The Sun Gods Read Online Free PDF Page A

future.”
    Look at them beaming. I could call for $100 donations now and they’d come flocking up here.
    He saw the Reverend Hanamori looking at him oddly. Tom had made a point of defining precisely what his little message to the flock was going to be, and now he was wandering all over the landscape. “How my heart is moved by the love of God when I stand before you like this, and I know that you are the very chosen people who were there when it all began!” And, in fact, he was moved. What would these people have done? Where would they be today without the love and concern of God Almighty? Would they be kneeling before a golden idol? Prostrating themselves at the feet of some dreaming Buddha, damned forever to the fires of hell? How much more satisfying it was for him to work amid this benighted flock than among people of his own race, to see, in their very difference from himself, the souls that he had won for Christ. He felt the tears begin to well up, and he could feel the waves of emotion rushing toward him from all corners of the sanctuary.
    â€œGood people,” he went on, his voice husky now. “Forgive me if I have gotten off the track. Whenever I see you, I can’t help but think of those pioneer Isseis. They gave so much of themselves that we may have this abundant life, as God gave His only begotten Son that we may have everlasting life.” He drew his handkerchief from his back pocket and, chuckling and hanging his head, he wiped his eyes behind his spectacles, then looked up, glowing and triumphant. “Please, Reverend Hanamori,” he said, his voice ringing, “please explain to them how important it is to me and to all of us in the English-language congregation that all of our Nichigos be with us this afternoon in Jefferson Park. If there are any without rides, we will provide them. Let them come to see me, personally, after your service, and even if it means delaying the start of ours, they will be provided for.”
    Pastor Tom sent his smile once again to all in the sanctuary, and this time he saw the woman with Mrs. Nomura looking at him with intensity. He strode down the aisle and out through the door.
    Ordinarily, while the Nichigo service was in progress, Tom would be in his office, polishing the details of his sermon, but today he paced restlessly back and forth in the broad narthex, greeting the members of his congregation as they began to arrive. When that became tiring, he headed for the darkness of the back corridors.
    â€œDaddy!” he heard Billy’s squeaky, little shout as he passed the choir room. His son came running out with Mrs. Uchida close behind.
    â€œHe’s quite a handful for you, isn’t he?” Morton said to the old woman as she picked Billy up.
    â€œOh, no, Pastor Tom,” she puffed, the enormous bags under her eyes seeming to sag more than usual. “Come, Beelee.”
    Billy squealed and reached out for his father.
    â€œYou must learn to behave yourself,” said Tom, starting to walk away.
    â€œPastor Tom, we go with you?” asked Mrs. Uchida.
    â€œWell …” Tom hesitated. “All right.”
    â€œYou not busy?” she asked.
    â€œNo, not today. Not until the service begins.
    â€œCome, Beelee,” she murmured again, walking ahead of Tom down the hall.
    Billy loosened one arm from around Mrs. Uchida’s neck and put a finger in his mouth, rolling his eyes up as if in deep thought. Then, his forefinger glistening with saliva, he pointed down the corridor, smiling.
    â€œWah-tah!” he demanded.
    Tom knew that his son loved the drinking fountain in the narthex and would pester anyone in sight into lifting him up to it over and over again. Poor Mrs. Uchida had probably brought him to the choir room just to get away from the fountain.
    â€œWa- ter ,” Tom corrected him. “Wa- ter !”
    â€œWa- ter ,” mimicked Billy.
    â€œThat’s it,” Tom said, pleased.