Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-02-21
THE CRUC|F|X|0N
OF PHILIP STRONG.
By REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON,
Author of Do "Malcom Kirk "Rober
Hardy Days." Etc
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAIlElt AAlll.
Philip read the letter through with
out lifting his eyes from the paper or
making any comment. 1t was as fol-
lows:
Rev. Philip Strong, Calvary Church, Milton:
As clerk of the church ] am instructed to in
form you OF the action Of the church at regu-
larly called mcctin, last Monday night. At that
meeting it was voted by majority present that
rou be aSked to resign the pastorate OF Calvary
iaurch for the following reasons:
First-There is a very widespread discomfort on
the part O! the church membership on account OF
the use Of the church for Sunday evening dis
cussions Of social. political and economic ques-
tions and the introduction into the pulpit OF per-
sons whose character and standing are known to
be hostile to the church and its teachings.
Second.-The business men OF the church, al
most without exception, are agreed and so ex'
pressed themselves at the meeting that the SER
mon OF Sunday before last was exceedingly dan
gerous in its tone and liable to lead to the
gravest results in acts of lawlesSnesS and anarchy
on the part Of people who are already infiamed
to deeds OF violence against property and wealth.
Such preaching. in the opinion OF the majority OF
pew owners and supporters OF Calvary church.,
cannot be allowed or the church will inevitably
lose its standing in society.
Third.-E is the fixed determination of major.
ity OF the eldest and most influential members OF
Calvary church to withdraw from the organza.
ton all support under the present condition OF AZ
fairs. The trustees announced that the pledges
for church support had already fallen off very
largely and last Sunday less than half the regu.
lar amount was received. This was ascribed to
the sermon Of the first Of the month.
Fourth.-The vacation OF tho parsonage and the
Al - H.
tenement district Lave created an intense feeling
on the part of large number Of families who
have for years been firm supporters and friends Of
the church. They feel that the action was alto
gether uncalled for, and they think it has been
the means OF disrupting the church and throwing
matters into confusion, besides placing the church
in an unfavorablc light with the other churches
and the community at large.
Fith.-lt was the opinion OF a majority OF the
members present that, while much of the spirit
exhibited by yourself was highly commendable,
yet in view OF al the facts it would be expedient
for the pastoral relation to be severed. The con-
tinuance Of that relation seemed to promise only
added disturbance and increased antagonism in
the church. II was the we'll nigh unanimous YER
dict that your plans and methods might succeed
to your better satisfaction with constituency
made up of nonchurch people and that possibly
your own inclinatons would lead you to take the
step which the church has thought wisest and
best for all concerned.
1t is my painful duty as the clerk Of Calvary
church to write thus plainly the action OF the
church and the specific reasons for that action.
council will oe called to review our proceedings
and advise with reference to the same. In behalf
Of the church. --. Clerk.
Philip finished the letter and lifted
his eyes again. And again he looked
out through the window across the
sheds to the roofs Of the tenements.
From where he sat he could also see.
across the city. up on the rising ground.
the spire of Calvary church. 1t rose
distinct and cold against the gray De-
cember sky. The air was clear and
frosty, the ground was covered with
snow. and the roofs Of the tenements
showed black and white patches where
the thinner snow had melted. He was
silent so long that his wife became
frightened.
Philip! Philip" she cried as she
threw her arms about his neck and
drew his head down nearer. '"They
have broken your heart! They have
killed you! There is no love in the
world any more"
"No. nor he cried suddenly. "You
must not say that You make me
doubt. There is the love Of Christ,
which paSseth knowledge. But. oh.
for the church. the church which he
loved and for which he gave himself"
"But it is not the church Of Christ
that has done this thing"
Nevertheless it is the church in the
world" he replied. Tell me. Sarah.
how this was kept so secret from me-"
"You forget. You were so entirely
absorbed in the care Of Alfred, and
then the church meeting was held with