Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-03-15


.pn after 1000 years of historical
hristianity."
Philip did not speak. He looked out
gain toward the tcnemcuts. The win
~ day was drawing to its close. The
'hurch spirc dill stood out sharp cut
gainst the sky. Finally he turned to
| his wife. aud almost with a groan he
uttered the words: Sarah, do not
| like to believe it. The world is full of
the love of Christ. 1t is not the same
world as Calvary saw"
NO. Hut by what test are nominal
! Christians and church members tried
| today? Is not the church in America
aud England a church in which the
| scribcs and pharisces, hypocritcs, are
! just as certainly found as they were
! in the old Jewish church, And would
not that element cruelty Christ again
if he spoke az plainly now as them
Again Philip looked out of the win
| dow. His whole nature was shaken to
| its foundation
II have made mistakes l have been
! lacking in tact. | have necdlcssly of.
! Tended the people" he said to his wife,
! yielding almost for the first time to
! great fear and distrust Of himself for
| the letter asking his resignation had
| shaken him as once he thought impos-
sible. II have tried to preach and act
! as Christ would, but | have failed to
! interpret him Alright. Is 1t not so,
| Sarah?"
! His wife was reluctant to speak. But
! her true heart made answer: "No, Phil
| ip, you have interpreted him too faith
| fully. You may have made mistakes
! All ministers do. but | honestly be-
| licve you have preached as Christ
would preach against the great selfish
ness and hypocrisy of this century.
The same thing would have happened
to him"
They talked little longer, and then
Philip said
Let us 20 down and see the Brother
! Man. Somehow | feel like talking to
him"
So they went down stairs and into
the room where the invalid was sitting
! with the old man. William was able
to walk about now and had been say
ing that he wanted to hear Philip
preach as soon as he could get to
church.
We'll. Brother Man." said Philip,
| with something like his old heartiness
of manner "have vow heard the news ?
OthelioS occupations gone"
The Brother Man seemed to know
I oil about il. Whether he had heard
Of it through some OF the church peo-
pie or not Mr. Strong did not know.
He looked ut Mr. Strong calmly. There
was loving sympathy in his voice,
but no trace OF compassion or won
der. Evidently he had not been talk
ing of the subject to any one.
II knew it would happen" he said.
"You have offended the rulers"
what would you do, Brother Man,
in my place? Would you resign?''
Philip thought back to the time when
the Brother Man had asked him why
he did not resign.
Don't they ask you to-"
eyes
whole church,"
mo. there are some who want me to
stay"
How do you feel about it," The
Brother Man put the question almost
timidly. Philip replied without hest
tation:
There is only ono thing for me to
do. 1t would he impossible for me to
remain after what has been done"
The Brother Man nodded his head as
& in approval. He did not seem dis
turhcd i'll tn" least, His demcanor was
the most perfect expression of peace
that Philip ever saw.
1--WE shah have to leave this house
Brother Man. said Sarah. feeling with
ing of the event.
"InS, in the Fathers house there
Ere many mansions" replied the Broth
tr Man. Then as Mr.. and Mrs. Strong
sat there in the gathering gloom tie
old man said suddenly, Let us pray
toy Their about it"
lie kncclcd down and offered The
most remarkable prayer that they haC
ever heard. 1t seemed to them that
however the old mans mind might bt
affected, the part of him that touched
God in the communion of audible pray
or was absolutely free from any weak
ness on disease. II was prayer tina
laid its healing balm on the soul o.
Philip and Soothed his trouble int,
peace. When the old man finished
Philip felt almost cheerful again. II,
went out and helped his wife a few
minutes in some work about the kitch
! en-. And after supper he was just get
! ting ready - 20 out to inquire after
sick family near by when there was a
knock at the door.
1t was a messenger boy with tele
, gram. Philip opened II almost me-
/, chanicaily ana, carrying it to the light
, read;
, Alfred died at p, m. Can you Gomez
J For "A second he did not realize the
| news. Then as it rushed upon him hC
| staggered and would have fallen if the
table had not been so close. A faint
ness and Il pain seized him, and for 9
2 minute he thought lie vas falling
, Then he pulled himself together anC
= called his wife. who was in the kitch
pl. She came in at once, noticing tn,
peculiar tone of his voice.
alfred is dead He was saying
the words quietly as he held out thu