half past nine
o'clock
Throwing into his voice much tenderness , sympathy , love , and persuasion , he called upon them to come forward , kneel in the straw , and seek a merciful Savior 's pardon . His appeal was with many most effective ; and when the congregation arose and started a gospel hymn , scores crowded to the altar seeking forgiveness and peace . For an hour Jasper , Viola , and the rest who had come from `` Mount Pisgah '' labored with the penitents at the altar . At half past nine o'clock , long before the service closed , they started for home . They were all lifted to a high plane of spiritual experience , and for some time each was busy with his or her own thoughts and few words were spoken . The moon had risen and was throwing her mild light through the thick trees as best she could . Gradually George LeMonde and the three girls got into a more talkative and merry mood .