His motives were good and he had come with no desire to scoff, but, for the life of him, he could not help feeling like a criminal.

Incidentally, it provoked him to feel that way.
"O Lord," prayed Captain Hammond, the perspiration in beads on his forehead, "Thou hast said that the pastors become brutish and have not sought Thee and that they shan't prosper.

Help us tonight to labor with this one that he may see his error and repent in sackcloth and ashes." They sang once more, a hymn that prophesied woe to the unbeliever.
Then Ezekiel Bassett rose to "testify." The testimony was mainly to the effect that he was happy because he had fled to the ark of safety while there was yet time.
"I found out," he shouted, "that fancy music and--ah--and--ah--sot sermons and fine duds and suchlike wa'n't goin' to do ME no good.
I needed somethin' else.

I needed good times in my religion" ("Hallelujah!") "and I've found 'em right here.

Yes, sir! right here.
And I say this out loud," turning to glare at the intruder, "and I don't care who comes to poke fun at me for sayin' it." ("Amen!") A sharp-nosed female followed Mr.Bassett.She spoke with evident feeling and in a voice that trembled and shook when her emotion carried it aloft.