The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-04-24

CHAPTER XVI.
The day was beautiful and the
church as usu1l crowded to the doors.
There was feeling of hardly conceal
ed excitement on the part of Calvary
church. The action of Thursday night
had been sharply criticised. Very many
thought Philip had gone beyond his
right in bringing such an important
subject before so small a meeting of
the members, and the prospect of the
approaching baptism and communion
of the sexton had drawn in q crowd of
people who ordinarily staid away from
that service
Philip generally had no preaching on
remained on the platform after the
opening exercises, and in stiffness
which was almost painful in its in
tensity he began to speak in low but
clear and impressive voice:
Fellow disciples of the church of
Christ on earth, we meet to celebrate
the memory of that greatest of all be-
ings, who, on the eve of his own great
est agony, prayed that his disciples
>
said nothing about color or race or
difference of speech or social sur
roundings. His prayer was that his
disciples might all be one-one in their
aims, in their purposes, their sympa-
thy, their faith, their hope, their love.
'An event has happened in this
church very recently which makes it
necessary for me to say these words.
The Holy Spirit came into this room
last Sunday and touched the hearts
Of several young men, who gave them
selves then and there to the Lord Jesus
Christ. Among the men was one of
another race than the AnglO-Saxon.
He was black man. His heart was
melted by the same love, his mind il
Illuminated by the same truth. He de-
sired to make confession of his belief,
be baptized according to the commands
Of Jesus and unite with this church as
a humble disciple of the lowly NaZa-
rene. His name was presented with
the rest at the regular committee meet
ing last Monday, and that committee,
by vote of to 2, refused to present
his name with recommendations for
membership. On my own responsible
ty at the preparatory service Thursday
night asked the church to act upon
this disciples name. There was a
legal quorum of the church present.
By vote of 26 to II the applicant for
membership was received according to
the rules of this church.
"But after that meeting the man
A. H.
willing to unite with the church, know
ing that some objected to his member
ship. 1t was a natural feeling for him
to have. We had a long talk over the
matter. Since then 1 have learned
that If a larger representation Of men,
bers had been present at the prepara
tory meeting there is possibility that
the number voting against receiving
the applicant would have been much
la. ger than those who voted for him.
"Under all these circumstances l
have deemed it my duty to say what 1
have thus far said and to ask the
church to take the action l now pro-
pose. We are met here this morning in
full membership. Here is a soul just
led out of the darkness by the spirit of
truth. He Is one known to many of
you as an honest, worthy man, for
many years faithful in the discharge of
his duties in this house. There is no
Christian reason why he should be de-
MED fellowship around this table.
wish, therefore, to ask the members of
the church to vote again on the ac-
ceptance or rejection of Henry Roland
disciple of Jesus, who has asked for
permission to this body of Christ in
his name. VIII all those in favor of
thus receiving our brother into the
great family Of faith signify it by rails
ing the right handY
For a moment not a person in the
church stirred. Every one seemed
smitten into astonished inaction by the
| sudden proposal of the minister. Then
hands began to go up. Philip counted
them, his heart beating with anguish
as he foresaw the coming result. He
| waited a minute-it seemed to many
like several minutes-and then said,
"AI those opposed to the admission of
the applicant signify it by the same
sign"
Again there was the same significant,
| reluctant pause, then half a dozen
hands went up in front of the church.
Instantly from almost every part of
the house hands went up in numbers
that almost doubled those who had
voted in favor Of admission. From the
gallery on the sides, where several OF
Philips workmen friends sat, hiss
arose. 1t was slight, but heard by the
entire congregation. Philip glanced uT
there, and it instantly ceased.
Without another word he stepped
down from the platform and began to
read the list of those who had been re
ceived into church membership. H
had almost reached the end of it wheI
a person whose name was called last
rose from his seat near the front
where all the newly received members
were In the habit of sitting together
and, turning partly around SO as tt
face the congregation and still addres:
Philip, he said:
''Mr. Strong, do not feel as if, afte
what has taken place here this morn
ing, 1 could unite with this church
This man who has been excluded from
church membership is the son of a wO
man born into slavery on the estate o.