Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-01-13

the members Of Calvary church more
than this calm proposal to them that
they move their building a mile away
from It's aristocratic surroundings.
Nothing that he had said in his previ-
GUS sermons had provoked such a spir-
1t Of opposition. This time the church
was reused. Feelings of astonishment,
Indignation and alarm agitated the
members OF Calvary church. Some of
them gathered about Philip at the close
Of the service.
ut will not be possible to do this
thing you propose, Brother Strong"
said one Of the deacons, leading mem
ber and man who had defended Phil
ip once or twice against public criti
cism.
"Why not" asked Philip simply. He
was exhausted with his effort that
morning, but felt that crisis Of some
sort had been precipitated by his mes
sage, and so he welcomed this show Of
interest which his sermon had aroused.
"The church will not agree to such q
thing"
"a number Of them favor such q
STEP" replied Philip. who had talked
over the matter fully with many In the
church.
"A majority will vote against it."
"Yes, an overwhelming majority"
said one man. 81 know q good many
who would not be able to go that dis
tance to attend church, and they GER
tainly would not join any other church
on the street. know. for one. l
wouldn't"
mot If you thought Christ's kingdom
In this town would be advanced by it?"
asked Philip, turning to this man with
q directness that was almost bluntness.
II don't see that that would be a test
of my Christianity"
THAT is not the question" said one
of the trustees, who had the reputation
of being q very shrewd business man.
"The question Is concerning the feasi-
bility Of moving this property a mile
into the poorest part. Of the town and
then maintaining It there. In my opin-
ion 1t cannot be done. The expenses
of the organization cannot be kept up.
We should lose some of our best fnan-
cial supporters. Mr.. Strong's spirit
and purpose spring from a good mo-
tive, no doubt. but viewed from a busi-
ness point Of view the church In that
locality would not be success. To
my mind it would be very unwise
thing to do. 1t would practically de-
stroy our organization here and not
really establish anything there"
Il do not believe we can tell until we
try" said Philip. II certainly do not
wish the churclh to destroy itself fool
ishE. but do feel that I'VE ought to do
something very positive and very large
to define our attitude as saviors In this
community. And moving the house,
as ! propose. has the advantage Of be-
ing definite. practical step in the d.
rection of q Chrstlike use Of our pow
ers as q church"
There was more talk Of the same
sort. but 1t was plainly felt by Philip
that the plan he had proposed was lis
tasteful to the greater part Of the
church. and If the matter came to a
vote it would be defeated. He talked
the plan over with his trustees. as he
had already done before he spoke in
public. Four Of them were decided In
their objection to the plan. Only one
fully sustained Philip. During the
week he succeeded in finding out that
from his membership Of 500 less than
40 persons were willing to stand by
him in so radical movement. And
yet the more Philip studied the prob
lem Of the town the more he was per-
suaded that the only way for the
church to make any impression on the
tenement district was to put itself d.
rectly In touch with the neighborhood.
To accomplish that necessity Philip
was not stubborn. He was ready to
adopt any plan that would actually do
something. but he grew more eager ev-
cry day that he spent In the study OF
the town to have the church feel its
opportunity and make Christ reality
to those most In need Of him.
1t was at this time that Philip was
surprised one evening by a call from
one of the workingmen who had been
present and heard his sermon on NOV
ing the church into the tenement dis
trict
81 came to see you particularly, MIR.
Strong. about getting you to come
down to our hall some evening next
week and give us talk on some sub
jcct connected with the signs OF the
times"
"I'll come If you think / can do any
good In that way" replied Philip. hesi-
tating little.
81 believe you can. The men are be-
ginning to take to you, and while they
won't come up to church they will
turn out to hear you down there"
Gall right. When do you want me
to Gomez"
"Say next Tuesday. You know where
the hall isT'
Philip nodded. lie had been by 1t in
his walks through that part Of Milton.
Tho SnOkpSmon for thp wOrkmen ey-