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JUDGE YE NOT

Marianne Shears

The church emptied very slowly; each parishioner lingered over

the handshake, savoring the humanness of this Man of God. Inspired

by his eloquence they felt confident of a mansion in Paradise.

The Reverend Blackston firmly grasped each hand and accepted

each proffered compliment. An easy smile blinded the church-goers
to the mind behind it. Sunday morning atonements did not erase

knowledge and memories from his thoughts. Every new hand raised
ghosts in his mind.

"Thank you. I am so glad you found my sermon meaningful."

Yes, Miss Angela, I am so glad I said something to please you. It's

so hard to know what to dare to say. Evil-minded witch. You claw

your enemies, and friends become enemies out of ear shot. Bear not

false witness, Miss Angela, bear not witness at all.

"Yes. I do think Christ would have felt that way." Of course,

I'm sure he would have. Why not start charity at home? Besides, the

company will never miss the money and your wife did so need that

second car.

"You're kind, Mrs. Forthe. Dinner? Thursday? I'm sure Mrs.

Blackston would love to." Oh yes, thank you for allowing us an eve-

ning of your time. Are you sure John won't mind? He has fewer

evenings with you now that Mr. Forthe is home.

Not everyone jarred the remembrance switch. Some only passed

by and went without verdict. Not blameless, only unknown. And yet

clerg~yman met tither smile to smile. .
The last reassured person had gone home to dmner and the

paper. The head usher had finished gathering up used bulletins and

was straightening the choir loft when the pastor's robe finally rested

on its hanger.
The two men smiled. As they went into the choir room the

minister turned to the steward, asking him, "How was the collection?

Better than last week, I hope." As he hurried to his dinner he heard

the steward's parting sentence, "I think you really got through this

time."

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