Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-03
tcontlnued)
CHAPTER XVI.

The day was beautiful and the
church as usual crowded TO the doors.
There was a feeling Of hardly conceal
ed excitement on the part OF Calvary
church. The action OF Thursday night
had been sharply criticised. Very many
thought Philip had gone beyond his
right In bringing such an important
fubject before so small a meeting OF
the members. and the prospect Of the
approaching baptism and communion
OF the sexton had drawn In crowd OF
people who ordinarily stayed away from
that service.
Philip generally had no preaching on
communion Sunday This morning he
remained on the platform after the
opening exercises, and In a stiffness
which was almost painful In its in
tensity he began to speak IN a low but
clear and impressive voice:
Fellow disciples OF the church OF
Christ on earth, we meet to celebrate
the memory of that greatest OF all be-
ings, who, on the eve Of His own great
est agony, prayed that His disciples
might all be one. In that prayer He
said nothing about color or race or
difference OF speech or social sur
roundngs. His prayer was that his
disciples might all be one-one In their
aims, In their purposes, their sympa-
thy, their faith. their hope. their love,
IAN event has happened In this
church very recently which makes Il
necessary for me 20 say these words,
The Holy Spirit came into this room
last Sunday and touched the hearts
of several young men, who gave them
selves then and there 10 the Lord Jesus
Christ Among the men was one OF
another race than the Anglo. Saxon.
He was a black man. His heart was
melted by the same love, his mind H.
Illuminated by the same truth. He de-
Fired 10 make confession Of his belief,
be baptized according 10 the commands
OF Jesus and unite with this church as
a humble disciple OF the lowly NaZa-
rene. His name was presented with
the rest AT the regular committee meet
Ing last Monday. and that committee.
by vote OF 3 to ?, refused to present
his name with recommendations FOR
membership. On my own responsible
~ at the preparatory service Thursday
night ! asked the church 10 act upon
this disciples name. There was a
legal quorum Of the church present.
BY a vote Of % to ~ the applicant for
membership was received according to
the rules OF this church.
But after that meeting the man
came 10 me and said that he was I'M
willing to unite with the church, know
ing that some objected TO his member
ship. IL was natural feeling for him
to have We had long talk over the
matter. Since then | have learned
that II larger representation Of menu
bers had been present az the prepara-
tory meeting there is possibility that
the number voting against receiving
the applicant would have been much
larger than those who voted for him.
Under all these circumstances |
have deemed Il my duty TO say what I
have thus far said and 10 ask the
church 10 take the action 7 now prol
prose, We are met here this morning IN
full membership Here Is a soul lust
led out Of the darkness by the shirt Of
truth. lie Is one known 10 many OF
you as an honest. worthy man. for
many years faithful IN the discharge Of
his duties in this house There is no
Christian reason why he should be de-
MED Fellowship around this table I
wish, therefore 20 ask the members Of
the church 20 vote again on the ac-
cepinnre or rejection OF Henry Roland.
disciple Of Jesus who has asked for
admission 10 this body OF Christ in
His name. Win all those In favor OF
thus receiving our brother into the
great family Of faith signify II by rats.
Ing the right hand?"
For a moment not a person In the