Willmar tribune., 1900-05-16

%(kz|l )l|H||!sy' .
"You can count me out of all this, tte1.."
your honesty, but will your leaving
the parsonage and living in less ex-
pensive house on half your present SAL
airy help your church work or reach
more people and save more soulsT"
81 am glad you put it that way" ex-
claimed Philip, eagerly turning to the
speaker. "That is just it. Will my
proposed move result in bringing the
church and the minister into closer and
more vital relations with the people
most in need of spiritual and physical
uplifting? Out of the depths Of my
nature l believe it will. The chasm
between the church and the people in
these days must be bridged by the spir-
it Of sacrifice in material things. 1t is
in vain for us to preach spiritual truths
unless we live physical truths. What
the world is looking for today are OBJ.
ject lessons in self denial on the part
of Christian people"
For a moment no one spoke. Then
Mr.. Winter said:
"About your proposal that this house
be turned into a refuge or home for
homeless children, Mr.. Strong, do you
consider that idea practicable? Is it
business? Is it possible?"
II believe it u.s. very decidedly. The
number Of homeless and vagrant chill
dren at present in Milton would aston
ish you. This house could be put into
| beautiful shape as detention house
until homes could be found for the
| children in Christian families.''
ut would take great deal of money
to manage it,
Eyes, replied Philip with a sadness
which had it's cause deep within him,
*ft would cost something. But can the
ssorld be saved chcaply? Does not
every soul saved cost an immense sum,
If not Of money at least of an equiva-
lent? Is II possible for us to get at
the heart ot the great social problem
without feeling the need of using all
our powers to solve it rightly2'
Mr.. Winter shook his head. He did
pot understand the minister. His ac-
ton and his words We're both foreign
to the mill owners regular business
habits Of thought and performance.
"What will you do, Mr. Strong, if
the church refuses to listen to this pro-
posed plan of yours?"
| 81 suppose" answered Philip after
little pause, "the church will not OBJ
ject to my living in another house at
my own charges?'
'They have no right to compel you
to live here.'' Mr.. Winter turned to
the other members Of the committee.
Il said so at our previous meeting.
Gentlemen, am not right in thaty'
1T is not question of our COM
pelling Mr.. Strong to live here" said
one of the others. 1T is question of
the church's expecting him to do so
1t is the parsonage and the church
home for the minister. In my opinion
it will cause trouble if Mr.. Strong
moves out. People will not understand
it."
"That is my belief, too, Mr.. Strong"
said Mr.. Winter. 1T would be better
| for you to modify or change or, better
| still. to abandon this plan. 1t will not
be understood and will cause trouble"
'Suppose the church should rent the
parsonage then," suggested Philip. "1t|
| would then be getting revenue from|
| the property. That, with the thousand
| dollars on my salary. could be wisely
and generously used to relieve much)
| suffering in Milton this winter. The|
| church could easily rent the house,"
That was true, as the parsonage|
| stood on one of the most desirable
parts of B street and would command
| good rental.
E'Then you persist in this plan Of
! yours, do you, Mr. Strong?" asked the
| third member of the committee, who
| had for the most part been silent.
eyes; I consider that under the cir
| cumstances, local and universal, it isl
my duty. Where propose to go is a
house which I can get for So month
1t is near the tenement district and not|
so far from the church and this neigh
| borhood that l need be isolated tool
much from my church family" 7
| Mr.. Winter: looked: serious and per-
picked. The other trustees looked dis.
satisfied. It was evident they regard
ed the whole thing with disfavor /,
Mr.. Winter rose abruptly. He COULD
not avoid a feeling Of anger in spite OF
his obligation to the minister He also
had vivid recollection of his former
interview with the pastor in that
study. And yet he struggled with the
vague resistance against the feeling
that Philip was proposing to do thing
that could result in only one way-ot
suffering for himself. With all the rest
went suppressed but conscious emo.
tion of wonder that a man would of
his own free will give up luxurious
home for the sake of any one.
'The matter of reduction of salary.
Mr.. Strong, will have to come before
the church. The trustees cannot vote
to accept your proposal I am very
much mistaken if the members of Cal
vary church will not oppose the reduc-
ton. You can see how it would place
us in an unfavorable light"
| Not necessarily, Mr.. Winter" said
| Philip eagerly. eff the church will
simply regard it as my own great de-
| sire; and as one Of the ways by which
we may help forward our work in Nil!
ton, am sure we need have no fear
OF being put in a false light. The
church does not propose this reduc-