The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-04-03

thing to do. 1t would practically de-
stroy our organization here and not
really establish anything there"
4 do not believe we can tell until we
try" said Philip. Il certainly do not
wish the church to destroy itself fool
ishly, but do feel that we ought to do
something very positive and very large
to define our attitude as saviors In this
community. And moving the house,
as L propose, has the advantage of be-
ing definite, practical step in the di-
rection of Christlike use Of our pow
ers asa church.
There was more talk of the same
sort, but it was plainly felt by Philip
that the plan he had proposed was dis
tasteful to the greater part Of the
church, and if the matter came to a
vote it would be defeated. He talked
the plan over with his trustees, as he
had already done before he spoke in
public. Four of them were decided in
their objection to the plan. Only one
fully sustained Philip. During the
week he succeeded in finding out that
from his membership of 500 less than
40 persons were willing to stand by
him in so radical movement. And
yet the more Philip studied the prob
lem of the town the more he was per-
suaded that the only way for the
church to make any impression on the
tenement district was to put itself d.
rectly in touch with the neighborhOod.
To accomplish that necessity Philip
was not stubborn. He was ready to
adopt any plan that would actually do
something, but he grew more eager ev-
cry day that he spent in the study Of
the town to have the church feel its
opportunity and make Christ a reality
to those most in need Of him.
1t was at this time that Philip was
surprised one evening by call from
one of the workingmen who had been
present and heard his sermon on NOV
ing the church into the tenement dis
erict
81 came to see you particularly, Mr..
Strong, about getting you to come
down to our hall some evening next
week and give us talk on some sub
ject connected with the signs of the
times"
"I'll come If you think 1 can do any
good in that way" replied Philip, hesi-
| tating little.
81 believe you can. The men are be-
ginning to take to you. and while they
won't come up to church they Will
turn out to hear you down there"
"All right When do you want me
| to Gomez"
"Say next Tuesday. You know where
| the hall is?'
Philip nodded. He had been by it in
his walks through that part of Milton.
The spokesman for the workmen ex-
pressed his thanks and arose to go, but
Philip asked him to stay few mo-
| ments. He wanted to know at first
hand what the mans representative
| fellows would do If the church should
at any time decide to act after Philips
plan.
"Well, to tell the truth, Mr.. Strong,
don't believe very many of them
would join any church"
''That is not the question. Would
they feel the church any more there
than where it is noww
Eyes, 1 honestly think they would.
They would come out to hear you"
"Wen, that would be something, to
be sure" replied Philip, smiling. "But
as to the wisdom of the plan-how
does it strike you on the wholer
Il would like to see ii done. I don't
believe l shall, though"
"WhyT'
"Your church won't agree to it."
maybe they will in time"
81 hope they will. And let me tell
you, Mr.. Strong, even if you succeeded
in getting your church and people to
come into the tenement district you
would find plenty. Of people there who
wouldn't go to hear you"
81 suppose that is so. But, oh, that
we might do somethingw Philip clasp
ed his hands over his knee and gazed
earnestly at the man opposite. The
man returned the gaze almost as ear
nestly. 1t was the personification OF
the church confronting the laborine
man, each in a certain way asking the
other, What will the church do?
And it was a noticeable fact that the
minister's look revealed more doubt
and anxiety than the other mans look
which contained more or less of indif
ference and distrust. Philip sighed
and his visitor soon after took his
leave.
So it came about that Philip Strong
plunged into a work which from the
time he stepped into the dingy little
hall and faced the crowd peculiar to il
had a growing influence on all his
strange career, grew in strangeness
rapidly as days came on.
He was invited again and again tt
address the men in that part of Milton
They were almost all of them mill EN-
ployees. They had simple organization
for debate and discussion Of questions
of the day. Gradually the crowds in
and developed series of talks OF
Christian socialism. There was stand
ing room only. He was beginning t(
know a number of the men, and &
strong affection was growing up IL
their hearts for him.
That was just before the time the
trouble at the mills broke out. He hat
Just come back from the hall where b,
had now been going every Thursday
evening AMI where he had spoken OF
his favorite theme-''The Meaning ant
Responsibility of Power, Both Finan
cial and Mental" He had treated tn,
subject from the Christian point O
view entirely He had several time
reused his rude audience to enthusiasm
Moved by his theme and his surround