The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-04-24

one of my relatives. That slave wo-
man once nursed her master through
a terrible illness and saved his life.
This man, her son, was then a little
child. But in the strange changes that
have gone ON since the war the son of
the old master has been reduced to
poverty and obliged to work for a liv-
ing. He is now in this town. He is
this very day lying upon sick bed in
the tenement district. And this black
man has for several weeks out of his
small earnings helped the son of his
mothers master and cared for him
through his illness with all the devo-
ton of friend.
Il have only lately learned these
facts. But, knowing them as l do and
believing that he is as worthy to sit
about this table as any Christian here,
l cannot reconcile the rejection with
my own purpose to unite here. 1
therefore desire to withdraw my ap-
plication for membership here. Mr..
Strong, l desire to be baptized and par
take of the communion as disciple of
Christ simply, not as a member Of Cal
vary church. Can l do so?''
Philip replied in a choking voice,
."You can" The man sat down. 1t
was not the place for any demonstra-
ton. but again from the gallery came
slight but distinct note of applause.
As before, it instantly subsided az
Philip looked up. For a moment ev-
cry one held his breath and waited
for the minister's action. Philips face
was pale and stern. What his sensi-
tive nature suffered in that moment
no one ever knew, not even his wife,
who almost started from her seat,
fearing that he was about to faint.
For a moment there was a hesitation
about Philips manner so unusual with
him that some thought he was going to
leave the church. But he quickly call
ed on his will to assert its power. and,
taking up the regular communion serv-
ice, he calmly took charge of 1t as If
nothing out of the way had occurred.
He did not even allude to the morn
ing's incident in his prayers. Whatever
else the people might think of Philip
they certainly could find no fault with
his self possession. His conduct of the
service on that memorable Sunday was
admirable.
When it was over, he was surround
ed by different ones who had taken
part either for or against the sexton.
There was much said about the matter.
But all the arguments and excuses and
comments on the affair could not re-
move the heartache from Philip. He
could not reconcile the action Of the
church with the spirit of the church's
Master, Jesus, and when he finally
reached home and calmly reviewed the
events of the morning he was more
and more grieved for the church and
for his Master. 1t seemed to him that
a great mistake had been made and
that Calvary church had disgraced the
name of Christianity.
AS he had been in the habit of doing
since he moved into the neighborhood
of the tenements, Philip went out in
the afternoon to visit the sick and the
sorrowful. The shutting down of the
amount of suffering and trouble. As
spring came on some few of the mills
had opened, and men had found work
in them at a reduction of wages. The
entire history of the enforced idleness
of thousands of men in Milton during
that eventful winter would make a
large volume of thrilling narrative.
Philips story but touches on this 9TH
er. He had grown rapidly familiar
with the different phases of life which
lOafed and idled and drank itself away
during that period of inactiOn. Hun
dreds of men had drifted away to 9th
er places in search of work. Almost as
many more had taken to the road to
swell the ever increasing number OF
professional tramps and in time to de-
velop into petty thieves and criminals
But those who remained had desper
ate struggle with poverty. Philip grew
sick at heart as he went among the
people and saw the complete helpless
ness, the utter estrangement of sympa
thy and community of feeling between
the church people and these represent
atives of the physical labor of the
world. Every time he went out to d(
his visiting this feeling deepened il
him. This Sunday afternoon in partic
ular it seemed to him as if the depres
sion and discouragement of the tene
ment district weighed on him like {
great burden. bearing him down to thu
earth with sorrow and heartache.
He had been in the habit of goins
out to communion Sunday with the
emblems of Christ to observe the rit,
by the bedsideS of the aged or ill O
those who could not get out to church
He carried with him this time baske
containing part of the communion
service. After going to the homes o
one or two invalid church members h
thought of the person who had beel
mentioned by the man in the mornin;
as living in the tenement district an'
in critical condition. He had secured
his address, and after a little inquir.
he soon found himself in part of tn
tenements near to him.
He climbed up three flights of stair
and knocked at the door. 1t was open
ed by the sexton. He greeted Phili
with glad surprise.
The minister smiled sadly.
$50, my brother, it is true you ar
! serving your Master here? My hear
is grieved at the action of the churc
this morning."