Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-03-01

flee.
CHAPTER XVI.
The day was beautiful and the
church as usual crowded to the doors
There was Il feeling of hardly conceal
ed excitement on the part of Calvary
church. The action Of Thursday night
had been sharply criticised. Very many
tho ight Philip had gone beyond his
right in bringing such an important
subject before so small q meeting of
the members. and the prospect Of the
approaching baptism and communion
Of the sexton had drawn in crowd Of
people who ordinarily staid 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 il, in
tensity ne began to speak in low but
clcar ana impressive Voice:
yellow 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 ak he one. In that prayer lie
said nothing about color or race or
difference of speech or social sur
rot-4n-S. His prayer was that his
disc pies might all bc onc-onc in their
aims, in their purposes, their sympa-
thy. their faith. their hope their love.
An event has happened in this
church very recently which makes it
necessary for me TO say these words
The Holy Spiris came into this room
last Sunday and touched the hearts
of several young men. who gave them
selves then and there to the Lord lcsIs
Christ. Among the men was one Of
another race than the Anglo-SaXD i.
He was a black man. His heart WAS
melted by the same love. his mind IL
Illuminated 10y tine same truth. He de
sired To make confession of his belief
he baptized according To the commands
of Jesus and unite with this church as
Il humble disciple of the lowly Naza-
rene. His name was presented with
the rest at the regular committee meet
ing last Monday. and that committees
by a vote Of > TO >, refused to present
his name with recommendation for
membership. On my own responsible
ty at the preparatory service Thursday
night asked the church to act upon
this disciples name. There was a
legal quorum of the church present
BY vote of % 30 II the applicant for
membership was received according to
the rules OF This church.
But after that meeting the man
came to me and said that he was I'M
willing to unite with the church. know
ship. It was natural feeling for him
to have. We had long talk over the
matter Since then have learned
that if Il larger representation of mem
bcrs had been present ii the prepare
tory meeting there is Il possibility that
the number voting against receiving
the applicant would have been much
larger than those who voted for him.
"Undcr all these circumstances
have deemed i, my duty to say what |
have thus far said and to ask the
church 10 take the action | now pro
pose. We are met here this morning in
full membership Here is a soul just
led out of the darkness by the spirit Of
truth. lie is one known To 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 he de
MED fellowship around this table.
wish. therefore. to ask the members of
the church To vote again on the ac-
Coptancc or rejection of Henry Roland,
disciple of Jesus. who has asked for
permission TO this body of Christ in
his name, Win all those in favor of
thus receiving our brother into the
great family of faith signify it by rails.
ing the right hand?"
For a momcnt not Il person i'm the
church stirred. Every one seemed
smttcn into aStonishcd inactlon by the
sudden proposal OF the minister. Then
hands began 80 90 up, Philip counted
them. his heart beating with anguish
rs he f0rosaW the coming result, lie
waited II mnutc--it seemed to many
like several minutcS-and then said,
AN those opposed 10 the admission Of
the applicant signify it 10y the same
sign"
Again there was the same significant,
reluctant pause, then half ii dozen
hands went up in front of the church.
Instantly from almost every part of
the house hands went up in numbers
that almost doubled those who had
voted in favor of admission. From the
gallery on the sides, whore several of
Philips Workm"n friends sat, a hiss
arose. II was slight but heard 10y the
entire congregation. Philip glanced up
there, and it instantly ceased.
Without another word he stepped
down from the platform and began 10
read the list OF those who had been re