rooms and parked cars.'

Gentlemen,
I think we should plan here.

Let us prove that this tenet
of our discipline

should be revised.

We'll build
the recreation center.

Bravo.

Mother's lived with me too long
and learned too much.

Well, she's outflanked me,
and you've helped her.

Wait a minute, boys,
wait a minute.

Adding a whole new building
is going to throw our budget

sky-high again.

Then we'll have to
cut out something.

Oh, then we'll have
to find something.

Here, what about this item?

"One stained glass
Tree of Jesse window."

Oh, no, John, now,
I-I want that window.

But that's a lot of money.
And this.

One Skinner organ.
Ten thousand dollars.

We have to have an organ.

It could be added later.

And here's a big item, uh..

- "A caril--"
- Carillon.

- Carillon?
- Yes, that's a high class name.

To what amounts
to just a set of bells.

Upset us. Twenty five thousand
dollars for a set of bells?

- Oh, whoever heard of such--
- Oh, I never--

Now, listen to me. We-we can't
cut out any of these items.

I've ordered them.
The organ is on its way.

The carillon is on its way
from Switzerland.

I'm sorry to interrupt this
pleasant meeting, gentlemen

but Mrs. Sandow is here
to see you, Will.

Oh, send her away.

I've tried to send her away,
but she won't go.

She said she'll sit
on the front steps

and sing hymns
until you consent to see her.

Alright, alright, I'll see her.

Excuse me, gentlemen,
I-I'll be right back.

Romer, you have influence
over the doctor.

You must persuade him not to go
into these foolhardy things.

Twenty five for a set of bells.

[indistinct chatter]

Doctor Spence.
Dear Doctor Spence.

- Go home.
- I'm a sinful old woman.

Have you been neglecting
your prayers?

Oh, my, no.

I mean, because of going over
to the Baptists.

I don't see any sin in that.

I think Brother Carmichael's
flock will get to heaven

as fast as we will.

And he's a good preacher.

Don't you want me back?

No.

Frankly, the church is at peace
for the first time in years.

But my husband Patrick,
he built the old church.

I feel so out of things.

Your husband was a sinful man,
Sister Lydia.

But his last ten years
were a model to this community.

In our new new church we should
have a mighty carillon

from Switzerland.

Chimes to peel out
across the town

as his goodness rang out
on rich and poor alike.

Then let me get the chimes, if
only as a memorial for Thaddeus.

No, no, people who have scrimped
and saved give a few dollars

would feel very badly
if you gave so much.

- Then let me do it anonymously.
- Oh, they'd guess.

But you could say that you
raised the money

from new sources.

That would be untruthful.
No, Sister Lydia.

It just can't be done by any one
member of the church.

And you're not even a member.

Excuse me, I must get back
to the meeting.

I'll renew my membership.

We would be very glad
to have you back.

I'll double my subscription.

That would be most generous.

If you'd care to give
a Tree of Jesse window

in your husband's memory

I am sure no one would be hurt
by that gesture

in memory of Thaddeus.

I will and Thaddeus
will give the chimes.

In his will he left a memorandum
that if ever a new church

was built, he wanted
to contribute something.

That was very generous
and far-seeing of your husband.

On behalf of the church

I accept his bequest
of a Tree of Jesse window

and a $25,000 set of chimes.

And a $10,000 Skinner organ.

Take this twice a day.

And don't just get it filled,
but take it.

Push, push, push.

Oh, no, you've been working
pretty hard.

You put yourself through
a terrible strain

getting that church built.

Now do me a favor.
Forget this new plan of yours.

Your heart won't stand it.

I have to get myself
a new doctor.

My present one
is too much of an alarmist.

And I'll have to get
myself a new patient.

My present one refuses
to take me seriously.

- Goodnight, John.
- Goodnight. Goodnight, Hope.

Say goodnight to John, dear.

- Goodnight, John.
- See you soon.

Where are the children, dear?

Frazer's in bed, Eileen and
Hartzell have gone out.

And what's this
new plan of yours?

Something I wanted to talk over
among all of us.

You know, mother,
the next church I build

I'm gonna put in
some outdoor tennis courts.

It's a good thing
to keep the young folks

close to the church.

Will, what was it
you wanted to discuss

with the children and me?

Jolly, if I were only
a young man now.

What an opportunity there is
to work without the old taboos?

'Will.'

If you don't tell me,
I'll go down and find out

from Dr. Romer tomorrow.

Christianity dying! Humbug.

It's just beginning to live.

People are more Christian
in their homes

than in their hearts.

Look at the figures
and you'll see that membership

of Christian churches
continually increases

year after year.

'Don't let anybody fool you
about Christianity.'

If God thought his church
were in any danger

he'd come to its rescue.

I know what it is.

We're going to move.

It couldn't be anything else,
now don't try to deny it, Will.

Well, uh..

We shifted right..

Just when we have
everything we wanted.

Home for our family

beautiful church for you.

Say, there's a little church
back in Iowa that's in trouble.

- I won't do it.
- I always did like Iowa.

- I like the country people.
- I won't let you do it.

I'll write to the bishop myself
and tell him.

But, you said the church
is in trouble, mother.

All the more reason,
your health won't stand it.

I heard what John said.

When a man stands still,
he stagnates.

I won't grow moss on my back.

Another fight will kill you.

What better way of dying
than in harness.

How long have you been thinking
about this?

Two or three weeks.

That long?

Then you've decided.

Yes, mother.

There's no sense in arguing.

We'll go.

I'll go with you.

Will, I'll be glad to go.

Entreat me not to leave thee.

Or to return from following
after thee.

For whither thou goest,
I will go.

Yes, dear. I know.