The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-07-12
By REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON,
ocpms0at 1899. by 81 Advance Puh'taas"o Co.


very precious list to him. 1t seemed
almost for the first time since he came
to Milton as IL the growing opposition
to him was about to be checked and
finally submerged beneath n power OF
the Holy Spirit, which it was Philips
daily prayer might come and do the
work which he alone could not do. That
was one reason he had borne the feel
ing against himself SO calmly.
PHILIP rcnd the LIST over to the COM
mittcc. saying something briefly about
nearly all the applicants for member
ship and expressing his joy that the
young men especially We're coming in
to the church family. When he reach
ed the scNtun's name, he related sim
ply the scene with him after the morn
ing service.
There was an awkward pause then.
The committee was plainly astonish-
ed. Finally one said: Brother Strong,
I'm afraid the church will object to re-
ceiving the sexton. What is his name"
Henry Roland
W IN. III iIlS bt'll S'N''h VI a. 90
church for ten years" said another
IN ol!cr member of the committee,
Deacon Stcarns by name. lie has
been an honest. capable man. | never
heard any complaint Of him. He has
always minded his own business. How
ever. | don't know how the church
will take it To consider him as an ap-
plcant for membership.
"Why, brethren. how can ii take 1t
in any except the Christian way!' said
Philip eagerly. Here Is n man who
gives evidence of being born again
He cannot be present tonight when the
other applicants come in later owing
to work he must do. hut ] can say for
him that hr gave all evidence Of a
most sincere and thorough conversion.
He wishes to be baptized. He wants
to unite with the church. He Is Of
more than average intelligence. He Is
not II person to thrust himself into
places where people do not wish him
II temperate, Industrious, modest. quiet
workman, Christian believer asking
us to receive him at the communion ia
bic of our Lord There is no church
for his ow n people here. On what pos
sible prctext can the church refuse to
admit him.
"You do not know some Of the men,
bers of Calvary church, Mr.. Strong, If
you ask such a question. There Is
very strong prejudice against the me-
gro in many families. This prejudice
is especially strong just at this time
owing to several acts Of depreciation
committed by the negroes living down
near the railroad tracks. | don't be-
lieve 1t would he wise to present this
name Just now" Deacon Stcarns ap-
peared to speak for the committee, all
Of whom murmurcd assent in one form
or another.
"And yet" said Philip. reused to n
sudden heat of Indignation, "and yet
what is Calvary church doing to help
to make those men down by the rail-
road tracks any better? Are we con-
cV'ned about them at all except when
our coal or wood or clothing is stolen
or some one is hCld up down there?
And when one of them knocks at the
door of the church can we calmly and
coldly shut it in his face simply be-
cause God made 1t Il different color
from ours?" Philip stopped ana then
finished by saying very quietly.
Brethren, do you think Christ would
receive this man into the church,
There was no reply for moment.
Then Deacon StCarns answered:
Brother Strong. we have to deal with
humanity as it is. You cannot make
people all over This prejudice exists,
and sometimes we may have TO respect
it in order to avoid greater trouble. |
know families in the church who will
certainly withdraw if the sexton is
voted in as II member. And still" said
the old deacon, with sigh, 81 believe
Christ would receive him into his
church"
Before much more could be said the
different applicants came, and as the
custom was, after brief talk with
them about their purpose in uniting
with the church and their discipleship.
they withdrew, and the committee
formally acted on the names for pres
entation to the church. The name of
Henry Roland, the sexton, was final
ly reported unfavorably, three of the
committee voting against it, Deacon
Stearns at last voting with the minis
ter to present the seXton's name with
the others.
"Now, brethren" said Philip, with a
sad smile, rs they rose to go, you
know have always been very frank In
all our relations together, and am 60
ing to present the scXton's name to the
church Thursday night and let the
church vote on it in spite Of the action
here tonight. You know we have only
recommending power. The church Is
the final authority, and it may accept
or reject any names we present. l can.
not rest satisfied until we know the
verdict of the church in the matter"
Brother Strong" said one Of the
committee who had been opposed to
the sexton, "you are right as to the ex
tent Of our authority, but there Is nc
question in my mind as to the outcome