The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-07-12


church to take the action l now pro-
pose. We are met here this morning in
full membership. Here is 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. l
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. WIN all those in favor Of
thus receiving our brother into the
great family Of faith signify 1t by rails
ing the right hand?"
For a moment not n person In the
church stirred. Every one seemed
smitten into astonished inaction by the
sudden proposal of the minister. Then
hands began 10 go up. Philip counted
them, his heart beating with anguish
as he foresaw the coming result. He
waited n minute-it seemed to many
like several minutes-and then said,
"All those opposed to the admission Of
the applicant signify it by the same
sign"
Again there was the same significant
reluctant pause, then half dozen
hands went up in front of the church.
Ia. l-f .f
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, n hiss
arose. 1t was slight, but heard by the
entire congregation. Philip glanced up
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. He
had almost reached the end of it when
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 to
face the congregation and still address
Philip, he said:
"Mr. Strong, do not feel as If, after
what has taken place here this morn
ing, l could unite with this church.
This man who has been excluded from
church membership is the son Of wo-
inf l1N An fn m
one of my relatives. That slave wo-
man once nurscd her master through
n terrible illness and saved his life.
This man, her son, was then little
child. But in the strange changes that
have gone on since the war the son Of
poverty and obliged to work for a liv-
ing. He is now in this town. He is
this very day lying upon sick bed in
the tenement district. And this BLACK
man has for several weeks out Of his
small earnings helped the son Of his
mothers master and cared for him
through his illness with all the devo-
tion Of friend.
81 have only lately learned these
facts. But, knowing them as do and
believing that he is as worthy to sit
about this table as any Christian here,
l cannot reconcile the rejection with
my own purpose to unite here.
therefore desire to withdraw my ap-
plication for membership here. Mr..
Strong. desire to he baptized and par
take of the communion as disciple Of
Christ simply, not as member Of Cal
vary church. Can | do sOT"
Philip replied in a choking voice,
"You can" The man sat down. 1t
was not the place for any demonstra-
don. bur again from the gallery came
/ slight but distinct note OF applause.
AS before 1t instantly subsided as
Philip looked up. For moment ev-
cry one held his breath and waited
for the minister's action. Philips face
was pale and stern. What his sensi-
tive nature suffered in that moment
no one ever knew, not even his wife,
who almost started from her seat,
fearing that he was about to faint.
For moment there was a hesitation
about Philips manner so unusual with
him that some thought he was going to
leave the church. But he quickly call
ed on his will to assert its power, and,
taking up the regular communion serv-
ice, he calmly took charge of 1t as If
nothing out of the way had occurred.
He did not even allude to the morn
ing's incident in his prayers. Whatever
else the people might think of Philip
they certainly could find no fault with
his self possession. His conduct OF the
service on that memorable Sunday was
admirable.
When it was over, he was surround
ed by different ones who had taken
part either for or against the sexton.
There was much said about the matter.
But all the arguments and excuses and
comments on the affair could not re,
move the heartache from Philip. He
could not reconcile the action Of the
| church with the spirit Of the church S
Master Jesus, and when he finally