Willmar tribune., 1900-05-23

There was no reply ror a moment.
Then Deacon Stearns answered:
"Rrother Strong, we have to deal with
huE"+nity us it is. You cannot make
people all over. This prejudice exists.
and solnetimes we may have to respect
It in order to avoid greater trouble.
know families il the church who will
certainly withdraw If the sexton is
voted In as a member. And STILL" said
the old deacon. with a sigh.S''I 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 en- the names for pres
entation to the church. The name Of
Henry Roland. the sexton, was final
~ reported unfavorably. three of the
committee voting against it. Deacon
| SINUA Ao AC AAOI NOl1uS Will klIC lululN-
ter to present the sections name with
the others.
"NOw, BRETHREN" said Philip. with a
sad smile, as they rose to go, "you
know have always been very franz in
all our relations together, and l am 60
ing to present the sections name to the
church Thursday night and let the
| s11,11roh v1f0 w of
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. 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 to the ex-
tent of our authority, but there is no
question in my mind as to the outcome
of the matter 1t is Question of ex-
pediency. do not have any feeling
against the sexton, but think it 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. He at once went up to his
! study after tile committee was gone
Mrs. Strong. coming up to see him lat.
er, 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
prospect of a small attendance on what
| occasion.
However, some of the best members
of the church were out. The very ones
that were in sympathy with Philip an6
his methods were in the majority OF
those present, and 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 thu
committee and then very simply, bu1
powerfully, told the sections story anl
the refusal of the committee to recon-
mend him for membership.
"NoW, l do not see how we can shu
this disciple of Jesus out of hi
church, concluded Philip "And l wisl
to present him to this church for it's &C
ton. He is a Christian; he needs ou
help and our fellowship, and as Chris
tian believers, as disciples of the Maj
OF all the race, as those who believ'
that there is to be no distinction O.
souls hereafter that shall separat,
them by prejudice, hope you will vot'
to receive this brother in Christ to ou
membership"
The voting on new members wa
done by ballot. When the ballots wer'
all in and counted, it was announced
that all whose names were presented
were unanimously elected except tina
Of the sexton. There were II vote
against him, but 26 for him, and Phili]
declared that according to the consti
tuition of the church he was duly elect
ed. The meeting then went on in tn
usual manner characteristic of prepar
j atory service. The sexton had bee1
present in the back part Of the room
and at the close Of the meeting, afte
all the rest had gone, he and Philip hat
long talk together. When Phili]
reached home, he and Sarah had an
other long talk on the same subject
What that was we cannot tell until W
come to record the events of the com
munion Sunday, a day that stood ou
in Philips memory like one Of tn
bleeding palms of his Master, pierce,
with sorrow. but eloquent with sacri
fee.
CHAPTER XVI.
The day was beautiful and th
i church as usual crowded to the doors
There was a feeling of hardly conceal
ed excitement on the part Of Calvar,
church. The action of Thursday nigh
had been sharply criticised. Very man,
thought Philip had gone beyond hi