Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-01-04

us 1t right, fny bTOtlcT7"
was true that he rented several houses
In a certain block where saloons and
gambling houses were numerous. The
man looked at Philip, turned red and
finally said 1t was fact, but none of
Philips business.
my dear brother" said Philip, with
a sad but winning smile, ''you cannot
imagine what it costs me to ccme to
you about this matter. In one sense IT
may seem to you like an impertinent
meddling in your business. In another
sense 1t is only what ought to do as
pastor of q church which is dearer to
me than my life. And have come to
you as brother In Christ to ask you
IL it seems to you like thing which
Christ would approve that you. his
disciple, should allow the property
which has come into your hands that
you may use it for his glory and the
building up of his kingdom to be used
by the agents Of the devil while you
reap the financial benefit. Is it right,
my brotherw
The man to whom the question was
put made the usual excuses. that IL he
did not rent to these people other men
would, that there was no call for the
property by other parties and If 1t were
not rented to objectionable people 10
would lie empty at dead loss. and so
forth. To all of which Philip opposed
the plain will Of God, that all a man
has should be used in clean and honest
ways, and he could never sanction the
getting of money through such i'm
moral channels. The man was finally
induced to acknowledge that 1t was not
Just the right thing to do and especial
ly for church member But when
Philip pressed him to give up the whole
iniquitous revenue and clear himself
Of all connection with IL the property
owner looked aghast.
"Why, Mr.. Strong, do you know
what you ask? Two-thirds of the most
regular part Of my income Is derived
from these rents. 1t Is out Of the ques-
ton for me to give them up. You are
too nice In the matter. All tie prop
erty owners in Milton do the same
thing. There isn't a man Of any means
In the church who isn't deriving some
revenue from this source. Why. large
part Of your salary is paid from these
very rents. You will get into trouble
IL you try to meddle In thisonatter. I
don't take offense. think you have
done your duty. And l confess 1t
doesn't seem exactly the thing. But,
as society is organized, don't see that
we can change the matter. Better not
try to do anything about 1t. Mr.. Strong.
The church likes you and will stand by
In giving you handsome support. but
men are very touchy when their pri-
vate business Is meddled WITH"
Philip sat listening to this speech.
and his face grew whittier and he
clinched his hands tighter as the man
went on. When he had finished. Philip
spoke In a low voice:
"Mr. Bentley, you do not know me
II you think any fear Of the conse-
quences will prevent my speaking to
the members of my church on any mat
ter where II seems to me l ought to
speak. In this particular matter be-
heve 1t Is not only my right be. my
duty to speak. would be shamed be-
fore my Lord and Master IL l did not
declare his will in regard to the uses Of
property. This question passes over
from one Of private business, with
which have no right to meddie, into
the domain of public safety, where
have a right to demand that places
which are fatal to the Life and morals
OF the young men and women os the
town shall not be encouraged and al
lowed to subsist through the use of
property owned and controlled by men
NJ influence in the community and es-