The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1900-05-18

SidiluCu.
"As l 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 al entirely unheard OF
and uncaIled for proposition"
"Mr. Strong has no doubt a generous
motive in this proposed action" said a
third member Of the board, "but the
church certainly will not approve any
such step as the giving up Of the par,
sonage. He ~eXaggerates the need of
such a sacrifice. think we ought to
eason him out Of the idea"
I'VE called MIR. Strong to the pastor
ate of Calvary church," said another,
land it seems to me he came under the
conditions granted in u call. For
the church to allow such an absurd
thing as the giving up of the parsonage
to this proposed outside work would be
a very unwise move"
Yes, and more than that" said the
first speaker, 81 want to say very
frankly that l 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 I'M
employed men and all the other mat
tiers that have been made the subject
of preaching lately? l want a 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-
rem, there is a growing feeling Of dis
content owe this matter"
There was a short pause, and then
one of the members said:
Surely if Mr.. Strong feels dissatis-
fed with his surroundings in the par
sonage or feels as if his work lay in
another direction he is at liberty to
choose another parish. But he is the
finest pulpit minister we eve had, and
no one doubts his entire sincerity. He
is a remarkable man in many re-
spects."
Yes, but sincerity may be a very
awkward thing carried too far. And
in this matter of the parsonage l don't
see how the trustees "a allow it. Why,
Of it? Calvary church cannot allow
anything of the kind for the sake of it's
reputation. But l would like to hear
Mr.. Winters opinion. He has not spo-
ken yet"
The rest turned to the mill owner,
r,hN nc chairman nf thn haorI T1cr,o1
ly had much to say and was regarded
as a shrewd and careful business adj
wiser. In the excitement of the occa-
sion and discussion the usual formali-
ties Of a 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
ton to give up the parsonage. His
feelings of gratitude to the minister for
his personal help the night of the at
tack by the mob rose up to defend him.
There was with it all an u~ndercurrent
Of self administered rebuke that the
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 he
would give up himself. Philips SER
mon had made a real impression on
him.
'"There is one point we have not dis
cussed yet" he said at last, "and that
is MI. Strong's offer of half his sal
airy to carry on the work Of a chill
dren's refuge or something of that
kind"
How can we accept such an offer?
Calvary church has always believed in
paying it's minister a good salary and
paying it promptly, and we want our
minister to live decently and be able
to appear as he should among the best
people," replied the little man
who had been first to speak.
"Still. we cannot deny that it is a
very generous llluS lOI MI. SllOuS
to do. He certainly is entitled to cred
it for his unselish proposal. No M
can charge him with being worldly
minded" said Mr.. Winter, feeling a
new interest in the subject as he found
himself defending the minister.
"Are you in favor of allowing him
to do what he proposes in the matter
Of the parsonage" asked another.
81 don't see that we can hinder Mr..
from living anywhere he
pleases if he wants to. The church
cannot compel him to live in the par
sonage."
mo, but it can choose not to have
such a minister" exclaimed the first
again excitedly, "and 1 for one
most decidedly opposed to the
thing. | do not see how the
can allow it and maintain it's
self respect"
do you think the church is ready to
tell Mr.. Strong that his services are
not wanted any longer? asked Mr..
Winter coldly.
sEI o, - 49, ,o,,ho,o o-l I