Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-05-17

Z the parsonage ana living III iS97 "a
pensiye house on half your present sal
airy help your church work or reacI
more people and save more souls!
II am glad you put it that way ex
claimed Philip, eagerly turning to the
speaker. THAT is just it. Win my
proposed move result in bringing the
church and the minister into closer and
more vital relations with the people
most in need of spiritual and physical
uplifting? Out of the depths Of my
nature | believe it will. The chasm
between the church and the people in
these days must be bridged by the spir-
It of sacrifice in material things. 1t Is
in vain for us to preach spiritual truths
unless we live physical truths. What
the world is looking for today are Oh
ject lessons in self denial on the part
of Christian people"
For a moment no one spoke. Then
Mr.. Winter said:
"About your proposal that this house
be turned into a refuge or home for
! homeless children, Mr.. Strong, do you
consider that idea practicable! Is It
| business? Is it possibleF
Il believe it is. very decidedly. The
number of homeless and vagrant chill
dren at present in Milton would aston
ish YOU. This house could be put into
beautiful shape as a detention house
until homes could be found for the
children in Christian families"
ut would take great deal Of money
to manage IT,"
eyes" replied Philip with a sadness
which had its cause deep within him,
at would cost something. But can the
world be saved cheaply? Does not
every soul saved cost an immense sum,
if not of money at least Of an eQuiya-
lent? Is ii possible for us to get at
the heart of the great social problem
without feeling the need of using all
our powers to solve it rightly
Mr. Winter shook his head. He did
not understand the minister. His ac-
tiou and his words were both foreign
to the mill owners regular business
habits of thought and performance.
What will you do, Mr.. Strong, If
the church refuses to listen to this pro-
posed plan of yours?'
Il suppose" answered Philip after
little pause, the church viii not OBJ
ject TO my living in another house at
my own chargesT
They have no right to compel you |
to live here Mr.. Winter turned TO |
the other members of the committee. |
81 said so at our previous meeting. |
Gentlemen, am l not right in thatE"
ct is not a question Of our COM |
polling Mr.. Strong to live here" said |
one of the others. 1T is a question Of |
the churchs expecting him 10 do So.
1t is the parsonage and the church
home for the minister. In my opinion
1t will cause trouble if Mr.. Strong
moves out People will not understand
It,"
THAT is my belief, too Mr.. Strong"
said Mr.. Winter. 1T would be better
for you to modify or change or. better
still, TO abandon this plan. 1t win not
be understood and will cause trouble"
Suppose the church should rent the
parsonage then" suggested Philip. 1T
would then be getting a revenue from
he property. That. with the thousand
dollars on my salary, could be wisely
Ind generously used TO relieve much
in Milton this winter. The
church could easily rent the house"
That was true, as the parsonage
stood on one Of the most desirable
parts Of b street and would command
good rental
Then you persist in this plan Of
yours, do You. Mr.. Strong?" asked the
bird member OF the committee. who
lad for the most part been silent.
Yes; l consider that under the cir
local and universal, IL is
ny duty. Where l propose 10 go is a
house which | can get for SO month.
L is near the tenement district and not
70 far from the church and this neigh.
lorhood that | need be isolated too
much from my church family"
Mr.. Winter looked serious and per {
'lexed. The other trustees looked dis
1t was evident they regard
d the whole thing with dlsfavor.
Mr. Winter rose abruptly. He could
lot avoid a feeling Of anger in spite OF
his obligation to the minister. lie also
lad a vivid recollection of his former
Interview with the pastor in that ,
.tudy. And yet he struggled with the
'ague resistance against the feeling ,
hat Philip was proposing to do a thing
hat could result in only one way-of
suffering for himself. With all the rest
vent a suppressed but conscious emo
ion Of wonder that a man would OF
his own free Will give up a luxurious
lone for the sake of any one.
The matter of reduction of salary,
'ir. Strong, win have to come before
he church. The trustees cannot vote
o accept your proposal l am very
much mistaken if the members Of Cal
AIRY church viii not oppose the reduc-
ion. You can see how it would place
Is in an unf0vorable light"
mot necessarily. Mr.. Winter" said
Philip eagerly. If the church will
imply regard IL as my nvvp ,rraa+ Il,