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

people," replied the nervous little man
who had been first to speak.
"Still, we cannot deny that it Is a
very generous thing for Mr.. Strong
to do. He certainly is entitled to cred
it for his unselfish proposal. No one
can charge him with being worldly
| minded" said Mr.. Winter, feeling
new interest in the subject as he found
himself defending the minister.
"Are you in favor of allowing him
to do what he proposes in the matter
of the parsonage" asked another.
| 81 don't see that we can hinder Mr..
Strong from living anywhere he
pleases if he wants to. The church
cannot compel him to live in the par
sonage."
( mo, but it can choose not to have
such a Minister exclaimed the first
speaker again eXcitedly, 'and for one
am most decidedly opposed to tte
whole thing. / do not see how the
self respect"
"Do you think the church is ready to
tell Mr. Strong that his services are
not wanted any longer" asked Mr..
Winter coldly.
Il am, for one of the members, and
know others who feel as I do if mat
ters go on i'll this way much longer. I
tell you, Brother Winter, Calvary
church is very near a crisis. Look at
the Goldens and the Malyerns and the
Albergs. They are all leaving us, and
the plain reason is the nature of the
preaching. Why, you know yourself,
Brother Winter, that never has the
pulpit Of Calvary church heard such
preaching ON peoples private affairs"
Mr.. Winter colored and replied angri-
ly: ''What has that to do with this
present matter? If the minister wants
to live in a simpler style, don't see
what business we have to stop it. As
to the disposition of the parsonage,
that is a matter of business which
rests with the church to arrange"
The nervous, irritable little man who
had spoken oftenest rose to his feet
and exclaimed: You can count me out
of all this, then. l wash my hands of
the whole affair."" And he went out of
the room, leaving the rest of the board
somewhat surprised at his sudden de
parture.
They remained about a quarter of ar
hour longer discussing the matter, and
finally, at Mr.. Winters suggestion, 8
committee was appointed to go and SEE
the minister the next evening and SEE
if he could not be persuaded to modify
aho hie, in, hf
morning sermon. The rest of the trus
tees insisted that Mr. Winter himself
should act as chairman of the commit
tee, and after some remonstrance h'
finally, with great reluctance, agreed
to do so.
So Philip next evening, as he sat il
his study mapping out the week
work and wondering little what th
; church would do in the face of his pro
posal, received the committee, welcOm
ing them in his bright, hearty man
ner. He had been notified ON Sunda.
evening of the approaching confer
ence. The committee consisted of MI
Winter and two other members of tn
board.
Mr.. Winter opened the conversatio
with considerable embarrassment an
an evident reluctance for his share i
the matter.
= '"'Mr Strong, we have come, as 70
are aware, to talk over your propOs
ton of yesterday morning cOncernin
the parsonage. 1t was great surpris
= to us all"
). Philip smiled little. Mrs. Stron
says l act too much on impulse an
= do not prepare people enough for m
= statements. But one of the creates
men l ever knew used to say that a
. impulse was good thing to obey il
i stantly if there was no doubt of its b.
ing right one.'
"And do you consider this propose
= move of yours a right one, NJ
= Strong?" asked Mr.. Winter.
u 81 do," replied Philip, with quiet en-
! phasis. 81 do not regret making
: = and believe it is my duty to abide /
u, my original decision
~ ''Do you mean that you intend act
ally to move out of this parsonage
asked one of the other members of Il
- committee.
:. "Yes" Philip said it so quietly al
u yet so decidedly that the men were {
. lent a moment Then Mr.. Wint
30 said:
~ Mr.. Strong. this matter is likely
10 cause trouble in the church, and V
VI might as we'll understand it frank
u The trustees believe that as the pa
Il. sonage belongs TO the church prope
~ ty and was built for the minister
no ought to live in it. The church W
not understand your desire to mo
81 out"
ot do you understand it, Mr.. Wi
es ter?" Philip put the question poi
-, blank.
NC mo, 1 don't know that 1 do VIII
ly." Mr.. Winter colored and repli
'n in hesitating manner.
= 81 gave my reasons yesterday MOI
ing. l do not know that l can ma
%, them palmer. The truth is l CAM
~ go on preaching to my people abe
-. living on a simpler basis while l c.
'"' tinue to live in surroundings that
the face of them contradict my O.
convictions In other words, l {
-. "a living beyond my necessities here.
na have lived all my life surrounded
~ the luXuries of civilization. If nov
~ desire to give these benefits to th'