Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-07-19
The Crucifixion of
Philip Strong.
By REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON
Copyright, 1899, by The Advance Publishing Col
CHAPTER XIII.


Philip read the letter through with
out lifting his eyes from the paper or
making any comment. 1t was as fol-
lows:
Rev. Philip Strong Calvary Church. Milton:
As clerk Of the church am instructed 70 in
form you Of the action Of the church at a reeu.
larry called meeting last Monday night AT that
meeting it was voted by a majority present that
| you be asked 10 resign the pasturate Of Calvary
church for the following reasons:
/ First.-There is a very widespread discomfort on
/ the part o. the church membership on account o.
the use OF the church for Sunday evening dis
| eussions Of social. political and economic cues.
lions and the introduction into the pulpit OF per-
sons whose character and standing are known to
be hostile to the church and its teachings.
seeond-Ihc business men OF the church. al
most without exception, agreed and so ex-
pressed themselves at the meeting that the ser
| mou of Sunday before last was exceedingly dan.
gerous in its tone and liable to lead to the
gTayest results In acts OF lawessness and anarchy
on the part Of people who are already in1amed
to deeds Of violence against property and wealth
Such preaching in the opinion Of the majority a.
pew owners and supporters Of Calvary church
cannot be allowed or the church will inevitably
lose its standing in society.
ThrdIt is the fixed determination Of a major. |
ty Of the oldest and most influential members Of
Calvary church TO withdraw from the orgauiza- |
ton all support under the present condition Of AZ.
fairs The trustees announced that the pledges
Tor church support had already fallen off very
largely and last Sunday less than half the repu.
lar amount was received. This was aseribed 10
the sermon Of the first Of the month
Foutth-The vacation OF the parsonage and the !
removal OF the minister into the region Of the
tenement district have created an intense feeling
on the part OF a large number Of families who
nave Tor years been firm supporters and friends Of
the church. They feel that the action was alto
gether uncalled for and they think it has been
the means Of dtsruPtng the church and throwing
matters into confusion. besides placing the church
In an uniaForable light with the other churches
and the community at large
flith.-it was the opinion of a majority Of the !
members present that. while much Of the sufrit / ,
exhibited by yourself was highly eommpndabIe. |
yet IN view OF all the facts it would be expedient
OF the pastoral relation to be severed The con.
inuauee ct that relation seemed TO promise only
dded disturbance and increased antaeouisp n
ne church. 1t was the well nigh unanimous yer.
net t1at your plans and methods might succeed | |
o your better satisfaction with a constituency | /
made up Of nonehurch people and that possibly Z
our own ineinations would lead you to take the
tep winch the church has thought wisest and Z
est for all concerned |
II IS my painful duty as the clerk of Calvary y
hureh to write thus plainly the action Of the i,
hufeh and the specific reasons for that action A :
1uhgil viii be called to review our proceedings i
"a ADVISE with reference to the same. In behalf t
the church, CIart
Philip finished the letter and lifted =
Is eyes again. And again he looked
ut through the window across the \
beds to the roofs of the tenements. h
rom where he sat he could also see.
ross the city up on the rising ground, -
ie splre of Calvary church. 1t rose u
stlnet and cold against the gray De- :,
'mDer sky. The air was clear and n
osty, the ground was covered with =,
low. and the roofs of the tenements -
lowed black and white patches where
e thinner snow had melted. He was -.
lent so long that his wife became =.
ightened. "
Philip! Philip" she cried as she
rev her arms about his neck and =,
eW his head down nearer. "Tbey -
We broken your heart They have ~
He'd you. There is no love in the ~ ~,
,rld any more" =,
No, noP' he cried suddenly. "You w.,
lst not say that. You make me "
ubt. There is the love of Christ, ~,
lieh passeth knowledge. But. oh.
the church, the church which he ~,
ed and for which he gave himselfr' .
But it is not the church of Christ -
II has done this thing" ~.
Nevertheless it is the church in the ~
rid he replied. Tell me- Sarah. ~
v this was kept so secret from me-" :.
You forget. You were SO entirely :.
'orbed in the care of Alfred, and :.
n the church meeting was held with NIB