A crispation of interest passed over the congregation; every chin was raised.

Dr Drummond's voice had a wonderful claiming power, but he often said he wished his congregation would pay as undivided attention to the sermon as they did to the announcements.
"The usual weekly prayer meeting will be held in the basement of the church on Wednesday evening." Then almost in a tone of colloquy, and with just a hint of satire about his long upper lip-- "I should be glad to see a better attendance of the young people at these gatherings.

Time was when the prayer meeting counted among our young men and women as an occasion not to be lightly passed over.

In these days it would seem that there is too much business to be done, or too much pleasure to be enjoyed, for the oncoming generation to remember their weekly engagement with the Lord.

This is not as it should be; and I rely upon the fathers and mothers of this congregation, who brought these children in their arms to the baptismal font, there to be admitted to the good hopes and great privileges of the Church of God--I rely upon them to see that there shall be no departure from the good old rule, and that time is found for the weekly prayer meeting." Mrs Murchison nudged Stella, who returned the attention, looking elaborately uninterested, with her foot.