Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-01-25

change everything all at once"
His wife looked at him a little anx-
iously She had perfect faith in Phil
ip's honesty of purpose, but she some
times had a fear of his inpetuous de-
sire to reform the world. After "a little
pause she spoke again, changing the
subject.
"What did you think of the congrega-
ton, PHILIPPE
81 enjoyed it. ] thought it was very
attentive. There was larger number
out this evening than ! had expected"
"Dd you like the looks of the peo-
plc?"
"They were all very nicely dressed"
snow, Philip you know that isn't
what ! mean. Did you like the peo.
pies facesW
"You know I like all sorts and condi-
tons Of men"
Eyes. but there are audiences and au-
diences. DO you think you will enjoy
preaching to this one in Calvary
churchT'
Il think I shall" replied Philip. but
he said it in tone that might have
meant n great deal more. Again there
was silence and again the minister's
wife was the first to break ii.
"There was Il place in your sermon
tonight, Philip where you appeared
the least bit embarrassed, as you seem
sometimes at home when you have
some writing or some newspaper ar
ticle on your mind ana some one sud
denly interrupts you with a question II
good way from your thoughts. What
was the matter? Did you forget a
pointW
"No, I'll tell you. From where
stand on the pulpit platform ] can see
through one of the windows over the
front door. There is a large electric
lamp burning outside, and the light fell
directly on the sidewalk across the
/ street. From time to time groups of
people went through that band Of
light. OF course | could not see their
faces very well, but l soon found OUT
that they were mostly the young men
and women operatives OF the mills.
I They were out strolling through the
street. which, I am told. is a favorite
promenade with them. l should think
as many as 200 passed by the church
while j was preaching. Well. after
awhile | began to ask myself whether
there was any possible way of getting
those young people to come into the
church instead of strolling past: And
then l looked at the people in front Of
me and saw how different they were
from those outside and wondered if it
wouldn't be better to close up the
church and go and preach on the street
where the people are. And so. carry
Ing on all that questioning with my
self while l tried to preach. causing n
little embarrassment as you kindly
call il. in the sermon"
IL should think SOL But how do you
know, Philip, that those people outside
We're In any need Of your preachine?"
Philip appeared surprised at the
question. He looked at his wife, and
her face was serious.
why doesn't everybody need
preaching? They may not stand in
need of my preaching perhaps. but
they ought to have some preaching.
And I cannot help thinking of what is
the duty of the church in this place to
the great crowd outside. Something
ought TO be done"
Phillip, | am sure your work here
will be blessed Don't you think sof"
Il know it will" replied Philip with
the assurance of very positive but
spiritually minded man. He never
thought his Master was honored by
asking him for small things or doubt
ing the power of Christianity to Go
great things.
And always when he said 81" he
simply meant, not Philip Strong. but
Christ in Philip Strong To deny the
power and worth of that incarnat ton
was, to his mind, not humility, but
treason.
The Sunday following Philip made
this announcement to the people:
Beginning with next Sunday morn
Ing, I shall give the first of n series OF
monthly talks on Christ and Modern
Society 1t will be my object in these
talks to suppose Christ himself as the
one speaking to modern society ON its
sins its needs, its opportunities, its
ItSI'bHNI'4IIlitS, us every Jay NE. l
shall try to be entirely loving and just
and courageous in giving what | be-
leve Christ himself would give YOU if
he were the pastor of Calvary church
In Milton today. So. during the talks.
wish YOU would, with me. try 10 see il
you think Christ would actually say
what shall say in his place. If Christ
were in Milton today, | believe he
would speak to us about Il good many
! things in Milton. and he would speak
very plainly. and in many cases he
might seem TO be severe. But it would
, be for our good. OF course am but
human in my weakness. | shall make
mistakes. | shall probably say things
Christ would not say. But always go
ing to the source of all true help, tho
spirit of truth, | shall. as best man
may, speak as ! truly believe Christ
would if he were your pastor. TheSt
talks will be given on the first Sunday
of every month. | cannot announce
the subjects. for they will be chosen
as the opportunities arise"
During the week Philip spent s1vera
hours of each day in learning the facts
concerning the town. one Of the first
things he did was TO buy an accura tt
map of the place. lie hung ii up Oh
the wall Of his study and in after day,