Willmar tribune., 1900-02-28

Dlu l preacn NeI1: 1. i'DlliD was not
vain in the least lie simply put the
question to satisfy bis own eXactiny
demand on himself II preaching. And
there was not perseA i'll the world tc
whom he would. have put such Il ques.
ton except his wife.
"No, thought you flid splendidly.
felt proud of you. Efou made some
queer gestures. and once you put one
of your hands in youR pocket. E,1t your
sermons We're both strong and effect
i've. l am sure the people were im-
pressed. 1t was very still at both serv-
ices"
Philip was Silent a lnoment And his
wife went Oh:
Il am sure we sl,al! like it here.
Philip What do you thinky'
"I cannot tell yet There is very
much to do"
"How do you like the church build
ing?'
"It is an easy audience room for my
voice. | don't like the arrangement of
the choir over the froat door. | think
the choir ought to be down on the plat.
form in front of the people. by the side
of the minister i
''That's one of yourlhobbies, Philip
But the singing was good, didn't you
think So?" E..
eyes. the choir is a good one! The
congregation didn't seem to sing much.
and believe in congregational singing.
even when there is Schoir But we
can bring that about in time, think"
"Now, Philip" said his wife, in some
alarm. you are not going to meddle
with the singing, are you? 1t will get
you into trouble. There is musical
committee in the church and such CON-
mittees are very sensitive about any
interference" E
"Well," said Philip. rousing up lit.
tie. 1.-The singing is very important
part of the service. And it seems TO
me I ought to have something impor-
tant to say about it. But you need not
fear, Sarah. I'm not going to try to
change everything all at once"
His wife looked at him a little anx-
iously. She had perfecf faith in Phil.
ip's honesty Of purpose,8but she some.
times had fear of his%tmpetuous de-
sire to reform the world: After a little
pause size spoke again, schanging the
subject.
"What did you think of.the congrega-
ton, Philip?" I
Il enjoyed it. thought it was very
attentive. There was a larger number
out this evening than had expected"
''Did you like the looks of the peo-
ple?" II
"They were all very nisely dressed"
''Now, Philip, you kiless that isn't
what l mean. Did yoalhke the peo-
pies faces ?" .-'1'7' ~ ~
tions of men,
''YeS, but there are audi6nces and au-
diences. Do you think you will enjoy
preaching to this one in Calvary
church?''
81 think SHALL" replied Philip, but
he said it in a tone that might have
meant a great deal more. Again there
was silence and again the minister's
wife was the first to break it.
"There was a place in" your sermon
tonight. Philip, where you appeared
the least bit embarrassed, as you seem
sometimes at home when you have
some writing or some newspaper ar
ticle on your mind ard some one sud-
denly interrupts you with Il question a
good way from your thoughts. What
was the matter? Did you forget q
point?"
mo, I'll tell you. From where
stand on the pulpit platform l can see
through one Of the windows over the
front door. There is a large electric
lamp burning outside, and the light fell
directly on the sidewalk across the
street. From time to time groups of
people went through that band of
light. OF coursr | could not see their
faces very we'll, but soon found out
that they We're mostly the young men
and women operatives Of the mills.
They were out strolling through the
street, which, am told, is favorite
promenade with them. l should think
as many as 200 passed by the church
while ! was preaching. Well, after
awhile | began to ask myself whether
there was any possible way of getting
those young people to come into the
church instead of strolling past? And
then looked at the people in front Of
me and saw how different they were
from those outside and wondered if it
wouldn't be better to close up the
church and go and preach on the street
where the people are. And so, carry.
ing on all that questioning with N.Y.
self, while tried to preach, causing a
little embarrassment as you kindly
call it, in the Sermon
III should think So! But how do you
know. Philip, that those people outside
were in any ceed Of your preaching?"
Philip appeared surprised at the
question. He looked at his wife, and
her face was serious.
"Why, doesn't everybody need
preaching? They may not stand in
Iced of my preaching perhaps, but
they ought to have some preaching.
And cannot help thinking of what is
the duty of the church in this place to
the great crowd outside. Something
ought to be DONE" ~.
"Philip, | am sure your work here
will be blessed. Don't you think sop
Il know it WILL" replied Philip, with
the assurance of a very positive but
spiritually minded man. He never
thought his Master was honored by
asking him Fer small things orEdoubt-
ing the power Of Christianity to do
great things. - 49,