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

age and companionship very much
needed. He at once went up to his
study after the committee was gone.
Mrs. Strong, coming up to see him lat
err, found him, as she often did now, on
his knees in prayer. All. thou. follower
OF Jesus in this century. what but thy
prayers shall strengthen thy soul In
the strange days to come?
Thursday evening was stormy. A
heavy rain had set in before dark, and
a high wind blew great sheets Of water
through the streets and ratified loose
boards and shingles about the tene-
ments. Philip would not let his wife
go out 1t was too stormy. So he
went his way alone, somewhat sorrow
prospect of a small attendance on what
he had planned should be an important
occasion.
However, some of the best members
of the church were out. The very ones
that were in sympathy with Philip and
his methods were in the majority of
those present, and that led to an unex-
pected result when the names of the
applicants for membership came be-
fore the church for action.
Philip read the list approved by the
committee and then very simply, but
powerfully, told the sections story and
the refusal of the committee to recon-
mend him for membership.
Now, | do not see how we can shut
this disciple of Jesus out of his
church." concluded Philip. "And l wish
to present him to this church for its ac-
ton. He is a Christian; he needs our
help and our fellowship, and as Chris
tan believers, as disciples of the Man
Of all the race, as those who believe
that there is to be no distinction of
souls hereafter that shall separate
them by prejudice, hope you will vote
to receive this brother in Christ to our
membership"
The voting on new members was
done by ballot. When the ballots were
all in and counted, it was announced
that all whose names were presented
were unanimously elected except that
of the sexton. There were II votes
against him, but 26 for him, and Philip
declared that according to the consti-
tuition of the church he was duly elect
ed. The meeting then went on in the
usual manner characteristic of prepar-
atory service. The sexton had been
present in the back part of the room,
and at the close Of the meeting, after
all the rest had gone, he and Philip had
n long talk together. When Philip
reached home, he and Sarah had an
other long talk on the same subject.
What that was we cannot tell until we
come to record the events of the COM
munion Sunday, a day that stood out
In Philips memory like one of the
bleeding palms of his Master, pierced
with sorrow, but eloquent with sacri-
fee.
CHAPTER XVI.
The day was beautiful and the
church as usual crowded to the doors
There was 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 so small a meeting of
the members, and the prospect of the
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
Sunday. This morning he
on the platform after the
opening exercises, and in a stiffness
which was almost painful in it's in
tensity he began to speak in a low but
clear and impressive voice:
Fellow disciples of the church of
Christ on earth, we meet to 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
His prayer was that his
disciples might all be One-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
asst Sunday and touched the hearts
If several young men, who gave them
selves then and there to 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
animated by the same truth. He de-
sired TO make confession of his belief,
De baptized according to the commands
If Jesus and unite with this church as
| humble disciple of the lOwly NaZa-
'ene. His name was presented with
he rest at the regular committee meet
ng last Monday. and that committee,
Dy vote Of to .. refused to present
lis name with recommendations for
On my own responsible
y at the preparatory service Thursday
hight / asked the church to act upon
his disciples name. There was a
egal quorum Of the church present.
BY vote of 26 to 10 the applicant for
was received according to
he rules of this church.
"But after that meeting the man
'ame to me and said that he was IN
willing to unite with the church, know
ng that some objected to his member
ship. 1t was natural feeling for him
TO have. We had a long talk over the
matter. Since then / have learned
that II larger representation of men,
JOHNF. 4 v. R, LACEY.