The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-06-28
(coNr1NUED.l
CHAPTER XIII.

CHATTER NIL.
The door of the classroom was closed,
and Philip and the trustees were to-
gether. There was a moment Of embar-
RAISING silence, and then the spOkes-
man for the board, nervous little
man, said:
"Mr. Strong. we hardly know Just
what to say to this proposition OF
yours this morning about going ont OF
the parsonage and turning it into an
orphan asylum. But it is certainly a
very remarkable proposition. and we
felt as if we ought to meet you at once
and talk 1t over
It's simply impossible" spoke up
one OF the trustees. ia ;he first place.
it is impracticable as u business propo-
Siton."
"Do you think so?' asked Philip
quietly.
at is Out OF the question: said the
first speaker "Xcitcdly. The church
will never listen to ii I'm tn" world. For
my part. if Brother Strong wishes
to-
At that moment the sexton Knocked
at the door aud said Il man was outside
very anxious to SEQ the minister and
have him come down to his house.
There had been an accidcn, or fight
or something Some one was dying
AMI wanted Mr.. Strong at once. SO
Philip hastily excused himself and
~ lon Ni,,,, fl,, tnvnf hpr
The dOsr was hardly shut again
when the speaker who had been inter
ruptcd jumped to his feet and ex-
claimed:
"As | was saying, for my part II
Brother Strong wishes to indulge in
this eccentric action he will not have
the sanction of my vote in the matter.
1t certainly is an entirely unhcard Of
and uncalIcd for proposition
MIR. Strong has no doubt generous
motive in this proposed action said Il
third member OF the board, but the
church certainly will not approve any
such step rs the giving up of the par
sOnage. lie cXaggcrates the need or
such IA sacrifice. | think we ought to
reason him out of the idea"
I'VE called Mr.. Strong to the pastor
ate of Calvary church," said another,
"and it seems to me he came under the
conditions granted in our call. For
the church to allow such an absurd
thing as the giving up of the parsonage
to this proposed outside work would be
very unwise move"
"Yes, anu more than that" said the
first speaker. Il want to say very
frankly that am growing tired of the
way things have gone since Mr.. Strong
came to us. What business has Cal
vary church with all these outside
matters. these labor troubles and un-
employed men and all the other mat
tcrs that have been made the subject
of preaching lately! | want Il minister
who looks after his own parish. Mr..
Strong does not call on his own people.
He has not been inside my house but
once since he came to Milton. Breth-
ren, there is Il growing feeling Of dis
content over this matter
There was a short pause, and then
one Of the members said:
surely if Mr.. Strong feels dissatis-
fled with his surroundings in the par
sonagc OF feels as ii his work lay in
another direction he is at liberty to
choose another parish. But he is the
finest pulpit minister we ever had, and
4 81. /; t,..,. lin A.
is Il remarkable man in many re-
SpcctS.'
Yes. hut sincerity may be u very
AWKWARD thing carried too far. And
in this matter of the parsonage | don't
see how the trustees can allow it. Why,
what would thc other churches think
of il! calvary church cannot allow
anything of the kind for the sake of its
reputation. But | would like to hear
Mr.. Winters opinion. He has not spo-
ken yet
The rest turned TO the mill owner,
who. as chairman of the board, usual
ly had much to say and was regarded
as Il shrrwd and careful business ad'
NlStl. III lllt va INV w."
sion and discussion the usual formali'
ties of n regular board meeting had
been ignored
Mr.. Winter was evidently embarrass
ed. He had listened to the discussion
of the minister with his head bent
down and his thoughts in a whirl OF
emotion both for and against the pas
tor. His naturally inclined business
habits contended against the PROPOSE
tion to give up the parsonage. His
feelings Of gratitude to the minister fol
his personal help the night Of the at
/ tack by the mob rose up to defend him
There was with it all an undercurren
Of self administered rebuke that thu
pastor had set the whole church an ex
ample of usefulness. He wondered
how many of the members would vol
UNFAIRLY give up half their incomes
! for the good Of humanity. He wonder
ed in a confused way how much h'
would give up himself. Philips ser
monGhad made q real impression OF
him.
There is one point we have not dis
cussed yet" he said at last, ''and tha
| "a A~1A hta