Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-05-31

recommending power. The church is
the hnal authority, and it may accept
or reject any names we present. l can
not rest satisfied until we know the
verdict of the church in the matter"
Brother Strong" said one of the
committee who had been opposed to
the sexton, you are right as 10 the ex-
tent Of cur authority, but there Is no
question in my mind as to the outcome
Oh the matter. 1t is a question of ex-
pediency. | do not have any feeling
against the sexton, but | think il would
be very unwisc to receive him into
membership. and | do not believe the
church will receive him. If you. pre-
sent the name, you do SO on your own
responsibility"
with mine" said Deacon Stearns.
He was the last to shake hands with
the minister, and his warm. strong
grasp gave Philip sense of fellowship |
that thrilled him with sense of cour |
age and companionship very much |
needed. lie at once went up to his |
study after the committee was gone. |
Mrs. Strong. coming up to see him lat.
en- found him, as she often did now. on
his knees in prayer All, thou follower
Of Jesus in this century, what but thy
prayers shall strengthen thy soul in
the strange days TO come?
Thursday evening was stormy. A
heavy rain had set in before dark. and
a high wind blew great sheets of water
through the streets and ratified loose
boards and shingles about the tene-
ments Philip would not let his wife
go out. 1t was too stormy. So he
went his way alone somewhat sorrow.
full at heart as he contemplated the
OF a small attendance on what
he had planned should be an important !
occasion
However some Of the best members
Of the church were out. The very ones
that were in sympathy with Philip aud
bis methods We're in the majority Of
Nose present. aud that led TO an unex-
pected result when the names of the
applicants for membership came be-
fore the church for action.
Philip read the list approved by the
committee and then very simply. but
powerfully told the sections story and
he refusal Of the committee to recon- T
mend him for membership. |
Now, | do not see how we can shut
his disciple of Jesus out of his /
hurch, concluded Philip. And wish
0 present him to this church for its ar I
ion. He Is a Christian; he needs our
elp and our fellowship, and as Chris n
ian believers as disciples Of the Man
( all the race, as those who believe q
hat there is to be no distinction of !,
ouls hereafter that shall separate y
hem 10y prejudice, hope you will vote q
D receive this brother in Christ TO our :
membership" .
The voting on new members was n
one 10y ballot. When the ballots were
Il in and counted, il was announced
nat all whose names were presented
ere unanimously elected except that D
the sexton. There were l. votes
gainst him, but 20 for him, and Philip y
cleared that according TO the consti-
ltion of the church he was duly elect
l. The meeting then went on in the
'ual manner characteristic of prepar-
DRY service. The sexton had been
'esent in the back part Of the room, ~
nj at the close Of the meeting after ~
the rest had gone he and Philip bad VI
long talk together. When Philip 4"
ached home, he and Sarah had an IA
her long talk on the same subject. ni'
hat that was we cannot tell until we 81
me TO record the events Of the com. "
union Sunday, day that stood out WI
Philips memory like one Of the ~
'eding palms Of his Master, pierced 81
~ .orra,,I I'm, .too,,an, ,,.,,b sao.f re,
q on
" shi