The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1900-04-04

This man, her son. was then a little
child. But in the strange changes that
have gone on since the war the son of
the old master has been reduced to
poverty and obliged to work for liv-
ing. He is now in this town. He is
this very day lying upon a sick bed in
the tenement district. And this blacl,
man has for several weeks out of his
small earnings helped the son of his
mothers master and cared for him
through bis Illness with all the devo-
ton Of q friend.
Il have only lately learned these
facts. But. knowing them as | do and
believing that he is as worthy to sit
about this table rs any Christian here,
| cannot reconcile the rejection with
my own purpose TO unite here.
therefore desire 10 withdraw my ap-
plication for membership here. Mr..
Strong. l desire to be baptized and par
take Of the communion as n disciple of
Christ simply. not as a member OF Cal
vary church. Can | do 500"
Philip replied IN n choking voice,
You can" The man sat down 1t
was not the place for any demonstra-
ton. but again from the gallery came
q slight but distinct note Of applause.
as before. it instantly subsidized as
Philip looked up. For n moment ev-
cry one held his breath and waited
for the minister's action. Philips face
was pale and stern. What his sensi-
tive nature suffered in that moment
no one ever knew, not even his wife.
who almost started from her seat,
fearing that he was about to faint.
For a moment there was hesitation
about Philips manner so unusual with
him that some thought he was going to
leave the church. But he quickly call
ed on his will to assert its power, and,
taking up the regular communion serv-
ice, he calmly took charge of it as If
nothing out of the way had occurred.
He did not even allude to the morn
ing's incident in his prayers. Whatever
else the people might think of Philip
they certainly could knd no fault with
his self possession. His conduct Of the
service on that memorable Sunday was
admirable.
When ii was over, he was surround
ed by different ones who had taken
part either for or against the sexton.
There was much said about the matter.
But all the arguments and excuses and
comments on the affair could not re-
move the heartache from Philip. He
could not reconcile the action Of the
church with the spirit Of the church's
Master, Jesus, and when he finally
reached home and calmly reviewed the
events OF the morning he was more
and more grieved for the church and
for his Master 1t seemed to him that
a great mistake had been made and
that Calvary church had disgraced the
name OF Christianity.
AS he had been In the habit of doing
since he moved into the neighborhood
OF the tenements, Philip went out In
the afternoon to visit the sick and the
sorrowful. The shutting down Of the
mills had resulted In an immense
amount of suffering and trouble. AS
spring came on some few Of the mills
lllNh hdu WIN
In them at a reduction Of wages. The
entire history of the enforced idleness
Of thousands Of men In Milton during
that eventful winter would make
large volume Of thrilling narrative.
Philips story but touches on this 9th
err lie had grown rapidly familiar
with the different phases Of life which
loafed and idled and drank itself away
during that period Of inactlon. Hun
dreds of men had drifted away to 9th
er places in search Of work. Almost as
many more had taken to the road to
swell the ever increasing number Of
professional tramps and in time to de-
velOp into petty thieves and criminals.
But those who remained had desper-
ate struggle with poverty. Philip grew
sick at heart as he went among the
people and saw the complete helpless
ness, the utter estrangement of sympa-
thy and community Of feeling between
the church people and these represent
atives of the physical labor Of the
world. Every time he went out to do
his visiting this feeling deepened IN
him. This Sunday afternoon in partic-
ular 1t seemed TO him as II the depres'
sion and Encouragement Of the tene'
ment district weighed on him like a
great burden. bearing him down to the
earth with sorrow and heartache.
He had been in the habit of going
out TO communion Sunday with the
emblems of Christ to observe the rite
by the bedsides of the aged or III OF
those who could not get out to church
He carried with him this time n basket
containing part of the communion
service After going to the homes OF
one or two invalid church members he
thought OF the person who had beer
mentioned by the man In the morning
as living In the tenement district and
In a critical condition. He had secured
his address, and after a little inquiry
he soon found himself in a part Of the
tenements near to him.
He climbed up three flights of stairs
and knocked at the door. 1t was open
ed by the sexton. He greeted PhiliI
with glad surprise.
The minister smiled sadly.
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