Religion: Wedding Bell

Rev. H. G. Wilks, vicar of St. John’s in Holmfirth, England was startled in his study to hear the bell of his church given one sudden, unwonted Bong.

Bong? thought the vicar. It was Saturday. Hmmm, hmmm . . . must investigate. The vicar left his study, walked into the church.

Kneeling by the altar rail was a woman, her head bowed. A middle-aged man was approaching her.

“I am here,” he said simply.

The two shook hands hesitantly, then suddenly embraced and knelt together by the altar.

Immoderately excited and inquisitive, Vicar Wilks stood it as long as he could, then asked the man and woman the reason for their sudden happiness. They readily explained. Afterward the vicar told newshawks, adding that the prominence of the two prevented giving their names:

“Years ago they had been married in this church. There was a separation by mutual consent. The woman felt she could never forgive.”

But there was one understanding: if she ever could forgive, she would indicate it by ringing the bell of St. John’s at 2 p. m. the Saturday preceding Sept. 11, the anniversary of their wedding.

“For ten years,” sighed the vicar, ”he had visited Holmfirth on that day. . . . Today his patience was rewarded.”