The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-03-08

day Of rest and worship. the necessi-
ty Of moving our church building down
into this neighborhood, the need Of
living on a simpler basis and. lastly.
the true work OF church in these
days"
.'Has your church done what you
have wishedY
"No." replied Philip, with sigh
"Wiu it do what You preach ought
to be done?'
81 do not know"
'Why don't you resignP
The question came with perfect SIM
plicity, but it smote Philip almost like
a blow. 1t was spoken with calmness
that hardly rose above whisper, but
it seemed TO the listener almost like a
shout. The thought of giving up his
work simply because his church had
not yet done what he wished or be-
cause some of his people did not like
him was the last thing man of bis
nature would do. He looked again at
the man and said:
would you resign if you were in my
placer
"No" 1t was so quietly spoken that
Philip almost doubted If his visitor
had replied Then he said, ''What has
been done with the parsonage"
at is empty. The church is waiting
to rent it to some one who expects to
move to Milton soon."
"Are you sorry you came hereY'
"No. am happy in my work"
"Do you have enough to eat and
wear?"
"Yes, indeed The thousand dollars
which the church refused to take Off
| my salary goes to help where most
needed. The rest is more than enough
for us"
docs your wife think so?" The
question from any one else had been
impertinent From this man it was
not.
"Let us call her in and ask her." re-
piled Philip, with smile.
Sarah, the Brother Man wants to
know if you have enough to live on"
Sarah came in and sat down. IT was
dark The year was turning into the
softer months of spring, and all the
outdoor world had been benediction
that evening if the sorrow and poverty
and sin of the tenement district so
near had not pervaded the very walls
and atmosphere of the entire place.
The minister's wife answered brave
ly: "Yes, we have food and clothing
and life's necessaries. But, oh, Philip,
this life is wearing you out! Yes,
Brother Man." she continued, while
tear rolled over her cheek, ''the minis
ter lis giving his lifeblood for these
people, and they do not care. 1t is a
vain sacrifice" She had spoken as
frankly as if the old man had been
her father. There was a something
in him which called out such conf
dence.
Mr.. Strong soothed his wife, clasping
her to him tenderly. There, Sarah,
you are nervous and tired. am lit
tie discouraged, but strong and hearty
for the work. Brother Man, you must
not think we regret your advice. We
have been blessed by following it."
And then their remarkable guest
stretched out his arms through the
gathering gloom in the room and SEEM
ed to bless them. Later in the even
ing he again called for a Bible and
offered a prayer of wondrous sweet
ness. He was shown to his plainly fur
nished room. He looked around and
smiled.
@This is like my old home" he said;
"a palace, where the poor die of hun
GER"
Philip started at the odd remark,
then recollected that the old man had
his half dazed condition Philip thought
probable he COMPOUNDED the humblest
surroundings with his once luxurious
home. He fingered a moment, and
the man said, as If speaking to him.
self, IF they do not renounce all they
have, they cannot be my disciples"
"Good night, Brother Man." cried
Philip as he went out.
"Good night, Christ's man." replied
his guest. And Philip went to his rest
that night, great questions throbbing
in him and the demands of the Master
more distinctly brought to his attention
than ever.
Again, as before when he rose in
the morning, he found that his visitor
vas zone. His eccentric movements
accounted for his sudden disappear
ances, but they were disappointed. They
wanted to see their guest again and
question him about his history. They
promised themselves he would do SO
next time.
The following Sunday Philip preach
ed one of those sermons which come to
u man once or twice in a whole minis
try. 1t was the last Sunday of the
month and not a special occasion. But
there had surged into his thought the
meaning of the Christian life with
such uncomfortable power that his SER
mon reached hearts never before touch
ed. He remained at the close Of the
service to talk with several young men,
who seemed moved as never before.
After they had gone away he went into
his own room back of the platform to
get something he had left there and to
his surprise found the church sexton
kneeling down by one of the chairs.
AS the minister came in the man rose
and turned toward him.
"Mr. Strong, want to be a Chris
tan. 1 want to join the church and
lead different life"
Philip clasped his hand, while tears
rolled over the mans face. He staid
and talked with him and prayed with
him, and when he finally went home
the minister was convinced it was as
strong and true conversion as he had
ever seen. He at once related the story
to his wife, who had gone on before
to get dinner.
"WhY. Philip" she exclaimed when