Chapter 5:

Dr. Mays had told Charles that Rev. Alden needed another surgery because they didn't get all the infection out the first time. Dr. Mays does the second surgery and comes out to Charles in the waiting room and tells him, ''Charles the second surgery was successful and your Pastor is now resting, if everything is ok he can go home in 2 days."

2 days pass and Rev. Alden is well enough to return home. Before Rev. Alden and Charles leaves the Hospital, Charles is in the business office and Mr. Mason is telling him to expect a bill to arrive in Walnut Grove within 2 weeks.

Charles calls Nels in Walnut Grove and says that, Rev. Alden is better and that they will be home and Charles also tells Nels about the bill that will be expected in the mail. Nels askes, "How much is it going to be, Charles?"

"Mr. Mason didn't tell me, I guess we will wait and see." Charles answers.

Charles and Rev. Alden arrive home in Walnut Grove and the whole Town meets the Stagecoach and welcomes Rev. Alden back with hugs and Mrs. Olsen says, ''We are having a welcome home party in our home in your honor, Rev. Alden." They all go inside and enjoy being with their Pastor.

A week passes and Rev. Alden seemed to be recovering from his surgery but then all of a sudden he gets his fever back and his side begins to hurt again. Dr. Baker doesn't understand and he calls Dr. Mays at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Mays says, ''Dr. Baker, I don't know what to say it might just take time."

Dr. Baker tells Charles that Dr. Mays said ''It might just take some time for him to feel better."

Charles answers, ''I have faith that he will get better."

2 days pass, Rev. Alden is feeling worse. The Town of Walnut Grove has lost faith that their Pastor will make it through. One day Charles is looking at a newspaper and reads about how a person was miraculously healed by the building of an altar a hundred some years ago. Then Charles has an idea to take Rev. Alden to a secluded place and build an altar. Everybody thinks Charles has gone crazy but he takes Rev. Alden anyway.

While Charles and Rev. Alden, ( who is feeling sick and weak) are in the open Prairie about 10 miles from Walnut Grove. Charles tries to give Rev. Alden some hot broth but he doesn't eat. Charles walks off a little and begins to pray and says, "God, I will build an altar." He builds the altar and then he tries to give Rev. Alden some broth again, this time Rev. Alden is able to eat without Charles' help.

A man (angel) comes from behind the altar and asks Charles, "Do you have faith that your friend will get better?"

"Yes I do," Charles answers. Then the man disappears behind the altar.

In Walnut Grove, Mrs. Ingalls is worried and asks Dr. Baker and Mr. Edwards to go find Charles. As Dr. Baker and Mr. Edwards heads off to go find Charles the same man (angel) appears and says to Mr. Edwards, "Wait till tomorrow." Then the man disappears into the rain.

Mr. Edwards tells Dr. Baker he had a man tell him to wait till tomorrow. Mr. Edwards and Dr. Baker are both confused by this but do wait till the morning. The morning comes and they go out and they do find Charles and Rev. Alden and the altar that Charles built. Charles walks out to them, than a second later Rev. Alden walks out from behind the altar, 100% healed!

The next day Sunday morning, The Town of Walnut Grove and Pastor Dean Harmon are standing outside the church clapping and rejoicing as their Pastor Rev. Alden walks up to the church. They all walk in the church singing, "Bringing In The Sheaves."

Dean Harman announces, "Rev. Alden is back with you and the bill that came in the mail yesterday for $2,000 at Mayo Clinic will be taken care of by the main Church Headquarters."

They all stand and rejoice for their Pastor has returned to them 100% better and all of their worries are now behind them.

Pastor Dean Harmon takes his seat and Rev. Alden preaches a message on faith. In his message he mentions how a week ago marked his 12th anniversary of him becoming Pastor of the church and how faith made it all possible.

After the Church service is dismissed some are talking and Nels says to Charles, ''I never thought about how it has been 12 years, what with the bell and illness."

Charles replies, ''I didn't think about it either. We should do something for Rev. Alden but what?"

Laura over hears her Pa. speaking and says to the other children, ''We should do something for Rev. Alden's 12th anniversary."

Mary says, ''I have an idea we could make a case for him to put his Bible in."

They all agree, and during the following week they make the case and put the inscription on it that reads, "Happy 12th anniversary, We love you Pastor!"

The following Sunday the children present the Bible case to Rev. Alden and tells him that they are all thankful for is 12 years of being there Pastor and looking forward to more years together.

Rev. Alden smiles and thanks the children for the beautiful case and places his Bible in it and says, ''I will cherish this case you children gave me for years to come."

The Town is a happy town with their Pastor of 12 years, who is strong and healthy and a beautiful Church bell that both the Church and the School uses.

The End.