The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-02-15

and purpose spring from a good mo-
tive, no doubt, but viewed from a bust
ness point OF view the church In that
locality would not be. success. To
my mind it would be very unwise
thing to do. It would practically de-
stroy our orga lization here and not
really establish Hnything there"
II do not believe we can tell until we
try" said Philip II certainly do not
wish the church 10 destroy itself fool
ishly, but do feei that we ought to do
something very pos tive and very large
to define our attitude as saviors in this
community. And moving the house,
as propose, has the advantage of be-
ing a definite, practical step in the di-,
rection of a Christlikt use Of our pow
ers as a church"
There was more talk Of the same
sort. but 1t was plainly felt by Philip
that the plan he had proposed was dis
tasteful to the greater part or the
church, and if the matter came to
vote it would be defeated. He talked
the plan over with his trustees. as he
public. Four of them were decided in
their objection TO the plan. Only one
fully sustained Philip. During the
week he succeeded in finding out that
from his membership Of 500 less than
40 persons were willing to stand by
him in so radical a movement. And
yet the more Philip studied the prob
lem Of the town the more he was per-
suaded that the only way for the
church to make any impression on the
tenement district was to put itself d.
rectly i'm touch with the neighborhood.
To accomplish that necessity Philip
was not stubborn. He was ready TO
adopt any plan that would actually do
something. but he grew more eager ev-
cry day that he spent in the study or
the town to have the church feel lts
opportunity and make Christ n reality
to those most in need Of him.
1t was at this time that Philip was
surprised one evening by a call from
one of the workingmen who had been
present and heard his sermon on NOV
ing the church into. the tenement dis
trict
81 came to see you particularly, Mr..
Strong, about getting you to come
down to our hall some evening next
week and give us a talk on some sub
icct connected with the signs of the
times"
"I'Il come if you think | can do any
good in that way" replied Philip. hest
tating little.
81 believe you can. The men are be-
ginning to take to you.
won't come up to church they will
turn out to hear you down there"
"All right. When do you want me
to come"
Say next Tuesday. You know where
the hall is?"
Philip nodded. He had been by it in
his walks through that part of Milton.
The spokesman for the workmen eX-
pressed his thanks and arose to go, but
Philip asked him to stav few mo-
ments. tie wanted to know at first
hand what the mans representative
fellows would do if the church should
at any time decide to act after Philips
plan.
"Well, to tell the truth, Mr.. Strong,
| don't believe very many of them
would join any church"
'"rhat is not the question. Would
they feel the church any more there
than where it is now"
Yes, l honestly think they would.
well, that would be something, to
be sure" replied Philip. smiling. But
as to the wisdom of the plan-how
does it strike you on the whole"
Il would like TO see it done. | don't
believe | shall. though"
"WhyT
Your church won't agree to it,
Maybe they will in time"
u hope they will. And let me tell
you, Mr.. Strong. even if you succeeded
in getting your church and people to
come into the tenement district you
would find plenty of people there who
wouldn't go to hear YOU
Il suppose that is SO. But, oh, that
we might do something" Philip clasp
ed his hands over his knee and gazed
earnestly at the man opposite. The
man returned the gaze almost as ear
nestly. 1t was the personifcation of
the church confronting the laboring
man, each in n certain way asking the
other, What will the church doT'
And it was ii noticeable fact that the
minister's look revealed more doubt
and anxiety than the other mans look,
which contained more or less of indif-
ference and distrust. Philip sighed,
and his visitor soon after took his
leave.
So it came about that Philip Strong
plunged into work which from the
time he stepped into the dingy little
had growing influence on all his
strange career, grew in strangeness
rapidly as days came on.
He was invited again and again to
address the men in that part of Milton.
They were almost all of them mill en-
ployees. They had a simple organization
for debate and discussion of questions
Of the day. Gradually the crowds in
creased as Philip continued to come
and developed series of talks on
Christian socialism. There was stand
ing room only. He was beginning to
know a number of the men, and a
strong affection was growing up in
| their hearts for him.
That was just before the time the
trouble at the mills broke out. He had
| just come back from the hall where he
had now been going every Thursday
evening and where he had spoken OF
his favorite theme-"The Meaning ant
Responsibility of Power, Both Finan
| cial and Mental" He had treated the