The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-03-08

KIM.
How can we accept such an offer
Calvary church has always believed IL
paying its minister a good salary and
paying it promptly, and we want oul
minister to live decently and be able
to appear as he should among the bes'
people" replied the nervous little mar
who had been first to speak.
"Still. we cannot deny that it Is q
very generous thing for Mr.. Strong
to do. He certainly is entitled to cred
it for his unselfish proposal. No one
can charge him with being worldly
minded" said Mr.. Winter, feeling q
new interest in the subject as he found
himself defending the minister.
aAre you in favor of allowing him
to do what he proposes in the matter
of the parsonage?" asked another.
II don't see that we can hinder Mr..
Strong from living anywhere he
pleases If he wants to. The church
cannot compel him to- live in the par
sonage."
mo. but it can choose not to have
such a Minister exclaimed the first
speaker again excitedlg. "and for one
am most decidedly opposed to the
whole thing. do not see how the
church can allow it and maintain its
self respect"
do you think the church is ready to
tell Mr. Strong that his services are
not wanted any IongerT asked Mr..
Winter coldly.
n am, for one of the members, and |
know others who feel as do if mat
tiers go on in this way much longer.
tell you. Brother Winter, Calvary
church is very near crisis. Look at
the Goldens and the Malverns and the
Albergs. They are all leaving US, and
the plain reason is the nature of the
preaching. Why, you know yourself.
Brother Winter, that never has the
pulpit of Calvary church heard such
preaching on peoples private affairs"
Mr.. Winter colored and replied angri-
ly: What has that to do with this
present matter? If the minister wants
to live in a simpler style. don't see
what business we have to stop it. AS
TO the disposition of the parsonage.
that is a matter of business which
rests with the church to arrange"
The nervous, irritable little man who
had spoken oftenest rose to his feet
and exclaimed: You can count me out
of all this, then. | wash my hands of
the whole affair" And he went out of
the room, leaving the rest of the board
somewhat surprised at his sudden de-
parture.
They remained about quarter of an
hour longer discussing the matter, and
finally, at Mr.. Winters suggestion,
committee was appointed to go and see
the minister the next evening and see
il he could not be persuaded to modify
or change his proposition made in the
sermon. The rest of the trus-
tees insisted that Mr.. Winter himself
should act as chairman Of the commit
tee, and after some remonstrance he
finally, with great reluctance. agreed
to do so.
So Philip next evening. as he sat in
his study mapping out the weeks
work and wondering a little what the
church would DO in the face of his pro-
posal, received the committee, welcom-
ing them in his bright, hearty man
ner. He had been notified on Sunday
evening of the approaching confer
ence. The committee consisted of Mr..
Winter and two other members of the
board
Mr.. Winter opened the conversation
with considerable embarrassment and
an evident reluctance for his share in
the matter.
"Mr. Strong, we have come. as you
are aware. TO talk over your PROPOSE
ton of yesterday morning concerning
the parsonage. 1t was a great surprise
to US all"
Philip smiled little. Mrs. Strong
says | act too much on impulse and
do not prepare people enough for my
statements. But one of the greatest
men / ever knew used to say that an
impulse was good thing to obey in
stantly if there was no doubt of Its be-.
ing right one"
"And do You consider this proposed
move of yours a right one, Mr..
StrongT' asked Mr.. Winter.
81 do" replied Philip. with quiet en-
phasis. 81 do not regret making it,
and | believe it is my duty to abide by
my original decision"
"Do you mean that you intend actu-
ally to move out of this parsonage"
asked one OF the other members of the
committee.
"Yes" Philip said it so quietly and
yet so decidedly that the men were ST.
lent a moment. Then Mr.. Winter
said:
"Mr. Strong, this matter Is likely to
cause trouble Ia the church, and we
might as well understand it frankly.
The trustees believe that as the par
sonage belongs to the church proper
ty and was built for the minister he
ought to live in it. The church will
not understand your desire to move
out"
'Do you understand 1t, Mr.. Win
ter? Philip put the question point
blank.
"No, don't know that / do who'll
ly." Mr.. Winter colored and replied
in hesitating manner.
81 gave my reasons yesterday morn
ing. / do not know that l can make
them palmer. The truth Is l cannot
go on preaching to my people about
living on simpler basis while cen
tinue to live In surroundings that on
the face of them contradict my own
convictions. In other words, ! am
living beyond my necessities here. /
have lived all my life surrounded by
the luxuries of civilization. II now
desire TO give these benefits to those
who have never enjoyed them or to
know from nearer contact something
OF the bitter struggle OF the poor, why