Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-03-15

Lord would spcuA. / have aroused op-
position because | asked men into the
church and upon this platform who do
not call themselves Christians, for the
purpose of knowing their reasons for
antagnnism to the church we love. But
the time has como, o my brothers,
when the church must welcome 10 its
councils in these matters that affect
the worlds greatest good all men who
have ut heart the fulfllment of the
Christ's teachings.
but the cause which more than any
other has led to the action Of this
church has been. am fully aware, my
demand th0t the church members Of
this city should leave their possessions
and 60 and live with the poor wretch
ed, sinful hopeless people in the lower
town, sharing in wise ways with them
of the good things of the world But
why do speak Of all this in defense Of
my action or my proachingT
Suddenly Philip seemed 20 feel re
vulsion Of attitude toward the whole
of what he had been saying It was as
if there had instantly swept over him
the knowledge that he could never
make the people before him under
stand either his motive or his Christ.
His speech so far had been quiet, I'M
inpassioned, deliberate. His whole
manner now underwent swift
change. People in the galleries MOTTO
cd it, and men leaned out far over the
railing, and mort than one closed his
hands tight n emotion ut the SIGHT and
hearing of the tall figure on the plat
form.
Eyes" he said, Il love you. people
Of Milton, beloved members Of this
church. | would have opened my arms
TO every child Of humanity here and
shown him. if could the boundlcss
love Of his Heavenly Father. But. oh.
We would not. And yet the love Of
Christ, What a wonderful thing il is,
How much he wished us to enjoy Of
peace and hope and fellowship and
service, Yes. Scrvice-that is what the
world needs today; service that is will
ing to give all-all TO him who gave all
TO save us. o Christ. Master. teach us
to do thy will. Make us servants to
the poor and sinful and hopeless. Make
thy church on earth more like thy
self"
Those nearest Philip saw him sud
denly raise his handkerchief to his
lips. and then. when he took it away,
it was stained with blood. But the
people did not see that And then and
thcn-a remarkable thing took place.
ON the rear wall of Calvary church
there had been painted, when the
church was built. Latin cross. This
tross had been the source of almost
endless dispute among the church
members. Some said it was inartistic;
others said it was in keeping with the
name Of the church and had right
place there as part of its inner adorn-
lnent. Once the dispute had grown SC
large and serious that the church had
voted aS to its removal or retention OR
the wall. A small majority had voted
TO leave it there, and there it remained
1t was perfectly white, on a panel OF
thin wood, and stood out very conspicu
ously above the rear of the platform
1t was not directly behind the desk
but several feet ut one side.
Philip had never made any allusior
In his sermons to this feature of Calva
ry churchs architecture. People had
wondered sometimes that with his i'm
aginative. poetical temperament he
never had done so. especially once
when a sermon on the crucfixion hat
thrilled the people wonderfully. 1t
might have been his extreme sensitive
ness. his shrinking from anything like
cheap sensation.
But now he stepped back--it was not
;ar-al-l turning partly around, with
>ne long arm extended toward the
cross as if IN imagination he saw the
christ upon it, he exclaimed Behold
The lamb of God that taketh away the
sin of the world" Yes.
in the cross OF Christ glory,
Towering DER the wrecks Of time;
All the light OF sacred story
Gathers round
His voice suddenly ceased he threw
rs arms up. and as he turned a little
forward toward the congregation he
WAS seen 10 fptl ana Staggef Ddch
against the wall. For one intense. ire
mcndouS second of time he stood there
with the whole church smitten into a
plying. Mortified startled. motionles-
crowd of llanched. staring faces as his
tall, dark figure lowered up with out
stretched arms, almost covering the
very outlines Of the cross. and then he
sank down NJ It's foot.
\ groan went up from the audience
Several men Sprang up the platform