Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-05-03
ev REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON,
CopuS0ht, 1899. b. 1Hs Aduancs Publishing %.
Author Of "In His Steps: What Would Jesus DoP"
Kirk" Robert Hardy's Seven Days." Etc.

We have mentioned Philips custom
of coming into his pulpit from the little
roorn at the side door of the platform.
Fbis morning he went In at the side
door of the church after parting with
Sarah and the others. He let Brother
Man and William go on ahead a little.
and then, drawing his wife to him. he
stopped and kissed her. He turned at
the top of the short fight of steps lead
ing up to the side entrance and saw
her still standing in the same place.
Then she went around from the little
court to the front Of the church and
went in with the great crowd already
beginning to stream toward Calvary
church.
No one ever saw so many people in
Calvary church before. Men sat on
the platform and even in the deep
window seats. The spaces under the
large galleries by the walls were filed
mostly with men standing there. The
house was crowded long before the
hour of service, There were many
beating excited hearts In that audi
ence. More than one member felt a
shame at the action which had been
taken and might have wished it recall
ed. With the great number Of work
ngmen and young people in the church
there was only one feeling; 1t was a
feeling Of love for Philip and of sor-
row for what had been done. The fact
that he had been away from the city,
that he had not talked over the mat
ter with any one owing TO his absence,
the uncertainty as to how he would
receive the whole thing, what he
would say on this first Sunday after
the letter had been written-this at
tracted certain number of persons
who never go inside a church except
for some extraordinary occasion or
In hopes Of sensation. So the audi.
ence that memorable day had some
cruel people present, people who mar
rcwly watch the faces of mourners at
funerals to see what ravages grief has
made on the countenance.
The organist played his prelude
through and was about to stop when
he saw from the glass that hung over
the keys that Mr.. Strong had not yet
appeared He began again at GER
tain measure, repeating 1t, and played
sery slowly. By this time the church
as entirely filed. There was an air
- expectant waiting as the organ
again ceased, and still Philip did not
come out. A great fear came over
Mrs. Strong. She had half risen from
her seat near the platform to go up
and open the study door when II open
ed, and Philip came out.
Whatever his struggle had been In
mat little room the closest observer
could not detect any trace of tears or
sorrow or shame or humiliation. He
was pale, but that was common; other
wise his face wore firm. noble. peace
rui look. AS he gazed over the congre-
CATION 1t fell under the fascination of
MS glances. The first words that he
spoke in the service were strong and
clear.
He began to speak very quietly and
simply. as hisfashion was, Of the fact
mat he had been asked to resign his
pastorate Of Calvary church. He made
'ne statement clearly, with no halting
OF hesitation Or sentiment of tone or
gesture. Then, after saying that there
was only one course open te him under
'ne circumstances. he went on to speak,
as ne said he ought to speak, in defense
VI hls Interpretation of Christ and his
teaching:
Members of Calvary church, l call
I you to bear witness today that l have
uied to preach to you Christ and him
erucifed, l have doubtless made mis-
akes; we all make them. | have Of.
.enaed the rich men and property own
CTS In Milton. l could not help IL. ]
was obliged to do so in order to speak
as l this moment solemnly believe my
noru would speak. l have aroused op.
pVsiuon because l asked men into the
suurch and upon this platform who do
NOT call themselves Christians, for the
purpose of knowing their reasons for
antagonism to the church we love. Blu,
le time has come, o my brothers
Wuen the church must welcome to Its
"uncils in these matters that affec,
ne worlds greatest good all men who
caVe at heart the fulfillment Of the
christ's teachings.
y, nut the cause which more than any
0.ner has led to the action of this
saurch has been. am fully aware. my
e'nand that the church members OF
.uls city should leave their possessions
ssu go and live with the poor, wretch
~ sinful, hopeless people in the lower
~"h' sharing In wise ways with then
= tne good things of the world. Blu,
mny 90 speak Of all this In defense OF
action or my preaching?"
suddenly Philip seemed to feel re
s'sion OF attitude toward the whole
what be had been saying. 1t was a,
b uere had tnufa s,&lx cxc- T. f.