Pittston Gazette

              f- * p r m v\- tttt£ EatsblUheU I8B». (. VtDLD L No. dO | Oldest Newspaper in the Wvomin? Vallev P1TTST0N, LUZERNE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, MARCH a, 1900. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. f *1.00 » Tear ; In Advance. I iil OF fflLP IK I • It «!• A ana tne preucners as a 101 or »ra«, impractical men, with no knowledge of the real state of aflTairs? Are we not divided over our denominational differences when we ought to be united In one common work for the saving of the whole man? I db not have any faith in the plan proposed to give our benevolence or to district the town and visit the poor. All those things are well enough In their place. But matters are in such shape here now and all over the country that we must do something larger than that. We must do as Christ would do If he were here. What would he do? Would he give anything less than his whole life to it? Would he not give himself? The church as an Institution is facing the greatest opportunity it ever saw. If we do not seize it on the largest possible scale, we shall miserably fail of doing our duty." the paper aid not exaggerate the facts. Some one turned to Philip and asked him about it as the one best informed. He did not know how long he talked. He knew there was a greart hush when he had ended. Then before any one could change the stream of thought some young woman in the music room who had not known what was going on began to sing to a new instrumental variation "Home, Sweet. Home." Coming as It did after Philip's vivid description of the tenements, it seemed like a sob of despair or a mocking hypocrisy. He drew back Into one of the smaller rooms and began to look over some art prints on a table. As he stood there, again blaming himself for his Impetuous breach of society etiquette in almost preaching on such an occasion, Mr. Winter came in and said: lieve it is just as true now as when Christ lived, that unless they are willing to renounce all that they have they cannot be his disciples." yet to show itself; that result was not visible in the Sunday audience. then grew quiet again. "I hoped I was gradually overcoming opposition. guish for his wife's sake. This man, his old college chum, was very dear to him. The news was terrible to him. "MemDers 01 caivary cnurcn, i can you to bear witness today that I have tried to preach to you Christ and him crucified. I have doubtless made mistakes; we all make them. I have offended the rich men and property owners in Milton. I could not help it. I was obliged to do so in order to speak as I this moment solemnly believe my Lord would speak. I have aroused,opposition because I asked men Into the church and upon this platform who do not call themselves Christians, for the purpose of knowing their reasons for antagonism to the church we love. But the time has come, O my brothers, when the church must welcome to its councils In these matters that affect the world's greatest good all men who have at heart the fulfillment of the Christ's teachings. The next day Philip was unexpectedly summoned out of Milton to the parish of hlB old college chum. His old friend was thought to be dying. He had sent for Philip. Philip, whose affection for him was second only to that which he gave his wife, went at once. His friend was almost gone. He rallied when Philip came, and then for two weeks his life swung back and forth between this world and the next Philip staid on, and so was gone one Sunday from hiB pulpit in Milton. Then the week following, as Alfred gradually came back from the shore of that other world, Philip, assured that he would live, returned home. seems I was mistaken. It seems I did "Do you mean lltertdly, Mr. Strong?" asked the rich man after a little. not know the feeling in the church." Nevertheless he made his preparations to go back to his friend's home. It Is what either would have done In the event of the other's death. And so he was gone from Milton until after the funeral and did not return until Saturday. In those three da3*s of absence Milton was stirred by events that grew out of the action of the church. He looked out of the window again and was silent. Then he asked: "Are "Yes, literally, sometimes. I believe the awful condltfpn of things and souls we have witnessed tonight will not be any better until many, many of the professing Christians In this town and in Calvary church are willing to leave, actually to leave their beautiful homes and spend the money they now spend in luxuries for the good of the weak and poor and sinful." they all against me? Was there no *♦ n one to stand up for me?" The ques- ,n— fTr~ -.—.... , ,.mmk By REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON, J{ Author of "In His Steps: What Would Jesus DoP" "Halcom *♦ Kirk," "Bobsrt Hardy's Seven Days," Etc. j i W ~ : -;m Copyright, 1899, by The Advance Publishing Co. D»♦»♦»♦»♦»♦ X»X+X»X»X plain and repeated teaching of the Bible.tion came with a. faint smile that wiui lur more heartbreaking to his wire than a flood of tears. She burst into a sob. "Yes, you have friend's. Mr. Winter fought for you—and others." • • • mmmm • "Mr. Winter—my old enemy! That was good. And there were others?" "Yes, quite a number. But nearly all the Influential members were against you. Philip, you have been blind to all this." CHAPTER XXIV. In the first place the minority in the church held a meeting and voted to ask Philip to remain, pledging him their hearty support In all his plans "Do you think Christ would preach ttyat if he were in Milton?" CHAPTER XX. "I do. It has been burned Into me that he would. I believe he would say to the members of Calvary church: 'If any man love houses and money and society and power and position more than me, he cannot be my disciple. If any man renounceth not all that be hath, he cannot be my disciple.' And then he would test the entire church by its willingness to renounce all these physical things. And if he found the members willing. If he found that tbey loved him more than the money or tbC power, he might not demand a litem giving up. But he would say to them 'Take my money and my power, for i la all mine, and use them for the bull*! Ing up of my kingdom.' He would nC then perhaps command them to leav literally their beautiful surrounding But, then. In some cases I believe 1C would. Oh. yes! Sacrifice, wierit' We cannot do better than give the evening paper account 9t the last service in the series. With one or two slight exaggerations the account was a faithful picture of one of the most remarkable meetings ever held in Milton: " 'It is not wrong for a man to make lponey. It la wrong for him to use it selflbiily or foolishly. " The consecrated wealth of the men of Milton could provide work for every idle man In town. The Christian use of the wealth of the world would make Impossible the cry for bread. " 'Most of the evils of our present condition flow out of the love of money. The almighty dollar Is the god of Protestant America. " 'It men loved men as eagerly as they love money, the millennium would be just around the corner. " 'Wealth Is a curse unless the owner of it blesses the world Yfj*h it. "' "If any man hath the world's goods and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up hlB compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God In him?" " 'Christian socialism teaches a man to bear other people's burdens. The very first principle of Christian socialism is unselfishness. " 'We shall never see a better condition of affairs in this country until the men of wealth realize their responsibility and privilege. " "Christ never said anything against the poor. He did speak some tremendous warnings In the face of the selfish rich. During that ten days' absence serious events had taken place in Calvary church. Philip reached home on Wednesday. ■ He at once went to the house and greeted his wife and the Brother Man and William, who was now sitting up in the large room. "Do you think so?" he asked simply. ftnd method8- The evening paper, In "Maybe that Is so. I have not thought ItB rePort of thls meeting, made the of people so much as of the work mo8t of tfae personal remarks that were which needed to fee dofie. I have tried made and served UP the whole affair in to do as my Master would have me. 8en8ationaI items that were eagerly But I have lacked wisdom or tact or fead by every one in Milton, something." But the mo8t Important gathering of "No, it is not that Do you want to flip's friends ™s that * *»D know what I think V His wife fondly ™e. T5*y met,ln the hal1 where he stroked the hair back from his fore- 0{te° 8P°lken' aDd- beJug crowdhead as she sat on the couch by him. .. ou* 0 y tlie great numbers, "Yes, little woman, tell me." To'his •****'lnaUy the uae °f eyes his wife never seemed so beauti- I, W&8 Jcrowded wlth ful or dear as now. He knew that *? excited a88embly. and ,n the course they were one in this their hour of W many short speeches, in which trouble. action of the church was severely «.nr .i _. . _ , condemned, a resolution was offered "Well, I have learned to believe since _n/i OD.. ... wereTu10 M'U?h *e8""Chrl8t main in Milton and organized asso- t clatlon or something of a similar order ulPa8^',0f.a lT *Dr the purpose of sociological study 7 h la&™ and station, pledging whatever finan to the m? clal 8uPP°rt could be obtained from to the church would treat him just as tte work, ,e Thlg Calvary church has treated you. The , ht and nIfied ln the r Zn « y 'and tte town ™8 8tIU moused to year8 0 cltement a11 these reports when -,J" . _ * pbillp returned home late Saturday P lilip did not speak. He looked out afternoon, almost reeling with exhausagain toward the tenements. The win- tion and his heart torn with the sepater day was drawing to Its close. The ration from his old chum. church spire still stood out sharp cut However, he tried to conceal his weaagainst the sky. Finally he turned to riness from Sarah and partly succeedhls wife, and almost with a groan he ed. After supper he went up to his uttered the words: "Sarah, I do not study to prepare for the Sunday. He like to believe it The world is full of had fully made up his mind what he the love of Christ It is not the same would do, and he wanted to do it in a world as Calvary saw." manner that would cast no reproach "No. But by what test are nominal 0n his ministry, which he respected Christians and church members tried with sensitive reverence. today? Is not the church in America He shut the door and began his prepand England a church in which the aration by walking up and down, as scribes and pharisees, hypocrites, are his custom was, thinking out the de- Just as certainly found as they were tails of the service, his sermon, the exin the old Jewish church? And would act wording of certain phrases he not that element crucify Christ again wished to make. "It does not seem possible that such a state of affairs exists as you describe, Mr. Strong. Are you sure you do not exaggerate?" "But the cause which more than any other has led to the action of this church has been, I am fully aware, my demand that the church members of this city should leave their possessions and go and live with the poor, wretched, sinful, hopeless people in the lower town, sharing In wise ways with them of the good things of the world. But why do I speak of all this in defense of my*action or my preaehffig?" Suddenly Philip seemed to feel a revulsion of attitude toward the whole of what he had been saying. It was as If there had instantly swept over him the knowledge that he could never make the people before him understand either his motive or his Christ. His speech so far had been Quiet, unimpassioned, deliberate. His whole manner now underwent a swift change. People in the galleries noticed it, and men leaned out far over the railing, and more than one closed his hand* tight in emotion at the sight and hearing of the tall figure on the platform.Saturday night he was out calling a little while, but he came home early. It was the first Sunday of the month on the morrow, and be had not fully prepared his sermon. He was behind with it As he came in his wife met him with a look of news on her face. "Last night, it will be safe to say, those who were fortunate enough to secure staudifcg room in Rev. Philip Strong's church heard and saw things that no other church In this town ever witnessed. "Exaggerate! Mr. Winter, you have pardoned my little sermon here tonight I know. It was forced on me. But"— He choked, and then, with an energy that was all the stronger for being repressed, he said, turning full toward the mill owner: "Mr. Winter, will you go with me and look at things for yourself? In the name of Christ will you see what humanity is sinning and suffering not more than a mile from this home of yours?" He had not been home more than an hour when the greatest dizziness came over him. He sat up so much with his chugi that he was entirely worn out. He went up Btairs to lie down on his couch in his small study. He Instantly fell asleep and dreamed that he was standing on the platform of Calvary church preaching. It was the first Sunday of a month. He thought he said something the people did not like. Suddenly a man ln the audience raised a revolver and fired at him. At once from over the bouse people aimed revolvers at him and began to fire. The noise was terrible, and in the midst of It he awoke to feel to his amazement that his wife was kneeling at the side of his couch, sobbing with a heartache that was terrible to him. He was Instantly wide awake and her dear bead clasped ln his arms. And when he prayed her to tell him the matter she sobbed out the news to him which her faithful, loving heart had concealed from him while he was at the bedside •f his friend. And even when the news of what the church had done in bis absence had come to him fully through her broken recital of it he did not realise it until she placed ln his hands the letter which the church had voted to be written, asking him to resign his pastorate of Calvary church. Even then he fingered the envelope ln an absent way, and for an instant his eyes left the bowed form of his wife and looked out beyond the sheds over to the tenements. Then he opened the letter and read it "Guess who is here?" she said in a whisper. "In the first place, it was a most astonishing crowd of people. Several of the church members were present but they were in the minority. The mill men swarmed in and took possession. It Is not exactly correct to say that they lounged on the easy cushioned pews of the Calvarv church for thoro »as not room caougn 10 ivuugv, uuv they filled up the sanctuary and seemed to enjoy the comfortable luxury of it "The Brother Man," replied Philip quickly. "Yes, but you never can guess what has happened. He Is in there with William. And the Brother Man—Philip, it seems like a chapter out of a novel—the Brother Man has discovered that William Is his only son, who cursed his father and deserted blm when he gave away his property. They are in there together. I could not keep the Brother Man out" Mr. Winter hesitated and then said "Yes, I'll go. When?" "Say tomorrow night Come down to my house early, and we will start from there." What does the church In Ame:lci this age of the world know al»out How much do church members give "The subject of the evening was 'Wealth,' and the president of the trades assembly pf Milton made a statement of the view which workingmen in general have of wealth as related to labor of hand or brain. He stated what .t? his mind was the reason for the discontent of so many at the sight of great numbers of rich men When Mr. Winter came down the next evening, Philip asked him to come in and wait a few minutes, as he was detained in his study room by a caller. Thq mill owner sat down and visited with Mrs. Strong a little while. Finally she was called into the other room, and Mr. Winter was left alone. The door into the sick man's room was partly open, and he could not help hearing the conversation between the Brother Man and his son. Something that was said made him curious, and when Philip came down he asked him a question concerning his strange boarder. themselves nowadays to the Mast Philip and Sarah stepped to the door of the little room, which was open, and looked in. That is what we need—self, the soui of men and women, the living saci flees for these lost children down yon der! O God, to think of what Christ gave up! And then to think of how little his church is dolug to obey his last command to go and disciple the nations!" The Brother Man was kneeling at the side of the bed praying, and his son was listening, with one hand tight clasped in his father's and the tears rolling over his ptfle face. "Yes," he said, "I love yon, people * of Milton, beloved members of this church. I would have opened my arms to every child of humanity here and shown him, if I could, the boundless love of his Heavenly Father. But, oh, ye would not! And yet the love of Christ! What a wonderful thing It is! How much he wished us to •Dnjoy of peace and hope and fellows lip and service! Yes, service—that is what thC world needs today; service that is will Ing to give all—all to him who gave al to save us! O Christ, Master, teach ui to do thy will! Make us servants tC the poor and sinful and hopeless. MakC thy church on earth more like thy self." Those nearest Philip saw him denly raise his lips, and then, it was people d then—a Philip went back through the avenue on which the churches stood. When he reached Calvary church, he went up on the steps, and, obeying an Instant impulse, he kneeled down on the upper step and prayed. Great sobs shook him. They were sobs without tears—sobs that were articulate here and there with groans of anguish and desire. He prayed for his loved church, for the wretched beings In the hell of torment, without God and without hope In the world, for the Bplrit of Christ to come again into the heart of the church and teach it the meaning and extent of sacrifice. in times of suffering or sickness or CHAPTER XXI. When the Brother Man had finished lack of work. 'Why, Just look at the condition of things here and In every large city all over the world,' he said. •Men are suffering from the lack of common necessaries while men of means with money in the bank continue to live just as luxuriously and spend just as much as they ever did for things ncft needful for happiness. It has been In the power of men of wealth in Milton to prevent almost if not all of the suffering here last winter and spring. It has In their power to see that the tenements were " 'The only safe thing for a man of wealth to do is to ask himself, What would Christ do with my mbney if he had it?' "It would be impossible to describe the effect of the Rev. Mr. Strong's talk upon the audience. Once the applause was so long continued that it was a full minute before he could go on. When he finally closed with a tremendous appeal to the wealth of Milton to use its power for the good of the place, for the tearing down and remodeling of the tenements, for the solution of the problem of no work for thousands of desperate men, the audience rose to its feet and cheered again and again. "At the close of the meeting the minister was surrounded by a crowd of men, and an after meeting was held, at which steps were taken to form a committee composed of prominent church people and labor leaders to work, If possible, together toward a common end. his prayer, he rose, and, stooping over his son, he kissed him. Then be turned about and faced Philip and 8arah, who almost felt guilty of Intrusion in looking at such a scene. But the Brother Man wore a radiant look. To Philip's surprise he was not excited. The same Ineffable peace breathed from his entire person. To that peace was now added a fathomless joy. "Come in and see him," said Philip. He brought Mr. Winter into the little room and introduced him to the patient. He was able to sit up now. At mention of Mr. Winter's name he flushed and trembled. It then occurred to Philip for the first time that it was the mill owner that his assailant that night bad intended to waylay and rob.' "Yes," he said very simply, "I have found my son which was lost. God is good to me. He Is good to all his children. He Is the All Father. He Is Love." if he spoke as plainly now as then?" Again Philip looked out of the window. His whole nature was shaken to Its foundation. "I have made mistakes. I have been lacking in tact. I have needlessly offended the people," he said to his wife, yielding almost for the first time to a great fear and distrust of himself, for the letter asking his resignation had shaken him as once he thought impossible. "I have tried to preach and act as Christ would, but I have failed to Interpret him aright Is It not so, Sarah r His wife was reluctant to speak. But her true heart made answer: "No, Phll- He had been walking thus back and forth half a doeen times when he felt the same acute pain in his side that had seized him when he fainted in church at the evening service. It passed away, and he resumed his work, thinking it was only a passing disorder. But before he could turn again in his walk be felt a dizziness that whirled everything in the room about him. He clutched at a chair and was conscious of having missed it, and then he fell forward In such a way that he lay partly on the couch and on the floor and was unconscious. better built and arranged for health CHAPTER XXIII. and decency. It has been in their power to do a thousand things that money, and money alone, can do, and I believe they will be held to account for not doing some of those things!' "At this point some one in the gallery shouted out, 'Hang the aristocrats!' Instantly Rev. Mr. Strong rose When the eventful Sunday came Be faced the usual immense concourse. He did not come out of the little room until the last moment. When be finally appeared, bis face bore marks of tears. At last they had flowed aa a relief to bis burden, and he gave the people his message with a courage and a peace and a love born of direct commnnJnn -a# n%mD .Cv As he went on people began to listen Philip read the letter through without lifting his eyes from the paper or making any comment. It was as follows:1 with b: see that. roKlr. tl,!. "Did you know your son was here?" Philip asked. CHAPTER XXII. As they were going out of the house the patient called Philip back. He went In again, and the man said, "Mr. Strong, I wish you would tell Mr. Winter all about it." "No; I found him here. Tou have saved his life. That was doing as He would." On tb there t church Bar. Philip Strong. Calvary Church, Milton: Aa clerk of the church I am instructed to inform you of the action of the church at a regularly called meeting last Monday night At that maating it waa voted by a majority preaent that yon be aaked to resign the paatdrate of Calvary church far the following reawns: "It was very little we could do," said Philip, with a sigh. He had seen so much trouble and suffering that day that his soul was sick within him. Yet he welcomed this event In bis home. It seemed like a little brightness of heaven on earth. "Would you feel easier?" Philip asked gently. "Yes." and stepped to the front of the plat- form. Raising his long, sinewy ajrm and stretching out his open hand In appeal, he said, while the great audience Was perfectly quiet: 'I will not allow any such disturbance at this meeting. We are herp, not to denouqpe people, but to find the truth. Let every fair minded man bear that in mind.' "The preacher sat down, and the audience cheered. "It was rumored yesterday that several of the leading members of Calvary church are very much dissatisfied with the way things have been going during these Sunday evening meetings and are likely to withdraw If they continue. They say that Mr. Strong's utterances are socialistic and tend to Inflame the minds of the people to acts of violence. Since the attack on Mr. Winter nearly every mill owner in town goes armed and takes extra precautions. Mr. Strong was much pleased with the result of the Sunday night meetings and said they had done much to bridge the gulf between the church and, the people. He refused to credit the talk about disaffection in Calvary cburch."D In another column of this same paper were five separate accounts of the desperate condition ot affairs In the town. The midnight bold up attacks were growing In frequency and in boldness. Along with all the rest the sickness in the tenement district had assumed the nature of an epidemic of fever, clearly caused by the lack of sanitary regulations, imperfect drainage and crowding of families. Clearly the condition of matters was growing serious. At this time the ministers of different churches In Milton held a meeting to determine on a course of action that would relieve some of the distress. Various plans were submitted. Some proposed districting the town to ascertain the number of needy families. Others proposed a union of benevolent offerings to be given the poor. Another group suggested something else. To fhllip's min9 not one of the plans submitted went to tbe root of the matter. He was not popular with the other ministers. Most of them thought be was sensational. However, he made a plea for his own plan, which waa radical and as he believed went to the He bad begun by giv A.  "All right; I'll tell him. Don't worry. Brother Man, take good care of him. I shall not be back until late." He kissed his wife and joined Mr. Winter, and together they made the round of the district log them (# statement of facta concerning the sinful, needy, desperate condition of life In the place. He then rapidly sketched the contrast between the surroundings of the Christian and Tint.—There 1* a very widespread discontent on tbe part of the church membership on account of the um of the church for Sunday evening discussions of social, political and economic questioDa and the introduction into the pulpit of persons whose character and standing are known to be hostile to the church and its teachinga. Seocmd.—The business men of the church, almost without exception, are agreed and so ex. pressed themselves at the meeting that the aer- BOO of Sunday before last was exceedingly dangerous in ita tone and liable to lead to the gravest results in acts of lawlessness and anarchy «R the fart of people who are already inflamed to deeds of violence against property and wealth. Such preaching, in the opinion of the majority of pew owners and supporters of Calvary church, cannot be allowed or the church will Inevitably lose ita standing in society. "I have not seen him for years. He waa my youngest son. We quarreled. All that Is past. He did not know that to give up all that one baa was the will of God. Now he know*. When he la well, we will go away togetheryea, together." He spread out his palms In his favorite gesture, with plentiful content in his face and voice. y ■ ip, you : fully. " All mix Don-Christian people, between tbe worklngmen and tbe church members. "Disciples of Jasoft." he exclaimed. "the time has come when our Master demands of us some token of our dlsclpleship greater than tbe giving of a little money pr the giving of a little work a»d time to the solution of tbe great problem of modern society and of our own city. The time baa oome when we must give ourselves. The time has come when *e must renounce, If it Is best, if Christ asks it, the things we have so long counted dear—the money, the luxury, the houses—and go down into the tenement district, to live there and work there with the people. I do not wish As they were going through the court near by tbe place where Philip had been attacked he told tbe mill owner tbe story. It affected him greatly, but as they went on through the tenements tbe sights that met him there wiped out the recollection of everything else. "The president of the trades assembly resumed the discussion, closing with tbe statement that never in the history of the country bad there been so much money In the banks and so little of It In the pockets of the people, and when that was a fact something was wrong, and It was for the men who owned the money to right that wrong, for It lay iq their power, not the poor man. ness and lng op stairs. He did not Intend to deceive her. His thought was that he would not unnecessarily alarm her. He was very tired.- It did not need much urging to persuade him to get to bed. He awoke Sunday morning feeling strangely calm and refreshed. The morning prayer with the Brother Man came like a benediction to them alL Sarah, who had feared for him owing to the severe strain he had been enduring, felt relieved as she saw how he appeared. They all prepared to go to church, the Brother Man and William going out for the first time since the attack. The same thing would have happened to him." UMVTV U1V ICfU. VS4. LUC It was not directly behind but several feet at one side. Philip had never made anj In his sermons to this feature ry church's architecture. PC wondered sometimes that wit aginative, poetical tempera never had done so, especii They talked a little longer, and then Philip said: As spring had blossomed into summer and summer ripened into autumn every one bad predicted better times. Bnt the prediction (lid not bring them. The suffering and sickness and helplessness of the tenement district grew every day more desperate. To Philip It seemed like tbe ulcer of Milton. All the surface remedies proposed and adopted by the city council and the churches and tbe benevolent societies had not touched tbe problem. Tbe mills were going on part time. Thousands of men yet lingered in the place hoping to get work. Even If tbe mills had been running as usual that would not have diminished one particle of tbe sin and vice and drunkenness that saturated the place. And as Philip studied the matter with brain and soul be came to a conclusion regarding the duty of the church. He did not pretend to go beyond that, but aa tbe weeks went by and fall came wi and another winter stared the people coldly in the face he knew that he must speak out what burned lp him. "How many people are there In our Church that know anything about this plague spot from personal knowledge, Mr. Winter?* Philip asked after they had been out about two hours. "Let us go down and see tbe Brother Man. Somehow I feel like talking to him." Third,—It is the fixed determination of a majority of the oldest and most influential members of Calvary church to withdraw from the organlza- Uon all support under the present condition of affairs. The trustees announced that the pledges tor church support bad already fallen off very largely, and last Sunday leas than half the regular amount waa received. This was ascribed to the sermon of the first of the month. So they went down stairs and into the room where the invalid was sitting with the old man. William was able to walk about now and had been saying that he wanted to hear Philip preach as soon as he could get to church. "I don't know. Very few, I presume."when a sermon on the cruclfl thrilled the people wonderl might have been his extreme i "He was Allowed by a very clear and Intensely Interesting talk by Rev. Mr. Strong on the Christian teaching concerning the wealth of the world. "And yet they ought to know about it How else shall all this Bin and misery be done away?" ness, his shrinking from cheap sensation. Fourth.—The vacation of the parsonage and the removal of the minister into the region of the tenement district have created an intense feeling on the part of a large number of families who have for yean been firm supporters and friends of the church, They feel that the action was altogether uncalled for. and they think it has been the means at disrupting the church and throwing matters into confusion, besides placing the church in an unfavorable light with the other churches and the oommunity at large. Several times he waa Interrupted by to be ml here. I do not be- But now be stepped backbit , far—and turning partly abound, one long arm extended toward cross as If in Imagination he saw Christ upon it, he exclaimed, " 'Be the lamb of God that taketh away v sin of the world!' J"es, "In the cmm of Christ I glory, Towering o'er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story Gathers round"— His voice suddenly ceased, he threw his arms np, and as he turned a little forward toward the congregation he was seen to reel and stagger back against the wall. ■ For one intense, tremendous second of time he stood there with the whole church smitten into & pitying, horrified, startled, motionless applause, once with hisses, several " times with questions. He was hissed when he spoke of tbe great selfishness of labor unions and trades organizations in their attempts to dictate to other men in the matter of work. With this one exception, in which the "1 suppose the law could do something," Replied Mr. Winter feebly. lieve our modern civilisation is an absurdity. 1 do not believe Christ If he were here today would demand of us foolish things. But this I do believe be would require—ourselves. We must give ourselves In some way that will mean real, genuine, downright and decided self sacrifice. If Christ were here he would say to some of you, as he said to the young man, 'Sell all yon have and give to the poor, and cctae, follow pje,' And If you were unwilling to do it he would say you could not be his disciples. The test of discipleship is the same now as then; the price is no less on account of the lapse of 2,000 years. Eternal life is something which has only one price, and that Is the same always. Members of Calvary church, I solemnly believe the time has come when it is our duty to go into the tenement district and redeem it by the power of personal sacrifice and personal presence. Nothing less will answer. To accomplish this great task, to bring back to God this great part of his kingdom, I believe we ought to spend our time, our money, ourselves. It is a sin for us to life ouf pleasant ease, In enjoyment of all good things, while men and Dromen and children by the thousand are dying, body and soul, before our very eyes in need of the blessings of Christian civilization in our power t© »lwre with them. We cacnot say it is not our business. We cannot excuse ourselves on the plea of our own business. This Is our first business, to love Ood and man with all our might. "Well, Brother Man," said Philip, with something like his old heartiness of manner, "have you heard the news? Othello's occupation's gone." "The law!" Philip said the two words and then stopped. They stumbled over a heap of refuse thrown out Into the doorway of a miserable strpc; ture. "Oh, what this place needs is pot law and ordinances and statutes so much as live, loving Christian men and women who will give themselves and a large part of their means to cleans# the souls and bodies and houses of this wretched district. We have reached 4 Crisis in Mlltoq when Christians must give themselves to humanity. Mr. Winter, I am going to tell Calvary phurch so next Sunday." We have mentioned Philip's custom of coming Into his pnlplt from the little room at the side door of the platform. This morning he went in at the side door of the church after parting with Sarah and the others. He let Brother Man and William go on ahead a little, and then, drawing his wife to him, he stooped and kissed her. He turned at the top of the short flight of steps leading up to the side entrance and saw her still standing in the same place. Then she went around from the little court to the front of the church And went in with the great crowd already beginning to stream toward Calvary church. The Brother Man seemed to know all about It Whether he had heard of It through some of the church people or not Mr. Strong did not know. He looked at Mr. Strong calmly. There was a loving sympathy In his voice, but no trace of compassion or wonder. Evidently he had not been talking of the subject to any one. Fifth.—It was the opinion of a majority of the members present that, while much of the spirit fihibited fcy yourself was highly commendable, yet in view of ail the facts it would be expedient lor the pastoral relation to be severed. The continuance of that relation seemed to promise only tdded disturbance and increased antagonism In the church. It was the well nigh unanimous verdict that your plans and methods might succeed to your better satisfaction with a constituency made up of nonchurch people and that possibly your own inclinations would lead you to take the step which the church has thought wisest and bast for ail concerned. reverend gentleman spoke with his usual frankness, tbe audience cheered bfo presentation of the subject and waa evidently in perfect sympathy with his views. Short extracts from his talk will show the drift of his entire belief cm this subject: " 'Every dollar that a man has should be spent to the glory of God. " The teaching of Christianity about wealth is tbe same as about anything else. It all belongs to God and should be used by the man as God would use it in the man's place. "I knew it would happen," he Bald. "You have offended the rulers." He had been a year in Milton. Every month of that year had impressed him with the deep and apparently hopeless chasm that yawned between the working world and the church. * There was no point of contact. One was suspicious, the other was indifferent. Something was radically wrong, and something radically positive and Christian must be done to right the condition that faced the churches of Milton. That was in his soul as he went his way like one of the old prophets, imbued with the love of God as he saw it in the heart of Christ. With infinite longing he yearned to bring the church to a sense of her great power and opportunity. 8CD matters had finally (Irawn to a point In the month of November. The Brother Man had come In October. The sick man recovered slowly. Philip and bis wife found room for the father and soq aqd  with them' what comforts they had. It should be said that after moving out of the parsonage into his bouse la the tenement district Philip had more than given the extra thousand dollars the church Insisted on .paying him. The "What would you do, Brother Man, in my place? Would you resign?" Philip thought back to the time when the Brother Man had asked him why he did not resign. - Mr. Winter was silent. They bad come out -of the district and were walking along together toward the upper .part of the city. The houses kept growing larger and better. Finally they came up to the avenue where the churches were situated—a broad, clean, well paved street, with magnificent elms and elegant houses on either side, and the seven large, beautiful church buildings, with their spires pointing upward, almost all of them visible from where the two men stood. It Is my painful duty as the clerk of Calvary church to write thus plainly the action of the church and the specific-reasons for that action. A council will be called to review our proceedings snd advise with reference to the same. In behalf at the church, , Clerk. crowd of blanched, staring faces as his tall, dark figure towered up with outstretched arms, almost covering the very outlines of the cross, and then he sank down at its foot A groan went up from the audience. Several men sprang up the platform steps. Mrs. Strong was the first person to reach her husband. Two or No one ever saw so many people in Calvary church before. Men sat on the platform and even In the deep window seats. The spaces under the large galleries by the walls were filled mostly with men standing there. The house was crowded long before the hour of service. There were many beating, excited hearts in that audience. More than one member felt a shame at tbe action which had been taken and might have wished it recalled. With the great number of werkingmen and young people in the church there was only one feeling; it was a feeling of love for Philip and of sorrow for what had been done. The fact that be had been away from the city, that he had not talked over the matter with any one owing to his absence, the uncertainty as to how he would receive the whole thing, what he would say on this first Sunday after the letter had been written—this attracted a certain number of persona who never go Inside a church except for some extraordinary occasion or in hopes of a sensation. So the audience that memorable day had some cruel people present, who narrowly watch the faces of mourners at funerals to see what ravages grief has made on the countenance. "Don't they ask you to?" "Yes." '"The Of TMt sums of money by individuals or classes of men has always been a bad thing for society. A few very rich men and a great number of very poor men are what gave the yrorld the French revolution and the guillotine. " There are certain conditions true of society at certain times when It is the Christian duty of the rich to use fevery cent they possess to relieve the heed of society. Such a condition face* us today. " The foolish and unnecessary expenditures of. society on its trivia} pleasures pt a time when men and Vromen are oiit of work and* children are crying for food ts a cruel and un- "Do you think it is the wish of the whole church?" Philip finished the letter and lifted his eyes again. And again be looked out through the window across the sheds to the roofs of the tenements. From where he Sftt he could also see, across the city, up on the rising ground, the spire of Calvary church. It rose distinct and cold against the gray December sky. The air was clear and frosty, the ground was covered with enow, and the roofs of the teuements showed black and white patches where the thinner snow bad melted. He was silent so long that his wife became frightened. "No, there are some who want me to stay." "How do you feel about itT" The Brother Man put the question almost timidly. Philip replied without hesitation:three helped to bear him to the front of H! 'Jli - P-i'Smi "Spf "Ther$ Is only one thing for me to do. It would be Impossible for me to remain after what has been done." A door In one of the bouses peftc opened. A group of people passed in. (The glimpse caught by the two men was a glimpse of bright, flower decprated rooms, beautiful dresses, glittering jewels and a table heaped with luxuries of food. If was the parftdlw The Brother Man nodded his head as if in approval. He did not seem disturbed In the least His demeanor was the most perfect expression of peace that Philip ever saw. "Philip! Philip!" she cried as she threw her arms about his neck and drew his head down nearer. "They have broken your heart! They have killed you! There U no love in the wortd ftny n^ore!1' vlio, noP' he cried suddenly. "You must not say that. You make me doubt. There la the love of Christ, Whloh passeth knowledge. But, oh, for the church, the church which he loved and for which he gave himself!" "We shall have to leave this honse, Brother Man," said Sarah, feeling with Philip that he did not grasp the meaning of the event Christian waste of opportunity. leflro^^^^c# # "'If Obrlat were here today, X be* lleve tn» would tell the rich men of Mil,t tourtbat every cent they hare belongs Almighty God, and they are only trustees of his property. " The church that thinks more of fine architecture and paid choirs than of opening Its doors to the people that fhey may bear the gospel la a church that Is mortgaged for all it ts worth to the devil, who wll} foreclose at the first opportunity, % "This problem before us calls for all our Christian disclplesblp. Every heart In tbis cburcb should cry out this day, 'Lord, what wilt thQU hftVe yp# ty do? And each soul jnuat follow the commands'that he honestly hears. Out of the depths of the black abyss pf human want •»!« ««d despair and anguish and rebellion In this place and over the world rlugi In my ear a cry for help that by the grace of God 1 truly believe cannot be answered by the cburcb of Christ on earth until the members of that cburcb are willing in great numbers to give all their WQney, ftll thplc U|Q4,'{mq their homes, apd 111 tbelr fuiiirles, and all their accomplishments, and all their srtistic tastes, and all themselves to satisfy the needs of the generation pa it looks for the heart pf the bleediug Christ in th« members of the church of Christ Yea, truly, except a man Is filing to renounce all that he hath, he eannot be his disciple, lDoes Christ ask any member of Calvary cburcb to renounce all and go dowtf into the tenement district to live CUriPt there* Yes, all. "Yes, in the Father's house there are many mansions," replied the Brother Man. Then as Mr. and Mrs. Strong sat there In the gathering gloom the old man said suddenly, "Let us pray together about It" demands on him were so orgeat, the perfect Impossibility of providing men with work and so relieving them bad tywq cup)) a bar to giving- help to  direction, that out of sheer necessity, as It seemed to bim, Philip bad given fnUy half of the tbouaand dollars re= served far his own salary. His entire expense# were reduced to the smallest possible amount. Everything above that went where it was absolutely needed. He was literally sharing what be had with the people who did not have anything. It seepied to Win that He cofl$ SarcouMstentljr do nothing less In View of what he had preached and intended to preach. The Brother Man was kneeling at the tide of the bed praying. real heart of the subject. $e proposed that every churcb'ln tpwn, regardless of its denomination, give itself lit Its pastor and members to the practical solution of the social trouble? by personal contact with the suffering and sickness in the district; that tbe churches all throw open their floors every day in the week, weekdays as well as Sundays, for the discussion and agitation of the whole matter; that the country and the state be petitioned to take speedy action toward providing necessary labor for the unemployed, and that the churches cut down all unnecessary expenses of paid choirs, do away with pew rents, urge wealthy members tq consecrate their riches to tbe volviQg of the problem and tb every way, by personal sacrifice and common union, let tbe churches of Milton as a unit worlf and pray and sacrj: flee to make themselves felt as a real power on tbe side of the people in their present great need. It was Christian America, but Philip's plan was not adopted. It was discussed with some warmth, but declared to be visionary, impracticable, unnecessary, not for tbt» fburch to undertake, beyond its function, etc. Philip was disappointed, but be kept bis temper. He kneeled down and offered the most remarkable prayer that they had ever heard. It (teemed to them that, however the old man's mind might be affected, tbe part of him that touched God in the communion of audible prayer was absolutely free from any weakness or disease, It was a prayer that laid its healing balm on the soul of Philip and soothed his trouble Into peace. When tbe old man finished, Philip felt almost cheerful again. He went out and helped his wife a few minutes In Borne work about the kitchen. And afjer supper he was Just getting ready-to go out to inquire after 41 sick family near by when there wa* a knock at the dwr, "But It is not the church of Christ that has done this thing." The organist played his prelude through and was about to stop when he saw from the glass that hung over the keys that Mr. Strong had not yet appeared. He began agai£. at a certain measure, repeating it, ffnd played very slowly. By this time the church was entirely filled. There was an air of expectant waiting as the organ again ceased, and still Philip did not come out, A great fear came over Mrs- Strong. She had half risen from her seat near the platform to go up and open the study door when It opened, and Philip came out. toO, dork figure towered up uith out stretched ami*. M'Tbe first duty of every man who has money 1b to ask biro*elf, What would Christ have me do with Itt The second duty is to go and do it after hearing tbe answer. "Nevertheless it is the church in the world," he replied. "Tel\ me, Sarah, bow this Tjvas kept so secret from me." ('.You forget. You were so entirely absorbed In the care of Alfred, and the church meeting was held wltfc the platform. Sarah kneeled down by him. She put her head against his breast Then she raised her face and said calmly, "He is dead." " 'If the money owned by church jpewberB were all spent to the priory Of God, there would be fewer dred thousand dollar ehufebea built and more model tenements. The Brother Man was kneeling on the other side. "No," he said, with an Indescribable gesture and untranslatable Inflection, "he is not dead. He is living In the eternal mansions of glory, Continued on page fonr. ' ~ ~ jnrrr.roPItnf One evening in the middle of the month he was Invited to a social gathering at the ftouse p{ tyD, Winter, f be mill owner bpd of late been experiencing'a revolution of thought. His attitude toward Philip bad grown aoro "DC! ffigre friendly, It was a gathering of personal friends of Mr. Winter, including some of the church people. Tbe moment that Philip stepped into the spacious hall and caught a glimpse of tbe furnishings of the rooms beyond, the contrast between all the comfort and brightness of this bouse and the last place he had visited tn the tenement district smote him with a sense of pain. He drove it back and blamed bimself with an Inward reproach that he was growing narrow and could think of only one Idea. " 'If Christ had been a millionaire, he would have used his money to build . up character In other people ratbef than build a magnificent browns tone palace for bimself. Btit we cannot imagine Christ as a millionaire. " 'It is as true now as when Paul said ijeariy 20 centuries *go, lQYfi of mouey is a root of all kinds of eriit" It Is the curse of our civilization, tbe greatest god of the human race today. "Christians mtul give themselves to humanity,"of society, the display of its ease. Its •oft enjoyment of pretty things. Its careless Indifference to humanity's pain In the lower town. The group of newcomers weut In. a strain of music and the echo of a dancing laugh floated out into the street, and then the doer closed, It wat a messenger boy with a telegram, Philip opened It almost mechanically and, carrying it to the light, Whatever his struggle had been In that little room the closest observer could not detect any trace of tears or sorrow or shame or humiliation. He was pale, but that was common; otherwise his face wore a firm, noble, peaceful look. As he gazed over the congregation it fell under the fascination of his glances. The first words that he spoke In the service were strong and etear. 0, 1 che, etc. *My beloved. If Christ speaks so to you today listen and obey. Service! Self! That is what he WWt* A«|4 If h? asks for all, yhe® ail Is needed, then? Pa? we pipg thM hymn with any Christian honesty of heart UPless we Interpret It literally? read Alfred died at 4 p. m. Cut you comet M.RI M For a second he did not realise the new*. Then as it rushed upon him he staggered find would have fallen if the table bad not been so close. A falntness and a pain seized him, and for a minute "he thought he was falling- Then he pulled himself together and called his wife, who wa* In the kitchen. She came In at once, noticing the peculiar tone of his voice. " 'Our civilization is only partly Christian, for Christian civilization means more comforts; ours means more wants. * 'If a -pianos pocketjbook is not eon yertad with iiis ijQui, tbe man will not get Into heaven with It, * There are certain things that money alone can secure, but among those things it cannot buy is character. " 'All wealth from the Christian "Mr. Strong, tf you preach to the peojAe to leave sbch pleasure as that we have Just glanced at to view or suffer such things as are found In the tenements, you must expect opposition. I doubt if they will understand your meaning. I know they will pqt do any such thing. It Is asking too much." "Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too Knall( Love ao amazing, «q d|vln«, pf *wut, my life, my all!" He began to speak very quietly and simply, as his fashion was, of the fact that he had been asked to resign his pastorate of Calvary church. He made the statement clearly, with no halting or hesitation or sentiment of tone or gesture. Then, after saying that there was only one course open to him under the circumstances, he went on to speak, as he said he ought to speak, in defense of his Interpretation of Christ and his teaching: ■■■" M It would partly describe the effect of this sermon on Calvary church to say, what was a fact, that when Pblllp ended and then kneeled down by the side of. the desk to pray the silence was painful, and the Intense feeling proyoked by hi* remarkable statements was felt in tbe appearance of the audience as It remained seated after the hanadlfilnn. Rut the final result waa Philip!' she cried. "They have ' broken your heart." "Well, brethren," he said,-"what can we do to help the solution of these questions? Is the church of America to have no shore in the greatest problem life that agitates the world It not true that the people n regard the church as an it organization, unable 16 Closed doors. Even the papers did not know the whole truth at once. I kept from you as long as I could. Oh, It VfR cruel, so cruel!" "Alfred Is dead!" He was saying the words quietly as he held out the telegram. ♦'And yet the Lord Jesus Christ, although he was rich, for our sakes became poor, that we, through his poverty, might be rich.' Mr. Winter, what this town needs is that kind of Christianity, the kind that will give up the physical pleasures of life to show the love of Christ to uerishimt men. 1 be- c IBI CLINtOK He could not remember Just what brought up the subject, but some one during the evening, which was passed, in conversation and music, mentioned the rumor going about of Increased disturbance In the lower part of the town and wtewlj wanted to know if standpoint Is In the nature of trust of human 1 {units, to be so used as tbe admlnis1 today? Is trator, God, sbali direct. No roan ownk In this tow tbe money for himself. Tbe sold U hwigniflcai flotf»; tb» jUyer i» Tb»£ i#Jfe* b«lj» at tlu "Llttle woman," spoke Philip very gently and calmly, "this is a blow to me. I did not think the church would do It I hoped"— He paused, and bis vole* trembled tor a brief moment. "Dead! And you left him getting better! How dreadful!" "Do you think so? He is at reBt 1 must go up there at once. They expect me." He still spoke quietly, stilling the tumult of Ida heart & ao- . Tcrjr point of hwnuia C• rials.