The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-06-28

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"You can coun. me out of all this, then. u
your honesty, but will your leaving
the parsonage and living in less eX'
pensive house on half your present sal
ary help your ciurch work or reach
more people and save more souls?"
81 am glad you put it that way" eX
claimed rH.lip, eagerly turning to the
speaker. ",rhat is just it. VIII my
proposed move result in bringing the
church a. ] 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 I believe 1t will. The chasm
between the church and the people IN
these days must be bridged by the spir'
1t of sacrifice in material things. 1t Is
in vain ro- us to preach spiritual truths
unless We live physical truths. Wha,
the world is looking for today are oh,
ject lessons in self denial on tie part
of Christian people"
For q moment no one spoke. Then
Mr.. Winter said:
"About your proposal that this house
be turned into II refuge or home fol
homeless children. Mr. Strong. do you
consider that idea practicable! Is II
business? Is it possible"
II believe it is very decidedly. The
number Of homeless and vagrant chill
drcn at present in Milton would aston
fish YOU. This house could he put into
beautiful shape as detention house
until homes could be found for the
children in Christian families
at would take a great deal Of money
to manage IT,"
"Yes," replied Philip. with n sadness
which had its cause deep within him
ut would cost something. But can tho
world be saved cheaply? Does not
every soul saved cost an immense sum,
II not Of money at least Of az .eghiva-
lent! Is it possible for us to get at
the heart Of the great social problem
without feeling the need of using all
our powers to solve it rightly!'
hl. w iuttl SHooh h'hh' AhN NAiNs
not understand the minister. His ac-
ton and his words were both foreign
to the mill owners regular business
habits of thought and performance.
What will you do, Mr.. Strong. If
the church refuses TO listen to this pro-
posed plan Of yours"
Il suppose" answered Philip after
u little pause "the church will not oh,
jcct to my living in another house at
my own chargcs!
They have no right to compel you
to live here" Mr. Winter turned To
the other members of the committee,
Il said so ut our previous meeting
Gentlemen. am not right in that?'
1T Is not question of our com.
pelling Mr.. Strong to live here" said
one of the others. at Is n question of
the churchs expecting him to do so
1t is the parsonage and the church
home for the minister. In my opinion
it will cause trouble IL Mr.. Strong
moves out People will not understand
it."
"That is my belief. too. Mr.. Strong
said Mr.. Winter. ''It would be better
for you to modify or change or, better
still. to abandon this plan. 1t will not
be understood and will cause trouble
Suppose the church should rent the
parsonage thea" suggested Philip. "ll
would then he getting revenue from
the property. That, with the thousand
dollars on my salary, could be wisely
| and generously used to relieve much
suffering in Milton this winter. The
church could easily rent the house"
That was true, AS the parsonage
stood on one of the most desirable
parts of Il street and would command
! good rental.
"Thcn you persist in this plan OF
yours, do you, Mr.. Strong?" asked the
! third member of the committee, who
had for the most part been silent.
"Yes; | consider that under the cir
cumstances, local and universal, ii Is
my duty. Where l propose to go is Z
house which | can get for $S month
1t is near the tenement district and moi
so far from the church and this neigh
borhoOd that l need be isolated toe
much from my church family"
Mr.. Winter looked serious and per
picked. The other trustees looked dis
satisfied. 1t was evident they regard
ed the whole thing with disfavor.
Mr.. Winter rose abruptly. He coult
not avoid feeling Of anger in spite Of
his obligation to the minister. He alst
had q vivid recollection Of his former
interview with the pastor In tina
study. And yet he struggled with thu
vague resistance against the feeling
that Philip was proposing to do thini
that could result In only one way-o
suffering for himself. With all the res
went a suppressed but conscious emo
tion OF wonder that q man would O.
his own free will give up luxurious
home for the sake Of any one.
'The matter CT reduction Of salary
Mr.. Strong. win have to come befor'
the church. The trustees cannot vot