Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1900-06-20

The Brother Man 1vds Injecting at the side
OF the bcd praying.
real heart Of the subject. He propos-
ed that every church in town, regard
less of its denomination, give itself in
it's pastor and members to the practical
solution of the social troubles by per-
sonal contact with the suffering and
tickness in the district; that tho
churches all throw open their doors ev-
cry day in the week, weekdays as well
as Sundays, for the discussion and agi-
tation of the whole matter; that the
country and the state be petitioned to
take speedy action toward providing
necessary labor for the unemployed.
and that the churches cut down all un-
necessary expenses of paid choirs, do
away with pew rents, urge wealthy
members to consecrate their riches to
the solving of the problem and IN ev-
cry way, by personal sacrifice and
common union, let the churches of Mil
ton as unit work and pray and sacrf:
fee to make themselves felt as real
power on the side of the people in their
present great need. It was Christian
America, but Philips plan was not
adopted. 1t was discussed with some
warmth, but declared to be visionary,
impracticable, unnecessary, not for the
church to undertake, beyond its func-
ton, etc. Philip was disappointed, but
he kept his temper.
"Well, brethren," he said, "what can
we do to lelp the solution of these
questions? Is the church of America to
have no share in the greatest problem
Of human life that agitates the world
today? Is 1t not true that the people
In this town regard the church as an
insignificant organization, unable to
help at the very point Of human crisis,
and the preachers as a lot of weak,
impractical men, with no knowledge of
the real state of affairs? Are we not
divided over our UNCONVENTIONAL diff
ferences when we ought to be united
In one common work for the saving Of
the whole man? I do not have any
faith in the plan proposed to give our
benevolence or to district the town and
visit the poor All those things are
well enough in their place. But mat
ters are in such shape here now and
all over the country that we must do
something larger than that. We must
do as Christ would do If lie were here.
What would he do? Would he give
anything less than his whole life t9 IT,:
Would he not give himself? The
church as an institution is facing the
greatest opportunity it ever saw. II
we do not seize it on the largest posi-
BILE scale, we shall miserably fail Of
doing our duty"
little while, but he came home early.
1t was the first Sunday of the month
on the morrow, and he had not fully
prepared his sermon. He was behind
with it. AS lie came in his wife met
him with a look of news on her face.
"Guess who is here?" she said in a
whisper.
"The Brother Man." replied Philip
quickly.
Eyes, but you never can guess what
has happened. He is in there with
William. And the Brother Man-Phil-,
ip, it seems like chapter out Of a
novelette, Brother Man has discover
ed that William Is his only son, who
cursed his father and deserted him
when he gave away his property. They
are in there together: gould not keep
the Brother Man out" -
Philip and Sarah stepped to the dAof
of the little room, which was open. and
looked in. .-
The Brother Man was kneeling at the
side of the bed praying, and his son
was listening. with one hand tight
clasped in his fathers and the tears
rolling over his pale face.
fro BE CONTINUED.