The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1900-03-21

church and the minister into closer ana
more vital relations with the people
most in need OF spiritual and physical
uplifting? Out of the depths of my
nature | believe II will The chasm
between the church and the people in
these days must be bridged by the splr-
it of sacrifice in material things. II is
in vain for us to preach spiritual truths
unless we live physical truths. What
the world is looking for today are OBJ
ject lessons In self denial on the part
of Christian people"
For a moment no one spoke. Then
Mr.. Winter said:
"About your proposal that this house
be turned into a refuge or home for
homeless children. Mr.. Strong, do you
consider that idea practicable? Is 1t
business? Is 1t possible"
81 believe it is. very decidedly. The
number of homeless and vagrant chill
dren at present IN Milton would aston
ish you. This house could be put into
beautiful shape as a detention house
until homes could be found for the
children in Christian families"
sit would take a great deal OF money
to manage It."
eyes" replied Philip, with a sadness
which had Its cause deep within him,
SIT would cost something. But can the
world bo saved cheaply? Does not
every soul saved cost an immense sum,
If not Of money at least Of an equiva-
lent? Is 1t possible for us to get at
the heart of the great social problem
without feeling the need Of using all
our powers to solve it rightlyT
Mr.. Winter shook his head. He did
not understand the minister. His ac-
ton and his words were both foreign
to the mill owners regular business
habits Of thought and performance.
what will you do, Mr.. Strong, IL
the church refuses to listen to this pro-
posed plan of yours"
81 suppose" answered Philip after
a little pause, "the church will not OBJ
ject to my living In another house at
my own charges"
They have no right to compel you
TO live here" Mr.. Winter turned TO
the other members of the committee.
81 said so at our previous meeting.
Gentlemen, am not right In thatT'
at is not a question Of our COM
polling Mr. Strong TO live here" said
one of the others. 1T is n question OF
the church's expecting him TO do so.
1t Is the parsonage and the church
home for the minister. In my opinion
1t will cause trouble If Mr.. Strong
moves out. People will not understand
It,"
THAT is my belief, too, Mr.. Strong"
said Mr.. Winter "It would be better
for you to modify or change or, better
still, to abandon this plan. 1t will not
be understood and will cause trouble"
Suppose the church should rent the
parsonage then" suggested Philip. ut
would then be getting a revenue from
the property. That, with the thousand
dollars on my salary, could be wisely
and generously used TO relieve much
suffering In Milton this winter The
church could easily rent the house"
That was true, as the parsonage
stood on one Of the most desirable
parts of b street and would command
good rental
"rhen you persist in this plan Of
yours, do you, Mr.. Strong?" asked the
third member of the committee, who
had for the most part been silent.
Eyes; consider that under the cir
cumstances. local and universal, 1t is
my duty. Where | propose to go Is
house which can get for So month.
fg no LOT nd
so far from the church and this neigh
bOrhood that need be Isolated too
much from my church family"
Mr.. Winter looked serious and per-
picked. The other trustees looked dis
satisfied. 1t was evident they regard
ed the whole thing with dlsfavor.
Mr.. Winter rose abruptly. He could
not avoid n feeling Of anger in spite Of
his obligation to the minister. He also
had n vivid recollection Of his former
interview with the pastor In that
study. And yet he struggled with the
vague resistance against the feeling
that Philip was proposing TO do a thing
that could result In only one way--of
suffering for himself With all the rest
went suppressed but conscious emo
ton Of wonder that n man would Of
his own free will give up a luxurious
home for the sake Of any one.
"The matter Of reduction Of salary,
Mr.. Strong. VIII have to come before
the church. The trustees cannot vote
to accept your proposal. l am very
much mistaken AZ the members of Cal
vary church will not oppose the reduc-
ton. You can see how 1t would place
us In an unfavorable light"
mot necessarily, Mr.. Winter" said
Philip eagerly. "If the church will
simply regard It as my own great de-
sire and as one Of the ways by which
we may help forward our work In NIL
ton, am sure we need have no fear
OF being put In false light The
church does not propose this reduc-
ton. II comes from me and In a time
Of peculiar emergency. both financial
and social. II is a thing which has
been done several times by other min
isters."