The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-04-17

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(: 7I'i q |!
<If ~ cry
you can count me out of all this, then"
your honesty, but will your leaving
the parsonage and living in a less ex-
pensive house on half your present sal
ary help your church work or reach
more people and save more soulsY'
81 am glad you put 1t that way" ex-
claimed Philip, eagerly turning to the
speaker. THAT is just it. Will my
proposed move result in bringing the
church and the minister into closer and
more vital relations with the people
most in need Of spiritual and physical
uplifting? Out of the depths Of my
nature / believe 1t will. The chasm
between the church and the people in
these days must be bridged by the spir-
it of sacrifice in material things. 1t is
in vain for us to preach spiritual truths
unless we live physical truths. What
the world is looking for today are OBJ
ject lessons in self denial on the part
Of Christian people,"
For a moment no one spoke. Then
| Mr.. Winter said:
| "About your proposal that this house
be turned into a refuge or home for
homeless children, Mr.. Strong, do you
consider that idea practicable? Is ii
| business? Is it possible?"
| 81 believe it is, very decidedly. The
number of homeless and vagrant chill.
| dren at present in Milton would aston
ish you. This house could be put into
beautiful shape as a detention house
until homes could be found for the
children in Christian families"
"It would take great deal Of money
to manage it."
"Yes," replied Philip, with sadnes.
which hah it's cause deep within him
at would aost something. But can thu
world be saved cheaply? Does no
every soul saved cost an immense sum
if not of money at least Of an equiva
lent? Is it possible for us to get a
the heart of the great social problem
without feeling the need Of using al
our powers to solve it rightlyT
Mr.. Winter shook his head. He dit
not understand the minister. His &C
ton and his words were both foreigl
to the mill owners regular bushes
habits Of thought and performance.
what will you do, Mr.. Strong,
the church refuses to listen to this pro
posed plan of yours?"
Il suppose" answered Philip afte
a little pause, "the church will not OF
ject to my living in another house a
my own charges?
"They have no right to compel yo
to live here" Mr.. Winter turned t
the other members of the COMMITTEES
81 said so at our previous meeting
Gentlemen, am not right in that?"
"It is not a question Of our con
, pelling Mr.. Strong to live here" sal
one of the others. ''It is question c
! the church's expecting him to do 81
1t is the parsonage and the churc
| home for the minister. In my OpiniO
it will cause trouble If Mr.. StrOn
moves out. People will not understan
it."
, THAT is my belief, too, Mr.. Strong
= said Mr.. Winter. "It would be bette
| e. 60 nh hot
: still, to abandon this plan. 1t will nj
1 be understood and will cause trouble
Y Suppose the church should rent tt
t parsonage then," suggested Philip. g
q would then be getting a revenue fro
: the property. That, with the thousar
: dollars on my salary, could be wise
and generously used to relieve muC
suffering in Milton this winter. III
:. church could easily rent the house."
That was true, as the parsona.
l. stood on one of the most desirab
|, parts of B street and would commaI
y good rental.
"Then you persist in this plan
l. yours, do you, Mr.. Strong" asked tt
third member of the committee, WI
e had for the most part been silent.
"Yes; l consider that under the G
d cumstances, local and universal, it
i my duty. Where propose to go is
# house which 1 can get for So mont
1t is near the tenement district and q
% so far from the church and this neig
'e borhood that 1 need be isolated t
Y. much from my church family"
r Mr.. Winter looked serious and p,
+ picked. The other trustees looked d
le satisfied 1t was evident they regal
ii ed the whole thing with disfavor.
re Mr.. Winter rose abruptly. He cot
not avoid a feeling Of anger in spite
D. his obligation to the minister. He a.
ut had vivid recollection of his form
interview with the pastor in tt
IL study. And yet he struggled with
I'd vague resistance against the feeli
that Philip was proposing to do thi
n that could result in only one way
le suffering for himself. With all the r
OF went a suppressed but conscious en-
ut ton of wonder that man would
IL his own free will give up luxurit
on home for the sake Of any one.
vn "The matter Of reduction Of sala
m Mr.. Strong, will have to come bef
l the church. The trustees cannot v
by to accept your proposal. 1 am "
I much mistaken II the members of {
se vary church will not oppose the red