The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-04-20

ceiving the sexton. What is his nameT
Henry Roland"
"Ayhy, he has been sexton of Calvary |
church for ten years." said another,
an older member of the committee. |
Deacon Stearns by name. He has |
been an honest, capable man. l never |
heard any complaint of him. He has |
always minded his own business. How |
ever, | don't know how the church |
will take it to consider him as an ap-
plicant for membership"
"Why, brethren, how can it take it |
in any except the Christian way?" said |
Philip eagerly. Here is a man who |
gives evidence of being born again. |
He cannot be present tonight when the |
other applicants come in later owing |
to work he must do. but l can say for
him that he gave all evidence of a
most sincere and thorough conversion.
He wishes to be baptized. He wants
to unite with the church. He is of
more than average intelligence. He is
not person to thrust himself into
places where people do not wish him
a temperate, Industrious. modest, quiet
workman. Christian believer asking
US to receive him at the communion ta-
Bile of our Lord. There is no church
for his own people here. On what pos
sible preteXt can the church refuse to
admit him?"
You do not know some of the men,
bers Of Calvary church, Mr.. Strong, if
you ask such question. There is a
very strong prejudice against the ne
gro in many families. This prejudice
is especially strong just at this time
owing to several acts of depreciation
committed by the negroes living down
near the railroad tracks. I don't be-
lieve it would be wise to present this
| name Just now" Deacon Stearns ap-
peared 70 speak for the committee, all
| of whom murmured assent in one form
CT another,
And yet" said Philip. reused to a
sudden heat OF Indignation, land yet
what is Calvary church doing to help
| to make those men down by the rail-
| ,oad tracks, any better? Are we con-
cerned abont them at all except wbeL
| bur coal or wood OF clothing is stolen
| sr some one is held mp down there?
| And when one of them knocks at the
| door of the church can we calmly and
| eoldly shut it in his face simply be-
cause God made it a different color
from ours?'' Philip stopped and then
finished by saying very quietly,
Brethren. do you think Christ would
receive this man into the church?'
| There was no reply for a moment.
| Then Deacon Stear IS answered.
Brother Strong, we have to deal with
| humanity as it is. You cannot make
| people all over. This prejudice exists,
and sometimes we may have to respect
| it in order to avoid greater trouble.
| know families in the church who will
| certainly withdraw if the sexton is
| voted in as member. And STILL" said
| the old deacon, with a sigh, Il believe
Christ would receive him into his
| church,
Before much more could be said the
| different applicants came, and as the
custom was, after a brief talk with
them about their purpose in uniting
| with the church and their discipleship,
they withdrew, and the committee
formally acted on the names for pres
entation to the church. The name of
Henry Roland, the sexton, was final
ly reported unfavorably, three of the
committee voting against it, Deacon
Stearns at last voting with the minis
ter TO present the sections name with
the others.
''Now, brethren" said Philip, with a
sad smile, as they rose to go, you
know l have always been very frank in
all our relations together, and l am 60
ing to present the seXton's name to the
church Thursday night and let the
church vote on it in spite of the action
here tonight. You know we have only
recommending power. The church is
the final authority, and it may accept
or reject any names we present. l can
not rest satisfied until we know the
verdict af the church in the matter"
Brother Strong" said one of the
committee who had been opposed to
the sexton, you are right as to the ex-
tent of cur authority, but there is no
| question in my mind as to the outcome
of the matter. 1t is a question of eX-
| pediency | do not have any feeling
| against the sexton, but think it would
be very unwise 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 Will
, the minister, and his warm, strong
grasp gave Philip a sense of fellowship
that thrilled him with n sense of cour
: age and companiOnship very much
; needed. He at once went up to his
: study after the committee was gone
Mrs. Strong. coming up to see him lat
7 er, found him, as she often did now, or
his knees in prayer. All, thou follower
: of Jesus in this century, what but thy
prayers shall strengthen thy soul il
! the strange days to come2
Thursday evening was stormy.
heavy rain had set in before dark, ant
l a high wind blew great sheets of water
/ through the streets and ratified loose
boards and shingles about the tene
l ments. Philip would not let his wife
l go out. It was too stormy. So hC
2 went his way alone, somewhat sorrow
! full at heart as he contemplated tn,
l prospect of a small attendance on villa
f he had planned should be an importan
3 | occasion
e However, some of the best members
t Of the church were out. The very onei
: that We're in sympathy with Philip ant
his methods were in the majority o
: those present. and that led to an unex
t | pected result when the names of tht
: applicants for membership came be
e fore the church for action.
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