It would be difficult to indicate the extent of the shock which this interruption measured.

It was so unexpected, so entirely contrary to any thought of any person present that it offered no room for argument or, for the time being, of resistance.
The sermon had come to a close.

Mr.Maxwell had just turned the half of the big Bible over upon his manuscript and was about to sit down as the quartet prepared to arise to sing the closing selection, "All for Jesus, all for Jesus, All my being's ransomed powers..." when the entire congregation was startled by the sound of a man's voice.

It came from the rear of the church, from one of the seats under the gallery.

The next moment the figure of a man came out of the shadow there and walked down the middle aisle.
Before the startled congregation fairly realized what was going on the man had reached the open space in front of the pulpit and had turned about facing the people.
"I've been wondering since I came in here"-- they were the words he used under the gallery, and he repeated them--"if it would be just the thing to say a word at the close of the service.