The Love of Azalea

Excerpt: It was drowsy in the little mission church and the gentle mellifluous voice of the young preacher increased rather than dispelled the sleepy peacefulness. The church if such it could be styled was well filled. The people of Sanyo knew it for the coolest of retreats. They drifted aimlessly in and out of the church making no pretence of either understanding or appreciating the proceedings. It was a curious congregation one which innocently enough never 6thought of assisting the pastor. They came to see the white priest not to listen to the pleading message he brought which as yet they could not understand. His Japanese was too correct. Spoken slowly and painfully in the unfamiliar accent of the Caucasian it was often quite unintelligible. But as was said the church was cool the villagers curious and the minister an unending source of wonder to them.