Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-01-31

4Yes," replied Philip. You did mol
expect me to act on your advice SC
soon?"
"My advice" The question came ir
hesitating tone. Did | advise you
to move? All. yes. remember" A
light like supremest reason flashed over
the mans face and then died out
.Yes. yes; you are beginning to live on
your simpler basis. You are doing as
you preach. That must feel good"
YES" replied Philip. 1t does fee
good. Do you think, Brother Man, that
this will help to solve the problem?"
What problem:"
"Why. the problem Of the church and
the people-winning them, saving
them"
Are your church members moving
out of their elegant houses and coming
down here to live?" The old man ask
ed the question in utmost simplicity.
mo; did not ask them"
@You ought to-"
"What. Do you believe my people
ought literally to leave their posses
sions and live among the people,"
Philip could not help asking the
question. and all the time he was con-
scious of a strange absurdity. mingled
with an unaccountable respect for his
visitor and his opinion.
Yes" came the reply, with the
calmness of light. Christ would de-
mand it if he were pastor Of Calvary
church in this age. The church mem
bers, the Christians in this century,
must renounce all that they have OF
they cannot be his disciples"
Philip sat profoundly silent. The
words spoken so quietly by this crea-
ture tossed upon his own soul like a
vessel in a tempest. He dared not say
anything for a moment. The Brother
Man looked over and said at last,
What have you been preaching about
since you came here|"
"A great many things"
What are some Of the things you
have preached about?"
"Welr-Philip clasped his hards
over his knees-"I have preached about
the right and wrong uses of property,
the evil of the saloon, the Sunday as
q day Of rest and worship, the necessi-
ty Of moving our church building down
into this neighborhood, the need of
living on a simpler basis and, lastly,
the true work of a church in these
days"
HAS your church done what you
have wished"
NO." replied Philip, with sigh.
"Wiu it do what you preach ought
to be done?"
81 do not know"
"Why don't you resign?
The question came with perfect sim
plicity, but it smote Philip almost like
a blow. 1t was spoken with calmness
that hardly rose above whisper, but
it seemed to the listener almost like q
shout. The thought Of giving up his
work simply because his church had
not yet done what he wished or be-
cause some Of his people did not like
him was the last thing man Of his
nature would do. He looked again at
the man and said:
"Would you resign if you were in my
placer"
mo" 1t was so quietly spoken that
Philip almost doubted If his visitor
had replied. Then he said, What has
been done with the parsonage"
"It is empty. The church is waiting
to rent it to some one who expects to
move to Milton soon."
@Are you sorry you came here?
:"No. am happy in my work"
"Do you have enough to eat and
wear?"
"Yes indeed. The thousand dollars
which the church refused to take off
my salary goes to help where most
needed. The rest is more than enough
for u.s."
"Does your wife think SOP" The
question from any one else had been
impertinent. From this man 1t was
not.
"Let us call her in and ask her." re-
piled Philip. with a smile.
Sarah. the Brother Man wants to
know if you have enough to live on"
Sarah came in and sat down. 1t was
dark. The year was turning into the
softer months Of spring. and all the
outdoor world had been a benediction
that evening if the sorrow and poverty
and sin of the tenement district so
near had not pervaded the very walls
and atmosphere Of the entire place.
The minister's wife answered brave
ly: Yes, we have food and clothing
and life's necessaries. But, oh, Philip,
this life is wearing you out! Yes,
Brother Man." she continued, while 4
tear rolled over her cheek, the minis
ter is giving his lifrblood for these
people, and they do not care. 1t is Il
vain sacrifice" She had spoken as
frankly as if the old man had been
her father There was Il something
in him which called out such conf
dence.
Mr.. Strong soothcd his wife, clasping
her to him tendcrly. There, Sarah,
YOU are nervous and tired. am lit
tie discouraged, but strong and hearty
for the work. Brother Man, you must
not think we regret your advice. We
have been blessed by following IT,"
And then their remarkable guest
stretched out his arms through the
gathering gloom in the room ana SEEM
cd to bless them. Later in the even
ing he again called for BiDle ana
offered d prayer Of w0ndrous sweet
ness. He was shown to his plainly FUR
uished room. He looked around and
smiled.