The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-06-07

IL Ultt 1Ot DC DOSStDtt I" uo tHto "t"y
yOu propose, Brother Strong"
prt had been precipitated by his mes
age. and so he welcomed this show Of
Gterest which his sermon had aroused.
The church will not agree to such a
hing"
a number of them favor such a
tep," replied Philip, who had talked
yer the matter fully with many in the
hurch.
"A majority will vote against it."
"Yes, an overwhelming majority"
aid one man. Il know good many
who would not be able to go that dis
ance to attend church, and they Ger.
ainly would not join any other church
n the street. l know, for one, l
wouldn't"
"Not il you thought Christ's kingdom
this town would be advanced by it?'
sSed Philip, turning to to sslii.s ntifii with
directness that was almost bluntness.
81 don't see that that would be a test
bf my Christianity"
That is not the question" said one
bf the trustees. who had the reputation
bf being u very shrewd business man.
The question is concerning the feast
bility of moving this property n mile
Into the poorest part of the town and
then maintaining it there. In my opin-
ion it cannot be done. The expenses
of the organization cannot be kept up.
We should lose some of our best finan-
clal supporters. Mr.. Strong's spirit
and purpose spring from a good mo-
tive. no doubt, but viewed from busi-
ness point of view the church in that
locality would not be success. To
my mind it would be n very unwise
thing to do. 1t would practically de-
stroy our organization here and not
really establish anything there"
Il do not believe we can tell until we
try" said Philip. Il certainly do not
wish the church to destroy itself fool
lShly but | do feel that we ought to dc
something very positive and very large
TO define our attitude as saviors in this
community. And moving the house,
as propose, has the advantage of be-
ing definite, practical step in the. di'
rectiOn of a Christlike use of our pow
ers as church,
There was more talk Of the same
sort, but it was plainly felt by Philil
that the plan he had proposed was dis
tasteful to the greater part of tht
church, and # the matter came to
vote it would be defeated. He talked
the plan over with his trustees, as h'
had already done before he spoke il
public. Four of them were decided II
their objection to the plan. Only one
fully sustained Philip. During th'
week he succeeded in finding out tina
from his membership Of 800 less thai
40 persons were willing to stand b!
him in so radical movement. Ant
| yet the more Philip studied the prob
lem of the town the more he was per
suaded that the only way for th'
church to make any impression on th'
tenement district was to put itself al
rectly in touch with the neighborhood
To accomplish that necessity Philil
was not stubborn. He was ready T.
adopt any plan that would actually d
something, but he grew more eager ev
cry day that he spent in the study o
the town to have the church feel it
opportunity and make Christ realit,
to those most in need Of him.
1t was at this time that Philip wa
surprised ore evening by a call fror
one of the workingmen who had bee
Present and heard his sermon on mo,
Ing the church into the tenement dis
trict.
II came to see you particularly, Nj
Strong, about getting you to com
down to our hall some evening mex
week and give US talk on some sui
1ect connected with the signs OF tn
times" i tl
'T'll come II you think can DO an
tood in that way" replied Philip. hes
oting little.
Il believe you can. The men are b.
no IN tako IN vos1- and Khile the