The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-03-15

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ton was generally considered final
and the voting was in accordance with
the committees report.
] So when the committee came in that
evening following the Sunday that had
witnessed the conversion of the sexton
| Philip had ready u list of names. in
Guiding several young men. 1t was a
| very precious list TO him. 1t seemed
| almost for the first time since he came
to Milton as if the growing opposition
| to him was about to be checked and
finally submerged beneath 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 read the list over to the COM
mittee, saying something briefly about
nearly all the applicants for member
ship and expressing his joy that the
young men especially were coming in
to the church family. When he reach
ed the sections 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 VIII object to re-
ceiving the sexton. What is his name"
Henry Roland"
"Why, he has been sexton of Calvary
church for ten years." said another.
an older member of the committee,
Deacon Stearns by name. HE has
been an honest, capable man. l never
heard any complaint Of him. He has
always minded his own business. How
ever, l don't know how the church
will take it to consider him as an APP
plicant for membership"
"Why, brethren, how can it take it
in any except the Christian way?" said
Philip eagerly. Here is a 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, but can say for
him that he gave all evidence of
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 person TO thrust himself into
places where people do not wish him
a temperate, industrious, modest, quiet
workman, a Christian believer asking
us to receive him at the communion ia
bic Of our Lord. There is no church
for his own people here. On what pos
sible pretext 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 a
very strong prejudice against the ne
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 it would be wise to present this
name just now" Deacon Stearns APP
peared to speak for the committee, all
of whom murmured assent In one form
or another.
''And yet" said Philip. reused to a
sudden heat of Indignation, land yet
what Is Calvary church doing to help
to make those men down by the rail-
road tracks any better? Are we con-
cerned about them at all except when
our coal or wood or clothing is stolen
or some one is held 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 it a different color
from ours?" Philip stopped and then
finished by saying very quietly,
Brethren, do you think Christ would
receive this man into the church"
There was no reply for a moment.
Then Deacon Stearns 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 a member. And STILL" said
the old deacon, with a sigh, Il believe
Christ would receive him into his
church"
Before much more could be said the
different applicants came, and as the
custom was, after a 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 sections name with
the others.
'Now, brethren" said Philip, with a
sad smile, as they rose to go, you
know have always been very frank in
all our relations together, and / am go
ing to present the sections name to the
church Thursday night and let the
church vote on 1t 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. 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 no
question in my mind as to the outcome
Of the matter. 1t is question OF ex-
pediency. ! do not have any feeling
against the sexton, but think II would
be very unwisc to receive him into
membership, and do not believe the
church will receive him. If you pre-
sent the name, you do so on your own
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