The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-03-08

.sYou can count me out of all this, then"
your honesty. but will your leaving
the parsonage and living in less ex-
pensive house on half your present sal
airy help your church work or reach
more people and save more souls?
II am glad you put it that way" ex-
claimed Philip. eagerly turning to the
speaker. THAT is just it, Will my
proposed move result in bringing the
church and the minister into closer and
more vital relations with the people
most In need of spiritual and physical
uplifting? Out of the depths Of my
nature | believe 1t viii. The chasm
between the church and the people in
these days must be bridged by the spir-
it of sacrifice in material things. 1t is
in vain for us to preach spiritual truths
unless we live physical truths. What
the world is looking for today are OBJ
ject lessons in self denial on the part
of Christian people"
For a moment no one spoke. Then
Mr.. Winter said:
"About your proposal that this house
be turned into refuge or home for
homeless children, Mr.. Strong, do you
consider that idea practicable? Is it
business? Is it possible?"
II believe it is, very decidedly. The
number of homeless and vagrant chill
dren at present in Milton would aston
lsh you. This house could be put into
beautiful shape as detention house
until homes could be found for the
children in Christian families"
sit would take great deal of money
to manage it."
YES" replied Philip, with sadness
which had its cause deep within him.
sit would cost something. But can the
world be saved cheaply? Does not
every soul saved cost an immense sum,
If not of money at least of an equiva-
lent? Is it possible for us to get at
the heart Of the great social problem
without feeling the need of using all
our powers to solve it rightly?
Mr.. Winter shook his head. He did
not understand the minister. His ac-
ton and his words were both foreign
to the mill owners regular business
habits of thought and performance.
"What will you do, Mr.. Strong, IL
the church refuses to listen to this pro-
posed plan of yours?
II suppose" answered Philip after
little pause, 1.-The church will not OBJ
ject to nv living in another house at
my own charges"
''They have no right to compel you
to live here" Mr.. Winter turned to
the other members of the committee.
IT said so at our previous meeting.
Gentlemen, am not right in that?'
''It is not question Of our COM
polling Mr.. Strong to live here" said
one of the others. 1T is a question of
the church's expecting him to do so.
1t is the parsonage and the church
home for the minister. In my opinion
it will cause trouble if Mr. Strong
moves out. People will not understand
it."
THAT is my belief, too, Mr.. Strong"
said Mr.. Winter. at would be better
for you to modify or change or, better
still. to abandon this plan. 1t will not
be understood and will cause trouble"
Suppose the church should rent the
parsonage then" suggested Philip. 1T
would then be getting revenue from
the property That, with the thousand
dollars on my salary, could be wisely
and generously used to relieve much
suffering in Milton this winter The
church could easily rent the house"
stood on one of the most desirable
parts of 3 street and would command
good rental
''Then you persist in this plan Of
yours. do you. Mr.. Strong" asked the
third member of the committee. who
had for the most part been silent.
Yes: consider that under the cir
cumstances. local and universal, 1T is
my duty. Where ! propose to go is
house which can get for So a month.
1t is near the tenement district and not
so far from the church and this neigh
borhood that need be isolated too
much from my church family"
Mr. Winter looked serious and per-
picked. The other trustees looked dis
satisfied. 1t was evident they regard
ed the whole thing with disfavor.
Me. Winter rose abruptly. He could
not avoid feeling of anger In spite of
his obligation to the minister. He also
had vivid recollection of his former
interview with the pastor in that
study. And yet he struggled with the
vague resistance against the feeling
that Philip was proposing to do a thing
that could result in only one way-of