Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-06-07
The Crucifxion of
Philip Strong.
BY REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON

Copyright, 1899, BY The Advance Pub shing Co.
CHAPTER XVI
The day was beautiful and the
church as usual crowded to the doors
There was a feeling of hardly conceal.
ed excitement on the part of Calvary
church. The action of Thursday night
had been sharply criticised. Very many
thought Philip had gone beyond his
right in bringing such an important
subject before 50 small a meeting of
the members, and the prospect of the
approaching baptism and communion
of the sexton had drawn in a crowd of
people who ordinarily staid away from
that service.
Philip generally had no preaching on
communion Sunday. This morning he
remained on the platform after the
opening exercises, and in a stiffness
which was almost painful in its in
tensity he began to speak in low but
clear ana impressive voice:
"Fellow disciples of the church of
Christ on earth, we meet 10 celebrate
the memory Of that greatest Of all be-
ings, who, on the eve Of his own great
est agony, prayed that his disciples
might all be one. In that prayer he
said nothing about color or race or
difference of speech or social sur
roundings. His prayer was that his
disciples might all be oue-one in their
aims, in their purposes. their sympa-
thy, their faith, their hope. their love.
IAN event has happened in this
church very recently which makes it
necessary for me TO say these words
The Holy Spirit came into this room
last Sunday aud touched the hearts
of several young men, who gave them
selves then and there 90 the Lord Jesus
Christ Among the men was one Of
another race than the Anglo-Saxon.
He was a black man. His heart was
melted by the same love, his mind IL
Illuminated by the same truth He de-
sired 10 make confession Of his belief,
be baptized according to the commands
of Jesus aud unite with this church as
a humble disciple OF the lowly Naza-
rene. His name was presented with
the rest az the regular committee meet
Ing last Monday. and that committee,
by a vote Of 10 ., refused to present
his name with recommendations for
membership. on my own responsible
Is at the preparatory service Thursday
night / asked the church to act upon
this disciples name. There was a
legal quorum of the church present
BY vote Of 20 to - the applicant for
membership was received according to
the rules Of this church.
But after that meeting the man
came to me aud said that he was I'M
willing 10 unite with the church. know
ing that some objected to his member
shin. II was a natural feeling for him
to have. We had a long talk over the
matter. Since then | have learned
that II a larger representation Of mem
beers had been present at the prepara-
tory meeting there Is a possibility that
the number voting against receiving
the applicant would have been much
larger than those who voted for him.
"Indar all these circumstances
have deemed il my duty to say what
have thus far said and to ask the
church to take the action | now pro-
nose. We are met here this morning in
full membership. Here Is a soul just
led out of the darkness by the spirit OF
truth. lie is one known to many OF
Won as an honest worthy man, for
many years faithful in the discharge OF
his duties In this house. There is no
Christian reason why he should be de-
MED fellowship around this table.
wish. therefore, to ask the members OF
the church to vote again on the &C
cpptance or rejection Of Henry Roland
diseiple Of Jesus, who has asked for
nermisSion to this body Of Christ IN
his name. Win all those in favor or
thus receiving our brother into the
great family Of faith signify II by rails
Ing the right Laudf"
For a moment not a person ID the
church stirred. Every one seemed
smitten into astonished inaction by the
sudden proposal Of the minister. Then
hands began 10 20 up. Philip counted
them. his heart beating with anguish
as he foresaw the coming result, He
waited a mlnute--it seemed TO many
ike several minutes-and then said,
IAN those opposed 10 the admission OF
the applicant signify il by the same
sign"
Again there was the same significant
reluctant pause. then half dozen
hands went up in front of the church.
Instantly from almost every part OF
the house hands went up in numbers
that almost doubled those who had
voted in favor Of admission. From the
gallery ON the sides, where several Of
phiIip.s workmrn friends sat. a Mss
arose II was slight, but heard by the
entire congregation Philip glanced UP
there. and it instantly ceased,
without another word he stepped
down from the platform and began TO
read the list Of those who had been re-
ceIyed into church membership lie
baa almost reached the end OF u Wheh