Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-02-07
THE CRUC|F|X|0N
OF PHILIP STRONG.
By REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON,
Author His "Malcom Kirk Roe
Hardy Days." Etc.

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTs
In order that new readers of THE En-
oUIRER may begin with the following in
stallment of this story, and understand it
lust the same as though they had read 1t
all from the beginning, we here give
synopsis Of that portion of 1t which has
already been published:
Philip Strong, minister, receives two calls,
one to college town, where ne may i've a
O manufacturing town where there Is plenty OF
work to do among the laboring classes; He
accepts the more active field. Philip dlscov-
ers that 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 MIR. Winter. one of his most
prominent parshioners, having property rent,
ed for such purposes, rises from his seat ana
walks out Of the church. The next morning
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
sensational sermon; but Philip disappoints
them preaching on q different subject entirely.
Philip attacks the saloons and preaches
against them to q large congregation. Hecalls
upon his people to join with him III an at
tempt to eXterminate them. Later he leaves
his house to visit sick child, and man on
the opposite side of the street fires two shot at
him Ph has been
and, at Philips request, is brought before him;
Philip assures him that he bears him no i'll
will and prays for him.. Philip preaches on
the Sunday question and ma kes new enemies.
Coming home one evening, he finds his wife
in faint on the floor, knife stuck into the
desk and two anonymous scraWlS, one al
dressed ITO 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 against
the devil there and in his own fashion: PhlIp
move their church edifice into the tenement
district. He speaks to the laboring men at
their hall and unintentionally influences them
Of many rich people. When he goes home: he
is informed that y mob IS threatening Mr..
Winter at his residence. Philip goes to the
scene and rescues Mr.. Winter from the mob.
when the poor are in need and is visited by a
stranger who asks for food and shelter, who
tells his benefactor that he lives too eXtrava-
gantly for one who breaches against extravs,
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 and
fit the S iop
with the trustees OF his church, VINO oppose
his plan. Philip is again visited by the
Brother Man. who encourages MIN. Inc
sexton Of Philips church, a Negro, is conyer-
ted and desires to join the church. Phlhp
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 by the church. One who has
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 10 see
the sick man and administers the commun-
ion. Philip at the evening service throws up
his arms, utters q cry and falls backward. He
is taken home and recoverS. The next day he
receives an important letter.