The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-06-28
| IHE CRUCFNlN O PHILIP STRONG: !
ev REV. CHARLES N. SHELDON,
Author Of Whit Would Jesus Dor "1aleom
Ki.hs 'RoSsrt HasAy's Seven pavss' 1O
Copyres Ms bv NJ PssahhAao O.


people," replied the nervous little man
who had been first to speak.
"Still, we cannot deny that 1t Is a
very generous thing for Mr.. Strong
to do. He certainly is entitled to cred
1t for his unselflsh proposal No one
can charge him with being worldly
minded" said Mr.. Winter. feeling Il
new interest in the subject as he found
himself defending the minister.
"Arc you IN favor of allowing him
to do what he proposes IN the matter
Of the parsonage" asked another.
81 don't sec hat we can hinder Mr..
Strong from living anywhere he
plcascs II he wants to. The church
cannot compel LIN to live In the par
sonage."
"No. but II can choose not to have
| such q minister" exclaimed the first
speaker again cxcited!y, and TO- o." :
am most decidedly opposed to TIE
whol, thing. Go %: see how the
church can allow 1t aad maintain Its
self respect
"Do You think the church Is ready to
tell Mr.. Strong that his services are
not wanted any longer" asked Mr.
Winter coldly.
IL am. for ono OF the members and l
know others who feel as l do X mat
ters 60 on in this way much .o?"c:.
tell you. Brother Winter, Calvary
church Is very near crisis. Look at
., - al ,,I La, \InI
Albergs. They are all leaving us. and
the plain reason Is the nature Of the
preaching. Why, you know yourself.
Brother Winter. that never has the
pulpit OF Calvary church heard such
Drcachin" ON peoples private a~airs.'
Mr.. Winter colorcd and replied angri-
ly: What has that to do with this
present matter? II the minister wants
TO live in simpler style. | don't see
what business we have to stop H. As
to the disposition of the parsonage,
that is matter Of business which
rests with the church to arrange
The nervous. irritable little man who
had spoken oftcncst rose to his feet
and exclaimed: You can count me out
of all this. then. | wash my hands of
the wholeG affair" And be went out OF
the room. leaving the rest of the board
som.what surprised at his sudden de-
parture.
They remained about quarter Of an
hour longer discussing the matter, and
finally, at Mr.. Winters suggestion, n
committee was appointed to go and see
the minister the next evening and see
il he could not be persuaded TO modify
or change his proposition made in the
morning sermon. The rest OF the trus-
tees insisted that Mr.. Winter himself
should act as chairman of the commit
tee, and after some rcmOnStrance he
finally, with great reluctance, agreed
to do SO.
So Philip next evening, as lie sat IN
his study mapping out the week $
work and wondering Il little what the
church would do in the face of his pro-
posal, received the committee. wclcOm-
ing them in his bright hearty man
ner. He had been notified ON Sunday
evening of the approaching confer
rncc. The committee consisted of Mr..
Winter and two other members of the
board.
Mr.. Winter opened the conversation
with considerable embarrassment and
an evident reluctance for his share in
the matter.
"Mr. Strong. we have come, rs you
are aware. TO talk over your PROPOSE
ton of yesterday morning concerning
the parsonage. 1t was a great surprise
to us all"
Philip smiled little. Mrs. Strong
says ! act too much on impulse and
do not prepare people enough for my
statements. But one Of the greatest
men | ever knew used to say that an
impulse was Il good thing to obey in
stantly if there was no doubt of its be-
ing right one"
"And do you consider this proposed
move of yours Il right one, Mr..
Stroug:" asked Mr.. Winter.
II do" replied Philip, with quiet en-
phasis. II do not regret making it,
and | believe it is my duty to abide by
my original decision"
"Do you mean that you intend actu-
| ally to move out of this parsonageT'
| asked one of the other members of the
committee.
"Yes." Philip said 1t so quietly and
yet so decidedly that the men were ST.
lent n moment. Then Mr.. Winter
said:
"Mr. Strong, this matter is likely to
cause trouble in the church, and we
might as well understand it frankly.
| The trustees believe that as the par,
sonage belongs to the church proper
ty and was built for the minister he
ought to live in it. The church will
not understand your desire to move
out"
do you understand 1t, Mr.. Win
ter" Philip put the question poin,
blank.
mo, don't know that do who'll
ly." Mr.. Winter colored and replied
In hesitating manner.
II gave my reasons yesterday morn
ing. do not know that I can make
| them plainer The truth IN I cannot