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

CHAPTER NNIIl.
Philip read the letter through with
out lifting his eyes from the paper Or
making any comment. 1t was as fol
lows
Rev. Philip Strong Calvary Church. Milton:
As clerk OF the church ! am instructed to in.
form you OF the action OF the church at regu.
larry called meeting last Monday night. At that
meeting it was voted by majority present that
you be asked TO resign the pastorate Of calvary
church for tn, GLOWING reasons:
First-Thcrc is very widespread discomfort on
the part O! the church membership on account q
the use OF the church Tor Sunday evening dis
cussions Of social. political and economic ques.
lions and the introduction into the pulpit OF per.
sons whose character and standing are known to
be hostile TO the church and its teachings.
Second-Thc business men Of the church, al
most without exception, are agrees and so cX-
pressed themselves at the meeting that the ser.
mon OF Sunday before last was exceedingly dan
gcrous in its tone and lib.c to lead to the
gravcst results in acts OF lawa7sn s. and anarchy
on the part of people 80 ar already iniamcd
to deeds Of violence a;ain,t pro 'crty and wealth.
Such preaching. in the opinion Of the majority #
pew and supporters Of Calvary church,
cannot be allowed or the church will inevitably
lose its standing in society
Third. 1t is the f.cd determination Of a major.
ity of the oldest and most influential members Of
Calvary church to Withdraw from the orraniza,
tion all support under the present condition Of az.
fairs. The trustees announced that the pledges
for church support had already fallen of very
largely, and last Sunday less than half the regu.
lar amount was received. This was ascribc6 %
the sermon Of the first Of the month
Fourth.The vaca'i IN of the parsonage and the
/ removal OF the minister into the region Of the
tenement district have created an intense feeling
on the part Of large number of families wlc
have for years been firm supporters and friends Of
the church. They feel that the action was alto.
gethcr uncalled for. and they think it has been
the means of disrupting the church and throwing
{ matters into confusion, besides placing the church
in an nfavorablc light with the other churches
and the community at large.
Fifth.It the opinion OF a majority Of the
members present that, while much of the spirit
exhibited by yourself was highly oommcndablc
vet in view Of all the facts 1t would I've eXpedicnt
for the pastoral relation to be severed. The con
tinuance Of that relation seemed TO promise only
added disturbance and increased antagonism in
the church. II was the well nigh unanimous yer
dict that your plans and methods might succeed
to your better satisfaction with constituency
made up Of nonohurch people and that possibi
your own incnatons would lead you to take tn.
step which the church has thought wisest and
best for all concerned.
! Ii is my painful duty as the clerk of Calvary
Z
church and the specific reasons for that action.
council will be called to review our proceeding,
and advise with reference to the Same. In heha
/ Of the church. -, Clerk
Philip finished the letter and lifted
! his eyes again. And again he looked
| out throuLn the window across the
! sheds TO the roofs of the tcnemcnts
/ From where he sat he could also see
across the city, up on the rising ground
the spirc of Calvary church. 1t ros,
] distinct and cold against the gray De
cembcr sky. The air was clear ant
frosty, the ground was covered will
snow, and the roofs of the tenement:
showed black and white patches where
( the thinner snow had mslted. He wa;
silent so long that his wife bccam,
frightened.
philip, Philip" she cried as sh,
threw her arms about his neck an,
drew his head down nearer. "The!
have broken your heart. They have
killed you. There is no love in til,
world any more
mo, no. he cried suddenly. "Yo-
must not say that. You make III,
doubt. There is the love of Christ
which passeth knowledge. But. oh
for the church, the church which h,
loved and for which he gave himself.
"But ii is not the church of Chris
that has done this thing"
"NevcrthecsS it is the church in Tn,
world he replied. Tell me, Sarah
how this was kept so secret from me. -
You forget. You We're so cntircl'
absorbed in the care of Alfred. anC
then the church meeting was held will