Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-02-10
THE CRUC|F|X|0N
OF PHILIP STRONG.
BY REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON
Author of "In His Jesus Kirk "Rober
EIadys Seven Days." Etc.

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTs
In order that new readers Of THE En-
QUIRER may begin with the following IN
stallment of this story, and understand 1t
lust the same as though they had read 1t
all from the beginning. we here give a
SYNOPSIS of that portion of it which has
already been published:
Philip Strong, q minister, receives two calls,
one to q college town, where he may i've a
q manufacturing town where there Is plenty OF
work to do among the laboring classes: He
accepts the more active field. Philip discov-
ers that O number Of his wealthy parishl0ners
have property rented for saloons and gambling
houses He interviews one Of them and Is
advised that he had better not stir up the
matter, The next Sunday he breaches upon
the subject, and Mr.. Winter one of his most
prominent parishioners, having property rent,
ed for such purposes, rises from his seat ana
walks out of the church. The next morning
Winter calls on the minister ana resents Wnat
he calls an insult to himself, then, threaten
ing to withdraw his support from the church,
retires in high dudgeon. The sermon creates
great excitement, and the next Sunday large
crowd attends Philips church, expecting u
sensational sermon; but Philip disappoints
them preaching on different subject entirely
Philip attacks the saloons and preaches
against them to a large econgregation. he ecalls
upon his people to join with him in an at
tempt to eXterminate them. Later he leaves
his house to visit n sick child, and man on
the opposite side of the street fires two shot at
him. Philip has been severely though not
mortally wounded. His assassin is arrested
and, ut Philips request, is brought before MIN;
Philip assures him that he bears him no III
the Sunday question and makes new enemies.
Coming home one evening, he finds his vile
in a faint on the floor, a knife stuck into the
desk and two anonymous ScraWs, one one 90 mu,
dressed "To the Preacher" the other ITO the
Preachers Wife," They were warnings, to
leave the town. The minister's wife begs her
husband to leave the field for another, but in
stead he prepares to continue the war againSI
astonishes his parishioners by proposing 10
move their church cditce into the tenement
district. He speaks to the laboring men s at
their hall and unintentionally influences them
against the rich by holding up the selfshness
Of many rich people. When he goes home; he
is informed that mob is threatening Mr..
scene and rescues Mr. Winter from the mob.
Philip breaches against wasteful expenditures
when the Door are in need and is visited oy a
stranger who asks for food and shelter, VINO
tells his benefactor that he lives too eNtrava-
gantly for one who breaches against eXtrava.
gance. Philip calls him "Brother Man."
Philip takes the words Of the stranger to
heart and acts upon them. He requests his
congregation to reduce his salary one.half ana
fit up the parsonage for refuge for homeless
children. Philip discusses his proposition
with the trustees of his church, who oppose
his plan. Philip is again visited by the
brother Man" who encourages him. The
sexton Of Philips church, a Negro, is conver-
ted and desires to join the church. Philip
presents the nan Of the sexton to the church
committee on admission, and the candidate
receives majority of the votes cast The sen
ton is rejected b. the church. One who mas
been elected declines to be received into the
church on account of the sections rejection,
informing the members that the rejected man
is caring for the son of his old master, who Is
in poverty and sickness. Philip goes TO see
the sick man and administers the commun-
ion. Philip at the evening service throws up
his arms, utters n cry and falls backward. He
is taken home and recovers. The next day he
receives an important letter. 1t contains an
offer Of profeSsorship in the theological SEM
mary at which he had been graduated. His
wife urges him to accept He tells her that
he will pray over his decision. \ laborng
man calls upon him and tells him of II plot to
waylay and njure him. The man also assures
him of the value of the great work he Is doing.
He decides to remain at Milton. Philip is
attacked He wrestles with his assailant and
throws him.