It was 1763 in the New England Colony of Maryland; the Anglican Church was established and the Minister, Jacob Martin, was a newcomer to the states. At the age of twenty-five, he had his own congregation.
He brought with him, his young wife, Abigail who was barely nineteen. She was beautiful, lithe and her long, flowing auburn hair hung nearly to her waist. Her smile was bright, her song like an angels voice sent words of praise to the heavens and all of the parishioners adored her.
She always sat at the front of the church, prim and proper and smiled as her husband preached the gospel. After the service, she would stand beside Jacob and smile sweetly at the congregation as they shook hands with the Reverend, smiled and nodded at her then headed for their buggies and horses.
Once they had all gone, Jacob turned to his beautiful wife and would say, "Was the sermon too long?"
Abigail would smile at Jacob and shake her head. "It was a wonderful sermon, dear husband," then she would walk slowly back into the vestibule and start putting the sacred symbols in their places.
Jacob would clear the alter and then take his wife home and make love to her. He adored his wife and they prayed everyday that they would be blessed with a child. Their life felt empty without a young one around.
Every week, the congregation grew. New members were welcomed each and every Sunday. The community respected Jacob as a member of the community and the gospel that he preached.
They adored Abigail; her beauty fascinated all of the men and many of the women. She adored her husband's congregation. She enjoyed socializing with them after the service. Often, she prepared small cakes for the children and she read them stories while their parents listened to the sermon of the day.
New comers were told of the church whenever they moved to town so the church grew and grew by leaps and bounds.
On Sunday, after the service, a young man approached Abigail, and asked if he might talk with her after service. She agreed to meet him after the service.
His name was Nathan; he was a fine looking man of twenty-one. Dark black hair accentuated his crystal blue eyes and brilliant smile. He had his own farm and raised cattle and chickens.
While Jacob conversed with his members, Nathan spoke with Abigail. They soon became fast friends and would talk when they met at the local supply store. Abigail always laughed at Nathan's stories.
They were often seen walking down the main street talking about who knew what and laughing together. Many rumors spread through the town about them and some made it back to Jacob.
When he could take it no more, he confronted his wife, whom he loved so very much. "I need you to practice some control. I know that you and Nathan are nothing more than friends, but my flock are concerned," he explained gently.
"They come to me time and again telling me how you and Nathan are gallivanting around town; laughing and having fun. Not that it is a bad thing to have fun; but he is a single man and you a married woman. People do talk in a small town like this."
Abigail bowed her head and tears fell from her eyes. Looking up at her husband, she swore that they were no more than friends. "People can be cruel and mean; there is nothing but friendship between Nathan and me."
"I want to believe that Abigail, but my parish believes different. I am asking you to stay closer to home and not be seen with Nathan." Jacob pleaded.
"Yes, my husband, I will not be seen with Nathan. I will be your dutiful wife and not have any friends of my own," she cried and ran to her bed, tears flowing from her eyes.
Jacob was sad that he had to reprimand his wife. But he was becoming the laughing stock of the town by his own parishioners.
Some time passed, the town's folk continued to go to church every Sunday and Nathan still made services even though he would not talk with his friend. He felt shunned by the town.
On night, a woman was run down by a heard of horses that broke free of their wagon and trampled on her. Reverend Jacob was called to her bedside to pray for her. He spent the entire night by her side, praying and asking for her salvation.
While he was at her side, Nathan knocked on the door of his house and asked Abigail if they could talk.
"I know that I should not be here, but I've missed you so very much. I really miss talking to you and laughing with you. Please, I need to spend time with you?" he pleaded.
Knowing that Jacob would be gone most of the night, she opened the door and allowed Nathan in.
