eight o'clock
The lightning still blazed out in broad masses of fire , the thunder jarred and rattled amid the clouds like parks of artillery , and the rain continued to pour down unceasingly . The invitation to remain all night , which the farmer and his wife tendered in all sincerity , was not , of course , declined by the preacher . In the morning , after being served with a plentiful breakfast , Odell returned his warmest thanks for the kindness he had received , and proceeded on his journey . He had five miles to ride ; but it was only half-past eight o'clock when he started , and as the hour for preaching was ten , there was plenty of time for him to proceed at his leisure . As sister Russell lived nearly a mile away from a direct course , he did not turn aside to call upon her , but went on to the meeting-house . On reaching the little country church , Mr. Odell found a small company of men assembled in front of the humble building , who looked at him curiously , and with something of shyness in their manner , as he rode up and dismounted . No one offering to take his horse , he led him aside to a little grove and tied the reins to a tree .