Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-12-30

ton except his wife.
mo, thought you did splendidly.
felt proud Of you. You made some
queer gestures, and once you put one
of your hands in your pocket. But your
sermons were both strong and effect
i've. am sure the people were i'm
pressed. 1t was very still at both serv.
ices"
Philip was silent a moment And his
wife went on:
II am sure we shall like it here,
Philip. What do you think?"
Il cannot tell yet There is very
much to do"
How do you like the church build
ing?"
"It Is an easy audience room for my
voice don't like the arrangement Of
the choir over the front door. | think
the choir ought to be down on the plat
form In front of the people. by the side
of the minister"
That's one of your hobbies, Philip.
But the singing was good. didn't you
think So?
Eyes, the choir Is a good one. The
congregation didn't seem to sing much.
and believe In congregational singing.
even when there is choir. But we
can bring that about In time, think"
Now, Philip" said his wife. In some
alarm. you are not going to meddle
with the singing. are you? 1t will get
YOU into trouble. There Is musical
committee In tie church, and such CON-
mittees are very sensitive about any
interference"
WELL" said Philip, rouslng up lit
tie, 1.-The singing Is a very important
part of the service. And 1t seems 10
me ought to have something impor-
tant to say about 1t. But you need not
fear, Sarah Pm not going to try to
change everything all at once"
His wife looked at him a little anx-
lously. She had perfect faith in Phil
ip's honesty Of purpose, but she some
times had fear of his impetuous de-
sire to reform the world. After a little
pause she spoke again, changing the
subject.
What did you think of the congrega-
ton, Philips"
81 enjoyed it. | thought 1t was very
attentive There was larger number
out this evening than | had expected" 7"
"Did you like the looks of the peo-
ple?
"They were all very nicely dressed"
"Now, Philip. you know that isn't
what | mean. Did you like the peo.
pies faces?"
"You know l like all sorts and condl-
tlons Of men,"
Eyes, but there are audiences and au-
diences Do you think you will enjoy
preaching to this one in Calvary
church,"
81 think SHALL" replied Philip, but
be said It in tone that might have
meant a great deal more Again there
was silence and again the minister's
wife was the first to break 1t.
"There was place In your sermon
tonight, Philip. where you appeared
the least bit embarrassed. as you seem
sometimes at home when you have
some writing or some newspaper ar
ticle on your mind and some one sud-
denly interrupts you with question q
good way from your thoughts. What
was the matter? Did you forget q
point"
mo, III tell you. From where l
stand on the pulpit platform | can see
through one Of the windows over the
front door. There Is large electric
lamp burning outside, and the light fell
directly on the sidewalk across the
street. From time to time groups Of
people went through that band Of
light. OF course | could not see their
faces very we'll, but soon found out
that they were mostly the young men
and women operatives Of the mills
They were out strolling through the
street, which. | am told, Is favorite
promenade with them. | should think
as many as 200 passed by the church
while was preaching. Well. after
awhile | began to ask myself whether
there was any possible way Of getting
those young people to come into the
church instead of strolling past? And
then | looked at the people in front Of
me and saw how different they were
from those outside and wondered If 1t
wouldn't be better to close up the
church and 60 and preach on the street
where the people are. And so, carry
ing on all that questioning with my
self, while tried to preach, causing
little embarrassment, as you kindly
call it. in the sermon"
81 should think so! But how do you
know. Philip. that those people outside
were in any need Of your preaching"
Philip appeared surprised at the
question He looked at his wife. and
her face was serious.
"Why. doesn't everybody need
preaching? They may not stand in
need of my preaching perhaps, but
they ought to have some preaching.
And | cannot help thinking of what is
the duty of the church in this place to
the great crowd outside. Something
ought to be DONE"
"Philip. am sure your work here
will be blessed. Don't you think 500"
81 know it WILL" replied Philip, with
the assurance Of a very positive but
spiritually minded man. He never
thought his Master was honored by
asking him for small things or doubt
ing the power Of Christianity to do
great things.