The First Reader of the local branch Church of Christ, Scientist, arose that Sunday morning with every intention of holding church just the same. "There might possibly be four or five people there," she thought.
People were being forced to leave their homes. Church members in danger were quickly located and taken in by fellow members living on safer ground. Their Second Reader was among these.
The First Reader arrived at the church door with two other hardy members. It was evident there would be no Sunday School that day. Most children were being evacuated, and others couldn't get through because bridges had been wiped out. A substitute Second Reader arrived. As church time drew closer, a substitute organist showed up with an evacuee church member. They said they would work out the problem of getting home when the time came. Another family arrived with a non-Science neighbor, although they had been told by police that their property was in considerable danger from a rising creek that was threatening to strand hundreds of homes. Everyone's morale soared as the chairman of the flower committee came in with a great armful of greenery and camellias and announced, "We're having church—with flowers." One member clad in boots, work pants, and rain jacket led the singing. He had been out trying to secure his home, which was in jeopardy. Many others arrived, including some more evacuees.
